Additional question: How can I fix the refreshment settings, so that my browser doesn't destroy entered form information?

Question

In addition to the question below, another problem is not only are my email responses erased when the browser refreshes, the message itself is no longer available. I have to start from the beginning point in my email list, rather than remain on the once-opened email.
By the way, I have reset and restored my Firefox as a solution, which didn't help. I did this twice, following instructions. The process was tedious and I had to recover quite a bit of information, not to mention a problem with merged bookmarks. I'd like to avoid this solution, at all costs. Here's what I said earlier. Again, thanks for any/all help you can provide.
For the past several weeks, now, I've noticed that my browser "refreshes" the feed more frequently, so frequently, in fact, that any emails, forms, or survey questions that I am answering get wiped clean. This started happening with the latest update. I am unable to locate any setting in my preferences that will stop the constant refreshment (reload? page update?). This is also frustrating when trying to make purchases on line, and as I said, write emails, complete forms, complete surveys, etc.
Thank you in advance for quickly resolving this most frustrating problem?
I use a Mac, and am running Mavericks. This problem was present with the previous OS, too. Thanks again!

Answer 1

A few moments ago I tried to type an elaborate message and commended your site here for sitting still long enough for me to enter my message without being devoured by the “refresh feed.” Unfortunately, the page refreshed and wiped away my brilliant response to your questions. I will try to answer more briefly, and will cut and paste my reply. I pray that I don’t have to do this repeatedly. Here goes:
1. I used the term “refresh feed” because that was the only way I knew to describe it. For example, the ads change regularly in the NYT Online. I do subscribe to that. The pop-up alert has been coming far more frequently than before, and the ads are coming far more frequently than before. I see a correspondence between the refreshed ads and the change in the webpage. This is why I called the problem “refresh feed.” By the way, I have my pop-up block set to block.
2. I use Desire to Learn (D2L). I don’t subscribe, per se, but it is a password-protected site I have to use for my work. Within D2L, when I try to compose a message or respond to a question, what I write is immediately erased when the page refreshes, which is quite frequently. I am forced to compose on another program, as I’m doing now, and pray that I can paste my message in before I lose the entire email; I have to reenter the “to, from, subject, message,” and so on. I’ve had to do this over and over and over and over for just one message.
3. The issue happens when I use Outlook online. At least there I get a question asking if I really want to leave the page. Of course, I don’t because I’m still composing my message. I’ve taken to saving the messages frequently. I can’t do that in the D2L app.
4. This issue happens when I am just browsing a webpage for which I have no affiliation. The page will refresh and I find I’m back at the beginning of the initial page, or the beginning of an article I’m reading (if I’m lucky) or series of photographs or whatever. My place is lost. I often have to start all over again. It’s as if I’ve never been there.
5. This issue happens when I’m trying to make purchases. It happens immediately when I enter personal data. It’s as if I’ve not entered anything. I only use trusted sites. I’ve run my Internet security software and have checked for viruses. All is well there, at least I hope so.
I hope, too, that this additional information helps you help me. I so need it. Thanks much.