u/Practical-Gur-7587

Hi,

I've had 17 respiratory illnesses, averaging about a week each time, in the last year, and I'm close to giving up. I'm an otherwise healthy, active young adult, but I can't hold a job/make plans/move out on my own because I'm getting sick all the time.

I finally got referred to an immunologist and we found that I had borderline low igg subclass 2 and very few antibodies to h flu or streptococcus pneumonia. I got the pneumovax 23 vaccine and made antibodies successfully, and those levels haven't dropped abnormally in the months since. However, I'm still getting sick just as frequently. I had normal natural killer function and lymphocyte proliferation tests. I've taken antibiotics a few times, and it helped once but didn't help the other two, and consistently gives me yeast infections.

The times I've tested, it's been negative for strep/covid/rsv/flu and occasionally more things covered in an urgent care swab. Unfortunately, my next immunology appintment isn't for 2 months, tho I just made an appointment with another one sooner for a second opinion.

While I have some specific questions, listed below, really, I'd love any advice about nailing down a diagnosis or getting treatment.

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to look up or look out for? Or any idea of if ig replacement therapy would still be helpful in a case like mine? (I worry insurance wouldn't cover it because my antibody levels are normal, so if anyone has thoughts, I'd appreciate hearing them.) Or, any suggestions to make sure this new doctor and insurance take me seriously?

Or, frankly, any success stories about being diagnosed and recovering/having a normal life after a struggle like mine : (

Thanks in advance <3

Hey!

Earlier today, I made this post because I wasn't sure whether to see TMG or my friend's much cheaper benefit concert. Everyone gave me super kind advice; whether advising to see one or another, it was all really helpful and gentle and encouraging, and really helped me stop overthinking and stop being self-conscious about going alone.

Well, a very kind redditor offered me their spare ticket (huge shoutout to u/doubleblum!!), which made it an easy choice. (I also realized I could catch the beginning of my friend's show and still make it to TMG, I'll probably get to see my friend perform again soon, and it's pretty rare for a group I like to be so darn convenient for me to see.)

I got to see the first set of my friend's benefit concert, donate more money than I would have because I had a free TMG ticket, and then make it to TMG. I met a kind stranger whose generosity, along with the encouragement of everyone here, made me feel much more welcome.

Once I walked in, though, I realized I didn't have anything to worry about, and I was super happy to be by myself. I realized I knew way more of the songs than I expected, and I know their music well enough that even the ones I hadn't heard felt familiar enough to enjoy and even sing along to. I had been worried I'd feel too nostalgic in a bad way, but it was just a pure fun time throughout all of it (although I can't deny tearing up a little at This Year, in the best of ways.) I'm so glad I saw them at a small-ish venue, too, which I liked way better than my only other concert experience which was in a huge arena.

I really enjoyed being connected to the crowd; I was there by myself, but I didn't feel alone, and I was glad I didn't invite someone who wasn't a fan just so I wouldn't be by myself. I could just focus on the music and enjoy.

Thank you so much to everyone who gave me advice; I am so glad I went! I feel reconnected with TMG, largely through connecting with community. I can't wait to see them again!

What a wonderful evening ❤️ My heart is full

(Edit: Update here! I had a great time!! Thank you so much to everyone!)

Hey!

I could see the concert tonight, or I could see my friend's band at the same time for a lot less money. I was excited to see the Mountain Goats concert when I found out about it, but after finding out about the conflict, and realizing I have no one to go with, I'm pretty torn.

This band used to mean a lot to me. It still does, but I don't really actively listen anymore. I associate it very much with a past, closed era of my life and a person who I was close to but had a falling out with (but still miss very much). I feel lame in that, I might only know the crowd favorites, so I feel a bit like a poser. Worried it'll be more nostalgia than fun, and that I might have a more reliably fun time at my friend's concert supporting him, but I worry about letting this opportunity pass if I don't go. TMG seems like the higher risk but potentially higher reward option.

I'm not really used to going to concerts. Is it weird if I go alone? Will it still be enjoyable even if I don't know most of the songs? If I don't go to this concert, is it likely there will be more opportunities? What's it like to be in general admission?

Any other thoughts or advice?

Thanks,

-a baby concert-goer totally overthinking things