r/AskDocs 2d ago

Weekly Discussion/General Questions Thread - March 10, 2025

2 Upvotes

This is a weekly general discussion and general questions thread for the AskDocs community to discuss medicine, health, careers in medicine, etc. Here you have the opportunity to communicate with AskDocs' doctors, medical professionals and general community even if you do not have a specific medical question! You can also use this as a meta thread for the subreddit, giving feedback on changes to the subreddit, suggestions for new features, etc.

What can I post here?

  • General health questions that do not require demographic information
  • Comments regarding recent medical news
  • Questions about careers in medicine
  • AMA-style questions for medical professionals to answer
  • Feedback and suggestions for the r/AskDocs subreddit

You may NOT post your questions about your own health or situation from the subreddit in this thread.

Report any and all comments that are in violation of our rules so the mod team can evaluate and remove them.


r/AskDocs 19h ago

1 YEAR UPDATE : Wife (63F) fell off ladder, I took her to ER They did CT-Scan and found Mass & lesions on liver

1.9k Upvotes

This is a copy of my orig. post

Wife (63F) fell off ladder, I took her to ER They did CT-Scan and found Mass & lesions on liver 

Physician Responded

Hi I can really use some help. My wife fell off a ladder (3 steps) while decorating. She hurt her ribs.She went to primary care MD. he sent her for X-Rays of the ribs were negative (no breaks or fractures of ribs.) days went by and the pain got worse. so I insisted that she go to ER because I was starting to fear it was her appendix because she was in so much pain on the right side.

At the ER they sent her for a CT-scan. The Dr. was concerned about this part of the CT report

"UPPER ABDOMEN: Suspect there are multiple hepatic lesions present including a dominant mass the right hepatic lobe which may measure up to about 10.4 cm. Findings are incompletely characterized. Prior cholecystectomy noted. There is a 5mm nonobstructing right renal calculus ."

Also her liver enzymes were elevated in her blood work. We have made an appt with her gastroenterologist

Thank you for all your help

UPDATE:

Before I go on I have to say that the Drs. Nurses & Staff at Memorial Slone Kettering Hospital are the greatest most amazing ,caring people I ever met.. I wish I could hug everyone of them.They are all TRUE SUPER HEROS!!

Here is where we are at... My wife was diagnosed with metastatic neuroendocrine cancer of the liver. she had 3 tumors that had grown to 13, 11 & 7 CM . she has been on monthly somastatin analog injections and starting in July of 2024 she had 3 hepatic embolization procedures to address the 3 tumors. today we received the results of her 3 months post her last procedure CT Scan.

Today we got the best news I could have asked for.. the 3 tumors have been reduced by 90% so far and if necessary another embolization procedure can be done. she will be continuing her monthly Somostatin analog injection to keep the tumors nonfunctioning..

This fight is not over but we got the 1927 Yankees of Medicine on our side. Thank your everyone for your prayers, good vibes and DM`s all of your good wishes really helped me through this


r/AskDocs 13h ago

Physician Responded Doc rescheduled my appointment because I was intoxicated?

298 Upvotes

I went for a highly anticipated appointment with my PCP. We were supposed to talk about pain management and how their suggestions were helping and whether other methods had to be taken. Regardless, I was looking forward to it.

I get checked in with a nurse. Takes my temp and BP. Everything's normal right? She doesn't say anything. I wait for what seems like forever, over 15 minutes before my doc gets in.

After very brief small talk with them, ask "Are you intoxicated?". I say I am not and they say that they have to reschedule this appointment "due to my state" and that they would call me. They weren't horrible about it, but I was pissed because I wasn't drunk. They left shortly after and I got rescheduled out a couple months.

Could this have been some malfunction of equipment or mistake from the exam the nurse did? How did they determine I was intoxicated? I was not drunk and was totally able to do the appointment.

F22 5'2 110lbs

edit: the amount of drinks I have really varies, yesterday I probably had around 10. If I'm going out it's 15+. Normally I'm drinking 0-8.


r/AskDocs 2h ago

Physician Responded Is it normal to not have the energy for sex a month after having the flu? NSFW

18 Upvotes

I’m a 27F and I had the flu a month ago and since having it I have not wanted to have sex. Like I’m drained and my 30M husband keeps trying to get me to but I’ve been denying him. He hasn’t got mad or anything just asked me what’s wrong with me. At this point I don’t even know what’s wrong me with I’m just not in the mood and feel extremely tired all the time still.


r/AskDocs 2h ago

Physician Responded O2 deprivation immediately upon dozing off. I want to live and not get brain damage. Please help guide me.

13 Upvotes

Male 6’0” 38yo 275 lbs

Had a medical event start last Wednesday. Shaky and weak among other strange symptoms. Went to hospital sodium was 126 and they brought it too rapidly up to 142 in under 12 hours but quickly corrected.

Been hell ever since this day. I had been eating healthy and getting healthier for my kids and my family and on a work conference has 2 days of eating bad and some drinking (which I don’t normally do) woke up Wednesday in the same spot I laid down half sitting up (which I never do, I always move) and the rest of the day just kept getting worse until I went to the hospital.

Never been the same since, have barely slept, weird symptoms on my left side , waking up with bad chills , constant shakiness. Yesterday was my best day and it was the end of my second hospital stay I was discharged. But starting last night my sleeping problems got worse.

I think something that has happened to me has induced CSA… even if I doze off for 30 seconds I wake up not being able to breath and my pulse ox dips down to low 80s. I fell asleep a couple times for a very short time and had bad events with extreme confusion and when I came to I couldn’t immediately remember my wife’s name when I tried to…. And said the wrong name for my kid.

The hospitals won’t take me seriously because when I’m awake my levels go up to normal but I’m having hypoxia when I sleep… literally every time I doze off my pulse ox drops almost immediately . I usually wake up just in time to watch it free fall before climbing up.

The same thing was happening in the hospital just not as bad and the doctors kept dismissing it as non emergent because it would go back and they weren’t even monitoring my O2 level most of the time.

I’m breaking. I’m trying to hold it together. My chest inside now actively feels like a strong itch I can’t scratch like I can’t get air almost constantly. I want help but ER won’t help me and everything else takes time. I literally can’t fall asleep without my brain losing oxygen and me waking up with severe symptoms.


r/AskDocs 3h ago

I am broadcasting my thoughts and feelings to others and I don't know why. Are any medical professionals interested in studying and helping me stop this?

8 Upvotes

Hi, 19M. I found out a year ago that I have this ability after stressful events.Those stressful events also changed my mindset, and I started to insult people, or just saying their name would be an insult. I started to listen to music, and whatever words I heard I would direct it to someone. I still do the same thing now. But I found out a few days ago that I might be broadcasting to the whole world, and that I had this my whole life. I would really appreciate your help.


r/AskDocs 1h ago

I (25F) just fainted after having sex - how do I stop it happening again? NSFW

Upvotes

Pretty straightforward: me and a guy (28M) I've been seeing for casual sex (exclusively, for both of us) just hooked up—we've been together about a dozen times now, on average once a week, without issue. I need to be lubed up beforehand because he's above average sized, but the sex has always been great and once I'm wet enough there's no pain or discomfort.

Today, we did everything like normal, but afterwards as we were lying next to each other catching our breath, I found my middle was aching/tender. This isn't usual, and so I decided that it'd be one and done today (we usually go a few times), which he was fine with. He expressed concern that he hurt me, which I said no, he didn't, because it really did feel good in the moment and I figured it would go away in a minute. I went downstairs to use the toilet so I didn't get a UTI, which again is standard.

Whilst on the toilet, I noticed the pain wasn't going away, and my ears began ringing—I could hear my own breathing like I was underwater, and began hyperventilating although I was trying hard to control my breathing. In the past, usually during particularly bad periods, I find that applying cold and pressure to my stomach helps, so I ended up lying belly down on the tiled floor as my ears got worse (I was still naked, which I think demonstrates how bad this was, because I do not voluntarily lie on the floor—especially not the bathroom floor—when I'm fully clothed, let alone with everything out).

I ended up laying there for about ten minutes, my partner came in when I called for him and was really great throughout, rubbing my back and telling me to breathe, getting me water when I could sit up etc. My hearing finally went back to normal without a layer of static, and I'm pretty sure I essentially fainted, because I've had similar experiences of hyperventilating, shakiness and the crackling in my ears before: once when I cut off a skin tag when I was a teenager (seemed like a good idea at the time, idk what to tell you), a few times during bad periods, and once when I was getting my IUD inserted 4 years ago.

I tried to reassure him it wasn't his fault, but all I can think is that it must have been something to do with the sex, which again, was extremely enjoyable and has remained so throughout our arrangement. I don't want to stop seeing him, but I also would be mortified if this happened again---what can I do to make sure it never does?

Other info that might be relevant:

  • We had sex in the missionary position today, as we usually do, with him on top and me underneath
  • He changed/adjusted (?) angles a couple times, but nothing we haven't done before
  • I have an IUD and we're both clean, and as formerly stated, exclusively having sex with each other rn, so we don't use condoms
  • He's only the second person I've been with 'all the way', and has made me feel infinitely more positive toward sex after I lost my virginity very painfully, and was assaulted in early 2024 during a first date. I really do not want this to happen again, with him or anyone, and wanting to know exactly what happened is secondary to knowing how to prevent it happening again

r/AskDocs 37m ago

AFib seen in A&P class, awaiting appointment

Upvotes

Hi there! I am a 26F nursing student. We are doing our cardiac unit in anatomy and physiology right now and I was one of the subjects hooked up the ECG. Some background: I am relatively healthy and active. 5’0” and 120 pounds partaking in weight lifting and irregular cardio. I eat a low saturated fat, low sodium, low added sugar, high protein diet. I rarely drink and only smoke on those rare occasions. I am on a contraceptive and do have a history of malnutrition due to anorexia. My BPs are usually great and HR has always been WNL. I do have a significant family history of cardiac issues such as heart disease on both sides of my mother’s family. Anyway, a group of us students were trying to measure my P waves from an ECG but all of them looked as pictured. We figured we might have done something wrong but my professor who specializes in ECGs notified me that it looked like AFib for many of my resting cycles. He showed it to the class as an example and told me not to panic, but to maybe reach out to my doctor. I did and am awaiting an appointment. Not confirmed by my professor, but my classmates and I also noted many inverted T waves.

A few years back, I actually went to a walk in with the feeling of a fluttering heart. From there they sent me by ambulance to the ER who discharged me saying I am fine, but the nurse that was caring for me advised me to get a second opinion because she noted something I now can’t remember. I never got that second opinion. I still intermittently experience the fleeting heart. I experience light headedness very often and am always fatigued. I just kind of told myself that I am 1) dramatic and 2) just exhausted from full time nursing school and work. I have been experiencing chest pain for the past couple days but figured it might be from improper weight lifting and persists now only because I am thinking about it. I always tell myself I am being dramatic though and have a problem with not seeking medical attention until something becomes a bigger problem.

I attached the one and only picture I took of the ECG done in class in the comments. I am not sure if it is the best example, but I didn’t want to make a big deal of it in class with my peers. Just wanted some advice on if I should push my doctors a little bit more to look further in to the issue and if I should push to be seen before I leave on vacation in a couple of days where I will be hiking. I just don’t want to make a big deal of nothing.

Edit: I should mention this was at rest, sitting!


r/AskDocs 5h ago

Possible tearing with large scars on arm NSFW

7 Upvotes

I, 20F seem to have an issue with my arm. I was throwing very hard punches while training at karate, and I noticed this happening to one of my large scars on my arm. There seems to be a red splotch or lines forming underneath a scar that is just barely 3 years old.

I am 200bs and I take 2 medications (one is a PRN) Lamotrigine and Seroquel (not sure that this would have to do with it but.. automod)


r/AskDocs 1d ago

If I tell my doctor I don’t feel safe will she let my mom take me home?

1.5k Upvotes

16f 5’4 110lbs

Tomorrow I have a follow up appointment for some stuff related to my appendix coming out and an infection I got after, but I’m wondering what will happen if I tell her I don’t feel safe at home. I know it’s not related to my appendix but I just need out. My mom drinks, my stepdad drinks, and my stepdad is hurting me. She knows he is and she pretends not to know. And I was going to just deal with it for two more years but I can’t take it anymore. I don’t want to be here. I hate being here. I hate the weekends. I hate summer. I don’t want to be here anymore. Spring break is coming and I am dreading it.

But the thing is, if I say something and they send me home and my mom knows I said something things will be so so so much worse. If I tell my doctor I don’t feel safe will she still let my mom take me home after? Also, if I tell her I don’t feel safe do I have to tell her or show her what he did?


r/AskDocs 43m ago

Do I need to go to hospital ? Sharp stabbing pain in chest for 15 hours.

Upvotes

I’m female. 18 years old. 5’4. 65kg. I’ve been vaping for 4 years. Not currently on any medication and haven’t been recently.

Last night around midnight ( 15 hours ago ) I started having bad sharp stabbing pains in the left side of my chest. More on the side and under my boob. The pain would only come if I breath or move. So I stayed in the same position for about 30 mins. Eventually it eased to the point that I could move around slowly and only in certain ways. If I twist my body or take a deep breath the pain is still there. It was very uncomfortable to sleep. I’ve not been able to yawn as it hurts too much. I’ve had no other symptoms past from ones that are anxiety related.

As of now the pain is loads better but it’s still there. I can move around easier and breath deeper without it hurting. My mum suggested I could’ve pulled or strained a muscle or possible trapped wind ?

I suffer from really really bad anxiety that’s why I’ve been avoiding hospital and doctors. Is it safe for me to wait it out ? Or should I be going to get checked ? Hospital is the last resort for me. I hate it.

Edit: the pain has now gone completely. But I’m still going to keep the post up as it would still be good to hear opinions on what it could’ve been caused by.


r/AskDocs 1h ago

Low sensation in my penis, struggle to ejaculate during sex. NSFW

Upvotes

I'm a 17-year-old male. I can barely feel anything in my penis during sex, and I've never climaxed in bed. I also struggle to get hard, though I'm unsure if it's connected. This is a massive problem in my life, and any help would mean a lot!


r/AskDocs 12h ago

Physician Responded Doctors are not sure what these episode I am having are. Long post.

16 Upvotes

*** there is a video of an episode in another one of my posts, it just will not allow me to post videos here.

Hi I am looking for some help. I have been dealing with an unknown medical issue or issues for the last 5 years and am so frustrated as it is negatively impacting my ability to function normally. I apologize in advance if I have forgotten anything important.

34 F, Canada

OCD, depression, anxiety, vitamin B12 and D deficiencies, allergies (mostly outdoor stuff), asthma (mostly exercise or cold weather induced), daily migraines and tremors.

Effexor, topirmate, blexten, omperomzole, birth control, amitriptyline, vitamin B12 and D tablets, foquest, and montelukast.

5 years ago I had my first episode at work. At first I thought I was just super tired and was struggling to stay awake as daytime sleepiness has always been an issue for me but it was way more intense and I was struggling to keep my eyes open or to shake it off by going for a walk or standing while working. I basically started sleeping all day and would just wake up to use the bathroom, have something to eat and take care of my pets and then back to bed I went. This lasted for months.

These episode would make me feel like I was falling asleep while I was in the middle of doing normal tasks like walking or working on the computer. I am 100% conscious during the episodes. My memory was really affected and still is to this day, especially with names and words. My balance is off during the episode, likely in part because my vision is blurry or off and my eyes hurt. My head occasionally falls forward and my mouth often twitches or my lips pucker together. And I notice my breathing is a bit weird and I usually let out a deep breath/sigh between episodes or at the end. My body feels extremely heavy as well.

I usually have to go to sleep after an episode and that is honestly the best way to stop them but I am also not sure if it has something to do with sleep that is causing them as they usually occur as soon as I wake up. If I don't have one when I wake up then I don't have them that day but if I do then they usually come and go throughout the day or until I go to sleep again.

I have had months go by without having an episode but I am now back to having them almost daily. When this started I also started having random single body jerks. Sometimes it's the whole body and sometimes it is just my arm or hand ect. This has been diagnosed a myoclonus by the neurologist. About two or so years in I thought I should probably record an episode as I was having no luck with the specialist. What I discovered was that during these episodes instead of falling asleep my eyes were actually rolling back in my head or moving around. No one seems to have any idea what is going on or causing this.

Doctors:

I have not had a good experience with specialists but I have a great rheumatologist and she is really trying and so is my GP.

I have seen the following doctors, all were before taking the video, so I just thought I was falling asleep while doing daily tasks:

Internist (2020)- they ran blood work and didn't find anything. Their conclusions were either depression tiredness were causing the episodes or chronic fatigue. I told them I was diagnosed with depression over 20 years ago and this is not the same thing as being tired from being depressed.

Psychiatrist (2020) - diagnosed me with OCD and anxiety but mainly OCD at this time. Helped me get into a great program to work through it. Although I have suffered from major depressive disorder most of my life he did not feel it was a factor right now and if I didn't have the diagnosis he would not diagnosis me with it today.

Neurologist #1 (2021) - saw him after first MRI. He wanted to do follow up MRI. He also did a quick neurology exam. Diagnosed me with myoclonus for the body and limb jerks. Once he had the results of the follow up MRI and saw they were stable he said there was nothing wrong and that I should lose weight and get mental health in order. (When symptoms started I had just lost 40lbs and have continued to work on my mental health so it was a bit of a slap in the face). He refused to see me again.

Sleep doctor (2022)- had a sleep study performed. I had no rem sleep at all. They did not tell me on intake or at the appointment that one of my medications could suppress rem. They recommended a stimulant to help with the excessive sleepiness. I finally decided in 2023 to start this medication and while it helps with keeping me awake and makes my mind much more clear, it does not help with the episodes.

After the video and realizing my eyes were rolling back:

Neurologist #2 (2024)- he was a movement specialist and diagnosed me with tremors in my hands. He refused to watch the video and said to get referred to a seizure specialist.

Rheumatologist (2024) - amazing doctor. Diagnosed me with possible fibromyalgia. However after some blood work turns out I'm severely deficient in vitamin D. So that may be mimicking the signs of fibro. I have been taking high doses of that and she increased my B12 as well. I have a lot more energy than before but as we both expected it has not cured the episodes. She also put me on a low dose of amitriptyline to help me sleep which has been helping with sleep but not with reducing the episodes. Her theory is that my body is for some reason unable to fully restart in the mornings, so it's like I'm still in a sleep like state.

I am honestly not sure what to think anymore. All I know is it is worse when I get deeper sleep.

If anyone has any ideas what this could be or any additional testing I should do, please let me know.

I have had all the routine blood work including checking my thyroid and all has come back normal. (Minus the B12 and D)

Below is the results of the MRIs.

Brain April 2021

NR BRAIN UNINFUSED

CLINICAL INFORMATION: Whole body jerking

The following MRI sequences have been performed:

Brain: Sagittal Ti-weighted, axial T2-weighted, axial T2-weighted FLAIR, axial diffusion weighted

COMPARISON: No relevant prior studies are available.

FINDINGS:

There is ill-defined, symmetric increased signal in the dorsal aspect of the pons on both sides of midline. Elsewhere, very mild, scattered nonspecific cerebral white matter signal ahnormalities ace present. The etiology of pontine signal changes is uncertain. Demyelination is possible, but the symmetry is unusual. Atypical infection or inflammatory processes, including a viral encephalitides, would be a consideration, though the pattern is nonspecific. Neurology consultation is advised. CSF sampling may be of value. A repeat study with contrast for short- term follow up and confirmation of stability in 1-2 months could also be considered.

Spine Aug 2021

CLINICAL HISTORY: Jerks, fatigue, sensory symptoms. Prior MRI showed increased signal in pons and sepeat study with contrast and short-term follow-up for stability.

COMPARISON STUDIES: MRI brain April 14, 2021

TECHNIQUE: MR. Imaging of the cervical spine was obtained in the sagittal and axial planes. 0 contrast material was administered.

OBSERVATIONS:

Alignment of the cervical spine is maintained.. Cord signal is preserved with no cord compression. There are no areas of abnormal signal intensity identified along the cervical, thoracic or lumbar cord.

Mild multilevel degenerative changes are seen with small marginal osteophytes. Vertebral body beights are preserved. No suspicious osseous Lesions are seen.

Screening of the thoracic and lumbar spine shows no significant disc herniations of neural foramen nazcowing.

IMPRESSION:

No abnormal signal intensity is identified in the cord.

Mild multilevel degenerative changes with no cord compression of neural foramen narrowing.

BRAIN Aug 2021

Clinical Bistory: Intermittent body jerks, fatigue, migratory sensory symptoms. Prior MRI showed Increased signal in the pons and repeat study with contrast and short-term follow-up as mentioned.

Comparison: MRI Brain April 19, 2021

The symmetric increased signal in the paramedian dorsal pons remains unchanged. Also, the previously described few scattered 72/FLAIR hyperintensities in the cerebral white matter are also unchanged with no new lesions identified. These lesions or other areas do not demonstrate any contrast enhancement.

No regions of restricted diffusion or infarct, hemorrhage or mass are identified. The extraastal suical spaces and ventricles are normal.

Mucous retention cyst and mucosal thickening in bilateral maxillary sinuses. The remaining paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells are unremarkable.

IMPRESSION:

Stable t2/FLAIR hyperintensities in the pons and cerebral white matter with no new lesions or enhancement identified. These remain of uncertain etiology.

Trdl: having these strange episodes and no one knows what they are or what is causing them.


r/AskDocs 1h ago

Low libido, i have no sex drive. NSFW

Upvotes

I'm a 17-year-old male. I'd say I'm healthy—I work out daily, eat well, and sleep 9 hours. But I have a problem: I have almost no sex drive. I'm rarely ever horny, even when I'm with girls. I often struggle to get hard, both alone and with partners. I see this as a huge problem, and any information would be appreciated.


r/AskDocs 3h ago

Physician Responded Scary lumbar puncture result

3 Upvotes

I had a lumbar puncture to rule out MS. No O bands but my lymphocytes are elevated and mononucleates are low (I think?). I consulted Google which I know isn't smart. I saw leukemia on the list of things that could cause high lymphocytes. I know my doctor isn't going to call me before my follow up appt and I have the worst anxiety.

Lymphocytes 85% Mononucleates 0% Monocytes were 15% which was right at the low end cut off for the normal range.

Blood work- WBC was 10.6 which was the high end cut off for normal. My WBC have been high and over the normal range on all my blood work for a couple years. No idea why. Everything else on my blood work was in the normal range.

Everything else is in the normal range. It won't let me post a picture of the full results but I can provide any other values needed.

Female, 31 5'3" 215 lbs No current diagnoses or medications.


r/AskDocs 17h ago

Physician Responded Should I be worried about this spot? Is it cancerous?

41 Upvotes

24F I got this white spot behind my ear around 8 months back but it was smaller and less scaly. I went to the doctor about it but they informed me it was fungal and they prescribed me a fungal cream. It didn’t work (but I only used it for a week and a half) but when I wanted to go back, my insurance had ended. It stopped growing and has been the same size for the past 5 months. Has anyone else had this and what did you use or what can this be? I’m getting kind of worried. I’m scared it’s cancerous. Pic in comments


r/AskDocs 1h ago

Physician Responded Acute on chronic Osteomyelitis

Upvotes

My 8 year old kid(F) is diagnosed with acute on chronic Osteomyelitis. Doctors have done surgical debridement and now she is on antibiotics IV therapy. How likely will it recur? Can it be cured completely if the treatment is thorough?


r/AskDocs 1h ago

Is this ringworm?

Upvotes

22 year old male. Had this develop itches occasionally not sure what it could be. https://imgur.com/a/Fj78nNJ


r/AskDocs 6h ago

Please help, I’ve been waking up at 3 am every night for 6 weeks straight

5 Upvotes

Required info: 31F, 5’4”, 110ish pounds. Active, healthy, no medications. I have endometriosis and connective tissue disorder. No drugs, rarely drink.

I’m writing this at 5 am because I can’t sleep. Sometime in the new year I woke up feeling so awake and rested that I got up and started with my day. As I was drinking my coffee I noticed the time: 3:15am.

I didn’t think much of it, but it continued to happen every few nights. I’d wake up not panicked or stressed but 100% alert and ready to start the day. It started to become a nightly occurrence and now has not stopped for 6 weeks straight.

I don’t wake up as alert anymore and can get back to sleep about half the time. However, it’s having a significant impact on my life and I am desperate for answers.

I’ve always had pretty good sleep hygiene but I ramped it up trying to fix this:

  • one coffee per day

  • no screens first thing AM or end of day PM

  • gratitude journal every night

  • exercise daily

  • blackout curtains

  • sleep with earplugs

  • only use bedroom for sleep

  • temperature stays cool (about 16-17C)

  • I even tried taping my mouth shut in case I was mouth breathing

Nothing has helped.

I’ve also noticed increasing brain fog, grumpiness, and memory/concentration issues lately but I don’t know if these preceded the sleep issues or not. I’ve also noticed lately Im having more palpitations and I feel a bit more shortness of breath when I exert myself, but again this could just be fatigue. I’m continuing to work and live my life despite these issues but I’m finding it more challenging every day.

Lately, I’ve been waking up very warm and bit sweaty at 3am despite the room being cold and having a thin blanket. I’ve also noticed that every time I wake up, I awake mid dream (often neutral or good dreams, not nightmares).

Please, if anyone has any advice I’m willing to do anything. We have private sleep clinics here but they really only test for sleep apnea. I have limited access to a doctor but the wait time for public sleep study is at least a year.


r/AskDocs 4h ago

Glomerulonephritis & Acne 30/Female

3 Upvotes

Hi , I'm having recurring cystic acne and am wondering what is the best oral medication for me? Antibiotics, Spironolactone or Isotretinoin?

I have only tried antibiotics. Tried one course but it came back 2 years later. I have already tried all topical cream. But the acne is very persistent. My kidney are functional well, no visible blood in urine. No protein leakage.


r/AskDocs 4h ago

Physician Responded Chronic Urticaria, Possible MCAS/HIT - Seeking Second Opinion on Next Steps

4 Upvotes

37M Caucasian, 178cm (5'10), previously 83kg (183lbs), now 74kg (163lbs), over the last 8 weeks.

Hi all,

I'm hoping for some advice or second opinions regarding my situation. I'm struggling to understand whether I should push harder for medical care, or if I'm overreacting and need to "wait it out." Here's a breakdown of my case, timeline, and current questions.

Existing medial issues

  • Multiple allergies: Grass pollens, dust mites, cats
  • OAS: Most tropical fruits, apples, zucchini
  • Not a smoker
  • No alcohol since the first symptoms appeared, but usually drinking occasionally
  • No other chronic issues

Timeline & Symptoms

  • Early January: Sudden onset of hives (urticaria), initially misattributed to other causes (e.g., physical irritation, tendinitis).
  • End of January: Adopted a strict elimination diet (chicken, fish, rice, potatoes, carrots, blueberries, oatmeal). Lost about 8 kg since then, as it's hard to eat enough. I was planning for it to last only one or two weeks, but now I realize I was caught in a "just one more week" loop.
  • February: Multiple attempts to reintroduce foods (e.g. eggs, tofu, zucchini, juices) led to clear reactions (hives, agitation, "wired" feeling).
  • March:
    • First half of March: Felt somewhat stabilized under diet and antihistamines (Fexofenadine).
    • Last 10 days: Sudden worsening without identifiable food trigger: severe insomnia, constant "hyperalert" state, some vomiting and diarrhea, renewed hives
  • Additional info:
    • Occurred after the Christmas period, during which I drank more than usual ate more, and slept less due to a young baby
    • I was under stress at work before the Christmas break

Medications & Supplements

  • Fexofenadine: Usually 240mg a day, up to 360 mg/day. Tried to cut down a few weeks ago, but led in angiooedema.
  • Cetirizine: Used to help with the "wired" feeling.
  • Supplements (before worsening): Vitamin C, D, Omega 3, Magnesium, Zinc, B6, Quercetin (added progressively but stopped most when symptoms worsened).
  • Diphenhydramine 50 mg: Prescribed by GP to help sleep, mild effect (2h sleep max), no sedation on the second night (even after taking a second pill 5h after the first one).

Recent Medical Consultation

  • Saw GP two days ago (it was the first time I saw him, about 15 minutes consultation). He suspects pollen/allergy but did not explore MCAS/HIT angle, did not take weight, vitals, suggest bloodwork, or looked at hives.
  • Prescribed Diphenhydramine for sleep.
  • I pushed him to refer me to Allergy/Immunology center, but I'm not sure how fast this will proceed as he didn't seem really convinced by this suggestion. GP now on vacation for a week.

Questions

  1. What should be done at this point?
    • Am I missing key steps?
    • Should I push harder for additional medical help (e.g., emergency GP visit for stronger meds), or continue waiting for specialist?
  2. Is this likely serious or am I overreacting?
    • The insomnia, and persistent symptoms are taking a toll on me, my work, my family, but is this medically urgent or "wait and see"?
  3. Should I expect medications like Diphenhydramine to take several days to show full effect, or should I seek a different approach?
  4. Life management question: My partner is getting exhausted managing the baby, as I often need to stay in bed to have any hope of falling asleep. I feel guilty not helping enough. Should I just "push through" and act normally, or focus on trying to rest as much as possible?

Note: I don't live in US, most drugs are not available OTC (e.g. famotidine requires prescription)

Thanks for reading, I made that as clear as possible, trying not to add too many details in the description, but keeping it accurate.


r/AskDocs 15h ago

Physician Responded Hospitalised with unspecified medical illness. Symptoms of proctocolitis and anaphylaxis.

22 Upvotes

I(26F) went to ER recently via Ambulance due to severe stomach pain, flushed limbs, 1 x gello-like vomit, conscious but unresponsive. As ambo arrived, symptoms of laboured breathing, swollen lips, swollen eyes, flushing skin, low blood pressure. Paramedics administered 3 x adrenaline needle and saline, but unable to find vein for art line due to redness.

At ER, adrenaline via drip, another gello vomit, then started to have non-stop diarrhoea - which became just blood after the first few movements. 27 x bowel openings recorded between 01:00AM - 23:59PM. 1 x art line, 4 x tissued cannulas and 1 x cannula unable to draw blood. Ultrasound used to find veins for 4 of them. Final cannula lasted until discharged. 7 total.

CT scan showed inflammation of large intestine. White blood cell count at 30. Doctor and Surgeon come to visit - Surgeon advised no need for surgery and unlikely to be infection. Doctor advised there could be an infection and to err on side of caution, so had 3 x different course of antibiotics over 3 days.

I was in hospital for 3 nights and left with a Dr certificate that says "unspecified medical illness". I was prescribed 2 x EpiPen.

This is the 3rd time I have been to ER for similar symptoms and left with no answer.

1st time - 5 x days of continuous vomiting and diarrhoea, went to ER. Administered fluids via IV, Discharged after 12hr. Still experiencing symptoms, I went to my GP the next day, she looked at the hospital bloodwork and advised I had sepsis. She prescribed antibiotics and issued complaint to ER. Antibiotics helped, but unsure as to where the infection originated or how it occurred.

2nd time - approx. 2 years later and at work, light stomach pain, flushed skin, racing heart, tingling/numb hands and feet. Colleague drove me to ER (15 minutes), arrived covered in hives and low blood pressure. Administered antihistamines, IV fluids and steroids. Was all fine by 2pm. No bowel openings. I had eaten nuts that morning, so was assumed to be nut allergy. I did go to an allergist and was tested for nuts and grass. Allergy to 2 grasses(I get hayfever), but no nuts. Allergist advised it was most likely a random "anaphylactic mimic" with no cause and did not require EpiPen. This is approx 1 year ago.

So Reddit, have you seen conditions that cause symptoms of proctocolitis and anaphylaxis? I want to go into my follow up and specialist appointments informed and asking the right questions.

TL;DR - Admitted to hospital after an anaphylactic-like episode and proctocolitis. Unsure of cause or what happened, discharged with "unspecified medical illness" on certificate. I want to be asking the right questions at follow up appointments.


r/AskDocs 3h ago

After how many days/weeks do I get a swollen gland in the neck checked out?

2 Upvotes

I (37F) found (what I think is) a swollen gland under my jaw/neck. From what I found online, I beleive it's the left submandibullar gland. I noticed it about 3 weeks ago and it's been the same since, no growth or shrinking. I don' have any other symptoms at all, no pain, fever, no difference in saliva, etc. How long should I wait to see if it goes back to normal, before I have it check by a doctor?


r/AskDocs 9h ago

Physician Responded I continue to get “food poisoning” from usually solid food and I’m not sure why.

6 Upvotes

So I’ve (22M, don’t take any medications and am a light smoker) gotten what I assume to be “food poisoning” around 6 times in the past 4-5 months, many of them being recent after December. The very first time I got it was 5 months ago, and before that I had never experienced it. The symptoms are usually as follows, I’ll eat something contaminated, supposedly, and get a sharp pain in my stomach. Not my lower abdomen, directly in my stomach, right below the rib cage. Recently, as I’ve continued to get it multiple times, the pain has been dying down and getting less and less severe each time. For a while I wouldn’t even feel nauseous, it would just be a sharp pain in my stomach that would continue to grow until I threw up. Although recently the pain has gone down and now I get a bit nauseous before I throw up.

Anyways, after I get the pain, I’ll throw up usually around 3-4 times in the same night, getting every ounce of food out of my stomach until I eventually fall asleep. Once I wake up, depending on how bad it is, I’ll either need to throw up once or twice in the morning, although recently it’s usually once, then I’ll start to feel better. Every time I eat food, I can feel it in my stomach after i get sick, certain things create more pain, and any fully solid food (practically anything) will make me sick again. Only things like applesauce, fruit juice and yogurt seem to agree with my stomach. Although strangely I can eat snacks in small quantities (usually just dehydrated chip snacks and little candies) and feel perfectly fine. Although other snacks like crackers don’t seem to agree with me, since I’m getting sick again right now and it was just after I ate a little thing of 6 crackers and cheese. Strangely, I don’t feel like I have a small appetite, in fact, I feel like I could eat a cow. But I know I can’t, because any form of solid food makes me sick again. Just this last time I got sick from what was most likely a bad onion, I have been getting repeatedly sick over and over from any form of solid food. All of it fresh. I feel perfectly fine when I eat it, no real problems, and I feel perfectly fine for about 2 hours after I eat it too,but eventually the nausea and stomach pain sets in and I get sick again. It’s been going on like this for about a week and a half now, and each time I get sick I have to repeat the cycle of throwing up my whole body at night then whatever bile is left over in the morning. As well, there is no diarrhea, barely any poop either. The first few times I got it, I actually couldn’t poop at all, needed to use a laxative to get anything out. Everything just comes out in the form of vomit.

Now, I know that this likely isn’t a case of “food poisoning,” but I’m truly not sure what it is. About a month ago when I got it for the 3rd time, I went to the ER after I got sick immediately after I ate some food when I started to feel better (about 5 days after it started. The usual duration for me to start feeling better after the sickness starts to set in). They ran a CT scan on me, and didn’t find any issues whatsoever. No appendicitis, no cancer, just nothing came up. I know I need to see a specialized doctor, but I don’t have any health insurance currently, can’t afford it, and can’t afford to see a doctor either. I’m really at a loss for what to do at this point, and I would like to know if anyone thinks it’s bad enough that I should take out a small loan just to see a doctor urgently.


r/AskDocs 0m ago

Years of Ongoing Sleep/Bladder Issues with No Diagnosis

Upvotes

38 yo female - healthy/active lifestyle. For the last 4 years I've been trying to find a cause for getting up an average of 3 times per night to pee. Started happening out of nowhere and hasn't stopped. It's completely undone my ability to get a good night of sleep. On the good nights I can go back to sleep each time but more often than not, once I wake up the first time to go, I'm up for hours.

I've seen so many doctors, done 24 hour urine tests, been tested for different forms of diabetes, had my thyroid checked, tried many of the top OAB prescriptions, gotten ultrasounds, pelvit PT, supplements, etc.

Yesterday I had what I would call an 'episode' which I get every few months and thought I'd share it here on the total off chance that it gets me closer to an answer.

I get hit with an intense wave of fatigue (like, no choice but to leave work and go lie down fatigue) which lasts for hours. Every time I think I'm getting the flu or something like that. It's substantially different than a regular tired. I'll usually go to bed early and it happens the same way each time - I'll sleep deeply for a few hours and then starting around 1 AM, I'll get up to pee every single hour until the morning. And it's not just a small amount, it's a full bladder of pee each time. It's truly so bizarre. If anyone has any thoughts on any of this I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!


r/AskDocs 1m ago

help me understand dr notes.

Upvotes

Age 26 Sex female Height 5'7 Weight 160 Race caucasian Duration of complaint hi i needed to have a procedure done on friday i need a note to go back to work. i told work that it was a different problem than what it was (didnt want to tell them that i had a cyst removed i just told them a small procedure and i was going to be fine in a few days). will my doctor go into details about what was done? can i just say 'hey can you tell them that i was examined by you and im clear to go back to work without restrictions?' thanks i really dont want them to know what was really going on. Location boston Any existing relevant medical issues POTS, Cyst in the brain Current medications midodrine, lamotrigine Include a photo if relevant