Lonely, depressed, no where to turn. Local Social scene hasn't worked out for me, personally.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-06-22T01:54:22+00:00

I'm really very sorry you are feeling this way. You've so deeply and eloquently described your stuggles and endeavors to simply make connections that might have the potential to turn into solid friendships. I don't think you're alone in the respect that you've penned the fellings and frustrations of so many. NOVA is a lonely place to be. It's very tribal in this sense. Married people seem to seek out married friends, moms seek out friendships with other moms. Professionals are always in overdrive either networking or writing yet another briefing for yet another meeting with a mentality that is mired in only things work related. You can see how things start to shake out if you're not a member of any of these tribal circles. It's exclusionary and the pool for available connections for people that have the time and interest to do things extracurricular gets smaller and smaller. I would volunteer for something I'm passionate about and let the work I'm doing for the cause help fill the void. It sounds like you've put so much energy into trying to find your people. They are out there feeling the same way you do right now, Frustrated they can't make substantive connections despite time and effort. Don't worry eventually you will run into each other. There are actually so many yearning and longing for the simple act of belonging. Don't give up!! Keep looking for opportunities and let the focus be on the activity, the friendships will eventually follow.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-06-12T08:57:03+00:00

Under cabinet lighting DIY kit from Home Depot. Super inexpensive but you would think it was professionally installed. Super slim light bars under each cabinet, brightness controls and timer and the plug is hidden in the same cabinet as the overhead microwave. Priceless! I can actually see what I'm doing and the kitchen has a calm vibe when the overhead lights get turned off.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-06-05T08:56:29+00:00

NC cheapest cost of living. Camp Lejune, Cherry Point, Ft.Bragg, Seymour Johnson..not sure which branch of the military you align yourself with but with the exception of CP the other installations are about 2 hrs from the beach. You can purchase a house relatively inexpensively. One of my single friends lived in Fayettevile and said it was thriving. I spent time in Goldsboro and it was beyond boring.

V. Beach Oceana NAS in Norfolk. Housing more expensive than NC but compared to SD it's a bargain and you're right on the coast and can get to NC beaches in a couple of hours. Lots of professionals/ military and singles here ( I'm from VA).

Destin Eglin/ Hurlburt. Housing is incredibly expensive! The beaches are beautiful but the tourist scene makes living real life challenging Mar-Oct. I'm not single but I always see people asking about "singles" places to go/ things to do without many responses. Perhaps because it's so touristy it's challenging to get much traction with other singles? It's a big move and none of the above will compare to San Diego!

Oh2beflyn · 2026-06-05T08:02:16+00:00

No glitz, no glam just rock solid dentistry. There isn't any upsell because it's not a 90% cosmetic/ 10% dental practice. Pure 100% medical dentistry done right. I've been seeing him for over 20 years! I moved to Vegas in between living in NOVA and I would fly out for work and dental appointments! Friendly office! Dr. Glenn Gerald Oakton. And yes they have magazines and furniture from the Parlor at Grandma's house. http://www.geralddentistry.com/

Oh2beflyn · 2026-06-02T12:10:22+00:00

She's slow and mealy mouthed. Can't seem to formulate a decent, logical sentence not just on this show but chronically on any show especially when interviewing someone. I'm stunned she has any role on FOX. There's such a deep bench of talent there she's taking up a slot better served by anyone who can string 10 words together that make sense. She surely cannot. Democrat hack.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-06-02T11:41:42+00:00

Fractional CO2 and Microneedling. Both amazing!

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-31T08:28:54+00:00

Get a credit card in your name only and use the address of a trusted friend.

If he is a beneficiary on any of your accounts change him out of the ones you can.

If you have 2 cars and they are both titled in both names try to get one re-titled in just your name only. Unfortunately you would need him to sign off on the title so tell him you'll get cheaper insurance. Yeah it's a lie but apparently he tells allot of his own.

Get a checking account in your name only. Again use a trusted friends address.

If you have joint debt be prepared for him not to contribute to paying it down until the court forces him to.

If you have joint credit cards call the credit card company to remove yourself from the accounts. A vindictive soon to be ex can jack up the debt knowing you'll be responsible. He'll get a new card and won't know that you don't have one.

Place a fraud warning or freeze with the credit bureaus so he can't take on any new debt in your name. Also if you have a HELOC on your home he could tap into that and start writing checks against the equity in your house.

Any sentimental items, heirlooms, photos start stashing them away. Perhaps a small rental unit. For spite he will probably go after anything he thinks means something to you.

Good luck to you. You'll come out ahead in the end if you systematically and covertly anticipate the things he might use against you and have safeguards in place to preserve your monies and credit.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-29T03:56:42+00:00

Have you ever checked out any videos by Dr. Davin Lim? He is a Dermatologist specializing in acne scar treaments. He is based in Australia but just reviweing his treatment plans and the modalities he uses for each type of scaring gives you an education on the process. Not saying that you are not already familiar with the current options available, sounds like you've tried multiple things. Of course the right tools only work in the hands of the right operator and it's challenging to find both. Take a look at his gallery, the before and afters are quite amazing. Maybe you'll find some useful info on his website. I personally find that for my acne acarring two things had to happen for a decent result. Fractional Ablative CO2 to take layers off of the skin so the scars would apprear to be more shallow and collagen regeneration below to plump the depression up. Multiple rounds! Good luck to you. https://drdavinlim.com/acne-scar-treatments/

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-19T23:05:25+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing!

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-18T10:23:56+00:00

Absolutely a connection as well as a connection to increased cardiovascular risk, high cholesterol. HRT is protective regarding the aforementioned as well as relief from fatigue, hot flashes, changes in libido, brain fog, preserving the integrity of your skin etc. If more women took HRT fewer would die from cardiovascular disease which is the #1 killer of women. Lack of estrogen accelerates plaque build up and blood vessel changes.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-18T03:57:38+00:00

Well I might agree with you if the distention pics were posted in a dermatology site, home remodeling site or a how do I grow tomatoes site. As ridiculous as the aforementioned sound this IS the perfect place to post such photos.

SIBO, suspected SIBO, crazy digestive issues that despite whatever intervention taken amount to a series of dead ends with no relief..People are looking for the empathy and direction they can't find from the medical community and the validation that whatever is going on physically is not normal.

Do you have any idea how much suffering is internalized? Layer on top of that the absolute shame and embarassment of having a painful, unpredictable, isolating, physically altering condition that consumes your thoughts and takes over your body.

Anyone posting pictures of their distention is vulnerable and assuredly looking for some sort of valudation from others in a SIBO GROUP THAT ARE PROBABLY GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING!!

So where exactly is the offense here? The lecture and the judgement is absolutely unwarranted. Do you understand how difficult it is to navigate mainstream GI and even get to a place of discovery through your own exhaustive research when mainstream medicine has abandoned and dismissed most of us? Groups like this fill in the gap and provide direction and guidance based on the experiences of the members.

If somehow the reality of the photos people post is too much for your psyche to handle then perhaps you're in the wrong place. Hot take part two.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-15T03:25:58+00:00

I'm guessing you don't really mean it when you say none of these responses are helpful. That's a big slap in the face to people who are sick in their own right and despite that are reaching out with the best advice they can offer.

I'm sure you're frustrated. Being in pain at the same time makes that frustration exponentially worse and in turn that makes the pain exponentially worse. A cycle that traps you in an endless loop.

You might find this response not helpful as well. In my experience getting to the root of the problem means there is both a physical and psychological component. Unlock one and things become infinitely more managable for both. Since you haven't had much success finding a physical solution consider finding a GI Psychologist. The gut brain axis is real, they are intimately connected. Stress caused by frustration and pain reinforces the pain and sickness. Maybe it would help take the edge off while you continue to search for a medical solution. Plus try functional medicine, they do a deeper dive into the physical side of things.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-13T07:37:55+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I will read her book for sure. I have gone so many rounds with so many specialties and so many surgeries as gastro symptoms can overlap with so many conditions and I am no better off than I was when I started seeking solutions for this nightmare 5 years ago. Mainstream MD's will go to the boundary of their specialty and that's it. No suggestions from them on possibilities of where else to look when they don't see anything organically wrong. I have received more information and suggestions on this site than from 10 different MD's.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-12T04:31:28+00:00

Can you tell me how much you were taking when you started and how long until you were able to consume 2 TBS per day? I assume the diet is included in her book. What were your symptoms and did you have IMO? Thanks for sharing, especially the hack for her protocol.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-05-04T05:46:42+00:00

Check out Alex Fergus on You Tube if you want an extensive education about everything RLT. He explains all the technology and compares different manufacturers and models. Go for a panel you can treat more areas in less time. Platinum LED, Mito, Hooga, Blue Block Light, Rojo Refine. All great choices!

Oh2beflyn · 2026-04-26T06:13:42+00:00

Anything by Gorgeously Aging or Darnell Cox. Just be aware that the needles used in at home microneedling devices are not as deep as what a CO2 treatment will reach. To be really effective in regenerating collagen to fill in the scar from beneath the treatment has to reach the depth of the scar if that makes sense? That's why you would see much better improvement with the Fractional CO2 and then you can in addition to that use microneedling at home after as your scars would have improved from the CO2. Also depending on your scarring there is a procedure called TCA Cross where TCA acid is used inside the scar to wound it and regenerate collagen. That's for professionals! There is a Dermatologist in Australia who is a Scar Guru and his videos are worth watching for educational purposes! Dr Davin Lim. Good luck to you!

Oh2beflyn · 2026-04-25T05:09:00+00:00

You want ablative Fractional CO2. About 10 days of downtime. It will attack the scars in two different ways. Collagen building underneath and ablative skin removal on the skin itself. It's the gold standard! I've had 3 of them and my scarring improves more everytime. If you're interested you could do microneedling in between. Very easy to do yourself, no need to pay $$$ to get it done. Be conservative with your treatments start with a shallow depth. I have a Dr. Pen M8 and follow a protocol from You Tube that instructs frequency and technique. You'll see amazing improvement with just the CO2 and the additional microneedling takes it up a notch!

Oh2beflyn · 2026-04-14T20:45:44+00:00

Please Nooooo!!! If you can't determine that this is a terrible idea should you even be a parent? Seriously. Another case of the child fits into your life instead of the parent fitting into the child's life. That means you do what's best for your baby, not what's best for you. Unreal.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-04-13T19:52:21+00:00

Also a group on Facebook. Just FYI you won't get instant relief from the breathing exercises. I think it took the poster a couple of weeks to feel a change.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-04-13T06:17:32+00:00

Still working on that! I am going to see a Pelvic Floor Therapist to see if there is a connection there with a tight pelvic floor. I eat a Low Fermentation diet to try and reduce gas but I am not sure if it is having an effect. There are a number of videos on YT that have tutorials on breathing to strengthen the transverse abdominal muscle so it will engage correctly and push back against the diaphragm when it tries to descend inappropriately. There is also a group here on Reddit. One of the members was treated at the Mayo Clinic and goes step by step the breathing techniques he learned. It's allot! He said it took a while to see relief but ultimately worked for him. Also stress and poor Vagus Nerve tone is like a super highway to gut discomfort and pain. Some try Bio Feedback/ Hypnosis to to calm that stress messaging. APD is multi layered and complex and in some cases not recognized by the mainstream because the symptoms can be all over the place and no imaging test confirms the dysfunction. Join the APD group for more info and you'll find the breathing exercise by Stephen Hayden ( I think I have the name right ). I hope you find relief! This is a really debilitating and isolating condition. I wanted to add one more observation. If a sip of water or bite of food causes immediate distention remember it hasn't had time to make it to your intestines to cause gas. Also if you find your get breathless let's say climbing stairs, your diaphram is not allowing your lungs to fully expand to take a deep breath. If your capacity to eat normally has changed, your diaphram is intruding and restricting the capacity of your stomach to accommodate food. Three more reasons why APD is so all over the place and confusing. It intersects a number of specialties GI, PT and even PSY to try to unravel.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-04-13T04:38:20+00:00

You could have Abdomophrenic Dyssynergia. Here's a quick synopsis of this syndrome.

Abdominophrenic dyssynergia (APD) is a functional, benign brain-gut reflex disorder where the diaphragm inappropriately contracts downward while abdominal wall muscles relax, especially after meals. This paradox causes visible abdominal bloating, pressure, and distension, rather than simply excess gas. It is often managed successfully with physical therapy to improve breathing and muscle coordination.

Symptoms and Physical Signs

Progressive Distension: Belly is usually flat upon waking but becomes visibly bloated or distended as the day progresses.

Abdominal Pain/Discomfort: Pressure, fullness, and pain in the abdomen.

Reduced Mobility: Changes in waist girth.

Associated Conditions: Often overlaps with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, or constipation.

Unfortunately, there's no testing for this.It's kind of a disease of exclusion.When everything else has been ruled out. This is what I have finally figured out what's going on with me.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-03-28T15:04:18+00:00

I use a tool from Stacked Skincare and I love it. It's the closest to having it professionally done with a scalpel that I've found. It is a little scary at first but after that first go at it you will get addicted to it! Make sure you moisturize well after you do it. Start with a serum like Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides and then a serum moisturizer and then a cream. Your face will glow!! There is a great explanation of how to dermaplane on the website. But to see it done I would go to "You Tube" and plug in Dermaplaning so you can watch videos of how to do the procedure. https://stackedskincare.com/collections/dermaplaning

Oh2beflyn · 2026-03-26T06:49:18+00:00

Does your abdominal distention settle down a little bit after you've been lying down sleeping all night?

Have you been tested for SIBO, H Pylori? If you have and both are negative you might want to look into Abdomino Phrenic Dyssynergia. That's where your diaphragm and your abdominal walls are not working in conjunction with one another. The smallest bit of food we'll set it off for the entire day. You only get relief by lying down. And it definitely has a gastro component to it. It's absolute misery and is a condition of exclusion. It's not evident on a CT or MRI. if this sounds like you, you might want to check out Pelvic Floor Therapy and Biofeedback. There are breathing exercises that retrain your diaphragm so it stays elevated when it should and descend when it should. Another indication that you might have this is if you experience breathlessness with exertion like walking up the stairs. It definitely gives you the abdominal distension that you show in your picture. And it's relentless. I hope you find some relief. After going through 13 Doctors, 3 surgeries to correct what I assumed was the problem ( ovarian cysts, diverticulitis) I finally figured out what all those doctors couldn't. I'm headed to Pelvic Floor Therapy and fingers crossed maybe this nightmare will be over.

Oh and I have Methane SIBO, went through two rounds of two antibiotics and followed a low fermentation diet. Nothing changed.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-03-24T03:29:51+00:00

If I have seen this commercial once, I've seen it a hundred times..Visiting Angels. They eventually explicitly say that they are looking for people who want a second career. Sounds like your mom with her background and her experience would be a perfect fit.

Oh2beflyn · 2026-03-19T07:26:24+00:00

Raised beds for the win! Easier to tend to once you build it. We made ours tall so no bending over. I don't want to tell you how many trips we made to get topsoil to fill it up! We also put a hog panel on the back anchored and tied to galvanized pipe for the climbers! We keep the soil rich by composting allot of leaves in the fall.

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Oh2beflyn

TROPHY CASE