Posts by vividsailor7

vividdriver26 said:Respectful greetings, everyone.

Until a few days ago, I didn't have a concrete diagnosis, so I’ve been frantically reading everything under the sun. I remember seeing something—somewhere on an American patient advocacy forum, though I can't track down the specific thread now—about a case where someone was told they had an inoperable lung tumor because of metastases in the adrenal glands. As I said, I can't find that exact post, so I'm writing this from memory while my head is spinning with all this information. However, I did come across a doctor who suggested those might not actually be metastases. Honestly, my mind is such a blur right now that I can't even recall exactly what the doctor proposed as an alternative, nor how that specific case turned out.

The bottom line is this: I have non-small cell carcinoma, which is considered inoperable due to what is being called an adrenal metastasis. This "metastasis" was identified based on a CT scan, but no biopsy or cytological confirmation has been performed yet.

Given that first story and this:

"Adrenal gland metastases are relatively common (33%) in patients with lung cancer. Any suspicious tumor mass identified during diagnostic procedures should undergo a biopsy to rule out the frequent possibility of a benign growth."
sourced from http://webmd.com/lung-cancer-guide...non-small-cell/

What I really want to know is: what are the actual odds that this is just a benign growth rather than a metastasis? And more importantly, who should I be pushing to get this verified? Should I be badgering my pulmonologist, or is this strictly the responsibility of the oncologist I'm scheduled to see next?

First and foremost, you need to determine if those masses are showing any hormonal activity.
Either an oncologist or an endocrinologist can handle that.

quietranger152 said:Hey, I have a question about my blood work (liver function tests). Here are the results:

Male / 27 years old

bilirubin, total - 9 umol/L. Reference range: 3 -20
Aspartate aminotransferase - 37 U/L. Reference range: 11 - 38
Gamma glutamyltransferase 50 U/L. Reference range: 11 - 55
Alkaline phosphatase 58 U/L. Reference range: 60 - 142

So everything looks fine except for that last value, which is a bit lower than the reference range. What does that actually mean?

These results are normal.

Harold Smith13 said:Good evening, everyone.

I’ve been dealing with a recurring issue for a few years now, though I haven’t truly looked into it—nor has my doctor, who insists it’s just a byproduct of smoking.

The pattern usually kicks in during the fall, winter, or spring, though it rarely shows up in the summer.

It starts with a sore throat for about three or four days, accompanied by some visible white spots on my tonsils (though I seem to have those regardless of whether my throat is inflamed).
Then, the throat clears up, only to be replaced by two or three days of brutal nasal congestion and a runny nose.
Finally, there's the third phase: once the nose clears, a dry cough settles in the bronchial tubes, eventually tapering off with some lingering mucus.

The most curious part is how predictable it is; it always follows this exact sequence, start to finish.
A bit strange, I suppose. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

A nasopharyngeal or nasal swab is useless here; you need a throat culture,
plus an AST, CBC, and CRP test.

Kimberly Edwards38 said:Hi there.
I’m looking for some insight regarding prognosis. We’re dealing with colorectal carcinoma. He’s already undergone surgery, had a colostomy, and finished several rounds of chemo, but now it’s metastasized to the lungs and liver.
It’s my father-in-law. I don't have his medical reports right in front of me, but this is the gist of what we learned from the PET scan. He lives near Baton Rouge and was being treated at a local hospital, but now his oncologist is referring him to Dubrava to see a surgeon about whether they can operate on those metastases.
Beyond just the outlook, I want to know why Dubrava was specifically recommended—is that actually the right move?
Thanks so much.

Look, to give you any kind of meaningful answer, we need a hell of a lot more data than this.

Angela Wright said:ivona, I just can't help but soften up vividsailor7's typical blunt, doctor-style response a little bit (vividsailor7, don't get mad at me, but it really is true 🙂 ). His directness, whether he realizes it or not, tends to dismiss people rather than offering any shred of hope—which is exactly what patients are desperately searching for when they talk to a physician.

Look, yes, lung Carcinoma is incredibly nasty. Statistically speaking, the prognosis looks pretty grim, especially once you're dealing with metastases... BUT...

it doesn't always work out that way, even when there are metastases present.

When we look at statistics—especially for something as common as lung Carcinoma—those numbers are pulled from massive patient pools. That statistical curve has a median, sure, but it also has two distinct ends. On the left side, you have those who succumb quite early, and on the right side, you have those who are still fighting. That group on the right might be much smaller than the average, but they are absolutely not negligible. Nobody can say with 100% certainty that someone won't end up on that right side of the curve. And that is precisely why we treat metastatic disease! You have to push forward, fight, and aim for that right-hand side of the graph!

Everything you wrote is valid, I just prefer to call it reality. Of course, any outcome is possible.
That being said, I actually think that direct approach is best. Obviously, you shouldn't just walk in and say, "Good morning, your father has liver cancer," and then immediately bolt out of the room. Empathy is vital, obviously, but everything has its limits.

Sam Johnson7 said:Mom is finishing up her final session of the sixth cycle tomorrow. According to her oncologist, she’ll get a break until Christmas, at which point they’ll run a lung CT, a scintigraphy, and some blood work—likely checking her tumor markers. What’s really keeping me up at night is what happened four days after her last treatment. She was in absolute agony. And I don't mean "uncomfortable"—I mean excruciating, relentless pain. She did everything by the book; she took her Reglan, her PPI, her Tramadol, even her Lexaurin. She even tried ginger tea, linden tea, aloe... nothing worked. The pain just wouldn't let up all day long. I'm spiraling a bit here. Is this just a delayed reaction to the chemo? It's hard to tell because the pain isn't this intense every single day—some days, she doesn't feel it nearly as much. But when it hits like that, it's terrifying.

If it’s even an option, I’d swap out Lexaurin for normabel in a heartbeat.
Since she’s receiving cisplatin—and honestly, I think the treatment guidelines have shifted recently—she should absolutely be eligible for those newer serotonin antagonists, like Setronon. If Reglan isn't doing the trick for her, there are better options out there.
Before they even think about touching the Tramadol, they seriously need to take some Reglan.

Angela Wright said:Look, based on everything I’ve been tracking and all the firsthand accounts I’ve gathered from people going through oncology treatments, there is a very specific pattern when it comes to managing nausea. When you combine standard anti-nausea meds with the right additions, you actually see results. From what I've observed, the most effective approach usually involves:
Ground flaxseed soaked in lukewarm water for half an hour—then you drink only the strained liquid. Air-popped popcorn (you can grab one of those cheap air poppers at Target or Walmart easily enough). And Coca-Cola.
Hydration is absolutely critical here—I’m talking about sipping water one tiny teaspoon at a time. If someone is having a reaction this violent, you shouldn't be sitting around playing doctor; just call 911 immediately. They need an IV drip to get fluids back in them, and they likely need something to calm their nervous system down. In my experience, normabel works quite well for this. Even the lower dose can be effective because it helps ease muscle spasms, which naturally helps settle the stomach too.
Look, let’s be real here: those pains people are feeling? They are completely expected. When your stomach is that unsettled, things are going to hurt. Plus, when you're vomiting, your entire body undergoes this massive physical strain. It's an intense, full-body effort, and the discomfort is just part of the process.
It would honestly be a smart move to take something like Pepto-Bismol as a preventative measure for stomach issues. You can just grab it over the counter at any CVS or Walgreens without a prescription, but—and this is a huge "but"—you absolutely have to clear it with your oncologist first. You don't want to risk any nasty interactions with your current treatment plan. Always check with the doctor before adding anything new to the mix!

They’re taking a PPI like Pantoprazole along with an antiemetic like Reglan. Honestly, there's no point even mentioning Pepcid or Ranitidine around here—they wouldn't stand a chance anyway. In my experience, PPIs are far more effective. Period.

Lisa Sullivan96 said:Sending my best to everyone out there navigating these incredibly tough times.

My mom underwent surgery for breast carcinoma on July 31st—they had to perform a full mastectomy. She’s been on chemo since August 29th. I don't have all her medical reports handy to paste here right now, but I'll post them as soon as I get my hands on them.

October 31st—she just finished her fourth cycle, and honestly? It was a total disaster. This one hit harder than all the others combined, especially tonight. She was doing alright for most of the day, just pushing through, but then she stood up and it was like a switch flipped. Out of nowhere, she started vomiting and couldn't stop for two straight hours. Absolutely brutal.

She was weeping from the pain. I’m talking full-on, gut-wrenching sobbing. She kept screaming about how her stomach was killing her, all while clutching her chest at the exact same time. My mom has an incredibly high pain tolerance—she’s usually the toughest person I know—so seeing her like that? It was honestly terrifying. I couldn't believe my own eyes.

I need some advice on how to help her when this starts happening again. She gets to a point where she can't even eat or drink anything—she just loses all her strength, breaks down in tears, and the vomiting won't stop. Is there any way I can actually make this easier on her?
Has anyone here dealt with something similar who could suggest specific pills or maybe a tea to help prevent these episodes?

What kind of treatment is she currently on?
At first glance, she might be able to get prescribed Reglan from her primary care physician or a local clinic.

restlessorca36 said:Hi everyone,
I just spent two agonizing hours scouring the internet trying to figure out how to treat pinworms while pregnant. Apparently, Albenza, which is standard for kids, isn't safe for us. My little one brought the worms home from daycare, and both he and his brother already took a dose of Albenza, only for me to realize a few days later that I've caught them too. I am completely lost. Can anyone please offer some solid advice? I'm 32 weeks along. 😕

If I were you, my first move would be to talk to an infectious disease specialist.
The thing is, the FDA categorizes Albenza as Category C, so it’s definitely not recommended during pregnancy.

Mark Hall10 said:I am begging you all for any advice, similar stories, or anything at all! Here’s the situation: my grandfather took a fall and broke his shoulder. He had surgery, which the doctors claimed was a "success." They sent him home to recover, and since he’s diabetic, we fully expected the wound healing to be a bit more complicated. But they were completely negligent—it honestly felt like they didn't give a damn just because he’s an 80-year-old man who they probably think is on his way out anyway. It’s absolutely disgraceful! He ended up back in the hospital in the ICU because his blood sugar spiked to 30 and there was some "mystery" inflammation causing the chaos. After four days of nothing but endless tests, we finally pushed them—we practically forced their hands—to reopen the wound and actually look at it, because we were convinced that was the root of this nightmare. And wouldn't you know it? They opened it up and found a massive infection! What happens next?

Proper microbiological workup—specifically blood cultures and a wound swab—followed by the appropriate antibiotic therapy.
On top of that, getting his diabetes under control and managing any other underlying health issues is absolutely critical.

Sam Johnson7 said:Hi everyone. I’ve finally decided to join this forum because, frankly, I am desperate and need some help. My mom is 68, and she was just diagnosed with lung carcinoma. It all started back in April. She began complaining about pain under her right shoulder blade, followed by constant coughing, shallow breathing, and this terrifying feeling of suffocation. At first, the doctors just treated her with Ketorolac injections, then one physician heard something suspicious in her lungs and put her on an antibiotic called Efox. But as the shortness of breath and the coughing intensified, things took a turn for the worse. She was eventually sent for an X-ray which showed pleural effusion, leading to a puncture. The cytology results came back as carcinoma—possibly adenocarcinoma. While she was staying at the hospital in Tampa, they performed a CT scan of her lungs, which revealed a tumor measuring 7x4 cm, and a bone scan. The scans showed pathological activity concentrated in the middle third area.
Right clavicle, the area around the 5th rib on the front left, the 3rd rib on the back left, and the 5th rib on the left side.
The pathology report just came back, and honestly, I’m fuming. It's the 7th rib on the left side, specifically the posterior area. The cytological results from the bronchoscopy are what really get me: they found several small clusters of malignant cells, and they look enlarged. It's exactly what we were dreading, and frankly, it's infuriating.
The report describes hyperchromatic nuclei, inconspicuous nucleoli, and a sparse to moderate amount of cytoplasm.
The pathology report is pretty clear on this one—you can only actually see the cells under section I). It’s showing bronchial epithelium, squamous cells, some mucus, and cellular debris.
Red blood cells. Let's talk about them.
Diagnosis.
Is this Carcinoma? Or maybe adenocarcinoma? I need some clarity here.
She’s currently undergoing chemotherapy—she's getting her treatments over at Mayo Clinic—and just finished up the second half of her fifth cycle on Gemcitabine and Cisplatin back on October 16th. After she wrapped up that fourth cycle, they ran a CT scan at the hospital to see where things stood. That abdominal CT was completed on September 28th...
So, I just got the diagnosis. Bronchial carcinoma, right side.
The CT scans of my chest show a massive, ill-defined mass on the right side. It’s spreading, and it isn't clearly contained.
There is an expansive, infiltrative process measuring approximately 7 cm on the transverse sections, which is actively infiltrating the surrounding area.
The end portion of the main bronchus, along with the entire bronchial tree surrounding the hilum, is spreading into the surrounding area.
The bifurcation angle is sitting in direct contact with the main bronchus. In the surrounding lung parenchyma, you can see these irregular zones showing increased absorption coefficients and partial consolidation, which could potentially...
The imaging shows spreading of the primary process, along with some ventilation issues. It’s visible in both lungs.
The report shows an increased number of small, malignant lesions. This primarily points toward hematogenous dissemination of the carcinoma.
The diagnostic results are coming in, and frankly, they’re a mess. They found a moderately large pleural effusion on the right side of the chest—basically fluid buildup where it absolutely shouldn't be. Meanwhile, the left side is showing no signs of effusion at all. It’s an uneven, frustrating picture.
The results are in. There's no sign of enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum, and there's no pericardial effusion either.
The liver looks to be a perfectly normal size. Based on the native slices, the parenchyma is completely homogeneous, showing absolutely no signs of anything unusual.
The imaging shows some pretty significant changes. We’re looking at mixed-composition stones showing up in the gallbladder, along with some biliary dilation.
The bile ducts are clear. As for the liver, the parenchyma looks solid—everything appears to be within normal dimensions and the structure looks perfectly fine.
The spleen looks perfectly normal. As for the adrenal glands, they’re both the right shape and size. Everything seems to be exactly where it should be.
The ultrasound shows a cyst measuring about 7.3 cm located dorsally, right near the middle section of my right kidney. Aside from that, the kidneys themselves look fine.
The scan shows everything looks organized. The parenchyma on the native slices displays a normal structure. No signs of hydronephrosis were detected.
The results are in. Just one thing, though—the bladder was empty, so they couldn't actually get a clear look for the analysis. As for the uterus and the adnexa area? Everything there looks perfectly normal.
It looks like nothing. There aren't any morphological changes in the intestines that this specific method is actually capable of detecting.
No signs of enlarged lymph nodes within the abdomen. No ascites present either.
It’s showing up as a soft tissue mass about 0.8 inches in size, with these hardened, sclerotic borders that are actively eating away at the body of the second lumbar vertebra.
The pathology findings primarily point toward secondary issues. In some instances, you can actually see several distinct markers left on the bone structure itself.
Small sclerotic zones of unknown etiology.
Bone Scintigraphy: findings in progress.
Tumor marker eyfra 21: 3.0 ng/ml.
CBC: WBC 8.3. RBC 3.85. Hgb 99. Plt 840, Seg 72.
Biochemistry: bilirubin ok. 8.6, urea 4.6. creatinine 55. Glucose 6.4. potassium 4.6, sodium 131, chloride 93, calcium
2.35, iron 2.9, UIBC 46.3. TIBC 49.3. Fe saturation 5.9, ALP 63, GGT 22, AST 16, ALT 7, LDH
188.
Can any doctors on this forum give me any kind of prognosis? What’s the likelihood of esophageal compression occurring, or if it will hit the esophagus first? For instance, yesterday she wasn't just complaining about nausea (post-chemo), but also pain—she showed me with her whole palm that it hurts everywhere from her throat all the way down, basically the entire digestive tract and chest. The professor at Mayo Clinic is satisfied with the CT and scintigraphy results (nothing has spread further compared to previous scans), so he wants to do one more cycle of chemo (total of 6) before taking a break. He isn't mentioning radiation for now.

Sam Johnson7 said:I completely understand where you're coming from, and thank you in advance!

Based on clinical indications, what really needs to happen is a GI workup—an EGD endoscopy—plus a PPI and more detailed testing of the esophagus.
The prognosis for all lung Ca is poor, and in this case, we're also dealing with bone metastases.

Kenneth Walker27 said:How long does it usually take to get an appointment for a CT scan or an MRI?

It really depends on
the hospital or medical facility you're using,
your specific diagnosis,
and which part of the body they need to look at—like the brain, lungs, and so on.

Bryan Moore said:I’m trying to figure this out on my own, but I am getting nowhere fast—it’s driving me absolutely insane! 🙂 🙂 Does anyone know a good doctor or a nutritionist in San Francisco that I can actually see to get a specific diet prescribed? I’ve been scouring the internet, but everything is so vague. Please, help a girl out! If you’ve seen someone great or have a recommendation, let me know. Thanks so much, ladies! 😁

In NYC, they’re right there in the hospitals if you have a referral. Check out Rib or Klaić.
As for Sshlit, I wouldn't know, but maybe try asking at the Mayo Clinic.

Sam Johnson7 said:I totally get where you're coming from, and thanks in advance!

I haven't forgotten about you guys—I'll get to it when I can.

Sophia Davis4 said:Hey everyone!
My heart goes out to Lea and her family.

I am begging for some help here! After getting the discharge papers for my mom—she’s at Mercy Hospital and just had surgery to remove her gallbladder and part of her liver—I realized I have absolutely no clue what any of this means. Please, I need help deciphering this:
dg: Carcinoma vesicae felleae, infiltration of hepatic segments IVb and V
th. atypical resection of segments IVb and V including vesicae felleae, lymphadenectomy of HD ligament, and resection of greater omentum

It also says:
1. A section of the bile duct measuring 0.2 cm was histologically examined via intraoperative biopsy and subsequent permanent sections; all structures are preserved, and no tumor tissue was found.
2. An irregular piece of tissue measuring 0.7 cm corresponds histologically to two lymph nodes up to 0.4 cm, one of which is infiltrated by metastatic tumor, appearing as the primary tumor in material 4.
3. Fatty tissue measuring 5 cm in length containing nine lymph nodes ranging from 0.3-1.6 cm, two of which are infiltrated by metastatic tumor.
4. Gallbladder measuring 6x4 cm with an underlying liver resection measuring 12x9x8 cm... visible perivascular and perineural invasion. Marked desmoplasia and areas of necrosis present. In the area of the gallbladder neck, a 0.6 cm lymph node is infiltrated by metastatic tumor. The tumor infiltrates the surrounding fatty tissue and liver tissue; at the caudal margin of the liver parenchyma, there is attached fatty tissue, and the tumor infiltrates the capsule, though the fatty tissue itself is preserved. The remaining parenchyma shows preserved architecture, with portal spaces showing sparse to moderate chronic inflammatory infiltrate along with cholangiolar proliferation; approximately 20% of hepatocytes show micro- and macrovesicular steatosis in the cytoplasm. The resection margins of the gallbladder neck and the liver parenchyma are clear.

Does anyone make sense of this?! Based on this, what kind of prognosis are we looking at?
Thanks in advance

We definitely need more data, like lab results, imaging—ultrasound, CT scans, etc.,
Therapy details, age, additional comorbidities, official diagnosis, and so on.

Megan Williams6 said:Thanks for the advice, but does that require a prescription or can you just pick it up over the counter?

melloworca6 said:You can get it via prescription, especially since my mom takes pain pills every single day. It’s also available over the counter—check this one out:

It’s better to get this via prescription. If you're looking at actual ulcer prophylaxis, you really need to be on the 40mg dose.

Quote : Felix the Cat

Zachary Ramos68 said:...Do I actually need to bring this up with my doctor and start treatment, or can I just try to sleep it off? (And honestly, I’m really not a fan of antibiotics... :/ )Mr. Thank You 😁

If you ask me, you’re looking at two or three days of home care and that's that.

Sam Johnson7 said:Lea, please accept my deepest, most sincere condolences.😢
It’s painfully clear that even my mom isn't going to be saved from this. At this point, the only real question left is how much longer this agonizing stretch is actually going to last.😕I was honestly hoping vividsailor7 might give me some kind of prognosis, but let’s be real—he’s probably way too busy to deal with this.

Regarding your specific situation, I’ll dig into it once I can actually catch a breath. Just to be clear, when it comes to non-digestive tumors—things like lung, brain, ovarian, or hematological cancers—I won't be giving you an exhaustive breakdown. That simply isn't my specialty; I'm not a gastroenterologist. That’s why my insights regarding HCC are much more thorough, whereas my take on what that other doctor said? Let's just say it was pretty damn thin.
I don't want to step on anyone's toes too much, but I’m planning to dive deep into this over the weekend and really dig into the details.

Kyle Lee7 said:I realize they followed protocol—but honestly, nothing would have changed even if she had listened to me. She could have just taken my ID as a guarantee. The only real consequence was that I wasted an extra hour or two wandering into the ER in the middle of the night while my bladder felt like it was on fire, just to get a prescription for the exact same medicine I’d already asked for—medicine I could have easily picked up the following day. Those two hours of misery meant two hours less of sleep, and I had a 6:00 AM drive out to Cleveland and a full day of field work ahead of me. 🙂

It used to be easier to get these things, but now the regulations have become incredibly strict. On one hand, I get it; people tend to pop pills left and right without any guidance, lending medications to friends, taking dosages incorrectly, or stopping treatments prematurely. If I recall correctly, there was even a recent report detailing how more than half of all prescribed medications end up being misused or discarded.

One other thing that really frustrates me—and this isn't about pharmacies—is that you can get a massive amount of medication on a prescription that almost anyone can afford and that isn't life-critical, yet we constantly see headlines about shortages for people battling cancer or other serious illnesses. You know, the ones who need it most. Shouldn't there be some sense of solidarity? Why can't people just pay out of pocket for their own nasal sprays or minor stuff? Or is the mindset that if someone is that sick, they’re going to die anyway, so why bother... ☕

I couldn't agree more. A huge chunk of what we’re talking about falls squarely into the OTC category—things you can just pick up off the shelf without a prescription. I'm talking about H2 blockers, PPIs, NSAIDs, antihistamines, and even topical stuff like Clotrimazole creams. It's all right there in the aisle.

swiftbear86 said:You won't believe this, but we actually had a doctor call us up and threaten to report us for illegal practice. This was just for giving a long-term patient of ours—someone we've seen for ten years—his regular medication on credit.
The fine for the pharmacy is $100 $0.00, for the pharmacist it's $10 $0.00, and then you lose your license entirely.
Why would anyone risk their entire livelihood?
Basically, the doctor supposedly wrote an e-prescription, but it never hit the system, so it didn't even show up. We made an exception so the guy wouldn't have to stop his folic acid therapy, but then the doctor turned around and blamed us for her own mistake. It took her a whole month to realize what went wrong, and it was 100% on her.
Not to mention, she constantly claims her "internet isn't working." 😁
For heaven's sake, her internet "doesn't work," she doesn't check her entries, or she just forgets to write things down.

Just try telling a patient that they're getting too many meds on their prescription. 😛

It's hard enough for them to cover a few extra bucks since they already have supplemental insurance. 🙂

The little scammers are always the most eager ones. I still remember this one guy asking me if he could just have me write Lupocet on his medical report so he could get it via prescription—basically trying to pull a fast one.
Honestly, I think we should just go ahead and slap a $0.67 label on every single box. Maybe then things would actually start running smoothly.

neonheron32 said:Alright, he was discharged from the hospital today, and I have the discharge papers with some more specific details... I'm not sure if I should list everything, so I'll just summarize the main points:

DG: Burkitt lymphoma / Diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma C83.7
Hypogammaglobulinemia D84.8
Anemia in neoplastic disease D63.0
Megaloblastic anemia D51
Hemolytic anemia D59.9
Immune thrombocytopenia D47.3
Chronic gastritis K29
Atrial fibrillation I48

The Burkitt diagnoses, the anemia related to the neoplastic disease, and the atrial fibrillation are all new.

More from the discharge summary:
Initial dexamethasone therapy was started, which led to an improvement in general condition, cessation of fibrillation, and regression in lymph node size. Given his age (85 years old), treatment with prednisone and cyclophosphamide was recommended; he received 1g IV on 10/18/2012. During hospitalization, the patient developed atrial fibrillation, and rhythm control was established using bisoprolol. Due to hypogammaglobulinemia, he received 15g of IV immunoglobulin on 10/19. To address the megaloblastic anemia, the patient received 1000 mcg of Vitamin B12 IV, along with four units of packed red blood cells to correct the anemia. The patient tolerated the therapy well and is being discharged home in satisfactory condition.

Otherwise, he’s been prescribed Zypnatol, Euthyrox (which he was already taking), plus Folic Acid, Diflucan, Allopurinol, Concor, Decortin, and Advil. I didn't include the dosages, but I can if needed. Next week, he just needs to come back to the hospital for a check-up and a B12 injection, and in three weeks, he’ll start the next cycle of cyclophosphamide.

Up until now, he’s been getting B12 once every three months and immunoglobulins once every two months.

Anyway, following yesterday's cyclophosphamide therapy, he hasn't felt bad yet—he actually has an appetite and feels more rested than when he was first admitted. His lymph node is still palpable, but it's significantly smaller.

What is the prognosis for a situation like this? The doctors told us they are very pleased with the progress so far, and we really hope they're right.😢

Thanks in advance.

Given his age and the pre-existing hematological issues, combined with chronic atrial fibrillation, you should be extremely pleased with how things are looking.
As for the actual prognosis, I won't get into that because it's outside my area of expertise.

crimsongull94 said:........
I really hope you manage to navigate this 🙂 Thanks 🙂)

The lab results are actually quite good considering how much is going on here. Let’s break this down step by step.
Diuretics kick in almost immediately, but they don't stay in the system very long.
The antihypertensive therapy is pretty aggressive right now. What I would personally adjust is the propranolol—specifically, I'd bump it up to 2x40mg if possible, provided the systolic blood pressure stays above 90mmHg and the heart rate remains over 60 bpm. I'd also scale back the dose of Amlodipine/Norvasc.
Regarding the pleural effusion—some call it hepatic hydrothorax—it shows up in about 10 percent of patients dealing with cirrhosis and ascites. It happens when ascites leaks through defects in the diaphragm, driven primarily by negative intrathoracic pressure. Just like with your father, it usually settles on the right side.
Moving on, Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) is treated with third-generation cephalosporins, though Norfloxacin can be used for prophylaxis.
The Child-Pugh classification uses three stages—A, B, and C—which are determined based on specific parameters: ascites, bilirubin, albumin, encephalopathy, and PV. You score them accordingly.
Stage B means a one-year survival rate of 62 percent
a five-year survival rate of 20 percent
and a ten-year survival rate of 10 percent
A CT scan isn't actually the best tool for spotting HCC; an MRI is a far better option because of its superior sensitivity for detection, differential diagnosis, and staging. On a CT, HCC might just show up as a hypoechoic focal lesion.
When it comes to an MRI, it's highly recommended to perform it with angiography to catch those characteristic pathological changes, like that bizarre arrangement of feeder vessels.
BUT, let's be clear: a biopsy is the gold standard for both diagnosis and determining how far the disease has spread.
There is legitimate suspicion regarding HCC, and the tumor marker AFP supports that concern.
It would also be wise to follow up the advised MRI/angiography with an EGD/gastroscopy to get a clear look at the stomach and any varices, which allows for therapeutic endoscopic intervention if needed.
Additionally, they could check arterial blood gas levels to see how his breathing is holding up, along with a TTE (echocardiogram) to rule out hepatopulmonary syndrome given those lung issues.
I think I've covered everything. If I missed something, just ask.

Lisa Myers said:So, how did things get to this point where you're taking all these medications at such a young age? Honestly, I was a little shocked. I'm around the same age, and I'm already on two blood pressure pills and one anti-anxiety med—and everyone, including my doctors, thinks that's perfectly normal. 😲 Whenever I hear this... look, you're a doctor. Every single physician tells me the same thing: all these blood pressure issues just vanish once you start exercising and lose some weight. 🙄So, that's what I'm wondering about.

Look, this is actually really important to me. Could you please take a look at my original post at the top of this thread and give me an answer? I’ve searched everywhere—online and even asking my doctors—but I just can't find a straight answer to this question.

In my case, it isn't even certain yet if we're dealing with essential/primary hypertension.
But look, there are people much younger than me who have pressures hitting 150/something, undergo full workups, and get diagnosed with primary hypertension despite having a perfectly normal weight. That’s actually a huge focus in pediatric hypertension medicine right now.
It’s funny how everyone assumes doctors are somehow immune to health problems. Unfortunately, that's not the case. We deal with hypertension, blood sugar issues, heart problems, digestive issues—we aren't exempt from disease either.
As for your question regarding why specific drugs are prescribed, I honestly don't know. You’ll have to ask the people who actually make those calls.

Brian Murphy3 said:Hey there! 🙂

Quick question about Co-Perineva 4 mg/1.25 mg:

I’ve gone through the entire list of side effects on the package insert, but I want to know if anyone here actually deals with throat irritation, sneezing, or watery eyes while taking it. I’m looking for real-world experiences because my mom hasn't stopped coughing since she started this medication..

Thanks!

🙂

Coughing is a very well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors. What needs to happen is for her to see an internist, because ARB - Valsartan is the alternative to ACE inhibitors, but that's only by medical recommendation.
Something like Valsartan 80mg + Indapamide 1 tab could work.

hollowmoose11 said:FSH: 10.60
LH: 15.50
PROLACTIN: 233.00
DHEA-SO4: 6.7
ANDROSTENDIONE: 29.10
FREE TESTOSTERONE: 8.80
TESTOSTERONE: 5.30
ESTRADIOL: 0.208
17-OH PROG: 5.50
SHBG: 35.00

cortisol: 1047.00
reference range: morning 138-689 nM

Unfortunately, I don't have the full report with me or the reference ranges, so if anyone knows based on this whether they look okay,
done on day 5 of my cycle.

I can't tell you off the top of my head—you absolutely have to check the reference intervals, the symptoms that led to these tests, and any potential diagnosis or treatment.

rapidtrucker90 said:I had my thyroid hormones drawn yesterday and picked up the results today.

It says this:
TSH ref. interval 0.35-4.94 ------ my result is 5.264
T3 ref. interval 0.89-2.44 ------ my result is 2.75
T4 ref. interval 62.68-150.84 ------ my result is 107.11

So TSH and T3 are elevated. My doctor couldn't quite explain it to me; he just said it’s an unusual combination that both of those are high.
😕
He gave me a referral to go to the Mayo Clinic...

Does anyone here know more about this, or has anyone dealt with similar results? 🤷

Thanks in advance. 😉

Good grief,
please let us know what the endocrinologist says.