What should a well-stocked medicine cabinet contain? [more inside]
posted on May 19, 2008 - 30 answers

What's the best health advice you ever received? [more inside]
posted on May 9, 2008 - 56 answers

Is it safe to mix 24 hour Loratadine (Claritin) with 25-50 Diphenhydramin HCl (Benadryl)? My allergies are killing me and the loratadine does not seem to be doing the job.
posted on May 6, 2008 - 29 answers

Medical Filter. Recently (in the past month or so), one of my legs seems to have either grown longer than the other one, or one has shrunk. [more inside]
posted on Apr 17, 2008 - 11 answers

Seasonal allergy relief: I've read a bunch of the previous questions, but was wondering about allergy medicines that have gone prescription to over-the-counter or brand-name to generic since last spring. I know there's a generic Zyrtec now, but was wondering if there are any others that might be more affordable/available than they were last spring.
posted on Feb 7, 2008 - 6 answers

Why don't insurance companies cover or help cover gym memberships? [more inside]
posted on Jan 22, 2008 - 24 answers

How do loratadine and diphenhydramine HCI work? Specifically, how is it that both can help control allergies, yet have different side effects? I'm particularly interested in how loratadine works without causing sleepiness, while a single 25 mg capsule of diphenhydramine is able to knock me out in a matter of minutes.
posted on Jan 14, 2008 - 7 answers

Any specific reason why I would get really dry skin "down there," and is there a remedy? [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2007 - 22 answers

How do I go about finding a good psychiatrist in the Boise Idaho area? I am a reasonably well-managed bipolar patient. I am not happy with the side effects of my mood stabilizer and am suspicious that depression is interfering with my life. I haven't seen a psychiatrist for about 3 years. My GP prescribes my medicines since I am reasonably well-managed. However, I just moved to the Boise/Nampa/Caldwell Idaho area and would like to start seeing a psychiatrist and seeing about trying something different. I was really lucky how I found my last psychiatrist through the recommendation of a counselor that I trusted. But I don't have any contacts in the area. Does anyone have a recommendation of a good psychiatrist in the Boise area? Or how have you/would you go about finding a good one? Thanks
posted on Sep 11, 2007 - 2 answers

Can anyone recommend a good G.P. and Optometrist in Baltimore, MD? [more inside]
posted on Sep 4, 2007 - 4 answers

I recently had stitches on the underside of my big toe and second toe on my left foot and four days later, it's time to go back to work. Unfortunately, I drive a stick shift. [more inside]
posted on Jul 29, 2007 - 12 answers

I have intense, constant muscle tension on the right side of my neck. I think Botox will help, but my neurologists think it won't. Either convince me they're right or convince me I'm wrong. Oh, and is the anticholinergic drug I took three days ago making this problem worse? If so, what do I do about it? [more inside]
posted on Jul 1, 2007 - 16 answers

I still have periodic acne breakouts at the age of 24, and now that I have health insurance I want to see a dermatologist. However, there's a million of them in NYC, and I don't have the time to shop around, so I'm considering going with NYC's most heavily advertised doctor, Dr. Zizmor. Is this a bad idea? Have you or anyone you know ever said, "Thanks, Dr. Zizmor?" [more inside]
posted on Jun 20, 2007 - 21 answers

In short: how does my father, trapped in a hospital bed, get a private doctor and a second opinion? [more inside]
posted on May 30, 2007 - 2 answers

Ok, so I am now willing to admit I may have ADHD, but I have no health insurance. Now what? [more inside]
posted on Apr 26, 2007 - 16 answers

Will a $6,000 bill from the ER completely cripple my credit score for the next ten (plus?) years if I don't pay it? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2007 - 30 answers

How do I find and evaluate assisted living, retirement communities, and nursing homes from afar? My father wants my help in researching retirement options for him, and he wants to retire to an area where neither of us currently lives. Google is a bit overwhelming and feels predatory on this topic, and I'm just not sure how to proceed. [more inside]
posted on Feb 8, 2007 - 9 answers

What can communities do to thwart the actions of the DEA? [more inside]
posted on Jan 18, 2007 - 15 answers

I would very much like to locate a list of most (if not all) careers in health and medicine that correlates the required level of education, years and study focus, as well as expected income levels.
posted on Jan 2, 2007 - 1 answers

Is homeopathy good for society? How should it be regulated? Are there any good studies to this effect? [more inside]
posted on Nov 21, 2006 - 24 answers

What is the best allergy medicine (prescription or over the counter) for allergies to dogs or cats? So many seem more geared towards allergies to mold, dust, hayfever, etc. [more inside]
posted on Oct 24, 2006 - 20 answers

Here's the situation: I changed health insurance plans about two years ago ago. I have a good plan, based in Californa, that costs me about $250 a month. Since starting the coverage, my major medical expense - for about a year - have three monthly medications which I take for recently-diagnosed bipolar disorder. I have never claimed these expenses on my insurance, nor have I ever put any of my psychiatric costs on a claim. The reason is that I've been advised not to do this, especially with a bipolar diagnosis, since, in the words of my psychiatrist, "once that's on your record, you'll have a very hard time if you need to change insurance plans." (I should add that the diagnosis, while scary, and the resulting treatment, has changed my life so much for the better that I'd sell pretty much sell a kidney to keep paying for the meds, if I had to.) [more inside]
posted on Oct 16, 2006 - 6 answers

WWII Medical Mystery Filter: Why did this young woman have an aneurysm? [more inside]
posted on Oct 10, 2006 - 22 answers

Can anyone recommend a good chinese herbalist or an acupuncturist in NYC? Thanks.
posted on Aug 25, 2006 - 1 answers

rough and tumble lifestyle finally (inevitably) leads to serious shoulder injury. am i to be gimpy forever? [details inside] [more inside]
posted on Jul 24, 2006 - 6 answers

What is healthiatry? [more inside]
posted on Jun 5, 2006 - 9 answers

I need your help. I'm a licensed acupuncturist and a herbalist. I have been involved in many out reach programs in the past. My goal was to reach out to as many immigrant groups with no to low health insurance coverage and educating them of available resources. The unique experience came working with the Korean community in New York City. This group tends to have such a high stomach cancer rate and about 70% of the patient population I came in contact with tested positive for H. pylori. The standard of treatment for H. pylori is course of antibiotic drugs. I don't know if you guys are aware but if you don't have health insurance to cover for these meds, it cost about $300 out of pocket expense. So, my thing is this - I wanted to set up a research program using simple herbs that are readily available and in low cost. I know nothing about setting up a research program. What do I need to do and who do I need to talk to? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
posted on May 25, 2006 - 11 answers

Seeking a new internist, family doctor, and wonder what Board Certified means as relevant to credentials [more inside]
posted on Apr 10, 2006 - 6 answers

I am trying to put together a playlist of songs about doctors and hospitals. Not metaphoric "Love Doctor"- type songs, but more along the lines of The Replacements' "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out." [more inside]
posted on Mar 25, 2006 - 32 answers

What should I do, in the way of homework, before elective surgery? [more inside]
posted on Mar 23, 2006 - 9 answers

How does one explore whether or how to sue a drug company? [more inside]
posted on Mar 8, 2006 - 16 answers

I'm looking for a good medical dictionary. [more inside]
posted on Jan 17, 2006 - 9 answers

I currently have an excellent health insurance plan - however, it does not cover a medication my doctor would like to prescribe. It is available on my spouse's plan, however. I don't want to change insurers because my doctor only accepts my exisiting company, and I want to keep her. However, I can get onto my spouse's policy for quite a bit less than the monthly cost of the medication. Is this legal? Ethical? Are there any pitfalls? Would one insurance company be able to share information about my medical history with another? Would there be trouble for me if I became seriously ill? Thanks!
posted on Jan 3, 2006 - 12 answers

I'm about to start my first salaried job, and will therefore have health insurance. My girlfriend has none. We'd like a method of birth control that's safer and more effective than condoms, but neither of us can afford birth control pills out of pocket. As a man, is there any way I can use my health insurance to pay for birth control pills? If not, what are my other options? [more inside]
posted on Nov 13, 2005 - 26 answers

My SO is getting a salivary gland removed...Feeding and care? [more inside]
posted on Oct 21, 2005 - 6 answers

MedFilter: Can anyone point out well-written and free articles on health care, health policy, medical devices or medicine? I'm trying to put together a binder of suggested reading material for my company's break room. [more inside]
posted on Sep 28, 2005 - 8 answers

What has happened to my love of food? [more inside]
posted on Jul 25, 2005 - 24 answers

Where are permanent medical records kept? [more inside]
posted on Jul 9, 2005 - 19 answers

I began taking Crestor via samples several months ago, but due to side effects have stopped. While using the samples, I also had a prescription for it filled. I am now stuck with a sealed, prescription bottle, along with several samples of Crestor. The pharmacy is unable to take the sealed bottle back. The prescription was rather expensive to simply wind up in the trash. What should I do with it and the samples?
posted on May 28, 2005 - 16 answers

Is there a service that will, either through the internet or snail mail or even via telephone, notify your previous sex partners that you may have given them a sexually transmitted disease? [more inside]
posted on May 9, 2005 - 11 answers

I'm on vacation in Portland, Oregon and our lame insurance won't pay for any healthcare. Anyway, there's a $200 deductible. I can go to an urgent care for $200, but was wondering if anyone knows of a pediatrician somewhere that will take walk-ins that might cost a little less than Urgent Care. I know there's a free clinic in Vancouver, but we don't really qualify, although I suppose we could go there and make a large donation. [more inside]
posted on May 9, 2005 - 6 answers

My boyfriend wants to have his mother from Morocco come visit us in the US. She has some health problems including Diabetes.

Does anyone have any information about how we can get some health insurance for her while she is here visiting just in case we need for some reason seek medical assistance during her stay?
posted on Feb 3, 2005 - 4 answers

I need some good, solid information about child vaccines. Everything I read either smacks of propaganda (the anti-vaccine side) or is cheerfully oversimplified (the pro-vaccine side). Is there a moderate, objective book or website that addresses the claims of both sides?
posted on Jan 29, 2005 - 24 answers

Do you have any experience in dealing with smart, energetic kids with impulse problems and oppositional attitudes, with or without ADHD diagnosis? We're looking for dietary, behavioral modification or even meds suggestions. [MI]
posted on Jan 23, 2005 - 27 answers

Are there any dangerous effects to long-term heavy robotussin use? [MI]
posted on Jan 18, 2005 - 23 answers

What books/sources are recommended for learning about the intricacies of medical testing i.e. randomized trials, double-blinding, p-values..etc? I understand the basic concept/methodology, but am looking for the history & also the philosophy that justifies these methods as reliable instruments.
posted on Dec 20, 2004 - 8 answers

Does anything help to get 'un-high' off of legal medicinal marijuana and be more alertly functioning soon?
posted on Nov 30, 2004 - 19 answers

[CrampFilter] My son woke up again last night with cramp in his legs...its painful for him, and disturbing for us...(morecrammedinside)
posted on Oct 12, 2004 - 26 answers

Allergic Reaction to Metal Filter

I can't wear any kind of cheap metal. Week before I wore a belt with a cheap ass buckle. Now I have an ungodly itchy rash on the left side of my body from my waist to my knee. Anyone have any suggestions before I scratch myself to death?

And a doctor isn't really an option as there is no insurance in the ol' damnitkage household.
posted on Jul 7, 2004 - 14 answers

Pharmacists, medical professionals: I take methylphenidate for ADD. A month ago my regular pharmacy was out so I went to a different one. The pill looked different but I'm used to generics varying in appearance. So I thougt nothing of it. Today I refilled the prescription and the pill looked so different that I got worried and looked it up. My perscribed dosage is 20mg 3 times daily. It seems that for the last month I'd been unknowingly taking 20mg extended release 3 times daily (occasionaly four when I had to work late). I honestly didn't notice a difference, but now I'm worried. This shit is dangerous and I don't like to mess around with my mind. What dangers are there to the increased syrum levels I'd been experiencing? Considering that that the ER plateaus at something like 10mg for about 8 hours, I could have had as much as 30mg active in my body for several hours a day for 30 days. This is scary. Note, no information given will be treated as advice. If you guys scare me I'll reconfirm with a doctor and persue an appropriate course of action. So please, be honest. Is this a problem, or no big deal?
posted on Jun 11, 2004 - 24 answers

BioMeFites, what's the authoritative process on assessing neurotoxicity of any substance, in general? [more inside]
posted on Apr 9, 2004 - 8 answers

Wellbutrin. Anybody tried it? Experiences you want to share? Good, bad, indifferent? Weight gain? Sex drive? I've read the pharmacology, and chemically understand it...but clinical studies often leave a lot to the imagination when it comes to side effects, or lack thereof.
posted on Apr 8, 2004 - 25 answers

Academic research resources: I do research in the field of global health, at the intersection of medicine and social science. After months of using Medline, Proquest, and ASSIA and being frustrated, I just stumbled upon Scopus, and it's rocking my world. But now I wonder: is there anything better that I'm missing?
posted on Mar 22, 2004 - 3 answers

Does anyone have an Osteopath as their Primary Physician?
(more inside...)
posted on Jan 6, 2004 - 5 answers

I've got the Toxic Death Flu. [more inside]
posted on Dec 31, 2003 - 34 answers

Looking for info on the process of abortion (ed: for a script)... [more inside]
posted on Dec 11, 2003 - 6 answers