General Medical issues thread

[Seat0B]

This is where becoming a pathologist is somewhat difficult for the general feeling of 'doing good' for humanity. The vast majority of time I am diagnosing patients with the worst news of their lives. Every day when I call other physicians I introduce myself and they think (or often out loud) say "oh noooo". It is so incredibly rare I call to give good news, but I treasure those calls every time.

Still. I know what I do is important. I give answers. I guide therapy. I give reasons for babies' deaths. But I so rarely give good news.

I’m grateful to the pathologists who’ve accompanied me on my journey with leukaemia. The thorough diligence of analysis of my blood forms the basis of the treatment plans that are keeping me going. You may be behind the scenes but I for one am grateful.

 

[JohnK]

So saw another GP Tuesday night who recommended another 10 days of Bactrim.

After 5-6 days of Trimethaprim there was some improvement but after 9 days of Trimethaprim followed by 3 days of Bactrim and epididymitIs has gotten slightly worse. Actually much worse.

And to boot on Wednesday night my whole body was sore so went to sleep early. I've had a sore throat since without any other symptoms until yesterday started coughing regularly. Last night was worse and now have stuffy nose, coughing and my throat feels full of phlegm.

 

[tgh]

There is a ripper bug doing the rounds, flattened me …good luck

 

[prozac]

PPM check this week showed under 6 months battery charge so I'll likely get a new box before Christmas. It's pacing >99% (complete LBBB) so no S wave. I've got 10yrs to the month out of this box, amazing technology. Surgeon talking about seeking approval for a PPM with a defib function, doesn't fill me with confidence. He tells me to think of myself as a Ferrari and not a Mercedes. I just need more time in the shop. Abbott PPM rep says they will make sure all my unique settings are copied across.

 

[cove]

The price of the RSV shot in California is around $525 AUD so at $300 Australians are better off.

 

[Pushka]

The price of the RSV shot in California is around $525 AUD so at $300 Australians are better off.

Trouble is there are so many respiratory infections doing the round. We had the max flu shots in April but were laid useless for two weeks with a different flu variant and just recovering now. .

There is a ripper bug doing the rounds, flattened me …good luck

It is truly evil. First time I’ve ever had flu.

 

[prozac]

I've put MrsPs name forward for a memory loss stage 4 drug trial. She had the phone interview today and next week a medical interview to decide if she is a candidate. Hopefully so as she will have a 50% chance of receiving new amyloid drug Donanemab. The drug has been approved for use in Australia but has not yet obtained PBS approval so it is quite expensive. There will be PET and MRI scans every 3 months as well as neurology tests. In between there will be infusions every 4 weeks of the drug itself or the placebo.

 

[Pushka]

It's taken me three weeks but am finally feeling better. I'm finding the desal water that cruise lines use in everything plus excessive salt had a detrimental effect on me. It was a US cruise. Despite eating sparsely for three weeks, on some days only eating bananas, I was 3 kilos heavier. And within 2 days it had all gone. Excessive water retention and which didn't help my blood pressure one bit. I must have had, along with MrP one of the Influenzas, although we had the highest flu vax in March plus the Covid shot. I couldn't imagine it being worse than it was. We developed it in SA so not 'exotic'.

 

[drron]

I think I have finally caught up with my problems with this trip. I fell. 2 weeks before leaving and had fractured ribs.. Meant for the first month I really didn’t have much sleep. The next 2 weeks I could sleep on my right side as well as my back. Slightly better sleep. A week ago could sleep on my right side as well so more normal sleep. But probably a sleep deprivation. Yesterday on the plane to BKK slept the first 2 hours after takeoff.
Today in Bangkok got up at 9.30 am and got back to the room at 11 am after breakfast.. Lay down on the bed and awoke at 3.30 pm. Hopefully the deficit has been paid off.

 

[prozac]

I think I have finally caught up with my problems with this trip. I fell. 2 weeks before leaving and had fractured ribs.. Meant for the first month I really didn’t have much sleep. The next 2 weeks I could sleep on my right side as well as my back. Slightly better sleep. A week ago could sleep on my right side as well so more normal sleep. But probably a sleep deprivation. Yesterday on the plane to BKK slept the first 2 hours after takeoff.
Today in Bangkok got up at 9.30 am and got back to the room at 11 am after breakfast.. Lay down on the bed and awoke at 3.30 pm. Hopefully the deficit has been paid off.

Teaching you to suck eggs I know but I've found after 2 shoulder and 2 x thoracic surgery, when it becomes possible a large pillow placed under the upper knee and leg when in recovery position helps sleeping. That's right roll upper body onto another large pillow around the chest/ shoulder region. Very comfy for sleeping I've found when you've been sliced and diced.

 

[Flyfrequently]

With my history of Morphoeic BCC's and family Hx of Melanoma, I had a nasty looking lesion excised today.
Now to wait the week for pathology - doc says results are taking longer these days, not the usual 3 days.

 

[Cossie]

Bugger, had a sore knee for a while, finally got round to going to my GP.
She sent me off for a MRI.

I'm off Friday for 3 weeks, so it's a bit annoying, going to spectate at a WRC event usually involves a reasonable amount of walking and standing.
I thought it might be my MCL, but my knee was locking occasionally, glad it isn't a ligament after witnessing what the boss has been through. Also, it seems I won't need a replacement in the near future, again, happy about that.

"Radial tear of the body of the medial meniscus with diffuse MCL bursitis. A small fragment of the medial meniscus is extruded in the MCL gutter.
Horizontal cleavage tear of the lateral meniscus.
Degenerative changes in the articular cartilage of the patellofemoral compartment."

Guess I'll need some work done. I'm hoping it will be fixed with a bit of trimming and a clean up, anyone on here had experience with something like this? I have 2 more events to go to at the end of November, guess I have to be careful as if I damage it further overseas it won't be covered by my travel insurance.

 

[tgh]

No free lunches with knee surgery.
I had a bucket tear about 40 years ago and subsequently a chunk of meniscus removed.
It was early days for arthroscopy and they just chopped and hoovered everything loose out.
It has caused me much grief over the years but I have now formed an opinion that the knife is to be a very last resort.
You may have no choice but to have a clean out,, however the recovery time and end use…is a lottery.

 

[VPS]

Bugger, had a sore knee for a while, finally got round to going to my GP.
She sent me off for a MRI.

I'm off Friday for 3 weeks, so it's a bit annoying, going to spectate at a WRC event usually involves a reasonable amount of walking and standing.
I thought it might be my MCL, but my knee was locking occasionally, glad it isn't a ligament after witnessing what the boss has been through. Also, it seems I won't need a replacement in the near future, again, happy about that.

"Radial tear of the body of the medial meniscus with diffuse MCL bursitis. A small fragment of the medial meniscus is extruded in the MCL gutter.
Horizontal cleavage tear of the lateral meniscus.
Degenerative changes in the articular cartilage of the patellofemoral compartment."

Guess I'll need some work done. I'm hoping it will be fixed with a bit of trimming and a clean up, anyone on here had experience with something like this? I have 2 more events to go to at the end of November, guess I have to be careful as if I damage it further overseas it won't be covered by my travel insurance.

My arthroscopy really helped me and it was another 15 years before a TKR

I enrolled in the GLAD program Information for Participants - GLA:D AU but not sure if that is appropriate for you

Good luck

 

[k_sheep]

With my history of Morphoeic BCC's and family Hx of Melanoma, I had a nasty looking lesion excised today.
Now to wait the week for pathology - doc says results are taking longer these days, not the usual 3 days.

Yeah ... we're all struggling badly I'm afraid in pathology.

I was reporting skin biopsies from first week of August last week ....

 

[JohnK]

Feet and lower legs swollen badly as well as fingers wrists. (Note my face has also been swollen this trip and glasses feel uncomfortable)

Now here's the dilemma. Really thirsty and cannot stop drinking water which is not helping the swelling.

Should have been taking diuretic this trip but from memory this makes me more thirsty.