Thoughts on a Health Concern?
I've noticed small, red spots that don't fade when pressing on them, particularly on my legs. These dots tend to be more pronounced after standing for prolonged periods or during hot days. While my doctors initially suspected petechiae and conducted a comprehensive blood test, the results were completely normal, leading them to believe there’s no connection to any blood issues. However, I can't shake the worry that it might signal something more serious. I'm a 25-year-old male from the UK with a medical background that includes paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and costochondritis. The troublesome spots have been fluctuating in visibility for more than a year now.
Answers (1)
6/24/2025, 11:30:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about the small, red spots on your legs, especially given your medical history. While your blood tests came back normal and ruled out serious blood issues, it's important to consider that these spots could stem from various non-serious causes, especially since they become more noticeable after standing or in warm conditions.
Explanation: The small red spots you described, which do not fade when pressed, could be petechiae, which are tiny blood vessels that have burst. However, since you've already undergone comprehensive testing and your doctors have ruled out significant blood disorders, the spots might be related to other factors like vascular issues or benign skin conditions. Prolonged standing can increase pressure in your veins, particularly in your legs, leading to minor changes in the skin's appearance.
Given your concerns and ongoing visibility of the spots, it’s important to monitor your symptoms closely.
Next Steps:
-
Keep a Symptom Journal: Note any changes in the appearance of the spots, their location, and any associated symptoms (like itching or pain). This can help your doctor if you decide to follow up.
-
Limit Prolonged Standing: Try to reduce the amount of time you spend standing without moving. If you have to stand for long periods, shift your weight or take breaks to sit whenever possible.
-
Stay Cool: On hot days, wear loose-fitting clothing and stay hydrated to minimize swelling and discomfort in your legs.
-
Routine Follow-Up: Given the duration and your history, consider discussing your concerns again with your healthcare provider in a routine follow-up. They may want to assess the spots again or perhaps refer you to a dermatologist for further evaluation.
-
Check for Other Symptoms: Monitor for any new symptoms such as unusual bleeding, bruising, or changes in your overall health, which would require more urgent medical attention.
I hope this helps to alleviate some of your worries, and remember that it's okay to seek further clarification from your healthcare team regarding your concerns.
Related Questions
Micronodules Detected in Lung
Hello, I recently underwent a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan to assess arterial plaque, and I was pleased to receive a favorable score of 7.75. However, the report highlighted the presence of several clustered micronodules located in the right upper lung, accompanied by adjacent ground-glass opacities. I am a 60-year-old male, 6 feet tall and weigh 190 pounds. I do not currently take any medications and generally enjoy excellent health. There is a family history of heart disease on my father's side. Additionally, I am a non-smoker, apart from occasional use of cannabis, and consume alcohol very infrequently. Thank you in advance for any insights you can provide!
Concerns About My Daughter's Morning Health Issues
My 17-year-old daughter experiences troubling symptoms each morning, particularly on days when she needs to rise early for school or work. She often wakes up feeling dizzy and nauseated, accompanied by a rapid heartbeat exceeding 100 beats per minute. This situation prevents her from being able to eat and may persist for several hours, or in some cases, throughout the entire day. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall (172 cm) and weighing 121 pounds (55 kg), her physical health otherwise seems fine. I have a personal history of inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST), which is why I take beta-blockers for management. A few years ago, she consulted a cardiologist regarding her frequent episodes of near-fainting, who recommended increasing her water intake and adding more salt to her meals. Given the persistent nature of her symptoms, I am contemplating whether a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist is warranted, especially since all previous tests, including ECG and ultrasound, came back normal. This situation significantly affects her daily life, restricting her ability to engage fully in school and work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Concerns Regarding Neurological Health
Hello! I received an epilepsy diagnosis back in 2008, and throughout this time, various MRI and CT imaging studies have indicated issues related to cerebral function and encephalopathy. Despite consulting multiple neurologists over the years, I’ve found that none of them appear worried about the encephalopathy aspect. Shouldn’t this be something to take more seriously? My cognitive abilities, including memory and vision, have noticeably deteriorated as time has passed. I’m feeling lost since my previous neurologists have not acknowledged my concerns adequately. If anyone could offer guidance or suggest resources, I would greatly appreciate it. In addition to epilepsy, my other medical conditions include Narcolepsy, Lynch Syndrome, Migraines, a mutation associated with HLA-B27, and Hashimoto's disease, along with others that escape me for the moment. Currently, I’m on a medication regimen that includes Lamictal, Xcopri, Hydroxyzine, Solifenacin, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Sunosi, Aimovig, and Famotidine.
Navigating the Complexity of Symptoms: Is It PCOS or Something Else?
While I’m not an expert in self-diagnosis, I find myself puzzled by an array of symptoms that overlap, making it challenging to pinpoint what might be affecting my health. Let's break down my situation: - Age: 25 years, Gender: Female, Height: 5’1”, Weight: 125 lbs. - The last menstruation occurred in June 2024. Prior to this, my menstrual cycle was remarkably consistent since I was around 12 years old, typically without severe premenstrual symptoms, heavy flow, or irregularities. - Various blood tests over time reveal that most hormone levels fall within normal ranges, with the exception of estradiol (persistently between 10-20) and progesterone (remaining below 0.2). - A couple of results raised some concerns for me personally, even if my doctors weren’t alarmed: my morning cortisol was measured at 13.4 and in the afternoon at 9.49. One test indicated a TSH level of 2.35, which increased to 3.93 months later. My fasting glucose consistently hovers around 80, whereas random glucose levels were recorded at 68, and postprandial glucose was 65. - An MRI indicated a "deviation of the pituitary stalk, potentially linked to a small pituitary adenoma." - An ultrasound revealed "multiple oval, well-defined, anechoic images with posterior acoustic enhancement, measuring a few millimeters, located around the edges of the stroma." - The symptoms I am experiencing include disrupted sleep (frequent awakenings, particularly around 3 AM, making it hard to resume sleep), lack of energy, difficulty in weight management, persistent hunger, heightened anxiety, and hair thinning. - Birth control (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) exacerbated nearly all of my symptoms, leading me to discontinue use after two weeks despite experiencing a withdrawal bleed. - My lifestyle is generally healthy; I consume a lot of whole foods, engage in weightlifting, and run regularly. Given that I’ve received a diagnosis of PCOS, I’m wondering if this assessment seems accurate. What options do I have moving forward, especially since the contraceptive method didn’t provide relief and I appear to exhibit signs of additional complications such as thyroid issues or cortisol dysregulation?
Understanding My Experience with Overdose-Related Symptoms and Behavior
25 years old, 165 cm tall, and weighing 70 kg. Summary: After sharing a complaint about my interactions with paramedics, I've taken a moment to reflect on their feedback and review the situation through the footage. I recognize that my conduct during those moments was inappropriate, and I am filled with remorse. Subsequently, I have retracted my complaint and am now seeking mental health support. I desire to clarify certain aspects since my medical records do not completely align with what I went through. Below, I detail my symptoms. Yesterday, I made a post on the AskDoctors forum, hoping for insights regarding my condition. The advice I received prompted a self-realization that had evaded me until now. Initially, I was outlining a grievance against paramedics who doubted the legitimacy of my seizures and accused me of feigning the experience. My response was not only disproportionate but also hostile—I yelled, wept, and labeled them as heartless. Such reactions were completely unwarranted and unjustifiable. Ultimately, I was physically stable, with vital signs indicating no critical issues; there were only temporary fluctuations in my blood work, which shouldn’t have raised alarms. I feel profound regret over my conduct during that encounter. Watching the footage incites feelings of self-disgust. I’ve decided to withdraw my complaints and am committed to mental health resources. I opted to delete my previous post since it contained sensitive information about my professional and educational background; I was worried it might provoke disciplinary action from my university, which I cherish as my career gives my life meaning. I admit to feeling cowardly in this respect. The initial reason for my inquiry was a desperate need for clarity about the symptoms I experienced, as my discharge documentation omits much of what transpired in the hospital and the subsequent three days. I greatly value the input I’ve received and hope to gather more perspectives. I fully acknowledge my wrongdoings and find my previous behavior abhorrent. I understand how challenging it is for emergency personnel to fulfill their duties when faced with such a situation. I’ve discussed with family and friends the importance of exercising discretion when contacting emergency services and ensuring it’s truly necessary. I regret taking up valuable resources that could have been reserved for individuals in genuine need of urgent care. My actions were shameful, not just for me but also for my colleagues who work in emergency services; I genuinely believe the clinicians should have distanced themselves from my case entirely. I've canceled my appointment with the neurologist, but I would genuinely appreciate insights from others on this subject. Could excessive doses of sertraline, propranolol, promethazine, and alcohol induce psychological seizures? Is it possible for these seizures to recur? Were my hallucinations indicative of some kind of psychosis? During the episodes, I saw hair-like formations everywhere and everything seemed to emit a blue glow. In the hospital, I consistently perceived doctors passing by. At home, the LED lights appeared to move, and I often caught glimpses of faces in my peripheral vision. There were also auditory experiences, such as hearing things that weren’t present, as confirmed by my friend. Initially at home, I was unaware I was having seizures, although I did hear police officers numbering them and acknowledging them as such. I had three episodes where I was placed in the recovery position. In my medical notes, I mentioned experiencing ten seizures throughout the night, though I can’t verify this. I was seemingly in a continuous cycle of them. I recall at least once drooling uncontrollably and my hands looked peculiar; on one occasion, I screamed when I regained consciousness due to an awkward hand position. I also experienced significant neck pain and discomfort in my feet. I know I fell twice while hospitalized; fortunately, my mother was there to catch me each time, so I avoided serious injury. I was never alone in the facility. Everything seemed to settle down after approximately three days, right around my third visit. I recall a persistent ache at the nape of my neck that left me feeling drowsy, often drifting in and out of consciousness and repeatedly asking for the time. It was a never-ending ordeal, and although I had little appetite, I did not vomit at all. Reflecting on this whole episode leaves me feeling as if it were entirely fabricated. I struggle to articulate it. Conversations about care options unfolded around me, yet I grasped little of what was being discussed. I often replied with “yes” or sought validation from my mother. I remember thinking it was remarkable that my mum had glasses with water in them; I even imagined one of my cats perched on my aunt’s shoulder. Overall, it felt akin to a terrifying drug experience. I do have videos capturing my behavior at home, though I cannot recall anything from the hospital. I often awakened with either my mother, aunt, or medical staff restraining me. Could it all stem from psychological causes? Is it possible that the medications led to a psychotic episode where I convinced myself I was experiencing seizures and on the brink of death? After they subsided, I felt like an automaton for weeks, plagued by involuntary muscle jerks—primarily in my legs and neck. I sincerely hope these symptoms do not return. I intend to avoid emergency care unless it’s absolutely necessary. I seek nothing more than to comprehend what transpired. Thank you for your thoughts.