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Recent Questions

Understanding My Heart Condition: Seeking Clarity

At the age of 21, I have recently been diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve accompanied by moderate regurgitation, as well as mitral valve prolapse. How concerning is this situation? Additionally, my physician has recommended that I continue with long-acting penicillin injections until I reach fifty years of age. Does this imply that I also have rheumatism?

Irregular HeartbeatCardiologyInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
2 minutes ago

Ears Experiencing Sharp Sensations

I've been experiencing sudden, painful sensations in my inner ear that feel like electrical zaps. I'm uncertain about the cause, but the discomfort is quite intense. I'm a 22-year-old male dealing with epilepsy and currently taking Depakote and Lamotrigine to manage my condition. Additionally, I’m prescribed Buspirone for depression and Trazodone to help with my insomnia.

AgingFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
2 minutes ago

Red Lump on Waist Area

Greetings! I have noticed a red bump located on my waist, precisely where the waistband of my trousers rests. It resembles either a pimple or an ingrown hair, but this particular bump has persisted for around three months. It only causes discomfort when I inadvertently touch or scratch it. Could anyone provide insights into what this might be? I am a 24-year-old male weighing 160 pounds, and my recent blood tests have shown no underlying health issues.

Weight ManagementLifestyle ChangesFamily Medicine
Male • 25-34
2 minutes ago

Three Months of Irregular Periods: Is This PCOS or Something More Serious?

I'm a 27-year-old woman, standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. I’ve previously experimented with medications like tranexamic acid and norethisterone, but they haven’t helped. I don’t smoke, and I only consume alcohol on a few occasions throughout the year. Now, let me explain my situation more clearly: I’ve always dealt with an unpredictable menstrual cycle, but things took a turn in November when I experienced excruciating cramps (it felt as if my insides were being constricted) followed by an exceptionally heavy menstrual flow. After that, the bleeding didn’t stop; it's been going on for three months now, occasionally fluctuating between light spotting and heavy flow. I’ve made several visits to my healthcare provider, and they've attempted to manage the bleeding with various treatments while an ultrasound has been scheduled. While I await further evaluation, I find my energy completely drained. I’ve suffered from persistent headaches for over a week, and despite my effort to stay hydrated by drinking plenty before bed, I wake up feeling parched. Recently, I’ve started taking iron supplements, yet I still experience bouts of lightheadedness, and my chest aches almost constantly. I realize these symptoms could stem from blood loss or hormonal imbalances, but as I search for temporary relief for my discomfort, I’m constantly confronted with alarming possibilities during my research, which heightens my anxiety as I wait for answers. It feels like I haven't been at ease for months. Additionally, being autistic complicates my experience further due to sensory sensitivities during my menstrual cycle, contributing to a feeling of impending dread about the situation, which I believe others would relate to. My family has also begun expressing concern over my persistent headaches and fatigue; I’m hoping to find comfort knowing that these experiences are not unusual. I suspect that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may play a role in what I’m experiencing, but the accumulation of these additional symptoms leads me to wonder if there are other conditions I should be vigilant about. Furthermore, I suffer from chronic inflammation, though the cause remains unidentified, and I endure episodes of back pain that can last for days. Occasionally, I feel sharp, shooting pains primarily in my thighs, but sometimes in my chest as well, typically lasting about a minute. I also have moments of tingling in my extremities, reminiscent of that pins-and-needles sensation. Although I don't believe these issues are connected, the combination of everything makes me increasingly anxious.

ADHDAnxietyDepression
Male • 25-34
12 minutes ago

Navigating Ongoing Leg Issues: My Journey and Concerns

Greetings, Reddit community. I’m a 29-year-old woman facing ongoing challenges, especially with my legs. A significant concern is my history of breaking or severely injuring both of my feet several times. The recovery process has been lengthy, spanning over a year, during which I relied heavily on air casts. Moreover, I possess a considerable degree of flexibility, making me susceptible to hyperextension. Lately, my knees have been particularly troublesome. Initially, I attributed these issues to the chilly weather, but with upcoming diagnostic appointments, I’m beginning to consider that there could be more underlying factors at play. Allow me to elaborate on my symptoms further: Often, the backs of my thighs feel as though I’ve been in a perpetual squat, and when I rise, there’s a disconcerting chance of experiencing what I refer to as "noodle legs." It’s as if my legs struggle to support my weight, with my knees sometimes feeling like they might bend in unnatural directions or give way entirely. Finding the right words to articulate this is proving challenging. My healthcare provider suspects I may have conditions like POTS and EDS, among other possibilities. I’m feeling anxious about potential complications or injuries as I await my appointments. (I apologize for any typographical errors – I’m autistic and sometimes find it difficult to express my thoughts in writing. Thank you for your patience and any insights you might offer.)

ArthritisLupusCOPD
Male • 25-34
12 minutes ago

Experiencing Joint Discomfort and Stiffness in My Fingers

At 15 years old and identifying as nonbinary, I’m beginning to notice some concerning issues with my joints. While being short and on the heavier side, I wonder if my body type might play a role in the discomfort I’ve been experiencing. For a while now, I’ve dealt with pain primarily in my back, knees, and wrists. Additionally, other areas such as my ankles, hips, and occasionally my elbows also feel tender and sore. Recently, I have also noticed stiffness in my fingers. Although cracking my knuckles sometimes alleviates the tightness, it doesn’t completely resolve the issue. I can’t help but question if these problems stem from my body type. My posture is poor, and my larger chest might contribute to the strain on my back, which adds to my discomfort.

ArthritisFibromyalgiaCOPD
Male • 25-34
12 minutes ago

Post-Eardrum Rupture: Managing Discharge and Recovery Concerns

A 39-year-old male, standing at 5'9" and weighing 140 lbs, shares his experience following an incident that resulted in a punctured eardrum. About ten days ago, while attempting to dislodge a hair that had become lodged in his ear, he inadvertently perforated his right eardrum using a USB otoscope. This resulted in mild discomfort, a temporary loss of hearing, and some blood. The following day, he sought medical attention at an urgent care facility, where healthcare professionals diagnosed him with a ruptured eardrum, noting the presence of some blood but otherwise confirming that everything appeared normal. He was advised to allow time for recovery and to keep the ear dry, particularly during showers. Initially, he was able to sleep on his right side without any issues for a week. However, on Friday night, he began to experience a sensation of pressure in that ear, prompting him to switch to sleeping on his left side for the remainder of the night. During this time, he also noticed a slight liquid accumulation in his ear, which he absorbed with a tissue. The rest of Saturday presented no complications, but that night, he awoke several times to find his ear moist. After finally achieving a few uninterrupted hours of rest, he noticed a significant buildup of liquid upon waking. He soaked up the fluid with a tissue and discovered that it had leaked onto his chin, presenting as a clearish-yellow substance. On the following day, he experienced a similar situation: no issues or dryness during the day, but he faced an excessive discharge at night that required attention. This time, the fluid exhibited a more pronounced yellow to orange tint. The individual expresses concern over the discharge appearing a week post-rupture. He acknowledges that while some degree of discharge can be expected, it typically arises from infections leading to eardrum ruptures. In his case, the physician had not prescribed antibiotics at the initial visit as the puncture was not due to an infection. He wonders if it would be wise to follow up for a re-evaluation given the lack of pain, but the ongoing hearing challenge and the nightly leakage have become sources of frustration.

COPDInternal MedicineRheumatology
Male • 25-34
32 minutes ago

Should I Visit the Hospital After Bumping My Head?

Hello everyone! On Sunday afternoon, around 3 to 4 PM, I accidentally bumped the back right side of my head. Fortunately, I didn’t experience any of the usual severe symptoms associated with head injuries, such as dizziness, loss of consciousness, or vomiting; just localized pain in the impacted area. A few hours later, however, I developed a very intense headache along with a slight feeling of nausea. I suffer from chronic migraines, which can flare up due to various factors. I suspected the current weather conditions—which typically trigger my migraines—and the recent bump might be contributing to my discomfort. Usually, my migraines manifest primarily on the left side, around my temple and eyebrow, but this time the pain was more generalized, and it intensified when I moved, stood up, or even blew my nose, which is not uncommon for me during a migraine episode. I took some pain relief medication and managed to sleep through the night without any problems. The next morning, I still had a slight headache, but it improved as the day went on. I only took one ibuprofen for menstrual cramps, not for my headache, and by around 9 to 10 PM, the pain had completely subsided. Later in the evening, while I lay down, the pain did not escalate. However, when I slept on my right side that night, I experienced a mild headache again. This time, it was centered in the front and sides of my head, on both the left and right, as well as the back near where I had the injury. There’s no significant swelling where I hit my head, although the specific area is tender to the touch. We examined my scalp but did not notice any noticeable bruising. I understand that head injuries can carry serious risks, so I’m seeking advice: do I need to visit the hospital for further evaluation? Is it possible that the discomfort I felt while sleeping stemmed from pressure on the injured area, causing pain to radiate to other parts of my head? Thank you very much for your guidance!

WellnessFamily MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male • 25-34
32 minutes ago

Injury to Lingual Frenulum

A 40-year-old woman, who does not smoke and is not currently on any medication, experienced a tear on the underside of her tongue, specifically at the frenulum, this morning. It has now been approximately nine hours since the incident occurred. Initially, there was slight bleeding that lasted for about an hour. Fortunately, she reports no difficulties with breathing or swallowing. However, she is experiencing moderate to severe discomfort, particularly when attempting to move her tongue from side to side or up and down. Chewing has become difficult due to the injury, accompanied by some mild swelling observed on the bottom of her mouth. Her primary concern centers around the extent of the tear rather than the pain associated with movement, which she considers understandable. She seeks reassurance regarding whether a medical consultation is necessary.

WellnessFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
32 minutes ago

Constant Redness in My Hands and Feet

At 17 years old, I’m dealing with a persistent issue involving the redness of my hands and feet. The most noticeable symptoms appear on my palms and fingers, but my feet are affected even more severely—particularly the soles, which are always a vivid red. The tops and toes also show signs of this redness quite frequently. Along with the discoloration, I often feel a burning sensation in these areas, to the point where I need to grab something cold to ease the discomfort. Interestingly, while my hands and feet remain warm, the rest of my body tends to feel chilly quite often. This situation leaves me questioning whether it should raise any concerns or is just part of normal variation. I suspect it might be related to hydration; however, I'm not sure. Whenever I research this issue, the term POTS frequently appears, but I believe that condition has additional symptoms that I do not seem to have.

AgingLifestyle ChangesInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
42 minutes ago
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