General Medical issues thread

[suze2000]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

So I did this once. I think it took at least eight weeks for the swelling to go down.

It was the last in a long series of badly sprained ankles that led to me having an ankle reconstruction.

Only sprained my ankle three times since then, so it was a good decision.

ETA: perhaps looking at the controversy above it's bad timing to share this. But I'm perversely proud of how bad it looks. Did it worse once, but that pic won't upload, which may be a relief to some.

 

[Flashback]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

So I did this once. I think it took at least eight weeks for the swelling to go down.

It was the last in a long series of badly sprained ankles that led to me having an ankle reconstruction.

Only sprained my ankle three times since then, so it was a good decision.

ETA: perhaps looking at the controversy above it's bad timing to share this. But I'm perversely proud of how bad it looks. Did it worse once, but that pic won't upload, which may be a relief to some.

Those colours look familiar :mrgreen: Although, I have a fair bit of yellowish tinge too now. Mainly just my foot that's swollen really and slightly around the bone that sticks out on the ankle.

 

[Flashback]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Just tried to use crutches to go down to the shops (with my work bag on my back - emulating a trip into work). Didn't even make it to the end of the street before I was huffing and puffing and I'm not exactly unfit. Is my technique on crutches wrong? I had my sore ankle up completely, should I in fact leave it touching on the ground?

 

[Hvr]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Saw an ENT today for my sinus issues. The camera up the nostril was a first (hope he doesn't share it with the person who does the colonoscopy!) and was amazed at the difference between each side.

Right side was normal and fairly straight forward. The left side warranted a second look from both of us due to its enlargements and deviations.

Now we know what's there we can plan some treatment. And then I can breathe easily (at last),

And this morning I'm off to hospital to have the operation.

Having not eaten for many hours why do they call it a fast when it goes so slow?

 

[Pushka]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

And this morning I'm off to hospital to have the operation.

Having not eaten for many hours why do they call it a fast when it goes so slow?

Good luck. Keen to hear about the success of it.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Good luck. Keen to hear about the success of it.

Oh yes, MrP has a similar issue I think I remember you saying.

 

[Flashback]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Well I tried to head down the street on crutches. Didn't get past the end, failed. Either I'm doing it wrong or... I don't know! Going to get a cab into work today I think.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Well I tried to head down the street on crutches. Didn't get past the end, failed. Either I'm doing it wrong or... I don't know! Going to get a cab into work today I think.

I think crutch walking is a skill. Daughter has been on them for a couple of months now. I had a little practice - hopeless. I had no idea how to walk with them.

 

[suze2000]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Just tried to use crutches to go down to the shops (with my work bag on my back - emulating a trip into work). Didn't even make it to the end of the street before I was huffing and puffing and I'm not exactly unfit. Is my technique on crutches wrong? I had my sore ankle up completely, should I in fact leave it touching on the ground?

FB, when I had my ankle surgery I was met by a physio after with a pair of elbow crutches (much better than the normal ones IMO - you can do stuff with your hands and still have the crutches there when you need them, and also if you have hips, as I do, you will hurt yourself a lot less using them). She actually made me walk down the hall in them and then climb stairs in them, to make sure I knew what I was doing. Having broken my leg as a child I'm no stranger to crutches, but I drew the line on the six stair up for fear of falling down them (that's how the last ankle injury happened). Told her my house was on the flat, and I work in a hospital, so stairs are avoidable.

Others may correct me here, but I don't think there's any reason not to rest your sore foot on the ground while "crutching" other than pain. It's not like you have a broken bone or anything.

I do have a strong memory of the acute and painful learning curve my shoulder muscles went through on the first few days after I got home from hospital. But I also stayed at home for three weeks except when some lovely friends would come by and take me somewhere.
I'd probably stick to using cars or taxis. Public transport is probably not your friend because of the extra walking that's involved which you don't think about until you have some sort of impairment.
The other option is to hire a wheelchair or better yet an electric wheelchair to get around in if you must use PT.

ETA: if you are travelling, get on the blower to the airlines now and inform them that you will need help through the airports. You'll most likely feel like you are taking the p*ss, since your "handicap" is only temporary and you are not used to such treatment, but it makes a massive difference not having to make your way through airport corridors on crutches. I flew PER-BNE and back with QF assistance and cannot fault the treatment I had on this trip. (though the cranelift used to get me out of the plane in PER was a bit OTT and cringeworthy, because there was no jetway on that flight)

 

[QF WP]

In line with Pushka's request, I went back to a point where there weren't any previous continuing discussions and moved 69 posts over. There will be a bit of culling in the TOTT thread of recent comments so it can go back to normal operations.

no change in my BP as I did them...

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Well I tried to head down the street on crutches. Didn't get past the end, failed. Either I'm doing it wrong or... I don't know! Going to get a cab into work today I think.

I had a knee operation some years ago and was on crutches for awhile. It was quite hard to use them until I was allowed to weight bear. If you can just touch your foot to the ground to sort of balance you while still putting all the weight on the crutches you will find it easier. Also I was taught a little rhyme for stairs - " good leg goes to heaven, bad to hell". I.e. When going up stairs the good leg goes first and the crutches and the bad foot follows. Other way round for going down stairs. (Crutches always go first). Also make sure crutches aren't digging into the armpit, otherwise you can damage nerves.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

So went to my GP today and have a thousand tests to do and monitoring and medication and then back again next week.

I am going to have a NOT FAIR whinge here. I have a normal BMI, I exercise everyday and I make pretty much all my own food (Thank-you thermomix). Have never smoked and drink rarely (except on planes). Why bother trying!

 

[Pushka]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

So went to my GP today and have a thousand tests to do and monitoring and medication and then back again next week.

I am going to have a NOT FAIR whinge here. I have a normal BMI, I exercise everyday and I make pretty much all my own food (Thank-you thermomix). Have never smoked and drink rarely (except on planes). Why bother trying!

I hear ya sister! Exactly the same here. I actually said to the specialist last week I should have smoked because at least then I would have something to blame.

 

[love_the_life]

.....

no change in my BP as I did them...

Oh you mean blood pressure. For a moment I though you were talking about your boarding pass

 

[Denali]

So my husband has had a couple of middle of the night, god awful reflux issues (dont wish those on anyone), maybe 4 in 12+mths, thats 4 too many for me.

We prefer alternative before medical, so I sent hubby to my Chiropractor. Chiro gets hubby to have both fasting and non fasting blood tests, results come in that hubby iron is 400 times higher than average, genetic test then ordered.

In the meantime, while my husband is trolling Dr Google on Haemochromatosis, Chiro does some area specific adjustments for liver ect, we cut back on red meats and tomatoes and elevate hubby while sleeping.

A few weeks later and a second round of blood tests show a 25% drop in iron levels

Hoping next month, another set of blood tests, will show another improvement.

 

[Pushka]

Calling drron and Rooflyer? I think.

Heartburn an issue for me but now on pump inhibitors. Or something.

 

[QF WP]

or Princess Fiona, kpc, et al

I would expect that the largest improvement will be between the first two blood tests and may taper after that (as in weight loss, etc)

 

[Princess Fiona]

Calling drron and Rooflyer? I think.

Heartburn an issue for me but now on pump inhibitors. Or something.

or Princess Fiona, kpc, et al

I would expect that the largest improvement will be between the first two blood tests and may taper after that (as in weight loss, etc)

I'll just leave this here

 

[marki]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Sounds good to me - I think taking my blood pressure immediately puts it up!

The hospital did say to take it regularly and to come back if the medication hadn't lowered it, but I feel really good today, so I am sure everything is fine

I am in the other camp. The GP rooms is only one point in time and can also be stressful as in Whitecoat Hypertension( high BP ) so I prefer the home reading in your normal everyday life. This being more reflective of your day to day readings!

Regards Marki

 

[Flashback]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

FB, when I had my ankle surgery I was met by a physio after with a pair of elbow crutches (much better than the normal ones IMO - you can do stuff with your hands and still have the crutches there when you need them, and also if you have hips, as I do, you will hurt yourself a lot less using them). She actually made me walk down the hall in them and then climb stairs in them, to make sure I knew what I was doing. Having broken my leg as a child I'm no stranger to crutches, but I drew the line on the six stair up for fear of falling down them (that's how the last ankle injury happened). Told her my house was on the flat, and I work in a hospital, so stairs are avoidable.

Others may correct me here, but I don't think there's any reason not to rest your sore foot on the ground while "crutching" other than pain. It's not like you have a broken bone or anything.

I do have a strong memory of the acute and painful learning curve my shoulder muscles went through on the first few days after I got home from hospital. But I also stayed at home for three weeks except when some lovely friends would come by and take me somewhere.
I'd probably stick to using cars or taxis. Public transport is probably not your friend because of the extra walking that's involved which you don't think about until you have some sort of impairment.
The other option is to hire a wheelchair or better yet an electric wheelchair to get around in if you must use PT.

ETA: if you are travelling, get on the blower to the airlines now and inform them that you will need help through the airports. You'll most likely feel like you are taking the p*ss, since your "handicap" is only temporary and you are not used to such treatment, but it makes a massive difference not having to make your way through airport corridors on crutches. I flew PER-BNE and back with QF assistance and cannot fault the treatment I had on this trip. (though the cranelift used to get me out of the plane in PER was a bit OTT and cringeworthy, because there was no jetway on that flight)

Yeah, I have the elbow ones I think (£300 worth, not cheap - fortunately borrowing from a friend whose insurance paid for them post ski-accident, they even have crampons to stick in the ice, nifty).

Pondering on the flights. In the next 2 weeks I have LHR-BCN-LHR, LHR-MAD-LIM-AQP-CUZ-PEM-LIM; going to be a challenge no doubt.