So, I finally popped some Ketoral—honestly, they really did us dirty with those prescription requirements. 😢 It’s not like I usually go out of my way to buy pills I’ve never tried before, but when the pain was hitting me that hard, I would have swallowed rat poison just to get some relief. Now I see it says ibuprofen underneath, and I’ve heard stories about how those can be linked to heart issues and stuff like that. Well, I guess we know now that these things are about as effective as candy. 😬
Ladies, is anyone here taking BlokMax Lady? I have no idea if it actually works. I usually take Ketoral, but since I can't get my hands on that without a prescription lately, I picked up this BlokMax instead—and honestly, it’s useless. 🤷 Plus, I’m a bit of a hypochondriac and I'm terrified to take two at once because the instructions mention an increased risk of a heart attack. I can't even find any Voltaren anymore, and this pain is absolutely tearing me apart, almost like I'm in labor. Should I just take another one?
It’s been quite a while since I last posted, but I wanted to share something about my son's father. It has been such an agonizing journey for him, especially since he still hasn't received a definitive diagnosis (he had his first surgery when he was just eleven months old). From what I can gather, the doctors believe it's bile duct cancer that has spread to his liver, stomach, and duodenum. He underwent a second surgery back in mid-May to create a bypass from his stomach to his intestines because the metastasis was pressing against his stomach, making it impossible for him to eat. Even now, following the procedure, he can't keep anything down—not even water or Ensure. At this stage, he's only receiving IV fluids. I know there isn't much more they can do, given how rare and aggressive this specific type of cancer is, but it breaks my heart to see him suffering like this. I truly hate this disease. 😢
Maria Howard2 said:I feel pretty awesome overall, except for this constant sneezing. As soon as I step inside a house or go indoors, everything settles down and feels fine. But once I'm out in the fresh air, the sneezing just hits me relentlessly.
And by the way, sorry for starting this as a new thread; I didn't realize there was already a general discussion going on.
The only way to know for sure if it's an allergy is to get tested, right?🙂 Based on those symptoms, it definitely sounds like an allergy to me.
Maria Howard2 said:I haven't really dealt with pollen issues before, but since 2011, and especially now that the weather has warmed up, it’s been hitting me hard. My main struggle is the sneezing. It used to be barely noticeable—maybe a sneeze or two and I was fine—but lately, I’ve been struggling like crazy. I stepped out of the house today and while I was just walking down the street, I felt like a total maniac because I couldn't stop sneezing. Every four steps, it's just "achoo," and I ended up burning through two whole packs of tissues 😢. My eyes are watering constantly from all the sneezing, too. If I'm outside, I can't even go for a decent stroll or catch up with a friend without worrying about making a scene. It’s honestly pretty gross. The sun is out today and everything is starting to thaw 😢
Before I head to the doctor, I wanted to check here and see if this sounds like typical pollen allergies or something else? Thanks 🙂
It’s certainly possible, though it isn't a given. How could any of us know for sure? It might not even be allergies; it could just be something else entirely, like a passing sinus issue or a common cold. 🤷
What’s actually going on in your chest? When you hear that popping sound, does it feel more like a bone or a joint clicking? That shouldn't be happening in your lungs—could it be your spine, making it feel like it's coming from your chest area?
I have a question regarding Pityriasis Alba—how is it actually diagnosed? Is it possible for there to be no greenish glow under a UV lamp even if a fungal infection is still present?
I’ve been dealing with this exact same issue for about two years now, even though everything was perfectly fine before that. It started with redness on my arms and back, then eventually the skin began peeling. My dermatologist prescribed a cream—he actually laughed while giving it to me—and that did the trick. According to him, it was all just sun damage. However, things took a disastrous turn this past winter. I finally went for allergy testing last week, and it turns out I'm allergic to Ariel, DuPont, and white chicken feather meal (I have no idea what that is, but apparently it's in cosmetics and a million other things). If this keeps happening to him, isn't it possible he's reacting to something too? Since we don't know the culprit, slathering on random lotions might actually make things worse if he happens to be sensitive to an ingredient in those creams. He should really ask his doctor for a referral for skin allergy testing. They'll likely start with a blood test to check his IgE levels; if those are elevated, it's a clear sign of an allergy.
wiredcanyon2 said:Look, leukocyte counts are always interpreted alongside the rest of your lab work and how you actually feel. An extremely high count might be something like 100x10^9/L in chronic leukemia, but even 20x10^9/L is quite high and definitely concerning if you're fighting pneumonia. On the flip side, someone could have a perfectly normal leukocyte count and still be dealing with acute leukemia, so... Anyway, your leukocytes are just slightly elevated, which most likely stems from that inflammation you mentioned. Granulocytes are a subtype of leukocytes, and yours are only negligibly higher than the reference range—which actually makes sense, because when there's inflammation, granulocytes usually spike, driving up the total count. Your IgE is also up, probably due to the allergies you noted, and eosinophils tend to climb during allergic reactions too. Bottom line? I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Most likely, that inflammation is clearing up and your numbers are already on the mend.
Thanks, wiredcanyon2. I'll try my best not to worry. 🙂
What could these blood test results indicate? Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: 27 (4-24) Leukocytes 11.7 (3.4-9.7) Neutrophil granulocytes 7.50 (2.06-6.49) Eosinophil granulocytes 0.50 (0-0.43) Immunoglobulin E 156.3 ( Everything else looks fine. I have no idea what these granulocytes actually are or what their purpose is. I’m getting my blood drawn because of some allergies and a skin rash, but in the meantime, I’ve also come down with a fever and a runny nose. Question: Do these leukocyte levels fall under the category of "extremely high"? And if they don't, what exactly counts as extremely elevated? I'd love to know so I don't have to turn to the forum every single time I get lab results back. 🙂
Steven Lopez17 said:Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone knows what can be done for my dad? One of his carotid arteries is blocked, and I'm trying to figure out what the options are to save it. Does anyone have any insight?
They'll likely go with a stent at the site of the blockage, though from what I understand, doctors usually only recommend surgery if the blockage is at 70% or higher.🤷 So, if it's under that threshold and he isn't experiencing major issues, he might be able to avoid surgery altogether.
My boyfriend's father suffered a gallbladder attack last November. They treated him for inflammation for about two months, letting him come home briefly before he'd have another attack, until he finally underwent surgery in mid-January. The doctor mentioned finding a tumor within the gallbladder, with suspected metastases in the liver and duodenum, though nothing is certain yet. It’s March 24th, and even his hospital discharge papers don't list a specific diagnosis—just that malignant cells were found. Ultimately, the surgery removed everything, and he was referred to an oncology center in Indianapolis. However, the doctor (who is actually a family friend) whispered to the rest of the family that he might only have a year left at most. It has been exactly one month since the surgery, and here in Indianapolis, the oncologist looks at the ultrasound results quite contentedly, saying he wouldn't touch anything else because the surgery was such a success. After that, I suggested getting a second opinion in Chicago, because it feels wrong that they haven't prescribed any therapy despite the presence of malignant cells—but then again, I'm just a layperson and don't understand these diseases or their treatments... In Chicago, the doctor practically kicked him out of the office because he didn't have fresh test results handy. He did mention, based on the old files, that chemotherapy should be the next step, but noted it's unlikely he could endure it given he's 73. Just to be clear, despite his age, this man looks and feels at least 20 years younger; he's still working and has no other health issues. I honestly don't know what kind of person needs to be built to withstand chemo—maybe a 450-pound stallion? I am incredibly frustrated. Is this kind of uncertainty normal, or am I just making a mountain out of a molehill? I find it impossible to believe that he still doesn't have a definitive diagnosis. It seems like none of the doctors he's seen—and he has clearly seen many—will give him a straight answer regarding his illness or what kind of treatment to expect. So, for now, we are stuck with a discharge summary that says nothing. We have all these old and new scans that should provide answers, but we haven't found a doctor willing to interpret them for us. We've heard from four different doctors now, and all four opinions are completely different. No one offers a solution, and no one suggests who else we should consult. We are currently waiting on a fifth opinion. I refuse to let it reach a point where he simply collapses one day, leaving everyone wondering what more we could have done. Once we get this final opinion, I hope things become a bit clearer. And if they don't, what then?
White blood cells in urine: 25 Squamous epithelial cells Mass
Everything else came back within range. I didn't include the rest of the urinalysis since it was mostly negative, except for the white blood cells. It also mentioned the color is dark yellow—is that something I should be worried about?
I had my blood drawn after spending a week dealing with intense nausea and vomiting. My abdominal ultrasound looked fine (gallbladder, liver, pancreas, spleen), but it did note: Both kidneys are normal size with normal parenchymal thickness; the central sinus shows increased echoes, with microcalcifications in the parenchyma and parapelvic area (could this be nephrocalcinosis or medullary sponge kidney?) The only thing hurting right now is my stomach. Since I still don't have a clear diagnosis and I've just developed a fever (which I haven't had until now) along with feeling generally unwell, does this lab work point toward anything specific, or should I consider these results normal?
Matthew Castillo5 said:Sure, maybe those old-school psychiatrists were technically skilled, but their ethics were practically non-existent. They were more than happy to weaponize psychiatry for political gain, essentially locking up perfectly sane dissidents in mental institutions just because they disagreed with the government.🙄 🤮
Even today, there are plenty of people willing to abuse their positions for the wrong reasons; isn't it true that the maybe underlying motivations have simply shifted?
Amanda Ross10 said:It strikes me as odd how everyone claims their psychiatrist went straight to prescribing antidepressants... shouldn't we try an anxiolytic like Normabel or Xanax first, and then move on to antidepressants later?
Isn't it true that antidepressants don't work instantly? It usually takes a few weeks to feel anything, whereas anxiolytics provide immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks... the only catch is the risk of dependency, right?
Personally, I’d opt for a combination of anxiolytics and psychotherapy at the start, leaving antidepressants as a last resort...
Actually, that's quite risky advice because anxiolytics work so quickly that they only mask the symptoms temporarily rather than actually treating the root cause. They should really only be used during the initial phase of starting an antidepressant to help ease any potential side effects. If medication is necessary, the standard approach should be antidepressants combined with anxiolytics at the beginning, always paired with mandatory psychotherapy. Zara, we discuss this quite a bit over at Psychology; if you haven't already, you might find this helpful: 😉
fadedbear92 said:Oh, come on—I went through a full cardiac workup the second my symptoms started, and the doctor told me if things didn't improve, we'd try beta-blockers. After more testing—specifically checking my thyroid—it turned out to be anxiety and depression. But you definitely need to get checked out. If I remember correctly, they also mentioned I have an excitable heart!
I don't know; I wasn't really interested in taking them because it feels a bit silly to take heart medication when my heart is actually healthy. My tachycardia is just a byproduct of anxiety, so beta-blockers won't solve the root cause—they just dull those uncomfortable symptoms. I mean, my mental state is a total wreck, not my heart. 😬
Alex Barnes8 said:I don't know how much that would even affect them. They get paid the same regardless of whether I'm there or not, I guess. I stick to government jobs. I can't afford the private sector.
Maybe it’s better to just leave a good impression and stay quiet, even if nobody really understands what's going on.
. I wasn't exactly quiet, so I know what I'm talking about. I'm just tired of the way it goes—you ask a question and get some vague, non-committal answer just so they can brush you off. Then I have to follow up with ten more questions just to get a half-answer... all while trying to read their faces, hoping they won't just shut me down entirely. 😕👎
I've run into all sorts of people too. Honestly, my GP would never even suggest bloodwork unless I kept nagging her about wanting tests instead of just blindly taking antibiotics. I guess you have to push for it.
It’s honestly a bit sad that you feel the need to vent to her about this. Isn't she the one actually trained and paid for the job? I guess we shouldn't be dumping responsibility onto laypeople. You aren't expected to know the intricacies of medicine, so maybe you shouldn't be held liable here either.
Maybe try taking a different approach with them. I guess you could emphasize that, as a patient, you have every right to ask questions—even if they don't particularly care for it.
We'll see. I'll probably have to head back out there anyway, so I'll let you know.
It truly is a shame. 🙂 But if I don't advocate for myself, nobody else is going to do it for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you have better luck next time. 😉
Larry Lewis said:So, looks like Herc is feeling a bit under the weather—nothing too catastrophic, really—but I’d say just start getting those runs in once the weather finally decides to break and warms up a little bit.😉
Regarding those beta-blockers—my cardiologist actually suggested them to me for simple tachycardia, which was obviously just triggered by a panic attack. Are they really prescribed for stuff like that? I always assumed they were strictly for managing arrhythmias. 🤷
Alex Barnes8 said:I have to address this: "why don't you just ask your doctors?". I honestly don't know where people find these approachable physicians who actually want to talk and answer questions. Everywhere I go in the States, doctors act like you're killing them just by asking a question. I really can't get anything out of anyone. I've tried communicating normally so many times, but it just doesn't work. It's not like I'll stop seeing doctors altogether... But I've just gotten used to leaving appointments feeling confused. They seem superficial, arrogant, and frankly, pretty rude. Most lack basic manners. And even the ones who claim they are "constantly training" or whatever—they're always away at some symposium or seminar, traveling constantly. You couldn't get a moment of their time if you were a billionaire.👎
Maybe try changing your approach? 🤷 There are all kinds of doctors and all kinds of patients out there... let's not paint everyone with the same brush. If a physician refuses to give you straight answers, tell them you aren't satisfied with their bedside manner and that you'll be finding a new provider. Though, sometimes it might be easier just to stay quiet and maintain a good rapport, even if you leave feeling confused. I've encountered my fair share of difficult personalities too. Honestly, my primary care physician would never have ordered blood work unless I practically begged her for it; she'd otherwise just prescribe antibiotics based on a guess. Perhaps try a different tactic? Don't be afraid to remind them that, as a patient, you have every right to ask questions, even if they find it inconvenient.
Matthew Lee65 said:My doctor pushed Samuel on me too, but I’m not taking it... as if that’s not enough on top of the thousand other pills they've prescribed... half of which I don't even take. Now I'm nervous about occasionally mixing Helix with my antidepressants... so I don't even take the Helix (hahaha). I'm extremely consistent with the antidepressants, but they still haven't really kicked in yet... I feel a slight shift, but nothing significant...
I have to ask, just so I can understand—could you list exactly what medications you're currently taking? Wait, why are you worried about combining Helix with an antidepressant? Don't you want the AD to actually start working? There's a specific reason doctors prescribe Helix alongside an AD at the beginning of treatment. Surely they aren't just throwing random pills at you without a plan!
Why don't you just ask your doctors for an alternative since you're absolutely refusing to take Samuel? Isn't it much better to be upfront with them rather than simply skipping a part of the treatment they prescribed for you? 🤷