General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

sorry to hear that

Even worse today but that is not the worst thing that can happen.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Was just talking to my mother on the phone. Apparently my SIL has been diagnosed with an ocular melanoma. She didn't know much else except that SIL has had some form of treatment at Peter Mac in Melbourne and has to wait for a month to see if there has been any improvement. It couldn't really come at a worse time for them as they are waiting for surgery for brother's arthritic knees. He has put that on hold for the present till the find out what the situation will be for her, though both his knees are very painful.

sorry to hear that - and Pushka's right we are getting to that age where our contemporaries are running into problems.

 

[Flashback]

I have a severe case of "need a break" after having had a really busy 3 months in my new contract. Doctor has prescribed a few days in a sunny/warm place and a bit of champagne. Doctors orders gratefully accepted and being put into play.

 

[cove]

Perth is just a teensy weensy warm and sunny at the minute Flashback. I think it was 42 today. You have to make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

 

[love_the_life]

sorry to hear that - and Pushka's right we are getting to that age where our contemporaries are running into problems.

Yes, we seem to be 'getting on' as they say - a bit like the cricketer on 87 runs.
They have had a bad decade - brother had shoulder reconstruction (which needed to be done again), daughter dropped dead suddenly leaving 2 young children (who actually found her and rang 000), the children were from two relationships so were split up to go with their respective fathers which meant the brother and SIL did not have the daily contact with them anymore, then breast cancer, then the knee problem and now the eye cancer. They must be wondering what they did to deserve this.

 

[Pushka]

I have a severe case of "need a break" after having had a really busy 3 months in my new contract. Doctor has prescribed a few days in a sunny/warm place and a bit of champagne. Doctors orders gratefully accepted and being put into play.

You are so lying about the champagne.

Yes, we seem to be 'getting on' as they say - a bit like the cricketer on 87 runs.
They have had a bad decade - brother had shoulder reconstruction (which needed to be done again), daughter dropped dead suddenly leaving 2 young children (who actually found her and rang 000), the children were from two relationships so were split up to go with their respective fathers which meant the brother and SIL did not have the daily contact with them anymore, then breast cancer, then the knee problem and now the eye cancer. They must be wondering what they did to deserve this.

Oh. That is decadus horribilus. So sorry for them.

 

[QF WP]

Had a colleague who started having spasms in her arm in mid-Dec, was referred to Neurologist for nerve test which were all clear. Saw her last week and she's still having spasms, back to GP this week who has referred her back to Neuro with belief that she has Myoclonic dystonia (it could be PDD - Paroxysmal Dystonia and Dyskinesias). Should she be having genetic testing? Told her she should take a break from work and get herself sorted.

 

[Flashback]

Minor hiccup on arrival; apparently there were issues with my previous visa (although I've never been here before.....) and then 2 room changes at the hotel but now happily sitting in a suite (didn't even ask!) overlooking the beach and a 15 second walk to the water. This will do just nicely for a few days.

 

[Flashback]

Had a colleague who started having spasms in her arm in mid-Dec, was referred to Neurologist for nerve test which were all clear. Saw her last week and she's still having spasms, back to GP this week who has referred her back to Neuro with belief that she has Myoclonic dystonia (it could be PDD - Paroxysmal Dystonia and Dyskinesias). Should she be having genetic testing? Told her she should take a break from work and get herself sorted.

Depends what you mean by spasms. I had something like that when I was in high school, turned out it was "nearly a collapsed lung" or something like that. Not sure how that works, but x-rays confirmed it anyway I think.

 

[love_the_life]

Minor hiccup on arrival; apparently there were issues with my previous visa (although I've never been here before.....) and then 2 room changes at the hotel but now happily sitting in a suite (didn't even ask!) overlooking the beach and a 15 second walk to the water. This will do just nicely for a few days.

Is this the medical treatment prescribed by your doctor?

 

[Flashback]

Is this the medical treatment prescribed by your doctor?

I do believe it is Sitting here working anyway, but I don't think that'll ever change. Can't help myself!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes, we seem to be 'getting on' as they say - a bit like the cricketer on 87 runs.
They have had a bad decade - brother had shoulder reconstruction (which needed to be done again), daughter dropped dead suddenly leaving 2 young children (who actually found her and rang 000), the children were from two relationships so were split up to go with their respective fathers which meant the brother and SIL did not have the daily contact with them anymore, then breast cancer, then the knee problem and now the eye cancer. They must be wondering what they did to deserve this.

That is horrible - does seem to go in waves like that for some people

 

[clazman]

Can anyone give any advice on the standard treatment for herniated disks at l4 and l5? Prescribed pain killers only is this right ?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Can anyone give any advice on the standard treatment for herniated disks at l4 and l5? Prescribed pain killers only is this right ?

Pretty much, conservative treatment is the recommended standard of care. Vast majority improve in weeks to a few months. Surgery is not offered often and usually only if there are neurological deficits present, pain alone is rarely an indication.

 

[Milboo]

Mine was around L5-S1 and was made worse by a resulting muscle spasms rotating my hip...

I had around 3 days of intense pain and then I cracked into treatment - massage, Chiro and Physio. Massage to release the spasms (with cupping and needles), Chiro to get the hip back into place and then Physio to actually work on the disc.

I would highly recommend seeing the Physio as the exercise I was given was key to my improvement.

Painkillers were my original prescriptions (and heavy ones) but we switched those out for Valium to relax the muscles and anti inflammatory.

I'm 11 weeks post and still seeing the Physio - disc is healing but the surrounding stuff is causing some residual issues.

 

[Cynicor]

Many people have herniated discs, they are often not pain generators outside of the actue phase. Valium/benzos were used previously but shown not to have any effect and so should not be used now as a "muscle relaxant".
Long term painkillers should not be used but the absolute best advice is physio. Physio should be active with the main component consisting of doing your own exercises- no physio good should need to see you long term for this. Strengthening of the paraspinal muscles is the most important way to prevent further pain and deterioration.

Mine was around L5-S1 and was made worse by a resulting muscle spasms rotating my hip...

I had around 3 days of intense pain and then I cracked into treatment - massage, Chiro and Physio. Massage to release the spasms (with cupping and needles), Chiro to get the hip back into place and then Physio to actually work on the disc.

I would highly recommend seeing the Physio as the exercise I was given was key to my improvement.

Painkillers were my original prescriptions (and heavy ones) but we switched those out for Valium to relax the muscles and anti inflammatory.

I'm 11 weeks post and still seeing the Physio - disc is healing but the surrounding stuff is causing some residual issues.

 

[Pushka]

30 years ago I had a herniated disc - L5-S1 and then it ruptured. I know exactly when it ruptured. I was picking something off the floor and had a searing pain down my right leg and reading the specialist reports post surgery I had described it as a knife running down my leg. Pain was 12. My right leg immediately went numb and over a period of days it eventually became weaker and weaker. CT showed significant prolapse. I was 30 at the time. I had been seeing a neurosurgeon and he said either immediate bed rest for 3 months and maybe I could avoid surgery or maybe not. I didn't realize the seriousness of it to be honest. I was seeing a physiotherapist also. My leg suffered significant damage - I couldn't stand on my toes due to weakness and there was another sign - he raised my leg and something? either happened or didn't happen.

When one day I was taking my five year old to school because what mother with a five year old and one year old can have bed rest for 3 months - my leg I collapsed under me then it was immediate surgery - microdiscectomy.

After surgery the surgeon showed me the piece of disc that was free floating in my spinal canal and pressing on it. He said I was lucky I didn't lose function of my leg permanently and that was only because I had 'a capacious spinal canal'.

Thirty years later my leg is numb down my calf, and my little toe and the one next to it are numb. I have no ankle reflex. I limp when I am tired and will stub my toe as I dont lift my leg properly.

Weirdly my niece had exactly the same surgery just last year. We both have Lupus. And she was 28.

 

[love_the_life]

There are so many uncanny similarities between you and you niece. A bit frightening really. The good thing for her is that she has been diagnosed and treated much earlier than you.

 

[Pushka]

There are so many uncanny similarities between you and you niece. A bit frightening really. The good thing for her is that she has been diagnosed and treated much earlier than you.

Truly weird. Sometimes I think her mum gets a bit envious of it all. (My SIL).

As I am of her coz she has four gorgeous grandchildren. My kids are having too much fun. Not good enough.

 

[Major]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

A question for our resident Medicos.

How do you keep up with new technology and improved techniques ?

Do you receive regular emails and publications ? Do you have to attend training sessions ?

I assume there are forums similar to AFF where you can discuss treatments, new procedures etc.

I know my GP is always busy and I wonder when he has time to catch up. It must be very difficult if you are time poor.