General Medical issues thread

[Pushka]

3 common causes for those symptoms:
Ruptured disc material
osteoarthritis causing narrowing of spinal canal
spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebrae)
(There are other causes)

Generally if only pain then avoid surgery. But leg weakness with or without pain = surgery.
Back pain in of itself is not an indication of spine surgery

Agree re the back pain and no surgery. Their requirements for surgery all focussed on functional disability and not how much it hurts!

 

[JohnK]

Hopefully can get it sorted in hospital. A lot of people can’t tolerate endone so I’d be watching his reaction to that.

He's had issues with Endone before but not much more they can do for now when you are in constant pain.

I've had nerve pain (sciatica issues?) for long time but didn't think that it could paralyse. I still run off and play golf. Which reminds me I need to head to airport soon.

 

[Pushka]

He's had issues with Endone before but not much more they can do for now when you are in constant pain.

I've had nerve pain (sciatica issues?) for long time but didn't think that it could paralyse. I still run off and play golf. Which reminds me I need to head to airport soon.

As quickstatus said, it’s not the pain that’s the issue. It’s when neurological deficits occur. As an example, I couldnt stand on my right toes. Left was fine. I didn’t realise that I couldn’t do it and when the neurosurgeon asked me to do it, he was ready just in case and I fell into him as I went to raise on my right side I also had (and still have) no sensation down my right calf, you can stick it with a pin, and I have no reflex in my right ankle so permanent damage.

 

[suze2000]

That's a worry - I have sciatic issues on both sides, pins & needles, sometimes weekness, but no loss of sensation that I've noticed yet. I suspect it will be straight to surgery for me though as I'm not a compliant physio patient. I never do the exercises.

 

[JohnK]

As quickstatus said, it’s not the pain that’s the issue. It’s when neurological deficits occur.

It goes a little further. It's not easy to explain.

Some days I cannot move as the pain is so intense. But I don't let that get in the way and force my myself to move.

Apparently dad's degeneration is quite severe and surgery is not going to be an option.

 

[Quickstatus]

It’s a real issue when you can’t trade in the body for a newer model

 

[Cossie]

Again, I'll post this here for those of us that don't have access to the Chit/Chat thread.

From the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Philip Lowe and his speech today at a fundraiser for the Anika Foundation (Anika Foundation - Supporting Research Into Depression and Suicide, Home)

Demographic Change and Recent Monetary Policy | Speeches | RBA and a pdf version there of: https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2018/pdf/sp-gov-2018-08-08.pdf

As in previous years, this fundraiser seems to have created a lot of publicity and interest within financial sectors and hopefully that will turn into increased awareness and support for the foundation and it's endeavours.

 

[JohnK]

It’s a real issue when you can’t trade in the body for a newer model

It's an even bigger issue when you're stuck in a body that stops to function.

Certain events make you see life differently.

 

[cove]

One of my friends scored a heart from a young motor cyclist. It is almost a decade ago and he completely changed from being the great acquirer to being generous thru a foundation.

 

[JohnK]

As quickstatus said, it’s not the pain that’s the issue. It’s when neurological deficits occur.

I'm quoting your post again. This is one of the reasons I hate hospitals. We've gone from joint pain to delirium.

Dad was fine a few days ago. Now he's not. Apparently it's some sort of infection but the original issue is now secondary. Dad's become very violent. He may yet end up in mental asylum. I think it's the endone. The "experts" are saying not the endone.

Apologies to the medicos on AFF but this is now a nightmare. I hate hospitals. My wife almost died during/after child birth.

 

[JohnM]

But what is the alternative @JohnK?

 

[tgh]

My Sympathies @JohnK..

 

[Pushka]

I'm quoting your post again. This is one of the reasons I hate hospitals. We've gone from joint pain to delirium.

Dad was fine a few days ago. Now he's not. Apparently it's some sort of infection but the original issue is now secondary. Dad's become very violent. He may yet end up in mental asylum. I think it's the endone. The "experts" are saying not the endone.

Apologies to the medicos on AFF but this is now a nightmare. I hate hospitals. My wife almost died during/after child birth.

Best wishes JohnK. Not sure I’d blame the hospital as there seems to be other processes unravelling as time proceeds. In any event given his symptoms there seemed no other choice but to take him there. It’s all difficult.

 

[Quickstatus]

Best wishes @JohnK

It’s not easy when family gets sick. There is always a feeling of helplessness.

Hospitals are dreadful places.

If ever there is a spark of the “divine” in us all, it is manifested clearly in such places. And the struggle between that “divinity” and all the values that come from it, and the chaos that is also present is so violent and “in your face” that it makes all of us rethink our own meanings and realities.

 

[love_the_life]

Best wishes JohnK and hope that your Dad’s symptoms improve. Personally I can’t stand Endone but it may not be the culprit. Very difficult to pinpoint what’s causing things sometimes.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks all.

Best wishes JohnK and hope that your Dad’s symptoms improve. Personally I can’t stand Endone but it may not be the culprit. Very difficult to pinpoint what’s causing things sometimes.

As @Quickstatus said hospitals are dreadful. I don't have any answers but Dad has been in Concord for over 1 week and they have not done much regarding his original condition other than medicine trying to help with pain.

Think time to transfer him back to hospital closer to home and we take it from there. Dad wants to come home but that may not be possible. Perhaps think about nursing home until we know more.

These things are never easy. Very stressful.

 

[suze2000]

My sympathies @JohnK sounds very distressing. Your father is quite possibly acting out his confusion and frustration. I hope they find the cause soon.

 

[Pushka]

Thanks all.


As @Quickstatus said hospitals are dreadful. I don't have any answers but Dad has been in Concord for over 1 week and they have not done much regarding his original condition other than medicine trying to help with pain.

Think time to transfer him back to hospital closer to home and we take it from there. Dad wants to come home but that may not be possible. Perhaps think about nursing home until we know more.

These things are never easy. Very stressful.

Oh dear. Nursing homes open up a whole new world of pain.

 

[JohnK]

Oh dear. Nursing homes open up a whole new world of pain.

Is there another option? Dad would love to be home but if he cannot walk he'd need full time care. A live in nurse would be expensive and a total change in our life too.

 

[Quickstatus]

Nursing home might not be an option if the current problem is not sorted out. You might find he gets punted back to hospital