Answered by Dr. Rathee Rahul

How can I recover from sphincterotomy and hemorrhoidectomy?

Hi doctor,

I am 23 years old. I underwent open internal rigid sphincterotomy and hemorrhoidectomy for chronic anal fissures and piles. But I have severe pain in the anal canal all the time now. During bowel movements, it gets worse. I underwent surgery for 23 days. I also see some blood in my stools. Without a stool softener, I am unable to bear the pain. How long does it take to get a full recovery?

Please suggest.

12 Mar 2024 - 1 min read

How can I overcome the warming effects of Ashwagandha?

Hello doctor,

I am a 38 year old male. I started taking Ashwagandha 500 mg per day, a few months ago, and it improved my memory, attention, etc. But after a month, I began to have night sweats, agitation, weird sensations in the neck area and protruding eyes. I have read that Ashwagandha is excess pitta, I am new to ayurveda but also converted because Ashwagandha works wonders for me. I have some symptoms of overactive thyroid from it, but I really cannot quit it, because it has made me feel so good.

It has improved my life considerably. I suffer from OCD combined with BDD (body dysmorphic disorder) and depression. I am not producing enough serotonin, and my receptors for serotonin are also dysfunctional. In the last ten years, I have tried to keep myself aloft without psychiatric medication. Because it was not successful in my case, and they have some unwanted secondary effects. I take Omega 3, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Inositol, 5-HTP and lately Ashwagandha, and I cannot have a decent life without these supplements. I will never quit Ashwagandha again; I really cannot live without it. I have tried ghee, but it is not cooling enough. I also tried taking Shatavari and Bacopa, but I have some weird feeling, so it is not working. I also tried Triphala and Amla for a month but was also feeling weird from it so gave it up. Now I take Ashwagandha on alternate days. Please help me adjust the warming effects of Ashwagandha.

16 Feb 2024 - 1 min read

I have chest soreness and radiating pain.Is this due to pleurisy or costochondritis?

Hello doctor,

• I am a 36 year old, otherwise healthy (as far as I know) female.

• I was a smoker earlier. No history of heart disease.

• My mother has COPD, but has been a long time smoker. 

• Two and a half weeks ago, I went on a hayride with my sons.

• I have a short stature. To get on and off the hayride, I literally had to pull myself up onto the trailer. (Imagine pulling yourself out of a swimming pool).

• The next morning, I woke up with chest soreness.

• I had pain in the upper left chest area, a few inches to the left of sternum.

• That was a radiating pain over the breast towards armpit.

• Pain worsened on bending over.

• Also, I could locate very tender spots when pressing on the area with fingers.

• I had no pain during regular breathing, but very deep breaths caused pain to worsen (from the left of sternum radiating across and to the left breast). 

• Over the past two and a half weeks, pain has improved, but still not completely subsided.

• Most of the pain (while bending) is gone, but I still have tender areas across upper left chest when poking around with finger (trigger points?).

• I have some minor discomfort on taking deep breath, but greatly improved from what it was.

• And now pain is just in an area to the left of my left breast.

• Now, pain is mostly towards armpit area and may be slightly radiating to the upper, bottom side of arm.

• I do not have much pain as it was in the beginning, but more of soreness.

• It is not constant, it occurs mostly just when I move in a certain way or tense my chest.

• Also I am noticing upper left back discomfort, not really pain. 

• Local FNP suspects strained muscle. No x-rays were done.

• I have no cough, no shortness of breath, no loss of appetite, no indigestion or heartburn.

• Otherwise I feel fine. My concern is that I still have some pain and discomfort after almost 3 weeks.

• Shouldn't a muscle strain be healed by now?

• I am a bit concerned as it may be something more serious than a strained muscle, perhaps pleurisy or costochondritis?

06 Feb 2024 - 1 min read

How do I manage swollen and painful lymph nodes beneath the jaws?

Hello doctor,

I am a 25-year-old female. My height is 5 feet and 3 inches. I do not have any medical problems, and I am only taking oral contraceptives. I have had swollen lymph nodes underneath my jaw for the past year. I originally thought that the cause might be tonsil stones. A month ago, I noticed swelling in my neck and throbbing pain in the lymph nodes under my jaw. I usually drink once a week and experience the pain at work in the middle of the night. I consulted a doctor and was prescribed the tablet Augmentin for ten days. However, I did not notice any change after completing the regimen. I had a CBC done, but it came out negative. I do not have any weight loss issues or night sweats. I thought of consulting an ENT surgeon. What condition is this? Please help.

30 Jan 2024 - 1 min read

Do I really have chronic myeloid leukemia?

Hello doctor,

I am 18 years old and I got told that I had chronic myeloid leukemia. Do I seriously have it? Or what do I really have? Blood test: high basophils and low hemoglobin. My symptoms are weight loss, anemia, dizziness and pale skin. Urine: leukocytes 1 to 2. And, I have a ball right under my left eyeball of the size of a pebble.

22 Jan 2024 - 1 min read