MEDICAL MATTERS

[Stanley]

I really think you should take notice of Tiz. He knows you know! (Now where did that catch-phrase come from?

[EileenDavid]

Hilda Baker talking to Cynthia wasn't it Stanley? Eileen

[Stanley]

Thank God, my back storm has subsided. God knows why but I have been making sure I drink plenty of water......

[Tizer]

Unintended consequences again...I listened to a programme about psychiatry on the radio last night and they were saying how the UK is fortunate in having some psychiatrists who are specially trained to deal with mental illnesses in older people. For example, treating depression in older people needs a different approach to that for the younger folk. But guess what, these specialists can no longer use this training and expertise because the Equality Act prevents them from doing so. They are no longer allowed to discriminate between different age groups. Talk about barmy!

[Stanley]

Agreed Tiz. Have you noted the unintended consequences of the EU directive banning discrimination between sexes when pricing car insurance? Different field but same syndrome.

[Stanley]

Grand daughter Laura advises me to look up cataract surgery on the web. Not too sure I want to know too much!

[EileenDavid]

Stanley, cataract surgery does have risks same as anything else. The op I had for retina can cause cataracts and vice versa. However the risks are worth it to have your vision. I have had a new lens and a cataract removed but then more surgery on the retina so may have to have another removed. Eileen

[Stanley]

Understood Eileen. I am resigned to simply trusting them and accepting whatever comes. You're right about the value of improving sight. Funny thing is that it seems to be getting worse quicker since I made the decision. Psychosomatic or not, it's good timing!

[EileenDavid]

I have the same problem, I am back at the hospital on the 9th July to see if the last lot of surgery has been a success and to find the next line of treatment. Definitely better than before the op but still blurred could be another cataract I suppose or the lens has misted up but I am in their hands as they are the experts. Hope it goes well Stanley. Eileen

[Stanley]

Had the final fitting of my wax prototype of the new bottom set yesterday. Felt like a small dustbin lid because my jaw muscles will have shrunk in the last four weeks but a good even bite, comfortable and they don't move when I speak. I have no doubt I will soon get used to them and get the final version on Tuesday next week. Yippee!

[Stanley]

Bit of a shock yesterday when I found that my appointment had been brought forward a day, only 3 hours notice! However, daughter Susan came up trumps and we were only an hour from leaving home to arriving back. Good news is that I am a good candidate for the normal surgery, no complications. They will do the left eye first which is the worst and the estimate is that I shall be done inside 3 to 4 months. What surprised me was how much both eyes, but particularly the left, have deteriorated in the last couple of months. It looks as though my timing was about right. He said they woulkd reduce the short sight with the new lens but I shall still need glasses. Anyone know whether these are free under the surgery?

[Tizer]

Have a look at the section on `Am I entitled to an NHS optical voucher ' on this web page:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcost ... costs.aspx

[Tardis]

3rd time lucky, Airedale appointment came through for consultant's continuing investigations. More poking and prodding I fear

[Stanley]

Reassuring report from a lady who has just had cataract surgery at Gisburn that the biggest problem was waiting around for eye drops to work and having her blood pressure taken. She went for a walk immediately afterwards... Roll on the operations!

[Bruff]

Lot to be said for poking and prodding.

Few years back, I contrived to 'put my back out' playing cricket in Chiswick and finished up imobilised in an ambulance on the way to Charing Cross Hospital (to I might add, the chagrin of my wife who, when called at home and informed, exclaimed this was 'miles away' and why couldn't they bring me to Kingston!).

Anyroad, a serious disc issue was suspected and the Dr proceded to insert his digit in a delicate spot and then said 'squeeze'. I duly did and from which he concluded there was unlikely to be a disc problem.

Richard Broughton

[Stanley]

Why is it that rectal examination by digit is so funny. It's only happened to me once but I thought it was hilarious and the consultant commented that not all his patients saw the funny side. I told him I had spent a lot of my life up to my shoulder in cow's bums and I was only getting my own back!
This Ray Stevens song might amuse you LINK

[EileenDavid]

Don't know about the glasses being free on the NHS Stanley,I had my eyes tested and new glasses made when they discovered | had a torn retina. I asked if I was wise to wait the outcome and was assured it would make no difference. I haven't been able to use any of them neither readers or distance so as soon as I have the all clear from the hospital I will be taking them to task. The hospital said when I go back on the 9th July that if everything is OK with the retina then they will organise getting my eyes tested nothing said about who pays for the new glasses. Eileen

[Stanley]

Realised this morning that I could zoom Firefox in and make my life a lot easier! I know, but I'm getting old.
Did you see the report this morning that one of the most common anti-infammatory drugs, Diclofenac, can be dangerous for many people with other symptoms. Could cause heart attacks.

[Tripps]

We've mentioned this before - Diclofenac is the active ingredient in Voltarol tablets and gel. I googled it and see that there is already a warning not to take it with pre-existing heart conditions. So- either they have updated the advice very quickly or it really is not news?

[Tizer]

There's an interesting side story to diclofenac. In India it is also administered to farm livestock (I don't know why) and since it's introduction large numbers of vultures have died. It turns out that vultures don't have the enzyme that breaks down diclofenac in the body and when they eat treated livestock the vultures accumulate the drug and die. But there's more to the story and it illustrates the importance of understanding ecology. Since the vultures died, feral dogs have taken over the vulture's scavenging role and have increased in number dramatically and this, in turn, has increased the danger of rabies and transfer of pathogenic bacteria to humans. When vultures eat carcasses their digestive systems kill off pathogens and the vultures are not affected but this is not so in the dogs, which can carry the pathogenic bacteria. A further consequence is that the multiplication of feral dogs and dog carcasses has led to more leopards and their movement into urban areas. The Indian government now considers the situation very dangerous intends to phase out the veterinary use of diclofenac.

[Tizer]

Off to the hospital this afternoon to have my tummy rubbed! Will it be Barbara Windsor or the matronly Hattie Jacques, I wonder? I've had a couple of nights with 3-hour bouts of intense pain below my ribs, both after eating relatively fatty meals, and the pain didn't respond to Gaviscon (which it would if the pain were due to ulcers or inflammation). There was one night in between with no pain and that was after a low-fat meal of white fish. The doc agrees it's possibly a gallstone so I'm set up for an ultrasound scan and a blood test. Rang the hospital (NHS) yesterday for an appointment and they said come in tomorrow - amazing!

[Stanley]

Worrying stuff Tiz and I sympathise. If it was me I'd immediately think of the worst! One thing that has always been bullet proof in my body has been my stomach and I do realise how lucky I am. I've always wondered whether it had something to do with my life-long love of apples. I must have eaten hundreds of tons!

My medical report today is simple. I got my new teeth yesterday and apart from feeling like a small dustbin lid because my jaw has adjusted to being without over the last five weeks, they are fine and fit well. I'll soon get used to them. One thing surprised me, how much more efficient the new molars were at grinding food up. They have sharp tops and are not flattened with use. I was raised the old-fashioned way to chew food well before swallowing and so my more efficient equipment should be a good thing! As I left the dentist said she'd see me in six months for a check up, I told her no.... it would be another 55 years! (Unless my top set breaks.....)

[Tardis]

My body has decided to send a reminder that something is wrong, again. Swollen and hot to the touch, but it's been years since the last incident. Hopefully be gone in a few days of it's own accord

[EileenDavid]

Well I had my eye check up on Tuesday and the retina has this time stayed on. The consultant says there is some scar tissue but he isn't to concerned at present. If it gets worse he will peel it ouch! I had an eye test and a scan and can now get my glasses sorted which should be ready next Wednesday. The eye has gone from short sighted to long. I now don't have to go to the hospital for 3 months. Yipee. Eileen

[Stanley]

Good news Eileen! I hope you can let it all settle down now and get on with your life.