The "OMG I'm dying" hypochondria/mental health thread

[markolas]

I decided to start my own thread to talk about my issues w/ anxiety (esp. related to hypochondria) and depression. Feel free to share your own! :)

I've been on Zoloft for the past two years after being diagnosed w/ panic disorder. Aside from a minor but annoying sexual side effect, I haven't had any problems with the medication. Until now. Started a couple of weeks ago when I got a cold type thing. Was on DayQuil, NyQuil, and TheraFlu for about a week. Now I'm over it (except for a post-nasal drip that is taking forever to go away), but I feel exceptionally foggy-headed. You know how when you've just been awakened out of a deep sleep, you don't feel quite "at yourself"? I feel like that all the time. I've also been having night sweats (mostly when I was sick). And the sexual side effect issue seems to be getting worse. I wanted off the stuff just b/c of that, but now I'm starting to have some other issues, and I think it's the Zoloft. I have an appt. w/ the psych day after tomorrow, fortunately.

Then there's the urinary issue that I had one day last week, but has not recurred. Still, the doc wants me to come in for another test and if it still shows blood, he wants me to see a urologist. My bathroom visits have been normal since that one day (knock on wood), but of course I am almost certain that I'm going into kidney or liver failure, or that I have cancer.

I'm trying not to dwell on it, b/c this is how the panic attacks started 2 years ago. I was convinced I had every dread disease I could think of or find on the Internet.

Share your neurosis, if you're so inclined!

[caroline79]

I decided to start my own thread to talk about my issues w/ anxiety (esp. related to hypochondria) and depression. Feel free to share your own! :)

I'm trying not to dwell on it, b/c this is how the panic attacks started 2 years ago. I was convinced I had every dread disease I could think of or find on the Internet.

Share your neurosis, if you're so inclined!

^^This is me. Every time I acquire any type of 'symptom" I go online, find the worst possible thing it could be, and immediately panic. I am convinced that I will have a brain tumor or breast cancer at some point in my life.

I am glad you have an appt. coming up and hope everything goes well. :angel:

[chiliD]

Just wondering...have you tried other meds than Zoloft? I've heard (well...and experienced, after being prescribed it after a very difficult to handle death in the family) that there are some negative side effects.

Maybe you should talk to your Dr about alternate meds...i.e. Lorazepam.

[HejiraNYC]

Dude, you have a urinary tract infection. All of your symptoms can be explained by it. Don't stop your Zoloft. Seek help.

[ButterCookie]

I've been back and forth to the doctor about my eyes and over the past few days, I've been having dizzy spells, which I'm informed are much like when you're about to faint and that when I get them I MUST lie down or I'll collapse and scare everyone in the room. Tonight, I was told I have low blood pressure and therefore I'll be more likely to faint than someone with normal blood pressure. Makes sense to me! Except, in order to find out why it's dropped (it used to be normal) I have to go for blood tests for anaemia, diabetes and any thyroid issues.

I'm convinced it's one of the three and have spent this whole evening wondering what life is like with any of the three :shocked:

[markolas]

Dude, you have a urinary tract infection. All of your symptoms can be explained by it. Don't stop your Zoloft. Seek help.

I dunno how I would've gotten a UTI. Don't women usually get those? And the Zoloft is ruining my sex life, so I kinda wanted to get off it just b/c of that. Do you think my "cold" was really a UTI? And the constant foggy-headedness? I'm going for another urinalysis this week...I hope it's cleared up, b/c I don't have insurance and can't afford this sh!t.

Part of me thinks it probably is a UTI, but I'm terrified that I have renal or liver cancer, or my kidneys are shutting down. My skin isn't turning yellow, so it can't be liver failure, right? :laugh:

I haven't tried any other meds for the panic attacks.

[markolas]

Just wondering...have you tried other meds than Zoloft? I've heard (well...and experienced, after being prescribed it after a very difficult to handle death in the family) that there are some negative side effects.

It takes me 5 hours to have an orgasm.

[Silver Springs]

I've been back and forth to the doctor about my eyes and over the past few days, I've been having dizzy spells, which I'm informed are much like when you're about to faint and that when I get them I MUST lie down or I'll collapse and scare everyone in the room. Tonight, I was told I have low blood pressure and therefore I'll be more likely to faint than someone with normal blood pressure. Makes sense to me! Except, in order to find out why it's dropped (it used to be normal) I have to go for blood tests for anaemia, diabetes and any thyroid issues.

I'm convinced it's one of the three and have spent this whole evening wondering what life is like with any of the three :shocked:

I'm severely anaemic, and if it is the case with you it's definitely not the worst case scenario out of those three. I do spend most of my time lacking in energy, don't have much appetite, get headaches quite often, severe stomach cramps and have very poor circulation. But they're all symptoms that can be managed. I'm on Ferrous Sulphate and occasionally have to chase them with whatever pill my Doctor thinks might help that moment he sees me and prescribes for me. It's just a matter of controlling the diet to make sure you ingest enough Iron, exercising and generally looking after yourself. If it does get too severe then a monthly shot in the bottom is very likely. I've been told I'm probably heading towards those because my Ferrous Sulphate supplements have begun to cease working effectively.

[jannieC]

Zoloft is an anti depressant; there are a gazillion to choose from if the side effects of that one are intolerable. Prozac, Lexapro, and Celexa are a few I see a lot with patients suffering from anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, KLONOPIN) are often prescribed in conjunction with the SSRI's, but as we all know, are habit forming. However, they can be life savers for those with true Panic D/O (and Klonopin is thought by some to be the least habit forming). Don't give up on meds and try some good therapy to go with it. Lots of great relaxation techniques out there.

[HomerMcvie]

Zoloft is an anti depressant; there are a gazillion to choose from if the side effects of that one are intolerable. Prozac, Lexapro, and Celexa are a few I see a lot with patients suffering from anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, KLONOPIN) are often prescribed in conjunction with the SSRI's, but as we all know, are habit forming. However, they can be life savers for those with true Panic D/O (and Klonopin is thought by some to be the least habit forming). Don't give up on meds and try some good therapy to go with it. Lots of great relaxation techniques out there.

My friend got on Lexapro about two months ago, and says it's the best thing that ever happened to him. Says he never realized that he was his own worst enemy, until Lexapro cleared things up for him. Just sayin'....

[SummerlongBoots]

:wavey:

I have a Myeloproliferative disease, so I have been know to be a bit of a worrier!

I have a swollen lymph node on my neck, it's been there for almost a year. I had a tumor removed from my shoulder in January because it grew rapidly, but the doctors say in regards to the lymph node that hasn't changed in size, "we'll keep an eye on it."

So, I worry. Plus, long term use of the medication (Droxia Hydrea) increases the risk of secondary leukemias, so of course I worry about that too! http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/kimasabe/ARTWORK%20Graphics%20animations/SMILEYS%20float%20my%20boat%20MORE/smileyhead_bang-1.gif

[louielouie2000]

It takes me 5 hours to have an orgasm.

That doesn't cause another medical problem- open sores? :eek:

[DavidMn]

I am on celexa and buspar and I still have bad panic attacks every couple months. I swear it feels just like a heart attack.:shocked:

[Moz]

A combination of prozac and amitriptyline worked well for me (GAD, panic disorder, agoraphobia :rolleyes:). I don't remember having any side effects - well, aside from having hazy memories of those years. At least it stopped a lot of the anxiety.

I also took lorazepam every night for about two or three weeks. I get a new prescription of that every now and then for panic attacks. It works great; I start feeling calm within 20 minutes of taking it and it stops anxiety in its tracks. It isn't habit-forming for me, but it makes me feel intoxicated and I end up forgetting everything that happens. :shrug:

As for an(a)emia... ugh. I'm taking vitamins due to an iron deficiency (my doctor says it's not full-blown anemia yet, but my red blood cells are small and pale...?) but I still feel tired and lethargic all the time. Has anyone else had an iron deficiency? How did you make it go away?

[KarmaContestant]

A

As for an(a)emia... ugh. I'm taking vitamins due to an iron deficiency (my doctor says it's not full-blown anemia yet, but my red blood cells are small and pale...?) but I still feel tired and lethargic all the time. Has anyone else had an iron deficiency? How did you make it go away?

A friend of mine has anemia, and he manages it through his diet. He eats frequently, and turns yellow when he's not taking care of himself.

[BrownEyedGirl26]

A friend of mine has anemia, and he manages it through his diet. He eats frequently, and turns yellow when he's not taking care of himself.

A good diet and PLENTY OF WATER, bottled of course, at LEAST TWO LITRES A DAY and you will feel a lot better!:xoxo:

[HejiraNYC]

A good diet and PLENTY OF WATER, bottled of course, at LEAST TWO LITRES A DAY and you will feel a lot better!:xoxo:

There is also a lot to be said for the modern western diet. Everything is enriched with iron. Bread, rice, pasta, cereal, etc. I find it hard to believe that people can be anemic in this day and age unless they were on some kind of carb-avoiding diet. That being said, women are particularly susceptible to anemia if they tend to have heavy, prolonged periods, in which case birth control pills may be a good remedy. But the most important factor is diet, not just in terms of direct iron supplementation, but in terms of receiving all of the proper nutrition needed to maintain healthy cell function. I think a consultation with a licensed dietician and strict adherence to a regimen is more likely to produce dividends than going to the doctor and taking pills.

[HejiraNYC]

I dunno how I would've gotten a UTI. Don't women usually get those? And the Zoloft is ruining my sex life, so I kinda wanted to get off it just b/c of that. Do you think my "cold" was really a UTI? And the constant foggy-headedness? I'm going for another urinalysis this week...I hope it's cleared up, b/c I don't have insurance and can't afford this sh!t.

Part of me thinks it probably is a UTI, but I'm terrified that I have renal or liver cancer, or my kidneys are shutting down. My skin isn't turning yellow, so it can't be liver failure, right? :laugh:

I haven't tried any other meds for the panic attacks.

Men can get UTIs; it is not too common, but it does happen. The constant foggy-headedness and low energy could be secondary to the body fighting off infection (as evidenced by bacteria in the urine). A simple blood test with cell diff will confirm the presence of infection. UTI's are fairly simply to treat using a very cheap generic antibioic, e.g., trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Just be sure to stay out of the sun while you are taking it.

[Travisevian]

And the constant foggy-headedness?

It's commonly referred to as "brain fog". How long has this been going on and have you discussed this with a doctor?

It's just a matter of controlling the diet to make sure you ingest enough Iron, exercising and generally looking after yourself. If it does get too severe then a monthly shot in the bottom is very likely. I've been told I'm probably heading towards those because my Ferrous Sulphate supplements have begun to cease working effectively.


Red meat, green vegetables and blackstrap molasses are all good sources of iron.

[Moz]

There is also a lot to be said for the modern western diet. Everything is enriched with iron. Bread, rice, pasta, cereal, etc. I find it hard to believe that people can be anemic in this day and age unless they were on some kind of carb-avoiding diet. That being said, women are particularly susceptible to anemia if they tend to have heavy, prolonged periods, in which case birth control pills may be a good remedy. But the most important factor is diet, not just in terms of direct iron supplementation, but in terms of receiving all of the proper nutrition needed to maintain healthy cell function. I think a consultation with a licensed dietician and strict adherence to a regimen is more likely to produce dividends than going to the doctor and taking pills.

I've had anemia before and I ate quite well back then. :shrug: The deficiency came up during a full blood test for a different issue and I am trying to eat more iron-enriched foods (though I do eat quite a bit of bread, pasta, and bran bars with iron), but I've never been a fan of red meat. Now I'm starting to think it might be from my medication, a beta blocker. Side effects? "fatigue, weakness or lack of energy" "low blood pressure (hypotension)" Check!

[markolas]

So, all you nurse types: if the doctor's office won't call you back with test results, that means you have some terrible malady but they don't want to tell you. Is that right?

[sara1998]

I've had a serious pain my right temple for over a month now. It started after a cold with a cough. I wrote it off to stress of coughing, but it's lingered. It hurt only when I would cough, but it got so severe one day I went to the er. They gave me a shot and sent me home. I took 2 rounds of antibiotics and a steroid and it's still there. Only with a cough or bending over. Went to the ent ( dr thought it was a sinus infection) and she did an MRI on my sinuses. They're clear. Now I'm getting worried. Lol. This is when my inner hypochondriac comes out. I had surgery on my shoulder this past Tuesday, so as soon as I can drive again, I'm going back to the dr for this temple pain. I don't get it.

[KarmaContestant]

I've had a serious pain my right temple for over a month now. It started after a cold with a cough. I wrote it off to stress of coughing, but it's lingered. It hurt only when I would cough, but it got so severe one day I went to the er. They gave me a shot and sent me home. I took 2 rounds of antibiotics and a steroid and it's still there. Only with a cough or bending over. Went to the ent ( dr thought it was a sinus infection) and she did an MRI on my sinuses. They're clear. Now I'm getting worried. Lol. This is when my inner hypochondriac comes out. I had surgery on my shoulder this past Tuesday, so as soon as I can drive again, I'm going back to the dr for this temple pain. I don't get it.

If possible, ask for an ear-nose-throat specialist. It almost sounds like a sinus infection or fluid buildup in the sinus cavities above the eyebrow.

[Bryan]

There is also a lot to be said for the modern western diet. Everything is enriched with iron. Bread, rice, pasta, cereal, etc. I find it hard to believe that people can be anemic in this day and age unless they were on some kind of carb-avoiding diet. That being said, women are particularly susceptible to anemia if they tend to have heavy, prolonged periods, in which case birth control pills may be a good remedy. But the most important factor is diet, not just in terms of direct iron supplementation, but in terms of receiving all of the proper nutrition needed to maintain healthy cell function. I think a consultation with a licensed dietician and strict adherence to a regimen is more likely to produce dividends than going to the doctor and taking pills.

My thoughts exactly. I'm very anti-meds. It's so common to grab a prescription in America,it's shocking.
There's nothing that a healthy diet & lots of excercise and fresh air can't fix....imo!

[jannieC]

My thoughts exactly. I'm very anti-meds. It's so common to grab a prescription in America,it's shocking.
There's nothing that a healthy diet & lots of excercise and fresh air can't fix....imo!

Nothing? ;)

[SummerlongBoots]

Trust me, I hate taking meds too, especially the crap I'm on. But if I don't suppress my bone marrow production, it will fail.

I have anemia as an extra "bonus" from my blood disorder so I do eat healthy and exercise. I also get plenty of rest, and drink plenty of water, but if that's all I do there's a good chance I will die. :shrug:

[markolas]

A nurse just called me back. Doctor reviewed my results and says everything is normal, and if it happens again, to come back and see him. How anti-climactic.

[HomerMcvie]

I've had a serious pain my right temple for over a month now. It started after a cold with a cough. I wrote it off to stress of coughing, but it's lingered. It hurt only when I would cough, but it got so severe one day I went to the er. They gave me a shot and sent me home. I took 2 rounds of antibiotics and a steroid and it's still there. Only with a cough or bending over. Went to the ent ( dr thought it was a sinus infection) and she did an MRI on my sinuses. They're clear. Now I'm getting worried. Lol. This is when my inner hypochondriac comes out. I had surgery on my shoulder this past Tuesday, so as soon as I can drive again, I'm going back to the dr for this temple pain. I don't get it.

Maria, I've had the same cough, for TWO AND A HALF YEARS(maybe I could replace the cough with Ashton Kutcher- sorry, that a bad 2&1/2 joke). Seriously, though. I went through 3k of testing, with two diagnoses. Allergy doctor says that I'm allergic to mold, which is everywhere(after the floods from 3? years ago, I did have a mold issue in my house). And the ENT says that I have acid reflux. Perhaps I have both, but neither doctor "fixed" me! The allergy doctor said, "you may just have to accept, that this is the ~new you~". So I've just learned to live with the cough. For me, it was really bad, a couple of years ago, because it was greatly affecting my singing voice. But with time, my voice got strong again, and it doesn't really affect my voice now.

I think that both doctors are right, though. I'm known for my LOVE of spicy food, that would make most people spontaneously combust, and I have noticed that after I eat a meal like that, the cough is strong, for a couple of hours following(even though I rarely have heartburn). That said, Thai is on the menu for today....and I'll be ordering 5, on a scale of 5!:blob2:

[skcin]

So, all you nurse types: if the doctor's office won't call you back with test results, that means you have some terrible malady but they don't want to tell you. Is that right?

No, not really. Sometimes just get behind returning calls; or don't want to leave message on a voicemail d/t confidentiality issues.

A nurse just called me back. Doctor reviewed my results and says everything is normal, and if it happens again, to come back and see him. How anti-climactic.

See? ;)
And you sound disappointed. :shrug:

Regarding the cough thing - my husband has had chronic throat-clearing/cough for like 3 or 4 years. Went to an ENT, who shoved the camera tube up/down there & saw no problems. Said it's chronic post-nasal drip probably due to allergies OR reflux. He's tried both allergy and reflux meds without much success. He just lives with it - it's annoying as hell (probably more for me than for him.) :nod: it does get worse when he's been drinking beer - an allergy nurse I know said it's possible he has a wheat allergy of some sort.

[HomerMcvie]

Regarding the cough thing - my husband has had chronic throat-clearing/cough for like 3 or 4 years. Went to an ENT, who shoved the camera tube up/down there & saw no problems. Said it's chronic post-nasal drip probably due to allergies OR reflux. He's tried both allergy and reflux meds without much success. He just lives with it - it's annoying as hell (probably more for me than for him.) :nod: it does get worse when he's been drinking beer - an allergy nurse I know said it's possible he has a wheat allergy of some sort.

Paula, it sounds like Mark and I have EXACTLY the same thing. Meds did nothing for it. But I also did 85 allergy tests(injections), and mold was the ONLY thing I reacted to. I suspect the carbonation in the beer is setting off his acid reflux.

And yes, it's more annoying for you. After 2.5 years, I don't even notice that I'm coughing anymore, until someone points it out to me, or I'm in a very quiet social setting.

[HejiraNYC]

No, not really. Sometimes just get behind returning calls; or don't want to leave message on a voicemail d/t confidentiality issues.



See? ;)
And you sound disappointed. :shrug:

Regarding the cough thing - my husband has had chronic throat-clearing/cough for like 3 or 4 years. Went to an ENT, who shoved the camera tube up/down there & saw no problems. Said it's chronic post-nasal drip probably due to allergies OR reflux. He's tried both allergy and reflux meds without much success. He just lives with it - it's annoying as hell (probably more for me than for him.) :nod: it does get worse when he's been drinking beer - an allergy nurse I know said it's possible he has a wheat allergy of some sort.

Has he been prescribed some kind of a steroid-containing inhaler? I had a similar ailment many, many years ago. A couple of months of using the steroid inhaler totally eradicated my symptoms, including exercise-induced asthma, which I'd had since childhood. What it did was... it saved my life... I won't forget it.

[skcin]

Paula, it sounds like Mark and I have EXACTLY the same thing. Meds did nothing for it. But I also did 85 allergy tests(injections), and mold was the ONLY thing I reacted to. I suspect the carbonation in the beer is setting off his acid reflux.

And yes, it's more annoying for you. After 2.5 years, I don't even notice that I'm coughing anymore, until someone points it out to me, or I'm in a very quiet social setting.

He didn't react to anything in allergy testing, so they just assumed he had some seasonal issues. I take it back - he did react to grass & some kind of weed, so yeah - seasonal.

The thing about the reflux is that he used he get bad heartburn & now he rarely does. I'm doubtful that it's reflux since there are no other symptoms, and he can drink other carbonated bevs like pop (that's right, I said POP, not soda!) just fine.

Has he been prescribed some kind of a steroid-containing inhaler? I had a similar ailment many, many years ago. A couple of months of using the steroid inhaler totally eradicated my symptoms, including exercise-induced asthma, which I'd had since childhood. What it did was... it saved my life... I won't forget it.

Hmmm...lemme think. No. I think just nasal sprays. Astepro & Zyrtec D work well during allergy season, and the throat-clearing did lessen but it never completely went away.


He's kind of given up. :shrug: He hates going to the doctor anyway, so it was a big deal for him to actually go & see more than one over the course of a few weeks. But at this point he figures screw it. I just worry that years down the road there will be something REALLY wrong; whether they missed something or all the years of reflux or post nasal drip will cause more serious issues.

[HomerMcvie]

What is this male obsession with shaking hands? So I'm in Nashville, going out and watching bands. Well, the singer made a round through the crowd, with the tip jar, shaking everyone's hands.....

"Oh god, maybe if I pick up my phone, and pretend I'm busy texting, I can get him to not try and shake my hand". So he makes his was through the whole place, and I'm at the end of the line. Nope, he's not falling for my phone trick(I threw money in the tip bucket with my left hand, so that my right hand was still busy. He just stands there, holding it out, until I FINALLY lay my phone on the table, and shake his damned hand. So he shook about 60 hands before he got to me, so I essentially shook hands with every person in the room. I had gone to the restroom twice before(since you only rent beer), and had seen guys leave both times, without washing their hands.
Thanks, Mr. Singer Guy. Why don't you just stick your hand in sewage, and come at me for a handshake?

I've tried to say, "I don't shake hands", but it just seems so antisocial.

This seems like the right thread, for me to tell y'all how much I dislike shaking hands!:lol:

[ButterCookie]

What is this male obsession with shaking hands? So I'm in Nashville, going out and watching bands. Well, the singer made a round through the crowd, with the tip jar, shaking everyone's hands.....

"Oh god, maybe if I pick up my phone, and pretend I'm busy texting, I can get him to not try and shake my hand". So he makes his was through the whole place, and I'm at the end of the line. Nope, he's not falling for my phone trick(I threw money in the tip bucket with my left hand, so that my right hand was still busy. He just stands there, holding it out, until I FINALLY lay my phone on the table, and shake his damned hand. So he shook about 60 hands before he got to me, so I essentially shook hands with every person in the room. I had gone to the restroom twice before(since you only rent beer), and had seen guys leave both times, without washing their hands.
Thanks, Mr. Singer Guy. Why don't you just stick your hand in sewage, and come at me for a handshake?

I've tried to say, "I don't shake hands", but it just seems so antisocial.

This seems like the right thread, for me to tell y'all how much I dislike shaking hands!:lol:

http://www.lasafety.co.uk/images/P/page235-7.jpg

[HomerMcvie]

http://www.lasafety.co.uk/images/P/page235-7.jpg

I keep it in a cupholder, in all of my vehicles. I guess it's time to go Super-Anal, and carry a bottle in my pocket? That seems more extreme, than I'm quite ready for.....:o

I sing for 8 hours, almost every weekend. Getting sick, isn't an option. And when I do, it's an absolute nightmare.

[skcin]

I keep it in a cupholder, in all of my vehicles. I guess it's time to go Super-Anal, and carry a bottle in my pocket? That seems more extreme, than I'm quite ready for.....:o

I sing for 8 hours, almost every weekend. Getting sick, isn't an option. And when I do, it's an absolute nightmare.

I don't know how extreme it is to carry it on you - I have some in my purse. Now, if you shook hands & immediately whipped out your Purel, that might be a bit much. :p

I have to say, I'm not a fan of handshaking either. People greet at my church & I try to politely wave but they usually chase after me with their hand outstretched. In winter I've said "sorry, cold & flu season" or "sorry, I'm ill right now & don't want to spread my germs." In nicer weather, it's a bit more challenging not to offend someone.

[HomerMcvie]

I don't know how extreme it is to carry it on you - I have some in my purse. Now, if you shook hands & immediately whipped out your Purel, that might be a bit much. :p

I have to say, I'm not a fan of handshaking either. People greet at my church & I try to politely wave but they usually chase after me with their hand outstretched. In winter I've said "sorry, cold & flu season" or "sorry, I'm ill right now & don't want to spread my germs." In nicer weather, it's a bit more challenging not to offend someone.

Yeah, I've faked sickness too, to get out of shaking hands. "Sore throat, I probably shouldn't". And when I'm doing sound for bands, when I see the bus pull up, I know that 10 handshakes are coming my way! So I usually load my hands up with about 15 mic cables, and look busy, so that my hands are too full to shake!!!!

ENOUGH WITH THE DAMNED HAND SHAKING! KEEP YOUR FECAL MATTER TO YOURSELF!:laugh::o

[markolas]

So I had another "episode" a few days ago, but nothing since. Seems like there's a little bit of pain/burning now, and I'm obsessed with my bathroom habits. I thought I saw blood again just now, but I'm not sure. My mind could very well be conjuring things up - my boyfriend has forbidden me from talking about it.

I told my shrink I wanted to taper off of the Zoloft, which I've been doing for the past week. I'm starting to wonder now if I really do need it after all.

[KarmaContestant]

So I had another "episode" a few days ago, but nothing since. Seems like there's a little bit of pain/burning now, and I'm obsessed with my bathroom habits. I thought I saw blood again just now, but I'm not sure. My mind could very well be conjuring things up - my boyfriend has forbidden me from talking about it.


I don't know all the details of what is happening to you, but have you seen a doctor for this blood/pain/burning thing? if it were a UTI - which I've had (oh the horror) - the antibiotics would clear it up very quickly and keep it away assuming you took the doses as instructed until the botttle was empty.

If it was not a UTI, and was a treatable STD, the situation would still be the same - take the antibiotics as prescribed until the bottle is empty, missing no doses, presto, get better.

However, I am wondering if you could have bladder stones, and your body is trying to pass them? This would explain the periodic but not consistent burning, pain, blood and the ineffectiveness of the antibiotics (assuming you took some to begin with).

Anyway, none of my business really, but I am a naturally empathetic person and therefore cannot help but be concerned. :angel:

[markolas]

It started with blood in my urine about two and a half weeks ago. I went to the doctor that day, they tested my urine, said there was a little blood and bacteria, but no white blood cells present. He didn't seem concerned about it at all, but said to come back in a week and if there was still blood, he'd send me to a urologist. I didn't see any more blood after that one day. A week later, urine analysis came back normal and I figured that was the end of it. About 3 days later, I got up to go to the bathroom and there's the blood again, but everything's been normal since that one time.

Then I've started noticing a very mild burning when I urinate (and even when I'm not), and mild groin pain and I *thought* I saw more blood when I went a little while ago. But with me, it's entirely possible that's all psychosomatic. A couple of years ago I went to have blood drawn, and I was convinced they'd find that it had all turned to powder like in The Andromeda Strain.

[markolas]

Also, it has occurred to me that it could be kidney stones. I've never had them before, so I have no idea what it's like. I always imagined excruciating pain as you tried to pee out a rock. But, with anything like this, my mind immediately goes to the worst possible thing it could be and I hardly give a thought to anything else. So, blood in the urine automatically equals either cancer or kidney failure.

Ugh. And I'm so edgy about this now, that I can't go to the bathroom when I really need to. I took a Xanax just a minute ago.

[KarmaContestant]

Also, it has occurred to me that it could be kidney stones. I've never had them before, so I have no idea what it's like. I always imagined excruciating pain as you tried to pee out a rock. But, with anything like this, my mind immediately goes to the worst possible thing it could be and I hardly give a thought to anything else. So, blood in the urine automatically equals either cancer or kidney failure.



Bladder or kidney stones can be detected by a doctor, and you might consider mentioning to your doctor that you are wondering about the possibility. One of my bosses has bladder stones, and sometimes he has very bad days. It's exactly like you said - trying to pee out a rock, except it's not round or smooth, more like a crystalline formation that is sharp and spiny so it tears tissue as your body tries to pass it (hence the pain and blood when urinating). Changes in diet can go a long way towards preventing future occurences, and existing stones can be dissolved with medication or sometimes zapped away with laser treatment.

I'll tell you something else - by immediately assuming the worst you are doing yourself more harm than good with the stress you put your mind and body through. Ultimately, you have to trust your doctor, but don't be afraid to push for tests or other options that might get to the bottom of the issue.

[Travisevian]

Markolas, you didn't answer my previous question about brain fog. I'm concerned. Have you discussed that with a doctor?

What is this male obsession with shaking hands? So I'm in Nashville, going out and watching bands. Well, the singer made a round through the crowd, with the tip jar, shaking everyone's hands.....

It's not necessarily an obsession, just considered a sign of good breeding. :)

[WildHearted]

I'd rather give someone a hug than shake their hand. Shaking hands feels awkward to me, for some reason. I feel like I'm out of place doing it.

I think I have OCD, in all seriousness. I've got some compulsions about locking doors, and checking the locks multiple times (by multiple, I mean dozens of, including going out of the room and coming back in to make sure they're still loff, turning lights on and off to make sure they're still locked, all sorts of weird obnoxious crap that I know is ridiculous but I still do anyway because I have to), I also have to write a note to every person in my household every night before I go to bed... I also unplug anything in sight (lamps, toasters, etc, even if they aren't on) before I go to bed, for a fear of catching the house on fire.

[desertangel]

My daughter had that blood in the urine thing several years ago and tracked it down to some medication (an antibiotic -?) she took that said you're not supposed to drink alcohol with it and she did because she didn't read the label or something. Anyway, it nearly trashed her kidneys, didn't show up as an infection or anything. So she had that little problem for a long time. Had to abstain from alcohol and any other thing that could be hard on the kidneys for quite awhile or else she would pee blood.

[henryscutter]

Has he been prescribed some kind of a steroid-containing inhaler? I had a similar ailment many, many years ago. A couple of months of using the steroid inhaler totally eradicated my symptoms, including exercise-induced asthma, which I'd had since childhood. What it did was... it saved my life... I won't forget it.

That is interesting, I've had EI Asthma for a few years and have been using an albutrol inhaler. It helped a little for a while but now it is not working at all. I think I am gonna talk to the Dr. about different meds.

[HomerMcvie]

It's not necessarily an obsession, just considered a sign of good breeding. :)

As we head into the cold and flu season, sharing the germs of everyone around you, is a sign of good breeding? Sounds more like a sign of being a moron(not meaning you). ~Handshaking~ is an antiquated notion, that spreads disease. FACT.
http://techcrunch.com/2009/05/09/hand-shaking-is-so-medieval-lets-end-it/

[markolas]

Markolas, you didn't answer my previous question about brain fog. I'm concerned. Have you discussed that with a doctor?

Oh, sorry. I've always had a certain amount of brain fog, but this I started noticing when I got sick, a week or two (or 3) ago. It's either subsided or I've just gotten used to it, I can't tell which. I was diagnosed w/ ADD a couple of years ago, but I take the meds sporadically b/c I can't afford them most of the time.

I'm having a sharp pain on the right side of my stomach...this started this morning. It could be death, or it could have something to do with the half-gallon of ice cream and chicken parmesan I scarfed down last night.

[skcin]

I'd rather give someone a hug than shake their hand. Shaking hands feels awkward to me, for some reason. I feel like I'm out of place doing it.

I think I have OCD, in all seriousness. I've got some compulsions about locking doors, and checking the locks multiple times (by multiple, I mean dozens of, including going out of the room and coming back in to make sure they're still loff, turning lights on and off to make sure they're still locked, all sorts of weird obnoxious crap that I know is ridiculous but I still do anyway because I have to), I also have to write a note to every person in my household every night before I go to bed... I also unplug anything in sight (lamps, toasters, etc, even if they aren't on) before I go to bed, for a fear of catching the house on fire.

Oh, honey. It sure sounds that way.

[KarmaContestant]

As we head into the cold and flu season, sharing the germs of everyone around you, is a sign of good breeding? Sounds more like a sign of being a moron(not meaning you). ~Handshaking~ is an antiquated notion, that spreads disease. FACT.
http://techcrunch.com/2009/05/09/hand-shaking-is-so-medieval-lets-end-it/

Not to belittle you, because that is not my intent, but I think your phobia of handshaking is a tad ridiculous. If I were to meet you after this I'd grab both of your hands and hold them tight...just to see you squirm. :laugh:

But really, I do think you're making more out of this in your head than is good for you. People touch nearly everything at some point, and it's impossible to avoid. The bags your groceries are in - the food in those bags was touched when it was stocked at the store. Books, magazines, CDs, computer software - even new items have been handled during shipping or stocking. Cash and coins are far nastier than most people's hands, and it's hard to avoid that unless you only use a card....and even then you have to hand it to someone who has also touched everyone else's cards...and the cash in their drawer...and then they hand it back to you. Then there's gas pumps...barstools...door handles in public places...

Don't even get me started on food service. Until I started watching things like Master Chef and Hell's Kitchen, I really had no idea how much human (and the Universe only knows what other) DNA my food comes into contact with.

I guess my point in this is that by trying so hard to avoid germs you're really hurting yourself in the long run by not allowing your body to create antibodies that fight those germs. You can't develop immunity to strains of cold and flu you aren't exposed to, and that could be a pretty good reason why you get SO SICK (as you said earlier) when you do get sick.

I'm HIV+, and a simple flu could bring me down for good. Yes, just a flu - but instead of avoiding sickness and human contact and eating out and shopping, I embrace these activites because they make me stronger.

And yes, handshaking may be antiquated but it's a sign of greeting and respect among men with manners. And your hands can be washed, afterwards, when those people can't see you doing it. Much like Stevie believes the internet has helped to destroy social graces, in the same way do I and many medical professionals believe America's rampant phobia of cooties has helped produce an allergic, asthmatic population incapable of surmounting the next epidemic.

:shrug:


Or maybe I just don't care about germs.

[HomerMcvie]

Not to belittle you, because that is not my intent, but I think your phobia of handshaking is a tad ridiculous. If I were to meet you after this I'd grab both of your hands and hold them tight...just to see you squirm. :laugh:



Or maybe I just don't care about germs.

^^^That's my vote! Honestly, I'm not afraid of handshaking. I avoid it, out of practicality. Okay, I have sang in a band my entire adult life. A cover band. And I'm currently the ONLY lead singer in the band. Okay, we play 4 hours this Friday, AND 4 hours this Saturday. 8 hours of singing, in a 28 hour period. Do you have ANY idea how hard that is to pull off? But I do it. Actually, I do it quite well. I have very strong voice.

Do you know what happens when I get sick? I can usually make it through the first night, doing fairly decent....do you have an inkling of how my second night goes? Right out of the gate, I'm damaged goods. If the sickness isn't completely invading my throat, I may make it through the night. Usually though, the first set is a nightmare...I have no range, and I'm coughing in between every line. Sometimes, by the second set, I "might" come out of it, and limber up, or NOT. There have been nights where I could barely utter a word by the end of the night. And from those nights, I have done damage before, that took me weeks, or even months, to heal the damage. And FWIW, I often hope that if I have to get sick, that it's only on a week that we're not playing, so I'll have a week of recuperation.

Do you now understand why I avoid getting sick at all costs? :cool:

[jannieC]

Do you now understand why I avoid getting sick at all costs? :cool:

An observation from the peanut gallery: Being HIV+, Karma has a pretty compelling reason to avoid getting sick too, right? I think his point was that handshaking is small change compared to the thousands of other ways we contract germs from one another.

My "issue" is mosquitoes. Don't get me started on mosquitoes. How are we not all dead from mosquitoes contaminating the world!

[HomerMcvie]

An observation from the peanut gallery: Being HIV+, Karma has a pretty compelling reason to avoid getting sick too, right? I think his point was that handshaking is small change compared to the thousands of other ways we contract germs from one another.

My "issue" is mosquitoes. Don't get me started on mosquitoes. How are we not all dead from mosquitoes contaminating the world!

He does have a compelling reason. And I'm not trying to compare the magnitude of my reason to his. But I still have a valid reason.

Do you know how many men don't wash their hands after they go to the restroom???????????????? Y'all can shake their hands all night. Good luck with that!:lol:

[KarmaContestant]

^^^That's my vote! Honestly, I'm not afraid of handshaking. I avoid it, out of practicality. Okay, I have sang in a band my entire adult life. A cover band. And I'm currently the ONLY lead singer in the band. Okay, we play 4 hours this Friday, AND 4 hours this Saturday. 8 hours of singing, in a 28 hour period. Do you have ANY idea how hard that is to pull off? But I do it. Actually, I do it quite well. I have very strong voice.



Gah! I didn't even consider singing - and I knew you did that.

Do you know how many men don't wash their hands after they go to the restroom???????????????? Y'all can shake their hands all night. Good luck with that!:lol:

It's true. Sometimes I'll be in the bathroom at work, and you can't see the door from the urinal so anyone coming in or out is to your back. I can hear them not washing their hands after exiting a stall....sometimes I feel compelled to run after and see who it is so I can gossip about it with my coworkers - But then I stop to wash my hands and they get away. :laugh:

[markolas]

Not really pertinent to the topic at hand, but why do sooo many men have such wimpy handshakes? I don't want a death grip, but gimme a good, firm handshake, or don't bother.

[markolas]

And I agree with KC about the germ thing. This anti-bacterial craze is going to be the death of us all.

[jannieC]

He does have a compelling reason. And I'm not trying to compare the magnitude of my reason to his. But I still have a valid reason.

Do you know how many men don't wash their hands after they go to the restroom???????????????? Y'all can shake their hands all night. Good luck with that!:lol:

Okay so I am all about washing hands after going to the restroom, but if someone is only urinating, what kind of germs are we worried about on their hands. I do know that Hepatitis B can be passed along from fecal matter, even from a healthy person. And again, please don't misunderstand- I wash my hands after number one AND number two! But I do it because I was taught to, not because I have concerns about someone touching their penis.

I also wonder if singers are more prone to throat infections due to the constant strain on the vocal chords. :confused:

[HomerMcvie]

Gah! I didn't even consider singing - and I knew you did that.



It's true. Sometimes I'll be in the bathroom at work, and you can't see the door from the urinal so anyone coming in or out is to your back. I can hear them not washing their hands after exiting a stall....sometimes I feel compelled to run after and see who it is so I can gossip about it with my coworkers - But then I stop to wash my hands and they get away. :laugh:

Over the years, I've just had too many "nightmare weekends". It's conditioned me.....

It is true. If there are 6 guys in the same bathroom as me, odds are that half of them walk out without washing. And yeah, it doesn't make me want to vomit, if they only pee'd. Now if they pooped......BLLLAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH

ARGH, I have a friend, who manages a restaurant. My story isn't pertinent to his job, but, when I see him out at a bar, he ALWAYS leaves the restroom without washing his hands, EVEN WHEN HE COMES OUT OF THE STALL. Now, if he doesn't wash when he's off work, what makes you think he washes at work? Especially if there are no witnesses. Since I witnessed him leaving the stall and not washing, I haven't eaten at his restaurant since!:lol:

[KarmaContestant]

Not really pertinent to the topic at hand, but why do sooo many men have such wimpy handshakes? I don't want a death grip, but gimme a good, firm handshake, or don't bother.

Maybe they're afraid of seeming too interested in touching another man's hand. :laugh:

[markolas]

I've decided that I have Hepatitis B even though I have no idea what any of the symptoms are.

[skcin]

Not really pertinent to the topic at hand, but why do sooo many men have such wimpy handshakes? I don't want a death grip, but gimme a good, firm handshake, or don't bother. I agre for both sexes. it's kinda gross. Like holding a dead fish. Grab on, people!

And I agree with KC about the germ thing. This anti-bacterial craze is going to be the death of us all.

It has gone overboard. You have to draw the line somewhere. I shake hands for the most part. I am not afraid to touch doorknobs or anything like that. Realistically, you're probably going to "catch something" by droplets being inhaled after someone coughs or sneezes rather than touching something, so unless you want to wear a mask all the time, you're kind of screwed to a certain extent. Germs are not all bad, and our body needs to be exposed to them & get sick from time to time to recognize wtf they are to protect itself for next time - immune response.

I DO purell after I've left a really crowded place like a grocery store or restaurant. And I am careful not to touch my eyes, mouth or nose very much. Shaking someone's hand who has just blown their nose, then you scratching your inner nostril can easily get you sick.

Okay so I am all about washing hands after going to the restroom, but if someone is only urinating, what kind of germs are we worried about on their hands. I do know that Hepatitis B can be passed along from fecal matter, even from a healthy person. And again, please don't misunderstand- I wash my hands after number one AND number two! But I do it because I was taught to, not because I have concerns about someone touching their penis.

I also wonder if singers are more prone to throat infections due to the constant strain on the vocal chords. :confused:

That's Hep A, actually. Scenario: Karma's guy has Hep A, goes poop, doesn't wash his hands, then prepares your food. And there ya go.

As for washing hands after peeing, there aren't really contagious germs in pee (it's actually sterile.) Chances of spreading something to someone from pee on your hands are slim to none . HOWEVER - what if that person has active genital warts or herpes lesions? Still not a high likelihood of transmission, but definitely possible. I am not paranoid about "catching something", I just think it's gross not to wash after being in the bathroom.

I've decided that I have Hepatitis B even though I have no idea what any of the symptoms are.

Dude, I doubt you have Hep B. But if you're that freaked out, just ask your doc for a blood test. Chances are no, but it is spread the same way HIV is spread so technically you are at a slight risk because you are a man who has sex with men.

And don't go freaking out thinking you have HIV now too! ;)

[jannieC]

That's Hep A, actually. Scenario: Karma's guy has Hep A, goes poop, doesn't wash his hands, then prepares your food. And there ya go.

As for washing hands after peeing, there aren't really contagious germs in pee (it's actually sterile.) Chances of spreading something to someone from pee on your hands are slim to none . HOWEVER - what if that person has active genital warts or herpes lesions? Still not a high likelihood of transmission, but definitely possible. I am not paranoid about "catching something", I just think it's gross not to wash after being in the bathroom.




Right, thank you for the correction/clarification. And again, I feel compelled to say that I d0 believe in hand washing after using the restroom. :laugh:

[skcin]

Right, thank you for the correction/clarification. And again, I feel compelled to say that I d0 believe in hand washing after using the restroom. :laugh:

Sure you do. :wavey:



:laugh:

[HomerMcvie]

Right, thank you for the correction/clarification. And again, I feel compelled to say that I d0 believe in hand washing after using the restroom. :laugh:

Well sure you're gonna say that now!:laugh::D:wavey:;)

[Christopher]

Right, thank you for the correction/clarification. And again, I feel compelled to say that I d0 believe in hand washing after using the restroom. :laugh:

Thought for the Day:
When you walk into a bathroom that reeks of death and feces, just remember that smelling is 10% tasting. YUMMY!! :shrug:

[HejiraNYC]

I wash my hands after number one AND number two! But I do it because I was taught to, not because I have concerns about someone touching their penis.


I think washing ones hands after going to the bathroom, regardless of the bathroom function, is just something we have been conditioned to do. It provides us with a convenient schedule for washing our hands throughout the day, regardless of whether or not we have touched something contaminated. Accordingly that reduces of transmitting or contracting infections illnesses, etc. That being said, I have often been faced with the dilemma of whether or not to wash up when the bathroom facility is particularly skanky, especially when I am convinced that my b@ll sac is much cleaner than the faucet knob. Sometimes you just have to break with tradition!

[HomerMcvie]

I think washing ones hands after going to the bathroom, regardless of the bathroom function, is just something we have been conditioned to do. It provides us with a convenient schedule for washing our hands throughout the day, regardless of whether or not we have touched something contaminated. Accordingly that reduces of transmitting or contracting infections illnesses, etc. That being said, I have often been faced with the dilemma of whether or not to wash up when the bathroom facility is particularly skanky, especially when I am convinced that my b@ll sac is much cleaner than the faucet knob. Sometimes you just have to break with tradition!

That's what my uncle always says, "sometimes you're better off NOT touching the fixtures, and just getting the hell out!"(if it's a skanky sh*thole of a bathroom).

I'd pay a 50 cent toll, for bathroom doors that open OUTwardly. Shoe, do ur thang!:o

[skcin]

I think washing ones hands after going to the bathroom, regardless of the bathroom function, is just something we have been conditioned to do. It provides us with a convenient schedule for washing our hands throughout the day, regardless of whether or not we have touched something contaminated. Accordingly that reduces of transmitting or contracting infections illnesses, etc. That being said, I have often been faced with the dilemma of whether or not to wash up when the bathroom facility is particularly skanky, especially when I am convinced that my b@ll sac is much cleaner than the faucet knob. Sometimes you just have to break with tradition!

My problem is when there's no soap. :mad: I've heard that rinsing with water won't do much of anything, just spreads the germs around. So I never know if I should bother. That's when I whip out the purell. :p

[HomerMcvie]

That's when I whip out the purell. :p

That's what one cupholder in all of my vehicles is dedicated to! I only buy sizes that fit there, that way it's always there, ready to go! :o:wavey::woohoo:

[jannieC]

That's what one cupholder in all of my vehicles is dedicated to! I only buy sizes that fit there, that way it's always there, ready to go! :o:wavey::woohoo:

Me too. I started this practice when I was doing in-home therapy. Very handy. Haha, handy. Get it?

[HomerMcvie]

Me too. I started this practice when I was doing in-home therapy. Very handy. Haha, handy. Get it?

Handy germophobes unite!!!!:wavey:

[markolas]

So, I'm at a point where everything feels like more trouble than it's worth. Even finding a new therapist to talk about this crap with who doesn't charge $100 an hour. Seriously, if you're having this much trouble figuring out whether any of the therapists at your counseling center can deal with gay clients, then maybe I need to go somewhere else.

I couldn't even find a place to park when I tried to go to class today. Why do I bother getting out of bed? The only time life doesn't feel like a complete hassle is when I'm asleep.

[jannieC]

Seriously, if you're having this much trouble figuring out whether any of the therapists at your counseling center can deal with gay clients, then maybe I need to go somewhere else.


That is <i>awful</i>. In what area of the country do you live? Just out of curiosity, how did your sexuality come up in the intake process?

[markolas]

That is <i>awful</i>. In what area of the country do you live? Just out of curiosity, how did your sexuality come up in the intake process?

Austin, TX.

I'd been going to another counseling center that dealt specifically w/ LGBT clients, but after a couple of bad experiences there, I decided not to go back. So I called this other place, and they set up an appt w/ a woman who I then found out, via their website, was a Christian counselor who was into something called Theophostics, which appears to be some kind of weird Christian prayer therapy. So, I called them and said that wasn't going to work, and asked for someone who had experience working w/ gay clients.

The receptionist/in-take person hemmed & hawed and gave me the name of a therapist she said she'd pass my number on to and have call me back.

I find that it's best to mention that I'm gay as soon as possible in the process; I should've done it this time.

Anyway, I've got a call in to another LGBT counseling center.

[jannieC]

Austin, TX.

I'd been going to another counseling center that dealt specifically w/ LGBT clients, but after a couple of bad experiences there, I decided not to go back. So I called this other place, and they set up an appt w/ a woman who I then found out, via their website, was a Christian counselor who was into something called Theophostics, which appears to be some kind of weird Christian prayer therapy. So, I called them and said that wasn't going to work, and asked for someone who had experience working w/ gay clients.

The receptionist/in-take person hemmed & hawed and gave me the name of a therapist she said she'd pass my number on to and have call me back.

I find that it's best to mention that I'm gay as soon as possible in the process; I should've done it this time.

Anyway, I've got a call in to another LGBT counseling center.
I'm sorry to hear about this. It's hard for me to imagine a therapist saying they don't have "experience" with gay clients! I had to Google Theophostics:

"... people are being delivered from phobias, depressions, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, dissociative personality disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, sexual addictions, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and homosexuality through Theophostic principles."

:shocked: I don't even know where to start.

[markolas]

I got calls back from both therapists last night. The first one, a gay therapist at the GLBT counseling center, is still trying to figure out which office they're using this week (they're in the middle of moving); the second one, the woman at the same center as the "pray away the gay" lady, actually set up an appt w/ me after I haggled with her over cost of the sessions. She sounded kinda squirrely, tbh. If I can actually get an appt w/ the other guy, I'm gonna call her and cancel; I just feel more comfortable with a gay therapist.

[markolas]

But, see, this is what I'm talking about. Why is *everything* such an ordeal? I couldn't even find a place to park at school yesterday; some dumb heifer stole the spot I'd been waiting for, so I flipped her off as I drove past her and just went home.

Now I can't find a therapist who seems to both 1) have his/her act together, and 2) isn't some weirdo Christian voodoo doctor.

[gfd1963]

I got calls back from both therapists last night. The first one, a gay therapist at the GLBT counseling center, is still trying to figure out which office they're using this week (they're in the middle of moving); the second one, the woman at the same center as the "pray away the gay" lady, actually set up an appt w/ me after I haggled with her over cost of the sessions. She sounded kinda squirrely, tbh. If I can actually get an appt w/ the other guy, I'm gonna call her and cancel; I just feel more comfortable with a gay therapist.

Go for it. Go where you feel comfortable. I saw someone once and hated her attitude from the first appointment which meant I was dreading the second appoinment . Needless to say there was no third appointment. Luckily, I eventually found a lovely lady who was very helpful. I think seeing someone you feel comfortable with is of the utmost importance.

[skcin]

Me too. I started this practice when I was doing in-home therapy. Very handy. Haha, handy. Get it?

Me three. :nod:

I'm sorry to hear about this. It's hard for me to imagine a therapist saying they don't have "experience" with gay clients! I had to Google Theophostics:

"... people are being delivered from phobias, depressions, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, dissociative personality disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, sexual addictions, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and homosexuality through Theophostic principles."

:shocked: I don't even know where to start.

Yeah. No. :shocked: NOT therapy.

I got calls back from both therapists last night. The first one, a gay therapist at the GLBT counseling center, is still trying to figure out which office they're using this week (they're in the middle of moving); the second one, the woman at the same center as the "pray away the gay" lady, actually set up an appt w/ me after I haggled with her over cost of the sessions. She sounded kinda squirrely, tbh. If I can actually get an appt w/ the other guy, I'm gonna call her and cancel; I just feel more comfortable with a gay therapist.

Personally, I wouldn't go to see anyone in the same practice as the "pray away" lady. Just the fact that they're associated with her would worry me. I would hold out for the other one.

But, see, this is what I'm talking about. Why is *everything* such an ordeal? I couldn't even find a place to park at school yesterday; some dumb heifer stole the spot I'd been waiting for, so I flipped her off as I drove past her and just went home.

Now I can't find a therapist who seems to both 1) have his/her act together, and 2) isn't some weirdo Christian voodoo doctor.

Dude, I hate to say it but that's just life. :shrug: Happens to all of us. Although, I'm thinking you're seeking out a therapist partially because you KNOW these regular activities of daily life shouldn't make you NOT want to get out of bed. Yes?


BTW - My husband's cough has been around for 2 weeks & shows no signs of going away. I think he's going to have to bite the bullet & go to the MD. I do think that it started out as a general virus, but now I fear he may have developed pneumonia.

[markolas]

I think the Zoloft is just about out of my system now. Coming off that sh!t is awful. Another side effect I didn't like that I don't think I mentioned was that I started having nightmares where I'd wake up screaming (loudly) in the middle of the night. I had one about a week ago where my mother's alleged half-sister (haven't seen or heard tell of this woman in at least 15 years) was in my house and insulted my bf - I slapped her and told her to get out of my house. I screamed "Move it!" at the top of my lungs - I'm wouldn't be surprised if I woke up a neighbor with that one. :shocked:

Finally found a therapist that I've been seeing for about a month. She seems okay so far. Not fabulous, but okay.

Also, the bloody urine has returned - it seems to happen after sex, which makes me think I've damaged something. I can't afford to go back to the doctor, tho. They charged me over $100 for a couple of urine tests; heaven knows what I'd have to pay for anything more involved than that.

[markolas]

Bloody urine returned this morning! :blob2: Still no pain, this time, although I've been noticing lower back pain the last couple of days, which I attributed to my habit of sleeping and sitting in odd positions. Now I'm convinced I have bladder or kidney cancer. Did I mention that I don't have insurance?

Eff me!

[skcin]

Bloody urine returned this morning! :blob2: Still no pain, this time, although I've been noticing lower back pain the last couple of days, which I attributed to my habit of sleeping and sitting in odd positions. Now I'm convinced I have bladder or kidney cancer. Did I mention that I don't have insurance?

Eff me!

Kidney stone, more likely. You can try to break it down & flush it out with tons of water & cranberry juice. Avoid dairy since many stones are calcium-based. You might luck out & be able to pass it on your own if it's not too big. If it IS large, you might need a procedure. So drink up, dude.

[markolas]

Kidney stone, more likely. You can try to break it down & flush it out with tons of water & cranberry juice. Avoid dairy since many stones are calcium-based. You might luck out & be able to pass it on your own if it's not too big. If it IS large, you might need a procedure. So drink up, dude.

I usually drink a ton of water to begin with. Basically, it happened just like the last time - I got up and it was bloody first thing, then I drank some water and now it's totally clear.

I guess I expect kidney stones to feel like someone is hacking away at the inside of my penis with a knife, but there's never any pain when I urinate. I googled "bloody urine no pain" and the first thing that pops up is "cancer." Which, they go on to say, is rare in anyone under the age of 50. Does it normally take a kidney stone 3 months to pass? Is it possible to pass one and not see it?

Do I specifically need to drink cranberry juice? I like it, so it's not a problem, but I just wondered if blueberry pomegranate would have the same effect.

[markolas]

And yes, I realize this entire conversation is totally disgusting.

[ButterCookie]

I'm almost certain it has to be cranberry juice.

[markolas]

Hey, I have another question. What's the difference between a kidney stone and a gall stone?

I'm off to my therapy appointment now! :laugh:

[KarmaContestant]

Hey, I have another question. What's the difference between a kidney stone and a gall stone?

I'm off to my therapy appointment now! :laugh:

I think a gall stone is in your gall bladder. But that's just a guess.

[markolas]

I think a gall stone is in your gall bladder. But that's just a guess.

Well geez, I gathered that much. :p

[BTFLCHLD]

Well geez, I gathered that much. :p
What's the difference between a kidney stone and a gall stone? (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what%27s+the+difference+between+a+kidney+stone+and+a+gall+stone) :D

[David]

I've been on Zoloft for the past two years after being diagnosed w/ panic disorder. Aside from a minor but annoying sexual side effect, I haven't had any problems with the medication. Until now. Started a couple of weeks ago when I got a cold type thing. Was on DayQuil, NyQuil, and TheraFlu for about a week. Now I'm over it (except for a post-nasal drip that is taking forever to go away), but I feel exceptionally foggy-headed. You know how when you've just been awakened out of a deep sleep, you don't feel quite "at yourself"? I feel like that all the time. I've also been having night sweats (mostly when I was sick). And the sexual side effect issue seems to be getting worse. I wanted off the stuff just b/c of that, but now I'm starting to have some other issues, and I think it's the Zoloft.
I think the best way to take antidepressants for anxiety is to take a relatively mild or low dose for about six to nine months, and then during the final three or four weeks taper off until you finish the prescription.

Lay off the antidepressants for about a year. Your anxiety should be a tad improved during that time IF the antidepressant worked. So just use Xanax for brief attacks. Let a year go by & "detox" from the antidepressant. After that, start back up again at a low dose, using an Rx for another six to nine months.

Too many people, I think, take "maintenance" antidepressants for years on end, & I think the body -- particularly the liver -- just doesn't like it.

[markolas]

The anxious hypochondria came back just as I came off of the Zoloft. I have this constant feeling that something is physically wrong with me, but I can't really pinpoint symptoms...I just feel "off." And it's making me edgy all the time.

I feel like I need to get out of the house, but get out and do what? I don't want to go for any damn walks. The weather is dreary and depressing. I feel like anything I could possibly do would bore the hell out of me.

[skcin]

Sorry I missed all this, was offline for a bit.

You're confusing kidney stones with a urinary tract or bladder infection. Kidney stones cause intense back pain, usually unrelated to the actual act of peeing; UTI's cause burning in the penis/urethra when you pee. The blood in your urine could be the stone scraping around in there.

The cranberry juice does actually have to be cranberry - highly acidic. There's no proof that this works (it's more of a folk remedy) but some people swear by it & it sure as hell can't hurt.

So I think that there IS something wrong with you. :laugh: It's possible that it's not all in your head. But it's highly HIGHLY unlikely that it's something serious like cancer. I know you don't have insurance, but wouldn't the $100-$200 you'd need to shell out for an urgent care visit be worth your peace of mind? To find out that it's a stone or an infection that can be treated & taken care of?

[markolas]

I went to urgent care back in Sept. He did a urine test which came back w/ blood - said he wanted to wait a week and do a 2nd one, and if there was still blood, he'd send me to a urologist. 2nd urine test came back normal. He seemed totally unconcerned about any of it. I don't want to go back just to have him send me to a urologist.

I've had no blood since Thursday, but I do have back pain (I had no pain, back or otherwise, in September), which is more uncomfortable than intense, and I think it's related to me sleeping/sitting in weird positions and not moving around enough. Anyway, I don't feel as "off" as I did earlier. I have major seasonal depression, and the gray, rainy weather we're currently enjoying makes me want to slit my wrists. :rolleyes:

[mezzoforte]

I went to urgent care back in Sept. He did a urine test which came back w/ blood - said he wanted to wait a week and do a 2nd one, and if there was still blood, he'd send me to a urologist. 2nd urine test came back normal. He seemed totally unconcerned about any of it. I don't want to go back just to have him send me to a urologist.

I've had no blood since Thursday, but I do have back pain (I had no pain, back or otherwise, in September), which is more uncomfortable than intense, and I think it's related to me sleeping/sitting in weird positions and not moving around enough. Anyway, I don't feel as "off" as I did earlier. I have major seasonal depression, and the gray, rainy weather we're currently enjoying makes me want to slit my wrists. :rolleyes:

Have you tried light therapy? It works wonders for some people.

[markolas]

Do I just go out and get a sun lamp from Lowe's or Home Depot? Like the kind you use for tomato plants or whatever?

[KarmaContestant]

Do I just go out and get a sun lamp from Lowe's or Home Depot? Like the kind you use for tomato plants or whatever?

Google search "lamps for treating SAD"

https://www.google.com/search?q=lamps+for+treating+SAD&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8

Or, even better: http://sadtherapylamps.com/

[skcin]

A lot of people at my office use light therapy for themselves. :nod:

[markolas]

I'll have to bookmark that site. The sun was out for most of the day today, thankfully. Today's worry is high blood pressure. I had a "spell" a little while ago while I was making a grilled cheese & tuna sandwich where I felt like I wasn't getting enough oxygen to my brain or something. I still feel a little bit like that. Is it high blood pressure? Am I going to have a stroke or a heart attack sometime in the next few days? Was I standing too close to the burner?

A couple of years ago, I had a therapist who noticed that I have a tendency to hold my breath. For several seconds at a time. I hadn't realized that I was doing it - I'm more conscious of it now, but there are still times when I'll suddenly need a big gulp of air and I'll realize I've been holding my breath. What is that about?

This isn't called the hypochondria thread for nothing.

[ButterCookie]

I'll have to bookmark that site. The sun was out for most of the day today, thankfully. Today's worry is high blood pressure. I had a "spell" a little while ago while I was making a grilled cheese & tuna sandwich where I felt like I wasn't getting enough oxygen to my brain or something. I still feel a little bit like that. Is it high blood pressure? Am I going to have a stroke or a heart attack sometime in the next few days? Was I standing too close to the burner?

This s0unds like me and I have low blood pressure. Most of the time I'm absolutely fine then once in a blue moon I go faint and have to steady myself. When that happens, I just eat something, have a quick sit down ans carry on with whatever it was I was doing beforehand.

If it's low blood pressure, there's much less of a chance that you'll have a stroke or a heart attack (which is great news for me because I'm a fiend for all the wrong foods)

[markolas]

I took a Xanax and went to bed with my Kindle. I was fine for the rest of the evening.

[ButterCookie]

I took a Xanax and went to bed with my Kindle. I was fine for the rest of the evening.

Anxiety drugs aren't going to fix anything if it is blood pressure related. You need to eat. Something, anything. Just eat.

[CADreaming]

This s0unds like me and I have low blood pressure. Most of the time I'm absolutely fine then once in a blue moon I go faint and have to steady myself. When that happens, I just eat something, have a quick sit down ans carry on with whatever it was I was doing beforehand.

If it's low blood pressure, there's much less of a chance that you'll have a stroke or a heart attack (which is great news for me because I'm a fiend for all the wrong foods)

A trick to get low bp back up is to drink a few swallows of real Coca Cola (not diet and not an off brand). The dialysis nurses used that all the time on my dad.

[ButterCookie]

A trick to get low bp back up is to drink a few swallows of real Coca Cola (not diet and not an off brand). The dialysis nurses used that all the time on my dad.

It's the buying of the real Coca Cola :/ Usually I'll source out something like a chocolate or a biscuit and I'm absolutely fine. I will bear this in mind though, just in case :)

Even if I was able to take pills, I'd prefer not to because the thought of perpetually filling my body with chemicals scares me and I'm so forgetful that it'd be 3 weeks between each pill.

[CADreaming]

It's the buying of the real Coca Cola :/ Usually I'll source out something like a chocolate or a biscuit and I'm absolutely fine. I will bear this in mind though, just in case :)

Even if I was able to take pills, I'd prefer not to because the thought of perpetually filling my body with chemicals scares me and I'm so forgetful that it'd be 3 weeks between each pill.

It prob is just the sugar, maybe it works quicker and that's why they use Coke? Idk, it worked though.

I agree about chemicals. When I think of how much we ingest everyday just by eating... :(

[markolas]

I've felt light-headed/faint all day. Considering going to the doctor. Maybe I'll eat something first, though.

[markolas]

So probably no one cares about this anymore, but I had another recurrence of the bloody urine last week (though not as much blood as before). I went back to the doctor who did a more thorough examination. Blood work shows that I don't have an infection and kidney and liver functions are normal. Prostate exam (I'd never had one before - they are soooo not a big deal - I don't get why guys get so freaked out unless it's just the prospect of having something go in their asses) turned out fine.

She wants me to see a urologist. The only thing she mentioned as a possibility was kidney stones, which she said usually cause pain but not necessarily. I really don't think it's that - wouldn't I have passed it between last September and now? She said she really didn't think it was cancer, which was reassuring at first, but now not so much.

What else could this be? Ugh. And of course, today I was like "I'll need to find an attorney and get medical POAs and all that **** done" in addition to the out-of-pocket expense that will be this visit to the urologist.

[Silver Springs]

So probably no one cares about this anymore, but I had another recurrence of the bloody urine last week (though not as much blood as before). I went back to the doctor who did a more thorough examination. Blood work shows that I don't have an infection and kidney and liver functions are normal. Prostate exam (I'd never had one before - they are soooo not a big deal - I don't get why guys get so freaked out unless it's just the prospect of having something go in their asses) turned out fine.

She wants me to see a urologist. The only thing she mentioned as a possibility was kidney stones, which she said usually cause pain but not necessarily. I really don't think it's that - wouldn't I have passed it between last September and now? She said she really didn't think it was cancer, which was reassuring at first, but now not so much.

What else could this be? Ugh. And of course, today I was like "I'll need to find an attorney and get medical POAs and all that **** done" in addition to the out-of-pocket expense that will be this visit to the urologist.

I tend to have this happen occasionally. Because of me it's down to good old fashioned stress.

[markolas]

You have bloody urine occasionally? And it's caused by stress?

[Silver Springs]

You have bloody urine occasionally? And it's caused by stress?

Yeah. I do. It started about three years ago when I started having a lot of problems at home. I had tests done and it all came back inconclusive. I went to the doctor a few times with the same complaint, sometimes with the added side effect of severe stomach and kidney cramps. But the same tests never showed anything up. Medically, apart from my anaemia and a hernia I'm completely fine, so there's nothing going on there that we can chalk it down to. But my doctor noticed that each time I went to him with the problem I was complaining about the same things; being unable to sleep, loss of appetite, strain at home and with school...Eventually we both just dismissed it as another side effect of stress. I almost wish that it was something medical, because at least then I could do something solid about it. I can't exactly cut out everything that stresses me out otherwise I'd be living in a cardboard box in the woods lol.

[Macfanforever]

You have bloody urine occasionally? And it's caused by stress?

Wow.I did not know that.I thought it was from infection.

[markolas]

I have an appointment for Monday with a urologist. Named Dr. Wang, no less.

I'm starting to feel a burning pain in my urethra (I guess it's my urethra) - like there's something I'm trying to pee out. Could it be a kidney stone? Of course, now that I've said that, I've jinxed it and that's not what it is at all.

While I was on hold with the urologist, they started playing these announcements. One of them was talking about something called "pelvic organ prolapse." The person doing intake came back on the line before I could hear the symptoms, but doesn't the name just say it all? Now I have visions of my collapsed bladder trying to pee itself out of my body.

I'm about to go online and start picking out caskets, y'all.

[estranged4life]

last August I attempted suicide twice while hospitalized - the first was via suffocation (Wrapped a hospital bed blanket around my neck and anchored the end of it on the headboard) and I was discovered just before I 'blacked-out'.

The second time I tried to hang myself on the bathroom door, but I was too tall for the door and my feet dragged the floor and was discovered immediately...

So apparently something is wanting me to hang around (pun intended) in this world a bit longer :D