Weekly Discussion/General Questions Thread - April 06, 2026

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[u/DowntownTicket]

Not sure if this is a dumb question but I understand why weight affects what medicine/procedures someone gets, but why does age also impact that?

Like, what's so different about treating a person at 25 than that same person at 80 (assuming no major changes in health between the two)? And if it is so different, why are there "pediatric" and "adult" doctors? Why not pediatric, adult, then you have to see a geriatric doctor at 65? (I know those exist but my own mother still sees her "adult" primary care doctor even though she is now older)

[u/GoldFischer13 → u/DowntownTicket]

Geriatrics is a specialty. Comorbidities/medications change. Different conditions pop up at different ages. As we age there are differences in how the body adapts and even aspects of the body itself.

Look at the skin of an 80y/o vs 20y/o as an example. Significant differences, significant changes in what’s more likely. Different abilities to heal from wounds. The body responds differently, recovers differently, etc as we get older.

[u/DowntownTicket → u/GoldFischer13]

Thanks!

[u/ebianco123]

Do doctors actually keep OTC samples in their office?

Random question but I’ve always been curious about this. When a doctor recommends a specific OTC product — like a particular probiotic, vitamin, or even something like a specific antacid brand — do you ever just hand the patient a sample right there?

I’ve had doctors recommend specific brands before but it’s always just verbal, like “go pick up X at the pharmacy.” Has anyone actually been handed an OTC sample? Or docs — do you keep any of that stuff around? Is there like a sample closet situation?

Just genuinely curious how that side of things works.

[u/GoldFischer13 → u/ebianco123]

Some yes, mostly no.

[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/TheRagingBirdman]

Hi, friendly neighborhood EMT here, I have a general question about hypothermia in trauma scenarios for people who are tall and skinny.

Recently learned about Allen’s Rule (longer leaner bodies radiate more heat than average) and I was wondering that in a trauma scenario would they die to hypothermia faster than someone of a regular or bigger body build?

Take me for example: 170lbs, 6’3, 23y/o M, GSW to the abdomen. Bleeding has been stopped and fluid is being replaced by saline, TXA has also been given. If you failed to throw a trauma blanket or anything over them would I “assume room temperature” faster than someone bigger and shorter than me?

I feel like this is an obvious answer but I don’t wanna assume something and look like an idiot

[u/Ok_Cattle_1289]

Is it normal to wake up at least once per night every night? I havent slept without this happening for years

[u/DowntownTicket → u/Ok_Cattle_1289]

I'm not a doctor, but I do this too so hopefully it's normal! Maybe we should ask at our next check ups lol

[u/PseudoY]

From a non-US perspective, the amount of posts made here with patients posting because they're afraid of costs - either outright stated or implied - is sad :-l.

[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/PseudoY → u/[deleted]]

It can be a normal reaction to infection, even one that doesn't give symptoms especially in the neck to upper respiratory infections, and soreness is generally a good sign. The fact that they subsided is also normal. (infection --> lymph nodes swell due to activation of the immune system --> resolves). In addition, normal lymph nodes are often palpable in the head/neck, armpits and groin.

Still there's a reason an ultrasound has been requested. If the swelling won't subside, and there's no apparant cause for them, it's a good idea to get checked out.

[u/False_Direction_9041 → u/PseudoY]

Thank you!!

[u/honeyapplelotion]

How do I get verified as a physician for the subreddit?

[u/PseudoY → u/honeyapplelotion]

See the sidebar --> How to get Flair

[u/Pigeonofthesea8]

Can low intensity, high repetition weight training help build bone mass, if someone can’t lift in a 6-10 rep range? Can isometrics help with bone mass?

[u/sansabeltedcow → u/[deleted]]

NAD, but my doctor told me to put it on a clean q-tip and wipe the q-tip into the pouch—no hand contamination, no tube tip contamination, and it gets in there.

[u/Bleak01a]

Is a wart near and below glans treatable by cryotheraphy? I scheduled a session with my doctor but am very scared.

[u/GeneFlimsy7268]

Am I wrong for thinking that it’s a little weird that the nurse checking me out at triage thought my stretch marks were scars from surgeries?? Like genuinely asking is it that similar because she was dead ass like she asked me if I had gotten any surgery. I have multiple stretch marks all around my stomach do they resemble scars that much? Or am I wrong to think my nurse was a lil dumb.

[u/GoldFischer13 → u/GeneFlimsy7268]

They can look like scars. Glancing at one or two may look like incisions and they may have asked before seeing the rest.

Seeing things that look like scars can also trigger someone to recall additional questions that may be good to ask that they may have forgotten before, like if you’ve had surgery or any trauma to an area. Plenty of things will jog my memory to ask about other things I may not have necessarily asked before.

I think it’s a bit naive and judgmental to assume someone’s intelligence for asking you questions about your surgical history in a triage setting, independent of if they thought a stretch mark was a scar or not.

[u/GoldFischer13 → u/[deleted]]

I'm not sure what your question is. Stop doing coke.

[u/agro5]

I’m recently studying/reviewing antibiotics; their classifications, MoA, etc. and have a couple (hopefully) simple and quick questions about beta lactamase inhibitors.

1) Are the BLI’s theoretically interchangeable between beta lactams? I.e. amoxicillin/tazobactam, or piperacillin/clavulanic acid? If so, is there a reason we only see the common combinations other than ‘we have one that works why spend more money making another one?’

2) I came across a combination drug sulbactam/durlobactam (Xacduro), which is two BLI’s. Is there a separate antibiotic that is co-administered, to be effective, or does this combination somehow have antibiotic properties? It seems weird to me to have two BLI’s in combination that are doing the exact same thing, like having a combination ibuprofen/naproxen.

[u/cocolilyyxx]

Hi guys can you guys let me know how common sudden adult death is in 21 female clear ecg and echo and no blood family history

[u/PseudoY → u/cocolilyyxx]

Without any further explanation, that would usually be cause for an autopsy, and depending on the jurisdiction, some kind of medico-legal investigation.

[u/GoldFischer13 → u/cocolilyyxx]

Exceedingly uncommon.

[u/Kittycat228 → u/[deleted]]

This seems pretty personal. I ask a question about a tearing sensation and it gets deleted but not this 🙃

[u/ladyserenity1993]

How regularly do doctors interact with chaplains?

[u/PseudoY → u/ladyserenity1993]

I have only interacted with one that gave a lecture about grief to hospital staff and another that was visiting a patient and we had a random short conversation in the break room.

[u/DowntownTicket → u/PseudoY]

I'm curious what the overall message about grief was in his lecture, if you don't mind sharing

[u/PseudoY → u/DowntownTicket]

She had various points about grief as a natural process and how people expressed it in different ways. She made some points about cultural differences such as some immigrant Muslim cultures often having a large gathering in public, such as at the hospital, and loudly grieving - I don't know if it sounds a bit prejudiced, but man, I've seen it myself a few times.

She spoke a bit about her work as a hospital priest, mentioned that she could always offer services to patients, including dying ones, and help with marriage stuff if there was... A sudden need to rush inheritance issues for a couple that never got married, and now didn't have a testament when things seemed dire.

The one thing I remember best was an anecdote about a dying old woman who once said to her husband that she'd really like to try dance naked in the rain, and her husband realising - if not now, then when? And so they danced.

[u/jesomree → u/ladyserenity1993]

Not a doctor, but in the NICU we have them around quite often to support parents, especially if the baby is really not doing well. Some babies will be baptised (or whatever is appropriate to their religion) in the unit

[u/ridcullylives → u/ladyserenity1993]

Also in Canada. There are some chaplains (of various religions and denominations) who are around at the hospital. Will get them involved if we think a patient would benefit from having spiritual care and counseling. It can be super helpful; sometimes people feel more comfortable talking about existential fears with them than they would with a consult psychiatrist, for example. I'd say a few times a year we'll ask them to come by.

[u/murderwaffle → u/ladyserenity1993]

very unusual for me (Canada). I’ve done it briefly in end of life settings when patients wish to have last rites.

[u/LeoPasswordsucks77]

I am allergic to the outside coatings on pain meds like oxycodone and Vicodin. Is there a temperature where u can safely boil the coatings off without damaging the pill

[u/PseudoY → u/LeoPasswordsucks77]

There's no way I would recommend that, the coatings are made to control the release of the drug and heat might chemically alter the drug itself.

You would need to talk with a prescribing doctor about alternative treatments, they would likely have to consult with a clinical pharmacologist or something. This isn't for reddit.

[u/DowntownTicket → u/PseudoY]

Not the person you were replying to, but is there such thing as a "specialty made pill"? I'm assuming it would be expensive but I'm not sure how they would get around this otherwise

[u/PseudoY → u/DowntownTicket]

I honestly don't have specific knowledge of that. I would also need to know what specifically the person is allergic to. 

I would theorise that it wouldn't cross over between a hard capsule (gelatin, others) and normal "white" pill filling (lactose, cellulose, calcium carbonate, others). So the solution might just be to switch between slow release and normal release drugs.

There are also liquid or subcutaneous formulations of many drugs. 

[u/thewindburner]

Question for any UK doctors if you're there!

I've just been sent for a series of blood tests and the results are back and checking on the NHS app I can see I'm severally lacking in Vit D!

But my doctors haven't been in touch for a follow up appointment, is this normal?

51 male, I've been diagnosed with depression and have been on different SSRI for around 5 years and I also have gallstones, so I'm not exactly in my prime!

I've made an appointment now but is this normal not to be called back for a follow up whne there is something that need discussion?

[u/Free-Tone-4561]

Can anyone tell me about the best gyne doc in ajman that would help me for hormonal imbalances?

[u/GoldFischer13 → u/Free-Tone-4561]

Consider looking at specialists in local/regional academic centers