Ask MetaFilter questions in the health & fitness category

I'm sorry, did my feet wake you up?

heliotrope — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:50:47 -0800

Is it possible that my feet are making noise while I sleep? If so, should I be worried? When I woke up this morning my boyfriend told me that he had gotten out of bed last night because of a loud, repetitive clicking noise and was worried that he had left something on at his workbench across the room. When he returned to bed, he claims that he realized it was my feet (which were not moving) making noises and that he also listened to my breathing to make sure the noise wasn't snoring or some other logical explanation. He said I was sleeping on my stomach and that when I eventually rolled over the noise stopped. Is this possible? Can feet make noise? They have never made any noise while I am awake. Is there another logical explanation? And if this is true, I don't think I am particularly concerned (except out of sheer curiosity), but should I be worried for any reason? Thanks for any insights.

I’m in the UK and have Primary Sclerosing Cholangitus, what can I expect?

Nufkin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:51:13 -0800

I’m in the UK and have Primary Sclerosing Cholangitus, what can I expect? On Friday I was diagnosed as having Primary Sclerosing Cholangitus. I have used my Google-fu and found information relating to symptoms (itching, upper-right quadrant pain and so on) but no where I can find describe what that exactly is. Is the itching just normal? What type of pain?

Also, I was trying to get some personal stories from people to tell me that my life isn’t over now or in 10 or so years when I need a transplant.

Thinking my way to recovery from an ED

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:19:16 -0800

Help me take control of thoughts that make me feel like an ugly giant. I'm recovering from an eating disorder and I'm really struggling. I've been referred to a psychologist and had my first appointment yesterday (after a long wait), and I know it's going to take quite a long time to make any real progress there. In the mean time, I'm looking for any help I can get.

I've gained 7kg and am now at a "healthy weight" but sometimes I feel disgustingly huge, even though I can rationally tell myself that at my old weight I didn't have periods, my hair was falling out etc, despite the fact that I didn't feel that thin. Some days I look at myself and I look quite pretty and healthy and I feel great, other days I look absolutely massive and awful and feel embarrassed to go out, and then of course I can't bring myself to eat since I'm "already so big" and then I start getting physically weak and realise that I have to eat even though I don't feel hungry, but get really anxious about actually eating and don't want to do it, or feel really guilty when I do, like I'm a fat kid stuffing her face with cake, even though I'm only eating natural, whole foods. Often I regret having eaten and try to burn it off with excessive exercise.

Obviously my appearance can't be changing that dramatically from day to day, so I know it's got to be in my head, but it's hard to keep that in perspective when with my own eyes I'm seeing someone very large and lumpy. I've been trying to fill a blank book with resources to help me when I get stuck in that bad mental headspace. For example, last time I was too emaciated to get out of bed, I wrote a list of all the things I like doing that I can't do when I'm skinny, but can do even when i'm fat, so that's in the book, (as is that "fantasy of being thin" article), which I try to flick through when I start feeling yuck. I guess I'm looking to crowd out my unhelpful thoughts with other ideas so that sensible logic wins out and I can enjoy my life. When I cut down my eating my hormones go all funny and I get hot flushes and night sweats and disturbed sleep, and feel too exhausted to socialise/go to work etc - I don't want to live my life like this anymore!

Any suggestions for things I can tell myself, or that I can write down/print out for my book, would be much appreciated. In particular I'm looking for help in breaking the "you're disgustingly huge, why would you be needing all those calories?" line of thinking and help to see my appearance more consistently every day but anything you think would be helpful would be welcomed.

Humana Medicare Supplemental Insurance--is it any good?

I'm Brian and so's my wife! — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:07:34 -0800

Has anyone here had any experiences with Humana's Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance for seniors? My mother-in-law currently is paying $400 a month for her supplemental insurance with another insurance company. She recently called Humana and got a quote of $98 a month. Sounds a little too good to be true. Any folks out there have the supplemental health insurance with Humana? Have your experiences been good or bad?

She resides in Tennessee and is in her 80s.

Is Medicare going to hurt my Mom?

amanda — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:16:19 -0800

My mom is TERRIFIED about the recent Health Care Reform Bill. She is on Medicare and is certain that she will no longer have the access to health coverage that she feels she needs. It sounds like changes to Medicare could have consequences for her... what might those be? I tried searching around for real answers but, of course, some of those answers lay in what the market will do when faced with these changes. She watches a lot of Fox news and Fox news is absolutely drumming the beat that Obama is going to kill your grandma. But, sorry news orgs, having trouble finding an equally compelling (so hard to beat FEAR) news source who is explaining things in way that could reassure her.

Help save my hair!?!

gilsonal — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:24:35 -0800

Post-surgery hair loss? Anybody have experience with this? How long does it last? Does it grow back on its own? Do I need to see a doctor? I'm female, 25 years old. I had surgery about three months ago, and my hair has started falling out rapidly. To the point that I'm losing more hair in a day than I would naturally over the course of a couple weeks. My ponytail is already smaller. I don't see any spots, but I do have long hair.

My surgery removed part of my small intestine, but my vitamin levels are okay and I'm injecting those that I can no longer absorb naturally. So i don't think deficiencies are at fault. It appears that the stress from surgery can cause hair loss, and I'm pretty sure that is the case here. They say it happens 3 to 4 months after, and that's pretty much on schedule with what I'm experiencing.

I'd really love to hear some personal experiences about this. I'm trying not to worry or be too self-conscious, but I'm losing what seems like tons of hair and I'm starting to panic lol. What was your experience? How much hair did you lose? How long did it last and is there anything I can do to make it stop sooner? Is a doctor needed or is this just going to resolve on its own?

Optic Neuritis

jara1953 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:44:44 -0800

Looking for 1st hand experience of optic neuritis. Googled out and YANMD. Two Opthamologists, 2 neurologists and now my gf, 57, is in hospital as I write this, had MRI & CAT scan, and is also on intravenous steroids but has gotten no answers. Docs say it's not MS, and only see a couple arteries (?) that are normal for her age.

She has whiplash from years ago and previous to this her neck was reallly hurting, cracking and causing severe headaches. She's been under tremendous stress the past 3 weeks; her mom having surgery, work, car breaking down, etc.

We're getting desperate. Anyone been in her shoes? Thanks.

what do I do for a friend who has suicidal thoughts who is already in therapy?

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:24:54 -0800

what do I do for a friend who has suicidal thoughts who is already in therapy? A close friend of mine has battled depression for many years now. She has been in therapy for a year or so and has made some progress, but now and then we will go out for a few drinks and she will express suicidal thoughts.

Normally, if someone came to me with thoughts of suicide, I would tell them to seek therapy. What do you tell someone if they are already in therapy?

Does hair stop growing?

Neekee — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:44:30 -0800

Hair growth question: some people say that their hair will only grow until a certain length. Is this a myth? How would the follicle know when to stop growing? Some of my friends claim that their hair will grow until a certain length and then just stop. At first, I thought that this was just a broken-hair issue (that older, longer hair would "break" with brushing), but then I met people with perfectly healthy, strong hair that claim the same thing. Is this just a myth? How would the hair follicle know when to stop growing? Are they just impatient and get haircuts before they allow their hair to grow longer? Is it just an impression that hair grows faster when it's shorter?
My hair doesn't stop growing so it's hard for me to understand.
Thanks!

It's like pulling teeth

Rocket26 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:12:57 -0800

How much does it cost to get wisdom teeth removed these days with no insurance? My brother who lives just north of the Bay area needs to get them removed. He got a quote for 3,000 dollars (!), which seems pretty high. I think he needs to get all four teeth removed. We live in North Carolina, so he could get them done here though over Christmas break or something. Does anybody know what the range is these days? 3Gs seems pretty high for some teeth no one will even miss.

Can a cold cause confusion?

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:17:32 -0800

Can allergies or a cold cause confusion? You're not my doctor, obviously, but here goes:

I've been sick for the past 4-5 days with a mild cold. I haven't had a fever, and have been getting plenty of rest. Right now my only symptoms are some nasal pressure, post-nasal drip, a headache, and some sneezing. The only thing I can think of that I've been doing wrong is that I haven't been focused on drinking a ton of fluids.

For the past 3-4 days I've had recurring episodes of what I can only call confusion, for lack of a better word. I feel slightly disoriented, light-headed, a little dizzy, and--this may sound silly--really really dumb. It feels as though my brain isn't working at full capacity and I'm unable to make decisions (although I still know who and where I am).

The first time this happened was at the supermarket with my boyfriend. On the way there I realized I'd suddenly become really grumpy for no apparent reason. Inside, I was anxious with other people, and really frustrated with myself for not being able to think clearly. Anytime my boyfriend would put his arm around me or try to comfort me it would drive me crazy. I would stare at an aisle of food and not be able to figure out what I needed to pick up. I basically felt like a really irratable zombie.

The past two days, I've had the same thing happen, but a little less severe. It's usually when I'm standing up, and usually accompanied by anxiety. It's strange, though, because I feel lethargic (not "anxious" in the typical sense of the word). It's more like I'm really frustrated that I can't think clearly.

I've written it off as being a symptom of the cold and told myself that it's normal to feel fuzzy-headed, but I can't find anything online about this. I have only taken half a Zyrtec twice for the nasal stuff. I don't have any chronic medical conditions that I know of (it's been a while since I've seen a doctor). I'm 25, female, and in relatively good health otherwise.

The only thing I can come up with is that I'm possibly anemic and this is the first I've noticed any symptoms. But it seems far more likely to be the result of my cold, considering they happened at the same time. Does anyone else get this way when they're sick? Is it normal? Should I be concerned?

Shopping for Personal Trainer

BrotherCaine — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:52:13 -0800

My wife wants to buy me a personal training package at Bally's gym (where we have a month to month membership) at $1104 for 17 sessions ~$65 per session. Is this a good price right now? Is there a way to shop around on price, perhaps with outside trainers? I'm focussed on reducing body fat through resistance training without injuring myself right now.

Should I Eat This (Color Changing Vitamin)?

oneswellfoop — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:14:51 -0800

I have a vitamin tablet that changes appearance when in the same pill organizer with my other daily meds. Should I be concerned? I got a big jar of Kirkland Mature Multi Vitamins & Minerals (compare to Centrum Silver) from Costco recently and started tossing it in my morning pill organizer along with the antidepressant, Glyburide/Metformin and 3 heart/bloodpressure meds I'm supposed to take EVERY day. I have 2 weeks of organizers so I do it for 2 weeks at a time but by the time I get to the end of Week 1, the appearance of the vitamin tablet has changed from having tiny brown specks to having LARGE BROWN SPLOTCHES. The pills in the big jar are not changing at all, just those in the same compartment with other meds. Is this something I need to be concerned about? Is it reacting to one of the other pills? Is this affecting the chemical content of the vitamin? Could this be affecting the other meds (none of which have changed in any visible way)? I really don't want to bother with taking the vitamin separately, but should I?

Toronto personal trainer

pcameron — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:40:03 -0800

TorontoFilter: Help! I've been signed on by a modelling agency! I need to find a decent personal trainer and nutritionist in the Toronto area. Does anyone have any recommendations? I got scouted in an elevator, and two weeks later they signed me on, so this has taken me by surprise. They want me to spend two months getting in better shape, then come back. I need a personal trainer who can set me up with a decent exercise program, and a nutritionist to help me with my diet. I can only afford to see both one time right now to set up an exercise and diet plan for the next two months. My current career as a courier leaves me with not a whole lot of disposable income. I live in the Ossington/Queen area, but can travel across the city for the right person.

Where can I find leak-proof ok-to-travel-size containers to contain my liquid iron supplement?

bitterkitten — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:56:22 -0800

Where can I find really good leak-proof ok-to-travel-on-airplane-size containers to contain my liquid iron supplement? I've been using some nalgene-looking guys I got at the Container Store, but they're not entirely leak-proof, and the inside gets stained (which would be ok if it was simply color) with, i believe, particles of the Floravital (like Floradix, but gluten-free) which may include stuff other than the iron portion of the supplement. Yeck! I clean them with soap and hot water every couple of days.

I'm thinking little glass bottles, instead, since it comes in a huge brown glass bottle from the store, but I sure don't want those to break inside whatever i'm carrying them in if I can help it. I also always put the little bottles inside another separate plastic bag to try and prevent that. Maybe little glass bottles inside some kind of Pelican case?

Just in case you are going to suggest pills instead: Yes, pills would be waaaaaay easier, but my experience with my anemia in the last year is that my body seems to absorb the liquid iron a hell of a lot better (in fact I'm unsure I am able to absorb capsule/caplets, I've tried a few different kinds, based on other mefi threads, and had zero results after a few months of each) and I can't really afford to skip more than a day at this point nor jack with my digestion further, and Floravital does the trick. I've also seen a whole lot of docs, who have concluded: "well, I dunno, keep taking the liquid iron. We scoped you from top to bottom and you're not bleeding anywhere, your intestines look beautiful from your 100% gluten-free diet, your Hashimoto's is being finely controlled, and despite definitely not being female, you clearly need iron."

Doctor, Doctor, allow me to give you the news...

French Fry — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:53:15 -0800

I need help talking to doctors. I never know what to say and don't seem to give the right information. I would like help knowing what kinds of things I should remember to say and how I should say them. I have, over the course of my life, had many doctors and similar problems always come up.

1) I'll have a visit with a doctor and they'll discover a problem, and ask me how long it's been going on. I'll tell them that it is as long as I've been seeing them. That will of course lead to incredulous looks and questions of why I have "never brought it up before" and I honestly have no idea.

2) I'll get sick and go see the doctor. I'll get a diagnosis and prescription. Then when I don't get better I'll go back to the doctor and often it turns out that something I'll casually mention the second (or fifth) visit will instantly cue the doctor in on what's wrong and bang! problem solved.

The first problem has been helped, but not solved, by making lists of things to ask my doctor about. Otherwise I will automatically say "I'm fine"
The second problem is more of a mystery. Patients: what things do you always tell your doctor about if they come up? Doctors: what sort of things do you wish your patients kept an eye on?

Am I sick because I'm healthy?

Mountain Goatse — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:52:44 -0800

Flu vaccine and immunology questions, I have a few. Me: late 30's male, relatively fit and healthy.

Last month I got the FluMist, and my kids got the first of two flu shots. This is for regular flu, not H1N1. The next couple of days I was pretty congested in the head and was sneezing quite a bit. Kids were fine. My symptoms were confined to my head and went away quickly, unlike when I have a regular cold (usually spreads to my throat and lungs).

first questions: Is my body's response to the FluMist indicative of a strong immune system, a weak immune system, or neither? Does such a response to a vaccine correlate to future immunity?

Earlier this week, my kids got the flu shot booster (again, not H1N1). The next couple of days they had runny noses and were slightly irritable. A couple of days after that, I am again experiencing the same sort of head-cold-like symptoms.

second questions: Could my current symptoms be related to the vaccine response my kids experienced? Is it possible to "catch" the flu vaccine from someone else, especially germy sneezy kids? Shouldn't I have already built up immunity?

Does Pterocarpus marsupium work?

RajahKing — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:27:50 -0800

I recently heard that Pterocarpus marsupium extract can be beneficial for those of us with high blood sugar. Have you tried it yourself? Has it been helpful? Have you seen results? Any side effects?

Where are the absolute cheapest places to get prescription drugs?

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:20:05 -0800

I'm thinking about switching my health insurance to a high-deductible health plan, but I need to get a handle on what all my allergy prescriptions will cost me. I think that I will be able to build up some stockpiles during this year, but I want to know how much I will actually be out of pocket when it comes time to pay for them. What is the absolute cheapest way to get the following prescriptions?

(I'm in Chicago, but assume that I am fine with mail order, will jump through a lot of hoops, and am interested in both US-based and possibly Canadian-based pharmacies, but I want them to be legal, legitimate pharmacies if they are abroad, and I want to understand how much of a risk I am taking with customs.)

Advair diskus 100/50
Singulair 10MG
Astelin 137 MCG
Veramyst 27.5 MCG
Ventolin HFA

(Anonymous just because I don't like the idea of the details of my health care being out in the wild.)

Prolonged fever in a toddler

beccaj — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:15:42 -0800

My toddler (just turned 2) has had a fever for almost a month. Would you be concerned? His pediatrician isn't. So I waited a while to bring him. He had a cold so I about a month ago so I took his temp (with an ear thermometer - the exact same that his doctor has). It was about 99.4-99.6 for thos few days. I have read you add almost a degree to that.

He's been acting completed normal so he may have had the fever before his cold but I would really have no reason to take his temp. He had it for about a week. Then I took his temp and it was normal. Didn't think about it again. Then he had to get his flu shot a week later so I took it... the temp was still there. He had this temp on and off (out of 2 weeks I took his temp every day once or twice and prob 2 times he didn't have a temp).

So I bring him to the doctor and the doctor says he seems fine (checked for an ear infection and listened to his lungs) and said to just stop taking his temp. When he went to the office and didnt have a temp (with the same ear type thermometer). I asked the nurse to take it a second time but she wouldn't. It has been consistantly about 99.5.

How long should I wait before I attempt to go see a doctor again?
What serious things should I be concerned that it could be?
What would you do??

(He does have a low normal temp- just under 98 normally)

Help. I'm a pansy.

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:04:31 -0800

This is so shameful. I haven't seen a dentist since 2005. I've always been terrified of the dentist, but now it's been more than four years. When I finally go again, it will be so much worse. My teeth hurt sometimes, so I probably have cavities. What if I need a root canal? And the scraping! I know this sounds stupid, but for me, the scraping is the worst part. It's the way it sounds and the way it feels. It's not just the stabbing my gums with metal hooks, which novocaine helps... nothing helps the scraping.

So I can't go on like this, things will just get worse and worse. I have to go. I tried googling to find a sedation dentist... I feel so paralyzed by anxiety. I got nowhere.

Here are my conisderations. MetaFilter, please help me get this done. You are far more rational than I am and I need someone's objective, unemotional guidance.

Nutshell:

I need to see a dentist. I need a cleaning and to figure out if I have cavities, and if I do, I need to have them treated. I don't know what else I might need.

I do not have dental insurance. I do not have any money. I'm living without a cushion right now. My parents said they would pay for a visit to the dentist as a birthday present, but there is a limit to what I can ask them to pay.

Because of the financial constraints, I feel like I have to get it right the first time. If I go to a dentist who does a bad job, I will be stuck with it. This contributes to my anxiety and paralysis.

Sedation dentistry seems perfect but incredibly expensive. Do I need to accept that this is not an option for me right now, or are there reasonably-priced sedation dentists who are also reliable and good?

I'm in NYC.

Can my libido recover from two months of Zoloft?

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:54:12 -0800

Choosing my penis over the pills. How long will it take my libido to recover after a few months of Zoloft? First a bit of background: 26-year-old guy here, nonsmoker, fit as a fiddle, with no health issues whatsoever outside of an occasionally crippling mix of anxiety and depression. I was diagnosed seven years ago, but had always refused to go on anti-depressants. Instead, I've kept the mood monsters at bay with vigorous exercise, a decent diet, and regular talk therapy.

Which worked pretty well until this past winter.

I lost my job, then spent nine months unemployed, financially panicked, and generally terrified about the nosedive my life seemed to be taking. So after months of freaking out to my therapist, I finally took her advice, bit the bullet, and filled a prescription for Zoloft. Started out on 25mg for a week, then ramped up to 50mg. I had done enough research to know that the antidepressant was pretty much guaranteed to torpedo my sex drive. But I was desperate.

And the medication worked. I chilled out, managed to get my feet back under me, and even found some part-time work. Best of all, I met a beautiful girl, with whom I’m totally compatible, and we started dating—and making out, and getting naked together.

And that’s the problem. The Zoloft has snuffed out my libido, and my erection—once my most reliable companion—has grown a bit fickle. It isn’t a physical problem. I can still get it up. And I can even stroke myself to orgasm when alone (if I really concentrate and keep physical stimulation constant). But in the throes of some pretty heated foreplay, my mind seems to simply lose interest, and I can’t stay hard.

The thing is, even in my darkest periods before the Zoloft, my sex drive stayed constant. And voracious. Masturbating 4 to 6 times per week, morning wood, healthy erections. A few months ago, I would have jumped at the chance to jump the girl I’m with. Now I can’t make it to the condom phase.

And I can tell that my lack of sexual advances is starting to give my new girl pause.

So I’m getting off the Zoloft. I’m down to 12mg per day (cutting the 25mg pills in half). And I plan to be completely done with it another five days or so. I’d rather be a tad moody and getting laid than emotionally numb and celibate.

How long will it take for my libido to return? Has anyone out there quit an antidepressant to win their sex life back? How long until you felt confident again?

Also, what can I do in the meantime to facilitate stronger urges? I’ve started taking Korean red ginseng. I’m doing mad Keegles. And I’ve committed to not looking at porn for a week straight. Any other supplements I should be looking into? Ginko Biloba? Emergen-C?

And how can I bring this up with my gal?

Am I doomed?

generic230 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:01:16 -0800

Does asthma always get worse over time? I had bronchial asthma that went undiagnosed for 20 years despite many trips to many different specialists all of whom told me I did not have asthma. Guess what? I did! It was bronchial tho, and apparently, it doesn't manifest as wheezing, but in a chronic cough. Anyway, It got diagnosed 3 years ago. At the time, I had 68% lung capacity. Last week I was tested again and I was significantly worse. The doctor said it was because I wasn't using the right inhaler (because another doctor told me not to use it). Anyway, the new inhaler is great, works good, but, my question is this: Does asthma ALWAYS get worse over time? Can you keep your lungs at the same level, or, is it just the nature of the disease that it gets worse over time, and eventually, I'll need more steroids, more emergency inhalers, etc.

Secondly, is it bad to be exposed to allergens that trigger the inflammation over a long period? I mean my cats. I thought I could "tough it out" with them, until my latest tests showed a 20% decline in my lung function results. Now, I'm wondering, will this constant exposure, even WITH the steroids, antihistamines, inhalers, allergy pills, etc, be damaging over time?

Also, would it be better for me to live in better air? I live in Pasadena, CA, bad air quality. But my lung doc has never mentioned this could make it worse.

Workout classes near Fort Greene?

zoomorphic — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:46:23 -0800

Brooklyn folk: Are there any affordable gyms in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill area that offer strength training classes? Anything nearish to Atlantic Center would be excellent. I'm not interested in yoga or pilates, and I'd like to keep it near the 11238 zip code. Google turns up very little promising leads. Thanks!

Please hope me keep "hearing!"

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:37:38 -0800

I'm losing my hearing. What are my options? Almost every woman on my mother's side of the family eventually loses her hearing. The good news - this won't be a big problem for another ten years; the bad news - the first signs are showing up years earlier than my mother's and grandmother's did.

I do not have the option to see a doctor or audiologist right now and the chances are good that I won't have the option for a long while, but I will do as soon as I am able. Until then,I know that there's nothing I can do to turn around the hearing loss without seeing a doctor, but is there something I can do to allow me to continue functioning in society?

What I do know:
From my family history, I will most likely be completely deaf within thirty years, but I will be severely impaired within the next ten to fifteen. My symptoms are showing up ten to fifteen years earlier than the other women in my family. I don't want to find myself deaf with only a notebook and pen as my primary means of communication, so I want to start now and help reduce the impact of the problems I foresee. I know almost nothing about the deaf community, but I certainly don't want to offend anyone by asking ignorant questions or making inadvertently offensive comments.

I need tips on how better to read lips, and what options I have for cheap or free sign-language classes. Where should I look first? What questions should I ask when I get there? Should I try to learn ASL or should I go for a more international version? I live in the southern US, but I have friends from and will be traveling to the UK a lot, so I'm not sure what I should be doing. I'm at a loss about where to start.

Throwaway email: ehwhatdidyousay@gmail.com