General Medical issues thread

[Seat0B]

Thanks. Looks similar to the CSIRO Total Wellbeing diet. I was offered free membership to that one about 18 months ago.

I'm sceptical of any diet plan that includes an exercise plan. Let's forget exercise. This body cannot sustain exercise. I struggle to walk.

When I had chicken pox in 2010 I went from 123kg to 104 kg in a few weeks. When I met my wife in 2013 I was 115kg and when wife was pregnant in 2016 I was back at 123kg.

In April that year I started my own 1200-1500 calorie a day diet. I wanted to look good for my daughter's birth. By August 2016 I was down to 108kg. Looked good. Felt good.

My daughter was born early September. By November I had 7 trips back and forth to Thailand. Weight up to 115kg again and by 2020 weight had reached 132kg. Nothing I tried worked. Body won't let any diet work.

We came back from Thailand in March 2020 and wife and I started new diet and walking each night through the lockdowns. Wife lost 15kg easily. I lost 8-10kg but not easy to maintain. In April 2021 I could not walk anymore. Weight ballooned to 145kg and I've been 135kg-145kg since.

Notice a pattern? Diets are not easy. Weight increases past starting weight of previous diet each time. I'm now 140kg as I forced myself to walk through the pain from May 2022. I need to try a new diet. I need to try and trick the body. Eat normal for breakfast and lunch and then just have salad and vegetables for dinner.

As someone who has struggled with yo-yo weight gain and dieting in the past, I am very sympathetic to your situation @JohnK. The turning points for me were getting my knee replacements done, so that I could exercise (eg swim, walk, bike ride) without pain, and then I got a personal trainer. She sets me an exercise program just for me, and supervises me for 1 hr a week so that I do not do any major damage to myself because of poor form. I then do the program myself another twice a week. I lost 15 kg over about 12 months, and then have lost another 5 kg somewhere along the way.

I feel so much better for it, and also the exercise allows me to eat a LOT more! So whilst I understand "not being built for exercise" and even simply not enjoying it, I decided to give it a try for the health benefits, which for me have been worth the trouble. I really strongly recommend that you consider a sensible personal trainer as they will tailor something to suit your particular conditions and needs.

Since having leukaemia and the chemo I lost a further 12 kg in about 4 months - but now the nausea has gone I am starving hungry all the time and I have put about 4 kg back on. I've stepped up my 5 x per week exercise routine to include 30 mins on the bike and 20 mins of general stuff like squats, etc in an effort to avoid putting it all back on. BTW, nice as it is to randomly lose 12kg, I DO NOT recommend leukaemia and chemo as a way to lose weight for anyone

 

[Seat0B]

I start outpatients physio at the beginning of November to get my Knee replacement working properly. Haven’t had to do so much pain killers ever so I hope it settles down next week. The surgeon pulled out a cup full of debris so that explained why my knee locked up A few weeks ago.
We are flying to Sydney and Los Angeles from Perth starting just before New Year.

@cove I found this part of the rehab from knee replacement really really helpful. I had my first one done in 2003, and they did not offer the rehab option at that time. When I had the second one done in 2015, they did, and boy it made the world of difference to my recovery. I recommend taking your painkillers about 30 mins before the rehab session starts so that you have plenty on board before you start working out, and I also recommend ice packs for afterwards to help reduce pain and swelling.

In my experience, it is totally worth putting in a good effort with the outpatient physio - I am now skiing longer, harder and better than I did before the replacements, and although I have lost a bit of the range of motion (I have about 122 degrees of bend - prosthesis max is 125, but I just can't maintain that, normal knee is 135 degrees), the freedom from pain and the extra strength from physio, rehab and personal training/gym program more than compensate. Hang in there, it is a tough and long recovery, but for me it was totally worth it. And I hope your mileage does NOT vary!

 

[prozac]

As someone who has struggled with yo-yo weight gain and dieting in the past, ...

Since having leukaemia and the chemo I lost a further 12 kg in about 4 months - but now the nausea has gone I am starving hungry all the time and I have put about 4 kg back on. I've stepped up my 5 x per week exercise routine to include 30 mins on the bike and 20 mins of general stuff like squats, etc in an effort to avoid putting it all back on. BTW, nice as it is to randomly lose 12kg, I DO NOT recommend leukaemia and chemo as a way to lose weight for anyone

I am the opposite. I made sure I ate through the chemo and I put on 12kg! Now I have some work to do to get it off.

 

[Seat0B]

The health funds are clamping down on unrestricted post joint replacement rehab

Oh that is really bad news, because it was fabulous for me - although not unrestricted. I too did 2 weeks in hospital rehab, and then a 6 week outpatient program. Mine was covered by Department of Veterans' Affairs though, so maybe I was just lucky. I did prehab at my own expense (tailored gym program for strength and flexibility) and then afterwards had my Personal Trainer design a special program to address my needs. I am very satisfied with the results. One of my knees will be 20 years old in December, so I am hoping it lasts a bit longer before needing any revision/resurfacing. Last X rays 3 years ago were all clear.

 

[Pushka]

As someone who has struggled with yo-yo weight gain and dieting in the past, I am very sympathetic to your situation @JohnK. The turning points for me were getting my knee replacements done, so that I could exercise (eg swim, walk, bike ride) without pain, and then I got a personal trainer. She sets me an exercise program just for me, and supervises me for 1 hr a week so that I do not do any major damage to myself because of poor form. I then do the program myself another twice a week. I lost 15 kg over about 12 months, and then have lost another 5 kg somewhere along the way.

I feel so much better for it, and also the exercise allows me to eat a LOT more! So whilst I understand "not being built for exercise" and even simply not enjoying it, I decided to give it a try for the health benefits, which for me have been worth the trouble. I really strongly recommend that you consider a sensible personal trainer as they will tailor something to suit your particular conditions and needs.

Since having leukaemia and the chemo I lost a further 12 kg in about 4 months - but now the nausea has gone I am starving hungry all the time and I have put about 4 kg back on. I've stepped up my 5 x per week exercise routine to include 30 mins on the bike and 20 mins of general stuff like squats, etc in an effort to avoid putting it all back on. BTW, nice as it is to randomly lose 12kg, I DO NOT recommend leukaemia and chemo as a way to lose weight for anyone

Are you on steroi_s? They can do that to you.

 

[Seat0B]

So in light of steroi_ use, age, and travelling to Europe in mid winter and on a cruise where it seems covid is rampant, I've booked for another Covid vaccination. Was looking through the medicare app to see immunisation history. Interestingly the due date for Shingles vaccination has already been changed to when I turned 65 and not 70 as it was last time even though the new schedule doesn't start until November.

Even though I am under 65, looks like I will be eligible for the new Shingrix vaccination as "immune compromised because of haematological malignancy".

 

[Seat0B]

Lovely midnight ambulance ride last night for Miss TC with suspected croup. Appeared in our room hysterical and struggling to breathe. Ventolin and steroi_s seemed to sort it out, but it was a long night and we finally got home around 5am.

Poor little poppet, hope she is on the mend. And how stressful for you both as well.

 

[Seat0B]

I am the opposite. I made sure I ate through the chemo and I put on 12kg! Now I have some work to do to get it off.

Oh I felt too sick to even think about food, the mouth ulcers took away whatever small desire to eat might have existed, and the foul taste from the antivirals removed the desire to drink. A couple of weeks back I just suddenly started to feel better, and boy did my appetite surge back to life!

 

[Seat0B]

Are you on steroi_s? They can do that to you.

Not at the moment (actually not for quite a while), but I have been on and off over the years. In my case I think it's just a genetic pre-disposition towards being heavier, combined with low exercise due to bone on bone arthritic pain (from a very young age, less than 35 when it started and first knee replaced at 43 years of age). I have never found a way to manage my weight by diet alone (other than the chemo total starvation regime, that I do not recommend to anyone ). For me, movement is the key. And I feel so much better for it.

 

[prozac]

Not at the moment (actually not for quite a while), but I have been on and off over the years. In my case I think it's just a genetic pre-disposition towards being heavier, combined with low exercise due to bone on bone arthritic pain (from a very young age, less than 35 when it started and first knee replaced at 43 years of age). I have never found a way to manage my weight by diet alone (other than the chemo total starvation regime, that I do not recommend to anyone ). For me, movement is the key. And I feel so much better for it.

You weren't on steroi_s through chemo? I was which made it easy to eat.

 

[TheRealTMA]

From a discussion the other day, open question I realise, but what’s the best clinic in Australia for NSCLC? And best oncologist in the field?

 

[Seat0B]

You weren't on steroi_s through chemo? I was which made it easy to eat.

No that was one thing that was not prescribed for me - maybe the only thing in the whole pharmacopaeia that was not prescibed!!!

 

[Quickstatus]

but what’s the best clinic in Australia for NSCLC? And best oncologist in the field?

Generally speaking: in Australia , there is no such thing as "Best". (In most cases I don't recommend the Charlie Teo method).

Oncology is one area where you want, not a single person, but a multidisciplinary unit attached to one of the major teaching hospitals/major private hospitals that provides an integrated solution.

 

[blackcat20]

. Definitely Croupy kids don't breathe as well lying down

Was her cough the classic barking cough?


What are "childrens antibiotics"? I can't find it in the PBS

Yes the hoarse barking cough, plus she said her throat hurt.

 

[LinaLee]

I am the opposite. I made sure I ate through the chemo and I put on 12kg! Now I have some work to do to get it off.

Me too

But luckily not 12 kgs. A bit less work only 4kgs

 

[drron]

Generally speaking: in Australia , there is no such thing as "Best". (In most cases I don't recommend the Charlie Teo method).

Oncology is one area where you want, not a single person, but a multidisciplinary unit attached to one of the major teaching hospitals/major private hospitals that provides an integrated solution.

And you really do need someone you relate too. Attitude is a big part of survival.

 

[JohnK]

. Definitely Croupy kids don't breathe as well lying down

Was her cough the classic barking cough?


What are "childrens antibiotics"? I can't find it in the PBS

I think you know what I mean.

Amoxicillin 60mL syrup in powder form.

 

[Flyfrequently]

@Flyfrequently How long did it take you to recover from shingles in the eye? I deveioped the condition in the first week of August and, given my age, fully expected recovery to be slow, but am now wondering if I should seek referral to an opthamologist.

I had recently seen a neuro ophthalmologist for another condition prior to shingles, but it was easier for me to be monitored by my optometrist who checked my eye for about 6 weeks September- November.
I continued to see her because there remained a "crusty" bit still present.
She knows my history well and was concerned enough to refer me on, and turns out I had a festering basal cell carcinoma on/in my lower lid.
This was removed within days and had lower lid reconstruction.
Consensus was that BCC may not have been caught as early had I not been monitored for shingles!
Bit different to your situation @cgichard but if you haven't seen a good optometrist- that may be a good start if you are concerned.

Side note: I have my cataracts monitored, not ready for surgery but also only have 20/20 vision in one (right) eye - the one that got shingles - hence my & her diligence as left eye is a dud!

 

[JohnK]

As someone who has struggled with yo-yo weight gain and dieting in the past, I am very sympathetic to your situation @JohnK. The turning points for me were getting my knee replacements done, so that I could exercise (eg swim, walk, bike ride) without pain, and then I got a personal trainer. She sets me an exercise program just for me, and supervises me for 1 hr a week so that I do not do any major damage to myself because of poor form. I then do the program myself another twice a week. I lost 15 kg over about 12 months, and then have lost another 5 kg somewhere along the way.

Well done.

With my situation it's not that I don't enjoy exercise. I don't but there are too many issues involved to just keep putting myself through torture each day. It's not easy to explain. Neck pain has nothing to do with weight. Ankylosing spondylitis and Sacroiliitis were noticeable and causing pain when I was 81kg in 1990. Tendonitis and bursitis in shoulders, arms and hands have nothing to do weight.

I don't have answers. Both hips have severe osteoarthritis. At this stage I'm against hip replacement. Knees aren't quite there yet but again I want to avoid any sort of replacement.

What saddens me the most is rheumatologist giving up and sending me back to GP. What's GP going to do? Send me to pain management clinic? I'm not interested in taking opiates daily. We can't do cortisone injections as its not just 1 joint it's all joints. I'd rather live with the pain.

Took wife to work this morning and daughter to school. Holding the steering wheel with right thumb and forefinger and all of a sudden the palm of the hand between thumb and forefinger is numb. Not pain but discomfort. Holding the phone in my left hand and typing this post with my right and the fingers on my left hand are numb.

There are too many areas in the body to try and exercise. Firstly there is no time as I'm working. Secondly it's not possible to do that many exercises and maintain this every day for the rest of my life. The only solution is to try and slow down the decay and somehow stop the inflammation. That would have been possible with another biologic to slow down immune system but rheumatology have washed their hands. No one else can prescribe.

 

[Cossie]

So I have to use ”the“ cream. I’m sure my previous doc would have frozen these spots.

Not looking forward to it at all, we will be away at the end of November so I’m loathe to use it on my face until we get home, arms and legs I can deal with. Not showing the markings on my face!