General Medical issues thread

I totally agree. Honestly, she may not even live for another 6 years and she is very, very miserable when the PMR is not under control. I get it if the patient had a long time ahead of them, but really, at her age, tomorrow is not even guaranteed.
Maybe her medical people need to get a dose of PMR. At her age it’s tantamount to refusing medical support. Maybe that’s the line you need to take to them. Let’s tackle the current problem not a potential one.
 
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Maybe her medical people need to get a dose of PMR. At her age it’s tantamount to refusing medical support. Maybe that’s the line you need to take to them. Let’s tackle the current problem not a potential one.
Yes I will do that. My sister and I divide the support attendance at medical appointments for Mum, and she has been going to the rheumatologist with Mum rather than me. My sister might be a bit more passive than I am. So as soon as I get out of chemo isolation, I will swap that appointment for one of the others and try to understand what's in the doctor's head.
 
Yes I will do that. My sister and I divide the support attendance at medical appointments for Mum, and she has been going to the rheumatologist with Mum rather than me. My sister might be a bit more passive than I am. So as soon as I get out of chemo isolation, I will swap that appointment for one of the others and try to understand what's in the doctor's head.
Hopefully the rheumatologist is a good one. Mine is all for very slow tapering but monitors inflammation levels. If they rise, the taper slows. I had one GP who went into a steroi_ flap, the other one said we have to treat what exists and not what might in the future and deal with it then if it does. I'm wondering if they are using the 'first do no harm' reason and putting aside quality of life, NOW. It reminds me of my mum. She went into a Nursing home after a stroke. Aged 85. While understanding that her diet is important she went on a salt free and no sugar diet. She hated it. She had a fatal stroke 12 months later. What was the point really.
 
I totally agree. Honestly, she may not even live for another 6 years and she is very, very miserable when the PMR is not under control. I get it if the patient had a long time ahead of them, but really, at her age, tomorrow is not even guaranteed.
Ok here is your ammunition.

It has been recommended that bisphosphonates be considered in any patient over 60 that has been on prednisone for longer than 90 days. They should at least have bone density checks.

The problem when I was prescribing this was that they were authority only. but one criteria was multiple fractures. When questioned most could remember at least 2 fractures in their past. The best was a woman who had nearly 30 different fractures after an MVA. Most were small bones but it got her the medication.
 
Gosh I agree. Unless they are concerned about bone fracture. But really surely it's better to have a pain free life than try to mitigate something that may never happen. I'd rather be pain free for 6 years than worry about a fracture when I was 95.
My mum has a chronic ulcer at the base of her big toe with mild osteomyelitis which doesn’t really bother her at all. She has seen multiple specialists who are leaning towards amputation but not forcing it. She recently had an appointment at the Infectious Diseases clinic at the Austin hospital. After reviewing everything the Professor said “what would you like to do?” His approach was that at 85 it was about quality of life and agreed that amputation would probably bring on more problems than she has now. For now we are taking a watch and wait approach
 
but one criteria was multiple fractures
The other criteria was that men were excluded from the PBS for these drugs. Apparently men don't get osteoporosis.........:eek:

I think the criteria is now
1) anyone with a fracture and diagnoses osteoporosis
2) Over 70 with low BMD ??T score less than -2.5 I think
3) Anyone with low BMD T less than -2.5 and taking corticosteriods more than7.5mg for at least 3 months

For now we are taking a watch and wait approach

Maybe a good orthotic?
 
The other criteria was that men were excluded from the PBS for these drugs. Apparently men don't get osteoporosis.........:eek:

I think the criteria is now
1) anyone with a fracture and diagnoses osteoporosis
2) Over 70 with low BMD ??T score less than -2.5 I think
3) Anyone with low BMD T less than -2.5 and taking corticosteriods more than7.5mg for at least 3 months



Maybe a good orthotic?
She has an adjustable shoe/sandal that has had a hole cut in it to offload the ulcer, the podiatrist at the wound clinic has said this would be ok
 
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The other criteria was that men were excluded from the PBS for these drugs. Apparently men don't get osteoporosis.........:eek:

I think the criteria is now
1) anyone with a fracture and diagnoses osteoporosis
2) Over 70 with low BMD ??T score less than -2.5 I think
3) Anyone with low BMD T less than -2.5 and taking corticosteriods more than7.5mg for at least 3 months



Maybe a good orthotic?
Well, I’ve been on Prolia for a few years now.
 
Ok here is your ammunition.

It has been recommended that bisphosphonates be considered in any patient over 60 that has been on prednisone for longer than 90 days. They should at least have bone density checks.

The problem when I was prescribing this was that they were authority only. but one criteria was multiple fractures. When questioned most could remember at least 2 fractures in their past. The best was a woman who had nearly 30 different fractures after an MVA. Most were small bones but it got her the medication.
Is this any different to taking OTC calcium supplements? And does calcium deficiency show up in blood tests?
 
Is this any different to taking OTC calcium supplements? And does calcium deficiency show up in blood tests?
Do you mean can taking OTC Ca supplements give the same result as biphosphonates?

Calcium deficiency in blood can show up in blood tests . It's called hypocalcaemia. However osteoporotic patients can have a normal calcium in the blood. The body's aim is to strictly maintain normal calcium blood levels at all times and at all costs - even if it has to take the calcium from your bones. The hormone that regulates blood Calcium balance is the Parathyroid Hormone
 
Do you mean can taking OTC Ca supplements give the same result as biphosphonates?

Calcium deficiency in blood can show up in blood tests . It's called hypocalcaemia. However osteoporotic patients can have a normal calcium in the blood. The body's aim is to strictly maintain normal calcium blood levels at all times and at all costs - even if it has to take the calcium from your bones. The hormone that regulates blood Calcium balance is the Parathyroid Hormone
Thankyou for the explanation. So normal calium in blood means little in these situations. Damn.

And yes do OTC supplements give the same result as biphosphonates?
 
Thankyou for the explanation. So normal calium in blood means little in these situations. Damn.

And yes do OTC supplements give the same result as biphosphonates?
Definitely not. Mrsdrron has just gone on to Prolia. An Injection every 6 months.
 
And yes do OTC supplements give the same result as biphosphonates?
Not in osteoporosis. (T worsethan -2.5)
All Ca supplements do is to make sure you have enough Calcium going in so that your body minimises having to withdraw Calcium from the Calcium bank (your bones). However it alone cannot prevent osteoporosis.

Note that Calcium loss from bone can still occur even with high dietary calcium intake. Calcium loss from bone and high calcium intake would ordinarily increase blood calcium but the body prevents that by making you pee calcium.

Osteopenia itself not eligible for biphosphonates if I recall correctly

Prolia is not a biphosphonate technically. It's actually a synthetic monoclonal antibody which acts like biphosphonate and as such are grouped with biohosphonates.
 
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Not in osteoporosis. (T worsethan -2.5)
All Ca supplements do is to make sure you have enough Calcium going in so that your body minimises having to withdraw Calcium from the Calcium bank (your bones). However it alone cannot prevent osteoporosis.

Note that Calcium loss from bone can still occur even with high dietary calcium intake. Calcium loss from bone and high calcium intake would ordinarily increase blood calcium but the body prevents that by making you pee calcium.

Osteopenia itself not eligible for biphosphonates if I recall correctly

Prolia is not a biphosphonate technically. It's actually a synthetic monoclonal antibody which acts like biphosphonate and as such are grouped with biohosphonates.
On steroi_s and also, OLD 😀
 
On steroi_s and also, OLD
Still, will only qualify for PBS if T worse than -2.5

But please check as I don't prescribe biphosphonates

Calcium and VitD is very important for people on biphosphonates/prolia. This is because the balance is tilted in favour of making bone so the body needs extra Calcium - taking it from the blood. So Some people who start biphosphonates get hypocalcaemia if they don't take enough Calcium/Vit D.
 
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Still, will only qualify for PBS if T worse than -2.5

But please check as I don't prescribe biphosphonates

Calcium and VitD is very important for people on biphosphonates/prolia. This is because the balance is tilted in favour of making bone so the body needs extra Calcium - taking it from the blood. So Some people who start biphosphonates get hypocalcaemia if they don't take enough Calcium/Vit D.
Yes, can't remember the value of the scan result. I think my right hip was at risk. Not loaded into My Health. I can see the blood tests from last week in the system but even though the padlock is gone I still can't access them. Likely tomorrow. Calcium last month was fine.
 
The other criteria was that men were excluded from the PBS for these drugs. Apparently men don't get osteoporosis.........:eek:

I think the criteria is now
1) anyone with a fracture and diagnoses osteoporosis
2) Over 70 with low BMD ??T score less than -2.5 I think
3) Anyone with low BMD T less than -2.5 and taking corticosteriods more than7.5mg for at least 3 months

I’m on bisphosphonate now post chemo and permanently in menopause as T-score of spine is -2.8 but not eligible for Medicare as just turned 50 when diagnosed as osteoporotic. It’s infused into the vein over 15 mins and needs to be done in a clinic/hospital setting. It’s $105 a dose every 6 months.

Depending on your private health care some cover it in hospital for osteoporosis some don’t. Some cover have the option of treatment in the home. Fortunately for me mine still covers this when given at home but not in hospital.

The irony is this is sometimes given to those with a bone metastasis as a treatment option. That’s covered then I believe but which I prefer not to have 🙏🏼.

One would think in the long run preventing broken bones leading to disability is in the best interest of the healthcare system…..

However it’s a drug with some nasty side effects albeit very rare. Can in very very small percentages of people cause jaw necrosis n kidney issues. Prior to first dose had to get my teeth health checked n and ended having my two molars at the back removed in case it grew out and had to be removed. Teeth get checked every 6 months.

First dose is terrible, was one of those that ended up with severe body aches and bone pain for nearly three days that even broke through consistent panadol taking during that time.
 
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The free vaccine under the National Immunisation Program for "older and immunocompromised Australians" will change from the current Zostavax vaccine to the Shingrix vaccine from the 1st of November this year. Apparently a 90% effective rate compared to a 40% one. We are just becoming eligible for this vaccination. We have both had shingles and do not wish to repeat the experience.


 
The free vaccine under the National Immunisation Program for "older and immunocompromised Australians" will change from the current Zostavax vaccine to the Shingrix vaccine from the 1st of November this year. Apparently a 90% effective rate compared to a 40% one. We are just becoming eligible for this vaccination. We have both had shingles and do not wish to repeat the experience.


This week my specialist told me I am at greater risk of shingles, and a few other things, and suggested I get the shingles vaccine so this is well timed for me. Meanwhile taking daily Valtrex for some limited protection.
 

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