Posts by Kyle Diaz28

Does anyone happen to know where I can pick up that tea? I would be incredibly grateful for any leads. I am already on my third round of antibiotics for this Proteus infection and feel zero improvement, so I suspect a fourth course might be inevitable.

Swimming was incredibly helpful for me, though I’ve noticed the pain returning now that I've stopped going. When I was swimming once a week—though more frequent sessions are better—I didn't need any medication at all for a full year. You can swim any stroke you like, provided you don't overexert yourself right out of the gate. My first attempt was so intense I couldn't even get out of bed the next day. Best of luck!

Symbicort is the gold standard. Since I started taking it twice a day, my shortness of breath has completely vanished. Out of all the medications I’ve tried over the last 20 years—and believe me, I’ve tried them all—Symbicort is by far the most effective. I wouldn't recommend relying on Ventolin, though; using it constantly can be hard on your heart. My pulmonologist, Dr. Raos, based out of the suburban neighborhood, is truly the best in the business.

urbanwalker6 said:How on earth could you even get a referral for cosmetic surgery????😕
If that were actually possible, everyone would be doing it. I don't follow. Perhaps if you had already undergone a septoplasty... then maybe as a "bonus," but otherwise, no.

I have never experienced any breathing issues or anything similar, so I highly doubt I have a deviated septum. And the idea of seeing a psychiatrist just to claim mental health struggles over a nose issue? Hmm, I find that unlikely.

He was suggesting that you visit one of our local hospitals to consult with an ENT specialist. They could then document a deviation—even if one doesn't exist—so that the surgery could be covered by insurance.

I am experiencing a similar issue. After dancing excessively at a wedding this past Saturday, my fingers became completely stiff. I attempted to massage them, which relieved most, but one finger remains stubbornly numb. It is making walking quite difficult. Does anyone have any advice on how to resolve this?

I am also searching for a solution to this issue. Every time I shave, I deal with intense itching and inflammation. An online dermatologist actually recommended that I switch to a Gillette Fusion5, noting it's much better for sensitive skin.

Tylenol isn't great; any doctor will tell you to avoid it because it's packed with junk. It doesn't necessarily mean you have a cold. You could be dealing with allergies instead. I read in USA Today that those initial allergic reactions can mimic cold symptoms—things like a dry cough, a low-grade fever, watery eyes, or a runny nose. Personally, I'm allergic to grass and ragweed, and I experience all those symptoms, though I don't get the fever since I've been an allergy sufferer for 17 years now; my body has somewhat adapted.

I tried those Nivea patches, but they didn't really do much for me. Honestly, you're better off just booking a professional facial

Diprogenta requires a prescription. However, I suspect your doctor won't write one without a referral from a dermatologist first.

I deal with this same issue, though it persists year-round rather than just during the summer. Diprogenta is merely a temporary fix, given the seven-day limit on its use. Currently, I rely on Aben hand foam. I wash my hands using only the foam and then pat them dry; I avoid water entirely, as the moisture itself tends to dehydrate and irritate sensitive skin. It was quite a challenge to track down at a local drugstore since pharmacies don't carry it. It costs $16.

I dealt with similar issues when I was young. I can't recall the exact extent of the bleeding or if it was caused by impact, but I know my nails eventually became infected, which led to surgery. Don't worry too much, though; it seems you aren't facing that level of severity. It's more likely your nails are just thin, making the pressure under the nail bed feel more intense upon impact.

You might consider trying Neutrogena or perhaps CeraVe at night. Both are quite effective for minimizing pore appearance.

I experience eye pressure when I'm not wearing my glasses due to astigmatism, but since you've already seen an ophthalmologist, it seems you aren't facing that specific issue. It could be intraocular pressure, or perhaps just simple fatigue and strain.

I am unsure of your age or where you are located, but if you are searching for a reliable pediatric pulmonologist in Washington, D.C. (for those up to 19 years old), Dr. Miljenko Raos at Srebrenjak is the premier choice.

Raymond Harris11 said:It sounds like you've had a bit of luck; thank God that your back pain stays at a manageable level. I'm sure swimming is doing wonders for you.
We also went to that same clinic. I'm thinking you might be able to continue seeing her even after turning 18, so it might be worth asking if you were happy with her care.
With that doctor, things seem fine if you aren't facing major issues or intense pain, as she doesn't tend to prescribe heavy-duty meds. However, it seems to me that when severe pain or actual damage occurs, she might not be as equipped—or perhaps she just chooses not to—to handle it.
How long were you under her care, and what kind of issues were you dealing with? Did you feel like she actually helped you, or did she mostly just look at your lab results?

It is exactly as you say. She would look at my charts, palpate my spine, and insist that I needed to exercise—that was the extent of it. She even tried to prescribe five Advils a day, but I just lied and said I was taking them. She even told me that since I am an adult now, I am no longer allowed to see her.

I didn't realize I had problems (or rather, I didn't pay attention to them), but my knee was constantly aching, which is why my doctor referred me to her. It wasn't until I learned about this condition that I started thinking about how I am always in pain. Then again, that is how it works—most of these aches are psychological, so once someone tells you that you're sick, suddenly everything hurts. What do you recommend for when the pain becomes truly unbearable? I don't want to overdo it with medication since I have other health issues and already take various prescriptions daily.

I’ve been dealing with spondyloarthritis for four years now. Throughout high school, I was exempt from PE, but since starting college, I’ve taken up swimming, and I have to admit it really helps. It feels similar to traditional exercise, though much more taxing—especially if you've completely lost your conditioning over those four years of inactivity. To be honest, after the first few sessions, everything aches because your body isn't used to that level of exertion, but once you get past that, it feels amazing. My only issue was that I could only go once a week; now that the semester is over, my swimming schedule is done too, and I just don't have the time to commute to Brooklyn every single day just to hit the pool. Does anyone happen to have a link to some decent spinal exercises?

I haven't seen a rheumatologist in two years. I used to see Dr. Tambić-Bukovac at the clinic, but once I turned 18, I wasn't able to go there anymore. Does anyone know of a good rheumatologist near the Rib? I've heard there's one who just hands out prescriptions without much else, which is exactly what I want to avoid. I deal with spinal pain almost daily, but it's manageable enough that I don't take any medication. It has been a long time since I had blood work done, so I'm not sure what my sedimentation rate is. From what I recall, it never reached 40 or anything particularly high. Does that mean, thank God, that the disease hasn't progressed significantly? Also, could someone explain what "ossification" actually entails? Is that something specific to ankylosing spondylitis?

I apologize for the length of this post, but I would truly appreciate it if someone could answer a few of these questions.

Thank you!

I have opted out of my medication regimen because I find the side effects of these pills to be quite severe. If anyone chooses to take them, I would suggest limiting it to once a day. While the pain persists, its frequency has certainly diminished. My main issues now are swollen joints and those persistent lumps along my lower back that seem immune to any pharmaceutical intervention. I will reiterate: TENS truly does make a difference.

Could anyone recommend a reliable rheumatologist in Washington, D.C.? I am 19 years old and haven't had a checkup in a year and a half because my pediatric rheumatologist stopped seeing me once I turned 18. I deal with seronegative spondyloarthropathy and I am HLA B27 positive. I'm not currently on any medication because I used to take Advil, but it caused severe stomach pain. I did buy a TENS unit, which helps quite a bit when my back hurts; I apply it to my lower back and it provides a nice "massage."

granitebadger25 said:I am always surprised that even today, with such effective asthma medications available, people still opt for immunotherapy... there really isn't a need for it.
There are several pulmonary clinics for asthma in New York City where you can consult with doctors regarding optimal therapy. Nowadays, in most cases, asthma is not a problem to manage with inhalers... immunotherapy only makes sense if you are being treated at a private practice (which benefits them, not you)... they can charge you handsomely for every visit, along with the allergen supplies, so at least someone is satisfied with the outcome. 🙄

Allegra, what you are saying is nonsense. I am 19 years old, and for 12 years, I went regularly two or three times a week for immunotherapy at Srebrenjak. The more often you go, the more antibodies your body produces, and you gradually improve because your system "learns" to handle the allergy and stops reacting to it. My advice is to endure those 20 minutes of waiting for the treatment, because it truly helped me. I have struggled with allergic asthma since I was two years old, and it is much easier now thanks to immunotherapy. If you find weekly visits too difficult, there are certain injections that can be purchased and administered once a month which also help, though they are quite expensive. I am not sure of the exact name, but it is best to consult your pulmonologist. I recommend Dr. Raos at Srebrenjak. He is certainly the best, so if you are under 18, head straight to that hospital, as their quality is far superior to other facilities.🙂