Day: November 16, 2009

Question in regards to the develoment of cancer. Is it known

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Patient: Question in regards to the development of cancer. Is it known how long it takes for a cancer to develop?. I had a abdominal ultrasound and abdominal MRI about (3) months ago the MRI showed a very small non enhancing liver cyst about 2 mm in size, the radiologist called the test unremarkable. I also have a spleen hemangioma that has been unchanged for about three years about 1 1/2 cm in size. Every 12 to 18 months I go for a full abdominal MRI for the spleen and I also get a endoscopy every 12 to 18 months for my reflux (NO BARRETTS). I had a colonscopy last month no polyps. My Gastro DR seems to give me alot of testing. When I tell other people that I get some many tests they say how come???. Is a MRI every year excessive
or would this help me catch any problems very early??? Or does it not matter? can a cancer grow out of no where to a stage 3 or 4 in less than a year. everything I read says cancer takes years to develope before symptoms appear. I am 40 male

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Gender: Male
Age: 40
State/Country: CA
Already Tried: mri ultrasounds bloodwork colonscopy

Doctor: I agree with what you are saying. I think that an MRI every year excessive. Even a colonoscopy which is done to screen for cancer of the colon is done every ten years after the age of 50. An MRI of the abdomen IS NOT a recommended test to screen for Continue reading Question in regards to the develoment of cancer. Is it known→

My question is about the swine flu. I flew to Europe three

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Patient: My question is about the swine flu. I flew to Europe three days ago from NYC, an area that has had many cases of swine flu. I am now staying at a hotel. I would like to know whether I should go see a doctor, given the following:
– I have an inkling of a cough in my chest – I’m not coughing left and right at all, but every now and then I feel like I *could* cough. But I can hold it in.
– I don’t have a fever at all.
– My nose is a bit runny, but that’s always the case since I have an allergy.
– I don’t feel weak, no muscle pains, no vomiting.
So basically, my only (semi-)symptom is a little occasional dry cough. Should I see a generalist doctor?

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Gender: Male
Age: 30
State/Country: NY
Already Tried: Nothing. Continue reading My question is about the swine flu. I flew to Europe three→

my sister is going through a rough time but ….

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Patient: Hello! I’m here because my sister is going through a rough time but she is refusing to go to the psychologist. We had a tough childhood, our mom died when we were very young, and our step mom abused us like we were animals. My sister has been fine till 9 months ago when her symptoms started with very strong head aches. She went to the doctor. They found nothing on her blood. Then things got even worse. She started getting worried for little things and she could not get over it. After that the real ordeal started. She was complaining that she feels like she is loosing her mind. Also, she feels like a bug is moving through her skin, and when this happens she feels really tired and disoriented. Also, her memory is losing. She can’t remember things. She swears that something is inside of her some supernatural thing, and is afraid to go to the doctor. Also a coworker said some things to her that started this prb. like do you ever feel like losing your mind, etc. What to do? Continue reading my sister is going through a rough time but ….→

I was hoping you could help me choose between the different types of antidepressants.

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Patient: I was hoping you could help me choose between the different types of antidepressants. I have seen 2 military MDs and one counselor but their opinion is to just try one out and keep changing if it does not work out. I would rather pick one that most closely matches what I need and stick with it. I am 34 years old and have been DX with PTSD and they are debating between Dysthymic Disorder and Atypical Depression. I have very successfully dealt with my symptoms for over 20 years without medicaton. However, I experienced several life events this summer and now need medication assistance. The symptoms that bother me the most are anger, irritability, fatigue, body aches and cravings for sweet foods leading to weight gain (approx 5-10 #).One MD prescribed Zoloft which helped a little but eliminated my libido and gave me headaches. The other MD prescribed Wellbutrin but I have not started it yet. I don’t want to start it then change because of side effects or it not working.

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Gender: Female
Age: 34
Already Tried: Counseling has worked for 15+ years. Recently tried Zoloft for 2 months. It helped but was not enough. PLus it eliminated my libido and gave me headaches Continue reading I was hoping you could help me choose between the different types of antidepressants.→