The totally off-topic thread

[JohnK]

Haemochromatosis is life threatening. Liver cancer is not good.

Understood. Not good.

My comment was more for the ".... oh and did you know your spine is curved?" Followed by me asking "What does than mean?" and explanations I don't quite understand. ".... my main concern is not wanting to be confined to wheelchair in 5-10 years time." followed by further silence.

Why tell me my spine is curved? What is that going to achieve? Can't fix it. More than enough to worry about with 5-6 discs eroded, acute chronic hip pain, knee pain, shin pain, ankle pain, neck pain etc.

Oh well. Still alive and others out there with worse issues.

 

[love_the_life]

Think this is coming soon for us, but with our feline

Anything about nothing :: Good Boy | Tapastic Comics

That's so sad but so true. I remember the vet asking us if Bouncer (our English Springer Spaniel) still wagged his tail - he didn't and we knew it was time.

With Patsy our cat, she had a look in her eyes that said, "Enough".

It's not an easy day to face if they have been part of the family, even though people say they're just animals.

 

[medhead]

Rant about dealing with legalese and its interpretation.

A certain legal event is deemed to have happened if there is misuse and something was involved. Certainly that something was involved but there was no misuse. Yet apparently the involvement of the something is proof there was misuse.

So why include both requirements in the law if only one matters? :evil:

 

[Bindibuys]

Our Sally is 16 years old, not time yet...... but I know the day will come, and I will have to be the one to make the decision.

 

[JessicaTam]

I am looking at buying a small (1kw) inverter generator to run a laptop and projector. Has anyone any experience with the $3-400 ones on eBay?

 

[RooFlyer]

Haemochromatosis is life threatening. Liver cancer is not good.

Ooooh, I'm not sure if that follows, does it? I would bow to any of the Drs opinions here, but having had it all my life, and diagnosed 20 years ago, I don't think anyone has talked about 'liver cancer' in respect to haemochromatosis and I've never considered it life threatening. Cirrhosis of the liver, osteoarthritis etc sure, and a bunch of other soft-organ issues# but cancer hasn't been part of the palette.

# My mug's understanding of Hae: One lacks an enzyme that tells the digestive system to stop absorbing iron when the blood reaches 'enough'. So iron keeps accumulating in the blood. When the blood absolutely can't take any more, the body starts stashing iron-compounds in places such as the liver and pancreas. Hence cirrhosis of those organs and the reason they did a liver biopsy for me (I was 'cored' between the ribs for a sample - just like testing a ripe cheese!). I guess cancer could be provoked but that's not on my list of worries.

Haemochromatosis is easy to deal with as long as you catch it before it gets too bad .. but these days that's less and less common, I'm told because of 'screening' type blood tests.

 

[coco50]

I don't know. I don't believe in that cough. But SWMBO has a whole range of prescription painkillers for her migraines of varying strengths. I think they travel in an ex-business class amenities pack that someone here kindly forwarded to us.

Panadeine forte is in with the lollies and breath mints.

Believe me, the most effective treatment for migraines is acupuncture. However you need a practitioner to administer the treatment which may not always be practical.

 

[medhead]

Believe me, the most effective treatment for migraines is acupuncture. However you need a practitioner to administer the treatment which may not always be practical.

Unless it can regulate hormone levels, I'm not sure it'll help. Having dealt with these things since teenage years she's pretty switched on to everything.
But I'll pass on the feedback. Thanks

 

[Pushka]

Ooooh, I'm not sure if that follows, does it? I would bow to any of the Drs opinions here, but having had it all my life, and diagnosed 20 years ago, I don't think anyone has talked about 'liver cancer' in respect to haemochromatosis and I've never considered it life threatening. Cirrhosis of the liver, osteoarthritis etc sure, and a bunch of other soft-organ issues# but cancer hasn't been part of the palette.

# My mug's understanding of Hae: One lacks an enzyme that tells the digestive system to stop absorbing iron when the blood reaches 'enough'. So iron keeps accumulating in the blood. When the blood absolutely can't take any more, the body starts stashing iron-compounds in places such as the liver and pancreas. Hence cirrhosis of those organs and the reason they did a liver biopsy for me (I was 'cored' between the ribs for a sample - just like testing a ripe cheese!). I guess cancer could be provoked but that's not on my list of worries.

Haemochromatosis is easy to deal with as long as you catch it before it gets too bad .. but these days that's less and less common, I'm told because of 'screening' type blood tests.

And your last line is the key to not getting liver damage. You wont get it now. Your liver was tested and is fine, your treatment has removed the issue and will continue to do so. It is the undiagnosed people who are at risk.

They don't screen for this test - but just when someone in the family is identified. And people currently in their '70's are the ones most likely affected by that as there were not the same genetics tests available to start the ball rolling. If my tests continue the way they are, it is likely that my father who was diagnosed and died of pancreatic cancer at 69 many years ago, had this issue too - he did not drink, he never smoked, and had none of the other risk factors for it, apart from age.

If I do have the genetic issue then I might think not to tell my brother. And he would not know to have his children and grandchildren tested. He is in his sixties and this if the first any of us have heard about this disease/illness/issue. He might be fine, he might not. He doesn't know.

When I told him I was also being tested for Leiden V factor (blood clotting) his first response last week was he didn't want to know if he might have it (if I tested positive) as it might affect his Insurance policies!

 

[andye]

Ooooh, I'm not sure if that follows, does it? I would bow to any of the Drs opinions here, but having had it all my life, and diagnosed 20 years ago, I don't think anyone has talked about 'liver cancer' in respect to haemochromatosis and I've never considered it life threatening. Cirrhosis of the liver, osteoarthritis etc sure, and a bunch of other soft-organ issues# but cancer hasn't been part of the palette.

# My mug's understanding of Hae: One lacks an enzyme that tells the digestive system to stop absorbing iron when the blood reaches 'enough'. So iron keeps accumulating in the blood. When the blood absolutely can't take any more, the body starts stashing iron-compounds in places such as the liver and pancreas. Hence cirrhosis of those organs and the reason they did a liver biopsy for me (I was 'cored' between the ribs for a sample - just like testing a ripe cheese!). I guess cancer could be provoked but that's not on my list of worries.

Haemochromatosis is easy to deal with as long as you catch it before it gets too bad .. but these days that's less and less common, I'm told because of 'screening' type blood tests.

The risk of cancer (specifically hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)) in haemochromatosis is largely mediated by the development of cirrhosis.
My understanding (as a non-specialist gastroenterologist) is that if you are able to start treatment (giving blood as you say) and avoid cirrhosis, life expectancy should be normal
PS: HCC is a potentially treatable cancer
PPS: as others have said, an elevated ferritin in itself is not diagnostic of haemochromatosis

 

[Pushka]

The risk of cancer (specifically hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)) in haemochromatosis is largely mediated by the development of cirrhosis.
My understanding (as a non-specialist gastroenterologist) is that if you are able to start treatment (giving blood as you say) and avoid cirrhosis, life expectancy should be normal
PS: HCC is a potentially treatable cancer
PPS: as others have said, an elevated ferritin in itself is not diagnostic of haemochromatosis

Inflammation seems to be a major cause, but what else might create high ferritin levels? Not obese/not diabetic/not alcoholic/no infection/no malignancy/no lupus. Am hypothyroid and do have osteoarthritis in my foot.
More fishing needed.

 

[Steady]

Re: You know you are a frequent flyer when ...

Anyone suggest a way to stop cooking smells and other household smells? A normal face mask such as those worn by doctors/nurses is not enough.

- and the filters need to be replaced - the carbon starts absorbing as soon as it is opened and gets to the point where the user can no longer breath easily through it so there would be ongoing costs.

I may have a half face one and some filters I could send/give you - I will have a look on Monday to see if there are any and that the cartridges have not expired - although that may not really matter for what you are using it for

JohnK, is this with some filters of any use to you?
(I haven't followed the conversation since my post above so disregard if it is no longer relevant)

I think someone mentioned that these should really be fitted for the best seal - this is the most common size for our staff. (The half face masks have become redundant for us with full face becoming the norm)

 

[vetrade]

Believe me, the most effective treatment for migraines is acupuncture. However you need a practitioner to administer the treatment which may not always be practical.

I know the mainstream medical profession can be dismissive of acupuncture but it is worth a try. About 10 years ago I had headaches virtually continuously for about 2 years ranging from mild to severe (I would not classify them as migraines though). Went through all the usual channels (GP, physio) and had a battery of blood tests and MRI etc. and couldn't get a diagnosis. After being referred to a neurologist (a professor, but a very underwhelming one given that he just asked me questions and did not actually physically examine me at all before sending me for the MRI) and getting a diagnosis of "there's nothing wrong with you", I tried an acupuncturist virtually as a last resort. Gee I wish I had gone to him first!

After probing around for a few minutes he diagnosed a problem in my neck and over the next 6 weeks I had weekly sessions of massage to my upper back and neck followed by insertion of the acupuncture needles and hooking them up to pulsed electro-stimulation for about 20 minutes. In my case the results were excellent so if struggling for a result acupuncture might be worth trying.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

JessicaTam, it would need you to have access to a few hours of sun, ie, sitting next to a window, or at the least having a long chord from solar cells to converter to laptop/battery eh?
Maybe a solar power booster would be good use for what you have plans for, but to rely on it for powering the laptop non stop, might not work. Ok for checking emails on the weekend, etc, but not to rely on for 8 hours straight of work.
I would put the item (maybe) more so towards a gimmick than something to rely on to power a laptop, esp if you rely on it for running a business.
The place I live in is solar grid connected, which can be seen by a reduction from about $450 a quarter down to $95/$100 a quarter in summer.
Winter of course, the solar output from cells goes downhill.
No harm in buying it and testing it to see how reliable it is to power your items.
Personally? No, I would not buy it.

 

[JohnK]

Re: You know you are a frequent flyer when ...

JohnK, is this with some filters of any use to you?
(I haven't followed the conversation since my post above so disregard if it is no longer relevant)
View attachment 66527
I think someone mentioned that these should really be fitted for the best seal - this is the most common size for our staff. (The half face masks have become redundant for us with full face becoming the norm)

Still an issue as at this morning. Happy to try and see if it works. Happy to pay for express post if you can send to Sydney. Leaving for Thailand Wednesday morning 16 March 2016 and would love to take it with me.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Steady]

Re: You know you are a frequent flyer when ...

I will see if I can get it express posted tomorrow - PM a postal address.

 

[JohnK]

Re: You know you are a frequent flyer when ...

I will see if I can get it express posted tomorrow - PM a postal address.

Done. Thank you very much.

 

[JessicaTam]

JessicaTam, it would need you to have access to a few hours of sun, ie, sitting next to a window, or at the least having a long chord from solar cells to converter to laptop/battery eh?
Maybe a solar power booster would be good use for what you have plans for, but to rely on it for powering the laptop non stop, might not work. Ok for checking emails on the weekend, etc, but not to rely on for 8 hours straight of work.
I would put the item (maybe) more so towards a gimmick than something to rely on to power a laptop, esp if you rely on it for running a business.
The place I live in is solar grid connected, which can be seen by a reduction from about $450 a quarter down to $95/$100 a quarter in summer.
Winter of course, the solar output from cells goes downhill.
No harm in buying it and testing it to see how reliable it is to power your items.
Personally? No, I would not buy it.

Thanks AP, but my question was specifically about generators. Not interested in solar.

 

[Foreigner]

Speaking of sheep like behaviour I should go and get an iron test, a cholesterol test, a PSA test and some LFTs again. It's been quite a few months now.

Maybe FBC and FBS as well.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

If I do have the genetic issue then I might think not to tell my brother. And he would not know to have his children and grandchildren tested. He is in his sixties and this if the first any of us have heard about this disease/illness/issue. He might be fine, he might not. He doesn't know.

When I told him I was also being tested for Leiden V factor (blood clotting) his first response last week was he didn't want to know if he might have it (if I tested positive) as it might affect his Insurance policies!

Was not telling your brother mis typed (or have I mis-understood)? If you find you do have haemachromatosis, IMHO you very definitely need to tell siblings / family members, as I was encouraged to, and did. As we've agreed, it can sneak up one well into middle age and do damage later on. Never too late blood donations.