Posts by Angela Wright

shadowhound82 said:Here’s the situation.
I went in for thyroid testing, and because of some symptoms I was having, my doctor sent me over to a gastroenterologist.
After a gastroscopy, the doctor told me I had H. pylori, so I was treated with Nexium, Amoxicillin, Prozac, and Buscopan as needed.
On top of all that, I was taking Synthroid for my thyroid.
The second time around, my results and stool samples came back normal. So, I stayed on just the Nexium.

My first thyroid panel showed T3 at 2.2, T4 at 87.1 (is that too high? I'm just copying from the report), and TSH at 7.7. I was treating it with Synthroid, but yesterday I got new labs back and my TSH is now a normal 2.77.
The thing is, I've been dealing with dizziness for two days now, though the nausea has stopped. Now my whole body feels tingly, and last night the tingling woke me up—especially in my face, lips, and I had numbness in my tongue. 😕😕

Would it be smart to get an X-ray of my neck, maybe a CT scan, or a CBC? I honestly don't know what to do anymore.
Just a heads up, my neck imaging did show some scoliosis and lordosis.

Thanks 😢

Go look in the mirror. Does one side of your face or the corner of your mouth look more droopy than the other? Try making a smiling face and see if both sides contract equally or if one side is weaker.
If that's the case, don't sit around waiting—get yourself to an emergency neurology clinic immediately. The symptoms you're describing are alarming enough to warrant an urgent neurological evaluation on their own. Regardless, you need to see a neurologist.

Real change kicks off with one tiny step. It’s just like knocking over that first domino and watching the whole chain reaction unfold into something massive. You’ve got to give life a chance to actually take you where you intended to go. Get out there, meet new people, and actually hang out with them. New connections are how you stumble upon fresh ideas and unexpected opportunities, whether you're looking for a career jump or finding someone special.
Good luck!

Gregory Lopez7 said:1. Where can I pick this up?
How do you use it?

You can pick it up at any local pharmacy or health food store that carries sports supplements.
Think of it this way: you’re looking at grape sugar—basically high-glycemic glucose—which means it hits your bloodstream like a freight train. Honestly, unless you're an athlete burning through massive amounts of fuel during a heavy workout, slamming this stuff isn't the brightest move. If you aren't using that energy immediately, your liver is just going to convert it into triglycerides, which translates to body fat stored away for "later." Athletes typically use it right after training as a post-workout supplement to spike insulin levels—which acts like a delivery truck bringing amino acids into your muscle cells—while simultaneously replenishing the glycogen stores you drained during your session.

Megan Williams6 said:Yeah, easy for you to say when we don't even have a final diagnosis yet. I am absolutely not doing that biopsy right now. I went to Mercy Hospital today and they won't take me—everyone keeps sending me over to Šalat—but if I actually make it there, they say I have to go under the knife immediately. One doctor told me they want to do the biopsy during the actual surgery. But what if it isn't a sarcoma? They cut you open, tear everything out, and it turns out it wasn't even necessary... then you're just done. First and foremost, I want to see the cytology results from a biopsy. I want a definitive diagnosis after seven months of waiting. Where is a person supposed to go and pay for that? We already went to one private clinic, but they didn't even return most of the samples.🤷.......

Look, if you ask me, you're worrying about things that aren't your business. Doctors actually know what they're doing, for crying out loud. Some things just can't be diagnosed easily with a simple needle biopsy—you can clearly see how much trouble these doctors have had with this case. Once they open him up, they'll see the reality of the situation. If something needs to come out, it comes out; if not, it stays. These professionals have enough experience to get a very good idea of what they're looking at. For heaven's sake, people don't just start removing bone for no reason! You guys are making too much noise about "what if it's not a sarcoma," but I’m asking you: what if it *is*? With a diagnosis like this, every single wasted day is a massive tragedy. Honestly, you should consider yourselves lucky that they even want to treat him. With patients this old, a lot of doctors wouldn't bother doing anything at all.

Christian Patel4 said:Hey guys... so, I noticed this thing on the right side of my abdomen near my hip—just a bit higher up. It felt like a little lump, but it went down immediately. Now it keeps happening. There’s zero pain involved; I even tried pressing on it when it swells, but nothing happens. It shows up every single morning as soon as I get out of bed. It just feels like some kind of pressure, but no actual pain. I went in for an ultrasound, but they didn't see anything. They told me to come back for another exam once the swelling actually stays visible, but the lump only lasts about a minute before vanishing, so I can't exactly catch it in the act. They even did a full checkup on my testicles to be safe. For the last couple of days, though, I've been feeling this dull ache on the left side of my testicle, but there's no swelling there. I thought maybe it was a hernia, but I figured they would have caught that on the ultrasound. The only other thing I've heard is that it could be swollen lymph nodes causing abdominal swelling. Basically, it pops up every morning, and then sometimes during the day, I feel that same pressure again (especially when I'm sitting or lying down). When the lump does show up, it feels hard. 🙏 ..., so if anyone knows anything, I'd really appreciate the help...

Look, a hernia doesn't necessarily show up on an ultrasound if the bowel slips back into place. That's exactly why they told you to come back when it's swollen. Next time it happens, don't wait—head straight to the ER and demand an ultrasound right then and there. If it were enlarged lymph nodes, the ultrasound would have picked that up; those things don't just swell up and vanish that quickly.

Hannah Brown12 said:Hey Angela Wright! I just skimmed through this thread you started back on January 17, 2007. Honestly, I admire how much warmth and patience you've shown everyone over all these years. I have one more question for you, though. Is symptomatic therapy the exact same thing as palliative care? If they aren't the same, what's the actual difference? Best,

Symptomatic therapy, as the name implies, focuses on treating specific symptoms. It isn't strictly reserved for palliative cases involving terminal patients; it’s actually a core component of curative medicine too. Think about managing nausea caused by chemotherapy, boosting white blood cell counts, or regulating blood pressure and glucose levels—not to mention treating pressure sores. It's all about addressing the immediate physical manifestation of an illness.
Palliative medicine, on the other hand, is the specialized field that steps in when curative medicine—the kind aimed at actually fixing the underlying problem—has reached its limit. This includes supportive therapy, patient nursing, pain management, and providing psychological and spiritual support for both the patient and their family. Essentially, it encompasses everything designed to improve quality of life, thereby extending it and ensuring a painless, dignified transition at the end of life.

Megan Williams6 said:I appreciate all the advice, but I wanted to ask about this "magnetic resonance preoperative pain therapy" they recommend at various spas—would that actually be helpful before a potential surgery? I’ve heard some people claim it's effective. Personally, I feel like there's always enough time to deal with the scalpel when it comes. Some folks suggest that if you're dealing with something like a sarcoma, you should try to "shrink" the tumor before the operation, and maybe this therapy combined with soaking in the ocean and getting some sun (for that Vitamin D boost) could help in that regard......🤷

When dealing with sarcoma, there’s a fundamental rule to follow—and I’ve already pointed this out to you more than a few times. The goal should be surgical removal as soon as possible—get as much of it out while you can. Unfortunately, we just don't have any therapies effective enough yet to actually fix the problem without resorting to surgery.

Hannah Brown12 said:YES, they mentioned they'd be using symptomatic therapy. What does that actually entail?

It means treating every single symptom that pops up alongside that diagnosis. We're talking everything from pain management and fixing blood counts to prescribing meal replacements if they lose their appetite, IV fluids, and basically just general end-of-life care. It’s a pretty broad umbrella, and it changes depending on the person. Honestly, a lot of people just slowly fade away without much of a struggle. The liver is a powerhouse organ, and I doubt a tumor will have enough time to spread elsewhere before the liver itself simply gives out. If I recall correctly, once the liver starts shutting down, bilirubin levels spike, which can actually have an effect on dulling the pain, for example.

Olivia Anderson10 said:I finally went in for a mammogram after a long break, and I'm feeling a bit uneasy about the results: The mammogram shows normal skin and subcutaneous tissue. There is increased density in the fibroglandular parenchyma across all quadrants of both breasts. In the upper outer quadrant, within the fibroglandular parenchyma, there is a sharply circumscribed, slightly lobulated isodense mass measuring 25 mm, showing primarily benign characteristics. No pathological microcalcifications were found. A follow-up breast ultrasound is required in the near future.

Since my appointment for the ultrasound isn't until November, I’m stuck wondering if this finding means I should head to a private clinic right away or if I can just wait until November rolls around.

I'm 42. A few years back, a mammogram showed some tiny cysts, but they said it was nothing to worry about and didn't need any intervention. Everything was fine then.

In my opinion, it probably won't turn into anything major before November, but knowing how much I overthink things, I’d personally go get it checked out privately as soon as possible. Just pay for the peace of mind so you aren't stressing until your scheduled appointment in November. It’s not an expensive scan compared to the mental relief it'll provide.

Megan Williams6 said:Durogesic? Is that some kind of cream or an oil? And can you even pick it up without a prescription? I'm not sure where I'd even find an anesthesiologist right now.... Anyway, thanks for the advice.😉

No, those are patches that only doctors prescribe—specifically anesthesiologists who can actually sit down and calculate the right dosage for you. You can find an anesthesiologist at pretty much any hospital. If I were you, I’d head over to Drašković Hospital and ask specifically for Dr. Zoran lončar.
Drašković Hospital

Drašković Hospital, Indianapolis
The Pain Clinic.
Director: Zoran lončar, MD, Anesthesiologist
Telephone: 01/46 97 000

Hannah Brown12 said:A 78-year-old man was just diagnosed with liver cancer. He’s refusing any kind of medical intervention. I’m asking on behalf of a friend who doesn't use the internet—it's about her dad. The doctors told them he only has a few months left. Based on what you all know, what can we expect?

Look, at that age, pushing aggressive treatment is often more trouble than it's worth. There are certain chemo drugs used to slow things down, but honestly, most of the care usually shifts toward palliative measures—focusing on keeping him comfortable and managing the pain rather than trying to beat the clock.

feralridge3 said:Angela Wright, what’s your take on this?
My brain underwent radiation therapy exactly four years ago. If I recall correctly, one of those doctors mentioned I should avoid radiation exposure for the following five years.
Right now, I’m dealing with ear issues, and my ENT is referring me for a CIA scan of both ears.
I asked if they could send me for an MRI instead, but he said their standard practice is to only order MRIs for inpatient department patients. So, I'm considering just paying out of pocket for an MRI.🤷 It shouldn't cost more than a brain MRI with spectroscopy, and after everything I've spent over the last four years—thousands upon thousands of dollars—this extra expense is peanuts. 🙄

The issue is my left ear; I can barely hear anything out of it (I already use a hearing aid in the right one). After nearly four weeks of endless cleaning attempts, the doctor concluded there is "something" stuck in that left ear. 🙂
For context, the tumor was located on that same left side of my head.

Look, wanderingcobra76 is probably more qualified than I am on this.🙂
Good to see you.

Megan Williams6 said:Oh man, you’ve got a point there. I remember being down in Kaštel Kambelovac for a "vacation" about twenty years ago—staying in a private rental—and the ocean was just this milky white color. You couldn't see even ten centimeters below the surface... probably because of all those local factories or the cement plants nearby. We actually had to drive over to Resnik just to go swimming; it wasn't exactly crystal clear either, but at least it was an option. It wasn't until I got to Primošten about ten days later that I finally saw what "normal" water looks like. I honestly couldn't believe my eyes when I could actually see the seabed just a few meters down.... Sure, Miami is polluted too, but compared to Indianapolis, being right by the coast makes a massive difference. Anyway, I make my mom a fresh fruit and veggie smoothie every morning, but she’s already taken some Tramal before that and ends up throwing everything back up... Is it okay to combine Tramal drops with something like Advil granules or Voltaren? Like, if you take an Advil granule along with maybe 10 drops of Tramal? Or what is a person actually supposed to take for pain management when dealing with bone tumors?🙂....Best wishes and enjoy your summer vacation!

You really need to talk to her anesthesiologist about prescribing a cocktail that actually manages the pain without completely knocking her out. In my opinion, Durogesic is a solid option because it absorbs through the skin; you can start with low doses and then take an extra pill if the pain spikes. Definitely run that by the anesthesiologist, though.

Megan Williams6 said:Lucky you. Even if it’s hellish there, at least you get to see that ocean blue. All I see here in Indianapolis is that stupid tower on the hills and the smokestacks from the power plant and the old DIOKIJ site. The only redeeming quality is that the downtown area is a ghost town in the afternoon—no people, no cars, just the heat... if only it stayed like that. We might actually be able to live here. But once everyone comes back, man, we're all done for. Those leftover lung issues from the pollution are going to finish us off eventually.... Regards!🙂

Don't act like Miami is some pristine eco-paradise. You want to talk about industry? Fine. Let's talk about Cemex, the asbestos issues from Salonit, or those radioactive waste bunkers over by Ruđer in Kaštel Kambelovac—not that I’m going to sit here and list everything else. And honestly, the way people around here treat the environment is a whole other disaster entirely. 😁 Honestly, I’m staying away from the sun and the beach mostly because of my little one and the absolute nightmare that is finding parking around here.
If you're looking for somewhere to settle down, my best advice is to head toward the coast—maybe somewhere in Istria or a quiet little town south of Miami along the Makarska Riviera. Just make sure you aren't totally isolated; you need to be within striking distance of a decent medical center, just in case things take a turn for the worse.

Casey Phillips18 said:I know, the hardest part of treatment is when you can't even locate the primary source.
But I actually wrote this regarding a specific case where the primary tumor was identified, including its exact name and the specific chemotherapy protocol prescribed for it. If chemo is supposed to be killing off cancer cells, why on earth does the tumor marker spike right after treatment? I’ve honestly wondered more than once if there was a screw-up somewhere—like a botched diagnosis or someone handing out the wrong medication.

Like I’ve already pointed out, chemotherapy is essentially a gamble with an uncertain outcome, unfortunately 😢. Tumor biology is incredibly messy; just because a treatment works perfectly for one person doesn't mean it won't do absolutely nothing for someone else. We can only hope that the research moving toward personalized medicine and tailored treatments will yield results soon and actually make its way into standard clinical practice.
Another potential issue is the unreliability of those markers, which frequently spit out false positives or negatives.

Casey Phillips18 said:What does "under control" even mean if the tumor marker is actually higher after two rounds of chemo than it was before they even started?
Unfortunately, I have several close family members fighting cancer right now, and honestly, I’m losing faith in chemotherapy.😢 In the end, those who opt out of chemo often live longer and better lives than those who go through the ringer with it.

It means the chemo missed the mark. Plain and simple. If I'm reading this correctly, they couldn't even pinpoint the primary site. There isn't a one-size-fits-all drug for every type of cancer. It looks like they were just shooting in the dark based on some vague indications and clearly missed. Dealing with occult tumors—that's what they call them when they can't find the original source—is incredibly tricky.😢

As for alternative medicine, don't lean on it too heavily. You'll likely do more harm than good. Your best bet is to head to that clinic in New York City; they have much sharper diagnostic tools and far more experience handling these cases because their patient volume and incidence rates are significantly higher than what we see here.

Casey Phillips18 said:Aside from the specifics of this case, I'm stuck on point number two.
If chemotherapy is designed to hit the entire body, how does the primary tumor shrink while secondary growths are popping up everywhere else at the same time?
Shouldn't the treatment be just as effective against those secondary sites if it's already aggressive enough to wipe out bone marrow and healthy organs?

It boils down to this: the primary tumor is often targeted with radiation, which is where these cells are most vulnerable, but unfortunately, radiation can't hunt down every single rogue malignant cell circulating through the bloodstream that eventually seeds new tumors. Chemotherapy simply doesn't pack the same punch as direct radiation or surgical removal. Think of chemo more as an attempt to manage the situation and extend life rather than a guaranteed cure. When you're dealing with metastatic disease, the outcome remains incredibly unpredictable.

Chloe Gray5 said:We’ve reached out everywhere, and we're just waiting for some facility to accept him while Dad recovers enough to actually get back into his own bed.
I’m worried about this too. Ever since he got those hip replacements, Dad hasn't left the house in years—he basically lives in the backyard. His muscles have completely wasted away, and honestly, combining that lack of movement with his smoking habit and atherosclerosis probably didn't help much when it came to his arteries clogging up..
I really hope they teach him some specific exercises during rehab so he can keep up with them at home. He’ll head there as soon as he’s steady on his feet, but right now he’s too weak to even sit up...
But step by step, I'm hoping things turn around.

It would be a massive help if a physiatrist could swing by while he’s still at the hospital to evaluate him. That way, they can prescribe a specific home exercise plan or perhaps arrange for a visiting physical therapist. When my mom was going through this, a therapist used to come by three times a week to work with her. It’s a nightmare to coordinate once you leave the hospital because most specialists won't do home visits.

You absolutely have to get this checked out by a neurologist, no matter what!

Chloe Gray5 said:Thanks, we actually managed to score a hospital bed for free, and the mattress is the same deal—the hospital will just give us a receipt stating it’s all complimentary, along with things like plasters.
My mom happens to be a dentist working at a community health center where their family doctor is also based, so fortunately, she knows the ropes. She told us Dad is entitled to one hour of nursing care per day, but I was asking because I thought pressure sores needed more frequent dressing changes.
Thanks 🙂.

That’s great news! Getting those beds covered is clearly a new development. When my mom needed help, nothing like that was an option.
It looks like they’ve extended the care hours too. It used to top out at maybe 45 minutes a day. Honestly, that’s plenty. You don't need to fuss over a pressure sore constantly. Once you apply Granuloflex, you aren't supposed to touch it for three days anyway. What will really make a difference is having someone there every day to change him and wash him, and once a week for a full bath; that’s going to take a massive load off your shoulders, which is huge. Dad needs to get to a rehab facility in Florida as soon as possible to get his strength back, otherwise, he’ll suffer from muscle atrophy from lack of movement, and then rehab becomes a much harder mountain to climb.