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Concerns About Possible Leukemia Symptoms

As a 50-year-old Canadian male of Caucasian descent, I have some health issues that have recently caused me concern. I receive treatment with Invega Trinza every three months for schizophrenia and also have an inguinal hernia; I'm currently waiting for my surgery date from the hospital. I have noticed several symptoms that may be indicative of leukemia: 1. Approximately six months ago, a pink spot appeared on my chest. This spot has been recurring in the same location. Recently, I noticed a second pink spot that has persisted for the past two weeks. Additionally, there are three or four tiny red spots on my chest; they are quite small. I’m unsure if they blanch when pressed, but I don’t think they do. 2. During a routine health check-up eight months ago, a blood test revealed a slight imbalance in my white blood cells. While my doctor said it wasn’t alarming at that time, he requested a follow-up blood test six months later. However, I haven’t received any updates from him in three weeks since that follow-up was due. 3. In the last three weeks, I have experienced two significant inflammatory episodes. The first occurred under my arm, radiating pain throughout my chest and back. More recently, I suffered another painful inflammation in my thigh, which restricted my movement for two days, prompting me to visit the emergency room where I was given anti-inflammatory medications. 4. I have also been experiencing a concerning loss of appetite. I find myself only able to eat one meal a day, and I often leave food uneaten. There seems to be a disconnect between my mind encouraging me to eat and my body rejecting food entirely. 5. Over the past nine months, I've lost about 15 pounds. While this alone might not seem significant, my psychiatrist reduced my Invega Trinza dosage from 575mg to 375mg, which can result in weight loss since antipsychotic medications are commonly associated with weight gain. This could potentially explain my recent weight change. Given these various symptoms, do you think I should be particularly worried? I’ve scheduled an appointment with my family physician, but it’s not for another three weeks, and I am seeking a professional perspective as soon as possible. I appreciate any insights you can provide. Thank you!

LupusCrohn's DiseaseRheumatology
Male25-34
1 minute ago

Struggling with Ongoing Health Issues Since Fall 2024

Hello, everyone. I'm a 32-year-old man who used to pride myself on being fit and healthy, but that has changed significantly. Let me share my story. Back in July 2024, I had a brief encounter with someone who assured me they were disease-free. Just three days later, I began to feel extremely unwell, experiencing chills and a congested nose. This was unusual for me, as I rarely got sick. I went to an urgent care facility and underwent tests for COVID-19 and the flu; both returned negative results. I started to worry that I had contracted something serious. After some time, I decided to get a comprehensive STD panel done, which also came back negative. By the end of August, I had inexplicably lost 18 pounds without any effort. In September, things took a turn for the worse as I faced severe gastrointestinal issues, including urgent bowel movements accompanied by blood and mucus in my stool. This prompted me to schedule a colonoscopy, which ultimately diagnosed me with ulcerative colitis/proctitis. One morning, I experienced a sudden and drastic change in my vision. A visit to the eye doctor revealed no physical issues, with the explanation that vision changes are common as people age. I have since sought help from various medical professionals, yet no one has been able to provide an explanation for my symptoms. I've undergone countless STD tests, which returned negative results until recently. About a month ago, I received a positive result for HSV-1 from a blood test conducted by Quest Diagnostics, with an index score of 1.58. A subsequent test three days later showed a slight decrease to 1.38. Since that encounter in July 2024, I have not been in any intimate relationships. I opted for additional testing through Labcorp three more times, all of which came back negative. I feel like my health is deteriorating, and I have no clarity on what is happening to me. Medical staff seem puzzled as well. The only thing I am certain of is that I haven't felt the same since that one encounter. If anyone has any thoughts or insights to share, I would greatly appreciate your help. I'm feeling completely overwhelmed by this situation.

ArthritisCrohn's DiseaseThyroid Disorders
Male25-34
1 minute ago

Non-Asthmatic Breathing Difficulties: My Experience

**Seeking Insights on Persistent Breathing Dilemmas:** At 24 years old (assigned female at birth), I have a range of medical diagnoses and relevant information: * Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) * A hypermobility disorder that has not been specified * Chronic cluster headaches * A bicuspid aortic valve * Ulcerative colitis * Celiac disease * No background of generalized anxiety * Never smoked; I’ve dealt with these issues my whole life, and would never risk worsening them by engaging in habits that could damage my lungs. * This condition has been present in my life since I was around 10, dating back to 2009, so it is unrelated to anything like COVID, to my knowledge. # Sensations Experienced: * There is a constant feeling of not being able to take a complete breath; it manifests as a desperate need for air. * Even after deep inhalations, I don’t achieve that satisfying feeling associated with a full breath. The few times I do manage a satisfying breath, it can be uncomfortable, almost causing rib pain due to how much I have to expand my chest. * I often find myself huffing, yawning, or forcing air in a futile attempt to feel a sense of fullness in my lungs. * It can be alarming, resembling suffocation, even though I am indeed inhaling. * I experience jaw discomfort (I can only breathe through my mouth during these episodes; nasal breathing while my mouth is closed feels akin to being submerged underwater), rib tenderness, a dry mouth and throat, and throat pain altogether. * In severe episodes, I experience all of the above symptoms, plus lightheadedness, shakiness, and an overwhelming sense of distress. # Additional Clinical Details: * My oxygen saturation remains within the normal range during these episodes. * I have tried numerous inhalers, but none have provided any relief. * No abnormal sounds are detected in my lung assessments. * My respiratory rate may drop to around 6 breaths per minute during intense episodes but generally stays around 17. * I’ve explored countless remedies—cold and humidified air, hot and cold showers, resting or sitting—but nothing has produced long-lasting relief. * These episodes don’t appear to correlate with anxiety; I don’t experience anxiety, and so far, I haven’t identified any triggers, despite a decade of trying to do so. * Testing confirmed no environmental allergies, and I reside in an area known for its clean air quality, having lived here since I was 7. * Episodes can last from a few weeks to several months, and periods of remission can span a similar timeframe. * Various medications have not influenced the condition, positive or negative; I had this issue long before I started taking regular medications, and my experiences with different drugs have proven irrelevant. I am currently enduring one of the most severe flare-ups I’ve faced and the relentless feeling of air deprivation leaves me in a near-constant state of distress. Over the years, I have consulted multiple healthcare providers—though it’s been some time since my last visit—and the only response I receive is, “It’s not asthma,” before I’m dismissed. I’m not seeking to replace in-person medical advice, but rather looking for guidance on which path to take moving forward. Despite visiting the hospital numerous times and undergoing the asthma testing multiple times (around twenty instances of the classic birthday candle test), further investigations have never been initiated. It’s always concluded with, “If it’s not asthma, you must be fine.” In all my dealings with chronic illness communities, I have yet to encounter anyone with a similar experience. Perhaps my struggle stems from a lack of ability in concisely articulating my symptoms, which makes it difficult to connect with others who might have comparable conditions. If there’s anything I might be overlooking or needing to elaborate upon, please reach out. I’m hesitant to share my situation so publicly but feel a strong sense of urgency, and any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this, truly.

Shortness of BreathAllergy & ImmunologyPulmonology
Male25-34
41 minutes ago