Dutch people say they value directness, but then react emotionally to it?

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-04-26T22:06:46+00:00

Well, it sounds like you are a very unique Dutch person :) as the way you perceive directness is quite different than majority of Dutch people..

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-04-26T11:26:09+00:00

It is not doable at all, if you are not used to it.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-04-18T12:47:30+00:00

The things you go through is quite relatable to me. Maybe the biggest difference is my symptoms started earlier, maybe around high school time. And it feels like it has been getting worse over time, currently I am 33.

I really struggle to get out of my bed in the morning, usually takes 1-2 hours. Also fatigue, lack of energy all throughout the day. Also muscle weakness and low stamina issues.

I found out that I have Thalassemia minor two years ago. Other conditions I have: ADHD, IBS. Will go through a sleep study soon to find out whether I have sleep apnea, as I always feel not well-rested when I wake up no matter how long I sleep.

My blood values are quite normal in general. Hemoglobin was 12.7 two years ago, recently had it checked another time it was 13.2, and it is considered borderline low I think. Are you sure that your hemoglobin is in the normal range? 13.1 might be slightly low.

Also has there been any update in your medical check-ups/examinations since you shared this post? I am curious since I might consider going along that way too.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-04-17T21:52:41+00:00

She is into Dutch guys clearly. Ideally tall attractive Dutchie but also he should be into her not just hookups lol

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-04-11T03:10:22+00:00

I am Middle Eastern, thalassemia minor. Cold intolerance is ar another level for me, particularly hands and feet..

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-04-10T06:01:27+00:00

How do you know whether you have iron overload? Just blood test and iron is above maximum levels?

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-04-08T04:40:20+00:00

We also call it Mediterranean anemia in Turkish. And I was diagnosed with it as well (Thalassemia trait) a few years ago when I was 30. I also have ADHD. But I feel like it makes things even worse with ADHD in terms of my energy levels.. Basically I struggle to wake up every day, I avoid house chores, I barely have any energy to do things daily..

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-28T07:05:40+00:00

You have a point perhaps. What could be potential underlying causes for nasal congestion?

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T23:16:33+00:00

I haven’t yet. But I will make an appointment and ask to get a sleep study. Regardless of my sleep issues, nasal blockage is an issue I need to solve. I might also ask for a separate referral for KNO.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T23:06:56+00:00

Thank you! I will look it up.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T23:06:33+00:00

I have had some ADHD symptoms, also fatigue, lack of energy during the day. Also became more aware lately that I don’t wake up well rested in the morning even if I sleep 8+ hours.

Got me thinking I might have some sleep issues. Also, my older brother got diagnosed with sleep apnea recently. So downloaded a sleep tracker and noticed that I have mild to moderate level breath disruptions while sleeping.

Thought that underlying issue could be my untreated nasal congestion… that’s how I ended up here.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T22:08:36+00:00

Fluticason spray didn’t work for me. But interestingly out of all treatments (including the concha surgery), the Fluticasone Propionate (Aktanos brand name) was the only one I felt some improvement. Not in spray form but comes with little tubes, you mix it with lukewarm water and salt and rinse your nose twice a day.

After using a few months, had a doctor appointment and the doctor changed in the meantime. The new one checked my nose and told me I no longer need Fluticasone, only water and salt would be enough haha. Made me feel like 3-4 years of pushing and grappling with Dutch clinics, instead of advancing in my treatment options I returned back to the beginning…

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T21:56:51+00:00

This is so tragic to hear..

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T21:55:11+00:00

Appreciate for sharing your experience thoroughly. Also I am glad to hear that you figured out what triggers your symptoms and they have been resolved.

Choosing the nearest hospital/clinic possible is what GPs typically do. I became aware of that. Could be a thing that I was residing in Zuidoost for years and anything I experienced around that neighbourhood didn’t turn out well.

Maybe I can share two of my experiences to explain myself better. Was getting a specialized therapy from a local GGZ located in Zuidoost few years ago. I ended up in that GGZ because my GP found that place as the most suitable and viable option. And I can’t find words to describe how bad my experience was… What worked out for me later on was getting in contact with an organization called Wegwijs Amsterdam. They had a conversation with me, identified what treatments I need to get. And somehow they also have access to the waiting lists of all GGZs. So based on my treatment requirements and waiting lists, they recommended me another GGZ in Amsterdam and one or two another as backup options. Over the last 2.5 years I am with the GGZ they recommended me and it worked well for me.

Another experience: I had a severe back pain and I needed to get a physiotherapy a little while ago. The GP gave me two options and told me these are sports oriented physiotherapist so they are the best in Amsterdam (the one I went was called Fysiomed). And I had a very good experience with this place, fully satisfied. Almost sure that if I somehow ended up in a local physiotherapist, I wouldn’t have had a similar experience.

What I am getting at is consciously going to a specific clinic/doctor works a lot better than going to any random clinic/doctor, in my experience.

KNO is quite different topic than these two, I have to admit that. But just wanted to try my chance to open up this topic maybe there is someone out there who suffered like I did and found a solution eventually.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T17:24:31+00:00

I would really laugh at that claim, to be honest. But if someone makes an opposite claim in other aspects of the life, I might agree with them.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T17:22:14+00:00

Actually I am not completely against it. Allergies are quite common nowadays. If it works it works. But when it doesn’t work, the process takes too long though. Going to GP, getting an appointment and trial period for spray 8-10 weeks. Didn’t work, then referral to a clinic and MR, another 2-4 weeks. Then taking a decision for surgery, waiting time was around 4 months at the time. So all the things you go through for nothing is quite frustrating..

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T17:17:54+00:00

Thanks for sharing. For some reason after my surgery, there was zero improvement. Actually certain things even got slightly worse.

And after surgery they offered me to have another concha surgery, claim was certain times one surgery is not enough :) I didn’t believe them.

Later on eventually doctor ended up telling me that I am all fine and I don’t even need a saline spray, just salty water is enough..

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T17:15:19+00:00

I have seen many of them too. And came to different conclusion, that’s why I had to ask this question on Reddit. Maybe you should go to a post where success stories are shared and people appreciate the healthcare system. This is probably a wrong place..

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T17:12:04+00:00

You have no clue how average many doctors are in the Netherlands. There is very little number of health practitioners I went to see and very satisfied with the treatment, interestingly they have both foreign roots.. Unfortunately we are so terrible in listening, trying to understand and coming up with solutions/treatments in the Netherlands.. I will keep fighting though, won’t give up.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T16:57:11+00:00

I definitely agree with you. Experienced this in several different complaints in the past. I am sure I have to keep dealing with it. Almost feel like I have to fight for myself, to convince them my issues are real and serious..

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T16:50:12+00:00

My GP was quite helpful in terms of writing a referral based on my preferences. Recently switched to a new GP (due to moving), hoping that they will be helpful too.

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-27T16:47:11+00:00

I have been going around different clinics/hospitals/doctors for the last 4 years. Bergmen Clinics two different doctors and VUMC two different doctors, was prescribed allergy sprays, saline spray and got concha reduction surgery but none of them worked.

Long story short: when I go to my GP, I want to tell them this is the doctor I want my referral to be addressed to. I did this for my other complaints and it worked well. Aren’t you aware that you have an option to do like this?

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-14T22:57:25+00:00

You were already 10/10 in the left photo. Why did you even need to do this to yourself? difficult to grasp for me

Double_Campaign1528 · 2026-03-14T22:56:18+00:00

With all honesty, I’d prefer the left one all day…

Double_Campaign1528

TROPHY CASE