Posts by stormymaker24

Kimberly Flores56 said:The very title of this thread, "clitoral inflammation," struck me as inherently dubious from the start; I find myself questioning whether it is even physiologically plausible for the clitoris itself to undergo such an inflammatory process.

If we are indeed dealing with an inflammatory issue, I am convinced we are looking at an infection in one of the surrounding glands or some similar localized complication.
The notion of the clitoris itself becoming inflamed is preposterous, considering it is essentially nothing more than a concentrated cluster of nerve endings.

hiddenscout362 said:issues like these certainly won't resolve themselves without medical intervention🙄

go see a gynecologist🙂

👍
frankly, there is no way for you to know exactly what kind of inflammation is occurring down there, and quite honestly, there is absolutely no reason to be intimidated by a gynecologist; if you would just take a moment to read through our existing thread regarding doctor visits, you might find the reassurance you clearly need.
regardless of the specifics of what has happened, you really need to bite the bullet, conquer this irrational fear, and just go to the clinic!

To find some support in navigating this situation, it might be more beneficial to reach out here

I am profoundly sorry for everything you are enduring right now, but as Michelle Cook83 pointed out—you absolutely must find a way to calm your nerves first. I realize how nearly impossible that feels when the entire weight of the world seems to have collapsed onto your shoulders all at once, yet maintaining your composure is the single most vital thing you can do for yourself at this moment; once you achieve that, your entire perspective will shift.

I shall refrain from offering further commentary since I lack any firsthand experience in this particular arena, but please know that I am wishing you nothing but strength in the battles ahead. You simply must maintain unwavering confidence in yourself and in your doctors.

🙂

urbanscout50 said:There is simply no such thing as a list of "frugal" anesthesiologists. This concept of being "stingy" doesn't really pertain to the administration of anesthetic agents required to maintain depth—because frankly, no anesthesiologist finds any comfort in a patient waking up mid-procedure. Such instances are exceedingly rare, yet when they do occur, they are profoundly unsettling. As previously stated, this perceived "frugality" more often refers to the dosage of analgesics provided during surgery, resulting in patients enduring significant pain upon waking.
This issue is further compounded by the fact that once a patient leaves the recovery room—where they remain under the watchful eye of the anesthesiologist—they are typically transferred to a ward where they fall under the supervision of their surgeon, who is primarily responsible for managing analgesia. How those specific protocols are handled is beyond my purview.
Regrettably, Trevor is correct; if you wish to discern the reputation or methodology of a particular anesthesiologist, you must inquire within the hospital itself, ideally by speaking directly with the anesthesia department. Alternatively, one might find success by consulting with a surgeon, who may offer a recommendation and advise you on how to request a specific specialist.
Unfortunately, in most of our American hospitals, anesthesiologists aren't even informed which operating rooms they will be assigned to, or which patients they will be treating, until they meet the surgical team in the premedication room during the morning briefing. Surgeons frequently operate under similar chaotic circumstances, which explains why one might see a certain doctor, while another handles the admission, and a third performs the actual surgery.
The situation is somewhat improved in larger medical centers or highly specialized facilities—such as cardiac surgery or transplant units—where a small, dedicated group of perhaps four or five anesthesiologists works collectively, rendering the choice of a specific individual unnecessary.

So, just because one anesthesiologist performed my initial assessment, does it follow that he will be the one guiding me through the actual operation?
Ah, the American healthcare system... 😢

Thank you for the insights.

Angela Martin2 said:...

I must confess that I hold my own breasts in higher regard than anything else in this entire world. 😍 They have been living their own lives for quite some time now, and frankly, I have absolutely no intention of meddling in their affairs; as far as we are concerned, everything is perfectly fine. 😍
As for proper posture, we spent quite a significant amount of time focusing on core engagement during our training sessions, so I find that my technique aligns perfectly with those principles. Essentially, one must tuck the pelvis inward while lifting the chest two inches higher than usual and pulling the shoulders back; this ensures the spine remains consistently elongated, though I must admit that if I remain stationary for too long, I tend to collapse onto my lower lumbar region.

A supportive bra... honestly, how can something be so brutally effective? When my hormone levels spike and everything starts swelling, I find myself searching quite desperately for someone to handle them—which usually just leads to everyone getting exactly what they want, so I suppose it’s a win-win for all involved. It’s such an exquisite sensation. Yet, looking back, it wasn't until the first time I actually experienced that physical shift that I truly grasped the immense weight I am forced to carry every single day.
What I find most absurdly comical is that whenever I am seated at one of those cramped university lecture hall desks, there is just enough space to lean back and rest my chin on my hand in a gesture of utter exhaustion. 😍

Morgan Torres said:Is it possible for my period to be late because of the reason I needed the pessary? I had some yellowish discharge and used two of them within a two-day span.

It is entirely plausible that your cycle is being delayed by whatever underlying issue necessitated the use of those pessaries in the first place.

Oh, please, I am only twenty-three! 🙂
I have absolutely nothing to complain about—neither my figure nor my age (though, if we are being honest, I’ve had a decent bust for at least a decade), and I certainly maintain myself quite properly.

A friend actually recommended a specific massage therapist to me, so I am planning to make an appointment...
The goal is essentially to reach a point where I can live with myself regarding this matter... though, if nothing comes of it, well... I do happen to have a medical excuse that mandates a massage once a month. 😁

Carol Price79, what kind of massage are you specifically referring to?

I am opening this discussion because I find myself with a pressing inquiry.
Do any of you suffer from chronic shoulder issues?

About a year or two ago, I began experiencing what I have come to label my "psychosomatic shoulder." I endure excruciating pain in my right shoulder—the one I use to operate my mouse—and I initially presumed the culprit was simply repetitive strain. However, I eventually deduced that stress plays a significant role, as the pain flares up whenever I find myself agitated.
It is a purely muscular affliction, characterized by a spasm that tightens everything from my neck down through the shoulder, radiating pain all the way through my arm.

I was more or less satisfied with that explanation until a few days ago, when I was walking down the street and realized, quite suddenly, that the intensity of the pain was escalating.
Upon returning home, I examined my posture in the mirror and reached a sobering realization: while walking or standing, I maintain an unnaturally rigid posture by constantly contracting my back, abdominal, and shoulder muscles. Consequently, my shoulders are perpetually hiked up and pulled back. This is entirely subconscious, a habit likely ingrained in me long ago because I was taught that such a posture is 🙂most aesthetically pleasing.

It was a perfect storm of factors: poor posture driven by the desire to accentuate my chest, my general muscle tension, and the constant use of a computer mouse.

Do any of you ladies have any advice on how to actually relax these shoulder muscles? I strive to maintain good posture, but I am perhaps being far too corrective. What is the solution? Are we women destined to live in perpetual agony—if not in our lower backs, then in our shoulders, and if not there, then inevitably in our backs? 😢
I could meditate until the end of time, but when I am out in the world trying to manage these two heavy burdens, it is nearly impossible to truly let go...

Megan Davis62 said:Look, I realize it isn't Centrum, but since I don't touch fruits or vegetables, I figured this might bridge the nutritional gap, and since it claims to contain iron, I’m asking. I don't actually have any deficiency symptoms, but I bought this iron supplement that claims 65 mg of elemental iron, which apparently equals 325 mg of ferrous sulfate, so now I'm just confused. How much actual iron is in that sublingual Ferrum stuff? And how much iron—or sulfate—should I even be aiming for?
anyway, thanks to begemotica for the reply...

When your iron levels are that depleted, trying to fix things with effervescent tablets or miscellaneous supplements is essentially a fool's errand. Your best course of action is to consult with your physician and stick to something like Hefeol, Ferrum, or those little yellow pills—I can't recall the name—until your levels return to a standard range. Once you reach that point (though you really ought to investigate why your levels were so abysmal in the first place—is it diet, absorption issues, or something else entirely?), and it will undoubtedly take several months, then you might consider using effervescent iron tablets occasionally to maintain stability.
Ah, so now it all clicks—you simply don't eat fruit or vegetables. Well, darling, if there isn't a more compelling medical reason than "I just don't like them," then you'll just have to pinch your nose and chew. Is taking iron pills really such a preferred alternative? I fail to see the logic. If there is some other legitimate constraint, my apologies, but otherwise...

edit: I’ve just realized this isn't strictly on-topic. Since this is a new thread, should I move my thoughts over there or just stay put here?

I find myself grappling with a particular question regarding when we actually encounter an anesthesia specialist in this field.😁

How does one truly discern whether an anesthesiologist is competent and will actually prioritize my safety? For instance, I ended up under the care of one quite by chance, despite originally being scheduled with a different doctor. Much like I did with my surgeon, I assumed I could simply perform a thorough Google search on the anesthesiologist to see if any former patients had left reviews or impressions. While you can find endless discussions about surgeons on various forums, searching for an anesthesiologist is like looking for a ghost—I barely managed to find two or three academic papers associated with him.🤷 It is painfully obvious that anesthesiologists are never afforded the same level of scrutiny or importance.
At first glance, the man seemed perfectly pleasant and professional enough, but I soon realized he wasn't listening to me at all. He appeared to have absolutely no grasp of the specific condition necessitating my surgery, and I highly doubt I am his first patient to present such issues. Whenever I attempted to explain certain details, he would simply brush them off, essentially telling me that my input was irrelevant because things would be done strictly according to his own dictates.😕
So, what am I to make of this?
I am inclined to believe the man possesses technical expertise, but since I have never undergone general anesthesia before—aside from what one might call dental sedation—I have no baseline to determine if his bedside manner is acceptable. I have no way of knowing how the process will unfold, whether he is anticipating potential complications, how much risk I represent, or why he refuses to clear certain aspects of my case when the first anesthesiologist I spoke with insisted they were no issue at all (which seems to be the consensus among others I've observed).

Then again, he arguably seems more attentive than the physician my mother dealt with, who practically sprinted out of the office thirty seconds after walking through the door.

Broadly speaking, anesthesiology remains a profoundly "mystical" branch of medicine to me, shrouded in an unnecessary veil of secrecy.😁

Sam Castillo7 said:Taking oral contraceptives when your platelet count is elevated is nothing to mess around with. What does your PT/INR look like?

I'm so sorry the surgery fell through. 😢 You were right on the verge of finally getting some relief, too. But hey, who knows—maybe this is a blessing in disguise, pointing out something else your body needs to fix first.
Hang in there, okay?

Thanks.

All my clotting indicators are perfectly normal, with the exception of those slightly elevated platelets, a marginally high fibrinogen level (by 0.3), and relatively low fibrinolysis (95, against a ref of 150-210). My PT is 0.91 and the INR is 1.06, both of which are acceptable.

I have just discovered that fibrinolysis levels drop during periods of stress, and I spent my nights tossing and turning because I was terrified they would cancel the procedure...
Well, as it turns out, they did cancel the surgery due to thyroid issues—an issue I maintain I don't even have. My TSH and T3 are only negligibly elevated, so much so that a friend of mine, who has been battling thyroid problems for ten years, didn't even believe these numbers could be the reason for a cancellation. My hormone levels used to be erratic, but they have been stable for two years now, and frankly, I have no desire to start taking medication. It is enough to drive one insane.
To top it all off, they’ve put me on heart medication because they discovered a cardiac defect I had already suspected.
It is quite unbelievable, but in the midst of these surgical preparations, I haven't encountered a single doctor who hasn't managed to slap at least one new diagnosis onto me.
I am completely overwhelmed, and I feel as though I am on the verge of a breakdown; everyone seems determined to medicate me, while my ovaries, back, and uterus are in such agonizing pain it feels like I've been on my period for a month straight... I am at the absolute end of my rope. 😢

Angela Wright said:Hey, are you drinking those Bud Light Pilsners?
If you are, you've got some serious reasons to be worried. You'll probably have to cut out Pilsners altogether.

Yes, I am, which is precisely why I was inquiring about "everyday" triggers.
I was already planning on a more relaxed lifestyle, but now my scheduled surgery has been scrapped because my lab results came back absolutely catastrophic across the board, leaving me at a total loss as to how to proceed—and frankly, I am terrified of going off the pill.

Inflammation... yes, my sedimentation rate is incredibly high, so I suspect there might be a connection there, though I suppose I won't know for certain until I sit through yet another round of consultations with my doctors.

Thanks for the input. 🙂

swiftpanther52 said:Don't mention it... I'm just telling you what I think. Why not do a little digging? Just look things up online and see for yourself...

I am searching, believe me, I am searching, but the results consistently return nothing but those grim possibilities that I am desperately hoping aren't the reality; finding these supposed "everyday" causes is proving to be an exercise in futility.

So, did you actually manage to get in?
Fine, thanks for the input 👍

Is anyone else experiencing this?

I find myself wondering if there exists any plausible reason for a slight elevation in platelet counts—not even a dramatic spike, mind you, just a mere 20 points above the threshold, or perhaps a 100-point shift compared to last year—that wouldn't necessarily point toward a primary clotting disorder.
Is it possible that some mundane, everyday factor lurking in our daily routines could be the culprit?
Furthermore, my fibrinogen levels also appear to be elevated, though I am having a bit of a difficult time locating the exact terminology in these lab reports 😁, and again, the increase is quite marginal.

I am not offering any additional clinical details at this stage; I simply wish to know what immediately comes to your minds when you encounter such a scenario.

Olivia Baker5 said:thanks so much =)
answering the question: we used condoms, though certainly not on every occasion.🙈.. and I am fully aware that this delay feels like some sort of cosmic retribution for our lack of foresight, 🙂 but even during those times when we were unprotected, he was incredibly careful about everything...

I only asked that question to get you thinking about the possibilities. These things happen to everyone, provided you don't let it become a recurring pattern in your life.
Best of luck 😉

Olivia Baker5 said:Hi everyone... I have a question and I really need some advice, an opinion, or just anything at all...
It goes like this... I had my first period when I was about 13 or 14, and it has never been regular. It would skip months quite frequently, and it was always a bit unpredictable. Everything remained largely the same until I saw my gynecologist for the first time at age 17, which is when I discovered I have PCOS. My prescribed treatment was Diane-35, which I took for five months earlier this year (I am 19 now). I decided to stop taking them because I wanted to take a break from the medication—and honestly, my boyfriend suggested it too, as he’d heard they cause all sorts of issues. In the month after I stopped, my period was three weeks late. Naturally, we were worried, even though we are extremely careful, so I took a pregnancy test; it was negative, and then my period arrived two or three days later. Since then, it has been late by a few days every single month, but nothing ever seemed serious. This month, however, it was supposed to arrive around October 4th, but it hasn't come. After a week of waiting, I started getting anxious. The stress is piling up, especially since my boyfriend keeps hovering over me, asking when my period is finally going to show up. A week after that, the anxiety intensified because the period still hadn't arrived, and on top of that, I am terrified about my upcoming college finals—I am absolutely dreading how they will go. I took another pregnancy test last week and it was negative. My exams are still ongoing, so I am still incredibly stressed, but my period is nowhere to be found. I have all the PMS symptoms, and I'm just scared 😢 my boyfriend is putting extra pressure on me regarding my cycle... I am seeing my gynecologist next week, but I wanted to reach out here for some comfort or advice from you all... please =)
I apologize for this novel, but I am feeling quite desperate 😢

First, if this sounds blunt, forgive me: tell your boyfriend to go play some video games or something and give you some space. While it is kind of him to care, men often cause more harm than good with their "knowledge" regarding hormonal pills. Also, you mentioned being "careful." Does that mean you aren't using condoms?

Beyond that, here are a few observations: breaks from birth control are neither necessary nor required. You shouldn't feel obligated to take them, and if you truly insist on a break, perhaps do so once every two years for about six months. I see you took a break after being on them for a long time, which is fine.

PCOS is a chronic condition; birth control doesn't cure it, it merely manages the symptoms. Therefore, your irregular cycles are perfectly "normal" given the circumstances, especially considering the immense amount of stress you are under right now.

You should check out the PCOS discussion threads to see what other women are using. It isn't mandatory to stay on heavy-duty pills like Diane-35; there are much milder options available that might suit you better (for instance, a friend of mine with PCOS uses Loestrin and finds it works wonders). Talk to your gynecologist, get all the necessary tests done, and perhaps try a different formulation.

And yes, even when you take your next break, you will likely face delayed periods again. You simply have to be prepared for that reality.

There is always a possibility of pregnancy, as it is difficult to track ovulation accurately with your condition. However, based on the negative test and everything else you've described, it is highly unlikely.

Use condoms if you aren't already. Let your boyfriend worry if he must, but you are the one who makes decisions regarding your own body. Try to calm down; once you get through these finals—which I am sure you will handle fine—your cycle will likely settle down, and everything will be alright. Go to your appointment and discuss all your options with the doctor.
Understood?
😉

Aaron Garcia36 said:Following orders from the higher-ups, all those top-tier topics—including most of the PDFs—have been wiped out. All that’s left are some topic lists and whatever specific rules were tucked away in those individual files, if my memory serves me right 😬

a.
Is there any actual possibility of reversing this course if there happens to be sufficient willpower from the moderation team and a genuine interest from others besides myself, or should I simply accept this as a closed chapter?

I have been a fixture on this forum for quite some time now, spending far more energy consuming content than actually contributing to it, though I do find myself typing occasionally.
While I maintain that the PDF format itself is of exceptional quality, I find myself compelled to pose a question: 😍is there any possibility of reinstating the previous organizational structure of the subforums? When the top-tier threads were abolished, I was away, and upon my return... I had foolishly assumed I would adapt, but frankly, I am struggling immensely. 🤷
It feels somewhat chaotic.

Is there an actual roadmap for reorganizing the PDF, or is this permanent state of affairs our new reality? I wonder if this layout simply makes moderation more efficient for you all.
The difficulty lies in navigation; I am forced to scroll endlessly just to locate specific threads that I frequent—threads which, in their own right, are quite popular—and I truly find myself longing for that former level of organization 😢

I appreciate your response.
😁

I have visited the clinic on 5th Avenue twice now, and on both occasions, I simply walked in and informed them it was my first time; they acted somewhat evasive, claiming they weren't aware a prior appointment was mandatory, yet they allowed me to proceed without any complications whatsoever. There were never more than five patients ahead of me for the actual procedure, so the only real wait involves standing in line just to hand over your referral, whereas the extraction itself is handled quite swiftly.
Perhaps they have updated their protocols since then, as my last visit was roughly a year ago.