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Ankle popping after sprain
19M. 5’8 140. Dont drink or take drugs.
I twisted my ankle multiple ways playing soccer and now it pops a lot. I know its a medial ankle sprain and a high ankle sprain, but honestly the medial one
doesnt bother me anymore. The high ankle area hurts with certain movements, so thats annoying.
My main concern is now my ankle is able to pop, kind of like popping a knuckle because it does feel
good. But should i be worried about this? Also no swelling or anything and i can walk on it fine.
| 4.5
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**Podiatrist - Foot and Ankle Surgeon**: U probably have some instability from the recurring sprains. The popping will probably persist. If it isn't painful u can get by using a med spec aso brace off Amazon. If it starts to hurt u will probably need a lateral ankle stabilization surgery at some point. If u develop pain don't ignore it, this cna lead post traumatic arthritis which at some point may require more serious surgery like a total ankle replacement.
Physical therapy won't help with the popping. If the ligaments are lax they generally won't just tighten , hence why u keep having recurrent ankle sprains
**Physician - Pediatrics**: How long ago were these sprains?
If you are still having pain, you should be seen by an orthopedist or sports medicine doc. It’s not an emergency, but it might take some diligence to get there. Sometimes you need to see your family doc to get a referral, sometime not. Chronic joint pain over a lifetime is no bueno when it can be avoided by following up with the right person now. Good chance PT might be helpful to strengthen different muscles to assist your now looser/injured tendon.
(Fun side story: in 1998, my family GP misdiagnosed a college ankle injury as a sprain when it was, in fact, a fracture in two places. I’ve had chronic pain in it since. I wish I had pushed for more care back then, but I trusted what I was told even when it continued to hurt for long after a sprain should have been healed.)
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Hives / angioedema continue to escalate as I treat with high -dose steroids, feel like no one can help me [F] (25)
Hey all.
Female, 25, 5’6’’, 115 lbs. no pert med history besides below.
I have had an issue with on and off angioedema around my eyes for 4 years but had not experienced it for many months until the most recent recurrence. Starting 2 weeks ago it has been on and off with almost no relent. Then about 4 days ago, I broke out in hives. Received a prescription for 5 days of steroids, 40mg per day. The following day, the hives escalated. I’ve never been so uncomfortable in my life. Ears are so swollen they’re pointing forward, can’t bend my hands or ankles, arms and legs are swollen, blisters are showing up. I get seen again - I’m told they can only raise my steroid to a tapered series (60mg for 3 days, 20mg for 3 days, etc) and there’s nothing else to be done. Last night hives completely covered my body including bottoms of my feet. They are deeply painful now, feeling like burns. Everything is stiff and swollen. Lips eyes and head are swollen, I can barely talk or open my eyes. Nasal passageways are partially closed since last night. I had seen my PCP yesterday and she basically told me there’s nothing to do but ride it out, but this is literal torture. I’ve never experienced something more painful, I’m worried the facial swelling is going to spread to my throat. I can’t work or even do basic activities around the house because moving is so painful. I just never expected that the steroids would do absolutely nothing.
To clarify, this has been 4 days of hives and 40-60mg of steroids per day (plus Benadryl as needed and Pepcid once per day)
Anyone have any insight? Is it really just a wait and see?
| 1
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**Patient Care Assistant**: Honestly, you should go to the ER.
**Physician**: I would also go to the ER, since it seems like it’s worsening. They might admit you just for observation and give IV steroids.
However, if this is angioedema, you should probably see an allergist. There are immune modulating medications for hereditary angioedema that are superior to steroids.
If you’ve never seen an allergist and primary care docs and ED docs have just labeled it “angioedema” without any testing of the actual receptors involved, then you need to do this at some point.
However, get this flare under control first.
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Cat bite on hand. Seek medical attention or care for it at home?
31 year old female. 150 lbs.
Got bit by a cat at work today by the base of my thumb on my left hand, it was not a deep bite but it did bleed a little bit and it hurt more than I would have expected by the look of it. My hand was kind of numb and hurting for a little while. I rinsed for a couple of minutes with cold water then soaked with ozonated water and finally I put ozonated oil and bandage. It is a little swollen and it was a little red but overall not too bad. I know how bad cat bites can be so I’m paranoid about it getting infected. Not sure how much risk I’d have since it is not a deep bite and it’s a tiny spot. It hit on top of a tendon so I’m wondering if the numbness and soreness is because of the impact and not from bacteria. Also it’s night now and my arm feels slightly weird it is hard to describe. Tiny numb. Area is not hot or anything. I’ve washed with soap and water a few times throughout the day and sprayed some antiseptic on it. Unsure if I should just keep an eye on it the next few days or if I should see a doctor tomorrow morning. I have pictures of it throughout the day but it shows this community doesn’t allow attachments. (Pics on comments)
| 2
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**Pharmacist**: Unless this is someone’s cat, you should get a rabies shot
**Physician**: It doesn't look infected but I'd call your GP or go to urgent care for antibiotics.
**Physician - Surgeon**: Cat bite always seek medical attention. These LOVE LOVE LOVE to get infected.
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Curtain Eye is it an emergency
I've (23M) got a eye appointment scheduled in September, which is the earliest they can do. For quite a few months, actually probably since i got diagnosed with High Blood Pressure I noticed a curtain like shadow in my left eye. Told my doctor about it, thinking maybe it was a side effect, she's never heard of a side effect like that for the meds I'm on (Proporanal and Losartan) and suggested I call for an eye appointment since it's been a few years.
The curtains been getting more frequent, yesterday shopping I had to have my ma on my left so she could alert me if someone was there since I kept bumping into someone I couldn't see there due to that curtain.
The ER here isnt helpful, so I avoided going there, but I just wanna know if I should go anyways or go somewhere nearby, or just wait it out and hope it doesn't keep getting more often or to a constant.
Only other meds I'm on are Amitriptyline (insomnia) and Setraline (Depression).
I also switched jobs since the last even with my meds kept my BP 140/120 (highest), and the current job I haven't gone above 130/80 (also highest).
| 3
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**Physician - Ophthalmology**: Go to the ophthalmologist tomorrow. This is an emergency.
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23FTM Can an ectopic pregnancy cause multiple negative test results?
Hey everyone, I wanna preface this by saying I have extreme health anxiety and I'm sorry if this is a stupid question.
Also I'm trans FTM but I haven't started hormones or anything. I do have PCOS, I don't smoke, I have normal blood pressure (maybe a little on the lower side).
I had a sexual encounter in early June with a guy I thought I could trust, and he violated my boundaries by not using a condom. I took a plan b after even though I was already on the minipill. I'm scared that this might have increased my risk of an ectopic pregnancy. I haven't had any symptoms, except maybe vaginal bleeding and lower back pain? The back pain can be explained by a work injury I had last month that I'm currently getting treatment for (had an mri on monday) and I've been having vaginal bleeding almost daily. Sometimes it's only a little, sometimes a medium amount. Can be bright red, or dark brown. It's 99.9% just my period being fucked up after taking a plan b but I'm still terrified I might have an ectopic.
I've taken at least 6 at home urine tests throughout the past 3 months and they've all come back negative, but I know an ectopic pregnancy can cause a false negative.
Again, I apologize if this isn't the right place for this or if this just sounds like a lunatic raving but I just don't know. I've tried googling this question but no luck.
| 6
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**Physician | Moderator**: Ectopic pregnancies produce beta-hCG as well. While there are rare case reports of negative urine tests, that’s a tiny exception.
Being contraception or using Plan B doesn’t increase your ectopic risk, and Plan B is effective for preventing any pregnancy, ectopic or not.
Your odds of pregnancy on hormonal contraception are very low. Your odds with Plan B are practically zero. Your odds of being pregnant despite all that with multiple negative tests for months are about as close to zero as possible.
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Can I take a hot bath or shower with COVID/mild fever?
32 female, triple vaxxed, no significant physical health issues. I take lamotrigine and citalopram along with low dose seroquel for bipolar type II.
I tested positive for COVID today and feel absolutely terrible. I have a mild fever (99.9). I also have terrible body aches and chills. I desperately want a hot bath or shower. I want hot chicken soup. I've always been told to take cold or lukewarm baths and avoid hot foods when you have a fever. The idea of a lukewarm shower or bath sounds horrible right now.
Can I safely take a hot bath/shower and eat hot soup?
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: There is no medical reason that you can't take a warm bath and eat hot soup if you have an elevated temperature (you don't even have a fever, since a fever is a temp >100.4F). That's just an old wives tale.
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Tib/fib break. Rod placed. Was on thinners in hospital but no instructions about them when released.
38 year old male 220 pounds, no smoking, vapes, with PVC/PACs low Vit D
Second try posting because I was missing keywords.
To be very clear, this medical facility is struggling and had awful manpower issues and overworked doctors. I am a very light hearted go with the flow type but I was pretty frustrated by the end. Completely inaccessible doctors, nurses who were so tasked they missed medications or gave them hours late.. just a hot mess. I even read the notes from the docs/nurses and while I appreciate they called me pleasant there was a lot of fabrications (I never saw a doctor after surgery for example, and what happened in the ED was wildly incorrect.. but maybe copy paste issue.)
So I came here to ask now that I’m out of the hospital
Basically, I broke my leg. Both bones. Spiral break in tib. Fib snapped above ankle. They put a rod in on my fib. They kept me on blood thinners the whole time. They discharged me last night but when I asked about the blood thinners (which they harped on while there) they said I should be fine as I’m “young.”
Just want to know if it makes sense to take baby aspirin. Nurse said it did but in passing, and while I know nurses are the backbone of the medical industry, wanted to hear from a doc.
I’d call around to ask docs assigned but again, spoke to them less than 10 mins the entire time I was in the hospital (4 days, 2 was waiting for a surgery slot.) it’s also a holiday.
Thank you!
| 4
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**Physician**: As long as you were on blood thinners immediately after surgery for some amount of time, preferably >5 days and optimally 10-14 days, it is standard to transition to a baby aspirin. I’d continue the aspirin until you see your surgeon at a follow up. Ask if they’d like to stop or continue the aspirin at the appt.
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Sexual help is required pls
Hi, I'm 21 Male, last 2-3 months I was sexually active, dunno if it's just normal cuz iv been holding my desire before or to get rid of my anxiety, but iv been ejaculating everyday sometimes 2 a day but mostly once, but after doing so I get a little discomfort feeling in my testicles usually the left one it doesn't pain me or something and it disappears after some time, I also do get this feeling sometimes when I feel aroused and don't relive myself, so my questions is this normal? and is it normal to ejaculate daily? what are the side effects of this? will I get testicle cancer if I keep doing this? really confused and need some help, thanks in advance.
| 6
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**MD - Peds GI | Top Contributor**: 1. It's normal to ejaculate daily, and is actually quite healthy. It lowers the long term risk of prostate problems. Masturbation is normal and healthy. Don't feel ashamed or hesitant. If you want to go do it, and it's an appropriate time and place, then you do you.
2. It is also normal that if you have an erection or prolonged arousal where you don't ejaculate to get venous congestion in your pelvics, testicles, penis, all that stuff. Orgasm causes drainage of blood from this area, which is one of the reasons it feels good. Failure to drain this blood can cause "blue balls." It's not dangerous, but can be uncomfortable. It eventually resolves on its own.
3. You will not get testicular cancer from any of the stuff you are talking about.
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Can I get a colonoscopy
I(23M) am completely convinced that I have colon cancer of advanced stage. I have all symptoms and now I am feeling extremely fatigued and weak and having trouble breathing. But all my doctors have ruled it out. I have somehow managed get a colonoscopy appointment now, but am scared that might flatline after they give me the sedatives. What should I do? Please help. (I also have high anxiety, stress and depression if it helps.)
Edit: Here are the symptoms I have
1. Dark red blood after stool
2. Mucus in stool, also it smells different than before.
Now since past few days I have following symptoms
1. Extreme fatigue, muscle pains, blackouts.
2. Shortness of breath. Loss of vision and hearing. Unable to think or sleep. Physical numbness in head.
3. Weight loss. Appetite loss and unable to salivate.
I've seen two doctors, I had home blood tests, they have confirmed piles and I am now on medication. But both of them have ruled out any chance of cancer.
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: You should speak with your primary care doctor about your anxiety. The way you seem to be going back and forth from unlikely extremes (advanced GI cancer and cardiac arrest from sedation) is evidence of anxiety that should be treated.
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My eyes see different colors
I am a 20 years old male
I weight 165lbs 5’8”
I don’t take any medications or smoke
I’ve worn glasses since I was a kid. My right eye is +1.5 and my left became a -0.5 in 2019 however My doctor only gave me lenses for my right( idk if this relates).
Recently I’d sometimes find myself seeing colors differently in my right eye than my left.
The best description would be that my left sees the color with the blue light filter while the right sees without, idk if that makes sense.
Any ideas why?
| 6
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**Physician - Ophthalmology**: Very astute observation! The optics get complicated, but let me give you a simplified answer.
As light is focused by our eyes there is some splitting of the light into colors, like a prism would do. These different colors are focused slightly differently from each other. Cooler colors like green and blue are focused in front of the warmer colors like red. When your two eyes are not corrected perfectly, you can notice that your vision in one eye is bluer.
Do a web search for duochrome test. It will explain how we use this splitting of light to fine tune your glasses prescription.
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My wife tested positive for Covid yesterday and I've tested negative but have a 102 degree fever and not sure why.
Male, 5'11, 285 lbs, 38 y/o, USA
The only symptoms I'm having are body aches, a bit of a headache and a high fever. No place is open currently for me to be seen but any idea how I can have these symptoms but test negative for Covid.
Update: Took another Covid test last night and tested positive. Thanks everyone for the help.
| 5
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**Physician - Rheumatology**: If your wife has Covid-19 and you are symptomatic, you have Covid-19, too. My guess is that your rapid test will be positive in a couple of days.
If you are vaccinated or previously infected, your symptoms will begin very soon after exposure. If you are unvaccinated, the virus incubates for about a week before your symptoms begin. If you have existing immunity from a vaccine or prior infection, you can expect to have negative rapid antigen tests for the first few days of Covid-19 infection, because the test is only going to show positive when you shed enough virus to infect another person. It takes a few days for the viral load to ramp up enough to get a positive RAT. Symptoms like fever are due to the immune response to the virus.
HTH
Edit: Consider getting Paxlovid, if your country has authorized it.
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There’s no elegant way to phrase thi[URL] why is my [24f] ass growling like my stomach?
If you can’t tell from the title, this is gonna be a gross and detailed question. Sorry, but my ass is growling at me like a grandma’s toy poodle and I wanna know why.
I’ve always called them “butt rumbles”. I’ve had them on and off since I was kid and always just shrugged them off because they never lead to anything.
Lately I’ve gotten them more and more frequently, and two days ago the rumbles woke me up, followed by my stomach rumbling like I was hungry, except that I wasn’t hungry. I am *never* hungry in the mornings, and I usually skip breakfast because of it and then hunger usually hits around 12:30-1PM.
But the past two days has been a pattern.
Butt rumble > stomach rumble > run to bathroom > diarrhea
The first day the diarrhea was a… good amount. But now it’s just a very small amount, but I feel the need to go pretty frequently. There’s also no pain at all, just rumbles in my ass and my stomach
I’ve never been tested for lactose intolerance due to issues with my parents but I never saw a need to because I never felt sick after ingesting dairy so it never crossed my mind. Is this my body trying to tell me I’ve become intolerant, or is there something more serious going on?
| 4.5
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**Registered Nurse**: It could be a wide variety of things. No one will really be able to say for sure what is causing the diarrhea without doing some testing.
Go see your primary care doctor, get some lab work and they may want a stool sample. They’ll probably also ask about diet so start making a food journal, write down everything you eat/drink, including what time for each thing, as well as write down when you have the symptoms(what time each symptom starts, what time you have a bowel movement, and a small description of how much and what it’s consistency is). Keep doing that from now until you see the doctor and that way you have it all down to see if there are any patterns.
**Physician**: In my experience, you are probably constipated. This is counter intuitive, I know. But the colon usually absorbs water from the stool to solidify it. Of you colon is full of hard stool, it can't absorb water effectively anymore and you get what's called Overflow diarrhea. I would normally test for this by doing an X-ray. But the treatment is harmless. You can just try taking miralax everyday. Start day 1 by taking like 2-3 doses all at once (you will be in the bathroom for a while so plan accordingly). Then take a dose or two every day or every other day to the point of having 1-2 easy to pass stools daily. If this doesn't help, then stop and you need to see a doctor.
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How much weight loss is normal when taking stimulants?
I'm 26 years old (F), 5'2" and started taking Vyvanse for ADD. Within 3-4 months, I went down from 131 to 117 lbs due to lack of appetite/forgetting to eat.
When I went for a follow-up, it wasn't my usual family doctor, but a resident. Honestly, she didn't seem very knowledgeable about stimulants and didn't even ask about my weight until I mentioned it myself as she was walking me out the door. When I told her about the change in weight, she only said "that's good" as if the weight loss was an accomplishment.
I'm just wondering if this amount of weight loss really isn't a big deal, and at what point should I be concerned? It's now been around 5-6 months and I'm down to 114lbs while I've been actively forcing myself to eat more.
| 5
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**Registered Nurse**: Remember residents are doctors in training. She is training to be a family doctor most likely. Keep track of your weight.
**Physician - Pediatrics**: A lot of physicians are less knowledgeable about adult ADHD than I wish. When I trained, it was thought of as something kids would “grow out of” which is definitely not true.
Right now, your BMI is in the healthy range, so I would not be super concerned unless you continue to lose. And that could have been all that the resident was trying to convey.
Try to remember to eat. It’s hard. Also eat a good breakfast with protein before you take your Vyvanse in the morning. That will help.
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Hair started thinning out since I started going regularely to the gym
18M, no medication, not smoker/drinker. So 7 months ago I started going to the gym at least 5 days a week, since then I started taking creatine but stopped 2 months ago and also preworkout that I am still taking twice a week before the gym. I stopped taking creatine when I saw my hair is thinning and since then it did not get worse nor better, can preworkout and energy drinks be the cause? I might also add that I am currently pretty stressed also because of many exams. What should I do to stop it? Male pattern baldness runs in the family but i did not expect to appear so young. What medication or suppliments can I take to help hair growth?
| 4
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**Physician - Dermatology**: See a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Without pictures, it wouldn't be right to diagnose you with anything even though it's probably male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) from your description. I don't think there's an association with the gym. there are different treatments according to severity and your preferences.
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Necrotic tissues in vagina?
Hello, I (22F) used to have sexual intimacy with my boyfriend, with no condom. We're both clean.
A week and a half ago, my vagina started to itch. I thought it was a mycosis, I've never experienced it before and I put the blame on my bf as he lacks a good hygiene while I shower two times a day and wash my hands regularly.
I then bled and thought it was my menstruations. It lasted for 4 days, but the first day, some strange white tissue came along with the blood. I thought nothing of it, as my periods can be pretty weird.
Fast forward to this week, it itches more and more and I can't help scratching the vulva. Even the inside of my vagina is itchy. I took antibiotics hust before and read it could cause mycosis, so I still thought that it was my issue.
Boyfriend started getting erectile dysfonction aswell, it's uncomfortable for him. We haven't had sex in a week now.
And tonight, I experienced great pain. My labias minora were red and swollen. The itch was even worse.
I had to go to the shower for the 3rd time today to try and relieve the pain.
Then I got the idea of washing a bit more inside. And it came out in a pale white color. I was intrigued. I used my fingers and fuck, inside of me were white tissue, that had started to become necrotic. I managed to get everything out of my vagina, I was pretty disgusted.
I felt sick those last day and had a fever, I have a sore throat and an otitis so I thought it was the cause.
Getting those weird white chunks out relivied my pain a bit.
I started taking antibiotics as soon as I discovered that.
What could it be? Sperm? Fibroid? I'm clueless
Sorry for the graphic description, I just tried to be accurate
Has anyone experienced this before?
At least I can start getting better now that the issue is discovered...
| 4
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**Registered Nurse**: Sounds like you have a yeast infection. It can cause severe itching and thick white chunky vaginal discharge. You can probably get treatment over the counter at a pharmacy. If that doesn't work, see a doctor, you might have another type of infection.
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Is suspected c diff a reason to visit ER?
41F, 5’4”, obese, fighting a sinus and double ear infection. Was on cefdinir 300mg twice daily for 10 days. Saw no improvement, was switched to Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 5 days. Today was my last dose.
All week I’ve had headaches and generally feeling crummy. Thought it was either my sinusitis or the newest viral bug going around schools (I travel for work and spend a lot of time in schools).
Yesterday, I developed watery diarrhea that smelled awful - like rotting fruit mixed with roadkill. I have had a fever ranging from 103 without Tylenol to down to 100.5 with Tylenol. Nausea and stomach cramping, too, but no vomiting. I’ve had 28 bowel movements today, all like water and all smelling awful.
My neighbor is a nurse, so I called to ask if they’ve been seeing these symptoms with this latest round of GI bugs going around. She said it sounded more like c diff given my recent antibiotic usage and the smell.
After doing more reading about it, I see how damaging it can be. But does it warrant an ER visit? Or wait until Monday when my PCP opens?
| 1
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**Physician - Cardiology **: If you’re having profuse diarrhea I’d see an ED just to see if you need hydration and a test for c diff
**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: I would go to the ER for evaluation. Not just for C diff but to eval your electrolytes since profuse diarrhea can cause significant electrolyte abnormalities.
**Physician**: I'm afraid so.its a possible emergency
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Choking/biting- is it safe?
My partner and I (18M, 18F; no health conditions or medications other than health supplements) like to engage in choking and biting during sex and foreplay. I choke by squeezing the carotids, rather than squeezing the windpipe, as it is safer that way. I would like to know, however, whether it is safe to choke to the point that she feels lightheaded and as she describes it, “high.” I am also curious whether her biting my neck is safe. She tends to leave dark hickeys and bite marks on the side of my neck, which feels a bit risky, as she’s biting directly on my veins pretty hard. What’s the safety of this? Is there a safer spot to bite?
| 5
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**Physician**: Biting is safe
Choking is complicated. What you’re actually describing is called strangulation. The “high” sensation is the brain going without blood, which actually causes damage faster than just going without oxygen. If you keep going the victim will stop making memories but remain conscious- this is bad. If you keep going the victim will then lose consciousness- this is very bad. If you keep going the victim will die. This is the baddest.
Most of the information we have about “what happens when you strangle someone” comes from domestic abuse victims, which intuitively seems like it’s harder/longer than recreational strangulation but there’s no proof of that. That being said, the incidence of really bad stuff happening is about 1 in 150 strangulations- we’re talking dissection of neck vessels, fractured larynx, brain damage etc. all the way up to death. As to what the specific risk is for you and your girlfriend I can’t possibly say, but it’s not zero. From a harm minimisation perspective - as light as possible, as infrequently as possible, as short duration as possible. Never ever put ligatures (ropes/scarves/chains etc) around someone’s neck.
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Depressed accident
10 days ago I (28 male non smoker 92kg 181cm) had a motorcycle accident. Nothing major, just dislocated/broke my shoulder. The problem is that i’ve been depressed for a week now. Can’t eat, can’t sleep, having a burning sensation in my chest and feeling a pressure on my head. I have flashbacks all the time aswell.
I felt so bad one day that my gf (25, F) had to call an ambulance because i couldn’t breathe anymore.
They ran blood tests and did a cardiac exam, every result was good. So they think i had a bad case of hyperventilation.
I didn’t receive any info yet if i have to get surgery, i’m very scared that i have to get surgery and that I have to stay home even longer.
I’m stuck at home with my thoughts, does anyone have tips that get me through this? I feel like this feeling will never end.
I have a picture of a ct but i can’t post it here.
I will be home for a while, don’t think I can handle this for a long time.
Thanks in advance
| 4
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**Physician**: Good PCPs go a long way in incidents like this. PTSD or just stress from the accident can have a big impact on sleep and mental attitude. Could probably recommend med (if wanted) or therapy. In my opinion you've been through a rough event and need some help. There are some good studies on lavender capsules (not oils or tinctures or essential oils) helping with anxiety. If you are having neurological symptoms, though, sometimes bleed show up late. Would definitely encourage visit to your primary doc.
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My butt is bleeding
I am a female, 28 years old, 163 cm and weigh around 63kg. I take visanne for my ovarian cyst and I don't smoke. My problem is with my anus, there’s like this flesh around anus which pops out sometimes but I can push it back with my fingers. I have always had this since I was in college and it has not caused me much problems except when at times they always pop out, it becomes irritated and sometimes hurt. Especially during my periods, they almost always pop out.
Now just yesterday, there was some bleeding (bright red) maybe like 5ml. I just had my period two weeks ago and I thought it was just because of sexy time, and it was from my vagina. But last night and this afternoon, when I pooped, there was blood (bright red like fresh blood) in the water. I had to take a picture of my butt and it was
coming from there.
I am embarrassed about it so I have not told my fiancé. I am hoping it will go away but the blood in the water is making me worry a lot. What should I do?
| 4
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**Paramedic**: Hemorrhoids can cause bright red bleeding. Have you looked into that? If you don't think it's hemorrhoids, go see your doctor to get it evaluated.
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blood on toilet paper every time I use the bathroom
I'm male, 30 years old, 5'9, 175lbs, and smoke a third of a pack a day. I am on no medications and my diet is simple and clean (chicken, oats, eggs, occasionally pizza). Never had any gastrointestinal distress other than acute acid reflux.
Since I can remember, I would sometimes have bloody spots on the toilet paper after defecating. But recently, it happens every single time. Could this be something other than a fissure?
| 4
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**Physician**: You need to see a doctor for a rectal exam. Usually blood on the toilet paper is due to hemorrhoids (can be painful or painless) or an anal fissure (usually excruciatingly painful) which can be easily identified on a normal rectal exam.
If the rectal exam doesn’t show anything the next step is a colonoscopy to evaluate for causes of bleeding further inside the colon. These can include diverticulosis (painless), ulcerative colitis (usually painful and associated with diarrhea), or cancer (painless).
Do your poops have blood in them? Are your poops red or jet black?
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difficulty swallowing my spit
29 male , I am a smoker and suffer from anxiety and panic attacks , I take ativan as needed for the mentiened cause. It's really difficult for me to swallow my spit. Whenever I feel like doing it I get intense around my neck and jaws and feel like I am going to swallow my tongue. Besides a weird sensation at the top of my head like something is gripping it.
Any ideas what could it be?
| 5
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**MD - Peds GI | Top Contributor**: Sounds like anxiety. You can't swallow your tongue (thanks Hollywood for putting this in everyone's head). Nicotine certainly won't help, but then again, neither will withdrawal from nicotine.
What you're describing is also a common symptom in a panic attack. Lots of deep breaths. Slow and easy. In through your nose, out through your mouth with pursed lips slowly.
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Meningitis?
I’m 39 F. 4’11 and about 150 lbs. I suffered from severe anxiety and depression. I am on pristiq 100 mg and Wellbutrin 300 mg. For the last about 3-4 weeks I’ve had severe pain stiffness. When I tilt my head to one side then slightly back I feel a pull which sometimes I’ll feel through the top of my head. Could this be meningitis or just side affects of anxiety and exhaustion. I went to the chiropractor and he adjusted my neck and spine which helped for a bit. It’s not excruciating pain. But more discomfort.
| 6
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**Physician - General Surgery**: This is musculoskeletal pain. Meningitis can cause a stiff neck but you’d also have fever/chills, headache, photophobia, confusion, etc
**Physician - Pediatric Emergency Medicine**: Agreed that this is musculoskeletal. My typical talk with families in regards to neck stiffness is that if it is viral meningitis, it is like any other virus and will get better with time. If it is bacterial meningitis, those kids are almost dead in hours. So being that this has gone on for as long as it has, it isn’t meningitis.
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URGENT!!!!
[21F], 167cm, 60kg, currently in northern cyprus.
Nurse just infiltrated an IV of Parol 10mg into my arm. The liquid formed a hard and painful sac under my skin and it is now spreading.
i had severe panic attacks over it and refused to let them touch me.
i want to to know what are the repercussions of this and what needs to be done to avoid tissue damage and or infection.
Please answer and help asap, this will be the third time this hospital has given me collateral damage and i have yet to even have the surgeries i came here for, so far i have multiple infections including a kidney infection and serious emotional trauma. (surgery to be had is a spinal fusion for a fractured C5 vertebrae)
| 5.5
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**Physician**: Is Parol Paracetamol? Tissue damage and infection are unlikely if it’s a new IV, maybe the nurses had a hard time with it but you should be fine.
**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: I’m assuming Parol is paracetamol as well? The dosage is strange, though, making me think you mean something else. I wouldn’t expect any short or long term problems aside from some pain. A warm compress would likely help.
This is a known complication of any IV medication.
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Our new kitten bit me!
So we picked up our precious kittens the other day! One of them is taking some time to adjust and found herself stuck in the couch lining 🥺 we have 2 small kids/a dog so it’s much more overwhelming than what she’s used to.
When I went to pick her up and pull her through the little opening she got scared and scratched/bit me - nothing too deep but they are too young for the rabies vaccine and now I’m freaking out.
The mama and her babies we’re found under a patio in sylvania OH. They were taken in to Ohio Humane - neutered and vaccinated with what they needed at their age then transferred to a foster mom in Michigan who had them until we adopted them and brought them home a few days ago. They’ve been inside for about 11 weeks now 😊
I of course will continue on the vaccine schedule once they are old enough but now I’m panicking about rabies 🥺
| 2
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**Physician - Dermatologist**: If it broke the skin I would be much more concerned about infection. A high percentage of cat bites get infected. I would not be too worried about rabies, but I would go to urgent care to get evaluated.
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Self medicating on psych meds
My almost 48 year old husband went off his psych meds (Emsam, Lamictal) and prescribed hormones (thyroid, testosterone) on his own in May 2021. This was done without doctor supervision. In November he got covid (which he “treated” with ivermectin, and yes, he is unvax’d) and has since been in a severe depressive state. He hasn’t been able to sleep and gets out of bed only at noon. He no longer works. He’s desperate to get better and has started self medicating to get back in the psych meds and hormones. Is it safe to do this and what are the risks?
Add to this, since he’s gone for alt health and pseudoscience beliefs, he is obsessed with the idea that doing rectal ozone will cure his depression because he thinks he need to detoxify from several faux conditions - toxic mold illness, chronic Lyme, multiple chemical sensitivity. He plans to do this soon. Any thoughts on this treatment?
What ill effects can I expect to happen to him if he is self medicating and also undergoing rectal ozone treatments? Neither sound like a good idea to me and I am completely at the end of my rope here.
| 4
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**Physician**: Both selegiline (Emsam) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) need to be closely supervised by his doctor.
Selegiline is a rather old school antidepressant and I have no first hand experience prescribing it. It requires careful monitoring of your dietary intake. Consuming too much food rich in tyramine can cause a hypertensive crisis. It is a tricky and problematic medication and, frankly, even specialists tend to avoid it, let alone generalists such as primary care doctors.
Lamotrigine is a mood stabiliser which requires slow and careful titration up to its therapeutic doses. Rapid reintroduction at high doses or increasing the dose too quickly can increase the risk of serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which can be fatal. If he gets any new rashes, he needs to stop.
I think this will be no easy feat, but please encourage him as best you can to see his doctor.
I should also point out that many of his low mood symptoms can be explained by being hypothyroid, seeing as he stopped taking his thyroid replacement as well.
If you cannot get him to see his doctor, maybe you could contact his doctor anyway and at least get some medication advice from someone who knows your husband's medical history.
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Please help- 32F, 11 weeks pregnant, needing help/ answers
Three days ago I was having morning sickness, I vomited a few times but on one of these times I accidentally opened my eyes and it felt like a had lock jaw and I couldn’t close them. The force of this (only two or three seconds) cause me to experience a severe rapid headache and a feeling like my eyes/head was exploding. It was terrifying. It took a little while for the pain to subside but since then I have been experiencing really painful headaches, pain behind my eyes and in the front of my head and temples. My eyes got a bit bloodshot and I have been noticing my eyesight is slightly blurry. I have been a lot more fatigued and needing to close my eyes from the pain. My neck has been a bit sore and it’s beginning to concern me. Can anyone tell me whether it is like I have caused an injury or strain and if I should seek further medical help? I am worried it could get worse or I have done something more serious.
| 4
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**Licensed Vocational Nurse (retired)**: You need to see your ob/gyn. Please make sure you are vaxxed. The vaccine is safe for pregnant women.
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M28 I've had a stuffy nose for about 2.5 weeks and found some Nasal Spray that works but I want to make sure I'm not doing more bad than good.
I found some nasal spray at Walmart and since I got it I've used it 2-4 times a day depending how bad my nose got. I didn't realize until after a week or so that it said not to use more than 3 days in a row and only twice a day max every 10-12 hours.
I'm just wondering if there's any serious side effects that I'm doing to myself and not realizing. I'll post the ingredients for more accurate answers.
Active ingredient- Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride 0.05%
Inactive- Benzalkonium Chloride Solution, Benzyl Alcohol, Dibasic Sodium Phosphate, Edetate Disodium, Monobasic Sodium Phosphate, Polyethylene Glycol, Povidone, Propylene Glycol, Purified Water
I hope it's not too bad because it works so well and it helps me sleep being able to breath through my nose but if I'm doing more damage than good, I wanna make sure I know so I can avoid it or whatever.
| 4
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**Registered Nurse**: You shouldn’t be using oxymetazoline more than 3 days in a row because it’ll make your stuffy nose worse. Do you take a daily allergy med, like Zyrtec or Claritin? If your stuffy nose still persists, you can see your doc for recommendations that you can take like Flonase, pseudoephedrine, etc.
**Pharmacist**: After three days, you will get rebound congestion from oxymetazoline. So first step is to stop the use of it cold turkey. Then talk to your doctor about a safe medicine for you to prevent your allergy symptoms like a daily antihistamine like Claritin, and possibly add on Flonase nasal spray. Note that Antihistamines work best if you take them every day and not just days you have symptoms.
**Pharmacist**: If you are sick then you should have resolution of your symptoms and then would be able to stop. If it’s allergies then you would need to continue these medications and discuss with your doctor.
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Pregnancy tests definitive or not?
26 Female. I’m just wondering. I’ve gotten pregnancy tests (all negative) I also got an at home blood HCG test (negative). I’m almost 8 weeks past the last time I had sex. (Used a condom). Anyways, I did get my period. It was lighter than usual but lasted for same number of days and bled red and with clots. I started having nausea and stomach ache (upper stomach) and constipation/diarrhea. (Sometimes both on the same day). Started almost 24 days after sex. I get muscle aches but that could be because we just got back to working after Working from home for a long time. Is it possible I’m pregnant after all the negative tests? I heard of cryptic pregnancies, are those real or just a miscalculation?
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: Continued negative tests 8 weeks after potential conception are definitive.
"Cryptic pregnancy" generally refers to a condition where the person is psychologically unwilling to accept the pregnancy, or does not test. It does not refer to people taking multiple tests and somehow being pregnant despite all the tests being negative. You used protection, have gotten your period since, and have multiple negative tests, so you are clearly not pregnant.
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strange passing out feeling.
Male 29, 5'11" 145lbs. Medications lithium for bipolar and naltrexone for alcohol cravings. Havent smoked in 5 months havent drank in 2 months. Never done drugs. Havent smoked weed in 2 months.
Started yesterday when i was working on a ladder when i started to get a passing out feeling took a break and got back on my ladder fine.
5 hours later is it did it again while i was cooking.
Then again while relaxing in my lawn chair drinking a coke.
Then today it did it again while driving.
| 4
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**Physician - Radiology**: This is “time to see a doctor” territory. Could be anything including heart issues.
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HELP! ER time???
Hello, I am 6'0 25 M. I weigh 200 lbs. Only taking multi vitamins and omega 3. I have been dealing with brain fogs, confusion, balance issues, and dizziness for the last 3 months. Now, I am having dirreaha and nausea after eating for like 10 days straight with all the other symptoms continuing. So should I be concerned about this? Should I go to ER or go to primary care.
| 4
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**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: Sounds like a PCP issue
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Would it be safe for me to start being active after being sedentary for a while and dealing with physical anxiety symptoms?
23 male, 133 lbs, 5 ft 11.
A little back story. I was more of less living sedentary for a couple years. In the spring of 2022 I decided to start going on walks and going to the gym because my anxiety and depression kept getting worse.
In june of 2022 the anxiety and depression caught up and I started getting physical symptoms. The worst were being super sensitive and aware of my heart beat and my breathing.
I was scared to move too fast, go for walks, pretty much do anything physically active.
I had my heart checked and all was good. It took MONTHS to get out of that mindset but very slowly I started getting better.
I still have chest tightness and shortness of breath that comes and goes depending on my stress and anxiety levels. I also started sleeping worse which makes my stress worse.
Anyways. Im starting a job as a food delivery guy and Im paranoid about the shape of my body suddenly getting back out there. I hear the hardest part of the job is going up and down apartment stairs which I kinda struggle with. I get immediate panic when going on stairs and everything gets tight and hard to breathe.
I know that exposure is the only thing that will fix this, since thats what helped my other symptoms, but i dont wanna over work my body.
I've watched "the biggest loser" and all that and it seems like those people do NOT hold back what so ever. So I should be fine right? Might be uncomfortable for a week or 2 but Im assuming I wont get anything life threatening from starting a job and walking some stairs right?
| 5
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**Physician - General Surgery**: Safe. Gradually increase activity as tolerated
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Went to doctor to get my ears cleaned and now I can't hear..what do I do?
Hi, I (18F) went to my local doctors office and they said my left ear was extremely plugged up. So I scheduled a cleaning. I went to that appointment and right from the start I could tell the nurse didn't know what she was doing. She blamed it on "being short and needing a better vantage point," but with how much she fumbled with my ear, I think she was just inexperienced.
Either way, she poked and prodded in my ear for 10 minutes before finally admitting she needed help when another nurse poked her head in. At that point, nurse 2 said that my ear was too irritated to keep trying.
Its now a day later and I can't hear anything out of my left ear. What do I do? Is there any way I can resolve this at home?
| 3.5
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: You should try to go to an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor as soon as possible. There are less serious possibilities (clogged earwax, fluid in ear) and more serious possibilities (ruptured tympanic membrane) for why you can't hear right now.
If you can't get to a specialist in any quick fashion, go back to the doctor's office and ask to see a doctor this time so they can look at the ear and see what kind of damage (if any) was done. It sounds like the nurse who was supposed to do the cleaning didn't know what they were doing. (I'm surprised she was poking and prodding at all - usually ears are flushed with water using a special ear-squirting device.)
**Physician**: I agree with not trying to do anything at home.
There’s two likely possibilities if you can’t hear after a cleaning. First, you may now have impacted cerumen and basically the wax is right up against the ear drum and blocking sound. If that’s the case, you really need a physician (ideally an ENT to remove it).
The other possibility is that the ear drum is completely ruptured. And that also needs attention.
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What pain relief options can I take for a headache that’s not getting better after paracetamol ? Unable to take NSAIDS
Headache that is getting worse over the 5/6 days w/ eye pain.
Taking daily : Actezolamide (1000mg/twice daily), topirimate (100mg/twice daily), cymbalt (60mg), plaquenil (200mg/twice daily).
Pain relief : taking paracetamol 1000mg every 4 hours. Giving very little relief
Zolmitriptan spray (6 hours ago)
Took one more - 1 hour ago (though I’m not confident this is a migraine)
Took 10mg of metoclopramide
*cant take NSAIDS because of prior allergic reaction to aspirin and was told not to.
28 yo female.
Edit : I don’t have a temperature, I don’t feel sick in any other way, no neck pain or anything bad like that. I don’t think I have anything majorly emergent or sinister going on.
| 4
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: You should go see your doctor.
Non urgently you should readress your NSAID allergy. Not all reactions to aspirin mean you can't take all NSAIDs.
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Medication
I am a female 26 5’7’’ I weigh about 170lbs I got COVID 3 weeks ago and my lungs are still struggling. What medication can I take to repair my lungs so I’m not short of breath?
| 6
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: There aren't medications for what you describe. It takes time. You had a lung infection. Your lungs need to heal.
**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: There is not a single medication for this. Your lungs need time to heal. Some people are left with scarring of their lungs after COVID, but unfortunately we don’t know how to predict or prevent this.
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Is it normal to bleed vaginally every time I poop?
Age: 28. Gender: female. Height: 5’1. Weight: 110 lbs.
I have never had abnormal Pap smear tests. I have confirmed endometriosis and am waiting for a laparoscopic surgery but that will take a while.
I was advised to start skipping placebo pills of birth control because periods are extremely painful for me.
Is it normal to have bright red discharge or spotting every time I poop on birth control? I checked and it’s NOT from my rectum.
| 4
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**Physician | Women's Health**: It’s definitely not normal. Recommend that you see a gynaecologist and explain your symptoms. If they do not find anything, then you may also need to be seen by a colo-rectal specialist.
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OBGYN told me my vaginal pain isn’t worth investigating and I should go to a pain clinic; she also told me to take BC even though is causes psychosis - is this normal?
30F. PCOS.
I recently went to a new OBGYN to discuss family planning and vaginal pain I experience after sex since having an IUD put in (and since taking out almost two years back). For some history, I’ve been on birth control previously and hormones cause very serious side effects. (Hallucinations, psychosis, anger). I was told by my previous GP I should never take hormonal bc, and a copper IUD may be my only option, except I already have heavy periods and the copper IUD may make them worse.
My OBGYN discussed family planning with me and stated I may have cysts on my ovaries, and I’ll need to go on birth control for a few months if that’s the case to make the cysts go away. I reminded her that BC gives me psychosis to the point I always committed and she told me if I wanted a baby that’s something I’ll need to deal with.
Furthermore, when I asked about the vaginal pain I have during sex (I have a friend with vaginismus and our symptoms are almost identical) she interrupted me and told me there was nothing she could do for me. I asked if we needed to reschedule at a later date to do an exam and she said I didn’t, and that I need to see a pain clinic.
She never gave me an exam or asked any questions beyond “do you have a history of cancer?”
Is this a typical response? I feel dismissed and unheard but I’m not sure if I’m reading into it too much.
| 4
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**Physician**: If you’re feeling unheard and can’t get basic physical exams, it’s time for a second opinion.
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Very sensitive to amount of oxygen in the room, thirsty often... Advice needed. [25M]
**Facts about me:**
I'm 25, male, 65kg weight, 180cm height, not smoking or drinking, occasionally eating junk food (eg. chocolates) but that's it otherwise eating healthy, had and still have years of problems with IBS, very sensitive digestive system and I don't know why.
**Problem:**
Everyday people who come into my room complain that it's, like, extremely cold for them, while for me it's perfectly normal and quite pleasant. If I close the windows I'll start feeling that there's no oxygen in the room very quickly. I'll start feeling sleepy, like I cannot think. And if I turn on the heater, I might have a headache and have to drink insane amounts of water. If I go to sleep and take a nap during the day, I feel extremely thirst.
I'm not sure where or how to ask about this. Is there something I need to check? Why does it feel cold for others what feels normal for me? Why do I seem to be so sensitive to amount of oxygen in the room?
I need someone's advice.
| 5
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: Get a carbon monoxide detector and check that room/your house ASAP. What you’re describing isn’t an oxygen problem, but is very concerning for carbon monoxide.
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weird reaction to having a simple conversation that ive never felt before
hi im 18 male. today i was sitting in my room with my roommate and felt perfectly healthy. i've been eating normally the same ive been eating for the past few weeks. my roomate decided to ask for my help in his cs lab so i offered him my help. we both kneeled down to look at his laptop on the bed (the desks in our dorms are too small for both of us). as i started talking, i slowly started to lose my breath. my eyes started twitching and trying to close and i wasn't able to think or speak clearly. i kinda hid it and when my roomate got up to leave, i almost passed out and my ears were ringing very loudly for a few minutes after. now i feel normal again, but my entire body is covered in sweat. i have no clue what could have caused this, its never happened to me before. its worth noting that i've been awake for nearly 24 hours, but ive done this hundreds of times in the past and have never experienced anything like this before. i thought i might just be sleepy, but once i stopped talking, my ears stopped ringing, and i feel perfectly awake and dont feel like i want to sleep or anything like that.
| 4
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**Physician - Family Medicine**: Some type of system error from your lack of sleep. Get some regular sleep, hydrate and observe. If it keeps happening, see a doctor for and exam and some labs.
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Can lifestyle changes counteract intimate side effects of SSRIs?
Caucasian 21 year old male. I just got started 2 months ago on fluoxatine and then trazadone was added a month later. They’ve murdered my sex drive, as well as making it difficult to maintain arousal and achieve orgasm. Are there any lifestyle changes I could implement to minimize or counteract these affects?
| 4
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**Physician**: Sexual side effects of serotonergic drugs are related to the effects they have on dopamine. The solutions that work are a) to add bupropion or b) stop the serotonergic medication. Discuss this with your prescribing doctor.
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My body doesn’t like it when I sit or lie down
Age: 26
Sex: Male
For the past 2 years, whenever I sit or lie down (more noticeable when sitting), I start experience throbbing sensation on the lower right side of my back, as well as an increased heart rate. I then begin to feel tension building up around my scalp and at the back of my neck. This tension buildup is always concentrated on the right side of my head/neck more so than the left side.
Prolonged sitting (10 min+) leads to facial numbness on the entire right side of my face, especially noticeable around the right eye. My head also feels VERY tense, like an elastic band being stretched out. And all this progressively worsen the longer I sit/lay down (I’ve also noticed that it gets worst a lot quicker if I was sitting on a well cushioned seat vs a firm seat).
Right now, I’m having a lot of trouble focusing and concentrating on my work because my head is always really tense and I try to avoid sitting as much as I can everywhere I go. My quality of life has dropped drastically since the start of this medical condition, and I hope to god someone out there knows what’s wrong with my body.
Last I saw a physician for this, I was prescribed headache medication that didn’t help. I’ve also been working on my diet and getting regular exercise for the last year or so, but nothing seems to help.
| 4
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**Neurosurgery**: You need a serious neuro eval to determine which part of your neuraxis should be imaged.
|
70 years old female. suddenly developed mental issues and behaviour like dementia.
Sudden mental issues like dementia.
Good evening all. My mother in law during the past 3 weeks seems to have suddenly developed mental issues like deep anxiety and paranoia. Constantly worrying about money and not being able to pay bills, not being able to go out shopping to the point she not leaving the house at all, not turning the heating on for fear of not being able to pay the bill etc.
Today my wife went to visit (we live abroad) and her mum went shopping with another relative and bought a stupid amount of meat, defrosted some more because her daughter was visiting. All day she was edgy, constantly walking up and down inside the house, hugging people saying it s gonna be hard time to come etc etc.
And much more.
We don't know if she had a concussion or anything like that. She lost her brother at Christmas and lives alone.
I know denentia develops with time and up to few weeks ago she was doing fine.
Is it a sudden but very strong mental / behaviour issue.
What could be? Many thanks in advance for your time.
| 4
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**Physician - Ob/Gyn**: There are multiple possibilities here. She needs proper assessment by a doctor, looking for signs of infection, as well as neurological deficit.
There are multiple types of dementia, most slowly progressing, but vascular dementia can occur fast, and is very up and down with its decline.
It is more probable this is a form of delerium, a type of reversable mental deterioration due to an external cause (usually infection). Urinary tract infections are a big cause for this. This can be dangerous if not fully appreciated if the patient is on a lot of medications and due to the delierum are either over, or under dosing - especially with things like thyroxine or meds related to mood.
There is a possibility of psychosis/bipolar, though my knowledge on psychiatry is not great (I do believe this would be lower on the differential list as she is not a prime candidate for it).
Basically, she needs a full assessment, once infection or other causative agent is ruled out then they would look into dementia/psychiatric illness.
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I (34F) am not sure if I should see my doctor about Leukemia concerns, or if it is anxiety.
I am 34 F, 6’0, 240lbs. I take 20mg Escitalopram and 30mg Nifedipine daily. I am approximately 15 weeks postpartum, had a traumatic birth where I developed sepsis and needed an emergency c section. I have been dealing with extreme health anxiety every since and am trying to get some perspective.
I have 2 small bruises on my leg (knee and just above knee) a larger bruise on the back of one hand, and another smaller bruise on the back of the other hand and a small one on my arm. I don’t know or remember how I got them. They are all a light brown/yellowish colour. I noticed them yesterday but I have no idea when they started. It is not uncommon for me to bruise, but this set me off.
Since I gave birth, I have had pain in my hips. The left one can get particularly sore. Also some abdominal pain and tenderness around my scar and have had since the c section. Today, I have what feel like shin splints. Like stiffness in the shin area when I flex my feet. I had some knee pain last night but that’s not new. I get pain and stiffness in my left arm and leg sometimes. I don’t know if it’s new or not, I would sometimes get it during the night when sleeping on that side since during and before pregnancy.
I also get some night sweats. They began right after childbirth and I would be soaked. My OB said this was normal. I still do sweat at night but much less and not soaking. I am also very fatigued, but I have a baby who does not sleep well. I am able to stay awake and get through my day, I’m just very tired. During pregnancy I had heartburn and I still have heartburn and nausea off and on.
It should be noted that I had blood work that included a CBC a month ago and all was normal.
I’m scared because apparently the bruising, fatigue, bone soreness, night sweats and heartburn and nausea all are symptoms of Leukemia. The normal blood work doesn’t make me feel better, because apparently Leukemia can be acute and come on suddenly. I am so scared but I don’t know if I am overreacting.
| 6
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**Physician - Pathologist**: Nothing here screams leukemia, your symptoms are all non-specific and you've offered likely explanations for each one.
Do you have a history of health anxiety?
**Physician - Hematology/Oncology**: You gotta lead with the normal CBC. If your CBC is normal, leukemia is out.
Heavy bruising is way more common than you’d imagine and the cause is almost never found.
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i drank once and now i can’t perform in bed. what should i do?
to preface this, i (21M) am not a heavy drinker. i occasionally drink with my friends on special occasions but that’s about it. a few days ago i decided to go out with my girlfriend & her friends for drinks and had a little too much to drink. ever since then, i have been struggling to keep an erection up and porn does not get me going as much as before anymore. i was wondering if the sudden sexual dysfunction had anything to do with the alcohol. a quick google search showed that alcohol-induced ED goes away after a day or so. my inability to stay erect has taken a toll on my self esteem, as well as my girlfriend’s. what should i do?
| 5
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**MD - Peds GI | Top Contributor**: No, alcohol won't cause a permanent change in erectile function.
ED at your age is almost 100% from your state of mind and the social situation. Your best bet is to just relax, take your time, and reassure your girlfriend that it's got nothing to do with her. (Assuming that's true).
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18F. Stomach hurts like hell after zero gravity ride at a festival
This ride really messed up my stomach but I didn’t eat anything today other than breakfast. I already vomited two times and it did nothing. Green/yellow liquid only came out which I assume is my stomach acid. I’m also very tired. I would just like to get rid of this pain. I don’t have any access to medication.
I also still feel a little dizzy. It’s been hours
| 5
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**Physician**: You could go to the pharmacy and get an anti-nausea medication. Dramamine (Gravol) is commonly available over the counter at pharmacies.
If this persists, then it may be something to worry about.
How are you feeling now, 4 hours later?
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Lamictal: SJS?
23F diagnosed Bipolar 1 and PTSD.
No known major physical health issues or problems.
I have been taking Seroquel 100mg and Zoloft 100mg. Went to the hospital for a week for mental health reasons and they reduced my Zoloft to 50mg and started me on Lamictal.
I started with 25mg of Lamictal twice daily last Saturday (the 12th), and then Friday (the 18th) she increased the dose to 50mg twice daily, so 100mg total. I haven’t had any rash at all. She told me I only need to worry if a rash appears, and to go to the ER if that happens. I was discharged Friday evening.
I got the flu shot while I was there on Wednesday, and started having flu like symptoms on Thursday. No rash has presented but I feel feverish, weak, and have a productive cough (dark yellow mucus) and nose congestion.
Is it possible to have SJS without a rash? Should I be concerned about possibly having SJS? Or could this just be a reaction to the flu shot? I rarely get the flu shot, and every time I do I get flu like symptoms like this that last for about a week.
EDITED TO ADD: At home COVID test was negative.
| 6
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**Physician**: You have a cold or the flu. You could have Covid-19 and tested before shedding enough virus to have a positive rapid antigen test. Lots of viruses going around. Influenza vaccine does not cause a cough or nasal congestion. You don't have SJS.
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Incidental findings on my chest ct to rule out pulmonary embolism - please help explain
The emergency room doctor never mentioned this, but in the CT report the radiologist noted "incidentally noted mild bibasalar linear scarring and also noted "Aortic atherosclerosis with tortuosity." And finally "Stable 4 mm noncalcified nodular opacity right middle lobe since 2020."
What significance do any of the above have?
The summary impression only mentioned:
No PE found Resolution of previous pneumonia from March
I'm a 37 year old male with a history of kyphoscoliosis, recent complaint is shortness of breath and chest pain.
| 4
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: The linear scarring just means you had some inflammatory process in the past, most likely pneumonia, that is now resolved. It won’t affect you in the future. The nodule is just a spot, 4mm is very small. The fact that is hasn’t changed in 2 years means it’s also just a small scar, it also won’t affect you in the future. Having aortic atherosclerosis at such a young age does have important implications about your risk for coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease in the future. I suggest you speak with your doctor about how to reduce your risks, which may include diet/exercise, monitoring cholesterol levels, blood pressure control, and possibly medications to control cholesterol.
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[F19] I fainted unexplained a while ago and now my apple watch keeps giving me weird EKG results. Should I go to a cardiologist?
I am a 19-year-old woman. About 5'2 and 60kg. I have an anxiety disorder, coeliac, endometriosis, and usually an iron deficiency( haven't had it checked in a while). I have taken birth control for the last 6 years. About 6 months ago I fainted and went to the hospital they did an EKG 6 hours later which came out normal. I was supposed to get a 24-hour EKG but the thing broke while I had it. I have not had the opportunity to get another one. To the weird results (context: I did an internship at a heart center I know what an EKG is supposed to look like) for the last 4 days right after I wake up the EKG results are either inconclusive or poor recording. I follow the instructions. During the day the results usually are normal. When I look at them they are not right.
Now for the question itself. For me going to my doctor's means a 4-hour train ride. I do not have a doctor in the city I'm living in. I'm not worried, it's an apple watch EKG, but it has been happening for long enough for me to ask someone. So should I go home to see a cardiologist or can it wait 6 weeks?
| 4
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**Physician**: Apple watches are not medical devices and any so-called “ECG” they give you is medically meaningless.
I’d get the 24 hour tape done when you can since it hasn’t been done properly before.
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DVT PE no scan as on thinners
Diagnosed pulmonary embolism bilateral in Dec. On fragmin twice a day ever since. Woke up 2am agonising leg pain, eased very slightly but not much. Slight swelling but not measurable (as in, both my partner and I can see a difference but the calves measure the same). Saw a Dr this morning who said it's best to scan me due to my history, but after a long wait at hospital they refused as I am already on the treatment dose of fragmin so they wouldn't do anything with the results.
I feel slightly short of breath and my heart rate has been up all day. When I was at the hospital I was on constant heart rate monitor (I'm pregnant) and it ranged from 105- 134. Now I'm home it's hovering around the 105-115 mark but usually when I rest it is 75-90.
Since the PE I have suffered with back pain and occasional shortness of breath but not like this. I feel fobbed off and scared. Will I definitely be okay just because I'm on Fragmin? Is there a chance it isn't working?
31 female. 27 weeks pregnant. 22500 fragmin per day. 5'7''. 115kg maybe? No other history of anything. No other medication. Don't smoke or drugs or drink. UK.
| 2
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**Physician**: You need that scan to rule out a spontaneous thigh hematoma. A major amount of blood can be lost in the fascia planes of the thigh. It would cause severe pain without injury, swelling, and if you’re anemic because of hemorrhage you would be short of breath and faster heart rate.
Sometimes you can call back to the ER doc to discuss this to see if they think you should come back in or at least get a hemoglobin test.
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am I underweight and do i need to do something
23m 6 feet 115 pounds like i can't physically eat anything without weed which gets expensive like recently I have wasted so much money on breakfast and lunch just to chew and spit it out then throw it away
| 4
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: Why can’t you eat? This requires an in-person docto appointment
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girlfriend late on her period
My (27M) gf’s (25F) last period was mid October. We last had unprotected sex on November 1st and she hasn’t had her period since. I’m a grad student and she’s a new nurse, so we’ve both been under stress and exhausted more days than not. Especially my gf because she’s an ICU nurse who works rotating shifts, so she’s constantly rotating being awake and working days or nights. She took a pregnancy test the other day and it was negative.
From looking at different online period trackers (I know not 100% accurate), she would’ve ovulated late October, early November and should’ve had her period mid November. No symptoms she says, but she 1) may just be asymptomatic in early pregnancy or 2) the exhaustion and nausea (no vomiting) from making herself stay awake during night shift is actually the early pregnancy symptoms. It was revealed to me that she’s been off of her birth control since early October. She said she had irregular periods before starting birth control in late high school, and with the pill her periods were more regular.
Would pregnancy tests even work if she were however many weeks along now? I feel I’m more concerned about it than she is. TIA!
| 4
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: A pregnancy test would still work if she were 8+ weeks along, and would be expected to be positive if she were actually pregnant. Given a negative test, worth taking another to be sure, but it's likely due to the stress and lifestyle changes.
To add, if she was on birth control through early October, then she wasn't getting regular periods during that time, she was getting withdrawal bleeding. If her normal periods don't resume in the next month or so now that she's off the hormonal birth control, worth talking to her doctor about why.
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Supposed to drink a gallon of polyethylene
32F, white, bowel issues and trouble swallowing. Hoshimotos and hypothyroidism. I take 88 mcg synthroid. Scheduled for a endoscopy and colonoscopy tomorrow afternoon. I was prescribed to drink a gallon of polyethylene glycol and I I'm trying but I can't keep it down. As soon as I swallow it, it comes right back up. It tastes like straight salt water and I can't get it down. The office is closed and I'm not sure what to do. I've had to reschedule 2 times and it takes 4 months to get back in and we would be moving by then. Is there something I can add or do to drink this stuff? Please help!!!
| 5
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: Add flavor packets like crystal light. Just not red
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Unexplained weight loss
Hi there! I am a 21 y/o female and recently I lost quite a bit of weight within a few months & was just wondering if I should be concerned. I am 5’4 and weighed 118 lbs about 2 months ago, but now I’m only weighing in at 105. I’ve also noticed that I’ve been really really tired lately. This feels like a big drop in weight & I haven’t really made any changes to my diet or exercise. (I generally eat pretty well, try to eat a balanced diet, & don’t drink alcohol). Should I bring this up with my primary care doc or is this normal?
| 4
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**Registered Nurse**: You should speak to your doctor about it.
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The left side of my face is numb and can’t move.
So on Saturday at around 11 a.m. i[19m] woke, showered, and brushed my teeth. During the shower nothing was irregular, but when I went to spit after brushing my teeth I noticed i couldn’t purse my lips on my left side. Instinctively i check for swelling and couldn’t feel or see any, but when I smiled I noticed my left side was drooping. Now I know symptoms of strokes include face drooping or loss of strength in muscles on one or both sides of the body. But that’s my only symptom. No headaches, dizziness, loss of balance, or double vision, nothing. So my question is, am I okay?
More info: I’m a relatively healthy person. I’m no longer in sports right now and have been lazy to get back in the gym but a few months ago I was a wrestler in the heavyweight division. So of course I’m gonna be somewhat chubby. I have no allergies as far as i know. However I am using a tooth paste that I have never used prior to the day it started. No previous health issues. But my family does have a few people that has had a stroke or two, as well as a few with Bell’s Palsy.
| 1
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**Registered Nurse**: Could be Bell’s palsy but could also be an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. I’ve seen young people bust an aneurysm.
Go to ER
**Community Nurse**: Go to hospital and get checked, this could be bells palsy which is less concerning however you definitely want to play it safe
**Physician**: High probability of Bell's palsy but you need to be seen. Go to E.D asap
**Physician**: Please go to the hospital even if it is Bells palsy. Without a full neurologic examination anyone would just be guessing and to potential risk a fatal complication listing to random people on the internet is playing Russian roulette. Generally bells palsy is treated with short course of steroids and potential antiviral medication but ideally within first 72 hrs. If the physician determines is Bells palsy then you may not need a CT brain. Also you need to keep your eye lubricated if your eyelid doesn't fully close as you are at risk of corneal ulcer. Most people with bells palsy recover, roughly 70%, but can take months.
Go to the hospital.
**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: Probably Bell’s palsy (not a really big deal) but you need to be evaluated in the ED to confirm. Please go to ER
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Tylenol VS 101.8°F Fever
(18F)(weight 137 Lbs)(height 5”4)
(Non smoker)
I’m currently running a 101.8 Fahrenheit fever and I took DayQuil 4 hours ago and just took a Tylenol. After taking the Tylenol I suddenly became even warmer. I feel heat coming out of my ears, my head hurts super bad and my whole body is hot. My brothers described it as touching the stove 5 minutes after you turned it off.
Is this normal? I only had a fever once in my life when I was 6 after getting the influenza vaccine. I don’t have any experience with fevers please help.
Edit: my fever got reduced to 100.6
| 5.5
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**Registered Nurse**: It's normal to feel terrible if you have a fever. Try taking some ibuprofen (advil) as well. Only take it as per the package directions. Also becareful taking Dayquil and tylenol since Dayquil alsi contains tylenol. It can be easy to take too much tylenol in a day if you're taking both. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water.
**Physician - General Surgery**: Agree with nurse.
Ignore it. You’re sick. It’ll pass.
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Vomiting blood
I am a 20 something male who over the past year/year and a half have had an on and off drinking problem. The last month i've switched between drinking almost an entire bottle of vodka each or every other day. I'm only mentioning this because what i could google myself says it might be part of my actual problem.
I am also bulimic and force myself to expell food quite often. The last two days however i've noticed a big amount of blood during 2 times i've done this. I can't totally recall but i think the blood was a normal red, not too dark not too bright. I'd say yesterday it was maybe a bit more than a shotglass of blood while today it was that times 2. Today however i'm also feeling a considerate amount of nausea whenever i ate and after the first vomiting also what feels like chest pain. I should probably just get checked at a doctor, but i'm honestly more afraid of people knowing i've hurt myself with alcohol than i am dying at the moment.
I guess my question is if i should take time out or if i can wait it out i guess. Maybe not drinking a while will let it go away and maybe it's just a sore in my throat.
| 5
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: You have multiple issues contributing to your problem. The first is your alcoholism. Alcohol directly injures the esophagus but also relaxes your lower esophageal sphincter which allows reflux of stomach contents including acid. This will damage your esophagus and cause esophagitis. On top of that, you're purging which also forces food and acid up your esophagus, which also corrodes your esophagus leading to esophagitis. Lastly, though unlikely at your age, if you're a heavy drinker for long enough, you will get liver disease and that can cause your esophageal veins to enlarge and burst which leads to severe bleeding.
My guess is that you have severe esophagitis and you severely damaged your esophagus with your alcohol abuse and purging. You need to seek help for your issues. Bleeding is the least of your issues. Later on, this will turn into strictures and can even become esophageal cancer. In the mean time, you should take a PPI twice daily and probably if you're going to continue to purge carafate four times a day. However, this will not fix or address the issues you have.
You need to seek care.
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Is getting up to urinate 3-4 times a night by your mid-30s anything to be concerned about?
35M - Frequent urination at night is always something I've associated with older people. Is mid-30s too young or is it normal?
| 4
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**Physician**: It could be life style related, it could also be a variety of other things. It depends how long it’s been going on, how often it’s happening and if there are other symptoms. In person work up recommended if new and persistent.
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When to go to ED for vomiting bile, severe pain
I'm 26, female, hx of chronic pancreatitis and subsequent tpait. I'm having severe abdominal pain, chest pain, sore throat. Been throwing up green bile and can't eat anything. Feels like my insides are being carved out and I'm in agony. I'm considering the ED but unsure. Any advice welcome.
| 1
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**Neonatal Nurse Practitioner**: With a history of pancreatitis, I would go in.
**Physician**: ED sounds reasonable.
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Did I gave myself salt poisoning?
(22M) (6.1) (220) pounds more or less. I don’t know cause it was a year since I knew my weight cause I have nothing to check it other then the at out Local health Center.
Now about half a hour ago I put a spoonful or a lot more in a small cup of warm water and rinse my mouth with it cause I have a canker sore (also never ingested the drink) then a minute later I rinse my mouth a couple times with water and spit and force more spit out and i can taste a bit more sait like in the back of my throat or something.
Now I’m sitting here scared thinking I gave myself salt poisoning
| 6
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: No.
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Should I go to ER for this fever that lasted a few days?
I have a fever of 101.3 or so. Have had headaches and a sore neck. Barely no swollen lymph nodes. Started Thursday. It’s saturday now. I’m an otherwise healthy 24 year old adult. My mom insists I go to the ER lol. She doesn’t live nearby but she’s freaking out because the fever seems to “get higher.” It’s not really. It’s fluctuating yes, but yeah it got a little higher when I was taking a nap under the covers sure. I just don’t think this is a cause of concern. What do y’all think?
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: A fever is not an emergency, if you're otherwise feeling ok. The ER is for emergencies.
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(25 F, 6'0", 276 lbs, black) experiencing primary cough headache, should I see a doctor right away?
It started out this morning with me bending over to pick up something and I got a sharp and sudden pain around my head (but not the top, sort of like a halo) and it went away after a bit. I noticed that it's also happening when I cough.
I'm also been battling a cold(not covid) for the past 4 days and I thought I was almost better but today I don't feel like its getting better. It has been a wet cold(fever, runny noose, sneezing) the past days but today I woke up with a dry throat and this weird headache thing
Is this concerning? Should I go to the ER/my doctor knowing that we r pretty backed up here in my area? I'm mainly asking because what I saw on my Google search is freaking me out
I take 60 mg of biphenton daily for ADHD, it's a stimulant (I'm not gonna lie I'm not sure if I ate my meds today but this hasn't happened before when I've forgotten a dose)
| 6
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: Not concerning no. Just a headache and a cough with a cold.
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Had a minor accident, hit my head after falling from a scooter. Should I avoid drinking?
My head hit the ground but there is no swelling/scratches/bleeding seen externally. It's been a day and I have not noticed any common symptoms of a concussion/internal bleeding. The pain is also subsiding gradually. I have to attend a party tomorrow, should I avoid drinking? can it affect me in anyway? By when can I be sure it is nothing? Should I get a CT scan done?
Gender : M
Age : 23
Height : 5'8"
Weight : 72
Allergic to dust.
| 4
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**Physician**: Head injury is a common reason for an emergency room visit. Symptoms of a head injury can occur right away or may develop slowly over several hours or days. DO NOT drink alcohol within 48 hours of a head injury. For a mild head injury, no treatment may be needed. However, my advice is to call your GP and watch for symptoms of a injury, which can show up later. A CT scan is usually the best first test to diagnose a serious injury, but I don't 'see' specific signs for now.
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I swallowed something and it got stuck in my throat help me fix it please.
29F, 5'3 105
I was making cinnamon rolls and ate some of the frosting from the can, it was rather sticky and somehow when I swallowed it, it didn't go down my throat properly. I felt like I was choking and my eyes got all watery from it. I drank so much water, drank carbonated sparkling water and it stills feels stuck. Almost like a dry, sticky finish when I swallow which is really uncomfortable .How can I cure this? Its been around 3 hours since I got the frosting stuck. Anything works? How long to expect this?
| 6
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: You almost certainly do not have frosting still stuck in your esophagus, despite the globus sensation. That sensation lingers for a while, even after the object has moved.
**Physician**: Frosting would have melted and moved on. It'd be very unlikely that it is stuck.
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Should I take emergency contraception?
Age/sex: 23F, no known medical conditions/no drug or medication use
My boyfriend and I have always had protected sex, but this morning during foreplay, we got a little carried away and he ended up sticking his penis inside me without a condom on for about 5-10 seconds. He didn't thrust/ejaculate and pulled out to put on a condom before continuing further.
I am a bit paranoid because after we had sex, I checked my calendar and discovered that I was in the middle of my fertile window (ovulating). We also had protected sex the night before, so I am afraid that there might be sperm in any precum that would have been on him when he stuck it in without protection this morning. Should I take a Plan B to be safe? I took a Plan B last month and am worried about taking too many Plan Bs in a short amount of time. Are there any consequences to taking multiple Plan Bs in a short period of time?
| 5
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: If pregnancy would be a really bad outcome for you right now, then yes, I'd take Plan B despite no ejaculation on his part. No consequences to taking it multiple times in a few weeks, except for it maybe throwing your cycle off. It doesn't stop working if you take it more often.
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Is a fever of 102F (38.9C) normal for a cold?
F18, normal weight.
I think I caught the cold 3 days ago, it started with coughing and sore throat, I took two covid tests at home, both are negative, but today I woke up with a fever of 38.9C and it has stayed like that all day. I took paracetamol with codeine (the only paracetamol I had cuz I use it for migraines) and it went down to 37.8C (100F) but now it has come back. I don’t have any other symptoms well I feel aches all over and weakness from the fever but otherwise nothing else. I’ve started to think, maybe I should take another covid tests because the fever feels unusual for a cold although I haven’t been in contact with anyone with covid.
| 5
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: You should take a repeat COVID test. Fever like that makes me think more about flu and COVID than other viruses, though common cold viruses can cause these symptoms.
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I'm 29 weeks pregnant and just found out my iron had been "considerably low" since week 8. How can I boost my iron levels quickly and significantly?
27F 5'3" 61kgs White No medical conditions Medications are Elevit and Maltopher No alcohol, smoking or drugs and living in Australia
I've been passed from doctor to doctor against my wishes and have been severely neglected in my prenatal care until now, and I'm just trying to be the best mom I can be.
I exercise, eat organic, and balance meat, carbs and veggies with every meal. I've only put on about 3-4 kilos so far, have still struggled with vomiting, and lots of fatigue.
All pregnancy I've been on 2 supplements which combined give me 160mg of iron every day, and my results still came back "considerably low."
I've been booked for another blood test at 34 weeks but I'm trying to make up for lost time the best I can, however I can. Very appreciative of any help or pointers I can get!
| 5
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**Neonatal Nurse Practitioner**: More iron supplementation really is the only way to achieve it.
Iron deficiency is not uncommon in pregnancy, which is why prenatal vitamins tend to have a large dose.
**Rheumatology Research Fellow**: I’m unsure what “considerably low” would mean for your test results. There are two options, either 1) low but acceptable or 2) low and unacceptable.
A loss of iron is expected. If you’ve been supplementing for three months during pregnancy, then you either need to take more supplements or receive a blood transfusion. The latter will act within minutes, the former could take weeks or months
**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: If you're not anemic I wouldn't worry too much about it. yes you need more iron during pregnancy, but your body increases its capacity to absorb iron to compensate. Most people don't even need an iron supplement during pregnancy. In fact, they don't even check iron levels routinely where I live.
Iron is actually better absorbed if you take it every other day/every 2-3 days instead of daily. Our bodies can't get rid of excess iron, so it tries to prevent that from happening at all cost. That means that the more iron you consume, the more your body produces a protein that stops absorption. If you only take it every other day, that protein doesn't increase and you will actually absorb more iron than if you were to take it every day!
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scared of azithromycin
I am a 19 year old male and I they told me a week ago that i have Mgen and they gave me azithromycin to treat it. It has been a week and just the thought of taking the azithromycin gives me a lot of anxiety. I suffer from health anxiety from a long time ago, specially with things that have to do with the heart and I saw that azithromycin can cause arrhythmia, and even though it is a rare side effect i can’t take that out of my mind. I don’t know what to do, I am ashamed to call my doctor because I think this is stupid but at the same time I need to do something about it because the infection is not gonna go away on its own.
| 6
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**Physician**: Every single medication (and action in life, full stop) carries a small risk.
The risk you are talking about is 0.0047%.
So you have a 0.0047% risk, versus the 100% risk of the infection you *know* you have.
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Left tampon in for 48 hours!??
24F 50kg.
There is a really bad smell which is what made me panic and find the tampon but no other symptoms. Is this an emergency? Will I get toxic shock syndrome?
I live in Botswana, I am currently not near a doctor or hospital (but I will be this weekend). Advice please I’m panicking!!
| 6
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**Physician**: If you’ve taken out the tampon and you’re not having any other symptoms, you really don’t have anything to worry about.
Tampons left in for several days *can* cause TSS. Which is why we recommend more frequent removal. However, not all tampons left in for several days *do* cause TSS.
If you start develop TSS in the next few days, you’ll get *really, really sick*. With fevers, chills, likely nausea, vomiting, etc. If you don’t get very sick in the next few days, then you have nothing to worry about. I would just monitor your symptoms. If you’re feeling mostly well, then no need to rush to the hospital.
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How bad is this? Heart
Hello,
39f. White. 5’7” 120 lbs. non smoker/drinker no drugs. No medications.
About a year ago I had covid, and was having some residual shortness of breath so my doctor sent me for an echocardiogram just to check everything. Everything came back normal and my ejection fraction was 60%. My symptoms went away shortly after and I moved on.
Not sure if this is relevant but Later in the summer I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which was treatment resistant and I ended up losing my colon. I have had 2 surgeries so far on a reconstruction and one more to go next month to reverse my temporary ostomy.
Well, at my most recent surgery follow up my pulse was very high (130s) but my bp was quite low (88/60). As a precaution my surgeon sent me to the er (as I did end up with a portal vein blood clot after my first colon surgery). Everything there was fine. Had ct scan, ekg, blood work. This was last week.
Yesterday to be extra cautious he had me get an echocardiogram as my quickened pulse has continued on any exertion. Even just a shower and it can shoot up to 140 and I have to lay down for a bit. I just had the results come through and it says global systolic dysfunction, ejection fraction 30-35%. I am waiting to hear back from my doctor on what to do but obviously this is bad. How can I lose that much function in a year? Do I need to head to the er? How bad is this?
Thank you for reading.
| 3
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**Physician - Cardiology **: You have heart failure (weak heart).
Global systolic dysfunction is generally not related to a heart attack. You probably do deserve some sort of ischemic workup such as a stress test or coronary CT angiogram but probably don't need an invasive angiogram at this point. If your heart rate is still fast, that in and of itself can cause heart failure. Other causes include certain medications, alcohol, infections, stress, etc. You should be evaluated promptly by a cardiologist.
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cut my own hymen - went wrong
Hello doctors i need your help. A few months ago i decided to cut my own hymem with a strile razor blade and i made a cut down the middle of it. everything was fine, the bleeding stopped and it didnt hurt when i was having sex, however there was a small "loose skin" that was bothering me so a few months later i decided to redo this cut and did the same process only tried to make the cut closer to the vaginal opening skin. this also stopped bleeding and could feel no pain, however when i started having sex again i could feel alot of pain at the entry as if it would be ripped apart. ther was a burning sensation and i thought it was because i made an open wound which would need sticthes but i do not want to go to a doctor. this feeling doesnt happen every time i have sex but it is very often. Even when it is a finger there is still an uncomfortabl feeling that does not allow the entry to be very smooth and it just hurts alot. i try to push through it sometimes until it gets better but thinking there is something wrong with me ther has decrased my self esteem alot and i know its my fault. To mention i am 18 yrs old. If there is any advice on what i did please help, i am also not very eager in going to a doctor as i do not share this kind of information with my parents.
| 3
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: I suspect you have scar tissue from the incisions you made. First step is to stop cutting yourself. Next step is to see a doctor asap for a thorough examination. Please stop trying to fix this yourself, only going to make things worse.
If in the USA and cost is a concern you can always seek out clinics such as planned parenthood for care.
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Unexplained weight loss in morbidly obese woman
35 year old female, smoker, currently 322lbs 6ft tall BMI of 45, BPD with GAD that is well controlled with 120mg Duloxetine and 100mg chlorpromazine daily, ME/CFS with pain being treat with 30mg amitryptiline daily, PCOS being treat with 2000mg metformin daily and 30mg norethisterone daily for 10 days every 3 months to bring on menses, subclinical hypothyroidism being treat with 25mg levothyroxine daily, have been diagnosed with borderline type 2 diabetes but am not considered bad enough for further intervention considering I'm already prescribed metformin for PCOS
So I'm a morbidly obese woman who has struggled with my weight all my life. I am in the UK and am a candidate for bariatric surgery but I'm currently waiting for approval for funding for the surgery which given my list of medical issues is expected to be granted but as with everything in the NHS post COVID it's taking a while.
In the meantime I've been instructed to lose weight and I have been doing so slowly through calorie counting over the past year and a half. Some months I stalled or even gained a little back but it's been an overall downward trend and my bariatric team have been happy with my progress. At my heaviest I was 352lbs.
The problem is that my weight loss has suddenly increased rapidly with me going from losing a couple of pounds a month to losing 9lbs this month. My appetite has decreased dramatically in this time. I struggle to finish meals and probably would just forget to eat if my husband didn't bring me food.
I recently started amitryptiline to treat ME/CFS related pain but there's been no other change in my medication.
I know that as an obese woman who is headed towards bariatric surgery I should be thrilled with my losses but I'm worried that this sudden change in my appetite could be a sign of some underlying ill health and I don't want to end up ill so that I can't get my surgery.
Could this be down to my recently starting amitryptiline? My decreased appetite didn't come on overnight when I started taking it but has been more gradual.
My bariatric team are thrilled with my progress and that's all they are focusing on but I wonder if it's worth seeing my GP for a checkup?
| 4
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**Registered Nurse**: Anytime you lose a significant amount of weight without trying to, you should be checked up on. This is true regardless of your starting weight. Sudden weight loss is a yellow flag for a large variety of things. It could also be nothing at all. Worth getting looked at.
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Getting extremely sick after drinking small amounts of alcohol. Tests all came back negative and doctor insists I have nothing wrong with me.
I am a 25 year old Hispanic male. 5’10 and 185 lbs. Starting around last September, I noticed that when I would go to bars with friends I would have a ridiculous hangover the day after while everyone else would be fine. To test this, I had a single glass of wine at a birthday party and the day after I was bedridden, shaking, sweating and puking.
That was the last straw and I decided to go to my family doctor. They did various blood tests (I don’t remember what they were), and they all came back negative. I went to see my doctor again who said since the tests were negative nothing is wrong and I should just stay away from alcohol.
Last night I had a sip of Sake at a friends house when having sushi and I’ve been in bed all day today, throwing up and shaking.
Does anyone have any idea what this could be and/or what tests I should ask for to figure out what’s wrong with me?
Thanks!!!
| 4
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**Physician - Rheumatology**: Some people can't process alcohol. You don't mention any medications, but some medications cause reactions when mixed with alcohol. Alcohol intolerance and allergies to alcoholic beverages are not common, but they do happen. You could consult an allergist.
Wherever I see a post like this, I always wonder why people who get quite ill after drinking will ever have another drink. Serious question. Why? If it happened to me, especially on more than one occasion, I'd take the hint and never have anything with alcohol again.
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Positive for covid waking up when falling asleep due to congestion or clogging?
Hi all i am 30yo male that recently tested positive for covid on Sunday Oct 30. The first symptoms started saturday night, I had a slight fever some and a terrible headache, also my throat was scratchy. Now i have congestion with my nostrils clogging up with it.
Recently while trying to fall asleep, i kept waking up abruptly to the feeling of something feeling clogged not sure if its nose or throat. One of my nostrils don't work/sometimes both, I also started to cough some plegm up.
I have a cheap $30 oximeter with me and a thermometer and so far both results are fine. Should i practice some breathing exercises or go to the doctor immediately?
| 5
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**Neonatal Nurse Practitioner**: Sleep sitting up more, it will help. Have you taken a decongestant?
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(22m) Moderate/Heavy Smoker of both Cannabis and Tobacco. >80 Lung Age. Perhaps it was inevitable, though Is this reversible?
Lung age: >80
FEV1%Pred: 65%
FEV1%: 58%
Are these results indicative of onset lung disease or COPD?
I had Physcial yesterday and all of my functions were otherwise healthy with no abnormalities, however upon receiving the results of my spirometer test it was shown that I have this obscenely high lung age. I at the moment have a sore throat which may attribute some however as it stands as a non-asthmatic this seems dreadful. looking for input and advice as I’ve found this to be a rather unpopular subject despite the popularity of smoking.
| 5
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**Physician**: If you are worried about your lung function, I'd suggest you stop smoking everything.
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Female (18) missing period
My period has been missing for the last three months. I have taken 3 pregnancy test 2 which were negative and 1 that was an error. I know missing a period can be normal but I’ve never gone missed it for this long usually a few days if even that. my life has been more stressful that now I have gain some weight but I was wondering if there is any other reason why my period has been missing for 2 months ?? And can the pregnancy test be wrong should I take more?
| 4
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**Physician**: Stress and other factors such as nutrition and exercise can affect the regularity of your periods, additionally hormone imbalance from other pathology may also play a role. You can talk to your doctor about it in more depth and they can check your hormone levels (thyroid, FSH, LH, etc) and other lab work to further narrow down the cause. After 3 periods missed, it is considered secondary amenorrhea.
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Is my vagina normal or do I need to get checked out?
Hello, 27 yo female here. A little bit of background info…I have two kids and have never had any issues with my vagina before having children. Lately I have been experiencing pain during intercourse and when I look down there the only way I can describe what I see is a large bubble of pink tissue inside of my vagina that is on the bottom and on top of that is another piece of pink tissue that looks like chewed up bubble gum. I don’t see any opening whatsoever, and it is causing me concern. I’m scared my vagina is falling out…HELP😅
| 4
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**Physician**: It could be vaginal prolapse, a mass, etc. Especially with the pain, it’s worth getting it examined in person by your doctor. If your PCP does not do gynecological exams, you can see a gynecologist for further care. There are multiple causes for dyspareunia that can be anatomical, psychological, physiological, and so on. You’ll need to have a visit that goes through your history and a physical exam to determine the most probable etiologies.
**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: I would give pelvic rest precautions until you are able to be seen by your PCP or OB-Gyn as well. Has your partner noticed a difference or perceived difference in your anatomy? Any difficulty with urination or voiding recently? Concern would be a prolapse among other things in the differential but given you likely weren’t looking at your vagina this closely before it’s hard to know if anything has moved structurally if that makes sense. Good luck!
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When i blow my nose i can feel the air escaping right below my eye
19m 6.1ft 85kg Is it normal? It's not painful but it's a discomfort. It only happens with my left nostril and my left eye
| 4
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**Physician - Ophthalmology**: This is called air reflux through patulous nasolacrimal duct. It allows nasal contents into the tear film. I recommend seeing the ophthalmologist.
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Brain Tumor Question/CT Scan
Hello I'm a 25M fairly healthy individual. Around 155 pounds, 5'10.
I am a bit anxious I have a brain tumor and don't have insurance until middle of October so I'm trying to get some advice.
I got a CT scan on my head on June 23rd and everything was great - no issues. I came in since I had a weird feeling in my left side of my head that came and went. Currently experiencing something similar but with some pressure on the left side. Can a tumor grow within 3 months? Going to try to book an appointment if I can find a cheap option just trying to figure out the level of concern. Thanks for the help
| 6
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**Physician**: Unlikely to be a tumor.
**Physician**: Unlikely this is related to a brain tumor, especially with a clean scan that recent. 100 other reasons to have pressure intermittently to the head from standard headaches, to migraine, to sinus disease. None of it sounds urgent.
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Heavy Bleeding and Pain after (first time) penetrative sex
20f, on Prozac and Lamotrigine, 5’2” and about 116 pounds. Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety. Suspected BPD, suspected endometriosis or PCOS, doctors unsure.
I’m a lesbian and have never had penetrative sex until meeting my current partner who happens to be trans woman, but I actively use tampons and have had other forms of sex before. Know for a fact no STDS though. We tried penetrative sex today and we had.. some difficulty for sure in terms of.. getting things where they were meant to go and it was decently painful, but I had figured it would be and pushed through it for a little bit. That was until we looked down and saw blood EVERYWHERE.
I was like,, okay,, I guess my hymen wasn’t broken and we stopped due to how much blood there was. I know it isn’t period as I had it last week and typically only get it at the very least every two months.
Well it’s about 3-4 hours later and I’m still bleeding heavily and having vaginal pain. I won’t get too graphic, but I went to use the bathroom a minute ago and the water was completely dark red. Is this normal? How long is it going to last?
| 2
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**MD - Peds GI | Top Contributor**: Some bleeding after first vaginal intercourse is (as popular culture has pushed on us) not all that uncommon. But it's not the typical experience. Also, the fact that hours later you're still having heavy bleeding means you should go get an exam.
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19F I accidentally swallowed a Diamond Dotz Bead. Am I in any danger?
I inhaled the piece around 45 minutes ago in the kitchen. I didn't find anything online on it, except "Up to EU and USA standards". So far my chest hurts and aches all around my esophagus. Slight headache as well. I don't know if it's because it's making it's way down or elsewise.
For reference what I specifically swallowed was a tiny lil gem with no current adhesive on it.
I'm 5'1 and around 98 lbs. I do not smoke, and I take Methylphenidate and Sertraline. Relevant health issues would be GERD, Migraines and a pre-ulcer.
| 6
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**Physician**: Your next bowel movement may be a little more sparkly than usual, but otherwise, you should be fine.
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Benadryl and prozac?
24 female on 10 mg prozac. I took it at 7 am. My allergies are horrible and I NEED to take 1 Benadryl. I’m unsure if it’s safe or not? Need to know asap😭
| 5
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: Yes you can.
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Accidental overdose on acetaminophen?
23M, 6’6, 200 lbs, USA
Currently sick with COVID running the highest fever I ever have. I’ve been alternating between 1000mg tylenol and 400mg advil. Being so sick I accidentally forgot doses and am now realizing that I’ve definitely been taking 4-5gs of Tylenol throughout the day for 5 days now.
Is this enough to send me into liver failure? I’ve completely stopped taking Tylenol (last dose was at 3am last night). I’m noticing some discomfort around where my liver is but am not sure if it is anxiety related or not.
| 5.5
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**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: >Is this enough to send me into liver failure?
Try not to exceed 4,000 mg per 24 hour period in the future. My personal recommendation is not to exceed 3,000 mg per day. However, if you need 4,000 mg per 24 hours in divided doses for fever, that is fine.
**Physician**: Your liver will not fail due to this intake. The pain is likely anxiety induced, as you said.
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I’m worried I might have hypoglycemia/diabetes?
The title says it all. I’m a female in my early 20s and I get super dizzy if I don’t have a snack every 2/3 hours, to the point where I start sweating buckets and my vision goes blurry. I eat regularly and healthily, I’m veggie, but apart from that I don’t have an abnormal diet. I’m extremely thirsty all the time - I drink 4+ litres of water a day and still I can’t quench my thirst. Basically, imagine having cotton mouth all the time. I can’t lose weight no matter what I do - I exercise regularly, don’t really eat junk food/drink soda.
Genuinely don’t know what to do. It’s been like this for a long time but I only noticed that this wasn’t normal after a friend at college mentioned that the symptoms were worrying. Doctors are stubborn and saying that it’s too late for a type 1 diagnosis and too early for a type 2 diagnosis because I’m ‘too young’. Docs of Reddit, please help!
| 4
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**Physician**: Just ask for a A1C to be drawn from your PCP, this should alleviate any concerns that you should have.
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Warrant a visit to ED?
I had endocarditis and 3 blood infections at the beginning of this year due to a picc line.
I've been having recurrent symptoms.
Chest pain, throbbing in neck.
Raynauds worsening and cannot regulate at all.(went ischemic 3 years ago)
Went to GP, had a ekg that was normal
Echo was inconclusive.
They want me to go to the ER.
I feel like I'm wasting their time if I go.
I get 2 to 3 episodes of chest pain a week with strong erratic palpation.
I know its coming on when my raynauds gets to a point that I feel like I'm sweating really badly but cannot get warm and having chest discomfort. Thise are the first signs.
I want to do everything outpatient but my PCP doesn't want me to put off going to the hospital any longer
I dont understand why I can't do this outpatient, I know very well how hospitals work as I have a CP diagnosis.
I'm 24, male.
Another reason I don't want to go is because I don't want to be '"forced to stay." My doctor has diagnosed me with adult failure to thrive for the 9th time this year due to weight loss with CP. So I know if I go for something unrelated that they will see my history and want me to stay.
What are your recommendations?
Thank you for your time.
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: You’re looking for a random doctor on the internet to tell you it’s OK to ignore your doctors advice to seek an urgent evaluation in the ER? I think any doctor on here would be completely irresponsible to disagree with your doctor who knows you well, assessed you in person, and told you to go to the ER.
Go to the ER.
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Cat bite
Female, 32, no smoker. Medication - thyroxine and fluoxetine.
My cat bit me yesterday afternoon, I’d say this is the deepest bite that’s ever happened. It’s been sore ever since and now has went slightly red and hot to touch but not roasting. It’s very tender, I can’t close my fist without it hurting. I went to the pharmacist today for them to take a look, they said to go to the GP and ask for tetanus. Went to GP and explained what happened but he barely looked at it, didn’t ask about it being sore etc. he pretty much just laughed when I said about tetanus injection and said I’d be fine since I got mines at school in 2005.
I’m not worried about tetanus so much but just general infection. Does it look infected? Since the GP didn’t care or think I needed anything I’m scared to bother anyone else in the NHS but I’ve heard how serious cats bite can be
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**Registered Nurse**: Redness, swelling, pain=infection symptoms.
Cat and dog bites, especially deep ones, are notorious for causing serious infections that can accelerate fast and threaten limbs and even life. Antibiotics are necessary and sometimes some surgery to clean out the wound.
In the USA tetanus shots are good for 10 years so a shot in 2005 would be too long ago. Not sure where you are, but you said NHS so I am thinking the UK. In addition to antibiotics, you need a tetanus booster IMO.
Can you go to some sort of emergency room or urgent care where you are? This is not a "wait and see" if it gets better situation.
**Physician**: Based on your description of your symptoms, I think your doctor is very mistaken. Tetanus is obviously a concern with all deep wounds, but the major issue is you’re likely suffering from cellulitis and this infection can turn very nasty. Especially if it migrates to deeper structures of the hand.
Additionally, your tetanus injection likely is very out-of-date. Most are only good for 10 years, and I can’t imagine the UK has one that lasts much longer than the ones offered outside of the US.
If you can’t get to another provider tomorrow, then you should go to an urgent care center.
**Physician - Orthopaedic Surgery**: You should go to the ER and be prescribed antibiotics that specifically cover the bacteria in a cat’s mouth. I’ve had to surgically drain countless hand abscesses that formed after a cat bite that went untreated. A cat bite penetrates deep and their bites can easily reach into a tendon sheath creating a whole separate world of infection problems. All cat bites should be treated with prophylactic antibiotics. I routinely use Augmentin and usually also prescribe Bactrim DS (although many would consider the Bactrim overkill and the Augmentin to be enough). If there any signs of infection present already, then it’s typical to receive a dose of IV antibiotics (Unasyn is my go to) before being discharged on an oral antibiotic. There’s no reason to delay this because waiting will only increase the chance of things getting worse and harder to treat.
**Registered Nurse**: I would encourage you to head to an urgent care or walk in clinic for antibiotics and a tetanus shot. You don’t mess around with animal bites of any kind (even human bites).
**Physician - Pediatrics**: In the US, we would recommend tetanus booster. That said, the US gives way more tetanus boosters than the rest of the world, and the evidence for it isn't that great.
What you actually need is amoxicillin-clavulonate. It sounds like it already might be infected. This is most important.
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Any infectious disease docs.. pregnant and need help!
I’m a 35 year old female and I’ve had joint pain, night sweats, muscle twitches, and muscle pain since 2015. I’ve learned to live with it. Became pregnant in April and due in 4 weeks. What concerns me is my ASO titer it’s always high (200-400 points above ref range and rises which means active strep somewhere in my body). I am terrified this puts me at a higher risk of meningitis or hematoma from an epidural. Can anyone help!?
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: A high ASO titer doesn't put you at increased risk for meningitis or hematoma. It just means that you have antibodies against a substance produced by strep bacteria.
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I have a very high heart rate constantly. averaged 100-130 everytime I checked my fitbit today. how bad is that?
I am 19F. As the title states my heart rate is pretty damn high just day to day doing my job. I work in camp, so have no access to a doctor for 11 more days. I work a physical labour job so that could have some factor. But according to my fitbit app my resting heart rate is 88. How bad is this? How worried should I be? Thanks.
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**Physician - Internal Medicine**: Normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100. Some people run a little lower than that especially if they're trained athletes. Many people may occasionally run higher if they're dehydrated, stressed, etc.
If your resting heart rate is 88, you're squarely normal.
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Being pressured to huff hydrogen peroxide. It feels redundant to ask, but, is this safe?
I'm male, 25, a little under 6', and live in Canada
I have excessive mucus production. I was up until 6AM, failing to cough up the mucus in my throat.
Given the incessant coughing, someone in my house really wants me to inhale hydrogen peroxide via a _Vicks_ brand nebulizer. They think this will prevent further problems that could develop.
The concentration of the H2O2 is between 0.5 and 3%
They want me to inhale it for some time. A few minutes? 20 minutes? Something like that.
I'm SUPER dubious of the whole thing. They've done it themselves multiple times, and seem to be in great health, but shoving acid into my lungs seems like... the dumbest possible idea. I'm afraid to tell them "no", as we have a history when it comes to health, medicine, and the word "no". I don't want to say that word, and feel ashamed as a result.
I'm not sure its a good idea. Is this safe? Is it effective?
TL;DR
I am being pressured to huff hydrogen peroxide. ***I would very much like to hear a professional opinion on this matter***
| 5
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**Respiratory Therapist**: Take mucinex instead
**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: Definitely don’t do it. The only healthy thing to breath is clean air (and prescribed medications). Feel free to tell people you talked to a lung doctor who strongly recommended you don’t do it.
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Blood clot in urine [m31]
I'll likely be asked to go to hospital, but it's currently more than a little difficult. I'm 32, male, white, 6'2", and have a history of kidney stones. I do drink, I do smoke, I do weed. Canadian.
That said, been peeing blood clots inconsistently for about two weeks now. It seems to be coinciding with sexual activity/arousal. Minimal/no pain to register, which makes me think it's not stones.
The first time it happened I was wearing a chastity cage. Went to pee and it came out pretty bad. Cage has come off, but the clotting has persisted since then whenever I pee after arousal. I'm thinking it may be a UTI?
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**Registered Nurse**: As the med student said, you need to see a doctor as soon as you can. Blood in your urine with no other symptoms can indicate cancer and this needs to be ruled out.
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potential prolapse? 20f
i've had this problem now for like 3 years and i haven't told my partner or gone to the doctor because its too embarrassing! it started happening when i would walk around a lot i feel like a bit of my rectum is sticking out and its very uncomfortable. its usually happens after i do the number 2 like today it started again... after a while it goes back to normal. also i try to like put it back but it doesn't last long. i try to to rectal exercises everyday but theres been no change at all. i wanted to mention i think i had something similar when i was a kid and i used to play on the toilet for too long and i had to see a doctor, i don't remember much but i guess somehow it fixed itself. please help me this is so embarrassing to even write.
| 4
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**Physician**: Unlikely to be rectal prolapse at your age unless you've left out significant anorectal surgery in the past, or you've had 12 kids already. More likely it could be hemorrhoids. There are other things it could be but less likely. Impossible to know without seeing and examining you. You need to start by seeing your PCP and possibly being referred to a colorectal surgeon
​
EDIT: I know this can be embarrassing but everyone has an anus, and lots of people have problems with their anus. I see people for anus problems, and they are always embarrassed. The best thing to do is see your physician, as this is what we are here for
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Cocaine induced chest pain
Male 28 230 pounds 6 foot please help me
I’ve had a side of the chest pain on the left for like 3-4 days after doing coke and I’m wondering if anyone else has had this happen? Just feels sore. Kinda n the side of my peck not directly on it. Heart rate is normal so not sure if being sore is normal I’m not a super super user but this time I think I did way to much. Seems like it has got better then it was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?
| 4
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**Physician**: Cocaine can cause vasospasm and vasoconstriction. Chest pain can occur for many reasons but the most pressing with cocaine would be anginal type pain consistent with hypoxic stress to the heart. I’d advise against using cocaine, and if the chest pain is persistent, you should see a doctor to rule out cardiac causes for the chest pain.
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22M, First time taking an antidepressant, extreme impact, need advice on whether to continue.
As stated, Im a 6'0 260LB 22M living in Canada. I was prescribed 10mg of Trintellix yesterday to deal with my depression and anxiety. I have been dealing with both over 7 years, with fluctuating severity but mostly always a crippling amount. For example, all my classes I can only take online and I avoid all public transportation or going outside in general just due to the anxiety. I also question life on a daily basis and why is it worth to keep living due to the depression.
What I need help with, is whether it's okay to stop taking my medication after just the first dose. I took the pill last night at 10pm, and it was followed by a whirlwind of emotions. I felt euphoric, my body temp raised, I had diarrhea 5-6 times in around about two hours, and I then had trouble sleeping. That is some of the expected impacts I know, but what scared me more was the morning when I woke up. I felt entirely detached from reality, and had anxiety so bad I couldn't get out of bed. I felt more suicidal then before taking the mediciene, and knowing I couldn't trust my own mind as it had been compromised made my anxiety grow more. I'm having trouble concentrating, time is skewed, and I'm unable to do much. As a student going through exams and with a trip to visit family planned soon, I'm worried this will prevent me from doing either and will in a way worsen the depression (backwards progress).
At this point, given it has only been one dose, am I okay to quit cold turkey and withhold from taking any more? Would the "withdrawal" from the one does worsen the side effects I mentioned? Is this normal and how come these effects aren't discussed at the time of adminstration.
Thanks.
| 4
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**Physician**: It’s a unique antidepressant, and there are varying degrees of acclimation to it. Ask for a week or two of 5 mg and see if that works better.
**Nurse Practitioner**: I'm a psych NP. I wonder why they chose Trintellix over others. Have you taken multiple medications in the past that didn't work? You can certainly stop the medication right now since you haven't been on it for that long and you won't have withdrawals. I'd go back to your provider and ask for another medication. I don't know your situation too well. But, if you were my patient, I would consider something like Effexor first for anxiety/depression.
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Constipation after surgery
Male, 65, no regular meds, no conditions 5-9 180lbs
Had robotic surgery monday to remove most of my prostate. The prostate was very large and cutting my ability to pee and urologist said meds wouldnt fix this.
Surgeon cored out my prostate but left the outer rind, as it has the nerves and blood vessels. Surgery went welland came home yesterday afternoon. Surgeon said I would be able to have a bowel movement in 2 or 3 days. I feel like I need too, like its right there and ready to go. But when I try its like the muscles dont work. I have no trouble passing gas. I am dehydrated and i'm working on that today.
The hospital had me on solid food while I was there but should I be on liquids and soups until I have a BM? They didnt cover how to treat the constipation. I assume lots of fluids and some stool softeners. But should I try a Fleets suppository? Or Milk of Magnesia? Or just give it a few days.
Other than the pain in my abdomen and my shoulders hurt pretty good, I feel well.
I have a surgical brace/girdle over the incisions, they used stitches and surgical glue and I'm not messing with them at all. My fear is that when I move the girdle will rub the glue.
Thank you
| 5
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**Surgical Tech**: NAD, but If you’re still in narcotics constipation is very normal. I’d take some stool softeners and also drink some miralax to get things going as well. If you want some instant relief you can do an enema or suppository, but if you’re on narcotics yet I would do a regimen every day of miralax.
**Physician**: Constipation is normal when taking narcotics. Take colace and miralax to help have a bm. If you prefer an enema, those work too.
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What is a safe amount of alcohol to quit cold turkey?
I am 29F, 95lbs. Have struggled with unhealthy use of alcohol for about 5 years. During that time I have had a few periods of abstinence -- 1 deployment, about 6 months, (followed by the worst alcoholism of my life), and 2 pregnancies. In the past 2 months or so I have been drinking freely, probably anywhere between 4-8 standard drinks per day (almost always beer).
The usual online calculators of "how drunk am I" etc. never seem accurate because my body has adjusted I guess. They say I should be stumbling, vomiting, near death, and I feel barely tipsy. I feel like I need an actual doctor to tell me what is going on and what my limits are.
I really want to quit. I have tried so many times to quit but now I am scared of withdrawal because I know withdrawal from alcohol can be deadly.
At this amount, can I just quit cold turkey? Should I taper?
Thank you in advance.
| 4
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**Physician - Psychiatry**: Anyone who has been using alcohol regularly can be at medical risk with withdrawal. If you’re ready to quit it’s best to work with your doctor who can monitor you carefully and prescribe medication to help pre withdrawal seizures.
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Woke up with a rat inside my shirt against my body, should I be concerned of rabies or another infection from this?
I woke up with a rat inside my shirt against my body, when i sat up he fell out of my shirt and laid next to me like he was curious about me, and he was not aggressive or intimidated and kind of drooped over until i called for my mom to come down, at that point he ran off my bed into the corner of my room. I don't know if he was poisoned or what, but the odd behavior and the situation in general has me concerned, should I go to the doctor?
21M, 120lb, white, 5'5, rabies concern
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: Not a rabies risk, but definitely not normal. An escaped pet rat or toxoplasmosis would be my suspicions, usually not a problem for people, especially if it didn’t bite you. Definitely a wtf moment though.
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Can I take carvedilol only when my heart rate is high?
(22, female, 1.80 m, 59kg, Marfanoid patient diagnosed at birth)
I was prescribed carvedilol many years ago for my fast heart rate. I was diagnosed with an enlarged aorta during my childhood. In my last few exams, it was confirmed that my aorta is within the normal diameter but was told to keep talking Carvedilol. For the past years I've slowly stopped taking it until this year.
There are now moments in which my heart rate goes up and I take it. It's usually when I'm under stress or just very very anxious. It helps me a lot, but I haven't asked a cardiologist if I should do that at all. I have an appointment in September, but this events occur very often now because of personal issues and I'm afraid I might be doing something dangerous when taking a Bata blocker as needed.
I've thought of going to the ER, specially when the high heart rates cause me to have chest pain and shortness of breath.
I'd really appreciate any suggestions/ insights.
| 5
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**Physician**: You should listen to the medical advice and take your medication as prescribed. It doesnt just help a high heart rate but can be used to prevent dangerous rhythms your heart might be at risk of depending on why you aorta is enlarged. You are playing with fire for no reason other than what i can imagine is complacency. You dont want to wait until a heart attack or failure occurs and then regret not taking your medication. Beta blockers also notorious for withdrawal as well as taking a few doses to work correctly. By taking it intermittently you are putting more strain on your heart and increasing risk of side effects. I would keep taking until you see cardiology and hopefully it helps and they dont have to make any changes or additions. But please. Look after your heart. You need it to live in case someone did not tell you that
**Physician - Cardiology **: Anyone with Marfan’s and aortic dilation should be on a beta blocker no questions asked. If you get an aneurysm you get your chest cracked open for surgery. I’d rather take the medication than have that…
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Concerned the ER missed appendicitis. Should I go back?
I ( 28F, 5’4” 225lbs) visited the ER a week ago after 24hrs of aching RLQ pain that was occasionally sharp with tenderness, but no fever. The ER found I had a slightly elevated white blood cell count of 12,000, no findings on ultrasound and nothing significant on CT. The CT report described my appendix as “small-caliber fluid-filled appendix with no pariappendiceal fat stranding”. Is it normal to have fluid in the appendix?
I have a history of IBS and while this pain feels distinctly different from any IBS pain I’ve ever had (mainly in the placement and persistence) the ER Dr told me I probably had a viral infection causing the elevated WBC and triggering IBS pain and sent me home with instructions to hydrate, take my dicyclomine prescribed for the cramping and rest.
Over the last week i have followed instructions but I have been nauseous, lost my appetite, felt fatigued and the pain has been persistent and localized in my appendix area at times becoming severe. In the last 24 hours it’s become difficult to pass gas & stool, my bladder feels irritated and the pain is keeping me awake.
I am not sure what to do at this point. My father nearly died from a ruptured appendix and it’s a fear of mine. I’m concerned that I may have gone to the ER too soon for anything to be found on CT. Can it actually just be my IBS causing persistent localized pain for over a week? Should I go back to the ER or is there a more appropriate level of care?
Any advice is appreciated.
| 1
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**Physician**: you would think after 24 hrs of appendicitis, it would likely show up on CT scan. And your CT was normal, its normal to have fluid in the appendix. Its possible you had mild appendicitis at that time that just didn't show up on the CT scan. However, if you've had untreated appendicitis for a week, then it should've ruptured at this point and you'd be very sick. You could go back to the ED, they could check your labs, and maybe get an US or repeat CT to be sure, that would be the only way to know for sure.
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Are these symptoms due to liver disease?
28M
215lbs
2-3x a month binge drinker from 16-20, 24-30 beer a week alcoholic from 21-27. Quit after a hospitalization in October due to low potassium and calcium levels. Since then I’ve had awful dysautonomic symptoms (heart spiking out of control in social situations with frequent PVCs, 20-30mmHg systolic drop upon standing, resting heart rate in the 90s that goes as high as 150 when walking and 190 with vigorous exercise) along with dull RUQ and right rib pain (where the liver is), and very low testosterone (103 total T) that has caused a significant drop in libido and erection quality. Blood work has all been normal aside from the testosterone and high ferritin (375), including normal liver relevant labs (platelets, LFTs, INR, PT, albumin, bilirubin).
I saw a GI doc due to my concerns who did a liver 2D shear wave elastography which was normal (1.3 m/s-5kPa). I do have a gallstone, but my RUQ pain is more of a constant dull pressure and not the typical post-prandial cramping associated with biliary colic. I’m still a bit worried it could be my liver as I’ve read cirrhosis can cause autonomic dysfunction and hypogonadism, and given my drinking history I don’t think it’s far fetched. Am I being unreasonable for thinking this? And if so, who should I see next. Endocrinologist? Cardiologist?
| 6
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: You had a negative test. You dont have cirrhosis
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Just punctured my pointer finger with an unsantized crochet needle…worried about necrotizing fasciitis need advice
I was using a crochet needle and accidentally poked the tip of my pointer finger underneath the nail bed. It started bleeding immediately so I rinsed it underneath warm water, put an alcohol soaked cotton ball on it and then did the same with a cotton ball covered in peroxide. I washed the finger for 10 minutes with hot water and dish soap.
I had a tetanus booster 2 weeks ago.
Male 20 years old 140 pounds
I’m afraid of necrotizing fasciitis.
The crochet needle did not have rust on it but it definitely is not washed or sanitized.
Link to Video of needle in the comments.
I don’t have antibacterial ointment.
| 6
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**Physician**: If people regularly got nec fasc after this sort of injury most of us wouldn’t survive to adulthood.
You’ll be fine. See your GP if your finger becomes red / hot / swollen.
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Does this indicate leukemia?
I’m 19F. For the past two weeks I’ve had severe fatigue. I had a low grade fever for about a week but it’s gone now. I just feel really exhausted. The other day I thought I could feel something right under my left rib. Almost like if I pressed down I felt something flexing back and forth. I had my blood drawn about a week ago and it came back normal, but could it have developed really quickly after that? I don’t have any bruises or rashes. I don’t get out of breath, just fatigue. I can still go out and do things. Does this sound like leukemia?
| 6
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: No.
Fatigue with a normal CBC is very suggestive against leukemia.
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Myself 30 year old female weight 150 lbs height 5’2 prescribed Xanax 0.25 mg after losing my son in November.
I’ve taken the Xanax daily sometimes since November. I stopped a few days ago because I might be pregnant. I’m experiencing nausea and diarrhea and I’m scared I’m having withdrawal symptoms. Any insight would be helpful. I’m scared I’m going to have a seizure.
| 4
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**Physician**: You have not be taking this medication for very long and the dose isn’t huge. It doesn’t sound as though you have been taking it every day either. The symptoms could be withdrawal, in which case they will pass. The symptoms are just as likely to be pregnancy related - so I recommend confirming pregnancy (you said might be pregnant?) and seeking review by your primary care/family doctor if pregnancy is diagnosed. They can help treat your symptoms safely in pregnancy.
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