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Q:
I am a 27 year old white male with a strong family history of heart disease. I have recently had a physical with my primary care physician and was referred to a cardiologist for ''preventitive reasons''. Both doctors want me to go on a medication called Advicor. My total cholestorol is around 198, which as I understand it is just within the normal range. At my age and with my cholestorol level should I seek out another opinion before I jump into medication? Is your program something that could help me without the use of drug therapy?
A: As you know, Advicor is a medication that combines a statin (Lovastatin) with extended release niacin (Niaspan). This combination effectively lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides (blood fats) as well as raises HDL (good cholesterol). You did not provide your complete lipid panel. However, despite a relatively normal total cholesterol, it is still conceivable that your LDL, triglycerides and HDL are all abnormal. We do treat young patients such as yourself, with medications if there is sufficient justification, such as a very strong family history of early heart disease in a 1st degree relative (under the age of 40, for example), the presence of diabetes, or other risk factors such as elevated blood pressure with abnormal lipid values despite a seemingly normal total...
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Q:
I am a 51 year old who went in for annual mammogram, ended up going back for diagnostic and then ultra sound and am working with Dr. to get a biopsy scheduled. After the diagnostic the radiologist''s note says 5 mm nodule. The ''the magnified CC view suggest poorly defined margins along the posterior and medial aspect.'' After the ultrasound: this is the report:persistent nodular density upper slightly medial aspect of the right breast. At the nine o''clock position, there is a irregular area of architectural change fairly close to the nipple axis. (a note about which images show this). There is irregular posterior acoustic attenuation. This area of vague architectural change has poor margination. Its size is slighty larger than the nodule on mammography. Summary: What is probably concordant with the nodular density on the right mammogram is an area of architectural change and lobulation at the 9 o''clock position. The last lime says both tests are suspicious and biopsy is recommended. BI-Rads 4I am just looking for any insights or what to expect. I especially don''t understand the part about lobulation or ifnthe close to the nipple axis means anything. We were shown the tests and it was clear there was a nodule that was defined mostly except for the posterior section. Both the radiologist and physician said this could be things other than cancer but I know that poor margination part is not good.Thank you for any insigt.
A: take a look to see if it has a letter after the bi-rad 4 number. if aa 4a then 20% risk of it being cancer. if a 4b then as high as an 80% risk. irregular edging is worrisome. the parts that you were focusing on merely define its location and aren''t significant as far as determining what it is. it is very tiny. that''s the good news. so if it ends up being cancer i would anticipate it being a stage 1....
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Q:
Looking for exercise buddy in concord, NC area!
A: I am sorry I am stuck in Wisconsin, just wanted to say, "GOOD FORYOU!" I know lots of people who probably just need to find a buddy.The best of luck to you!...
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Q:
How can i concord next to anger at institution and not show that i am not angery?
A: I hold a friend that use to be like that anything could set her bad.. So we tried a few things. 1.) Instead of cussing we would use fruit.. Like OH STRAWBERRIES! 2.) When she started to feel up set she would believe of something stupid that I had done consequently she would laugh. C.) Another entity she would do is draw silly pictures to keep her mind stale the people who annoy her. These be all only little things to help hold her temper down, I hope they work for you. listen to you iPod. try to listen to music that would clam you down...Take some insightful breaths and think to yourself, "in good health they are annoying, but what is getting angry going to do? Make them feel doomed to failure about themselves and gain me into...
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Q:
I am a 51 year old who went in for annual mammogram, ended up going back for diagnostic and then ultra sound and am working with Dr. to get a biopsy scheduled. After the diagnostic the radiologist''s note says 5 mm nodule. The ''the magnified CC view suggest poorly defined margins along the posterior and medial aspect.'' After the ultrasound: this is the report:persistent nodular density upper slightly medial aspect of the right breast. At the nine o''clock position, there is a irregular area of architectural change fairly close to the nipple axis. (a note about which images show this). There is irregular posterior acoustic attenuation. This area of vague architectural change has poor margination. Its size is slighty larger than the nodule on mammography. Summary: What is probably concordant with the nodular density on the right mammogram is an area of architectural change and lobulation at the 9 o''clock position. The last lime says both tests are suspicious and biopsy is recommended. BI-Rads 4I am just looking for any insights or what to expect. I especially don''t understand the part about lobulation or ifnthe close to the nipple axis means anything. We were shown the tests and it was clear there was a nodule that was defined mostly except for the posterior section. Both the radiologist and physician said this could be things other than cancer but I know that poor margination part is not good.Thank you for any insigt
A: take a look to see if it has a letter after the bi-rad 4 number. if aa 4a then 20% risk of it being cancer. if a 4b then as high as an 80% risk. irregular edging is worrisome. the parts that you were focusing on merely define its location and aren''t significant as far as determining what it is. it is very tiny. that''s the good news. so if it ends up being cancer i would anticipate it being a stage 1....
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Q:
i am 35 year old and i have white heir is it a reason to be concord
A: hair color does not indicate anything. you can relax...getting some white hair is a normal thing and shouldn''t cause alarm....
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Q:
To treat or not to treat AML..
A: [Hello, I''m cutting and pasting from my other post...] Good morning, My father was recently diagnosed with AML---3 weeks ago. He is 80 years old, but looks 60. The doctors are amazed at his awesome physical condition! I immediately told my dad about 2 T. flax seed oil mixed with 1/2 c. organic low fat cottage cheese and he starting having it every day, twice a day. His blood platelets went up from 23,000 to 31,000 and his blasts went down from 62% to 55%, in 9 days! His doctor decided to suspend the anticipated Dacogen Decitabine treatment since my dad is feeling fine...energy level is good...bruises are disappearing, etc. Dad began the concord grape juice fast 4 days ago; that is, he drinks 24 oz. of organic,...
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Q:
In the doctor-patient relationship, who is the "boss"?
A: Maurice, you always ask great, pointed questions on ethics! As a patient in both eras, I feel more empowered now -- with doctors and patients working together to help provide the best care possible to the patient. Doctors are immensely knowledgeable, and in this era of the Internet and so many inaccurate medical claims, I look at doctors as the best people to synthesize information based on research, studies, etc. and to disseminate this to me in lay person''s language. Of course, as a patient, if I am not satisfied with a session with a doctor, I should feel free to get a second opinion. Patients should have some autonomy over their medical care and decisions regarding medical care. Of course, that autonomy should not necessarily rule out a doctor''s expertise. As far as HMOs go, I''ve...
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