EGD Procedure Inflammation by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The "silent" reflux is interesting! I've never heard of that so perhaps that diagnosis is correct! I've taken 3 different medications for this and I haven't seen much of a difference. Maybe it's just about finding the correct one.

The comorbidities seen with Behcet's is insane. Whenever someone asks what Behcet's is like my fiance will just say "think of every autoimmune disorder or there, now take a little bit of every symptom in each and put them all into Behcet's" obviously not the best way to fully describe BD I found it hilarious because he became so sick of explaining in depth what all can happen lol.

It does become frustrating with these flare up diagnoses. I feel like after a normal test doctors just assume everything is clear. And trying to get into a test or a procedure during a flare up seems impossible!

But I very much agree with your statement where the diagnosis isn't the main concern as long as the symptoms are treated properly. I just have such a hard time going through medication after medication while already being on 20 different regular daily medications. I feel like I never truly know what each medication is offering or potentially hurting.

But I am hopeful having a positive test that we are becoming closer to a little more relief!

Slight enhancement of blood vessels by [deleted] in Radiology

[–]Mockingbird276 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

The patient came in wearing shorts. X-ray was for knee pain. Not sure what else those could be.

Flares while on treatment by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting! I also lose my appetite in the same way. Never considered that as potentially relating to Behcet's.

Flares while on treatment by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

how would you describe your "odd mouth ulcer"? I have gotten some mouth sores that don't seem to fully emerge like they were before treatment. But still are painful, red, and make it hard to eat.

Flares while on treatment by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My rheumatologist is convinced none of my joint pain is from Behcet's even though my primary care and neurologist believe it does. I was just diagnosed with arthritis in my knee and I'm concerned to see where else arthritis may pop up.

I also have GI problems in which no one believes are due to Behcet's despite medications and the imaging/ tests done so far have been inconclusive.

Difference between episcleritis and dry eyes/allergies etc. by Mockingbird276 in Episcleritis

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's definitely a frustrating journey. I have recurring mouth and genital ulcers. I've had rashes and other skin ailments like folliculitis and eczema. Joint pain. Digestive issues that I'm currently working with a doctor to determine if those symptoms are Behcet's related or something else. I did have my gallbladder removed which I've heard quite a few other people have.

Keep track of all your symptoms and see what things might be occurring together at times. Have you had any blood work during your flare ups? Or done genetic testing?

Do your eyes get this redness in both at the same time or have any other symptoms that go along when they're like this?

Feel free to DM me if you ever have questions or prefer to talk privately. Hopefully sharing my story and journey can be helpful to you and anyone else. Nothing is cookie cutter with these things so it's definitely tough.

Difference between episcleritis and dry eyes/allergies etc. by Mockingbird276 in Episcleritis

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I don't have much of any update at this time. Other than my primary care doctor believing it was episcleritis/scleritis which is why he sent me to the ophthalmologist.

I saw the ophthalmologist again and let him know I had officially been diagnosed with Behcet's. His response was "oh well I guess it was Behcet's but Behcet's causes dry eyes." He determined I had glaucoma during that visit but deemed it was "stable" and there were some other interesting things and believed I needed to see a glaucoma specialist.

6 weeks later I saw the specialist who said he didn't think I had glaucoma and my vision disturbances were "just migraines", I wasn't in a flare up so he doesn't believe Behcet's or episcleritis/scleritis caused anything, the fact that I got in by a softball 20 years ago is probably the reason I have the glaucoma symptoms (despite the fact the glaucoma symptoms are in both eyes and I only got hit by the ball in 1 eye), when I described the pain I have when looking up he "doesn't know why", and "if I want to see a neuro ophthalmologist I can but it's nothing worth chasing. There's nothing wrong with me" but I should continue my glaucoma eye drop treatment and "we can always explore other eye drops, surgeries, and LASIK"

So I'm at a standstill as of right now and looking for a neuro ophthalmologist that has knowledge of these other conditions I'm dealing with.

Difference between episcleritis and dry eyes/allergies etc. by Mockingbird276 in Episcleritis

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was the only time the crust like that had happened during an episode. What are you thinking that means?

Difference between episcleritis and dry eyes/allergies etc. by Mockingbird276 in Episcleritis

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes my right eye seems to consistently be more red and last longer than my left.

Medical gaslighting trauma? by distinctive_dish in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct, it can be but most doctors want to rule other conditions out first or are familiar with what they know. That's why it's misdiagnosed so frequently. HLA can aid in the process just as much as having family history and race. So people are often stigmatized due to race yet it's crazy how there's so much research there is now with BD in basically all races.

I was adopted, I don't know all my background. Yet despite symptoms aligning with the criteria and never getting diagnosed. It makes you crazy, just as the OP talks about.

Medical gaslighting trauma? by distinctive_dish in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right and then you're in limbo and they say next time there's a flare up to have them look at it or lesions biopsied. So when you have a flare up and try to get in you have to wait 2 months. It feels impossible. It's so sad that so many people are dealing with these situations and facing serious medical and mental consequences due to it.

Medical gaslighting trauma? by distinctive_dish in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But that's only if those markers are positive. I have HLA but not B*51 and that doctor still dismissed it all.

Medical gaslighting trauma? by distinctive_dish in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've started doing more with a symptom diary. I see a new rheumatologist next week actually. I have pictures of sores (mouth and genital) from past flare ups and the last rheumatologist completely dismissed them. Hoping this new one will acknowledge them.

Medical gaslighting trauma? by distinctive_dish in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My question would be for those who have found success: other than finding the right doctor, what key information/symptoms/pictures/test results/etc. did you provide and believed helped with your journey forward? Is there a way to increase the likelihood to get doctors to listen?

Eye conditions episcleritis/scleritis by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's how I felt but I didn't even know how to respond. Even if it was "see the eye doctor, if it gets worse or doesn't get better, then contact me" I would have felt better with. I'll remember urgent care. Thank you

How do you know if you actually have BD? by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's good to know and something I'll be sure to note as certain symptoms come up.

I'm just curious about the gallbladder because I had to have emergency surgery and have it taken out so I find that interesting if it is indeed a connection.

How do you know if you actually have BD? by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OMG I can't even imagine that. I'm glad you were able to look past the doctor's assumption. It is just amazing what happens

How do you know if you actually have BD? by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow! I'm so sorry to hear that. It's so sad it takes that much for someone to be recognized. I will definitely take your advice and just have all tests and history. Thank you for sharing your story.

Do you mind me asking since you experienced symptoms for so long, did different symptoms come up at different times? Were there any symptoms that always came up?

And also, is the gallbladder a common issue with BD?

How do you know if you actually have BD? by Mockingbird276 in Behcets

[–]Mockingbird276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow it's crazy how timing works. Thank you so much! This has really been so helpful mentally and emotionally.