Headache, blurry vision, hot flashes, lower back pain

I (28F) may have had a seizure and my partner (31M) was more concerned with having to drive me home from the hospital. How do I approach this?
So last night we were both in the living room, watching tv while I played a game on my phone to occupy my hands. I started having back pain and getting dizzy/lightheaded, these weird reddish spiderweb looking things across my vision. My hearing started being weird, tinnitus then static in my ears with the tv and my partner fading behind it, and I decided to go lay down.
Halfway to the bedroom (I’m going off of his description at this point because I don’t remember) I apparently stopped dead, and just fell forward. I hit my forehead then shoulder on the doorframe, and just slid down the wall limp as a doll. My partner got me laid out flat so I wasn’t just crumpled in the corner and was trying to check on me.
Apparently I was talking, telling him to calm down and I just wanted to go lay down, but my hands were curled in at the wrist and my eyes were rolled back in my head, the rest of my body was limp. This apparently lasted about 15-20 minutes. He said he had to slap me to wake me up (starting pretty softly but progressively harder as I continued to not come to) I was shaky and found it a bit hard to breathe, he led me to the bed so lay down, and I called EMTs thank god for freaking Siri.
Once I was off the phone my partner started pacing around talking about how he needed to get my meds together for the ambulance people and then he froze and said ‘oh shit I’m gonna have to pick you up from the hospital’ (he HATES to drive and normally I’d just drive myself or get an Ubelyft but I’m broke currently due to delayed payout on my disability leave of absence from work) and I looked at him and asked him if he was really more worried about driving when I may have just had a seizure.
He spun back to me (he had been pacing) and says no that’s not what I meant it was supposed to be a joke! He made the same comments 3-4 more times but I didn’t say anything after the first one.
I don’t really see how that’s a joke (especially considering his refusal to drive or deal with medical personnel in relation to our two special needs toddlers is one of the main reasons our relationship has been struggling lately) but I just don’t have the energy to put into figuring it out.
I’ve been incredibly lethargic most of the day, and he has been unbelievably attentive - bringing anything I need to the bedroom, helping me to the bathroom, making/bringing my lunch, etc.
AITA for wanting to still sit down and discuss my concerns with his reaction? Heaven forbid something happened to me would our kids no longer get their therapies and dr appointments?
Or am I being overly sensitive about it?

I’m reading Dr McGill’s book at the moment and am doing my best to try to put his suggestions into practice. I have an L5/S1 bulge with some degeneration and a fair bit of pain.
I noticed an amazing thing. One of his tests involves standing up and putting your hands on your lower back, then slowly tilting backwards until you feel the muscles relax. He said if you go back and forth you will find the point at which the muscles turn on (or off).
Well I did this test and holy moly, I must’ve been living my life with these muscles turned on constantly. In fact it seems like I’ve been constantly putting my weight forward on my feet, because once I tilt back to turn the muscles off it feels REALLY weird, like I’m standing on my heels or am gonna fall backwards. My legs and hips all feel unusual and I can tell I’m gonna have to push through it to retrain some muscles. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to really train a new posture?
The only difficultly is that I live in a country where people are generally shorter than where I’m from and everything in the house is about a foot lower than I’d like it to be 😂

Hello! First time posting here!
Backstory: I'd had symptoms since giving birth last Jan. I was on the NHS waiting list to be seen by the Gastro team when I had a huge flare up in Jan this year. I ended up in A&E and was admitted for 10 days. While there I had a blood transfusion, iron infusion, antibiotics and steroid IV.
When discharged I had a tapered course of prednisone, oral and enema mesalazines, iron, buscopan, lanzoprazole and calci-d.
I've finished my course of steroids and as my colonoscopy showed no visual inflammation (biopsy showed mild inflammation) and I had no symptoms, I was told to take a lower, maintenance dose of the oral mesalazines, continue iron and drop everything else. That was a week ago, but this weekend I've started getting really painful bloating in the evenings, some left side aching and the mucus has returned. I've not had any new foods that I hadn't previously tried/tested while on full meds.
Is this just the new normal? Were all the meds just masking this, or do you think I need to increase the dose of mesalazine? The IBD team said to increase the oral mesalazines to 4 x 2 daily, and restart the enemas if my symptoms came back. My symptoms are nowhere near as bad as they were, but I m beginning to worry. Does this count as needing to increase?
I'm waiting for the IBD team to return my call, but thought I'd ask here incase anyone had any advice!

Around 6 months ago, I had a crown done on a back, lower tooth - and I’ve had issues with it ever since. It’s extremely sensitive/painful to hot and cold, and I can’t chew with it at all or it’s intense pain. I’ve been back twice and the dentist keeps filing it down to fit my bite, but it doesn’t change anything.
In that time, I’ve also had a few fillings on my front tooth teeth. One tooth is back to normal, but the other two are still sensitive. If I floss those front teeth, it’s painful. And if I use those front teeth to bite something, it hurts.
Also, with those front teeth fillings, there’s some weird stuff that I never had before: The “normal” tooth (that doesn’t have much of any pain) is really hard to floss - I can get the floss up, but then it’s like there’s a lip or edge that the floss gets caught on, and I’ve got to turn the floss a certain way to get it back out - otherwise, it will rip. And then the front tooth that is most painful - it’s almost like I can feel a shell or cover on it? Like if I take my finger nail and gently scrape it, it’s like I can feel this lip/raised edge on the front face of the tooth…almost feels like if I pick at it, the lower part of the tooth might just be peeled off. Hopefully that makes some kind of sense.
Is this normal?? Am I just getting older and my teeth suck now (I’m 42 yrs old)? I don’t want to keep paying all this money if I’m not getting the best/correct services. But I need to get this fixed - I want to be able to eat normally again!!! I’m just not sure if it’s worth to keep going back to the same dentist or try a new one?
Thanks!

First timer here. Last Thursday, I noticed almost immediately throbbing pain in my lower right back, right stomach and right groin area.
Fought through the pain through the night then went to a 24-hour care facility (not ER) where they confirmed I didn't have UTI and that I likely had a kidney stone. They gave me a steroid shot which helped with the pain.
I started heavily drinking lemon water over the next day and started peeing out these black flakes, and eventually a blackish ball about 2mm.
All pain is now gone, but from what I've read, this process was supposed to take longer. Anyone else had this experience?

basically that, I’m 29F in Australia, we’re in autumn here currently, mid Jan (our summer) I started getting shaky and horrible almost daily and I realised I hadn’t really been eating much at all (busy/too hot). I assumed my blood sugar was crashing when this would happen and just shove whatever into my mouth. I’ve been trying to make an active effort to eat more but when I say I forget because my days are busy I really mean it (probably not helped by my ADHD currently getting diagnosed for so I can get some help there too).
I had bloods done about a month ago, just went to dr yesterday (first available appt since having the blood test) and I’m severely anemic, I don’t have the numbers but I was lightly but firmly told I have virtually no iron, and the lowest b12 and iron he’s probably ever seen in a patient and I probably should be in hospital. I said I felt ok in the appointment, not to lie but like I didn’t realise these other symptoms I was having could be related until after I came home and googled some shit.
Now I realise it’s like bad, I had another blood test this morning and have another dr appt next Saturday to check current levels as the other test was a little while ago. In the meantime I’ve got B12 injections I need to start having and will most definitely end up getting iron infusions as well after this next appointment (there was a reason he was waiting until this next test before we booked in the infusions it I can’t remember why lol damn anemia I guess)
Anyway until I get back to the dr on Saturday I just want reassurance I shouldn’t be going up to hospital or anything with these daily anemic ‘attacks’ I guess that I’ve had for like probably 4 months now (dizzy, funny vision, can’t think, hot, SOB and panting, almost constant headache, feel vaguely sick and hungry but struggle to eat). Am I in imminent possibility of dying or can I just wait til Saturday and tell the Dr then, and am I likely to end up in hospital? I’m just scared shitless lol

This field guide is meant for the influx of Divers who joined up in the advent of the Second Galactic War and serves to encourage fellow divers to learn the most basic and rudimentary of co-operative fundamentals (see: etiquette). As such, it should be read with the intent to reduce and minimize 'toxic elements' in operational capacities.
On Removal of Squad Mates from Mission Capacities:
At times divers may find themselves beset by traitors in their midst. These traitors can and should be dispersed by squad leaders when just cause is presented. However, squad leaders who disperse divers without just cause should be considered traitorous; the denial of adequate pay in requisition slips and needed research materials (formally known as 'samples') is necessary for all divers to further democracy. The dispersal of patriotic divers under the guise of "traitors" without just cause is among the highest forms of treason - aiding and abetting the enemy, especially so when performed during mission extraction.

• Friendly Fire is not Just Cause: Divers are subjected to rigorous training elements to take the utmost effort to avoid friendly fire (both administering and receiving). Most friendly fire is accidental, incidental, and coincidental. While some cases may present themselves for a squad leader to make a judgement call, they should not disperse divers from operations purely because of incidental casualties.
  • Addendum: Squad leaders are highly encouraged to "laugh it off" or submit a rest and relaxation request in the event they are unable to make good judgement calls.
  • Addendum: Use of the 'Sorry!' strategem after accidental friendly fire is highly encouraged.
• Sample Acquisition is not Just Cause: The findings of research materials is disseminated among all divers in their respective operations. Which diver has possession of research materials when they are submitted for inquiry (upon boarding the shuttle) is not considered. As such, the dispersal of divers with high quantities of materials for the purposes of obtaining 'credit' for their submission is be a form of treason.
• Subsidiary Mission Objective Exploration is not Just Cause: Divers are encouraged to take any means necessary with which to attain research materials - up to and including breaking away from squadrons to do so, if the flow of battle warrants such. As per Ministry of Truth standards ("get those samples!"), research materials are a key element to our victory. Dispersal of divers from squads who are successfully obtaining materials should not be confused with "rogue elements".
  • Addendum: Referring to earlier clause pertaining to good judgement calls, squad leaders are highly encouraged to provide ample questioning and warning to collapse proximity before resorting to dispersal.
• Equipment Selection is not Just Cause: While some equipment options are more adequate for select mission and operational capabilities, all equipment options are tested and proven viable (with the exception of some incendiary and air-burst launcher capab-REDACTED: Pending investigation). Squad leaders should not disperse divers on the basis of equipment selection.
  • Addendum: Many divers are given Personal Orders to use specific, select equipment for field testing. Dispersal of divers in the process of completing Personal Orders is considered an especially high form of treason.
• Rank is not Just Cause: All divers are considered resources toward achieving victory, regardless of rank. While upper echelons have more varied equipment options, divers' ranks are not an indicator of effectiveness. Squad leaders should not disperse divers on the basis of rank.
• Replacement of Preferential Elements MAY be Just Cause: Divers fulfilling SOS Requests are doing so to assist in mission objective completion. Replacement of divers with preferential elements ('friends') may be just cause, but squadrons are highly encouraged to provide prior warning and an opportunity for the respective diver to leave - of their own volition - with grace and dignity.
  • Addendum: Squadrons should only commit to this option upon mission completion (aboard their destroyer) as to not prevent payment of requisition and research materials to dispersed divers.
  • Addendum: Remember that the option to restrict squadrons to preferential fulfillment ('friendly-only') is a viable option.

On Reinforcing Squad Mates during Mission Capacities:
A full squadron of divers - consisting of four (4) elements - is the most effective means of conducting and accomplishing mission objectives. Divers are highly encouraged to make use of their Destroyers' reinforce strategem with which to replenish casualties. Excessively delayed, unnecessarily delayed, or outright failure to reinforce fallen divers when capability to do so presents is a form of treason as it undermines mission capabilities. If squadrons are not shooting, committing to a tactical retreat, or otherwise pre-occupied with mission objectives, they should be reinforcing.

• Reinforcing for Divided Elements: In the event that squadrons are divided to attain multiple mission objectives simultaneously, it is the responsibility of the nearest element to reinforce. If no such element exists, responsibility to reinforce falls on the remainder of the squadron.
  • Addendum: Referring back to clause of 'Subsidiary Mission Objective Exploration', fallen divers are still in need of reinforcing - especially so in the case of re-obtaining collected materials.
• Reinforcing in Unsafe Conditions: In the event that squadrons are heavily suppressed, divers should make every effort to reinforce safely, with several factors to consider:
  • Proximity to Equipment: Quick retrieval of deployed equipment is optimal and preferable to deploying new equipment, especially so when strategems are being re-armed.
  • Proximity to Research Materials: Retrieval of research materials is a core element of our victory.
  • Proximity to Enemy: A reinforcing diver deployed into the middle of enemy forces - while a unique and opportune distraction - is a short-lived, waste of resources.

On use of Resupply Strategems:
Divers are encouraged to make use of Resupply Strategems, rearming and re-equipping themselves with vital mission resources. However, divers should make note of what materials they have available before obtaining supplies. A single supply box will (roughly speaking) replenish half of maximum materials and ammunition. If divers are unsure if they should rearm with an additional supply box, they are encouraged to wait until the remainder of the squadron has received needed materials.
Addendum: Divers are also highly encouraged to make use of materials available on the battlefield instead of relying entirely on resupply strategems. The delay to replenish the strategem is a lengthy one.
On Strategem Request During Extraction:
Squadrons are permitted and encouraged to use strategems during extraction to show our enemies fearlessness and 'flash'. However, divers should take the utmost caution to time their strategem requests to reduce and minimize both friendly fire and failure to acquire research materials. Best practices are as follows:

• Be the last one on the shuttle: Divers within shuttle compartments are nigh invulnerable on account of shuttle armor plating.
• Proper Timing: Inexperienced divers should only request strategems on extraction when the shuttle has fully landed and lowered its ramp
• No risk to high-value research materials: Divers who, with relative certainty, know that there is little to no risk of high-value research materials posed through the request of strategems on extraction.

This completes the field guide.

After many years, and this past 3 have been absolutely awful. I am now, a 37 year old female, finally diagnosed with Porphyria. So many doctors and specialists have missed this.. I have for so many years.. honestly, about 13 been experiencing severe stomach pain. Back pain, that left me bed bound most days of the week, but I do have degenerative disk disease as well. On and off hospital visits. And eventually my intestines telescoped at 33.. which was apparently rare. But I was okay, it fixed itself, I did hemorrhage, and a colonoscopy also showed Lesions in my intestines, which did come back benign. Suddenly, Im back to normal for a while. Stomach pains would come and go. Then in 2021, I suddenly developed muscle weakness ... Tremors.. stuttering.. high blood pressure spikes, tachycardia. I saw a cardiologist, a neurologist, and so many other Doctors.. then I began developing flushing.. doctors were thinking Pheo.. I ended up in the ER, and left using a walker . Suddenly, after 6 months.. back to normal again.. how odd. Now, 2022.. all of a sudden all of my toes went numb . Fingers went numb.. I began having pins and needles, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Muscle weakness . On and off all 2022-2023.. then, still experiencing these symptoms that entire period ... I went into work on night, and under the florescent lights . Within maybe 30 mins . My skin was on fire. I got sent home . Covered in blisters.. then I started having hallucinations, my blood pressure kept hitting 179/120, pulse averaging 130-155 .. resting. Disoriented.. headaches. On and off fevers.. I forgot how to drive . And began thinking dementia . The insomnia.. I get maybe 30 minutes of sleep a night. The back pain, hip pain, leg pain.. severe.. stomach pain.. awful.. I finally had an amazing RNP that asked if I had ever been tested for porphyria.. oh . And the skin itching !! I have sores, since I'm always scratching.. my urine was positive.. and I see hematology next Monday.. so if you ever run across and odd case . Please.. a quick spot urine test may save someone's life .

I (30f) just got home from the Emergency room. I went in for shortness of breath/throat closing up feeling, GI symptoms such as constant severe gnawing pain that gets worse after eating, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, flushing of the face, feeling hot/sweaty with no fever, brain fog, thick mucus in the back of my throat after eating certain foods, heart palpitations, frequent urination and uti symptoms without a confirmed uti. Also I’ve had chronic hives for almost 2 years.
I had a gastroscopy on Monday. Prior to the gastroscopy my doctor and I believed that I had either gastritis or ulcers, but the results were completely clear. No cancer, nothing. I had been taking a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) for three weeks already and had no improvements in my symptoms at all, in fact the ppi is making me feel worse. I’m taking it every second day at this point but I actually feel worse on days when I have taken it.
While at the hospital, the only test I was given was to check my blood pressure. No blood tests or urine tests or other tests of any kind were done. In the waiting room I started to feel faint and had a near-fainting episode where I felt so close to fainting but I didn’t. I have fainted in the past and have diagnosed orthostatic hypotension. I had a lot of sodium yesterday so I’m not too sure why I still felt so faint.
When I finally got to see the doctor I started to go over my list of symptoms but he cut me off halfway through to try and tell me that he thinks all I have is acid coming up my throat causing the throat tightness/mucus. I asked him how can I have that if I don’t have acid reflux or anything wrong with my gastroscopy? He didn’t really say anything to explain just like repeated himself. I tried to say that I still have more symptoms that he hadn’t let me finish listing and he reluctantly “listened” to them (more like pretended to listen) and then pretty much cuts me off again at the end to tell me that I’m not experiencing an emergency, and pretty much implies that I shouldn’t be here. He also accused me of being angry (yes I was frustrated but I did not raise my voice) and rolling my eyes at him when all I did was make this face: 😐 after he suggested that I only have acid coming up my esophagus. I asked him could this be a problem with my mast cells? He said he’s “not an allergist” so he can’t tell me. I asked if I could have a serum tryptase test to test for mast cell activation. He said that they don’t do that test in the emergency room and that I’d need to get a referral from my family doctor for that?! I asked him what can I do about the rest of my symptoms and the severe pain I’m in, to which he just gave me a prescription for some pain medicine and he gave me some steroids to “test” to see if they do anything for my other symptoms.
Now here’s where things get complicated. I have been trying to get to the bottom of this for 2 years now since I first had an allergic reaction to Ciprofloxacin while previously in the hospital to have my gallbladder removed. This is what first caused the hives. I’ve ruled out so many things and done so many tests over the last 2 years that now doctors think I’m “hysterical” or a “hypochondriac”… My doctors office has told me I can’t have any more appointments as I already have the maximum number of appointments (two) but I have completely separate issues that are also serious health concerns that I need those appointments for. Apart from those I need about 5 more appointments to address the concerns I have.
I’m just looking for advice/reassurance because I’m so close to giving up on this. I just start to believe the doctors that nothings wrong with me until the symptoms get worse again and then I still feel like an imposter because the doctors don’t believe me or even test me 😫 Please tell me someone else has been through this 🙏🏻

Multi Part story.
Fantasy.
Any feedback / commentary is welcomed.
Enjoy!
*****
“Go on Hal, it’s a simple spell – slithering serpent unlock the lock.” His professor prompted him in front of the class. Hal glanced at his classmates. Wizards and witches in the making. They were young teenagers. The academy was famous for its introductory courses. He took a deep breath, desperately attempting to ignore the murmurs and whispers in the room, that were most unpleasant to him.
‘He’s gonna blow it up’
‘no no he’ll melt it’
‘he’s going to summon a serpent.’
They were whispering among themselves.
He inhaled through his nose. “Slithering serpent of the lock to unlock.” He misspoke the basic spell.
“NO!” his professor shouted. The small box lock in his hands squirmed and softened. His magic failed, and the misphrase caused an undesired effect. The shackle of the lock pulled itself out of the hole and flicked its tongue. In his hands were now a metal lock’s body, and a metallic snake. Hal gasped, tossing the snake over his shoulder.
“I told you he’ll screw it up.” Shouted another teenager.
“Flamius, engulf!” Another student cast a simple enflaming spell, setting the metallic snake on fire. Hal sighed. Echoes of voices and screams slowly faded. He turned a small lock in his hands, examining it. Intricate patterns carved into the lock’s body were magical in nature. He sighed once more.
“Slithering serpent…” He whispered softly and then stashed the lock away in the inner pocket of his long coat.
After another short nap, he finally got up from the comfort of his resting spot. A grassy patch under a big tree with wide-spread branches, casting a comforting shadow over the entire patch. He placed his hand on the tree and bowed in respect.
“Thank you for the protection, o’old one.”
The tree shook gently, shedding a handful of leaves.
The path he followed was partly overgrown with half-withered grass. The valley in which he found himself seemed to be experiencing a drought. Most of the grass was dried and most weeds were struggling to show any colors other than yellow and brown. Hal was a versed traveler, for he had never managed to find a place he could call home. The longest he managed to stay at a place was 2 years, before an explosive accident resulted in his untimely departure.
“Meowdy traveler.” Smirked a merchant from the driver’s seat of a cart – one of many. A whole caravan was lined up behind, slowly coming to a halt. At a quick glance, Hal counted no less than 12 carts.
“A whole caravan huh? Where do you hail from?” The merchant raised his hand, nibbling on a weed’s stem. He had a sly smirk on his face, and his pupils were narrow and slit-like. Hal focused on the stranger’s eyes, but they were suddenly normal again.
“We’re a traveling group, usually transporters of goods, haulers as your kind calls us.” He replied in a snarky tone. “Returning from the Merila mines, carrying mostly silver ore.” The merchant continued. “Not much to offer, but feel free to peek around if you so desire?”
Hal tilted his head to the side. “Merila mines…There was a rumor of a ‘sage’ that lives there, in the mountains. Heard of him?”
The merchant’s lips curled up into a grin. “Nyess! Though we don’t trade for free, traveler.” Hal pondered.
“I have not much to offer… Basic magical services perhaps? Or, some herbs?”
The merchant seemingly sniffed the air. “That’d be purrfect… Let us settle, set a camp, if you assist I’ll give you a, discount.”
Hal saw no reason not to offer a helping hand to the merchants.
“How long have you been on the road for?” He inquired of a younger lad whom he was helping unload the tents and supplies from 1 of the carts.
“Ohhhh hecking if I know… We departed the Merila uhhh, two days ago? By foot it’ll take you another 4-5 I reckon, maybe even 7, that’s where you headin’ yes? Long journey still… We’r enroute to the port city Calinda to the west.”
The nightfall in a valley surrounded by a range of mountains always came suddenly. One moment it was still day, and then suddenly it was all engulfed by shadows. That evening he found himself enjoying a hearty fishy-stew that was freshly cooked by the merchants. They were a fascinating group that within a few hours went from a traveling caravan to a well set-up self-sustaining camp.
They even had a portable shower. When darkness came, they had traps with baits set up to catch critters for food.
“Sooo, murrster…” Began 1 of the eldest-looking of the merchants.
“Hal, just Hal… uhm…. None of the wizards bear a last name. He explained, curious as to how the merchants seemingly didn’t know that common fact.
“Ahh I see I see, my apologies. A wizard is what we seeked in fact!”
Hal nodded, and gulped anxiously. “Y…yeah?? what for…??
“Nyah, it’s no biggie…”
A rustling behind a tent caught Hal’s attention. His head snapped in the direction of the noise. It was a strange noise, a mixture of cracking bones, squishy flesh, and a tear of the fabric of reality. He knew that last sound especially well. His breathing got heavier. His eyes widened from fright.
He was in a classroom. Learning simple levitation spells. It would mostly serve as a means of making objects float and controlling them.
“World hear me and obey my will, leave it free of your will.” A simple cast, with channeling one’s mana underneath the object to cancel out the gravity effect on the object, and then simple control of it through use of the channeled mana to make the object move.
Hal’s turn. He stepped up. His gaze fixated on the small cannon-ball replica that sat on the table.
“Occasionally we, the mages of the world, find ourselves at the front lines, serving our country. Though real ones are much heavier, this one is hollowed out. Try making it float.” The professor of practical magic instructed.
Hal sighed with his hand extended. “Hear me and obey my will, leave the world free of your will.”
The instructor blinked out of confusion.
Although the cast was mostly similar, the effect was anything but ordinary. The cannonball disappeared, swallowed into a rift that tore through the reality behind it. Through the rift a clawed hand emerged, grasping onto the edge of it, and then another, trying to pry it open. Claws as sharp as needles extended from its furry hands. The crackling of electrical discharge and an ear-piercing tear akin to ripping fabric, if the fabric was electrified and shooting off like a tesla coil, filled the room, muffling out the screams and shouts of the other students, along with their mocking and teasing.
“Hal!?” called out the merchant from before. Hal gasped, regaining his focus.
“Ahhh…hah…?” He snapped his attention back at the merchant, his fright-struck looks made the man chuckle.
“Everything alright, friend?”
Hal nodded, slowly. “Ah… yes… I just, something reminded me of an unpleasant memory.” His body shivered slightly; his gaze returned to the tent where he had heard the tearing sound. From behind it emerged a young woman. She furrowed her eyebrows, then smiled and bobbed her head at him.
“Ahh, Leri, she was probably cutting some pelts; she’s a crafter.” The old man commented after following Hal’s gaze. “So about what we’d ask of you, in regards to the magical services you offered.” The old man continued. “Simply put, we need your mana, for the ahmm… warding seals.”
Hal blinked. “Oh… n..no spells?” The old man glanced at him suspiciously.
“Nyat at all.”
Hal let out a relaxed sigh. “Oh… yes! Okay, that’s a yes, no problems.” He smiled nervously, his anxiety slowly fading away with the realization that he wouldn’t be messing it up with his unexplainably dangerous magic. “S…sure yes…”
The old man chortled at the suddenly nervous wizard. “Scared of your own magic? That’s good no? If a wizard is not afraid, the wizard is not mighty enough.”
Hal explained his strangely uncontrollable magic to the old merchant in a lengthy evening tale, accompanied by some ale, hot stew, and crackling of the campfire.
The morning after, another member of the merchants brought to him an assortment of necklaces, bracelets, and wooden tablets, that he was requested to refill with mana. He paid little attention to the intent of these magical items, simply upholding his part of the bargain. Hearty meals, some travel supplies, food rations for his trip, and a couple of spare water-skins to last him through the drought-plague valley until he reached the exit of it, and a discount on his trade of herbs for goods that he decided to pick up, for some simple mana-refilling. A deal he would've been a fool to turn down.
His supplies lasted him the rest of the trip through the valley. Though he wasn’t exiting it entirely. The mines he was heading for were on the outskirts of the valley, but at least there was a river running through this part, so the supplies and herbs were easier to come by. He reached the outskirts of the village where the miners lived, and found himself impressed by the quality of life in this little, remote village. The night at the village was quite peaceful, and the lock to seal his magic still proved to be effective. His stay passed without any incidents and at the break of dawn he began his ascent up the trail leading to the snowy peaks. With no concrete map in hands, only rumors and details he obtained through word of mouth, he had no choice but to trust his intuition in the journey ahead. The first day was pretty easy. The slope wasn’t too steep. The night after, however, proved to be more challenging than he had bargained for. While the valley before was at most filled with critters and an occasional coyote, the lush forests leading up the mountain were a lot livelier.
Hal was ill-prepared for the dangers that lurked in these forests, and that is something he realized when he was startled awake from his peaceful slumber by a growl - mere meters from his tent. His heart clenched and his stomach turned into a knot. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead while his body instinctively reached for the lock with magical symbols engraved on it. He clenched the lock in his fist. His mind raced in an endless debate between unlocking it, releasing his barely controllable magic, and risking his life. Perhaps the creature would pass by on its own. Perhaps it’s already closing in to pounce. A bear? Or another predator? He wasn’t sure. Though Hal was used to traveling and camping around, he never quite starved so far from civilization or established routes. He closed his eyes, clenching the lock in his hand.
“There are several ways to handle yourself when faced with an attack from an inhuman. Creatures, animals, monsters, etcetera, are easier to control, but one must carefully and precisely assess the being they’re up against before deciding on the best approach to handle it. For instance, a hungry beast in the wild would be easiest to charm, and then feed, but a demonic creature is likely best to be banished.” The professor explained to the class in a lecture.
“So as a pop-quiz, today we’ll have you face your fears.” The professor exclaimed with an excited smile. Her gaze darted to Hal. “Ahem… Hal, darling… considering your erhm… recent accidents, perhaps, would you prefer to sit this one out?”
Hal clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, giving a weak and sad nod to the professor. And so, he watched his classmates one by one cast various spells at various creatures as the phantomic assumed shapes of creatures that his classmates feared. He heard a rustle, and then a tear, as the claws of a mountain lion tore through the thin fabric of his camp.
A soft click of metal was barely audible, and then he reopened his eyes. His pupils emitted a golden glow.
“BEGONE” He shouted, his voice filled with fright and resolve, as the memory ended on a simple vision of his classmate banishing an imp-like creature with a spell. A thunderclap echoed through the night forest. All the forest dwellers, from owls to critters, turned to silence. Hal swallowed audibly, blinking in disbelief. Harsh coldness pinched his cheeks. His feet sunk into a soft but cold whiteness. His gaze wandered the moonlit snowy peak atop of which he found himself now. His body shivered from the sudden cold.
“No…” He gasped. Disbelief was quickly replaced by concern as he realized that he was suddenly exposed to the freezing temperatures, realizing that instead of banishing the predator that leaped at him, his magic transported him to an unknown location. His gaze wandered the frosted landscape in search of shelter. The night was cold and young, and he wouldn’t last long in his thin clothes which he was sleeping in moments prior. No camp. No supplies. Nought that could help him now. Panic began to settle in, but before it had a chance to root itself in his mind and cloud his judgment, a soft, gentle voice whispered from behind in a playful tone.
“My. I’ve never seen a meal present itself to me so… boldly before.”
Hal turned on his heel in an instant and faced the source of the gentle voice. His eyes fixated on a pair of piercing ruby-eyes that shone in the darkness like beacons of hope, or despair, he wasn’t quite sure yet. Her hair was dark as the night itself, highlighted in blood-red. Illuminated by the moon’s light, her pale skin almost resembled the snow that surrounded them. His jaw dropped, and he was left speechless by the beautiful woman before him, that stood barefoot in snow, seemingly oblivious to the harsh coldness. Her thin blouse and hair fluttered in the wind. He stared at her, and the only sound that he managed to produce was
‘ah…’
She grinned. Her pearly-white teeth shone in the moonlight. Her fangs glistened, as did her eyes.
“My, left you speechless did I?” She traced his shivering neck with her nail, all the way up to his chin. “Mmhh… scared humans aren’t yummy…” She pouted. “Stop trembling so much, I can hear your teeth clacking.”
He nodded, still trembling, less so from fear and more so from slowly freezing to death.
“C….c…co…cold…” He managed to utter at last.
She blinked a few times. “Oh, right… I forgot that your kind feels cold…” She grasped him by the throat. “Come with me then!” And chanted something in the ancient tongue that Hal had only briefly studied at the academy, and suddenly he was dizzy.
The world all around spun and spiraled out of existence, just to spiral back in a moment later. His knees buckled, and the girl had no desire to hold him up. She loosened her grasp and Hal fell to the wooden floor. It took a few long moments before the dizziness passed, and he managed to bring himself up from the ground. Warmth tickled his cold cheeks, and a comforting crackle of the fire soothed his mind.
“Wh…where am I…” He struggled, pulling himself up to a sitting position.
“Obviously, my place… Though I don’t usually bring my happy-meals home… But you seemed so cold… and, well, frozen meals aren’t happy…” She glanced over her shoulder, pouting like a little child. Her cheeks puffed up and her eyes looked sad, so sad in fact that Hal suddenly felt bad for being a bad meal, and that’s a strange feeling to have.
“I… I’m sorry…”
“You had better be!” She turned her head swiftly like a child who was denied a treat. “Tell me, meal… are you dumb?”
Hal shrugged. “No, I’m uhh…” he proceeded to explain the events of how he ended up basically a layer from being butt-naked up in the frosty peaks of the mountains, freezing to death. His host had a hearty laugh over it for what seemed to have lasted several minutes.
“You… really are something…. but, you tell good stories. Go on go on. Entertain me.”
Hal glanced around. “May I … have some water?” She suddenly disappeared, appearing right behind him. Her nails dug into the soft skin of his neck, her warm breath tickled his ear.
“I sssaid… actually, would be rude of me to deny you. Wait a minute.” She suddenly released him and ran out barefooted into the snow. Coming back with a cauldron full of snow, tossing it over the campfire to melt it and boil the water.
“Herbal tea?”
Confused, Hal merely nodded, and while waiting for the water to boil, he proceeded with his tale.
“Ah, you are there, here.” Replied his hostess.
“Wha…. where?” Hal asked out of confusion, watching her pour him a cup of steaming water and toss some herbs into it.
“There-there, where you desired. Your magic sent you straight there, well, here, to me.” She grinned excitedly. Her fangs caught the flickering light of the fire and glistened ever so invitingly. Her piercing ruby eyes made Hal weak in the legs. He snapped back to reality, realizing what she had just said.
“HUH???”
She smirked, taking a sip of her drink. “I am the one the village folks refer to as the ‘sage’.” She explained. “Hardly a sage… I hunt tourists andddd, i’m just old so I’ve seen a lot.” She shrugged playfully. “And you’re a tourist by the way.” A warm and inviting smile spread across her lips. Hal somehow felt compelled by his new title.
“Suppose I am. But uhm… about my issue…?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re suchhhh a party pooper. Sheesh.. yes right… Wizard with out-of-control wizardry. Happens occasionally, likeeee… once a generation I reckon.” She proceeded to ponder.
“H…how old are you exactly?” Hal inquired curiously after her commentary.
“Rude to ask a girl her age, foolish meal… I ought to teach you manners.” She suddenly whispered into his ear, standing menacingly behind him.
He shuddered. “S…sorry… carry on.”
She tip-toed around him playfully but rhythmically, as if dancing to a song that only she could hear. He watched her curiously, his gaze drawn to her fluid movements. He was curious about what she was thinking about, what song she was playing in her mind, but before he could build up the courage to ask, she abruptly stopped and stared out the window.
“Tsk… Right, so… Magic control.”
He nodded enthusiastically.
“There are… three, no, four ways to address your issue.” She began, walking up to the window and leaning against the windowsill. “First option, I could turn you into a bloodsucker like myself. Then within a few hundred years you’ll eventually learn to control it. Immortality grants you plenty of time to practice.”
He nodded, “Ahm… a fair point I guess, but, w…what other options are there?”
She pondered. “Could have you go to the Grand Library they uhm, specialize in weird-zardy.”
Hal furrowed his eyebrows. “Weird..?”
She nodded “Oh yes, weirdos all around, and very yummy… But I hate feasting on their kind. They’re full of mana but so obnoxiously annoying…. Ahem, anyways - alternatively… we could curse you to weaken your magic potential. Your magic talent far surpasses what your knowledge of it permits you to do. You have the potential to break the worlds and realms, or to fix them.” She grinned playfully. “How fun! Yummy fun.”
He carefully considered what she said. “Are there… more options?”
She turned around and shrugged. “Sureee… yes… expect me to give you a whole book of options why don’t you? Didn’t even feed me and so needy… Sheesh…. Yes there is, boooring though! I could just create a partial seal that allows you to focus your potential and mana better. Simple, ancient, and effective. They did that a few thousand years ago when we were far too mighty for this world.”
“We…?” He asked cautiously but she responded with a cough and then suddenly she stood before him. Her index finger was under his chin. Her gaze full of hunger.
“And now you choose, and thennnnn…. You feed me.” She smiled excitedly. “Go on magic man, tell me your preference…”
He found his thoughts getting lost in her ruby colored eyes once more.
“Could I… Ask you to…. Teach me instead?” He asked. His gaze full of hope.
She gazed into his pleading puppy eyes and then pouted. “NOT FAIR! Stop giving me the cute gaze…” She continued to hold his chin in her grasp, then released him and turned on her heel.
“FINE! Under three conditions. One: You allow me to feed on you on a whim. Two: You guide tourists to me… don’t worry, I never kill, just a few nibbles, they won’t even remember it. And three: you will obey me for a hundred years.” Her smirk turned evil, menacing even.
Hal swallowed audibly, but her allure was irresistible to him. He nodded in response, without taking a moment to reconsider his decision.
“I… accept.”
In an instant, his world was swallowed by darkness. A sharp pain jolted through his body as he felt two fangs pierce the skin of his neck. He gritted his teeth trying to resist the pain and urge to scream, as darkness consumed him, and numbness took over. And with that, Hal became an apprentice of the ‘sage’.

My first cluster headache experience was in May of 2022. I’ve had migraines my whole life so my first cluster headache I just associated to a migraine. But I then started getting one day after day and realized these were different. They come on suddenly with no trigger and were always behind my eye causing redness, watery eye and nasal drainage on the one side. After about three weeks of excruciating pain I could finally get in to my doctor and was prescribed a round of steroids and an antibiotic as I was sick a few weeks prior and had some fluid left in my ear. Not sure which medication helped but I thought I was finally free of these. And I was, until now. It’s been almost two years and on April 8th I experienced my first headache again. Knowing better now I immediately went to the doctor and was prescribed another round of steroids. I was sick a few weeks prior again like last time (anyone know if being sick is related to cluster headaches as this was the case last time i had this?) and there was fluid in my ear but since it was clear and didn’t seem like an infection I was not prescribed an antibiotic. Throughout the 6 days on steroids I did not experience and headaches. The first day off I had an excruciating 3 hour headache. I called the doctor back and was prescribed an antibiotic and a sumatriptan injection. Now 5 days into the antibiotic I’ve had 2 headaches since. Only receiving two sumatriptan injections at a time before a refill and at $5 an injection makes me want to save them for a time I really need it so I haven’t used it yet. Since my first cluster was about a month I’m hoping these will let up soon. Is there any cadence to an episode of cluster headaches? How long in between episodes do people typically have? How long did it take others to find out when their episodes would come?
I really appreciate this group, I’ve been reading everyone’s posts and it’s so nice to not feel alone in what I’m going through. It’s frustrating when those around me think these are just normal headaches and try to give unwanted advice like “drink water” or “sleep more”. They truly are debilitating and are ruining my life. I hardly leave my house anymore out of fear of getting an attack in public. I only leave when necessary and decline social events anymore. It’s making going to work difficult and I fear getting an attack while driving as my eye completely shuts and I can hardly see. Any advice is welcome on how to deal with such an isolating condition.

Hi. I'm paranoid about my cats change in behavior and would like to know if anyone is familiar with symptoms like this?
To start, a few weeks ago, my cat (12 f) had a fit. We don't think it was a seizure because it was a lot more flopping about, as if she had been caught up in a wire and got spooked but she was alone with no toys in a box (its one of those target cat box homes, a two-tiered one with a porch). It lasted between 5 and 10 seconds, then she landed on the floor (less than a foot drop) and crawled to another room to be alone. An hour or two later, she came back out and was seemingly normal.
Ever since then, she's gradually been sleeping more, less interested in play, eating less, and using the litterbox less. We were out of town for a few days, and during that time was when she seemed to get worse (we had pet sitters who took care of her and our other cat and didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary, and I watched her on our ring camera and she slept a lot during that time, but nothing crazy seemed to happen). Back in town before me, my partner took her to an emergency ER, as she had started showing signs of dizziness or something, basically she was tripping over her paws and seemed to have trouble jumping. They said she was fine, she didn't seem to be in pain, no bones seemed out of place on her spine, she was well hydrated and said they found nothing out of the ordinary. They also suggested a prescription for an appetite stimulant and maybe zofran for vertigo though they weren't sure if she really needed either so we didn't get them.
I'm taking her to her usual vet as soon as possible, because she feels frail from the waist down and seems very sensitive, I think disoriented and zoning out more, and her legs seem to almost collapse from under her at times when she tries to get comfy. I don't have a lot of hope that the vet will help because the last few trips they kept saying she was fine. When I talk to my family about this, they just tell me that "you have to be careful, vet visits get pricey" and say it isn't worth it to keep taking her in. I feel like I'm going crazy, this behavior seems like she needs professional help to me???
Here are the current symptoms we're noticing with her:
• shaky/uneasy on her feet, particularly her hind legs
• restless more often than not, like it's hard for her to get and stay comfortable
• mild lethargy, like not wanting to play but is still being cuddly, is eating and drinking and using the litterbox generally fine
• sensitivity to her surroundings, more easily startled and wanting to be alone when things are noisy
• losing weight (she lost 1 pound over the last 3 weeks, maybe a bit more now), feels bonier especially from the waist down
• doesn't want us petting her from mid-back down to her tail when she's standing
• walking weirdly, like shaking her legs as if they're wet and tripping on her own feet here and there
• hesitancy to jump, more likely to almost miss or trip as she jumps up onto objects
• eyes are more watery and making more eye goop than usual - she's had a scarred eye all her life from having been sick as a kitten but now with her older age both eyes are getting foggy, though the vet told me that didn't affect her vision too much? I'm thinking that that might be wrong and her vision could be getting worse?
• is a lot twitchiejerky in her sleep, kind of hand in hand with her seemingly being uncomfortable
• it's like it's too easy to pick her up, she doesn't struggle against it anymore and she stays close to me when I'm home
She doesn't seem to be in pain, but maybe uncomfortable and generally not acting normal. Like, is this dementia? Ataxia? Arthritis? Did she have a seizure or stroke? Am I crazy for wanting a vet to help her? I don't know, I would just love to know if any of y'all have any tips or suggestions, words of wisdom and kindness, because honestly I'm just panicking. Either way, I still wanna get her to the vet again asap and hope that they'll be able to help now that she seems to be doing worse.

Hey everyone, So I’m not new to this forum and I have posted in the past about my journey with Crohns along with interacted with some posts in the past. I’ve had many surgeries due to my Crohns and also have a permanent ileostomy. My Crohns is severe and I’ve had multiple surgeries in the past 5 years (10 total ) and sepsis 7 times. I’m currently taking Humira and Rinvoq. My most recent surgery was in October of last year for bowel perforation which prior to that I was in and out of the hospital for about 3 months due to constant blockages. I was unable to keep food down and not having any output from my stoma along with multiple lesions of ulcerations closest to the site which according to my doctor is where my Crohns manifests as well as on the stoma itself.
Since the beginning of this year I’ve gotten sick with normal illness such as flu and Covid about 4 times. I know because of the immunosuppressants that I am always susceptible. I had Covid earlier this month. I am feeling down because I know my Crohns is now flaring horribly. My situation is also difficult as I live far away from family and I also live relatively far away from the facility that treats me due to financial reasons. I cannot work and I have a young child. I also have AVN of my entire right limb and left lower limbs so pain is nothing new to me. Since I had Covid which lasted about 2 weeks for me I started noticing that a lot of the symptoms that usually indicate a Crohn’s flare for me has begun. I am nauseous 24/7 (which I am taking nausea medication around the clock, diarrhea, stomach pain, fatigue, I have rashes on my neck and back along with pouching issues for my ostomy and joint pain. (Worse than usual) I am also swelling in my abdomen and have noticed weight gain which for me is what happens versus weight loss.My GI has told me I have some of the most severe Crohn’s he has seen and they have tried multiple avenues in terms of medication to get this disease under control. I have tried my best to comply with whatever they recommend but whenever this happens I always start getting anxious and feel down because it feels as though I am just starting from the beginning again.
I’ve had Crohn’s now for 13 years and never have been in true remission. My doctor says it is surgical induced remission and that usually lasts anywhere from 3-6 months before I am back to square one. My husband is the sole provider for our home and my fear is that I will soon end up having to go to the ER because of these symptoms. The only person I can depend on is my mom who faces her own ailments, works and lives in another state. I’ve already spoken to her and asked her if she can help me out if something were to happen which she has said yes but I don’t know what else to do in my situation and I’m not sure why I’m even posting other to vent but if anyone has any words of encouragement or advice please let me know. I’ve been around the ringer quite a bit so none of this is new to me but mentally and emotionally I feel I am in a bad place. Physically I am just drained and I am tired of these symptoms. I am scheduled for a scope around the middle of May as the endoscopy lab has Covid precautions and has pushed back my appointment two times due to me having Covid is March and April. I just don’t know what to do anymore.

Hey there,
been training like for 6-12 month now, did all possible mistakes and started to train more consistent and improve my stamina, avoiding tendons pain to a minimum, recovering, more lower loads and more repeats.
But one thing im having a constant problem with is when someone good at the fast start. Im 30+ and i can handle most people my age who do train a lot strength, but not armwrestling, only having problems against people who boulder for years (and not doing a lot strength).
But there is one kid, i love him, he is great! he is 12 and super into armwrestling since he came into my training (im a coach for some other sport which is not important). He even has built his own arm-wrestling table and trains a lot against his father, who is about 120kg and he trained the fast start a lot since he found out it helps him actually win against him sometimes.
When he fights me, i really fear him doing this start. It shakes sweeps my whole arm in the last 1/3 of the table on his site. Most of time i can compensante this and get him back over time with a lot of wrist and finger pressure, but i feel like i cannot avoid its. I tried countering it, but here is what it feels like:

• When i lean to my side, with arm upper arm/forearm against him, i always feel like im "losing" my forearm. While my shouldeupper arm keeps rashing to the side, i feel block with the forearm and often it even hurts a bit on the forearm muscle on the side, close to the crook of the arm. Just like the "unit" of both arm parts gets destroyed maybe describes it well.
• When countering in other ways, like hook+pulling him back, i do not come far, he slips over to his side, maybe slightly less, that when trying the countering.

Also when he actually lets me start with this position and does not directly anti-start like this, i feel getting frozen in that, can actually see that opponents not get much pressure...
I tried to train this while armwrestling but also with Wristroller (and a band, no weight sadly available.. this a big problem?) and also just with bands. Doing a lot of cupping and rising with lower weights too at the moment.
Will be super thankful for any tipps or maybe there is even a good coach Ray tutorial or stomething? I also, as you could read, do not know what this fast-start is called, im pretty sure its a technique? (actually just a fast Top-Roll start?) Thanks a lot, appreciated, im really into this sport and willing to spend years to get better and have a lot of fun, hopefully safe and sound.

F23, in the U.K.
Background diagnosis - Cerebral Cavernous Malformation ( CCM) - fibromyalgia / long covid - also had a baby 10 months ago via csection
I don’t feel as if my fibro/covid diagnosis is accurate and can’t understand my symptoms: - headaches - joint pain/all over pain - fatigue / disinterest - low blood pressure - Frequent infections(tonsillitis ect) - just feeling generally unwell constantly - anxiety and low mood - frequent unexplained bruises - dry lips, mouth and eyes
Blood tests all came back negative (all thyroid and vitamin levels ok) except my immonoglobin m was low and MPV high? But both not significantly.
Any advice or suggestions on next steps or diagnosis to ask my rheumatologist to consider would be helpful?

Kaneki wasn't sure what was happening for a while until he finally regained some clarity in a field of bone white spider lilies. He was confused why he was getting flashes of the memories of a green haired child training who was 'quirkless' whatever that meant. Just as I was starting to make sense of the situation, he was in the body of that green haired child. As soon as he 'woke up' in the child's body, his hair turned a shocking white. While he was regaining his equilibrium, he heard a shout of "Nomu, kill eraserhead!"
While he heard that shout, he was feeling out the crushing feeling of the kakuhou in his lower back, begging to be released. All movement in the center of the domed building stopped as I walked out.
"Well well well, what is going on here." I softly spoke barely a whisper in volume, yet from the expressions on the occupants on the building I shared; they all heard me.
The child who evidently ordered the 'Nomu' the first time spoke with with a trembling voice, "NOMU, KILL!"
As I heard that I swiftly brought out the quartet of tentacles from my spine to point at the creature before me before cracking my first knuckle.
"Try me."

I believe where people may struggle is finding an entry route to exercise that doesn’t cause them an immediate flare up, but also finding progression after something like PT!
We get people out of pain by starting slow, desensitising areas, but always working to the progression that we need them lifting weights and getting no stronger!
So many of us find that getting stronger is the key to managing back pain. The better shape we're in, the less it bothers us. It's a simple concept, but the hard work is real. Additionally, we found relief from decades of lower back pain by focusing on compound barbell training, especially deadlifts. The strength built from heavy lifting seems to be the key.
Core exercises -- especially abdominals. The stronger my core is, the less problems I have with my back.
Love this reminder from a retired PT – As a retired physical therapist I can fully agree. I would often tell my patients that if everyone did their exercises, I would be out of work!

F23, in the U.K.
Background diagnosis - Cerebral Cavernous Malformation ( CCM) - fibromyalgia / long covid - also had a baby 10 months ago via csection
I don’t feel as if my fibro/covid diagnosis is accurate and can’t understand my symptoms: - headaches - joint pain/all over pain - fatigue / disinterest - low blood pressure - Frequent infections(tonsillitis ect) - just feeling generally unwell constantly - anxiety and low mood - frequent unexplained bruises - dry lips, mouth and eyes
Blood tests all came back negative (all thyroid and vitamin levels ok) except my immonoglobin m was low and MPV high? But both not significantly.
Any advice or suggestions on next steps or diagnosis to ask my rheumatologist to consider would be helpful?

F23, in the U.K.
Background diagnosis - Cerebral Cavernous Malformation ( CCM) - fibromyalgia / long covid - also had a baby 10 months ago via csection
I don’t feel as if my fibro/covid diagnosis is accurate and can’t understand my symptoms: - headaches - joint pain/all over pain - fatigue / disinterest - low blood pressure - Frequent infections(tonsillitis ect) - just feeling generally unwell constantly - anxiety and low mood - frequent unexplained bruises - dry lips, mouth and eyes -persistent back pain
Blood tests all came back negative (all thyroid and vitamin levels ok) except my immonoglobin m was low and MPV high? But both not significantly.
Any advice or suggestions on next steps or diagnosis to ask my rheumatologist to consider would be helpful?

I've been taking prozac for a month now. I had taken it on and off before so I know you can go through some symptoms before it starts working. But recently my symptoms have been anxiety, confusion, EXTREME hunger, extreme sweating, feeling really hot, headache and pressure in my eyes with blurred vision, light sensitivity.
I don't have any of the other symptoms of serotonin syndrome like twitching, cramps, fever, dilated pupils.
I also take blood pressure and diabetic medication. I stopped taking fluoxatine one day and the symptoms got better, but took it this morning and the symptoms came back. I was convinced it was messing with my thyroid because of the extreme hunger. Because after I ate, I would feel a bit better but then the heat/sweating came back and then I would get extremely hungry again after 30 min. I felt like I couldn't get rid of the hunger. Then I would stay up with hunger, anxiety until I finally would fall asleep by 4am.
Maybe it's mild serotonin syndrome but the hunger doesn't make sense. Also, whoever I would check my blood sugar it woukd be normal. Very confusing...
I will have to wait to see my doctor since I'm out of town unfortunately. I will not take fluoxatine again and see if the symptoms go away completely.

34 yo healthy male. Only reason I’m asking this here is because my spirometer test is still 2 months out. About a year ago I started experiencing a weird sensation of not being able to take a full breathe at rest. I am an avid gym goer and I never had any shortness of breath while working out or anything. Running, weight lifting, 30 mile rucks in the national guard, etc.
My diaphragm would feel a little tight the day after a hard workout and usually the symptom I mentioned was most apparent after a hard workout. I’d also notice sometimes on the water when I had a wetsuit on or something I’d feel a tiny bit of squeezing in my diaphragm area. This wasn’t an all the time thing, it’d go away or I wouldn’t notice it for days at a time but it was usually most noticeable after workout days which lead to me stopping working out. It also is most noticeable in hot/stuffy environments. For instance, I notice it immediately when I turn the car heat on and sometimes feel like I need to crack a window.
Anyway, after it not going away I decided to see a pulmonologist who listened to my lungs and said you’re fine you probably just have asthma. Wouldn’t asthma be causing the symptom while working out though? Not the day after when I’m just sitting there doing nothing?
I did take a peak flow meter test because I was curious at home. My ratio was about 75-78% consistently, my fev1 being on the lower side (consistently 3.3-3.8). My peak flow rate was 500-560.
I had a chest xray as well as a CT with contrast to rule out a PE and both tests came back normal. The CT did say there was minimal (I forget the word but it meant they weren’t fully expanding 100% ) at the very base of my lungs but after talking to the doc and researching it seemed like that’s a common finding and could be just from how I was laying and what not. Everything else on the CT was normal.
Anyway, just wanted to get people’s opinions and see if anyone else had a similar experience and if this could be asthma or is most likely something else. I’ve had a ton of cardiac tests too and all normal. I smoked like 10 cigars when I was in my younger years and I had pneomonia a few times during my childhood (a couple winters from age 8-12). Haven’t had it since. Could this be COPD or something very dangerous?