General Medical issues thread

[penegal]

I had a bit of a whoops on NYD night. I fainted and fell down some stairs and then face-planted on the concrete.

One of the people I was with thought I had a seizure, which of course I did not - A quick ~7 hour visit to the ED, and given the all clear.

But how embarrassing... my face has been rearranged with some superficial abrasions. I am now trying to avoid being seen in public for the next few weeks

 

[Hvr]

Maybe some photos would assist us in determining the affect of the injuries on your handsome face?

Good on your colleague for insisting you got properly checked out. Can I assume sobriety was not achieved until many, many hours later?

 

[rogerkambah]

I had a bit of a whoops on NYD night. I fainted and fell down some stairs and then face-planted on the concrete.

One of the people I was with thought I had a seizure, which of course I did not - A quick ~7 hour visit to the ED, and given the all clear.

But how embarrassing... my face has been rearranged with some superficial abrasions. I am now trying to avoid being seen in public for the next few weeks

While a visit to the ED is a bit of a PITA at any time, I'm glad you went and had suffered no major injuries. Unexplained fainting though is a bit of a concern.

 

[cove]

Penegal try holding the side rail at all times going both ways on stairs. I am sure everyone is pleased that you are ok. Stairs are generally a pretty hard landing spot especially for head and shoulders.

 

[RooFlyer]

On Christmas day evening I noticed palm side of one of my fingers a bit red in a small area - thought it was maybe several small splinters. Ignored

Next day, redder and a bit swollen. Close examination couldn't detect any splinters. Wait and see.

Next day, swollen and getting redder. Doctors appointment made (24 hr clinic person, not my regular)

Next day Doctor - unsure if its a bite or infection; antibiotics prescribed. Not keen on these - agree to see what happens. If reddening increases after starting, seek hospital (infection spreading)

Next day - reddening just goes into palm; mild pain to press. Start antibiotics. Holds off hospital.

2 days later - reddening creeping across hand (but still in fleshy part inside knuckle area). Attend Private Hospital 'emergency' - feel very silly, but its what the GP said. $180 fee, non insurance. Doc reckons its a bite and 'venomation', maybe secondary infection. Complete antibiotics and come back if gets worse.

Next few days: reddening and pain to touch decreases, then overnight, really painful in hand between 2 fingers.

Wears off during the day, still sore to press.

Conclusion: I guess I was bitten by something - no idea what, don't recall anything - it was Christmas Day! Drive, eat, sit, drive, sit ... .. and the (mild) pain & reddening was due to venom ... but really surprised how slow it was, and persistent. 10 days now.

 

[RooFlyer]

A quick ~7 hour visit to the ED, and given the all clear.

Private or public hospital? I did my first ever visit to an ED (see above post) and I couldn't be bothered with any delay in the public system, so i went Private. "No waiting, no delay ..." It cost $180, but I get a return visit within 14 days at no extra cost

 

[tgh]

No private insurance rf.. tut tut…
If you can afford to flit around the planet, you can afford to warrant your health care… … .. …. imnsho

 

[RooFlyer]

No private insurance rf.. tut tut…
If you can afford to flit around the planet, you can afford to warrant your health care… … .. …. imnsho

I have private health insurance, ( big time) but the Private Hosp. Emerg fee isn't refundable is what I meant. I guess they don't want people flitting in there easily ( and I agree). The place was deserted!

 

[rogerkambah]

On Christmas day evening I noticed palm side of one of my fingers a bit red in a small area - thought it was maybe several small splinters. Ignored

Next day, redder and a bit swollen. Close examination couldn't detect any splinters. Wait and see.

Next day, swollen and getting redder. Doctors appointment made (24 hr clinic person, not my regular)

Next day Doctor - unsure if its a bite or infection; antibiotics prescribed. Not keen on these - agree to see what happens. If reddening increases after starting, seek hospital (infection spreading)

Next day - reddening just goes into palm; mild pain to press. Start antibiotics. Holds off hospital.

2 days later - reddening creeping across hand (but still in fleshy part inside knuckle area). Attend Private Hospital 'emergency' - feel very silly, but its what the GP said. $180 fee, non insurance. Doc reckons its a bite and 'venomation', maybe secondary infection. Complete antibiotics and come back if gets worse.

Next few days: reddening and pain to touch decreases, then overnight, really painful in hand between 2 fingers.

Wears off during the day, still sore to press.

Conclusion: I guess I was bitten by something - no idea what, don't recall anything - it was Christmas Day! Drive, eat, sit, drive, sit ... .. and the (mild) pain & reddening was due to venom ... but really surprised how slow it was, and persistent. 10 days now.

That sounds quite nasty and is taking some time for recovery. Good you are on the mend though.

 

[rogerkambah]

Was hoping to avoid the medicos this month, but have already seen the ophthalmologist who informed that my cataracts, especially the right eye have grown more. Still ok to drive, more annoying than anything. Prognosis - put up with it until I decide to have the operation.
Next week have what seems to be an olecranon bursitis checked out. Again its a half golfball piece of annoyance.

 

[QF WP]

There are venomous animals in Tasmania??

Now that I've googled, jack jumper bite perhaps @RooFlyer ...

 

[drron]

And snakes.I have seen more snakes in Tasmania than QLD.

 

[RooFlyer]

There are venomous animals in Tasmania??

Now that I've googled, jack jumper bite perhaps @RooFlyer ...

Wasn't a jackjumper ... I would have known about that! Had a few over the years. Some people highly allergic to them and can have very nasty results.

There are also well described 'inchmen' biting ants. They are bad!

In my case I can only guess a spider, but I don't recall any event.

And I'm back of to the doc tomorrow. Effects still creeping across my hand. Several knuckle joints very painful this morning. All very strange and not yet going in the right direction.

 

[RooFlyer]

And snakes.I have seen more snakes in Tasmania than QLD.

Possible reason being because of our cooler weather, the snakes sit in the open more, to warm up ( a bit like the humans )

As you know ( but for QF WP's info) all three types of snakes in Tas are venomous.

 

[RooFlyer]

Well here I am, gowned up waiting to go up to theatre to have an infected hand ( tendon area) flushed out.

Decided to re- present at Hobart Private hospital this morning after hand started swelling and throbbing a bit.

I came prepared with book and laptop, so the day hasn't been wasted!

 

[Major]

Which hand ?

 

[Antoallison]

Well here I am, gowned up waiting to go up to theatre to have an infected hand ( tendon area) flushed out.

Decided to re- present at Hobart Private hospital this morning after hand started swelling and throbbing a bit.

I came prepared with book and laptop, so the day hasn't been wasted!

Perhaps it could be Cellulitis rather than insect bite.

 

[tgh]

Good luck

 

[VPS]

Well here I am, gowned up waiting to go up to theatre to have an infected hand ( tendon area) flushed out.

Decided to re- present at Hobart Private hospital this morning after hand started swelling and throbbing a bit.

I came prepared with book and laptop, so the day hasn't been wasted!

hope it all goes smoothly

 

[JohnK]

Feet swelling is fluid retention. Pays to have the heart checked. Fluid retention will impact movement in feet too. Stop wearing socks with elastic in them and consider compression.

I missed this part earlier. By compression socks do you mean something similar to JOBST compression socks/stockings? Had the knee high ones specially fitted many years ago and after a few weeks the swelling had moved from ankles to a different area and much worse pain.

Still have the socks somewhere. Never again.