General Medical issues thread

[love_the_life]

And also if you need to visit the medical centre. No Medicare coverage once you are on the ship.

Which reminds me, we had a medical emergency on the cruise last week. Passenger needed to be winched off onto helicopter east of Airlie Beach. Luckily smooth seas and no wind but it still took the chopper 8 goes around before the pax was winched up.

 

[Quickstatus]

relate their care in Italy was excellent

Only if you seek medical attention from a government hospital.

And there are general caveats and condition, ie fine print. always good to check it out here and don't assume its the same as medicare cover in AU

 

[VPS]

Only if you seek medical attention from a government hospital.

And there are general caveats and condition, ie fine print. always good to check it out here and don't assume its the same as medicare cover in AU

And I have a feeling that they expect your family to come and help feed you from a friend’s experience

 

[TheRealTMA]

And I have a feeling that they expect your family to come and help feed you from a friend’s experience

Maybe a solution Australian hospitals should adopt? But remember, Italians only like il cibo dalla mamma!

 

[Quickstatus]

il cibo dalla mamma

il cibo dalla nonna

Hospital food can be particularly unappetising 9for those that can eat
We had one chap in for some orthopaedic surgery who got KFC via UberEats
We also have a significant number of Chinese patients. I have mentioned till blue in the face to the kitchen that they should have a pot of Congee everyday for patients that want it - then add meats, eggs or whatever to it. One big pot - cheap but cheerful. But no for some reason the kitchen seems to be monocultural..

And those on "clear fluids" are subjected to some kind of brown "broth" but it's basically powdered something mixed in hot water. It does not take much to make proper soups that are not made from a powder.

 

[prozac]

il cibo dalla nonna

Hospital food can be particularly unappetising 9for those that can eat
We had one chap in for some orthopaedic surgery who got KFC via UberEats
We also have a significant number of Chinese patients. I have mentioned till blue in the face to the kitchen that they should have a pot of Congee everyday for patients that want it - then add meats, eggs or whatever to it. One big pot - cheap but cheerful. But no for some reason the kitchen seems to be monocultural..

And those on "clear fluids" are subjected to some kind of brown "broth" but it's basically powdered something mixed in hot water. It does not take much to make proper soups that are not made from a powder.

Had great food when I was in for my heart ops. After a week in ICU then transferred to Cardiac ward, I then lost 1kg a day on delicious salads, chicken salad etc. Came out 10kg lighter. And, ... I discovered I could design my own salad. Would I like chicken in the salad, how about onion, olives, what sort of dressing, etc.? Never ate another cooked meal after that.

Back to reciprocal health arrangements, I was treated well in Northern Europe for an injury. All free.

 

[MelMel]

Has anyone used the memory foam cushions with the cut out for coccyx pain? Do they help? I have a (hopefully temporary) case of Coccydynia

 

[love_the_life]

Has anyone used the memory foam cushions with the cut out for coccyx pain? Do they help? I have a (hopefully temporary) case of Coccydynia

Ouch - hope it improves soon.

 

[coriander]

Has anyone used the memory foam cushions with the cut out for coccyx pain? Do they help? I have a (hopefully temporary) case of Coccydynia

I'm afraid once the coughy has finished dying it's time for a new one.

 

[MelMel]

I'm afraid once the coughy has finished dying it's time for a new one.

If only I could

 

[zig]

il cibo dalla nonna

Hospital food can be particularly unappetising 9for those that can eat
We had one chap in for some orthopaedic surgery who got KFC via UberEats
We also have a significant number of Chinese patients. I have mentioned till blue in the face to the kitchen that they should have a pot of Congee everyday for patients that want it - then add meats, eggs or whatever to it. One big pot - cheap but cheerful. But no for some reason the kitchen seems to be monocultural..

And those on "clear fluids" are subjected to some kind of brown "broth" but it's basically powdered something mixed in hot water. It does not take much to make proper soups that are not made from a powder.

I have also seen KFC being delivered to the hospital, particularly during lockdown last year. It got dropped at the front entrance and volunteers delivered it up to the ward to the waiting patient.

I experienced the joys of 'clear fluids' myself last year. The 'broth' tasted like multiple stock cubes in a cup of boiling water - it was so salty.... Must admit I didn't mind the jelly though TBH I didn't really want anything to eat anyway.

 

[JohnK]

Not having much luck recently.

Went through about 2 weeks of insomnia and that stopped late last week. Doctor prescribed Endep again but I'm not keen on it.

On Monday I was totally incapacitated. I thought it was UTI. Extreme pain lower back, fever and no energy. Called doctor Tuesday morning and advised possible prostate issues.

While this was going on I'd ignored swelling in left leg as I've been suffering from swelling for 20+ years. A few hours after calling doctor on Tuesday checked and my left lower is badly swollen and red.

Called doctor again through phone consult and his immediate thought is DVT. Did urgent Doppler studies yesterday and he prescribed Keflex as a precaution.

Radiographer said no obvious blockage. Still no report sent to GP. Called GP this morning and this time spoke to my regular GP. I said I think it's bacterial cellulitis. He said the script given was wrong. Should have been Dicloxaccilin. Started that today.

Nurse called in the afternoon and still no report from Doppler studies. I said I don't care I'll be on that flight to Thailand on Friday morning but I'm also scared. I'm not cancelling trip to be out of pocket $3000-$4000 and then new trip next month will cost $5000-$6000. Travel insurance may cover some of it but I'm not going to find out.

Swelling and redness on lower left leg is worse. Lots of pain and discomfort. Hopefully Dicloxaccilin has some improvement tomorrow.

 

[drron]

John don't dismiss Endep out of hand. It can be very good for neuropathic pain which you will undoubtably have with your history of Ankylosing spondylitis. That is pain due to pressure on a nerve. For example coming out from the spinal cord.
15 years ago I had disabling sciatica. Virtually couldn't walk. Have none on Endep. I have tried stopping it but then the sciatica returns. It has also helped me sleep better.
But before you start make sure you don't have significant prostate problems or glaucoma. Also give it a chance as improvement often takes a few weeks. Definitely don't start it before this trip in a couple of days.

 

[prozac]

...

On Monday I was totally incapacitated. I thought it was UTI. Extreme pain lower back, fever and no energy. Called doctor Tuesday morning and advised possible prostate issues.

While this was going on I'd ignored swelling in left leg as I've been suffering from swelling for 20+ years. A few hours after calling doctor on Tuesday checked and my left lower is badly swollen and red.

Called doctor again through phone consult and his immediate thought is DVT. Did urgent Doppler studies yesterday and he prescribed Keflex as a precaution.

...

John, the leg is sounding like cellulitis to me. How is the skin temperature, run your hand from outside the red area to over the red area to see if there is a temp difference. Try a different doctor. Not something you muck around with.
Alot of medical people cannot diagnose it even when I tell them.
Edit: Should have said alot miss the early signs of infection in lower limbs. Current company excepted of-course, who have probably been around an eternity and seen most things.

 

[Katie]

The Teen saw the orthopaedic surgeon on Tuesday for the 2-ish week post-surgery review. Declared all good, and ready to start physio. I'd already made the first physio appt I could, which was this week (3 weeks post-surgery), darn physio availability and Teen going to tutoring two nights a week!

Mr Katie seems underwhelmed at how quick the appointment was. *rolling eyes*

Teen is doing well, still wanting to be dropped off and picked up from school rather than deal with the big hill between school and her bus stop. Needs some more mobility in the knee, bending is tricky, but I'm sure the physio will help out tomorrow.

 

[love_the_life]

The Teen saw the orthopaedic surgeon on Tuesday for the 2-ish week post-surgery review. Declared all good, and ready to start physio. I'd already made the first physio appt I could, which was this week (3 weeks post-surgery), darn physio availability and Teen going to tutoring two nights a week!

Mr Katie seems underwhelmed at how quick the appointment was. *rolling eyes*

Teen is doing well, still wanting to be dropped off and picked up from school rather than deal with the big hill between school and her bus stop. Needs some more mobility in the knee, bending is tricky, but I'm sure the physio will help out tomorrow.

Good to hear the recovery is going well.

 

[JohnK]

John, the leg is sounding like cellulitis to me. How is the skin temperature, run your hand from outside the red area to over the red area to see if there is a temp difference. Try a different doctor. Not something you muck around with.
Alot of medical people cannot diagnose it even when I tell them.
Edit: Should have said alot miss the early signs of infection in lower limbs.

The red area is very warm.

I've now taken 6 Dicloxacillin capsules and some of the redness has subsided. The swelling still quite bad. Probably worse than before.

The thing that's strange to me is when I am about to get off bed I dangle legs from side of bed but not touching the floor. The inside left ankle starts with intense pain that radiates up through the leg. Can be scary. The first few steps are quite sore too but once start moving it is OK but with a noticeable limp.

These viruses/bacteria can be quite scary. And most are not harmless by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[andye]

@JohnK
Diclox is the oral antibiotic of choice. However, would strongly advise intravenous antibiotics if fever or extent of redness not improving within 24 hours or if you get shivers or feel faint. Cellulitis can turn very nasty

 

[prozac]

@JohnK
Diclox is the oral antibiotic of choice. However, would strongly advise intravenous antibiotics if fever or extent of redness not improving within 24 hours or if you get shivers or feel faint. Cellulite can turn very nasty

Agreed, I am a cellulitis veteran, more than 100 tours, though my drug is Keflex. @JohnK you need to be in hospital or under care of an APAC team with IV antibiotics. That feeling like the leg will explode is infection deep in the tissue. Your lymphatics are not clearing cough left behind so help it along by elevating the leg whenever you sit down. Try and get it at least as high as your seated hip. Make it a habit. Support the leg under the knee or you will end up with a sore knee as well.

These viruses/bacteria can be quite scary. And most are not harmless by any stretch of the imagination.

You run the risk of the infection running up your leg and into your groin, possible septicemia. You could loose your leg or die or both. Does that sound alarmist? You need expert care if you do not have it already, this is serious.

EDIT: @JohnK . Keep an eye out for a red line running from your knee up the inside of your thigh.

 

[Quickstatus]

fever and no energy
left lower is badly swollen and red
Lots of pain and discomfort
The swelling still quite bad
The inside left ankle starts with intense pain that radiates up through the leg

Cellulitis
Dicloxacillin
Underlying left leg swelling - have you checked for chronic venous insufficiency?


I had cellulitis once after stepping on coral. Was a registrar at RPAH at the time. Pain and inflammation got worse. End of shift Friday afternoon went down to A&E. Told triage nurse to sign me in. Went to the "cubes" section (A&E has 2 sections : walking wounded end AKA "cubes" and the acute end where all the heart attacks and stabbings go) and did my own admission entry. Rang my friend the Surgical registrar and said I needed the last bed in the surgical wards. Cellulitis, lymphadenopathy (swollen glands in the groin), fever, yada yada, and did the obligatory make it sound worse - which is what you needed to do to compete for a bed.

Basically from triage to bed in ward 45 min. For RPAH on a friday afternoon that's a record.
Inpatient for a week
But while an inpatient got recruited by same surgical registrar to review a patient in the same ward and do some tests - quid pro quo I guess.
The patient was confused so didn't care that I was an inpatient like him. He ended up with Moya Moya

All sounds a bit apocryphal but all true.