General Medical issues thread

[Pushka]

I'm not sure familiarity is always best. My GP was excellent with the kids, I'd known her for years. She was a decade older than me. When I told her my mum's family history with autoimmune thyroid she dismissed it and wouldn't authorise a blood test. A year later she finally did and then had the gall to ring me urgently to tell my my thyroid was barely functioning. Yep. I know. Then she didn't want to test to find out exactly what was happening with anitbodies stuff. She thought it was dietary. Eventually I went to a women's specialist who found autoimmune issues. So many of my later years health problems could have been monitored from my thirties. So honestly in my experience, the younger Doctors, especially those trained in the UK ( my specialist, current GP and DIL) seem to have a more up to date knowledge base with auto immune issues .

 

[prozac]

I'm not sure familiarity is always best. My GP was excellent with the kids, I'd known her for years. She was a decade older than me. When I told her my mum's family history with autoimmune thyroid she dismissed it and wouldn't authorise a blood test. A year later she finally did and then had the gall to ring me urgently to tell my my thyroid was barely functioning. Yep. I know. Then she didn't want to test to find out exactly what was happening with anitbodies stuff. She thought it was dietary. Eventually I went to a women's specialist who found autoimmune issues. So many of my later years health problems could have been monitored from my thirties. So honestly in my experience, the younger Doctors, especially those trained in the UK ( my specialist, current GP and DIL) seem to have a more up to date knowledge base with auto immune issues .

Very happy with the breadth of knowledge my GP has. Not many young ones know how to treat a necrotic ulcer, what eusol is etc. Knows which excellent specialists to send you to etc.

 

[drron]

I think my dentist retired because I kept regaling him with all our travel stories

 

[tgh]

There is a difference between the youngsters and the oldies.
Our Gp is just a little younger than us , he says keeping up is a real challenge.
His daughter is funky fast and seems to be all over stuff, for now we r staying with the voice of experience...

 

[Pushka]

Very happy with the breadth of knowledge my GP has. Not many young ones know how to treat a necrotic ulcer, what eusol is etc. Knows which excellent specialists to send you to etc.

I was thinking. My definition of young these days is 38 plus and into late forties

 

[mrsterryn]

My gp retired a few years back. I ended going to the doctor my husband went to with "pins and needles " just a random doctor at our local bulk billing medical centre.
He is amazing. Found husband's brain tumour with the tests he did as a baseline for husband's health. Don't think he was expecting to have a golf ball size brain tumour in his new patient's head
We have actually followed him to a new practice which is about thirty mins away. He is excellent. Actually @Pushka he is a younger UK trained gp.

 

[MARTINE]

As a retired doctor myself I have been fortunate in finding my GP (and other specialists) and as the older ones retire I insist on seeking out ones who will outlive me. It helps knowing which cowboys and girls to avoid. I tried a few before my current excellent doctor. Ones I dismissed treated it as a retail exercise (whether or not this was due to the fact I was medical ). Each consult the same ~ you need a referral - heres a referral/ repeats? Ok. No depth of questioning and this was not a bulk bill clinic.
I always ask doctors to treat me as though I know nothing medical but they can use medical jargon. I also dont expect to be bulk billed as that could be reserved for a pt in need. Eventually I asked my specialist friends to recommend a list of doctors who refer to them that are thorough and well regarded.
I found one in a similar practice of like minded drs. Of course I was bulk billed by them. However, the clinic has a great cafe next door and every time they did I put $75 credit for the practice and told the practice receptionist - small gratitude.

 

[cove]

My newish cardiologist has 4 children in private school so he will be working for a while.
My dermatologist has 3 young children so I think he will stick around quite a while.
I think my cardiologist is about $290 a visit and my dermatologist is $220. Got $78 back from Medicare a couple of days ago. All good for frequent flyer points and miles.
These two specialists are who I rely on so I am happy with what I get.

 

[RooFlyer]

My former dentist ( in Sydney) used to tell me all about his private plane when I was defenceless, in the chair! He was good, though.

 

[mrsterryn]

Husband's neurosurgeon is $260 for a half hour appt. She is a permanent fixture lol. Though she is only a bit younger than us and has said a few times she wouldnt mind going back to children only . She is amazing and she was luck of the draw for my husband as he was admitted the day after the tumour was discovered. His and has continued to see her (not all the tumour was removed and it is slowly very very slowly regrowing)

 

[TheRealTMA]

There is a difference between the youngsters and the oldies.
Our Gp is just a little younger than us , he says keeping up is a real challenge.
His daughter is funky fast and seems to be all over stuff, for now we r staying with the voice of experience...

There was a very good article a few months back in The Guardian (can't find it now) that for the best health outcomes there's a very good case supported by experience that older people to change their GP every 10 years or so. I know if it worked for me and the new GP, although one has to train them to your needs, looks with fresh eyes and addresses problems the older GP has just let slide.

 

[love_the_life]

The GP I am currently seeing (well maybe once a year) asked about alcohol consumption at the first consult. When I said we tried to have 4 AFDs a week she said, "My, that's rather ambitious".

 

[RooFlyer]

There was a very good article a few months back in The Guardian (can't find it now) that for the best health outcomes there's a very good case supported by experience that older people to change their GP every 10 years or so. I know if it worked for me and the new GP, although one has to train them to your needs, looks with fresh eyes and addresses problems the older GP has just let slide.

Yes, that was my experience, although not intentional, when my ~10yr GP retired. New bloke was very tentative about one thing he disagreed with with the previous guy, wanting to show me the studies (on the web) that backed him up & 'convince me'. I told him to relax, that I wasn't really sure about the previous GP's approach on this aspect. It wasn't a biggie - the point of iron & ferritin etc levels which warranted a venesection; I was just over normal range & within 'H' on a couple of iron study measurements and previous GP didn't think I was at venesection point yet (I/we have been looking at / controlling iron for abt 25 years (hemochromatosis), so I wasn't too fussed. New guy thought I was at the point.

Just on hemochromatosis . Mine was diagnosed abt 25 yes ago by an iron study for something else. Levels brought down OK with close-spaced venesections, then regular venesections through the years to keep the various things in check. But, as I went past 55 or so, the build up of iron seemed to slow and over the past 5 years or so just crept up very slowly, almost not at all. My diet was till rich in red meat etc. I hadn't been bled for I think 2 years (used to be every 2-3 months 5-10 yrs ago) before the above discussion & I got bled twice to bring the iron etc levels to within recommended range (was low-ish after the second).

Anyone suggest why iron build up with hemochromatosis should slow past 55, into 60's?

 

[prozac]

Yes, that was my experience, although not intentional, when my ~10yr GP retired. New bloke was very tentative about one thing he disagreed with with the previous guy, wanting to show me the studies (on the web) that backed him up & 'convince me'. I told him to relax, that I wasn't really sure about the previous GP's approach on this aspect. It wasn't a biggie - the point of iron & ferritin etc levels which warranted a venesection; I was just over normal range & within 'H' on a couple of iron study measurements and previous GP didn't think I was at venesection point yet (I/we have been looking at / controlling iron for abt 25 years (hemochromatosis), so I wasn't too fussed. New guy thought I was at the point.

Just on hemochromatosis . Mine was diagnosed abt 25 yes ago by an iron study for something else. Levels brought down OK with close-spaced venesections, then regular venesections through the years to keep the various things in check. But, as I went past 55 or so, the build up of iron seemed to slow and over the past 5 years or so just crept up very slowly, almost not at all. My diet was till rich in red meat etc. I hadn't been bled for I think 2 years (used to be every 2-3 months 5-10 yrs ago) before the above discussion & I got bled twice to bring the iron etc levels to within recommended range (was low-ish after the second).

Anyone suggest why iron build up with hemochromatosis should slow past 55, into 60's?

Out of interest, giving blood (donation) wasn't enough to reduce it?

 

[drron]

Yes, that was my experience, although not intentional, when my ~10yr GP retired. New bloke was very tentative about one thing he disagreed with with the previous guy, wanting to show me the studies (on the web) that backed him up & 'convince me'. I told him to relax, that I wasn't really sure about the previous GP's approach on this aspect. It wasn't a biggie - the point of iron & ferritin etc levels which warranted a venesection; I was just over normal range & within 'H' on a couple of iron study measurements and previous GP didn't think I was at venesection point yet (I/we have been looking at / controlling iron for abt 25 years (hemochromatosis), so I wasn't too fussed. New guy thought I was at the point.

Just on hemochromatosis . Mine was diagnosed abt 25 yes ago by an iron study for something else. Levels brought down OK with close-spaced venesections, then regular venesections through the years to keep the various things in check. But, as I went past 55 or so, the build up of iron seemed to slow and over the past 5 years or so just crept up very slowly, almost not at all. My diet was till rich in red meat etc. I hadn't been bled for I think 2 years (used to be every 2-3 months 5-10 yrs ago) before the above discussion & I got bled twice to bring the iron etc levels to within recommended range (was low-ish after the second).

Anyone suggest why iron build up with hemochromatosis should slow past 55, into 60's?

Make sure you haven,t got some other disease. Mine slowed down at about 60 and tests plus an endoscopy and biopsy showed I had a mild form of coeliac disease. I gave up bread and my iron levels resumed their upward course.
Though I have looked after others who have done the same and nothing extra could be found but likely less food so less iron intake.

 

[JohnK]

I think there's a pretty big range with GPs - some are truly excellent as you describe, and others are just like "oh you have a cough, here's antibiotics". You certainly know though when you've found a good one.

I'm not sure how some GPs remain in practice.

I try to avoid medical centres.

 

[RooFlyer]

Out of interest, giving blood (donation) wasn't enough to reduce it?

Yes, on-going venesections always reduced iron levels step-wise and as the iron etc accumulated again, we spaced them to keep the iron, ferritin, saturation etc at good levels. What I was saying is that as I got older, the accumulation of iron seemed to slow, and as I approached 60, got very slow. It recently popped over into the H range, so I got bled twice and now back within OK ranges. I get iron studies every 6 months.

BTW, for those that know about the supposed effect of venesection, I never got or felt the energy boost/better sleep that is said to sometimes follow

Make sure you haven,t got some other disease. Mine slowed down at about 60 and tests plus an endoscopy and biopsy showed I had a mild form of coeliac disease. I gave up bread and my iron levels resumed their upward course.
Though I have looked after others who have done the same and nothing extra could be found but likely less food so less iron intake.

Checked for coeliac a few years ago for another reason, negative. Can it develop more in later life?

Oh, I wish, I wish I was eating less (but I don't eat bread now anyway).

 

[Quickstatus]

eusol

Edinburgh University Solution Of Lime

 

[prozac]

Yes, on-going venesections always reduced iron levels step-wise and as the iron etc accumulated again, we spaced them to keep the iron, ferritin, saturation etc at good levels. What I was saying is that as I got older, the accumulation of iron seemed to slow, and as I approached 60, got very slow. It recently popped over into the H range, so I got bled twice and now back within OK ranges. I get iron studies every 6 months.
...

Oh, I wish, I wish I was eating less (but I don't eat bread now anyway).

Understood that, didn't comment, above my pay grade. Was just interested if regular donation meant you weren't blood letting for nothing.
I carry one HFE gene and slightly raised iron which has never been an issue. I gave plasma for a while when I worked close to the blood bank.

 

[prozac]

Edinburgh University Solution Of Lime

Thanks, I didn't know it was an acronym. Now find a chemist who knows how to make it. Had it made weekly when I was being treated for a necrotic ulcer.