Posts by Aaron Long2

Kimberly Ward said:I don't know—somehow my gut is telling me it’s chickenpox, and then there’s these two other things. All three together, plus the lingering effects from Corona and the vaccines. But who can really say? I wasn't aware they even performed spinal fluid analysis in an ER setting—though, given the symptoms, it was likely a neurology referral. I need to go back through all those test results I've been collecting, but honestly, the specialists regarding neurology tend to do a decent job. Because when it comes to neurological fluids, I’ve been a patient since 2009 and I still find myself questioning everything. My neurologist actually recommended something for a while—I think it was related to CoQ10, a coenzyme.

Exactly. It’s highly probable that some incredibly unfortunate cocktail was brewed—the mRNA vaccine, the original COVID virus, and then a little extra sprinkle of chickenpox... quite the "perfect storm," wouldn't you say? And my immune system just completely short-circuited because of it...
And at the ER, they drew hectoliters of everything—blood, CSF, plasma... sweat, you name it...🤣
Well, I suppose it could have been much worse!
Right now, they have me on such massive doses of B-complex that my urine is practically fluorescent yellow, and I’m constantly bloating myself with various mineral and vitamin supplements—so now I smell like a flowery meadow! 🤣
Not to mention, my bowel movements might actually make meadows fester because I’m basically passing lightning bolts and pure magnesium! But, jokes aside—I absolutely recommend Magnesium. If I hadn't started taking it days before heading to the ER, I suspect things would have turned out muuuuch worse. Truly, within a day or two of starting it, my symptoms were significantly alleviated, so I highly suggest it.
I also recommend Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids; they are vital for cell membrane repair in general (at least in veterinary medicine), and since we are all more or less mammals...😉

Jacob Lopez51 said:Exactly. That’s precisely my point regarding methylation—if your homocysteine levels are elevated, you aren't actually getting adequate B12 or B6 because your body simply can't absorb them unless they are in methylated form. High homocysteine should be an immediate red flag for the MTHFR gene.

Well, if my memory serves me right regarding my lab results—and I'm not going digging through files right now because I'd risk waking the kids—my homocysteine was fine. I wasn't looking for anything specific, though, other than things falling outside the normal physiological range, so I assume I would have noticed... As for the MTHFR gene, I'm somewhat skeptical since I don't have any other symptoms; besides, my biochemistry shows quite decent levels of all the B-complex vitamins in my blood (this was even before I started treatment—meaning it was this way right when the Guillain-Barré syndrome first appeared). Now, I am still getting B12 via intramuscular injection once a week. I'm also taking Neurobion, so we shall see... I'm trying to be careful not to overdo it.
The only deficiency I have is Vitamin D (though, honestly, it's quite "mild"), but then again, that seems to be the general rule for most women.
I've also added some salmon oil capsules—omega 3 and 6; there shouldn't be any harm in that when dealing with neurological issues (well, that's just my personal take, sort of a "veterinary" approach—after all, we are all just mammals, aren't we?)🤣

Kimberly Ward said:What did you have first—the COVID vaccine or the virus itself? Because if you had already survived COVID, you really should have had your antibody levels checked to determine when you actually needed a booster. That’s what any decent family doctor would tell you. And was chickenpox perhaps the "final straw"—which, mind you, can leave its own lasting effects, especially as we age? It's a good question, what served as the trigger here. I'm not sure if they bothered to check your homocysteine levels—it's quite expensive, after all—but one can see things clearly through cerebrospinal fluid and a lumbar puncture. If you don't mind my asking, how long did you have to wait for those CSF results?
In one sense, it likely saved you—and smoking too—
As for ex-partners—men, in most cases nowadays, are nothing but "fair-weather" types. The moment trouble arises, they vanish into thin air.

I caught COVID after being vaccinated, but since I experienced similar—though much milder—symptoms following the shots (not after the actual virus, though!), I suspect the vaccine might be to blame... Now, usually, because of my background in veterinary medicine, I tend to lean toward the pro-vax side of things, but it seems to me we were dealing with an unfortunate cocktail of the vaccine, the virus, and exposure to varicella acting as a trigger... I suppose I'll never know for certain...
The lumbar puncture was performed in the ER, and I received the results within just a few hours. That allowed us to rule out meningitis and, due to elevated protein levels, conclude it was Guillain-Barré...
And so, here I am, still struggling to walk steadily while chasing the kids (two little terrorists, aged 4 and 6, who are brawling every five seconds—you really have to stay on your toes!🤣)
Well, I managed to climb the stairs at the local high school today without any trouble, so I'm trying to comfort myself with the thought that things are improving... And I'm already carrying my younger child—who weighs 19.5 kg—from my bed to his without any issues... so, at least muscle atrophy isn't something I need to worry about just yet...
But my hands are still quite wooden. My feet are almost back to normal...🙏 I still deal with ataxia if I get distracted and suddenly look up while walking or something. I'm not falling flat on my face, but I still wobble...🤦
In any case, it is an incredibly exhausting illness...

Regarding physical therapy—I was actually assigned some spa treatments, but I had to decline them due to my current family situation. I’m flying solo right now with two small children because my ex—after about ten days in the hospital—refused to keep helping with childcare. So... instead, I’ve decided to get my PT done locally, over near the Mayo Clinic area.
I had my appointment with the physiatrist a few days ago, but honestly, I’m already up and walking—running errands, taking the kids to the park, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and yelling at the little ones whenever they track dirt inside (which, let's be honest, is every five seconds)... and so on. My recovery is actually moving quite fast, though I am slow. There are moments where this sensory ataxia just completely frustrates me. In those instances, what helps most is intentionally exaggerating the very movement I struggled to master. I’m taking B-complex and getting B12 via IV. My urine is fluorescent, by the way—but since I work in veterinary medicine, I know perfectly well that’s just the B vitamins doing their thing. I’m also on D3 and taking magnesium and calcium. I’ve been working on squats, push-ups, calf raises, crunches, and various Pilates-style movements. Or, I just use the exercise equipment at the local playground when I’m out with the kids. And that helps me SO much. My sensory issues are still up in the air, but my hands and feet are already far more flexible and sensitive than they were a month ago. I practice my gait first inside the house, then in the yard, and finally out on the street. It absolutely terrifies me—that feeling of insecurity is constant, like I’m a wobbly plank of wood—but I don't have a choice. Not with the kids depending on me... Stair climbing has also been a massive help. I can manage going up without holding onto anything now, but coming down is still a struggle. At least I’m not clinging to the handrail for dear life anymore...
I’m waiting to start PT and am hoping to take the kids to the coast in about a month. I really don't want to disappoint them; I promised them we'd go and even paid the deposit for the reservation before the Guillain-Barré syndrome hit...
My job is on hold indefinitely (I'm self-employed), so that—combined with the kids—is a huge reason why I am pushing myself to recover as quickly as possible.
And, despite facing daily frustrations and a lack of understanding from people around me, I am profoundly grateful for the progress I've made so far. Honestly, I think I’ve done incredibly well!
To anyone else in a similar boat, I say this: do not give up. Give it everything you've got and believe in yourself! Exercise whenever you possibly can, and set new limits for yourself every single day! But—and this is crucial—listen to your body. When it becomes too much, stop!
The one thing weighing on my mind is—what if I catch another bug from the kids? Has anyone here dealt with something similar? Am I even allowed to risk catching a virus, or COVID, or something else, without the danger of a relapse?
I don't know how to feel about it. I caught Varicella-Guillain-Barré from the kids, but I only had three spots (one on my chin and two on my torso), no fever (well, I think not, since I barely had time to check given they were constantly crying and running around), and it all seemed very mild... or so I thought at the time.
I also breezed through COVID by basically walking around like a hermit and avoiding any contact with the rest of humanity...
As for the flu my oldest son had, it felt like I didn't even catch it, even though he slept next to me for ten days with a 102+ fever and ended up in the pediatric ward...
Yet, somehow, about two or three weeks after the Varicella-Guillain-Barré...
So, that is my experience—the doubts, the uncertainty... I'm sharing it in case it helps anyone else... 🙂

Hi everyone, I wanted to bring this thread back up for a moment.
So, I’ve been home for about a month now following my hospitalization and IVIG treatment at the neurology department at Johns Hopkins—dealing, of course, with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Even though I’m typing this with fingers that are still quite numb, I can manage a near-normal typing speed, and I’m able to walk about one to two miles on my own every day.
But how did this all start?
I honestly can’t say for sure what the trigger was—maybe it was the Pfizer shot (since I experienced a similar, albeit much milder, sensation of tingling and limb weakness shortly after), perhaps the original COVID-19 virus itself (which I also fought through), or maybe it was the chickenpox my kids brought home from daycare, which left us under siege for over a month (because, well, I have two little terrors).
Anyway, it started with this symmetrical tingling in my arms and legs that steadily progressed over about two weeks until I could barely walk, let alone handle basic hygiene... I started stumbling everywhere and basically bolted—figuratively speaking, since "bolting" wasn't really an option anymore—straight to the ER.
After a lumbar puncture and some neurological testing, we landed on a diagnosis of GBS, so I was admitted to the hospital and hooked up to IV drips.
Now, here’s the thing... I am, unfortunately, a smoker. Which meant I was essentially half-dead, shuffling outside with a walker just to grab a coffee and a cigarette. Whether that actually helped me somehow, I have no idea, but I was the only person in the ward who managed to maintain any mobility—even if I nearly lost an eye every single time I tried to do something simple like brush my teeth...🤦.
Since I’m usually someone who is constantly out and about (I work professionally with dogs and even wildlife), I was exercising like a maniac while I was stuck in the hospital.
They discharged me after ten days, though the doctor wasn't entirely thrilled about it—mostly because I had probably driven them crazy by constantly pacing the hallways (even if I was doing it on all fours like a total lunatic)...

Let me offer a little perspective to calm your nerves—honestly, I’ve been bitten and scratched by dogs and cats more times than anyone else here combined. Nature just does its thing, I suppose. Between running my own pet-sitting business—so I am constantly surrounded by them—and being a veterinarian by trade, it’s practically part of the job description. It’s happened plenty of times where a stray wanders into my path while I’m out walking my own animals, and things have escalated. Once, during a scrap between two terriers, I actually ended up with a punctured nail and a hole straight down to the bone in my index finger... and, well... it was bleeding everywhere, quite an ordeal, but it stopped quickly enough. Aside from the literal hole in my finger and the subsequent scarring—not to mention my nail grew back all crooked for about a year and a half before finally leveling out—I didn't have any issues after that. 🤣 As for the other minor scratches? I won't even count them; they're just "little" things...

I've actually sustained much worse injuries during vaccination drives out in rural areas. Dogs out there tend to be kept on chains and aren't exactly socialized—they're basically little werewolves. One time, I actually managed to jab myself in the thumb with a tainted rabies vaccine needle instead of hitting the dog... 😁 Don't even ask... and then there was the time a pig chased me around a yard trying to go for my leg... 🤷

To make a long story short—if you happen to get bitten by a dog, say, in the Washington, D.C. area, the chances of you catching rabies are slim to none. Most dogs are vaccinated, and from what I know, there haven't been cases or carriers among wildlife in recent years. I can't remember the last time I heard of a single case, though authorities are always out in the field investigating if there's even a hint of suspicion, but so far—all clear...
That said, if the dog is a stranger or looks suspicious, definitely contact local animal control and check in with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention! Wash the wound immediately and disinfect it with iodine or whatever you have on hand; in 99% of cases, that bite is all you'll need to deal with! Local swelling and pain subside quickly, though bruising might linger a bit longer, but at least that isn't dangerous!🙂

When it comes to cats, you really need to exercise extra caution because some of their bacteria are significantly more dangerous! Again, I've been bitten and scratched countless times—one day it's a scratch through my jeans leaving tooth marks on my leg, but that's all in the past now, just two little scabs that I'm waiting to fall off... But , I personally know a woman who was scratched by a cat while she was receiving an injection at a clinic; it was on her arm. The scratch wouldn't heal, it became severely inflamed, and the redness started spreading—she ended up hospitalized and they barely saved her arm. A colleague of mine had a similar experience with a scratch on her thumb that turned greenish and caused the skin to peel; she had to take massive doses of antibiotics... Aside from those two specific instances, I have never seen—and don't expect to see—any problems with people getting nicked by a cat, whether it's a pet or one found on the street. Infections are truly the exception, and usually, these bites and scratches go completely unnoticed and pass as quickly as they happened. 🙂

So, if a cat gives you a hard nip— there is no need to panic—but you absolutely must clean the wound thoroughly and monitor it. Watch to see if it settles down or worsens, if there are visible changes in the tissue at the injury site, or if the area feels warmer or more sensitive/painful. If the wound behaves normally, heals as expected, everything should be fine! However, if intense itching, pain, stinging, throbbing, or erythema (redness) occurs within, say, a few hours of the bite or scratch, and it keeps intensifying instead of subsiding—go to the doctor immediately!

Of course, it all depends on the severity of the wound: is it just a light scratch, or did someone sink their teeth in with full force? It isn't the same whether you get a tiny graze from a claw or a canine sunk deep to the bone. For deep bites, go to the doctor first and foremost, whereas for superficial ones, just keep a close eye on it to be safe, and you'll be fine!

Look, firstly you should approach a scratch from a dog or a cat—or even a pig, for heaven's sake...🤣 just like any other minor injury, without making a massive production out of it. If the animal—be it a dog, a cat, or a pig—is a stray or looks questionable (sick, perhaps?), well, chances are you’ll be perfectly fine, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to check in with a doctor. Especially if you're feeling anxious; in that case, just head to the local urgent care or call 911!

But then again, when you think about it... over time, if you do catch something, you might actually build up some sort of resistance because of constant exposure—I suppose that's how immunity works? After all, we are all constantly surrounded by animals—at shelters, at the vet, or just out in the yard—and we're always dealing with scratches, little nicks, or tiny bites from playing around... stuff like that.

Great, that damn ingrown toenail has finally gone and inflamed on me—seriously, I need to head over to the doctor first to get some 😲 antibiotic 😲, just so we can actually deal with this thing properly; so, I'll have my question fully answered sooner than I expected... now we just wait and see what they prescribe...

Good grief... honestly, guys, I’m freaking out like I’m heading into major surgery, haha... 😲 What if there's no saving me?! That substitute doctor really rattled me when she mentioned there wasn't much she could do because of my penicillin allergy... Thanks, Jamie Wells83, once again—at least now I can see a glimmer of hope on the horizon...

Jamie Wells83 said:Honestly, there's really no reason to stress out about this... I've dealt with a massive penicillin allergy since the day I was born. Since I'm 34 now, just imagine how many times I've been sick and had to deal with antibiotics over the years. That temp doctor covering for the regular one clearly doesn't have all her wits about her—if she actually told you there's nothing they can give you because of an allergy, she's totally off base. There is a huge spectrum of antibiotics that aren't penicillin-based which work perfectly fine... though, let's be real, you can't exactly go out and buy them yourself without a prescription anyway, so you might as well just relax and stop worrying. I've used various antibiotics to fight everything from pneumonia and bronchitis to UTIs and throat infections—you name it. There are plenty of options out there... Amoxicillin is just one of many.

btw I can't use Celexa either

Oh my goodness, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, Jamie Wells83! Honestly, I haven't really had much reason to take antibiotics before, so I didn't even know... This was actually my first real encounter with this whole issue ever since I had that reaction to Clavocin and ended up in the ER ten years ago—so back then, I never even stopped to ask myself what kind of stuff was out there... It wasn't until recently, when I caught that bronchitis and all that, that it finally hit me: what happens if this repeats itself? What if I'm just totally doomed because I can't take anything...

And that substitute doctor? Good grief... I mean, I was genuinely blindsided, but she just unceremoniously sent me home, claiming she couldn't give me anything and that there was no help to be had unless things got worse—in which case, I should just head to the hospital. Luckily, it all cleared up, but you can't help but wonder, right? What if tomorrow or the day after I need surgery, or I just catch some random bug, and suddenly— 😲 -

Thank you, Jamie; let's just forget about that one doctor, she isn't even my primary care physician anyway (she wasn't even around back then); my main takeaway now is knowing that things objectively aren't as bleak as they seemed, just in case I actually need something one day! 🙂

Hi everyone—and my apologies in advance if a similar thread already exists! Honestly, I’ve searched everywhere, but couldn't find one, so please, if this topic is already being discussed, don't delete my post; just move it!

I am seriously asking for help because I have a penicillin allergy—not always, mind you, but for about the last 10 years or so... When I was a kid, I’d get some Clavocin here and there and everything was fine, but then about a decade ago, I needed a tooth pulled, but they couldn't do it because of some inflammation. They gave me an antibiotic—Clavocin again—a massive dose, and I was immediately rushed to the ER. 🙄 Within minutes, I broke out in a rash, and my face swelled up so much that even Angelina Jolie would have been embarrassed by how my lips looked—plus my tongue—and my blood pressure was practically a flat line... To be honest, I actually started coming around before we even reached the hospital; I met them right at the doors, but they tossed me onto a stretcher regardless, rushed me to Mayo Clinic, pumped me full of everything, and hooked me up to an IV... 😢

I ended up getting the tooth pulled later without any antibiotics, and I haven't taken anything since—except for when my dentist gave me Celexa, which caused a mild rash, so we decided to steer clear of anything like that altogether... 🙄 Regarding Celexa, it says that about 10% of people are allergic to penicillin, but there must be something else that can be prescribed, right?

Normally, I haven't had any reason to ask about this because I’m in excellent health, but I got a bit spooked recently when I came down with some bronchopneumonia. I basically just powered through it without any medication because my regular doctor wasn't in, and the locum physician who was covering for her told me there wasn't much she could give me because of my allergy... It’s in the past now, of course; I was coughing and hacking for three weeks, but it all cleared up and I'm totally fine now, but I'm genuinely anxious about what might happen if I need something in the future....

For instance, I look at something trivial—like an ingrown toenail that I've been picking at—and I think to myself: what if something stupid like that gets infected? I mean, what if I need something today or tomorrow? I'm 36 years old, and luckily I haven't had to deal with a serious medical issue more than once in my life, but then I see a colleague at work who was put on heavy-duty pills just for a toe issue—just like I was back at the dentist when I ended up in the ER—and I panic. What if I suddenly need antibiotic therapy? I can't believe there isn't an alternative available; it's easy for someone who just survived bronchopneumonia a month ago to say, but what if something happens that I can't just "will" away with my own strength? 🤷

It just occurred to me that I could take Amoxicillin, but I didn't think of that at the time... 🤣 Not that the substitute doctor thought of it either... 🤣 My mistake... 🤣

No, seriously, it's easy for me to joke about it now, but I am truly asking for advice because I'm still a little spooked by the whole ordeal. I just want to know something I can suggest, or at least have a direction to head in, if I ever run into another doctor who thinks my only options are to either survive it or die—like I'm stuck in the wilderness or something... 😲 🤣 I'll ask my regular doctor once she's back, but I'm really looking for more opinions, recommendations, or experiences from people who are allergic to penicillins and Celexa (Clavocin, maybe not all of them...).

🤷

Susan Clark10 said:That’s exactly what happened to me—I actually felt the same way before my very first appointment. I was specifically looking for a woman because I was banking on that certain female-to-female empathy... so, I booked an appointment at the Harni clinic. I really wanted to see Dr. Harni herself, but they were completely slammed, so they asked if I’d be okay seeing someone else. I told them fine—I wasn't in a rush—so I ended up with Dr. Gudelj. To give you some context, I was still a virgin back then, and this was my first-ever gynecological exam; I made sure to note everything clearly on the intake form and tell the doctor directly. But after I mentioned that, the woman insisted on doing a vaginal ultrasound 😲. When I let out this little whimper from the pain while she was trying to insert the probe, she just goes, "Oh, come on, it's smaller than any man's anatomy," 😲 🙄 and *that* was when she finally gave up and switched to a rectal ultrasound. Honestly, I don't even want to get into how miserable I felt while this doctor—and a woman at that!—was uttering such a ridiculous sentence 🙄

Anyway, after that disaster, I switched over to Harni, who I still see to this day—she is truly phenomenal, all praise 👍 to her, but as for that goat, I wouldn't even give her a nod if I ran into her in the hallway 😁

Ugh, it's the exact same story for me, except I was over at the Petrov clinic seeing a female doctor who intended to do the ultrasound just like you described. After she tried to examine me—honestly, acting as if I had already gone through multiple births—I practically bolted out of there. I switched providers and started seeing a male doctor at my local community health center, who was absolutely wonderful. Once he retired, I stayed with his successor, who took over after him and is even better... As for female doctors, I'm done with them, forget it... Okay, maybe for some, if you have heavy recommendations regarding their bedside manner, gentleness, or expertise—perhaps...

Chloe Robinson80 said:Honestly, I’d much rather deal with a gynecologist than sit in a dentist's chair—that is my absolute worst nightmare.

Well, if you're looking for an exchange, let's make it happen.😉

Chloe Thompson37 said:I honestly don't see what there is to be afraid of—just imagine you're heading ☕ and that's it... I went to my first appointment at the Mayo Clinic when I was about 16 and wasn't scared at all... it’s totally normal and necessary, and just because other people have a hard time doesn't mean you will too... try to stay positive and keep an optimistic mindset; it makes everything so much easier... 👍

You make a valid point, and I know that’s how I should handle it, but I always seem to get hit by this wave of anxiety... I don't know—normally I wouldn't call myself a "freak" and I'm not exactly terrified of doctors, but whenever I'm at the Mayo Clinic, I just feel this weird sense of embarrassment...
Actually, looking back, I think I'm finally starting to untangle myself from all of this; I really need to sit down and rationalize the whole thing for myself—and, of course, attempt to separate my own feelings and physical states from whatever my friend is going through. It seems I may have processed everything far too subjectively, which led to me consciously tormenting myself further...

Sarah Wells23 said:Maybe try to find some way to relax before you head in to see the specialist. I get that absolute dread regarding test results too—the actual exam isn't even the worst part, it’s the agonizing wait for the news that just kills me.
And every single time I'm there, lying back, I just imagine him looking up at me with this terrified expression and saying something like, "I have never seen anything quite like this..."😲"
Well, it's not exactly like I'm shaking uncontrollably or pelting the man in the face with random objects. 😉
Try arriving at the clinic, say, two hours early—just enough time to get incredibly bored so you actually want to get it over with just to go home. 🤷

Oh, ladies, thank you all so much for the advice!
🤣 Honestly, Sarah Wells23, I was in the exact same boat recently—my Candida had gone totally rogue, so I had to bite the bullet and see the specialist after being away for quite a while... And as he's looking down there, I'm thinking to myself—if a spider flies into this web, or maybe a dead shrew or something, it’s game over.😂
Thank you, everyone; I’ve been trying to work through this mentally—just wandering around the forums here and there to vent... Okay, I actually feel a bit better now. When I went back a few days ago—because that inflammation hadn't fully cleared up—I wasn't quite as tense as before... I suppose I just need to "practice" my relaxation techniques, haha... And clearly, my little dog decided to help out with the whole ordeal—she ended up running into the waiting room three times in the last few days because she kept trying to squeeze her way inside. Of course, it happened right at my doctor's office. 🤣 The thing is, there’s a little grassy field right next to the clinic, and the lady at the front desk saw me heading toward it last week—now, whenever she doesn't see me, she peeks out to see if I'm tucked away inside. 🤣 🤣
God, I am such an impossible patient... 😂 Throwing medical supplies around, pelting innocent people, having my dog chasing me through the waiting room... 🤣
Now I'm scheduling an appointment with the doctor, either today or tomorrow, and let's hope this time there are no "human casualties or flying objects." I can't believe this specialist hasn't had the honor of treating me yet—I practically threw things at the guy before him until he retired! But this one is great too; he actually suggested I book an appointment since it's been so long—poor guy has no idea what's coming his way, haha... Well, I really hope I don't repeat my little "attack" and that I'm actually making progress with the whole relaxing thing!
Thanks so much, girls! You've truly made me laugh and helped me chill out, and I'll definitely be thinking of you all when I'm there to make it easier!

Honestly, I feel bad even bringing this up because it happens every single time... it’s just—well, let’s just say it’s hands down my most dreaded appointment (for example, I would trade one OB-GYN for five dentists in a heartbeat! 🤣). The sheer anxiety makes me worry that something might actually be wrong—and if it were, I’d be forced to go on some endless pilgrimage to specialists all over the country, which is—ugh... And before anyone suggests it, this isn't about being "shy" or anything like that. It’s not even that I feel awkward if the doctor is male—in fact, I’ve actually had much, much better experiences with men (though I only saw one female doctor before switching to a male practitioner, whom I stuck with, but that’s beside the point)... What I mean is, while I'm lying on that exam table, I am practically in pre-cardiac arrest; my heart is pounding so hard I think it might jump out of my chest, and I’m performing literal miracles for the Pope... Not on purpose, mind you... I just instinctively tense up so violently that I practically launch all those metal instruments across the room like they're being fired from a cannon—I once actually hit a guy in the head with one, I swear!!! 😂🤣
Anyway, my mom was there with me that time, and after I finally got off the table, we were both absolutely dying of laughter... It was like a catapult effect. Then, when I went in for my checkup just yesterday, the doctor suggested we run a Pap smear since it's been forever, and I was already losing my mind from pure panic... Honestly, I think I need a psychiatrist. I just cannot relax. It feels so foolish because, as I said—I haven't had any bad personal experiences; I've only ever witnessed some really intense medical situations and treatments with friends that were—honestly—quite shocking. They had to go through such grueling stuff, things that were life-threatening... so now, even I end up shaking so hard my legs tremble the moment I'm on that table... How can I get help with this? 🤷 It’s just so stupid to me that I haven't actually had any traumatic experiences myself, yet here I am, acting like a total wreck, yah... 🙄

It seems to me that there is an immense importance placed on... healing

Hold on just a second! What do you mean by "placebo effect"? Think about it for a moment—the vast majority of medications we recognize and rely on today are nothing more than preparations derived from specific botanical sources! There are so many conditions that can truly be managed "naturally," simply through the power of plants 👍
Now that I am personally trained in phytotherapy and aromatherapy, I can speak to this from experience. Looking back at my own early days, I’ll admit I had my fair share of skeptical moments—we all do—but, believe me, there is absolutely no room for doubt. Plants and essential oils can profoundly assist in resolving numerous issues... yes, including chronic ones too! 😍

Hang in there! I’m going through the exact same thing—I had to head into oral surgery to get a tooth pulled the other day, so believe me, I know how much this sucks... 😁 My pain is hitting a solid 10/10 right now, so I’ve been trying to kill it with some Motrin, and honestly, it seems to be working somewhat—I can take two at once, which buys me a few hours of actual peace... 🙄 And let me tell you, my root canal is acting like a damn pit bull; the dentist was struggling for a full hour just to get it out. I swear, by the time he was done, three different people had already cycled through the chair next to me, all of them successfully toothless, while this one stubborn thing was still trying to tear my whole jaw apart... 🤣 As for the rest... man, just hang tough! 👍