/r/medical_advice

Photograph via snooOG

Welcome to r/medical_advice! Advice given on this sub does not constitute professional medical advice. The circumstances do not mimic those of a review by a health professional. Advice is therefore meant for interest only, in an unofficial capacity, or to help point you in the right direction.

Assessment, diagnosis and treatment recommendations are not possible, and all suggestions as such are speculative opinions.

This sub-reddit is not intended to provide a diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for actual medical advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call emergency services as soon as possible!

/r/medical_advice

118,206 Subscribers

1

My pain is driving me literally insane

I’ve been dealing with nerve pain for 3 weeks now. Constant. Never ending. Severe nerve pain. It hurts to even type this, but typing is much easier than holding a pen to paper and journal. On top of that, vertigo, migraines, muscle spasms, fatigue, weakness, and random come and go numbness. I saw a neurologist last week (miraculously, everyone else said next year). And they ordered an mri of my brain and cervical spine. I CANT GET IN FOR 2 MORE WEEKS. On Tuesday I called the office because I lost feeling on my right side (I had previously gone to the hospital for facial+body numbness as well as my other symptoms and was turned away and told to find a neurologist, so I wasn’t running to the hospital without talking to my doctor). They said “oh yes, yes we will call you RIGHT back.” I called back after a while and was sent to voicemail. Tried again a while after that, same thing. Then they closed. Yesterday I get a call that “we won’t do anything until your mri comes back.” I go ahead and start asking “but what about my pain? It’s only worsening.” “Same answer”. “Awesome” and I slammed the end call button. I proceeded to scream. Cry. Hit and throw things. I was in a desperate rage. I spent the following hours sobbing till I threw up because I was so frustrated and in pain. Later I left a voicemail crying and begging for them to find somewhere with an earlier mri appointment. To which I never heard back, and still haven’t. Today, pain managed to worsen to a level I didn’t think imaginable. I went to a Cbd store and got a tincture- to which I miraculously had SOME relief. It went from being unbearable pain to bearable for the most part. I cried. I was so happy. But it only lasted 2 hours. Now mind you, I’ve tried Tylenol, ibuprofen, hot pad, ice, tens unit, stretching, walking, smoking, and besides smoking, nothing has helped in the slightest..

I’m ready to give up. This feels like it’s never going to go away. My symptoms aren’t looking good, I’m worried this will be life long. With my google doctorate I am thinking it might be MS.. I’m at my breaking point. It feels like this has been forever and in reality it’s been such a short time. Idk how I’m going to manage this.

I can barely walk at times, I can barely drive on my good days, I can barely work, I.. I’m 22F. I shouldn’t be like this. What’s wrong with me?

Typically I have a high pain tolerance, but this.. this is nothing like I’ve experienced before. And it is so easy for people to tell me “just be patient.” “Wait” “trust the process”, when they aren’t feeling it themselves.

1 Comment
2024/10/18
06:08 UTC

1

LOW Bp and HR

So recently I've been feeling really dizzy and having a lot of neurological symptoms for almost a month. One thing I've noticed of late is that my BP has been getting lower each week. It always normally sat around 110-120 in day to day life but has been sitting in the 90s during the day and dipping in the low 80s at night. I've been diagnosed with POTS syndrome 10 years ago. But I've never had my BP get this low? Does anyone know if this is a cause for concern ?? Thanks I'm a 21/f/150lbs

1 Comment
2024/10/18
06:04 UTC

1

Advice for my skin

I’ve been noticing that every couple of months the skin between my middle and ring finger seems to be noticeably dry. This usually leads to the whole area becoming very flaky and bleeding. However, it goes away after a week or so. I assumed it was a moisture issue as if I wasn’t letting it get enough water. However, it’s been a continuing pattern, and I want to see if anyone knows what it is, what’s the cause, and how to effectively treat it.

1 Comment
2024/10/18
05:58 UTC

1

Do I need to go back to the Doctor?

I have had this deep smoker like cough for 4-5 weeks now. The cough keeps me up all night and makes me throw up at night because I’m have some flem / drainage. My cough is mild during the day and doesn’t keep me from working. 13 days ago I broke down and when to urgent care they gave me and antibiotics and told me to take Sudafed D. Did all that and I’m still coughing and throwing up do I go back or though it out. My better half is about ready to kill me because of my coughing. What do I do?

1 Comment
2024/10/18
05:51 UTC

1

I can't sleep if I don't eat a meal right before bed

If I don't eat a meal before bed, I get so hungry I can't fall asleep/stay asleep. Even if I had a large meal an hour earlier, I will wake up in the middle of the night, shaking, sweating and salivating. I can't go back to sleep until I eat.

I have non-reactive hypoglycemia with no known cause (working with Endocrinologist currently) I will check my blood sugar before bed and or if I wake up to eat, and it's always 80-95. I also use a CGM so I know my blood sugar wasn't low before I woke up. It's a completely different feeling from low blood sugar.

I've tried drinking more water/gatorade throughout the day or if I wake up, thinking maybe it's thirst, but it doesn't help.

It's annoying waking up at 3am and having to make a sandwhich just to be able to go back to sleep. I also have chronic insomnia so eating immediately before bed doesn't help (and isn't good for you regardless)

I get protien, carbs, fat, fruits and veggies everyday, I make sure I'm eating plenty throughout the day, so it's not like I'm hardly eating throughout the day. I wouldn't mind as much if I needed a cup of yogurt or an orange before bed. But I usually have to eat 300-500 calories to feel satiated enough to sleep.

1 Comment
2024/10/18
05:50 UTC

1

Is this a sign of gangrene?

I'm scared

2 Comments
2024/10/18
05:39 UTC

1

What just happened to me? (read desc)

I'm typing this 15mins after this just happened. I'm having trouble falling asleep rn. Just laying in bed, eyes closed, thinking of random stuff. I sleep laying down, with my face up and my arms up over my head. Randomly, I get this weeeird feeling throughout my body, and I fall into this like, sleep-awake state. I'm awake, I feel everything, but can't move, but everything feels like I'm dreaming right now. I knew then it was probably sleep paralysis and just waited for bit. Then suddenly, my arms feel super cold and heavy, and I hear my heartbeat. I literally HEAR and feel my heartbeat throughout my body, it's slowly getting faster, faster, and faster, louder, louder, and louder. I'm there, laying there, asleep or awake? My arms feel like heavy chains and my heart is pounding. It was loud. Then finally at one point, it stops. I slowly start to feel my arms again, and I can open my eyes. As soon as I could move again I got up to make sure I didb't fall back into that state. I was extremely sweaty after and shaking, not cause of fear, I already was shaking when I "woke up". It was the first time I experienced something like that. I've went through many sleep paralyisis episodes, but none like this. Could something be going on in the cardio, or just something to shrug off?

1 Comment
2024/10/18
05:26 UTC

1

Random bump on lip?

So I've been having these random bumps come up on my lips and they burn. I went to the doctor and they said it was an allergic reaction, but even though I only use Vaseline it still flares up. Anybody have any idea what it is??

I hate how they look and feel so I apologize in advance.

1 Comment
2024/10/18
05:26 UTC

1

Surgical scar re-opening?

Several years ago, I had my appendix out. It had perforated, not burst. While they were in there, they found a lot of inflammation, so after the surgery, they fitted me with a drain at my waist to siphon off any remaining nasty stuff still in there. The drain was like a little plastic bottle attached to a small hose that was inserted into my skin and in... somewhere in my bowels I guess. That was in for the four days I was in the hospital. Then they took it out, the hole healed, but, in the meantime, that inflammation was how I found out I have Crohn's disease.

That's all taken care of mostly and, I hope, not related to this thing. Because what is now happening, and has been for about a month, is the place where the drain was, a little below the belly button, that spot, has opened up. Bleeding blood. Not gushing, mind you. No pus, no stool, nothing else. Just blood. It doesn't look infected and it's no more sore than a cut would be. Meaning that yeah, if I poke at it while it's open, it stings, but not in an inflamed, infected way. Just in a "We're not supposed to have our fingers all over the meat bits" way.

And I specify "while it's open" because that's the thing. It heals. The bleeding stops. It heals over. Looks totally fine. Then it opens up again and bleeds again. It did it once before a couple weeks ago, healing up after it first opened, then I thought it was done. Then it opened again. It has been healing since and I was hoping, this time, I was done with this. I go to the bathroom tonight, look in the mirror, opened up again. Bleeding again. Again, just blood. Doesn't seem like intestinal... gunk is spilling out here.

My concern is, aside from having a small hole in my stomach, that this is a fistula or something. I have a specialist for the crohn's, I talked to him about this thing and showed him today even, it hadn't opened back up yet by then, it only just did that like an hour ago. But he seemed to not be overly worried by it. Said it could be a fistula, to keep an eye on it, let him know if it changes, but that it could also be screwy scar tissue. And I was fine with the scar tissue idea, till it opened again today. Now I'm kinda worried. Still a bit relieved that it doesn't look or feel infected. Isn't sore. I'm not feeling any internal pain at all, appetite is still fine I literally just had a couple pb&j sandwiches and downed them just fine. But still, worried.

What I've been doing is covering it with a band-aid with polysporine disinfectent ointment on it, then changing that semi-frequently, washing it with soap and warm water each time I change it. But after it opened again, the fistula stuff popped into my head, so, I google image searched abdominal fistulas and, well, I saw some really nasty, gory pictures, but I did also see some that kinda, although not perfectly, resemble my thing. Which, of course, between the really nasty pictures and the smaller, more similar ones, only served to worry me more. I realize Google Image searching is not exactly effective medical assessment, nor is a Reddit post, but I dunno. I'm getting desperate and a little nervous with this thing. I want to know what it is so I can deal with it. And right now the best I've got is hoping someone can say something to allay my fears or at least give me info so I can plan for tomorrow.

It's late at night right now, so unless I should head to the emergency room ASAP, there is nothing to be done about this tonight. But I would appreciate if someone who knows bowel stuff could kinda tell me if this sounds like a fistula and how concerned I should be. I am headed up to the hospital tomorrow for unrelated, non-medical reasons and have to call my specialist tomorrow because I forgot to speak to his assistant to set up another appointment before leaving today.

I'm gonna probably head for bed soon-ish after posting this, so if you leave a helpful reply and I don't respond at all, I'm probably asleep. I'll respond when I wake up.

1 Comment
2024/10/18
05:21 UTC

1

Is my finger nail going to fall off?

Question is in the title. I’ve been icing it for an hour and keeping it elevated. Slammed it in a ladder and paranoid about the nail falling off

6 Comments
2024/10/18
05:05 UTC

1

Posterior Cataracts

Does anyone have experience with posterior cataracts—not the ones people get as they age, but the kind you get from injury to the eye? A family member had one eye done years ago and it left them without the ability to focus in that eye, making reading extremely difficult. They don't want to be left without the ability to read or see close up, but they’re going to need the surgery eventually. Optometrist gave some options, but wer’e not sure they'd work out. Please reach out to me if you or someone you know has gone through this and you're willing to share your story. Thanks in advance!

1 Comment
2024/10/18
04:33 UTC

1

Random stomach

I understand the title is a bit odd but I need some help with my stomach? I’m 15, 6’0, male, 130 LBS. About two years ago my stomach hurt constantly and the doctors did some blood work to no avail, now my stomach has started hurting to where just the spell of food is making my stomach hurt, I’m never hungry anymore and when I eat it just doesn’t feel right. I’ve brought this to my parents attention but I don’t know what else to say. If anyone has experienced something like this or knowing a thing or two please help! Thank you.

1 Comment
2024/10/18
04:33 UTC

1

IV Site

Had an IV done and this is the day after any idea? First assumption is simply blood pulling from injection to the surface of skin but just wanted to ask

1 Comment
2024/10/18
04:25 UTC

2

Ive been cold for 10 years

I wasn’t sure where to post this, but I’ll post it here. In short I’m curious about this more than anything and where I live I don’t think doctors really care but I want to know what this is so badly. Details- I’m 30 and it started when I was about 19 my hands feel like they are dunked in ice water and the pain that comes with it sometimes feeling like baby fire ants are biting my knuckles in ring formations too. My feet are so cold just like winter time when you step on some thing or stubbed your toe it’s extra sensitive too. I need hoodies and handwarmers in 60° weather to have enough dexterity in my hands to use my phone. I have not always been this way, and so I know something happened to me and gave up on finding out what after years of Dr. BS. Doctors say I’m fine as always and I might be but I still wanna know what happened to me as this has plagued me almost every day for over a decade. If it helps: heat Only fixes it for as long as it’s consistent if I let go of the handwarmers, it’s not even a minute until it’s back to ice. Summertime does not fix it either at least not right away. It takes at least several weeks or a couple of months of summer for me to feel warm and free of this feeling. Things like playing the guitar aren’t even possible, not even in summer (I played when I was younger and when this happened me, I lost the ability completely even in warm areas) it just requires too much dexterity. Does anybody know what this is and why doctors say I’m fine?

6 Comments
2024/10/18
04:14 UTC

1

Chest, back, shoulders, lung pain

I woke up yesterday with shoulder pain. Pain was an equivalent of something you would feel if you "slept on your shoulder wrong" with one difference - both of my shoulders hurt. Later I noticed bottom of my left lung (or something in that area) hurts when breathing, more of a spiking pain. (Not sure how to explain, not English native). By the end of the day bottom half of my entire ribcage hurts. From breathings or just in bed in whatever position. At the same height my back is hurting too.

Now it was difficult to sleep and I just woke up at 5:30 am and pain is still there. Seems to be focused around bottom of left lung area.

I have no issues breathing (other than it hurts) and my heart feels ok. It's just pain. Sleeping on my left side is not possible because my ribs hurt too much when I do so.

Also let me just point out there was no physical activity, no gym no nothing that could cause muscle pain. It's something else. Also no trauma to the ribs, at least not that I know of. I guess I would have remember breaking them if that was the case.

1 Comment
2024/10/18
04:11 UTC

2

Mosquito bite like swelling that aren't mosquito bites. Please help!

I am bedbound a lot of the time due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Recently, I've been getting these weird swellings all over my body throughout the day/night. We don't have mosquitoes where I live. It starts with an itch, then gets bigger and bigger, until it just stops itching after a couple of/few hours. Classic symptoms I used to have when I lived in another country with lots of mosquitoes. The swellings don't resemble bed bug bites as per a Google search. They look exactly like it does in this stock photo. I change my bedsheets whenever one feels dirty and/or I have enough energy, mostly averaging a month. I'm getting tired of itching in multiple places in my conscious hours. Please help identify!

1 Comment
2024/10/18
04:10 UTC

1

does this need stitches

my girlfriend cut her finger at work, whenever she bends it the cut opens back up, there’s bleed stop in it right now. i don’t think it does but my worry is will it heal since it opens every time she bends it?

5 Comments
2024/10/18
04:03 UTC

1

What is this little bump on the back of my finger?

It is located on the middle finger of my right hand. It has been there for maybe two years now. It used to come and go but seems to have become permanent. It hurts when pressure if applied to it. I apologize for the bad photo quality.

https://preview.redd.it/yn7pdnfhtfvd1.jpg?width=1984&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46e6db62092a84011a38d3f8e7cc0eaf6e053863

https://preview.redd.it/f14c5qfhtfvd1.jpg?width=1984&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57ec19d9ebad44d2900b1031831fb635b2e15cd8

2 Comments
2024/10/18
04:01 UTC

1

ITCHY!

Does this look like athletes foot? i recently had to start wearing work boots again and the ones i have are a few years old and very worn, they sat for about a year and now i wear them 8+ hours a day again. and over the last month this started happening to my feet

2 Comments
2024/10/18
03:25 UTC

0

Wife, son and myself all had a sip of Malta Goya

My wife is Puerto Rican and her mother gave us a case of Malta Goya Malt soda (it's not alcoholic) My wife, my son and myself all had a sip from one bottle at my wife's suggestion and me and my son didn't care for it, my wife has a nostalgic feeling towards it. I felt nauseous and thought it was because I hadn't ate anything all day (was cooking dinner at the time) when my wife said she felt like she was going to be sick, I mentioned that I had just felt the same and she went to sit down in the living room. I felt sick and threw up in the sink knowing I wasn't going to make it to the bathroom. I almost immediately felt better and checked on my wife who was nauseated for another 10 minutes and feels better. My son (8 yrs old) came in and said he didn't feel good. Had to prise outta him be felt "bad" said he was cold and felt like he may throw up but didn't want to. He laid on the couch and said he felt cold and week and was asleep 10 mins later. I ate dinner and had to run to the bathroom after a few minutes and threw up everything I ate and then some. I feel dizzy. My wife is fine now and my kid just feels "bad" I figured the malta Goya was bad but it doesn't have an expiration date and I can't figure out where to look after searching online for a while. I also read that carbonated soda is non perishable and the taste can go bad but there was nothing to worry about. It's the only thing we all had in common, I'm the only one who threw up and I still feel dizzy. does this seem worrisome? Can a bottle of soda go bad? We called my Mother in law and she got it from a small Hispanic bodega shop so it could be expired but not extremely she bought it a few weeks ago. Or is it likely something else completely?

1 Comment
2024/10/18
03:15 UTC

1

Any heart doctors?

Hi!

I don’t have health insurance, which is why I’m posting here:)

Are there any cardiologists, or anyone else who may help?

Basically, my heart is a mess. It hardly ever beats regularly, it pounds sometimes out of nowhere, and worse when I do the lightest exercise. It is regularly off beat, and sometimes I get pains in my chest and left arm.

It is really scary, I spend most of my time thinking about my heart rate or with my hand against my ribs feeling it off beat:(

I’m a 37 woman in NYC.

1 Comment
2024/10/18
03:06 UTC

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