crimsongull20 said:I think you really need to see a solid internist (specifically a gastroenterologist) and a cardiologist, then follow through with every single test those specialists recommend. To me, you don't come across at all as someone who is mentally unstable—there’s nothing in your posts that suggests any psychological issues. Beyond that, it is incredibly risky to just assume a physical symptom is "all in your head" and ignore an illness that might be easily treated early on, only to have it turn into a massive problem later.
P.S. Have you had a colonoscopy yet?
Just because someone experiences a symptom related to their mental state doesn't mean they are "unstable" (not crazy or anything like that), nor was that what I was implying to him. I'm not mentally unstable myself, but that doesn't mean I can't experience somatization in certain stressful situations.
Secondly, I did not tell him to ignore his medical results or tests, but rather to take those results to a psychiatrist (who will review them) to have a conversation and either confirm or rule out a potential psychological connection.
Psychiatrists are doctors too; they know how to read lab work, and they very frequently see patients who have completed every possible test only to find nothing physically wrong.
The gentleman noted quite clearly that his previous tests showed everything was fine, aside from having a bit of extra acid in his Stomach. I just want to point out that this is one possibility that shouldn't be automatically ruled out.
As for the breathing issues he described so specifically—he should definitely see a pulmonologist, though based on his description, it sounds like somatization caused by tension.
I would honestly love to find a way to get rid of this too. For me, it’s pretty clear what triggered it—a few incredibly stressful things all hitting the fan at once. Luckily, I'm not an athlete, so I can still function relatively normally, but it’s still incredibly annoying. I feel like I’m constantly sighing or trying to force a yawn just to catch my breath. On top of that, I’ve been seeing a psychotherapist for quite a while now (though this specific issue only popped up about two months ago), and so far, my therapist hasn't felt like I need any medication, other than continuing our regular sessions. They suggested yoga and meditation might help, but I'm one of those people who promises myself I'll do them every single day, only to end up saying, "I just don't have the time."
I'm not entirely sure what advice I could give you, but—if your medical tests are coming back fine, or at least nothing majorly concerning, as you mentioned—you should ask your doctor for a referral to a psychiatric clinic to get an evaluation. Just explain your symptoms and bring your test results along; they should be able to determine if it's what I suspect it is. If you're feeling rushed because of sports or physical activity, maybe consider seeing someone privately for a quicker turnaround.
In the meantime, just try your best to relax. The less you hyper-focus on these symptoms, the less they tend to bother you. It seems like the more you dwell on it, the more intense it gets. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Chest (physical anxiety sensations often felt in the chest region):
* Discomfort or pain in the Chest * Worrying about heart health * Feeling like you need to manually trigger your breathing * Shortness of breath, a sense of suffocation, or general difficulty breathing * Excessive yawning while trying to grab enough air
Mouth/Stomach (anxiety symptoms that manifest in the Mouth/Stomach area):
* An odd, "metallic," "tinny," or ammonia-like taste or scent * Aerophagia (excessive air swallowing, bloating, or frequent belching) * A burning sensation in the Mouth, including tingling or a "pins and needles" feeling (either alone or combined) * A burning sensation on the tongue, such as tingling or prickling (either alone or combined) * A choking sensation * Persistent cravings for sugar or sweets * Constipation * Diarrhe
I can't speak to anything regarding digestion—that's outside my wheelhouse—but when it comes to breathing, I am 100% certain that what you're describing isn't a digestive issue or a lung disease. It sounds like a textbook symptom of somatized anxiety. The tricky part is that you don't even have to feel consciously anxious or tense for this to happen; that's exactly why physical symptoms exist. They act as a release valve, allowing the mind to vent through the body so you don't have to face the direct psychological distress. As much as a non-expert like me can explain it. I also know plenty of people who will go to any lengths to find a purely physical cause for their discomfort or hunt for a medical diagnosis, simply because they want to avoid anything related to mental health. In America, there’s still such a huge stigma surrounding psychological issues; many people find the topic deeply embarrassing or taboo.
Of course, I could be wrong, but it's always helpful to look at a problem from multiple angles. You mentioned in your opening post that this situation is driving you crazy, so clearly, you aren't feeling calm right now.
It’s actually Aerophagia, because you’re constantly swallowing air while trying to take those deep breaths.
Anyway, if it turns out this is all driven by anxiety, there are plenty of ways to handle it. So many of these seemingly complex symptoms eventually reveal themselves to be rooted in psychological factors—basically just physical manifestations of mental tension.
crimsongull20 said:If I were dealing with breathing issues, my first move would be to see a pulmonologist.
I don't think the issue he’s describing is something for a pulmonologist; it sounds much more like a physical symptom of anxiety. I'm not entirely sure if there's a connection to his digestion or if those are just two separate things happening at once. Personally, I’ve been dealing with this exact sensation for about 2 or 3 months now, and I know exactly what's causing it.
Since I've had asthma since I was a little kid, I definitely know the difference. This isn't shortness of breath—my lungs are perfectly clear, everything checks out, so it's definitely not asthma or any other physical ailment. It’s just that feeling where I can't quite take a full, deep breath, and it’s really bothersome. I'm expecting it to settle down on its own once my nerves calm down and the situation that triggered it passes.
You might want to try Googling "anxiety symptoms" just to see if they match up.
They did a thorough job and didn't find anything at all. I'm not saying you shouldn't get checked out , but I also don't think we should go hunting for cancer every single time someone runs a fever. I totally get why you're so focused on this, given your background and how much you contribute to the Health section, but I really don't believe we should always jump to the worst-case scenario and fuel that kind of pessimism. It’s common knowledge how much our mental state can impact physical health, and there's that old saying—if you go looking for trouble, you'll find it. Most likely, she's perfectly fine, but constantly scaring people can actually cause real issues down the road. That’s my take on it.
My boss's wife is an oncologist, and honestly, every time her kid so muchally sneezes, she starts seeing cancer everywhere. I even saw your post where you were warning girls about ovarian cancer if they haven't seen a gynecologist lately. Look, people do die from cancer, and I have several cases in my own family, plus I personally manage two chronic conditions (MS and asthma), but I truly don't think we should be terrorizing people into thinking everything is a malignancy. We need to stay grounded and optimistic; hypochondria doesn't help anyone, and more often than not, it's just a symptom of underlying anxiety. For instance, in that psychology PDF, everyone seems convinced they have heart issues or neurological disorders.
I’d honestly bet money that everything is going to turn out just fine with both your tooth and that blister. I'll go a step further and bet that all those symptoms will eventually fade away just as they appeared—once you stop obsessing over them.
Maria Howard27 said:Things were actually looking better until about a week ago when I came down with chronic sinusitis and started taking Lekoklar 500 mg, which has been giving me terrible insomnia.
Sorry, but that doesn't really add up. You might have developed a sinus infection, but you can't just "get" chronic sinusitis out of nowhere in a single week. It just doesn't work like that. A sinus infection is usually only classified as chronic if it’s been hanging around for a year or more—if anything, even then it's debatable.
Also, in my opinion, running a fever or dealing with common colds isn't an indicator of something malignant. Pardon my French, but I'm not a doctor or anything—I just think there's no need for all this drama. You should try to relax and stop checking your temperature five times a day. It feels like you might be leaning a little toward hypochondria.
I absolutely loved the Film, and now I’m dying to dive into the book—does anyone know where I can pick it up? I read in English, so finding an English edition shouldn't be an issue. Is it available on Algorithm?
Look, everything is fine by me. Personally, I don't care if someone is wearing a bra or not—it’s whatever. I just used that as an example. I honestly don't get why some people feel the need to pick fights or be provocative; my posts are always reasoned and well-explained, and I won't back down unless someone actually gets under my skin. I believe I've made my point clear, so there's really no need to keep repeating myself. What bothers me are these extreme, polarized viewpoints. It’s either "doctors are perfect saints and flawless professionals while patients are just spoiled, narrow-minded Neanderthals who hate medical students," or it's "doctors are immoral, arrogant jerks who see patients as nothing more than a diagnosis or a slab of meat." The truth isn't found at either of those extremes. That is exactly why we have protocols in place, why questions are encouraged, and why patients have a voice to say "no" when they need to.
swiftbear86 said:I haven't actually seen a single direct answer regarding who specifically should be learning this way....
That’s strange, because most of us here have already pointed out that, OF COURSE, students can and should learn from patients. Provided they follow professional protocols, basic etiquette, and show genuine respect by asking the patient if they are comfortable with it first—in which case, most patients would likely say yes.
Every single one of your questions has already been answered in great detail right here in this thread, so if you just take a moment to read through a few of the previous posts... There’s really no need to keep repeating things; we’ve all laid out our points and shared our arguments already.
It’s mostly because things dry out overnight—especially if you're a mouth breather or if you have the central heating cranked up—and honestly, even smoking won't help fix that.
No, I’m not being paranoid about them checking out my chest. Honestly, given how many checkups, follow-ups, and therapy sessions I go through, I really can't afford to be paranoid. That doesn't mean I'm brain-dead, though. Thanks for your input.
What do you mean by "exaggerating"? Are you suggesting I'm lying? Honestly, I don't have anything better to do with my time, and I certainly don't have the energy for nonsense. Over the last three years, I've averaged about two or three appointments a month for various checkups and treatments. While I’ve had plenty of wonderful experiences with incredibly professional people, I occasionally run into these other types. I have no issue being honest about either side. And just to be clear, I never claimed they were doing this for sexual gratification—I won't speculate on their motives, I am simply stating the facts of what happened. For instance, (take a look at that thread regarding gynecologists) why would a doctor perform an exam on a 15-year-old girl while she was completely naked, without her mother present, even though her mother was waiting right outside? That isn't how things are done. It was her very first exam and she had no idea what to expect, yet he knew perfectly well that patients don't just strip naked for a gynecological exam or parade around an office like that. He clearly took advantage of the situation. So, please, spare me the hysterical laughing. You might find this funny now, but one day it might not be so amusing to you. Though, it seems obvious that something about this topic actually excites you, otherwise, you wouldn't have even brought it up.
Regarding the claim that they aren't just some "creepy group of voyeurs," let's not forget how a few posts ago, one of the girls mentioned that four male med students were actually behind the door—with the Chief physician treatment's blessing, mind you—enjoying a view of her bare breasts. To top it off, he even gave them a conspiratorial wink and asked if they got a good look. So... it turns out doctors aren't always saints or paragons of professionalism. As patients, we see right through it; we aren't that naive.
Why is it that when certain doctors listen to my lungs, they can do it without me even taking off my bra, yet others insist I strip down before they'll perform an exam? And why does my bra seemingly never bother female doctors, but always seems to be an issue for the men? Having dealt with asthma since I was six and being well into my thirties now, I've gathered plenty of empirical data on this subject. And honestly, that's just the tip of the iceberg, so please spare me the lectures on "medical professionalism."
Brenda Cooper3 said:Honestly, I don't understand why everyone is getting so worked up! It's the exact same people who will be treating you tomorrow! It's not like they're some group of creepy voyeurs! Instead of being happy that there are smart young people eager to become doctors, you're all over here acting outraged! We aren't living in the Middle Ages where skin is a taboo subject. Get a grip! 🙄
And what exactly are you so outraged about? You're even making an issue out of the gynecology discussion. Can't you just be tolerant enough to accept the fact that people are different, and that not everyone shares your specific views or feelings?
If I'm not judging those who genuinely enjoy it (like you, apparently)—for instance, having ten students in a row examining them during a gynecological checkup without feeling exposed (at least not particularly)—then why do you feel the need to judge me and everyone else who finds that uncomfortable?
In principle, I can hold very progressive views; I didn't just crawl out of a cave yesterday, after all. I believe it's perfectly normal to visit a doctor, and it's completely normal that medical students need hands-on practice to learn. But at the same time, speaking as a HUMAN being rather than a politically correct persona, I still feel incredibly uneasy at the thought of ten different people looking at and touching my most intimate areas without question.
Apparently, some people find that extremely hard to grasp. I really hope you aren't planning to be a doctor or a healthcare worker, because I wouldn't want to end up in the office of a physician who would laugh in my face or tell me I'm "not normal" just because I won't permit violations of my own privacy. Doctors should be empathetic and respect their patients, not look down on them and their rights.
Besides, from what I know, medical students take Consultative Psychiatry. You could do well to look up the chapters on Patient-Physician Relationships, Patient Reactions to Illness, and Emergency Medicine—dealing with acute patients—to learn a little more about the actual human beings lying on that exam table.
Doctors are professionals, sure, but there is no such thing as a "professional patient." If you lack empathy today, I don't know when you'll ever find it.
Sam Hall15 said:It’s actually a great way to handle things—once a medical student gains enough experience, letting them take the lead on patient rounds and initiating contact can really help build their confidence, and honestly, it often makes the patient feel more at ease too.
I actually had a similar experience at an eye clinic once when a student was tasked with my exam. She came right up to me, led me back to the exam room, and had me go through all the standard tests like reading the fine print on the chart. To be honest, the whole thing was totally redundant for me since my actual doctor had already finished everything, but it was clearly necessary for her training. And you know what? I didn't mind at all.