Posts by vividsailor7

graniteowl61 said:I figured I’d jump in here because I’m pretty sure I’m dealing with external hemorrhoids. Looking through the last few pages, it seems like bad diet, constipation, and alcohol are big triggers. I’ve been struggling with my digestion for quite a while now—basically chronic constipation. There were times when I wouldn't go for days on end. Recently, I started working out regularly and watching what I eat to kickstart my metabolism, plus I don't drink alcohol anyway. I also picked up some herbal tea for digestion from Whole Foods, and honestly, my digestion has finally stabilized. But then this past Saturday, I felt this weird pressure in the rectal area, and when I check, I can feel two little lumps that are actually kind of painful.
The real kicker is that I just started a new job where I have to sit at a desk for 8 hours straight because I don't have any other choice. What do you guys suggest? Should I go see a doctor right away, or should I just grab some Faktu ointment and start applying it?

You can try using Hemophar for a week or two. If the symptoms don't clear up or start feeling better by then, you definitely need to go see your doctor.

frozengardener57 said:Help!
For the last two days, I’ve been taking 1/4 of a Prozac tablet before bed, along with 0.25 mg of Xanax..
My plan is to gradually work my way up to 10 mg.

However, I woke up today feeling absolutely terrified. All my symptoms—the anxiety, the intrusive thoughts—are dialed up to eleven! I know the beginning phase is always rough and the body needs time to adjust, but I honestly didn't expect this much intensity from such a tiny starting dose.
I am also genuinely worried about becoming dependent on Xanax if I end up needing to take it three times a day.

I just took another 0.25 mg, but it hasn't fully calmed me down. I'm panicking a little... is this medication actually going to help me at all? 🙂🙂
What has your experience been like?

One quarter of how many milligrams are we talking about here—5, 10, 15, or 20mg? Regardless, what you're feeling is totally normal at the start of treatment.

Patrick Stewart7 said:Can someone please help me out here? I need to get some skin changes around my anal area checked out. Should I see a dermatologist or a proctologist?

Start with a dermatologist. If they decide it’s something else, then you go see the proctologist.

bluebadger12 said:So, I’m checking back in—the urine culture came back COMPLETELY STERILE!

I honestly don't know who's losing their mind here or what on earth is going on, but seriously? If there was an infection, how does it just vanish in a day and a half because of some herbal tea? One minute I've got high Leukocytes and a ton of bacteria, and the next, everything is "sterile." It's driving me insane because I have no clue what to make of this... Maybe the pain is actually caused by GERD, or maybe it's just all the anxiety I'm manufacturing in my own head. Either way, I'm going to have to redo the test... 😕

You really need to repeat that test; it might have just been contamination.

Taylor Smith3 said:Greetings. I took Cilest yesterday at 7:00 PM, but then I caught a stomach bug and have been dealing with vomiting and diarrhea since about 1:33 AM. I am wondering if the tablet was actually absorbed, or if I should take another dose—honestly, I’m just lost because everyone online seems to have a different opinion. I recall seeing somewhere in the Cilest instructions that if the vomiting and diarrhea last less than 12 hours, you should take a new tablet, but if they persist longer, you need to consult a doctor. It is quite inconvenient timing, considering it's the weekend. 🙂

There’s a very real possibility we're looking at insufficient absorption here. You really should take what northernfalcon30 said to heart—she’s spot on. And look, if you happened to toss the instructions that came with the Cilest, don't just sit there; go find them online immediately. Seriously, do yourself a favor. Best regards.

Casey Jones5 said:😢

Wait, isn't that covered by insurance or something? You know, for those really serious, heavy-hitting illnesses?

Look, I honestly have no idea what you people want from me. Do you want me to play doctor and guess a diagnosis based on a list of symptoms you typed out? Or do you just want me to say "I don't know"? If someone doesn't want to share their medical details, there's usually a damn good reason for it.🤷

Paul Smith16 said:Hey!! I need some advice... So, I was prescribed Lindynette 30, but it's not for preventing pregnancy—it's for cycle regulation. My periods are irregular, and my doctor suggested these pills, but since I also deal with epilepsy, how smart is that actually?
Has anyone here dealt with this before? Please help!

Look, if the doctor who prescribed the Lindynette actually knows about your epilepsy and is aware of your current treatment plan, then just take them. If they don't know, go back and tell them immediately. Simple as that. Best regards.

Casey Jones5 said:This might sound a bit weird or even stupid, but here’s the deal: I have a strong suspicion that someone I've known for a long time is hiding some serious health issues.😢

I’ve had my doubts for a while now, but I’m almost certain at this point because this person recently paid for something—I don't know exactly what, but I know it involved some kind of hospital treatment—and the amount was roughly $$4000.

I actually tried asking them directly before I found this out, but that didn't help one bit; if anything, it just made things worse. I can't risk running into that kind of reaction again.😢

Other than the price tag, I don't have much info, but I'll tell you what I can. This individual (male) suffers from frequent, brutal headaches, an erratic appetite (some days he eats like it's his last meal on earth, other days he won't eat at all), and he's always thin. He's withdrawn, often so weak he can barely stand, and he occasionally gets nosebleeds along with those headaches.

On top of that, I know he buys some kind of pills once a month, and he pays about $$67 per box out of pocket. (He has supplemental insurance, but I have no idea if what he's buying is covered or not). This whole situation has been going on for about six months now.

One more thing—I'm not sure if it's related, but he's also developed this irrational fear of the dark.😕

I apologize for such a silly thread, but I honestly didn't know where else to turn. If anyone knows of any procedure, surgery, or therapy that Medicare wouldn't cover that costs roughly that much, please let me know.

The problem is, I'm not even sure if that $$4000 was a flat fee or maybe even a per-meal cost. :\

So, if anyone knows of any surgeries or treatments for symptoms like these that would run somewhere between $10,000 and $$10000, I would be incredibly grateful.

Again, sorry for the random topic, and thank you so much for any input.

Maybe a brain tumor.🤷

jaderanger66 said:How much control can they actually have over it if a parent can't even keep an eye on their kid during the day?

That’s exactly the point—it’s designed for kids.

Larry Morales12 said:My doctor just handed me an orthopedic referral, but instead of the usual "consultation" or whatever procedure I actually need, it just has this code: "meniscus lesion right knee 11012." Does anyone actually know what that specific number means?

It’s just their new way of listing things—it's basically just the service billing code.

Justin White67 said:In English, it's called "winged scapula."

My right shoulder blade is sticking out like crazy. Honestly, when I’m just sitting at the table for dinner, I have to sit perfectly upright, otherwise, I get this intense, burning sensation... I managed to push through it for a long time, but I am officially fed up with it. I also have some mild scoliosis which my doctor said is basically because I spend way too much time hunched over my computer screen...

Can anyone recommend some exercises to help fix this scapula issue? I'm a teenager, I actually have the motivation to do the work—which is half the battle, right? 🙂

You need to go see an orthopedist and a physiatrist immediately.

bluebadger12 said:It’s me again :S. I was at the doctor today and she gave me a referral for a urine culture and antibiotic sensitivity test, which I’ll get done tomorrow morning. She was staring at my urinalysis and seemed really puzzled, asking if I’d been vomiting? I totally panicked and blurted out "no" immediately—nothing serious happened, but I just spiraled. Then I actually looked closer at the results and noticed some things I missed before. The values and reference ranges look weird and I don't get them. Please, I need some experts to weigh in because I'm freaking out.

Turbid
Leukocytes: 20
Bacteria: many

The following are also on there:

Ketones +++ neg to +++ neg
Urobilinogen + norm to +++ norm
Bilirubin ++ neg to +++ neg

I was only looking at the numbers, so I didn't even notice those stupid little plus signs. Based on the raw values, everything seems within range, but those pluses suggest something is actually going on, right?
And don't even get me started on what I found when I Googled "bilirubin in urine"... it was terrifying 🙂 .... The doctor mentioned that the urine culture could be ready in just a few hours at the local private clinic. Is that actually possible? I thought you had to wait days for that... Thanks in advance for the help...

Those urine results are most likely incidental findings; they need to be repeated. And you definitely need to get that culture done, which it sounds like you already are. Best regards.

Casey Rogers47 said:The doctor wrote down John Doe on my chart.
She suggested physical therapy using electrical stimulation, some custom exercises just for me, and water aerobics.
I also need to get a CT scan of my lower spine and run some blood work.

We're looking at lower back pain caused by a disc injury. There are really only two ways this goes.
1. Physical therapy and kinesiology.
2. Surgery.
Since you don't meet the absolute criteria for surgery, option number one is your path.

velvetowl16 said:Can someone please help me make sense of this biopsy report? I’ve been dealing with this incredibly annoying itch on my legs for three months now. My dermatologist suspected Lichen Planus, so she did a skin biopsy. I just picked up the results today and I really need some clarification on what this actually means:
A 0.3cm skin sample was analyzed. Histologically, the surface shows hyperkeratotic and orthokeratotic epidermis, while sparse lymphocytic infiltrates are found pericapillary within the papillary dermis. The histological finding is non-specific and cannot confirm a diagnosis of Lichen Planus. Dr. Harvey, I still owe you those reports regarding my friend's issues with brain function and aphasia, but I should have them later this week and will update you with the exact diagnosis!

Dermatitis.

Angela Wright said:Patients certainly have the right to seek a second opinion, but there’s no legal definition for what actually constitutes one—so, just like the doctor mentioned, Medicare doesn't officially cover it.
That said, nobody is stopping her from writing a referral to a specialist at whatever facility the patient chooses. It doesn't strictly need to be labeled "second opinion" on the paperwork. Honestly, it all comes down to being resourceful and having a little bit of goodwill.

Thanks, I forgot to mention that.

Nicholas Wright56 said:So, are you absolutely certain about that?
I mean, if we're talking about gynecological issues—I have my preferred specialist, but I might want to get a Second opinion from someone working over at the University Hospital. In that specific scenario, would my regular specialist provide the referral for that second opinion, or would it still need to come from my primary care doctor?

I actually remember a situation from maybe two years ago where someone was going to the University Hospital for gynecological exams instead of seeing their own specialist, yet it was that very same specialist who was providing all the referrals for the hospital visits.

It also confused me quite a bit when I asked my gynecologist about getting an ultrasound for my breasts; she mentioned that the referral has to come from my primary care doctor rather than from her.

So, say there are OB/GYN issues—I've got my preferred gynecologist, but I want a second opinion from a specialist at the University Hospital. Does my current gynecologist handle the referral for that second opinion, or is it the primary care doctor again? The gynecologist.
Asked about a breast ultrasound—was told the primary care doctor handles that referral instead. Primary care doctor.
And you're sure about that? Yes.
Look, let's say you come to see me in an outpatient clinic and you aren't happy with my assessment. You head straight to your primary care physician, tell them what happened, and they refer you back to an internist. It could be the same hospital, or it could be a completely different one.

Brandon Hayes4 said:And regarding Lyme disease, if you could maybe walk me through some more details... I know it’s linked to those nasty ticks, and honestly, I’m already dealing with enough since I fought my way through meningitis about two years back.

Look, stop guessing. Get in touch with your primary care physician immediately and get a full metabolic panel done. Once those blood results are in, we'll actually have something real to work with.

Nicholas Wright56 said:I guess I am just wondering who would actually provide the referral if I wanted to see someone else through Medicare... since I pay for supplemental insurance and I'm currently between jobs, paying out-of-pocket for private specialists might be a bit much for me right now.

It's your primary care physician.

Nicholas Wright56 said:I suppose I also wasn't aware that I had the right to request a second opinion, so I ended up paying for private care instead.
Now I find myself wondering about the next steps: I actually switched dentists because, thanks to my previous one, I've been dealing with decayed teeth for about a year and a half (which were clearly visible under the filling in last January's X-ray, though I'm not quite sure if she simply missed them or chose not to notice). Anyway, my new dentist just opened up those teeth and the decay has spread quite extensively... she's worried it might lead to tooth necrosis. I still have about five dark fillings left, and the gums around one specific tooth are incredibly painful, sensitive, and receding; I’d really like her to check under that one too, just in case there's decay hiding underneath.
I am hopeful that I can coordinate this plan with her, as I truly want to get these teeth sorted out once and for all... I've always been diligent about dental visits, so it feels a bit overwhelming to realize how many teeth need work now.
A few days ago, since these repairs are going to take some time, I suggested to her that maybe we could take another set of X-rays just to make sure everything looks okay, but she immediately shook her head and said it wasn't necessary, explaining that sometimes decay doesn't show up clearly on an image.
On top of that, I'm struggling with periodontitis, my teeth are generally aching, and I feel like my whole body is just completely out of sync. I haven't been feeling well at all... I've gone through quite a few tests, but nothing concrete has come back yet, though my cholesterol is high and I think my prolactin levels are elevated, which probably all points toward stress.

So, what's weighing on my mind right now is whether I can officially seek a second opinion, and if so, who handles the referral for that? Would it be my primary care physician, or perhaps the specific dentist I've chosen?

You absolutely have the right to a Second opinion. You can see another doctor through Medicare or go private; it's entirely your call.

darkdrifter10 said:I didn't set out to lose weight, I really didn't. Now I'm sitting here wondering if this could all be tied back to my stomach issues and nervous tension? Is that even a thing?😕
Aside from that, I don't have any health issues to speak of. Period.

You guys can't make up your minds! One minute you’re claiming you have stomach pains, and the next, you're insisting there isn't a single health issue to speak of. You really need to get your stories straight. Seriously, go see your primary care physician or, better yet, a specialist gastroenterologist immediately. Digestive issues like gastritis, Crohn’s disease, or Ulcerative Colitis could very easily be the root cause of what you're feeling. Don't just brush it off.