General Medical issues thread

[TheRealTMA]

Saw an endotontist today about a molar that gives me grief on and off past 5 yrs. Stabbing pain every now and then. Recently (December) dentist mentioned I have an infection evident on my otherwise healthy gum. The endo has determined that when a crown was fitted 20+yrs ago only 3 root canals were cleared. Evidently they now know that molars have 4 roots canals and not 3. Excuse me if I am not using the terms correctly. It seems the uncleared 4th canal is infected and the surrounding bone is wasting. So I've booked in to have the root canal cleaned out. Treatment is around $2,900! It could be worse as he reckons he can do this without destroying the crown. Still a bit of a shock. MrsP says now I have to live long enough to get my money's worth.

Cheap! MrsTMA endo cost $4500, plus has to go back to dental for new crown.

 

[SuePa]

Evidently they now know that molars have 4 roots canals and not 3.

Ah, thank you. That probably explains why I needed root canal therapy on 2 molars I thought I'd already had root canal therapy on.

 

[prozac]

I phoned the Juror service number today in response to MrsPs recent juror notice. She already served 6 weeks around 4-5yrs ago and I did wonder if she got flagged again because of a change of address. I explained she was in her 71st year (sounds more significant than 70) and not particularly well at times. They wanted to speak with her and asked if she'd like to be removed permanently. She will not receive anymore notices. That was easy.

 

[cove]

Mrscove was not selected out of a pool of potential jurors last week. The defence lawyers did not want women over about 65 and it looks like they think that they are more likely to convict their clients in assault cases.
In WA the cut off age is 75 for jury service.
Today we are now clear to spend her $10.

 

[MARTINE]

Mrscove was not selected out of a pool of potential jurors last week. The defence lawyers did not want women over about 65 and it looks like they think that they are more likely to convict their clients in assault cases.
In WA the cut off age is 75 for jury service.
Today we are now clear to spend her $10.

Get yourself a financial advisor

 

[Flashback]

Get yourself a financial advisor

It was already blown on a single drink at The Royal at the Waterfront in East Perth!

 

[cove]

Yes Mrscove had a virgin coughtail so that was $15.50.
The plan for a financial advisor took a step backwards.

 

[Quickstatus]

I think if I need a prostate resection, I'll go for a prostate arterial embolisation.

Day procedure
No anaesthetic apart from light sedation if needed
No pain, maybe some discomfort - Panadol
Maybe some urinary frequency - feeling urge to urinate frequently for a few days
No need for urine catheter.
Effect similar to prostate resection
Can be repeated

 

[RooFlyer]

Recent coronary ablation surgery total cost (anaesthesia, surgeon, hospital bed and overnight stay etc) about $15K. My total out-of-pocket about $750 after my private health insurance. Insurance premiums cost about $2.5K pa after federal rebate (top level hospital and extras cover), so my next five years’ premiums are essentially free. Well, actually well past that, because I’m still in the ‘free’ premiums period after what the insurance fund paid after my eye surgery a few years ago. Happy camper (and the procedure is holding so far - a few very brief arrhythmia bouts but that was expected and not concerning to me.

 

[prozac]

View from my office today, examination room at NBH emergency. I would have taken one of the red priority triage seats but I barely had time to sit down. I walked into the ED and told the reception I was a cancer patient and everythng went into blur. Last night shortly after turning-in stabbing pains started across my abdomen. Half the night spent in the bathroom with sweat bucketting off me. By morning I was ok but very weak and 2kg lighter. Reminded by MrsP of strict instructions to return to hospital if I experience a high temp or infaction so off I went this morning. I was disappointed my record of no infections the entire 2yrs of treatment was now broken, but reassured when diagnosed with food poisoning, so I can still lay claim to no infections. Odd because MrsP and myself ate identical meals all day. Back home now.

 

[Pushka]

View from my office today, examination room at NBH emergency. I would have taken one of the red priority triage seats but I barely had time to sit down. I walked into the ED and told the reception I was a cancer patient and everythng went into blur. Last night shortly after turning-in stabbing pains started across my abdomen. Half the night spent in the bathroom with sweat bucketting off me. By morning I was ok but very weak and 2kg lighter. Reminded by MrsP of strict instructions to return to hospital if I experience a high temp or infaction so off I went this morning. I was disappointed my record of no infections the entire 2yrs of treatment was now broken, but reassured when diagnosed with food poisoning, so I can still lay claim to no infections. Odd because MrsP and myself ate identical meals all day. Back home now.

View attachment 435482

Wise to go to hospital. Sounds horrible but better outcome. Rest up now.

 

[prozac]

Wise to go to hospital. Sounds horrible but better outcome. Rest up now.

Thank you. They left me with an invitation to return if necessary.

 

[drron]

I thought I was getting back to my normal. In Bangkok over Christmas I was walking 10-19k steps. When I got home I found it hard to get 2000 steps a day. My left hip was limiting me.
But I gradually improved and last week was averaging 10k steps a day. On Monday got to 13k steps and with out much pain.

Yesterday 10k steps. But today a lot of hip pain and will be lucky to get to 6000k steps.

 

[prozac]

I thought I was getting back to my normal. In Bangkok over Christmas I was walking 10-19k steps. When I got home I found it hard to get 2000 steps a day. My left hip was limiting me.
But I gradually improved and last week was averaging 10k steps a day. On Monday got to 13k steps and with out much pain.

Yesterday 10k steps. But today a lot of hip pain and will be lucky to get to 6000k steps.

You have more determination than me @drron. I am in awe of your steps.

 

[JohnK]

A few weeks ago (3 weeks?) the thumb and 2 fingers on right hand were hurting a lot and not just numb/pins and needles feeling but tingling as well. Possible carpal tunnel, diabetes, osteoarthritis etc.

So GP said get an ultrasound done. Note I have not done ultrasound yet because the pain went away as soon as he gave referral for ultrasound. Still have tingling feeling but not as bad as before so think I'll keep the referral for now.

The forefinger on left hand up to the middle joint (PIP joint) is very uncomfortable and does not stop. Feels like it is broken but is not broken. Possible tendon damage as the palm side and the side bear thumb hurt the most.

I know these are only minor ailments but it's not just one ailment. It's a long list of ailments one after the other. Very depressing.

 

[Quickstatus]

@JohnK have you ever been offered "biologic"meds for the arthritis?. These are injection meds with names ending in xx_xxmab

 

[Pushka]

I thought I was getting back to my normal. In Bangkok over Christmas I was walking 10-19k steps. When I got home I found it hard to get 2000 steps a day. My left hip was limiting me.
But I gradually improved and last week was averaging 10k steps a day. On Monday got to 13k steps and with out much pain.

Yesterday 10k steps. But today a lot of hip pain and will be lucky to get to 6000k steps.

You know what I'd do? Throw away that step app. Simply focus on what you do each day and not what you can't do. You have done your best to stay mobile and really that's all us mere mortals can do.

 

[tgh]

Throw away that step app.

I beg to differ, the app keeps the supplicant honest and provides motivational goals and rewards.
I lose track of folks who do "about" something steps/Km...and opine they are mostly kidding themselves.
Yes we must accept some age limitations, but quitting or taking it easy speeds up our demise.

Pounding the decks recently, often through a red mist of pain , many could barely put one foot in front of the other BUT THEY WERE TRYING…
I avoided comps with other occasional power walkers but ALWAYS paused to offer those struggling support and encouragement.

Personally I have resorted to some nsaids to support a very heavy cyclone clean up, but hope to revert to a drug free exercise regime in the future

 

[JohnK]

@JohnK have you ever been offered "biologic"meds for the arthritis?. These are injection meds with names ending in xx_xxmab

I've been on many of them.

I was on Methotrexate for around 10-12 years. Used up more than half of my lifetime recommended allowance. I think it was helping but that caused elevated liver function which has now returned to mostly normal. They were worried about sclerosis and wanted to do liver biopsy bit I don't want to do as every other test shows no damage. Wife has now started merhotrexate and I hope it helps her.

I think Humira was the best and it was helping but not fully so they recommended Infliximab infusions which was weight based but got worse.

Then Stellara (Ustekinumab) for a while but didn't do much and now Tremfya (guselkumab) is OK but obviously not helping the arthritis side of things much but better than nothing.

Note that skin hasn't been issue for a long time but cannot get other biologics as my inflammatory markers do not show issues. I should never have moved off Humira. That was clearly the best. Met someone recently who has had severe rheumatoid arthritis for a few years and Humira has been helping them. Problem with returning to an old biologic is the immune system recognises and nullifies the effects.

Not fun this life. Hoping the next one is not as bad.