Posts by rapidbadger26

I experience something quite similar. I don't hear or see anything specific, but when I lie down and close my eyes—trying to drift off, for instance—I get this strange sensation regarding the proportions of my body. It’s like a feeling that my head is massive and expanding, while my fingers feel tiny and far away... or something along those lines. I’m fully awake the whole time, just with my eyes closed. The sensation stops once I open them, though sometimes not immediately. Usually, it clears up after a few minutes. It rarely happens at night, mostly in the morning if I wake up, get out of bed, and then try to crawl back in to sleep again. I don't recall this happening during childhood; it started maybe five or six years ago, and even then, it isn't frequent. It isn't particularly pleasant or unpleasant, but it does make it hard to focus on falling asleep.
Then, about two years ago, I started feeling that exact moment where you sink into sleep, and it would frighten me wide awake. It’s like that split second of awareness when they administer anesthesia before surgery... that sudden drop. That feeling became a major issue, eventually leading to insomnia. As it turns out, depression was the culprit; since I started taking my antidepressants, that sensation hasn't returned.

dustybear77 said:So you've been on Prozac for two years now? How much longer are you stuck taking this stuff?

No idea, maybe forever... I really don't know. I asked my psychiatrist at my last check-up, but since I was feeling pretty panicky again after all this time, he said there's no need to stop just yet...

frozenbear52 said:I was wondering if anyone here has experience using Zoloft. If you have, did you notice any positive shifts in how you were feeling? Also, what was the situation with side effects?

I’ve been on Prozac for two years now. I dealt with side effects during the first few weeks—basically the time it took for the medication to actually kick in. Those first two or three weeks were brutal. I had my first panic attack back then, couldn't sleep, couldn't eat... I just spent most of my time paralyzed by fear in bed. It almost landed me in a psychiatric ward. No one warned me to start with a lower dose, so I jumped straight into 100mg and stayed there. I had no idea what the adjustment period would feel like... I really wish I'd found an online community back then. To cope, I was also taking Xanax—starting at 0.25 mg twice a day. I was too scared to increase the dosage on my own, so I unnecessarily struggled for another two weeks until my doctor finally cleared me to move up to 0.5 mg three times a day. That's when things finally started looking up. Two years later, I feel great. No lingering side effects, and my blood work stays normal. I don't think the medication changed who I am; I still have my happy days, sad days, angry days... But that overwhelming, paralyzing terror? That hasn't touched me in two years. I know this is a long post, but I thought it was important for anyone starting Prozac for the first time. You need to know what might be coming so you don't give up if things get worse before they get better. For some, relief comes early; for others, it takes longer, but significant improvement usually follows. Good luck. Check out the threads on "anxiety" and "panic disorder" to see what others went through during their transition onto antidepressants... Good luck.👍

To be honest, I don't know much about those warts, thank God. But I do know a girl who dealt with them; she went through cauterization and was screaming in pain, only for them to resurface later. At her mother's suggestion, she visited a homeopathic specialist in Chicago... she cleared them up without any pain and hasn't had a recurrence in about five years. I don't have the doctor's exact address on hand, but if anyone is interested, I can look it up. Best of luck to you all.

Look, I know you’re not in the mood for jokes right now, but a little levity might actually help. There’s this one diagnostic genius out there, though finding him isn't exactly easy. He can be a bit difficult to deal with, but once he commits to a case, he hits a hundred percent success rate. Mind you, he’ll probably drive you to the brink of death before he figures it out... then, just when you think it's over, he'll have this sudden epiphany and tell you it was just chickenpox or something. He'll hand you a miracle cure, and you'll be walking out perfectly fine the next day. I can't recall his actual name, but everyone knows him as DR. HOUSE!
Don't be mad, I'm just teasing. I really hope you start feeling better soon and get past this nightmare that's been making life so miserable.

My aunt lives in a small town in Ohio, so if you run into any trouble or just need some local guidance, let me know. I spent a good chunk of my childhood there too, and she actually worked at the hospital right nearby...

Maria Grant42 said:It seems a bit more complicated than standard iron-deficiency anemia. Have you tried taking folic acid (B-complex vitamins)?
To me, your issue looks like an absorption problem. It doesn't matter how many iron supplements you take if your body can't actually process them...

Once you get your lab results back, post them here so we can take a look.

Here are the labs from my ER visit on September 20, 2008 (forgive any typos, I'm not a medical professional): RBC= 4.56, Hemoglobin= 129, Hematocrit= 0.400
MCV= 87.6, MCH= 28.3, MCHC= 323, RDW= 14.1, Platelets= 245, MPV= 7.4

Then, following a referral from my primary doctor, these were the results from September 26, 2008: Iron= 5.3, UIBC= 54.2, TIBC= 59.5

And finally, some older results I found from April 24, 2007. Back then, I was taking Ferrum Lek tablets during my period.
WBC= 4.2, RBC= 4.39, HGB= 130, HCT= 0.392, MCV= 89, MCH= 29.5
MCHC= 331, RDW= 16.3, PLT= 233, MPV= 7.3, PCT= 0.170, PDW= 13, Iron= 17.40

Just to clarify, when I first started treating this anemia back in 1999, I was seeing a different doctor who always prescribed folic acid along with the Ferrum Lek. However, in 2006, I saw a hematologist who recommended IV treatments (Ferlecit and Venafer) instead. After finishing that therapy, he just had me take the Ferrum Lek during my period and nothing else. I switched doctors that same year, and she actually asked why I was still taking folic acid, noting it wasn't even necessary for my specific case. Honestly, after nearly ten years of managing this and seeing various specialists, someone surely would have realized by now if the diagnosis or treatment plan was off... but thank you for looking out for me. A second opinion is always helpful. One doctor actually opened my eyes when she mentioned I shouldn't drink coffee alongside my iron supplements—at least not for a few hours before or after. For years, I’d take the iron on an empty stomach and immediately brew a morning coffee. She told me I might as well not have taken the pill at all. Now I'm careful about that. She also advised avoiding coffee right after lunch, which used to be a regular habit of mine, since it blocks the iron absorbed from food. Instead, I'll have a vitamin drink and wait an hour or two before my coffee. I've noticed it really helps. Thanks again.

Maria Grant42 said:Post your blood work if you have it handy so we can see what kind of anemia we're dealing with.

How old are you, and have you been taking any prescription or over-the-counter meds lately? Any recent hospital stays or blood transfusions?

I don't have my labs on me right now, but my doctor mentioned it's iron-deficiency anemia... though I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the details. My username is my age. For medication, I take Pfizer if my iron levels drop significantly, otherwise just standard supplements. I did need a transfusion back in 2000 after my third C-section. Other than that, I'm on Zoloft and take Xanax as needed, both by prescription. My periods are heavy for a couple of days and then taper off over about a week. I've had IV iron twice before, always under my doctor's supervision...

The worst part is that I’ve been battling this anemia for years now; my stomach is practically full of iron supplements and Pfizer... Just when things finally seem to stabilize, the levels drop again after a few months. I used to think the heart palpitations only happened when my iron was low, but now they persist even when my levels are back to normal. It’s likely a combination of that, panic disorder, and genetics (not to mention my own lifestyle choices, unfortunately). Regardless, THANK YOU for making sense of all these confusing terms.

Maria Grant42 said:Where did you see the diagnosis for hiposiderosis? Was it on a blood panel or something?

I had a cardiology appointment today. I still have to go through the usual routine—an echo, Holter monitor, stress test... For now, they’ve given me a preliminary diagnosis: extrasystole, compensated heart, and hiposiderosis.
I’ve always struggled with low iron levels (iron-deficiency anemia), so I figured this might be related, but I haven't come across that specific term before.
And does anyone know what a "compensated heart" actually means?...

Olivia Ward20 said:My world started collapsing again today... after finding out there's likely a tumor back. I already went through one round—surgery, recovery—and I was still getting my strength back when they told me it’s probably back in the same spot, or close to it. One can't even process the shock... those words just echo in my head. Tumor. Thinking about having to redo everything from scratch, and wondering how this ends... Now I'm just waiting for the medical board to meet and decide on my next steps, and the waiting is killing me. I try not to dwell on it, to stay calm, but it's impossible. It's harder when everyone looks at you with such pity. I don't know how to move forward... I'm afraid of breaking down right when I need the most strength to endure this alone... maybe I should just have a good cry and scream it all out, all the anger and despair... honestly, I just don't know anymore... 🙂 🙂

Hearing this makes me want to break down too. Here I am, panicking over every little thing and every skipped heartbeat. There aren't any wise words left, and I doubt you need them right now. Just know someone is thinking of you and feeling your pain. Cry, scream in private, let all that drama out because it has to go somewhere. I don't know if you're religious, but prayer helps me—not the ritualistic kind, just simple conversation. I find comfort knowing Jesus is a friend who understands, because He walked this path Himself. In the silence, I just lean my head on His shoulder and pour it all out. And I weep. So much. Hang in there, be brave. I'll be praying for you tonight.

Does anyone happen to know what hyposiderosis actually refers to? Also, could someone clarify what Cor comp. means... Thanks in advance for any insight.

Just one more tip from my experience; maybe it’ll help someone else... During one of my first bad flare-ups, I used Preparation H suppositories and cream, which worked at the time. But since they contain corticosteroids, you shouldn't overdo it, so next time I switched to Hemophagen, a propolis-based cream, and that helped too. About six months ago, things got rough again with bleeding and discomfort; I tried the Hemophagen and the Preparation H, but nothing worked... Then it hit me. I started using Apibaby propolis drops (the alcohol-free kind) and applied it internally and externally after every bathroom trip. I saw improvement within just a few days. If anyone wants to try it, go ahead... Propolis is great for sore throats and wound healing anyway. It's completely natural. Just make sure to ask for the children's version when buying so you don't get the alcohol solution. Good luck to everyone...

First timer here. Hello. I recently ended up in the ER due to some heart issues, and now I’m stuck with a diagnosis that makes absolutely no sense. I have to run more tests, but my appointment with a cardiologist is still six months out. I’ve always been prone to panic, and my medical history already shows several anxiety episodes. Now, the days just drag on while I sit here listening to my heartbeat, waiting for it to stop... My mother has lived with similar issues for forty years, and the doctor at the ER told me there's nothing "malignant" about it. Everyone tries to comfort me, saying it isn't serious, offering advice like "don't be afraid" or "look in the mirror and tell yourself your heart is fine." Honestly, talking helps—even just voicing the fear. And when there's no one else to talk to, medication helps too; constant internal tension and nerves are proven triggers for all sorts of ailments. One more thing: my lifestyle isn't exactly peak health. I smoke, and I'm not happy about it. Not trying to make excuses, but even us "addicts" want to live long lives; we just know the risks and struggle with our own weaknesses when it comes to quitting. Stay healthy, everyone...