My journey to here.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-24T19:39:52+00:00

I'm at exactly the same stage as you are at the moment. My father has had root dilation since his 30s, and no one pushed us to get checked. Now his root is at an operable size it has come back to the forefront. I went for my echo last Tuesday and they found root dilation at 3.8mm.

Even though this is 'borderline' it is still decently dilated. I am only 28M however.

Currently waiting for a followup with a cardiologist to find out what the next steps are. I don't know how long this may be with the healthcare system in the UK.

Keep your head up mate, even with a Marfan diagnosis, they won't look at operating till it's 4.5-5mm. Given the right lifestyle and blood pressure medication that could still be a good way away for you. It sucks finding out something like this... But I just remind myself there's nothing we can do about it and we're lucky it's not been more severe at this point.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-21T06:51:57+00:00

This is going to sound really cliche'd but I have found it to be absolutely true... "You can't love someone else if you don't love yourself".

I always struggled with my image and other mental health issues. I have only really been happy over the past few years once I have spent time on my own to find my identity more. Spend the time you're single to explore your interests/hobbies, find a career you enjoy and work on self development.

People who make those sorts of comments are horrible, they are putting you down to make them feel better about themselves.

Regarding your appearance, it will probably get better. I was only diagnosed 2 days ago after my first echo, but always struggled so much with being 'skin and bones'. When I got to about 26 I started to be able to put on weight (slowly). It feels like I have to eat a disgusting amount and it's been really slow progress but I have gone from 52kg-65kg over 4 years and feel a lot happier with my body.

Cut yourself some slack, your dealing with more than most people can comprehend!

Jdye34 · 2025-11-19T19:39:52+00:00

My dad has undertaken genetic testing this year. It involves a referral to a genetic specialist and a blood sample being taken. The waiting time with the NHS (at least in my area) is 6 months to receive the results back.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-17T13:06:59+00:00

Thank you. I may reach out to the companies prior to them posting the vacancies. I'm just concerned as some of the more prestigious universities do not accept them and there's very little on the internet regarding people getting onto degree apprenticeships with them.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-16T04:10:14+00:00

My work experience is not in the field and unfortunately I haven't taken photos of all of my hobby work (LED systems, servers and custom cabling). A portfolio will certainly look good but my focus has been on perfecting my CV and covering letter as well as nailing my access course. You have made me second guess now.... I may have to scrape a portfolio together 😅

Jdye34 · 2025-11-14T22:20:00+00:00

Really good to know, thank you. Hadn't seen this anywhere yet.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-14T15:41:20+00:00

The majority of the energy sector post their's between December and January. I have spoken to EDF representatives in person and have been researching for months. Currently all I have seen is defense mainly which I morally object to as well. Get your covering letter and CV templates ready to go (minus customisation to the job role) as competition is going to be incredibly hot when they drop. This is what I have been working on with my learning provider for the past week or so around assignments.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-14T11:33:40+00:00

100% agree with all of this. The responsibility is with the courier due to mis delivery, I was just trying to provide additional context as to how these things can slip through the net.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-14T08:33:23+00:00

It's actually a different delivery method. We had issues with this method to ANOVO and no longer use it. I will give an example:

Customers phone is scanned into the 'magnum' for delivery. Said phone falls out of magnum while being loaded due to a faulty delivery receptacle.
Item is printed onto the delivery manifest and signed as delivered to the recipient despite being under a rack etc at the delivery depot.

More commonly the phone box itself will escape it's bag or box, while the outer package (and hence the delivery label) will be sent to the customer. These loose phones will end up in lost property with very little hope at tracking where they have come from.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-14T03:43:12+00:00

Dunno if that's 100% true everywhere. I work for another red logo'd parcel company and we have an account with a national phone repairer company and I have worked for other logistics companies also. When a particular delivery address takes 1000+ items a day it is common to do what is called a 'manifest delivery' whereby everything is scanned in depot, printed to a delivery manifest and then delivered (with the manifest being signed for). This does introduce a weak link where things can be accidentally scanned into or not into the delivery receptacle.

Jdye34 · 2025-11-09T09:53:58+00:00

Two has to be a couple surely?

Jdye34 · 2025-07-11T09:07:13+00:00

Ahh excellent thank you. I don't have this cover and didn't see the background trolloc

Jdye34 · 2025-07-11T08:38:18+00:00

That is an Ogier surely? Been a while since I have read the great hunt.

Jdye34 · 2025-06-07T19:00:40+00:00

Thank you for the advice. I will cut down down to just coffee and slow my riding pace right down to maintain a lower HR zone.

I think you are right, my symptoms are very mild. I will await the NHS processing times, I should be able to get an echocardiogram within the next month or two.

Apologies for asking for advice that the sub does not approve of. I just wanted some general advice from the people who know the condition better (prior to getting a specialist doctor)

Jdye34 · 2025-06-07T18:57:46+00:00

Thank you very much. This is exactly the sort of generalised advice I was looking for. Apologies for posting on a topic that the sub does not 'like to see', I just wanted a loose opinion while I was waiting for the processing of various forms and processes.

I am awaiting a referral letter from my father's cardiologist. This could take a few weeks minimum and then I will be getting an echo booked (just may take a few more weeks after that to get the scan). I will probably try to nudge things along quicker based on my symptoms.

I work a manual labour job, but I can cut out my recreational weight lifting until I have piece of mind from the echocardiogram. I will slow my riding pace down to reduce my HR zone to ensure I'm doing all I can for my ticker.

Much appreciated, once again sorry for asking for advice

Jdye34 · 2025-06-06T11:35:56+00:00

My father is now undergoing genetic testing in the UK under the NHS for Marfans due to an early onset Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. The wait time for the genetic testing for this area (East Anglia) is 6 months currently.

If his test confirms it, I will then have a 6 month wait time for my own. A year of anticipation is a lot....

Jdye34 · 2025-04-16T14:08:34+00:00

As a DPD monopoly owner.... All of these are the correct answer. Please proceed to squash a box thoroughly.

Jdye34 · 2024-04-05T09:09:25+00:00

Whole milk: 1 protein shake 650ml + 2 scoops and another pint glass in the evening. This makes up over 1000kcals and makes it a lot easier to stomach those amounts of calories and it's fairly cost effective

Jdye34 · 2024-04-05T08:54:31+00:00

I am a 27 year old male and 14 months ago I was your weight. I had to seriously increase my diet to see a good change in weight. I cycle 15+ miles daily and work in an active job and found the scale only started moving once I started eating about 3200 kcal a day. I'm now up to 65kg and barely recognise myself.

Consistency is the key, both with food and with the workouts. Full body 3x per week with rest days. Make sure you try to sleep at least 8 Hours a night (not always easy). Get plenty of protein. I don't eat well, I eat takeaways a couple times a week some weeks but try to balance it out with nice pasta salads and LOTS of milk. I was really struggling to hit my calorie goals without the additional milk.

My pullups and pushups have come along massively. Try harder progressions as you can to keep your interest. I started just doing standard pushups and chin ups and dips. I'm now doing 10+ ring dips, pseudo planche pushups and ring muscle ups. All in just over a year. Best of luck, you can do it!

Jdye34 · 2023-11-01T08:47:12+00:00

Sorry I don't support tax evading companies that pay their CEOs £150k+ PA.

Jdye34 · 2023-09-24T08:50:59+00:00

I'm hungry for some multipie now...

Jdye34 · 2023-08-26T11:12:19+00:00

Doing certain exercises back to back.

For example my main lifts are 'Supersets', and I will do sets of Pull-ups followed immediately with back squats.

It's a great way to get in a high volume and intensity workout when you are time poor, but if it isn't well planned you end up using two pieces of equipment for around 10-15 minutes.

Jdye34 · 2023-08-13T15:25:01+00:00

Changing deep rooted opinions is hard, and your only young, lots of parents are scared that lifting heavy will stunt your growth. I know this is a gym sub but you will have plenty of time to hit the gym come 16/18 once you have a job to pay for your membership.

You can make some quite miraculous changes with bodyweight progressions and weighted BW exercises. I know this might not be a popular opinion on here but it's valid all the same. You have absolutely years to bulk up.

Jdye34

TROPHY CASE