General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

On another subject, radiation treatment for my prostate cancer is now complete and the slow recovery from its effects begin. I can't wait until I can empty my bladder in one go and the hot flushes from the hormone treatment finish.

Sorry to hear. Hope you continue to improve.

The guy that runs golf in Thailand had a stent put in back in May last year and wasn't feeling too well recently. He was convinced he had cancer. He was right. He has prostrate cancer.

He went back to the UK for free treatment but he is too weak for radiation treatment as the cancer has spread through the bones. He is now on hormone treatment to try and reduce the prostate.

He is only 73. I'm not sure he will ever be able to return to Thailand. He's had a few health scares through the years that he's ignored. He's almost destroyed his liver a few times but each time he was off alcohol he couldn't wait to drink again and running a bar/restaurant you sit and drink all day.

 

[Hvr]

He has prostrate cancer.

Sadly you mean prostate cancer. We are prostrate when we lie flat.

 

[Renato1]

I requested non-processed meat sambos and got very tasty chicken w’ a bit of mayo. Sooo, good after the pre fast. You need a better class,of doctor.

That's the sort of clinic I'm after.

After my minor knee operation last year, the private hospital wanted to send me home at 5pm. I said no, that I'd like to leave after dinner at 7pm.
That way I got to evaluate their meals and could make an informed decision as to whether I wanted to go back there again (they passed, meal was fine)
Cheers,
Renato

 

[PLANT]

Anyone here got any experience with this and tests for diagnosis?

Cure HHT - The Cornerstone of the HHT Community

 

[rogerkambah]

Nothing to report.

 

[love_the_life]

Nothing to report.

Have you had more scans?

 

[sinophile888]

Has any member had the experience of needing to arrange oxygen on all flights for the foreseeable future? This is what my research has shown so far.

A High Altitude Simulation Test will provide the information about flow rate and length of access which would be necessary. i.e. number of cylinders

As far as I can see, there are three QF alternatives:

1. Inform Qantas who will provide as many cylinders as you may require, and you pay per cylinder.

· Could be quite costly if more than one cylinder is needed ($110 per cylinder)

· Probably one is charged whether the oxygen is consumed or not

2. Provide your own cylinders and take them on board with you.

· Would be very heavy and costly

· Need to book an extra seat if flying on a 737

3. Buy or hire an oxygen concentrator and take it on board.

· May be the most economical in the long run (about $4000 - $4500)

· Only weighs about 2.2 kg with 1 battery

· Can be used on medical power points onboard flights

· Must purchase one of the QF approved models

4. Travel by train or cruise ship to some destinations

I would be most interested to hear of anyone’s experience of any of the above or anything that I’ve missed.

 

[rogerkambah]

Have you had more scans?

Yep, aok

Talked to my onco and asked him how he thought I would do at our first consultation.
He said that he thought I would go the way of most renal cancer patients with mets, ie try several types of oral meds and get weaker and weaker and after 3 years join the stats of those that didn’t make it

 

[love_the_life]

Yep, aok

Talked to my onco and asked him how he thought I would do at our first consultation.
He said that he thought I would go the way of most renal cancer patients with mets, ie try several types of oral meds and get weaker and weaker and after 3 years join the stats of those that didn’t make it

That’s fantastic news. Glad to hear you are not following the pattern. Lots of travel to plan.

 

[JohnK]

Yep, aok

Talked to my onco and asked him how he thought I would do at our first consultation.
He said that he thought I would go the way of most renal cancer patients with mets, ie try several types of oral meds and get weaker and weaker and after 3 years join the stats of those that didn’t make it

Good to hear. Keep going. Doctors don't have all the answers.

 

[rogerkambah]

Good to hear. Keep going. Doctors don't have all the answers.

Well this one did. He picked the drug that my cancer cells found irresistible.

 

[JohnM]

@JohnK's off the grid... again. Sheesh .

 

[JohnK]

@JohnK's off the grid... again. Sheesh .

Why? Because I said doctors don't have all the answers? The truth is they don't. They expected @rogerkambah to fall off the grid yet he proved them wrong as he continues to improve.

I've been coughing for over a week. Quite a bad cough. I don't care that the doctor thinks it's viral. I started taking Amoxil and cough has started improving.

 

[Bundy Bear]

On Friday afternoon on the way home from work fell off my bike after running into a fallen tree branch.

Went to the local Dr to get it checked and cover the skin wounds, counted 4, suggested I get X ray which I did Saturday morning to find I had broken the radius bone in my left arm.

For the moment just in a sling and not in plaster, another X Ray will be done next week, if no movement of bone then no surgery required. and not sure whether a plaster cast will be fitted then as if you keep it still in a cast for too long that slows recovery.

Dr has suggested to find a physio as that will aid in recovery, Dr specialises in sports injures lucky Work cover is paying for most of it.

It was painful when it happened, although a little tooth has been my worst pain, other parts of my arm are bruised which is causing some discomfort but not pain.

Interesting on the prostate discussion caught up with a friend a few weeks ago who had his prostate removed 16 years ago, his brother in law had prostate cancer the same time but went the radiation treatment but died a few years ago both were not quiet 60.

Seems to be different medical opinions treatments. Dr Google is confusing

 

[JohnK]

On a positive note have been given the all clear from the Haepatology outpatients clinic.

GP can monitor liver function and if possible do a Fibroscan again in 2-3 years time if possible to do outside of hospital otherwise refer back to Haepatology outpatients clinic.

One less thing to worry about.

 

[drron]

Why? Because I said doctors don't have all the answers? The truth is they don't. They expected @rogerkambah to fall off the grid yet he proved them wrong as he continues to improve.

I've been coughing for over a week. Quite a bad cough. I don't care that the doctor thinks it's viral. I started taking Amoxil and cough has started improving.

And the cough may have improved without amoxil.plus using antibiotics every time you have a cough means sooner or later you will meet a multiresistant bug and with an autoimmune disease you could well be in serious trouble.

 

[JohnK]

And the cough may have improved without amoxil.plus using antibiotics every time you have a cough means sooner or later you will meet a multiresistant bug and with an autoimmune disease you could well be in serious trouble.

I guess we'll never know. I'm 55. I'm not young any more.

I'll use prednisone where necessary so that I'm not suffering and worry about side effects later.

I'm coughing non-stop. Not going to wait for my body to fight the virus/bacteria while I'm suffering. In 2017 I had 2 fairly serious infections and almost died each time even with antibiotics. I've had some fairly resistant strains over the years.

P.S. Daughter has now been coughing for close to 3 weeks. There is no longer a case for wait and let body fight the infection.

 

[Flashback]

I guess we'll never know. I'm 55. I'm not young any more.

I'll use prednisone where necessary so that I'm not suffering and worry about side effects later.

I'm coughing non-stop. Not going to wait for my body to fight the virus/bacteria while I'm suffering. In 2017 I had 2 fairly serious infections and almost died each time even with antibiotics. I've had some fairly resistant strains over the years.

P.S. Daughter has now been coughing for close to 3 weeks. There is no longer a case for wait and let body fight the infection.

My recent viral infection took 6 weeks to go. Yes, frustrating, but it cleared itself in the end.

 

[JohnK]

My recent viral infection took 6 weeks to go. Yes, frustrating, but it cleared itself in the end.

That's a lot of suffering.

Mum has been also been coughing for a few weeks. Not sure if mum's infection is the same as mine or my daughters. All 3 look to be different. Mum cannot stop coughing. Her larynx/pharynx closed yesterday afternoon and she could not breathe. She panicked running around the house but had the sense to try and take some deep breaths. She's also lost her voice.

It can be quite dangerous trying to ride out these infections for what I believe is very little gain. If doctor won't prescribe antibiotics then self medicate but unfortunately I didn't buy some last trip to Thailand and I am out of stock.

 

[drron]

Sorry JohnK but sometimes it is not the doctor who doesn't know everything.