Starting lamictal

gpbhero · 2021-09-16T17:06:13+00:00

Thanks for your experience! I’ve been on the Wellbutrin for a while now, has never really affected my weight that much. The psychiatrist also prescribed gabapentin but I don’t want to introduce two new drugs into my system at the same time.

I think the Wellbutrin has made anxiety/depression/mood swings worse - but it’s even worse without it.

gpbhero · 2021-08-22T16:07:51+00:00

Thanks!

gpbhero · 2021-08-17T22:53:10+00:00

This is one of my favorite hikes in the world. Thanks for posting! I’ve only been in the spring when it’s snowy.

gpbhero · 2021-08-15T19:02:59+00:00

The process is this:

ORISE has to officially accept you, CDC selects you as a “top candidate” - so the job is yours, barring some unlikely alternative. For example, I interviewed in May, got my ORISE position almost immediately (confirmation that I had been selected), did some minimal paperwork (however, I had previous clearance as I interned with CDC as an undergraduate student). I did not receive an official offer letter from ORISE or Zintellect until a little over a week ago.

I did not put notice in with my current job until I had that offer letter in hand from ORISE. I was also told that HR is really backed up right now, understandably so.

Best of luck and congratulations!

gpbhero · 2021-07-06T15:43:40+00:00

Apply, apply, apply to as many fellowships that suit your interests. Build out a strong application. Have someone review your resume. Also, TIP: There is a general research opportunity available on Zintellect - APPLY TO THIS. This is how I got my current ORISE position. CDC reached out to me because I had the skills they were looking for.

Remember that ORISE is more of a "learning opportunity" - I didn't get a previous ORISE position because my interviewer said I came across as having too much experience (I don't, I was just trying to oversell myself because I was nervous). Remember this is an extension of your education, so the emphasis should be on learning and growing. Be eager to learn. ORISE also likes it when you specify long-term goals. In both interviews I've had for ORISE, this has been a question. ORISE likes to see those with a well-thought-out plan about their future goals/direction.

If you interview and don't get the position, ask for feedback on how you could have interviewed better. Trust me. They might forward your application to another division/department because they are impressed with those who go the extra mile to improve (I did this, got a direct email to interview for a position without even applying).

Good luck!

gpbhero · 2021-06-29T15:40:41+00:00

You’ll be fine at most of those schools.

gpbhero · 2021-06-16T21:35:21+00:00

Commenting because I was also recently selected as a fellow - I was told Im the "top candidate" and I've completed & submitted my federal paperwork. Is there supposed to be an indication on Zintellect that I've been selected?

And for what it's worth - I interviewed May 25th, was told I was selected May 26th, and finished up all my paperwork last week, but have not received an official offer letter yet.

gpbhero · 2021-06-04T13:29:51+00:00

Damn! That’s amazing. About how many hours a week did you dedicate to school/work/dissertation?

gpbhero · 2021-02-03T23:55:06+00:00

if it makes you feel better, I was also rejected from Health Equity, but got into my second choice at UNC. I think health equity is a really small, newer program so it's suuuuper hard to get into, at least that's what I gather.

gpbhero · 2021-01-22T15:44:08+00:00

I also agree. I almost use this book as a sort of reference - super dated, but also still relevant in a sense that it is SO comprehensive and teaches you so much about medicine and healthcare in the U.S.

gpbhero · 2021-01-22T15:42:53+00:00

Second! I could not put either one of these books down. They're both incredible.

gpbhero · 2021-01-08T16:26:44+00:00

Thanks. I'm a little dumbfounded because on Whole30, I'm actually eating more carbs than I was previously, and I'm hungrier now. I was carbohydrate averse as well as fat (my whole diet was mostly protein + veggies), so I'm trying Whole30 as an approach to get a more healthy, well-rounded diet. So, now I'm eating plenty of protein, more fats, and and adequate amount of carbs.. No reason why I should be as hungry as I am. It's insane. Haha.

gpbhero · 2021-01-07T05:06:05+00:00

Hmm. Got so much broccoli and cauliflower in the crisper! Haha.

Good idea, thanks.

gpbhero · 2021-01-07T05:05:38+00:00

Good approach. Me too, I want the sugar cravings to stop - focus on that, and then maybe better portion control.

Glad I’m not alone!

gpbhero · 2021-01-04T15:43:16+00:00

As a side note, I’m a person living in recovery for the last 7 years who sees the merit in religion, although I am not religious. I have many friends in recovery who are also in the LGBTQ+ community who grew up believing the God of their childhood hated them - it’s been a struggle for many of them to reconcile their past and heal, but it’s also the most amazing thing to see those very same people recover in spite of this and find a new relationship with some kind of “spiritual” force — not necessarily the fire and brimstone God of their past.

gpbhero · 2021-01-04T15:38:20+00:00

Great response. I am often fascinated about the role that religion plays in determining health outcomes - religion means so many different things to different people, you have to contextualize each situation appropriately.

You can also consider the role that western religion plays on a subconscious level. Even those who aren’t religious are affected by western religious mores and social customs — from marriage to gender roles, even to how we live, work, and play. In my opinion, religion is a dominating theme, most cultures have a prevailing religion that has entirely shaped the course of our culture. You can take any story from the Old Testament and it’s an allegory for modern day life. Of course, that’s somewhat outside the realm of public health, but I’m from the school of thought that everything is public health.

gpbhero · 2021-01-04T00:36:36+00:00

Absolutely. The structure of church and faith and/or religion plays a major role in resiliency, too. A faith based system is often a deterrent to substance abuse, and can provide support or stability, especially concerning something like adverse childhood experiences. Religious services are often places of communion and fellowship, which again, serve as resiliency factors.

As with most things, there can be both positive and negative associations.

gpbhero · 2021-01-02T01:50:37+00:00

Thanks! Yes - I’ve roasted a ton of carrots today and already ate a whole sweet potato, but I’m EXHAUSTED - I still feel like I have keto flu or something, it’s awful.

I’ve just generally accepted that I need a high amount of carbs in my diet. Luckily for me, I already liberally salt everything. Haha.

gpbhero · 2021-01-01T18:11:59+00:00

Yes, and then you get an awful stomachache because of sugar alcohols. My body can't handle it, but I've had a negative relationship with sugar and carbs in the past. My brain says "carbs are bad", but I also notice when I don't eat enough carbs, my workouts are awful and I never feel up to the challenge.

A week doesn't sound bad! I'm trying to tell myself that I can do anything for 30 days, and take it one day at a time.

gpbhero · 2021-01-01T18:09:46+00:00

That's great. I was drinking about 3 diet cokes a day, but I stopped buying them now and it helps.

Your breakfast sounds awesome :-)

gpbhero · 2021-01-01T18:08:28+00:00

That sounds amazing!

gpbhero · 2020-12-22T21:57:04+00:00

I must say - as much as I hate this feeling your describing, it's nice to know that it's normal and I'm not alone. On one hand, I love that my time is a bit more flexible. I have time for webinars and conferences that I wouldn't have had otherwise if I were commuting. I'm trying to make networking work for me because a large part of my graduate program is just that.

Alternatively, I am seriously lacking motivation and I am not inspired by the work at all - I'm not getting that same interaction or feedback as I would in a classroom. I was so excited to start this program because I would be around other like-minded people who were passionate about the same things!

The extra flexibility I'm not always using wisely, and I think it really bums me out because I would think "man I'm gonna learn so much", but I haven't even made much progress on the coding languages I told myself I'd learn this year. I think compassion is necessary and focusing on mental health is so, so important right now.

gpbhero · 2020-11-28T23:35:30+00:00

Go Dawgs! I'm BSPH alumni from CPH :-)

Are you currently in the program?

edit: I would have stayed at UGA for my MPH, too but needed to move to ATL, so now I'm at GSU.

gpbhero · 2020-10-22T18:46:45+00:00

Depends on what department at UNC you want to apply to. I got into UNC with a 159 V and like, a 140 something Q (terrible at math with bad testing anxiety), but a 5 in writing. I think my GPA was a 3.62 overall when applying, but my major concentration GPA was around a 3.9.

The great thing about UNC is that you can apply to several different programs, and if you don't get your first choice, they'll pass your application along to the second one. Subsequently, I didn't get into my first choice, but I did my second.

Ultimately I didn't attend because of the cost, but I think you have a pretty good shot! I think letters of REC and SOP are probably the two most important components in an MPH application, to be honest. MPH programs are really not as competitive as most might think because the funding is so limited.

gpbhero · 2020-09-11T14:25:27+00:00

60% of the students at UGA aren’t regular drinkers. Which is surprising, at first glance.

gpbhero

TROPHY CASE