General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

There are great hospitals drs and nurses. There are also bad hospitals drs and nurses. The vast majority are somewhere in the middle.

Not denying there are great doctors and nurses. And yes it's the majority.

I am negative but my concern is (our concern should be) with the bad doctors and nurses and we've established there are bad doctors and nurses. It's also quite possible that I keep encountering the bad doctors and nurses. Maybe I bring it on myself but I don't think so. We need to seriously deal with these bad doctors and nurses and get them out of the system because there is no place in health care for these people. Fancy implying I should be banned because I don't follow popular opinion.

And with gabapentin I think I explained it to you before. The doctors gave dad gabapentin for the nerve pain. It did not help dad but I could see that he was suffering from delirium. The doctors saw this as well and increased the dose and made dad even worse. So now security was involved and they had to restrain my dad. He had bruises for weeks. He lost his dignity because he didn't understand why they were attacking him. Dad was having nightmares. Surely it's up to the patient, or in this case son, to determine whether to continue treatment or not? If I tell you to stop, as a doctor then you have to stop.

It's also a shame that people only want to focus on positives. This is the sole reason why nursing homes have got into the state they are in today and now require a royal commission. We have to focus on negatives to ensure they do no occur and if they do occur punish those involved heavily. Take away their licence. Make sure they never work in a nursing home or care for people ever again.

P.S. Dad needs to be in a nursing home. Mum and brother cannot take care of him. Not sure if I was in Sydney whether I could make any difference but don't think so. There's no way I'm putting dad in nursing home. That means that mum and brother suffer some more. Life is not as simple as some make it out to be.

 

[mrsterryn]

Why the attacks from all sides I do not understand? Just shut up right because my experiences are different? Not all doctors and nurses are angels. Next you'll tell me we don't have issues in nursing homes right?

Yes there can be dreadful nursing home. Every single occupation has good bad and indifferent.
However there are some amazing nursing homes out there .
Mum was not capable of being home alone and before you berate me for being an inconsiderate daughter there is only so many times she could run out of the house dressed inappropriately, only so many times she could call the police , only so many times her neighbors had to deal with her screaming, only so many times I could go to the hospital at 12 am 1 am 2 am 3 am either because she was admitted due to above mentioned issues or dad had had a fall and the ambulance, rightly so , believed mum incapable of staying home alone. So daughter aka me would go over, my incredible husband would accompany me as well.
When Dad did pass mum decided that she couldn't stay at home alone, so she moved into a nursing home near me at Bexley. In the two and a half years mum lived there she thrived and her physical health actually improved . Note mum had care givers Monday to Friday when she and Dad were at home.
Huntingdon was incredible. She certainly tested their patience and lol their operation procedures regarding exiting the building. Mother would put in her Burberry long coat, her Ferragamo shoes and start talking with a visitor who was leaving. Mother could be elegance personified. She was also much fitter whilst in there and could outrun quite a few of them . She could also hurl abuse, throw things, throw cutlery , scream non stop .
The staff took it and would be very calm with her. I did visit at various times from 5 am to 11 pm just to check it was the way it was done there.
Are you concerned your inheritance may go ? Because the amazing nursing homes do usually have large bonds ? Mother's did. Though it was of course refunded once she passed.
For mum's end of life .... That home was incredible. I could be there in less than 15 minutes as depending on peak hour.

 

[RooFlyer]

P.S. Dad needs to be in a nursing home. Mum and brother cannot take care of him. Not sure if I was in Sydney whether I could make any difference but don't think so. There's no way I'm putting dad in nursing home. That means that mum and brother suffer some more. Life is not as simple as some make it out to be.

Sure. Why help one person when three others (but not you) can suffer?

I think we've found the root of many of your 'problems'.

 

[JohnK]

Yes there can be dreadful nursing home. Every single occupation has good bad and indifferent.
However there are some amazing nursing homes out there .

I've heard some horror stories like staff bashing nursing home residents to take their gifts and told to shut up.

You're not a bad daughter and my brother and I wouldn't be bad sons if we took dad to nursing home. I think thats where dad would get best care but need to very careful on which one we choose.

Mum and dad are in Belmore so Bexley is not too far. That's one to consider. See how dad goes over the next few months.

 

[Pushka]

I've heard some horror stories like staff bashing nursing home residents to take their gifts and told to shut up.

You're not a bad daughter and my brother and I wouldn't be bad sons if we took dad to nursing home. I think thats where dad would get best care but need to very careful on which one we choose.

Mum and dad are in Belmore so Bexley is not too far. That's one to consider. See how dad goes over the next few months.

Actually, I'd be checking in on your mother and brother who seem to have been landed with the lions share, (deleted, too harsh).

 

[JohnK]

Actually, I'd be checking in on your mother and brother who seem to have been landed with the lions share, actually make that, all of share of the stress and worry, of looking after your father. You don't seem to give them any consideration if it's ok with you that they have to suffer some more.

My fault again? I'm the mean and inconsiderate one right? I'm actually the logical one. We've discussed this already. Both brother and mum don't want dad in a nursing home but we need to think about alternatives.

P.S. I have my own family and you have no idea what I'm going through. My health is a mess. Life is not as rosy as some make it out to be. But you know what, I'm still coping and taking care of my family and for what it's worth I'm also taking care of my extended family in Thailand.

 

[love_the_life]

I've heard some horror stories like staff bashing nursing home residents to take their gifts and told to shut up.

You're not a bad daughter and my brother and I wouldn't be bad sons if we took dad to nursing home. I think thats where dad would get best care but need to very careful on which one we choose.

Mum and dad are in Belmore so Bexley is not too far. That's one to consider. See how dad goes over the next few months.

JohnK, I think some of the pushback you received was that your first few posts on the topic painted all nursing staff as arrogant and terrible. The generalisation went against the experience of many others who then posted their own views.

In terms of finding the best care options for your father, it is a really hard thing. There are some excellent nursing homes with great staff, facilities and exceptional care. There are some not so good and some that really do fail. If or when you do start to look, visit as many places as you you can and try to feel the 'vibe' of the place. Of course many of the good ones have a waiting list and the worry is that if your father needs to enter urgently, the best may not have a vacancy.
Also, my advice is don't leave it too long. My mum always resisted going into the local lodge (home) and in the end as it was an urgent admission, she had to move into one in a neighbouring country town. This was also complicated that it was in the middle of the COVID shutdowns in 2020 so we were not able to be there to help.

Note, there are different ways to afford entry and not all include paying an upfront deposit. The My Aged Care website provides lots of information on the different options. Also the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has provider audits and reports on its website. Always worth checking for compliance with the standards.

 

[Pushka]

My fault again? I'm the mean and inconsiderate one right? I'm actually the logical one. We've discussed this already. Both brother and mum don't want dad in a nursing home but we need to think about alternatives.

P.S. I have my own family and you have no idea what I'm going through. My health is a mess. Life is not as rosy as some make it out to be. But you know what, I'm still coping and taking care of my family and for what it's worth I'm also taking care of my extended family in Thailand.

None of us have any idea what families here are going through so please keep that in mind that none of us are lone warriors In the health area.

As far as aged care, I do not want to go into one. But I also don't want any family members sacrificing their lives to take care of me with no chance of improvement.

Perhaps I read your comment wrongly - it sounded like you were the one not wanting your father to go into care because of the distrust of the nursing home system but that you weren't the one taking care of him and that your other family were the ones caring for him. If ive got that wrong then my apologies.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, I think some of the pushback you received was that your first few posts on the topic painted all nursing staff as arrogant and terrible. The generalisation went against the experience of many others who then posted their own views.

I never said all. People weren't posting their own views. They knocked my experiences and suggested I was on some sort of medication or stress and delusional to think there are tainted doctors and nurses out there. It was nothing short of a personal attack by the same people. But that's fine if that's what makes them happy.

I have bigger problems right now including losing >50% use of my right thumb. I suspect arthritis. Osteoarthritis? I don't know. I had X-rays today.

 

[mrsterryn]

As far as aged care, I do not want to go into one. But I also don't want any family members sacrificing their lives to take care of me with no chance of improvement.

Due to mum, maternal grandmother and a few other females on the family tree our family has had very lengthy discussions about nursing homes
If I am on par with my mother with dementia or close to it , I am to go to a nursing home . My husband is well aware of my wishes and so is my son. Currently with capacity sound that is my decision for when my capacity is not sound
I will not inflict that type of care onto family. Be it a spouse or child. That isn't their role.
Definitely agree with you Pushka , not an outcome I want but fully aware that a nursing home may be in my future

 

[cove]

I had a whooping cough shot today now that we are about 3 months from having a grandchild. Mrscove had hers a few weeks ago.

 

[tgh]

The mother of some close friends has lived in care for many many many years.
She is happy, friendly and quite harmless but also quite mentally unwell.
My Mother in law , in full possession of her mind, lived in quality care until she passed , her care was peerless.

 

[mrsterryn]

I had a whooping cough shot today now that we are about 3 months from having a grandchild. Mrscove had hers a few weeks ago.

Husband and I had the Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis one just before our first grandchild was born
Enjoy when the new addition arrives

 

[mrsterryn]

Husband has found the mobility scooter he wants lol

 

[love_the_life]

I never said all. People weren't posting their own views. They knocked my experiences and suggested I was on some sort of medication or stress and delusional to think there are tainted doctors and nurses out there. It was nothing short of a personal attack by the same people. But that's fine if that's what makes them happy.

Well JohnK this is what you posted:
I've met a few nurses on AFF who are nice people but my experience with nurses in general is poor. I can really understand why they get abused regularly. They're not nice people. Arrogant. They do not belong taking care of people. They do not deserve my respect.

I agree (my mistake) you did not say all but you did make a pretty sweeping generalisation on the nursing profession.

Anyway, not interesting in a tit for tat, was just commenting on why you may have had some of the responses you did.

I hope your own current health problem with your thumb is resolved quickly as it is no doubt very painful and limiting for you.

 

[JohnK]

Well JohnK this is what you posted:
I've met a few nurses on AFF who are nice people but my experience with nurses in general is poor. I can really understand why they get abused regularly. They're not nice people. Arrogant. They do not belong taking care of people. They do not deserve my respect.

I agree (my mistake) you did not say all but you did make a pretty sweeping generalisation on the nursing profession.

In all fairness I did say "my experience with nurses in general is poor". I really cannot say that I've had many, if any, positive experiences and the ones on my mind are mainly negative and everlasting. But these are my experiences. No point anyone arguing that I should have better experiences and Im wrong. Cannot be wrong with personal experiences. That's my luck. It follows me everywhere.

I'm sure the thumb is arthritis and doctor mentioned cortisone injection but we can't keep injecting every joint with cortisone.

I've had shin splints for a long time but now something new has started on left lower leg. Feels like electrical pain down the lower leg about 2-3 to the outside of the shin bone. When it's bad I feel like passing out. The pain to the head is quite bad. But here's the thing. If it's nerve pain it doesn't start from buttocks and go down the thigh. It starts about 10cms below the knee. Doctor shrugged shoulders.

Some will never understand and be very quick to criticise. I'm not even 60 years old yet. How can you go around with a smile on your face so you don't depress others? Impossible. Just grin and bear it and hope one day all will change but that requires a miracle.

 

[cgichard]

I've had shin splints for a long time but now something new has started on left lower leg. Feels like electrical pain down the lower leg about 2-3 to the outside of the shin bone. When it's bad I feel like passing out. The pain to the head is quite bad. But here's the thing. If it's nerve pain it doesn't start from buttocks and go down the thigh. It starts about 10cms below the knee.

A good chiropractor or kinesiologist might be able to fix that.

 

[Buzzard]

Husband has found the mobility scooter he wants lol

Looks like a Pride Sportrider.
My sister in BNE is trying to sell one with only 30 kilometers on it for $3k. Not easy to sell second hand.

 

[mrsterryn]

Looks like a Pride Sportrider.
My sister in BNE is trying to sell one with only 30 kilometers on it for $3k. Not easy to sell second hand.

He was just having a bit of a giggle

 

[Buzzard]

He was just having a bit of a giggle

Definitely not trying to sell you my sister's. Was thinking that if you need one, used might be the way to go. Apparently so many people get a free one courtesy of the NDIS or similar.