Posts by Alex Moore62

Lisa Hernandez80 said:I’m pretty familiar with the symptoms and all that—I know my way around these kinds of things... Look, I get the whole "see a doctor" advice, but mine is honestly a lost cause. I’ve been under his care for two years now, and I’ve only actually bumped into him once by pure accident in the hallway. It’s a good thing it wasn't more often, honestly. =)

There really isn't any reason to stick with a physician who does more harm than good, especially when they're just lining their pockets with your insurance money without providing the actual level of care you deserve. It’s like staying at a budget motel where the plumbing doesn't work and the staff ignores you; eventually, you realize you're paying for a headache. Find a competent doctor—someone who actually prioritizes patients—because switching is ultimately in your own best interest. In this country, you have the right to choose your provider, so don't be afraid to exercise that freedom and find someone reliable. 👍
Definitely let us know how that follow-up goes so we aren't left wondering. 😉

Lisa Hernandez80 said:I have an appointment with the endocrinologist on December 7th, so I'll run it by her then, because my current GP is honestly useless... I'm not entirely sure if it's a thyroid issue or something else, but I had a friend who struggled to put on any weight at all because of some enzyme issues in her stomach, which honestly sounds even more taxing than a thyroid problem.😢
So, I guess I'll just wait and see what the specialist thinks.

Well, December 7th isn't exactly ages away.🙂
Do yourself a favor and look up the symptoms for hypo- or hyperthyroidism online to see if anything rings a bell.
And please, never just sit there in the exam room waiting for a doctor to tell you what’s wrong; you need to be proactive and actually suggest possibilities. For instance, bring up the thyroid concern specifically and back it up with the symptoms you've been experiencing. Let's face it, not every doctor is a gifted diagnostician, and some are far too eager to cut corners on testing to pad their own bottom lines.
If your primary care physician is incompetent, find a new one—an ineffective GP can genuinely be dangerous because they might lack the knowledge or simply lack the motivation to refer you to a specialist. You really have to advocate for your own health, even at the most basic level of primary care.👍

Lisa Hernandez80 said:I can't quite recall the details, honestly; I don't think they ever actually tested my thyroid because nobody at the time thought that was the issue. But, I suppose I'll find out what the verdict is once I head in for my follow-up appointment. =(

Don't just sit around waiting for your scheduled check-up. Just call your local primary care clinic, explain exactly what you're feeling, and ask for a referral for thyroid hormone testing. Or, if you have the extra cash to spare, you could always just head down to a LabCorp and pay for the labs out of pocket.

When it comes to your thyroid, playing guessing games or putting things off is a dangerous way to live—you need to get the bloodwork done so you aren't just flying blind. 😉

Lisa Hernandez80 said:Thanks for the input... honestly, some of this is a little daunting to hear since I'm still pretty young at 17, though I do see an endocrinologist regularly for checkups—and it’s nothing related to my thyroid specifically.

When was the last time you actually had your thyroid hormones and antibodies checked? In younger people, those levels can fluctuate quite a bit, almost like weather patterns shifting unexpectedly.
The symptoms you're describing seem to point toward a common denominator involving the thyroid, so if it's been a while since your last blood work, getting those levels tested would be a wise move.

Sandra Baker35 said:Thanks... I already have two names on my list, and now I’ll add this professor too—I think someone else mentioned some positive things about him already... anyway, I'm going to go through with the exam... I've already seen my primary doctor at least partially, which is quite a step, considering some people don't even bother doing that... so... I just need to gather a little more courage 🤷.

Trust me, you don't need any courage for him; he really is wonderful and kind, and I honestly don't believe there's anyone better at treating patients with compassion than he is.
Back when I was getting my physicals done at Sunce, I decided to book everything as a package deal, knowing full well it was the best chance to handle an exam that most of us dread and avoid at all costs. They make the whole process remarkably smooth for the patient; you aren't just being shuffled along an assembly line like you usually feel in those Medicare outpatient clinics.
He could tell right away that I was nervous since it was my first time, and I didn't try to hide it from him. But seriously, you have nothing to fear. You'll actually get a chance to talk, so ask him every single question on your mind. You just change into those disposable boxers they provide, lie on your side, and that's it—it doesn't hurt, it isn't awkward, and it's over before you know it.
He’ll explain exactly what’s happening, show you what he sees in the manual, and recommend whatever follow-up therapy or treatment you might need.
All in all, the whole thing isn't nearly as unpleasant as having a throat exam where you have to keep saying "ah" 👍

Sandra Baker35 said:It’s fine. Honestly, my anxieties are just part of my daily routine at this point—something I deal with with varying degrees of success, but that's life.
The main thing is, I am absolutely terrified of this exam. It isn't about physical pain or discomfort; it's the fear that they might uncover something much more serious than just hemorrhoids.
I don't have those purple protrusions; everything looks pretty much skin-colored. There’s no bleeding, and I go once a day with normal consistency, but the constant pain, the burning sensation, and that nagging feeling that something is about to slip out of my rectum is always there.
There is this persistent pressure... I went to see my primary care doctor and she took a look; I assume she knows what she was doing while she was performing the digital exam, and she told me she only saw one prolapsed hemorrhoid... but now, whether my internal ones have shifted outward or what, I honestly have no clue.
Basically, my fears are overwhelming, the pain is constant, and my nerves are shot.
I’ve been looking at private practices, trying to decide where to go... but I know I can't put this off forever.
So... yeah. I just hope I make it through this.

I highly recommend Dr. Cavcic over at Sunce near Trnje. He makes the whole process feel relaxed, and you get the kind of pleasant, informative conversation you actually need during something like this. I'm not entirely sure if he also sees patients at their clinic over by Jarun.

Kimberly Nguyen3 said:but I also forgot to mention that weight gain isn't even an issue for me—if anything, I can't seem to put on a single pound, or rather, gaining weight is an uphill battle

That Spring update was over six months ago now.😉 Why not just run the labs again? It’s not like it’ll hurt to have fresh data.
Weight gain is really only a factor with hypothyroidism; with hyperthyroidism, you’re essentially watching the pounds drop off because gaining any mass feels impossible.
If you haven't already, you should probably have a serious talk with your primary care physician about this.
Honestly, I don't have much more profound advice to offer than getting your thyroid checked out properly.
I’m intimately familiar with that feeling of being completely buried at work—that specific stage where you can't even find the time to jot down your mounting to-do list. I've been through it. But that kind of burnout is a completely different beast than this cognitive fog and memory lapse you're describing, which is exactly what I struggled with during my own thyroid issues.

Sandra Baker35 said:I’m with you on that... everything seems fine until illness enters the equation. For about twenty years now, I’ve been dealing with certain psychological hurdles—anxiety, panic attacks, and some pretty intense hypochondria. I’ve sought treatment for these issues over the years, but honestly, it hasn't yielded much success.
So, here is my take: if a person is rational—which implies they are mentally sound—they can exercise the kind of healthy judgment you’re describing. But when you're battling a disorder like mine, being "rational" becomes a moving target, because the very nature of the illness is to occasionally strip away your ability to be reasonable at all.
I would love to belong to your group, but... I suppose that’s just wishful thinking on my part.
Still, one has to seek treatment... through every possible avenue and under any specialist who handles these matters. There is a standard protocol, though: you start with Primary Care and move forward from there. In my view, Primary Care physicians possess enough specialized knowledge to handle most things; otherwise, their role wouldn't carry much weight in the medical system.

I didn't realize everything you were fighting against, so please forgive me. I had no ill intentions—quite the opposite, actually, though I trust you understand that. 😉
Like you mentioned, seeking treatment is essential. Personally, I always tackle health issues the moment they surface. I don't sit around waiting or ignoring symptoms, because letting things linger can be dangerous. If you don't address a single issue when it arises, it can snowball into ten other problems, leaving you with eleven complications that are far more difficult, or even impossible, to resolve once permanent damage has set in.
As for Primary Care, you find all sorts of people there, just like in any other profession. You have the exceptional ones and the incompetent ones. The most damaging scenario is when a doctor is both unskilled and stingy, trying to save money at the patient's expense by refusing to provide a referral to a specialist. I truly cannot wrap my head around patients who stay with doctors like that and end up either in serious trouble or in the morgue. Fortunately, my GP is O.K.; I go to her, explain what’s happening and which referrals I need, and she never pushes back because she knows I'm right.
Hang in there. 👍

Kimberly Nguyen3 said:I honestly can't tell if this is just a byproduct of stress or something deeper, but it’s happening so frequently that it feels excessive. I'll lose track of where I put things, or I'll walk into a CVS intending to pick up a specific prescription only to realize I've forgotten the name entirely, eventually grabbing something else just to avoid looking foolish. And don't even get me started on people's names—and I work with people all day. My doctor tells me not to overthink it, but frankly, it’s starting to worry me quite a bit.

To me, that sounds like a significant lapse in memory, and it reminds me vividly of my own experience right before I finally received an official diagnosis and started the correct treatment plan.

When was the last time you actually had your thyroid levels checked? It seems worth getting those tests repeated, and you should definitely make sure they test for antibodies as well. From what I’ve been told, those numbers can be incredibly volatile in younger patients.

Emily James74 said:So, how exactly did you pinpoint the thyroid 😕 as the culprit, aside from the memory issues 😕 that popped up?

I started gaining weight at an alarming rate, and since I’ve been thin my entire life, it hit me immediately that the thyroid was likely the issue.
Once I finally got my lab results back and searched "hypothyroidism" on Google, I realized the thyroid acts like a master switch that can trigger a million different symptoms—things I never would have grouped under the same umbrella or even suspected were connected. But they are, all stemming from that one gland. 😠
Cognitive decline is just one of them. 😢

Sandra Baker35 said:I'm not kidding around here. I actually went in to see my doctor, and she performed a physical exam—including a digital rectal exam—and I find it hard to believe someone with her level of training would miss something obvious if it were there. To be safe, I’ve also scheduled a private consultation with a proctologist, because let's face it, I'm a total hypochondriac and prone to panic, which only serves to amplify my anxiety. Everyone dreads going to the doctor, but for those of us who constantly spiral into health anxiety, that fear is magnified a hundredfold. I won't turn this into a venting session about my neuroses, though, since there are probably other threads dedicated to health anxiety, and I don't want to derail the conversation. But if you want to know the truth: yes, I am absolutely terrified.😲

General practice definitely isn't the gold standard here; it’s much better not to mislead a patient when the entire course of their illness might hinge on getting to a specialist in time. If you're genuinely losing sleep over this, just go get an exam as soon as possible—you'll save yourself a massive amount of pointless anxiety and mental exhaustion.

I’ve always felt that there is a certain futility in obsessing over worst-case scenarios before they even have a chance to materialize. We spend so much energy rehearsing tragedies that almost never actually happen, essentially draining our own batteries and driving ourselves into a state of exhaustion. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts; you end up physically unwell simply because the constant stress has completely gutted your immune system. Beyond the physiological toll, there’s also the matter of mindset—it feels like if you constantly dwell on misfortune, you're practically inviting it into your life. If you want things to go well, you really have to focus on the positive possibilities instead.
I also tend to feel that there’s a certain futility in constantly beating your head against a wall when it comes to things that are simply beyond your control—you know, obsessing over circumstances where you have zero leverage and absolutely no say in the outcome.
I know how it goes—sometimes it’s just much easier to talk about doing something than it actually is to follow through. 😉

Sandra Baker35 said:Heh... the real issue is that I’m paralyzed by fear and convinced I’ve got some major catastrophe on my hands... though, then again, I went back to see my doctor and she told me she didn't think I needed further testing... which was honestly the exact answer I wanted to hear, given how terrified I am to take the next step... I’ll deal with it eventually; I'll probably end up going somewhere else, it’s just a matter of when I finally hit my breaking point and just call to schedule an appointment.
Everything around there just aches intermittently... everything... I had this sensation like my groin lymph nodes were hurting, though they don't feel swollen... my armpits are acting up too... maybe I’m dealing with some nasty 😕🤷😲... it's not exactly pain, more like an intense itch... a painful kind of itch, even if nothing feels swollen, which is something I've dealt with before... honestly... maybe the best thing would be to just suck it up and face these fears once and for all.🙄

Why don't you just ask for a referral to a specialist or go to a private clinic? This isn't something you should play around with.

I’m curious if anyone here has actually gone through rubber band ligation. I haven't seen anyone write a detailed account of it, just a few passing comments about how much it sucks.
On the other hand, the doctor claims it doesn't hurt at all, that you can function perfectly normally—basically, there’s no reason to complain. I don't see why someone would lie about that.😕

Kimberly Nguyen3 said:Have you ever had one of those moments where a specific word or the name of an object just evaporates from your brain right when you need it, only for it to resurface minutes later as if it had never left?

It’s a universal experience—I once blanked out entirely while I was just scrubbing myself in the shower. 😵
I used to struggle with remembering names during conversations, everything just slipped through my fingers; it made dealing with certain difficult personalities at work feel like navigating a minefield. 😢
For me, it turned out to be a thyroid issue, and honestly, since I started hormone replacement therapy, things have cleared up significantly.
If I were you, I’d probably head to a doctor and get your thyroid levels checked out.

swiftbison25 said:My hormone levels are fine for now, but my antibodies are elevated, and the lab results suggest I’ll eventually slide into hypothyroidism—for the time being, it’s just monitoring. My mother had her thyroid removed, so I know this runs in the family, but until things actually shift, I’m just keeping a close eye on it.

That sounds like a solid plan. 🙂
So you aren't dealing with any actual symptoms of hypothyroidism yet?

For me, it was that mental fog—that feeling of losing my edge—that really started to get to me before I began medication.😱

swiftbison25 said:I’m certainly not going to pressure my doctors into medicating me with pills... things aren't quite that dire yet, and I'd rather hold off, especially since I'm thinking about getting pregnant down the road. For now, they just told me to keep an eye on 🙄

I really hope you've done your homework on hypothyroidism.
To be honest, when I was first diagnosed with hypo, I hadn't managed to do much research before my appointment, so I walked into that exam room completely uninformed. To make matters worse, the doctor didn't volunteer any information about the condition itself 😳(
When we finally got to the topic of treatment, she asked if I wanted to start hormone therapy, which honestly sent me into a rage. I didn't show up to a medical clinic to play a guessing game with a friend over coffee; I expect a physician to actually provide some expert insight regarding my diagnosis and what kind of regimen I should follow. So, I told her, "You tell me—do I need them or not?" A medical intern who happened to be in the room chimed in, suggesting we wait a few months to see how my hormone levels fluctuated, noting that values can vary significantly in younger patients. It sounded like a reasonable, measured approach, so I agreed, and the doctor went along with his suggestion.
It wasn't until later, once I had spent enough time scouring the internet, that I realized all those symptoms making my life a living hell—the ones that were systematically stripping away my quality of life—were being driven by my thyroid. When you're living through it, you don't realize all those disparate struggles fall under one umbrella; you just think you're suffering. Once I connected the dots, I got even more frustrated because I realized there was no way around it: I had to take the medication, because my thyroid was essentially destroying itself and taking me down with it. I brought this up at the next check-up, and then that very same doctor—who had been so quick to offer the pills initially—suddenly claimed they weren't particularly fond of prescribing hormone therapy. I mean, seriously, WTF!?
She eventually conceded that if I insisted, we could try it and see if I felt better subjectively. Of course I felt better! But then, just a month later, she decided to cut my dosage in half, leaving me feeling absolutely miserable until my next appointment. At that point, I lost all faith in her and switched to another doctor in the same practice, who immediately tripled my dose because my labs showed I needed it. I've been on this adjusted dose for a while now, and the difference is night and day.

Ultimately, hypothyroidism has to be treated, and attempting pregnancy without therapy would be pure madness given the risk of cretinism in the child. In fact, during pregnancy, you usually need even higher doses, so constant adjustments are part of the process.

Anonymous said:I’ve been dealing with iron deficiencies since I was about five years old. Back then, I was incredibly thin, had zero appetite, and just couldn't keep my iron levels up. They started putting me on supplements—pills or syrups or whatever 🤷 they used back then—to boost my iron, and ever since, my appetite has skyrocketed. Since that shift, managing my weight has been a constant struggle 🙄; even though I've lost some of the extra weight, I still don't feel good about my body. On top of all that, I am perpetually freezing. 😢
I honestly have no idea what's going on with me. 😕

The whole issue with feeling cold and struggling with weight gain usually points toward hypothyroidism, so you really need to get your thyroid checked out like others have suggested. And don't just settle for the standard T3, T4, and TSH tests; it would be much smarter to ask for antibody testing as well. Those antibodies provide a far more precise picture of what's actually happening with your thyroid, whereas the basic panel often misses the finer details.
That’s exactly how my doctors handled it, using those antibody levels to finally pin down a diagnosis.

Olivia Reed94 said:After a lot of back-and-forth with people in my life, I’ve finally decided to pull the trigger on septoplasty to fix my deviated septum. It’s been causing me serious issues.

On top of that, I could really use some advice regarding costs—where in Washington, D.C. can I get this done through a private specialist? Does anyone have recommendations?

I went through the exact same thing with a deviated septum and ended up having the surgery at the Mayo Clinic under Dr. Jurlin, whom I can’t recommend highly enough. You can be more than 100% certain that he’ll do the best possible job. Since the procedure, breathing has become so much easier. 😉

There’s honestly no reason to seek out a private surgeon who seems more interested in cosmetic enhancements than actual functional repairs. Everything at the Mayo Clinic can be handled without any out-of-pocket expenses if you have supplemental insurance; you won't be paying a single cent, not even for the hospital stay. Their department is modern, offering single or double rooms equipped with private bathrooms and TVs, so you’ll have full comfort.

There are actually several of us from this forum who chose Dr. Jurlin, and we are all beyond satisfied with the results.

vividfox said:I couldn't agree more. Let's skip the hostility and the negative assumptions for a second; we’re all posting here to lend a hand and break down complex topics for anyone looking for clarity. It feels a bit hollow when someone complains they don't have the patience to read through the details, yet they still expect us to sit down and write everything out for them again... it's a bit of an unfair dynamic, isn't it?🤷

Anyone who actually cares about finding the truth will make the effort to read every single page.
Best regards! 🙂

Exactly. 🙂 👍Exactly right.

Dana Diaz said:What is gotten into you? Who hurt you? Honestly, stop acting so superior and trying to lecture everyone else; it’s genuinely grating. I have absolutely no interest in getting into a shouting match with someone who seems to harbor a grudge against every single person on this forum. Look, regarding what you wrote and commented—I was perfectly polite to you, so please, just enough. Maybe take a look at yourself before you start handing out judgments to everyone else.

Grow up, kid. And please, try to actually think before you start typing or opening your mouth. Don't do it for my sake, or for the sake of anyone else reading or listening to you; do it for yourself. That way, even if you aren't actually there yet, you might at least come across as more mature and composed.
If you've grown accustomed to having everything handed to you on a silver platter without lifting a finger, you should know that life rarely stays that easy forever.
Since you've decided to jump into a discussion on an American forum, you might as well learn how to actually hold one. Throwing tantrums, being crude, and letting spoiled outbursts fly isn't a debate. It won't get you anywhere, and it certainly won't help you navigate the real world. Besides, karma tends to circle back eventually.
Don't bother replying; I've seen quite enough to understand where you're coming from, and frankly, it's a bit tragic. But it's never too late to pause, reflect, and decide to be a better version of yourself.
Best of luck.

Dana Diaz said:Thanks, truly wonderful and so incredibly accommodating. Careful you don't burst from all that overwhelming kindness.

Maybe try thinking for a second before you start typing next time. You can't seriously expect—even if it were physically possible—that someone is going to sit down and summarize 49 pages of diverse personal anecdotes, not to mention another 21 pages dedicated specifically to the Septoplasty thread, just for you.
Like I’ve already said, I’m more than happy to be helpful, and I shared my own surgical experience with this community ages ago; I was grateful for the stories others posted that helped me through, and I’ve spent plenty of time answering endless questions and clearing up doubts via private message for those who needed it.
If you actually want answers, the solution is simple: stop being lazy and start reading. No one else can do that heavy lifting for you.