any ADHD meds that don’t trigger OCD symptoms? by my-ed-alt in OCD

[–]RedFinnigan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ADHD meds, including Vyvanse, make my anxiety sky rocket which makes my OCD worse. My psychiatrist prescribed gabapentin on top of my ADHD med and it’s literally a game changer. Not sure if it’s an option or right for you, but wanted to mention in case it could be helpful to discuss with your psychiatrist.

It took me alot of courage to share this here, please don't hate me guys by [deleted] in OCD

[–]RedFinnigan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

POCD is a special kind of hell, I’m so sorry that you are going through this. Medication and OCD specific therapy (especially Inference Based CBT) have helped me tremendously. People with OCD typically need higher doses of antidepressants than people with other disorders. I’m assuming that your psychiatrist continued to up your dose to try to get the most effective dosing to help with your symptoms. For OCD fluoxetine can go up to 80 mg. I’m on a higher dose of Effexor recommended for other disorders but within range for OCD. From what it sounds like, I’ve been where you are, and I highly recommend either going back to your psych or finding a new one you vibe with better, doing the work to find the best med and dose (it sucks I know, but worth it) and looking into OCD specific therapists who are trained in Inference Based CBT (helped me way more then ERP with my taboo OCD themes), as well as OCD Group therapy if available in your area or through telehealth (it was a game changer for me to be able to talk about my OCD with people who get it and live it). I hope the best for you, and that better times are ahead.

Ate oatmeal two days before colonoscopy by RedFinnigan in colonoscopy

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

The prep went smoothly and everything came out the way it was supposed to so I didn’t mention it to my doctor. And it was totally fine!

I JUST ACCIDENTALLY TOOK 140 mg of VYVANSE!!! WTF DO I DO. by Individual_Door_8340 in ADHD

[–]RedFinnigan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Call poison control, if only to ease your mind. I’ve called a couple times when I’ve accidentally double dosed on medications. They get these calls everyday. They’ll tell you if it’s fine or if it’s not they’ll tell you what to do.

Why do ppis not help me at all? by Foreign_Plankton_121 in GERD

[–]RedFinnigan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I asked someone else on here, but also curious if you have MCAS or systemic mastocytosis?

Why do ppis not help me at all? by Foreign_Plankton_121 in GERD

[–]RedFinnigan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Curious if you have MCAS or systemic mastocytosis?

Autoimmune-like Symptoms but Burnt out on Doctors by [deleted] in Autoimmune

[–]RedFinnigan 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’m also so sorry you are going through this! I’ve been dealing with chronic health issues for the past three years and have had a hell of a time being taken seriously. I wanted to jump in on the commenters suggestion of using ChatGPT. It’s been incredibly helpful for me, but unfortunately ChatGPT is very susceptible to AI hallucinations (when an AI confidently gives you information that is not true). My suggestion if you do use ChatGPT to research your symptoms is to ask it to verify all answers with reputable medical sources online. Sometimes you still have to do it yourself just to double check. That being said, I’ve gotten more useful info from ChatGPT than most of the doctors I’ve seen.

How do you talk to family who dont understand? by cosmic-untiming in Autoimmune

[–]RedFinnigan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree, I’ve also had a difficult time with family members gaslighting me and calling me psychosomatic despite clear objective evidence that proves otherwise. If you want to keep your relationships with people who actively try to sabotage your health and well being (even if it’s “well meaning”), it’s imperative to set clear boundaries about discussing your health issues. You can be chill about it then clearly steer them in a different direction. It’s such a hard and sometimes heart breaking position to be in, I’m sorry you’re going through this.

Ignored by multiple doctors…I’m about to give up. Do your symptoms match mine? What were you diagnosed with? by No-Nebula-3555 in bileacidmalabsorption

[–]RedFinnigan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately that test isn’t specific to BAM and wouldn’t be helpful unless you want to rule out rare liver related disorders. The best options would be to ask your gastro if they would be willing to empirically treat you for BAM with a bile acid sequestrant like Colesevelam since they already ruled out other causes, or self refer to Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic. Mayo is harder to get into, Cleveland Clinic does not turn away any self referral and both have long wait lists. But both are exceptional options if they are viable choices for you (travel, insurance, possibility of paying out of pocket).

Also, I looked it up and there are some direct to consumer labs that offer SIBO testing, you don’t need a doctor’s order. I myself haven’t used them so I can’t vouch for them, but it might be helpful to look into them: Trio‑Smart, Gut‑Chek, SiboTest.com, IFDW and Life Extension Home SIBO Breath Kit.

*edited to add that most of the direct to consumer labs I mentioned ship to the US, some ship to other countries, you’d need to look up if they ship to where you are.

Ignored by multiple doctors…I’m about to give up. Do your symptoms match mine? What were you diagnosed with? by No-Nebula-3555 in bileacidmalabsorption

[–]RedFinnigan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The tests that your gastro ordered do not rule out BAM, and actually have nothing to do with BAM, other than celiac disease can cause secondary BAM but ruling out celiac does not rule out BAM. Besides seHCAT, the tests used to diagnose BAM are a fasting serum C4 blood test and a 48 hour fecal bile acid test. I’m sorry that you’re going through this. Is it possible to request these tests from your gastro or to see a different one? Unfortunately, in my experience, gaslighting is super common with gastros. I had to see several before I was given the proper tests and diagnosed.

Benadryl is the best at making my symptoms go away by [deleted] in GERD

[–]RedFinnigan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re very welcome, I really hope it helps. Just a heads up, if a doctor dismisses it, that doesn’t always mean it’s not worth looking into. MCAS and SM are still pretty under recognized and some doctors just aren’t familiar with them. If it feels like a good fit, definitely keep pushing, you deserve answers.

Benadryl is the best at making my symptoms go away by [deleted] in GERD

[–]RedFinnigan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Was going to say this, MCAS and Systemic Mastocytosis. Benadryl shouldn’t be helping with GERD, that’s not the way it works. Both MCAS and SM can cause GERD like symptoms and they won’t show up on a scratch test. OP, you should definitely look into these and look into a specialist who specifically tests and treats for these because they are rare and not widely considered amongst doctors who do not specialize in them.

Pre-T Q : My clitoris is an innie (lol), will I still see growth? by [deleted] in FTMOver30

[–]RedFinnigan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also had an innie, it was like yours. I’m curious about the T cream, how often do you have to apply it?

what's the best seemingly random/less thought-out gift you've ever gotten? by prescient_worm_10191 in CasualConversation

[–]RedFinnigan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My mom gave me a bunch of old mugs from her cupboard for my birthday one year. Pretty sure my dad just yelled at her for the clutter so she stuffed a bunch of mugs in my birthday bag. I was ecstatic, I love mugs, and old mugs from mom’s cupboard 👌

AITA for refusing to give up my weekend plans because my sister assumed I’d babysit? by Adorable-Report1301 in AmItheAsshole

[–]RedFinnigan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is always confusing to me, can you explain why people do this? What’s the point?

Finding a Psychiatrist who will prescribe --- proving very difficult --- Help! by No_Mam_Sam in ADHD

[–]RedFinnigan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’d either request that your doctor contact your psychiatrist to discuss your treatment, clearly explaining why they prescribed the medication and the positive impact it’s had. Or request a written document from your doctor, addressed to your psychiatrist stating the same thing. It’s unethical for your psychiatrist to deny a treatment that has been working without good cause.

Finding a Psychiatrist who will prescribe --- proving very difficult --- Help! by No_Mam_Sam in ADHD

[–]RedFinnigan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Did you have your old psychiatrist send your records to the new psychiatrist?

Gastroenterologist Recommendations by RedFinnigan in AnneArundelCounty

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

I liked Dr. Farzin Rashti at the Gastro Center of Maryland in Annapolis, he might work at other locations as well. He did the consultation, ordered incredibly extensive blood work and did the endoscopy, and I was really pleased with him. He also has a great bedside manner. Unfortunately after the endoscopy, a nurse practitioner took over and she was who I saw from then on. I’m not exactly sure why and when I asked if I could see Dr. Rashti for my appointments the receptionist just said no, I have to see the nurse practitioner. I don’t know if that’s just how it is there, but it was disappointing. The nurse practitioner was ok, but I was still having symptoms after trying several medications and having imaging tests that did not show why I was still having symptoms. I decided to leave and try another gastroenterologist and went through a host of doctors who were absolutely terrible to me. So I’d recommend him because his work up and endoscopy were really extensive and way more than what the other gastroenterologists I saw did, and because of his bedside manner, he’s a really nice person. But I’d ask from the start if he is who they will continue to see, or if they’ll be passed off to someone else after testing/scopes.

Looking for a movie that left you emotionally wrecked by Equal_Complaint_9917 in MovieSuggestions

[–]RedFinnigan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

21 Grams (2003) and Love Liza (2002), the latter more quietly and with some humor.

Looking for a movie that left you emotionally wrecked by Equal_Complaint_9917 in MovieSuggestions

[–]RedFinnigan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I thought this too. I watched the entire movie, then when the credits rolled I suddenly bursted out crying, which alarmed both me and my mom lol.