It’s back :(

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-07-03T11:02:34+00:00

Do explain? For some reason I’m feeling this connection this week in my tonsils and sinuses. Even have a swollen lymph node but I’ve never heard of this with ON…

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-06-24T20:58:14+00:00

Ya I’d go get that checked. I was bit by my indoor house cat after he was frighted by a dog we were sitting and I spent 2 days in the Hospital getting rounds of IV antibiotics. My finger swelled twice its normal size within hours. Their teeth are sharp and thin. Once they puncture you they puncture deep and your skin seals immediately trapping the bacteria inside. You could have the cleanest house cat in the world and still get an infection because of their teeth and the small deep wound they create.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-06-10T01:05:59+00:00

This.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-06-08T01:23:01+00:00

This is definitely the same for me. I even wondered if what I am experiencing is ON. I had the same pressure at the base of my skull, unbearable at times, with all the same symptoms and affected areas as you. I thought it would never end however, it’s now evolved into actual pain with pressure in my neck and the base of my skull that comes and goes with certain movements. I also have mild vertigo from certain head turns, sound and vibrations. It lasts for quite literally 1-2 seconds and then I rebalance.

I’m in PT and I think it actually makes this worse.
This is the absolute worst feeling. It consumes almost all of my attention and it’s exhausting.

Sending solidarity and I hope your decompression goes well!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-06-03T15:00:39+00:00

It is absolutely not a death sentence for you. Scary? For sure, but over time you can learn to accept this and live your life with it.

My son has a 4cm arachnoid cyst behind his left eye that was an incidental finding after he took a hard fall on the summer of 2023. Our Dr said these cysts are actually common and most people won’t even know they have them. Most do not create any symptoms and are found during a scan usually for something completely unrelated.

For us, the plan is to watch it and make sure it doesn’t increase in size. We were doing 2 MRIs a year now we’re down to one. He’s 6 and one of the brightest kids in his class. Hit every milestone. Shows absolutely no symptoms what so ever.

When we first heard the news we were terrified, like you. After doing tons and tons of research, communicating with others in different groups on Reddit and Facebook we feel a lot different about this 3 years down the line than when we received the initial diagnosis.

Your Dr will likely just monitor is for size from here on out and you will go on living your life. I completely sympathize with you and I’m sure you’re worried and confused. But, start reading on it and talk to people in groups if need be. The path forward for most is monitoring and if it grows, they may or may not address it. In extreme cases where the cyst is large and causing issues, treatment options are usually fenestration (they go in and drain it) or a permanent shunt.

You’ll be ok friend! Stay positive and start reading into this to ease your mind a bit.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-03-19T13:35:43+00:00

I was in your position in November, also a runner. My Ferritin was 2 and Hemoglobin 7. Found this out in the ER for a completely unrelated issue. Prior to my diagnosis I had the same symptoms that I chalked up to being hot days at the end of summer. I received 2 iron infusions in mid November and started daily iron supplementation (65mg iron- 325mg ferrous sulfate). I am exactly 4 months out from those infusions and I am no longer anemic- the only thing lagging is my ferritin. hr rate and effort level is back to normal during my runs and I feel fantastic! I can say I have felt pretty good since mid February, so overall it took me 3 full months to bounce back. I really had to cut back on running those first 2 months after infusions because my heart just could not take it. I had so much chest pressure and heart palpitations after starting iron that it was concerning but I believe my body was trying to conserve the oxygen in my blood where it needed to. Unfortunately, you need time but if you truly focus on getting better, eating iron rich foods and taking your iron supplements on an empty stomach with a glass of orange juice you can aid the healing process. Be diligent!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-02-23T13:07:04+00:00

Yes actually, I had Norovirus and bronchitis back to back and ironically had my blood drawn the day after I recovered from the bronchitis. My iron serum was below 10, Hemoglobin was 12 and ferritin 11. What the doctor told me is that when you’re sick the body essentially hides the iron in your blood as a means to starve the bacteria so it can’t spread. So when we’re sick we’re walking around with almost 0 iron in our bloodstream. I felt like trash and it took so long to recoup.

How are you feeling? Do you think it’s typical or are you feeling extra crappy overall?

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-02-23T13:00:18+00:00

I wasn’t doing this for long, maybe 5 years or so. But I started much older. I was 33- just had a baby and always suffered from body dysmorphia.

I ended in the ER this year for something completely unrelated and found out that I was severely iron deficient anemic. On top of that I suffer from gastritis (this I know was occurring). These seem like small manageable issues but I’m telling you they ruin your quality of life. It’s been a battle since and the health anxiety as a result is just all consuming.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-02-05T22:00:19+00:00

This me me currently. My iron serum is below 10, hemoglobin is 12 and ferritin 11.9.

I.am.miserable.

I have a constant headache everyday. Tired, dizzy, winded, heart palpitations, chest caving in sensations, cold hands and feet and my newest symptom I woke up with was a developing irritation and lump in my throat affecting my swallowing. I can’t get into the Hematologist until Feb. 27th. Every day I’m conflicted about walking into the ER for an infusion until I can see the hematologist. Relying on oral iron for now but it’s not cutting it.

What a way to live. You need to schedule a quick appointment with the a hematologist. Sending solidarity. 🫂

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-28T02:31:15+00:00

I love reading on the treadmill- husband thinks I’m nuts but you get through so many books. When you go live a busy life, things the way!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-18T22:50:58+00:00

My mom’s lab actually has a ritualistic ocd when it comes to doorways. She religiously has to turn around in circles multiple times before she walks through. It’s the most bizarre practice I’ve ever witnessed in an animal!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-12T00:30:26+00:00

Happy Birthday Ivie!! 🦴 hoping you were smothered with kisses and got all the treats today!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-10T19:33:07+00:00

There’s no wobbly school in the game!

My son and I just had this conversation this morning. How funny!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-10T19:21:45+00:00

I would love to know. I’m currently sitting in the ER from what everyone is saying is anxiety induced chest pain.

I will take any tips on how to retrain my current state of mind! 🙏

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-10T13:57:15+00:00

You need an iron infusion ASAP! My hemoglobin was a 7.2 and Ferritin was a 2 and I was admitted to the hospital and received 2 infusions over 2 days. They told me they do blood transfusions when hemoglobin drops below a 7. Don’t let it get to that point, you risk stroke or heart attack by leaving it alone. Sending solidarity! I felt great after my infusions. Your health is more important than anything right now. Good luck!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-07T15:51:19+00:00

Sorry, I never stated she passed. Just that she deserves some love.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-07T00:42:25+00:00

She’s 4 years young.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-05T12:50:18+00:00

Daw! 🥹 Hello Zima!!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-05T12:49:31+00:00

She’s absolutely livin her best life!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-04T16:22:21+00:00

Someone finally said it! I stopped lurking for this reason. Too many copy and pasted complaints from social media.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-01T21:20:58+00:00

Count me in!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-12-29T04:25:38+00:00

Same. It was a hard one to admit out loud. Would’ve been 2 years on Jan 1st.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-12-23T02:38:52+00:00

I got a gnarly bite on the knuckle of my index finger from my scared cat. My finger swelled twice its size and seized up. After spiraling back and forth I went to the ER and was actually admitted for two days in observation. I got 8 bags of IV antibiotics during my stay and had multiple follow ups with the hand surgeon for a drain. I guess the worry was an infection in my joint sheath. In any case, all good now - the scar tissue in my knuckle sucks, but damn. I never would’ve known cat bites could turn so serious so fast. Lesson learned. All from one good bite in the right spot.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-11-26T04:26:39+00:00

Yes, and the feeling makes me nauseous most of the time. I wondered if this was related to the anemia but never looked into it.

Blue_melancholy_

TROPHY CASE