My scare for the year...

Lorena · 08-08-2006, 12:33 AM

There's a name for anything nowadays. At least you don't have "Restless Leg Syndrome"

Groundhog · 08-08-2006, 01:19 AM

I started seeing a girl about a month ago, and after some discussions with her we both decided we'd get an STD check just to be sure going in. I'd never had one before but I felt pretty confident that I'd be fine as I'm always safe - excluding a couple of "accidents" over the years - and have never had any symptoms or anything else that would cause me to worry.

So last Friday I had the test, with the results due today. Strangely I became very nervous as today approached... Like I said, I had no reason to suspect anything, but the pessimist in me couldn't help but put all these fearful images of a positive HIV result or something.

So I finally meet up with my doc about 2 hours ago. He puts my results up on screen and says "Hep A, B & C, HIV, etc, etc, is all clear. However, you have an abnormally high bilirubin count. I'm surprised you weren't informed of this when you had your last blood test two years ago [for something completely unrelated - troubleshooting for something that just ended up being related to my bad neck]. You have Gilbert's Syndrome.".

My jaw dropped, and I was thinking "Oh shit. How long do I have to live, and how much pain will I go through while I die from what is clearly a debilitating and fatal syndrome".

Just before I was able to voice any of this, he continued with "It's completely harmless, of course. I diagnose 5 or 6 people a week with this. Just gives you a high bilirubin count on these tests.".

Man, as soon as you hear a doc tell you that you have a syndrome of any kind, it's scary stuff. The fact that he paused between telling me I had a syndrome and then describing that it was harmless didn't help. I guess doctors have to come up with ways to keep them from getting bored with their jobs.

Izulde · 08-08-2006, 02:04 AM

Holy timestamp bug!

Wasabiak · 08-08-2006, 02:14 AM

At least he didn't say,"You have Gilbert Brown syndrome". Then I'd be worried.

sovereignstar · 08-08-2006, 02:18 AM

You must have this board confused with some other one, FREAK! We don't want your kind here.

Draft Dodger · 08-08-2006, 06:15 AM

I just hope to God you aren't contagious

Toddzilla · 08-08-2006, 06:51 AM

My daughter Cassandra had this after she was born. IIRC, her liver wasn't doing a good enough job processing her blood, and it became over-saturated with red-blood cells. At first, we just thought she was really really pink, but at 2 days old after her pediatrician telling us she thought it was an ear infection (because of how red her eardrum was), we had to go to the hospital. A few quick checks and the doctors said it was just a high bilirubin count, and a few days under the bright jaundice lights will take care of it. After that, it was all done!

I hope your treatment is as quick and painless!

Eaglesfan27 · 08-08-2006, 08:29 AM

Yeah, it is present in 3-5% of the population depending upon the study. It can cause you periodic stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes/skin) but it is harmless.

08-08-2006, 01:19 AM	#2
Groundhog Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	My scare for the year... I started seeing a girl about a month ago, and after some discussions with her we both decided we'd get an STD check just to be sure going in. I'd never had one before but I felt pretty confident that I'd be fine as I'm always safe - excluding a couple of "accidents" over the years - and have never had any symptoms or anything else that would cause me to worry. So last Friday I had the test, with the results due today. Strangely I became very nervous as today approached... Like I said, I had no reason to suspect anything, but the pessimist in me couldn't help but put all these fearful images of a positive HIV result or something. So I finally meet up with my doc about 2 hours ago. He puts my results up on screen and says "Hep A, B & C, HIV, etc, etc, is all clear. However, you have an abnormally high bilirubin count. I'm surprised you weren't informed of this when you had your last blood test two years ago [for something completely unrelated - troubleshooting for something that just ended up being related to my bad neck]. You have Gilbert's Syndrome.". My jaw dropped, and I was thinking "Oh shit. How long do I have to live, and how much pain will I go through while I die from what is clearly a debilitating and fatal syndrome". Just before I was able to voice any of this, he continued with "It's completely harmless, of course. I diagnose 5 or 6 people a week with this. Just gives you a high bilirubin count on these tests.". Man, as soon as you hear a doc tell you that you have a syndrome of any kind, it's scary stuff. The fact that he paused between telling me I had a syndrome and then describing that it was harmless didn't help. I guess doctors have to come up with ways to keep them from getting bored with their jobs. __________________ Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. --Ambrose Bierce

08-08-2006, 02:04 AM	#3
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	Holy timestamp bug! __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

08-08-2006, 02:18 AM	#5
sovereignstar Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004	You must have this board confused with some other one, FREAK! We don't want your kind here. Last edited by sovereignstar : 08-08-2006 at 02:18 AM.

08-08-2006, 06:15 AM	#6
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	I just hope to God you aren't contagious __________________ Mile High Hockey

08-08-2006, 08:29 AM	#8
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	Yeah, it is present in 3-5% of the population depending upon the study. It can cause you periodic stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes/skin) but it is harmless. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

08-08-2006, 02:14 AM	#4
Wasabiak High School Varsity Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Beulah, ND	At least he didn't say,"You have Gilbert Brown syndrome". Then I'd be worried.

08-08-2006, 06:51 AM	#7
Toddzilla Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burke, VA	My daughter Cassandra had this after she was born. IIRC, her liver wasn't doing a good enough job processing her blood, and it became over-saturated with red-blood cells. At first, we just thought she was really really pink, but at 2 days old after her pediatrician telling us she thought it was an ear infection (because of how red her eardrum was), we had to go to the hospital. A few quick checks and the doctors said it was just a high bilirubin count, and a few days under the bright jaundice lights will take care of it. After that, it was all done! I hope your treatment is as quick and painless!

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