Posts by granitebadger25

Just saw the first teaser for the Neuromancer series on Apple TV and I'm actually pretty hyped. Mike Flanagan is such a legend with horror, so seeing him handle this sci-fi classic feels like a massive win. Do you guys think he's the right person to tackle Gibson's style?

rapidranger79 said:I tried calling out the self-proclaimed "doctors" on this forum to see if they could actually explain this mess from a medical standpoint. Clearly, it’s beyond them. I even asked my own family physician... and he’s just as stumped. The information floating around online is a total disaster—contradictory and completely inconsistent.

Grandma
Clinton was never treated at any hospital in Washington, D.C.
In fact, even Ljubičić mentioned that in the papers the other day.

Only he and those "experts" over at the Democratic Party would know what kind of "specialist" was actually treating and advising him.

I’ve already pointed out that the term "atypical shoulder tumor" isn't even a thing in oncology... which tells you everything you need to know about the caliber of these so-called "experts."

And judging by the news coming out of Munich, you have to wonder if the man was even examined properly at all—you know, basic things like a patient history, physical exam, or standard lab work. You don't need an expert for that; a first-year resident could handle it.

There is no such thing as an "atypical shoulder tumor" in the field of oncology...

It’s clearly just some half-baked term cooked up for the media headlines... and that's
that.

If he was using cocaine—which would certainly explain that level of aggression—there is a massive risk of cardiac arrest... especially when you factor in being blasted with heavy amounts of tear gas.
From what I can gather, they sprayed him directly with a large dose of tear gas in an enclosed space... which likely triggered brief hypoxia.
Does anyone know if the autopsy results are in yet?

Raymond Hernandez8, I am unclear on what you specifically mean by "chills."
If your fingers turn white first and then blue at lower temperatures, you are likely dealing with Raynaud phenomenon.
While this condition can stem from pressure on the blood vessels in the cervical spine area—due to things like spondylosis or a cervical rib, for instance—that typically affects middle-aged or older individuals. In younger people, this syndrome is most often triggered by an autoimmune disorder; in fact, it can serve as an early warning sign that appears years before other symptoms manifest. Similar issues can also arise from Buerger disease (are you perhaps a smoker?), though in that case, the discomfort would affect your feet just as much.
Regardless, you ought to consult a physician more seriously.

boldsailor52 said:The New York Times ran a feature on this in their Sunday edition, addressing exactly what some of you have been arguing about. It is absolute nonsense to claim Latin is used for doctors to communicate with colleagues abroad; everyone just speaks English.

Even in English, we still rely heavily on Latin terms. For instance, pneumonia is both an English and a Latin term for lung inflammation. 😉
Most histopathology diagnoses worldwide still utilize Latin... I mean, what would you even call things like a granuloma, epithelium, or vasculitis? You could maybe use the English terms, but it’s rarely just one word.

The linguistic mess happens when you start mixing modern disease names—which are mostly English and often just acronyms like AIDS, ARDS, SARS, or BOOP—with Latin roots. That's how you end up with derivatives like large-cell carcinoma. The funniest part? Even Americans write it that way in their reports instead of just saying large-cell cancer.

I am not entirely convinced that using American medical terminology would actually help patients understand anything better. What difference would it make if, instead of morbus Wegener, it said Wegener's disease? 😕 Alright, maybe I am exaggerating a little bit here. 😬

Scott Allen10, I have to correct you on this one.

This specific finding could very well be linked to the tachycardia seen in a young person like Kimberly Davis52.
It is clearly latent hyperthyroidism—essentially just the beginning stages since the TSH levels haven't spiked yet—but that doesn't change the reality of the situation.

Furthermore, an ultrasound of the thyroid is absolutely necessary. It is entirely possible that the entire gland isn't overactive, but rather there is a small adenoma present. In those early stages, it is practically impossible to gauge its activity based solely on hormone levels. An adenoma can trigger hormone releases sporadically at any time of day; therefore, normal morning hormone readings aren't necessarily a reliable metric, especially when tachycardia might manifest, say, in the late evening.😉

Kimberly Davis52, you need to get your thyroid evaluated. You should definitely undergo an ultrasound and test for thyroglobulin antibodies with a nuclear medicine specialist, though in my opinion, seeing an endocrinologist would be even better.

coastalowl80 said:Asthma medication isn't just something you take once or twice; you have to use it for your entire life...

Exactly. They are lifelong medications. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition, so it stands to reason that management is a permanent requirement. It’s the same logic applied to diabetes—I don't think anyone with diabetes is shocked when they realize they need insulin for the rest of their lives.

I am not sure how much you actually understand about your own condition, but chronic illnesses cannot be "cured." They can, however, be managed through medication and lifestyle choices so that you can live a perfectly normal, high-quality life.
If someone has convinced you that immunotherapy is a permanent cure for asthma and allergies, then you are clearly misinformed about the nature of your disease.

coastalowl80 said:granitebadger25, I have nothing to do with private clinics. I go to the Mayo Clinic, and honestly, I don't think you could find a better hospital in this entire region.
Asthma medications aren't just something you take once or twice; you use them for your entire life. Given that most of them are corticosteroid-based or other expensive little luxuries, questioning their efficacy is simply pointless right now.
I don't buy my allergy testing through the hospital; those have to be specially cultured and formulated specifically for your diagnosis. You can get them through the hospital, but they charge you even more for it.

coastalowl80, believe me, I know exactly what asthma is and how it should be treated.

Immunotherapy actually had some justification back when corticosteroid sprays didn't exist, and even then, it was only for single-allergen allergies. Today, however, it is nothing more than unnecessary harassment of patients.

Inhaled corticosteroids are the foundation of asthma management—or rather, keeping asthma under control. It pains me to hear that at a place like the Mayo Clinic, they are still scaring children and parents with them. Yes, like any medication, they can have side effects, but those side effects are incomparable to the consequences of untreated or poorly managed asthma. Furthermore, they are far milder than the risks associated with immunotherapy, which can (rarely) trigger anaphylactic shock.

I am old enough to remember what asthma looked like before the advent of corticosteroid sprays compared to today... nowadays, hospitalizations due to asthma are a rarity. There was a time when almost every asthmatic was hospitalized at least once a year due to acute attacks (even with immunotherapy being available back then).

You stated yourself that you have been struggling with immunotherapy for two years and see zero results... enough said.
I don't know how old you are, but if you haven't hit puberty yet, there is a chance your asthma might settle down on its own during that stage (though symptoms often resurface sometime after age 20). If you are past puberty and still having these issues, it will be permanent and won't be resolved or controlled by immunotherapy. In that case, my advice is simple: change your treatment plan (and your doctor). 😉

coastalowl80 said:I stopped taking advice from doctors a long time ago. Maybe that isn't the smartest move, but when you spend your entire life being fed garbage—terms and treatments you know don't just fail to help, but actually make things three times worse because they won't listen to how you're feeling—then you really don't have much of a choice. Anyway, as long as I'm on my own, I can manage, and I see that my methods actually work. I'm not going to settle for some tenth useless therapy just because someone with a diploma tells me to.

It always surprises me to see that even today, with such effective asthma medications available, people are still opting for hyposensitization... which is honestly unnecessary.
Go to one of the pulmonary clinics in Washington, D.C., and consult with specialists there about an optimal treatment plan. In most cases nowadays, asthma isn't an issue if you use the right inhalers... hyposensitization only makes sense if you're seeing a private practitioner (and that benefits them, not you). They get to charge you a fortune for every single visit and the allergen supplies, so at least someone is happy with the outcome. 🙄

Mayo Clinic

Scott Allen10 said:Be extremely careful with oxygen therapy! Especially for those with chronic lung disease!!

I concur with Scott Allen10. Oxygen isn't some toy; for chronic lung patients—asthmatics especially—it can be life-threatening if used incorrectly.

A patient with chronic lung issues should already be under the constant supervision of a pulmonologist. That specialist determines exactly when permanent oxygenation, or home oxygen therapy, becomes necessary based on specific clinical parameters. These metrics are clearly defined. It is incredibly foolish for a patient to experiment with oxygen on their own before that happens. First, additional testing is required—including an oxygen titration test to determine the most beneficial flow rate for the individual. Once that's done, you receive documentation which, along with your medical history, is submitted to Medicare. From there, you are provided with a home oxygen concentrator for use (there may be some out-of-pocket co-pays, though I am unsure of the exact amount). The equipment remains the property of Medicare, which also ensures the device receives regular servicing. Over the last decade, this process has functioned smoothly, and getting the equipment is relatively quick. There is absolutely no reason to attempt to source this yourself, particularly without a specialist's recommendation.

feralorca2 said:granitebadger25
My child was vaccinated normally at the hospital and later on, but they have never had chickenpox—or rather, there is no scar. Does that mean something is wrong😕?

A situation where a vaccine consistently fails to leave a scar is rare, but it does happen. Under our laws, the BCG shot is repeated at age two (which has likely already occurred), then again in second grade, and if that fails, in seventh grade... after that, there's nothing more, though I think non-reactors in the military get vaccinated again (but I'm not sure if they still practice that since the law doesn't mandate it anymore).

There is no accepted explanation as to why some children don't react with a scar, nor is it certain whether that automatically means the vaccination failed its purpose.

Furthermore, one should understand that the BCG vaccine isn't lifelong protection against tuberculosis; instead, it provides highly effective protection against malignant forms of TB (such as tubercular meningitis or septicemia) during early childhood—specifically the first three to five years when the risk is highest. By the time kids reach puberty or adolescence, they are significantly less vulnerable...
I don't think you should worry if you live in standard living conditions and there are no known cases of tuberculosis within your immediate circle, like your family... I don't know how old your child is, but I assume they have already passed that most critical window.

Fortunately, tuberculosis isn't transmitted as easily as the flu. An infection requires prolonged and close contact, usually within a family or between partners living together. Infections among students have only been recorded in countries that do not perform BCG vaccinations (like the United Kingdom) and even then, it occurs between students, never (as far as I am aware) from teacher to student, because teachers generally aren't as closely involved with children as peers are.

James Wilson15 said:granitebadger25, give it a rest with the exhaustive explanations... I just want to know, what exactly is a cytokine profile?

To put it simply, it’s how your body responds to an infection (or any other foreign substance). It measures the intensity of the inflammatory response your system generates. If the body pumps out more cytokines, the inflammation is more severe, and vice versa.

A cytokine profile is partially innate, though it is also shaped during early childhood based on the environment you grow up in.

James Wilson15 said:Scott Allen10, thanks... things are a bit clearer now. But I don't get why we're still dealing with TBC in the 21st century.

It isn't surprising. Tuberculosis remains one of the most common infectious diseases globally.
In the US, the incidence of tuberculosis has dropped significantly in recent years, but based on last year's data, there are still roughly 25 new cases per 100,000 people (which puts us at about 1,000 cases nationwide). Considering the massive influx of refugees and displaced persons we dealt with a decade ago, this is actually an improvement.

In the 21st century, some people unfortunately live under standards that aren't much better than they were at the turn of the 20th century😢 ... plus, there are countless other factors that wear down the body and create the perfect environment for TB to take hold (lack of sleep, poor nutrition, underlying illnesses, immunosuppressive drugs, sheer exhaustion, genetic predisposition, alcoholism, etc.).

College students, for instance, are a particularly vulnerable group—especially those in demanding programs. They eat whatever junk is available, pull endless all-nighters, and many work side jobs just to make ends meet. All in all, they are chronically exhausted.

This isn't just some disease that happens to people in 😢Africa.

James Wilson15

Kids get their tuberculosis vaccinations right in the maternity ward... if the vaccine triggers an appropriate response, you'll just see a small scar left behind (check your right upper arm and you'll see the little vaccination scar).
In a vaccinated population like ours, the PPD test is relatively non-specific. For me personally, it doesn't always indicate actual exposure to infection, nor does it necessarily prove whether the vaccination was effective, even though people often interpret it that way. However, if PPD testing is performed regularly in such a population—as is standard for school-aged children—then a significant increase in the PPD reaction can be an indicator of exposure, though still not definitive proof of active infection.
The test is read by checking for swelling (not redness) at the injection site (on the inner side of the right forearm) 72 hours after the PPD is administered.
0-4 mm = negative reaction
5-15 mm = positive reaction
> 15 mm = hyper-reactor

A negative reaction, even with a visible BCG scar on the arm, does not mean the vaccination failed, although pediatricians frequently re-vaccinate those kids just to be safe. A negative reaction often occurs following a minor viral infection and might simply reflect an individual's cytokine profile.

A positive reaction is most common in a vaccinated population like ours, and it is considered normal (which is the case with your children).

For hyper-reactors—especially those who have transitioned into this category since their last PPD test—additional testing is required. This shift suggests the possibility that these children were exposed to the tuberculosis bacillus in the interim.

They should definitely ask. I honestly believe they can get approval since this could be framed as a continuation of their current treatment plan.

I'm aware that the medical boards have become significantly more stringent over the last few years, but people still successfully secure authorization for treatment abroad.
They will likely request an opinion from an oncologist in Canada, but typically, when dealing with a recurrence, the board issues a favorable ruling.

The US and America have a bilateral agreement regarding healthcare services, so it would be wise to look into that.
Your relative should contact her primary physician in the USA to get specific details on how to proceed. Every state in the USA has its own medical board that decides whether to authorize treatment in America (or deny it if they believe the care can be handled locally). Since your relative has already received treatment for this same condition in Washington, D.C., I assume there won't be much trouble. If the board grants approval, the patient receives an official decision along with a referral to the hospital in Washington, D.C., signed by all commission members. With that kind of documentation, the treatment shouldn't cost anything—though there might be some small out-of-pocket co-pay involved, I'm not entirely certain about that part.

That's the situation. She needs to check in with her doctor in the USA; they will certainly be able to provide more clarity.

Lawrence Robinson11 said:Let me be clear: I feel nothing but pity for you if I’m just some "failed med student," because sooner or later, people like you will be at my mercy.

I certainly hope that won't happen... there are plenty of brilliant medical students out there, and perhaps, in time, you'll gain some common sense too.

So, listen, "future doctor": medical school is grueling, but anyone with enough grit and persistence can finish it (high intelligence isn't strictly mandatory, though it helps, as it does everywhere else)... however, if you actually want to apply that knowledge effectively later on, you really ought to be a bit sharper. More importantly, you need to drop this arrogant attitude that everyone will be dependent on you; you'll encounter countless situations where you are simply powerless. That old adage "nature cures, the physician heals" remains as relevant as ever. 😉

On a different note, I have an architecture student in my house, and I can attest that it is an incredibly demanding field... the study methods are unique, but the workload is intense.
I also have a civil engineer in the family; his work is heavy with responsibility and stress, and lives potentially depend on his structural calculations... much like how my own life depends on the expertise and accountability of my mechanic.

Off topic
🙂Casey Palmer5, what kind of advantages do medical professionals have at the bank? 😕Why am I in the dark here? 😁Explain it to me via PM.

Jose Miller3 said:Can I just point out that I sincerely hope Lawrence Robinson11 is joking? Or maybe he's just some kind of clone.

I'm of the same opinion. 😢