Can someone explain why old age or bone loss causes older people to have a hump in their upper back or neck? I think its called dowager’s hump.
posted by john123357
on Feb 21, 2013 -
16 answers
I live in northern New York where we have short hot summers of about 2 to 3 months and long cold winters. I have a variety of health problems, including joint problems, and hormone problems including low testosterone and higher than normal estrogen (I am a male) . I have noticed that in the summertime If I sit outside for one to two hours every day to absorb the sun I feel healthier, my joints hurt less, my hormones seem better, and I have more energy. Also if I have a cut or a twisted ankle It seems to heal faster then in the winter.
Assuming that it was the vitamin D from the sun that was causing this , I took vitamin D pills every day in the winter. However, I did not experience any of the benefits that I experienced with regular sunshine exposure.
This leads me to believe there is something else, some sort of other healing power in the sun that either science is not aware of yet or that I am simply not aware of. Is this possible?
posted by john123357
on Feb 5, 2013 -
23 answers
Embarrassing Injury Filter: I managed to scrape my vulva on a rough surface today. Now I have these little paper cut type abrasions on the very softest parts but I can't really see them and I don't know what to put on them so they heal up properly. Can I put Neosporin on them? I'm worried that if I'm not careful any ointment I use will spawn a YI or something. :( My gyno won't be open till after the New Year otherwise I'd call and ask her.
posted by These Birds of a Feather
on Dec 25, 2012 -
17 answers
YANMFD... I have a friend who, on Thursday, experienced sharp pains in his left side--he described the location as, "About an inch inside, directly aligned with my underarm". He felt it about 15 times over the course of the day and said it was "sharp and sudden" and caused him to wince and bend over. The next day, he woke up and there was blood in his right eye--not bloodshot, but blood, like a pool. It went away over the course of the day.
He insists these things are not related and won't go to the doctor. As a result, I'm worried. Could these things be connected and what could they be? He's 44.
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posted by dobbs
on Nov 10, 2012 -
19 answers
So... over the course of the day my elbow has gone
weird looking - it's red and swollen and sort of squooshy feeling. The skin feels warm to the touch and it is tender. Doctor Google tells me it's probably Bursitis. So... I should probably go get it checked out. But is it a rush to the docs tonight thing or a wait to tomorrow thing?
posted by Artw
on Aug 23, 2012 -
21 answers
How do i talk to my doctor about switching my prescription from Vicodin(hydrocodone)/Tramadol to oxycodone?
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posted by isopropyl
on Jun 8, 2012 -
17 answers
Why can't duloxetine (cymbalta) be prescribed to me? Is there some kind of restriction in the UK.
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posted by conrad101
on May 17, 2012 -
7 answers
It's been about six months since I last brought up depression and taking tablets with my therapist. I think I'm going to bring it up again in my next session later this week. For those dealing with chronic health and pain issues, did you find anti-depressants helped you manage and maintain a semblance of normal function?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 29, 2012 -
13 answers
IT Band problems: Tried the foam roller, deep tissue massage, building the muscle and stretches (all to no avail). What are other remedies?
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posted by xinglin91
on Nov 27, 2011 -
12 answers
Help me survive my upcoming gynecological exam. Special, nsfw snowflake details after the jump.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 17, 2011 -
15 answers
My lips are chapped. But not just, "oh, that's annoying" chapped. They're covered in red patches and the skin keeps peeling off. Nothing I try works. Halp!
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posted by guster4lovers
on Jul 22, 2011 -
21 answers
A cyst that was drained on my back 3 weeks ago is still a raised, long-ish bruise (after a doctor followup and cortisone shot last week). How alarming is this?
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posted by anonymous
on May 16, 2011 -
7 answers
We are appealing a denied incapacity insurance claim. Should we comply with dodgy sounding "Abilities Determination" test?
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posted by richb
on May 3, 2011 -
8 answers
About to have an incapacity insurance claim denied due to lack of objective proof of chronic pain in the UK. What are our options?
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posted by richb
on Feb 2, 2011 -
4 answers
My body seems to overreact horribly to minor problems. Am I crazy or is this a documented condition? All the doctors I've seen have shrugged and asked if I was under a lot of stress.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 18, 2010 -
10 answers
Dull achey pain somewhere just below my chest for over 24 hours. No insurance, YANMD, what could it be?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 4, 2010 -
12 answers
What the hell is wrong with me? Nerve damage? Anxiety? [InsertVitamin] deficiency? Butterflies in my teeth?
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posted by doublehappy
on Oct 31, 2010 -
18 answers
American traveller just landed in Dublin. Airline seat caused back pain. Traveller needs ibuprofen or Advil. How do we find this? It's Sunday afternoon. All we can find is panadol. Is there a way to get ibuprofen over the counter? Or even get it delivered?
Our location is near =
Inchicore Rd near the Kilmainham Gaol.
posted by valannc
on Sep 26, 2010 -
17 answers
You are not my doctor, you are not my husband's doctor, but at the same time, what might be wrong with my husband? He developed severe stomach pain (directly where his stomach is) which came on suddenly. It lasted somewhere close to six hours. Now it has changed to more generalized, gastrointestinal pain....
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posted by strixus
on Jun 12, 2010 -
29 answers
[medical advice filter] Yes, I know, you are not my doctor, but please give me some ideas about what I need to ask the person who IS my doctor, based on my symptoms. Apologies in advance for the length and special snowflake details.
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posted by gakiko
on Jun 9, 2010 -
18 answers
Pain when chewing with a composite filling. Will I need (yet another) root canal? And what's up with my teeth, anyway?!
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posted by PhoBWanKenobi
on May 10, 2010 -
7 answers
I know you aren't a doctor, or if you are you're not my doctor, but maybe you can help me figure out what sort of doctor I should see for my abdominal and groin pain.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 19, 2010 -
14 answers
My best friend was just diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. She initially responded to Tegretol but it was causing massive mood changes and suicidal ideations at its effective dose. Her doctor is working on figuring out what to try next. I'm 1000 miles away and can't get to her. She's single, lives alone, and is being driven crazy by the pain.
I want to help -- what can I do or send that might make things a little better or easier for her? [more inside]
posted by Wisco72
on Jan 22, 2010 -
9 answers
My feet are in pain. What kind of doctor should I go to? I've heard that podiatry is sort of a dubious branch of medicine.
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posted by Sloop John B
on May 19, 2009 -
17 answers
YouAreNotMyDoctorFilter: Last night I was rudely awakened in the very early morning by an intense abdominal pain. I managed to make it to my computer, only to freak myself out about all the possibilities it could be. How serious does this seem, and is it reasonable to just keep a watchful eye on it?
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posted by ThyroidBob
on Apr 5, 2009 -
25 answers
Dear MeFites, please help me find a way to live without these constant headaches. I have had chronic daily headaches, and at least 2-3 migraines a month, for the past ten years. I have tried everything I can think of short of surgery but nothing besides taking painkillers seems to help (and those only a little these days).
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posted by katala
on Nov 30, 2008 -
40 answers
I'm a 26 yr old male and suspect I have strained my right
teres major muscle. Is it worth seeing a general practitioner/family doctor first (I suspect they will just toss me painkillers and tell me about R.I.C.E.)? If not a GP, what are ways I can find somebody in sports medicine or physical therapy (do they have hundred dollar new patient processing fees, etc too?) apart from references from acquaintances?
Also, any relevant suggestions on what else I can do are also greatly appreciated. I am relatively inexperienced with dealing with doctors/doctor's offices but am interested in how I can become a more informed patient.
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posted by weakcore
on Oct 10, 2008 -
9 answers
YANMD: Self-diagnosed high-groin sprain. Chronic for more than six weeks, further aggravated when I tripped in the airport today. It seems that the negative stress of catching myself completely tweaked it.
39yo Caucasian male [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Oct 3, 2008 -
5 answers
I'd had two quirks for as long as I can remember: my neck is extremely sensitive to touch, and I get an aching pain in my joints (knees, wrist, finger joints) when it's cold/damp. Does anyone else get the same thing?
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posted by jasminerain
on Feb 11, 2008 -
7 answers
Due to a recent injury, my ortho has prescribed 15mg daily doses Mobic. I seem to have escaped any sort of stomach/g.i. issues that can be associated with this drug, but I seem to have a cold looming on the horizon...
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posted by verytres
on Nov 26, 2007 -
6 answers
Help me find some relief. Injured my back years ago in a bicycle accident and the chronic pain is getting old. Long explanation inside.
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posted by ganzhimself
on Mar 30, 2007 -
10 answers
Sometimes when I sneeze, my whole upper body hurts. Specifically my shoulders and, to a lesser degree, my elbows. It almost feels like I'm being punched. What gives?
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posted by rileyray3000
on Mar 21, 2007 -
23 answers
I keep having seemingly random pain in my legs/arms. Yes, I already went to the doctor.
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posted by jesirose
on Feb 2, 2007 -
13 answers
