Ibuprofen

Today I ventured out and brought some ibuprofen to alleviate the pain in my aching shoulder and other areas. Of the ten tablets on the card, I'm taking three of the 400mg tablets daily. So far I've taken three and the relief is significant. However, the effect wears off after a few hours. What I'm hoping is that after three days, the inflammatory response that my body is generating will subside.

That probably will not happen but in the meantime, I'll enjoy some respite from the discomfort. However, I can't take ibuprofen forever so I'll need to get to the bottom of why my body is turning on itself. On the positive side, I've been forcing myself to walk more and as a result I don't feel as debilitated as I did earlier.

A trip to Medan is planned in early June which will provide me with the opportunity for some psychic healing, focused mainly on treating my thymoma, but perhaps assisting with my chronic inflammation as well. Perhaps the two are related so I asked Google's Gemini the following question and its response suggests that there may well be a link:

Is there any research available that links thymomas or thymic cysts to excessive inflammatory responses int the body?

The research on a direct link between thymomas or thymic cysts and excessive inflammatory responses in the body is limited and not entirely conclusive. Here's a breakdown of what we know:

Thymus Gland and Inflammation:

The thymus gland plays a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in T-cell development. T-cells are white blood cells that help fight infections.

In some cases, thymus dysfunction can lead to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. This suggests a potential link between the thymus and inflammation. 

Thymomas and Thymic Cysts:

Thymomas are tumors that grow in the thymus gland. They can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Thymic cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in the thymus. They are usually benign. 

Current Research:

Studies haven't established a definitive link between thymomas or thymic cysts themselves and causing widespread, excessive inflammation throughout the body.

However, there are some associations to consider:

Paraneoplastic Syndromes: In rare cases, thymomas can be associated with paraneoplastic syndromes. These are groups of symptoms caused by substances released by the tumor that can affect various organs and sometimes trigger inflammatory responses. 

Thymitis: Thymitis is an inflammation of the thymus gland itself. This can occur in association with thymomas or independently. While thymitis can cause localized inflammation in the chest area, it doesn't necessarily translate to widespread body-wide inflammation. 

Further Exploration:

More research is needed to fully understand the potential connection between thymomas/cysts and systemic (body-wide) inflammation.

Some studies suggest that thymomas might be linked to specific inflammatory markers, but the clinical significance and cause-and-effect relationship aren't fully established.If you're concerned about excessive inflammation:

It's important to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause. They can perform tests and rule out other conditions that might be causing the inflammation. 

Overall:

While a definitive link between thymomas/cysts and widespread inflammation is lacking, there are potential associations worth exploring further. If you have a thymoma or thymic cyst and are experiencing excessive inflammation, discussing it with your doctor is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.