Posts by Robin Newman2

Emily Ortiz27 said:You know how it is with gynecologists... I just want to know if my reproductive system is heading down that one-way street for good (even if it feels a bit early), or if this is just a passing phase that needs monitoring and treatment...

Honestly, you're definitely in perimenopause, and there’s absolutely nothing weird about it. Once you hit 35, hormones start their slow decline, and women begin noticing all these shifts.

The reason your cycle is shortening is because your progesterone levels have dropped, and those night sweats? That's classic estrogen deficiency.

I managed to sort some of it out using herbal teas. During the first half of my cycle (up until ovulation), I drink sage tea—just two or three spoons a day—and the sweating stopped completely. During the second half, I switch to Vitex tea; it helps lengthen my cycle back to a solid 28 days since Vitex stimulates progesterone production.

But listen, you have to be incredibly disciplined about drinking it regularly. If I skip even a single spoonful, the symptoms start creeping back. When I stay on top of it, though, I sleep like a baby.

Anyway, I hope that helps at least a little bit. Good luck!

I posted on the raw food thread quite a while ago—probably two or three years back. I actually really enjoyed the discussions there; it was great swapping ideas with people who, above all, had actual experience with a raw food lifestyle and truly lived it. But then the trolls showed up and completely poisoned the well. Between them and the way Carol Lopez23 basically enabled their behavior by ignoring the mess, I just lost the will to contribute. Honestly, I haven't felt like posting on any thread for a long time now. I know I’m not alone in this; others, like Marec, have stepped away from the forums for the exact same reasons.

I am in total agreement with everything Elizabeth Jackson wrote. I fully support the initiative to move Carol Lopez23 out of here; it would be much better if she were relocated over to the Health section instead. Look, I have nothing against the man personally, and I'm certainly not questioning his credentials in mainstream medicine, but he’s just not a fit for the Alternative community. In my opinion, Ryan Gomez4 is doing an absolutely stellar job over on the Alternative side.

Hey frozenjackal12,

I’m dealing with some pretty similar issues myself, and honestly, ginger tea has been a lifesaver for me. I’m not entirely sure if you should be drinking it while pregnant, though—you might want to do a quick Google search just to be safe.

One thing I’ve noticed is that my bladder symptoms take a massive dive whenever I eat white sugar, white flour, or red meat. It feels like those foods just acidify my whole system, making everything ten times worse. And hey, if they’re pumping you full of all sorts of medications, that could be contributing to the flare-ups too.

I actually went through my entire pregnancy dealing with this same issue, though thankfully it wasn't quite as excruciating as what you're describing. I definitely had my fair share of bad days (that last month of pregnancy was absolute torture), but I managed to push through, and my little girl just celebrated her first birthday recently.

Hang in there and try to stay patient. Make sure you're sipping on plenty of fluids, too. I really hope everything turns out okay. Take care of yourself.

Neem tea (that Indian plant) helps me too, but seriously, don't touch that if you're pregnant. You could also try marshmallow root tea; it’s great for soothing mucous membranes, so it might help heal the lining of your bladder.

Good luck!

steelviper392 said:Alright, I’ll jump in here and give you my two cents.
It turns out it wasn't a hernia for me after all...
I spent this entire week going through every single test imaginable, and it turns out I have a severe bladder infection. I actually had to undergo a cystoscopy just yesterday—honestly, one of the most miserable experiences of my life. Apparently, the infection progressed so far that the bacteria actually damaged the lining of my bladder and urethra. I’ve been prescribed a month-long course of antibiotics, so now I’m just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best...

I truly hope what you're dealing with is genuinely just a "heavy" bladder infection.

But let me tell you, I went through an almost identical ordeal. Since I was feeling pain in and around my bladder area, I went to see the "top" private urologist in town. He used an ultrasound to confirm inflammation and told me my bladder wall had thickened. Then he insisted a cystoscopy was the only way to be absolutely sure. I should mention that my urine tests and cultures came back perfectly fine—totally sterile.

So, naturally, I agreed to the cystoscopy. Let me tell you, I saw stars while they were doing it; the pain was absolutely excruciating. He did find some changes inside—white patches on the bladder wall—and claimed the bacteria had caused damage. Of course, he prescribed antibiotics. They didn't help one bit. Then he claimed my specific bacteria was resistant to them, suggesting that because I was taking them orally, they might not even be reaching the bladder??? So, he recommended this incredibly expensive medication from Germany that they would administer directly into my bladder via the urethra for ten straight days. It felt like undergoing a new cystoscopy every single day. Even that didn't work. Eventually, I realized he was basically just guessing at this point, so I stopped seeing him altogether.

All those heavy-duty antibiotics absolutely trashed my immune system, and predictably, I ended up with a yeast infection that dragged on for months. It took forever to feel human again.

Once I finally discovered I actually had a hernia two years later and got it surgically repaired, the bladder pain vanished completely. Not once since then.

The bladder pain I dealt with before the surgery felt similar to a UTI (I've had several, so I know the drill), but there was one glaring difference. With a UTI, it burns and hurts from the moment you start peeing until the very end. With my issue, the sharp pain occurred exclusively at the very end of urination.

Later on, when I actually caught a real bladder infection, I realized they were two entirely different types of pain.

I really hope it's just a bladder infection for you, but if you don't start feeling better, my honest, well-meaning advice is to head to New York City to see a top-tier hernia specialist. Don't waste your time or money wasting it here locally.

Good luck!🙂

steelviper392 said:Dear ladies of this forum, I’ve just registered because I'm feeling pretty desperate. Honestly, this community feels like my last hope of finding someone dealing with the same thing—or at least someone who has actually found an answer—because I am completely lost.
I've been dealing with this massive issue for several months now, and absolutely nobody can tell me what's wrong. I am beyond exhausted from bouncing between doctors, hospitals, and private clinics. It’s a total loop: the urologist sends me to the gynecologist, the gynecologist sends me back to the urologist, and meanwhile, I’m still in constant pain.
About a year ago, I had my first bout of bladder inflammation. I was prescribed antibiotics, nothing too crazy, and I felt better immediately after finishing them. Generally, I'm not a sickly person; I'm careful about staying warm and avoiding being barefoot in the cold. But a few months ago, the pain during urination started up again. I saw my doctor, they found bacteria in my urine, and prescribed Ninur. I finished the whole week-long course of antibiotics, yet the pain just wouldn't quit. My bladder hurt, but it wasn't specifically while I was peeing. I’ve done all the swabs, all the urine tests—everything came back perfectly normal. Then my doctor sent me to a gynecologist since I noticed the most intense pain happens during sex with my boyfriend—specifically in that vaginal area near the G-spot where it feels like it's hitting my bladder directly. The gynecologist did the exams and swabs, and once again, everything looked fine.
Then I went to see a urologist. They sent me for an ultrasound, and the results were totally clear.
But the pain? It isn't stopping. This has been going on for months. I have no idea where to turn. I don't have the typical burning sensation when I pee or the classic symptoms of a bladder infection, but that specific area hurts like crazy. I can't even touch my lower abdomen—especially when my bladder is full—without it feeling like someone is slicing me with a sharp knife. It's also strange that the pain is most intense when I apply pressure, like using a finger or when my gynecologist performs an exam in that area toward the bladder.
What could this be? What else can I possibly do just to make the pain stop, and where do I go next? No pills seem to touch this pain.

steelviper392, I’ve dealt with almost identical symptoms and pain myself. I spent two years running in circles from one specialist to another just like you. In the end, it turned out to be an inguinal hernia that was pressing on the nerves near my bladder and vagina. I suggest checking out the Vulvodynia thread over on the women's health board. It might not be your exact issue, but it's worth looking into. Good luck!🙂

Look, you aren't sterile, but you aren't exactly hitting that fertile window every single month either. Have you actually sat down with an OB-GYN yet? Did they bother to send you off for some hormone testing?

I’m looking at getting surgery to fix a kilo of hernia in my groin. Here in the States, they usually go with general or spinal anesthesia, but I’ve heard that over in Germany, they mostly just stick to local anesthesia. Can anyone explain why there's such a massive difference in how they handle this?

Also, how long does local anesthesia actually last? Like, is it possible for it to hold up for an hour or two if needed? Thanks!