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Pain & Discomfort Questions

Discomfort Near the Carotid Pulse

A 37-year-old woman reports experiencing intermittent discomfort in her neck over the past week. Initially unsure of the pain's source, she recently identified that it is located close to her carotid pulse. The area feels tender, almost like a bruise, although she doesn't recall any specific injury that might have caused it. While she has a history of neck pain and headaches, conditions she has dealt with throughout her life, she has been using a shiatsu massager regularly to alleviate neck stiffness. Initially, she thought the discomfort could be attributed to this massage technique; however, she now believes that it is more related to her throat and carotid region than to the massage itself.

HeadacheNeck PainJoint Pain
Male • 25-34
1 hour ago

Should I Be Worried About This Pain, or Is It Just a Result of My Inactive Routine?

I am a 36-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 4 inches and weighing 220 pounds. My medical background includes Graves’ disease, a diagnosis of thyroid cancer, and a thyroidectomy performed in early 2025, but all my test results were normal as of last week. I also suffered a fracture to my fifth metatarsal back in November 2024, which has since healed properly. My job requires me to spend much of my day sitting or standing at a desk. Given my height and weight, I'm classified as overweight. I do have an active 6-year-old son, so I find myself outdoors and walking with him frequently in the evenings. However, I must admit that I haven't engaged in any formal exercise for several years. Recently, I ventured out paddle boarding for a brief period, only to face severe pain in my right leg for a few days afterward. The discomfort was significant enough to cause a noticeable limp, forcing me to rely on ibuprofen to manage it continuously. Just yesterday, I enjoyed a leisurely bike ride along with my son, who was on a tag-along bike, adding an extra 50 pounds for just over 90 minutes. About six hours after our ride, I felt an intense burning sensation in my legs around the knee area. The severity of the pain was unprecedented, leading to a restless night until I turned to ibuprofen and ice for relief, along with elevating my legs. Notably, the pain in my right leg was dramatically more severe than that in my left. Today, while the pain has become more manageable, it still lingers, particularly in the right leg. Could this be simply a result of engaging muscles that have been dormant for a long time, or is it something I should take seriously?

Pain ManagementJoint PainMuscle Pain
Male • 25-34
1 hour ago

Seeking Guidance for Persistent Rash on My Foot

I am a 26-year-old female and have been dealing with a rash located on the top of my foot for nearly two months. Given my lifelong experience with eczema, I didn’t initially react with alarm to this new irritation on my foot. The rash extends slightly between my toes, which is a new development for me. When I mentioned this to a friend, she suggested it might be athlete’s foot. In response, I decided to use ketoconazole shampoo that had previously been prescribed for a different issue. However, there was no noticeable improvement in the rash. While it occasionally itched, the discomfort was not severe. In an effort to address the situation, I also began applying an over-the-counter terbinafine cream, thinking the shampoo might not be sufficient. Unfortunately, this too failed to yield any results. As the rash progressed, I started to observe pustules forming, which raised my concern about a possible infection. This prompted me to visit a walk-in clinic, which turned out to be quite a frustrating experience. There, I received a prescription for oral fluconazole along with a prednisone injection. This occurred about a month after the rash first appeared. Although I’m not entirely sure what contributed more to the improvement at that stage, I noticed some positive changes initially; however, the rash returned soon after. In my search for a more definitive solution, I consulted a dermatologist who prescribed ketoconazole cream and mupirocin ointment, advising me to use both treatments for a two-week regimen. After completing the first week, I have yet to see any improvement, and I’m beginning to worry that this might be indicative of a more serious condition. I’m now contemplating whether consulting a podiatrist could be a more appropriate next step. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

FibromyalgiaRheumatologyChronic Pain
Male • 25-34
2 hours ago

Severe Pelvic Discomfort After Intimacy: Seeking Insights

I am a 34-year-old female, standing at 5’8” and weighing 140 pounds. Earlier today, after consuming alcohol, I engaged in sexual activity that did not reach completion. Shortly after, I began to experience intense pain localized in my lower left abdomen and rectum. It feels as if I am being stabbed in that area. The discomfort escalates to an unbearable 10 out of 10, a rare rating for me as I seldom experience pain to this degree. In an attempt to alleviate the suffering, I took a hydrocodone left over from a dental procedure which helped me drift off to sleep for a while. However, upon waking to use the restroom, the pain returned with full force as soon as I attempted to stand up. I am so distressed that I find myself in tears; the pain can become blinding, but it diminishes to about a 4 out of 10 when I can lie down. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has encountered a similar situation or might have an idea of what could be causing this. Though I’m apprehensive about going to the emergency department here in the US, I’m starting to think I may need to. If this could potentially be due to a ruptured cyst, would such a condition necessitate a hospital visit, or could I manage it with over-the-counter medication until the symptoms settle? Thank you for any guidance you might have.

Pain ManagementJoint PainAbdominal Pain
Male • 25-34
2 hours ago

Deep Inhalation Reveals Peculiar Mouth Sound

Hello all, I want to share a unique experience I've been having and hear your thoughts. I'm a 19-year-old male, standing at approximately 1.70m (around 5 feet 7 inches) and weighing 98kg (approximately 216 pounds). About one to two years ago, I started to notice a peculiar sound that emerges from my mouth, almost like a click or splash, synchronized with my heartbeat. 🔹 **Occurrence**:This sound only presents itself when I take a very deep breath while feeling slightly fatigued or short of breath, and I keep my mouth open as I hold in the air. 🔹 **Absence**: It doesn't occur during regular or partial inhalations, and if I cover my ears, I can’t perceive it myself, although my girlfriend can hear it clearly emanating from my mouth or throat. 🔹 **Associated Symptoms**: I do not experience any chest pain, dizziness, fainting, swelling, or breathing difficulties. The sound is only noticeable in that specific scenario. 🔹 **Medical Background**: As a child, I was diagnosed with a mild heart murmur, but I have never faced any complications or received follow-up care. I have not had any significant cardiovascular events or major health issues since then. I’ve conducted a few at-home checks, such as gently pressing on my neck or jugular area, but it hasn’t completely eliminated the sound. The fact that someone else can hear it suggests that it’s not merely a perception confined to me. I stumbled upon similar discussions on Reddit, notably one titled "Constantly loud blood – pulse projected from mouth/throat," where individuals speculated that it could result from noise linked to blood flow or perhaps something referred to as venous hum. They suggested undergoing Doppler scans or CT angiography for further investigation. ⚠️ Though I haven’t consulted a doctor or undergone any scans yet, I am planning to have an echocardiogram and a vascular ultrasound to eliminate potential concerns such as a remaining murmur, turbulent blood flow, or any structural issues. 💬 I would greatly appreciate insights from anyone who: • Has experienced a similar sound under comparable circumstances; • Can share the tests they had and their outcomes; • Knows if any medical professional identified serious problems or found it to be completely benign. Thank you in advance! I am keen to determine whether this is simply an unusual but harmless acoustic phenomenon or if it warrants further investigation.

HeadacheAbdominal PainMuscle Pain
Male • 25-34
4 hours ago

Determining When to Seek Emergency Care

As a woman in her early thirties with a prolonged history of asthma, including numerous hospitalizations due to pneumonia in my childhood, I am grappling with a question that seems trivial, yet feels critical: When is it necessary to visit the emergency room? I’ve been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection, yet I can perceive crackling sounds while breathing. My coughs are so intense that they sometimes result in involuntary leakage, and I find myself feeling quite dizzy. Last night, my oxygen saturation level fell to 91%, prompting the administration of two nebulizer treatments, which temporarily restored my oxygen levels to 100%. Since Wednesday, I have been battling persistent illness and a general sense of malaise, without any notable improvement. Additionally, my phlegm is minimal, making it difficult to determine its color for assessment. Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

NeurologyBack PainAbdominal Pain
Male • 25-34
5 hours ago

Awoke to a Sharp Pain in My Neck

This morning, I, a 21-year-old female, found myself in discomfort, waking up with a severe ache in my neck. Turning my head has become a challenge; I can barely lower it or look upward, and any attempt to rotate it to the left is met with excruciating pain. The only minimal movement I can manage is a slight nod and a gentle lean to the right. Despite applying a pain relief gel and using a heating pad, relief remains elusive. The pain has persisted for five hours now.

Back PainNeck PainChronic Pain
Male • 25-34
5 hours ago

Persistent Tightness and Bloating in the Lower Abdomen

As a 25-year-old male standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 170 pounds, I have been experiencing a consistent feeling of tightness and fullness in my lower abdomen, particularly around the area adjacent to my navel. This sensation is akin to a persistent pressure that makes my abdomen feel unnaturally prominent and restricted, as though I am actively engaging my core muscles. This discomfort is fairly constant and tends to interfere with my ability to maintain good posture. Despite my efforts to alleviate the situation through medications like Gas-X, I haven’t noticed any significant improvement, as I am not suffering from excessive gas or related issues.

HeadacheJoint PainAbdominal Pain
Male • 25-34
6 hours ago

Recognizing a Medication-Induced Low Blood Pressure Emergency

Hello! My partner, who is 27 years old and identifies as AFAB and uses they/them pronouns, was recently given a combination of medications: benztropine and clonazepam for treating tardive dyskinesia and dystonia, along with propranolol. Though we were informed that these medications could be safely combined, we have been cautious and taking them at different times. Just a short while ago, they came upstairs to check in with me, mentioning that they felt significantly dizzy and faint. I noticed their face seemed somewhat cold and perhaps a tad pale, although the lighting made it hard to be certain. After lying down with their feet elevated against the wall, their face seemed to warm up. We suspect that the dizziness might stem from low blood pressure caused by the mix of these medications. How can we determine if this situation qualifies as an emergency? We would prefer not to burden emergency responders or incur unnecessary expenses if this isn't a critical issue. Appreciate your guidance!

FibromyalgiaNeurologyAbdominal Pain
Male • 25-34
7 hours ago

I'm in Severe Pain and Desperate for Advice

Hello everyone. I began experiencing intense pain in my nipple around 6 PM, and it has persisted until now, which is 1 AM. The discomfort is unbearable, and I find myself in tears as I write this message. I'm a 20-year-old who is neither pregnant nor breastfeeding, yet one of my nipples has become red and is covered with raised bumps. Initially, when I first discovered it, the pain was manageable, so I applied some diaper rash cream, which provided temporary relief. However, after trying it again, the cream didn't help, and now my nipple is extremely sensitive and the pain is excruciating. I am truly seeking assistance and hope someone can provide guidance. Thank you.

Chest PainJoint PainAbdominal Pain
Male • 25-34
9 hours ago
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