So I know that technically, at least here in the USA, I am supposed to get them until 65. Because they are so painful it's been about 6-8 years since I had one and I am now in my early 60's. I did get them every 1-2 years most of my adult life and they were always negative. I just did what I was told to do but I didn't figure out until years later that I was very low risk since my husband and I were each other's only sexual partner and we got married in our 30's. So when I learned more about HPV, I stopped getting the paps as often and I now just want to be done and not go through the torture again. How risky is it for me to not get another pap smear?

I just had a root canal and crown and this is what my dentist did. First, for the filling he used Ketac which doesn't need a bonding agent. For the temporary crown he used a pre-fabricated tooth (he had all sizes in stock) and used Cavit for a temporary cement. Then when the permanent crown came in he used GC Fugi I for the permanent cement. He had used this in the past for a crown for me and I had no reaction at that time. It's a glass isomer that doesn't contain HEMA and is supposed to be safe for people with an acrylate allergy. However, this time I had a small reaction (a few blisters in my mouth that lasted 2 days). I found out that it actually does contain polyacrylic acid which is supposedly low risk since it's a polymer. I keep becoming more sensitive to acrylates including polymers so apparently now I am sensitive to this. However, GC Fuji I is a good alternative for some people for a permanent cement if they can tolerate polymers.

It looks like the next time I need permanent cement for a crown I will have to ask for a Zinc Phosphate cement which is what they used in the old days but I think it can only be used for certain types of crowns so that is something I have to research. Also, I might not have had a reaction to the GC Fuji I if the dentist had used a dam so the stuff didn't get sprayed all over my mouth. The blisters were on my upper palate, not the gum that was around the tooth.

I've been buying all natural fiber clothes, sometimes organic but I just found out that even certified organic clothes can be made with fabric that has plastic "sizing". I asked Gemini AI since I am allergic to acrylates, a type of plastic. Here is a quote from Gemini AI:

A garment can carry a GOTS or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification and still contain or be treated with plastic polymers and acrylates.

Neither standard was designed as an "acrylate-free" or "plastic-free" safety standard. Instead, they focus on environmental sustainability, organic origin, and preventing exposure to known toxic or carcinogenic residues (like heavy metals, banned azo dyes, formaldehyde, and PFAS).

Because acrylates and common plastics are widely considered non-toxic and non-hazardous to the general public, both standards permit them under specific conditions.

How Acrylates and Plastics Enter Certified Garments

• Synthetic Sizing Agents during Weaving: Before threads are woven into cloth, they are coated with sizing agents to prevent breaking under tension. While GOTS restricts synthetic sizing, polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylic sizing agents are often permitted as processing auxiliaries if they meet basic biodegradability tests.
• Polymer Bindings & Screen Prints: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 permits acrylic-based binders and polymer coatings on textiles, provided they pass skin-contact irritant and monomer residue thresholds. GOTS allows certain acrylic resins for textile printing if they don't contain banned phthalates or heavy metals.
• Blended Elastane & Sewing Thread:
  • GOTS: "Organic" grade requires at least 95% organic fiber, but allows up to 5% non-organic synthetic content (like elastane/Spandex for stretch, or polyester sewing thread). "Made with Organic" allows up to 10–30% synthetic fiber.
  • OEKO-TEX: Focuses purely on chemical safety, not fiber content. A 100% synthetic polyester or acrylic fleece jacket can be OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified as long as the dyes and processing chemicals are non-hazardous.
• Finishing Softeners & Anti-Static Treatments: Polyacrylate-based softeners or anti-static sprays used in finishing washes are frequently approved under OEKO-TEX if they do not leach restricted volatile compounds.

There is the erroneous thought out there that if you are allergic to acrylates, ingesting it wouldn't be a problem, that it only affects the skin. However, acrylates affect mucus membranes inside the body including the mouth and the digestive tract. So ingesting pills with the enteric coating (Eudragit which contain acrylates) can still cause an allergic reaction. However, polymers like pill coatings are less likely than monomers to cause a reaction. If you are really sensitive be cautious of acrylic polymers such as bite guards, acrylic dentures, extended-release pills, and even some non-stick food sprays.

How do you find allergy-free hotel rooms that don't allow pets, don't have scents, and don't have mold or excessive dust?

I am not a gardener but I do know I live in zone 6. Every year I buy mums nearby - either the corner garden centers or Home Depot. I put them in hanging baskets until they are done blooming sometime in October and then I plant them in a nice spot in front of the house and they die. Are there two types of mums, annuals and perennials and they only sell annuals in the stores? Do I need to order hardy mums from somewhere? What am I doing wrong? I always thought mums were perennials. I water and they are put in a spot with plenty of sun.

EDIT: Wow, thanks so much everyone! Great information and ideas! I will definitely be doing things differently this year.

Although I am not overweight, I've gained weight steadily as I 'v gotten got older. I am in my early 60's now. If I don't curtail it eventually I will be overweight. (Funny thing is, I was underweight for most of my life and tried to gain weight and couldn't). I work out for an hour a day, eat pretty healthy, but still need to somehow cut more calories. I am not interested in those new diabetes drugs, I just need to keep eating less and less. But recently I read about a theory that it's actually good to put on weight as we get older which is why nature causes this to happen. The theory goes that we become more subject to sickness and disease in old age and so a little extra weight is insurance against weight-loss due to illnesses that will inevitably come. This has helped me relax a little about the weight gain. Also my blood pressure is good, and all my labs are within normal limits but on the border with LDL and A1C. What do you think of the theory that we shouldn't necessarily fight the weight gain?

I tossed the plastic beaker it came with because I thought I could find a similar one made of glass or steel but having trouble finding something the same size and shape.

EDIT: Thanks for the ideas! I ended up ordering this on Amazon:

LINK

I joined a small church group in which I didn't know anyone but the culture of the group seems to be that we are all instant friends and we greet and say goodbye by hugging. I didn't grow up in a hugging culture. My parents and siblings love each other but we don't hug. For decades everyone I came into contact with seemed fine with handshakes or just verbal greetings. Now it's always hugs. I don't feel comfortable with this but when someone goes to give you a hug, what can you do? And when did hugging non-family become the preferred greeting? I live in the U.S. and I am in my early 60's.

Edit: This is a home group - doesn't meet at the church but home groups are organized by the church. The home groups follow a prescribed format but do what they want socially.

Here is a fact sheet I put together at one point from AI. Disclaimer: This is not official. You must verify everything before use. Also, please note that at the bottom that many dentists use an acrylate film while the filling cures. Don't let them do that!

TEMPORARY CEMENT alternatives

Zinc Oxide-Non-Eugenol (ZONE) Cements

These cements are often preferred because they do not interfere with the final setting of permanent resin-based cements.

• Kerr
  • ZONEfree (Translucent Zinc Oxide, Non-Eugenol)
  • Temp-Bond NE (Non-Eugenol)
• VOCO
  • Provicol QM (Zinc Oxide, Non-Eugenol, often contains Calcium Hydroxide)
• GC America
  • GC Freegenol (Non-Eugenol, Zinc Oxide-based)
• Cosmedent
  • Adhere (Eugenol-free, Zinc Oxide-based)
• Temrex
  • TNE (Temrex Non-Eugenol)

PERMANENT CEMENT alternatives

Zinc Phosphate Cements (Traditional Luting)

This is the oldest type of dental cement, known for high strength and longevity, but it requires mechanical retention in the preparation as it does not chemically bond to the tooth structure.^(1)

Zinc Polycarboxylate Cements

These cements chemically bond to the tooth structure (dentin and enamel) and are generally kinder to the pulp than zinc phosphate.

Conventional Glass Ionomer Cements (GIC)

GIC chemically bonds to the tooth and releases fluoride, which is a major advantage. Crucially, the conventional (or traditional) GICs are acrylate-free, while Resin-Modified GICs (RMGICs) contain acrylates.They are more brittle than composite, so they aren't ideal for large cavities on the chewing surfaces of back molars.

1. Filling & Restorative Materials

These are thick, packable materials used to fill cavities. They chemically set on their own within a few minutes and do not use a blue dental curing light to harden.

• GC Fuji IX GP (The absolute industry standard for a packable conventional GIC filling) PureLife Dental
  • GC Fuji IX GP EXTRA or Fuji IX GP FAST * GC Fuji II  (Fuji II LC is the resin-modified version and must be avoided)
  • GC Fuji TRIAGE (Often used as a pink or white protective sealant or temporary filling; 100% self-curing)
• 3M ESPE (Ketac Line):
  • Ketac™ Molar or Ketac™ Molar Quick (A highly durable, bulk-fill conventional glass ionomer)
  • Ketac™ Universal (A hand-mix, chemical-cure conventional GIC)
  • Ketac™ Fil Plus * VOCO:
  • IonoStar® Molar or IonoStar® Plus (Fast-setting, immediately packable conventional glass ionomers)
  • Ionofil Molar AC
• SDI:
  • Riva Self Cure (SC) or Riva Self Cure HV (High Viscosity). Note: You must explicitly avoid "Riva Light Cure."

2. Luting Cements (For Gluing Crowns, Inlays, or Gold)

Must use a conventional GIC cement. These flow smoothly and self-harden via a pure mineral acid-base reaction.

• GC Fuji I® (The gold standard for a self-cured, traditional glass ionomer luting cement)
• 3M Ketac™ Cem or Ketac™ Cem Radiopaque * SDI Riva Luting (The pure chemical-cure version; avoid Riva Luting Plus, which contains resins)
• Dentsply AquaCem (A traditional chemical-setting luting cement mixed with water) Hospital Store

3. The Protective Glaze for fillings

After a dentist places a conventional glass ionomer filling, it is highly sensitive to moisture for the first few minutes. Standard practice is to wipe a clear, liquid plastic glaze over it and light-cure it to protect it while it fully hardens. These glazes are almost pure acrylate resins. Your dentist must skip the plastic glaze completely and instead use a simple sterile petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or a mineral wax to protect the filling while it finishes setting.

I have a lot of symptoms of ENS, score of 14, but it's only on the right side and I had no problems until a few months ago. I had a deviated septum corrected and turbinate reduction 40 years ago. Is it possible to have ENS with the surgery so many years ago?

I recently became an empty-nester after almost 30 years of being a SAHM. One of my biggest challenges, not having relatives nearby for babysitting, was getting to doctor and dental appointments. I did have to bring the kids sometimes, esp. to physical therapy appointments. My husband worked long hours and was often out of town. I really didn't get much flack from any of the staff (even if I sometimes got side eye) as the kids never caused any problems. But that was many years ago and now I am noticing more and more on my patient portals that say if you bring kids the appointment will be cancelled. How do today's stay at home parents handle appointments if they don't have a support network and their spouse can't take off work for every appointment?

I get three shots each visit: two shots (pollens and such) on my right arm without much reaction one shot for dust on my left arm. My left arm always had such a bad reaction that the allergist said we will only go up to half the normal maintenance dose and just stop there. So I've been on that dose for a few months, getting my shots every 2-3 weeks. The red area lasts about 3 days. It's itchy for about 24 hours, and hot/swollen for about 2 days. I take an antihistamine before my shot (either Claritin or Allegra) and the nurse puts a cortizone cream on. None of this seems to help. I told my allergist and he kind of shrugs and leaves it up to me if I want to continue to get the dust shot. To be honest, I don't know if the dust shots are helping or not. For those who get shots, what has been your experience with localized reactions?

I got a new mini/dorm fridge and it's been running for a few days and keeping things cold but the condenser in the back is really hot to the touch. I am worried it's too hot. I touched a meat thermometer to it just to get an idea of how hot and it reads 137 F. Is this okay or should I turn it off and return it to Home Depot?

I am in my early 60's, normal weight, female. I generally eat pretty healthy and get about 45 minutes of exercise each day. However, I do have a pretty big "meno belly" despite skinny arms and legs. For my annual well check my doctor tests for fasting blood glucose (last year it was 99) but never anything else related to diabetes even though I have a sibling with life-long Type 1 diabetes and a mother who had Type 2 in her later years. I guess the worse he can say is no so it doesn't hurt to ask but I am wondering why he's never tested anything else. I wonder if there is a problem with insurance coverage.

EDIT: OK, at Thursday appointment I will definitely ask. We update with his response afterwards. He is a pretty lax doc. He even said last time I don't need a well check every year!

I haven't had surgery but I have symptoms of sinusitis affecting only right maxillary sinus. Heavy white mucus draining down that side and molars hurt. Root canals didn't resolve it. CT scan is normal (sinuses open). Three antibiotics and two course of steroids did nothing so probably not an infection. Weirdest thing is the dry, irritated turbinates on only the right side. Air from just breathing stings and dries out my throat and vocal cords. My left side is normal. Can ENS only effect one side? The ENT and dentist are out of ideas. However, the scope showed the ENT inflammation in the right side turbinates. I do have environmental allergies but when they kick up the symptoms are different (runny nose, both sides of nose and sinuses effected). The closest analogy is at the very end of a cold or sinus infection when your nose is no longer running but you have thick mucus draining down the back and the turbinates are inflamed. I can't blow anything out of my nose which feel sdry. The drying of my throat as a result has caused laryngitis. This has been going on since May and it's now August.

Since late May I've had heavy post nasal drip and tooth pain in my right maxillary sinus. The tooth pain was so bad the endontist redid a root canal thinking that was the problem (although her CT scan didn't show any infection). After that the tooth pain was only slightly better but the sinus infection got worse. Constant drainage of heavy sticky mucus just from the right side. Still some pain and hot/cold sensitivity in upper molars. I am hoarse from clearing my throat for 3 months and sometimes lose my voice so I don't talk much.

I've done nasal sprays of all kinds, nasal irrigation, antihistamines, 3 courses of antibiotics, 2 courses of steroids, a CT scan, and now I am scheduled for an MRI with contrast but the doctor doesn't think it will show anything. The CT scan was normal other than a tiny retention cyst and he said that's not causing the problem. Since that's the only thing that showed up and it's in the right maxillary sinus, I asked him if he could remove it. He said insurance wouldn't pay for surgery since it is not causing my problems. If the MRI is negative he is basically out of ideas.

What would be my next step to find out what is causing my symptoms? Should I see an oral surgeon or a different ENT?

Is it just me or does it seem it to take longer every year from the time you order a piece of clothing to the time it arrives (unless you pay extra for faster). Even Amazon Prime, half the time the delivery is delayed a day or two longer than originally stated. I remember years ago getting things from some places in a few days. Now everything seems to take a couple weeks. By that time you don't even need it anymore.