Posts by redeagle96

Jose Ruiz2 said:What exactly is UIBC? I’ve got a reading of 20.6... is that actually a good thing or should I be worried?😉

Think of UIBC as your body's "empty seats" for iron—it basically shows how much capacity you have left to pick up more iron and move it around.
That value is below the limit (the lower bound is 25), but you should check the lab report to see what their specific reference range is. It should be listed right there on the results—sometimes there are slight differences in ranges from one lab to another.
So, what’s your iron level looking like, and how about your TIBC?
By the way, you might see a lower UIBC pop up with certain types of anemia, among other things...

Get an allergy referral and schedule some testing.
From what I’ve seen, most doctors wait until after the first frost—once things cool down and the pollen dies back—to run these tests. That’s when you get the most accurate results.
Maybe double-check with your doctor, though. That’s just my experience. I’m not sure how clinics out in Chicago handle it, but I’d bet it’s the same everywhere in the States.
I did my first round of testing last winter, and honestly, it wasn't great. The thing that triggered the biggest reaction during the test doesn't even bother me today. My doctor told me we’d need to redo everything once the season changes.
Good luck! 😉

Arthur Palmer7 said:I have to tell you guys, my swollen lymph node is shrinking. It’s not even noticeable on my neck anymore. Is that a good sign? I really hope it's not what I think it is.

The fact that the lymph node is going down is actually a great sign.
It likely means the infection is finally clearing up.
Everything is going to be fine.
It isn't cancer.
I'm certain it's just a standard sore throat or tonsillitis.

Arthur Palmer7 said:Thanks guys, but I’ve got this sensation like when you eat something spicy—it feels like my throat is burning. Any ideas what that could be?

Could be acid reflux. Or maybe just some inflammation.

A throat swab is usually done when there's a suspicion of a bacterial infection.
In your case, it sounds like they might be looking for strep throat. If that’s what it is, you'll just get some antibiotics and call it a day.
Here are some typical strep symptoms (some of which you already mentioned): swollen or enlarged tonsils, pain or difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes in your neck, a sore throat that hits you out of nowhere, and a red throat.
It's nothing to lose sleep over—if it turns out to be strep, antibiotics will clear it right up!

No reason to stress 😉
Things will definitely settle down in a few days
All the best 🙂

Arthur Palmer7 said:Thanks, but I don't have any aches like a ghost would. Just a bit of a cough, some trouble swallowing, and my throat feels itchy. I went to see my doctor today and he checked under my neck—nothing there.

If there were a suspicious lump, your doctor would have felt it right away.
What did he say? Is your throat looking red?
Did he suggest getting blood work done?
I still think it’s just a standard sore throat or maybe your tonsils acting up.

It might be worth checking in with your doctor and getting some blood work done. That’s really the best way to figure out if you're dealing with an infection, whether it's viral or bacterial.
I don't think you've got anything too serious going on. 😉

Does that lymph node hurt when you touch it?
I’m still leaning toward it being from a throat infection, maybe your tonsils.

I definitely agree—you should get a referral to a GI specialist and schedule a gastroscopy. During the procedure, they'll take a tiny biopsy to check if you're dealing with H. pylori, which usually requires triple therapy. Based on what you've described, it sounds a lot like gastritis or GERD to me. I went through the exact same thing myself, and it turned out to be gastritis and esophageal inflammation.
Good luck! 🙂

David Turner80 makes a good point here 👍

It’s most likely just a sore throat or some swollen tonsils.
Don't jump straight to cancer; there's no need to go to the dark side immediately 🙂
How long have you been feeling this way?
Have you been drinking anything iced lately?

What does eosinophil cationic protein actually tell us? (I'm wondering if it just points to an allergy, or if it can also indicate something like asthma?)

Aaron Kern19 said:Hey, I need some advice. My cat recently got sick and passed away shortly after. She had major issues with her eyes and nose, was totally lethargic, and couldn't eat. It was basically like the flu in humans. She sneezed right in my face a few times, and now over the last couple of days, I've been feeling sick too. I have this thick stuff building up in my throat that makes swallowing hard and triggers a nasty cough. Plus, I've been feeling incredibly weak lately. Usually, I can shake things off with a bunch of Vitamin C, but I'm worried this might be something more serious I picked up from her. Thanks if anyone has an idea what this could be... 🤷

go see a doctor.
A friend of mine got hit hard by an illness last winter. She felt terrible. After getting bloodwork done, they found out her liver enzymes were completely trashed. She went through doctor after doctor, turning yellow from jaundice, and nothing was bringing those levels down. It dragged on for about two months before they finally realized there was an infected cat in her apartment building and she'd caught whatever it had. So, don't mess around—it might not be anything scary, but you definitely need to get checked out...

Anyway, here is what I found ->
Common infections passed from cats to humans include:
- Campylobacter jejuni infection - causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. This bacteria lives in the digestive tracts of infected animals (pets or wildlife), and humans catch it through contaminated water, feces, or unpasteurized milk. It's a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis and spreads easily among family members or kids in daycare.
- Cat Scratch Disease - if someone gets bitten or scratched by a cat carrying Bartonella henselae, they might deal with headaches, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
- Rabies - a very serious viral disease transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via a bite or wound. Besides dogs and cats, foxes and raccoons are common carriers. Regular vaccinations for pets have significantly lowered how often this happens in both animals and people.
- Ringworm - a fungal skin infection spread by touching an infected animal. It shows up as relatively circular patches with red, uneven edges and clear centers. The skin gets dry and flaky, and hair may fall out. It can also affect the scalp.
- Toxocariasis - caused by parasites that live in the intestines of dogs or cats. It spreads through eggs shed in feces, which often contaminate soil or sand. This one is dangerous because the larvae move through the body and can end up in the eyes or brain. Human symptoms include fever, coughing or wheezing, an enlarged liver, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Toxoplasmosis - humans get this from contact with infected cat feces or undercooked meat. Most healthy people don't even show symptoms. If they do, it involves swollen glands, fatigue, muscle aches, fever, sore throat, or a rash. For pregnant women (where it can pass to the fetus!) or people with compromised immune systems like those with cancer or HIV/AIDS, it can lead to severe complications.

Author: Dr. Vlatka Erman, DVM
Source: PetMD website

Nicole Jones12 said:You know how it is. You're dealing with generalized anxiety and panic attacks, plus finals week is right around the corner. 😲
How’s everything in Chicago? Are the mosquitoes eating you alive??😉

It doesn't really feel like a full-blown panic attack; it just lasts a few seconds and then vanishes. Honestly, I feel pretty chill despite all the nonsense that's gone down over the last three weeks. 🙂
Don't even get me started—they'll drive you crazy if you let them. 👎

I’ve been getting this sharp pain on the right side of my chest😕 It’s pretty intense but only lasts for a few seconds at a time. I’ve also had these weird sensations today where it feels like an electric shock shooting through my chest—down low, near my stomach area😕 It feels like little needles poking me, and it passes just as fast, but it definitely scares me when it happens. Also, for the last couple of days, my groin has been acting up. There’s no swelling, no bruising, and it doesn't hurt if I touch it, but the discomfort comes and goes. Does anyone have any advice? I’d really appreciate it. THANKS!

Donna Anderson6 said:Hey, I'll just drop this here instead of starting a whole new thread.
Don't be mad, 😁
I've been dealing with this chest pain for a while now—it’s never in the same spot, it kind of "wanders" around (reaching from under my armpit all the way to the middle of my sternum). It usually feels like a sharp sting or sometimes a burning sensation. The pain lasts about 10 seconds. I also get bouts of tachycardia. I had an IBM done when my heart rate hit around 150. The results didn't show any other abnormalities; there were no arrhythmias noted on the report, just a steady rhythm.
The pain doesn't happen during physical activity; it only hits when I'm resting—mostly when I'm sitting up or reclined. It isn't constant. Lately, though, I've been feeling my heart race quite often while resting, even though when I check it with a blood pressure monitor, it never goes above 90 bpm, which isn't too crazy...
My thyroid hormone levels came back normal, and my thyroid ultrasound was fine too.
So, what else could this be?
Thanks in advance 😁

I’m feeling pretty much the same way... it's almost identical.
Is it just me, or does anyone else get that sudden heart flutter whenever they stand up after sitting for a while? It’s like my heart skips a beat out of nowhere. 😕
My doctor basically just told me to take it slow when getting up, and that’s pretty much the whole story.
Anyone else got some advice?

Man, the pain is absolutely killing me today.
It’s never been this intense before.
I’ve tried everything—stretching, putting my legs up against the wall, using a heating pad on my abdomen—you name it. Zero luck.
When my family asked how bad it was, I told them it feels like someone is slicing through my ovaries with a serrated knife.🤣
Jokes aside,😁
I took two Advil, but they didn't do a thing.
It still hurts sooooo much.
Ever since I started my period, about six and a half years ago, I deal with cramps every single month.🙄 In an entire year, maybe there are two months where I get a break.
Usually, Efferalgan effervescent works best for me; it seems to kick in faster than anything else.
But only if I take it the very second I feel the first twinge. Otherwise, nothing touches it. Maybe Voltaren Rapid if I'm lucky.
I'm going to try Ketoral, since it seems to be working for most people here.
Time to try some other tricks, because this is just too much.😢

wearyorca472 said:So, lately I’ve been feeling pretty wiped out—just constant daytime fatigue despite getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night. A few days ago, while riding a bus with the windows shut, my vision started fading out. It went totally dark for a second—I could only make out dark shadows—and once I stepped off at the next stop, things slowly cleared up, though my ears were ringing a bit. Sometimes, even just walking up ten stairs leaves me winded and gasping. Then yesterday, I stepped out onto the balcony, came back inside, and as soon as I hit the bed, my heart started racing and I felt short of breath... Honestly, I have no idea what's going on. I'm 17, and I already went ahead and got a referral for some blood work.

Here is what the doctor ordered: CBC, BUN, Creatinine, Uric Acid, Total Bilirubin, Kali, Sodium, Iron, UIBS, TIBC, AST, GGT, CRP, ESR, and microscopic sediment analysis.

Thanks...

To me, this all sounds like anemia or an iron deficiency.
Some common signs of anemia include: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, lethargy, heart palpitations, trouble concentrating, and shortness of breath...
All those tests you're getting should give you a pretty clear picture of what's happening.
Good luck, let us know how it turns out 😉

Justin Rogers5 said:I'm dealing with the exact same thing, and unfortunately, I deal with anxiety too.
Maybe try spending less time at the computer; I have neck issues myself. My job requires me to stand all day with bad posture, so that could be part of it. Go see a doctor—I'm heading to a private clinic this Monday for some tests. A couple of years back, I had head scans and spinal ultrasounds done. I'd probably look into getting a CT scan just to be sure.😂

I've already seen a whole crowd of doctors. I've done everything from audiology tests to seeing a neurologist (MRI, Doppler, spinal scans, EEG). It really might just be bad posture. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of tests are you headed in for?

Your Brain is 87% Female, 13% Male
It turns out you’ve got a pretty feminine brain structure
And honestly? That’s a total win
You’re naturally empathetic, compassionate, and really pick up on how people feel.
That makes you a rock-solid friend who always knows what to say.
😁