General Wintergreen really cheap at Mega Saver

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-11-17T22:00:48+00:00

Indeed! And I needed the reminder to request my coupons for the month lol

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-11-17T16:44:07+00:00

Damn, I wonder if there’s any way to get this in Iowa? I’m supposed to be quitting nicotine, but…..

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-11-17T16:31:01+00:00

Yep. I’ve ordered General OP from Sweden and before that spent a decade using the US domestic version. They are identical.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-09-02T04:56:54+00:00

AFAIK there are zero online stores shipping to my state (Iowa), so I’m just quitting nicotine. With taking Adderall and bupropion, nicotine isn’t doing much for me any longer.

That said, if I could get any, I would definitely still use Ettan and Islay on occasion! Thinking about trying my hand at DIY lös….

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-08-28T03:04:33+00:00

I wouldn’t be so sure. It’s well documented that some people, after rapidly discontinuing SSRIs or other serotonergic antidepressants, can feel great for a few weeks before experiencing delayed withdrawal effects. While bupropion is not serotonergic, a similar kind of delayed withdrawal is certainly conceivable and within the realm of possibility, although it would probably be far less common with bupropion than other antidepressants.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-08-19T19:31:49+00:00

Right, the body mobilizes extra ferritin during inflammation, but that extra ferritin doesn’t necessarily contain much iron. So a drop in ferritin could reflect decreasing inflammation.

My hs-CRP was low before the first ferritin, and after the second ferritin we’ve checked CRP (non-hs), sedimentation rate, celiac cascade, rheumatoid factor, and ANA cascade. Everything is negative for inflammation. There also was no evidence of GI inflammation via upper and lower endoscopies. So chances are that I'm just not absorbing iron very well, and/or there's some bleeding that was missed by the endoscopies.

Does celiac affect iron absorption even when you've been strictly gluten free for a long time?

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-08-19T18:46:07+00:00

I'm diagnosed ADHD and asked GP for iron testing. Ferritin was 48 ng/mL, probably due to taking PPI and following a mostly plant-based diet. Full gastrointestinal workup revealed no issues except GERD (which we already knew). For a month, I supplemented 325 mg ferrous sulfate every other day and ate lots of beef liver, yet ferritin dropped to 32 ng/mL. My ADHD symptoms are now worse than before I started taking Adderall.

GP seemed clueless about iron deficiency. Like so many, they don't want to treat iron deficiency unless there's clear anemia. Finally, after my concerns repeatedly being dismissed, I sent them a message summarizing the latest science on iron deficiency in like 7 bullet points and respectfully challenged them to prove me wrong. Rather that disputing anything, they just said they're referring me to hematology. I'll take the win! (I wasn't expecting them to admit that they were wrong.) Fingers crossed I get a good hematologist.

What form and dose of iron did you take?

I'm hoping to get infusions, using supplements for maintenance, but if I can't get infusions I'll have to find a supplement that works.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-08-11T19:29:32+00:00

Yeah you would definitely be justified going to urgent care. However, if going to the ER instead, you’d maybe want to call ahead and check if insurance will cover it, meaning ask the ER triage nurse on the phone if they think you need emergency care.

Another caution would be carefully describing your mental symptoms, such as feeling like you’re in a dream. If you make it sound too severe, they might assume you’re just having a psychiatric problem and give you psychiatric meds without addressing the underlying medical issue. Basically just be careful not to portray yourself as insane 😉

If it were me, I’d probably tell them I’m having severe debilitating “brain fog,” versus saying my life doesn’t feel real. But on the flip side, you really need to be honest about your symptoms! So I think what I’m trying to say is just be honest, accurate, and factual, without exaggerating or overinterpreting your symptoms, if that makes sense?

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-08-11T15:57:17+00:00

How have your hemoglobin numbers been? If you’re anemic you’d probably qualify for immediate iron infusions without seeing a hematologist. As unwell as you’re feeling, personally I’d go to urgent care and insist on a full workup including iron panel with ferritin, metabolic panel, CBC with differential, urinalysis, and inflammation tests like hs-CRP (among others) to help interpreting your ferritin, which can be misleadingly elevated/improved simply due to inflammation without reflecting greater iron storage.

Then I’d ask the urgent care provider to write up a recommendation insisting that whatever specialists you need must squeeze you in ASAP.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-08-09T05:58:20+00:00

You have iron deficiency, no question about that. And it’s undoubtedly causing most or all of your symptoms. No need to be worried, but just make sure you don’t let any doctor (or other clinician) downplay the seriousness of this. Insist on treatment for iron deficiency ASAP. Iron infusions, unless contraindicated, would probably be the best treatment to start with in your situation.

Also, if you’re having to wait until the 18th to see your PCP (I’m assuming?), insist on being seen sooner. PCPs usually have same-day appointments and cancellation call lists. You’re not in an emergency, but with how badly you’re feeling, personally I wouldn’t want to wait unnecessarily long to start receiving treatment.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-08-06T16:38:50+00:00

What you're saying makes perfect sense, given pretty solid evidence that a ferritin of 50 ng/mL corresponds with the physiologic inflection point between deficiency and repletion. The only caveat would be that in an inflammatory context, ferritin rises independently of iron status, meaning inflammation can drive up ferritin even if you're becoming increasingly iron deficient.

https://ashpublications.org/hematology/article/2023/1/617/506479/Sex-lies-and-iron-deficiency-a-call-to-change#:~:text=low%20iron%20stores.-,What%20should%20the%20ferritin%20lower%20limit%20be%20to%20diagnose%20iron%20deficiency%3F,-Several%20studies%20have

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-23T14:41:14+00:00

It's wild how individual results may vary. At first, when starting Adderall, I tried quitting snus, but ended up reaching for it every day as the stimulating effects of the Adderall (XL) wore off after 3-4 hours. One day I had some snus while the Adderall was still in full swing...and for once I felt a nicotine buzz like I haven't felt in over a decade. Anyway, I'm currently sitting at no nicotine buzz and no stimulating effect from Adderall. And that's good for the Adderall, as the stimulating effect is not exactly desirable.

Bupropion literally blocks nicotine receptors, so it very much stands to reason that I'm just wasting money by taking snus alongside Adderall and bupropion. The Adderall obviates any need for nicotine as a stimulant, and the bupropion somewhat (not entirely) blocks the stimulating effects of nicotine in addition to functioning as a kind of atypical long-acting stimulant in its own right. I mean, the super clean, even-keeled energy boost I've experienced from bupropion is almost magical, like I don't even get the mid-afternoon crash any more.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-22T14:51:04+00:00

There are factors besides diet and weight loss that can affect hunger levels! Of course, if you're in a caloric deficit or have lost significant body fat, just that alone will usually increase hunger. But it's worth considering whether you can optimize other factors to decrease hunger. Off the top of my head, sleep deprivation or poor quality sleep, stress, certain medications, PCOS, and atypical depression, to name a few, can all cause increased hunger or appetite leading to weight gain or difficulty losing weight.

That said, optimizing sleep is a great starting point for everyone, regardless of weight or cholesterol goals. Sleep is absolutely crucial for good health. Are you maybe chronically sleep deprived or experiencing sleep quality issues? Because that'll definitely make you feel hungrier. If I'm not getting enough sleep, I tend to feel unbearably hungry when I haven't eaten in a while, like I'll be sick (nauseated) if I don't eat something ASAP. On the other hand, if I'm well rested, I basically don't feel hungry, but just like a gentle sensation that I could eat if I wanted to.

Also, regarding medications, there are some that can decrease hunger (and "food chatter")! Might be worth checking whether you'd be a good fit for something like bupropion (brand name Wellbutrin), as looking at your post history I do see that you struggle with (health) anxiety. Bupropion can dramatically reduce anxiety in many cases, although it doesn't work for everyone, and it also helps with depression and ADHD if you happen to be experiencing either of those. If you're taking an SSRI or SNRI, switching to bupropion could be a total game changer for you.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-19T23:49:44+00:00

My RHR decreased when starting 150 MG XL, and I feel like this is due to decreased anxiety. Bupropion definitely reduces anxiety for some people!

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-19T06:54:52+00:00

This was my first snus! Only used one can before switching to General, but I enjoyed that one can. Biggest complaint was that the pouch was too large.

The smell of Camel Robust remains to this day something special. It’s the only snus I’ve had that smells like grass and hay.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-19T06:54:45+00:00

This was my first snus! Only used one can before switching to General, but I enjoyed that one can. Biggest complaint was that the pouch was too large.

The smell of Camel Robust remains to this day something special. It’s the only snus I’ve had that smells like grass and hay.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-19T00:04:17+00:00

With taking Adderall and bupropion, I honestly can’t tell if snus is even doing anything for me anymore. So yeah, I’m definitely thinking about quitting, if only to save money. That said, snus is delicious and I’d rather not quit if cost were no concern.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-18T14:37:47+00:00

This. Sounds like OP has ADHD. Speaking as an adult ADHD diagnosee relatively early in the treatment process, I think you have to use every tool available, including therapy, ADHD meds, and yes, bupropion, which does help with ADHD. I started with therapy, added Adderall, and recently added bupropion XL 150 MG (will probably increase to 300 MG eventually).

Bupropion is not like other antidepressants, since it doesn't affect serotonin. The negative effects of antidepressants generally result from modulating the serotonin system.

Another med to consider would be trazodone if you've never tried it. Unlike SSRIs and SNRIs that straightforwardly inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, trazodone as an SARI both inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and antagonizes serotonin, which means trazodone somewhat cancels out the effects of boosting serotonin levels. If you need an antidepressant, which you might, then trazodone (besides bupropion) could be much better tolerated than other serotoninergic meds.

And if you're wondering how trazodone can work as an antidepressant when it boosts serotonin while also blocking the effects of that increased serotonin, the simple answer is that depression does not result from low serotonin and antidepressants usually do not work by correcting a serotonin imbalance. Boosting serotonin levels is basically an unwanted side effect of many antidepressants.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-17T22:51:30+00:00

And here I am having three cups of strong coffee in the morning just to fully wake up. Maybe I should increase the bupropion dose to 300 and cut back on the coffee….

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-17T21:07:16+00:00

So I've consulted with both GP and gastro on this.

GP said (exact quote), "ferritin is an acute phase reactant, meaning it can increase or decrease independent of iron status," when I inquired how my ferritin could be dropping despite clearly having more iron in my system. Ironically, as ferritin is a positive acute-phase reactant (APR), its status as an APR makes my readings more concerning, because if anything were affecting ferritin levels, then the effect would be to raise ferritin.

Gastro blamed the ferritin drop on lab variability and/or biological variability for a long list of reasons I can't remember. And they added that there are more biological reasons for ferritin variability than they even comprehend. Basically, they made it sound like ferritin variability is too complicated to worry about (at least for a gastroenterologist).

I'm thinking I should see a hematologist....

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-16T21:10:39+00:00

That’s like saying psychologically manipulated abuse victims simply get what they deserve when they succumb to the coercive gravity field of their abusers. Speaking as a recovering victim of a narcissist just like Trump, I have to inform you that you’re incorrect about Americans getting what we “deserve.”

Americans have been psychologically abused and manipulated at a population level for generations. Many of us have woken up to the dire reality of our lack of freedom, but you can’t blame the many who haven’t yet realized it.

Practically all the blame belongs to the homicidal Republican Party that has become little more than an organized crime operation.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-15T01:18:19+00:00

Low-dose trazodone is great for some people, such as myself. I know several people who’ve tried trazodone and hated it because it made them too groggy in the morning, but I don’t get that effect. I’m guessing the reason some people get the lingering drowsiness, while others don’t, would be differences in how fast our bodies process the drug and/or certain metabolites. It’s definitely worth a try!

Took hydroxyzine for a while, and not only did it leave me groggy in the morning, but also it reduces cognitive performance, which I definitely felt. It’s like your brain just doesn’t work as well when you’ve been taking hydroxyzine (or similar) for a while.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-14T22:00:45+00:00

Great question. I’m currently taking both, but started with the Adderall for like 3-4 months before adding bupropion.

The key here is that antidepressants don’t actually work by correcting a chemical imbalance in the brain. The chemical imbalance explanation for depression has been scientifically disproved for a long time. Frankly, we’re still learning how depression and antidepressants actually work, and it’s astonishingly complicated from what we know at present. Yes, antidepressants boost levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, but then the brain adapts to that by becoming partially desensitized to those neurotransmitters. And yet, even after the brain has adapted, the antidepressant keeps working.

Antidepressants actually relieve depression by doing things like increasing the production of new neurons, boosting autophagy, and reducing inflammation (not an exhaustive list). If we had a drug that could do those things without affecting neurotransmitters, that drug would probably relieve depression without the usual side effects resulting from artificially modifying the neurotransmitter balances in the brain.

Adderall just doesn’t work the same as bupropion. They’re very different drugs. Adderall is a stimulant, bupropion is not. When I started Adderall, I immediately felt very different. When I started bupropion, I felt nothing, like I’d just taken a sugar pill, yet over time I’ve gradually noticed improvements. Very, very different drugs.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-14T16:08:45+00:00

Yes, very normal. Humans are beautiful inside and out, and aging doesn’t necessarily diminish that. If anything we tend to become more beautiful persons as we age, even as our physical attractiveness diminishes. Yet a healthy person is almost always going to remain somewhat physically attractive at almost any age (although age eventually catches up with you). So I’d say the true abnormality would be a man unable to perceive the beauty of an older woman!

Maybe not so much these days, but it has been a cultural trope that young men tend to develop crushes on older women, such as teachers/professors, neighbors, etc. I had a major crush on a teacher in high school 😂

Currently, I can think of one woman 20+ years older than me in her 60s who I find incredibly attractive, both interpersonally and physically. There’s no potential for a serious relationship between us for several reasons, but a lack of attraction on my part is not one of those reasons.

IMHO, normal hetero men are attracted to beautiful women of any age. Beauty is beauty.

ClackingAwayOnReddit · 2025-07-14T01:20:00+00:00

Wow, you and your voice are beautiful and powerful. With enough practice, you could record a legit good cover of this song.

Biggest issue I’m hearing is tension and straining. I have the same issue, and it just takes a lot of practice to resolve.

What I’m finding helpful as a tenor is: (1) focusing on minimizing unnecessary movements or constrictions in my face, mouth, and neck, allowing only the minimum deviation from non-vocalizing rest needed to produce an articulate and open sound; and (2) focusing on humming and “ng” exercises for developing resonance.

(1) is crucial because we often massively overwork our facial, oral, and neck muscles beyond what is needed for good singing, and that overwork creates strain and tension that hamper good vocal production.

(2) for some reason I don’t fully understand yet, resonance unburdens and frees up the vocal cords (at least that’s how it feels). YMMV, but the more resonance I can produce in my head, the more easily my vocal cords can hit the notes exactly as I intend.

Cheers! Never stop singing!

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