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. [more inside]
posted by French Fry on Nov 6, 2009 - 10 answers

I read the wikipedia page for avoidant personality disorder a few days ago and I was shocked how perfectly it described how I've felt since my mid-teens. I brought it up with my therapist (who I've just started seeing for depression) and he said he didn't think that kind of label was useful. I can see his point but I fit the diagnostic criteria so perfectly that not labeling myself with it seems like denial. Should I seek out a diagnosis or should I work on my problems without putting them in a box?
posted by Andy Harwood on Oct 13, 2009 - 21 answers

Would really like to hear from any Mefites who have been through this particular hell. My partner has been suffering for many years from symptoms that we recently realised are a perfect match for MS. Many members of his family, including his father, have MS, and his problems right now are mirroring those his father had that led to his diagnosis. We did some research and he is a perfect, 100% fit to pretty much every online list of MS symptoms. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 10, 2009 - 23 answers

Anemic cat with poor appetite. Had symptoms of kidney (renal) issues but the numbers are now OK. Still no appetite. Diagnosis? [more inside]
posted by exogenous on Jul 9, 2009 - 12 answers

Can anyone interpret this LED diagnostic sequence? [more inside]
posted by gene_machine on Jul 8, 2009 - 8 answers

I just got back from a psychiatric evaluation. The diagnostic impression is "chronic major depressive disorder versus dysthymia." What does "versus" mean in this context? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 19, 2009 - 15 answers

There was a series of articles by doctors (or possibly, a doctor) in a mainstream US magazine, each about a patient who had a weird ailment, usually incorrectly diagnosed at first. What was it?
posted by musofire on May 3, 2009 - 11 answers

Is there any good data on the sensitivity and specificity of symptoms of schizophrenia in its diagnosis? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 29, 2009 - 12 answers

I desperately need some opinions/help concerning an issue I'm going through. Of course I figured the brilliant collaboration of metafilter would give some insights. Starting in mid February I've been having these episodes that my first neurologist thought were partial seizures (couldn't speak, barely move and respond, things surreal) the only problem with that is they lasted longer than seizures are supposed to (25-50 minutes) The worst part of all this is since this time I have swarming light in my vision all the time as well as a general dizzy/easily overwhelmed feeling. [more inside]
posted by gibbsjd77 on Mar 25, 2009 - 14 answers

What is the most thorough and effective test, or series of tests, I can go through in order to determine exactly what is wrong with my lower back and shoulder? [more inside]
posted by gwpcasey on Mar 17, 2009 - 8 answers

I know you are not my doctor, but... I have had three outbreaks of something in the last four years, which could be herpes, but so far all the tests say it's not. Any other ideas what I might have? Much much [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 1, 2009 - 12 answers

Have you ever had a long term partner who received a diagnosis and then completely changed? Have they become so obsessed with their condition that they seem to forget you exist at all? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? - (This is pretty long, thanks very much to anybody who takes the time to read this.) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 9, 2008 - 28 answers

US doctor question: do general practitioners practice real diagnosis anymore? Every doctor my wife and I have gone to in the past ten years has turned out to be incompetent or disinterested in doing more than the bare minimum. [more inside]
posted by crapmatic on Aug 11, 2008 - 28 answers

How can we get our eight-year-old son diagnosed and feeling better? (long) [more inside]
posted by neilkod on Aug 11, 2008 - 16 answers

I overtrained. A week later, my heel is still tingly and uncomfortable. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by 0xFCAF on Aug 5, 2008 - 7 answers

What have I hurt in my shoulder/arm, and what should I do about it? [more inside]
posted by bad grammar on Jul 6, 2008 - 8 answers

What's wrong with my wrist? [more inside]
posted by anotherpanacea on Jun 22, 2008 - 8 answers

Constant pain on left side, sometimes on right side: what's wrong? [more inside]
posted by davar on Jun 3, 2008 - 15 answers

I'm looking for citations (including reporting) regarding psychiatric diagnosis in the military over the past several years. [more inside]
posted by OmieWise on Mar 30, 2008 - 2 answers

Do I have anxiety? [more inside]
posted by Schuby on Feb 18, 2008 - 21 answers

Gearheads, please help with a diagnosis! [more inside]
posted by Chrischris on Nov 19, 2007 - 10 answers

My tailbone is killin' me. Help? (detailed - and a little graphic - description inside) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 6, 2007 - 11 answers

I'm a woman in my 20s, and I've been told I have gout. Misdiagnosis? What next? [more inside]
posted by jennak on Sep 17, 2007 - 15 answers

My partner just went to the doctor for a urinary tract infection and came out with a referral to a psychiatrist and a recommendation to be put on dexamphetamine! This doctor also insists it is important she meets me as well. Is this normal? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 2, 2007 - 23 answers

So the doctor diagnoses me with diverticulitis, and then performs a left sigmoid colectomy on me. Per the normal routine, the section of my colon was sent to a lab for analysis, which said there was no diverticuli present. [more inside]
posted by yesster on Aug 1, 2007 - 15 answers

What is this weird painless lump at the base of my toe? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow on Jul 23, 2007 - 12 answers

Can a psychiatrist diagnose a disorder in five minutes? [more inside]
posted by giggleknickers on May 31, 2007 - 34 answers

Is there any point to my seeking a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (AS), and how can I avoid quacks? [more inside]
posted by bad grammar on Mar 24, 2007 - 12 answers

Embarrassing medical question, re: hemorrhoids, are they or aren't they? Gross description within. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 15, 2007 - 8 answers

Medical Filter: I have a small, nondiscolored, slow growing lump near my cheek bone. What could it be and what kind of doctor could help me? [more inside]
posted by stuffedcrust on Mar 9, 2007 - 15 answers

My eyelid is swelling up but I don't know if it's a Stye or a Chalazion. [more inside]
posted by shanevsevil on Dec 2, 2006 - 18 answers

After a long battle with mysterious chronic health symptoms, I'd like a "medical detective" to help me get to the bottom of what might be ailing me. But, what kind of doctor do I need? (If you are squeamish, move along...nothing to see here.) [more inside]
posted by jeanmari on Aug 27, 2006 - 20 answers

Are schizophrenics really selfish? (warning: spoilers to an old episode of House) [more inside]
posted by dagnyscott on Jun 16, 2006 - 15 answers

KeyboardFilter: Enter and down-arrow are funky after last night's water spillage accident w/ the laptop. Everything else is dandy so far. Now what? [more inside]
posted by timnyc on Mar 16, 2006 - 7 answers

Last week, my sister (34 years old, very active and in good health) suddenly developed complete numbness in her legs and arms that completely incapacitated her within 24 hours. After a few harrowing days in the hospital during which more and more things were ruled out, today the definitive diagnosis is Transverse Myelitis. I had never heard of this before; does anyone have any experience (direct or indirect; family or friend) with the disease? Thanks in advance for any stories or indications of what we can expect.
posted by yhbc on Nov 15, 2005 - 6 answers

An elderly relative was just diagnosed with spinal stenosis. [+] [more inside]
posted by grateful on Jan 31, 2005 - 2 answers

My father was just diagnosed with polymyositis. His muscles are deteriorating and he can hardly dress himself, let alone drive two hours to his work or even do his work from home. Has anybody had a family member of close friend with this condition? What can I and my siblings and my mother expect? What can we do for him, if anything?
posted by billysumday on Jan 3, 2005 - 4 answers

I've been sick with what I think of as a Short-Term Generic Debilitating Illness. What do you call it? And how do you beat it? [mi]
posted by o2b on Sep 16, 2004 - 21 answers

I was stop and go driving for about an hour today (hanging flyers for my job; the car's a manual transmission '95 Saturn) and after I finished I was heading back to the store when I hear a pop and my stick shift is just wobbling around. I still have to hold the clutch to start the car but it is stuck in second gear so I can get it going but only drive 10-15mph. What in the hell just happened?
posted by untuckedshirts on Jul 9, 2004 - 11 answers