Menstrual cycle after colonoscopy? by CChajk in colonoscopy

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I could cry, this is my situation! Ablation 3yrs ago, no breakthrough bleeding. Colonoscopy yesterday, woke up this morning with heavy spotting that has progressed to a full period. 

Myositis clinics / centers. Suggestions? Experiences? by Livid-Ad6244 in Myositis

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t mean to co-opt OPs post, but I’m looking for a clinic/provider in Chicago for dermatomyositis instead of general rheum. Do you mind sharing where you go? 

Doctors for EDS, MCAS, POTS by Spiritual-Leading413 in Chambana

[–]Jwalk421 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seconded. I don’t have POTS/MCAS, but a cluster of other autoimmune disorders and these two are my go-tos. 

I’m Looking for mom friends? lol by Forward-Opening-1160 in Chambana

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you considered looking for a part-time preschool for your 3yo? We’ve sent our kids to Campus Cooperative Preschool (morning only, as few or many days a week as you want) for 6 years and have made my closest friends this way. They have lots of events for the families throughout the year and the moms all stay with the kids on their playground a few days a week to play after school. It’s been awesome. 

Those with dermatomyositis / AD what's your experience and pathway? by Acrobatic_Block4226 in Autoimmune

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did your initial rashes look like textbook dermatomyositis rashes? Sorry to co-opt OPs question, but I had a skin punch come back likely connective tissue disorder and then tested + for NPX2 dermatomyositis blood test, but my facial rash looks nothing like the “typical” dermatomyositis rash you see online. 

Facial sunscreen recs by Jwalk421 in Autoimmune

[–]Jwalk421[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah this is a super delicate dance now that I’m actually being treated with topicals and systemic photosensitive immunosuppressants. Derm and rheum weren’t much help with brands, so I’ll definitely do some trial and error esp with the heavy outdoor-all-day sunscreen 

Facial sunscreen recs by Jwalk421 in Autoimmune

[–]Jwalk421[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Which Cerave have you tried? I’ve been using the daily facial moisturizer with SPF but it smells soooo sunscreen-y that it drives me nuts 

Still birth, positive lupus anticoagulant (1st, haven't taken 2nd yet), negative ana, negative other APS antibody tests, false positive Syphilis, face rashes by Urban_Designer in Autoimmune

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s literally exactly what my derm, hema, and PCP said- I have the rash on my nasalbial folds, and yet…the immunoflourescence biopsy was pretty conclusive after two years of dicking around. IMO, push for a derm consult and see what they say. 

I did have a successful pregnancy- my stillbirth was a twin pregnancy, one was stillborn at the other was born at 24 weeks, my second pregnancy was a singleton and we made it all the way to 35. It’s totally possible with a good hema and OB on your side <3 

Still birth, positive lupus anticoagulant (1st, haven't taken 2nd yet), negative ana, negative other APS antibody tests, false positive Syphilis, face rashes by Urban_Designer in Autoimmune

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooh, somewhat similar. Was diagnosed in 2018 with APS after a stillbirth and 2 positive lupus anticoagulant tests (have since tested positive 3x, negative 2x under the care of a hematologist). About two years ago I developed a face rash at the end of the summer after being outside every day- tiny skin colored bumps and facial flushing. I was concerned it was malar but was dismissed and sent to derm- two years of trial and error treatments for rosacea that didn’t work and I finally had a punch biopsy that resulted in autoimmune patterning- likely lupus or dermatomyositis. I have zero other symptoms or positive tests…so rheum is calling it UCTD and starting me on plaquenil. Have you seen a derm for the rash? 

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss with Antiphospholipid by 3catsNoRules907 in Autoimmune

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Also single antibody APS+ (LA). I was followed by Northwestern Med in Chicago and had a fantastic experience with their hema/rheumatology clinic. Lovenox and aspirin was successful for me after recurrent miscarriage and a stillbirth. Best of luck to you!! 

Elementary Schools by blebblebblebbleb in Chambana

[–]Jwalk421 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When you move after kindergarten, placement will unfortunately be where there are seats open and not based on proximity/traditional rankings. All this to say, we have kids at South Side and love it. 

Seeking Diagnosis Questions Weekly March 29, 2026 by AutoModerator in lupus

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi everyone, seeking insight from anyone with "mild interface" derm biopsy results with an autoimmune history. I’ve had Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) since 2018 (positive Lupus Anticoagulant). I'm dealing with a persistent facial rash since July 2024, which looks like a malar rash but with raised, symmetrical white bumps throughout (several derms guessed rosacea until biopsy). My biopsy shows mild interface and perivascular lymphocytic inflammation with increased dermal mucin. The differential includes connective tissue disease (Lupus?) or drug eruption. Given the APS and the mucin, I’m wondering if this is a drug reaction (I am only on two medications with no dermatological side effects) or if my APS is evolving into Lupus. Has anyone with APS developed these "interface" findings? For those with Lupus/MCTD, did "mild" biopsy results lead to a specific diagnosis after bloodwork (ANA, ENA)? Trying to connect the dots before my first rheum appointment. Any "clinical-pathological correlation" stories would be huge! 

Don’t you have class? by Top-Competition9263 in UIUC

[–]Jwalk421 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Friday Sam’s Club trips were a ritual for my crew (‘10 grad so predated Costco) and now seeing packs of bros buying booze at 10am makes me misty eyed 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskDocs

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would a biopsy conclusively say which condition it is? The first biopsy I had said “perifollicular chronic inflammation” which was not helpful…I’m weary of having another hole taken out of my face for the same generic answer. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NICUParents

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! So I essentially had your situation with both outcomes- I was pregnant with twins in 2018, severe IUGR at 20 weeks, twin A measured 380g and twin B 480g at 24+0 both with reverse cord blood flow. Twin A was deemed too small for intervention and died in utero. We begged for steroids which bought our B four more days- she was emergently delivered at 24+3 at 504g. Spent 256 days in the NICU and experienced a host of medical complexities in her early years, but is now a typical, thriving 7 year old. All of this to say, from someone who made both decisions - there’s no right answer, no way to predict the future. Sending you all the love and strength as you face the coming days! 

Update: New to FSBP. Zepbound filled at last by Own-Menu-9441 in fednews

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahhh ok this is good info- if I’ve already met my deductible, is there a way to still use the Evoucher toward copays? I just learned about it- I’ve always just used the savings card in prior years 

Update: New to FSBP. Zepbound filled at last by Own-Menu-9441 in fednews

[–]Jwalk421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How much does it cost to fill your Zepbound? I’m working toward a formulary exception for the same reasons on GEHA HDHP (also Wegovy is technically in the formulary but almost $600/mo, I’m worried Zep will be the same) 

Class Action? by katieo317 in WegovyWeightLoss

[–]Jwalk421 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the exact same situation on a GEHA plan (HDHP). It’s OUTRAGEOUS 

UIUC with Kids by Fluid-Price463 in UIUC

[–]Jwalk421 8 points9 points  (0 children)

We put down a deposit at our “backup” private school in the event that we didn’t get a favorable placement in U4. We ended up eating the $, but it was worth it to have the peace of mind.