General Medical issues thread

[cove]

Harder today to say that RooFlyer seeing our limited travelling these days. I was doing the same to get 2 months supply.

 

[love_the_life]

I'm not on a seniors or pension card but yes, the pharmac_ usually (not always) asks why I want two and 'I'm going overseas' always does it.

Don't think that line will be much use for the foreseeable future though.

 

[MelMel]

In anticipation of the first lockdown in Melbourne I took my Mother to her GP and asked for Reg. 49 of all her scripts (about six) Chemist Warehouse were happy to fill them all although things have changed a bit now and it may depend on the actual medication. Stressing about her not being able to get scripts filled was something I didn’t want to be doing.

 

[Pushka]

In anticipation of the first lockdown in Melbourne I took my Mother to her GP and asked for Reg. 49 of all her scripts (about six) Chemist Warehouse were happy to fill them all although things have changed a bit now and it may depend on the actual medication. Stressing about her not being able to get scripts filled was something I didn’t want to be doing.

Agree it depends on the scripts. A couple of mine are on the very restricted prescription list not because of toxicity but because thanks to Trump et al there is a watch on one and the other - maybe sourcing issues.

 

[OZDUCK]

I went to a Neurologist today for a Nerve Conduction Test/EMG because of problems with my left hand and my 'normal' Dr wasn't 100% sure what the cause was. The tests were conclusive and the diagnosis was Moderate to Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The Neurologist recommended surgical intervention as he considered that it was too far advanced to try other treatment options. Even though this is a bit of a nuisance at least I now I know the cause of my problems.

The test was interesting, mostly just being uncomfortable with a couple of incidences of pain. Feeling the electric impulses causing my fingers to jump was very strange and revealed the problems. The painful bit, only about the same as a dental injection, was when 'pins' were put into the muscles of the arm and then the electrical activity monitored to check their operation - this result was normal.

For those interested this is similar to what was done. Of course this video is from the U.S.and my tests were simply done in the Neurologists office and no gowns were involved.

 

[SuePa]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

My mother has had this operation. Afterwards, she was very relieved and really happy with the results. Wishing you all the best.

 

[RooFlyer]

Bringing discussion on another thread to here. Since April, my pharmacist tells me, the Feds have banned the repeat supply of scrips within a month (or a scrip-length period of time) to prevent stockpiling. ie no 'two at the same time'. Exceptions possible.

Yet in July, (without knowing of the new regs) I got all 4 of my scrip re-filled within 2 weeks, to get me a month's supply buffer; others reported the same.

 

[blackcat20]

Bringing discussion on another thread to here. Since April, my pharmacist tells me, the Feds have banned the repeat supply of scrips within a month (or a scrip-length period of time) to prevent stockpiling. ie no 'two at the same time'. Exceptions possible.

Yet in July, (without knowing of the new regs) I got all 4 of my scrip re-filled within 2 weeks, to get me a month's supply buffer; others reported the same.

Of everything or just some drugs? I have a script currently that only supplies four days worth so it needs to be filled regularly.

 

[pagingjoan]

My experience over recent weeks has been “Computer says no”.
Wishing you better luck, with a four day script. Mine, at least, is three weeks.

 

[blackcat20]

My experience over recent weeks has been “Computer says no”.
Wishing you better luck, with a four day script. Mine, at least, is three weeks.

I assume if a pack contains four days worth then they’d fill it again after four days, as that is the script length...

 

[TheRealTMA]

My experience over recent weeks has been “Computer says no”.
Wishing you better luck, with a four day script. Mine, at least, is three weeks.

As @RooFlyer said above, my pharmacist indicated that I could come back in two weeks to get a new set of prescriptions but they were not allowed to issue double lots under the new regulations.

 

[RooFlyer]

As @RooFlyer said above, my pharmacist indicated that I could come back in two weeks to get a new set of prescriptions but they were not allowed to issue double lots under the new regulations.

Ah ... your pharmacist's reply might explain how I managed to get a repeat after about 2 weeks. Mine said it was an anti-stockpiling measure; I guess it would not be entirely practical to mandate exactly the scrip length of time between refills, esp with lock downs and folks in rural areas, where a visit to the pharmac_ may only occur on an ad-hoc basis (ie visit to town).

I think I mentioned up-thread that when I arrived back from O/S in March and went into 2 weeks isolation, the pharmacist was wonderfully flexible (as was allowed) - I was able to e-mail scans of my scrips and they was filled, and delivered by her, as long as I delivered the original scrip when I came out of isolation. I think they were also allowed to dispense once after all repeats had been exhausted.

 

[Cossie]

Jeez I hate cancer, daughter of one of my nieces has been diagnosed with an obscure ovarian cancer, she is only 29. Tests show it hasn't progressed, and recovery is good if diagnosed early, which it has been. She has a child already, so that is a bonus.

I mentioned elsewhere about my friend who has lung cancer, which hopefully is under control, his 93 year old mother had colon cancer, nasty nasty thing this cancer.

 

[Pushka]

Jeez I hate cancer, daughter of one of my nieces has been diagnosed with an obscure ovarian cancer, she is only 29. Tests show it hasn't progressed, and recovery is good if diagnosed early, which it has been. She has a child already, so that is a bonus.

I mentioned elsewhere about my friend who has lung cancer, which hopefully is under control, his 93 year old mother had colon cancer, nasty nasty thing this cancer.

So young. Hopefully full recovery. Also, I hope she has some genetic testong done.

 

[Brissy1]

I went to a Neurologist today for a Nerve Conduction Test/EMG because of problems with my left hand and my 'normal' Dr wasn't 100% sure what the cause was. The tests were conclusive and the diagnosis was Moderate to Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The Neurologist recommended surgical intervention as he considered that it was too far advanced to try other treatment options. Even though this is a bit of a nuisance at least I now I know the cause of my problems.

The test was interesting, mostly just being uncomfortable with a couple of incidences of pain. Feeling the electric impulses causing my fingers to jump was very strange and revealed the problems. The painful bit, only about the same as a dental injection, was when 'pins' were put into the muscles of the arm and then the electrical activity monitored to check their operation - this result was normal.

For those interested this is similar to what was done. Of course this video is from the U.S.and my tests were simply done in the Neurologists office and no gowns were involved.

I had the same test, same resultant diagnosis late last year after getting intermittent numbness in my left hand. Had broken that wrist earlier in the year but was told that that was just a coincidence, not cause. Broke my right wrist 2 weeks before the carpal tunnel operation, so of course cancelled the op, can't have both hands oos. Numbness has since gone (?), so in no hurry to reschedule. Gee my orthopaedic surgeon drives a nice car!

 

[OZDUCK]

I had the same test, same resultant diagnosis late last year after getting intermittent numbness in my left hand. Had broken that wrist earlier in the year but was told that that was just a coincidence, not cause. Broke my right wrist 2 weeks before the carpal tunnel operation, so of course cancelled the op, can't have both hands oos. Numbness has since gone (?), so in no hurry to reschedule. Gee my orthopaedic surgeon drives a nice car!

I have my initial appointment on 23/9 so I will see what happens. Previously the numbness has faded after a while but this time it doesn't seem to want to go away.

Amusingly we had five people over for lunch today and two of them have had the carpal tunnel operation on both hands - both with very good results.

 

[Cossie]

So young. Hopefully full recovery. Also, I hope she has some genetic testong done.

My sister (not that nieces mother) also had some obscure ovarian cancer. She went in for a hysterectomy and they found it, very lucky as the survival rate undiagnosed was less than 20% over 5 years. When the surgeon visited her after the op, he said I have ordered you a bottle of champagne to have with dinner, as you are very fortunate we found it, that was about 30 years ago.

 

[Pushka]

My sister (not that nieces mother) also had some obscure ovarian cancer. She went in for a hysterectomy and they found it, very lucky as the survival rate undiagnosed was less than 20% over 5 years. When the surgeon visited her after the op, he said I have ordered you a bottle of champagne to have with dinner, as you are very fortunate we found it, that was about 30 years ago.

Are the 2 women you've mentioned related? if so then genetic testing is a must. I'd hope it would ne done anyway on someone so young.

My MIL had Ovarian Cancer and she did not detect it early enough and she was a Matron at a hospital and very aware of health issues. This was in the 1980's. It is a truly insidious form of cancer.

 

[Cossie]

Are the 2 women you've mentioned related? if so then genetic testing is a must. I'd hope it would ne done anyway on someone so young.

My MIL had Ovarian Cancer and she did not detect it early enough and she was a Matron at a hospital and very aware of health issues. This was in the 1980's. It is a truly insidious form of cancer.

Sister (2 years younger than me) was the one with ovarian cancer. My other sister ( 5 years older than me) is the grandmother of the 29 year old. Hopefully testing will be done on all.
Interesting that my mum seemed to be cancer free, but both of her sisters and her mother died from cancers, mother and one sister were only in their early fifties, both breast cancer.

 

[Pushka]

Sister (2 years younger than me) was the one with ovarian cancer. My other sister ( 5 years older than me) is the grandmother of the 29 year old. Hopefully testing will be done on all.
Interesting that my mum seemed to be cancer free, but both of her sisters and her mother died from cancers, mother and one sister were only in their early fifties, both breast cancer.

I can tell you my recent friends story then to make this testing necessary.

Last year, A friends son in his thirties was diagnosed with extensive bowel cancer. Too young for such things. I posted on here about 18 months ago. Significiant surgical and chemo. And lots of surgery followups. They did testing and found he had Lynch Syndrome. A genetic predisposition to non polyp cancer. Genetic. So the search began to find out origins. His father and mother were tested. Father was clear, mother, in her sixties had it. But she had no previous cancer bouts. However it was decided she was to have a full hysterectomy. Then it was necessary to test all her relatives young and old. Her mother (the son's grandmother) had died in her sixties of stomach cancer many years earlier. So she was another sufferer.

My friend and her son were the only ones displaying the syndrome, all brothers and sisters, her other son and his son, and her nieces and nephews were clear. It looks like, if my friend is lucky, that even though she has the syndrome, she did not progress to disease. However she did pass it to her son, who developed significant cancers. Her guilt was huge.

The issue with this syndrome is that it just starts, no polyp formation necessary. And breast, colon and ovarian cancers are involved.

But there is good news - the son in his thirties had fertility intervention prior to surgery and he and his new wife are expecting a baby in a few weeks, and the embryo selected (of the 10 or so that were available) was tested prior to implantation and does not have the Lynch syndrome.