Elizabeth Brown90 said:Does anyone happen to have any intel regarding whether you need to make an appointment for blood work at the Broadway endocrine lab given everything going on lately? Normally, I know the drill—just show up as early as possible and wait your turn—but things aren't exactly "normal" right now, so I figured it’s better to ask before making the trip.
By the way, did you manage to find out what the situation is like over there? I was actually planning to ask the exact same thing myself—though I’ve been putting it off for months because, quite frankly, I can't stand those cramped, crowded hallways of theirs. Thanks!
Does anyone have recommendations for an *exceptionally* skilled ophthalmologist? I am looking for a truly thorough clinical examination—nothing rushed or superficial. It’s quite a complex case regarding my prescription, which is something your average doctor often misdiagnoses (we're talking severe astigmatism, myopia, poor stereo vision, the onset of presbyopia, a history of significant childhood strabismus, and glaucoma running in the family). Any leads would be greatly appreciated—thanks in advance!
Does anyone have a recommendation for a dermatologist in New York City who takes Medicare? I’m looking specifically for someone who can perform cryotherapy—but please, anything but Shalat. The wait times there are absolutely ridiculous, sometimes up to a year just for an initial exam... it's almost comical how long they make you wait. Thanks in advance!
Perhaps what you actually need is a full crown rather than just another filling. If this is really weighing on your mind, maybe it’s best to head elsewhere to get a second opinion from a different professional? Or—and I know this is a long shot—maybe just upload a photo so a dentist can take a look at it here. Honestly, I've seen so many cases where people end up with more filling material than actual tooth left—it creates such a mess! And of course, once there's that little bit of natural structure remaining, the whole thing just ends up popping right out.
If I were in your shoes—and I truly mean this—I would certainly seek out a second opinion from a specialist who deals specifically with bone grafting procedures. It’s a complex field, isn't it? In my view, if you can meet the necessary clinical criteria for an implant, it really stands as the superior long-term solution—mostly because it helps stimulate the surrounding bone structure. Of course, there is the matter of the price tag; it will undoubtedly be a more significant investment upfront. My assumption, though, is that the bone density beneath the bridge itself—not counting the anchor teeth, mind you—is currently insufficient, which could lead to further bone loss if left unaddressed. You're still young, so if your budget allows for it, I say go for it and keep pushing for the best possible outcome.
Susan Martin4 said:Is there any chance that blood tests for celiac antibodies can be done through a local Health Department lab, or are they strictly handled by hospitals?
It’s just hospitals. And even then, not every single one—I remember a specialist over at Mercury sending me all the way to Johns Hopkins Hospital just to get mine done.
Quick question for everyone—does anyone happen to know if physiatry appointments are held over at the hospital near the Holy Spirit or if they’re being done at Madison Square Garden instead? Thanks so much!
I don't have a definitive answer for you, but I would certainly recommend reaching out to a doctor—perhaps they can refer you to a specialized sleep disorder clinic. As for whether it's safe to wake him right when an episode starts... well, I wouldn't suggest testing that theory over a forum, honestly. If you were to try it, though, I’d advise making sure someone else is home with you just in case. Have you two even discussed the possibility of sleeping in separate rooms? Personally, I’d be more than happy to escape to another room for my own sake and the baby's, though I suppose the scheduling issues remain just as tricky.
It’s also quite concerning—and really shouldn't be overlooked—that your husband isn't taking this seriously. Depending on how you two handle conflict, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to record one of these episodes and show it to him directly?
Does he have parents nearby or perhaps someone he lived with recently? In my opinion, when things like this are so pronounced, total honesty is the only way forward. It simply isn't right if people knew about this and didn't communicate it to you. If you have close relatives or dear friends, please reach out to them for some support.
Sleepwalking can genuinely impact safety—both yours and his!—and it is clearly wreaking havoc on your own sleep quality. You have every right to prioritize your health and the baby's, and he really ought to take this seriously and act quickly so you aren't living in a constant state of shock because of him. He might not even realize how much it matters, aside from the risk of hurting himself (I mean, would you even dare open a window during a hot summer night if he's wandering near it???), but he truly cannot afford to be indifferent.
I truly hope he agrees to see a specialist. It will be important to mention if he's on any medications or if he's been under significant stress lately. In the meantime, perhaps try to foster a more relaxing atmosphere in the evenings. I am so sorry you're carrying this burden alone, but it sounds like you might need to work on your communication as well; you seem like a young couple who moved in together relatively early on, and sleepwalking combined with poor communication can very easily put a relationship to the test.
My gynecologist is referring me to a gynecological endocrinologist—though the referral just says "gynecology" because apparently, they can't write it any other way. Does anyone have a solid recommendation on where I should go? Maybe someone specific at Mayo Clinic? Or should I just look for a private practice? I actually started seeing a private endocrinologist recently who has been wonderful, but his primary focus is diabetes and thyroid issues. He suspects I might have PCOS, so he’s sending me to a gynecologist, who is now sending me to see a *gynecological* endocrinologist at the hospital (which he only suggested after I’ve already spent a small fortune on this endocrinologist 🙄). Currently, I'm dealing with insulin resistance, slightly elevated androgens, stress-related cortisol, and most recently, low estrogen and progesterone levels. I had fully expected my gynecologist to just prescribe some birth control so I could stay with my current specialist, but—surprise, surprise—that wasn't the case.
I’ve only managed to stick with metformin for just over a month—barely! For this past week, the side effects have been just as unbearable as they were a few years ago when I was taking it.
In the mornings, I can’t even handle a few slow bites of food without being hit by this excruciating abdominal pain—mostly in the upper region—that radiates into my back, almost as if someone punched me right in the kidneys. It hits so quickly after eating. There is this broad, dull ache spreading across the top (not quite like heartburn, mind you), while further down toward my waist, it feels more like sharp, stabbing pains. This persists through the entire morning or at least the first half of my day; even sipping a little water becomes an ordeal. Later in the afternoon, I can manage something a bit more substantial, but because of the nausea and the physical strain, my ribs feel incredibly sensitive. Then there is the extreme burping—honestly, where does all that air come from?—and I get diarrhea as well. I spend the entire day stuck in my apartment, unable to even stand up straight. I actually stopped taking the metformin yesterday, but today seems to be the most intense flare-up yet. Normally, my bowels clear once in the morning, but now? It’s three to seven times a day.
Something very similar happened to me after a few weeks of use several years ago, and it took a couple of months for things to finally stabilize. Back then, I had high eosinophilia, though stool samples showed no parasites, there were no classic allergy symptoms, and I tested negative for H. pylori, GERD, and ulcers. A duodenal biopsy showed some slightly thickened villi (or whatever the technical term is)—the doctor told me the results weren't necessarily bad, just non-specific, suggesting some sort of intolerance, though blood tests from the lab ruled out celiac disease. I couldn't tolerate any vegetables at all, which was the absolute worst part. Eventually, after several months, I had an abdominal ultrasound where everything came back normal. 😵 My EKG is always fine. Any other abdominal pain I experience doesn't typically travel to my back, nor do I have issues with my thoracic spine. I do have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (though I’ve never actually undergone a colonoscopy), whereas my stomach hasn't historically been prone to problems. I am honestly baffled by what is happening; it is truly terrifying. 😢 When I asked my primary care physician if it could be pancreatitis, she simply dismissed it as an "irritated stomach."
I have an appointment with an internist next week.
Jamie Fowler26 said:I’ve been dealing with some right hip pain for about two years now. It isn't debilitating, but it’s starting to become a nuisance. My right knee also feels somewhat unstable. I had imaging done for both. The knee results were unremarkable, but regarding the hip, they noted discrete sclerosis of the acetabular roof on the right side. Here is the image of the hip: https://s9.postimg.org/ngwzksae7/509...0f73817b95.jpg
If anyone could offer some insight, I'd appreciate it. What should my next steps be? For context, I'm in my 30s.
Next step is seeing the orthopedic surgeon—and then, most likely, an MRI. I mean, take my own situation, for instance—I have a minor labral tear, and you can't even see it without an MRI, specifically one done with contrast. It’s quite a process, isn't it? I have been putting in quite a bit of work lately—really focusing on my flexibility, muscle tone, and overall posture—all while trying my absolute best to avoid overexerting myself. It’s a delicate balance, isn't it? Yet, despite all this effort, I can't help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction... I simply don't feel as happy or accomplished as I should be. Is it possible that I am doing something fundamentally wrong in my approach? To make matters even more complicated, I also have a persistent tendency toward enthesopathies... It really does feel like a constant uphill battle!
I’ve recently transitioned back onto metformin—though, to be clear, I am not actually diabetic—and my GP was kind enough to give me a starter box from her own supply. Moving forward, I’ll be getting a private prescription from an endocrinologist. Fortunately, the medication isn't particularly pricey, and I'm not even on high doses. I’m honestly not sure if a GP or a gynecologist can write a private script for this stuff, but my doctor mentioned she could really get in trouble with Medicare if she gets audited.
I did find a great internist, but since they run a private practice, you have to pay out of pocket. At the local clinic where my regular doctor works (who I likely won't be returning to), the wait times for a check-up are nearly four months long—which means if a new issue crops up, you're essentially flying blind without any medical oversight.
Isn't it somewhat irresponsible to rush into a diabetes diagnosis when a patient doesn't actually have it? I assume that sort of thing gets logged into some national registry, right? Then again, there are so many overweight individuals who are completely unmonitored. It makes me wonder—just how accurate are these official statistics anyway?
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Regarding side effects... well, I am still evacuating intestinal contents on a daily basis, though sometimes the straining is so intense I genuinely fear for my sphincter health. 🤣 What’s truly bizarre is that my digestion usually leans toward loose or watery stools if it’s ever provoked, yet metformin seems to do the exact opposite and constipate me. 😕
I also experience these terrible bouts of yawning and watery eyes shortly after taking a pill—though perhaps that’s just the time of day? I can't be certain if it's the metformin or not. I don't feel particularly weak, though.
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As a supplement to the metformin, I’ve been taking Gynositol. My regimen was either one Glucophage 500 mg plus one Gynositol, or just two Glucophage 500 mg tablets. So, we shall see how it goes... 😁 Gynositol runs me about $110 for a two-month supply.
Does anyone know if physical therapy through Medicare is still available at the Sports Center? And more importantly—how does one actually go about booking an appointment? Thanks in advance!
Does anyone happen to have a recommendation for a sports orthopedic specialist—specifically one who deals with ankle issues? I’d truly appreciate any leads you might have!
Goodness, what a dark honey—it’s almost as if they added extra sugar to the batch! Personally, I would much rather satisfy my sweet tooth through fruit, though even then, one must exercise a certain level of caution, shouldn't one? There is this condition known as insulin resistance, and honestly, I would much prefer to have my bloodwork checked at a clinic like Mayo Clinic before I started incorporating honey into my daily diet. You can actually get a referral from your OB-GYN for these things; I am just so incredibly grateful that mine sent me for testing—isn't it wonderful that we actually have access to these kinds of screenings?
Does anyone have any recommendations for where I should go to get a gastroscopy done? Ideally looking for a private clinic where they offer anesthesia—it makes the whole process so much more manageable. Thanks!
Emily Brown81 said:I need to see an orthopedist regarding some issues with my ACL. I managed to get a referral, but when I checked with the ER, they told me the earliest appointment they could schedule is in October or November—and honestly, I just can't wait that long! Does anyone have a recommendation for a private specialist in the Washington, D.C. area? Thanks 🙂