I continue to be mystified by this ear infection. The lump in the lymph node seems smaller and I think is only tender because I keep poking it.

Still, no fever, headache, anything coming out...etc. The only two symptoms are the bump, slight tenderness right under the round part of the ear and red/itchy skin on the back on my ear.

Some of Dr. Internet's advice says such a thing might resolve itself. I just can't see going to a doctor without a fever.

A couple of people have been badgering me but...with all due respect to every medical professional everywhere...since my last two ventures into the medical industrial complex resulted in 'them' nearly killing me...yeah, I'm hesitant.

since my last two ventures into the medical industrial complex resulted in 'them' nearly killing me...yeah, I'm hesitant.

Yeah, I can understand that hesitation.

Another mystery, though I want to think it is because of the deep freeze we are in, my body temperature has actually been 'low' over the last week. Nothing over 98.5 and much of the time in the mid 97s.

Weird.

It's not like my heater isn't working, yo.

bonny, I can definitely understand your hesitation. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Speaking of medical stuff, can thyroxine cause stomach upset?

Also, I switched over to my new wallet today, and it makes me so happy I thought I should share. link

Speaking of medical stuff, can thyroxine cause stomach upset?

I felt really nauseated from the generic one, but had no problems with brand-name Synthroid.

hello Bitches! I'm just catching up ... spent two weeks (including Christmas AND New Year) with the flu. Saw the doctor today, described what it was like and, yup, flu. sigh ... luckily, I'd been stocking up on non-perishables (grocery clerks were planning on going out on strike). Lots of juice, soup, etc., so I came through as well as possible. Caught up on my sleep and dropped a couple pounds, since I wasn't eating much.

Oh, polymixin fun! My skin has gradually gotten less and less tolerant since childhood. A nurse in the doctor's office applied Neosporin under a gauze pad and surgical tape, and I womanfully restrained my urge to scratch for several minutes, until the skin began to *burn* as well as itch intensely. I was actually whimpering by the time she pulled it off. Her expression was stricken, and she hustled me over to the sink to wash everything off as quickly and well as possible.

"Never use anything with polymixin in it!"

"Yes, ma'am. Just as you say."

The adhesive had started dissolving the skin where it had been attached, too, so we started over with Bacitracin, a larger gauze pad, and silk surgical tape. Which I removed as soon as I was home and could go sleeveless.

On the flip side, once the irritant is removed, my skin heals freaky fast, a side effect of the psoriasis.

Todd! Hi!

Yikes, Todd! Sounds like you're on the mend, though, which is good.

t edit Bev, we are as one -- neosporin, more often than not, makes me itchy and hive-y, unless it's on a finger or something. I guess finger skin is hearty? And adhesive of any kind really messes up my skin something terrible (again, unless it's a finger). I put a band-aid on the inside of my arm a couple of weeks ago, and the adhesive tore everything up.

Now it's my turn to ask for not-a-doctor opinions. My back has been spasm-y since yesterday when I overdid it a bit at the gym. I've been taking ibuprofen and putting heat on it and trying to hit any trigger points by rolling on tennis balls. But still spasm-y.

If I had any flexiril, I'd take it, but I don't. I'm sure if I call my doctor tomorrow for a prescription, they'd call one in, but for right now, I'm wondering if taking an Ativan would have enough muscle relax-y effect that it would be worth it. I know it's not a muscle relaxant, but benzos do have some effect on muscles.

Any opinion?

If I had any flexiril, I'd take it, but I don't. I'm sure if I call my doctor tomorrow for a prescription, they'd call one in, but for right now, I'm wondering if taking an Ativan would have enough muscle relax-y effect that it would be worth it. I know it's not a muscle relaxant, but benzos do have some effect on muscles.

For me, it works - it could have a muscle relaxant effect, or it could be that it mentally relaxes me far enough that I don't care so much. I have also been known to combine an Ativan with glass of wine when in intense (usually PMS-related) pain, and that works like a (massively doctor dis-approved) charm.

I mean, to be clear, I'm not really hesitant to take an Ativan (although I'm not cavalier about benzodiazepines); I just don't want to waste one if it won't help. I'm being prudent, not worried.

I have also been known to combine an Ativan with glass of wine

Hmmm. I have wine. I have Wild Turkey 101. Perhaps I have a plan. (Uh, not wine AND Wild Turkey; I don't drink often these days, and my tolerance is for shit. Ativan and wine OR Wild Turkey.)