#so I have about 7 filled prescriptions of birth control that they just won’t let me have because I won’t come in for an appointment | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ruthoakenshield · 3 years

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Very Good Friends (Chapter 12)

Catch up here: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11]

Reader x Henry Cavill, Reader x co-star named Dan

Warning: This tale is for 18+ readers ONLY!!! Mentions of flashbacks: (rape, anal sex, non-con sex, abuse), severe bruising and injury, mentions of suicidal thoughts, depression, humiliation, and some fluff to make us feel better. Smut comes later on in the story… Several chapters down the road… I promise!!!

If ANY of the warnings upset you or make you uncomfortable, DO NOT read below the cut! go find something else to read in this case.

If you are okay with reading those things then enjoy the tale below the cut.

Feedback and reblogs are appreciated. I do not own Henry nor do I have any personal knowledge of him besides what is common knowledge amongst the Cavillary. Any mistakes and typos are mine, story is not beta-tested. GIF I got from the tumbler search thingy.

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The doctor informs the nurse that he has to do two emergency procedures and an emergency surgery to remove and replace an IUD. She nods and he tells her to bump all appointments back until this is taken care of, and that they will need to sedate the patient as she is a rape victim who is still reeling from the trauma. She nods and orders and an anesthesiologist to come do and monitor the sedation.

Once the anesthesiologist arrives, the Doctor enters with her and a few minutes later, Henry knocks on the door and enters. You’re looking scared and the Doctor tells you what they are going to do and explains why you’re having so much pain. You look at Henry and he gives you a reassuring smile. “It’ll be okay, Sweetheart. I’ll be right here with you, okay? They’re going to give you something that will make you sleepy, they’ll do the two procedures and take out the old IUD that is out of place and will replace it with one so it’s in the proper place, okay?” Henry tells you reassuringly.

“Honey, you should be feeling better, and in less pain, once we get this taken care of.” The Doctor tells you. “I’ll give you a stronger antibiotic to combat the infection and the pain should go down in your abdomen once we get the new IUD in place.” He confirms. You sigh and nod.

The anesthesiologist tells you she will put a mask on you and to just take slow deep breaths and count backwards from 10 to 1. You nod and take Henry’s hand. He holds it with a firm grip and caresses it with his other hand. The mask is placed on your face and you start to count backwards. Henry chuckles as he sees you get to about 5 and you are out.

The anesthesiologist and Doctor grin and they hook up the necessary monitors to keep an eye on your O2 levels and BP and sedation. Then everyone heads for the CT scan. They shift you onto the platform for the scan and Henry is told where to stand and observe. You are shifted into the machine and it begins taking the pictures of your abdomen specifically your uterus and bladder. Once it is completed, you are transferred back to the hospital gurney and taken back to the room you had been in and are placed back onto the exam table.

You’re given more sedative and then the Cystoscopy is done and confirms your Urethra is extremely inflamed and almost swollen closed. They are able to get the scope through and are able to examine the bladder as well and it’s confirmed it is infected as well. They remove the scope slowly and carefully, then you are given an anti-inflammatory to get the swelling down and a strong IV antibiotic to start to kick the infection faster. While those are being done, the Doctor asks Henry to hold one of your legs still for him while he does the IUD removal while the anesthesiologist holds the other one.

In about 10 minutes, he has the IUD’s swapped out and is having the ultrasound tech doing another ultrasound image to make sure the IUD is placed correctly so it won’t shift or perforate the uterus. It is placed correctly, and so the Doc lets the anesthesiologist start to wean you off the sedative. He tells the ultrasound tech she can head out and thanks her for helping.

The Doc pulls the platform out on the exam table, and rests your legs on it instead of the stirrups he had you in, then puts the stirrups away. He cleans up the area and Henry asks to see the IUD since he’s never seen one before. The doc shows him the one he removed and shows him on the diagram on the wall how it’s inserted and where it’s supposed to sit in the uterus. He explains that because Dan was so rough with you, that it shifted the IUD (which he shows Henry the way it was positioned on the first ultrasound) and explains that since it was tilted, it wasn’t able to do it’s job and ran the risk of either breaking, embedding into the walls or puncturing the uterine walls which would result in needing to have emergency surgery and potentially could make you unable to bear children and worst case, require a hysterectomy.

Henry’s eyes get huge, “All because of that little copper thing?” the doctor nods. “So why use this instead of other forms of birth control if it’s so dangerous?” Henry asks.

“Mostly women want it for the convenience. Depending on which type is inserted, it gets placed, and they can forget about it for anywhere from 3-10 years. Whereas, with the pills, if she forgets to take even one pill the effectiveness drops significantly, and the risk of pregnancy increases exponentially. Patches often leave sticky residue that many women dislike and they have to be replaced each week on the same day. And with both the patch and pill, they can be affected by antibiotics, where an IUD isn’t.” he explains.

Henry nods. Then looks back at you. He sighs. “I suppose it was a good thing, then, that she had that in her.” He says. The Doctor turns and looks at you asleep on the table with the anesthesiologist next to you. He nods. “She was very lucky, though, Henry. He could have very easily broken it, especially with whatever he was wearing that tore her up so bad.

Depending on how long she waits to have intercourse, it may be quite painful for her until her body gets used to things again. She will have a lot of scar tissue that will need to be softened and realigned. She may not like it, but actually, the massaging action of sex will eventually help to realign the fibers of the scar to all go the same direction and the stretching of the walls that it creates will help as well.

I have a friend who is a massage therapist who does a lot of scar work on the outside of the body and has explained how it works to me. It made sense and the same concepts could be applied with this case, but it would have to be someone she trusted very much, and was comfortable with, who would take the care and time to do it properly. Starting out with fingers until she is able to stretch enough to accommodate a larger girth of either a toy or dick. It’ll be a slow process for her, I’m afraid.” He says.

Henry sighs. “When do you recommend she have this done?” he asks. “There’s no hurry, Henry. When she is ready. If it’s you she agrees to have do it for her, just call me and I’ll give you my friend’s name and contact info. She can explain to you the concept and the technique and show you the direction of the muscles’ fibers and which way you’ll need to work the scars. You’ll be able to feel them once your fingers are inside. Scar tissue of any kind is always tougher and doesn’t give as much when pressed.” He tells Henry quietly.

Henry nods and they both see you’re starting to wake up. Henry goes over to you and holds your hand. Once you’re awake more, they sit you up slowly. You wince and groan. But the pain is significantly less now than it was before. You lean against Henry and he holds you. The Doctor comes over to you and asks you if the pain is less now. You nod slowly and he gently pats your knee. “I’ll go get the prescription for you for the stronger antibiotics.” He tells you and Henry. “Just keep using the pain meds you already have. They should be sufficient for the pain now.” he informs you both. You nod slowly and struggle to keep your eyes open.

Henry grins seeing you looking so sleepy. “You’re cute when you look so sleepy, Kitten.” He teases you. You punch his chest lightly. “Stop teasing, Bear.” You tell him, making him chuckle. He holds your head and you both wait for the IV of antibiotics to finish. You ask if you can get off the table and put your clothes back on. The nurse says to wait for the Doc to come back and he’ll answer that for you.

“Okay.” You mumble. A few minutes later the Doctor returns with the prescription. Henry asks if they can get you dressed now, that you wanted off the exam table and wondered if you could sit on the chairs instead while they waited for the IV antibiotics to finish. The doc nods and says you can get your panties and pants, socks and shoes back on, but to wait for your top until the IV is done. He says he’ll check on you in about 15 minutes, then heads out.

Henry and the anesthesiologist help you down from the exam table and help you get dressed, with your panties, sweatpants, socks and shoes. Then you sit on the chair by the desk and lean against Henry. He and the anesthesiologist talk for a bit and then the Doctor returns and sees the IV is pretty much done. He has the nurse come and disconnect everything and she puts a bandage and a colored band around your wrist where the IV had been placed since they couldn’t find a good vein in your elbow nor in your hand. You are awake enough now to be able to sit up without flopping over and are just groggy now.

Rich thanks them for all the help and carries you effortlessly out of the hospital once he gets your discharge papers and has your prescription filled at the hospital pharmacy. He carries your sleepy self to the car and gets you inside. You sip on your still hot tea and he drives you back to the trailers.

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It’s lunch time by the time you both get back and you’re surprised to see some signs and balloons and flowers outside the trailer with encouraging notes on them. Henry carries you from the car to the trailer and puts you down so you can look at the notes that were left. They were damp from the rain, which has since stopped, but the notes were still legible.

“They are from our co-stars!” you tell him hoarsely. He nods. “They asked if I minded if they leave you some encouragement outside the trailer. They didn’t want to bother you since you were feeling so miserable.” He explains.

“Awww, that’s sweet!” you murmur with a yawn. You pick up the bouquets of flowers to put in a vase inside. And ask him to take the mylar balloons inside too. Henry gets you in and settled, then goes to get the mylar balloons you requested. He chuckles finding one tied to a sunshine shaped small pillow that has a smiley face with sunglasses embroidered on it. He shows it to you, and you chuckle and sip on your tea. Henry puts the flowers in a vase and sets them by the TV across from the window so you can see them from the couch.

More chapters to come…

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ecoamerica · 23 days

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youtube

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sajasmom · 7 years

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Sadness, Loss, Depression, Anxiety, Fear

I had a miscarriage. I can't even believe I'm writing this now. Even though you know it happens, I don't know how you could ever prepare yourself for when it actually happens to you. Right now I'm incredibly sad and absolutely terrified of what my future holds. I miss my baby that never really existed anywhere except in my heart and mind. I'm scared this will happen to me again. I'm scared I'll never have a baby at all.

I had such a naïve view of miscarriage before. I thought it was sad, but if it's early you get over it. I didn't know your whole future will come crashing down around you. I didn't know how time seems to slow down and speed up at the same time. I feel like I will never get past this, and I feel like I'm losing precious time. All I want is to have a baby to fix this, but the thought of getting pregnant again is……difficult. I don't want to become the type of person who obsesses over having a baby, but it's already consuming my life. All because one tiny ball of cells refused to form and grow.

I've never felt more alone in my life. Miscarriage is common, but no one talks about it. I feel like everyone around me is happy, having babies with the comfort of knowing they are "normal". Every test, every scan, every ultrasound showing exactly the right thing. I need to talk about it. I need to know I'm not alone. I need to hear the success stories of people like me. If I'm being completely honest, there are some stories that scare me. You hear about couples who had several miscarriages in a row and go on to have a healthy child eventually. I can't hear those stories right now when my biggest fear is this will happen to me the next time. I can't have this consume my life for years and years. I can accept it as a one time, random occurrence. If this is my life moving forward, how will I survive?

It could have been so much worse, I know this. We could have been trying to have a baby for years. The pregnancy could have ended much later than it did. I got pregnant after one time. One night when we decided to let fate take over from that point on. I didn't even think I would get pregnant that day since it was late in my cycle. I should have already ovulated. But I guess the timing was perfect.

It never felt real to me. I kept it close to me, telling myself we could let others know once it was confirmed with the doctor. The first pregnancy test I took should have been positive, but it wasn't. The second one I took four days later was barely positive. Looking back, this was probably an early indicator something was not right. But no matter what, you still deep in your heart believe that in 8-9 months your life will change completely. And as a woman, your life changes from the very second you get the positive test. From that moment on, you're taking care of your baby, watching every little thing that goes into your body.

The first ultrasound was the day after my birthday. I'm so thankful my birthday was my last truly happy day. But I'm also sad and angry I didn't get my birthday wish, which was that the baby growing inside me was ok and healthy. I just want to scream at how unfair it is! When we saw the embryo, it was small. Too small. Dates didn't add up. There was a heartbeat, but it was low and now I know that it could have just been my own. I honestly don't know if it was still developing at that time or not. The doctor told us it wasn't looking good, but the only thing we could do was come back in two weeks.

Twelve days later I got my answer. The next ultrasound showed nothing. It was gone. It stopped developing, most likely between 6-7 weeks and my body reabsorbed it. How cruel and kind at the same time.

It's called a missed miscarriage when your body doesn't recognize the pregnancy is over. It's the worst kind of limbo when you're pregnant but you're not. At this point, you have three options: wait (which could take weeks), take pills to force a miscarriage, or have a D&C which is a surgical procedure to remove the pregnancy from your uterus. After waiting a few days, I decided to take the pills. It took all my strength not to cry when filling that prescription. I knew it was gone but why did I have to finish it off myself? I took the pills and waited……….nothing happened.

I won't dive too deep into the agony I felt those few days after my failed attempt to force my body to complete the process. I couldn't, and still can't, stop feeling incredibly sorry for myself. Why was I having such bad luck over and over again? When could I catch a break??

A trip to the doctor confirmed what I already knew. The miscarriage was not complete. At this point I was almost hysterical…..if everything was going wrong, certainly the D&C would leave me horribly scarred and infertile. Even though the chances of it working were low, the doctor prescribed me one more round of pills to try. I waited a few more days, hoping my body would naturally pass the pregnancy, but after a few days I caved and took the pills again. Four hours later I started heavily bleeding, and didn't stop for the next nine (this is not normal). Somewhere in the middle of the bleeding, the contractions started. I've never been in so much pain in my life. If I'm lucky enough to give birth someday, I will not be doing it naturally! After seven hours of intense pain and heavy bleeding, dizzy from the blood loss, I made my husband take me to the ER.

In the end, it turned out I couldn't avoid the D&C anyway. Even after all the bleeding, the miscarriage was still incomplete as I had "products of pregnancy" still high up in my uterus. If I didn't have the surgical procedure to remove it, I would be at risk of more bleeding. I was disappointed, but at this point every terrible scenario had already run through my head (I had cancer, I was hemorrhaging, they were going to remove my uterus, etc.) that the D&C no longer was the scariest thing I would face. It turned out to be a quick, simple procedure, and luckily I was asleep the entire time. After waking up from the procedure, the first thing I felt was relief. Could I finally dare to hope I was normal again? Would my body finally be able to move forward?

That was only four days ago. Everything seems to be fine, but I don't know for sure yet. Risks of the procedure are extremely low, but I still feel like the unluckiest person sometimes. Even just today I made a midnight run to the pharmacy to pick up a thermometer because I was convinced I had a fever, which is a sign of infection. Luckily I don't. I just need this all to be over. I need to be able to move on.

I'm still grieving. It gets a little easier each day, but occasionally I'll be overwhelmed by my grief and find myself deep in a hole that seems impossible to climb out of. Just today I got so sad thinking about how happy and perfect my life would have been if everything worked out. I'm grieving the loss of the baby I thought I had, and the past, present, and future that would have been. This is the hardest thing I've ever been through. I know I will get through it, but I'm scared of how this experience has changed me. Once we decide to try again, is it going to consume my life? Will I ever be able to enjoy a pregnancy? If I do have a baby someday, will I ever be able to stop worrying about it?

My anxiety is out of control. I wish I could stay calm and logical about the situation and the future. Talking about it helps. Writing about it helps. I don't want to stay silent about this because the only thing that keeps me going is knowing that I'm not alone and that I'm not crazy for feeling this way. I wish more people in my life had shared their experiences with pregnancy loss. Their stories give me hope. I hope I'm brave enough later to be able to share my story with more friends and family.

I hope for a lot of things these days, but most of all I hope one day I will be happy again.

#miscarriage #missed miscarriage #ttc after loss #ttc after mc

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i-am-very-very-tired · 7 years

Link

Like most people my age, I found out that the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA) had passed the House of Representatives via social media. My Twitter feed was filled with outrage about defunding Planned Parenthood and so my rage focused there, too. I wrote my representatives, composed a tweet of my own, decided to donate my time and money, and vowed that the next time I saw some old, white men protesting outside of my local Health Center I would give them more than just a dirty look. I thought that was the worst of it. But the next day, I saw #IAmAPreExistingCondition trending on Twitter, and after that, my entire outlook on the AHCA changed. As I scrolled through the tweets, it hit me that the AHCA could destroy more than just my reproductive rights. It could ruin my whole life. I had never had to deal with insurance issues like this before. I was covered under my mother’s insurance until I took my first job —ironically enough, working in a phone bank for a company that mainly denied appeals for Medicare coverage— and none of my health struggles emerged until months after I’d been hired. Too late for Blue Cross Blue Shield to hold them against me. When I switched to insurance I selected under the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2015, no insurance provider could deny me coverage, raise my premiums, or refuse to pay for benefits because of a pre-existing condition. The same held true when I became a Massachusetts resident in 2016 and applied for MassHealth. I didn’t even know how many pre-existing conditions I had. I panicked, googled “American Health Care Act pre-existing conditions,” and read everything I could find from reliable sources. According to The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, CNN, Time, Rolling Stone, New York Magazine, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and NH Health Cost, I have 17 pre-existing conditions that, before the ACA took effect, insurers could have used as an excuse to refuse to cover me or to severely raise my premiums, including: ▪A mild-to-moderate alcohol use disorder. ▪Back pain. ▪Mental disorders, including: Mild agoraphobia. Anxiety. ADHD. Bipolar disorder. Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). Depression. Seasonal affective disorder. ▪Menstrual irregularities. Sleep disorders, including: ▫BruxismREM Sleep Behavior Disorder. ▪Trauma as a result of domestic violence and sexual assault. Oh, and I guess I should also mention that I’m into BDSM and being choked, as those are sexual masochism disorders listed in the DSM-V. Why? Because according to experts interviewed by Time, having a “sexual deviation or disorder” could be a problem. Considering the Vice President’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights, being a queer, gender non-conforming, polyamorous woman who often wears men’s clothes may also be an issue, especially since it’s in my psychiatrist’s files. This brings my grand total to 19 pre-existing conditions. If you count my sexuality, dating lifestyle and gender expression, that’s 22. Based on my family history, I’m at risk for three more—Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, and diabetes— and since I’ve applied for disability twice, that could also factor against me, according to Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). It can take no more than one of my medical conditions to disqualify me from coverage or to make my premium so high as to be unaffordable. Right now, I pay almost nothing for health care. I live in Massachusetts and qualify for MassHealth CarePlus based largely on my income; since I don’t make more than 133 percent of the federal poverty level ($1,305 a month), I don’t pay premiums or copayments. I haven’t had to enter treatment for alcohol abuse, but if I did, it would be completely covered. When I threw out my back (again) a few months ago, all my treatment was covered, and when I ended up in the hospital because the muscle relaxants I was prescribed gave me serotonin syndrome, I never received a bill. I see my trauma therapist and psychiatrist and attend group therapy for free, and when I went for four hours of neuropsychological testing to confirm my ADHD diagnosis, all it cost me was time. The same was true when I got an IUD (at Planned Parenthood, bless them), which I use for birth control and to eliminate my formerly monstrous periods. Are you getting the picture? None of my pre-existing conditions affect my life in any way because I’m covered by a system that’s essentially the same as the Affordable Care Act. The only costs I incur are for my six medications: Seroquel, two types of Depakote, Klonopin, Effexor, and Adderall. They each cost $3.65 per month, $21.90 all told. That’s the extent of the financial obligation to my health, apart from prescriptions for routine things, like strep throat (I’m prone to it) or UTIs and yeast infections. Even then, there’s some wiggle room. According to my MassHealth handbook, I never have to pay more than $250 in any given year for prescriptions and if I can’t afford a copayment, all I have to do is tell my pharmacist. Legally, they still have to give my the medication and the fee is “put on my tab,” as it were. Setup Timeout Error: Setup took longer than 30 seconds to complete. If I applied for insurance under AHCA policies and was denied, I would end up paying around $100 per hour for therapy, $125 to 285 per hour for psychiatry, about $50 per session for group therapy, and $588.42 for my medications (using a discount card). My basic mental health care costs would be $1,688.42 to $2,328.42 per month, hundreds more than I make. Even by cutting every possible cost (canceling my cell phone, placing the full burden of household expenses on my partner, and never spending a cent on clothes, personal care products, or other “extras”), I’d still come up short. There is also the possibility that, if Massachusetts adopted the AHCA’s guidelines, I would end up in a high-risk insurance pool, a state-created health care market for people who are especially sick or who were denied other health insurance coverage. The problem is that whereas “normal” insurance companies receive premiums from healthy people to cover the costs of the sick, no such offset exists in these pools. As a result, premiums and deductibles skyrocket, yearly and lifetime coverage costs can be limited, and what coverage there is tends to be inadequate. Even still, people end up on waitlists for this impotent insurance because there isn’t enough funding to meet demand. But let’s say I could afford a premium of $298.75 to $478 per month, a deductible of about $10,000 per year, and that I wouldn’t end up on a waitlist. Even then, I’d most likely be subject to a waiting period during which treatment for my pre-existing conditions would not be covered. As of 2013, Massachusetts’ group health plans allowed a maximum exclusion period —the period during which insurers can refuse to cover treatment related to pre-existing conditions— of six months, half a year in which I’d be paying that $1,688.42 to $2,328.42 a month, plus hundreds more for insurance that wouldn’t cover my basic needs. Since my treatment and medication would cost so much with insurance, I might even be tempted to go without—as I imagine many others in my situation would. However, Section 133 of the bill would almost eliminate any desire to get coverage if my financial situation changed; it forces insurers to increase premiums by 30 percent for anyone with a break in coverage of 62 days or more. Anyone with pre-existing conditions, especially those who also experience financial difficulty, would be practically legislated into debt, whether they chose to seek coverage or not. The state itself might not even feel that it’s worthwhile to make a high-risk pool. Section 132 of the AHCA states that in order to receive their share of funding to create these pools, they have to match federal funds “at a rate that grows from 7 percent in 2020 to 50 percent in 2026.” That probably has something to do with the AHCA also repealing the tanning tax and the Net Investment Income Tax, and would allow insurance companies to deduct employee salaries of $500,000 or more. Hey, the money to take care of sick people has to come from somewhere. But it won’t be from tanning salons that cause skin cancer or the richest 2 percent of the population. Certainly not from the insurance companies that pay next to nothing in taxes, anyway. My worries about the AHCA extend beyond my own health. My partner, to whom I’m committed in all but marriage, has often helped me financially. He works full time at a marketing firm and his paychecks are steady, whereas mine are sporadic. I pay any bills under my own name, but we negotiate rent, food, and creature comforts based on the state of my checking account. I mention this only because he has four pre-existing conditions of his own: ADHD, anemia, depression and hypertension, and has a family history of seven more: addiction, asthma, brain cancer, high cholesterol, obesity, sleep apnea, and ulcers. Although he receives health insurance through his employer, he’s still not safe. The mandate that large employers must provide affordable health insurance to their employees would be repealed under the AHCA, as would the penalty for large employers that don’t cover essential health benefits, like pregnancy costs and preventative medicine (not to mention the mental health coverage we both need). His company might decide to cut costs in one of two ways: by offering cheap plans that don’t cover essential benefits, or by offering expensive plans that do. Either way, his plan couldn’t deny or change his coverage based on the AHCA, but if we were to throw aside our choice of commitment and marry so I could be covered as his dependent, we might not be able to afford it due to my health history. If the AHCA were to pass, I’d be left in a precarious situation. Under AHCA policies, cost sharing for low-income individuals like myself would be gone by 2020, as would the premium assisted tax credit, which allows me to receive a return on the unused amount come tax time. The heightened costs of health care (or going without care due to those costs) would push my anxiety through the roof. I have already been admitted to inpatient psychiatric units twice for this reason, and, under the AHCA, I’m sure I would soon be back. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there were 67 million women who met the narrow definition of a pre-existing condition in 2014, 8 million people in my age group (25 to 34), and 45 million Americans who qualified on the basis of a behavioral health disorder. I may be just one, but I am one among millions whose lives would be irreparably sabotaged by the American Health Care Act, a bill that treats the health of American citizens with anything but care. Liz Lazzara is an essayist and mental health advocate living and working in Boston, MA. She is currently working on a memoir about complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

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yournewapartment · 7 years

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Medical Insurance

Now that Obamacare is essentially done for, it’s impossible to know what type of insurance loopholes our generation will have to deal with next. The Affordable Care Act allowed parents to have their children as part of their insurance plan until the age of 26, but Trump has already discussed getting rid of this clause.

I can’t speak for people who currently live with their parents. Hopefully you are covered by the Affordable Care Act, or your parents are helping you pay for your insurance. What I do know is the struggle of getting medical insurance while living on your own. After I moved out of the house, my parents were told that it would cost them an additional $2,500 a month to keep me on their insurance plan. I became independent and applied for Medicaid, and have been using it ever since. TLDR: This is basically a how to get Medicaid post.

Living on Your Own

1. Step one: Independence. Hopefully you’ve already started filling your taxes as “independent”. If you didn’t last year, make sure to file as “independent” for this tax year. Being a “dependent” of your parents gives them a tax break, but ultimately causes you to owe the state more money. If you’re living on your own and your parents aren’t paying for the majority of your expenses (rent, utilities, etc) then they shouldn’t be receiving your tax break. You probably need it more than they do- file as “independent”.

2. University insurance. If you attend college, see if you can get health insurance through your school. You’ll have to fill out a bunch of forms and meet their eligibility requirements. Tbh, nobody I know has ever been able to receive insurance through their college.

3. Medicaid. If your school doesn’t offer insurance (or you don’t attend college) apply for Medicaid. Medicaid is literally the only way I afford doctor’s visits. They take into consideration your expenses (rent, electric, auto insurance, etc) and look at your pay stubs to see how much you make per year. If you don’t make a lot of money (and if you’re reading my blog I’m assuming that you don’t) and are “independent” from your parents, you’re probably eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid covers all my doctor and prescription bills with no copay. Apply for Medicaid here: https://www.medicaid.gov/

4. More about Medicaid. Once you’re approved for Medicaid, you have to choose an insurance provider for the Medicaid to be processed through. They give you two or three options, choose the one that best suits your needs. They give you a short trial period (I believe it’s about a month a half) to try out this provider. If you don’t like them, you can change. I am a female, so I chose the provider that covered my birth control and OBGYN visits. Feel free to call each provider and speak to a representative, and ask the questions you need answered. That’s what they’re there for.

5. Once approved for Medicaid. You’ll get two insurance cards in the mail, a Medicaid card and your insurance card. In my four years on Medicaid, I have literally never been asked for my Medicaid card, only for my other insurance’s card. You’ll also get lots of pamphlets (like... a LOT of pamphlets) telling you what doctors and medical groups accept medicaid, and you are limited to using these doctors. Fortunately, lots of large medical groups accept Medicaid.

6. Choosing a doctor. Need a doctor? Find a local medical group that covers Medicaid. Call and make an appointment with any doctor (I always ask for females) for a regular check-up. If you like this doctor, go to the front desk at the end of your check-up and ask the receptionist to make this doctor your GP. GP means “general practitioner”. If the doctor has spots available, they are now your new doctor! Well done. Call your insurance company and tell them who your new doctor is.

7. Yearly checkups. This is true with every insurance company, but I figured I’d mention it in case you didn’t know. You’re required to go to yearly checkups to keep your insurance. The company will send you letters telling you what check-ups they want.

8. Renewing your insurance. Despite what insurance you have, whether it’s through your college, your parents, or through Medicaid, you are required to renew it every year. And let me tell you, this is a straight up hassle. Medicaid used to do interviews over the phone during which they would grill you on the same expenses you initially told them about, just to make sure that you’re not making a significant amount more money. Now you do it online, and it tells you if you’ve been approved instantly. Whatever you do, don’t stress about renewal. If you haven’t suddenly inherited your dead Nana’s fortune overnight then you’ll be renewed, it just takes them forever to process everything.

9. The bottom line. If your parents can help you pay for your insurance, let them. There are some expenses that I don’t think college students should be asked to pay out of pocket, and medical insurance is one of them. We have some of the highest premiums and without a parent or the state’s help, it’s impossible to afford insurance. It’s also impossible to know what will happen next with health insurance now that the orange turd is in control.

Additional Resources:

Finding the right insurance plan Click here

Medical debt related resources: Click here

What to do if insurance won’t cover medication: Click here

Save money on meds: Click here

#medical #insurance #health and safety #adulting #college #dorm #dorming #college student #moving out #apartment living #college living #living alone #diy #fyi

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healthwomeninfo · 6 years

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New Post has been published on Health Womens

New Post has been published on http://health-womens.com/why-do-i-have-a-yeast-infection-and-what-can-i-do-about-it-7/

Why Do I Have A Yeast Infection And What Can I Do About It?

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Many women have yeast infection. However, with the right knowledge, women can in fact manage and prevent yeast infections. The piece that follows offers great information to help you do this.

TIP! Dry off completely after you shower in order to prevent yeast infections. Leaving water trapped in the folds of skin is a great way to cause a yeast infection.

Stress is something you must avoid if you can to avoid getting a yeast infection. Stress has a dramatically negative impact on the immune system works and can make it less effective at dealing with infections during your day to day life.

While you may think you are cleaning the area, you are creating an imbalance in your system. By disturbing the natural body balance with any outside source, you are going to make it more likely to have a yeast infection. Cleaning your vagina with mild soap and water is sufficient.

Healthy Bacteria

If you think you might be coming down with a yeast infection, try eating yogurt.The acidophilus it contains returns the yogurt are healthy bacteria to your body.This healthy bacteria it needs to diminish the yeast.

TIP! Avoid scented soaps and bubble baths. Scented products upset vaginal chemistry in a way that allows for yeast infections.

Dilute the apple cider vinegar with a bit of water and spread it on your vagina. If you put it on undiluted, it will give you a burning sensation so be careful! If itching is really bothering you, add a little garlic to the solution for even greater relief.

Eat a cup or two of yogurt if you want to stop yeast infections. The bacterias in plain yogurt can fight against the organisms that allow a yeast infection from forming.

TIP! Your vagina has no interest in being treated with perfumes. The chemical compounds found in scented products can alter the natural pH of your vaginal area.

Wearing cotton underwear can help to prevent yeast infection. Synthetic materials will encourage moisture and yeast thrives in moist areas. Be certain to select 100 percent natural cotton material and always change your undies after exercise or other exertion. This will keep you dry and healthy.

Douching is often found as the number one cause a yeast infection. While a lot of women think douching cleanses the body, it may be doing just the opposite. Using douche actually upsets the balance of natural bacteria in your vagina.

TIP! One of the common causes of yeast infections is douching. While your vagina does need to be clean, a douche is not the way to do it.

Be wary of getting scratched or scratches. Any cuts inside the vagina can put you at a greater risk for yeast infection. Sex and tampons can cause these perforations. Be more careful in both activities. Avoid rough sexual activity if you often have yeast infections.

Yeast thrives in any environment that is both warm and warm. When you hang out in wet bathing suits, you are giving yeast a perfect area to grow. After you finish swimming in the ocean, lake or ocean, always change into dry clothes and pat your private areas dry to avoid a yeast infection.

TIP! Avoid wearing tight clothing to allow your skin to breathe. While tight clothing may look good, they don’t let your crotch breathe like it needs to.

If you get frequent yeast infections, consider making necessary lifestyle changes. You need to take preventative measure if they happen a lot.Changes to diet and wardrobe are great ways to help reduce the occurrence of infections.

Avoid Clothing

TIP! Those that are prone to sweat, water, or other moisture-intensive work environments should wear cotton underwear and regularly change their clothes. It’s important to change your whole outfit, including your undergarments.

Avoid clothing that is made from synthetic materials. These stop air from circulating and can trap moisture or heat. This can lead to the development of a yeast production. Therefore, to avoid yeast infections, avoid clothing made from synthetic materials.

If you get yeast infections frequently, investigate the underlying causes. It may not be easy to find out what is behind your chronic yeast infections, but going through an honest evaluation of your lifestyle and habits may yield some clues. A lot of yeast infections are caused by diet, clothing choices, diet or use of birth control pills.

One smart thing to remember in avoiding yeast infections is to dry yourself well after showers or bath.

A good tip to remember if you want to make sure you never get a yeast infections is to choose to wear clothing that is made of natural materials. Cotton is the most widely available type of natural material. Synthetic fabrics can cause a yeast infection.

Yeast Infections

One great tip for conquering yeast infections is to make a few dietary changes.Sugars can promote yeast infections, so try to reduce them as much as possible.

Garlic is a surprising ally when it comes to fighting a yeast infection. You might even consider inserting garlic suppositories into your vagina to cure the infection’s symptoms.

Going commando can leave you prone to yeast infections. Wear underwear made of cotton crotch because it will keep you more dry.

TIP! It is important that you get to the bottom of what is causing your reoccurring yeast infections. Identifying the specific cause of a yeast infection can take some time, but you need to review your lifestyle objectively.

If you have a yeast infection currently, contact a doctor and get a prescription for some anti-fungal cream. These creams have properties known to soothe and reduce uncomfortable symptoms so you may function normally in your daily life.

Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit juice can help cure yeast infections. Grapefruit juice contains some anti-fungal agents.

If you are prone to yeast infections, contact your doctor. The tendency to contract yeast infections might be due to some medical condition that might require medication.

TIP! Avoid wearing tight clothes so that your crotch area can get proper air circulation. Yeast thrives in moist, damp areas and tight clothing can cause this, especially in warm weather.

A good thing to remember when treating yeast infection is to try using natural remedies are often the best. You can also won’t have to deal with any side effects.

The irritation caused by such scented products can increase the likelihood of developing a yeast infection. Scented pads and tampons should also items to avoid.It’s best to stay away from heavy scents and any dyes when fighting off a yeast infection or trying to prevent them.

Colloidal Oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal baths may provide relief from the burning and itching caused by yeast infection symptoms. Colloidal oatmeal is oatmeal that has been crushed and boiled to extract its healing properties. Fill up your bathtub with hot water then add one cup of oatmeal in the water. After spending some time soaking, you should find relief from your symptoms.

TIP! The burn and itch of a yeast infection is infuriating. They can hang around for a while, even while you treat the condition with medicine.

Clean your body with filtered water. Drinking water helps you urinated, which flushes out both the excess bacteria and sugars that yeast infections thrive on. You ought to use water that is filtered to prevent more possible toxins from getting introduced to your body.

Many women are too familiar with the discomforts associated with yeast infections. All hope is not lost in the battle, though. There are many ways to prevent yeast infections, as well as deal with the symptoms of the ailment. Applying the preceding tips can be a great way to start.

#avoid clothing #colloidal oatmeal #grapefruit juice #healthy bacteria #synthetic materials #Yeast Disease Tips And Traps That Will Assist You

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azworkingdogs · 7 years

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7 Natural Ways to Help Calm Your Anxious Dog

Years ago (and still a little now), I was more “anti” natural than most people. So many people want to deny their dog medicine or think that there are purely natural strategies for problems or conditions. This is simply not always true.

You see, I am a firm believer in modern medicine. As a veterinary technician, I witness, daily, the value of medicine and how it saves and extends our furry family members’ lives.

As humans, we have come leaps and bounds in the annals of history when it comes to modern medicine. We can cure diseases! Some of the things that killed humans and animals 100 years ago don’t even exist in most cultures. We have mapped DNA and we have the unique ability, therefore, to cure and control conditions and diseases as they affect our specific DNA.

Natural Treatments And Your Dog

Interestingly, I was at work when one of our drug reps came in to discuss how a new kind of “non-drug” synthesized natural protein and is being utilized to help itchy dogs. Cytopoint is a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that specifically targets and neutralizes canine IL-31, which is an essential cytokine that sends the signal to itch to the brain in dogs. This injection, which is a natural protein (not a drug), can intercept that itch signal. Really, this stuff is amazing and is being used in human medicine as well.

I love how drug therapy and natural therapies are coming together to provide us with better medicine.

My Life has Been Stressful

Lately, my life has been stressful.

I suppose life goes great most of the time and then you run into little bumps along the way.

I was bitten by a dog at work. The hospital I worked at was bought out by a company in another state and their procedures and care were lacking for both employees and the medicine and critters we see.

I was losing sleep and unhappy.

And, when I lose sleep…I get a little nutty.

So I was sitting on the bench in the gym, talking to my personal trainer, pre-work out (we are doing some body building), and I was discussing my stress level and inability to sleep.

I had used some over the counter medication and nothing was working.

I was tired and cranky and simply put: depressed.

So he (God bless his sweet soul) started expressing concern and admitting he had noticed. He then gave me some natural alternatives: Valarian Root, Melatonin, L-Theanine as supplements prior to bed. He also suggested chamomile tea and lavender baths.

Honestly, if he had suggested dancing naked in the woods around a fire and chanting from an ancient language, I probably would have tried it. ;D I was willing to do just about anything.

I know you are thinking, who cares…or, what on earth does this have to do with dogs…ha ha

I was surprised as I sat down a week later to find that nearly all of the supplements he had suggested to me were also suggested in an article written by a veterinarian about taming hyperactive dogs!

I guess it helped me to realize that some natural supplements and treatments can also work with calming an anxious dog.

But, before we get too far into this article, let me remind you that you should check with your veterinarian prior to giving your dog any supplement. Your dog may have an underlying heart condition, high kidney or liver values, or other conditions that need to be taken into account prior to adding any medications or supplements.

Plus, your vet can help you find the right dosage that will work best for your individual dog. And, for that reason, I won’t even begin to talk about dosage here. That should be asked of your vet!

Everything I read in real medical documents say that herbs are a time honored approach to treating problems and disease. Herbs, however, can have side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care and under the supervision of your doctor or vet!

Here are 7 great natural ways to help calm your anxious dog:

1. Adaptil

Adaptil is a dog pheromone that can help calm your dog. Adaptil is a synthetic copy of a pheromone released by the mother dog from her mammary area after a puppy’s birth. This pheromone sends a comforting message, providing a strong signal of security as the puppies wander and explore.

I think it is safe to say that pheromones have been proven to be effective in many situations.

2. Lavender

Lavender has some calming properties for human, and, it seems, dogs too.

Research has confirmed that lavender produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.

A number of studies have concluded that lavender is possibly beneficial in several kinds of disorders, including anxiety, stress, postoperative pain, and alopecia.

My opinion? Why not use some lavender laundry soap or diffusers to help calm your dog.

Worst case scenario, your wild dog will just smell lovely.

3. Solliquin & Composure

These commonly need to come from your veterinarian.

And, like Cytopoint, I was lucky enough to be invited to a presentation on Solliquin.

Solloquin comes packed with a lot of these natural ingredients but they are provided in amounts that have been studied and proven to be safe in dogs.

Solliquin has L-Theanine, L-Tryptophan, Whey Protein concentrate (that has been tested to be safe and effective for dogs) as well as Magnolia and Philodendron extracts, all of which have been studied and found to be effective to treat dogs with anxiety.

The #1 thing that I like and respect about the Nutramax company is that they do their research and provide all of their findings. The FDA does not require this of dog medications or supplements. However, Nutramax wants to ensure that their products are being absorbed, used, and are effective for our furry friends.

Likewise, I have heard good things about Composure, yet have not had the opportunity to continue my education by learning about their research.

4. Melatonin

Melatonin is commonly used for people with insomnia and problems sleeping.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that regulates sleep and wakefulness.

Interesting to note that in some countries, this supplement or medication does require a prescription. So, as always, be careful when you use it with your dog!

It can also help with cancer, gall stones, psychiatry, protection from radiation, and headaches in people!

5. L-Theanine

This was the drug or supplement that I got into the most trouble from my personal trainer for not getting. Admittedly, I went to Walmart and they didn’t have it…so I gave up…since I hate shopping.

But L-Theanine is known for being able to cross the blood-brain barrier and has been reported to have the ability to reduce physical and mental stress, improve cognition, and improve mood (probably what my trainer wanted to see – haha).

Essentially it claims to help people focus and concentrate while having relaxing and tranquilizing properties.

Clearly I do need all of these principles

6. Valerian Root

I must admit, I did find this fairly quickly in the Walmart supplement selection (I’m lazy when I shop because I hate it!). But the odor about kills me. And, just a note, I swear I smell like it the next day…my trainer says I am crazy…but I hate smelling bad, at all!

Valerian Root is used mainly for the treatment of sleep disorders, especially insomnia. It is frequently used with hops (humans), and lemon balm (which can be used in dogs) or other herbs that can cause drowsiness.

Valerian is also used for anxiety and psychological stress, including nervous asthma (humans), epilepsy, ADHD, and chronic fatigue.

It can also be used for menstrual cramps, menopause and hot flashes.

***perhaps I should “cowboy up” (I am from WY) and try this again!

7. L-Tryptophan

This is an amino acid or protein building block that can be found in animal and plant proteins. It is an essential amino acid because the body cannot make it. It must be acquired from food.

This is the supplement, drug, or whatever you want to call it that we heard about years back that causes us to be tired after Thanksgiving dinner!

Turkey, apparently, is filled with L-Tryptophan, causing you to need a nap after you gorge yourself on dinner!

L-Tryptophan itself is segmented and used to treat insomnia, depression, anxiety, PMS, smoking cessation, teeth grinding, Tourette’s and ADHD (in humans of course). The amount of issues that this treats is amazing, really!

This protein is converted into serotonin.

Serotonin is used to transmit signals between cells.

Changes in serotonin levels in the brain can alter mood!

Want 7 MORE Ways To Help Your Dog To Be Less Anxious?

Check out our Impulse Control program, where we walk you through teaching your dog how to relax around those things that cause anxiety and fear.

Click here to learn this ‘Impulse Control’ & Relaxating training process

Understanding this Data

All of this can be overwhelming!

I understand that.

There are supplements that do all kinds of things and make all kinds of promises.

However when taken together, some negate others.

And, it is important to make sure that these supplements are right for your dog.

Do your research! Print this out and make an appointment with your veterinarian and come up with a plan that will help with your specific problem.

But don’t forget to add in some behavior modification; because all the drugs in the world won’t help your dog if you don’t work on training your puppy, too.

I found a new job, I work out harder, and I sleep better.

The point is that adding a few things together, behavior modification, change, and the right supplements, can help put you or your dog on the path to feeling better!

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