General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

Endone or indeed any other option medications are not a solution for chronic (non-cancer) pain.

I'm not being offered any other options.

"Put up with the pain" or "learn to live with the pain" is not always the right advice.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm not being offered any other options.

"Put up with the pain" or "learn to live with the pain" is not always the right advice.

No it's not. Ask to be referred to a Chronic Pain specialist or practice which deals with this.

 

[AnnaB]

What do you do for constant chronic pain such as tendonitis and bursitis?

Occasionally 2 Panadeine Forte make me feel numb for 3h55m. It's a huge relief. There are so many joints/muscles aching. Try not to take it too often but there is no cure.

Endone could well end up being the solution.

What is the doc doing about the pain and treatment? I am just thinking as most of these issues are caused by inflammation... and rest is also essential (and in some cases physio)... or did the doc just throw you to the curb?
Thing is that pain is more easily managed if you are constantly on pain meds rather then just take them if you feel you need it (ie pain). In general, you should take so that pain does not occur at all... its an easy thing to say, but I know it is sooo hard. Sometimes the meds they give you are just not enough... it could also be the wrong kind of meds for the type of pain you have. I would not say Endone would be a great alternative, but then again, I dont know what you have been trying so far. High dose Naproxen (esomeprazole) or another new type of tablet that just came out for pain is called Zaldar and is a tramadol-paracetamol combo might do the trick...

I would say that Princess Fiona is giving some great advice here, ask to be referred to a pain specialist...

 

[Cossie]

Off to the fracture clinic, I'll take a good book and the smh. Swimbo says I should get a pink cast, if that's what happens! Don't think so though.

 

[JohnK]

Picked up a cold past 5 days not long after getting over throat infection. This isn't fun.

 

[rogerkambah]

Off to the fracture clinic, I'll take a good book and the smh. Swimbo says I should get a pink cast, if that's what happens! Don't think so though.

My sister had a green one on her arm/wrist. Now its off, but her wrist is still floppy.

Hope you don't need one.

 

[love_the_life]

Off to the fracture clinic, I'll take a good book and the smh. Swimbo says I should get a pink cast, if that's what happens! Don't think so though.

Is this the result of falling off the ladder?

Had to go to the doctor myself today which anyone who knows me is a very rare occurrence but I needed some antibiotics. Came away after a bit of a talking to about my blood pressure (up a bit) and weight (up a fair bit) and my poor record of routine tests, with instructions that if the BP is not lower after I take it at home, I am to do something about it as well as make an appointment for other things. See, I knew there was a reason I don't visit the doctor.

 

[Cossie]

Yes, unfortunately, the ladder 1, scaphoid 0. Now sporting a purple cast which has been cut down both sides and held with tape for the flights. I'll have it for 6 weeks.
I would hate to work in an area like that, my appointment was for 11:30, got seen to at 3, left just after 4. I was patient number 83 and they still had 2 hours to catch up. Don't envy them at all.

LtL, look after yourself with the blood pressure, Erika has had some real horror stories recently with people not taking their medication and one was even a doctor.

 

[Pushka]

Is this the result of falling off the ladder?

Had to go to the doctor myself today which anyone who knows me is a very rare occurrence but I needed some antibiotics. Came away after a bit of a talking to about my blood pressure (up a bit) and weight (up a fair bit) and my poor record of routine tests, with instructions that if the BP is not lower after I take it at home, I am to do something about it as well as make an appointment for other things. See, I knew there was a reason I don't visit the doctor.

Damn love_the_life. Ok let's do a daily routine 10,000 steps around QM2 decks. That plus incidental walking in Singapore etc might get things going. Dontcha hate the way one thing sparks off a whole series of events? You know that's what happens sometimes so avoidance works - for a while.

 

[love_the_life]

Yes, unfortunately, the ladder 1, scaphoid 0. Now sporting a purple cast which has been cut down both sides and held with tape for the flights. I'll have it for 6 weeks.
I would hate to work in an area like that, my appointment was for 11:30, got seen to at 3, left just after 4. I was patient number 83 and they still had 2 hours to catch up. Don't envy them at all.....

So not a nice bright pink cast...a purple one instead. You must cut quite a dashing figure Cossie; remember to wear complementary colours!

Managed to always avoid the fracture clinic at the hospital with the children, but I met someone who was visiting a private ortho who had a similar wait to you and who then had to drive back to Cooma that day.

 

[QF WP]

Good that the patient could tolerate Endone well. Daughter had all sorts of bad side affects and stopped after a couple of doses. Glad to hear that they are on the road to recovery, even though there is still pain. Hope it continues smoothly.

Ms FM was given Endone for her first knee operation - she was well on her way to being addicted after a week on it. Her next two operations she refused to touch it. There is clearly a need for it, but it is handed out far too liberally.

Interesting results on Endone, yes it was perfect for our family patient. But the prescription that was filled and given to them only contained 6 tabs, so wasn't likely to happen in this case.

What do you do for constant chronic pain such as tendonitis and bursitis?

Occasionally 2 Panadeine Forte make me feel numb for 3h55m. It's a huge relief. There are so many joints/muscles aching. Try not to take it too often but there is no cure.

Endone could well end up being the solution.

Family patient now on the same medication I took for bursitis - will let you know when I get home what it is. I found Physio and pain relief were the 2 things that worked for me, YMMV. Wholeheartedly agree with Princess fiona

 

[Flying mermaid]

Is this the result of falling off the ladder?

Had to go to the doctor myself today which anyone who knows me is a very rare occurrence but I needed some antibiotics. Came away after a bit of a talking to about my blood pressure (up a bit) and weight (up a fair bit) and my poor record of routine tests, with instructions that if the BP is not lower after I take it at home, I am to do something about it as well as make an appointment for other things. See, I knew there was a reason I don't visit the doctor.

Take care and don't neglect it, I was taking mine at home and monitoring and then got careless didn't take it for 6 months and it went totally out of control. We are getting to the age where we need to take more care (however irritating it is to admit it!). My one little blood pressure pill a day is working wonders and I feel terrific on it. I have also managed to get my cholesterol down from 7.5 to 6.4 .

 

[love_the_life]

Take care and don't neglect it, I was taking mine at home and monitoring and then got careless didn't take it for 6 months and it went totally out of control. We are getting to the age where we need to take more care (however irritating it is to admit it!). My one little blood pressure pill a day is working wonders and I feel terrific on it. I have also managed to get my cholesterol down from 7.5 to 6.4 .

The BP doesn't worry me much as it is usually quite low. What is keeping me in the bathroom present is a nasty little infection

 

[JohnK]

I would say that Princess Fiona is giving some great advice here, ask to be referred to a pain specialist...

Pain management clinics? Not very fond of them. Had my father on morphine and almost killed him.

Rheumatogists? Waste of time. Naprosyn SR1000 helps occasionally but not always. I'm not taking 4gm Paracetamol daily. Tried it for a month and it didn't help. Tramadol didn't help although we didn't go to a high dose. Panadeine Forte helps. Nurofen Plus helps sometimes. Mersyndol night strength quite good and the calmative effect is also good. Take all of them in moderation helps me manage my pain when it's unbearable.

Physiotherpists? Help for an hour or so and back to normal. I don't want to keep running off to physios and chiropractors.

 

[Pushka]

The BP doesn't worry me much as it is usually quite low. What is keeping me in the bathroom present is the nasty dose of cystitis

I hear ya sister. Antiobiotics usually provide quick relief. It's an awful thing and I carry a spare set of antibiotics. Hope it relieves soon.

 

[Flashback]

Hope you feel better soon LtL!

 

[suze2000]

I'm concerned about people's general attitude to pain management. There are worse things in the world than being addicted to opiates. People should be able to manage their pain as needed without judgement.

I'm going to leave this here.

Prince did not die from pain pills — he died from chronic pain

Related, but not the same thing at all, is a story I read about managing female pain

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/10/emergency-room-wait-times-sexism/410515/

I'm really sick of people acting like other people's pain (including my own) is not significant and they don't deserve treatment.

 

[bosox76]

Pain management clinics? Not very fond of them. Had my father on morphine and almost killed him.

Rheumatogists? Waste of time. Naprosyn SR1000 helps occasionally but not always. I'm not taking 4gm Paracetamol daily. Tried it for a month and it didn't help. Tramadol didn't help although we didn't go to a high dose. Panadeine Forte helps. Nurofen Plus helps sometimes. Mersyndol night strength quite good and the calmative effect is also good. Take all of them in moderation helps me manage my pain when it's unbearable.

Physiotherpists? Help for an hour or so and back to normal. I don't want to keep running off to physios and chiropractors.

If you do get a referral to see a pain specialist (which I agree with PF is probably the best option) they can tailor the appropriate therapy for your pathology. Don't let your fathers experience cloud you. Opiates often aren't a great long term solution for inflammatory pain. But I'd go see that specialist if you can.

 

[Quickstatus]

Ms FM was given Endone for her first knee operation - she was well on her way to being addicted after a week on it. Her next two operations she refused to touch it. There is clearly a need for it, but it is handed out far too liberally.

Agree. The push to get patients out is one reason patients get sent home on potent narcotics like endone.
And standard PBS endone bottle has 20 pills in it. No way patients should be sent home on so many pills. Maybe 5 as a maximum. There should be a PBS bottle for 5 instead of 20. Saves the pharmacist cracking a bottle of 20 to dispense 5.

JohnK, better analgesia often achieved when painkillers are taken in combination.
They then have an effect that is greater than the sum of the individual pills. = "synergistic effect"
example is panadol osteo (6 pills per day instead of 8) plus antiinflammatory like nurofen. Use panadol osteo as a baseline and add in others like nurofen tramadol as required.

 

[bosox76]

Agree. The push to get patients out is one reason patients get sent home on potent narcotics like endone.
And standard PBS endone bottle has 20 pills in it. No way patients should be sent home on so many pills. Maybe 5 as a maximum. There should be a PBS bottle for 5 instead of 20. Saves the pharmacist cracking a bottle of 20 to dispense 5.

JohnK, better analgesia often achieved when painkillers are taken in combination.
They then have an effect that is greater than the sum of the individual pills. = "synergistic effect"
example is panadol osteo (6 pills per day instead of 8) plus antiinflammatory like nurofen. Use panadol osteo as a baseline and add in others like nurofen tramadol as required.

You don't have to prescribe 20. You can prescribe whatever you like up to twenty. I have no qualms prescribing less if that's all the patients need. Don't worry about the pharmacists having to break a bottle. It's about the patient. Totally with your 2nd paragraph. Hopefully JK takes note.