General Medical issues thread

[Quickstatus]

Have bought a special "eski" that has frozen ice block thingys

One of these/ these

 

[brrmmm]

One of these/ these

No. I needed something much bigger.

Post automatically merged: Jun 30, 2025

Just make sure you have all your documentation - I presume you have your Medif form done

Yes, thanks VPS, have all documentation sorted. Phew.

 

[Quickstatus]

I needed something much bigger.

Yep that's the first link. Should keep things at set temp for up to 36hrs

 

[Katie]

So bending over is painful, what makes the pain better?

Trying to find the just right balance of not sitting too much, but not standing too much, not walking or exercising too much, but not being too sedentary. Doing exercise except for when it hurts.
Sometimes ibuprofen helps a bit.
I had a very ordinary Sunday and start to today. Yesterday my back was just stiff and it would take effort to stand up straight after getting up from the dining table. Today I was in tears just trying to get in the car to go to work. Feeling a bit better now after 2x200mg ibuprofen and alternating between sitting and standing (don't have a standing desk at home).
Seeing my physio this afternoon and will discuss the MRI results with him as well.
I haven't found any of the exercises from him helpful (hip flexor stretches, glute stretches, and what I call a swan- lying down on my tummy then pushing myself up with my arms, but keeping my hips on the ground).

 

[Quickstatus]

Seeing my physio this afternoon and will discuss the MRI results with him as well.

Consider discogenic back pain

 

[RooFlyer]

My GP recently added Amlodipine to my blood pressure medication, and its caused my feet and lower legs to swell (quite a bit), as they said it would, to some extent. I'm wearing compression stockings, but is there a problem or potential knock-on problem in having the medicine-induced swelling, in itself?

 

[Major]

My GP recently added Amlodipine to my blood pressure medication, and its caused my feet and lower legs to swell (quite a bit), as they said it would, to some extent. I'm wearing compression stockings, but is there a problem or potential knock-on problem in having the medicine-induced swelling, in itself?

I had a similar issue a couple of years ago. My GP discontinued the Amlodipine and increased the dosage of the other medication (Valsartan + Hydrochlorothiazide ). This seems to have fixed the swelling situation

 

[Quickstatus]

Amlodipine

A calcium channel blocker with known side effect of leg swelling. There is no knock on effects from the leg oedema unless severe.

As per @Major solution ( if oedema concerning) is to add on fluid tablet - often in a combo pill like "medicine plus" or "medicine HCT"

.

 

[RooFlyer]

unless severe.

Thanks - what would this look like?

 

[drron]

The side effect of swelling legs is due to the drug being a vasodilator hence more blood being delivered to the legs when upright. Does not mean any serious medical problem. Only needs to change if you don't like that effect. Once explained i found most men continued the theapy.

 

[Major]

Because of the swelling I couldn't put my shoes on, which is why I asked for a change.

 

[JohnK]

The side effect of swelling legs is due to the drug being a vasodilator hence more blood being delivered to the legs when upright. Does not mean any serious medical problem. Only needs to change if you don't like that effect. Once explained i found most men continued the theapy.

My legs and feet swell. I have trouble putting on shoes some days and socks can cut into my feet.

Many years ago diagnosed with venous insufficiency. Just below the knee on both legs. I saw heart specialist no issues. I got specially made Jobst stockings and they just moved the swelling elsewhere. I stopped using them.

I've used Lasix in the past but that can get very tedious especially if you're not home. When you need to go, you really need to go.

The swelling doesn't stop at legs and feet. Fingers swell. This is painful. Wrist/forearm can swell and this extremely uncomfortable.

Gave up trying to work out what's wrong. Just put up with it but some days can be worse than others.

 

[andye]

My GP recently added Amlodipine to my blood pressure medication, and its caused my feet and lower legs to swell (quite a bit), as they said it would, to some extent. I'm wearing compression stockings, but is there a problem or potential knock-on problem in having the medicine-induced swelling, in itself?

My personal view is that one should avoid side-effects with BP treatment if you can (given the condition itself is usually asymptomatic).

Drugs in the amlolipine class do have good data for prevention of stroke, heart disease etc but unless you are on multiple medications for BP, you can usually find another one (or combination as mentioned) that works without giving trouble

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks to the docs for the replies; good to know.

vasodilator hence more blood being delivered to the legs when upright.

and lymphatic fluid leakage from the relaxed blood vessels, I think?

Because of the swelling I couldn't put my shoes on, which is why I asked for a change.

That's exactly what's happened to me!

I'll discuss with my GP.

 

[prozac]

Thanks to the docs for the replies; good to know.



and lymphatic fluid leakage from the relaxed blood vessels, I think?



That's exactly what's happened to me!

I'll discuss with my GP.

Does anyone use one of those massage boots? Which brand works for you?
I suffer pain and some swelling due to a damaged lymphatic system from a lower leg injury last century.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanks - what would this look like?

difficulty putting shoes on,

and lymphatic fluid leakage from the relaxed blood vessels, I think?

No, just water leaking from capillaries . Lymphatics carry the fluid back up but my not be fast enough

 

[JohnK]

So wife has bursitis in the shoulder which is causing huge pain and issues down the arm. Amazing.

More than likely not related to rheumatoid arthritis and obviously Methotrexate is not doing anything. There is slight response to prednisolone but that's just a dangerous drug. Trying Celebrex and if that does not help may have to have cortisone injection into the shoulder.

 

[Quickstatus]

bursitis in the shoulder

based on an ultrasound or another scan?

If bursitis then the main treatment is actually rest i the first instance as it is often related to overuse of shoulder.
Physiotherapy often helpful
Celecoxib and then steroi_ injection possibly last resort.
However continued overuse of shoulder will just aggravate things.

 

[JohnK]

based on an ultrasound or another scan?

If bursitis then the main treatment is actually rest i the first instance as it is often related to overuse of shoulder.
Physiotherapy often helpful
Celecoxib and then steroi_ injection possibly last resort.
However continued overuse of shoulder will just aggravate things.

Ultrasound confirmed bursitis.

Rest is not possible otherwise she will lose job as she's casual. Physiotherapy is difficult as she's tired from work and cannot do more exercises on top. For now Celexocib will have to do although early stages no difference with Celexocib. GP did mention he had similar 5-6 years ago and one cortisone injection jas done the trick.

We have 3 weeks in Thailand September/October and we shall see if any improvement. She'll still be doing housework.

I did have tendonitis and bursitis in left shoulder. Sharp electrical pain was torture. It sort of went away but comes back every now and then for very short periods.

 

[Quickstatus]

Rest is not possible

Unfortunately it is going to keep recurring without rest