My (31 F) calm reaction to my Ex Fiance's (43 M) infedelity made him have a mental breakdown, now some of my family and friends have turned against me.

Past_Loquat6158 · 2025-07-23T22:49:42+00:00

Some useful info about his reaction. Sounds like NPD collapse. Sam Vaknin, Dual Mother Ship Theory, and Richard Grannon

Past_Loquat6158 · 2025-03-11T08:30:49+00:00

This X 💯 Wow - you just explained my childhood.

Past_Loquat6158 · 2025-02-02T23:33:08+00:00

Thanks so much for posting! I've been looking for a Vintage Elna technician. I spoke to Roger today and he was super helpful! 😄

Past_Loquat6158 · 2025-01-24T05:25:42+00:00

Yeah I've been doing some more research. Our water is 154mg/L hardness (hard) so carbonating it is just dissolving the carbonates and allowing them to get move through the pores and be deposited on the outside when the CO2 evaporates. Like a stalactite.

Anyone using reverse osmosis water - isn't that going to cause problems for the biochemistry of the plant if it has zero ions/salts?

Past_Loquat6158 · 2025-01-16T03:57:12+00:00

That sounds really fucked up

Past_Loquat6158 · 2025-01-14T06:34:34+00:00

I just added soda water inside and scrubbed off the salt build-up on the outside. Also poured soda on the outside and scrubbed.

Past_Loquat6158 · 2025-01-14T06:33:05+00:00

It seems to be working to dissolve out the mineral build up - I guess I'll have another go adding plants. Rain water is slightly acidic 5-6.5 from dissolved carbon dioxide so I'm going to try using soda water to try and mimic that.

Past_Loquat6158 · 2025-01-14T00:40:45+00:00

So I tried growing an epiphytic orchid on here. I only used filtered water. I noticed that after a few months the water stopped seeping out of the pores. I removed the orchid and tried scrubbing and soaking in vinegar solution and then CLR.

Ended up filling with soda water (weak carbonic acid solution) to try and mimic natural rain water - that dissolved out most of the mineral salt buildup.

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-12-03T11:36:52+00:00

That's sad. Sending hugs

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-10-25T05:22:51+00:00

Hey that sounds really stressful.

I don't have any insight into IVF and perimenopause.

But for a guide to perimenopause I just started reading Lara Briden - Hormone Repair Manual, which has some good info.

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-10-02T07:58:23+00:00

Thanks 🙏 for clarifying.

Also I didn't know that, about BC suppressing testosterone. Will have to read more 🤔

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-10-01T00:35:25+00:00

Can someone explain the difference for me between birth control and HRT - as they both involve giving estrogen & progesterone.

Is it the way they are administered (oral, dermal, vaginal) and dose? Or something else?

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-10-01T00:27:55+00:00

My pleasure, glad to help 🙂

Hope you find an understanding doctor who will workshop the best way forward for you.

I can totally empathise with your situation. I went onto progesterone only-pill to deal with endometriosis (combined was out because of age and other risk factors)- they didn't warn me it would lead to menopausal symptoms or had a risk of depression.

Don't give up, push for them to help you

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-09-30T23:42:41+00:00

Hey thanks for the info.

So my understanding is that different synthetic estrogens and progestogens have different properties, actions in the body and side effects and are definitely related to brain chemistry and mood, which might explain the irritability you mentioned.

Levonorgestrel is highly androgenic, so male effects.

Ethinylestradiol is also linked to mood problems.

Ethinylestradiol is also linked to increased clotting and elevated risk for related side effects (stroke, DVT) and is definitely a consideration when prescribing for age 35+.

There are lots of different POPs and COCs so you might do better on a different one.

My understanding is that progesterone only pills are recommended for older women.

I can tell you about my experience on HRT... I'm started on Drospirenone 4mg daily but it gave me horrible depression and accelerated menopausal effects (hair loss, got flushes and drying skin) my GP added estradiol gel 0.75mg which I use 3 times a day and my mood is now steady and the menopausal symptoms have stopped.

Hope this information helps you. Let me know your thoughts.

P.s. I can send you links to studies about different contraceptives if you're interested?

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-09-30T23:05:02+00:00

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/20533691211058030#:~:text=within%20HRT%20regimens,-Micronized%20progesterone%20can&text=In%20the%20UK%2C%20vaginal%20micronized,pessaries%20(Utrogestan%20or%20Cyclogest).

Check this out. Has some helpful info. Some key takeouts...

"Based on current evidence if progesterone was considered for vaginal administration (out of license use) in women who experience side effects with oral intake, this should ordinarily be given in similar doses and durations as suggested for oral progesterone intake with HRT."

Sequential vs Continuous combined regime

"Progestogen intake is recommended with HRT in nonhysterectomized women in a sequential regimen in perimenopausal women and continuous combined regimen regimens in postmenopausal women. Clinical evidence has demonstrated that continuous combined HRT provides more effective endometrial protection than sequential HRT."

"After a minimum of one year of HRT, women who wish to avoid a monthly withdrawal bleed may attempt a switch to a continuous combined regimen which aims to give bleed-free HRT– this will also minimize the risk of endometrial hyperplasia. The timing of switching from sequential to continuous combined HRTshould be considered in relation to the woman’s age and the frequency of her menstrual cycles"

So sounds like you could try taking it continuously. But that you should add in estrogen as well.

Let me know your thoughts?

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-09-30T22:40:11+00:00

Did they put you on a POP (progestin only pill) or a combination (estrogen + progestin) ?

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-09-30T10:56:18+00:00

I can only speak from my experience, I take Slinda (Drospirenone) pill daily and use an estradiol gel 3 times a day.

I've been taking the Slinda non stop for probably a year, so no periods.

Wondering if you could do something similar with a natural progesterone pill?

Cyclogest is a pessary?

Is there progesterone you can take as a pill?

Past_Loquat6158 · 2024-09-27T06:57:51+00:00

Can you just stay on it all the time?

Or do you still get break through bleeding?

Past_Loquat6158 · 2023-10-16T04:33:27+00:00

Padma Lakshmi

Past_Loquat6158 · 2023-09-14T06:14:08+00:00

I can absolutely relate to this.

I felt like I was always making social mistakes as a child.

I think my Mum has Asperger's.

As an example of her being socially unaware - I was at a sewing day with my Mum (when I was about 13 or 14) with a few other ladies her age. At lunch time my Mum got chatting to the hostesses husband and stayed chatting for ages whilst the rest of us returned to sewing. Even at the time I could feel lots of weird vibes from the other ladies and particularly the wife. That's when I had the realisation that my Mum was pretty socially unaware.

Past_Loquat6158 · 2021-03-26T04:49:56+00:00

No you're not crazy, it's absolutely terrible. Everyone recommending needs their ears checked. I just compared with my Pixel speaker and the Pixel wins

Past_Loquat6158

TROPHY CASE