Posts by Hannah Lee10

I headed in this past Friday to get my urine and stool samples tested.
The H. pylori came back negative.
Along with everything else, I requested an amylase test because of potential issues with my pancreas—specifically because back in February 2017, my levels were sitting right at the top end of the normal range. It was exactly 90 in my bloodwork, while the reference limit was 91. That stuck in my mind, and since the pain feels remarkably similar to what I dealt with eighteen months ago, I decided to check my amylase again. Back then, I also had high cholesterol despite being at a healthy weight and eating relatively clean—much like I am now. I cut back on certain foods and retested, which brought the cholesterol back into the normal range.
Now, having submitted both stool and urine samples, my amylase level came back at 643, whereas the reference range is 0-400. So, it is definitely elevated...
From what I’m reading, this could be gallbladder-related again. While the pain on my right side has eased up slightly over the last few days, I’m still feeling aches in my lower abdomen and the right side of my upper back. I’ve also been dealing with some pressure in the center of my stomach and a general sense of discomfort.
I’ve started following a gallbladder-friendly diet—thanks for the recommendations!
Does anyone have advice on what my next move should be?
I was thinking about scheduling an abdominal ultrasound and getting follow-up bloodwork for amylase, lipase, and perhaps a few other markers.

steelwalker26 said:But what good is a discount if they didn't even help you after a mountain of tests?

The tests I had done weren't at this clinic where I get the discount—and frankly, they had nothing to do with my current issues. Those were just scans for sinus problems and my cervical spine. That's not really the point here... the crux of the matter is that I don't want to waste time seeing a doctor who’s just going to refer me to some specialist where I'll end up waiting months—or paying out-of-pocket for a gastroenterologist who will simply listen to my symptoms and hand me the exact same referrals I could have obtained in the first place without paying them $133 just to be heard.
That's the bottom line.

Laura Cox27 said:You can simply take a stool sample to a private lab for $50 testing for H. pylori.
Regarding $117, you don't even need a referral to get tested for SIBO at a clinic like Quest Diagnostics—it could very well be the culprit behind that constipation and bloating. That requires its own specific antibiotic protocol.
Plus, you'll get a sugar-free diet plan, similar to what they recommend for Candida.
Don't expect much from your doctor regarding SIBO; most GPs and gastroenterologists will probably refer you to a psychiatrist before they give you any actual dietary advice.

Thanks for the heads-up! 👍

steelwalker26 said:how does this:

lead to this?

I mean, sure, a "discount." Do you really want to just throw money away?

Aside from the anxiety, those symptoms also sound like they could be a gallbladder issue.

That’s more for another thread, but since time is money—so to speak—it feels like the same thing to me. Only I still have a 50% discount left.

Thanks for the tip about the gallbladder; I actually had the same thought given the pain is right in that area.

Yeah, unfortunately, my primary care physician never offers much insight... and frequently sends me down the wrong path. All while I sit there waiting three hours just to be seen.

Laura Cox27 said:The beer isn't the culprit here. Head over to your primary care physician and get a referral for a H. pylori test—that bacteria is notorious for causing nausea, pain, intense hunger, and general digestive issues.
Clean up your diet—cut out the carbs entirely since they basically act as fuel for the bacteria, and stick to a strict low-FODMAP plan.

Thanks for the input!

Do you know if I can just book a private appointment without waiting for a referral from my doctor? I have some coverage through a local clinic, so that might be the smarter move.
What specific test should I ask for?

Hi there.

Look, I fully intend to head back to my doctor for a more thorough evaluation—but having already dropped a small fortune on private specialists covering everything from head to toe, I’d rather poll this group before I shell out more $133 for an ultrasound if it turns out to be nothing.

A few months ago, I started dealing with intense bloating and constipation, and since then, my digestion has been a mess. The bloating happens even when I stick strictly to a perfect meal plan—which is strange, because I'm naturally quite thin and never had these issues before. Along with the bloating, there's a certain heaviness, though no actual pain. On top of that, I get this sharp, stinging sensation on the right side of my stomach—just below the ribs—that seems to radiate downward along my right side...
Then there's the bladder issue. I feel the urge to go constantly, but once I'm actually on the toilet, I just sit there waiting... and waiting... for what feels like forever.

About ten days ago, I was hit with massive nausea after having about half a beer. Thank God I was home and could just lie down, because it was brutal. I had to induce vomiting immediately just to get some instant relief. I had eaten a full meal right before the beer, too.
The same thing happened yesterday. I took maybe three sips of beer, lay down, and the nausea kicked in—followed by that stinging on my right side. When I pressed on the spot where it stings, the nausea intensified even further. I had to throw up, and that was that. Once it was over, I felt fine.

Additionally, my appetite is through the roof lately... yet I feel pretty terrible after meals unless they consist almost entirely of healthy foods.

I also struggle with anxiety and tension—could there be a connection there?
Does anyone have suggestions on which specific blood markers I should ask for? Seeing an internist at my local community clinic feels like a total waste of time—that place is a circus.

P.S. I used to drink beer regularly without any issues, so it’s unlikely I've developed an allergy or sensitivity to the ingredients.

This might sound trivial or overly general, but I have a nagging feeling that something isn't right.
Any ideas?

Thanks so much!

I’ve only read your initial post—I haven't scrolled through the comments yet. Just the first one, though. Someone mentioned this is all very straightforward, and believe me—they aren't wrong. It really is. You have to start accepting that not everything swirling around in your head is actually true; it’s just an old pattern of thinking you've fallen into—a cycle of automatic negativity. It's actually quite easy to fight once you realize it's built on lies. If you say you're 20 or 30 pounds heavier than your ideal weight, that might be a fact—not a lie—but trust me, those negative thoughts tend to snowball until they reach totally unrealistic proportions. You have to grasp that a huge chunk of what you're feeling is simply false. If you're interested in cognitive therapy to help shift those thought patterns, feel free to shoot me a DM. Also, if you're looking to lose weight... I'm currently following a customized meal plan tailored to specific weight, height, and goals. You can get something similar, along with a personalized workout plan, for just $33 during a current promotion—not from me, obviously, but I can point you in the right direction to find it easily. If $33 is too steep for you, I can send you my own plan for free just to try out. Mine worked for me, and my friend lost about 20 pounds using hers while I lost 10.
Sorry for the messy formatting below—it's late, I'm heading to bed, and I'm rushing 😁 for the most part. If you're interested, I'm happy to help; just message me privately 🙂
peace

Thanks for the explanation—I won’t be stubborn here, since you clearly have a better handle on this than I do 🙂 though I suspect we might still be talking past one another regarding the specific type of info I’m looking for. For instance, I'm not even certain if having one cavity show up white and the other black implies one is more permeable than the other. I’m not particularly concerned with mucosal thickening, inflammation, or any of that technical jargon..
But fine... back to my old habits, which gives me the feeling you'll probably give me the same answer again.
😁 If you'd prefer, I won't keep pestering you; just let me know if it's impossible to answer.
🙂

Why wouldn't someone who actually understands what a "healthy" scan looks like bother to write something like—"not bad, but not great"? I’m not hunting for medical jargon or some definitive, absolute diagnosis. This is a scan from two years ago, for crying out loud—I just haven't made it to my doctor for a follow-up yet, so I'm heading back in for a new one. And obviously, I'm not looking for a diagnosis on an internet forum; that's what actual physicians are for.
I'm just looking for a general sense of things—roughly speaking, as I mentioned. It's the same as when people post their blood work results; they aren't asking for a full clinical analysis, just a nudge in the right direction—something like, "hey, these numbers are outside the normal range."
The other possibility is simply that people don't know enough to even offer a comment like that.
🙂
Thanks again :cheers:

Hey, thanks for getting back to me first of all 🙂
Look, I wasn't exactly hunting for a professional consultation here—I was just looking for a general sense of things. Nothing overly technical or precise; just a rough outline from someone who actually knows their stuff... since I'm a total novice in this area.
Thanks!

Hey everyone, 🙂
I’ve uploaded my sinus X-ray here: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/46/img1116yl.jpg/

Could someone please give me a quick rundown... how do my sinuses look?
To be honest, I don't look great—and I certainly don't feel great either.
🙂

It is an absolutely miserable sensation.

I’ve been dealing with these exact symptoms myself. For years, I actually assumed the pressure in my head was just high blood pressure—but after digging deeper lately, I realized the issue is actually reduced blood flow in my neck due to some structural issues with my cervical spine. That eye pain? It feels all too familiar. Over the last year, I’ve been under massive amounts of stress—studying, working at a desk, sitting in front of a computer constantly... I barely moved at all. It eventually reached a breaking point where my physical health tanked, which, predictably, started messing with my mental state too. My main symptoms: pain in the nape of my neck and upper cervical area, occasional unbearable pressure in my head, and this awful, unsettling feeling in my temples—just a nauseating, pulsing sensation. I can't even stare in one direction for long without needing to look away, which honestly just makes me more irritable...
My physical therapist gave me a set of exercises to work on, and that’s the plan for now.
If I had known how much trouble spinal issues could cause, I would have actually listened to my elders when they used to nag me—"Sit up straight!"—and I'd be in a much better spot right now. What a mess.