Posts by mistymaker8

Just saw that the Pentagon quietly updated their database with hundreds more casualties from the Iran conflict. It feels pretty shady that these numbers are being adjusted after the fact without much fanfare. Does anyone else find it suspicious when these "quiet" updates happen?

Dear Vera, I went through the exact same thing. My mother had a similar experience to yours, except in our case, the doctors just kept passing the buck to one another instead of actually doing anything to fix the problem.... In the end, she passed away from septic shock and multiple organ failure... She was only 42... Hang in there. 🙂

Ladies, is the pain localized to one side or is it your whole stomach? And does the pain radiate down into your legs??

It wouldn't be a bad idea to get tested for Lyme disease.

Hey everyone, has anyone else dealt with more complex chemo treatments and felt this weird sensation of being "full," like you just haven't fully emptied your bowels? Also, does anyone get sharp pains in the rectal area? Sometimes when I sit down too fast, I get this sudden stabbing pain inside that makes me bolt upright immediately, and I've definitely dealt with some pretty heavy bleeding after bowel movements.

Hi there.
I just had my bloodwork done for Borrelia burgdorferi, and here are the results:
Borrelia burgdorferi IgG antibodies: POSITIVE
Borrelia burgdorferi IgM antibodies: NEGATIVE

My doctor is out on vacation, so I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out if I currently have Borrelia or if this is just from a past infection.
Thanks!

wiredcanyon2 said:Hahaha😁 I guess I missed that 26g part. Anyway, from what I know and based on my own research, carrying extra weight can absolutely trigger proteinuria. Usually, once you drop the pounds, the proteinuria clears up. Some people just deal with it without having actual kidney pathology, too. It would be a smart move to get a urine sediment exam (microscopic analysis) done—have you gone that route yet? Honestly, I think your nephrologist gave you solid advice; you should probably follow it, otherwise, you're just guessing. That fatty liver is almost certainly tied to the extra weight, and those lesions can resolve over time. Getting a fecal occult blood test is also a great call to rule out any GI bleeding.

😁 I had my first sediment test back on November 25, 2010, and this was the result:
Leukocytes-high 0-2
Erythrocytes- 3-5 0-2
Squamous epithelial cells - high 0-1
Bacteria-some 0
Mucus-some 0

Qualitative urine analysis—everything negative except leukocyte esterase at 2 (normal is 0)

January 5, 2011—sediment
Leukocytes-1-2
Squamous epithelial cells-3-5
Bacteria-high
Mucus-some
Calcium oxalate crystals-high

Qualitative analysis—all normal.

wiredcanyon2 said:If you’re carrying 26 extra pounds over your target weight, that liver lesion is most likely just hepatic steatosis—basically fatty liver. There isn't a magic pill for fatty liver; it’s all about diet, staying active, and basically overhaulng your lifestyle. It sounds cliché, I know, but the medical literature backs it up. Your liver enzymes seem stable, which is a good sign. When you saw those two specialists, they had to provide some kind of diagnosis on the report, right? What did they actually write down? And what did the hematologist suggest for follow-up testing?

Honestly, you have me laughing a little now. I don't have 26 extra pounds—unfortunately, I have more than that—but I am 26 years old. As for my weight, it's mostly down to genetics and PCOS. I saw the hematologist about five months ago, and they suggested a blood culture test (which I'm planning to do soon), checking my thyroid (which is fine), a gynecological exam where they diagnosed the PCOS, and a gastroscopy—though I'm still working up the courage for that one🙂. They also checked my Ferritin, which is high, and my Vitamin B12 and folic acid, which are normal. So, the hematologist gave me no diagnosis, and the nephrologist didn't have much for me either, other than telling me to monitor my proteinuria every six months, lose some weight, and cut out meat and salt. That's pretty much it.

wiredcanyon2 said:Pain can be part of a diffuse liver lesion—for instance, if you're dealing with fatty liver. Though, "fatty liver" itself doesn't usually hurt or cause symptoms. So, the pain could definitely stem from changes happening in the liver.

"Diffuse liver lesion" is a pretty broad term. It basically means the liver has changed somehow, but an ultrasound alone won't tell you why. Possible causes range from fatty liver and viral hepatitis A, B, or C (which were ruled out) to other types like alcohol-related, medication-induced, or other viruses like CMV or EBV. It could also be metabolic issues like Wilson's disease or hemochromatosis, autoimmune liver diseases, or even inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's.

Since your ferritin is high, this probably isn't iron-deficiency anemia. Usually, that would be caused by something else entirely—what they call "anemia of chronic disease." That said, you could have a combination of things, especially since women are more prone to iron deficiency due to their cycles. You didn't mention what your TIBC, UIBC, or reticulocyte counts are, or your AST, ALT, and GGT levels.

Kidneys: You have protein in your urine, which could point to a glomerular disorder, like some type of glomerulonephritis. There are a hundred different things that can trigger glomerulonephritis, ranging from infections to autoimmune damage.

HbA1c is your glycated hemoglobin; it gives an estimate of your average glucose concentration over the last three months. Looks fine to me.

Serum lipemic: This is due to elevated fats.
Lipids: These might be elevated as part of a diffuse liver lesion.

Has an actual specialist seen you and ordered these tests, or is this just your primary doctor calling the shots? Honestly, it sounds like you need a solid second opinion—someone who will actually look at the big picture, take a full history, and connect the dots. Do you have hematuria (blood in your urine)? What’s your blood pressure? Your age? Weight? Any medical history? All of that matters. Just posting results bit by bit on a forum isn't going to get you answers.The iron she gave you won't help because your ferritin is high, which suggests your iron stores are actually there, but they're "locked away" for some reason. You don't have iron-deficiency anemia; you have anemia caused by something else.
Obviously, nothing is 100% certain; I'm just speculating based on what you've shared.

Look, I'm just listing what was abnormal in my results. Everything else—GGT, AST, ALT, TIBC, UIBC, etc.—is within the normal range. (Reticulocytes?)
I don't smoke, and I don't drink alcohol at all. If I had hematuria, would it show up in a 24-hour urine test? My BP goes as high as 130/80. I'm 26, and I am overweight. As far as I know, I haven't had any major illnesses, and I don't have anyone to ask for help.
I know the iron won't work, and I would have even mentioned the ferritin thing to her if I hadn't.
All in all, she's a terrible doctor (I hate saying this, but you can see for yourselves).
I saw a nephrologist about the proteinuria, and she basically brushed me off, saying it was just because of my high BMI and that I should go on a diet.
Then I saw a hematologist, who concluded it wasn't anemia per se, but microcytosis and hypochromia, which could be a result of latent iron deficiency.
After everything, I still have no idea what's going on or what my diagnosis is. I'm asking for advice here: what else should I do? What tests should I run? Unfortunately, I can't afford private specialists because, being a foreign national here, I have to cover my own healthcare costs.
Basically, my doctor's main priority is just getting me pregnant, clearly—even if it comes at the expense of my own health.
Thanks a lot.

Hey there, it's me again 🙂
I'm posting all my recent lab results here because I really need some help—my doctor honestly seems completely lost regarding these numbers.
Sedimentation 26 H
Leukocytes 13.5 H
MCV 80.7 L
MCH 27.0 L
Glucose 6.2 H
Alkaline Phosphatase 46 L
Iron 6.2

Serum lipemic

Triglyceride 4.69 H
Cholesterol 5.4 H
LDL Cholesterol 3.46 H
Hypochromia

Ferritin 163.5 H (Range 10-120)
Even though my ferritin is high, my doctor is still forcing me to take iron supplements (which is why I say she has no clue what she's doing)

24-hour Urine Analysis

Total Protein 172 H
Protein/Creatinine Ratio 109 H
HbA1c 5.6% (What does this even mean?)

Ultrasound: Hyperechoic liver, borderline dimensions suggesting diffuse lesions. (Could this be happening because of that elevated ferritin?)
Hepatitis B and C markers are negative.

Can anyone give me a general opinion? What is going on with me???
I have to mention that I’m dealing with liver pain almost every single day now. It actually started while I was on Silapen, which I was prescribed for absolutely no reason (my doctor suspected strep throat, but she didn't even bother doing a swab???).
THANKS

wiredcanyon2 said:I’m asking about heart stuff just out of curiosity. Your blood pressure is fine. Those low-grade fevers can sometimes signal an underlying issue, but honestly, some people live with them for years without knowing why and stay perfectly healthy. When did those subfebrile temperatures start—was it before the anemia? Does it happen every day? Also, does anyone in your family deal with things like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or thyroid issues? Have you noticed anything else, like joint or muscle pain, skin rashes, or swollen lymph nodes? 🙂

Heart stuff?? Is there something wrong with it????
To be honest, I don't even know how long I've been anemic or how long I've had these fevers because I don't really feel them. When I actually take my temperature, it's not always there, so it doesn't happen every single day. I almost never go to the doctor; in fact, I actually had blood work done for the first time in my life that day when I ended up in the ER (long story). As for family history, I don't know much since I lost contact with most of my relatives during the war, except for my grandma (my dad's mom), who has diabetes. No one else seems to have any of those conditions mentioned.
My joints and muscles don't hurt, though my back is absolutely killing me. My skin looks fine and my lymph nodes aren't swollen. My throat is still constantly red and it stings in the morning, but I'm assuming that's just from snoring. 🙄

wiredcanyon2 said:Since you mentioned being anemic, your hemoglobin is probably low too—you didn't specify. For women, iron-deficiency anemia is the most common kind (often due to heavy periods), but you haven't listed your iron levels, UIBC, TIBC, or ferritin. Your chest X-ray came back normal. What’s your blood pressure like? High?
Silapen can (like many other medications) cause liver issues such as hepatitis or cholestasis, though it's not super common with Silapen specifically. Allergic reactions happen more often. If your AST, ALT, Bilirubin, and Alkaline levels look okay—and your GGT seems almost normal too—then the liver probably isn't the main issue. It might be fatty liver (diffuse lesions), which is pretty common in people who are slightly overweight or have a poor diet, especially when combined with high lipids (cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides). Those pains could be stomach-related, especially if they hit after eating; if it's bothering you, go see a gastroenterologist to check for things like gastritis or a hernia. Everything else points toward some kind of infection, but the question is, where? Have you been checked by a gynecologist? Sometimes there are "silent" infections there that can linger for a long time.

My hemoglobin stayed within the normal range; the lowest it got was 125. Iron is 6.2 L, TIBC is 57.8, UIBC is 51.6, and FE is 163.5 H. Basically, everything is normal except for those specific numbers I mentioned.
The anemia isn't from my period since mine aren't heavy, though with PCOS, I do occasionally skip several months at a time.
Blood pressure is sometimes 130/80 (why do you ask about blood pressure?)
GGT is now 22.
I had my gynecological exam and everything was fine, aside from some yeast issues which I've cleared up. I haven't done any swabs, so I don't know if anything is hiding there.
Thanks so much for all the effort and the answers.
Oh, and I frequently run low-grade fevers in the afternoons and evenings.
37-37.2-37.4

wiredcanyon2 said:Honestly, it's tough to figure out what's going on just from a CBC. It’s such a vague metric—for instance, someone could have leukemia and still show a perfectly normal leukocyte count. Without more context, this blood work could point to a thousand different things. To give you any real insight, I need to know why you've been monitoring your blood counts for months now. Do you have a diagnosis? What symptoms are you actually feeling? And why were you taking Silapen? Generally speaking, high leukocytes suggest a bacterial infection, but there are plenty of other possibilities. What does your CBC look like??

Liver: "Diffuse hyperechogenic" basically means you have diffuse liver lesions, most likely fatty liver changes, though it could be some form of hepatitis. How much do you weigh and how old are you??
Lipemic serum: This suggests you probably have high lipid levels. Elevated sedimentation: Sed rate is a non-specific inflammatory marker used to flag inflammation, but since it can be influenced by so many factors, it isn't the best indicator on its own. What is your CRP??
Alkaline phosphatase: High levels often indicate intrahepatic cholestasis (which can happen with hepatitis or other liver issues). What are your AST and ALT and GGT levels? What about conjugated bilirubin?

First off, thanks for the reply.
I've been tracking my blood work because of anemia, though the cause is still unknown. I don't have a formal diagnosis yet. The symptoms that pushed me to get tested were chest pains on my left side that flared up after eating. It was a sharp, stabbing sensation that lasted for days, but I ignored it thinking it would pass. Eventually, I went to the ER where they scanned my heart and lungs. Here is the report: "In the examined thoracic organs, lung parenchyma shows appropriate translucency, with no signs of inflammatory consolidation or congestion."
"The domes are sharply outlined and neatly reduced; posterior sinuses are clear."
"Hila are slightly more prominent and vascular."
"Cardiovascular shadow shows hypertonic configuration with normal transverse diameter."
They didn't really explain anything to me; they just said everything looked fine.
My blood work showed high leukocytes at 16.2 H, erythrocytes at 5.11 H, MCV 78.5 L, MCH 25.4 L, GGT 39 H, glucose 7 H, and CRP 22.7 H; everything else was normal.
They told me I had some kind of infection and to follow up with my doctor. My doctor concluded it was strep throat because my throat looked red. I was prescribed Amoxicillin, which didn't help the redness, so then I was given Silapen. After taking that, I started having pain in my liver and kidney areas, along with some gynecological issues.
I don't know if all of this is a side effect of the Silapen or if I've just been dealing with these issues without realizing it. I still don't have a definitive diagnosis.
I'm 26 and carrying some extra weight.
My CBC is fine.
My liver tests are okay, except for alkaline phosphatase, which is low at 46 L.
Total bilirubin is fine at 6.5.

I’d love to get some perspective on these lab results: my leukocyte count has been fluctuating for months—it was at 16, then 14, 12, 4, and now 12.8.
Latest labs:
CBC:
Leukocytes 13.5 H
Sedimentation rate 26 H (was previously 40)
MCV 80.7 L
MCH 27 L

BIOCHEMISTRY:
Glucose 6.2 H (was 7)
Alkaline phosphatase 46 L
Lipemic serum

24-HOUR URINE BIOCHEMISTRY:
Total protein (dU) 172 H
Protein/Creatinine ratio 109 H

Ultrasound:
The liver shows diffuse hyperechogenicity and borderline dimensions—signs of diffuse lesions.
Everything else looks fine.

Could someone tell me what this might point to? I'm not pregnant. I've been feeling pain in the area of my liver and right kidney, and all of this started while I was taking a second dose of the antibiotic Silapen 1500 3x1.
Thanks

Must be nice that yours only happens after you're done; mine starts happening right in the middle of 😳 😳

wearydriver13 said:Can anyone tell me what it means when an eye swab test comes back "sterile" for Gram-positive bacteria? I'm assuming that's a good thing, but I figured I'd ask since my follow-up appointment isn't for another week...🙂

That’s a fair assumption, but "sterile" just means there are zero bacteria present and everything is as clean as a whistle. 😉

Brian Gomez28 said:I went in for some routine blood work today. It’s been about 7 or 8 years since I last saw a doctor, so I figured it was time for a full panel.
Looking at the results, most things seem fine except for these:
Sedimentation rate: 17 (normal 0-13)
Enzymes
S-ALT 56 (12-48)
S-GGt 60 (11-55)
Lipids:
Cholesterol: 8.3 ( LDL Cholesterol: 6 ( S-Triglycerides: 2.45
Since my follow-up appointment isn't for another week while I finish up some other tests, can someone with expertise tell me if I should be worried?
My stats:
Male, 43 years old
175cm, 95kg
Physical activity: almost none
Diet: Irregular; I rarely eat breakfast, often skip lunch, and just have dinner.
I did a little digging online, and based on these numbers, I should basically be a heavy drinker, but I don't drink at all. The only thing I consume in large amounts is Gatorade (about 4 lbs a month) and fruit juices. I rarely touch soda. Could the fact that I crushed 15 eggs on Wednesday and Thursday have any impact on these results (since I had the blood drawn on Friday)?

If you haven't already, go get a liver ultrasound. With lipid levels like yours, I suspect you might have fatty liver disease, which would align perfectly with those elevated liver enzymes.
Good luck

How many of you self-diagnose with chemical imbalances without ever actually seeing a doctor?

So, here’s my deal: I got my first period around age 12. For the first six months, it was super irregular, but then it leveled out—usually once a month, though sometimes it showed up at the start, middle, or end of the month. I never actually had symptoms; I’d just wake up to bloody underwear. It was totally painless and lasted about three, maybe four days max. But since I started having sex at 19, things changed—periods got more painful, there's discharge, and all that.
I figured this was all totally normal based on what other people said. Then life hit me hard with a lot of stress, and I ended up gaining a good amount of weight over two years. Naturally, my period vanished and was replaced by this brown discharge. I went six months without a period. Once I lost a few pounds, it came back, but it was incredibly painful. Then my mom passed away, which caused me to gain weight again, and my period disappeared for 16 months. Now that I've dropped some weight again, I've had it for two months straight, and it hurts like hell. Is what I'm describing actually normal??
I went to see a gynecologist, and they told me everything looked fine, except for polycystic ovaries (which I never even suspected). Also, if there were actually a cyst present, would a doctor really be able to spot it during a quick vaginal ultrasound that only lasts a few seconds? :O

Poor woman, I really hope she's doing better now.
Look, I get that blood clots can be normal—I've dealt with them myself—but this felt different. It was like some kind of membrane, or like that "chicken sperm" thing 😉 Samuel Morgan40 mentioned earlier. On top of that, my left ovary was killing me for a while. I just started seeing a gynecologist and got hit with a PCOS diagnosis, but now I'm terrified it was actually a cyst that ruptured. Hopefully, an ultrasound will show if there was anything there, because honestly, I'm completely lost 😢. My blood work isn't great either; I'm dealing with anemia, high lipids, and elevated inflammatory markers. I can't even tell if all of this is just part of the PCOS...