General Medical issues thread

[drron]

My problem with my bladder isn't my prostate. No problem passing urine at all. The frequency of urination can be a symptom of Parkinsons. I was hoping the treatment would help that first.

 

[Flyfrequently]

My problem with my bladder isn't my prostate. No problem passing urine at all. The frequency of urination can be a symptom of Parkinsons. I was hoping the treatment would help that first.

I am sure you are aware of the many treatments for Parkinson issues @drron
My friend who has had PD for over a decade had some success with botox for her bladder issues, prior to then having her DBS implanted 2 years ago.

 

[Seat0B]

Good news for Mrs.drron and mainly good news for you too @drron. It’s very debilitating having your sleep so disturbed though so I hope there is some improvement for you soon.

 

[drron]

I am sure you are aware of the many treatments for Parkinson issues @drron
My friend who has had PD for over a decade had some success with botox for her bladder issues, prior to then having her DBS implanted 2 years ago.

Not having any more medical procedures this year. Too much could go wrong and probably would. Want to spend my Christmas in Bangkok.

 

[Quickstatus]

Want to spend my Christmas in Bangkok.

Will you take your e-wchair with you?

 

[drron]

Will you take your e-wchair with you?

Definitely

 

[Quickstatus]

Definitely

Looking forward to the first ever e-wheelchair TR.

 

[Seat0B]

Here’s this week’s update.

Mr Seat0A and I have become those persistent annoying people who keep calling asking for updates and requesting meetings, site visits and anything else that might improve mum’s chances of getting a residential care bed by the looming deadline of 19 Aug.

The summary is we now have applications pending with 7 providers - we added LDK and Arcare this week to the 5 I listed last week. Still no joy.

We have managed to secure a full fee paying (but still affordble) respite care bed at around $200/day for 3 weeks starting on 27 Aug, but still had no clear pathway to bridge the gap between hospital discharge and respite starting until a very amazing conversation with Mum’s wonderful geriatrician. Seems the doctor who will not extend mum’s accute care certificate is her rehab doctor. The geriatrician said “oh I see she’s down for discharge and I heard you don’t have a bed for her yet. I will start reviewing her medications for discharge.” Quick look at mum’s records. “Hmm, polypharmacy I see. That won’t do. I will need to start reviewing her medications, one at a time so I can identify any problems and address that with adjustments or changes to the relevant medication. I think this might take about 7-10 days to allow time for side effects etc to be identified and managed, and unneeded medications to be stopped as I could not possibly discharge a frail lady in her condition with potential drug interaction issues. She will need to be monitored in hospital while her medications are adjusted. I will issue an accute care certificate while I do this review.” All accompanied by a beautiful smile and the smallest of winks.

I am compelled to say how amazing geriatricians are. This is the second one we have dealt with over 10 years (for dad first, now mum) and they both shared characteristics of kindness and empathy, and the genuine desire to see older people have the best life and the best death they can achieve. Geriatric medicine is not sexy. I am sure it does not receive the funding or research interest it deserves, which is odd as every single one of us will get old and die, whilst we will not all suffer cancer or heart disease or any of the more sexy and better funded things that medicine can address (fortunately). A geriatrician’s patients do not really get better, and they all die in a relatively short period of time, compared with say those of a dermatologist or orthopaedic surgeon. Old people are not as cute as babies or children. They usually can’t pay as much as other people. Old people are often grumpy and non-compliant and don’t always appreciate the help they are being given - sometimes because it simply goes over their heads, or sometimes because they do not have a realistic grasp of their own (unfortunately diminished) capabilities. But geriatricians turn up anyway. Someone who chooses this field to specialise in must certainly know they face these aspects with their patients, but they still choose it anyway. Thank you.

Small glimmer of hope - a phone call late on Friday through an unofficial sources alerted us to an upcoming vacancy at the preferred care home. We will have to be on the phone again first thing Monday. And I am sorry for the bereavement that another family is going through to create a vacant room.

 

[Seat0B]

Thinking of you @zig. No need to reply as I know how busy you will be, but just want you to know someone outside your immediate circle cares about you.