General Medical issues thread

[Flying mermaid]

My niece with lupus (TV star ) is doing fabulously on methotrexate.

That's good to hear. . I am still glad Ms FM didn't have to go on it, although of course when she sees her Scleroderma guru in Sydney in April it might all change.

 

[JohnK]

Severe pharyngitis for over a week now. Throat very dry. Subsconsciously and more like a reflex action the tongue is constantly reaching for saliva from throat. By nights end the back of the tongue is very sore as this happens every 10-15 seconds sometimes even more. Does this happen to anyone else?

And this evening all of this followed by huge panic attack. I have taken 1.5mg Xanax which has not helped.

The evil eye is quite strong on this one. Mum in Sydney is crying and cannot stop yawning while she is reciting the special prayer which is a sign of a very strong evil eye.

This is not good. Hope I survive the night.

 

[JohnK]

Still trying to fight the severe pharyngitis. Body struggling to cope with panic attacks. Putting too much strain on body. Need to relax.

 

[QF WP]

Well you did play golf on Saturday and flew back to BNE - all that stress on the body (the de-stressor was winning the game, that would have been reversed by having to fly Tiger )

Still trying to fight the severe pharyngitis. Body struggling to cope with panic attacks. Putting too much strain on body. Need to relax.

 

[suze2000]

A warm bath? The water will help relax you and the humidity will moisten your throat a bit.

 

[JohnK]

A warm bath? The water will help relax you and the humidity will moisten your throat a bit.

No bathtub. This throat is driving me nuts. Looks like a second dose of Augmentin Duo Forte.

 

[Pushka]

If it's viral then antibiotics are useless.

 

[JohnK]

If it's viral then antibiotics are useless.

Not viral. Immuno-suppressants don't help.

 

[Pushka]

Not viral. Immuno-suppressants don't help.

What signs do you have that it's bacterial? Augmentin forte should have kicked its butt.

 

[whatmeworry]

JohnK with you virtually living in Asia, you might have picked up a antibiotic resistant bug.

Buy Honey or better Manuka Honey and just let the honey sit in your throat.

 

[Pushka]

JohnK with you virtually living in Asia, you might have picked up a antibiotic resistant bug.

Buy Honey or better Manuka Honey and just let the honey sit in your throat.

Yes. Good idea. And could be mixed with crushed aspirin. And taken with lemon juice. And it isn't an old wives tale but chicken broth is packed with goodies.

 

[JohnK]

What signs do you have that it's bacterial? Augmentin forte should have kicked its butt.

No signs other than doctor check-up last week. I have a very inflammed pharynx that feels exactly the same as the previous 30-40 infections in recent years. This time it is being a little stubborn and my tongue is sore as I am subconsiously trying to draw saliva every 10-15 seconds.

Throat feels better now with 1 more day of Augmentin Forte to go. I may just take another 5 day dose of Augmentin Forte as I am leaving Sunday for 2 weeks and I don't want to have to worry about the infection on holidays.

 

[whatmeworry]

WHO concerned about superbugs.

New antibiotics need to be developed urgently to combat 12 families of bacteria, the World Health Organisation says, describing these "priority pathogens" as the greatest threats to human health.

Superbugs: WHO says new drugs urgently needed to fight 12 bacteria families - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Quickstatus]

Superbugs

The 25-year-old Malaysian Chinese who may have just solved the superbug problem | This Week In Asia | South China Morning Post

 

[cove]

With a new cardiologist came a new medication. It feels longer but it is probably less than 3 weeks since the change. My body didn't really love the change in the first week but now it is working fine.
Have decided not to let the ATO mess up my blood pressure ever again.

 

[JohnK]

After 7 days of Amoxil and 10 days of Augmentin Duo Forte and pharynx still not 100% and back of tongue also sore. But better than how I was feeling ~20 days ago.

I guess there's a possibility the infection is viral. I vaguely recall ~10 years ago going through 3-4 courses of penicillin and Augmentin and still had symptoms. Doctor prescribed further antibiotics that I thought were mainly used for staph infections but can't remember name of medicine.

In Singapore now in transit to Thailand and I won't have a chance to see doctor for 2 weeks? Should I try something such Zithromax/Arithromycin or am I wasting time. Tongue could also have slight fungal infection from the antibiotics and Fungilin supply has run out. Have Nystatin with me.

 

[Pushka]

If there were no signs of bacterial infection (think green) then it's viral. I thought Doctors these days didn't prescribe antibiotics unless they are sure it's bacterial. That's been my experience anyway. As they are useless in viral infections. And damaging for increasing resistance.

Hope it clears soon JohnK.

 

[JohnK]

Immuno suppressants are the key here. Cannot take any chances.

There are anti viral drugs. I was given anti viral drugs and antibiotics when I was in hospital with chicken pox.

Not sure if they'd be effective here. Driving me crazy.

 

[Pushka]

Which immuno suppressant are you on JohnK? Listening to a programme yesterday they were banging on about boosting the immune system. That is the last thing I need. You aren't on echinacea are you?

 

[JohnK]

Stellara. Injection every 12 weeks. I feel Humira was better with injections every 2 weeks but they said Stellara should assist with the Rheumatoid arthritis. It's ok although the change is not that noticeable if at all. In all fairness though I was on Humira and 15mg Methotrexate weekly so that would have been good combination.

I've gone from Humira to Inflixibab and now Ustikimibab (Stellara). Can't go back to Humira as the body may now have antibodies against it. Infliximab infusions every 6 weeks did not do anything for me at all. In fact got worse.

Not risking another change. Life is weird. I know these are only small issues in the grand scheme of things but still depressing trying to live with severe chronic pain.