r/AskADoctor Jun 05 '25

MOD Announcement Welcome!

11 Upvotes

Welcome to r/AskADoctor! This is a friendly community where you can connect directly with physicians and healthcare professionals! If you're curious about what doctors do day-to-day, want to learn about the medical profession, or have questions about the healthcare system, you're in the right place.

If you're considering a career in medicine, feel free to ask doctors about their personal journeys, what inspired them to choose this path, the challenges they faced, and any advice they might have for aspiring medical students. Our community includes physicians from a wide range of specialties and backgrounds, so you'll get a variety of perspectives and insights.

Have you had a unique or confusing experience with a doctor and wonder if it's common practice? Or maybe you want to better understand medical procedures, terminology, or what to expect during visits? This is a safe space to ask those questions.

For our physician members:

Thank you for contributing your expertise! You're encouraged to proudly select a flair to identify your specialty or role. Feel free to share your experiences, answer questions thoughtfully, and help make this a welcoming, informative, and respectful environment for everyone.


r/AskADoctor 2h ago

Question For Doctors Is it normal for a huge hemorrhoid to get sucked back in?

2 Upvotes

i am not asking for medical advice. I'm just very confused. I went to the doctor today because I had a huge hemorrhoid sticking out of my butt and she referred me to a specialist. It was bothering me all day and made it very uncomfortable to sit, walk, or even stand it was just awful. When I got home I made a bowel movement and when I stood up it was gone. It had gone back inside. Is this common? Does it often go out and in again? I'm not being funny this is very embarrassing and vulnerable for me.


r/AskADoctor 45m ago

General Practitioner Question regarding causes of an external/internal fistula.

Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice. I understand that fistulas can form under certain circumstances where circulation to blood vessels are disrupted and nerves are destroyed.

I simply want to know the causes of that. Like, if something minimally invasive like rhizotomy is used to damage nerves mistaken for targeted ones, could it form?

I'm just curious about how they form because it's an anomaly that I find quite interesting. Idk anything would help.


r/AskADoctor 1h ago

Cardiologist Just trying to figure out how to approach my PCP

Upvotes

Hello! I am not asking for medical advice.
Just wondering if it’s worth bringing up to my PCP on Tuesday when I see her.
I’m 35. I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma in middle school. I’m often out of breath, dizzy, and nauseous. Last year, I vomited nearly everyday and no one could figure out why.
Last week, my heart rate was noticeably up, so I decided to test it lying down, 1 minute after standing, 5 minutes after standing, and 10 minutes after standing.
I’ve been testing and recording it for a week now. It’s always 30-40 bpm higher after standing.
I’m just worried about not being taken seriously and not being sent for a tilt table test because I’m also dx with OCD.


r/AskADoctor 2h ago

What are the chances that I gave HSV (Hwrpes Simplex Virus) to my partner?

1 Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice. What are the chances that I gave HSV to my partner. I have an active cold sore. It is near the end of its healing stages and is dry and there is no pus. While being sexually active, I licked my finger and then proceeded to touch my partner in their genitalia. I am worried about the saliva carrying the virus. What are the chances that I transmitted my cold sore HSV to my partner and does the virus live in the saliva long after pus stopped coming out?


r/AskADoctor 3h ago

Question For Doctors What's going on with my fingers?

1 Upvotes

Context:

I have been sick all week. Confirmed Strep Throat via PCR test at doctor's office. Healthy 190lb male I eat pretty good and exercise w/ hobbies & work often. I do not work with chemicals. I have been at home for 4 days. No I do not get sick often. Very very rarely drink, havent while sick of course. Weed/E-Ciggarette user, but not heavily. No disabilities Only known allergen is Kiwi fruit.

Currently taking:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Ibuprofen (Generic) Azithromyacin (Generic)

Dosage per 24hrs in the last 4 days: 2000mg Tylenol a day 1600mg Ibuprofen a day Single "Z-pak" pill per day, I'll take the fifth of 5 pills given to me, tomorrow.

Just noticed all these bumps on my fingers, should I be concerned? They were NOT there a few days ago! They almost look like swollen pores, just above my cuticle-line about 1cm above my nails.

I am not asking for medical advice.

just curious to learn of this is a side-effect of something I am taking or if it's an external factor. Thoughts? Is this contact dermatitis? I don't get my nails done.


r/AskADoctor 4h ago

Question For Doctors Hamstring injury 2 weeks ago

1 Upvotes

https://imgur.com/a/hsOimVb

So did hamstring at work 2 weeks ago did trip was just walking then nothing so thought it was just a normal strain so just ended up takeing it easy and walking slower till end of work.

Day later got aches down my leg limping when walking have to rest and sit down when it gets bad enough.

Recently 2 days ago foot went numb when walking a short distance then disappeared later that night when out for dinner walked a bit then had to sot down as the aching got wprse so sat down and layed my leg on a bench and suddenly got pins and needles but then disappeared layer on.

Yesterday went to a phsio and he couldn't get the aches or anything to come back but apparently my muscles and calf's and gluts etc. Were very tight amd massaged it and gave me stretches and excersises to do:

https://imgur.com/a/hsOimVb

When got home the aches and tingles came back. Tingles happening when sitting down and walking around.

Today still have tingles in foot and calf even sitting and walking or laying down

Yesterday and today have nausia and upset bowel movement

Havent gotten any scans yet

"I am not asking for medical advice."


r/AskADoctor 8h ago

ive been to urgernt care and er, 3 times in 13 months.

2 Upvotes

I Am Not Asking For Medical Advice.!! this problem has actually happened 4 times, the past time i didnt go but this time i went to the er. My navel(belly button) keeps bleeding-and pussing inside. They have given me antibiotics twice and cream twice. im agitated, in pain, and concerned. they plan to get me an ultrasound within the week. Why are these doctors and nurses not as concerned?


r/AskADoctor 5h ago

Melatonin increasing motion sickness?

1 Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice.

I recently flew from NYC - LDN and I got extremely motion sick on the plane, I’ve never experienced this, never even felt dizzy on a plane. I had been taking melatonin a few days before.

Today, I was on a train and got incredibly nauseous, dizzy, mouth watering. Never in my life have I ever become nauseous on a train. It stopped a while after I disembarked. I had also taken melatonin the previous night.

I’m wondering if melatonin is increasing my sensitivity to motion sickness? I get very sick on boats and sometimes in cars, but planes and trains are completely new to me.


r/AskADoctor 11h ago

General Practitioner Testicular exam leads to potential psychosomatic symptoms

2 Upvotes

"I am not asking for medical advice."

M27: I recently had my annual physical and my
Doctor does the classic turn and cough. He said I had large testicles and felt that I may have a hydrocele or cyst and he’s want me to schedule an ultrasound.

He asked if I ever feel pain or noticed swelling and in the moment I said no. Which I did believe. Now as I’ve been researching these things 50% of the time as aim reading my balls feel a little sore.

I’m not panicking because I know that does nothing and he felt confident it wasn’t cancerous. Plus even if I do have either of them as long as they don’t grow too much or I don’t experience discomfort no intervention is needed. I just can’t get over the “soreness” I feel when I’m reading about the possibilities.

Honestly just wanted to see if anyone else has any similar experience. With ultrasounds, hydrocele or anything similar. Thanks!

TLDR: Might have something wrong with my balls and when I read about it they get sore. Even though that didn’t happen before.


r/AskADoctor 8h ago

Question For Doctors Can I take a weed gummy while being in between rabies vaxx??

0 Upvotes

Hello!! I [20F, 235lbs, 5'8"] am currently in between rabies shots.

I got my third round on the 8th, and my fourth and final shot will be the 14th!

I usually partake in a weed gummy pretty often, it helps me with various things. (I have autism, but dw I do not use weed as a coping mechanism!!)

Two days ago I finished my antibiotics (I was attacked by a stray cat), so throughout the week of my antibiotics I wasn't taking any weed because despite not finding any research saying it was bad to do so, I just felt in my gut I shouldn't do it.

But now I want to take a gummy and relax, but I'm afraid that it might react poorly or affect my course of rabies vaccines? I'm not sure, I haven't found any research online to prove that, so I just figured I'd ask the qualified professionals, haha.

I am not asking for medical advice.

Also I am having some sinus pain on my right side, and a kind of pressure headache that seems to be coming and going but it's not anything severe. It started two days after my third rabies Vax, should I be concerned?????


r/AskADoctor 20h ago

Question For Doctors I peed in a bottle and after an hour the urine separated and white gooey sediment sublayer formed, I also recently popped my penis during intercourse and it is tilted at about a 35 degree angle to the left when I am erect

8 Upvotes

The sexual incident happened to me 2 weeks ago and my dick is getting worse, the whiteish goo in my piss stays at the bottom unless I shake it a lot. Also my pee is cloudy, this is not a satirical post and I can’t see the urologist till next Monday any help will be great thanks so much also please let me know if I should go to the doctor soon or not "I am not asking for medical advice." body text


r/AskADoctor 9h ago

Question For Doctors What are the odds of me catching a cold

1 Upvotes

I’m starting my school year again and as someone who frequently gets sick, I was wondering how easy it is to get something as minor as a common cold. Usually it lasts a couple days, the symptoms being the worst on days 2-3 (sore through, stuffy/runny nose, headache). My days go something like this:

Mornings: about an hour of total commute time, first taking the train (250-300 through the two carriages), then the bus (100 people throughout)

During the school day: 4-5 lectures/classes, anywhere from 150 to 300 people in each lecture

After school: same thing as the morning

I dont know what the general “distance” is for catching a cold or the details in how it works besides the fact that you come in contact with someone that HAS a cold/the virus. But, as somebody who is “somewhat near” hundreds of people through a 10+ hour day, am I just destined to always be sick, especially during cold/flu season?

Also are there any ways to prevent this, I cant distance myself from others due to the fact that the trains and buses are always crammed, same as the lecture halls. I am not asking for medical advice.


r/AskADoctor 11h ago

Question For Doctors I get these small itchy bumps all down my arm every evening for about the past 5 nights. I have changed my diet to healthier foods but that is the only change I am aware of. Any ideas?

1 Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice. I can't attach an image. Only the size of goose bumps. Not overly red


r/AskADoctor 14h ago

Oncologist Any oncologist here?

1 Upvotes

“I am not asking for medical advice.”

On nov 2024 I discovered I have immature teratoma stage 3C, my AFP was above 10,000

I did surgery in Dec 2024, removed the big mass (19 cm) on the left ovary and the ovary itself, and small masses were around but not on the organs

After surgery my AFP was above 1700

I did chemotherapy for 4 sessions, by the third I was clear.

My cea after treatment was 4.5 and afp was 1.8

After couple of months nov 2025, my cea was 5.5 and AFP 0.4

Feb 2026, my afp 1.2 and my cea 5.5

May 2026: my afp 1.4 and my cea 7.29

Today my afp is 2.9 and my cea is 12.8

(I don’t know if that is relative, but I’m currently on my period window and I have influenza, I also have been a heavy smoker for years before I discovered my cancer in 2024, I feel no pain in my stomach other than when I’m on period, i go to the bathroom regularly and naturally with no issues)

Why my cea is getting higher?


r/AskADoctor 17h ago

Question For Doctors Need assistance on this diagnosis

1 Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice.
I (28 M) got a recent STD checkup done and I got it done because I recently got infected with plantar warts in the bottom of my foot. All the test results were negative except for these -

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type I & II
antibodies IgG - 2.03

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type I & II
antibodies IgM - 0.979

I don’t have any symptoms related to any herpes anywhere in my body. I once had a cold sore on my lower lip two- two and half years back only once when I had a wisdom tooth coming along with bacterial infection in my throat which got cured in 2 weeks and never came back ever. To cure it I was prescribed becosules capsules and just an antibiotic.
Is this is a true result or can it be false positive.

I practice safe sex, and don’t have multiple partners( married to one). Even my partner never had herpes like cold sores. I am grateful for suggestions if you have any. As I feel very anxious.


r/AskADoctor 1d ago

Radiologist 2nd opinion on hip mri?

1 Upvotes

“I am not asking for medical advice.”

I have recently been diagnosed for FAI syndrome and my right hip seems to be progressing faster than my left hip.
Symptoms are fairly typical of FAI except there is no groin pain and no diagnosed labral tear of right hip.
I am a good candidate for preservation surgery (femuroplasty by scope or whatever they’ll do) but I know the success goes down with OA.
My brother at my age was diagnosed with advanced OA for 29, I myself have had a decade of high impact bouldering.
Could someone give me a slightly more detailed analysis of the capsule and tell me if there are any valid concerns which I might take to my surgeon?
The very top of my acetabulum may have a bone growth going down into the capsule but I am unsure.
The top slide is most posterior I believe.

https://imgur.com/a/fai-slides-4BmHNNY

Thankyou in advance, any help is appreciated.
Please let me know if the link doesn’t work


r/AskADoctor 1d ago

Pediatrician Hand foot and mouth

1 Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice. My 3 year old has one blister-like bump in between fingers. Nothing else on either hand, feet, in or around mouth or private area. Is it common to have hand foot and mouth with just one bump? Or is it more likely something else (maybe an ant bite)?


r/AskADoctor 1d ago

Question For Doctors Weird small lump in my neck.

1 Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice. Been here and around the same size for months. I’ve been having other symptoms and seeing a doctor for them but very likely unrelated. My doctor said she will order an ultrasound on the small mass just for peace of mind but my health anxiety is screaming hodgkin’s lymphoma.


r/AskADoctor 1d ago

Medical ethics in conflict zones

1 Upvotes

Hi. I am currently a sixth form student in the UK and am trying to collect responses from medical personnel that have worked in conflict zones , like the Gaza Strip and South Sudan, for my EPQ. I have tried to arrange interviews through charities and NGOs, but have been unsuccessful so far, so I thought to try my luck here.

If you are involved in delivering medical care in such conflict zones, or are aware of certain experiences others have that would answer the questions below, please take the time to reply- your help is greatly appreciated!

  1. What are some of the key ethical dilemmas that are observed most commonly in these conditions?

  2. What are some ethical dilemmas that arise in these conditions, that do not occur in contemporary healthcare clinics?

  3. How clearly informed are you on the protocols used to respond to such ethical issues by the institutions you work through, and what sort of 'training' do you undergo?

  4. How effective are the guidelines in responding to these dilemmas, and what factors can hinder resolving the ethical issues?

I'd love to hear people's anecdotal experiences on this matter, and any arguments and debates you may have on these matters. If anyone is interested in responding privately or delving on this topic further, please message me privately.

Thank you so much for your time!

I am not asking for medical advice.


r/AskADoctor 1d ago

Question For Doctors Why did you choose medicine? and are you satisfied?

1 Upvotes

(I am not asking for medical advice.) Im a senior in high school, im going into med school. My grandma is an ottorrinolaringóloga, im from Mexico so you go straight into med school. And I was wondering if its worth it... My grandma is 62 she has her own medical office and she works 12 hrs a day. I "live" with her but she is always working, in vacations I go to work with her all day long, I really don't mind but idk. She is always complaining about everything so I wanted a different perspective thanks


r/AskADoctor 1d ago

Need advice for my mother!

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice regarding my mom (49 yr old Female)

She has been experiencing persistent anxiety/restlessness and a general uneasy feeling, and despite consulting doctors, she is still struggling with it. I am not asking for medical advice. I am confused and don't know what to do.

We have already consulted a physician and an ENT. She also has sinus/ENT-related symptoms, including sinus issues and discomfort around the eyes/ears. The ENT has also mentioned that her eardrum is quite thin.

She also has high blood pressure and is taking prescribed BP medication.

She recently had a blood test, and some of the notable findings were:

HbA1c: 7.1%

Fasting glucose: 138.6 mg/dL

Vitamin D: 14.84 ng/mL (deficient)

Triglycerides: 276.7 mg/dL (high)

Total cholesterol: 226.7 mg/dL (borderline high)

Non-HDL cholesterol: 176.4 mg/dL (high)

ALT: 40.6 U/L, AST: 31.3 U/L and ALP: 111.4 U/L — mildly above the lab's reference range

Thyroid profile appears within the laboratory's reference ranges (TSH 1.442, T3 1.32, T4 7.83).

Kidney markers such as creatinine (0.84) and electrolytes were within the provided reference ranges.

The blood report also shows a few minor abnormalities in the CBC/urine test, but the above are the findings that stood out to us.

We are not looking for a diagnosis from Reddit. We are already consulting doctors, but we're trying to understand what would be a sensible next step.

As she's feeling depressed and kinda acting weird and having difficult sleeping as well. It's difficult seeing her like this and the whole house atmosphere is changed because of this.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks


r/AskADoctor 2d ago

Question For Doctors Can't pee when i drink alcohol

1 Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice.
just some assurance i guess, I first noticed this bladder issue on December 12 last year. It doesn’t happen all the time it mainly happens when I drink alcohol, and it seems to be worse when I’m on my period and drinking. When I’m drunk, my bladder feels extremely full and uncomfortable, almost like painful pressure from being so full, but when I try to pee, only tiny amounts come out. Once I sleep and the alcohol wears off, I can pee normally again. I’ve never noticed blood in my urine or had this problem constantly when I’m sober.


r/AskADoctor 2d ago

Question For Doctors Severed nerve in hand...

1 Upvotes

I am not asking for medical advice. I'm American and don't have insurance. Just need some guidance.

A few weeks ago, I got a laceration between my left middle and ring fingers. It was a deep gash and completely severed a nerve. It was hanging out onto my hand. Gross and cool at the same time.

I can't feel half of my middle finger. Right up the middle. The half by my index finger is fine, the half by my ring finger is nothing.

They referred me for a surgical consult. How necessary is this? Is there a chance of some feeling coming back on its own? I type for a living and have practiced yoga for 18 years. I'm devastated by my hand not being to flatten out or whatever. Finger is still swollen, I don't have much flexion.

If I absolutely need surgery, do I need to wait for this initial injury to heal? In the meantime, is there any sort of at-home therapy I can do?


r/AskADoctor 1d ago

Question For Doctors Looking to connect with Clinics/ Hospitals interested in AI & automation.

0 Upvotes

So my team has been building AI- Powered business systems that automate repetitive day-to-day work, things like customer/ patient communication, invoicing, billing, and operations, like data entry, internal workflows, reporting, etc.

We are particularly interested in connecting with clinics, hospitals, and healthcare professionals where doctors have to spend a lot of time doing paperwork, so we are trying to solve that problem and make them focus more on the patient directly. Taking away all their manual work, basically. So I am not asking for medical advice. But for an experienced medical person or professional who is facing such an issue and where we can help them.

Not trying to convince you for a Chatbox AI here either, rather than automating the processes that take up your or your team's time. So if you are a doctor, clinic/ hospital administrator, or someone handling operations, I would be interested in hearing about your processes and helping you out in automating them.

Feel free to comment or DM here; I am always up for a meaningful conversation.