Back Pain Questions

1. What could dark fingertips on my mother's hands mean?

   I am not sure what you mean by "turning dark". Do you mean that they are dusky (bluish)? This could mean there is an issue with her circulation. Or do you mean that the skin is darker (more pigmented)? Sometimes medications, changes as we age, or sun exposure can do this...
   1 Expert Answer

2. Can my mother's doctor drop her as a patient if we don't agree to a DNR?

   The physician can indeed “drop” her if his ideas for her best care conflict with what she wants or what you direct, if you are her agent and your authority has kicked in. This is not as painful as it sounds, however, since the physician will be obligated to first find or refer your mother to a doctooctor willing to carry out her wishes...
   1 Expert Answer

3. What causes pain months after hip surgery?

   Hi
   1 Expert Answer

4. Is lower back pain a sign of something else?

   In the United States, back pain is the most common reason for people to come in to see their doctor. When back pain is severe, it can impact your quality of life, as you cannot do your normal activities. Severe lower back pain could signify arthritis, a disk problem, or a nerve problem in your spine...
   1 Expert Answer

5. At 34 years old, how concerned should I be about chest pain that goes into my arm?

   It's important for you to see a doctor immediately. The symptoms you're describing sound like classic angina, resulting from coronary artery disease. It could be something else, but you need to be evaluated by a doctor right away to assess your risk factors and be tested for heart disease. You are young, but 34-year-olds can have coronary artery disease...
   1 Expert Answer

6. What can I do to help my hunched back?

   It sounds unusual that you lost so much weight and muscle mass as a result of the hip replacement surgery. Were there complications to the surgery and did you happen to be sedentary for a long time after as a result? Or is there something else going on medically...
   1 Expert Answer

7. What type of doctor can help with chronic pain?

   Your husband's severe back and hip pain may be due to osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or a disc problem in his back. Since he is not getting much help from cortisone injections, I think the next step would be to try and have your husband see a Pain Management Clinic...
   1 Expert Answer

8. What causes head pain after stroke?

   Your story reminds me of a great quote from Hamlet: "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
   1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

9. What's the Best Way to Dress Bunions?

   Bunions can be very painful! Let's see if we can help your mom get relief. First, I hope she's being cared for by a podiatrist. If not, she should make an appointment. A podiatrist can be helpful with recommending shoes or supports that can reduce pain -- as well as with treatment.
   1 Expert Answer

10. How can we get my grandmother to bathe?

    Refusing to bathe is fairly common among elderly people, and there are several reasons for this. Bathing can become painful as muscles weaken and joints stiffen. Many seniors have balance problems, and fear falling. Depression can also make seniors lethargic about self-care; kind of like, "I'm going to die soon, so what's the point...
    1 Expert Answer

11. What kind of treatment options are there for those with low blood pressure?

    Yes, there are medications that are good for raising blood pressure. Two specific medications I can think of and have used are Florinef and Midodrine. However, these should be used with caution, as they have some side effects and the blood pressure should be monitored carefully while using these types of medications...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

12. Is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy successful?

    Since there are many things that can cause tinnitis, it is often hard to treat. You sound like you tried many things, but nothing has really worked for you. Some suggestions:
    1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

13. Does emphysema cause leg pain?

    You need to get checked out immediately. You should call your doctor ASAP to schedule an appointment, as several things in your letter concern me. You are only 57, but ...
    1 Expert Answer

14. What are signs of kidney problems?

    People with kidney problems usually notice a change in your urine production (less or more), change in urine color, or change in urine odor. Also, if the pain you describe actually comes from a kidney, you will develop tenderness on your flank- the spot on either side of your spine below the ribcage on your back...
    1 Expert Answer

15. What causes white fingernail spots?

    White spots on fingernails are usually the result of trauma to the nailbed. In other words, you hit your finger on something, and then the next day, a white spot will appear on your nail. The white spot will eventually grow out, but it can take awhile for that to happen. Nails grow slowly, so it can take weeks for something like this to go away...
    1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

16. Can odd reactions be UTI symptoms?

    A bad UTI can cause the dizziness, fever, and body aches that you describe. However, the red rash on your leg sounds like something else. Sure, you could have been bitten by something, but painful red rashes on one side of the body could be shingles, a drug reaction, or a skin infection...
    1 Expert Answer

17. Can I take Motrin with blood pressure meds?

    The safest answer is probably no. I usually don't like to use Motrin in older persons, as it can cause bleeding. I believe the best thing to do is discuss this with her health care provider, as they would know best what to recommend for her pain.
    1 Expert Answer

18. Is taking Prednisone and Neurontin a problem for my mother who has Parkinsons?

    Typically Prednisone nor Neurontin are a problem in and of themselves for Parkinson's disease patients. They don't really interact with the PD meds (though I obviously don't know your mother's specific regimen). That being said, they do have independent side effects and affect all patients in different ways...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

19. How do I get my father to bathe when he refuses to do anything but just wash off?

    Many elderly people become reluctant to bathe, and there are various reasons for this. It may be balance problems, causing a fear of falling; discomfort with temperature changes, the cool or heat of a bath/shower water; modesty (especially if they need help bathing); or body pain associated with standing, bending, or sitting...
    1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

20. How do I help my mother cope with my father's death?

    As you know too well, you are pinned in a difficult spot. At 91, your mother may not be amenable to traditional kinds of treatment such as grief therapy. And she may lack the energy for activities such as volunteering or exercising that help many people get new perspectives on mourning and loss.
    1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers