General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

My Best advice, if you're not eligible for private, get on the public waiting list, as it may take 2 years.

I have Medibank private but I think first we need to do some tests/scans?

 

[Pushka]

Friend just had two knee replacements done at once. His repeat for one of them as he didn’t exercise properly. Still in hospital after 5 days.

 

[get me outta here]

An acquaintance was told by the 'knee surgeon' to go away as she wasn't bad enough. And, to come back when she was so bad that she had to crawl into his rooms.

Mum has similar issue. I was hoping to avoid knee replacement but may not have a choice if this continues.

 

[JohnK]

An acquaintance was told by the 'knee surgeon' to go away as she wasn't bad enough. And, to come back when she was so bad that she had to crawl into his rooms.

That could be good advice.

I know someone who has bad knee(s) and struggles to walk but they will not operate on him as he is way overweight. He weighs more than I weigh.

I'll have to keep going and hope it's just inflammation. Quite scary kneeling down and then not being able to get up again.

 

[love_the_life]

That could be good advice.

I know someone who has bad knee(s) and struggles to walk but they will not operate on him as he is way overweight. He weighs more than I weigh.

I'll have to keep going and hope it's just inflammation. Quite scary kneeling down and then not being able to get up again.

My brother needs two new knees but they won't touch him till he loses weight. He was doing well but seems to have put it on again.

 

[Hvr]

A newspaper report that we should all read. Especially men.

The Crazy Story Of My Balls Could Help You Save Yours

Anyway, there's something wrong with my testicl_s. Or just one of my testicl_s. I guess I can't tell which one anymore."...

I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, an unusual little phrase I'm still not comfortable wrapping my head around.

 

[Pushka]

A newspaper report that we should all read. Especially men.

Mmm, been there with MrP. 30 odd years ago when the chemo and radiotherapy was invariably killing men faster than the illness. Which would also have been fatal but just took longer. According to the Oncologist at the time.

It is a young man's illness.

 

[QF WP]

Regarding pathology results, you are legally entitled to them. Pathology companies should release them to you, however they often will wait until you have had time to discuss with the referring doctor (for example, you have a biopsy that shows an aggressive malignancy - they do not want to give you those results until you have been given the diagnosis in person).

"The College acknowledges that a patient is legally entitled to a pathology report that has been performed for or on their behalf."
https://www.rcpa.edu.au/getattachme...Release-of-Pathology-Results-to-Patients.aspx

Now if only patients would stop requesting we give them back their gallstones, or their placenta. It's a major pain in the butt, and really a health risk.

I've always requested a copy to my GP when doing tests and asked them for a copy so that I have a full medical records folder that i the event it's needed quickly, my wife can bring to hospital. Easier than trying to obtain from the previous 2 doctors I've had (whose patient records are probably now pulped), or even my current GP if it's in the middle of the night.

Ah yes, one of my family members requested their gallstone (well it was 4cm in diameter), so we could show our kids what a bad diet would possibly give them (scare them off Maccas, soft drinks, fatty foods etc). Similarly, we were given the "health risk" and advised they go in the waste that is incinerated.

 

[Quickstatus]

I was hoping to avoid knee replacement but may not have a choice if this continues.

Avoid until it’s adversely affecting your life
Lose weight, go swimming maintain muscle bulk especially in affected leg (prescription to self as well)

 

[QF WP]

PSA tests not covered by Medicare? Bollocks to that!

Covered by Medicare once a year. However it can be done more frequently (under Medicare) under certain circumstances

If having them done more frequently (as my father does - every quarter), then the patient paying for it is little expense when compared against the cost of having prostate cancer. My father does it given he had prostate cancer (Gleeson 5/4 IIRC the worst form) that was put in remission due to surgery (radioactive "pill" inserted into prostate IIRC). His twin brother died from it, so he doesn't want to go the same way

Some have argued that PSA tests have been overused and not entirely accurate at picking up aggressive prostate cancers.

PSA screening is a public health disaster, says cancer doc - Croakey

I have been told that the EN2 urine test can be used instead of a blood test for PSA levels. The Prostate Debate - Men's Style Australia

That's my kind of test after my hospital surgery experiences

 

[JohnK]

My brother needs two new knees but they won't touch him till he loses weight. He was doing well but seems to have put it on again.

I lost ~15kgs last year and a few weeks ago I had put ~12kgs back on again.

Counting calories again and trying to keep to 1600 calories/day and under. You don't realise how quickly those calories add up. Weekends are also difficult. I have lost ~2-3kgs again but it's a long and difficult road.

Avoid until it’s adversely affecting your life
Lose weight, go swimming maintain muscle bulk especially in affected leg (prescription to self as well)

I'm trying to avoid operations at all costs. Losing weight would be my best bet. Swimming's out while I'm commuting. There really is no free time.

 

[QF WP]

@JohnK then you'd better hope your flights are at the most distant Gates possible and you have plenty of time to get between the two

 

[whatmeworry]

I'm sure you're glad to have your dad home, and its good that his PSA has dropped markedly, but as you say the result is that he is no longer eligible for the Peter Mac 177Lutetium trial.

He must have a fair bit of (bone) pain given the coughtail of pain reduction drugs he is on though. Like most advanced cancers it seems that one just has to be patient, hope for the best and see what happens.

He still has a weight bearing fracture, hence I think the need for the morphine.

 

[Flashback]

I lost ~15kgs last year and a few weeks ago I had put ~12kgs back on again.

Counting calories again and trying to keep to 1600 calories/day and under. You don't realise how quickly those calories add up. Weekends are also difficult. I have lost ~2-3kgs again but it's a long and difficult road.


I'm trying to avoid operations at all costs. Losing weight would be my best bet. Swimming's out while I'm commuting. There really is no free time.

Hear you there. I'm travelling most weeks as well as working silly hours and I've not been taking enough time out to make sure I'm as healthy as I need to be. Maybe a change of role is in order for me.

 

[JohnK]

@JohnK then you'd better hope your flights are at the most distant Gates possible and you have plenty of time to get between the two

I don't sit and wait for trains and buses as I usually walk around. People probably think I'm mad.

In airports if I'm alone I go for a wander early to keep up a step count. If wife and daughter with me then I take daughter for a walk in the stroller to give my wife some free time. With long transits I will go for a walk a few times.

 

[whatmeworry]

I don't sit and wait for trains and buses as I usually walk around. People probably think I'm mad.

In airports if I'm alone I go for a wander early to keep up a step count. If wife and daughter with me then I take daughter for a walk in the stroller to give my wife some free time. With long transits I will go for a walk a few times.

You must enjoy the long walk to the international gates at MEL!

 

[JohnK]

You must enjoy the long walk to to the international gates at MEL!

Haven't been via MEL in a while. If QF routes the A380 MEL-SIN then I may go back.

 

[JohnK]

2 x Nurofen Plus + 1 Panadeine Forte + 1 Panadol Osteo = Interesting coughtail that has not done anything for knee pain. I think I could be in trouble. Limping. Off to GP tomorrow.

 

[whatmeworry]

2 x Nurofen Plus + 1 Panadeine Forte + 1 Panadol Osteo = Interesting coughtail that has not done anything for knee pain. I think I could be in trouble. Limping. Off to GP tomorrow.

I try to use Ibuprofen sparingly. Ibuprofen is not good for gut health and it also disrupts cartilage synthesis.

 

[Milboo]

My first stop would be to a good physio - much more equipped for looking at mechanical type injuries than a GP. They will tell you pretty quickly if you need a GP. You're not going to see much unless it is an MRI - which you'd need a referral from a specialist for to have it bulk billed.