Posts by redotter95

neonsailor26 said:Well, I'm from Canada.

Sorry, I didn't catch that. 😁

In that case, just head to your local community health center.

Chances are pretty slim since it was just a scratch—but hey, if you're worried or it's eating at you, just go straight to an urgent care clinic.

Does the cat have an owner, or is it just a stray—you know, someone unknown?

Gregory Turner71 said:Nice one. My uncle also hits 120 mph through downtown Chicago without a single issue—so clearly, speeding through city streets is just a great idea.

If some random dog attacks you and bites you, there's still a risk involved, so you really should get vaccinated.

That’s exactly why you need to head to a specialized clinic—they're actually the experts when it comes to deciding if the shots are necessary. 👍

neonsailor26 said:I actually went to see them. I’m thinking about getting a fifth opinion at this point.

The first doctor I saw didn't even bother checking my arm properly. She just told me to move my hand left and right so she could see where the scratch was. Then she decided there wasn't even a scratch—which isn't true, it's just super, super tiny—so I just got up, grabbed my paperwork, and walked out.

After that, I headed over to a community health center to get a second look. Things were way better there, honestly. I walked into a room with two techs, and the older guy asked what was up, so I explained why I was there. He grabbed my arm, moved it side to side, and concluded he couldn't see anything either... but he did tell me that if the wound suddenly turns red or starts swelling again, I should come back for an injection. So yeah, that was my second opinion done.

Now I'm wondering, did they mess up? Is that even a thing?

I mean, I can't exactly bury myself in the backyard, right? 👎👎👎 My God.

Rabies is basically non-existent here in the States, and I don't think there's been a single case recorded all year. Hopefully, it stays that way.

If you're in a major city like Chicago, just head down to the rabies clinic at the CDC or a local public health office and let them decide if you need the shots. They’ll ask you some questions and check out the scratch, then they'll make the call on whether the vaccine is necessary.

Good luck!

Jack Ward12, I am seriously sorry you had to deal with that outcome after surgery. Honestly, I’ve spent way too much time reading stories from people with pudendal neuralgia where the operation just made everything worse—it's pretty scary. Some of them even went to the top-tier medical centers in the US and still ended up in this spot. I guess it feels like we don't really have enough specialized experts here in America who truly get this specific issue. There are doctors who claim they know what they're doing, but—unfortunate as it is—patients like us often end up being their guinea pigs. Good luck with the recovery! I'm really hoping things start looking up for you and that the pain eases off even just a little bit.

I’m really hoping you can find someone who’s actually gone through this specific surgery before. From what I’ve read, prolapse repairs can get pretty messy sometimes—especially when they start using mesh. It’s just... a lot. So, I guess my advice is to really do your homework and figure out all the ins and outs before you let anyone touch you. I don't mean to freak you out or anything, I just want to make sure you're being super careful about which surgeon you pick and that you're fully aware of the potential risks.

What kind of symptoms are you dealing with because of the prolapse?

I had my flow rate test done at Mayo Clinic. Honestly? A total nightmare—mostly because of this resident doctor who was shadowing a fantastic specialist during my exam. This guy—and I’m being serious here—kept throwing out these stupid, nasty comments the whole time. To top it off, he actually laughed and told me there wasn't much they could do and that I'd end up needing a catheter. Like, laughing. Definitely one of the most embarrassing experiences I've ever had in an American hospital. Even the nurse mentioned how unprofessional he was acting when I went back to pick up my results. I thought about filing a formal complaint, but I just... didn't have the energy.

The actual procedure isn't that bad, though. The catheterization hurts a little bit, but you can handle it. It takes maybe ten minutes or so. They fill your bladder with fluid and check your sensations at different stages while it's filling, and then you're supposed to empty it at the end. Personally, I couldn't do it, even though my bladder felt full. I just couldn't relax, and the position you have to be in to go is pretty awkward. They told me it happens all the time and that a huge chunk of people can't actually manage to go.

I haven't personally messed around with glucosamine sulfate, but from what I've read, most people seem to have pretty good luck with it. Also—it looks like quercetin can be a big help when it comes to bladder issues and urination.
You should definitely stay away from coffee, citrus fruits, and don't even get me started on alcohol. You can always find a list online of foods to dodge if you're dealing with IC.

I tried drinking aloe vera juice—not the capsules—but I didn't really feel any difference, honestly. I know I've read online that it helps a bunch of people ease their symptoms, though. Maybe the capsules actually pack more of a punch than the liquid stuff? 🤔

Since nobody's chiming in yet, I figured I'd just lay out my whole situation here—hoping maybe someone else is dealing with the same weird stuff. 🙂

So, basically... I've dealt with frequent urination my entire life. No actual pain, just had to pee every hour or two, though it was always an easy process. Since my urine cultures always came back clean, my GP didn't think anything of it, and some social gynecologist actually told me it was just because of my spine and basically kicked me out of the office.

The real trouble started about two years ago. After sex, I’d get this urethral pain right after peeing, which would just vanish on its own after ten days. Cervical swabs came back totally clear. I was still peeing constantly, but the urethral pain stayed away until early this year, when the exact same thing happened again after sex. Then, by the third month, things started getting uncomfortable around the vulva area. My gynecologist insisted it was a yeast infection and gave me vaginal suppositories, but those honestly just made everything worse. Swabs and cultures? All sterile. So far, it's just been a constant cycle of ups and downs.

Then, about a month ago, things took a turn for the worse. Now, actually peeing is a struggle. It’s hard to start, the flow is weak or stops and starts, and I feel like I can't fully empty my bladder. If I strain, the flow gets stronger, but I try not to do that. Honestly, going to the bathroom has become a total nightmare. 😢

I saw a urologist, and my uroflow test was pretty bad. There's a significant amount of residual urine left in my bladder, and the ultrasound showed a prominent bladder neck—basically like the muscle there is too tight. The specialist recommended a urethroscopy and maybe some dilation. Then I saw a neurologist, who suggested a urodynamic study, so I'm planning to get that done soon. On top of all this, I've got other issues too, but that's a whole different story for now.

One weird thing I've noticed is that it's actually easier to go if my urine is more concentrated. I've been keeping a bladder diary, and I'm hitting the bathroom about 15 times a day, which my doctor says is way too much.

If anyone out there has gone through something similar, please reach out so we can swap notes or info. I'm losing my mind over here.

Can any of you who've been diagnosed with IC let me know which doctor actually gave you the diagnosis? Like, who's the go-to specialist for this stuff here in the States? Feel free to just shoot me a DM if that's easier.

I was wondering if anyone here has actually tried this method to deal with—or at least tone down—cellulite issues? I caught some segment on TV where everyone was raving about mesotherapy, but honestly, I haven't heard any real-world personal stories yet.

If I remember right, those Johnson & Johnson creams and applicators run about $33. Honestly, though—it’d probably be a good idea to just check in with your OB-GYN to see what's actually going on.

Grace Davis90 said:Where can I get a breast lift in Chicago? Does anyone have experience with Tony's clinic?
Just looking at prices too—strictly a lift, nothing else, no implants or reductions.

It’s roughly 20k $0.00 if I recall correctly. Honestly, you probably shouldn't decide where to go until you've had consultations with maybe two or three different plastic surgeons. Just see who you actually vibe with—look at their before and after photos and stuff...

Scott Foster2 said:Hey everyone🙂
Has anyone actually tried non-surgical breast lifts before? I just started this Lipo Line Duo thing—only had one session so far—and honestly, the only thing I've noticed is how expensive it is.😁

Could you explain what that treatment actually involves? From what I gather, you can do laser lifts if we're talking non-surgical options, but that’s really only an option if there’s just a tiny bit of sagging. For anything more significant, you’re looking at surgery—which, unfortunately, means dealing with scars, even if they do fade over time.