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Ask
The Visiting Nurse ONLINE Archive
Choose your area of interest:
Allergy
Cancer
Cardiovascular
Disorders
Communicable/Infectious
Disorders
Dermatological
Disorders
Ear, Nose and
Throat Disorders
Endocrinology
and Metabolic Disorders
Gastro-Intestinal
Disorders
Genito-Urinary
Disorders
Geriatrics
Muscular-Skeletal
and Connective Tissue Disorders
Neurological
Disorders
Nutrition/Exercise
Obstetrical/Gynecological
Disorders
Ophthalmology
Disorders
Pediatrics
Pharmacology
Pulmonary
Disorders
Psychiatric
Disorders
Miscellaneous
Referrals
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Allergy
Cancer
Cardiovascular
Disorders
I
am a 47 year old female and, recently, after yard work and other chores,
my pulse rate will shoot up to about 150bpm. My face becomes red and,
if I lay down, I can feel my heart beating. My blood pressure is normally
around 110/65. Suggestions?
I
am a 37 yr. old female with a heart history of premature beats. Lately
I have been under alot of stress and was wondering whether it has contributed
to my recent health concerns. First concern: A little over a month ago
a vein in my leg burst which was very painful. The area turned black and
blue and lasted over a week. There was a significant feeling of numbness
below the area of the bruise. Secondly, last week while spending the afternoon
up in the mountains, I experienced a feeling of tightening in the chest
area. This feeling lasted for over 2 hours, then there was a sharp pain
which almost took my breath away for about 30 seconds. Finally, today,
I am losing all strength in my right arm. This problem began about one
month ago with feeling of uncomfortableness to slight constant pain to
weakness. Please advise.
Do
fat and cholesterol raise blood pressure?
I
come from a family with a high risk of heart disease. Do my children and
even my young grandchildren need to be checked?
Someone
told me that, since I had a heart attack, I should not start any new physical
activity programs. Is that true?
What
is congestive heart failure?
My
neighbor says she saw an article about a vitamin that reduces risk of
heart attack in women. Can you tell me what it is?
What
are some risk factors for heart disease that I can actually do something
about?
What
is a desirable cholesterol level for adults?
What
is considered "high" blood pressure?
I've
heard that black people are more susceptible to high blood pressure than
whites. Is that true?
What
can I do to help keep my blood pressure down?
What
is the most effective dietary approach to lowering blood cholesterol?
Communicable/Infectious
Disorders
My
boyfriend and I have been together for several months. Occasionally he
gets cold sores on his mouth. He says that he has had this condition since
childhood. Although he says that it is only contagious when he has sores
that weep mucus, I have not made direct contact until they are completely
healed. Several months ago he had a cold sore that was barely visible
and did not weep at all, and in that case we did make direct mouth to
mouth contact. Last week he had a large, painful cold sore that scabbed
over. Although I did not have direct contact with the sore, we were intimate.
There was one point at which his sore touched the skin above my mouth
which I washed with soap immediately. I have had no symptoms and he has
told me that he has not infected girlfriends in the past even when they
did have contact while he had a sore. I am wondering how likely it is
that I could become infected with herpes through indirect contact - ie.,
remnants of the virus on his hands and clothing.
What
is Celulitis? What are the treatment options?
I
am related to someone who has been exposed to TB. What should I do?
My
friends tell me that there is an herbal medicine good for cold and flu
symptoms, Echinacea extract, available in health food stores. Is it safe?
Dermatological
Disorders
My
insurance dermatology diagnoses codes are: 173 BCC and Scc 232 Bowen's
disease of the skin. Can you give me any information about these?
I
am a 23 yr. old female who has been experiencing dizziness for four days
now. I was sick with the flu for several days and then began feeling better.
However, on Monday evening I began getting dizzy, not severely, but I
felt rather funny. When I woke up on Tuesday I was fine, but after being
on my feet for a half an hour I began feeling dizzy again. I made an appointment
to see a doctor and was diagnosed with vertigo. I was given a medication
known as "anti-vert" and was told this would relieve my symptoms.
I am to take the pills every 6 hrs. as necessary and if my symptoms persist
for more than 2 wks. I have to go back for a follow-up. Well, my problem
is the medication is having no affect on me at all. I am still feeling
disoriented and have had to leave work early every day since I first began
experiencing this. Is there anything I can do to relieve these symptoms?
I feel fine as long as I am laying down and not doing anything. Unfortunately,
this is not an option I have. My doctor said 2 wks., but I don't know
how much longer I can deal with this.
Ear, Nose
and Throat Disorders
Some
days when I bend down (head to toes), I feel throbbing pressure (like
blood in a head rush) along the my neck, by the jaw, more painful on the
left side. After a few seconds it starts to go away. My upper sinuses
are rather clogged, and they hurt too when I do this. Strange, but it
seems like belching (even going to the bathroom) alleviates it. It's only
when I bend down. I'm a 23-year-old male and have never had high blood
pressure. Is this something to see a doctor about?
I
have had a typical cold stuffy nose, mucas, slight cough, this morning
when I awoke, I could barely hear out of my ears (they feel like I just
experienced a change in altitude). What is it and what can I do?
Endocrinology
and Metabolic Disorders
I
have been hearing a lot about auto-immune disorders. They sound positively
frightening. Are hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism auto-immune disorders?
If so, do they ever cure themselves?
I
recently saw a news program about hypothyroidism, stating that if you
have it during pregnancy, your unborn child could have a lower IQ. The
program stated that the symptoms for hypothyroidism were fatigue, depression
and dry skin. Those symptoms seem vague; can you give me more information?
I'm
29 and I have high level serum calcium (about 12 mg/dl) and parathormon
(about 200) in my blood. There is not any adenom or anormaly in my parathyroid
gland (as a result of the synthigraphy and ultrasonography examination).
Can any surgery be recommended in this case? Which gland will be removed?
My
25 y/o daughter has been dx. with hyperparathyroidism by way of repeated
kidney stones. She has had lithotripsy X 2 successfully the second time
around. Now, eight months later, she has an obstructed ureter secondary
to another stone. Serum Calcium, of course, is elevated. Are there dietary
regimens recommended? Don't want to rush into surgery! Please direct us
as to where we can go for more treatment options.
I'm
34 and have been having these same problems for about 7 yrs. right after
I had my second child. After I eat I get severe pains in my stomach. Sometimes
it's cramps. My stomach gets very bloated and I get diarrhea. It doesn't
happen all the time, but a lot. I also I'm very tired all the time. I
also get dizzy and light headed if I skip a meal. I have been to several
doctors and have had some blood test and stool samples done. I also had
a test done to check my small intestines. All the test have come back
normal. Friends of mine of suggested I have my thyroid checked and check
for diabetes. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
My
7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with diabetes two years ago. I am her
primary caretaker and I am the only one who gives her twice-daily injections.
I would like to go away for a few days in August, and was wondering if
the Visiting Nurse Services could be used to deliver her shots twice daily.
If so, how do I go about this and is it covered by insurance. We have
HIP insurance. Also, a friend of mine was recently given Wellbutrin by
his doctor in order to relieve stress. What do you know about this medication
and what do you think?
Hyperparathyroid,
signs and symptoms, intervention, test, surgery, causes, prognosis.
Gastro-Intestinal
Disorders
I've
been told I have IBD. Can you provide some details?
My
74-year-old mother is having problems with constipation. Over-the-counter
physics do nothing at all. I'm trying to help her "behind her back."
What else can she try?
Genito-Urinary
Disorders
Geriatrics
Muscular-Skeletal
and Connective Tissue Disorders
My
mother-in-law fell and broke her pelvic bone. She laid there for a couple
of hours until the nurse, who comes once a day, went to the neighbor and
called 911. Where can we get a bracelet or buzzer that she could wear
so if she falls again she can get help immediately?
I
have a lot of pain in my left arm between my shoulder and my elbow. Under
the skin it feels lumpy (like little bubbles). It throbs so much during
the night that it keeps me awake. I have had bursitis in my shoulder but
this is a different kind of pain and is not in my joints but in the fatty
part of my arm. Could it be celulitis? I have not had any wound in that
area and I can't remember receiving any trauma either.
Neurological
Disorders
Nutrition/Exercise
Obstetrical/Gynecological
Disorders
About
30 minutes to an hour after sex I get a sharp pain in my side and then
I bleed really bad. What can cause that?
I'm
currently 11 weeks pregnant. My doctor had me take another pregnancy test
because she thought that my uterus felt its normal size. My reading for
my second test was in the range of 4300. Is this normal? Can you tell
me what the normal hcd level is for someone 11 weeks pregnant?
I
am 32 weeks pregnant and have this constant pain under my right breast
within the ribcage area. The pain is so unbearable that it keeps me up
all night long. Went to the doctor, suggested it was a Tylenol 3 w/ codine.
It did NOT help. It seems to be at it's worst when I lay down...Help!
I
have a discharge from my vaginal area that has a really bad odor. What
is it?
Ophthalmology
Disorders
Pediatrics
Pharmacology
Is
it safe to take cough medicine with codine in it, if I am on Wellbutrin?
I
am searching for information regarding Dilantin toxicity and what role
does it play in contributing to dementia . Also looking for elevated serum
protein levels and do they give false readings in Dilantin levels.
I
just started taking Wellbutrin today to try & quit smoking. I felt
a bit shaky and had some stomach cramps. I was told I would get used to
it and after a week or so the shakiness would go away. Will the cramps
also go away? Is this a normal side effect?
If
you were to be allergic to codeine, what would the symptoms be?
I
recently took 2 tablets of excedrin when suddenly about 15 minutes later
I felt confused and dizzy. I felt like I could not breathe and was going
to pass out. Should I see a doctor for this problem? I should also say
that I had a lot of caffeine that day and that could have caused some
panic attack.
I
am taking 100 mg of Zoloft a day for the last year I would like to switch
to St. Johns wort. How long does it take to get Zoloft out of your system?
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I
am 6 months pregnant and my doctor prescribed Tylenol 3 with codeine for
tonsillitis. Is it safe to take Tylenol 3 with codeine? The doctor knows
I am pregnant but he's not an OB doctor.
Can
codeine cause leg pain and leg cramps? Can it cause blood clots? I take
is for painful periods every month. I do not take much, but lately I have
noticed pain in my calf when I take it. The pain in my calf is only there
when I take Tylenol 3, even only one.
I
need to know about Zoloft and its side effects.
Can
you have a side effect of having nightmares from taking Zoloft?
My
doctor recently prescribed Zoloft for my depression. A friend of mine
has been taking a diet supplement called Xetalean and she's been able
to lose some real weight. Could I take this supplement while taking Zoloft?
I
take 100mgs of ZOLOFT a day. Could it make my hair fall out? I also take100mgs
ATENOLD and 800mgs of Motrin. Could one of them be causing the problem?
Will
100mg of voltaren-xr, taken daily, stop me from losing weight? If so is
there another drug that can be taken that will give the same results?
The
doctor has put my son on Ritalin for attention disorder. What are the
long term negative effects of Ritalin?
Can
you tell me if Penicilin expires? I realize you are supposed to take entire
prescription at time it is provided but what if it was a false alarm and
prescription provided for what was thought to be Strep Throat but turned
out not to be. Can it be used next time if strep throat is diagnosed (3
to 4 months away)?
Can
the long-time use of Synthroid cause blindness? Can it be prevented?
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I
would like to know the serious effects of penicillin.
Is
it okay to mix penicillin with alcohol?
What
are side effects of penicilin?
I'm
taking naproxen, and have been on asprin thearpy for a heart condition.
What are the potential dangers?
I
am trying to research interactions or possible effects from allergies
to sulfa drugs. I understand that allergies can cause various symptoms
in different individuals, but I'd like some information on some of the
more common symptoms observed. Do you know of such a resource or such
information?
My
Doctor has prescribed Lithobid 300 mg. ( 2 tablets at bedtime) as well
as Celexa 40 mg. once a day. I'm confused...how do the 2 work together?
I
have been taking Prozac 20mg a day for six weeks. Over the last week,
I have been getting bruises really easily, or sometimes for no reason.
Is this a normal symptom, or should I see my doctor?
I
was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and was given a prescription
for Synthroid. I was diagnosed with this and given this drug nearly 20
years ago and within 6 weeks I was in the hospital with a kidney stone.
My doctor doesn't think they are related but I have no history of other
kidney problems before or after taking this drug. Should I worry about
taking it now?
What
does an Endochrinologist do? My wife is being sent to one. She is suspected
of having Graves.
I
have been taking Zoloft for almost three weeks, and I have been experiencing
hot and cold flashes and my period is extremely late. I thought I might
be pregnant, but when I took a test, it was false. Are any of these symptoms
of Zoloft?
I
am aware that Voltaren-xr 100mg is a sort of anti-inflammatory -- is that
correct? Could you explain what it is, and if my allergies to the following
drugs will affect the use of the Voltaren-xr or if it is in any of the
families that I am allergic to? My allergies are to Aspirin, Penicilin,
Erythromyicen, Ceclor and any Sulfa drugs. My doctor gave me Voltaren-xr
for pain and arthritis. I take Tinormen 50 mg daily.
Regarding
Tylenol #3 (with codeine), I have had some reactions to it and I'm not
sure if it would be allergic. Obviously, I took the medicine for pain,
but an hour after taking the dose I had a numbness all over my body and
was very dizzy. I also had some nausea and a pain on the right side of
my stomach. The next day I was still kind of light-headed throughout the
day. What could be the matter?
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I
am taking Voltaren-xr. My left arm and an area across my back are tingling.
Is this a side effect of this drug?
I
have a friend whose 15 year old daughter was recently prescribed Ridlin
for ADD. Can you tell me what exactly this drug does for an ADD child,
what are the side effects and whether there any alternative medications
to look into?
I
have been off predisone for 10 days, with my doctor's knowledge, after
on being on this drug for 20 yrs. I have severe swelling, insomnia and
lots of pain in my joints. Will these symtoms go away soon or do I need
additional drugs..I have been diagnosed with lupus by some doctors. Other
doctors simply state i have a defective immune system.
Zoloft,
is this a good medication for depression?
What
is voltaren-xr 100 mg and what does it do?
Pulmonary
Disorders
Psychiatric
Disorders
I
was physically assaulted over 2 months ago by an intruder who tried to
do physical harm to me but was unsuccessful. I am having trouble with
flashbacks, and trouble driving at night time. My doctor put me out for
2 weeks, but sees fit for me to go back to work. Could it be too soon
to go back to my regular routine of life, after such a trauma in my life?
I
have suffered depression since I was a pre-teen. Not much was known about
it at that time (I am 36). I feel that my 12 year old daughter is following
in the same footsteps and I am wondering if there have been any tests
done on children regarding the new group of drugs (Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac,
etc.).
Miscellaneous
Referrals
I
have a 68 year old mother who suffers from a number of health conditions
including Type 2 diabetes, Gout, Hypertension, and difficulty walking.
She does not drive and tends to spend the majority of her time in her
apartment. My brother and I share the responsibilities of taking care
of her and taking her to doctor's visits etc. Both of us are limited in
the time we can spend in helping my mother in her daily activities. I
would like to speak to someone about services she could receive to help
improve her daily activity and situation.
I
live in Orange County NY and my 83 year old mother is in a nursing home
in Ulster County. I am considering at home care for Mom (in my home) and
was wondering if VNS services Orange County.
I
am a college student looking for a two year nursing program in our area.
I am having a rough time finding one. I thought someone from VNS might
be able to e-mail me info on one. Thank you for your help
Although
I live in Westchester, my mother who's 83 lives in Dutchess County with
my brother. She is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease but is still reasonably
functional. She is in excellent physical health. She spends days with
my sister and weekends with me. However, I'm a single mother who works
seven days a week. I want to share the responsibility of caring for her
but I can't be home with her all day Saturday and Sunday. My sister, brother
and I have spoken about "placing" her in a home. I was wondering
if she can be placed in Westchester, near me, or if we need to look in
Dutchess County because she resides there most of the time. If so, is
there an agency we can turn to for help with this matter? I'd appreciate
your assistance. Also, if she is staying with me over the weekend and
I need someone to care for her for a few hours, is that one of the things
your agency does? My thanks for your attention to this matter.
How
can I get a Medic-Alert bracelet?
Do
I need a physician to be able to receive home care under Medicare?
Disclaimer:
All information published by "Ask The Visiting Nurse ONLINE"
is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute
for advice by your physician. You are advised to consult your physician
regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations appearing
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