asked
My son is almost 20 years old and has been diagnosed with disc degeneration in his neck, causing him significant pain. He has had neck pain for a year or two but it has worsened in the last 3-4 months. He has been treated by a chiropractor and takes Advil and Aleve, but nothing seems to help. He is a 6'3" basketball player in great shape and is concerned about the pain affecting his college basketball career. What can be done to help him?
April 16th, 2023
How long does it usually take for a pinched nerve to go away, and what can be done to alleviate the associated pain?
July 8th, 2024
Hi doc, I have several concerns: 1) I have a slow heart rate this evening and would like you to check the attached ECG. 2) I woke up with pins and needles in my right hand, mainly in the palm area and a couple of fingers, which lasted a couple of hours. Could this be a stroke symptom? 3) I was recently prescribed Vitamin D3 20,000 IU twice a week for 8 weeks. After the 8 weeks, can I switch to taking 20,000 IU once a week long-term without causing toxicity? 4) I have a twitch feeling on the right side of my chest, not related to the heart, and have attached an ECG for your review. 5) During a heatwave in the UK, I noticed my heart rate is high. Can hot weather increase my heart rate, and is my heart okay based on the ECG?
January 17th, 2023
I had unprotected sex about 8 weeks ago. The guy told me he was clean of diseases, and I got a test for all STDs but syphilis and HIV, which came out negative. However, a few days ago, I had a pimple-like bump on my vagina lip that popped when I applied pressure. It has since flattened and turned red. I'm concerned this could be something more serious. What could it be, and should I be worried about STDs like syphilis?
February 25th, 2023
I have a loose anus due to inserting a phallic object for prostate stimulation, which has been loose for 4 years. I've tried aloe vera gel and a prescribed gel called proctoderme, but neither has helped much. What can I do to improve my basal anal tone and is there a definitive solution without continuous physical therapy?
July 9th, 2024
I am prescribed morphine sulfate ER beads for pain management due to degenerative disc disease and psoriatic arthritis/spondylitis. I am currently sick with a sinus infection and experiencing coughing fits. I am hesitant to take cough medicine containing codeine due to an upcoming drug test at my pain management doctor's appointment. What are my alternatives for managing my cough without risking a positive drug test for codeine?
June 10th, 2023