General Medical issues thread

[Pushka]

Constant headaches and dizziness are not a good combination trying to take care of infant alone most of the day.

Is that attributed to low blood pressure though or just happening at the same time?

 

[JohnK]

Is that attributed to low blood pressure though or just happening at the same time?

Headaches and dizziness started becoming noticeable ~4 weeks ago when wife was suffering from virus. At that point it was noted that blood pressure was low and continues to be low. Some of the side effects of low blood pressure are headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea and generally feeling weak.

I am trying to see if we can somehow increase blood pressure whether this makes any difference to the above symptoms. Of course I could be totally wrong and I think the first thing we need to do in Thailand next week is to go to hospital and check blood pressure and perhaps some tests to try and rule out any other causes.

 

[whatmeworry]

Has she had a blood test? Check out her HB levels. Might be losing blood from somewhere.

 

[JohnK]

Has she had a blood test? Check out her HB levels. Might be losing blood from somewhere.

Blood test in hospital. Not sure what they checked. The rest will happen in Thailand as it is too expensive to do here.

 

[cove]

One of my swimming pool mates is having an operation today to repair diverticulitis where the lining has perforated. They are saying one day in ICU. I have been missing him doing 150 sit ups in the hydrotherapy pool. I do hope it all goes according to the surgeons plan.

 

[Cossie]

Just about to take the boss off to the hospital for her to get her new knee, anyone one on here had that procedure done?
Pain is meant to be high, but she does seem to have a very high threshold, fingers crossed!

 

[Pushka]

Just about to take the boss off to the hospital for her to get her new knee, anyone one on here had that procedure done?
Pain is meant to be high, but she does seem to have a very high threshold, fingers crossed!

From what I’ve heard from friends it’s worked well for them and those who do best, do the exercises as prescribed even though they cause discomfort at the time. I’ve heard that shoulder reconstructions are a whole new world of pain.

 

[tgh]

A friend had a great outcome from a tkr due to booking an intensive rehab at the hospital before going home.

 

[Pushka]

A friend had a great outcome from a tkr due to booking an intensive rehab at the hospital before going home.

That seems the same advice then. That rehab appears to be the difference between poor and good outcome. One of our friends admits he didn’t do the post op exercises as ‘they hurt’. His surgeon was highly recommended. So that wasn’t the issue. His outcome was poor.

 

[Cossie]

Thanks for your replies, Erika is good at following instructions and I'm pretty sure she will do as she is told, there is the possibility of her being in hospital for up to 14 days with physiotherapy if required. I hope it isn't that long.

 

[drron]

Some of the side effects of low blood pressure are headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea and generally feeling weak.

They can also be symptoms of a viral illness as can low BP.
But if BP is always low and symptomatic-ie light headed when you stand then salt is much better than drinking excess water.

 

[JohnK]

They can also be symptoms of a viral illness as can low BP.
But if BP is always low and symptomatic-ie light headed when you stand then salt is much better than drinking excess water.

Correct. That is why you're the doctor.

If it is the effects of the virus then it has been 4-5 weeks now. Maybe another course of antibiotics. Yes I know antibiotics are not what's required but that's what both the hospital and doctor prescribed.

Blood pressure was not always low. She feels dizzy and cold and Panadol helps. I'm trying to get her to make sure she drinks enough/more water and see if that helps.

We leave for Thailand in 5 days. I think we need to go to hospital for check-ip and blood tests next week. Think blood tests can confirm if body fighting viral/bacterial infection. Elevated ESR?

 

[drron]

Just about to take the boss off to the hospital for her to get her new knee, anyone one on here had that procedure done?
Pain is meant to be high, but she does seem to have a very high threshold, fingers crossed!

I had one 4 years ago.i was lucky as I knew all the surgeons and their results.I was home in 6 days.About 10 days later mrsdrron went into hospital to have surgery on her shattered ankle.I was fine and totally able to look after myself.I did go to the physio about 3 times afterwards but basically just carried on doing normal stuff.Was painfree soon after getting home.
A couple of recent articles not so supportive of intensive rehab-
Total knee replacement: no benefit to inpatient rehab - MJA InSight 36, 18 September 2017 | doctorportal

Home rehab after knee replacement no disadvantage, UNSW research finds | Medicine

One thing I was told was to do strengthening exercises before having the op.I think that helped a lot.

 

[Cossie]

Thanks drron, she has been going to a gym working on her legs for a while knowing that a knee replacement was on the cards, hopefully that will be of benefit to her.

 

[Cossie]

So far so good, no complications, the knee was apparently kaput, like really knackered, she should possibly be out in 5 days. Here's hoping.

 

[love_the_life]

So far so good, no complications, the knee was apparently kaput, like really knackered, she should possibly be out in 5 days. Here's hoping.

Hope it stays complication free. Which hospital did she go to?

 

[Cossie]

Deakin, at Equinox, where the old Deakin Inn used to be, boy that brings back some memories!

 

[love_the_life]

Deakin, at Equinox, where the old Deakin Inn used to be, boy that brings back some memories!

That's where daughter had her hip surgeries though she was only in overnight each time. Sounds like MrsC may have had same surgeon.

 

[Major]

I thought this was the appropriate thread

 

[Pushka]

I thought this was the appropriate thread

View attachment 106370

Classic. On the other hand there is an element that as inidividuals we need to be our own advocate versus the limited time Doctors have to obtain all the information they need for a diagnosis.