CheckEmoji Community · the emoji forum
🏠 Home 🆕 What's new ❓ Unanswered 🔥 Popular 📡 RSS Members 👥 0 online log in · register
Home › vividsailor7 › Posts

Posts by vividsailor7

862 posts shown.

Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice? in Health ·
Rebecca Reyes62 said:Thanks so much for the reply.

Don't mention it. Happy to help anytime.
Austin Jackson55 said:Dear all, I'm a 33-year-old male.
I reached out to my doctor because of intermittent dull pains in my groin, kidneys, joints, and bones (specifically my shins, femur, and forearms), and occasionally in my genitals.
The pain is dull and builds up suddenly before subsiding, sometimes migrating from the groin to my thighs.
There’s been noticeable weight loss over the past year, along with weakness and increasingly intense hand tremors. My blood pressure is elevated. I'm sweating heavily during the day, and periodically at night—and quite profusely at that.
My thyroid hormone levels came back normal.
PSA is normal; prostate volume is 26 cc.
Since I have several other tests pending (ultrasound and urological ones) and the wait is dragging on, I was hoping someone could tell me if these fluctuations in my values require an urgent doctor visit, or if they fall within a range that doesn't warrant serious concern. Just a note: I'm still waiting on my PTH results.
My most recent blood work (listing only the abnormal items):

MPV 6.23 (6.8 - 10.4)
Total calcium, 2.60 (2.14 - 2.53)
Total bilirubin 22.9 (3 - 20)
Alkaline phosphatase 43 (60 - 142)
Creatinine clearance 89.1 (90 - 138)

24-hour urine volume is 3600 mL.

Thanks!

1. These results aren't actually that bad.
2. It looks like borderline hypercalcemia paired with clear polyuria.
3. Did they run tests for AST, ALT, GGT, glucose, P, K, Na, Ca+++, creatinine, urea, urate, KKS, or CRP? And did they perform any other 24-hour urine analyses?
4. What are your actual blood pressure readings? Is the urination more pronounced at night, during the day, or roughly the same?
I assume you're waiting on an abdominal ultrasound? It's a good move that you had the PTH checked.
Given that you mentioned high blood pressure and polyuria, your first stop should be a nephrologist, and potentially an endocrinologist if needed.
5. Any family medical history?
To give you a more detailed opinion, I'm going to need a bit more information.
Jack Booth5 said:I’m writing this because I want to issue a massive warning to everyone: stop buying those fried dough treats from the street vendors downtown or over in the shopping districts. Most of these workers don't even have basic health permits, they're working in totally unsanitary conditions, and that "chocolate glaze" you think you're getting? It's basically just cheap oil mixed with a tiny bit of Nutella. They don't even change the frying oil throughout the day—they just keep recycling old, dirty oil and mixing it with a little bit of new stuff. The fact that they're using undocumented labor is directly tied to the poor quality of what you're eating. Their only goal is to exploit cheap labor and scam consumers just to pad their pockets.

Street food is already junk, but buying it under these conditions can actually be a serious threat to your health.

I don't see any major side effects beyond that, though sensitive people might deal with some GI issues like nausea, diarrhea, or stomach cramps—especially if you're someone who struggles with greasy foods.
Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice? in Health ·
Rebecca Reyes62 said:I know he really needs to see a doctor, I’ll try talking to him about it again...
He’s 52, and he’s dealing with frequent vomiting and constant diarrhea too...

This absolutely calls for a much more thorough GI workup, specifically an endoscopy of both the upper and lower GI tracts.
Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice? in Health ·
Rebecca Reyes62 said:Hey everyone... if anyone can help me out... it's about my dad. I'm really worried about him because he's been dealing with hemorrhoids for several years now. He bleeds a lot, gets stains on his clothes, and complains about the pain constantly—but the man is just incredibly stubborn. He flat-out refuses to see a doctor, even though I've begged him countless times...
I just need to know, is it dangerous if he doesn't get treated?...
thanks

1. First things first: he needs to see a doctor immediately. You can't just assume it's hemorrhoids; you have to rule out something more serious.
2. How old is he?
3. There's always a risk of infection in that area.
4. Has he mentioned any other gastrointestinal issues?
Chris Hayes9 said:I had some lab work done at Petrov

(S) lactate dehydrogenase: 217 U/L reference interval: (S) C reactive protein: 0.4 mg/L reference interval 0.0 - 5.0

- age - twenties
- reason for testing (your symptoms) - routine follow-up for Non-Hodgkin
- brief medical history - prior Non-Hodgkin, currently experiencing eating issues and hypoglycemia

The results look fine to me, but even though this 0.4 is within the normal range, I’m actually curious about what it signifies.

Thanks in advance.

Everything looks normal.
Gerald Chase4 said:So, you’re telling me these issues are supposed to flare up every single time you exert yourself? Is that the deal here?

My neck X-ray results:

I can't see the image you're trying to share! It looks like the link is broken or the host site is acting up. If you want me to take a look at whatever you're posting about, try uploading it again or dropping a new link. I'm ready when you are.

The X-ray report and the radiologist’s official opinion regarding the colon findings state the following:

Digestive issues aren't just a single thing—they manifest in a dozen different, equally miserable ways. For me, digestion can be an absolute nightmare. After a heavy meal, I’ll actually feel my stomach pulsing. There are times when it feels like my stomach is physically shoving upward against my diaphragm, plus I deal with acid reflux constantly. Then there’s the constipation, and occasionally, I get this lightheadedness because my digestive tract is working so intensely it practically makes my head spin. Sometimes, as the food moves through, I get this sharp stinging or burning sensation right in the middle of my abdomen, and even down low near my bladder—usually right before the heartburn kicks in. A few times now, I’ve had this excruciating pain behind my navel. It’s so intense that I can barely move; it feels like someone drove a literal nail into my gut. It usually lasts a few minutes and only subsides once things finally start moving along. I know I’m being irresponsible by not getting checked out. I keep telling myself I need to schedule some tests, but honestly? The mere thought of a gastroscopy absolutely terrifies me.

More or less, yeah.
As far as your digestion goes, you’re likely looking at Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I’m talking about a functional disorder here—not some organic disease or structural issue, just your gut acting up.
Look, if you want my honest opinion, you need to get on a strict diet and start moving. No excuses. It’s non-negotiable.
During those "attacks," you might want to try sipping on some Gastrolite or even just sticking to a natural remedy like Pepto-Bismol drops. Give it a shot and see if it actually helps settle things down.
Bottom line? I don't see any reason for you all to be stressing out.
urbanlynx23 said:I am seriously about to lose my mind—like, completely snap!!! I need some urgent advice or if anyone has gone through something similar right now!
(...)

I’ve never even heard of "corinic" inflammation of the small intestine. There's Time disease and UC, plus a few other rare ones.
Now where on earth is pneumonia coming from?!🤷
Just give us a quick two or three lines about what symptoms you're actually dealing with right now.
CRP rises much faster than ESR, and it's a far better indicator anyway.
Gerald Chase4 said:I'm 27 years old. I smoke—averaging about half a pack a day—and I drink a few times a month. I'm 6'3" and 230 lbs, pretty out of shape, and mostly sedentary.
The issues I definitely deal with are digestive problems and spinal issues, specifically in my neck. Neither of my parents, nor their parents or the rest of the family, have any history of cardiovascular disease. However, both of my parents struggle with spinal issues and stomach/digestive problems.
(...)
Basically, do I have any reason to worry?

First off, what kind of stomach issues are we talking about here? You haven't even specified what changes they actually found on your spinal X-ray.
2.Look, you’ve already done plenty of testing (heart echo, EKG, dopplers, spinal X-rays).
Honestly, I don't think you have anything to worry about. The only thing I'd consider adding is a stress test, but only if those chest pains start popping up when you're actually exerting yourself.
Drug talk - Q&A session in Health ·
slysailor25 said:He actually went through a twelve-panel drug test yesterday, but his urine came back totally clean even though you could tell just by looking at him that he was high as a kite.

Wait a second. Why are we so damn sure it's drugs? If you're seeing these massive shifts in behavior, we shouldn't just jump to narcotics. For all we know, he could be dealing with some kind of mental health issue.
Drug talk - Q&A session in Health ·
slysailor25 said:I’ve got a relative who is clearly using drugs, but every single time they go to get tested, the results come back clean, even though it’s obvious to everyone that they’re high all the time, so I was wondering if anyone could explain how someone actually manages to hide it well enough to pass a drug test like that.

That really depends on what they're using and what specific kind of screen they're taking.
Tuberculosis awareness in Health ·
darkpilot19 said:Hi there!
Sorry for dropping this question here—I actually started a separate thread earlier, but I didn't realize this one already existed.
So, here’s my situation. Two people in my family have been diagnosed with TBC... For my part, I’m not feeling any symptoms at all (I'm away at college most of the time anyway), but my folks are breathing down my neck to head home immediately for testing. Apparently, under the Communicable Disease Act here in the States, it's a legal issue if you have TBC and don't report it—they're worried I might accidentally infect someone on campus. But honestly? I feel perfectly fine. It doesn't bother me one bit... and besides, how could anyone even sue me when I don't even know if I'm sick? What kind of law is that anyway?? I'm just so frustrated because I can't figure out how to head home without missing mandatory lectures—I can't afford any more absences or lost credits, and getting medical excuses isn't really an option right now.... I'm wondering if those sputum tests are actually reliable for proving whether I have TBC or not. I did provide samples in sterile containers two days in a row. Also, does a law like that truly exist in the US? And is there any way to see a pulmonologist locally in a city like Chicago to get immediate answers, and if so, what would that cost? (I don't have health insurance, not through school or anything else). PLEASE, IF ANYONE KNOWS THE ANSWERS TO ANY OF THIS, PLEASE GUIDE ME!!! This whole thing is just overwhelming, and I've got enough on my plate right now. Please help me.

If the sputum comes back negative, then you don't have TBC.
Blood clot concerns? in Health ·
dustybear14 said:No way, my leg feels completely fine!! There aren't any visible changes at all. Except... well, there's this occasional pain. It’s like a tiny muscle spasm that just hits me out of nowhere... it tightens up right in one specific spot, maybe the size of a walnut or something.

And I am on birth control.

Since you're taking oral contraceptives, you really ought to get some bloodwork done first: a coagulation profile, liver function tests, a lipid panel, blood glucose, electrolytes, plus CK and LDH levels.
Naturally, you need to check in with your primary care physician or OB-GYN first. Based on what they find clinically, they can refer you to the appropriate specialist for further testing.
Blood clot concerns? in Health ·
dustybear14 said:Hey there,

I’m 26, and because of my job, I’ve been forced to sit around for basically the entire day for the last month. On top of that, I haven't really had much motivation to get up and move on my own...😢 About two weeks ago, I started feeling this pain in my left lower leg. It’s a weird sensation—even if I flex the muscle, the pain stays right there, almost like it's just constant while the leg is at rest. For instance, I’ll wake up from a dream and my leg is hurting. If I wiggle my foot around, the pain subsides for a bit, but then it starts creeping back—it feels like an internal cramp localized in just one spot. I also deal with poor circulation.
The pain comes and goes, but I’m honestly worried it might be something serious.

P.s. Yesterday, I was sitting on the toilet for over 10 minutes (not because of digestion issues, I was just using it as a seat), and during those 10 minutes, that exact leg went totally numb from the pain! And it wasn't just the lower part; the whole leg went numb. This happened once before this summer too.

If anyone recognizes these symptoms or can offer some help—thanks!

Best,
dustybear14

Is the leg swollen, blue, or warm to the touch?
Are you on any birth control?
World AIDS Day in Health ·
Alright, I’m going to pull myself together and finally get this off my chest.
I honestly don't get why people still treat HIV/AIDS like some forbidden topic you can't mention in polite company.
But look, it hits different when it’s your own life on the line. It’s always easier to lecture someone else about being careful than it is to face the reality of your own choices.
I'll be blunt: I had a few risky encounters—nothing to brag about, obviously.
Afterward, I decided to go get tested. Thank God I did, because everything came back negative, and I learned a massive lesson from the experience.
So, here is my takeaway: There is absolutely no shame in seeking help or getting checked. The real disgrace is sitting on your hands and doing nothing.
It’s also beyond infuriating that even in this day and age, you still run into doctors who hold these outdated, ignorant views. Some of them actually still think it's strictly a "gay issue" or act like homosexuality itself is some kind of sickness.
Michelle Williams5 said:I’m also looking for some advice here. It’s regarding my nephew.
He’s 23 years old, about 5'7", and weighs around 220 lbs. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, nothing like that. About a week ago, his hearing started getting a bit muffled, and he’s been dealing with this constant ringing in his ears. Since he normally struggles with wax buildup, he tried flushing his ears out himself, but it didn't do a thing. At the ER, they gave him Klavocin, used hydrogen peroxide to flush the ears, and prescribed nasal drops. On top of that, his blood pressure was clocked at 160/100 on three separate occasions over different days. After taking the meds, his ears feel a little better, but he just got his blood work back today. Everything looks normal except for his liver enzymes, which are through the roof—AST is 101, ALT is 330, and GGT is 133. That’s pretty significant. For now, the doctor told him to stick to a zero-salt, zero-alcohol diet for twenty days before retesting. I’m wondering why those enzymes would be that high—could it be linked to the high blood pressure? I’d really appreciate any insight or explanations.

He needs to follow a strict liver-friendly diet for about 2-3 weeks, then redo the tests if things still look pathological. If necessary, an abdominal ultrasound should be done, along with testing for hepatitis markers, ALP, a lipid panel, fasting glucose, bilirubin, etc.
Regular blood pressure monitoring is essential.
Follow up with an ENT specialist if needed.
Patrick Miller3 said:low values:

erythrocytes 4.28 4.34-5.72
hemoglobin 127 138-175
hematocrit 0.372 0.415-0530

cholesterol 6.3
triglycerides 4.8

iron 13 (mentioning this because it's pretty low, even if it's technically within range)

everything else is fine; I had a full blood panel done.

I get hit with this crushing weakness at work every single day around 3 PM, and eating something doesn't even help.
I've actually gained quite a bit of weight because of this constant fatigue—I'm sitting at 242 lbs at 6'3".

I feel weak and my facial skin looks somewhat pale; appetite is good, I don't smoke, though I occasionally have a drink just to "kill" the exhaustion.

I bought three stool sample kits today because there's some suspicion regarding GI bleeding. If it's not that, then there's probably a million more tests to come to figure out what kind of anemia this is. I'm asking if anyone here has dealt with similar results and managed to speed up the diagnostic process, so I can tell my doctor what we should be "investigating" next.🙂

Your BMI is high (30.5), and on top of that, you have hyperlipidemia with significantly elevated triglycerides.
How old are you?
1. You really need to focus on your diet and nutrition.
2. Your E, Hgb, and Hct levels are within the broader normal ranges.
3. Have you run any other tests yet, like transaminases or blood glucose?
4. You need to check your blood pressure.
Why is there suspicion of GI bleeding? What specific symptoms are you having?
Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice? in Health ·
Paul Hayes45 said:Hey everyone,

Lately, I've been feeling like passing stool is getting significantly harder. My anal area feels really tight, and when I check myself, I can feel some swelling under my finger—probably just swollen veins. Every now and then, I use some Hemopropin cream, but I can't keep applying it twice a day constantly, and honestly, it isn't doing much for me.
Is there any kind of "instant fix" for mild cases?
Maybe some pills or something similar... 🤷
(Just to note, it's about <25g)

You need to go see your doctor. They will most likely refer you to a proctologist.
It is absolutely critical that someone actually examines this so you can start treatment immediately.
mellowraven32 said:Are we talking about Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim here?
I mean, suggesting Solutrim is just showing favoritism toward one specific pharma company... 🙂
Just kidding, mostly. 🙂

No hard feelings.😉 👍

Daniel Roberts said:Can someone make sense of this for me?

Laboratory Hematology results:
Sedimentation : 3mm/h (2-12)
Leukocytes : 5.2G/L (4.4-11.6)
Blasts : 0% (0)
Promyelocytes : 0% (0)
Myelocytes : 0% (0)
Metamyelocytes : 0% (0)
Unsegmented : 0% (0)
Segmented : 28% (44-72)
Eosinophils : 7 % (0-7)
Basophils : 1 % (0-1)
Prolymphocytes : 0% (0)
Lymphocytes : 44% (20-46)
Monocytes : 21% (2-12)
Erythrocytes : 5.39T/L (4.43-5.88)
Hematocrit : 0.485L/L (0.390-0.487)
MCV : 83.3fL (76.5-92.1)
MCH : 28.4pg (24.3-31.5)
MCHC : 341g/L (304-346)
RDW : 14.2% (11.6-14.3)
Platelets : 201G/L (178-420)

I'm 16 years old, and I had this blood work done because of weakness, fainting spells, sinus inflammation, coughing, and headaches.

Everything looks fine.
driftingotter51 said:Nothing special, just some stinging, a bit of dryness, and a little itching.

It’s probably a UTI. You need to get an antibiotic—personally, I’d go with Solutrim.