Seeking Guidance on Recent Health Issues: Incontinence and Numbness
I am a 36-year-old woman currently experiencing troubling new symptoms including incontinence, increased pressure, and numbness in my rear end, particularly worsening when I sit. Additionally, I have a history of congenital spinal stenosis. Unfortunately, it will take about a month to get in to see a specialist. I'm not sure if going to the emergency room would be beneficial. After consulting with my physician, she referred me for an urgent MRI without contrast. She expressed concerns about possible paralysis or a tumor. While the MRI confirmed my spinal stenosis, it did not reveal an immediate explanation for my symptoms. I have been told that the soonest I can see a neurologist or gastrointestinal specialist is also around a month. My doctor advised me to boost my fiber intake and hinted that my symptoms might be linked to anxiety. However, I remain convinced that there is something more serious at play. Would going to the ER be a sensible choice? I am feeling quite lost regarding my next steps, especially since recurring incontinence could jeopardize my job if it continues weekly or more often. I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions!
Answers (1)
8/7/2025, 4:41:00 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're going through a challenging time with your recent symptoms of incontinence, increased pressure, and numbness, particularly in the context of your history of spinal stenosis. It's understandable to feel anxious and uncertain about what to do next.
Key Points:
- Your symptoms are significant and deserve attention, especially since they are impacting your daily life and work.
- While waiting for specialist appointments can be frustrating, there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms in the meantime.
Explanation: Incontinence and numbness, particularly with your history of spinal stenosis, can be related to nerve compression or irritation. Your concerns about potential more serious issues, such as paralysis or a tumor, are valid. The fact that the MRI showed spinal stenosis but no immediate explanations suggests careful monitoring is required. Anxiety can also exacerbate physical symptoms, making it essential to address both the physical and mental aspects of your health.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, noting when they occur, their severity, and any triggers. This information can be very helpful for your upcoming appointments.
-
Hydration and Fiber Intake: Continue to increase your fiber intake as recommended by your physician. Staying well-hydrated can help with urinary issues and overall digestive health.
-
Pain Management: If you experience any discomfort from sitting, consider using a cushion or changing positions frequently to relieve pressure. Gentle stretching or physical therapy might also help alleviate some discomfort.
-
Emergency Room Consideration: If your symptoms worsen—such as increased severity of numbness, loss of bowel control, or new symptoms like weakness in your legs or severe pain—it would be appropriate to seek emergency care. Otherwise, focus on managing your current symptoms until your specialist appointments.
-
Mental Health: Since anxiety can play a role in your physical health, consider mindfulness practices or speaking with a mental health professional to help manage your stress during this waiting period.
Stay proactive about your health, and know that your concerns are legitimate. Please keep a close watch on how your symptoms evolve, and don't hesitate to seek emergency help if you feel your situation is worsening. Take care, and I hope you find relief soon.
Related Questions
Can Injuries in Water Lead to Fatal Consequences?
Could an injury, even a minor one, pose a life-threatening risk if a person is submerged in water? I'm pondering this dilemma because it's hard to envision how a wound could heal or form a scab while underwater. How does one manage bleeding in such a situation? For instance, if a person were to drift off in a bathtub filled with water while injured, is there a possibility they could bleed excessively and eventually succumb to the injury?
Concerns Over MRI Results Indicate Possible TBI
A 42-year-old male has experienced head injuries at ages 5, 8, 9, 15, 36, and 42. He has a long-standing history of anhedonia and avolition, along with intermittent use of cannabis and alcohol since age 13. **MRI ANALYSIS SUMMARY:** NeuroQuant provides an analysis of brain substructures: - Quality of gray-white matter segmentation: Good - Brain volume percentiles (normative data): - Total brain: 98% - Gray matter: 91% - White matter: 84% The software indicates a volume reduction of **3%** in the isolated right medial orbital frontal gyrus. This finding, however, may fall within typical variability. The analysis examined 48 cortical and 24 non-cortical brain regions, hence approximately 3.5 structures could be anticipated to fall below 2 standard deviations from standard values. Is it possible to have most of the brain exhibiting volumes around the 98-99% range while some substructures are recorded as more than 2 standard deviations beneath the mean? Upon viewing my MRI, I noticed the numbers and felt a surge of concern. The imagery appears to show a significant indentation across the frontal portion of my brain, extending throughout the right hemisphere and into the left. A 3D rendering created through Horos clearly depicts this pronounced dent. Should I seek a second opinion on this assessment?
Questions Regarding Vascular Health and Amputation
Greetings! My father, who is 83 years old and has a history of avoiding medical attention along with past excessive alcohol consumption, recently sought medical help due to severe pain in his legs and feet, accompanied by a non-healing wound. He underwent a vascular procedure in the clinic on one leg; however, the other leg's condition was deemed too complicated for this setting, necessitating a hospital admission. Unfortunately, during the preoperative assessment, the surgery was canceled due to his elevated blood pressure. This led to the discovery of a blockage in his heart, resulting in an angiogram the following day. About a month later, he was scheduled for treatment on his other leg. At that time, it was noted that his big toe had developed gangrene, and it was anticipated that we would lose it. He underwent vascular surgery 15 days ago, and just 10 days ago, a podiatrist amputated the affected toe, stating that the remaining toes were healthy. He remains hospitalized as of day 17, as arrangements for rehabilitation are being made. In addition to his treatment, he has received multiple blood transfusions, potassium and phosphorus infusions, and a continuous administration of precautionary antibiotics. His pain management has been a significant concern, and witnessing his discomfort has been very difficult. Moreover, his white blood cell count has been on the high side. I have some queries: If there is some blood flow (although it is poor), can we safely conclude that further amputations are unlikely? Is it feasible for him to live with diminished blood circulation, and is there a chance it may improve once he begins to walk again? Additionally, could "poor" blood flow eventually develop into a complete lack of circulation? I appreciate any insights you can provide.
Survival Prospects and Signs of Recovery for a Newborn with Severe Thrombocytopenia
Subject: Premature Newborn (3 lbs) Facing Severe Thrombocytopenia — Seeking Insights on Survival Rates and Response Indicators I hope it’s permissible to share this here. I’m the father of a female newborn and, notably, the largest among fraternal triplets. **Patient Details:** - **Age:** Nearly 4 weeks - **Gestational Age at Birth:** 28 weeks + 3 days (now at 32 weeks gestation) - **Current Weight:** 3 lbs (1.36 kg) **Medical Diagnoses:** - Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count has plummeted to just over 4,000/μL) - Sepsis (a bacterial infection has been identified, and she is on specific antibiotics) - Jaundice, anemia, and liver inflammation - No congenital anomalies detected - Currently not feeding as a precaution; receiving parenteral nutrition and IV saline to avert potential complications (like necrotizing enterocolitis) **Treatment Administered so Far:** - Platelet transfusion - Red blood cell transfusion - Specific IV antibiotics (not broad-spectrum) - IV saline and parenteral nutrition **Additional Information:** - She is being closely monitored in the NICU, receiving round-the-clock care. - Her condition is classified as critical, yet the medical team has encouraged us to remain hopeful. - She is on feeding hold not due to an intolerance, but rather as a preventive strategy while her medical team observes her for complications stemming from the sepsis and low platelet count. **Questions for the Community:** 1. Have you encountered cases where a premature infant with a platelet level as low as 4,000/μL has survived and later thrived? 2. After a platelet transfusion, how soon might we observe an increase in platelet levels, and what threshold would indicate a positive response? 3. What clinical indicators within the next 48 to 72 hours would signal either improvement or decline in her condition? 4. How long can a newborn safely remain off enteral feeds, and when might parenteral nutrition become inadequate or potentially hazardous? We’re filled with fear yet striving to remain grounded and informed. I’ve examined studies such as PlaNet-2 regarding early drops in platelet counts, but any firsthand medical insights or guidance would be incredibly valued. Thank you for your understanding, and I apologize for the lengthy post. P.S. I have posed these questions to the doctor, but the responses have been vague and lacking in empathy, often suggesting not to focus too much on numbers or statistics. However, as a parent, that’s a difficult request to fulfill.
Ongoing Perineal Tear: Seeking Solutions
I’m a 21-year-old woman dealing with a problematic perineal tear that has persisted for over six months. This injury tends to heal but then reopens for reasons that remain a mystery to me. Even slight movements, like gently spreading my legs, have resulted in new tears. Lately, the bleeding has been continuous for more than three days, and it shows no signs of healing. I haven’t participated in any activities in months due to this issue, so I’m certain that’s not contributing to the problem. The pain is nearly constant, intensifying when I sit on the toilet, and it bleeds profusely. At one point, I even mistook the bleeding for my menstrual period, even though I’ve been on birth control to skip those cycles. My gynecologist suggested using a menopause-related cream to boost estrogen levels in that area, but unfortunately, my insurance won’t cover it, leaving me feeling quite lost. Has anyone encountered a similar situation or knows the underlying causes of this tear so I can find an effective treatment? I’m considering a visit to urgent care to investigate the swollen condition and continuous bleeding, as I fear it might be infected. After that, where should I turn for help? Here’s a rundown of my current medications: - Thyroxine - Bentyl - Spironolactone (recently started) - Acid reflux medication - Vitamin D supplement - Iron - B-complex vitamins - Pristiq - Enskyce (birth control) Additionally, I live with the following health conditions: - Hashimoto’s thyroiditis - IBS-D (diagnosed approximately a month ago, with symptoms lasting around six months) - Acid reflux I hope to hear from others who might have dealt with this before or have insights on how to move forward.