General Medical issues thread

[Cossie]

I had a cataract done there last year, very quick and easy and such a big difference!

 

[Gladstone Tim]

My ophthalmologist is holding off on my cataract op due to premacular fibrosis. Anyone else experience a delay? Acting on one will worsen the other.

 

[Katie]

I had a small fall on Sunday evening, thinking about 11 things at once, and starting to make our way to the airport to collect a guest. I thought I was on the bottom stair of our internal stairs ... but I wasn't.
Of course, Mr Katie is away being a MAML on a TdF tour, I only spectacularly injure myself when he is away.

Called the ambulance, and got the Teen to get a neighbour to come down rather than her potentially go to hospital with me.
Called Mum to pick up our visitor and bring her home.

Paramedics were great, got me to stand up and move to the couch. Of course they can't diagnose, but suspected it was more of a sprain than a break, given I was able to walk. Sure, it hurt, but I could get to the couch. So I decline the offer to go to hospital with them, but also wasn't thrilled with trying my luck at the GP the next day.

Mum arrived with visitor, finished off the dinner I'd started preparing. Everyone else had tea, and Mum took me to the private emergency. XRays showed no breaks, doc insisted on giving me some endone for the Xray process. Home by just after 9:30pm and much closer to our Medicare Safety net. I had what looked like half a grapefruit on my foot.

Anyway, looks like I sprained my foot, maybe some ligament damage. I'm able to bear (bare?) weight now, though have spent the week working from home. MRI booked for Monday night, close by but without the Medicare rebate. Had a booking with Lumus, where the dr referred me, but they aren't available for three weeks. Gosh, I wonder how people who really need them quickly manage? Are there emergency bookings?

Bruising is looking better each day. From the toes through to the ankle, not much on the top of the foot. Purple and red on both sides of the foot!

 

[drron]

Yes there is a growing problem with Xray services. I have had some swallowing problems this year and my GP referred me for a barium swallow after consulting with my gastroenterologist. However there is a world wide shortage of barium and the Australian manufacturer of the product for xrays has had problems with their manufacturing plant. at other time recently there have been shortages of other contrast products for CT and MRI.
So I finally got my swallow test 1 week ago. Was not very impressed with the radiologist when their office rang and suggested it could be done with a contrast normally used for MRIs. So a 5 month wait when almost certainly it could have been done before I left on my last trip. So looks like I will get my gastroscopy and colonoscopy done before our next trip. Fun days ahead.

 

[Pushka]

@drron, can people under 50 get PMR?

@VPS booked GP for ophthalmologist referral

 

[VPS]

@drron, can people under 50 get PMR?

@VPS booked GP for ophthalmologist referral

well done. Strike while the iron is hot

 

[RooFlyer]

@VPS booked GP for ophthalmologist referral

Ophthalmologists have some really cool testing machines. I said this to my guy and he was really chuffed!!

 

[Pushka]

Ophthalmologists have some really cool testing machines. I said this to my guy and he was really chuffed!!

As explained to VPS, I have to have annual tests because of Plaquenil, I have had an ocular freckle for years and a cataract. Usually see an optician but am upgrading to an ist. Some of us here see lots of ists. I'm seeing another one tomorrow - dentist coz I just cracked a tooth and I swear it wasn't the fantales.

 

[TheRealTMA]

As explained to VPS, I have to have annual tests because of Plaquenil, I have had an ocular freckle for years and a cataract. Usually see an optician but am upgrading to an ist. Some of us here see lots of ists. I'm seeing another one tomorrow - dentist coz I just cracked a tooth and I swear it wasn't the fantales.

lol. So you’re not going to see a Fantasist?

 

[Pushka]

lol. So you’re not going to see a Fantasist?

Too soon TMA, too soon.

 

[JohnK]

As explained to VPS, I have to have annual tests because of Plaquenil, I have had an ocular freckle for years and a cataract. Usually see an optician but am upgrading to an ist. Some of us here see lots of ists. I'm seeing another one tomorrow - dentist coz I just cracked a tooth and I swear it wasn't the fantales.

My wife's been prescribed Plaquenil by rheumatologist this week. The first thing she said is possible issues with eyes.

I'm not sure I agree this is the right course of treatment for someone not quite 50 years old. Especially since it can take 3-6 months before any improvement is noticed and assuming there is any improvement.

Arthrexin is also horrible. Doesn't leave many alternatives.

 

[SOPOOR]

Id like to think myself as very healthy
2 years ago i got gout

My god it was painful,
Being wheelchaired into the docs for covid vaccine was not fun

Ureaic acid levels just a little bit high
Diet/alcohol intake was pretty good, although alcohol consumption had gone up from once per week to 4 times a week during covid

Cut back on alcohol, then bam! 8 months later got gout on the other foot, this time it didnt heal for like 6 months

Almost a year later, its disappeared from my foot and mind.

Thank god!!!!! Counting my blessings

 

[Pushka]

My wife's been prescribed Plaquenil by rheumatologist this week. The first thing she said is possible issues with eyes.

I'm not sure I agree this is the right course of treatment for someone not quite 50 years old. Especially since it can take 3-6 months before any improvement is noticed and assuming there is any improvement.

Arthrexin is also horrible. Doesn't leave many alternatives.

My mid thirty year old niece has been on Plaquenil for years and I'd hazard a guess to say most people on Plaquenil are usually prescribed at a much earlier age than 50. Some in their teen years if they have lupus. So if you are thinking 50 is young, it just isn't. It's old actually, but not as old as I was when prescribed.

And yes, it takes a good 3 months to get some benefit. Just get annual eye checks. That's all.

 

[drron]

@drron, can people under 50 get PMR?

@VPS booked GP for ophthalmologist referral

Rare but it can happen. I had one patient in her mid 40s. Classical symptoms and immediate response to steroi_s.

 

[andye]

Rare but it can happen. I had one patient in her mid 40s. Classical symptoms and immediate response to steroi_s.

I have too but never under 40

 

[Pushka]

Rare but it can happen. I had one patient in her mid 40s. Classical symptoms and immediate response to steroi_s.

So why does this illness respond so rapidly to steroi_s? And it sure is rapid.

 

[andye]

steroi_s kick in within an hour for many inflammatory illnesses (eg asthma).
It can never be instantaneous as the drug needs to be processed inside the cell.
They seem to take a bit longer for diseases with joint destruction (e.g rheumatoid) or ulceration (e.g colitis) but this probably reflects the need for tissue to heal.

 

[JohnK]

So I finally got my swallow test 1 week ago. Was not very impressed with the radiologist when their office rang and suggested it could be done with a contrast normally used for MRIs. So a 5 month wait when almost certainly it could have been done before I left on my last trip. So looks like I will get my gastroscopy and colonoscopy done before our next trip. Fun days ahead.

Wife has a barium swallow scheduled for 2 weeks time. She's obviously had some issue swallowing the past few years. Took a while to see public gastroenterologist and they were going to dismiss her case in the too hard basket.

A couple of months we had an ultrasound with contrast. Wife had severe panic attack after the contrast. Partially paralysed and we didn't know what to do. Never again.

 

[Katie]

Slight frustration, and it was the same 5 yrs ago with my right foot.
WHY DOES EVERYONE ASK ABOUT MY ANKLE WHEN I'VE SAID I'VE SPRAINED MY FOOT????!!!! ARRRGGHHHH.

OK, got that off my chest now.



7 days after injury. I think the bruising has peaked now. Counting down to seeing the physio this arvo and MRI tonight.

Overdid it on the weekend, too much walking (with crutches) and standing.

 

[cgichard]

Unrelated to any of the above: can anyone recommend a private in-home care service in Melbourne for short-term personal care? My back has seized up again due to osteoporosis, which it does periodically, but this time causing more painful spasms with every shift from sitting to standing and walking.