Open Question: Could my doctor be wrong?
I’ve had some neck and back pain for months, and it has been getting worse. I saw my doctor for it, and she did blood tests (cholesterol, thyroid, anemia) which all came back normal, and she ordered cervical x-ray, which also came back normal. I went back to the doctor this week (a different one, my doc wasn’t in that day) because of continued pain, but also faintness, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath and just generally feeling funny in my chest. I was primarily concerned about heart issues or on a lesser scale panic attacks. She blew off both and because I had a low fever (99.5) said she thinks it’s viral or possibly Lyme Disease, which she ran test for. I woke up feeling a bit better this morning, but now am feeling weaker again, shaky, a little tight in the chest, and no appetite.
I’m just wondering if I should have really pushed for heart tests, or if this is just an infection of some kind? Any thoughts?
The doctor did start me on an antibiotic in case it is Lyme’s.
Just checked my son’s temperature, and he too has a temp of 99.6 now, but not showing any other symptoms.

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:42:03 GMT

Open Question: what are bad effects of using betta blocker(bisoprolol Hemifumarate)?
using following medicines for last 2 months
betta blocker 2.5 mg/day
Ascard 25 mg once/day
rosuvastatin tab. 20 mg /day
,heart rate is 55,BP 118/65 patient age 60 yrs.also on insulin 70/30 morning 24 units,evening 14, suffering critical disease in the right mid coronory artery,moderate disease in left anterior desending, possible severe disease in large first diagonal and rt. PDA. No angina pain or heart attack yet.

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:11:34 GMT
Open Question: Pregnancy and Penicillin??
I’m supposed to get my teeth cleaned every 3 months and since I have a heart murmur, my dentist won’t do any work on me at all unless I take these 4 huge Penicillin pills an hour beforehand. I’m overdue for my cleaning but am now 10 weeks pregnant. I know it says Penicillin is supposed to be safe, but I have waited SO many years for this baby (I’m 38) and had years of IF that I really don’t want to take ANY risks or have anything go wrong.
What is more risky, waiting till the 3rd trimester to get teeth cleaned or taking Penicillin now or in the 2nd trimester? I don’t know what to do… help.

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:03:58 GMT

Open Question: Critique the preface of my story?
Preface
I fiddled with the key in my hand, tracing its pattern with my fingertips. Knowing I couldn?t stall any longer, I swiftly placed the key in my pants pocket. Gazing at the chest that sat in front of me, a tear dripped from my eye, staining the deep mahogany wood. I lifted the last box that I had packed only minutes ago.
?That?s the last of it.? Sophie muttered, staring at her shoes as she moved them from side to side. I nodded hastily, attempting to keep my tears to myself.
?I?ve always wondered Harper?? She cut herself off.
?Yes??
She continued gradually, an uneven tone filling her voice. ?When did having a boyfriend become such a priority to your mother??
?It?s not.? I scoffed. ?It?s a habit.?
A chilling silence filled the entire room, my room. The asylum in which I was hoping everything would take place. This is where I wanted stay. Moving became such a constant hassle, and it was harder every time.
No more words were spoken from this point on. Sophie frowned remorsefully, and I could tell she was taking the pain awfully. I only wished I could?ve told her it gets better with time, but I?d be lying.
I smiled softly, grabbing her hand and placing it within mine. When she looked up, her face held only one emotion. Anger. I hugged her without a second thought, my only friend. Gone in an instant it seemed like. We exchanged a few mellifluous laughs, both remembering only a year before when we had met. But those faint chuckles quickly faded into small tears, in which we wiped away in dismay.
I released her from my firm clutch, finally strong enough to let her go. Without another glimpse, she strolled out into the long corridors outside my room.
Gone. I thought to myself.
I stood in the gleam of light that trickled throughout the room, until a loud honking sound interrupted my quick meditation. I grumbled in reply to my mother?s disturbance. I eased forward, carefully grasping the chest in which I kept all my valuables.
I bounded for the stairs, afraid that if I looked back, the tears would begin again. Before I knew it, I was locking the door from the outside.
I peered from under the awning. Pouring droplets of tears fell from the clouds above me. The sun had shone all week long, until this one rueful Saturday.
?Figures.? I mumbled.
Even though the rain was cascading out of the sky intensely, I did nothing. The only thing my body wanted to do was give in. Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder jolted me back to reality. The honking grew louder. My mother and her friend, Elaine, were waiting for my tranquil body to move, and so I did.
?My god, what took you so long?? My mother questioned harshly.
?Angela?uh?mom, I told you Sophie came by to say good-bye.?
?Well, I don?t understand why you took so long! Our flight leave?s the airport in??
The rest was a blur. My ears tuned her out, and eventually she stopped talking to me. Instead, she resumed her chatting with Elaine. Gossiping on and on about so and so?s new hairdo at work, or the latest episode of Sex in the City. The usual stuff that supplied no interest to me.
?Wow. She really doesn?t talk much does she?? Elaine whispered, but failing to do so. She looked casually at me and smiled.
?Sorry?? I murmured. What else could I say? I was never one to talk back to someone, though my heart wanted to.
?She?s a difficult one, I?m telling you.? Angela said while shaking her head.
Difficult. This one simple word summed up my existence. Difficult, she can?t play any type of sport. Difficult, she?s shy. Difficult, she wants a different life.
?Difficult?? I repeated under my breath.
I must?ve closed my eyes for only a few minutes, when the sound of jets rumbling jerked me awake.
The sky was gray. Mocking my emotions, as if Colorado was glad to see me leave. I felt the exact opposite. I thought mom had found ?the one? during our stay here. And even if he was the typical jerk, I could handle it. Like I had every other man my mom called ?baby? or ?hun.? But Rockaway Beach, Oregon? Home to only 1500 or so people. This I could not handle.
this is only part of the preface…it’s kind of slow right now…but like in many other books, it will get much more intense
If you’d like to read more (which I’d love, lol) PLEASE e-mail me…or tell me to e-mail you…and I’ll let you read the rest of the preface
sorry if it seems all squished together. When I’m typing it on word…I make sure to indent and all that stuff…but it didn’t do it on here
it’s too long?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:05:31 GMT
Open Question: HELP need a good Doctor for my MOM?
I?m looking for a Doctor in the Dallas Ft.Worth area who works well with persons over 60 years. My Mom wants to change Doctors and would like someone who will spend more than 3 minutes with her and proceed to put her on yet another med. She has Diabetes and heart disease and feels her General Practitioner is more concerned with getting as many patients as possible as opposed to making the one he has feel well cared for.

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:03:44 GMT

Open Question: Critique the beginning of my story?
Preface
I fiddled with the key in my hand, tracing its pattern with my fingertips. Knowing I couldn?t stall any longer, I swiftly placed the key in my pants pocket. Gazing at the chest that sat in front of me, a tear dripped from my eye, staining the deep mahogany wood. I lifted the last box that I had packed only minutes ago.
?That?s the last of it.? Sophie muttered, staring at her shoes as she moved them from side to side. I nodded hastily, attempting to keep my tears to myself.
?I?ve always wondered Harper?? She cut herself off.
?Yes??
She continued gradually, an uneven tone filling her voice. ?When did having a boyfriend become such a priority to your mother??
?It?s not.? I scoffed. ?It?s a habit.?
A chilling silence filled the entire room, my room. The asylum in which I was hoping everything would take place. This is where I wanted stay. Moving became such a constant hassle, and it was harder every time.
No more words were spoken from this point on. Sophie frowned remorsefully, and I could tell she was taking the pain awfully. I only wished I could?ve told her it gets better with time, but I?d be lying.
I smiled softly, grabbing her hand and placing it within mine. When she looked up, her face held only one emotion. Anger. I hugged her without a second thought, my only friend. Gone in an instant it seemed like. We exchanged a few mellifluous laughs, both remembering only a year before when we had met. But those faint chuckles quickly faded into small tears, in which we wiped away in dismay.
I released her from my firm clutch, finally strong enough to let her go. Without another glimpse, she strolled out into the long corridors outside my room.
Gone. I thought to myself.
I stood in the gleam of light that trickled throughout the room, until a loud honking sound interrupted my quick meditation. I grumbled in reply to my mother?s disturbance. I eased forward, carefully grasping the chest in which I kept all my valuables.
I bounded for the stairs, afraid that if I looked back, the tears would begin again. Before I knew it, I was locking the door from the outside.
I peered from under the awning. Pouring droplets of tears fell from the clouds above me. The sun had shone all week long, until this one rueful Saturday.
?Figures.? I mumbled.
Even though the rain was cascading out of the sky intensely, I did nothing. The only thing my body wanted to do was give in. Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder jolted me back to reality. The honking grew louder. My mother and her friend, Elaine, were waiting for my tranquil body to move, and so I did.
?My god, what took you so long?? My mother questioned harshly.
?Angela?uh?mom, I told you Sophie came by to say good-bye.?
?Well, I don?t understand why you took so long! Our flight leave?s the airport in??
The rest was a blur. My ears tuned her out, and eventually she stopped talking to me. Instead, she resumed her chatting with Elaine. Gossiping on and on about so and so?s new hairdo at work, or the latest episode of Sex in the City. The usual stuff that supplied no interest to me.
?Wow. She really doesn?t talk much does she?? Elaine whispered, but failing to do so. She looked casually at me and smiled.
?Sorry?? I murmured. What else could I say? I was never one to talk back to someone, though my heart wanted to.
?She?s a difficult one, I?m telling you.? Angela said while shaking her head.
Difficult. This one simple word summed up my existence. Difficult, she can?t play any type of sport. Difficult, she?s shy. Difficult, she wants a different life.
?Difficult?? I repeated under my breath.
I must?ve closed my eyes for only a few minutes, when the sound of jets rumbling jerked me awake.
The sky was gray. Mocking my emotions, as if Colorado was glad to see me leave. I felt the exact opposite. I thought mom had found ?the one? during our stay here. And even if he was the typical jerk, I could handle it. Like I had every other man my mom called ?baby? or ?hun.? But Rockaway Beach, Oregon? Home to only 1500 or so people. This I could not handle.
this is only part of the preface…it’s kind of slow right now…but like in many other books, it will get much more intense
If you’d like to read more (which I’d love, lol) PLEASE e-mail me…or tell me to e-mail you…and I’ll let you read the rest of the preface
=]
ok…but if anyone steals it….I will hunt them down

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:52:04 GMT
Resolved Question: Does smoking and heart arythmia mix?
I am 20 years old, and everytime i smoke my heart has a really bad misbeat to it. And sometimes my heart is normal. I’m a caffine addict on top of it, and semi-overweight… I’m worried that i will die but these 2 habits are going to be hell to get over… Eating…Caffine…smoking… Plus my abnormal heartbeat just brings in so much worry i don’t know what to do!

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:53:15 GMT

Open Question: Homework help (genetics)?
I cant go to the web page that I am supposed to use. It isn’t working. But these are the questions I have to answer.
Someone please help me?
1. What are the biological instructions that determine hair color, eye color, and skin color called?
2. What molecule shaped like a twisted ladder makes up our genetic code?
3. What is a hereditary disease?
4. Let?s say your family had a history of heart disease. Does this mean you would get heart disease too? Would there be anything you could do to lessen your chances?
5.Plants such as wheat, rice, and cotton are being genetically manipulated to be more resistant to insects and diseases. What do you think are benefits or hazards of this new technology?
6.Techniques such as gene-splicing can also be used to synthesize other beneficial chemicals that are otherwise difficult to obtain. What are some of these chemicals and what do they do?

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:36:55 GMT
Resolved Question: Is a First Degree AV Heart Block condition even treatable?
Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with a first degree level AV heartblock and sinus arythmia. So far, I’ve had a stress test, an EKG, echocardiogram, pulmonary testing and my cholesterol levels checked (good was low, bad was high, tri was perfect).
The cardiologist I saw today is not taking my concerns about this diagnosis seriously. Google has helped me learn more about the condition but there is no information about how to treat this heart conduction defect. I have shortness of breath, dizziness and am lightheaded. And two months ago I quit smoking (smoker 1 pk a day for 15 years), changed my diet and started trying to walk 30 minutes at least 3 times a week.
All my tests fall within the “normal” range. If its all about a numbers game, how can I be sure my cardiologist, or any cardiologist will help me? So far, the only action taken by my cardiologist was to prescribe some lipitor (I’m 36 with high cholesterol and a family history of congestive heart failure) for me to take.
I also want to add I have two previous brain injuries from car accidents and have been treated for neck and back injuries and dizzines related to those accidents.
I also have a CT scan test scheduled to measure the plague in my heart in two weeks. I told my cardiologist this today at my appointment, and he tried to disuade me by telling me to cancel it. He added that I already know I have high bad cholesterol and that the heart CT scan will only show that amount of plague in my heart and add un-necessary worry.
What kind of cardiologist tries to disuade a patient from getting further testing, knowing my family history of heart disease?
Obviously, I can find more cardiologists to get more opinions. But what more can I do to empower myself knowing what I do know, despite the normal results of all my testing? My cardiologist even told me that my sinus arythmia was a common thing and not to worry.
So I’m supposed to be okay with being short of breath the rest of my life?
Allison, you are wrong when you say there are no symptoms with a First Degree AV Heart Block.
It is a DISEASE of the heart’s electrical conduction system and it has symptoms. The heart’s electrical imulses move through the heart’s chambers slower than normal AND in a very small subset of people, it can progress to 2nd, 3rd, 4th degree heart blocks that are more dangerous.
These are the symptoms of a First Degree Heart Block; lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue.
Neither of you have helped me at all. I’m really disappointed. I will have to just figure this out on my own.

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:44:30 GMT

Resolved Question: I have Arythmia and my heart goes wacko and beats like crazy. How can I make it stop?
When I’m excercising or just hanging out with friends, sometimes, my heart starts beating like crazy and doesn’t slow down for up to 30 minutes. I feel lightheaded and about to faint.
My doctor says to hold my breath for 30-60 secs when it happens, but it never works. I feel like I’m going to pass out if I hold my breath.
Anyone else have this condition? When it occurs, how do you make it stop and make the heart start beating normally again?

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:45:48 GMT

Resolved Question: Palpitations?
What are palpitations? I know it has something to do with feeling your heart beating inside your chest, but does it have to happen at a certain time to be considered a palpatation?
For example, I am just sitting here, at work, not having exerted any energy other than what is needed to type this sentence, and I can feel my heart beating in my chest as if I just got done running, or someone scared me. Is this something to worry about?

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:51:37 GMT
Open Question: mefenamic acid…periods..heart problems…help??
i was on the pill for 14 day (bad period cramps/bleeding/etc. and i had to stop cos everytime i ate i felt sick/i was getting bad headaches a LOT/bad upper abdominal(sp?) pain_
i went to the emergency doctor,he just gave me painkillers,told me to go to my regular doc the next day &have bloods checked
so the next day i go to my doctor..while he was doing the bloods i asked him to write on them that i wanted to be checked for diabetes also(comon in my family)at the end he said i have a heart murmur &need to get tests done.
then he gives me “mefac caps 250mg mefenamic a” to be taken 6 times a day for my period cramps instead of using the pill (i asked to be put on a different one but he said “theyre alll the same” uhh yeah ok…lol)
ANYWAYS to get to my question..i looked up mefenamic acid online and everywhere said don’t take it if you have diabetes (which i may have) and it increases heart attacks a lot….so is it safe to take if i have a possible heart murmur or whatever?
TIA!

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:43:44 GMT

Open Question: Potassium overdose?
Has anyone ever heard of a person reacting to a pack of blood given in a transfusion and killing someone with potassium.
The explanation given to me was that when the pack of blood was hung and started the red blood cells exploded inside the body and caused the release of potassium. 2 hours after the blood pack was started heart arythmia started. 45min after that they were in full blown cardiac arrest and nothing could be done to save the life. The person was also on dialysis and heprin was being used with that.

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:46:21 GMT
Open Question: Palpitations?
What are palpitations? I know it has something to do with feeling your heart beating inside your chest, but does it have to happen at a certain time to be considered a palpatation?
For example, I am just sitting here, at work, not having exerted any energy other than what is needed to type this sentence, and I can feel my heart beating in my chest as if I just got done running, or someone scared me. Is this something to worry about?

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:51:37 GMT

Open Question: Need Help with Biology!!!?
Which of the following statements best explains why people with Hodgkin’s disease often show signs of immunodeficiency?
a)Hodgkin’s disease consists of a cancerous proliferation of one kind of lymphocyte
b)the hodgkin’s disease virus infects and destroys B cells
c)Both Hodgkin’s disease itself and the radiation and chemotherapy used to treat it tend to depress the immune system
d)Hodgkin’s disease occurs when an immune response elicited by streptococcal bacteria kills normal heart cells as well
e)Hodgkin’s disease involves the deposition of immune complexes in the kidneys
Please give an explanation

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:00:46 GMT

Open Question: Poll: What do you think of this Narnia fanfic?
As they grew their roles as kings and queens became more familiar to them than their memories of England. Memory faded in the way that dreams do in the morning; occasional bursts of niggling remembrance, but full recollection just out of reach.
Lucy was the beloved one, the one who always supported her people, the one they could reach out and touch. Edmund was the lawgiver, surprising everyone with how quickly he learned the intricacies of the legal system. He was not afraid to speak out when he felt his it necessary. Susan was the politician, arranging alliances with visiting dignitaries and charming them with her wit and diplomatic skill, her elegant proficiency at being hostess mellowing even the most aggressive ambassador. Peter was High King, the leader of his armies, the one to whom all the others turned when they were unsure.
They held banquets for the smallest occasion, opening their doors to their populace, keen to demonstrate fondness for even the smallest of their subjects. And yet, Peter found, it was hard to pursue conversations when everyone was so eager to tell you how much they appreciated you. The courtiers learned that they did not need to bow each time he passed, but he could not convince them to give up the slight nod of deference. Then he stopped trying, and became used to it.
It wasn?t that any of the children were lonely as they danced towards adulthood. Lucy was still accepted by her people, still went for tea with the Beavers, and they were all surrounded by the crowds of the court. But they, all four, remained closest to each other. It was to Susan that Lucy went after attending the funeral of a centaur of whom she had been particularly fond. It was from Peter that Edmund sought advice when he believed one of the courtiers was a Calormene spy. And it was to Peter that Susan went each time she gently let down another suitor and deflected another marriage proposal.
It wasn?t that she couldn?t have married them, she supposed, as she tried to negotiate an advantageous alliance that didn?t involve tying either herself or Lucy to some distant prince, but that in doing so the group would split. And they were Queens of Narnia in their own right, were they not?
Peter asked her about it one evening when she stood on the balcony overlooking the sea, salty tears drying on her face. Why had she rejected the nobleman?s son, he wanted to know, when she was so obviously fond of him?
?I didn?t love him, he was just a nice man,? she replied softly. ?It wasn?t his fault that half my heart belongs already to Narnia.?
Peter rested a knowing hand on her shoulder, giving her silent support. When she turned into his embrace, burying her face against his broadening chest, it was no different than any other time he had comforted her. He stroked her hair, made soothing noises, and she tilted her face up for kiss like she had when they were children. It was instinct that turned the kiss from a chaste press of lips to something more; neither of them had kissed that way before but it seemed natural to tip their heads and open their mouths. After all, they loved each other as they loved Narnia. They were Narnia.
There was no conscious realisation of what they were doing; all was a continuation of that first, true kiss. Peter settled on the embroidered couch, Susan in his lap, and they murmured gentle words to each other between kisses, touching each other?s shoulders and arms and waists. Peter?s hands on Susan?s breasts were soothing, almost unintentional, stroking her the way he calmed his horse. When Susan shifted her weight and felt Peter?s erection pressing up against her, it was impossible not to press back.
Even when their breathing became more laboured, their kisses never grew more urgent, still gentle encouraging licks and presses, their fingers white with clutching one another, the clothes between them hot and damp, their movements clumsy and beautiful.
When Peter came it was a constricted pulse against Susan?s petticoats, and he tipped his head back and gulped the air as Susan squeezed her thighs around him, shuddering with her enlightening release.
Even then, sweaty and entangled, as they shared a deep, exploratory kiss; even then, when they realised something between them had changed irreversibly, they never considered any alternative to accepting it.
It became a badly kept secret that King Peter rarely slept in his own bedchamber, though no comment was passed. And although Edmund frowned when he found out, he couldn?t quite fathom why the thought brought him displeasure. Peter and Susan were radiant and he could think of no reason to deny them their pleasure.
When Queen Susan?s stomach began to swell, and her gowns had to be let out, there was never any doubt that the child was the High King?s. The people of Narnia rejoiced that they would have an heir and the Golden Age was complete.
The baby was born in the spring, just as the flowers began to bloom. They called their daughter Arian, and no child was more loved. Queen Lucy was in attendance throughout the birth and was the first to lift the child into her arms. It was from King Edmund?s knees that the little princess took her first step. Each year her birthday was celebrated with the grandest feast of the year, the creatures of the country coming to attend her and lavish her with their affection. The little princess learned the ways of her land and was as fond of the woods as the palace, often spending the whole day with her animal friends.
It was on such a day as this, shortly before Arian?s eleventh birthday, when she was happily sharing tea with Mr Tumnus, that the four kings and queens stumbled back into Spare Oom.
It took only moments for the combined weight of their memories to send them sinking to the floor. Susan looked up into Peter?s childishly round face and her eyes filled with tears. Edmund bit his lip and avoided looking at them.
When Susan sobbed herself to sleep there was nothing little Lucy, sitting with her arms around her sister, could do. There was no way back through the wardrobe, the professor said. Susan?s daughter was gone.
She tried to talk of Arian to Peter once, in the days after their return. He gripped her hand until his nails made her bleed, but he never spoke a word.
The shared memory of another life was oppressive and the children drifted apart, unable to speak of what had happened, unable to maintain that closeness with those who reminded them of their other lives. But it was still there.
Sometimes Susan forgot and took Peter?s hand, kissed his lips instead of his cheek. Once she bought a little handkerchief embroidered with the monogram AP, and then realised none of her siblings had those initials. One day late in March, when he was fifteen, Peter returned home with a small package, and Lucy asked if they might have a little party, and Susan burst into tears. Their mother, confused, saved the iced buns for another time.
When Susan brought home her beau, a tall American sailor, Peter couldn?t eat his dinner and hardly spoke a word all evening. When Susan lost her virginity for the second time she returned home and sought out her brother, curling silently in his bed, pressed against his warm body.
It was only then that they consciously stepped over the line, just once, to let themselves memorize every touch and every breath, so that, when they had to return to being brother and sister, when they could no longer be King and Queen, they had a way to remember Narnia.

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:25:58 GMT
Resolved Question: I have also had more heart arrhythmia with meniere’s.?
I went to my dr. about 6 months ago asking why I was having an increase in arythmia and she said not to worry about it, but it also has increased since I was struggling with more frequent episodes of my meniere’s. I know they say it is not related, but it does seem odd that I am not the only one noticing this. It is kind of embarrassing when I am sitting some place and all of a sudden I suck in air or even worse–snort!!! I used to do it just once in a while. Now I do it 6-7 times a day.

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:05:24 GMT