I need advice

[nimo6211]

Hello everyone:

I have been referred to a UCSF Reproductive Endocrinology, Dr Marcelle Cedars who went to Univeristy of Texas, 1991 and specialises in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive ENdocrinology and wondered if anyone has any idea if this is a suitable person to consult. As I mentioned I have been diligently pursuing a specialist who is aware of "intersex" issues and I am told by the referral center that she is. Before I make an appointment and spend my "hard-earned" dollars (no medical insurance) on costly!!! medical bills, I thought I would get some feedback.

Also, a week ago, I felt like some kind of lump inside the left-side of my throat below my left ear...anyone have something like that. It is not painful, but sort of lodged under my left chin. Should I be concerned and consult a doctor? I want to make sure (given the exorbitant cost of medical help) that it is not just an infection or lymph node before I consult a doctor. It has been about a week since I noticed it right after I had a head cold.

I look forward to hearing more from you. Cheers!

[Sofie]

Just keep it warm and I'm sure it will go away by itself.

[Dana Gold]

Usually with a head cold, it's not uncommon for different glands to become inflammed or congested...may be the salivary gland, or lymphatics. This will resolve once the "congestion" abates and drainage occurs from the surrounding ducts and "tubes". The eustachian tube (runs along the side of face into throat), is frequently blocked with phlegm (snot)....if your ears aren't bothering you, then there is no complication there....take your temperature: ( a couple of bucks at a local drug-store) 98.6 F or 37.0 C is okay and higher temp means possible infection....which may ro may not be an issue with you because you have no pain....so monitor the lump....do keep it warm, as Sofie noted, and warm compresses to the area definetly help for drainage/circulation.
If it doesn't go away in a couple of weeks after you've gotten better with the cold...it might be wise to have it looked at wtih a doctor.

PS: Hot tea (preferably quality black and not that cheap Lipton's) with honey and cinnamon is good......chamomile tea along with the same cup is even better as it helps with inflammation, as do honey and cinnamon....As a by-word: Echnicea should only be taken short-term for those that have or will consider it.

Once again....no diagnosis or treatment here....just some friendly suggestion.

Dana

[Meadow]

Oops! Wrong species. Oh well.

Yes, after some infections, it is not uncommon for lymph nodes to enlarge. Those things are like small sewage treatment plants that help filter out junk coming down stream. They will get larger when there is more stuff to work on, and it can sometimes take weeks to get small again once the issue has passed. They will not be painful if there is no active infection within the node, however, if an active infection becomes present, yes, it will enlarge quickly and be tender.

As with any lump or bump, I always like to monitor it for progression. Progression is a situation where it is only getting worse. For those situations, yes, a more in depth examination would absolutely be warrented. However, if it is not progressive, I would continue to watch it. However, if it doesn't go away, consider an examination.

Also located in that area are, like Dana said, are salivary glands. They can become infected, but again, tenderness will be evident. In those, the swelling is usually more diffuse. If yours is well enscribed and firm like a marble, more likely it is a lymph node, as that area is rich with them.

If it was a t-t-t-tumor, it would most likely be progressive, which would fall under the guidelines above. Those typically would be a slower onset from what you described.

Good luck! Those suggestions above are good. (I kinda like extra rations of oats. :wink: )

[nimo6211]

Very cute Meadow. Though I have been referred to as a horse many a time.......my sister used to tease me that I ate like a horse..whatever that means........Thanks Dr Dana, Dr Sofie and Dr Meadow for the sound advice. You all seem to have diagnosed the "lymph node" well.....I now can rest easy and wait it out a few more weeks but will consult the experts....no, Meadow honey, not a veterinarian........if it persists or changes drastically....in the meantime, will settle for nothing like a good old "chicken soup remedy". :grouphug0 Love ya and thanks.

Oh by the way ISNA recommended a Dr Paul Fitzgerald as an endocrinologist who came highly recommended and I actually called his office to see if I could make an appointment.........he does not accept medical insurance and charges $800 for a 3/4 of an hour consultation......worse still, the receptionist had no clue what I was talking about and even told me so... that was a sure fire way of putting anyone off.......ISNA requested that I let them know what he's like so that they could use him for future referrals................no prizes for guessing that he would be the least of my favs when it comes to recommending the least expensive doctore and intersex -friendly :roll:

By contrast, I have made an appointment for May 23 to see a Dr Marcella Cedars at UCSF who actually charges a $325 (I wonder what the $25 for!!) consultation fee for 1 hr. So, will keep you posted, maybe if all works out, could add her to our database of intersex friendly physicians. Have a nice evening.

[Betsy]

Oh by the way ISNA recommended a Dr Paul Fitzgerald as an endocrinologist who came highly recommended and I actually called his office to see if I could make an appointment.........he does not accept medical insurance and charges $800 for a 3/4 of an hour consultation......worse still, the receptionist had no clue what I was talking about and even told me so... that was a sure fire way of putting anyone off

And therein lies the reason we got out of the doctor referal business. We'd hear about someone supposedly good, and then hear later they were horrid or vice versa.

maybe if all works out, could add her to our database of intersex friendly physicians

I'd prefer that a thread or even a special forum be set up for that so people can also discuss pros and cons honestly rather than an actual database for the reasons named above.

Betsy

[nimo6211]

ohhh....kaay...........I guess I deserved that. I did not mean to sound ungrateful, was just using poor Dr Fitzgerald as an example of a physician, I might not recommend to anyone who may be looking for affordable health care/diagnosis. It is probably not his fault that his receptionist was not so familiar with chromosome challenged patients....and with that kind of consultation fee may not encounter many patients like me, but nevertheless it was not my intention to be judgemental or ungrateful of ISNA's ability to recommend the "right doctors". In fact I am grateful they did, he just was not the right one for me.

I respect your decision to not want to secure a database for "doctors who have been tried and successfully proved the "intersex friendly" test, though it would help people like me to know that these are the choices that are available and feedback from those who have actually consulted them.

A thread discussing the pros and cons like you suggested is a great idea as well and I fully support it. So, unless someone else beats me to it, I shall let you folks know my experience when I have visited Dr Cedars in May.

By the way, her staff were very professional and knew just the right questions to ask in order to create a file for me. I guess the total contrast in the service provided by two different endocrinologists may have prompted me to make that comment.

I apologise if it seemed rather callous and ungrateful. Cheers!

[Betsy]

Naw, you didn't offend or anything else at all Nina. It's just that what you wrote echoes what I used to hear all the time when we did attempt it. Doctor relationships are pretty personal things and one person may like someone and they would be added and then someone else would be horrified by them for whatever reason. Then people would demand someone who takes their insurance, yadda, yadda, yadda. It became a headache and a big one at that for something that was never really successful. ISNA is much more tied in with the medical establishment than we are and likely ever will be as that is not part of our goals and mission at BLO.

Another thing we would encounter is docs asking to be added and there was always a sneaking suspicion on my part if it was because they simply were curious. Any of the well known folks are already known and I personally have found better success locating doctors by simply getting out the phone book and calling and asking questions, or even asking docs I do like who they like and would send their family to. One doc I did that once with actually told me he was clueless---to my great amazement and respect.

I'll set up a special area for doc discussion now.

Betsy

[nimo6211]

I see what you mean Betsy and thanks for clarifying that. I also see you have indeed put up that new thread. Cool! Thanks again.

[nimo6211]

Hello Dr Sofie, Dr Meadow and Dr Dana....went to see the doctor today and voila....just as you diagnosed "lymphadentis"...lymph node infection.....have been put on antibiotics (augmnentin) for 10 days and as Sofie wisely suggested hot compress for 20 mts....3 times a day. Thanks again.

ISNA had a meeting in Santa Rosa over the weekend and got a call from Cheryl Chase requesting a meeting as they were in the neighborhood...met Angela and Jane....it was so wonderful....I got all emotional......they spoke about some meeting for AIS in Palo Alto in the summer....would be wonderful if you folks could attend....would love to meet you in person.

My brother in Fiji who works for Mariestoppes (a non-charitable organisation re: reproductive health) managed to locate the email addie of my gyne who did the chromosome blood test and so I am going to try and get a copy of his test results....he is with UNFPA now and is away on a business trip until 20 March....but it all seems to be looking good and may just save me lots of dollars on another chromosome test.......and some......Cheryl also said she might check for more endos' who may be more reasonably priced and could even try talking to me by e-mail. However, will still keep this appt at UCSF....Trust everyone is doing fine.....got "As" for the three courses I did for the first half of the first semester and started second half today. I am doing a Legal Specialist certificate course, get a job, earn some money than will do my Paralegal degree.......so...all's not bad for us huh.....I guess we can be successful too (never too late) if we have the will....there really is no stopping us .....and having support groups like this and wonderful people to encourage each other...who knows...the sky's the limit. Have I ever said that I am so grateful to God for leading me to you folks and how much I appreciate you all....well I am saying it now....never hurts to repeat it too....Love ya all. :grouphug0