Have you ever had any medicals conditions that you want explained?

[doireallyneedone]

I am a working medical doctor with exams coming up. Have you ever had any medicals conditions or medical questions that you've always wanted explained? I will try to answer to the best of my ability.

This is helpful for my learning too.

Updates

+1 y

Disclaimer: What I post here is my opinion. Please bear in mind that I cannot examine you or view investigations, any advice I give is definitely not a substitute for visiting a doctor.

[NoMoreDreams]

I get stabbing sharp pains in my sides a lot. As well as pain in my shoulder blade which makes breathing hurt sometimes. Sometimes the pain in my sides is so bad I can't sleep at all, I just lay in bed in pain. I also end up vomiting or feel nauseous when I'm in pain. I have seen two different doctors, one of them was a gastroenterologist. I have had 8 different blood works done, had an ultra sound done, and a CT scan. Neither of my doctors know what's worng with me. All they have found out is that I had mono before and that my spline is long and skinny, instead of short and fat lol. The pain occurs less then it did in January through May. Do you know what could be the problem?

[doireallyneedone]

When does the pain occur? Are there any triggers for the pain? Does it hurt when you press on the affected areas? Is the pain ever burning or shooting in nature? Does taking pain medication help with the pain or not really?

Since you've been investigated thoroughly I would assume most common diagnoses have been ruled out. Are there any positive findings on the bloods, Ultrasound and CTs?

[NoMoreDreams]

Ot occurs kind of randomly, I feel that stress is somewhat of a trigger to it. It only hurts to press on it if I'm experiencing the pain at that moment. The pain is shooting but never burning. Taking pain medication helps like ibuprofen, but I don't lioe taking pain medication because I don't want to be dependent on it. There were no positive findings on my blood or CT scan. My ultra sound showed that my spline was a different shape then most people but it wasn't enlarged from any infections. I do get muscle spasms in my side at times, I can feel the muscles contract on their own.

[doireallyneedone]

Thanks for the info. What does it mean when you say that you've had a "mono" before?

[NoMoreDreams]

You're welcome :) Sorry I was talking about Mononucleosis (“Mono”) I say mono for short lol

[doireallyneedone]

The spine out of "alignment" could be what's called scoliosis and is not necessarily pathological. The muscle spasm on your flanks, could be due to that (or other reasons, its hard to say). The shoulder blade and stabbing pain you get in your sides.. do they feel like they're occurring together? Or are they more like 2 separate issues?

[doireallyneedone]

Oh sorry I misread that, you're spine is different shape, not the vertebra

Does the pain get worse with exercise or activity?

[NoMoreDreams]

The stabbing pain of my sides and the pain in my shoulder blade feels like they are connected. Since they occur around the same time.

[doireallyneedone]

Hmm ok. So what is your doctor currently doing for you?

[NoMoreDreams]

Nothing, since she doesn't know what the problem is.

[doireallyneedone]

Its hard to me to say as I cannot verify your investigations and blood results. But IF they were completely fine and IF they've done the basic blood tests, then I suppose there is probably no major organ dysfunction causing these symptoms. Though that is based on those 2 assumptions.

Interestingly, I did have a patient similar to you the other day. Young female with shooting abdominal pain for 6 months, all investigations and bloods were negative. We had 7 consultants review her and couldn't figure it out for about 3 weeks.

Now, I'm not saying this is you in any way. But I do think it is worth having a read of this paper and see if some (or any) of it matches what you've got. It may or may not help. Otherwise, I must admit without being to physically examine you, view blood tests etc I don't have an answer.

Here is the link: www.thepermanentejournal.org/.../acnes.pdf

[NoMoreDreams]

Thanks for your consulting! It was pretty helpful, I may go back to my doctor to see if I can get more blood work done. I'll also check out the link you sent me.

[TonyNoTiger]

The only time I reach orgasm is through exercise (EIO) is there anyway I get make it so I can reach one during sex?

Also I have anemia, asthma, and allergies, I get winded very easily when I exercise, is the anemia causing this due to lack of oxygen traveling through my blood from the lack of hemoglobin?

[doireallyneedone]

EIO is something that's not medically well understood and I certainly do not claim to be an expert on this topic. It is thought that some of the pelvic and abdominal muscles share similar nerve pathways, increased blood flow during exercise and possibly pelvic muscles putting 'pressure' on the clitoris. As far as I know, many women are not able to achieve orgasm through penetrative sex and this is quite normal. There may be some strategies to help with that, but I'm not really qualified to give advice on that.

Your second question, yes anaemia is technically defined as reduced levels of Hemoglobin in your blood. There can be a lot of causes for that. E. gs. iron deficiency, thalaessemia, B12/folate deficient, hypothyroid, liver/renal issues etc. If you get blood test done at your family doctor, they can usually determine the cause of anaemia you are having by examining the blood cells. Are you also having heavy periods by any chance?

[TonyNoTiger]

Yes D:

[doireallyneedone]

Yes as in you do have heavy menstrual bleeding? Do you get pain during your periods by any chance?

If that's the case, then that is probably the most likely cause of your anaemia. There are many things that can be done to stop or reduce heavy periods. The pill is one simple solution. There are other solutions like inter uterine devices and injections if the pill is inadequate. Best thing to do is either see your local doctor and raise this as a concern, or even better, an OGN (obs and gynaecologist) can sort this out for your fairly easily.

[jmr2191]

Yup. Four doctors, a hundred tests and a whole exome sequencing later, it had been narrowed down to an inborn defect of metabolism. Unfortunately, pinning down the exact cause was no easy task. New gene functions are being discovered and new mutations are being validated every day. My exome is being re-examined each year and currently I'm receiving symptomatic treatment to help me live a good life. If you figure out what the underlying physiology here is, let me know.

[fiego]

@doireallyneedone Good luck with your exams and thanks for making yourself available to the community. Why do over the counter wart removal kits work for the some warts and not all (on the same person, in the same general area)?

At what age do you recommend that people start to get regular checkups/blood work done by doctors?

Thanks

[doireallyneedone]

There's a few factors. One, it depends on the cause for the wart. For example, your common warts are caused by a virus called HPV, others like genital warts/cold sores are caused by a different virus. e. g. HSV, and thus the treatment for one may not work for the other. Secondly, it depends on the medication. Different meds have different mechanisms and therefore work better against some viruses for some people and not others. Other factors include when you start 'treatment' of the wart, generally the early the treatment the better the outcome.

At your age, if you are reasonably healthy with no significant family/background medical history, every 2-3 years should be sufficient.

[fiego]

Thanks for the great feedback... I appreciate your time

[wendigoRed]

I have a pain in my right side usually when I sit in a school desk or when i lay down for too long. I've went for a doctor check up and they couldn't find anything on it.
Apart from that I am a male virgin and yet I get UTI's very easy. I've had two in 5 years.

[doireallyneedone]

In terms of the UTI, the most common cause is a bacteria called E. Coli which is normally found in your intestinal system. This contamination can be common since the urethra is anatomically close to the anus, so hygiene of course would be one factor. Another would be structural abnormalities in your urinary system, i. e. there was anything anatomically causing a stasis or obstruction in urine, this could also cause recurrent UTIs. Have you had recurrent UTIs as a child? Best thing to do is get it checked by your local doctor. They can do a urine test which can determine the bacteria involved, this can give an indication of its possible source. If there are any more concerns, your local doctor can also organise a ultrasound of your renal system to check its structure

[doireallyneedone]

I'm not sure those two pains are related, the UTI and your right flank pain that is. There's a lot of things that can cause the flank pain. I'll need some more specific information. E. g. Does the pain increase when you breathe? Any trauma to the area? Does it hurt/burn when you pass urine? Any issues when you open your bowels? Do you have reflux?

[wendigoRed]

I have to sit in a really uncomfortable chair or lie down too long after waking up.

[Anonymous]

amm ok yesterday i wanted to take a shower so i took of my shirt and i stood in front of the mirror and i saw something between my breasts i was wearing the bra so it wasn't on my breasts it was it between it was basically a blackish-brown hole it was very very sore and it hurted me so much later that day when i laughed or talked so what could this thing be?
p. s. it can't be a bruise because i never got hit in this area

[doireallyneedone]

So is there an indentation in the skin? Does it feel soft or hard when you press on it? Are there lumps of any kind? Are you getting any fevers, weight loss or night sweats?

[Opinion Owner]

it is soft but i got fever but no weight loss or night sweats

[doireallyneedone]

So just to clarify it's a lump that's soft? Do you notice it change with your cycle? Does it feel like its attached to the tissue or "free"? Sorry for bombardment of questions, but its important to know.

[Opinion Owner]

sure ask as much as you want.. i don't think it's changing with my cycle because it have stayed the same way for month i feel that it's attached in a really strong way with he tissues

[doireallyneedone]

Hmm. Given that you have a fever, it is likely an infective source, such as an abscess or mastitis. But to be sure you'll need to go to your family doctor. I know you said it's between your breast, but technically breast tissue can extend outside of the 'breasts', generally all the way from the midline, to all the around to the axilla.

Any breast lump is worth a visit to the doctor, don't put it off. It only takes a scan and possibly a needle aspirate (FNA) to determinate exactly what it is and for it to be treated appropriately and can avoid a lot of potentially nasty complications quite easily. If it is an abscess or mastitis as I suspected, it can be treated fairly easily with a course of antibiotics from your doctor.

[Opinion Owner]

thank you so much :D

[crazyincalifornia]

I really think this is inappropriate. A real MD would not resort to this type of amateur evaluation. Somebody could end up seriously injured or hospitalized needlessly because of you.

[doireallyneedone]

I understand your concern.

I am not recommending/offering any treatment or medication - they will need a prescription anyway. If you read through my comments you will notice that I am simply asking questions and IF I do give any advice I more or less also say "go see your doctor". In my opinion, It's definitely not any more harmful than a person (who may not have any medical knowledge or guidance) trying to Google search and self diagnose.

[crazyincalifornia]

If I was a MD I just would not risk it. I think you are incurring too much liability. My older sister is a MD. I will ask her what she thinks.
You can message me your credentials if you wish.

[doireallyneedone]

Sure. I don't know why I would want to message you my credentials?

[crazyincalifornia]

To make sure you are who you claim to be. An MD is a serious claim.

[doireallyneedone]

Oh lol. I'll just post it here. I graduated from the University of Sydney (Australia). Here in Australia it's called a MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery). It is our equivalent of a medical degree here in Australia. I'm currently working as a Resident Officer in General Medicine. Anything else you want to know?

[crazyincalifornia]

You're still an anon.

[doireallyneedone]

Well yeah. Unless I give you my name, address and phone number and have you call and verify me I will always been an anon. So how else can I verify that I'm a doctor, not that I really care if you believe me or not. Maybe get your sister to ask me a basic medical question that someone of my level (RMO) should know, that should verify it right?

It seems you are more concerned with my credentials as a doctor rather than what I am actually doing here. If it were an 'inappropriate act' and causing 'seriously injury' as you claim, then whether or not I am a doctor doesn't make a difference, does it?

[crazyincalifornia]

Ok! I'm sorry if I sound hard. I think there are players on here and just thought your post sounded suspicious.

[doireallyneedone]

No worries ;)

I can assure you I am a qualified doctor. Nevertheless, I refrain from giving hard advice anyway since it's the internet. If I do give any advice, you'll see most of the things I say are fairly benign and usually end with "go see your doctor". And yes, there are a lot of 'players' here.

[Annymous8]

Why does my eye keep falling out? Just kidding. I randomly and seldom get a pain in my chest, which makes it feel like I can't breathe. What can cause that?

[doireallyneedone]

Eye-olopathy.

Bunch of causes for chest pain. Could be related to your heart, lungs, musculoskeletal (i. e. muscles and bones of the chestwall, diaphragm) or even gastrointestinal system (oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, even liver/gallbladder can often feel like chest pain). When does it occur? Are there any aggravating or relieving factors?

[Anonymous]

I know that there is no medical explanation to this but my body moves when i sleep and I come to a point where I'm about to fly. Then I wake up. Standing up my hands pointing to the ceiling. And I'm not a troll. It's like "conscious" astral projection. I realize all the changes in my body and it only happens if i let it.

[RealDedication]

Yeah, aging. I want it explained and controlled so I can stay at a physical age of 25 for 30 000 years.

I want to cure aging, sounds crazy doesn't it. Don't assassinate me.

[doireallyneedone]

I want my pet pig to fly too. Dang.

[Anonymous]

My arm and leg on the left side of my body will have a burning sensation for 2-3 days before I get my monthly cycle every month for the past few years now. What could that be from?

[doireallyneedone]

Hmm. A burning type sensation is generally (not always) indicative of some sort of neuropathy. Have you got any other medical conditions? Any other symptoms with your cycle? I. e. heavy bleeding? painful periods? pain with going to the bathroom?

[Opinion Owner]

I've always had heavy cycles and bad cramps. I've had an MRI of my head done no more than 6 months ago and that was good but I have yet to go see a neurologist. My shoulder was dislocated in my left arm back in 2009 and it was never properly examined or put back into place. Could that contribute to the pain or no?

[doireallyneedone]

When say you left side of your body, where exactly is that?

What I was getting at more of a peripheral neuropathy, not necessarily related to your brain or central nervous system. The fact that its related to your cycle is less likely to be something of musculoskeletal origin (such as your dislocated shoulder - but nevertheless, that's something you should get checked anyway). There are studies which suggest progesterone (one of the hormones which fluctuate during the menstrual cycle) may play a role in neuro-conduction.

[Anonymous]

I have had this compulsive need to pick he the skin on the knuckles of my thumbs for about 16 years now. I have picked them so bad that my thumbs are now deformed, and as much as I try to stop, I just can't.

[delrey]

Why do my hands crack and bleed whenever I go to a cold snowy region? They don't crack and bleed when it's warmer weather.

[delrey]

The tops of my hands.

[Iron_Man]

I broke my ankle years ago and all a sudden Its swelling up on me when I have been walking a lot then it stopped why is this?

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

When you break a bone, you're forced to not use it for a while. This is great for any torn muscles and to allow your bones to heal appropriately. However! After such a long rest, you just assume you're fixed. This is not the case. You now suffer from a problem called muscle atrophy. Your muscles may have healed, and likely your bones, but your muscles are still extremely weak. And when they have such a demanding daily function, such as your ankles, this problem tends to generate pain as your muscle becomes overworked.

To entirely cure the problem forever, you'll have to stretch and exercise your ankles for several months consistently if you want the problem to stay away. Best ones I've learned are toe raises, heal raises, drawing the alphabet with your toes (surprisingly works) and dorsi flex stretch. If you don't, you'll likely face this problem anytime after rolling your ankle, applying lots of force (catching yourself from a fall) or overuse.

[Iron_Man]

Thanks my friend for the great Info

[doireallyneedone]

@NotJustAnotherGuy Not to be an ass here, but you did call me out earlier so I thought I do the same ;P How does 'muscle atrophy' lead to his primary presenting complaint. i. e. ankle swelling.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Poor muscular support in a place of constant stress / forces. It's the same as any joint. Go do tricep extensions the day after working triceps (when your triceps are poorly suited to perform) and tell me if it feels like you're destroying your elbow? Or go run 10+ 8 minute miles with no cooldown and go sit for an hour.. tell me how well your knees feel walking up stairs with your hamstrings that tight.

Your muscles support your joints. Without them to support your joints, you'll get pain and swelling. Former sufferer of Runner's Knee, here. I know the importance of muscles on your joints. Don't you? You're a doctor after all. ;)

[marryrobert]

Is it really true that dick enlargement pills are working?

[doireallyneedone]

Pretty sure this is a troll, but I will answer anyway.

No, they do not work. The penis consists of spongy soft tissue and cannot be lengthened by taking medication. There is surgery that can 'lengthen' the penis, but it often involves cutting the ligaments holding the penis which gives the illusion of it being longer whilst flaccid.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Penis enlargement through stretching is clinically proven to exist. Enlargement pills will work if taken all day every day for many months if not years... the extra blood will force the gland to expand by swelling it beyond its means.

However, pills are the least effective of way of doing this and take a months long process and turn it into a process that takes years. Logging 1000+ hours in an extender like sizegenetics or the most recent innovation of enlargement the phallosan forte, will guarantee an inch of growth. These are statistically proven lengthening devices.

Just cause a guy studies to be a doctor, or even is a doctor, doesn't mean he is an expert on anatomy. The human body is extremely complex and largely still unknown. Doctors are good for fractures, blood transfers, and common ailments.. for daily health, fitness, innovative remedies and rare problems-- they are not. You're better off with your brain and the internet.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

OR seeing an expert on a particular part of the body. Like an ears and throat specialist, a cardiologist, optometrist, or a gynecologist. Doctors are not geniuses and you shouldn't assume any single doctor knows everything, or even close, or you're missing out on a lot of knowledge that could better your life.

[doireallyneedone]

@NotJustAnotherGuy Interestingly those 'specialists' are also doctors (except optometrist), albeit specialised ones. You are correct that doctors do not know everything, and there is a lot that modern medicine cannot explain or treat. I have studied acupuncture and my father is an herbalist and acupuncturist, and alternative therapies can be useful in this regard.

On the topic of anatomy however, I would disagree you with. I'm formerly a physical therapist (my pre-medicine degree), where anatomy is a core focus - I can bet my left nut that a person with over 10 years of study in anatomy would have greater than knowledge than your average layperson who uses the internet.

As you would expect, penis enlargement isn't really an area with greats of amount of good medical research. If you have any papers showing 'the guaranteed inch of growth', please link me, I would love to read them.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Yes, but you wouldn't ask a brain surgeon about knee problems... or a gynecologist about your ear and throat problems. Just because they are doctors, doesn't mean they have a full understanding of the human body-- because they don't. You don't-- clearly evident by your knowledge on this askers question. I can guarantee I can diagnose people just as well as you can, if not better, with WebMD and google at my side. Because I can absorb knowledge relatively quickly and after all, most doctors admit to using search engines as a staple for diagnosing patients symptoms anyways (which is completely fine since it increases accuracy and efficiency).

We already know lengthening ligaments is possible through historical cultures.

swwphotography.files.wordpress.com/.../...3322.jpg

It's not a matter of debate of whether or not we can stretch our body into growth.. it's a fact by now. This picture of a kayan woman should suffice as proof. Can't prove it anymore than that.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Just cause it doesn't increase a doctor's paycheck for their to be nonsurgical, do-it-yourself, healthier, ways to increasing your height, breast size and penis size.. doesn't mean it's not true. Just means you'll never learn it in medical school.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

I'm sure the Kayan people are sufficient enough evidence for most readers, but just in case you're stubborn here's the less flashy response:

www.phallosan.com/.../...SAN-clinical-study-en.pdf

[doireallyneedone]

@NotJustAnotherGuy You wouldn't ask a brain surgeon about knee problem but trust me, they would still know a hell of a lot more than your average lay person. Just because a doctor is specialised doesn't mean they do not understand general medicine, many areas of medicine have cross-over.

Yes WebMD is a great resource, even for doctors, but you are kidding yourself if you think reading that alone is good enough to displace expert opinion. Essentially what you're saying is any reasonably intelligent layman is as good, if not better than a doctor with WebMD? I find this quite interesting actually. How about I ask you a few medical questions and you can use WebMD and google. Lets see you if can find the correct answers by searching online? It'll also be a great experiment at testing the boundaries of medical diagnoses via internet, if indeed there are any :)

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

What I'm essentially saying is this: If you have the time to diagnose yourself, you are almost always better off. I am not saying, if you have a heart attack jump on WebMD before going to a doctor... or you lost a limb, google how to stitch it yourself.

I'm saying if you want to reduce wrinkles, get rid of your double chin, have healthier skin, get rid of that reoccurring rash that has plagued you for years, etc.. you're better off learning than expecting someone who just wants to get through the work day, to help you with something that to them is either minuscule or too infrequent for them to remember. They will frequently clump you into batches of people with similar ailments. If you're a more rare case, they often waste your time more than anything.

My points, as summed up as they possibly could be, are these: 1.) The human body is complex 2.) What your doctor was taught, mainly caters to his daily routine 3.) Med School doesn't have secret knowledge kept offline.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Doctors have their uses. Certainly a profession that needs to stay. But the internet is more and more powerful and knowledge is easier and easier to obtain. Meanwhile Doctors are becoming less and less scientists and more and more knowledge banks (which pales in comparison to the internet).

I just think it is important for people to learn and not let titles tell them their options and think that's the end of it (because it rarely is). Personal trainers and doctors are plagues on society in that regard. Otherwise, both necessary and obviously beneficial to society right?

[doireallyneedone]

@NotJustAnotherGuy For the most part I agree with your points. The internet is powerful, evident by the fact that most doctors and health professionals will use it as a reference during practice. Patient self education is never a bad thing. The more educated they are, the easier our job is. However, diagnosis and treatment is not pure knowledge based. Clinical reasoning, Interpreting data, blood results, scans etc is not something the internet can do. Now fairly benign conditions like, rolled ankle etc is fine. However there are many conditions which may present in a benign way but may have a sinister underlying pathology. An average lay person even with the use of the internet may not be able to differentiate this, until its too late. I see this A LOT in practice.

Like I said though, this is an interesting topic. Why don't we test it out? I'll ask you a couple questions, you can use webmd, google etc lets see how it goes?

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

I don't want to blow up marryrobert's feed anymore than I have. But I sent you a message: "I'm ready for said test. Although, I must admit it's going to be pretty hard since you choose the starting information I have. I'll trust you'll be fair, and not try to trick me opposed to test me." we can test this out and if you feel like you want the results on display update your question.

[ilovchipmunk]

How can i avoid death?

[doireallyneedone]

If I knew I would be a billionaire and rule the world. My pet pig will also fly ;)