What little physical ailment bothers you the most?

[NaMeaHou]

Sometimes I smoke too much, and my lungs complain, but most of the time I just feel fatigue. I didn't used to, but now have to pace myself through the day or I can't stay awake.

Any little problem that bugs you in that way?

[gyopsy]

1. my back...

I was overweight for some years and I've since lost most of the weight but I still have back pains occasionally. Most of the time, it isn't a problem but I can feel it in the middle of the day.

[sistersofmercy]

4. You may need a new mattress.

My back was very troublesome for a while then I read an article but mattresses. I gave it try, bought a new semi-firm mattress and viola, no more back pain. The trouble was not enough support while I was sleeping thanks to a pillowtop mattress.

[NaMeaHou]

8. I still use an old waterbed

does anybody else? My back has been pretty much okay.

[BiggJawn]

13. I have a soft-sider.

Spent a week in DC on a "typical" hotel mattress (great to screw on, worthless for sleeping) and woke up every day before 5 AM with back spasms...

[RedEarth]

15. I used to sleep on a waterbed until

my back hurt so much I could hardly sleep at all. I went to the doctor and physical therapist and they both said waterbeds are bad news for backs, since they don't provide enough level support. Like a previous poster, they reccommended a firm mattress. Sure enough, after a few weeks on firm mattress my back problems were gone.

[LTR]

18. I sell furniture and mattresses for a living

And I will say waterbeds are terrible for your back. They give no support whatsoever, never allow your body rest due to the constant flopping around, and also create the 'hammock effect'.

I have a very good pillowtop mattress, and I sleep great. Mattresses come in all shapes and sizes, and the main differences between firm, plush and pillowtop is the softness. Otherwise, they have the same springs in them.

If you're looking for a new mattress set, try a few out. Don't get a firm just because you've heard they were better for your back. If ultra-firm beds are really that good for your back, then you might as well sleep on the floor. I have, and I will say, the floor is not good for the back. Go with the most comfortable one (if it supports you well enough).

There are alternative products to innnerspring mattresses on the market, such as Tempur-pedic, but be warned about Select Comfort. They may or may not have a quality product, but do you really want to sleep on something OxyRush Lowbrow pimps on his show every day?

[BiggJawn]

21. Slept on one for almost 30 years now...

Except for that year my GF and I were shacking, and she refused to move my bed into her house. So I slept on her board-hard, too-short full-size bed. That HURT!

Yeah, I know all the docs, back-crackers and bed salesmen say they're bad for you, but you can't argue with over 25 years of good sleep. At least I can't.

[leftist_rebel1569]

2. Something with my foot

sometimes i'll do something that'll either put pressure or move my foot somehow, and I get this like, painful bending sensation. I know it moves something because my toes either move apart or closer together when it happens. It bugs me so much, even though i'm used to doing it (it happens at least once a day)

I also get really lightheaded when I stand up. Even really slowly sometimes, I'll still get it and I feel like i'm gonna fall over. grrr...that bugs me too.

[NaMeaHou]

3. That light headed standing up thing

could be low blood pressure. Get a check up!!!!

I am not a doctor, and don't mean to play one on the internet.

:)

[wickerwoman]

25. Yup... low blood pressure.

I have the same thing. The toe thing is a leg cramp that really starts in the calves- I used to wake up screaming from them every night when I was a teenager. It hurt like hell and sometimes my big toe bent half way behind its neighbor. I basically grew out of it but I'll still have one once in a while when I'm changing my diet or amount of exercise. Make sure you're eating a healthy diet with a good dose of salt and see what happens.

I get lightheaded really easily as well. The room will spin around and I hear a buzzing sound in both ears. When I was a teen I had seizures twice in the middle of the night from standing up too soon. I cracked my head on the sink a couple times pretty good and couldn't stand up for half an hour. Sleep, urinating, drinking and standing up suddenly all lower your blood pressure. If I do a combination of these too close together I feel like I'm going to pass out.

See a doctor and find out what you can do. I basically grew out of all these symptoms but my blood pressure is still pretty low.

[Snow]

36. There's a new manuever out there, with someone's name attached

(not mine; I never get things published fast enough). Anyway, the idea is when you get that light-headed feeling from low blood pressure, you cross your legs (yes, while standing, and yes, it looks silly) and tighten all your muscles from the waist down (yes, that one, too. I said all of them). That will help considerably.

[sistersofmercy]

5. Do you take a multi-vitamin?

might help if not.

[Droopy]

6. Fatigue

I get up at 7 am to go to class then I have a three hour break before my next one. I'm always sleeping after that first class. Sometimes I can hardly stay awake during the class. I'll just sit there with my head in my hands.I've tried going to bed earlier and it hasn't helped. Same thing with caffiene. I don't know what the problem is. Maybe I'm just not a morning person. I never had this problem before I came to school.

[gyopsy]

7. I had that problem...

back when I was in HS. I'm in college now and I don't have it so much anymore. But bottom line is: I'm simply not built to be on the go for 10 hours straight like some people.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. I had a toe that pissed me off so bad I had it cut off!

Yep. Really happened. It was causing me so much pain I could barely stand to put a shoe on, let alone walk. Whack! Off it came. That'll teach the other nine!

Mess with me, why I oughta...... :evilgrin:

[NaMeaHou]

11. Whoa!

poor toe. You could have donated it (organ/toe donor). It might earn a quarter a look in bars?

[MissMillie]

31. Did you have to call a toe truck? (n/t)

.

[Nikia]

10. I feel like I'm falling apart sometimes

I've been having trouble with sinuses again. About a year ago, I was treated for a chronic sinus infection that had lasted for a year. I had been better for a while, but now I have congestion again for and have for a little over a month. When it drains, I cough or feel sick to my stomach. The mucous is white or clear but really thick. No, I am not allergic to anything.
I also have occaisional back and leg pain. Perhaps, I really do need to buy a new bed.

[NaMeaHou]

14. OR

get rid of the pet critters?

They can all of a sudden create almost asthma type symptoms!

[Nikia]

16. We can't get rid of the dog

We rescued him two years ago from the humane society. He loves us and we love him. If either of us is feeling down, he is there to comfort us. I thought that I might be allergic to him or perhaps something from outside that stuck to his fur, but I went through allergy tests and they found nothing. I think that I cough on the sinus drainage although most of the time I seem to swallow it instead.

[RedEarth]

17. One thing I found that helps with sinus problems is ..

guafinisen(sp). You can buy at a drug store in liquid form or over the internet(which I do) in tablet form. Tablets are cheaper and just as effective. At the first sign of sinus discomfort, I start taking the tablets and it does seem to make a big difference.

Hope it helps......

[Snow]

34. My sinuses and allergies are my pet peeve, too.....

last time I had a sinus flare-up I went down the street from where I work to an acupuncture clinic (told my regular doc; she was fine with it, and curious to hear results). Nice people - Chinese, China-trained physician/acupuncturist with an apprentice who was also a licensed apprentice. My HMO doesn't cover this, so they charged me $35 per treatment, took me about 6 or 7 treatments spread over maybe 6 weeks to really get the problem calmed down. But, I came in there not sleeping at night from the pain, and the first treatment gave me enough relief that I could sleep. It worked more quickly than the usual antibiotics/antihistamine/pain reliever regimen, without the side-effects. Expense was probably the same. But it was pretty damned effective. I'd recommend it & will do it again next flare-up.

[Clete]

12. I hate to tell you to get rid of the smokes but

they could be your problem. It's very hard, but I smoked my last cigarette over ten years ago. This was after I had been quitting smoking the previous twenty years. It takes a long time, but you keep falling off the tobacco wagon over and over again, but one day it sticks.

[LTR]

19. Gastroentiritis

About 1-2 times per year, my stomach acts up and it is outrageously painful. Tagamet helps to heal it.

[Catshrink]

20. bursitis in my hip

hurts like hell in the morning. Doc says heat 15 minutes on, 15 off, 15 back on. Great -- except it's still damn hot here in Phoenix. As for meds, naproxyn is horrid on my stomach and celebrex isn't covered by insurance. So I pout and feel sorry for myself when it flares up. Not much more I can do.

[BigDaddyLove]

22. I'm patiently waiting for...............

a broken bone in my hand to heal, and I'll tell 'ya, this blows.

I'm wearing this vice-grip/brace thing to keep the bone immobilized and it makes everything a lot more difficult. I can only wear certain shirts with sleeves large enough to fit over it, and I have to put my hand in a plastic bag when showering. What really sucks is that I have to pack this week to move next weekend.....slow goin'.

[leftofthedial]

23. esophageal cancer

and hay fever

[Redleg]

24. My lower back hurts from time to time.

I need more exercise and to lose weight. Me and 60% of America.

[NuckinFutz]

26. chronic

sinus/upper respiratory congestion. Even Claritin isn't controlling it that well these days.

[Nikia]

32. Have you seen a doctor about this yet?

If it isn't an allergy, Claritin won't help much. Since sinuses are encased in bone, one's body can have a difficult time fighting sinus infections on its own. You might need to be treated for a chronic sinus infection. I've also heard that mold infections in the sinuses are much more common that originally thought. I should go to the doctor too since my sinuses have been bad again for a while, but I am kind of hesitant since my doctor, without ordering an allergy test, originally misdignosed my problems as allerergies exaggerated by anxiety and I finally had to go see a specialist.

[Torgo]

37. Get to a doctor!

Chronic upper respiratory congestion may also be a symptom of more serious problems. That chronic upper respiratory congestion I suffered was a symptom of congestive heart failure.

I am fine now... but required arterial bypass surgery.

If I had delayed seeing a doctor any longer, I would have died.

[GOPisEvil]

27. Sinus headaches

Related to too many allergens in the air. Good thing it's a temporary condition, or I'd be useless.

[Richardo]

28. I'm a headache wimp...

...the slightest pain bugs me. Makes me admire those who can live with incapacitating migraines, like my Mom has had to.

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Not A Little Problem, But M.S.

Causes lots of pain in the hips and a killer burning sensation from the knees down.

At times, one common symptom i have is sudden and intense fatigue. One minute you feel fine, the next it's a chore to get out of a chair. Don't feel sleepy, just wiped out. A few hours later, ok again.

I have good weeks and bad weeks, though, so while it's chronic and pernicious, it's manageable.
The Professor

[MissMillie]

30. Not little, in any sense--morbidly obese

and it causes all kinds of problems with my health: sleep apnea, high blood pressure, joint pain, back pain, plantar fasciitis, etc.

I'm in the process of being approved for gastric bypass surgery.... but this could take 8 to 12 months.

[qb]

33. Heartburn

About once a month, I get this killer heartburn, and nothing makes it go away. I've swigged Maalox, chomped Tums, and taken all of the over-the-counter acid reducers (double dose, as recommended by a physician). Although I occasionally eat some of the "heartburn-causing" foods, I usually have no problem and cannot figure out what I did differently when I got the heartburn.

[Book Lover]

35. My incredibly poor eyesight

My focal length is about 9 inches from my face... It's nice that glasses have finally gotten cute and fashionable; wish it was that way in high school...

[RebelOne]

38. Yes, smoking can really affect your lungs.

I smoke too much also and have a problem walking up hills, which I have to do everyday while walking my dog. But I keep telling myself that the exercise is healthy for me as I am huffing and puffing as I am walking uphill.

[HEyHEY]

39. A wound on my finger wonet seem to heal

it's only about the size of a pimple. But it wont seem to heal over with lines and what not...it just has rough skin and hurts a bit when I put pressure on it.

[mlawson]

40. Occasional spells of rapid pulse rate.

My father had this as well, and it never caused him any serious effects. I have had this about once a year or less, for decades (I am 53).

But it just comes out of the blue, or if I get REALLY excited. Very rapid pulse, may last a few seconds or a few minutes, then it goes away immediately. No after effects at all, no pain, no shortness of breath. But it scares this shit out of me when it happens, and that only makes it worse. I hike a lot, and I worry that it might happen waaaay out on the trail somewhere (though SO FAR it has not, and we do quite strenuous climbs sometimes).