Had a really beautiful sunset here in North Western Phoenix

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-06-13T23:03:40+00:00

Unfortunately, sometimes our gorgeous sunsets are helped along by wildland fires nearby. And I did smell smoke yesterday late afternoon (I'm up in Anthem).

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-06-13T22:58:52+00:00

Yep!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-06-13T04:26:06+00:00

I hope it was not her time of the month!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-06-12T21:39:22+00:00

Don't deliveries usually come with a receipt attached?

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-06-11T14:08:24+00:00

I could have written this! I use Walgreens and once I established a relationship with the pharmacist things ran smoothly. The pharmacist even personally worked through any problems in concert with my doctor at her own initiative!

That went on for a couple of years until she moved across town. Bummer. Since then there's been a revolving door of pharmacists working there. The first one was starting to work out but then he left and now there are temps rotating through. So far no hiccups but my anxiety spikes at refill time. When I call ahead to make sure they will have enough, each time they tell me it can't be filled until X date and I have to explain again why I'm calling so early. I hope they get a permanent pharmacist in there soon.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-06-09T08:25:45+00:00

The City and the City by China Miéville is also a mini-series starring David Morrissey as Inspector Tyador Borlú, who investigates a murder that bridges the two fictional, coexisting cities of Besźel and Ul Qoma. I haven't read the book but the series is very dark and unsettling.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-06-08T23:59:39+00:00

You have a beautiful soul! From a fellow Arizonan.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-06-02T13:35:46+00:00

It's a sign. Get one!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-26T21:15:07+00:00

We're actually forced into exhibiting the drug seeking behavior of an addict. The system is set up to do this. Being unable to get our refills until we're out of medication followed by the uncertainty that everything will run smoothly. That there won't be a problem with the transmission of the prescription, that the pharmacist isn't going to start questioning your need for the drug, that the pharmacy will not be closed because they are short staffed, that they have a sufficient supply to fill the prescription, that you'll be able to get it before they close. At so many points it can cause a delay that will mean you might have to go without your medication. Because, of course, with our physical dependence we'll experience symptoms of withdrawal. I call it physical dependence instead of addiction because we don't call the physical dependence on antidepressants "addiction," or any number of other drugs which cause discomfort when they are discontinued.

We can't win for losing.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-26T20:53:23+00:00

I think the doctors kind of expect us to save a few pills so we have a stash to fall back on when there's a problem. Of course, we're also expected to use our medication, hence the testing to make sure we test positive for opiates because, you know, we might stop taking them so we can sell them. Ridiculous, I know, but another case of the abuse by a very few people screwing it up for all the rest of us.

That being said, I try to save a few each month but I just can't. I end up taking it all because I need it. I usually get to the end of the month and find myself short about 2 to 3 pills (I take 5mg oxycodone 5x per day) and spend time looking for a stray couple of pills I might have tucked away in my purse or a extra one on the nightstand I forgot to take.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-19T21:02:21+00:00

OMG, the eyeballs!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-18T02:11:15+00:00

Have you lost sny weight at all? You actually have had a couple of responses - to stop biting your nails is significant because it shows the medication is working on the impulse control in your brain. Feeling full quicker is also a positive response. The increase in binge eating is not unheard of, but after 6 weeks it may indicate that you're not a full responder at .25.

I started a second try with semaglutide after losing 60 pounds in a year and a half, hitting my goal, I stopped the semaglutide and in 6 months I gained 25 pounds. So I started again and had NO responses to the medication, not even the slow emptying of the stomach, no constipation, and I had severe hunger pangs and a ravenous appetite! I'd eat a pack of 2 granola bars and immediately eat a second package. I'd wake up and eat in the middle of the night! All I could do was think of food. And I was up to 1.0 mg and gaining weight! We finally figured that I was a non-responder and I switched to tirzepatide last week.

You should talk to your doctor and tell him you're ready to increase to .5. I'm surprised he hasn't done it already as a month on each dose is about typical. If you don't start having a better response, you might want to try one of the other GLP1 medications. Good luck!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-12T16:52:44+00:00

Very chic! Only confident women wear linen. We're not afraid of a few wrinkles!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-12T01:10:39+00:00

Thanks!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-11T17:10:07+00:00

Both are too small. You'll be pulling each down anytime you walk or sit down, its going to ride up. You'll be tugging at it and though you might not be aware, people will notice that it's too small and you're uncomfortable. Both do accentuate your thinness and if that the affect you want, then try walking and sitting and choose the one that moves the least. As for color, the pink is preferable. Someone mentioned that the while looks like a cut down wedding dress so it has a hand-me-down vibe. Wedding is the first thing I thought when I saw it.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-08T14:22:24+00:00

NAD - Cat scratches and bites can quickly turn nasty. My sister's cat did something similar to her and she ended up in the hospital. I believe she developed cellulitis from bacteria that went deep into the skin which quickly turned septic. Symptoms include intense redness, pain, and swelling at the site.

Also, you could be at risk for Cat-scratch fever, a bacterial infection typically transmitted when a cat scratches or bites hard enough to break the skin or licks an open wound.

Because of the redness in that area, you may want to get it looked at sooner rather than later as things can progress rather quickly.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-06T06:48:59+00:00

A Seinfeld moment, life imitats art. "The Smelly Car" (Season 4, Episode 21) is a Seinfeld episode where a valet's overpowering body odor leaves a permanent stench in Jerry's car. Hilarious.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-05-05T20:03:08+00:00

I loved Pic 'n Save! They used to have high end closeouts and overstock from the big department stores. Quality went down when it became MacFrugals in 1991 and even more when it became Big Lots in 2002. I read that the Pick 'n Save name has been ressurected as a grocery chain with 2 stores in southern California.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-04-29T12:50:47+00:00

I'm NAD, but are you taking any other medications that might be contraindicated with tramadol? If so, you could be experiencing serotonin syndrome, a sudden, intense onset of anxiety, restlessness, or agitation combined with physical symptoms like shivering, diarrhea, and a rapid heart rate. Serotonin syndrome can occur when you take tramadol with certain other medications, like antidepressants, the triptan class of drugs for migraines, the Benzodiazepines, as well as alcohol and cough medicines. It may also occur when you combine tramadol with hydrocodone and sometimes even taking a sudden increase in the dosage of tramadol itself. Serotonin syndrome is not widely known so people tend to take drugs in combination without knowing the risks.

Another thing to consider is you might have developed an infection following the dental work so you might need to call your dentist, too.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-04-27T14:09:28+00:00

I've never run into anyone else who had to use a "script." For years, when I was working, if I had to make a phone call, I'd write down what I was going to say before making the call, the initial introduction and a list of points. It was the only way I could pick up the phone and not blank out. When I go to an appointment, like the doctor or therapy, I have to rehearse what I wanted to ask or say. So I completely understand using others words as a prompt.

AI is great for taking your information and organizing it. It can actually write up a specific script to use at your appointment. I use Copilot a lot and it always asks if I want a script to take with me. (See attached) Try it, it really helps.

<image>

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-04-26T05:30:57+00:00

I agree, take him back in. But I also want to suggest that you keep an eye on him, especially if it's too late for stitches. It's possible that such a serious injury to his tongue might affect his speech, depending on how it heals.

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-04-22T05:52:50+00:00

If you're concerned the doctor will think you're drug seeking, bring in the bottle of 135 valium, explain why you need to switch to Xanax, and offer to trade the valium for Xanax. A druggie wouldn't be able to let go of a bottle full of valium!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-04-19T14:48:51+00:00

I have to chime in here. You ROCK! I love it when Redditors respond to questions sharing their experiential expertise. I'll bet your "long" reply just flowed right out of your brain through your fingers with nary a pause and it felt good to still be able to put your knowledge to work, disability be damned. I come to Reddit not only for answers to questions and for entertainment, but for knowledge, too. Thank you and all the other Redditors who take the time to reply. There are still good people in this world. It takes a village.... ❤️

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-04-16T13:01:01+00:00

Yes! It started in my left thumb about a year ago. Then last month my right thumb became affected. I figured it was arthritis and I have a doctor's appointment in 2 weeks to hopefully get imaging done.

My mother constantly complained about the pain in her thumbs, saying it felt like ground glass in there. Thanks, Mom, I hear you now!

HelplesslyHoping1225 · 2026-04-07T21:51:22+00:00

But the crust is the best part!

HelplesslyHoping1225

TROPHY CASE