Fudgie

Ok, I wasn't aware this is a new woman, not the original babymama. Either way, my statements still stand. He's in his mid 20s and has knocked up not one but two women - why are you signing up for this drama fest?

How were your past relationships worse than this? 

I am so happy for you, OP! 

Take a day, celebrate, and then apply to jobs soon. Make sure your shots are up to date (Tdap, Hep B, etc.), get some comfortable, quality shoes that you can wear all day and wash if needed (you can and will inevitably drop bodily fluids on them), and buy some essential oil to put a few drops in your mask for when you're doing stinky tasks.

Don't be guilted into picking up OT unless you want that extra money! You are going to do great!

1 hour ago, alizajm said:

1.) the timeline told me that he and his ex had been sexually active until right before me and him met.

2.) He was always very adamant about saying that he wanted to make sure I had no other ties to anyone else as we progressed in our relationship, and I asked for the same.

3.) but after finding out that information, our relationship Took a turn and it was hard for me to be physically intimate with him for a week or so because I felt put off.

4.) but at that point we had already gotten so seriously involved with each other that I felt the need to stick around. 

Okay, so many things to address here, I have bolded 4 different parts of your post.

1 - Yes, that is what the timeline suggests. He rolled out of his ex's bed and into your arms which conflicts with the next point...

2 - Awfully contradictory of him to insist that you have no ties to anyone else, meanwhile he has a child with another woman and just got done banging her (without protection) before meeting you. This reeks of double standards. He is fine to have ties to ex (obviously needed, as he has a child so yes, the babymama is in his life) and can screw her before meeting you, but you, you need to be completely severed.

3 - Question: is it possible that after he found out this information, he began to reconsider the relationship with you and considered going back to babymama now that baby #2 is on the way? This happens more than you think.

4 - This is called "sunk cost fallacy". It's a logical error in which you think that you've put in enough time/effort/love/money/etc. into something, so you may as well see it through or else "it's all for nothing". No. You are 2 months into a relationship with a guy who has 2 kids (one out of the womb, another in the oven baking) with a drug-addled babymama. You had sex and developed feelings. That doesn't mean that you "have" to stick around. You're under no obligation to him other than being honest/respectful. Being in a relationship does not mean "til death do us part". 

You're 24 years old, the world is your oyster. You can do better than this. 

Psych meds are up my alley in both my career and my own experience (been on Prozac for decades). I'm about your age.

First off, these meds take time to have some effect. But if you're going on 5-6 weeks with very little or no improvement, it's time to talk to your psychiatrist. Doses can be titrated up or you may need to try another med all together. That's common, many people have to try a couple different meds to find something (or a couple things) that work, as in pleasedonot5's case.

Buspar is a crapshoot - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it works, it WORKS well for that person. But that's true of every psych med out there. We don't have a complete understanding of how they work and why people can differ so much in their responses to the same drug. It's all about working with your psychiatrist and finding what works for you together. 

4 hours ago, Wiseman2 said:

Agree. Never took the mask off. No Covid, no colds, no flu,etc. Still seeing people eating in restaurants, shopping etc without masks. Go figure. It's almost like a badge to prove they're vaccinated.

 

 

 

I don't feel comfortable eating indoors in public, however I will eat at a restaurant with outdoor seating. That I'm okay with. Otherwise, it's takeout for me. 

I never stopped wearing my mask indoors in public places. I've never gotten COVID and I think I can say that pretty confidently, as I was getting tested regularly (at least weekly) for most of the pandemic. My natural, more isolated status actually protected me. Let's see how long I can make it last.

I haven't commented on this thread in a while but I've been reflecting more on how my life has changed. In most ways for the better, actually. 

12 minutes ago, Seraphim said:

It is still too inconvenient for day trips because you need a Covid test leaving and coming back. Yeah, nah. 

I will have to check as the time gets closer but I believe I only need a COVID test prior to admittance to Canada but I don't need a test to get back home over the border. Keep in mind, I'm using land crossing, NOT air travel. For Canadians though, yeah, a test both ways, which sucks. 

I anticipate a border opening as well. I'm planning a trip for August. I'm fully vaccinated and I can get a test easily before crossing; my insurance covers all that jazz in full and I'll get the results electronically. Fingers crossed. 

Thundeeerrrrsstooorrrming.

Man, I have to take the trash out before my stupid cat tries to eat it (again) and I feel like I can't go outside.

Obtain consent - - > Foreplay - - > Adequate arousal is reached for both parties - - > Intercourse - - > Continue until satisfactory result for both parties - - > Sleep 

I hope you have found this informative and enlightening. 

In my city, seniors (65+) are getting vaccinated by their primary providers. They don't have to make an appointment, just wait for a call and THEN they make an appointment. 

It seems like most young people don't have primary doctors here any more. I know I do but I'm in the minority. However, they are savvy and I imagine sometime this year, most will be able to stroll into a pharmacy and get it done. 

57 minutes ago, Seraphim said:

Starting March 15 here in Ontario they are opening the online registration for vaccines for people 80 and older. I might be able to get mine at the end of summer. 

Yes, I read that recently. I'm hoping that for you, it will be a little closer than that, maybe if vaccine production and distribution continues to be ramped up. 

29 minutes ago, Cheetarah said:

Got my first COVID vax today!  My state expanded eligibility, effective today, for people with high risk illnesses.  It was brutal securing an appointment, and I had to drive 2 hours but so worth it.  
 

Got the Pfizer, have a headache.  Mild fatigue starting to set in.  That’s it so far.   

YAY. I am so psyched for you!

I, too, had the Pfizer shots. I had a short headache and some very mild fatigue for a couple days. No other issues, just like you. You may feel sicker with the 2nd shot (I did not, but many of my coworkers did!) so be sure to plan for a day off or so after the day you get your second! 

Since I've received both doses of one of the vaccines, I personally won't be wearing a second mask. I like the ones I have (washable/reusable) and they fit my face very well. However, if I weren't vaccinated, I would definitely wear two. I am still doing social distancing and I am not going anywhere/doing anything. I will be meeting up with a friend next week who also has received both doses of the vaccine and time has passed since her last one. I am still figuring out what we will do.

It's definitely my sadist side talking but seeing adult anti-maskers/COVID-deniers get sick from the very disease that they deny so much makes me chuckle internally. I'm not afraid to admit that. Yeah, maybe it means I'm kind of a cruddy person in that respect but hey, it is what it is. The only sympathy I have are for their children and their loved ones who aren't idiots. But for them personally, I don't feel anything. Darwin Award winners, that's what they are. 

What are you looking to get out of this? Do you want something casual? Or something more long term?

Care rationing has already begun here but in a different way. You need to be REALLY sick to be admitted to the hospital. People who would have been admitted to the hospital in the past are now being told to stay home or being sent home. Even hypoxic people. There just isn't the space, staff, or resources. It doesn't exist. 

I've talked to doctors and heard stories of people begging to be admitted but having to go home. Many then crash and die because by the time they get worse, it's too late. 

This is the time to be assertive. Say "no". They will get over it. We are approaching 400k Americans dead. You cannot take your chances. 

What really grinds my gears is knowing that so many vulnerable seniors and other folks with medical conditions are being good and safe. But if they have a medical emergency unrelated to covid, they will get horrendous care and/or contract the virus in the hospital setting because of these idiots. 

It's not fair. It boils my blood. 

It's not just an "opinion" when someone forgoes public health advice and puts others, innocent people, at risk. If some adult wants to eat crap all the time, fine. If an adult wants to do drugs at home, fine. But not wearing a mask and having small gatherings is harming all of us. The CDC has stated that the primary source of covid infections have been from such gatherings. It's affecting all of us.

Personally, I think if people don't want to do these simple mandates, fine, but sign a DNR/Do Not Hospitalize order and make copies and nail a copy to the front door. That way they can have their gatherings and when they get sick and can't breathe, they can die at home rather than crowd up the hospitals for people who WERE careful. 

And, folks, this is why I refuse to pick up time on covid wards. I have the ability to save lives but I don't want to help save any irresponsible people after seeing the utter disrespect and ignorance people are displaying out in my community. So I stay home. 

Cheet, yeah I take 40mg a day of pantoprazole. It works well for me so I keep taking it. Hopefully her follow-up will be helpful, who knows maybe she needs a bit bigger dose.

If you (or anyone else) is concerned about at-home pulse oximeters, this is something I was concerned about as well. It's well known that many are just not accurate. However, I can vouch for one brand on Amazon. "Zacurate" brand on Amazon is available for about $30 USD and it's very accurate. I know this because I've personally tested it on several medical-grade (in a medical facility) pulse oximeters and the numbers were either the same or maybe one digit off, for both oxygen sats and heart rate. I know a patient who uses this all the time and he's even tested it himself, it's accurate. 

It's even good on hypoxic folks. I went slightly hypoxic in October following a small procedure I needed to have - nothing to do with COVID, I was given some IV narcotics while I was waking up and that crap makes me forget how to breathe properly. My oxygen levels were low 90s/ high 80s for an hour or so if I didn't think often about breathing. I was very tired but I pulled my oximeter out of my bag and it had the same numbers. 

Cheet, 

It sounds like she was/is on pantoprazole, which is a common, generic GERD medication, a proton pump inhibitor. I'm actually on the same one myself but I take it long term. I've been scoped somewhat recently - I have no damage or irritation seen during the exam and no symptoms - but it only stays that way if I take my meds.

Steroids can cause GI issues for some but nausea/indigestion can also be a sign of poorly managed GERD. It's a rather non-specific symptoms, sadly. Does she wake up with a bad or sour/bitter taste in her mouth sometimes? Sore throat in the morning that goes away is also a sign of nighttime GERD exacerbation because that acid that regurgitates up at night can really irritate the throat but then goes away once awake and you're not doing that. 

These are all really good questions to ask during her follow-up. Nightly aspiration is definitely a concern as well as esophageal damage. You are doing all the right things by being so diligient and careful. I am doing that as well - it's really important to do what you can to *safely* stay home and out of the hospital. Preventative care is key at this time, checking in with your doctor, not taking unncessary risks, etc. 

I hope she feels better really soon, and you too! And fingers crossed for no positives and speedy vaccinations (if you so wish to have them). 

Cheet, 

Do you think your fiance is aspirating at night? Untreated reflux or other factors can cause many to aspirate during the night. If I don't take my GERD med, it happens to me. It can cause a nasty pneumonia too. 

Sleeping with a wedge pillow/head elevated may help in the meantime. Hope she feels better pretty soon.

On 12/28/2020 at 11:02 AM, boltnrun said:

My new doctor has one chair, no tables and no reading materials in the waiting room. The lab I went to had you wait in your car or outside until it was your turn. My previous doctor had no protocols. So glad I have this new doctor, although I just got removed from Obamacare due to no longer being employed so I'm worried about that.

That's a good thing. My doctor does the same thing: they ask you to call from your car and they will either come get you or they will call you to walk in. It's much safer. Waiting rooms are just not a good idea. 

7 hours ago, luminousone said:

So glad, Fudgie! I am so appreciative of all medical professionals! You need to be protected!

 

Are you nervous for the shot, since it is new?

I was at first but not anymore. This vaccine works by providing your body with the mRNA (genetic material) to make its own spike protein like what the coronavirus has. Then your body reacts to it, develops antibodies, etc. There's no actual virus. 

I did some research and found that mRNA vaccines HAVE been developed in the past for some viruses. The technology was already there. It's "new" in the sense that it's a new virus and that it's the first vaccine of its sort to receive FULL approval. But such vaccines have been developed before for other things and have been shown to be safe but other vaccines were just as effective, cheaper, easier to handle, etc. So that's why others have been used instead. 

I did get my shot so it's in me. I have a sore arm but I'm fine.