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Health Profiles - New Addition Your Help Needed

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Reply 20
Name of Condition Vasovagal Syncope
Experience This is seizures/faints caused by blood pressure suddenly getting extremely low, the cardiologist explained it as the body 'rebooting' in the same way as a computer.
I had my first on Boxing Day when I was 15, and whilst I haven't had many faints, I get the auras quite often. Worst experience though had to be fainting on the Law Admissions tutor on a Cardiff Uni open day!
Initially, they assumed it was regular faints caused by not eating, but my third was witnessed by a GP who diagnosed it as a seizure and referred me for tests.
I had two MRIs, an ECG, a sleep-deprived EEG, various blood tests and a 24 hour heart monitor.
As of now, they know what it is, but there's no real cure so I just have to wait for it 'go away' :/
Personal Advice
- It's very frustrating not being able to drive when all your friends can but matters less if you consider how bad it would be if you had an attack on the road.
- Tell your friends and college, my friends have all been really supportive (one even came to stay over to help me stay awake for the sleep-deprivation test).
- Make sure whenever you go somewhere, you're with someone who's aware of the condition but don't let it affect your day-to-day life.
Name of condition: Anxiety Disorder

Experience: I had a traumatic experience as a child where on a group trip I was left in Wales (I live in England) at night. I was unaffected that night and dealt with the situtation well being a child but now I have problems staying out, confrontation, situations that I think I can't escape, public transport, college, work, and simple day to day things. Sometimes I'll be okay for a while but recently it flared up bad and now I am on Propranolol, seeing a doctor once a month and having CBT while slowly trying to rebuild my life.

Personal advice to anyone: Lot's of people suffer from this and it is not weak to go on medication or see a doctor, it can do nothing but help because things won't get worse if you admit to it. As long as you have a good support system and be proactive about not becoming Agrophobic it'll get better.
Name of Condition: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Experience: Basically, PMDD is a condition where women have SEVERE and sometimes SUDDEN depressive symptoms before menstruation. It's not like PMS, where you just feel angry or irritable or a bit weepy. It also goes hand in hand Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is where you become severely depressed in the darker months around winter. Because it went un-noticed, my condition spiraled out of control and came to a head between December and March. When I was having a bad spell, it was like I was a completely different person. I would have very dark and uncontrollable urges coming at me out of the blue to throw myself out of windows or off balconies for no reason other than to experience a moment of complete free-fall. Infact, there are some parts of the worst months that I can not remember at all. Christmas is just a blur, because it was like another person was inside my body. I hurt myself, and cried myself to sleep every single night. The worst part was that I am naturally a very very happy and positive person, so this depression was so out of character and frightening and confusing. Looking back, it seems unreal. That was not me thinking or doing those things, it was completely out of my control. Basically, my hormones turned against me and began to control every thought at urge against me.

Personal Advice: Finally, my mother began to realise that this wasn't just your average 'hormones' or 'angst', simply because I had become a distanced being and a mere ghost of my former self. We talked about what we could do to relieve it, and decided we would try some vitamin supplements before turning to anti-depressants. Now I take 500mg of Primrose Oil and one time-released mega B-50 tablet every morning. These help promote normal menstrual health. It took a few months for it to build up in my system, but now I feel back to my old self again, with only the odd down day here and there. I have had no more sudden suicidal urges coming at me from out of the blue, and I haven't cried myself to sleep once in the past couple of months. My advice to you would be not to suffer in silence and to tell someone. Get the help you need, because you shouldn't have to feel like there is someone else living inside your body and controlling your thoughts. If you have the symptoms don't leave it too late because it will only get worse. But you can beat it, and you can return to your happy little self in no time. Be strong!!
Name of Condition: Crohn’s Disease- A form of Inflammtory bowel disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. Inflammation usually occurs in the ileum (the last section of the small intestine) or the colon (the large intestine). However, inflammation can occur anywhere in the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus (back passage). Over time, the inflammation that is caused by Crohn’s disease can damage sections of the digestive system, causing additional complications, such as narrowing of the Colon.
The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. However, research suggests that a combination of environmental and genetic factors is responsible for the onset of Crohn’s disease.

The immune system: it appears that the immune system is responsible for the inflammation that occurs in Crohn’s disease. The immune system plays a complex and demanding role in the digestive system. It provides protection against harmful bacteria that could potentially find their way into the digestive system. However, the digestive system is also home to more than 500 different types of so-called ‘friendly bacteria’ that help with the digestion of food. The immune system has to recognize these bacteria and let them do their job without attacking them. In Crohn’s disease, it appears that something disrupts the immune system which sends a special antibody, known as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) to kill all bacteria, regardless of whether they are friendly or not. It is the TNF antibodies that cause most of the inflammation that is associated with Crohn’s disease.

Symptoms, the common ones that I have experienced:
Recurring diarrhoea/ constipation
Abdominal pain and cramping
Blood and mucus in stool
Fatigue
Weight loss, which is caused by various factors i.e. inflammation can interfere with your ability to digest food and the abdominal pain and diarrhoea can cause a reduction in appetite.
Vomiting/Nausea
Joint pain and swelling (Arthritis)
Inflammation and irritation of eye (Uvetitis)
Skin rashes
Mouth Ulcers

Experience: I started to feel unwell in 2007/2008, I was in constant pain everyday, I had ulcers in my mouth so I couldn’t eat anything, bouts of diarrhoea and constipation, gas, Indigestion and heartburn, along with arthritis some times I couldn’t walk because I was in so much pain. I remember one night I was up all night with vomiting and diarrhoea, I slept sitting up beside the toilet. I have been through some rough times because of this illness, but it makes me appreciate life so much, any pain free day is a blessing.

I was diagnosed finally in late 2008. I knew something was wrong with me so I kept going to the doctor and they kept telling me that am fine, am young and healthy so nothing is wrong with me. But I was persistent and finally after about 8months they referred me to see a specialist. Surprise, surprise they found out what the problem was!!!!!!!!!!!!

Currently am not doing too bad, the level of inflammation is my stomach is still quite high :frown:, but I haven’t been experiencing too many symptoms. In 08 my weight went down drastically 7stones, I am happy to say that it took a few yrs but I currently weight 9stones, which is half a stone over my ideal weight, but I am happy because if I loose weight again I already have some in reserve.

Advice: Follow your gut feeling…lol. At times it can get depressing because you have a long term illness, but never give up. I gave up and loss hope for a while, but now I have found the strength to start living again….I refuse to let this disease beat me…am a beat it. :cool:

p.s At times people think am dieting beause of my eating habit and it can get quite emberassing when you have to explain that you have CD...Most people don't know what it is:eek:..People also gets IBD confused with IBS and they are completely different.
(edited 12 years ago)
Name of condition Enlarged/hypertrophic labia/vulval dermatitis/vulval cysts

Love it or hate it (and it really ought to be the latter, ladies), we all have one. Call it a twinkle, furry purse, front bum, vag, or if you want to get really technical a vulva. Nice to have, nice to use and downright necessary for sexual, digestive and reproductive functioning. There’s the urethra, vagina, clitoris, inner and outer labia (lips), and a great many other wee structures that we need not go into.

It seems to be, from a quick glance on here and on other websites, that one of the biggest issues is the size of your labia. I’ll tell you now it is normal, normal, normal to have lips that stretch a little bit below the rest of your vulva. Any doctor or nurse will tell you that no two vulvas are exactly the same the lips can be long, or short, smooth or wrinkly or even a bit bumpy, pink, white or even purple and red. Aesthetically, there is nothing wrong with having big labia. It’s what you were given, it’s a part of you and for the vast majority, it’s something you’ll have to learn to love.

Now what’s not normal, at least not all the time, is if you hurt a bit. Thrush, BV, STIs I’m sure you know what they are and how to get treated. What’s not so simple and easy to sort however, is pain from more complex issues. At a very young age, I started to develop a bit of soreness “there”. Couldn’t sit down for school, couldn’t stop scratching and ended up red raw. Mum took me to the doctors, and much to my upset the GP wanted to have a gander. The diagnosis? Labial hypertrophy.

As I said for the vast majority of ladies it is very normal to have longer inner lips. What’s not normal, and what my GP explained at the time, is for these parts of your body to hurt so much. It shouldn’t physically interfere with your daily life, and if it does it’s time for a visit to the GP.

For me, the pain had and has a constant effect on everything I do. I have to nip to the toilet every half hour or so just to readjust my bottom. I end up with bits hanging over my pants, over jamma bottoms and even have a visible bulge in swimming cozzies. At one point, I thought I was growing a willy! I’ve had many embarrassing incidents knickers for me are a huge problem. I once had o shout my mum to cut them off as my labia got caught in a bit of lace, I ended up crawling to the GP last summer in agony after wearing mesh material knickers and becoming red raw and had the horror of explaining to the receptionist why I needed to see someone right that minute. Having hairs, or bits of loo roll or fluff caught is nothing unusual for me even if I wash five times a day, I can guarantee something will get stuck due to the fact that labia are like a dirt/dust trap! I’ve had numerous A&E trips, I’ve had all manner of doctor, nurse and consultant having a good look!

Of course, all that in itself is difficult enough. It gets worse however as in late 2008, I found a minute hard lump on my clitoris. I picked it, thinking it was a spot. The picking must have offended it, as within twenty four hours I had a very sore, very swollen lump right above my most sensitive part. Within six months I had more. It’s now late 2011 and on the last count, there were eleven in total. I went through numerous GPs, a few of whom didn’t know how best to help. Went to one gynaecologist who insisted I was merely feeling my clitoris and perhaps I was masturbating wrongly and then, promptly tried to teach me how to do this correctly. It took me two years to find a GP who listened, examined and told me I had sebaceous cysts. Why? She doesn’t know. Could be genetic or hormonal. It might go away one day, it might be like that forever. Numerous antibiotics, and one draining that was scheduled then cancelled and I’m still in the same position.

Add to that, that I was also diagnosed with vulval eczema, vaginisimus, bladder/urethral problems and an allergy/hypersensitivity to most products and you have a twinkle that’s more “ouch!” than “ooh!” !!

The treatment? I’m currently waiting on a labiaplasty finally, sixteen years after I was first diagnosed by a doctor. We’ll see how that goes and after it’s done, I plan to update this!

Advice: As I said big labia are normally. Hell, some men even find them sexier than smaller labia. For some people, they are the marking of a sexually mature adult woman as opposed to a pre pubescent child. Love your vulva it’s part of you. If you treat it right, you’ll gain a lot from it.

Sore labia = not always normal. See a doctor, see what’s happening and if there’s a treatment. If it’s just a touch of excema, you might be given a bit of cream just to soothe the area. Personally I’ve tried sudocrem, acqueous cream, oilatum, dactarin, dermol, vagisil, femfresh, hydrocortisone, canesten 1/2/3mg, canesten with hydrocortisone, antibiotic cream; all of to no avail. You might just find though that something works for you.

If it’s cysts sit in a hot bath. DON’T SQUEEZE. Leave well alone, and if anything comes to a head, get to a doctor pronto so they can squeeze it in a sterile environment. Some cysts will go by themselves. If anything’s there for longer than a week or two, if anything’s hot/very swollen or bright red, or extremely painful doctor. You might need a bit of antibiotics. For pain ibuprofen, or a bit of paracetomal can work wonders.

If it’s enlarged labia fight for help. If it’s psychological, look for psychosexual counselling. If it really is physically sore all the time to the point it’s disrupting your life, ask to see a gynaecologist or dermatologist. If there’s a big enough problem there is help out there and you don’t have to suffer in silence. And if any man (or lady - but she should know better!) dares say anything negative, tell him you don't exactly find scrotums (or willy, etc) attractive but you dpon't expect him to get it hacked off!

General good advice - practice good hygiene, find a wash (Vagisil/Femfresh) that suits you if needed. I use Dermol, prescribed by my GP a year ago or so, works amazingly and doesn't sting or burn at all. I can’t recommend vaginal deodorants, talcs, or douching however. Know your bum get to know what’s normal, spot any changes quickly and keep an eye or see the GP. Don’t trap yourself in skinny jeans or skimpy knickers 24/7, wear baggy trousers/jammas occasionally. Let yourself air off every now and again too :wink: Practice safe sex and keep any sex toys clean with the wipes they offer on buying! Don’t use anything heavily scented or strong for either your undies, towels or bed sheets look for Fairy or anything for baby/sensitive skin. Don’t wash your hair in the bath if you’re sore wash it over the sink or in the shower, and don’t use a strong bubble bath. Keep yourself healthy and your bum will thank you :wink:

Also don’t be worried or nervous about seeing a doctor. They have been there, done that and seen it all before. Gynae chairs and stirrups are horrific yes - but try to see the funny side, and ask the doctor for help if you need it as falling flat on your bum onto a cold floor with your legs apart is not fun... The intital "opening of the gates" is generally the worst part - however, once you've got that far, you've got the worst part over. Don't worry if your legs shake - and don't worry if, as happened to me once, they spasm up altogether. Most doctors will do their best to help you, they expect girls to be nervous - don't be afraid to tell them if you are really feeling nervous. Speculums (Cusco and SIMS) don't hurt - but they can be cold, so ask them to warm and lube them up! Breathe out as anything goes in, whilst relaxing all your muscles - let everything go floppy and floaty and things will slip in without too much issues. Occupy your mind as they’re doing their thing count the ceiling tiles, sing your favourite song backwards, plan the shopping list. Don’t be afraid to ask for a female, tell them to stop if you’re unhappy and if you feel you need it, you’re entitled to a nurse for assistance. At my most recent exam I had a nurse whose sole job, it seemed, was to hold my hand and ask if I was OK. Odd at first but she kept me calm throughout what would have otherwise been awful! Look for the funny side as well - I once had to see an out of hours doctor, and just as she was approaching, speculum in hand I met her eye and commented that I’d met her before. Her reply “Yes. I sit opposite you in church”. Embarrassing wasn’t the word but I ended up crying with laughter that night!

PM if you have any questions or need further advice I talk a lot and am happy to speak to people about such things!

UPDATE: 18 October

Just had my labiaplasty (along with a cystoscopy and urethral dilation) yesterday. I went onto the day surgery unit at my local, at around 8am yesterday. 9am I was told to strip off completely, and put on a gown and DVT stockings. I was given the usual anaesthesia checks, and was told I'd be getting a spinal anaesthetic with some sedation. Taken to theatre at around 9ish - which in itself was an experience, I became very dizzy and disorientated. I was then taken into a transfer room where my nurse left me with two doctors in green scrubs, they then helped me onto another trolley before taking me into the operating theatre. From there, I was helped onto a bed, and told to sit forward with my back pushed out. A needle in each hand, then another in my back - before my back went numb, and another needle was inserted into my spine itself. It took about ten minutes to start working - my feet, my bum and my legs became very numb. I, having never experienced such a thing before, became very panicky and was given some midazolam through the cannual on my hand. Apparently I'm one of those people who has a rare "opposite" reaction to Midazolam however. Fortunately, the Midazlom caused a memory block but according to the staff I became very upset, anxious and restless - I ended up being given more medication to reverse the drugs, and remember the last minutes of the operation fairly clearly - the first thing I really remember (that isn't blurry or distorted) is being lifted from the bed onto another trolley. Twenty minutes in recovery followed, with a nurse checking my blood pressure and pulse every ten minutes. With that all being fine, my nurse came through and took me back to the ward. I wasn't in any pain - as I had a local anaesthetic in both thighs, my back and my bum; I was out of the operating theatre at half 11, by 1pm I was "sitting" up and eating my lunch!

The local anaesthetics began to wear off at around 4/5pm - which is when the pain kicked in. I ended up sobbing, I needed a wee but due to the spinal couldn't get out bed. The nurses gave me a bedpan and helped me to wee - however, weeing after you've had a urethral dilation is no picnic; I felt like someone was sticking needles in my bum, and was passing bloodclots from my bladder. Eventually though, things eased off - a friend came in to calm me down and give me some chocolate, and the nurses helped me to walk to the toilet.

I was given something strong to send me to sleep last night - and sleep I did (despite interruptions from the night staff, BP checks etc), to the point I didn't want to get up this morning. Had some breakfast, whipped my own cannula out and then had a shower. Mum came into take me home about 11am, helped me into the bath and then onto the couch and here I am! Have had a wee look - at present I look a bit strange as I'm very swollen and bruised, but it should be interesting to see what it looks like over the next fortnight or so :smile:

23 October

Almost a week post op... Everything is looking a bit normal - a lot less swollen! Had the GP and the nurse out on Wednesday as I could hardly move I was so swollen and sore, then had a check up with the nurse on Thursday and again on Friday. No infection, just a lot of itching. Stitches are quite weepy as well, have a constant blood stained discharge >:| thankfully it's getting better though. Can walk more comfortably, and sleep better - up until last night I was having to sleep with my legs wide apart! Stitches are beginning to fall, I've lost about 5 so far, 15 or so to go..

I don't want to make out that this is an easy solution because it isn't. My labia have been basically cut and sliced, and stitched back together. It's painful, messy and I've hardly been able to walk or sleep all week. IF you do end up deciding to go for such an op, be prepared and have lots of painkillers, sanitary pads, magazines and chocolate!

5 November

3 weeks post op on Monday - my labia are now a lot more normal, they actually sit inside the outer labia which for me feels a-mazing, I don't have a bulge anymore, I can't feel them when I sit down which is fab. They're not so dry either, so they're a whole lot less painful. Had all the external stitches cut on Friday (yesterday) and have been told I shouldn't need a checkup for another few weeks. Have to keep up with salt baths every 2 days or so, as it's still a little raw and sore, and I still have occasional bleeding - but I couldn't be happier with the results, my own GP (who referred me) was literally jumping for joy when she saw me last week (first time since op). Plus - here's the big wow, I am able to wear proper girly knickers! My mum bought me a few pairs of lacy ones last week and they don't hurt! Soo chuffed.. Not going to update this from now but hope this has helped you in some way, please feel free to PM me if you like! x
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 25
Name of condition: Endometriosis

My Symptoms:

Leading up to a period- Awful PMS, constant pain in lower back, cravings for sweet things especially chocolate, loss of energy, aches and pains around abdomen getting sharper and more frequent, bowel movements slowing down, swollen stomach & bloating

With onset of period- I would wake up and know it would be that day by the patterns I'd identified in my body. Very strong cramps, racing heart, shallow breathing almost like panting, writhing in pain, weird urges with temperatures, would open windows wide on a freezing day or want to jump in cold water, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, faintness, massive amounts of bleeding and clotting (also what looked like pieces of tongue that didn't consist of blood). This would go on for hours until I could take pain killers (and keep them down) and sleep it off. By late afternoon I'd normally manage to get up.

After initial onset- Difficulty walking around as normal, feeling faint especially in the shower no matter how cool, very small appetite, weakness, difficulty standing up straight, mostly walking around bent over. Pain after moving or changing position (best to stay sitting down or lying down), pain in lower abdomen/bowel area when sitting down normally (had to remember to sit down slowly ans softly). Basically feeling very much like an older frail person.

Experience: This all started for me suddenly one day when I was about 14. Up until then I had been basically pain free. It felt like I was in labor (although this was literally impossible). Very scary and confusing. As far as I remember it carried on monthly from there. My cycle back then was more like 24 days so it happened quite often. I think it must have been a while before I went to the doctors with this problem. You're given the impression that this is healthy and normal and lots of other women go though it. My doctor did all the initial blood tests and they were all clear so decided to put me on the pill. The pill didn't make a huge difference for me apart from give me more control over when I was unwell & more time in between each episode. I went back to my doctor numerous times and he gave me strong prescription pain killers which helped when I could keep them down. But I would still have to have a day off every month, sometimes more because I was basically almost immobile. I had a lot of very disappointing doctors appointments, I often felt fobbed off, like I was imagining it or being a drama queen. It wasn't until I was 19 that I was referred to a gynecologist. Full of hope I went along to the appointment. She did a very basic examination, asked a few questions and diagnosed that I had overly painful periods and heavy bleeding. So nothing new really. She did how ever prescribe a couple of good drugs.

After several more appointments with my GP, he discovered the gynecologist hadn't done the tests he had anticipated and ordered an ultrasound for me at another hospital.

I ended up having an internal ultrasound which the nurse said was more accurate and likely to pick up more. We received the results in the post. It said that the size of one of my ovaries showed up as significantly bigger than the other. My GP explained this was likely due to endometriosis (the size meant excess blood ha gathered in the area).

Next I saw a consultant who talked through my health history, did an internal examination (I have to admit it was eye wateringly painful and I almost cried but it was very short).

He finally suggested I had an operation. This is the only certain way to diagnose endometriosis.

A few months later I had my op. I was so scared but the hospital were really great and treated me really well. It was a day case, so I was in at around 7am and home at around 6pm. Several days of bed rest followed and my stomach was bruised and swollen for a couple of weeks. The scars are really minimal. Best of all they found all the endometriosis and lasered it. Its not something they can cure yet, so the rest of my life will involve managing my symptoms and having more treatment periodically. But the best thing is knowing it wasn't all in my head. No more health professionals can fob me off with constipation this and the pill that.

My advice: Keep a health/ pain/ period diary to take to your GP. Or at the very least list your symptoms, its easy to miss out some when there are so many. Talk to your female friends, find out if you're having similar experiences. Try and keep stress to a minimum, I experienced more pain during difficult times. Keep going back to your GP, being as clear and concise as possible. If your GP isn't doing enough, get another opinion. Don't put up with any symptoms that stop you living your life. GPs cant cure everything and fix all health problems but there are things you can try that will improve your quality of life. Talk to your family/ partner. After speaking with my family I found the older women (45+ ) had also had similar problems, one ever had endo her self. There's nothing better than first hand experience/ support.

Finally if you need any more advice, there's a wealth of info online. You can also ask me any questions no matter how embarrassing you feel it may be.
Reply 26
Name of condition: Congenital hyperinsulinism

Experience:
I hasten to add that I'm not a medical student and my knowledge extends solely to GCSE Double Science, so I don't actually understand my disorder in any detail, but this is what I know:

For some reason (it varies between individuals - could be a benign insulin-secreting tumour, could be some sort of problem with beta cells, could be something else) my pancreas produces substantially too much insulin, which is responsible for removing sugar from the blood. As such, my blood sugar tends to get dangerously low very often (a condition called hypoglycaemia, which in my case can lead to neuroglycopenia, a lack of blood sugar in the brain) which is deeply unpleasant and can be fatal.

I've had this all my life - nearly died while I was being born as a result - and the only option I have is to manage the symptoms. I'm lucky to have a relatively mild case, so I can control it via diet and exercise.

Personal advice to anyone (remember to keep this away from medical advice):

Do not **** around with your blood sugar. I know that other people can, I know that other people can eat sugar on an empty stomach, but you CANNOT and you have to bear this in mind.

Carry snacks which are low in sugar at ALL times, even if you think you're just going out for 2 minutes.

Eat before you go to bed in case of night hypos.

Don't beat yourself up if you get overweight; it's better than dying.

If you have severe mood swings for no reason, always check your blood sugar.

Other people won't understand and will just think you're greedy. Tell them you're diabetic; you're not, but it's a similar enough condition that they'll shut up.

It's a rare enough condition that support groups don't exist, so you probably won't be able to find one, but diabetics are generally quite supportive.

Original post by kerily

[*]Other people won't understand and will just think you're greedy. Tell them you're diabetic; you're not, but it's a similar enough condition that they'll shut up.


What's the difference, please?
Reply 28
Original post by OU Student
What's the difference, please?


Diabetics have too little insulin; people with congenital hyperinsulinism have too much.
Reply 29
no!
hey thanks for sharing an useful advices. iwill also take care all of this.
Disease: Malaria
Experience: In December 2007 I went to Nigeria for a couple of weeks to visit family. I took my anti-malarials before, during and after the holidays and had injections before I went. When I came back home in January I was fine, but then I started to experiece symptoms: extreme tiredness, bitter taste in my mouth, diahorrea and loss of apetite (I lost weight). Generally I felt very unwell and I just wasn't my normal self. I went to see several doctors several times, but they kept on telling me it was a narovirus (sp?) despite me telling them the symptons and telling them that I had recently been abroad. Eventually I was referred to have a blood test and then during the February half-term holiday the GP practice called saying I had to go to hospital because I had malaria. I was put on Chloroquine, then a day later I was discharged and given chloroquine tablets. Gradually I got better.

A bit of advice:

If you have been abroad recently to a country which is a malaria hotspot and you feel symptoms that are similar to flu, then go a see a doctor immediately and tell them that you recently went to a country which is a malaria hotspot. Even if you have been taking anti-malarial tablets and have been taking extra precautions, go to the doctor anyway, and try to have a blood test done. Be persistant, because doctors may still stay you have flu or narovirus.



Always remember: never ever take risks. Always take your anti-malarials if you are going to a malarial hotspot. Some people can get complacent or forget to take their pills. Don't. Malaria is treatable but it can kill, and it's easy to mistake for flu. It only takes one bite, and mosquitoes don't discriminate, so anyone can get it. Take responsibility. It is always better to be safe than to be sorry.



https://www.malariahotspots.co.uk/
Original post by Anonymous
Disease: Malaria
Experience: In December 2007 I went to Nigeria for a couple of weeks to visit family. I took my anti-malarials before, during and after the holidays and had injections before I went. When I came back home in January I was fine, but then I started to experiece symptoms: extreme tiredness, bitter taste in my mouth, diahorrea and loss of apetite (I lost weight). Generally I felt very unwell and I just wasn't my normal self. I went to see several doctors several times, but they kept on telling me it was a narovirus (sp?) despite me telling them the symptons and telling them that I had recently been abroad. Eventually I was referred to have a blood test and then during the February half-term holiday the GP practice called saying I had to go to hospital because I had malaria. I was put on Chloroquine, then a day later I was discharged and given chloroquine tablets. Gradually I got better.

A bit of advice:

If you have been abroad recently to a country which is a malaria hotspot and you feel symptoms that are similar to flu, then go a see a doctor immediately and tell them that you recently went to a country which is a malaria hotspot. Even if you have been taking anti-malarial tablets and have been taking extra precautions, go to the doctor anyway, and try to have a blood test done. Be persistant, because doctors may still stay you have flu or narovirus.



Always remember: never ever take risks. Always take your anti-malarials if you are going to a malarial hotspot. Some people can get complacent or forget to take their pills. Don't. Malaria is treatable but it can kill, and it's easy to mistake for flu. It only takes one bite, and mosquitoes don't discriminate, so anyone can get it. Take responsibility. It is always better to be safe than to be sorry.



https://www.malariahotspots.co.uk/


Will post my second experience soon...
Illness: Suicide Ideation

**I don't want to break the rules of the heath forum because I am discussing this. If I am breaking the rules then I do apologise in advance.**

**TRIGGER**

Experience: From when I was an infant, I was being physically, emotionally and verbally abused by my parents, particularly by my dad. I had had his dad (my paternal grandad) physically abuse me once when I was a todler, and I have also had my mum's mum (maternal grandmother) abuse me verbally and emotionally abuse me a few times before. Then she's also tried to blame me for my dad's anger and agressiveness. But my parents, particularly my dad, were the main perpetrators.

Anyway, I had been abused from when I was an infant. I don't want to get into it but so many negative things happened, so I was always living in a negative environment. Then I started being bullied (from year 3 to year 9) and so this made things worse. Over time I started to become very negative in my behavior, but much much worse in my way of thinking. Think of all the negative feelings you have and times that by a million. That's how bad I felt as a child.

Ultimately it was the abuse that led me to started feeling suicidal. I started to regularly feel suicidal at the age of 10/11...I started to get these strong urges of wanting to die and wishing I had never been born, and feeling the worst ways anyone could feel as a human being. I felt so lonely as I had no friends and no one there for me. And worse of all, my family wouldn't stop hurting me. I started thinking of ways to kill myself. I also suffered from extreme paranoia. I have even self-harmed a couple of times during my childhood. I also had a couple of nervous breakdowns (when I was 12 and 15). At the age of 17 I had had enough of life and even though the abuse had gradually died down, I still had the most negative thoughts and feelings in the world, there were still family problems, I felt the lowest of the lowest of the low so I attempted to kill myself.

Now I am 19 years old and trying to get my life back on track. Help and support has kept me going. From the age of 11 I started to confess to people what had gone on with my family. I've contacted agony aunts and organisations who have given me great advice. I also had counselling (in 2010 for two months and 2011 for two months). Now I am on the waiting list for CBT. I regularly have suicidal thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks from what happened. I sometimes feel like that littel girl who has just been seriously and severely hurt. I still feel the emotional pains and emotional scars from what happened.

Advice:

If you are being abused, or you know someone who is being abused, please please please tell someone you can trust. It is not acceptable no matter what and you shouldn't have to put up with it. I know how hard it is, but the sooner you tell someone the better. Don't bottle up your feelings.


If you are being bullied, please please please tell someone you can trust.

If you are feeling suicidal, tell someone you can trust immediately. You can call the Samaritans.


There are organisations such as the NSPCC or Childline that can offer you support. Also NAPAC can offer support.


If you regularly suffer suicidal thoughts then go to your GP and try to get them to refer you for therapy. Like some people have said on this thread, it is always best to try to work out what has caused you to feel that way - for me it was abuse.


Tell someone you can trust to remain confidential, and will not judge you, and will not justify what has happened to you. There is never any excuse for abuse. Try to have a strong support network in place, like a couple of friends who are caring and understanding about your situation.

Don't ever suffer in silence.

Reply 34
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Hi,
For sinus infection the best home remedy is, steam breathing by adding some pain balm in the hot water. You can do this process any time of the day. If the problem is daily then you can do weekly thrice.
Thanks jared, i hope you dont have allergic problem..try to consult Otolaryngologist
Reply 37
Original post by Aimee91
Name of condition: Underactive thyroid
Experience: Was really, really tired constantly even though at some points I couldn't go to college and was sleeping 20 hours a day.Hair and skin both became dry and my voice sounded as if I had a sore throat. Throat swelled up massivley.Always cold. Went to doctors and was tested for both underactive thyroid and glandular fever as they have similar symptoms. Test came back positive for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidim). Had to go to the hospital for test every 3 months for a year. Now have to have a blood test every three months and have to take tablets everyday for the rest of my life.Also massive weight gain. I gained about 3 stone even though I was sleeping all the time and therefore not eating, it also became much more difficult to lose weight until I was on a much higher dosage.

Personal advice to anyone (remember to keep this away from medical advice):

Go see a doctor as soon as you get any of these symptoms, the longer you leave it the more damage can be done. If you are positive for underactive thyroid try not to worry its only a case of tablets and blood tests not too bad. Remember that if you are on thyroxine and you start to feel symptoms again go back to the doctors and ask for another test, be insistent as they can be very dismissive, especially if your young. Once your on a steady dose try and keep your self awake as sometimes you just fall into a sleeping pattern and mistake it as a symptom. Useful website :http://www.btf-thyroid.org/


Hey, i know exactly what you went through! Im going through the same thing. I was wondering if you went to Uni, Im applying this year and i was wondering if i'd get DSA. Any ideas?
Original post by Anonymous
Name of condition: Compulsive Skin Picking aka Dermatillomania / CSP
This condition causes you to pick at skin excessively (mostly during times of stress/boredom) It includes picking at scabs,blemishes,skin imperfections...

Experience: Couldn t stop picking at my skin (pimples,blackheads,whiteheads...) This was ruining my life & my skin.

Personal advice to anyone:
If you cannot stop it by will power I STRONGLY advise you to get free help here: http://stoppickingonme.com/bb/
This is a mental illness that can lead to complications due to repeated infection.

You can see if you have this problem: Dermatillomania / CSP Test: http://www.ocdla.com/dermatillomania-compulsive-skin-picking-test.html

This disorder falls under OCD & self harm.You don t have to suffer,you can get free help.


Inositol With 5HTP helps,amazon has a Swansons large powder 227g box which is the cheapest,you can also get inositol prescribed by your doctor/find it at a health food store,inositol helps with OCD & depression.

Inositold helps with trichotillomania(complusive hair pulling)

Follow this plan to see if it helps you for trich or dermatillomania

http://www.trich.org/treatment/article-inositol-penzel.html

Note: Skin Picking can be a sign of Borderline Personality Disorder,a very painful & distressing personality disorder,the sooner treated the better,DBT wiating lists are VERRRY long!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder#Signs_and_symptoms
Reply 39
nice discussion..
i'm enjoyed in here.. :smile:
my basically : strep throat symptoms

i'm new in here, but i think can get many friends in this forum

:smile:

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