Health chat with Dr Keith Hopcroft - Part 1
We gave you the chance to quiz full time GP and health columnist, Dr Keith Hopcroft, on your wellbeing. Read on to pick up advice on insomnia, acne, mood swings and more.
Jim_V: Welcome Dr Keith, here's the first question.
Randomgirl: Can you offer me some tips for dealing with insomnia?
Dr Keith: If you don't mind Randomgirl, it would be good to know how old you are and how long this has been going on. Also, are you finding it difficult to get to sleep in the first place or are you waking up too early? Finally, do you have any idea what might be causing it?
Randomgirl: I'm 23 years-old and I have ongoing mental health problems, especially depression. Usually I get hypersomnia but for the last couple of weeks it's been insomnia. When I get in bed lots of thoughts go around my head and I suffer a lot of flashbacks. I cry lots and can't get to sleep and then when I do fall asleep I wake up about four hours later.
Dr Keith: OK, thanks for that. The most common causes for insomnia are feeling stressed out or tense. Those things will usually interfere with you getting off to sleep and may tend to wake you in the night too. The first thing to do is to work out the sources of stress. It can help to make a list of all the things that are causing you stress and go through them one at a time. Then go through them with someone else.
Physical exercise is a really good way to burn off tension and promote sleep. You can get help with exercise and relaxation from DVDs which are available from health shops or places like WH Smith. So overall stress busting is really important.
Sleep hygiene is also really important. This includes having a regular set pattern for sleep and avoiding cat naps in the day to catch up on sleep, even if you feel tired, as they can affect the quality of your sleep. Also avoid stimulants like watching TV in bed and obvious things like coffee.
Most doctors encourage you to steer well clear of sleeping tablets as they are really addictive and prevent you from getting in the habit of having your own good sleep hygiene. Poor sleep can be a sign that mental health problems are not under control so quite apart from all the other advice, it's also worth seeing your GP or mental health care specialist about this.
Katchika: I'd like to know about remedies for severe period pain (preferably not involving going on the pill). I'm 24 and have had awful periods for more than 10 years, the only time it was better is when I was on the pill but I don't want to be on it anymore.
Dr Keith: Firsly, I'd just like to explain that there are two kinds of period pains. One kind is normal and natural and not a sign of any gynaecological problems.
The natural pains usually come on after about two years of periods. The second and less common kind of pain occurs when there is a gynaecological problem. Those types of problems are things like endometriosis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the womb, and pelvic inflammatory disease which can also cause bad period pains.
There are usually give-aways to indicate the less common problems. You may suffer a persistent and bad vaginal discharge, or severe pain during sex on a regular basis. Also, the pain tends to build well before the period starts and the periods are often heavy. These things occur for the minority, but if any of them ring bells for you then it's important to see a doctor to get treatment for the underlying problem.
You can treat natural pains with simple over-the-counter remedies like paracetomal or paracetomal plus codeine combinations. The next step up is anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen that can help the pain and prevent your periods getting really heavy. If those simple steps don't help then a trip to the GP is your next option. Your GP can prescribe anti-inflammatories or the pill. The pill is an incredibly effective treatment as it cuts down bleeding and provides contraception. Often women have concerns about the pill that they needn't have so it's worth talking through any worries you have with your GP.
Jim_V: Thanks for that Dr Keith, the next question is from 1983...
1983: My Dad has had really terrible health since he was 21 and diagnosed with Crohn's disease. His health has deteriorated and he's now going on 57, been through umpteen colonoscopies, endoscopies, on a drug dealers' dream of medication. He now has a pouch which acts as his bowel, but he keeps throwing up. His quality of life is appalling, he's constantly vomiting at least once a day, has diarrhoea, and he's lost around seven stone. He finds it incredibly difficult to sleep at night but could sleep until the cows come home during the day. He barely eats and he doesn't sustain any other remedies his GP gives him such as multivitamin drinks, sleeping tablets and the like.
If he was to go private would they offer him anything further that may be a little more difficult to get through the NHS? Or would it be a wasted effort? The reason he got his bowel removed was because it would turn cancerous. He almost died during the procedure. Seeing how he's aged and lost weight it shocks me to write that he could be someone who looks as though they've battled cancer. He doesn't look like my Dad despite him being here. It's difficult to battle with him, because I want him healthy again and back to the way he was, but it's his body and it's horrible to see him suffer.
Dr Keith: Hi there, this is a really severe case of Crohn's disease which is obviously very unfortunate and complicated. When Crohn's is this severe it can make people very unwell indeed and can lead to lots of complications that need treatment in their own right. If the current situation is a recent and sudden change then your dad needs to see his specialist soon. If he's not under a specialist then he can go via his GP.
As for seeking private health care, I would suggest that he didn't go down that avenue as private care doesn't buy you better care - it simply jumps lists and adds convenience, which is not an issue in this case.
Next time your dad is going to see a specialist why not go along so you can have a chat with them. This will give you a chance to become fully aware of everything that is going on. You can take your concerns along as a list as it would be good for you to know that they are all out in the open. As long as your dad is happy with this, it could make things a lot easier for you.
Jim_V: Okay, thanks Dr.
girl_to_the_gunner: How would you go about getting your lungs routinely tested?
Dr Keith: Before answering that I would need to know what's bothering you and what symptoms you have.
girl_to_the_gunner: Basically I get really short of breath really quickly, chest pains and loads of phlegm etc. I'm in the process of quitting smoking but these aren't the normal symptoms I've had when I've quit before.
Dr Keith: How old are you?
girl_to_the_gunner: I'm 20.
Dr Keith: In short, what you need to do is to see your GP because there's a whole heap of things that could be making you short of breath. It's unlikely it will be something sinister or serious and you won't need to have any private tests, but there are specific tests that a GP could give you to get to the bottom of this. It could be anything from being unfit, to being anaemic, being asthmatic or having heart trouble. So as you can see, not all of these conditions are related to your lungs.
Your GP will be able to assess the condition and decide whether or not you would need to have further tests like a chest x-ray or a lung function test, blood test or even a heart trace ECG - but it's unlikely you would have a heart trace at your age. It may well be that the GP works out that you don't actually need any tests, so that's why you need to go and see them.
girl_to_the_gunner: Thank you.
Dom: Is it true that diet impacts insomnia?
Dr Keith: No is the short answer, not to any significant degree. If you look at all the factors that can affect sleep, then it always boils down to other things like needing to go to the loo in the middle of the night, depression or poor sleep habits. But obviously common sense tells us that eating a curry before bed and getting gut rot from too much beer will lead to poor sleep.
sofie: For the last few weeks, I've had some problems with my stomach - it seems that I have an intolerance to something. What's the best thing to take so that my stomach isn't so painful?
Dr Keith: Are you able to say specifically what the problems you've had are and what has led you to think you are intolerant to something?
sofie: I'm intolerant to cows' milk and get exactly the same symptoms (runs, stomach ache and wind) after drinking Soya milk.
"There's no one magic bullet for acne and often it is trial and error."
Dr Keith: There's lots of possibilities here but its not a good idea to have allergy tests if you think you're intolerant. It's important to keep a strict food diary where you list what you eat each day and list the symptoms that occur every time you eat. Then link up the symptoms with recurring themes in your diet. Next, exclude anything that seems to cause the symptoms. If the symptoms start to disappear then you will know that you are intolerant to the foods.
sofie: I have been doing that for about 11 days.
Dr Keith: That's a good start but you will need to do it for much longer. My second point is that your problem may not be food intolerance as it's much less common than people think. Usually people are intolerant to one specific thing. So if you think you're intolerant to cows milk and then you find out you're intolerant to Soya milk you have an extremely unusual situation. It may be that you actually have some other problem with your bowel. The most common bowel problem that is misinterpreted as intolerance is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It's not the only cause, but certainly the most likely. With IBS, people get the symptoms you've described as well as belly ache, bloating and passing of mucus when you got to the loo. IBS is often linked with stress and there are lots of things you can do to help which would require a trip to your GP.
sofie: Ok, thank you.
Nutter: How can I take control of my mood swings more efficiently? They are quite severe. One minute I'm elated and the next I'm incredibly depressed or even thinking of suicide. I've had past troubles with depression and anxiety.
Dr Keith: OK, firstly how old are you? Are you on any medication? And are your mood swings on a daily basis or do you have fluctuations in your moods after a few weeks?
Nutter: I'm 19 and I'm not on any medication but sometimes take St John's Wort, or co-codamol to relax a bit from the anxiety. The mood swings vary, sometimes days, weekends, weeks, the depressed times often last longer.
Dr Keith: Firstly, people usually misinterpret what you're talking about by thinking they have something called manic depression. The good news is that it really doesn't sound like you have that condition. Secondly, this type of pattern could be part of your personality, as while some peoples' moods are generally on an even keel, others swing between extremes. If it is part of your personality then you may not be able to change much. You might find siblings or parents are similar. Mood swings can also reflect significant emotional issues from now or the past that you may not have been able to sort out. If this is the case then it's a good idea to find someone to talk to like a counsellor.
Also, try and avoid excess alcohol or drugs as they can increase the normal mood swings we have. Finally, go through all the stress busting avenues we talked about with insomnia.
Nutter: Ok, thanks.
Scary_Monster: I've had problems with acne for the last eight years. Dianette worked a treat but I'm not allowed to have that any more. Is there anything else other than Dalacin, oral antibiotics or Differin? None of the antibiotics are helping and Differin makes my skin really really dry.
Dr Keith: Yes, there's no one magic bullet and often it is trial and error. It's a pity about the Dianette, but firstly, it's important to understand that with antibiotics often the reason they don't work as they should is that people don't persevere with them.
Scary_Monster: Apparently the prescribing guidelines have changed so you're no longer supposed to be on it long term, is that the case?
Dr Keith: That's not strictly the case. We will try to keep people on medication for the minimum amount of time necessary, but you could be on something for a year or two.
Scary_Monster: I did nine months on one kind and another four on another.
Dr Keith: Antibiotics take a month to start working and three or four to have their full effect. In terms of guidelines they can be used for a year or two but like anything we'll try and reduce doses. There are other treatments including prescribed creams and lotions. In severe cases there's a really powerful drug available through hospital specialists. Finally, let me just dispel the myth that acne is related to your diet - it isn't. However, sunshine is good as long as you don't burn.
Scary_Monster: Thanks. I will try going back to the GP and see if they can think of any other lotions.
saz: Mum's just found out I self harm and has reacted to it by wanting to put me in a psychiatric ward and sent to the doctors. She has not actually heard me out as to why I do it, she just assumes I'm off my head for doing so (despite working in pharmacy herself so I would have expected her to be a little more understanding). Due to her wanting to drag me to the doctors what exactly could be done to help? After seeing my doc when I was on the verge of relapsing back into anorexia (to the point I was bringing up blood and being told I don't feel sick when I eat it's just in my head/its all normal etc) I have very little faith in him. I can't change GPs either. I don't feel confident admitting my problems and getting help. What exactly can be done for teenage depression?
Dr Keith: Firstly, this is obviously hard for you, but your mum's reaction is not that surprising. She is probably feeling all kinds of emotions like guilt, worry, and fear that it's her fault and concern that she hasn't been able to protect you. It sounds like you have lots of emotional turmoil and you are likely to be feeling release from self harming, but it's not a healthy way to deal with things and can be very scary for people like your mum.
It's going to be important for you to talk to someone about your inner conflicts and find other ways to deal with them. In terms of the situation with your GP, they should have links to local psychiatric services which you can contact directly.
Also, it's important to go back and check again if you can actually see another GP.
kaff: I've had a painful, and stiff hip for about six months. Now it's got quite a lot worse, the other hip is starting to go the same way too, and it makes an awful clicking/grinding sound when I move in a certain way. I've been seen by a rheumatology team for the last two or three years for a vague and undiagnosed inflammatory type condition, so am hopefully back to see them soon, but is there anything I can do in the meantime to make myself less sore? I try to avoid ibuprofen because it has caused me stomach troubles in the past.
Dr Keith: Firstly, although you say it's your hip, often when people say hip pain it's actually usually felt in the groin in the front of the thigh so not the hip joint - but the muscles that work the hip coming from the back. You will need to discuss this with your rheumatologist when you go back. In the meantime, paracetomal is a good idea. You can also try swimming and any form of heat - like hot baths or heat lamps. They may all help before you see your specialist.
kaff: I'll have a crack, thanks :-).
Fi: Should you work out while you're pregnant?
Dr Keith: Yes it's perfectly fine to. Any sporting activity is OK - except water skiing - I'll let you work out why!
Jim_V: Okay thanks then Dr. Keith just a final word from 1983
1983: 'Doctor, Doctor gimme the news! I got a bad case of loving youuuuuuuuu! x' :p
Jim_V: And thanks everyone for taking part.
Randomgirl: Thanks guys.
saz: Thank you.
Dr Keith: Cheers everyone, thanks for all your great questions.
Thanks to The Sun for supplying the image.
Health chat with Dr Keith Hopcroft - Part 1
We gave you the chance to quiz full time GP and health columnist, Dr Keith Hopcroft, on your wellbeing. Read on to pick up advice on insomnia, acne, mood swings and more.
Jim_V: Welcome Dr Keith, here's the first question.
Randomgirl: Can you offer me some tips for dealing with insomnia?
Dr Keith: If you don't mind Randomgirl, it would be good to know how old you are and how long this has been going on. Also, are you finding it difficult to get to sleep in the first place or are you waking up too early? Finally, do you have any idea what might be causing it?
Randomgirl: I'm 23 years-old and I have ongoing mental health problems, especially depression. Usually I get hypersomnia but for the last couple of weeks it's been insomnia. When I get in bed lots of thoughts go around my head and I suffer a lot of flashbacks. I cry lots and can't get to sleep and then when I do fall asleep I wake up about four hours later.
Dr Keith: OK, thanks for that. The most common causes for insomnia are feeling stressed out or tense. Those things will usually interfere with you getting off to sleep and may tend to wake you in the night too. The first thing to do is to work out the sources of stress. It can help to make a list of all the things that are causing you stress and go through them one at a time. Then go through them with someone else.
Physical exercise is a really good way to burn off tension and promote sleep. You can get help with exercise and relaxation from DVDs which are available from health shops or places like WH Smith. So overall stress busting is really important.
Sleep hygiene is also really important. This includes having a regular set pattern for sleep and avoiding cat naps in the day to catch up on sleep, even if you feel tired, as they can affect the quality of your sleep. Also avoid stimulants like watching TV in bed and obvious things like coffee.
Most doctors encourage you to steer well clear of sleeping tablets as they are really addictive and prevent you from getting in the habit of having your own good sleep hygiene. Poor sleep can be a sign that mental health problems are not under control so quite apart from all the other advice, it's also worth seeing your GP or mental health care specialist about this.
Katchika: I'd like to know about remedies for severe period pain (preferably not involving going on the pill). I'm 24 and have had awful periods for more than 10 years, the only time it was better is when I was on the pill but I don't want to be on it anymore.
Dr Keith: Firsly, I'd just like to explain that there are two kinds of period pains. One kind is normal and natural and not a sign of any gynaecological problems.
The natural pains usually come on after about two years of periods. The second and less common kind of pain occurs when there is a gynaecological problem. Those types of problems are things like endometriosis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the womb, and pelvic inflammatory disease which can also cause bad period pains.
There are usually give-aways to indicate the less common problems. You may suffer a persistent and bad vaginal discharge, or severe pain during sex on a regular basis. Also, the pain tends to build well before the period starts and the periods are often heavy. These things occur for the minority, but if any of them ring bells for you then it's important to see a doctor to get treatment for the underlying problem.
You can treat natural pains with simple over-the-counter remedies like paracetomal or paracetomal plus codeine combinations. The next step up is anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen that can help the pain and prevent your periods getting really heavy. If those simple steps don't help then a trip to the GP is your next option. Your GP can prescribe anti-inflammatories or the pill. The pill is an incredibly effective treatment as it cuts down bleeding and provides contraception. Often women have concerns about the pill that they needn't have so it's worth talking through any worries you have with your GP.
Jim_V: Thanks for that Dr Keith, the next question is from 1983...
1983: My Dad has had really terrible health since he was 21 and diagnosed with Crohn's disease. His health has deteriorated and he's now going on 57, been through umpteen colonoscopies, endoscopies, on a drug dealers' dream of medication. He now has a pouch which acts as his bowel, but he keeps throwing up. His quality of life is appalling, he's constantly vomiting at least once a day, has diarrhoea, and he's lost around seven stone. He finds it incredibly difficult to sleep at night but could sleep until the cows come home during the day. He barely eats and he doesn't sustain any other remedies his GP gives him such as multivitamin drinks, sleeping tablets and the like.
If he was to go private would they offer him anything further that may be a little more difficult to get through the NHS? Or would it be a wasted effort? The reason he got his bowel removed was because it would turn cancerous. He almost died during the procedure. Seeing how he's aged and lost weight it shocks me to write that he could be someone who looks as though they've battled cancer. He doesn't look like my Dad despite him being here. It's difficult to battle with him, because I want him healthy again and back to the way he was, but it's his body and it's horrible to see him suffer.
Dr Keith: Hi there, this is a really severe case of Crohn's disease which is obviously very unfortunate and complicated. When Crohn's is this severe it can make people very unwell indeed and can lead to lots of complications that need treatment in their own right. If the current situation is a recent and sudden change then your dad needs to see his specialist soon. If he's not under a specialist then he can go via his GP.
As for seeking private health care, I would suggest that he didn't go down that avenue as private care doesn't buy you better care - it simply jumps lists and adds convenience, which is not an issue in this case.
Next time your dad is going to see a specialist why not go along so you can have a chat with them. This will give you a chance to become fully aware of everything that is going on. You can take your concerns along as a list as it would be good for you to know that they are all out in the open. As long as your dad is happy with this, it could make things a lot easier for you.
Jim_V: Okay, thanks Dr.
girl_to_the_gunner: How would you go about getting your lungs routinely tested?
Dr Keith: Before answering that I would need to know what's bothering you and what symptoms you have.
girl_to_the_gunner: Basically I get really short of breath really quickly, chest pains and loads of phlegm etc. I'm in the process of quitting smoking but these aren't the normal symptoms I've had when I've quit before.
Dr Keith: How old are you?
girl_to_the_gunner: I'm 20.
Dr Keith: In short, what you need to do is to see your GP because there's a whole heap of things that could be making you short of breath. It's unlikely it will be something sinister or serious and you won't need to have any private tests, but there are specific tests that a GP could give you to get to the bottom of this. It could be anything from being unfit, to being anaemic, being asthmatic or having heart trouble. So as you can see, not all of these conditions are related to your lungs.
Your GP will be able to assess the condition and decide whether or not you would need to have further tests like a chest x-ray or a lung function test, blood test or even a heart trace ECG - but it's unlikely you would have a heart trace at your age. It may well be that the GP works out that you don't actually need any tests, so that's why you need to go and see them.
girl_to_the_gunner: Thank you.
Dom: Is it true that diet impacts insomnia?
Dr Keith: No is the short answer, not to any significant degree. If you look at all the factors that can affect sleep, then it always boils down to other things like needing to go to the loo in the middle of the night, depression or poor sleep habits. But obviously common sense tells us that eating a curry before bed and getting gut rot from too much beer will lead to poor sleep.
sofie: For the last few weeks, I've had some problems with my stomach - it seems that I have an intolerance to something. What's the best thing to take so that my stomach isn't so painful?
Dr Keith: Are you able to say specifically what the problems you've had are and what has led you to think you are intolerant to something?
sofie: I'm intolerant to cows' milk and get exactly the same symptoms (runs, stomach ache and wind) after drinking Soya milk.
Dr Keith: There's lots of possibilities here but its not a good idea to have allergy tests if you think you're intolerant. It's important to keep a strict food diary where you list what you eat each day and list the symptoms that occur every time you eat. Then link up the symptoms with recurring themes in your diet. Next, exclude anything that seems to cause the symptoms. If the symptoms start to disappear then you will know that you are intolerant to the foods.
sofie: I have been doing that for about 11 days.
Dr Keith: That's a good start but you will need to do it for much longer. My second point is that your problem may not be food intolerance as it's much less common than people think. Usually people are intolerant to one specific thing. So if you think you're intolerant to cows milk and then you find out you're intolerant to Soya milk you have an extremely unusual situation. It may be that you actually have some other problem with your bowel. The most common bowel problem that is misinterpreted as intolerance is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It's not the only cause, but certainly the most likely. With IBS, people get the symptoms you've described as well as belly ache, bloating and passing of mucus when you got to the loo. IBS is often linked with stress and there are lots of things you can do to help which would require a trip to your GP.
sofie: Ok, thank you.
Nutter: How can I take control of my mood swings more efficiently? They are quite severe. One minute I'm elated and the next I'm incredibly depressed or even thinking of suicide. I've had past troubles with depression and anxiety.
Dr Keith: OK, firstly how old are you? Are you on any medication? And are your mood swings on a daily basis or do you have fluctuations in your moods after a few weeks?
Nutter: I'm 19 and I'm not on any medication but sometimes take St John's Wort, or co-codamol to relax a bit from the anxiety. The mood swings vary, sometimes days, weekends, weeks, the depressed times often last longer.
Dr Keith: Firstly, people usually misinterpret what you're talking about by thinking they have something called manic depression. The good news is that it really doesn't sound like you have that condition. Secondly, this type of pattern could be part of your personality, as while some peoples' moods are generally on an even keel, others swing between extremes. If it is part of your personality then you may not be able to change much. You might find siblings or parents are similar. Mood swings can also reflect significant emotional issues from now or the past that you may not have been able to sort out. If this is the case then it's a good idea to find someone to talk to like a counsellor.
Also, try and avoid excess alcohol or drugs as they can increase the normal mood swings we have. Finally, go through all the stress busting avenues we talked about with insomnia.
Nutter: Ok, thanks.
Scary_Monster: I've had problems with acne for the last eight years. Dianette worked a treat but I'm not allowed to have that any more. Is there anything else other than Dalacin, oral antibiotics or Differin? None of the antibiotics are helping and Differin makes my skin really really dry.
Dr Keith: Yes, there's no one magic bullet and often it is trial and error. It's a pity about the Dianette, but firstly, it's important to understand that with antibiotics often the reason they don't work as they should is that people don't persevere with them.
Scary_Monster: Apparently the prescribing guidelines have changed so you're no longer supposed to be on it long term, is that the case?
Dr Keith: That's not strictly the case. We will try to keep people on medication for the minimum amount of time necessary, but you could be on something for a year or two.
Scary_Monster: I did nine months on one kind and another four on another.
Dr Keith: Antibiotics take a month to start working and three or four to have their full effect. In terms of guidelines they can be used for a year or two but like anything we'll try and reduce doses. There are other treatments including prescribed creams and lotions. In severe cases there's a really powerful drug available through hospital specialists. Finally, let me just dispel the myth that acne is related to your diet - it isn't. However, sunshine is good as long as you don't burn.
Scary_Monster: Thanks. I will try going back to the GP and see if they can think of any other lotions.
saz: Mum's just found out I self harm and has reacted to it by wanting to put me in a psychiatric ward and sent to the doctors. She has not actually heard me out as to why I do it, she just assumes I'm off my head for doing so (despite working in pharmacy herself so I would have expected her to be a little more understanding). Due to her wanting to drag me to the doctors what exactly could be done to help? After seeing my doc when I was on the verge of relapsing back into anorexia (to the point I was bringing up blood and being told I don't feel sick when I eat it's just in my head/its all normal etc) I have very little faith in him. I can't change GPs either. I don't feel confident admitting my problems and getting help. What exactly can be done for teenage depression?
Dr Keith: Firstly, this is obviously hard for you, but your mum's reaction is not that surprising. She is probably feeling all kinds of emotions like guilt, worry, and fear that it's her fault and concern that she hasn't been able to protect you. It sounds like you have lots of emotional turmoil and you are likely to be feeling release from self harming, but it's not a healthy way to deal with things and can be very scary for people like your mum.
It's going to be important for you to talk to someone about your inner conflicts and find other ways to deal with them. In terms of the situation with your GP, they should have links to local psychiatric services which you can contact directly.
Also, it's important to go back and check again if you can actually see another GP.
kaff: I've had a painful, and stiff hip for about six months. Now it's got quite a lot worse, the other hip is starting to go the same way too, and it makes an awful clicking/grinding sound when I move in a certain way. I've been seen by a rheumatology team for the last two or three years for a vague and undiagnosed inflammatory type condition, so am hopefully back to see them soon, but is there anything I can do in the meantime to make myself less sore? I try to avoid ibuprofen because it has caused me stomach troubles in the past.
Dr Keith: Firstly, although you say it's your hip, often when people say hip pain it's actually usually felt in the groin in the front of the thigh so not the hip joint - but the muscles that work the hip coming from the back. You will need to discuss this with your rheumatologist when you go back. In the meantime, paracetomal is a good idea. You can also try swimming and any form of heat - like hot baths or heat lamps. They may all help before you see your specialist.
kaff: I'll have a crack, thanks :-).
Fi: Should you work out while you're pregnant?
Dr Keith: Yes it's perfectly fine to. Any sporting activity is OK - except water skiing - I'll let you work out why!
Jim_V: Okay thanks then Dr. Keith just a final word from 1983
1983: 'Doctor, Doctor gimme the news! I got a bad case of loving youuuuuuuuu! x' :p
Jim_V: And thanks everyone for taking part.
Randomgirl: Thanks guys.
saz: Thank you.
Dr Keith: Cheers everyone, thanks for all your great questions.
Thanks to The Sun for supplying the image.