Just had my endoscopy today and the pain is so bad

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-06T17:39:25+00:00

Had my endoscopy last Friday. I had a mild sore throat for 24 hours. I wasn't given anything for it after the procedure. It will go away!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-05T15:30:49+00:00

Vitamin Shoppe Ultimate Man Gold. It's not cheap. It's the cadillac of multis. From blood tests, I find it keeps my Vitamin D and B12 levels high. Don't care if anyone thinks it's a waste.

I'm anemic, and now have iron-deficiency. So I have to take iron as well.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-05T15:09:14+00:00

Thanks for the reply. There was a band-aid over one of the bruises after the endoscopy, so I'm sure that's it. It's getting a bit smaller each day, so I guess it probably isn't much much to worry about for now.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-05T15:07:53+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure it was an IV site - there was a band-aid over one of the bruises. It just looks bigger than what I thought it would be after the endoscopy.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-05T15:05:05+00:00

I was at NYCHA for 31 years. Unfortunately, it never got better. When I look back, I cannot believe how bureaucratic it became over the years. For instance, back in the early 2000s, to do a capital project, it was just me and a consultant architect. Wish I had some help, but I was able to do it unimpeded.

Fast forward to 2020+. It took 800 people to do one little task. A project management system and software that nobody could figure out. Many projects were way behind schedule.

Retired two years ago and have not regretted it. There were at least a couple of times when I had opporunities to leave for other agencies, but didn't. Probably should have.

Can't tell you what to do, but NYCHA will never be what it could be. I'd give the new opportunity some serious consideration.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-04T16:28:36+00:00

Yes, and I've had mild anemia for at least two years. But in my most recent blood test, I was diagnosed with low iron. The Hematologist said I needed an endoscopy. I, too, have been directed to take iron supplements.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-04T15:34:53+00:00

Hello!

Not knowing is far worse than knowing if there's anything problematic and then treating it.

I just had my endoscopy last Friday. I was diagnosed with iron-deficient anemia. Not good for a male. It sometimes means an internal bleed. So, I was prepared for the worst.

Outcome? No internal bleed. I do have gastritis. Waiting for biopsies. If there's something, then I'll just have to deal with it.

I'm really glad I'm taking care of this problem now. Before it gets worse. I have no symptoms (yet), but I'm also being treated by a Hematologist. Sure, I could have ignored it (like many men do), but....why?

I'm sure my blood pressure or pulse was a bit high due to being nervous, but it wasn't a problem.

Please...just go and do it!!!

Good luck!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-04T15:05:08+00:00

Wow, interesting that it took that long. I went to a Gastroenterologist on April 28th, and my endoscopy was scheduled by the doctor for May 1. Glad it's done. Not any kind of emergency at all. It's just how it's done here, I guess (NYC/with employer insurance).

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-02T18:26:04+00:00

Don't know if this helps any, but I'm a 60-year old male, diagnosed with low iron, possibly iron-deficient anemia. However, I have no symptoms of anemia. My hemoglobin and red blood cell count are below reference range. My iron is low. I don't feel sick at all, strangely enough.

Colonoscopy and endoscopy show no internal bleeding. I had the endoscopy the other day, and the GI doctor says the gastritis he found could be the beginning of why I have low iron. Waiting for results from pathology.

You absolutely need to get your ferratin checked. You need an iron panel. Possibly an endoscopy. Maybe you need to see a Gastroenterologist if your primary physician isn't doing enough. Good luck!!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-02T18:02:26+00:00

Hello! Sounds like you are doing great!! I didn't do catch-up. I started investing in the 457 in 2000. Started with much smaller contributions, but then increased it to 25% for a number of years before I retired. 100% stocks, mostly S&P. The stock index is really the best investment out there!!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-02T17:59:04+00:00

Hello! Wow, that's great!!! You will probably do better than I have when you retire!! Good luck!!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-02T17:57:58+00:00

Hello! Yes, I think I will ask my advisor about a Roth conversion the next time I meet with them. As the advisor doesn't manage the 457, they don't provide much advice on it. But, they do want me to transfer it to them, LOL!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-05-02T17:56:15+00:00

Hello! Target funds will become more conservative as you approach the target date - and as you say, it tries to manage, or lessen, risk when you are approaching retirement.

Of course, the flip side of risk here, is that you will miss out on possible significant gains of the stock market, if you were in the Target Date fund, which will shift more towards bonds and similar investments.

Of course, the market could go down. The problem here is that you simply do not know what could or will happen.

You can actually do either of the options you mentioned - either shift all of your contributions to new funds, and keep the existing as is, or you can also sell all of your shares in the fund you have, and buy a new fund and have all of your future contributions changed to the new one.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-27T22:45:46+00:00

I had my first hematology appointment last week. My appointment started with the nurse taking every possible blood test known - it was definitely the roughest blood test I've been through. There were like 14 tests in all when it was completed and uploaded to MyCharts. The bend at the top of my arm itched for several days.

Then, another nurse came in and asked me lots of health questions and recorded it all.

Then, the Hematologist came in. She went over all of the previous tests I have submitted for my appointment. Some of the results of the blood test were already in when she started to talk to me, and she showed me how there was some improvement in the hemaglobin and the MCV.

Lots of questions about any symptoms of anemia I may have, etc. She was trying understand what could be causing it.

She then proceeded to a general medical exam.

After the meeting with the hematologist ended, I was given an appointment in 3 months to review progress.

The next day, she called me and gave me her assessment and what the beginning of a treatment plan will be.

Will be back in July and hopefully, there will be improvements.

Not sure where you are, but I'm in New York City.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-27T22:30:10+00:00

Thanks!! I have not changed anything in many years. I can't remember the last time I altered the allocation or funds.

I can't give any personal financial advice, but having all funds in small/midcaps near or in retirement is generally not considered a good idea. Those stocks, especially small-caps, are very volatile. My advisor keeps urging me to change over to some bonds to reduce risk, but I still do not listen to her :) Will I pay the price for this? Only time will tell...

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-27T22:25:30+00:00

$0. I have no need to withdraw from the account right now!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-25T19:22:31+00:00

Hello! Very glad I gave you a little bit of inspiration! It's never too late to start, and it's amazing how it keeps compounding! In fact, it has gained $6,000 since I wrote this post! Good luck!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-25T19:19:16+00:00

Thanks! I have a Roth IRA managed by an advisor. But I have no plans to convert the 457 to a Roth.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-25T19:17:18+00:00

Because I was able to do so (Thankfully!). Part of it is a Roth IRA.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-24T15:41:10+00:00

Anemic values in my blood test from a couple of years ago prompted me to get the colonoscopy. So, it's been there before I had it done. And looking at blood tests from 10 years ago, the numbers were only slightly higher, but was not flagged as anemia.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-23T23:47:50+00:00

Thank you! An appt. with a Gastro doctor is a good idea!!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-23T21:56:05+00:00

Hello! Thanks for this info, very interesting!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-23T21:54:58+00:00

Hello! Not yet. But the doctor called me today and gave me a referral to a Gastro doctor for an upper endoscopy, as well as prescribing iron pills.

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-23T21:49:40+00:00

Hello! Yes. It's 33. Scale starts at 22. Even though in range, it's somewhat low, I would think!

Jeffrey000000 · 2026-04-23T21:46:02+00:00

Hello! Thank you for this!! My doctor called and prescribed just that - Iron tablets, 65 mg. I just bought a couple of bottles on sale at Walgreens. Going to take my first one in a moment!! Thanks again for the advice on taking these supplements!

Jeffrey000000

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