CNN.com - Health

Can a nerve stimulator stop my back pain?

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:10:48 GMT

I have had severe, chronic back and sciatic pain for many years. My particular problems cannot be resolved surgically. Nerve blocks and other minimally invasive procedures have been partially successful in temporarily reducing the pain.

Could my bipolar brother develop schizophrenia?

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:12:25 GMT

I was wondering if my brother, who we have been told is bipolar, could develop schizophrenia? My uncle, my mom's brother, was schizophrenic and unfortunately fell victim to the mental illness. We are aware that there have been some mental health issues with males on my mother's side of the family, so could it be possible that he could be schizophrenic as well as bipolar?

Why are my OCD feelings so intense?

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:28:52 GMT

I have OCD. When I hear the sink faucet turn off, it makes a squeaking noise, and I feel tense and need to use antibacterial wipes on my hands. I also feel tense and need to use antibacterial wipes when I hear someone say the word "gas," when I see a red gas tank anywhere, when I see a gas nozzle at a gas station (or on TV), and the red color of a gas tank on anything plastic similar to a red gas tank. I also hate looking at sinks in the bathroom and kitchen because I feel tense and literally walk around the apartment covering my eyes so I do not see those objects when I am passing them. Why do I feel so intensely about these things? What can I do?

Could bump on my wrist be a ganglion cyst?

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:55:18 GMT

Something is wrong with my left wrist. When I bend it or touch the area or put pressure on it, it hurts really badly. Could this be a ganglion cyst? What should I do about it?

How can I stop this high-pitched noise?

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:13:09 GMT

Two weeks ago I began having a really disturbing sound in my ears. The noise is constant, with high frequency. I can hear it almost all the time, especially in the mornings. Why is this happening? I have not had any accidents. What can I do about it?

Is it normal to feel an x-ray?

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:23:33 GMT

I have had several dental x-rays within the past 3 to 4 years, as I have had braces, and other dental problems that have needed x-rays in order to deal with the problems. When I had my 3-D scan last summer I felt fuzzy for at least a day after the x-ray. Now again I had an x-ray three days ago, and I still feel very fuzzy and not all there. Is it normal to actually feel the effects of an x-ray?

What could be causing my husband's hip and lower back pain?

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:08:11 GMT

Last winter, my husband fell on some ice. Instead of landing on his backside, he landed on his left hip. He was in a great deal of pain in both the hip and lower back, and went to an ER for X-rays, which came back negative. The pain persisted for the following two weeks, and eventually he was referred to an orthopedic surgeon, who did MRIs and a bone scan (both negative). After a round of PT with no decrease in pain, he was referred to a physiatrist, who diagnosed traumatic facet syndrome.

Can a nerve stimulator stop my back pain?

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:37:54 GMT

What is blurry vision a symptom of?

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:45:00 GMT

I have had episodes of blurriness in my right eye and vertigo with difficulty walking. I have had five of these episodes within the past six months and most only last 5-10 minutes. There is no pain involved, just right eye blurriness and trouble walking. The worst episode lasted 30 minutes and was accompanied with nausea and the vertigo and walking was extremely impaired. I am a 51-year-old female in good health.

Is it normal to have anger issues after going on and off pain meds?

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:13:08 GMT

My husband had major surgery and while on pain meds in the hospital he started developing anger issues. They lowered his pain meds saying this was a side effect for some people. He is out of the hospital and no longer on any meds but he still seems to be unreasonable and angry much more than is typical for him. Is this normal? Is it due to the drugs? I feel like he has become someone other than the man I married.