General Medical issues thread

[Major]

I’ve not found many places that have a freezer section though.

In which case I just leave it in the bar fridge. Sometimes taking the overpriced booze out to make room

 

[coriander]

How much info is too much info? Some of the "stuff" happening to me is interesting (be even more interesting if it was happening to someone else but there we go) and I'm not uncomfortable with divulging a bit of detail (nothing gory I assure you) of my forthcoming process.
(OT currently binge-watching Breaking Bad - in Australia the show would have been over 20 minutes into the first episode!).

 

[RooFlyer]

Good question. I wouldn't want to feel like a voyeur if i read it ... does that help?

 

[VPS]

How much info is too much info? Some of the "stuff" happening to me is interesting (be even more interesting if it was happening to someone else but there we go) and I'm not uncomfortable with divulging a bit of detail (nothing gory I assure you) of my forthcoming process.
(OT currently binge-watching Breaking Bad - in Australia the show would have been over 20 minutes into the first episode!).

Entirely up to you - no one forces anyone to read anything. You have had a torrid time so if it helps to talk about it to a fairly anonymous group then go for it

 

[Flying mermaid]

7 day Holter monitor done and dusted - had the most glorious shower this morning.

 

[suze2000]

7 day Holter monitor done and dusted - had the most glorious shower this morning.

Imagine the sounds were much like mine when I finally got a shower after my knee surgery (a week for me too).

 

[rogerkambah]

When I had my kidney and tumour removal I just wrapped my torso in glad wrap and then could shower.

 

[Hvr]

Had my flu injection yesterday afternoon and will have the pertussis booster later today. Here's hoping it all works properly.

My GP said that pertussis (whooping cough) is actually increasing in frequency and that parents insisting that people who want to see their new baby, have the booster are doing the right thing.

 

[sinophile888]

After a difficult (for me) flight in February, Qantas suggested that I must arrange oxygen if I wish to fly with them again.

I went to see several doctors, including respiratory physicians, and had numerous tests. The High-Altitude Simulation test was the most telling. The test involves breathing air containing only 14% oxygen, to simulate an altitude of 8000 ft, about 2400m. This is the altitude equivalent to when flying at cruising altitude. The test was stopped after 2 minutes as I didn’t do very well. I was then given the 14% oxygen air plus 2L/min of pure oxygen and I was fine. All the other tests showed no cause for my problem.

I looked into travelling by train but the cost is eye-watering.

I cancelled some flights in April to allow time for all the appointments and finally, on Thursday, the main physician signed the clearance forms for me to fly again in July. He did suggest that I sit as close as I can to the toilet and to take the oxygen if I need to use the facilities. As we are travelling business class, I won’t be far from the toilet.

I was very keen to go to Melbourne in July as it will be my granddaughter’s 1st birthday.

For this trip, I am covering myself by hiring an oxygen concentrator for the week and asking Qantas to provide 2 cylinders of oxygen, at $110 per bottle. If all goes well, I may not book the cylinders for the return trip.

Qantas Special Handling have been amazingly cooperative throughout all this. They cancelled the April flights for myself and my husband with a full refund of money and points. They have guided me through the process and I’m now just waiting for the all clear from Qantas’ medical people.

I have six flights booked before the end of the year, so I have my fingers crossed.

 

[Quickstatus]

Do you remember the SpO2 at 8000ft without supplemental O2?

Sounds like you are hiring some O2 C cylinders. Do you know you can hire your own cylinders. There is a “CD” size cylinder complete with built in regulator called an INHALO with 630L O2 which will give 5:15hrs of O2 at 2L/min. 555mm high, 105mm diameter and 4.4kg full weight.

Hiring your own means transporting to/from aircraft and likely requiring Airline approval

 

[sinophile888]

Do you remember the SpO2 at 8000ft without supplemental O2?

Sounds like you are hiring some O2 C cylinders. Do you know you can hire your own cylinders. There is a “CD” size cylinder complete with built in regulator called an INHALO with 630L O2 which will give 5:15hrs of O2 at 2L/min. 555mm high, 105mm diameter and 4.4kg full weight.

Hiring your own means transporting to/from aircraft and likely requiring Airline approval

After 2 minutes, my SpO2 was 80% so the technician stopped that part of the test.
My plan is to hire an Inogen One G3 oxygen concentrator from a place in Welshpool, near the airport, and for Qantas to provide the oxygen bottles. If Qantas provide the cylinders, we don't have to transport them. I gather they are put on the aircraft. Qantas Special Handling said that the concentrator I have picked is the one most used on aircraft.
I will look into the INHALO cylinder. But my initial thought is to go with what is easiest for us.

 

[Quickstatus]

Please update with your inflight experience. Especially interested in the placement of the cylinders inflight and if any interactions with cabin crew regarding the O2.

While a decompression would be extremely rare, what’s your plan if the cabin altitude goes to 12000feet?

 

[sinophile888]

Please update with your inflight experience. Especially interested in the placement of the cylinders inflight and if any interactions with cabin crew regarding the O2.

While a decompression would be extremely rare, what’s your plan if the cabin altitude goes to 10000feet?

The oxygen concentrator flow can be adjusted, so that would be my first plan. The oxygen cylinder can also be adjusted, I think.
How often does the cabin altitude go to 10000 ft.?
I usually monitor the cabin pressure and the lowest we have encountered is around 750 hPa. That equates to around 8000 ft. I usually feel OK if the cabin pressure is over 800hPa.
I am a little nervous that everything will go well as it isn't essential to attend my granddaughter's birthday. But otherwise I am stuck with cruising , train, bus and car and Perth is a long way from anywhere.
I will take notes on the flight re my flight experience.

 

[Quickstatus]

The only reason for the cabin altitude to go to 12000 ft is if something goes bang like QF30 or if the aircon stops working.

Rare

My approx calculations are:
8000ft = 15% O2
10000ft = 14%
12000ft = 13%
14000ft = 12%

I think the yellow emergency masks drop when cabin altitude rise above 12000ft-13000ft?

Maybe if that happens just put the yellow mask on in addition to your own O2?. Or turn up the flow on the concentrator.

 

[sinophile888]

The only reason for the cabin altitude to go to 12000 ft is if something goes bang like QF30 or if the aircon stops working.

Rare

My approx calculations are:
8000ft = 15% O2
10000ft = 14%
12000ft = 13%
14000ft = 12%

I think the yellow emergency masks drop when cabin altitude rise above 12000ft-13000ft?

Maybe if that happens just put the yellow mask on in addition to your own O2?. Or turn up the flow on the concentrator.

Thank you very much for all your input. It seems like a fairly specialised area. But of great interest to me.

 

[rogerkambah]

I'm ecstatic. Another CT scan and visit to the onco done and dusted. Next in 5 months time.

 

[cove]

I caught up with my relative who had his bladder removed because he had an aggressive cancer. He copped two different infections and was in hospital for 7 weeks. He now refers to his hospital stay as near death experiences. He is regaining his strength now and is starting to plan his future.

 

[suze2000]

@cove I've been wondering since you mentioned this if your friend has an implantable bladder-replacement device, if such a thing exists? That's if you asked. Sounds like he's been through the wringer with it all. Please give him our best wishes.

 

[cove]

suze2000 he has a bag now and he was looking ok on the weekend so he seems to be recovering nicely.

 

[QF WP]

My uncle had secondary cancer through out his bladder and had the whole bladder taken out and a colostomy bag thereafter. It gave him some time before the cancer metasticised to his stomach. Continual checks for that will be part of your friends life now @cove. Always good though to see nice recovery from an serious surgery (losing an organ).