General Medical issues thread

[prozac]

Went for what I thought might be my last IVIG infusion today only to be told my immunoglobulin level just isn't making the grade yet and I will probably need 2 more. Haven't I been told this before, just 2 more. I don't mind how long it takes, it will take what it takes and it is no big deal, except that by late afternoon all my joints ache terribly. Have taken a couple of panadol osteo which has not fixed it but has taken a little of the edge off. Might be an early night. The heamatologist was interested that my cardiac vasospasm diagnosis was correct and that no one had picked it up. Is vasopsam not that common? Discussion about providing a new script for anlopidine which currently seems to be a little high. Am on 5mg and this has adverse affects. When I cut it in half it works better but not consistent as it is difficult to get the tablet halves equal in size. The dose really is that critical to how I feel.

 

[drron]

Went for what I thought might be my last IVIG infusion today only to be told my immunoglobulin level just isn't making the grade yet and I will probably need 2 more. Haven't I been told this before, just 2 more. I don't mind how long it takes, it will take what it takes and it is no big deal, except that by late afternoon all my joints ache terribly. Have taken a couple of panadol osteo which has not fixed it but has taken a little of the edge off. Might be an early night. The heamatologist was interested that my cardiac vasospasm diagnosis was correct and that no one had picked it up. Is vasopsam not that common? Discussion about providing a new script for anlopidine which currently seems to be a little high. Am on 5mg and this has adverse affects. When I cut it in half it works better but not consistent as it is difficult to get the tablet halves equal in size. The dose really is that critical to how I feel.

In my experience Barossa is more common than assumed. Any “”angina “ which gets worse with B blockers but settles with Ca channel blockers is likely to be vasospasm. It can be proven but you have to be lucky. I remember 2 patients with frequent angina who were having a thought to be an absolutely normal angiography but had their symptoms and a blockage appeared with their pain and completely resolved when the pain goes.

 

[Quickstatus]

The dose really is that critical to how I feel.

Maybe try a compounding pharmacist who can make it in liquid form.. has been done for paediatric patients

 

[prozac]

Went for what I thought might be my last IVIG infusion today only to be told my immunoglobulin level just isn't making the grade yet and I will probably need 2 more. Haven't I been told this before, just 2 more. I don't mind how long it takes, it will take what it takes and it is no big deal, except that by late afternoon all my joints ache terribly. Have taken a couple of panadol osteo which has not fixed it but has taken a little of the edge off. Might be an early night. The heamatologist was interested that my cardiac vasospasm diagnosis was correct and that no one had picked it up. Is vasopsam not that common? Discussion about providing a new script for anlopidine which currently seems to be a little high. Am on 5mg and this has adverse affects. When I cut it in half it works better but not consistent as it is difficult to get the tablet halves equal in size. The dose really is that critical to how I feel.

Had a horrible night with pain through my joints. Poor MrsP kept awake by my tossing and turning and grizzling. Yeah, I wasn't so tough. Blazing headache this morning. I am wondering if the infusion was given too quickly as I have never had a reaction this intense to IVIG.

 

[love_the_life]

Had a horrible night with pain through my joints. Poor MrsP kept awake by my tossing and turning and grizzling. Yeah, I wasn't so tough. Blazing headache this morning. I am wondering if the infusion was given too quickly as I have never had a reaction this intense to IVIG.

Hope you are feeling better soon Prozac.

 

[prozac]

Hope you are feeling better soon Prozac.

Thanks ltl. I think it is likely to be a 24-40hr recovery. Never been like this before.

Change of note. My specialist said at her other place of work, St Vincents, they had been inundated with blood donation since Bondi. Because they have more than needed it is being saved as platletes etc. which do not have the short shelf life that blood has.

 

[Quickstatus]

Because they have more than needed it is being saved as platletes etc. which do not have the short shelf life that blood has.

Actually the other way round

1 unit of donated blood can be separated into various components
Red Cells
Plasma
Cryprecipitate
Platelets
Albumin
Specific clotting factors

Platelets have to be kept at room temp and shelf life is 5 days - shortest shelf life
Red Cells chilled about 1 month and once out of fridge about 6hrs
Frozen plasma, cryprecipitate about 12 months, several years if super frozen
Albumin (treated) 3 years
Various clotting factors frozen 3 years

I think your Dr may be referring to Plasma
Currently due to donation levels the Aust Red Cross needs donations of Plasma. They have enough Red cells.
Plasma yields not only plasma but the other good bits below plasma in the list above and most except for platelets can be frozen
Donations of plasma mean you keep your red cells.
There is a machine (Apheresis Machine) which separates out the plasma in realtime - it takes your blood, separates out the plasma and returns the red cells to you.

The reason plasma is always in high demand is because of all the treatments it is involved in.
Bleeding - provides circulating volume and clotting factors
Burns (plasma was in extreme demand after Bali bombing)
Any pregnant woman who needs AntiD immunisation
Hemophilia
Immunoglobulins for Cancer , autoimmune disease
Prevention of tetanus if you stepped on a dirty nail, and chicken pox if you were exposed recently

When you donate plasma you donate twice the volume of plasma that you would if you donated just blood.


From the Australian Red Cross:

Bleeding

 

[prozac]

Actually the other way round

1 unit of donated blood can be separated into various components
Red Cells
Plasma
Cryprecipitate
Platelets
Albumin
Specific clotting factors

Platelets have to be kept at room temp and shelf life is 5 days - shortest shelf life
Red Cells chilled about 1 month and once out of fridge about 6hrs
Frozen plasma, cryprecipitate about 12 months, several years if super frozen
Albumin (treated) 3 years
Various clotting factors frozen 3 years

Thanks for clearing that up. I was making the point that whilst they received more than they needed it wasn't going to waste.
I have the sense I am simply making a withdrawal from the bank as last century I was a regular Plasma donor in Clarence St. I also enrolled on the bone marrow register and within months was matched with a recipient in Germany. Was treated like Royalty and lots of tests later got down to just 2 of us worldwide. Finally I received no more than a letter telling me the other donor had been selected over me. It was a real kick in the nguts.

 

[Quickstatus]

I was making the point that whilst they received more than they needed it wasn't going to waste.

Yes everything else other than platelets and red cells has a long shelf life.

Well done @prozac. There is no doubt whatsoever you have certainly saved and improved a few lives - that's the "bank" interest rate if you like.

....


Post donation catering rivals or is better than a certain full service domestic airline Y offering.
Some donation centres have party pies, party saugage rolls and milkshakes
Ive heard them doing Pizzas from time to time
There are also gluten free options
Mrs Mac goodies
Biscuits, cheese, crackers
Popper drinks
Springhill Farms slices

Also the Red Cross has a frequent flyer program
You get a little gift after every 3rd donation.

 

[prozac]

Yes everything else other than platelets and red cells has a long shelf life.

Well done @prozac. There is no doubt whatsoever you have certainly saved and improved a few lives - that's the "bank" interest rate if you like.

....


Post donation catering rivals or is better than a certain full service domestic airline Y offering.
Some donation centres have party pies, party saugage rolls and milkshakes
Ive heard them doing Pizzas from time to time
There are also gluten free options
Mrs Mac goodies
Biscuits, cheese, crackers
Popper drinks
Springhill Farms slices

Also the Red Cross has a frequent flyer program
You get a little gift after every 3rd donation.

Yes you do get looked after very well. I can only speak for Clarence St, and quite a while ago.