DocTalk

Doc, for nearly two weeks now I've had a dull headache, slight fever and general malaise, along with mild pain on the right side of my neck. However, I donated blood today and temp was 98.3. BP was 120/82. I actually felt better after giving blood.

My hemoglobin count, though, was much higher than usual (18.4) - could that have something to do with how I'm feeling?

Someone I work with mentioned a condition called temporal arteritis (sp?). What is it and are these symptoms associated with it?

Thanks, PD

 

Off the top of my head at 3am:

Temporal arteritis is an inflammatory disease that affects people over the age of 65 causing headache and may result in permanent loss of vision if not recognized and treated.

A hemoglobin of 18.4 is elevated and may occur for a variety of reasons including being a smoker, living at altitude and polycythemia rubra vera. Perhaps with persistent symptoms and an abnormal blood test, you should see your doctor?

 

The latest article for Amy Dickinson talks about medical decision making and the cost of technology. Society wants certainty in their medical care, but each percentage point that we get closer to perfect becomes that much more expensive.

http://askamydaily.com/the-technology-genie

 

Latest op ed about Viagra and performance enhancing drugs for WebMD

ow.ly/dHF9X

"The Little Blue Pill that Could"

 

Billy Gillispie is getting his high blood pressure under control at Mayo. What is hypertension? This week's column tries to help
http://mddirect.org/blog/index.php?/archives/298-unknown.html

Thanks to all who have signed up at twitter (@DocTalk)...all of 114 followers! not much benefit except finding out stuff written for Ask Amy, WebMD and Emergency Medicine News

Cheers,

Ben

 

Latest column for Amy Dickinson just posted. Oktoberfest, beer adn what the police and ER won't tell you

http://askamydaily.com/oktoberfest-bah-humbug

 

CJ Spiller Darrelle Revis . Two different ligament injuries, two different futures. This week's column for MDdirect

http://ow.ly/dXKJV

 

Referees make a difference in the #NFL. Could they help health care? This week's column for Ask Amy

http://askamydaily.com/refereeing-health

 

Dusty Baker returns to baseball after mini-stroke (TIA) and A Fib. This week's column on how that works

http://mddirect.org/blog/index.php?/archives/300-TIA-the-mini-stroke.html

 

Dearest DocTalk,

How long after starting medication is someone no longer contagious with bronchitis?

Just wondering,

IJAG

 

I answer this only after spending a pleasant few minutes texting back and forthwith IJAG. The snarky answer is that you'll feel better when you feel better. In reality, bronchitis is a catch all diagnosis, usually viral in origin, and gets better with supportive medications sometimes, including steroids and inhalers, in 3-5 days.

 

I worry less about feeling better (though that would be nice) but I was more concerned with being a germ incubator in the office tomorrow.