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Visible pulse on left side of neck when laying down
F22, generally healthy. I have a visible pulse on the front left side of my neck just to the side of my throat. I took a video of it and the pulsing was clear. But it only happens when laying down but it’s no longer visible when standing up. I have some tension in my neck but doesn’t seem related. Don’t think it’s worth a er visit and I won’t get a dr appointment for weeks, should I be concerned?
| 6
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: This is normal to see in normal or low weight people.
**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: That's normal. Certainly don't go to the ER for it.
|
Emergency contraceptive help!!
I just had this happen maybe 2 hours ago 1am est on 10/13. My bf and I were having sex with a condom on and I’m not sure if it slipped off a little while I was on top and he ejaculated. I immediately took an Aftera pill just to be safe since I have them in my medicine cabinet. I just started taking birth control pills only a week ago so I knew they wouldn’t be effective yet. But, I am about 210lbs and I have heard these pills have weight limits. What should I do next? I plan on calling my OBGYN as soon as they open but other immediate advice would be helpful so I stop freaking out! My last period began on October 3rd and ended on October 9th. Thank you so much!
| 6
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**Physician - Endocrinology**: If you started the contraceptive pill a week ago and took the first pill on the first day of your period, you are actually already protected
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28M I aspirated on an energy drink yesterday and now a day later I am having bad lung pain and shortness of breath
As the title states, yesterday while drinking an energy drink I aspirated on it and coughed for what felt like hours until the tickle finally went away. An hour ago and to this point I feel really bad side pain, shoulder blade pain and shortness of breath which is alarming. It's directly coming from my left lung. It might be a collapsed lung because I have had two spontaneous pneumothoraxes years ago and it feels similar. I took tylenol and it's still very painful and the shortness of breath is pretty bad. I don't know if it's correlated or if maybe I am just unlucky and I have another collapsed lung for whatever reason. Any advice is helpful thank you.
28M, 160 pounds.
| 1
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**Physician**: You won’t have truly aspirated - sounds like another pneumothorax induced by coughing. You need a fresh chest X-ray in A+E asap
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Do I have an Eating disorder? Or is everyone being dramatic?
I am a 18 plus size female. As of now I weigh 228 which isn’t much from last week as I was 235. I have been lowering my calorie intake by a lot. I will eat snack packs of goldfish for breakfast and lunch or just skip breakfast or even skip dinner. Even if I do eat dinner it’s very little. I am still currently in high school and have had my hunger get the best of me and I ate and forced myself to throw up in the bathroom. I did this at home also after I noticed I started eating a lot. To help with my hunger I chew gum or drink water. Is it an eating disorder or is everyone being dramatic?
| 4
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**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: You have an eating disorder. It's one thing to watch what you eat, but it's a whole different story when you start skipping meals (anorexia nervosa) and forcing yourself to vomit after eating (bulimia) to lose weight.
See a doctor. If you want to lose weight; there are healthy ways to do so that do not involve skipping meals or forcing yourself to vomit. Also you should be under physician supervision if you wish to diet in a healthy manner, as it is very easy to relapse with eating disorders. Eating disorders are also detrimental to your physical and mental health.
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Do I need to see a doctor about my foot
Ok, so when I was around 15 I broke my right foot and I didn't go to the doctor about it cause I could still limp around on it and I was hoping I had just sprain it. I remember it still kinda hurt like a year later but it eventually did heal somewhat and hasn't given me any trouble until now( I'm 30 years old now).
When I sit in a chair I usually cross my legs( my right leg lapped over my left leg) here recently when I do that my leg and foot goes numb like it has fallen a sleep but when I stand up alot of the feeling does not come back and if I put any pressure on my big toe I can't lift it. Usually if I stop crossing my legs for few days the feeling will come back but I still can't lift my big toe or foot if I put any pressure on it. Do I need to see a doctor about this or do i need to stop crossing my legs and just exercise that foot more to regain the strength?
| 3.5
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: Sounds like you've developed a new foot drop. Yeah, you absolutely need to see your doctor. If you can't lift your toe now, you more likely have a new neurologic issue. Your prior foot injury may be totally unrelated.
**EMT**: Get checked out by PCP, and get a neuro consult and podiatry if not neurological
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Is it normal for amoxicillin to cause awful headaches?
(Required info) 24 male, 5” 10” , 190 lbs , Caucasian, new onset of headaches after starting antibiotics for sinusitis, no existing medical issues, currently taking amoxicillin 125 mg twice daily and 50,000 units of vitamin d weekly, 5 drinks a week, no smoking or recreational drug use.
Just a week ago I visited an ENT, and presented with an abnormal feeling of head pressure, as well as occasional blurry vision and worsening tinnitus. Prior to this, I had a full check up with my PCP and all was fine, aside from a vitamin d deficiency. At the ENT they performed I think an endoscopy where they looked into my nose, and there was an abnormal amount of cloudy white mucus. They prescribed me amoxicillin to take twice daily as they believe this is the cause of all the aforementioned symptoms.
I’ve been taking it for 3 days so far, and each day it seems as if my headaches have gotten worse. It’s especially bad when bending over, or walking and coughing. Along side the headache, I have pain that seems to travel from behind my left eye, to behind my right eye. The exact location of the pain is on the left side of my forehead, and on the top left of my head.
Im basically wondering if this is Normal, or potentially indicative of an allergic reaction? Should I stop taking the antibiotics, or is it unlikely this is even them causing this?
| 4
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**Physician**: Its unlikely caused by the antibiotic. Most likely caused by a worsening of the sinusitis. Best to go back to your ENT for re-evaluation.
Edit to add: dont stop your antibiotics until youve gone in for a reassessment though.
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Chronic constipation... for the love of God please someone give me some suggestions.
Soo I'm a class A over the road truck driver and have been in this line of work for 5 years now and have been on suboxone for about the same amount of time. About a year into this career I noticed that I was simply unable to poop when I wasn't at my home and even then it was tough. At the moment i literally only poop on the weekends. I simply don't feel the urge or need when im out on the road and even when im able to go at home its practically nothing. I know that the suboxone causes this but I'm at the point now where I haven't taken a satisfying shit in literally YEARS! I constantly feel like im "full" not like full stomach but full intestines (i know that sounds silly but it's different and idk how else to describe it) I've tried all kinds of different things from changing what i eat all the way to different kinds of "colon cleanse" pills. All they did was give me a stomach ache and some mild gas.. 90% of the time to have even a halfway decent poop i have to use a damn enema bucket 3 or 4 times and im at the point where im getting a little but concerned. There has been no change to my normal weight or anything. I havent gone to the doctor because my insurance is lousey and im sure there will be a bunch of tests and junk that i simply dont have the time/money for... please if anyone has some suggestions I would be very grateful for any input. Yes this is 100% serious and not a joke post or w.e (its reddit you can never be sure). Also I apologize if this is kind of allover the place. Writing has never been something I was very good at.
| 5
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**Certified Nursing Assistant**: Opioids can cause constipation. A lot of people take medicines to counteract that. If you want to do something long term and natural you can increase your fruit and vegetable intake from the recommended 5 servings to 10+ a day.
**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: In your case, since you're a trucker and spend a lot of time sitting, I'm assuming you probably don't get much physical activity. Your intestines follow the same habits that you do: if you're not working hard (physically), then neither will your GI tract. Regular exercise is probably one of the best things you can do for this. Additional adjunctive treatments are to drink lots of water, consume a high fiber diet, take Metamucil 1-2 teaspoons 3x/day, and daily Miralax. Fruit juices will also help.
On a sidenote, if you go to your PCP for this issue, there's no real need for a bunch of additional testing upfront, since the suboxone + your lifestyle explain your symptoms fairly well, so I don't think they'd hit you with a bunch of testing initially. Additionally, on the off chance that they do recommend some pricey studies (like a CT), you can say that you'd like to try some other things first. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to provide you a prescription for a daily intestinal stimulant which should help your cause. Cheers.
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55 female .. Help My PCP is out of town my CRP is over 50
My PCP is out of town and I had blood work and my CRP is 50 and it says it high .. I have been sick over a week with burning skin and so weak and tired .. my skin is so sensitive and out in the sun or shower in break out .. I am freezing I don’t know what I should do .. should I go to the ER?
| 1
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**Physician - Infectious Disease**: If you’re unwell and you can’t cope go to the ER. Don’t make any decision based on a CRP, this means nothing.
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What’s that diagnosis?!
24 year old Female
No prior major medical history
Presented to the ER with dyspnea upon exertion.
Had an ER visit a few days ago and doctor didn’t go over my blood test results. Hospital was super short staffed and I figured that if it was bad he would’ve said something. I did not that my MPV has dropped from a 9.3 to a 8.8 within a year. Is this anything I should be concerned about? Platelets are at 304. WBC is 7.1 RBC 4.70 and HCT 4.26 lastly HGB 14.3
| 6
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: No reason to be concerned about any of the lab values presented.
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Advice needed for on-going intense head/scalp pain after abusive boyfriend pulled me by my hair (28F) hair
As relevant backstory I (28F) have been in an relationship with my boyfriend (32M) for 9 years (please don't ask me why I haven't left yet, it's a complicated situation).
Recently, following what should have been a minor disagreement all couples have, he grabbed me by a fistful of hair and dragged me around like this (probably also necessary to note that he had a hold of my hair at the back of my hair/base of my neck and was pulling pulling it down towards the base of my back, meaning my neck was being forced to bend that way too for part of the incident). To my knowledge I didn't hit my head, but admittedly it was a bit of a blur. For a few hours that followed I did vomit a couple of times but I think that might have been more stress related, though I'm obviously not a professional.
While I understand that it would probably feel tender, I've been experiencing really bad pain with that area ever since. My scalp feels so painful that I cannot even brush my hair with a soft bristle brush, I can't lie down on my back or sides, and it throbs continuously. It feels like a really bad bruise and a unrelenting headache rolled into one. Some hair has been falling out when I try to run my fingers through to avoid knots and tangles making it worse. For the first few days the area felt kind of... squishy? to touch and a bit sticky (kind of like that clear stuff you get with bad gravel rash or carpet burn), but it's gone down a little bit now. I have tried using mirrors to get a look, but I can't really see anything and it hurts trying to get the right angle.
I know I should go to the doctor, but due to the nature of my situation it would be best to avoid that unless a real emergency (which I don't think it is, or at least I hope it's not). However, I'm in a lot of pain and discomfort, and I can't sleep at night because my scalp/head hurts in that area as does my neck, though my neck is more stiffness related pain while my scalp/head is throbbing, pulsing, tenderness. Even if I do end up drifting off, I almost always jerk myself awake again if I move even a fraction.
I tried looking up similar injuries online, but it seems to take me to pages for hair loss rather than my specific issue. I've been alternating between applying heat and cold, and I'm taking paracetamol as often as I am able to, but I'm reaching a point of genuine exhaustion due to the chronic pain and lack of sleep. The other bruises I've received have already started to heal and don't really hurt anymore unless I press them, but the scalp/head pain won't let up.
So, I was wondering if these symptoms were normal after this kind of altercation, and whether or not the persistent pain unchanging from the first day is something that I need to see a doctor or nurse for? If not, is there anything I can do at home to alleviate the pain and encourage healing?
Sorry for the long post, but I thought I'd be as informative as I can. Again, please don't tell me to leave. I promise you it isn't that simple.
**TLDR; my boyfriend pulled my hair and even a week later I'm in pretty severe pain**
| 1
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: Whoa. I’m sorry you experienced this abuse. I hope you have been able to get away from him to a shelter or other safe place. I think in this case your story is concerning enough that a hospital would be the best place to get checked out, unfortunately.
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Boyfriend's Blood Sugar is Consistently Over 500
A few weeks ago my boyfriend (34m) was feeling tired, listless, nauseated, extremely thirsty etc. for several weeks on end. He is generally in good shape, weighs a normal amount for his height, and doesn't get sick often. However, he was diagnosed with diabetes this past year. I finally convinced him to go to the VA hospital and they found his diabetes was uncontrolled with a blood sugar over 500. They prescribed a glucometer for him, gave him some insulin, and wanted to keep him over night, but he insisted on going home before a snow storm hit. They released him with a reading in the mid-300s.
​
Today the glucometer arrived and his blood sugar was 523. Is this an emergency? My understanding was that anything over 500 constitutes an emergency and for that we should take him back to the hospital. He wants to drink some water, eat a salad, and take his Metformin, which he forgot to take this morning. I want a medical professional to see him. Can you please explain which course of action we should take. Is it dangerous to wait to see a doctor or not to see one at all? Talking him into getting medical help is nearly impossible.
​
Thank you for your help!
| 1
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**Registered Nurse**: He should definitely seek medical attention immediately. Is he having symptoms? (Blurry vision, irritability, increased thirst, abdominal pain). Since it sounds like his sugar might have been running high for a long time he might not have these symptoms. But regardless, his blood sugar is not under control and this can be very dangerous. Outside of this urgent situation, it sounds like he needs more support and education about diabetes and how to live with it.
**Physician**: He needs insulin - and right now he may need more than just insulin. He might need medical help before he begins having serious complications from his diabetes, even life threatening complications. I'm not sure why he is being so stubborn about such a serious issue. I hope that you can continue to help him.
**Respiratory Therapist**: Um yeah that’s definitely an emergency
**Physician - General practitioner**: Have they confirmed if he is type 1 or type 2? That presentation, especially given he is a normal weight would make me suspicious for adult onset type 1 diabetes but he is on metformin.
It is important to make sure they have done the blood tests to exclude type 1 and not assumed he was type 2 because he's an adult.
But in answer to your question - yes, go to the hospital. That BGL may be life threatening, especially for a type 1 diabetic. If not usual, may also be dangerous in a type 2 diabetic.
**Medical Assistant**: He needs to go to the ER now.
**Physician - Dermatology**: Yes he needs to go to an ER. He needs insulin to get the glucose into his cells. Water and essential minerals like potassium often move in/out of cells with insulin which is part of why very high blood sugars need to be addressed in the ER.
He also needs an appointment with an endocrinologist to make sure he’s been tested for type 1 vs type 2 diabetes. Also, their office often has more dietary resources and sometimes can talk to them more.
I’m sorry he isn’t addressing his condition as much as we would hope. Please keep encouraging him to seek care.
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Help, how do I get rid of intestinal worms?
I'm 24 afab non-binary, having a hard time keeping up my weight of 117 at 5'2''. For a year now, me and my roomates have worms, its so gross and I'm pretty sure its massively impacting my health. We have literally seen worms come out of our asses, attaching one poop to the other. However I have gotten tested and three tests came out negative, but reading up on it, it can be hard to detect them. I am at the end of my rope here, I feel sick and nauseous all the time. I don't know what to do to get something prescribed. My roomate coughed up a worm. I don't know what to do.
| 4
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: See a doctor!!! There are meds for this
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Melanoma.
Hey all, I’m a 32 year old white female. Very fair skinned, with dark hair and plenty of freckles. (Irish complexion) about 90kgs & 165cm tall.
In November 2021 I had 2 x freckles biopsied, each side of my chest. I never heard anything so I just went on with life (I’ve had numerous biopsy’s on weird looking freckles before and they’ve all been fine). Flash forward to today 19th August 2022, I wake up to a phone call from my Skin Dr. “Hello, we’ve been trying to contact you, did you receive the results from you biopsy”… I reply with no?! I just assumed everything is okay to which he replied. The freckle on your right breast is melanoma…
UM SORRY WHAT?!? I have received no phone calls, no voicemails, no letters no emails.. nothing to say that they have been trying to contact me.
After that point, I kind of just zoned out. He mentioned something about coming back in for surgery, remove excess area. I didn’t ask any questions, I was in shock! You mean to tell me that I’ve just had skin cancer since Atleast November and I’m finding out now?!?
Anyway, I’m hoping someone can put my mind at ease. He couldn’t put me in for an appointment until early September for that surgery.
Is this bad? I don’t know :( should I be demanding he see me sooner, or just assume it’s not that bad if he’s not rushing?
| 4
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**Physician | Moderator | Top Contributor**: I would call back to ensure that all of your information in their system is up to date such as your primary phone number, other numbers, email, and address.
You can ask if they can get you in sooner, but they may be all booked up. If your dermatologist considered it an emergency, he would have likely gotten you in sooner. If it is the case that he is all booked up, you can be asked to be placed on a cancellation list where they call you if someone cancels to get you in faster.
I'm sorry that you didn't hear back sooner. You can also ask if your melanoma will require more treatment after surgery. Your doctor will know more about this information after your surgery such as next steps, if any.
If you have biopsies performed in the future, try to call a few weeks after to ensure that all is well in the event that you do not hear back from your doctor's office.
Let me know how it goes!
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Can I die from 65mg of iron!?
24
Female
5’7
170
White
I’ve had my period for 9 days super heavy which is out of the norm, it’s made me feel awful and tired. I grabbed some iron at the store, it’s 65mg (361%) and I took one tablet around 2:30pm. I have a metallic taste in my mouth and decided to google recommended amount and now I’m seeing I could die or overdose from this amount. Does this warrant a trip to the ER an hour away?? I’m freaking out.
| 6
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: Despite supplements not being regulated, they wouldn't sell something where a single tablet is an overdose... you're fine
**Physician**: No you won't die from this. This should be of no harm.
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Toddler’s bacterial flu caught in daycare lingering on me
43M, white,height: 6’, weight: 182lbs. No meds,non-smoker, healthy.
My son had a bad bug last couple of weeks, which ended in a walk-in and antibiotics for a bacterial flu. Three days later he’s fine and now a week off the antibiotic. I caught the same bug I suppose, last week. I felt terrible first couple of days and took Advil, plenty of rest and water. I feel fine now other than at night, a lot of mucus during sleep builds up in the throat and I can’t seem to cough it out. In the morning I start coughing out this ghastly thick yellow mucus for about half an hour and then it clears itself away and I feel fine. At night it starts building up again. No other symptoms. I’m somewhat reluctant to going to a walk in and get antibiotics prescribed, but will go, I suppose. In the meantime my concern is that this is not going away at the usual speed I recover from colds and flu’s. Timeline: 7 days. 3 days worsening, 2 days better, 2 days with lingering yellow mucus in the AM and thus I’m cautious about actually needing antibiotics. any thoughts would be tremendously appreciated.
| 6
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**Physician**: Bacterial flu doesn’t exist - it’s either flu or another virus (in which case antibiotics will not help and may add to problems with side effects) or it’s a bacterial infection like strep throat or bacterial pneumonia. Probably the former.
If you’ve been feeling better and the only remaining symptom is some mucous then there’s no need for antibiotics. It can take several days for the sputum to clear and even weeks for the cough. Antibiotics will not speed this up.
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Very low heart rate while sleeping
Hello! I'm a 28-year-old male, 5'9" and 160 lbs. I take cefalexin (Keflex) for recurring UTIs and Rosuvastatin for cholesterol. I'm reasonably active and play soccer or run nearly every day.
Over the past two weeks, my heart rate while sleeping has decreased significantly. It now regularly dips below 40 bpm per my Apple Watch, which prompts a flurry of alerts when I wake up. Last night, for instance, it was in the high 30s pretty much all night when I was sleeping.
I don't have any other symptoms (other than my anxiety about my heart stopping). About two years ago, I had a heart ultrasound and stress test and was told by a cardiologist that my heart appears healthy.
| 6
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: It's fine. Turn the watch off.
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pain killers don't work, CYP-2D6/CYP-2D6 deficiencies? getting called a drug abuser :(
I am 35, Male, 186cm, 103kg & taking dexamphetamine(for ADHD 10mg) + somac(for reflux 20mg)
I have known a long time codeine doesn't work on me -at all- but recently (and very unfortunately) discovered I have a similar problem with hydrocodone, I also woke up from surgery in significant pain/was basically told that's impossible as I had just been given fentanyl? I was in hospital a few days and they gave me hydrocodone and it did nothing at all, they refused to give me anything else so I kept taking it out of desperation but insisted they gave me paracetamol regularly as it was the only thing that mildly helped.
the nurses gave me alot of grief when I begged for something other than hydrocodone and when I explained about being unable to get pain relief from codeine even at higher doses in the past they snorted and said I caused this myself because i'm a drug abuser/have a tolerance to opiates even after explaining I hadn't had -any- opiates in 4 years/have never abused them.
I suffer terrible migraines that put me in the hospital from severe dehydration (though the frequency has significantly diminished since moving), whatever they give me via IV for migraines works well - is there some way to investigate this with my GP? any idea what's going on? a bit of googling about how these drugs breaks down in the body gives an overwhelming amount of information (alot of medical studies and such) but I can't really break it down enough to understand entirely which drugs will/won't work - does it sound like CYP-2D6/CYP-2D6 deficiencies?
I'v also had some life threatening reactions to SSRI's and Antipsychotics (diagnosed serotonin syndrome & neuroleptic malignant syndrome).
PS: after much pleading I have 7 tablets of buprenorphine to deal with the pain i'm still in, I took one but it didn't do much (0.2mg) I was -slightly- more comfortable but not much, might just be another one to add to the list? i'm still in a fair bit of pain whenever I have to get up/move around :(
| 4
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**Emergency Medical Technician**: You may want to talk to a genetic counselor about this.
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Haven't been able to sh*t in almost 4 days.
26M, title sums it up, I don't feel bloated or anything and have been taking 17 grams of Polyethylene Glycol (Osmotic Laxative) the past 2 days with almost a gallon of water throughout the day.
What little I was able to push out the other day was hard as rock and was pretty painful.
The only other thing I can think of is buying a stool softener or just going to the doc.
Also I'm 6,0 165 pounds.
| 5
|
**Physician - Anesthesiology**: Just keep doing what you're doing. PEG and water. You can do two doses of PEG per day if you'd like. It's not a problem that needs urgent fixing.
**Physician - Pediatric Emergency Medicine**: You can take a lot more miralax. You can do up to 10 caps at once for a day or two to really move things along.
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Help! 2 days ago Popped a pimple on the bridge of my nose, directly beside my eye, and it popped under the skin. Swelling has been growing.
F23
Mirtazapine 30, Lithium, Effexor, & the occasional Ativan.
As the title states, I had this massive pimple, maybe it was cystic bc I’ve been getting those recently, and it popped under the skin. I wasn’t too worried until today. It hurts to blink or move my eye. The swelling has grown to between and eyebrows, my upper eyelid, and under my eye. My eye won’t stop watering also. It’s a bit tender but I’m scared of a growing infection.
Unfortunately I can’t take anti inflammatories so I’m wondering if this deserves a visit to the er or walk in.
Thanks in advance
| 1
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: Post a photo of your eye. Imgur.
If you have increased swelling, pain, and *pain with extraocular movement*, then I'm worried you're developing orbital (and/or periorbital) cellulitis. This is bad shit. This is go to the ER, get CT scans, and get admitted for IV antibiotics shit. Maybe even need surgery to drain abscesses/collections kind of bad shit. The kind of shit that makes you lose your eye and other bad things if it's not diagnosed and treated appropriately.
If your eye is starting to look infected and it hurts to look around, you have to go. Tonight.
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M25 Relatively healthy, Can't get it up.
I'm a 25 y.o man, 184cm (ft) 83Kg (182lbs) fit, with no genetic problems, my only pre-existing condition is hyperthyroidism. Other than that I'm quite healthy, I go to the gym, I eat quite healthy (most meals are homemade, I eat fast food (pizza) once a week.
The story here is that I met this girl and we bonded, the other week she threw the ILY in. This is my first serious relationship or the first time that I have feelings for a woman in general. So the moment came and I couldn't get it hard enough. Now It's messing with my mind so much that I can't even get it hard watching pornography, and during masturbation, it doesn't go beyond a certain point.
I am a smoker and a drinker ( socially only, a 20 pack will last me at least 1 week, sometimes even more. I also drive so my alcohol consumption is limited to 4-6 cocktails per week, I go out 3 times a week). I don't think it could be because of excessive masturbation or pornography, These last months I've been masturbating 2 times a week, 3 max, and usually to softcore intercourse.
Regardless, I don't feel like my alcohol/smoking consumption is an issue because, before my little accident, I would get full hard erections. (Even 2 weeks prior to the accident). Now I don't even feel the morning wood anymore
Should it be a physiological issue, I can go to see a doctor. If it's psychological, the therapist is a nono, for various, multiple reasons.
I don't know what to do, who to talk to, and with every "failed" erection I get more anxious and it gets worse.
| 5
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**MD - Peds GI | Top Contributor**: At your age (and actually pretty much every age) it is almost never a physical problem. If you can get an erection when you masturbate, then there's nothing physically wrong with your penis and it's erectile tissue.
It's almost always related to your state of mind and the situation you're in. Just take it slow. Don't stress about it. It almost always matters more to you than to your partner. If she's worth staying with, then she'll be patient and understanding.
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I've been virtually unable to eat for 7/8 months
35, Female, 5'4", 143 pds. No drug use. I do not not nor have I ever smoked or used tobacco. CC: For the past 7/8 months my throat hurts to swallow. Thats actually an understatement to be fair. When I am not attempting to swallow any food or drink it feels completely fine. Not an ounce of pain or discomfort at all. But as soon as I try to swallow anything at all no matter temperature, size, consistency it is like swallowing shard of glass. Literally the worst pain of my life (and I've had 3 natural births and was a victim of a hit and run. Still. This is worse). Its to the point where I will only take small sips of water (even spitting out rather than swallowing my spit when I'm not drinking) in order to not be completely dehydrated and I will up to a week without eating; waiting until I cant stand the hunger pains any more and until I am dizzy from not eating then do it all over again. The pain is getting progressively worse as time goes on. I do also have geographic tongue which I was always told is supposed not supposed to be painful but around the time of this starting it is almost constant and my tongue also usually feels like its on fire if anything touches it. It could be totally unrelated and maybe I have more than one problem but for about 4-5 months I will every couple of days get to where my feet and ankles are swollen and feel when you touch them almost like they are filled with water and my toenails turn a yellowish color but then will go away for a few days, come back etc. I dont have insurance so I've gone to urgent care/ER here several times. They have tried treating me for gerd and that didnt help. They have taken COVID swabs, strep swabs, each time coming back normal. I know the obvious answer here is that I need to be seen again and I'm trying but the last couple of times I went to urgent care they have told me I should get my throat scoped but the only clinic I am being referred to (low income no insurance) each time has no openings, puts me on a waiting list, I wait couple of weeks and when I call back either they have just shitty unprofessional staff or someone doesnt like my name because they arent able to find me on their records of being on a waiting list for a cancellation. I know I've got to find a way to be seen and get my throat scoped but in the meantime I'm worried as hell and my life has become a nightmare and I guess I'm just hoping for even a minute guess as to what could be going on even if its a vague one - anything to not feel as though I'm by myself out here fumbling in the dark. thank you. Sorry for the novel.
| 4
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**Physician**: I'm sorry to hear what you experienced at the clinic. That must be extremely frustrating. I'm not from the US so I'm not going to much help with advice on scheduling an appointment with a gastroenterologist/general surgery clinic.
Unfortunately, pain during swallowing (odynophagia) can be due to many reasons. It can be due to an infection of the lining of the oesophagus (gullet). It can be because the muscles in your oesophagus aren't coordinated, making swallowing difficult and painful. In some cases, it can be due to cancer (less likely in your age and profile). We can't know for sure what it is unless a scope is done, just like urgent care suggested.
|
drinking laundry detergent
19, Male.
people do dumb shit when they’re drunk, but this is beyond that. Long story short i was at a party + a lot of dumb shit was going on, and unfortunately we thought itd be funny if i do a “shot of laundry detergent”
started vomiting 10 minutes after (as expected) and thought nothing of it, had a bad taste that’s all. wake up the next day, have a sore stomach and i go to eat some food and have excruciating chest pains when swallowing it. any advice?
| 1
|
**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: Go to the nearest emergency room. Laundry detergent can do considerable damage to your esophagus and stomach. The chest pain is concerning for an esophageal perforation. You need an urgent gastroenterology evaluation and likely an upper endoscopy.
**Registered Nurse**: This is potentially very serious and could have life changing consequences. You need to seek emergency medical care now.
**Physician - Pediatric Emergency Medicine**: Just putting my 2 cents in, please seek care immediately.
Do not pass go, do not wait a few hours.
I just had the worst airway of my career this week from something similar.
Kid is now intubated in the peds ICU.
Go now.
**Physician**: Hey guess what? Excruciating chest pain is pretty dangerous after you ingest some dumb shit. GTFoff reddit and go to an ED. No waiting.
**Physician**: You know, I’m not sure why some people think the best course of action is to post on Reddit first.
Follow the others physicians’ advice.
|
Is it nerve damage?!
32(F), 5’4” at 270lbs (maternity weight during incident).
Nifedipine 90mg, Prenatal Vitamins, Iron Supplements, and Low Dose Aspirin prior to 2 failed inductions using Dinoprostone, Oxytocin, and Pitocin.
Non-smoker with a history of MRSA and Septicemia from previous ankle surgery in 2016. Vaccinated and boosted if medically relevant.
I have a medical history of being a hard stick. When trying to insert an IV line, the veins in my arms either flatten, roll, or burst literally.
The vein finder is kind of helpful… to see the vein flatten, roll or burst in real time.
I usually get poked an average of 4-5 times every time I’ve been hospitalized, to get a line in.
During my second failed induction, two nurses had to be present to administer Pitocin.
One of them had already tried to get a line in but wasn’t able to. The second nurse decided to try with my consent.
She hit a nerve in my wrist near my thumb that shot what felt like bolts of electricity through my fingers at first, then up my arm. The first time she hit it, I told her that hurt and explained what it felt like. When she didn’t stop, I realized I had to explicitly tell her to stop because of said pain and sensation.
She stopped when asked.
During my stay at the hospital, I was in so much pain from my emergency c-section that my body just felt sensory overload but the pain meds were helpful with that.
2 weeks later and I’m still having those same sensations in the arm she poked and it’s limiting my range of motion to the point that it’s even painful at times to pick up my infant with my dominant hand/arm.
What do I do?
| 5
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**Physician - General Surgery**: Yes this is likely a nerve injury. Most self-resolve. NSAIDs may help with pain.
|
I feel cold all the time.
I am a 20 yr. old 5'11'' male apx. 180 pounds. I do not use any recreational drugs nor am I on any prescription medication. Last night I started to come down with a sore throat and fatigue seemingly out of nowhere however I did get a slight stomach ache from some spicy food around the time it started. I took a covid test and tested negative. I also had some congestion during this time but my nose feels ok now. Last night I woke up multiple times in the night freezing cold with sore muscles. Even with a shirt and pants, hoodie, and thick blanket covering me head to toe I was and am still cold. It was about 50 farenheit where I live and walking outside felt really bad. This is especially weird because I used to have really strong cold tolerance although it has seemed to decline over the past year. I also have been making bizzare mental errors I've never made before and my sex drive is lower (both over the last week). My hands and feet in particular are cold. This feels different than a common cold or something. Unfortunately I don't have access to a thermometer right now but I don't feel like I am running a fever. Sorry if this came of as rambling, I want to provide enough information.
| 5
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: Sounds like you're sick with a viral infection. Probably COVID. I recommend retesting in 48-72 hours. Live your life as though you have COVID in the meantime.
|
Extremely painful sore throat from omicron
Hi guys,
This is my first time posting on this sub but I'm desperately looking for help on treating my sore throat. I am 22 years old and I have always been healthy. I got symptoms for covid on Wednesday after my girlfriend become sick Sunday night. For the last two days, I have been dealing with the most painful sore throat ever (even worse than the times I have had strep).
I have taken medication such as Cepacol (throat lozenge), lots of Advil and Tylenol, VapoCool Max Throat drops, drinking a lot of tea and chicken noodle soup, gargling salt water, honey, lemon water... you get the point. It hurts so much to even try to swallow it is almost impossible to try to drink water with the pain hurting me badly. My doctor offered that she prescribe me a nasal spray that can numb my throat to give me relief but I didn't believe I needed it on Friday, things have become horrible today and the doctor's office is now closed for the weekend.
Is there any proven remedy that can help as even some of the "best" remedies only give me relief for 5 minutes before the pain sets in. I appreciate any advice I just need some desperately. Thank you
edit: I am also fully vaccinated with one dose Moderna, and one dose Pfizer
| 5
|
**Physician - Anesthesiology**: Nope, sounds like you're doing all you can. A numbing lozenge or spray may help if you haven't tried that
**Physician**: There’s an anti-inflammatory throat spray called ‘difflam’ that we use for this sort of thing in the UK. Maybe try something like that.
It will pass - take small sips of water regularly.
|
Insight needed (HIV)
Age:23
Gender:Male
Height:6ft
No medications
Drinks alcohol occasionally
Past medical history- spontaneous pneumothorax, Acid reflux, hx of std in past (chlamydia), chronic constipation
The person I had an encounter with tested negative for hiv 25 days after we did stuff and claims it’s a total of 70 days since her last encounter before me, I’ve also tested negative 15 days post exposure 4th gen she did an oraquick and a 4th gen as well. I developed a canker sore which went away, I also developed a dry cough, chest tightness, white tongue, swollen lymph nodes specifically my right one on my neck, peripheral neuropathy in toes and and arms as well as chest , muscle spasms all over body, body aches that went away and muscle tightness in chest area, I do have a history of acid reflux but haven’t had any problems with it for years , and I also have major constipation which has led me to developing anal fissure that has been present for a year. I really think I have HIV and looking for insight. I’ve also noticed small black birth marks appearing on my back area. I’ve tested neg for COVID and flu and all stds and hiv.
| 5
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**Physician**: None of these symptoms are specific for HIV. It sounds like you had a virus of some sort, of which there are hundreds.
I’m having difficulty understanding your timeline. Have you or your former partner tested positive for HIV at any point? If not, why would you presume you’re positive?
15 days post-exposure is probably too early for an HIV antibody test like Oraquick. Although if your partner is 70 days post-exposure and negative, then she’s likely negative. If you’re concerned for yourself, then test yourself at 30 days and 90 days post-exposure. But based on this story, I wouldn’t think it’s likely you have HIV. I’d suspect you got some other respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms.
P.S. Always wear condoms with new partners until you reach the point in the relationship where you’re both committed to monogamy. People lie about their STI exposures or can be relatively asymptomatic and may not know they’re infected with an STI. Condoms can essentially block your chance of getting every STI except for herpes (and even in that case it can significantly reduce the risk). Use them. They’re your friends. You can take them off once you both agree to exclusivity and haven’t had other partners for the prior three months and if she’s using some other form of birth control.
|
Broken Baby Toe. Should I get it checked out?
33F, healthy.
2 months ago I stubbed my baby toe and I'm pretty sure I broke it. I didn't goto the doctor, as my boyfriend had just broke his arm a few days before and we didn't need 2 parents in casts lol. It eventually started feeling better, until I stubbed it again a couple weeks ago. It has been throbbing since and the slightest bump kills it , but again it was starting to feel better. But just now my 6 year old stomped on it, and it is throbbing again.
My question is, Can the hospital even do anything for a baby toe? Pretty sure it's the 2nd metatarsal, so just the toe, not on my actual foot. It's not bent, just swollen, throbbing and I cant bend it without pain/can't really bend it at all.
Should I get it checked out during covid? I dont really want to bother them for something they can't do anything about. I think they're telling everyone emergencies only right now.
Thanks for your help.
| 5
|
**Physician**: Nope. There’s nothing you can do. Get some silk tape and buddy tape it (not too tight) to the next toe. Try not to get it stomped on
|
Should my dad see a dr after a fall?
Male 73 180cm 100kg fell onto wooden floor hitting his head on floor and knee. He still had a headache the next night. No bruises. Knee is slightly swollen. Fall was 5 days ago. was shaking yesterday but not today. Today looks pale and feeling dizzy.
History:
heart attack,
mitral valve replacement x2, atrial fibrillation, left knee
replacement, two shoulder replacements (both failed and
now completely torn rotator cuffs in both shoulders,
severe osteoarthritis particularly in right knee.
He is on warfarin for his enlarged heart( was on apixaban but it caused internal bleeding and was switched back to
warfarin, gastric bleeding has completely stopped now.)
he also had two mini strokes during the gastric bleeding after the Drs at hospital took him off apixaban and told him to not take any blood thinners (without checking with
his heart dr.)
Medications
Lyrica, Tramadol, Metroptinol, Dujoxin Warfarin, Furosemide
Should I force him to see a dr? What should I be looking out for? What should I be concerned about?
| 1
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: A fall with head injury, persistent symptoms, and on warfarin warrants an immediate trip to the nearest emergency room.
|
Analgesic that won't break a fever
I separated my shoulder a year ago (got hit by a truck). It aches from time to time and the pain can trigger a fibromyalgia flare. I currently have a head cold; I'm on day 2 of the symptoms on the NyQuil bottle with a 100.1F fever. I normally let low grade fevers burn but wanted to take something OTC for the shoulder pain to avoid being crippled for 3-7 days. Is there anything for the shoulder that won't affect the fever?
| 5
|
**Physician**: Take whatever pain meds you want; ibuprofen, tylenol, etc to help with the pain. It doesn't matter if they also reduce the fever.
**Physician - Anesthesiology**: Weird question. You're overthinking it. Take whatever you'd like. Won't matter if the fever comes down a bit.
|
Possible brain tumor?
20M, 5'10, appx. 180lbs, caucasian, occasional smoker and diagnosed with GAD and OCD (please don't overlook symptoms because of my mental conditions)
I'm absolutely convinced I have a brain tumor and petrified of facing it. For the past two months I've been experiencing mild intermittent head pains, like stabbing pains, sometimes it moves around but I mainly notice it on the top right side of my head. They sometimes appear when I stand up quickly after bending over, rarely appear when I bend over alone. I believe I have been misreading words more often that usual. I'm noticing more hair strands falling out than what I consider usual. I have brief episodes of phantosmia that smells of smoke for a split second, usually when I exhale through my nose, it comes and goes and has been more of a rare phenomenon as time went by. I feel as though I'm not comprehending ideas through conversation as well lately too. My anxiety and intrudive thoughts suddenly spiked in late 2020. I experience constant right ear tinnitus that's more noticeable in quiet areas, and my left ear has very brief intermittent episodes of mild tinnitus almost daily (lasts seconds). I'm so scared. I know the response is going to be "Get an MRI", but the weight on my shoulders is destroying me. The prospect of having brain cancer or just a benign tumor terrifies me.
| 6
|
**Physician - Radiation Oncologist**: The response is not going to be "get an MRI" because none of those symptoms are indicative of a brain tumor, but they're very indicative of health anxiety.
|
Should I go see a doctor after having a 225lb barbell slip and fall on my throat?
I know it sounds stupid but hear me out. I (20M) was bench pressing and thought I had an extra rep, didnt make it, came down slowly but slipped due to sweaty palms. Ended up with the barbell choking me for a solid 15-30 seconds and a pretty lightheaded feeling.
Now my throat hurts when speaking or swallowing (and I have a bit of trouble breatjing heavily),as does the back of my neck since the adrenaline started wearing off. I was told in a first aid course that any head-related injury should be checked my a professional, and even though it's not to the head the neck/throat seem pretty vital to me. I read stories of people dying or ending up severly injured from similar accidents and feel a bit uneasy due to how close this was to being a disaster.
Should I have it checked out or just let it heal by itself?
Edit: Now that the shock has kinda worn off I feel lightheaded and dizzy, can't seem to focus onto anything I'm looking at, might be a placebo but felt like it might be relevant.
| 1
|
**Physician**: Yeah, go to your ER.
|
do I have brain eating amoeba
I am a 19 year old male, non smoker. 15 days ago I went swimming in a warm lake, even though I didn't put my head underwater the next day I felt a headache and tripped while walking up the stairs and felt woozy. the following two weeks I have felt nautia and have some balance issues but I do not have seizures or am vommiting and I can actually still stand and walk just fine and my appetite has not been lost at any point. Just wanted to make extra sure that I am in fact in the clear.
| 6
|
**Physician**: No, you don't. If you did, you would be dead or very close to it by now.
|
Do I urinate too much? Should I see a urologist?
I'm 29m, 250lbs, 6 ft tall, white. I pee a lot during the day, I get up frequently in the night (at least once per night but sometimes more) to pee. And sometimes during the day I pee twice in an hour. Should I see a urologist?
| 4
|
**Physician - Pediatrics**: You should see your PCP.
|
Can you feel Colon tumor from the outside with your hand ?
36 M 63 KG
when i sit down i feel that there is something not comfortable on the left side of my abdominal
like there something inside bothering me Not Pain
slightly under that big bone on the left side of my belly
and when i push hard with my finger on left side of my abdominal exactly under that bone i feel that there is something hard inside I'm Not sure if this is a bone or something serious i feel ?
| 6
|
**Physician - Anesthesiology**: Probably poop.
Super unlikely to have colon cancer as a 20 year old with no symptoms
|
HELP PLEASE: Did I cause brain damage?
I’m a 21M, I drank for 6 months straight every night 4-6 seltzers a night. I have alcohol free for a month and a half now, and I have had severe anxiety every single day since I stopped, causing me to go into depersonalization and derealization symptoms. Have I caused brain damage or is this normal? Please let me know i’m so concerned about it.
| 5.5
|
**Physician**: No, this is not brain damage, this sounds more lime withdrawal. The withdrawal symptoms can take a while, but will definately pass!
Try to exercise, that might help
**Physician - Psychiatry**: Post acute alcohol withdrawal can last up to six months as your brain learns how to remake certain neurotransmitters. Some people also find psychiatric symptoms that they were treating with alcohol pop up too. There are certain medications that have shown to be helpful if your symptoms are distressing.
|
Suddenly hearing pitches lower than I used to
Hi! I'm 20 M, 165 lbs/75kg, no conditions, didn't hit my head, not ill and didn't take any meds.
I first noticed it yesterday after waking up; my phone notifications sounded strange. I then tried to listen to some songs which I know very well but they also sounded strange. Every digital sound was in a lower pitch (almost a semitone) than I remembered. The thing is, it seems to be just digital sound that is affected.
One thing that might be worth to note is that I spend most of my day with headphones on, on a low volume, though I doubt this would be the cause.
Another thing to note is that I had the very same problem for the first time in 2021 (right now it's the 2nd time I'm experiencing it). One day I suddenly heard everything in a lower pitch.
What could this mean? Thanks in advance!
| 4
|
**Physician**: Get your ears checked, if it's nothing I wouldn't worry too much.
|
22F Something’s crawling/moving in my scalp even after shaving my hair
Back in 2018 I went to a salon to braid my hair but and that night, I began to feel something moving on my head. It felt like an insect. I tried all what I could do and I actually thought it was lice. I did everything but nothing worked.
I finally shaved all my hair(bald) and it’s still moving/crawling on my head. There’s nothing there(that I can see). I’m suicidal now. I need help.
| 1
|
**Physician**: I would consider seeking immediate medical help. I am sorry for what you are going through and understand that these symptoms may be very distressing. I hope you seek help if you are having suicidal thoughts and work through those thoughts. They may be able to look into why your head is itching/moving at the same time as well.
**Nurse Practitioner**: If you live in the US, the emergency room is required to treat you regardless of ability to pay. Most hospitals have a form of financial assistance that will assist many patients with paying most (or all) of the bill based on income as well. Just go.
The fact that this has been going on for years makes me think it’s either an issue with sensory processing (nerve damage) or a mental health issue.
|
Had a mild cold all week (F28), last night woke up feeling like I was suffocating. Couldn’t get any air in for about a minute. Has happened before and don’t understand what is going on!
Age: 28
Sex: F
Height: 5’ 6
Weight: 125 lbs
Race: white
Location: throat
I regularly get colds that pass within a few days. I’ve had two this year (one early in year one now) and both times I’ve had this reaction. It’s terrifying in the moment and it doesn’t seem to go unless I get forcefully patted on the back. It makes the most horrible loud wheezing sound and I cannot get a breath in at all. First time was just after waking up. Second time (last night) was in the middle of the night. I have a history of reflux and stomach issues (have b12 injections regularly which generally fixed the stomach issues). Tests several years ago showed I don’t actually have excess acid levels but a very sensitive oesophagus (?). Please can someone help me understand what this is and what is causing it and how I can prevent it! Both times I’ve felt considerably worse after the ‘episode’ despite only having mild cold conditions before. My chest is sore and my heart has been racing all day.
| 2
|
**Registered Nurse**: If you’re have a cold accompanied by shortness of breath and wheezing (I’m not sure if you’re asthmatic) its time to go to urgent care or see your pcp. If neither of those options are available within the next day I would go to the ER. Also, if the shortness of breath gets worse before you can see either a pcp or urgent care I would go to the er.
As far as why you’re having these periods of apnea that are only occurring when you’re sick; my only thought is, if you’re sleeping the secretions are building up in your lungs and you need to cough it out to get a good breath in. You are likely still breathing (whether it feels like it or not) but you’re just not getting a “good breath in”. If this is the case you may benefit from guaifenesin which is an over the counter mucus thinner and expectorant. I hope this helps and best of luck to you!
Edit typo
|
Broken Jaw
Hello, I'm a 32 y/o male in the U.S., and I could use some advice on how to approach my current situation. Last Friday I suffered a broken jaw, but didn't realize it was broken initially. Some swelling, and mild pain is all I noticed. Went to urgent care Monday morning, and the doc told me it seems like my right wisdom tooth is becoming infected. She recommends a dentist, and prescribes antibiotics, and pain meds. And advises I see a dentist.
Wednesday I see a dentist, and they tell me that my jaw is fractured, and recommend an oral surgeon. I go see the surgeon, and he lets me know that the fracture leads to my wisdom tooth, and it needs to be pulled, along with my jaw wired shut for 2 weeks, and a plate. (I only have health insurance, no dental. Paid the first dentist $250, and the surgeon a $450 copay out-of-pocket.) I say, cool, that's fine with me. Says they will give me a call next week to go to a hospital for surgery.
I received a call today from the surgeon's practice telling me that they are not covered under my insurance's network. I would have to pay $11K to them, and 6K to the hospital. Now, I definitely can't pay that. And the thing is, this procedure is pretty time-sensitive, and I'm not sure what I should do now. My medical insurance is pretty good, and has plenty of hospitals that are in-network, but again, I don't have dental right now.
I'm starting to freak out because I don't want my jaw healing improperly. I'm starting to notice that my jaw/bite is slightly misaligned, and I'm starting to develop a lisp! I need surgery ASAP unfortunately.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you.
| 3
|
**Physician Assistant - Urology**: Get all of your studies from the place you were just at, call your insurance company and find an in network surgeon. Call the place and explain to them, they will see you on a more urgent level as they will understand how soon it will need to be done
|
I (18M) fear that I have psychosis
I'm 18M, 6'3" and 150 lbs, canadian, definitely have anxiety though it only gets bad once in a while, drink occasionally and used to smoke weed several times a week, though I haven't in the past couple weeks.
Over the past few weeks, I've become extremely anxious about a bunch of different things, and I keep noticing symptoms in myself and worrying that it means that I'm developing some sort of illness. For example, my heart would start pounding (probably because I'm anxious) and I would worry that I had a heart problem, or I worried that there was something wrong with my vision.
One of my main worries, though, has been that I'm going crazy, or that I'm in the beginning stages of a psychotic episode. When I started to worry about this, there wasn't really any reason to think this other than the fact that I felt really weird or that I felt nervous talking to people (both completely normal if I'm anxious) and I would convince myself that there was nothing to worry about.
However, over the past few weeks, I could swear that I'm seeing and hearing things that have no reasonable explanation. For example, I was up late, while everyone else in my house was asleep, and I heard the noise of my sister say something, though there would be no reason that this actually happened unless she was saying things in her sleep. Or, I was hanging out with my friends and thought I heard the noise of mumbling, so I asked my friend about it and he told me he hadn't said anything. Or I thought I saw a character run past mine in a video game that didn't seem to have any explanation. I also keep thinking I'm seeing things in my peripheral vision, though this, again, could be chalked up to me being anxious and hyperaware.
As far as I can tell, I don't seem to have any of the other symptoms that would be normal in psychosis. I don't think I'm having delusional beliefs, or that I'm withdrawing from the people around me, or anything like that. The only real change I've had in the past few weeks, other than these seeming hallucinations, has been that I've been extremely anxious (mostly triggered by this fear of going crazy). I'm too scared to talk to anyone I know about this for fear of actually seeming crazy to them. I know it's hard for anyone to tell if anything I thought I saw or heard was reasonable or not, but I was just wondering if there would be anyone with knowledge of this type of thing who could give their insight.
| 4
|
**Physician**: I think anxiety and exhaustion are enough to be an explanation for these mild hallucinations, everyone gets them if they're tired enough. I don't think you're psychotic. But since you're so anxious all the time and it's causing you a lot of distress, visiting a psychiatrist wouldn't hurt.
|
emergency room. do I go on a Saturday evening or a Sunday morning? brief context below. 25 male
Basically I've been having some blood flow issues and my feet have been feeling very tight and kind of sharp pains. Been thinking about going in for a while for this. Urgent Care said it might be an okay idea to go when it gets to a certain point. Might be able to wait another day. I have very bad muscle pain so it's hard for me to stand or sit for a while so that's why I'm a bit hesitant to go on a Saturday evening. Any thoughts on if I should wait a day or not? Don't worry I don't think you are going to kill me if you tell me it's okay to wait for a day. But either way curious on thoughts.
What's the average difference in wait time from Saturday evening to Sunday morning?
| 3.5
|
**Physician**: There is no way to guess when wait times will be better. Perhaps you could call your PCP for close follow up.
**Physician**: I don't know what you mean by blood flow issues, but if you have the luxury of picking the least busy time to visit an emergency department, perhaps your medical issue doesn't warrant a visit to an emergency department at all?
As the other doctor mentioned, sounds like you should instead be making an appointment with your primary care doctor.
**Physician - Pediatric Emergency Medicine**: If you go Saturday night, you may be able to wait until Sunday morning. Win-win!
|
want to stop drinking, don't know where to start
31F, don't non smoker, currently drinking a bottle of wine every night. Sydney, Australia
I want to stop, I want to have a healthy relationship with alcohol but I don't know where to start. I've been drinking to sleep for about 2 years now. I'm worried about the effect on my body, but I also need to address why I'm here in the first place.
Where do I start? Should I just go to a GP and talk to them? I don't want to go into a facility but I don't know what my other options are
| 4
|
**Physician | Top Contributor**: Hello! Yes, your best first step is r/stopdrinking followed by calling your GP. There are usually outpatient addiction medicine specialists that can help you if you can detox outpatient, but it is possible that the safest method would involve going to a facility for a short time. (This is especially true if you have ever had a seizure when you stopped drinking.) There are a bunch of medication and therapy options to help you quit, and the beginning is going to require starting some of those and slowly tapering off the alcohol. Unfortunately alcohol cannot be quit cold turkey because your body has adjusted to the toxins and is now overly reliant on the receptors it hits being constantly stimulated. Medications will be able to help your body adjust to that transition safely without risking severe withdrawal including seizures. You have a journey ahead of you, but this is a great first step.
|
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
19M. I was mislead into smoking meth by my cousin when i was 15 which went on for about 6-8 months which i deeply regret for many reasons but now i am 19 and completely sober of all substances but im wondering if there is even a point like will i even live another 5 years or are my lungs/mind just going to give out very soon, sorry for bad english and don’t need sympathy would just really appreciate any information this is been making me unable to sleep for many nights.
| 6
|
**Physician - Rheumatologist**: Congratulations on your sobriety! You'll likely be just fine if you haven't had any issues so far. Stay away from that stuff, live healthy, and you'll have many years ahead of you!
**Physician - Family Medicine**: I don't expect that less than a year of methamphetamine use will affect you long-term. Most health problems that arise from drug use happen while you're actually using, so the fact that you're doing fine several years out means it's unlikely to come up.
|
Armpit swollen and painful after the vac (Pfizer)
got the pfizer vaccine 3 months ago and now my armpit is red and there is a lump swollen to the size of a tennis ball now. It hurts so much and blood gushes out of it, I can’t sleep from the pain and can’t even put clothes on. What do I do? It comes and goes, it just starts to do this every month after it deflates and stops hurting for a week.
I am 23M and 199lb.
| 4
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**Registered Nurse**: Have you seen a doctor? Go see a doctor. Sounds like you have a recurring abscess. If this started three months after recieving the vaccine, it's unlikely to be related. Your normal practitioner is a good place to start.
|
30F - Just found out I’m pregnant (yay!) but recently took Northisterone period delay tablets.
30F - 5’8 - 66.6kg - White British
I had no idea I was even pregnant (after a lengthy battle with secondary infertility,
we were told it would be very unlikely we would ever fall pregnant again).
We went on holiday recently and I took the Northisterone tablets for 10 days.
Started tablets on 25.08.22. Bled small amount of red blood on 28.08.22 which stopped almost instantly but turned to light brown discharge most days (even now).
Last period dated 29.07.22. Started with tender breasts 3 days ago, sore to touch. Nausea started yday. Sickness came last night. Constant nausea and period cramps. No blood.
Today I have taken 3 tests all positive!! This is fabulous news for us but the tablets I have taken are a great concern to me.
Reading that taking Northisterone in early pregnancy can cause birth defects etc.
Waiting for GP call back currently, but hoping to hear any advice.
| 6
|
**Physician**: Studies showing increased risk of birth defects from in utero exposure to northisterone were looking at extended periods (months, in some cases the majority of the pregnancy) of high-dose northisterone use (up to 40 mg total daily dose). I would not worry about this brief, moderate-dose exposure.
Congratulations!
|
21m, I have had trouble speaking intermittently, horrible brain fog, nausea, fatigue, and headaches.
The worst part by far is the brain fog and my difficultly putting words together. The headaches are also frustrating. I can talk, but it seems to be much more difficult. People have told me that I'm incoherent occasionally. I'm 6 feet tall and 140 pounds. The difficulty speaking goes away and comes back, most days. I can see, read, and walk properly as far as I understand, but I'm pretty sure that I get confused far more easily.
| 3.5
|
**Physician, Neurology | Moderator**: What is your question?
**Physician**: Inb4 carbon monoxide poisoning.
There is a pretty extensive and broad range of things that could cause this. From depression to poisoning to sleep apnea. One more serious than the next. You’re gonna need to see a physician sooner rather than later. I want you to be seen and evaluated in person, not just here online. I would start with contacting your family doctor, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a specialist is needed down the line.
It might not be a life threatening emergency but I wouldn’t wait too long with this.
Good luck and get well soon.
**Physician**: These symptoms are too vague to diagnose over Reddit. You really need to see a doctor.
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Difficulty Swallowing
18, Male, 6'4", 85kg, UK.
Hi. I have had difficulty swallowing for about 6 years now. It was very bad around 3-4 years ago, and then it stopped happening, and now it has been happening for around 6 months, very badly.
I usually get a lot of pain in my throat/chest area and the food feels like it gets stuck for a few seconds up to several minutes. I struggle to speak and also begin salivating like crazy when it jappens. When it refuses to go down after a minute or more I am usually forced to vomit the food back up.
It has happened with most foods, from solid things like chicken and potatoes to liquid things such as soup and even water or fizzy drinks. I have noticed recently that it happens almost every time I eat bread. I am eating hot dogs right now and that's what prompted this post.
It happens regardless of how much I swallow or how much I chew it before swallowing.
Is this a potentially serious issue? I am asking here first because the doctors here are notoriously busy at the moment and I want to know whether it is worth getting checked out.
Thanks.
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**Physician**: Hi. I'm sorry to hear about this. It must be really annoying not to mention painful.
​
It sounds like an esophageal spasm which is where the muscles in the esophagus go haywire and just start spasming which causes pain and food to get stuck. The only way to confirm the diagnosis is through imaging. You will potentially need a barium swallow test which is an xray that is done after you swallow barium. IMO you also need an endoscope just to be safe and rule out other nastier things which you most likely don't have but we should make sure of.
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What happens if you take too much tylenol?
Hi, so Im 19 AFAB (weight 140 and almost 5'4) and Ive been in a lot of pain today. So I took the max amount of tylenol and Im tempted to take more... how bad would that be? what symptoms would I be looking at if I did so? and, if I shouldnt do that, what other pain relief can I take instead?
sorry if this is a dumb question btw, Idk where else to ask ;-;
eta: I dont take any other medicines btw (if that info is needed)
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: It's bad for your liver and often asymptomatic until it's too late to do anything about it.
Take an NSAID like ibuprofen.
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Alcoholic, scared something is wrong with my liver
F25, 165 cm, 60 kg, white. Quit smoking a week ago. No drugs. I have GAD, Panic Disorder and PTSD. No medication.
I used to be an alcoholic. At the end I drank 3 liters of beer every night. This lasted for about 8 years, although I drank less a few periods within those years. A few months ago (around October) a switch flipped in my brain and I just quit. I didn't drink any alcohol until the end of December but then I still only drank 1 or 2 beers a week at most.
Last thursday a friend came over. I hadn't had a drink in a few weeks and thought "why not?". I had about 4 beers.
The next day (yesterday) I was nauseous and had an uncomfortable feeling right below my sternum and under the right side of my rib cage. I went to bed early. I still don't feel great, but I never know how much of that if my anxiety. I am a bit nauseous but I can eat fine without throwing up. I don't have a fever. No jaundice. I just have an uncomfortable feeling underneath my ribs on my back.
Should I get checked out or is it my anxiety messing with my head?
I do want to add that I am done drinking. Even if this was just a bad hangover it still isn't worth the alcoholbuzz anymore for me.
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**Physician - Gastroenterology**: Get checked see a doctor. Not because of this episode but you probably have done some degree of damage to gour liver over the years
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is it really fibroedenoma ?
i’m female 20yrs old and 110lb, i gave birth to my baby 11 months ago, i only breast fed for a couple months, and then i dried out, 4 months ago i found a bump on my breast and i got a ultrasound and they said it was fibroedenoma, i hadn’t worried much until recently i noticed it changed shapes and sizes, and now my breasts are leaking a clear milky substance, for instance i was just pregnant again and misscarried at 13w but i noticed the liquid before becoming pregnant again, as of today the liquid has gotten to be more, and i’m very worried i was misdiagnosed and actually have breast cancer, considering fibroedenomas don’t cause leaking breasts, im having a lot of anxiety with it, obviously i’ll see my doctor soon but until then i want a second opinion
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**Physician**: At age 20 with an ultrasound finding of fibroadenoma the chance of breast cancer is very very low. It's very normal for a fibroadenoma to chance a bit with fluctuating hormone levels (which will be all over the place with recent pregnancy and miscarriage, and I suspect the discharge is also due to that). In short it's not something I would be concerned about at this stage.
**Physician**: > considering fibroedenomas don’t cause leaking breasts
breast cancer does not cause leaking from bilateral breasts
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The WORST palpitations right now. 20M. Super scared over heart feelings and palpitations.
20M
126lbs
I have POTS.
The palpitations I’ve been getting today are THE WORST I’ve ever experienced and won’t stop.
A HUGE flutter or punch in my chest, more than just a normal palpitations. I gasp for air. I get dizzy. Heart starts to race. Tightness and discomfort in the chest.
Doctors at the hospital (I went many times) keep telling me my hearts fine yet they’ve never caught the palpitations this bad, and tonight they’re happening non stop.
Pease help me. Can palpitations really be this bad and safe? Is this just anxiety? Please help me. I’m scared and not okay. My hearts going to stop or something similar. Could it be an electrical issue?
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**Physician**: It could be an electrical issue like an SVT. Have you ever had a Holter monitor? Sounds like a good idea. Google “vagal maneuvers” and try some of those out next time it happens. Those can terminate an SVT episode without meds or electricity sometimes.
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Recently had an accident and difficult operation. Struggling with pain, insomnia and opioid addiction. Please help
UPDATE: Progress, thanks and a few new questions
First, thanks to everyone who helped and offered advice it was nice to hear from so many. Recovery is going well but there is still a lot to go.
In terms of the oxycodone, the dependency has been decreased but still a problem. I reached out to my doctor but no one would see me until my appointment yesterday. Over the phone they offered to refill my prescription and get a new prescription for anti-nausea meds. I decided to just do it myself and cut all my pills in half and tapered on my own. i have been supplementing with Tylenol and light marijuana use before bed. I was taking a 5mg pill every 3-4 hours (about 8 times a day). Now I take half pill (2.5mg) every 6-8 hours (about 4 times a day). I just started waiting as long as so could stand it and take a half pill. I’m feeling better and can go alot longer without pills but still get the symptoms bad after about 6 hours.
I don’t want to get more of these and have some left still. If I quit cold turkey at this point how bad would it be / how long until it’s out of my system? I want to try and get back to work in the next 2 weeks and can’t work while on this. If it won’t kill me I’ll deal with the withdrawal for a few days. But if it takes longer than that I’ll need a new plan.
I’m going to keep tapering as much as I can for now and see what happens. Thanks to anyone who sees this and good luck to those dealing with the same!
*************
Male, 25. 5’ 8” 160 lbs. Non smoker of nicotine. Recreational user of alcohol and marijuana in free time. Have not had any alcohol since accident. Current medications are 5mg oxycodone up to 8 doses in 24 hours and 1000mg Tylenol every 6 hours. Otherwise healthy adult.
I just had an accident while skiing Jan 23rd. Broke both tibia and fibula completely. Bones did not shift much and remained relatively in place. Had operation to install titanium rod and screws in tibia. Had complications and had to open leg during surgery to clamp bones that were unexpectedly out of place. Lots of damage done to leg from thigh to knee.
I am 9 days after surgery and have been getting better finally. The past month has been agonizing and truly was a traumatic expirence I won’t recover from for a long time. It has left me with intense constant pain for over a month. I have been taking pain killers constantly (5mg oxycodone up to 8 times a day and 2 x-strength Tylenol between Oxy doses) to manage. Between pain and waking up every 2-4 hours to take pills I have been sleeping in short bursts for the duration and am exhausted from the lack of sleep. Keeping up on pain meds would allow me at least a small amount of sleep as the pain is worse at night.
I am truly starting to feel better and am looking to speed up my recovery process. Now I am feeling very addicted to these pills and get intense withdrawal symptoms if I try not to take the medication. Sweats, chills, panicking, intense pain, restlessness, etc, if I don’t take a pill at least every 5 hours. I am working to push myself to wait longer and longer until my next pill. New goal is every 6 hours and only taking 6 a day.
I need to move forward with my life and I am trying to do this one step at a time. These are the questions I need to have answered first….
How am I supposed to manage withdrawal symptoms?
How do I manage pain without pain medication?
How do I fix insomnia from this type of event?
What is the SAFEST WAY TO DO ANY OF THIS???
I just need to know where to find answers to any of these questions if possible. Im keeping a bright face for my family and friends but I am scared and lost and need help. Anything you have to offer is appreciated!!!
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**Physician**: I'm sorry this has all happened to you and it's encouraging to see you try to seek help.
The answer is unfortunately much more complex than I think can be safely done with merely some internet advice. What you really need to do is see a pain specialist. There are alternatives to opioids which are available and quite extensive. To find what best works for you requires an in person evaluation and discussion of the options.
They also have the ability to set you up with the resources to wean you from the narcotic, ideally while introducing alternatives to ease the pain and decrease the physiologic need from solely the pain aspect of things. Unfortunately, it won't be a simple task and may take some time, but there are some really skilled people out there that can help out.
**Physician**: Definitely for starters it was a terrible idea to give you oxy for outpatient use and not even titirate the dosage to get no withdrawl.
You should talk to your physician you might need to be put on buprenorphine for a little while to avoid symptoms.
**Physician**: The safest way to handle this is with a pain doctor. You will likely be switched to a different medication and have one added to combat the withdrawal symptoms. It's critical that you don't delay this as opiods are not something to fuck with.
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I took a tablet with 500 mg Paracetamol and one with 650 mg at the same time without realising.
(21, Female, 57kg, 5ft 3inches) I have a viral, symptoms include cold, sore throat, weakness and mild fever. I took a tablet for cold which had 500 mg Paracetamol (I didn’t know it had paracetamol) and another tablet with 650 mg Paracetamol at the dame time. Is this too much Paracetamol and is it harmful?
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: You'll be fine. In the future avoid more than 1,000 mg at a time.
**Nurse Practitioner**: I don't recommend combination cold products to my patients for this very reason, it is too easy to lose track of what you are taking.
But as has already been said, you should be fine.
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What are the chances that I have a brain eating amoeba?
21 y.o. male, about 5 feet, 10 inches, 135 lbs here. I have a history of health anxiety but no real medical issues. I have been experiencing dizziness and nausea for about 5 days now, which began after visiting my local hot springs. After looking it up, it seems that a brain eating amoeba is googles best guess. I don’t think my head every went underwater, so I don’t think I got much water in my nose. I did notice that my neck is kind of stiff on one side but not sure if I’m manifesting that due to my anxiety, and learning of the symptoms. Do you think that I am psyching myself out?
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: It's not.
**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: Extraordinarily unlikely.
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Who do I see for this?
44F, 5'4", 170.2 lbs, White, no drinking, no drugs, no meds, diet-controlled diabetic (sugar under control).
For a few months now, I have sharp lower abdomen pain right before going #2 (maybe minutes, maybe a couple of hours), like it hurts when waste is going through the large colon. Like doubled over sharp pain. IBS?
​
Who do I even see for this? The pain goes away once I vacate the offending waste. Thanks!
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**EMT**: You could start by talking with your GP, they might refer you to a endoscopy or a Gastroenterologists depending on your individual sitiation.
**Physician**: Might be an anal fissure. I'm a surgeon and I manage these in my area, but usually GI or a surgeon can manage these.
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27 YO male with history of anxiety (please read I’m going nuts lol)
So I deal with illness anxiety disorder and panic disorder, and have had my heart checked more times than I can count in the last few years. I’ve been reading about long QT and it is currently my latest flavor to be anxious about. I went to a cardiologist about 2 years ago and got an echo, stress test, and two holters. All came back good, just PVCs and PACs, some brady while sleeping, mild tricuspid regurg, and a few SVE runs. However my initial EKG upon arrival of the cardiologist for the first time had a long QT interval. I was super tachycardic bc I was freaking out just being there. The doc didn’t seem to worry about this and I don’t even remember him mentioning LQTS. Especially after all the diagnostic testing, there was no mention of it. Told me I could go run a marathon the next day. I also have no history of syncope.
So since then, I’ve had multiple EKGs (a lot) and I’ve taken it upon myself to read them. I’ve had NO doctor mention anything about my QT interval, but from seeing google and reading what’s on the EKG I’m seeing them say my QTc is consistently above 450, one as high as 493. I’ll post pictures and the provider notes that say “normal intervals” in the comments.
Safe to say I’m confused by all of this, and would like to put this to rest before I have another panic attack about it :)
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: Machines reads are not useful. The cardiologist actually looks at the blocks themselves and calculate the QTc.
Stop looking at this stuff. You haven't interpreted your EKG more accurately than the cardiologist.
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26M - Can an EKG draw too much electricity from the heart/muscles ? What kinds of stimulation or other problems could that cause heart , such as cardiac arrest? feeling agitates in chest, sore "abdomen" below sample spots?
And what sgould doctors know about such.
Age 26
Sex:Male
Location :USA
Height 6
Wieight 170 lvs
Wanted to write to ask about....
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care**: Nope. An EKG doesn't draw electricity from the heart. It measures the electricity that the heart produces already. No risk of arrhythmia or cardiac arrest from an EKG. Any symptoms you are having are unrelated to an EKG.
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I've been feeling like I'm not living in the real world. Like I'm really in a coma, living this life as a dream.
23F, 169cm, 95kg. I take 150mg Venlafaxine per day.
I tried THC Oil two days ago. I've only been high 3-4 times so I wouldn't say I'm experienced with it, but I've never felt like I do now after being high.
I'm scared that I'm going to wake up.
Walking through my house, I feel like everything is just slightly wrong. The kitchen is too small, until I'm in it, then getting from the sink to the fridge takes too many steps, as if it's somehow just a little bit further way than what I'm taking in visually.
I look at my cat, who I can remember absolutely adoring and loving. I've had her for over a year and I remember every moment with her. But right now in the present, I look at her and I feel like it's not the right time, I'm supposed to meet her for the first time soon, but not yet. She's in my future but right now she's just a bit out of place. Like a memory I haven't had yet, sitting at the bowl waiting for me to feed her.
The hardest part is my boyfriend. He came home from work a little while ago and we sat down to have dinner together. I remembered every moment we've shared together. And it's like I can remember that this is real and I'm in the real world because for the last 4 years I've been dating him and every part of it was real. But right now in the moment, I feel like I'm reaching the end of a dream, as if an alarm should go off soon and I'm used to it so I'm naturally starting to wake up and have a slightly lucid dream for these last few minutes before I wake up in bed.
There have been times in my life where I've had mild head injuries. One particular time as a kid where I had to get stitches in the back of my head and I had a concussion. I've literally never thought about it outside of times when I've been talking big to my friends about who's been to the hospital more. But right now I keep thinking that soon, I'm going to wake up in hospital, getting those stitches put in.
Then I'm going to just be a kid, only around 10 years old, then I have to live all the way back up to this point, doing it all again. Or even worse.... doing none of it again.
I'm scared that when I wake up in hospital, I'm going to have this story of living my life, through high school, falling in love, getting a cat, moving through houses and settling down. But people I know in the real world will tell me "there isn't a house where you said your address was." "In fact the street doesn't exist at all."
"There's a building there, but it's not the place you said you met your boyfriend at."
"Your right that this family exists (because I knew some of them before the time I got concussed) but they don't have the son you said you fell I love with."
Then I'm going to live back through my life, but none of my life will be there. And my memories of the life I just lived are based loosely on reality, but not enough for it to ever my reality again.
I'm scared that I'm going to wake up, remember my life, but never live the life that I remember having.
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**Physician**: Give this a few days.
And don’t ever do cannabis again.
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fainting vs. seizure?
22F, 5’5, 173lb, white
hi there! weird thing happened last night and i’m nervous and hoping someone might have some input for me. i recently started taking prozac (10mg) in conjunction with lamictal (125mg) (which i’ve been on for about 6 weeks) for MDD. i’ve had a huge decrease in appetite which has led to me forgetting to eat a lot. yesterday i ate very little - almost nothing, without realizing. i was smoking weed with my partner and i started to feel really unwell. i have a low tolerance so i didn’t think much of it. i remember telling him i wanted to lay down, and next thing i knew i woke up to him holding me and saying my name over and over. he asked me a bunch of questions about my surroundings and personal information (address, birthday, etc.) to make sure i was aware and coherent. he said i was sitting there, mentioned i wanted to lay down, and then my body stiffened/seized up and i slid down the chair backwards until i was on the floor and he started trying to wake me up. he said in total, i was out for less than a minute, but he was worried i was having a seizure. while i was out, i was having what felt like a short lucid dream where i was rolling down a mountain, if that’s important. when i came back to my senses, i was sweating a lot, and was nauseous. i laid on the floor for a little bit until i felt okay, and then went to bed. today i feel fine.
i figured i just fainted bc i hadn’t eaten and i was smoking, but i know serotonin syndrome can cause seizures so i’m just feeling very anxious and wondering if i’m worrying over nothing. i’ve never fainted or had a seizure so i don’t really know what either one feel like.
| 5.5
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**Physician**: Sounds like syncope - nausea/sweating. No real features of a seizure there.
**Physician - Pediatrics**: This is a syncopal convulsion. They're common, and not actual epileptic seizures. Improve your hydration and nutrition, and smoke weed more slowly.
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Is my girlfriend (31F) pregnant?
She's 31, about 5'3, and Im 32, about 5'6
Start of her last period was May 17
Cycle is 28 days
Next mens should be June 14th
The common symptoms she's been having are similar to PMS
* sore breasts (mild according to her)
* specific food craving (she wanted mcdonald's chicken earlier and nothing else)
* dizziness, headache (not that bad according to her)
* urination (she said she peed a bit frequent than normal today)
* fatigue (slight. could just be due to work too)
* sharp stomach pain (feels like IBS according to her)
NO spotting, NO nausea/vomitting, felt cramps days ago then hasnt mentioned anything since
Thanks.
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**Physician**: You could get a pregnancy test...would be way more precise then asking reddit ;) . Good luck
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Covid infected - Faster heartbeats!
Hello, everyone in my family got covid last week, and I was tested negative. But from yesterday night I got fever and I am sure I got covid too. I am awaiting test results.
I have temperature around 100F, very little body ache. Yesterday when I got fever I was having chills and I was shivering.
But I am worried about one thing - I am having abnormal fast heart rates. Whole night I was having this and eventually I slept off. Today morning I woke up and saw its the same (around 110 - probably at night it was more..not sure). Can anyone please guide me what to do?
I am 35M...have cholesterol and thyroid.
Thanks in advance!
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**Laboratory Technician**: fever causes fast heart rate
not totally abnormal during an illness
**Physician - Pediatrics**: That is normal and expected while sick, and especially with fever.
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I am an 18-year-old caucasian male with aspergers syndrome. What is my chance of getting and dying from sporadic CJD?
I have been freaking out ever since I read about prions. After watching videos of people suffering from CJD, I can safely say that if I ever got a prion I would give myself a .45 to the head.
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**Physician - Pediatrics**: You're more likely to do in your sleep tonight from a house fire, or a random gang shooting up your house.
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Should I go to the emergency room?
I am a 25 year old male, weighing in at 150lbs, my Height is 5’7, I take no medications except a couple of weeks ago I was on amoxicillin for a cavity which dentist prescribed before I undergo dental work, which still has not been completed yet because of finances, But don’t worry, I found a dental office that I’ll be heading out to in a day or two that has affordable payment plans for my procedure, but I have since discarded the amoxicillin weeks ago. I do not drink and I do not smoke, the only documented medical history I had was a serious car accident I had when I was nine, nearly dying from pneumonia when I was 7 or younger I can’t remember and I’m allergic to pollen(seasonal hay fever). Anyways It all began yesterday morning I woke nauseous and a with a tender to the touch only feeling in my lower left side and on the lower right side though the right side is very minuscule in soreness right now since it started almost to the point of not being there. I ignored it but it wasn’t bothering much. Later on that day I went to get some General TSO chicken, roasted potatoes and cooked mixed greens and it was spicy and spicy is no good for me spit gave me burning diarrhea and a painful bloated gassy stomachache my stomach was hurting and making growling sounds so bad during the bowel movements I thought something serious might be going on. I made like two painful half solid half liquidy bowel movements. After the dump the pain subsides and the tenderness went down but is still there. Also It Still feels my stomach is a little bloated and gassy and making weird sounds. But the lower left side tenderness calmed down but it’s still there? It kinda feels like a sore lower left side abdominal workout with the lower right side feeling minuscule in tenderness almost to the point of not being there.Should I go to the emergency room? Because I cannot take another hospital bill. Btw if it matters I eat a lot raw fibrous vegetables, Cooked broccoli and had quit the large servings of salmon this week and the last. Including two bags of sweet potato chip that had hardly any salt 5 grams of sugar per serving and 18 grams of fiber per bag, I ate two of those yesterday.
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: Nothing that you say here makes me feel like you're having an emergent medical problem, so no, please don't go to the ER. It sounds as though you may have a GI bug or some foods poisoning.
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Does this look like a bat bite? (Pics in Comments)
Male, 24, weight 180, USA (Texas), no current medical issues and not on any medications.
So I was went to the grocery store the other night and I noticed a small red/purple mark on my finger I hadn’t noticed before. I didn’t see any bats or feel the bite but it was dark. I’m currently terrified about the thought of rabies, so I was wondering if someone here could enlighten on if this is a bat bite or not. Any replies are appreciated, thanks!
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**Physician - Pulmonary and Critical Care - Moderator**: No. Situation sounds very low risk for rabies or bat exposure.
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swallowed 8 grams of psychedelic mushrooms last night. will I be like this forever now?
19f, 135lbs, 5’4.
ate them all because I thought it was going to shake something loose and make my brain less awful. did not happen. had the worst night of my entire life. 8 hours of nonstop nausea and puking, shitting, uncontrollable crying, hearing fucked up things, freezing then sweating, stopped being a person, whole thing.
family didn’t take me to the hospital because they basically said i’m just completely retarded and need to sweat it out. I can agree with the retarded part but like
am I going to go back to normal? my entire body feels heavy and nauseous, my anxiety is worse, i don’t want to get out of bed at all, i feel extremely out of it & dizzy.
can you get permanent brain damage from doing what I did? is this just how it feels when too many mushrooms leave your dumb ass body?
thanks in advance for any responses. yes I know i am stupid
| 5.5
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**Registered Nurse**: This is less medical and more anecdotal - had a bad trip as a young person in a similar situation. Took a lot of LSD and weed together, first time doing drugs in general. Had the worst trip of my life with ego-death and freaked the fuck out. To begin with, my brain was shaken for about 2 weeks pretty bad, random anxiety and dread that I hadn't experienced prior, sweats and nausea. I don't think that was a medical problem (after the initial 24 hours) but a psychological one. The next 3 months after that things normalised but I developed a few random fears and phobias. It took about a year in total for my brain to fully rewire and drop most of these new fears and understand myself in full again. I can't do drugs (including weed) anymore without getting the feeling again.
Medically a bad trip will wear off pretty fast - usually your body will pass them within 24-48 hours. Your brain **will** go back to normal, but don't take any more drugs (ESPECIALLY while still getting side effects of the bad trip) and if you do, do it alongside someone very experienced who is remaining sober that you can trust. I was also dealing with the intense fear I would never be normal again. You will be, give it time. Do some things that relax you and focus on reality - self care with some distraction by engaging with the world like exercise and socialising, try to think on other subjects when you start spiralling. Remember that reality is still consistent for you, your brain and body are not "stuck" in this state.
Sorry for your bad trip, I really empathise.
**Physician**: No way near a lethal dose. Must have been a huge trip though. Hope you had fun and found some good music to listen to :)
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26F - Extremely Swollen Eyelids and wedding is in three days
Hi docs - would love advice on what to do about my swollen eyelids. They’ve been swollen for about a week. I use a cold compress twice a day for about 15 minutes, take famotidine and citrizine in the AM, and Benadryl and famotidine in the PM. It’s gotten a little better but still pretty bad. I started getting about 8-9 hrs of sleep since I know that sleep is a contributing factor.
Any advice or procedure possibility (like Botox???) would help! I’m a desperate bride at this point.
Info:
- 26 yo
- female
- 5’ 4”
- 108 lbs
- Asian
- no drugs/alcohol
| 5
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**Physician**: Most likely an allergic reaction so the best thing to do is to remove/reduce the allergen. Anything change within the past week? Detergents, bed linens- any thing that could be a new allergen?
Keep doing what you're doing, there are over the counter antihistamine eye drops you can try. Don't rub your eyes. Wash your face and eyes frequently (but gently). If you see an doctor then they can consider prescribing you ophthalmic steroids.
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Pulmonary embolism or anxiety
34 year old male. Last night I did an injection of CEREBROLYSIN, intramuscular, it came in a glass ampule. I broke it messily, saw glass floating but avoided them but could a smaller piece gotten in? Non filtered syringe. I told a nurse friend shortly after and he got me freaked out about an embolism or other complication. Since then my chest has been heavy and breathing seems more labored but I also have anxiety plus a handful of legit medical issues going on that I did end up self diagnosing. My question is do I need to just calm down and see how I feel in a couple days or is it a 911?
| 6
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**Physician**: So you haven’t caused a glass embolism through an intramuscular injection
However injecting random medications when you don’t have the correct equipment or knowledge is foolish in the extreme
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How to approach progression of symptoms with doctor appropriately?
Good afternoon,
I wanted to get some insight to see the best way to approach my situation.
27F 5’1 98lbs. Non smoker. Lightly active. Treadmill and standing desk.
Ongoing neck pain in upper right side right under ear extending down into right shoulder. Occasional pins/needles and numbness on right arm into right hand specifically pinky ring and middle finger. Thought it was due to ergonomics of my desk. I have (what I assume) is a swollen lymph node on my neck. It’s not painful within itself but the area is sore due to swelling. My right ear also has daily swelling. Nasal spray does sometimes help. I’ve had this electric shock sensation on this right side of my head that travels from the back to the front of my head accompanied by a headache.
Over the past 6 months the neck pain has gotten worse but slowly. However over the past 2 weeks I feel like everything has speed up. I’ve randomly dropped 5lbs. Which is a lot for me. I typically hang around 105-107lbs. I’ve gotten completely drenching night sweats and suddenly started bruising like a peach. I actually got a hematoma on my thigh from my dog running into me. It didn’t require medical intervention after the evaluation but it’s been over 2 weeks and I’m still waiting for the “lump” to be dissolved.
I am having growing concern as I was feeling really weak and low energy and had this horrible pain in my lower back and spine. It was absolutely miserable. I was ready to go to the ER because I felt like I had an pressure in my chest. I was able to fall asleep and woke up and moved around a bit.
Generally I feel a bit better than few days ago but I am preparing to get checked out.
I feel “off” but I don’t know how to present this to my doctor accordingly. I have a tendency to brush things off but i feel here I shouldn’t
What’s the best way to discuss this with a doctor without sounding like I think I’m dying? I haven’t had issue in the past or speculation on my health but I’m having trouble locating the cause behind these symptoms or an answer for why they’re progressing.
Thanks
| 4
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**Physician**: Questions you need to ask yourself: First, what is your most concerning problem? Is it the neck pain/arm numbness or the back pain/fatigue? And second, what are you actually worried about? We know patients Google. That’s ok. You’ve listed a few constellations of symptoms here, so you’re obviously concerned about something. “Doc, I’m concerned I have […], because I have these symptoms […].”
Often, patients want to list every possible symptom they’re experiencing because they’re worried the doctor will miss something. However, most docs are pretty good at their jobs and know which questions to ask to drill down a problem. When I’m asking questions, it’s because I’m running through lists of diagnoses in my mind and judging the likelihood it’s X,Y, or Z. And even if we’re not entirely sure, the initial labs or imaging studies are usually broad and can tell us a lot. It’s hard to miss something serious.
I would pick two major issues for a appointment. Perhaps the ones that are most acute or your worried about. And if there’s a diagnosis in particular that you’re worried about, then say it. If there’s an issue that’s been going on for a while and doesn’t seem to be changing (such as the headaches), then maybe you can address that at a follow-up visit in 1-2 months.
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Uncomfortable feeling in right side of throat... cancer?
To start, I will admit that I am a bit of of a hypochondriac when it comes to my health. I'm a 26 y/o males whos loves to lift, eat paleo with carb backloads, don't drink or smoke, etc. A week and a half ago I began to experience what I would say is a uncomfortable feeling in my throat - as in the right side of it was uncomfortable. There is no pain whatsoever and a couple other minor symptoms were GERD (have had mild bouts since a kid and mucus feeling . I was doing a google search (stupid me) and came across various suggestions such as esophical cancer and only thought of that because of my history with the infrequent GERD bouts. I should also note that the feeling isnt constant, it comes and goes.
Obviously no one here is going to diagnose me on the internet but according to some of your experiences does this sound like something I should be concerned about? and if you've had these issues did you end up having something that wasn't that severe. Cheers
| 6
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**Physician**: This is not cancer.
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Does dicoflenac affect A1C or sugar glucose??
Does Dicoflenac affect A1C or sugar glucose?
Male 22 Currently under no medications.
So i woke up today with a congested nose and a painful chest and knew right away it was cold since i usually get that...most of the winter.
So where i live there is a syrup medicine called Catafly. Pharmacist told me to take one cup (using the measuring cup) 5Ml
And this equals 9Mg of dicoflenac.
I was informed 5 days ago my a1c was 5.9 yes i was measuring for the last 4 days each day my glucose level and the highest i ever got was 105Mg/l after a sweets and greek yugort and toast meal. (Tested 1 hour after)
And im not diabetic or even clinically pre-diabetic according to the pharmacist he said my A1C might be a fluke but i dont wanna take chances.
Is dicoflenac potassium bad if i have an A1C of 5.9? Does it raise or decrease blood glucose?
| 5.5
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**Physician - Anesthesiology**: No it doesn't
**Physician**: An HbA1c gives an indication of your sugar levels over the last 3 months, not 3 days. It's not going to be elevated by taking medication for a few days.
Your pharmacist is not qualified to be giving advice around your HbA1c. If they were, they would know that we actually use the HbA1c as a more stable measure because a fasting glucose can be elevated as a fluke.
I honestly wouldn't be worried by an HbA1c so close to the upper limit of normal. But I would use this as a time to have a look at your lifestyle, modify your diet and exercise, and repeat the HbA1c in 3 months to ensure it's not worsening.
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My gf sprayed isopropyl alcohol on my balls
22M (5'", 80kg) My gf sprayed isopropyl alcohol on my balls, she is obsessed with cleaning out germs, after i felt a burning sensation, will it have side effects?
| 5.5
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**Physician | Top Contributor**: No, but your girlfriend shouldn’t be doing things like that, especially against your wishes. You need to be safe to say “no” and she needs to respect your wishes or seek counseling and therapy
**Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor**: I mean, aftershave is mainly isopropyl alcohol. It's fine. Apply some lotion.
**Physician - Pediatrics**: No
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Throw away because I’m ashamed (18f)
Me and my bf were trying to have some sexy time. But at one point he accidentally went in the wrong hole. I’m not bleeding light, but it’s also not a “I’m literally dying” kind of bleeding either. I’m not sure if I should go to the doctor. It hurts a bit and bleeds a bit more but I feel fine. It was two external rips. What should I do?
Edit: everyone needs to stop saying I was raped. I’ve been sexually assaulted before, this was not that. He was just a bit too drunk, a bit too eager, and a bit too slippery. All he got in was the tip before I yelped and he pulled out immediately and profusely apologized. You don’t know my experience and I came here to get medical advice, not have random people argue about whether I’ve been raped without listening to any of my input
| 4
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**Physician - Emergency Medicine**: If you are having more than a small amount of bleeding or ar sin a lot of pain, I think it's definitely worth having this evaluated by the doctor. I would refrain from intercourse until the tears heal. If it is painful to have a bowel movement, can start a stool softener or laxative temporarily.
Also, your boyfriend needs an anatomy lesson and also potentially a lesson on consent. I am a bit wary of someone "accidentally going in the wrong hole" to the point where it causes tears. But there is is no need for *you* to feel ashamed. You did absolutely nothing wrong.
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