Posts by restlessangler

You can find some solid dermatologists over in the Šalat area.
Are you thinking about Cleveland Clinic? Or maybe Vinogradska?...

Back in 2007, my late grandmother spent her final days there.
Honestly, if everything else is fine but she's dealing with a broken hip, I wouldn't suggest letting them take her there... it just doesn't seem right.
I can't say for sure that the staff is a total disaster—it might just be that they're seriously understaffed, because things get pretty messy when you don't have enough hands on deck...
As for the cleaning crew, they really aren't pulling their weight. In three days, I only saw them come by twice, and both times there was a urine stain on the floor—not even talking about a massive puddle, just a visible stain...

crimsonhawk35 said:Even though this post was originally made 4 years ago, I just couldn't help but write something. 😁I haven't scrolled through the pages to see if you ever posted an update about this, but I'm curious—how did it turn out in the end? Because I'm dealing with similar issues, and I've been diagnosed with a pelvic hernia...

Hi there,
Regarding those specific symptoms, I never actually reached back out...
Once I stopped doing such heavy physical labor and switched to a job that isn't as taxing on my body, the pain mostly went away—maybe I deal with it once or twice a year now, at most...

Hi there,

Just a heads-up—C3 and C4 levels aren't actually used as standalone diagnostic criteria for SLE. This means you can't look at those numbers alone to determine if someone has it or not. In fact, there are plenty of patients living with an SLE diagnosis who maintain completely normal C3 and C4 levels...

Think of C3 and C4 more as markers to track how active the disease is or to gauge potential kidney involvement.

Generally, doctors look for anything falling below the normal range. But, it's well-documented that the body can sometimes compensate for high complement consumption by ramping up production—basically keeping everything hovering right at the low end of "normal" even when the disease is active. So, values might still sit near that lower limit during an SLE flare...

Best regards. 🙂

Thanks so much, Nicholas Myers 🙂
We'll just have to wait and see what the rest of the results show once they come back.

Hi everyone.
To keep it brief, I'm not looking for anyone to interpret my lab results—I just need a little bit of guidance...

I was recently diagnosed with cutaneous lupus, so now I’m running some tests to make sure things haven't progressed into systemic lupus.

Besides the standard CBC and urinalysis, I'm also getting those more specific markers checked out.

Most of the results aren't back yet, but I was wondering how low the C3 and C4 levels actually need to drop before doctors start suspecting SLE?
Here are my current numbers:

C3 - 0.65 (ref - 0.83-1.77)
C4 - 0.15 (ref - 0.29-0.68)

I won't list the rest of my labs since I'm really just curious about what threshold triggers a suspicion of SLE...

Thanks,

Just wanted to give you all an update,
I had my biopsy done and just finished up the follow-up consultation today.
It turns out I have discoid lupus, and now I'm heading to the hospital for some more testing—just to make sure it hasn't progressed into systemic lupus...
I tried asking for more specifics, but I don't really have the full picture of what we're looking at yet.
Honestly, I'm just exhausted... I think I'm going to take a few days off to myself and just try to put this out of my mind for a little while..

Just checking in, almost a year later...
Unfortunately—since we Americans are famously bad at following through sometimes—I haven't actually finished my follow-up exams for those lymph nodes.
I still have the referrals for the Mayo Clinic to get some biopsies done.

I've got a lymph node under my arm today, and about two or three months ago, a new one popped up behind my jaw near my ear—it’s just sitting there now. It swelled up a bit for a while, then went back to how it was, and now it's just steady again...

The headaches are still hanging around, but I've tapered off the Dilantin and am just sticking to Advil whenever the pain hits. It works about 80% of the time, so I can live with that. I decided to stop the Dilantin because, after a while, I realized I was becoming incredibly sluggish—my speech and my thinking were just... totally slowed down.

As for the stomach pains, they hardly ever show up anymore—maybe two or three times a year—but I think that's mostly because I'm not doing as much physical labor lately.

And the rash... well, here is the photo I took today. I honestly expected it to start clearing up since the sun isn't as intense right now, but that hasn't really happened. I'm heading to my doctor tomorrow to grab a referral so I can see the dermatologist again. The main difference from last year is that I spent some time at the beach this summer, even though I was constantly reapplying SPF 50. My skin used to peel quite a bit, so it feels slightly different than last year, probably because I don't have several layers of dry skin left in that spot...





I'm posting this just in case anyone else is dealing with similar issues—please feel free to reach out if you are, so you know you aren't alone...

Honestly, there's no need to apologize to me. We’re all human—we make mistakes... and I’ll be the first to admit that myself, since I'm certainly no saint. You probably already know I've occasionally helped someone move some boxes under the circumstances 😬.

I really appreciate you guys reopening this thread. I promise I won't use it for anything pointless; I know—and this was actually something I struggled with before because I hated jumping into every single discussion without a good reason—that there are much more important topics over at Right Paw, and it wouldn't be right of me to bump this up constantly...

Thanks again, everyone!!

I’m still not quite sure why this thread was locked, but oh well...
I get it—the answers I was looking for are probably out there somewhere else (Google can be pretty amazing, after all)—but when I think back to how Blue Paw first started operating...

If my memory serves me right, before Blue Paw really took off, the focus wasn't so much on fundraising or donations, but more about just getting help to those little ones found out on the streets. I'm not entirely sure when that shifted so much.
Anyway, I'm just a tiny drop in the ocean compared to all the Blue Paw members who have been through here, and I believe that rules can change—and they do—so it's up to me to either adapt or move on.

Maybe it's my own fault for being "out of the loop" for so many years, coming back here hoping to find support and information all in one place. The irony is, I think these are the only animals I haven't actually asked for financial aid or food assistance for.

I hope you guys aren't upset with me (mods) for posting this here. There’s no anger on my end at all—just a bit of a question mark over my head and, honestly, a little disappointment... :/

Well, I guess I’m the second one being asked about (thanks girls 🙂), so I figured I should chime in too—just so it doesn't look like I'm acting without permission...

Sorry, here's an example of a thread being locked WITHOUT any explanation as to why on the PPDF, which is supposed to be for assistance.
A user gets hit with guidelines they didn't ask for, but they don't even get told why the thread was shut down.
And the thread isn't breaking any rules, nor is it in the wrong section.
The reason it belongs right here:-- all help regarding foster animals happens over at Blue Paw, whereas pet owners handle things elsewhere, and it's pretty clear here we aren't talking about owned pets.
Just browse through the threads a bit—the advice, suggestions... recommendations, ideas... all that positive energy and support flows through the whole Blue Paw community.

Could the mods please weigh in on why this thread was closed?
Isn't the Blue Paw PDF meant for seeking help? When we're asking for transport, money, or food, surely we can also ask for emotional support or guidance from this side of things. Advice on vets, checkups, bottle-feeding kits... everything.

My example isn't exactly chaotic, but if I had found newborn kittens that I needed to hand-raise—which is such a sensitive situation with such a high risk of mortality—I would need every bit of help I could get, not just a link to another thread. There are older threads where people successfully raised kittens thanks to help from others, but those act more like guides, much like the threads explaining what to do when you find a dog. But aside from those specific guides, help threads are allowed to be opened, right?

Correct me if I'm wrong.
I really feel like my thread was closed unnecessarily...

I could post in the adoption thread I opened, but I'd just be cluttering it up with stuff that doesn't belong there, and the actual purpose of that thread—which is strictly adoption—would get lost in the shuffle...

Hi, I have a quick question...

About a week ago, I hit the gym for the first time after... well, nearly a year off.
Since I broke my ankle two years back, I’ve become a lot more cautious about warming up. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed, but I definitely make an effort to get loose before I play—I play volleyball.

Last Sunday, we did our usual warmup and stretching, then transitioned into some soccer drills. Naturally, after just five minutes, I was completely winded, but that part felt fine.

Of course, I ended up with some muscle soreness—felt it most in my right thigh immediately that same day. Since I had a pretty long drive home afterward, that area kept cramping up on me. I figured it was just because it was my first session back and I'm trying to work my way back into shape...

That general muscle tenderness mostly cleared up by Thursday.

Then Friday rolled around and I went back to practice. We started with some light jogging, mixed with zigzag runs, hops, and stuff like that. After maybe 10 or 15 minutes, we moved into sprints from one end of the gym to the other. The first round felt great—I finished the sprint, walked back, turned around for the next one, and suddenly felt this sharp, intense sensation cut right through my thigh. I stopped sprinting and managed to finish (most of) the workout, but I couldn't make any sudden movements the whole time. It felt like that spot was either cramping or stinging whenever I tried to move even slightly faster than normal. It doesn't hurt while I'm just standing there—honestly, today feels almost perfect—but this morning, out of nowhere, I woke up with a cramp in that same spot.

I really don't want to take a break from training, but I'm just not sure what happened or how I should handle this...
I don't think it's a pulled muscle, though, because I imagine that would hurt longer and wouldn't feel so much like a localized cramp...

If anyone has dealt with something similar or knows what might be going on, please let me know... I'd really appreciate it.

vividsailor7 said:Did you get any urological workup done—like an ultrasound or anything else?

No, I just had bloodwork done and a urine test... mostly just so I could have my latest CBC and recent urinalysis ready to show the hematologist during my appointment.
There wasn't really any reason to go any further than that...

I went ahead and got some blood and urine tests done so I'd have fresh results to show my hematologist—I've been seeing them because of some swollen lymph nodes that have been acting up for about seven months now.

The blood work looks mostly fine (I won't bore you with every single item), though my MCHC is slightly outside the range at 347 (ref: 320-345)... which isn't really a huge deal, I suppose.
But the urine test...

I don't have any issues when it comes to urinating, and the color seems normal—maybe just a little darker first thing in the morning, but nothing crazy—and there's no intense smell. The only thing is that I occasionally, though not every day, feel a slight cramp in my ovary. No kidney pain, though...

Appearance: clear
Color: yellow (light yellow)
pH: 5.0 (5.0-9.0)
Specific gravity: 1.025 (1.002-1.030)
Glucose: negative (normal)
Bilirubin: negative (0/neg.)
Ketones: negative (0/neg.)
Ery/Hb: 3 (0/neg.)
Protein: negative (0/neg.)
Urobilinogen: normal (normal)
Nitrites: negative (0/neg.)
Leukocyte esterase: negative (0/neg.)

Leukocytes: 1-3 (0-2)
Erythrocytes: 40-50 (0-2)
Squamous epithelium: high (0-1)
Bacteria: some (0/neg.)
Mucus: high (0/neg.)

Regarding that mucus, I've actually dealt with that for quite a while, but my gynecologist told me everything was perfectly fine—both my Pap smear and the physical exam were all good.
Otherwise, for the last 6 to 9 years (it's hard to remember exactly how long), I've always had traces of blood in my urine, but it's never been this much... usually it’s just around 6 or 7...

swiftbear86 said:I’m not really here to debate technical expertise—to me, a truly great doctor is simply someone who successfully treats their patient and actually stays on top of their care... all without that unnecessary arrogance or those constant, unspoken demands for "extra" something...

Honestly, there isn't much left to add—most of it has already been covered in the posts above...

I’ve been chewing on this one lately—how does a doctor actually manage to stay "normal," professional, and completely uncorrupted within our society? It’s especially relevant given everything we discuss here on the forum...

I’ve been thinking about that whole situation regarding the recent changes to the healthcare system—you know, how everything seems to be shifting under our feet lately. It feels like every time we turn around, there’s a new regulation or a tweak to Medicare that leaves everyone feeling a bit unsettled... I was chatting with Maria Fisher46 the other day about it, and she had some really interesting points regarding how much this affects the average family. It’s one of those things where you don't realize the impact until you're actually looking at the paperwork—it can get pretty overwhelming if you aren't prepared. Then there’s the discussion about the tax implications—wiredcanyon2 mentioned something earlier about how these shifts might ripple through our local economies. It makes sense, honestly. When big institutions like Deloitte start adjusting their outlook, it tends to set a tone for the rest of the private sector too. It’s just a lot to process all at once. I wonder if anyone else is feeling that same sense of "wait and see" approach... or if it's just me being overly cautious. It feels like we're all just waiting for the dust to settle before we can truly understand what this means for our long-term planning.

Less than two months ago, I went to see a specialist—he’s basically the head of his department...
First, he completely misdiagnosed me—even with the ultrasound images right in front of him, he insisted that this specific thing I can actually feel and have documented photos of just wasn't there... then, after a pretty uncomfortable exam, a representative from some pharmaceutical company walked into the room, and I was basically torpedoed within two minutes. It only took him as long as it took to scribble down two sentences—not that he’s exactly a pro at typing on a keyboard, anyway...
Over the last few years, I’ve seen my fair share of doctors—so many, actually—and I have to admit, even if I hate saying it out loud, there have been moments where I was right on the edge of tears. It’s just hard because we’re so dependent on them, and it feels like some of them take that power and use it to vent their own frustrations on us...
Of course, I have to mention that every once in a while, you actually run into a doctor who really listens—someone who genuinely tries to help you out...
For instance, about two and a half months ago, I went in for an ultrasound of my breast and both armpits—just to be safe. Before the actual exam started, I sat there for about ten minutes just talking things through with the technician... explaining exactly why I was requesting the scans and describing the specific health symptoms I’ve been dealing with lately...

Thank God I have such an amazing primary care doctor—someone who actually takes the time to sit down, listen, and really talk things through with me...

I’ve never actually gotten answers for those two "illnesses"—they never really found a cause because the healthcare system here is just set up to run you in circles, knowing full well it won't achieve anything... If you get an EEG done, for example, they might run four or five other tests only to send you right back for another EEG. On one hand, I suppose it's good practice to check if anything has changed, but to me, it feels like a classic case of "I don't want to deal with this, but at least I can clear my conscience if something happens to the patient." It's like they're saying, "Look, I tried everything to find the cause," just so nobody can point a finger at them later. That isn't the only reason I think it's just a way to dodge responsibility, but it's certainly one part of the problem...

Doctors see a massive influx of patients through their doors, so it’s impossible for them to keep every single detail straight—but honestly, I feel that struggle too. In my line of work, I manage over 2,000 clients, and if you look at the numbers, each one has roughly 3,000 plus individual tasks completed with us... though that's just an estimate, of course. Even though it isn't technically my job to memorize every tiny transaction, once I see a specific client or a particular project come across my desk, I can usually connect all those different dots and pieces of information quite easily...
So, I had this encounter with a doctor recently—one who had all my medical records right in front of him regarding my condition—but he didn't even bother actually reviewing them properly. Even though he’d already skimmed through them two or three times, he just went straight to autopilot... which ended up being a huge mistake. He immediately started insisting that I go out and get two specific tests done, even though I’d already completed them. Honestly, after that, I just kind of gave up on his advice. Luckily, by pure chance, I managed to find some relief through medication recommended by my primary care physician... turns out, that was the real fix.

I’m heading out to get a second opinion regarding that doctor I mentioned earlier—you know, the one from my first post. Honestly, why? Because I have the scans right here in black and white showing that these enlarged nodes have been an issue for four months now... yet he’s trying to tell me it’s just connective tissue. I can't quite wrap my head around that. I haven't touched a gym in about six months, either. I'm honestly just terrified of ending up back in a hospital bed, which isn't exactly helpful since I really can't afford to miss any more time at work...

I was honestly so incredibly frustrated after that last checkup—I almost just threw in the towel entirely... It took me a full month to finally find the strength to get back out there and keep pushing forward. Most of the doctors don't seem to care one bit, but I’m really hoping they can actually figure out what's going on soon... just so I can finally have some peace of mind...

I also wanted to mention that the same doctor—the one I mentioned earlier—was just as difficult. After I brought him all my paperwork from three months ago (I’d actually ended up in the hospital because of some swollen lymph nodes), he started scribbling all over my results, underlining random bits... then had the nerve to condescendingly ask me what was going on with my blood sugar. I honestly had no idea—my finger-prick test levels were through the roof. I told him straight up that I didn't know since nobody had mentioned anything to me yet, but he just kept moving through the appointment without saying another word. It was such an unpleasant interaction, if you can even call it a conversation...

Just checking in...
Yesterday was rough—I had this awful headache that just wouldn't quit all day long..
The pain was constant, almost like a dull pulsing at times, centered right above my left eye and stretching from there down toward my ear... it felt like someone was actually crushing my brain for a few moments.

When I finally got home last night, I grabbed some Advil (it was the only thing I had on hand) and the pain didn't really let up until I drifted off to sleep..

Honestly, I'm a little anxious about today... hoping it doesn't start back up again. It’s been a long time since I've felt anything quite like this..

I have an appointment with my hematologist tomorrow to figure out what's going on and decide on next steps..

If you don't have supplemental insurance, you'll end up paying out of pocket

Maria Fisher46 said:It sounds like your family doctor is quite sensible—she seems to have a good grasp on things and has made some solid connections here.

The headaches you're describing seem to have elements of tension headaches, which can often overlap with other types... including the ones you're treating with Tegretol. Stress, frustration, poor posture while working, physical tension—all those factors definitely play a role in triggering them. Tylenol is usually a decent choice for relief.

I really hope those new test results and the second opinion help clear up everything you're wondering about.

Best regards. 🙂

She really lucked out finding a doctor like that.

It sounds like I have all the right ingredients for tension headaches then... 🙂 But what about taking Tegretol long-term? Someone mentioned they've been on it for years without any issues, but on the flip side, I read somewhere that it can be hard on the liver (if I remember correctly)...

For now, I'm just waiting to get these tests sorted out, and then I'll update everyone.
A huge thank you to you and Meritas for all the medical insight and advice you've shared.
I truly appreciate it!!

I'll check back in soon (hopefully not too long of a wait 😉)

Maria Fisher46 said:You can actually get a referral for a lymph node biopsy directly from your primary care physician—I don't think you necessarily need to wait for a hematologist to sign off on that specific test...

So, what are these headaches actually like for you guys? I'm curious about the sensation—is it more of a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain? Does it feel like a constant pressure, or is it more of a pulsing thing? Also, where exactly do you feel it? Is it just on one side, or does it hit both halves of your head? I’d also love to know how long an episode usually lasts... and if you get any warning signs right before the pain kicks in. Do you deal with anything else while it's happening—stuff like nausea, or maybe being super sensitive to light or sound...?

Here I am...
I had a little sit-down with my GP today... just caught up with her for a bit...
I mentioned her visit to the hematologist and how it went—but once she saw the doctor's name, she just let out this huge sigh... So, yeah, I'm definitely going to get a second opinion.

I showed her the list of tests that Kate Collins67 suggested—thanks again for that, by the way—and she was totally on board with it...

For now, we're starting with some urine tests and blood work—plus getting a second opinion from a hematologist—so we’ll take things one step at a time from there...

It’s hard to pin down exactly what it feels like—it’s mostly just this dull ache, though sometimes there’s a sharp, stabbing sensation that comes and goes... it isn't constant, but I can definitely feel it "moving" through my head. Most of the time, though, it stays pretty dull...
It feels like it’s hitting both sides of my brain. Sometimes it kicks off in my neck, other times it’s right at the top of my head—or maybe somewhere near my ears, moving toward my temples... There isn't really a pattern to when it starts or what triggers it. It’s just this constant pain—I can feel it there all the time...
When I get a headache, I don't really deal with much light or sound sensitivity...
To be clear, I don't really deal with that whole "can't fall asleep" struggle... that's not my issue. Usually, when I feel a headache starting—which doesn't happen nearly as much now that things have stabilized with the Carbamazepine—I know exactly what to do. I just head to bed, settle in, and try to nap for maybe thirty minutes or an hour... but it feels a bit futile. I always seem to wake up with the exact same headache, and then, just a few minutes after I actually get out of bed (or even if I stay lying there...), the pain starts all over again...

All I really know—and I assume this might be the case for everyone here—is that whenever I hit a sudden spike of stress or a flash of anger, I get this sharp, localized pain in my head... it’s right between my temple and my ear, tucked under my hair. It passes pretty quickly, though, so I haven't been able to draw any real connection between that sensation and what I've been struggling with lately...

Kate Collins67 said:I was just thinking—they did those blood tests for Bartonella and Toxoplasmosis for you at the outpatient clinic. But what if those results aren't ready for another week or two? Have you actually seen them yet? If they aren't in your records, you might need to call the hospital to pick them up... though if you already have them, just ignore this.

I got them about ten days later. I first went to the ER on July 1st—that’s when they ran the tests for Toxoplasmosis and everything else—then I went back on July 3rd, and finally had my follow-up on July 10th where I picked up the results 🙂

I should mention that my headaches have been acting up more frequently lately—just over the last week. It's not like they're unbearable, but I've been taking some Tylenang effervescent just as a precaution, which helps a little bit...

I’m going to jot down some recommendations for myself—I'm heading to see my primary care doctor after work tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes.
She's been monitoring my lymph nodes, and based on her suggestion, I decided to get a second opinion.
I'm actually a little unsure about the process, though... I know there are certain tests a GP just isn't authorized to order, so what about a lumbar puncture? Can she even request that directly, or does it have to come from someone else?

And regarding the referral for the hematologist—my doctor checked my lymph nodes twice (once when I first mentioned they weren't "going away," and again ten days later when they still hadn't settled down). Based on her findings, she sent me to a hematologist, who basically told me it was nothing—just some connective tissue under my armpit. Even though the ultrasound showed exactly how large those nodes were...

Anyway, I'll update everyone with the details tomorrow. I have a feeling I'll be coming back here with a whole stack of referrals in hand... 🙂