Posts by Scott Howard74

crimsonviper14 said:Target carries leggings in larger sizes, so I'm guessing they might be longer too. I wear a size 18/20, I'm about 5'10", and they work fine. Though, honestly, I just wear them under pants in the winter with socks, so I don't really know if they'd feel too short if I wore them on their own... maybe.

What's the damage at Lidl though? Like, what's the price tag?

wiredotter12 said:Thanks for the feedback, first of all. But sorry, I suspect my initial issue was likely a primary infection from some kind of pathogen. I don't know which one—I haven't run tests for things like strep, Lyme, Yersinia, Ureaplasma, or anything else, so I have no idea. That’s why I dealt with nasty discharge for weeks back in late 2013. I took antibiotics then, but maybe too late or not enough Augmentin, and now my immune system has overreacted. It’s producing something that's attacking my joints because it mistakenly thinks the pathogen is still there (starting with my elbow, then both elbows, and now mostly my knees and ankles).
My blood and urine tests have come back normal twice now. 🤷

Now I get occasional dizzy spells, and my leg muscles ache like I just ran a marathon. I also feel like my knees are severely swollen, even though they don't look it. I just apply some topical cream and take one Tylenol at night.
None of this feels sufficient. It feels like the actual cause hasn't been found or eradicated. I'm no doctor, but I strongly suspect a lingering pathogen, and that requires antibiotics, which I am currently not taking. 😕

The rheumatologist only looked at my X-rays, physical symptoms, and blood/urine work. He did NOT order any tests for potential pathogens that trigger reactive arthritis. 🤷
It's what keeps bothering me: the idea that I still have an infection, I'm not taking antibiotics, and my body is still attacking my joints because it thinks the threat is still present. 😠

Does anyone know who can order specific testing? Maybe an infectious disease specialist in a major US city like Chicago or New York? And specifically, what tests should I ask for to rule out a bacterial cause?

If I still have an infection, waiting three months without antibiotics sounds like a disaster, doesn't it? 🤷

Look, just read this. To you, it might look even more messed up than it actually is, but if your rheumatologist already scheduled you for a follow-up in three months, then don't go doubting them. Just trust the process.

Look, Reiter's syndrome is this absolute nightmare of a chronic inflammatory disease that just pops up whenever it feels like it. It doesn't just mess with your joints—though it usually starts its rampage in your knees, feet, or ankles—it hits you everywhere else too. We're talking the urethra and even your eyes, where you can get hit with nasty conjunctivitis. Honestly, it’s most common in guys between 20 and 40 who’ve dealt with an STI, and if you've got the genetic predisposition linked to HLA-B27, you're basically sitting ducks. It's just one of those things.
So, look, Reiter's syndrome is also called reactive arthritis, and honestly, it totally makes sense why. It’s basically just your body throwing a massive, global temper tantrum because of an infection somewhere else entirely—like, your joints are just collateral damage in some other part of your body's war zone.
So, what are we actually looking at here? Causes and symptoms. It’s never straightforward, is it? One minute you think you just pulled a muscle or caught a nasty bug, and the next, you're staring down a whole laundry list of issues that make zero sense. It’s a total mess. Honestly, trying to pin down why things go sideways is like chasing ghosts. You think you have it figured out, then some new symptom pops up out of nowhere and ruins your entire week. It's exhausting. Just one thing after another.
Look, this whole thing basically boils down to your body just totally freaking out over an infection. It’s like your immune system loses its mind after you catch something—could be an STD, could be some nasty gut infection, doesn't really matter. It just goes haywire. You end up dealing with a nasty case of urethritis, your eyes get all red and inflamed, and then the joint pain hits. We're talking real misery here—swollen, aching joints, usually hitting the knees or the toes, and that sharp, stabbing pain where your tendons meet the bone, like in your heels. It's a mess.
So, I was digging through some new research, and get this—it turns out microorganisms are basically pulling the strings behind rheumatoid arthritis and all those other rheumatic messes in chimps, rats, pigs, poultry, and all sorts of livestock. It’s everywhere. Turns out two of the biggest culprits are Mycoplasma and Chlamydia. We're talking about parasitic bacteria that trigger Reiter's syndrome in the connective tissue of people who already have the genetic predisposition for it. Crazy stuff.
When you've got this weird mix of joint pain, issues with your private parts, urinary problems, skin rashes, and red eyes, any doctor worth their salt is gonna start looking at Reiter's syndrome. The thing is, these symptoms don't always hit you all at once, so you could be wandering around totally clueless for months while the disease flies under the radar. Plus, there isn't some magic, easy blood test that just screams "Bingo! It's Reiter's."
So, what can you actually do about it?
Usually, they throw antibiotics at the infection to kill it off, and cranking up the NSAIDs can help dial down the joint pain and inflammation to a manageable level. Even though most people pull through, those nasty arthritis symptoms can flare up and vanish for years on end. Just when you think you're in the clear, boom—there it is again.

wiredotter12 said:Greetings, here is the update...

Five months ago, I dealt with a severe, long-lasting respiratory issue. It involved heavy nasal and oral congestion. After two or three weeks, I finished a course of Augmentin, and that finally cleared things up.

A few weeks later, my left elbow started killing me. Over the next couple of weeks, the pain intensified, spreading through my upper arm, forearm, and hand. It got so bad I was practically useless with that arm for weeks. My GP prescribed Advil (one 600mg tablet daily) and some Aspercrem, but after just a few days, the pain started creeping into my right arm, my neck, and my cervical spine too.

My GP bumped my Advil up to 600mg three times a day, but it trashed my stomach. I scaled it back to twice a day and just used Aspercrem on top of it, but that didn't do much either.

Two months ago, my left fingers started tingling. Now the numbness has spread to my feet, along with this strange sensation in my legs. The pain is migrating.
I called my father. He went through something similar decades ago—lasted a few months. He’s HLA-B27 positive, and Indomethacin was what actually helped him.
I started on Indomethacin 50 mg / 3 x myself. It provided some relief for about two or three weeks, but after a brief break, I couldn't touch it again. Every time I took it, the dizziness was unbearable—lasting three to four hours. Now, I just use Aspercrem twice a day on my knees, elbows, ankles, and hands.

I've switched to taking only Tylenol at night before bed, but now the pain has migrated from my elbows down to my knees and ankles. For the last two months, I’ve felt like I ran a marathon every single day despite doing nothing. My knees feel heavily swollen, even though there's no visible swelling. I'm still applying Gavex cream twice a day to my knees, elbows, ankles, and arms.

I’m dealing with occasional sharp, stabbing pains in my upper arms now, along with a sense of weakness and slight numbness. My knees feel almost constantly swollen; walking feels like I just finished running a marathon. On top of that, I've been getting nasty bouts of dizziness, especially over the last few days.

I just saw the rheumatologist. He says my symptoms point toward possible reactive arthritis. 😕 Labs are normal, X-rays look fine, urine tests are good, and stool samples should be okay too. I’m hoping it’s just hemorrhoids acting up. Right now, I'm only taking Tylenol at night before bed—avoiding NSAIDs entirely. I am still using Gavez cream twice a day on my knees, elbows, ankles, and arms.
The dizziness has ramped up again over the last few days. My knees feel even more swollen than usual, and walking feels like I just finished a marathon. 26 miles Marathon training. Also, I’ve been dealing with some nasty bouts of dizziness lately—especially over the last couple of days.

Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms? What do you recommend?

My rheumatologist wants me back for a follow-up in three months and ordered an HLA-B27 test. To be honest, I’m skeptical about the whole thing, and I've been feeling pretty lousy lately.

Thanks

Those three months will fly by, just do what they told you to do.

http://www.timarco.com/prodimage/26189huge.jpg

Honestly, I use these kinds of things and I'm totally stoked with them.

wiredotter12 said:I have a rheumatologist appointment next week...
By the way, some strange spots appeared on my left shin. Check the photos...

image 1
image 2
image 3
image 4
...has anyone else dealt with something similar?

Nah, looks more like some kind of rash or maybe you're allergic to sweat or laundry detergent🤷

Susan Anderson33 said:Exactly.

I see all kinds of fashion statements out on the streets every single day—doesn't matter how old or young they are—but honestly, it’s fine. To each their own, right?

It’s definitely NOT "normal" when everyone you pass is literally cracking up at them. Look, I get it, you can't debate taste, but there are plenty of gorgeous girls who actually know how to dress to highlight their best features and hide the rest. Nobody’s perfect, not even those skinny types😉, and certainly not me😁

honestly, people are seriously out here disrespecting fashion, with maybe one or two exceptions😉

like, do these girls even own a mirror at home? seriously: 🙂
look, I’m not attacking anyone specifically, but maybe try wearing some actual clothes to cover your backside for once🤷
or those ones in mini skirts—I mean, they’re just small, round little things, and then you throw on high heels? yikes, just... yikes.

Jeremy Cox49 said:They’re thick—just like my legs—not exactly a feast for the eyes, if you catch my drift.
I can handle the heat just fine, but the cold? It absolutely kills me. My thyroid issues have basically "fine-tuned" my internal thermostat to be a total disaster. 😳

Look, it’s all just your own teeth doing the talking anyway, so don't even sweat it. Honestly? It’s way better seeing a woman with some actual curves in a sleeveless top than someone squeezed into tight leggings. At least that way, you know what you're looking at. Regardless.🤷😉

Jeremy Cox49 said:I spent some time scrolling through their site—they've got some decent stuff, honestly. Though, they could definitely beef up the selection; feels a little thin compared to other shops out there.

I'm digging both your picks. Still, I'm hunting for something with longer sleeves—trying to keep my arms covered. 😳

Why the hell are you hiding your arms? It's freaking boiling outside! Honestly, does it even matter if people see or not? If I had the guts, I'd be walking around in nothing but a bikini.🤣🤣 🤣

wiredotter12 said:Update... blood work, urine, CRP, and ESR all came back normal. But during the day, I'm dealing with pain in my fingers, hands, legs, knees, elbows, shoulders, upper arm muscles, and ankle joints...

Anyone experiencing similar symptoms or have any clue what's going on?
I have a rheumatologist appointment in 2 weeks...

THNX!

Honestly, your best bet is just to talk to the rheumatologist. If they need to admit you to the hospital for more testing to figure out what's actually happening, let them. Just give us an update once you've seen the doc.

Susan Thomas69 said:I see so many people ordering everything online these days, but personally, I just don't have the nerve for it. If I can't actually feel the fabric—not to mention check if the fit is right—I simply wouldn't dare. I used to shop with Neckermann occasionally, but really only because they were a local staple and offered free returns. I eventually realized their sizing ran much larger than our standard American sizes, so I ended up returning things quite frequently, which felt like such a waste of time. Honestly, I just don't trust international shipping or the return process; even with domestic brands, it feels like it takes forever, and I really don't have the patience for that.

I would love to hear some recommendations for spots in the city where one might find a decent piece of clothing in an XLL size... perhaps it would be a good idea to start a dedicated thread for online XXL clothing shopping as its own separate discussion...?

As for the Lady XXL boutique, there isn't much left in black... they have some cotton tees, maybe a few short-sleeved blazers, and mostly pants in the larger sizes, starting from a US 18 or 20 and up...

Check out the discount department store over on Main Street; they’ve got XXL for both men and women, and they just marked everything down.🙂

Nicholas Fisher2 said:Where on earth did this black dress come from!!?
It is absolutely gorgeous!

http://haljinezamaturu.info/haljina-...unije-devojke/

Look, I’m definitely built like a pear—weak up top, but the stomach and hips? Yeah, they're definitely there.🤣🤣
But hey, I’m rocking a US size 16, so what can you do?

Linda Johnson15 said:http://plusmodel.uberflip.com/i/252712/115

Check out Plus magazine...

Take a look, enjoy the read, and see all the gorgeous new outfits waiting for us.🙂

this is killer

bluecobra7 said:Yeah, they actually have an online shop on this site that ships right to your door.

thanks, you ever actually tried ordering from them?

bluecobra7 said:I heard hemp oil is amazing for easing symptoms and giving your immune system a boost.

http://www.superfood-wellness.com/health...skin-issues

Wait, so can you actually find that stuff in stores?

Ugh, okay, so my fingers are totally locking up on me in the morning. Like, seriously, I can barely even move them without feeling like they're stuck in cement. It’s such a drag. Anyone else dealing with this crap? Please tell me I'm not the only one. How are you guys actually handling this?????????

Andrew Kelly said:I have it too. I take Salazopyrin and some Voltaren when things get bad—I was officially diagnosed earlier this year. It first showed up in my index finger on my right hand, and it's actually warped it quite a bit; I can't even move it properly anymore. It's also hitting my sacroiliac joints in my hips. Luckily, I'm in a bit of a good phase right now... though I am only in my twenties.

Well, I finally got my official Psoriatic Arthritis diagnosis too. Honestly, you can't really see it from the outside, but man, it's wrecking me from the inside. Just got back from a trip out to Napa to see Dr. Jajić—spent 14 days straight doing all sorts of tests. Now I'm just stuck on Salazopyrin and Voltaren, waiting for my six-month follow-up.

crimsonviper14 said:If you're a tall girl with long legs, I might have a tip for you. I wear a size 13, which—let’s be honest—makes finding shoes a total nightmare unless I get lucky. For the last few years, I’ve been sticking to Rieker because they were basically the only option in my hometown that actually carried my size. A size 13 from Deichmann? Forget it. They're too narrow and uncomfortable; nothing ever fit right there. But...
Since I discovered Skechers, my life has changed. They’re incredibly comfortable, and a size 12 fits like a glove. I mentioned this in the sales thread recently, but I ended up grabbing nine pairs this past weekend at the mall when the Skechers store was closing down. I snagged five pairs of boots for anywhere between $134 and $77, most of them for about a quarter of the retail price. It’s Wednesday, and I’ve been wearing different pairs to work every single day since; no blisters, no pain, even though it's my first time wearing them. Not to brag, but all the girls at my job are totally jealous that I walked in with five new pairs of stylish, affordable boots. Honestly, they're the only shoes I wear now.
Before this haul, I picked up two pairs at the Skechers in Avenue Mall back in August for 50% off. I am obsessed with this brand, so if you have larger feet, I highly recommend them. I guess their sizing runs bigger because they're an American company, and Americans tend to be built a bit larger than, say, Italians. When I look at an Italian size 12, it feels more like a standard US size 9...

Thanks for the tip. I’m a size 12 myself, and I always lose my mind trying to find anything that actually fits my feet and my size properly.😉

Carl Walker79 said:That’s exactly why I mentioned this stock is from the end of the album run. If $13 is too much for an M&S shirt or whatever, feel free to keep shopping at the local corner store. I don't comment on other people's prices, so please leave mine alone. Peace.

Look, I’m telling you, that stuff from the second shop? It isn't some cheap knockoff made in China. It’s actually sourced from Europe. You can find a ton of decent, affordable gear there—and most of it is straight-up brand new, too. Seriously.🤷