General Medical issues thread

[tgh]

look into bladder with camera.. NNNNOooooooooo… never again… peeing was agony for days…...

 

[SuePa]

SuePa fortunately most people who have bowel cancer symptoms do not have bowel cancer.

Thanks drron. There are other symptoms that I won't go in to, but your assurances are encouraging.
I just have my fingers crossed for my trip.

 

[suze2000]

TMI alert:



Before I was diagnosed with Crohn's I was convinced I was dying of cancer because of the amount of blood that was pouring out of my bottom. And while Crohn's isn't a great diagnosis either, it's not cancer (though it predisposes to it, and often you need drastic surgery, I remind myself that statistically, the later in life you are diagnosed, the less likely it will become really awful).

Thing is, my GP wasn't concerned about it when I phoned her to discuss the symptoms and whether I should present at my local ED. She just said to come in and she'd leave a colonoscopy referral for me. If she'd told me that because of the symptoms it was unlikley to be cancer, I would not have freaked out the way I did. Sometimes a little information is nowhere near enough. Luckily I got the colonoscopy privately the same week, so wasn't terrified for too long. Apparently, if I'd tried to go public, I would have waited 6 months - in fear!

 

[cove]

Yes I am back at 3 yearly for colonoscopies but doesn’t time fly.
Watching the tv in California Mrscove commented about one of the side effects which could be multiple. Had to tell her I was recently put on Forixiga and it is dropping my weight as well as blood sugar level. You must not go on it if your kidneys are failing.

 

[Quickstatus]

Powerful stuff those Gliflozins = SGLT2. With proper diet, weight loss is a nice side effect (perk is another way to look at it).

Incidentally SGLT2 can be an issue when doing the pre colonoscopy purge. It is such a powerful drug that these drugs in fasting states can cause ketoacidosis which is a medical emergency. So the recommendation is to stop SGLT2 2-3 days before a surgical procedure including colonoscopy.

The ketoacidosis from SGLT2 mimics exactly the ketoacidosis of untreated diabetic patients except the blood glucose is normal.

 

[cove]

Thanks for the tip on preparing for a colonoscopy. I have had my medical emergency almost 25 years ago and I am not rushing to try another one any time soon. My heart surgeon said “ take me I am available” and I had quadruple bypass surgery a day later. That was 1994 and I used to feel embarrassed that it cost Medibank Private about $25,000. Now private health cost has jumped so Medibank Private is back doing well out of me. I had a blocked left main artery at the time and at 44 all I could think of was why me? A much better diet,exercise, better sleep a bit less work and some powerful medications have all helped

 

[JohnM]

Jeez, all this medication talk spooks me. I'm 70 later this year (as is another bloke here - but he's two months younger ) and I take no medications whatsoever.

When I see the litany of caveats, long may that continue...

 

[Quickstatus]

Left main coronary blockage is the Widow Maker. It’s the one that causes the “Massive heart attack” - sudden death the usual outcome unless you happen to be close to a hospital with emergency angiography.

 

[cove]

All I tell folks who are on no medications and are about 70 years old is to have two full size aspirin in their car console, office desk, carry bag or pocket. Chewing two aspirin and getting the crushed material under the tongue when you are experiencing a chest or back pain can dilate the arteries while you wait for the ambulance to arrive. I know it saved my eldest brother.

 

[SuePa]

Before I was diagnosed with Crohn's I was convinced I was dying of cancer

I have been reading too much Dr Google. Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are two that have popped up. I have to stop reading and wait patiently for my colonoscopy.

 

[Quickstatus]

All I tell folks who are on no medications and are about 70 years old is to have two full size aspirin in their car console, office desk, carry bag or pocket. Chewing two aspirin and getting the crushed material under the tongue when you are experiencing a chest or back pain can dilate the arteries while you wait for the ambulance to arrive. I know it saved my eldest brother.

It doesn’t. Aspirin inhibits the reaction of platelets to acute damage in the coronary artery.

In a myocardial infarction, the lining of the diseased coronary artery breaks or ulcerates. The platelets sense a break in a blood vessel and becomes sticky at the site causing a cascading reaction which eventually causes a blood clot. This can stop blood flow of the diseased coronary if sufficiently narrowed in the first place. No blood flow and the heart muscle can’t get oxygen and starts to die - acute myocardial infarction.

Aspirin inhibits the stickiness of the platelets

The medicine that temporarily dilates the narrowing of the coronary artery (actually relaxes the tone of the muscle in the artery) is the Nitrates - anginine is one . Comes in a tongue spray.

 

[cove]

Yes I have anginine spray and tablets but have never needed to use them over almost 25 years.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes I have anginine spray and tablets but have never needed to use them over almost 25 years.

They have a short shelf life...

 

[cove]

Yes I renew them due to the short shelf life.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes I renew them due to the short shelf life.

Not compatible with cough/Cialis.....

 

[cove]

I take an occasional Voltaren when I am not supposed to due to my medications. Voltaren gets rid of inflammation around my knees.
What’s cough/Cialis?

 

[tgh]

What’s cough ? If you don't know.. you don't need it...

Just to harp a little but I opine that the very best heart health insurance is to regularly make it work it's butt off….
Having said that.. many super fit people have suffered fatal heart attacks.. so you never know…
Seize the days….

 

[mrsterryn]

Have to say I would prefer a quick end of life with a heart attack rather than massive stroke or dementia for example Lewy Body

 

[Quickstatus]

...Do not resuscitate...

 

[Flying mermaid]

Jeez, all this medication talk spooks me. I'm 70 later this year (as is another bloke here - but he's two months younger ) and I take no medications whatsoever.

When I see the litany of caveats, long may that continue...

12 years ago Mr FM was on no medications and 100% healthy. That was on Monday, on Tuesday he was unconscious on the kitchen floor, spent 3 months in and out of hospital and nearly died. He came home on 7 different medications. It took two years to get rid of them, the final one Dilantin he phased off against the gloomy predictions of his brain surgeon.

He is back to being 100% healthy and on no medications. I guess my point is “carpe diem” - you never know what tomorrow holds.