General Medical issues thread

[RooFlyer]

After a blood test today I can eat pretty much anything and it won’t show up until the next test. I didn’t know if you had thought of this.

After any good blood test re cholesterol etc, I tell my doctor that I'm going out to celebrate with a burger and chips. Thankfully he no longer splutters ...

 

[Antoallison]

After any good blood test re cholesterol etc, I tell my doctor that I'm going out to celebrate with a burger and chips. Thankfully he no longer splutters ...

Your GP is going to be pleased about your current low fat horse meat diet then !

 

[RooFlyer]

Your GP is going to be pleased about your current low fat horse meat diet then !

My holidays are always 'healthier' than my regular lifestyle (at least until my recent bout of prolonged dieting and extra exercise) - a lot of walking, lots of water no snacking. I've thought about asking Medibank Private to sponsor my holidays, as the hols result in a much healthier me.

 

[Flashback]

My holidays are always 'healthier' than my regular lifestyle (at least until my recent bout of prolonged dieting and extra exercise) - a lot of walking, lots of water no snacking. I've thought about asking Medibank Private to sponsor my holidays, as the hols result in a much healthier me.

There often seems to be a browny red tinge to the water you're drinking though... must have super health effects!

 

[RooFlyer]

There often seems to be a browny red tinge to the water you're drinking though... must have super health effects!

Can't drink the water in many countries I visit. Need to rehydrate somehow!!

 

[rogerkambah]

I have a final diagnosis from my Rheumatologist- severe drug induced Myopathy (I.e the Statins did it).

Neurologist is just carry on with low dose Aspirin and monitor blood pressure, as it was probably a spike in blood pressure that caused the stroke.

So now all I have to do is rebuild my body, one muscle and joint at a time. . I just love my Physio - he is doing terrific things for my recovery. I can now get up from the floor without holding onto anything and today I managed to do up my bra at the back - painful but I could do it!

To get to this point has required

Brain MRI
Nerve conduction Test
Carotid ultrasound
Bone scan
1 day Holter
7 day Holter
Echo
shoulder xrays
Shoulder MRI
More blood tests than you can poke a stick at

A month later i hope you are feeling much healthier.
A question - how was the stroke diagnosed?

I am beginning to wonder whether I have a statin induced muscular problem, although I have been taking atorvastatin for maybe 10 years.
I noticed upper arm pain and inability to lift and raise my arms much above my shoulders when half way through chemotherapy, but thought it was atrophy from lack of use.
However, 2 years on, even with exercise at the gym and increased muscle use it hasn't improved much, if at all.
Maybe its my next body project after the second cataract operation in 3 weeks time.

 

[suze2000]

Chloroquine is similar to plaquenil which is what I’ve been on for a few years now. Started on one tablet and then on to two a day. I have not had any side effects at all. I think plaquenil is tolerated better so if it’s too much then trial plaquenil which is hydroxychloroquine or something......
..... I realised after about 6 months my knees were great. But it was the fatigue that it really really helped. It calms the immune system which clearly causes exhaustion when it’s in overdrive.

Yes, sorry, I meant Plaquenil. I'm encouraged by your report of positive results, because I've been suffering a few side effects and of course the joint pain hasn't subsided yet. Side effects mostly toilet related, and some insomnia, which is a nightmare (haha!) when you are trying to reduce stress as it increases your symptoms AND you know you have to work night shift soon. Giving melatonin another trial tonight but I had some insane dreams last time I took it (I don't know what's worse, not getting sleep or feeling a little shell-shocked from the vividness of your dreams). It would be nice not to be tired all the time. I've decided to make more of an effort to avoid gluten and see if that helps as well. Oh well, perhaps pasta is over-rated. *sigh*

 

[Pushka]

Yes, sorry, I meant Plaquenil. I'm encouraged by your report of positive results, because I've been suffering a few side effects and of course the joint pain hasn't subsided yet. Side effects mostly toilet related, and some insomnia, which is a nightmare (haha!) when you are trying to reduce stress as it increases your symptoms AND you know you have to work night shift soon. Giving melatonin another trial tonight but I had some insane dreams last time I took it (I don't know what's worse, not getting sleep or feeling a little shell-shocked from the vividness of your dreams). It would be nice not to be tired all the time. I've decided to make more of an effort to avoid gluten and see if that helps as well. Oh well, perhaps pasta is over-rated. *sigh*

Funny you should mention melatonin. I purchased some in the US recently that are like gummy drops. I’ve had mixed results. I took one last night, it’s 5mg. I slept really well but dreams? Oh my gosh. But dreams are in the rem stage sleep which is the restorative sleep. Other times it doesn’t seem to do much. I was pretty drained last night and just needed a sleep.

I don’t each much bread and rarely pasta. I’m not coeliac but too much gluten doesn’t work well for me. I can eat the odd slice of bread, just not several a day or for many days in a row.

 

[VPS]

My sleep specialist gave me some tablets that would help with restless legs and give me better sleep but oh boy the dreams were amazing and he said that was really good because I was getting better sleep (I didn't persist though)

 

[Flying mermaid]

A month later i hope you are feeling much healthier.
A question - how was the stroke diagnosed?

I am beginning to wonder whether I have a statin induced muscular problem, although I have been taking atorvastatin for maybe 10 years.
I noticed upper arm pain and inability to lift and raise my arms much above my shoulders when half way through chemotherapy, but thought it was atrophy from lack of use.
However, 2 years on, even with exercise at the gym and increased muscle use it hasn't improved much, if at all.
Maybe its my next body project after the second cataract operation in 3 weeks time.

Oh yes better all the time. I can get my arms right up high now. I had another session with my Physio and he was really pleased with progress. I have another two months of exercises/weights to do and then he feels I will be fully functional again. Shoulders are still sore but improving.

Have you seen a physio? Mine was able to really target stretching exercises and weights to help with my shoulders and arms. Where a Statin causes muscle problems it is normally after extended use, mine appears to have been unusual in the extreme reaction I had to it in a very short timeframe. Be worth talking to your GP about it.

Diagnosing the stroke was sheer coincidence. I have been having trouble with double vision for some years and my optician was unable to find any cause. Eventually he suggested talking to my GP and getting an MRI in case of a tumour. So I had it and no tumour but it showed a recent stroke. I still have the fuzzy vision and no one can find a cause for it. I am still not quite sure whether it was good to discover the stroke or not! Yes because I am now on preventative aspirin, no because it led to me being given a Statin which totally destroyed me!

Good luck with the cataract operation.

 

[mrsterryn]

My sleep specialist gave me some tablets that would help with restless legs and give me better sleep but oh boy the dreams were amazing and he said that was really good because I was getting better sleep (I didn't persist though)

Did you try magnesium?
Husband has leg issues due to his brain tumour..it actually made a difference
A couple of months of ago he ran out , no biggie he thought . However after four days he was having some real "fuzziness"
Magnusium started again and leg much better. Also have purchased roll on magnesium for cramps
Was quite surprised with the results.
Usually very cynical about those types of things
@Pushka and @suze2000 I tried melatonin but not any good for me.
I have had nightmares for years and so have good old basic sleeping pills for when I need to break the cycle

 

[tgh]

Atm I could not survive without magnesium tablets.
I had a neat fall in the middle of the night and busted my face when trying to unknot two leg cramps together…forgot my tablet

 

[wandering_fred]

Coenzyme Q10 works to offset the muscular effects of statins for many people. Doesn't work overnight - but then neither do statins.
Ezetrol is an alternative to largish dose of statins, though a minimal dose of accompanying statins is required to reduce the cholesterol levels enough to keep a GP "happy". I would also suggest that since CoQ10 is fat absorbed, fish oil is a desirable addition at the same time. Though fish oil is useful on its own.....

Excess magnesium apparently eliminated easily, so taking Mg capsules is useful if leg cramping occurs.

Just wandering
Fred

 

[Pushka]

Did you try magnesium?
Husband has leg issues due to his brain tumour..it actually made a difference
A couple of months of ago he ran out , no biggie he thought . However after four days he was having some real "fuzziness"
Magnusium started again and leg much better. Also have purchased roll on magnesium for cramps
Was quite surprised with the results.
Usually very cynical about those types of things
@Pushka and @suze2000 I tried melatonin but not any good for me.
I have had nightmares for years and so have good old basic sleeping pills for when I need to break the cycle

Sleeping tablets are my worst nightmare! Intense grogginess the next day thats worse than the tiredness after a few nights poor sleep.

 

[mrsterryn]

Mind you mersyndol was my go to for everything. Was very sad when it went onto the restricted list.
Half a tablet and I slept so so well

 

[suze2000]

Mind you mersyndol was my go to for everything. Was very sad when it went onto the restricted list.
Half a tablet and I slept so so well

You can get the sedative over the counter in the pharmac_ - it's called Restavit.

 

[Flying mermaid]

My holidays are always 'healthier' than my regular lifestyle (at least until my recent bout of prolonged dieting and extra exercise) - a lot of walking, lots of water no snacking. I've thought about asking Medibank Private to sponsor my holidays, as the hols result in a much healthier me.

I am the opposite way round. Very healthy at home. Only drink water and tea (mainly water). All home cooked, simple meals from organic ingredients where possible. Daily exercise, no alcohol, no desserts. But just let me get a foot in an airline lounge and it disintegrates.

 

[VPS]

Did you try magnesium?
Husband has leg issues due to his brain tumour..it actually made a difference
A couple of months of ago he ran out , no biggie he thought . However after four days he was having some real "fuzziness"
Magnusium started again and leg much better. Also have purchased roll on magnesium for cramps
Was quite surprised with the results.
Usually very cynical about those types of things
@Pushka and @suze2000 I tried melatonin but not any good for me.
I have had nightmares for years and so have good old basic sleeping pills for when I need to break the cycle

I think I did try for a while and it didn't make any difference so I might try again. Sleeping is cough at the moment

 

[Cossie]

Sigh, the Boss has had a sore foot for a while, it hasn't slowed her down much though. Just got the results of a MRI and she has a broken bone and also some bone die back. Goes for a fitting of a pneumatic boot tomorrow and has to wear it for 6 weeks, looks like I'll be a chauffeur, joy oh joh!

 

[rogerkambah]

While MrsRK didn’t have to wear a boot she was on crutches for 3 of her 8 weeks off work. She used to travel around the kitchen/pantry on an office chair and I chauffeured her around.
Next week she can chauffeur me for my eye surgery.