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Date Added:Jan/2012
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Contraceptive pill increase in breast size
I am currently using the contraceptive pill Mercilon. I have noticed an increase in breast size, which I am not happy with. Can you recommend another form of contraception that I could try? Would it be worth trying a progesterone only method, such as the injection? I have not put on any weight anywhere else.
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Date Added:Jan/2012
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recurring indigestion
For a few years now I have been suffering from indigestion, but over the past couple of years it has got worse. I can go for a week without much in the way of symptoms, then for a week or more I will have symptoms which include wind in centre of upper abdomen going into back, wanting to burp. Sometimes there is tenderness under my breastbone and tightness in chest. The symptoms are worse if I drink alcohol the night before, which I understand is the alcohol irritating my stomach.
I had an ovarian cyst a year ago and thought the symptoms might be to do with this but the consultant said not. I subsequently had the cyst removed and it was benign.
I have been taking prednisolone, formerly cortisone acetate since I was around age 17, I am 53 now, and I understand this can irritate the stomach.
Due to the symptoms being almost permanent, I had an endoscopy recently but this was normal, there were no ulcers, hernias etc. I have also been tested for H Pylori virus which was negative.
I do suffer from quite severe stress and am wondering if the indigestion is just down to this, although I can get the symptoms when I am not feeling particularly stressed out.
I am going back to doctor but wanted a second opinion.
Could you advise what the possible causes of my symptoms are, bearing in mind tests have all been normal. I have a little peace of mind now as I was worried about stomach cancer (I am a worrier) but I am still having the symptoms and it is affecting my quality of life.
I also take bisoprolol for high blood pressure and thyroxine in addition to prednisolone.
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Date Added:Jan/2012
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Stress, depression and underactive thyroid?
Hello,
I am seeking advice concerning my husband's health. Four months ago he began a new job (he's a postdoctoral scientist) which is not going well. For this job we moved home, and he is also homesick. His working environment might be described as 'fraught' and he is incredibly stressed. Firstly, I am concerned that he is suffering from (mild?) depression and anxiety: he seems defeated, and is clearly unhappy. Sometimes he struggles to face the day and he often complains of a tight chest a nausea in the mornings before work. He is sleepy very poorly and has reduced self-esteem and confidence: for eg, he says he feels like an 'imposter' at work, as he isn't progressing with his research. He seems unable to accept that, since his colleagues are also not progressing on this project, it doesn't reflect badly on him. It is IMPOSSIBLE to persuade him to see a doctor, so I am giving him as much support as I can: I do all the work at home (I am also in research and my hours are even longer than his) and try to free up as much time as possible for him to do things which help him relax, like exercise and music. I try not to let him see how hard this is for me in case he feels bad about that as well as everything else. When he wants to, we talk about work and how he feels, and I try to help him find some perspective. I had two courses of CBT a while ago and try to pass on some of the things I learned which helped me to manage my own depression. I would, firstly, welcome any advice on the best way to support someone in his situation.
My second question, however, is more practical. I recently read that stress can cause reduced thyroid activity. Is this true? It rang alarm bells for me because my husband is constantly cold (he regularly goes to work in 5 layers) and has very cold hands and feet, is always tired but often cannot sleep, frequently complains of constipation since starting the new job, and, since then also, seems to be losing his hair - but not typical male pattern baldness, rather a uniform thinning, perhaps also at the ends of his eyebrows a little. More worrying he states that he can't concentrate at work. I know these could be symptoms of lowered thyroid activity, but realise that there are other possible causes. I know thyroid supplements are available w/o prescription but we would not trust these. I am concerned that if stress is lowering his thyroid activity, loss of concentration and depression could result from that, making him feel more inadequate and more stressed, with bad results for his mental health. I imagine (please tell me if I'm wrong!) that stress would only reduce thyroid function a little, so I wonder whether he can be helped by any changes in diet? Should we consider vitamin supplements (B12?) or zinc, iodine, selenium, iron? I hope that if a small change like that could give him an energy boost and help his concentration, the depression could ease too. I realise that if his symptoms worsen I will somehow have to drag him to his GP...
Finally some background: My husband is 27, male (obv!), fit & healthy - about 5'9 or 10", 9.5 stones (slightly built); runs at least one 10k per week, cycles 40 mins per day, does at least 2x 2hours of fencing per week. He eats a balanced diet, including his 5 a day, and is not vegetarian/vegan or with any restrictions except a peanut allergy. He has been in hospital only 2 times: once, when 7 years old due to a severe rotavirus infection which somehow affected his kidneys (through dehydration i guess?) and then two months ago because he had norovirus badly, could not keep down water, and had to be put on a drip for a while. He does not smoke or take any drugs (hard to persuade him even into an aspirin!) and has no history of mental health issues. He drinks a little: he used to put away 3 or 4 pints once a week but since we moved way from our friends he now only shares a pint of beer with me or a glass of wine - maybe once every 2 weeks.
Thank you for any help you may be able to give!
*****
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Date Added:Jan/2012
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ECG results
I am 37, and went for an ECG in December. I have had palpitations on and off for years, ever since thyroid bother in 2004(had graves disease, RAI and now on thyroxine 100mcg). They dont bother me very much, and can go for months without them. GP sent me for an ECG as hadnt had and ECG for years, and was still getting the palpitations.
It came back saying normal sinus rhythm, short pr interval. My GP sent this to a cardiologist to look at, and he got back saying it wasnt an av nodal rhythm(or something like that!) as P waves normal and to get a 24 hr tape done and if nothing showed on that an event monitor. I get the 24 hr tape done this week and see my GP again next week.
Unfortunately I have googled this short pr interval thing, and am now terrified of what might be wrong! Im wondering:
-What does short pr interval mean? Is it serious? Can it be normal?
-I read about some things it can indicate, like WPW, and has really scared me. Is this something that my GP, or the cardiologist would have noticed on ECG?
-Is the 24 hr tape likely to be to look for reason for short pr interval or reason for palpitations?
-Am I still able to exercise and do everything else as normal? Im sure GP said was fine, but now cant remember.
As far as I know, there was nothing else abnormal on ECG. I have no other symptoms, no heart racing etc... no other symptoms when have palpitations and they only last for a second or two. My heart did race years ago when my thyroid was overactive, so I know what feels like, but I dont get that at all.
I have had bother with low iron/anaemia at times and been on and off iron tablets since birth of 3rd child in 2009. Palpitations have been worse then certainly. Also have had problems with anxiety/panic since thyroid bother, but thats rare for me to be bothered with that now, just when stressed, which I feel just now with all this!
I am going to ask my GP all this when see them next week, but really just looking for explanation/reassurance now!
Thanks,
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Date Added:Jan/2012
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I disagree with my urologist's proposed treatment
I have a 30 year history of urinary tract problems.
Two years ago I began having recurrent bacterial cystitis; within two days of coming off the prescribed antibiotics the cystitis would flare up again so I went on continuous Cephalexin for eighteen months and was virtually symptom free.I was then given an appointment to see a urologist but only saw a junior member of his team for an extremely brief consultation and it was decided I should go on a rotation of three differerent antibiotics. I later discovered that one of the three was Trimethoprim. I have taken this medicine for cystitis on several occasions in the past and it has not cleared up the infection and an alternative antibiotic has been necessary each time. I conclude that my particular strain of E. coli is resistant to Trimethoprim.
After explaining this to my specialist's secretary she put my point to him and I was told " Trimethoprim is a very good medicine and he wants you to try it".
The whole point of the antibiotic rotation is to minimise the chance of antibiotic resistance so is appears perverse to put me on a medicine which is already suspect.
Do I HAVE to take the trimethoprim and suffer another cystitis flare up before the urologist will prescibe an alternative ?
Whilst I am only a lay person I have a science degree and am well read on urinary tract problems.I have not been involved at all with decisions about my treatment.
I expect I should talk to my GP about my concerns but am unsure what his attitude wil be towards challenging the specialist.
I should be greatful if you would advise me on the above since it would be good to have some ammunition to back up my case when I visit my own doctor.
Many thanks in anticipation.
**************
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Date Added:Jan/2012
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hi i have a very small lump just above my collar bone
a very small lump on my neck just about an inch above my collar bone..have shown it to 2 of our doctors and they told me it was nothinh to worry about..i am not losing weight or have a fever ..i do get hot in bed but not wet with sweat.do i need to worry.i have had it as far as i am aware for about 3 months and it is not sore and it is moveable
thanks
****
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Date Added:Jan/2012
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I have a problem with pain/sensitivity.
Hi, for the past week I have been experienceing a weird pain/sensitivity on my left uppper torso under the armpit area which extends around my shoulder blade at the back and sometimes on the left side of my pectoral muscle. I say sometimes because the intensity of the pain shifts from one place to another in the areas mentioned above. I have been taking strong ibuprofen and this seems to help but the discomfort and pain comes back everyday. It is more noticeable when I move these areas of my body. Can you please help?
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Date Added:Dec/2011
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Nocturnal polyurea
I spoke to a doctor at my local GP practice about six months ago about the fact that I was getting up several times during
the night to pass large quantities of urine.
Last night is a good example:
Bed at 11:00. Bladder empty.
12:45 - Passed at least a litre of urine
02:45 - Ditto
Woke at 07:50
My doctor arranged for a blood test for possible prostate cancer, based on the fact that I had a test in January 2004,
which proved to be negative.
I now wake up very tired, and often feel like going to sleep late morning.
I something sleep for over two hours in the afternoon, with no negative impact on my sleeping at night.
The feeling of exhaustion is now semi-permanent, and much worse after a bout of activity, such as mowing the lawn.
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Date Added:Dec/2011
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severe abdominal pain - concerned about cancer
a male friend of mine aged 43, having severe abdominal pain on and off last few months, recent blood tests have shown increased hb and increased red cell count, up until recently was also very heavy smoker and drinker, has to have more blood tests, concerned re cancer - does not eat healthily and regularly, also slight stomach distension, and suffered from trapped wind recently also
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Date Added:Dec/2011
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Rehabilitation after a stroke
This is a question regarding my father. He had a stroke in June this year and the left side of his body was affected. He is making good progress and is able to walk around the house using a tripod stick. However, his left ankle keeps swelling and he finds his leg heavy to lift and feels he has less feeling in his calf muscle. This swelling does decrease during the night and he does put his leg up during the day, when he can, but after a while his leg seizes. He is on cholesterol and blood pressure tablets and since his stroke warfarin. He has physio three times a week but this last few times he has not done as much because his leg feels weak. I also feel the movement he had in his arm is decreasing and his arm is starting to curl up.
The week preceding his stroke was spent in and out of hospital with TIA's. Tests were done but it was said there was nothing wrong and he was sent home each time. He did have water tablets for leg swelling prior to the stroke but these meant he was always rushing to the gents.
Are you able to say what is causing the swelling in his ankle? Is there anything that can be done? Why is he losing strength in his leg and will this return? Is this related to problems associated with the earlier TIA's or could he be suffering from further TIA's?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks
*********
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Date Added:Oct/2011
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Vasectomy
I had a vasectomy about 3 months ago with no initial problems.
However when I last had intercourse with my wife (today) I noticed quite a large amount of a browny in appearance substance (blood I assumed) in my semen.
Obviously a little concerned as this has never happened before.
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Date Added:Nov/2011
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Depression and Bereavement
My mother died five weeks ago after having a stroke and then a seizure. I have been her carer for a number of years and especially more so since my father died four years ago. Both my parents made wills to try and make everything as easy as possible when they died but when my mother's will was taken to a solicitor they realised it was wrongly worded so they is a lot of problems arising from that especially as I have three sisters who live a long way away.
My question is that I have a number of health problems I have been taking Mirtazapine for over a year but they are not helping me now and my GP has prescribed Trazodone I presume to take as well. I also have a lot of back pain caused by arthritis of the lower back facet joints and for this I am on Paracetamol, codeine, and as these are not helping enough Naproxen with Omeprazole. I have just been back to the orthopeadic clinic and they want another scan to see if things have changed in the last two years and whether a fusion operation is needed.
I have other things to cope with too and I am finding it so difficult to keep going and scared because I am now on my own and afraid of side effects or what I may do I am so mixed up and it is difficult to find motivation. I have also had a hysterectomy for cancer six years ago.
The thing is that my GP has given me all these medications but I am afraid to take them all but I needed help and it gives the impression that I am asking for help then refusing it when it is given which I don't mean at all.
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Date Added:Oct/2011
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erection/ sex drive
I have a serious issue with my erection which is affecting my marriage.
When my wife and i have sex i only go hard enough to have sex but not to penetrate her fully, it the same with oral sex when i only go to a semi erection and its really getting her and me down as she thinks she doesnt turn me on.
I also dont last very long (as in 2-3 minutes) So she gets that 30 seconds of my penis bulging when im orgasming which she loves but that is all i can give her. Then id love to do it again after but it can take me an hour to recover. I have had the same problem since i started having sex and this as come to a point where iv now discussed with my wife and she as admitted its really getting her down and close to ending our marriage.
I have looked on various websites regarding tablets but dont know which ones to trust. All i want to do is make my wife happy in bed and i cant with me coming prematurely and not getting fully hard until climax and then just going straight flat after so not being able to do it again to please her and me.
I love her more than anything and it isnt that she doesnt turn me on or im not confident.
I have looked on various websites and im not overweight, i dont smoke, rarely drink and am healthy so dont know why i cant be normal. I dont want to dissapoint her anymore, I dont know where or what to turn to for the best
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Date Added:Oct/2011
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painful heels
the soles of heels are in constant pain and sore to the touch
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Date Added:Oct/2011
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std/hiv
I foolishly had oral ( her to me) sex and vaginal sex ,protected, with an escort,( local,british) we also kissed, this happened last week and i am at my wits end that i have ruined my life it will never happen again...
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