Ask MetaFilter questions in the health & fitness category

Can I get a referral to a dermatologist ASAP?

setanor — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:20:31 -0800

I want to see a dermatologist. I'm living in Canada on my wife's UHIP plan. The doctor I've been seeing at the clinic is away until mid January. He'd likely just refer me then, anyway. Is there any way I can make this happen ASAP, or do I need to wait? For reference, I was told to come back in mid-December for a follow-up on a prescription, but he was already away. I need a dermatologist to do a pull test to help point me towards either MPB or telogen effluvium, taking into account a (recently) persistent scalp condition.

Where to get Plan B on Christmas Day in DC?

Tomorrowful — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:34:23 -0800

A friend of mine had a broken condom last night, and needs to get hold of Plan B. She's in Washington, DC. Planned Parenthood's closed, as are all the pharmacies she's tried. Those are the relevant facts - please assume she knows what she's doing re: testing, etc. Moralizing can be left at the door, she just needs to know where to get the EC.

learn to relax?

parmanparman — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:39:43 -0800

I don't know how to relax. I literally do not know how to relax. I was never taught how and I never learned how. I have lived my whole life awaiting the next outcome. I have managed to do so much with the ambition I have but I don't know how to slow down and contemplate. What should I do? What can I do? Can you recommend a teacher, a retreat, a place, a thought, a venture?

Cursed with Muscles.

brenton — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:48:19 -0800

My friend says she doesn't work out because she gets super buff instantly. I have a hard time believing it. Is it possible for a person to just get super bulky with a pretty small amount of work? She said she enjoys working out, but she tries to limit it and she takes big breaks from it, because she doesn't want to look like a man.

She said she tries to do things that don't bulk her up, but I can't help but think she is somehow doing it wrong. Aren't there ways to exercise that make strong muscles but not bulky muscles?

She isn't skinny, but she is strong and healthy.

Bipolar specialist in the LA area

Jacen Solo — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:16:53 -0800

(Asking for a friend) Any pointers to a good psychiatrist for bipolar disorder in the LA area? My friend was diagnosed with bipolar II a bit less than a year ago. She tried a couple of drugs for it, but they had too-severe side effects and she stopped after a couple of weeks.

Since then she's been managing pretty well without drugs, but recognizes that things could be better, and is now willing to give it another go.

The psychiatrist that our university's health center refers us to is kind of lame in this area. I get the impression that she just tries drugs until something works, without much individual care; she is also well-known for giving you any drug you ask for by name (yay for easy Provigil access!). On the other side of the coin, I recently browsed through a book Bipolar Breakthrough in the bookstore, and what stuck with me was that it was written by a guy who specializes in bipolar and is full of anecdotes where he obviously spends a lot of time on individual patients figuring out what would work best for them.

With this in mind, my friend was hoping to get any recommendations for good psychiatrists in the LA area, especially ones that treat bipolar II. The internet seems unhelpful in this regard, so maybe we're choosing the wrong keywords; help there would be cool too.

Yoga teacher training ashram in India?

hasna — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:15:58 -0800

Looking for a reputable, non-commercial Yoga teacher training ashram in India. Any suggestions? Posting for a friend:

I am looking for any suggestion for a good yoga teacher training ashram in India that is more traditional and authentic. I am a 25 year old female, so I would like it to be safe. But anywhere I look online has been commercialized and I want to be away from that.

I would prefer to be up north but somewhere off the beaten path, hidden away but still reputable training. I prefer a yoga training in traditional hatha or even some astranga is OK. I have not been through any training for teaching before but I have been practicing yoga for 4 years of all different lineages. If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate the direction.

I would like to go anytime between February to April, so the course can last from a few weeks to 3 months. My price is a little thrifty but $1500 (excluding flight) is the most I can pay. I understand that it might be a stretch to ask if any of these places are certified by Yoga Alliance, maybe even an oxymoron but it would be a bonus since I will be going back to the States eventually.

Thanks in advance, Mefites!

Should I be concerned about my insurance company asking for my HIPAA Certificate?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:20:57 -0800

I received a letter from my new health insurance company stating "they have received a claim for an illness that could be related to a pre-existing condition." What now? The letter further explains "because your plan has a pre existing condition limitation I am required to provide a HIPAA certificate."

Some backstory: I have been seeing a therapist for depression/ADD/anxiety and have been prescribed many Rx as we try and find the right combination for me. This started under my previous insurance about eight months ago.

I can provide my current insurance provider a HIPAA certificate from my previous ins. company, that's no problem. But for some reason this situation is setting off alarm bells and has me concerned. Is there anything I should be doing besides sending the HIPAA certificate?

Wanting to lose the weight slowly, but surely...no rush, just some physical hindrances.

penguingrl — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:26:19 -0800

What are simple and easy to do at home exercise regimens that will help burn off the weight without putting too much stress on a bad ankle? After a few surgeries over the past couple of years, and some medications that did not help, I have gained 60 pounds. I do not eat fast food, I am just very inactive due to severe asthma and having sprained my ankle over a handful of times from sports and activities over the years. There are times when I can't even walk on my ankle when I first get up in the morning, so an early jog is definitely out of the question.

I tried the yoga regimen and while it was fun and I saw quick results in increased energy, I found it boring after a while. I have an elliptical machine, but that hurts my knees after 10 minutes. I have also done the walk around the park for 15-30 minutes a day and while a steady pace did not hurt my ankle, I found that it did not give me much result in terms of weight loss.

I would love any assistance or suggestions on exercise routines. I loved yoga and I found it was a great mental regimen, so additional ideas on videos to get would be helpful. Also, any meal modifications would be greatly appreciated as well. I am what they call a "grazer" when it comes to eating. I rarely sit and eat one giant meal, but I will eat every few hours if not snack on stuff the whole time. Like I mentioned before, I do not eat fast food or fried foods, pastas and breads are my fave (it's the Italian in me).

I have had my blood work done and the Doc said everything was fine, no high cholesterol or blood pressure, just have to get back to my weight. And I am in no rush to lose this weight, no quick diet regimens, please. Something healthy, simple, easy, and one that will help me maintain the weight loss.

Thank you in advance!

How to lose weight when veggies are mostly off limits?

gilsonal — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:13:36 -0800

Looking for dieting help given several dietary restrictions. I have Crohn's disease and cannot comfortably eat most veggies and fruits. Also, does dieting automatically mean I need to be hungry all the time? I'm 25, female and approximately 75-100 pounds overweight. My weight gain happened over the course of about eight years, due in combination to antidepressant medication, a love of pepsi, low motivation to work out, extreme fatigue due to my illness and difficulty tolerating "healthy foods." Following a recent surgery I've lost about 20 pounds and feel much better, to the point that I have the energy to start working out again. So that's one tactic to get to weight loss. I'm also almost 100% soda and caffeine free, and drink way more than my 8 glasses of water a day. I've considered Meridia for weight loss but I'd like to do it without a pill and the accompanying risk of serotonin syndrome.

I'd also like to implement some diet changes, but I'm affected by residual digestive problems. I love tomatoes and broccoli but lots of veggies are hard to digest, even cooked. I'm not too excited about fruit, so I couldn't really say how well those fair with my gut. Safe bets are simple starches and carbs like pasta but that's not particularly healthy.

I'd love some recommendations for easily digestible healthy food, or perhaps foods that are good for you but not traditionally "diet" foods and perhaps I haven't considered them. I'm sure there are people out there with similar problems that might have some tips.

Also, am I naive to think that dieting has to mean being hungry all the time? I don't mind restricting myself from extra calories so long as I'm not constantly on the verge of starvation. I want to lose this weight responsibly, and in a sustainable manner. Bonus points for foods that are relatively easy to make, but I do enjoy cooking when I have the time.

Help Me Help a Drunk Friend

snsranch — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:03:41 -0800

Where can I find drug and alcohol rehab and counseling here in San Diego with absolutely no funds. I'm asking for a very dear friend who has had a rough couple of years and will soon be homeless and destitute without help.

He had a major injury at home, was laid off, has no health care and started drinking to replace his prescription pain meds. He's since wrecked his car while DUI and has to face those legal problems as well.

I really want to help but don't really know where to start. Talking with him now results in tears and denial. He's drinking 24/7 (vodka) and rarely sleeps. His family is tapped out financially.

Who should I call and what are other ways that I can help him out? It's just my non professional opinion, but considering that he can't even talk about things, let alone go try to get a job it seems like rehab might be his best option.

Can I fill my written US prescriptions in person at a local Canadian pharmacy??

soulbarn — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:56:02 -0800

I'm going to be in Canada next week. I was wondering if I could go into a local pharmacy with my written US prescriptions (non-controlled substances) and have them filled at Canada prices. Does anyone know? Pittfalls? (I'll be in Sherbrooke, if anyone ha recommendations.)

Am I losing my vision? At 22?

wild like kudzu — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:00:07 -0800

Am I going blind? All of a sudden I have a large blindspot at about 4 o clock in my field of vision. I also have a terrible headache, both of which developed today. The blind spot is large enough that I can't see my hand as I type, and my head hurts when I try to focus on that spot in my peripheral vision. This also means that if I look at someone's face focusing on their right eye their mouth tends to disappear. I remember this happening a few times before, but I shrugged it off. This time it's very hard for me to read anything on the computer. I didn't stare at anything bright other than the computer screen (simple reason?) and I don't know what the problem is. It seems to be getting a little better, but my head is still killing me. I don't have any vision problems other than needing to wear glasses to help with astigmatism. Could it just be eye strain? It's freakin' me out a little.

Help me find a good exercise book to listen to on my trip.

whoaali — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:00:54 -0800

My exercise routine is not yielding me results. I want a book (preferably one that I can download on audible) that will fill in the many gaps in my excercise/fitness knowledge. For about the past nine months I have been attempting to lose about 15 - 20 pounds and tone up. I'm a 27 year old female. BMI hovers around 25, but basically healthy weight.

I initially did a lot of power yoga (very intense classes which worked me harder than I've ever worked before). They left me starving and sore. After about 4 months of this I had lost no weight and could only see minimal results. I switched to going to the gym and doing primarily cardioand this has been more successful. My appetite is under control and I've lost about 7-9 pounds, but I feel as flabby as ever.

A month and a half ago I sprained my ankle really badly and couldn't exercise at all, however the weight loss continued at the same (possibly faster?) pace as when I was going to the gym. This leads me to believe my current exercise regime is doing nothing for me (I've been losing weight by counting calories) and I want to learn what I'm doing wrong and how I can have a more effective workout. Granted I am not naturally athletic at all, but I still think I could be getting some tangible results from all the hours of exercise I've put in.

I'll be driving about 15 hours over the next week and want to download a book or 2 that will help fill in my exercise knowledge. Here is a rough idea of what I'm hoping to learn.

- How to exercise efficiently.
- Cardio vs Weight Lifting
- Supplements, are they even worth it?
- Eating before and after exercise (and how does this mesh with a low calorie diet approx. 1500 calories a day)
- Is there any point in building muscle if it's covered in fat?
- Weight lifting - reps, weight etc

I'm particularly interested in books that have a practical approach and are aimed at beginners. I'm not looking to become a weight lifter or a world class athlete, I just want to jiggle less!

Shingles with no rash?

BlahLaLa — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:32:12 -0800

He thought it was an ear infection. Doc says shingles. Really? So Mr. BlahLaLa had a cold, followed by an earache that eventually got so strong and annoying he thought it was an ear infection. He also has a lot of pain all over the side of his head -- same side as the ear. So this morning he went to the doc...who said his ear is totally clear, and instead all that pain is because Hubby has is shingles.

But he has no rash.

Doc prescribed heavy-duty Valtrex, but said the pain might take more than a week to subside. Mr. BlahLahLah did have chicken pox as a kid.

You're Not Our Doctor, but here are our questions:

#1: Shingles? Really?
#2: We co-sleep with our 6.5 year old kid. Is this contagious?

If anyone can shed some light on this non-rashy shingles, we would appreciate it. Also, we'd love to hear about the prognosis for this. Hubby tensed up at the doc's and didn't quite absorb everything the doc was saying.

I want to lose 100 pounds. Where do I start?

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:01:15 -0800

I want to lose 100 pounds. Where do I start? What can I expect? I've just finished with my exams, and New Years is rapidly approaching. I keep putting this issue off, but no longer: I need to lose a substantial amount of weight.

About me, and my weight:

I weigh about 300 pounds. I have a large frame, and I'm about 6 feet tall, so I would be a big guy regardless, but I don't need to be this big. A BMI calculator says I have to weigh 185 pounds to be in "normal" range, but to be honest, I would be very happy at 200 pounds.

I'm 26 years old. When I was in high school, I was very overweight, at about 275 pounds. I managed, over two years, to drop to about 240 or 230 pounds. Then college ended. I had a job, followed by graduate school. It was harder to exercise, I ate more takeout food. (I eat a lot of take out food). Not making excuses, just explaining what happened. I also developed some anxiety issues, and started taking Paxil. Either because of the anxiety, or the paxil, I've put on another 40 or 50 pounds over the course of a year and a half, leaving me where I am today.

I think I use food as a comforting device: I eat when I'm stressed. I especially eat a lot for dinner. Sometimes I think I have trouble feeling satiated.

I want to fundamentally change my relationship with food. I don't feel terrible about my appearance, so that's not the issue. But I want to be healthy: I want to live a long time, and obesity has a plethora of bad long-term effects.

Where do I start? My therapist has said: "The paxil might be some of it. Finish your first semester exams, and then we can worry about it." Well, it's time. I'm going to talk about changing medications, but I am convinced that is not the whole of the equation: I was overweight before the anxiety issues. I've discussed my weight issues with my primary care doctor as well. He says "Its partly due to the paxil". He says it's an issue, and to lose weight. I guess it's helpful for him to identify it as an issue, but that alone doesn't seem enough to motivate me.

Well I'm looking for some guidance. Should I look for a nutritionist? Someone I should visit readily? Should I join weight watchers? How do I keep myself focused? How do I keep myself motivated? (Sometimes the goal seems so unattainable I begin to feel hopeless). What should I expect? I would love to hear from anyone who has dealt with weight issues before.

"Wanting to fail" book ?

southof40 — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:31:04 -0800

Book about "wanting to fail" ? Sometime ago in a previous ask.metafilter thread a book was referenced about people who "want to fail" in things they try to do (or perhaps "feel they should fail") and so arrange things so that they do.

I realise this is the sub-text of many pysch/self-help books but my recollection is that this was a specific book on just this subject and that more than one person in the tread cited it (so perhaps therefore it's fairly well known).

Would welcome suggestions as to what it might have been. Thanks.

Make the bumps go away

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:33:55 -0800

You are not my doctor, but you do know something about mysterious skin conditions that disappear without a trace every time I make a doctor's appointment. For about a month now, I've been getting waves of these itchy, slightly reddened, mosquito-bite-looking bumps. They range from about a quarter-inch to an inch in diameter, and from one or two at a time to clusters of dozens. They tend to show up most often at night (before I go to bed), last anywhere from a few hours to a day, then disappear completely for a day or two. When it started they were always on my legs, but lately they've been showing up on my back and chest; right now I'm pretty sure there's one in my lower lip which feels all swollen and bruised. There's no discharge or scaliness, they just look very much like huge mosquito bites (which they cannot possibly be at this time of year where I live.)

I've never had allergies or anything of the sort, haven't had any changes in diet or household cleaning products or clothing or behavior lately, am not under significant stress, and haven't found any pattern to whatever might be triggering them. There was one day when we thought my wife might be showing the same symptoms but it was mild enough that we weren't sure, and it never recurred for her.

My doctor said it might be a viral skin infection of some sort, and suggested claritin to mask the symptoms (which does seem to help a bit) but wasn't able to make a better diagnosis because by the time I schedule an appointment they've always disappeared. If I schedule yet another appointment and show up symptomless again I'm sure I'll get filed under "hypochondriac".

So I turn to you, in the faint hope that one of you will say OMG I had those exact same symptoms, and was able to _________ to make the problem go away forever. Or at least reassure me that these things aren't eventually going to migrate into my vital organs and make a heart valve fall off or pop an eyeball or something.

How to survive winter

stenoboy — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:22:47 -0800

Tips on how to survive a long, cold winter. Now that winter has started to bite, the snow is falling, and the days are short, what tips do Mefites have for surviving the dark winter? April and the warmer air seems a long way away, and I'm interested to know how people cope mentally and physically with the harsher conditions.

I often wonder how people who live in Scandinavia and Canada cope with the lack of sunlight, cold, ice and snow. It's really hard not to get down this time of year, and I'd love to know how people get through it year after year.

Straightening a leg at the knee after a leg break

Mrevilbreakfast — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:12:49 -0800

Niece EvilBreakfast is on the road to recovery after a break of the femur. Although doctors say that the positioning of the pins inserted to help heal the break shouldn't cause a problem, since the bandages came off she's unable to straighten her knee. Physio has not helped, and after 3 months we're starting to get concerned. The doctors and physiotherapists are saying that there's no reason for the problem; you are not my doctor... But has anyone else come across this and have any suggestions?

Help nip this middle aged spread in the bud.

singingfish — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:07:58 -0800

Having managed 35 odd years as a skinny bastard, I seem to have put on about 5 kilos in weight over the last 3 years, and am developing something of a barrel shape in my upper body. My weight used to yo-yo a bit (+-3 kilos depending on stress and lifestyle) but doesn't seem to any more. This is a worry, as both my father and my grandfather were moderately obese from middle age onwards (I am also male). Any ideas what I can do to help prevent me from going the same way? I have a sedentary job, but walk or cycle short distances. I don't do any "organised" exercise, but do swim a couple of times a week (but not really work out style). My diet is mostly vegetarian and I don't eat excessive quantities of chocolate or other snack foods. My alcohol consumption is light to moderate. Anyone got any ideas about what I can do to prevent the slide to fatness?

It's not the soreness that bothers me. It's the not knowing.

mmmbacon — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:25:40 -0800

Why are my adenoids sore? My adenoids are very sore and the area around them is tender to the touch. I don't have any cold symptoms.

Favorite Fitness Blogs?

pyrom — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:23:18 -0800

What are your favorite Running/Weight Lifting/Fitness blogs? I'm an avid runner/weight lifter, and reading about people who do the same help to keep me motivated. What are your favorite fitness blogs?

(I read Runner's World and Stumptuous frequently)

Downward Dog is not for me...

TrickyLib — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:58:12 -0800

Can anyone give me recommendations for yoga dvds that do not contain downward facing dog poses? I really do not enjoy this position for reasons I don't want to explain here. I tried taking a yoga class at my park district, but there was so much downward dog I ended up quitting after just three classes.

I want to stop coughing, damnit!

Reverend John — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:16:28 -0800

A few years back I was diagnosed with pneumonia after being sick on and off for about three weeks. When I was finally diagnosed I seem to recall that they gave me antibiotics and a codeine based cough syrup. This combo worked like a wonder. The codeine knocked out my cough and let me sleep, and the antibiotics killed the pneumonia. At least that's how I remember it. Fast forward to today. After being sick all week I visited the local acute care facility (man, if I had only made my regular doctor's sick call yesterday!) and was diagnosed with pneumonia. OK, no big shock, I'm just glad to know what it is and how we're going to attack it, EXCEPT: the doctor refused to prescribe me any codeine (he did prescribe Levaquin, and Albuterol with an inhaler, which I'm somewhat dubious about). He claimed that I had to cough up the stuff in my lungs, and that suppressing my cough would be a bad idea.

I'm shocked at this, given my past experience. Am I remembering this wrong? Or is this guy full of baloney and I should contact my regular doc asap.

I'm looking for a good set of free weights for my apartment. Any suggestions?

decrescendo — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:15:21 -0800

I'm looking for a good set of free weights for my apartment. Any suggestions? I'm looking to buy some free weights to use in my apartment. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I've seen PowerBlocks advertised before but I've never seen them in person.

Anyone have any ideas?

Or should I just finally suck it up and go to the gym? I seem to be avoiding that for some reason. I feel like I want to be a little more in shape before I take the gym plunge. Is that stupid?