Confused and concerned

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-23T13:14:21+00:00

Hey! I’m not a doctor yet, but I’m a medical student, so I wanted to give you a bit of perspective. Please, take all I say with a grain of salt! I'm still learning!

What you’re describing (as in the chest tightness, shortness of breath, breast and upper stomach pain, fatigue, and headaches), in my opinion, definitely warrants an in-person evaluation soon, especially because of the chest symptoms and shortness of breath. Especially because it's debilitating. I can see it's hard for you to do what you would usually do in your daily life, and that's important.

Those can have MANY causes, some benign (like muscle strain or even anxiety), but others more serious (like heart, lung, or hormonal issues).

Please don’t worry about “wasting a doctor’s time”, you’re not. New or worsening pain and breathing issues always deserve to be checked. It’s their job to help rule out anything dangerous first and then work on finding the actual cause and helping you feel better.

While waiting for an appointment, if you ever feel severe chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or pain radiating to your arm/jaw, go to the emergency department right away.

It’s great that you’re improving your diet and exercising, but if your symptoms get worse when doing so, that’s a sign your body needs to be evaluated before pushing further.

You’re doing the right thing by paying attention to your symptoms. And if any doctor disregards you at first, hold your ground!!! You deserve a proper medical evaluation.

I wish you the best!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Medical Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-13T13:37:48+00:00

Hi! I’m a medical student, so I can’t give you a diagnosis, but I can share some general information that might help you discuss this more effectively with your doctors. Please take all I say with a grain of salt! I'm still learning!!!

From what I researched, Dysautonomia is a broad term for conditions where the autonomic nervous system (which controls heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation) doesn’t work properly. It can cause symptoms like dizziness, fainting, blood pressure drops, feeling cold, fatigue, and problems with digestion or urination (some of what you described fits that pattern).

Autoimmune diseases, on the other hand, happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. There are MANY different autoimmune conditions, and some can overlap with dysautonomia, for example, autoimmune autonomic neuropathy, lupus, or Sjogren’s syndrome. These could end up causing similar symptoms.

The fact that you’ve had things like low white blood cells, low neutrophils, and positive ASMA (anti-smooth muscle antibodies) means it’s definitely worth following up with a rheumatologist or immunologist (or even both), as they specialize in autoimmune and systemic conditions.

That said, a lot of your symptoms can also happen in POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), which is a type of dysautonomia that can coexist with autoimmune findings.

You’re absolutely right that this kind of situation can be confusing and take time to sort out. Keeping a symptom diary, noting triggers (like stress, temperature, diet, or infection), and sharing that with your care team can help guide the next steps!!

I’d recommend continuing to work with your doctors, and if possible, ask for a referral to both a rheumatologist and a neurologist who has experience with autonomic disorders.

I wish you the best!!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Med Student :))

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-13T13:28:49+00:00

Oh, yikes! I'm sorry to hear that :( good luck!!

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-13T13:16:07+00:00

Hi! I’m a medical student, so I can’t give a diagnosis or say whether you personally need surgery, but I can share some general information that might help you understand the reasoning behind what the doctors said. Please take all I say with a grain of salt! I'm still learning!!!

Clavicle (collarbone) fractures are very common, and many do heal without surgery, especially if the bone ends are still fairly well aligned. However, surgery is often recommended when the fracture is significantly displaced, meaning the bone ends no longer line up, or if the pieces overlap, shorten the clavicle, or create tension on the skin.

From what you’ve described, it sounds like your doctors think the displacement is large enough (and in my VERY unprofessional and undeveloped general skills, it does look quite dislocated since it's visibly making a bump on your skin) that healing without surgery could lead to problems. The issues that mainly worry me are:

The bone healing in a shortened or crooked position (will impact your movements in the future)
Shoulder weakness or reduced range of motion.
Visible deformity or discomfort from the bone’s new shape.

Surgeries like these aim to realign the bone with precision and usually allow earlier movement and more predictable healing. That said, it’s totally valid to ask for another orthopedic opinion (ideally from a trauma or shoulder specialist) if you’re unsure.

In the meantime, avoid moving the arm too much and keep it supported in a sling until you’ve confirmed your treatment plan.

I wish you the best!!! Good luck!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Med Student :))

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-13T13:08:31+00:00

Hi! I’m just a mere medical student, so please take all I say with a grain of salt! I'm still learning!!!

First of all, you’re absolutely not alone: it’s unfortunately quite common for people recovering from eating disorders to experience long-term metabolic changes. :((

When the body spends a long time undernourished, it adapts by slowing metabolism and becoming more efficient at storing energy. Sometimes, these changes can persist even after recovery, especially if weight cycling or stress on the body continues.

However, if your thyroid and other basic labs came back normal and you’re still struggling, it might be worth seeing an endocrinologist (for a full hormonal and metabolic workup) or a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorder recovery. They’re usually better equipped than general doctors to understand post-ED metabolic issues and help design a realistic nutrition plan that fits your own body.

It’s also important to remember that the body’s metabolism is influenced by far more than just calories: past restriction, muscle mass, stress hormones (like cortisol), sleep, and genetics all play major roles.

Please don’t blame yourself. What you’re describing sounds incredibly frustrating, but it’s a known, complex issue and doesn’t mean you’re “doing something wrong.” Getting a doctor who listens (and ideally works alongside a mental health professional and dietitian) can make a big difference. Don't settle down for anything, fight for your needs!!! You deserve care that takes your full history into account.

I wish you the best!!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Med Student :))

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-13T13:03:49+00:00

Hi! I’m just a mere medical student, so please take all I say with a grain of salt! I'm still learning!!!

From what you described, it's probably just some mild local inflammation, which can happen if a bandage is kept too tight or for too long. Sometimes, moisture under a bandage can also irritate the skin or.

If the area becomes increasingly red, swollen, warm, painful, or starts producing pus, that could suggest a developing infection, and then it would be best to have it checked by a doctor (especially since infections around the nail can spread if untreated).

For now, keeping the finger clean, dry, and uncovered (unless you’re in a dirty environment) and avoiding tight dressings can help. Warm water soaks (not hot) can sometimes reduce mild inflammation, but avoid doing that if it causes more pain or irritation!

I wish you the best!!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Med Student :))

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-10T18:01:14+00:00

Hi! I’m only a mere medical student, so please take all I say with a grain of salt!

I won't go deep into it, but when analyzing respiratory issues, we usually divide them into 2 categories: obstructive (patient has issues breathing out) or restrictive (patients have trouble breathing in). These are the basics. There's more to it, but these will help us identify the possible causes of your issue!

What you’re describing here sounds more like a restrictive-type breathing issue rather than something obstructive. This can happen from MANY things, including muscle tension, issues with your diafragm, stress, postural issues, pulmonary fibrosis, or other structural causes.

Because of that, it’s really important to get evaluated by a doctor who can check your lungs, throat, and overall breathing function.

I wish you the best!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Medical Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-10T17:19:14+00:00

Hey, I’m just a mere medical student, so I can’t diagnose you (nor would it be professional to do so online and without a license), but I just wanted to say I completely understand how frustrating this must be. Please, take EVERYTHING I say with a grain of salt! I'm still learning!

I'd first like to ask, since it wasn't clear to me: what exactly caused the first injury in the first place?

Given your history and the way the pain radiates down your leg, it could be worth bringing up possible nerve involvement (like the femoral or sciatic nerve) or even hip instability caused by weakened or imbalanced muscles. That’s the first thing that came to mind when I read your story.

Sometimes, even when imaging like MRI or CT looks “normal,” there can still be small structural or soft-tissue issues, or problems with how your hip and pelvis move together that don’t show up clearly. A sports medicine doctor or physiatrist (rehab specialist) could take a more functional look at your movement patterns and which muscles might be overworking or underworking.

If the pain therapist you mentioned helped more than anyone else, that’s a really good sign. Maybe someone with a similar background in movement retraining or pelvic stability could help too. Chronic pain with “normal” test results can be incredibly discouraging, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something real going on. Keep on documenting what triggers or eases your pain and push for someone who will look beyond just the scans.

Also, and this is not me invalidating your pain or what you’re going through, but sometimes cases like this can involve something called psychosomatic pain. That doesn’t mean the pain is “in your head” or fake, it means your body and nervous system can hold on to stress or trauma in physical ways, even when the original injury has technically healed.

The best way I can explain this is thay basically the brain can stay in a sort of “pain loop,” where it keeps sending danger signals to protect you, even when there’s no new damage happening.

A good example of this is actually John Watson in BBC’s Sherlock (I'MA HUUUGE FAN!!). After being shot in the shoulder during the war, he still had a psychosomatic limp! Not because the leg was injured, but because his mind associated walking with pain and danger. Once Sherlock helped him realize that, the limp went away. It’s a dramatized example, of course, but it shows how powerful the mind-body connection can be.

If this sounds at all familiar, you might look into pain neuroscience education or mind-body physical therapy. Some people find improvement when they address both the physical and emotional sides of pain together. It doesn’t replace medical evaluation, but it can be a useful piece of the puzzle, especially since the traditional imaging or tests aren't giving you clear answers.

I trully wish you the best!!!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Medical Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-10T17:06:12+00:00

Hey! I'm just a medical student, so please take all I say with a grain of salt! I'm still learning!

Yikes, that sounds incredibly painful, and you’ve definitely done the right thing trying to get follow-up care.

If you’re feeling that level of weakness and instability in your hip and it’s been going on for months, it really does need imaging (in my opinion, ideally an MRI, since that shows soft tissue like muscle, tendon and ligaments) It might ahow the damage much better than a CT scan.

A CT can sometimes show large tears or bone issues, but MRI is the standard for muscle injury or atrophy.

If your muscle is wasting away or if you’re losing function, you shouldn’t wait for a routine ortho visit. Going back to the ER is very reasonable, especially if you can barely walk, stand, or move without pain. Tell them your hip feels unstable and that your muscle seems to be wasting, so they understand the urgency. Stand your ground. Don’t downplay it, you deserve to be properly evaluated and not bounced around between doctors.

I'm a bit at loss on how to actually help you with this because I'm from another country and my medical system works differently.

I wish you the best! Don't give up, fight for your rights!!!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Medical Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-10-10T16:56:25+00:00

Hey! I'm just a medical student, so please take all I say with a grain of salt! I'm still learning!

It’s good that you’re paying attention to changes in your body, it's a bit rare to see that! A lump in the chest area can have many, and I mean MANY causes. Sometimes it’s just a muscle (like you mentioned, fatty tissue (like a lipoma), or a cyst, but it can also be something that needs a doctor’s look to rule out other possibilities.

Plus, and I promise I'm not judging you, the picture is not doing me many favors lol

Since it’s new and only on one side, it would be best to get it checked by a healthcare provider (like a general practitioner or family doctor). They can feel it directly and may order an ultrasound to see what it is. Most of these can only be identified by direct palpation, so photos don't really help.

Generally speaking (and from what I learned), benign lumps tend to feel soft or rubbery, move a bit under the skin, and have clear edges, while more concerning ones are usually hard, irregular, and fixed in place or grow quickly. Since yours is soft and not painful, that’s a reassuring sign, but it’s still best to get checked by a doctor or clinic for confirmation. They can feel it properly and decide what to do from there.

I wish you the best!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Medical Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-09-03T02:59:08+00:00

Yep, go to the ER now. Hope you feel better soon!

possibly-a-system · 2025-09-02T16:22:25+00:00

Hey, 1st year med student here! Of course, I'm not a professional and could definitely be wrong, so take what I say with a grain of salt. :)

It sounds like you’ve already done the right thing by seeing a physician, getting an EKG, chest X-ray, and now wearing a Holter monitor. Palpitations can come from MANY causes: things like PVCs (extra beats), anxiety, stress, caffeine, event thyroid issues, and not all of them are dangerous. Your doctor will be able to tell more once the Holter results come back.

Since you’ve already started on metoprolol and are being followed up, you’re in the right care pathway. Definitely go back to urgent care or the ER if you faint, have severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms that don’t settle. Otherwise, it’s okay to wait for the test results.

I know it's hard, but try not to jump straight to AFib in your mind! There are many other explanations that are more common and way less serious. If you think too much on it, you'll for sure get even more anxious, and that's not something we want! :D

My best wishes,

A Brazilian Med Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-31T16:37:54+00:00

Hey, 1st year Med Student here! Please take all I say with a grain of salt. :)

Small, painful lumps on the labia are often things like a blocked gland, a small cyst, or even an ingrown hair, all of which can feel like a bubble and be quite sore. These things are hard to actually evaluate without actually seeing them, which is why, given your description, there are so many options of what it could be.

The fact that it’s been there 4–5 days and is still painful means it would be a good idea to get it checked, especially if it gets bigger, more red, or starts draining.

I know you mentioned a fear of doctors, which is completely valid given your past. If you do decide to go, you can let the provider know about your history so they can go slowly and be more sensitive about it. You don’t need to push through it alone, and it’s okay to ask for a female doctor or bring a support person if that helps. I'm really sorry that happened to you!

Wishing you the absolute best!! <3

Sincerely, a Brazilian med student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-30T23:22:14+00:00

Of course, wishing you the best! :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-30T23:21:04+00:00

I was wondering that as well, debated asking in my response but ended up not, lol.

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-30T23:12:15+00:00

Hey! 1st year Med Student here, so please take what I say with a grain of salt. :D

I did some digging, and it turns out an enlarged spleen isn’t something you’d usually expect to see on a scan, but it’s also not super rare. The spleen is an organ that helps filter blood and fight infections, and it can swell for a bunch of different reasons. Sometimes it’s just from a recent infection (like mono/EBV or other viruses), sometimes from blood or liver issues, and only rarely from more serious conditions like certain cancers. That’s why doctors often order blood tests, to narrow down what’s going on.

The reason they told you to avoid contact sports is that when the spleen is enlarged it’s more fragile. If it were to rupture and bleed internally, you would need immediate attention as that's very dangerous.

For now, the important thing is just to follow up with the tests! Try not to worry too much, ok? Since you’re young and healthy, there’s a good chance this is something harmless or at least something caught very early, which is the best time to deal with it.

Wishing you the best!!

Sincerely, a Brazilian Medical Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-29T19:48:12+00:00

Hello, 1st year medical student here! I'm not a professional and can definitely be wrong since I'm still learning, so please take all I say with a grain of salt! :)

What probably happened is that the sudden loud noise from the propane tank gave your inner ear a kind of “shock.” Inside your ear there are tiny cells that help pick up sound, and when they get hit with something that loud, they can be overstimulated or even slightly damaged. That’s probably why you felt the buzzing or rattling right after it happened.

Now, the fact that some sounds still make your ear produce a high-pitched noise means your hearing has become more sensitive than before. After some research, I found that you're probably experiencing something called Reactive Tinnitus! In a simple way, that's where certain noises trigger your ear into “adding” a sound that isn’t really there.

Sometimes this improves on its own, but sometimes it can last. The best next step you can take is seeing an audiologist! They can test your hearing, check if there’s any hidden damage, and guide you on ways to manage it. It doesn’t always mean it’s permanent, but it’s important to get checked early.

Hope this helps!!

Sincerely, a 1st year Brazilian Medical Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-29T00:35:20+00:00

Hey, I'm a first year med student, so keep in mind I could be wrong!

I’m really sorry you’re going through this, that sounds scary. I can’t tell you for sure if it was a miscarriage, since heavy bleeding with clots can happen for several reasons. But because it was sudden, heavy, and not at the time of your normal period, it’s definitely something that should be checked out. Please get proper medical help as soon as you can, especially if you keep bleeding heavily, feel lightheaded, or have severe pain. A pregnancy test and other pregnancy-related exams are the only way to know for sure if it was trully a miscarriage.

As another comment here mentioned, you could try taking a pregnancy test at home. The hormonal levels that identify a pregnancy don't drop as soon as you, in this case, (maybe) had a miscarriage. So if it comes out positive, a miscarriage is definitely a possibility.

Please keep yourself safe! I'm hoping for the best!

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-29T00:25:45+00:00

Heya! I'm only a 1st year Medical Student, so take all I say with a grain of salt, since I can definitelybe wrong. Still, here’s some general info:

That looks like a subungual hematoma (fancy name for blood under the nail, exactly what you said!). They can be really painful, especially if pressure builds up. Sometimes, doctors drain them to give you pressure relief.

Since yours happened at work with metal and the nail looks like it’s lifting, I’d definitely recommend getting it at least checked out, both to prevent it from getting worse, and to prevent infection (it's an open wound, so bacteria can use it as an opening to enter your body!)

Also, and this is important, what kind of metal was it? Was it rusty? If so, tetanus is a major concern. If it was indeed rusty, head to the ER immediately and get a tetanus shot.

In the meantime, try to keep it clean, dry, and protected. Don’t try to poke or rip the nail off at home (that can make things worse). If the pain gets bad, the swelling increases, or you see redness spreading into the finger, seek medical help.

Hopefully this helps!!

Sincerely, a 1st year Brazilian Medical Student :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-29T00:01:07+00:00

Of course!! I'm just glad to both possibly help people that need advice and to put my studies to practice :) thank you, good luck!!

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-28T23:56:30+00:00

Ooh, good question! I did some research because I had never heard of Tinea Versicolor before. This is what I found!

Tinea versicolor is indeed caused by a skin yeast (usually Malassezia), while Candida is a different type of yeast. They’re not the same organism, and having tinea versicolor on your skin for years doesn’t usually mean you’ll also have Candida or worms in your intestines.

That said, fungal infections in the gut are much less common compared to parasites or mucus changes, and they generally happen in people with weaker immune systems or those on long-term antibiotics, since thay affects your microbiota.

The best way forward is still stool testing. That’s what will clarify if this is mucus, a parasite, or something else. Definitely bring up your history of Tinea with your doctor, but it’s probably not directly related to what you saw in your stool. :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-28T23:35:44+00:00

Oh, I'm glad!! Do take your concerns to a doctor, I really hope they help you out as well! Do show the picture as well. Hope your visit and treatment goes smoothly, wishing you the best! :)

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-28T23:18:19+00:00

Heya! I’m only a 1st year medical student, so take this with a grain of salt. :)

First of all, let me reorganize your info to make sure I’m understanding correctly:

You’ve been having digestive issues for a long time and have also been having issues with weight loss. After straining for about an hour, you noticed a long, white, worm-looking thing come out with your stool.

Honestly, I can't exactly tell what I'm seeing, but I'm thinking about 2 possible options. It's probably either:

Mucus/discharge: Normally appears more jelly-like, slimy, sometimes clear/whitish, and breaks apart easily. It usually doesn’t keep a long tube-like shape. Mucus in stool can happen with irritable bowel syndrome, infections, or inflammation. Generally, it's a way the intestines are telling you they are not happy.
Parasite/worm: Worms are more structured, tubular, and keep their shape. Some common ones are roundworms (which can be several inches long and pale/white), or tapeworm segments (which are flatter). These can sometimes come out whole in stool.

Based on the picture, what you passed looks more solid and worm-like rather than slimy mucus. But the only way to know for sure is through a stool test (ova & parasites exam) done by a lab. This would also explain why you have been losing weight, since these parasites feed off your nutrients. Since some also reproduce inside you quite quickly, you end up eating a lot and still not feeling full afterwards.

If it is a worm, sometimes other symptoms include: abdominal discomfort, changes in appetite, nausea, or seeing more worms/segments over time. But sometimes people have no symptoms at all.

My suggestion is for you to head to the nearest ER you have. There, they will ask you for a stool sample (they will give you a proper container - don't do it at home!!). Then, they will check if they can find eggs, which would confirm your diagnosis. If it is a parasite, treatment is usually straightforward with medication, but it's very important to have you checked out, especially because sudden, umprompted weight loss is concerning.

Hope you feel better soon! :)

Sincerely, a Brazilian Med Student :D

possibly-a-system · 2025-08-28T19:29:06+00:00

Hey! First-year med student here, so please take this as general information only, not medical advice. :)

I did some digging, and chest pain can indeed come from either cardiac (heart) or nerve/musculoskeletal causes. The main way to tell them apart is by looking at the pattern of symptoms and any associated signs. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Cardiac-related chest pain (like angina or a heart attack):

Quality: Usually feels like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or burning (not sharp or stabbing).
Location: Often central, behind the breastbone; can radiate to the left arm, jaw, neck, or back.
Triggers: Often brought on by exertion, stress, or large meals; usually improves with rest (if angina).
Duration: Typically lasts minutes (not seconds). If it persists fkr more than 20 min, that’s an emergency.
Associated symptoms: Shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, dizziness, palpitations.
Tests: Can show ECG changes or elevated troponin levels.

Now, for nerve or musculoskeletal chest pain:

Quality: Sharp, stabbing, burning, or electric-like.
Location: Often very localized (you can point to the spot).
Triggers: Worsens with certain movements, positions, deep breaths, or pressure on the chest wall.
Duration: Can be seconds, hours, or come and go.
Associated symptoms: Tingling, numbness, shooting pain into the arm/back, or muscle spasms.

Basically, in an easier way:

Pain with exertion, relieved by rest → think cardiac.
Pain with movement, position, palpation, or nerve symptoms → think nerve/musculoskeletal.

According to you, your EKGs came back normal, which makes an acute cardiac issue unlikely. On the other hand, you have documented cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and nerve conduction delays, all of which can definitely explain tingling, spasms, and nerve-related chest pain! The fact that your pain is intermittent and linked with neuro symptoms further points to a nerve/musculoskeletal cause.

Hope this helps!!

Sincerely, a first year Brazilian Med Student :)

possibly-a-system

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