General Medical issues thread

[mrs.dr.ron]

OMG - how many people on AFF have haemochromatosis !! Could it be due to flying ??

 

[Quickstatus]

The AFF Hemochromatosis group could easily have an AFF get together at a Red Cross blood donation centre - get free poppa drink and snack.

What’s to say it’s flying. Maybe it’s from all the lounge crawling.

 

[cove]

Because I had a heart by pass operation almost 25 years ago the blood bank folks don’t let me donate blood as they say I am too risky. My blood has a coughtail of heart drugs too which seem to work pretty well.
My brother had a major operation 12 days ago and after some set backs where he had to go back into ICU he may get released from hospital by the weekend. It looks like they caught the aggressive bladder cancer before it spread. If that is correct the surgery will have been a great success.

 

[Denali]

Getting our monies worth out of Medicare. In the last couple of weeks have seen GP (4 times), Gastrosomethingoligist (GP phoned to get a fast appointment), 3 sets of pathology tests and Dietitian (three times).

Hubby smashing his food diary, lowered his daily sugar to less than 30gms and watching our carbs and reading the labels on everything/changing our buying habits. GP and Gastrosomthingoligist are saying positive things so hoping for improved blood results in about a month or so.

So many beans and salads and veggies now but no coke for me for 3 weeks so far.

Didnt expect it but Gastrosomethingoligist suggested at least 2 days per week fasting for approx 20hrs per day so doing it Monday and Tuesday (started this week).

 

[Pushka]

Getting our monies worth out of Medicare. In the last couple of weeks have seen GP (4 times), Gastrosomethingoligist (GP phoned to get a fast appointment), 3 sets of pathology tests and Dietitian (three times).

Hubby smashing his food diary, lowered his daily sugar to less than 30gms and watching our carbs and reading the labels on everything/changing our buying habits. GP and Gastrosomthingoligist are saying positive things so hoping for improved blood results in about a month or so.

So many beans and salads and veggies now but no coke for me for 3 weeks so far.

Didnt expect it but Gastrosomethingoligist suggested at least 2 days per week fasting for approx 20hrs per day so doing it Monday and Tuesday (started this week).

Fasting works really well for me. I skip breakfast every day unless I’m on holidays, and then don’t eat lunch until around 3pm. Then when it comes to dinner time I’m still a little full so dinner is something very light. Sometimes I know I have to eat lunch as the sugar level has dropped a bit too much so these are the days I eat a normal lunch and light dinner.

 

[suze2000]

But remember. People with hemochromatosis will almost always have high ferritin. But people with high ferritin do not always have hemochromatosis.

Yes because Ferritin is also an acute phase protein and can be elevated just because you are sick.

 

[Denali]

Husband tested negative for the hemochromatosis markers.

 

[Katie]

Back to the skin doctor (proper specialist name has just fallen out of my brain) for a checkup and some more lasers on my face.
I will try to remember to ask him if there's any long-term side effects of being on these antiobiotics (Erythromycin)

Would be so much cooler to be able to shoot laser beams *from* my face than to be shot with them!!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Back to the skin doctor (proper specialist name has just fallen out of my brain) for a checkup and some more lasers on my face.
I will try to remember to ask him if there's any long-term side effects of being on these antiobiotics (Erythromycin)

Would be so much cooler to be able to shoot laser beams *from* my face than to be shot with them!!

Mr FM sees his dermatologist annually. Has had an amazing variety of things done - burning, cutting, freezing, creams.

He knew he was getting old a few months ago when the dermatologist said he needed to cut a hunk out of his face, but didn’t suggest a plastic surgeon do it, to prevent scarring, as he did some years ago

 

[Katie]

Survived the lasers, luckily nowhere near as painful as the first treatment last August. Hopefully now have the rosacea at a manageable level; it's definitely much less red, even though it's still noticeable, than it was a year ago just before I started the medications and creams. Only briefly saw the dermatologist. Forgot to ask him anything useful. So I guess I'll stay on the antibiotics and cream while I still have prescriptions for them.

 

[RooFlyer]

Well what a complete waste of time then. What is the point!

A bit behind in this thread. Yes, pathologist results uploads are only done by certain ones. I went into this with the MHR mob and they 'hope to roll out more over time' ( Read : when they can get money to pay the labs to do it)

My reaction was just the same as yours.

 

[RooFlyer]

Is 5 yearly the recommended spacing from a negative test?

Mine went from every 10 years to every 5 last time, when they found a few polyps. Age late 50s.

 

[RooFlyer]

Dr gave me a request venesection from QML, blood bank would be easier but so many questions and one would probably exclude me.

The Red Cross I believe are obliged to do 'theraputic' vinosections, on referral from your doctor. They can use the blood, except for usual exclusions.

They've done mine for years.

Don't worry about the personal questions!

 

[RooFlyer]

I should add... Since my adopting a 'virtuous' lifestyle over the past year and a bit ( very good diet, lots of walking exercise, lots of weight loss), I haven't needed a vinesection for a year. Used to be 3 monthly for past 10 years or so.

 

[RooFlyer]

Speaking iof weight loss, anyone got anything bad to say about meal replacement 'shakes' from Chemist, for instance?

I've been having a few recently to get to my target weight, past a few stubborn kilos.

I don't mind the taste and they do fill me up enough at dinner not to snack afterwards.

 

[love_the_life]

Mr FM sees his dermatologist annually. Has had an amazing variety of things done - burning, cutting, freezing, creams.

He knew he was getting old a few months ago when the dermatologist said he needed to cut a hunk out of his face, but didn’t suggest a plastic surgeon do it, to prevent scarring, as he did some years ago

Mr LtL has just had a BCC cut out from his forehead - about 8 stitches but a very neat line. Unfortunately they rang to say the margins are a bit close so he had to go back to them today for a script for the cream. Not sure if he will use it yet though. He's just about over doctors at present. It's bad when it's a joy to have 10 days without seeing a doctor! next one is the gastroenterologist about the FOBT result. PSA which has been still rising is at the end of May.
Today we had to have our HepA follow up shots. So we seem to be assisting the medicos SMSFs.
But it could be worse - friend with. terminal cancer had MRI today - has a lot of lower back pain so I'm hoping it's not indicative of another metastatic growth. Would just about do him in if it was.

 

[RooFlyer]

You should see the cholesterol busting margarines as its made - especially what they do to turn it yellow, and what the colour is before its yellow. In short the whole thing is an unnatural chemistry experiment.

I think they've come aways since that time. This is one of the 'leading brands' of the stuff. Nice yellow colour ... I'm happy to use it.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Mr LtL has just had a BCC cut out from his forehead - about 8 stitches but a very neat line. Unfortunately they rang to say the margins are a bit close so he had to go back to them today for a script for the cream. Not sure if he will use it yet though. He's just about over doctors at present. It's bad when it's a joy to have 10 days without seeing a doctor! next one is the gastroenterologist about the FOBT result. PSA which has been still rising is at the end of May.
Today we had to have our HepA follow up shots. So we seem to be assisting the medicos SMSFs.
But it could be worse - friend with. terminal cancer had MRI today - has a lot of lower back pain so I'm hoping it's not indicative of another metastatic growth. Would just about do him in if it was.

I hope Mr Ltl is OK - bit of a roller coaster for you.....

Mr FM’s was definitely not neat - a big chunk which I couldn’t bear to look at......anyway it’s finally scabbed over.

I think it is the age we are getting to - in the last 8 weeks, I have seen my GP twice, had an MRI, been to an ophthalmologist and due for a neurologist next week. I remember the days when I didn’t see a doctor from one year to the next

 

[love_the_life]

I hope Mr Ltl is OK - bit of a roller coaster for you.....

Mr FM’s was definitely not neat - a big chunk which I couldn’t bear to look at......anyway it’s finally scabbed over.

I think it is the age we are getting to - in the last 8 weeks, I have seen my GP twice, had an MRI, been to an ophthalmologist and due for a neurologist next week. I remember the days when I didn’t see a doctor from one year to the next

That didn't sound great for MrFM. Was it a specialised clinic or the GP? MrLtL goes to a place in Deakin who are very good. Did the skin graft on his nose as it was a BSC. Healed very well.
Your visits don't sound fun either, Hope all the results are OK.
Reminds me, how are the beagles? Keeping you busy?

 

[Milboo]

Speaking iof weight loss, anyone got anything bad to say about meal replacement 'shakes' from Chemist, for instance?

I've been having a few recently to get to my target weight, past a few stubborn kilos.

I don't mind the taste and they do fill me up enough at dinner not to snack afterwards.

Stick to Optifast. It has a lot of science behind it and is clinically proven. It is also the product that medical professionals recommend. There are a lot of products with questionable quality there.