General Medical issues thread

[Flying mermaid]

No one replied to my earlier post, so assuming being "ill" from exhaustion isn't a thing. This week confirmed it, 97 hours and feeling OK. Let's see what this week brings!

some people thrive on those hours, but as a long term thing I would have thought it wouldn't be good. Apart from anything else you only get one life (as far as we know), do you want to spend it all working, even if you do love it.....( disclaimer - I did the same thing in my 20s and early 30s. I was in IT and loved every minute of it, from dump busting to writing assembler. However I learned moderation and an appreciation for other things.....)

 

[Flying mermaid]

Sigh - I still haven't talked Miss FM into taking Methotrexate. This is very injurious for my health as I like awake worrying. We have reached an impasse as she wants her questions answered that she gave to her Rheumatologist on Thursday, before she starts and no reply as yet. The main things she wants to know are the reason for starting, given there appears to have been no new lesions for 3 or 4 years and how long will they keep her on it. Not unreasonable, but if it is still active, she could be gambling with further problems. She is more stubborn than I am .

 

[Pushka]

I don't think there is great urgency FM. Otherwise there would have been a response already. The treatment takes some time to kick in so if it was urgent she would have been prescribed steroi_s. Usually monitoring every 3 - 4 months is sufficient even when there are kidney issues. Sometimes there are critical response and action times (EG blood clots, heart and brain) but mostly action within say 3 months is sufficient. There really isn't that much of an urgency to stress so much about.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I don't think there is great urgency FM. Otherwise there would have been a response already. The treatment takes some time to kick in so if it was urgent she would have been prescribed steroi_s. Usually monitoring every 3 - 4 months is sufficient even when there are kidney issues. Sometimes there are critical response and action times (EG blood clots, heart and brain) but mostly action within say 3 months is sufficient. There really isn't that much of an urgency to stress so much about.

She has already lost nerves and almost all the muscles in her calf, so she has a permanent limp. If the disease is still active and it then attacks other muscles she could end up permanently crippled - this is what keeps me awake at night.

Her Rheumatologist said she should start straight away to prevent the possibility of it happening. She is one of the old style specialists who don't like being asked questions - you should just do what you are told - for once I agree.

She had steriods for two months last year and they did not appear to make any difference. She has been told she has to have blood tests monthly, which is a good thing as we can see if there is any effect on the CK. The problem is Miss FM feels entirely well, so feels she doesn't need to hurry....Mr FM and I think she gets tired very easily, but I think she has had that for so many years she doesn't notice it anymore.

 

[Pushka]

It's only Monday. If the rheumatologist works in the public health system (mine does) then she only checks her emails when in private sessions which are Thursdays and Fridays. I usually get a reply after a week if I send on Thursday. And our understanding of "straight away" is not the same as Doctors - for them it is more like within the next month or so.

 

[Flying mermaid]

It's only Monday. If the rheumatologist works in the public health system (mine does) then she only checks her emails when in private sessions which are Thursdays and Fridays. I usually get a reply after a week if I send on Thursday. And our understanding of "straight away" is not the same as Doctors - for them it is more like within the next month or so.

I don't think she works in the public system, but yes you are right she is very busy and will be prioritising. I think I will try and switch off and think about this next year - She would be very unlucky if she did lose another muscle, as generalised Morphea is normally cutaneous.

 

[get me outta here]

I am very reluctant to alarm you further, but not all doctors actually engage by email as they'd 'never' get any work done. If she doesn't hear soon, I think a phone call and read out the qs to the practice manager and for your daughter to call back for the answers, may work.

My daughter is stubborn too, so I know what you must be going through.

I don't think she works in the public system, but yes you are right she is very busy and will be prioritising. I think I will try and switch off and think about this next year - She would be very unlucky if she did lose another muscle, as generalised Morphea is normally cutaneous.

 

[Pushka]

I am very reluctant to alarm you further, but not all doctors actually engage by email as they'd 'never' get any work done. If she doesn't hear soon, I think a phone call and read out the qs to the practice manager and for your daughter to call back for the answers, may work.

My daughter is stubborn too, so I know what you must be going through.

It's going to depend on the directions of the Rheumatologist re their preferred contact. But if nothing heard back by Weds then a call might be in order. But maybe she is already on holidays - at least then you would know. Kind of.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I am very reluctant to alarm you further, but not all doctors actually engage by email as they'd 'never' get any work done. If she doesn't hear soon, I think a phone call and read out the qs to the practice manager and for your daughter to call back for the answers, may work.

My daughter is stubborn too, so I know what you must be going through.

thank-you . Yes that is what she did, phoned and read them out. I sometimes think it is Karma - I was very stubborn and gave my mother a hard time

 

[JohnK]

My wife had a breakdown last night. Screaming and crying. My daughter scared and screaming and crying.

It was one of the saddest moments of my life. I should have seen it coming but didn't think this would happen.

Wife does not want to be here. Wife wants to leave right now. I think she is right. Have asked for time off from work.

Not sure where this nightmare will end. Hope wife seeks medical help sooner rather later.

 

[Pushka]

Oh JohnK. I'm not sure what to say other than thinking of you all.

 

[Flying mermaid]

My wife had a breakdown last night. Screaming and crying. My daughter scared and screaming and crying.

It was one of the saddest moments of my life. I should have seen it coming but didn't think this would happen.

Wife does not want to be here. Wife wants to leave right now. I think she is right. Have asked for time off from work.

Not sure where this nightmare will end. Hope wife seeks medical help sooner rather later.

so sorry to hear that. She has had such a bad run with her medical issues and a baby can be overwhelming. Wonderful you have taken time off work. I am sure with your support and encouragement she will seek the professional help she needs.

 

[love_the_life]

My wife had a breakdown last night. Screaming and crying. My daughter scared and screaming and crying.

It was one of the saddest moments of my life. I should have seen it coming but didn't think this would happen.

Wife does not want to be here. Wife wants to leave right now. I think she is right. Have asked for time off from work.

Not sure where this nightmare will end. Hope wife seeks medical help sooner rather later.

Oh John I am so sorry to hear this after all the family have been through. I wonder if it is the stress of all the months of worry and medical issues that has finally caught up with her. It can be that you put so much effort into 'surviving' while it is happening that when it is all over, you fall in a huge heap. I know i did after the chemo and radio. I remember driving to work one morning and all i could see was a black tunnel. I had to pull over and wait for the feeling to improve before I felt capable of continuing on.
If possible John I would go with your wife to the doctor to explain what happened and the see what they suggest. More worries for you so fingers crossed.

 

[drron]

John we are all feeling for you and your wife.
Do you know ant Thai people around?That might be better if she could talk to someone in her own language.

 

[Hvr]

And like all of us here I am thinking of you all John. Here's hoping the help is available for your wife and best wishes for her and your daughter.

 

[whatmeworry]

From 2018, Codeine will not be available OTC.

Painkillers containing codeine will no longer be available over the counter from 2018, the federal drug regulator has announced.

Painkillers with codeine won't be available over the counter from 2018 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Pushka]

Because those 90% of us who are responsible have to be penalised. Oh well, stock up overseas. Not that I use codeine - it clogs up the works too much for me.

 

[suze2000]

I'm very angry about the codeine thing. For myself, period pain is only manageable with either Naprogesic &/or Nurofen Plus. Since I'm not supposed to take Naprogesic now because of Crohn's, and they aren't so keen on me taking Nurofen Plus for the same reason, I'm going to be back at the doctor just for something that happens every month! And I know I am not unusual in terms of period pain - it's just that because we are women, we're expected to suck it up, our pain is not taken as seriously as men's.

And what about those who develop migraine and need it in a time-critical (within 20mins) frame?

Or cold tablets? Have to go to the Doctor's every time you have a cold now too?

Way to go, whoever made that stupid decision. Overload our already overloaded doctors with people just trying to get basic medications to manage everyday illnesses. The mass suffering is extended by increments.

I will be stockpiling.

 

[Pushka]

I can check label but does this impact on Mersyndol?

Pseudoephedrine is the major issue for my husband. He should have the sinus surgery but work demands constant flying. He is treated like a criminal at the pharmac_ even with the script. Not to worry, he bought several packs OTC without question at Dubai airport last week for around $10. That will last him a few months now.

 

[wandering_fred]

Because those 90% of us who are responsible have to be penalised. Oh well, stock up overseas. Not that I use codeine - it clogs up the works too much for me.

Will your Australian chemist script permit you to transit the incoming customs etc without issues?

Happy wandering

Fred