Dr. Steven Pouls

3 thanks

A 24-year-old male asked:

Im bipolar. diagnosed. i've been off since and believe i have borderline,schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. help. what should i do?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Please see specialis: please see your specialist/psychiatrist. Unfortunately, this is not an ideal venue to try to assist with the type of problems that you are describing.... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 22-year-old female asked:

I seem to have a really hard time falling asleep at night, tossing and turning takes forever, tired during the day and naps make my head hurt. advice?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Stress . . anxiety?: Most of the time, insomnia is 'due to' something else, like certain medications, or stress/anxiety, or pain . . . The goal should be to identify the c... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 39-year-old male asked:

My last upper scope, showed mild chronic inactive gastritis. is there a way to resolve this so it isn't a chronic condition? if it is inactive is it still damaging? is there a cancer risk?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Inactive means . . .: Inactive means that it does not require any further treatment (think of it as scar, after you cut your skin. Once you've treated the cut, the scar may... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Yash Khanna and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 24-year-old male asked:

Is it safe to take melatonin at night if i take 5-htp and valerian root during the day?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Melatonin . . .: this is perfectly fine for you to try at night. Your real question pertains to potential drug interactions. Drug interactions are both studied and rec... Read More

2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 25-year-old male asked:

Hi i'm taking percocet forms herniated lumbar disc. im having & am wondering if it's ok to take advil (ibuprofen) 800 mg along side percocet ?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

No drug interactions: There are no drug interactions between these two medications. However, please be aware that Advil (ibuprofen) is an aspirin based medication, and the ... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 28-year-old female asked:

Is it ok to drink prune juice.daily of constipation is bad ?im also 18 weeks pregnant

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Yes: good evening. There is nothing dangerous about drinking a little prune juice regularly to help with your bowels. Just make sure that you do not have a... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Tipu Sultan agrees1 doctor agrees

A 31-year-old male asked:

Sulfur burps and horrible diarreah nauseous?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Giardia: I would be highly suspicious of giardia, which is often found to contaminate freshwater sources--streams? Wells? It is well known to cause burping tha... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 20-year-old male asked:

During and after a hot shower my legs turn a blotched purple color, my knees most purple. after exercise my knees also turn bluepurple. should i worry?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Dilated Blood Vessel: . . . Good evening.This is probably nothing to be concerned about. Any time that your body heats-up, your body will need to get rid of that extra heat... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

4 thanks

A member asked:

Could i possibly be pregnant if my boyfriend came in me for the past two nights and my period is already 12 days late?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

?: Really, the question is, since you are already 12 days late, could you ALREADY be pregnant? If you have not yet done a home pregnancy test, please do ... Read More

1.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Andrew Seibert agrees1 doctor agrees

A 25-year-old female asked:

Is it true that you can gain fat by eating too little calories?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Not EXACTLY true . .: Good morning. If you do not eat enough calories to supply your body with the energy that it needs, your body will begin to look for other sources (sto... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 37-year-old male asked:

Please share an interesting fact about gaining weight.

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Ignore: Working your CORE muscles will raise your metabolism--so, keep burning those calories!

2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Evan Altman and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 50-year-old male asked:

My husband went to er for severe pain in his back; developed overnight. diagnosis from chest x-ray is "fracture of 6th posterior right rib laterally with callus formation which may represent subacute rib fracture. mild blunting of the right costophrenic

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

More info. needed .: . . . Hard to help without additional info. Callous formation implies healing. The real question is the cause, correct? Rib fractures rarely occur spo... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Scott Keith and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

A 50-year-old female asked:

I have had an ongoing cough for around 4 years. i am not a smoker. had tests done numerous times. some des thought it was feeds. take prilosec. i ha?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Have you considered: Given that this has been ongoing for 4 years, and apparently has not deteriorated to anything worse, have you considered Vocal Cord Dysfunction? This ... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Tony Willson agrees1 doctor agrees

A 21-year-old female asked:

Hi, i will be flying soon and i have a lot of anxiety due to the fact that i have never flown before. i also have a paranoia of getting sick. can i mix my .5 of xanax with any over the counter medications such as dramamine? (i don't know if i will feel si

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

You could, but . .: . . . both of these can make you a little drowsy, so taking both might make you more sleepy on the plane than you may want--it also depends upon how l... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

3 thanks

A 45-year-old female asked:

How do i stop getting panic attacks?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Age old question . .: Good morning. Unfortunately, the answer to your question is not that simple,because there are many causes/triggers for panic attacks (genetics, enviro... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Liesa Harte and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

3 thanks

A 22-year-old male asked:

Could the new drug combination of phentermine and topomax (quisimya, or something like that) help with migraines? stimulants worked well in the past,

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Yes . . . or no . .: We have used Topamax (topiramate) alone for quite some time for the treatment of migraines. It is used in an attempt to reduce the frequency and seve... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 39-year-old male asked:

My 11 year old daughter has a rash on her arms legs torso and face she is also suffering from head ache and dizzyness what could cause this?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Many possibilities: Good morning. There are many possible causes for this combination of symptoms. I would strongly recommend that your daughter be seen by her doctor.

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 32-year-old female asked:

Hi..i use the monstait 1 day or night maxium strength two days ago n i want to know is it normal to still see the thick white cream inside my vagina?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Yes . . . an no: You may not be dealing with a Vaginal yeast infection--there are other possible infections that are not treated with anti-yeast medications. Also, som... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. John Rhoades agrees1 doctor agrees

A 62-year-old female asked:

How can i tell if a very painful, quarter sized ( was pea) lump is a lymp node or a cyst. have apt soon but what tests can prove one or the other?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Lymph node vs. cyst: Well, there is really no blood test or X-ray study that will do this for you. The only real way to know is by removing the lesion. However, there are ... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 60-year-old male asked:

Elevated bilirubin, alcohol free for 20 years, what might be the cause?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Hard to say . . .: There are many causes for an elevated bilirubin. Some causes are harmless, while other causes can be pretty serious. If this is the first time that yo... Read More

2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 37-year-old female asked:

At times my heart feels like it's beating really hard and my chest hurts a little then sometimes it's like it beats too slow. ideas??

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Many . . .: Possible causes may include medications (including over the counter/supplements), drugs and alcohol, metabolic problems like thyroid disorders, poor s... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 25-year-old female asked:

I work outside all day in the heat and i have been feeling lightheaded could it be affecting the pinched nerves in my neck more? or what could it be?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Blood pressure?: There could be several reasons as to why you are feeling light-headed--especially out doors. The Florida heat and lack of good hydration may be contri... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 21-year-old male asked:

My ear has been stuffed for the past 5 days. no pain, infection, or fever. what could be causing this?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Several possibilitie: . since there is no pain, it is unlikely (but not impossible) to be infection. It may be that you just have wax build-up, which may need to be removed... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

I had brownish colour spotting for a day and a half then it just stopped, i'm not sure what's happening but i'm on the pill?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Several reasons . .: Brownish spotting may simply be related to blood having been in the vagina for more than a day. BCP's can cause irregular spotting, even if you rememb... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. John Rhoades and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 48-year-old female asked:

Have ckd stage 3-had uti 1 mth ago went fine, now bad hip and low back pain goes up to the neck no swelling or fever, could be related to my kidneys?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Too complicated . .: Your symptoms may or may not be related.However,since you have CKD at the age of 48 yrs, I would anticipate that you have other medical problems as we... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 31-year-old female asked:

I have a wound on my right breast which has a red area around it its sore and hot to touch and is tracking, do i need antibiotics?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Yes . . .: . . . this should be looked at immediately--especially if your are noticing red-streaks (?tracking?).

1.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Andrew Seibert and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 18-year-old male asked:

I'm taking metronidazole 500mg 3x a day, is it normal to have a nausea feeling and is it safe for me to drink yakult?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Yes to nausea . .: Any antibiotic can cause nausea/vomiting or diarrhea. This is not an allergic reaction; just a potential side effect. Nausea, by itself, should not be... Read More

1.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Andrew Seibert and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

A 34-year-old female asked:

I am on 200 mg of lamotriginel and i just took another dose by accident- meant to take a clonazepam. is this harmful?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Would notify your Dr: We use Lamictal for several conditions, and even though you will read that the 'maximal' dose is 200 mg/day, we have several patients that are actuall... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Natalie Hodge agrees1 doctor agrees

A 26-year-old female asked:

I found a lump where my inner thigh meets my genitalia. it's abt the size of a dime. no pain, but i have never had anything like it before-wot 2 do???

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Difficult to know .: . . . without evaluation. Possibilities include a swollen lymph node (possibly infection?), or cyst or abscess of the skin itself. Certainly, since th... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 39-year-old female asked:

I've had one seizure twenty two years ago. i'm afraid that it's coming back.

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

More details?: You had a single seizure at age 17 yrs.? No recurrences since then? Please explain what is concerning you, after so much time has passed. Was a cause ... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 19-year-old female asked:

37weeks pregnant and my doctor prescribed terconazole vaginal cream 3day regimen 0.8% for yeast infection does this cream reach or effect my baby?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Category 'C': There are no animal or human studies on the effects of Terconazole Vaginal Cream. However, since you are already 37 weeks along in your pregnancy, it ... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Dariush Saghafi agrees1 doctor agrees

A female asked:

My finger was cut a few weeks ago on glass it healed but the swelling never went down it is a little bit purple but doesnt hurt, what should i do?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

See your doctor: It's impossible to be able to tell you exactly what is going on through this type of venue. Could it be infected? Could there be a piece of glass stil... Read More

2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 19-year-old female asked:

Didn't notice that i was supposed to take my first day, the two pills, of my zpack pills at the same time.took one at 2pm and one at 1am will it work

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Yes: It will still work. In fact, for my patients that do have GI sensitivity, I typically tell them that it is okay to split up the 2 pills that you take ... Read More

2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Andrew Seibert and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A female asked:

I had a total knee replacement. my toes are now seriously curved under like hammer toes (except large toe) experiencing serious swelling foot/leg now

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

DVT???: I do hope that you have already called your Orthopedic surgeon. It's impossible to help you thru this venue, however, one of the potential complicatio... Read More

2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Evan Altman and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 37-year-old female asked:

I am training for a half marathon and saw a weight loss doctor they prescribed didrex. is it okay to take while training? bp is great. 5-8lbs needed

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

No two people . .: Technically speaking, Didrex is indicated to assist in the treatment of obesity. It is derived from the stimulant class of chemicals called amphetamin... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Tony Willson and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A female asked:

Is it healthy to be 93 pounds when you're a 5'4 14 year old girl?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Not really . . .: By conventional standards, you would be considered underweight. Being underweight during your teenage years can actually lead to some pretty significa... Read More

2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Andrew Seibert agrees1 doctor agrees

A 21-year-old female asked:

I had sex on the days of ovulation but he pulled out . my period came 3 days early and only lasted for 4 days then it stop . what do that mean ?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Do pregnancy test!: Even semen has some sperm (i.e. before he pulled out). Your irregular flow may not be anything significant, but please do a pregnancy test.

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 39-year-old male asked:

Male 39 years old. 6'1" 215lb. healthy lifestyle. (profile has been updated).

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Waist Circumference?: Based upon your numbers, your BMI is about a 28--that would be considered overweight (not obese, obviously). However, BMI alone is not an adequate way... Read More

2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 31-year-old female asked:

Wake up at 7am work from 9am to 7pm but feel tired by 9pm even on my days off im tired i do walk a lot for my job but surely i shouldn't be this tired?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Fatigue . . .: The evaluation of fatigue is rather complicated due to the very wide range of possible contributing factors--such as physical causes, metabolic/chemic... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Zachary Veres agrees1 doctor agrees

A 35-year-old male asked:

I have a problem with solid food feeling stuck in my chest. i had a baruim swallow test, multiple x-rays, and upper edoscopy and they all came normal. so i can't understand what's going on. i'm on a panzaprozale once a day. somebody help me please ?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Hard to know . . .: Since your studies are all normal, it is unlikely that your symptoms are due to a physical blockage. There are, however, problems that we refer to as ... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 26-year-old female asked:

I want to take birth control pills for b.c. & the relief of bad pms. i donated my kidney just under a year ago & have below or avg bp. is it safe?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Yes: In fact, taking BCP's to help to control your PMS symptoms is probably better for the health of your 1 kidney, than taking excessive amounts of OTC me... Read More

1.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Andrew Seibert agrees1 doctor agrees

1 comment

A female asked:

I just had both my fallopian tubes removed. i have both ovaries. where the tubes were connected to the uterus, do they close that off or does it heal?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Yes . .: . . . closed off completely. You should have been provided with an illustration of how this is done. Best of luck.

2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Richard Zimon and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 29-year-old female asked:

Will there be any problem if a person has broken shoulder bone? no other complications.

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Too vague . .: The problem is that the shoulder is actually made of several boney structures--so it really does depend upon the specifics, such as : which bone, whic... Read More

2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and 4 doctors agree5 doctors agree

A 33-year-old male asked:

I've got to take codeine for pain relief 60/90mg will this affect muscle building as i work out?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

No, but . . .: I would STRONGLY recommend that you not work-out while taking codeine. You will increase your risk of injury. Codeine can effect your balance, which m... Read More

2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 41-year-old member asked:

I've had an elevated white count for almost a year, what could this mean?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Many possibilities: . . . too many possible causes. This would not be the best venue to get this question answered. WBC's elevate for many reasons--some more harmless tha... Read More

2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jovita Anyanwu and 4 doctors agree5 doctors agree

A 46-year-old member asked:

Can you explain if it's possible to become flexible again even though you've stopped growing?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Absolutely!: Flexibility and bone growth are unrelated. Yoga and Pilates are wonderful, low impact ways of becoming or staying flexible as we age. Best of luck.

2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 17-year-old male asked:

I was punched in the heart about 7 mins ago. will i likely be ok?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Probably . . .: . . . Hi Joshua. So, more specifically you were punched on the left side of your chest. Your heart is very well protected. Just like your skull prote... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

My daughter has a severe cough. i don't have insurance at the moment but i am re all worried. she threw up green stuff yesterday morning. i can't afford to get antibiotics causeb i am in a dv shelter. she has no fever. just severe coughing and congestion?

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Severe cough . .: . . . I am so sorry for your situation, for you and your daughter. However, your daughter does need medical attention, based upon your description. I... Read More

2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 23-year-old male asked:

Get bad headaches when i exercise hard enough to get my heart rate up to about 180. head hurts and feel like vomiting for 10 min after stop exercise.

Dr. Steven Poulsanswered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Several reasons . .: Several possible reasons for your nausea and your headaches, so please go see your doctor for further evaluation. HOWEVER, the one thing that is NOT a... Read More

2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago