General Medical issues thread

[rogerkambah]

Saw my oncologist yesterday. Tumour around my adrenal gland has grown by 4mm to 48mm. Waiting to see what happens in 3 months time. This tumour suffered some radiation in March. If it grows more then surgery could be an option, if the surgeon agrees to operate in an area that has been radiated (lots of scar tissue can be a problem).

Had my pfizer booster today, 6 months after the first doses.

 

[Quickstatus]

I hope you are taking Eltroxin

Beware changing formulations should be monitored for effect
100mg Oroxine and 100mg eltroxin are not necessarily interchangeable as Eltroxin has less active levothyroxine per mg.
It is not recommended to take 2 different brands to make up a prescribeddose.

Also I think Eltroxin is not on the PBS

Also taking thyroid replacement at the same time as other vitamins, and herbal extracts is definitely not recommended as the levothyroxine absorption may be significantly reduced.

 

[Myrna]

It has been 4 months since we were released from prison hotel quarantine. Just had time for some air now. I have been through rounds of appointments with GP, tests, scans, specialists, a procedure and an operation! Also managed to sell a small house in Brisbane, settlement in 2 weeks. Since we cannot travel there we have had to engage a selling agent (recommended by a friend whom we have not met) to do it all for us - from getting the basic maintenance and repair work done, staging, and then finding a suitable buyer.
I am one of those people who has a phobia of medical issues and hospitals, so it took a lot of work from kpc, cove + mrs cove, and a couple of close friends to 'hold my hands' and to convince me that the operation was the right thing to do.
Chatted to kpc the other day about the $$$ costs of specialists doing the medical procedure and the operation (4 days in hospital). GP said these are the 'best' so they charged me accordingly, and no rebate from health fund because they do not participate in gap insurance kpc said he could not 'defend' the fees charged by some of his colleagues
Still I cannot complain because we could afford it - it is only 'money', hubby said, and my health is more important. Am thankful to cove + mrs cove and kpc for their support

 

[love_the_life]

Saw my oncologist yesterday. Tumour around my adrenal gland has grown by 4mm to 48mm. Waiting to see what happens in 3 months time. This tumour suffered some radiation in March. If it grows more then surgery could be an option, if the surgeon agrees to operate in an area that has been radiated (lots of scar tissue can be a problem).

Had my pfizer booster today, 6 months after the first doses.

It always trying to stay that little bit ahead - the radiation seemed to be holding it there for a while. A bit of a nervous wait for the next scan I would imagine. Fingers crossed that growth rate has slowed.

Great on the booster shot. That must be a good feeling.

 

[rogerkambah]

It always trying to stay that little bit ahead - the radiation seemed to be holding it there for a while. A bit of a nervous wait for the next scan I would imagine. Fingers crossed that growth rate has slowed.

Great on the booster shot. That must be a good feeling.

Yes, I think the TKI therapy is done, unless I get multiple mets and have to try immunotherapy.
So maybe surgery next.

Interestingly the Pfizer shot affected me a bit this time. The following day (Friday) I didn't feel well and took a couple of panadol before going to sleep. Had a bit of an overnight sweat, but was OK Saturday am.

Cie la vie.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Another barrage of tests with continued breathlessness, increasing fatigue and spiking heart rate on any form of exertion/movement (e.g. walking to the kitchen), and now diagnosed with postural tachycardia (POTS). Fun times.

 

[nickykim]

Just joining the thread to look for ideas for short breaks. Can’t go too far from home as I travel solo and cancer fatigue is a real thing! Being diagnosed with metatastic triple neg breast cancer in Jan this year really blocked any attempt to get through even a domestic travel bucket list. I volunteered for a couple of drug trial (still on the second one) but in retrospect it might have been better just to go for standard treatments as I am finding the fatigue overwhelming. I should organise some short stays close to Melbourne over summer as this may be my swan song!

 

[cove]

Many don’t realize just how much you change after a near death experience. Have made it past 27 years since my quadruple heat bypass op and my unwritten warranty is holding nicely. Losing my first cardiologist to retirement got me a new one who doesn’t challenge the scales unless he is wearing heavy boots.
i do hope you are all making good progress. My colleague in the US is now about 9 years into special treatment for melanoma and he is going ok. He still loves bike riding and I miss seeing him due to our lock downs.

 

[moa999]

Turns out my son has hemochromatosis. I have one gene, except - he's adopted . So now his son is having a check when needed. His partner is a GP so he's in good hands.

While obviously he could do a venesection anywhere with that partner, recommend suggesting getting added to the Red Cross Therapeutic program - at least the blood goes somewhere useful rather than down the drain. It's not used for full blood but rather converted into platelets and plasma, much like others using those machines)

(For those following along.. the treatment for high iron levels is regular blood lettings or venesection. Your body rebuilds the red blood cells within days and your iron levels drop)

 

[RooFlyer]

While obviously he could do a venesection anywhere with that partner, recommend suggesting getting added to the Red Cross Therapeutic program - at least the blood goes somewhere useful rather than down the drain. It's not used for full blood but rather converted into platelets and plasma, much like others using those machines)

(For those following along.. the treatment for high iron levels is regular blood lettings or venesection. Your body rebuilds the red blood cells within days and your iron levels drop)

I attended the Red Cross for my vinesections for over 10 years. They very often were unable to use my blood (except for one product perhaps), as each interview I revealed that I had recently travelled to nasty overseas places with mosquitoes, ticks and stuff . Ultimately they refused to give me vinesections due to my having had an atrial reversion and on blood thinners for afib. No problem from my side (letters from specialist etc) but because they couldn't use the blood, no deal.

 

[moa999]

They very often were unable to use my blood (except for one product perhaps), as each interview I revealed that I had recently travelled to nasty overseas places with mosquitoes

It is an issue that Aus Red Cross (or LifeBlood) are extremely conservative in their Q&A.
- lived in the UK for 6+ months 1980-96. Sorry. No test for vCRJ
- recent dental / tattoo work. Sorry.
- homosexual man with exclusive partner. Must abstain for 3 months (and that's an improvement on previous policies)

 

[cove]

They won’t take my blood either and suggested I was a high risk donor so no thanks.`

 

[drron]

I was a regular blood donor when young and was up to 75 donations. 1992 I was diagnosed with HH and immediately became ineligible to donate. Though didn't hear of any problems from the donation 2 weeks before the diagnosis.

 

[Gladstone Tim]

I am a plasma donor. Whilst donating on Friday, a staff member came to me to explain that my plasma was cloudy and handed me an information sheet which stated it could be serious and require a GP visit. She then asked what I had for lunch as diet can affect it. “A sausage roll”, I replied to her and another staff member, “That’ll do it!” they said in unison.

 

[Flashback]

Busted my toe at hockey today. Lots of blood, very black and blue.. doesn't look like the nail will fall off (for a change). Throbbing with pain. Assume not much one can do?

 

[andye]

Busted my toe at hockey today. Lots of blood, very black and blue.. doesn't look like the nail will fall off (for a change). Throbbing with pain. Assume not much one can do?

If there is blood under the nail (subungual haematoma) causing the throbbing, you can get a hole put in the nail to release the blood. Has been beneficial to me a couple of times

 

[prozac]

If there is blood under the nail (subungual haematoma) causing the throbbing, you can get a hole put in the nail to release the blood. Has been beneficial to me a couple of times

I use a piece of thin copper wire, heat to red hot and push through the nail like butter. Don't be timid or the heat will dissuade you. I've done this alot, much better than a drill which is painful as soon as it hits the membrane under the nail.

 

[RooFlyer]

Busted my toe at hockey today. Lots of blood, very black and blue.. doesn't look like the nail will fall off (for a change). Throbbing with pain. Assume not much one can do?

Whiskey. Taken orally.

 

[tgh]

The red hot wire is a path to peace for a black nail..
A paper clip and a cigarette lighter are the usual tools

 

[andye]

I use a piece of thin copper wire, heat to red hot and push through the nail like butter. Don't be timid or the heat will dissuade you. I've done this alot, much better than a drill which is painful as soon as it hits the membrane under the nail.

The red hot wire is a path to peace for a black nail..
A paper clip and a cigarette lighter are the usual tools

These are both common methods but I think my Indemnity Society would have a conniption if I formally endorsed