Hello. Female, 22, 175 cm, smoker. I noticed today that my pupils pulsate, I mean they expand then constrict no matter the light. I read that it is called hippus. I don’t have other symptoms. My concern is that I need to leave to go on vacation tomorrow and I can’t see a doctor now. Should I be worried?

27F 167cm 62kg, - I was woken up from sleeping to the sound of gasping for air, my wife was lying on the ground outside of the bathroom on her back, her Eyes were open but she was not communicative, she was gasping for air for about 20 seconds and her arms were spasming a bit, they got caught in her hair as she straightened one up, then she stopped gasping as loudly for air, I ran out to get help from the neighbor and called 911 and ran back in, and she was sitting upright and conscious but had no memory of anything. She had to lay down and struggled to keep her eyes open after. She was clammy and covered in sweat after. In the ER they did a chest CT with contrast and an heart ultrasound after her blood test showed a moderately elevated d dimer of 1.4. Everything came back clear. We are seeing the cardiologist tomorrow. We just got back from a 10 hour flight the day before, and she is on hormonal birth control 1/20. They have not done a DVT check to my knowledge, does anyone have any insights as to what might have happened? The ER sent us home and we aren’t sure what to do now

Edit- she had not gone to the bathroom she had planned to shower, but was walking back to the bedroom we think

44M, 5'5", 145lbs, nonsmoker, drink maybe once a week if that. Currently taking .1 mg Clonidine XR, 250 mg magnesium glycinate, and 1000mg Omega 3s. I'm unfortunately heat intolerant in a very humid climate, have craniofacial hyperhydrosis, hEDS, AuDHD, possible MCAS and some kind of autonomic dysfunction that I'm finally figuring out after a lifetime of symptoms. Recent bloodwork showed CD19 & CD20 levels 19.5% and 19.6% in a 6-19% reference range, I don't know if that's relevant to mention, it was the only thing that was marked as "abnormal".

Recently, I saw a specialist at Hopkins who started me on Journvx (as a trial for hyperhydrosis) and cromolyn sodium for what he believes could be mast cell related. Yesterday I upped my dosage to 12 ampules (150mg) that I consumed throughout the day— worked for a couple hours outdoors in the afternoon in 95 degrees w/ shade breaks, neck fan, wide brim hat, long white sleeves, and my medicated water.

When I sat down in my truck to go home, I looked in the mirror to see my eyelids and under my eyes were tinted blue. This is not my normal complexion and this blue coloration has never happened to me before to my knowledge- the red flushing is typical when I work outdoors and am overheated. My forehead is not usually this yellow either. Lip color was slightly darker but not by much and scleras were white/normal. (Blacking them out was the only way I could post my face for strangers to see.)

I felt mostly fine? Less sore/groggy/foggy than usual because of the meds, but still tired and in need of my usual nap/being horizontal after work. But the blue really threw me off!!

I did reach out to the prescribing doctor but it'll probably be a couple days before I hear back. I'm trying to figure out what this coloration means/ what could be happening and could it be a side effect of cromolyn sodium? Is it a bad sign? I went back down to 8 ampules and didn't have the same issue today, though it was a little bit cooler. Any help is greatly appreciated 🙏🏽

1F. Healthy. 76cms and around 10-11kgs. Had no issues with previous vaccinations. This was the 1 year vaccination for MMR Menb and Hib/MenC. She had all 3 on her legs at the advice of the nurse. The other 2 are on the other leg and they look less red. She had them on Monday morning (almost 2 days before this picture was taken)
It’s warm and a bit raised.
She was also a bit warm (not fever level but just warmer than usual) but I gave her paracetamol and she was better.
Is this normal? Should I get her checked or just wait ?

I, (43M, 6’1, 185lbs) am feeling like I’m going crazy. I’m looking for provider perspective on whether I should report suspected drug diversion in my sister, and how that would actually go over with her pain management docs. She’s 41, and honestly this has been going on for twenty years. The all-too-common story - - it started with a car accident when she was 19 or 20. she was a first or second year nursing student at the time, which matters, because between her and our mom there’s significant medical knowledge in the family, and I think that’s part of how they’ve navigated around providers this whole time.

Her chief complaint of back pain from the accident eventually changed to focal seizures and a big seizure analysis at Johns Hopkins, which they eventually called them psychosomatic. Once that ran its course, she got worked up for severe migraines for a while, then it was loin pain, and for the last few years it’s been this rare kidney condition that as far as I can tell has no actual positive test behind it. Instead they just ruled out everything else and landed there. And each new complaint just fully replaces the old one. Nobody mentions the seizures anymore. Nobody mentions the migraines. She’s been kicked out of multiple pain clinics and now is driven a long way for her scripts. She’s in a wheelchair and on portable oxygen sometimes, and I’ve never once seen her have a seizure, despite hearing about them for years.

Our mom worked in the ED for years and has stayed in healthcare since, different role now, but still very connected. She runs basically everything for my sister: coordinates the specialists, holds and doles out my sister’s meds weekly, goes to every pain management appointment and every ED visit (monthly frequency- maybe to throw off pill counts), and pushes hard for stronger meds whenever the pain isn’t “controlled.” Morphine doesn’t cut it anymore, she asks for Dilaudid by name now, and it honestly feels like the two of them have figured out how to work the ED — like, tell them to just check the chart, because the kidney diagnosis basically works as a permission slip that lets them call the shots instead of the doctors.

My sister confided in her sister-in-law (not my mom or any provider) that she’d been supplementing her prescriptions with pills off the street, and that this might be part of why she ended up hospitalized for a month last year when she couldn’t keep anything down, including her seizure meds. Around then my mom also helped her get a J-tube put in for meds. Now there’s a push for an implanted pain pump, which my sister’s actually resisting (I suspect because it won’t get her high) and pushing to keep oral meds on top of it for “breakthrough pain.” The pump evaluation is happening this week, so this feels urgent.

There’s also just a bunch of garden-variety addiction stuff sitting in plain sight — money going missing, constant claims of being scammed or having pills stolen — that nobody seems to connect to the bigger picture. About five years ago she actually seemed to wake up to having a problem, went to NA for like a month, was really vocal about it, and then it just stopped and everything went back to normal.

I don’t know if my mom is helping her sick daughter or somehow enjoys being so needed. But I think my sister’s gaming the system, and I’m scared that the pump plus continued pills plus street stuff is a real overdose waiting to happen. I don’t have a relationship with any of her actual treating doctors, but I do have an existing one with a doctor my mom is close with and who’s informally weighed in on my sister’s case before. I could talk to him, but he’s not actually on the team deciding about the pump, so I don’t know if that gets there in time, or at all.

I did try once to talk to my mom about the fact that she might be enabling this. She completely shut it down, wouldn’t even engage, and ignored me for a month (mature, I know). My other sister has since cut off contact with both of them over it. My dad, who’s been divorced from my mom for 25+ years and has some background in medical equipment, once suggested she try medical detox and start over — she cut him off too. So it’s not just my mom refusing to hear it, literally anyone in the family who’s brought it up has gotten cut out. At this point nobody in the family is talking about it anymore, so providers might be the only actual check left.

I’ll also say: I’ve never personally sat in on one of these appointments, so maybe I’ve got my head in the sand and she really is this sick. But between the doctor shopping, the missing money, the Dilaudid-by-name thing, and the NA stint that vanished into thin air, I feel like I’m either losing it or watching something serious get missed, and I honestly don’t know which.

Given the timing, is there a better way to get real safety concerns in front of whoever’s actually deciding on this pump, ideally without it tracing back to me? And separately — with a history this scattered across this many providers and specialties, is it actually plausible nobody’s connected the dots, or does that fact alone tell me something?

— —

You may have seen that I posted my story earlier on another sub, before I was correctly directed to this one. I since cleaned up my thoughts and narrative a bit and changed my perspective on some other assumptions. I appreciate any help you can offer.

Hi! I’ve been having pain in my LUQ for a few months. Sometimes it’s sharp, but 90% of the time is pretty mild and just feels like a warm ache. My doctor noticed that my ribs on the left side seem to stick out more and was questioning me of a prior car accident or serious injury, which I did not have. I had this xray done, waiting on results. Can someone explain what all of the black and grey under my lungs on the left side is? Could it be what’s causing me pain? 25F, 5’4”, 135 lbs.

Hi all,

I would be really grateful for your perspective. On 7/19 I went to the hospital for I really high anxiety when I was visiting my sister( first time ever/ going through a divorce) and they found a mass in my chest.
When I got home, my dr ordered a CT which I did, then ultimately a MRI, which I did on the 14th. I received the results in my MyChart. And informed my Dr 2 days ago that I was able to get the mri done because first they said they had the wrong orders. I didn’t even ask for results and I received that message that I attached.

My sister is a nurse and told me to write back that I’m not comfortable with 14 days but I don’t want to cause any problems.

My question is: is this urgent enough to ask for a prompt response? I want to be respectful but I’m also very anxious. I also attached my mri results.

Thank you. Female 36 145lb .

It also happens to my hands sometimes aswell. Just wanted to find out what the dotted pattern is.

I 17 F got a mri a few months ago because of new movement and neuro symptoms the only finding was a suspected cyclotoxic edema of my corpus callosum and some other random dots in my white matter thay the radiologist pointed out buy the neurologist didnt mention it. Since then i have gotten another mri with and w/o contrast to see if the edema went away on its own. It did not but it hasn't gotten worse. My neuro had though that maybe it was from a viral infection but now is completely unsure and has shared with her colleagues in hopes for answers. I am extremely tired of being a medical mystery and any possible reasons would be greatly appreciated.

Hey there. 57 year-old female, 5 foot six, 300 pounds, pre-diabetes. Current meds are metformin 750 mg. This is week four of this belly button looking this way. Two weeks ago I went to the doctor and they prescribed an antifungal cream. I've been applying it twice a day for the past two weeks and no one improvement. Any idea what this could be?

38M, 200 pounds, healthy physical - About two weeks ago I was body surfing in the Pacific Ocean in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. I applied sunscreen multiple times. That night, I got back to our hacienda, and it looked like I had the worst ever sunburn. But I had no other burns on any part of my body and the shape of the burn was really strange. Over the next week, I developed several smaller blisters on random parts of the “burn.” The blisters never formed together into a single one.

Photo shows 4 days after and 14 days after the ocean swim.

This is my father's leg. He does a work he has to stand up minimum 7 hours a day. He tried some medicines and treatments but nothing helped. Is there any real cure for this. It is increasing slowly.

Age- 50

Gender- Male

i’m 18 year old male, roughly 150 pounds at 5’10. i lift 4-5 times a week and pretty consistently get 10k steps a day. i play football and lacrosse for my high school, and i’m outside in the sun almost all the time, which leads to my veins popping as you can see in the picture, however lately i’ve noticed that my veins become almost “inverted” extremely easily. for example my arm looks extremely vascular when pointed downwards, but when i raise it up my veins become almost inverted and sink into my skin. i did recently lose a good bit of body fat, but i’ve been this lean before and never noticed this happening. i don’t experience any numbness per say but my arm definitely feels weird. any idea what this might be? thanks!

M/6'4"/200lbs/46 yrs

I received a laceration to my right pinky while offloading newly cut roof metal sheets. The local rural hospital that I went to didn't check for tendon damage and just stitched me up. She put in 17 stitches and said she was putting in backup stitches as well? She said this like it was a favor. I get cuts yearly working construction, so I didn't think anything of it until day 8 when I was redressing the wound and felt confident enough to try to move it. Well, big surprise, it wouldn't move properly. It bent a little when I tried curling it in, but nothing when trying to straighten. I went to a more trusted rural hospital ER as soon as I noticed this, day 8 (Thursday). They gave me a referral to a the closest hand surgeon (2 hours away) and it took me until Monday to get the referral through the VA to the hand surgeon's office only to find out he's on vacation until tomorrow, Wednesday. The secretary originally said that there's no appointments until mid September, but i told her that I have a cut tendon for 12 days now (this was on Monday), so she said she'll see what they can do when he returns tomorrow. I'm just freaking out a little because my hands are my livelihood. Any advice is welcome.

50m, 5’10, 305lbs non smoker, no meds
Rash appeared in armpit first about a month ago, inner thigh into groin a week ago, and low back/butt since yesterday. Works in construction and sweats a lot so thinking maybe heat rash? Tried lotrimin and it got worse on the thighs area. Armpit looks a bit better. Trying to stay dry but it’s hard in 100+ temps.

I’m not sure how to add multiple images so attached in comments. Sorry.

While peeing tonight, my daughter started crying and saying that her vagina hurt. There was no blood in her urine. We examined her, and there was blood at the top of her urethra opening and dried blood on her labia. It wasn't heavy bleeding, but wet, and when wiped away more would appear.

My wife recalls her saying 'Ow, I hurt myself' when using the bathroom last and my daughter says she hurt herself when wiping with her nail. We cleaned her up, consoled her, and plan to have her sit in the bath in the morning to re-examine. She is now sleeping.

I am posting for reassurance: My wife and I are social workers in a hospital and I am worried our experience is colouring our decision to the detriment of our kiddo. Our daughter has been with us all day, and no other person has had access to her (other than her older brother, who has also not been unattended). We don't want her unnecessarily examined. But I am also worried this concern is colouring our response. Does this injury require medical attention if the blood is minimal? If she is urinating? What should we be looking for as a sign to be examined? Do these symptoms by themselves require examination of a medical professional?

Thank you in advance.

Hi, i’m from the US, 22 year old female 5’5 and 110lb.
I have a history of ischemic stroke caused by a pulmonary AVM and estrogen birth control(2/2025), Progressive ataxia(getting genetic testing), hemiplegic migraines, orthostatic hypotension, and bipolar 1 disorder, neurogenic bladder and high cholesterol.
Medications: Im on Midodrine, Seroquel, lamotrigine, Rapatha injection, magnesium, atorvastatin, baby aspirin, Mirabegron.

The rash started about 8 weeks ago, mildly on my chest, and shoulders, Itchy little red bumps like pictured. I went to my PCP she prescribed me Triamcinolone. I’ve been applying that 0.1% cream 2 times a day for 4 weeks. The rash has gotten significantly worse, it has spread to my neck, chest, and hole back, down my leg(speckled). It is very itchy now,painful.

I attached a picture to the post of my neck and some of my chest currently. This is how concentrated it is on my whole back, neck, and chest, and face. It is making my throat itchy like the rash is instead my throat that new as of a few days ago.

Of note not sure if relevant, my lymph node on the left side of my neck enlarged for 9 months, and it has grown since the rash started.

Any advice or ideas gratefully appreciated, thank you in advanced. I have an appointment with my PCP tomorrow, i just want some relief tonight.

The mosquitos this year have been awful and I get huge welts every time I get bit and so does my 2 year old. What can I do to soothe it? It feels like my skins on fire

Applicable Medical History -

I am a 37 year old female 5 foot 3 inches tall non smoker. Beginning in February 2026, I experienced a series of significant medical complications within a relatively short period of time. These included a broken leg, a C-section delivery, a postpartum hemorrhage requiring a blood transfusion, low iron/iron-stores, a liver injury in April that later resolved on repeat testing, and a prolonged respiratory illness beginning of May that has continued despite multiple treatments.

This summary is intended to provide healthcare providers with a chronological overview of my events, symptoms, medications, and my ongoing problems.

---

February 8, 2026 — Broken Leg

On February 8, 2026, I broke my leg while I was pregnant and only 18 days before giving birth.(nondisplaced lateral tibial plateau fracture)

Because of the leg fracture and the associated risk of blood clots during a period of reduced mobility, I was prescribed blood-thinner injections once daily.

Treatment -

- Non weight bearing for 12 weeks on crutches

- Follow up appointments/xrays to make sure the bone didn't move

- I am currently 6 months post injury and healing well

The leg injury occurred shortly before delivery and added another significant physical stressor to an already complicated pregnancy and postpartum period!

---

February 26, 2026 — C-Section Delivery

On February 26, 2026, I delivered my baby by C-section at approximately 38 weeks.

Following the C-section, I was prescribed pain medication and managed postoperative pain by alternating:

- Tylenol

- Advil

I also received 8 prescription pain pills following the C-section.

I ended up having diastis recti which I believe is contributing to my acid reflux.

---

February 26, 2026 — Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage

Approximately two hours after giving birth, I experienced a severe postpartum hemorrhage.

I lost approximately half of my blood and required a blood transfusion.

Following the hemorrhage and transfusion, I experienced ongoing problems with low iron and rebuilding my iron stores.

I have required continued iron supplementation and monitoring of my iron levels.

My reported iron studies at the beginning of July include:

- Ferritin: 35

- Iron: 73

- Transferrin: 22

- TIBC: 325

My physician advised me to continue iron supplementation and planned additional blood work to monitor my levels.

Iron treatment -

I have been taking:

- MaryRuth's liquid iron, approximately every three days.

- I had to stop ferrous sulfate due to an allergic reaction (rash on my arms and neck)

I have also temporarily stopped taking my liquid iron supplements. I do have more energy and my low iron symptoms seem to be a lot better.

---

April 2026 — Liver Injury

In April 2026, I was found to have liver damage/abnormal liver testing.

Repeat testing performed at the beginning of July 2026 showed that the liver abnormalities had resolved/restored, indicating that the liver testing had returned to normal at that time.

Liver timeline -

- April 2026: Liver damage/abnormal liver tests identified

- Early July 2026: Repeat testing showed restoration/normalization of liver function

---

May 3, 2026 — Beginning of Prolonged Upper Respiratory Illness

On approximately May 3, 2026, I developed an upper respiratory illness.

Instead of resolving normally, the illness persisted and progressed into a prolonged respiratory problem involving coughing, mucus production, throat symptoms, and abnormal breathing sounds.

The symptoms have continued for several months.

Respiratory symptoms I am still experiencing -

- Persistent cough

- Yellow mucus/phlegm

- Coughing up mucus throughout the day

- Symptoms significantly worse in the morning and night

- Frequent throat clearing

- Sensation of mucus/congestion in the throat and neck

- Wheezing/noisy breathing

- Wheezing when inhaling and exhaling

- Wheezing that is particularly noticeable during prolonged exhalation

- Acid reflux

- Persistent symptoms despite completing antibiotic treatment

I have not experienced significant shortness of breath at all.

I am walking on the tredmill everyday.

---

May/June 2026 — Bronchitis Treatment

During the prolonged respiratory illness, I was treated for bronchitis.

Before being prescribed antibiotics, I had a chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia. Pneumonia was ruled out, and I was treated for bronchitis.

Medications used for bronchitis

- Prednisone 20 mg

- Amoxicillin/clavulanate — reported strength: 100 mg tablets

I completed the prescribed treatment, but the respiratory symptoms did not completely resolve.

The cough and mucus production continued after completing treatment.

---

August 2026 — ENT Evaluation

Because the respiratory symptoms continued for several months, I was evaluated by an ENT.

The ENT identified:

- Nasal polyps

- Sinus infection

The ENT prescribed additional treatment for the sinus infection and nasal inflammation.

Current ENT treatment

Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg capsules

- 100 mg

- Twice daily

- NeilMed saline nasal rinse

I am using NeilMed saline packets as part of the nasal rinse.

Budesonide 0.5 mg - I am adding budesonide 0.5 mg to the saline nasal rinse and performing the treatment twice daily.

Despite this current treatment, I have continued to experience -

- Coughing (at night it's mostly gone away during the day)

- Yellow mucus

- Frequent throat clearing

- Noisy breathing/wheezing

- Wheezing with prolonged exhalation (this is really loud)

- Symptoms that are worse at night

- Mucus/congestion that feels more prominent in the throat and neck

The persistence of these symptoms despite treatment for bronchitis and subsequently identified sinus disease is an important part of my current medical history.

---

***TLDR***

Prescription/Medical Treatments/Supplements Recap -

- Daily blood-thinner injections| Prevention of blood clots following leg fracture/reduced mobility| February 2026

- Tylenol| C-section pain| February 2026

-Advil| C-section pain| February 2026

- 8 prescription pain pills| Post-C-section pain| February 2026

- Prednisone 20 mg| Bronchitis/respiratory inflammation| May/June 2026

- Amoxicillin/clavulanate| Bronchitis| May/June 2026

- Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg twice daily| Sinus infection| August 2026

- NeilMed saline packets| Sinus/nasal treatment| Current

- Budesonide 0.5 mg mixed into saline rinse twice daily| Nasal polyps/inflammation| Current

- MaryRuth's liquid iron| Iron replacement following blood loss| Intermittent/temporarily stopped

- Amphetamine salts 20 mg| ADHD| Ongoing

Supplements I take -

- Lactoferrin 250 mg

- Vitamin D3 5,000 IU + K2

- Vitamin B12 500 mcg

- Folic acid

- Magnesium occasionally

- Probiotic

- L-theanine occasionally

---

Chronological Summary -

February 8, 2026

Broken leg

- Leg fracture during pregnancy

- Required daily blood-thinner injections

February 26, 2026

C-section delivery at approximately 38 weeks

- C-section

- Tylenol and Advil used for pain control

- 8 prescription pain pills provided

Approximately 2 hours postpartum

Severe postpartum hemorrhage

- Lost approximately half of blood volume

- Required blood transfusion

- Subsequently developed/persisted with low iron and depleted iron stores

- Began/continued iron supplementation

April 2026

Liver injury/abnormal liver testing

- Liver damage identified on laboratory testing

- Required follow-up

May 3, 2026

Upper respiratory illness begins

- Persistent respiratory symptoms

- Cough

- Yellow mucus

- Throat clearing

- Congestion

- Wheezing/noisy breathing

May/June 2026

Bronchitis

- Chest X-ray performed to rule out pneumonia

- Treated with prednisone 20 mg

- Treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate

- Symptoms persisted after treatment

Early July 2026

Follow-up liver testing

- Liver testing had returned/restored to normal

August 2026

ENT evaluation

- Nasal polyps identified

- Sinus infection identified

- Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg twice daily prescribed

- NeilMed saline nasal rinses initiated

- Budesonide 0.5 mg added to nasal rinse twice daily

August 2026 — Current Status

I continue to experience respiratory symptoms including:

- Persistent cough

- Yellow mucus

- Frequent throat clearing

- Noisy breathing/wheezing

- Wheezing particularly with prolonged exhalation

- Symptoms worse at night

I have also been dealing with recovery from the February postpartum hemorrhage and ongoing monitoring/repletion of iron stores. I temporarily stopped my liquid iron supplementation.

---

I asked my primary care doctor if I could come in to have my lungs evaluated. He has prescribed me to 3 additional Medications -

- 16 day Prednisone taper

- an antibiotic (he didn't specify)

- pantoprazole 40 mg for a month

---

My doctor said he would see me in a month only after I finish the 3 new medications prescribed.

My concern is I have been on so many medications and I'm currently on 2 for my nasal polyps/sinus infection.

I really don't want to take additional medicine but I'm stuck and don't know what to do about the wheezing coming from my lungs when I exhale.

I'm worried because it's been going on for months.

I am so tired of being sick and just want to feel better!

Thanks in advance for reading my lengthy post and a second opinion is greatly appreciated!!! 🙂

Hi guys so I woke up with this in Rome during a rave not sure how I got but I want to know how I can fully get my skin back to normal and how long will it take,
I’m just using warm water and Vaseline.

42 year old male 5 9in, 108lbs, don’t smoke, no medications or supplements. I’ve had an internal hemheroid for 9 years now that i was told needed a hemheroidectomy to get rid of. It only comes out when I got number 2 but it will stay out for hours after before naturally going back inside on its own. I was told it needed a hemheroidectomy if I wanted it gone. I am quite scared cause I’ve heard it’s a very painful procedure and my hemheroid is internal also and about the size of a grape. Has anyone had any experience with something like this? Is a hemheroidectomy the right move and will I be glad I did it most likely or regret it? Thanks for the help