General Medical issues thread

[MelMel]

Anyone been through chemo / going through and experienced the hair loss and grow-back phenomenon?
I am not bothered by the hair loss but now my chemo has ended I was wondering.
1. How soon after chemo can you expect hair regrow, proper hair, not this bum-fluff stuff?
2. Did you regrow different hair texture, colour, blah blah blah?
3. Did you grow hair back where previously you had lost some?

My sister’s hair grew back completely grey (was 50% before) was very tight curls for about 1 year then went back to her usual waves

 

[VPS]

Update on cataract surgery. Had post ops visit today. Close vision is basically perfect. I'm gathering all my reading glasses I had everywhere and bundling them up to put into an optical recycling depot. There are, umm lots as I had one in each main room, one in handbag, one in car and ditto to the place at port broughton. Just the cheapie ones so they have their magnifying number on them and which I can now see. . I can read font size 6 which is apparently the smallest font size for printing, as I read that in the text for that font.

I think the ophthalmologist was a little concerned she hadn't the desired impact on long vision. I could work that out myself. I can't wear off the rack sunglasses as I found out on the weekend. She described it as determining the balance between close and long vision and she'd likely erred on close vision. Which of course was my reason for visiting her and so reassured her I was happy with the outcome. Just off to the optician tomorrow to get some script sunnies. I already have the frame for glasses I'd never worn - raybans but with the old lens in place. I'm tempted not to tell them about the surgery and see their reaction when they can see my vision has changed.

So really pleased I went through the process. Still the only charge was for the private hospital expense. Follow up today was no charge and nor is one in January as she is doing research and wants data from patients. Not necessary for me just optional.

And all because you were jealous of me reading my phone without glasses when we had coffee

 

[clifford]

Well, I feel as fit as a lodging house cat, but because of my fall last year and side effects from my fractured skull, I am not allowed to drive at the moment.

It's just a little bit frustrating, but that's life. A free bus pass, etc, etc helps a bit (but not much), I guess...

 

[Pushka]

And all because you were jealous of me reading my phone without glasses when we had coffee

Yup. Exactly that. Even told the ophthalmologist that story. For the rest of AFF. We met up for coffee at Adelaide Central Market. There was VPS reading her phone without glasses. I was outraged that she could do that. So she simply said, I had my cataracts done. Or similar. So Booked the GP within a couple of days, as I knew I had a cataract from the optician, and specialist appointment within a couple of weeks. Surgery only delayed because I was going to Bali.

 

[Pushka]

Well, I feel as fit as a lodging house cat, but because of my fall last year and side effects from my fractured skull, I am not allowed to drive at the moment.

It's just a little bit frustrating, but that's life. A free bus pass, etc, etc helps a bit (but not much), I guess...

My SIL did the same falling down stairs 18 months ago. She almost died from a brain bleed and swelling. She wasn't allowed to drive for maybe a year? Time will pass. You'll get there.

 

[drron]

I have had both my knees replaced - first one in 2003 (in my early 40s) and the second in 2015 and I have not looked back. It’s a big surgery and a long recovery - 12 months is not out of the question, but for me it’s been a game changer. To be free of arthritic bone on bone pain when walking or even rolling over in bed at night is so wonderful.

Having a joint replacement at age 40 is very unusual unless you had a significant injury. If not the commonest cause is an excess iron storage -haemochromatosis, So if no significant injury to the first knee it would be wise if you haven't had your iron levels checked to do so.

 

[VPS]

I was getting those for a year or so in my throat. Back and forwards to the Dr but she said viral no antibiotics. But then eventually I got chicken pox that started in my throat - didn't know that at the time I was back at the GP, same same viral, but then two days later, blisters everywhere. So they were actually chicken pox blisters that didn't break through to significant pox for months. Even the GP didn't pick it.

I used to get them all the time when I was young. Usually if I was rundown. Ie too many late nights, not eating properly etc. I only get them occasionally now

 

[andye]

I was getting those for a year or so in my throat. Back and forwards to the Dr but she said viral no antibiotics. But then eventually I got chicken pox that started in my throat - didn't know that at the time I was back at the GP, same same viral, but then two days later, blisters everywhere. So they were actually chicken pox blisters that didn't break through to significant pox for months. Even the GP didn't pick it.

That would be a very unusual time-course for chickenpox. It usually follows a predictable incubation/prodrome/rash. Suspect two different things going on

 

[k_sheep]

Sorry to hear Seat0B. There's been way too many leukaemias and lymphomas on here lately!

Hairy cell is a funny one - I've had a couple people where it was picked up on a blood test for something entirely unrelated in completely asymptomatic people. Hope the chemo fog wears off quickly.

 

[prozac]

Sorry to hear Seat0B. There's been way too many leukaemias and lymphomas on here lately!

Hairy cell is a funny one - I've had a couple people where it was picked up on a blood test for something entirely unrelated in completely asymptomatic people. Hope the chemo fog wears off quickly.

Is it the Rituximab that causes hair loss @k_sheep ?

 

[drron]

Well I finally saw a good neurologist today. Turns out I have a muscular dystrophy. Type undetermined at present, Had to have a variety of tests. blood tests immediately.
But complicated by the fact that leaving for OS on Sunday for 8 weeks. Turned out quite fortunate though. First MRI appointment a week after we are back and the first EMG study appointment a week after we return from our Christmas trip.
In the mean time just have to keep up my step count.

 

[Pushka]

That would be a very unusual time-course for chickenpox. It usually follows a predictable incubation/prodrome/rash. Suspect two different things going on

I'm really weird. I have a weird immune system. I've had Hashimotos since my twenties. I presented as someone who was very thin and felt the heat. The opposite of what is supposed to happen. So weird my GP refused to test me as I wasn't presenting correctly, until my annual blood test and which I'd just had but which wasn't checked for TSH etc. When she finally did my TSH was around 50 and negligible T3 T4. TPO extreme.

I never had childhood illnesses like chicken pox, mumps measles even though not vaccinated for them but my brother had the lot. After getting chicken pox with the most recent bout of throat ulcers I never had them again.

 

[drron]

I'm really weird. I have a weird immune system. I've had Hashimotos since my twenties. I presented as someone who was very thin and felt the heat. The opposite of what is supposed to happen. So weird my GP refused to test me as I wasn't presenting correctly, until my annual blood test and which I'd just had but which wasn't checked for TSH etc. When she finally did my TSH was around 50 and negligible T3 T4. TPO extreme.

I never had childhood illnesses like chicken pox, mumps measles even though not vaccinated for them but my brother had the lot. After getting chicken pox with the most recent bout of throat ulcers I never had them again.

You are not the only unusual one when it comes to the thyroid. I looked after a young woman who had a thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer followed up by I 131 so definitely hypothyroid. Yet her endocrinologists had her on only a small dose of thyroid hormone as her T3 and T4 were at the upper limits of normal. The problem was she was putting on weight, fatiqued and feeling cold all the time. She had a very active youngster. She was sent to me for unrelated reasons but I listened to her and upped her thyroid dosage. Her T4 levels were then about 10% above the normal range. but she got back to her pre thyroid normal existence. I got told off by her endocrinologist but the result of that was she never went back to him.

 

[Seat0B]

Having a joint replacement at age 40 is very unusual unless you had a significant injury. If not the commonest cause is an excess iron storage -haemochromatosis, So if no significant injury to the first knee it would be wise if you haven't had your iron levels checked to do so.

Thanks for that good advice @drron, but not applicable to me.

They were very concerned about doing the knee replacement as 43 yo and had done many other surgeries before it including lateral tendon release and a high tibial osteotomy. I had an underlying condition of osteo chondritis dessicans that caused large chunks of bone - some the size of 10c coin, some even bigger to float free in the joint and cause a lot of damage. Plus that was aggravated by military service and being forced by numbskull PTIs to do crazy stuff like run for 10 km in army boots with a pack - when my medical record was annotated no running after the diagnosis of osteo chondritis. Bit of a cluster really. I did get a DVA white card and 2 shiny new knees out of it though.
First one is now 20 years old and has been trouble free until now. Last X ray check showed nothing to be concerned about - about 5 years ago. I got a top notch titanium and ceramic prosthesis at the time. They said they didn’t know how long it would last but guessed 15-20 years. I’ve done ( and still do) a LOT of regular gym rehab etc and am truly the poster girl for the success of this surgery in restoring joy to a person’s life.

 

[Seat0B]

Sorry to hear Seat0B. There's been way too many leukaemias and lymphomas on here lately!

Hairy cell is a funny one - I've had a couple people where it was picked up on a blood test for something entirely unrelated in completely asymptomatic people. Hope the chemo fog wears off quickly.

Thanks @k_sheep. My main symptoms were serious blotches (purpura) for no reason at all, significant rib pain and very easy bruising. Also exhausted. I could not really interest any of my GPS or a dermatologist in this over several several years of complaining. Eventually a completely unrelated gastroenterologist enquired about the blotches and ordered blood tests - and back it came with a lot of anomalies which were then diligently followed up by my haematologist to get confirmed as hairy cell.

Apparently it’s pretty rare. And luckily, slow growing. Indolent is a very good word to hear in the sentence immediately after being told you have leukaemia.

 

[Seat0B]

Well I finally saw a good neurologist today. Turns out I have a muscular dystrophy. Type undetermined at present, Had to have a variety of tests. blood tests immediately.
But complicated by the fact that leaving for OS on Sunday for 8 weeks. Turned out quite fortunate though. First MRI appointment a week after we are back and the first EMG study appointment a week after we return from our Christmas trip.
In the mean time just have to keep up my step count.

@drron sorry to hear of your diagnosis but I’m glad you can pass the anxious waiting time with the distraction of an OS trip.

May I ask for your, or anyone else’s recommendations for travel insurance once you have a serious condition? Or do you just self insure?

 

[Pushka]

B

@drron sorry to hear of your diagnosis but I’m glad you can pass the anxious waiting time with the distraction of an OS trip.

May I ask for your, or anyone else’s recommendations for travel insurance once you have a serious condition? Or do you just self insure?

Try insureandgo. For a premium they cover all my whacky things.

 

[tgh]

I assume Drron already has insurance. so if the new condition was not diagnosed prior to applying for the trip.. he should be covered..
HOWEVER.. I have had a fairly er precise conversation with World Care (allianz) about coverage for my heart disease.
The result of the conversation could be summarised in a number of ways but is essentially.. well make a claim and we might pay or we might not…..
I may leave the correspondence with Broinlaw ( retired ins guru) just in case the excreta collides with the revolving object while we are away.

 

[drron]

Thankfully I am insured for the next 2 trips and the diagnosis not official but after that I am sure my premium will be quite a bit higher. Even more important now that we do as much travel as possible in the next couple of years.
On the other hand there was an Australian on our last cruise who had bought his mobility scooter from Australia and used it on board. so still a chance of travel for some time into the future.

Which brings me back to a decision I made in the 1980's. I only turned 40 in 1986 so it was early in my life. The decision was if we wanted to travel somewhere we did it as soon as possible. The reason was as a physician I saw a lot of folks who worked all their life and saved up for a grand retirement tour. However many died before they could go and many others now had disabilities that prevented a lot of enjoyment of their travels.

So now I accept my condition and very much pleased that I had mapped out a very full program of travel from 2022 to mid 2025. In fact in the next 40 weeks we will be OS for 28 of them.

So drron's number 1 travel tip. Do it when you can and don't put it off.

 

[tgh]

the diagnosis not official

This simple statement is the nub of my discussion with Allianz… when is it a pre existing condition ?
Well worth an article ; in summary the way they describe pre existing condition disclosure in the sales brochure can suddenly become very complex and subject all sorts of word games at claim time … caveat emptor