General Medical issues thread

[love_the_life]

We'll probably have to cancel Japan in June and Europe in August as the boss wants a new knee asap.

Meanwhile, 44 days to go, it's already a bit smelly even though I flushed water through it the other day.

From what I have been reading online, I may be in for another 6 weeks after this one comes off. (I can understand why doctors don't like the internet.....)

That's not good news for your travel but hopefully once MrsC gets a new knee, you will be able to take off again in the not too distant future. It wouldn't be much fun for her with her knee at present I would think as both destinations are ones with lots of great walking.
About the cast...remind me to stand up wind from you if we meet in the near future.
Seriously, though, hope the wrist heals well and soon for you.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Likewise for me with Prostrate Cancer.

I survived with out the public hoo haa. Let's just keep trucking along folks.

So you've been "prostrate" for many years like me!

Prostate cancers like brest cancers are now more nuanced. They are not "one" disease but multi-forms of different "cancers". Some are much more significant and deadly than other forms. Many prostate "cancers" now are treated by active survaliance rather than direct intervention. Everyone's cancers are different and each of us has to decide how to handle and cope with the ones we have.

 

[get me outta here]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

There is a measles outbreak in EU:

The World Health Organization reports a resurgence of the seemingly long-gone disease.
Europe-bound travelers, triple check your vaccinations. According to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO), there’s a measles outbreak in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, and the Ukraine. More than 500 cases of the disease were reported in those countries in January 2017 alone. “With steady progress toward elimination over the past two years, it is of particular concern that measles cases are climbing in Europe,” Zsuzsanna Jakab, the WHO’s regional director for Europe said in a press release.

After all, measles—a super contagious (sometimes deadly) disease—was a much bigger health threat in the past. Before a vaccine was widely available, the WHO estimates about 2.6 million people died from the disease every year.
Today? Two doses of the MMR vaccine (which prevents against measles, mumps, and rubella) are 97 percent effective at prevention; one dose is about 93 percent effective, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.

 

[Denali]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

There is a measles outbreak in EU:

The World Health Organization reports a resurgence of the seemingly long-gone disease.
Europe-bound travelers, triple check your vaccinations. According to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO), there’s a measles outbreak in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, and the Ukraine. More than 500 cases of the disease were reported in those countries in January 2017 alone. “With steady progress toward elimination over the past two years, it is of particular concern that measles cases are climbing in Europe,” Zsuzsanna Jakab, the WHO’s regional director for Europe said in a press release.

After all, measles—a super contagious (sometimes deadly) disease—was a much bigger health threat in the past. Before a vaccine was widely available, the WHO estimates about 2.6 million people died from the disease every year.
Today? Two doses of the MMR vaccine (which prevents against measles, mumps, and rubella) are 97 percent effective at prevention; one dose is about 93 percent effective, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.

Meanwhile, the anti vac'ers stick cheese in their ears and say la la la as they think their precious is safe with essential oils.

While we were in Atlanta, we went to the CDC. Glad we did - looking at that iron lung that was used up until 2003 was so sad. These diseases are still around folks.

 

[Cossie]

Not only am I the world's wurst speller, I can't count either! Don't know where the '44' came from, anyway it's only about 4 weeks.

 

[Denali]

So you've been "prostrate" for many years like me!

Prostate cancers like brest cancers are now more nuanced. They are not "one" disease but multi-forms of different "cancers". Some are much more significant and deadly than other forms. Many prostate "cancers" now are treated by active survaliance rather than direct intervention. Everyone's cancers are different and each of us has to decide how to handle and cope with the ones we have.

Finally got my husband to the doctor/pathology for a overall checkup/blood test inc prostate (get results in a couple of days). No obvious symptoms of anything but we're reaching age milestones to start getting things checked out.

Hes not happy with me, forcing him to go, so hes announced hes in training for the Sydney Tower stair race in August. Hes almost 60, Im starting to get concerned about some of the ideas in his head.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Meanwhile, the anti vac'ers stick cheese in their ears and say la la la as they think their precious is safe with essential oils.

While we were in Atlanta, we went to the CDC. Glad we did - looking at that iron lung that was used up until 2003 was so sad. These diseases are still around folks.

I discovered earlier in the week that I am actually an anti-vacer

https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/mum-confession-im-coming-out-as-anti-vac/

 

[Milboo]

Just clocked in an Iron level of 7... my doctor is not happy. Come this time of the day, I seriously need a nap.

 

[Pushka]

Just clocked in an Iron level of 7... my doctor is not happy. Come this time of the day, I seriously need a nap.

What are the lab references?

 

[Milboo]

What are the lab references?

10-30 for iron.

T'ferrin was 32 (32-48)
T. sat was 12 (13-45)
Ferritin was 17 (30-165)

 

[suze2000]

Yeah you need supplements

 

[suze2000]

Pushka, re your comment about warfarin trials... I wouldn't take it voluntarily either, without reason. It's not so much because it's rat poison, but because it has other side effects, sometimes serious, on mood and uncontrollable bleeding. It's a very blunt instrument and there are better drugs out there, depending on purpose.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Mr FM was in warfarin for 6 months. He was tested regularly (particularly in the first few months) and the dosage adjusted. I didn't notice any mood issues, but then he was on so many drugs at the time, probably wouldn't have noticed anyway. I was fairly worried about bleeding, so monitored what he ate and drank. Was very glad when he was allowed to go off.

 

[Pushka]

Mr FM was in warfarin for 6 months. He was tested regularly (particularly in the first few months) and the dosage adjusted. I didn't notice any mood issues, but then he was on so many drugs at the time, probably wouldn't have noticed anyway. I was fairly worried about bleeding, so monitored what he ate and drank. Was very glad when he was allowed to go off.

Yes. Mum died from either stroke or brain bleed on warfarin so 6 weeks later when I had the DVT there was no way I was going on it. Thankfully they put me on Xarelto. Once they later diagnosed Lupus/APS I was worried they'd put me back on warfarin. Had I had an arterial clot they would have had no choice but trials back in July last year were released that Xarelto was as efficient as warfarin for venous clots.

Mum was being tested every 2 weeks as it took ages to get her INR stable enough. But looking at her booklet the INR they were aiming for should have been higher. And no one checked her diet for Vitamin K overload. She was always eating salads etc.

Good luck getting that iron level up milboo.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes. Mum died from either stroke or brain bleed on warfarin so 6 weeks later when I had the DVT there was no way I was going on it. Thankfully they put me on Xarelto. Once they later diagnosed Lupus/APS I was worried they'd put me back on warfarin. Had I had an arterial clot they would have had no choice but trials back in July last year were released that Xarelto was as efficient as warfarin for venous clots.

Mum was being tested every 2 weeks as it took ages to get her INR stable enough. But looking at her booklet the INR they were aiming for should have been higher. And no one checked her diet for Vitamin K overload. She was always eating salads etc.

Good luck getting that iron level up milboo.

that's sad. I am glad there is an alternative - it always sounded risky to me, but it was necessary. Well possibly - when we saw a haematologist to get the OK to go off it, he wasn't convinced Mr FM had had a PE. I don't think anyone knew for sure what was going on. They knew the initial problem was brain abscesses but when Mr FM had another downward spiral they just tested everything and when they couldn't find anything just gave everythng they could, including Vancomycin and Warfarin - something worked

 

[k_sheep]

Yeah you need supplements

Also you need to figure out where all your iron has gone.

 

[Pushka]

Also you need to figure out where all your iron has gone.

My SIL has low iron. She's always had it but the Drs always want to check into causes.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yeah you need supplements

Supplements?. An iron infusion s much quicker

 

[Quickstatus]

Pushka, re your comment about warfarin trials... I wouldn't take it voluntarily either, without reason. It's not so much because it's rat poison, but because it has other side effects, sometimes serious, on mood and uncontrollable bleeding. It's a very blunt instrument and there are better drugs out there, depending on purpose.

What's better than warfarin? Xarelto?.
Warfarin effect can be quickly reversed and easily measurable
Rivaroxaban effect and other NOAC are not easily reversed or easily measurable.
I wouldn't say warfarin is blunt - it effects a very specific part of the coagulation cascade.

Pros and cons.

Many patients have severe haemorrhage from NOAC too. And many have converted from NOAC to warfarin.

(NOAC = newer oral anticoagulants.)

 

[Princess Fiona]

Pushka, re your comment about warfarin trials... I wouldn't take it voluntarily either, without reason. It's not so much because it's rat poison, but because it has other side effects, sometimes serious, on mood and uncontrollable bleeding. It's a very blunt instrument and there are better drugs out there, depending on purpose.

The risk of bleeding is essentially the same whether you are on warfarin or one of the new anticoagulants (Xarelto) etc.
The problem with the newer ones is that with the exception of Dabigatran, there are no specific antidotes for reversal.
This is a major issue for treating life threatening bleeds eg. cerebral or gastrointestinal.