The Medical Thread: We're experts on everything else; why not?

[psych]

Always compare your legs to each other. Does one look bigger than the other? More Swollen? Or red? Then, how bad is your pain? Usually with a blood clot, the pain is fairly severe, and generally doesn’t go away, like you’re describing. WisconsinWildcard is definitely more an authority on this than I am, but as a nurse, albeit a psych one, I’d say if you have any redness, swelling, and/or area where it hurts is warm to the touch, coupled with pain that not only hasn’t gone away but has worsened, I concur with getting checked out ASAP.

[dxmnkd316]

Also concur. Worst case, you get peace of mind.

[burd]

OK so I woke up with a calf cramp 4 days ago. it sucked, but I massaged it out, and it relaxed, and I went back to sleep.

When I woke up in the morning, it still hurt. And in the 4 days since it has only gotten worse and worse, enough so now I can barely walk.

It doesn't feel injured, it just hurts like a Republican trying to do basic math.

What the hell did I do to my calf?

You have had a lot of knee-jerk reactions recently.

[alicestevens]

Always compare your legs to each other. Does one look bigger than the other? More Swollen? Or red? Then, how bad is your pain? Usually with a blood clot, the pain is fairly severe, and generally doesn’t go away, like you’re describing. WisconsinWildcard is definitely more an authority on this than I am, but as a nurse, albeit a psych one, I’d say if you have any redness, swelling, and/or area where it hurts is warm to the touch, coupled with pain that not only hasn’t gone away but has worsened, I concur with getting checked out ASAP.

I didn't know that. Thanks
To be honest, I used to Google my symptoms all the time, but I understand now how that can be problematic. While you can find useful information online, it often ends up scaring you unnecessarily without providing the reassurance or accurate diagnosis you need. These days, if I have a medical issue, I try to connect directly with northshoreconnect straight away. Getting professional advice helps me address concerns more effectively and reduces the anxiety that can come from self-diagnosing online.

[psych]

I’ll take a bot thanking me for my medical advice as a reason to stick to mental health advice.

[burd]

Animal medical: Mrs and I discovered an adult eagle lying in bushes at a rural location where we were doing some volunteer work. There is an eagles nest high up in a spruce tree there. We contacted a rescue ornithologist who came to the location and captured it. An adult female who, based upon her symptoms and a lack of broken bones, was probably suffering from lead poisoning. Apparently, just two #4 sized lead pellets are capable of killing an eagle. This bird will be taken to an eagle recovery center for treatment, if it’s not too late. An eagle chick (also a big bird) showed up while we were helping its mother.

to hunters: If you feel the need to hunt, please spend the extra dough for steel shot. This beautiful bird an her family may not survive if, in fact she has lead poisoning and has fed the meat to her chicks.

[Kepler]

I woke up intending to go to urgent care, but I had diminished pain, and with a very hot bath and some calf stretches I'm now just down to annoyance level tightness when I go down stairs, and I'm entirely pain free. Good thing because Dr. Mrs. immediately got a virus so I've been her nurse today. Not Covid.

But anyway, I really appreciate the good advice and will be much faster pulling the trigger on going to see somebody next time.

[Kepler]

You have had a lot of knee-jerk reactions recently.

Well perspective has always been my weak point, my vulnerability, my soft underbelly...

[walrus]

Animal medical: Mrs and I discovered an adult eagle lying in bushes at a rural location where we were doing some volunteer work. There is an eagles nest high up in a spruce tree there. We contacted a rescue ornithologist who came to the location and captured it. An adult female who, based upon her symptoms and a lack of broken bones, was probably suffering from lead poisoning. Apparently, just two #4 sized lead pellets are capable of killing an eagle. This bird will be taken to an eagle recovery center for treatment, if it’s not too late. An eagle chick (also a big bird) showed up while we were helping its mother.

to hunters: If you feel the need to hunt, please spend the extra dough for steel shot. This beautiful bird an her family may not survive if, in fact she has lead poisoning and has fed the meat to her chicks.

Lead shot is illegal

[burd]

Lead shot is illegal

Maybe you can expancd on that a little, Walrus. I'm not well informed on the issue, but it seems unclear. Obama admin introduced regs banning its use on certain federal areas, but that was rescinded under Dump's admin, I think. It remains a big problem, at least here in Wisconsin.

[SJHovey]

Maybe you can expancd on that a little, Walrus. I'm not well informed on the issue, but it seems unclear. Obama admin introduced regs banning its use on certain federal areas, but that was rescinded under Dump's admin, I think. It remains a big problem, at least here in Wisconsin.

Yeah, there are limited areas where it is illegal, but lead is still widely used, unfortunately. It's been illegal for some time in wildlife protection areas, but otherwise it's been up to the states and they haven't been great on banning it. The other problem is that it is still widely used in fishing, for weights, and can be ingested by ducks, geese and even eagles as a result of that use.

[leswp1]

I’ll take a bot thanking me for my medical advice as a reason to stick to mental health advice.

This made me laugh. (Esp in light of certain entities pushing bots instead of humans for urgent care/ sick call advice)

[walrus]

Maybe you can expancd on that a little, Walrus. I'm not well informed on the issue, but it seems unclear. Obama admin introduced regs banning its use on certain federal areas, but that was rescinded under Dump's admin, I think. It remains a big problem, at least here in Wisconsin.

I think it was made illegal on waterfowl long before Obama? Maybe its just in Maine that steel shot is the only thing legal for waterfowl. Maybe upland bird hunting is legal with lead? Maine at least tried to outlaw lead bullets period at one point not sure if it passed? Small lead fishing sinkers are illegal in Maine also.

[walrus]

Even small lead fishing sinkers are illegal in Maine

[RaceBoarder]

Hunting/fishing regs regarding the use of lead are all over the place.

Some areas are quite progressive about it and will actively enforce it. Others have regs in place, but will not really enforce it (usually in a poor area where locals can't afford it). But most areas, lead is still fair game and by far the most common thing you will see.