General Medical issues thread

[andye]

Just back from the GP (now missing the time when they were recovering from the 2022 floods, and our GP was at a clinic ~500m from the Teen's school rather than ~500m from home )

Knee and foot ultrasound booked for Tuesday, earliest possible. Definitely achilles problems. Said to stop the antibiotics as she saw no signs of cellulitis and to drop the Celebrex 100mg to once a day. Need to drop Teen at school and pickup rather than take the bus, and rest as much as possible. If school won't allow us to drop off at the door, then she should do remote learning for 1-2 weeks!

It's not a common prescribed antibiotic in primary care but ciprofloxacin (and relatives) has an idiosyncratic side-effect of Achilles problems
Edit: oops symptoms preceded antibiotic so can ignore

 

[Quickstatus]

21mm is 2.1cm

2.1mm is tiny

Someone needs specsavers

 

[Quickstatus]

apart for the heel being very sensitive.

Which part of the heel?

 

[Katie]

Which part of the heel?

The back part. And when the physio moved her heel rather than foot or toes. She's also said she feels burning under the arch of her foot sometimes, and sometimes her bigt toe gets numb.

I think we managed to remember and report all symptoms to the GP, who I felt did a really thorough examination.

 

[Quickstatus]

The back part.

Achilles insertional tendinopathy.
Common

 

[MelMel]

Good idea. My physio said the custom orthotics are 10 times the price and realy no difference, but whatever works! I have multiple pairs (about $75 a pair) from the physio in different shoes. I rerally notice it if I wear shoes wthot them for a day. Seems to work well for me. YMMV.

Are your orthotics a “regular” brand or only available at the Podiatrist?

 

[Seat0B]

My appointment today was generally good but a little bit mixed.

Doc was very happy with my blood test results, but unhappy with the blotches.

These blotches were one of the first symptoms I had (if indeed they are a symptom of the leukaemia) and I had blotches for a couple of years before bad blood work. So I was worried, and he is too, that the blotches are maybe a leading indicator of the leukaemia. Plus they burn, which is unpleasant although not terribly painful as such, and they look revolting (which I know is vain).

The other possibility is a separate platelet issue. In the initial testing for the leukaemia, there were some odd platelet results, potentially suggesitve of Bernard Soulier syndrome. I had forgotten about that, as at the time he said let's treat the leukaemia and worry about the rest later. So he has ordered another specialised platelet aggregation test which will be done in a couple of weeks when I can get the appointment.

He was also not fully happy with my continuing right rib pain - which had previously been suspected to be related to enlarged liver in turn related to the leukaemia. He thinks it should be gone now, but instead it's actually getting worse. Hurts when I lie down. Initially only on a hard surface, like doing sit ups at the gym, but now it hurts whatever I lie on, including bed. Also now also hurts when I lie on my sides not just on my back, and even when I sit in a chair that has a firm back rest. Weirdly, it does not hurt much if at all when pressed or massaged, and rarely hurts with movement. So he has ordered a PET scan, a CT scan and said if that show nothing he will potentially do a bone marrow biopsy (). My bone marrow biopsy for the leukaemia did show invasion of bony trebeculae by defective cells. I have to get the scans done and will see him again on 8 April for review and maybe the bone marrow biopsy.

On the plus side, after many years of medical gaslighting, this doctor takes my issues seriously and investigates thoroughly. I'm hoping it's nothing serious although I actually do want to find out what is causing the rib pain and the blotches as both are irritating and the ribs are painful.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Are your orthotics a “regular” brand or only available at the Podiatrist?

A regular brand available from all physiotherapists (and elsewhere). Vasyli I believe. There are three grades of firmness from what I remember.

LIke this Vasyli Medical

 

[love_the_life]

My appointment today was generally good but a little bit mixed.

Doc was very happy with my blood test results, but unhappy with the blotches.

These blotches were one of the first symptoms I had (if indeed they are a symptom of the leukaemia) and I had blotches for a couple of years before bad blood work. So I was worried, and he is too, that the blotches are maybe a leading indicator of the leukaemia. Plus they burn, which is unpleasant although not terribly painful as such, and they look revolting (which I know is vain).

The other possibility is a separate platelet issue. In the initial testing for the leukaemia, there were some odd platelet results, potentially suggesitve of Bernard Soulier syndrome. I had forgotten about that, as at the time he said let's treat the leukaemia and worry about the rest later. So he has ordered another specialised platelet aggregation test which will be done in a couple of weeks when I can get the appointment.

He was also not fully happy with my continuing right rib pain - which had previously been suspected to be related to enlarged liver in turn related to the leukaemia. He thinks it should be gone now, but instead it's actually getting worse. Hurts when I lie down. Initially only on a hard surface, like doing sit ups at the gym, but now it hurts whatever I lie on, including bed. Also now also hurts when I lie on my sides not just on my back, and even when I sit in a chair that has a firm back rest. Weirdly, it does not hurt much if at all when pressed or massaged, and rarely hurts with movement. So he has ordered a PET scan, a CT scan and said if that show nothing he will potentially do a bone marrow biopsy (). My bone marrow biopsy for the leukaemia did show invasion of bony trebeculae by defective cells. I have to get the scans done and will see him again on 8 April for review and maybe the bone marrow biopsy.

On the plus side, after many years of medical gaslighting, this doctor takes my issues seriously and investigates thoroughly. I'm hoping it's nothing serious although I actually do want to find out what is causing the rib pain and the blotches as both are irritating and the ribs are painful.

certainly sounded like a real mixed bag - some good results but then some odd things - which hopefully will not turn out to be serious. Good luck. How did you manage with the skiing - it would have been pretty active/strenuous.

 

[MARTINE]

A regular brand available from all physiotherapists (and elsewhere). Vasyli I believe. There are three grades of firmness from what I remember.

LIke this Vasyli Medical

Poor man behind the brand..

 

[Seat0B]

certainly sounded like a real mixed bag - some good results but then some odd things - which hopefully will not turn out to be serious. Good luck. How did you manage with the skiing - it would have been pretty active/strenuous.

It was! I took it easy. Rested every second day for the first week, then every third day. Did not push myself. Came in about 3pm each day. It was so restorative to be out in the beautiful alps in fresh air!

 

[QF WP]

It's not a common prescribed antibiotic in primary care but ciprofloxacin (and relatives) has an idiosyncratic side-effect of Achilles problems
Edit: oops symptoms preceded antibiotic so can ignore

I’m on Ciprofloxacin 2/day plus Augmentin (Amoxicillin) 2/day for my wound. My pharmacist said not to drink milk with Cipro as well as watch out for hypersensitivity to sunlight - thankfully had neither.

 

[drron]

After my second day of Flucloxacillin my cellulitis is virtually gone.

 

[Himeno]

Somewhat confused right now.

On Christmas eve I go to the hospital after being unable to pass urine for 13+ hours and had 500ml in the bladder. After 5 failed attempts to insert a urethral catheter, I get taken to surgery for a urethroscopy, which can't find any way into the bladder, so they cut a hole and implant a suprapubic catheter and await surgery to repair a "completely obliterated urethra" (quoting the discharge notes).

Since then, I have averaged around 300ml in the leg bag attached to the SPC overnight.
Before bed last night, I emptied the bag and had no indication that anything might come out normally.
When I went to empty the bag after getting up this morning, there was about 100ml in the bag, followed by another ~150ml (and some blood) passing normally.

Is it normal for a "completely obliterated urethra" to spontaneously correct itself overnight?
The only change has been my GP giving me meloxicam on Wednesday to help sort out a nerve issue.

 

[MARTINE]

Somewhat confused right now.

On Christmas eve I go to the hospital after being unable to pass urine for 13+ hours and had 500ml in the bladder. After 5 failed attempts to insert a urethral catheter, I get taken to surgery for a urethroscopy, which can't find any way into the bladder, so they cut a hole and implant a suprapubic catheter and await surgery to repair a "completely obliterated urethra" (quoting the discharge notes).

Since then, I have averaged around 300ml in the leg bag attached to the SPC overnight.
Before bed last night, I emptied the bag and had no indication that anything might come out normally.
When I went to empty the bag after getting up this morning, there was about 100ml in the bag, followed by another ~150ml (and some blood) passing normally.

Is it normal for a "completely obliterated urethra" to spontaneously correct itself overnight?
The only change has been my GP giving me meloxicam on Wednesday to help sort out a nerve issue.

Diagnosis of the underlying cause of urethral obstruction is relevant. If physical scarring this is unlikely to be able to spontaneously open. Swelling (?cause - infection/stone) may improve by ‘resting’ and allowing urethra to settle whilst suprapubic in. Document all your Q’s/concerns so that urologist can address soon
All the best @Himeno

 

[prozac]

Someone asked me why I shared so much on this thread. Yes, I know I have opened up a bit since about this time last year. Well. here's the thing. By sharing I had a persistent cough drron suggested I needed a chest xray and certain bloods. It probably seemed harmless enough to everyone else, and to me too. For a bloke it was an annoyance, but ultimately it turned into an emergency with my airways closing. My doctor's partner was on duty whilst my long time doc was away enjoying himself on holidays. How inconvenience. He sent me away with antiobiotics! A week later I ended up in hospital in a rush with a battery of tests. My point is we might feel like we we are whinging but we could discover something important and so might other AFFers.
I'd be more comfortable if this thread was only visible to AFF members who have logged in.

 

[love_the_life]

Someone asked me why I shared so much on this thread. Yes, I know I have opened up a bit since about this time last year. Well. here's the thing. By sharing I had a persistent cough drron suggested I needed a chest xray and certain bloods. It probably seemed harmless enough to everyone else, and to me too. For a bloke it was an annoyance, but ultimately it turned into an emergency with my airways closing. My doctor's partner was on duty whilst my long time doc was away enjoying himself on holidays. How inconvenience. I ended up in hospital in a rush with a battery of tests. My point is we might feel like we we are whinging but we could discover something important and so might other AFFers.
I'd be more comfortable if this thread was only visible to AFF members who have logged in.

It is the luck that drron suggested that all was not just an 'annoying cough'. When I was a toddler (so about 70 years ago) as my mother says, I was off colour so she took me to the doctor - had been there perhaps the day before as well. Anyway, he wasn't happy and suggested my parents take me to Royal Children's in Melbourne (we were living in Mirboo North in Gippsland), Nurse at the practice said to my mum, nothing wrong, you'll be back tonight after a wasted trip. As it was I had endocarditis and was lucky that one of the leading professors at the hospital actually saw me when I arrived and said he would treat me. Many years of follow up etc.
It's the suggestion that all is not well that can make the difference.
Actually same with a lump - mammogram and ultra sound inconclusive and suggested leave for 3 months - nope said GP and off to surgeon - Ca had already spread to lymph glands - that was over 30 years ago so maybe I have been lucky.

 

[tgh]

was only visible to AFF members who have logged in

Imo, this is an excellent suggestion that is probably software simple to do. Mods????

 

[RooFlyer]

I'd be more comfortable if this thread was only visible to AFF members who have logged in.

I agree. @admin ?

 

[prozac]

was only visible to AFF members who have logged in

Imo, this is an excellent suggestion that is probably software simple to do. Mods????

I find it disturbing that this thread is visible on the world wide web. I believe there is already a thread on AFF that is only visible to AFF members so it should not be difficult to arrange the same status for this thread. Maybe include a minimum of say 100 posts before you can view this thread.