I believe I have symptoms of lupus and want to know how to talk to my doctor about it. My symptoms include stiffness and joint pain, chest pain when breathing, sharp pain behind my breastbone, rib pain, abdominal tenderness, muscle aches, swelling in feet and hands, recurrent fevers, memory loss, and unexplained weight loss of 15lbs in the past month. I am 25 years old, not using any medications, and have a history of seizures due to bupropion. I have had a positive ANA test in the past that later came back negative, and I have experienced hives and a butterfly rash on my face. How should I approach my doctor for further testing?

August 13th, 2023

My 17-year-old grandson had the Pfizer COVID vaccine yesterday and is experiencing increasing chest pain. The pain is constant, feels like pressure deep in his chest, and there are no other significant medical issues in his history. What could be causing this and what should be done?

February 22nd, 2023

How can I determine if my three-year-old daughter has a depressed skull fracture after falling off playground equipment onto a rubber ground? She has had previous falls and hit her head, but this time she woke up with a headache. There is a depression in the middle of the back of her head, and I'm unsure if it's new or has always been there.

June 21st, 2023

Can an abdominal/pelvic CT scan with oral and IV contrast visualize the colon and rectum? I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding since October and intermittent lower abdominal pain since November. The pain is a burning or icy-hot sensation that comes and goes. I had an abdominal ultrasound that was normal, and a CT scan that noted barium reached the sigmoid colon. The results were normal for every organ, and a diagnosis of pelvic congestion syndrome was given. I am concerned if the CT scan ordered the right test and if the sigmoid colon and rectum were even visible on this type of scan, which used oral barium instead of an enema.

September 14th, 2023

I have had swollen lymph nodes in my groin and a burning sensation when I pee quite often for the last few months. I also experience burning with urination after sex and have a low sex drive. What could be causing these symptoms and what should I do next?

July 18th, 2023