Posts by rowdylynx17

Maria Fisher46 said:Dear lady,

Given the symptoms you described and those specific urine test results, it’s possible you might be dealing with a mild inflammation or perhaps a minor infection.

I really hope you've reached out to your doctor and managed to get everything sorted out.

Best regards. 🙂

I haven't actually called my doctor yet because when I went to pick up the results, they told me everything looked fine ("according to them," 🙂). That's honestly why I decided to ask for help here on the forum—I was hoping for a slightly more detailed breakdown of what the numbers actually mean. In the meantime, I guess my symptoms have eased up a bit, though I am still feeling this slight stinging sensation. Do you think I should go ahead and get a urine culture done?

Hello!

Could someone please help me make sense of these urinalysis results?
The nurse at the clinic told me the results weren't bad when I asked if everything was okay... but then she said they were fine "by their standards," which just left me feeling totally confused.😕
By whose standards, though? The lab technicians who processed the samples?

Proteins neg. units 0-3 ref. intervals 0
Blood 0-3 ref. intervals 0
Glucose 0-3 ref. intervals 0
Methylketones 0-3 ref. intervals 0
Urobilinogen 0-3 ref. intervals 1
Bilirubin 0-3 ref. intervals 0
Nitrites 0-3 ref. intervals 0
Leukocytes 0-3 ref. intervals 0

SEDIMENT 4-6 leukocytes
1-3 Erythrocytes
slight mucus
rare bacteria

If the reference intervals are listed as 0, then what on earth does "0-3" actually mean?! And what about this "1" for urobilinogen?

And what about the presence of leukocytes and erythrocytes in my urine?

I'm 35 years old, and I had this test done because I've been feeling this weird discomfort in my bladder—especially when it's full. It's like this dull ache that isn't quite pain, plus a slight stinging sensation when I go to the bathroom.

I'm hoping for a quick response. Thanks so much in advance.

Hi there!

Maybe someone could help me make sense of these results? I haven't really encountered anything quite like this before...

Throughout my life, I've struggled with anemia quite often. My red blood cell counts would be low, my Hemoglobin was usually low, and my ferritin was either low or just barely hovering at the limit. Usually, I'd just take some Feosol for a few months and call it a day.

During my pregnancy, I was taking two tablets a day—since my initial tests showed that same old anemia—along with a prenatal vitamin. Even then, my levels were right on the edge before delivery, and actually, after giving birth, I had to receive a blood transfusion because I kept passing out.

After the baby was born, I stayed on the Feosol for a while. Three months postpartum, I had more blood work done and everything looked fine, so I stopped the iron supplements (E 4.2, hemoglobin 130, iron 15.4, UIBC 40.1, TIBC 55.5)

But recently, I've started feeling pretty lousy. I feel weak, dizzy, and just generally exhausted. So, I went ahead and got my blood drawn again this morning to see what's going on (my baby is 13 months old now, so I definitely haven't taken any iron for about 10 months) and here are the results:

red blood cells 4.29
hemoglobin 131
ferritin 19

but on the other hand,

iron 30.2 (normal range is 8-30)
UIBC 10 L (26-59)
TIBC 40 L (49-75)

What does it mean when the iron is elevated like this while the UIBC and TIBC are both low?

Thank you !!!!

My psychiatrist keeps telling me that the more I obsess over my inability to relax—how I just can't seem to function when it comes to winding down—the harder it becomes. It’s like I’m stuck in this loop where I'm hyper-focused on my own lack of relaxation, which basically means I'm just sabotaging myself...🙄
I suppose it has to be something more instinctive or hormonal. If I spend all my time trying to rationalize it or overthink the mechanics of it, then none of that really helps...
So, right now, I'm just trying my best to stop thinking about it. I've been sipping on some St. John's Wort tea, and I'm planning on picking up some ginseng soon. That's pretty much my whole strategy...
Mind you, I don't take Lexapro, so my aunt can't just tell me, "Oh, just turn your brain off." But honestly, how am I even supposed to do that?🤷
Anyway, that was essentially where we left things during our last session.🙂

I previously mentioned St. John's Wort tea, which acts as a mild antidepressant.
Regarding boosting libido in women, according to the book "Walgreens" by James A. Duke, these might help:
damiana tea
Chinese angelica (dang quai)
kebraço
yohimbe
anise
chocolate
kola
horny goat weed
fennel
fenugreek
ginger
parsley
saw palmetto
wild yam
various essential oils (like sage, jasmine, or rose, though those are strictly for external use).

I've also heard that ginseng and noni can be helpful, too.

I saw my doctor this morning, and she mentioned we're really just scratching the surface right now. Apparently, there’s still quite a long road ahead of us. For the time being, she isn't recommending any medication—just talk therapy.
So, I've decided to try using St. John's Wort. My plan is to have one cup of tea twice a day (I'll just steep 1-2 teaspoons of the dried herb in boiling water for about 10 minutes) and stick with it for maybe 4 to 6 weeks.
From what I've read, St. John's Wort is supposed to help with milder cases of depression.
Of course, you aren't allowed to take it if you're already on antidepressants.
Anyway, thanks so much for all the advice you've given me.
I also heard there are certain teas that can boost libido... but honestly, who knows? We'll just see how things go, I guess...
Best,

She didn't actually put me on Lexapro or anything; we were just having a conversation about it... I guess it's still a bit too early to make a call like that.
I just want to stay informed and really weigh all my options...

Hi everyone!

I have a few questions for those of you who have experience with antidepressants, or even if you haven't taken them but might know something about what I'm going through.
I recently started seeing a psychiatrist—I’ve been twice now, and tomorrow will be my third visit. So far, everything seems fine; I feel like I have really good communication with my doctor.
It isn't a massive issue, at least that's how I see it right now. For the time being, the diagnosis is just mild anxious depression or something along those lines. I won't go into every single symptom right now...
The main reason I decided to seek professional help is sexual dysfunction. Basically, my libido is extremely low; I just don't have much sexual desire (I mean, I do have it, but it's very weak and happens rarely), and while I can reach orgasm, I have issues during intercourse (I just realized it might be important to mention that I am female 🙂).
I have a boyfriend and we get along great, but naturally, disagreements and tension arise because he has a normal sex drive and all that...
Anyway, I've been discussing the possibility of starting antidepressants with my doctor. I'm open to the idea and I'm not afraid of it, but there is one thing that is really bothering me.
First, will the antidepressant have a sedative effect? I don't actually have trouble sleeping; in fact, I feel overly tired during the day and seem to need a ton of energy just to handle basic tasks that shouldn't require that much effort. I really wouldn't want this to make me feel even more "slowed down" than I already am.
Second, I've read in several places that antidepressants cause sexual dysfunction—that they actually trigger it?!😲 Like, they decrease sexual desire?
Well, that is the last thing I need, so what would even be the point then?
It is mentioned that duloxetine and antidepressants that don't affect serotonin neurotransmission have the lowest impact on sexual dysfunction, whereas tricyclics, SSRIs, and venlafaxine are the ones most likely to cause issues?
I'm planning to discuss all of this with my doctor tomorrow, but I was wondering what your opinions and experiences are?
What actually happens to your libido when you take antidepressants? What happened in your case?