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How do I get healthy before my organs start shutting down ?
I (23f) stepped on a body composition scale today and I’m worried. My body fat is 3%, muscle mass is 92% and body water 68.3%. I’m 161cm and 41.6 kg.
Recently I’ve been feeling weaker and get pangs of nausea throughout the day. Waking up before 10:30 is almost impossible.
I would say I have a below average active lifestyle and don’t work out (yet-signed up for the gym a few weeks ago). So it’s extremely surprising that I have 3% body fat!! I’m not a body builder, I’m not on a diet.. from what I’ve seen online this is way below normal body fat% for a healthy female, is that true ? I’m worried I’m fucking up my body and don’t know how to gain weight in a healthy way… any advice would be sincerely appreciated
And what does the body water % mean? It was highlighted as unhealthy by the scale.
| 4
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**Physician - Pathologist**: You'd be considered underweight by most metrics. It would be a good idea to see a primary care physician.
**Physician - Pediatrics**: I agree that percentage is very low. Your weight is also very low for your height. Have you always been this underweight, or have you had recent weight loss? Have you noticed any other issues, like losing your periods?
While some people can be healthy at different levels, the female body tends to require a certain amount of body fat to function optimally.
Make a doctors appointment to discuss your health. Until then, I recommend keeping your activity levels as light as possible and avoid ramping up too much at your new gym. Other changes could be making sure you eat three meals and 1-2 snacks per day, even if your appetite is not large. Sometimes scheduling yourself set meals with a certain amount of nutritional content is necessary for people whose appetite/dietary choices/active lifestyle leave them energy deficient, as you seem to be.
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Struck by lightning?
25f 115 lbs, don't smoke or drink or use drugs. Have endometriosis, no other medical conditions and take no medications. Do have a mirena IUD.
Two days ago a tornado came through, and during the storm, lightning hit my house. I was in the basement when lightning struck the phone line and blew it into a million pieces, the wire in the unfinished ceiling above me melted the insulation and sparked against a copper water pipe, burning a hole in the pipe and causing it to burst. Lightning also hit the underground well and it's a big issue.
However, I was standing mere feet away from the pipe/wire when it hit, it was extremely bright and sounded very loud, like an explosion. I got an immediate headache, felt dizzy, and my chest hurt. I don't think I was struck by lightning, but my headache still hurts and I still have an "adrenaline" feeling lingering in my chest.
My question is, can lightning even do that if you aren't directly struck by it? Or do I just coincidentally have a headache and weird chest feeling days later? This happened Wednesday night, it is currently Friday evening.
Thank you for your help.
| 4
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**Physician, Emergency Medicine | Moderator**: Yes there can be splash current or ground current associated with being near an object directly struck. An EKG and some blood work would be ideal here. Outpatient follow up also important for delayed effects
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Shitting blood for 2 months
22M, for the last 2 months i have been shitting blood. it is initially a dark red colour, as i continue to wipe the blood gets lighter in colour. it often has kind of a sticky, gloopy consistency, more viscous, almost tar like, as opposed to a more healthy, solid/firm stool. this has been happening basically every time i poop, it is at the point now where if i miraculously poop without blood i am surprised. i don’t have any pain whatsoever, i figured this would just go away but it’s been a while now and i’m getting concerned. i have not made any changes to my diet or lifestyle so i have no idea why this is happening. any ideas on what this could be or what i should do?
| 4
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**Physician**: Maybe you should see a doctor
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should I be concerned ?
I'm 5.8 male 190 pounds and I'm 23 years old. For the past two days I've been having to pee every 30 minutes or every hour. I have been more thirsty then I usually am I've been drinking a lot of soda and tea. But it seems like I'm peeing more then normal it's a very light yellow almost clear. I don't have many health issues besides asthma and anxiety I do smoke daily. My dad had diabetes but I've been checked and I don't have it should I be worried about something serious or is it probably nothing ? I've had no other symptoms besides frequent urination.
| 4
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**Physician - Pediatric Emergency Medicine**: It could be type one diabetes. Not a bad idea to see your doctor.
Can usually screen with a urine test.
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I am sick from drinking too much alcohol and eating too much
Hello so I am a a 22 year old female who is 5'9 and weighs 140 pounds. I am currently not taking any medications and have a history of anixety and panic attacks though I've gotten better at managing them with age. I am a lightweight and today I went out with my friends usually I don't drink much but today I needed to let loose. So I drank about 6 or 7 shots total enough that I was farily drunk but not quite yet wasted. After we went to go eat and I ate way too much and not good for you food either I had fries and a huge doniar that I forced myself to finish. I really shouldn't have done that because the mix of the alcohol and the donair is not agreeing with my stomach. On top of all of that I'm having a panic attack which I havent had in years, I think it's the lack of being able to sleep.
Please help what are some ways I can calm my stomach/calm down.
| 5
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: There is no quick fix. Seems like you’ve found the consequences of drinking too much alcohol and eating too much crappy food. Your best bet is to drink plenty of water and take it easy until you feel better.
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Severe headache after I felt a 'pop' in the back of my head.
25y/o female. 5' 9" 275lbs (lost about 30lbs over the last 3 months thru diet/exercise). I'm in nursing school and have had a headache in the back of my head for about a week now. Yesterday I was studying for an exam that's today and I leaned my head back and felt a 'pop' in the back of my head (not neck area- the actual occiput) and now I have mild-moderate throbbing in the back of my head and some pressure in my sinuses.. I'm not dizzy or nauseous, but tired and hurting.. next step? Thanks.
| 5
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**Physician**: It sounds like a muscle spasm. Massage and some exercises might help loosen it up.
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Neck manipulation went wrong
Hey everyone. A bit over a week ago I've went for another routine neck adjustment as it was a bit sore in the area of C7. Chiro did a manipulation which looks like this - I'm sitting other way around on a chair, arms either resting on a cushion or your knees.
Guy then checks your back by sliding his finger from top to bottom along the spine, and feels which discs are missaligned. Then if it is neck area he grabs top of the head with one hand, second one on a spot that he wants to be corrected. And then he does energetic quick pull to either left or right. It was right in this case.
15 years ago I have fell down from a tree on right side which resulted in a few herniated discs. C6-C7-3mm, C7-Th1- 2mm,
L1-L2 bulging disc, L2-L3 3mm herniated disc, L5-S1 7mm hernia.
Basically I was messed up and damage was insuficcient for a surgery. So I kept visiting my chiro. In total I've seen him maybe 350 times. Sometimes once a week, sometimes once a fortnight, sometimes even once s month if I was very careful and not working at all. In general I had to switch my whole lifestyle to not make my situation worse so I wouldn't end up as a pile of walking complains and a prisoner inside my own body. And situation was under control.
Unfortunately last adjustment went wrong. It happened on Wednesday, 9 days ago.
I came in with mild discomfort and irritation in C7-T1 area.
He found it, and says it went the other way than usual. So he needs to adjust to the right. Same side that I've hurt my back 15 years ago. Corrections to the right were always painful and very rarely they were bringimg any good and quite often I had to go back to get it corrected/fixed. I wanted to tell him to not bend my cervical spine to the right, but I didn't wanted to sound rude and to be the one to tell him how to do his job. And I really regret that I've remained silent before he proceeded. This time I've felt not only area of C7 moved significantly and into a painful spot, but I've also felt huge shift somewhere in the area of C1-C2. After that so called "adjustment" I've felt immediate pain in the area right under base of my skull, pressure on my left ear, under left eye, under my forehead, also felt something like pressure on my brain which made my head sweat and very warm. I told him it hurts , but he ignored it -seemed normal to him. Pressure in mentioned above areas is constsnt and over a period of week it spreaded to other parts of my face (like under right cheek, right eye). Since that day I have zero apetite, insomnia, feel constant pulsing in the area under base of my head, some light dizzyness, also I've noticed that my head feels hot all the time, constant ringing and unpleasant constant pressure in both ears and under my eyes and cheeks. No changes in vision so far, nill numbness in arms.
From my understanding he must have unintentionally moved C1 or C2 in my neck. Maybe C3 partialy too. I have small protrusion there too so it is weakened. I've came back the 2nd day to tell him that it is no good and it feels very bad. He just noticed that C7 still wasn't placed like it suppose to, so he corrected it but this time to the side my back tolerate which is left. But he didn't noticed any changes in C3 area and I told him how badly I feel with headache and the rest. He said "well then You've got a problem"
I have booked an MRI that will be done on next Tuesday (this one on private) and I will bring the MRI which has been performed just a month ago for comparsion.
I am sleeping on Ketrel, during the day Nimesil plus 150mg of Tramadol and 1000mg of paracetamol. Plus Afobam to calm me down. Nothing really helps.
Do neurosurgeons would even consider a correction of that spot if MRI will show some small changes? Because I know how dangerous it is to perform a surgery on that area of the spine. All the nerves and structures are so close to each other and there is some risk involved. Would it even be worth it?
I'm male, 37 years old. Working on weekends as a courier delivering food for now, but probably will need to quit that soon due to headache and risk of hurting it forward while fast driving, doing rotations of my head.
P.S. I know doctors do not support chiropractic treatment and they think that usually chiros do more harm than good.
Sorry for my poor English. It's my 2nd language.
I would appreciate any advice on what should I do next?
Where to look for help!?
Can physio fix something that is so high up and close to the brain?
To be honest I am terrified. I know that it could go even worse and I could ended up either paralysed, or even dead in worst case scenario as C1, C2 are also responsible for respiratory system.
| 4
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: Go see an actual physician. This can range from muscular strain, a vertebral fracture, or even a vertebral artery dissection.
**Physician - Anesthesiology**: You need to see a neurologist, not just get the MRI. What kind of doctor ordered the MRI and will go over the results with you? You may also need further testing such as contrast-guided study of your neck arteries, depending on what your doctor finds. A known complication of neck manipulation is vertebral artery dissection which, as you know, is life threatening but usually presents more immediately (but timing is not a 100% sign to rule it out).
I hope that the symptoms you describe are more of a muscular strain, but really it’s very difficult to know because the symptoms of all these complications overlap and can be quite vague. Without imaging studies it’s hard to know whether your issue will require surgery.
I hope you consider stopping chiropractic treatments moving forward…I have treated many patients who suffered from either spine or vertebral artery injury after neck manipulation - some who did not survive or are now permanently paralyzed.
**Physician - Radiologist**: When you get your results make sure to bring it to a neurosurgeon or spinal specialist, not the chiro. They know jack shit about this and will likely misread or outright deny the radiologist's read in favor of their own untrained interpretation.
**Physician**: So you have presented for some 350 manipulations, and you’re still not better? At how much per visit? Sounds like you are contributing handsomely to his retirement fund instead of your own.
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Had an eye test and was told to go to an er. Decided to wait till morning and now the pain is getting worse 28F
I posted about having pain in my eyes recently and noticing a blue colour in them and having bad headaches. My headaches got a lot worse and the pain in my eyes increased. I was able to get an appointment with an optometrist today on a cancellation list.
She told me ;
- I had an ill defined disc margin (in my right eye)
- ganglion cell loss on the OCT
- IOPs Right eye (22,20,21) mmHg Left (18,16,17)
She advised me to go to the ER as it would be impossible to see an ophthalmologist any other way.
I decided to wait until the morning as it it’s late.
I took paracetamol for the headache but now it’s wearing off and the pain is very bad, worse than before.
Is anything that she said worrying at all or waiting till the morning is fine? (For reference it’s 9:30pm)
I have IIH & srojens. No other medical hx.
Pain seems worse now that I’m lying down.
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**Mental Health Counselor**: NAD. From your post history you have been asking if you have needed to go to the ER for this for days. You have finally been told by an in person provider to go to the ER. No one here will tell you anything other than to go immediately to the ER because that is what was recommended to you for a reason. Please go now.
**Physician**: You were told to go to the ER. You should go to the ER.
**Laboratory Technician**: you were told to go to the er. if this is iih related you can potentially go permanently blind and you still have not gone to the er. iih can crush your optic nerve entirely.
**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: You've been told by a doctor who examined you to go to the ER. You should go to the ER.
This isn't a time to be concerned with convenience or that it's too late in the evening.
**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: If you go to the ER make sure it’s a bigger one with an an ophthalmologist since not all ERs have eye doctors.
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My dad (65) hasn't eaten properly in more than a week. Refuses to seek medical help.
He's been experiencing various issues with his health. Although it's been worse this past few weeks, he generally declines any food offered to him/ doesn't cook anything for himself when alone at home, etc. About three weeks ago, he had diarrhea for about two days, which we were able to control through OTC medication.
Last week, he caught what we suspect was the flu, since all of us at home had it before, along with hiccups, which he still has Again, we used home treatments and OTC, but in his case, he started completely refusing any food and liquids aside from water and tea. We started to worry as the days went on and asked him to come to the doctor. Hes reluctant. We tried feeding him small amounts of simple things like boiled veggies and rice, which he would occasionally eat, but also started making excuses saying the food was boring. We offered something else, he declined.
At some point this past Sunday, he induced vomiting with his finger on an attempt to stop the hiccups (something he discovered a few years ago). I tried to tell him it's not okay, because he's throwing up the little food he's had. He vomited yesterday and today again. He said he didn't induce it this time. He said he felt the urge to vomit, but we are sadly doubting, since he's clearly desperate to get rid of the hiccups, which also haven't allowed him to sleep for days now.
We're desperate ourselves. We don't know how to help him. We're suspecting he might be depressed too, but he refuses ANY kind of help, not even from his brother who is a certified doctor and offered his service to us. We're currently on a budget, so our options for feeding him are already very limited.
My question is, what can we do to help him? He's getting weaker and weaker, and losing weight quickly. We're worried this may cause him major issues with his previously diagnosed gastritis and hypertension. I'd appreciate any advice and will answer any further questions.
Thank you all in advance.
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**Physician - Radiation Oncologist**: He'll need to accept help, can his brother go and visit him or is he far away?
Regarding the persistent singultus (hiccups), I've had good success with MCP (metoclopramide) for several patients, but haloperidol is also supposed to be effective. Still, this needs a recipe and he needs to see a doctor anyway for his other problems.
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Tonight my son was sitting on my lap at a basketball game and screamed in my ear and I lost sight and all control of my body and flew back into the bleachers stiff as a board.
38M 5’9 268lbs non-smoker, non-drinker, post COVID 2.5 years, healthy and losing weight on a fitness journey at the moment.
Tonight at a basketball game, my son was sitting on my lap. He let a scream that was insanely high pitched and loud right into my eat, and before I could react, it was like I went blind and flew back into the bleachers behind me, completely stiff. I lost control of my arms and legs. It only lasted a few seconds but afterwards I was really confused and sort of out of it.
I have no history of anything neurological, but even at work, high pitch noises can do this to me. Tonight was the first time I'd ever lost control like that. Usually if I'm close enough to a train to hear the axles squealing or machinery squealing, it makes me almost immediately start to fall over. I can place a finger over my left air just barely to dampen the noise and then it doesn't happen.
What the hell is happening to me? Should I see a neurologist?
| 4
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**Physician**: This sounds like an acoustic startle reflex. It can be a totally normal response to really loud noises, but worth seeing your doctor to make sure you don’t have any hearing damage as a result of the noise exposure. They may want a bit more history and an exam to determine if anything else is needed.
**Speech-Language Pathologist**: Loud noise triggering sudden vertigo and vision changes is suspicious for something vestibular (e.g. superior canal dehiscence). An acoustic reflex usually triggers around 90 dB and causes the stapedius muscle to pull the ossicle chain tight (like putting your hand on a drum to dampen the sound). It shouldn't cause dizziness or vision changes.
This is an ENT issue.
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Odds of HIV or HCV exposure? I haven't slept in 3 days.
28M 5'9" 179lbs Caucasian. Ability 10MG and Luvox 100MG. 10 months ago before I quit drinking I had a party night out and happened to try a small line of cocaine with an old friend. I can't recall whether or not we shared a straw, but I had seen a relative talking about HCV and I am so paranoid that exposure 10 months ago has given be HIV or HCV. It was a one off and will never happen again. I don't drink, smoke, or use drugs. It was an awful decision and I'm having upwards of 8 panic attacks a day over the last 3 days and have gotten 2 hours of sleep. What are the odds of transmission assuming my old friend was positive and shared a straw for one exposure?
| 6
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**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: The risk is nearly 0%. Don't use cocaine again because it's a nasty drug. You don't want to get caught up in that stuff.
Try to relax and get some sleep! :)
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Period had not stopped since car accident 2 months ago.
I was in a serious car accident on August 20th when another driver ran a stop sign going 50+ mph.
I had some serious bruising from the seatbelt, but abdominally that was mostly it. My period was late, I am always very regular.
I thought it was stress, I started my period 2 days later. It was very heavy and longer than normal. It lightened up but I have not stopped bleeding since the accident. I have given it time because again, I thought my hormones could be out of wack since the accident, but I’m now going on 2 months and Im concerned.
I do not have insurance, the car insurance is covering everything, but this seems obscure, and I don’t think it will be covered. I was just hoping someone could give me some direction.
My periods have always started and ended right on the dot prior to the accident.
5’8/F/ normal weight
Thanks!
| 3
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**EMT**: Are your period cramps regular or is the pain level higher than before? I would highly recommend you see your PCP ASAP, or your OB. They’ll be able to rule out if this is an obstetric which May point to traumatic medical issue .
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bp 76/47
my whole body feels kind of numb and i’m cold but feel sweaty at the same time. idk if i’m dehydrated i drink liquids i know it’s not enough but my bp has never been this low
f18, 5’3, 105 lb, meds-lamotrigine, liothyronine, hydroxyzine as needed (havent taken today or yesterday)
| 1
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**Physician**: If you’re still having symptoms you should go to the emergency room
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I am a female and 50.
Our local chiropractor used suction cup thing on my back and there's 9 round bruises on my back. Will they go away? They hurt like hell.
| 6
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: They'll go away.
He took your money to do a sham treatment on you with no basis in science or reality and no known benefit. Don't see chiropractors. They're pseudoscientific hucksters.
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There’s is something extremely wrong with my body and it’s 99.99% COLON CANCER
Male, twenty one fucking year old, and 5ft fucking 10
My stool. My stools are never solid normal. Instead, they are mushy, sometimes paper thin, and flat. I’ve noticed this for the past few days of watching my poop, could’ve been longer as well. I know it’s over for me, so fuck this fucking everything and my life I’ll die before the cancer gets me
| 6
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: What’s your question? Nothing in your post is concerning for colon cancer.
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Urgent Care vs ER for potential heart attack
I am 26F 270 lbs. I am on bupropion 150 mg, birth control, and started an anxiety med 3 days ago. I walk my dog for 1-2 miles every day and do elliptical for 1 hr 3x a week plus some weight machines. Over the last month I’ve had an on/off icy feeling in my left arm. I went to my PCP and she said since that was my only symptom it was probably a pinched nerve. I don’t feel it today but I woke up with a tightness in my chest (not painful) and it’s kind of on and off. I’m not sure if it’s anxiety or a heart attack. I’m debating going to urgent care but I’m not sure if they’d just send me to the hospital. If I go to urgent care my copay is only $50 but if I go to hospital it’s $400+. Will they treat me at urgent care?
| 6
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**Physician**: The odds of having a heart attack at your age are negligible, not to mention your symptoms are not consistent with a heart attack.
**Registered Nurse**: It’s very unlikely to be a heart attack. It takes time for your medication to start working, so just give it time and you’ll be alright.
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Will one shot of toradol cause liver or kidney damage?
Hi
Female
24
Weight 140
I got a shot of toradol for a migraine and it honestly didn’t work but anyways after several hours I started getting watery diarrhea for a day but I’ve been noticing my urine is very dark colored along with abdominal pain my stomach feels really hard
| 6
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: No it won't
**Physician - Pediatrics**: no.
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If I was below bmi 15 for around a month, would it leave any permanent damage?
Hi, I (F18) suffer from an eating disorder. I’m recovering and got my weight up but I don’t have access to a doctor. I was hovering around bmi 14.8 for around a month. I’m gaining to get to a healthy weight but I’m really worried that I caused permanent damage to my body. I haven’t had a period in over a year. Other than that, I can’t say I’m experiencing any other symptoms except being cold, fatigue, and brain fog (which i expect will go away eventually). Could I have caused internal damaged and is it reversible? Thanks.
| 4
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**Physician**: I have worked in the eating disorder space previously (from a mental health perspective).
I would say it's unlikely that your BMI being this low for this period would cause irreversible damage. However, the recovery period to a healthy weight is not a quick fix and should be done carefully - I hope you are receiving good support with this. The bottom line is, there are criteria to admit people to hospital due to low BMI and if you don't meet these criteria - chances are you probably will recover with a good prognosis. Along the way you should have your lying/standing observations reviewed and bloods taken to help monitor this progress.
There is an excellent book you can probably download for free which taught me most of what I know called "Sick Enough" (Dr Guidiani). In short, maintaining a low BMI for a long time can lead to starvation syndrome which makes it harder to see that you are starving - leading to depression/mental illness and the stomach literally gets smaller so you feel full quicker, this can cause a vicious cycle which continues the starvation
The body is incredibly good at bouncing back from malnutrition though, especially when we are young. With good support and gradually increasing calories back to the normal range I hope you will have an excellent outcome and I wish you well with your recovery.
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19M I have no energy to do anything and no one seems to be able to help
Honestly, at this point I don’t know where else to turn. I’ve been to multiple hospitals and the best they could do was tell me to book an appointment with a specialist, who isn’t available for a week now.
I suffer from Addison’s disease, which is when the adrenal glands don’t work and no cortisol is produced, along with having ASD and having severe anxiety and depression.
At the current moment, everything is hard to do. I am extremely tired and my muscles are all extremely weak. I struggle with walking, talking, basically everything a normal person can do.
My first assumption would be that it’s something to do with the Addison’s disease. During an Addisonian crisis I would usually feel these symptoms, but things have been contradictory. My weight has gone up due to bloating in my torso and face, along with my skin having more acne and not darkening. These are symptoms of having too much cortisol.
So somehow I am suffering from both symptoms of having not enough and too much of the medication I need to live, which makes no sense.
Other symptoms have been increasingly bad stomach pains, bad headache, constipation, nausea and I have been coughing up bile and then swallowing it back down.
Honestly, I only feel semi-healthy when I am in bed, laying down, face up, any other position hurts to be in and is extremely uncomfortable.
These symptoms have been getting progressively worse over the past month or two, but I always have had more lethargy and a general lack of energy ever since I was diagnosed with Addison’s disease about 5-6 years ago now
It has taken a big toll on my mental health, I have had to switch between three different anti depressant medications in the mean time, first weaning off paroxetine, then trialling moclobemide for a short period of time, stopping that and now I am on a mirtazapine. Honestly none of them exactly helped too much and it is possible the side effects of these medications have been making things worse. I am currently in a very hopeless state and I don’t have much faith in anything getting better. It feels like I am just being ignored, shunted around and have no real chance of getting help.
I have been to 2 hospitals over the past 5 days, the first one literally sat me in a waiting room for hours and didn’t do anything, the second, a private hospital, recommended me to go home because they don’t have a mental health ward at that hospital, and then organise an appointment with the only endocrinologist available. That appointment won’t be until Monday next week and honestly I don’t know if I can really make it that long.
There is the option for me to go to a third hospital which might help me, but I am unsure if I can mentally handle going through the same admission process with all the same basic tests and whatever for a third time in under a week.
I wouldn’t exactly use reddit as my first port of call for advice, I just don’t know what else to do or where else to go. Maybe a second opinion or some ideas of what could be going wrong would at least comfort me a little, I don’t really know where else to ask for help, I have asked everywhere else I can.
TLDR: I have Addison’s disease, ASD and anxiety and depression disorders, I am currently too weak and energy-less to do anything, I suffer from headaches, nausea, cramps and pains in the stomach and the whole ordeal has been making me depressed to the point of being borderline suicidal.
| 3.5
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**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: Hi, I’m sorry you’re going through this. No ER is going to fix your problem. You really need to wait for the endocrinologist, so they can do a thorough work-up and run labs to see what is going on with you.
From your post I can’t tell at all what the cause of your current issue may be. I could be hormonal (the adrenals aren’t the only hormones that can cause your symptoms), or inflammation, combined with your existing psychiatric disorders. You need specialist care, not reddit.
**Physician - Pediatrics**: I agree with the other commenter that you need to be seen by a specialist. Maybe keep calling the endocrinologist office and ask to be slotted into a cancellation. That might get you seen the same day. If you end up going to a hospital, it’s important to go to one that has endocrinology available to consult if you get admitted. It’s honestly impossible to tell from your post what is going on without more info, a good physical exam, and some labs. Maybe adrenal crisis plus some side effects of the mirtazapine? It’s really too hard to say and you should say a specialist asap.
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Is there ever a reason to go to ER for an anal fissure?
22F
Have had a chronic anal fissure for 3 to 4 years now (resulted in a sentinel tag) and an ass of a specialist who has blown me off repeatedly and undermined me, but I digress.
I have bouts of flare ups where it bleeds excessively and is excruciatingly painful to wipe my bottom. Yes I'm aware of the baths and baby wipes options but I have a full time job and can't just go sit in the bath every time I have a bowel movement.
Today I have had to go to the bathroom 10 times (I ALWAYS have diarrhoea, am literally never constipated) and it's bled not just on the TP but it has dripped out of my bottom into the bowel colouring the water and everything red. Don't even get me started on the pain.
So, to make a round point, is there ever a time to go to the ER for a fissure and is this one of them? Please help me, my quality of life has been getting so minimal and I'm so sick of being pushed aside by my specialist who I pay OUT THE ASS (pun intended) to see.
| 4
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**MD - Peds GI | Top Contributor**: No. The ER is the wrong place to get help for this, as it's not an emergency. They won't tell you anything different than you're already doing.
Your best bet is to get a better specialist who will listen to you. If you have chronic diarrhea + an anal fissure that won't heal, you need to get an adequate workup for Crohn's disease (EGD and colonoscopy, maybe small bowel imaging / capsule endoscopy, stool tests). A biopsy of the fissure is sometimes helpful too if it has inflammation consistent with Crohn's. Some people have Crohn's just as perianal inflammation, and benefit hugely from proper medication.
**Registered Nurse**: Can you just go and see a new GP? (I'm from Australia and we can go to any GP we want). Sounds like you need a second opinion and better care, it sounds like this is really impacting your quality of life.
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I 21m just had a window smash in my face and is worried that I might of swallowed a coarse salt size of glass.
21m 6,1 186 pounds.
Was playing with my brother in the house with a ball, "I know we should not have done that lol". There seems to have been something in my throat for a time, spit up less then a small drop of blood for the first 5 minutes, have not seen any blood since 3 hours now. Going to call the doctor tomorrow for more info but anything helps. Thanks!
| 6
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: If you swallowed any, you'll poop it out
|
Heart rate after taking opioids for surgery
20 yr old male, 5’6 145 lbs
Had a clavicle surgery a couple days ago and been taking 5-325 hydrocodone since. Idk if it’s the pills or what but my heart rates been down to 60-65 and I’m not in that great of shape. I want to take the the pain killers but I’m afraid it was do something to my heart.
| 6
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**Physician**: That heart rate is normal.
|
Oregon. Help
41 native American. 260. Male .Here my question and please Reddit stop blocking me. I'm asking for help.
Went to the er for heart problems.
They said your ekg is fine. Your blood work. Is fine. Your ex ray is fine. Still having the same problem. Now it's been on going every day pain in my chest. Last 1-3 min. Blood coming out nose in chucks. The pain my left arm. Now. Help 🆘 please it's hurts no drug use no alcohols,
| 4
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: It sounds like the ER ruled out immediately life-threatening conditions. The next step should be to follow-up with your primary care provider to figure out what’s going on and how to solve it.
|
Withdrawal after a week of klonopin?
26M 200lb 5'10"
Doctor put me on klonopin, I started by taking .125mg every night, and after a couple days I went up to .25mg.
I started waking up feeling very sad so i flushed the klonopin down the toilet after a week of taking it.
Will I experience withdrawals? Are they dangerous?
| 6
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**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: Since you have only been taking a small dosage for a very short period of time, you will not have withdrawals. If you took them for sleep, you might have trouble falling asleep for a few days.
Seriously, GOOD JOB for getting rid of these! SO many people wind up chemically dependent and/or addicted to these pills. In the future, there a better ways to discard of unused medications like a pill take back/drop off.
Hope this helps!
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Lung pain from vaping
I know it’s my fault and I put this upon myself but I am extremely horrified because I’ve been vaping for around 3 years and these days breathing has been such a challenge. I’m 18 years old so I always thought I’m young and healthy enough to get through a sickness but this time I’m worried it’s too late. I feel really sharp pain in my lungs and it’s constantly there now but it gets worse if I take a really deep breath or move my body at a certain angle. I’ve always had this problem from vaping but it’s gotten much worse and more painful. I know it’s from vaping so i quit this morning but I feel like too much damage is done. Is there any way I can cleanse my lungs or do anything to decrease the pain? I cant afford going to the ER but I do feel as though this might be really bad. Someone please help.
| 4
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**Physician**: The lungs usually don't hurt. What you are describing sound most like intercostal neuralgia. If the pain persists for a few days or gets worse, you develop coughing or shortness of breath, you should consult a real life doctor.
|
Inside of Vagina
I am a 28yo female
I have recently been treating myself for thrush for the first time and this is the only real time I’ve looked at the inside of my vagina
I have a ball like bulbous structure that is visible when I have my legs open and push down, it is not painful and seems to be the main part of the front wall
Is this something to be concerned about?
| 4
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**Physician**: Likely not. The vagina is a “potential space” that at rest, is collapsed. There are many folds in the lining of the vagina (or mucosa). Those folds can create a visual appearance of a bulge. In more rare circumstances, that bulge can be an out-pouching of other structures (like the rectum or the bladder), called prolapse. In cases of prolapse, symptoms that would likely prompt you to seek care with a physician would be inability to deficate, having to push in on that prolapse to empty your bowels/bladder, consistently leaking urine, or noticing a significant bulge that impacts your day to day life. In all honestly, it would be quite uncommon for a 28yo to have prolapse, but not impossible. My suggestion and hunch is that this is normal and fine. Should you have burdensome symptoms or anxiety regarding this, check in with your local obgyn and schedule a “well woman exam!” A great opportunity to ensure your up to date on Pap smear, vaccinations, review pertinent family history, and get some reassurance with a physical exam. Hope this helps,
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Mother [59] has a very suspicious looking lump on her upper breast and plays it down as nothing. Should I be worried?
Female/59/white/~200lbs/5’7.5”
She says she has had it for four years and that it’s nothing. I only noticed it now. It’s pretty crazy-looking to me, like the size of a pea under the skin and the pea-sized lump is surrounded on all sides by a purple ring, like a bruise.
For context, my mom doesn’t believe cancer is real, at least not in the way the rest of the world thinks. She says that cancer is easily reversible if you address the cause, be it trauma or parasites.
A few years ago, I remember that she had mentioned to me that she had a lump in her breast. I pushed her to get it looked at then but she recoiled and shut down. She was mad at me and I decided not to push it because the chance of her actually listening to me was low anyway. Later, she told me it had disappeared. I am now wondering if this lump is that lump and she, afraid, just lied to herself about it going away.
Mom has a history of deceiving herself about her and my dad’s medical problems. These situations almost always arise when the medical issue is a very scary one. It’s like she can’t handle the fear of actual reality so she just invents another reality.
What do I do?
| 3
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**Rheumatology Research Fellow**: Obviously any suspicious lump should be investigated. If she’s staying healthy after having it for 4 years then there’s a good chance that it’s nothing.
Cancer is normally perfectly treatable if taken seriously and found early enough. Obviously we can’t help her belief in medicine, but she should see a specialist soon to rule out malignancy
|
Lyrica abuse and hand tremors
Hey there and sorry for this insanely stupid question about a stupid situation.
I am:
Female, 18
5’0 - 107lbs
Not on any (prescribed) medication.
San Diego, CA
Okay first off I have only been abusing lyrica for 1 month. I think it’s one of those medications that is easy to build a tolerance to. Anyways, today is my day off. I’ve had the flu the last two days (and so have everyone in my household) so there’s that. For the pregabalin, I typically start with 150mg times 7 pills. a fact that may help (or not) is that I get my lyrica from Tijuana mexico from a licensed farmicia. The boxes are untampered with and are produced by Pfizer. Today I took an abnormally large dose (150mg X 14)
I don’t abuse anyyy other pills. Today I am already suffering from flu symptoms. Body ache, headache and muscle pain. an hour after taking the dose I fell asleep and then about 1 1/2 hour later, I woke up lethargic (obviously) but my hands are twitching uncontrollably. It’s like it’s twitching in a pattern. I used voice to text to make this post. This has never happened before. Is this something to be worried about??? I obviously need to abstain for the pills but i’m just a little worried about what is happening
TIA :)
| 1
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**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: You need to be evaluated by a physician now. Lyrica abuse is extremely dangerous and you are taking very dangerous amounts of the drug. Lyrica will cause chemical dependency, and will give you withdrawals. Some of these drug withdrawals can be serious. Right now, it's hard to determine which symptoms are caused by drug withdrawals and which are caused by the flu since you are sick.
Right now, my main concern is drug overdose due to your tremors, and **I would recommend going to the ER.** Be honest with the doctor at the ER and tell them exactly how much you abused. I would also recommend getting yourself checked into a drug rehabilitation program once you are medically cleared by the ER.
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Lump in boob but not sure if it’s something too worrying?
I (18f) recently felt a lump in my left boob, i can’t tell if my boob is swelling or not because it’s always been the bigger one, even after i had breast reduction surgery. I also get random pain but i’ve been getting random pain in my boob since i was like 11.
FYI I had the surgery June 2021
Which when i had that it was also the boob that was hard (fat necrosis i think) so i was mostly was wondering if it could be from the surgery or should i definitely go to the doctor?
| 4
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**Physician**: Any new lump in the breast should be evaluated, even if the most likely causes due to your age and history are benign. A physician examining the lump can much more easily make the determination if it requires further evaluation.
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Brown/Cola-Colored Urine After Strenuous Exercise
Today was my first day back in the gym in a couple years. i overexerted myself and really pushed myself way too hard. my first time peeing after this workout produced a brown colored urine, like there was blood in it. i’ve been very dehydrated before and had very dark orange urine, and this is not the same color. it looked like root beer. it was terrifying.
i feel totally fine, but i am scared. it says brown urine can occur after strenuous exercise due to myoglobin being excreted through urine, but also says myoglobin is toxic to kidneys and can cause renal failure. i am terrified.
i am an otherwise healthy 25 year old male with no history of renal problems.
Do i need to go to the ER right now, or can i wait until morning to go to urgent care? i am drinking lots of water. to try and dilute the myoglobin concentration. i don’t want my kidneys to fail. please help me
| 2
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: You can wait till the morning to go to urgent care. Drink a lot of water in the mean time.
|
(25, M) my weight is 74kg. I used to hold my pee while sleeping. When I have the urge to pee I don't get any erection. I have the urge to pee I feel it on the inside and I go and pee. I need help please. I've been drinking water but it's not helping. My shaft feels dead honestly
Whenever i want to pee my shaft feels dead. It does not erect at all. Need your help please. I regret holding on to my pee and not going to the bathroom.
| 6
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**Physician**: You don’t need to get an erection when you need to pee.
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Do I have carbon monoxide poisoning?
19M, 5'10", 140 pounds. Diagnosed with COVID and pneumomediastinum. No medications.
On Monday night, I tried holding my breath for a long time, nothing crazy but it got very uncomfortable. That night, I felt like I had trouble breathing, a similar feeling to when you pull a blanket over your head for too long. Eventually I went to the ER the next day because I felt very gaspy and like it was impossible to get a full breath. That night I was diagnosed with pneumomediastinum and COVID. I was kept the night for observation and released the next afternoon with the assumption that the COVID had caused the pneumomediastinum.
That was Tuesday, and since then I can't really get a full deep breath and I still have this suffocating feeling. I just figured it was the pneumomediastinum but for the most part the chest pain has gone away, not to mention that the chest pain only started 24 hours after the shortness of breath. I keep getting tingly feelings in my face and hands. I can't stop feeling like I need to gasp and get a full breath of air. It comes and goes, but I never stop feeling that suffocation feeling to a degree. I've also been feeling pretty dizzy and random intervals, and I've been feeling not all there mentally at certain points throughout the day, like I can't concentrate. My heart rate has also been pretty high, consistently in the 100 to 140 range. I've been having panic attacks at random points throughout the week. A lot of this I've just put down to anxiety, especially since I didn't enjoy my Tuesday-Wednesday hospital stay and I've been worried since then but have managed to stay out of the hospital, however these symptoms don't really go away even when I'm relaxed. I'm afraid of that arterial blood draw, too.
So yeah, should I be worried here?
Edit: *dioxide* not monoxide.
| 6
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: Nothing in your post is concerning for carbon monoxide poisoning.
|
Weird, Sex Problem or am I just freaking out?
I am a 23 years old guy. I'm usually good horny type, love girls. I masturbate regularly maybe even thrice a day. Last week I went to visit my new long distance Girlfriend. I knew we were gonna have sex and it was my first time so I didn't masturbate for a couple of days I guess. We had our lil foreplay and stuff. She started sucking but my soldier wouldn't rise. Maybe I was nervous. Later, she started stroking, even I tried stuff but it wouldn't rise and I couldn't do it. I am so freaked out about this. Please guys, let me know what might be the problem or if any of you had the same situation.
And yes, I don't have any erectile disfunction. When I masturbate, it's quite big and erect.
Broke up with her due to embarrassment and I'm scared if the same thing would happen with the next girl I date.
| 6
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**Physician, Neurology | Moderator**: You are not a machine. It’s completely normal not to have an erection on every occasion you want one. This likely is some stage fright, which probably every man has experienced on some point.
Breaking off with sex partners is probably not a good solution for this and can increase anxiety the next time you want to have sex.
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Are my iron levels dangerously low?
I (23F, 140lbs, 5’4”) and recently went to get blood work and my iron levels are:
Ferritin: 4L , reference range 16-54
Iron, Total: 26L, reference range 40-190
Iron binding capacity: 347, within ref. range
% Saturation: 7L, reference range 16-45
I have been very fatigued since early December but I just assumed it’s from working two jobs and going to school. I do experience heavy periods and my mother has a history of anemia as well. Back in October, my blood work showed low levels of Hemoglobin and other CBC markers, so this recent blood work was a follow up to that.
My mother is a nurse and said they are very low and I should go to the ER. I have a doctors appointment next Thursday. What should I do? Thank you.
ETA: I also have lost 12 lbs in the past two months and don’t have a desire to eat anything.
| 4
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: What is your hemoglobin?
No, you should not go to the ER for fatigue and low iron by itself, when you have an appointment with your PCP within a week.
|
Parasite?
I’ve had a suspicion I’ve had parasites for a while. I’m 18, 5’8” and I weigh only 120 lbs. I was eating pasta yesterday and what looked like a 6 inch worm came out of my mouth. It wasn’t pasta because I was eating bow tie pasta. I don’t have a picture. But I woke up this morning with what looks like a bay e one in my mustache. We put it under a laptop “microscope” and it looks like a worm. My dad also squished it with a toothpick and liquid came out of it.
| 4
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**Physician**: Bring it to a physician.
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Egg fell during sex. Should we see a doctor?
So my gf (21 )and I(m21) had protective sex today. It was our 3rd time having sex. ( we both lost our virginity to each other recently) This time the sex was a proper one and lasted a long time. But after doing it i noticed there was blood on my bedsheet.. also she wasnt bleeding but probably was while we were doing it. Later while she was cleaning herself she noticed an egg. We both are freaking out. We used condom all the 3 times we had sex. She had periods throughout 9th - 11th june. Her next period is supposed to be on the 7th next month. We have no clue why this happened. Our 2nd time doing sex was this month on 22nd June, and there was not a single drop of blood. She didnt bleed so much on her first time too. (1st and 2nd time were very short becoz we both are afraid of messing up despite wearing condom) Is she pregnent or something? Is there some problem ?
Please help!!
| 6
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**Physician**: Probably the cause of bleeding is due to small trauma if the contact was more ... aggressive and maybe your girlfriend wasn't lubricated enough. Small bleeding for the few first times is normal. About the egg thing... Human "eggs" are not visible with a naked eye. So I'm wondering what your gf really saw. Is there any chance she took a picture ?
**Medical Technologist - Microbiology**: Please get some sex education, both of you, before you have more sex
**Registered Nurse**: An egg is tiny, like the size of the period at the end of this sentence. How do you know it was an egg?
**Registered Nurse**: There is no problem.
She’s probably not pregnant (I only say probably because equipment malfunction or user error are factors).
If you’re in college or have any education centers near your home. You should both enroll in a sex education class to get some basic info on the subject.
**Registered Nurse**: I commend you for asking questions. I am so ashamed of the sex education, or lack thereof, that you received. It is completely not your fault. If you see a primary care provider, take that time to ask any and all questions. I get that it may be embarrassing to talk with parents/siblings, or they may not be readily available. I agree with the physician above. It can certainly be related to decreased lubrication and bleeding for the first few times is not abnormal. The hymen may stretch or tear, which can be one cause. I, personally, bled for a few times after my first. Curious about this “egg” you mentioned, though it could have been a clot?
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Oxygen level drop hours after exercise
F30, completed a leg day 6 hours ago. Usually my blood oxygen level is 98. I felt little breathless so I measured my oxygen levels and it is 95-96. I am really scared. Is this normal hours after exercise?
| 6
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: All of your oxygen levels are normal. Strongly recommend you stop checking.
**Physician, Anesthesiology**: Totally normal.
Unless you have lung disease or are a mountain climber, there’s really no significant reason to check your oxygen saturation on a regular basis.
|
Does this sound like a brain tumor?
A few months back I had on and off episodes of vertigo. Then it went away by itself. Recently, I experienced it again for a day or two, then it turned into almost constant dizziness. Then the back of my left eye started to feel strained, now it feels sort of inflamed and seems like it could be getting swollen. My vision is still ok, but man this is getting scary. Seems like something going on with my brain. My symptoms now include
- almost constant left eye pain, seems to be getting more inflamed by the day.
- almost constant dizziness
- waking up sweating
- I constantly have a fever 95.5
- I’m sleeping a lot more than usual (10-11 hours a night)
- I have episodes of fatigue where I have to sit down
- I have 24/7 anxiety
I’m a young, healthy guy. Don’t know if this sounds like a brain tumor or what. Something’s definitely going on though.
| 4
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**Registered Nurse**: Get your eyes checked and make an appt with your PCP to get something for your anxiety.
**Physician - Ophthalmology**: Recommend seeing an ophthalmologist. Worsening pain in left eye needs a diagnosis.
|
I have whooping cough
I'm a 31 year old female 220 pounds. I was vaccinated for whooping cough 6 years ago but have gotten it still somehow. I'm on week 5 of it now. The past couple days I've had a sore throat can this be from the whooping or should I be worried I have some other illness on top of this?
| 6
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**Physician**: The constant coughing from whooping cough will make your throat very sore. The old adage was this is the "100 day cough" so it take a long time to go away.
Just as a public service announcement: please please please stay away from any babies. If they catch whooping cough they can get super ill and it can be fatal.
|
Could I have food in my lungs and not feel it?
Hello (I’m 24M). About 12 hours ago, I ate a mandarine slice and the process felt odd, as if the slice hadn’t left my throat. However, it didn’t make me cough at all, contrary to a “gone down the wrong hole” event. I just felt nauseous and being emetophobic, started panicking right off the start.
Considering I started an antidepressant (sertraline) three days ago, which has without a doubt made my panic attacks skyrocket (I’ve been relatively constantly in a state of anxiety), there’s quite a chance that my brain is acting up.
Problem being, while I’m used to panic attacks, the nausea started because I really felt as if something was stuck in my throat.
Currently, I feel light pain in my chest area alternatively left and right, for about 5 minutes, then it calms down for an hour. I’ve been forcing myself to cough a few times which could explain it?
It also feels as if there was something in the back of my throat.
Important(I guess) to note that I ate and drank relatively normally today.
My anxiety is probably making me lose it and I’m sorry if my question is silly, but could it be that I’ve aspirated a mandarin slice and didn’t need to cough/was able to breath pretty normally?
| 6
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**Physician**: No
**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: Nope. You would have coughed, a lot.
|
Please help! Stools too hard and dry and stuck at anus (31M)
Hello folks,
31M , mild hypertension , metoprolol 50mg Daly ER.
I am have been trying to have a bowel movement for about 12 hours but it is stuck at my anus. I have access to a mirror and I can see that the stool is "halfway out" but not enough to actually be evacuated.
I am party responsable for this as yesterday I only ate microwave popcorn and I can see that that is what I am trying to pass.
I would really try to handle this at home before going to the ER as we still have a covid wave here. Do you doctors think a laxative enemas would be worth trying? Also, my heart rate is a bit high because of the effort if having the stools stuck (my heart rate usually goes up when under stress or pain).
Other than this I feel fine although when the stools try to pass it gets painful since they are stuck. Can you please provide you opinion (I would really really like to stay out of ER unless absolutely necessary).
Thank you all.
| 5
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: Try a water enema such as a fleet. You should take stool softeners too such as miralax. You can also manually disimpact if you really want to
|
Hello to all just when I finished my breakfast a few hours ago I burped white smoke. Could you tell me what it is and if it’s serious ? i don't smoke my girlfriend I live with either
Age : 24
Sex : male
Height : 1m74
Weight : 80 kg
Race : black
Location : France
Any existing relevant medical issues : none
Current medications : I’m taking omega 3 and multivitamins every morning
| 5
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: A pill with powder in it ruptured (possibly in your esophagus) and you burped up a very powder. Just drink a full glass of water with your meds.
|
My urine smells fruity after drinking sweet drinks, would it be diabetes?
I am 22 years and 10 months old, with fairly thin and short (1.68 m height, weigh 46 Kg) body. My diet is quite poor through my age (I'm born with quite fatty body but then it get worse when I grew up). I also have IBS, and no drug allergies.
The condition is, I have fairly sensitive bladder so I have urinal every 2 hours (I drink quite a lot of water), but when I drink anything sugary or sweet, the interval become much shorter (usually in 1 hour), and my urine smells fruity and sweet. I've just worried when my mom asked me to see the doctor because she noticed there are ants in the toilet, which is very unusual for her. Surprisingly. other foods are considerably normal, even with fairly sweet food like cake or starchy meals.
| 4
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**Physician - Anaesthesiology**: Losing weight, drinking and urinating excessively can be symptoms of diabetes and you would be in a relatively common age group for first diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. It is easy to test for, so you should a see primary care doctor.
The ants are probably a red herring, unless they're not actually there, in which case you should probably take your mother to the doctor as well.
|
I'm (18M) scared I've been having a heart attack for a while.
For the past 12 hours or so, I've had tingling in my limbs, some sort of weird pain, and sometimes shortness of breath. No pain in my chest however. I'm still shit scared that it's a heart attack and can't calm myself down.
For the record, I have severe anxiety, but don't have panic attacks often, and every single one has been different, so I'm not sure if this is another anxiety attack or not. I feel like it wouldn't be logical for me to be having a heart attack for 12 hours, and to have slept through 8 of those, but every time I calm down even a little bit I start thinking about it again and can't shake the thought of it being a heart attack. I think one part of that might be because I'm a smoker, and have been smoking for almost 3 years now (pack or two/week, so not super heavy, and that frequency has been only as of recently, used to be a pack a week)
​
Could someone just help calm me down, I know this is panicky and weird but I cant calm down. Thanks in advance.
(173cm, 64kg, white male, used to be high level athlete)
| 5.5
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: The chances of this being an MI are ~0%.
**B.S., Medical Lab Sciences**: Breathe. Take the time to focus on the outside world. Pick a colour, look around and name everything you see with that colour. Really search for things that have that colour. Keep breathing.
Go outside for a bit, go find a patch of green, crouch down and try to see every tiny detail in that patch of green. Notice the differences between plants in that patch, notice tiny bugs, critters, flower buds taking shape. And don't forget to breathe.
These 2 mindfulness exercises really help me to get my mind out of panic mode and into the real world. I hope they help you, too.
|
Sleep apnea?
I M23 6’ 1 265lbs am having possible sleep apnea symptoms?
When I lie down and am trying to go to sleep I feel what I can only describe as a muscle twitch which I know is common but this feels different almost like it’s coming from my heart, and after I get this involuntary twitch I feel a shortness of breath type of deal and need to take a couple deep breaths.
This only started a few weeks ago but has negatively impacted my sleep. I often stay up way to late because following these twitches and shortness of breath I get very anxious convincing myself something is wrong with my heart.
Could these symptoms be sleep apnea? I may also add I have started working out again 4 or 5 nights a week along with playing hockey 2 nights a week. These symptoms began shortly after I started working out again.
Any possible info I would really appreciate!
| 6
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: These are not typical symptoms of sleep apnea. Symptoms of sleep apnea include excessive fatigue despite appropriate sleep, morning headaches and dry mouth, and loud snoring (among others). It sounds like your describing myoclonus, a common thing when falling asleep. Perhaps you increase in exercise is creating more significant myoclonus, suspect it will go away with time.
Either way, I applaud you for exercising more. Regardless of if you have sleep apnea or not, weight loss will only help you.
|
Should I go to the ER for Severe Period Bleeding? (Possible Endometrosis.)
29f here, 5'2, 140, with severe period bleeding, meaning I'm completely bleeding through both a tampon and a pad within an hour, and this has been going on for days. I have never done drugs or drank or smoked. I'm no stranger to heavy periods, had them since I was a kid but this is extreme. If I can't contain it with all the period products I have then it's a problem. My mom has endometrosis so I suspect I might too. Currently I'm dizzy and am mainly concerned about the blood lost. Should I go to the ER? I feel like I'll be laughed out of there with a, "Just a normal period."
| 1
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: If you're bleeding through a pad/tampon per hour, yes, you should go in. This isn't a normal period.
|
Chest pain and heart rate of 130+bpm
I (18F) have a fever, I believe it’s the flu. Sore throat, light cough, chest pain, and my heart rate wont go down. My resting heart rate is 60bpm but its double and hasn’t went down all day. Should I be worried?
I take Zofran quite often, I took some Ibuprofen about an hour ago. I am 5’7 and 120 lbs
| 5
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**Registered Nurse**: A heart rate on 130 is not unusual with a fever. Be sure to take Tylenol and drink plenty of fluids.
**Registered Nurse**: A prolonged QTc interval is something we look at before administering Zofran but, not every single person or time.
Try not to overdo it and like the other person said: Lots of water, alternate Tylenol and Motrin. If your symptoms get worse and aren’t improving at all in the next 48-72 hours, I’d seek treatment. Sooner if your symptoms progress rapidly in the wrong direction.
|
Pretty sure I have penile cancer M27
Like the title says. All the signs are adding up.
Noticed brown and black lesions 4-5 ago, didn’t think it was cancerous because I didn’t know penile cancer was even a thing. I ignorantly assumed it was a just weird skin condition and went on with my life because I wasn’t sexually active nor did I plan on becoming sexually active.
Recently I’ve become much more cognizant of this problem. I realized the urine stains in my underwear were probably correlated. My anxiety has kicked into overdrive. I’ve completely convinced myself this is most likely the case and if I go to the doctor he will tell me the inevitable truth.
I know for a fact my sanity cannot handle an official diagnosis. This is a life or death matter for me… a penectomy is NOT an option. Period.
I don’t know what to do. I can hardly eat or sleep. I’ve just been drinking in my room paralyzed with fear barely able to function.
Any advice that might assuage the fear would be greatly appreciated. I have no one to confide in and no idea what to do with my anxiety addled mind.
| 4
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**Rheumatology Research Fellow**: Penile cancer is rare, and even rarer still at your age. In all likelihood you don’t have it. However, you’ve managed to convince yourself that you’re sick - rather than seek treatment, you’re just going to drink all the time? How does that help your sanity or your health?
Make an appointment with your doctor - you literally have something to lose. If it’s not cancer, then that’s fine. If it’s cancer, an oncologist can discuss your options with you; it’s not like they’re going to start loping bits off you without talking to you first
|
SMA positive
27F, non smoker, don't drink
Due to elevated liver tests, I was tested for AMA, LKM-1 and SMA. SMA came back positive. Prior to that, viral reasons for elevated liver tests were eliminated.
I have an appointment with a specialist in a couple of months. What can I expect next?
Other symptoms I have are abdominal discomfort, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, itchiness (mostly legs).
| 4
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**Physician**: This is indicative of autoimmune hepatitis aka your body is attacking your liver. Based on how severe symptoms and labs may be, you’ll be started on steroids and possibly another immunosuppressant like azathioprine. You should see someone within the month if possible.
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What does "Small Bowel: Fluid and multiple small bowel loops in the pelvis" mean in a CT scan?
I've been having severe abdominal pain for more than two weeks now, the pain started suddenly along with bouts of constipation, diarrhea, black stool and vomiting. I went to the ER the first time they gave me painkillers and constipation medicine and sent me home. I went again two weeks later (yesterday) and they decided to do a CT scan which the doctor said it looked fine, and that I have fluid in my small intestines. They diagnosed that as Enteritis, but I have a distention in lower belly that hasn't gone down since two weeks ago, and I also gained 10 lbs overnight. I don't know what's going on and idk what to do to feel better.
| 6
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**Physician - Radiation Oncologist**: Multiple small bowel loops in the pelvis is perfectly normal for women, less often so in men. Fluid in the small intestines could mean anything depending on how much, where (in the intestinal wall or lumen, around it?) and if muscle tone / peristalsis seems normal or not. We'd need the detailled report or imaging uploaded to tell you more.
|
My crazy sleep is ruining my life
Female
31
I can't sleep like a normal person. I have tried everything.
No lights on
No phone or electronics ( I will just stair at the ceiling for hours without my phone until the sun is up)
Cold room
Warm room
No caffeine
More pillows
Less pillows
Every sleep position
Not eating before bed
Eating before bed
Eating healthy
Walking/work out (I've worked a physical job for 8 hours and STILL couldn't sleep after)
Melatonin
I found cannabis and that worked for a while but now it doesn't work as well.
benadryl is hit and miss, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I'm about to go back to trying it again.
It's not uncommon for me to go 24 hours without sleep 4 times a month. My record is 32 hours.
I am loseing my mind, when this happens I feel wired and exhausted at the same time my body is screaming for sleep but I don't pass out until I've been up for way longer than I should. This is effecting my relationships with people I care about and my ability to be productive.
How the fuck do I fix this.
| 4
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**Registered Nurse**: Sleep study needs to be done.
|
Can I contract rabies from kissing someone??
I [18F] kissed my ex [25M] 9 days ago. For context, he got bit by a rabid dog 2 weeks ago and he said he got his 1st shot of vaccine but forgot his later shots. He hadn't developed any symptoms. I read online that rabies can be carried through saliva so should I go get my shots asap?? I'm scared please help
| 6
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**Physician - Rheumatologist**: He doesn't have rabies. You don't have rabies.
He would be dead by now or almost dead. I think the timeline for rabies is like 10 days with close to 100% mortality.
|
Dog scratch rabies
Hey all, so basically I was at a friends house and they have a new dog( around 6-7 years old). The dog is young and very energetic so every time someone walks in the door it jumps all of them. When I visited them the dog scratched my legs pretty good but there was no blood. I got worried because I heard about rabies. The dog does have its first rabies shot, but the dog catches dead birds and bats all the time. And a apparently a few days before it scratched me it has a dead bag in its mouth. I’m wondering what I should do and what steps I should take?? Thanks
PS. This happened around 4 hours ago
| 5
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**Neonatal Nurse Practitioner**: No, you are not at risk from that. Wash the broken skin with soap and water
|
Vertebral Artery Dissection
Female, white, 37 years old. I went to Chriopractor on Friday got an adjustment. Had vertigo 15 min after which was resolved. Felt tired for most of Friday. on and off tired on Saturday. It's Sunday woke up to the worst ache/pain in my mid upper, shoulders and neck and weakness in hands (might be due to pain)and reduced sensation under the neck by shoulders. Can this be vertebral artery dissection? Oh to note I repositioned my baby in the middle of night (cosleep) and then the pain started. The pain is radiating down my arm. How do I know if it’s a dissection vs. muscle pain? What is onset of dissection after chiropractic adjustment?
| 1.333333
|
**Physician - Radiation oncologist**: The radiating neck pain could be due to vertebral artery dissection, the weakness and sensation problems less likely so. The problems could also be functional or due to a pinched nerve root in the neck or pinched brachial plexus.
The history with dizziness after chiropractic neck manipulation though is very concerning. I highly recommend going into urgent care or in case of worsening even ER and getting it checked out with imaging.
**Physician - Psychiatrist**: I think we are learning that any post with the word "chiropractor" requires a clinical review.
**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: I would go to an ER and get evaluated. You will likely need a CT or MRI
**Psychologist**: I’m glad you posted and you’re ok. Your post helps increase awareness.
Off topic, but I also hope you’re aware of the risks of co-sleeping and have researched how to co-sleep as safely as possible.
**Physician - Neurosurgery**: You may not be alive if you have had an ongoing vertebral artery dissection but the only way to understand the extent of “damage” potentially done by the chiropractor is to get a consult by someone in neurolgy or neurosurgery - and them requesting radiology to get imaging.
The ramifications could be serious however praying it is simple a musculoskeletal pull due to positional changes during sleep combined with chiropractic manipulation of the neck. Good luck
PLEASE DO NOT tell the ER saying you’re having an arterial dissection - INSTEAD just tell them what happened and what symptoms you’re having.
|
Possible liver damage?
So I (29M) recently had covid, which created complications which required me to have to get all 4 of my wisdom teeth out, so I was taking a pretty large amount of Tylenol, ibuprofen, and oxycodone, for a relatively extended period of time, and now I’m concerned I have some liver damage.
I was taking roughly 3-4000mg of Tylenol a day for about 3 weeks to a month. On top of that, for the back 2 weeks, I was also taking about 1800-2400mg per day of ibuprofen, and 10mg of oxycodone at night.
I had some minor withdrawals last week when I finally stopped taking everything, and ever since, if I have more than a drink, I start to feel tired, nauseas, and I get a headache. Almost like a hangover but it starts immediately after I start drinking. I also have a pretty low energy level overall right now, but I lost like 15lbs (185lbs>170lbs) during that whole fiasco, so I guess that’s to be expected.
My tolerance for alcohol is generally pretty high, so this is very strange to me.
Thanks you in advance for any info/advice!
| 6
|
**Physician - Gastroenterology**: Unlikely you have liver damage
|
(20M) The inside of my penis itches.
I am sexually actively I have a gf who is (19F) and she complained about itching inside her vagina two weeks ago but played it off as it happens. We both do not have any STD’s and we are loyal to one another. Although she said it’s quite difficult to clean her vagina due to medical conditions she assured me she doesn’t have an STD’s. There is nothing oozing out of my penis and it does not burn at all I am also peeing a lot from my increase in water because it makes the itching stop. From online it looks like I have urethritis. It just itches. I can’t go to a doctor for the next 3 days. Will I be okay?
| 4
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**MD - Peds GI | Top Contributor**: First of all, your girlfriend doesn’t need to be cleaning her vagina. That will cause more problems than it solves.
Second, any kind of urethral discomfort is certainly associated with urethritis, as you’ve surmised. This could be simple irritation of the end of your urethra from overuse sexually. It could be an STI. It could be a UTI.
Easiest thing is to start with a UA to look for a UTI. But still consider getting checked for STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea. I’m hopeful you’re right that your GF isn’t unfaithful, but you never really know for sure. And even if you’re both monogamous, getting checked for STIs can help both of you maintain trust with each other.
|
Are my arteries clogged?
I am a 37 year old female. 5’6, 190 lbs. I have high cholesterol and have been eating an unhealthy diet but I’m trying to change that. I have been under a lot of stress lately from my parents divorcing, money issues and my pets getting sick. For the past few months I have been getting this tightness/soreness in my chest when I exercise. It goes away after a while. Now I have been experiencing a tightness in my chest almost all the time. Can this be from blocked arteries? I do have a family history of Coronary artery disease.
| 4
|
**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: Due to your family history of CAD, I think it would be best to see a cardiologist who can perform more advanced tests compared to a PCP/GP/family doc. I also want you to see a cardiologist due to chest tightness; however, these *could* be muscular (not cardiovascular).
Now is the time to change your diet and eliminate fatty foods. You can start exercising, but you can take it slow. For example, you can go for a walk. All of us experience plaque in our arteries, but that does not mean they are "clogged." Since your cholesterol is high, it is imperative that you take action now through a healthy died and light exercise. You also need to lose weight. If you follow my advice, your cholesterol will lower. Remember, you are what you eat.
|
Girlfriend (f18) has excess libido which impacts negatively her daily life
My girlfriend is suffering from having excess libido in her life, she can't function well during her daily routine and university because she simply cannot stop getting affected by it, and it's not something she likes as she sometimes she gets into depressive moments after masturbating on her own due to the libido "winning" over her.
To demonstrate how bad she is getting from this, she fears she start might cheating "unconsciously" due to this situation
Is there anything she can do or seek to treat this situation? We looked online but it gave only psychological reasons
| 4
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**Registered Nurse**: She could go see an OB and get her hormones checked to rule out something causing these symptoms. If that all checks out then next step would be psychiatrist/psychologist.
|
26F lost tampon?
I habitually change my tampon every time I use the bathroom. I went to the bathroom and attempted to change my tampon per usual, but didn’t feel the string. I was at a bar, 3 drinks in, and it was a little hectic so I thought maybe I had already taken it out, but I’m not sure. I did not put a new one in.
I really think that it was still in there because for several hours after realizing I couldn’t locate it, and not having a pad or putting a tampon in, my underwear and pants were unscathed.
When I got home I felt around for it and couldn’t locate anything. It is now the following afternoon, and I tried to feel around for it again, and I’m still coming up with nothing. What else can I do? I am highly considering going to an urgent care facility but I do not want to go through the trauma of an unknown person poking around in there if I can avoid it. I am a survivor of rape and terrified that I might have to do this.
| 4
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**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: The tampon cannot go through the opening of the cervix. If you are able to feel all the way through your vagina to your cervix, and you feel no tampon, it's very likely that you simply took it out without remembering it. Of course, the only way to know for sure is direct visualization. If you do need to do this just to be sure, I recommend that you tell the provider up front that you have a history of sexual trauma so they can take extra care during the exam to make sure you feel comfortable and in control.
|
OBGYN Question
TW: Pregnancy Loss
I’m 30f. 5’2” 230lbs. Caucasian. Two live births via cesarean. No major medical conditions. No regular medications.
Y’all need some context. In late October, my family and I were on vacation. I began feeling nauseous like I did when I was pregnant with my son, so I was suspicious that I was somehow (despite mine and my husband’s efforts) pregnant again. I took a couple pregnancy tests, and both were negative, so I convinced myself that I couldn’t be pregnant and began looking into alternative possibilities for the nausea. I convinced myself it was because I was majority dehydrated (which I was; I hadn’t drank any water for a long while). I started bleeding a little bit and that sealed the idea that I wasn’t pregnant.
Fast forward about four days, and I wake up to a pretty big puddle of blood. When I wipe, there’s something decidedly NOT blood in it. It honestly looked like a super tiny sac that was broken in two pieces. I immediately started calling trying to get in to see an OB. I didn’t feel like I needed to go to the ER (we don’t have a lot of money so I didn’t feel the cost was worth it if the baby I suspected had been there was already gone). No one would see me. I had to wait a couple days to see my OB.
She completely dismissed me as soon as I told her I had not had a positive pregnancy test. She continued to tell me that I had passed a blood clot and refused to look at what I had passed (I wrapped it up in a ziplock bag and had stored it in the fridge). I’m sorry, but I have skinned enough animals in my life to know what clots of congealed blood look like. What had come out of me WAS NOT A BLOOD CLOT.
I went to her (very begrudgingly, but I didn’t have time to find a new doctor yet) for a pap in early December. She puts me on the NuvaRing (sp?).
This past week (beginning Thursday) I started to bleed lightly even though I was still wearing the ring (about 5 days until time to change the ring). Yesterday, I started having severe cramps. I took out the ring yesterday. Late yesterday evening, when I went to the bathroom, I again had something fleshy come out of me. This time, it did not look like a sac. Only like two rectangles of a fleshy substance.
What should I do? Am I overreacting? Someone please help.
| 6
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**Physician - Radiation Oncologist**: As the other commenters wrote, the pregnancy tests would have been positive if you had a miscarriage with a visible fetus. Just some uterine lining, possibly a decidual cast if it was one big piece.
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Positive pregnancy test 3 weeks after mifepristone and misoprostol.
I am a 20 year old female who lives in a state where abortions are illegal. I received a mifepristone and misoprostol from on online source and 3 weeks after taking the pills and enduring what I thought was an excruciating abortion I’m still getting positive pregnancy tests.
Is this regular? How should I go forward if the abortion failed? Am I liable to go to jail for ordering the pill if a local anti abortion doctor reported me?
| 4
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**Physician**: This can be completely normal, especially if the pregnancy test is sensitive. However it could indicate a problem as well, especially since the medication was not prescribed.
You need to go and see a doctor about this. You need your serial blood pregnancy markers checking to check they are coming down and possibly an ultrasound too.
I’d hope in any civilised country, doctor patient confidentiality would prevent them from telling the police or anything. You don’t mention your country.
|
Used tainted chicken broth now have diarrhea
24f, 195lbs, 5’6”, sudden diarrhea, duration: so far an hour, no meds, no smoking or drugs
I was shopping early for a cooking recipe at Walmart and had to buy chicken broth. I was manically cooking later and didn’t realize until I dumped the broth in the pan that the seal was broken and half of it was gone. Now both my boyfriend and I have stomach pains and i have sharp pain in my midsection and diarrhea about 45 minutes after eating.
| 5.5
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: It'll just have to pass. Stay hydrated.
**Physician - Pediatric Emergency Medicine**: It could be fr the broth.
Most stomach infections blownover in 24 to 48 hours.
|
Do I have an iron deficiency?
Hi, I am a 21 year old female and I recently had my blood drawn as I have been feeling weak, tired and my hair dresser said that she noticed some hair loss.
I got my results back, my hemoglobin is 114 (120-160 is the normal range), MCV is 77 (80-100 is the normal range), MCH is 24.2 (27.5-33.0 is the normal range). Also, my RWD is 14.8 (11.5-14.5 is the normal range).
My doctor said it’s fine at my age to have the numbers slightly lower than the normal range. I also feel like my doctor doesn’t really listen to me and my concerns and instead of answering my question, I was told to take a multi vitamin for pregnancy.
Are these results normal? I still feel dizzy and down but I am not sure if it’s something with my blood or I am just not sleeping enough. If you know anything about this, can you please let me know if there is anything further I should do. Thank you very much in advance.
| 5
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: You're mildly anemic, most likely due to iron deficiency. Wound be worth starting an iron supplement.
|
How do I know if I have a THC overdose?
22 female 5'5" 135Lbs . I took marijuana for the first time in a 10mg edible which was probably way too much for a newbie like me to take.
For the first hour I was fine but then the "high?" Hit.
Now my body is extremely Shakey and feels numb all over. Occasionally I get some chest pain too.
It was indica if that helps.
How do I treat this? It's currently midnight and can't go to the doctor. .
Is there a way to reduce either the numbness or shakiness?
| 5
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**Physician**: The doctor's in the emergency room have no specific treatment. They will supervise you in a safe setting and if necessary, sedate you if you are anxious. If you have somebody with you to monitor your behavior and make sure you're safe, you can just ride it out at home
|
Severe headache after Lumbar Puncture
Male, 18 years old, No current medications, healthy, 67kg 178cm.
Hey, y’all. I’m going to start from the beginning which goes back to January 2022. Last year in January I developed severe headache after two weeks while taking lymecycline for acne. Derm told me to stop, and I did and it resolved. Tried to follow it up with our state driven health center (Sweden) but they dissmissed it as Migraine. I did my own research and I concluded it being intercranial hypertension. It was very bad. But no affect on my vision. When I stopped the medication it subsequently resolved, and I actually restarted it and it came back.
Fast forward to September 2022 I was enrolled with oral accutane. 4 months in I again developed same type of tension headache starting in the back of my head. Stopped accutane but it continued for 3 weeks constant but not as severe headache. This time I got a referral for subdural bleeding and got a CT scan and a lumbar puncture. But after the lumbar puncture man, this head ache is severe and insane. Way worse than BEFORE.
It has now gone 8 days after the LP and I feel shit. After 6 days I could finally stand up, couldn’t even cook food or walk the dog. My headache constantly aches, it feels like there’s a rock on top of my head, my also in front my head and the left side striking by the temple and recently behind my eye. The eye hurts when looking at the left without moving the head. No vision change, no vomiting but dizziness and nausea.
2 days ago I went to the ER ( when I finally could stand up) and they said my CT was okay and so was my LP I did a week ago, and couldn’t explain the severe headache. They let me stay the night but did 0 tests. And released me today. I try to refer to potential side effects of LP such as sinus thrombrosis and subdermal haemorrhage. But also mentioned IIH after antibiotics.
My pain level is 7, and got sick leave for a week. I am definitely worried. Thanks in advance.
| 4
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**Physician**: Post lumbar puncture headache is unfortunately pretty common and can be very painful. You can ask for a blood patch to be done.
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Is a rectal temperature of 99.3 a low grade fever?
21F, no known medical issues but being tested for thalassemia and iron deficiency. Currently have had swollen lymph nodes for almost 2 months that have gotten smaller and haven’t grown.
I’m freaking out I’ve read that a rectal temperature of anything above 99 is a low grade fever. My rectal temp is 99.3 and my oral temp has been between 98.6-98.9. Do I have a low grade fever?? I feel fine I don’t feel sick or overheated. I’m scared it’s lymphoma or leukemia
* I also understand that I’ve posted on here before asking the same thing. I just need clarification now that I’ve gotten a proper oral temperature and rectal temperature
| 6
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**Neonatal Nurse Practitioner**: No it is not and there is no reason to ever check a rectal temperature.
|
Need to shit every (anywhere from) 15-90 minutes
Need to shit every (anywhere from) 15-90 minutes.
TL;DR in title, it’s been going on for about 2 days now. 19M, quite skinny, genuinely not sure how tall I am.
It started not long after I had gone a bit of a period without eating much at all due to bad weather, and day before grocery day the family orders chinese food, so far so good.
The day after, I woke up feeling pretty bad. Headache, sensitive skin, stomach cramping, and needing to use the bathroom constantly. For the first day I ate pretty much nothing but about half a pack of crackers because I didn’t feel well enough to eat anything else we had.
I had about a 2 hour nap at about 8 and stayed up the rest of the night until about 8 am where i slept again until about 12. After that sleep, the headache and skin sensitivity were kind of just gone. I imagine they were a part of a whole separate issue, but I’m not 100%.
I’m writing this on the toilet at 4 am of day 3, I can’t tell if it is flu, food poisoning, or something else. Nobody else in my family is having these problems, but then again, I cannot say for certain how much my family ate, or what of the food was eaten by them.
I already decided that if things didn’t clear up by around day 3, I was going to go to the doctor, so this isn’t me avoiding that, I would just like more of an idea what could be going on. Haven’t taken a solid shit since, all diarrhea.
Regardless of comments, I don’t think we are going to go back there again. New management kind of worsened the food quality.
Edit: Somehow forgot to mention diarrhea even once.
| 5
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**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: You might have a stomach bug or virus. Keep hydrated. Should subside within the next few days.
Be sure to hydrate plenty.
|
Drank a lot of water from a moldy water bottle.
(25M) All day yesterday, I was drinking from this 32 oz reusable water bottle. and when I woke up I felt really nauseous. drank a whole bottles worth this morning only to find the bottom covered in black dots. Am I going to be ok?
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: Yes, you're most likely going to be just fine. Worst case scenario is likely just some GI upset.
|
i’ve been on my period for a long time and it’s starting to feel like i’ll never get answers
TLDR: i’ve been on my period for over a year and a half and idk why
hello! i need some advice.
i’m 21 years old, and i’ve been on my period for 1 year and 8 months.
i don’t experience any pain or any of the other symptoms i previously experienced when i had a somewhat normal cycle. i use to get severe tenderness in my boobs, horrible cramps, headaches, etc. i’ve seen my primary care doctor, the ER, a gynecologist, and the health department. and i’m just… not getting answers.
i went to the ER a few months back after i passed a very large blood clot. they did bloodwork & had me pee in a cup, said that my white blood cell count is normal, and that there was nothing else that they could really do.
i’ve seen my primary care doctor several times. we did blood work & discovered that i have hypothyroidism (my levels were at a 9 when they should be at a 2? still a little confused on that). my mother has hypothyroidism and so does my grandmother, and my grandmother has hashimotos disease, but my doctor didn’t put me on medication to level out my thyroid because she wanted to do another round of blood work “just to make sure”. a few weeks later, the results came in & somehow my thyroid went from being way off to a 2.1? dunno. so i don’t actually know if i have hypothyroidism??? it’s confusing. but my doctor also wanted me to be screened for PCOS.
i went to the health clinic to get my covid booster, and we did a yearly check up while i was there. she referred me to a gynecologist. so i went to the gyno. i walked in, he did an ultrasound on my uterus, said i have no cysts, and sent me on my way. no bloodwork, and when i asked why, he said it’s because i’m uninsured & that it would cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. he also prescribed me some hormone pill that i didn’t even get, because i struggle with my mental health as is, and the last time i was put on any sort of hormone balancing medication (i was put on birth control when i was 15) it made me fall into a deep depression & shot my anxiety through the roof.
i’ll add these details just in case it’s helpful in any way?
- i’m a lesbian, & i’ve never had sex with a man.
- i’ve been tested for STDs recently, despite the fact that i’m not sexually active at the moment. everything came back normal.
- i know pcos comes with insulin resistance, but i have no issues with my blood sugar levels. i’ve had it checked a handful of times recently, totally normal.
- i’m assuming i don’t have endometriosis, since i don’t experience any kind of pain. i know that it’s suppose to be insanely painful.
- i have lots of cystic acne along my jawline, and my face gets really oily throughout the day.
pls help 😭
| 4.5
|
**Physician - OB/GYN**: The combination of continued bleeding with acne is suspicious for pcos, the treatment being birth control in the short term at least to manage your bleeding. Lab work isn’t necessary to confirm the diagnosis and would incur a large bill so i see why the gyn did not push you to do this as it’s reasonable to start birth control pills to manage your bothersome symptom of unscheduled bleeding without doing the blood work given high clinical suspicion based on your symptoms.
Your height and weight would be important information to include here. If you are overweight, even a 5-10% weight loss can help to restore normal periods in pcos patients.
Insulin resistance is not necessary for diagnosis of pcos and neither are cysts, the name is a misnomer. Irregular periods and signs of imbalance in the estrogen testosterone equilibrium (Acne or facial hair are two examples) is diagnostic. Taking birth control pills controls the estrogen level in your body to a steady state instead of having fluctuating levels needed for ovulation and helps to regulate your period and other symptoms caused by this imbalance.
**Physician - Pediatrics**: I’m glad you’ve been able to seek testing and care despite your lack of insurance.
The lab work and the imaging are reassuring that there is most likely nothing dangerous causing the bleeding. That being said, 1.5+ years is way, way longer than normal.
The most common cause for sporadic prolonged bleeding in young women is anovulatory bleeding, which sometimes gets people stuck in this perpetual shedding cycle. (PCOS is the most common cause of anovulatory bleeding). The way to stop it is to add back in some of the hormones that build the endometrial lining of the uterus back up, so it stops shedding.
What type of hormone medicine did they give you? There are dozens of different doses and brands that may have different effects. If you had depression before from a regular combined birth control pill, you could try a different formulation, or a progesterone-only pill. If you walked into my office today, I would consider treating with either a month of a regular-dose birth control pill or a progesterone only pill like Provera. Any of these will stop the bleeding within a few days for most. If they don’t, doctors can have you take more than one pill per day, which will eventually work if a lower dose didn’t. After taking it for one month, stop and see if you just get a regular period, or whether it continues. If it doesn’t stop with hormone treatment, that would be another reason to ask to see an OB/GYN again because there may be more testing needed. You can a to speak with a social worker for assistance finding insurance.
If you lack insurance in the US, seek care at any clinic that states they provide “Title X funded” family planning services, which is a free federal funding source that lets most low income women get no-cost or sliding scale appointments and contraception. Most family planning clinics are very cool with LGBTQ folks, so don’t worry that contraception is not the reason you need the evaluation and treatment.
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My girlfriend, a 21 year old female, bled from her vagina after having sex for the first time and 2 days later she is still bleeding.
I've told my girlfriend to go to a doctor but she's nervous, so in the meantime I thought I would ask people here about her issue.
​
Two days ago me (23 year old male) and my girlfriend (21 year old female) had vaginal sex and it was her first time having sex. After sex we noticed that she was bleeding from her vagina and we figured that it may have been her hymen tearing, but she told me a little bit ago today that she is still bleeding from her vagina.
​
She says that she is not on her period as the combination of epilepsy and birth control medication that she takes somehow keeps periods from happening (I don't know the details on that). Does anyone know why she could be bleeding?
| 4
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**Physician**: Bring her to an OB-GYN, she'll need to have it looked at. My hunch would be some sort of structure, perhaps a polyp, may have been injured. In any case she'll need to have a colposcopy done.
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Is HIV flu (the beginning symptoms of HIV) usually mild?
I [26, gay male, Boston] had two unprotected anal sexual encounters about 6 weeks ago, both ending in my partner ejaculating inside of me. The last couple of days I’ve had a mild headache, and my throat, while it isn’t sore, feels off… I got tested for HIV and other STDs about 3 weeks after the encounters and everything was negative, however I know that’s a bit early for blood tests to come back definitively positive or negative. I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, so I was curious if early HIV symptoms are typically severe or mild. I do not have a rash, or sores or any other symptoms.
Edit: both times were with new partners, both times were random hookups/one night stands from a bar (don’t know these partners)
Edit 2: I also have mild congestion but tested negative for Covid twice.
| 5
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**MD - Peds GI | Top Contributor**: Acute retroviral syndrome is almost impossible to diagnose when it's happening, since it is indistinguishable from so many other viral infections - influenza, cold viruses, COVID, you name it. But to answer your question, yes, it's usually mild, and often not present at all.
You're probably negative, since you had the test 3 weeks after potential exposure. Most tests these days have a window period of about 3 weeks, so false negatives are low at that point. Your best bet is to take a deep breath and just get tested again. By 6 weeks, accuracy should be quite reliable for either 3rd or 4th generation tests.
Also, and I'm sure this goes without saying, get partners to wrap it up. If only to save your sanity afterwards.
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Fourniers Gangrene
20 yr old white male, 5’6 140 lbs. I drink and vape.
I’ve had a rash on the inside of my groin close to my genitals for about 3-4 months. It’s itches occasionally but besides that it’s just red. Over the past couple weeks I’ve developed pain on and off in my left testicle. I read symptoms of gangrene and just got scared. Any suggestions?
| 4
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**Physician - General Surgery**: It's not fourniers. Usually that is a rapidly progressive form of necrotising fasciitis that if not treated kills you.
Likely something more benign. Either take photo and see if skin dr on here can see and advise or see your family dr
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Constantly drinking water, but still feel thirsty. What could be wrong?
26m located in the US. No known medical conditions. Not taking any meds, other than the occasional Advil for headaches. I take a daily multivitamin, and I eat well. I vaped nicotine for a few years, but quit a few months ago.
It never seems like my thirst is quenched. I’m constantly drinking water. I have a distilled gallon jug that I refill everyday. It’s very rare that I don’t finish the gallon everyday.
My throat and tongue constantly feel dry. My lips are constantly chapped. I’m always thirsty. I use those dry mouth lozenges, but the relief is only temporary. I drink Gatorade if the thirst is particularly bad. I’m also constantly urinating. Probably once every 30 minutes
If I’m always drinking water, why am I so thirsty?
| 3
|
**Physician**: You should go and see your primary, and have them do a blood test and urinalysis to rule out common causes such as diabetes. I would prioritize this.
Another recommendation I have for you is to stop drinking distilled water. Distilled water doesn’t have enough minerals and will deplete your body of electrolytes that you need (and no, an occasional gatorade won’t help). This is another possible explanation
Yet another possibility is hormonal, but this is again something you should get blood tests for with your PCP
The last possibility that comes to mind is psychogenic. Sometimes, people with comorbid anxiety disorders will develope polydipsia (the urge to drink a lot). When you’ve eliminated all of the other causes, if the polydipsia persists, it may be a good idea to have your PCP refer you to a psychiatrist
Wishing you the best,
|
Why do I feel tired after panicking
I'm a 22yr old male and I take geodon, levothyroxin and omeprasole. My body feels shaky and I feel sleepy after I panic. For example, I accidentally made my dad's car roll down the driveway and I didn't know how to stop it and panicked and immediately felt shaky/weak and sleepy. Or if I panic because I can't get the bus 6 miles back home, I feel extremely sleepy and my body feels exhausted. I deal with the stress of bills and maintaining the house I rent fairly well. I can handle certain stressful things perfectly fine and other things make me tired. What could be the cause.
| 6
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**Physician**: After a rush of adrenaline, it's normal to feel relatively worn down/tired.
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Pulmonary Embolism? Could ER have missed
Hi I’m a 23 year old female and for the past few weeks have been having radiating chest and back pain mainly on my left side. It first started after I had covid 3 weeks ago. I had a rapid heart rate and dizziness and my doctor recommended I go to the er to get checked out. They tested my tropin level, said my ekg looked okay and that my d dimer text was negative. After I left the hospital my chest pain increased and became more sharp. This seemed to be triggered when I was walking around and more active. It lasted for a few days and then subsided.
A little over a week later (the past few days) it came back. The pain both times has radiated to my jaw and arm. This time it doesn’t seem to be triggered by excretion. It is pretty constant but moves around a lot and just generally feels awful and uncomfortable. It’s mostly not worse when I breathe in but occasionally it feels worse with a breath. The pain isn’t excruciating and does move to different spots but it’s hard to ignore. The main spots the pains are in are under my left breast, left side upper back, and sternum. I’ve had pretty constant shortness of breath as well but could see that being stress.
I have bad anxiety and have been terrified of having health problems this year so everyone around me seems to think it’s anxiety manifesting as these symptoms. However, this feels worse and more severe than symptoms i’ve had before. The other thing that’s worrying me is my d dimer level increased from the first hospital trip to the second even though it’s still under the cut off level. Is it normal for these levels to fluctuate? Is this suspicious of a pulmonary embolism? Should I be worried and press to be seen again? I’m so worried about this it’s preventing me from doing anything.
My first d dimer value was 125 ng/mL and a week later it was 179ng/mL
They also did a chest x-ray which they said looked normal.
| 6
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: Those two d-dimers virtually 100% exclude a PE.
|
hospital delirium.
Hello, I'm just looking for some advice and maybe some reassurance if possible. My 88 years old mum went into hospital about two weeks ago with, what they diagnosed as, a chest infection. Problem is we feel she is now suffering from hospital delirium. Before she went into hospital she has always been sharp as a tack and never shown any signs of dementia or anything. But now after only 2 weeks in hospital she doesn't even recognise her own sons picture, my brother, asking who it was. She does seem a bit better than Friday, when she came home, so is it just a case of time? I tried speaking to the 111 service here in the UK. But they didn't have a clue what I was talking about.
Would like someone who actually knows what I'm going through to at least acknowledge me.
| 4
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**Physician**: Delirium is a really common problem in older people and its usually got more than one cause - infection, pain, medication and environment changes often all contribute, but an acute illness on its own is also often enough. It can be tricky to tell delirium apart from dementia or other problems at times. If your mum has been developing this problem or it’s been getting worse only since discharge, I’d definitely try and get a GP review in case there’s something else going on. If it’s improving but just not completely resolved then it’ll likely continue to improve. Delirium is ‘fluctuant’ so you may notice periods of being better or worse.
|
mix Tylenol and ibuprofen
I know you're supposed to alternate, but I've taken 600mg of ibuprofen and no change after an hour. I want to try Tylenol but idk if i can do it so soon or if i should wait & suffer 3-5 more hours before taking Tylenol. Thanks for any input.
I'm a healthy 22 year old woman. Menstrual pain.
| 5
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: They're fine to take together at the same time.
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I hope it's just my anxiety or do I have HIV? Please help me, I am freaking out!
Bi 20 Male here. So like 10 days ago I was super bored and felt alone. I was actually searching for a gay guy to flirt/have a chat wih on reddit because I was super sick of being lonely (by means of not having a bf or gf) so I found a guy on one of the random subreddits and promptly wrote to him. He apparently was living in the city where I study at so he insisted that we should meet in immediate. We talked on phone for a few days and actually the talk was nice. Then we met exactly a week ago from now. We definitely didn't have the best time but it was not the worst either and I think internally we both knew we didn't fit to each other well but we still planned to meet later within the upcoming week.
After I left him and got back home I started having an anxiety attack about the thought of him injecting a needle that contained blood contaminated with HIV to me without me noticing it because I have heard that some creepos in the public might be doing it. For your information: let go having sex, we didn't even kiss nor held hands. We hugged for two times and he put his hand on my shoulder to show intimacy (or to inject hiv contaminated blood to me?!) also for two times and we barely touched to each other besides these occasions. Since that sunday night, I have been having crippling anxiety attacks during lectures and at other places. I can't study or focus on my lectures. I tried to contact him through phone but he said he felt uncomfortable with me constantly trying to reach him so it'd be better if I contacted him through text.
Knowing that he had multiple sex partners in the past, I didn't directly ask him if he injected to me something like that or not because he might feel threatened and just blocked me. Instead, I shared my fear of catching HIV in the LGBTQ world and asked what did he think about it. He actually approached to me with a very logical sense and told me that he mostly is protected during sex and my fear is irrational and some stuff more.
I didn't catch any lies of him and I checked everything he said to me through his linked-in account but he told me he does not have a lot of friends here so that made me think he might be a sociopath/maniac that no one in the community loves. He also does not use instagram/twitter which might enhance the possiblity of him being a maniac.
Recently, I have been getting better with my anxiety and started to tell myself that I maybe "reach" to conclusions a little bit too much ( but still couldn't get over it totally). BUT TODAY after I woke up I noticed I have a relatively mild sore throat and my tongue seemed whitish-pinkish. Well, it's not actually unusual for me to have a moderate sore throat and whitish tongue (which can be correlated with candidiasis-oral thrush, which is a complication of HIV virus) but I am again freaked out and waiting for the 9th day to come so I can get tested asap.
What do you think, am I reaching too much and what are odds of me catching hiv in occasion like that?
PS: I have a history of being treated for common anxiety disorder and nosophobia. I have had nosophobia attacks (mild to severe) in my prior life and I just hope that it's one of them right now.
I don't remember being spiked/pricked and I am quite sure about it but I am afraid I might have not felt it with the flow of the moment.
I don't have a history of a sexual intercourse (protected/unprotected) or injecting drug abuse.
PLEASE HELP ME OUT! I think I am gonna faint soon
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: If you didn't have unprotected sexual intercourse with this person, there's absolutely no risk of HIV. Someone can't prick you with a needle enough to spread HIV without you noticing. I think this is your anxiety and nosophobia.
|
When should I go to psychiatric urgent care
Hello,
I've (F22) been recently diagnosed with C-ptsd and OSDD and I've been struggling with depression since I was 13. I am currently on antidepressant but I'm having a big exacerbation of symptoms... I feel no pleasure at all, I'm irritable, my sleep is terrible, the only things I used to enjoy are now making me feel nothing, I have derealisation, I feel trapped and I'm having passive suicidal ideations. I don't even know how I'm supposed to live.
I was supposed to see a psychiatrist a few days ago but she canceled and my new appointment is mid February. I didn't find any psychiatrist with a spot available before February/March.
I'm so tired and I would really need someone to take care of me. However I'm still going to university, I'm taking care of myself so it's not a big deal. Plus I can't afford a break if I want to keep my spot in the doctoral program I'm accepted in.
What should I do? I'm too well to go to the ER right?
Thanks in advance
| 2
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**Psychoeducator (MSc)**: Go. Mid February is quite a long time away and if you feel worse during the holidays it will be even harder to find care.
Your antidepressants may not be the right one for you, there are many kinds and a doctor needs to assess that. However, DO NO discontinue taking them without first talking to a doctor/psychiatrist.
Good luck, hope you feel better soon.
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Slept with contacts in
21F, 175 white. Two nights ago I slept with my contacts in by accident and am scared I did something to damage or cause an infection in my eyes. The only symptom I have right now is dryness. Am I in the clear of any infection from this or is it too early to tell? Any advice? Thanks for the help
| 5.5
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**Physician**: As a one off it will likely be fine, I'm sure lots of contact lens wearers have done it at some point. If your eyes are generally dry you can get drops that are compatible with lenses eg hylo forte.
**Laboratory Technician**: If it’s just once, it’s fine. Just don’t do it all the time.
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I’m 23 Male, blood in stool
Hi, I was hoping you could help me, in the past couple days I’ve had a problem with constipation, I was pushing very hard for two days and nothing was coming out, then today I went to the bathroom and it finally came out and blood also came out, I wiped and in the toilet paper there was lots blood in it, last time I tried going to the bathroom also happened (about 12 hours ago)
| 5
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: Take a stool softener like miralax
**Physician**: This is probably anal fissure or hemorrhoids.
Concerning features of early colorectal cancer would be: family history of early cancer diagnosis, decreased stool “caliber,” blood intermixed with stool (vs just in outside and/or on toilet paper).
Watch and wait. Drink more fluids. Eat more whole fruits/vegetables/fiber.
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How often to take tylenol
Is it safe to take Tylenol extra strength every 6 hours? 1000 mg acetaminophen. Also is it safe to mix regular strength and extra strength, for lower dose?
My highest fever temp is 102.5 Fahrenheit, before I took Tylenol.
I'm still testing negative for covid even though a family member has it and we got sick at the same time.
I am 25 F, 110 lbs.
| 5
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**Neonatal Nurse Practitioner**: That is the maximum amount of tylenol that is safe in a day. (4g) And it's fine to mix to get a lower dose.
But the fever is not harmful to you, so if you are doing it solely for fever reasons, there's no need to cut it that close.
**Physician**: Every 6 hours for any type of Tylenol. Decreasing the dose won't help you. But you can also take ibuprofen every 6 hours. You can alternate between the two every 3 hours for max effect.
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Brain tumor
19 yr old male 150 lbs 5’8
Recently discovered a kind of ridge/lump on the back left corner of my scalp that’s not on the other side at all. Started rubbing it a lot to feel it and now I can feel it without touching it. I assume that’s because I was rubbing my scalp really hard but i guess I’m kinda worried bc its not on the other side also.
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: Brain tumors don't cause a bump on your head that you can feel. Sounds like you have a bump on your scalp or just a slightly asymmetric skull shape, which is fine and normal.
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Worried I overdosed my infant.
I hope this is just late night anxiety but I had an extensive amount of dental work done 5 days ago and have been taking Ibuprofen around the clock for it. I’ve been taking 800mg every 4-6 hours and still in a lot of pain, swelling in my face, and swollen lymph nodes in my throat. I am 5’8, 180 pounds, female, take ambien and meteformin daily, and do not smoke. My main - only, really - concern is that I am exclusively breastfeeding my
5 month old (female, 17 lbs) and worried I have overdosed her through my breast milk. I know that ibuprofen isn’t even recommended until 6 months.
Do you think I’ve harmed my child?
What signs should I watch out for if there is a risk?
Should I switch to Tylenol for pain management?
The only thing different with her today that I noticed is that she was a bit more subdue than normal. She’s in bed now - do I need to wake her or check her breathing every so often?
Ugh just can’t stop worrying and feeling so guilty that it didn’t occur to me sooner.
| 5.75
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**Registered Nurse**: Ibuprofen is safe while breastfeeding up to the maximum dose listed on the bottle. As long as you aren't exceeding that babe will be ok.
**Midwife**: Here in Australia the standard dose for ibuprofen is 400mg every 8 hours. Agree with above comment to decrease ibuprofen and add Tylenol (paracetamol) you can take 1000mg every 6 hours. Too much ibuprofen is harmful to the kidneys and too much Tylenol is harmful to the liver, as a rule of thumb.
**Physician**: I am not too concerned with breast milk and these kinds of over the counter medication. I don't recommend them unless absolutely needed when breastfeeding but find the to be safe.
**Pharmacist**: No you’re fine.
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Can't avoid direct sunlight while on Doxycycline, what do I do?
I'm currently halfway through a 3 week course of Doxycycline & despite my best efforts I can't seem to avoid getting a little burned everyday & I'm getting concerned about skin cancer risks.
I work a job where I have to be outside 75% of the day. Most of that time I am able to stick to the shade but not completely (I'd estimate I spend a total of 30-40 minutes a day in bright, direct sunlight but it's not all at once) & even in the shade, small patches of sun are unavoidable. One day I forgot sunscreen & I very much regretted that mistake so I've been pretty good about applying & reapplying sunscreen throughout my day but I'm still getting burned a bit.... the areas of my body that aren't covered by my uniform are always red at the end of the day. (Arms, face neck) I use 30 to 50 SPF sunscreen & reapply every 3 hours.
Do I need to wear a higher SPF? Should I re apply more often? Wearing more clothes isn't really an option due to both heat & I'm no where near a clothing store, I'd have to buy something online & it wouldn't be here until I'm done my antibiotics.
21, Female, 166lbs, 5'0, don't smoke, very rarely drink (& don't currently while taking the antibiotics)
| 5
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**Physician**: You should be alright with SPF 50 on regular applications. Also, wide brim hat can save all your exposed parts if available... Or a scarf.
**Physician - Dermatologist | Top Contributor**: Higher SPF-rated products do work better than lower rated product. The biggest error people make in application is not to apply the standard dose (EU 1.5mg/cm^(2) or US 2mg/cm^(2)). Note that an SPF50 US product put on the way most people apply at 0.5mg/cm^(2) is an SPF2.6. As someone who has been to the equator 3 times while on doxycycline, hats, clothing and sunscreen work great when used appropriately.
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Is Aloe Vera safe to use on open wounds?
24 M
Asian
155 lbs
Hello, I have a very general quick question...is Aloe Vera safe to use on open wounds such as scrapes and small cuts? I looked online and it's giving me mixed reviews. On some articles it says it helps promote wound healing and some articles say not to. Just want to know whether it is or isnt. Thank you.
| 5
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**Physician**: I wouldn't recommend it on an open wound. Wait untill it's scabbed or new skin has formed, then add the aloe.
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Neti-pot brain eating ameoba?
22F, 210lbs. I know this seems stupid but i'm having a lot of anxiety over this. I have covid-19 currently (vaxxed and boosted). I was experiencing some congestion, and decided to relieve it with a Neti-pot. I was so eager to get rid of the congestion that I didn't read the big fat red warning label on the back of the box that urges you to NOT use tap water in your sinus rinse. Of course I did just that. After regrettably googling it, I've now found that you can die from a brain eating ameoba from this. Now for reference, I live in DC and our water is treated. I wash my face twice a day in our tap water, but for some reason I'm really panicking over this. What should I do here? All the symptoms of the ameoba are basically the same as covid. Any help would be so appreciated
| 5
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: This is so rare that I don’t think you should be concerned about using a Neti-pot just one time. It is possible to get an amoebic infection from tap water, but I think this has only been reported in the continental US in Louisiana, though there may be others. Going forward, boil the water or use distilled water to be safe, but I wouldn’t worry about using tap water on just one occasion.
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tingling/numbing sensation after shared waterglass
Worried for baby! I am a woman, me and my husband and daughter (just 6 months old) got offered water from someone we thought we could trust in a glass, we saw him pour it from a bottle to a glass. After giving daughter, me and husband drank it. I directly got a tingling sensation in my mouth and lips, also my husband??! Apparently I noticed that he gave water to everyone in the SAME GLASS?!?!? I am worried for my daughter, anyone has any input?
| 6
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**Physician - Rheumatologist**: You're likely fine? People drink from the same glass all the time. Is it the best practice? No. Is it likely to be harmful? Most likely not.
If nothing more happened beyond some non-specific tingling, then on the scale of things to worry about that will hurt you in daily life, this ranks fairly low I think.
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Will it be safe to explain this situation to a doctor?
18F, 100 lb, asian, medication: azithromycin, don't drink or smoke or drugs
Sort of weird situation and sorry if might not be the right subreddit, but basically my mom tried to make me as dependent on her as possible since she's overprotective and my health is on the weaker end, and I'm gradually trying to be independent, one of the things is medication (I'm not allowed to handle it, so at the moment I'm just familiarizing myself with the medicine my parents tell me to take when I'm sick and double checking with online appointments).
​
She got azithromycin for 'herself' (she didn't want me at the appointment with the doctor since I currently have covid, and she didn't know there's an online version now). Then she had me take azithromycin for covid (I'm on day 10), so far it's just 1 tablet from yesterday, and then I started to question the use of it today since I'm pretty much almost better now (that was dumb of me, should've questioned it sooner).
Azithromycin is an antibiotic, so it would treat bacteria and not viruses, but I'm worried about antibiotic resistance if I stop taking it, but would it also be dangerous to keep drinking it even if I probably don't need it? I was planning on setting up a doctor's appointment to ask, but I'm sort of worried if law enforcement or something would go after my mom if I explain the situation to a doctor and I don't want anything to escalate since she didn't have any malicious intentions, and I already explained to her why she can't do something like that with giving prescribed medication to someone else it's not meant for.
| 5
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: Law enforcement doesn't care.
Stop taking it.
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Resting heart rate of 45
Is this unusual? Should I be concerned? Im 26M normal weight
| 6
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**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: This can definitely be normal, especially in active, healthy individuals.
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[50F] 5”8’ 190lbs. I got surgery a week ago and underwent anaesthesia and I got covid from my stay in the hospital, should I be worried?
I just got surgery where I underwent anaesthesia and I know anaesthesia wont leave my system for a week. I also got covid from being in the hospital. Should I be worried about anaesthesia in my system along with having covid?
| 6
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: Most of the anesthesia medications have short half-lives, which is why you woke up quickly after surgery. It's out of your system now.
**Physician - Pediatrics**: The recent anesthesia is a non issue.
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I (female 18) think I have frostnip/frostbite.
Female
136lbs
5”3
18
I was shoveling snow in cold weather (felt like -33 Celsius on weather)
I was shoveling for around 2 hours, didn’t go inside in that time.
I was very cold and my legs felt frozen and my face and everything was frozen too, slurring my words.
When I got in truck heat was blasted and it took 40 mins to get feeling back in legs. When I was in truck my legs were numb but starting to get like pins and needles feeling on my thighs, like cold little needles.
Went inside house and I saw my legs, purple dots and bruises all on my front of thighs. 50 on each side in varying sizes no more than the size of a pupil.
I hopped in bath and put very hot water to soak for a little bit got out after 10 minutes.
As I was in bath and when I got out the bruises became more and more dots more prominent.
I called telehealth and they are experiencing very high call volume so waiting for call back.
The it’s so snowy outside and I’m on the transcanada and am scared to drive in this weather and at this time of night.
The purple dots are not bumps on my leg, looks like I’m my skin tissue. I can provide pictures. My thighs were blemishless before this so when I saw I started freaking out. I didn’t know how cold it was or how long I was out there for, I felt numb and fine and thought frostbite was just painful but I didn’t really feel pain
Please help. I don’t know how serious this is and can’t find shit out online.
| 5
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**Physician - Pulm & Critical Care**: It could be a bit of frost nip, but there's really nothing to do about it. Just give it time to heal. No need to go into the doctor, there's nothing they'll be able to do.
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What medicines should I be considering as someone who is higher functioning on the "buzz" effects of alcohol?
I feel more calm and focused when I have a buzz from red wine. The constant unease and sadness (primarily from loneliness) just isn't there. I want to replicate this because I feel like I can function and focus better (ironically) when I feel this way but I'm concerned about the longterm effects (liver, etc) of drinking consistently.
What medicine should I be looking at that won't have all the downsides of alcohol? I'm also concerned with the cost of seeing a psychiatrist regularly, rather than being prescribed something and just needing to put in a refill request with my pharmacy. I'm not in a very well off position to pay $100/visit to a psychiatrist. Hell, I'm not even in a position to pay 20.
30s, male, 5'10", 140, U.S.
| 4
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**Physician**: It sounds like you need to see a primary care to talk about depression more than anything. Obviously (and you seem to appreciate this) self-medication with alcohol isn't ideal. There are ample medications you can be started on that wouldn't necessarily require seeing a psychiatrist.
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Tylenol overdose
I just got home from work. My boyfriend is 5'2 and 20 years old and 105 pounds. He took 17 Tylenol in a suicide attempt (8500 mg roughly). He says he feels fine and it's been a few hours. I didn't know. He doesn't have insurance. He can't go to the hospital. We can't get him to vomit. I made him drink a mega shit ton of water. He won't eat. He has an eating disorder, I can't get him to do so. What can I do to try and keep him alive tonight and in the future from this od? At what point do I say 'fuck it we will go into debt' and take him into the hospital? What are symptoms of an overdose? He's claiming it would take 12,000 to kill him but he's not taking into account that liver damage happens. I'm freaking the fuck out. He was fine all day. We will obviously be seeking therapy after this. Please help?
| 1
|
**Physician - Gastroenterology**: The problem with tylenol overdose is that it's not "tonight" that's the problem, it's really the next 3-5 days that's the problem as his liver starts to die off and it becomes irreversible. It's a slow, prolonged, painful death and takes about a week for it to run its course. In a healthy person, I'd argue that 8500 is *probably* going to be okay. In a person with an eating disorder who may be nutritionally deficient, he may lack the reserve to properly process the toxins and 8500 is probably ***not*** going to be okay.
He really should go to the ER. You can sign-up for at least emergency medicaid in the ER I believe.
**Registered Nurse**: He is physically small and if he has an eating disorder, likely has low muscle mass. He is also suicidal. He needs immediate treatment IMO. There is medication that is given ASAP to protect the liver. EARLY treatment with this antidote prevents the formation of a toxic metabolite that leads to liver injury.
Also are you/he 100% sure on the number of pills he has taken and his being truthful with you on this? He is suicidal. Was there potentially any other medication taken? He would need a tylenol level, and serial liver enzymes.
If you are in the US, the hospital will work with him to apply for Medicaid/payment assistance. I would not let finances be the barrier.
PS--eating disorders are the #1 deadliest psychiatric illnesses so he needs concurrent treatment for that.
(Critical Care nurse and case manager who worked with many Tylenol OD cases like this.)
|
F35. Sudden hearing loss since 2 weeks+
For the past 2.5 weeks, I can only hear 20-30 percent in my right ear.
I had caught a cold a about a week earlier and assumed my ear was blocked and that it would go away.
I've tried "popping" it, but nothing. No noise/crackling. My only symptom is hearing loss.
I called health advice service and they said I should see a GP very soon. But they are too busy, I can't even get in touch with a nurse atm.
Is my hearing at risk f I don't see a doctor urgently? What could happen inside the ear? Can I wait another week?
​
F35. 5'3", 112 lbs (160 cm, 51 kg). No meds. Healthy otherwise.
| 5
|
**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: Okay, *hear* me out: I suspect this is likely due to on-going inflammation and fluid build-up behind your ear drum from your recent cold (the fancy terminology for this is "eustachian tube dysfunction"), as opposed to anything serious or emergent. I would try using otc Flonase and Afrin, as well as an antihistamine, to help reduce inflammation and open up your eustachian tubes to help your middle ear drain. Just don't use Afrin for more than 72hrs, otherwise you can develop rebound symptoms. I'll be *ear* if you have any more questions.
|
Can't straighten elbow fully?
36f, not currently taking any medications(stopped taking celebrex, and regular pain relief approx 3 weeks ago), have arthritis in one knee, no other medical issues aside from being overweight-Currently about halfway to losing the 60kgs I needed to lose. And I've been told I have hyper flexible joints?
About 10 days ago I woke up with a very painful elbow, I figured I'd slept on it weirdly and it'd get better over the next few days. Fast forward to today and it's just as sore as it was and I now can't straighten it fully. No obvious bruising or swelling or anything.
It's probably just a muscle strain or something that'll sort itself out right?
| 5.5
|
**Registered Nurse**: Most likely. I’m gonna be your age soon and am amazed how I can hurt myself by sleeping wrong.
**Registered Nurse**: In the absence of a traumatic injury, there is unlikely to be any pathology made worse with normal movement. However, restricting range of motion could result in permanent loss of movement at that joint.
Even if it hurts, work on getting your elbow straight. Be gentle, use gravity, and plan on it taking quite a bit of effort to recapture range of motion.
|
How long can scan results generally be considered accurate?
Hello all! 28F with a longstanding history of pesky left-chest pain- I had a full cardiac workup done to rule out cardiac issues back in 2018 (several EKGs, echocardiogram, stress test) and got the all clear. I still get the chest pains from time to time and was just curious if anyone had any insights on how long those scan results could be considered accurate and if my heart can still be considered as healthy?
​
If this question isn't appropriate for this sub, I apologize. Thanks in advance for your insights!
| 6
|
**Physician - Anesthesiology**: The results would likely be the same well into your thirties, as long as you don’t have any family history of cardiac disease at a young age, the chest pain isn’t changing/getting worse, and you haven’t been diagnosed with new conditions/taking new medications that could lead to cardiac problems.
But since the chest pain is presumably completely unrelated to the heart, not really much reason to worry about your heart.
|
F23 took between 300-400mg of weed edibles by accident.
Its been 4 days and I dont feel normal..i cant really think clearly. Nausea comes and goes. Stomach hurts when eating anything. Memory not there at all. I feel more sober when i take a hot shower. Doesnt really get better or worse with anything else.
Will I get normal alone or do I need medical intervention?
| 5
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: The only medical intervention for this is time.
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24 y/o white male 6’4” 210 pounds unable to reach orgasm
I can maintain an erection no problem but am unable to orgasm unless it’s by myself. I take some antidepressants but it’s not like I can’t finish. Any advice?
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**Physician**: What are your porn habits? Unrealistic expectations because of how sex is depicted in porn is is unfortunately a growing cause of not being able to reach orgasm with a partner.
Edit: Wording.
**Physician**: The recommendation is to stop all porn/masturbation and self stimulation for 2 weeks then slowly introduce gentle touching and kissing with your partner. Work up to having relations with your partner over another period of time. This usually is the reset your body needs.
**Physician**: Which antidepressants are you taking? SSRIs and SNRIs can cause delayed orgasm or even inability to orgasm.
**Nurse Practitioner**: Considering that you are able to finish on your own, I don’t think this is a medical issue per se but more likely a psychological issue. I would cut out all pornography and see if this helps. As another person mentioned, it isn’t always the frequency of masturbation and porn use, but more often the content of the porn itself. Porn paints a highly unrealistic picture of intimacy and for that reason can be damaging to real-life sexual function/relationships.
See if a “porn detox” for a period of several months or more helps things along.
**Physician - Dermatology**: I think your problem is you’re either not attracted to your partner or maybe not that particular sex.
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Fever?
Do you guys consider 99.5 a fever? I've been recently been exposed to Covid as I work with patients who have it. I took my temp and it's 99.5. I've been that temp all day and now l'm starting to get a headache. I've also been sleeping so much the past couple of days. I’m a 27 year old female.
| 6
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**Neonatal Nurse Practitioner**: No, 100.4 is considered a fever
But of course, be very aware it could change and not everyone with covid will get a fever
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