/r/medical

Photograph via snooOG

Welcome to r/Medical! Your safe space for medical questions. -

Read the rules, ask and answer questions, and remember, your well-being matters here. -

This is a supportive community where you can explore, share, and learn about health and related topics. -

Join the conversation and let's navigate our medical curiosity together!

DO NOT MESSAGE MODERATORS WITH YOUR MEDICAL QUESTIONS, WE DO NOT ANSWER POST QUESTIONS THROUGH MODMAIL

THIS SUBREDDIT IS FOR MEDICAL QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION


IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL QUESTION, THINGS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR POST

Remember, the more information you can give, the better.

  1. Age of Sufferer
  2. Duration of Complaint
  3. Additional Symptoms?
  4. Past Medical History
  5. Anything else you think will help a medical professional assist you.

Please mark your post as NSFW if it is.


Do not post:

  1. Links to articles, pages, online stores etc
  2. Questions that intend to harm you or another person (suicide etc). Please seek help immediately. /r/SuicideWatch is a useful subreddit for seeking help. It never hurts to reach out.

Other Subreddits -

/r/DiagnoseMe

/r/Medical_Students

r/SurgicalDeviceRepair

/r/AskDocs


If you are a medical professional and would like to receive a flair, please visit the wiki for more information.


Rules

Please read the following thoroughly, if you do not understand then do not post or comment.

RULE 1 - Understand legal disclaimer
This is a discussion forum for medical topics. This is not a replacement for a medical evaluation. Many of our members are not medical professionals.

Posting in this community does not establish liability nor a professional-client relationship. If in doubt, consult qualified healthcare personnel.

Note: This community cannot provide emergency assistance. In urgent situations, seek immediate medical help.

RULE 2 - r/medical Purpose
r/medical is a space for all your health related questions, regardless of it being somatic, psychiatric, sexual—all medical related questions are permitted as long as they are within the confines of our rules—whether it's a common concern or a personal question, there's no judgment here. Every question is valid unless it poses harm.

While the advice shared isn't a replacement for professional diagnosis, consider it a supportive community for understanding your body and health.

RULE 3 Moderator and Community Manager's Discretion
The moderators and Community Managers of r/medical reserve the right to take any action that is in the best interests of the subreddit or its community.

This includes, but is not limited to, removing posts or comments, banning users, or changing the content, interpretation, or enforcement of these rules.

The goal is to foster a supportive and informative community.

Further information may not be provided.

RULE 4 - Community Safety
We prioritize kindness, respect and inclusivity. Jokes about serious topics like rape, death, self-harm or hurtful speech is strictly prohibited.

Misinformation has no place; offer only genuine advice. Protect privacy by censoring personal details before posting.

Foster an environment where questions are encouraged and learning about our bodies is embraced.

Familiarize with Reddiquette for guidance.

Remember to censor personal details before reposting to uphold privacy.

Violating this rule will result in a ban, either temporary or permanent depending on the severity and prior sanctions.

Rule 5 - Use Descriptive Titles for Your Post
Post titles should provide a clear and specific idea of your question or the photo content.

A descriptive title not only attracts users with relevant expertise but ensures you receive the most useful advice.

Avoid titles like 'What's this?' or 'Is this normal?' as they may not accurately state your concern, potentially restricting assistance.

Be specific, and informative in your titles, clarity increases the quality of assistance within the community.

RULE 6- No unsolicited PMs to users nor Moderators or Community Managers.
Do not PM users without consent.

Do not PM Moderators or Community Managers unless asked. Use ModMail for communication with the Mod Team.

Violators will be banned.

RULE 7 - No Claiming Unverified Credentials
Unflaired users can not claim medical expertise.

Professionals/students need verification to claim credentials - Flairs can be assigned through the official process - Visit our WIKI on how to becoming verified.

Note that misuse, harassment, or clearly spreading misinformation will lead to removal of the flair and ban.

RULE #8 - Health and Information Integrity.
r/medical prohibits content that poses risk/harm to self or others, or that spread misinformation.

Harmful practices; self-destructive behaviour; and non-evidence medical advice are strictly against our rules.

We aim for a safe space with accurate, evidence-based information.

Any violation will be met with sanctions.

RULE 9 - Private Area Questions
Posts including pictures/videos of parts of the body considered NSFW (regardless of gender), such as: nipples, breast, vulva, vagina, butt, anus, penis, testicles, or any part of the pubic area are strictly for people above the age of 18 and must include age in the title.

Minors (or parents on behalf of minors) are strictly prohibited from posting such content; any attempt will lead to an immediate and permanent ban to ensure the safety of all users.

RULE 10 - Self-Harm/Sexual-Assault/Cut Injury Related (read before posting)
Allowed with strict criteria—include TW SH/SA in title, and SPOILER tag.

Moderated heavily for safety; Mods or CMs may lock comments or remove posts to prevent trolling.

'What layer is this?' and similar posts will be removed.

SH or SA glorification will result in a permanent ban without warning.

For dedicated SH content, visit r/selfharm or r/selfharmscars.

For dedicated SA content, visit r/RapeCounseling or r/SexualAssult.

If you're suicidal, seek support on r/SuicideWatch.

Rule 11 - Substance/Medicine, and Bug bite/sting, Rash identification, or Cancer diagnosis request
We prohibit substance/medication identification or identifications for bites/stings or rashes, as it’s infeasible to identify based on a picture or description.

Consult Pharmacologist, Physician, or Dermatologist for these.

Posts speculating cancer based on symptoms, lesions, moles etc., will be removed. Cancer cannot be diagnosed or ruled out via Reddit; it's irresponsible to allow this type of speculation.

Rule 12 - No Fundraising; Advertising; Surveys: or Polls
No fundraising, advertising, surveys, or polls allowed on this subreddit.

While we support healthcare personnel and education, we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of personal information in surveys.

We treat everyone equally and have denied previous requests for fundraising, advertising, and surveys.

Rule 13 - Repost Frequency
Posts that are reposted within 24 hours will be removed.

Reposts are permitted once every 24 hours.

Repeatedly violating this rule may lead to a ban.

Rule 14 - Rabies or Amoeba Diagnosis Requests
Posts on rabies or amoeba (Naegleria fowleri, etc.) infection, as it is not possible to diagnose these over the internet.

If you suspect exposure to rabies, contact your local health department to discuss risk factors and determine if vaccination is necessary.

Rule 15 - No politics
Discussion of political matters is strictly prohibited within r/medical's community. This includes but is not limited to debates, opinions, or references to political figures, parties, policies, or ideologies.

Our focus is on providing support and information related to medical topics.

Any posts or comments that are politically charged will be removed, and repeated violations may result in a ban.

/r/medical

141,420 Subscribers

1

Help how to read this handwriting

1 Comment
2024/12/03
13:42 UTC

1

Strange pain post hiatus hernia and linx procedure surgery.

23, Male, 5'9, 75kg, no medication, ex smoker (smoked for a year at 17, lower left abdomen pain

I recently had a 2cm hiatus hernia fixed with the linx procedure aswell. Straight after waking up from surgery a felt almost a knot in my lower left abdomen about an inch left of my belly button along a numbness taking up a 2 by 2 inch region around it- assumed this was normal and would fade. 7 days later I flexed my core very slightly to stabilise myself and felt a weird pop sensation in the same place with an mild-moderate acute pain. Over the following two days the pain increased to a sore sensation deep in my abdomen around my small intestine (I'm also fairly constipated), alongside a burning sensation radiating to my skin, although the burning sensation only occurs when something runs lightly on my skin like my shirt, not when I press deeper or with consistent pressure, almost like my action potential is firing with reducing stimulation. In now 11 days post surgery and the intestinal pain isn't as bad, the constipation isn't as bad( although both are still present), yet the burning pain isn't ceasing at all. Also, I went to a&E 8 days after surgery and then said it's not infected, nor do I have a hernia in the region. Also the pain isn't on any of the wounds, it's about an inch and a half down from the wound.

Any ideas what could be going on? Nerve pain? Where should I go from here?

1 Comment
2024/12/03
12:56 UTC

1

Yellow phlegm, hoarseness, no fever

I am a 33 year old asthmatic female, non smoker or drinker. My daughter recently had croup and now I believe I have it. When I cough it feels like my larynx is on fire. I’m coughing up yellow phlegm now and I’m completely hoarse. I have no fever, body aches or chills. Does it sound like I need antibiotics or possibly steroids?

1 Comment
2024/12/03
12:35 UTC

1

This awful dental abscess lump around broken tooth which has gone down oberny

The first time I noticed it,I was in incredible pain and it took several pain killers and aloe vera gel for it to go away, last night before going to bed the lump was big but not painful (although I did have a headache all day) this morning it appears to have gone down quite a bit. Any ideas to what could be going on?

1 Comment
2024/12/03
11:45 UTC

2

Having the worst medical experience of my life and don't know what else to do.

Nearly a full month ago I suddenly became very dizzy and lightheaded. So bad that there were moments where I was sure I was about to pass out. It lasted from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep for days, and as I was about to make an appointment and organize transportation there, it started going away. No longer dizzy and lightheaded for full days, but at random moments throughout the day. I figured it was a sign I was maybe getting over it.

Suddenly, I started getting new symptoms. Pain in the back of my head and neck. Nausea, sometimes after sleeping. My ability to sleep comfortably went away completely. I can only sleep for about and hour at a time and when I do, I wake up feeling like death. Confused and disoriented, heart pounding in my chest, nausea, head and neck pain. Sometimes my teeth hurt. My assumption at this point is probably a Chronic Sinus infection that is running rampant.

It eventually got so bad I went to the ER. Got a bed right away. Dr. rolls into the room on wheeled chair. I tell him my symptoms. He tells me pulling a neck muscle can cause headaches(?).

He prescribes me a steroid (Dexamethasone). I told him I have sinus pressure and dizziness, and I doubt it's a pulled neck muscle. He, annoyed, prescribes me an antibiotic (Cefdinir). Pointless if I have a viral infection. I ask him if he can run some tests or something, and he tells me he's uncomfortable running tests if he thinks they're unnecessary. I've been sick for over 2 weeks with constant dizziness by this point. He then rolls himself out of the room and that's the end of it.

In the next week I develop a new symptom. The worst acid reflux of my life. Feels like there's a blowtorch being taken to a spot on my stomach, and I'm basically vomiting pure stomach acid into the sink. It's been 3 weeks and I'm shaking on the bathroom floor, clutching my gut in agony while the room spins.

Next morning I go to a different doctor. Doctor comes in, checks my blood sugar, pressure and oxygen levels. All perfect. No fever. I explain my symptoms. Doctor, again, runs no other tests. Suggests I get physical therapy, and hands me a form with locations near me. I tell her it's been 4 weeks, I'm getting worse, and to prescribe me something, anything. Amoxicillin for sinus infection, at least. She tells me amoxicillin causes stomach problems, and suggests if my symptoms get worse, to go to the ER. She doesn't prescribe me amoxicillin, on the grounds that the previous doctor had already prescribed me Cefdinir.

It's been over 4 weeks now. I'm dizzy and lightheaded at random moments in the day. I can't sleep and when I do it makes me feel worse. My head hurts, stomach hurts, teeth hurt, sinuses feel terrible, and I don't know what else to do. I don't have health insurance and every doctor I've seen so far has decided to do nothing, and hand me a bill that I already can't afford.

1 Comment
2024/12/03
11:27 UTC

1

Having an accident when you think it's gas. Is this the norm as you get older?

I guess this is probably a dumb question but I'm going to ask anyway. A brief background is that a little over a year ago I had 38 radiation treatments as well as chemo but nothing has returned. When I read accounts from other people who had gone through that, they ranged from people who did not have a lot of side effects, all the way to people who were having accidents frequently and having to wear protective undergarments. My own oncologist even suggested that I wear " pads " that women wear, saying that a lot of men may have to wear those to catch things I guess is how you would say it if you have a small accident. I'm a larger guy and it's very hard to find protective underwear in my size.

I managed to luck out, and did not have any major problems over this whole time.. but in the last 2 months I would say, I've had two instances where I would be sitting on the couch in a semi-reclined position and I think I have to pass gas. Well, it's not gas. No stomach issues before this happens. It's just you think it's one thing and you wind up making a small mess.

I am in my '50s and I'm wondering if this is just something that starts to happen as you get older, or if it could just be a delayed reaction to the treatments I had earlier, or combination of both? I would hate to think that this is going to start happening more frequently. And again, especially when you are a larger guy, it's very hard to find good fitting protective underwear if not impossible. I've been to every medical company online and pretty much they'll show pictures of stuff but when you get it it winds up looking like some sort of a sumo wrestler thong which offers very little protection. The pads are only going to do so much.

Anyway, just wondering I mean I know men and women do occasionally have accidents and maybe I've just been lucky in my life where it's just is not a normal thing for me and never has been. It it's just that tonight was one of those nights and it just freaked me out.

3 Comments
2024/12/03
10:06 UTC

1

ETD, No Pain, Crackling in ears.

Hey there, I was hoping to get some tips and tricks.

I have been told years ago, by doctors that it seems - that I do have ETD. (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction) hopefully some medical personnel can help me out, since I have constant crackling in my ears.

First, when I developed ETD, it was cracking, then it went to sounding like there was bubbles - from a bubble bath in my ear, to hard plastic wrap being crunched up, now it’s just consistent crackling, and depending on how bad my allergies are sometimes my hearing is a little muffled.

There is nothing I have been able to do that stops it, I try to pop my ears but it fails, I have allergies, so that makes it worse, hopefully somebody can help me out with tips on minimizing the crackling, as the crackling gets annoying.

Thanks. 🙏

1 Comment
2024/12/03
08:53 UTC

1

Blood in semen question, (M24)

just last week i’ve had blood in my semen, it doesn’t happen all the time but it seems like usually when my blood pressure is high or stressed. pee is always clean unless i’ve just masturbated and blood has come out then my urine will be a little bloody till all of it is out. I’m seeing a doctor tomorrow but i just wanted to see if anyone has had the same experience.

1 Comment
2024/12/03
08:35 UTC

1

I have a fast heartbeat and no one can seem to tell me why.

Some background info: I am a 19/yr female, and I have been struggling with medical issues lately that I've been attempting to get a diagnosis for, with no luck. As a scientific mind and student, I've been doing a lot of research to get an idea of what's up with me.

Many symptoms have presented recently, but I'm only going to mention here things that have been happening for most of my life. I have always gotten dizzy and lightheaded from sudden movements, like standing up, laying down, spinning or turning, etc. I get winded taking stairs or doing pretty much any cardio, which is something that has gotten worse in the last few months. If I hyperventilate at all I start to feel like I'll pass out after a few breaths.

I have had asthma since I was born, I used an inhaler until middle school until my mom made me stop. Earlier this year I began using an inhaler again. I have also recently been diagnosed with ADHD. As a child I experienced several physical traumas, including multiple head bonks, one of which was so severe it caused lasting hearing damage, which happened around age 6. As far as I know, that was the only concussion I've ever had. POTS and anaemia have been ruled out. My blood pressure and BMI are normal.

The symptom that I came here to ask about is mentioned in my title, I have tachycardia. I don't know if I was born like this, but I can't remember a time in my life that I clocked in at lower than 80BPM. In the last year I've had several EKGs and I've been told that my heart doesn't appear to have anything wrong with it, it just beats fast. I check my resting heart rate every few days, and in the last few months the lowest it's been is 95, the highest being 150. I take stimulants for my ADHD, which sometimes shoots it up to as high as 180. These are all resting rates. The highest I've ever seen it was 210, during exercise.

My heart hasn't been much of a focus at my doctors appointments, so they haven't spent much time looking into this. I know sometimes people just have a naturally fast heartbeat, but could some of my symptoms be due to this tachycardia I have? Could I have some kind of underlying genetic or chronic condition that can't be caught on an EKG? I'm at a loss right now and I've been trying to research things to bring up to my doctors. Thank you if you read this far, any advice is appreciated!!!

5 Comments
2024/12/03
08:03 UTC

1

I recently became really sick, fever, sore throat etc, swollen tonsils made me have a look at them and i found a weird 'mass'?

The other tonsil looks like the bottom one, so i don't really know what the top mass is? Don't think I recall ever seeing it either, not sure. Is it weird to have that? Should I be any bit worried? (my throat is really sore because of my swollen tonsils but im not exactly sick anymore i just had one really sick day.)

1 Comment
2024/12/03
07:25 UTC

1

What is this? It doesnt rlly hurt

Its around a cut which happened like 3 months in the past.

1 Comment
2024/12/03
06:54 UTC

1

I have a friend who is taking care of her mom and son who are both at the hospital. They are across the country. What can I do?

I have a friend who is taking care of her mom and son who are both at the hospital. They are across the country. What can I do?

1 Comment
2024/12/03
06:47 UTC

1

Any feedback on my axillary ultrasound?

Hiya, I went to urgent care last week and got a referral for an ultrasound for a lump in my left armpit. No pain or redness. Blood test shows low rbc, low neutrophils, and high lymphocytes. My symptoms have been: night sweats, fatigue (sleep 10 hours a night and need 3-5 hours of naps a day) and shortness of breath. I am a 25 year old female. Any feedback on these pics would be appreciated. Sorry for pic quality this is all I have. Thank you for the help !!

1 Comment
2024/12/03
06:30 UTC

21

Did my physician friend snoop on my medical record?

I think one of my friends (a resident) may have accessed my medical record without permission

Long story short, my friend is a second year resident in a completely different state as me. I know his hospital network uses Epic. The hospital network I go to also uses epic (in a completely different city/state, no associations between the two networks at all).

The other day I was discussing a health concern I was having, and mentioned that I may have to get a biopsy. My friend said something along the lines of “yeah but you’ve had a biopsy done before so a repeat wouldn’t make a difference”

I am 100% sure I have never mentioned having a biopsy done to him or any other mutual friends. I was going through a really scary time and refused to talk to anyone about this, even my parents, so the only way he’d know is if he was creeping on my medical record. Or that’s the only thing I can think of. Is this even possible? Does Epic’s interoperability allow physicians to see the medical records of anyone who has been seen at a hospital using epic??

21 Comments
2024/12/03
05:02 UTC

2

Theoretically, who could steal blood from a hospital?

If this is wrong place to ask this, I apologize. I'm writing a character who gives steals blood packs from the hospital she works at to give to this vampire guy. What would be the best job to give her that would allow her to get away with this most easily?

12 Comments
2024/12/03
03:35 UTC

1

Is this strep throat? Could it be something else, and is it worth going to the doctors for?

Woke up with a dry throat that wouldn’t go away no matter how much I drank, now it hurts to swallow and looks like this

I’ve gotten sick once a month for the past 5 months now and I’m tired of this 🙂‍↕️

6 Comments
2024/12/03
03:17 UTC

1

Anyone know what this is any doctors or like nail specialists?

Ive been a nail biter for years now but ive never been this scared about how my nail looks it looks really bad. Scared me to the point I stopped biting. So anyone know like why my nail is like this and/or how to fix it? Goes all the way to under my cuticle.

3 Comments
2024/12/03
02:12 UTC

1

My left big toe toenail has been growing ridges like this for 6+ years now. Is there a way for it to ever grow normal again?

7 years ago I got a really really bad toe fungus on both of my big toes after getting a pedicure at a nail salon that must have been very unsanitary. Almost lost both of my big toenails completely. It took 3 months of diligence with treatment to get rid of the fungus fully and almost two years for my toenails to grow back fully. The only problem is that the big toenail on my left foot has grown back weird with ridges and has continued this growth pattern the past 6 years. It makes me wonder if there is still something wrong with my toenail or if the fungus just really messed up its natural growth pattern. There’s no pain and it’s never caused me an ingrown toenail, it just bothers me a bit since it’s a lil ugly and I really want my toe to be pretty/normal again.

Any ideas/knowledge/advice would be super appreciated :)

1 Comment
2024/12/03
01:58 UTC

2

Painful scratch - is this healing?

Hi there, I have what started as a scratch on my hand, I've had it for 2 weeks now and it doesn't seem like it's getting any better / is starting to hurt.

Is this worth seeing someone about? Or does has it just been slow to heal?

Thank you

4 Comments
2024/12/03
01:43 UTC

1

Help about chlamydia and long term relationship (26M) (24F)

Hello, I am a 26-year-old man. I’ve been in a monogamous relationship with my girlfriend (24F) for about 13 months. Two days ago, I started showing symptoms of chlamydia. I went to the doctor, and he is almost certain it’s chlamydia (I have tests and treatment scheduled for tomorrow). My question is: does this necessarily mean she was unfaithful?

When we started our relationship, neither of us got tested for STIs beforehand. However, the doctor mentioned that infidelity is a possibility since it’s unusual for me to show symptoms of the disease now rather than earlier in the relationship.

She currently has pityriasis rosea, though I’m not sure if it’s relevant in this situation. Additionally, I was recently a bit unwell, so I wonder if the chlamydia symptoms are now showing due to a weakened immune system. Still, I can’t shake the thought that she might have been unfaithful.

Thank you all.

1 Comment
2024/12/03
01:09 UTC

1

so 15+ years ago i had ingrown toenails.

how i get this soft flexible "nail" splinter? that grows on the inside of the toe i had an ingrown toenail on. the top bit sticks out so i pulled on it and out came this 1/2 inch long bendy, soft nail? anybody have these not know what it is? pain is about a 2 it hurts coming out and the bleeds a little but doesn't hurt after.

1 Comment
2024/12/03
01:06 UTC

1

Ear pain rsv, is this normal??

Today I was diagnosed with rsv, I went to the doctor because I was convinced I had ear infections because they hurt so bad and felt so full. I ear pain normal for rsv!? What can I do to help this??

1 Comment
2024/12/03
00:04 UTC

1

Food poisoning, virus, or what? What can I do to help?

Right after I ate leftover Chinese food from the day before (refrigerated appropriately), I began having severe lower abdominal cramping. I felt as if I was going to have diarrhea and was going back and forth to the toilet with some bowel movements but not much. My blood pressure dropped, I became cold and sweaty, and had all of the classic symptoms of vasovagal syncope and did indeed pass out on the bathroom floor on my way to the toilet for a short period. I've gotten to the point of nearly passing out before with severe cramping and diarrhea but never actually fainted. I was trying to make it there to put my head between my legs but just didn't make it.

It took me hours for my blood pressure to raise. I don't normally have low blood pressure so this is related to my current GI issues. The abdominal pain comes in waves and the pain is severe, up to a 9, doubling me over. I have vomited a couple times and have some loose stools but not as much as I would expect. I was up all night and all day today has been the same. Drinking makes the pain worse. I haven't even tried eating. My temp is 99.8.

What does this sound like (doesnt food poisoning take a lot longer to present symptoms)? What can I do? I can't miss another day of work and I'm really hurting!

5 Comments
2024/12/02
23:13 UTC

3

Hit my ulnar nerve crazy hard and "passed out", what could have happened?

Happened half an hour ago. I (23M) accidentally hit my elbow against a window's edge, but I hit it crazy hard and foremost, crazy accurately on the nerve.

The nerve pain was pure shocks going up my arm. I had thought that I broke, shattered or popped out of place something. I fell down on the couch and started to feel everything was rushing, then it gets blurry. SO said that I started to tremble and my eyes and head were tilting back. It lasted for 5 seconds, and he only had to call my name once to snap me out of it.

I "woke up" quite pale and a little confused.

As of now, I'm feeling quite well actually. Just a lasting pain on the nerve that's slowly fading away. Any thoughts on what happened to me?

2 Comments
2024/12/02
23:02 UTC

1

Stomach/Flank Pain??? When to see professional

Hey all!

After I ate lunch yesterday, I noticed a stomach ache. I figured I just needed to use the bathroom and it would go away. Today, the pain is still there and it is now also in my flank area. It’s a crampy, aching pain feeling. Possibly tmi, but I haven’t had any stomach issues—no diarrhea or vomiting.

Wondering how long I should wait before I let my doctor know. If it was just my stomach, I wouldn’t pay it much mind, but a little concerned that it’s gone to the flank area now as well.

1 Comment
2024/12/02
22:56 UTC

0

I swallowed mentos and drank diet coke and now I'm worried if I ruptured my stomach or destroyed my intestines

I wanted to try it out but now I'm worried if I am dying because my stomach hurts, my pee is clear and my poop is different. Also my throat feels weird. I heard some people throw up but i didn't and I heard that you wouldn't blow up since it's a myth but I am worried since I don't know why my stomach hurts and I don't wanna die.

10 Comments
2024/12/02
22:49 UTC

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