Dr. Velma Scantlebury

42 years experience

See you doctor: Most often this can happen at the beginning of you cycle, as your uterus begins to shed the lining. Would suggest discussing with your doctor to make... Read More

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5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 29-year-old female asked:

I have had kidney problems for years. stones infections my kidneys constantly hurt is it normal to have chronic kidney pain?

42 years experience

Possible: Chronic kidney pain is not normal but is seen in a number of patients. This is often seen in patients with stones but not necessary. May also be ass... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 29-year-old male asked:

Localized intermittent acute lower right abdominal pain with some spotting. doctor think adhesions from surgery, is this right? clear of infections

42 years experience

Discuss with GYN: While adhesion in abdomen from previous surgery can cause intermittent pain, spotting would be the result of uterine or cervical issues. Recommend d... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 41-year-old female asked:

Can diverticulitis make you hurt under your left breast?

42 years experience

Possible: There are different stages of diverticulitis which depends on the severity of the infectious process. Pain under the breast region is often referred p... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 37-year-old female asked:

Lower back pain, lower abdominal pain, go from sweating to freezing but no fever. just had colonoscopy & had 2 biopsies done....any ideas?

42 years experience

Call your doctor: While no fever, sweating and freezing may be indicative of having chills, which are often symptoms of an inflammatory process going on. Since you a... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 46-year-old female asked:

I have been using a waterpik unit that i discovered has a pink mold (serratia marcescens?) in the tubing , concerned that i may get a blood infection from using this "infected water" around my gums.

42 years experience

Stop immediately: I would not recommend using any instrument that is infected as you could introduce the organisms into your system.

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4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 43-year-old male asked:

What can cause urinary retention in the a.m?very difficult to urinate even w/ a full bladder, and takes several minutes 2 evacuate, no other symptoms.

42 years experience

Bladder outlet issue: It is not unusual to have issues emptying your bladder when it is most full, due to overstretching. Recommend discussing this with your physician as a... Read More

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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 22-year-old male asked:

Ok to change to 1 daily dose 100mg lamictal for seizures which were controlled on 2x/d dose schedule? 1x/daily would work better for new 3rdshift job

42 years experience

No.: It is not advisable to change dosing for seizure medication without consulting your doctor. You should take medication as prescribed to prevent seizu... Read More

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4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Maritza Baez and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 18-year-old female asked:

What are the symptoms chikugunya?

42 years experience

Viral illness. : Chikungunya is a viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, naus... Read More

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4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Donald Jacobson agrees1 doctor agrees

A 21-year-old female asked:

Brown and reddish circles on skin, it is like when skin burned.and also burned when it is hot, can u tell me what is it and what to do?

42 years experience

Need to be examined.: Brown and reddish circles on skin can be a variety of skin lesions and need to be examined in order to determine the cause. If you are describing bli... Read More

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5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 37-year-old female asked:

On 19th july i had red blood on toilet paper but none on pad for whole night. is this considered spotting or the start of my period?

42 years experience

May be either: Spotting can occur due to several conditions. Red blood on toilet paper can also be from anal region, most often hemorrhoids. If not the source, can b... Read More

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5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 36-year-old female asked:

There has been a lump under my right arm for about a year. it fills up with puss. i squeeze it out and about 10 days later, it fills with puss again and has a bad smell. there is no pain though. what should i do?

42 years experience

Get checked: It depends on where on you arm or if in your armpit. Most likely a clogged follicle or sebaceous cyst which may need to be drained or removed to preve... Read More

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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 41-year-old male asked:

Pcp switched me from pravastatin to atorvastatin. does atorvastatin pack a bigger punch? what are some differences between the two?

42 years experience

LDL reduction: Your individual circumstances, such as how much you need to lower your cholesterol and whether you have heart disease or have had a heart attack plays... Read More

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4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. James Long agrees1 doctor agrees

1 comment

A 27-year-old male asked:

Hi doctor. what are the effects of cooking using palm oil ? thanks, wish u all the best.

42 years experience

Limit consumption: As food, palm oil is used for frying. Along with coconut oil, palm oil is one of the few highly saturated vegetable fats; while it does not contain ch... Read More

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4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 35-year-old member asked:

Will someone with alcohol dependency be refused a liver transplant?

42 years experience

Sobriety required: I agree with previous answers. If still dependant, will not be considered until alcohol free for at least 6 months minimum. Each center has their own... Read More

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5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

A 37-year-old male asked:

How do i keep meibomian cysts from recurring?

42 years experience

Warm compresses: Some individuals have thicker secretions in these glands in the eyelids, and if you have had one cyst, you may be at higher risk for recurrance. The r... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 20-year-old male asked:

Just had 2 tb tests, both very hard to tell if + or -. the spots are red & swollen 1 <10mm, other >10mm. so? (20yr, male, worked at nursing home)

42 years experience

See your physician: Tb test on your arm should be read only after a specific period of time and not before. Reading should be performed only after and not before. See yo... Read More

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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Douglas Fronzaglia ii, do, ms agrees1 doctor agrees

A 57-year-old male asked:

2 episodes of sudden bright red blood drain through the drain tube 3 weeks post renal transplant. creatinine, ct normal. possible leak sources ?

42 years experience

Discuss with doctor: Bright red blood is certainly of concern. Despite the normal ct, concern would be raised as to what is near the drain and it is up against an area of ... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Amy Friedman agrees1 doctor agrees

A 24-year-old female asked:

Why depending on time of day i hardly fart for hours or i fart a lot (volume) every few minutes for hours?! seems to be worse evening & night

42 years experience

Talk to your doctor: Some people form more gas than others depending on what you are eating and how much activity you are having. If you diet is high in fiber or eating s... Read More

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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 43-year-old male asked:

Continuous pressure when sitting. question is, is it prostate or hemorrhoid related ?

42 years experience

Need more history: It depends. Do you had a history of hemorrhoids in past? Problems with constipation? Such would imply likelihood of hemorrhoid relationship. An enla... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Sahba Ferdowsi and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 18-year-old female asked:

Hello! i have a problem with my stools i am not able to clear the stools conpletely and i also have a haemorrhoid sort of thing.

42 years experience

Likely constipation: Hard or incomplete evacuation of stool may be the result of constipation. Consuming more water along with fruits, vegetables and fiber may help. An o... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 26-year-old female asked:

Hi doctors i was diagnosed with endometriosis in january this year and i was advise to start birth control how do i relive the pain?

42 years experience

Several options: Depending on the severity of your illness, pain can be managed with pain medication, hormonal therapy (birth control) or even surgery. Use of birth c... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 31-year-old male asked:

I have gallstones but take gaviscon to help with my gastritis would this affect me in any way?

42 years experience

Unlikely: Galvison is an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium hydroxide and forms a coat in your stomach to protect the lining. I am not aware of any i... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Sahba Ferdowsi agrees1 doctor agrees

A 78-year-old male asked:

Is there a way to reduce moobs?

42 years experience

There are options.: Moobs are enlargement of the male breasts, generally referred to as gynecomastia. This can result from increase in the proportion of body fat (obesi... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 23-year-old female asked:

My husband (28) has a knot in the regio lateralis, that is a little painful on touch.what could it be? who is the right doctor to see?

42 years experience

Get checked: Regio lateral is usually refers to the flank region which is between the rib cage and the hip region. If this is where you are referring then any pai... Read More

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4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 24-year-old male asked:

I had taken tb treatment 6 years ago, is this medicine harmful for brain especially memory? how long does its negative effect remain? how to fade it?

42 years experience

Unusual side affect: Medications used to treat TB very rarely cause memory loss, or other brain insults. If you are experiencing such symptoms, see your doctor and get che... Read More

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4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Derron Wilson agrees1 doctor agrees

A 21-year-old female asked:

What type of breast cancer that cause the breast to swell and cause under the armpit to have a painful lump? and does that mean the cancer has spread

42 years experience

May not be cancer: Breast cancer usually does not present with pain and swelling in most cases. Pain in armpit may be related to some nearby infection in hair follicle o... Read More

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4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 21-year-old male asked:

I took medicine that contains acetaminophen (mucus and sinus relief)how long can i wait to switch medication that also contains acetaminophenn dayquil?

42 years experience

4 hours minmum: First check to see if medication is long acting. If so, wait 6-8 hours if possible. Minimal time between different meds with same ingredient should be... Read More

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4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Derron Wilson agrees1 doctor agrees

A 23-year-old male asked:

What's a hi and low blood pressure rate that would cause cern. meaning how high how low can too # be. how low can bottom # be?

42 years experience

Talk to your doctor: The normal blood pressure can be in the range of 110-130 systolic (top number) with the diastolic number (bottom #) ranging from 60-75. However, depe... Read More

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5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 22-year-old female asked:

Suddenly my whole body is sore and aches my muscles and bones feel really sore and i feel really heavy and dizzy what's going on?

42 years experience

Flu symptoms: Your symptoms are descriptive of a flu-like illness. If any worsening of symptoms with fever, recommend checking with your doctor.

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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 23-year-old female asked:

What is a normal size [mm] lymph nodes in the mediastinum bilateral hilum? i have the sizes of mine, but not sure how large mine are in comparison.

42 years experience

Varies: Lymph nodes vary in sizes with each person and may be bigger in others due to their personal exposures. They can be anywhere from a few mm's to cms. W... Read More

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4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 23-year-old female asked:

What's the inflammation that causing pseudomonas aeriginosa?

42 years experience

Bacterial infection: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria found in the environment that can cause infection. It is the presence of the foreign bodies ( the bacteria) that... Read More

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5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

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A 29-year-old male asked:

What exactly bilateral small smooth kidneys mean?

42 years experience

See below: Bilateral - means on both sides kidneys are either smooth in contour or slightly lumpy which occurs when they are formed in-utero. If described as s... Read More

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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 18-year-old male asked:

Im 18 years old and i have bulging veins on my temples.they pulsate and i have been very anxious that this is serious. no pain when i touch them.

42 years experience

Temporal artery: What you describe is likely your temporal artery. It is normal to see it, if your skin is thin, have thin fat layer under skin or hair to cover it up.

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4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A 19-year-old female asked:

I've had my period for 2 weeks (which is weird for me) and now my blood is brown, do i need to go to the doctor? what's happening to me?

42 years experience

Get checked: While it is not normal to have a menses for two weeks, it can certainly happen. Brown blood is usually residual old blood. You should see you doctor w... Read More

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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Arthur Balin and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A female asked:

I have a transplant kidney, but i have an infection (candidiasis)and the first 2 tests results were negative but the last was positive, what can i do?

42 years experience

Talk to your doctor: Infections post transplant can occur due to your body's lower protective state. Candida infection if superficial such as in the mouth or stomach can b... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 29-year-old male asked:

Very dark brown stool. normal consistency. 2 times in past week. normal? how normal are very dark brown stools?

42 years experience

Get checked: Stool color is generally due to diet and to the bile (yellowish-green fluid that aids in digestion) secreted from your guts. Bile + food is altered by... Read More

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4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A 32-year-old female asked:

Cyst in liver and thyroid gland, tubal and appendectomy. what re my chances of laproscopy to remove gallbladder?

42 years experience

Good: While some abdominal operations promote adhesions and scarring, both appendectomy and tubal ligation occur in the lower part of the abdomen, away from... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

2 years agoa day after right mastectomy i felt non pitting edema 3-4 inches below the surgery incision. it is progressive and all over the body. why?

42 years experience

Need clarification: Not sure if your mastectomy 2 years ago was followed by edema a day after surgery and has progressed now 2 years later to all over your body? Is this... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Patrick Connerly agrees1 doctor agrees

A 19-year-old female asked:

Serious pain on both rib cages. hurts to get comfy, breathe. i lose appetite . i smoke cigarettes also.

42 years experience

Get checked: Recommend being evaluated to make sure you do not have any lung problems such as pneumonia or air trapping, or possibly bronchitis. An examination wou... Read More

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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 24-year-old female asked:

I was in a car accident yesterday and am not very sore. i called my pcp and they told me to go to the er. is this necessary?

42 years experience

May need tests done: It is often best to get evaluated as soon as possible after an accident so that medical documentation will be complete in case further issues crop up ... Read More

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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 48-year-old female asked:

My 13 year old is taking sucralfate for stomach ache how long should it be before it starts working?

42 years experience

Depends on injury.: Sucralfate is absorbed very minimally and works by coating the lining of the stomach to protect any ulcers or inflammation from the acids in the stoma... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. James Eitner and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 29-year-old female asked:

Had surgery 5 days ago to remove scar tissue from a femoral hernia repair areas of the incision seems to be getting a darker red, and still painful.

42 years experience

Needs to be examined: After 5 days you may still expect some pain but should be improving. However a darker "red" may imply some bruising, but would be more of a purple col... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Donald Kress agrees1 doctor agrees

A 49-year-old member asked:

How long do you have with advanced stage 4 liver cirrhosis? how many stages are there?

42 years experience

Variable: The prognosis of cirrhosis is variable depending on the etiology, severity and presence of complications. Other underlying health factors can also p... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 56-year-old female asked:

Lower r abdominal pain, radiating to rectum, and intermittently to top of r thigh. second episode. first 3 weeks ago 4 days after monthly period.

42 years experience

Recommend evaluation: Right lower pain after menses might be gyn related and should be discussed with your gynecology to rule out any related issues such as ovarian cysts o... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 27-year-old female asked:

Which benzoyl peroxide brand is good & does what it says ?

42 years experience

Follow directions: Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne and it comes in liquid, bar, gel lotion or cream form. Start with once daily to see how your skin reacts to t... Read More

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4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 23-year-old female asked:

Sudden light period with blood passing only when going to the bathroom with clots, lightheadedness & cold burning tingling feet &behind neck.

42 years experience

See your physician: While you may not be passing liquid, your blood is clotting and exiting with gravity. Lightheadedness suggest you are fluid deficient and you should ... Read More

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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 24-year-old male asked:

I got milk thistle the real plant from the mountains and i need help in papering it to take it as a liver tonic, what is the recipe or medicinal prep?

42 years experience

Can be dried.: Milk thistle can be taken orally in supplements or in tea it may cause diarrhea. More rarely, it may cause nausea, bloating, gas, and upset stomach. ... Read More

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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago