Posts by Thomas Jackson9

Olivia Gomez67 said:Honestly, I’d feel silly pretending otherwise because it really is quite difficult; the main issue is just that the veins in the neck aren't always easy to spot, making them a real challenge to hit on the first try. I actually had one instance where they ended up poking me on both sides of my neck just because they couldn't find a decent vein right away...

If you don't mind me asking, what's driving you to go through with that specific screening?

steeleagle152 said:Is that part with the needle actually super painful? I don't usually have an issue with needles, but I'm feeling a little nervous about this one...

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Well, look, it would be silly of me to lie and say it isn't, because honestly, the main reason it hurts is that the veins in your neck aren't very easy to see, which makes it pretty tough to hit on the first try; I even had a situation once where they ended up poking me on both sides of my neck just because they couldn't locate the vein right away...

Kimberly Ward said:Is that related to a congenital heart defect, or does it fall under those standard pre-op tests they run before surgery?

Oh, absolutely. In my own experience, it was tied directly to a congenital heart condition I've had since birth, and it was definitely part of all those routine pre-surgical screenings they make you go through.

steeleagle152 said:I honestly don't think so, but I'm really not sure, which is exactly why I'm asking... 🙂

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I've actually gone through it a few times myself, and I wouldn't say it feels anything like a coronary angiogram. They insert the needle through the artery in your neck, and I have to tell you, it can be quite painful. You also have to drink this contrast liquid they give you beforehand, which isn't my favorite part. I'm guessing this screening might be related to some kind of heart defect or something along those lines.

Douglas Ramirez3 said:I haven't actually started any specific therapy for the hypertension yet. While I was over at the Mayo Clinic, they ran a bunch of tests to try and pin down the cause, but they couldn't find anything conclusive, so I guess the root cause is still a mystery for now. My heart has taken some damage, though. They ended up discharging me while they wait for a medical team to meet and decide on the best course of treatment. I'm basically just waiting for them to call me back so I can head back to the hospital to get my prescriptions. For the time being, I'm just taking Edemid for my heart, Diuron, and those Xarelto pills to prevent blood clots.

In my case, they did manage to figure out the root cause, which turned out to be an atrial septal defect—basically a congenital heart defect that wasn't caught early enough, which eventually led to pulmonary hypertension. Once you hear back about what they decide for your treatment plan, please do let us know... take care!

Douglas Ramirez3 said:I mean, I’m leaning towards thinking this isn't actually a side effect, though I suppose I’ll just wait until they finalize my treatment plan—which should hopefully happen sometime this week. Honestly, these symptoms might just be part of the territory given my diagnosis. Who knows? I just got back to California, so maybe the air is just different here. 😉)

Hey there! To be honest, I'm not familiar with any of the specific medications you mentioned, but pulmonary hypertension can stem from so many different things, and one of the biggest culprits is usually heart disease. I've actually been on Bosentan—which is a specialized drug specifically for PH—for several years now. If you don't mind sharing, could you let us know what kind of therapy the doctors have prescribed and what they told you caused the PH? Since it's such a rare condition, it really is quite the medical journey, just like you were saying.

Douglas Ramirez3 said:Hey everyone, so after spending two weeks stuck in the cardiology ward at a major hospital in Seattle, I’ve finally been discharged with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. Now, I'm just sitting around waiting for a call to come in for some follow-up testing at Jordanovac Hospital in Washington, D.C. I was hoping maybe someone here who is dealing with the same thing could walk me through it a bit, because honestly, everything I've managed to dig up online hasn't really given me much to go on. From what I can tell, this diagnosis seems incredibly rare here in the States, or maybe it just doesn't get documented much. If anyone has any insight at all, I'd really appreciate the help.

Hello there! Well, I have actually been living with a pulmonary hypertension diagnosis for exactly eleven years now, and in my case, it also stemmed from underlying heart issues. For the last three years, I've been receiving my treatment at Jordanovac Hospital, and if I can offer any comfort, it's that you've been sent to exactly the right place at the right time. You really don't want to be wandering around between different clinics aimlessly, because that facility is the premier referral center for the entire country, and believe me when I say you'll receive the absolute best care possible there. If there's anything else on your mind, please feel free to send me a private message. Wishing you all the best!

shadowwalker11 said:Does anyone have a recommendation for a good hepatologist over in the Suburban neighborhood or maybe near Merkur?

If you're looking at the Suburban neighborhood area, I would absolutely suggest Dr. Davor Radić... He is truly thorough and someone you can really rely on.

I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me make sense of these lab results? I'd really appreciate any insight you all could share. Thanks so much!
(K) Eosinophil granulocytes 6.4 rel % 0 - 7
(K) Basophil granulocytes 1.8 H rel % 0 - 1
(K) Neutrophil granulocytes 35.1 L rel % 44 - 72
(K) lymphocyte 48.7 H rel % 20 - 46
(K) Monocytes 8.0 rel % 2 - 12
(K) Eosinophil granulocytes 0.47 H 0.00 - 0.43
(K) Basophil granulocytes 0.13 H 0.00 - 0.06
(K) Neutrophil granulocytes 2.60 2.06 - 6.49
(K) lymphocyte 3.60 H 1.19 - 3.35
(K) Monocytes 0.59 0.12 - 0.84
(K) ESR 4 mm/3.6 k

shadownomad43 said:Exactly. That is precisely the point.
The mere thought of someone else's heart beating inside my chest feels, quite frankly, revolting.

As a side note, I have a pretty extensive medical history—which translates to a significant amount of "hospital experience"—and I am actually facing my 12th surgery in a few days.
Fortunately, or perhaps by the will of God, I don't suffer from any actual organ failure; my issues tend to be more "mechanical" in nature.
However...
Since every surgical procedure (especially those involving general anesthesia) carries its own inherent risks, I took the time to draft a three-page summary of my medical history. I wanted to make things a bit easier for the doctors as they navigate the complexities of my anatomy.

In that document, I made it explicitly clear that I do NOT consent to any amputations, transplants, removals, or implants under any circumstances.
At the same time, I gave them the green light to resuscitate me if things go south, provided they exhaust all efforts while respecting the boundaries I established in the previous sentence.
Essentially, I am fine with being treated using modern medical technology, appropriate medications (assuming they exist), and the specialized knowledge gained through years of schooling. But when the time comes for me to pass away—which, like everyone else, will eventually happen—I want to go out whole. Exactly as I was born.
Whether I am 5, 15, 50, or 155 at the time doesn't matter to me one bit.

Everyone has their own perspective, but thank God that so few people hold views quite like yours... Even the Catholic Church supports organ transplants, teaching that it is a sin to bury something that could save a life. It makes me wonder, though, how you managed to be a blood donor given all those diagnoses you mentioned??

shadownomad43 said:Here is my take on the matter...
To be perfectly clear, I am firmly opposed to any kind of explantation, implantation, transplantation, or amputation.
And before anyone accuses me of being selfish—which would be quite the contradiction, given that (believe it or not...) I am a regular blood donor.
Why limit myself to just blood?
Because blood is something the body can actually replenish.

If the Architect who designed us had seen fit to include a mechanism for replacing or donating organs, they probably would have built in some sort of biological "reset button" alongside all our other gifts; perhaps organs would simply regenerate, making the whole concept of donation obsolete.

Instead, we were left with the umbilical cord. It’s a bit poetic, really—we are essentially living on a timer that starts ticking the very moment that cord is cut at birth.

So, I don't see people who agree with me as being selfish. If anything, the true selfishness lies with those who try to bypass the natural order through transplants, desperately attempting to artificially extend a deadline that was clearly set long ago.

Does that mean if you or someone close to you needed an organ, you would turn it down and choose death over receiving a transplant to stay alive??

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone could offer some insight—is a prothrombin time ratio of 0.89 something I should be worried about?
My INR came back at 1.08. Thanks so much!

Sophia Brooks50 said:tumor markers... my first one has been elevated for about 6 years now.
Are you dealing with any gut issues? Or maybe some elevated liver enzymes?

Thanks so much for clarifying things for me! Honestly, I don't have any stomach troubles or issues with my liver enzymes, but during my last ultrasound, they actually spotted a small growth on my liver—could be an adenoma or a hemangioma, I'm not quite sure yet. So, now I've got this whole marathon of tests ahead of me, ranging from comprehensive blood work all the way up to an MRI of the liver... What exactly has been going on with you?

Samuel Nelson28 said:Thank you so much. One more thing—does pulmonary pressure stem from heart disease, or is it actually the other way around? And who should be the primary point of contact moving forward, a cardiologist or a pulmonologist?

Well, most often it does stem from heart conditions, though there are plenty of other underlying health issues that can trigger it, and while it’s quite rare, it can also present as a primary disease on its own. On the more holistic side of things, some people have recommended black seed oil to me; I've heard it can be quite helpful for maintaining pH levels, and you can easily find it at any local health food store here in the States. As for the medical route, I’d say your best bet is to start with a cardiologist, and they’ll likely be the ones to refer you to a specialist if needed.

Samuel Nelson28 said:Greetings.
My mother was recently diagnosed with high pulmonary pressure, which has unfortunately started affecting her heart as well. My main concern right now is whether accessing the necessary treatment will actually be an option; I've heard whispers that the medications are prohibitively expensive, and since she’s 72, I can't help but feel like our healthcare system views treating the elderly as a poor investment. Is there any way to determine exactly how much damage this hypertension has already done to her pulmonary arteries? More importantly, I’m wondering if there are any natural remedies, supplements, or even bioenergy therapies that could offer some support in managing this illness. Thanks in advance.

I have to say, I respectfully disagree with the idea that our healthcare system finds it unprofitable to treat older patients; I think we’re all essentially in the same boat when it comes to receiving care. My best advice would be to simply listen closely to what the doctors suggest and follow their guidance precisely—I truly don't believe they would let you down or deny necessary care based on age. Regarding the measurement of pulmonary pressure, a cardiac ultrasound or a catheterization procedure can clearly show both the pressure levels and the actual condition of the blood vessels. If she has already received this specific diagnosis, she has likely already undergone one of those tests. Generally speaking, pulmonary pressure is considered elevated once it exceeds 30mmHg. For context, my own readings are currently sitting somewhere around 60mmHg. Also, just as a heads-up, there is a specialized referral center for treating PH located within the pulmonary department at Silver Dollar Hospital in Washington, D.C.

ironbadger3 said:So, about a month ago, I started noticing this strange discomfort in my jaw.

Whenever I try to open my mouth wider than halfway, or if I shift my jaw side to side, there’s this specific spot where everything seems to catch. It makes this dull, clicking sound—almost exactly like when you crack your knuckles, if you know what I mean.

I was wondering if anyone else here has dealt with something similar? Is this something I should be worried about, or will it eventually just settle down on its own?

Well, I actually started noticing the exact same thing about two months back, so I decided to head over to my dentist, who ended up referring me straight to an oral surgeon. They explained that there's a real possibility that my jaw could actually lock up entirely if I yawn too wide or open my mouth too far, which sounds incredibly uncomfortable, so they took impressions for a custom dental appliance. Now I have to wear it for about eight hours a day for the next three months before I go back for a follow-up appointment... it's certainly not the most pleasant routine to stick to, but I suppose it's better to be proactive now so things don't get worse later, right? I'm really hoping it does the trick and everything goes back to normal soon.

nimbleheron said:Hi there!

I think I might be getting a coronary angiogram quite soon, and I was wondering if anyone who has been through it before could walk me through the painful parts. Is there actually any discomfort beyond the initial sting of the local anesthetic? It seems like it should be painless after that, but I happened to stumble upon a video where a surgeon mentioned that you can feel the scalpel incision too... so now I'm a little nervous.

thanks!

Well, let me jump in and share my own experience with you... honestly, the procedure itself isn't painful at all, though I wouldn't say it’s exactly "comfortable" either. It’s more just awkward and a bit unsettling because you have to lie there completely exposed on the table while they get everything ready for the doctors. Plus, you have to spend 24 hours lying flat on your back afterward, which means having to use a bedpan, which—if I'm being totally honest—was probably the hardest part for me personally. But truly, compared to the heart surgery I had to undergo later on, this was nothing. Best of luck to you!

Dennis Bishop4 As it turns out, silverpuma542 mentioned that...
I’ve already gone ahead and paid for it. It was all quite straightforward, though the woman at the desk mentioned that this amount is actually just a deposit, which she'll be happy to credit back to me once I swing by again with my prescription in hand. She also took down my name and address to keep everything on file, which seems perfectly standard for their records.

I was just sitting here thinking about how much paperwork we all deal with in this country, and it got me wondering—could there be any real trouble if I happened to forget my prescription at home? You know how it goes, you're rushing out the door, maybe you're running a bit late for an appointment over in Brooklyn, and suddenly you realize that little slip of paper is still sitting on the kitchen counter. It makes me wonder, would the pharmacy actually get in hot water for handing over medication without seeing the official script first? It seems like such a strict system we have here in the States, and I can only imagine the kind of fines or penalties a local drugstore might face from the regulators if they were caught cutting corners like that. And then, of course, there’s the question of what happens on my end of things—could I end up getting into some sort of legal bind or facing some repercussions myself for trying to grab those meds without the proper documentation? It feels like one of those situations where even a small oversight could turn into a much larger headache than anyone intended. 😁

If you’re planning on heading over there to pick up that prescription, and you're feeling pretty confident that the doctor is actually going to sign off on it, then you really shouldn't run into any snags; however, if things don't go quite as planned, she'll likely just mail the bill straight to your house.

Jessica Cox37 said:I ended up paying a deposit for my medication because they wouldn't release it without a prescription, and I didn't have one on hand. They told me I need to bring the actual prescription in by Wednesday morning—so, basically three business days from now.

What happens if I can't track down that prescription in time? I'm a bit worried about what the fallout might be for me personally, or even for the pharmacy itself.

P.S. Is it possible to get a prescription through the ER? This particular medication needs to be taken for five days, but I remember reading somewhere that the ER usually only handles prescriptions for things lasting up to three days, or something along those lines... 😕

It’s actually pretty straightforward: you'll just have to pay for it out of pocket...

Kevin Gray86 said:I was wondering if anyone could point me toward a good place to get some custom orthotics made... I actually had a pair made about six or seven years ago at a small clinic over in Brooklyn, but they've since closed their doors. I remember they used this high-tech computer scanning system for my feet, and honestly, those inserts were quite comfortable.

Thanks so much everyone..

It’s on Božidarević Street... a new orthopedic center