General Medical issues thread

[MelMel]

It didn’t occur to me to look at what type. Everything on Google says “no” to respiratory symptoms from flu vac but this indicates otherwise. Will see what happens

 

[Pushka]

Under 65 paid at GP

Yes. Thats the one that got me last time.

 

[RooFlyer]

This might be useful for some.

I recently got these shoes to assist with my arthritic big toe. They have a very stiff sole but the feature I like best is the push button then twist to lace up with some very strong, I think wire laces. Popping the button up releases the tension and you can slip them off. Easier on my ‘fuller figure’.

Convenience of slip ons with the support of lace-ups. Expensive though, $300 but that’s not terribly much of a premium on a good pair of ordinary shoes. Xelcro brand.

 

[prozac]

MrProzac had her BA Swallow today. We had an appointment and after checking in waited, and waited and waited. Eventually after exactly one hour I went back to reception. The lovely woman behind the counter says, "Oh, how did it go?" It hasn't. "What you haven't been called? I'll go and check" She returns and very apologetically tells us they are prepping the room now.

After chasing up my planned wished-for IVIG with NBH again yesterday I finally got a call back today with a booking for Friday week, almost 4 weeks after the initial specialist request. Maybe they feel I've had low immunity for so long it doesn't matter.

 

[JohnK]

Saw GP today for follow up of endoscopy last month. All biopsies clear, no h.pylori on this report which is different to my earlier report.

Showed him my leg. Still red and swollen and at times warm. He's under the impression that the cause is the constant swelling causing skin to stretch making it weaker and susceptible to infections.

He has asked I go back to Lasix daily in the morning to try and reduce swelling and fluid control. Don't know what that means but don't drink too much and don't dehydrate. May need to try and stay under 2L/day.

He also mentioned compression stockings. We've discussed that here previously. I've had professionally fitted Jobst stockings in the past at just under the knee but that pushed the swelling up to around the knee and was more uncomfortable and worse than swelling around the ankles. GP thinks that's better than swelling around the ankles but I'm not going through that again.

Also talked about Ozempic. Type 2 diabetes but Hba1c is 5.5 and you need a Hba1c >7.0 to be considered for Ozempic. So Ozempic helps with diabetes control but is also capable of some decent weight loss.

Talk about catch-22. Oh well.

 

[RooFlyer]

GP thinks that's better than swelling around the ankles but I'm not going through that again.

Of course not. Why would you go to a doctor then take notice of what they say?

I also wear compression stockings - grade 2 - and they are uncomfortable at times, and actually a bit difficult and painful to put on and off due to arthritic fingers, but I persevere.

 

[Pushka]

Saw GP today for follow up of endoscopy last month. All biopsies clear, no h.pylori on this report which is different to my earlier report.

Showed him my leg. Still red and swollen and at times warm. He's under the impression that the cause is the constant swelling causing skin to stretch making it weaker and susceptible to infections.

He has asked I go back to Lasix daily in the morning to try and reduce swelling and fluid control. Don't know what that means but don't drink too much and don't dehydrate. May need to try and stay under 2L/day.

He also mentioned compression stockings. We've discussed that here previously. I've had professionally fitted Jobst stockings in the past at just under the knee but that pushed the swelling up to around the knee and was more uncomfortable and worse than swelling around the ankles. GP thinks that's better than swelling around the ankles but I'm not going through that again.

Also talked about Ozempic. Type 2 diabetes but Hba1c is 5.5 and you need a Hba1c >7.0 to be considered for Ozempic. So Ozempic helps with diabetes control but is also capable of some decent weight loss.

Talk about catch-22. Oh well.

I've only read about Ozempic but isn't the way it works is to reduce appetite? Which you've always stated as being under control so maybe it won't help.

 

[Quickstatus]

reduce appetite

Yes by mimicking a naturally produced hormone which is speculated to increase the feeling of satiety and reduces emptying of stomach.

 

[JohnK]

I've only read about Ozempic but isn't the way it works is to reduce appetite? Which you've always stated as being under control so maybe it won't help.

You might be right but people have reported very good results losing weight with Ozempic. At the moment for me it's a losing battle.

 

[Quickstatus]

people have reported very good results losing weight with Ozempic

Only with lifestyle changes....

 

[blackcat20]

Master TC is booked for a second round of oral surgery. Poor poppet can't catch a break.

 

[OZDUCK]

We both had our flu shots yesterday - Afluria. No real reaction just a bit of soreness at injection point. As usual my wife had a bit more of a 'lumpy' feel in her arm than me.

 

[Katie]

I'm never reminded?

Maybe it's a Qld Health thing then??

I trust my Mother to know whether she had a partial or total hysterectomy and to have discussed the necessity of pap smears with her relevant doctors. If others have had differing medical advice for their situation, excellent, follow that medical advice.

I was simply venting on her behalf that she is being reminded to have a medical test that her medicos have deemed not necessary, and if only she could figure out how to opt out of the reminders. Maybe I'll go search the Qld Heath site to see if I can find a number for her to call.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Of course not. Why would you go to a doctor then take notice of what they say?

I also wear compression stockings - grade 2 - and they are uncomfortable at times, and actually a bit difficult and painful to put on and off due to arthritic fingers, but I persevere.

FWIW: Mrs uses compression stockings and an applicator / fitter such as

EZY-AS Compression Stocking Applicator - Small • Able Medilink

EZy-AS Compression Stocking Applicator is a Lightweight, rigid designed to assist with fitting closed and open pressure garments to upper and lower limbs.

www.ablemedilink.com.au

 

[Quickstatus]

Maybe it's a Qld Health thing then??

Sorry I didnt think about this earlier but it is part of the National Cervical Screening Program. It is managed by the same mob that runs the National bowel cancer screening program.

The good news is there is a Participant Portal (same for both programs) where you can manage your communication preferences and your participation in any of the screening programs. it is accessed via the MyGov app. So for those who want tell the Gov to sticky beak elsewhere, here is a way to do it.

 

[prozac]

FWIW: Mrs uses compression stockings and an applicator / fitter such as

EZY-AS Compression Stocking Applicator - Small • Able Medilink

EZy-AS Compression Stocking Applicator is a Lightweight, rigid designed to assist with fitting closed and open pressure garments to upper and lower limbs.

www.ablemedilink.com.au

You can also turn them half inside out. i.e. roll top down over the foot as far as the start of the back of the heel. Place a suitable size sheet of paper inside the heel and have it sitting free up the back of your leg. Now slide your foot into the stocking foot and pull the stocking top up over the sheet of paper. Stocking should slide effortlessly up. At least I think that is how I used to do it. I haven't needed to wear a compression stocking for some years.
Oh, the pull the paper out from the top.

 

[Quickstatus]

You can also turn them half inside out.

There is a better way*

1) Get a plastic bag and put foot in it so the top of the bag reaches past the ankle - might have to cut the plastic bag to size.
2) Reach inside the stocking and turn half inside out and apply as per video
3) Pull off plastic bag from the toe end (*this assumes the toe end is open)

 

[TheRealTMA]

You can also turn them half inside out. i.e. roll top down over the foot as far as the start of the back of the heel. Place a suitable size sheet of paper inside the heel and have it sitting free up the back of your leg. Now slide your foot into the stocking foot and pull the stocking top up over the sheet of paper. Stocking should slide effortlessly up. At least I think that is how I used to do it. I haven't needed to wear a compression stocking for some years.
Oh, the pull the paper out from the top.

yes you can! But the applicator makes it much easier.

 

[prozac]

There is a better way*

1) Get a plastic bag and put foot in it so the top of the bag reaches past the ankle - might have to cut the plastic bag to size.
2) Reach inside the stocking and turn half inside out and apply as per video
3) Pull off plastic bag from the toe end (*this assumes the toe end is open)

Never tried of that one.

 

[love_the_life]

Sorry I didnt think about this earlier but it is part of the National Cervical Screening Program. It is managed by the same mob that runs the National bowel cancer screening program.

The good news is there is a Participant Portal (same for both programs) where you can manage your communication preferences and your participation in any of the screening programs. it is accessed via the MyGov app. So for those who want tell the Gov to sticky beak elsewhere, here is a way to do it.

Must investigate. MrLtL had a bit of a dodgy bowel screen a few years ago - was going to follow up with GP but the Bowel Screening Mob wouldn't allow that and insisted on colonoscopy etc - got very insistent on the phone. He did have the colonoscopy and all was fine. He now refuses to take part after their heavy handed approach. Regardless of whether it is good preventative health he doesn't want anything to do with the program.