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Understanding Multilevel Thoracic Spondylosis in the Context of Familial Rheumatoid Arthritis

I’m a 50-year-old female, measuring 5’4” and weighing 212 pounds. Currently, I am undergoing treatment with Lamotrigine and Ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. Additionally, I take Wegovy tablets for weight management. Recently, I sought the expertise of a rheumatologist due to a six-month period of increasingly severe joint pain throughout my body and corresponding stiffness. This change coincides with a significant family history of severe seronegative rheumatoid arthritis; my family includes a brother, mother, and three out of four grandparents who have battled this condition. Notably, two of these relatives have also been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. It appears I was not fortunate in the genetic department. To further investigate my symptoms, my doctor recommended various tests, including blood work, X-rays, and two MRIs. The results indicated mild to moderate degenerative joint disease (DJD). The radiologist's report revealed the following details: I have a follow-up appointment scheduled with the rheumatologist in a month. While I maintain a sense of calm about the situation, I would deeply appreciate any insights from medical professionals to help clarify the findings outlined below. I prefer not to rely on platforms like ChatGPT or internet searches for health-related queries, as they often lead to unnecessary alarm. Results are summarized as follows: **MRI of the thoracic spine without contrast** - At T4-T5, T5-T6, and T6-T7 levels, there is a mild disc bulge accompanied by a small 2 mm left paracentral disc protrusion, which is resulting in mild stenosis of the left foraminal space. No issues with canal or right foraminal stenosis were detected. It’s possible that the left paracentral disc protrusion might be in contact with the spinal cord without altering signal. - There is evidence of mild multilevel thoracic spondylosis. **Bilateral hip X-ray** - The X-ray indicates mild DJD in both hips. - There is visibility of bilateral acetabular protrusion, potentially leading to impingement; further clinical correlation is warranted. Thank you immensely for your consideration and any assistance you can offer.

AsthmaAllergy & ImmunologyDermatology
Male • 25-34
6 minutes ago

Exploring Alternative Options for Managing Large Fibroadenomas Without Surgery

I am a 27-year-old woman managing several health conditions. Currently, I am prescribed 20mg of fluoxetine to help with OCD and intense premenstrual syndrome. Additionally, I take spironolactone for hormonal acne and seborrheic dermatitis. I have a history of lupus, which is nearing remission, and I'm not on any medication for it at this time. My concern lies with the presence of multiple significant fibroadenomas in both of my breasts. We stopped counting them after numerous ultrasounds, as it became clear there were too many to identify. I had biopsies taken from ten distinct masses, five on each side, all of which were confirmed as complex benign fibroadenomas. It's not uncommon for some individuals to develop many of these, but mine are notably large. Their size causes me substantial pain, impacting my sleep, gym activities, and even my ability to breathe comfortably. Many of these masses range from 3 to 8 centimeters. I've undergone surgical removal for several of these large and painful fibroadenomas. However, I was cautioned that they might return to their previous size, and unfortunately, that seems to be happening. I cannot continually opt for surgery every few months to address this issue. Despite my discussions with my surgeon and primary care physician, they haven't presented alternative solutions beyond surgery. I am feeling quite overwhelmed and anxious about this situation. While I am relieved they are not cancerous, their presence is significantly affecting my quality of life. Are there any other treatment options available? I am eager for any information or advice that could help me manage this condition more effectively.

ArthritisLupusFibromyalgia
Male • 25-34
6 minutes ago

Unexplained Dark Marks on My Foot

Greetings! I’m a 34-year-old female residing in Europe. This evening, I noticed that the sole of my foot felt quite rough and upon inspection, I discovered some unusual dark purple marks beneath the skin. Interestingly, only one foot has these discolorations. I’ll share a photo in the comments for reference. I suspect that my habit of resting hot water bottles under my feet throughout the day might be the cause. I find the warmth comforting, but I wonder if it could have caused some form of skin damage. I’m unsure if this could have potentially inflicted such harm, and if so, what steps I need to take next. Will this clear up on its own or is medical attention advisable? I weigh 43 kg and stand at 154 cm. Just to give you some context, my weight in December 2024 was 62 kg, indicating a significant and unintended weight loss. For background, I’ve been diagnosed with AuDHD recently, along with CPTSD, GAD, and depression. Currently, my medication includes: - 600 mg of Pregabalin - 50 mg of Agomelatine - 4 mg of Intuniv - Up to 0.75 mg of Xanax Any insights or recommendations on how to address this issue would be immensely appreciated. Wishing you all a pleasant night and thank you for your time! :)

LupusCrohn's DiseaseRheumatology
Male • 25-34
6 minutes ago

Delayed Treatment for Knee Injury Concerns

My 13-year-old nephew, referred to here as M, suffered a knee injury last week while skiing—it happened on Monday, February 2nd. After the fall, he found himself unable to bear weight on the affected leg and described the pain as being "deep inside" the knee joint. Despite the severity of the incident, his parents did not seek medical attention until Thursday, February 5th. During the consultation, a nurse practitioner assessed the injury and conducted X-rays, which fortunately showed no fractures. However, the practitioner suspected there might be damage to the surrounding tissues and advised that if the pain and limited movement did not improve shortly, an MRI would be necessary. As of today, the pain persists along with the restricted mobility, although there are no signs of swelling or bruising. It appears that his parents are not overly concerned about the situation. They prefer to monitor M’s condition, hoping that the discomfort will subside on its own. I'm apprehensive that this wait-and-see approach could result in lasting damage to his knee. Personally, I ignored a meniscus injury at the age of 25, and I continue to feel the repercussions of that decision, which makes me fear for my nephew's prognosis. Should it be a meniscus injury, how much time do we realistically have before it could lead to irreversible damage?

Sports InjuriesBack InjuryOrthopedics
Male • 25-34
6 minutes ago

Cefadroxil for Treating UTI?

I am a 27-year-old woman in my first trimester of pregnancy living in the United States. Recently, I visited urgent care due to the possibility of having a urinary tract infection (UTI). I had been experiencing symptoms for a day before my appointment. After tests were conducted, the diagnosis of a UTI was confirmed, and I was given a prescription for cefadroxil. Today, I received the results of my urine culture, which identified the presence of enterococcus faecalis. Upon doing some research, I discovered that cefadroxil may not be the ideal treatment for this specific type of bacteria. When I reached out for clarification about changing my medication, I was advised to complete the prescribed course of antibiotics. Given this situation, should I consider getting a second opinion? Is there a possibility that cefadroxil could still be effective against this infection?

ENTAllergy & ImmunologySore Throat
Male • 25-34
6 minutes ago

Fracture of the Sacrum

A 26-year-old woman who is an avid runner has sustained a fracture in her sacrum. To promote healing, she has been prescribed Calcitonin-salmon in a dosage of 200 Units subcutaneously. However, she feels anxious regarding the safety of this medication for someone of her age and gender, especially after reading various sources. Has anyone else dealt with a similar situation or taken this treatment?

ArthritisCOPDInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
6 minutes ago

Accidental Electrolyte Mishap During Prep

At 34 years of age, I inadvertently added half a serving of Seeking Health Optimal Electrolyte (unflavored) to my colonoscopy preparation fluid, rather than the intended beverage for rehydration. Is this a serious issue? Just as a side note, I’m dealing with significant MCAS (potentially Mastocytosis) and receive Xolair injections. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! 😢

WellnessSupplementsLifestyle Changes
Male • 25-34
6 minutes ago

Unusual Discomfort?

Hello, I'm an 18-year-old female, and I'm experiencing an unusual discomfort on the side of my breast. I've inspected the area thoroughly and found no unusual lumps or skin irritations, just some acne. The pain is quite mild and only occurs when I apply pressure to the spot. This has been happening for about three days now. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Pain ManagementChest PainAbdominal Pain
Male • 25-34
6 minutes ago

Concerns About Burn Wound Fluids

Subject: Query Regarding Burn Healing Progress Hello, I hope this message finds you well. I'm reaching out for some guidance about a situation I encountered recently. I'm a 31-year-old woman, standing 5'1" tall, and last week I sustained a second-degree burn on my right foot. Currently, my foot is in the recovery stage; however, I've noticed that the fluid being released is brown in color, and the swelling persists. I'm worried this could indicate an infection. What are your thoughts on this issue?

ArthritisFibromyalgiaInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
16 minutes ago

Understanding the Risks of Potential C. Difficile Recurrence

A 32-year-old male, measuring 180 cm and weighing 65 kg, has faced a serious bout with C. difficile, necessitating hospitalization and treatment with vancomycin five weeks ago (PCR positive, toxin negative). Recent tests revealed that his calprotectin levels significantly decreased from 1800 to 25 last week. Today, he is starting to experience symptoms reminiscent of his previous episode, including elevated heart rate (over 110 bpm), feelings of dizziness, a fever of 38.5°C, reduced appetite, and audible bowel sounds. However, he has not yet experienced loose stools or green vomit as he did during the earlier illness, with those symptoms emerging just a day after the onset. The doctor could only accommodate him for a consultation a month later. He is wondering if it would be wise to seek urgent care if his symptoms do not worsen or if it is still crucial to consult a physician despite the current mildness of his symptoms. Fortunately, he is managing to keep fluids down and has been able to consume small portions of food, which raises hopes that he may not be facing another infection of C. difficile. Additional context from the past year includes abdominal pain appearing two hours post-meal, a 10 kg weight loss, and challenges with swallowing pills and food, for which he is awaiting an ENT appointment. An X-ray indicated that food was becoming lodged in the pyriform sinus, and he has been experiencing nighttime balance issues. Treatments with PPIs and famotidine have not yielded improvement, and a colonoscopy performed two weeks ago showed no abnormalities. Furthermore, he had his gallbladder removed nine years ago, and his bilirubin levels have consistently been above 40 µmol/L. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

LupusCrohn's DiseaseInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
26 minutes ago
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