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Hi there, I went to doctor about sharp pains in breast 8 weeks ago. He found a tiny lump which he was certain was a cyst, gave me meds for pain and an appointment for 2 weeks later.... When I went back he said not to worry but lump bigger and sent me for blood tests and told me I'd get appointment through for mammogram and ultrasound. Had blood test 2 weeks ago, no word on other things. Tonight in bath I noticed 3 small, raised freckles on my areola.... Definitely new in last 2 weeks. Still get pain in breast at times. I'm worried. Going to call doc tomorrow but has anyone had similar or give advice?? Thanks.

Hi there, I have a 5 month old mini schnauzer. She is generally a healthy, happy do, however last week she was quiet and tired for a few days and vomitted once with a horrendous bout of diarrhea. This cleared up after 24 hours and she was back to her usual, bouncy self. Yesterday we had a busy day with her out and about and this morning we got up, she pottered in the garden and I noticed that after doing one normal poo, she then spent 15 minutes struggling do to tiny poos which were runny. About 8 times in all. She was also sick twice, kind of yellow, frothy mucus. She had a sneeze mid week but it cleared up very quickly. I know I need to starve her today but any ideas what is going on? Fully planning to get her to the vet for a check over. She isn't at all listless or downbeat today, her usual perky self but with some sickness and a bit of a sore bum i imagine!

Hi, My 4 year old son woke crying in the night and came through to our room with horrific red lumps on his legs. Immediately my husband and I thought of bed bugs and I went straight to his room to search.... this morning my son has 6- 10 large red lumps, obviously bites all up his legs! I have taken his bed apart but can't find any signs of bugs, checked mattress, bedding, everywhere, no blood spots or anything. My poor boy must be very allergic as they really are large red welts. the pharmacist gave us antihistemine and calamine lotion. No one else in the family has so far been affected, he shares a room with his brother. I did hear that people can be bitten but it doesn't show, but usually I react very badly to any kind of insect bite. I am not sure how to proceed, i feel really overwhelmed. I haver boil washed all bedding and his mattress is currently sitting in our porch

We live in Glasgow and my husband does community work in an area which is badly affected with bed bugs. I really, really need help and advice because I am so stressed about how badly my son is reacting to these bites, any help would be very gratefully received.

Hi there, we are looking at buying a new car, we are a family of 4. 2 adults and 2 young children. We currently have a toyota corolla verso but it is on its last legs and the repairs required are coming fast and furious. We were thinking of getting a honda jazz instead, we have found some good deals.(newest model, 2009/2010, 1.4) Now however, we are wondering about a honda civic (2007/2008 1.4). Both have good reviews. Can anyone with experience of one, the other, or both let me know what they think please? Thanks.

Hi there,

I need some ideas for a christmas gift for an 11 year old girl. She is my wee boys school buddy, she's primary 7 he is primary 1 and she has been great to him. I'm looking to spend around £15. I was thinking of a wee necklace or charm bracelet but she is quite sporty and I think quite a tomboy. She wears tracksuits in her spare time and I havent seen much evidence of jewellery. She does like to look good though and likes labels and has highlights in her hair. I have no idea the kind of stuff she's into though. Any suggestions would be very welcome. Thank you.

Hi. For the last three months my period has been incredibly heavy and on the first two days I have been completely exhausted and dizzy. I have 2 children and never had problems before. I do feel very unwell with it and struggle to even get out of bed. This is not like me. Has anyone got any advice? Thanks.

Hi there,

I'm just wanting some advice on the best flea treatment (preventative) for cats in the UK! Our cats go outdoors into our garden and we have been told by cat protection to treat them every 3 months but I am unsure oif which brand to go for. I was told by cat protection that the Bob Martin one is pretty useless. Thanks.

Hi there, my 8 month old male cat keeps getting a terrible rasping cough. He seems quite taken by surprise by it and it happens randomly an can last for a few minutes. At first I thought it was hairballs, but now I'm not too sure. He sticks his neck out and sways his head back and forward all the while making a choking, raspy coughing sound. He is not being sick with it. I'm thinking I'll get him to the vet later but would appreciate anyone giving me advice on what is going on and if this is actually normal?! Thank you.

Hi there, we recently got 2 cats from cat protection. They are 7 months old and siblings, a boy and a girl. The boy is twice the size of the girl, they have both settled well and are very affectionate. My questions are about dominance really. They have separate food bowls and we feed them at the same time with their bowls close by each other.... the male cat always pushes in first and when the girl comes over he growls at her, a very low growl. Even although she would be going to her bowl. She seems very nervous around him. Is this normal? Also, they got on very well when we first brought them home, they groomed one another and played together, but in the last 2 weeks, they aren't really spending any time together and the boy chases the girl away a lot. If she is lying on the bed and I am there, he has jumped onto the bed and attacked her to make her get down and he will lie there. I am just wondering if this is normal behaviour and why they seem to have changed so much since they came to our house. We give them both a lot of attention, they just seem to not like each other any more.

Thanks.

Hi, we just got 2 8 month old cats from cat protection. They are settling well into family life, I am wondering, when I feed them their wet food, should they have a dish each or share one? Or does it not matter? They share a dry food and water dish, just not sure about wet food. Also, when we stroke them, if they are standing on us, they press with their feet in a padding motion. Does this mean anything in particular? Thanks.

Hi there,

I really need to hear other people's experiences. I am on the pill and have been for the last 2 years. My husband is awaiting a vasectomy. We have 2 kids aged 4 and 2 who are the love and joys of our life and we had decided our family was complete. I have just found out I am pregnant again and we are in shock. There was no reason for my pill to fail, no antibiotics, sickness etc.

I have had dental xrays in he last 2 weeks, had a night out with friends and was so hungover (probably felt worse due to pregnancy but didn't know), haven't had folic acid, or looked after myself well. I am so stressed about something being wrong with this baby as a result.

With my second child I had really awful spd and I can already feel it coming back, but think I am still fairly early (6 weeks or so) into pregnancy as I've had periods. I don't think my husband and my marriage will last if we have this baby, we've had a very rough time but things have got better in the last few months.

I cannot stop crying because i really do not think this baby is right for our family. We have been so excited about the kids getting to the stage they are at. I feel sorry for people who have newborns now! I also had serious problems with my thyroid after my second baby was born. I am 80% sure I should terminate this pregnancy but I am struggling so badly with that decision. I need to know how people have found the jump from 2 to 3 kids. When I am due my eldest will be 5 and my youngest 3. I am a good mum to my 2 kids, i don't think I have it in me to be a good mum to 3 kids. Please help.

Hi there,

I always buy pancakes from the supermarket and now fancy making them myself. I've tried making them from Nigella's American pancake recipe but they are not turning out fluffy. they are pretty horrible and really doughy in the middle but burnt on the outside! (My poor kids) Help!!! I have no idea how high to have the heat and have tried low, high and medium but the butter is just burning no matter what!! Are crepe type pancakes easier and is there a good recipe? Or shall i keep persevering? Thanks. x

Does anyone have a good recipe and can give any tips on cooking?

Hi there, just wondering if anyone can help. I went over on my ankle 10 days ago, it was sore at the time and then niggled a bit for the next week. In the last 3 days I have had shooting pain when I go upstairs or up a hill. It is painful around the area of my ankle bone. even at rest my ankle is constantly throbbing. I have an ankle support on it, and an appointment with the doctor for next week. i have started to take mild painkillers. It sometimes feels like it might just give way.

Does anyone have any suggestions on exercises which might help, or what I might have done?

My ankle has been a bit weak for years since i went over on it at a ceilidh, but this pain is getting quite bad.

Thank you.

Hi,

I bought a butternut squash from a supernarket around christmas time. It is still sitting in my kitchen. Will it be ok to use and is there any way to tell before I cut it open? How long generally can buttenut squash last for once bought? Thanks.

Hi there, a few fireworks went off outside last night when my cat was in the living room with us. She ran upstairs and hid under our bed and is still very nervous this morning. Obviously, there are going to be a lot more fireworks in the coming weeks so what can I do to help her? We shut the curtains and I know perhaps music would help, but when they are so sporadic it's hard to do this all the time. Any other ideas? She's a wee year and a half old rescue cat and has only just got more confidence after 6 months with us.Thanks.

Hi there. I got a cat 4 months ago from a rescue centre. She's a year old tabby and has settled well into our busy house (I have 2 young boys). I think I'd like to get another cat for company for her. I live in the UK and she goes outside a lot and enjoys wandering with other neighbourhood cats. I'm wondering if people think we'd be best to get a kitten, or a slightly older cat, and also should I get a male or female? Or does it not matter. Se is neutered and microchipped and any other cat would be too. Thanks.

Hi there. We got a year old cat from a rescue centre 3 months ago. She has settled in really well and seems pretty happy, she's great with my kids and likes being stroked. She isn't very cuddly and won't really be picked up but will come and sit beside me at times. She is often in the same room as us all. Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone knows if cats do prefer the company of another cat. She has never been used to this but I think she' young enough to be happy with another cat in the house. I'm worries she doesn't get enough stimulation as she often runs for and bits (in play) my feet. She doesn't go for my husband or children! We do try to play with her but she shows little interest in toys and we've tried all sorts. So.... do people think we should get another cat for company and play? Or not?

Thank you.

Hi there. I'm needing advice and solutions please. My son is 20 months old, he is sleeping through from 7pm until 6am. When he wakes he cries REALLY loudly (he is a very loud boy!) or shouts. As soon as they hear him, my neighbour bangs on the wall, and has been for the last 8 months. When he was waking in the middle of the night for milk, she did this too. With our first son, we used to leave him for maybe ten minutes and often he would fall back asleep, but we haven't felt able to do this with our 2nd. The mother next door recently started making comments in the garden about my children being too noisy and when I went round to speak to her about it she told me we were inconsiderate and that my son was waking her 23 year old daughter with his crying in the morning and sometimes at night. I explained that as he is only little, we do give him food and go to him etc. But she told me that as we live in a terrace we should think of the neighbours and that she put her son's cot in the hall when he was little. I said we wouldn't be doing this and suggested her daughter moved rooms if it was such an issue. (they have done up the attic and have 3 spare rooms in their house, we have none.) She was furious with me and told me that her daughter is thinking of moving out because of our son and that her husband can't do nightshift on taxis because of his crying. She implied that I was a bad mum for leaving him to cry, (which I don't unless I know he needs to be left to get to sleep). She also had a go at me about my older boy's tantrums and told me that I should be able to control my children and that her children always did what they were told. My boys are well behaved and not even that noisy, she has never had a family live next door to her before.

It's all really got to me, I feel under huge pressure in the mornings to get my son when he wakes, when I think leaving him would help him get back to sleep. He has to be back in bed by 8am anyway he's so tired. I try to ignore them and the banging on the wall from the daughter but it's all really got to me and I'm getting upset and really down about it all. Also wondering if I am a bad mum and my boys are too noisy, I know in my heart they aren't but when I'm tired I question it. I have tried to be nice to the neighbours and explain the position but I know they are talking about us to other neighbours. Although I think the others will know what they're like. It's very much she is nice to you if you don't do anything to annoy her. We used to get along until my son got to about 8 months and this all started. Up to now we have ignored the banging and my husband asked her to stop. But I am getting to the end of my tether. Any advice on how to deal with these neighbours please. And also on how to help my youngest son get the sleep he needs in the morning?

Thank you.

Hi there, my son is 19 months old and loves his teddy to bits. He always wants it and gets very upset if he can't have it. The trouble is he sucks it's arms. So the teddy is soaking constantly, we was it every day in boiling water as we have a back up. We think it's causing him to get more sore throats and he had a horrendous ear infection last week so we really want to get rid of teddy. (He basically uses it as a dummy but also for cuddling comfort). My older son was never so attached to one and I'm at a loss how best to take it away as he is heartbroken and beyond upset if he can't have it. We do try to give him it only in his bed but often he'll get it himself. Any suggestions from similar experiences would be really welcome. Thanks.

Hi. We got a rescue cat 4 weeks ago. She's a year old and still a bit nervous at times. She doesn't come for cuddles and won't be picked up but is happy to be stroked when she comes to us. I've noticed when i wear a certain pair of black flared trousers that she playfully tackles my legs with her paws and has also bitten the hem. This morning though she started biting my foot after tackling the trousers. I got a fright and screamed but she just adjusted her teeth. She did get off when my husband came up the stairs. How would I get her off in future? We do play with her with toys and things so she's not bored, just wants attention I guess. Thanks.