Dr. Douglas Roberts

39 years experience

Need exam,blood test: I would suggest you have an exam, and perhaps a blood test of the liver enzymes to see if the liver is inflamed. Sometimes lupus can affect the pancre... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

2.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 41-year-old male asked:

Intermittent intercostal pain (sternum area) for 6 months. longtime weightlifter & tennis player. no pain when running hard. why so long to heal??

39 years experience

Intercostal pain: Make sure its not related to a condition called ankylosing spondylitis which can affect ribs too. Have doctor check a test called 'HLA B27' especially... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali agrees1 doctor agrees

A 40-year-old female asked:

40 yr old pt w sle and mctd. have just been diagnosed w pah . on the echo the pressure in my right valve is 40 which 30 being normal. have a severe dry cough and have shortness of breath upon exertion. i want to know how reliable the echo is in evalua

39 years experience

Right heart cath: An ECHO is a reasonable screening tool for people at risk of having pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) including those with Lupus, however most exper... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Kyle Anders agrees1 doctor agrees

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A 41-year-old male asked:

Such thing as "chest arthritis"? i have intercostal central & upper chest pain for 6 months. played tennis 6x/week. stopped playing 5 months ago.

39 years experience

Check HLA-B27: Make sure its not related to a condition called ankylosing spondylitis which can affect ribs too. Have doctor check a test called 'HLA B27' especially... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali agrees1 doctor agrees

A 31-year-old male asked:

What are the most essential blood tests to do if sle is affecting the kidneys ?

39 years experience

Urine, blood: You mainly need a microscopic urinalysis, looking for red blood cells, casts and protein. Also blood test called creatinine will tell how well the kid... Read More

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2.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Julan Crane agrees1 doctor agrees

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A 23-year-old female asked:

Heavy aching fatigue pains in arms strtd 2yrsago w/nausea/lightheaded as if i hadn't eaten all day. has returned&now involves legs. any ideas? please

39 years experience

Get muscles checked: As a rheumatologist, I am concerned about muscle inflammation if you are weak in your arms and legs. Not sure about the nausea though. Are you taking ... Read More

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2.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A 29-year-old female asked:

1 1/2 month constant,left lower back around to front ache, tight sometimes burning feeling. at night too.ct of ab/pelv are normal.nothing relieves it.

39 years experience

Could be from spine?: If it is worse with movement, bending, lifting, coughing or sneezing, it may be from a disc or bone spur in your lumbar spine pinching a nerve. Burnin... Read More

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2.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali agrees1 doctor agrees

1 thank

A 34-year-old female asked:

Ana, blood in urine 6 mos or longer now protein in urine pad in legs lot of leg pain elbow and knee pain started with knee now radiate to leg help?

39 years experience

Lupus?: This is extremely important; you need to see a rheumatologist or nephrologist to see if you have lupus, which and cause severe kidney damage. Lupus is... Read More

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2.9k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged

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A 34-year-old female asked:

Every month during my period and a week after i get lower back pain and stiffness, only at night time, it wakes me up the pain is that bad. thanks

39 years experience

Night pain, not good: I am always worried when pain wakens my patients. Although it may not be serious, and related to a common condition, before assuming it is due to your... Read More

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2.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heather Pearson Chauhan agrees1 doctor agrees

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A 26-year-old female asked:

Bruising on thigh there after two month. sign of healing but still discoloration. i am anemic could this just be low iron level. fam. history of lupus?

39 years experience

Due to iron in blood: After bruises, the red blood cells break down and are processed by your body. The iron in the red cells (contained in the hemoglobin) is often left be... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

2.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

Why is the palm of my left hand swollen ? should i b worried ?

39 years experience

Exclude infection: It is rare to have swelling in this area, and the first thing to be excluded would be an infection; as you are in Belize, I would consider also unusua... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

2.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago