u/Many-Ask1932

Hi everyone,

I ended up in the ER at 3 AM with excruciating pain from an ovarian cyst, related to fertility meds I was previously taking. I was barely able to walk, talk and was shaking and vomiting because of the pain. I never experienced a pain like this.

The ER doctor knew about my history of opioid addiction and could see that I had previously been on methadone and buprenorphine, but still gave me morphine in the ER and prescribed norco.

I spoke with my addiction doctor, and he told me that having a history of addiction does not mean I should have to suffer in severe pain and that I should be able to utilize these medications only when necessary. My husband is holding onto the medication and will only give it to me if I truly need it. I have no desire to take it otherwise, especially while going through my fertility journey.

Is this normal? I always assumed doctors would avoid prescribing opioids completely if they saw a history of addiction (2 years sober from oxy). For those with a similar history, have doctors still treated your severe pain with opioids, or have you ever been denied them because of your history? Although I’m grateful they took my pain seriously, it still took me by surprise.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on dealing with chronic ingrown hairs, clogged pores, and dark marks on the breast and under breast area. Has anyone else dealt with this and found something that helps?

Hi everyone. I’m a 31 year old African American woman.

Ever since I was 12, I’ve been really hairy. One benefit is that I have super thick, waist length hair. However, my facial hair grows incredibly fast. I can pluck it today and be plucking again the very next day. I also get chronic ingrown hairs all over my face and neck. Thankfully, hydroquinone, tretinoin, and AHA peels have helped a lot with the hyperpigmentation and skin issues.

For context, I do not have PCOS. I’ve been evaluated and I’m just naturally very hairy.

I also grow hair on my chest and breasts, and I’m constantly plucking there as well. Another issue is that the pores on and underneath my breasts are always clogged. Even if I squeeze them and clear them out, they seem to fill right back up within hours.

I try not to pick at my breasts because I’m worried about scarring and hyperpigmentation. However, I have OCD, and it’s really difficult for me to leave the whiteheads, clogged pores, and ingrown hairs alone once I notice them. I’m hoping to find a treatment or routine that can reduce them in the first place so I’m less tempted to pick at them. I was able to resist picking for one week and I could see a noticeable difference, however, I cannot resist the urge and I’m back at it again 😢.

Does anyone have recommendations for dealing with ingrown hairs, dark marks and clogged pores on the breasts? I plan to get laser hair removal or electrolysis eventually, but I’m hoping to have my first child soon and I’m currently focused on paying off student loans, so those treatments aren’t in my budget right now.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

It’s hard for me to still talk about this because of the medical gaslighting and suffering I went through this period of my life, but it’s important for people to know that this can happen, even though rare.

Medication Adverse Reaction History:

History of severe systemic adverse reaction to methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone), including:
- QTc prolongation on ECG
- Severe edema requiring daily compression wrapping
- Debilitating lower extremity pain severely limiting mobility
- Recurrent cellulitis
- Hyperprolactinemia with amenorrhea (>1 year)
- Pituitary microadenoma identified during this period
- Medication-induced thyroid abnormalities (resolved after discontinuation)
- Worsening sleep apnea and sensation of air hunger despite normal oxygen levels
- Severe insomnia and cognitive impairment.
- Elevated D-dimer and abnormal laboratory values during exposure

Symptoms improved significantly (let’s be real, my symptoms completely disappeared) after discontinuation of these medications and recurred upon re-exposure.