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I'm realizing that gender dysphoria has messed up my (AFAB) ability to get the gynecological care I need and I want to rectify that. My insurance provider, Kaiser Permanente, has a Gender Health Program and I'm deciding if I should go through that program to get my needs met. Would like to hear from trans people who have experience with Kaiser, and/or people with expertise in gender identity and health care. [more inside]
posted by the sockening at 3:19 PM - 0 answers

YANMD. You at some point have taken a mental health medication prescribed by a licensed medical professional. During the first go round(s) of being on medications, it was a trial and error process. At some point, someone (you? your dr?) noticed something was off, and said "let's stop this med, and try something else". Something (dose/class/scrip?) was adjusted, and you started the trial and error process again. (Repeat?) Now, you are better medicated. You trust your medication and continue it as long as needed, because you no longer suffer the way you used to. How did you mentally navigate this trial and error period(s)? [more inside]
posted by seemoorglass at 10:45 PM - 20 answers

I started reading online about the immunotherapy cancer drug about to be given to my close family member. Now, instead of being hopeful for them, the list of deadly side effects has me terrified. Metafilter, can you help me think about the risk/benefit appropriately here? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by OlivesAndTurkishCoffee at 9:19 PM - 9 answers

Well, not me actually - my grown kid. What's a good online health insurance primer that covers principles, terms, etc? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 4:10 PM - 1 answers

[ADHD Filter] I'm trying to learn more about dopamine fasting and whether or not it's right for me. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 10:06 AM - 9 answers

What is the difference in active ingredients between a product called CBD oil, (sold at a brick & mortar CBD outlet) and hemp oil, (sold on amazon), apart from the price? [more inside]
posted by toodleydoodley at 9:32 PM - 6 answers

Best oncologist in Toronto for renal cell carcinoma requested. As well, best such people anywhere in the US or Europe. [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:19 PM - 2 answers

Marjiuna is now legal in California. I have never smoked. I have never tried weed before. I was curious. I did some research, decide to start with vaping. Bought a and battery. Read the directions carefully. First effort, nothing happened. Second try, cough so hard that my throat was raw for hours afterwards. Clearly I'm doing something wrong - help me figure this out. [more inside]
posted by metahawk at 6:11 PM - 15 answers

I'm an otherwise healthy adult who's been having trouble eating for months now. I can't tell if this is due to a physical problem, stress/anxiety, or all of the above. I've had little luck with any doctors I've seen about it. I don't know how to fix this or what kind of doctor could likely help. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:56 PM - 25 answers

Sixteen treatments in on this Stage IV colon cancer journey and the numbers we see are disappointing. Different insurance in the new year means we have another opportunity for care. So how does that work? [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 1:16 PM - 9 answers

I occasionally have a need to solder. When I do, I wear a paint and odour mask, I have the window open, I hold my breath when actually making the joint and I try not to have my face over the action! I also solder very seldom and for no more than about an hour at a time. [more inside]
posted by dance at 8:28 AM - 15 answers

What are the likely side effects of a 14 day course of Prednisone (40 mg first week, then 20 mg for a week)? [more inside]
posted by dianeF at 6:27 PM - 37 answers

I need reccomendations for a good Obstetrician or midwife in NYC (42nd and lower or Brooklyn). For whatever reason the last 5 places I have contacted don't actually do obstetrics, are in the process of disbanding or don't take my insurance (BCBS). Please help! [more inside]
posted by KMoney at 3:33 PM - 8 answers

Is going to a coffee/tea shop to drink chai tea every day a good thing or bad thing? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 10:21 AM - 35 answers

I'm a mostly infrequent drinker -- 1-2 glasses of wine or cocktails with friends; I'll go weeks and weeks without any alcohol at all. This past weekend, due to a packed social schedule, I drank 2 cocktails on Friday, a half of a bottle of wine on Saturday and a ~lot~ on Sunday. Today (Tues) I got walloped by a long-lasting wave of "EVERYTHING IS DOOMED" anxiety. I recently cut out coffee because it was making me anxious. Could a high number of drinks have the same effect? If you have anxiety, how does alcohol affect you? [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 3:31 PM - 28 answers

I've been assessing various therapy options in my area, as there's a bunch of issues I want to work on now my 40th birthday is approaching. An initial consultation with the director of one therapy centre has led to him recommending either a TWICE-weekly group psychotherapy session or a THRICE-weekly individual psychotherapy session - both with a two-year minimum commitment. Have you found benefit from such intensive programmes? How do the outcomes differ from regular weekly sessions / shorter term commitments? [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 9:08 AM - 28 answers

Looking for a sliding scale/affordable therapist that ideally specializes in depression and maybe career counseling.
posted by ohsnapdragon at 8:58 AM - 1 answers

Hey guys, I have a titanium rod and steel plate in my right leg as of 3 weeks ago. This was a gruesome accident followed by emergency surgery while vacationing far away from home. Help me figure out how to live with this and prepare for things I don't know to expect. [more inside]
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 6:22 PM - 13 answers

I'm a nonmember who tags along with parents to shop at Costco. There I was able to have a regular eye exam but was then immediately denied a contact lens fitting. The independent optometrists at my local Costco (Canada, B.C.) literally that I should be able to receive a cons fitting for an added $25, I just can't purchase any lens products, while the Costco/opticians side says I must present a membership card to do anything. Of course I could borrow a family member's card but that's beside the point. My question is, what is Costco's actual system here? [more inside]
posted by polymodus at 4:42 PM - 6 answers

I hate myself - I hate that I envy my friends, hate that I have a fear of missing out on information to the extent that it paralyzes my life and means I never actually DO anything. I hate my depression, hate that I have been taking antidepressants for 15 years and am no better, hate that spending time with my own family makes me uncomfortable, hate that I have zero ambition to get out of the dead end job I hate. [more inside]
posted by mrbenn at 6:25 AM - 18 answers