General Medical issues thread

[mrsterryn]

Interesting.
Husband had a medical appointment with his GP which I also attended.
He is having quite a few issues at the moment, two could possibly be corrected as a last resort with surgery. Doctor discussing have one as a possible surgery option I heard that condition 1 would be the possible surgery option, husband heard condition 2 as possible surgery option .
Interesting how we both heard different things though our doctor is excellent and informative.
As a side who do people of a mature age talk/whinge to about stresses ? Just as a whinge
Friends that are close enough, have significant issues of their own , no siblings, and wouldn't impose on child due to their own family . Just curious

 

[prozac]

Interesting.
Husband had a medical appointment with his GP which I also attended.
He is having quite a few issues at the moment, two could possibly be corrected as a last resort with surgery. Doctor discussing have one as a possible surgery option I heard that condition 1 would be the possible surgery option, husband heard condition 2 as possible surgery option .
Interesting how we both heard different things though our doctor is excellent and informative.
As a side who do people of a mature age talk/whinge to about stresses ? Just as a whinge
Friends that are close enough, have significant issues of their own , no siblings, and wouldn't impose on child due to their own family . Just curious

You have a whinge here on the General Medical issues thread of-course ... which is why it should be a closed thread along with Member Chit Chat.

 

[RooFlyer]

The issue with needing oculoplastics for eyelid surgery is because we have 2 eyes. Fiddle with one eye or eyelid and it can be extremely noticeable because it will look different compared to the other eye.

I don’t think I’ve ever noticed the results of any treatment involving my eyes or eyelids or nearby.

 

[Julesmac]

Interesting.
Husband had a medical appointment with his GP which I also attended.
He is having quite a few issues at the moment, two could possibly be corrected as a last resort with surgery. Doctor discussing have one as a possible surgery option I heard that condition 1 would be the possible surgery option, husband heard condition 2 as possible surgery option .
Interesting how we both heard different things though our doctor is excellent and informative.
As a side who do people of a mature age talk/whinge to about stresses ? Just as a whinge
Friends that are close enough, have significant issues of their own , no siblings, and wouldn't impose on child due to their own family . Just curious

Years ago at a coughtail party we were discussing medical matters. The lady I was speaking with said for anything important you should never go to a doctor on your own but take an advocate with you. Because half the time you only absorb half of what the doctor says. She also suggested jotting down notes in the event of more serious matters. Perfect case in point - My husband had a heart attack some 6 months after that discussion and then years later had tongue cancer. I started a journal with the heart issues and every checkup, with doctor visit,s surgeon, professors that have gone on for the last 20 years I have noted down. It's amazing what I hear as opposed to what he hears. It's also quite illuminating to find out stuff s& symptoms said husband may not have mentoned. I should add that over those last 20 years I've never had a doctor be dismissive or unhelpful if I've asked for clarification. He's in good health thankfully - and I'll never ever complain about our Medibank premiums

 

[Flashback]

Years ago at a coughtail party we were discussing medical matters. The lady I was speaking with said for anything important you should never go to a doctor on your own but take an advocate with you. Because half the time you only absorb half of what the doctor says. She also suggested jotting down notes in the event of more serious matters. Perfect case in point - My husband had a heart attack some 6 months after that discussion and then years later had tongue cancer. I started a journal with the heart issues and every checkup, with doctor visit,s surgeon, professors that have gone on for the last 20 years I have noted down. It's amazing what I hear as opposed to what he hears. It's also quite illuminating to find out stuff s& symptoms said husband may not have mentoned. I should add that over those last 20 years I've never had a doctor be dismissive or unhelpful if I've asked for clarification. He's in good health thankfully - and I'll never ever complain about our Medibank premiums

Fortunately you've never had to deal with GPs over here. Multiple GP's here wouldn't send on for further investigation as "if that turns out to be the case, it'd just give you an excuse to be the way you are"; fortunately after years (decades) of frustration went down the route privately and low and behold, suspicions confirmed and in the process of dealing with it.

 

[JohnK]

Interesting dilemma and I dont know what to do.

Another night wake in middle of night with a panic/anxiety attack while sleeping. Makes me jump out of bed and I have to turn on the light and pace up and down. Also find sitting in front of aircon for a few minutes helps as does leaning on kitchen sink looking out window.

One of the GPs I see is rostered Christmas Day so time to pay a visit. I do not want to see psychiatrist so not sure what options I have going. Yes try to relax but that is easier said than done.

Unfortunately I only have limited supply of xanax so need to find alternative until back in Thailand in March.

 

[Quickstatus]

I do not want to see psychiatrist so not sure what options I have going

I think we have been here before.
Panic attacks is a disabling condition but can be effectively treated.
An integrated approach rather that just "pills" is the most effective - such as cognitive behavioural therapy plus pills

There are several FDA approved medications for panic disorder
Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Venlafaxine
However, these pills should never be taken on an "as needed" basis.

Please do see a psychiatrist or a GP skilled in managing these things - they can formulate a treatment plan for you and also rule out certain medical conditions that can mimic a panic.

 

[JohnK]

Please do see a psychiatrist or a GP skilled in managing these things - they can formulate a treatment plan for you and also rule out certain medical conditions that can mimic a panic.

I will go see GP tomorrow and hopefully start to rule out possible causes but I think it is overload especially with dad in and out of hospital. It is difficult to find a GP that knows enough or cares enough.

One thing is interesting. Yesterday afternoon I managed to sleep 3 hours during the day. After this post I managed to fall asleep with the light on.

 

[Quickstatus]

difficult to find a GP that knows enough or cares enough.

Need to connect with one good GP that you see regularly not a random.

 

[DejaBrew]

Need to connect with one good GP that you see regularly not a random.

Agreed - although I think it's increasingly difficult these days.

I'm fortunate to have been able to see the same family GP since I was a young child. He's now of an age where he could retire any time he wanted to and has already cut back a little bit on his working days, but he is one of the co-owners of the surgery and still enjoys the job. I dread the day he chooses to fully retire, but he's under strict orders to refer us to a similarly excellent GP prior to him pulling up stumps

 

[MARTINE]

Need to connect with one good GP that you see regularly not a random.

.. and take on board the medical recommendations

 

[RooFlyer]

I dread the day he chooses to fully retire, but he's under strict orders to refer us to a similarly excellent GP prior to him pulling up stumps

Is he a sole trader or part of a clinic? I used to have a GP that was part of a small group of four and when he retired the practice closed so I was forced to find a new place.

I now use a large clinic of about 10 doctors but I have my own guy who I see. But when he’s not available of course the others can see all my medical records quite easily.

The doctors there also have about two appointments a day which aren’t visible to the public and can be used if you call and need to see someone urgently.

 

[DejaBrew]

Is he a sole trader or part of a clinic? I used to have a GP that was part of a small group of four and when he retired the practice closed so I was forced to find a new place.

He co-owns the practice with at least one of the other GPs there (plus, if I'm not mistaken, another one who is already retired), but they have multiple other GPs on the staff. When he eventually retires, I suspect he'll look to either sell the practice or continue to own it and have the other GPs take over the day-to-day appointments. Whilst not impossible, I'd be extremely surprised if it was to close down. Whilst it's not the sole medical practice in the suburb, it is a neighbourhood institution.

 

[VPS]

Is he a sole trader or part of a clinic? I used to have a GP that was part of a small group of four and when he retired the practice closed so I was forced to find a new place.

I now use a large clinic of about 10 doctors but I have my own guy who I see. But when he’s not available of course the others can see all my medical records quite easily.

The doctors there also have about two appointments a day which aren’t visible to the public and can be used if you call and need to see someone urgently.

My practice is the same. They made a decision that all doctors have at least two appointments bookable on the day only.

 

[MARTINE]

My practice is the same. They made a decision that all doctors have at least two appointments bookable on the day only.

Its a requirement for any accredited GP practice

 

[RooFlyer]

Its a requirement for any accredited GP practice

Always been - or recent? I recall my practice announcing it on their waiting room TV screens as being in response to patient feedback.

 

[MARTINE]

Always been - or recent? I recall my practice announcing it on their waiting room TV screens as being in response to patient feedback.

Long time requirement

 

[VPS]

Its a requirement for any accredited GP practice

is it only a set number of appointments or only a couple of doctors. In my old practice you could get in but you always got the least desirable GP but with the new one all of the doctors have two free appointments

 

[JohnK]

Need to connect with one good GP that you see regularly not a random.

Yes but who? There are 3-4 decent doctors at the Medical centre we visit. They all know a little bit about something but I don't think they are good all rounders.

So aside from medical centre how do we find a good GP? It is very difficult.

.. and take on board the medical recommendations

Which recommendations? I can go to 3 different GPs and each one will recommend something different.

I see it a lot with my wife's issues. She's been having lower back and sciatica issues, the last GP we saw (and one I least expected) recommended muscle relaxant and that has done the trick. We also saw quite a few urology registrars and it was only the previous one that advised Hipprex and the latest registrar also recommended cranberry tablets and probiotics.

It is so difficult to find a great GP and even specialists.

Also in Australia we have a huge problem that we don't provide free mental care. Yes if you're suicidal there's help but what about the rest? Get a referral to see a psychiatrist and hope they have the answers?

 

[MARTINE]

is it only a set number of appointments or only a couple of doctors. In my old practice you could get in but you always got the least desirable GP but with the new one all of the doctors have two free appointments

There has to be ability to ensure some extra slots - usually doctors are allocated - but it is the practice as a whole … therefore those who are least ‘ in demand ‘ likely have more capacity to ensure emergency slots can be resourced.