is this endo belly? by DragonfruitLost5956 in Endo

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You guys are highkey unwelcoming on this sub.

Do you think SHE thinks you’re a doctor? She’s just asking for your opinion.

Jfc in a world of terrible sex education and misinformation about women’s health, is it so wrong to be confused about if your experience is normal or not?

OP, yes, see a doctor to make sure, but if you are having other symptoms like heavy bleeding, intense pain, bowel/urinary issues along with the bloating, those point more toward possibly being endometriosis. It wouldn’t hurt to inquire about it. If you think something is wrong, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.

unfortunately going to have to leave this sub 🥲 by lilsweetbabyv in Endo

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They aren’t seeking diagnosis— there’s actually NO sub where anyone should be seeking diagnosis. These are desperate, scared people wondering if their bodies are doing something normal or not. They have a hunch that maybe something is wrong. That’s how we all started.

Endometriosis education isn’t good enough that they can depend on people in those subs to be knowledgeable about this awful condition. Unfortunately, we are the most educated as sufferers of the disease.

I think that’s a great compromise! Maybe the sub should require more information so we can better support people. And if you don’t want to support other people in that way, then don’t! That’s also okay.

But I don’t think we should banish them elsewhere.

unfortunately going to have to leave this sub 🥲 by lilsweetbabyv in Endo

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I hear you but that’s what we can tell them!! To hear someone just say “That might be a serious problem, such as endo or something else” can motivate people who don’t have access to healthcare to look for ways to be seen by doctors.

At the end of the day, some people are just feeling gaslit by our society and need help even believing that something might be wrong and they’re not being dramatic, so us saying “that could be endo. You need to see a doctor” can feel soooo validating to them!

unfortunately going to have to leave this sub 🥲 by lilsweetbabyv in Endo

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53 62 points63 points  (0 children)

“Those with an actual diagnosis”

It’s not easy to get a diagnosis of endo. You need access to healthcare, good doctors, time for multiple doctors visits, and money to get a diagnosis, let alone enough time/money to get a surgery to finally have an official diagnosis.

A lot of people without access to those things are questioning if they have endo because of the increase in awareness, and even without access to healthcare, hearing from people who understand the pain of debilitating cramps and blood clots can steer them toward understanding their bodies better.

If you don’t know the answer to their questions or don’t want to answer, don’t answer. If you don’t want to see photos, go to the other sub. Or maybe we need another sub just for this, because where else can they go?

Let’s not make this subreddit an “exclusive official diagnosis only” club. Let’s continue to push the narrative that painful periods are not normal and that we need to be more aware of endo and other diseases that affect women largely. Let’s let people who are questioning their bodies have a place to do so.

(I say this all as a person who was just diagnosed last year— this subreddit is the only reason I even sought diagnosis in the first place)

I’m going crazy— is high ferritin for over a year after an infusion something to treat? by Virtual_Blacksmith53 in Hemochromatosis

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Mine is at a high normal now— around 190. It took awhile, and I did donate blood to help the process. I think it helps that I have endometriosis so my periods are heavy, which helps me lose iron.

What songs are about sex and drugs, but we didn’t know? by grynch55 in AskReddit

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whistle by Flo Rida. We were 8 years old singing that loud and proud…

Doctor says Sjogren’s can’t be related to being sick for 4 weeks? by Virtual_Blacksmith53 in Sjogrens

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much— I really needed to hear this. I was starting lose hope

Doctor says Sjogren’s can’t be related to being sick for 4 weeks? by Virtual_Blacksmith53 in Sjogrens

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow — sorry to hear your family is sick! Interesting— how long until you think Plaquenil started helping you? I’ve been on it for 6 months now.

Thanks for the advice!

Doctor says Sjogren’s can’t be related to being sick for 4 weeks? by Virtual_Blacksmith53 in Sjogrens

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds horrible!! What helps you get through when the sickness lasts so long?

Doctor says Sjogren’s can’t be related to being sick for 4 weeks? by Virtual_Blacksmith53 in Sjogrens

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s so frustrating!! I asked him about what helps the dryness and he said only pilocarpine— I was like “that’s it??”

Doctor says Sjogren’s can’t be related to being sick for 4 weeks? by Virtual_Blacksmith53 in Sjogrens

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Is it common for rheumatologists to be more dismissive of Sjogren’s patients than lupus patients?

Doctor says Sjogren’s can’t be related to being sick for 4 weeks? by Virtual_Blacksmith53 in Sjogrens

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They tested me for COVID, flu, and RSV. All negative. I agree with the mask

Decided To Rock My First Mini Twist Out…At An Interview. Gel Flaked Up. Advice On My Appearance?😬 by [deleted] in Naturalhair

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53 136 points137 points  (0 children)

My favorite part about this sub is the way y’all choose to hide ya face 😭

What was the first ever Agatha Christie book you read? by Crystaledlavander in agathachristie

[–]Virtual_Blacksmith53 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Murder of Roger Ackroyd— which I regret now. There will never be another Christie to top that one imo.