I’m (26F) currently in the process of treatment for an unknown cause. Long story short, I lost 30+ lbs without trying and was having bathroom issues. I end up at the GI and got an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I got put on two prescription medicines with one being a steroid. I was explained how my intestinal lining and stomach lining was inflamed.

This month I got a CT scan of the lining to see if there had been improvement. Luckily, it was described as only mild inflammation now! My mom, who is an RN and works at a hospital, said that my intestinal lining before (specifically my duodenum) was like tissue paper.

how fucked was i/still might be?

Hello! 29F, no medications. Diagnosed with pots. This is so odd and random but over the last week I have noticed these bruises on my neck on both sides. They don’t hurt or anything. I tried scrubbing them off at first but nothing changed. They seem to be getting a bit worse because the first day I noticed there was only one spot that had them. I have attached pictures!

Do I need to go on PEP for 4 weeks?

Risk of infection from handshake with open cut.?

Hi apologies for this but I'm not sure where else to ask this.

I was in the town today when homeless person clearly strung out on drugs offer ed me a handshake.

Only after I realisee I had a very small open cut (cm or less) on my finger and I am worried now if he he had an open wound.

Is this enough or a risk to warrant going to A&E or trying to get emergency PEP treatment?

Thank you

I (33F) am on cyclic progesterone therapy (progestan 200mg) and spironolactone (50mg) for amenorrhea attributed to PCOS—I’ve been on the progesterone for 4 months and this is my first month on the spironolactone. I am meant to take both on days 10 to 25 of my cycle.

I have had breakthrough bleeds and spotting often but this is the second time I appear to have got my period (heavy flow and cramping) early: it has started on day 21. My gyno’s office isn’t open till Monday, so I’m hoping someone can opine, should I keep taking the full two weeks of hormonal treatment or stop as I restart the clock?

27F

Mid last year I started to experience sudden increases in my HR (150-180bpm). I would frequent to the ED as this was foreign to me and accompanied by signs and symptoms such as nausea, excruciating chest pain radiating to my left shoulder, arm and even fingers, numbness and tingling in my extremities, dizziness and fatigue. I’ve passed out at 190bpm.

On some occasions the doctors would tell me the it was SVT and on other occasions the doctors would tell me it was sinus tachy. Fast forward to November last year, I was placed in resus as my HR was stuck at 180bpm and would not settle with attempts of the valsava by paramedics. The paramedics told me it appeared to be SVT, in resus they told me it appeared to be SVT, but when I was transferred to cardiology, they told me there was no evidence of SVT. I was placed on a one month monitor and referred to an electrophysiologist for a diagnosis and further treatment.

I saw the electrophysiologist 2 weeks ago, and he asked me if I was engaging in any strenuous activity whilst the monitor was placed on me - to his surprise I was laying in bed for the whole month and barely doing a thing - my baseline was 150bpm. He diagnosed me with atrial tachycardia and I was placed on 5mg of ivabradine and told that I should definitely consider the ablation.

A few days ago, one hour after taking ivabradine my heart rate shot up to 180bpm and was stuck there. I was again taken to resus, and explained to the drs and paramedics my new diagnosis. They all looked incredibly confused, as I was in sinus tachy and there were no signs of atrial tachycardia. My electrophysiologist did not tell me I had runs of atrial tachy, he specifically told me I had atrial tachycardia, a form of SVT, he even ruled out inappropriate sinus tachycardia and told me that my S&S did not fit the diagnosis.

My question is - why is it that everytime I am in hospital noone has ever been able to detect atrial tachycardia and there is always conflicting thoughts on what my ECG is showing (SVT or sinus tachy)? Is it possible that I have sinus tachycardia with runs of atrial tachycardia? However, my electrophysiologist told me that I have a diagnosis of atrial tachycardia which is a form of SVT.

I 30M 6’0 284 lbs started having constant upper chest tightness/pain 2 weeks after recovering from the flu on Christmas.

I’ve been to the ER multiple times, gotten bunch of blood work, X-rays, ultrasounds, EKGs etc and everything always comes out normal. Doctors can’t find out what’s wrong with me.

What could be causing these symptoms? My oxygen lvls are also always normal

My dad took some promethazine dm for the flu like 12 hours ago, and his eyes are open now but he's unresponsive and doesn't answer any questions just looks around confused, he hasnt used the bathroom or drunk any water and his lips looks weird. I think he may of took over the recommended dose and I was just wondering if I should call anyone or let the medication ware off it it's responsible

He's 55M

I am 18 years old male bottom who had a hookup on 12/13/2024. It was my first time and I do not know the HIV status of that guy and he blocked me after the encounter so I assumed he is positive.

Risk Factors -Cum on my face and entered my eye -Got 3 teeth extracted on the day before (12/12/2024) and performed oral sex with a condom. -Started PEP in around 20 hours and took it for 29 days (12/14/2024 - 1/11/2025). Emtricita/Tenofov and Dolutegravir for the first 5 days. Emtricita/Tenofov and Raltegravir for the rest of the days. Raltegravir was prescribed as take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily (1 tablet every 12 hours), but I took it as 2 tablets by mouth once daily (2 tablets every 24 hours). Other drugs were taken as prescribed and I did take the drugs every day. Started to take all drugs correctly on 1/4/2025. And that was the day when I started to freak out.

Not Sure -if the condom broke during anal sex because I did not have the chance to inspect it after sex. He did not ejaculate inside me but on my face. -if there was precum outside the condom when I was giving the blowjob and anal sex because I did not see how he put the condom on.

What If -he had a high viral load? -he carried drug-resistant HIV?

Symptoms Headache, Muscle Pain, Rashes on chest and arms, Swollen Nodes, Sore Throat, Cough, Diarrhea *All of the symptoms are not really strong, but I heard that PEP can reduce the intensity of HIV symptoms.

I was very anxious when I realized that I have been taking PEP incorrectly. And now I am even more anxious since I am experiencing all these symptoms. But I cannot get tested right now because I am still in the window period. Please help.

46 Female. 5ft 8in. 190 lbs. Non-smoker. T2 diabetic. Take: Metformin 500mg twice daily. Atorvastatin 20mg once daily.

8 months post-op after hysterectomy for endometrial cancer and 4 months post beam radiation therapy.

About two weeks ago went to see my gynecologist for my first exam following my hysterectomy. During the pelvic exam as she was palpating me, it hurt more than usual but I thought it might just be a little more tender than usual because things are obviously different now. The problem is that I've been sore ever since. The extent of pain wavers in intensity over the day, but it's nagging enough that I'm wondering if this is normal.

I'm 24M and I do Brazilian Jujitsu. I have never had any prior skin infections. The area that is shown is my left calf and does not itch. It does feel a little dry. I'm not sure if it's just pimples or something more.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/TTrqKsb

Had to word the title weirdly so nobody thought I had balanitis, I've googled and unfortunately had to lay my eyes upon those infected pens and read about the symptoms and I have none, when I say ring it's around the circumference of my foreskin like a perfect 1-2mm thick strip that's a bit red and sore, my penis smells fine the head doesn't hurt so I shouldnt be infected

4yr old Male 38lb maybe 40” No significant health history or issues Currently on amoxicillin

Son has had congestion and cough, worse at night, since the beginning of Jan following a virus. Dx with AOM this past Wednesday and possible sinus infection RT the prolonged congestion. Started on amoxicillin 400mg/5ml take 7.5ml BID. has never been on it before. This morning what I have surmised, an “amoxicillin rash” erupted on his chest (day 3 of meds). Considering it is not hives, we gave his morning dose. It has gotten a little worse through the day, spreading on his back and up his neck to his cheeks. No way to contact the dr. On the weekend. Is it typically advised to continue the course even with this spreading? He’s not bothered by it, but considering we still have 4 more days I’m concerned about how much worse it’s going to get. Thank you for the advice in advance. I’ll post pics in comments but they don’t accurately show how red it really is.

This rash appeared on 10F (160cm 50kg) arms last night. Was mildly itchy at the time, now described as intermittently itchy and hot. Rash is hot to touch. No change after antihistamine (loratadine) or topical prometazine cream (test patch only).

No obvious trigger, rash is absent on elbow, inside of arm, flexion points of arm. Does not extend past shoulder.

Other symptoms: tiredness

Child has received full course of MMR. Occasional hayfever, occasional spontaneous hives. No other known health conditions.

We are seeing a doctor tomorrow, but in the meantime, any ideas? (Pic in comments)

Thanks!

PLEASE HELP IM GOING INSANE

Age 23

Sex F

Height 164cm

Weight 47kg

Race Filipino

Duration of complaint 2 days

Location Ear Pain

ive been experiencing throbbing and sharp pain on both ears for two days now and hearing is also muffled. im debating if i should go to the er since its sunday and theres no clinic open or wait until tomorrow to go to an ent. please help me the pain is unbearable. it makes me want to rip my ears off and screa

Any existing relevant medical issues Bipolar and Depression

Current medications N/A

Include a photo if relevant

My psychiatrist started me on 100 mg of Lamotrigine Thursday. I’ve taken it for 2 days and today I’ve spent all day researching it because I’ve never heard of it. Well, I researched too much and now I’m extremely paranoid about continuing it. Everyone said you HAVE to start at 25 and SLOWLY work your way up to 100 or whatever your perfect dose is. Well, she just started me right away on 100 mg and I’m so scared about getting the deadly rash or any rash at all! Should I cut them in half and only take half? She told me about the side effects but she didn’t tell me you’re supposed to start at 25 and slowly make your way up. She just threw me in immediately as if I’m some psych med iron man

Long story short - 29F I’ve had chronic low back pain for the last 2 years, but much more intense the last 6-ish months. No sciatica, just across the low back/above sacrum/hip pain. I got my MRI and it said disc protrusion and I have my imaging. How long do you think it’ll take to snap back? I’ve started PT but it’s hard for me to get off work for it. Also ended up with bursitis/sesmoiditis that my PT thinks is from compensating on my left for my right. I got put on 5 days of prednisone that I’m just finishing and it definitely took the edge off the foot pain. Back is still touchy, but I’m not crippled.

I’ve had a head splitting migraine for 2 days. I’ve taken about 4 bc powders 🙃in 24 hours. I am now experiencing allodynia on my scalp. Is it possible to take Ketorolac today? I’ve taken 1 packet of 800 mg of aspirin today.

21F. I've had this bump on my face (right beside my lip) for 6 months now. It used to be a very small bump but it's grown and now it's 4 mm. It only bleeds if I ever scratch it by accident. I went to a dermatologist 3 months ago and he injected it and said it'll get smaller within 3 months but it has not even gotten slightly smaller. Anyone have any idea of what this could possibly be? I am going next week for my appt but I'm worried. Could it be BCC? The derm didn’t say anything about it last time though.

My five year old has flu a and the doctor prescribed Tamiflu. I have two friends who are medical professionals who said they would not get their five-year-old Tamiflu. What’s the concern with giving Tamiflu to a five-year-old? I got the flu before him and I took Tamiflu and it made me feel better so fast.

Wondering at what point I bother going to the ER, or just wait for my upcoming appointments. Right side, feels like ribs, 7 days of pain at about level 7, 24/7, no real relief. Wake up uncomfortable, but I am able to fall asleep. Nothing specific happened to cause trauma. Some slight pops from my ribs when I move around, but no pain breathing or deep breaths. Sitting hurts worse than if I am standing. I went to 2 chiropractors. One thinks it’s muscular and skeletal, but no relief so far. My urine, stools, everything digestive seems fine. I have a gastro appointment next week because I am worried. Nothing helps, not Advil or Tylenol so I don’t bother taking it for the sake of my liver and kidneys since I’m paranoid.

I’m a 36 yr old female. 5’5, 138 lbs. Liver enzymes have come up slightly elevated once and corrected itself (I cleaned up diet). I have pcos. I do take .25 mg of semaglutide (which is not new) and skipped my last dose with being worried its pancreas or something. I was in the hospital in October for a cyst and they did a ct scan of my entire abdomen because I was vomiting and everything looked fine. Bloodwork was fine.

19 Female 51kg 171cm

On levothyroxine and sertraline

Hi, i know that sertraline can cause big pupils because when i first started up they were HUGE but since then it’s died down a lot. Sometimes though when i wake up in the morning, theyre are very very big and stay like that for about an hour even when the room isn’t really dark. is this just apart of sertraline still?

I am 5’4 and 115ish lbs, go to the gym 4x a week, and eat a healthy diet I’ve been dealing with a plethora of issues, have visited multiple doctors, and none of them listen to me or seem to care about figuring out what’s wrong with me.

4 months ago, I felt healthy except for some chronic back pain. As of today, I’ve been having this pain for about a year. The pain is severe and stabbing in one specific spot on my spine, but radiates through my entire spine. It is pressure sensitive, where if that spot on my back touches anything it fires, and where if I’m not stretched out, it’s like I can feel my two bones touching. Twisting and bending hurt, sitting and lying down hurt worse than standing. 4 months ago, it didn’t hurt to stand at all, but now it’s beginning to shoot through my thigh and to my knee if I stand on my left leg. I had an X-ray and scoliosis and a fracture was ruled out. I was prescribed muscle relaxers and it made me feel worse. I was started on a workout regimen, have been following it, feel no difference.

In the past couple months, though, I have felt like I’ve been getting sicker and sicker. I have not been and am not sexually active, have no family history of cancer. My hair is falling out and I’m losing weight without changing my diet or exercise. I constantly get cramps in my hands, neck, and feet now, despite not picking up any new hobby that requires me to use them more. I’m getting throbbing headaches all the time and never feel rested even when I oversleep. I feel short of breath but have never smoked or lived with a smoker. I can’t regulate my body temp anymore, I took my temperature last week and it read 96.6, way lower than my usual. It is winter and I can’t shiver! What the hell is wrong with me??? I visited a doctor two weeks ago and gave her this long list of symptoms and she just wanted to test me for STDs and see if I’m pregnant. After I told her I’ve never had sex TWICE. I asked for an MRI and she told me it wouldn’t be necessary. I can’t find a condition that lines up with these symptoms, but can’t find any explanation for them. I haven’t changed anything about my routine, but my body feels like it’s shutting down on me.

I am not dehydrated or vitamin deficient, only slightly anemic and have been taking iron supplements for that. My blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart rate are all fine. I just want to go out with my friends again. I want the energy to cook myself a meal and the appetite to eat it again. I want to be able to lay down and go to sleep comfortably, not toss and turn for hours trying to stay warm and find a position that’s okay for my back. I feel like my life is being stolen from me and I’m only 18, and I’m begging someone to take me seriously but I’m looked at as a drama queen. My mom thinks I’m just lazy and want an excuse not to work or go to school, but I miss it. I miss when just making it there wasn’t a struggle and when it didn’t hurt to sit down all day. How do I get my health back when I’m already doing everything as best I can to maintain it?

25 F 190lbs 5'3"

Quick question because I'm just a bit confused. I'm supposed to be getting an ultrasound for a hard lump my pcp found in my leg. When I was called to schedule the woman speaking called it a surgery consultation. And it's labeled that on my patient portal too.

I don't remember talking with my pcp about surgery immediately and can't imagine it's even really an option without testing first. But a referal to general surgery was put on my note along with the order for my ultrasound. Are ultrasounds something general surgery do?

If I have to I'll call and ask, I just don't want to sound dumb if I can get an answer here. Thank you!!

Background details: 28, female, 5’3, 130ish lbs. Taking 10 mg propranolol for anxiety, multivitamins, and just started taking turmeric, fish oil, and magnesium supplements.

Around 7 months ago I started a new job and noticed that my office had a rather pungent odor. It smelled sort of sickly sweet, almost like something rotting. Being new, I didn’t want to comment about the smell, especially since it wasn’t consistent. It came and went, and I didn’t think much of it. Fast forward a bit - I start smelling the smell at home here and there until it becomes a daily occurrence. At this point, I feel like I am losing my mind. The smell still comes and goes, but when I smell it, it is overpowering and makes me feel physically nauseous. I have begged my fiancé to essentially get in my face and SMELL me to see if he can smell it, but he always says I smell fine. I’ve asked my mom as well, and nobody smells it except for me. I recently went to the ENT for it, and he confirmed there is no infection present in my sinuses. He wants me to have another MRI (had one several years ago for medication-related side effects) and see a neurologist in case the smell is due to a degenerative disease. I have a few ideas and some additional details that may be relevant:

1. I stopped taking birth control a bit over a year ago. I was having severe night sweats due to one of my hormones being suppressed, and going off birth control fixed that issue. Unfortunately, I am now dealing with having oily skin and dandruff for the first time in my life. I have always been a dry skin girl, so I’m wondering if the smell could be due to the oil or a hormone imbalance. I have acne now as well, so I know my hormones are likely still freaking out.

2. A couple months before starting my new job, I lost my father. It was a surreal and traumatic experience, and I spent several weeks in the hospital with him. There were a lot of unpleasant smells during that time, and after the hospital, I felt like one smell in particular had “stuck” with me. I don’t know if that’s possible, but I could have sworn I was still smelling it months later, and I’m wondering if that could have evolved into what I’m smelling now. Any chance this is psychological?

3. I had my bottom wisdom teeth removed about a year and a half ago. I got an infection on one side and dealt with a giant bone spur a couple weeks after the removal. I’m wondering if this smell could be related to my wisdom teeth removal or maybe a hidden infection. I brought this up to my ENT, and he didn’t think it was likely since I would probably have some pretty noticeably bad breath if that was the case. I agree with this, but still. I’ve had tonsil stones in the past as well, for the record, and this smell is entirely different.

4. I get a sharp pain in my head occasionally that is always in the same spot and lasts only a few seconds. My ENT said that this pain coupled with the smell is cause for concern, but I don’t know how to feel about that. I will still go for the MRI if I can’t get to the bottom of this by other methods, but I’m putting it off because I just don’t have the money right now, even with insurance.

Those are pretty much all the details. Any advice or thoughts are GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Looking for advice from perhaps an OBGYN

Towards the end of 2023 I had intense and growing pressure In my lower left abdomen (I would describe it as where my ovary is as it feels deeper inside and I felt the pressure worse as I started to cramp from my cycle) It grew and grew and was very painful to have sex, so I went to get an ultrasound , but did not have a pcp to interpret the ultrasound for me (I didn’t know I needed one as I had an NP at planned parenthood order it, so I thought they could interpret it)

Anyhow, I was scrambling to seek help, and the pain got so bad, like a sharp “popping” pain every now and again. Plus I was having insane mood swings and felt like I was going crazy. I went to the ER , told the doctor where my pain was, and he was correcting me when I said ovarian, kept saying abdominal, and minimizing my pain. I believe they did a CT scan, they had to inject a dye and take a scan of my abdomen.

The doctor came back and told me I did, in fact , have a cyst rupture, and just told me it would go away on its own, and just to not have sex “it’s like hopping on a sprained ankle” he said. This was January 2024.

I tried a new OBGYN as I moved states around summer 2024, and this was a TERRIBLE experience. I told the doctor about my situation, she asked for my history with birth control and I said I’ve tried 3 different types since I was 16, and have now been off of it for 3 years and have no interest getting back on it. She first asked if I “was sure I didn’t need to just go poop” , asked if I knew how a menstrual cycle worked, told me that these were just ovulation pains and that I needed to suppress ovulation with you guessed it… Birth control!!! I was so upset in this appointment, the doctor seemed rushed and honestly bothered by my presence for unknown reasons. She went back and forth on her answers and never gave me a clear one other than birth control.

It is now 2025, and I just want help. I haven’t had the sharp popping pain, but on my lower left side there is still the same sensation of pressure and something.. growing. I do not feel it on my right ovary. And it feels worse like a dull pain when I am ovulating. But the pressure is there ALWAYS. If anyone knows what I can do, please let me know. I don’t want to let something fester if I can do something to help myself.

Thank you all for your time

32 white male, 180lbs 5'9". Received a separate diagnosis of BPD last year. Been diagnosed as bipolar since 19.

Currently taking gabapentin, depakote, seroquel, warfarin.

I was diagnosed as bipolar at 19 and since 24 I have been on mood stabilizers and seroquel. Could this be making my mental health worse? Or would they not effect someone who is not bipolar? Obviously the seroquel makes me sleep and has made me gain weight but I'm more worried about the depakote.

31 year old female, eastern USA - 5’3, 110lbs, smokes a vape.

Currently diagnosed with rosacea, dermatitis, acne. No current oral medication. One topical (Opzelura) Photo in comments.

I've had rosacea acne and dermatitis for quite some time now but recently I am experiencing a horrible flare up, but this time around it's a bunch of small itchy whiteheads with associated redness and itching. My cheeks are also warm to the touch.

I can usually identify my triggers but this time around I cannot. I just want to know if these are new whiteheads or just a more severe reaction to something/PP rosacea flare. I feel like it could be a combination of a food i ate, as well as a product I tried that could be causing a reaction. Opzelura usually helps with the redness and itchy spots, I hope I'm not becoming intolerant to that.

I'm not on any oral medication as nothing has worked, my current skincare is Vanicream, Opzelura and occasionally Aquaphor for moisturizer. I've tried almost everything under the sun and I cannot seem to get relief.

I'm currently waiting for bloodwork results to determine if my IgE and histamine levels are high

https://imgur.com/a/eoJMwmP

I (f23) am not on any current medication. The weather had been sub 10 degrees celsius in my city so I thought it was just dry skin. I started using baby oil as a moisturizer to keep my skin from cracking and flaking. A few days later, my skin breaks out in these tiny bumps on my upper chest area and my thighs. I took my blexten I have on hand for my allergies but that didn't settle it. They were more not "noticeable" but they look more inflamed today. I'm not sure if it's the bumps that itch or the skin around it. Does it look anything like scabies?

23F, im 5’6 and 117 lbs. non smoker, no drug or alcohol consumption whatsoever. im currently breastfeeding, i have an 8 month old. no current medications.

medical conditions include ibs-c, anemia, and migraines with aura.

took my first (and only) shot of the depo birth control in september 2024.

the beginning of january, i started having a orange/pink vaginal discharge with an odor. after ~7 days of that, i started what seems to be a period which lasted until this tuesday, so it was about a 10 day period. i went to my gyno and im still waiting for my pap results but no uti or sti.

today, i started bleeding again. a moderate amount. i currently have what i believe is a sinus infection (not sure if its somehow related but i figured id add that). im also constipated and haven’t had much urine output. just checked my temp and its 101 degrees.

is it worth going to the er for?

i was prescribed some flonase yesterday via a virtual appointment and ive been taking tylenol for the aches and fever. the bleeding is really what’s concerning to me…

Noticed this recently but whenever I go out to grab a drink, I'm usually fine going outside, but when I inevitably come back in, my body starts itching like fucking crazy for about 3 or 4 minutes afterwards. It usually stops quite fast but it's getting annoying. I've also noticed that it happens when I get into the bath or something similar - I have been itching slightly for the past 10 mins for no reason although maybe the thought of being itchy is what's doing it for me right now.

I don't have any allergies as far as I can tell so not sure why this would be. Does anyone know what this is and if it's serious?