I have a few questions if anyone happens to know more about this.. First off.. my dad and his sister both have F20. I’ve spent a long time wondering if I was on their side of the family tree, but it turns out the people around me were just in incredibly unstable relationships, so it wasn't me.. I seem to have escaped that fate. What’s weighing on me right now—mostly because of the current mess with my aunt, my dad's sister—is what the chances are that I'll pass those genes down to my own child. My dad's entire side of the family has been traumatized by this, and I know two or three close relatives have F20 or something similar. On my mom's side, there's nothing.
Now, for the thing that's actually eating at me.. My aunt lives alone in another city and doesn't have anyone left besides me and my old man, and now she’s gotten really sick; she might need chemotherapy.. it's a total nightmare. So now I'm frantically looking for a nursing home near Washington, D.C. or the surrounding area that would take her. We don't have the money for some expensive private facility.. she thought we could sell her condo, but she doesn't realize that won't happen in two months.. I still have to explain that to her. If she starts chemo, there's no way she can be alone; she'll be feeling terrible constantly. My dad can't help much because, well.. the two of them can't be in the same room for more than half an hour before he ends up having another heart attack and she's back in a Small town facility. I'm planning to call social services to see where she could be placed quickly if she does start chemo, and also just to figure out how everything works for later.
Have you heard of any nursing homes that accept seniors with schizophrenia? Or maybe a group home? And how does that process even work? How much does it cost? And do they perform those competency assessments? That wouldn't be good at all..
I'm not working right now, and physically I can't take care of her due to my own health issues, but for now, I want to help her as much as I can so this transition to a facility isn't too painful. That's all I can do, unfortunately. She applied to one already, but the waitlist is two or three years long. I just hope they weren't lying when they said they'd take her.. she was all alone with them. Apparently, she's been in remission for 20 years. At least, that's what her medical report says.
I realized about two weeks ago that she is in worse shape mentally than my old man. They both take medication, but I'm not sure how consistent she is with hers; he stays social, she doesn't, and he's actually calmed down quite a bit compared to his younger days. As for her, I really don't know how living with someone else in a room and being surrounded by a bunch of people in a facility will sit with her.. I actually snapped for the first time two weeks ago because I bought two oversized lemons, smeared two pots while I was cooking for her, and grabbed a pot that was too big.. luckily, she didn't blame me for her whole life.. she can still blame my dad for that, even though he isn't to blame. The man has his own crosses to bear. I made it clear to her that I won't tolerate that kind of behavior, but I'll help her however I can. I don't know if this is because of other illnesses or if she's always been this way. She's terrified they'll stick her in a psychiatric ward or somewhere like that and tie her down and never let her go. She's not quite in that state.. at least I don't get the impression she's completely out of control; she's actually quite sharp, and I think it would be worse for her to be placed somewhere with people who are much more severely mentally ill. She's mostly just timid and depressed now because her health is complicating things. And yeah.. I told her that I won't tolerate those outbursts and complaints like the one I had, and she told me it wasn't intentional, blah blah blah, that she'll adjust.. I honestly don't know how it'll go..
So please, tell me.. is blaming others for everything in life specific to schizophrenia, or is it just character? My dad is the same way, but he stopped blaming me; he's started taking responsibility for some things... I'm just constantly wondering and trying to enjoy the current peace.. 🙂 And I only noticed this trait in my aunt two weeks ago, but it's at a level ten for her.
I’m looking at getting surgery that’s only performed by two hospitals and three specific doctors in my area. One of those hospitals hasn't even been able to schedule anything because some essential equipment has been broken for four months now, and they have absolutely no clue when it'll be fixed. At this rate, I'm looking at a wait time of maybe a year. As for the other hospital, I've already been there, and they completely misdiagnosed me—and that was the very surgeon who would actually be performing the procedure. So, now I'm stuck needing a whole new consultation just to get back on a waiting list for an operation that could happen whenever they feel like it..
I've been living in constant pain for a year and a half now, and honestly, it’s just miserable. It’s reached the point where I can’t even hold down a job. Because of that, I’m planning to submit a claim to Medicare to see if they’ll cover the costs of having the surgery done abroad, at least up to the amount it would cost here in the States. Has anyone actually had any luck getting them to cover even a portion of the expenses?
And what does "medically necessary timeframe" even mean to these people when I practically should have had this surgery a year ago? If things had gone right the first time, I might have been looking at a six or seven-month wait at the other facility. Not to mention, everyone keeps giving me verbal advice suggesting it’s better to just go overseas since this kind of surgery isn't exactly rare globally, but nobody will put that in writing. It feels like they’re still basically learning on the job here.
vividsailor7 said:Is it really that much trouble to just lay it out clearly? (The way it was originally written was pretty pointless) Back in 2010, following a diagnosis of *E. coli* infection, I was referred to a gastroenterologist because of epigastric pain and diarrhea under a suspected K29 diagnosis; they ordered my kks and an EGD. My initial C3 and C4 levels were tested in 2011 after the GI specialist started suspecting SLE. Then I was sent to an immunologist based on that SLE suspicion, and in 2012, while investigating [redacted], he requested those same results and noted... Or something along those lines, anyway.
It’s just frustrating when I know nobody on this forum is actually going to give me a definitive diagnosis, and I'm really just looking for general information on what these markers are used for. If anyone happens to know, great; if not, that's fine too. So why all the shock and the endless interrogation? If you don't want to help, then just don't.
wiredcanyon2 said:It’s honestly a stretch to say what this means specifically for you, but I can walk through the possibilities. An elevated M-protein can pop up in all sorts of situations—autoimmune conditions, various hematological issues, or even inflammatory liver diseases like viral hepatitis. Sometimes it shows up without any clear cause at all, which usually just means you end up needing blood work several times a year to monitor things. Given that you’ve been dealing with recurring Candida, it would be worth investigating whether there’s an underlying immune deficiency, which could potentially be secondary to one of those other categories of illness. You should also mention how old you are. It would help to list any other symptoms you're experiencing along with your lab results: WBC, RBC, ESR, calcium, CRP, differential count, ferritin, and so on. To put it bluntly, the data you've provided is pretty thin. My takeaway? This could point toward many different diseases associated with M-protein, or it could turn out to be nothing at all. That’s about as much as I can offer; maybe someone else here will have more insight.
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm 27. My kks is fine; the only outliers are slightly elevated eosinophils and MPV, and my ALP is low, though all my other enzymes look good. My white blood cell count, platelets, CRP, sodium, potassium, creatinine, and iron levels are all normal. Ferritin is at 15 (with a ref range of 10-120). As far as actual symptoms go, I mostly deal with digestive issues (though they're manageable right now) and a slight fever during the second half of my cycle, which leaves me feeling exhausted and overheated if I'm under significant stress or overworking myself. It doesn't happen nearly as often as it used to when it would just hit me out of nowhere. About three years ago, my iron levels plummeted, and after just one day of running a high fever, my hair started falling out; that lasted for six months. That entire year was a health nightmare for me—suddenly dealing with CIN2, HPV, Ureaplasma, and fungal infections. Those issues were present before and throughout that period, and they seem to flare up more frequently now, making them incredibly difficult to shake. Beyond that, I can't really recall any other times I felt unwell. I just catch colds easily if I don't dress warmly enough. CD3, CD4, CD8, NK cells, C3, C4, CH50, ANA, and ENA are all within normal limits.
vividsailor7 said:Go back and read the first post! Allow me to add a few thoughts and speak as a fellow respected colleague of Richter: you seem to be being somewhat mysterious by withholding a preliminary diagnosis and other clinical details. Let me help you out here. 1. What are the specific reasons you're seeing a GP and a hematologist? 2. What symptoms are you actually experiencing? 3. What is your full medical history, including all diagnoses and current medications? 4. I need the complete lab results. And let me reiterate, once more: lab results are meant to be interpreted alongside a patient's medical history and clinical status. They are tools for physicians (ideally the one who ordered them), not for patients to interpret themselves.
What other diagnoses?? There isn’t some grand conspiracy going on here, oh my god... When I was at the immunology clinic, they told me exactly which tests to run, and then said if things looked worse, I could see a doctor, and those two specific results were what got me an appointment. I’m just waiting to see the immunologist (not the hematologist) so they can give me answers. I was just wondering if anyone happens to know what M protein, these light chains, albumin, and gamma levels actually mean—specifically why they test for them—because I have a follow-up in a month and I’ve learned the hard way that Googling stuff is a terrible idea because it just ends up scaring me. It didn't help matters when I remembered my uncle passed away from some form of leukemia. If these markers don't necessarily mean anything bad, then please just tell me so I can stop worrying. The only thing is, these specific results aren't great. My ANA and ENA levels are fine, and the lymphocyte subpopulation panel came back normal too. I'm not taking any medications, just some probiotics here and there; I've been dealing with bloating and stomach issues, and neither probiotics nor Controlok really helped much. Things calmed down a bit after I started following a certain diet, but I have to be extremely careful about what I eat and I'm honestly not even sure what's safe for me anymore. The main thing that's been bothering me for years is Candida, like I mentioned before. Based on all of this, plus a C3 complement test from two years ago where it was low twice in a row, my gastroenterologist recommended I see an immunologist. But now my C3 is fine, so nothing makes sense. Basically, the doctor wrote down a preliminary diagnosis of chronic Candida, regardless of the fact that I’ve tried Diflucan, probiotics, Canesten, and everything else under the sun. I want to understand why I can't get rid of this fungal issue, which is why I finally went through with these tests. I don't even know if these other little details matter, because my old primary doctor and my OB/GYN (I'm looking for a new OB/GYN now, but I have a new primary) both brushed it all off as just "stress" or a "weak immune system." For instance, I used to get low-grade fevers during the second half of my cycle whenever the yeast infections flared up, and I'd feel exhausted (I think I still have them lingering, but I've stopped tracking it). I also got a fever twice after getting my flu shot. When someone tells you that's impossible, they're either lying or they don't know what they're talking about. I haven't had any vaccinations in two years now, and everything has been fine. So, I've just finished all these tests and now I'm just waiting for the follow-up.
vividsailor7 said:Meene is clearly obsessed with finding out who sent you and which specific specialist or department authorized all these intense tests.
I was referred to an immunology clinic... but why? My gastroenterologist just noted that I should follow up with an immunologist. Does anyone actually know if a referral like that implies anything specific about my results?
IgG 20.9 (Ref: 7-16) IgA and IgM are within normal range Total kappa light chains: 1.37 (Ref: 1.7-3.7) Total lambda light chains: 4.67 (Ref: 0.9-2.1) Kappa/lambda ratio: 0.29 (Ref: 1.35-2.65) M-protein confirmed: IgG heavy chain and lambda light chain Albumin 54.5 (Ref: 59.8-72.4) Alpha-1, alpha-2, and beta levels are fine Gamma 23.8 (Ref: 8-15.8) M-spike present in the gamma globulin fraction Total protein 80 (Ref: 66-81) A/G ratio 1.25 (0.80-2.00) Eosinophils 7.8 (Ref: 0-7) MPV 10.8 (Ref: 6.8-10.4) ALP 45 (Ref: 54-119) Urinary leukocytes 1-3 Blood sugar is normal HIV negative Pap smear and swabs came back clear
I've been dealing with constant Candida issues... I just can't seem to shake it no matter what I do. I have an appointment with an immunologist coming up soon.
I actually know three people who swear their eye color was different back when they were in their twenties; two of them are currently in their thirties, and one is already in their sixties. Even for me, there seems to be some slight variation—though I honestly have no clue if it’s just down to my mood or how the light hits them at any given moment.
I’m also thinking about finally scheduling my first appointment with an orthopedist, but does anyone happen to know which clinic doesn't have a massive waiting list right now?
What does this mean for a guy... urine test results Leukocytes 1-3, Erythrocytes 0-2, squamous epithelium 0-2, mucus plenty... Could this be because of Ureaplasma?
I’m looking for exactly what I described above... anywhere in Washington, D.C., or honestly, if I have to fly to Mars to find it, I will. I'm dealing with constant yeast infections, both intestinal and in my intimate areas, and it's driving me absolutely insane. My doctor won't even suggest a treatment plan because she's frankly a bit dim and lacks basic expertise, and my gynecologist hasn't even bothered to order the swabs to actually identify the specific strain I'm fighting. If anyone can recommend a persistent, proactive gynecologist along the way, please let me know. Thanks!
Can someone please tell me where else besides the Vineland or St. Jude areas I can get an ovarian ultrasound done using my insurance? I'm trying to schedule something in advance. :-/ Maybe they could just start me on therapy based solely on the ultrasound results... what do you guys think?? Because if I have to go through the whole hormone blood panel, it means I’ll have to miss yet another period before I can actually begin treatment.. and my hair is literally falling out... I've been using those Vichy ampoules for a few days now, but I highly doubt they'll do much until I get this internal stuff sorted out. 😢
I am honestly at my breaking point here. To make a long story short, my father reached out to me after we hadn't spoken or seen each other for a year and a half. He sent me this letter that makes it painfully obvious he’s completely lost his grip on reality. It sounds like full-blown schizophrenia; he’s convinced people are out to get him—the FBI, local cops, everyone is plotting against him. Now he’s talking about fleeing the country to escape to the USA and thinks he needs to "wake me up" to the truth. It’s all just nonsense, and frankly, the idea of actually facing him in person terrifies me. How should I handle this? I want to try and talk him into getting professional help, but based on the absolute rambling in this letter, I have zero confidence that there’s even a shred of sanity left to work with. If things escalate, should I just call 911 and have him taken in for an involuntary psychiatric hold, or what? I feel way too young to be dealing with this kind of heavy, traumatic bullshit... honestly, it's exhausting. 😢
It’s not actually hurting, but since I haven't worn earrings in years, that little ball is just sitting there. I was thinking if I tried to force something through, maybe the piercing would open back up. Honestly, you should probably just take it out and stop trying to force anything; you're more likely to cause an infection or end up with much bigger issues than you have now. Just accept that you'll just have two small holes. 🙂
I went through the exact same thing, though I didn't end up with any bleeding around my fourth piercing... which is just great, because apparently having eight piercings across both ears wasn't enough for me. In my main lobe, specifically that one slightly higher up—not on the cartilage, but right on the fleshy part—it got inflamed and turned into this hard little bump, almost like a tiny bead. I haven't worn anything in that hole for years, but the lump is still there, and no matter how much I try to squeeze it, that white stuff just keeps coming out. Yeah, that's what you're seeing. You could try slathering all sorts of ointments on it, maybe it'll clear up for you, but it hasn't worked for me, so I've just learned to leave it alone entirely. Honestly, it’s barely even visible. Maybe give some St. John's Wort oil a shot? It’s usually pretty incredible for skin inflammation and healing wounds.
I started taking Diane and ended up having this massive panic attack earlier this week... It was absolutely terrifying. I mean, sure, I've been stressed out because of my classes at the university, but what I felt during that episode... I just felt completely unstable. Honestly, I’m starting to think it's the pills. I've always been a bit high-strung, but nothing like this. 😢 The thing is, I have to take them because of my severe PCOS, and my skin gets so incredibly oily that the sebum basically kills my hair follicles, causing terrible hair loss. I'm honestly at a loss here. Does anyone know if there's another medication out there that could help with the skin and scalp oiliness without doing this to my head?
I’ve never actually tried anal sex before, mostly because the whole idea just grossed me out, but lately, I’ve found myself feeling a little curious about what it’s actually like.. My boyfriend has been trying to talk me into at least trying fingering, but I have these minor issues down there... my area is pretty sensitive, which makes me feel really self-conscious. I’m worried that if we try anything, I might actually make things worse. Honestly, everything feels fine as long as nobody touches anything.. Has anyone here ever dealt with hemorrhoids because of anal play? Or did your condition get worse? And how did your partners react if they ever found out you had... well, a "situation" going on.. I can't help but worry he'll find it disgusting, or that I'll end up causing more physical damage.. I just feel so embarrassed about all of this. 😁
I honestly wasn't a fan of how it felt... by the evening, I’d just be completely wiped out and drained, even on nights when I hadn't really done anything special outside the house. Everyone kept asking me what was wrong with me. I went in for some tests, but they didn't find anything specific; eventually, it just kind of cleared up on its own, though it took quite a while. Looking back, I think it was probably just the lingering effects of post-traumatic stress following graduation and the whole college admissions grind.