General Medical issues thread

[Pushka]

Any suggestions on where to get a short time hire of medical alarm pendant. New ones are around $500 and I only want it for a few weeks

Blueassist Medical Alarm Units Available to Purchase or Rent Online | Blueforce

Are you or one of your loved ones in need of a user-friendly personal medical alarm solution? Did you know you can order our Blueassist in-home life safety units direct from our website? You can rent or purchase a Blueassist personal emergency response system by visiting our Blueassist In-Home...

blueforce.com.au

 

[VPS]

Blueassist Medical Alarm Units Available to Purchase or Rent Online | Blueforce

Are you or one of your loved ones in need of a user-friendly personal medical alarm solution? Did you know you can order our Blueassist in-home life safety units direct from our website? You can rent or purchase a Blueassist personal emergency response system by visiting our Blueassist In-Home...

blueforce.com.au

Thanks I’ve actually bought one on marketplace for $50 so will see if it works or not

 

[love_the_life]

I will check out

sadly I’m too young for a government one

Even if you met the age eligibility, an assessment can take several months as there is a shortage of assessors. Also then because of high demand can also have a lengthy wait for any services.

 

[QF WP]

Sounds like they took a split skin graft (SSG) if where they took the BCC still had a crater

A SSG is where they use something like a glorified cheese cutter and cut off a partial thickness skin (hence the split skin) leaving skin on the quadriceps area to heal naturally,

The split skin is then run through a machine which cuts holes in it for 2 reasons - so it can stretch and cover a larger area and also let seepage through.

It is then applied to the "crater" gauze/foam etc is used to build up the crater and put pressure on the skin graft so it would take to the underlying tissue.

(Assuming it's a SSG of course)

Most would recommend resting and elevating the leg as much as possible, reduces the oozing and enhances the graft taking to the underlying tissue

@Quickstatus you've described what I saw. Will ask the nurse on Tuesday on my next visit but SSG sounds like that’s what I had

You were spot on @Quickstatus. Attended yesterday for the 2nd review, The wound has been weeping and the fluids coming through (or out the bottom) of the bandages, the worst was on Saturday (when I did the least walking, 307 steps to be precise) and nothing until overnight Monday. I had wrapped it in a gauze bandage just so others wouldn't see it on my travels to the surgeon.

He was there yesterday and carefully excised the layer above the skin graft (it is disintergrating). It definitely doesn't look good, but I took another photo so we can have an ongoing reference point. Asked for and given an eScript for antibiotics as I definitely don't want to have to go in for a replacement skin graft if this fails because of infection. He was happy with it but asked if I was on my feet much since last Thursday.

They've put on new bandages with a wound gel (not Solasite) for the main site, it's already seeping out and the crater can already be seen (as they didn't put in any padding). Only a clear (slightly green tinge) covering and bandage for the donor site.

I asked whether he suggesting that I stay off my feet and elevating the leg, sure enough he agreed it would be a better idea. So I'm "resting" at home with my laptop on my lap.

 

[QF WP]

Medical Trip report 3

Woke up in recovery all strapped and braced up. Pretty swollen and painful and needed a few different analgesics

Surgeon had already called mrsandye and all gone well. He also said I had big thigh muscles (built up from my days as a rugby prop). They has retracted a fair way with the tear so much of the pain is due to the stretching.

Enjoyed a cup of tea. I wasn't keen the sandwich menu

Mstrandye3 had been doing school work experience at an orthopaedic device company. They gave him some model joints. Elected not to keep it in thus position when the surgeon came round

View attachment 394460
The booking forms had me down as a daycase but we all agreed I was still in too much pain to go home (and the nerve block was due to wear off in the early hours of the morning)

Any update @andye? Did you get another nerve block early AM Friday, or just some strong painkillers? Hopefully you are being waited on my Mrs Andye when she's not at work - unless she took some time off to nurse her favourite patient.

 

[prozac]

You were spot on @Quickstatus. Attended yesterday for the 2nd review, The wound has been weeping and the fluids coming through (or out the bottom) of the bandages, the worst was on Saturday (when I did the least walking, 307 steps to be precise) and nothing until overnight Monday. I had wrapped it in a gauze bandage just so others wouldn't see it on my travels to the surgeon.

He was there yesterday and carefully excised the layer above the skin graft (it is disintergrating). It definitely doesn't look good, but I took another photo so we can have an ongoing reference point. Asked for and given an eScript for antibiotics as I definitely don't want to have to go in for a replacement skin graft if this fails because of infection. He was happy with it but asked if I was on my feet much since last Thursday.

They've put on new bandages with a wound gel (not Solasite) for the main site, it's already seeping out and the crater can already be seen (as they didn't put in any padding). Only a clear (slightly green tinge) covering and bandage for the donor site.

I asked whether he suggesting that I stay off my feet and elevating the leg, sure enough he agreed it would be a better idea. So I'm "resting" at home with my laptop on my lap.

Interesting they did not pack the cavity. I once had a necrotic ulcer which required cleaning (Eusol) and packing daily so it could heal from inside out. Process took 2.5 months.

 

[Quickstatus]

the crater can already be seen (as they didn't put in any padding)

Normally, some foam/gauze is used to fill the crater so that slight pressure is applied to the SSG but even if not, so long as the dressing applies some slight pressure thats enough

Rest and elevation helps skin grafts to , well, graft.
Walking too much causes more oozing

Google Skin graft Zimmer Dermatome - these are pneumatically powered,
also google Skin graft mesher

 

[andye]

Any update @andye? Did you get another nerve block early AM Friday, or just some strong painkillers? Hopefully you are being waited on my Mrs Andye when she's not at work - unless she took some time off to nurse her favourite patient.

Thanks for checking in
I've been home for a week now

There was never a plan for repeat block but I was established on a pretty hefty multi-modal pain regime (tapentadol, celecoxib and paracetamol).

The first night in hospital it wasn't enough. You do feel very vulnerable stuck in bed waiting on the call-bell to be answered to get breakthrough meds. Howver, in the scheme of things the wait wasn't long.

Have managed to halve my tapentadol dose-I was quite spacey the first few days after. Am now able to get in and out of bed unaided and walking steadily with crutches (though the 24h brace is a nuisance) Managed to do the dishwasher and make porridge and tea this morning.

Mrsandye and mstrandyes2-4 are doing a great job (mstrandye1 is in Pamplona running with the bulls).

I'd thought I'd be back to work this week but hadn't anticipated how much the surgery and meds would take it out of me

 

[RooFlyer]

multi-modal pain regime

Thanks - I'll drop that into my discussion with my GP tomorrow about my own issue .

 

[VPS]

Thanks for checking in
I've been home for a week now

There was never a plan for repeat block but I was established on a pretty hefty multi-modal pain regime (tapentadol, celecoxib and paracetamol).

The first night in hospital it wasn't enough. You do feel very vulnerable stuck in bed waiting on the call-bell to be answered to get breakthrough meds. Howver, in the scheme of things the wait wasn't long.

Have managed to halve my tapentadol dose-I was quite spacey the first few days after. Am now able to get in and out of bed unaided and walking steadily with crutches (though the 24h brace is a nuisance) Managed to do the dishwasher and make porridge and tea this morning.

Mrsandye and mstrandyes2-4 are doing a great job (mstrandye1 is in Pamplona running with the bulls).

I'd thought I'd be back to work this week but hadn't anticipated how much the surgery and meds would take it out of me

It is awful waiting for the call bell to be answered when you can’t even get out of bed yourself. My current visit the record was nearly 20 minutes and many around 10 minutes

 

[prozac]

Thanks for checking in
I've been home for a week now

There was never a plan for repeat block but I was established on a pretty hefty multi-modal pain regime (tapentadol, celecoxib and paracetamol).

The first night in hospital it wasn't enough. You do feel very vulnerable stuck in bed waiting on the call-bell to be answered to get breakthrough meds. Howver, in the scheme of things the wait wasn't long.

Have managed to halve my tapentadol dose-I was quite spacey the first few days after. Am now able to get in and out of bed unaided and walking steadily with crutches (though the 24h brace is a nuisance) Managed to do the dishwasher and make porridge and tea this morning.

Mrsandye and mstrandyes2-4 are doing a great job (mstrandye1 is in Pamplona running with the bulls).

I'd thought I'd be back to work this week but hadn't anticipated how much the surgery and meds would take it out of me

If you were on 4B you could've dropped my name.
Did you think you'd catch the bus to work? It stops right outside the hospital.

 

[Blinky]

I’m so sorry to hear so many sad stories.

I’m now 73 and have barely had a sick day in my life. I did have a very interesting hospital experience earlier this year though. Doing my usual diy stuff and putting in a garden irrigation system, I managed to put a very deep cut in my palm with a Stanley knife. The local doctor told me over the phone that I could have severed a tendon, so told me to go to Emergency. For the first time in my life.

The interesting thing is that I was asked multiple times what medication I was on. I kept on saying “none” only to get the incredulous response “sorry, I’m asking what medication are you on”. When I kept on saying none, all I got was shaking heads.

Obviously most people my age are on medication (over 95% I have read) but, jeez, be open to the odd lucky cough.

Anyway, I know age will catch up and I will soon be comparing medication with everyone I know…

 

[Major]

About 25 years ago I had a hernia repair. About a week ago I had a bit of pain in the same area. Suspecting that the repair had reached it's use by date I went to my GP who sent me for an ultra sound which confirmed I needed some repair work.
Off to see a surgeon who has now booked me in early next Tuesday at Greenslopes for a Laparoscopic repair billateral inguinal hernia.

That's me out of action for a few weeks

 

[JohnM]

I’m so sorry to hear so many sad stories.

I’m now 73 and have barely had a sick day in my life. I did have a very interesting hospital experience earlier this year though. Doing my usual diy stuff and putting in a garden irrigation system, I managed to put a very deep cut in my palm with a Stanley knife. The local doctor told me over the phone that I could have severed a tendon, so told me to go to Emergency. For the first time in my life.

The interesting thing is that I was asked multiple times what medication I was on. I kept on saying “none” only to get the incredulous response “sorry, I’m asking what medication are you on”. When I kept on saying none, all I got was shaking heads.

Obviously most people my age are on medication (over 95% I have read) but, jeez, be open to the odd lucky cough.

Anyway, I know age will catch up and I will soon be comparing medication with everyone I know…

Same for me up until about your age.

A little after that it was suggested that I take medication for higher than desirable BP and cholesterol, so I complied. First time in my life taking any regular medication. Annoying, but must be sensible.

 

[QF WP]

Normally, some foam/gauze is used to fill the crater so that slight pressure is applied to the SSG but even if not, so long as the dressing applies some slight pressure thats enough

Rest and elevation helps skin grafts to , well, graft.
Walking too much causes more oozing

Google Skin graft Zimmer Dermatome - these are pneumatically powered,
also google Skin graft mesher

Yes, although trying to work from bed (or any surface that isn’t flat and still allows laptop air vents to keep laptop cool) is difficult to find. Plus after 30 mins in same position, my heels go numb. But I have to listen to doctor’s suggestion and I agreed - I get up to get kids and wife off to school/work and then back to bed. Power points full of charging cables.

 

[QF WP]

Thanks for checking in
I've been home for a week now

There was never a plan for repeat block but I was established on a pretty hefty multi-modal pain regime (tapentadol, celecoxib and paracetamol).

The first night in hospital it wasn't enough. You do feel very vulnerable stuck in bed waiting on the call-bell to be answered to get breakthrough meds. Howver, in the scheme of things the wait wasn't long.

Have managed to halve my tapentadol dose-I was quite spacey the first few days after. Am now able to get in and out of bed unaided and walking steadily with crutches (though the 24h brace is a nuisance) Managed to do the dishwasher and make porridge and tea this morning.

Mrsandye and mstrandyes2-4 are doing a great job (mstrandye1 is in Pamplona running with the bulls).

I'd thought I'd be back to work this week but hadn't anticipated how much the surgery and meds would take it out of me

tapentadol - I got that as my pain relief in my hospital pharmac_ pack but thankfully I have a reasonable threshold for pain and knowing what’s good and bad pain, was happy to stay off it. Debated taking it in my first week but too many stories about addiction. It’s in our medicine cabinet for later use if necessary.

See we both like tea and porridge

That last paragraph - echoes of my thoughts. 3 weeks and I can’t even walk with normal gait and having to work from bed. Who’d have thought

Wife and kids realizing how much I do around the house is comforting though. Normally things are just done and they just sail through without much of a thought.

 

[andye]

I am pretty glad for the tapentadol (which agrees with me better than oxycodone and doesn't cause constipation).
Howver I'm looking to wean as soon as feasible (tried taking 3x/d rather than 4x yesterday and was ok-ish)
In terms of potential serious side-effects (gastric and kidney are uncommon but not negligible), I'd probably be better losing the celecoxib instead but I am wary of becoming accustomed to opiates.
On the other hand, my anaesthetist gave me a call yesterday and she wouldn't have been unhappy if I was still on the original higher tapentadol dose so soon after my op

 

[prozac]

I am pretty glad for the tapentadol (which agrees with me better than oxycodone and doesn't cause constipation).
Howver I'm looking to wean as soon as feasible (tried taking 3x/d rather than 4x yesterday and was ok-ish)
In terms of potential serious side-effects (gastric and kidney are uncommon but not negligible), I'd probably be better losing the celecoxib instead but I am wary of becoming accustomed to opiates.
On the other hand, my anaesthetist gave me a call yesterday and she wouldn't have been unhappy if I was still on the original higher tapentadol dose so soon after my op

I am not a fan of medications. When I have been sent home with oxy I wean when I can by not taking during the day but just at night. You need to get a good nights sleep to heal I reckon.

 

[RooFlyer]

Well I'm damned if tapentadol does anything for me. Given some in hospital immediately after twin hernia surgery and to take home afterwards and did nothing, as far as I could tell, so stopped after a day (as I don't like the idea of taking opioids). No change after stopping.

Ditto after cheilectomy surgery on toe. Same when I have snuck some for some other pain issues (eg arthritic SI joint) when I needed better sleep.

I know certain analgesics target certain types of pain and not others, but this one is straight zeros for me.

Could that be a real thing??

 

[Pushka]

Taking daily medication has been a part of my life since my late twenties with low thyroid. I'm up to four now so it is what it is.