General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

This should be in the cheesed me off thread but I've never had this in my life.

We're in Sydney this weekend. Mum has not been well the past few days. Sharp pain in abdomen, not eating, vomiting even water. Didn't know what to do so eventually called ambulance and they took her to hospital.

They called last night and said she has bowel obstruction and needs urgent surgery/procedure so taking her to Concord.

I called hospital and they said she's in observation but when they transferred me there the person there would not give me any details because I'm not listed as family. My brother is listed but not me.

How absolutely ridiculous. Just tell me the condition of my mother. Could not be simpler. Could it?

P.S. I may not be on speaking terms with my brother. Plus my brother cannot leave dad alone. This is the first time I've encountered this type of behaviour. This world we've created is total junk. How ridiculous.

 

[pagingjoan]

This should be in the cheesed me off thread but I've never had this in my life.

We're in Sydney this weekend. Mum has not been well the past few days. Sharp pain in abdomen, not eating, vomiting even water. Didn't know what to do so eventually called ambulance and they took her to hospital.

They called last night and said she has bowel obstruction and needs urgent surgery/procedure so taking her to Concord.

I called hospital and they said she's in observation but when they transferred me there the person there would not give me any details because I'm not listed as family. My brother is listed but not me.

How absolutely ridiculous. Just tell me the condition of my mother. Could not be simpler. Could it?

P.S. I may not be on speaking terms with my brother. Plus my brother cannot leave dad alone. This is the first time I've encountered this type of behaviour. This world we've created is total junk. How ridiculous.

Talk you your brother.
You’ve said more than once in the past that you trust him completely.

And don’t you have PoA for your parents?
If not, make that a priority.

Best of luck.

 

[Pushka]

This should be in the cheesed me off thread but I've never had this in my life.

We're in Sydney this weekend. Mum has not been well the past few days. Sharp pain in abdomen, not eating, vomiting even water. Didn't know what to do so eventually called ambulance and they took her to hospital.

They called last night and said she has bowel obstruction and needs urgent surgery/procedure so taking her to Concord.

I called hospital and they said she's in observation but when they transferred me there the person there would not give me any details because I'm not listed as family. My brother is listed but not me.

How absolutely ridiculous. Just tell me the condition of my mother. Could not be simpler. Could it?

P.S. I may not be on speaking terms with my brother. Plus my brother cannot leave dad alone. This is the first time I've encountered this type of behaviour. This world we've created is total junk. How ridiculous.

That's really unfortunate you can't get information but it isn't the hospitals issue to sort out. They'd be in a lot of bother if they released it to you. They dont know you and the type of relationship you have with your mother if she hasn't nonimated you. Unfortunately for you they are absolutely doing the right thing here. I'm surprised it hasn't arisen before for you tbh. Accept the situation and find other solutions. You must ask your brother to keep you in touch as it's likely going to be a long visit in hospital for her.

 

[JohnK]

Talk you your brother.
You’ve said more than once in the past that you trust him completely.

And don’t you have PoA for your parents?
If not, make that a priority.

Best of luck.

So if I'm not talking to my brother or dad then I cannot find out about my mother? Tough luck right?

@Pushka there is no problem for anyone telling me if my mum is OK or not. This is the problem with the world we've created. Ludicrous and people think this is progress? People think this is right? Sheer stupidity.

She's in recovery now. Won't let us see her. We'll wait and see if they move her to ward soon otherwise we'll head off to airport. Doctor did call my brother. Bowel obstruction fixed as well as hernia. Doctor mention there's scar tissue from young age which is strange.

Oh and @Pushka now I know their stupid game when we're in Brisbane later tonight I will call to find out about mum. This time they will give me update because I'll pretend to be who I'm not. Nothing wrong with doing that now, is it?

 

[prozac]

...

Oh and @Pushka now I know their stupid game when we're in Brisbane later tonight I will call to find out about mum. This time they will give me update because I'll pretend to be who I'm not. Nothing wrong with doing that now, is it?

I would have HUCA and when asked you are of-course your brother.

 

[Pushka]

So if I'm not talking to my brother or dad then I cannot find out about my mother? Tough luck right?

@Pushka there is no problem for anyone telling me if my mum is OK or not. This is the problem with the world we've created. Ludicrous and people think this is progress? People think this is right? Sheer stupidity.

She's in recovery now. Won't let us see her. We'll wait and see if they move her to ward soon otherwise we'll head off to airport. Doctor did call my brother. Bowel obstruction fixed as well as hernia. Doctor mention there's scar tissue from young age which is strange.

Oh and @Pushka now I know their stupid game when we're in Brisbane later tonight I will call to find out about mum. This time they will give me update because I'll pretend to be who I'm not. Nothing wrong with doing that now, is it?

It is simply the protection of your mothers privacy. She didn't put you on the list and they don't know why she didn't. That's why they have a list in the first place. Or - Perhaps they have only asked for one contact so they aren't continually answering questions. And as he lives in the same state and looking after father then that seems logical. You can't beat up the messenger, they are just doing their job. It is no game to them.

So if you know mum is in recovery then you have been talking with your brother. That's good to hear. Hope she can recover quickly.

And yes, pretend to be your brother if needs must. We've never had this kind of issue so don't know if I'd be happy to do that. Likely I would.

 

[JohnK]

I would have HUCA and when asked you are of-course your brother.

I was actually at the hospital. The doctor called my brother to say mum was OK and my brother asked them if we could see mum. We saw her in recovery and then again when moved to ward.

Hopefully tomorrow they will remove dad as next of kin and it will be my brother and I as next of kin.

P.S. @Pushka I had no idea this sort of restriction existed. I just wanted to know if mum was OK or not. That shouldn't be protected information regardless of what you or the P.C brigade think. Anyway just one of the many things wrong with society.

We about to go to airport but I might be back in a couple of days. I'm the one with issues but helping everyone else. I'm tired and have a headache.

 

[JohnK]

So this time around wife has had UTI since May 2025.

Saw Urology outpatients in May 2025 who felt that e.coli showing up in urine sample did not warrant taking antibiotics. How is it going to clear in a patient with history of pyelonephritis and now interstitial nephritis?

We went to hospital end of June and they only kept her <24 hours and discharged her with script of 30 Augmentin Forte. Wife ended up taking 36 Augmentin Forte and started to feel better.

We waited 7 days and had another urine sample. Wife now complaining of right flank pain again. Urine sample reveals heavy growth of e.coli, more than likely the same infection that's she's now had for months this time around. Resistant to penicillin and Norfloxacin. Ok to use Keflex, Augmentin and Triptim so we've started a 14 day course of Triptim but after 3 days wife still has right flank pain.

In the mean time Urology outpatients called again and I've convinced them to bring forward December appointment and they'll see us in 3 weeks. Triptim for 14 days wait 3 days and do another urine sample and ultrasound and then Urology.

Where to from here? Wife cannot keep having e.coli infections. GP has mentioned cystoscopy. Sounds feasible and possible solution? I really feel sorry for her.

Oh and dads dementia getting worse. I'm going back to Sydney tomorrow morning to take care of dad so brother can go visit mum in hospital. Life is so sad. Hopefully I can stay strong.

 

[I love to travel]

Looking for some recommendations. I broke my foot 6.5 weeks ago on the left foot Stiill pain on the area before the toes (ie the pressure point where you walk) and on the whole of the left side of my foot. I am now out of the moon boot. and so every step hurts Scans have confirmed that current pain is just part of the journey,, not new injuries.
Am going overseas in 2 weeks. What is the best shoe for someone in my situation - sneaker or hiking boot? Looking for something that is going to provide maximum support and protection and hopefully "lessen the blow" of each step. Any brand recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

 

[prozac]

Looking for some recommendations. I broke my foot 6.5 weeks ago on the left foot Stiill pain on the area before the toes (ie the pressure point where you walk) and on the whole of the left side of my foot. I am now out of the moon boot. and so every step hurts Scans have confirmed that current pain is just part of the journey,, not new injuries.
Am going overseas in 2 weeks. What is the best shoe for someone in my situation - sneaker or hiking boot? Looking for something that is going to provide maximum support and protection and hopefully "lessen the blow" of each step. Any brand recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

Don't know where you are located but Glimour's Comfort Shoes specialise in shoes for problem feet. They are in Manly Vale, Sydney.
gilmours.com.au/

 

[I love to travel]

Don't know where you are located but Glimour's Comfort Shoes specialise in shoes for problem feet. They are in Manly Vale, Sydney.
gilmours.com.au/

Thanks but in Brisbane.

 

[prozac]

Thanks but in Brisbane.

Cross check brands for local stockists.

 

[tgh]

Gilmours in Brisvegas are here..

Modern sneakers tend to have very heavily cushioned soles.. particularly Hoka.

The Most Comfortable Walking Shoes for Counting All Your Steps

Make your casual strolls—or half-jogs—comfier in these soft and supportive trainers.

www.runnersworld.com

I have been walking in an old pair of Merrel hiking shoes but also have new balance walkers that I find too soft and squishy..like many Skechers

 

[I love to travel]

Gilmours in Brisvegas are here..

Modern sneakers tend to have very heavily cushioned soles.. particularly Hoka.

The Most Comfortable Walking Shoes for Counting All Your Steps

Make your casual strolls—or half-jogs—comfier in these soft and supportive trainers.

www.runnersworld.com

I have been walking in an old pair of Merrel hiking shoes but also have new balance walkers that I find too soft and squishy..like many Skechers

View attachment 460825

Fab thanks for that.

 

[woodyren]

OK after posting in other threds it's time to hit this one I guess. 70 years old and just returned from 6 months travel(need to get around to doing a trip report). Have had AF for around 20 years and has been well managed by Sotilol. Blood pressure has been high for maybe 5 years managed reasonably by Amlodipine 5mg each evening.

Cardiologist a year ago put me started me on Eliquis blood thinner (5mg twice a day) about a year ago due to the hypertension and AF. All has been fine with no obvious side effects until...

Around 3 weeks ago while on a cruise heading to Japan I woke after an afternoon nap to what felt like I was sitting on something. Glute muscle continued to swell and became very painful very quickly. Couldn't sit down that evening and even worse in the morning. Only obvious thing was some internal bleed and a quick google search highlighted that a spontaneous bleed in a muscle, particularly if on blood thinner, could be a medical emergency and lead to Compartment Syndrome. I presented to the on board Dr early the next morning who sent me directly to Kagoshima Hospital for further evaluation. While there they did an Ultrasound and CT scan with dye.

The treating Dr said that compartment Syndrome was unlikely and cleared me to return to the ship. I had stopped the blood thinners and the Dr confirmed that I should discus continued use with my cardiologist on return to Australia.

Butt muscle remained heavily swollen for the remaining 7 days of the cruise and while it started to slowly improve each day it was still extremely painful to get in a car to Shanghai airport and sit on the plane back to Nth China. Bruising started to show and that coincided with further reduction in pain.

Flew home last week and headed to my GP the day after arrival. Had not tested my BP since I left and at the GP it was 172/90. He said to monitor it and the next day it at one stage was 182/92. GP told me if it gets over 180 to head to casualty which I did. Casualty DR virtually said "if it was over 200 or so I would do something but just seek advice from your cardiologist".

Since then it had been in the 160-175 range mostly in my twice daily checks. Which is worrying.

Cardiologist visit coming up on Friday.

Any advice would be appreciated?

 

[prozac]

Gilmours in Brisvegas are here..

Modern sneakers tend to have very heavily cushioned soles.. particularly Hoka.

The Most Comfortable Walking Shoes for Counting All Your Steps

Make your casual strolls—or half-jogs—comfier in these soft and supportive trainers.

www.runnersworld.com

I have been walking in an old pair of Merrel hiking shoes but also have new balance walkers that I find too soft and squishy..like many Skechers

View attachment 460825

FWIW in June I bought MrsP a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 shoes. Very light and supportive and it was EOFY and I wanted to get her a final deduction. Only drawback is it does not prevent moisture passing through the upper.

 

[Pushka]

FWIW in June I bought MrsP a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 shoes. Very light and supportive and it was EOFY and I wanted to get her a final deduction. Only drawback is it does not prevent moisture passing through the upper.

I swear by Skechers. I have dodgy osteo in big toe and the 'rock' action is perfect to protect it.

 

[Aeryn]

Suggest you consult a podiatrist or physio to confirm the best type of support for this specific period. What works for one person isn't great for someone else, you may need different shoes or just a cushioned insert.

Since a knee injury a couple of years back Ive been quite particular about shoes and only buy those with correct support for my foot type and activity.

For runners I personally like Brooks as they have styles for narrow, normal and wide, different pronation (neutral, pronated, super pronated), different levels of cushioning etc but others like sketchers or new balance (noting NB run very wide).

For hiking shoes I swear by Salomon.

For dressy/fashion sneakers I like Frankie 4 (aussie made and you can adjust inserts they arrive with several) or Ecco.

 

[drron]

Well according to the QF Wellness app for the first time this year I am going to get to 80000 steps for the week. My week ends on Monday.

 

[tgh]

Any advice would be appreciated?

Can't offer any advice , can offer sympathy though... hopefully one on the doctors will respond.
It seems 200 is the entry point as I presented in the 160>180 range but the "tension" of the ER tipped me over 200 and I was quickly admitted