Domestic Geek

We've made the medical system in this country so darned complicated. If you've got health insurance, you can't just go to the doctor or clinic you need anymore. You have to go to your primary care physician, pay the copay and get a referral to another doctor or to a different health facility. If you don't have health insurance, you either have to sit in an overcrowded clinic or pay the outrageous fees at the ER.

What if you just want to take a simple blood test to determine whether or not you have a hereditary disease? Maybe you need to have STD testing done? Perhaps you'd like to get a cholesterol test to find out your current levels? Maybe you'd just like the peace of mind of knowing whether you are positive or not by getting a confidential HIV test? Now there's a confidential, easy and less expensive way to get the lab tests you need done without the hassle of going through the medical system, especially if you are without health insurance.

Private MD labs allows you to order many different kinds of Online Lab Tests. After you pay for your test online, you go to a local collection center with your paperwork in hand to get the sample (urine, blood, etc) collected. Once the test is complete, you are sent your confidential results via secure e-mail.

Your privacy is of utmost concern of Private MD. Unless they find you have a communicable disease, nobody will be notified of your test results without your permission. The results also stay out of your permanent record, which in some cases their presence could have detrimental effects on your insurance coverage. Keep in mind, however, that the tests are not to replace consultations with a doctor, especially if a problem is found.

Marcus likes a particular kind of candy, the only problem being is the company changed the product and he didn't like the new version. I was driving around a few weeks ago looking for convenience stores that may still have some of the old candy and found a 7-11 that had a lemon lime vitamin water.

I was intrigued because I had never seen that particular flavor anywhere else, so I bought on and it was yummy! The problem came when I couldn't remember where I had purchased it. I spent the next few weeks trying to retrace my steps and I finally found it. It turned out to be the 7-11 right down the street from where our friends Mike and Nina live. D'oh!

I was checking out Glaceau's site, the company that produces vitamin water, and it turns out they actually have 15 different flavors, yet you see maybe 5 at any one time in the stores. There are a couple of other flavors I'd like to try, such as the peach mango or the green tea. Where can I get some of these different flavors?

I don't know how it happens, but I have worse acne now than I did when I was a teenager. Maybe my stress level is higher now or my hormones are starting to get funky or something? I know part of the problem is the environment in which I work. The ink solutions create oily air which settles on my skin all day long. I'm trying to clean my face at least once during the day, but unfortunately I'm losing the blemish battle. I'm going to have to try something different before I permanently scar my face.

I've heard about a treatment called proactive that is supposed to work really well. I think I saw a television commercial for it in which Jessica Simpson was the spokesperson.

The Proactiv® Solution is actually a three step dermatologist-developed process that heals current blemishes and helps stop new ones from forming. The first step is an oil-free cleanser, the second is a revitalizing toner and the third is a repairing lotion that contains benzoyl peroxide. The site is also giving away two free bonuses with the system — a refining mask and a guide called "Face the Facts" about healing and preventing acne.

I'll definitely be giving this product a try. I'm too old to have acne this bad.

Well, now I know why I was feeling icky yesterday. It was the lead up to one of the worst bouts of cramps I've had in a long time. I was in so much pain by lunch time that I was literally in tears. Ibuprofin was having absolutely no effect on the pain whatsoever. It sucked, dudes. Marcus was telling me that I should go home, but I didn't want to because I need the hours. When my supervisor asked me what was wrong (I looked like hell), I finally gave in and asked him if I could go home early.

A big wave a nausea hit on the way home and I had to stop the car for a bit. I made it home safely, though.

I have not had menstrual cramps and pain this bad in literally years. What made it so bad today? I'm feeling a little better now, so hopefully I'll be OK at work tomorrow. I really can't afford to be missing work with no sick days built up yet.

Yesterday, both Marcus and I had a queasy tummies. We thought it might have been the coffee we both drank mid-day. Well, I've been feeling out of sorts all day and starting feeling really crappy about a half hour before I got off work. I've spent the majority of the evening curled up on the sofa shivering under a quilt while watching television. I know I've got a slight fever, but I'm trying to let my body take care of itself. I hope whatever is making me feel like crap moves on quickly. I don't have time for this.

I just had a thought...I wonder if this is related to mosquitoes. With all the rain we've had and as humid as it has been, I did notice the danged things are kind of thick outside. I got bit a little bit yesterday.

I've got a chancre sore on my gum which is apparently hitting a nerve that runs down my jaw and into my ear. Owwwwwwww!

The pillow was awesome, the little bit I got to sleep on it. I was wide awake at midnight last night. *sigh* Guess who commandeered it the minute I got up this morning, though. Guess someone needs to get himself one of his own.

This is NOT a sponsored post:

Three weeks ago I wrote about a Mediflow Waterbase Pillow and today I went to J.C. Penney's and bought one. I saw on Laura's site that the company was offering a $5 rebate and it turns out the Penney's also had them on sale this week. I took it as a sign that I was meant to get one. Of course, the Penney's by my house doesn't stock them. I had to go to Park Meadows Mall. Gah, I hate that place.

Even though I've been exhausted, I just can't sleep. Part of it, I know, is my pillow. I figure that if this little investment makes me actually sleep, it will be so worth it. I have been in the worst mood this week, all due to lack of sleep due to the Blogathon and my insomnia.

I've only put my head on it for a short bit, but so far it feels good. We'll know for sure tomorrow morning.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a few sample packets in the mail of a product called Freeze It. Its a pain relief gel rub that can be used for sore muscles, strains, sprains, joint and arthritis pain. The timing of the product arrival was perfect as the annual Blogathon was coming up. Last year, sitting in a chair blogging for 24 hours straight was murder on my joints, especially the ankles. I decided to wait until the 'thon was over to see how well it worked and today was that day!

I took some precautionary steps last night to try and reduce the effect on my body (such as soaking my feet in ice water and elevating my legs when possible), but the lack of sleep and strain took their toll. Sure enough, when I awoke this afternoon, there was puffy ankles and accompanying pain that I was expecting.

As I ripped the top off the package, I was greeted with pretty green gel. I squeezed into out into my palm and rubbed in into the ankles of both legs and let it start to take effect. Marcus was put off by the initial smell. Since the active ingredients are camphor and menthol, it's going to smell a little bit. Fortunately, unlike other products on the market, the smell vanishes relatively quickly. It rubs into the skin quickly and it wasn't greasy or sticky like a lot of pain rubs are.

When I first rubbed it in, I didn't feel much. As the product soaked in, I got a really cool sensation (unlike the painfully hot sensation of another competing product I tried after my car accident for my neck pain), letting me know the product was going to work — and work it did! Within a few minutes, my ankles were feeling much better. The product contains an ingredient called ILEX, an herbal extract that enhances the effects of the menthol and camphor. It also contains aloe and vitamin E.

The only bad thing is having that stuff on my hands. I tried washing it off right away, but I could still smell it until the scent vanished. Since I'm a nail biter, I kept getting a whiff. Fortunately, the product comes in a roll-on, so I'll be looking for that packaging. It's really an affordable price, too. In fact, I think I'll pick some up on the way home from work tomorrow. Their web site says that Target carries it.