General Medical issues thread

[Freq Flier 2013]

I had the calcium score done prior to the echocardiogram. As I've just retired I'm getting the full battery of tests done, and other odds and ends seen to. Dodgy ankle, shoulder etc. The calcium score was also in the normal wear and tear range. If I drop off the statins for four weeks my cholesterol jumps to 6.5, and then settles back to 3.5 after I'm back on 20mg doses. It does the job for me, but everyone is different and you need to check what works for you.

I had an angiogram done - ctca last week. Came back with 30% moderate calcification in all 3 arteries. I need to keep taking my statins as they do help.
The cardiologist prescribed some oil capsules that are meant to do wonders.

 

[prozac]

... The cardiologist prescribed some oil capsules that are meant to do wonders.

What are they?

 

[tgh]

Medical marketing is alive and well ; every time I do a search for something miracle cures miraculously appear.
Facebook click baits can be useful ( as well as entertaining) as they can lead to real research .
Sadly science seldom agrees with the miracles but there are some compounds about where
commercialisation has not caught up with the prognostic research

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

What are they?

Vazkepa picture attached.

Vazkepa picture attached.

 

[prozac]

Vazkepa picture attached.

Interesting. Approved for use by TGA:
Vazkepa is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in adult statin- treated patients at high cardiovascular risk with elevated triglycerides (≥ 1.7 mmol/L)
How it works: Icosapent ethyl is a stable ethyl ester of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The mechanisms of action contributing to reduction of cardiovascular events with icosapent ethyl are not completely understood. The mechanisms are likely multi-factorial including improved lipoprotein profile with reduction of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, reduction of macrophage accumulation, improved endothelial function, increased fibrous cap thickness/stability, and antiplatelet effects.
That's me but I don't know if I need another tablet.

https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/auspmd/vazkepa

 

[drron]

Reminds me of the time I sat next to a well known Brisbane cardiologist who strongly advocated for having plenty of olive oil in the diet.
We were both going to a cardiology meeting and he was one of the speakers. He pulled out a folder to read and I couldn’t help noticing that it was the details of his sponsorship by the olive oil producers of Australia.
Now not unreasonable but not once did he mention that sponsorship.

 

[prozac]

Reminds me of the time I sat next to a well known Brisbane cardiologist who strongly advocated for having plenty of olive oil in the diet.
We were both going to a cardiology meeting and he was one of the speakers. He pulled out a folder to read and I couldn’t help noticing that it was the details of his sponsorship by the olive oil producers of Australia.
Now not unreasonable but not once did he mention that sponsorship.

So @drron if olive oil is good for you (it is, right?), then is more better?

 

[Pushka]

What are they?

The thing is, a lot of these recommendations can be contraindicated by other medications being prescribed. For me, fish oil and Xarelto blood anticoagulants. Creates an increased risk of bleeding. As does curcumin.

 

[prozac]

The thing is, a lot of these recommendations can be contraindicated by other medications being prescribed. For me, fish oil and Xarelto blood anticoagulants. Creates an increased risk of bleeding. As does curcumin.

When I was on Xeralto (blood clot in branchial) I seem to recall being told not to take fish oil.

 

[blackcat20]

One of the kidlets came home from school with a headache Friday, followed by vomiting overnight. We assumed gastro, still unwell overnight last night and RAT this morning says Flu A. Just what we need.

 

[andye]

Never had calcium score done. Considering all my cardiac issues I am surprised it hasn't been requested.
My ankles, worse after IVIG when they become painful with soft tissue pressure. Left leg has compromised lymphatic system so always cough.
View attachment 519512

@prozac You don't need a calcium scan if you know you have coronary disease.

Its best use is for asymptomatic people who have modestly high cholesterol but otherwise of low vascular risk to decide if (1) they would be better off on a statin and (3) should have a stress-test

Its ok as a general screening test for asymptomatic people without vascular risk factors at all to decide on statin/stress testing but lower yield

 

[andye]

These days, people with positive calcium scores often get a CT coronary angiogram too (this usually incorporates a calcium score)

 

[cove]

Anyone using Duodart to shrink their prostate? Is it working? Some of my colleagues have had their prostates removed by robotic surgery because there were issues.

 

[tgh]

I ate my way through a few boxes of Duodart last winter, summertime is flow time so I stopped as the drug is not free of side effects.
This winter I have managed on sporadic Tamsolusin , sporadic as the drug loses effect over time with regular use.
I may eventually have to have a rebore.. or I may die first..
Why did they have a prostatectomy ?
Turp is the traditional treatment for flow although there are some new ones about, afaik there are x% incontinence issues with all of them.

 

[Seat0B]

Well the honeymoon at the nursing home is over. Last night, mum had an unwitnessed fall getting out of bed to go to the loo. She forgot that she can't do it and needs 2 carers to help her. She declined a trip to ED at that point (not sure how long after the fall they found her), but this morning was in severe pain, so agreed to an ambulance. My sister went with her. They have been up there all day and are still waiting for an X-ray. Not sure if it his her ribs, hip or pelvis that is hurting the most.

 

[drron]

And if the resistors complain and say they told you so just tell them from me that it would be much more likely if she had been at home. Also if no one else there she would have suffered in pain for hours and may not have made it through the night.

 

[aspro2]

Anyone using Duodart to shrink their prostate? Is it working? Some of my colleagues have had their prostates removed by robotic surgery because there were issues.

This is going to be a close-to-but-not-entirely-useless response: I can't find the news item, but about five days ago I read an article that mentioned promising new treatment (non-surgical IIRC). Perhaps you'll be able to find mention of it through judicious keyword/timeframe/LLM search? Apologies for not having retained even a hint of more detail in my shrinking brain this week.

 

[Seat0B]

And if the resistors complain and say they told you so just tell them from me that it would be much more likely if she had been at home. Also if no one else there she would have suffered in pain for hours and may not have made it through the night.

My sister is the Resister-in Chief! And fortunately she has pulled her head in - she actually said "thank goodness there was someone there to find her" and offered to be the one to keep mum company today. So I think she has finally realised the obvious.

And thank you for the moral support @drron. This is just so hard to live through - a slow motion train wreck. I'm sure it's no fun for mum either.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

These days, people with positive calcium scores often get a CT coronary angiogram too (this usually incorporates a calcium score)

Interesting. So with Vazkepa is it a “miracle “ drug like it says in the research or it’s just all hype?

 

[kookaburra75]

Well the honeymoon at the nursing home is over. Last night, mum had an unwitnessed fall getting out of bed to go to the loo. She forgot that she can't do it and needs 2 carers to help her. She declined a trip to ED at that point (not sure how long after the fall they found her), but this morning was in severe pain, so agreed to an ambulance. My sister went with her. They have been up there all day and are still waiting for an X-ray. Not sure if it his her ribs, hip or pelvis that is hurting the most.

Our thoughts are with you. When MrsK had to move her mother into care, we went through the same challenges you are experiencing. It's always such a hard slog. And we had more than a few family members who offered commentary from the sidelines, without actually getting involved.