General Medical issues thread

[QF WP]

I’ve just had the same - issues with health in my family.

Brother (18 months older) just had prostate biopsy yesterday. Our father and his twin brother both had prostate cancer (with Breslow 5/4 and 4/5 scores initially) - my uncle died from it (metastatic cancer). One of his sons has already been through the biopsy as well so has been really helpful to my brother. Thankfully we are all close

Looks like I have to go and have a PSA test. My brother and I both hate blood tests. Time for some Emla patches and a relaxant before my test. I woke up in the middle of an operation when I was 14 and have pathological fear of IV’s. Just typing about it turns me clammy.

Age catches up with all of us. Best wishes to all here going through their own journeys (whether them or their own family). You’re not alone

 

[Pushka]

I’ve just had the same - issues with health in my family.

Brother (18 months older) just had prostate biopsy yesterday. Our father and his twin brother both had prostate cancer (with Breslow 5/4 and 4/5 scores initially) - my uncle died from it (metastatic cancer). One of his sons has already been through the biopsy as well so has been really helpful to my brother. Thankfully we are all close

Looks like I have to go and have a PSA test. My brother and I both hate blood tests. Time for some Emla patches and a relaxant before my test. I woke up in the middle of an operation when I was 14 and have pathological fear of IV’s. Just typing about it turns me clammy.

Age catches up with all of us. Best wishes to all here going through their own journeys (whether them or their own family). You’re not alone

I think all men need annual testing to establish the baseline PSA from about 50 onwards and earlier if risk factors. That way a rise, even if still within the normal limits can be checked more regularly than annual. Which is what is happening in our household. Another test post Christmas will sort out the plan.
Blood tests - I have one done every four weeks. Just a little prick.

 

[maia200]

Question for members who have previously undergone chemo treatment, you know who you are. Do you think chemo affected your drinking habits? After a couple of drinks now I have generally lost interest. I had a greater thirst prior to chemo.

I would say yes. I don't have a great desire for alcohol anymore. When I do (socially) a glass of wine is enough and two too much. I may try a vodka but generally leave half of it.

Post automatically merged: Nov 23, 2023

Probably if after the first few months it’s not from chemo but the other meds you’re still on?

It’s so different for everyone. I am a savoury person and love sweets if chocolate. I hated anything salty during that time. Sweet bbq sauce went well with almost everything. My theory was anything you liked tasted bad during chemo and it was true for me

I still enjoy chocolate but hardly eat it anymore. I don't have the same desire for it unless it's 'special'.

 

[Seat0B]

I’ve just had the same - issues with health in my family.

Brother (18 months older) just had prostate biopsy yesterday. Our father and his twin brother both had prostate cancer (with Breslow 5/4 and 4/5 scores initially) - my uncle died from it (metastatic cancer). One of his sons has already been through the biopsy as well so has been really helpful to my brother. Thankfully we are all close

Looks like I have to go and have a PSA test. My brother and I both hate blood tests. Time for some Emla patches and a relaxant before my test. I woke up in the middle of an operation when I was 14 and have pathological fear of IV’s. Just typing about it turns me clammy.

Age catches up with all of us. Best wishes to all here going through their own journeys (whether them or their own family). You’re not alone

Sending supportive vibes over the internet to you @QF WP and also to your brother.

 

[JohnM]

Brother (18 months older) just had prostate biopsy yesterday. Our father and his twin brother both had prostate cancer (with Breslow 5/4 and 4/5 scores initially) - my uncle died from it (metastatic cancer). One of his sons has already been through the biopsy as well so has been really helpful to my brother. Thankfully we are all close

You would mean Gleason score for prostate cancer, @QF WP.

Been there. Had several biopsies over a seven year 'active surveillance' period before the grade elevated and I had a prostatectomy, coming up six years ago.

 

[Cossie]

So important to get checked, another person I knew died last month, so that’s about 6 that I know in the last 18 months, age group mid sixties.
Another 2 caught it in time and things seem ok.

 

[tgh]

So important to get checked

.. and yet the recommended test interval is annually , I guess because Prostate cancer is usually slow growing.
Ages ago, discussing annual blood tests, the Dr asked if I wanted a PSA, of course why would you ask?
Some folks don't want to know was the reply..
The party line used to be that you die with Prostate Cancer, not of it…..

 

[TheRealTMA]

Wrist extra 2cm chop today. Miracle medicine I’m still alive. Serious disadvantage tho! No alcohol for 36 hrs.

 

[JohnK]

So dad's in hospital and his pneumonia under control.

They were going to keep him a few days over the last weekend and let him go. Dad complaining non stop about pain. His knee hurting more than usual. Cardiologist has said no to any operation due to his age and chronic conditions. So hospital is trying to help him out but dad asking for Deptran. So then he ends up with psych consult and now patches for pain. As expected the patches are useless but dad persevering. Just keep quiet and go home. No dad wants help. He will not listen.

Now the nurse taking care of dad tested positive for covid yesterday and dad moved to isolation ward for 5 more days. Luckily hospital introduced compulsory masks a few weeks ago. Mum stressed. She cannot keep going to hospital each day. She goes for an hour or so but dad wants her there all day.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Last night before bed I had the worst pain in my shoulder likely a pinched nerve, took about 2 hours to calm down with help of aspirin before I could go to bed. The area is still sore this morning.
The pain came out of nowhere, not sure if it will always be a problem, I guess the problems of getting old.
Any ideas what I should try to fix it, I tried stretches and hot and cold patches.

 

[drron]

First find out what the pain is. just because you feel it is in the shoulder doesn't mean that is the cause of paon
Two cautionary tales.
First a 24 year old reserve grade Newtown RL hooker. Had just finished a game and had pain between the shoulder blades. As a JRMO I was examining him when a rather attractive young nurse asked -"drron is there anyone I could practice doing an ECG on." Naturally my 24 year old said she can practice on me. The ECG showed a heart attack.
Second when working in Maitland. A 40 year old woman came in with severe pain in her right elbow and she thought it might be the heart. The ED was chaotic with several casualties from an MVA. So I sent her to Coronary Care to get an ECG The nurse had just started doing an ECG when she had a VF arrest. Being in the CCU she had the paddles applied immediately. Two days later in RPAH, Sydney she had her bypass.

So if you have a strong family history of heart disease I would get an ECG done. Probably not the heart but best to be sure.

 

[Quickstatus]

Deptran

Doxepin - often used for management of depression and sometimes beneficial for chronic pain.
But won't take the pain away.
There are no pain medicines which take pain away - ie there is no magic pain killer.

patches for pain

Which one:
Is it a tiny transparent one? or a big one that looks like a square bandaid?

I don't like the tiny transparent pain patches and I would never prescribe them for non cancer pain.
Reasons:
1) Very dangerous in patients who are opiate naive - many deaths
2) Very dangerous in families with children. Stories of patients not discarding the patches properly when changing to a new one. The child comes along and finds it and thinks its a sticker or eats it Guess what happens
3) Highly addictive
4) No TGA recommendation for non cancer pain. But its used unfortunately
5) Very hard to adjust dose

They should only be reserved for patients who have cancer pain and where it has been shown they require large doses of opiates on an ongoing basis and are dose stable
Even in the Palliative care setting for cancer pain they are not used

@JohnK re your father. Does he have a GP who is able to provide comprehensive long term medical care?. I can't emphasise enough that the patients with complex medical needs require an excellent GP with regular medical reviews. While I don't know your father's individual circumstances, I think based on estimated age, he should also be looked after by a good Geriatrician.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Last night before bed I had the worst pain in my shoulder likely a pinched nerve, took about 2 hours to calm down with help of aspirin before I could go to bed. The area is still sore this morning.
The pain came out of nowhere, not sure if it will always be a problem, I guess the problems of getting old.
Any ideas what I should try to fix it, I tried stretches and hot and cold patches.

old age gets increasingly funner and funner every day. IMHO try heat bag, neuophen gel or voltaren gel.

 

[Quickstatus]

IMHO try heat bag, neuophen gel or voltaren gel

What about a few doses of something called "NightCap"

 

[Pushka]

Four year old Grandson was due to have tonsils, adenoids removed and grommets inserted yesterday. Meticulous planning for mum ( GP) for days of work, and me for childcare for other child who on the weekend came down with gastro. So mum decided to send grandson to childcare on Tuesday to avoid him getting gastro. I got the child with the poo explosions. Oh my! Well, that night grandson came down with a cough. Had him tested for Covid by PCR. Negative. Phew. Surgery on. Hospital called and said it was Influenza a. Surgery cancelled. Can't reschedule until we get back and then surgeon returns from leave in January. And then Son got gastro yesterday. Big time.

 

[Seat0B]

It’s lucky kids are so cute because really they are a bio-hazard beyond all reckoning

 

[Pushka]

It’s lucky kids are so cute because really they are a bio-hazard beyond all reckoning

I had poop everywhere. I just wasn't expecting it to be in the places it was. I thought it was a simple change. Apparently their car had to be bio hazard treated on Monday. And Son has been banished to their downstairs for the moment. I think they are tossing him food down the stairs. . Or, maybe not.

 

[TheRealTMA]

What about a few doses of something called "NightCap"

this one?

Nightcap (drink) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Cossie]

this one?

Nightcap (drink) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Show us your scar!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Show us your scar!