These Doctors Are Revealing the Worst Home Remedy Horror Stories
These will make you think twice about trying out home remedies.
Published December 21, 2023
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1. Somehow That Was My Fault
I had a patient put dry ice on his leg because it was hurting - it was hurting due to lack of blood flow and basically he performed a “medical amputation “ with the ice.
Another one that I vividly remember from my intern year had a boil on the back of his neck - infected hair follicle or something. Instead of seeing an MD and taking antibiotics he concocted an “ointment” that he then continued to put on that area for a prolonged time. It got so bad he basically had a “horse shoe” abscess startin on the back of his neck and going down both sides of his neck. We drained as much as we could in the Or and did whatever we could at dressing changes but it was understandably painful.
Somehow that was my fault personally. He told me I need to “educate myself” on how to treat him better. That was in the beginning of me being a doctor in US and I didn’t know the fake politeness yet so I told him if he came to the doctor instead of mauling himself we wouldn’t be in this position./MissCleanCut/
Another one that I vividly remember from my intern year had a boil on the back of his neck - infected hair follicle or something. Instead of seeing an MD and taking antibiotics he concocted an “ointment” that he then continued to put on that area for a prolonged time. It got so bad he basically had a “horse shoe” abscess startin on the back of his neck and going down both sides of his neck. We drained as much as we could in the Or and did whatever we could at dressing changes but it was understandably painful.
Somehow that was my fault personally. He told me I need to “educate myself” on how to treat him better. That was in the beginning of me being a doctor in US and I didn’t know the fake politeness yet so I told him if he came to the doctor instead of mauling himself we wouldn’t be in this position./MissCleanCut/
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2. They Used Maple Syrup
So sugar can be used to help heal certain types of wounds. A patient I saw had missed an appointment with part of their care team where they get their bandage changed. I noticed what appeared to be oozing around the edges of the bandage. Asked my patient about it, offered to change it for them (we didn't typically do that in our clinic), they said yes. I go get fresh bandages and what not, take the old one off and it's just sticky and stringy (picture the slo-mo shots of caramel being pulled apart) and it smelled. To be fair, most wounds smell, but this was different. I finally asked them what they used to change their bandage since I knew it wasn't discharge. Maple syrup... They used maple syrup.
Yes, honey (certain varieties) can be used with wound healing so it's possible they confused it with this but I don't believe that's what happened here. Can't disclose more because HIPAA (the thing that doesn't seem to exist on shows like Grey's). No, I'm not sure it was pure maple, they said it was the "good stuff in a glass jar" but who knows. Either way, it wasn't sterile and this wasn't a simple wound.Proper sugar dressings can be used on various types of wounds, but it's not just pouring some table sugar on it so don't go trying this at home folks. Necessary disclaimer 😉 No, it wasn't thousand island dressing...There is medical grade honey, studies show that it and medical grade sugar can actually be better for some wounds than antibiotics. No, I could not eat pancakes for a while.Honey dressings typically are less painful to administer than sugar because of the lack of crystallization. But that also means the sugar is better at cleansing... Your wound care specialist can determine which is the better route.No HIPAA isn't just saying the patient's name. It can also be saying enough that could then cause them to be identified. Up to this point I have not revealed anything that would link this story to this patient. Revealing more to the backstory would, in my opinion. Considering I do not want to out this person (as a human being) or cause a willful HIPAA violation (as a, now former, professional), I won't go into the backstory, even with details changed as some have requested. Had to find the exact wording but this is directly from HIPAA"The term 'individually identifiable health information' means any information, including demographic information collected from an individual, that-- iii) with respect to which there is a reasonable basis to believe that the information can be used to identify the individual."/TripawdCorgi/
Yes, honey (certain varieties) can be used with wound healing so it's possible they confused it with this but I don't believe that's what happened here. Can't disclose more because HIPAA (the thing that doesn't seem to exist on shows like Grey's). No, I'm not sure it was pure maple, they said it was the "good stuff in a glass jar" but who knows. Either way, it wasn't sterile and this wasn't a simple wound.Proper sugar dressings can be used on various types of wounds, but it's not just pouring some table sugar on it so don't go trying this at home folks. Necessary disclaimer 😉 No, it wasn't thousand island dressing...There is medical grade honey, studies show that it and medical grade sugar can actually be better for some wounds than antibiotics. No, I could not eat pancakes for a while.Honey dressings typically are less painful to administer than sugar because of the lack of crystallization. But that also means the sugar is better at cleansing... Your wound care specialist can determine which is the better route.No HIPAA isn't just saying the patient's name. It can also be saying enough that could then cause them to be identified. Up to this point I have not revealed anything that would link this story to this patient. Revealing more to the backstory would, in my opinion. Considering I do not want to out this person (as a human being) or cause a willful HIPAA violation (as a, now former, professional), I won't go into the backstory, even with details changed as some have requested. Had to find the exact wording but this is directly from HIPAA"The term 'individually identifiable health information' means any information, including demographic information collected from an individual, that-- iii) with respect to which there is a reasonable basis to believe that the information can be used to identify the individual."/TripawdCorgi/
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3. There Was a Bird Living Inside of Her
When I was an Internal Medicine resident I came across a very nice 50 year-old Dominican lady, she was well mannered but one could tell she was not the sharpest tool in the shed. As I was prepping her chart for our first visit, I noticed that she'd been seen by every single digestive disease MD in our hospital system. Not only that, she'd had EVERY SINGLE PROCEDURE IN THE BOOK. Ranging from endoscopies up both holes and culminating in an exploratory laparotomy (you're opened up to basically look inside you when we have no clue what's going on). All of this because for years she had one single complaint, she reported severe gnawing pain in her stomach. Nothing she could really explain mind you. Apparently it was just some inexplicable, excruciating pain...and it felt like gnawing. That certainly doesn’t sound right. At this point I should mention that she was spanish speaking only. Not only that she had a very heavy dominican accent, and I was the first hispanic doctor to ever see her. My first language is spanish and even I had difficulty understanding her. So she comes in and after exchanging some first time pleasantries I politely ask her how she's doing. Sure enough although she was smiling and said she felt well she pointed at her belly and said "it" was biting again, and asked for the cream to kill "it". At this point I got intrigued. Her medication list only mentioned a cream used for herpes breakthroughs. The previous fellow only mentioned in his note that in every single visit she only asked for the cream and nithing else. When I asked what she meant by the biting and what she intended to do with the cream, she very calmly tells me she intended to stick the cream up her ass in order to kill the bird living inside her. After delving more deeply into her story, it turns out she didn't have a medical condition. Ever since she was a little girl, she believed that after eating whole quail egg, the bird had spawned inside her and gnawed away in her insides whenever she was very hungry. After a short visit to psych, she was diagnosed with a somatic type delusional disorder. No amount of medication or psychotherapy will cure her, but she was still a fully functional mother of 2 who payed her taxes and had to part-time jobs. I reached out to every digestive disease doctor in out hospital system once more, to make sure she never receives an inappropriate invasive intervention. I've been following her now for three years and she's happy as one can be, considering she has a bird living inside her../savershin/
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4. Well..it Fell Off...,
I was a brand new nurse, starting my career in a small, Southern hospital. I had a patient who was admitted to my unit with sort of nonspecific complaints about a wound on her breast. She was a “Direct Admit”, meaning that she was sent directly to the unit from a doctors office, rather than going through the emergency room. Now, some people think they will inconvenience others or for some reason hate hospitals so much they just try to ignore the problem. I had a patient that had skin cancer so bad his eyeball (or what was left of it) was hanging out of the socket and touching his cheek! And it had been that way for at least a year, while he was living with family who also let it go because he refused to go see a doctor.
A nurse once told me about this young homeless looking hippie guy who was admitted for a nasty cut on his leg. Apparently it had gotten badly infected because the guy was attempting to treat it by putting finely ground marijuana into the wound.So, when someone is directly admitted, I don’t get a full report. All I can see are lab results and notes from previous doctor’s office visits. Basically, I’m flying blind. As I’m getting her settled into her room, I start asking a few background questions that will help me direct my assessment.
So, I see that you were admitted because you have a wound. Did you have an accident? “Oh no. It just kind of showed up.” How long ago? “Oh, it’s been a while now. Maybe a few years?”. Oh. Okay. Well, if you’ve had it for years, what brought you in today? Has something changed? Is the wound draining? Changing color? “Well... it fell off” What did? “My breast”I help her get settled in the bed and move her shirt to take a look. Her breast, well, what was left of it, looked like this. The entire portion below her nipple had totally eroded away. She explained that she’d been putting triple antibiotic cream on it and had started wrapping it in a baby diaper when it developed an odor. I kept my face very still, tried not to be visibly horrified, and listened to her talk about how she wanted to show it to her doctor at her yearly physicals but, for the last two years, her female doctor had been out of the office on the day of her exams. She didn’t feel comfortable showing her breasts to a male doctor, so she let it go.I nod, excuse myself from the room, and basically fly down the hall to the Hospitalists’ office. I tell him that he needs to call his female NP down to this patient’s room immediately “because she’s old and scared and she won’t show you her boob but it is falling off and looks like rotten cauliflower and no part of nursing school taught me how to make this better”.
It took them all of 5 minutes to diagnose her with a very advanced funginating breast tumor. She was totally unsurprised and said that she “figured it was something like cancer”. She placed herself on hospice and died less than two weeks later./NurseSarahBitch/
A nurse once told me about this young homeless looking hippie guy who was admitted for a nasty cut on his leg. Apparently it had gotten badly infected because the guy was attempting to treat it by putting finely ground marijuana into the wound.So, when someone is directly admitted, I don’t get a full report. All I can see are lab results and notes from previous doctor’s office visits. Basically, I’m flying blind. As I’m getting her settled into her room, I start asking a few background questions that will help me direct my assessment.
So, I see that you were admitted because you have a wound. Did you have an accident? “Oh no. It just kind of showed up.” How long ago? “Oh, it’s been a while now. Maybe a few years?”. Oh. Okay. Well, if you’ve had it for years, what brought you in today? Has something changed? Is the wound draining? Changing color? “Well... it fell off” What did? “My breast”I help her get settled in the bed and move her shirt to take a look. Her breast, well, what was left of it, looked like this. The entire portion below her nipple had totally eroded away. She explained that she’d been putting triple antibiotic cream on it and had started wrapping it in a baby diaper when it developed an odor. I kept my face very still, tried not to be visibly horrified, and listened to her talk about how she wanted to show it to her doctor at her yearly physicals but, for the last two years, her female doctor had been out of the office on the day of her exams. She didn’t feel comfortable showing her breasts to a male doctor, so she let it go.I nod, excuse myself from the room, and basically fly down the hall to the Hospitalists’ office. I tell him that he needs to call his female NP down to this patient’s room immediately “because she’s old and scared and she won’t show you her boob but it is falling off and looks like rotten cauliflower and no part of nursing school taught me how to make this better”.
It took them all of 5 minutes to diagnose her with a very advanced funginating breast tumor. She was totally unsurprised and said that she “figured it was something like cancer”. She placed herself on hospice and died less than two weeks later./NurseSarahBitch/
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5. Wasabi Up My Nasal Passages
Ever heard of Fournier's Gangrene? If you've ever seen it, you'll never forget it. If you haven't I wouldn't google it.Had a patient as a 3rd year medical student, 50 something year old male, used to be a pretty successful lawyer with a private practice but a few months before had lost his job, wife left him, basically a walking country song from the 90s. Anyways, this guy had a long history of diabetes (red flag), and after his life basically fell apart he fell into a deep depression and spent several days lying on his couch at home, only getting up occasionally to use the bathroom and to answer to door for the pizza delivery guy.Now those of you familiar with diabetes will know that it deadens the nerves, so much in fact that you often get people with advanced/poorly controlled diabetes that will have raging foot infections requiring amputation but never actually realize their foot was that badly infected. This, coupled with the oh so sweetness of diabetic blood means infections can spread easily, and fast.So this guy after lying on his couch for a few days starts to notice a funny smell. He can't quite place his finger on it but it seems to be a funky odor coming from his nether regions. At first he brushes it off, thinking its probably just man funk and he needs a shower. Well a couple days later and the smell is getting worse, and he notices when he goes to the bathroom his man-parts seem to be turning slightly darker and becoming more swollen.So he decides to come in. Suffice it to say, as soon as he gets into the Emergency Department and we take a look at his fish tackle, the next call is to the OR (Operating Room) instructing them to immediately prep a room. What we saw that evening I have only seen in documentaries that talk about the process of a body decomposing. His manhood looked like a what I imagine an uncooked chicken will look like if you drag it through the woods and let it ripen in the sun for several weeks.
And the smells.Before my brain could even process the signals it was receiving my eyes started watering like Niagra Falls in an attempt to protect my themselves from what it must have thought was a chemical weapon. My nose burned like someone has given me shot of wasabi up the nasal passages. My throat immediately sense a imminent threat and started to swell. My ears started ringing kind of like you see in action movies after a loud explosion. I immediately ran out of the room and applied an unreasonable amount of menthol to the inside of a facemask and put on a face shield. Any longer in the nightmare of smells and I would have developed epilepsy.So we get the guy on some ludicrous strength antibiotics and start running IV fluids through him and bring him up to the OR. 3 surgeons; a urologist and 2 general surgeons are called in, and they spend 3 hours basically filleting this guy open, from his belly button to his butthole, cleaning out necrotic (dead) infected tissue. At one point I was able to bear the smell long enough to assist in the debridement (removal of infected tissue), and noticed some round and white round objects with a long slippery string attached to somewhere above his anus that are sitting up on his belly.
"Whats this?" I ask. "His testicles" the urologist...That's right, this guy's testicles were out of his scrotum (ballsack), because he had no scrotum. His infection was so bad that he basically had all the skin removed from his belly button to his butthole, and the skin removed between his inner thighs. He looked like a bodyworld exhibit (if you haven't seen bodyworld check it out). For as long as I live I will never forget the smells I smelled that day, or Fournier's Gangrene./AboveAverageAMA/
And the smells.Before my brain could even process the signals it was receiving my eyes started watering like Niagra Falls in an attempt to protect my themselves from what it must have thought was a chemical weapon. My nose burned like someone has given me shot of wasabi up the nasal passages. My throat immediately sense a imminent threat and started to swell. My ears started ringing kind of like you see in action movies after a loud explosion. I immediately ran out of the room and applied an unreasonable amount of menthol to the inside of a facemask and put on a face shield. Any longer in the nightmare of smells and I would have developed epilepsy.So we get the guy on some ludicrous strength antibiotics and start running IV fluids through him and bring him up to the OR. 3 surgeons; a urologist and 2 general surgeons are called in, and they spend 3 hours basically filleting this guy open, from his belly button to his butthole, cleaning out necrotic (dead) infected tissue. At one point I was able to bear the smell long enough to assist in the debridement (removal of infected tissue), and noticed some round and white round objects with a long slippery string attached to somewhere above his anus that are sitting up on his belly.
"Whats this?" I ask. "His testicles" the urologist...That's right, this guy's testicles were out of his scrotum (ballsack), because he had no scrotum. His infection was so bad that he basically had all the skin removed from his belly button to his butthole, and the skin removed between his inner thighs. He looked like a bodyworld exhibit (if you haven't seen bodyworld check it out). For as long as I live I will never forget the smells I smelled that day, or Fournier's Gangrene./AboveAverageAMA/
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6. Uh, I Can’t Do That
I met a guy that only did his own woundcare. He hired this guy, who has no medical experience, to be his "help" or personal care worker and then directed him to do stuff. That poor guy...
So in woundcare, we use sterile gauze and we have specialized products that can soak up more-than-average amounts of fluid. We even have specialized iodine products that can help prevent bacteria growth. This guy just used regular gauze products and then used some special tape he found to cover everything. He found some odd foam that he would put on top of his wounds - literally inside of his wound. It was a coccyx wound to his back to his ass. His wound was generally extremely gross and definitely had localized green pus.He asked me to help and I was like "Uh, I can't do that ... because it's so wild" so we made him sign something that he understood the risks of completing his own care.To be fair, knowing what I know now, hospital nurses sometimes suck at woundcare and I think specialized homecare nursing would have been more beneficial since he was interested in taking care of his own heath. I think in hospital his wound got worse hence he distrusted medical people in general. Medical people are not always nice when their advice is not taken so it created a really frustrating situation - with patients health often on the line. Luckily (or unluckily) he liked me so I was able to convince him to listen to people.Oh yeah, and this guy had his own condom catheter that he made with some rubber hose. It actually work pretty well, in my opinion because it just sort of clasped his penis (usually they're loose and we wrap something like tape - to let the penis breath and not get infected). His penis was gross so maybe it didn't matter.Eventually it was determined he had a blood clot to one of his legs and he needed an upper knee amputation. Surgeons are sometimes dicks and this one clearly made his decision reviewing the notes and his assessment was brief. The patient was furious at this until an internist came around and listened to him. Then the internist calmly, and firmly stated the reasons why he needs a surgery and that "I am confident you're an independent guy and you will get through this". Then the patient, amazingly agreed.
So I never saw him after that. It was a good lesson that sometimes people are wild, crazy and odd - but if you flip it around as a clinician and treat them with respect, work with them, you can make your life a little bit easier. /lonelyfriend/
So in woundcare, we use sterile gauze and we have specialized products that can soak up more-than-average amounts of fluid. We even have specialized iodine products that can help prevent bacteria growth. This guy just used regular gauze products and then used some special tape he found to cover everything. He found some odd foam that he would put on top of his wounds - literally inside of his wound. It was a coccyx wound to his back to his ass. His wound was generally extremely gross and definitely had localized green pus.He asked me to help and I was like "Uh, I can't do that ... because it's so wild" so we made him sign something that he understood the risks of completing his own care.To be fair, knowing what I know now, hospital nurses sometimes suck at woundcare and I think specialized homecare nursing would have been more beneficial since he was interested in taking care of his own heath. I think in hospital his wound got worse hence he distrusted medical people in general. Medical people are not always nice when their advice is not taken so it created a really frustrating situation - with patients health often on the line. Luckily (or unluckily) he liked me so I was able to convince him to listen to people.Oh yeah, and this guy had his own condom catheter that he made with some rubber hose. It actually work pretty well, in my opinion because it just sort of clasped his penis (usually they're loose and we wrap something like tape - to let the penis breath and not get infected). His penis was gross so maybe it didn't matter.Eventually it was determined he had a blood clot to one of his legs and he needed an upper knee amputation. Surgeons are sometimes dicks and this one clearly made his decision reviewing the notes and his assessment was brief. The patient was furious at this until an internist came around and listened to him. Then the internist calmly, and firmly stated the reasons why he needs a surgery and that "I am confident you're an independent guy and you will get through this". Then the patient, amazingly agreed.
So I never saw him after that. It was a good lesson that sometimes people are wild, crazy and odd - but if you flip it around as a clinician and treat them with respect, work with them, you can make your life a little bit easier. /lonelyfriend/
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7. A Series of DIY Disasters
I remember a guy I saw a few years ago while doing an extra shift in an Emergency Department. It sticks out just because he'd made stupid decisions and run with them for months! I should say this was in the UK where his treatment would have been free.
He was a heroin addict who had been climbing up a ladder outside his 1st floor window a couple months back. I asked him why he's been climbing the ladder and he explained he was blacking out the windows by covering them with foil on the outside because his neighbors kept peering in... so it's likely he was doing some sketchy shit in there hah. Anyway he fell off the ladder and broke his knee (but he didn't know this yet). I later discovered he had a had a tibial plateau fracture which should have had surgery at the time... however he came to the hospital, decided the wait was too long (he stayed under 90 mins from his records) and decided to call a friend to come take him home without getting any treatment (he didn't even stay for an X-ray).So he managed his broken knee at home alone with copious amounts of heroin. DIY disaster decision #1. He had a longstanding swelling on the back of his knee. This turned out to be a Baker's cyst which is just a fluid filled sac that can form behind the knee which communicated with the knee joint.He noticed after he broke his knee that the swelling became tense and hot... so he decided to try and relieve the swelling by sticking a needle in it! The cyst was full of bloody fluid because all the blood from the broken bone leaked out into the joint and then ito the sac.Now this was not a great idea because his dirty needle meant he had now contaminated his whole knee joint and then also the broken bone with bacteria. That was DIY disaster decision #2. Amazingly he managed with this infected/broken knee for about 6 weeks. Finally a weeping would (sinus) formed on his calf which constantly discharged pus. And after many weeks this is what brought him back and was why i was seeing him. From looking at this discharging wound and talking to him (not easy!) I managed to piece together his whole story. I sent him for some X-rays and discovered a non-healed knee fracture with bone infection (osteomyelitis). He also had a chronic septic arthritis. The whole thing just seemed so unbelievable at the time. One of my colleagues wanted me write his case up as it's really not the sort of thing you see in developed countries. Anyway his leg was probably saved but he'll have a long, long recovery and then a lifetime of pain and disability at the end of everything :(/doctorsketch/
He was a heroin addict who had been climbing up a ladder outside his 1st floor window a couple months back. I asked him why he's been climbing the ladder and he explained he was blacking out the windows by covering them with foil on the outside because his neighbors kept peering in... so it's likely he was doing some sketchy shit in there hah. Anyway he fell off the ladder and broke his knee (but he didn't know this yet). I later discovered he had a had a tibial plateau fracture which should have had surgery at the time... however he came to the hospital, decided the wait was too long (he stayed under 90 mins from his records) and decided to call a friend to come take him home without getting any treatment (he didn't even stay for an X-ray).So he managed his broken knee at home alone with copious amounts of heroin. DIY disaster decision #1. He had a longstanding swelling on the back of his knee. This turned out to be a Baker's cyst which is just a fluid filled sac that can form behind the knee which communicated with the knee joint.He noticed after he broke his knee that the swelling became tense and hot... so he decided to try and relieve the swelling by sticking a needle in it! The cyst was full of bloody fluid because all the blood from the broken bone leaked out into the joint and then ito the sac.Now this was not a great idea because his dirty needle meant he had now contaminated his whole knee joint and then also the broken bone with bacteria. That was DIY disaster decision #2. Amazingly he managed with this infected/broken knee for about 6 weeks. Finally a weeping would (sinus) formed on his calf which constantly discharged pus. And after many weeks this is what brought him back and was why i was seeing him. From looking at this discharging wound and talking to him (not easy!) I managed to piece together his whole story. I sent him for some X-rays and discovered a non-healed knee fracture with bone infection (osteomyelitis). He also had a chronic septic arthritis. The whole thing just seemed so unbelievable at the time. One of my colleagues wanted me write his case up as it's really not the sort of thing you see in developed countries. Anyway his leg was probably saved but he'll have a long, long recovery and then a lifetime of pain and disability at the end of everything :(/doctorsketch/
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8. This Person is Absolutely Lunatic
My father was a lawyer who worked with some severely low income and low mental state persons doing disability law. This means that people would go to him and he would help them argue in front of a judge that they were physically or mentally incapable of performing work. Since a lot of these people are already very low functioning, he always asked his clients to bring in all their medications rather than relying on them to give a list. Well, a guy comes in for his first appointment one day, and he's got a big bag full of clinking bottles. Hmm. OK. Dad asks him what he's got in the bottles, and the guy replies that he was told to bring in all his medications. Virtually everyone he worked with brings medicine in little plastic bottles from the pharmacy, so some faint alarm bells start going off in Dad's head.
The guy launches into an explanation saying he's convinced that he has Lou Gherig's disease. However, none of the doctors he's seen have confirmed this diagnosis. He's convinced, but none of the doctors he's seen believe him. What's more, this guy has heard or read someplace that high-doses of antibiotics is a treatment for Lou Gherig's disease (and this was pre-internet, of all things), but that this is being suppressed for God knows why.So he's convinced he's got Lou Gherig's disease, and he's convinced that he needs high doses of antibiotics that his doctors won't give him. Unlike most men (who would have quit at this point), he applies himself and realizes that he can buy big bottles of livestock-grade antibiotics at Rural King.
So that's what he does. His clinking glass bottles are a half-dozen bottles of livestock antibiotics, which he doses and administers to himself by drinking it straight out of the bottle.So on one hand, Dad is totally crushed because this person is absolutely lunatic. No amount of government assistance is going to help this guy get on his feet. On the other hand, he's very specific to this guy in saying that he needs to bring his medicines to the court date as well, because the Judge would want to hear his story.The big day comes, my Dad reviews the medical testimony for the judge, and then asks this guy to show the court his medicine and explain the story. The guy promptly and proudly tells the judge about his medical detective work...
Guess which way the court ruled?/dsf900/
The guy launches into an explanation saying he's convinced that he has Lou Gherig's disease. However, none of the doctors he's seen have confirmed this diagnosis. He's convinced, but none of the doctors he's seen believe him. What's more, this guy has heard or read someplace that high-doses of antibiotics is a treatment for Lou Gherig's disease (and this was pre-internet, of all things), but that this is being suppressed for God knows why.So he's convinced he's got Lou Gherig's disease, and he's convinced that he needs high doses of antibiotics that his doctors won't give him. Unlike most men (who would have quit at this point), he applies himself and realizes that he can buy big bottles of livestock-grade antibiotics at Rural King.
So that's what he does. His clinking glass bottles are a half-dozen bottles of livestock antibiotics, which he doses and administers to himself by drinking it straight out of the bottle.So on one hand, Dad is totally crushed because this person is absolutely lunatic. No amount of government assistance is going to help this guy get on his feet. On the other hand, he's very specific to this guy in saying that he needs to bring his medicines to the court date as well, because the Judge would want to hear his story.The big day comes, my Dad reviews the medical testimony for the judge, and then asks this guy to show the court his medicine and explain the story. The guy promptly and proudly tells the judge about his medical detective work...
Guess which way the court ruled?/dsf900/
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9. I’ll Never Forget This Guy
Urology resident. I’ve got a ton of stories. But there’s one that really stuck w me; I sort of admired the guy for it.
In our business you come to appreciate people who are tough and don’t complain, don’t want to go to the hospital and spend two months wasting your time, and want to be able to keep their job and keep working. Okay add to it that the guy maybe drinks a little too much and though functional is kinda scared to come into the hospital where he can’t get a beer if he needs it.I had a guy come in with urine retention. 2 months ago he noticed his urine coming from his rectum. He wasn’t wetting himself. Just pooped out his urine when he felt like he had to go.Obviously, it was scary for him. But he was 55 and didn’t want to get fired. So he kept working and figured eventually he’d need to get it checked out. Finally came in when his cancer had progressed far enough to where he couldn’t pee via rectum anymore.As a doctor, we get a little fatigued taking care of people who swear up and down about their pain tolerance but “even I can’t leave the hospital this early after my minor surgery.”Meanwhile, this guy let me do A LOT at the bedside w/o being put to sleep and just kinda grabbed the handrail. I actually had to call in another more senior resident (I was in my first year at that time) to torture him even more.Eventually we got his bladder drained and a rectal surgeon to see him for the cancer eroding through all his important places.I’ll never forget this guy. Saw him two weeks later, he’s lost like 20 lbs, now he’s in ICU. Greets me with a big ass smile and proceeds to joke w me.I loved that guy. It made my whole job have meaning during a really dark time where I was becoming jaded. Medicine tends to select out for people who just complain a lot. We doctors don’t hate people who try and hold out and manage stuff on their own by roughing it out. We love these people.[redacted]
In our business you come to appreciate people who are tough and don’t complain, don’t want to go to the hospital and spend two months wasting your time, and want to be able to keep their job and keep working. Okay add to it that the guy maybe drinks a little too much and though functional is kinda scared to come into the hospital where he can’t get a beer if he needs it.I had a guy come in with urine retention. 2 months ago he noticed his urine coming from his rectum. He wasn’t wetting himself. Just pooped out his urine when he felt like he had to go.Obviously, it was scary for him. But he was 55 and didn’t want to get fired. So he kept working and figured eventually he’d need to get it checked out. Finally came in when his cancer had progressed far enough to where he couldn’t pee via rectum anymore.As a doctor, we get a little fatigued taking care of people who swear up and down about their pain tolerance but “even I can’t leave the hospital this early after my minor surgery.”Meanwhile, this guy let me do A LOT at the bedside w/o being put to sleep and just kinda grabbed the handrail. I actually had to call in another more senior resident (I was in my first year at that time) to torture him even more.Eventually we got his bladder drained and a rectal surgeon to see him for the cancer eroding through all his important places.I’ll never forget this guy. Saw him two weeks later, he’s lost like 20 lbs, now he’s in ICU. Greets me with a big ass smile and proceeds to joke w me.I loved that guy. It made my whole job have meaning during a really dark time where I was becoming jaded. Medicine tends to select out for people who just complain a lot. We doctors don’t hate people who try and hold out and manage stuff on their own by roughing it out. We love these people.[redacted]
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10. People Are Intensely Dumb...
Obligatory not a doctor, but I worked in several medical companies writing software as a senior software engineer. One company was a private healthcare clinic, nation-wide, who undertook an effort to digitize and sanitize decades of patient data (anonymously) so that machine-learning specialists and data-scientists could make sense of it. I was tasked to build software that would attempt to eventually take over the tasks from doctor's assistants and general practitioners during the triage stage. You won't believe how many people think that "prayer" is a good attempt at fixing things like STDs, cancers, gangrene, and many other "you need to see a doctor!"-type of situations. Of course, essential oils and other placebos were next.
We all know placebos can have a positive effect on things, but most definitely not on cancer that is still treatable but won't be for long. When testing the system we had to give the system a way to respond to this sort of feedback from the user.
-Digital doctor: "What have you tried yourself?"
-Patient: "i tried 2 prey 4 several months and i think god is listening but the devil is fighting back"
Not verbatim, but we had hundreds of such types of feedback. Written. The standard response would always be that a professional would take it up from there. But we TRIED to learn something from that kind of thing. There is just nothing you, medically, can do with that kind of feedback. You don't want to alienate or antagonize the patient... I left about a year before COVID hit the globe. I can't even imagine that kind of feedback they're getting today.Probably something like:
-Patient: "So I tried the horse paste and 1000mg of vitamin-D, but I keep feeling worse..."
-Patient: "I did not wear a mask, because they just fester germs inside of them, but I still got sick???????"-Patient: "I got the vaccine but then I got into a car crash and I am hurting all over and I really want to sue the Bill Gates!!!!!! they're micro ships must have done this!!!!11"
-Patient: "My unvaccinated husband died and the heavens have a new angle now but I also feel sick and covid test got back positive that means its good rite"
Man, I learned that people are dumb. Really, really intensely dumb./andytagonist/
We all know placebos can have a positive effect on things, but most definitely not on cancer that is still treatable but won't be for long. When testing the system we had to give the system a way to respond to this sort of feedback from the user.
-Digital doctor: "What have you tried yourself?"
-Patient: "i tried 2 prey 4 several months and i think god is listening but the devil is fighting back"
Not verbatim, but we had hundreds of such types of feedback. Written. The standard response would always be that a professional would take it up from there. But we TRIED to learn something from that kind of thing. There is just nothing you, medically, can do with that kind of feedback. You don't want to alienate or antagonize the patient... I left about a year before COVID hit the globe. I can't even imagine that kind of feedback they're getting today.Probably something like:
-Patient: "So I tried the horse paste and 1000mg of vitamin-D, but I keep feeling worse..."
-Patient: "I did not wear a mask, because they just fester germs inside of them, but I still got sick???????"-Patient: "I got the vaccine but then I got into a car crash and I am hurting all over and I really want to sue the Bill Gates!!!!!! they're micro ships must have done this!!!!11"
-Patient: "My unvaccinated husband died and the heavens have a new angle now but I also feel sick and covid test got back positive that means its good rite"
Man, I learned that people are dumb. Really, really intensely dumb./andytagonist/
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11. I’ve Never Seen Labs So Normal
So this patient has a history of depression and psychiatric disorders which lead her to attempt suicide. She wanted to be sure to kill herself so she took all of her medications at once. The only lethal ones in this overdose situation were potassium chloride tabs and insulin.So she takes her insulin pen and injects the cartridge into herself. Then she empties a full bottle of the KCl tabs into her mouth. But if you've ever seen the size of these horse pills, there's no way you'd be able to swallow them dry. So she grabs a jug of orange juice to wash them down.Now the irony here is that either of these meds can kill you fairly quickly (insulin being the fastest). However, the treatment for hyperkalemia (excessive potassium) is actually an insulin infusion. To prevent hypoglycemia from the insulin you give a source of sugar/dextrose, in this case the jug of orange juice. Lastly, the insulin she injected herself with was a long-acting formulation so EMS arrived with time to spare, and any time her glucose levels dipped they would just give her another dextrose bolus. Ultimately, her attempts to end her life provided her with the exact treatment cocktail to save it. My preceptor said upon viewing her labs in the ED, "I've never seen labs so normal!"
A second story was a patient who presented to our wound care clinic. He is a long-time diabetic and came in with a nonhealing foot ulcer (or I suppose extremely slow-healing since it was making some progress after seeing us). After seeing him, the physician tells me a little about him. So this guy has had the ulcer for some 5 or so years before actually having it seen here for the last 1-2 years. He first saw a general practitioner who told him to soak it in salt water (the assumption being that the patient didn't have insurance to pay for proper treatment).So the patient did just that: every day he would soak his foot in a tub of salt water. At some point he was lost to follow-up and never returned to the GP. After a while, I guess he realized that the salt water bath treatment was clearly not working despite the 5 year span. When he presented here the ulcer was quite bad and totally macerated. But apparently it was still salvageable after 5 years so I guess it kind of worked out. The patient was extremely nice but a bit of a simpleton, sadly./yellowbirdie33/
A second story was a patient who presented to our wound care clinic. He is a long-time diabetic and came in with a nonhealing foot ulcer (or I suppose extremely slow-healing since it was making some progress after seeing us). After seeing him, the physician tells me a little about him. So this guy has had the ulcer for some 5 or so years before actually having it seen here for the last 1-2 years. He first saw a general practitioner who told him to soak it in salt water (the assumption being that the patient didn't have insurance to pay for proper treatment).So the patient did just that: every day he would soak his foot in a tub of salt water. At some point he was lost to follow-up and never returned to the GP. After a while, I guess he realized that the salt water bath treatment was clearly not working despite the 5 year span. When he presented here the ulcer was quite bad and totally macerated. But apparently it was still salvageable after 5 years so I guess it kind of worked out. The patient was extremely nice but a bit of a simpleton, sadly./yellowbirdie33/
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12. I’m Good With This
Not a medical professional, but am a patient. A couple of years back I had a bad infection of a pimple (I had bad acne for most of my life, no big - or so I thought) and when the infection refused to go away after 12 days of home care, being lanced by doctors twice and being on antibiotics I was diagnosed with diabetes, told it was Type 2 (Usually caused by lifestyle and weight, runs in my family) and given all the necessary care instructions. I immediately changed my habits to include a better diet and exercise and was doing great for about a year. I even took nutrition courses in the interests of improving my health. My sugars started climbing for no reason. I worked out harder and cut carbs (they convert to glucose in the bloodstream) and kept trying to take care of myself the way that had worked so well before. I started taking metformin again, no effect. I went to the doctor who told me to stop cutting my carbs and record my sugars over 10 days. Consistently in the 20 mmol range. He panicked and sent me by ambulance to a hospital where a doctor gave me a lecture on when to come to the ER, gave me pills that literally did nothing to improve my situation (known to cause hypoglycaemia, did nothing of the sort) and sent me home.
The next couple of days I cut out all carbs and was trying to find some way to control my blood sugar since the ER doctor refused to do anything. Cutting carbs is super unhealthy and made me feel even worse than extended periods of high blood sugar does. After spontaneously having my vagina expel blood mid-cycle I was in a different medical centre, placed on insulin immediately and told that there can sometimes be a honeymoon phase for Type 1 diabetes and that I require insulin therapy for the rest of my life. I'm good with this.What I'm not good with is people who know nothing about my disease telling me that I can cure it. Most infuriatingly was being told I could cure it with a carb-restricting raw food diet because some woman on the internet did this with her daughters diabetes. Thankfully I do my own research and know that what she calls a cure is just a form of treatment and it makes you feel like crap.Between that and the guy who insists that insulin resistance is GOOD for diabetes because it forces your pancreas to produce more insulin, I'm glad to side with science and proper medical care or I'd have lost a lot more than beta cell function by now.Doctors are not always great at giving care, people with a little bit of information and big mouths can give you a lot of trouble, the best defence is to educate yourself with something other than YouTube and a hippy blog and hopefully you'll come out okay/CaptainKodah/
The next couple of days I cut out all carbs and was trying to find some way to control my blood sugar since the ER doctor refused to do anything. Cutting carbs is super unhealthy and made me feel even worse than extended periods of high blood sugar does. After spontaneously having my vagina expel blood mid-cycle I was in a different medical centre, placed on insulin immediately and told that there can sometimes be a honeymoon phase for Type 1 diabetes and that I require insulin therapy for the rest of my life. I'm good with this.What I'm not good with is people who know nothing about my disease telling me that I can cure it. Most infuriatingly was being told I could cure it with a carb-restricting raw food diet because some woman on the internet did this with her daughters diabetes. Thankfully I do my own research and know that what she calls a cure is just a form of treatment and it makes you feel like crap.Between that and the guy who insists that insulin resistance is GOOD for diabetes because it forces your pancreas to produce more insulin, I'm glad to side with science and proper medical care or I'd have lost a lot more than beta cell function by now.Doctors are not always great at giving care, people with a little bit of information and big mouths can give you a lot of trouble, the best defence is to educate yourself with something other than YouTube and a hippy blog and hopefully you'll come out okay/CaptainKodah/
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13. Wait, He Did What?...,
To set the stage it's a sweltering, muggy, 90+ degree day in the beginning of summer. This will be important later, I promise. One of my first shifts as a senior ER resident. Was a good trauma day, cracked a chest, a few intubations. I felt like a rockstar. Gets to the end of my shift, about 45 min before relief gets in. I see "personal complaint" listed up on our white board for a 45 y/o male, we will call him Mr F. Now what this usually means is some sort of sexual complaint vs infections all the way up to and including rape. I figure I'll take it as my last patient for the day and jump on this grenade. I let the other senior know I may be a bit in this exam room if there is a rape kit included. She thanks me for dealing with it and off we go. I enter the room, and there is a pleasant enough gentleman with his wife sitting and waiting patiently. I go through the normal introductions "hi, how are you, I'm so glad you chose McHospital for your Emergency care etc...".I then ask him what brings him to us today. And I quote " you'll never believe me but I read online that inserting steel into your penis will cure a urinary tract infection. I've been having pain when I pee after having anal sex with my wife a week ago. So I did this and it is stuck". Proceeds to pull off the blanket he had over his junk. You know those steel ball-and-chain necklaces, like what dog tags or other dangling jewelry are hung on? He had stuck that up his penis, into his bladder, where it had managed to kink over on itself and get lodged in his urethra. My eyes must have gone wide because he then turned to his wife and said "I told you they'd think I'm a freak." I reassured him it was simply my job to take care of him and no judgement was cast. I then had the awesome job of trying to manually manipulate it to try and get it unlinked (read fondle his penis). Remember earlier when I described the weather? This it is where it is important. Dude had crotch rot BAD. Wowza. By no means the worst thing I've smelled but it had been there several days and I wouldn't have been surprised if he was in his way to fournier gangrene with how bad it reeks. Any ways I can't fix his problem. At all. So I bail and page the urology resident on call. She happens to be one of my good friends and is smoking hot. Apparently was a model before going to medical school hot. She calls me back and I try to explain to her what is going on. Hot urology resident just says "wait, he did what?" I tell her to just get down here and the situation will make more sense. So she ambles on down, and takes a look. First response is "huh, that's a new one." Then tries to manually manipulate his penis in a similar fashion to me. This is where it gets even funnier. Because, essentially this middle aged man is getting a handy from a hot blond in her twenties. So he starts to get an erection. In front of his wife (who didn't want to leave the room). Who then started yelling at him. Which made his erection bigger.Eventually uro resident bailed because of this drama. Ended up having to take him to the OR and ultimately flay open his penis to get out the necklace. His DIY treatment ended up with a cut open
dick. Feels bad man! Source: am Dr. /ninjafloof/
dick. Feels bad man! Source: am Dr. /ninjafloof/
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14. The Things You See in Med School
So, there was this time during my med school days, when I was going through my family medicine rotation, that I was assigned to see this middle-aged lady. She was coming in with the common complaint of sinus congestion. To be quite honest, I could tell from the get-go that she was really dealing with some serious blockage, you know? Her voice was all nasally like she was speaking through a sponge. Everything about her, from the history she gave to the exam I ran, was indicative of a classic case of viral upper respiratory infection. Pretty straightforward stuff, right? So, I start giving her the low-down on how she can manage this at home and alleviate the symptoms.In the middle of our chat, she suddenly looks at me and asks, "Do you think it might be the flu?" Now, I considered her question seriously. "Well, it's not impossible," I responded, "but it's unlikely, especially given that it's out of the typical flu season." For context, this happened in June, a time when flu is about as common as a snowball in the Sahara. She seemed to ponder my answer for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess I wasn't sure it was the flu. I've been spraying Lysol everywhere, you see, and it doesn't seem to be doing any good, even though it says it kills the flu virus." At this point, I was pretty impressed with her proactive approach. I replied encouragingly, "Well, at least you're doing something to disinfect the house, which can help prevent the virus from spreading." But then, she kinda frowned, looked a bit frustrated, and said, "I guess, but I just wish it didn't burn so much." Now, hold on a minute. "Burn?" I echoed, a bit taken aback. "What do you mean, 'it burns'?" And then came the revelation that almost made me go weak at the knees. This patient, bless her heart, confesses, "You know, when I spray it up my nose, it burns so bad." And that, my friends, is when I had to bite my tongue to not burst out laughing. My patient thought that since Lysol kills influenza, the most effective way to nip a possible flu in the bud was by flushing her sinuses with it, like you would with a saline spray. And, just in case you were wondering, no, it did not work. Not even a little. The fact that I managed to maintain my professional demeanor and not fall over laughing right there and then is, to this day, the greatest feat of composure in my entire career. I had to seriously counsel her against ever doing that again. I remember that moment very clearly, because it demanded the greatest act of professional composure in my entire medical career. I had to suppress the urge to laugh out loud at the absurdity of the situation. Instead, I put on my most serious face and sternly advised her against ever trying something like that again.The things you see in med school, am I right? It was quite the experience./SRA6815/
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15. The Life of an ER Nurse
Ah, the life of an ER nurse. It can be a real roller-coaster sometimes, let me tell you. You see all sorts of things. Some of them tough, some of them heartwarming, and then there are those that are just plain weird. I once had to handle a DIY for a homeless patient. Now, before you get all judgy, let me clarify. Most of the time, when we have a homeless person come in for medical treatment that isn't life or death, we don't go above and beyond, especially when it's a self-inflicted injury designed to score some pain meds. It's not that we don't want to help, it's just that there are people with far more pressing injuries that need our attention. So, on this particular day, we had a guy come in complaining about severe constipation. And by severe, I mean the guy hadn't had a bowel movement in over a month. It turns out, he was a drug user and his habit had messed up his system. We gave him the standard advice; laxatives, lots of water, and a warning to stay off the drugs, and then bid him on his way. But this guy, he wasn't having it. He was insistent, begging for help, adamant that he wasn't going to leave without receiving some kind of treatment. Now, we could have just called security and had him escorted out, but it was a slow night and the last thing I wanted was a scene. Plus, you could tell the guy was genuinely in pain. His abdomen was so stiff and distended, he looked like he'd swallowed a balloon. So, after a quick chat with the charge nurse, I decided to take matters into my own hands. She gave me the green light, as long as we could overlook the medical supplies charges. With that sorted, I grabbed a urinary catheter, a 50cc syringe and led the guy to the bathroom. In the bathroom, I filled the sink with water, instructed the guy to strip down, and got to work. Goodness knows he needed it. With a bit of lube for good measure, I slipped the catheter up his backside, bracing myself for the task ahead. It was a long process. It took a good twenty flushes before anything happened. But with each flush, you could see the relief spreading across his face. It's a sight I won't forget in a hurry, that's for sure. By the time we were done, he looked like a different person. The bloated, taut stomach was gone, replaced by a much slimmer frame. He transformed from looking like he had just devoured four consecutive Thanksgiving dinners to a lightweight boxer. It's moments like these that make me appreciate the unpredictability of working in the ER. You never know what each shift is going to throw at you. There are times when we have to think on our feet and resort to some good old-fashioned DIY for situations that aren't covered by any medical procedure manual. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a wild ride, but it's my ride, and I love every minute of it./Taurius/
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16. I Still Sudder
It was a typical day at the community doctor's practice in the country, when in walked this 72-year-old man carrying an air of the sea about him. He was complaining of a persistent ear pain that had been bothering him for some time. The man had the uncanny resemblance to the captain from Tintin, with the same grizzled beard and sailor's cap perched on his head. When I asked him about it, he chuckled and confirmed my suspicion; he had indeed been in the merchant navy in his younger years. As he settled into the chair, he started to regale me with tales of his maritime adventures. He spoke of the long voyages on the open ocean, the solitude, the waves, and the stars. But he also mentioned that in the middle of the sea, medical support was a luxury they couldn't afford. So, they often had to rely on their wits and whatever remedies they'd picked up along their travels. Despite all of this, he seemed to have managed quite well. But the pain in his ears was different, he said. It had been getting much worse recently, even after resorting to his favourite maritime remedy. Leaning in to examine his ears, I was taken aback by the sight. His ear canals looked like they had not seen the light of day in years. They were caked in a disconcerting layer of black/green mould, resting over raw, irritated, and bleeding tissue. Peering deeper, I could see that he had bilateral perforated ear drums, with a slow yet persistent flow of blood and pus from his middle ear. It was a sight that made me recoil in surprise and concern. I couldn't help but ask him about his ear care routine. What on earth had he been doing with his ears? His answer was as unexpected as the condition of his ears. From his pocket, he pulled out a semicircular piece of black rubber tubing, about the size of a bike pump tube. He explained that any time his ears started giving him trouble, he would resort to a little trick he'd picked up during his time at sea. The self-devised remedy was as follows: he would fill his mouth with water, firmly insert one end of the tube in his mouth, and the other end tightly into his ear canal. He would then proceed to shuttle the water between his mouth and ear, attempting to flush out whatever was causing the discomfort. But lately, he said with a grimace, the water had started tasting funny when it returned to his mouth. Unsurprisingly, when we examined his ears further, we found them teeming with a variety of oral bacteria and environmental fungi. His DIY treatment had led to a severe outer and middle ear infection, a condition medically known as otitis externa and media. Despite the damage, he survived his ordeal, albeit with a degree of hearing loss. But as he walked out of my clinic, I was left with a shudder at the thought of his maritime 'fix'. His story has stayed with me, serving as a vivid reminder of the lengths people will go to when left to their own devices, especially in the face of discomfort and pain./MADTurnUP/
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17. Double Feature
Both my parents are in the medical field. They've spent a good chunk of their lives patching folks up and keeping them breathing. Each of them did some extended stints as ER docs when they were just starting out and let me tell you, they have some stories that could curl your hair. So, you know, I ended up hearing a lot of gnarly things growing up. One particular tale still haunts me, it's about this farmer? This poor son of a gun managed to rip open his scrotum. Yeah, it's as horrific as it sounds. Now, the sensible thing to do would be to rush to the nearest hospital, right? But here’s the kicker: in his infinite wisdom, he decided to play doctor himself and used a staple gun to mend the tear. Not one, not two, but six damn staples. Then he nonchalantly carried on with life, as though it was just another Tuesday. He endured this homemade surgery aftermath for five whole days before his wife finally had enough and practically hauled him into the ER. By then, his sac had swollen to the size of a basketball. The colors it was displaying were the stuff of nightmares: a terrifying blend of purple, black, green, and red, all oozing some unspeakable gunk. His reason for not seeking immediate help? He thought they were just "fucking staples" and he didn't need some "college doctor" to rip him off. The irony? We live in a country with universal healthcare. My mom has her own tale of medical lunacy. This one involves a group of friends and a fishing trip gone horribly wrong. One of the guys had the misfortune of losing two fingers and his thumb to a boat motor. He had tried to untangle something from the blades while using the handle for support and, in doing so, accidentally turned it on. Horrifying, right? The cherry on top of this nightmare sundae was that one more finger was just barely hanging on by a tiny sliver of skin. Their solution to this gruesome scene was to transport the severed digits in their fish cooler, which was filled with ice. Why there and not their beer cooler, you ask? Well, they didn't want to dirty their beer cooler with blood and ruin their precious beers, of course. Now, the crazy part comes when they finally reached the hospital. The facility didn't have any leeches, which are essential in such situations. They would have to wait for several days for a fresh supply. So what did the doctors do? They used the leeches that these guys had brought along for their fishing trip. The rationale was that it gave the victim the best shot at keeping his fingers, and treating potential infections was a better deal than losing the hand altogether. So yeah, if you ever ask why I have a slightly morbid sense of humor or why I'm a stickler for health and safety, just remember these tales. When your parents are doctors, you grow up with a front-row seat to humanity's most bizarre and terrifying health fiascos. Trust me, it's enough to make you both cautious and a tad crazy./MisterMetal/
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18. The Tale of the Tate T**t
A woman, middle age-ish, just walks right into the ER. She's got this look about her, you know, like something's wrong but she ain't about to spill the beans just yet. She's in obvious distress but won't share with the triage nurse what her problem is. All we get from her is that there's "something growing down there." Quite mysterious, right? And on top of that, she absolutely insists, she needs a female doc to see her. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. So, we scramble to accommodate her request and get her set up for a pelvic exam in one of the OB/GYN rooms. We call the only female physician on duty that night to come on in and give her a once over. Now, here's where it starts to get interesting. The doctor, bless her heart, is in the room for all of about 2 or 3 minutes. Just long enough to check out the situation and come right back out. And trailing behind her? A smell so foul, it had every single person in the vicinity gagging and covering their noses. It was wafting from the room like some sort of ghastly perfume. Now, let me paint you a picture of our mysterious patient. She's in her early fifties, battle scars from a past life of heroin abuse, a mother to a brood of about 10 or 11 kids—with not a single reliable healthcare plan in sight. This was back in the day, pre-Obamacare times, you see. She'd been dealing with a condition where her uterus had begun to prolapse—that is, it was basically flipping inside out and starting to make its way out of her lady parts. Not a comfortable situation, I'm sure. Faced with the financial reality of no money and no insurance, she was given the advice to just stick something "up there" to hold her uterus in place. Now, I know, that sounds crazy. But she was desperate and needed a quick fix. So she's thinking, what could she use that was both the right size and wouldn't just fall out? This is where the story takes a truly bizarre turn. A potato. Yep, you heard it right. She decided to use a potato as a makeshift medical device. Now as you might know, potatoes are pretty fond of warm, dark, moist environments. Yep, they like to grow. That "something growing down there" she mentioned wasn't a metaphor—it was happening in the most literal sense. The potato had shot out a vine, searching for sunlight from her nether regions. But wait, it gets even worse. The potato had fully rooted itself into the woman's uterus. And if that wasn't bad enough, the potato had started rotting inside of her, giving off the dreadful smell that had us all near retching. The poor woman had to undergo a full hysterectomy because of it. I tell you, the things you see in the ER are stranger than any fiction. You truly can't make this stuff up. We nicknamed her Tater Twat and she is infamous at this hospital./rileyjw90/
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19. Bi-Weekly Draining
Confession. I had inguinal ? hernia surgery. Workers comp claim. A week later I'm getting swollen scrotum. It's getting bigger. No pain.
I go back to doctor who did surgery, no money, wrangled free follow-up. Doctor says it is a hydrocele and it's not related. I ask if he's sure it's not related because it's same area, he gets angry and says it's NOT RELATED! Doctor advises me to save up for private insurance, don't tell them about the condition or surgery, get it fixed.About a month later, pre-internet, I stumble across a Merck manual and flip to hydrocele. Says it's a COMMON complication of hernia surgery, because of scarring which causes abdominal fluid to be unable to leak back up into abdomen from around testes.The solution is to turn that sack inside out so the fluid leaks back up and is absorbed.
I realize this doctor told me to LIE on insurance about two things. One, the diagnosis, which would have a record. Two, the hernia surgery, which would tie back to that doctor with a simple records search. Then he would give evidence and I'd be fucked for the bill and fucked for lying on an insurance app which can be a felony.I contact an attorney, do the deposition, explain the docs lies and "advice" to me to commit insurance fraud. Case settled in my favor. I get it fixed, free. (Why did he lie? No case that he "caused" it or malpractice, if a "common" complication.)Well, here's the diy part. Prior to figuring out the problem and getting the solution, a had several weeks of scrotum swollen so I would have a hard time walking or wearing jeans.
I couldn't afford bi-weekly draining.I prepared a sterile area of scrotum skin and a sterile sewing needle and carefully pierced the outer skin layer at minimal depth without piercing testicles floating inside. I reasoned I had a good bit of gap.I practiced cautiously. I was able to get the yellow ab fluid (no visible blood) to drain off out of that pinhole in a kind of stream, a couple times per week. The bad part, after i thought it was done leaking and draining, I would get dressed and sometimes it would leak more.
I didn't have a better solution at the time so I tried to practice sterile conditions, avoid infection, common sense in desperate situation.I don't recommend, of course, but I was successful until I found a permanent solution. We used to do stuff like that prior to ubiquitous professional doctors, and history describes an era when doctors didn't wash their hands between patients and dead bodies, before they knew about bacteria and germs./Humptys_orthopedic/
I go back to doctor who did surgery, no money, wrangled free follow-up. Doctor says it is a hydrocele and it's not related. I ask if he's sure it's not related because it's same area, he gets angry and says it's NOT RELATED! Doctor advises me to save up for private insurance, don't tell them about the condition or surgery, get it fixed.About a month later, pre-internet, I stumble across a Merck manual and flip to hydrocele. Says it's a COMMON complication of hernia surgery, because of scarring which causes abdominal fluid to be unable to leak back up into abdomen from around testes.The solution is to turn that sack inside out so the fluid leaks back up and is absorbed.
I realize this doctor told me to LIE on insurance about two things. One, the diagnosis, which would have a record. Two, the hernia surgery, which would tie back to that doctor with a simple records search. Then he would give evidence and I'd be fucked for the bill and fucked for lying on an insurance app which can be a felony.I contact an attorney, do the deposition, explain the docs lies and "advice" to me to commit insurance fraud. Case settled in my favor. I get it fixed, free. (Why did he lie? No case that he "caused" it or malpractice, if a "common" complication.)Well, here's the diy part. Prior to figuring out the problem and getting the solution, a had several weeks of scrotum swollen so I would have a hard time walking or wearing jeans.
I couldn't afford bi-weekly draining.I prepared a sterile area of scrotum skin and a sterile sewing needle and carefully pierced the outer skin layer at minimal depth without piercing testicles floating inside. I reasoned I had a good bit of gap.I practiced cautiously. I was able to get the yellow ab fluid (no visible blood) to drain off out of that pinhole in a kind of stream, a couple times per week. The bad part, after i thought it was done leaking and draining, I would get dressed and sometimes it would leak more.
I didn't have a better solution at the time so I tried to practice sterile conditions, avoid infection, common sense in desperate situation.I don't recommend, of course, but I was successful until I found a permanent solution. We used to do stuff like that prior to ubiquitous professional doctors, and history describes an era when doctors didn't wash their hands between patients and dead bodies, before they knew about bacteria and germs./Humptys_orthopedic/
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20. Bonus Story
I'm a pharmacy student and there was a man who came in and asked us where we sold our polysporin. I was about to just show him until he showed me his hand, which had severe 2nd or 3rd degree burns and I said "sir, you probably shouldn't be using polysporin for that...". The hand with the burns was oozing and so swollen it was probably twice the size as his other hand. I asked him what happened and how far up the burn goes and it actually went all the way up his sleeve. There was so damage he couldn't even feel pain there anymore. He told me he had been smoking meth and the pipe exploded on his hand.
Upon talking to some colleagues pipes aren't that big so he was probably MAKING meth and burnt himself that way and that could be why he was so hesitant to go the emergency. I strongly encouraged him to go to the emergency because he probably needed IV antibiotics for that cause he may very well lose an arm. I never saw him again but I'm pretty sure polysporin is not the way to go.
Another patient asked me where the vitamin C was, and again, I just showed him the place on the shelf where it was. He asked me if it was good for sepsis (that's when you have a whole body, systemic infection with bacteria. Bacteria gets into the body and the immune system basically freaks out, spikes a fever and you go into shock. It is fatal). I said "what?!" and he told me he had a paper cut on his hand and he accidentally touched a dead rat, which he didn't know was dead (does it make it any difference it was dead....???? why would he touch it in the first place?)I asked him if he had a fever or what other symptoms he had and he had none. He was telling me he read that vitamin C was good for sepsis and at this point, I just bluntly said "do you KNOW what sepsis is?" and he says sheepishly "no...."I said if you had sepsis, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me. You'd be in the emergency right now. If you had sepsis, vitamin C would not help you. I suggested he keep his wound clean and see his family doctor to ease anxiety about the situation but otherwise, he definitely did not have sepsis.Bonus story! My friend, also a pharmacy student, was on practicum and a guy came in asking for Plan B. Okay fine, it's pretty normal stuff to see a guy buy the Plan B and then bring it home or whatever and give it to his partner. My friend decided to go the extra mile and try to assess if the therapy was appropriate instead of just selling it to him and asked "if she had ever used it before".
Turns out the guy had been buying Plan B for himself after sex because there's two brands of emergency contraception: Plan B comes in a blue box, and next choice in a pink box. HE THOUGHT THE BLUE BOX WAS FOR GUYS AND PINK WAS FOR GIRLS HAHAHA. I mean I guess he can't get pregnant LOL/NightingaletheZERO/
Upon talking to some colleagues pipes aren't that big so he was probably MAKING meth and burnt himself that way and that could be why he was so hesitant to go the emergency. I strongly encouraged him to go to the emergency because he probably needed IV antibiotics for that cause he may very well lose an arm. I never saw him again but I'm pretty sure polysporin is not the way to go.
Another patient asked me where the vitamin C was, and again, I just showed him the place on the shelf where it was. He asked me if it was good for sepsis (that's when you have a whole body, systemic infection with bacteria. Bacteria gets into the body and the immune system basically freaks out, spikes a fever and you go into shock. It is fatal). I said "what?!" and he told me he had a paper cut on his hand and he accidentally touched a dead rat, which he didn't know was dead (does it make it any difference it was dead....???? why would he touch it in the first place?)I asked him if he had a fever or what other symptoms he had and he had none. He was telling me he read that vitamin C was good for sepsis and at this point, I just bluntly said "do you KNOW what sepsis is?" and he says sheepishly "no...."I said if you had sepsis, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me. You'd be in the emergency right now. If you had sepsis, vitamin C would not help you. I suggested he keep his wound clean and see his family doctor to ease anxiety about the situation but otherwise, he definitely did not have sepsis.Bonus story! My friend, also a pharmacy student, was on practicum and a guy came in asking for Plan B. Okay fine, it's pretty normal stuff to see a guy buy the Plan B and then bring it home or whatever and give it to his partner. My friend decided to go the extra mile and try to assess if the therapy was appropriate instead of just selling it to him and asked "if she had ever used it before".
Turns out the guy had been buying Plan B for himself after sex because there's two brands of emergency contraception: Plan B comes in a blue box, and next choice in a pink box. HE THOUGHT THE BLUE BOX WAS FOR GUYS AND PINK WAS FOR GIRLS HAHAHA. I mean I guess he can't get pregnant LOL/NightingaletheZERO/
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21. Grown A** Man Bellowing
So I'm not exactly a doctor yet, but I'm studying to be one, and this little tale happened a while back. It's one of those strange stories that has stuck with me even years later. I was living with my extended family in the Middle East, and we had this massive family home. The house had a pretty interesting layout, where each floor belonged to a different set of relatives. It was like living in a small village, but vertically. Now, I got on really well with my cousin's wife, who lived on the top floor - a spacious rooftop apartment. Their living quarters opened up to a sprawling roof terrace, where they often hosted family gatherings. One day, she had a nasty accident. She dropped a pot of boiling oil on her foot, resulting in some serious burns. Some of it was partial thickness, but the center was a full-thickness burn.It was a pretty scary ordeal, but she got excellent medical care. Her husband, my cousin, was super diligent about following the doctor's instructions, taking care of her wound, changing her bandages, and juggling all the household responsibilities. The healing process was going relatively smoothly until her foot started to swell up with excess fluid. This is not uncommon with burns, but it definitely freaked her out. A couple of days later, I decided to pay her a visit and keep her company. As I climbed up to the rooftop, I found her sitting smack in the middle of the roof terrace, sobbing her heart out. Her injured foot was exposed directly to the harsh sunlight. I rushed over and asked her what in the world she was doing. Between her tears, she told me that her uncle had assured her that the sun would 'dry out' the fluid in her foot. I was shocked and immediately helped her back inside, firmly telling her not to do that again. I then called my cousin and arranged for a car to take her back to the doctor. They ended up at the hospital, where the doctor explained precisely why sunbathing a burn was a terrible idea. But the stubborn uncle was not convinced. He brushed it off as 'ancient Chinese medicine' and insisted she follow his advice. I tried my best to reason with him, explaining that a new burn wouldn't heal the old one. But it escalated into a heated argument, with him stubbornly dismissing me as a 'stupid foreigner' attempting to disrupt traditions. Fortunately, my uncle, who owns the house, was having none of it. He didn't tolerate this nonsense and promptly asked the uncle to leave. These days, my cousin's wife is doing well. She has a decent amount of mobility in her foot, and life has returned to normal. But I will never forget that day, the look on her face when I found her on the roof. Sitting there in intense pain, her third-degree burn blistering under the blazing sun, all because of a superstition. It's a memory that's seared into my mind, a reminder of the harm that misinformation can cause./uhuhshesaid/
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22. This One’s My Favorite Party Story
So, as an Operating Room nurse, I've seen my fair share of peculiar cases. There was this one time, not too long ago, where we had this older gentleman wheel in. From what we could gather, the poor chap was dealing with some prostate problems that made peeing a Herculean task. Now, this guy had the look of a lifetime tough guy, the kind who'd rather chew glass than admit something was wrong. He was a mechanic by trade - fixer of things, solver of problems. You can imagine, then, that his first instinct was to roll up his sleeves and tackle the issue head-on. He had this idea to use some tubing from his shop, which, as it turned out, was made of petroleum-based rubber. Thinking himself quite the medical maverick, he greased it up with Vaseline, another petroleum-based product, and proceeded to slide the tube down his urethra. The tube hit his prostate and halted. Instead of admitting defeat, our mechanic friend pushed on, causing the tube to kink and fold into a 'Z' shape right there in his urethra. This is where things took a nose dive. The double whammy of petroleum-based products caused the rubber to melt and fuse in that twisted position. There was no pulling it out - believe me, he tried. The tube just ended up snapping a few inches in. His DIY medical procedure had gone belly-up. So the guy is wheeled into the operating room, and I couldn't help but notice that he was packing quite the impressive package. Likely swollen from all the tugging and pulling he'd been doing earlier. I remember the surgeon bringing out this hefty set of clamps we call large Kochers. They're almost like a pair of pliers, with three-inch long jaws and a set of teeth designed to grab and hold onto tissue. These aren't your everyday clamps, these are the big guns. The surgeon had the jaws of these clamps buried deep, pulling out tiny fragments of the tubing, but not gaining much headway. Finally, the surgeon decides to go all in. He pushes the clamps as deep as they'd go and latches on. Holding onto the patient's shaft, he starts to pull, stretching the guy's member to almost twice its original length. With one final Herculean pull, the piece came loose. The surgeon's arm jerked back from the force, and the piece of tubing was flung against the wall behind him. Covered in lube and tissue, it stuck to the wall for a brief moment before sliding down onto the floor. I swear, every male in the room felt a sympathetic twinge. That incident happened a good six years ago but it's as fresh in my mind as if it were yesterday. I've seen a lot of crazy things in my line of work, but this one takes the cake. It's my go-to story for parties - nothing breaks the ice like a tale of a man, his prostate, and his ill-fated attempt at self-remedy./fartinsparten/
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23. Not Much of a Home Remedy
I'm not sure if it exactly falls under the category of "home remedies", but as a medical student, I've seen some interesting stuff. This particular incident took place when I was rotating in the ER. A guy walks in, looking a bit distressed and anxious. He's there because he's been having some mental health issues. He's a bit vague initially about what exactly these issues are, but mental health being a serious matter, we take him in and assure him we'll do our best to help. Now, this is where things get, well, quite strange. This guy, in his state of distress, ducks into the ER bathroom and does something that even the most seasoned medical professionals couldn't help but cringe at. I kid you not, he actually cuts off his own penis. Why? Because he wanted to rid himself of the guilt he felt from masturbating. Mind you, this fellow had a whole slew of options to deal with his guilt and anxiety. We could have prescribed him antidepressants or medication for his anxiety. He could have had a chat with a spiritual counselor to ease his guilt, assuming that it was religiously related guilt, given that he expressed feeling "guilty for masturbating". We even suggested therapy with his wife (yes, he was married and according to his wife, they had a happy and sexually active marriage)... But no, his solution to his problem was to literally cut it off. And he figured, what better place to do such a thing than in a hospital, where people are on hand to stop the bleeding. However, as you might expect, his self-prescribed "treatment" didn't exactly work out as he had hoped. The doctors, after assessing his mental state (which, let's just say, wasn't in the best shape, considering the whole "cutting off his own penis" thing), decided that he wasn't in a position to make sound decisions. In the world of medical ethics, we value patient autonomy, but in this case, beneficence - the act of doing good, took precedence. So, in the end, he had to undergo surgery to reattach his manhood. I guess if there's a moral to this rather bizarre story, it's this: please, for the love of all things good and sane, don't resort to such extreme measures to deal with emotional pain or trauma.Mental health issues, especially those related to sexuality, guilt or trauma, are serious matters and should be treated as such. Don't try to "fix" things on your own, especially when your methods involve a bathroom and a sharp object. Reach out to a medical professional, get the help you need. I assure you, it's a much, much better alternative./Correct-Stop-7449/
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24. Deflated With a Safety Pin
This woman, right, decides she wants to get breast implants. Now, this isn't your everyday, run-of-the-mill augmentation. Oh no, she went big. I mean, big enough to turn heads and raise eyebrows. The reason? Her boyfriend, who happened to be her meth dealer, wanted her to. You're probably thinking, "That's a recipe for disaster," and you'd be right. But the kicker is, her plastic surgeon agreed. Yeah, you heard that right. He signed off on these mega implants, probably not even blinking an eye. Fast-forward a bit and her relationship predictably didn't survive the rollercoaster that is meth addiction. She found herself alone, with these enormous breasts that she didn't want anymore. Now, most people would have gone back to the doctor, right? Not this gal. She took a safety pin and tried to deflate them herself. Yep, apparently that made sense to her. Years later, she comes to us with what looked like crumpled paper filling up the stretched-out skin of her chest. We, being the good Samaritans that we are, agreed to take out the implants, hoping to give her a better shot at detecting breast cancer in the future. Moving on to the next wild tale. This guy, a westerner who's heavily into eastern medicine, decides he knows more than us doctors. He starts buying a shedload of supplements from an Ayurvedic supplement seller. Then, as if he's starring in his own twisted version of a Greek tragedy, he gets a massive case of lead poisoning. You'd think that would have been a wake-up call, right? Nope. He actually gets mad at me when I won't send his supplements out for testing to see which ones he could keep taking. But wait, there's more. This same guy is constantly feeling bloated. Every time he eats, he gets this urge to burp. He's so fixated on this burping issue, it's like his life's mission. He wouldn't consider traditional medicine or even try to alter his diet. And heaven forbid he looked at elimination diets or low FODMAP diets. Instead, he gets riled up because I can't guess what he ate last based on his Aura. Yeah, you heard that right, his Aura. Then, in a move that no one could have predicted, he decides to perform his own fecal transplant using his buddy's feces. He actually freezes his friend's poop and swallows it. I know, right? As his doctor, I had to test him for all sorts of hepatitis and infectious diseases. The cherry on top? He fired me. He was ticked off that I couldn't read his aura. Last I heard, he was still burping. So, yeah, just a couple of tales from the wild world of medicine. Never a dull moment, I tell you./Key_Jellyfish4571/
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25. Triple Feature
I've been in the medical profession for quite a while now, and I've encountered all sorts of characters. I remember this one woman who came to me complaining about her restless legs syndrome. Now, if you're not familiar, restless legs syndrome is this annoying condition where you have an irresistible urge to move your legs, usually during rest or sleep. Quite bothersome.But this lady, she had her unique remedy for it. She tells me that she keeps a bar of soap under her mattress at night. I kid you not, a plain old bar of soap! She was adamant that the soap somehow calmed her restless legs. I had to stop myself from chuckling, thinking about a bar of soap having some magical therapeutic powers. But hey, the world is full of mysteries and peculiar remedies, and if a bar of soap under the mattress gave her comfort, then who was I to dispute it? Speaking of strange remedies and beliefs, I once had a patient on a study medication that was meant to prevent blood clots. This bloke, he was so impressed with the medication that he didn't want to return the unused ones at the end of the study. He claimed that ever since he started taking the study medication, his sex life had turned around, his erectile dysfunction was a thing of the past, the skin cancer on his scalp had miraculously fallen off, and even his persistent ingrown toenail had stopped hurting. He attributed all these miraculous changes to the study medication. He was so convinced about the efficacy of this medication that he wanted to continue taking it forever. He even tried to refer a few of his buddies to the study so they could reap the benefits too. I have to admit, it was both amusing and bewildering to see his unwavering faith in the study medication. Then there was this other gentleman with a severe cardiac condition. He had an external defibrillator fitted to his body. These devices are meant to be worn at all times. They monitor your heart rhythm, and in the event of a cardiac arrest, they can administer a shock to get your heart back into rhythm. But this man, he had a different plan. He preferred to carry his defibrillator around with him instead of wearing it. He was utterly convinced that if he went into cardiac arrest, he would be conscious and able to put the whole contraption on properly. Now, I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that when you're in the throes of a cardiac arrest, you're not exactly in a position to neatly arrange your defibrillator. I tried to explain to him that these devices are specifically fitted to your body and are not easy to get in and out of. They also take a few seconds to determine your cardiac rhythm before they can administer a shock. By then, he would have most probably passed out and be unable to put it on. But you know what he said when I laid out this fact? He exclaimed that it was all "in God's hands, anyway" and that he would just pray about it. I was speechless. I mean, I respect everyone's faith, but when it comes to life and death, prayer alone might not be enough. But who am I to argue with such resolute faith, right? Working in medicine, you come across all sorts of patients with their unique quirks and beliefs. It never ceases to amaze me how diverse and wonderfully odd the human race can be. It's part of why I love my job. There's never a dull day, and there's always a new story to tell. So next time you're feeling a bit odd or out of place, just remember, you're not alone in your quirks. We all have our own ways of dealing with life's challenges./axonimpulse/
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26. Homemade Coconut Milk For the Soul
You won't believe the things you come across in this field. One day, this fella walked in with a case of viral conjunctivitis, you know the usual red, itchy, watering eyes, except there was something rather unusual. He had tried to treat it himself with, get this, HOMEMADE coconut milk. I kid you not, he'd taken it upon himself to concoct this bizarre remedy in his kitchen and splashed it in both eyes. Now, here's the kicker. When he first tried his coconut milk remedy, only one eye was infected. So, what this guy managed to do, in his misguided attempt at playing doctor, was to spread the infection from one eye to the other. Yep, he gave his healthy eye a dose of the conjunctivitis that was previously confined to the other eye. You've got to admire his dedication to the remedy, even if it was utterly misguided. So, there I was, faced with this poor guy whose eyes were not only red and inflamed but also full of tiny shards of coconut. And let me tell you, it's no small feat trying to pick microscopic bits of coconut out of someone's eyes using a slit lamp. I mean, of all the things I thought I'd be doing that day, that certainly wasn't on the list. But you know, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the home remedies people self-prescribe for conjunctivitis where I live. You wouldn't believe some of the things people try to cure themselves with. I've heard everything from BREAST MILK to lime juice, vinegar, and even rue water. I mean, I'm all for creativity but really? I'd love to know who first came up with the idea to squirt breast milk into their eyes and whether it worked for them. The lime juice and vinegar remedies I can almost understand, there's at least a vague sort of logic behind using something acidic to try and kill off the virus. But the rue water? It's a herb often used in spiritual cleansing rituals. Who knows how that became a suggested treatment for an eye infection, but it's certainly not one I'd recommend. So, after a good chunk of time spent carefully removing the offending coconut pieces, I managed to clean up both his eyes. I then prescribed the guy some actual, scientifically proven medicine and sent him on his way.I wish I could say this was a one-off, but you'd be surprised at how often this kind of thing happens. Anyways, moral of the story is this my friend, don't put food in your eyes. I mean, it goes without saying, right? But it seems some folks need reminding. If you're unlucky enough to get conjunctivitis, or any other eye problem for that matter, please, for the love of all things good and holy, go see a professional. Trust me, it's a lot less hassle than trying to remove coconut from your eyeballs./muzin_deod/
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27. No Idea How it Got There
So, there I was, taking my little four-year-old to the doctor. She'd been battling an ear infection that just wouldn't quit. One of those pesky things that linger no matter what you do. We'd tried the usual remedies, ear drops, warm compress, even making sure she slept with her head elevated. But the darned thing was resilient, like a cockroach at a nuclear ground zero. The doctor, who had been seeing us on and off for the past couple of weeks, sighed as he fished out his otoscope. He peered into my daughter's ear, then paused. He looked at me with a quizzical expression and asked, "Have you noticed her putting any foreign objects in her ear lately?" I shook my head, more confused than worried. I mean, she's a kid, not a pirate hiding treasure. Without a word, the doctor reached into his drawer and pulled out a pair of tweezers. Now, I'm not a medical professional, but I knew tweezers weren't usually part of the ear examination process. I watched, bemused, as he carefully inserted the tweezers into her ear and removed a small object. I squinted at it, trying to make out what it was and my eyes widened in surprise. It was a small, slightly shriveled piece of garlic. I was flabbergasted. My mind raced, trying to remember if we'd ever left garlic lying around the house for her to play with. I came up blank. The doctor, who was equally puzzled, confirmed that it was indeed garlic and added that it was probably the reason why her ear infection had worsened. I racked my brain, trying to think of how that piece of garlic ended up in her ear. And then it hit me. Her dad and stepmom were into all sorts of natural remedies, from ginseng for fatigue to ginkgo for memory. They were the kind of people who believed that a good diet was the best health insurance. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but sticking food into your ear wasn't exactly what I'd call a balanced diet. I spoke to her dad later that day and it turns out I was right. They had heard somewhere that garlic oil was a good cure for ear infections. Except they didn't have any garlic oil. So, in their infinite wisdom, they decided to improvise. They literally shoved a teeny tiny clove of garlic in my daughter's ear thinking it would do the trick. There, the mystery of the garlic clove and the persistent ear infection. As much as I was annoyed at her dad and stepmom for their unconventional approach, I couldn't help but find the whole situation a bit humorous. Of course, they got a good talking-to about the importance of proper medical treatment and the dangers of shoving food items into orifices. Not exactly the parenting talk you expect to have, but hey, you live and you learn. After all was said and done, my daughter's ear infection finally cleared up. No thanks to the garlic, of course. The antibiotics prescribed by the doctor did the trick. I still chuckle when I think about it. I mean, garlic in the ear?/starmama90/
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28. They Sucked Out a Bunch of Intestines
My mom's got this wild story she likes to tell from back when she was working in an emergency room in 1990s China. It's definitely one of those jaw-dropping, "you've gotta be kidding me" kinds of tales. So, one day, this guy stumbles in, looking all sorts of distressed. And here's the kicker – he's got this big ol' jar attached to his stomach.A jar. Like the kind you'd store grandma's homemade jam or pickles in. Now, you might be wondering, "How the heck did this fella end up with a jar stuck to his gut?" Well, it turns out that he'd tried to do some cupping on his stomach, all by his lonesome. If you're not familiar with cupping, it's this alternative therapy where heated cups are placed on your skin to create suction, supposedly to help with pain, inflammation, and all sorts of stuff. Now, the thing is, cupping should only be done on muscle groups and by professionals. It's a big no-no to do it anywhere around the abdominal area, especially if you're a novice. Here's where I need to clarify a few things because I realize my description might've left you with some horrifying mental imagery. You're probably picturing this poor guy's intestines spilling out into the jar, but that wasn't the case. His skin wasn't broken, so you couldn't actually see any intestines. Instead, the suction from the jar had just sucked a bunch of his intestines in, creating what looked like a massive hernia inside a jar. My mom, being the professional that she is, along with her colleagues, jumped into action. They had to surgically remove a substantial length of the man's bowel, which unfortunately, had gone necrotic. The procedure was a success, and the man managed to pull through. But obviously, after an ordeal like that, he would've had to deal with lifelong digestive issues. I've got to say, hearing this story firsthand has made me super wary of cupping. I mean, I've never had it done on myself, and honestly, I don’t know much about it beyond the basics. All I can say is that if you do choose to get it done, make sure it's by a certified professional, like any other type of physical treatment. It's definitely not a DIY project. What really boggles my mind is why this man decided to use a jam jar instead of a proper cupping jar. Usually, these jars are small spheres, specifically designed for the purpose. But this guy? He decided to go rogue with a jam jar. I mean, I appreciate the spirit of innovation, but that was certainly a step too far. Anyway, I hope my account clears up any confusion and paints a clearer picture of what happened. It's an unbelievable story, but it's also a stern reminder that some things are best left to the professionals. SSorry for any lack of clarification earlier! So yeah, that's the story of the man with a jar on his gut from mom's ER days. Still gives me the heebie-jeebies thinking about it./falloutsong/
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29. Feet Don’t Fail Me
So there I was, working my usual grind as an RN, not an MD mind you, when in comes this guy hobbling his way into the ED. He's got this grimace on his face like he's in the middle of a bad joke, and he's complaining of sores on his feet. The poor guy is limping like he's just run a marathon, and as he's peeling off his socks, he starts to share his tale of woe. Turns out, he had been battling a nasty case of athlete's foot. I'm sure you know the drill: itchy, red, flaky skin. It's not lethal, but it can be pretty uncomfortable. Anyway, according to him, he'd tried every OTC remedy he could get his hands on, with no luck. No cream, no powder, no fancy medicated insole could touch the fungus. So, in his mind, the next logical step was to grab for the industrial brake cleaner. Yes, brake cleaner. Apparently, he'd use the stuff at work to strip the grease off his hands, so he figured, why not give it a whirl on his stubborn athlete's foot? At this point, his socks are finally off and, lemme tell ya, it was not a pretty sight.Along with his socks came a goodish amount of foot skin. Why, you may ask? Well, the primary ingredient of the brake cleaner he was using was hydrofluoric acid. If you're not familiar with hydrofluoric acid, let's just say it's not something you want to bathe your feet in. This stuff will burn right through your skin, and it doesn't stop there. It just keeps going... and going... and going. Not exactly what you'd want for a harmless case of athlete's foot. Our friend, however, didn't know this, so what does he do? He follows up this acid bath with a generous dose of rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide when he got home. After that, he just threw on a fresh pair of socks and went about his daily business. For six days. Six days with his feet marinating in homemade acid. By the time he strolled into our ER, his feet were literally falling apart. It was like something out of a horror movie. But the crazy part was, he didn't seem all that fazed about it. Sure, he said it hurt, but not too bad, he claimed. I guess when you've been walking around on feet soaked in acid for almost a week, your pain tolerance goes up a notch or two. We did what we could for the guy. Wrapped his feet up in calcium-impregnated gauze, which is the standard treatment for this kind of chemical burn. Then we sent him off to the local level 1 trauma center, the one with the burn unit. I often wonder what happened to that guy. So, moral of the story, I guess? Slow and steady wins the race. Or maybe it's 'don't use industrial brake cleaner on your feet.' Either way, it's amazing what you can learn from the patients that come through the ED./sassycomeback/
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30. Danger: Do Not Look Directly at the Sun
As an eye doctor, I come across a fair share of unusual cases, but one particular encounter during the onset of COVID took the cake. The patient was a healthy guy in his mid-20s, the sort of bloke you'd imagine had his whole life ahead of him. He came in complaining about blurred vision. You could see the worry etched on his face. Little did I know, this case was about to baffle me like no other. I started examining him, trying various approaches to improve his vision. But no matter how I tweaked the lenses or adjusted the light, his vision didn't improve. He was still seeing the world through a hazy fog. In frustration, he'd rub his eyes, hoping that would somehow clear things up. But it was all to no avail. So, I decided to change my approach and shifted my focus to his eyes, specifically his retinas. And as I did, my heart sank. What I saw made my stomach churn. His retinas were severely damaged. I mean, we're not talking about a mild case of retinal damage, but two distinct burn holes in his retinas. It was as if someone had taken a tiny laser and burnt two holes into each of his eyes. Bewildered, I asked him, "Have you been sun-gazing?" It might have seemed like an odd question to him, but sun-gazing can cause this kind of damage. He hesitated and then sheepishly confessed that he had been doing just that. And here's where the story takes a twist. Apparently, he'd read somewhere that Vitamin D was good for resisting COVID. Now we all know that sunlight exposure to the skin promotes natural synthesis of Vitamin D. But this chap thought he could fast-track the process. He figured that by staring directly at the sun, he could "collect" as much sunlight as he could with his eyes, and somehow absorb more Vitamin D. You could tell he was embarrassed and regretful, the poor lad. As a result of his decision, he had developed Solar Retinopathy. It's not a condition you come across every day. It's caused by prolonged exposure to solar radiation, which can cause irreversible damage to the eyes. And unfortunately, that's exactly what happened to him. He was left with permanently reduced vision. The burn holes in his maculas were beyond any chance of improvement. No amount of treatment or therapy could restore his vision to what it was before. The world would forever be a blurry place for him, all because of a misguided attempt to protect himself against a virus. It was a heartbreaking case to handle. It served as a stark reminder that misinformation can have devastating consequences. This young man had inadvertently harmed himself in a way that was irreversible. It was a sobering moment for me, a reminder of the importance of clear, accurate information in a world that's increasingly flooded with half-truths and misconceptions./OscarDivine/
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31. The Garlic Mishap
As an ER doctor, my days are filled with unexpected surprises, but nothing could have prepared me for the day Mrs. Thompson walked into my emergency room. It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon when she came in, clutching her ear in obvious agony. Her story was as unusual as it was painful - a home remedy gone terribly wrong.Mrs. Thompson, a middle-aged school teacher, had been battling a persistent ear infection. Frustrated with the discomfort and not keen on another round of antibiotics, she turned to the internet for alternative solutions. That's where she stumbled upon a blog advocating garlic as a natural cure for ear infections.Intrigued by the idea of a natural remedy, Mrs. Thompson decided to give it a try. She crushed a clove of garlic, believing its antibacterial properties would soothe her infection. To maximize its effect, she wrapped the crushed garlic in a thin cloth, creating a makeshift ear plug.Here's where things took a turn for the worse. In an attempt to enhance the remedy's effectiveness, Mrs. Thompson heated the garlic wrap in her microwave. She thought the warmth would help the garlic's medicinal properties penetrate deeper into her ear canal. However, she miscalculated the temperature, and the garlic became excessively hot.By the time she inserted the garlic wrap into her ear, it was scalding. The intense heat immediately caused a severe burn deep inside her ear. The pain was excruciating, and the burnt garlic remnants were now stuck in her ear canal, exacerbating the situation.When Mrs. Thompson arrived at the ER, her ear was swollen, red, and emitting a faint, unpleasant odor of burnt garlic. It was clear she was in severe pain and distress. We immediately administered pain relief and began the delicate process of assessing the damage.Under sedation, we carefully extracted the remnants of the garlic and cloth from her ear. The internal burns were severe, and it was evident that her eardrum had suffered damage. We cleaned the area as best as we could and started her on a course of antibiotics to prevent any infection from the burns.Mrs. Thompson's recovery was slow and uncomfortable. The burns took weeks to heal, and her hearing in that ear was impaired for several months. The incident served as a painful reminder of the dangers of experimenting with home remedies without proper understanding or professional guidance.In the end, Mrs. Thompson learned a hard lesson about the risks of self-diagnosis and the importance of seeking medical advice for health concerns. It was a stark warning for us all: while seeking natural alternatives can be appealing, it should never be at the expense of common sense and safety.DrERStories
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32. The Turmeric Trial
As a gastroenterologist, I've encountered many cases where patients have taken dietary experimentation a bit too far. However, the case of Mr. Larson remains particularly memorable for its severity and the lessons it taught about the misuse of natural remedies.Mr. Larson, a 56-year-old engineer with a keen interest in natural health, had always been fascinated by the healing powers of spices and herbs. His interest intensified after reading about the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric. He believed it could help with his minor digestive issues and general well-being.What started as adding an extra teaspoon of turmeric to his meals quickly escalated. Obsessed with the perceived benefits, Mr. Larson began consuming turmeric in various forms - powders, capsules, and even raw. He would mix large amounts of turmeric powder into his tea, smoothies, and every meal.Initially, he reported feeling more energetic and believed his digestion was improving. However, these benefits were short-lived. After several weeks, he started experiencing abdominal discomfort, unusual fatigue, and a noticeable yellowing of his skin and eyes - classic signs of jaundice.By the time Mr. Larson sought medical help, his condition had deteriorated significantly. He complained of severe abdominal pain and exhibited symptoms of acute liver distress. His family was alarmed by his discolored skin and the drastic change in his health.After a thorough examination and a series of blood tests, the diagnosis was clear: Mr. Larson had developed acute liver toxicity. His excessive consumption of turmeric, a spice known for its safety in small quantities, had become hepatotoxic due to the large doses he ingested daily.Treatment began immediately. We hospitalized Mr. Larson for close monitoring and started him on IV fluids to support his liver and flush out the toxins. We also advised him to cease all turmeric consumption immediately. The road to recovery was going to be a slow and steady one.Over the following weeks, Mr. Larson's liver function gradually improved. However, the experience left a lasting impact on him. He realized that even natural substances, often perceived as harmless, can have serious side effects when misused or consumed in excessive amounts.Mr. Larson's case serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of self-medicating with 'natural' substances without proper knowledge or moderation. It underscores the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before making significant changes to one's diet or health regimen.DrGastroTales
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33. The Colloidal Silver Saga
In my years as a dermatologist, I've seen a range of skin conditions, but nothing quite like the case of Ms. Anderson. Her situation was a stark reminder of the risks associated with self-treating using alternative medicine, especially when it comes to unregulated supplements like colloidal silver.Ms. Anderson, a 40-year-old graphic designer, was a strong advocate for natural health remedies. She had always been wary of conventional medicine and often explored alternative treatments. Her interest in natural remedies led her to colloidal silver, which she believed could boost her immune system and prevent illnesses.She began consuming colloidal silver daily, convinced of its benefits. Over time, she increased the dosage, thinking more would be better. She ignored the recommended limits, believing that a natural substance like silver couldn't possibly harm her.After several months, Ms. Anderson started noticing changes in her skin. Initially, it was a slight discoloration, but gradually her skin began turning a bluish-gray hue. Concerned but still trusting in the safety of colloidal silver, she continued her regimen, hoping the discoloration would fade.It was during a routine visit to my clinic for an unrelated skin issue that I first noticed the change in her complexion. The bluish tint of her skin was unmistakable and immediately raised red flags. Upon questioning, Ms. Anderson revealed her colloidal silver usage.I explained to her that she was showing signs of argyria, a rare but serious skin condition caused by silver accumulation in the body. The condition was irreversible, and continued use of colloidal silver would only worsen her symptoms. It was a tough pill for her to swallow, realizing that her pursuit of health had led her to this point.We immediately advised her to stop taking colloidal silver and began treating her for the symptoms of argyria. While we couldn't reverse the skin discoloration, we could prevent further damage and address any other health issues caused by the silver accumulation.Ms. Anderson's case became a learning experience for both of us. For her, it was a hard lesson in the importance of moderation and the potential dangers of self-medication, especially with unregulated substances. For me, it was a reminder to always inquire about patients' use of alternative medicines.Ms. Anderson's bluish-gray skin remained a permanent reminder of her ordeal with colloidal silver. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of using alternative health products without proper understanding and research. It highlights the need for careful consideration and consultation with healthcare professionals before embarking on any self-treatment regimen.SkinHealthMD
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34. The Essential Oil Episode
As a pediatrician, I am dedicated to the health and wellbeing of children, but sometimes I encounter situations where good intentions lead to dangerous outcomes. This was the case with young Timmy, whose story serves as a grave reminder of the importance of adhering to proven medical treatments, especially in the case of serious conditions like asthma.Timmy, a lively 8-year-old with a history of asthma, was brought to my clinic by his mother. She was a devoted parent who believed strongly in natural remedies. She had been treating Timmy's asthma with various essential oils, convinced they were a safer and healthier alternative to his prescribed inhaler.She had read extensively about the supposed benefits of essential oils for respiratory conditions and was adamant that this natural approach was best for her son. Despite my warnings and advice during previous visits, she persisted with this treatment, convinced of its efficacy.However, Timmy's condition worsened. Instead of the occasional wheezing and shortness of breath, he started experiencing more frequent and severe asthma attacks. His mother, though concerned, continued to rely solely on essential oils for treatment.One evening, Timmy suffered a severe asthma attack. His mother's attempts to calm his breathing with essential oils were futile. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she rushed him to the emergency room, where he arrived in critical condition.In the ER, we immediately administered the necessary medical treatments to stabilize Timmy. He required a high dose of inhaled bronchodilators and systemic steroids to control his asthma attack. It was a tense situation, with every second crucial to ensuring his recovery.Thankfully, Timmy responded well to the treatment. As he recovered, I had a serious conversation with his mother about the dangers of replacing prescribed medical treatments with unproven alternatives, especially in life-threatening conditions like asthma.This incident was a turning point for Timmy's mother. She realized that while alternative therapies could be part of a holistic approach to health, they should never replace conventional treatments for serious medical conditions. She agreed to follow the medical treatment plan we set for Timmy, including regular use of his inhaler and routine check-ups.Timmy's case is a powerful reminder of the critical importance of adhering to proven medical treatments, especially when it comes to children and serious health conditions. It underscores the need for parents to work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their children.DrPediatricTales
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35. The Detox Disaster
As an internal medicine specialist, I often encounter patients who have tried various health trends and fads. However, the case of Sarah, a young woman in her late twenties, stands out for its severity and the valuable lessons it taught about the dangers of extreme detox diets.Sarah was a vibrant, health-conscious individual who was always on the lookout for ways to enhance her wellbeing. She came across an online article promoting a 'detox cleanse' that promised to reset her body and flush out toxins. The cleanse involved a strict regimen of juices, supplements, and laxatives.Intrigued by the promised benefits, Sarah decided to embark on this cleanse. She strictly followed the regimen, consuming only the specified juices and supplements while avoiding all solid foods. The plan also included a high dose of laxatives, which she took daily as recommended.A few days into the cleanse, Sarah began to feel the effects. Initially, she experienced what she thought was a normal part of the detox process: fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. However, these symptoms rapidly worsened, becoming debilitating.Ignoring the warning signs, Sarah continued with the cleanse, convinced that these were just signs of her body ridding itself of toxins. It wasn't until she fainted at home and was rushed to the emergency room that the real gravity of her situation became apparent.Upon arrival at the hospital, Sarah was severely dehydrated and had a significant electrolyte imbalance. Her extreme detox regimen had caused her body to lose essential nutrients and fluids, leading to a dangerous state of dehydration and nutrient deficiency.We immediately started her on IV fluids and electrolyte replacement therapy. It was crucial to rehydrate her and restore the balance of electrolytes in her body to prevent any further complications. The process was slow and required careful monitoring.As Sarah recovered, she realized the folly of her actions. The detox cleanse, which she had believed would improve her health, had instead brought her to the brink of a medical emergency. She learned a hard lesson about the risks associated with extreme diets and the importance of a balanced approach to health.Sarah's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of radical health fads and the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before undertaking any extreme dietary changes. It highlights the body's innate ability to detoxify itself and the potential harm of interfering with this natural process.DrInternalMedTales
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36. The Vinegar Verdict
As a general practitioner, I've seen many patients who prefer natural remedies. But one case, in particular, stands out. It involved a patient, Mr. Jacobs, who decided to treat his athlete's foot with a home remedy he found online: vinegar soaks.Mr. Jacobs had read that soaking your feet in vinegar could cure fungal infections. So, he began a regimen of daily foot baths in undiluted white vinegar. At first, he was pleased with the results and boasted about the simplicity and low cost of his treatment.However, after several weeks, Mr. Jacobs noticed that his feet were not only not improving, but they were also getting worse. His skin started peeling excessively, and there was an increasing redness and swelling.When he finally came to see me, his feet were in a terrible state. The skin was raw, inflamed, and there were signs of a secondary bacterial infection. The acidic nature of the vinegar, especially in its undiluted form, had severely damaged his skin.We immediately discontinued his vinegar soaks and started him on a course of antifungal and antibiotic medications. Additionally, we had to treat the damaged skin to prevent further complications.The healing process was slow. Mr. Jacobs had to take time off work due to the pain and difficulty in walking. It was a frustrating experience for him, especially realizing that his attempt at a simple home remedy had caused such a setback.Throughout his treatment, we discussed the importance of seeking medical advice before trying home remedies. While some natural treatments can be effective, they are not without risks, especially when not used correctly.Mr. Jacobs learned the hard way that not all home remedies are safe or effective. His case served as a reminder to all my patients to be cautious with self-treatment and to consult a healthcare professional before trying out any home remedy, no matter how harmless it may seem.This experience was a sobering lesson for Mr. Jacobs and an eye-opener for many of my other patients. It highlighted the potential dangers of self-treatment and the importance of professional medical advice.DrHomeRemedyTales
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37. The Lemon Juice Catastrophe
I'm an ophthalmologist and I've witnessed various eye-related incidents, but one particular case was both shocking and preventable. It involved a patient, Ms. Green, who used lemon juice as a home remedy for her mild eye irritation.Ms. Green believed in natural healing and decided to treat what she thought was just dry eyes with freshly squeezed lemon juice. She had read somewhere that lemon juice could 'cleanse' and 'refresh' the eyes.Without consulting a professional, she began applying drops of undiluted lemon juice directly into her eyes. Initially, she experienced a severe burning sensation but assumed it was part of the healing process.After a few days of this regimen, her condition worsened significantly. She developed severe eye pain, redness, and blurred vision. That's when she finally sought medical help, coming into my clinic in a state of panic.Upon examination, I found that she had severe chemical burns on her corneas caused by the acidic nature of lemon juice. It was a distressing sight, and immediate action was required to prevent permanent damage.We started intensive treatment to heal her eyes, including medication to manage the pain and inflammation. I had to explain to her that lemon juice, or any acidic substance, should never be applied to the eyes.Ms. Green's recovery was slow and painful. She had to take extended time off from work and faced the possibility of long-term damage to her vision. It was a tough lesson in the dangers of misusing natural remedies.Throughout her treatment, we discussed the importance of proper eye care and consulting a healthcare professional for any eye-related issues. Natural remedies can be helpful, but they should be used with caution, especially when it comes to sensitive organs like the eyes.This incident served as a critical reminder to all my patients about the risks of self-treatment, particularly with home remedies involving sensitive body parts. Ms. Green's experience underscores the importance of seeking professional medical advice before trying any form of treatment.DrEyeHealthTales
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38. The Honey Wrap Hazard
As a respiratory specialist, I've seen various attempts at self-treatment for coughs and colds, but one case stands out for its uniqueness and the severity of its consequences. It was the case of Mr. Bennett, who tried an unconventional honey wrap treatment for his persistent cough.Mr. Bennett, a man in his late forties, was a firm believer in natural remedies. He came across a method online claiming that wrapping the chest in a honey-soaked cloth overnight could cure persistent coughs.Enthusiastic about this natural approach, Mr. Bennett began applying this treatment nightly. He would slather his chest in a thick layer of honey, cover it with a cloth, and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to keep it in place.Initially, he reported feeling relief, but after several nights, he started experiencing difficulty breathing and increased chest tightness. Ignoring these warning signs, he continued the treatment, believing the discomfort was part of the healing process.When he finally came to see me, he was in a severe state. His chest was red, inflamed, and showed signs of a serious skin infection. The tight wrapping had also restricted his breathing, exacerbating his respiratory issues.We immediately started treatment to address the skin infection and relieve his respiratory distress. It was a challenging situation, as the infection had spread, requiring a combination of antibiotics and specialized care.During his treatment, we discussed the risks associated with certain home remedies and the importance of seeking medical advice for respiratory conditions. While honey has known health benefits, its application in this manner was not only ineffective but also dangerous.Mr. Bennett's recovery was slow, with several follow-up appointments and ongoing treatment. He expressed regret over his choice to try such an unverified treatment, acknowledging the importance of professional medical guidance.This case was a stark reminder for my patients and me about the potential dangers of misusing natural remedies. It highlighted the importance of using even widely accepted natural products like honey with caution and under medical guidance.DrRespiratoryTales
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39. The Salt Water Peril
As a nephrologist, my focus is often on kidney health and how various factors affect it. One case that particularly stood out was that of Mrs. Davis, who attempted to treat her chronic kidney disease with a high-salt water regimen she found online.Mrs. Davis, in her early sixties, had been managing her kidney disease with medication and diet, as advised. However, she became intrigued by an online article claiming that drinking high concentrations of salt water could 'flush out' kidney toxins.Without consulting her healthcare team, she started drinking this salt solution daily. She believed it would cleanse her kidneys and improve her condition, despite the known risks of high salt intake for kidney patients.After a few weeks on this regimen, Mrs. Davis's condition deteriorated. She experienced increased blood pressure, swelling in her legs, and a noticeable decrease in her urine output - all signs of worsening kidney function.By the time she reached my clinic, her kidney function had declined significantly. Blood tests showed elevated levels of sodium and other imbalances, indicative of her recent dietary changes.We immediately advised her to stop the salt water intake and adjusted her medication to manage the acute effects on her kidneys. It was a critical situation, as her actions had put her at risk of rapid kidney function decline.Throughout her treatment and recovery, we emphasized the importance of adhering to medically advised dietary restrictions, especially for chronic conditions like kidney disease. Home remedies, especially those contradicting medical advice, can be incredibly dangerous.Mrs. Davis's health gradually stabilized, but the incident left a lasting impact on her and her family. She learned a difficult lesson about the importance of trusting and following her medical team's guidance.This case was a sobering example for all my patients about the dangers of self-treatment, especially when dealing with chronic diseases. It underscored the critical importance of consulting healthcare professionals before trying any new treatment, especially those found online.DrKidneyCareTales
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40. The Oil Pulling Ordeal
As a dentist, I often encounter patients who try unconventional methods for oral health, but one incident stands out for its severity. It involves a patient, Emily, who turned to oil pulling, an ancient practice she read about online, to improve her oral health.Emily was an enthusiastic advocate for natural health remedies. She began practicing oil pulling daily, swishing coconut oil in her mouth for extended periods, believing it would detoxify her mouth and whiten her teeth.Initially, Emily was thrilled with the results and felt her teeth were becoming whiter. However, after a few weeks, she started experiencing jaw pain and stiffness, which she initially dismissed as temporary discomfort.Despite the pain, Emily continued the oil pulling routine. Her condition worsened, and she developed temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.When Emily came to my clinic, she was in considerable discomfort, unable to open her mouth fully, and her jaw was clicking and locking. It was clear that her persistent oil pulling had overexerted her jaw muscles and joints.We started treatment to alleviate her TMJ symptoms, including pain management, exercises to relax the jaw muscles, and advising her to cease oil pulling immediately. It was a difficult situation as the damage to her jaw joint was significant.Throughout her treatment, we discussed the importance of balanced oral hygiene practices and the risks of excessive or unproven methods like oil pulling. While it can have benefits, moderation and proper technique are crucial.Emily's recovery was gradual, involving physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments to manage her TMJ disorder. She regretted her decision to follow the extreme regimen of oil pulling without seeking professional advice first.This case was a reminder to my patients and me about the risks of adopting alternative health practices without proper knowledge or guidance. It highlighted the importance of consulting dental professionals before trying new oral health practices, especially those that might seem harmless.DrDentalWisdomTales
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41. The Cinnamon Scare
As a family physician, I've encountered numerous cases where patients have tried unconventional remedies, but one particularly memorable case was that of a young man, Alex, who used excessive amounts of cinnamon to treat his high cholesterol.Alex, a 24-year-old college student, had read online that cinnamon could naturally lower cholesterol levels. Eager to avoid medications, he started consuming large quantities of cinnamon powder daily.Initially, he sprinkled it on his food, but soon he began consuming spoonfuls of cinnamon powder directly. He believed that more cinnamon meant better results.After a few weeks, Alex came to my clinic with severe gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting, stomach pain, and dehydration. He was also experiencing difficulty breathing.Upon examination, it became clear that his symptoms were due to the excessive intake of cinnamon, which can be toxic in large amounts. Alex had developed an inflammatory reaction in his respiratory and digestive systems.We immediately started him on IV fluids for dehydration and medications to manage his symptoms. It was a challenging situation, as we had to balance treating his acute symptoms while addressing his underlying high cholesterol.During his recovery, we discussed the importance of balanced nutrition and the risks of self-medicating with 'natural' substances. Alex was surprised to learn that natural doesn't always mean safe, especially in excessive amounts.His recovery was gradual, involving dietary changes and a proper medical plan for his cholesterol. He understood the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before trying any health remedy, natural or otherwise.Alex's case served as a reminder to all my patients that self-prescribed health remedies, especially in large doses, can be dangerous. It highlighted the importance of medical guidance and the potential risks of unregulated natural supplements.DrFamilyMedTales
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42. The Herbal Tea Hazard
I am an endocrinologist, and one case that will always stand out in my career involved a patient, Mrs. Wallace, who used an excessive amount of herbal tea to treat her diabetes.Mrs. Wallace, in her early fifties, had type 2 diabetes. She read about a specific blend of herbal tea that was claimed to significantly lower blood sugar levels. Eager to find a natural solution, she started drinking this tea several times a day.She believed that the more she drank, the better her blood sugar control would be. So, she consumed the tea almost hourly, ignoring the recommended amounts.However, instead of improving her condition, she started experiencing severe hypoglycemic episodes. These episodes were dangerously low blood sugar levels, which can be life-threatening.She came to my clinic in a state of confusion and extreme fatigue, classic symptoms of severe hypoglycemia. It was a dire situation that needed immediate attention.We conducted a thorough examination and found that the herbal tea, combined with her diabetes medications, was causing her blood sugar levels to plummet. We had to hospitalize her to stabilize her condition.During her hospital stay, we educated her about the importance of managing diabetes under medical supervision and the risks associated with uncontrolled use of herbal remedies.After her release, Mrs. Wallace's treatment plan was revised to ensure better management of her diabetes. She realized the importance of following medical advice and not relying solely on unverified natural remedies.This case was a cautionary tale for all my patients. It highlighted the potential dangers of self-medicating with herbal remedies, especially for conditions like diabetes that require careful management.DrEndocrineInsights
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43. The Baking Soda Blunder
As a gastroenterologist, I've seen various attempts by patients to treat digestive issues at home. One particularly striking case involved Mr. Thompson, who used baking soda to treat his chronic acid reflux.Mr. Thompson, a 45-year-old accountant, believed in the power of home remedies. He read that baking soda could neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from heartburn.He started consuming baking soda mixed with water multiple times a day, especially after meals or when he felt the slightest discomfort in his stomach.Initially, he experienced temporary relief, but over time, his symptoms worsened. He began experiencing severe abdominal pain, bloating, and alarming changes in his bowel movements.When he came to my clinic, he was in considerable discomfort. A thorough examination and tests revealed that he had developed metabolic alkalosis, a condition caused by the excessive intake of baking soda.This condition had disrupted his body's natural acid-base balance, leading to a range of complications. We immediately advised him to stop the baking soda intake and started appropriate treatment.His recovery involved balancing his electrolytes and managing the complications that had arisen from his self-treatment. We also started him on a medically approved treatment plan for his acid reflux.Throughout his treatment, we discussed the dangers of self-medicating, especially with substances like baking soda that can significantly alter the body's chemistry.Mr. Thompson's case served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with home remedies, particularly when used without medical guidance. It underscored the importance of seeking professional medical advice for any ongoing health issue.DrGastroTales
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44. The Onion Overuse
In my practice as a dermatologist, I've encountered various cases of skin self-treatment gone wrong. One such instance was with a young woman, Laura, who used onions to treat her acne.Laura, a 19-year-old college student, had struggled with acne for years. Searching for a natural solution, she found an online article claiming that onion juice could clear up acne due to its antibacterial properties.Inspired, Laura started applying freshly squeezed onion juice to her face every night. She was determined to use this 'natural' method, believing it would be gentler than chemical treatments.At first, she experienced a mild burning sensation, which she thought was a sign of the onion juice 'working.' However, over time, her skin became increasingly irritated and red.When Laura visited my clinic, her face was severely inflamed with signs of chemical burns from the onion juice. Her acne had also worsened, leading to painful lesions.We immediately started treating her skin with appropriate medications to reduce inflammation and prevent infection. The treatment also included gentle skincare to soothe her damaged skin.During her treatment, we discussed the importance of understanding skin types and the risks associated with applying harsh natural substances like onion juice directly to the skin.Laura's recovery was slow, requiring her to be on a strict skincare regimen and medication. She learned a hard lesson about the potential dangers of DIY skin treatments and the importance of consulting a dermatologist for skin issues.Laura's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of natural products for skin treatment. It highlights the need for professional guidance and the risks of self-diagnosing and treating skin conditions.DrSkinHealthTales
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45. The Risky Raw Diet
As a nutritionist and dietitian, I've advised many clients on healthy eating habits, but one case stands out for its extreme approach and dangerous consequences. It involved a patient, Mr. Harris, who adopted a strict raw food diet.Mr. Harris, a 35-year-old software developer, had become convinced that cooking food destroyed its nutritional value. He decided to switch to an exclusive diet of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.He was enthusiastic about the potential health benefits he read online, believing that this diet would detoxify his body and provide him with more energy.However, after several months on this diet, Mr. Harris started experiencing severe fatigue, weight loss, and digestive issues. His skin became pale, and he was often too tired to perform his daily activities.When he came to see me, a series of nutritional assessments revealed severe deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. His restrictive diet had led to malnourishment and a weakened immune system.We immediately started a nutrition therapy plan to reintroduce a balanced diet, focusing on incorporating cooked foods rich in nutrients that he was lacking.The road to recovery was slow. Mr. Harris had to overcome his misconceptions about raw diets and learn the importance of a balanced diet, including both raw and cooked foods.During his treatment, we discussed the dangers of extreme diets and the importance of variety in food choices. It was a learning curve for him to understand the role of different cooking methods in nutrition.Mr. Harris's case was a reminder to all my clients that while striving for health, one must avoid extreme dietary approaches. It emphasized the need for professional guidance in making significant dietary changes, especially those influenced by trends and unverified online sources.DrNutritionTales
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46. The Peppermint Plight
As an ENT specialist, I've seen various cases of patients misusing natural remedies. One such case involved Mr. Harding, who used excessive peppermint oil to treat his sinusitis.Mr. Harding, a 50-year-old librarian, read online that peppermint oil could clear sinus congestion. Excited by this natural remedy, he started inhaling it directly from the bottle and adding undiluted drops to his tea.Initially, he felt a strong, refreshing sensation and believed it was working. However, over time, he began experiencing severe headaches, dizziness, and worsening sinus pain.When he visited my clinic, his nasal passages were extremely inflamed, and he had developed a severe reaction to the peppermint oil.We immediately advised him to stop using the oil and started treatment to reduce the inflammation. It was clear that the concentrated oil had irritated his mucous membranes.Mr. Harding's recovery involved a medically approved sinusitis treatment plan. We also educated him on the risks of using essential oils in high concentrations, especially without proper dilution.His experience highlighted the dangers of self-treating with undiluted essential oils and the importance of understanding their potent effects.Mr. Harding learned the hard way that natural does not always mean safe, especially when used improperly. He became more cautious about using home remedies without consulting a healthcare professional.This case served as a reminder to my patients about the potential risks of essential oils when misused. It underscored the importance of moderation and professional guidance in using natural remedies.DrENTTales
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47. The Charcoal Conundrum
In my career as a toxicologist, I've encountered various cases of poisoning from unusual sources, but one case involving activated charcoal stands out. It was the case of a young woman, Emma, who used it as a detox method.Emma, a 28-year-old yoga instructor, was always interested in detox and cleansing trends. She started ingesting large amounts of activated charcoal, having read about its supposed toxin-absorbing properties.She believed that taking charcoal pills in high doses would cleanse her body of toxins and pollutants. Initially, she felt fine and believed the charcoal was working.However, after a few weeks, Emma started experiencing severe abdominal pain, constipation, and black stools. She also became dehydrated and weak.By the time she reached my clinic, she was in significant distress. A thorough examination revealed that the excessive charcoal intake had caused a blockage in her intestines and severe dehydration.We immediately admitted her for treatment, which involved IV fluids for dehydration and medical intervention to clear the intestinal blockage. It was a delicate and complex process.During her recovery, we discussed the risks of misusing supplements like activated charcoal. While it has medical uses, it can be harmful in unregulated doses and without medical supervision.Emma's recovery was slow, involving dietary adjustments and ongoing monitoring. She regretted her decision to follow such an extreme and unverified detox method.This case highlighted the dangers of self-prescribed detox methods and the importance of medical guidance when considering any form of supplementation, especially for cleansing or detox purposes.DrToxicologyTales
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48. The Aloe Vera Misadventure
As a dermatologist, I often advise patients on safe skin care practices. However, one case particularly stands out where a patient, Mrs. Clark, misused aloe vera in an attempt to treat a skin rash.Mrs. Clark, a 40-year-old school teacher, had developed a mild skin rash. Instead of seeking medical advice, she decided to treat it at home with aloe vera, having heard about its soothing properties.She began applying generous amounts of raw aloe vera gel directly from the plant to her rash. Believing more was better, she covered the rash with thick layers of the gel multiple times a day.Initially, she felt a cooling sensation and assumed it was working. However, her rash didn't improve and soon started to spread and itch intensely.When she finally came to see me, her rash had turned into a severe allergic reaction. She was surprised to learn that she had developed a sensitivity to aloe vera, which had exacerbated her condition.We had to immediately treat her allergic reaction with appropriate medication and advise her to stop using aloe vera. It was a clear case of a natural remedy causing more harm than good.During her treatment, we discussed how even natural products like aloe vera can cause adverse reactions and the importance of patch testing any new skin treatment.Mrs. Clark's recovery was gradual. She had to undergo a treatment regimen to heal her skin and prevent scarring. She learned the valuable lesson that not all natural remedies are safe for everyone and the importance of consulting a dermatologist for skin issues.This case served as a reminder to all my patients about the risks of self-treating skin conditions with home remedies. It underscored the importance of seeking professional advice, especially when dealing with skin reactions.DrDermCareTales
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49. The Fish Oil Fiasco
As a cardiologist, I often recommend omega-3 supplements for heart health, but one case demonstrated the dangers of excessive self-medication. This involved Mr. Bennett, who overused fish oil supplements.Mr. Bennett, a 55-year-old journalist, was conscious about his heart health. He read about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and decided to incorporate them into his daily routine.Believing more was better, he started taking high doses of fish oil supplements, far exceeding the recommended amount. He was convinced this would protect his heart.After a few months, Mr. Bennett began experiencing unusual symptoms: easy bruising, nosebleeds, and gum bleeding. Concerned, he finally sought medical attention.Tests revealed that his blood had become unusually thin. The excessive fish oil intake had amplified its anticoagulant properties, leading to a bleeding risk.We immediately advised him to stop the fish oil supplements and began treatment to normalize his blood clotting parameters. It was a delicate balance to manage his condition.During his recovery, we discussed the importance of following recommended dosages for supplements and the potential risks of high-dose fish oil, particularly in relation to blood clotting.Mr. Bennett's recovery involved careful monitoring and adjustment of his diet and supplements. He understood the importance of moderation and following medical advice for supplements.This case was a crucial reminder of the dangers of self-prescribing high doses of supplements, even those as seemingly harmless as fish oil. It highlighted the need for medical guidance in using supplements for health benefits.DrHeartHealthTales
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50. The Apple Cider Vinegar Overdose
As a nephrologist, I specialize in kidney health, and one case that particularly stands out is that of Mrs. Johnson, who overindulged in apple cider vinegar for weight loss.Mrs. Johnson, a 48-year-old teacher, was eager to lose weight and turned to apple cider vinegar after reading about its supposed benefits. She believed it could help her lose weight rapidly.She started consuming large amounts of undiluted apple cider vinegar several times a day, ignoring the potential acidity and its effects on the body.After a few weeks, she developed severe abdominal pain and showed signs of kidney distress. Concerned, she finally sought medical help.Upon examination and tests, it was clear that the excessive consumption of apple cider vinegar had led to acute kidney injury. The high acidity had significantly affected her kidney function.We immediately started treatment to stabilize her condition, which included stopping the intake of apple cider vinegar and administering appropriate medications to support her kidney function.During her treatment, we discussed the dangers of extreme dietary practices and the importance of moderation. Mrs. Johnson was shocked to learn that her attempt at weight loss had endangered her kidneys.Her recovery was gradual, involving a balanced diet and careful monitoring of her kidney function. She learned the valuable lesson that extreme measures for weight loss could have serious health consequences.This case served as a warning about the risks of overusing home remedies like apple cider vinegar. It underscored the importance of seeking medical advice before undertaking any drastic dietary changes for health or weight loss.DrKidneyCareTales
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