Posts by Nicholas Davis4

I went to get some blood work done, and I've been feeling this shortness of breath—like I just can't get a full, deep breath. It’s that frustrating sensation where you feel like you need to yawn, but you only manage to get halfway through the inhale.
It happens to me every now and then.
On top of that, it feels like there’s a thick buildup of mucus in my lungs; once I cough it up, breathing becomes a bit easier. I deal with dry mucous membrane syndrome, which causes some issues.
I used to be anemic, so I'm taking iron supplements.
As for my heart, I had a full checkup this year—echocardiogram, Holter EKG, and a Holter blood pressure monitor—and everything came back perfectly normal. I don't have any swelling. I did experience swelling back when I was anemic, but that cleared up once I started the iron.
Aside from that, nothing stands out, except for a slight tremor that hits me occasionally, especially in the morning. It’s similar to what I experienced when I had thyroid inflammation; it feels like my whole body is vibrating. It’s somewhat like neuropathy, though the sensation is slightly different from the neuropathy I actually have. Sometimes it feels quite like hypoglycemia, and eating something helps. Also, in cycles lasting about 2–3 months, I start sweating profusely regardless of what I'm doing, then it passes, only to return later.
I have SLE and APS Sy.
What could this lab result mean?
They didn't check my blood gases.
(For context, my mother had monoclonal gammopathy, which didn't progress to multiple myeloma, and she also had RA.)
This sensation of air hunger and being unable to take a deep enough breath has been bothering me intermittently for years.
A spirometry test showed a slightly low PEF about six years ago, but nobody really gave it a second thought at the time.
Lately, I've also been feeling some pain in the lower front part of my neck, which made me wonder if it might be related to my thyroid...
I'm feeling a little anxious about this...
My lupus is under control, and my doctor has taken me off hydroxychloroquine, so currently, I'm just taking Andol 100 mg for APS Sy.
My hair has been falling out like crazy over the last few months; I'd say I've lost at least a third, if not half, of my hair.
I had a chest X-ray last winter, and the results were clear.
If there were an issue with my lungs, I'd assume any damage would have shown up on the scan during the years I've been dealing with this.
Results:
https://iili.io/Kn39ea.md.jpg

I believe it used to be 14 days since your last contact.
Back when that was the rule.
I’m not entirely sure about the current guidelines, but it might still follow that logic where you count 10 days from exposure. Of course, the math shifts depending on whether you catch it from a coworker or someone in your own household—it’s a bit like how different tax brackets work; the calculation changes based on the situation.
The CDC website has all the specifics laid out in detail.

I’m assuming my mother-in-law—just like any sensible person catching a contagious bug—stayed tucked away in her own room since Saturday. Everyone else likely wore masks while dropping off essentials, making sure she was fully stocked with teas, syrups, snacks, and everything else she might need so they wouldn't have to run in every five minutes. Plus, I assume nobody else showed symptoms, because if they had, they would have just retreated to their own rooms to recover too.
My parents always handled things this way whenever I was sick; once I grew out of that phase where I couldn't be left alone, they’d check in periodically to see what I needed and keep everything within arm's reach.
To be fair, my mom was high-risk for a long time—about 40 years due to certain blood conditions—so we were always extra cautious.
That said, I know plenty of other families who took precautions while still looking after their kids and everyone else in the house.
Isn't it perfectly natural and reasonable for someone with a contagious illness to isolate themselves as much as possible?

Thnx!
But that’s just the oncology department.
There are more of us out there...

( No, if I don't hear back from my own people, I'll give them a call. )

Has anyone here been treated at the Dubrava clinic recently?

I have an appointment scheduled for mid-December, but I haven't heard anything back yet... I'm just wondering if it's still on, if they might reschedule me, or if they'll be transferring my care to a different specialist at another hospital (where would that be?).
Have any of you received updates from them lately?
What kind of information did they give you?

A couple of our friends just caught it.
It started with their daughter—a college student—who had to isolate because her best friend came down with COVID. Within a few days, she developed a fever over 100 and some lingering symptoms. Then, about three or four days after she felt sick, her dad (our friend) started showing the exact same signs—basically flu-like symptoms plus that loss of smell. Finally, about three or four days after him, his wife caught it too.
None of them actually went for testing.
They just called their doctors and stayed home.
Even though they both work remotely part-time, they still had to take sick leave.
They aren't really sure how the government tracks this or if they even count toward the official statistics. They didn't ask, but we were chatting about it today.

Is it possible to make a change for Nicholas Davis4?

It should be fine, just reach out to Nice.

lonebadger6 said:Well, without getting bogged down in the rest of the drama, at least the sick guy himself is officially in the clear.

The rule is you have to isolate for 10 days starting from when those first symptoms pop up, which happens to be right when his isolation period ends this weekend.

But the other people living in the house? That's a whole different story... 😁

Personally, I find the whole thing incredibly nonsensical and inconsistent... They finally decided to shorten the isolation window for contacts, but right before that decision went through, my friends tested positive—my brother and sister... My brother didn't show a single symptom, but since my sister was the first one to test positive, he was stuck in isolation for 14 days. She wasn't deathly ill, just had a fever and a nasty cough, but she was cleared to head back to work after 10 days. By then, her fever was gone, even if she still had that lingering cough.

So you have this guy who never felt a single thing, yet he can't even step outside to take out the trash, while she can go straight back to the office with a COVID cough...

They claim they've clarified everything...

CDC
FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
...
7 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
October 26, 2020

Version 4.
CRITERIA FOR SARS-CoV-2 TESTING, ENDING ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE
Consolidated revised recommendations on testing priorities for SARS-CoV-2,
handling contacts, ending isolation and quarantine ("self-isolation")

...
...Procedures for close contacts of an individual with COVID-19
To reduce the spread of infection, all close contacts of the infected person are directed to undergo health monitoring in
quarantine/self-isolation.
Close contacts do not need to be tested at the start or during quarantine/self-isolation unless
they develop symptoms (if capacity allows) or there is an epidemiological
indication.
Close contacts* are subject to health monitoring in quarantine/self-isolation for a duration of 10 days
from the last close contact with the infected person.
Upon completion of self-isolation, when returning to normal work and other activities, it is especially important
to adhere to infection prevention measures (physical distancing, hygiene, wearing a mask), and in the event
of any symptoms appearing, to stay home.
If the patient and contacts live in a shared household where isolating the patient isn't possible (for example,
an ill child being cared for by parents), household contacts are subject to quarantine for 10 days from
the last contact with the infected person. If they remain in continuous close contact with the patient, this
implies a 20-day quarantine (the 10-day infectious period of the patient plus 10 days
of quarantine following the patient's last day of being infectious) from the date of the patient's illness, provided
that the patient meets the requirements for ending isolation after ten days and the contacts do not develop
symptoms during that period, which should be assessed by the designated primary care physician.

...

Lawrence Reed3 said:John, honestly, everyone has their own little tragedies in life—for one person, it might be not being able to hit the gym, or losing a job, or even just not being able to go out to a club... everyone's got something. I guess anything that totally wrecks your daily routine feels like a bit of a tragedy, right?

😂 🤣

Is that all? It seems like there are practically no criteria for what qualifies as a tragedy—or if there are, the bar is set incredibly low.
Whether we’re dealing with a pandemic or not, the outcome remains exactly the same.

I was just catching up with a friend who works at a private clinic. They don't bother with masks there because they feel it’s all just unnecessary hype and overreaction—they mostly handle private insurance contracts anyway. Meanwhile, he has a girlfriend living out in the rural Midwest in this massive, traditional household where nobody has ever even heard of contraception. We're talking five kids, parents, grandparents, all under one roof, plus aunts, uncles, and half the town dropping by daily. Now, the father has COVID-19, and this whole crowd is basically an open house for the virus. To make matters worse, my friend from New York City is heading out there this weekend and bringing his brother along. He thinks he's in the clear since his test results came back negative after a few days of symptoms, but it's a risky move.

On another note, a doctor from a major hospital in New York City passed away recently. His funeral was held right before the new restrictions kicked in. I heard there were about 300 people there—a huge gathering of doctors and medical staff. Afterward, they went to a service, and the priest actually told everyone to take their masks off, saying that God would watch over them there.

Lawrence Reed3 said:I'm just speaking for myself here.
I mean, I might pick a weekend to stay in, especially if the weather is being terrible—but I'm definitely not talking about staying cooped up for two weeks straight. Even then, I'd at least head out for some groceries.
Plus, I actually stay active—I work out, I run, and I love hiking in nature. I'm really not one of those people who spends days slumped on the sofa glued to the TV.
So, obviously, if I'm feeling sick, I'm not going to go out—it's just not happening—but I guess it depends on how bad it is. I certainly wouldn't lock myself away just because of a tiny little cold, and honestly, when I feel a bit run down, a workout is usually what gets me back on my feet. It's a different story, though, when something hits you harder and your body just won't let you move.

Sorry, you were really just a springboard for my thoughts on the state of the country.
In this context, "you" was just a figure of speech rather than a direct call-out to you personally.

If nobody is forcing you to do it, people should be dragging you out from under those threats instead.
If it isn't you, then a good chunk of the population certainly should be.

Since everyone is constantly out and about, we’re basically a nation of couch potatoes.

How are you handling things like rotavirus? Or chickenpox? Have you just never been sick? Or maybe you weren't "sick" per se, but you were totally sidelined—like dealing with a torn ligament, a bad sprain, or just being stuck at home moping around?

I assume you've already considered whether you have:
- someone reliable to step in when you need them
- enough of a cushion to cover boarding fees at a pet hotel.
If neither of those boxes is checked, then it’s probably best not to bring an animal into your life that requires daily attention you might struggle to provide down the road.
I really wanted a dog myself.
But I had to think practically... What happens when I head out of town for a weekend getaway? Or during summer vacation? Or even a ski trip? What if I get sick? I'm not looking to hire staff just to manage my pet. So, I decided against it.

Why should dog owners be allowed to stroll through the park while everyone else stays inside?
Is it simply because they're either too cheap or can't find people willing to spare ten minutes a day to help them out?

By the way, life involves a lot of foresight.
Deciding whether to bring a living creature into your home requires much more planning than deciding to buy a potted plant.

melloworca6 said:Hold on a second before you start calling people irresponsible. First off, we're talking about a pandemic; it's not like a global health crisis hits every couple of years, so how can you blame someone for not predicting that? Second, anyone who is actually responsible has a backup plan—neighbors, relatives, roommates—basically people they are close to and in contact with. The issue here is that right now, those people are being quarantined right along with you.
Do I really need to spell out why that's a problem? If all five people you usually rely on end up stuck in isolation with you at the same time, who the hell are you supposed to ask for help? And you could end up in isolation any time, every single time you come into contact with someone infected.
Does that seem normal to you? Being forced into a two-week lockdown every time someone gets sick, where you can't even go for a walk in the damn fresh air? Not just walking to the local pub, but actually getting out to nature, a field, or a forest...

Look, it's just common sense to think about what happens if you're away when you decide to get any kind of pet.
I see so many people panicking every time they want to go on vacation because they haven't figured out a sitter for their dog, cat, or hamster.
Don't try to claim this is a different issue.
The root cause might vary, but the core problem remains the same.
How are we supposed to solve this once the pandemic is over?
Stop pretending everyone lives in a massive commune with endless friends who are all available at a moment's notice.
What if you live alone and suddenly can't care for your pet? If you tear a ligament—like I did—and end up stuck in a hospital bed for a month, you're in a bind. Life happens.
Some people actually plan for this when they adopt...
But clearly, many don't, much like those summer appeals we see from animal shelters.
Besides, what do people even do during summer vacations when they can't bring their pets along?

Whether it’s a pandemic or the plague, it honestly doesn't matter.
You guys are making such a huge deal out of where to go with your dogs. Even if you can't swing $167 for a pet resort, how are you even able to afford a dog in the first place? It’s certainly not a cheap hobby.
At the end of the day, the logic is simple: if you have a dog, you can go for walks; if you don't, you can't.
My neighbor keeps a rabbit and a turtle, and the kids take them out too. Does that mean they get to take the turtle for a walk?
Seriously, everyone, what do single people with dogs even do? You’re all acting like being stuck at home is a tragedy for families... what would you do if you lived alone?
You'd figure it out. You'd book a kennel, or drop the pup off with a friend—just like I watched my friend's dog while she was traveling. Or you'd leave a parrot with someone. Stop overcomplicating something that has an easy fix. Just use a boarding facility.

Maybe I'm wrong, but when you decide to get a dog, you really need to think long and hard about what happens if you can't look after them for a while.
Honestly, hearing how many dogs howl day and night in my apartment complex, it doesn't seem like people give this much thought.
The questions you’re raising—like what to do during a beach vacation, a business trip, or some other travel—plus what happens if you get sick...
It's not like everyone in the family is stuck at home in quarantine all the time.
There are friends, extended family, neighbors... How on earth did you decide to bring a dog into your life knowing you wouldn't have a support system if you needed one?

I actually make a plan for my houseplants before I go away, so it seems pretty irresponsible to own a dog without having a backup plan ready for when you can't be there.

driftingtinker said:During those spring lockdowns, my dogs were absolutely dying to get out for walks.

🤣

Is there more to this story, or just a random assortment of bits and pieces? 😁

Lawrence Reed3 said:I think it’s just because the people enforcing these rules made it up as they go along, even though the actual health experts don't seem to see any issue with folks getting some fresh air as long as they stay away from crowds. Like, I went out for a run at 7:00 this morning and there wasn't a soul in sight—you can easily keep a massive distance from anyone when the streets are empty!
Honestly, I doubt you'd actually get fined, because how is an officer supposed to prove you weren't home? They can't just hand out tickets for no reason.
But hey, at least while you're stuck in quarantine, you can still have people over to your place if nothing else.

I agree with the first point.

Do I think people would just go out to wander through an empty field by themselves?
I don't think so.
Just look at how busy pharmacies get during the spring rush.
That doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to walk, but they should definitely maintain social distance.

The term "quarantine" doesn't really imply socializing with others, especially when you're stuck in an apartment.

By the way, is there any data on what percentage of people ordered to isolate actually got sick, or how many housemates—if they aren't living alone—caught it from them?

In my case, we rearranged ourselves throughout the apartment; those with fevers stayed in two specific rooms, while the rest spread out elsewhere, just watching TV in separate spaces.

It’s funny how most people usually spend their time glued to the TV, flipping through hundreds of cable channels (even if they only watch four), or hunched over a computer or phone. Now, suddenly, it turns out 99% of the population are fitness enthusiasts and outdoor lovers who prefer fresh air to being indoors. Usually, they struggle to even walk to the corner store, and a stroll from a local park to a neighborhood landmark sounds like too much effort. In the summer, around 9 PM, you hardly see anyone out... let alone during other seasons. So where are all these walkers and athletes? It's not like everyone is hanging out at Central Park or the local waterfront... There used to be plenty of people walking, but for years now, things have been quiet. Are they living in some parallel universe?!

melloworca6 As specified by:
This really shouldn't be happening. I've been looking into this because being forced into quarantine would be a massive headache for me. You can always find someone to watch your dog, or even pay for a pet hotel, or have a friend come by for walks—but you won't be allowed to leave the house yourself.

I honestly can't imagine who I'd be inconveniencing by throwing on my mask and gloves to take the dog for a walk. Especially since, where I live, there's plenty of room to maintain a good distance from everyone else anyway.

mellowskipper Asks:
I suppose you can only walk a dog if you actually own one.

It simply means that those who own dogs hold a certain level of privilege over those without them.
Why should anyone care whether someone owns a dog or not?
Who’s going to take care of things when you're sidelined with the flu, a pulled muscle, or a nasty stomach bug, especially if you're out in the Pacific Northwest?
Some of you will have the chance to get out and enjoy a walk, while others simply won't be able to.
Since they don't have a dog.

Unfer.

How do people actually manage to stick to self-isolation?
My neighbors have grandkids and college students over constantly. It feels like every other day there’s someone stopping by for lunch.
Now, both of them are sick. We're talking fevers over 100 degrees and all that.
And because of that, the two of them are officially under quarantine.
I know this because she told me herself.

But how are they even following the rules?
Every time I head out and run into her in the lobby, she’s right there... waving guests goodbye. They were just over at her place for coffee. She practically bragged about it (as if I had asked 🤦), saying, "They just came by to check on us."
It wasn't even her son and daughter-in-law—whose own kids are sick and also stuck in isolation.
It was just some friends.
It wasn't a quick "drop off some groceries" type of visit either.
It was a full-on social gathering.