Posts by ironsurfer10

boldnomad45 said:People on YouTube suggest wedging a brick under the bed frame to tilt it.

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So, if that's the case, how exactly does their bed not just snap right in half down the middle?

Zachary Gomez said:Manometry feels like a thicker straw; it's relatively quick, lasting about 10 minutes, but it does force you to swallow. You have to hold it for about thirty seconds without swallowing, then swallow only when the nurse tells you to—you get a sip of water via a syringe roughly ten times during the process. For the 24-hour pH testing, the probe is much thinner, though slightly stiffer and it can feel a bit scratchy during insertion, but it’s fine once it's in... My advice is to eat and drink immediately to get used to it. While I was eating, I barely felt it, except for an occasional tugging sensation in my nose. Just be careful not to catch any wires on anything... I was worried about how I would sleep, but in the end, it was perfectly fine... By morning, I had completely adjusted, so if I had to, I could have managed like that for a few more days.

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I accidentally ended my subscription to this thread on Reddit, so I’m only just now seeing the reply. Thanks so much for the detailed breakdown! I was wondering, are both of those procedures uncomfortable? Also, how far down do those tubes actually go into the throat?

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Ugh, I tried that before, but I kept sliding down so much that I’d end up with half my legs hanging off the edge of the mattress 😁 Eventually, I tried bunching up some pillows to prop my feet up, which actually helped for a little while, but honestly, my spine was taking a beating. Now I’m on the hunt for a way to elevate my legs at the head of the bed—basically tilting the whole mattress upward—but I haven't found anything particularly clever or practical yet.
I know Ergoactiv makes a bed like that, but let me tell you, it is eyesore incarnate!

Zachary Gomez said:Gaviscon is excellent because it keeps stomach acid and contents right where they belong, preventing them from rising. It works best before bed, though you can take it after meals during the day too—just make sure you don't eat or drink anything for a little while afterward so you don't wash it away. I used to take Gaviscon years ago, which works on the same principle, and I found it helpful; I haven't tried this specific one yet.

I received my test results, but I'm having a hard time interpreting them... and it looks like I'll be waiting a while for a follow-up appointment based on these findings. If the manometry was done correctly, it shows a hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter—meaning it’s likely weak and doesn't close properly—which explains why I feel liquid rising sometimes, like if I drink a lot of water and then lie down or sit in bed... There is also an unspecified peristaltic disorder in the esophagus. I'm not entirely sure what that entails. The 24-hour pH testing points toward acid reflux. I showed the results to my primary care doctor and described my symptoms, and he prescribed Zoprax 40mg in the morning (a PPI) for me to try. They didn't have it in stock at the pharmacy when I went to pick it up, so I haven't even started yet. In the meantime, I'm trying to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist to see what they think, whether they agree with the current treatment, or if I need more testing.

The worst constant symptom, though, is this unrelenting feeling of hunger that doesn't go away even after eating... I honestly don't know what it is. Two years ago, my gastro specialist noted quite a bit of bile reflux. I haven't tried many different remedies, so I'm not sure what would help most. On top of that, I deal with typical LPR symptoms, like throat burning, hoarseness, postnasal drip, and that constant need to clear my throat...

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Zachary Gomez, could you please describe how these tests are performed? Are they uncomfortable?

I deal with that constant hunger too; I find myself eating all the time, and I've actually gained quite a bit of weight over the last two years.

At first, I thought my Gaviscon wasn't doing anything, but when I forgot to pack it for a trip abroad, I realized pretty quickly that it actually does make a difference.

I don't have any burning, but I do have a dry throat, a constant feeling of hunger, frequent coughing, and hoarseness. My voice gets strained if I talk for too long. My doctor says it's LPR because they can see that my throat and esophagus are irritated by the acid.

@boldnomad45, what exactly is a reflux pillow?

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ironsurfer10 said:Does anyone have a recommendation for a good pulmonologist in Chicago? I'm open to seeing someone privately or through Social Security—it doesn't really matter to me. Thanks!

I'm still on the lookout for a pulmonologist if anyone has a solid recommendation. At this point, I'm only interested in private practice—I honestly don't have the patience to deal with the wait times through Social Security Administration.

Just a quick note for anyone looking for a urologist—Dr. Grubisic is absolutely fantastic.

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Morgan Wilson8 said:Could someone please recommend a clinic in Chicago where I can get a gastroscopy done under anesthesia? It's really important to me that they provide high-quality care, but I'm also looking for something reasonably priced.

I personally go to Bates and I've been very happy with them.

Nicholas Kelly6, maybe try seeing Dr. Vesna Brinar?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good pulmonologist in Chicago? I don't mind if it's a private practice or covered by Social Security Administration, either way works for me. Thanks!

Maria Fisher46 said:Hello there,

It looks like you have sideropenia (I'll assume your hemoglobin levels are normal since they weren't provided, though they should be checked). Given the context of urogenital bleeding, that is most likely the underlying cause.

Since your ferritin concentration is below 15 ug/L, it qualifies as low according to the WHO definition.

Regarding treatment for sideropenia, the first step involves dietary adjustments—specifically incorporating meat, poultry, or fish at least five days a week, alongside legumes and leafy greens. After that, iron supplements can be introduced.

Thank you so much for such a detailed response! Honestly, sticking to a diet with meat is going to be quite a challenge for me since I'm vegan, but I am trying my best to boost my iron through nutrition and various plant-based supplements for now. Currently, the only animal-derived supplement I take is Vitamin D; I tend to overdo it a bit, but once my levels reach a satisfactory range, I plan to switch entirely to plant-based sources.
Thanks again,

Hannah Stewart27 said:Hi everyone, I was hoping someone could help me understand why a gastroenterologist would order a 25-OH Vitamin D test. To give you some background, I’ve been dealing with iron deficiency and abdominal pain, so I went in for a full workup. My specialist ordered a colonoscopy, an endoscopy, and an MR enterography. Thankfully, everything came back clear—nothing unusual was found, aside from some GERD, gastritis, and a hiatal hernia. I started iron supplementation, and that actually worked quite well; my anemia issues were resolved after a short period, and my levels look great now. On top of that, all my tumor markers have been normal—first at the ten-month mark and again three months later. Basically, my entire blood panel looks solid, with the exception of a few specific deviations in the following values:

I just got my latest lab results back, and it looks like my 25-OH Vitamin D levels are sitting at 14.7 ng/mL. Given that the standard reference range is typically between 75 and 100 ng/mL, I’m definitely coming in quite a bit low. It’s a little humbling to see those numbers on paper, especially when you think you've been doing everything right, but I suppose it's just one of those things I need to address. I'll likely need to look into some supplementation or adjust my routine to get this back into a healthier bracket.
My Alpha-2 globulin levels came back at 6.5, while the standard reference range is listed between 7 and 11. It’s a little bit lower than what they usually look for, which is always a bit unsettling to see on a lab report. I'm trying to stay calm about it, but I'm definitely keeping an eye on it.
My beta globulin levels came back at 4.9, while the standard reference range is typically between 9 and 14. It’s a bit lower than what I was expecting to see on the report.
Beta globulin levels came back at 3.5, which is sitting a bit below the standard reference range of 6 to 10.
Alanine aminotransferase: 44 (Normal range: 10-36)

Since being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, my thyroid levels have been looking good and have stayed under control for about three months now, so I’ve stopped taking medication. My urinalysis came back normal, too. However, I’ve been dealing with daily hives since August, and I’m currently waiting on my first appointment with a dermatologist. On the bright side, all my immunoglobulin levels are within the normal range. A stool test for H. pylori also came back negative. Right now, I'm just waiting on the results from my blood cultures and a fecal calprotectin test.

I have a relatively normal weight—leaning more toward being on the slimmer side. I don't drink alcohol, I stay away from caffeine, and I've never been a smoker. As far as medications go, I take Elice 1 x and one to two doses of Letizen daily to manage some urticaria.

My apologies for the long post, and thanks in advance.

redranger2 said:I’m certainly no doctor, but I dealt with the exact same thing—my Vitamin D levels were incredibly low, and for years, I struggled with a constant string of health issues without ever realizing that the deficiency was actually the root cause. If I were you, I'd start by getting that sorted out. Just head over to your primary care physician and see if they can prescribe some high-dose drops to get your levels back where they need to be.

I’m certainly no doctor, but I should mention that after struggling with a vitamin D deficiency for quite a while, I found that taking D Vital supplements worked much more effectively for me than the liquid drops did.

Maria Fisher46 said:Hello,

The only significant finding here is the persistent erythrocyturia—meaning microscopic hematuria—and likely some borderline proteinuria. This does warrant a follow-up with a nephrologist, which is what you're already planning, but there’s nothing urgent here and nothing else you need to do right now. You might want to consider a 24-hour urine protein test along with creatinine clearance and eGFR if those haven't been done yet.

Seeing one ketone in your urine could simply indicate fasting, especially since the glucose levels are negative, which suggests there aren't any signs of diabetes.

Regarding the Federal Reserve-related lab values (specifically the clotting factor metrics), they still fall within a range that could be considered normal (a value of 0.8 - 1.1 is generally considered the standard range for someone not on anticoagulant therapy). I'm not sure why both of your parents required anticoagulants—perhaps atrial fibrillation?—but based on this specific result, it doesn't look like you're headed toward that same path.

I can't comment on the iron and ferritin levels because I don't see the actual numbers.

Hi there,
thanks for getting back to me. That part about the blood work was definitely a relief. My dad passed away from an aneurysm, and my mom dealt with "blood clotting issues" for a long time—her words, anyway—so I assume it was thrombophilia. That’s really why I was feeling a bit anxious.
As for the nephrology side of things, all my other results are fine, aside from the urinalysis and the presence of those dysmorphic erythrocytes.

I've attached the info for the iron and saturation levels here; I didn't realize it hadn't uploaded in my last post.

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Hi everyone, I’ve mentioned my issues with urine analysis before, specifically regarding dysmorphic erythrocytes—my last lab result showed them at 85%. Lately, during my routine checkups, things that used to come back negative are starting to show up, and it feels like there's always something new being flagged. A few months ago it was protein, and now it's ketones.
I don't have an appointment with a nephrologist for another six months. Is there anything I should be doing in the meantime to manage this? My blood work for systemic diseases has all come back negative so far.

Also, I've been running some blood tests because I need to undergo surgery to have my tonsils removed, and I'm getting worried about my iron saturation levels. They are consistently low (both my iron and ferritin are sitting right at the bottom end of the normal range), but my primary care physician doesn't think it's something worth addressing right now. To give some context, I struggled with low iron for years until I finally managed to get it into the normal range—which actually only happened after I transitioned to a vegan diet.

On top of that, my INR levels are low, which is bothering me. My mom started taking Marevan around my age, and I suspect there might be a genetic component since her father was also on the same medication starting in his 40s. I would really appreciate any advice or insight regarding this. Thanks so much

Maria Fisher46 said:To whom it may concern,

Dysmorphic erythrocytes are essentially red blood cells that show up with irregular, notched membranes under a microscope. When you see these specific types of cells, it’s usually a significant clinical indicator pointing toward an issue originating in the upper urinary tract—specifically within the kidneys.

The goal of these tests is basically to pin down exactly where any bleeding in the urinary tract is coming from. To put it simply—and I know this is a massive oversimplification—if the source is in the upper part of the ureter, you're looking at a nephrologist to handle things. But if the issue is further down, that falls under the expertise of a urologist.

To get an accurate classification, you really need to look at the ratio of dysmorphic versus smooth erythrocytes in the urine sample—specifically, one group needs to exceed the 70% to 80% threshold. If the analysis shows that dysmorphic erythrocytes make up more than 70-80% of the count, it indicates that the bleeding is originating from the upper urinary tract. On the other hand, if the smooth erythrocytes are the ones hitting that 70-80% mark, it points toward an issue in the lower urinary tract.

In your case, we’re likely looking at bleeding originating from the kidney. Since the results from your CT urogram came back clear, it’s highly probable that the issue is glomerular in nature—meaning it's stemming from the filtering units within the kidney itself. Glomerulopathy refers to a group of diseases that specifically target the glomeruli—those tiny, intricate filtering units within our kidneys. When these little clusters of capillaries get damaged, they lose their ability to effectively filter waste products from the blood while keeping essential proteins and cells inside the body. It’s a complex subject because "glomerulopathy" isn't just one single illness; it’s more like an umbrella term for various conditions that cause this specific type of renal damage. Depending on what exactly is causing the trouble—whether it's an autoimmune response, high blood pressure, or metabolic issues—the symptoms and progression can look very different. Commonly, when these filters fail, you might see things like hematuria (blood in the urine), proteinuria (excess protein in the urine), or significant swelling in the legs and face due to fluid retention. Because the kidneys play such a vital role in maintaining our internal balance, managing these conditions usually requires a very careful, coordinated approach between patients and specialists to protect long-term kidney function.Nephrology is primarily their field, though there are times when a urological evaluation—like a cystoscopy—is necessary. Whether or not that becomes part of the plan really depends on the rest of the test results and the patient's specific medical history.

If you haven't already—and given how long you’ve been dealing with this, I’m fairly certain you have—you really need to get a few specific tests sorted. You'll need a 24-hour protein test to check your protein-to-creatinine ratio, along with blood work for urea, creatinine, and your eGFR. It's also important to follow through with those routine labs and the immunological panel that was suggested to you, specifically the ANA, ENA, C3, C4, and CH50. Once you have all those results in hand, you should take them straight to a nephrologist. They'll be able to look at the full picture and decide whether you actually need a kidney biopsy or if we can just keep a close eye on things through regular monitoring.

Thank you so much for getting back to me! So far, I’ve completed a 24-hour urine test, and the results showed that I'm producing way too much volume—around 2500ml, whereas the standard reference range is usually between 600 and 1600ml. Aside from that, everything else from the labs that have come back looks perfectly normal, except for:
I just got my latest lab results back, and one value caught my eye. My bicarbonate levels came in at 25.4 mmol/L, while the standard reference range is listed between 18 and 23. It’s just slightly outside the norm on the higher side. I'm trying to make sense of it all, but I wanted to see if anyone here has dealt with similar readings or knows much about how this fits into the bigger picture.
My oxygen saturation hit 99, which is a bit higher than my usual range of 95 to 98.
Should I be worried about this for now?

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I’ve always had a pretty good experience with the eye clinic over at my local medical center, so it might be worth giving them a shot.

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Hi everyone, could someone briefly explain what might cause such a high percentage of dysmorphic erythrocytes in urine? Back in June, they were at 55%, but now they've jumped up to 86%.
My CT urogram came back normal, and the urine culture was clear too. I'm currently waiting on my blood work results (ANA/ENA and some other immunological markers).

I don't really have any symptoms, other than the fact that there's consistently a high number of erythrocytes in my regular urine tests.

I hadn't given it much thought until now, but seeing this jump is starting to make me feel a bit anxious.

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Dr. Ivicic is the absolute best when it comes to eye exams!

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lonegull13 said:Maybe 15 or 18 years ago, my mom and I went to some kind of exam at a clinic near Preradovic Street in New York City. I can't remember the exact address. The exam involved standing barefoot on some kind of machine while they attached a few little sensors to you—on your fingers, somewhere else, stuff like that. Then the device would scan you and tell you exactly where your issues were.

Looking back on it now, it sounds a bit like some pseudo-science nonsense. But honestly, that guy—or doctor—hit the nail right on the head regarding my health issues. I was just starting to deal with ovarian inflammation, and he told me I had a weak heart. It turns out that's actually a genetic thing in our family.

I'm curious if anyone knows what kind of clinic that actually was?

That would be Amsat, over on Petriceva Street. I don't think they're still operating in the US.

Douglas Cook4 said:Hi everyone, can anyone recommend a good endocrinologist in New York City? I don't mind private practice either... It's for my mom, and she isn't really up for walking around different hospitals... Thanks!

Dr. Tina Dusek at Johns Hopkins Hospital is excellent!

Hi everyone, could someone please help me make sense of this? My results show dysmorphic erythrocytes in my urine at 55%.
I've been dealing with microhematuria for years now, and my primary care physician is only just realizing it might actually be something worth looking into.
She referred me to a urologist, who then requested a cytology report. Following that, they sent my samples off to investigate the origin of the red blood cells, which led to this specific finding. My follow-up appointment with the specialist isn't until nine months from now. Should I be worried?
My urine cultures always come back sterile. Thanks

mellowskipper said:I think Dr. Petriček over at Rib is fantastic. I usually just go in for dietary advice, but he ends up running a whole battery of tests on me. It leaves me feeling a bit overwhelmed afterward, but it's honestly worth it.
He’s very thorough and professional.

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Does anyone know if you can see Dr. Petriček for a standard eye exam? Not for specialized telescopic stuff, just regular glasses. I wear contacts normally, but I haven't been particularly happy with my doctor at Rib lately. Regardless of that, I really need an eye exam for some new glasses.

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restlessbadger2 said:Where in Chicago can I go with a referral to get a Doppler ultrasound of my blood vessels, specifically looking at the VB area?

Vinogradska street

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