General Medical issues thread

[suze2000]

As patients we often forget about the team working behind the scenes. It must be pretty special to have remission results.

And we are the first to see them and know it. But yeah, we're far too busy to spend any real time on it, except to take a moment of quiet satisfaction that there's another patient getting what would (hopefully) be some of the best news of their life.

 

[Bundy Bear]

And we are the first to see them and know it. But yeah, we're far too busy to spend any real time on it, except to take a moment of quiet satisfaction that there's another patient getting what would (hopefully) be some of the best news of their life.

I guess you also see the other results where you think that doesn’t look good, so I guess you look at each result and go, yay or ohno and move onto the next test tube.

 

[JohnK]

Tennis elbow anyone? After suffering for 3 years, multiple cortisone injections, the last which did not really work, laser therapy I'm scheduled for surgery next week. I'm of the mind that I'm over the pain and just ready to get it surgically fixed.

Glad that it has worked out as you mentioned in another thread.

I have tendonitis in right elbow but it doesn't stop there and there are 3-4 different types of pain.

Osteoarthritis in right hand/wrist is quite severe. Pain up the right arm to the elbow and pain from the elbow up the bicep. The other day I had bruising at the top of the bicep. Bruise was yellow/brown but I didn't hit it anywhere. Pain continues through the shoulder and ends underneath the chin at the collarbone? Had quite bad swelling there a few days ago.

And that's only part of the pain. Is there an answer other than new body?

 

[Denali]

I haven't been posting here much lately.

A month ago I was hit with a bad back, and I couldn't sit down anywhere for more than two minutes for a week and a half (but I could happily go shopping or do mowing). Turns out I have two slightly impinged nerves in my spine. My Doctors tell me I should eventually improve, while I live each day on Lyrica and Tramadol. I have improved slightly, as I can sit at my computer for 15 minutes or so now.

Anyhow, my problem is that we're flying off to Tunis in a few weeks. I think I'll be using a lot of pain killers that flight.
Cheers,
Renato

Obviously I'm clueless so asking but can a good chiropractor help?

 

[Renato1]

Obviously I'm clueless so asking but can a good chiropractor help?

Thanks, but I doubt it.
I already have two fused bits in my spine (and a piece of plastic and a dead person's piece of bone, where one of my discs totally disappeared a few years back), as well as the titanium rods drilled in there.
They might be worth going to if one had a standard spine, but mine isn't.

Anyhow, I'm doing better now. Some days I need the Tramadol, other days a few Ibuprofens do the trick. I even went one day without any pills.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[k_sheep]

As patients we often forget about the team working behind the scenes. It must be pretty special to have remission results.

Yes indeed. Most of our work is 'bad news' in pathology so the rare good results are a little bit of shining light.

I have probably 60-80 patients a day I look after, almost none of whom would have any idea who I am. But I am there, desperately doing everything I can to make their lives a little bit better.

It's a 'silent' job and sometimes thankless. Especially when you see something happening with a patient, and you call the treating team to notify them who then ignore your advice! But also highly satisfying when you pick something up early, notify the team and the patient gets appropriate treatment straight away

 

[prozac]

...
It's a 'silent' job and sometimes thankless. Especially when you see something happening with a patient, and you call the treating team to notify them who then ignore your advice! But also highly satisfying when you pick something up early, notify the team and the patient gets appropriate treatment straight away

Not just in your field. After my last procedure I had been without pain relief since initial request for medication for 3 hrs. I was beginning to get distressed and again called the nurse who called the ward doctor, who would not believe I had heart pain from the procedure. She called my cardiologist who advised IV morphine. Because she (the doctor) still didn't believe me, she elected instead to give me neurofen (ibuprofin) which did nothing to relieve the pain. Next day my blood troponin readings were very high (3,000) due, I believe, to the heart being left in a distressed state for so long. andye, you will be aware which hospital I am talking about.

k_sheep I hope you get more satisfying days than not.

 

[Hvr]

One for the mothers:

 

[RooFlyer]

A follow up on my chiropractor experience mentioned up thread ( suggested by my physio, for mobilising arthritic SI 'joint'.)

I went to one that a mate swears by. Got the "all body linked" story, made me a bit skeptical. He Took some x-rays, and 'showed' neck, back, pelvis all crook and needed 'adjusting'.

I said OK, but I'm only here for the SI joint mobilisation. His reply, it's all linked, blah blah. I said I'd have to think it over.

In meantime I saw GP on something else and mentioned chiro. He didn't mind the concept of seeing a chiro, but just to mobilise the joint in question. He gave me the name of another one, who I'll be seeing.

 

[Antoallison]

My foray into the minefield that is chiropractor management of bad backs is that you will be seeing them again and again.... ad infinitum.

The recommendation always seems to be for 3 visits per week for a period of quite a few months, the treatment only takes minutes, although the bill is hefty for such a short period of time.

Then even when you complete the series, there is always the constant maintenance visits that are recommended.

I am not convinced that time, mild stretching, water walking etc would not yield the same results.

During a different period of back pain I did try a remedial massage (1) by another therapist and that was brilliant.

 

[Pushka]

My foray into the minefield that is chiropractor management of bad backs is that you will be seeing them again and again.... ad infinitum.

The recommendation always seems to be for 3 visits per week for a period of quite a few months, the treatment only takes minutes, although the bill is hefty for such a short period of time.

Then even when you complete the series, there is always the constant maintenance visits that are recommended.

I am not convinced that time, mild stretching, water walking etc would not yield the same results.

During a different period of back pain I did try a remedial massage (1) by another therapist and that was brilliant.

Agree re the remedial massage. I had a ruptured disc removed many years ago and I need to be careful what I do but by and large am able to do so. Sometimes I get it wrong and maybe 12 months ago I was a bit desperate. I tried all my usuals but couldn’t shake the spasms that took my breathe away on occasions. Toddled off at hubbys suggestion to the massage therapist down the road. She could see exactly where the spasms were originating and for 30 minutes I was in total pain being brought to tears as she worked on that area until I could bare no more. But immediately I felt more comfortable. Knew I had to return and was dreading that but three days later off I went. Same deal. But the massage pain was totally worth it and I’ve not needed to go back since. Trust I’m not invoking Murphy’s Law right now!

 

[Antoallison]

Agree re the remedial massage. I had a ruptured disc removed many years ago and I need to be careful what I do but by and large am able to do so. Sometimes I get it wrong and maybe 12 months ago I was a bit desperate. I tried all my usuals but couldn’t shake the spasms that took my breathe away on occasions. Toddled off at hubbys suggestion to the massage therapist down the road. She could see exactly where the spasms were originating and for 30 minutes I was in total pain being brought to tears as she worked on that area until I could bare no more. But immediately I felt more comfortable. Knew I had to return and was dreading that but three days later off I went. Same deal. But the massage pain was totally worth it and I’ve not needed to go back since. Trust I’m not invoking Murphy’s Law right now!

Ditto for me ... the pain during the deep tissue massage was not pleasant but the relief the next day was amazing and touch wood has stayed that way. I am a convert.

 

[suze2000]

Agree re massage. Very helpful when I had tough back issues.

 

[Pushka]

Agree re massage. Very helpful when I had tough back issues.

I’ve now found that a tennis ball lodged firmly into my back provides the ‘pressure’ that relieves the area and somehow releases the nerve that starts the spasms. I also have a hard cushion in the car that I push into. We also carry tennis balls that we can use on planes. It’s an equivalent to acupuncture I guess.

 

[prozac]

I’ve now found that a tennis ball lodged firmly into my back provides the ‘pressure’ that relieves the area and somehow releases the nerve that starts the spasms. I also have a hard cushion in the car that I push into. We also carry tennis balls that we can use on planes. It’s an equivalent to acupuncture I guess.

You can buy spikey balls at places like Rebel that accentuate the pressure Pushka.

 

[Pushka]

You can buy spikey balls at places like Rebel that accentuate the pressure Pushka.

Yes, they are great aren’t they! I did have one now you mention it but can’t think where I put it. They are also good for foot issues to release the tendons I think it is.

 

[prozac]

Yes, they are great aren’t they! I did have one now you mention it but can’t think where I put it. They are also good for foot issues to release the tendons I think it is.

I got one post shoulder reconstruction. Little did I know then how many bits it worked on.

 

[Milboo]

It’s not uncommon for me to have tears when I get a remedial massage. She uses a combination of massage, dry needling and cupping (modern style not the Chinese version). Cups and needles are magic on me and pave the way for the massage.

My chiro works more like an osteopath and even when I am in a world of hurt, he never wants to see me again within the week. The body needs time to adjust.

 

[suze2000]

@Milboo are you in Melbourne? If so, I might appreciate a PM with the name of your massage person. Mine's rarely available when I need him most, even if he is brilliant.

 

[Milboo]

Sadly not - I am in Sydney.