Posts by Nicholas Davis4

“The system is currently fully operational across various facilities, ranging from the Mayo Clinic to specialized hospitals. Because the architecture optimizes server and client resources so effectively, response times are 5 to 20 times faster than comparable software solutions here in the States. This efficiency also translates to significant savings on hardware, power, cooling, and maintenance costs. With such an intuitive layout for patient records and diagnostic results, the workflow for doctors and
nurses becomes 3 to 10 times more efficient compared to similar domestic software,”

https://cnn.com/us/news/tomasevic...from-previous

😂 😂
Look, CNN might be a bit sensationalist, but this feels like a total joke given how much they've screwed me over.
Their system is just sooo perfect... so go ahead and use it!
You don't need it to be 10 times faster. It just needs to actually work when you use it!

Kimberly Ward said:It’s like the Holy Spirit is playing tricks on the nurses. It sounds suspicious. Better check with your doctor.

I'm honestly lost on who is deceiving whom here. Are nurses actually selling Spica to patients?
I suggested they just upload everything to WebMD if email is causing issues.
Is there really a problem with doing that?
Are we dealing with Russian hackers now?
🤔

P.S. I got it sorted out, but I can move to private messages if anyone wants details—it wasn't an easy fix, but I don't want to clutter the thread.
They are sending things via snail mail. I just don't see why they won't simply use the FDA platform.

Kimberly Ward said:Compared to other hospitals, the Holy Spirit facility is like Switzerland. They didn't have any electronic systems because they operated as a municipal hospital. I actually asked them why, and they admitted they're always at the bottom of the priority list. On top of that, they're finding my lab results via email. It seems like someone just isn't doing their job—or maybe they've started obsessing over those GDPR regulations again.

I honestly have no idea what's going on; this whole situation is a mess. I spent 25 years living in the Suburban area, and back then, everything in both the wards and the outpatient clinics was perfectly organized.

As for their IT department, they seem to be fighting against any new system, claiming some tech giant is rigging things for certain people, while insisting their current setup is flawless. Maybe the technology itself works, but sometimes you just have to give people a kick in the pants to get them moving.

They won't even send my results to my primary care doctor, and I really want them sent to me, just like every other clinic or hospital I've visited.

I don't see how GDPR could possibly prevent them from uploading my results to WebMD if I request it.

This is pure negligence and laziness; there's really no excuse for it.

Well, it seems the Holy Spirit hasn't been kind today; my outpatient clinic told me they won't email my results. They didn't give me a follow-up appointment because they're fully booked, and since I need those results for another specialist, I can't just wait around. To make matters worse, they refuse to schedule my next visit via email either—they're insisting I show up in person.
I responded quite politely, using my most diplomatic language, to let them know I have no intention of living in the 20th century by driving all the way back there just for information that could be sent in seconds—something they've done for years. I also suggested they upload both my results and my upcoming appointment details to WebMD.
We'll see how that goes.
I think they already have a grudge against me, and I've barely even stepped through the door.😬

I didn't pay much attention to the date at all 😍

wanderingpanther68 said:Can you still find Vaseline at local pharmacies? I've been reading rumors that it was pulled from shelves, yet I see it listed as available on several US online retailers.

https://i.postimg.cc/X7t8Y02G/000181...t-25-g-800.jpg

Walgreens is open for business.
That’s where I get my shopping done.
Private firms just don't have them because they aren't purchasing products from GE.
If you're looking for reliable skin care, checking out the Vaseline section on the GE website is a great place to start. It's a solid resource for finding exactly what you need.

I’ve been calling for eight days straight—probably thirty times a day now. Oh holy spirit, this clinic is something else.
I have three different numbers: the main clinic line, the outpatient department, and the outpatient desk.
And absolutely nobody picks up. Not once.
I’ve never dealt with anything like this before.
Honestly, my experience with this hospital has been total garbage.

I really need my blood work results back. They should be ready by now because I have a follow-up with a different specialist before they eventually call me back to return to the outpatient center. By the way, after my first visit, they told me they couldn't schedule my next appointment because they were already fully booked. It's completely nonsensical!

I called the lab using a number I managed to find on their website (of course, they don't list direct lines for specific labs like Mayo Clinic does). The staff was incredibly rude. They refused to give me the direct number for the specific lab, and the operator claimed they aren't allowed to share phone numbers—even though there are five different numbers listed on their site! They wouldn't tell me anything at all, and they even refused to email my results. At Mayo Clinic, they always accommodate that because they understand how important it is for a specialist to see the data promptly.

The absolute highlight of dealing with a grumpy, high-strung woman at the lab was when she told me they didn't even have me in their system. Her logic? Apparently, patients from the outpatient wing aren't registered properly. She also insisted I wasn't listed as her patient since she's only been working there for three weeks, so technically, I belong to someone else. Wtf holy spirit?

Wtf holy spirit?
What are you guys actually doing over there besides accomplishing nothing?!

In Washington, D.C., there are two main places that handle RLS:
https://hospital-example.org/departments/sleep-disorders/
(The first is the primary choice)
Supposedly, Mayo Clinic handles it too https://mayoclinic.org/departments/genomics/
(When I was looking into RLS years ago, Mayo Clinic told me they didn't specialize in it and pointed me toward the sleep disorder center. But that was seven years ago; looking at their site now, RLS is officially listed on their menu.)

By the way, just because a facility is categorized like the local psychiatric ward doesn't mean much. That department doesn't even focus on psychiatry.
Just thought those who might be wary of such facilities should know.

It's important not to confuse muscle cramps with Restless Legs Syndrome.

Maria Allen6 said:Now, look, I was actually receiving medical-grade potassium infusions, and believe me when I say that magnesium was what actually helped. Potassium had absolutely nothing to do with my specific issue. In fact, even today, my potassium remains low and I don't suffer from any cramps, twitches, or tremors. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle. If it were really that simple to pinpoint why someone's legs are shaking, we would all be surgeons by now. Though, I find such a hysterical response a bit confusing, but whatever... We're all far too mature to be writing endless walls of text over this.

"Hysterical," really?

Is suggesting that you see a doctor first instead of playing chemist yourself considered hysterical advice?
🤦

Are you perhaps the same person who hands out advice to take massive doses of vitamins without any proof of deficiency, acting as if you've run every test under the sun?

So, to clarify: advising someone to see a professional is actually very sensible.

After all, RLS falls squarely under neurology, which is a field managed and treated by neurologists.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20377168
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...t/drc-20377174

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neur...e/what-is-rls/

placidstag7 said:I suspect what we're really dealing with is that sensation of constant muscle twitching. I deal with that myself, all the time.

Maria Allen6 said:I wouldn't know for sure. Perhaps you might want to try a high-quality magnesium supplement. It helps relax the muscles.

Here it is. 🤦

I experienced something similar due to low potassium levels. It manifested as some trembling and sudden muscle twitches here and there.

Everyone was suggesting that I should start taking magnesium. 🤦

What did your doctor have to say about that?
Have you conducted any research yet?
Everything seems to be going well on my end. How are things with you?

It really shows how much someone actually knows when they immediately start pushing Magnesium. Nobody seems to give Potassium a second thought. He’s just looking for quick sales; he isn't some high-end specialist selling premium supplements in fancy packaging like Magnesium. Magnesium is just much easier to market and sell.

placidstag7 said:I suspect what we're really dealing with is that sensation of constant muscle twitching. I deal with that myself, all the time.

RLS isn't just twitching. That can be one of the symptoms, but it's rarely the main event.
(It could happen alongside RLS, for example.)
Primarily, RLS feels like an intense, unbearable tension in your legs—sometimes accompanied by tingling, almost like an electric current is running through you—but above all, it's that crushing sense of tightness... it makes you feel like your tendons might actually snap if you don't move your legs immediately.
In more severe cases, people experience this in their arms as well.
Moving, walking, or stretching can help ease the symptoms.
One potential cause is iron deficiency, which can also make everything worse.
For me, things became much more manageable once my iron and ferritin levels returned to normal. It was sideropenic anemia. It didn't fix everything entirely, but it reduced the intensity by over 50%. I wasn't looking to take Pramipexole on a permanent basis; I'd rather endure a bit of discomfort than risk dealing with augmentation.

At its core, RLS is a neurological disorder.

When someone claims RLS is purely psychological, they're just showing how little they actually understand the condition.

A neurologist should be treating RLS.

I'm not sure if you've had a neurological workup yet—have you undergone a polysomnography?

Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant, and it has become a common way to treat RLS in recent years; however, it's also used to treat painful neuropathies.
Who prescribed that to you?

And listen, everyone, please don't go self-prescribing iron, magnesium, or anything else before you've even had a proper evaluation.
First, see a neurologist or visit a sleep disorder center.
Get your tests done properly, and then decide on a path forward.

If you start taking supplements left and right without guidance and then head to the doctor, you'll likely end up skewing your baseline results from the very start.

Jacob Lopez51 said:Here is basically everything I know regarding autoimmune diseases, neurology, psychiatry, and more. I hope this helps someone out.

Please don't send me links to retail stores; if you're quoting a scientific study, provide the link to the actual paper.
Marketing doesn't really interest me.

Where did you dig up that quote you sent me in my DMs? If it's useful, feel free to post it in the SLE thread so everyone dealing with lupus can see it—it shouldn't be a secret, right? From what I can tell by that snippet, it looks like an animal study, which isn't the same thing as results in humans.
Secondly, I'm not just going to take anything blindly; I have no intention of taking something that boosts the immune system and potentially does more harm than good.

By the way, what is your actual diagnosis?

I'm responding here since you aren't replying to the main thread, and I'm not quite sure why me you're sending this privately—if you think it matters for people with lupus, please share it publicly. Unless, of course, there's a business incentive involved.
It seems to me you're promoting this as a mass solution for everyone.

Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit.

quietbison86 said:I'm looking for a solid physiatrist to help with my cervical spine and some high-quality physical therapy.

I visited Axis recently, and honestly, it wasn't quite the experience I was hoping for.

If you're looking to go private, head over to the Sremac-Bohacek Monument.

Just so I don't have to edit this later, we finally figured it out...
Everyone has their own mix of terrible and wonderful experiences somewhere, and you really can't compare two different departments.

mistyjackal842 said:If we're talking about an immobile patient dealing with rheumatism, it’s definitely better to be at Mayo Clinic rather than Dubrava Hospital, since they tend to provide better care for patients with limited mobility. I knew an elderly lady who was also immobile due to rheumatism; she ended up in a nursing home back in the day. Her condition actually worsened after a stay at a spa resort. It seems those specific therapies didn't sit well with her, even though she was still mobile before the trip.

So, here's my take.
The specific treatment plan at a spa is decided by the Physio on-site.
It isn't determined by the doctor who referred you there.
It’s quite common to experience a flare-up or a setback right after a spa stay, though things usually stabilize once that initial reaction settles down.
However, one major downside is that almost every patient there receives nearly identical treatments.
For people living with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, you really shouldn't be given the exact same regimen used for those with degenerative changes.
What helps someone with degeneration can actually trigger more inflammation and worsen the condition for others.
Personally, I always advocate against electrical stimulation because it triggers such a strong reaction in me and makes everything worse.
Ultimately, it all depends on what specific therapies were administered to the lady.
In my case, I stick to ultrasound and magnetic therapy along with some exercises—and even then, I have to be selective about which ones I do.
Using interference or TENS therapy causes me terrible pain and stiffness, and it takes a long time to recover from it.
Unfortunately, this struggle is universal; it feels like many aren't properly trained regarding these distinctions. 🤔

mistyjackal842 said:If we're talking about an immobile patient with rheumatism, it's certainly better to be at Mayo Clinic rather than Dubrava Hospital, as they generally provide superior care for patients with limited mobility. I knew an elderly lady who was also immobile due to rheumatism; she ended up in a nursing home back in the day. Her condition actually worsened after a stay at a spa. It seems those therapies didn't suit her, even though she was still mobile before the trip.

What exactly does "rheuma" mean?
The Immunology and Rheumatology department handles autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions, rather than degenerative ones.
I can't say for sure, but our own experience has been quite positive, especially my mother's, as she dealt with RA and several other issues.
"Rheuma" as a standalone disease doesn't really exist; it isn't a specific diagnosis or disease in itself. What specific inflammatory rheumatological condition did the lady have? You should know that in very severe cases of RA, sometimes no therapy works at all. There are instances where someone faces a form of collagenosis or RA that is simply unresponsive to treatment, where medications offer only minimal relief. Furthermore, timing is everything. Once inflammation has significantly damaged the body, it's hard to stop, and reversing it is nearly impossible.

Of course, there is always someone out there who had a bad experience with a particular doctor.

As for the department, it’s a standard facility; I spent 27 years there and my mother spent 25, so I consider myself quite experienced with how things work.

We really need an immunologist!
The real issue is the quality of the immunology department... and right now, there practically isn't one!
They are transferring us over there... Look, it’s not mandatory to go; everyone has the right to choose their own doctor, but the immunology unit at Dubrava Hospital was truly excellent because they had specialists who handled both rheumatology and immunology. Holy Spirit doesn't have that setup. It looks like there will only be one doctor covering everything, which is just a disaster for a department of this caliber. They won't even be able to hold proper consultations; what kind of input can a pulmonologist realistically provide regarding the treatment for Lupus or Sjögren's? Much respect to them, of course, but immunology isn't their subspecialty, nor is it their primary focus for patient care.

It seems like hardly anyone with collagen diseases has been treated there up to this point. 🤔

mellowskipper said:I didn't even realize they had an Immunology department. If you find out anything, let me know. It’s good to stay informed.

I wasn't aware either.
And it seems like nobody else was, either. 😁
Apparently, people from the Dubrava area are being transferred; the Immunology department at Dubrava Hospital is being dismantled, and it feels like a systematic process over the last decade. Given the current situation, they might shut it down entirely.

Meanwhile, Holy Spirit has staff in that department:
- An acting head who is actually a pulmonologist, so we can't really count him as a specialist there.
(Their setup covers rheumatology, immunology, allergy, and pulmonology, and they act as the primary referral center for allergies.)
- One specialist in training.
- One doctor—and this Artukovic fellow is simultaneously the director of the Rockefeller facility, though he supposedly works only in the outpatient clinic. I honestly don't know how they manage that; being the director of one place while working at another makes it seem like he's neglecting his own hospital. It's not like Rockefeller is some luxury destination; it's quite sad to see the state of the hospital when the director is busy elsewhere.
So basically, you have one rheumatologist working there occasionally because he's managing another hospital, one specialist in training, and a pulmonologist serving as the department head.
They don't actually have an immunologist.
All the doctors I used to trust were internists with subspecialties in rheumatology/immunology, or sometimes allergy as well.

Because of that, Holy Spirit isn't my first choice, at least not yet.
It looks like circumstances might force my hand soon if the folks at KBD actually move their operations over there.
We'll just have to wait and see.
To me, it makes no sense to dismantle the rheumatology unit at KBD just to reform it as KBSD.
But hey, what do I know?
The main thing is that the director of Dubrava is apparently headed for a cabinet position, so this might be his legacy: completely gutting a department that had been functioning well since 1987. You'd think a director would take responsibility if a department falls apart, but clearly, there's a reason for it.
One reason is that they were keeping two beds open daily for emergency cases.
There was a time when I was the only patient on that ward! During my last two hospitalizations, I was literally the only one there, while all the other beds were filled with patients who didn't even belong in that specific department. It made everyone furious because their own patients had been waiting months for admission. You'd expect directors to be held accountable for this, but under the last two or three leaders since the era of Smith-Jones, things have just gone downhill. It's truly shameful.

Does anyone happen to know what the Rheumatology and Immunology department is like at Holy Spirit?
I see they have two doctors listed there, Marinko Artukovic and Marina Ikić Matijashevich.
Has anyone here had experience with them? Does anyone know their specific areas of expertise or what they focus on?