Medicine

(Mild Seven/91493) I read that eyelid twitches can be caused by dryness in the eyes...

Mild Seven@rss.iscabbs.com — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:44:00 -0600

I read that eyelid twitches can be caused by dryness in the eyes.

(Xenos/91492) For the big muscle jerks, look up 'restless legs' (it's not just...

Xenos@rss.iscabbs.com — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:11:00 -0600

For the big muscle jerks, look up 'restless legs' (it's not just legs, despite
the name!).  For some people this is a permanent problem, for others it goes
away, but you might find some useful strategies.

On the eyelid twitches, I think the biggest factor for those is tiredness.  If
you can, try to get a good night's sleep :-)

(Trillian/91491) Sometimes these little jumpy muscles need more electrolytes:

Trillian@rss.iscabbs.com — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:23:00 -0600

Sometimes these little jumpy muscles need more electrolytes:
Calcium, potassium, magnesium, even a bit of sodium perhaps.

If you had surgery recently you probably got some in your IV
and you might need a home infusion to calm the muscles, which in particular are
very sensitive to the sodium/potassium ratio. We tend to get sodium in
everything and not always enough potassium. You can feel free to ask your
doctor about the symptom and whether home food-based electrolytes might help.

Yum : A smoothie with fruits that contain the electrolytes.
(Yogurt, milk, ground almonds, strawberry, bannana, orange juice, molasses...)

Yum2: Stir Fry with veggie minerals: swiss chard, crimini mushrooms, bell
peppers, broccoli, soy beans, tofu...)

FOOD SOURCES FOR ELECTROLYTE MINERALS
Calcium:    http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium/
Magnesium:  http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium/
Potassium:  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=90
Sodium: if you need some, try chicken soup!

Potassium in particular we usually do not get enough -- if you buy a potassium
supplement, it still on average contains 3mg of potassium. I am on a RX
potassium because my special diet from the nutritionist is low in natural
sources of potassium.

(Rick Jenkins/91489) Pecc> I get the same thing from time to time, although I don't k...

Rick Jenkins@rss.iscabbs.com — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:25:00 -0600


Pecc> I get the same thing from time to time, although I don't know if it has
ever been a week and a half straight. I've always written it off to "one of
those things". The stress-related diagnosis sounds reasonable.

(Organic/91488) Are they really tics? i thought that was when those tiny muscle...

Organic@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:39:00 -0600

Are they really tics?  i thought that was when those tiny muscles (like
eyelids, etc) started fluttering. This is more of a giant jerk of a large
muscle - so far quads, abs, glutes, and the like. and it seems to only be when
i close my eyes to rest - like those dreams when you're falling, and you jerk
awake.  anyway, couldn't find much via google, other than about the small
muscle twitches/flutters, or spasms=cramps.

(Peccavimus/91487) I've had a nearly constant twitch in my left eye, sometimes so s...

Peccavimus@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:27:00 -0600

I've had a nearly constant twitch in my left eye, sometimes so strong I can
feel it, but other times I can just see it in the mirror but don't feel
anything, for about a week and a half.  At times, it is so strong that I can
hear it against the pillow when I'm trying to sleep.  My eye doctor said it's
stress related, and since it mostly becomes worse when I think about work, that
makes sense.

(Miser/91486) They're commonly referred to as "tics" and as far as I know, the...

Miser@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:52:00 -0600

They're commonly referred to as "tics" and as far as I know, there's not much
you can do.  But you might get some hits on WebMD or Googling using that term.

(Organic/91485) muscle twitches/spasms> i'm not sure which isthe proper term, bu...

Organic@rss.iscabbs.com — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:06:00 -0600

muscle twitches/spasms> i'm not sure which isthe proper term, but ive been
having them all day -- suddenly my foot or leg or arm just jumps as though
someone were checking my relexes.  what causes this?  i would guess it has
something to do with the fact that i had surgery yesterday, and i'm on vicodin
and keflex.  but all this unwanted movement is keeping me awake!  anything i
can do?

(Ebauchon/91484) With 40+ years of restaurant work under my belt, I have had more...

Ebauchon@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:28:00 -0600

With 40+ years of restaurant work under my belt, I have had more minor burns
than I could possibly count. Best thing I have found for them is sunburn relief
gel that has both aloe and lidocaine in it. I get a big ol' bottle of blue gel
from Walmart for a couple bucks. It's the first thing anyone in the kitchen
goes for with a burn.

(Artemis/91483) My son burned his hand, put it palm down on the glass top stove....

Artemis@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:46:00 -0600

My son burned his hand, put it palm down on the glass top stove. Because he's
diabetic I called his doctor to see if he wanted to see him. He told us to have
Calvin hold a cool washcloth, and rinse it with cool water every 10 minutes.
Calvin held the washcloth for hours, and his burn never blistered. They said
leaving a COOL (not cold) compress loosely on it does a better job than just
running it under cool water for 10 minutes. He should have had blisters on his
palm and several fingers but the washcloth did the trick. I've heard for many
years you should never use ice or ice packs or even really cold water on burn
because of the sensitive tissue and possibly making it worse and prolonging
healing. My sons burn was completely healed within 3-4 days.

(MoonToad/91482) The mustard probably works because of the vinegar. Vinegar has ...

MoonToad@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:46:00 -0600

The mustard probably works because of the vinegar.  Vinegar has acetic acid,
which works as an NSAID.  That's why vinegar helps take the pain out of
sunburns, and I presume it works the same for other minor burns.

Dr Oz sometimes says good stuff, and other times says really stupid shit.  He's
not someone I bother to listen to because of the stupid shit.

(Trillian/91481) They make special gel bandages for burns and blisters that work ...

Trillian@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:42:00 -0600

They make special gel bandages for burns and blisters that work great but are
expensive. I always look for sales on them, year-round, because I am a wimp
about burns.

Recently. I got some free after rebate "Be Kool" brand gel sheets made for kids
when they have a fever, with adhesive on the back, to put on the forehead, and
they are gel sheets, so they work wonders for burns or blisters and dont get as
cold as ice.

There's also aloe, my mom kept aloe plants for burns. you broke off a bit,
opened it up, and taped it on the wound -- or if it was smaller, you sqeezed
juice on it and bandaided.

Another older treatment for burns is raw honey. When I lived in Vermont it was
popular with many people. Raw honey has never been heated, and usually still
has honeycomb and propolis in it. (Not to be used around children.)

(Mama K/91480) Back in the old days, before all this fancy pharmaceutical crap,...

Mama K@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:49:00 -0600

Back in the old days, before all this fancy pharmaceutical crap, people had to
use what was available.  Mustard poultices were often used for fevers and
burns.  I've never looked into how it works, I just know it does.

(Aightball/91479) Interesting...I wanted a second opionion since I put little stoc...

Aightball@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:48:00 -0600

Interesting...I wanted a second opionion since I put little stock in TV doctors
=). I just know the ice helped the pain go away. What does mustard do, if you
know? I would never have thought to try that but will keep it in mind for the
next time it happens!

(Mama K/91478) Ice can, indeed, damage the tissues in the area. Sometimes TV d...

Mama K@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:46:00 -0600

Ice can, indeed, damage the tissues in the area.  Sometimes TV doctors are just
doctors who happen to be on tv.  Cool water will alleviate the initial
stinging, then the best thing I've ever found for longer term burn relief is
mustard.  Plain, yellow mustard.  Smear some on, slap a bandaid on it, go about
your day.

(Aightball/91477) Burns> This came up at work today. I have a very minor burn from...

Aightball@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:25:00 -0600

Burns> This came up at work today. I have a very minor burn from last night and
an employee got a minor burn today. We were talking about ways to treat burns
and alleviate the stinging/pain associated with them. The first thing I said:
an ice pack. It makes it hurt less and stops the burning, etc. Another co-
worker was all "no! Dr. Oz says it damages the tissues in the area". Now, I
don't know much about Dr. Oz, but I tend to think TV doctors are quacks. So,
anyone have any insight? My hand doesn't look damaged from the ice pack
treatment from last night and my burn no longer hurts (though again, it's a
pretty minor burn). I know cold water helps them, and I figure an ice pack is
just a colder equivalent?

(Artemis/91476) Can you basically schedule interviews to talk to them ahead of t...

Artemis@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:17:00 -0600

Can you basically schedule interviews to talk to them ahead of time before you
initiate care? We interviewed people for my son's pediatricians in the past.
Perhaps see if you can find a support group or 2 for your health issues and
talk to people there about who they use like/don't like?
And honestly, I know you might not want to hear it, or be tired of hearing it,
but I wouldn't trust a doctor who didn't address obvious health concerns like
weight and smoking. It shouldn't be the only thing, and no doctor should be a
jerk, so I agree that it's how they talk to you, not always what they say. My
grandma has been smoking for 60 years. She has lived in the same small town (so
the same progression of doctors for decades) and they still tell her every time
to quit smoking.

(Smoke Eater/91475) Honestly, you have to talk to the doctor.

Smoke Eater@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:01:00 -0600

Honestly, you have to talk to the doctor.

They're going to tell you to quit smoking, and if they think you weigh too
much, they will tell you to lose weight.  It's what doctors do.  You and I have
met in person, so you know what I look like, and the docs tell *me* to lose
weight.

It's not about whether they tell you that, it's about *how* they tell you. 
Look online for reviews of that doctor, and take it with a grain of salt,
because some people are cranks who won't be satisfied unless they're told only
what they want to hear, and rate the docs accordingly.

(Ebauchon/91474) Mama K> Ask among your friends/coworkers. Find out who they go t...

Ebauchon@rss.iscabbs.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:58:00 -0600

Mama K> Ask among your friends/coworkers. Find out who they go to and what
their experiences have been. But also be prepared  find out that many doctors
may not be taking new patients.

If you go to one doc and you don't click, do not be hesitant about trying
another one. You are not stuck with the first one you go to.

(Mama K/91473) I don't have any of my records. And have lost my records of pre...

Mama K@rss.iscabbs.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:22:00 -0600

I don't have any of my records.  And have lost my records of previous doctors'
names.

(MoonToad/91472) I would definitely bring your past records regarding the pain.

MoonToad@rss.iscabbs.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:22:00 -0600

I would definitely bring your past records regarding the pain.

(Mama K/91471) My health insurance is now active (yay!)......my insurance compa...

Mama K@rss.iscabbs.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:10:00 -0600

My health insurance is now active (yay!)......my insurance company has a "find
a doctor" search on the website.....but how do I find a doctor I'll get along
with, who won't just yell at me to quit smoking and lose weight, who'll believe
me when I talk about pain and not think I'm a narcot seeking junkie......all
this stuff worries me.  Help?

(SledgeHammer/91470) Probably an ELISA or similar immunoassay. For something as criti...

SledgeHammer@rss.iscabbs.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:08:00 -0600

Probably an ELISA or similar immunoassay. For something as critical as HIV, you
want low false-positive, and low false-negative, so there should be excellent
discrimination between these values. A value of "1 or higher" is a clear
positive, meaning that (for example) something like a value or 20 or 25 is a
clear positive, while a value like (say) 0.28 is a clear negative.

These tests aren't binary, but the good news is that they're very reliable.

(Mild Seven/91469) Thanks for the reassurance. :-) They are annoying as hell but t...

Mild Seven@rss.iscabbs.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:46:00 -0600


Thanks for the reassurance. :-)  They are annoying as hell but this will put my
mind to rest.  I've been to the cardiologist and described it to him, including
the time when I drank a liter of Coke and my heart raced for 10 seconds. He
wasn't even concerned and just said to lay off the caffeine.  I even asked him
if caffeine is dangerous but he just said, "ahh.. well.. it's not good". ;-)

I just came back from the hospital after taking an HIV test. The last time I
took one was in 1992.  The reason was because I found files on my ex-wife's
account that indicated she was sleeping around for 2 years during my marriage
with her.  My doctor told me to take the HIV test and I requested it be
anonymous.

Results came back 3 hours ago:  0.28 with the notation "not reactive".
Reference range indicated that anything above 1.0 was "reactive".  I called the
doctor and he said I am definitely "negative" and that the reason why it didn't
say zero across the board for me was because of the lab's margin of error or
whatever.  I guess I'm safe?

The ex was with a guy who traveled to Thailand and Vietnam and slept with
questionable people, including high risk stuff, so my doctor emphasized getting
the test and even took me to the lab.  Of course, my current wife also wanted
to get tested but I decided to see if I was negative first and if so, she would
probably be negative since she didn't engage previously in any high risk
behavior.

0.28 though? Margin of error? Can anyone elaborate? Does that mean I really
have antibodies to HIV but wasn't exposed enough to acquire chronic infection?

(Aightball/91468) I used to watch heart monitors and you'd be surprised how common...

Aightball@rss.iscabbs.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:13:00 -0600

I used to watch heart monitors and you'd be surprised how common PVCs and PACs
are. And Organic is right: most people don't even know they have them. Some of
us are just extra good at feeling them for some reason. I mostly notice mine at
night when lying down to sleep. I assume that's because it's dark and quiet and
I'm better able to "listen" to my body. Either way, it never hurts to get them
checked out, esp. if they concern you.

(Organic/91467) Mild Seven> In my little experience, these sound of the PVC var...

Organic@rss.iscabbs.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:31:00 -0600

Mild Seven>  In my little experience, these sound of the PVC variety. 
Certainly don't take my word for it, but in my case my cardiologist has
confirmed that while they are utterly annoying and can be scary, they are not
the least bit dangerous.  Mine tend to trigger from stress as well -- for
example, if someone startles me, etc.  But sometimes they happen for no reason.
And apparently PVCs are really, really common -- but most people just don't
notice them.  If you've been tested (Holter monitor is a good one!) and they
aren't concerned, then I'd suggest you just think of them as a funny little
quirk you have, and not worry about it.  Really...  :-)  If it gives you
comfort, go to a cardiologist every 6 months or year or so, get another EKG,
have another conversation, and let him/her remind you that it's still not a
concern.  That can be comforting, because then even if you think things have
been changing, you can get reassurance that it's ok.

(Mild Seven/91466) Jan 29, 2012 08:28 from Organic

Mild Seven@rss.iscabbs.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:49:00 -0600

Jan 29, 2012 08:28 from Organic
Mild Seven>  What kind of palpitations are you having?

What happens is I get a strong beat.. like "BOOM" in my chest.
I had a Holter Monitor in 1993 and it said "premature beats" or extrasystoles
but they weren't concerned about it.
They gave me no medication for it.  B-complex has reduced the frequency by 80%
or so.

Eating baked beans always triggers it but I'm not sure why.  That's the most
offending substance when it comes to triggering the palpitations.

Also, going a long time between meals will trigger it as well as a heavy meal.

Sitting triggers most of them or lying down, especially if my belt is on.  I
take
off my belt and unbutton my pants and then it gets better.

Stressful events trigger them the most.

I took 5 Valium throughout the day and the palpitations stopped completely.

Maybe it's stress but it also happens when eating heavy meals and sitting,
moreso when there is more tension around the waist caused by a full belly or
gas in the abdomen.

I suspect, but cannot prove, that pressure of gas or whatever is putting
pressure on the aorta and causing the heart to give extra hard beats to get
blood past that area.  I'm not a doctor though but I guess that could be it.

I had my thyroid tested and TSH is at the minimum of reference range, which is
still normal but hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism occur in my near relatives.

Thanks for your reply.. I appreciate it.  These palpitations scare the crap out
of me. They don't happen during an EKG.

(Rick Jenkins/91465) My wife has recently had problems with what she describes as fee...

Rick Jenkins@rss.iscabbs.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:57:00 -0600


My wife has recently had problems with what she describes as feeling like "air
trapped in her chest", like the feeling she has to burp but can't and that if
she could only burp she'd feel better.

She used to often eat a banana every day with lunch. recently, she's discovered
the last three days she hasn't eaten a banana she hasn't had the symptoms
nearly to the extent that she has on other days when she has eaten a banana.

Have bananas been known to cause symptoms like this? Or is it possibly a
potassium thing?

(Artemis/91464) Correct, it's just OTC. She takes nothing prescription. She take...

Artemis@rss.iscabbs.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:41:00 -0600

Correct, it's just OTC. She takes nothing prescription. She takes Aleve on
occasion for a problem with a foot she broke last spring, and a vitamin. Her
diet leaves little to be desired, lol. But getting her to change it is
virtually impossible. She does eat a lot of fruit and a lot of cabbage, and she
does eat yogurt though I don't think daily. She also eats a lot of pastry,
ramen and tv dinners. Maybe I will call the pharmacy myself, it's a small town
and they know me and my grandma so they'll probably be happy to answer.
Thanks for the info, Dugie!

(Dugie/91463) Simethicone (gas-X) is a surfactant. Basically, soap. It causes ...

Dugie@rss.iscabbs.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:36:00 -0600

Simethicone (gas-X) is a surfactant. Basically, soap. It causes big gas bubbles
in the intestine to make small gas bubbles, which can provide relief from
cramping. It can also act as a stool softener to a degree, allowing moisture to
soften the stool. Relatively harmless stuff. I see no problems really, throwing
an extra capsule in the mix.

These problems seem to increase with age, and you may want to take a look at
her diet, and see if changing things up, or eliminating triggers might benefit
her. Also, adding in a probiotic might help (Culturelle, Activea, Acidophilus,
etc etc...)

(MoonToad/91462) IT wa simethicone, generic name for Gas-X.

MoonToad@rss.iscabbs.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:54:00 -0600

IT wa simethicone, generic name for Gas-X.

(Tempestas/91461) Oh I didn't see that, I saw what looked like a 'script name

Tempestas@rss.iscabbs.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:40:00 -0600

Oh I didn't see that, I saw what looked like a 'script name

(Mama K/91460) Tempestas> It's Gas-X. (Or one of a wide variety of other name...

Mama K@rss.iscabbs.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:36:00 -0600

Tempestas>  It's Gas-X.  (Or one of a wide variety of other name brands it's
sold under.)  Somehow I doubt too many doctors are going to write a script for
something that's readily available OTC.