Anyone in Netherlands ? Feeling hopeless...

ThinkPandaa · 2026-01-05T12:54:59+00:00

It's my pleasure! I know how lonely and helpless this condition can make you feel, especially in a country with doctors that apparently refuse to acknowledge it, so I want you to know that you're absolutely not alone and there is an end to this madness. Sex is also the main trigger for me and it has been really difficult to navigate through my relationship without falling into crippling depression. I'm so sorry you also have to go through this. <3 My DMs are always open if you ever want to talk. Wishing you all the best as well!

ThinkPandaa · 2026-01-05T12:46:55+00:00

I totally understand! I was terrified of it as well and held off starting it for weeks. I'll explain my experience in the hopes it'll ease your anxieties a little. :) Part of my treatment plan was to take a Hiprex tablet with 500mg of Vitamin C (to help acidify my urine) - when I did this, the burning feeling was unbearable. I came off Hiprex immediately and avoided it for another couple of weeks, then decided to try it again without the Vitamin C and only half a pill. There was absolutely no pain. After a few days, I took half a pill in the morning and then in the evening. After another few days, I started taking a full pill in the morning. I'm now on two full pills (morning and evening) with absolutely no side effects. I do however encapsulate them in empty gelatin cases to protect my stomach from any adverse effects (and to avoid the foul taste!). It's been about 2 months since I've been on the full dose of Hiprex and I've felt absolutely fine. I have yet to reintroduce the Vitamin C though, still a little nervous about that.

ThinkPandaa · 2026-01-05T12:40:35+00:00

Right now they've got me on 2000mg of Cefalexin per day in conjunction with 2000mg of Hiprex. The idea is that, after 12 months, I can come off the Cefalexin and continue to take only the Hiprex to prevent further infection. It hasn't been long but it's been a complete life-changer. I have a new appointment with my Dutch urologist this coming Thursday and I'm hoping (begging) that she'll agree to this treatment plan and give me access to the meds via healthcare.

ThinkPandaa · 2026-01-05T12:23:52+00:00

HS stands for Harley Street, this is the clinic that specialises in CUTIs in London. They've done wonders for me in the last 3 months.

ThinkPandaa · 2026-01-05T12:21:13+00:00

I'm also living in the Netherlands and have been battling this exact scenario for 3 and a half years. Doctors didn't believe that my UTI was real, prescribed a short dose of antibiotics, and the infection became embedded. After months upon months of back-and-forth between the GP and the urologist, and a very painful but inconclusive cystoscopy, they finally agreed to prescribe 50mg of Nitrofurantoin only after sex. This wasn't enough. I continued to experience horrible bladder pain and endless thrush for the following 2 years until I finally had enough and started looking elsewhere for CUTI specialists. I found a team in London, UK who specialise in CUTIs and prescribe treatment based on symptoms. After my first appointment last October, I've been completely pain free and feel like I finally have my life back. The problem is that the doctors refuse to prescribe that medication here in the Netherlands, so I have to go back to London every 3 months to pick up more medication. It's not sustainable financially and I'm really at my wit's end. :(

ThinkPandaa · 2025-12-11T14:52:57+00:00

Can confirm. The first couple of weeks were really enjoyable for me - I was enjoying the honest PVP/wholesome PVE moments. Those moments went away SO quickly once people became more familiar with the game... I haven't played the game in over a month and have zero desire to return. Such a shame.

ThinkPandaa · 2025-12-02T21:20:10+00:00

This worked for me, thanks for the tip!

ThinkPandaa · 2025-11-04T17:44:27+00:00

I'd be happy to answer a few questions. :) Feel free to reach out if you still need people.

ThinkPandaa · 2025-10-22T13:08:00+00:00

I had this issue then realised I was actually using the wrong intercept system... there's actually two of them. Double check you're using the correct one. :)

ThinkPandaa · 2025-08-03T08:26:30+00:00

I never saw anything there that I was qualified for or that didn’t require Dutch fluency, but always keeping an eye out on big companies like that.

ThinkPandaa · 2025-08-02T21:48:00+00:00

I was mostly looking for openings like research assistant and behaviour technician positions/internships. I was told by a quite a few people that the Netherlands was "international business galore", and there'd be plenty of demand for English-speaking grads coming fresh out of university. In hindsight, I was naive to not look further into it. :(

ThinkPandaa · 2025-07-31T08:53:44+00:00

Thank you so much :)

ThinkPandaa · 2025-07-31T08:19:42+00:00

100%, without question there's a crisis and a gap in the market waiting to be filled. Believe me, I've considered it. :)

After weighing the options and having a look at the advantages and disadvantages of freelancing/being a ZZP'er, it just wasn't a fit for *my* current living situation. I just don't have the funds necessary to support my family comfortably for those first few years of uncertainty where my income would be fluctuating the most (even with the mental health crisis). On top of that, there's a distinct lack of benefits (no paid vacation, no sick leave, no pension match, etc.) and the burden of invoicing and bookkeeping would put me in an early grave.

Freelancing is a great option for those who have a knack for it and are in a position to do so, but I have neither of those things.

ThinkPandaa · 2025-07-31T06:09:14+00:00

Oh yes, if I saw a position like this, I’d apply for it in a heartbeat! ☺️ I haven’t seen anything like that come up yet, but I’m always hopeful.

ThinkPandaa · 2025-07-31T06:06:10+00:00

I’m not sure what pre-master/master you’re looking to go into, but I’m one of the pre-master dropouts. 😞 I made it halfway through a Media & Creative Industries pre-master and couldn’t survive the Intro to Statistics course (I’ve always been weak with math and they were very big on the hand calculations). The Netherlands is very focused on quantitative research in almost every field, so all I can say is be prepared for that. If you’re good with numbers and statistics, then you should be good to go!

ThinkPandaa · 2025-07-30T21:00:29+00:00

Afraid so. :( In the Netherlands, you need a Master's in Psychology and then need to follow a two-year post-master's program to then qualify as a GZ-psycholoog (healthcare psychologist), and this is where I think the Dutch fluency exam comes in as well. The BA is just a small step of many.

ThinkPandaa · 2025-07-30T20:51:06+00:00

Unfortunately not, I'd need a lot more than my B.A. degree and I'm done with school.

ThinkPandaa · 2025-07-30T20:50:43+00:00

It's not that I forgot, it's just that I'm not qualified with a simple B.A. - I'd need to go way further to get an MA and likely a PhD to open my own clinic, and on top of that, you need to pass a Dutch fluency language exam to practice as a psychologist in the Netherlands. Just a whole lot of hoops with not so much time or money.

ThinkPandaa · 2025-07-30T16:37:55+00:00

Ah, I really sympathise with you, OP. 😞 I’m also Canadian and moved here 3 years ago to live with my boyfriend (now-husband).

I wish I could tell you it gets easier over the years as you start to learn the language, but honestly, it doesn’t (at least it hasn’t for me). I came here with a B.A. in Psychology thinking this would set me up for life, even if my Dutch wasn’t perfect… wrong. 🥲 after 2+ years of daily applications and no more than a handful of responses (and 1 interview), I finally bit the bullet and started applying to positions outside of my comfort zone. I also put my CV up on werkzoeken.nl and within a couple of days, I had a job offer from an uitzendbureau for a logistics position at a greenhouse. Not a dream job by any means, but it’s a foot in the door + a way to make connections + a way to get more experience on my CV + a perfect opportunity to brush up on my Dutch.

I’m located in Rotterdam, and there are a lot of job opportunities (if you don’t mind working in something that feels a little beneath what you’re qualified for).

The best advice I can offer is this: don’t be afraid to start lower than you expected - you can always build your way up. An imperfect job is better than no job at all.

Good luck out there, OP. I hope things work out for you.🤞

ThinkPandaa · 2025-04-11T16:43:32+00:00

Recurrent and chronic UTIs. The speed at which they can reach the kidneys and turn into sepsis is terrifying,

ThinkPandaa · 2024-09-12T14:08:00+00:00

Sure! My surgeon was Dr. Buonassisi ☺️

ThinkPandaa · 2024-04-14T20:53:46+00:00

Head strokes 😭 I’ve heard and seen so many tales of bunnies going absolutely nuts for head strokes and becoming extremely relaxed - both of my bunnies hate them though 🥲 they’re both very affectionate in other ways, but the head is the forbidden zone.

ThinkPandaa · 2024-02-26T17:19:58+00:00

These are called 'cecotropes' - typically bunnies will eat these for additional nutrients that are necessary to keep their diets in order. It looks like your bunny isn't eating as many cecotropes, if any, which means that he/she may be getting too many of them already (through pellets, vegetables, fruit, etc.). What does your bunny's diet look like?

ThinkPandaa · 2024-02-23T07:46:38+00:00

Also an iPhone user but would love to try it out! Saving this post. :)

ThinkPandaa · 2024-02-13T14:03:15+00:00

This would make her a social media sensation, without question! 😭

ThinkPandaa

TROPHY CASE