General Medical issues thread

[RooFlyer]

They have a nasty side effect of reducing gastric emptying which makes the "fast for 6hrs prior to an Op" questionable.

As they are dosed 1/week, they hang around a long time - the effect lingers for up to 4 times that. Currently no one knows what the real answer is, so the recommendations are likely to change as these drugs are better understood.

Another recommendation is to fast from solid food for 2 days but can drink water or clear fluids - sort of like the colonoscopy prep period without the bowel prep.

I’ve been told to cease as Ozempic three weeks prior to my coronary ablation procedure. Strange in retrospect that the electrophysiologist didn’t ask and I forgot to venture, what dose I’d be on then.

 

[prozac]

Would performing an angiogram (angioplasty?) tell the cardiologist if a by-pass is working or not?

 

[andye]

Would performing an angiogram (angioplasty?) tell the cardiologist if a by-pass is working or not?

Yes it should. It wont necessarily tell you if angina is being caused by any particular artery

 

[Quickstatus]

Would performing an angiogram (angioplasty?) tell the cardiologist if a by-pass is working or not?

But carries some risks
Often a Sestamibi scan can give just as much info or stress test

 

[prozac]

I've edited this post. I am probably sharing a bit too much. I should get out more and not submit posts after midnight.

 

[Cossie]

So, finally had my right eye seen to again to have the short sightedness corrected following my last cataract surgery.
The surgeon kindly only charged the Scheduled Fee and I had an anaesthetist that I have had before, he will charge me the gap, which will be about $180, which I don't have issues with.
I chose not to have the anaesthetist that wanted nearly $500 as a gap fee.
More pain than last time when the cataract was removed and the new lens inserted. This time he placed another lens inside as an addition to the one he put in last time.
He referred to this as a permanent contact lens.
So far so good, distance vision has improved, I can read the subtitles on the TV now without glasses.

SWMBO says I have to sort my hearing out now, but I just pretend not to hear her...

 

[Quickstatus]

permanent contact lens

As a cosmetic procedure it is possible to implant a corrective lens in the eye by removing the OEM lens even if not affected by cataract

 

[prozac]

Took MrsProzac back for a follow-up with the Vertigo doc at St Leonards. It's been 5 weeks since we first saw him and her vertigo has now finally disappeared after more than 12 months and a number of unsuccessful visits to other doctors. This doctor is also addressing other issues which we will follow up in 2025. Refreshing to encounter such an expert in their field.

Edit: It is interesting that he writes his reports as he is talking to you (voice recognition software) and he notes the person who has accompanied the patient. I guess in his field he also sees alot of support people.

 

[Quickstatus]

he writes his reports as he is talking to you (voice recognition software

Or sent to a dictation service?

he notes the person who has accompanied the patient

A good idea. Accompanying support people are very important and beneficial.

 

[prozac]

Or sent to a dictation service?


A good idea. Accompanying support people are very important and beneficial.

It types as he speaks. When finished he prints in seconds and hands you the referral to imaging or to next specialist. Support person (me) noted on the referral too. He is incredibly efficient and thorough questioning etc.

 

[RooFlyer]

It types as he speaks. When finished he prints in seconds and hands you the referral to imaging or to next specialist. Support person (me) noted on the referral too. He is incredibly efficient and thorough questioning etc.

Does it type everything it hears, sort of verbatim, or does it produce a summary, by itself at the end? That's what the thing at my GP's practice does.

I once tested it by asking the GP at the ned if it had captured an en passant comment I made about something-or-other and on reviewing, it had.

Had to give permission the first time it was proposed to be used.

 

[prozac]

Does it type everything it hears, sort of verbatim, or does it produce a summary, by itself at the end? That's what the thing at my GP's practice does.

I once tested it by asking the GP at the ned if it had captured an en passant comment I made about something-or-other and on reviewing, it had.

Had to give permission the first time it was proposed to be used.

Only picked up what he was dictating. He didn't mess around with it during or after. First time I thought he was sending notes to the receptionist for typing up, but when he finished he pressed (?) print and handed the print out to us, addressed and everything as you'd expect.

 

[Flashback]

My father had a routine test, and his PSA levels were slightly elevated (I think?) - 2 tests, came up at 14 and 15. That then led to an MRI, which showed some dark spots, but they're still not 100% clear, so it's off for a biopsy now. It could be inflammation, or could be cancerous. He doesn't have any symptoms, but apparently have friends that were similar (no symptoms) and did have prostate cancer.

Anything to worry about?

 

[TheRealTMA]

My father had a routine test, and his PSA levels were slightly elevated (I think?) - 2 tests, came up at 14 and 15. That then led to an MRI, which showed some dark spots, but they're still not 100% clear, so it's off for a biopsy now. It could be inflammation, or could be cancerous. He doesn't have any symptoms, but apparently have friends that were similar (no symptoms) and did have prostate cancer.

Anything to worry about?

It is of concern. Often there are no obvious physical symptoms but 14/15 is quite high but there can be other causes. But be alert not alarmed. Treatment for prostate cancer ( which is a less used term these days so as not to scare the horses) is much improved and generally very reliable. “Many” prostate lesions develop very slowly. Watchful Waiting is one scheme for non agressive tumours then there’s plenty of other options if required. Getting a genomic profile after the biopsy is a good idea IMHO to see the specifics of the lesions and how aggressive it maybe. See a good urologist, obviously. Get a second opinion if not happy.

Several here on AFF have resolved such issues successfully.

 

[Flashback]

It is of concern. Often there are no obvious physical symptoms but 14/15 is quite high but there can be other causes. But be alert not alarmed. Treatment for prostate cancer ( which is a less used term these days so as not to scare the horses) is much improved and generally very reliable. “Many” prostate lesions develop very slowly. Watchful Waiting is one scheme for non agressive tumours then there’s plenty of other options if required. Getting a genomic profile after the biopsy is a good idea IMHO to see the specifics of the lesions and how aggressive it maybe. See a good urologist, obviously. Get a second opinion if not happy.

Several here on AFF have resolved such issues successfully.

Thanks @TheRealTMA - he did mention the watchful waiting thing, if it's shown to be non agressive. Fingers crossed then. He's about as alarmed as I am on such things i.e., pretty low. I think Mother FB is probably the opposite

 

[JohnM]

Thanks @TheRealTMA - he did mention the watchful waiting thing, if it's shown to be non agressive. Fingers crossed then. He's about as alarmed as I am on such things i.e., pretty low. I think Mother FB is probably the opposite

PCa is basically symptomless - that’s the problem.

Mine was detected at a much lower PSA score than 14.

I was then on active surveillance (watchful waiting) for seven years before a Gleason score grade change triggered my intervention threshold for prostatectomy, now itself coming up seven years ago.

 

[Flashback]

PCa is basically symptomless - that’s the problem.

Mine was detected at a much lower PSA score than 14.

I was then on active surveillance (watchful waiting) for seven years before a Gleason score grade change triggered my intervention threshold for prostatectomy, now itself coming up seven years ago.

Thanks @JohnM, good to know. Will keep a watchful eye on things from afar.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks @JohnM, good to know. Will keep a watchful eye on things from afar.

I believe your parents live in Perth. If your father wants to talk about anything, ping me.

 

[JohnK]

Got a script for long distance glasses and computer access glasses 5 years ago and then 2 years ago updated long distance glasses as there was slight change.

What I've noticed recently is that I can see better without glasses. I can drive without glasses most times and road not blurry. Using long distance glasses can hurt my eyes. The computer access glasses have lost the focus and need updating.

Went for eye check last week and confirmed that eyes have improved to be almost same as what they were 5 years ago. The reason is that I am at early stage of cataracts. Who would have thought that cataracts would improve sight?

I stupidly ordered computer access glasses for this year health fund benefit. I'll get long distance glasses when I'm back from Thailand end of January. Should have got long distance glasses first.

 

[Pushka]

Got a script for long distance glasses and computer access glasses 5 years ago and then 2 years ago updated long distance glasses as there was slight change.

What I've noticed recently is that I can see better without glasses. I can drive without glasses most times and road not blurry. Using long distance glasses can hurt my eyes. The computer access glasses have lost the focus and need updating.

Went for eye check last week and confirmed that eyes have improved to be almost same as what they were 5 years ago. The reason is that I am at early stage of cataracts. Who would have thought that cataracts would improve sight?

I stupidly ordered computer access glasses for this year health fund benefit. I'll get long distance glasses when I'm back from Thailand end of January. Should have got long distance glasses first.

Only for a while. Cataracts continue to develop and then you won't see clearly.