Are you obsessed with hitting the gym day in and day out, pushing yourself to the brink in pursuit of your fitness goals?
It's time to face the harsh reality: overtraining syndrome might be lurking just around the corner, ready to derail your progress and leave you feeling worse off than when you started

The Dangerous Obsession

We've all been there – chasing that elusive endorphin high, pushing ourselves to the limit in the name of progress.
But what if I told you that too much of a good thing could actually be detrimental to your health?

The Telltale Signs

Overtraining syndrome isn't just about feeling a bit tired or sore after a tough workout. It's a serious condition characterized by a myriad of symptoms, including:

• Persistent Fatigue
• Decreased Performance
• Mood Disturbances

Ignoring these red flags can lead to a downward spiral of burnout and injury

The Physical Toll

Pushing your body beyond its limits can have devastating consequences. From muscle strains and joint pain to hormonal imbalances and weakened immune function, overtraining syndrome wreaks havoc on your physical health.
And the longer you ignore the warning signs, the harder it becomes to bounce back

The Mental Strain

But it's not just your body that suffers – overtraining syndrome can take a toll on your mental well-being as well.
Constantly pushing yourself to the brink can lead to feelings of:

• Frustration
• Anxiety
• Depression

Suddenly, what was once a source of joy and empowerment becomes a source of stress and dread

The Importance of Rest

So, what's the solution? It may sound counterintuitive, but sometimes the best thing you can do for your fitness journey is to take a step back and rest.
Incorporating rest days into your routine, listening to your body's signals, and prioritizing recovery are crucial for preventing overtraining syndrome and maintaining long-term progress

The Bottom Line

Overtraining syndrome is a real and potentially dangerous condition that affects countless individuals in the fitness community.
Don't let your obsession with progress blind you to the warning signs – take care of your body and mind, and remember that rest is just as important as hard work.
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FAQs About Overtraining Syndrome

1. What are the symptoms of overtraining syndrome?
Overtraining syndrome manifests through a range of symptoms, including persistent fatigue, decreased performance, insomnia, irritability, and even frequent illness.
It's crucial to recognize these signs early to prevent further complications
2. How can I prevent overtraining syndrome?
Preventing overtraining syndrome involves striking a balance between exercise and rest.
Incorporate rest days into your routine, listen to your body's signals, vary your workouts, prioritize quality sleep, and ensure adequate nutrition and hydration
3. Can overtraining syndrome be reversed?
Yes, overtraining syndrome can be reversed with the right approach.
This typically involves scaling back on intense workouts, prioritizing rest and recovery, addressing any underlying nutritional deficiencies, and gradually reintroducing exercise in a balanced manner.
However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and support

https://imgur.com/a/PDNtyJu
ALL KNIVES HAVE BOX AND POUCH EXCEPT FOR TWO THE CHRIS REEVES CLONE AND THE F5.5 (Both knife will be sent in a pouch) FIRST COMES FIRST SERVE ON YOLO…….
*Demko 20.5: (BUNDLE) price 80 D2 blade steel Red polymer handles bearings stonewash Blade clip point SV 50 for 1 sv 80 for both (sold)
*Demko 20.5 SharksFoot stonewashed blade D2 steel stock bearings after market OG aluminum back spacer Black polymer handles sharpened once on KME.(sold)
*TS380: 14 c blade steel titanium handle scales , carbon fiber overlay micro milling on the handle scales Bearings two forms of deployment Flipper and Hole in blade Sv 40(sold)
*Kershaw Induction: black two toned blade 8cr blade steel satin flats Hawk lock mechanism bearings flipper tab deployment Sv 25
*Kershaw Knockout: aluminum handle scales 14c blade steel speed safe made in U.S.A sub frame lock deep carry loop over pocket clip stonewashed Sv 50(sold)
*Kershaw Bare knuckle: U.S.A made stonewashed 14c blade steel riding on bearings grey aluminum handle scales sub framed lock single form of deployment flipper tab Sv 50(sold)
*CJRB Ekko: Ray Laconico design Arrpm9 satin sheeps foot blade light scratches on both sides of blade towards tip titanium, bolster, black micarta overlay titanium pocket clip button lock front flipper finger hole deployments riding on bearings sv 30 (sold)
*Kershaw Link: U.S.A made M390 stonewashed blade light scratch from factory on show side and light scratches on clip side of blade from stainless steel liners caused by deployment speed safe flipper only deployment black aluminum scales sv 50
*Kevin John Venom 2: S30 5 blade steel compound grind satin blade riding on bearings single form flipper deployment titanium handle scales G10 overlay on one side never carried or cut sv 100
*Chris Reeves small Sebenza clone: 14c blade steel satin finish riding on bronze washers polished stainless steel handle scales frame lock drop point blade sharpened twice scratches on blade both side and on handle scales sv 50
*BB Yeager: Mv2 blue cameo carbon fiber overlay satin m390 wharncliff blade titanium handle scales Timascus pivot collars black coated pivot hardware back spacer and pocket clip hole for single form of deployment sv310

• Ubran EDC supply F5.5: In satin sheepsfoot ElMax blade steel riding skiff bearings brown micarta handle scales titanium, nested, liners, and liner lock titanium back spacer mirror polished edge light scuffs on micarta and pocket clip none on blade no bag or box sv 100 (sold)

*Giant Mouse Ace Grand: Green Micarta El Max blade steel riding on bearings factory edge aftermarket pocket clip as well as original wire clip titanium Backspacer and nested liners and liner lock single form keyhole deployment like new with box and bag sv100 (sold)
*Giant Mouse Ace Biblio: Black acid stonewashed ElMax blade Black micarta handles nested liner lock blade Hq exclusive wire clip modified sheepsfoot blade two forms of deployment flipper tab and key hole in blade sv 60(sold)
*Serge knives slip7: Dark gray acid washed m390 sheepsfoot blade blue titanium lasered skulls on it slip joint knife great walk in talk light scratches on pocket clip carried in a slip with pocket clip exposed rest of knife in meant condition never used sv100 (sold)
*Benchmade mini loco: second owner for 6 years s30blade steel contour black g10 handles access lock bearings duel forms of deployment via hole in blade and access lock modified sheepsfoot blade sv 60(sold)
*Ferrum Forge Stinger: Nitro v spear point blade stonewashed G10 overlays liner lock G 10 back spacer riding on bearings two forms of deployment via flipper tab and fuller meant condition never cut or carried sv35 (sold)
*Miguron knifes Pagos:M390 Bead blasted or stonewashed blade not quite sure micro milled titanium handle scales carbon fiber inlays both sides #103 never cut or carried sv 100 (sold)

I’m in a situation rn and I don’t know what to do. I’m a poolee, yet my recruiter is giving everyone “graduation sashes” that are bright red and gold and have the EGA… anyways, he’s telling us we should wear them during graduation. Now, I recognize that he’s doing this for recruitment purposes, but I also recognize that I’m not a marine lol. It would feel wrong and weird given the fact that none of my peers will be wearing sashes and I’ll stick out like a sore thumb. My mom, however, is saying that I need to wear it. I told her my reasons and it seems she doesn’t give a fuck, I need to wear it. I don’t know if it’s just a way to show me off or something, but idk how to go about this.

Hi, fairly mundane question here. I'm (23M, 5'8'', 165lbs.) mostly asking because my doctor has not been very communicative and I can't get an appointment with a urologist for weeks, as well as the fact that symptoms seem to be worsening.
The main symptom is my penis itching, which got progressively worse over the past month or so and eventually made me go to the doctor. The penis (especially head) seems to be irritated and red, and I've noticed pale white spots that have developed on the skin and stuck around (not sores). There is also slight discharge and a weird smell that comes from the penis sometimes. When I urinate there's an itching sensation within the urethra (wouldn't really call it burning). There is also occasional testicular pain and pain in the urethra. I went to my doctor earlier in the month and received a diagnosis of balanitis. She gave me an anti-fungal cream to try (clotrimazole) in the event that it was a yeast infection. She also ordered some urine tests.
All values from the urine test came back normal except for Leukocyte Esterase, which was abnormal at 2+. pH results were at the very edge of the normal range at 7.5. Test noted "Bacteria: None Seen." Tests also noted "Mixed urogenital flora 10,000-25,000 colony forming units per mL."
The anti-fungal cream does seem to help with the itching around the time it's applied (been doing twice a day - once in the morning, once at night) but my overall condition doesn't seem to be improving since I started taking it a week ago. I'm still itching and experiencing the other symptoms. Recently I've started getting a weird discomfort in my abdomen on occasion but I don't know if that's a real symptom or just my paranoia.
Previous tests came back negative for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Is this a garden variety UTI or something more? Should I be concerned?

My daughter (4mo adjusted, 8mo actual) has home oxygen and a home ng tube. Unfortunately, she has started reacting to the tapes on her face, and both cheeks are constantly red and covered in blisters. The doctors haven’t been able to give us any guidance or alternatives to the tapes.
Now, my daughter is constantly pulling at her tapes, and she is getting strong and coordinated enough to pull them off. She pulled them completely off four times today! Not only is that unsafe, but I’m sure it is making her skin even more sore. The only time she stops pulling is when I give her Tylenol, but I don’t want to give her Tylenol 24/7 for however many months she will still need these tubes.
Does anyone have experience or advice for keeping tape on your baby’s face?

Female, 75kg, 5’3 and 17. I had a middle ear infection i’m pretty sure and i didn’t see a doctor about it, the past few days the back of my ear has been sore, red and itchy and now there’s a painful lump and discharge coming from my ear. I googled it and it says it could be Mastoiditis, should i go to the hospital or should i just leave it? I don’t wanna go to the hospital and it’s nothing serious

Hi everyone, I (38F) had a spinal fusion in February (L4-L5 ALIF 360 with posterior screw placement). First of all, I was very nervous to have the surgery but I had done several years of physical therapy, numerous cortisone injections, and a rhizotomy, so I felt I exhausted all my non-surgical options. It’s been 12 weeks and I’m feeling really good - all the pain I had in my back when I was standing/laying flat is gone and it is a miracle! I’m still having a bit of nerve sensation in my leg every now and then and a glimmer in my back if I overdo it, but it’s not really pain. So i am PSYCHED to not be in constant pain!
With that said, I have had a couple of "weird" side effects happen since surgery and I’m curious if anyone else has had or heard of these things.
First, my hands have usually been cold my entire life, but since surgery if my hands happen to be cold, there have been 3 occasions when one of my fingers will turn completely white just in one or two knuckles - and it is numb and tingly. If I warm up my hands in warm water it’ll immediately look and feel normal again. When I’ve looked up Raynaud’s phenomenon it looks like that, but just one finger. My doctor said Raynaud’s usually affects more than one finger so I don’t know. Has anyone suddenly gotten Raynaud’s after having spine surgery or had one finger turn randomly white?
The second issue is that, like my hands, my feet have also always been cold for my entire life. After surgery however, they were immediately warm. I thought that surgery suddenly fixed my bad circulation and I was into it. But then it started feeling a bit too warm, and my feet were also suddenly very dry where they haven’t been before. The bottom of my feet also appears more red/white splotchy (see photo). Then my left one started cooling off, and now my left one is basically coldemore normal to what it was before surgery, but my right foot is still warm. I can warm up my left foot with my right foot and it kind of weirds me out that they are different. I had a vascular ultrasound on both legs - no blood clots or artery/vein issues that they can see. The only thing it said was my right foot had very mild hyperemia, or more blood in it (which I assumed since it is warmer). My surgeon told me initially to see my PCP, who ordered this ultrasound, and now my PCP is telling me that I need to go back to my surgeon about it, lol. The only other thing that popped up in my labs was a slightly elevated thyroid which I haven’t had previously.
Has anyone heard of this? Since my foot has changed temperature since surgery I’m hoping it will just continue to figure itself out as my nerves continue to heal, but the right foot has been consistently warm, regardless of my environment for the last 12 weeks which seems like a good amount of time. Am I just going to have one hot foot forever?
Thanks for reading! - Cold Hands, Hot Foot

Hello, I’ve been experiencing symptoms since the end of January 2024. I was diagnosed with GERD in February. It started out as just acid reflux 1-2 times a week, and has progressed into more and more symptoms since then. This is starting to worry me as medication isn’t helping and it seems to be getting worse
Background info - 23 year old male. 6’2 and 184 pounds. Gym 4-5 times a week. I don’t drink or smoke. The only prescription meds I take are ADHD meds & hormones (TRT)
Symptoms have progressed from occasional acid reflux/regurgitation when laying down at night to a list of the following symptoms-
Acid reflux/regurgitation randomly throughout the day, everyday for months. I even have reflux/regurgitation when standing up or sitting. I’ve had reflux attacks on the treadmill at the gym.
Bloating almost all day, everyday. I wake up in the morning bloated, after I eat I’m bloated, when I lay down to sleep I’m bloated.
Nasal drip throughout the day, but especially when I lay down to sleep.
Major loss of sleep everyday. I can’t tell you the last time I slept 6+ hours.
Fatigue, most likely due to the lack of sleep but just figured I’d mention it just in case.
Bubble guts, I can feel my stomach/intestines moving. I can feel movements and it even makes sounds loud enough for my family to hear across the room 5+ feet away.
Loss of appetite to the point of adding more stress/fatigue/low energy.
Bowel movements- Constipation mixed with watery small movements. My movements haven’t been consistent for months.
Weight fluctuations- 2 weeks ago I weighed 188. I weighed myself today at 6:30 and I was 184.1. My actual weight is probably around 180 but I have been trouble going to the bathroom regularly so I know I’m holding a few pounds in.
Newest symptom happened this morning. I have a mouth sore that is white and surrounded by redness. It’s slightly painful and It’s on the my lower right jaw below my molar tooth about 1/4 inch down.
I’ve tried omeprazole, esomeprazole, Zantac, Tums, alkaseltzer, baking soda water and diet changes but nothing has alleviated symptoms.
I’m starting to think this might not be GERD since the symptoms are getting worse and meds aren’t working at all.
I have an ultrasound scheduled for June 6 to check for a Hiatal Hernia but my insurance won’t cover it so I might have to cancel. I’m open to any ideas or advice from people that have gone through similar symptoms. Thanks :)

Hello, I’ve been experiencing symptoms since the end of January 2024. I was diagnosed with GERD in February. It started out as just acid reflux 1-2 times a week, and has progressed into more and more symptoms since then. This is starting to worry me as medication isn’t helping and it seems to be getting worse
Background info - 23 year old male. 6’2 and 184 pounds. Gym 4-5 times a week. I don’t drink or smoke. The only prescription meds I take are ADHD meds & hormones (TRT)
Symptoms have progressed from occasional acid reflux/regurgitation when laying down at night to a list of the following symptoms-
Acid reflux/regurgitation randomly throughout the day, everyday for months. I even have reflux/regurgitation when standing up or sitting. I’ve had reflux attacks on the treadmill at the gym.
Bloating almost all day, everyday. I wake up in the morning bloated, after I eat I’m bloated, when I lay down to sleep I’m bloated.
Nasal drip throughout the day, but especially when I lay down to sleep.
Major loss of sleep everyday. I can’t tell you the last time I slept 6+ hours. I use to get 8+ hours a night before January
Fatigue, most likely due to the lack of sleep but just figured I’d mention it just in case.
Bubble guts, I can feel my stomach/intestines moving. I can feel movements and it even makes sounds loud enough for my family to hear across the room 5+ feet away.
Loss of appetite to the point of adding more stress/fatigue/low energy.
Bowel movements- Constipation mixed with watery small movements. My movements haven’t been consistent for months.
Weight fluctuations- 2 weeks ago I weighed 188. I weighed myself today at 6:30 and I was 184.1. My actual weight is probably around 180 but I have been trouble going to the bathroom regularly so I know I’m holding a few pounds in.
Newest symptom happened this morning. I have a mouth sore that is white and surrounded by redness. It’s slightly painful and It’s on the my lower right jaw below my molar tooth about 1/4 inch down.
I’ve tried omeprazole, esomeprazole, Zantac, Tums, alkaseltzer, baking soda water and diet changes but nothing has alleviated symptoms.
I’m starting to think this might not be just GERD since the symptoms are getting worse and meds aren’t working at all.
I have an ultrasound scheduled for June 6 to check for a Hiatal Hernia but my insurance won’t cover it so I might have to cancel. I’m open to any ideas or advice from people that have gone through similar symptoms. Thanks :)

Had a virus about a month ago (typical sore throat and sinus pressure) directly followed by strep a week later. Took Amoxicillin and cleared it up then throat started hurting again a few days after the antibiotic and has been red and started getting these blister looking things appearing. (Top one in the pic is healing up but the bottom one just appeared today). Checked in with ENT and he gave me magic mouthwash. It helps soothe it but he didn’t really say what they were. Any suggestions on what’s going on? Just a byproduct of the strep from several weeks ago?
I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and take cosentyx monthly. I’m due for my cosentyx shot but don’t want to take it if I’m still sick. No fever and I feel fine besides the mild throat irritation.

My hands are shaking as I write this, I have to document my story incase something happens to me in the next few days. I'm not sure where to begin but I suppose here is better than anywhere.
I've always had this weird feeling, this sensation inside of me that I was older than I actually was. By the time I was twelve, my soul felt as though it was forty. By the time I reached twenty, I felt like an old woman. I would watch people around my age acting foolish, and I always thought, "What a bunch of children." So it was no surprise to anyone that when I turned twenty-one, I left my hometown and college and decided to spend the summer alone by renting an old farmhouse in an insignificant town on the edge of an even more insignificant border.
When I told my mother, she had a veritable fit, unable to find the words. She spluttered and raged around me for days before I finally left early one morning to avoid her guilt and frustration with my choices. I was not sure why I craved solitude at such a young age, why I found solace in being alone and removed from society.
In high school, I had changed unexpectedly, cutting my long blonde hair short and dying it black, getting piercings that my mother loathed and claimed no young lady should have. You see, my mother was raised proper, as she called it. Good family, good husband, and finally a good life. She despised her perfect life being squashed by my alternative looks and feelings of the same world. She just didn't understand me or the world as it changed around her. I felt like I was just a trophy to her and my father, her perfect angel who had been tainted by my own demented thoughts.
I never told my parents where I was staying, one last rebellious mission before leaving for a few months, and it took me only a few hours to arrive at the farmhouse where I would be staying for the next few months. The land around the farm was dead or dying, old crops rose out of the dry dusty earth and had turned black and forgotten, as if this land was the example of dreams long forgotten and empty. A single dreary lane connected this desolate farmhouse to the rest of the world. On the outside, it was drab and looked as though it would fall apart. It had two stories but still seemed cramped and small, as if it were a single floor tied to the ground.
Across from the house, bordering the tall weeds that had reclaimed much of the farmland, stood a maudlin-looking faded red barn, one door propped open in a dejected manner revealing naught to me but shadows, dust, and a little mystery.
Next to the barn, staked into the ground on an old-looking cross, was a ragged scarecrow. It had drab brown clothing, but its face was oddly realistic, like it was watching me with a disapproving manner. Straw poked through its joints at odd angles like they were trying to break free from their confines. The scarecrow obviously didn't do its job as it was covered in no less than three crows.
I parked my car next to the barn and stepped out into the dusty yard before the farmhouse that I would make my home for the next few months. I checked under the front mat for the key and put it in the lock.
With a satisfying click, the door fell inward into the farmhouse. Surprisingly, the inside of the farmhouse was modern, clean, and looked quite inviting. I could smell the fresh paint on the walls, and everything was so white. The realtor had told me she would stop by tomorrow to collect the rent, and she had tried to chat my ear off on the phone about all the renovations she and her son were doing on the place.
I sighed with contentment and tossed my bags beside the door. I dug around in my bag and removed my camera, my father's old film shooter as he called it. I had taken up the hobby years ago for what I called capturing the oddity in the world.
I explored the small house a little more; the ground floor consisted of a single room and small bathroom with a shower. The bedroom was upstairs and was the only room, the stairs connected directly to the white and pink monstrosity that was the master bedroom. The pillows had laces on them and almost made me gag from the cuteness. There was even cute white lace curtains on the window with little flowers stitched onto them.
Out of the only window of the room, I could see the barn and the scarecrow. I aimed my camera at the pair and snapped a photo. From this angle, the scarecrow appeared to be staring straight at me. It stood next to the left side of the barn in a dejected manner like a chastised child.
A shudder involuntarily ran through me at the sight, but I moved on back downstairs. It was getting close to dinner time now, and I had brought some food with me.
After a few minutes, I had my dinner on the stove cooking and the crickets chirping outside the open window. As I sat down to eat next to the window, I felt at peace for one of the first times in years. The solitude of this old farm was exactly what I needed. The window supplied a nice breeze that wafted through the place, it smelled of grass and warm summer nights, made me feel at peace. The simple dish of spaghetti with tomato sauce and a glass of wine was all that I needed right here, right now in this moment.
That night I climbed into the frilly laced bed and sunk into the claustrophobic mattress. I felt like Goldilocks in the mama bear's bed as it was altogether too soft. From my perfumed bed, I had a good view out the window. I had left the porch light on, and it cast an eerie glow across the yard. The barn loomed ominously, stalwart against the light of the porch, like it was protecting the shadows from the battering ram of light. The somber scarecrow leaned against the left side of the barn.
With a small jump, I thought I saw its arm move slightly. I peered through my camera using the zoom to get a better view of the scarecrow. It was completely still in the night, and I laughed quietly to myself at my silliness. I had always enjoyed horror movies, but there was no chance I was living in one. I settled back into bed and put my camera down. Within a few minutes, I fell into sleep's warm embrace.
What felt like only a few minutes later, I sat up in bed. It was still dark out, I could hear crickets chirping through the open window, and I strained my ears for a moment.
I thought something had woken me up. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as a cold breeze wafted in through the window. I pulled the frilly blanket up around myself when I heard it. A thud sounded below me, shaking the whole world into silence. The crickets stopped chirping, and my heart felt like it had stopped beating. Someone was in the house. I hadn't locked the door or closed the kitchen window, and now someone was downstairs. A second thud sounded like a boot on the staircase. Then another and another as something was slowly moving up the stairs towards the room.
I don't know why I did it, but something came over me. I wasn't big or especially brave, but my normal cowardice in social situations changed instantly. With a dash, I tore across the room, flicking on the lights, ready to face my attacker, to defend myself against male or female. I would fight, and I would win.
But as the lights turned on, ready to strike with my foot, nothing was there. The staircase was empty, and upon further inspection, the entire house was empty. The kitchen window was open, and I shut and locked it securely before checking the door. Nothing. I sat down on the couch, my heart pounding out of my chest, as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.
"I must have still been half-asleep," I said aloud to the room in a thinly veiled attempt to calm my nerves. It failed horribly, but I went with it. What else could you do in a situation like that?
After locking up the house, I went back up to that frilly four-poster bed in the bedroom and stared out the window. Nothing was in the yard except my car, the barn, and the same old sad-looking scarecrow staring across the yard.
Day 2
The next morning, I woke up to the soft light filtering through the lace curtains. Despite the strange events of the previous night, I felt strangely refreshed, as if the morning sun had chased away the shadows that lingered in my mind.
I descended the stairs, the wooden steps creaking softly under my weight, and headed to the kitchen. As I brewed a pot of coffee, my mind wandered back to the events of last night. Was it just a figment of my imagination, or was there really someone in the house?
Shaking off the unease, I decided to explore the farmhouse in the daylight. I wandered through the room, admiring the modern renovations that clashed with the rustic exterior. The farmhouse had a charm to it, despite its eerie surroundings.
As I made my way outside, the cool morning air greeted me, and I took a deep breath, letting the serenity of the countryside wash over me. The barn stood tall against the backdrop of the morning sky, and the scarecrow seemed to watch me as I crossed the yard.
I approached the barn, curiosity getting the better of me. Pushing open the creaky door, I stepped inside, the musty scent of hay filling my nostrils. The interior was dimly lit, the sunlight filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls.
I explored every nook and cranny of the barn, but found nothing out of the ordinary. As I turned to leave, something caught my eye. In the corner of the barn, hidden beneath a pile of old blankets, was a small wooden chest.
My heart racing with anticipation, I lifted the lid of the trunk and peered inside. What I found took my breath away. It was a collection of old photographs, yellowed with age, depicting scenes from a bygone era. They were of a man with his family, two young kids, and a beautiful young wife. The man had yellow blonde hair, almost like straw in texture, but he smiled so happily with his family.
I sifted through the photographs, my fingers trembling with excitement. Who had left these behind, and why? Each photograph seemed to tell a story, a glimpse into the past of this forgotten farmhouse.
As I sat there, lost in thought, a sudden noise jolted me back to reality. It was the sound of footsteps coming from outside the barn.
"Hello?" The dreamy voice of a woman called to me from the entrance to the barn.
I slammed the lid of the trunk shut, closing the memories up in a flurry as I spun around to be greeted by a quite pretty woman with blonde hair and a pink suit skirt combo. She had bright pink lipstick, that seemed to be a permanent fixture on her face, and quite shiny and sparkly blue eye shadow on her lids. I myself only wore black eyeliner. This woman was like Barbie in her proportions, thin waist, long hair, and large tracts of land, as my father would have said.
"Oh, hello," I said simply, always awkward in normal social situations.
If she noticed anything odd about me, she breezed over it in an easy manner. Taking me by the shoulders, she led me out of the dusty barn and into the yard.
"You must be Polly. We have been waiting a while for you to come. I simply must know what you think of the renovations to the house. Aren’t they just to die for?" The lady said all in one breath, as if she didn’t need air to speak.
"Yes, they are quite nice..." I started before she cut me off, not in a rude manner but instead in one that she would have continued on even if I had just told her I was not Polly and instead I was a mass murderer looking for my next victim.
"You see, me and my son Eli—yes, Eli, you stop lurking in the shadows over there," she said, continuing on as I noticed a younger man leaning up against the barn. He wore simple clothes of jeans and a white t-shirt but had a handsome face. His hair was brown and hung slightly over his eyes.
"I hope you don’t mind if my son here continues working on some renovations while you stay here? Strictly on the outside of the house, mind you. A fresh coat of white paint would make this little beauty shine. We would have finished by now if not for the accidents," she continued, completely unabashed by my silence.
"Sorry. But you are the realtor?" I said, trying to regain my feet under me.
"Oh my god, I am so sorry, dear!" she said with an affable cackle.
"Yes, yes, I am Barbara, but all my friends call me Barb. That over there is Eli. Eli, come say hi," Barb said while her painted talons rested firmly on my shoulder.
Eli stomped over, keeping his eyes low, in a sort of moody way that actually intrigued me, sort of.
When he glanced up at me, I noticed he drank in me from head to toe, and for the first time, I realized what I was wearing. An old rock t-shirt of one of my favorite bands and, of all things, my black pajama bottoms with cartoon bats on them that said "happy halloween."
I felt my face blush crimson as he made eye contact with me. He had very mysterious eyes of blue that seemed to cut right through my soul.
"Nice shirt," he said while gesturing to me. His voice was quiet and uncertain, as if he didn’t get much practice with the art. Knowing his mother, it seemed highly accurate.
"Thanks. Do you like them?" I asked.
"Oh, he likes all sorts of things, don’t you, Eli? Honestly, you two can gab on forever. But miss, I believe we have a small matter of payment," Barb said, drawing the conversation back to herself.
"Of course. Let me go get it," I said as I went back into the house and retrieved the envelope with the rent money in it.
Barb grabbed the envelope in her bright pink talons and snapped a piece of bubblegum between her teeth. With quick fingers, she leafed through the cash, counting it. As she counted, her normal bubbly personality seemed to disappear, giving way to what I gleaned was her true thoughts and feelings before the facade slipped on once again.
"Mmkay, perfect honey, this is the right amount. Now you have my number, so you call if you need anything. Like I said earlier, Eli will stop by from time to time to work on painting the house. I promise you he won’t be an imposition, just pay him no mind," Barb said in a sweet voice as she popped her gum in between each word.
"Eli, come on, please, I have an appointment in town," Barb said to her son, and they both climbed into a garish pink convertible with jewels hanging from the mirror wrapped in a gold chain.
Barb waved one last time as she sped off out of the driveway, covering me in dust as she spun the wheel around.
With their departure, I went inside and retrieved my camera. I spent a few minutes shooting a few pictures I thought were worthy. I re-entered the barn and pulled the old trunk out into the sunshine. Inside was only a handful of photos, some old clothes, and what looked like some old heirlooms. A beautifully old candlestick and a few leather-bound books lay at the bottom, covered by an old tablecloth. The tablecloth was a nice white with intricate swirling patterns inlaid around the edges.
Why would these things be packed away in here? They were so beautiful. I decided to bring the stuff inside for further inspection. As I lifted the trunk, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw something move in the tall grass at the edge of the property. I stared for a minute, but nothing moved again. I must be getting jumpy being alone like this. After last night and then this, I was just imagining things.
I brought the items inside and spread them out. I put the tablecloth on the table, and it hung low to the ground. I placed the candlestick by the window and took out the photos again, spreading them out.
The photos told me a story of a loving family that obviously lived in the farmhouse before me. They had a photo next to the barn, with a brand new looking scarecrow in the back. The man even had his arm around it; it looked so much cleaner and proper in this photo. I stared outside at the sad-looking scarecrow.
I took my camera and the photo and went outside to stand next to the scarecrow. His post hung kind of crooked in the earth like it was weighed down by the scarecrow.
I snapped a photo of the scarecrow as it was, then examined the original photo. I began resettling the post in the ground, but it kept sagging. I decided to pull him out of the ground and move him while I added more dirt to his hole. With some effort, I reseated him into his original hole. He already looked better, but I straightened his clothes and pulled out the last bits of straw that stuck out of his clothes. When I was finished, I looked back at him and took a photo, smiling while I did so at my work.
I then spent some time sweeping the front porch and banging the dust out of the cushions before I curled up on a wicker chair with plump cushions for a few hours reading a book I had brought with me.
I felt quite content at this place. The sounds of the crickets began again, putting me at ease as the sun began to descend. I had spent the entire day just relaxing, and it was perfect. I sat sprawled out in the chair, too lazy to go and make dinner or even move. My bladder was full, but I waited until the last moment before dashing inside and relieving myself.
That's when I noticed it, out in the yard. It seemed as if the scarecrow had moved closer. Once shrouded by the barn slightly, it now had moved a few steps into the light from the porch. My heart dropped at the sight. Not again, I must be asleep on the porch in the chair. I pinched myself, trying to wake up, but all I received was a sore arm.
I closed my eyes, then rubbed them, hoping to dispel whatever plagued my mind, but when I opened my eyes, I noticed the scarecrow was even closer. Halfway across the yard now, it sat menacingly, hanging crooked in the dirt. The scarecrow seemed to be staring at me with an intense gaze. The slits in its face were open now, and in the porch light, I swear I could see human eyes underneath the mask.
I moved towards the front door, locking it in a swift motion. I was shaking now, and it took me a minute to relax. I never took my eyes off the scarecrow for fear of it moving again.
My cellphone was upstairs, so I couldn't flee without the scarecrow moving again. I breathed out slightly and unlocked the door, letting it swing in with a creak. The night outside was silent, as if everything was holding its breath. The usual crickets that plagued me with their song day and night had fallen quiet. I stepped out onto the porch; I needed to go confront this demonic entity. Something about this still made me think this was a prank.
"Eli, is that you?" I called out to the scarecrow.
No response, of course. I steeled myself and put one foot off the porch, never taking my eyes off the scarecrow before me. Something seemed to be dripping from its head as I approached, a dark slime that seemed to be melting from its joints as it stood there silently, except for the constant drip of the liquid on the dry dirt before me.
I walked around the scarecrow, determined to figure out what was going on. As I circled it, my vision darkened for a moment as I faced towards the light of the house. I jumped as the scarecrow's head turned to face me as I looked away. The black liquid drained faster from the being, forming a shallow pool at its feet.
I'm not proud of what I did next, but I fled, taking my eyes off the scarecrow. I made a mad dash for the farmhouse. Behind me, I could hear the pounding of feet. I screamed as loud as my lungs would let me. My voice rang through the silence as I grabbed the door handle and wrenched open the door as I felt a strong grip fall on my shoulder.
I turned to defend myself, but nothing was there. The scarecrow was gone, the wooden cross had vanished, as had the pool of dark liquid in the dirt. The world sprung back to life; the crickets began chirping loudly, and my heart restarted. I slammed the door, and the air from my force scattered the photographs on the table. I ran upstairs, leaving the lights on in the house, and dove onto the bed, wrapping myself in the frilly blanket like a set of frilly armor.
I snatched my camera from the bedside table and held it close, determined to document the rest of the night. I held it in shaking hands as the noise downstairs began—the sound of boots crossing the floor to the stairs and the careful but heavy steps of ascension as they climbed closer and closer to me.
This time, I didn't lunge forward as the light was already on. I glanced out the window, but the scarecrow was still gone. I focused my camera on the stairs and waited as the steps came closer and closer. A shape began to form as the head of whatever was coming up the stairs crested the floor. Then a plain brown mask with slits where the eyes would be. It froze for a moment, then slowly turned its head towards me. Inside the slits were human eyes that seemed to be leaking dark red blood.
In the light, I could see it now. I snapped a photo of the beast, the flash setting off a reaction in the beast. The scarecrow moved so fast up the stairs it was a blur. My scream echoed throughout the house as it lunged at me. Filthy hands pinned me down, and the deep crimson liquid began pouring out of every joint of the scarecrow. It began covering my face, my eyes, and getting into my open mouth. I spluttered and kicked at the beast, but my blows had no purchase, as if the scarecrow on top of me had no substance to itself.
I coughed and spluttered on the liquid as it began to fill my mouth faster and faster. I tried not to swallow any, but it tried to find purchase as I was held down.
"Polly?" A nervous voice called from below.
Suddenly, as if the angels had called, the pressure dissipated, and I crashed to the floor in a heap, trying to spit the blood out, but nothing came—it was gone. Footsteps pounded up the stairs again, and I flew back in fear, closing my eyes.
"Oh my god. Polly, are you okay?" A voice said, and gentle hands grabbed my arm.
My eyes shot open at the human touch, and I grabbed Eli into a tight hug, where I promptly began sobbing in fear, my whole body shaking as Eli awkwardly hugged me.
"Don't worry, it's going to be okay," Eli said patiently to me as he hugged me back gently and began stroking my back.
I shivered in a choking sob and fell into his arms, desperately wanting to believe him, and for some reason, I did.

I’ve been experiencing a ton of different symptoms for a while, for over two years I’ve had a lot of gastrointestinal distress like constipation and diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, gas and gas pains, nausea, etc. For the past year or so I’ve started to feel really run down and sick, like I have the flu or something. I’m always fatigued and resting doesn’t help, I have muscle pain all the time especially in my back and jaw, aching and cramps in my legs and arms, I’m always overheated and sweating, I get unexplained skin issues like rashes and redness, my lymph nodes feel sore and sometimes swollen, I have tachycardia. Just generally I usually do not feel physically well.
I’ve been seeing a new therapist for probably about a month. I’ve been talking to her about how my health issues have been affecting me and how tiring it can be to deal with doctors and how being fatigued and in pain 24/7 makes it really difficult to go about my regular life. I just checked the billing paperwork from my last session and realized she diagnosed me with Hypochondriasis. And I’m kind of spinning out now, like is she right, am I just making all of this up, what if I’m just crazy and paranoid and delusional??
It’s just that I never used to feel like this, like obviously I’d be tired sometimes and get headaches or stomachaches occasionally like a normal person, but I felt overall physically well. But now I feel like I’m sick or in pain a lot of the time, my muscles and joints are always intensely hurting and aching, I’m constantly having painful GI episodes that derail my plans and I’m stuck on the toilet feeling like I’m going to pass out, and the fatigue is not just tiredness, no amount of rest helps. I just mean that I didn’t used to feel like this, this isn’t my “normal”, my daily life is being disrupted because I don’t feel well.
But based on the diagnosis of hypochondriasis, it says you have a lot of symptoms but tests come back normal, which my blood tests haven’t shown any glaring issues so I guess that means it’s psychosomatic? And there are some symptoms of the disorder, like thinking and researching about your health and seeking out different doctors and tests, that I also have, because I have symptoms that are impacting my life and I want to figure out how I can feel better.
The diagnosis of hypochondriasis also says that you get anxious about minor symptoms like fatigue. But my fatigue is not a minor symptom, when I say fatigue I don’t mean tiredness or sleepiness, it’s like this constant heavy weight on me, it impacts my daily life because I feel too tired to do normal activities like school and work, and I can’t get through the day without sleeping, and even then I never feel rested. I feel so shitty thinking that my chronic fatigue is considered a minor symptom and I’m blowing it out of proportion due to hypochondriasis.
I’m honestly freaking out, my therapist putting that diagnosis on my chart makes me feel like I’m just insane and I’m questioning everything, I don’t know what to do or think. I keep getting told this is all in my head

I am 35 male. 6' 1" 215 lbs. Non smoker. I receive Testerone injection weekly and take Anastrozole. Supplements: Infla-650, bone and marrow, and beef organ.
I have a small red thing protruding from the skin on my index finger. It is soft and squishy. It is not painful to touch or press. Maybe a 2/10 pain when bending the knuckle. It was covered by a some hard skin that looked like a pimple with a black center. I tried to pop what I thought was a pimple and wound up scraping off skin that was covering it. It was been on my finger for a couple weeks and finally annoyed me enough when working out to try to get rid of it.
https://ibb.co/SvTBFcG https://ibb.co/qWSbZ9H https://ibb.co/0qdLgF3
It is red and protrudes from the skin about 0.5-1mm. It's about 1mm wide.
Any idea what this might be?

Weapon toTrade
Mini- FFFR15R
Lmg- BE1A TRFFR25V
Cryo- QRAP90
Auto grenade- BFFR1A
Rocket- B50VHC90
Combat shot- QE1P
Combat shot- AAE1P VFFR15R
D-Barrel- VE1A
Powder rifle- AAE50DR
Lever- BERE15R
Railway- ARFFR90
Radium- BE
Combat rifle- BRAP25V
Handmade- AR50C25V TSFFR90
Handmade- G50C25V
Fixer- BER50C25V JFFR25V
Fixer- ASSE250 JFFR90
Fixer- B25AIM90 BE15R
Epr- GFFR90 B25AIM1P(True Flamer barrel)
EPR stock reflex True barrel- QRAP15R
Plasma rifle- BFFR250 J50C25V
Tomy- VE25V
Tesla- QFFR50%
Laser pistol NU- TSFFR15R
10mmSub- VE90 BFFR15V
10mmpistol- ARFFR90 BE
Single Action revolver- QFFR90
Gamma- QFFRSF QFFRFM
Bow- F50C25V TR50C25V
Chainsaw- BRAP25V
Golf club- AASS25V
War drum- AASS90
Baseball- AASS90
Knuckles- AASS25V
Deathclaw- JSS90
Bone hammer- NSSS
Revolution sword- BSS
Rolling pin- BSS15V
Fireaxe- BSS25V AASS15V
Power fist- B40PA25V
Apperel
Loon Forest asylum Pink asylum
Chem 91 Berry mentats
719 Grape mentats
580 Orange mentats
605 Mentats
122 Bobblehead energy weapon
872 Bobblehead explosive
41 Bobblehead Big gun
15 Bobblehead Small gun
07 Bobblehead Leader
Things i WANT Still open to any offer these are my preference
I dont care if the melee are 2 star or a 3rd star random
Gulper- bss
Wrench- bss
Tire iron- bss
Walking cane- bss
Pool cue- bss
Sheepquatch club- bss
Sheepquatch staff- bss
Combat knife- bss
Bear arm- bss
Cultist blade- bss
Drill- BSS
Pipe pistol auto- BE25V QE25V BFFR25V
Blackpowder pistol- BE15R
10mm Pistol BE25V
Gamma- QFFR15R QFFR25V QFFR15V
Gauss rifle- B50C15V B50C25V
Short hunting rifle- B50C25V
Blackpowder rifle- BE15R
Lever- BE25V
Lmg- QFFR25V QFFR90 QE90 BE90
Cryo- QFFR90 BFFR90
Gatling Plasma- BFFR90 BFFR25V
Pepper shaker- QFFR90 QFFR25V
Harpoon- Q50C25V Q25AIM90
M79 Grenade- B25aim15R
Missile launcher- B25aim90
Ultracite gatling- BFFR25V
Tomygun- BE25V B50C25V
Railway- QE25V QE50%
Radium- BE15V BE25V
Laser rifle- BFFR15V BFFR25V
Laser rifle ultracite- BFFR25V BFFR15V
Assaultron head- B50C25V
Combat shot- VE15R VE25V
D-Barrel- QE25V QFFR25V QFFR15V
T51 A exp / ???
Apperel Bos jumpsuit Forest jumpsuit Leather coat Responder uniform Usa mask Fsa mask Red asylum Yellow asylum

I’m a 2nd time EPer and I feel like a fool. I pushed my MOTN pump back too far too fast because I’m trying to drop it, and yesterday I woke up to pump very engorged and the side of my right breast was extra hard and painful. After pumping it was still hard around the top and side and very tender in spots; the pain extends almost to my armpit. I’ve been treating it like a clogged duct(s) and doing all I can to release it since it started - ice, massage, ibuprofen, sunflower lecithin, sticking to my pumping schedule, manual pump - but I can’t tell if the clog is gone and now it’s just still sore?
Worse, my output on that side has been way down today, I’m talking less than half. Is that normal? Will it bounce back? I’m not getting engorged as if milk is stuck in there, there’s just hardness that won’t go away. The soreness isn’t as bad today as yesterday. There are some red spots but I’m not sure if that’s just from massaging.
I’m an oversupplier so I’m still pumping enough for baby on the other side, but that isn’t keeping me from mildly freaking out. I’ve never had a clogged duct before.
Please help!

I’m a 2nd time EPer and I feel like a fool. I pushed my MOTN pump back too far too fast because I’m trying to drop it, and yesterday I woke up to pump very engorged and the side of my right breast was extra hard and painful. After pumping it was still hard around the top and side and very tender in spots; the pain extends almost to my armpit. I’ve been treating it like a clogged duct(s) and doing all I can to release it since it started - ice, massage, ibuprofen, sunflower lecithin, sticking to my pumping schedule, manual pump - but I can’t tell if the clog is gone and now it’s just still sore?
Worse, my output on that side has been way down today, I’m talking less than half. Is that normal? Will it bounce back? I’m not getting engorged as if milk is stuck in there, there’s just hardness that won’t go away. The soreness isn’t as bad today as yesterday. There are some red spots but I’m not sure if that’s just from massaging.
I’m an oversupplier so I’m still pumping enough for baby on the other side, but that isn’t keeping me from mildly freaking out. I’ve never had a clogged duct before.
Please help!

Introduction

• Approximately 100,000 individuals in the U.S. grapple with sickle cell disease (SCD), primarily affecting African Americans and Hispanic Americans.
• Casgevy, the pioneering CRISPR gene therapy, offers new hope for SCD patients, being the first of its kind approved by the FDA.

What is CRISPCas9 and How Does it Work?

• CRISPCas9: Revolutionary gene-editing tool allowing precise DNA changes.
• Derives from bacterial defense mechanism, guiding Cas9 enzyme to target genes.
• In Casgevy, edits hematopoietic stem cells to increase fetal hemoglobin and prevent red blood cell sickling.

The Development and Approval of Casgevy

• Casgevy, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and CRISPR Therapeutics, underwent rigorous FDA evaluation.
• Clinical trial showed 93.5% efficacy in preventing severe vaso-occlusive crises.
• Common side effects include low platelets, white blood cells, mouth sores, nausea, and musculoskeletal pain.

Introducing Lyfgenia: Another Breakthrough Gene Therapy

• Lyfgenia, by Bluebird Bio Inc., offers an alternative treatment for SCD.
• Utilizes lentiviral vector to modify blood stem cells, producing gene-therapy derived hemoglobin.
• One-time infusion ensures sustained relief from SCD symptoms.

The Advantages and Challenges of Gene Therapy

• Advantages: Targets root cause of disease, personalized care, hope for rare disease patients.
• Challenges: High cost, limited accessibility, potential side effects, need for ongoing research.

The Approval of Casgevy and Lyfgenia

• FDA approval marks significant progress in gene therapy for SCD.
• Offers hope and innovative treatment options for patients.
• Long-term studies essential for monitoring safety and effectiveness.

The Future of Gene Therapy

• Ongoing research explores new treatments and advancements.
• Gene therapy may become more accessible, affordable, and effective.
• Regulatory approval and safety monitoring crucial for optimizing outcomes.

Conclusion

• Casgevy and Lyfgenia represent major milestones in gene therapy for SCD.
• Pioneering work paves the way for future advancements in genetic disorder treatment.
• Continuous research and development hold promise for brighter futures for patients with genetic disorders.

📋 Source: Casgevy: The First CRISPR Gene Therapy - Approved By The FDA