I am looking for recommendations for an endocrinologist in NYC who specializes in pituitary issues. Private practice or hospital setting—it doesn't matter.
Look, people are building up way too much hype around doxycycline. You just need to keep a few practical things in mind and you'll be fine. The first time I took it, I felt nauseous; the second time, I felt nothing. 🤷 I was just as careful and mindful of everything both times, so 🤷
brisksurfer said:I tried calling, but nobody will give me a straight answer.😢
I called the ER this morning because he hasn't eaten or drank anything all day, but they just brushed me off. They told me I could only give him a pain injection and then I should just say my goodbyes. They even had the nerve to tell me he won't die from dehydration, but from cancer. 😲😲😲
Fortunately, our primary care physician was wonderful. She arranged for a visiting nurse service to come by and administer an IV to my father. 😍😍😍 He received saline and 5% glucose. It gave him a bit of strength, and I feel immediate relief knowing he isn't thirsty. They will be coming daily for the IV, which I hope will help him recover slightly. Ideally, he needs two IVs a day, so we are going to try to arrange for them to leave the catheter in place so we can hook up the infusion ourselves.
Finally, the doctor came by to listen to his lungs. She noted there is quite a bit of congestion, but considering how much he was purging yesterday, today is actually an improvement.
I've been lying by his side all day, just praying he regains some consciousness.
@taylorswift13: Thank you for the support... honestly, it's exactly what I need right now. 😘
I wrote out a long response and then deleted it, because frankly, all you need right now is the strength to endure the grim days ahead.🙂 The reason I stopped visiting this sub-forum is that reading through it always leaves me too devastated.
Reducing my father's pain is the only priority, regardless of the cost. I don't care about anything else as long as he isn't hurting. You found out the hard way that this is the reality. It is tragic that no one sat down to talk to you or prepare you for what follows, though you can't truly grasp it until it starts happening. Stay by your father's side and ease his discomfort however possible. I know you would tear your skin off to do anything for him, but unfortunately, your options are limited. Simply being present is enough right now. Hang in there. 🙂
Look, I know she meant well, 🙂 but something about that just didn't sit right with me. You can't honestly compare those two situations. Most people posting here are either medical professionals or have dealt with some serious trauma themselves.
That’s good to hear, but take it slow. If you approach things with a bit more composure, you’ll find they start looking better. Don't let this scare you 😉 it isn't a reflection on you. I spend a lot of time reading and writing in forums dedicated to malignant diseases, and those people are going through hell. But if you could just see what sheer willpower can actually accomplish 🙏 🙏 I've seen it firsthand. Just take it one step at a time, stay calm, try to minimize your stress levels, and get outside into the fresh air as much as possible. 😁 Keep us posted. 👍
Kimberly Ward said:Hang in there. I went through the exact same thing—doctors questioning everything, nobody able to give me a straight answer or a diagnosis. Eventually, they settled on anxious depression. At least they found something after two months of testing. What else am I supposed to say? My personal suffering? Honestly, I have no desire to vent about it here on this forum.
No hard feelings, I realize you're dealing with your own issues and that everyone feels their struggles are paramount, but comparing anxiety and depression to someone lying in a coma fighting for their life is just tasteless. 😉
I’m no medical expert, but here is some practical advice: you need to calm down immediately—and I mean right now. You aren't helping anyone by staying this worked up; you're just causing yourself extra harm through pure anxiety. I know it’s easier said than done, especially if you have a tendency to panic—trust me, I’m the same way—but you HAVE to control it. Regardless of what the diagnosis ends up being, whether it's serious or minor, managing your stress is the first step toward recovery. Your current lifestyle, the lack of routine, and this constant stress are only making things worse. You need to get your act together: eat regular meals, get enough sleep, and start looking after yourself. You’re far too young to be living like this; protect your mental health now while you still can. 👍
Brenda Thomas96 said:My mother is 54. The lesion is on two vertebrae. The doctors are satisfied with her current results, but I don't know anything about immunoglobulins—I don't even know how to look that up or what the difference is. Her mobility is limited; she wears a brace and uses crutches. We've been warned that she absolutely cannot fall...
It honestly doesn't matter. Don't let the technicalities confuse you.😉 Everything is detailed in the link I provided. To put it simply: plasma cells produce proteins called immunoglobulins (there are several types like IgG, IgD, IgE, and IgA) which serve as the body's defense mechanism. In myeloma, these plasma cells are altered and secrete massive amounts of non-functional immunoglobulins. This means your mother's immune system is compromised, making her highly susceptible to infections. Furthermore, these same plasma cells accumulate in the bones and degrade them, causing pain and requiring extreme caution during movement to prevent fractures where the damage has occurred.
The fact that she is heading for a transplant is a positive sign. 👍 It indicates she has entered remission following chemotherapy. A transplant functions similarly to chemo, but its effects are more long-lasting and significantly improve quality of life. The primary complication here involves the spine, specifically regarding the spinal cord and nerves.
I am not trying to alarm you, but without being hyperbolic, you and your mother face a long and grueling battle—mentally, physically, and financially. That is simply the nature of this disease. You will need immense patience, willpower, and optimism, as those are the only things we can truly control. My thoughts are with you. Good luck.👍
Just keep talking. 🙂 This space exists specifically so people can vent. It’s never just one single issue, either; suddenly, you're hit with a hundred different problems overnight. I don't understand how it works, but it seems like everyone experiences this—as if someone forcibly ejects you from your own life and drops you into some parallel universe where nothing makes sense anymore. Eventually, you get used to it because that becomes your new reality.
As for nutrition... there is an endless amount of advice online and in books, all over the place. What I do remember is that citrus was off-limits during chemo; after a transplant, my father could only eat cooked foods, and we had to buy bottled water. Beyond that, 🤷 some people switch entirely to macrobiotics. Whether that actually helps, I can't say, but my view is simple: eat whatever feels right and whatever you can manage. Appetite is non-existent after radiation anyway. It takes time to recover.
The pain management clinic is reliable. They know their business. I assume they’ve already walked you through the specifics of using the patches. Regarding side effects, much of it depends on the individual, but don't be caught off guard by heavy sweating or constipation. You can adjust the dosage of the patches as needed, but do it gradually in 25μg increments. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. You want to be in two places at once, but with a baby, that’s impossible. And your mother is exhausted—dealing with the pain, the chemo, everything. It’s brutal. It’s a grim situation, but the priority right now is simply making sure she isn't suffering. Hang in there however you can. There isn't much else to say. 🙂 If you need any advice, I'm here. I wish I didn't have to know about this, but life doesn't give you a choice. 😉
dustyrider9 said:Hello, My mother is dealing with metastases in all her bones, fifteen years after being treated for breast cancer. To make matters worse, her oncologist neglected to order the necessary markers for several years; by November 2007, her CA 15-3 levels were at 26.81, which is well above the acceptable limit. We didn't realize back then that we needed to be more proactive in managing her specialists. Now we know, so I'm essentially "educating myself via the internet."😠 Forgive the irony, but even this past fall (2009), she saw her oncologist to complain about intense pain that shifts locations every single day, yet the doctor still failed to order the markers through late 2009, claiming everything was fine because the mammogram looked okay.😢 Mom has finished one round of chemo, has two more to go, and will undergo four radiation treatments. Does radiation help reduce pain? The pain is our biggest struggle right now; she can only find relief if she lies perfectly still on her back.😢 Has anyone heard of or used Naltrexone? How effective is Sevredol for pain compared to Duragesic patches? Mom took Sevredol for a few days, but she couldn't continue after chemo due to vomiting. It feels like nothing is actually touching the pain. Do these medications require long-term use before they start working? I am asking anyone with more experience to help me navigate these issues. Thanks in advance.🙂
This is a tragedy. Such negligence and sheer carelessness. I am truly sorry. 😢
Yes, radiation is intended to reduce pain, among other things, and in your mother's case, I believe that should be the priority. Bone pain is some of the most brutal pain there is. 😢
Essentially, Sevredol and the patches serve the same purpose. Sevredol is morphine, while the patches are morphine analogs that typically require a lower dose than the Sevredol tablets. Duragesic is excellent because it protects the digestive system, and once you apply the patch, it lasts for three days—you don't have to worry about specific pill timings. Furthermore, your mother will likely deal with nausea from both the chemo and the radiation, so bypassing the oral route would be a smart move.
Naltrexone is used for treating alcoholism. It won't help here.
You must consult with a specialist regarding these analgesics; there are many different formulations and methods of administration. Your mother's current dosage is likely low—I don't even know what the dosage is—but analgesic dosages will increase over time. In my opinion, the patches are great; ask her doctor about them. Once she starts radiation, the pain should subside significantly.
Brenda Thomas96 said:I am asking for help from anyone who knows more about this malicious disease. My mother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last December. It took them two months to reach a diagnosis. The disease had progressed significantly; her bone marrow biopsy showed giant plasma cells. She has completed four rounds of chemotherapy and one round of radiation. She tolerated all treatments exceptionally well. Currently, she is heading to Mayo Clinic for a stem cell transplant. I want to understand more about this illness—what is the life expectancy, and what should we expect moving forward? Thank you
This website contains a wealth of information regarding myeloma. Does your mother have any bone lesions? Which immunoglobulins are involved? What specifically did the doctors say? I assume Dr. Nemet is overseeing 😕 I don't know your mother's age, but this is typically an illness affecting older adults over 65; you rarely think to look for it in younger people. Though, I must admit, I have been hearing about younger cases lately; the youngest case recorded so far was 27 years old. My father suffered from this, so if there is anything not covered on that link or if you have specific questions about the disease, feel free to ask here or send me a private message. I am happy to help with whatever information I can provide. 🙂 In my father's case, it took a year and a half from the onset of the first non-specific symptoms until he received a diagnosis. Compared to that, two months is actually quite fast.
Melissa Morgan67 said:Thanks for the quick reply. I'm going to try to clear my head of these dark thoughts tonight.
To be honest, I regret not studying medicine. I constantly hear stories about people living an extra ten years or more because of it.
My mother is going in for abdominal imaging this week... I'm praying everything comes back normal.
Send angels to guard her own for she is the soul of my soul protect her from evil, God, when I cannot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFPebe7Tgg0
Be glad you didn't study medicine. If you had, you'd see the grim reality instead of being optimistic. Sometimes ignorance is a mercy. While the statistics are bleak, recoveries do happen for certain conditions. Unfortunately, for most illnesses, the goal of therapy is simply to turn them into chronic conditions—but even that is progress. My father gained two years of high-quality life through a transplant, living almost as well as anyone else. That was a significant victory.
Everyone is an individual; there are always outliers who defy the Gaussian curve. I believe mental fortitude and the sheer will to live play a massive role here. It is remarkable what the human mind can achieve.🙂 I still believe my father lasted as long as he did because he was crazy enough—in the best sense—to actually want to live, embracing life despite the illness and the uncertainty.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your mother.👍 I know it's difficult, but optimism is a choice you make, and it carries much more weight than people realize.👍
As a layman, those look like textbook symptoms of angina pectoris to me. I don't know your age, but you need to get to a primary care physician immediately; they’ll refer you to a cardiologist.
Do some research. You'll find plenty of discussions regarding heart disease and cardiac patients on this forum.
It’s quite harsh on the stomach and can cause nausea, which is why you should always take it with a full meal. Make sure you drink plenty of water as well to prevent the capsule from getting stuck in your esophagus. Don't lie down immediately after taking it—do it for the sake of your esophagus.
If you're taking this after a pill, drink your coffee black. Dairy products—including milk—will weaken the effectiveness, as will antacids (like Gastrol), alcohol, or iron supplements. Take it with a full meal because it’s tough on the stomach. If you have to take any of those things, wait at least two hours after the antibiotic. That said, since this is only a two-week course, you can probably just power through it. 😉
You provided information that belongs in a storybook. 🙄There are a million different reasons why someone would be "sleeping all the time." One highly probable explanation, assuming they are of reproductive age, is pregnancy. 😁