Rhys

I have been in therapy for years and have consistently been on antidepressants during that time. Because of my depression I used to be really tired all the time--like, I would literally spend 48 consecutive hours or so in bed. My therapist prescribed Adderall for my tiredness in addition to my antidepressant. That was about 2-3 years ago.

At some point, I crossed the line between finding it really helpful (and liking the bit of a buzz it gave me) to being addicted. I always want to take more, even though I'm prescribed a pretty high dose. If I don't take a lot (because I'm running out early) I get really depressed and panicky.

I can't tell my therapist because I'm afraid she'll immediately stop prescribing it for me, and I would have an absolute breakdown if that happened. I have to handle this myself. Any ideas or experiences that anyone could share would be greatly appreciated.

My first tattoo, on my foot, has lettering that is blurring to the point of unreadability (yes, I should have known that such small lettering would blur after some years, but I was new and dumb). I want to get it covered up, and I'd really like a design that has something to do with my struggle with -- and ongoing recovery from -- mental illness (Major Depressive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder if that matters). I was looking at some Phoenix designs but I don't feel drawn to them. I know that asking for ideas in this forum is a long shot, but it's worth a try. Any thoughts/ideas welcome--I'm still brainstorming, and any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

--Rhys

I've been with my partner for several years now. When I met him, his son (of whom he has sole custody) was 5. Now the son's 11 and we all live in an apartment together.

I hate when I'm left alone with the son at home because I'm not his mom (she's out of the picture entirely), I'm not his stepmom (my partner and I don't plan on getting married); I'm just some chick who snitches on him when he misbehaves. And I'm kind of getting sick of threatening to tell his dad on him, because it brings me down to the level of his age ("I'm going to tell [insert authority figure] that you did that and you're gonna get in trouble!").

I'd like to have a good relationship with the boy but also maintain some parental authority in the home even though I'm not a parent. Anybody have some insight or experience in this area?

(Oh, and he has ADHD but doesn't take his meds on weekends, so his behavior while I'm watching him is invariably the bouncing-off-the-walls type.)

I want someone to do a tattoo I designed but all my other tats have been simple stuff and I need an artist that can replicate the design I want.

Thanks!

I don't want to go with the boring "please see my attached cover letter and resume," but I don't know what else to put in the body of the email. I've been essentially writing a second cover letter there, but that's probably annoying to the recipient since it gives them an extra few paragraphs to read.

Thanks for any help!

--Rhys

I know that the info that comes with Alli says to take a multivitamin because Alli can interfere with vitamin absorption, but does it also interfere with other meds that you may be taking? I'm concerned about my antidepressants and birth control pills, and I can't find this info anywhere.

If anyone knows, I'd appreciate input. Thanks!

It's my fifth anniversary with my partner on Friday, and I want to cook something special. ("Special" is kind of a low bar since my cooking skills are limited.) He can't have gluten, so options are a bit limited. I'm thinking of learning to cook a steak, but that's as far as I've gotten. Any alternatives, suggestions, recipes, etc. would be appreciated. I have that day off from work, so if there's a recipe you know that takes a lot of time/effort, I can do it.

Thank you!

My partner is considering this one for recreational cycling purposes and I've only been able to find one review online -- If anyone has any special knowledge about, or experience with, this bike, your help would be appreciated.

My boyfriend's son is in the 4th grade, and is a bit of a reluctant reader. He likes Rick Riordan's books, but he's finished them and is kind of ambivalent about finding something new to read, so his dad and I are trying to compile a list of possibilities in the hopes that one or more of them will capture his interest.

Any and all age-appropriate recommendations/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Background: In 2008, I met and started dating a man ("Joe") who had been through a divorce a few years before. He had a five-year-old son ("Tyler") by his ex-wife ("Rita"). Joe and Rita technically had joint custody of Tyler, but Tyler lived with Joe full-time, and Rita had very little involvement in Tyler's life. Eventually, she moved across the country and gradually ended all communication with Tyler.

Fast forward to the present day...

Joe and I have been together for almost five years. He, Tyler and I live together. Joe now officially has sole custody of Tyler, who is now ten years old, and Rita is still entirely out of the picture. Tyler remembers Rita and is aware that she is his mother.

Joe and I, for various reasons, have no plans to get married. We consider our relationship to be permanent, and Tyler understands this. If Joe and I were married, obviously Tyler would be my stepson, but as things stand, I do not know what to call my relationship with him. Recently, Tyler's younger cousin asked him, at a family event, whether I was his mother, and of course he said no. The cousin then asked him who I was, and after an obvious struggle to come up with the right term, he said that I was his friend, and ended the conversation.

So, finally, here is my question: What should I call my relationship with Tyler? "Stepmother" is false; "Friend" or "Family Friend" makes it sound like I don't consider Tyler and Joe to be my family, and "Dad's Girlfriend" makes it sound like Tyler is just a hanger-on in my relationship with Joe (and also makes my presence in their lives sound temporary, which is especially troubling because of Tyler's fear of abandonment, stemming from Rita's neglect). As things stand right now, he has avoided the issue whenever possible (when he's had to draw pictures of his family for school assignments, the figures are always labeled "Me," "Dad," and "Kathryn"), but as he gets older he's going to need some way of explaining his family to others.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated! (Unless you're just going to tell me to get married.)

I need a new bike, and this looks like it has what I need, but $600 is a lot for me, so if anyone can tell me anything about this one I'd appreciate it.

http://www.rei.com/product/825432/novara-forza-bik...

I've been trying to find a straightforward answer online but the sources I've checked don't even agree on how many D'Artagnon books there are. I've read The Three Musketeers and I'm currently reading "Twenty Years After," but I don't know where to go from there.

Thanks for any help!

My boyfriend is gluten-intolerant, and now that I live with him and his son I've taken over the cooking responsibilities. I don't have much of a repertoire when it comes to gluten-free dinners. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Googling has mostly provided me with recipes beyond my abilities as a beginner.

My boss has Microsoft Word 2003, and for some reason when he opens a new document and starts typing, the words appear sideways. What I mean is, it opens in what looks like Portrait Mode, but the cursor is in the top right corner and is a horizontal line instead of a vertical one. And when you start typing, the words proceed down the right edge of the document. So basically, you'd have to tilt your head 90 degrees to the right in order to read the words. Neither of us can figure out why this bizarre change happened.

I hope that description makes sense--I use Word a lot (A LOT) but I've never seen it do anything like this.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

Thank you!

--Rhys

I had to reduce my daily dosage of the antidepressant Luvox about a year ago because I had a seizure (the only one I've ever had) and the high dose of Luvox might have been a contributing factor. My depression's gotten worse on the lower dose, but my doctor does not think I should go back on the higher dose. She prescribed lamictal/lamotrigine as it is used both as an anti-seizure med and a mood stabilizer, and I have just started taking it as an addition to my normal low dose of Luvox.

I had awful side effects from the anti-seizure med I was given at the hospital (Keppra), and I was supposed to keep taking it indefinitely but I stopped. (It hijacked my moods and made me irritable and angry 24/7.)

Anyway, I was hoping I could get some info about other people's experiences on this med. Does/did it work for you? Did/do you have side effects? What are they, and how severe? Any info about what other people have experienced taking lamictal/lamotrigine would be very much appreciated.

Thank you!

--Rhys

My partner is gluten-intolerant and can't drink regular beer. He regularly drinks Red Bridge (made from sorghum). He likes it well enough, but it's the only kind he can ever find around here (we live in Northern/Central New Jersey) and I think he's kind of sick of it.

I found this page online...http://www.glutenfreedietfoods.com/beer_list.html.... it lists a bunch of other gluten-free beers but it doesn't give much information about where they are available, and whether you could order them from another state (I don't know what the law is regarding shipping alcohol, but I'll research it if it becomes a possibility).

He used to be able to get the Ramapo Vally Honey Beer (http://www.rvbrewery.com/html/honey_beer.html) and likes that a lot, but it seems to have disappeared.

If anyone knows how to get a hold of any of these beers or any other gluten-free beer that's worth trying, I'd appreciate your help!

--Rhys

P.S. In case anyone was going to ask--my partner and I are both of legal drinking age (although I hate beer, myself). I am 26 and my partner is 30.

There are three people in my family for whom I cook dinner daily:

1) Myself (I am not picky, and will essentially eat anything.)

2) My partner, who is gluten intolerant. (He can't have ANY gluten, which is most commonly found in wheat, barley and rye, or his digestive system gets...well, let's just say it gets "seriously pissed.")

3) My partner's 8-year-old son, who would eat chicken nuggets or pizza every day of his life if he could. He can be coerced into trying new things if they're not too "out there." Has a hatred of peas.

I've been living with them for about a year and a half and I really need to increase my repertoire beyond cheeseburgers, grilled chicken/chicken nuggets, chili dogs, nachos, frozen gluten-free pizzas, sausage & eggs, and one enchilada recipe.

Any suggestions for cookbooks, sites, individual recipes, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

--Rhys

I know this isn't the best place to ask medical questions, but my doctor is on vacation and my neurologist is a moron so it's this or the emergency room.

A couple of weeks ago I had a seizure that lasted about five minutes. My left leg had been shaking off and on all day, but got worse at night, about 2 hours beforehand. I was kept in the hospital for 3 days, all tests were normal & I was put on Keppra as a precaution. I stopped taking it because the side effects were so bad I'd literally rather have another seizure.

So now of course I'm paranoid about everything. I woke up this morning with the fingers of my right hand feeling kind of numb and cold. It lasted a while and then went away, but has been recurring throughout the day, and now I'm worried it's a sign.

I've never had a seizure before this one.

My boyfriend's wisdom teeth have been causing him significant pain on and off for a few years, and he finally (at age 29) has an appointment tomorrow morning to get them removed. He has a prescription for narcotic painkillers (Percocet, I believe) and an antibiotic, and tonight I'm going to get him some ice cream and soft foods for when his novicaine wears off, but I was hoping this community, which has been so helpful before, might have some suggestions as to what else might help to relieve the inevitable pain and discomfort.

Also--any ideas for soft foods that won't hurt him? All I can think of so far is yogurt, pudding, and ice cream, which is a heck of a lot of sugar.

Thank you!

My boyfriend is gluten intolerant but loves pizza, and I used to be able to get frozen rice-crust pizza at Shop Rite, but they seem to have stopped carrying it--or at least they have at the three Shop Rites I've checked. I heard that Whole Foods has it, but the closest one is pretty far out of my way, so I was wondering if anyone knew of any other supermarkets or chain stores that carry frozen gluten-free pizza.

At some point, I will learn how to make rice crust myself, but for now I need the frozen stuff.

Thank you!