General Medical issues thread

[VPS]

When I was doing the GLAD program the Physio always said you shouldn't stop doing something because it hurts - it depends how much further the exercise pushes the pain level

 

[Pushka]

Many Physio treatments are curtailed or severely truncated because the patient is unable to override the body's pain messages.

Probably as a fallout from your first para, both instinctively and from information from medical sources, it is common thought that pain must be prevented or is a danger sign. It’s hard to get past that message.

 

[Flashback]

Can she get the script version of another antacid (not liquid) which is pantoprazole? They are excellent.

I have been looking at surgical options. I take Nexium and have to avoid fruit juices and a lot of fruit, which I wish I didn’t. I pay for a night on the margaritas!

I had a complete blank recently. Had diabolical reflux one night. And recurred the next night. Then I connected it to drinking a number of ciders. Cider being apple juice for grown ups. And I can’t drink apple juice at the best of times....

In the UK the commonly prescribed ones are Lansoprazole Omeprazole. I think Nexium (brand name) is Esomeprazole.

I've been on each of these 3 over the past 18 years or so, bit annoying but there you go. If I don't take it each day my body lets me know about it. Have been considering the surgery also but not sure I'm happy with what it does and the fact it could still just reoccur.

 

[TheRealTMA]

In the UK the commonly prescribed ones are Lansoprazole Omeprazole. I think Nexium (brand name) is Esomeprazole.

I've been on each of these 3 over the past 18 years or so, bit annoying but there you go. If I don't take it each day my body lets me know about it. Have been considering the surgery also but not sure I'm happy with what it does and the fact it could still just reoccur.

Nexium can have kidney problems but depends, obviously. Somac Pantoprazole seems better tolerated.

 

[Flashback]

Nexium can have kidney problems but depends, obviously. Somac Pantoprazole seems better tolerated.

I'm on Lansoprazole at the moment, not sure whether they moved me off esomeprazole / omeprazole for those reasons, or whether it was more of a cost thing (to the NHS).

 

[OZDUCK]

I am sitting at home with one hand bandaged up because I had my Carpal Tunnel operation yesterday. As promised, the operation itself was much less painful than a Root Canal treatment with only a couple of minor twinges. I walked in at 0630 and was out by 0930. After the pain blocker wore off I did need a few doses of paracetamol but I haven't used any today. As regards its success, time will tell. I think my fingers feel a little less numb but it is hard to be sure as my hand will be tightly bandaged for another day or so. Reading all the information indicates that it can take a fair while for symptoms to disappear in some cases.

Even though it was only done under 'local' I got the full admission procedure for a 'day procedure'. Lots of blood pressure checks etc. Plus as I am over 60 their SOP is to do an ECG as well - happily all ok. While it is obviously a sensible thing to do I must have been asked my name, DOB and what procedure I was having about 15 times. But I guess that is better than going in for a Carpal Tunnel operation and suddenly finding that you have just had a surprise vasectomy.

 

[Pushka]

After being called back for an overdue blood test I was thinking that at 200mcg I was overdosing on thyroxine as I felt really well! . Nup, indicator TSH still too high. On 250 mcg. Yet in my forties I was very stable on 150 but never felt like it was doing much good, just my drs were happy because the blood test results were good.

 

[prozac]

I am sitting at home with one hand bandaged up because I had my Carpal Tunnel operation yesterday. ...

Interesting. I might have to have a similar op for right hand ring finger. Can't recall the name but have thickening of the tendon sheath on ring finger. Ultrasoundist (I know, radiographer) kept looking for bubbles in my palm but there isn't any, just pain and lack of grip strength, etc. Drs have been putting this off since July because of the other issues, rehab, etc., but now booked for a consult toward end Nov.
I am wondering how long the recovery is OZDUCK? I expect it is relatively quick.

 

[OZDUCK]

Interesting. I might have to have a similar op for right hand ring finger. Can't recall the name but have thickening of the tendon sheath on ring finger. Ultrasoundist (I know, radiographer) kept looking for bubbles in my palm but there isn't any, just pain and lack of grip strength, etc. Drs have been putting this off since July because of the other issues, rehab, etc., but now booked for a consult toward end Nov.
I am wondering how long the recovery is OZDUCK? I expect it is relatively quick.

I hope that is is quick! The main bandage will come off tomorrow and the smaller one covering just the wound is due to be off in 10 days. My sutures are absorbable. Guidelines for my operation say you can usually return to work in about 2 weeks. Apparently, there can be some weakness in the wrist for up to a year if you are a bit unlucky. My surgeon has said that after the first few days I can basically do anything that doesn't hurt.

This is the link to my surgeons website purely to give an idea about the problem and possible treatments. It seems to give a good overview of the condition and post-operative expectations. He was the surgeon my doctor referred me to so I don't know how "good" he is but everything has seemed fine so far.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - who gets it, what are the symptoms, how is it diagnosed and how can it be treated?

pauljarrett.info

 

[RooFlyer]

Well that was inconvenient.

Yesterday early afternoon I started getting 'floaties' in one of my eyes - within, not on the surface. Had them before, and not a major thing, I thought. Within 10 mins there were lots of them, and over the next 30 mins things got a bit foggy, then very foggy.

Hmmm. Called optometrist - could see me in 90 mins. Zoom! I went.

Possible torn or detached retina. I need an ophthalmologist. He can see me in 2 hours. Zoom! again.

Yes, definitely torn, possibly detached retina. Book you in for surgery next morning.

Had the day-surgery (Vitrectomy) this morning, under a local anaesthetic . Fixed (I hope). Bit of laser welding and a nitrogen bubble put in there to hold the retina back into position while it heals. The bubble is gradually absorbed.

Very impressed with the speed I was able to see people in Hobart and have the surgery done..

 

[love_the_life]

Well that was inconvenient.

Yesterday early afternoon I started getting 'floaties' in one of my eyes - within, not on the surface. Had them before, and not a major thing, I thought. Within 10 mins there were lots of them, and over the next 30 mins things got a bit foggy, then very foggy.

Hmmm. Called optometrist - could see me in 90 mins. Zoom! I went.

Possible torn or detached retina. I need an ophthalmologist. He can see me in 2 hours. Zoom! again.

Yes, definitely torn, possibly detached retina. Book you in for surgery next morning.

Had the day-surgery (Vitrectomy) this morning, under a local anaesthetic . Fixed (I hope). Bit of laser welding and a nitrogen bubble put in there to hold the retina back into position while it heals. The bubble is gradually absorbed.

Very impressed with the speed I was able to see people in Hobart and have the surgery done..

Do you now have to lie flat for several weeks? Friend's daughter had detached retina (as did friend and the grandmother who went blind) and she had to lie flat for I think 3 weeks - last year so friend had to rush to Melb to assist her.

 

[Pushka]

Do you now have to lie flat for several weeks? Friend's daughter had detached retina (as did friend and the grandmother who went blind) and she had to lie flat for I think 3 weeks - last year so friend had to rush to Melb to assist her.

We were just discussing exactly this at my optician appt this morning. My mother who had similar had to stay in hospital and lie flat. It occurred to me after I posted this morning that I hoped @RooFlyer wasn't seated to post. Maybe things have changed?

 

[KitKat]

Position and duration recommended might depend on detached area and use of oil vs gas
I'm sure the opthalmologist would have given the right individual advice

Hope it's all good soon!

 

[RooFlyer]

For a detached retina, to hold the retina back in its proper place, they inject a bubble of nitrogen into the eye. If the tear is on the side, you have to lie on your side, so the bubble is 'up' against the site it needs to hold. I was told it would be 45 mins every hour on my side for 10 days - a pretty bad scenario.

Fortunately, my tear was at the top, so the bubble positions there with me upright. I'll have to sleep propped up a bit and not on my side, for a week. I have a big patch over the eye which comes off tomorrow, where I see the surgeon for a follow up.

PS Apparently I can expect a cataract in about 18 months. The surgeon dismissed this as a 'very easy fix'.

 

[Pushka]

For a detached retina, to hold the retina back in its proper place, they inject a bubble of nitrogen into the eye. If the tear is on the side, you have to lie on your side, so the bubble is 'up' against the site it needs to hold. I was told it would be 45 mins every hour on my side for 10 days - a pretty bad scenario.

Fortunately, my tear was at the top, so the bubble positions there with me upright. I'll have to sleep propped up a bit and not on my side, for a week. I have a big patch over the eye which comes off tomorrow, where I see the surgeon for a follow up.

PS Apparently I can expect a cataract in about 18 months. The surgeon dismissed this as a 'very easy fix'.

Mine went from clarity to opaque in a year. Although I see ok with glasses, night vision isn't good at all.

 

[Cossie]

After all the drama of her right foot surgery earlier this year, the boss heard a crack in her left knee walking down a hill, MRI this morning, possible torn meniscus, needless to say, she is not happy!

 

[tgh]

As long as it all goes well Cataract ops give great results.
Swmbo had one done , was blown away with the clarity and immediately booked t'other one.
My vision is so so and I am sure that my mild cataracts contribute…old school opthalmo says no dice..u r fine...

 

[Pushka]

As long as it all goes well Cataract ops give great results.
Swmbo had one done , was blown away with the clarity and immediately booked t'other one.
My vision is so so and I am sure that my mild cataracts contribute…old school opthalmo says no dice..u r fine...

Isn't it up to you to determine the impact it has on your vision and possibly quality of life? Perhaps you think it is good enough but you have just become used to poorer quality of vision?

 

[Bundy Bear]

I went and had a venesection today and will have to go and do that again in a few months. My ferritin level is double the upper limit (603) and my ALT 83 score is 20% higher than it should be.
This getting older is no fun.

 

[cove]

Getting poked and prodded is something you can get used to as you get quite a few miles on your clock. Look on blood tests as helpful as they can help you keep your organs functioning.