Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 March, 2014, 03:47:02 pm

Title: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 March, 2014, 03:47:02 pm
I don't think we have one of these in here.

Me leg is acting funny. Sometimes it spasms. Sometimes it goes on strike and goes floppy. Always when I'm walking and occasionally in public, which is amusing/embarrassing/'ucking ridiculous. Pick one.

GP decides it might be a problem with my knee. Well, unlikely, I have knees like a bullock (figuratively speaking). More likely my damaged/weak lower back. Never mind, another Physio referral will help anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2014, 04:04:28 pm
Given the reliability of internet consultation, I offer you the spinal stenosis/spinal claudication hypothesis...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 March, 2014, 04:11:50 pm
Oh, EXCELLENT. I hadn't found that one. Now I have something to get paranoid about. Internet diagnosis is wonderful.

Um a long history of phantom pains down one leg, spasmodic movement, occasional muscle weakness. Oh, and it never occurs when cycling . . .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2014, 04:16:13 pm
Internet diagnosis is potentially dangerous; I'd risk it for you, knowing it's worth as much as you paid for it...  ;) ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 March, 2014, 04:19:18 pm
Internet diagnosis is potentially dangerous; I'd risk it for you, knowing it's worth as much as you paid for it...  ;) ;D
Worth every penny! Have a 200% pay rise!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2014, 04:22:36 pm
 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2014, 12:27:23 am
Physio on tues. I'm a member of a Perthes support group. The leader of the group has written the NHS booklet on Perthes.

Seems my troubles are very common in ex-Perthes patients.

Intermittent, but include: leg weakness (including complete collapse), numbness, 'hollow' pain, burning/itching feeling on skin on leg, spasmodic pains and movements.

I also now have 'floating' dizzy spells with muscle tremors over whole body. It's all intermittent (I dug and planted two trees this morning, mowed lawn yesterday without trouble). Only just coped with some supermarket shopping yesterday; floating dizzyness and muscles tremors meant I twice rammed the trolley into innocent immobile objects. No, they weren't slow-moving grannies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 31 March, 2014, 02:00:56 am
I didn't know that about Perthes!
You learn something every day!
Hope the physio helps.

Shopping online means I trolley-bash nobody and nobody trolley-bashes me! Dizziness in the aisles was an issue when I was still mobile.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2014, 09:25:22 am
I didn't know that about Perthes!
You learn something every day!
What's becoming clear (there are two major studies ongoing atm) is that nobody knows much about Perthes. They don't know why it happens. Preliminary results of a study into the effectiveness of treatments is suggesting that the treatment has little effect on outcome . . . Surgical interventions such as femoral oesteopathy, pinning and assorted scaffolding is as successful as massive reduction in weightbearing movement plus physiotherapy.

I was the recipient of an experimental treatment involving the use of (removable) leg braces that held my legs at nearly 90 degrees to each other, rotating the femoral head out of the socket. It worked pretty damn well.
More standard treatment (now) for my degree of Perthes is to build an internal scaffold holding the femoral head in 'normal' position - then of course more surgery to remove scaffolding. The mother of one girl who had this treatment has just had an artificial hip fitted after the joint broke down - at 22. Shit, I was running half marathons at 35.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 April, 2014, 09:53:05 am
Well - physio assessment yesterday. Very impressively, despite the full waiting room they were running exactly on time.

After 25 min (you get 30), my physio asked if I minded if she consulted a colleague, the senior physio.
   
Off she trots, returning 5min later.

After another 30min, with me feeling like a fool and hypochondriac, he decides I probably don't have a trapped nerve or spinal stenosis, but that the root of the problem is indeed in my hip. That would make sense, since it's not 'normal'. All involved are a bit bemused that I haven't had lots of surgery. It's the second question they ask: "How much surgery have you had?". "None" really throws them.

Conclusion is that there is a deep-seated misfunction in my right hip, causing me to move/walk etc oddly and stressing my lower back, that this has been happening all my life and current problems are the result of accumulated strain.

A lot of tut-tutting over my wooden stick (made during a school trip while I was supervising kids). I have a lovely NHS-issued grey one now, which I need if I'm walking any distance.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 14 May, 2014, 10:50:09 am
I find this article quite interesting, in view of recent events in my world.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27389257

The A&E team did remark about my RHR and "how fit I must be".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 May, 2014, 12:21:48 pm
I'm surprised they think it is news. The massive drop in blood pressure when ceasing hard exercise has long been known of; if you teach sport (which I used to part-time), then you have to really watch the kids and make sure they cool down properly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 14 May, 2014, 03:15:16 pm
It's been discussed here previously that extreme endurance is potentially bad for the heart.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: nicknack on 14 May, 2014, 04:25:24 pm
It's been discussed here previously that extreme endurance is potentially bad for the heart.

Taking a heavy saucepan out of the cupboard appears to be bad for mine. I've had to sit down for half an hour.
Angiogram in about 3 weeks followed by ultrasound scan the week after.. I hope they'll find out what the matter is and fix it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 May, 2014, 05:22:04 pm
'twas probably the thought of the washing up after the cooking that did you in.

Hope it is nothing to worry about.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: nicknack on 14 May, 2014, 06:52:00 pm
 ;D  I'm sure Mrs n would believe, "I can't manage to do the washing up".

I think I'm past the worrying bit. I'm now just fed up with it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 September, 2014, 12:44:10 pm
Sodding back/leg issues again

Using a stick again. Mild vertigo when lying down is preventing me from sleeping.

I'm 90% sure this is due to MrsC pushing me over when I was part-way through a single-leg squat (one of my physio exercises). She thought it was funny. It tore muscles in my lower back, since they were at their load limit at the time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hulver on 26 September, 2014, 09:10:44 am
Gouty bastard. Ow ow ow. Two nights in a row woken up at 3am by pain in the ankle, hardly able to walk this morning. Got no good painkillers left, trying to survive on ibuprofen gel and paracetamol.

Ow ow ow. I've never had such bad pain in my life. It's like somebody has taken my foot off, and hammered a big thick nail into the ankle joint up my leg bone, then put my foot back on again. Walking feels like I'm pushing the nail further in.  :'(

The only thing that cheers me up is my beautiful wife pronounces it "goat", and asks me, "how is your goat this morning"  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 02 October, 2014, 09:15:04 am
Rolled my foot playing football last night (I was able to continue playing but it’s got a lot worse overnight).

Trying to decide if I can rule out an avulsion fracture of the 5th metatarsal and just call it a sprain. I strongly suspect I’d have not been able to continue if I’d fractured it. There’s visible redness on the skin on the lateral top surface of my foot. I’ll be having to work from home today as I don’t see riding the motorbike with limited foot movement (for changing gear) as sensible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 October, 2014, 09:21:16 am
Gouty bastard. Ow ow ow. Two nights in a row woken up at 3am by pain in the ankle, hardly able to walk this morning. Got no good painkillers left, trying to survive on ibuprofen gel and paracetamol.

Ow ow ow. I've never had such bad pain in my life. It's like somebody has taken my foot off, and hammered a big thick nail into the ankle joint up my leg bone, then put my foot back on again. Walking feels like I'm pushing the nail further in.  :'(

The only thing that cheers me up is my beautiful wife pronounces it "goat", and asks me, "how is your goat this morning"  ;D

Much sympathy, Hulver! Your description makes it sound like my rheumatoid arthritis, and gout is indeed closely related to arthritis. Goat might be a well for all I know.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hulver on 02 October, 2014, 09:25:40 am
Much sympathy, Hulver! Your description makes it sound like my rheumatoid arthritis, and gout is indeed closely related to arthritis. Goat might be a well for all I know.

Cheers Wow. If that's what rheumatoid arthritis is like, I hope I never get that. You have my sympathies.

The pain is easing off now. I'm able to walk almost normally unless I stand at an odd angle or something. It's made me very aware of just how bad the surface of many pavements is, when you can't move your foot at odd angles, you really notice uneven surfaces.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 October, 2014, 12:46:20 pm
I have just lost a filling big enough to register on the Weight Loss thread.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LEE on 09 October, 2014, 12:56:52 pm
I went for my weekly after-work walk with my wife on tuesday and my feet didn't hurt.

Just over a year ago I developed Plantar Faciitis and spent a year feeling like I was walking on golf-balls.

My Doctor basically told me it will clear up over time.

Finally I walked an entire hour with no pain and not even any aches. 
It's not gone entirely but it seems like the road to recovery is nearly walked.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 10 October, 2014, 08:31:33 am
Just registered for an beginners / intermediates Yoga class!   :)  First class will be on Monday 13th October, should be interesting, as at the moment, I can hardly touch my toes!   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 October, 2014, 08:49:14 am
I have never been able to touch my toes without bending my knees, even when I was at primary school.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 October, 2014, 09:17:42 am
Cyclists' hamstrings get shorter (or summat like that) so it's more difficult for us.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 October, 2014, 05:26:11 pm
Well, Yoga class tonight! No doubt i'll probably be the  stiffest unbendiest in the class!   :-[
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mattc on 13 October, 2014, 05:37:21 pm
Cyclists' hamstrings get shorter (or summat like that) so it's more difficult for us.
That is certainly reported frequently.

No problem here. My reach is better than 20 years ago, despite the bike being my main exercise for about 8 years.

I suspect stretching almost every day helps a lot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 13 October, 2014, 06:03:51 pm
Well, Yoga class tonight! No doubt i'll probably be the  stiffest unbendiest in the class!   :-[
good luck! I've been failing to get myself to one for the past three weeks. Hopefully I'll manage it tomorrow. What sort of yoga will you be doing?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 13 October, 2014, 08:30:10 pm
Now the winter is setting in I figured I needed some non-cycling shenanigans to compensate for the lack of miles en velo. My fun of choice is ultimate frisbee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_(sport)), and tonight was my first time back since at least the spring, if not last year.

...My $DEITY, I'm knackered. While a summer on the bike has improved my cardio, I am still way too unfit for this lark - although there were comments of "woah, he's still running" and that I wasn't dying quite so noisly or as often as before. And my feet hurt, now they've actually had to do some work. And my legs are stiffer than anything.

Oh, and I took a disc to the face so I'll probably be going to work tomorrow with a fat lip. [/grumble]
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 14 October, 2014, 01:05:52 am
Well, Yoga class tonight! No doubt i'll probably be the  stiffest unbendiest in the class!   :-[
good luck! I've been failing to get myself to one for the past three weeks. Hopefully I'll manage it tomorrow. What sort of yoga will you be doing?

Maybe this kind:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sea/2597736393.html
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 14 October, 2014, 07:11:47 pm
good luck! I've been failing to get myself to one for the past three weeks. Hopefully I'll manage it tomorrow. What sort of yoga will you be doing?

First class went well. This week and next week is a mixed ability class due to it being the october mid term holidays.  We did various poses including sun salutations and Core Strength Vinyasa style. Yoga teacher thinks I should be OK to go into the intermediate class, rather than the complete beginners class. 

Really felt the benefit today, I felt like my muscles were all floaty rather than my usual stiff and creaky self!   :) 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 14 October, 2014, 08:44:08 pm
Well done Brian. You inspired me to go tonight. It's mindfulness/hatha yoga and involved breathing exercises and meditation. I enjoyed it. Some of the poses were tough, though! Looking forward to improving.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 14 October, 2014, 09:05:04 pm
Well done Brian. You inspired me to go tonight. It's mindfulness/hatha yoga and involved breathing exercises and meditation. I enjoyed it. Some of the poses were tough, though! Looking forward to improving.

Good!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si_Co on 15 October, 2014, 10:01:13 am
I can still get my feet round the back of my neck, although not both at the same time anymore , <recalls getting stuck in the cinema like this>  :-[
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 15 October, 2014, 06:45:32 pm
My back is killing me today. This happened the last time I tried yoga. I took it easy, too, on the advice of the teacher, missing out the harder poses and using blocks. I think I have a more structural lower back problem. Bother.  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 October, 2014, 05:34:40 pm
Well done Brian. You inspired me to go tonight. It's mindfulness/hatha yoga and involved breathing exercises and meditation. I enjoyed it. Some of the poses were tough, though! Looking forward to improving.

My back is killing me today. This happened the last time I tried yoga. I took it easy, too, on the advice of the teacher, missing out the harder poses and using blocks. I think I have a more structural lower back problem. Bother.  >:(

Sorry!   :-[  Hope your back is better now!

Anyway, looking forward to my yoga tonight!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ferret on 21 October, 2014, 12:10:14 pm
I've got bloody ringworm, on my foot!!!?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 October, 2014, 01:45:12 pm
Tinea, tinea, whyfor art though tinea?
Be glad it's not tænia! Then tour ringworm would be a tapeworm!

Tinea pedis = 'athletes' foot'
Tinea unguium = manky fungal nails
Tinea corporis = ringworm
Tinea cruris = dhobi or jock itch

Tænia solium = pork tapeworm.

Canesten/clotrimazole is pretty good for fungal skin trouble but won't touch the nails.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 21 October, 2014, 07:23:56 pm
A few days ago, I did a rather good job of cutting my left index finger, whilst preparing dinner.

It's healing - but it's at that "Hot and Red" stage which makes you wonder if it's just the healing in overdrive, or it's getting infected.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ferret on 21 October, 2014, 08:00:12 pm
athletes foot sounds healthier than ringworm ?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 October, 2014, 08:07:36 pm
athletes foot sounds healthier than ringworm ?

Purely semantics.
Scaly skin by any common name is just as itchy!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 October, 2014, 08:45:19 pm
I put a plate of food on the table, turned and . . . tore a ligament or something similar in my back.

Only just able to walk now.  Effing ridiculous. I used to have the reputation of being indestructible, knicknamed 'wolverine' for my  apparent ability to instantly heal from impacts etc. If I fell off something, I bounced.

Now serving dinner is beyond me.  :-[
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 October, 2014, 10:08:27 am
Followed by a full-on IBS attack at 2am.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 24 October, 2014, 11:14:25 am
Not good mrcharly.

I got up at 6.15am to go to the 7am* spinning class at the gym. Then I did some weights (squats, leg press, leg curl). New PBs for all three. Then 5km on the rowing machine, back home for breakfast and a shower, and then into work.

Going to visit a climbing wall this lunchtime.

* My plan to make myself get up for an early gym session by booking a class worked.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 October, 2014, 11:25:47 am
How dare you bit so fit, you cycling *****!
(joking, enviously)

I do wonder if the back twizzle brought on IBS. I don't normally get full IBS spasms, not like last night. I have a known issue with my very lower spine that causes nerve 'crimping' with odd associated problems.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 24 October, 2014, 12:06:02 pm
I've just been reading an article that refers to a study done in 1960 where three sets of lab rats were fed a variety of diets. The first (control) set were fed normal lab rat food and water, the second set were fed cornflakes and water and the third set were fed the boxes that the second set's cornflakes came in, plus water.

The control set lived a year. The rats eating the cornflakes died in a couple of weeks, but rather crucially, they died before the rats eating the cardboard boxes  :o.

The (rather sweeping) conclusion drawn from this - there's more nutrition in the cardboard box cornflakes come in, than the cornflakes themselves.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 October, 2014, 01:45:12 pm
I've just been reading an article that refers to a study done in 1960 where three sets of lab rats were fed a variety of diets. The first (control) set were fed normal lab rat food and water, the second set were fed cornflakes and water and the third set were fed the boxes that the second set's cornflakes came in, plus water.

The control set lived a year. The rats eating the cornflakes died in a couple of weeks, but rather crucially, they died before the rats eating the cardboard boxes  :o.

The (rather sweeping) conclusion drawn from this - there's more nutrition in the cardboard box cornflakes come in, than the cornflakes themselves.

My Mummy has always maintained this to me. I don't know if she read the study.
My cornflakes are only supplied in a plastic bag; I would not recommend eating that...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 October, 2014, 02:02:31 pm
Corn flakes used to be in waxed paper bags within their box.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 24 October, 2014, 02:03:25 pm
"The (rather sweeping) conclusion drawn from this - there's more nutrition in the cardboard box cornflakes come in, than the cornflakes themselves."

For a rat.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 October, 2014, 02:04:31 pm
Corn flakes used to be in waxed paper bags within their box.

I'm old enough to remember that but plastic bags don't taste the same!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 24 October, 2014, 02:16:38 pm
Bouldering. Did that.

Another spinning class booked for 9am tomorrow to make me get up and go to the gym early.

I'm looking forwards to a rest day on Sunday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 25 October, 2014, 05:12:10 pm
Didn’t feel great last night so decided to cancel spinning booking.

Woke up this morning feeling worse - lurgy has jumped from Feline to me, I think.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 30 October, 2014, 04:58:45 pm
Lurgy confirmed, I was worst on Monday but it cleared overnight so I was ok on Tuesday, but took it easy to be sure.

Yesterday I was back on it: 57 mile round trip cycling to/from work and to the pub meetup in Bristol. Today, so far an hour football at lunchtime, I will buy some climbing boots on the way home from work, probably go to the gym this evening (chest and abs) and a swim if I've time. Then prepare the bike for the Upper Thames and download the gpx. Tomorrow lunchtime, try out the new climbing boots.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 01 November, 2014, 08:17:30 am
I had some blood taken on Tuesday for my normal diabetes test. Nothing abnormal about that apart from it hurt like hell going in: certainly more than normal. However, an hour later I had forgotten about it and went about my daily life.

Anyway, yesterday morning first thing I noticed a really sharp stabbing pain along the blood vessel involved in the test. There is no bruising, discolouration or lumps or anything, just a pain when I reach out with that arm.

It’s been like this now for two days. Most strange. Not had this before.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 November, 2014, 01:49:50 pm
I'm off work again today.

Went to bed tired, normal time. Woke up more tired, with vertigo/dizzyness - couldn't walk down the corridor without bouncing off the walls.

This is looking increasingly like Menieres and I'm appalled and surprised by how exhausted it makes me. I could previously have got by well on 6hrs sleep per night. That is no longer enough. I would previously have woken by 6:30am regardless of an alarm going off. Now, without an alarm, I can sleep to 11.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 11 November, 2014, 10:34:59 pm
Ridiculously high calorie meal at Hungry Horse.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30000934

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 November, 2014, 11:36:53 pm
Shit, Mr Charly, Menieres is nasty shit.  I sincerely hope it isn't that or any of the other vestibular bollox that people can get.  On the other hand if it is Menieres and they start to treat it then with careful self-care and meds it CAN be less horrible than it sounds like right now. 

Keeping fingers crossed they work out how to nobble whatever it is.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 November, 2014, 11:39:37 pm
Ridiculously high calorie meal at Hungry Horse.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30000934

I was going to post about that in the Weight loss discussion thread, then thought it would be better in the Food & Drink section of The Pub.
I can only say this  :sick:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 13 November, 2014, 04:34:05 pm
I have just had a phone call.

Agent Picolax is due to visit next Thursday...

Wish me luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2014, 11:11:02 pm
I have just had a phone call.

Agent Picolax is due to visit next Thursday...

Wish me luck!

I had Moviprep rather than Agent P last year. Managed not to leak.

Never trust a fart!

Good luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Marmitegeoff on 14 November, 2014, 06:53:39 am
I have just had a phone call.

Agent Picolax is due to visit next Thursday...

Wish me luck!

I had Moviprep rather than Agent P last year. Managed not to leak.

Never trust a fart!

Good luck!

Afterwards my farts were V V smelly, advised to have some live yoghurt,  and stout, these helped after a few days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 November, 2014, 10:24:30 am
My post-colonoscopy farts were noisy and explosive.
I had a fair bit of painful griping.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 19 November, 2014, 11:26:13 am
Yesterday I was walking to work and my retainer was rattling about in my mouth, so I removed it and spent the day without it.

I put it back in when I got home last night, and it still felt loose.

I went to bed, to sleep, waking to find I didn't have my retainer in.  I eventually found it on my pillow.  I think I may have reached the point where I don't need it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: dave r on 22 November, 2014, 05:35:55 pm
Planned, and was looking forward to, a busy but enjoyable weekend, been brought to a shuddering halt by a back problem, can't even drive, putting in the clutch hurts too much, today instead of being out enjoying myself I've spent much of the day in front of the TV. :( :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 25 November, 2014, 05:10:15 pm
Don't forget to take your heart rate monitor strap to spinning class, or you'll suffer for lack of pacing.  :hand:

Also don't expect to match your bench press PB immediately afterwards.  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 25 November, 2014, 05:53:44 pm
I haven't been bothering with a HRM in spin classes lately - I didn't like seeing how high it was all the time!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 25 November, 2014, 06:20:08 pm
Reckon I hit about 98% of my HRmax on Monday last week... is that a lot?

(220-age would say 105%. I'm going by the 193 I hit in a VO2max test in 2009, and assuming it's dropped a little since then, to around 190).



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 November, 2014, 10:04:03 am
Shivery, scratchy throat, scratchy eyes, runny nose, can't get warm. Not well enough to be able to concentrate on work, not ill enough to be at home. Awesome.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 November, 2014, 11:14:11 am
If I lie down, my head feels like it is going to explode. Not painful at all, just pressure.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 30 November, 2014, 08:06:00 pm
Fscking big toes,foostie toenails and foostie nail beds!

Had ingrowing toe nail on big toe for a wee while now.  Also got a bit bruised, and was in the process of coming off, so with a little encouragement last week....

Anyway, fast forward to a couple of days ago, big toe started to get rather foostie, funky and smelly, green discharge on diy dressings
Got really hot and funky this afternoon, so a fun visit to minor injuries unit this evening. Now cleaned up, with iodine dressing and a weeks supply of penicillin!

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/15914446081_02c3a7a8c1.jpg)

 :demon:  :sick:

Should be fun trying to work tomorrow!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 November, 2014, 08:59:01 pm
I suggest getting yourself some iodine as well and in future dobbing a bit on anything that looks red and inflamed. It's amazingly good.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 01 December, 2014, 01:09:45 am
Having a F;are Up Period with teh Menieres and managed to get up from the bed this morning. Unfortunately the head didn't manage to stop getting up and carried on until the Conveniently placed wardrobe door interacted with the head and the floor in a "Coming together unexpectedly stylee"
Cant use two  wheels and can't use the recumbent trike with leaning backwards. And on the 8th Day God did create the Longstaff trike conversion and saw that it was good. And, upon seeing it was good,God did say "Let there be beards,  breeches and stockings".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 02 December, 2014, 05:53:12 pm
Toe is still sore, and still discharging teh green   :o
Luckily day off tomorrow, and getting dressing changed with practice nurse at doc surgery.

Fingers crossed Aunt Biotics will work (flucloxacillin)

-- edited to add --

And the flucloxacillin seems to be making my bum discharge teh brown, type 6 according to the Bristol Stool Chart.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 December, 2014, 05:59:42 pm
Toe is still sore, and still discharging teh green   :o
Luckily day off tomorrow, and getting dressing changed with practice nurse at doc surgery.

Fingers crossed Aunt Biotics will work (flucloxacillin)

Get Well Soon!

Frequent cleaning and dressing change is often at least as important as antibiotics in getting this thing to heal quickly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 03 December, 2014, 06:58:50 pm
Nurse said toe is looking good. Nice new dressing applied, appointment booked for friday & monday  at  9am for dressing change. Fingers crossed I;ll be able to get the half hour off work for this though...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 06 December, 2014, 05:33:22 am
Toe healing well!  Got dressings to dress toe at home!

 :thumbsup: for antibiotics & iodine dressings!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 December, 2014, 07:51:31 am
Sacroiliac popped again after a couple of awkward moments last weekend, then Inlaw Paw (97) fell over in bedroom during week and had to be hauled up again.  Add to that my buggered ankle cartilage sending fall-over-you-bastard stabs up my leg when I step unwarily and you have one bloody unhappy camper.

I could get out for a ride but the prospect of buggering up my back even more is not attractive. Bah.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 10 December, 2014, 11:27:13 am
Having switched to a 6.5 mile cycle commute I am now feeling my calves tightening, particularly in the back of my left knee / top of calf area. Put simply I don't warm up or cool down as the route, bike (fixie) and my inclination to hurry (difficulty getting out of bed)  :-[ results in working hard almost door to door.

Can anyone recommend appropriate calf, hamstring and hip flexor stretches or other measures I should be doing and should these be done before/after/both the ride. Ideally I would like something that can be kept to a couple of minutes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 10 December, 2014, 12:38:43 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G5XUnrLCdw
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 10 December, 2014, 04:29:59 pm
I've got plantar fasciitis  :(


This definitely fits in the 'Annoying Medical Issue' section of the Venn diagram.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SlowCoach on 10 December, 2014, 04:51:20 pm
I've got plantar fasciitis  :(


This definitely fits in the 'Annoying Medical Issue' section of the Venn diagram.

Commiserations. My better half suffers from this, so consequently I suffer too (it's damn near impossible to be able to adopt the correct level of sympathy - I'm invariably in trouble for either ignoring her pain or being too damned conciliatory).

She's had steroid injections and uses insoles in her shoes. Shape of footwear appears to be important. It seems to help if there's a small heel to the shoe. I suggest that you carefully test your footwear before going out for that special function. I ended up sitting in the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford trying to discreetly trim an incorrectly fitting pair of insoles with a penknife during my daughter's graduation ceremony.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 December, 2014, 08:24:04 am
I'm going to be sent for an MRI to look inside my head (date tbd). Is it wrong that I'm fascinated?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 December, 2014, 08:31:57 am
Take a CDR and ask if they'll give you the data. You will know someone who can help decode it :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 16 December, 2014, 08:01:32 am
I lost my fitbit in Barcelona.
I feel naked without it.

And more importantly, Mr Smith is now beating me on steps. Grrr!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2014, 09:17:08 am
I lost my fitbit in Barcelona.
I feel naked without it.
Is that a song lyric by an ironic 21st century version of Pulp?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 18 December, 2014, 05:26:23 pm
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30494009

Isn't this article just stating the obvious?

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 18 December, 2014, 05:53:04 pm
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30494009

Isn't this article just stating the obvious?

Looks like it!
...with added entertainment, though:

"Chemical bonds are broken, a process which releases heat"

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 18 December, 2014, 06:46:27 pm
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30494009

Isn't this article just stating the obvious?

I know! It's very silly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 December, 2014, 12:16:59 pm
<grumble>

It is a measure of general scientific illiteracy that anyone gives such an article any credence.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Bledlow on 19 December, 2014, 12:27:37 pm
Weeellll . . . . it's sort of right. Food (including fat) in, broken down, carbon from it out as CO2 via lungs. But "Fat breathed out" clearly shows that the author (or subeditors) doesn't understand the process, & there's obvious confusion about what's meant by 'burned off'.

News! When you burn petrol in a car, some of it isn't burned off, but escapes via the exhaust as carbon dioxide!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SlowCoach on 19 December, 2014, 01:33:21 pm
Well, at least stating the obvious probably isn't harming anyone, unlike Andrew Wakefield's paper in the Lancet linking autism with vaccines. That's killed and continues to kill, despite the fact that  the "evidence" was subsequently shown to be fabricated.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 20 December, 2014, 11:56:16 pm
Ok this is annoying me, symptoms:

One day may be two of having a very runny nose, occasional shivering with sweating at the same time  this has been on and off for a weak.  Today the shivering and sweating all day along with nausea.  paracetomol and brufen have not altered the fever for over 8 hours..actually final does that stayed in did help.

Other times I am fine, is this normal or am I an alien.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 December, 2014, 09:01:58 am
Reserve judgement on exobiological status.

Otherwise, sounds like a virus with a longish reproductive cycle. When it's in your cells you feel OK, when the cells rupture & more viruses + toxins are released you feel like crap. 

Or malaria, of course.

See doc.

---o0o---

Realized yest that numbness in left hand was due to obeying the law and fitting a bell in only space left on bars.  This obliged me to angle my hand slightly and threw pressure that should have been evenly distributed onto outside of palm. Slightly compressed nerve over time ==> damage.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 26 December, 2014, 09:24:01 am
According to the NHS  (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cystitis/Pages/Treatment.aspx) there's no evidence that drinking lots of water is an effective treatment.
But they recommend it anyway?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 26 December, 2014, 10:12:08 am
According to the NHS  (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cystitis/Pages/Treatment.aspx) there's no evidence that drinking lots of water is an effective treatment.
But they recommend it anyway?

The fact that drinking loads of water really helps flush out your bladder and makes you feel better doesn't count as 'evidence'. 

'Evidence' means enormous cohort studies and double blinding and boring statistical analysis programmes.  Nobody's funding trials into tap water. 

This grumpy post was brought to you by Boxing Day Headache Lurgies inc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 26 December, 2014, 10:57:19 am
That page contains a link to advice on how to clean your penis properly.

Good.

It should be compulsory reading for men and those who care about them.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/penis-health/Pages/how-to-wash-a-penis.aspx
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 December, 2014, 01:47:42 pm
According to the NHS  (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cystitis/Pages/Treatment.aspx) there's no evidence that drinking lots of water is an effective treatment.
But they recommend it anyway?

The fact that drinking loads of water really helps flush out your bladder and makes you feel better doesn't count as 'evidence'. 

'Evidence' means enormous cohort studies and double blinding and boring statistical analysis programmes.  Nobody's funding trials into tap water. 

This grumpy post was brought to you by Boxing Day Headache Lurgies inc.

As one who seldom CBA to read or acquire much evidence, and also one who suffered multiple UTIs in the past, I adopted my own strategy (mostly before Evidence Based Medicine became trendy).

Assuming there are times and places where frequent loo trips are a right PITA but others where it's OK, this is what I did.

Find comfortable place close to loo and drinking water source.
Get pint glass and fill it with water or diet squash choose something palatable.
Drink it all.
Refill glass after your next loo visit
Repeat until you have had 4-6 pints in 3-4 hours.

Then drink generously but 'normally'.

My reasoning:
E.Coli bugs (a common cause of UTIs)  can double in number every 20 minutes.
You can wash their numbers down by intense dilution to a level your body can tackle them.

Assume one million bugs per millilitre, a bladder capacity of 300ml and a residual bladder volume of 30ml.

Do the 'math', try to empty your bladder fully and get better soon!

Just pushing fluids blandly may not work because it is too non-specific.
Drinking lots if not peeing can be dangerous.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 26 December, 2014, 02:01:36 pm
My mum a nurse who trained in the late 60s and early 70s was a fan of the strong coffee (diuretic) + 1pt water every 30 min routine to stave off pending UTIs or manage them if you couldn't get to a doctor.  No idea if that actually works other than anecdata.  Certainly in hospital urology wards they like you to drink all the fluids. 

I had a nasty kidney infection (only time my mum's ever called out of hours GP for us kids) and then a few nasty UTIs shortly after in my late teens.  GP was at the "get another UTI and I'm sending you to the hospital" stage when they stopped happening.  I am much more inclined to notice early symptoms and throw fluids at it since then and it could just be luck too. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2014, 05:00:31 pm
That page contains a link to advice on how to clean your penis properly.

Good.

It should be compulsory reading for men and those who care about them.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/penis-health/Pages/how-to-wash-a-penis.aspx

There's a vagina one (http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/vagina-health/Pages/keep-vagina-clean.aspx) too, so that's most popular options covered.  No you don't need Products, but sweat and stale piss is just as unattractive whatever your genital configuration...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 26 December, 2014, 10:14:35 pm
I get cystitis probably two /three /four times a year. I have diverticula in my bladder.
Coffee is a bladder irritant so a definite no.
I'm not convinced that for me drinking more than thirst prompts me to, makes any difference to the frequency / urgency / pain, or to how long it takes to clear.
Sometimes I have symptoms with no causal organisms, and no one wants to take unnecessary antibiotics (because then they'd have thrush, too, or is that just me?), so I'll always give it a couple of days of management before I head to, in this case, the out of hours GP service at the hospital.
That's a fun way to spend time at Christmas. And a rant for elsewhere. The GP expressed surprise that my usual GP didn't have me on permanent low - dose antibiotics, or a repeat prescription for a course of blitzers, to save me bothering them when we all know exactly what's going on. Why indeed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 December, 2014, 10:42:19 pm
Partner bought me new fancy digital scales for Christmas.
He is 175cm tall and weighs around 63kg.

Before he dampened his feet, it told him he was 51.5% fat.
With a BMI OF 21 this is BOLLOX!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 27 December, 2014, 08:39:07 pm
I've got a bizarre knee pain. When I kneel on my right knee I get feeling like a plaster being pulled off under the skin on the lateral side of the knee joint. Depending on how bent the knee is I can vary the pain, it is worst at 80-90 degrees (where 90 deg is kneeling up and 80 deg is dropping towards a kneeling down position). It doesn't hurt at all when I am kneeling down.

What have I done?

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 December, 2014, 10:12:28 am
Clare, I'd say that you have hurt yourself.

IGMC

Um, trying to be helpful I'd say that you have pulled/strained some of the incredible network of ligaments in your knee. Rest, Ibuprofen and GWS.

In other news, I've had my head MRI'd. It was interesting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 28 December, 2014, 10:18:14 am
Oooh, I had that done years ago, it was very loud. See if you can get a copy of any of the images, the ones where it looks like your eyes are bulging out are brilliant.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 28 December, 2014, 12:49:37 pm
I've got a bizarre knee pain. When I kneel on my right knee I get feeling like a plaster being pulled off under the skin on the lateral side of the knee joint. Depending on how bent the knee is I can vary the pain, it is worst at 80-90 degrees (where 90 deg is kneeling up and 80 deg is dropping towards a kneeling down position). It doesn't hurt at all when I am kneeling down.

What have I done?

Could be your ITB. It runs over the outside of the knee.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 28 December, 2014, 08:38:22 pm
I did wonder about it being ITB related, it doesn't feel like a pull or strain and doesn't affect movement. I can cause the pain by pressing on the protrusion at the head of the tibia or by kneeling.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 03 January, 2015, 08:32:57 am
Hope your knee is doing better, Clare!

Having tried to book an online GP appointment this morning, I've discovered that our surgery no longer offers this (Drat! This was the best thing about it!) and has changed to a system involving telephone triage called GP Access (http://gpaccess.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-system-works-only-as-a-whole-v3G.pdf).  I wonder if it will work?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 January, 2015, 01:37:45 pm
Having tried to book an online GP appointment this morning, I've discovered that our surgery no longer offers this (Drat! This was the best thing about it!) and has changed to a system involving telephone triage called GP Access (http://gpaccess.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-system-works-only-as-a-whole-v3G.pdf).  I wonder if it will work?

Given that a lot of my GP appointments tend to be "your computer needs to see me" and could in principle be done remotely, that's not a terrible idea.

Except that requiring people to use telephones and putting the gatekeeper receptionist back in the loop is a terrible idea.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 03 January, 2015, 03:20:24 pm
That's reminded me, we need a new GP now we've moved. Looking at the NHS choices website, they *all* seem to have bad reviews, so I may as well pick the closest one and be done with it.

My old GP has actually referred me to herself at KCH as she's also a migraine specialist there, but I've not received a letter yet, probably due to waiting list which she said was a few weeks long. Currently taking two different preventive drugs, plus sumatriptan for when they don't work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 04 January, 2015, 04:24:50 pm
Stiff lower back after 2nd of January squats at the gym. Thought I’d be ok doing the arms & abs workout yesterday but the barbell curls put a lot of strain on my back, I managed 2 and that was that. Was able to do some triceps exercises and some abs stuff (but not the leg raises) after I’d done it. Not sure I’d have been able to cycle home, luckily I’d been lazy and driven.

Now I’m hobbling around like a cripple and wondering if I’ll be in a fit state to get on the motorbike to ride to work tomorrow. I’m not quite as broken as yesterday, so at least it’s improving.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CrinklyLion on 05 January, 2015, 11:22:59 am
The crown that the Christmas toffee did for has been re-fixed in place, and the SmallestCub wasn't traumatised by the experience of accompanying me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mark on 07 January, 2015, 07:24:01 pm
I spent New Year's Eve learning about intestinal intussusceptions and their treatment. If anyone here is advised to get a colonoscopy for screening purposes, do not put it off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2015, 07:44:50 pm
I spent New Year's Eve learning about intestinal intussusceptions and their treatment. If anyone here is advised to get a colonoscopy for screening purposes, do not put it off.

Been reading BMJ Endgames?  ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mark on 07 January, 2015, 08:35:59 pm
I spent New Year's Eve learning about intestinal intussusceptions and their treatment. If anyone here is advised to get a colonoscopy for screening purposes, do not put it off.

Been reading BMJ Endgames?  ;)

No, this was more of an experiential learning thing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2015, 08:40:56 pm
I spent New Year's Eve learning about intestinal intussusceptions and their treatment. If anyone here is advised to get a colonoscopy for screening purposes, do not put it off.

Been reading BMJ Endgames?  ;)

No, this was more of an experiential learning thing.

ISTR that intusussception was a recent BMJ Endgame.
I suspect educational material sometimes bypasses my brane.
My BMJ log-in has failed recently and probably won't work again until I delete all my cookies, which I don't want to do right now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 January, 2015, 08:56:36 pm
My dad had some kind of bowel intussuseption 2 years ago, he was due surgery cos it hadn't resolved but due to faffing he didn't get a final scan for ages and then it suddenly resolved itself days after anyone expected it to... think it took him several weeks to recover properly though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mark on 07 January, 2015, 09:35:11 pm
Mine was not about to resolve itself, I had a CAT scan of the abdominal area at around 6 PM and was in surgery by 9 PM. That was New Year's Eve, I was released from the hospital with a somewhat shortened colon yesterday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2015, 11:53:19 pm
Recover well and fast!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mark on 08 January, 2015, 03:53:03 am
Thanks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 12 January, 2015, 12:53:46 pm
Just had my diabetic eye screening photos taken….. blimey its bright in here today…… and been told that they have found a small number of haemorrhage. They aren’t in my main field of vision, so aren’t causing me any problems.

This is the first time they have found anything wrong with my eyes. The good news is currently there is no risk to my ability to drive or cycle: they would have to be considerably worse than they are before that happens.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 14 January, 2015, 10:49:04 pm
Finally got to the dentist today for a LOT of work! Included was the extraction of my upper right side back tooth. The dentist told me not to blow my nose for a few days as the Cavity is very near my sinus.
Unfortunately I had a Sneezathon a half hour ago and things are not as they should be.
I can now inhale and exhale through the hole where the tooth was!
slightly surreal!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 January, 2015, 11:02:15 pm
IANAD (obv) but get attention ASAP if there's still air whistling 'twixt nose and mouth tomorrow. You really don't want this to become a permanent 'feature'.

I don't know how these things get 'plugged' but there must be a way.

Heal WELL and fast!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 15 January, 2015, 10:26:03 pm
Thanks Helly. I think it is okay now after a night's sleep. I willkeep it in mind if it does it again at all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 15 January, 2015, 10:57:06 pm
I did a spin class today. Dear $deity those bikes are uncomfortable. Very strange sensation too, it won't freewheel. Nearly bunnyhopped the thing the first time I tried!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 15 January, 2015, 11:01:29 pm
I did a spin class today. Dear $deity those bikes are uncomfortable. Very strange sensation too, it won't freewheel. Nearly bunnyhopped the thing the first time I tried!

If you are used to riding fixed, it feels completely normal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 16 January, 2015, 09:47:17 am
I did a spin class today. Dear $deity those bikes are uncomfortable. Very strange sensation too, it won't freewheel. Nearly bunnyhopped the thing the first time I tried!

If you are used to riding fixed, it feels completely normal.

I've never ridden fixed, but that's what I was thinking. As I can't afford n+1, I guess the odd spin class might be a nice way of improving my pedal stroke.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 16 January, 2015, 06:47:06 pm
I've been experiencing Gout for the first time since the start of the year, well that's my prognosis. Do I go to the Docs? It's starting to go now so probably will have gone by the time I get my appointment. There is nothing to show him anyway. Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 January, 2015, 06:56:22 pm
Prognosis means the way a condition is likely to progress.
Diagnosis means deciding on the name of the condition causing problems.

Gout usually causes severe pain and inflammation in the joint at the base of the big toe.
It is due to deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint.

There are other causes of foot pain.

Gout can be treated, investigated and prevented, if you give medics the chance to do this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 16 January, 2015, 07:17:55 pm
Thanks Helly, I've just read [ur=https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=80098.0l]this[/url] thread. I will book an appointment at the Docs on Mon. The pain I have is not great and has not stopped me doing anything. I thought it was chaffing on one of my big toes at first but then the other one started similar. Seems worse in the morning and there is nothing to see on the toe but it doesn't feel like in the joint either.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 January, 2015, 07:54:12 pm
I've never ridden fixed, but that's what I was thinking. As I can't afford n+1, I guess the odd spin class might be a nice way of improving my pedal stroke.

Best way to improve your pedal stroke is to pedal with one leg.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 16 January, 2015, 08:13:03 pm
I've never ridden fixed, but that's what I was thinking. As I can't afford n+1, I guess the odd spin class might be a nice way of improving my pedal stroke.

Best way to improve your pedal stroke is to pedal with one leg.
I had to do that from half way to work and all the way home about 20 years ago.  You tend to change gear a lot.  Mostly down.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: runsoncake on 16 January, 2015, 11:41:56 pm
Thanks Helly, I've just read [ur=https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=80098.0l]this[/url] thread. I will book an appointment at the Docs on Mon. The pain I have is not great and has not stopped me doing anything. I thought it was chaffing on one of my big toes at first but then the other one started similar. Seems worse in the morning and there is nothing to see on the toe but it doesn't feel like in the joint either.

I had gout in my right toe a few years ago, wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy BUT alopurinol shifted the little beast in no time. Had an infection in left big toe a couple of years earlier, ignored it thinking it was bruising MISTAKE took 4 different courses of antibiotics to get shot of it, took months to kill it.
MORAL listen to your tootsies!!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 January, 2015, 08:05:03 pm
The head cold I had at the beginning of the week has lowered itself into a chest cold and set off my asthma. And the use-by date on my inhaler is July 2013.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 January, 2015, 06:23:49 pm
I wish the crud in my lungs would fuck off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 January, 2015, 06:31:52 pm
Get Well Soon, EG!
TEA can be helpful...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 24 January, 2015, 06:35:57 pm
Having felt ok since yesterday evening I went for a bike ride this afternoon. Up cheddar gorge, left at Charterhouse, left again and down Burrington Combe. Back along the A38 from Langford. I struggled on the Gorge, stomach felt a bit rough at times and I coughed and spluttered a bit too. Not much miles in my legs at present and heavy, and it shows.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 January, 2015, 07:20:29 pm
Get Well Soon, EG!
TEA can be helpful...
In that it makes me vomit and that might force some of the lungcrud out?  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 January, 2015, 07:43:20 pm
 ;D ;D ;D
Theophylline is a well-known bronchodilator.
Hot drinks can be helpful.
Seeing as the stuff makes you puke, maybe just go for peppermint or honey & lemon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 January, 2015, 07:51:36 pm
I might do some steam inhalation later.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 January, 2015, 08:41:32 am
Mrs T just brought back some dried mango from the shops. Tastes bloody marvellous.  Any way I can justify this as Audax fodder?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2015, 10:18:02 am
Mrs T just brought back some dried mango from the shops. Tastes bloody marvellous.  Any way I can justify this as Audax fodder?

Tasty (and pricy) though it is, Audaxers may not appreciate its mild laxative effects.
YMMV...

(and make sure you don't eat the wrong sort of date bars...)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 January, 2015, 10:27:46 am
Ah well. Something to pass around the others, then.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 February, 2015, 08:20:41 am
Woke just after 3 with a sore throat. Feels like a tonsillitis brewing. Ugh.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 03 February, 2015, 03:45:05 pm
I am really quite allergic to eggs. It's messy and unpleasant when I get it wrong (lots of vomit, chicken-poxesque rash, general brokenness).

This has proved even more annoying since taking up low-carb eating, because eggs are very much a Good Thing to eat.

So I've been experimenting. I already knew my reaction could be avoided if egg is blended with "a high surface area substrate" (read - flour) - which is probably why I can eat choux buns, cake, pancakes and so on. But I've never done any dose-tests to see just how far I can push it. Until now.

Lunch today - 3 egg omelette with just 1/3rd of a cup of almond flour (plus bacon, and cheese).

The next few hours are going to be tense. I'll be staying near the loo - just in case...  :-X
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 04 February, 2015, 10:47:51 am
Haha!! All was fine. I can haz Eggs!!  :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: PeteB99 on 04 February, 2015, 11:26:04 am
Lower back spasm again. Hobbling round like an 80 year old. Deep heat pad applied and industrial painkiller taken. Looks like the bike will stay in the shed for a few days :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 04 February, 2015, 11:43:27 am
Chest still sore 21/2 weeks after ice induced off. Hit bars on the way down. Not as bad as it was, but still uncomfortable esp when trying to sleep.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 04 February, 2015, 12:05:23 pm
I appear to be coughing up the entire coating of my throat and lungs, but it seems like my body is just mopping up after the weekend's flu. My appetite has returned, I'm not boiling/freezing and I can talk almost normally again :)

Back on the bike for the first time since Friday :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CrinklyLion on 04 February, 2015, 06:40:03 pm
Finally managed to get a Cub to the GP whilst he was obviously wheezy.  GP had a listen and checked peak flow and glanced at history and confirmed that asthma is the most likely explanation.  Ventolin and a follow up at the wheezy-nurse clinic in a few weeks time to review.

EldestCub worked out, as we waited for quite some time to see the GP, that the last time he'd been there was for his jabs.  8 years ago...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 05 February, 2015, 06:46:31 pm
The latest move in this bloody bug seems to be to get a gland under my chin to swell up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 February, 2015, 08:28:24 pm
The jugulo-digastric node...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 February, 2015, 04:33:52 pm
Wandering round in half a haze: the ophthalmologist had a go at my left eye in preparation for next Monday's cataract op.  If a neurologist saw my out-of-sync pupils now he'd have my head in the MRI in three seconds flat.

-----

Did a loop with a chum last Thursday in 1°C and fog. He did 63k, I did 100+. I've been training pretty constantly and was fine afterwards, it was only his 2nd ride of the year.  In the middle of the night he got up to go to the loo, keeled over and bashed his head. Next day he had another episode & went to the doc, who shoved him in hosp for a day's observation. All OK, got sent home. Went to see his doc today so now he's in for a week of tests to find out why he keeled over, inc. scan, blood test and cardiologist.

I feel that it's overkill, that he just overdid it a bit and had a couple of doses of postural hypotension: he felt fine otherwise. Still, an ECG never hurts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 February, 2015, 01:47:49 pm
I went to the doc in november, I thought I'd damaged my neck. My neck felt 'wrong'.
She thought I had menieres or a tumour.
Those have been ruled out.

Symptoms are now; persistent headache, dizziness, pins and needles down left arm, 'compression/numbness' in face (on left), very, very stiff neck, often absolutely cramped back when I wake, occasional loss of control of limbs, very very disturbing feeling in brain when I lie down, but only in some positions.

If I consult the InternetGoogleHypochondriacDoctor, it tells me I have cervical spondylosis.

I've been in multiple car accidents, one severe. Trampled by horses, run over and fallen off cliffs. On top of that I had a bone disease/disorder that is known to produce spinal problems later in life.

Despite all this, not once have the docs x-rayed my spine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Andrij on 19 February, 2015, 11:24:02 am
Still not getting out on the bikes as often as I should, but on Monday I shall be starting the 100 press-up and 200 sit-up challenges.  It's going to be a long, hard road.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: TPMB12 on 20 February, 2015, 09:48:02 am
After getting annoyed with getting up from the floor like an old man (after playing with my young child) I have finally gone to the GP for a check up. They are very judgemental I think if you are male, not old and have a joint problem that has not incapacitated you. I've a history of knee complaints.

Anyway xray today and hopefully an MRI in the next month. Seems the fact my knee keeps locking up (bending back so it locks straight not locking up so I can't move it) and the way it collapses on me for no reason as I walk means there could be a loose body in my knee joint. That soft tissue needs MRI or arthoscopy I believe. So until then I am going to have to keep using chairs and tables to get up and have to be careful gowing down stairs. However one good thing, cycling helps a lot. I thought it would make it worse but after a ride I find there is less pain and that knee collapses on me less.

Anyone know what an MRI is like? I reckon I'll be in feet first but only up to waist so it won't feel claustrophobic for me. I have heard it is not a nice thing with a lot of noise, clicking and the tight space inside the ring. Didn't realise it takes at least 15 minutes, not a fast snap like xrays. Is that right? Anyone else have a MRI done on their legs/knees?? What was it like?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: giropaul on 20 February, 2015, 09:57:57 am
After getting annoyed with getting up from the floor like an old man (after playing with my young child) I have finally gone to the GP for a check up. They are very judgemental I think if you are male, not old and have a joint problem that has not incapacitated you. I've a history of knee complaints.

Anyway xray today and hopefully an MRI in the next month. Seems the fact my knee keeps locking up (bending back so it locks straight not locking up so I can't move it) and the way it collapses on me for no reason as I walk means there could be a loose body in my knee joint. That soft tissue needs MRI or arthoscopy I believe. So until then I am going to have to keep using chairs and tables to get up and have to be careful gowing down stairs. However one good thing, cycling helps a lot. I thought it would make it worse but after a ride I find there is less pain and that knee collapses on me less.

Anyone know what an MRI is like? I reckon I'll be in feet first but only up to waist so it won't feel claustrophobic for me. I have heard it is not a nice thing with a lot of noise, clicking and the tight space inside the ring. Didn't realise it takes at least 15 minutes, not a fast snap like xrays. Is that right? Anyone else have a MRI done on their legs/knees?? What was it like?

I've had one (or more) for my shoulder. I'd say it's about like being on a posh and comfortable sun-bed (and a lot less hazardous!)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: TPMB12 on 20 February, 2015, 11:19:41 am
I've had one (or more) for my shoulder. I'd say it's about like being on a posh and comfortable sun-bed (and a lot less hazardous!)
Thanks for that, like the sunbed analogy. I'll check out my tan lines after I get my leg scanned!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 February, 2015, 11:47:03 am
For the last two weeks I've been unable to tolerate a contact lens in my right eye; as soon as I put it in my eye starts to water and becomes very red and inflamed. Left eye is fine. Went to the optician today. Cat hair embedded in my eye was removed and all is well now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 February, 2015, 11:50:24 am


Anyone know what an MRI is like? I reckon I'll be in feet first but only up to waist so it won't feel claustrophobic for me. I have heard it is not a nice thing with a lot of noise, clicking and the tight space inside the ring. Didn't realise it takes at least 15 minutes, not a fast snap like xrays. Is that right? Anyone else have a MRI done on their legs/knees?? What was it like?
I had my hip MRId. It's not pleasant, but once they'd rolled me through so my head was sticking out, it was better. I made the mistake of opening my eyes while my head was still inside and I shouldn't have done because it felt claustrophobic enough to be distressing. As soon as my head was out, I was fine. They'll play a CD to you to take your mind off things. I think it took about 20 minutes. It's noisy but it's not sore, and if you don't open your eyes while your head is in the thing, it's just a noisy lie down.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: TPMB12 on 20 February, 2015, 11:58:55 am
Must admit to not feeling claustrophobia so I don't expect MRI to be an issue apart from the staying still bit. Ants in the pants when someone tells me to keep still. It is like a burning itch to move something. I guess that is because when I can do something I often don't want to but remove the prospect of being able to do it and I want to do it more than ever. Stubborn too, Don't take instructions from medical types too easily.

Still, I'm off for my xray today and expect to be contacted for an MRI appointment in a couple of weeks. Last time I arranged a hospital appointment the admin lass was someone I knew. Hate it when you're not dealing with a stranger, I mean she had access to my health records. We share a few friends and she has a big gob on her too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 21 February, 2015, 01:38:10 pm
My maximum oxygen consumption is virtually identical to 5 years ago.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 24 February, 2015, 09:52:38 am
Bored of the lurgy.

Was confined to bed Thursday and Friday with it, Saturday saw an improvement and Subday I was able to go out for a few hours. But it's Tuesday now and I still need to lie down for half an hour after doing something strenuous (like having a shower) and my appetite isn't back, plus I'm still drinking loads. I wish it would hurry up and completely go!!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 February, 2015, 10:42:26 am
Had a cataract expunged yesterday. Op went very well, improvement is vast. :)  Two weeks off the bike. :(

Gobsmackery dept: hospital coffee was good, and I'm one of those pernickety bastards who measure the beans to the gramme. Amazing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 24 February, 2015, 11:39:44 am
Had an MRI yesterday.

Had to drink a whole litre of Manitol in 1/2 hour.  Didn't taste too bad, so wasn't that bothered.

The radiologist did warn me of the after effects of said medication.

They didn't hit me until about midnight last night, but when they did, boy did it get windy!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 25 February, 2015, 08:44:20 am
There's a massive flu outbreak in Germany at the moment which explains my lurgy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Otto on 25 February, 2015, 09:24:26 am
Frightened myself to death last night, thought I was pissing blood, then after a minute or two remembers the packet of Beetroot crisps I had on the train home ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 February, 2015, 09:35:01 am
Frightened myself to death last night, thought I was pissing blood, then after a minute or two remembers the packet of Beetroot crisps I had on the train home ::-)
Points fingers and laughs

tbh, once you've had a few episodes of pissing blood, you won't mistake the aftereffects of beetroot for blood.

Mostly, when pissing blood your urine is very dark brown, almost blackish, sometimes with small clots.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Bledlow on 25 February, 2015, 09:42:18 pm
I had a little accident last week (mentioned elsewhere), which left me with several facial scabs. Most were shallow scrapes & had fallen off by this evening, when most of what was left fell off in the bath.

Unfortunately, the scab which fell off (to my surprise: I thought it was solidly rooted, & it was the only one A&E had taped up last week) the bridge of my nose left behind an oozing hole. I'm not sure what to do about this. Just put a dressing on it? If so, what sort would be best, taking into account that ordinary plasters irritate my skin if left on long? Ask the GP nurse to have a look at it tomorrow?

All advice gratefully received.



PS. I was thinking until I saw that hole that I might get away without any visible scars.  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 February, 2015, 09:47:21 pm
I would leave it exposed.
I don't know if this wound would catch spectacles (or if you wear them) but I can't think of any other serious reason to use a dressing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Bledlow on 25 February, 2015, 10:37:25 pm
Ta. I've covered it for the moment, & I think I'll keep it covered overnight, because of glasses snagging (they've been sitting on the top edge of the scab for almost a week) & the pillow. I'll try uncovering it in the morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 26 February, 2015, 11:08:57 am
If it need to be covered I would suggest you use micropore tape and non-stick dressing pad such a Melolin.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Bledlow on 26 February, 2015, 01:58:25 pm
It seems OK uncovered now. Just have to take a little care with glasses.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 26 February, 2015, 03:25:13 pm
Lurgy continues - eight days in bed for the flu seems a lot although I am not as bad as I was. But my German friends have persuaded me to consult a doctor tomorrow morning (which I will have to pay for) so that will test my language skills. Also it's no appointment, just turn up and wait - with this huge flu outbreak it could be a long wait!

Interestingly all the German websites on flu say go to the doctor straight away, all the english ones say treat at home. Which I guess ight be something to do with the fact that you pay for your doctor's visits.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: loadsabikes on 26 February, 2015, 06:59:33 pm
Eight days is above and beyond, get thee to the docs!
GWS Helen.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 February, 2015, 11:48:26 am
Eight days is perfectly normal for bad flu, is it not?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 February, 2015, 01:06:59 pm
Eight days is perfectly normal for bad flu, is it not?

Yeah.  Couple of weeks for the flu to subside, and another month for the secondary chest infection.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: redshift on 27 February, 2015, 01:24:48 pm
...and two years and counting for the post-flu exercise-induced asthma.

Or is that just me?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 27 February, 2015, 01:44:01 pm
Well I'm still in bed having not visited the docs. I thought flu cam be a two week in bed thing, it always was for my Mum. I fainted in the shower today which is sub-optimal, too much standing up after lying down for a week I guess. Fortunately no harm done as I saw it coming.

If I'm not notably better by Monday I will go to the docs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 February, 2015, 02:19:43 pm
Real flu is horrible; GET WELL SOON!

I'm not sure what a doctor can do for uncomplicated flu, aside from writing a sick note.

It's too early to check there's no other illness causing the symptoms.

I think you'd know if you had a chest infection or other complication.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 27 February, 2015, 02:29:13 pm
I'm not coughing or sneezing at all, fortunately, so hopefully have avoided any additional complications. It's just taking a long time but I have been very touched at how caring my friends here are, and my landlord/landlady. I have just had another food delivery from my landlady, mixed fruit and bananas.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 February, 2015, 02:35:36 pm
I'd suggest not taking a standing-up shower without someone around to rescue you.  I gave myself a nasty bang on the head like that while afflicted with the Long Itch Lurgy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 27 February, 2015, 02:37:51 pm
It was my first shower since Tuesday (yikes!) so I can probably go a few more days now.

I'm not sure if I'm on the level of staring a shower with my landlady but I do have a painted wooden chair I could put in there I guess next time!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 February, 2015, 03:50:32 pm
Wear a h*lm*t in the shower; you know it makesno sense!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 27 February, 2015, 04:09:05 pm
I have one here, what a great idea! Helps with the hair washing too, no doubt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 February, 2015, 04:14:47 pm
Of course! (Says she, who put the word 'no' in 1 point...)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 28 February, 2015, 08:27:07 am
Hallelujah, I think I have turned a corner and am returning to humanity.

I will spend the day in bed anyway not to overdo things, with a bit of walking around to mix it up. I have a week's worth of washing up to do too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 02 March, 2015, 02:38:45 pm
Went to the Hausarzt today as I was still feeling feeble this morning and I had the feeling I had a high heart rate.

I took Lara the 18-y-ö daughter of my landlady as translator if necessary (her English is excellent and I wasn't sure how well I would cope).

The interesting thing is that you couldn't make appointments at any of the three surgeries in St Hubert, they just have open surgeries, you are seen in order.

I had three options. A friend had recommended a lady doctor but her website showed she was into homeopathy so I decided against that. The other two doctors are next door to each other.

We found the decent surgery for one doctor and signed in (I showed them my insurance card and they seemed happy). I have a £300 excess so will be paying for all of this out of pocket anyway. There were seven people in the waiting room before me and it took about an hour and a half before I was seen.

The doctor turned out to speak fantastic English so we did all in English. I said about having the flu and feeling my heart rate was high - he checke my blood pressure (90/50, no wonder I fainted in the shower), listened to my lungs (fine), then stuck a widget on my finger which said pulse-ox 99 but heart rate 149 which was a lot as I was sitting down so he sent me for an EKG (in the next room). The nurse did that and then blood pressure and said my blood pressure was 160/100. I said that was almost double what it was ten mins ago so she did it again, 140/100, still high. The doctor came back after 10 mins and said could I return tomorrow for another EKG and some blood tests but it was probably a result of the flu. I told him I do get white coat syndrome too.

Since I got home I have worn my HRM. Sitting on the bed rate is 80-90, sitting on the couch is 115ish, 10 mins of standing to wash up was 175, so clearly standing up is an issue after two weeks in bed.

No idea yet how much this will cost, the bill comes tomorrow. But I was impressed by the doctor and the nurses and I quite like the fact you will get seen, but no appointments can mean a long wait. He told me to come at 8:30am tomorrow when they first open.

I seem to feel better this afternoon which is good!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Aunt Maud on 02 March, 2015, 02:48:41 pm
 :o You pay to go and see a doctor.......Thinking about it that might make my doctor visits more successful, as it seems he's trying to kill me.

Visit 1 Tummy ache and a bit of fever......Go straight to hospital do not pass go ......on the slab with the knives out...Shaved pubes...Appendicitis.

Visit 2 Man issues.................................Go straight to hospital do not pass go ......on the slab with the knives out........ 2X blood poisoning.

Visit 3 Sore shoulder from the Bryan Chapman...Go straight to hospital do not pass go.............wait at hospital.........get bored, walk out.

Visit 4 Next day Sore shoulder(repeat)..............Go straight to hospital do not pass go.............get a nice X-ray and smashing blue sling.

Visit 5 Sore neck.............He tries to twist my head off............I call him a name and walk out.

All FOC mind.

Get well soon AH, the flu is a proper git.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 02 March, 2015, 03:32:13 pm
I've been in Germany 11 months and all along the only thing that has worried me about living here is the healthcare system. I mean, it's very good, but it's an unknown and I have to pay. That is so new to me!

But I realised my insurance policy is effectively the same as my late Weimaraner's Pet Plan policy. Pay up first, then they reimburse you, but there's an excess per year of £300 (not 'per condition', fortunately). Being on the German public healthcare system would be better (they settle the bills) but as a freelancer the premiums were 350€ per month. I am paying £111 per month for my private insurance.

If I ever get a proper job in Germany I can get into the public health insurance system that way. If I plan to stay here long term that would be a good move.

Anyway, having found a good doctor I feel much more relaxed about it all now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 02 March, 2015, 04:00:57 pm
I do hope you continue to improve, AH. Flu is truly horrible.

I have a very ouchy thumb after I caught my thumbnail on the kitchen cabinet and about a third of my thumbnail was wrenched away at the side of the nail from its bed. It bled a lot but appears to have  reattached itself in the past couple of days.  The  skin around the area is very painful and swollen, which makes using the keyboard space bar impossible, so I'm hitting it with my index finger instead. I'm not sure whether to put a plaster over the nail, or just leave it as it is. 

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 March, 2015, 04:12:57 pm
Unless you are working in a dirty environment (gardening, for example) leave it uncovered.

Wrenched off nails loads of times.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 09:13:12 am
Interestingly all the German websites on flu say go to the doctor straight away, all the english ones say treat at home. Which I guess ight be something to do with the fact that you pay for your doctor's visits.
Or a different interpretation of flu? That is, maybe when Germans say flu they really mean flu, not a bad cold?

Insurance: Can't you use an EHIC?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 04 March, 2015, 09:16:01 am
I can't use my EHIC as I am registered as living here.

Feeling much better now. Off in half an hour to get the results of my blood test - I am very nervous as I always am about these things, too many bad memories. And then I will get the bill!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 04 March, 2015, 11:11:39 am
No bill yet as investigations continue.

My blood test was normal except for a liver reading - usually up to 47, mine was 1620ish. He did an ultrasound there and then and my liver looked normal, no tumour or anything, as did my kidneys, but my spleen was slightly enlarged (not entirely surprising after the flu). He thinks it possible my viral infection/flu has walloped my liver so will do another blood test on Monday to compare (after six days) and will also then test for various hepatitis forms although no idea where I would have caught them from.

In the meantime I am to take it easy and not do anything too strenuous. And not drink alcohol, which I never do anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 March, 2015, 12:23:00 pm
Which 'Liver' reading is that?

There are several usually used in liver function tests in the UK.

One of them - Alkaline Phosphatase - can be either bone or liver.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 04 March, 2015, 12:39:59 pm
There were two, both acronyms of three letters, I think one was GG-something. These were in German of course.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 04 March, 2015, 01:30:44 pm
A 'mercan vid about vaccinations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgpfNScEd3M

It is actually quite frightening, the impact of the downturn in vaccination uptake  could easily be seen in Mrs Ham's school, measles in particular became far more prevalent. If you know anyone who doesn't or won't, send them this vid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 March, 2015, 01:33:24 pm
GGT is gamma glutamyl transferase a live enzyme raised by alcohol related damage.
AST is aspartate transferase
ALP is alkaline phosphatase - the bone/liver chap.

I don't think the German editions are much different.

If your bilirubin were off the scale, you might be a FUNNYCOLOUR
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 March, 2015, 01:40:07 pm
If your bilirubin were off the scale, you might be a FUNNYCOLOUR

Or your skin might be the normal shade of green and your urine might be fluorescent, but you don't really notice because you're colourblind, dehydrated, sleep deprived and distracted by pain.  DAHIKT.

(I'm now under standing orders to query the colour of suspicious bodily emissions with barakta.  She gets all the fun jobs.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 04 March, 2015, 01:47:01 pm
I am a normal colour and my pee is normal too (except in the night when it's a bit dark which I took to be dehydration). I had one very light-coloured poop a few days ago that I put down to my poor appetite mucking things up but otherwise normalish. I don't feel sick. I do feel tired though but it's all consistent with post-flu. I hope that this is a reaction to the virus and will be improved next week.

I have a three page form from my health insurer for my doctor to complete. I bet I have to pay for that too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 March, 2015, 02:17:13 pm
(I'm now under standing orders to query the colour of suspicious bodily emissions with barakta.  She gets all the fun jobs.)

I'd take that over the week of hell we had with your gallstone any day. It's a reasonable adjustment for your colour-perception, just like you get to poke the headholes (BAHA abutments)...  It's *only* bodily fluids, we both come from families where medical things inc bowels were dinner table discussions :D 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 05 March, 2015, 10:23:43 am
I went to a gym last evening for the first time in a couple of years. She started me off gently - 2 sets of 15 squats!! What happened to sets of 10 or 12? That, coupled with lunges has me hobbling about on jelly legs today  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 March, 2015, 05:52:13 pm
Utterly out of the blue, no warning, massive puking session. Actually 3 of them. Spent most of last night hanging on to the porcelain god.

That was last night. Managed to nibble a single oatcake just now.

Very very sore back from cramping convulsions. Nobody else in the house is ill at all so it must have been something I ate at work.

Of course the puking session meant I lost the cinarrazine I took yesterday, didn't take any last night, today, etc. I'm living on 90mg a day of the stuff atm.

So the giddies are back as well, joy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 March, 2015, 06:50:11 pm
Since about mid-December
- no motivation at all to do anything. My usual exercise regime of swimming 3-5 times a week plus 1 session of pilates has been reduced to swimming class once a week (and I think I only struggle to that because I don't have to talk to anyone while I'm there). Apart from class, I've swum it once this year and one session of pilates. I've made it to one of my silver classes and every other Tuesday night I've got home from work and been utterly unable to go out again. I'm spending every weekend in my pyjamas doing nothing, not even cleaning my teeth until bedtime. On Saturday I was really thirsty and it took me 40 minutes to work up the oomph to walk five paces and get a drink of water
- bad thoughts. No thoughts of suicide or self-harm, but constant thoughts about bad things happening to loved ones, like daydreams of awfulness which eventually bring me to tears unless something external gets me out of it, like a phone call or a cat jumping on my head
- really tired all the time, but no changes to my sleep pattern
- joint pain, especially really sore elbows in the morning
- the elbows might be because the 2+ stone I have lost over the past 2 years has all gone back on in the past 3 months and lying on them hurts. Not motivated to cook properly for myself, living on delicious chocolate and biscuits. All I want is sugar
- no desire to socialise at all, just want to be left alone in silence
- all my work paperwork is up to date, for the first time in ever, because I'd rather sit at my desk typing than make phone calls or visits
- all of the things that I should do to combat it all, like exercise and eating healthily, are utterly beyond me
- I can make an effort and put a front up in front of other people, but as soon as I'm on my own I turn into a big schlumping human beanbag. I'm trudging through a sludgy brown world instead of skipping (or at least ambling) through a world of colour

Saw the GP today and agreed that we would do blood tests to check for thyroid problems etc and if that's all normal then we'll start antidepressants. We also agreed that there was no point telling me to eat healthily and do regular exercise, cos I was doing all that when it started, and if I could do it now I wouldn't have gone to the doctor in the first place.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 March, 2015, 07:57:26 pm
Sounds utterly rotten EG, glad doc was sensible and hope whatever it is, is nobblable soonest!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 March, 2015, 11:18:01 am
Getting bloods done on Monday. My colleagues, who were endlessly entertained when I was on the strong cocodamol, can't wait to see what I'll be like on antidepressants or thyroxine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 06 March, 2015, 09:21:12 pm
Best of luck EG, the mind can be a treacherous thing  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 March, 2015, 09:50:25 pm
They don't let you have interesting amounts of thyroxine, just enough not to be low if you are low iirc.  Watching colleagues intoxicated either on boozahol or opiates is funny though!  Shared office will be interesting come August with our lot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 07 March, 2015, 06:55:55 am
I am turning very German with my inspecting of the contents of the toilet bowl but I think the colour of my morning poop is slightly improving. I hope this is a sign my liver is repairing itself. Monday is my blood test with results on Tuesday so still a while to wait yet to know for sure. I am taking it easy still and drinking plenty of water.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 March, 2015, 06:16:02 pm
Went to a university Jewish Society reunion last night and saw many folk some three decades on.

Almost all were fatter, the slimmest was still slim but seemed to have gained about 10lb in weight and was very shapely. She had been very light in her first year. Two of the men appeared to be about 100% overweight. One of these had been fat-pretty portly but not  really gross, as he was now, as a student. I don't really remember the other.

Those who seemed in best shape had, unsurprisingly, worked on their fitness.

The ravages of Old Father Time...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2015, 09:26:52 am
@Helly: any idea how quickly mitochondrion population in skeletal muscle declines when we break training?  Or in cardiac muscle, come to that, if it does at all?

I just started again after 10 days off for my eye op, and it feels as if I'd done zero km this year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 March, 2015, 02:33:58 pm
Sorry, no idea!
My own experience is that once my weight and eating were up to near-normal, there was little problem.

I'm surprised an eye operation has had this effect; did you have a general anaesthetic?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2015, 02:58:58 pm
No, but they told me not to get into cold draughts and not to get sweat into it for 10 days, so I was just lying about the house and suffering withdrawal symptoms.

Fascinating procedure, cataract surgery. Everyone should try it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 10 March, 2015, 08:10:52 am
Top tip : Heart Rate Monitors only actually monitor if you attach the transmitter to the chest strap. Otherwise it's just a really bad bra.

There's no need to ask how I know this, is there?
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 10 March, 2015, 09:06:35 am
@Helly: any idea how quickly mitochondrion population in skeletal muscle declines when we break training?  Or in cardiac muscle, come to that, if it does at all?

I just started again after 10 days off for my eye op, and it feels as if I'd done zero km this year.

I read in 'faster' that it's the drop in blood volume when you stop that causes the initial loss of fitness. This returns quite quickly when you start training again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 March, 2015, 10:07:42 am
@Helly: any idea how quickly mitochondrion population in skeletal muscle declines when we break training?  Or in cardiac muscle, come to that, if it does at all?

I just started again after 10 days off for my eye op, and it feels as if I'd done zero km this year.

I read in 'faster' that it's the drop in blood volume when you stop that causes the initial loss of fitness. This returns quite quickly when you start training again.

Hum.  "Exercise training-induced hypervolemia appears to be universal among most animal species, although the mechanisms may be quite different. The hypervolemia may provide advantages of greater body fluid for heat dissipation and thermoregulatory stability as well as larger vascular volume and filling pressure for greater cardiac stroke volume and lower heart rates during exercise." - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1798375

I'd view that as just one of the adaptation mechanisms.  But mitochondria are directly involved in intracellular metabolism and their population increases to about 200% of normal with regular training, so that the cells become twice as efficient as untrained cells. When you stop training the population drops towards normal again.  I know that population rebuild is faster than the initial build and, I believe, faster than the loss, but beyond that I have no idea.  Although my cardiologist did tell me not to lay off more than three weeks, so maybe that's the time for the pop to drop to normal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 10 March, 2015, 11:15:08 am
@Helly: any idea how quickly mitochondrion population in skeletal muscle declines when we break training?  Or in cardiac muscle, come to that, if it does at all?

I just started again after 10 days off for my eye op, and it feels as if I'd done zero km this year.

I read in 'faster' that it's the drop in blood volume when you stop that causes the initial loss of fitness. This returns quite quickly when you start training again.

Hum.  "Exercise training-induced hypervolemia appears to be universal among most animal species, although the mechanisms may be quite different. The hypervolemia may provide advantages of greater body fluid for heat dissipation and thermoregulatory stability as well as larger vascular volume and filling pressure for greater cardiac stroke volume and lower heart rates during exercise." - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1798375

I'd view that as just one of the adaptation mechanisms.  But mitochondria are directly involved in intracellular metabolism and their population increases to about 200% of normal with regular training, so that the cells become twice as efficient as untrained cells. When you stop training the population drops towards normal again.  I know that population rebuild is faster than the initial build and, I believe, faster than the loss, but beyond that I have no idea.  Although my cardiologist did tell me not to lay off more than three weeks, so maybe that's the time for the pop to drop to normal.

Most of the decline in cardiovascular function (which almost all occurs within the first 12 days of detraining) is reversed by simply restoring blood volume with saline. VO2max increases to near trained levels, as does heart rate during submaximal exercise.

Effects of detraining on cardiovascular responses to exercise: role of blood volume
EDWARD F. COYLE, MAR1 K. HEMMERT, AND ANDREW R. COGGAN

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3944049


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: numbnuts on 10 March, 2015, 05:38:31 pm
I'm just home from a three day stay in hospital having L4/L5 decompression surgery now on the road to recovery, could be off the bike/trike for a while
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 March, 2015, 05:45:28 pm
GWS, numnuts!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 March, 2015, 06:32:14 pm
Hell - that sounds like it will take a while to get over.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 March, 2015, 09:20:45 pm
Ouch numbnuts, hope you recover well from that!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 10 March, 2015, 09:35:29 pm
I'm just home from a three day stay in hospital having L4/L5 decompression surgery now on the road to recovery, could be off the bike/trike for a while

Here's to a good result from your surgery numbnuts, and a big improvement in the long term.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si_Co on 12 March, 2015, 12:40:48 pm
Well after yesterday's visit to ENT, I have a BIG bag of steroids.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Valiant on 15 March, 2015, 11:49:15 pm
I's been diagnosed with pre-diabetes :( I had a hba number of 46/47

Have adjusted my diet accordingly and increased my activity. I'm loosing weight already and feeling less tired etc so I'm hoping I might be going in the right direction to get the all clear. Both my dad and grandad had diabetes so I'm more prone to get it. Of course being a fat git ain't helping.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 16 March, 2015, 12:29:32 am
Good luck, Sam! (And the rest of you).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 March, 2015, 03:07:13 pm
vitamin D deficiency.

One of the family has been tested as low on this. No, they don't go outside (my suggestion that they do so was met with "Why the fuck would I that, I've got supplements" No, I didn't clobber them with a frying pan of spang)

Reading up on this, it's stated that the sunlight needs to be direct, that incident light through a window isn't enough. Any idea why? Glass blocking some of the spectrum maybe?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 16 March, 2015, 03:15:52 pm
Glass block UV (I think all wavelengths but no doubt other will know better ) quite effectively - you don't tan in a greenhouse, so I suspect that's the reason.

Short sleeves are a good idea if you don't go out much.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 March, 2015, 08:54:25 pm
I am so looking forward to seeing my GP on Friday and finding out what is wrong with me. I am so tired. All the time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 16 March, 2015, 08:57:20 pm
Glass block UV (I think all wavelengths but no doubt other will know better ) quite effectively - you don't tan in a greenhouse, so I suspect that's the reason.

Short sleeves are a good idea if you don't go out much.

Yep, AIUI, UV light is needed. Sun lamps are apparently not a good substitute.

The thing with vitamin d supplements is that you can overdose. Your natural vitamin d production self regulates to avoid this. So natural light is a better option.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 March, 2015, 09:17:13 pm
I am so looking forward to seeing my GP on Friday and finding out what is wrong with me. I am so tired. All the time.
Hopefully he has an answer for you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 17 March, 2015, 01:17:43 pm
Work had a bod from Stroke Association in today, giving us a free blood pressure test if we wanted.

Got mine done, 138/89.  Just a smidge below borderline of hypertension according to the bumpf I got given!   :o :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 19 March, 2015, 12:43:12 pm
Finally got some of my liver test results back today (but not all - but the doctor's receptionist phoned the lab and asked them to fax whatever they had ready as I am going on holiday on Saturday). All seemed fine, I don't have any dodgy liver viruses.

I'm having the bog standard blood test tomorrow morning and they'll compare it with the one I had two weeks ago which had the really high liver readings and will email me the result. I feel fine and all is normal in the toilet bowl so I am guessing I have got over it.

At least I don't have Hepatitis C which would have been no fun at all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 19 March, 2015, 03:37:42 pm
Work had a bod from Stroke Association in today, giving us a free blood pressure test if we wanted.

Got mine done, 138/89.  Just a smidge below borderline of hypertension according to the bumpf I got given!   :o :o

A smidge below "high normal" I think that  would be, or "mild" hypertension. In the "practice a healthy lifestyle and check again in a little while" range. That I've been in for at least 20 years  ::-). So less salt, less alcohol, more veg, more exercise for us!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 19 March, 2015, 05:11:39 pm
Work had a bod from Stroke Association in today, giving us a free blood pressure test if we wanted.

Got mine done, 138/89.  Just a smidge below borderline of hypertension according to the bumpf I got given!   :o :o

A smidge below "high normal" I think that  would be, or "mild" hypertension. In the "practice a healthy lifestyle and check again in a little while" range. That I've been in for at least 20 years  ::-). So less salt, less alcohol, more veg, more exercise for us!  :thumbsup:

I think they may call it pre-hypertensive nowadays. But yes, the prescription seems about right.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 19 March, 2015, 07:33:58 pm
Work had a bod from Stroke Association in today, giving us a free blood pressure test if we wanted.

Got mine done, 138/89.  Just a smidge below borderline of hypertension according to the bumpf I got given!   :o :o

A smidge below "high normal" I think that  would be, or "mild" hypertension. In the "practice a healthy lifestyle and check again in a little while" range. That I've been in for at least 20 years  ::-). So less salt, less alcohol, more veg, more exercise for us!  :thumbsup:

Already get loads of exercise every day in my job patman posting, don't drink alcohol.  WOuldn't say I have a particularly great diet, and I have a bit of a coffee addiction....  and sugar addiction too.  Probably don't drink nearly enough water either...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 March, 2015, 10:39:26 am
My bloods all came back normal, so we've agreed I have depression and started me on sertraline.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 20 March, 2015, 11:02:43 am
Just got my bill for my first basic blood test - 55€. I've had another of these today and a much more involved set of liver function blood tests so I reckon that's 250€ worth in total.

I've gotta say, when you know you are paying for these it concentrates the mind wonderfully!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 20 March, 2015, 12:20:51 pm
Wow, very quick results from the doctor via email!!

'also die Werte sind deutlich besser geworden aber noch nicht gut . Gamma GT von 639 auf 330 U/l gesunken, AP von 531 auf 270 U/l also in der kurzen zeit sehr viel besser aber noch nicht ganz gut. Ich denke man kann akut Entwarnung geben, würde eine Kontrolle in ca. 1 Monat vorschlagen "

In other words my Gamma GT has reduced from 639 to 330 (I think it was actually 1639) and my AP from 531 to 270, so "they have clearly got better but are still not good..." "I think you may be acutely clear but I recommend a further test in a month's time."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 March, 2015, 12:45:48 pm
Good luck with the meds EG, hopefully no troublesome side effects.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 20 March, 2015, 12:47:14 pm
My bloods all came back normal, so we've agreed I have depression and started me on sertraline.
I've a packet of these sitting in my coat pocket, the side affects look grim and I reckon as Spring is coming I'm not bad enough yet. I dunno.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 March, 2015, 12:51:48 pm
My bloods all came back normal, so we've agreed I have depression and started me on sertraline.
I've a packet of these sitting in my coat pocket, the side affects look grim and I reckon as Spring is coming I'm not bad enough yet. I dunno.  :-\

Sertraline is what i'm on (for the moment). I didn't have any side effects when i started.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 March, 2015, 12:53:00 pm
Some people get all the side effects. Some people don't get any. Some people get some they find intolerable, some people get some they can live with. The direct effects of the depression are enough for me to risk the side effects of medication.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 20 March, 2015, 12:55:09 pm
Some people get all the side effects. Some people don't get any. Some people get some they find intolerable, some people get some they can live with. The direct effects of the depression are enough for me to risk the side effects of medication.
Aye. I reckon I'm unlucky enough to get lots of side effects, and not bad enough to risk them. Yet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 March, 2015, 08:56:42 am
Wife's starting flu ("no, no, it's just sinusitis and a sore back"), I'm feeling a bit ropey, I have a 200k 12th April and my training's already shot to hell with time off for cataract op. Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 March, 2015, 12:09:03 pm
Wife's starting flu ("no, no, it's just sinusitis and a sore back"), I'm feeling a bit ropey, I have a 200k 12th April and my training's already shot to hell with time off for cataract op. Bugger.

GWS 2(T42)!

Much of the training for a 200 is mental and practical.
Don't fret!
Approach the 200 well rested, well-fed and well thought out. Skimping on food and rest in the run-up to a long ride is as least as bad as never having done a long ride.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: numbnuts on 21 March, 2015, 12:54:53 pm
I'm just home from a three day stay in hospital having L4/L5 decompression surgery now on the road to recovery, could be off the bike/trike for a while
Two weeks post op back on the bike/trike and walking, I really can't believe it, I feel great and the best bit I have no pain at all, all thanks to Southampton General Hospital.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 21 March, 2015, 01:57:15 pm
Two weeks post op back on the bike/trike and walking, I really can't believe it, I feel great and the best bit I have no pain at all, all thanks to Southampton General Hospital.

Impressive. Give it time to heal fully before you go mad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 March, 2015, 11:39:19 am
I think the Sertraline has kicked in. My colleagues are freaking out because I’m “bug-eyed,” “sort of manic looking” and “smiling too much.”
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 March, 2015, 10:51:21 am
Really sweaty hands and feet today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 27 March, 2015, 09:25:11 pm
BN: just weighed myself. 101.6kg, or nearly 16st in old money

GN: it means my digestive system is actually working properly...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 28 March, 2015, 01:02:43 pm
Got my bill for my various liver blood tests, shown here:

(https://scontent-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10981951_10152645453481786_3460299029671918514_n.jpg?oh=3abe28282904f8a7237d5b57d05007cd&oe=55B317CF)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11035626_10152645453541786_4090055946773761476_n.jpg?oh=3392d3a16ba03426c3ac9f528cace4a9&oe=5574A799&__gda__=1433672140_0682f14f7cf2fb8e3bdccc1db5abe3e2)

Total cost...

(https://scontent-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10312413_10152645439941786_4774515472496738480_n.jpg?oh=8e36a6eb3fc1f602953950e954c4c8d0&oe=55B5D855)

Insurance will pick up some of it but I'm paying the first 450€ of this illness (current bill at about 800€)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 March, 2015, 02:02:01 pm
So those are the codes for the items and their prices.
Do you have the numerical values for your direct/indirect bili or Alk Phos?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 28 March, 2015, 07:51:26 pm
Nope, not on the invoice. I'll see the doc again in a couple of weeks for another test so I'll see if I can get the results from him. But German doctors tend to keep things closer to their chests, apparently.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 April, 2015, 05:59:25 pm
I went to hospital expecting a 45min treatment session for benign paroxysmal vertigo (which I was pretty sure I didn't have) and didn't receive any treatment. Instead I was presented with a likely diagnosis of vestibular migraine or epilepsy.

Consultation with consultant will take place and I will receive a letter in a couple of months, no doubt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 02 April, 2015, 12:18:13 am
Interesting... I hope you get seen soon and some answers - and then some possibilities of treatment etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 02 April, 2015, 09:18:11 am
BN: My wife's other hip needs replacing, which has kyboshed our holiday plans AND her "Silk Road" art trip to Uzbekistan later this year  :(

GN: It'll be the same surgeon as last time, and we know how good and quick the recovery should be.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 02 April, 2015, 09:21:34 am
 :(   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 April, 2015, 12:22:07 pm
Current Sertraline side-effect: night sweats so bad I tossed and turned so much last night I ripped a big hole in the bottom sheet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 April, 2015, 07:54:52 pm
If this is vestibular migraine, then it fucking sucks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 April, 2015, 09:46:29 pm
Seem to be developing bronchitis after yesterday's ride. Rats.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 April, 2015, 09:22:00 am
yet another head cold!  Third one so far this year   >:(  ffs! With added gunky cough / tight chest too!   At least I'm on a day off today, so i'll make sure I get plenty of rest!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 April, 2015, 09:28:20 am
Current Sertraline side-effect: night sweats so bad I tossed and turned so much last night I ripped a big hole in the bottom sheet.

Hope the side effects ease soon EC. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 April, 2015, 09:34:52 am
Seems that my ovaries have finally FAILED, leaving me feeling really weird and light-headed intermittently and fine the rest of the time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 09 April, 2015, 09:37:17 am
Oh, is that a menopausal thing? I put it down to low blood pressure.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 April, 2015, 10:34:49 am
Seems to be but my blood pressure was much higher than normal, I felt I was about to collapse and my heart rate has gone up a lot.

I've been expecting 'menopausal things' for a while but my Mum had few things and I've needed tampons within the past month.

HV aet 56.85.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 09 April, 2015, 11:21:16 am
I get hot flushes very rarely and they are just 'hot and sweaty for a few seconds' kind of flushes, none of the 'don't know who I am or where I am' kind of stuff. I also get a feeling of light headedness which lasts for a few seconds, almost like I am going to faint, no increased heart rate. This will occur a few times over the course of an hour, if I take a deep, slow breath it goes away but then returns later, it also goes away and doesn't come back if I drink a glass of water.

Clare, last bleed 28-29/12/14, aged 49.36.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 April, 2015, 12:12:25 pm
I can cope with hot, though for me, it seems to be of a longer duration.
My tummy seems rather temperamental; I'm off medium-large food portions, slightly nauseous in the evenings and gassy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Moultonaught on 09 April, 2015, 12:18:17 pm
Had my first asthma review after going back on inhalers last year after a number of years without them. Peak flow of 300 (although I am super snotty at the mo') :-[ it should be about 620....  they've told me to double the dose of my preventer inhaler and see if that helps things....

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jaded on 09 April, 2015, 12:54:19 pm
I had a little accident last week (mentioned elsewhere), which left me with several facial scabs. Most were shallow scrapes & had fallen off by this evening, when most of what was left fell off in the bath.

Unfortunately, the scab which fell off (to my surprise: I thought it was solidly rooted, & it was the only one A&E had taped up last week) the bridge of my nose left behind an oozing hole. I'm not sure what to do about this. Just put a dressing on it? If so, what sort would be best, taking into account that ordinary plasters irritate my skin if left on long? Ask the GP nurse to have a look at it tomorrow?

All advice gratefully received.



PS. I was thinking until I saw that hole that I might get away without any visible scars.  :(

Tegaderm, or similar.

I know this is too late, but it's the answer for things like this. Put it on and forget it. Healing with virtually no scarring.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 April, 2015, 02:14:16 pm
Three weeks into the sertraline now, and went back to see the GP this morning. He's keeping me on the same dose and I have to go back in 6 weeks, or earlier if necessary.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 11 April, 2015, 03:54:17 am
Nope, not on the invoice. I'll see the doc again in a couple of weeks for another test so I'll see if I can get the results from him. But German doctors tend to keep things closer to their chests, apparently.

So as a customer....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 11 April, 2015, 07:11:05 am
Things are very different here with regard to doctors - it's a bit like the UK 40 years ago. Doctors are king and don't share much, although the Hausarzt was really friendly and down-to-earth. I reckon if I ask him for a copy of all the results for my UK health records he'll give me a copy as that's a worthwhile reason.

Something to note - in Germany there is no centralised record-keeping area. Each doctor has their own (paper) notes filing system but if you go to another doctor they know nothing about you. I remember when I moved house eight years ago, went to the doctor and registered, lo and behold they had all my notes from the last practice on the computer at my next visit which is brilliant.

This is part of the German paranoia about the Stasi/spying. No Google Streetview, not allowed to film/photograph people unless there is a big group, you aren't allowed to record people at work even if they are bullying you or something, almost no CCTV, very strict privacy/confidentiality rules, except on your blog you have to put your name and home address and everyone has their names on their letterboxes outside their houses. Most odd.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 April, 2015, 09:18:08 am
I just went to the pharmacist's for my methotrexate. I used up the last of my previous prescription last week, and Monday is the day. I arrived at exactly 9am, when the pharmacy opens, but the assistant would not give me my drugs until the pharmacist arrived. They were dispensed, checked, packaged, had my name on and were waiting for me on the shelf, but it would appear that it is not legal for  them to be handed over unless a qualified pharmacist is in the building, even though she took no part whatever in the handing over.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 13 April, 2015, 11:38:41 am
Decided to count the calories this week to check any tendency to overeat after Yr Elenydd on Saturday.

So far I've had a coffee.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 April, 2015, 12:18:04 pm
Our pharmacist sometimes opens the prechecked/bagged drugs and double checks the contents.  The pharmacist themselves are legally liable if there is anything wrong with the script and if there are any errors they have to be reported.  It's kinda like a last line of defense in case the GP's prescribed bad things or the pills are switched by mistake cos humans do make errors.

A friend was given a load of viagra instead of $proper drug by a pharmacy last yr. Despite being hideously dyslexic she did spot the problem, texted me and friends for advice and on our advice took it straight back and they were VERY grateful - she asked to report it and they handed the forms over right away.  Viagra could have been quite dangerous to her with her health issues. 

Individuals can also report errors which I always encourage as it should match pharmacy reporting and if it doesn't the pharmacy will be carefully inspected.

Pedantry and nitpickery are definite features in a pharmacist. If my friend had been a "little old lady" who wasn't quite with it, etc etc. Esp with drugs changing generic brands and how they look all the time!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jaded on 14 April, 2015, 11:57:46 am
My daughter (apologies for gratuitous family reference) works in a pharmacy. They can sell front of house drugs to anyone, but not prescription or behind the counter unless the Pharmacist is there. As barakta says, there are sound reasons for this. My daughter has no desire to be at the bad end of a negligence claim.

They do get people who have forgotten or delayed their repeats, and they have a way to deal with them. They can walk the patient and the drugs over to the other pharmacy in town and get the Pharmacist there to release them. Time-consuming but good customer service.  However they will not be inclined to do this if the customer is arsey and running a high entitlement temperature. Those ones have to accept where the initial problem has occurred and come back when the pharmacist is there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 17 April, 2015, 11:34:34 am
Remember I had a dodgy liver last month after my bout of flu.

Today I went back for blood test results and everything is very much improved and the doctor signed my insurance form so I can claim (will be about 800€ in total I have paid).

I asked him for a copy of the results for my GP in the UK and they photocopied everything. I thought you might find the BEFORE and AFTER results interesting, although they are in Germany.

When I was ill:

(http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/First-Results.jpg)

Now I am almost better:

(http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Latest-results.jpg)

I have loads of other stuff as well - they did vast numbers of hepatitis tests but the dodgy ones came back as negative.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 April, 2015, 01:38:02 pm
Now you are better, your blood results are close to normal.
Viruses cause deranged liver function.
Were you tested for glandular fever?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 17 April, 2015, 01:45:38 pm
My body and I have had an argument and aren't on speaking terms:

I've cycled all of about 1200km this year.  Over half of that in the last 4 weeks, mostly in 40-50km rides.  On Saturday I did the first proper ride of the year, the 100km Tamworth CC audax.  Just under 130km in total, of which the first 45km was annoyingly lumpy, and with a git of a headwind for 2/3 of the ride.  By the time I'd finished, I was utterly knackered.

I didn't ride a bike for two days, then went out on Tuesday afternoon, and just didn't have any energy.  I couldn't get my heart rate above 140bpm for any length of time (it's normally 150-180 when climbing), and was correspondingly stuck riding at wow factor 1.  My legs didn't ache, and my lungs weren't even getting a chance to be rubbish, I just had no energy.  I cut it short and came home for a total of about 30km.

On Wednesday evening I went out on the pub ride with a local cycling group.  About 36km of flat, at cyclepath pace, in two halves.  It seemed okay at the time, but I started flagging on the last 5km back to home from the city centre (probably because after leaving the group I was back on the roads, and had upped the pace a bit), and was wobbly and exhausted afterwards.

Yesterday I did as little as possible.  I was weak, couldn't work out if I was hot or cold, and generally wanted to go back to bed all day.  Also, my left wrist randomly started aching.  It feels like I've fallen over and landed on it but I don't recall any injury.  I took some painkillers before bed, and slept solidly all night.  Feeling much the same today, wrist and all.  I'm trying not to mouse with it.  Oh, and my IBS is now playing up, but that's probably hormonal and not indicative of anything.

So regardless of whether this is some vague viral lurgy or simply the result of over-doing it, I won't be riding tonight's unofficial FNRttC, for which I have orange cardboard and everything.  :(

</winge>

On the plus side, my knee's working perfectly at the moment.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 17 April, 2015, 01:57:31 pm
Now you are better, your blood results are close to normal.
Viruses cause deranged liver function.
Were you tested for glandular fever?
I was tested for the following:

Enteroviren IgG-AK *EIA* #  (Positive)
Enteroviren IgM-AK *EIA* #
HCV-Antikörper *CMIA*
EBV-Serologie (HHV-4) *IB*
VCA-IgG *EBV-Viral Capsid AG* (Positive)
VCA-IgM *EBV-Viral Capsid-AG* (Positive)
CEA *CMIA*
HBs-Antigen *CMIA*
Anti-HBc-IgM *CMIA*
Heptatitis-B-Core AK *CMIA*
Anti HAV IgG qualitativ *CMIA*
Anti-HAV-IgM *CMIA*
EA-IgM *EBV-Early Antigen* (Positive)
EBNA-IgG *EBV Nuclear Antigen*
Cytomegalie-Virus IgG-AK *EIA*
Cytomegalie-Virus IgM-Ak *ELFA*

Some other stuff as well such as Creatinkinase, Lactardehydrogenase etc etc. This is a summary of a two page document list of tests!

So it doesn't look like they did test for Glandular Fever.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 April, 2015, 02:24:09 pm
Glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).
I can't work out if it's positive.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 17 April, 2015, 02:52:13 pm
That was the summary, I will PM you the details!

Although the doc didn't say it was glandular fever so I assume the results suggest not.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 17 April, 2015, 03:05:24 pm
Just going through the invoice from the GP (285,92€,  including the cost of the needle for my blood tests etc) and we have a winning blood investigation: Blutkörperchensenkungsgeschwindigkeit. This is 'little blood cell sinking speed', whatever that is!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 17 April, 2015, 03:09:18 pm
Isn’t that what they call 'sedimentation rate' over here?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 17 April, 2015, 03:16:18 pm
I guess so! But Blutkörperchensenkungsgeschwindigkeit sounds more technical ;-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 April, 2015, 03:38:18 pm
Yes, it's ESR - Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate. Normal female value <5 but easily rises to >100 in many acute illnesses.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Bledlow on 17 April, 2015, 06:02:57 pm
I had a little accident last week (mentioned elsewhere), which left me with several facial scabs. Most were shallow scrapes & had fallen off by this evening, when most of what was left fell off in the bath.

Unfortunately, the scab which fell off (to my surprise: I thought it was solidly rooted, & it was the only one A&E had taped up last week) the bridge of my nose left behind an oozing hole. I'm not sure what to do about this. Just put a dressing on it? If so, what sort would be best, taking into account that ordinary plasters irritate my skin if left on long? Ask the GP nurse to have a look at it tomorrow?

All advice gratefully received.



PS. I was thinking until I saw that hole that I might get away without any visible scars.  :(

Tegaderm, or similar.

I know this is too late, but it's the answer for things like this. Put it on and forget it. Healing with virtually no scarring.
There's a slight dent now, only noticeable because it's still discoloured.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 April, 2015, 12:47:42 pm
I'm just over 4 weeks into the sertraline just now and it's going great. It's definitely working, and the majority of the side-effects have passed. I still have sweaty hands and feet, deranged body temperatures, a bit of a clenched jaw, and intermittent jitteriness, those are all minor and tolerable. I think I've been very lucky.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 20 April, 2015, 12:54:08 pm
I'm just over 4 weeks into the sertraline just now and it's going great. It's definitely working, and the majority of the side-effects have passed. I still have sweaty hands and feet, deranged body temperatures, a bit of a clenched jaw, and intermittent jitteriness, those are all minor and tolerable. I think I've been very lucky.
Me too. I think I'm a few days behind you and not only do I feel much better but not one of the terrible list has manifested.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 April, 2015, 01:14:01 pm
I've had loads of side-effects, but apart from the above, each one has only lasted 2-3 days at a time and then been replaced by something else. In order, they were
- bug-eyed, manic-looking jitteriness
- extreme fatigue and sleepiness, falling asleep at my desk
- weird vivid dreams
- upset stomach
- night sweats so bad my tossing and turning ripped a hole in the bottom sheet
- very clenched jaw, grinding teeth

Oh, and a constantly dry mouth.

My GP says I came in at the right time - if I'd left it much longer, the depression would have been more entrenched and harder to get rid of, and he says it was good that I'd thought it all through before I went and was willing to start the meds straight away.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 April, 2015, 01:28:04 pm
I seem to have many of the above symptoms but I'm not on citalopram or sertraline.
I've been on fampridine to improve my walking but I stopped it at the weekend.
I feel weird, about to pass out but don't pass out.
My heart rate is much more than usual, even though I'm sitting calmly and my BP is up.
I feel nauseous and am intolerant of heat.
I've not sweated much.
I feel jittery, my jaws clench or twitch and sometimes I get tingling round the lips.
I find it difficult to settle to sleep in bed but sometimes nod off inappropriately when sitting.
My bowels are unhappy and sluggish.

I think I'm better off the fampridine, though my mobility is worse.
I think some of this might be due to my ovaries finally packing up...

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 21 April, 2015, 02:38:47 pm
Repeated the fat burning test today. In 2 months, to the day, my fat burning has almost doubled. My LT has increased by 20-30W. My HR at LT has reduced by 10bpm. My lactate buffering ability has improved signifantly. Fat burning at moderate intensity is heading for 60%. Vo2max is slightly off - probably fatigue caused that.

Apparently that level of improvement would normally be expected to take 3 months. Normal people don't do 430km training sessions though. Keeping up what I'm doing I should be able to approach 70% fat burning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 23 April, 2015, 04:32:34 pm
Phew. Lots of exercise isn't bad for you. And the lowest-mortality is at much higher amounts of exercise than the current recommendation. And adding in some high intensity exercise is better still.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/15/the-right-dose-of-exercise-for-a-longer-life/?WT.mc_id=2015-2NDQTR-KWP-INTL_AUD_DEV-0330-0628&WT.mc_ev=click&ad-keywords=IntlAudDev&kwp_0=14351&kwp_4=97031&kwp_1=138470&_r=0

Now that the case is closed, I'll not be reading any further articles about this subject.

Lalalala I can't hear you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 April, 2015, 09:06:41 am
Something unidentified has whacked my liver in the chops right in time for tomorrow's 300k.  Was fine Thursday, got fitted for new bike, came home & ate as usual, yesterday felt weak and nauseous with "heavy" but not intense headache, today not so bad until after breakfast when nausea/headache reappeared. Lots of tea and feel a bit better but totally lacking in enthusiasm for printing route-sheets, packing, etc etc.

Possibly went hypo early Friday morning, then metformin stopped liver kicking out reserves, but when that happens the headache is usually crushing but all is fine again by lunchtime. God knows what'll happen after pasta-loading this evening, but he ain't telling.   :sick:  :sick:  :sick: ?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 29 April, 2015, 08:33:06 pm
Oh poo. My wife is awaiting a referral for a hip replacement, and has seemingly burst a blood vessel, or possibly got a DVT, in the other leg! Had to take her to the surgery where she got a Wafarin injection just in case, and she's off to the hospital tomorrow for ultrasound to check it out. Meantime she can't sit down. She's feeling a bit pissed off right now. Can't say I blame her.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 May, 2015, 11:23:20 pm
I'm having a fasting cholesterol blood test tomorrow, which requires 12 hours' fast prior to the test. My instructions state:

I should bring a snack for after the test. (Given the surgery is 100 metres from my abode, I won't bother!)
After the test I should not lift heavy objects
After the test I should not go to the gym for 24 hours.

This strikes me as overkill for what is really no more than a late breakfast!

Are all such delicate flowers?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 May, 2015, 10:12:27 am
I think those are the standard 'fasting' instructions, which are written assuming some of the fastees might be diabetic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 May, 2015, 11:02:52 am
Suppose so.
I am prone to low blood sugar but am not diabetic.
I have learned how to avoid crashing when fasting...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 May, 2015, 12:32:33 pm
Many people aren't used to fasting.  Some people don't react well to being stabbed (and optionally dug around in) with needles.

What's overkill for most people will prevent a minority from keeling over, so it's not unreasonable advice.  Wobbly patients hanging around tend to make surgeries run late.

I'd certainly never consider going to the gym after one; that'd be like exercise or something.  I have gone on to do a FNRttC the same day, and suspect my bike counts as a heavy object.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 05 May, 2015, 01:41:55 pm
Interesting that they don't list driving.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 May, 2015, 02:06:02 pm
True and people drive everywhere here.
It's about 100 metres to the surgery from here and we pass two branches of the same minor road, enclosing a bus stop island, on the way.

Partner apologised for nearly killing me in the traffic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 May, 2015, 09:11:34 am
When a kid, micropsia (aka Alice in Wonderland syndrome) is almost fun.

Getting it when you are an adult, with a job to get to, etc, is just a complete pain and utter pain in the arse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 07 May, 2015, 11:09:46 am
I used to have Alice in Wonderland Syndrome when very tired, less frequently these days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 May, 2015, 11:54:18 am
Did you get it when you were an adult?

As a kid, it just came and went with no side-effects.

Now I get thumping headaches, like a bad hangover.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 07 May, 2015, 11:56:33 am
I get it still, when tired. I didn't know there was a name for it.

In other news, signed off work with my back. How people survive in this kind of pain for years is beyond me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 May, 2015, 11:59:35 am
Seems mine are a side-effect of migraines and and sign that my brain is not getting blood properly, or something.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 07 May, 2015, 03:12:12 pm
I can't recall having it for several years. It would usually happen when e.g. reading a book late at night. Everything would be the wrong size; the words on the page, the letters in the words; the room I was in. My tongue.

I think mental tiredness rather than physical fatigue would be a trigger for me. I've also had ocular migraines and occasional full blown migraines.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 May, 2015, 05:09:09 pm
Today is the first Saturday in months I've had the motivation to go swimming. Yay for sertraline! I even did a couple of sprints.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 May, 2015, 12:31:56 pm
Seems mine are a side-effect of migraines and and sign that my brain is not getting blood properly, or something.
Experimentation has shown that I can't drink even on small glass of red anymore. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 May, 2015, 08:18:50 am
Normally I do a set of exercises (with therabands) 3 times a week. If I neglect to do this, I get serious pain and instability.

This last week I've neglected them, because middle of the week I made 3 car trips loading up sacks of rubble, carrying them through the garage. Over the weekend I loaded and barrowed about 3 ton of building rubble from a house 100m away, including lumps that were 50kg or so apiece.

My back is fine. Better than fine in fact, it feels more limber and less likely to collapse than it has in ages.

I'm starting to think I should pick up a barbell and some weights and just do some basic deadlifts rather than mess with the therabands.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 May, 2015, 03:12:59 pm
And still fine - improving by the day.

A major hit (well, ok, over a £100 per month) to our income means barbells are out of the question. I'll make do with a bag of sand.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 May, 2015, 06:35:28 pm
I bought a blood pressure machine from ebay, which arrived in the post today.
It cost less than £20.

My upper arm is just 2cm below 'Max' on the standard 'medium' cuff.

Methinks that cuff would be too small for over half the UK population as I'm a gurl with 'stick-like' arms.

(My blood pressure is fine, BTW. It was high at my 'health check' last week but 120/60 seems fine to me!)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 May, 2015, 01:03:02 pm
Eight weeks into the sertraline, and I'm definitely feeling the benefits. I'm cooking from scratch a few nights a week instead of living on pizza and bread, and I feel like I'm walking instead of trudging. I'm going back to see the GP on Friday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 May, 2015, 02:14:38 pm
Good to hear it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 18 May, 2015, 02:54:56 pm
Good to hear, EG!

In other news, I wish I could shake this damned cold. Blood count shows a normal amount of white blood cells, my chest is clear but I can't stop coughing and sneezing!

Colds, normally, last a day or two with me, this one has been visiting for the last week and a half! I blame the effects of the Methatrexate.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hulver on 18 May, 2015, 03:45:54 pm
Eight weeks into the sertraline, and I'm definitely feeling the benefits. I'm cooking from scratch a few nights a week instead of living on pizza and bread, and I feel like I'm walking instead of trudging. I'm going back to see the GP on Friday.

Just been catching up on this thread, sertraline is doing me wonders as well. I left it for far too long before going to the doctor though.

I had the bug-eyes for a few days, although I think that was the worst of the starting side-effects.

I had to increase dose after the first month, as although my mood had improved I was still very unmotivated. I now have to remember to take the pills in the morning, as I'm feeling normal again.

I'm glad it's working for you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 18 May, 2015, 09:07:56 pm
Bowel cancer screening. Not only do you get a Special Free Gift in the post for "before", you get a souvenir photo to take away after, too.  :thumbsup:.

Top value, NHS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 May, 2015, 09:29:21 pm
Eight weeks into the sertraline, and I'm definitely feeling the benefits. I'm cooking from scratch a few nights a week instead of living on pizza and bread, and I feel like I'm walking instead of trudging. I'm going back to see the GP on Friday.

Just been catching up on this thread, sertraline is doing me wonders as well. I left it for far too long before going to the doctor though.

I had the bug-eyes for a few days, although I think that was the worst of the starting side-effects.

I had to increase dose after the first month, as although my mood had improved I was still very unmotivated. I now have to remember to take the pills in the morning, as I'm feeling normal again.

I'm glad it's working for you.
Yeah, my bug-eyes were hilarious to see.  My GP has warned me 3 times not to stop taking the pills just because I feel better because I'll almost certainly relapse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2015, 10:35:30 pm
Bowel cancer screening. Not only do you get a Special Free Gift in the post for "before", you get a souvenir photo to take away after, too.  :thumbsup:.

Top value, NHS!

Great fun!

I hadda polyp so had to go back for a colonoscopy; even more fun...
...and more pictures.

Still much better than consequences of polyp turning nasty!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 18 May, 2015, 10:42:19 pm
Bowel cancer screening. Not only do you get a Special Free Gift in the post for "before", you get a souvenir photo to take away after, too.  :thumbsup:.

Top value, NHS!

Great fun!

I hadda polyp so had to go back for a colonoscopy; even more fun...
...and more pictures.

Still much better than consequences of polyp turning nasty!

Oh Wow! I know one of the "2 out of 300 will have polyps"!! Can I have your autograph?

I was surprised quite how many people there were watching the show - all girls, natch - but top work to the team for attempting to keep me distracted with small-talk. It nearly worked! Didn't need the gas & air though  :smug:.

Me: "So, find anything interesting?"
Doc: "Nope. Just a beautiful bowel."

Riiiight....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2015, 10:45:42 pm
Didn't have the Entonox for the siggy but did have it (but no other painkillers or sedatives) for the colonoscopy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 19 May, 2015, 08:49:32 am
Me: "So, find anything interesting?"
Doc: "Nope. Just a beautiful bowel."

I think they must teach this kind of thing at medical school.
I was screened for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm -

Me:  May I see the pictures?
Nurse:  Of course. You have very photogenic insides.
Me:  Go on, you say that to all the boys!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 19 May, 2015, 12:27:10 pm
My wife need a new hip. She saw the GP about 6 weeks ago who got her X-rayed and referred, and this week got her NHS consultant appointment for the end of June. From there it's anyone guess how long it would be to the op - last time she got a cancellation after about a month, but in a hospital an hour away.

Meantime her son (who works in the City, and who is off to Chicago for 2 years in August) said he'd pay for her to go privately.

We saw the consultant last Thursday, and she goes in for her op Friday 29th. 2 weeks and a day, and £12k is all it takes.

This being her second hip replacement, at least she knows that afterwards she's likely to be fully mobile before too long, and good for the next few years.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 May, 2015, 09:51:59 am
I had a dental check-up this morning and we talked about the sertraline making me clench my teeth and bite my tongue, so he's making me a bite guard.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 May, 2015, 10:58:00 pm
So, after waiting months, I finally see the consultant in the Balance clinic. I have diary of health with food etc printed out.

He asks how I've been. How often am I getting the headaches (well, daily). Then tells me "We need to treat these headaches if you are getting them daily, I will write to your doctor. Contact her in a week or to to make an appointment to discuss what medication you will take."

Well, ok. Um what are you treating me for? Yeah, that's right, at no time did he say what he thought might be the problem. So I say
"Last time I saw your colleague, Sally, she said she conferred with you and you thought I had vestibular migraines. Is that what you are treating me for, or just treating the symptoms, the headache?"

"Yes, we will be trying to treat the vestibular migraines with medication."

He had to be the most unforthcoming medical person I have ever met. At the time I was suffering a dizzy/spaced out episode that made it hard to speak. He didn't examine me, he didn't ask about the current state I was in or what I was feeling. A 10yr old with Google would have done a more thorough job. You know how they talk about doctors who aren't actually interested in patients? Yeah, one of those.

The physio who was in the room was a bit different, checked I was ok to walk, checked I didn't have far to go and wasn't driving.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 May, 2015, 11:17:09 pm
A tale of two hospitals

I've had two hospital appointments this week, one in Queen Square and one in Central Middlesex. Both were late afternoon appointments and I was seen close to my appointment time each time.
Queen Square: queue for reception, tiny cramped, crowded waiting are, not enough room to swing a wheelchair, seemed BUSY.
Central Middlesex: HUGE deserted waiting area about 50 seats, of which we seemed to be the ONLY occupants. No queues for reception as no other patients!

CMH felt very underused...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 21 May, 2015, 10:12:55 am
Sorry to hear that, Mr C, I have had similar experiences, and opposite ones too.  If I could choose where to go and see the gastroent specialist, I would go back to Halifax everytime.  The specialist there treated me as human being, took interest in me and my condition and was, generally, a nice bloke.  At the Friarage I feel like just another number, get through the appt as quick as possible, pile more medication on me and tell me to go home.  No interest in reviewing my notes BEFORE the consultation (I had to give him an overview and I suspec the first time he opened my notes was when I was sat there going over the past 15 years with him).  He even managed to get the dosage of one of the medications wrong when I was speaking to him, luckily the pharmacy tech picked up on it and queried it.  He, during the consult, said I would need to start on 15mg for 4 weeks, then increase it to 20mg.  He also said he would write to my GP to outline the same.  He did write to my GP, but only to say I was on 15mg, nothing about increasing it, so when I went to see said GP about a repeat script and increasing the dose, he wouldn't do it!  Obviously I fully understand that but it annoys me that one thing was said in the consult and another actually done.

I have it all to repeat shortly with a repeat visit to ENT to get a different hearing aid (I have broken 5 in 7 years, all the same way, through water ingress)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 May, 2015, 11:10:55 am
You wonder why some decide to work in medicine, don't you?
I was really disappointed. The contrast with some of the other staff (in multiple departments) was stark.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 May, 2015, 12:25:23 pm
You wonder why some decide to work in medicine, don't you?

Some say "I want to be a doctor when I grow up" at age 7, are clever enough and their parents hold them to it.  Sometimes they discover they'd much rather do SCIENCE, and move sideways into that.  Or specialise in a field where the patients are mostly dead or unconscious.  But not often enough.

And then there are the ones who are perfectly good doctors, as long as you conform to their prejudices of what constitutes a worthy patient...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 21 May, 2015, 12:55:13 pm
And then there are the ones who are perfectly good doctors, as long as you conform to their prejudices of what constitutes a worthy patient...

Or, presumably, as long as they conform to your prejudices of a what constitutes a worthy doctor...  ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 May, 2015, 12:56:44 pm
And then there are the ones who are perfectly good doctors, as long as you conform to their prejudices of what constitutes a worthy patient...

Or, presumably, as long as they conform to your prejudices of a what constitutes a worthy doctor...  ;)

GPWM
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 May, 2015, 01:34:10 pm
Doctors' personalities are as variable as those of the general population, though most doctors are better at passing exams at an early age.

Not all have empathy though many do.
All doctors are human beings, subject to error, bad temper and bad luck.
Some are understandably demoralised and depressed by increasing workload and constant criticism.

I think there are enough different specialties within medicine to accommodate the variations in personality and aptitude.

Exhaustion does not a good doctor make.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 May, 2015, 11:12:00 am
Soluble/dispersible aspirin, oh how I love thee.

Beats the fuck out of swallowing some pills, can sip it over a period of time

(yes I actually like the taste. So much so, that as a baby I ate a whole bottle of 100)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 May, 2015, 12:43:18 pm
Liquid paracetamol, on the other hand, only tastes okay if you've got enough anaesthetic left in your system that everything tastes like that.  That's a fairly narrow window, that usually expires about halfway through the cup of liquid paracetamol...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 May, 2015, 08:50:08 pm
Soluble/dispersible aspirin, oh how I love thee.

Beats the fuck out of swallowing some pills, can sip it over a period of time

(yes I actually like the taste. So much so, that as a baby I ate a whole bottle of 100)
Me too. Not to that extent, fortunately. Do you remember orange-flavoured 'junior aspirin'? Made to be palatable to kids, they stopped it because it was too tasty and some children treated it as sweeties. This would have been mid-70s, I guess. It always tasted horrible to me, and I was so glad when I was allowed to have proper grown-up chalky aspirin instead. Yes, it does taste good.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 May, 2015, 10:10:12 pm
Oh god, this thread has just reminded me how vile some childhood medicine was. I think it might have been Calpol. It was orange and bloody disgusting.

And a few years later, I couldn't swallow tablets so I decided to try eating a paracetamol at the same time as a PppppPenguin.
That worked, not.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 May, 2015, 10:20:23 pm
I went back to the GP for a review today. I've been registered with that practice for about 20 years and I've never had a single complaint about them, but my appointment today was very rushed. They were over-running so they probably wanted to make the time up, and I suppose it's not like I needed a lot of time, but I'm sure I was in and out in under four minutes, with 2 months more sertraline and a reminder to go back in July or August.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 May, 2015, 11:31:34 pm
I was fine with Junior Disprin, tolerated Penbritin (ampicillin) but got furious with Panadol cos IT DIDN'T WORK!

An 8 year old with toothache is not a happy bunny, especially as Disprin worked and Panadol didn't.

I have had little time for paracetamol since 1966...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 22 May, 2015, 11:40:59 pm
hmm, I twice woke in the small hours of thursday, as first one then the other calf cramped. Unfortunately I can still feel the tightness in my right calf when I walk and tenderness if I rub / massage it. As I cycle commute with no real alternative at the moment it has been a case of gearing down and winching my way up the two climbs in the hope that I don't cause more problems.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 May, 2015, 11:46:26 pm
Just don't ankle!
The muscles operating your hips and knees have more than enough power to propel your bike!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 25 May, 2015, 12:46:13 pm
After about three weeks of feeling bloody awful with cold and cough derived exhaustion, suddenly this morning I woke up feeling almost 'normal'.
I've been doing the 'snorting saline' thing for a few days, and I suspect that I've shifted something from my sinuses.
What a relief, whatever it is.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 28 May, 2015, 10:11:33 am
Well I managed to pass out whilst having a wee last night  :-\

Luckily I realised what was about to happen so managed to stop weeing mid flow and sit on the floor before I actually passed out, just. Woke up some period of time later (I think only a few seconds or so) with my neck nicely twisted where I landed wedged up against the bath and a nice lump behind my left ear where I hit something.

Called out for my other half and sod's law this was the one time in a blue moon that I'd locked the bathroom door when just going for a wee.  ::-)

Still it could have been a lot worse, at least I didn't fall from standing and smack myself off the ceramic sink or tub on the way down.

No idea what caused it but as I'm home alone today I think I'll sit down when using the toilet just in case.

I hate that waking up wondering how the hell you got there feeling.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 May, 2015, 10:20:41 am
that sounds scarey! Has this happened before?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 28 May, 2015, 10:26:22 am
Not really. I sometimes have a little spinny head when I get up from a crouch or if I've been lying on the sofa with my legs up on my partner's lap but the Dr reckons that's a little bit of postural hypotension (checked out a year or two ago). Normally walk it off though sometimes sit back down again just in case. I've never fainted from it though.

But I hadn't just got up in this case. I'd had a few beers but spread out over the day with dinner and snacks in between. I wouldn't say I was sober but not really drunk either.

Dunno, shant go to the Dr for a one off but will take it easy today and if it happens again I will get myself checked out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 28 May, 2015, 12:12:01 pm
I did that once. First visit to the loo following a GA.

The nurse caught me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 28 May, 2015, 12:25:05 pm

Still it could have been a lot worse, at least I didn't fall from standing and smack myself off the ceramic sink or tub on the way down.


Dooh,, You might have though of the Flux Capacitor.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 28 May, 2015, 12:30:00 pm
In cyclists...

Bradycardia-induced Syncope.

Join the club.

In the old days, we took 'pep pills' from a bloke round the corner to stop this happening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 29 May, 2015, 09:27:09 am
Pah! Wife due in for hip op today, went for blood test on Tuesday. Last night at 9pm we got a call from the staff nurse who'll be looking after Mrs F. "Has any called about your blood test?" No. "Ah, well it coagulated before they could test it, can you come in an hour early tomorrow so we can do another?".

As a paying customer (literally in this case) I shall be having a moanette to BMI about that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 02 June, 2015, 09:11:56 am
Had a few weeks off spinning, too knackered after the exertions of qualifying . Punishing this morning.
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 June, 2015, 08:54:04 am
I am ill for the first time in almost a year, leg injuries notwithstanding.

I got home from hols yesterday and about 6 hours later the old razor blade appeared in my throat and I now have the dreaded creeping flesh. I will phone my schools in a moment and tell them I'm not coming. The trouble is that we are also supposed to be looking after grandson tomorrow and that's going to be difficult. Mrs. Wow has similar symptoms to myself.

I hope s-i-l's parents can cover for us. I feel dreadful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 03 June, 2015, 08:57:51 am
I am ill for the first time in almost a year . . . . . I got home from hols yesterday . . .  I feel dreadful.
::-) ::-)

Get well soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 June, 2015, 10:15:56 am
We weren't anywhere noted for dangerous diseases: the South of France.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 03 June, 2015, 12:45:53 pm
Get well soon Wow!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 June, 2015, 07:44:37 pm
Our Maidstone trip has ben cancelled and t'other GPs are covering. I thought I was feeling better at lunchtime but I feel lousy again now. There might be a Laphroaig at bed time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 June, 2015, 05:59:43 pm
Feeling worse if anything. If I had the energy I'd be grumpy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 June, 2015, 06:14:56 pm
Get Well Soon, Wowsers!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 June, 2015, 02:55:35 am
The dreams associated with this bloody illness are the weirdest ever. I am being driven aimlessly around a French landscape, but with great urgency. When I wake up, which seems to be every hour or so, nothing happens. I make myself have a drink of water and the moment I try to go back to sleep, we are off again. I feel like one of the little dots of light on Jo's map demonstrating London hire bike usage. The annoying part is that the sensation doesn't even stop when I decide to relieve the monotony by going for a crap. My fevered brain just won't switch off.

Sod it, I think I will make a cup of tea.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 June, 2015, 08:05:57 pm
Is there any evidence, I wonder, of the efficacious effect of a really hot curry on an infected throat? I've just had one and it has made me feel lots better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 June, 2015, 08:15:23 pm
I do not know BUT I'd guess two mechanisms in which a hot curry might be helpful.
1) The spiciness might activate the pain 'gate' and reduce the sensation of throat pain.
2) Induced sweating might bring down your fever.

This is pure educated guesswork.

The 'gate' theory of pain is a thing.
Gustatory sweating is a thing
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 June, 2015, 08:35:54 pm
When I worked at HMCE, one morning my throat developed a great soreness and a fever was upon me. One chap I worked with, one Phil Townsend, decided that this needed to be nipped in the bud so he suggested a curry lunch in which I had the hottest curry on the menu, along with chilli pickle, and afterwards had a large single malt.

Such was the culinary onslaught on that occasion that it cut short any thought my body might have had of incubating an infection and on every exhalation you could almost make out the microbial white flags being waved.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 June, 2015, 08:42:40 pm
Once met a bloke in a pub in Germany who used to be a chef somewhere in the far east who swore by eating a whole raw chili at the onset of cold symptom. Never tried it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 06 June, 2015, 08:50:55 pm
Not so much for throats (though curry is the sort of food that's non-abrasive, which is desirable with a sore throat), but hot curry is my go-to solution for congestion.  The effect is sadly temporary, but at least it tastes like food while you're eating it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Andrij on 08 June, 2015, 10:18:39 pm
Wonder if the pea-sized stye on my right eyelid will fade away or burst.  It came to a head over night.

Glad I'm not reliant on contct lenses.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 June, 2015, 11:59:36 am
Hmm, been prescribed low-dose amitriptyline, not for depression, for migraine-y pain. That's going to be interesting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 12 June, 2015, 12:04:50 pm
Hmm, been prescribed low-dose amitriptyline, not for depression, for migraine-y pain. That's going to be interesting.

Mrs Ham has been going with this for several months for back pain, not happy at all, visiting doctor to talk about stopping.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 June, 2015, 12:30:06 pm
It seems I'm embarking on 'diagnosis by treating symptoms with drugs'. If the amitriptyline doesn't work, they want to try beta-blockers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 13 June, 2015, 10:58:51 pm
I have got Giant Cell Arteritis! It is a bit scary.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 June, 2015, 11:05:51 pm
Blimey there is a coincidence, I was talking to my aunt today (for the first time in over a year) and she has the same.

Treatable with steroids, so they say.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 June, 2015, 11:15:17 pm
Friend in local CTC has giant cell arteritis, daignosed within past fortnight.
I think two Camden Cyclists also have it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 June, 2015, 02:48:29 pm
So it's just like buses, then?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 June, 2015, 05:08:28 pm
Arteritis is probably quite common...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 June, 2015, 11:35:55 am
I came across this article. It almost made me cry, knowing I'm not alone or going insane.

http://migraine.com/blog/cognitive-dysfunction-during-attacks/ (http://migraine.com/blog/cognitive-dysfunction-during-attacks/)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 16 June, 2015, 04:58:58 pm
I came across this article. It almost made me cry, knowing I'm not alone or going insane.

http://migraine.com/blog/cognitive-dysfunction-during-attacks/ (http://migraine.com/blog/cognitive-dysfunction-during-attacks/)

Great find there, it helped me to try and cope with the "Big Ones" after nearly 20 years of distress.

y' might be going insane as well I suppose?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 June, 2015, 10:30:57 pm
nah - more likely to be Alzheimers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2015, 02:27:04 pm
Interesting juxtaposition of articles in today's Grauniad:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/19/jurassic-worlds-chris-pratt-equality-means-objectifying-men-too
and
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/19/anabolic-steroid-use-leaves-britain-facing-health-timebomb
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ben T on 20 June, 2015, 08:44:10 pm
If you were a sperm donor years ago, what is the chance you have got children somewhere?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 23 June, 2015, 03:52:38 pm
I played football today.

It turns out it takes more than a day and a half to recover from a 12h TT.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 July, 2015, 12:56:28 pm
I went back to the GP for a review today. I've been registered with that practice for about 20 years and I've never had a single complaint about them, but my appointment today was very rushed. They were over-running so they probably wanted to make the time up, and I suppose it's not like I needed a lot of time, but I'm sure I was in and out in under four minutes, with 2 months more sertraline and a reminder to go back in July or August.
I had a couple of bad weeks in the middle of June where I felt like I was back to square one, so took a Friday as annual leave to make a longer weekend, and have been much better ever since. Last weekend I remember thinking to myself "I almost feel normal today." (Normal for me, not normal normal, obv). I am wondering if there is a hormonal element to the down patches, but it's hard to track since the mirena ate my periods. Feeling much more stable the past couple of weeks, and have booked some annual leave on one or two Mondays per month to give myself some longer weekends (and to use my leave up by end of September because we're not allowed to carry it over any more).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 July, 2015, 01:56:33 pm
Today's ride was a right flustercluck. Trying to lose a couple of kg so didn't eat much carb last night. Left at 6 am with a marmelade sannie in the breadbasket, felt lousy on the hills. Pharted about on cycle track feeling worse all the time before giving up & turning home. Another bloody vile climb in between, of course. Got in, ate my usual breakfast & took DB meds, went upstairs & flopped on bed.  Woke up an hour later with nausea and roaring headache.

Reckon I got the bonk on the bike & didn't recognize it, then DB meds at home stopped my breakfast filling in the carb hole.  I then went hypo in my sleep & woke up with the consequences.

Lunch - without DB meds & followed by apple clafoutis with ice-cream - took care of it.

All for 20 km. Sheesh.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 23 July, 2015, 12:53:30 pm
2 kg is 8000 kCals.
Think 20 kCals per km.

That’ll be 4 x 200 km rides, eating 10 kCals per km.

That’s possible in a week.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 23 July, 2015, 01:14:38 pm
That's bollocks and completely oversimplistic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2015, 03:18:04 pm
Factually incorrect AND oversimplistic.

1 gram fat is 9kcal anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 24 July, 2015, 11:06:46 am
Factually incorrect AND oversimplistic.

1 gram fat is 9kcal anyway.

Yup, you're right.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 July, 2015, 11:28:57 am
Factually incorrect AND oversimplistic.

1 gram fat is 9kcal anyway.

Yup, you're right.
First rule of yacf:
Teh helly is always right.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 July, 2015, 12:50:11 pm
What if she disagrees with teh Julian?


My mental health is continuing to be better and I've had several days in the past month where I've felt almost back to normal. I know I'm not there quite yet, but it's coming. I'm seeing my GP again on Monday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 July, 2015, 12:52:46 pm
What if she disagrees with teh Julian?
That would be a bit like crossing the streams, wouldn't it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 24 July, 2015, 12:59:20 pm
My mental health is continuing to be better and I've had several days in the past month where I've felt almost back to normal. I know I'm not there quite yet, but it's coming. I'm seeing my GP again on Monday.
That's great news  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si_Co on 24 July, 2015, 01:02:10 pm
Woke up this morning with a swollen eye, now feel like complete carp, I'd go home but am not sure I'd make it at the minute.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 24 July, 2015, 01:05:36 pm
Whilst we are talking medication...

Just after Xmas my consultant started me on Azapriothine.  I really really didn't get on with it as I felt like I was covered in crawling ants, all the time.

So he stopped that and put me on Methatrexate.

No crawly skin feeling = good!

But now I a) feel the cold much more than I did before (Thyroid blood test shows it to be normal, so not anything physically wrong with me) b) I feel pain more than normal, this is a bit of a problem as I am still in the "one blood test every 2 weeks stage" 3) I bleed more than normal (see b) )

Other than that, for the first time in about 10 years normal service has been resumed in other parts of my body.  This, in total, I would say is a win!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 July, 2015, 03:51:43 pm
What if she disagrees with teh Julian?

Then teh Julian is right.
Cos teh Julian is always right.

We seldom post conflicting things thobut.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 29 July, 2015, 09:48:46 am
I went for some physio last night - nerve pain in my leg as a result of tight muscles in my back. Was subjected to manipulation that's more painful today than the leg! I'm sure there'll be bruises.  :-\

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 29 July, 2015, 10:06:41 am
The medication I am on has really started to work. I can't top eating!!! This is unusal for me as I know that I, usually, don't eat enough, but yesterday I had a breakfast bar before leaving home, then a HUGE bacon and egg butty, then a large pack of grapes.  I skipped lunch, apart from having a bag of crisps, and finsihed the day with a large mixed kebab starter followed by a chicken tikka massala.

And I am hungry again!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: benborp on 29 July, 2015, 10:58:40 am
A flighty bitey thing in the night has taken a leisurely trip along one of my surgical scars. I want to bite my arm off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 July, 2015, 11:56:54 am
Ice can remove the itch.  that or antihistamine cream
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si_Co on 29 July, 2015, 02:53:56 pm
Neat lavender oil is great for insect bites.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 July, 2015, 12:52:47 pm
Try to catch a falling glass, I backhanded a cactus.

Got most of the spines out - but one has vanished into finger joint (that's what it feels like, anyway). Swollen lump on finger for a week so far. It was filled with pus on mon and I though the spine would come out with the pus. No joy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 30 July, 2015, 01:17:25 pm
Try to catch a falling glass, I backhanded a cactus.

Got most of the spines out - but one has vanished into finger joint (that's what it feels like, anyway). Swollen lump on finger for a week so far. It was filled with pus on mon and I though the spine would come out with the pus. No joy.

Time to go to A&E. A old cycling buddy of mine came back from work in America. While in Nevada during his last week there, he fell against a cactus and got spined. He died of septicemia within six months.
The crazy thing was the staff at the British hospital reckonned he'd been self-harming with needles and found it difficult to believe he'd had a desert crash on a bicycle in Nevada near Las Vegas. They thought he was a teller of tall tales.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 July, 2015, 01:19:03 pm
Time to go to A&E. A old cycling buddy of mine came back from work in America. While in Nevada during his last week there, he fell against a cactus and got spined. He died of septicemia within six months.
I'm keeping an eye on my wrist. If red lines start crawling up my veins, A&E it is. Bin there, done that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 July, 2015, 09:21:44 pm
You could try soaking it in hot salt water, or epsom salts in water, to try to draw it out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 July, 2015, 09:59:44 pm
+1 to Epsom salts, my mum swears by a paste of it - it drew some marram grass out of the dog's leg years ago....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 01 August, 2015, 08:09:47 pm
Had to Bail out early from my trip to the Welsh Cycling Rally due to a painful lump developing on my backside. Caught the train home and went straight to the Walk-in Ctr. They put me on Antibiotics and drained some 'Cottage Cheese' (their words) from said lump. They put on a dressing to help draw out the muck, gave me another to replace it with and told me to make an appointment with the GP practice nurse on Tue/Wed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 02 August, 2015, 06:09:07 pm
Well, this morning I felt that the original dressing was leaking from the side as the CC built up so showered and changed it ( was told it would be less painful to change after showering but no). I now see that the new dressing is pretty full so will need changing in the am. Hopefully I will get an am appointment to see the practice nurse tomorrow.
What about removing the dressing and putting on some shorts with the back filled with tissue or other absorbant material. If I then do a w/o, you know squats, lunges, burpees, etc. Would the pumping of the legs and glutes help to clear away the CC without needing to apply another, very painful to remove, dressing?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 August, 2015, 06:45:57 pm
Tissue disintegrates when wet; do not use!
Making your own gauze dressing would be OK.
Maybe secure this with sticky tape.

Exercises which 'encourage' the CC to come out will do no harm but may hurt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 02 August, 2015, 08:25:06 pm
Because it is only 2 weeks since my last UTI, I haven't restocked the emergency antibiotics and will have to sit outside my GP from 8:30 in the morning.
Grrrreat.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 August, 2015, 08:30:08 pm
GWS fboab! Touch wood, I've not had a full-blown UTI for yonks. Smelly wee without symptoms yeah but no proper UTI.
Used to get loads.
Sympathies!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 04 August, 2015, 01:42:51 pm
Roll on Friday.

I am on week 12 and everything has been a struggle since about Saturday evening...

Even getting to work today took a lot longer than expected (though turning the alarm off and going back to sleep didn't help!)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 04 August, 2015, 07:37:10 pm
Off to see the opthalmic surgeon tomorrow to see if he agrees it's time to give me at least one new cornea (or endothelium, if he thinks that approach will work better).  It's got to the stage where I can't drive at night (riding a bike on dark cyclepaths is a nightmare too, since I can't see peds and unlit oncoming POBs against a background of headlights), reading a computer screen is very difficult before about 11am and it's all fog and rainbows until 3pm or later on some days.  The only treatment possible other than surgery is 5% salt eyedrops, which do work, but only for about five minutes at a time ::-)

He is the best in the country and work will pay for it to be done if theatre availability is the contraint, but it's not elective surgery because you need donor material.

The downside is that I will need glasses ever after, because it's never a perfect job, and my current vision (at the right time of day and in flat lighting) is extremely good.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 August, 2015, 06:28:29 pm
Good news - the right eye is being done this year and I might not need glasses because I get to keep my own optics (which are all 20/20 bar the waterlogging).  General anaesthetic and a fortnight at home with bi-hourly eye drops (day and night!) afterwards.  The guy is probably the best in the UK and did my father's eyes for Fuch's a few years ago.  Night rides might be back on next year...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 August, 2015, 08:15:43 pm
Good news Roger, hope it goes as smoothly as poss and lasts a while too.  I know how important it is to have trust in the slicey docs, I tend to be rather picky myself.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 07 August, 2015, 07:59:35 am
Good news...
The guy is probably the best in the UK...
Night rides might be back on next year...

 :thumbsup:

Eye surgeons are brilliant.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 08 August, 2015, 07:07:23 pm
Thanks Helly a diy Gauze dressing has been good.
I have been seeing my GP practice nurses each day this week to have my dressing changed, my bum squeezed/kneaded to extract puss and monitor progress. The dressings that are now being used are virtually un-noticeable. A swab of the puss taken on Mon has identified MRSA and the Flucloxacillin Anti-B’s that I had been taking since last Thu to be wrong. I am now on Erythromycin Anti-B’s.
As it’s now the w/e I have been back to the WiCentre this am. The HCA there was surprised that they have been using some Inadine gauze and that I haven’t had the Abscess opened and drained. Not wanting to cause trouble she just changed the dressing. She also said that this dressing should be good for two days so should not need to go back tomorrow. I will mention to the GP nurse on Mon about opening and draining. Although the dressings are covered in puss, squeezing /kneading has not produced any extra puss on the last two visits.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 August, 2015, 03:56:55 pm
I appear to have or be developing an ear infection which is both making my balance worse than usual (baseline is pretty shite) AND painful and setting off TMJ pain I've historically had a lot of problems with.

*WHINGE!*

I am now eating all the drugs that might possibly help degunk that part of my anatomy and or kill pain. Even eating paracetamol which I don't usually bother with.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 August, 2015, 04:43:00 pm
GWS barakta! I can't remember ever suffering anything more painful than an ear infection so you have my sympathy!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 09 August, 2015, 05:33:56 pm
I appear to have or be developing an ear infection which is both making my balance worse than usual (baseline is pretty shite) AND painful and setting off TMJ pain I've historically had a lot of problems with.

*WHINGE!*

I am now eating all the drugs that might possibly help degunk that part of my anatomy and or kill pain. Even eating paracetamol which I don't usually bother with.

How thoroughly grim Barakta.  Fuck off ear infections.  You are not wanted here.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 August, 2015, 05:40:23 pm
^^^Sounds vile. GWS.  I noticed my own balance was a bit iffy walking across the supermarket car park this morning: had an old-fashioned peeler applied the old-fashioned walk-the-line test I'd have been ruled incapable. Hot weather, sloppy sandals & low blood-sugar the culprit, sez I.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 12 August, 2015, 11:42:16 am
Yesterday I ended up helping my brother-in-law pour the footings for his extension, this involved three of us stood astride the trench with shovels assisting the flow of concrete to the furthest ends of the footings. This has set off my hip so I am now glad to be off work, sat with my feet up and generally doing nothing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 August, 2015, 01:56:35 pm
It was always my bugbear working as a doctor in an area where kids' home language was not English that the kids learnt good English at school but missed out on colloquial 'toilet' and 'body' vocabulary.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 14 August, 2015, 02:35:34 pm
It was always my bugbear working as a doctor in an area where kids' home language was not English that the kids learnt good English at school but missed out on colloquial 'toilet' and 'body' vocabulary.

That (and the reverse language barrier) seems to be a recognised issue these days, at least amongst the more clueful providers of sexual health information.  I think the smoking cessation people have re-branded on a similar basis (ie. that an awful lot of smokers don't know what 'cessation' means).

I think barakta has written before about how our level 2 BSL tutor made a big deal about the importance of Deaf people being able to access medical information, with the seriousness of someone who'd obviously experienced the AIDS crisis of the 80s when the only source of information was misheard scary TV/radio adverts.  Vocabulary and an idea of how to wing it when necessary, but also more subtle stuff, like how 'positive' implies 'good'.

(The class demographic meant the lessons repeatedly deteriorated into an MMR/autism argument, but we were on the side of SCIENCE and were better at sign than the anti-vaxxers, so they were pwned if not actually convinced.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 August, 2015, 10:45:07 am
As of tonight, I'll be on beta blockers as well as the amitriptyline (mostly so the dose of amitriptyline can be reduced).

I already have slightly low blood pressure, so this will be interesting . . .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 18 August, 2015, 02:01:33 pm
I've been suffering from strange tenderness in my nose for a couple of days - it feels a bit like I've taken a punch to the face. The pain is in the bit that wikipedia tells me is called the lateral nasal cartilage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_nasal_cartilage).

It's most odd. And quite unpleasant. I don't recall actually having been punched. My only thought is perhaps that some creature has gone up my nostril and bitten/stung me, causing inflammation. I suffer from hayfever, so it could be related to that, but I've never had symptoms like this before.

Hmmm. If it doesn't clear up in a day or two, I might have to visit the doctor for the first time in several years, but in the meantime, if anyone has any thoughts...

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 18 August, 2015, 02:04:33 pm
Mk 1 zit inside the nostril?  Those can be unreasonably painful.

I had one just inside my ear canal last week, which hasn't happened to me before.  Possibly initiated by a biting beastie.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 18 August, 2015, 02:09:32 pm
A 3/8 reamer might do the trick.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 18 August, 2015, 02:10:26 pm
Mk 1 zit inside the nostril?  Those can be unreasonably painful.

Quite possible. I've had that before (and yes, unreasonably painful is right) but usually in the lower reaches of the nostrils - this feels much deeper inside.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 18 August, 2015, 02:11:47 pm
A 3/8 reamer might do the trick.

You are to ENT surgery what Laurence Olivier is to dentistry.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 19 August, 2015, 11:59:14 am
Another possibility occurred to me - I may have fallen asleep with my glasses on . The perils of reading in bed!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2015, 12:10:11 pm
It was always my bugbear working as a doctor in an area where kids' home language was not English that the kids learnt good English at school but missed out on colloquial 'toilet' and 'body' vocabulary.
I'd have thought they'd pick up most of that from other kids in the playground.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 August, 2015, 12:26:11 pm
It was always my bugbear working as a doctor in an area where kids' home language was not English that the kids learnt good English at school but missed out on colloquial 'toilet' and 'body' vocabulary.
I'd have thought they'd pick up most of that from other kids in the playground.

Yebbut they don't before the age of about seven.
They don't seem to talk about Rude Things when they are much smaller.

I have also seen evidence of adults missing subtle visceral literal allusions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 August, 2015, 10:28:59 am
beta blockers.

Not a great fan so far. Yes they are helping a bit with the migraines symptoms. However my heart rate is through the floor; resting heart rate is normally mid 60s, it has gone down to 50. Can't do even medium intensity aerobic exercise, heart just doesn't speed up, not enough oxygen getting round the system.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 September, 2015, 08:08:11 am
After my stent in 2008 my BP ran a bit high for a couple of weeks & the cardiologist put me on BBs.  I suffered under the damned things for three years before managing to get out from under - it cost me my 2011 entry to PBP since I wasn't able to train properly.  Climbing was hell.

I remember the cardio mumbling something about athletes being more strongly hit by BBs than other folk, so it may be that your dosage is the standard one for the average punter.  The catch-22 is that once you're on them, cutting them suddenly can be dangerous - tachycardia risk - so the doc has to taper off the dosage to homoeopathic levels before discontinuing them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 September, 2015, 08:50:38 pm
I'm a bit more stable now - still struggling to get any fitness, but I did manage to ride into work on Wed, and home on Fri.

One thing that has really changed is I'm prone to getting cold arms and legs. Used to not bother with much more than a short sleeved top until temp were below 5C; on wed it was 4 C, I wore a thin ls merino top, gloves, ss cycling top, legwarmers and my arms and legs frozen by the time I got to work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 21 September, 2015, 02:00:17 pm
Bum - literally almost. I seem to have developed bursitis on one of my sit-bone contact points. Possibly as a consequence of my fall onto that side a couple of weeks ago, possibly quite unrelated. And next week I'm off for a 10 day cycling holiday.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 21 September, 2015, 09:43:50 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34290430

To the half who ignored the Special Invite. You squeamish bunch of Weiners - JFDI. It might just save your life.

Signed: A Squeamish Person.

PS: Strange that fewer women than men took up the one-off option. Usually, it's us blokes who are the weeds, when it comes to medical stuffs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 September, 2015, 11:06:23 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34290430

To the half who ignored the Special Invite. You squeamish bunch of Weiners - JFDI. It might just save your life.

Signed: A Squeamish Person.

PS: Strange that fewer women than men took up the one-off option. Usually, it's us blokes who are the weeds, when it comes to medical stuffs.

I went for mine.
They found and removed a polyp.
This meant I needed a colonoscopy, which was clear.

My friend, who lives not to far away was not invited for screening. She would have jumped at the chance to be screened.
Her first husband died of bowel cancer.

My brother in law has passed the magic age of 55 but also not had an NHS birthday card.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 September, 2015, 07:33:53 pm
I don't want to hijack any other thread but as a moderate eater, slow weight loser and lover of CAEK and chocolate, I seem to be bombarded by emails and other encouragements to overeat.

Today it was Amazon Local inviting me to a Afternoon Tea at a bargain price and a Twiter friend pointing me to a blog from the Clandestine Cake Club (that is a Real Thing).
Yesterday it was Hungry House.

I'm really glad I don't have a TV and seldom go shopping.

Methinks sitting stock still in my kitchen, with the cupboards closed is less obesogenic than getting out.

By now I am hardly surprised there's so much obesity. There is so much junk food everywhere and portion sizes of 'good food' are HUGE for sedentary folk.
 Just had to vent...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: triker131 on 24 September, 2015, 05:59:42 pm
Don't know if this belongs in this thread - it concerns a random accident.

I had a mishap two weeks ago whilst splitting firewood - the afternoon of Wednesday 9th September, 2015. Got the splitting axe stuck in the end of a round so I gave it a good belt with a 4kg sledgehammer. Done it thousands of times before but this time a flake of metal flew off and hit me in the left thigh. Profuse bleeding, called local GP surgery thinking it needed a stitch. Practice nurse super glued it back together - this was about one hour after the accident by which time it had stopped bleeding. The wound looked clean - so far so good.

The next morning the area for about 4" all around the wound was very tender, inflamed but not hot, probably not infected. Spoke to NHS 111 service and they confirmed my view that I needed an X ray. After a very long wait at Chichester A&E xrays confirmed that the flake (6-8mm wide) was between 5 and 6cm deep in the thigh muscle (vastus medialis) as deep as, and to the inside of the femur. Really couldn't straighten or flex leg. Given option of surgery to remove it that evening and said yes. All gowned up and ready for operating theatre when, about 20:15, when informed that an emergency broken hip had arrived and could I go home. So home for the night, return to hospital Friday morning, see a different surgeon and discuss options again. Advised would require 6-7cm incision - leg had eased a little during the night. This time decided to leave it be and returned home. Can't see how to attach photo of xrays.

Mobility has gradually improved since then and it's now 2 weeks since I was scheduled for the surgery that didn't happen. On Saturday and Sunday (days 10 and 11) I had two short rides on a regular bike, no problem. Tuesday and Wednesday (days 13 and 14) I did about 16 miles each day in my usual ride, a Trisled Rotovelo velomobile, an 85lb recumbent trike with full body fairing. Aware of the wound but not in a painful way. Tried pushing it as fast I could go later in each ride and still no problems either during the ride or afterwards.

After about 1 week I could walk downstairs fairly normally and almost bend the knee to a right angle. Now I can sit cross legged comfortably one way and "just about" with the legs in the other orientation - albeit with an uncomfortable stretch. Quadricips stretch for the left leg - can get left heel to about 3" from buttock and getting closer every day.

It turns out that this is quite a common accident when two hardened steel objects are brought together with force. I've been very luck in a number of ways. Firstly the "safe" location of the wound - could have been an eye or could have severed nerves or arteries in the leg - or sensitive places not far away from the thigh! Safety glasses wouldn't have helped at all - this went straight through more than 2 inches of muscle. Secondly that some poor bugger broke their hip and I got a second chance to decide on the surgery. It might be that, in time, I will need to have it removed. If the healing plateaus and I get discomfort from pedaling - then maybe it will have to come out. I wouldn't have thought two weeks ago that I have have regained most of the flexibility and utility of my left leg. I've split that pesky log and a bunch more besides these last few days - but without using a sledge on the axe!

What really ticked me off when I first did it was that two days earlier, Monday 7th September I returned from a 4 day cycle camping trip in France and I'd done my biggest lifetime daily mileage on the Sunday with 82 miles at age 59. If I include the early Monday morning 21 mile ride home from the ferry then I did my first every "century" in 22.5 hours (with a crap night's sleep on the ferry in between) - and then shot myself in the leg two days later.

The main reason I'm posting this is document the recovery in case anyone else is ever in the same situation. I thought I was going to be off the bike for weeks - can't believe how quickly it has got better.

Other bits of relevant info are: I'm T2 diabetic which doesn't help with wound healing. I completed a 7 day course of antibiotics to protect against potential infection from the piece of rusty metal. The other issues will be airport security (metal detectors) and MRI scans. I understand that depending on field strength and location of metal debris an MRI is not necessarily contraindicated. The second surgeon did joke (I assume) about using an MRI magnetic field to pull the metal back out through the existing entry wound.

Who knows, maybe having a good source of iron to hand will help with the cramp that I usually get in that same muscle.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 September, 2015, 03:48:56 pm
By now I am hardly surprised there's so much obesity. There is so much junk food everywhere and portion sizes of 'good food' are HUGE for sedentary folk.
 Just had to vent...

Popcorn buckets have now reached France.  God bless America: they have their revenge for France's saying non merci to Bush's war on Iraq.

After lunch I had occasion to marvel at the power of fast carbs.  I did a 100k run this morning on a couple of bits of bread for breakfast and a croissant halfway and got home, feeling carb-deprived shivery, to find the missus just taking a cauliflower-crust "pizza" out of the oven.  Two portions of that followed by a hot shower & a cuppa and I still felt cold, but five minutes after eating two slices of gingerbread & butter I had to roll my sleeves up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 28 September, 2015, 12:36:56 pm
“Junk food”, is food that scientists haven’t discovered what purpose it serves.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 01 October, 2015, 06:50:03 pm
https://twitter.com/qikipedia/status/649638476602863618?s=09

Quote
According to at least two independent sets of research, man flu is real. Men really do feel worse than women when they’ve got a cold.

Just sayin', like.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 06 October, 2015, 01:07:07 pm
I've had this sharp, excruciating pain under my left shoulder blade for about a week. It goes away when the area is supported but is agony when I'm standing or moving about. A massage yesterday didn't help. Tiger Balm gives a tiny bit of relief, but mostly I'm hobbling about going owww.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 October, 2015, 06:11:57 pm
I swallowed a fishbone today. I'm on holiday in Majorca and had visions of seeking medical attention to remove said bone.

Then the sharp pain went away and I finished my meal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 October, 2015, 08:32:54 am
I've had this sharp, excruciating pain under my left shoulder blade for about a week. It goes away when the area is supported but is agony when I'm standing or moving about. A massage yesterday didn't help. Tiger Balm gives a tiny bit of relief, but mostly I'm hobbling about going owww.

Try lying down for 20 minutes on one of those microwavable heat packs, as hot as you can take it.

"Funnily" enough I'm having a week off the bike after wrenching my weak shoulder by wrestling a heavy wooden shutter in through the window after the high winds last week pulled one of its hinges out of the wall.  The microwave bit was my doc's suggestion.

@Helly: Mediterranean fish stocks are down to 10% and you're eating what's left? Poetic justice.

(Hope the HCl took care of it.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 08 October, 2015, 12:45:40 pm
I went to the hospital, this morning.

Nothing serious, I just had an appointment for a fitting for a new hearing aid.

Bloody Hell! Everything is LOUD now....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2015, 12:54:20 pm
Bloody Hell! Everything is LOUD now....

Apart from the audiology receptionist, of course.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 08 October, 2015, 07:01:46 pm
Bloody Hell! Everything is LOUD now....

Apart from the audiology receptionist, of course.

Of course!

The audiologist was lovely but more than a little patronising. I felt like telling her that I do understand how hearing aids work, that I am not a child, nor senile and that I fully understand why she ran the tests that she did.

I swear I heard a spider spinning a Web,  today!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 October, 2015, 07:13:29 pm
Audiologists and their special dumbing shit down games >:(

Inaudible receptionists is just lolz... This is why Kim gets the battery stash :D

Hope the tooloud settles and feels more normal and you're hearing what you need to hear better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2015, 07:21:14 pm
I try not to get too upset by medics dumbing things down.  I'm sure most of the time it's a script that works successfully with the majority of their patients, and they don't necessarily know you well enough to get the right level.  And of course some of them don't have a clue about technology (it is usually technology) themselves, so aren't capable of a more intelligent discussion.

My favourite was the theatre nurse who described an ECG as a "special telly" about 2 minutes after I told them I was an electronic engineering student.  I may have upped the sarcasm on principle at that point ("Yes, I built one when I was a kid, the grounding can be really temperamental."), but it wasn't really their fault.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 October, 2015, 08:12:03 pm
My favourite was the theatre nurse who described an ECG as a "special telly" about 2 minutes after I told them I was an electronic engineering student.  I may have upped the sarcasm on principle at that point ("Yes, I built one when I was a kid, the grounding can be really temperamental."), but it wasn't really their fault.
That might have been how it was explained to the nurse...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 09 October, 2015, 08:51:24 pm
Eye operation (DSEK) next Friday.  Apparently they've got quite good at it now; it failed three times with my father and eventually they did a full penetrating keratoplasty instead, which basically means cutting out the cornea like a dustbin lid and sewing a donor one in place.  Ewww.  In my case they make a small incision and cut a slice from the back surface of the cornea, bung a slice of donor cornea in there and inflate it to hold it together until it sticks with scar tissue. Thankfully I shall be asleep while all this is going on.

If it works I can have the other eye done in about six months to a year (it takes that long for the scar tissue to disappear, hopefully leaving a clear cornea that is once again capable of clearing water from the stroma), then I am basically fixed.

This all sounds very hi-tech but corneas are the most common transplant and they've been doing the penetrating kind since about 1940.  No blood supply, you see, so no tissue match needed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Genosse Brymbo on 09 October, 2015, 08:58:40 pm
I hope all goes well, Roger :thumbsup:.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 09 October, 2015, 09:01:47 pm
Good luck Rog.  Best wishes for a trouble free op.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 October, 2015, 05:14:26 pm
I hope your op goes well Roger.

I've had a sore arm since the start of September. Many normal arm positions give no pain, but putting my arm in the wrong place creates a sharp pain. No idea how it happened. Probably time to see the GP and do something more than avoiding waving my hands in the air (like I just don't care) about it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 17 October, 2015, 04:24:34 pm
All done now.  Just light and shade yesterday but it's improving rapidly and I could probably just about grope my way around with the right eye now.  For the time being I'm wearing a black eyepatch (Emilio Largo style) as the blurry image from the right eye is interfering with the clear image from the unoperated eye.  Worst bit is that for the first 24h, you are supposed to spend 75% of the time flat on your back facing the ceiling.  I can't sleep on my back as it aches; I always sleep on my side. So I didn't sleep much and I have a twinge all down my back today.  Anyway, the 24h have gone.  The general anaesthetic was just like being asleep, with no side-effects.

I am banned from any kind of work for two weeks, even hoovering!  The risk is that the graft detaches under any kind of strain before it has properly attached itself.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 October, 2015, 09:17:12 pm
Heal well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 October, 2015, 10:32:48 am
Heal well and hope you manage to do the boring resting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 18 October, 2015, 10:49:18 am
Heal well & quickly Roger.  Don't forget to keep the eyepatch for the next "talk like a pirate" thing  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 October, 2015, 10:50:56 am
Heal well.  Hope it's optically good once everything's all knit up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 October, 2015, 08:08:15 pm
It's remarkably good today; I could probably read the top line on an eye chart with it despite the fact that there is still a pretty big air bubble in there (this is deliberately added during surgery to press the graft against the inside of my own cornea and make it stick, and is absorbed after a few days).  All in all, it's amazing considering the usual timescales quoted for useful vision after this surgery.  I don't think my father could see much for two months. I am right at the bottom of the age range for this procedure, with very early onset Fuch's dystrophy, so my eye probably heals quicker than the typical patient who would be in their 70s.

Post-op consultation is on Tuesday (train trip to Reading) when he can tell me to what extent it has so far "bonded".

In one of those "small world" surprises, my cat's opthalmologist knows my opthalmologist  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 18 October, 2015, 09:01:30 pm
Sounds very positive so far. Heal well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 October, 2015, 12:35:10 pm
Slow release propranolol is making my eyesight really blurry. Seeing-double blurry with knobs on. Can only read text off computer if I zoom in.
Asked pharmacist if there was anything that would help, thinking she's suggest some sort of eye drops. No, she says, nothing will help with that. See if eyes settle down and if not, try a different beta blocker.

That's an embuggerance, that is, because apart from blurred eyes, this dosage and pills are really working for me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 October, 2015, 07:28:50 am
It's remarkably good today; I could probably read the top line on an eye chart with it despite the fact that there is still a pretty big air bubble in there (this is deliberately added during surgery to press the graft against the inside of my own cornea and make it stick, and is absorbed after a few days).  All in all, it's amazing considering the usual timescales quoted for useful vision after this surgery.  I don't think my father could see much for two months. I am right at the bottom of the age range for this procedure, with very early onset Fuch's dystrophy, so my eye probably heals quicker than the typical patient who would be in their 70s.

Post-op consultation is on Tuesday (train trip to Reading) when he can tell me to what extent it has so far "bonded".

In one of those "small world" surprises, my cat's opthalmologist knows my opthalmologist  ;D

There are things you've never heard of until you or someone you know has got them and they're bloody.  That one sounds horrible: I hope everything continues well.

Me own reason for tripping these hallowed halls is trivial in comparison: since the end of September my dodgy right shoulder has been hurting on a scale from 3 to 8 depending on what I've been doing with it.  Yesterday evening I suddenly realized that all the pain was gone, and I can swing my arm about and lift moderate weights with impunity.  Must have been a trapped nerve. :)  Now I have to rebuild my quads. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 October, 2015, 11:04:52 am

I am banned from any kind of work for two weeks, even hoovering

I imagine that's starting to get to you ... hope its still going well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 21 October, 2015, 06:29:45 pm
After yesterday's follow-up with the surgeon, I have been given permission to ride a bike (!) so presumably the hoovering clause is now null and void.  I just have to avoid blows to the head and I must not, under any circumstances, rub my right eye.  Still on two-hourly eye drops (steroids every 2, antibiotics every 4).  Pupil remains very dilated as atropine is used during the surgery and takes at least a week to wear off. and this will be causing most of the fuzziness at the moment.  Once it shrinks down to normal size I should have pretty good vision, certainly up to driving standard in the "new" eye.  You can't tell how good it's eventually going to be until six months have elapsed, it's all knitted together, the swelling has gone and the scar tissue has hopefully clarified.  Given that most people can apparently see bugger all through a corneal graft for a month or so, it's incredible.  And yes, I am grateful to whoever's slice of cornea is now implanted in mine...it will hopefully outlive them by another 40 years or so.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 October, 2015, 08:15:35 pm
After having viral lurgy since Monday I was hoping the sodding hot/cold/hot/cold nonsense had stopped on Friday (just as my shoulder spazzed up to compensate by requiring stupid doses of codeine to nobble it)... But nope, felt crappy when I woke up today and am back to hot/cold/hot/cold again this evening.

If I'm not well enough to go to work tomorrow I'm going to have to bother my GP for a sicknote. I can't really afford a second week off sick, so may haul my arse into work regardless cos if I go splat trying they do at least see it's genuine and not cos I'm having a strop about the shambles which is our new poorly accessible to me office.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 27 October, 2015, 11:27:01 am
I'm sitting in the surgical admissions waiting room in Lancaster infirmary as I am booked for an overnight stay.
They're going to do, under anaesthetic, a biopsy on a tumour on my epiglottis. I'm not a happy camper as I've not had any Koffi since 5am! They say it's Prolly not the Cancer but I am..... A Little bit Nervous of the results.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 October, 2015, 12:33:09 pm
Good luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 October, 2015, 01:09:58 pm
Good luck pd!
Thinking of you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 October, 2015, 01:14:01 pm
Good luck with that, and happy coffee after.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 27 October, 2015, 03:25:54 pm
Good luck. Hope they are right and it isn't cancer. :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 27 October, 2015, 06:07:56 pm
Luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 28 October, 2015, 08:41:38 am
Thanks for the good wishes, I was sat in the waiting room, surgical admissions, for Six Hours! I couldn't complain as they were seeing Children before the older farts like myself. Finally got taken in and given the sleepy stuff.
My throat hurts so bad but I can't do anything about it. DRUGS in a generally opiate stylee are being Nom Nom'd but it hurts like hell having to use pills. Liquid Morphine has been requested.
I just want to go back Home.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 28 October, 2015, 08:49:16 am
Hugs pedaldog.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 October, 2015, 01:27:17 pm
Well a night of semi-fits, vertigo and double vision, trying to work from home - now right eye has shimmering artifacts over a 1/3rd of my field of view.  They persist even with my eyes shut. ffs

Closed all curtains, turned down brightness on PC. kaleidoscope effect went away after 30min or so.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 28 October, 2015, 01:44:52 pm
I hope the day improves for both of you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 October, 2015, 11:56:28 am
I did the sensible thing and went to the optician. Different one from last time, a very young-seeming lass (anyone who looks younger than my kids is very young, ok?) who was extremely thorough.
She was noticeably more knowledgeable than the previous (older man). Seems at my previous exam, just 3 months ago, the exam showed I needed reading glasses. Since then there has been a major deterioration in my close-in sight and the optician's opinion was that this would be contributing to migraine issues.

Due to my other eye issues, the cheap off-the-shelf reading glasses would be worse than useless. Bah effing humbug, here goes a major expense I could do without.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 October, 2015, 12:20:23 pm
I'm pretty sure I'm developing arthritis in my first metacarpalphalangeal joint on my non-dominant hand. I have a friend who is a hand therapist so I will ask her to look at it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 October, 2015, 03:32:00 pm
Missus went shopping this morning and brought back a bunch of Chinesey stuff for lunch.  Without really thinking about it I ate a load and an hour later was poleaxed - it must have had a GI rating in the low astronomicals. Slept for an hour and a half, struggling back to the surface now and feeling like shit warmed up on a shovel.  Got a club committee meeting this evening and I'm still having trouble putting one foot in front of the other.

Yetch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 October, 2015, 03:51:04 pm
Doesn't boiled white rice have a GI similar to jelly babies?

If I'm going to eat high GI stuff, let me eat CAIK!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 October, 2015, 08:34:10 am
Boiled rice is fairly explosive but it's the GI of the entire meal that counts rather than just the components.  Unfortunately, although we had noodles rather than rice and I didn't eat a lot of them, the rest was all stuff like nem* and sea food in batter - i.e. rice-flour skins on the nem and lots of very thick batter.  Should have known better.  Touch of arrythmia in the evening & all night, gradually going away now. No coffee today. :(

* it was supermarket Viet rather than Chinese. Crispy deep-fried rolls with various fillings.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 31 October, 2015, 10:49:20 am
I sometimes have a reaction to Chinese food and I'm sure it's not the carbohydrates. It's likely something to do with high levels of MSG.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 31 October, 2015, 10:58:29 am
I sometimes have a reaction to Chinese food and I'm sure it's not the carbohydrates. It's likely something to do with high levels of MSG.

Probably more likely to be that, do you have a reaction to strong cheese?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 October, 2015, 01:03:32 pm
I certainly can't tolerate hard cheeses when I'm taking metformin.  If I knock off it for a day or two, as I do on a decent Audax, I can pack it away with the best of them.  I reckon that the toxins in it - and all cheese is toxic in some measure - take the same metabolic pathway as metformin in the liver, which overloads and protests.

I don't usually have bad reactions to Chinese food, though.  Strange.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Samuel D on 31 October, 2015, 01:21:11 pm
I got pneumonia three times as a very young child and, perhaps as a consequence, all my life have suffered from a propensity for chest infections. Just spent two weeks recovering from my last one.

These are brought on by (a) lack of sleep, (b) being cold, (c) lack of food, and (d) exertion, in that order of importance. I can get away with any one factor (except lack of sleep for several days running) but in any combination they kill me.

I have come to accept that cycling increases my risk.

Does anyone here suffer from cycling-related chest infections and have you found a way to reduce your risk?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 31 October, 2015, 03:46:04 pm
Ouch! I went to the doctor, yesterday, for my B12.

Ended up having that, 'flu jab AND  pneumonia jab.

My left arm now is really hurty!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 31 October, 2015, 04:05:50 pm
Just had another PR bleed.  Feel carp and teary now.  Also got the prep for my colonoscopy and gastroscopy which are happening in a week.  Going to view a potential new house in half an hour.  Yay.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 31 October, 2015, 04:19:48 pm
Poor Ruthie. So sorry. Have a hug and a Tilley-lick.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 31 October, 2015, 04:50:09 pm
I got pneumonia three times as a very young child and, perhaps as a consequence, all my life have suffered from a propensity for chest infections. Just spent two weeks recovering from my last one.

These are brought on by (a) lack of sleep, (b) being cold, (c) lack of food, and (d) exertion, in that order of importance. I can get away with any one factor (except lack of sleep for several days running) but in any combination they kill me.

I have come to accept that cycling increases my risk.

Does anyone here suffer from cycling-related chest infections and have you found a way to reduce your risk?

Not quite the same thing, but some 20 years ago, I ignored a chest infection whilst going skiing and ended up with a bad case of pneumonia. Ever since then, I have had a propensity for any cough or sniffle to turn into a chest infection. The tendency when feeling unwell is to breathe shallowly, which actually exacerbates the problem, leaving bacteria to multiply. Far better to breathe very deeply  and bowing out deeply, almost (probably more than almost) hyperventilating for a minute a few times a day. I find that works well with cycling.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 31 October, 2015, 06:31:10 pm
Seems at my previous exam, just 3 months ago, the exam showed I needed reading glasses. Since then there has been a major deterioration in my close-in sight and the optician's opinion was that this would be contributing to migraine issues.

Due to my other eye issues, the cheap off-the-shelf reading glasses would be worse than useless. Bah effing humbug, here goes a major expense I could do without.

Sympathies. I had to spend £250 replacing my lenses which were ~9 months old as they were WAAAY out.

I actually think it was dodgy Vision Express so am trying to see if they gave me a screwy eyetest which I won't be able to prove or if they gave me duff lenses (provable if the reported ex-lens strength is different from Vision Express prescription)... 

I'm about to tell work that if they won't fix the lights they can pay for tinted glasses in my current and now correct prescription cos the new lighting is making me ill.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 October, 2015, 06:57:41 pm
just ordered the new lenses and frames - frames were cheapish, lenses were £140 . . .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 01 November, 2015, 03:20:29 pm
Ouch! I went to the doctor, yesterday, for my B12.

Ended up having that, 'flu jab AND  pneumonia jab.

My left arm now is really hurty!

This got worse, so much so that I couldn't eat my dinner last night. I treated Mrs T to a night away, spent close on £100 on a meal of which I only ate a few mouthfuls! I was in bed, and asleep by 19.30.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 November, 2015, 04:01:37 pm
^^^Funny you should mention that.  I got my flu shot on Tuesday and I've been smelling funny smells and feeling off-colour since Friday.  In particular I've been running round the house with the CO detector, convinced that I could smell smoke leaking from a cracked flue and that we were all going to die.  Detector remains resolutely on zero.  Remembered this morning that the last time I had flu I did exactly the same thing. The virus attacks the mucus membranes, hence the phunny smells.  Also, my arm is still a bit sore where the needle went in, but my wife's hasn't hurt at all.

Heigh ho.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 01 November, 2015, 04:09:29 pm
That is weird, I convinced myself that our boiler was leaking CO, too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 November, 2015, 04:37:42 pm
One of the first symptoms of non-specific viral lurgy that I get is a complete inability to tolerate the smell of vinegar.  To the point where my reaction to a whiff of tomato ketchup makes a useful diagnostic test.

My reaction to this year's flu jab was that my arm was a bit sore to lie on in bed the following night.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 November, 2015, 04:39:53 pm
That is weird, I convinced myself that our boiler was leaking CO, too.

Comforting to know it's not just me - it might have been our flue, after all.  But I roasted a batch of coffee this afternoon & it smells just the same. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2015, 02:08:37 pm
The only thing I noticed after my 'flu jab 9 days ago was a sticking plaster which caught my T-shirt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 02 November, 2015, 02:10:58 pm
The only thing I noticed after my 'flu jab 9 days ago was a sticking plaster which caught my T-shirt.

Blimey! You must go to a posh doc's if they give you a sticky plaster!

As, previously mentioned, I had 3 shots in the same visit (B12, 'flu and pneumo) and got nowt but "See you later"...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 03 November, 2015, 09:53:15 am
Asked my doc about the 'flu jab' and he said "You don't need it."

He added "Your body is in better condition than some men twenty years younger."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 03 November, 2015, 12:00:33 pm
That is weird, I convinced myself that our boiler was leaking CO, too.

Comforting to know it's not just me - it might have been our flue, after all.  But I roasted a batch of coffee this afternoon & it smells just the same. :(

Perhaps the flue jab made a small hole ? :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2015, 01:25:57 pm
Asked my doc about the 'flu jab' and he said "You don't need it."

Well done, you evidently chose the right parents.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 November, 2015, 07:39:47 pm
Asked my doc about the 'flu jab' and he said "You don't need it."

Well done, you evidently chose the right parents.
pmsl
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 05 November, 2015, 10:28:06 pm
I had my biennial eye check* today and while there I had a chat with my optician about dealing with my hay fever. She had a couple of suggestions for why my left eye is always more of a problem than my left.

The first was that I have some very slight scarring of the eye surface from when I scratched it 8 years ago. The second was that I have some eyelashes on the left eye that curl the wrong way and may poke into the eye when it's irritated. For the second she suggested eyelash curlers?!

I'm also daring to try contacts again, which surprisingly she suggested may actually help the hay fever (or may not). Hopefully this time round I won't end up in front of a hospital slit lamp within a week :-\


*Yep, checked and they're still there :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 05 November, 2015, 10:29:28 pm
Nothing wrong with eyelash curlers.  They're part of my daily routine!*


*lie

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 November, 2015, 10:32:54 pm
You want to be a bit careful with the mascara, thobut.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 November, 2015, 11:04:49 pm
Labelling a disease as 'Dickensian' is unhelpful. Thank you BT!
http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/wellbeing/dickensian-lung-disease-bronchiectasis-on-rise-among-pensioners-11364014776372 (http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/wellbeing/dickensian-lung-disease-bronchiectasis-on-rise-among-pensioners-11364014776372)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 November, 2015, 05:46:38 pm
My GP's surgery has called me for a fasting blood sugar. I am not diabetic. Getting me to the surgery for this will, no doubt displease the partner.
I am minded to push my sugar down to the worrisome out of spite.
I am not nice.
I will aim for 2.9...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 10 November, 2015, 05:48:33 pm
You bad girl  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 November, 2015, 12:25:25 pm
I'm pretty sure I'm developing arthritis in my first metacarpalphalangeal joint on my non-dominant hand. I have a friend who is a hand therapist so I will ask her to look at it.
I am seeing the GP tomorrow. The joint is very painful and there's quite a lot of swelling and what might be new bone growth.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 11 November, 2015, 01:00:01 pm
The news recently talked about bowel cancer being linked to processed meats (salami etc).

Purely anecdotal evidence but here in Germany I know of three people with bowel cancer but in the UK none of my direct contacts have it. Here the consumption of sausage and salami etc is colossally high. So maybe.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 November, 2015, 01:38:13 pm
Broken filling/tooth. Again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 November, 2015, 02:01:13 pm
The news recently talked about bowel cancer being linked to processed meats (salami etc).

Purely anecdotal evidence but here in Germany I know of three people with bowel cancer but in the UK none of my direct contacts have it. Here the consumption of sausage and salami etc is colossally high. So maybe.

The wurst news.

IGMC...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 11 November, 2015, 02:09:24 pm
The news recently talked about bowel cancer being linked to processed meats (salami etc).

Purely anecdotal evidence but here in Germany I know of three people with bowel cancer but in the UK none of my direct contacts have it. Here the consumption of sausage and salami etc is colossally high. So maybe.

The wurst news.

IGMC...

I will put that post in my Spam folder.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 November, 2015, 06:23:34 pm
The news recently talked about bowel cancer being linked to processed meats (salami etc).

Purely anecdotal evidence but here in Germany I know of three people with bowel cancer but in the UK none of my direct contacts have it. Here the consumption of sausage and salami etc is colossally high. So maybe.

The wurst news.

IGMC...

I will put that post in my Spam folder.

Would you believe it on Speck?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 11 November, 2015, 06:28:01 pm
I can't talk :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 November, 2015, 06:38:22 pm
A very long time ago, a primary school classmate's father died of bowel cancer.
He was a Kosher butcher.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 November, 2015, 09:46:23 am
Had 8am GP appointment, seen at about 10 past, GP sent electronic referral for Xray, wandered over to Lauriston building in time for 0830 opening, Xrays taken by 0855. Not bad, NHS, not bad. Now I just need to wait for the results.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 12 November, 2015, 10:54:27 am
A very long time ago, a primary school classmate's father died of bowel cancer.
He was a Kosher butcher.

My mum died of bowel cancer. She was a school cook.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 November, 2015, 07:37:25 pm
The right eye looks normal now and gets a bit sharper every day.  I can just about read small text with it now, although it needs a bit of a squint.  Still trying to avoid driving at night as there is a bit of a double image effect, although fog. glare and rainbows are already halved because the brain is mixing the sharp image from the foggy eye with the slightly blurred image from the clear eye.  Won't be able to tell whether I'll need glasses until about three months but, generally speaking, DSEK barely affects any optical prescription because you keep most of your factory cornea and any mis-shaping of the rear surface makes little difference to focus (the refractive index of the cornea isn't very different to that of the aqueous humour*; it's the cornea-to-air interface at the front that does nearly all the work).

*which is why you can't see clearly underwater; a cornea-to-water interface barely bends the incoming light rays, so you can't form a sharp image.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 13 November, 2015, 05:20:33 pm
The consultant copied me into his letter to my GP, and he suggested my hypochromic microcytic anaemia with a serum ferritin level of 10 might be due to 'intense physical exercise'.

My hols in Scotland didn't involve that much exercise, did they?  If they're going to stop me riding my bike I'm going to sulk quite a lot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2015, 05:32:42 pm
The consultant copied me into his letter to my GP, and he suggested my hypochromic microcytic anaemia with a serum ferritin level of 10 might be due to 'intense physical exercise'.

My hols in Scotland didn't involve that much exercise, did they?  If they're going to stop me riding my bike I'm going to sulk quite a lot.

Sounds iron deficient to VERY non-expert me!

Can't tell if it's poor absorption as well as known (and unknown) losses.

I don't think you're mashing up your eythrocytes to a MASSIVE degree.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 November, 2015, 05:52:47 pm
Surely 'intense exercise' = being an Olympic athlete or training for several Ironman events a year, not just riding your bike a lot... ?

<apologies to you if you are in fact either of those things and I assumed wrongly you weren't > ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 13 November, 2015, 06:37:19 pm
I'm fairly sure 12 days of cycle touring round the Highlands doesn't count as 'intense exercise' ???

Perhaps your consultant thought you looked like an elite athlete :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 13 November, 2015, 09:15:10 pm
I'm fairly sure 12 days of cycle touring round the Highlands doesn't count as 'intense exercise' ???

Perhaps your consultant thought you looked like an elite athlete :)

Well you can't blame him for that, I suppose  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 November, 2015, 02:18:45 pm
Had 8am GP appointment, seen at about 10 past, GP sent electronic referral for Xray, wandered over to Lauriston building in time for 0830 opening, Xrays taken by 0855. Not bad, NHS, not bad. Now I just need to wait for the results.
I'm seeing the GP again on Thursday, and it can't come soon enough.

Took 2 paracetamol with breakfast. Took 2 ibuprofen 2 hours ago. Ten minutes ago I accidentally knocked the joint, not particularly hard, but it was sore enough that I felt sick and nearly cried. Had to get my colleague to get 2 more paracetamol out of the blister pack because doing it myself was too sore.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 17 November, 2015, 08:32:12 pm
Good news and bad news from the opthalmologist today.  The good news is that the corneal graft is completely stuck and there is no risk of it ever detaching now.  The bad news is (1) slightly high pressure in the eye, probably a reaction to the anti-rejection steroid drops.  He prescribed some drops to relieve the pressure and I am to start reducing the frequency of the anti-rejection drops now anyway.  (2) Slight cataract, a side-effect of the surgery due to the air bubble being inserted into the aqueous humour, which holds the graft in place for the first day or two but doesn't so the lens much good.  He's not too worried about it though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 17 November, 2015, 09:37:07 pm
Good news and bad news from the opthalmologist today.  The good news is that the corneal graft is completely stuck and there is no risk of it ever detaching now.  The bad news is (1) slightly high pressure in the eye, probably a reaction to the anti-rejection steroid drops.  He prescribed some drops to relieve the pressure and I am to start reducing the frequency of the anti-rejection drops now anyway.  (2) Slight cataract, a side-effect of the surgery due to the air bubble being inserted into the aqueous humour, which holds the graft in place for the first day or two but doesn't so the lens much good.  He's not too worried about it though.

Yes that's great news Roger.  I've a slight cataract too, had it since I was born, doesn't bother me at all.

How's your vision now?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 November, 2015, 08:01:32 am
Not quite in focus but improving every day.  I think some of the astigmatism is pressure related because the anti pressure drops have made a massive improvement overnight.  I think I might get away without specs - will know in about a month.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 18 November, 2015, 08:57:46 pm
Dear Tesco The Pharmacist,

When I asked my husband to pick up some Lemsips for me on his way home from work I expected him to arrive with lemon flavoured cold remedies which, while not dealing with my runny nose can be made into a warm, comforting drink which deals adequately with the aches associated with my cold. I am exceedingly disappointed that you asked him for my symptoms, most of which he didn't know and then insisted he bought a pseudoephedrine based medicine in tablet form instead on the basis that I have a runny nose and a sore throat (I don't, he was guessing at that point).

I know the drug is working because I have a very dry mouth and throat and a thumping headache, still got a runny nose, still sneezing and my eyes are watering madly again. On the plus side Vernon's hot honey and lemon drink with a pinch of cinnamon is much nicer (and cheaper) than Lemsip so that's another thing we won't be buying from you again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 November, 2015, 09:38:24 pm
Is lemsip not basically just paracetamol, sugar and hot water?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 18 November, 2015, 09:40:25 pm
Is lemsip not basically just paracetamol, sugar and hot water?

Yeah, pretty much, but the smell is dead comforting and it's a nice hot drink with drugs in it  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 November, 2015, 11:43:46 pm
Is lemsip not basically just paracetamol, sugar and hot water?

You forgot the citric acid...
... but yes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 18 November, 2015, 11:46:48 pm
Is lemsip not basically just paracetamol, sugar and hot water?

It's worse than that, it's liquid paracetamol.  That stuff is only okay after a general anaesthetic, and only because everything tastes like that after a GA.   :sick:


I prefer my paracetamol in capsules that can be swallowed quickly and efficiently with minimal tongue contact.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 19 November, 2015, 07:49:14 am
Is lemsip not basically just paracetamol, sugar and hot water?

Yeah, pretty much, but the smell is dead comforting and it's a nice hot drink with drugs in it  :thumbsup:

This.

Anyway we now have another useless box of drugs in the house, Vernon can't take Actifed because he has high blood pressure and I only use it in a dire emergency because it gives me a banging headache.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 November, 2015, 09:54:55 am
I remember my mum giving me lemsick when I was little and I hated it because it was so sweet. I made her put most of the contents of a Jif squeezy lemon into it before I would drink it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 19 November, 2015, 09:57:10 am
I actually like the bittersweetness of it.  It cuts through the yucky white film I get on my tongue when I'b god a code.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 November, 2015, 11:43:43 am
Lemon juice and honey in hot water contain no nasty DRUGS, but may minimally damage your teeth.
You could do worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 November, 2015, 01:02:36 pm
X-ray shows no bony abnormality. GP has no idea what is causing the pain and swelling, and oh, did I mention the PAIN? I'm trying diclofenac gel for 2 weeks and go back if not better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 November, 2015, 08:32:18 pm
globus pharyngeus, absolutely sick of it
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: graculus on 23 November, 2015, 02:37:04 pm
Does anyone know of any charities that will accept unused and still packaged medical supplies (catheters and related gubbins) for re-use? Looking on line I can only find ones that take from suppliers or GPs.
Thanks
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 23 November, 2015, 03:12:48 pm
Grumble. I've spent today feeling hungover*, but I think I'm properly hydrated and I haven't drunk anything alcoholic for weeks ???

*Throbbing headache, lack of energy, not actually feeling sick though
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 November, 2015, 03:50:17 pm
Maybe you need a coffee...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 25 November, 2015, 01:17:32 pm
Eye has now improved to the point where my otherwise ineffctual reading glasses (+0.5 in the right eye) are almost enough to correct it.  It's odd to need convex lenses for distance but presumably the cornea is still a bit flattened by having an extra bit stuck onto the inside and the eye is focusing beyond infinity; it takes some effort to squeeze everything into sharp focus.  I just happen to have a Nikon +1 dioptre eyepiece for the F3 and this gives very good, if a tiny bit smeared* focus at all distances.  So I'll just get some cheapo glasses with +1 on the right and a plain lens on the left for now - they may only be useful for a short time, but will make driving at night possible without the out-of-focus distant headlights.  The opthalmologist said not to spend any proper money on glasses, especially as the left eye is going to be done in about April.

*there's bound to be some astigmatism - there are still stitches in the eyeball - but this should, in theory, be insignificant eventually.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 25 November, 2015, 02:13:37 pm
Is lemsip not basically just paracetamol, sugar and hot water?

It's worse than that, it's liquid paracetamol.  That stuff is only okay after a general anaesthetic, and only because everything tastes like that after a GA.   :sick:


I prefer my paracetamol in capsules that can be swallowed quickly and efficiently with minimal tongue contact.

Remember,,, f' ckoffs and colds, take lemsip.

IGMC.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 November, 2015, 04:50:22 pm
My GP's surgery has called me for a fasting blood sugar. I am not diabetic. Getting me to the surgery for this will, no doubt displease the partner.
I am minded to push my sugar down to the worrisome out of spite.
I am not nice.
I will aim for 2.9...

I FAILED to have a silly low blood sugar, probably because the sample was taken on the Monday morning after the AUK shindig weekend, during which I ate lotsandlots of foods.

Still, a fasting glucose of 4.7mmol/l would suggest I am not diabetic.
Which I knew anyway.

But boxes haves to be checked and
I live in Brent, which has a high incidence of Type 2 diabetes.
I am over 55.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 03 December, 2015, 09:28:44 am
Dunno if anyone is interested - I was until I decided I wasn't ;o) - Sportpursuit have a deal on Tanita Body composition scales with the cheapest at £47 http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/tanita-nov15

Apparently, these are accurate to measure percentage body fat using electrodes in the heels, and the expensive models have electrodes you hold to measure tummy fat.

If you aren't a member of Sportpursuit you can join with my link (http://www.sportpursuit.com/join/hamilton_095cea) or if you have a friend or rely get and use theirs if you prefer, if you ever buy anything the introducer gets £5 credit so someone ought to get it ;). They appear to have cut way back on their daily mails, too, but that may be because I haven't bought anything in a while.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 03 December, 2015, 09:56:12 am
I'm off for a vaginal ultrasound scan in a minute.  I'm actually quite excited.  It's the closest thing I've had to a date in years.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 03 December, 2015, 10:53:45 am
Manage your expectations Ruthie.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 December, 2015, 12:06:16 pm
I'm off for a vaginal ultrasound scan in a minute.  I'm actually quite excited.  It's the closest thing I've had to a date in years.
Is this POTD?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 December, 2015, 12:16:02 pm
I would hope the mods/Librarian have some discretion and taste...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 December, 2015, 12:31:26 pm
X-ray shows no bony abnormality. GP has no idea what is causing the pain and swelling, and oh, did I mention the PAIN? I'm trying diclofenac gel for 2 weeks and go back if not better.
Gel has reduced the soft tissue swelling, but the bony swelling and PAIN are still there. I'm going back to the GP next week.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 December, 2015, 01:44:09 pm
X-ray shows no bony abnormality. GP has no idea what is causing the pain and swelling, and oh, did I mention the PAIN? I'm trying diclofenac gel for 2 weeks and go back if not better.
Gel has reduced the soft tissue swelling, but the bony swelling and PAIN are still there. I'm going back to the GP next week.

Well don't go falling off your bike. Diclofenac kills vultures. ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 03 December, 2015, 06:24:10 pm
The contacts are in for my first trial day. This feels a little weird. Hopefully I won't end up in A&E this time :-[
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 03 December, 2015, 06:30:46 pm
The contacts are in for my first trial day. This feels a little weird. Hopefully I won't end up in A&E this time :-[

Think positive! 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 03 December, 2015, 06:34:32 pm
I think I'll be ok this time.

I know what went wrong last time and how I panicked. The same shouldn't happen again.

Hope your ultrasound went ok :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 03 December, 2015, 08:31:58 pm
A&E? Well better safe than sorry I guess.

I had a worrying bloodshot look one evening a couple of weeks ago, after a trainer session in the garage. I had my contacts in, it stayed after they were out but was gone the next morning. I suspect fatigue (long hours recently) was a factor and maybe raised blood circulation from the exercise. The motorbike trip home from work may have added to any stress levels as it was dark, and very busy on the M5.

I'm due a contact lens check up so I'll bring it up then I guess. I used the contacts again for riding the motorbike, to get to the rowing club, and did a very high intensity erg session, without any issues so I'm inclined to think it was tiredness.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 03 December, 2015, 10:12:54 pm
A&E? Well better safe than sorry I guess.

I had a worrying bloodshot look one evening a couple of weeks ago, after a trainer session in the garage. I had my contacts in, it stayed after they were out but was gone the next morning. I suspect fatigue (long hours recently) was a factor and maybe raised blood circulation from the exercise. The motorbike trip home from work may have added to any stress levels as it was dark, and very busy on the M5.

I'm due a contact lens check up so I'll bring it up then I guess. I used the contacts again for riding the motorbike, to get to the rowing club, and did a very high intensity erg session, without any issues so I'm inclined to think it was tiredness.


I scratched my eye trying to take them out a couple days in, then panicked because I thought the lens was still there. My eye swelled up and was very painful. I went to the Local NHS walk in centre about it after spending a night with frozen peas on my eye and I was sent up to A&E where they checked my eye with a slit lamp and treated the swelling (can't remember how). Hopefully I'll be better 8 years on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 December, 2015, 08:35:00 am
Ah, sympathy.

I don't wear contacts because my eyes dry out. This can lead to contacts drying out. And sticking to your eyeball. You know this is really bad when the contact lens tears as you try to pull it off your eyeball.

Tip: if you are having trouble removing a contact lens, dribble some of the saline into your eye and slide the lens off the centre of your eyeball. It will be easier to 'pinch' the lens off then.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 05 December, 2015, 01:40:26 am
Also a good idea to keep your fingernails short!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 05 December, 2015, 09:02:49 am
Thanks. Yes fingernails are very short at present. I've also been taught to move the lens to the edge of my eye before pinching off so I'm unlikely to damage the lens.

Sequence: Touch lens with finger, look at nose, slide lens towards ear, remove with thumb and finger
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 05 December, 2015, 02:18:48 pm
Then replace ear, presumably?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 05 December, 2015, 02:28:29 pm
Only if preferred
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 05 December, 2015, 02:32:28 pm
A hard decision, given your current tribulations with the choir!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 December, 2015, 12:10:55 pm
Referred to hand clinic at St John's. No idea what the waiting times are.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 12 December, 2015, 07:10:49 pm
I wrote on this thread a year ago about me going to an xmas party where I fainted. I hadn't fainted before and didn't find any reason why. I saw my GP and had blood test done, etc. The GP said that if this happens again we will need to look into it more and maybe stop me driving and cycling. Anyway, I have had no problems all year until I went to exactly the same party last night. I had stuffed my face with the party food and was stood talking when I became light heading and went down. I didn't drop as suddenly as last year and when I came round I was on my hands and knees. I knew that after eating the junk party food my blood sugar was high and maybe put it down to that, just like last year. I was thinking about it again today and just before fainting I was telling a guy about what happened to me last year. Did I talk myself into fainting?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2015, 12:41:54 am
I don't think you talked yourself into fainting though I'll never know.

Concentrated sugar and salt  need dilution before they can be absorbed. I wonder if your 'binge' has 'sucked' water from your bloodstream, leaving it underfilled.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 13 December, 2015, 05:19:53 pm
I had drunk about 2/3 of my second pint at this time. Would that have helped to keep me hydrated.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 December, 2015, 06:28:36 pm
I have lurgy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2015, 06:46:50 pm
I had drunk about 2/3 of my second pint at this time. Would that have helped to keep me hydrated.

Possibly not. Alcohol is a diuretic. That's why, colloquially, drinking it can be described as 'getting pissed'. Quite often, even with dilute alcohol, eg in beer, you can lose more water than you gain.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 December, 2015, 10:40:18 am
Here's the thing. There is a 'managed' condition and 'treated'.

So, medication review today. What I was hoping for was a discussion about whether a different medication might be better or some other assistance. I'm currently missing about 1 day off every 2-3 weeks.
   
What I got was a blood pressure check.

Yes, I also have chronic gastric reflux. Currently that's making me speak like Tom Waits. So you suggest I take some Gaviscon before going to bed. Hmm, well, I say, last time I took that it was like pouring bicarb on vinegar.

I'm in the 'difficult' pigeonhole, aren't I? Not life-threatening conditions, just job-threatening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 14 December, 2015, 11:22:55 am
I had drunk about 2/3 of my second pint at this time. Would that have helped to keep me hydrated.

Possibly not. Alcohol is a diuretic. That's why, colloquially, drinking it can be described as 'getting pissed'. Quite often, even with dilute alcohol, eg in beer, you can lose more water than you gain.

And in tropical climates, get seriously dehydrated and be taken to hospital after a booze up at the lakehouse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 December, 2015, 12:47:39 pm
Here's the thing. There is a 'managed' condition and 'treated'.

So, medication review today. What I was hoping for was a discussion about whether a different medication might be better or some other assistance. I'm currently missing about 1 day off every 2-3 weeks.
   
What I got was a blood pressure check.


Fecking tick box, target-driven 'medicine'!
Check BP/blood sugar/cholesterol/weight of every fifty-something year old whatever the presenting problem.
Useful NOT!

BTDTGTTS
Sympathies!

<rant over>
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 December, 2015, 03:53:28 pm
And why oh why do I never have my symptoms when I'm actually act the doc or hospital?
Nothing this morning but now I'm all over the place.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 December, 2015, 04:02:48 pm
Next time I take my buggered shoulder to the doc I'm planning to scream "if it was a sore tooth I'd take it to the dentist and he'd FUCKING WELL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 December, 2015, 04:06:34 pm
Next time I take my buggered shoulder to the doc I'm planning to scream "if it was a sore tooth I'd take it to the dentist and he'd FUCKING WELL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"
Cue doctor to lift SDS drill, tube of No More Nails and say "No problem sir, we can fix that. Now, where did you go on your holidays?"  Whiiiirrrrrrr <scream>
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 December, 2015, 04:09:24 pm
Hmmm. I suppose dentists do have a rather more direct approach.  Fed up with doc piling platitude on conjecture and doing SFA, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 14 December, 2015, 04:27:49 pm
Hmmm. I suppose dentists do have a rather more direct approach.  Fed up with doc piling platitude on conjecture and doing SFA, though.

The approach I hate the most is the, "Yes well, at your age - normal wear and tear - to be expected"

Just get me back on my bike!!!!!!

I know my measly 5 - 6000 km pa is nothing here, but it does seem to impress the GP.

Actually, I'm probably more in need of a psychiatrist than a GP to get me riding more atm.   :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 15 December, 2015, 07:26:35 am
I wrote on this thread a year ago about me going to an xmas party where I fainted. I hadn't fainted before and didn't find any reason why. I saw my GP and had blood test done, etc. The GP said that if this happens again we will need to look into it more and maybe stop me driving and cycling. Anyway, I have had no problems all year until I went to exactly the same party last night. I had stuffed my face with the party food and was stood talking when I became light heading and went down. I didn't drop as suddenly as last year and when I came round I was on my hands and knees. I knew that after eating the junk party food my blood sugar was high and maybe put it down to that, just like last year. I was thinking about it again today and just before fainting I was telling a guy about what happened to me last year. Did I talk myself into fainting?

Had you gone from sitting to standing, or made any sudden change on body position?

I get that occasionally, and can go light headed when standing up quickly.  Seems to be postural hypotension, which is not uncommon in fitter individuals with a low RHR. Essentially the BP doesn't catch up quick enough when you make those changes in posture.

Resulted in an ambulance when this happened shortly after my T1D diagnosis in case I was going into a massive hypo, even though the symptoms are completely different ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 December, 2015, 08:51:41 am
Hmmm. I suppose dentists do have a rather more direct approach.  Fed up with doc piling platitude on conjecture and doing SFA, though.

The approach I hate the most is the, "Yes well, at your age - normal wear and tear - to be expected"

Just get me back on my bike!!!!!!

I know my measly 5 - 6000 km pa is nothing here, but it does seem to impress the GP.

Actually, I'm probably more in need of a psychiatrist than a GP to get me riding more atm.   :(

Hah. A chum who had apparent narcolepsy visited a sleep specialist who thought that anyone cycling 100 km in a day needed to see a psychiatrist, 20 km being enough for anybody. When chum laughed in his face he got shirty and threatened to stop him driving.  It turned out that the "narcolepsy" was caused by GP prescribing two different antidepressants at the same time.

Why is the slang for psychiatrist trick-cyclist?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 December, 2015, 10:03:43 am
My lurgy is the office lurgy. At least 20 of us have the same thing - we all started with a nasty hacking cough on Friday night which continued all through Saturday, Sunday we all started to sneeze, and have headaches, Monday was a mixture of all of it with the coughs becoming productive, and today we're all weak, dizzy, hoarse, shivery and snotty. Something in the water, or David Cameron trying to kill us all off?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 December, 2015, 10:38:44 am
Something in the air conditioning water, or David Cameron trying to kill us all off?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 December, 2015, 12:24:10 pm
It's like part 1 of The Stand.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 15 December, 2015, 02:18:26 pm
You've actually just made me think. This winter (so far) we've had just about no bugs going round the office, for the first time since I started working here seven years ago.

I don't think that it's coincidence that this is also the first winter in our shiny new Portakabin Office building, rather than the condemned, damp and dingy old one :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 15 December, 2015, 05:40:13 pm

Had you gone from sitting to standing, or made any sudden change on body position?

I get that occasionally, and can go light headed when standing up quickly.  Seems to be postural hypotension, which is not uncommon in fitter individuals with a low RHR. Essentially the BP doesn't catch up quick enough when you make those changes in posture.

No, I had been standing and chatting for a few mins. I'm still going with the idea that i may have talked myself into it. I was telling somebody all about what happened last year. I remember when I came round (this year) my biggest worry was other damage had I done. When I collapsed last year I hurt something in my chest which was quite painful for the following two weeks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 December, 2015, 09:31:16 pm
Off work again today. Was really struggling yesterday, without stick I would have fallen several times on the way home. Weaving down the corridors at work, I'm sure some people think I'm drunk.

After about 4 hours in a dark room got up and fired up the computer. Then managed to impress myself with how much work I got through, despite a distinctly weirded out head. Still counts as a 'sick' day, though.

The doc may have me in the 'managed' pigeonhole, but taking a day off sick every 2-3 weeks can't go on forever. Wish I'd been eligible for the company's standard bupa scheme now, despite the cost.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 16 December, 2015, 07:20:29 am
People don’t take time off sick with colds, flu or sick bugs where I work. They bring them in and spread them round. Frequent sickness absence is justification for written warnings.
In order to keep a ‘clean record’, the people sit at their desks sneezing, coughing, blowing their snotty noses and run to the lavvy when needs must.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 December, 2015, 07:29:28 am
Our club prez is like that.  He once called a committee meeting and infected everyone present.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2015, 12:05:17 pm
Partner has caught cold from someone who said would not give him their cold.
He is feeling sorry for himself and FURIOUS.
I might be mildly affected but I suffer little from these things.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 December, 2015, 12:31:48 pm
Bored of lying awake at night coughing up your lungs? Add an exciting Russian Roulette element by developing diarrhoea too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2015, 12:34:47 pm
Award yourself the OBE.
Open Both Ends

Get Well Soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 December, 2015, 02:54:25 pm
Wondering how long I need keep wearing these lenses which are giving me a sore left eye till I query them with Weird-Optiquack... They've added a prism to the left eye but it's actually sore... I think I want a refund if these don't work.

Last pair in October ffs only took 1 day of discomfort and they were fine the next day... 

:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2015, 03:19:27 pm
It really shouldn't take long (although your adaption might be slower than mine).
Go back and get them to check, methinks. Lenses are dear.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2015, 03:31:16 pm
I am no optic/ophthalmic expert but I'd imagine a prism adds a huge pile of adaptive strain on the eye muscles compared to plain refractive tweaks.

I don't always do refractive tweaks quickly but prisms presumably shift the focal point...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 December, 2015, 05:38:30 pm
Internet optometry websites seem to suggest two weeks, problem is that hits right into Xmas :(  I think I'll give it till Friday and email Mr Weirdo even though I really don't want to :(  I'm rapidly running out of tolerance for "trying things out" and don't really want more meddling with my vision as my last lenses are definitely OK... 

One issue is going to be getting a refund for these if their dodgy (and I really don't trust the guy) or making work pay for it anyway which I think they should on principle as I hadn't urgently needed behavioural optometry advice before newofficeTM.

Feel like I'm pouring money down the toilet along with sanity and getting nothing but eyestrain for my efforts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2015, 05:43:05 pm
Can Kim check centricity and alignment for you?
I wish you luck...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 December, 2015, 09:20:41 pm
Kim sorted them when I first started wearing them and they're as straight on my face as my face gets... Think it's just bear it out for a few more days and then either email the dodgy optiquack or revert back to other spex and run away very fast...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 December, 2015, 04:49:33 pm
Well things are not improving. I've even taken the step of saying so to the company HR department and asked for help (in a roundabout way).

MrsC, consulting DrGoogle (yes, I know, bad idea) came across this:
http://www.migrainetrust.org/research-article-basilar-type-migraine-2012-15147 (http://www.migrainetrust.org/research-article-basilar-type-migraine-2012-15147)

Now I was told by the consultant that they are trying 'diagnosis by treatment'; in other words, they are going to try common treatment regimes for vestibular migraines and see if they work. They aren't. I've been in a bad way since Saturday with almost no letup.

So I'd say the diagnosis is negative. Basilar migraines actually match my symptoms more closely, and wouldn't be 100% sorted by the drugs I've been taking.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 18 December, 2015, 06:38:28 am
MrC.

Have you investigated some accupunture treatment?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 December, 2015, 08:25:45 am
No and I'm loath to experiment.

Edit - I have a colleague who has severe migraines of the classic type. She is getting acupuncture and finding it is helping.

At this stage I want more investigation and less experimentation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 December, 2015, 09:06:35 pm
At this stage I want more investigation and less experimentation.

Ditto. I totes get you on the experimenting and unclue...  Hope you are able to get some more sensible answers soonest!

I was made to try acupuncture for vertigo issues in my teens, if anything I found it made me worse and I have refused to have anything to do with it since as I don't honestly think it is credible enough to be worth the effort and risks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 21 December, 2015, 12:00:20 am
waking up and suddenly a heart rate around 130 bpm, or more! Muscles tensed and totally aware of it. could be 5 minutes or 50 minutes, I can't figure that part of it,  and, when it's calmed down, the rest of the day is a new and mighty headache, aching arms and legs. I have vague memories in my head of Adrenal and Cortisol stuff. I will try and see doctor as this has been 3 days in a row and I'm starting to get worried.
Anybody got an idea of what it might be?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 December, 2015, 12:21:27 am
waking up and suddenly a heart rate around 130 bpm, or more! Muscles tensed and totally aware of it. could be 5 minutes or 50 minutes, I can't figure that part of it,  and, when it's calmed down, the rest of the day is a new and mighty headache, aching arms and legs. I have vague memories in my head of Adrenal and Cortisol stuff. I will try and see doctor as this has been 3 days in a row and I'm starting to get worried.
Anybody got an idea of what it might be?

Not really but needs urgent investigation.
Hope you get sorted soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 21 December, 2015, 10:56:27 pm
Thought I'd check my BP as I've not done it for a while.

125/80. That's tolerable. I see the new 'ideal' is 115/75, so mildly elevated, but not a worry.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 December, 2015, 01:41:24 pm
I think the "ideal" varies with the drug producers' balance sheets.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 January, 2016, 01:52:04 pm
Last ride was 30th Dec.  Had severe angina and haven't dared since. Cardiologist Thursday. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 January, 2016, 02:00:50 pm
Last ride was 30th Dec.  Had severe angina and haven't dared since. Cardiologist Thursday. :(

Eeek!
I wish you well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: orejas on 06 January, 2016, 09:53:08 pm
Woke up on Dec 28th with severe back pain, in between the shoulderblades. Never experienced it before and cannot think of a reason ( meaning cannot recall twisting or lifting or any sort of twinge). Cannot lay flat on the bed but it gets better as the day goes on. Had a sports massage and got marinally better but had to sleep on the floor for a couple of days, now graduated to sleeping on a futon. Question is, do I bother going to the doc or do I not bother until it happens again (hopefully it does not)?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 January, 2016, 11:05:36 am
Last ride was 30th Dec.  Had severe angina and haven't dared since. Cardiologist Thursday. :(

Eeek!
I wish you well!

Thanks Helly.  Stress test this afternoon.  I'm just beginning to panic.

BTW, the progression of this inconvenience has been interesting:

August, PBP, felt grand all the way (apart from the sleepy side).
November: Heart hurting at top of climbs
December 9th: Angina during climbs until after 50 km
December 30th: Angina on most of ride

In 2007 I did PBP followed by Mt. Ventoux a month later. In Nov. 2007 a stress ECG showed ST depression over 150 bpm. In December two coffees would give me slight angina and they stented me in March.

Maybe it's PBP's that's doing it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 January, 2016, 11:10:56 am
Woke up on Dec 28th with severe back pain, in between the shoulderblades. Never experienced it before and cannot think of a reason ( meaning cannot recall twisting or lifting or any sort of twinge). Cannot lay flat on the bed but it gets better as the day goes on. Had a sports massage and got marinally better but had to sleep on the floor for a couple of days, now graduated to sleeping on a futon. Question is, do I bother going to the doc or do I not bother until it happens again (hopefully it does not)?
There is actually very little the doc can do.
If you can get a swiss ball then sitting on that will help.

A basketball or football can be used for upper back. Stand back to a wall, about 1.5times ball diameter away. Place ball behind you, a little below where the pain is (say, a little less than the ball diameter). Lean on the ball. Carefully bend your knees, leaning on the ball, until the ball roll up past the painful bit. Straighten knees and repeat for a while.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 January, 2016, 09:07:23 am
Last ride was 30th Dec.  Had severe angina and haven't dared since. Cardiologist Thursday. :(

Eeek!
I wish you well!

Thanks Helly.  Stress test this afternoon.  I'm just beginning to panic.
...

Aye well, the stress ECG was OK but I developed the "angina" during it so the cardiologist wants an angiography & a coronography.  He did agree with my suggestion that it was probably due to acid reflux (test after lunch followed by clementines and 2 espressos, same as last week's ride) but when I said "so I can get back into training then" he made a face like a prune and said no.

I'm going to see what my GP says to that (in this neck of the woods you don't get fobbed off with a nursie-know-it-all, you get the genuine article for 15 whole minutes) and follow his advice.  All the same a coronography means a few days off while the artery reseals and a general air of doubt until I've had it so my Easter flèche is off.

Bugger.

Still, better that than a bypass.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 08 January, 2016, 09:20:22 am
Woke up on Dec 28th with severe back pain, in between the shoulderblades. Never experienced it before and cannot think of a reason ( meaning cannot recall twisting or lifting or any sort of twinge). Cannot lay flat on the bed but it gets better as the day goes on. Had a sports massage and got marinally better but had to sleep on the floor for a couple of days, now graduated to sleeping on a futon. Question is, do I bother going to the doc or do I not bother until it happens again (hopefully it does not)?
There is actually very little the doc can do.
If you can get a swiss ball then sitting on that will help.

A basketball or football can be used for upper back. Stand back to a wall, about 1.5times ball diameter away. Place ball behind you, a little below where the pain is (say, a little less than the ball diameter). Lean on the ball. Carefully bend your knees, leaning on the ball, until the ball roll up past the painful bit. Straighten knees and repeat for a while.

I wouldn't do that in the acute phase, wait till it's calmed down a bit.  Football/basketball may be a bit big, something nearer tennis ball size and hardness tends to allow more local pressure and deeper pressure.

Also if you can find one, a physio/sports injury specialist who might be able to see if there is any underlying imbalance causing this.  Lower back pain as an example is often a symptom of something like tight calves, hamstrings, or over developed quads etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 January, 2016, 11:45:02 am
I've been talking to someone at work - they've had two Transient Global Amnesia attacks in recent times.

The really weird thing is they were able to carry on coding whilst in the middle of an attack. The code was ok, too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 January, 2016, 12:21:38 pm
a nursie-know-it-all
Wow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 January, 2016, 01:57:39 pm
a nursie-know-it-all
Wow.

Some Nurse Practitioners are excellent.
Others have opinions beyond their knowledge and education.
But the same is true for doctors.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 January, 2016, 02:31:33 pm
a nursie-know-it-all
Wow.

Some Nurse Practitioners are excellent.
Others have opinions beyond their knowledge and education.
But the same is true for doctors.

Only going on stories from the UK. We haven't got that kind of system here.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 08 January, 2016, 02:45:21 pm
Some Nurse Practitioners are excellent.
Others have opinions beyond their knowledge and education.

Oh the arguments I've had with my sister (a nurse) about bike helmets...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 January, 2016, 02:50:50 pm
Some Nurse Practitioners are excellent.
Others have opinions beyond their knowledge and education.

Oh the arguments I've had with my sister (a nurse) about bike helmets...

Well, BHIT was founded by a nurse who doesn't cycle (or acknowledge any anti-helmet research)...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 08 January, 2016, 03:59:16 pm
Quote
Oh the arguments I've had with my sister (a nurse) about bike helmets...

Oddly enough i'm a Nurse practitioner and I've had a few similar arguments with Dr's, an almost religious faiith in polystyrene hats is very common.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 08 January, 2016, 05:59:10 pm
Some Nurse Practitioners are excellent.
Others have opinions beyond their knowledge and education.

Oh the arguments I've had with my sister (a nurse) about bike helmets...

My sister is a nurse. She doesn't much care about me going out on my bike without a helmet, or racing time trials for that matter.

If I'm killed, she inherits half my house.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 08 January, 2016, 06:25:10 pm
wait til you get into a "discussion" with a (specialist) nurse practitioner in diabetes who insists that your plate needs to include decent amounts of starchy carbohydrates.

Their faces do some interesting things when you tell them "I've adopted a low carbohydrate, high fat diet and I feel great and my blood sugars are better than ever"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 January, 2016, 08:14:07 pm
Some people have minds like trains and must not/cannot be derailed.

I am neither a diabetic nor a diabetologist but believe both glycaemic load and glycaemic index need addressing.

Partner's diabetic father reports that for him unpeeled potatoes are benign but rice is as wicked as sugar. And there is a lot of OCD in that family...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 08 January, 2016, 08:18:16 pm
Rice, and most breads are sugar spiking little ba$tards. Potatoes though, curiously not.

And cake, OK if accompanied by cycling.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 08 January, 2016, 08:20:00 pm
Rice, and most breads are sugar spiking little ba$tards. Potatoes though, curiously not.

Interestingly, that's not my experience. Maybe depends on the manner of the cooking; mashed potato really spikes my blood sugar (and I'm not diabetic).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 January, 2016, 08:23:43 pm
Partner's father has jacket potatoes and boiled white rice I believe.

I did include the words 'for him'...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 08 January, 2016, 09:06:26 pm
Rice, and most breads are sugar spiking little ba$tards. Potatoes though, curiously not.

Interestingly, that's not my experience. Maybe depends on the manner of the cooking; mashed potato really spikes my blood sugar (and I'm not diabetic).

It is all entirely down to personal experience, matching rate of rise to insulin dose and timing is the tricky bit
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 January, 2016, 09:50:48 pm
Then there's brother's diabetic pin-thin MIL, who can eat sweetcorn with impunity...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 09 January, 2016, 04:04:28 pm
I am stuck in hospital again😢 . I went into retention around 5.30 and as I arose from the throne my lower back went  into spasm . I managed to drag myself through the house and knock the patio doors open and woke the neighbour who called the ambulance.. So I am stuck in hospital with a cathier and rattling with pain medicine for my back  ::-). I will be here at least overnight . bother !.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 January, 2016, 05:21:40 pm
I am stuck in hospital again😢 . I went into retention around 5.30 and as I arose from the throne my lower back went  into spasm . I managed to drag myself through the house and knock the patio doors open and woke the neighbour who called the ambulance.. So I am stuck in hospital with a cathier and rattling with pain medicine for my back  ::-). I will be here at least overnight . bother !.

Get well soon!

Hope they get pain meds & bladder sorted PDQ!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 09 January, 2016, 05:49:48 pm
Get well soon cycleman.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jurek on 09 January, 2016, 05:58:57 pm
Wishing you a swift recovery, C.

J
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 January, 2016, 05:59:40 pm
That's more than a bit rubbish.  Hope they're giving you the good drugs at least.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 January, 2016, 06:00:34 pm
Ouch Cycleman! Hope they sort you out and are able to discharge you soonest!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 09 January, 2016, 06:41:05 pm
They plan to stick me into a MRI tube for a hour tomorrow before pulling the cathier out and seeing what happens  :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 January, 2016, 09:06:16 pm
I hope it starts getting better for you soon, Cycleman.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 09 January, 2016, 10:20:36 pm
They plan to stick me into a MRI tube for a hour tomorrow before pulling the cathier out and seeing what happens  :o
Better than "They plan to stick an MRI tube into me for an hour......"

Get thee  Fettled Cyclemanski.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 January, 2016, 06:39:28 am
Thanks everyone :thumbsup: .they start early here tea and porridge are being served and it is still dark  :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 January, 2016, 01:18:41 pm
And the exciting times continue . the doctor has not been round to sort out the errors in the meds they are giving me and it seems that it unlikely that I will see the inside of a tube today as it is a day of   sloth ,oh sorry I mean rest . on the bright side I have enjoyed a healthy tuna salad with a banana for pudding followed by a nice cup of tea . I wonder what exciting things will occur this afternoon ☺
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 January, 2016, 03:25:47 pm
Suspect little will happen if you are undistressed and they are busy dealing with Distressed Gentlefolk...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 January, 2016, 04:02:59 pm
Good luck with the tubes cycleman.

A much more minor grumble -  I seem to have been hit with the slothful "meh" stick. Miss Dan the Elder, who is a teenager and doesn't really do weekend mornings, came to tell me it was time to get up at 1215 today.  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: orejas on 10 January, 2016, 05:17:07 pm
Woke up on Dec 28th with severe back pain, in between the shoulderblades. Never experienced it before and cannot think of a reason ( meaning cannot recall twisting or lifting or any sort of twinge). Cannot lay flat on the bed but it gets better as the day goes on. Had a sports massage and got marinally better but had to sleep on the floor for a couple of days, now graduated to sleeping on a futon. Question is, do I bother going to the doc or do I not bother until it happens again (hopefully it does not)?
There is actually very little the doc can do.
If you can get a swiss ball then sitting on that will help.


Thanks for the replies. Saw osteopath yesterday, a bit better last night. Hopefully it keeps improving, it really only troubles me at night.
Joaquin

A basketball or football can be used for upper back. Stand back to a wall, about 1.5times ball diameter away. Place ball behind you, a little below where the pain is (say, a little less than the ball diameter). Lean on the ball. Carefully bend your knees, leaning on the ball, until the ball roll up past the painful bit. Straighten knees and repeat for a while.

I wouldn't do that in the acute phase, wait till it's calmed down a bit.  Football/basketball may be a bit big, something nearer tennis ball size and hardness tends to allow more local pressure and deeper pressure.

Also if you can find one, a physio/sports injury specialist who might be able to see if there is any underlying imbalance causing this.  Lower back pain as an example is often a symptom of something like tight calves, hamstrings, or over developed quads etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: billplumtree on 10 January, 2016, 07:35:09 pm
The trapped nerve in my neck, which has stopped me from cycling, walking, or doing owt much at all for the last two years, seems to have resolved itself.  Dunno why I got it in the first place, nor why it went away - doing my usual yoga class before christmas, Something Happened at one point to make it better down my left hand side (where the pain was all along), but suddenly worse down the right (where it wasn't).

Over a couple of weeks, the worse bit gradually improved and went away completely, and the better bit stayed better.  A decent gym session last Friday, a 3 hour ride yesterday and a 3 hour walk on the fells today and all seems to be well.  I think I'm better  :D

Now, just the small matter of 2 years-worth of lost fitness to catch up on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 January, 2016, 08:34:37 pm
I had a sardine salad for supper and peach slices for pudding and am now enjoying the ambience of ward 11   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 10 January, 2016, 08:37:51 pm
Best wishes Chris.   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 10 January, 2016, 08:39:41 pm
Good News Bill. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 January, 2016, 08:58:59 pm
I had a sardine salad for supper and peach slices for pudding and am now enjoying the ambience of ward 11   :)

Are you getting the urology "lashings and lashings of tea" treatment?  (For best effect, this comes when you're trying to sleep.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 11 January, 2016, 07:03:22 am
Then there's brother's diabetic pin-thin MIL, who can eat sweetcorn with impunity...

When God gave mankind sweetcorn, he came back a week later and exclaimed "For heaven's sake. Your supposed to put it on a hook and catch fish."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 January, 2016, 08:57:08 am
I had a sardine salad for supper and peach slices for pudding and am now enjoying the ambience of ward 11   :)

Are you getting the urology "lashings and lashings of tea" treatment?  (For best effect, this comes when you're trying to sleep.)
No just water and three small cups of tea during the day . seeing as I drink my tea out of a liter mugs at home and I am not fond of plain water thing's could be better :) .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 January, 2016, 02:18:53 pm
I had a sardine salad for supper and peach slices for pudding and am now enjoying the ambience of ward 11   :)

Are you getting the urology "lashings and lashings of tea" treatment?  (For best effect, this comes when you're trying to sleep.)
No just water and three small cups of tea during the day . seeing as I drink my tea out of a liter mugs at home and I am not fond of plain water thing's could be better :) .

But could also be worse.

I ended up on a urology ward due to bed availability when my gallbladder rebelled (they thought it was pancreatitis at the time).  I hate tea, could barely keep fluids down, and hadn't slept for days, so fending off the must-top-up-the-bladder tea brigade every five minutes caused a sense of humour malfunction.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 11 January, 2016, 02:38:14 pm
The trapped nerve in my neck, which has stopped me from cycling, walking, or doing owt much at all for the last two years, seems to have resolved itself.  Dunno why I got it in the first place, nor why it went away - doing my usual yoga class before christmas, Something Happened at one point to make it better down my left hand side (where the pain was all along), but suddenly worse down the right (where it wasn't).

Over a couple of weeks, the worse bit gradually improved and went away completely, and the better bit stayed better.  A decent gym session last Friday, a 3 hour ride yesterday and a 3 hour walk on the fells today and all seems to be well.  I think I'm better  :D

Now, just the small matter of 2 years-worth of lost fitness to catch up on.

Great news, Bill.  We've benefitted from your photography in the meantime!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 January, 2016, 07:44:04 pm
At 4.00pm I was seen by the uroligist after the ward nurse had made a fuss  ::-) .the uroligist has said that they will remove  the cathier in the morning and I am hoping my plumbing works  :). The neurology side are now saying that I do not need a MRI scan so If all goes well I might escape tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday ☺
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 January, 2016, 10:14:39 pm
I know I am blessed with a small waist but whenever was a 34" waist on a woman 'slim'?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35280028 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35280028)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 January, 2016, 08:04:17 am
It depends how tall she is.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 January, 2016, 08:23:05 am
I suspect
Quote
Asian genes dictate that fat is laid down in the abdominal area.
is a clue.

She might have a profile that looks 'slim' if viewed from the front, but viewed from the side looks to have significant belly fat.

As always, the pinch test can tell us a lot, as long as we are honest with ourselves.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 14 January, 2016, 09:07:47 am
I suspect
Quote
Asian genes dictate that fat is laid down in the abdominal area.
is a clue.

She might have a profile that looks 'slim' if viewed from the front, but viewed from the side looks to have significant belly fat.

As always, the pinch test can tell us a lot, as long as we are honest with ourselves.

The trouble with self honesty of pinch tests, is its not easy to get to the Sub-scapular test point.
A three point test can be performed, which can be achieved with a little contortionism, but the quickie is the Suprailiac, as long as the tester ( self ) knows exactly where to pinch. A fair deal of 'cheating' can be done by choosing a point closer to the navel than the hip.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 14 January, 2016, 07:16:46 pm
I am home and have a cathier fitted with a leg bag . they are planning to remove it at heatherwood hospital in Ascot teach me to self cathieris twice a day for a couple of weeks then only I go into retention again. The the next stage will be pressure test's of the bowels and bladder .once these are done they are saying that they should be able to prevent any future retention with the correct procedure . I am hoping that they are right of course  ::-)  :)
 With this leg bag cathier I cannot use my trike  :'( so I have got my little mobility scooter repaired so I can escape into the fully fresh air .  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 14 January, 2016, 07:56:21 pm
Sorry to hear you've got to faff about with catheterising stuff for a while, hope it's not too long and they are indeed able to fix what is causing the problem.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 January, 2016, 08:29:14 pm
pressure test's of the bowels and bladder
That sounds excruciating
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 January, 2016, 10:39:43 pm
My Dad self-catheterises four times per day and is happy doing this.
He is bag-free.

Of course everyone's needs are different but self catheterising seems no great shakes for him.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 14 January, 2016, 11:12:01 pm
I know I am blessed with a small waist but whenever was a 34" waist on a woman 'slim'?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35280028 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35280028)

Who'd a thunk it? Swamp your system with high GI carbs day in, day out, work your pancreas to death, lay down masses of fat (insulin prevents effective fat metabolism) and wonder why your T2 risk goes up.

In one way, fat excepted, I wonder if the very high carb diet is what did for Sir Steve, and am surprised that pro cyclists do not end up T2
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: graculus on 15 January, 2016, 08:36:23 am
My Dad self-catheterises four times per day and is happy doing this.
Ditto my Dad. It is largely about motivation - being fitted with catheter and bag would impede some of his activities (cycling to get his paper, playing tennis, skip-diving for firewood - all the things 86 year olds normally get up to)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 15 January, 2016, 08:57:36 am
It's funny how we can normalise these things given sufficient motivation

I'd never have imagined sticking a pin in myself up to ten times a day 3 years ago, and changing a cannula every three days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 15 January, 2016, 10:01:10 am
I fell off (low-sided) more than 4 months ago, landing squarely on my hip - followed by knee and elbow and sundry other bit's.  Everything has healed up, but the hip STILL feels bruised when I poke it lie on it in bed  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 January, 2016, 01:09:37 pm
My Dad self-catheterises four times per day and is happy doing this.
Ditto my Dad. It is largely about motivation - being fitted with catheter and bag would impede some of his activities (cycling to get his paper, playing tennis, skip-diving for firewood - all the things 86 year olds normally get up to)

My 85 year old Dad does not get up to these things but still seems happy to be unencumbered between toilet trips.
AIUI my uncle who is the same age has a permanent catheter which is spigoted and periodically released.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 15 January, 2016, 01:11:27 pm
Lucky me. Seems I also have cystitis. Can't decide whether to go to the doctors here (I will have to pay) or just hope it goes away. It's not too painful, fortunately, but I have a little blood in my urine. I've had it before a few times.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 January, 2016, 01:17:19 pm
Try flushing it away with 4 pints of squash in 4 hours.

See a doctor if it's not clear after that.

IMO it's easier to drink squash than water.

Don't refill your pint glass till you've had your first pee to help prevent water intoxication.

GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 15 January, 2016, 01:34:29 pm
Thanks. The doctors here are all closed so it'll have to be the emergency doctor (more complication) tomorrow if it gets worse.

I don't drink squash but am fine with water. Have had my first half litre!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2016, 02:10:30 pm
Cystitis, like hearing aid malfunction, has an uncanny knack of happening on weekends and bank holidays....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 15 January, 2016, 02:22:01 pm
Cystitis, like hearing aid malfunction, has an uncanny knack of happening on weekends and bank holidays bike rides....
Or is that just me?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 15 January, 2016, 02:35:54 pm
I just had the clever idea of going out with the dog for the 25 minute round walk. 10 minutes before the end it was getting pretty desperate (I had drunk a litre of water before setting off) and I ran up the stairs to my flat like greased lightning...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2016, 02:38:39 pm
Cystitis, like hearing aid malfunction, has an uncanny knack of happening on weekends and bank holidays bike rides....
Or is that just me?

Not just you.  I bailed out of the Exmouth Exodus[1] a couple of years back when my pre-start pee was distinctly the wrong colour.  (And then foolishly stranded myself in Bristol by assuming there would be trains on a Saturday evening.)  But I usually find it happens immediately after bike rides, especially those that involve  a) saddles  and  b) not drinking enough.

I note that bike rides also frequently occur at weekends and bank holidays...


[1] A ride that I'd have several counts of Unfinished Business with, if I hadn't actually completed it with Team Slow in 2011.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 15 January, 2016, 02:46:06 pm
Nope happens to me as well.  Insulin pump malfunctions always happen at weekends or middle of the night.

Mass cannula recalls when I'm in France for the week and then heading off to Aberdeen the following Monday.

Cannula site that won't stop bleeding? Tuesday 6:30pm just when I was about to go for a turbo session - solved by quantities of surgical tape, but didn't look pretty.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 January, 2016, 02:53:23 pm
Cystitis, like hearing aid malfunction, has an uncanny knack of happening on weekends and bank holidays bike rides....
Or is that just me?

After one Valentine's weekend, I was rewarded with the theft of my bicycle and cystitis.
A romantic double whammy...

It's no fun trailing round bike shops when you're pissing bloody daggers every 20 minutes...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 15 January, 2016, 05:37:28 pm
Well four hours of lots of water and visits to the loo every 15 minutes seem to have helped a lot. Less burning (although it wasn't bad to start with) and only a tiny trace of blood. I am reducing the water now to 250ml post pee (I was drinking 400ml post-pee earlier) and I hope it will all settle down. I feel OK in myself.

I suspect my long ride yesterday in waterproof trousers and then sitting around for an hour in my sweaty knickers before I got home for a shower was a significant contributor!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 January, 2016, 06:49:16 pm
Glad you're a bit better! Stop drinking a couple of hours before bedtime but start your day with a BIG mug of coffee tomorrow, then see how you go.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Marmitegeoff on 16 January, 2016, 07:21:31 am
I fell off (low-sided) more than 4 months ago, landing squarely on my hip - followed by knee and elbow and sundry other bit's.  Everything has healed up, but the hip STILL feels bruised when I poke it lie on it in bed  >:(

I had a similar experience a few years ago.   Apparently it is called a Bursa and was sore for a year or so I was threatened with a steroid injection so just shut up.   it is better now about 3 years later.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 January, 2016, 01:04:39 pm
I fell off (low-sided) more than 4 months ago, landing squarely on my hip - followed by knee and elbow and sundry other bit's.  Everything has healed up, but the hip STILL feels bruised when I poke it lie on it in bed  >:(

I had a similar experience a few years ago.   Apparently it is called a Bursa and was sore for a year or so I was threatened with a steroid injection so just shut up.   it is better now about 3 years later.
A Bursa is part of your body - a cushioning pad. They are found in most joints, but I'm not aware of one on the outside of the hip.

A haematoma is a local swelling caused by internal bleeding. They vary from being a spectacular bruise with swelling to a huge blood-filled lump.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 January, 2016, 01:16:06 pm
There is the trochanteric bursa which often takes a hit when a cyclist lands on the hip, sometimes causing a bleed.

Still, that's preferable to a hip fracture.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Marmitegeoff on 16 January, 2016, 03:10:38 pm
There is the trochanteric bursa which often takes a hit when a cyclist lands on the hip, sometimes causing a bleed.

Still, that's preferable to a hip fracture.

Thanks Helly that was the one, and the bruise was spectacular.   Hip to knee, almost,  and my thigh was fairly swollen.  enough to make me ice averse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 January, 2016, 04:36:34 pm
Cyclists do seem to land on their hips in ice, snow or diesel...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 19 January, 2016, 08:59:25 pm
My blood pressure has dropped 10 points and is now 115/65.  I'm not any fitter so this is rather odd.  I am on latanoprost eye drops (to counter the IOP-raising effect of dexamethasone drops*) and the opthalmologist says they may have a very mild beta-blocker effect  Haven't noticed any slowing down on the bike, though.

*it works - measured today, the untreated left eye was 12mmHg and so was the right eye, which has had an oceanful of eyedrops over the last three months - it was a slightly worrying 28 before they put me on latanoprost.  Give it another few months and I should be off the lot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 19 January, 2016, 10:19:46 pm
Great news Roger, hope the eye keeps up that super healing. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: geraldc on 20 January, 2016, 01:13:27 pm
After years of drinking Diet Coke and sucking on sugar free sweets, I'm going to be giving up most artificial sweeteners due to their effects on gut bacteria and the reported knock on effects. I've never actually had any digestive problems, but after having finally done the reading, I feel like I've been a human lab rat for most of my life. I'm amazed after years of defending artificial sweeteners as safe, I'm finally giving it up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 January, 2016, 01:18:05 pm
Good luck Gerald!
I'm very sceptical myself about these claims about artificial sweeteners, at least for me. Around three diet colas per month doesn't really equate to the huge quantities in the experiments.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 January, 2016, 01:19:51 pm
There is the trochanteric bursa which often takes a hit when a cyclist lands on the hip, sometimes causing a bleed.

I thought a trochanter was part of a set of bagpipes until I fell off my bike.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 January, 2016, 02:16:47 pm
No 'tro' in bagpipes AFAIK...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 20 January, 2016, 07:03:48 pm
I have still got the cathier in😢 .and it has slide in so I have only a little tube left visible and it is pulling when I walk. The a and E doctor I saw yesterday said it is draining OK so is fine .the doctor s I have spoken to are just happy that it is draining. I am wondering if I should call the district nurses out. The tip is quite sore and I am to much of a wimp to pull it out myself. (No not right out just enough to stop it pulling  )
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 January, 2016, 07:08:25 pm
Catheters are usually held in place by a balloon, usually filled with saline, at the 'internal' end.
This needs to be deflated before the catheter is removed or it will HURT.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 20 January, 2016, 07:14:34 pm
Just pull on the end of the catheter gently, cm.  It should just slide out a bit.  You can't do any damage as long as you're gentle, and you stop if it hurts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 20 January, 2016, 07:51:43 pm
Because the tip is sore I am to scared of pain to pull it. I tried and the tube seems to stretch and it hurts a bit and I wimp out again .I know I should MTFU but a wimp I remain   ::-) :'( :'( . I am using a gel called optilube which is making things a bit more comfortable . I suspect that I will have to put up with it as I have bothered doctors to much this week and I cannot afford to upset them ..
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 20 January, 2016, 09:18:05 pm
Because the tip is sore I am to scared of pain to pull it. I tried and the tube seems to stretch and it hurts a bit and I wimp out again .I know I should MTFU but a wimp I remain   ::-) :'( :'( . I am using a gel called optilube which is making things a bit more comfortable . I suspect that I will have to put up with it as I have bothered doctors to much this week and I cannot afford to upset them ..

Have you tried sitting in the bath?  Are you keeping the tip of your penis clean, is there gunk on the catheter?  It's important to keep the catheter clean, wiping it away from your body.  If there's dried gunk on the catheter/end of your penis, that could be making it stick.  The penis will be irritated by the presence of the catheter and produce extra mucus.  It's just like snot, when it dries it goes all crusty.

Irritation inside the bladder from the presence of the catheter can cause referred pain at the tip of the penis.  It's unpleasant but not dangerous.

I would call the district nurses, even if it's just for a telephone conversation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 20 January, 2016, 11:13:01 pm
^ This woman knows what she's talking about.

OOI, in my thankfully limited and mostly third-hand experience of the things, catheters have a port on the external end for the attachment of a syringe for the inflation/deflation of the balloon.  Wouldn't that stop it from sliding inside?

ETA: Thinking about it, I suppose that's exactly what's happening.  Ouch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 21 January, 2016, 09:01:32 am
Thanks for the advice .I will call the district nurses as soon as I have finished reading YACF . one must make sure that one's priority s are right . ☺
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 January, 2016, 02:55:02 pm
Speaking of catheters, I had one shoved into my arm yesterday and another wee titanium doodah deposited in a dodgy coronary artery, whippet quick.

When I was lying there with one arm tied down for the cardiologist and a drip in the other I remarked that if they tied both it'd be like Texas, but he didn't get the joke.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 January, 2016, 10:51:11 am
Really worried about MrsC.
She's had fluey illness for a few weeks.

Separate from that, her ankles have swollen up and her calves are swollen and rigid (she's not prone to getting puffy swellings on legs). It's not like just common fluid retention, on one leg her whole calf muscles is swollen and absolutely rigid.

A suggested caused (yes, I know, stop looking at drgoogle) is obstructed blood flow, with 'masses in pelvis' being a cause (e.g. pregnancy). MrsC has a large (benign) mass in her pelvis. She won't go to the doctor.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 January, 2016, 11:43:59 am
Very worrying.
I don't know what to suggest if she won't see a doctor.
mrsc obviously needs a doctor and I'm useless at the persuasion end.
I hope you can get mrsc and medics to cross paths and that issues can be addressed/treated.
I truly hope the pelvic mass is still benign.
[worried]
Best wishes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 January, 2016, 12:01:15 pm
Got hold of her - swelling gone this morning, but then her fibroid (which is size of two grapefruit) moves when she lies down.

I wish she'd to see a doctor. Might have to phone her eldest daughter and see if she can persuade her. Sometimes intelligent people can be so stupid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 January, 2016, 12:06:35 pm
If nothing else, mrsc should encourage blood to flow back from her legs to her pelvis by lying down from time to time.
Stagnant blood has a tendency to clot and I really don't want a DVT or pulmonary embolism to result.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 January, 2016, 12:17:00 pm
MrC sounds like a plan re persuasion. 

Clever people are annoying: My mum is a qualified teacher of the deaf. When she lost all her hearing in one ear she was just saying "Whateverrrrr *shrug*" when she told me about it. I had to threaten to go to her house the next day and DRAG her to a doctor/A&E before she would go and see GP or talk to her audiologist colleagues for advice...  Biggles Mum's fiance is a doctor, he's EVEN worse and has nearly killed himself by not taking meds properly cos the other medics say "oh yeah, you fiddle with meds as you like"... Stupid buggers the pair of them. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jurek on 25 January, 2016, 03:30:55 pm
The monster abcess from three years ago is rearing its head again.
Appointment made with the dentist for tomorrow morning - hopefully I'll last until then.
Last time it went from nothing to this  (https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3822/12544867635_377d971739_z.jpg)in the space of a couple of hours.
Dentist wasn't able to do anything as I couldn't open my mouth sufficiently for him to get in there.
Do. Not. Want. Again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 January, 2016, 04:27:52 pm
Eek Jurek!
Hope it's treated and settled soonest!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Biggsy on 25 January, 2016, 04:46:40 pm
Make a male urinary catheter tube more comfortable by applying some (more) lubrication gel.  They let me have some extra little syringes of it to apply myself when I was on a catheter in hospital.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 January, 2016, 06:20:38 pm
The opthalmologist finally told me I could go to the optician as things should be settled by now.  The operated eye needs a fairly minor prescription of +1.5 (it ended up long-sighted, even at infinity) with astigmatism of +1.0 at 80 degrees.  However, the ghost image cannot be corrected by glasses; best guess is that it's reflection from the interface between the graft and the "factory" cornea.  This should keep diminishing with time but is annoying when driving in the dark.  The unoperated left eye still needs no correction although I am 47 in two months' time...it's all fog and rainbows, of course, but that's not a refractive error.  My father and I both had really good eyesight until the Fuch's dystrophy got us!

*it will actually be free to me since I have already paid the scheme excess for this 12 months
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 January, 2016, 11:20:02 am
G^%&*$"£ my arm hurts
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 January, 2016, 12:23:39 pm
GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 January, 2016, 01:10:29 pm
@mrcharly sympathy, but G^%&*$"£ so does mine.  Extensive inflammation of tendons from the pressure bandage they put on my wrist last week. It seems that every night when I'm asleep they fuse to their sheaths, and when I move them in the morning the pain is just short of making me vomit.  That goes on until they're free to move again, usually a few hours, then the next night it starts over again.  One is not happy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 January, 2016, 01:13:27 pm
@mrcharly sympathy, but G^%&*$"£ so does mine.  Extensive inflammation of tendons from the pressure bandage they put on my wrist last week. It seems that every night when I'm asleep they fuse to their sheaths, and when I move them in the morning the pain is just short of making me vomit.  That goes on until they're free to move again, usually a few hours, then the next night it starts over again.  One is not happy.
hey it gives you something to look forward to, each morning, right?  :facepalm:

I broke my radius, so why does freakin ulna ache none-stop?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 January, 2016, 05:36:42 pm
Nerves can't tell the difference between the bones, maybe.

My bloody arm has hurt all day today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 January, 2016, 07:09:59 pm
Hi T42  this sounds a good case for long acting anti inflammatories.  They should keep working through the night and still be on board the following morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 29 January, 2016, 07:28:16 pm
I phoned the hospital yesterday as I have not yet had appointment for removing the cathier only to discover that the request has not been sent to heatherwood hospital from wexham park hospital and had I not phoned the famed thing would be left in  :o :'( .hopefully on Monday I should now find out when it will be removed .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 30 January, 2016, 08:32:44 am
Although the German healthcare system is supposed to be very good, it has some disadvantages from my point of view.

I had cystitis two weeks ago and didn't see a doctor as the surgery hours on a Friday are 9:30-12:00 and that's it. I felt dodgy after midday on the Friday. I would have had to wait till Monday or try to find another surgery in Krefeld or further afield which would be a big hassle. Hellymedic's advice to drink loadsa water solved the problem over that weekend.

Of course yesterday (a Friday) at 11:45 I noticed more blood in my urine. Just a tiny bit, but shouldn't be there. Same issue - I have to wait until Monday (afternoon, as I have a job interview in the morning) before I can see the doctor. I know also it will cost me a lot of money as I guess he will do some tests and as I am privately insured with a £300 excess it will hit my pocket, thus a reluctance to go.

If the job interview is successful I will get on public health insurance which will be great - no cost to me for such visits. Which will be a relief...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 30 January, 2016, 09:33:42 am
I am sorry but two episodes of blood in the urine is a proceed straight to hospital, do not collect £200 card.  Cystitis is not known for causing blood in the urine but there are some serious things which would cause both.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 30 January, 2016, 09:56:08 am
OK, I will go to the local Notdienst (emergency doctor) in the hospital.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 30 January, 2016, 11:50:35 am
I think you can wait until Monday but be prepared for a very rapid escalation of care and investigations.  Certainly that would be the case in the UK
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2016, 01:49:46 pm
I'm really ignorant about this arm cast thing. How much is it supposed  to hurt? do I keep it in the paper sling all the time?

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2016, 02:01:38 pm
It shouldn't really hurt if the broken bones are being kept still.
There might be a background ache.

The sling is there to prevent your limb dangling and getting more swollen. If you can elevate your hand above your elbow any other way, do this; rest it on a pillow, put your hand in the air like a child in class, whatever.

Wiggle your fingers, while keeping your wrist above your elbow.

If you feel there something digging in or your cast feels tight, get someone who knows to take a LOOK.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2016, 02:06:56 pm
It hurts like a bastard. was swelling and felt numb  on one side but I slept for few hours on the sofa with it propped hand-up againsy back of sofa and thats gone down
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 30 January, 2016, 02:13:21 pm
Went to the local hospital a&e. The receptionists were nurses and asked me what was wrong quite specifically. They then got me to do a urine sample and then got a urologist to see me. She did an ultrasound of my bladder and kidneys and said everything was normal, did a visual check of my undercarriage and said she thought all was generally OK, it might be the tail end of my cystitis, but to keep an eye and go to my Hausarzt if it happens again and they would do a camera check of the bladder. Very happy with the care, I await the bill with interest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2016, 02:14:29 pm
ELEVATE, ELEVATE, ELEVATE!!!

and Get Well Soon!

If it still HURTS despite elevation or looks discoloured, get someone to take a look!

Advice over the interwebs cannot replace human interaction which combines two way conversation, including body language
Seeing
Feeling
testing
etc

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2016, 02:18:31 pm
I think a lot of the pain is from the dislocation. will keep it in the sling and see if it improves
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 January, 2016, 02:19:36 pm
ELEVATE, ELEVATE, ELEVATE!!!

What, Auntie Helen's bladder?  Gott im Himbeergeist!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2016, 02:21:04 pm
It was your wrist that was dislocated and is now in a cast, wasn't it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2016, 02:28:03 pm
half cast from knuckles to just short of elbow. I think there were a few hairline fracturs as well as the main fragmented radius humerous- which was crushed like cut a crunchy bar in half then ground the two ends together
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2016, 02:40:18 pm
Ouchy!
That humerus (no 'o') sounds sore!

I should imagine it is difficult to elevate your wrist AND keep your upper arm still.

In general, fractures don't hurt much if not moved but immobilising a humerus in loadsa bits is almost impossible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2016, 02:48:29 pm
radius, not humerus. dunno why I typed that
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2016, 03:01:12 pm
Ahh.

You radius won't be fully immobilised if your elbow can move and the main shaft is fragmented.

Back slabs do provide some splintage but not total immobilisation. They accommodate the swelling which is inevitable after any injury.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 30 January, 2016, 04:46:22 pm
I think you can wait until Monday but be prepared for a very rapid escalation of care and investigations.  Certainly that would be the case in the UK
I beg to differ. Blood in urine has been ignored as an expected side effect of cystitis every time I've asked my GP. Even when we're discussing obvious clots in a urine sample.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2016, 05:09:14 pm
I'm sure both I and my Mum have had blood with cystitis, which resolved rapidly with antibiotics.
Painless haematuria needs urgent investigation. I'm less convinced on the need to investigate it when pissing smelly daggers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 31 January, 2016, 12:50:29 pm
Dear snot system, sort yourself out ffs!  I know it's January and you're contractually obliged to make my life a constant misery with fluctuating ENT lurgification but I'm BORED. Go and annoy someone else, preferably someone who never gets sick and needs to gain some empathy!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 31 January, 2016, 08:55:34 pm
But not me ^^
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 31 January, 2016, 09:12:46 pm
ElyDave: You have empathy, you're spared! (And have enough shite on your plate, I mean people who don't have shite on plates too!) ;) #WhenIAmADeity
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2016, 10:38:58 am
back at work

arm not really sore, but is getting puffy and tight in cast, even with elbow on desk and hanf in air
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 February, 2016, 12:45:13 pm
That's possibly a sign of 'difficulty', hope you can get it more wedged in the air and perhaps some medical advice from someone just to check it's safe for you in work.  You might be better lying down and arm up for example!  Don't wreck your arm for anyone, arms are precious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2016, 12:52:30 pm
at home I took regular breaks and laid down; not really possible here :|
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2016, 01:00:55 pm
Sounds like it's unwise to be at work, unless you can arrange to reduce swelling in your arm.
Barakta knows, arms are precious!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 February, 2016, 03:02:03 pm
I agree with Helly, it sounds like you still need lying down regular breaks...  A friend who had a wrist injury a bit like yours (he's a programmer) had to have several weeks off work for recovery :/

ION: Snot can fuck right off. Going to stick it out till 4pm but I'm not achieving anything and I keep fucking even simple stuff up which makes me unsafe to do student work!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2016, 05:53:52 pm
I was a good boy, came home and laid down with arm in the air.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 February, 2016, 05:55:06 pm
You tried, you gave it a good shot and it was too soon. No one can say you didn't try, not even the voice in your head...  Hope a few more days makes all the difference Mr C!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2016, 06:19:44 pm
lol I'll be back in work tomorrow, I have a demo to present, been working on it over the weekend

Just been good resting
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2016, 06:26:40 pm
Good luck with the demo but be gentle to yourself when it's done.

You aren't ready for full-time work yet!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 01 February, 2016, 07:17:47 pm
I still have a cathier in 😢 . I have phoned both wexham and heatherwood hospital s and have been promised replys since Thursday .I am seeing the doctor tomorrow so I will see if he can get any sense out of them .this is getting very frustrating and depressing. If it takes this long to get the cathier out I hate to think how long it will take to do the tests to hopefully sort the problem out  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2016, 08:01:06 pm
I still have a cathier in 😢 . I have phoned both wexham and heatherwood hospital s and have been promised replys since Thursday .I am seeing the doctor tomorrow so I will see if he can get any sense out of them .this is getting very frustrating and depressing. If it takes this long to get the cathier out I hate to think how long it will take to do the tests to hopefully sort the problem out  :(

O'm afraid if you want to get ANYTHING done in the NHS, there are  times when you can lose the will to live hanging on the phone, going round and round and round and round and round in circles!

It's a horrible state of affairs and I do sympathise!

I really fear for those who don't do phones or waiting well. I'm sure many people come to harm 'slipping through the net'.

Hope you're sorted soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 02 February, 2016, 08:16:19 am
Ironically enough I have just read a report on how much wexham park hospital had improved over the last 2 years  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 February, 2016, 10:50:06 am
Haven't we all? It's on Auntie's website.
Read that and thought of you...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 02 February, 2016, 06:23:28 pm
Well as I was speeding along to the doctor this morning on the mobility scooter ( faster than a speeding slug ) I received a call from heatherwood hospital .they said wexham park had said that the had a catheter fitted on Thursday !!!!,I should come to the hospital on Thursday to have a trial  cathier removal. She was most surprised to hear how long it has actually been in. This evening the tube is causing blood at the despite me using both clotrimazole cream and instillagel gel . roll on Thursday  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 03 February, 2016, 02:16:45 pm
Got my bill today for Saturday's trip to A&E and my ultrasound of kidneys and bladder. Total 97,49€ which is pretty reasonable as it was a Saturday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 February, 2016, 11:57:04 am
re-plastered, xrayed and assessed

another check next week - if progress continues then "I wont need srgery and probably only need a cast another 4 weeks"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 February, 2016, 01:24:55 pm
Great news! Hope healing continues smoothly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 February, 2016, 01:47:20 pm
Barakta's curst from reply #725 has got me. Either that or I caught it from Dez, who has been coughing and spluttering like a bastard for a few days. This is a monumental pain in the arse as I had made a dental appointment for tomorrow to attend to the tooth whose filling dropped out whilst at Clapham bunkhouse last weekend (sorry Ruthie!  :-[) and I don't feel like lying on my back with someone pocking sharp sticks into my mouth whilst I am very liable to  have a coughing fit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 February, 2016, 02:24:57 pm
re-plastered, xrayed and assessed

another check next week - if progress continues then "I wont need srgery and probably only need a cast another 4 weeks"

Here's hoping.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 04 February, 2016, 08:09:14 pm
Well I got to heatherwood hospital today by bus and they removed the cathier . after a lot of drinking I failed to pass enough water and so they have put in a tube and tap . I have ridden into town this evening and back but I will have to find a way to stop my clothing chaffing on the tube as I am ridding . the plan now is the tube stays in for 3 weeks then back to heatherwood hospital to see if I can manage without it . after that some pressure test's to hopefully find the cause of the problem's and sort out a cure ☺
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 February, 2016, 08:22:42 pm
that sounds thoroughly unpleasant!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 05 February, 2016, 08:18:16 am
I admit that it's not the most fun I have had . it is proving to be more comfortable than the leg bag so far ☺
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2016, 08:27:35 am
I admit that it's not the most fun I have had . it is proving to be more comfortable than the leg bag so far ☺

Less danger from bag-snatchers too, I should think.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 February, 2016, 07:26:16 am
 ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 February, 2016, 11:00:08 am
This fucking flu can fuck off any time it fucking wants. Bastard git.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 February, 2016, 12:35:02 pm
I agree about the flu!  " weeks of being laid absolutely flat.  ! week off work and spending the day lying down, yuk.  beginning to turn the corner now.  have to get fit for the Easter Arrow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 February, 2016, 12:43:22 pm
I'm on my 4th day now. Started Weds eve and I've been feeling lousy since. Dez has had it since Mon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 February, 2016, 06:36:40 pm
I am on day 15.  Came back from holiday having exercised, rested, etc.  2 days later on the Friday came home and collapsed.  In bed all weekend but went into work on Monday.  Struggled through to Thursday when I was practically comatose and have been off work ever since, temperature swings, sweating, etc!!  Just managed 20 minutes on the turbo today and will try for an hour tomorrow.  I have 2 days in court on Monday/Tuesday so that will not be too bad although 2 hours on the train to Newcastle is a bit of a faff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2016, 07:30:26 pm
I think I understand why I got a look from the nurse when I said I'd gone back to work on Monday. I've done nothing be lazy since last night and my arm and hand have improved more in 18 hours than they had in the previous week.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 February, 2016, 07:49:40 pm
I am on day 15.  Came back from holiday having exercised, rested, etc.  2 days later on the Friday came home and collapsed.  In bed all weekend but went into work on Monday.  Struggled through to Thursday when I was practically comatose and have been off work ever since, temperature swings, sweating, etc!!  Just managed 20 minutes on the turbo today and will try for an hour tomorrow.  I have 2 days in court on Monday/Tuesday so that will not be too bad although 2 hours on the train to Newcastle is a bit of a faff.

Doctors aren't very good at taking time off when they are sick are they?  ;)

If you read this in anyone else's post, what would you think about their return to work?

Huh?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: caerau on 06 February, 2016, 08:31:50 pm
heh, you'll have to include other types of doctor in that.

This one tried to tough out his tendon rupture for the last 3 weeks.

Officially I think this was a bad move

Surgery on Thursday and I've made myself ill trying to work hard and suffer at the same time. Now I'm signed off for four weeks for something that should probably be mostly done (sufferering-wise) by now  :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
And I'm now hoping that I won't still be ill on Thursday :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 07 February, 2016, 09:37:28 am
I'm on my second head cold of the year   :sick:  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 07 February, 2016, 11:13:02 am
Quote
Doctors aren't very good at taking time off when they are sick are they?
Hi Hellymedic, don't let my wife know! After 35 years of being married I have just about persuaded her that everybody else is a skiver and i am normal.  Although she did wonder wonder when I was pouring sweat, shivering uncontrollably and slightly confused last Sunday and refused to call the doctor.  After all what would they know that I didn't?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 February, 2016, 11:18:00 am
Um, this post might be somewhat controversial, but what about the fact that you've just potentially infected all your patients with the flu for the sake of presenteeism?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 February, 2016, 12:42:58 pm
Quote
Doctors aren't very good at taking time off when they are sick are they?
Hi Hellymedic, don't let my wife know! After 35 years of being married I have just about persuaded her that everybody else is a skiver and i am normal.  Although she did wonder wonder when I was pouring sweat, shivering uncontrollably and slightly confused last Sunday and refused to call the doctor.  After all what would they know that I didn't?

What do you mean 'Don't let my wife know?'
Your wife DOES know! You've been married 35 years and is no fool; you'd not have put up with a fool for 35 years, would you?

The lady would have tolerated 35 years of macho presenteeism, of which this is the latest example...

BTW the possibility of viral myocarditis might make sitting on the turbo unwise if you have 'flu.

You knew that anyway.

Others might not.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 February, 2016, 07:43:16 pm
My stepdad (to be) is a doctor. My mum was a nurse... Mum has to apply a certain level of CLUEBAT to stepdad over health-issues as he's inclined to ignore stuff till it's actually scary.  It doesn't help his medics tend to be old pals who say "Oh take X at Y dose for Z days and then see how you feel and fiddle with the regime as you wish" so Dr IHateMeds (not even cos side effects, just the idea of meds) usually stops treatment entirely waaaay too early...

Of course DrIHateMeds is also sickeningly jammy, he was virtually pain/effects free 7 days after appendectomy last Xmas even though he's 70, lardy and not all that fit!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 07 February, 2016, 08:03:51 pm
Hi Helly
Apparently she was just about to ignore me and call the doctor!  I was being slightly tongue in cheek.  After 35 years of marriage we do tend to know each other pretty well.

I had forgotten about viral myocarditis actually, but was being sensible and kept heart rate below 145 and power was 85% of FTP or less.

Actually the evidence that flu is infective once the Acute phase has settled is quite low so I wasn't being that bad.  Personally I am more interested in my technical ability and thinking ability.  If I cannot operate for a standard operation or cannot diagnose a patient then I am not fit to be at work.  Hence why this time I was more sensible/realistic and have had a full 9 days away.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 February, 2016, 09:57:56 pm
Glad to see you were wise enough to take the time off; it's actually really difficult to do this, which I appreciate.
I know very few doctors who haven't struggled to work when they should have been off.
I was just as bad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 February, 2016, 01:52:45 pm
See also "Teachers".

When a teacher goes in ill, it's an investment: they are safe in the knowledge that half the class will be off next week, when they are better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 February, 2016, 06:01:41 pm
Isn't the whole point of school holidays to give teachers time to do their being ill in?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 08 February, 2016, 10:23:25 pm
I feel so ill.  I had to drag myself home from work tonight, I felt so awful. 

I'll still be going to work in the morning though.  As you do.

Sore throat, whole body aching, can hardly move.  Yeah, that'd be a cold then  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 February, 2016, 10:29:22 pm
Get Well Soon Ruthie!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 08 February, 2016, 10:45:03 pm
Thanks Helly  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 February, 2016, 09:43:01 am
Get well soon, I can imagine how you feel.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 February, 2016, 02:46:54 pm
I feel so ill.  I had to drag myself home from work tonight, I felt so awful. 

I'll still be going to work in the morning though.  As you do.

Sore throat, whole body aching, can hardly move.  Yeah, that'd be a cold then  ::-)

GWS! I had very similar symptoms last week. Lots of aching. Very sore throat. Congested sinuses.

Mostly, things are on the mend now. Temperature down, sneezing stopped, less congested. I have cancelled all my work this week. Half term next week.

However, I have one, or two, symptoms that you won't have, Ruthie:

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 February, 2016, 08:23:02 pm
Achievement unlocked:  Improved BMI by being 3cm taller than at last year's annual being-told-off-by-the-asthma-nurse appointment.   :o


No, I haven't a clue how that happened.  Either I've been wrong about my height for years, or I've grown since I was last measured by a competent healthcare professional.  We checked, and left leg vs right leg weight bearing only accounts for a little under 1cm difference, so it can't just be that.

I'm wondering if someone made a mountain bike tyre size cockup and converted 5'6" instead of 5.6'.  But who the fuck measures anything in decimal feet?  More likely someone applied an overenthusiastic fudge factor for shoes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 February, 2016, 09:58:18 pm
I am feeling generally a lot less fluey. My symptoms now consist of being knackered (slept a lot this afternoon), having a fairly constant trickle of glutinous snot* from the back of the sinuses into my throat, still coughing a little, but very little, and having another couple of days' worth of antibiotics to finish. I might have a tentative bike ride tomorrow just to say I have. Won't be far.

*Mrs. Wow had an ancient relative in her youth, a grandfather, I believe, who had some comment about "it all hanging down the back and it feels as though you could plait it". Applies to me now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 10 February, 2016, 10:01:01 pm
I still feel like poo.  My throat still hurts and for the first two hours after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen I can function reasonably normally.  But once they start wearing off I feel like I'm going to die and just want to sleep.  My whole body hurts and I'm so tired.

*whimper*

Really very bad at being ill.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 11 February, 2016, 07:43:07 am
last time I had proper flu vs a cold was almost exactly three years ago, working away from home in Aberdeen, came on about Wednesday and I worked through til Friday feeling like crap, came home lay on the sofa for two days.  Only problem was my immune system decided to go rogue and f*@k up my pancreas giving me the lovely gift of Type 1 diabetes aged 39.  :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2016, 08:44:45 am
Interesting. Some gastroenteritis viruses carry surface proteins very similar to those on the surface of beta cells, and antibodies against the former can take out the latter as well, leaving you diabetic.  Happened to the 4-year-old son of a friend of mine - explaining to the poor wee chap why his parents had to start sticking needles into him was harrowing.

Any chance of a beta-cell implant?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2016, 08:47:47 am
Anyway, I came in here to crow because my GP has cancelled the cardiologist's aspirin prescription.  The cardio knew in advance that the stuff buggers up my oesophagus but insisted, so since my stent went in I've been eating razors.  Doc said he was bonkers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 11 February, 2016, 09:23:26 am
Interesting. Some gastroenteritis viruses carry surface proteins very similar to those on the surface of beta cells, and antibodies against the former can take out the latter as well, leaving you diabetic.  Happened to the 4-year-old son of a friend of mine - explaining to the poor wee chap why his parents had to start sticking needles into him was harrowing.

Any chance of a beta-cell implant?

It's always a possibility, but I'd be low priority for it as I don't struggle with control.  I have no idea though whether those rogue T-cells are still around and would just attack the new beta cells.

There are some well  identified trauma triggers for T1, including both disease and physical trauma, but no way of identifying who might have that underlying genetic susceptibility.  In some ways I'm lucky that it took so long to manifest itself, as my consultant at the last appointment said that later diagnosis tends to give an easier ride of it and end up with fewer complications.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 February, 2016, 09:51:01 am
A friend of mine got glandular fever and "pushed through it" to work, ended up in ICU nearly dead and came out with type I diabetes and since then has developed all manner of nasty things like epilepsy and myasthenis gravis... Not good news. :/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 11 February, 2016, 10:12:09 am
Achievement unlocked:  Improved BMI by being 3cm taller than at last year's annual being-told-off-by-the-asthma-nurse appointment.   :o


No, I haven't a clue how that happened.  Either I've been wrong about my height for years, or I've grown since I was last measured by a competent healthcare professional.  We checked, and left leg vs right leg weight bearing only accounts for a little under 1cm difference, so it can't just be that.

I'm wondering if someone made a mountain bike tyre size cockup and converted 5'6" instead of 5.6'.  But who the fuck measures anything in decimal feet?  More likely someone applied an overenthusiastic fudge factor for shoes.

Ah, you're not alone.

At my heart health check-up a year or two ago, they claimed I was 184cm.

That's 2cm more than I've always thought. They then went on about how it was good I'd put some weight on.

Given that I've had my height checked using a stadiometer in the past and been 182cm, I'm inclined to believe that height was always correct.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 11 February, 2016, 10:32:55 am
I still feel like poo.  My throat still hurts and for the first two hours after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen I can function reasonably normally.  But once they start wearing off I feel like I'm going to die and just want to sleep.  My whole body hurts and I'm so tired.

*whimper*

Really very bad at being ill.
Could you get over it soon please? I want you to come and visit us in our new house!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 February, 2016, 10:59:36 am
I'm doing well, I'm told, being a good boy - but still another 4 weeks in plaster.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 February, 2016, 11:06:04 am
I have come to the conclusion that the bollock pain referred to above is actually referred pain: I had some pain in the back of my legs and left knee, which felt very like sciatica, whilst I was lying in bed in the early hours. I managed to get to sleep again and the pain had mostly gone.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 February, 2016, 06:11:27 pm
Another day another water infection  ::-) :'( .more antibiotics  ::-). Get well everyone  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2016, 08:34:09 am
stupid effing migraine-related spasms kicked off in my broken forearm and tore some tendons. Brilliant, just effing brilliant
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 12 February, 2016, 09:44:11 am
A friend of mine got glandular fever and "pushed through it" to work, ended up in ICU nearly dead and came out with type I diabetes and since then has developed all manner of nasty things like epilepsy and myasthenis gravis... Not good news. :/

This seems (anecdotally) common. A friend of mine had non-specific fever, nothing major, and his girlfriend came home to find him unconscious on the kitchen floor. Turned out that little unidentified virus left him the gift of type 1 diabetes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2016, 09:48:24 am
Oh, a question. one cast off testerday, another on. In between I tried straightening my wrist. Got part way and no further. Not stopped by pain, just solid unable to move any further (like bending elbow or knee past straight).

Is this normal, a result of being in the cast for 2 weeks or have I buggered my wrist joint?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 February, 2016, 10:28:38 am
3rd possibility: they have.

I'd talk to the orthopaedist if I were you, sooner rather than later.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 12 February, 2016, 02:55:31 pm
MrC seek advice, it never does any harm and if you're ok no harm done whereas if there's an issue they need to know ASAP.  Hands are precious :)

As for my health and fitness, this lurgy can "do one". Feel as if I've been cycling through lurg for over 6 weeks and now I'm sinking into antibiotic lurgy territory... Eating #AllTheDrugs but still feel like crap.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2016, 03:09:21 pm
I guess that isn't normal then

consulting dr google, I'm bloody lucky to have avoided an external fixator. Just the look of those things makes me cringe
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 February, 2016, 11:13:04 pm
Why won't this sodding flu just sod off? Sneezing and snotting again this evening. Finished the antibiotics at lunchtime. It's half term now! I want to go cycling!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 13 February, 2016, 04:11:35 am
Can you be allergic to a swimming pool?

I ask as I seem to be having a very bad reaction after my coaching session at one pool, while I am fine after practicing my drills at the other. The reaction I am getting is a very blocked nose alternating with periods where it won’t stop running. This has happened over the last three weeks and takes a day or two to clear up. It is so bad that I can’t sleep, hence the reason I am up writing this at just after 4am!

I wondered if it was anything to do with the time of my coaching session: 8 to 9pm, so I tried a swim at the same time of night at the other pool with no reaction.

Thus, I wonder if I am allergic to the pool?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 February, 2016, 08:39:04 am
Maybe from algae present in one but not the other, or something in the circulation system.  Or a higher pee concentration - I believe the "chlorine" smell comes not from the chlorine itself but its reaction with pee.

Since you're on a late session, it could be that you're picking up something undesirable left by earlier swimmers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 February, 2016, 10:22:48 am
Still got lurgy, Kim still has lurgy. Very Boring Indeed. Been swallowing knives since Thursday and epic snot.

No point in seeing GP as I'm still fairly convinced it's viral-crud and antibiotics probably won't do anything. I just hope I don't end up with a secondary infection in spite of all the drugs and tricks I'm trying to prevent it with.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 February, 2016, 11:00:17 am
We have a high-proprtion of lurgy-sufferers in the office; seems to be a persistent strain this year.

Arm is improving; as long as I make no attempt to use fingers. Doing so produces major persistent (for hours) ache down fingers and hand.
Either I am an utter wimp (possible) or this is being unusually painful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 February, 2016, 01:18:00 pm
Same here re lurgy sufferers -- boss is being lovely at me doing not full days and doing what I can.  I feel fucking awful tho. SO bored of this. Wish it was bacterial as a good dose of something antibioticky would be MAGIC!  Viruses are POO.  Why can't we nuke them properly too?!

Regarding your hand, you're not usually a wimp so I would assume it is still painful cos you b0rked it good and proper and your body is trying to heal itself which takes TIME! (Patience being a hard trait to have in recovery). Hands are complex as fuck, hospitals are thinking of creating a combined orthopaedics + plastics hand specialism. The difference between a HAND specialist and general orthopod is amazingly different!  My friend who had a plated break (after a week of immobilisation) but simpler sounding than yours was off work 8 weeks cos he was just WIPED as well as being in pain. He kept trying to fill/empty this dishwasher cos he lived in a madhouse and no one else would do it, he had to be stomped on by his clinicians to STOP and actually rest properly!

I have pretty badass pain thresholds (altho not as much as in childhood) and my simpler carpal tunnel + tenosynovectomy surgery in 2009 had a recovery from 23rd Dec well into Feb... I deferred my return to work by a further 10 days on Occ Health doctor advice until I was virtually pain free.  I was recommended 6-8 weeks, I had nearer 10. There were some things I could do straight away, typing being one of them (for short periods) and other things I could not do at all for weeks.

TL:DR - you're not a wuss, healing injuries hurt!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 February, 2016, 02:16:05 pm
you are very kind

I think I#m bricking myself re long term effects too
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 February, 2016, 02:41:40 pm
Chez the cardiologist this morning for a post-stent stress test.  Quads like strands of spaghetti, not much puff after ~6 weeks off but everything was OK.  BP at 150 bpm was a bit high (242/71 with 250 being gasket-blowing limit) but probably also due to inactivity so he imposed no new drugs, just told me to keep below 150 bpm which is the limit I observe anyway.  So I can ride again.

Oh, he did say to stop doing "extreme" events.  Audax isn't extreme, is it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Samuel D on 15 February, 2016, 03:22:33 pm
Oh, he did say to stop doing "extreme" events.  Audax isn't extreme, is it?

The only way to know for sure would be to ask the man on the Clapham omnibus.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 February, 2016, 03:59:26 pm
Fortunately I never go to Clapham.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 February, 2016, 01:20:21 pm
After my throat got much worse last night and I'm getting exhausted by TheSnot TM I got myself a GP appt with my lovely GP practice this morning.

EMIS is a steaming pile of fucking shit and wouldn't work at 4am so I had to get up at 8am and fight with deaf-relay telephony which is very very slow so very bad at repeat dialing to overcome engaged tones and answer phone messages (takes 30-60s to connect a call + waiting for op after call answered). Thankfully my GP is superb, they DO have appointments and their receptionists are very good with relay -- they don't hang up during the wait for an operator...  A less good GP receptionist might not stay on the line or have run out of appointments due to the slowness of dialing.

Sensible GP who I haven't met before, agrees with me that it is borderline viral/bacterial but given my history and how long I've been ill and lovely "signs of bacterial infection" she can give me antibiotics. We had a sensible discussion about whether we zapped sinuses or throat, she was skewing to sinuses, I skewed to throat which is more problematic so we went with throat. 500mg phenoxymethyl-penicillin 4x a day for 10 days which sounds like standard regime.  I also need to try gargling with salt water to see if that shifts any crud, of which there's loads.

Also ibuprofen for nobbling minor sinus snot seems to be standard technique now (I learned it some years ago from a friend with brittle bones collapsed sinuses) and is probably largely responsible for the 2-3 year gap in needing antibiotics for ENT nonsense cos I can nobble it before it sets it a lot of the time... Thankfully I can tolerate it pretty well.

EMIS still won't let me log in, it's changed what details it wanted since last time (I have everything in a text file) and won't let me reset my password or anything. I'll have to talk to receptionists sometime at GP (across the road) and get a reset thinger.  How is EMIS SO BAD! The User Interface is about as good as our new work software!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 February, 2016, 01:42:54 pm
GWS! PenV (phenoxymethylpenicillin) has to be one of the 'best value' medicines in the pharmacopeia, as well as the ibuprofen, but ICnBA to find out how many pennies your medicines have cost the NHS. I doubt it's more than £1.
Staff costs are another matter.

Pen V is very good for throats (and sadly neglected cos Newer 'Better' medicines were invented).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 February, 2016, 04:34:08 pm
I see the British Heart Foundation will run a 'Dechox March' initiative to raise funds and encourage 'good habits' next month.
I am not participating...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 18 February, 2016, 04:43:35 pm
I see the British Heart Foundation will run a 'Dechox March' initiative to raise funds and encourage 'good habits' next month.
I am not participating...

Quote from: BHF
Any sort of cocoa is a no-no

Quote from: BHF
Flavonoids contained in dark chocolate may have a protective effect on heart health

 ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 February, 2016, 04:54:58 pm
???

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 February, 2016, 05:33:51 pm
mixed messages written by underlings

chocolate, with excessive sugar & crappy added fats; not so good

cocoa = excellent
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 February, 2016, 05:59:43 pm
GWS! PenV (phenoxymethylpenicillin) has to be one of the 'best value' medicines in the pharmacopeia, as well as the ibuprofen, but ICnBA to find out how many pennies your medicines have cost the NHS. I doubt it's more than £1.
Staff costs are another matter.

Pen V is very good for throats (and sadly neglected cos Newer 'Better' medicines were invented).

*nods* Took dose 2 a few hours ago. Think I've made right decision as sinuses improve throughout the day and throat is still horrible.

I am very lucky my GP surgery is very accessible which in turn helps me minimise my needing to use it because I don't need to book "just in case" appointments or keep going back to fix medical fail (like I did at first when they had 2 slightly dubious GPs who meddled with my meds or told me I wasn't ill so I'd go home and go back a week later HIDEOUSLY ill needing more followups and evil antibiotics).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 February, 2016, 02:14:53 pm
I see the British Heart Foundation will run a 'Dechox March' initiative to raise funds and encourage 'good habits' next month.
I am not participating...

Seeing as Easter is in March this year and Easter Eggs are a seasonal treat, I think this will not be a popular campaign.

If they ran the same campaign most other years, much or all of March would be in Lent.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 21 February, 2016, 09:41:59 pm
Not if you keep below 150.
Good news.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 22 February, 2016, 11:07:15 am
Does being ill make you clumsier? I'm just about over the majority of this weekend's lurgy, feeling only a bit washed out now*, but I seem to be knocking more things over/dropping things than normal.


*Considering the amount of sleep I've had this weekend, I really would like to feel more refreshed, ho hum.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 February, 2016, 11:26:58 am
Does being ill make you clumsier?
Yes
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 February, 2016, 12:39:23 pm
Does being ill make you clumsier?
Yes

And more 'stupid' in general.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 22 February, 2016, 02:01:38 pm
We currently diagnose Gran's regular urinary tract infections by the deterioration in her dementia. It's a remarkably effective and accurate predictor as the body takes resources to fit the infection which pulls them from keeping her mind working.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 February, 2016, 03:35:30 pm
Anything will increase confusion in old people - infection, pain, full bladder, constipation, insomnia, diabetes, heart, lung, liver or kidney failure, stroke, just anything.

Sorting out the cause can be a challenge...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 February, 2016, 03:49:31 pm
Dear oh lor'. First session on the turbo after six weeks of doing SFA.  10 rousing km on the second resistance notch from the bottom, heart on 130 most of the time, and it felt like the hills before Villaines on the way back from Brest.  Doused in sweat.  This is going to take a loooooooooooooooong time. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 23 February, 2016, 08:50:37 pm
Dear oh lor'. First session on the turbo after six weeks of doing SFA.  10 rousing km on the second resistance notch from the bottom, heart on 130 most of the time, and it felt like the hills before Villaines on the way back from Brest.  Doused in sweat.  This is going to take a loooooooooooooooong time. :(

Keep going like that, watching the HR and you'll be back in no time.

My left thumb is now throbbing, that'l learn me for chopping a bit off it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 24 February, 2016, 08:27:55 am
I got a low-paid job three weeks ago and my German public health insurance information has now come through (you get automatically enrolled in the public health system when you get a job earning more than 450€ per month). This means that my decisions about whether to go to the doctor are no longer influenced by the fact I have to pay the first 500€ of treatment each year.

Anyway, I am going to see the Frauenarzt (doctor for women, although he is a man) this morning. This is part of the usual once-per-year cancer check (smear test and I think also breast examination). They do this yearly in Germany and it is free of charge with my insurance. I guess they will be shocked that it is 3 years since my last smear test but that's how regularly we do it in the UK.

What is good about German doctors is that they all have ultrasound machines so if they find any mystery lumps they (apparently) immediately check them with ultrasound and can supposedly say there and then if it's anything to worry about.

My experience of being privately insured just for two years, with the requirement that I pay for my treatment first and get the money back later, plus pay this 500€ excess, is that it is an unwelcome extra stress when you are concerned about health. I have no idea how people cope in the USA!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 February, 2016, 09:07:07 am
@ElyDave Cheers, but now it's bloody difficult summoning the energy to get back on the §$%&/( thing.  I hate turbos.

My experience of being privately insured just for two years, with the requirement that I pay for my treatment first and get the money back later, plus pay this 500€ excess, is that it is an unwelcome extra stress when you are concerned about health. I have no idea how people cope in the USA!

Yebbut without the US system we wouldn't have had "Breaking Bad".

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 24 February, 2016, 12:25:59 pm
Well everything was very efficient at the Frauenarzt. Except he recommended I had an ultrasound of my gearbox and that wasn't included in the free insurance bit of the consultation. I said yes as I thought it worth it for a first time and so that was 40€ but cheap at the price as he said everything was in the right place and looked fine.

The waiting rooms are posher and the equipment seems newer in German hospitals or doctors' practices.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 February, 2016, 07:22:29 pm
I am glad to hear that you have passed your not ah  :thumbsup: . I am off to heatherwood hospital in the morning to hopefully have my cathier remove .If I am lucky my plumbing will work this time  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 February, 2016, 09:57:02 pm
Good luck tomorrow Chris! Hope they can remove the wretched thing and your plumbing behaves!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 February, 2016, 09:59:36 pm
Good luck, cycleman!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: geraldc on 25 February, 2016, 10:03:04 am
I always thought I could handle caffeine, as I can drink loads of tea/coffee and have no problems dropping off.
I listened to a podcast on caffeine, and they said that caffeine affects the depth of sleep, you sleep lighter, and have less deep sleep, so back in the middle of Jan, I decided to give/drastically reduce caffeine.
It's worked very well, I wake up more refreshed, and having given up caffeine, I don't need caffeine to get me up and running in the morning. I also wear a fitbit, and the stats from that confirm that my number of restless spells in the night has more than halved.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 February, 2016, 02:13:40 pm
Yes, good wishes for that, Cycleman.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 February, 2016, 04:10:58 pm
^^^Same from me.

Although the words "yo heave ho" did go through my mind...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 25 February, 2016, 11:11:23 pm
Is it possible to have too many, Zero calorie and no caffeine, hydration tablets?  I use them all day and night, get a panic when I need to order more!i have diabetes insipidus so I need lots of water with me at all times. just worrying that too many of the "High 5 Zero" in a day might have a negative effet?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 26 February, 2016, 08:01:17 am
can't remember how much sodium is in the High-5 ones, that would be the main concern if you upset sodium balance, you may end up pi$$ing out what you're putting in.

I think the rest of what they have is a bit of magnesium, potassium, can't remember the rest.

What is your current blood glucose?  Long term control of that will be the key, as you're probably aware and will reduce that thirst.  I went from downing consecutive pints of water, tea, coffee, beer, gin to just normal thirst almost overnight.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 26 February, 2016, 09:30:50 am
I seem to have lost four entire days to lurgy, I've barely been awake since Sunday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 26 February, 2016, 07:28:11 pm
Cheers all of you  :thumbsup:. It turned into a bit of a none event  ::-).  The uroligist was supposed to request some pressure test s  , a fact that was only discovered by the nurse by reading his written note's .so now the plan is to keep the cathier and tap in till the test is done (two months plus ) then if they can find a way to get the plumbing working again or teach me how to self cathieris . at least I can ride the trike in this configuration  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 26 February, 2016, 08:34:45 pm
that cannot be pleasant, having a tube up your old fella, at least you can still do stuff with it there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 February, 2016, 10:45:59 pm
Makes me wince, just thinking about it. I've had a cystoscopy and getting tube past the prostate hurt.

On another topic, how long does it take bones to heal? 4 weeks now and I can feel the break exactly, still burns and aches like it did when I snapped the bloody thing!  The ligaments and tendons damaged from the dislocation have improved hugely.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 26 February, 2016, 10:51:42 pm
Makes me wince, just thinking about it. I've had a cystoscopy and getting tube past the prostate hurt.

On another topic, how long does it take bones to heal? 4 weeks now and I can feel the break exactly, still burns and aches like it did when I snapped the bloody thing!  The ligaments and tendons damaged from the dislocation have improved hugely.

DOn't know, never had a fracture any more serious than fingers or toes and they didn't take too long.  My shoulder, dislocated as a 16 year old, is still buggered however.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 February, 2016, 10:56:12 pm
Bones vary in their healing rate. Upper limb is faster than lower limb, compact bone slower than spongy bone, bastard bones like the scaphoid S-L-O-W due to  poor blood supply, hands faster than forearms etc so many variables.
Sixish weeks for a radius if things are progressing but not all fractures unite  :(
And a healing fracture must consolidate after uniting
so the answer is complex...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 February, 2016, 10:58:58 pm
I just did some research and found I'm being impatient. 6 weeks for my age is normal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 26 February, 2016, 11:17:42 pm
can't remember how much sodium is in the High-5 ones, that would be the main concern if you upset sodium balance, you may end up pi$$ing out what you're putting in.

I think the rest of what they have is a bit of magnesium, potassium, can't remember the rest.

What is your current blood glucose?  Long term control of that will be the key, as you're probably aware and will reduce that thirst.  I went from downing consecutive pints of water, tea, coffee, beer, gin to just normal thirst almost overnight.

Quote....
Light & refreshing sports drink with a hint of fruit
Including Vitamin C and electrolytes, including sodium, magnesium and potassium
Zero calories
Suitable for a wide range of sporting activities
No gluten-containing ingredients
With natural flavours. No artificial colours or preservatives

Current blood glucose is a bit higher than it should be so I am taking notes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 28 February, 2016, 01:20:37 am
I've suspected for a while that the rise in diabetes can't really be explained by diet, and other environmental factors play a role.

http://www.sciencealert.com/exposure-to-air-pollution-makes-rats-put-on-weight-and-messes-with-their-metabolisms

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 February, 2016, 02:15:19 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35679377 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35679377)
BBC journalists return to 'normal' life.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 28 February, 2016, 07:44:23 pm
Caught a chill thinks. Hot and cold, shaking, aches and pains, feeling generally 'off' and muzzy head ache.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 February, 2016, 09:43:33 pm
Pondering going back to that nice GP to say "antibiotics clearly killed some bacterial gakk but I am still virally unwell and it's now 4+ weeks and I'm getting really tired of it" even if it's to get a sick note to work to say there's nothing I can do except rest as much as possible... Not sure I'm ill enough to justify being signed off just low-level crappy so I am struggling.

Could also get avamys mega snot spray out of them as I think killing some snot might help everything else...  Worst doc can say is nothing that she can do but document it for my sodding employer if anyone winges.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 29 February, 2016, 11:26:10 pm
If that is Norovirus they can send it back to the depths of hell where it came from. Horrible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 01 March, 2016, 08:39:38 am
I hope you are feeling better soon barakta  :)
Another water infection with add cold for me  :'( . roll on summer  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 01 March, 2016, 10:59:42 pm
I've suspected for a while that the rise in diabetes can't really be explained by diet, and other environmental factors play a role.

http://www.sciencealert.com/exposure-to-air-pollution-makes-rats-put-on-weight-and-messes-with-their-metabolisms
Interesting one! I put on around 90lbs in a couple of  years after I moved to my current Pit, (next to the A6 on a bottleneck of traffic with the bridge being the only main route out of the area only 100 yards away).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 02 March, 2016, 03:12:00 pm
Canardly hope the grim has stopped.
Cycleman hope the docs are dealing with the causes of these infections (rather than leaving you months)

I'm feeling a bit better but still not 100%. I'd like a new right arm, this one's been spazzed up for nearly a week, very boring!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 02 March, 2016, 06:42:30 pm
The doctor just says that the infection s are caused by the presents of the cathier .
Can't Kim fettle you a new right arm barakta  :demon:  seriously I hope it settles down OK for you as soon as possible ☺
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 March, 2016, 11:39:35 pm
Quelle surprise about the infections being caused by catheter. Any chance of them inserting rockets up the hospital to make them do appropriate tests and moves to get you catheter free?

Sadly robot arms aren't that great. I've resorted to drugs which work but make me ill to see if that helps. That or I'll go for the give it a good thumping which does sometimes rebooterise it all.  8 days and counting but as all my other joints are still crunchy and bolloxed I'm going to blame hormones and scowl.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 04 March, 2016, 07:42:52 am
see the last episode of the brain on iplayer, hopefully available with subtitles, for experimental arm directly wired to the brain and under mind control :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 04 March, 2016, 10:27:52 am
Two months before I get the pressure test's then we will see if anything can be done  . I hope you're arm settles down . I had visions of a cyborg barakta righting universal uni wrongs  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 March, 2016, 12:15:52 pm
Barakta already is a cyborg.  She just doesn't like to get all Kevin Warwick about it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 04 March, 2016, 04:14:28 pm
 ;D .
 I am worried that there something wrong with my leg's. I was not cycling for 6 weeks but was able to build my fittness back with no real discomfort but since I have had 3 week's of in January I am getting muscle pain in the top of my thighs .I have ridden a few25/35 mile ride's with Jonathan notp and while not pain free it hurt's when. I try and put the power in.
Yesterday I rode 42 mile's at a reasonable pace for me and today I am finding painful to ride to the local shop  :( . long itchington is not that far away but if I am struggling unloaded now I am scared that I will fail to do the 77 miles .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 March, 2016, 04:27:10 pm
I'm wondering if your bladder and antibiotic issues are causing mineral and other problems, which will settle when (hopefully) you can exist without that flippin' catheter!
Suspect if intermittent self-catheterisin is needed, things would be OK.

I don't know if your tube is changing your saddle posture and the way you use your thigh muscles...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 04 March, 2016, 05:05:35 pm
I am ridding a trice trike hellymedic so no saddle to worry about. The position is the same with or without the tube.. Is this something that I could improve with vitamin supplements?. I would obviously speak to my doctor first :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 March, 2016, 05:11:00 pm
Vitamin supplements are unlikely to do any harm. Whether they do any good is moot.
Catheters, anaesthetics and bladder issues did funny things to my Dad so I'm pondering...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 04 March, 2016, 05:42:39 pm
I had just finished my last post and the doctor called  ::-) .He says the bladder infection I have may not respond to the antibiotics He proscribed for me so he is giving me some which could interfere with my citalopram with a very remote chance of heart problems and also can cause direar   :o . I wonder if I can manage without the citalopram for 7days
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 March, 2016, 05:45:18 pm
I really know naff-all about citalopram and feel you should discuss things with you GP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2016, 05:48:08 pm
Hmm, I took citalopram for a while. Stopping taking it abruptly was NOT advised
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 04 March, 2016, 05:52:11 pm
OK I will follow doctor s order's. Thank you for your thoughts hellymedic and mrcharly  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 March, 2016, 08:19:33 pm
Saw the consultant hand surgeon today about the lump on my thumb. She doesn't know what it is, has referred me for an ultrasound with the words "bizarre lump" on the referral, and thanked me for coming in with something moderately interesting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 March, 2016, 08:27:01 pm
Saw the consultant hand surgeon today about the lump on my thumb. She doesn't know what it is, has referred me for an ultrasound with the words "bizarre lump" on the referral, and thanked me for coming in with something moderately interesting.

Hopefully not like that 'moderately interesting' episode of Enterprise where Trip accidentally shags an alien, gets pregnant and grows nipples on his wrists...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 March, 2016, 08:40:20 pm
Quote
has referred me for an ultrasound with the words "bizarre lump" on the referral
Do we get a photo so we can all do our own online diagnosis for you?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 04 March, 2016, 09:48:04 pm
Hmm, I took citalopram for a while. Stopping taking it abruptly was NOT advised
+1 (actually +lots&lots) - even reducing it gives me the eebies
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 04 March, 2016, 09:51:02 pm
I'm slowly coming to the unfortunate conclusion that a longer than usual bike ride at the beginning of the week will lead to a resurgence of depression symptoms by the middle of the week which subside by the end of the week.
Happened twice now - not good, and not helping my plans to get Audax-fit this year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2016, 09:38:27 am
^^^ Tell me about it. It takes me 3 months to get over the "back-to-the-cowshed" feeling that follows a 1000k.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 06 March, 2016, 09:47:00 am
...It takes me 3 months....

Any tips about minimising it would be valuable (of course), but it's likely to be a mystery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 March, 2016, 12:23:32 pm
Quote
I'm slowly coming to the unfortunate conclusion that a longer than usual bike ride at the beginning of the week will lead to a resurgence of depression symptoms by the middle of the week which subside by the end of the week.

This sounds like the endorphins are kicking up but then you are getting a rebound.

Any chance of doing an hour on the turbo on Wednesday to just boost the endorphins again?  Alternatively are there any dietary changes you could make or a vitamin supplement that might help.  If you are on statins then a lot of people (with no scientific evidence) swear by Co-Q.

It is difficult though to maintain the bliss of a long ride for the rest of the week.
 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2016, 02:02:38 pm
...It takes me 3 months....

Any tips about minimising it would be valuable (of course), but it's likely to be a mystery.

If I knew... really, I think the only solution is to do something else challenging.  In 2007 I followed up PBP with a couple of Alpine cols and Mt. Ventoux and felt great.

It's when I go back home and seem to remember every crack in the tarmac, every bit of gravel and every beer-can in the ditch that the naus sets in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 06 March, 2016, 03:56:53 pm
Quote
I'm slowly coming to the unfortunate conclusion that a longer than usual bike ride at the beginning of the week will lead to a resurgence of depression symptoms by the middle of the week which subside by the end of the week.

This sounds like the endorphins are kicking up but then you are getting a rebound.

Any chance of doing an hour on the turbo on Wednesday to just boost the endorphins again?  Alternatively are there any dietary changes you could make or a vitamin supplement that might help.  If you are on statins then a lot of people (with no scientific evidence) swear by Co-Q.

It is difficult though to maintain the bliss of a long ride for the rest of the week.
Not been caught in the statin-trap yet.

The turbo on Wednesday is a very good plan and quite do-able.
I've booked to do a DIY-by-GPS tomorrow (just a 50km to try out the tech at my end) which shouldn't be over-taxing, although it will be cold. I will go to the gym on Wednesday with Mrs M. I normally do housework on Wednesdays while she's there, so there's a double-win situation.

Dietary changes? Mrs M is feeding me Slimming World fruit-fibre-and-fart meals, so I'm getting lots of vitamins (from the veg) and a fair amount of protein (I suspect), it could be that I'm missing out on the simple carbohydrates that work as fuel.

All good stuff - thanks! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 09 March, 2016, 09:43:42 pm
;D .
 I am worried that there something wrong with my leg's. I was not cycling for 6 weeks but was able to build my fittness back with no real discomfort but since I have had 3 week's of in January I am getting muscle pain in the top of my thighs .I have ridden a few25/35 mile ride's with Jonathan notp and while not pain free it hurt's when. I try and put the power in.
Yesterday I rode 42 mile's at a reasonable pace for me and today I am finding painful to ride to the local shop  :( . long itchington is not that far away but if I am struggling unloaded now I am scared that I will fail to do the 77 miles .

Update , I am now over half way through the new course of antibiotics and my leg's are feeling much better. So it seems that the urnine infection was somehow effecting my leg muscles .   now I need to get some miles in ☺
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 March, 2016, 01:47:33 pm
Freedom! Sort of, I have a brace to wear, but I can take it off, shower etc. Hand is very very weak and will be so for a while.

Yes very nice nurse practitioner took pains to explain I've made remarkable progress, that normally my injury has to have a plate fitted.

Bad news is that brace isn't compatible with typing - but at least ergo keyboard gives correct support.

My forearm has withered remarkably. Looks emaciated next to my right arm.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 March, 2016, 01:52:21 pm
^^^Crikey yes, I can remember trying to lift my forearm when sling and braces came off after my broken collar-bone.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 March, 2016, 02:16:50 pm
What is the price of half a dozen oysters? I seem to have coughed up a few today and I'm looking for a buyer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 March, 2016, 02:30:07 pm
As long as there's an R in the month.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 March, 2016, 07:26:17 pm
The cathier is still causing me woe  ::-) . it is sore . at first I could manage any soreness with canesten cream and a lubricant used alternaly but now whatever I use does not seem to make a lot of difference . oh well another call to the doctor in the morning  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 March, 2016, 08:00:55 pm
ouchy, cycleman.  Hope you get help in the morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 March, 2016, 11:01:39 am
I think I've been misdiagnosed.

The consultant I saw fixated on 'vestibular migraines' because I'd complained of dizziness. He ignored the other symptoms. The list here: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/hemiplegic-migraine-headaches-symptoms-causes-treatments (http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/hemiplegic-migraine-headaches-symptoms-causes-treatments)

Propranolol isn't listed as a treatment for hemiplegic migraines. The NHS lists several things here, including butterbur extract/petadolex http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/migraine%20action/assets/hemiplegicmigraine.pdf (http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/migraine%20action/assets/hemiplegicmigraine.pdf)
I wonder about getting butterbur extract from somewhere and just trying it. Don't seem to have much to lose. All studies into its use are positive, yet it isn't prescribed here!

This week I've had 5 major episodes in less than 48hours. I can't go on like this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 March, 2016, 10:02:50 pm
Ever since the cold I had in mid-December, I've had a permanently snotty nose. Steam inhalations haven't helped. So I bought a neti pot and it seems to be doing the trick.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 14 March, 2016, 10:38:38 am
Feeling a bit beaten up after winching myself over some hills on fixed on yesterday's run down to the Quantocks.

Circuit training tonight is a non-starter.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 March, 2016, 09:08:37 am
The pain at the back of my right thigh appears to be a torn muscle, incurred while trying to line up bolt-holes in the arm & back of a POCS* armchair the other day.  Found a lump this morning.  It gives me a dull jab with every step and probably wouldn't appreciate pedalling too much.

Comfy chair, though.

*Piece Of Chinese Sh*t.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 March, 2016, 05:49:26 pm
Ever since the cold I had in mid-December, I've had a permanently snotty nose. Steam inhalations haven't helped. So I bought a neti pot and it seems to be doing the trick.

I'm glad it's working for you but the thought of doing that gives me the squicks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 March, 2016, 09:21:47 pm
I'm finding it surprisingly unsquicky. As long as you keep breathing through your mouth while you do it, there's no drowning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 March, 2016, 09:29:04 pm
I think having drugs dropped up my nostrils (I was upside down) when I was a child probably doesn't help my squicks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 21 March, 2016, 05:37:33 pm
So, I have a bad back. Sufficiently bad that I go the quack's this morning. (I think I did the initial damage a fortnight ago, but I was working away last week.)

I have serious1 painkillers.
I have serious anti-inflammatories.

But...

No running, no alcohol and....

no cycling.  :-\ :( >:( :-[

1: for certain values of serious. I'm sure he could have given me stuff which would let me see unicorns and float a few inches off the floor if he'd really wanted to.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 March, 2016, 02:35:18 pm
GN Physio says I'm making really excellent progress with my arm/wrist, doing everything right
BN He says a year from the time of the accident to fully recover and I'm unlikely to get back full range of movement

BN Fri night I had a seizure in my sleep. Allegedly (I don't remember). Second time in last 6 months, worse than previous one.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 29 March, 2016, 02:49:11 pm
Glad arm is going well even if that won't mean full recovery.  Bugger re second seizure in your sleep, that does not sound good at all.  Hoping the neurobods have some ideas!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 31 March, 2016, 10:25:19 am
Saw the consultant hand surgeon today about the lump on my thumb. She doesn't know what it is, has referred me for an ultrasound with the words "bizarre lump" on the referral, and thanked me for coming in with something moderately interesting.
Ultrasound today. Radiologist no more certain than the hand surgeon but thinks possibly a displaced sesamoid. So I have to go back to hand clinic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 31 March, 2016, 09:19:49 pm
Displaced sesamoids! I had those in my feet. Well, I still have one of them. One was removed when I was 12. The other then stopped hurting.

My current ailment is a very, very sore arse. My sacroiliac joint, to be precise, at the bottom of my spine. It's been throbbing away since 3pm and I can't sit down. I wonder if it's related to my recent nasty flu-lurgy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: benborp on 01 April, 2016, 03:18:47 pm
Sore arse? Oh! Snap! Although I know exactly what the cause is in my case. Two neat, thumb sized friction burns either side of the coccyx. First I knew of them was as I lowered myself into a nice hot bath after a tough volleyball session.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 02 April, 2016, 05:59:56 pm
Friction burns on your arse from volleyball :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 April, 2016, 06:07:16 pm
My left lower leg's buzzing.  Feels sort of like my foot's resting on something that's vibrating with a 1-second-on-1-second-off cadence, but it's coming from inside the leg (I can't localise it more than "somewhere between my calf and my toes") Muscle tension and position have no effect.  Moving around masks the sensation.  Doesn't feel like a random muscle twitch, the frequency's much higher, and no, it's not in time with my heartbeat.

It's done this a few times now, for a couple of hours after I've ridden a bike.  Odd.

 ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 02 April, 2016, 08:24:07 pm
Sciatica?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 April, 2016, 08:37:42 pm
Yeah, I was thinking it was probably neurological.  It's stopped now, of course.  Weirdly, it's happening on both recumbent and uprwrong.  I'll probably continue ignoring it until it stops and I forget, or the symptoms become more serious.  In the event that I end up getting diagnosed with some horrendous leg disease, I'll be able to search for these posts...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Hot Flatus on 02 April, 2016, 09:10:42 pm
I've pulled a muscle in my neck  trying to turn my head round too far to investigate a spot on my back.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 April, 2016, 08:55:40 am
BN Fri night I had a seizure in my sleep. Allegedly (I don't remember). Second time in last 6 months, worse than previous one.

Bugger. But how do they know - blood test?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 April, 2016, 08:22:08 pm
BN Fri night I had a seizure in my sleep. Allegedly (I don't remember). Second time in last 6 months, worse than previous one.

Bugger. But how do they know - blood test?
I had a witness, both times. Justv started on topiramate.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 03 April, 2016, 10:05:01 pm
BN Fri night I had a seizure in my sleep. Allegedly (I don't remember). Second time in last 6 months, worse than previous one.

Bugger. But how do they know - blood test?
I had a witness, both times. Justv started on topiramate.

Hope it works for you, and you can find a drug to target the specific seizures.  in our case with a very generalised seizure activity, it's been hard to find a drug that works.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 03 April, 2016, 10:10:57 pm
My new recumbent will be along in due course, but in the meantime and on the turbo, I've been having a lot of pain in my thumbs, and a tennis or golfers elbow type pain in my forearms up towards the elbow,mostly right

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 03 April, 2016, 10:24:17 pm
My new recumbent will be along in due course, but in the meantime and on the turbo, I've been having a lot of pain in my thumbs, and a tennis or golfers elbow type pain in my forearms up towards the elbow,mostly right

Any suggestions?
Ulnar nerve?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 April, 2016, 08:23:11 am
My new recumbent will be along in due course, but in the meantime and on the turbo, I've been having a lot of pain in my thumbs, and a tennis or golfers elbow type pain in my forearms up towards the elbow,mostly right

Any suggestions?
Been wielding a screwdriver a lot lately?

The general recommendation is rest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 April, 2016, 08:56:08 am
@ElyDave: Gout.

My own reason for coming in here: it looks like our club prez has come up in the heart attack sweepstake. Intense pain behind the sternum and loss of energy.  Still ambulant and articulate but on the fast track to the cardio dept. OK, I'm a client there already, but I had to be diabetic for 30 years to manage it; he did it all on his own. Well, his wife helped.

Meantime I'm off to the gastropod tomorrow to have a tube shoved down my throat. 3rd time in 9 years: first two I elected to stay awake, this time they're going to put me out. Haven't had a general since I was 6. That time I awoke spitting blood; this time probably not.

What a wunnerful year this is.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 April, 2016, 01:08:15 pm
Slugs and snails... ;) ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 April, 2016, 01:11:49 pm
With a pinch of salt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 04 April, 2016, 04:37:13 pm
@ElyDave: Gout.

My own reason for coming in here: it looks like our club prez has come up in the heart attack sweepstake. Intense pain behind the sternum and loss of energy.  Still ambulant and articulate but on the fast track to the cardio dept. OK, I'm a client there already, but I had to be diabetic for 30 years to manage it; he did it all on his own. Well, his wife helped.

Meantime I'm off to the gastropod tomorrow to have a tube shoved down my throat. 3rd time in 9 years: first two I elected to stay awake, this time they're going to put me out. Haven't had a general since I was 6. That time I awoke spitting blood; this time probably not.

What a wunnerful year this is.

Gout, unlikely in just the thumbs? I've had my big toe joints investigated but that was bone spurs.

I'm thinking more likely the nerves, or tendonitis.  I don't like rest.

Good luck with the endoscopy, having had that once, I'll pass this time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 April, 2016, 03:17:43 am
Ely Dave
How old are you?

Pain in the base of the thumb over the age of 50is almost universal. Over 50% of women over the age of 50 will have x-ray evidence of arthritis and men seem to be catching up.

Any activity which puts the thumb into a flat position wrt the hand will stress the CMC joint and cause some pain.

Again it is all down to weight distribution and position on the bike.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 05 April, 2016, 06:58:10 am
Chris, I'm 42
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 April, 2016, 09:57:01 am
Gout can get you in virtually any joint; it just needs a backwater where uric acid crystals can accumulate.  Although if you're not metabolically challenged at all tendinitis is more likely.  A few years back I got vile tendinitis in one wrist after fitting new STI levers a little too high.  It still catches me if I use a cooking knife at the appropriate angle.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 April, 2016, 10:18:28 am
At 42 you are young for arthritic pain but give it another few years.
I would suspect either tennis elbow or de Quervains. Although if it is mainly on the bike then pressure on the thumb joint may be responsible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 06 April, 2016, 02:39:09 pm
I suspect a combination of things.  Thumb grip is intermittently painful depending on what I'm squeezing and how hard.

I imagine it's probably a combination of more handwriting, more cycling, adding weights into the workouts, use of secateurs etc in the garden probably all just manifesting itself more when I'm on the bike.  It seems worse on the turbo, possibly because I'm not shifting hand/body position so often.

Anyway N+1 recumbent is on order, so there's that to look forward to.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 11 April, 2016, 02:31:34 am
It's 2-30am and I can't sleep. TEH BADD HEDD is making me too nauseous to lie still without crying over the 19 year, 361 day long Migraine. Sitting up however makes me feel sea sick with the Meniere's making "Up" a moving direction. I'm starting to get the "Opt out" thoughts again and it feels more thought through this time. Sorry to whinge, miserably, at anybody stuck reading this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 11 April, 2016, 04:15:32 pm
It's 2-30am and I can't sleep. TEH BADD HEDD is making me too nauseous to lie still without crying over the 19 year, 361 day long Migraine. Sitting up however makes me feel sea sick with the Meniere's making "Up" a moving direction. I'm starting to get the "Opt out" thoughts again and it feels more thought through this time. Sorry to whinge, miserably, at anybody stuck reading this.

I hope you feel better today 'Dog x
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 11 April, 2016, 07:59:32 pm
I hear your desperation and hope that things improve.  Your problems sound horrendous.  I have no other words.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 12 April, 2016, 01:35:52 pm
Hang in there PD.

The hood contact point callus on my right hand has split, its quite sore now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 12 April, 2016, 07:03:54 pm
Sorry for the moan, but thanks for listening anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 17 April, 2016, 10:22:21 am
Started feeling really, really ill while on holiday last week in Minorca. It felt like the mother & father of all chest infections. After a phone call to the Nationwide Travel Insurance people (absolutely ace service) I went to the nearest hospital Urgencias where I was xrrayed, blood tested, and examined and diagnosed with a viral chest infection and given mega-strength Ibuprofen and fizzy Acetycysteine to take.
I held my good humour together throughout the holiday for Mrs M, but I nearly killed various passengers on the RyanAir flight home!
I'm now starting to feel slightly more human.

Sent from my Vi8 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DrMekon on 17 April, 2016, 10:38:01 am
Been on steroids and antibiotics for a week whilst on holiday. Held out well enough to run 92km last week. Got back home and came off the drugs. Planned to ride 100km at 160w on Zwift. Could barely hold 150w. At 80km my PC did an annoying update which killed ANT+. I've never been so relieved. This morning, my PF is down 50l/min, and doing it was like doing circular breathing - lots of green custard.

Back on the antibiotics. Stupid bronchiectasis lungs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 April, 2016, 11:17:21 am
Oxygen is really important.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 April, 2016, 08:39:37 am
Suffering from thumb-picker's cuticle. Ouch. Grin. Ouch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 April, 2016, 12:08:30 pm
Eye no.2 was grafted on Friday.  Doing a bit better than eye no.1 was at the same point in time.  Happily, early indications are that the optical prescription will be almost exactly the same at about +1.75 (IME it doesn't change a whole lot after the first ten days) which means I can buy cheap glasses for reading, even if I need "proper" glasses for everything else.  Currently looking a bit like The Terminator, thobuts.
Title: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 20 April, 2016, 07:50:08 pm
I've gone nearly a week without alcohol - six days, to be precise. This is easily my longest dry spell for over two years. I had started the year with the intention of cutting booze consumption down drastically but I have singularly failed in that.

I don't think I am what you'd call 'dependent' but my drinking has certainly been in the realms of 'misuse' over the last couple of years. This has largely been driven by stress - both at home and at work. Or maybe that's an excuse. I don't know, but I do know that my health has suffered - I've put back on most of the weight I lost and I'm not sleeping well (one of the vicious ironies of drinking to help you relax).

My base fitness is still there but my stamina is massively depleted, cycling uphill is painful and running has gone back to being not fun, like it was before I lost weight.

I've got to the point where something has to give. And I don't want it to be my heart.

I'm also hoping that cutting out the booze will help me finally shake off this lingering chest infection that I've had for a couple of months, put an end to the recurring gastric reflux pain (the cause is a hiatus hernia, but the symptoms are brought on by excessive eating & drinking), and general feelings of weariness.

One day at a time...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 20 April, 2016, 10:11:39 pm
If you're into reminders and validation the Dry January app allows you to record your non-drinking and calculates money saved as well as offering not - drinking tips and factoids.
(I know, but I'm still 'in' in April and I think the daily tally / check / reminder helps)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LEE on 20 April, 2016, 10:22:55 pm
I've gone nearly a week without alcohol - six days, to be precise. This is easily my longest dry spell for over two years. I had started the year with the intention of cutting booze consumption down drastically but I have singularly failed in that.

I don't think I am what you'd call 'dependent' but my drinking has certainly been in the realms of 'misuse' over the last couple of years. This has largely been driven by stress - both at home and at work. Or maybe that's an excuse. I don't know, but I do know that my health has suffered - I've put back on most of the weight I lost and I'm not sleeping well (one of the vicious ironies of drinking to help you relax).

My base fitness is still there but my stamina is massively depleted, cycling uphill is painful and running has gone back to being not fun, like it was before I lost weight.

I've got to the point where something has to give. And I don't want it to be my heart.

I'm also hoping that cutting out the booze will help me finally shake off this lingering chest infection that I've had for a couple of months, put an end to the recurring gastric reflux pain (the cause is a hiatus hernia, but the symptoms are brought on by excessive eating & drinking), and general feelings of weariness.

One day at a time...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good luck.

Booze can be very insidious.  Even when it's not alcoholism it can be incredibly "habit forming" ("just a few glasses to relax", "just a couple of glasses because it's bloody Wednesday" ...etc, and, before you know it, it's a 7 day habit with an excuse for every occasion).

I find excuses very easily if it's in the house so I don't have it in the house Mon-Thu.  I don't crave it, or miss it, but I'll drink it if it's there. 
I try to keep it to a Fri-Sun thing and even then I've cut back a bit.  I think as I get older I'd prefer to have more weekend and less hangover.

Like I say, good luck.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 21 April, 2016, 01:40:19 pm
If you're into reminders and validation the Dry January app allows you to record your non-drinking and calculates money saved as well as offering not - drinking tips and factoids.
(I know, but I'm still 'in' in April and I think the daily tally / check / reminder helps)

Thanks for the tip. That could be useful.

Good luck.

Cheers! ;)

Quote
I find excuses very easily if it's in the house so I don't have it in the house Mon-Thu.  I don't crave it, or miss it, but I'll drink it if it's there. 
I try to keep it to a Fri-Sun thing and even then I've cut back a bit.  I think as I get older I'd prefer to have more weekend and less hangover.

Yeah, easy access to booze makes it almost impossible to resist for me. And cheap supermarket beer offers don't help. My real problem is that I can't have 'just one' as long as there is more than one available. Avoiding having it in the house is the only way to avoid the temptation to drink it. Luckily my wife is not a drinker so that makes it a bit easier.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 April, 2016, 05:06:01 pm
Sore throat. Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 April, 2016, 09:04:30 pm
Can drive (in daylight, at least) without glasses.  Didn't expect that.  Am learning to use eyes together again as they've effectively been "decoupled" for six months, with only one of them being in focus.  It takes a bit of effort but they are beginning to work in tandem.  The focusing muscles in the right eye are now so strong that it snaps into focus, even quite close up, if the left eye is closed.  Left eye is comparatively weak as yet but it will get there.

Something I didn't realise is that most people who aren't short-sighted are actually slightly long-sighted (by which I mean hyperopic*, not presbyopic). It's very rare for an object at infinity to be perfectly in focus on the retina with the eye muscles completely relaxed; you just aren't built to that sort of precision.  The eye nearly always has to adjust a little by focusing itself, but you never notice.

*where, with the eye relaxed, it focuses beyond infinity like some modern AF camera lenses
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 24 April, 2016, 11:20:07 am
Good luck, poorly folk.

I'm ill again. Asthma triggered by dust from our building work and disruption from a forced change to my medication (now sorted but v frustrating). Plus motion sickness while out in the van trying to escape the dust, luckily I had a camping mug handy to puke into.  :sick: Followed by an ocular migraine which lasted much of the night. Lovely.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 April, 2016, 02:09:34 pm
Hope you feel better soon Peli, that combo of things sounds unpleasant too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 25 April, 2016, 11:30:20 am
Thanks barakta. It sucks. Woolly's doing a grand job of looking after me and keeping the house and dog going.  Best wishes to all those under the weather.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 April, 2016, 05:26:26 pm
One of my people at work has just sent me an X-ray of his broken kneecap.  Ouch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 28 April, 2016, 05:00:04 pm
If you're into reminders and validation the Dry January app allows you to record your non-drinking

I bought a few beers yesterday - felt like I needed something to take the edge off work-related stress, but didn't actually drink any, largely because I was mindful of being able to tick off another day on the app. So it's proving useful motivation. 13 days without booze. That's most unusual. Thanks again for the recommendation.  :thumbsup:

Might have one this evening, but I've got to pick my son up from the theatre so it will have to wait until after 9.30pm anyway. I have in the past allowed myself 'just the one' when I know I've got to drive later, but I'm now making it a principle of having absolutely no alcohol at all before driving.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 April, 2016, 05:02:42 pm
I'm now making it a principle of having absolutely no alcohol at all before driving.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 29 April, 2016, 01:31:34 pm
I'm now making it a principle of having absolutely no alcohol at all before driving.

 :thumbsup:

I'm not going to lie, I have stretched the definition of 'just the one' on occasion, and accepting the truth of that is part of coming to terms with my relationship with alcohol.  :-[
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 May, 2016, 08:16:22 am
My série noire continues: gastritis, heart, bursitis and now last Saturday's bad landing when I nipped over our garden fence has revived an old ankle problem that has me limping. I tried the bike round the village yesterday and every third pedal stroke sent daggers up my leg.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 May, 2016, 11:46:22 am
I've been discharged from the physio department. Very pleased with everything I've done with my arm and wrist. I'm not. I still can't do a lot of things, it's misshapen and weak.
I grumble that I can't make a fist but I can wriggle my fingers and demonstrate.
The physio says "The fact that you can move your fingers like that is just amazing. When I saw your xrays I didn't think you would ever regain full control of them."

bah humbug, I guess I shouldn't complain. But I'm bloody whinging anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 May, 2016, 09:21:15 am
^^^With time you'll probably get most of it back.  The Inlaw Paw broke his wrist a few years back and while he still has full control, he can no longer feel the fingertips and his hand always feels ice cold.

My own whinge is that while my cycling form is gradually returning, I still get mild angina in the climbs, depending on duration and intensity - sustained climb @ 135 bpm >> ache, shorter climb @ 150 bpm >> ache.  It's perfectly ignorable but I'm not sure what'll happen if I ignore it for too long, nor yet what "too long" might be.  Also not sure if continued training won't eliminate it.  I'll find out.

The funny thing yesterday was that while most of the climbs brought on the ache, towards the end of my ride I had a ~15 km stretch against a freshening wind, with a 4% climb over 2 km shortly before the end. My heart was running at 140-150 on the flat with a peak of 160 on the climb, and nothing hurt.  Kinda weird.

Rather wrung out today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 May, 2016, 10:07:46 am
Mr C, that does sound a bit crappy. It might be worth a visit privately to a specialist hand physio, as they might be able to advise on everything possible you can do even if it's still below expectations.

Hands are precious and I don't think people realise how crippling even a mild impairment to dexterity can be in day to day life.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 May, 2016, 01:31:48 pm
I realised the end of my ulna was waving around in 'mid air'. Pushed it back to where it should be. Regained about 10degrees of hand movement immediately. Just need to work on strength so things stay where they should be.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: benborp on 07 May, 2016, 04:30:41 pm
mrcharly, find a specialist physio. In my experience the threshold at which an oversubscribed outpatient physio department will declare rehabilitation as complete for an upper limb can be way below what is possible. There's a fair chance you'll be able to increase the speed and extent of your rehabilitation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 07 May, 2016, 09:57:33 pm
Back in 1981 I had an "Interesting Meeting" with a stone wall, solid soil behind it, from 15 feet in the air at around 65mph.
I was taken to St James in Leeds and my father fought really well, I was unconscious, to stop them from amputating my left hand s the wrist was so mangled they said I would never get any feeling or movement in it. I get a fair bit of pain occasionally but, hey I'm typing this! They put some wrought iron work where the ickle bones used to be and I only have slightly restricted movement.
I was out of the hospital in 5 days and on the 8th day I was, arm in a cast, riding a motorbike again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 May, 2016, 12:52:27 pm
Bodies are amazing. It's really unbelievable what they can recover from.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Oaky on 09 May, 2016, 09:18:32 pm
Why do healing scabs itch so bastard much!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 May, 2016, 10:01:30 pm
I don't know but would guess that:

1) New skin is very sensitive.
2) New skin is flexible and mobile.
3) Scabs are rigid and rigid vs flexible will cause some shearing, which is irritating.
4) Scabs may not allow heat and sweat to escape as well as normal skin, causing a 'heat rash' type itchiness.
5) inflammation is part of the healing process and some substances produced by inflammation are known to cause itching.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 09 May, 2016, 11:23:14 pm
I don't know but would guess that:

1) New skin is very sensitive.
2) New skin is flexible and mobile.
3) Scabs are rigid and rigid vs flexible will cause some shearing, which is irritating.
4) Scabs may not allow heat and sweat to escape as well as normal skin, causing a 'heat rash' type itchiness.
5) inflammation is part of the healing process and some substances produced by inflammation are known to cause itching.
6) LURGY!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 May, 2016, 11:53:57 pm
7) Scabs often result from repeated scratching of already itchy skin.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 May, 2016, 07:20:33 am
8) You caught something nasty from an STI lever.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Oaky on 10 May, 2016, 11:15:27 am
7) Scabs often result from repeated scratching of already itchy skin.

Actually,  thinking about it - the scabs in question were indeed the result of previous scratching.  Bullseye by Kim, I think!

I was too busy wondering if this was the body's way of telling me it no longer needed the scab to think about that aspect... (previous experience suggests that usually you find that the body was still quite attached (physically!) to the scab, but only when it's too late and you've picked most of it off).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 May, 2016, 03:18:32 pm
7) Scabs often result from repeated scratching of already itchy skin.

Actually,  thinking about it - the scabs in question were indeed the result of previous scratching.  Bullseye by Kim, I think!

The credit really goes to my ankles, and the Long Itchington midges.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 May, 2016, 03:47:22 pm
Geographical nominative determinism!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: orejas on 11 May, 2016, 11:29:03 pm
Anyone with experience of sportmans hernia operation? Any ideas about how long the recovery will be before I can get back on the bike?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DrMekon on 12 May, 2016, 11:03:41 am
No, my hernia was in my belly button. However, read the threads on here. It seems highly variable how quickly people recover. It was much worse for me than I expected, but others felt able to ride home. I should have had the whole 6 weeks off, but others feel better almost immediately.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. If you have keyhole, buy some simethicone, some co-codamol, some lactulose and some ibuprofen. Between that lot, you'll clear the gas, numb the pain, and avoid the unmentionable side effects of surgery+pain relief.

Good luck
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 May, 2016, 03:37:33 pm
I realised the end of my ulna was waving around in 'mid air'. Pushed it back to where it should be. Regained about 10degrees of hand movement immediately. Just need to work on strength so things stay where they should be.
Bugger it's gone out again. Holding veg while chopping. very distinctive, the bone bulges out. Had to do some more veg prep again and it bruised in a couple of minutes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 May, 2016, 03:59:21 pm
I realised the end of my ulna was waving around in 'mid air'. Pushed it back to where it should be. Regained about 10degrees of hand movement immediately. Just need to work on strength so things stay where they should be.
Bugger it's gone out again. Holding veg while chopping. very distinctive, the bone bulges out. Had to do some more veg prep again and it bruised in a couple of minutes.

Do you think you should see if someone can fix it, to stop it popping out, or do you think this is too much trouble or too risky?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 May, 2016, 04:52:50 pm
I'm going to see if I can get seen by the hospital again. It's basically dislocating and I can't see how the joint willbdevelop stability if it is constantly moving.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 May, 2016, 06:39:26 pm
Seems a wise move.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 14 May, 2016, 09:01:57 pm
I'm going to see if I can get seen by the hospital again. It's basically dislocating and I can't see how the joint willbdevelop stability if it is constantly moving.

As a connoisseur of dislocating joints I hope orthopaedics take that seriously and sort it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 May, 2016, 01:33:03 pm
Got fitted with an ECG Holter today, with instructions to go for a ride, so I did.  At around 200 metres from home pain started under left armpit, propagated across to breastbone and then, when after 3 km I started into the 6% hill out of our valley, downwards and a bit into the left arm.  About halfway up it was too intense for fun so I turned tail.  By the time I got home I felt fine.

The dumb thing is that all the time I felt as strong as ever and still do.

It'll be interesting (as in times) to hear what the cardio unit think, once they get round to it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 May, 2016, 01:36:44 pm
Sounds terrifying to me.

The strength bit puzzles me. When my dad got heart problems (resulting in quad bypass), the first main symptom was weakness.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 May, 2016, 02:07:55 pm
Yeah, when I had my run-in back in December I felt generally horrible all over.  I suppose I'll be on the whole stress-test/coronarography track now - a bit of a bore but necessary.  OTOH if everything's negative I'm still left with an acute chest pain every time I go out.

Could be pericarditis but I've no idea why.

Do you feel aneurysms before they pop?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 May, 2016, 06:00:30 pm
That should not happen.  i would get a second opinion from a competent wrist surgeon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 May, 2016, 09:03:37 pm
That should not happen.  i would get a second opinion from a competent wrist surgeon.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7674/27010212611_b397d98d90_k.jpg)

That's now the 'normal' appearance, when it isn't out. If I'm not careful, the end of the ulna, circled, comes out about another 1/2", bruises appear and then there is a thump to get it back in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 17 May, 2016, 09:31:55 pm
'Kin hell.. Definitely seek referral to suitable Orthopod ASAP. That is NOT right at all. Looks terrible even when in joint...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 May, 2016, 09:33:02 pm
I apologise that i have not kept up exactly with what has happened to you.  I can very easily start dispensing medical advice without enough info and have to be aware of GMC rules.

However it is abnormal for the distal end of the ulna to jump out of the sigmoid notch and then jump back in when pushed.  That is an unstable or frankly dislocated Distal radio ulnar joint until proven otherwise.  If it has followed a fracture of the wrist then the supposition would be that you have either torn the supporting structures or that the radius has healed in a position which is not compatible with distal radio ulnar joint stability.

I would see your GP and ask for referral to a major wrist surgeon.  If you tell me where you live, (town not actual address), I can recommend some people.

Please bear in mind that this advice comes on the basis of a short description and a single photograph so may not be worth the computer screen it appears on and I may be scaring you for no reason.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 May, 2016, 09:47:32 pm
It's a known that all the supporting structures were torn - my ulna and radius head came past the carpals. They were confident that they'd relocated it all successfully. I was always concerned by a bulge in that place and kept being told by the nurse, then the physio that it was just swelling (which there was present). When the swelling went down the bulge was obviously solid but I could push it around. None of them have seen that.

I'm in York. I have a direct number for the fracture/ortho clinic and will phone them tomorrow, see if I can get directly in rather than via GP again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 May, 2016, 10:37:02 pm
Seems fair to try to go straight back to fracture clinic.
Failing that, try to ask your GP to get you back to see the orthopaedic people. It seems evident to all here that your wrist is unstable and needs stabilisation.

Hope you get a satisfactory outcome!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 18 May, 2016, 06:19:25 am
To the best of my knowledge there is not a well known wrist surgeon in York.  Your nearest would be in Leeds.  I would be looking at a referral to Doug Campbell or Rob Farnell at the LGI or privately if you do not get something sorted.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 May, 2016, 07:58:57 am
ty for enquiring/thinking about it. I'll see what response I get (hopefully not just sent back to physio).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 May, 2016, 08:13:07 am
It's a known that all the supporting structures were torn - my ulna and radius head came past the carpals. They were confident that they'd relocated it all successfully. I was always concerned by a bulge in that place and kept being told by the nurse, then the physio that it was just swelling (which there was present). When the swelling went down the bulge was obviously solid but I could push it around. None of them have seen that.

I'm in York. I have a direct number for the fracture/ortho clinic and will phone them tomorrow, see if I can get directly in rather than via GP again.

"It's just inflammation, Mrs. Lincoln."

I can still remember the bastard intern looking at the angular bulge halfway along my right clavicle and saying "ça, c'est rien", and the orthopaedic surgeon who backed him up until it was "too late to fix".  I've suffered from it ever since.

Boot the bastards' arses until it's fixed.

I'm off to hand in my Holter now. Got my bovver boots on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 May, 2016, 10:35:37 am
Seems fair to try to go straight back to fracture clinic.
Failing that, try to ask your GP to get you back to see the orthopaedic people. It seems evident to all here that your wrist is unstable and needs stabilisation.

I got the "You've been discharged therefore you need to see your GP to get a referral" routine. So I'll need to wait a week to see a GP, then 3-6 weeks for a non-urgent referral to orthopedics at best.

Maybe I should just trip up and dislocate it. Or peel a few carrots (which is all it took to dislocate it last weekend) and not relocate it myself.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 May, 2016, 10:58:32 am
Funny how Kafka comes to mind at such times.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 May, 2016, 11:32:15 am
A&E time if they're pulling the weeks from referral. That's a bloody pisstake but not surprising cos everyone seems to be kicking folk off their books as fast as poss.

My "call us any time" from RNOH turned into that when I needed them too, same stupid rules.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2016, 12:24:58 pm
Peel some carrots, pitch up to A&E with it dislocated; if that's too painful, take picture of it in and out of joint and present these.
Chris' suggestion of private hand surgeon seems wise if possible.
Don't tell anyone I told you this...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 18 May, 2016, 01:01:22 pm
Crikey, good luck with sorting that.

Standard issue GP appointments grumble here.
I need a routine appointment, to discuss something non urgent but can't be left forever (discovering family history of diabetes). First appointment they can give me is 2 weeks away in the next town. But if I can phone at 830, they can probably fit me in that day - no need for on the day appointments to be urgent. It'll be Friday before I'm free between 830 and 9 to do the phoning.  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 May, 2016, 03:50:06 pm
Saw the consultant hand surgeon today about the lump on my thumb. She doesn't know what it is, has referred me for an ultrasound with the words "bizarre lump" on the referral, and thanked me for coming in with something moderately interesting.
Ultrasound today. Radiologist no more certain than the hand surgeon but thinks possibly a displaced sesamoid. So I have to go back to hand clinic.
Hand clinic no more certain that radiologist, but have agreed that as a) we're not sure what it is and b) it's bothering me, we will chop it out. So I'm going for chopping-out surgery sometime. I've said I'm not available before mid-July, so fingers crossed asap after that. Stitches and no work for two weeks following, then stitches out and back to normal. I am so excited about 2 weeks paid sick leave, it's unseemly. It might help me get a grip on my depression too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Manotea on 18 May, 2016, 04:09:20 pm
Still nursing some wrist damage sustained during an 'off about six weeks back. It makes itself known when I flex my wrist forward and put weight on my hand (think pressups). After my off I had that and some tightness in some finger tendons, and just put it down as a sprain/bruising. The fingers are fine now but the wrist seems to be a longer term project. Theres no acute pain, just a general pain thats says whatever youre doing, stop it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 18 May, 2016, 06:03:09 pm
Actually you have been discharged does not mean that.  You have 3-6 months (varies a bit) to ask to be seen again even when discharged and they cannot refuse.  Phone the consultant secretary, tell her that there is a possibly major problem with your arm and either you are seen on the next orthopaedic clinic by the consultant or she can give you the name of the chief executive and the telephone number for PALS.  Also ask for her name and state that if you have a serious problem as a result of the delay you will be putting in a formal complaint about the delay giving her name.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 May, 2016, 06:08:23 pm
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Consultants' secretaries always a useful route into things if you know your rights. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 18 May, 2016, 06:40:57 pm
Well it's not my hay fever. Looks like I've caught the office cold. *grumbles in a nasal fashion*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CrinklyLion on 19 May, 2016, 12:12:54 am
There is an accidental fortuitous silver lining to me scaring the pants off myself with the impressive trip-up-over-thin-air-and-nothingness and upbuggering of my "good" ankle a couple of weeks back.  The lovely nurse practitioner in A&E who let me know that there was no apparent fracture on the x-rays (although, because I was wheeled to cubicles and x-ray by one shift but out of x-ray and back to cubicles by the next due to the precise time that my 4 hour wait in chairs ended, she did go back to take a second look and get a second opinion when she saw the ankle itself in person, so to speak, for the first time!) said she thought she should make a physio referral.  Lo and behold, a letter arrived, and an appointment for barely 2 weeks post injury was today.  At said appointment I confessed to the very pleasant Karl that I felt like a bit of a fraud because after 4 or 5 days of RICE the injured ankle was back to not far off the normal day-to-day level of mild creaky decrepitude.  Although the 'bad' one has been dreadful, as has the knee and the hip on that side.

So now I'm getting a 6 week attendance at their gym-clinic-for-hopalongs for the injured 'good' ankle with a message writ large in the notes that the not-injured 'bad' one is significantly more movement-restricted and miles weaker and less stable, so work on that one too.  Last time I sought medical advice for said 'bad' ankle (best part of 8 years ago, I reckon) I was basically told to see if it improved when I stopped breastfeeding and to lose many stones.

That's two medical practitioners in a row who haven't just said "it's cos you're fat, piss off and lose weight".  That's a record breaking run!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 19 May, 2016, 12:52:33 pm
Anecdotally, there seems to be a growing awareness amongst the medical profession that pissing off and losing weight is significantly easier if your mobility isn't afflicted.  Long may it continue.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 19 May, 2016, 01:06:45 pm
Anecdotally, there seems to be a growing awareness amongst the medical profession that pissing off and losing weight is significantly easier if your mobility isn't afflicted.  Long may it continue.

Rather annoyingly, body composition is mostly determined by kitchen-based choices, not gym-based. Proof once again, there is no god.  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2016, 01:21:20 pm
Anecdotally, there seems to be a growing awareness amongst the medical profession that pissing off and losing weight is significantly easier if your mobility isn't afflicted.  Long may it continue.

Rather annoyingly, body composition is mostly determined by kitchen-based choices, not gym-based. Proof once again, there is no god.  >:(

Disability has a distinct advantage here.
It's usually too much effort for me to get food out of the cupboards and fridge. I can do these things all buy myself but mostly ICnBA.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 19 May, 2016, 01:24:35 pm
Clearly the worst case is where you have enough mobility to get to the pies without trouble, but going out and doing something more interesting than sitting around eating them is an epic undertaking.


(Chris is of course right.  I only lose weight through cycling because exercise is an appetite-suppressant, and you're not going to achieve anything with that by cycling for transport.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 May, 2016, 01:28:31 pm
Anecdotally, there seems to be a growing awareness amongst the medical profession that pissing off and losing weight is significantly easier if your mobility isn't afflicted.  Long may it continue.

Rather annoyingly, body composition is mostly determined by kitchen-based choices, not gym-based. Proof once again, there is no god.  >:(
There is probably a hierarchy to this:

Genes > eating habits > exercise

I take after my mum's side of the family and they were thinnish. I'm never going to be a huge fat person. I'll get one of those silly-looking skinny old-man-pot-bellies. That's just genes. My daughter takes after her mum - she's always going to be wide in the hips and will put on weight easily, as will her partner. My son is like me and weight melts off him.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 19 May, 2016, 01:50:59 pm
Genes need to be expressed though, so some genetic predispositions can be avoided or reduced I think.

I'm pretty sure I'm genetically disposed toward hypertension (partly due to A1ATD ) - my Dad died at 67 of a hemorrhagic stroke, and both my sisters are hypertensive. If I'm not very careful, I am too - especially during exercise.

But if I lay off the sauce, keep an eye on my diet, and get enough exercise - I can keep it in check. Just. I can also put on fat really quickly - I had no problems at all putting 10Kg on after PBP last year; but equally - it comes off again if I give it the right conditions (I won't say what - LMT might be reading - but you can probably guess).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2016, 02:09:25 pm
Clearly the worst case is where you have enough mobility to get to the pies without trouble, but going out and doing something more interesting than sitting around eating them is an epic undertaking.


(Chris is of course right.  I only lose weight through cycling because exercise is an appetite-suppressant, and you're not going to achieve anything with that by cycling for transport.)

The biscuits are within two feet but in a closed tin and cupboard. ICnBA.
The computer mostly demands free hands, which a TV would not.

Genetically, I am probably on the 'well-nourished' side, but not huge. Fat distribution is mostly 'hip and thigh' with little visceral fat.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 May, 2016, 03:02:22 pm
Ultrasound exam & stress ECG tomorrow.  Yay.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2016, 03:04:12 pm
Ultrasound exam & stress ECG tomorrow.  Yay.

I wish you well for that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 May, 2016, 07:50:15 am
Thanks, Helly. Top marks to cardiologist for fitting me in within 24 hours of me calling for Holter results (all OK).  Normally there's a month's wait.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 May, 2016, 12:34:16 pm
Relieved to hear thing sare normal so far but concerned there are unanswered questions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 May, 2016, 03:53:49 pm
And after the tests they're still normal apart from a 1 mm ST depression that appeared a couple of times at max effort** but went away and didn't come back.  However, the pain was there, so now I'm off to the coronarography shop, date to be announced.

One little thing crossed my mind.  My right shoulder being crocked, I use my lever espresso machine with my left arm.  Haven't used it much lately, though, and it never hurt before.

To be continued.

**not a lot these days - 180W. He used to take me up to 300.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 May, 2016, 04:46:20 pm
Chronography next Monday.  Rats. Now I'll have to do my VAT declaration at the weekend.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2016, 08:32:46 am
Aye well, it seems that my long-distance days are done: coronary arteries in a precarious condition.  From now on it'll be beta-blockers, vasodilators, pentacles, invocations, burnt offerings of albino tadpoles and adoration of the God of Constipated Carper-Slippers.  My cycling ambitions now are limited to getting out of this lavatory-bowl of a village without "God" pulling the chain.

Please add any suitable expletives you think fit, I papered the walls with my lot yesterday.

Just as well I bought a banjo.  Might lash out on a mouth-organ too while I still have the breath.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 24 May, 2016, 08:34:15 am
 :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 May, 2016, 08:50:06 am
sh!7 Sorry to hear that.

calling Kim to the electron-boosting velocipede-mobile
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2016, 09:19:11 am
^^^ Thanks, both.

Maybe a Cancellara Special might be an idea.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 May, 2016, 09:45:50 am
Electron-boosting packs even come in folding versions these days. Bus transport plus electrons can put pretty destinations and cols still in reach.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2016, 09:51:12 am
Any idea if they can be retrofitted?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 24 May, 2016, 10:06:12 am
Ask AWL, I think he did a retro-fit to one of his machines.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 24 May, 2016, 10:27:39 am
Any idea if they can be retrofitted?

Some can, depending on the bike, this is one system

http://www.vivax-assist.com/en/produkte/technik/nachruesten.html

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2016, 10:34:54 am
Ahah... and funnily enough their dealer in France is where I bought my last bike.

Alas, my seat tubes are all 27.2 and they need 30.9 minimum.

Thanks all the same, I'll have a poke around when I'm feeling better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 May, 2016, 11:02:06 am
I can imagine at the moment you are feeling just a teensy bit devastated.

There are some stonkingly good hub motor systems around, particularly if you are after assistant voles rather than complete replacement.  From the sounds of things, you will need assistance for cruising and mostly complete replacement for hills. 250W or so then. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 May, 2016, 11:58:06 am
Sorry to hear this T42.
There are quite a few former cyclists around here.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 24 May, 2016, 12:56:13 pm
Really sorry T42.

Although my bike is rather at the other end of the scale than yours (a recumbent trike, heavy), I fitted an electric motor myself (in the bottom bracket) and it works really well. It means I don't have to work too hard to get up hills but turn the motor off when I'm riding normally. Something to think about in the future perhaps. If your bit of France is anything like my bit of Germany, E-bikes are the largest market segment now. Everyone is buying them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2016, 01:23:30 pm
Thanks, folks.  Thinking it over, I've been down the beta-blocker/vasodilator lane before, and while it was at times very disagreeable on the hills I did get up them.  The main difference is that this time the stenosis can't be stented without blocking off a subsidiary network, so that I'll just have to ride with it and hope.

E-bikes are becoming common here. Several times recently I've gasped up hills only to see very unathletic-looking types cruising up ahead, sitting upright and putting no visible effort into it. Galling, that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2016, 01:25:53 pm
E-bikes are becoming common here. Several times recently I've gasped up hills only to see very unathletic-looking types cruising up ahead, sitting upright and putting no visible effort into it. Galling, that.

The way I see it, it's a vast improvement on unathletic-looking types sitting upright and putting no visible effort into it with the more traditional 4-wheeled motor vehicle.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2016, 01:46:36 pm
Oh aye.  The point is that you don't (usually) try to overtake the 4-wheelers.

...though a chum of mine overtook a bus on the way down from the Weißeegletcher once.  I stayed a bit back and didn't go over 75 kph.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2016, 01:55:35 pm
Oh aye.  The point is that you don't (usually) try to overtake the 4-wheelers.

Racing electric cyclists is a bit like racing people on Bromptons - whatever the outcome you've lost.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2016, 03:44:37 pm
:thumbsup:

Just back from the doc, who called the cardiologist who's calling the hospital, and tomorrow he'll call me to tell me when they can put in a stent.

My doc looked at the options and said the only viable one was the stent.  And when I said I'd already decided my long-distance career was over he replied "don't be so sure".

I like that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 24 May, 2016, 03:54:39 pm
Ich drücke dir die Daumen!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 24 May, 2016, 04:03:59 pm
:thumbsup:

Just back from the doc, who called the cardiologist who's calling the hospital, and tomorrow he'll call me to tell me when they can put in a stent.

My doc looked at the options and said the only viable one was the stent.  And when I said I'd already decided my long-distance career was over he replied "don't be so sure".

I like that.

I do too. We're looking forward to riding with you again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2016, 04:14:10 pm
Thanks, Dave.  Dunno if I could keep up 22.5 kph any more, though.

@Auntie Helen: Cheers, I press to me also the thumbs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 24 May, 2016, 05:20:20 pm
I wouldn't be quite so pessimistic. The last time we rode together, you were going fine and UAFs mostly avoid the really lumpy stuff. Besides, we tested a nice Fleche Velocio route for next year and a 361km total would suit us.

Alternatively, tandems have completed PBP Audax before now, so other UAF brevets would be a piece of cake. A Fleche de France on solo at touriste pace would also be fun.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: dave r on 25 May, 2016, 09:01:55 am
:thumbsup:

Just back from the doc, who called the cardiologist who's calling the hospital, and tomorrow he'll call me to tell me when they can put in a stent.

My doc looked at the options and said the only viable one was the stent.  And when I said I'd already decided my long-distance career was over he replied "don't be so sure".

I like that.

In 2008 I had 4 stents put in due to a close encounter with angina, I'm still pedalling, I'm not as fast as I was but I can still do the distance, typical ride 50-60 miles and I can do longer distances.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2016, 09:36:08 am
I wouldn't be quite so pessimistic. The last time we rode together, you were going fine and UAFs mostly avoid the really lumpy stuff. Besides, we tested a nice Fleche Velocio route for next year and a 361km total would suit us.

Alternatively, tandems have completed PBP Audax before now, so other UAF brevets would be a piece of cake. A Fleche de France on solo at touriste pace would also be fun.

Right enough, 2013 was great fun.  That 600 was good too, even though I did see it through a camera.  Pascal and his worn tyres... he's a tax inspector if that's anything to do with it.

I think the missus would have a canary fit if I suggested a flèche, but it's early days yet.  My form is abysmal right now: if I get stented this week (here's hoping) there's another 3 weeks off, then 4 weeks of re-ed before they set me free - and they might still impose some curtailing witch's brew.  The surgeon explained that stenting this blockage would shut off a minor subnet that branches off immediately before it, so that bit of heart would die, leaving the rest to take up the load. It remains to be seen if that would be enough to irrigate quads at full bore.  Getting back is going to be "interesting".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 25 May, 2016, 09:55:44 am
Easter 2017 is the third weekend mid-April, so plenty of time to get fit and hopefully better conditions than for an early Easter.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2016, 09:58:23 am
Yup.  A wee bit of domestic psychological prep as well...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2016, 02:32:15 pm
Zut. Surge says no stent, too delicate "for now".  Drugs.

Dunno what "for now" means: wait until I'm totally wrecked or what?  Climbing 2 flights of stairs brings on pain.

We are not happy.  :demon: :demon: :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2016, 09:17:09 am
Them there potassium-channel activators don't half lay you out.  I haven't felt this shitty since the Inlaw Paw lost his Trinitrin patch in the shower and I picked it up on my foot without noticing.

And this should help me ride a bike? What planet do they buggers live on?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 May, 2016, 10:06:44 am
It can take a while for the meds to stabilize. Patience, youngling.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2016, 12:45:18 pm
It can take a while for the meds to stabilize. Patience, youngling.

Yeah. In the meantime a one-minute extraction from 18 gm of coffee in the Bialetti just about countered the hammering head.

What worries me is that the artery in question seems to be closing at a rate of knots.  The amount of exercise needed to bring on pain has diminished by half within a week.

P.S. Youngling indeed.  Second childhood, OK, but youngling is downright insulting. <sickly grin>

...where's my bloody rattle gone?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 May, 2016, 01:15:30 pm
On the bright side, the doc hasn't made you give up coffee.

I hope you are getting some monitoring. Doesn't sound like improvement at all.

P.S. Youngling indeed.  Second childhood, OK, but youngling is downright insulting. <sickly grin>
'tis a Star Wars reference, m'lud. No, they are not a popular beat combo.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2016, 02:52:34 pm
Ah.  A reference to H. Ford Esq.?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 May, 2016, 02:56:22 pm
A group of talented innocents, strong in the force, ruthlessly slaughtered by one who is seduced by the dark side. Killed before their prime by evil forces.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2016, 03:36:24 pm
I know the feeling.

Our club prez is in worse trouble: bundle of His getting iffy, like a dodgy timing-belt.  He already had one side cutting out sporadically, now the other one's sputtering as well.  If they both go at the same time he starts to fall over, and if they don't cut in again it's curtains.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 May, 2016, 01:08:01 pm
Just burst into tears at work. I think I'll tell the GP I don't want to decrease my meds next week as we'd agreed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 May, 2016, 01:15:44 pm
Just burst into tears at work.
Is that not an occupational hazard, in your line of work? There must be only so much serious down a person can be around before getting a bit sniffley.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 May, 2016, 01:24:54 pm
Can't remember the last time I cried at work, other than crying with laughter when Mary bought boots without realising one was a 6 and one was a 9 and then wondered why they felt different. You get into a mindset where you can appreciate situations are awful and you want to fix them, but you remain a little bit detached. On the other hand, several of us have had work-stress flakies lately and I'm the latest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 May, 2016, 01:27:12 pm
Mary bought boots without realising one was a 6 and one was a 9 and then wondered why they felt different.

*snorks*  *wipes keybaord*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 May, 2016, 01:41:14 pm
^^^ Har!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 May, 2016, 02:26:48 pm
It was the best thing that's ever happened at work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 May, 2016, 09:16:56 am
Trinitrin patches now.  "They'll probably give you a headache but don't take anything for it because then you won't know if your heart is hurting". And yes they did and yes it does if I start hauling the garden hose about. And they itch too.

This staying-alive business is a pain in the ass. I'm not telling them, though, because they'd probably give me a Tabasco suppository for it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 31 May, 2016, 12:01:45 pm
Apparently it's possible to fracture a rib through sneezing too hard. I was wondering why my left chesticle was hurting quite a bit.  :facepalm: Doc confirmed fracture (or fractures) today. Bother!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2016, 12:54:52 pm
Wondering vaguely if a 15mg/day nitroglycerin patch wouldn't make an emergency tyre boot. They look big enough.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mattc on 03 June, 2016, 01:33:23 pm
Wondering vaguely if a 15mg/day nitroglycerin patch wouldn't make an emergency tyre boot. They look big enough.
you HAVE to try.

" ... and so I stuck a nitro-glycerine patch on it and limped home."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 03 June, 2016, 01:48:10 pm
Having the first of three appointments for a root canal, crown and (different tooth) filling replacement in an hour. The rest over the next month. This is going to suck.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: benborp on 03 June, 2016, 01:57:34 pm
Well, to be honest, it's unlikely to chew.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2016, 02:05:16 pm
Wondering vaguely if a 15mg/day nitroglycerin patch wouldn't make an emergency tyre boot. They look big enough.
you HAVE to try.

" ... and so I stuck a nitro-glycerine patch on it and limped home."

"Unfortunately, having removed the patch from his chest to repair his tyre, he had a heart attack."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 June, 2016, 02:10:38 pm
Having the first of three appointments for a root canal, crown and (different tooth) filling replacement in an hour. The rest over the next month. This is going to suck.

It might not be too bad. IBTDT0TS.

I hope the inconvenience/expense are the worst features!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 03 June, 2016, 03:57:33 pm
actually it wasn't too bad, and the crown might wait six months or so. back in two weeks but I think I've had the worst of it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2016, 04:11:34 pm
Not so bad. Charles has had to wait 60-odd years.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 June, 2016, 04:33:17 pm
Charles has already waited 67½ years...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2016, 04:59:38 pm
Yebbut his mum only became queen when he was ~5.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 June, 2016, 06:13:19 pm
True!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 June, 2016, 10:16:07 am
Poor old Inlaw Paw is suffering from a triple whammy: depressed thyroid function, ditto kidneys (although 40% is par for a 99-yr-old) and an as yet unspecified infection, hence the serious oedema filling up his legs.  Doc has been brilliant, though, and after this morning's visit things should slowly improve - "but you're in for a bad week".

Also had a natter about my hearty problems. The aim is to get me back on the bike and right now I get angina just running up the stairs, so he agreed that things weren't exactly ideal and we should plan an angioplasty asap even though it will involve occluding a minor subnet.  Since I haven't felt any loss of strength during even severe angina the loss of function will be minimal and I'll be able to get back on the road instead of acting the loppy stocking round here.

To add to the pile my son has just been diagnosed with T2 diabetes, at the same age as I was.

It's all cheer at Maison T42.

Life presents a dismal picture
Home's as gloomy as the tomb
Poor old Dad has got a stricture
Mother has a fallen womb
Brother Bob has been deported
For a homosexual crime
And the housemaid's been aborted
For the forty-second time.

(Tune: Deutschland Über Alles)


- Robertson Davies, on whose name be praise.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 June, 2016, 05:39:42 pm
Well that was brilliant.
Wait nearly 2 months for appointment with neurologist. Suddenly get early appointment due to cancellation. Go to appointment. "Where is MrsC? Why isn't she here?" "Um, I wasn't told she needed to be here." "Well I need to speak to her as well, there isn't much point you coming in by yourself."

Well, doctor, nobody told me what the appointment was for, or that anyone needed to come with me. What a bloody waste of your and my time. Was I supposed to be a mind reader?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 June, 2016, 05:58:43 pm
In their eyes, yes.  They can never be wrong so it must be you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 16 June, 2016, 01:27:09 pm
Having had a giant cell tumour removed from the knuckle of my left-hand ring finger a few years ago, I've been noticing similar swellings and tenderness in the knuckles of the middle and index fingers of the same hand...  :-\  Might pay my GP a visit...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 16 June, 2016, 07:33:40 pm
I have got my cathier changed this morning at last and my.. "may" pressure test is confirmed for the 17 July  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 June, 2016, 10:45:11 pm
my.. "may" pressure test is confirmed for the 17 July  ::-)

Fucksake.   >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 June, 2016, 09:05:02 am
Cardio yest. Good news is that my coronary arteries still retain 70% of nominal capacity. Bad news is that, like global warming, some bits are much worse off than others and some are getting worse fast despite rigid adherence to diet.  Change of meds was best cardiologist could do without consulting surgeons.

Just now I'm on nitro patches and stress or heart > 100 bpm triggers angina, so switching today to a different vasodilator that he thinks might allow me to ride. Looking at its properties I have my doubts.

Hoping to learn on Monday whether I can have an angioplasty.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 17 June, 2016, 04:11:13 pm
two weeks ago today: root canal.

today: temporary crown.

two weeks' time: proper crown, and a filling replacement.

 :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 June, 2016, 04:17:46 pm
Took heart up to ~120 on the turbo. Painless, except for legs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 19 June, 2016, 05:55:42 pm
I stopped my Citalopram ten days ago, after whittling them down to 10mg every other day. My head is still 'swimming in a sea of jelly' and I'm constantly tired. But I'm buggered if I'm going back on the stuff just to relieve what must be temporary withdrawal symptoms. But I do wish it'd stop!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 19 June, 2016, 10:48:35 pm
two weeks ago today: root canal.

today: temporary crown.

two weeks' time: proper crown, and a filling replacement.

 :'(

Well that lasted well. Temporary crown fitted on Friday afternoon, loose Sunday afternoon, disintegrated Sunday evening. Hopefully they can squeeze me in tomorrow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 June, 2016, 12:57:19 pm
New blood glucose meter consistently reads ~20 mg/dl higher than the old one. Shit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 June, 2016, 01:17:09 pm
does it need calibrating?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 20 June, 2016, 01:17:45 pm
The next question is 'Which one is right?'
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DrMekon on 20 June, 2016, 01:25:15 pm
Fiddling around with Bronchiectasis meds - omeprazole gives "gastric distress", but covers up symptoms reflux, sore mouth and loss of voice from carbocisteine. Gastric distress is shitty, but also, I am anaemic, and other than a pre-op blood test, no one has discussed my VB12, magnesium, calcium or iron levels.

Right now, one dose of omeprazole is enough to "get the party started", so I'm steering clear, but my mouth feels like it's covered in paper cuts, espresso is off the menu, and my voice goes weird if I talk too much, which I am prone to do.

On the upside, coming off omeprazole has gotten rid of the feeling of chronic fatigue.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 June, 2016, 02:29:00 pm
does it need calibrating?

A priori they're factory-calibrated.

The next question is 'Which one is right?'

Well, the pharmacy said that they weren't allowed to sell my previous one, nor yet supplies for it,  any more, even though they still had them in stock. The manufacturer is offering a free upgrade from mine and one other model, so I'd guess the new one is better.  Which means that my diet will need to be revised in the unpleasant direction.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 June, 2016, 02:36:10 pm
Fiddling around with Bronchiectasis meds - omeprazole gives "gastric distress", but covers up symptoms reflux, sore mouth and loss of voice from carbocisteine. Gastric distress is shitty, but also, I am anaemic, and other than a pre-op blood test, no one has discussed my VB12, magnesium, calcium or iron levels.

Right now, one dose of omeprazole is enough to "get the party started", so I'm steering clear, but my mouth feels like it's covered in paper cuts, espresso is off the menu, and my voice goes weird if I talk too much, which I am prone to do.

On the upside, coming off omeprazole has gotten rid of the feeling of chronic fatigue.

Bronchiecstatis sounds vile - sympathies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 20 June, 2016, 06:07:43 pm
New blood glucose meter consistently reads ~20 mg/dl higher than the old one. Shit.
mg/dl - blimey that's a bit old fashioned. I started using mmol/l in the 1980s (or are you in USAnia?)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 21 June, 2016, 01:14:22 pm
T42 is in France and they tend to be keen on deci-stuff.

Turkey often prefers centi-stuff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 June, 2016, 02:39:41 pm
A decilitre is 100ml so that [whatever] can be quoted as [whatever g %], which is what was done in days of yore.

Seems ironic that the purveyors of the Système Internationale are not using the SI units that millimole used most of his working life...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2016, 03:07:42 pm
Part of my right big toe has gone numb (pins and needles in response to changes in temperature, no sensation when the affected area is poked with a small screwdriver).  It's been like that for over a week now.  Mostly the weight-bearing patch on the outer edge and underside, which is admittedly fairly well-callused, but also some of the area to the side of the nail, which isn't.

As a habitual shoe-wearer, it's only a problem when I go barefoot or try to operate flip-flop-like shoes, where the lack of tactile feedback is causing me to stumble occasionally.  It seems entirely plausible that I'll injure it when barefoot and not notice, too.

There's no pain and the left toe appears unaffected.  Circulation is normal.  I'm not diabetic.  So I'm filing this under "nerve damage from excessive walking in brand new Shimano sandals the week before last", in the style of those "What's still broken after PBP?" threads, and assuming it'll quietly sort itself out after a few months when I've got used to living with it.

 :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 June, 2016, 03:38:52 pm
New blood glucose meter consistently reads ~20 mg/dl higher than the old one. Shit.
mg/dl - blimey that's a bit old fashioned. I started using mmol/l in the 1980s (or are you in USAnia?)

I thought the UK changed so as to assert their independence. ;)

Although on second thoughts it's maybe just the march of medical obscurantism.  Mg and dl are easy to calculate with, but who the hell remembers what a mmol is?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2016, 03:53:38 pm
There's nothing obscure about moles, it being the natural way to count large numbers of things (or even Things, though https://what-if.xkcd.com/4/ (https://what-if.xkcd.com/4/) suggests that would be a bad idea).  Easier to calculate with as you don't need to care about the molecular mass of what you're counting...

Decilitres are just a way of obfuscating litres.  Millilitres make more sense, as that's a standard SI prefix.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 June, 2016, 03:59:28 pm
Moles: https://www.google.fr/search?q=moles&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=4VVpV7DZPJalVOmckIAK
Decilitres: https://www.google.fr/search?q=decilitre&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=alZpV8fAF5alVOmckIAK
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2016, 04:06:33 pm
Moles: https://www.google.fr/search?q=moles&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=4VVpV7DZPJalVOmckIAK

Point taken, but hopefully anyone interpreting a blood glucose level is either scientifically literate, or at least aware that there are two different standard ways of expressing the result even if the units themselves are treated as arbitrary hieroglyphics.


Quote
Decilitres: https://www.google.fr/search?q=decilitre&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=alZpV8fAF5alVOmckIAK

Sure.  They're only marginally more obscure than centimetres, but like centimetres they still cause more trouble than they're worth when you start doing calculations with them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2016, 04:20:17 pm
The obscurity of decilitres is cultural. In some places they're probably more familiar than millilitres. The obscurity of moles is scientific. Only the scientifically literate know what they are, and diabetes is not limited to them! For a start, what's the difference between a mole and a mol?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2016, 04:27:44 pm
The obscurity of decilitres is cultural. In some places they're probably more familiar than millilitres.

Interesting.


Quote
The obscurity of moles is scientific. Only the scientifically literate know what they are, and diabetes is not limited to them! For a start, what's the difference between a mole and a mol?

As I say, the average diabetes patient need only be aware that more than one unit is used, and treat the unit as arbitrary hieroglyphics.  Which does leave them wondering if "mmol/liter" is the same as "millimole/litre", but that's fail-safe.

The average diabetes patient usually only needs to worry about that sort of thing when provided with a new piece of testing kit (presumably by a doctor or pharmacist, who will be scientifically literate), or when discussing their condition with FOREIGNS on the interwebs[1].

I expect non-medically-trained carers are caught out from time to time, but it's a relatively simple lesson to learn - you don't even need to know what a mole is for these purposes, just that it's a different measurement from a milligram, and often written "mol".


Also, I despair at the level of scientific education if people confronted with moles don't at least think "Oh, that's something we were taught about in science lessons, something to do with measuring chemicals, but I can't remember what."  Similarly, I don't expect the layman to know what an Ampere is, but would expect them to relate "Amps" to measuring electricity.


[1] For interweb purposes, everyone who isn't a USAnian is foreign and likely to be wise to such issues.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 21 June, 2016, 04:37:04 pm
Its not just glucose levels that are expressed differently in the US, almost every clinical test is described in different units.  I have a physiology text book that was published in the US for the English speaking but not American bits of the world.  it has a large red warning sign on the spine with US crossed out.

The link shows US Vs Canadian units but at a glance the Canadian units are the same as the rest of the world 


http://www.ccpe-cfpc.com/en/pdf_files/drug_lists/normal_values.pdf
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2016, 05:28:41 pm
Sure, for patients and carers the units don't probably matter as long as they give easily handleable numbers – so ideally integers less than 100 – and they know to keep it between a and b. The danger is going to be when comparing with other systems, whether that be Nameronians or French.

I'm probably exaggerating the spread of decilitres, but I'd be amazed if a lot of people don't confuse mol(e)s with millilitres, especially considering ml are often abbreviated to mils.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2016, 05:38:17 pm
I'm probably exaggerating the spread of decilitres, but I'd be amazed if a lot of people don't confuse mol(e)s with millilitres, especially considering ml are often abbreviated to mils.

I confuse mils (leftpondian for 'thou') with millimetres on a regular basis.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 21 June, 2016, 05:50:26 pm
Since I have had the new cathier in on Thursday I am very sore. Doctor has put me on antibiotics.  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 21 June, 2016, 05:57:58 pm
Quote
Sure, for patients and carers the units don't probably matter as long as they give easily handleable numbers – so ideally integers less than 100 – and they know to keep it between a and b. The danger is going to be when comparing with other systems, whether that be Nameronians or French.

It rarely causes real issues in the UK, as far as I know everywhere apart from the US uses the same units and often you know the numbers that are normal without committing the units to memory.  I know the numbers for a whole range of clinical chemistry tests but I would have to check to know what the units are. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2016, 06:14:17 pm
I'm probably exaggerating the spread of decilitres, but I'd be amazed if a lot of people don't confuse mol(e)s with millilitres, especially considering ml are often abbreviated to mils.

I confuse mils (leftpondian for 'thou') with millimetres on a regular basis.  :facepalm:
Thou and thee..
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 June, 2016, 08:24:16 am
especially considering ml are often abbreviated to mils.
THAT is an awful habit
mils are something else entirely. A thousandth of an inch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 June, 2016, 08:34:34 am
mmol/L vs mg/dL: the conversion factor is 18. Basta.

Anyway, my medical grumble of the day concerns the pleasures of adapting to a higher dose of vasodilators: the slightest effort or even stress sets my heart thumping, not fast but hard, and standing up too fast sets me reeling. 'Tain't no way to run a railroad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 22 June, 2016, 08:34:34 am
Quote
mils are something else entirely. A thousandth of an inch.



Or 1/6400th of a circle
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 22 June, 2016, 12:34:43 pm
1/1000th of a mole is approx two of its front digging claws.
It will suddenly appear from its tunnel and raise those two claws to you.  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 June, 2016, 01:01:14 pm
especially considering ml are often abbreviated to mils.
THAT is an awful habit
mils are something else entirely. A thousandth of an inch.
It was the fave abbreviation of school biology teacher.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 June, 2016, 01:36:28 pm
Easily confused with millimetres.  Better use cc's.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 22 June, 2016, 03:01:16 pm
1/1000 of an inch is a ‘thou’.
1/1000 of a millimetre is a Micrometre or ‘Micron’. ( 1/1000000 of a metre )
39.37 microns to the thou.
A device for measuring the diameter of a wire, a sheet of paper or a human hair, is a micrometer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 June, 2016, 10:51:59 am
jog jog jog. Hmm doing well, no soreness, I'll do an extra half k.

rip.

that's my achilles-calf muscle join. wtf.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 June, 2016, 01:15:36 pm
Oh f**k!
Mend well and fast, mrcharly!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 June, 2016, 03:55:04 pm
Ah go on, man, you're a glutton for it.  Mind you, I've come home from a 200 and torn a muscle coming downstairs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 24 June, 2016, 03:56:26 pm
get well soon

And do what the doctors tell you.

It is now one week since my operation and I am using the arm more and more.  2 paracetamol and ibuprofen yesterday.  1 of each today.

Movement is better than expected.  The numbness is weird.  i have told patients about it for years and now I know!

I am due to spend an hour with the physio on monday.  I suspect i am going to be seriously bored and will end up teaching her how to do her job.  The ward physio prior to discharge did not even mention icing the wounds!  I was so shocked I actually pulled rank and commented.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 June, 2016, 04:39:15 pm
When I did it I thought I'd ripped the tendon. Feeling better today and I can hobble so it must be the muscle - I have no idea why. I was loping along on the flat on a good surface.

I'm starting to wonder if the omeprazole I've been taking for the past 5 years has weakened my connective tissues. Previously I had a reputation as being nearly indestructible. The fall that did my wrist in was minor but did a huge amount of damage, displacing bones, rupturing ligaments. I've been trying jogging and I'm struggling to get over 3.5km without tendon strain; yes I have done any running for years, I'm an experienced runner and used to rebuilding toughness and fitness.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 June, 2016, 06:38:57 pm
I am now being treated for a viral skin infection caused by the cathier. Antibiotics and fusiliers acid and cream  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 June, 2016, 07:43:26 pm
Oof! You deserve some health sometime soon surely.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 June, 2016, 07:13:19 am
It's not been the best year health wise so far as but there are people on here with much worse to contend with. I do not cope with pain very well and I am a little depressed at the moment. On the bright side the sun is shining this morning and my son is here this weekend. Get better soon everyone  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 25 June, 2016, 07:33:38 am
When I did it I thought I'd ripped the tendon. Feeling better today and I can hobble so it must be the muscle - I have no idea why. I was loping along on the flat on a good surface.

I'm starting to wonder if the omeprazole I've been taking for the past 5 years has weakened my connective tissues. Previously I had a reputation as being nearly indestructible. The fall that did my wrist in was minor but did a huge amount of damage, displacing bones, rupturing ligaments. I've been trying jogging and I'm struggling to get over 3.5km without tendon strain; yes I have done any running for years, I'm an experienced runner and used to rebuilding toughness and fitness.

I've had a real struggle building up from a bout of Achilles tendonitis, from ultramarathon training last year to be struggling at 4k earlier this year was very disheartening.  I've done it slowly and I'm now up to 2 x 7km this week on non-consecutive days.

Are you just trying to ramp it up too quickly?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 June, 2016, 10:12:44 am
I've had a real struggle building up from a bout of Achilles tendonitis, from ultramarathon training last year to be struggling at 4k earlier this year was very disheartening.  I've done it slowly and I'm now up to 2 x 7km this week on non-consecutive days.

Are you just trying to ramp it up too quickly?
It's possible - I started with v slow small jog steps for 1km, 2twice a week for two weeks, upped that to 2km. Then got proper shoes and took it to 3.5km and I'm stuck there.

I've taught track and field to a lot of kids along with the personal experience of running. It is possible that I'm expecting to recover too quickly for someone about to turn 50 but this seems extreme. Too many joint injuries from minor events and last year I was ok - I shifted (shovel and wheelbarrow, jogging) 4.5ton of sand in 3hours without soreness in one day. The year before transported about the same amount of broken brick and concrete from a house 100m down the road by barrow, running back with empty barrow. Only slightly sore back.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 June, 2016, 10:34:31 am
After a month's pussyfooting around with vasodilatory nostrums** my cardiologist finally got me a date for angioplasty: 7th July into hosp, 8th out. Procedure described as "delicate".  Looking around the house for old belt to clench between teeth.

**and various gentle remarks about Nero, Rome and fiddles.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 25 June, 2016, 10:46:55 am
Cystitis. Again.
No 400 for me this weekend. I think I'm up to 3 bouts this year - I really should start keeping a tally.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 June, 2016, 10:48:38 am
Get well soon fboab!
Cystitis is a misery...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 June, 2016, 01:06:58 pm
I've seen the surgeon, 3 nurses and a high-school work experience student. Nice chap (the surgeon).

Surgeon already knew what was wrong, from the last x-ray.

Hospital had cocked up with my wrist. The main fracture in my radius has healed at an angle, putting my whole hand at an angle to my forearm and displacing it relative to the ulna (hence the ulna flapping around in mid air).

The solution is to saw through my radius, cut a wedge shape, graft in some bone from my hip and fix it all in place with plates.

On waiting list for surgery, should take place in 2-3months.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 June, 2016, 01:56:15 pm
Was the work experience student nice? I don't suppose they squeaked!

Hope that the planned surgery fixes you well, eventually.
Sorry to hear it's come to this!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 June, 2016, 02:04:13 pm
WP student looked very earnest and serious. Certain to be a med student, but by 3rd year they'll be a dissolute alcoholic.

The surgeon was very clear that I don't have to go ahead with the surgery, but I can't ever expect any improvement without it. As things are, that means no weight bearing on left wrist, increasing issues and pain, loss of what strength I have and increased frequency of ulna dislocations. Never ever riding a drop-barred bike again and only upright bikes with braking on right side.

He's confident that the surgery will fix it but obviously it will have a considerable recovery period.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 June, 2016, 03:30:39 pm
Go for it notwithstanding.  When I did my collar-bone in 2002 I was persuaded not to have corrective surgery and I've been plagued by the consequences ever since.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 June, 2016, 04:02:29 pm
I suspected that was the case from your description.It is a fairly simple operation in good hands and has a relatively guaranteed outcome all other things being equal.  Do be prepared for a long recovery!  I tell my patients that it will take a year to forget about the operation and that it will take 6 months to be 95% back to normal.  take all the painkillers they offer you and stop smoking (if you do).  Certainly in the States many surgeons now will not do the surgery if you are an active smoker.

Good luck
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 June, 2016, 04:18:30 pm
Given that it has taken 6 months to get to not be able to take any weight on hand, 6 months to 95% of normal would be miraculous . . .

I don't drive, so that's not an issue. Non smoker, no blood thinners, etc, good circulation, no heart probs. Relatively slim around hips so harvesting should be easy . . . Ex-Perthes not an issue as not going anywhere near that area of hip.

Surgeon asked "Are you currently unable to do any normal activities?"
I responded "I was a keen cyclist and I'm now unable to ride a drop-handlebar bike at all.", to which he responded
"Well, that definitely needs sorting out."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 28 June, 2016, 07:43:43 pm
The antibiotics finally appear to have kicked in   :thumbsup:. First pain free afternoon for 12 days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 28 June, 2016, 11:01:11 pm
well for over a week now my guts have been upset

(click to show/hide)

GP has suggested Bowel Colic and given me an antiemetic to relieve the bloating and queasiness. Just waiting for it to kick in and hopefully set everything back to normal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 June, 2016, 11:33:39 pm
Glad you have answers Mr C, I have had something very similar surgery wise on my left ulna once I outgrew the pins keeping my arm straight (no radius means arm grows bendy). They took a wedge and badgered it straight and bashed more pins in giving me great wolverine like X-rays.

I concur with Chris about pain relief, I had to have pethidine Intramuscularly cos it was bastard painful immediately post op. Fine 24hrs later tho, but I attribute that to my legendary pre-adult pain threshold of win!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 June, 2016, 07:46:48 am
+1. It's great to have a solution to look forward to, even if it is going to hurt and take time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 June, 2016, 07:53:41 am
Glad you have answers Mr C, I have had something very similar surgery wise on my left ulna once I outgrew the pins keeping my arm straight (no radius means arm grows bendy). They took a wedge and badgered it straight and bashed more pins in giving me great wolverine like X-rays.

I concur with Chris about pain relief, I had to have pethidine Intramuscularly cos it was bastard painful immediately post op. Fine 24hrs later tho, but I attribute that to my legendary pre-adult pain threshold of win!
All this positive feedback; I'm glad I signed up then.

Do you have an adamantium radius now you've stopped growing?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 09:12:08 am
Wore sandals for our 2-day summer last week and now my bursitis is back.  :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2016, 12:52:15 pm
Glad you have answers Mr C, I have had something very similar surgery wise on my left ulna once I outgrew the pins keeping my arm straight (no radius means arm grows bendy). They took a wedge and badgered it straight and bashed more pins in giving me great wolverine like X-rays.

I concur with Chris about pain relief, I had to have pethidine Intramuscularly cos it was bastard painful immediately post op. Fine 24hrs later tho, but I attribute that to my legendary pre-adult pain threshold of win!
All this positive feedback; I'm glad I signed up then.

Do you have an adamantium radius now you've stopped growing?

http://www.barakta.org.uk/hand_xrays/ refers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 June, 2016, 12:56:13 pm
Ah - used a hilti gun, from the looks of it

makes me feel a complete fraud, grumbling about my arm.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 30 June, 2016, 05:50:18 pm
I am now very depressed. Not only is the cathier soreness still bothering me but my back has gone and I was laying on my side on the paving slabs in the back garden for two hours waiting for the ambulance  :'(.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 June, 2016, 07:27:29 pm
That's cause for feeling a bit down!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 30 June, 2016, 08:55:36 pm
A good set of X-rays of radial club hand with wrist fusion and an interesting pollicisation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 July, 2016, 12:32:06 am
A good set of X-rays of radial club hand with wrist fusion and an interesting pollicisation.

Indeed :)  The fusion/centralisation of the left wrist was a complete pain, multiple attempts in 1982 (age 2), again in 1984 (age 4) until locum registrar did something which worked and a final straightening in 1992 (age 12).

How do they do centralisations in radial club hands these days to handle the growing child problem? Still multiple procedures or something else?

The index finger wasn't very good and was fused to the adjacent finger to the middle knuckle which is why the pollicisation is interesting. The X-rays explain why I have very limited strength and use in it. The little finger was considered for pollicisation but my surgeon decided if the procedure failed that I would lose the only good finger on that hand.

The right hand pollicisation is much better, surgeon used get me to demonstrate my thumb-finger pinch strength by getting his underlings to let me give them a nip which was rather stronger than they anticipated  :demon:.  Medics are also amazed I can do thumb to little finger which is apparently hard to get back, especially from 1986 surgery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 July, 2016, 07:56:52 am
^^^ Reading that hurts. Bloody way to spend childhood. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 01 July, 2016, 12:25:04 pm
The problem with surgery in 1986 was that inevitably the growth area was damaged leading to a very short forearm.  These days we use an external fixator to pull the wrist apart and lengthen the soft tissues so that the hand just slides across on top of the ulna and can then be stabilised more easily.  This leads to preservation of the growth plate and much less requirement for fusion.

my views of pollicisation are very much on whether the child wants pollicisation.  The child has to demonstrate that they are already functionally using the index finger in a fashion analogous to a thumb before I will even consider it. Hence I do somewhat less than my colleagues!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 July, 2016, 01:21:14 pm
^^^ Reading that hurts. Bloody way to spend childhood. :(

I think from barakta's perspective the ENT stuff (and general fail pertaining to her deafness) was a much bigger deal.  I suppose because having your arm in and out of plaster isn't that much of an issue when it's not all that functional to begin with.  It did at least give her a handy weapon...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 July, 2016, 05:08:05 pm
The problem with surgery in 1986 was that inevitably the growth area was damaged leading to a very short forearm.  These days we use an external fixator to pull the wrist apart and lengthen the soft tissues so that the hand just slides across on top of the ulna and can then be stabilised more easily.  This leads to preservation of the growth plate and much less requirement for fusion.

Yep, I have a substantially shorter forearm on the left and that does increase the level of impairment I experience and exacerbate the unstable shoulder on that side. I believe I was given the best opportunities realistically available in the 1980s and each generation sees improvements upon the previous ones, sometimes large ones so there's no point in getting hung up about it which some people I know do.

Quote
my views of pollicisation are very much on whether the child wants pollicisation.  The child has to demonstrate that they are already functionally using the index finger in a fashion analogous to a thumb before I will even consider it. Hence I do somewhat less than my colleagues!

I have always been grateful that circumstances led to me being 6.5yrs old before my first pollicisation on my better right hand. I remember being old enough to consent and understand the implications of the procedure. The second left hand pollicisation was always going to have more marginal gains, but is more useful in the post-pollicisation construction than it had been before. 

Incidentally I've just found some video of me aged ~3, 6.5 and maybe 7.5 with a lot of my hands in shot which is very interesting to watch. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 July, 2016, 05:15:01 pm
^^^ Reading that hurts. Bloody way to spend childhood. :(

The ortho stuff was not generally very painful, I had a stupendously high pain threshold as a child and only took the 4 hourly paracetamol to shut my mum up. As Kim points out, plastercasts made great weapons against irritating siblings  :demon: :demon: :demon:

The ENT stuff was more annoying and numpties in the education system more so again. I got accused of being excessively pragmatic when I was 10 8) which I found most strange. It's the only childhood I have known and wasn't through anyone doing anything intentionally hurtful or bad, just it is what it is.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 July, 2016, 05:52:52 pm
Still made me wince, though.

I don't think I'd ever heard the word "pragmatic" when I was 10.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 July, 2016, 06:25:21 pm
Still made me wince, though.

I don't think I'd ever heard the word "pragmatic" when I was 10.

[OT] You weren't doing Literacy SATs!  ;) ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 01 July, 2016, 08:16:07 pm
I can't remember being 10.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 July, 2016, 12:33:19 am
I can! '11+', first decimal coins, Paris riots, parents moved to London...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 July, 2016, 07:43:37 am
Didn't the coins appear before the switch?  I was a lowly programmer at the time and my progs were all written for £sd.  The week that conversion Hell was due to break loose (15th Feb 1971??) I was on a piss-up course in Eindhoven and some other poor wight had to do mine.  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 July, 2016, 08:38:02 am
Meanwhile, MRs. T41 has the flu, and schlepping the Inlaw Paw with my bum shoulder is getting bummer and bummer as days go by.   Lifting's OK: I can get his arms round my neck and then straighten my legs, but supporting his bad side with my bad side is killing us both.  I couldn't even use the hand grinder for coffee this morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 July, 2016, 09:06:38 am
Has your wife been devalued by this Brexit lark?  ;) ;D

Srsly hope your respective woes settle!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 July, 2016, 09:27:33 am
Oh shit, getting cross-eyed now. Well at least she's a prime number.

Thanks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2016, 01:31:07 pm
Didn't the coins appear before the switch?  I was a lowly programmer at the time and my progs were all written for £sd.

Wow.  I'm showing my youth, but I tend to think of pre-decimal currency as being one of those things that happened "after Jesus died and before computers were invented".  It hadn't really occurred to me that it coexisted with financial software for ages, even though it's obvious with a moment's thought.

I'm sure there are systems out there somewhere still working in £sd internally...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 July, 2016, 01:45:03 pm
Historical things like that are often a bit weird. I find it strange that £sd was still in use after I was born; because it was all decimal by the time I was old enough to use money, I always assumed it was ancient. Though of course the coins were still in circulation for decades after. Same with degrees fahrenheit; never learned to understand them, never really had to – till a doctor in, of all places, India, started using them to me! (I expect he had trained in USA).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2016, 01:53:07 pm
In primary school, our SPMG maths books talked about "New Pence".  I, logically, concluded that new pence were the plastic ones used in maths lessons (they had 'new pence' written on them, after all), while old pence were the metal ones you pay for things with in shops.

My parents used Fahrenheit for body temperature well into the 1990s.  I expect they were reasonably bilingual in a professional setting, and just defaulted to whatever the thermometer they were using was calibrated in (at home we had a Ye Olde mercury one, until it broke (which was worth it for the blobs of mercury) and was replaced with a newfangled alcohol one).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 July, 2016, 02:15:55 pm
Yebbut the metal ones in the shops had "NEW PENCE" written on the as well, though I suppose at that age you never got to pay attention to them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 July, 2016, 04:41:34 pm
Didn't the coins appear before the switch?  I was a lowly programmer at the time and my progs were all written for £sd.

Wow.  I'm showing my youth, but I tend to think of pre-decimal currency as being one of those things that happened "after Jesus died and before computers were invented".  It hadn't really occurred to me that it coexisted with financial software for ages, even though it's obvious with a moment's thought.

I'm sure there are systems out there somewhere still working in £sd internally...

I wouldn't be surprised. We used to store everything in d and convert out on printing.  A few years before my time it was even ha'pennies, and the progs back then had to carry over odd ha'pennies from week to week so as not to cause strikes.

These are the beasties I worked on at the time: http://tinyurl.com/gozo7qw  The "high-speed printer" managed 22 characters/sec.

I even wrote a production control suite for a weaving company up in Peterhead - with 1k of 64-bit words and magnetic ledger cards.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 02 July, 2016, 06:59:38 pm
Faint memories have been returning. Ind Coope pale ale. Seven pint party can. Handing round can for swigs on canal towpath under Castle Lane bridge.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 02 July, 2016, 10:56:00 pm
Hoping that you all feel better soon. I seem to be improving. I can get around the house OK today but I have to stand up and sit down very slowly and carefully. I know my problems are trivial compared many on this thread and I do appreciate the supportive posts I receive  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 July, 2016, 08:45:40 am
Take it easy and don't worry.  One of the TdF bods lost 3 months after having a finger chopped off earlier this year, and he's in the pack.  Mind you, he's not sitting on his finger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 03 July, 2016, 11:55:15 am
As I type this my trice adventure is in a trailer travelling up to mid Wales for a week of pottering with Jonathan notp. I should be in the van also. The plan is as soon as possible I will rejoin this expedition by train as there is a station in the village of Llanwrtyd Wells. I am hoping that I can go tomorrow or Tuesday. Hurry up and settle back, I want to go to Wales  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 July, 2016, 01:12:45 pm
Good luck.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 03 July, 2016, 07:11:07 pm
Thanks  :), I am in a warm bath which is encouraging. It is odd though I have had improvements an stiffening up feeling at odd times all day  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 July, 2016, 07:41:28 pm
I can! '11+', first decimal coins, Paris riots, parents moved to London...

I don't know what day it was but I clearly remember my form teacher bringing in new decimal coins after dinner one day in school.   We had the new coins next to old coins and even notes (ten bob!) and we did a huge conversion chart on the blackboard.

I also remember the launch of the £1 coin as my mother gave me a bag of £200 of them.   

   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 03 July, 2016, 07:46:19 pm
I can! '11+', first decimal coins, Paris riots, parents moved to London...

I don't know what day it was but I clearly remember my form teacher bringing in new decimal coins after dinner one day in school.   We had the new coins next to old coins and even notes (ten bob!) and we did a huge conversion chart on the blackboard.

I also remember the launch of the £1 coin as my mother gave me a bag of £200 of them.   

 

I seem to remember that the ten bob note was taken out off circulation before decimal day.  Although that would mean we had a ten bob coin for a while .  That can't be right.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 03 July, 2016, 08:00:00 pm
I remember spending a lesson in school learning addition and subtraction of pounds, shillings and pence. I'm not sure why they felt the need to teach us this, given that none of my class were born until well after decimalisation...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 03 July, 2016, 08:05:00 pm
I seem to remember that the ten bob note was taken out off circulation before decimal day.  Although that would mean we had a ten bob coin for a while .  That can't be right.
The 50 (new) p coin was legal tender before decimalisation.
And one was used for the toss in the FA cup final before they were issued to the public.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2016, 08:08:34 pm
I remember spending a lesson in school learning addition and subtraction of pounds, shillings and pence. I'm not sure why they felt the need to teach us this, given that none of my class were born until well after decimalisation...

Probably a way to introduce the concept of different number bases?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 July, 2016, 08:15:50 pm
I seem to remember that the ten bob note was taken out off circulation before decimal day.  Although that would mean we had a ten bob coin for a while .  That can't be right.
The 50 (new) p coin was legal tender before decimalisation.
And one was used for the toss in the FA cup final before they were issued to the public.

This was autumn 1969. I was Kosher school dinner monitor. Meals were 1/9 so a week's dinners were 8/9, needing ⅓ change from a ten-bob note.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 03 July, 2016, 08:17:12 pm
I remember spending a lesson in school learning addition and subtraction of pounds, shillings and pence. I'm not sure why they felt the need to teach us this, given that none of my class were born until well after decimalisation...

Probably a way to introduce the concept of different number bases?

That makes sense.  I'm sure we were better at mental arithmetic as kids when we had to think in 12s  and 20s.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2016, 08:25:18 pm
I remember spending a lesson in school learning addition and subtraction of pounds, shillings and pence. I'm not sure why they felt the need to teach us this, given that none of my class were born until well after decimalisation...

Probably a way to introduce the concept of different number bases?

That makes sense.  I'm sure we were better at mental arithmetic as kids when we had to think in 12s  and 20s.

Undoubtedly.  The counter-argument is that there's no point in being really good at mental arithmetic if it's not something you ever actually need to use.  I see little point in memorising multiplication tables above 10, and no point at all in those higher than 12, as in the real (metric) world there's very little that isn't base 10 or base 6.  You'd be better off spending the time learning some more relevant skill, like spotting overflow / rounding errors or something.

(And I say that as someone who uses base 2 and 16 fairly regularly.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 July, 2016, 08:35:58 pm
I can! '11+', first decimal coins, Paris riots, parents moved to London...

I don't know what day it was but I clearly remember my form teacher bringing in new decimal coins after dinner one day in school.   We had the new coins next to old coins and even notes (ten bob!) and we did a huge conversion chart on the blackboard.

I also remember the launch of the £1 coin as my mother gave me a bag of £200 of them.   

I think the first decimal coins were issued on 23 April 1968, which was a Tuesday. (I would have been a few weeks short of 10 at that point.)

The £1 coins came out much later ??1983 - when we were proper grown-ups - and were nicknamed 'Thatcher' ( 'thick, brassy and thinks it's a sovereign') by some.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 04 July, 2016, 07:11:31 am
More memories of being ten years old are recalled.

The man next door put a ten bob note in Christmas and birthday cards for my sister and I. This was in the days when a Matchbox cars were 2/6- and 10/- could buy a Subuteo team.

In 1968, my 10/- note bought Corgi Toys GS13. Still got it, although in many pieces. I managed to buy another mint example in the box recently for £249.

Then we found out our next door neighbour was a millionaire.
When the 10/- note was taken out of circulation, he put a green £1 note in the cards.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 July, 2016, 08:14:15 am
In 1968, my 10/- note bought Corgi Toys GS13. Still got it, although in many pieces. I managed to buy another mint example in the box recently for £249.

Mine bought four pints of McEwan's Export.  Tuppence-ha'penny a pint and 2/3½d in tax.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 04 July, 2016, 10:19:25 am
I was in my first year at Grammar School, and I recall that the Mars Bars in the tuck shop went from 9d to 4p - an immediate price increase of 6%!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 July, 2016, 11:23:31 am
In 1968, my 10/- note bought Corgi Toys GS13. Still got it, although in many pieces. I managed to buy another mint example in the box recently for £249.

Mine bought four pints of McEwan's Export.  Tuppence-ha'penny a pint and 2/3½d in tax.

... or 5 pints of Younger's IPA.  The only thing cheaper was the beer at the Old Chain Peer at 1/9d, but it was piss.  Even Betty Moss said so.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 04 July, 2016, 12:08:24 pm
Take it easy and don't worry.  One of the TdF bods lost 3 months after having a finger chopped off earlier this year, and he's in the pack.
I tried doing that yesterday, but with hedge-cutters rather than bikey parts.   :facepalm:  Aiiiieeee!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 July, 2016, 12:15:38 pm
Take it easy and don't worry.  One of the TdF bods lost 3 months after having a finger chopped off earlier this year, and he's in the pack.
I tried doing that yesterday, but with hedge-cutters rather than bikey parts.   :facepalm:  Aiiiieeee!

Heal well and fast!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2016, 12:19:03 pm
Fingers are precious!  Take care of them!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 04 July, 2016, 12:42:52 pm
Thanks ladies.  Just got a bit of a gash through the pad - quite deep, but it's clean(ish) and there's nothing missing so it should knit back together quite well.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 July, 2016, 01:36:55 pm
Narsty. Our Buddleia fights back as well, but usually with a wet flower-head down the back of your neck.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 July, 2016, 04:03:17 pm
Back for a minute to the pre-metrication: I noticed yesterday my Madison touring shorts, which I bought new in 1986 or v. close (certainly the oldest item of clothing I have, probably the oldest thing I have that was new when I got it, possibly even the first item of clothing I ever bought (teenage cycle nerd :o), have their washing label in fahrenheit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ningishzidda on 04 July, 2016, 06:15:13 pm
Cus they were aimed at the USA market.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 July, 2016, 09:49:09 am
Two months now since my last decent ride before severe angina stopped me, one month since attempts to stem it with divers vasodilators failed, two days before I go into hospital for an angioplasty and there's flu in the house with a good chance of me catching it ==> postponement.  Bollocks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 July, 2016, 10:17:34 am
I would leave home!

Now 2 weeks since my injury and surgery and I feel more tired and weaker than I did last week!  I think the reality of the injury and the post adrenaline reaction is really kicking in!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 July, 2016, 04:15:53 pm
So to finish things off, I am sitting waiting for my clinic appointment when the phone rings.  My wife has been in an accident, car not drivable but she is unhurt thankfully.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2016, 04:24:19 pm
What is it with members of this forum!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 July, 2016, 05:54:16 pm
Some are accident-prone, others are just prone.

I'm into hosp Thurs pm for tests before my angioplasty Friday morning.  I didn't think I'd be nervous, but...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 July, 2016, 06:05:50 pm
Argh sorry to hear you're fatigued and stuff now Chris and about your wife's accident - hope she remains OK.

T42, good luck at not catching teh flu - hope your op can go ahead as planned.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 July, 2016, 07:32:25 pm
T42  praying for a good outcome.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 July, 2016, 12:46:10 am
What is it with members of this forum!
I suspect those who post to this board and this thread might just be unrepresentative of the forum as a whole...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 July, 2016, 06:13:52 pm
I hope that all goes well t42  :). As me I spend most of my time prone  ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 July, 2016, 07:00:12 pm
Whee doggy. Artery was 100% blocked, but brilliant surgeon lady blasted through (heparin?) And shoved in a stent. Wound took ages to staunch afterwards, nurses taking it in relays. Ok now.

Gasping for a coffee.

Thks again all for good wishes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 July, 2016, 08:28:38 pm
Good news  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 08 July, 2016, 08:44:39 pm
Whee doggy. Artery was 100% blocked, but brilliant surgeon lady blasted through (heparin?) And shoved in a stent. Wound took ages to staunch afterwards, nurses taking it in relays. Ok now.

The sort of thing that is sort of good to hear. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 July, 2016, 10:01:34 pm
Brilliant news. I hope it does the job for you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 08 July, 2016, 10:41:48 pm
I'm not old enough for base 12 money, but do remember the old two shilling pieces used as tenpence.

The one that got me confused was going to Germany aged 7, coming back aged ten and finding twenty pence pieces and pound coins being used. First time relative gave me a pound to get some sweets I had no idea what it was.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 July, 2016, 11:10:50 pm
Whee doggy. Artery was 100% blocked, but brilliant surgeon lady blasted through (heparin?) And shoved in a stent. Wound took ages to staunch afterwards, nurses taking it in relays. Ok now.

Gasping for a coffee.

Thks again all for good wishes.
Oh my goodness, how on earth where you still going?  Good to hear it worked. You sure it was a surgeon and not dyno-rod?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 08 July, 2016, 11:29:44 pm
Whee doggy. Artery was 100% blocked, but brilliant surgeon lady blasted through (heparin?) And shoved in a stent. Wound took ages to staunch afterwards, nurses taking it in relays. Ok now.

Gasping for a coffee.

Thks again all for good wishes.

Good news, gws
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2016, 05:12:51 am
 :thumbsup:

All serene, shd be out this morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 09 July, 2016, 07:02:05 am
I am in a bit and b in Llanwrtyd Wells and my back has gone again  :'(. I am not sure how I am getting home.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2016, 10:48:12 am
I am in a bit and b in Llanwrtyd Wells and my back has gone again  :'(. I am not sure how I am getting home.

Ouch.  Did that on 23rd June 2013, but fortunately I had an orthopaedic nurse riding with.  Massage got me home.

Hope the Good Fairy will happen along soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2016, 11:02:25 am
Home again, feeling great.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: geraldc on 09 July, 2016, 11:09:31 am
My lactose intolerance seems only to be triggered with various forms of ice cream/gelato (as I tend to avoid milk and dairy products, other than cheese on pizza). So I'm considering sitting down this weekend with a pint glass, and a bottle of A2 milk. Things might get messy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 July, 2016, 11:48:38 am
I'm largely lactose intolerant but I can have hard cheese, pizza etc. The lactose content of chedder etc is about 0.03%, compared to milk/cream/yoghurt which are 5%. 

I buy lactose free milk for TEA, avoid yoghurt and cream and don't worry about hard cheese or even small amounts of milk chocolate. What is worth looking out for is whey powder at 50% lactose in some cases as the lactose goes into the non-fat component of the dairy mostly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 July, 2016, 11:49:05 am
I am in a bit and b in Llanwrtyd Wells and my back has gone again  :'(. I am not sure how I am getting home.

Bugger, that does not sound good. I hope you can reboot it and get home safely.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 July, 2016, 12:53:59 pm
Home again, feeling great.

Excellent!!  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2016, 01:02:30 pm
Thanks, Helly.  Nice thing was that the surge said I could drop the vasodilators without being asked, which would have been my next question.

I have the CD with the videos of the op home with me, but TBH I can't see much change.  Unfortunately they're a proprietary format so no YouTubing.

Still covered with betadine - look as if I have jaundice.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 July, 2016, 02:05:47 pm
Suggest you don't lie on white sheets yet!  ;) ;D

Hoping for a smooth recovery!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 July, 2016, 02:07:03 pm
Try Sante Dicom viewer.  It is a free dowload
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2016, 04:00:05 pm
Manage to wangle a shower by taping up my arm in a freezer bag. All clean now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 July, 2016, 07:33:26 pm
And I am in Carmarthen hospital watching the rain falling. I doubt I will get out before Tuesday  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 July, 2016, 07:50:48 pm
Oh dear! GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 July, 2016, 07:55:47 pm
GWS cyclamen
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 10 July, 2016, 08:57:38 pm
And I am in Carmarthen hospital watching the rain falling. I doubt I will get out before Tuesday  ::-)
Blimey. 
I absolutely have to be in Lampeter tomorrow.  Let me know if you are still there on Tuesday as I could take a bus down.  Anything you need?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 July, 2016, 09:42:09 pm
Eeep Cycleman, sorry to hear the hospital has got you, hope they can sort you out soonest!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 July, 2016, 07:15:36 am
Thanks all of you  :). It would be great to see you basil. I may well be still here on Tuesday as every time I wake up and move my back mussels tense up. Although it does not go into full spasm my back is more painful now than it was last night. I am pleased to report that me and Jonathan notp acended and decended the devils staircase. I did look but the stair lift I not find it  ???. When I get back home there should be pictures. Basil I will pm you the ward info  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2016, 10:43:57 am
It's the careening that hurts most.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 12 July, 2016, 07:22:55 am
I thought I was improving but about 3.00am my back nearly went back into full spasm  ::-). And it feels like something is bitting me!.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 12 July, 2016, 08:10:30 am
There are 3 buses a day from here.  Hopefully, I can catch the last one in and the first one back in order to come and point and laugh at you.  This still means I'll be over 5 hours away from my teenage niece who is currently staying here on paint brush wielding duties.  Not sure if I trust her that much.

I'll bring you some Welsh cakes.  They should help.   :P
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 July, 2016, 01:38:29 pm
Waiting for the duty GP to ring me back. My idiot cat stuck one of his claws deep into the thumb/finger webbing on my right hand at the weekend. There's no redness other than at the puncture point, but it's sore to touch in the joint and in the soft tissue, and full abduction of the thumb is sore in the joint.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 July, 2016, 03:04:20 pm
GP rang me back and went off to check the paper notes to check I've had my full tetanus course. While she had the paper notes in front of her, I asked her to look something up for me. What my parents have told me is that just after I started school I had a bit of a cold and the next day I was covered in a terrible rash, which they have explained to me as "you produced too many antibodies to the cold and then reacted to them." What I remember is going to the local hospital for urine tests and refusing to pee in the cardboard potty because I was a big girl (nearly 5!) and could use the toilet, and my dad carrying me up the stairs to bed because my legs hurt, and being allowed to eat my tea in front of the telly instead of at the table.

GP checked the notes - 22/09/75 (so about three weeks after I started school) - Hanoch-Schonlein Purpura. Never heard of it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 July, 2016, 05:14:38 pm
I thought 'Henoch-Schönlein Purpura' about 3 lines into your big paragraph...

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 July, 2016, 05:46:47 pm
Bloody morphine paranoia. Spent two hours explaining repeatedly to the Inlaw Paw this afternoon that he was receiving treatment**, he was being monitored continuously, and the docs & nurses were keeping an eye on him and that yes, the doc had explained everything to him. He would respond "yes, but I've no proof" and we'd show him his daily charts, he'd say "well I'll take your word for it" and clam down.  Then his memory would evaporate and he'd start over. We're knackered. And tomorrow afternoon we go back.

**congestive heart failure. Looks bad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 July, 2016, 09:37:13 pm
IOP in left eye was 32mmHg today despite taking two types of glaucoma drop.  32 is scarily high (baseline before surgery was 12).  It's a reaction to dexamethasone, which I have been told to discontinue forthwith.  Now on loteprednol, which barely raises IOP at all (right eye is a decent 18mmHg and has been on loteprednol with no glaucoma drops for the last two months).

Opthalmwotsit says there is no optic nerve damage but he is clearly worried that the glaucoma drops didn't control the pressure.  Need to see him again in two weeks, by which time all the dexamethasone should have left the system and IOP should hopefully be under 21 again.

The balance to be struck is that you really have to take dexamethasone in the first few months after a graft, as it is a very powerful and easily absorbed anti-inflammatory which prevents rejection, but it is known to raise IOP in about a third of people.  Loteprednol is more benign but is too weakly absorbed to do the job in the early stages.  Raised IOP for a short period shouldn't cause glaucoma but it will eventually do so if left unchecked.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 July, 2016, 02:41:21 pm
My brother's been having some vision issues. He went to the optician who thought he had maccular holes and sent him to the eye clinic for a proper look.
Apparently 3 people at the eye clinic looked and they say there are no holes but may be some abnormal pigmentation on the retina, so he's to go back again for a Fundus fluorescein angiograph.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 July, 2016, 04:52:12 pm
Inlaw Paw out of danger, moving out of ICU tomorrow, but his memory is shot. Today he couldn't recognize the very distinctive mug he's been using at home for the last 5 years, he doesn't remember why he's in there. And curiously, every so often he'll use very formal phrases in normal conversation.

He'll be a couple more weeks in the heart unit now and then 2-3 in the convalescent wing.  Thereafter, we don't yet know.

One thing I realized yesterday: I've had quite bad nervous eczema on my hands for some weeks, and since he's been in hospital and we aren't eternally on call it has almost gone.  This morning the missus and I got out for a walk together for the first time since 2013.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 July, 2016, 05:05:13 pm
Is it nervous eczema or is it dermatitis from too much 'soap', too little rinsing, drying and hand cream?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 July, 2016, 10:29:15 am
No fillings today, and the dentist says my oral health is excellent.  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 July, 2016, 12:40:20 pm
Is it nervous eczema or is it dermatitis from too much 'soap', too little rinsing, drying and hand cream?

Fair question, but it does wax & wane with stress.  It started up in 1996 when the Social Security, bless them, dunned us for 141,000 francs just before we went on holiday, and has come & gone thereafter in inverse phase to our fortunes.  And my hands get lots of lanolin from dogs' fur.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 July, 2016, 12:45:27 pm
Is it nervous eczema or is it dermatitis from too much 'soap', too little rinsing, drying and hand cream?

Fair question, but it does wax & wane with stress.  It started up in 1996 when the Social Security, bless them, dunned us for 141,000 francs just before we went on holiday, and has come & gone thereafter in inverse phase to our fortunes.  And my hands get lots of lanolin from dogs' fur.

Fur enough.
Looking after others does entail much washing; keep well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 July, 2016, 12:53:32 pm
Well, others are doing that just now. He's moving into a different unit today where things will be more relaxed than in Reanimation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 July, 2016, 09:34:56 pm
We have had 'Fish Oil + Multivitamin' capsules for years.
These are branded 'Seven Seas'.
They used to be 'pure cod liver oil' + A-Z multivitamins.
There was a sneaky change to 'Omega-3 Fish oil + Cod Liver Oil + A-Z Multivitamins.
This has now been rebadged 'Simply Timeless'.
The formula seems the same as after the sneaky change and it now only contains 15% cod liver oil...
I feel a little done...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 July, 2016, 11:13:36 am
But enriched with 30% more marketing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 July, 2016, 11:30:06 am
 ;) ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 23 July, 2016, 11:44:03 am
After being turned away from a blood donor session a few years ago due to marginally low Hgb I started taking combined VitC and Iron tablets; low dosage (100% of RDA, I think), and sold cheaply by Sainsburys. A year or so ago they disappeared from the shelves for a few months, but have now returned in a very similar container, with the same formula, but now labelled as 'Women's'.  Previously they were simply called something like 'Basics'. 

As a non-woman, I continue to take them, but do wonder a little about the marketing logic.  OK, women are probably statistically more prone to low Hgb, but you have to wonder whether sales to the male of the species may have declined since the change!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2016, 11:57:12 am
In today's post were two identical letters to my GP, following a recent clinic visit.
I'm sure the intention was to send me a courtesy copy and send one copy to the GP.
Some idiot isn't very good at stuffing envelopes, it appears.
Will ask partner to drop refolded copy at the surgery.

I wonder how many important letters go astray this way...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 July, 2016, 08:04:59 am
Dragging off to hosp every pm to see the IP is getting very, very wearing. Incredibly tired now from before I get up until I go to bed.  Still not cycling or even using turbo, but walking round the fields every couple of days, carefully keeping BG within spitting-distance of the bell curve. Will be getting on turbo next weekend, maybe that'll help.  Brain-dead mostly, too.  Ideal convalescence from coronary plumbing, not.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 July, 2016, 03:22:22 pm
Getting my thumb surgery 11th August.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 July, 2016, 03:32:21 pm
Getting my thumb surgery 11th August.
The last thing you said about your thumb was that Boris stuck a claw in it. An operation seems extreme . . .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 July, 2016, 09:11:09 pm
Left eye IOP was 32mmHg two weeks ago (which is very bad).  Changed anti-inflammatory steroid drops and down to 13mmHg today, which is about as low as it gets when your corneas are a bit thicker than normal (this affects the reading).  Apparently I'm "on the home straight" now and will be down to only one type of eye drop, once a day, in a few weeks' time.  Last month I was carrying around four different ones!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 July, 2016, 07:05:54 am
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 July, 2016, 09:21:29 am
Got so used to doing SFA - well, apart from walking round the fields & forest, which is SFA with bugs - since May that the idea of getting back on the bike tomorrow is somewhat daunting.  At the same time, the idea of getting on the turbo instead is disgusting. One is quandarized.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 July, 2016, 12:50:46 pm
Please get back on the bike and ride for FUN.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 July, 2016, 01:10:32 pm
Yeah! Fuckit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 July, 2016, 10:00:22 pm
Getting my thumb surgery 11th August.
The last thing you said about your thumb was that Boris stuck a claw in it. An operation seems extreme . . .
That was my other thumb, and it was Pete, not Boris.  ;D

There's a weird lump on the base of my left thumb. X-ray and ultrasound haven't shown anything, but it's an obvious lump, and it's sore, and I keep knocking it and making it more sore. So the hand surgeon is going to cut it out and I am going to get two weeks off while the stitches are in, followed by 2 weeks annual leave. I am not sad about that at all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 July, 2016, 10:50:07 am
Did a whole 8.9 km, round the village & up a neighbouring hill, heart up to 153 bpm with no pain. One is chuffed. :thumbsup:

Heh: when BPM on Garmin was 110 it was 75 on Fitbit marketing device, when Garmin & BP meter showed 87 it was still 75 on the WeSawYouComingBit. Those things are rubbish.  I'm glad it was a present.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: geraldc on 29 July, 2016, 11:19:27 am
Did you set Fitbit to exercise mode so the sampling of HR happens more frequently?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 July, 2016, 11:27:38 am
Quote
Did a whole 8.9 km, round the village & up a neighbouring hill, heart up to 153 bpm with no pain. One is chuffed. :thumbsup:

glad you had fun again
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 July, 2016, 01:08:41 pm
@geraldc No, but it appears to sample HR at a hell of a rate anyway: permanent baleful green flicker.  TBH I don't like the nasty rubbery feel of the thing or the hype surrounding it, so I only wear it to appease please the missus.

@chris Cheers! Not half as glad as I am.  When every hill is accompanied either by chest pain or the expectation thereof the shine kinda goes off.  It's bloody wonderful to go tanking up** a 6% again without a hint of it.

Hoping for dry weather now.

** at a whole 9 kph but that's what it felt like
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 August, 2016, 11:27:11 am
Why are broken ribs not accompanied by swelling like other bones?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 01 August, 2016, 11:33:58 am
Bugger

First time back on the CoCodamol since early 2014.  :'(

Hip has flared up again. Time to dig out my hospital patient number and reactive the open appointment.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 01 August, 2016, 11:48:18 am
Not a grumble but....

Back at the end of March I had an off which resulted in a heavy landing on my shoulder from 15mph. A&E said nothing was broken and as it was a soft tissue injury, I should give it 4 to 8 weeks to heal up.

So, 16 weeks later and it still hurts and I still can't swim with it (I can't put my arm behind my back), so I phone my GP for an appointment. As its not an emergency, they can't see me for 10 days.  :-\

Lets hope it is just a soft tissue injury and A&E didn't miss something.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 August, 2016, 11:49:04 am
Why are broken ribs not accompanied by swelling like other bones?
Actually you don't always get much swelling with a broken bone. Swelling comes from damage to the surrounding soft tissue.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 01 August, 2016, 03:28:18 pm
essexian

Remember soft tissue injuries take longer to heal than bones!

You will have certainly jammed the acromioclavicluar joint and possibly damaged the rotator cuff.  I would find a good local physio before going the medical route.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 August, 2016, 01:15:32 pm
Chuffed with first half-decent ride: 25k w. ~100 metres of real climbing. Heart hit 159 without pain either during ride or since, B.P. once home 120/70. Knackered but hey, after ~8 weeks doing essentially nothing it's not bad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 August, 2016, 01:24:33 pm
That's excellent. Registering for PBP then . . . Or would swimbo kill you if you mentioned it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 03 August, 2016, 02:46:46 pm
T42
Really pleased for you.  I hope you do get back to long distance if you are well enough but even reasonable rides must feel wonderful after what you went through and faced.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 August, 2016, 04:15:32 pm
Thank-you both.

@mrcharly: herself knows that a lot can happen in 4 years.  I have mentioned doing a diagonale next year: she just says "wait and see".

@chris: I always had confidence in the med squad, but I did get a bit pissed off that they took an extra month to decide on the 2nd stent when the artery was obviously closing fast and my hard-earned condition was going out the window.  However, the genius they found to fix it was worth the wait.  The main thing now is to stick to a reasonable diet and not spoil her handiwork.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 03 August, 2016, 06:11:03 pm
T42
I am really enamoured of the idea of a "diagonale".  I have a half planned Dunkirk to Perpignan which has been shelved the last 2 years due to various things.  I love the concept of the various trips.  The UK seem so simple with Lejog or C2C
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2016, 08:41:46 am
@Chris: I started planning a Dunk-Perp a couple of years back, taking the route via the Rhône valley, which is considerably easier than crossing the Massif Central.  I jacked it in after a while: apart from the fact that it was taking longer to plan than I had reckoned, all the roads south of Dunkirk that I looked at on Streetview were either covered in mud or dull grey under heavy overcast - it was just too depressing.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2016, 08:44:54 am
Going to ask the cardiologist for a Holter later this week. I've been having spells of what for me is bradycardia - heart at 45 rather than my usual 54 rest frequency - and sensations as of extra-systolics around my heart.  Weather's perfect and all I can do is look at it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 August, 2016, 07:07:33 pm
T42  Thanks for the info about diagonal, I may come back to you!!

Are you on a Beta blocker.  Many cardiologists may underestimate the fitness of long term long distance cyclists and the effect of beta blockers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 August, 2016, 07:38:45 am
Not a chance of that, Chris. I was on BBs for three horrible years when I got my first stent in 2008 - along with unnecessary BP meds they cost me my 2011 PBP qualification.  I was a wee bit miffed at that.

Still, I did a ride with adequate food on board yesterday and I'm more or less OK this morning.  We've been utterly knackered recently from driving to & fro to the hospital every day, but on Monday we took the day off; and the antidiabetic diet I'm on doesn't chime too well with exercise.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 11 August, 2016, 03:20:16 pm
essexian

Remember soft tissue injuries take longer to heal than bones!

You will have certainly jammed the acromioclavicluar joint and possibly damaged the rotator cuff.  I would find a good local physio before going the medical route.

Hi Chris et al

Went to the Doctors this morning who said it looks like I have damaged my rotator cuff and has referred me to the local hospital for a scan to confirm what's going on and then its likely I will need physio. I should be seen in the next 4 weeks which is pretty good really.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 August, 2016, 07:15:36 pm
Bother, another cathier caused infection. It was bothering me on the London ride last Saturday and has not improved since. Back on antibiotics again  :'(.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 August, 2016, 08:56:25 am
Bother, another cathier caused infection. It was bothering me on the London ride last Saturday and has not improved since. Back on antibiotics again  :'(.

Pardon me, but does that word really exist?  It looks like a misspelling of catheter but has been repeated so often I'm beginning to wonder.  Maybe the hospital staff are eliding the second T: English pronunciation seems to be sliding that way, on support lines at least (suppor' lines a' leas').

Anyway, sympathies for your distressed urethra.  My experience thereof dates from before my diabetes diagnosis, and it was not very agreeable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 August, 2016, 01:20:11 pm
The word is catheter.
I don't know if cycleman's attendants have adopted the glottal stop.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 August, 2016, 03:58:19 pm
My understanding is that cycleman struggles with keyboard input at the best of times for disability reasons (he's a lot more verbose in person  ;)).  He also seems to fall foul of autocorrect on a regular basis.

As for catheters, the speed at which they seem to be addressing the underlying issue is surely taking the piss?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 August, 2016, 04:50:05 pm
The Inlaw Paw has one plus a urine pouch just now.  Any bag-snatchers are in for a nasty surprise.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 August, 2016, 10:35:11 pm
My understanding is that cycleman struggles with keyboard input at the best of times for disability reasons (he's a lot more verbose in person  ;)).  He also seems to fall foul of autocorrect on a regular basis.

As for catheters, the speed at which they seem to be addressing the underlying issue is surely taking the piss?
Back of the class for that, Kim.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 13 August, 2016, 09:34:53 am
There not even doing that Kim. They leave disposal to me  :facepalm: ;D. Sorry about the miss spelling. I am afraid that autocorrect do control my spelling  :-[
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 August, 2016, 02:31:13 pm
I've been for a pre-op assessment. It was useful - the paperwork I had said to stop using Aspirin before the op, but not when. Turn out I need to stop taking it two weeks before. I also found out I'll be in plaster for 6 weeks post op.

Got weighed. I'm back up to 80kg. That is a surprise, mostly because my trousers are falling off me, I'm hungry a lot of the time (but food is unappetising - topirimate side-effect). When I was 83kg I had trouble doing up the same trousers and Tshirts were tight. So I dunno where all the Kg are hiding.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 August, 2016, 01:28:07 pm
Two of three weeks now since I stopped drinking my own home-roasted coffee. Since then, although I had the odd peely-wally effort locally, I hadn't anything I'd call real coffee. Yesterday morning, though, we rode to my favourite patisserie and I had a couple of decent espressos, and as I finished the second one my hands began to shake. Didn't sleep too well last night, either.

Quite amazed at the effect.  Not going to do that again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 August, 2016, 01:33:27 pm
I've been for a pre-op assessment. It was useful - the paperwork I had said to stop using Aspirin before the op, but not when. Turn out I need to stop taking it two weeks before. I also found out I'll be in plaster for 6 weeks post op.

Got weighed. I'm back up to 80kg. That is a surprise, mostly because my trousers are falling off me, I'm hungry a lot of the time (but food is unappetising - topirimate side-effect). When I was 83kg I had trouble doing up the same trousers and Tshirts were tight. So I dunno where all the Kg are hiding.

How do normally get weighed & on which/whose scales?
Very few are really well-calibrated. I would not be surprised if you are lighter in other circumstances.

Good luck with the op!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 27 August, 2016, 01:54:02 pm
I have a gastro appointment on Wednesday, must remember to print out the study showing improvement in Crohn's symptoms when medication replaced with exercise.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 August, 2016, 09:40:39 am
I've been for a pre-op assessment. It was useful - the paperwork I had said to stop using Aspirin before the op, but not when. Turn out I need to stop taking it two weeks before. I also found out I'll be in plaster for 6 weeks post op.

Got weighed. I'm back up to 80kg. That is a surprise, mostly because my trousers are falling off me, I'm hungry a lot of the time (but food is unappetising - topirimate side-effect). When I was 83kg I had trouble doing up the same trousers and Tshirts were tight. So I dunno where all the Kg are hiding.

How do normally get weighed & on which/whose scales?
Very few are really well-calibrated. I would not be surprised if you are lighter in other circumstances.

Good luck with the op!
The scales at home agreed with the hospital . . .
I've been away in the lakes for a week of pub food and beer, but surprisingly have not gained weight but have gained belly fat! Bodies are weird.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 02 September, 2016, 08:18:08 am
Doing my morning stretches and something went pop deep in my pelvis, hoping that's progress.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2016, 05:19:36 pm
Me legs is sore.  Feels great.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 September, 2016, 01:13:47 pm
'graft from iliac crest' I had this naive idea that meant a teeny little cut and an achy hip for a few days.

It's a 4" incision with incredible bruising (it extends round my back, doesn't show up in the p'c) , sitting up is really hard, can't use abdominal muscles on that side. coughing is a very bad idea

Apart from "keep wound site dry" I haven'y been told anything about care of this.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 04 September, 2016, 01:20:36 pm
Leave the steristrips till they drop off.  After three days or so you should be okay to have a quick shower, so long as you don't soak the wound.  Don't lie around in bed, don't be an invalid.  But rest is important.

Lie on your right side in a ball before you get up.  Support the sore bits with your hand when you need to cough.

Eat protein.

Don't do stupid things like repairing boats, cleaning up after teenagers, or lifting anything heavier than a phone book.  Your body is using its resources to heal so don't put further demands (like bike riding or hiking or housework) on it.

Get enough sleep.  This should be a high priority.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 September, 2016, 01:27:50 pm
I'm not doing much 'cause one-armed. back to work mon, but that's sedentary and I'll come home early if I'm tired.

Something popped when I coughed, but it doesn't hurt now. I just didn't expect them taking the bone for the graft to affect abdominal muscles

I have waterproof dressings to keep it covered
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 September, 2016, 01:30:18 pm
lifting anything heavier than a phone book

A modern phone book, or a proper one from the 1980s?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 04 September, 2016, 01:55:34 pm
lifting anything heavier than a phone book

A modern phone book, or a proper one from the 1980s?

Circa 1993.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CrinklyLion on 04 September, 2016, 02:01:17 pm
And if you need owt done (or a care package casserole - 1980's Neighbours-stylee) next weekend, do say so!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 September, 2016, 02:49:52 pm
Sympathy.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: lou boutin on 04 September, 2016, 03:04:34 pm
Sending healing vibe MrC

I've just done a 10 mile pootle. 5 miles out, a latte and 5 miles back. :-). As its my first post op pootle I'm a bit sore now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 September, 2016, 06:01:17 pm
Ouch, sympathies Mr C.  Heal well and soon.  I like Ruthie's advice.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 September, 2016, 06:13:55 pm
Sending healing vibe MrC

I've just done a 10 mile pootle. 5 miles out, a latte and 5 miles back. :-). As its my first post op pootle I'm a bit sore now.
that sounds great. well done
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 September, 2016, 07:08:54 pm
Leave the steristrips till they drop off.  After three days or so you should be okay to have a quick shower, so long as you don't soak the wound.  Don't lie around in bed, don't be an invalid.  But rest is important.

Lie on your right side in a ball before you get up.  Support the sore bits with your hand when you need to cough.

Eat protein.

Don't do stupid things like repairing boats, cleaning up after teenagers, or lifting anything heavier than a phone book.  Your body is using its resources to heal so don't put further demands (like bike riding or hiking or housework) on it.

Get enough sleep.  This should be a high priority.

(My bold)
Yes, do as you're told!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: lou boutin on 04 September, 2016, 07:52:16 pm
Also Ig you've an an operation involving your abdomen, driving will hurt too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 September, 2016, 09:30:07 pm
Well I'm one handed, so driving for a bit. Not tempted to try cycling.

Not sure about working tomorrow, it's not the work, it's the commute. That cough tore something and the bruising is worse I'm really sore. Spent most of the day asleep on the sofa.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 04 September, 2016, 09:35:54 pm
Cystitis. Again.
No 400 for me this weekend. I think I'm up to 3 bouts this year - I really should start keeping a tally.

My wife has recently started suffering repeated bouts (this last time they've sent a sample to the lab to see if it's a particularly stubborn strain), but coincidentally we were watching "Trust me, I'm a doctor" and Hiprex was mentioned. This is a prophylactic drug that makes the urine hostile to bacterial infection and can be prescribed in cases of repetitive cystitis. My wife will be enquiringly about it at her annual checkup next week - she certainly doesn't want a bout when she's in the US next month.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 September, 2016, 03:48:18 pm
The Inlaw Paw will be home Wed or Thur, and we have had a hospital-style bed and anti-bedsore air mattress installed for him.  Bloke who installed it pointed out a yellow tab for emergency deflation, explaining that you need it if heart massage is required, "otherwise you get the basketball-dribble effect".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 12 September, 2016, 08:15:12 am
Dr Google suggest infection of epididymis.   :'(  Feel like I've been booted in the twig 'n' berries.  Seeing quack this evening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 September, 2016, 05:54:09 pm
Ciprofloxacin ftw. GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 12 September, 2016, 07:26:24 pm
Obtaining required samples would be fun  ;D if it were not for the discomfort...  :-\ (apply liberal mindbleach if required)
Thanks helly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2016, 10:45:44 am
Another day, another seizure (if that's what they are), ho hum.

Conscious for this one. About 2am, woke choking, constriction in throat feeling, felt unable to breath. Followed by whole body muscle contraction/rigidity/spasms. Jaw rigid teeth clenching. Aware of what was happening, aware that Charly was asleep, that I woke her and she asked me what was going on, unable to answer until spasm/contraction ceased. Throat contraction went first, then body relaxed. No pain in head or other migraine aura

Not huge spasms, but not fun when you have internal stitches still healing, and arm osteotomy/graft healing. arm is distinctly achy today
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 13 September, 2016, 10:50:14 am
How awful, sorry mrc.  :-\ Take care.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 September, 2016, 10:51:59 am
Ugh, that sounds unpleasant. I presume you're logging these and letting the docs know. Hope you don't feel too awful today physically or psychologically.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2016, 11:02:49 am
that makes 3 in 12 months - but the only one wher I was fully aware. back to nuero I suppose.

I guess I'm officially weird
I'm fed up of being ill, broken limbs, head not being functioning. Makes me miserable, MrsC is fed up of it too and saying so
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 September, 2016, 04:59:23 pm
I hope they work out what's causing them and you get some better body luck soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 September, 2016, 08:52:26 pm
Sorry to hear of your issues mrcharly, sounds frightening.

In other rubbish news, my brother has maccular degeneration in both eyes. He's only 55  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 September, 2016, 09:34:00 pm
Is that the nasty wet Macular Degeneration kind Mrs Pingu?  My mum has the dry kind which is apparently 'less bad'.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 September, 2016, 10:42:23 pm
He has the dry MD. He says the damage in one eye covers about 3x the area of the other. Is to go back next week for another imaging session so they can assess the initial rate of degradation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 14 September, 2016, 12:21:09 am
Ugh, sounds much worse than my mum's which is just a small amount of visual glitch currently, although she doesn't need much to bollox up her visual processing as she's dyslexic and has appalling spatial awareness and proprioception.

If it gets to that stage, do advise your brother to find some "low vision" advice, there are a lot of strategies and support options to help people with slight impairments which may reduce the difficulty of not seeing well. Services are no where near promoted enough but do exist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 September, 2016, 01:55:09 pm
I had a cast change today, which enabled me to find out what had actually been done.

A HUGE plate was put in. I swear it is bigger than the original radius, it actually wraps around the head of the radius. Taking no chances . . .

Stitches removed and things a lot more comfortable. Was a big relief to see my arm looking straight, before they wrapped it back up in a cast again.
Sadly I didn't get a pic of the plate scan, will make sure I do next time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 September, 2016, 02:22:20 pm
Always fun seeing what they've done to you under the dressings. Glad it is more comfortable. How long are you in a cast for now?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 September, 2016, 02:29:30 pm
4 weeks - but only a very small cast and I can use my fingers (but not supposed to do it much ha ha).

Incision was surprisingly small, only about 5", they must have really stretched things to get the plate in and done the bone sawing. No wonder my arm was black and blue.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 September, 2016, 02:35:10 pm
Small casts ftw. Good luck not over using the fingers, that's surprisingly hard.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: lou boutin on 15 September, 2016, 07:30:39 pm
Keep on keeping in healing well Mr C
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 September, 2016, 01:10:42 pm
Excellent article on atherosclerosis:

http://eatingacademy.com/cholesterol-2/heart-disease-begin-tell-us-prevention
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2016, 12:01:33 am
Because I haven't actually ranted about it on here yet, because it's been canonically discussed in the Other Place:

I only got as far as Maastricht under my own power on the recent Fridays' tour (http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-latest-news-on-the-fridays-vi-v-a-colonia-tour.206807/).   By the end of the fourth day I was suffering from being out in the heat too long, but also had some niggling achilles pain on the left side that I didn't think much of at the time.  The following day - ostensibly a rest day - I chose to ride on to Maastricht (couldn't go any further, because Belgians are allergic to having campsites in useful places) in order to cut the mileage on the day after that, which was also forecast to be insanely hot.

As I took it easy on the route from Aachen to Maastricht, the achilles pain returned with a vengeance, on both sides.  From then on, I was in pain pretty much every time I took a step or turned a pedal, with stairs and clipping in being excruciating.  I completed the rest of the tour primarily by rail, with a few kilometres of gentle cycling to join things up.  (Apart from the final morning when [REDACTED] changed the plan without telling me and I had to ride across Dunkirk in about 50 minutes, causing the whole thing - which seemed to be slowly improving - to flare up again).

So ...yeah.

I don't really know what caused it.  My educated guess is that the problem is inflammation around the tendons at the back of the ankles; it's not muscular, I haven't bashed them, it doesn't really hurt to prod, is more to do with range of motion than force and there was for a while some barely visible puffiness which has now gone.

Possible factors include:
- Riding long days back to back.  Nothing I haven't done before, but not recently.
- Riding in pan flat conditions.  I'm used to rolling hills.
- Prolonged group riding.  Normally I'm riding solo or tortoise/haring other riders.
- Newish SD65 sandals.  My usual pair are threatening to fail, so I used the new ones (same shoes I wore on the Normandy tour in June, and for various rides to break them in before that).
- Lots of crouching and crawling into tents wearing the above (but it's not like I haven't done weeks of camping with them before).
- Dehydration, exhaustion, sense of humour failure, etc. leading to poor pedalling technique towards the end of day 4.
- Karmic retribution for well-behaved Knees, trivial mechanicals, no major digestive episodes, etc.


Since I got home I've been wearing my well-worn veggie docs (best compromise between pressure on the ankle and extra stress on the achilles from walking on tiptoe / in flipflops) and generally trying to walk as little as possible, particularly stairs.  I haven't been near a bike.

It's now back to the point where it only really hurts on stairs, but I expect it wouldn't last if I walked any distance.

I'm working on the principle that I'll give it a week, and if it's not markedly improved, I'll start to think about medical attention.  Until then I'll just take it easy and be depressed by the prospect of this being a long term thing resulting in no proper bike rides until the middle of sodding winter, or worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2016, 12:36:51 am
Maybe see docs asap for prevention of longer term injury? Good luck with it either way.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 21 September, 2016, 07:25:48 am
Blimey Kim.  That doesn't sound good.  Hope it clears up soon.
Best wishes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 21 September, 2016, 07:42:20 am
Sorry to hear that, Kim. Best see a doctor to be on the safe side. GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 September, 2016, 08:20:14 am
Crouching stresses achilles something rotten. That combined with the pan-flat riding, so no variation in the position could do it.

If you have shoes with any sort of a heel (I don't mean narrow heels, something raised like boots or trainers with a fat wedge) they might ease the stress. flip-flops will be tight on achilles.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 21 September, 2016, 10:59:17 am
I would guess an acutetenosynovitis as a result of a lot of small changes.  new shoes, flat riding constant speed, etc.

Rest ice compression and elevation.  Ibuprofen if you can.

see a physio and look for some calf stretches and then gradual mobilisation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 September, 2016, 11:04:26 am
Aw hell. My guess is dehydration and dead-flat terrain, for all that that'll help.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 September, 2016, 11:13:26 am
The only time I had Achilles trouble was in my first year of Audax when I
Did a 300 with a grotty chest, then gained and lost 4kg (presumably water), then helped shift concert staging and continued my 200 miles/week upright riding.

So I had big fluid shifts and minor trauma. You might have had similar.

Being on the upright, I could minimise/eliminate ankling.
I found Voltarol/ibuprofen helpful.

Keep your ankles up and cool. (Camping head-down gave me the final cure 3 months on.)

Higher heels can help.

GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2016, 01:36:45 pm
Okay, that all makes sense.

I forgot to say that I ate my way through the stash of Naproxen that I had with me during the tour.  I've been avoiding NSAIs since I got back to give my digestive system a break, but could probably tolerate some ibuprofen now.

And yes, group riding.  Mostly of the pedal-pedal-pedal-coast-pedal-pedal-pedal-coast-coast-brake-coast-pedal-pedal-pedal variety.  That's not conducive to good biomechanics.

But my instinct is to blame the shoes.  I'll do a side-by-side comparison with the old ones and see if there's a marked difference in the flexibility of the rear strap.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 September, 2016, 01:51:28 pm
My more conservative colleagues occasionally put those with the worst Achilles issues into below-knee casts.

Just do your very best to reduce ankle movements; your hips & knees can do most of the work and get well soon!

Try not to exceed 48 hours on NSAIDS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 21 September, 2016, 03:58:02 pm
I was recently explaining to fboab that blokes don't need a thermometer when they have a fever - they just need a graduated scale down one thigh; the degree of fever can then be measured by how low one's bollocks dangle.

Today I appear to be fighting a lurgy. As well as sweating more than Jimmy Saville in a Playground (that's not one of my sayings BTW - my son taught me that - so you can blame him), my nads are definitely in "Fuck me, it's hot around here" mode.

Also - all I want to do is sleep (on top of the covers).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2016, 04:51:03 pm
My more conservative colleagues occasionally put those with the worst Achilles issues into below-knee casts.

Boabword that.


Quote
Just do your very best to reduce ankle movements; your hips & knees can do most of the work and get well soon!

That's pretty much what I've been doing.  Avoiding crouching down is the big one, and a creative approach to stairs.

Fortunately for now, there appears to be an outbreak of computer programming weather...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2016, 08:26:10 pm
Oh, I did a side-by-side comparison of the two sets of sandals.  Only real difference is that the rear strap is somewhat more flexible in the older ones.  But that could well be enough to cause problems.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 22 September, 2016, 09:14:34 am
I've had some major Achilles issues in the last few years to the extent that I'm really not running much at all this year, only target being a New year's eve 10k I always run. No ultra's, no HMs, all very easy.

My experience
1) find a sports injury/sports rehab specialist, they will focus on keeping you moving AND the underlying issue if they are any good. Specifically get them to look at the rear chain, which is chronically tight/shortened in cyclists and runners.  I could probably get a contact for you if you want from therapists I trust, let me know where you are.
2) Do the exercises
3) have you got a sit/stand desk?  If not worth getting one, rear chain tightness, hip flexor degradation all influenced by prolonged sitting
4) start doing yoga
5) lots of calf raises 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 September, 2016, 09:26:12 am
Rear chain tightness? She's not a fixie, you know!


My question.
Three weeks post surgery. Most things going well, except if I don't take care about how I move, my ulna dislocates (I can tell this by feel, this is happening under the cast).
Also, I'm getting bruising at my elbow. There was a lot to begin with, that started to go, but this looks persistent. It's still blue/black and is tender. The surgery was up close to my wrist, so I'm kind of surprised I'm getting bruising down at my elbow  still.

MrsC thinks I should call the hospital and ask about it. What does the panel think?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2016, 01:43:16 pm
I've had some major Achilles issues in the last few years to the extent that I'm really not running much at all this year, only target being a New year's eve 10k I always run. No ultra's, no HMs, all very easy.

My experience
1) find a sports injury/sports rehab specialist, they will focus on keeping you moving AND the underlying issue if they are any good. Specifically get them to look at the rear chain, which is chronically tight/shortened in cyclists and runners.  I could probably get a contact for you if you want from therapists I trust, let me know where you are.
2) Do the exercises
3) have you got a sit/stand desk?  If not worth getting one, rear chain tightness, hip flexor degradation all influenced by prolonged sitting
4) start doing yoga
5) lots of calf raises

TBH, I was hoping this could be treated by allowing it to recover and just not doing whatever one-off thing it was that pissed it off.

Prolonged standing (and indeed anything remotely like running) is contraindicated due to other issues.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 September, 2016, 01:50:21 pm
Mr C if you're asking... I'd call the hospital, you've had complex issues and you're concerned. If there are problems, you want to know and sort them sooner rather than later, especially still dislocating etc. 

I've never regretted getting hand surgery stuff checked out. Trust your instincts and that of those who know you.  Hands are precious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 September, 2016, 01:52:30 pm
Wot barakta sed...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 September, 2016, 07:47:49 pm
I finally got the pressure Test done on Thursday .the result is I no longer need the Catheter  ;D.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 September, 2016, 07:56:07 pm
He has the dry MD. He says the damage in one eye covers about 3x the area of the other. Is to go back next week for another imaging session so they can assess the initial rate of degradation.

So he's been for another scan and apparently one eye has already progressed to wet MD, so he gets to have an injection in that one. Lovely.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2016, 08:25:32 pm
I finally got the pressure Test done on Thursday .the result is I no longer need the Catheter  ;D.

About bloody time!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 September, 2016, 12:26:06 am
I finally got the pressure Test done on Thursday .the result is I no longer need the Catheter  ;D.

  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 September, 2016, 09:15:47 am
I finally got the pressure Test done on Thursday .the result is I no longer need the Catheter  ;D.
Blimey that's been a long haul.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 September, 2016, 03:18:25 pm
I finally got the pressure Test done on Thursday .the result is I no longer need the Catheter  ;D.

Another for the 'about bloody time' chorus!  HURRAH!  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 September, 2016, 07:23:32 pm
And as a parting gift I now have another water infection  ::-).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 September, 2016, 07:34:15 pm
AARRRGGGHHH! Hope you can get on top of this!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 26 September, 2016, 08:10:10 am
I am taking trimethoprim so I hope all will be well soon  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 September, 2016, 09:05:36 am
Good luck.  Last time I had a urinary infection the quack gave me stuff that turned my piddle blue for a week. Blue-blooded as a compliment I could accept, but folk queueing up to watch that marvel was a bit much.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 September, 2016, 12:37:43 pm
Someone posted a link to a really good article about the causes of blood vessels blocking/clogging. Can I find it? can I heck.

A colleague who is going in for angioplasty would like a read.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2016, 03:57:20 pm
I've just tried walking further than the kitchen for the first time since last Sunday.  Did some calf stretches first.

400m total, discomfort (possibly slightly less for the second hundred metres) on both sides.  Not actual pain.  Stairs were okay after I got back.

If it's just that I could tolerate it as merely annoying.


I'm probably going to have to do that much walking again tomorrow, as we're doing Lawyers.

Will see how it goes.

 :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 27 September, 2016, 06:15:03 pm
I've an appointment at the dentist next Thursday at 9am.
And have just pulled out a crown (lower R5).
Will it wait?

(I feel sick)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 27 September, 2016, 06:21:48 pm
Gws Kim and all the rest of you  :). Not a great deal of change for me at the moment . I gave a urine sample to the doctor's surgery today and will now have to wait for the results  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 September, 2016, 06:40:01 pm
I've an appointment at the dentist next Thursday at 9am.
And have just pulled out a crown (lower R5).
Will it wait?

(I feel sick)

If it doesn't hurt and is a post crown, yes.
If it doesn't hurt and is a jacket crown on a root-filled tooth, yes.
If it hurts and the tooth is not root filled, possibly not but you might be OK.

Keep broken tooth & surrounds clean.

Do not replace crown to fill the gap; you will swallow it.
DAMHIKT!

Hope you're fixed soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 September, 2016, 10:39:56 am
Overslept, woke up hypoglycaemic, been muzzy and pop-eyed since.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 05 October, 2016, 11:44:39 am
40 minutes of circuit training on Monday.

I hope today marks the peak of the DOMs. Ow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 05 October, 2016, 06:31:35 pm
Had some fun'n'games this morning.

Went to bed at midnight feeling fine, then awoke abruptly at about 3am with a sudden need to vomit. Along with the vomiting and somewhat painful coughing came some blood in the vomit and some shortness of breath, which (ironically) meant I couldn't suck in the air through my inhaler to try to fix.

Mostly panicked by the blood in the vomit and the shortness of breath I rang 111 for advice, expecting to be told to see my GP in the morning or, at worst, take myself up to the walk-in clinic. I wasn't expecting to be told that an ambulance was on its way - I was still sitting in my pyjamas!

I pulled some clothes on and locked Blu in the kitchen (so he didn't lick the paramedics to DETH), and when they arrived they put me on a nebuliser to sort my breathing. One thing fixed. They also did an ECG in my living room, which has left me with some lovely shaved patches on my chest  :thumbsup: but as they couldn't pinpoint the cause of the blood in the vomit, they decided to play safe and take me in for a doctor to check me over.

So, off to A&E - for a long wait, another ECG, some blood tests and a chest X-Ray. After all that, the doc decided that there was nothing worrysome on any of the tests and said I could go home. Then it was just the fun of finding the appropriate bus route and bay at the hospital, getting some change, and getting back across town. Home by 9am and sleeeeeep.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 October, 2016, 07:52:45 pm
Eeep, hope yuo're feeling less rough now Dibdib.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 05 October, 2016, 09:33:56 pm
First of three dentist appointments in three weeks over and done with. I'm now minus the retained root of a wisdom tooth that seemed to break before it even appeared, and plus an ache in the right hand side of my face.

Just the two root canal treatments on a tooth on the other side of my mouth to go now  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 05 October, 2016, 10:02:09 pm
How feeling now, Dibbers?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Dibdib on 05 October, 2016, 11:22:26 pm
Yup, much improved  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2016, 10:00:00 am
Glad of that, stuff like that is alarming. Hope you stay well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 October, 2016, 12:24:36 pm
My question.
Three weeks post surgery. Most things going well, except if I don't take care about how I move, my ulna dislocates (I can tell this by feel, this is happening under the cast).
Also, I'm getting bruising at my elbow. There was a lot to begin with, that started to go, but this looks persistent. It's still blue/black and is tender. The surgery was up close to my wrist, so I'm kind of surprised I'm getting bruising down at my elbow  still.

MrsC thinks I should call the hospital and ask about it. What does the panel think?
I finally got in to see the doc on Tues this week (yes, a week and a half after I phoned them saying I had slight concerns).
they cut off cast, xrayed and the surgeon examined things. All ok, bruising to be expected. As by then I'd been 5 weeks in plaster, at my suggestion, they didn't put a cast back on, they just sent me home with a wrist brace and instructions not to lift *anything*. The bones haven't actually grown back together yet, it's just held together by the metalwork.

Hand and forearm muscles are extremely wasted and my wrist bones are so stiff, very little movement in my wrist; without the cast I can start to move things very gently. Physio is being booked.

Had a good wash (finally! at home) then spent an entertaining 5min with tweezers pulling hairs out of the healed up incision. They hadn't shaved my arm and had trapped quite a lot of hairs when they sewed me back up!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 October, 2016, 01:21:32 pm
Glad things are as OK as surgeon would expect at this point. Good luck with splint and keeping activity to permitted levels! :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 October, 2016, 03:36:21 pm
The splint I've been given is comfortable, but is a rubbery sponge substance and sweaty. After only 4 days (and I've washed my arm every day), it stinks like my son's socks (and they were declared illegal under the convention banning chemical warfare).

If I butcher an old sock or similar to wear underneath (so it can be washed) do you reckon it would lesson the tendency of the splint to stink?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Riggers on 07 October, 2016, 04:03:14 pm
Just read this. Must have been one hellava scare!1 glad you're feeling improved now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 October, 2016, 04:54:53 pm
The splint I've been given is comfortable, but is a rubbery sponge substance and sweaty. After only 4 days (and I've washed my arm every day), it stinks like my son's socks (and they were declared illegal under the convention banning chemical warfare).

If I butcher an old sock or similar to wear underneath (so it can be washed) do you reckon it would lesson the tendency of the splint to stink?

Slightly.
Hands & feet have similar skin, with similar sweating.

Hands don't usually smell cos you wash them about 10 times a day. When you treat them like feet, they pong like feet...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 07 October, 2016, 05:51:37 pm
Hands don't usually smell cos you wash them about 10 times a day. When you treat them like feet, they pong like feet...

Stick your nose inside a randonneur's glove that's been on all day, and take a good deep breath - you'll know this to be true  ;D :sick:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 October, 2016, 09:17:38 pm
I will decline your kind suggestion, if it's all the same to you, thank you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 October, 2016, 12:32:40 pm
Measles outbreak in Edinburgh, ffs.  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 October, 2016, 01:07:33 pm
Glastonbury, Edinbury. Folk in Dundee are probably safe.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 October, 2016, 01:48:08 pm
Measles outbreaks shouldn't be a thing  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 October, 2016, 02:04:41 pm
It took me a long time to understand measles. I had it when I was about 8 and, well, it was just a week or two off school with a temperature and spots. Like chicken pox and lots of other things. Just part of growing up. Deadly for the malnourished and doctorless in darkest third world shanty towns, I could see that, but not a thing to worry about here. It was only when I met people who'd caught it as adults I realised it can be quite nasty.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 October, 2016, 02:07:24 pm
It's hard to spend much time around the Deaf community without developing an appreciation of measles...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 11 October, 2016, 03:06:30 pm
Not feeling too great today.

Is it the dreaded lurgy?

 :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 12 October, 2016, 10:00:02 am
I need to rebuild my strength after a dreadful stomach and chest virus which has knocked me flat for most of October so far. I'm struggling to eat anything and have no appetite, apart from the odd tummy grumbling late at night. I've lost over two inches round my waist and feel very, very weak. I can't eat dairy, wheat or refined sugar as they make me feel light-headed, bloated and give me the runs. I'm vegetarian (I sometimes eat the odd bit of fish but can't stomach it at the moment). I can just about manage white rice and the odd few vegetables but other than that am stuck. Any ideas?!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 October, 2016, 10:25:59 am
Miso soup usually hits the spot for me when my body is wrecked after illness and rich foods don't appeal.

Then gradual introduction of other things.
I'm not a fan of white rice, preferring brown. A rice salad that has a lot of semi-raw ginger, a bit of garlic, soy and whatever your nose says smells good, with toasted seeds and chopped (chopped really small) greens in it, nearly 50% salad/rice by volume can work. I put the garlic/ginger in when the rice is 2/3rds cooked so that the flavour permeates the rice but it still has some of the raw crunch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 12 October, 2016, 10:31:36 am
Thanks mrcharly. I normally don't eat any white rice, always brown, but I can't stomach much brown rice at the moment. I had a little last night and didn't react well to it. I've not tried Miso soup. That's an idea if we can track some down in Skipton. The one thing I can tolerate well is stewed apple, but I don't enjoy it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 October, 2016, 11:48:23 am
Sounds like your digestion has shut down. I'd maybe stick to really simple things then, miso soup with maybe  few rice noodles, try with some ginger also. Don't eat much at one go.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2016, 12:49:40 pm
How are you with potatoes?
GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 12 October, 2016, 01:11:24 pm
I can eat a small amount of potato but it then causes constipation. Followed by the runs. I can't seem to win.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 12 October, 2016, 01:17:38 pm
Fermented food? Yogurt or, miso with Kimchi? Sounds like your internal biome is out of whack.

Maybe pester Woolly for a fecal transplant?  ;)

Hope you pick up soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 October, 2016, 12:41:03 pm
It took me a long time to understand measles. I had it when I was about 8 and, well, it was just a week or two off school with a temperature and spots. Like chicken pox and lots of other things. Just part of growing up. Deadly for the malnourished and doctorless in darkest third world shanty towns, I could see that, but not a thing to worry about here. It was only when I met people who'd caught it as adults I realised it can be quite nasty.
My grandad (born 1918) had infant measles. It left him partially deaf, partially sighted and with severe facial scarring, and he was considered to have got off lightly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 October, 2016, 01:14:54 pm
Got the flu vaccination yesterday. It usually knocks me for a loop and this time is no exception.  As it happens, today there's lots going on that requires my attention and I feel more like sleeping until Sunday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 14 October, 2016, 01:53:29 pm
I hear this a lot.  I had my first  jab three years ago.   No ill effects.   Didn't  bother last year.  Had one earlier this week.   Again no probs.   Am I the only one?

I'm also the only bloke I know who didn't  die from a vasectomy many years ago.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 October, 2016, 02:03:40 pm
Yes, Basil, you are the only one.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 14 October, 2016, 02:07:49 pm
This year's flu jab symptoms amounted to about 3 hours of sore arm.  Though I've had low-level lurgy and cycling withdrawal symptoms for weeks, which may be masking other effects.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 October, 2016, 02:08:08 pm
The vaccination gives you a very mild dose of the flu, and for some reason flu always lays me flat for a few days.  Maybe diabetes mellitus gives viruses a better habitat than in normal humans, I dunno. I never did understand how that might come about, since viruses make you ill by hijacking intracellular mechanisms and killing the cell rather than metabolizing like buggery and eating you from the inside out, as bacteria do. All my doc ever does when asked is look wise and change the subject.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 14 October, 2016, 02:28:14 pm
The seasonal flu vaccination isn't a live virus; it won't kill cells.  The effects should be purely down the the immune response, and physical effects of the injection.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 14 October, 2016, 03:08:05 pm
I had my 'flu jab, yesterday, it doesn't seem to have any ill effects this year (unlike last year when it ruined a romantic evening out with Mrs T).

Hopefully this will be the last year I need to have it (I am on Methatrexate, which they are ramping down).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 October, 2016, 04:18:31 pm
The seasonal flu vaccination isn't a live virus; it won't kill cells.  The effects should be purely down the the immune response, and physical effects of the injection.

I was just thinking that myself. Should have put "equivalent of" in my first sentence.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 October, 2016, 06:13:44 pm
No Basil. My flu jab only caused the nurse to remark on my thick skin! ;D
Nil else.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 15 October, 2016, 06:54:47 am
Also no ill effects to speak of. I've been very keen to get the jab ever since I had a dose of Flu about 30 years ago.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 15 October, 2016, 01:28:03 pm
Maybe pester Woolly for a fecal transplant?  ;)
Er, thanks Chris! Some things are not meant for sharing.  :sick:

Still struggling to eat, even bland things like Greek yoghurt or bananas. No appetite, reflux when I try to eat. Stomach feels very icky. I'm wondering whether Huel is worth a go. I am losing weight quite alarmingly and am definitely not getting the nutrients I need. It's expensive though!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 October, 2016, 01:45:08 pm
Maybe you should ask you GP for a Liver function blood test...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 15 October, 2016, 01:47:15 pm
Thanks Helly. I'm planning to see the doctor on Monday so I'll suggest that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 October, 2016, 01:50:47 pm
I suggest avoiding anything with sugar in it or simple carbs.

Huel is just porridge with vitamins and some added protein from other flours.

I've had systemic collapse of digestion and IBS combined - subsisted on just plain potato and a small amount of yogurt for weeks, it was all I could eat without gross acid reflux or instant diarrhea. It's highly unpleasant, so you have my great sympathy.

Can you eat nuts at all? Nuts and seeds digest ok in an acid stomach.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 15 October, 2016, 02:01:16 pm
Thanks mrcharly. It's horrid, isn't it? I'm pretty down at the moment.

I tried porridge with soy milk with seeds (chia, ground linseed, pumpkin) but it doesn't stay in for long. I'm drinking Marigold veg bouillon off and on which gives me a tiny bit of energy. I'll try a spoonful of nut butter and some seeds on their own.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 October, 2016, 02:20:25 pm
I wouldn't suggest mixing carbs with protein in one meal when your digest is screwed up.

Stick to one or the other, and small amounts at a time. I was very weak when I went through this and dropped to about 9 stone from about 11 stone.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 15 October, 2016, 02:23:58 pm
OK, good advice, thanks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 October, 2016, 03:18:11 pm
Agreed.  At this point I'd concentrate on getting the digestive system to tolerate *something* and worry about nutrients later.

Proton-pump inhibitors worth trying maybe?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 17 October, 2016, 10:13:05 pm
I started coming down with A Lurgy last Tuesday. By Thursday I left work a bit early, was off sick on Friday, and didn't think I'd make the rowing club dinner on Saturday evening, but felt better enough* by the end of the day.

Time off work for a cold always makes me feel a bit pathetic, but when on the phone to my boss (who is at a different site) today said one of our site managers said there's been a nasty 'flu bug going round our office. So I feel a bit less of a weakling now.

I'd suspect it's not 'flu except I still feel pretty low on energy despite the major symptoms having now relented. Rowing training is cancelled tomorrow due to the Supermoon causing very high tides, and I'm quite relieved. Lunchtime today was quite odd - I felt really hungry, got a salad, and then really struggled to eat it. All I've eaten this evening is some tinned mackerel on toast.


* Apparently I "wasn't right at all" at the dinner.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 18 October, 2016, 08:00:22 am
i hope you feel better soon nikki  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 October, 2016, 02:03:29 pm
I'm thinking that maybe compacts are better for the joints.  This year I've ridden almost exclusively my 2x11, and found crawling up hills very easy, given that you just keep on shifting the rear derailler down a notch until you're comfy with it.  When I took out the old 3x10 the other week the old "I can do this hill on the middle chainring" spirit asserted itself and I woke up the arthritis in both ankles, first go it's had in over a year.  Been hobbling ever since.  Can still ride, though, on the 2x11.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 October, 2016, 03:29:01 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/37733162 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/37733162)
DIY surgery...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 24 October, 2016, 06:41:12 pm
It doesn't say but do you think that was diabetes related?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 October, 2016, 06:53:07 pm
Very possibly. Probably also smoking-related foot rot.

(I recall a diabetologist describing the problem as Pus in Boots)

Diabetic neuropathy would also make this DIY fairly painless.

I had similar DIY patients when I was a student/house officer in 198*.

This is not a New Thing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 October, 2016, 11:14:25 am
Quite a horrible little experience this morning.

As I was dressing, I suddenly noticed that I couldn't read the complete display on my digital clock. When I was looking at the minutes I couldn't see the hour, and when I looked directly at the last digit of the minutes the rest of the display was hidden behind a grey patch.  At first I thought I must have looked straight into my bedside light, but when it didn't clear I got worried.

I already have blind spots in my eyes from the diabetes, caused by tiny oedemata which irritate my ophthalmologist because she can't see them.  One of these is close to or partially overlaps my right macula.  Now it appeared as if the left macula had acquired a bigger one, leaving me effectively blind in the centre of the visual field.  I had visions of not being able to read any more.

Then, gradually, my left macula cleared.  The culprit turned out to be the Mother of All Floaters, which must have slowly drifted into focus while I was dressing.  It gradually migrated to the top of the visual field (i.e. the bottom of my eye), and 15 minutes later it was gone.

The MOAF was really quite beautiful, BTW, like a string of sparkling triangular crystals looped around from 8 o'clock to 2 o'clock, but I was glad when it rose out of sight.  Back when I had my last stent put in one appeared during the op, and coiled into a disc that eventually settled and stuck at about 5 o'clock and a third of the way down from the macula. Visual extinction means I don't see it too often, but if this morning's effort had decided to stick over the macula I'd be fairly blind right now. No more reading, no more bike, no more driving; not much of anything, really.

The cause? Probably the sushi the missus brought home from shopping yesterday.  I didn't want to disappoint her by saying "I can't eat that", and I reckoned a blood sugar spike wouldn't do that much damage.  And during the op in July I would have been on a glucose drip...

Need to be more careful in future. No more sticky rice, for one thing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 October, 2016, 11:35:09 am
Floater or migraine aura?

I've never had a floater that looked like crystals. A 'fractured, crystal' appearance is more like migraine aura (which are not always accompanied by pain). They are not always static.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 October, 2016, 01:29:51 pm
Everything's possible, I suppose, but I don't suffer from migraine and had no pain at all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 26 October, 2016, 01:37:22 pm
Sounds like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma to me.

It's only happened to me a couple of times, and on the first occasion the initial symptom was much like you describe with the clock:  There was a gap in my visual field that the brain was filling in, which only became apparent when I tried to read, and was there irrespective of what part of eyes I used.  Over the next ten minutes or so it developed into textbook scintillating scotoma (much like the second two animated examples on that page), then suddenly disappeared, replaced by an acute headache.

I'm glad it's not something I've made a habit of.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 October, 2016, 01:46:19 pm
Yeah - those things. Without meds, I get those most days of the week as a side effect, for several hours of the day. Between 1/5 and 1/2 of my visual field. I'd not come across that wikipedia page before, the simulations on there are pretty accurate.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 October, 2016, 01:49:58 pm
Sounds like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma to me.

It's only happened to me a couple of times, and on the first occasion the initial symptom was much like you describe with the clock:  There was a gap in my visual field that the brain was filling in, which only became apparent when I tried to read, and was there irrespective of what part of eyes I used.  Over the next ten minutes or so it developed into textbook scintillating scotoma (much like the second two animated examples on that page), then suddenly disappeared, replaced by an acute headache.

I'm glad it's not something I've made a habit of.

You're right, it does, although the disturbance, in both the cases I mentioned, was made up of regular triangles.  I'll try and simulate it in PS below.

Thanks for the name & reference.

(http://www.pbase.com/image/164383350.jpg)

Not very accurate: the triangles were smaller but ICBA with so many layers; they were brighter with rainbow edges, and they did scintillate as they moved.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2016, 03:13:15 pm
Study shows soft drink industry-sponsored studies less likely to show soft drink link with diabetes/obesity than studies not so sponsored...
Apologies for paywall.
http://www.bmj.com/content/355/bmj.i5852?sso= (http://www.bmj.com/content/355/bmj.i5852?sso=)

Quelle surprise!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: philip on 02 November, 2016, 10:06:05 pm
Why does a common cold make my legs ache?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Feanor on 02 November, 2016, 10:13:54 pm
Dunno, but one of the first signs I'm coming down with a lurgy is a dull ache behind my knees.
Always has been, for as long as I can remember.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2016, 10:48:49 pm
Muscle pain aka myalgia is one of those 'flu-like symptoms' (like headache) known from time immemorial. I don't know if it is associated with a raised temperature.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 November, 2016, 08:05:15 am
I remember reading about pain thresholds years & years ago - that non-serious low-level pains are blocked by "gateways", otherwise we'd feel them all the time, but when we're ill, or when a bad enough pain to get through the gateway occurs, then the low-level ones get through as well.  That would be something like 1960s science, though, there might just have been some progress since. ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 November, 2016, 05:07:50 pm
I remember reading about pain thresholds years & years ago - that non-serious low-level pains are blocked by "gateways", otherwise we'd feel them all the time, but when we're ill, or when a bad enough pain to get through the gateway occurs, then the low-level ones get through as well.  That would be something like 1960s science, though, there might just have been some progress since. ;D
No silver jumpsuits yet though.

My innards are troubling me. I've been having intermittent bouts of Bristol stool chart 5s and 6s with noticeable urgency for ages now, but put it down to my sertraline. But I've been on the sertraline 18 months and the innards problems are getting worse - I'm shitting multiple times a day, I'm having unpleasant gnawing pain in my mid abdomen sometimes, followed by a 3-4 on the stool chart, crampy growliness in my lower abdomen at times, and lots and lots of urgency followed by more 5s and 6s. And when I say urgency, if I lived on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd, I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do. So I'm off to the GP tomorrow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 16 November, 2016, 05:12:42 pm
Sorry to hear that. Any changes to your diet? Stress?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 November, 2016, 05:21:18 pm
No changes to my diet. Stress - well, yeah, I work in public services and redundancies are coming. But my usual reaction to stress is eczema, and that's not too bad just now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 November, 2016, 05:43:01 pm
I am not a diabetologist but I understand some diabetics get bowel dysfunction from the gut nerves suffering Diabetic Trouble.

Hope you get sorted anyway!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 November, 2016, 06:17:09 pm
I'm not diabetic. My money's on IBS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 November, 2016, 07:40:16 pm
Mucho sympathy from this direction. I have been in your situation and it is not funny.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 November, 2016, 08:41:34 pm
Sorry EG! Thought it was T42, who is.
Anyway hope you are sorted/better soon!

MANY of my friends & family seem to have developed either lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance/coeliac disease in middle or older age.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 November, 2016, 11:42:49 am
I don't know which would be worse - no cheese or no cake?!

GP has asked me to get bloods done, and then go back when we will discuss the need for further investigations, likely to involve tubes and cameras and loss of dignity.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 November, 2016, 12:45:12 pm
GN: 12 weeks post-surgery and I have full bony fusion across the osteotomy/graft.

BN: Soft tissue issues on the joint. I still can't weight-bear on my left wrist, riding a drop-handlebar bike is out of the question for some time to come. Physio tried me doing some 'wall-pressups' at a very moderate angle and my ulna was waving about madly, causing soreness. He very quickly got me to stop.

This is going to be a very long process back to riding properly again. I didn't get the butterfly bars fitted to the mercian last weekend, looks like that will be the only way I'm going to be able to ride a proper bike in the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 22 November, 2016, 01:03:15 pm
Co-codamol...."fun" isn't it!     :facepalm:

As you may know, I suffered quite a bad fall 2 weeks ago which resulted in head and back injuries. Well, the heads okay now (well...its back to what passes as normal for me!) but the back is still hurting like hell. So, I spoke to the Chemist after trying all the normal painkillers who suggested Co-codamol.

I took two of these on Sunday and felt okay, and a further two yesterday lunchtime. They didn't do much for the pain but blimey, I started feeling really strange with a seriously fast heart rate (110 against my normal of 66) come the evening. My heart was also missing beats all over the place. Also, whenever I moved I got extremely dizzy and almost fell twice. It was so bad that I even thought of phoning an ambulance. However, reading the leaflet in the box of pills I noted that this is one of the side effects so I thought I would try and sleep it off.

Come this morning, my heart was still around 100, so I phoned my GP who saw me within the hour and sent me down to Stafford General for a ECG. This showed nothing major thankfully. Overall, the GP and hospital think its down to the painkiller which should take a day or two to work the way out of my system.

Thus, while it is unlikely to be the same for everyone....co-codamol is very risky stuff for me it seems!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 November, 2016, 01:16:10 pm
Essexian, unless you have stomach ulcers or bleeding issues I suggest trying paracetamol and aspirin combined, particularly soluble aspirin. This is much more effective at reducing pain than taken separately.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 22 November, 2016, 01:24:40 pm
Cheers for the suggestion. I found that separately they didn't do much for me.

My GP has prescribed Naproxen which I'll try. Bad news is that he said that my back may take some months to fully recover!

 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 November, 2016, 04:17:11 pm
Naproxen will do your back a lot more good that straight painkillers, too.  It can go for your gut, though, so if that happens you'll need to see your doc for an omeprazole (or similar) prescription. Gaviscon can help too, and is over-the-counter.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 23 November, 2016, 07:27:56 am
Started getting real dizzy last night along with some weird tingling on the left forearm.
Googling suggested TIA, but still had full motor control, memory etc. Was still pretty woozy when I woke up and after a couple of hours at work, I decided it was enough and went to the ER.
Doc said that in 95% of the cases, the dizziness in young men (In hospital terms,I'm apparently still young) is from an inner ear viral infection or similar, but with the tinging and pins & needles, I made the right decision and they ran the bloodwork and a CT scan. All came back negative  Got some gavrol, which helped and getting a follow-up with a neurologist just to make sure. Still a bit woozy and low energy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 23 November, 2016, 07:30:18 am
Gosh, that's a bit scary Jakob.  Take care.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 November, 2016, 10:00:57 am
Aye. Take it easy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2016, 01:06:00 pm
I have an athlete's heart apparently. More importantly, I'm not giving it him back.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 November, 2016, 01:13:25 pm
That can either mean the heart of an athlete or a condition called athlete's heart, meaning that it shows an ECG abnormality which in non-athletic individuals implies coronary problems.  You can get athlete's heart by running your heart too fast for too long: it'll usually disappear in a few days. In 2003 I did a rather heavy ride over the Vosges a couple of days before a cardiac stress test. The cardiologist took fright and gave me no end of bother.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2016, 01:26:56 pm
Nah, I just have a low resting heart rate (42 and that was after blood extraction anxiety, I hate needles and it took six attempts to find a bloody vein) and splendid blood pressure. Would only be something to worry about if I didn't cycle everywhere and swim every day. And apparently, I don't have DVT, which was why I was there. Which is nice, because I would definitely give that back.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 23 November, 2016, 02:53:57 pm
Bollocks, loose tooth, that's going to leave an interesting gap.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 24 November, 2016, 12:12:38 pm
Well it's still there, dentist reckons it was knocked loose, probably when flying down the road, and is now infected, says it should stabilise  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 November, 2016, 12:52:13 pm
Hope it does stabilise, even if it turns black, as they often do.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 24 November, 2016, 01:04:43 pm
Thanks helly, at least I now stand a fighting chance of finishing my RRTY this weekend, would have been curtains after 11 months if I'd have had a central incisor pulled today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 November, 2016, 01:29:21 pm
Actually, having a wobbly pulled could cause less bodily upset than a bruised knee and most randonneurs would continue an RRTY with such.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 24 November, 2016, 01:38:03 pm
I'm a bit of a wimp really, the last time I rode my bike after dental surgery, impacted wisdom tooth extraction, it didn't end well, passing out on the bike is never a good idea
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 November, 2016, 01:43:37 pm
Indeed but an impacted wisdom tooth needs rather more forcible removal than a wobbly peg.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 November, 2016, 05:18:14 pm
Somewhat gutted. Cardiac stress test this afternoon: momentarily-depressed ST curve at 153 bpm accompanied by mild discomfort around heart.  Cardiologist wants me back in 6 months instead of usual 12, and he doesn't want me to go over 150 in the meantime.  Really off-pissing is the fact that I was only pushing 180 W at the time.

Implication is that I'll still be able to ride, but Audax might be a bit iffy.  As it is, and has been for the last few years, if the cardio knew what Audax really entails he'd have a canary fit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 24 November, 2016, 08:59:13 pm
That's a bit of a bugger.  Guess you'll just have to try and rein in your inner Chris Froome (or whoever).  Unfortunately things do slow down with age - let alone infirmity.  Don't want to sound flippant but, as I tell my wife, even if things take a bit longer these days, it's just as much fun.

I'm in the process of planning a tour of Yorkshire (hills inevitable) for a group of continental cyclos next year, and am doing my best not only to allay their fears about the kind of ascents they've seen on the telly during the Grand Depart, but also to avoid making it what the locals might call 'a toil of a pleasure'.  Negotiating the N. York Moors while keeping your heart below 150 bpm would be tricky.  Here I am worrying on their behalf, but by the time we do the ride I'll be pushing 75 - years, not inches. Easy does it . . .

Hope things go well for you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 November, 2016, 09:37:52 am
Cheers.  I'm not too worried, as long as it doesn't develop any further.  Cardio was going to dismiss it until I mentioned the mild discomfort, which made him sigh.

Me too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 25 November, 2016, 01:06:01 pm
You really should not tell your doctor the truth! 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 November, 2016, 01:09:39 pm
Aye but this was just the cardiologist.  My own doc just said "oh, cardiologists" and told me not to worry.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 03 December, 2016, 10:21:32 am
Due to work needing to train me for entry into confined spaces (stop sniggering at the back) I had to have a medical yesterday.

All fairly basic, general medical history, BP, sight, etc. but also my first time for a lung function test and an audiology test.

Now I play a brass instrument so have done many breathing exercises in the past, however there is normally some resistance to the exhalation, those spirometers are horrible. All made more fun by a sore throat and swollen tonsils.

As for the audiology test it was the basic listen for the beeps at 600Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz, and 8kHz so not the most sensitive of tests but the indication was that my hearing is 15 years younger than I am  :thumbsup:

Final part was 5 minutes up and down a step exercise block before pulse three times to watch my heart rate recover. The cycling endurance background showed through, so I have been passed fit to undertake my confined space training.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 December, 2016, 03:00:12 pm
As for the audiology test it was the basic listen for the beeps at 600Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz, and 8kHz so not the most sensitive of tests but the indication was that my hearing is 15 years younger than I am  :thumbsup:

Age related hearing loss could reasonably be defined as the point where your loss of high-frequency hearing finally reaches the point that audiologists bother testing for.

I've lost loads of sensitivity to high frequencies over the last few years (I'm now immune to flyback transformer[1] whistle, teenager repellent, bats, minor disc brake rubbing, probably some SMPSU whine too) but it's all above 8kHz so doesn't count.  My audiogram is healthy.

Anyway, for the avoidance of doubt, standing orders to fellow cyclists in anticipation of old age:  If my chain and/or brakes[2] are squeaking and I don't appear to have noticed, please tell me.  Hopefully this will avoid the oh so British dilemma of wondering whether it's impolite to secretly lubricate another cyclist's chain for the good of humanity while they're in the cafe queue.


[1] Remember those?
[2] Unless it's the Kool Stops on the Dawes, which I've grudgingly accepted are *supposed* to do that.  Pedestrian warning system, innit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 03 December, 2016, 10:53:30 pm
As for the audiology test it was the basic listen for the beeps at 600Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz, and 8kHz so not the most sensitive of tests but the indication was that my hearing is 15 years younger than I am  :thumbsup:

Age related hearing loss could reasonably be defined as the point where your loss of high-frequency hearing finally reaches the point that audiologists bother testing for.

I've lost loads of sensitivity to high frequencies over the last few years (I'm now immune to flyback transformer[1] whistle, teenager repellent, bats, minor disc brake rubbing, probably some SMPSU whine too) but it's all above 8kHz so doesn't count.  My audiogram is healthy.

Anyway, for the avoidance of doubt, standing orders to fellow cyclists in anticipation of old age:  If my chain and/or brakes[2] are squeaking and I don't appear to have noticed, please tell me.  Hopefully this will avoid the oh so British dilemma of wondering whether it's impolite to secretly lubricate another cyclist's chain for the good of humanity while they're in the cafe queue.


[1] Remember those?
[2] Unless it's the Kool Stops on the Dawes, which I've grudgingly accepted are *supposed* to do that.  Pedestrian warning system, innit.


I was made acutely aware of my age related hearing loss when I first assembled my current PWM and SMPSU. I sort of thought something wasn't quite right
 My 14 musician daughter clapped her hands over her ears and yelped.

I have not yet succumbed to hearing aids, although I've seen enough live music to deserve one. My younger brother has and swears by his, bit he played more gigs than I've seen
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2016, 11:21:29 pm
I have no idea what PWM and SPSU are (I guess electronickery) but it is never acceptable to adjust someone else's bike (or other vehicle) without their permission. OTOH I can't see any objection to telling someone their bike is squeaking/rattling/etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 December, 2016, 03:52:54 pm
I don't know which would be worse - no cheese or no cake?!

GP has asked me to get bloods done, and then go back when we will discuss the need for further investigations, likely to involve tubes and cameras and loss of dignity.
Got the bloods done. Going back in half an hour to get the results and discuss next steps.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 05 December, 2016, 04:05:54 pm
I don't know which would be worse - no cheese or no cake?!

GP has asked me to get bloods done, and then go back when we will discuss the need for further investigations, likely to involve tubes and cameras and loss of dignity.
Got the bloods done. Going back in half an hour to get the results and discuss next steps.

Hope it's all nice and boring and routine EG with no bad news xx

In more mundane stuff, I've just done my 1.4 mile run, and it's the fastest I've ever done it, and because stupid Strava only looks at segments and not the whole thing, I haven't got a single PB.  Huh.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 December, 2016, 05:14:12 pm
Bloods are all normal. I'm not anaemic, not coeliac, no signs of inflammation, no signs of anything that can be shown in bloods. Next step: colonoscopy referral.  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2016, 05:18:44 pm
Sympathies, good luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 05 December, 2016, 05:20:40 pm
Bloods are all normal. I'm not anaemic, not coeliac, no signs of inflammation, no signs of anything that can be shown in bloods. Next step: colonoscopy referral.  ::-)

Ewww, I had one of those, this time last year.  Get someone to take you home afterwards, if you're anything like I was you'll be a bit shaky afterwards.

If they offer you gas and air, I suggest you take it.  It's bloody fantastic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2016, 05:27:15 pm
Bloods are all normal. I'm not anaemic, not coeliac, no signs of inflammation, no signs of anything that can be shown in bloods. Next step: colonoscopy referral.  ::-)

Ewww, I had one of those, this time last year.  Get someone to take you home afterwards, if you're anything like I was you'll be a bit shaky afterwards.

If they offer you gas and air, I suggest you take it.  It's bloody fantastic.

It's three years since I had my colonoscopy.
I declined sedation (I said they could use it if things were intolerable but they weren't) and strong painkillers but did have Entonox which is pretty good.

I was *really* glad to leave the hospital clear-headed. Not everyone has the choice. Not everyone has an easy ride.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 05 December, 2016, 05:41:24 pm
Good luck EG. I was off my face with the sedation.  I don't remember much. Woolly found it very amusing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 December, 2016, 05:55:12 pm
I'd rather have good painkillers and no sedation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 05 December, 2016, 08:10:10 pm
Managed to quite deeply cut a finger, so off to A&E to get is superglued. 

Was supposed to get a dressing change after three days but could get an appointment so after 4 days I took the dressing off and at 5 days took the strips off.  The finger looks gory and is super sensitive. 

Is there anything I can do to speed the healing process, diabetic so I heal slowly :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2016, 08:25:40 pm
Hands and fingers are precious and advising without examining is not clever.
I think you should see if your GP's Practice Nurse can review and dress your finger.
Injured hands are usually best elevated and mobilised.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 December, 2016, 08:45:43 pm
Agreed if you're diabetic you want an expert to look everything over regularly for you - liking Helly's GP nurse suggestion.  Even a mild injury can go very serious very quickly in your situation. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 December, 2016, 06:17:29 am
a minor ailment by most standards on here but i am suffering with the current cold cough sore throat virus that is going around . this day 9 of it . i saw the doctor yesterday lunchtime and my chest was clear so no chest infection . overnight the cough has become dry and infrequent and i think it might to becoming a chest infection  .   i feel i should not bother the doctor again as if it is not a chest infection i would be wasting there time . i and feeling scared and depressed and helpless . :-[. i am such a wimp  :(. all of you who are really suffering get well soon  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 December, 2016, 11:04:32 am
Managed to quite deeply cut a finger, so off to A&E to get is superglued. 

Was supposed to get a dressing change after three days but could get an appointment so after 4 days I took the dressing off and at 5 days took the strips off.  The finger looks gory and is super sensitive. 

Is there anything I can do to speed the healing process, diabetic so I heal slowly :(


I'm also diabetic. Years ago I had a crack in the flesh of one heel: the doc prescribed a corticosteroid cream called Nerisone that healed it up amazingly fast.  I've asked for it again a couple of times, usually for saddle sores, but his response has been "it's not for that".  I know that corticosteroids and diabetes don't go well together, but I'd think that for the couple of days healing would take any other effects would be negligible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 06 December, 2016, 03:20:47 pm
After spending the whole of last week fighting a sore throat / productive cough I have now reached the stage where my throat is clear but my skull feels a size too small.

This is not helped by the fact that I am away from home at the moment and won't be home until after a 3 hour plus train journey tomorrow evening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2016, 04:54:53 pm
but my skull feels a size too small.

Eloquently put!

I'll file that for future reference next to "feels like someone's dry-cleaned my sinuses".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: runsoncake on 06 December, 2016, 05:20:31 pm
Had an iffy couple of months, first off an infected toe, germolene etc. wouldn't touch it so GP wacked it with antibiotics (previous toe infection matured into cellulitis so taking no chances), a week after that cleared I got some sort of urine infection with the usual high temp. shivers, constant peeing and generally being on another planet. Even managed to get an out of hours GP to visit at 4.45 am on a Monday. More antibiotics yum!. Got rid of that then acid reflux started getting on my wick and disturbing my beauty sleep. Ranitidene for me then.
On top of that lot my BP started going silly, dizzy an faint every time I stood up so theyve taken me off diuretics for the time being. Fingers crossed no probs. after 5 days off them and BP is not rocketing. Roll on Christmas eh!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 06 December, 2016, 05:35:04 pm
Hands and fingers are precious and advising without examining is not clever.
I think you should see if your GP's Practice Nurse can review and dress your finger.
Injured hands are usually best elevated and mobilised.

Thanks for the reply, the cut has been cleaned and the bit of flesh superglued. So I doubt there will be any infection. It just looks gory and feels strange/ hurts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 December, 2016, 10:35:54 am
BN on Sat I slipped down icy gangplank (welly boots don't have much grip on icy wood) and left arm (the previously broken/grafted/operated one) went between railings with a wonderful twist. I guess the 6mm plate helped . . .

GN it came out looking reasonably straight and I was able to carry on working. No mobility issues.

Wrist is sore this morning, and red, rather than bruising black. I'm assuming soft-tissue inflammation rather than other damage.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 19 December, 2016, 04:26:26 pm
Yikes! Fingers crossed that's minimal damage. Ouch nonetheless!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 December, 2016, 04:58:05 pm
@mrcharly: Ouch.

<grumble>
Our doc's wider-still-&-wider practice has a new switchboard with a vocal menu. As far as I can make out all it does is select which secretary is going to make your appointment, the wait to be served is just as long as before. But instead of appointments on the quarter-hour they're now on 10-minute intervals. It's going to be like the NHS before long. Bollocks.
</grumble>
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 December, 2016, 02:48:59 pm
Hoo fuckin' ray!  The doc dropped the cardiologist's 5°C limit to 0°C, so now I can train through most of the winter.  I don't ride on ice anyway, diabetic bones don't heal well.

So apologolilies to aforesaid gent for yestreen's grumble.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 20 December, 2016, 02:57:00 pm
Ouch, mrcharly. That made me wince. Good news, T42!

I'm pissed off. First day of the holidays, I came down with a colleague's lurgy which she'd caught in Hong Kong (I told her not to bring it into the office). Coupled with a cricked neck and nerve pain in my arm I am this:  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 December, 2016, 03:06:04 pm
Sympathies, Peli.  There was a time when HK flu was cause for alarm...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 December, 2016, 04:00:25 pm
GWS Peli!
Wishing you a happier holiday!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 20 December, 2016, 04:13:33 pm
Thanks Helly and T42. Wish there was something I could do about my diabolically weak immune system. Taking daily corticosteroids (and commuting, and working with students) has made it worse. Bleurgh.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 20 December, 2016, 05:07:41 pm
Ugh sympathies, just remember that immune systems aren't morally superior or inferior despite what some people say.  A huge portion of it is luck and biology.  Reminds me to take EvenMoarDrugz to poke currentlurgy (which I can't even blame germy studes for).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: peliroja on 20 December, 2016, 05:15:46 pm
Thanks barakta. Get well soon, you!

It doesn't help that some colleagues have cast-iron immunities to bugs and enjoy gloating/ making snide comments.

 "Oh, is Peli off sick again?! I grin and bear it when I'm sick - you've just got to get on with it, haven't you?"

 >:( >:( >:(


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 20 December, 2016, 07:45:30 pm
I hate the smug from people with good immune systems. It's not a morality contest. It helps my disability adviser colleagues recognised this kind of commentary as disablism and the sort of thing our students also get a lot of. Some commenters did buy clue when I explained the problems with their words, but others never did.

I've had crap managers and HR give me (bad) medical advice claiming if I followed it, I wouldn't be ill despite my medical letters saying otherwise - they get the full on "well I didn't die as a baby, this is the body and health I get instead" line which upsets them terribly but it's true, I didn't die and their feelz aren't my problem.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 December, 2016, 09:26:29 pm
This year's lurgy is remarkably persistent and doesn't appear to properly shift.  CET Junior has been less than 100% for 6 weeks.  My father has been admitted to hospital with pneumonia and my father-in-law felt sufficiently crocked that he cancelled the using pre-Christmas dinner drinking session (and he has a constitution of an ox). 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 December, 2016, 10:19:00 pm
I hate the smug from people with good immune systems. It's not a morality contest. It helps my disability adviser colleagues recognised this kind of commentary as disablism and the sort of thing our students also get a lot of. Some commenters did buy clue when I explained the problems with their words, but others never did.

I've had crap managers and HR give me (bad) medical advice claiming if I followed it, I wouldn't be ill despite my medical letters saying otherwise - they get the full on "well I didn't die as a baby, this is the body and health I get instead" line which upsets them terribly but it's true, I didn't die and their feelz aren't my problem.

I hope I've never come across as smug!
My Dad and my partner COMPLAIN that I don't catch lurgies/am never ill.

I KNOW I'm lucky!

I'm sure it helps that I don't get out much and I treated every snotty nose in Edgware for several years.

But I know I am lucky!

Wishing all lurgied yacfers better!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 20 December, 2016, 10:23:32 pm
*grins at Helly* You don't come across as smug, you recognise you have a good immune system (possibly "too good" given your MS!?) and that it is entirely luck what illnesses people and do not get :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 20 December, 2016, 11:27:55 pm
/quote]
I don't ride on ice anyway, diabetic bones don't heal well.

Is this a fact? I have type 2 and insipidus and have suffered various bone problems, including having surgery, since the T2 diagnosis.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 December, 2016, 07:32:14 am
Thanks barakta. Get well soon, you!

It doesn't help that some colleagues have cast-iron immunities to bugs and enjoy gloating/ making snide comments.

 "Oh, is Peli off sick again?! I grin and bear it when I'm sick - you've just got to get on with it, haven't you?"

 >:( >:( >:(

Kissing cousin to "oh, come on, you're not going to let a teensy little [xxxx] keep you home, are you?"

Where xxx = malady of your choice, e.g. broken thumbnail, cracked skull, heart attack, broken leg, etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 December, 2016, 09:13:23 pm
Kissing cousin to "oh, come on, you're not going to let a teensy little [xxxx] keep you home, are you?"

I think people aren't accustomed to people having "actually bad asthma" or diabetes and assume cos many people benefit from modern meds that it's not much of an issue. And they don't know stuff like people who use wheelchairs are at risk of UTIs and chest infections being VERY dangerous. I don't know how I do know stuff like this, possibly from my activism and work with disabled people, learning from people with different conditions and making sure I help educate others (or tell them to ask medical advice) in others (as I've met lifelong fairly severely disabled wheelchair users who didn't know a chest infection was potentially dangerous as all heck for them)

I often take great delight in asking ppl dismissing me where they got their medical degree (or equivalent clinical qualification) from and what specialism they have in snot/bones/etc and if they think their judgement is more important than my $clinician... 

For all that clinicians are not all perfect, I rarely meet one who dismisses health/illness stuff for me, if anything they're inclined to slight overprotection and underestimating my capacity. Then again, there aren't many people a decade or more older than me with some of the conditions I was born with - they simply didn't survive. Older clinicians remember those patients and younger clinicians are better at recognising treatment doesn't always eradicate long term effects and issues.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 26 December, 2016, 10:46:49 am
I think it's probably best if I remain clean shaven, rather than my usual 3-4 day designer "stubble". Had a shave yesterday to make myself presentable for Xmas day.  Big sore patches on my left jaw line, where I seem to regularly pick at the beard hairs, which generally results in them ending up ingrown and infected, which I then dig out with tweezers... Perhaps I have some sort of weird beard trichotillomania?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 26 December, 2016, 11:12:54 am
Pulled a muscle in my buttock. I have a 50km ride planned for Wednesday and a 165km ride on Thursday. I really hope it unfreezes by then.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 December, 2016, 11:15:12 am
I think it's probably best if I remain clean shaven, rather than my usual 3-4 day designer "stubble". Had a shave yesterday to make myself presentable for Xmas day.  Big sore patches on my left jaw line, where I seem to regularly pick at the beard hairs, which generally results in them ending up ingrown and infected, which I then dig out with tweezers... Perhaps I have some sort of weird beard trichotillomania?

My brother does this too. Once it gets too long he worries at it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 26 December, 2016, 11:24:35 am
.... where I seem to regularly pick at the beard hairs, which generally results in them ending up ingrown and infected, which I then dig out with tweezers...
Use these, and you'll never have ingrown hair problems again:
(https://s3.thcdn.com/productimg/0/600/600/23/10282323-1307538046-9620.jpg)



(https://s4.thcdn.com/productimg/0/300/300/13/10282313-1302166658-955000.jpg)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 26 December, 2016, 03:05:02 pm
My understanding is that trichotillomania can be pulling any hair anywhere on the body. A friend has it and it isn't just head hair she pulls.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 January, 2017, 08:05:57 am
Forgetting** that I have diminished perception of temperature in my feet, I accompanied the missus on a walk round the village yesterday when the thermometer read -4°C.  As we were approaching home I remarked on a tramp round the fields we'd done in 1995, when I came home with frost-nip.  Last night I noticed a bit of pain in one big toe, and on removing my sock found a small red area right at the tip. Hello again.  :-\

-10° last night, -8° just now. I'm staying in.

**There's no fool like &c &c.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 January, 2017, 12:50:01 pm
My sertraline-induced perimenopause-enhanced hot flushes are ridiculous. The sweat was literally dripping off me in bed last night and when I pulled the duvet covers back this morning, the wet patches on the bottom and top sheets looked like I spent the night wetting myself.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2017, 01:42:56 pm
You have my sympathy EG, though my own hot flushes have been much less dramatic!

There were times last winter when a sudden cosy sensation was quite welcome...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 10 January, 2017, 01:05:28 pm
I think it's probably best if I remain clean shaven, rather than my usual 3-4 day designer "stubble". Had a shave yesterday to make myself presentable for Xmas day.  Big sore patches on my left jaw line, where I seem to regularly pick at the beard hairs, which generally results in them ending up ingrown and infected, which I then dig out with tweezers... Perhaps I have some sort of weird beard trichotillomania?

My brother does this too. Once it gets too long he worries at it.

Ditto.  But I find it's closely stress-related so I've been much better since I jacked in teaching two years ago.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hulver on 11 January, 2017, 10:02:59 am
Dear Gout,

Kindly fuck off, and keep being fucked off. Pretending to go away, then coming back with a vengeance isn't very polite. I have recently given consideration to chopping the bottom half of my leg off with a blunt saw. I think it would be less painful.  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 12 January, 2017, 10:32:55 pm
Saw the Neurologist yesterday after my suspected possibly/maybe very minor TIA in November and we both agreed that it's much more likely to be a combination of a cold and my migraines as I show no symptoms whatsoever and CT scan/bloodwork/ECG/etc  were all clear.
Never had pins & needles down my arm from migraines before, but she said it's not uncommon.
She still wants to send me for an MRI to make absolutely sure and I didn't object. (I think MRI machines are very cool, so of course not!).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 January, 2017, 11:14:58 am
Buggered my lower back getting a 40-kilo bandsaw out of the car and into my workshop.  Felt fine after and all evening too but this morning I was hobbling.

Most annoying when I have dead greenhouse to cut up and a bunch of new tools to play with.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: numbnuts on 23 January, 2017, 06:20:28 pm
Been getting chest pains so went for a stress test this afternoon I thought I was doing alright on the treadmill, but after all that I now have to go for an angiogram or a CT scan, there must be a blockage some where and been told no more cycling and keep taking the tablets.  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 January, 2017, 07:50:04 pm
Erk, but glad you are getting it looked into. Hope you get seen soon and sorted if possible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 23 January, 2017, 08:41:36 pm
Hospital called to book the MRI scan; I was told that there was an 18 month(!) waiting list for regular daytime slots, but that they did operate 24/7, so if I was flexible, I could get a spot earlier. "Sure, I'm flexible", I said, expecting something 6-8 months away, but no, Feb 2 @ 2:30am :).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 January, 2017, 08:04:13 am
Been getting chest pains so went for a stress test this afternoon I thought I was doing alright on the treadmill, but after all that I now have to go for an angiogram or a CT scan, there must be a blockage some where and been told no more cycling and keep taking the tablets.  :'(
Erk, hold on, hope it's just a misreading.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 January, 2017, 08:12:01 am
Been getting chest pains so went for a stress test this afternoon I thought I was doing alright on the treadmill, but after all that I now have to go for an angiogram or a CT scan, there must be a blockage some where and been told no more cycling and keep taking the tablets.  :'(

That's a bummer.  Angiogram's the better option: if there is anything they can most likely bung in a stent and fix it there and then, whereas if the scan shows anything up they'll probably send you for an angiogram.

There's little cause for worry.  Plenty of folk with angioplasties do 1000k rides.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 24 January, 2017, 10:35:36 am
Eye lasering on Thursday to correct my -1.75 myopia and astigmatism.  Looking forward to it in a funny kind of way.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 24 January, 2017, 09:36:38 pm
This arsing cold has been tormenting me to the extent that I haven't had a voice for any of this year.  My similarly-afflicted colleagues tell me it's at least a month before you're even close to normal, without the hacking cough and the exhaustion. 

Apparently the need for Tena Lady is almost universal for those afflicted.  I should have bought shares.

Bah.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 24 January, 2017, 09:56:40 pm
I found today that a properly tightened working at height harness does not play well with my hip*. The leg straps align the pelvis tilt and then presses across the front of the joint. Now feeling sore and the clickiness is back so I shall have to rest it and loose some weight.



*Confined space access and EBA training. Up and down ladders crawling through pipes, donning escape sets etc. and then a written paper.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 January, 2017, 03:03:21 pm
My innards are troubling me. I've been having intermittent bouts of Bristol stool chart 5s and 6s with noticeable urgency for ages now, but put it down to my sertraline. But I've been on the sertraline 18 months and the innards problems are getting worse - I'm shitting multiple times a day, I'm having unpleasant gnawing pain in my mid abdomen sometimes, followed by a 3-4 on the stool chart, crampy growliness in my lower abdomen at times, and lots and lots of urgency followed by more 5s and 6s. And when I say urgency, if I lived on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd, I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do. So I'm off to the GP tomorrow.
Outpatient appointment is next week, but it's not a colonoscopy appointment, just an appointment.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 26 January, 2017, 03:23:13 pm
HK fractured a shoulder on ice yesterday. The previous break in September should have healed to normal strength by now but it has broken in the same place. Some bone density investigation or suchlike seems necessary IMHO.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 January, 2017, 03:26:51 pm
HK fractured a shoulder on ice yesterday. The previous break in September should have healed to normal strength by now but it has broken in the same place. Some bone density investigation or suchlike seems necessary IMHO.

Agreed.

You might have to fight though.

Mend well HK!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 January, 2017, 03:28:32 pm
Ouch.
I'm not sure that 16 weeks would give full normal strength though. Hard calcification but not full strength.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 26 January, 2017, 04:08:24 pm
Best wishes HK. That's horrible news.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 26 January, 2017, 10:50:07 pm
My innards are troubling me. I've been having intermittent bouts of Bristol stool chart 5s and 6s with noticeable urgency for ages now, but put it down to my sertraline. But I've been on the sertraline 18 months and the innards problems are getting worse - I'm shitting multiple times a day, I'm having unpleasant gnawing pain in my mid abdomen sometimes, followed by a 3-4 on the stool chart, crampy growliness in my lower abdomen at times, and lots and lots of urgency followed by more 5s and 6s. And when I say urgency, if I lived on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd, I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do. So I'm off to the GP tomorrow.
Outpatient appointment is next week, but it's not a colonoscopy appointment, just an appointment.
.
Good luck! Gut problems are horrid xxx
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Marmitegeoff on 27 January, 2017, 08:39:08 am
Get well soon HK just remember that summer is on its way.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 27 January, 2017, 02:41:58 pm
Eye lasering on Thursday to correct my -1.75 myopia and astigmatism.  Looking forward to it in a funny kind of way.
Amazing.  Best money I've ever spent.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: jsabine on 27 January, 2017, 02:54:37 pm
HK fractured a shoulder on ice yesterday. The previous break in September should have healed to normal strength by now but it has broken in the same place. Some bone density investigation or suchlike seems necessary IMHO.

Crikey - sorry to hear that. It's not been a good few months for the pair of you. Good healing wishes in any case.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 27 January, 2017, 04:23:38 pm
The voodoo dolls seem to be working quite well recently. This too shall pass.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 27 January, 2017, 07:07:03 pm
Mend soon, HK.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 28 January, 2017, 11:26:07 am
First cold this winter.  I suppose being cooped up on a coach for 4 hours and then attending a conference with 3,000 people was going to do it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Whitedown Man on 29 January, 2017, 07:04:05 am
GWS HK - gutted for you
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 February, 2017, 08:20:32 pm
My innards are troubling me. I've been having intermittent bouts of Bristol stool chart 5s and 6s with noticeable urgency for ages now, but put it down to my sertraline. But I've been on the sertraline 18 months and the innards problems are getting worse - I'm shitting multiple times a day, I'm having unpleasant gnawing pain in my mid abdomen sometimes, followed by a 3-4 on the stool chart, crampy growliness in my lower abdomen at times, and lots and lots of urgency followed by more 5s and 6s. And when I say urgency, if I lived on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd, I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do. So I'm off to the GP tomorrow.
Outpatient appointment is next week, but it's not a colonoscopy appointment, just an appointment.
Bloods taken and I have to send in some poo. Might mix a cat turd in there for a laugh. Consultant was really nice.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 February, 2017, 05:45:29 pm
I am on gabapentin for my sciatica. The bloody foil on the blister packs is sufficiently thick for me to have cut my thumb on it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 02 February, 2017, 06:40:51 pm
Had my MRI scan yesterday and was amused by how loud those things are! Definitely not like on TV!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Aj2QspPf7s
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 February, 2017, 06:42:13 pm
Had my MRI scan yesterday and was amused by how loud those things are! Definitely not like on TV!

It's because they aren't using the magic sound-deadening curtains they make cubicles out of on Casualty.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 02 February, 2017, 07:36:19 pm
I wonder if I can get hold of the images...Would be neat to get a 3D model and then print it out :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 February, 2017, 07:40:56 pm
Take a USB flash drive to the appointment and ask nicely.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 02 February, 2017, 08:09:38 pm
I wonder if I can get hold of the images...Would be neat to get a 3D model and then print it out :-)
Ask at the hospital. There's a form to complete and a charge of £10. You'll receive it on a dvd.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 February, 2017, 09:58:54 pm
An old college friend of mine had a hip replacement a couple of weeks ago and is due another in March. I suggested that she ask for her old hip joints back, embed them in blocks of perspex and use them as book ends.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 02 February, 2017, 11:38:16 pm
Still waiting to see consultant after having MRI scan on my left knee in Jan 2017 (awaiting 5th operation on it since 1996).
Also had xrays on arthritic joints in left hand a week after the MRI scan, and await advice on what happens next.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 03 February, 2017, 11:58:29 am
Hmm, presently suffering from (possibly stress induced as a result of jaw clenching) unilateral temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This is affecting my ability to masticate, and my enjoyment of the results of same.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 February, 2017, 01:31:08 pm
Hmm, presently suffering from (possibly stress induced as a result of jaw clenching) unilateral temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This is affecting my ability to masticate, and my enjoyment of the results of same.

Sympathies.  I had that quite badly in my teens.  Saw a maxillofacial bod who poked around, blamed exam stress and told me not to chew gum(!).

Eventually cured by leaving home.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 February, 2017, 10:08:24 am
Having struggled with this bloody depression for about two years now, today I've given in and asked to be signed off. The emotional demands of the work are taking every last bit of me, and I need some time away from it. So I'm off for three weeks and with any luck by next week I'll have the reserves needed to start doing the things that help me get better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 09 February, 2017, 10:25:08 am
Good luck EG, I hope the break gives you the chance to recover.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 09 February, 2017, 10:29:52 am
Yes. Best wishes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 February, 2017, 10:40:45 pm
My audiology department are pretty brilliant!

Saw me within 5 minutes at drop-in clinic to hand in broken hearing aid.
Gave me useful info about hearing aid going out of production and upgrade path.
Agreed to book me in for a hearing test at my request as I haven't had a proper one for ~9 years and several organisations won't accept the last audiogram copy I have which is dated 2005.
Showed clue about balance problems and listened to me explaining my currently visual issues and were able to confirm I'm too complex for them and it's reasonable to ask GP to refer me to neuro-something.
Posted me a hearing test appointment letter within 4 days for early March.
Arranged a successful repair of one of my hearing aids in under 10 days.

I already sent a "compliment" through the hospital's main website. I'll be emailing them to confirm aid is successfully repaired and thank them for the astonishing speed!

I still remember the 90s when repairs took months cos the aids had to go back to Sweden!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 February, 2017, 10:43:45 pm
Excellent, barakta!

So nice when something works well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 February, 2017, 09:36:51 pm
Hmm, presently suffering from (possibly stress induced as a result of jaw clenching) unilateral temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This is affecting my ability to masticate, and my enjoyment of the results of same.

Sympathies.  I had that quite badly in my teens.  Saw a maxillofacial bod who poked around, blamed exam stress and told me not to chew gum(!).

Eventually cured by leaving home.

I suffered for a long time with terrible pain in my cheeks  (not taken to a doc but self diagnosed as similar when discussed with dentist). Got a bite guard made at the dentist, now so much better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 February, 2017, 09:38:13 pm
Having struggled with this bloody depression for about two years now, today I've given in and asked to be signed off. The emotional demands of the work are taking every last bit of me, and I need some time away from it. So I'm off for three weeks and with any luck by next week I'll have the reserves needed to start doing the things that help me get better.

Hope the break helps, EG.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 February, 2017, 07:39:26 pm
I went to Queen Square today for routine blood tests I could have arranged at the surgery 100 yards away but
If I have blood taken at Queen Square, the results go straight to my consultants and my notes. Having arranged for my blood test form to be at  the OPD desk, I went straight in to the phlebotomist and we were free to leave the hospital within 5 minutes of arrival.
Had I arranged a local service I might have lost the will to live:
Arranging an appointment for a blood test
Chasing up the results
Getting results sent to Queen Square
Checking results have been received by the right people at Queen Square so I get my medication.

It seems HUGELY inefficient to go into Central London for simple blood tests but.....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 February, 2017, 06:24:12 pm
Sore throat, check.
Slightly swollen glands, check.

Looks Iike I'll be DNS on the 100K audax I was meant to be taking part on Sunday.....   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 February, 2017, 08:00:58 am
I went to Queen Square today for routine blood tests I could have arranged at the surgery 100 yards away but
If I have blood taken at Queen Square, the results go straight to my consultants and my notes. Having arranged for my blood test form to be at  the OPD desk, I went straight in to the phlebotomist and we were free to leave the hospital within 5 minutes of arrival.
Had I arranged a local service I might have lost the will to live:
Arranging an appointment for a blood test
Chasing up the results
Getting results sent to Queen Square
Checking results have been received by the right people at Queen Square so I get my medication.

It seems HUGELY inefficient to go into Central London for simple blood tests but.....

Dear lord what a rigmarole.  I call one of the nurses who looked after the Inlaw Paw; she drops in, draws the blood and forwards it to the lab. The doc has the results on line on the day the sample was taken and I receive them in the mail a day or two later.

Anyway, dropped in to mention that as of 1st July this year doctors in France will be able to prescribe sport as a treatment for various maladies incl. cancer, diabetes, coronary problems, etc.  Wonder if I can get n+1 out of it. Or failing that, a sub for maintenance.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 February, 2017, 12:38:44 pm
I went to Queen Square today for routine blood tests I could have arranged at the surgery 100 yards away but
If I have blood taken at Queen Square, the results go straight to my consultants and my notes. Having arranged for my blood test form to be at  the OPD desk, I went straight in to the phlebotomist and we were free to leave the hospital within 5 minutes of arrival.
Had I arranged a local service I might have lost the will to live:
Arranging an appointment for a blood test
Chasing up the results
Getting results sent to Queen Square
Checking results have been received by the right people at Queen Square so I get my medication.

It seems HUGELY inefficient to go into Central London for simple blood tests but.....

Dear lord what a rigmarole.  I call one of the nurses who looked after the Inlaw Paw; she drops in, draws the blood and forwards it to the lab. The doc has the results on line on the day the sample was taken and I receive them in the mail a day or two later.

Anyway, dropped in to mention that as of 1st July this year doctors in France will be able to prescribe sport as a treatment for various maladies incl. cancer, diabetes, coronary problems, etc.  Wonder if I can get n+1 out of it. Or failing that, a sub for maintenance.

Here's hoping!
My rigmarole is due to the fact that my medication is prescribed and supplies are arranged by Queen Square, part of the UCLH group in central London.
My GP is 100 metres away but we're in Brent/Harrow. Blood samples would go to Northwick Park (I think) and might be available online for them but the communications 'twixt Brent/Harrow are clunky... Queen Square is a well-oiled machine; poor David schlepped his iPad out so he had a plaything for a long wait but our longest wait was for him at the Gents'...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 February, 2017, 12:55:58 pm
Gotcha. Sympathies, it's still a slog.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 February, 2017, 10:08:19 pm
Gotcha. Sympathies, it's still a slog.

Indeed; just simpler to take the blood to the right place, whilst still in the patient...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 23 February, 2017, 10:16:17 am
Eye lasering on Thursday to correct my -1.75 myopia and astigmatism.  Looking forward to it in a funny kind of way.
Amazing.  Best money I've ever spent.
Went back for my one-month checkup on Tuesday.  Nailed the 6/4 lines.  Low-light vision is perhaps not as clear as it was before, but on the whole I'm astonished how good it is.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 February, 2017, 03:18:01 pm
My new increased dose of antidepressants seems to be kicking in, and I've just been for a brisk 3.5 mile walk around Arthur's Seat, clockwise. Took about an hour with one short break for breath recovery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 February, 2017, 03:23:38 pm
Good old Arthur!  We have fond memories of a wee shop at the foot of the Royal Mile that sold scrumptious bacon sandwiches to May-morning students stumbling down bedewed, bewildered and mildly overhung.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 06 March, 2017, 06:17:57 pm
Ho hum.

2017, and Gammy Left Knee!

Physio thinks my issues have been due to weak leg muscles meaning the patella isn't tracking the knee joint properly. 

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3715/33248445726_ca2b1c8480_c.jpg)

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 March, 2017, 07:18:36 pm
Ouchy!
Hope it settles!
I think we've had previous threads here about patello femoral maltracking but I've not yet tried the search facility.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 March, 2017, 11:31:20 am
Cough sneeze splutter hack hack cough dribble wipe sneeze cough.

Wanna strangle the bastard who sneezed round us in Super U last week.  Missus was closer and has all the above plus bronchitis. :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 07 March, 2017, 05:04:55 pm
Ouchy!
Hope it settles!
I think we've had previous threads here about patello femoral maltracking but I've not yet tried the search facility.

Thanks Hellymedic. A good bit less pain in the knee today  when using clutch in the  car, and descending stairs, so it looks like the magic tape is doing something. 

It is annoying though, as I had been hoping to pop my 200k audax cherry this year...   :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 March, 2017, 05:35:38 pm
Static quads for the win...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 March, 2017, 07:38:10 pm
My innards are troubling me. I've been having intermittent bouts of Bristol stool chart 5s and 6s with noticeable urgency for ages now, but put it down to my sertraline. But I've been on the sertraline 18 months and the innards problems are getting worse - I'm shitting multiple times a day, I'm having unpleasant gnawing pain in my mid abdomen sometimes, followed by a 3-4 on the stool chart, crampy growliness in my lower abdomen at times, and lots and lots of urgency followed by more 5s and 6s. And when I say urgency, if I lived on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd, I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do. So I'm off to the GP tomorrow.
Outpatient appointment is next week, but it's not a colonoscopy appointment, just an appointment.
Bloods taken and I have to send in some poo. Might mix a cat turd in there for a laugh. Consultant was really nice.
Letter from GP saying nothing worrying in my poo and consultant has prescribed Questran Light until my next outpt appt at end of May. Questran Light is a disgusting powder, flavoured like very weak cheap diluting orange, to be mixed with water and forced down my gullet three times a day. No matter how I mix it, it won't properly dissolve and it has an oddly starchy texture, like drinking finely powdered Smash.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 March, 2017, 08:40:15 pm
Is aluminium oxide recognised as a lung irritant? I've just taken the rim tape off a wheel that I've had for about four years. The tape, which was some sort of woven plastic, had been on there since the wheel was made, and I think the bike had been in the shop for about a year before I bought it, so at least five years. When I removed it, clouds of white powder came out and made me cough, quite a lot. I presume it was aluminium oxide, probably from galvanic corrosion between metals as it was all around the nipple holes. Anyway, I think I'll just cut the spokes off the other wheel rather than unthread them; they're only plain gauge anyway (the rims are worn out, the hubs are still in good condition).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 March, 2017, 09:42:59 pm
Any sort of dust can be an irritant.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 March, 2017, 09:52:54 pm
My innards are troubling me. I've been having intermittent bouts of Bristol stool chart 5s and 6s with noticeable urgency for ages now, but put it down to my sertraline. But I've been on the sertraline 18 months and the innards problems are getting worse - I'm shitting multiple times a day, I'm having unpleasant gnawing pain in my mid abdomen sometimes, followed by a 3-4 on the stool chart, crampy growliness in my lower abdomen at times, and lots and lots of urgency followed by more 5s and 6s. And when I say urgency, if I lived on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd, I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do. So I'm off to the GP tomorrow.
Outpatient appointment is next week, but it's not a colonoscopy appointment, just an appointment.
Bloods taken and I have to send in some poo. Might mix a cat turd in there for a laugh. Consultant was really nice.
Letter from GP saying nothing worrying in my poo and consultant has prescribed Questran Light until my next outpt appt at end of May. Questran Light is a disgusting powder, flavoured like very weak cheap diluting orange, to be mixed with water and forced down my gullet three times a day. No matter how I mix it, it won't properly dissolve and it has an oddly starchy texture, like drinking finely powdered Smash.

Looks like it's fat soluble but I suppose they don't want you dissolving it in fats until it's in your intestines!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 09 March, 2017, 08:55:26 am
Is aluminium oxide recognised as a lung irritant?
Yes.
Quote
Section 3. Hazard Identification/Potential Health Effects
Emergency Overview: Dust irritating to eyes and respiratory tract
EYE Mechanical eye irritant. May cause tearing and redness.
SKIN Mechanical skin irritant. Prolonged contact may cause
skin abrasion, redness, itching.
SENSITIZATION No data available
INGESTION May cause nausea and vomiting. No long-term health
effects are anticipated.
INHALATION Dust may be slightly irritating to respiratory tract. May
cause coughing or shortness of breath.
TARGET ORGANS Eyes, skin, respiratory system
ACUTE EFFECTS of EXPOSURE Exposure may include persistent cough, shortness of
breath.
CHRONIC EFFECTS of EXPOSURE N/A
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS of EXPOSURE Coughing, shortness of breath

Section 4. First Aid Measures
EYES Flush eyes with large amounts of water. If
signs/symptoms persist, seek medical attention.
SKIN Wash affected area with soap and water. If
signs/symptoms persist, seek medical attention.
INHALATION Remove person to fresh air. If signs/symptoms develop,
seek medical attention.
INGESTION Ingestion is an unlikely route of exposure. Leave
decision to induce vomiting to qualified medical
personnel, since particles may be aspirated into the
lungs. Seek immediate medical attention.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 10 March, 2017, 01:49:38 pm
Among the groups on Facebook I'm a member of, is an advocacy group for NSNG diet (No Sugar, No Grains) and this post made me think of several people here on YACF who struggle with auto-immune conditions. American units for things; sorry about that!

"Hello all! I went to my internal medicine doctor today for lab work. In December before NSNG, my weight was 297, my fasting blood sugar was 220 and my A1C was 10.4. That was taking 4 blood sugar pills (glyburide) per day. Today my weight was 270, fasting blood sugar was 81 and my A1C was 6.6. I saw my rheumatologist last week and am off the arthritis meds (Celebrex) and immune suppressant (methotrexate) too. I am only taking 1 blood pressure pill per day. I feel so much better and hope with some more weight loss I can get off this last pill. Thanks for all the help this group has provided in these 2 months I have been NSNG. If you are in your first 30 days, it gets better I promise!"

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Andrij on 12 March, 2017, 07:58:32 pm
Feed a cold - starve a fever, correct? 

*burp*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 12 March, 2017, 08:23:07 pm
Blooming gammy left knee.  9 mile walk with 500m ascent with the local meetup group today. Knee fupping sair now.   :facepalm:  So no bike riding for me on my day off tomorrow.   :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 March, 2017, 08:25:57 pm
So they say. The appetite is often suppressed by a fever but if you're snotty, you might as well 'build yourself up' by enjoying nice  food...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 12 March, 2017, 08:45:40 pm
I've had a cold for the past week (accompanied variously be headaches, dizziness and general not being able to get up and do things - it's probably been manflu...). I've not felt well enough to ride my bike, but haven't lost my (big) appetite at all and so have been eating vast amounts whilst sitting on the sofa or lying in bed. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 26 March, 2017, 09:33:52 pm
Been fighting off a chesty cold for a week now. Bad enough that I can't do anything fitness wise, but other than the occasional coughing fit, I'm more or less normal. I do wish it would go away, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 05 April, 2017, 10:08:18 am
The muscles and gubbins in my left arm/shoulder finally seem to be recovering, albeit slowly, after my unplanned dismount last November
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 17 April, 2017, 03:15:37 pm
My innards are troubling me. I've been having intermittent bouts of Bristol stool chart 5s and 6s with noticeable urgency for ages now, but put it down to my sertraline. But I've been on the sertraline 18 months and the innards problems are getting worse - I'm shitting multiple times a day, I'm having unpleasant gnawing pain in my mid abdomen sometimes, followed by a 3-4 on the stool chart, crampy growliness in my lower abdomen at times, and lots and lots of urgency followed by more 5s and 6s. And when I say urgency, if I lived on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd, I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do. So I'm off to the GP tomorrow.
Outpatient appointment is next week, but it's not a colonoscopy appointment, just an appointment.
Bloods taken and I have to send in some poo. Might mix a cat turd in there for a laugh. Consultant was really nice.
Letter from GP saying nothing worrying in my poo and consultant has prescribed Questran Light until my next outpt appt at end of May. Questran Light is a disgusting powder, flavoured like very weak cheap diluting orange, to be mixed with water and forced down my gullet three times a day. No matter how I mix it, it won't properly dissolve and it has an oddly starchy texture, like drinking finely powdered Smash.

Same thing with me and setraline. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 17 April, 2017, 03:25:21 pm
Had an EKG and now been told to get another and go see my GP.

Wondering if I should be worried?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 April, 2017, 01:45:12 pm
Pretty bloody to give you an exam then set you worrying without specifics.  Friend of Mrs T was asked back after a mammogram without being told why: two weeks worried sick only to find out they'd botched the first one.  Anyway, cardiologists are vulnerable to censure if their "you're fine" leads to a patient doing himself in, so IME they're inclined to caution. If they didn't say to sit still and do nowt then don't worry.

My medical moan is that the weird positions I got into yesterday putting shelves up in the workshop have given me tendinitis in both sets of hamstrings and my jeans are stuck to the backs of my knees with ketoprofen gel.  'Tis the end of the world, indeed it is.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 27 April, 2017, 05:08:43 pm
The answer was actually on the print out, when I took it out of the envelope, right artrial enlargement.  Amazing that a sealed envelope, with for the attention of the gp, works to stop you prying.

Cholesterol getting worse even tho I am taking statins :( How does that work?

Diabetic control notgood and getting worse.  Could that be the other drugs affecting this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 April, 2017, 05:24:37 pm
Arterial or atrial?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 27 April, 2017, 05:27:56 pm
Arterial or atrial?

Atrial, spellchecker doesn't seem to like it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 28 April, 2017, 08:23:54 am
Quote
The answer was actually on the print out, when I took it out of the envelope, right artrial enlargement.  Amazing that a sealed envelope, with for the attention of the gp, works to stop you prying.

If that was printed on the ECG it's very likely an automatic report from the ECG machine itself rather than the opinion of a human looking at the ECG.  The automatic reports are very good for numerical data such as times between features on the ECG.  The Automatic diagnosis features are in most case nonsense so I wouldn't take much notice until you have spoken to your GP
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 28 April, 2017, 07:32:34 pm
Should go back for another one to make sure.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 May, 2017, 04:26:17 pm
My wife is from the North where high cholesterol is often hereditary - Vikings etc were predisposed to it since it compensates to some extent for a lack of melanin.  Even when she was vegan - she now eats fish - the quack was forever telling her to cut out the red meat.

- - - - -

Anyway, my own little hoot today is that I'm just back from a cardiac stress test: everything was perfect and I can lose the wretched aspirin that wasn't doing anything for my guts. :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 May, 2017, 04:31:52 pm
T42, if they tell you to take Aspirin again, find some soluble aspirin that has ascorbic acid with it. The old-fashion alka-seltzer is one brand that has this.

Makes a massive difference to the effect on the stomach. Why this is not standard in all formulations of aspirin is beyond me, since it well researched and proven.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 May, 2017, 05:36:28 pm
Didn't know that. Cheers :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 May, 2017, 09:18:20 pm
Ok, this is very minor and rather random, but here goes...

I keep getting these sore bits appearing suddenly on my fingers, on the palm side, today's one is now bruised. Weird thing is I'm not doing anything traumatic to make these things occur, today's one happened while I was driving! Weird...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 May, 2017, 09:41:33 pm
Is it like a sudden sharp pain and then a bruise appears?

Probably devils nip. We have no idea what causes it or why it happens. Just does and not serious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 May, 2017, 10:08:27 pm
Yes a sudden pain that really hurts if you press on it. This is the first time I've seen a bruise, times before it has looked a bit white, if anything.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 May, 2017, 12:56:58 pm
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=achenbach+syndrome&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari
Is worth looking at.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 May, 2017, 01:27:11 pm
Ha, we don't know what it is, but here's a name for it. I love it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 05 May, 2017, 02:31:20 pm
My wife is from the North where high cholesterol is often hereditary - Vikings etc were predisposed to it since it compensates to some extent for a lack of melanin.  Even when she was vegan - she now eats fish - the quack was forever telling her to cut out the red meat.

- - - - -

Anyway, my own little hoot today is that I'm just back from a cardiac stress test: everything was perfect and I can lose the wretched aspirin that wasn't doing anything for my guts. :D

Do you think that you produce your own cholestorol and food wise there is no effect.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 May, 2017, 02:34:51 pm
AIUI those with hereditary hypercholesterolaemia produce high levels of cholesterol on which food has little effect, not quite none.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 May, 2017, 03:26:37 pm
That was the case with Mrs T.  She's now on hefty doses of statins, which keep her levels just outside the normal range.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 09 May, 2017, 10:10:23 am
Having had surgery on the near knuckle of my left-hand ring finger to remove a giant cell tumour five years ago, I've got similar discomfort and swellings developing in the knuckles of the middle finger and index finger, as well as a recurrence of the swelling where the GCT was removed. :( 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 May, 2017, 03:28:39 pm
Find a top class hand surgeon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 May, 2017, 08:05:28 pm
I cannot better the advice above but can offer sympathy for the anxiety this must cause.
Wishing  you well...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 10 May, 2017, 08:55:42 am
Thanks Chris and Helly.  My previous surgery was with Chris's colleague Mr Timothy Cresswell at the Pulvertaft Hand Centre in Royal Derby Hospital, but even he couldn't guarantee that marginal excision of the (benign) tendon-sheath GCT wouldn't lead to re-occurrence.  It having come back where it has, I'm not terrifically optimistic that it'll work for the index and middle fingers...  That said, it's nowhere near as bad yet as the discomfort I had 5 years ago, so I think I'll just keep a watching brief.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 May, 2017, 09:17:13 am
How significant are use by dates on aspirin? I've discovered a largeish stash of aspirin at the back of the cupboard, all with use by dates in 2015 and 2011.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 10 May, 2017, 09:45:06 am
I have an endoscopy this afternoon and I'm terrified! Never had one before but, as a student nurse, i was present at a few. The panic most of the ones I observed is what's scaring me. I'm trying had to stop myself from making excuses and blobbing out of it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 May, 2017, 09:56:01 am
I've had two.

The 'panic' is a reflexive thing. They do numb your throat a bit so that there really isn't much discomfort and no pain, the panic just comes from the body telling the brain that there is a problem.

It is a bit like being under water, your body saying you are running out of air and need to breath, and your brain saying "no way, I'm under water, don't breath".

Do you have difficulty breathing through your nose? If you do, tell them. It is possible to breath around the endoscope through your mouth, but easier through your nose.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 May, 2017, 12:49:06 pm
How significant are use by dates on aspirin? I've discovered a largeish stash of aspirin at the back of the cupboard, all with use by dates in 2015 and 2011.

Effervescent is more likely to 'go off' than enteric coated as the 'fizz' component is more labile.

Personally, I ignore dates on solid medication but professionally, I couldn't possibly comment...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 May, 2017, 01:24:07 pm
I have an endoscopy this afternoon and I'm terrified! Never had one before but, as a student nurse, i was present at a few. The panic most of the ones I observed is what's scaring me. I'm trying had to stop myself from making excuses and blobbing out of it.

I've had three, the first two without anaesthetic and the last one with.  First one I managed to stay calm, second one I twitched just once, which made the nurse (spare-time female bouncer judging by her face and muscles) grab me in a grip of iron and press me down to the couch - not really necessary.  Third one was almost pleasant but I had to stay in bed until they were sure the anaesthetic wasn't going to have any after-effects.  It did: an 80€ non-reimbursable bill for the anaesthetist.

Chum of mine had one some years ago.  Having never done biology at school, he thought the probe would go down far enough to reach into the intestine and then be withdrawn covered in shit. He was quite worried about that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 11 May, 2017, 01:32:53 pm
Well it appears that the way to get past the guard dragon at the doctors when she asks 'Is it really an emergency? What's the matter?' is to tell her, in very graphic detail. Not sure she believed me since I was stood their in my lycra but I did get the first appointment of the day.

Then the doc gave me rather nice steroid/anaesthetic cream* and expressed amazement I could walk let alone ride a bike.

*yeah - the embarrassing health problem thread is thataway --->
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 May, 2017, 02:41:37 pm
I see the NHS is spending BIG money on BIG ambulances for BIG people.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39859428 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39859428)

Jut THREE BIG ambulances for ALL of London?!?! I know POBI is elsewhere but this seems so few they're hardly worth counting!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 May, 2017, 02:54:52 pm
Quote
Bariatric ambulances are specially-designed and equipped in response to a 10-fold spike in hospital visits linked to obesity in the past decade.
It's hardly a spike; that implies it will come down again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 May, 2017, 02:57:29 pm
Quote
Bariatric ambulances are specially-designed and equipped in response to a 10-fold spike in hospital visits linked to obesity in the past decade.
It's hardly a spike; that implies it will come down again.

Given sufficient lack of hospitals...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 May, 2017, 03:07:27 pm
Quote
Bariatric ambulances are specially-designed and equipped in response to a 10-fold spike in hospital visits linked to obesity in the past decade.
It's hardly a spike; that implies it will come down again.

Given sufficient lack of hospitals...
I think obesity is at least partly a mental health issue (on a societal level, not in each individual case) and we don't seem to be making much progress on that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 May, 2017, 03:41:12 pm
I read today that the gluten-free campaign/craze/fad/meme** is leading to a rise in obesity. Missus mentioned that a lot of the gluten-free stuff is high-GI.

**10% cases clinical necessity & 90% marketing-boosted faddery (est. T42)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 May, 2017, 03:49:44 pm
I read that gluten-free manufactured food isn't particularly healthy for non-coeliacs.
Too much marketing is bad for your hwealth
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 11 May, 2017, 03:55:14 pm
I noticed in tescos this morning that the Old Speckled Hen range now includes a gluten free variant.  After my experience when I accidentally bought a gluten free sandwich  :sick: , I'll not be trying it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 May, 2017, 04:02:52 pm
I'm not a beer drinker but venture to say that in general, some 'Free-From' things are fine and some are  :sick: The only way to know is to suck/taste and see.

One yucky sandwich is a very different kettle to a beer.

You need only read the threads on milk to see how these things vary.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 May, 2017, 04:27:55 pm
Indeed. Some 'free from' breads are like particularly tasteless cardboard. Some are almost indistinguishable from good 'ordinary' bread.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mark on 11 May, 2017, 06:38:41 pm
I see the NHS is spending BIG money on BIG ambulances for BIG people.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39859428 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39859428)

Jut THREE BIG ambulances for ALL of London?!?! I know POBI is elsewhere but this seems so few they're hardly worth counting!

Three big ambulances plus a third party provider, whereas the other locations make no mention of a third party provider. The ambulances in London are also capable of handling significantly heavier patients than ambulances elsewhere. Even in the US or the UK, how many people weigh 444 kg/70 stone/980 pounds?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 11 May, 2017, 06:42:47 pm
Future proofing
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 12 May, 2017, 01:52:22 pm
Indeed. Some 'free from' breads are like particularly tasteless cardboard. Some are almost indistinguishable from good 'ordinary' bread.
Really?  I've not found any freefrom bread that isn't improved significantly by being toasted (my wife is coeliac, so we have a gluten free house (aside from beer, because up to now I've found most gf beer terrible)).
GF foods that work are those that don't need to rise - brownies, pancakes, etc. Anything that should be light and fluffy just isn't (gf croissants are astonishingly bad).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 May, 2017, 02:34:15 pm
Indeed. Some 'free from' breads are like particularly tasteless cardboard. Some are almost indistinguishable from good 'ordinary' bread.
Really?  I've not found any freefrom bread that isn't improved significantly by being toasted (my wife is coeliac, so we have a gluten free house (aside from beer, because up to now I've found most gf beer terrible)).
GF foods that work are those that don't need to rise - brownies, pancakes, etc. Anything that should be light and fluffy just isn't (gf croissants are astonishingly bad).
Tescos own brand breads are about the best of the breads - they have started doing (in some stores) occasionally a 'cob' loaf that is exceptional. Really good crust and texture.
The Warburtons flatbreads are ok.
Dr Schar brown bread rolls are ok.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 12 May, 2017, 08:23:55 pm
After going ten rounds with Mike Tyson having two rear teeth (left & right) sinus lift & dental implants carried out today, apart from feeling sorry for myself at the moment, the dentist has sworn me off cycling for three weeks :( (or any strenuous exercise)

He's also put me on a prophylactic (less siniggering you lot in the US) course of 1g Amoxicillin 3 times a day for 7 days. Normal UK dose being 500mg, but he's from Germany, and told me the one thing I really mustn't do is blow my nose. I assume that's all to do with the sinus surgery, and I'm inclined to follow his advice, just because. But three weeks? Anyone done similar?

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2017, 08:27:27 pm
Anyone done similar?

Paging barakta.  Barakta to the snot-coated cybernetic courtesy phone please...

That's a proper does of Amoxil, that is.  Expect to spend some quality time on the toilet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 May, 2017, 08:45:01 pm
AIUI, blowing your nose could create a passage between your dental 'root' / abutment/whatever and your nasal sinus, which would be a MAJOR problem to seal.

SO DON'T!

You can wipe and pick your nose though.

Sneezing is more problematic and less predictable; try to avoid it if at all possible! I know this is difficult in the real world, but maybe avoiding pepper, pollen and dust is possible.

Mend well and fast.

A gram of Amoxil doesn't really trouble me. I hope you're as lucky!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2017, 08:49:07 pm
Sneezing is more problematic and less predictable; try to avoid it if at all possible! I know this is difficult in the real world, but maybe avoiding pepper, pollen and dust is possible.

I'd suggest attempting to convert any unavoidable sneeze into a noisy sputum-spewing cough, hopefully keeping the pressure low and the nose out of the equation as far as possible.

I did something similar to minimise diaphragm movement while hospitalised with digestive nastiness.  It reduced the pain, but I've been unable to sneeze quietly since.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 12 May, 2017, 08:57:50 pm
The most inconvenience is probably the "no cycling" rule. Not only will it put me onto public transport, but next week I am in Coventry (MiL) travelling to Warwick (Work) where public transport doesn't really work the same as London. Looks like I need to order a taxi service from Mrs Ham, who would otherwise be lying abed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 May, 2017, 10:52:18 am
I was routinely not allowed to blow my nose for a week after nose/sinus surgeries. I've had about 20 of them. This is because you can easily blow post surgery stuff apart as Helly says. It's all a bit interconnected and slimy around there.

My dad devised a very clever system using super strong soft tissues of carefully dragging a folded edge of tissue across the bottom of my nose to catch the snot and draw the rest of it out using its own viscosity. Cos of course there would be Ever More Snot than usual cos everything was irritated. Engineering solution from Mr Snot Phobic...

I've done 1g of flucloxacillin 4x a day for 7 days - that was my pet ENT consultant for a BAHA abutment infection in 2006 shortly after the surgery which was nasty and rather too close to my brain for liking. The food intake rules on fluclox are a nightmare no food for 2 hours before or 1 hour after each dose meaning I had hideous acid reflux for hours a day. I managed 5 days after having tried to fudge those hours by 25% on the grounds that they'd be conservative...

I was routinely put on amox/fluclox at 125mg x4 type doses for children as prophylactic after ENT surgeries as a child - especially until the mid 1990s. Annoyingly you can't get sub 250mg doses in tablet form so we had rows about that cos even as a child I must preferred pillz to fucking awful syrup medicine. Especially fluclox which was BRIGHT ORANGE and tasted utterly revolting - I think it was meant to be aniseed or something to cover the taste, but I HATE aniseed. Amoxycillin was at least just sickly sweet... Once he knew us, and my mum was a nurse ENT doc used to give us prescriptions for the syrups unmixed so we could mix em up if we needed them and otherwise not have me on antibiotics...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 13 May, 2017, 07:17:05 pm
I've just noticed a pain in my right eye.  On checking in the bathroom mirror I've a stye on my lower eyelid  :( .   I've not had one of those since childhood.    I wasn't there this morning. 


I hope it vanishes as quickly as it came, but no more contact lenses till it's gone.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 14 May, 2017, 11:23:46 pm
I think I may have become a hay fever sufferer. My eyes were so sore and itchy yesterday I had to stop. I've had sore eyes a couple of times before but never as bad as yesterday. They are still sore today. I'll be waiting outside Boots when they open tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 14 May, 2017, 11:26:24 pm
I've had quite itchy eyes today, in spite of being mostly in bed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 14 May, 2017, 11:33:09 pm
I'd forgotten about the irritating cough, which is also a symptom of hay fever according to Ian Google.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 15 May, 2017, 07:30:27 am

A gram of Amoxil doesn't really trouble me. I hope you're as lucky!

Apparently not. It's making me as tired as a donkey and as constipated as a mormon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 May, 2017, 11:36:03 am

A gram of Amoxil doesn't really trouble me. I hope you're as lucky!

Apparently not. It's making me as tired as a donkey and as constipated as a mormon.

Oh dear!

I thought it had the opposite effect!

Hope your dental work is successful and painless ASAP!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 15 May, 2017, 11:59:57 am
So did I, but apparently it can do either, it might yet move to that. TBH it's only the "tired" that's a problem, I'm sure gut will sort itself out, it normally does plus I've added Kefir to my intake which apparently out-probiotics the dedicated probiotics (Actimel etc)

I look like a lopsided chipmunk; Mrs Ham informs me my amended visage adds 10 years to my age. This too will pass. Probably.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 May, 2017, 12:45:12 pm
Yeah. Takes about 10 years.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 May, 2017, 02:37:47 pm
Many other forumengers have had implants.

Salvatore's are very good...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 15 May, 2017, 04:57:25 pm
From what I now know, there are a range of implant style experiences. I was having both upper rearmost gnashers renovated, both sides needing sinus lift where the bone in the sinus cavity is augmented with Polyfilla or something like that, the sinus lift elevating the process to difficult in all events.

One side was as bad an experience as I have ever sat through, involving 90 minutes of work; it is that side which is responsible for the chipmunk-pouch look. The other side was much quicker and less stressful, with minimal swelling which has now mostly subsided.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 16 May, 2017, 10:24:05 am
I had a phone call from the doc's this a.m. Yesterday I phoned up for a repeat prescription of methotrexate. Methotrexate junkies are supposed to have a blood test every 3 months for the purposes of checking that their livers haven't self-immolated. Apparently I haven't had a blood test since January.

I am quite impressed by that reminder. Other things about this surgery have been less impressive, like the failure to provide repeat prescriptions on time, but that was good. I have booked a blood test for 8.35 next Tuesday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 May, 2017, 12:48:41 pm
What seems impressive, or at least encouraging, is that their computer systems seem to be functioning!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 16 May, 2017, 02:37:49 pm
Quote
What seems impressive, or at least encouraging, is that their computer systems seem to be functioning!

we've been back running since about 16.00 yesterday, quite a few local practices are still down, just the got the backlog of paper notes, letters and pathology to catch up with.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2017, 09:39:10 am
I've just read this: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/may/17/obesity-health-no-such-thing-as-fat-but-fit-major-study
and two things in it puzzle me.

Quote
Dr Rishi Caleyachetty, who led the study, said it was true that weightlifters could be healthy and yet have a BMI that suggested they were obese. “I understand that argument. BMI is crude … but it is the only measure we have in the clinic to get a proxy for body fat. It is not realistic [to use anything else] in a GP setting or in the normal hospital clinic. We have to rely on BMI measurements, however crude they may be,” he said.
I've heard talk of and possibly even seen photos of body-fat callipers and of course there was the slogan "Can you pinch an inch?" I've even read on here some reference to an electric current method. Is it not just as easy for GPs and nurses to use callipers as BMI? Or is that equally misleading (presumably because it needs measurements at many different places)?

And this one seems contradictory to me:
Quote
“At the population level, so-called metabolically healthy obesity is not a harmless condition and perhaps it is better not to use this term to describe an obese person, regardless of how many metabolic complications they have.”
If a person has 'metabolic complications', which I presume means things like diabetes or hyperthyroidism, then surely by definition they are not 'metabolically healthy'?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 May, 2017, 09:41:10 am
I read that. I'm totally depressed. :P
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 May, 2017, 09:52:08 am
Given that we know that fat distribution is important, 'pinch an inch' is a good guide. You can have fat hips, have relatively little fat on your waist and hence (as far as current understanding goes) be at lower risk for cardio disease. Yet probably have a very high bmi.

I'm not sure why it is so hard to grab calipers and measure the fat at a couple of points.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 17 May, 2017, 10:48:54 am
Quote
Dr Rishi Caleyachetty, who led the study, said it was true that weightlifters could be healthy and yet have a BMI that suggested they were obese. “I understand that argument. BMI is crude … but it is the only measure we have in the clinic to get a proxy for body fat. It is not realistic [to use anything else] in a GP setting or in the normal hospital clinic. We have to rely on BMI measurements, however crude they may be,” he said.
I've heard talk of and possibly even seen photos of body-fat callipers and of course there was the slogan "Can you pinch an inch?" I've even read on here some reference to an electric current method. Is it not just as easy for GPs and nurses to use callipers as BMI? Or is that equally misleading (presumably because it needs measurements at many different places)?

At a guess I'd say it's probably time that is the limiting factor. It takes a minute to do height/weight and lookup the results on a chart or grab a calculator. It takes longer than that to take accurate calliper measurements at several places and interpret the results. BMI can also be done over the phone or online if the patient has an idea of their height and weight.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 17 May, 2017, 11:44:51 am
BMI is such utter bollocks that any clinician taking it overly seriously after the "You DO know BMI was never designed for individuals, it's a population measure" goes in the "talks bollocks, go elsewhere pile".

I spend too much of my life dealing with medics to put up with crap. Admittedly easy for me as a white woman on the 'right side of' BMI...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 May, 2017, 01:17:30 pm
I'm not sure why it is so hard to grab calipers and measure the fat at a couple of points.

Callipers are very difficult to apply consistently and accurately. The thickness of subcutaneous fat varies by several millimetres at locations only centimetre or two apart and the measure value is still dependent on the pressure applied.

A tape measure round the waist, hips and neck might be quicker and more useful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 18 May, 2017, 08:01:20 am
My left thumb is sore again, and I've no idea why (this time). And it's a critical location for riding my bike. :(
I've had flare-ups occasionally for the last ~15 years since I did some serious damage to my ulnar collateral ligament playing sport (I've the same on my right thumb but that side is a little sturdier). Usually though, I know what I've done to cause it - this week I've not got a clue! I noticed it Tuesday evening, and I've not done anything unusual with it (last time on the bike was Sunday). In the past, the doctor has just said to stop doing whatever hurts it (helpful). I taped it and put voltarol gel on it - will have to see how it feels this evening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 18 May, 2017, 09:00:34 am
Quote
At a guess I'd say it's probably time that is the limiting factor. It takes a minute to do height/weight and lookup the results on a chart or grab a calculator. It takes longer than that to take accurate calliper measurements at several places and interpret the results. BMI can also be done over the phone or online if the patient has an idea of their height and weight.


10 mins is the average consultation time, 10 mins to get the patient in find out the problem, come up with a plan and write the notes.  BMI is a good rule of thumb but nothing more,  Generally you don't need gadgets or maths to know if someone is overweight, the most interesting conversations are those with parents whose children have a beer gut with overhang.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2017, 09:26:13 am
The mother of a very fat and rather spoiled child in my son's class told me "The doctor says he's clinically obese but I can't see it myself." They were about 8 at the time and at that very moment walking home with a big pack of monster munch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 18 May, 2017, 10:54:31 am
It's awkward with kids.  My daughter is overweight according to BMI, but is bang on average weight for her age - she's just short! She's not into sweets or chocolate (she still has easter eggs and christmas sweets kicking around!). There's some sort of balance to be struck between encouraging her to eat healthily and trying not to micromanage, but it's concerning nonetheless.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2017, 11:03:45 am
I think the big issue is that many parents don't/can't/won't see their kids as being overweight even when presented with the evidence.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 18 May, 2017, 02:03:48 pm
I'm never quite sure what is the correct protocol regarding clothing for a physiotherapy/sports massage...

I would have no qualms, in principle, about being completely naked during treatment but it doesn't seem to be the done thing (T-shirt and pants seems to be the norm). However, this does mean it feels slightly awkward when the therapist has to pull your pants down to work on your glutes.

Sometimes you have to remind yourself that the therapist's interest in your body is purely mechanical.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2017, 02:22:46 pm
It is customary to wear clothing outside a treatment room anyway. I know 'gym' means 'naked' but...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 18 May, 2017, 04:12:25 pm
It is customary to wear clothing outside a treatment room anyway. I know 'gym' means 'naked' but...

Er... post edited to make it sound less like I meant being naked on the way to the treatment.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 18 May, 2017, 04:16:53 pm
How many ECG do you have till you have a normal one?

I know that it is a 10sec snap shot but finally have a normal ecg now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 18 May, 2017, 05:52:54 pm
Is that normal in the view of a human or the ECG machine.  It an odd idea to keep recording ECG's until you get one you like the look of.  A 24hr ECG might be more useful
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2017, 12:11:58 pm
PLEASE CHECK ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS OF PUBLIC DEFIBRILLATORS!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39973937 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39973937)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 19 May, 2017, 06:26:17 pm
I went to the GP this week.

8:15am - Me: "Hello, can I make an appointment to see a doctor please?"
8:15am - Receptionist: "Can you get here for 9?"
8:15am - Me - "Oh. Erm. Yes"
8:16am - Receptionist: "Great - what's your name?"

../..

What service!

I got to see a GP I've not met before. She looked about 15 - a sure sign I'm getting old. And yet...

Doc (studying my on-screen notes): "Oh my goodness, it says your almost 60. No way do you look that age!"
Me: "Erm. Thanks - I chose my parents carefully."

Anyway. She booked me in for a full MOT, prescribed a wheelbarrow-load of stuff, and (re)diagnosed "Exercise induced asthma; probably antagonised by hay-fever".

I love the NHS  :thumbsup:.

Don't vote Tory, folks  :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 19 May, 2017, 06:40:16 pm
I think the road rash on my arm is within an hour or two of becoming crusty enough to wear a jumper without getting stuck to it.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 19 May, 2017, 06:44:31 pm
I think the road rash on my arm is within an hour or two of becoming crusty enough to wear a jumper without getting stuck to it.   :thumbsup:

We're waiting for that inevitable moment.

* pick pick pick * Ow Ow Ow!! - Too soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 19 May, 2017, 06:52:46 pm
Too soon for the arse.  It's taken longer to heal on account of the necessity of more dressing changes and less opportunity to dry out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 19 May, 2017, 07:21:25 pm
*forms orderly queue to pick scabs off Kim's arse*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 May, 2017, 01:16:28 pm
I failed my glaucoma test at opticians. Took extended test.
failed.
suggested I take test without 'computer/reading' glasses, as they are optimised for sight about 60cm away.
passed.
Phew!
New glasses will be about £500 . . .
 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 22 May, 2017, 01:12:02 pm
My left thumb is sore again, and I've no idea why (this time). And it's a critical location for riding my bike. :(
I've had flare-ups occasionally for the last ~15 years since I did some serious damage to my ulnar collateral ligament playing sport (I've the same on my right thumb but that side is a little sturdier). Usually though, I know what I've done to cause it - this week I've not got a clue! I noticed it Tuesday evening, and I've not done anything unusual with it (last time on the bike was Sunday). In the past, the doctor has just said to stop doing whatever hurts it (helpful). I taped it and put voltarol gel on it - will have to see how it feels this evening.
Bah.  So the tape and the voltarol was OK ish. Rode my bike on Saturday with a brace on it - it hurt a bit but that might have been the brace pressing oddly as I leaned on it. Then did "swimming" with my daughter yesterday (mostly helping her teach herself to swim (I have learned my lesson and let her do it her way!)). Today the thumb is really bloody sore and I have put the brace on so I don't prang it by accident. :(
Either it's riding my bike, or it's "swimming", or it's both. I don't want to stop either of them.  :(
I've set up a Turbo in my garage, so I might try riding that on Wednesday - aero bars should mean that I don't put any pressure on the thumb, in the meantime I'll just have to brace it and use the gel and hope it sorts itself out soon.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 24 May, 2017, 02:28:03 pm
I went to the GP this week.

8:15am - Me: "Hello, can I make an appointment to see a doctor please?"
8:15am - Receptionist: "Can you get here for 9?"
8:15am - Me - "Oh. Erm. Yes"
8:16am - Receptionist: "Great - what's your name?"

../..

What service!

I got to see a GP I've not met before. She looked about 15 - a sure sign I'm getting old. And yet...

Doc (studying my on-screen notes): "Oh my goodness, it says your almost 60. No way do you look that age!"
Me: "Erm. Thanks - I chose my parents carefully."

Anyway. She booked me in for a full MOT, prescribed a wheelbarrow-load of stuff, and (re)diagnosed "Exercise induced asthma; probably antagonised by hay-fever".

I love the NHS  :thumbsup:.

Don't vote Tory, folks  :hand:

That's amazing Chris!! We can occasionally get to see ours on the day if it's an emergency. If not, it's either a 2-3 week wait, or, sometimes there 'are no available appointments to book' Like, you can't book ANYTHING, even for x weeks time!

When you are seriously unwell, the NHS Is awesome. (Although 3 weeks ago I did wait 80 minutes for an ambulance which isn't ideal) but I do understand why people get so fed up with trying to get appointments. I genuinely don't know what the answer is though. All surgeries near me have the same problem. I'm also having some tests done next week, and my first available appointment to get the results from the consultant is 10TH NOVEMBER 😱😱
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2017, 03:40:50 pm
Today I learned (yet again) not to expect to enjoy a ride after taking metformin.  I seem to do this a couple of times a year: I have breakfast + meds then decide to have a ride.  It's rarely fun.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 24 May, 2017, 07:48:48 pm
 I genuinely don't know what the answer is though.

Maybe people could learn that good health is their responsibility. They then wouldn't need the GP or Hospital so much and there would be space for the rest of us.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 May, 2017, 12:48:23 am
My understanding is that a lot of people aren't "misusing" health services - they're genuinely being cut too much to function.

As for "personal responsibility" it's a lot more complex than "personal weaknesses".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2017, 01:52:06 pm
My understanding is that a lot of people aren't "misusing" health services - they're genuinely being cut too much to function.

That I can believe. Much is being made here of cutting back on the number of people working in the public sector, but my son has been waiting almost a year for a certificate of nationality because the staff handling applications had been reduced to one person for a whole region, and she's so stressed she's frequently off work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2017, 01:59:55 pm
"He didn't like this plan of making vanity do the work of charity; but the British public is not reasonable enough to bear direct taxation."

That's George Eliot in 1861 (paraphrased a little), its seems equally relevant today and to the French. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2017, 03:43:17 pm
Yup.  Macron wants to usher in PAYE.  The public doesn't really trust the bosses not to fiddle the deduction or to really pay the tax office the money they deduct.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 25 May, 2017, 11:03:44 pm
Today I learned (yet again) not to expect to enjoy a ride after taking metformin.  I seem to do this a couple of times a year: I have breakfast + meds then decide to have a ride.  It's rarely fun.

What's the issue with riding after Metformin? Genuine interest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2017, 08:14:47 am
Metformin has three effects:

- makes muscles burn their reserves of glycogen
- depresses uptake of carbs from the gut
- depresses release of reserves from the liver

This is great if you're not exercising, because it mimics to some extent the effect of exercise.  But it's not what you need for cycling, in fact it's the opposite.  If I ride after taking the stuff, and in particular just after breakfast, my legs get sore faster and I lack oomph. No fun there.

In addition, since carb uptake is depressed, more sugars and starches remain in the intestine and are passed on down to Skid Row, where the symbiotic bacteria have a party. This results in the release of much more gas than usual, and in copious volumes of aerated faeces.  Taking extra carbs while riding so as to overcome the uptake depression enhances the effect.

Because it builds up in the body over time, my doc told me to drop the metformin a couple of days before long-distance events, but for normal rides I usually just skip it on the day.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 May, 2017, 08:40:51 am
Sounds like it would be a good case for being on a ketosis diet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2017, 11:37:08 am
I know next to nothing about ketosis diets, except that they're hard to switch to.  Dunno how it would lie with the GP.

Also, one of the great benefits of cycling is that when I'm riding I can eat patisseries and ice cream.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 26 May, 2017, 01:54:48 pm
Wearing proper trousers for the first time in two weeks.  :thumbsup:

Pants still full of sticky tape, thobut.  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 May, 2017, 01:59:47 pm
It's way too hot for proper trousers! Oh, I forgot, Birmingham's almost The Frozen North.

Seriously, good news.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2017, 02:05:26 pm
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 30 May, 2017, 11:54:26 am
Does anyone know where to get a Hepatitis A vaccine in a hurry?

My feckless son is off to Cuba on Monday and despite us asking him numerous times over the last few months to check if he needs to get vaccines... teenagers, eh?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 May, 2017, 01:57:57 pm
The left buttock? ;D

Sorry pardon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 30 May, 2017, 02:29:54 pm
The left buttock? ;D

Thank you.

Turns out the GP surgery can fit him in for an appointment this week, but they can't guarantee they'll have the vaccine in stock. Further research tells me there are branches of Superdrug/Boots where you can get vaccines at short notice, but it costs.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 31 May, 2017, 11:35:12 am
My innards are troubling me. I've been having intermittent bouts of Bristol stool chart 5s and 6s with noticeable urgency for ages now, but put it down to my sertraline. But I've been on the sertraline 18 months and the innards problems are getting worse - I'm shitting multiple times a day, I'm having unpleasant gnawing pain in my mid abdomen sometimes, followed by a 3-4 on the stool chart, crampy growliness in my lower abdomen at times, and lots and lots of urgency followed by more 5s and 6s. And when I say urgency, if I lived on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd, I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do. So I'm off to the GP tomorrow.
Outpatient appointment is next week, but it's not a colonoscopy appointment, just an appointment.
Bloods taken and I have to send in some poo. Might mix a cat turd in there for a laugh. Consultant was really nice.
Letter from GP saying nothing worrying in my poo and consultant has prescribed Questran Light until my next outpt appt at end of May. Questran Light is a disgusting powder, flavoured like very weak cheap diluting orange, to be mixed with water and forced down my gullet three times a day. No matter how I mix it, it won't properly dissolve and it has an oddly starchy texture, like drinking finely powdered Smash.

Back to see the gastro consultant this morning. He says my bowel is not reabsorbing bile salts properly. Next step: colonoscopy.  :o :facepalm: :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 31 May, 2017, 11:50:07 am
Hope they can find and treat your troubles!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 May, 2017, 10:11:41 pm
Sounds miserable, hope it's nothing too serious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 June, 2017, 12:34:18 am
Wearing proper trousers for the first time in two weeks.  :thumbsup:

Pants still full of sticky tape, thobut.  :(

Now sticky-tape-free and able to remove pants without removing scabs in the process.  Still have a baboon-coloured arse with some sore bits, but it appears not in the region required to use a saddle.  I rode all of about 200m on an e-bike I was helping someone test ride yesterday[1] and that didn't particularly hurt.  May attempt a much-needed shopping run tomorrow.


[1] STEPS/Nexus Di2 integration for *automatic* gear-shifting.  I figured it was worth a little pain to experience the witchcraft first-hand.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 June, 2017, 09:02:36 am
Never mind the baboons, we want to know about the automagickally gear-changery witchcraft!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 June, 2017, 01:34:53 pm
Never mind the baboons, we want to know about the automagickally gear-changery witchcraft!

I'll start a thread: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=103438.0
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: TheLurker on 02 June, 2017, 02:31:46 pm
Small lump cut out of tongue yesterday.   Nothing major, but the jag to get the local anaesthetic in!  Bloody hell, how do folk cope with having bloody great lumps of metal stuck through their tongues?

Much hilarity in the office for an hour or two afterwards whenever I tried to speak.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 02 June, 2017, 08:49:25 pm
Having only done commutes for...oh, two years, I've been riding more, and leading a weekly after-work ride gives me no place to hide..  This Wednesday was the first day I felt as if I'd got my mojo back.  I think I only used full effort once in 30 miles (to drag the fixie up a nasty hill) and, although I'm getting twinges of cramp in my calves, the old CV system seems to have plenty to spare.  Hilly 30 miles tomorrow morning - let's see if there really is a breakthrough or if I was just having a good day.  I thought I might need to use the turbo trainer - that ALWAYS gets me fit (after a few months on that, I could knock out about 350W for 20 mins when I was 25) but it's horrible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 05 June, 2017, 09:48:19 am
Bah! :(
Just when I was beginning to get myself fit, I hurt my knee again. Nice 2 hour ride, get home, slip when doing hip flexor stretch and POP. Wasn't sore at the time, hurts now. Medial side of knee - either or both of slight meniscus tear or MCL  sprain. That's probably 4-6 weeks of not doing much (that's how long it was last time (Feb -March 2016)), and a chunk out of the summer. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 05 June, 2017, 02:13:43 pm
"Intake of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality"

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28446499

https://twitter.com/BradSchoenfeld/status/871678105068474368
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 June, 2017, 03:54:04 pm
Is that NEWS?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 05 June, 2017, 04:27:12 pm
Sadly, apparently it is news that eating a healthy diet of fruit, veg, and unprocessed ingredients is, erm, healthy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 05 June, 2017, 04:33:14 pm
I asked the receptionist at the doctors today, for a printout of my most recent blood panel.
She looked at me like I'd just asked to see her tits  :D.

I have to go back tomorrow once she's "got the doctor's permission" which sounds a lot like a fob-off to me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 June, 2017, 05:23:21 pm
Sadly, apparently it is news that eating a healthy diet of fruit, veg, and unprocessed ingredients is, erm, healthy.

Well I never!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 June, 2017, 05:25:47 pm
I asked the receptionist at the doctors today, for a printout of my most recent blood panel.
She looked at me like I'd just asked to see her tits  :D.

I have to go back tomorrow once she's "got the doctor's permission" which sounds a lot like a fob-off to me.

I think I have had similar; it seems silly but I suppose some results might need to be discussed with a doctor first.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 June, 2017, 05:39:45 pm
I don't understand or appreciate this approach; it makes me angry. It is my data about my condition. Why keep it a secret from me?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 June, 2017, 07:22:52 pm
Suspect it's a 'house rule' about ALL results.
Simple blood numbers might seem uncomplicated but if there's an X-ray or histology report in which there's a suspicion of something serious, a doctor mightwant an in-depth discussion about matters.
A blanket rule...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 June, 2017, 07:25:01 pm
That data is mine, not something to be kept from me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2017, 07:34:42 pm
That data is mine, not something to be kept from me.

AIUI this is one of those situations where there's the law, and then there's common sense.

There's a big gap in the middle full of gatekeepers, tedious and expensive arrangements for Subject Access Requests, and much sanitising of records from the days before patients would be expected to read what doctors had written about them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 June, 2017, 07:36:58 pm
That is when I start enunciating clearly and determinedly exactly what I want and don't take no for an answer...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 June, 2017, 07:52:22 pm
The midichlorian level might make you think you're the next Obi-Wan.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 05 June, 2017, 08:34:59 pm
He *is* the  Kwisatz Haderach.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 05 June, 2017, 08:39:32 pm
That data is mine, not something to be kept from me.

Blood test data is useless without knowledgeable interpretation. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 05 June, 2017, 09:02:00 pm
That data is mine, not something to be kept from me.

Blood test data is useless without knowledgeable interpretation.

I have knowledge  ;).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2017, 09:40:39 pm
That data is mine, not something to be kept from me.

Blood test data is useless without knowledgeable interpretation.

That's true of all sorts of things that we don't hide from people out of some paternalistic sense of their own good.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 June, 2017, 10:21:16 pm
If I have my data, I can take it to somebody else who can interpret it for me (a second opinion, if you like). If I don't have it, I can't.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 June, 2017, 11:21:59 pm
Last time I got blood results by phone the nurse read complete bollocks, said X was bad and Y was OK when actually it was the other way round and the GP wanted to SEE me which wasn't passed on either...

After that I made them read bloods out line by line, word by word... They didn't like it, but if they're going to ignore the GP notes and instructions then they get to give me the data which I can RTFI or ask someone else to interpret...

Oh well the GP who could get bloods from me left the practice so I'm back to "Nah, you really don't want bloods" plus a summary of my issues which usually results in a "no we don't, we'll manage without".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 June, 2017, 08:11:08 am
That data is mine, not something to be kept from me.

Blood test data is useless without knowledgeable interpretation.

That's true of all sorts of things that we don't hide from people out of some paternalistic sense of their own good.

Agree completely.  I wonder if it originates in the (fallacious) idea that the NHS pays for it so it's their property, not yours.

Totally different here: I get a paper copy of blood results in the post and the doc gets them on line. Cardiologist works up the ECG/conclusions package & sends copies to the doc & me. I get X-rays done privately, the bill goes to the health service and I get the results handed to me at the X-ray shop, where the resident radiologist explains them before I leave.  I have a stack of medicated paper & various scans & X-rays going back 20+ years.

This is probably because all these services used to be private: you paid for them and got reimbursed in whole or in part by the Sécurité Sociale.  Nowadays the system has been streamlined and we have chipped cards that let docs etc. charge the SS directly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 June, 2017, 09:42:54 am
I was told by a nurse I knew in the 1990s that it was because doctors were often rude about patients in their notes. Not just "NFN" but "stupid cow" etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 June, 2017, 09:58:42 am
DFKDFC was a common diagnosis in cases of time-wasters and hypochondriacs.

Don't Fucking Know, Don't Fucking Care  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 06 June, 2017, 12:38:40 pm
Quote
Suspect it's a 'house rule' about ALL results.
Simple blood numbers might seem uncomplicated but if there's an X-ray or histology report in which there's a suspicion of something serious, a doctor mightwant an in-depth discussion about matters.
A blanket rule...

I suspect its less a rule than a general approach to rare requests, its not just in surgery, the wider world does it as well, the default answer to a myriad of questions from schools, employers, DWP, etc is see your GP. its called passing the buck.  I'm always to happy to print off letters and results for people I'm seeing.  there is a charge if you want all the notes.  You can now get online access to your notes.  The notes however are written as a record for clinicians to understand rather than the lay public.  We recently had someone take issue with references to anal sex in his notes, Sx however is short for symptoms not sex.  The acronyms  of old are rarely seen now but notes keen be frequently far more honest than people will like
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 06 June, 2017, 03:38:51 pm
Knee diagnosed as MCL issue, but no tear.  Knee still stable despite all I've done to it (8 separate visits to doctor/surgeon/physio over the last 20 years!). Strengthening exercises prescribed, but can be on bike (gentle) by the weekend. :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 June, 2017, 08:49:45 am
Access to medical records: Mrs Cudzo was translating some medical notes yesterday for work. She has no specific medical knowledge and was translating between two languages neither of which is her native language, but was the only person in her office who admitted to any knowledge of French. It seems to have gone far better than might have been expected.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 08 June, 2017, 08:24:15 pm
Been trying to track down some minor issues and with blood tests being inconclusive, the doc sent me for an ultrasound of my liver (and gall-bladder), primarily because I was had a liver abscess some 2 years. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23099082)...something I wasn't really supposed to get at my age/health. Anyways, had the ultrasound yesterday and doctors office calls me this morning and asks if I could come in sometime soon..something they have never done before, so I'm seeing them again tomorrow. I suspect that my friend Klepsiealla never got killed off properly and is back..
 Actually just realised that I may also have damaged it in my crash last weekend??. 

Edit: Also not telling my wife. She's pretty stressed as it is.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 June, 2017, 09:05:52 pm
Hope it's ok!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 09 June, 2017, 08:52:16 pm
Much ado about nothing (almost).

New doc (same clinic) was unaware of my history and report said 'spot on liver' and agreed that it was most likely leftovers from my liver abscess. Pain/discomfort in upper body is more than likely internal bruising from my crash. He prescribed rest.
I did tell my wife, as I realised she would be more upset if something was wrong and I hadn't told her.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 June, 2017, 01:55:21 pm
Glad they don't think it is anything serious and you've been able to tell your wife. Rest well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 12 June, 2017, 10:20:23 pm
Nailed my crow pose at yoga tonight - I took flight for around 20 seconds!   ;D
http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Crow-Pose-(Yoga) (http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Crow-Pose-(Yoga))
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 14 June, 2017, 10:54:46 am
Knee diagnosed as MCL issue, but no tear.  Knee still stable despite all I've done to it (8 separate visits to doctor/surgeon/physio over the last 20 years!). Strengthening exercises prescribed, but can be on bike (gentle) by the weekend. :)
Gentle pootle on Turbo on Sunday was OK.  Was a bit sore yesterday, and made clicking noises along with front of knee pain when doing single leg squats last night. I suspect it's now just a patella tracking problem - will do loads of VMO exercises and roller the hell out of my ITB over the next few days and see if I can ride again on Sunday. Grrr.
Maybe the POP at the time of the injury was actually just the patella jumping out of it's groove?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Morrisette on 19 June, 2017, 08:23:48 am
Nailed my crow pose at yoga tonight - I took flight for around 20 seconds!   ;D
http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Crow-Pose-(Yoga) (http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Crow-Pose-(Yoga))

Well done!! There's no way I'm ever getting near that one. Impressive!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 22 June, 2017, 05:22:23 pm
Knee diagnosed as MCL issue, but no tear.  Knee still stable despite all I've done to it (8 separate visits to doctor/surgeon/physio over the last 20 years!). Strengthening exercises prescribed, but can be on bike (gentle) by the weekend. :)
Gentle pootle on Turbo on Sunday was OK.  Was a bit sore yesterday, and made clicking noises along with front of knee pain when doing single leg squats last night. I suspect it's now just a patella tracking problem - will do loads of VMO exercises and roller the hell out of my ITB over the next few days and see if I can ride again on Sunday. Grrr.
Maybe the POP at the time of the injury was actually just the patella jumping out of it's groove?
I rode Sunday - took it easy to start and then pushed it a bit towards the end.  No soreness when riding, but some for the day afterwards.
Physio thinks patella is tracking properly, knee is stable, and that the soreness is just the soft tissues around the sprain being a bit sore. Has prescribed more difficult exercises and encouraged me to ride more/harder.
Cycled to work today.  At the start, generating power (as opposed to spinning) hurt - by the end I could produce power without an issue.  It's a bit tender now though. I'm a little confused as to what I've done to it - the pain is more central than along the MCL line.  ??? Definitely not meniscus or ACL though - physio tested that pretty thoroughly both times.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 23 June, 2017, 09:49:42 am
Tired of being in pain now, it grinds you down, itching to get back on the bike, I reckon I might just have enough range of movement to complete a pedal stroke since I've removed the knee brace. Mrs S just gives me that look when I mention it. I can walk on flat surfaces without the crutches but slopes and steps are still a problem.

I shouldn't really moan since initially I was told it'd be 6 to 8 weeks, then 4 weeks. I reckon I'll try for a pootle at the weekend while Mrs S is still in bed, so that'll have been 2 weeks.

$DEITY I miss the endorphins, so ruddy grumpy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 June, 2017, 10:51:36 am
About an hour back from a short ride. Heart rate was well within limits, air temp was a pleasant 22°C. Blood pressure just now, normally a robust 130/80, bumming about at 100/64 to 110/67 & I'm somewhat flagagda.  I'm assuming I hadn't fully recovered from Monday's 114k in the heat - it took me around 30k to get warmed up.

I think my Audax days are done.  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mike on 23 June, 2017, 11:56:38 am
Gout flare-up.  Ow, Ow, Ow.  It's been a year or so since the last one but I think it's time to re-think my long-term alcohol and food choices.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 27 June, 2017, 11:53:14 am
Back at the fracture clinic, MRI shows a fracture of the tibia, wish they'd make their bloody minds up. Academic now, advice is go ride my bike, avoid impacts and running. Ice it if it swells.

Not sure what the consultant meant by 'Keep the brace for next time'
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DFinn32 on 29 June, 2017, 10:11:31 am
I know that strength training for cycling is a hot topic at the moment and after seeing GCN's video with Tinkoff-Saxo, something that I have been meaning to do for a while (when fit and racing again). Anyway, I saw this post on facebook and thought that I would share with others. Have others tried strength training and found it to be useful?
https://www.facebook.com/wyndymillabikes/photos/a.152293484798873.36112.110810008947221/1697273346967538/?type=3&theater (https://www.facebook.com/wyndymillabikes/photos/a.152293484798873.36112.110810008947221/1697273346967538/?type=3&theater)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 June, 2017, 04:42:23 pm
Man-flu just a whine, huh? Clicky (https://www.newscientist.com/article/2115987-viruses-may-have-evolved-to-hit-men-hard-but-go-easy-on-women/?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#link_time=1498492063).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 June, 2017, 09:06:41 am
Tests have indicated that I have blood in my urine - in fact, I noticed some when we were in Pembrokeshire a fortnight ago, which prompted the visit to the doc in the first place. Since then, I haven't noticed it but the tests have indicated that there are microscopic amounts.

Tests have also indicated that I have healthy kidneys (a blood test last month to see whether my blood pressure tablets were buggering then up, and they weren't).

Tests have indicated that I don't have an infection.

Latest tests have indicated that there were no cancer cells.

I go back on Tues for another appointment.

I suppose it's not impossible that I have a very mild version of what Dez has (he had a kidney transplant 11 years ago). It's called IGA nephropathy - pretty much what Jonah Lomu had - and although in rare, extreme, cases it can cause kidney failure in young people (mostly men, I think), from memory, I understand that the French and Japanese test for this routinely and it's present in a mild form in about 4% of the population. It goes unnoticed for years because the kidneys still work OK.

Dez wasn't diagnosed until GOSH did a biopsy on him, and that is very extreme and unpleasant.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 30 June, 2017, 10:17:37 am
I know that strength training for cycling is a hot topic at the moment and after seeing GCN's video with Tinkoff-Saxo, something that I have been meaning to do for a while (when fit and racing again). Anyway, I saw this post on facebook and thought that I would share with others. Have others tried strength training and found it to be useful?
https://www.facebook.com/wyndymillabikes/photos/a.152293484798873.36112.110810008947221/1697273346967538/?type=3&theater (https://www.facebook.com/wyndymillabikes/photos/a.152293484798873.36112.110810008947221/1697273346967538/?type=3&theater)

my aim is at least one high intensity strength-endurance session or one vinyasa style yoga session a week, sometimes I get two sometimes none.

The weights sessions are typically half an hour to 45 mins bodyweight/kettlebells/moderate weights. I'm not training to race, but I think it definitely helps.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 June, 2017, 12:15:45 pm
Tests have indicated that I have blood in my urine
<stuff>

Latest tests have indicated that there were no cancer cells.

I go back on Tues for another appointment.


Eeek!

Hope things settle and resolve in a healthy manner PDQ!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 July, 2017, 10:46:07 am
I had a letter this morning from the hospital. I have an appointment on Friday at the "One Stop Haematuria" shop. This involves an ultrasound and an invasive procedure with a telescope. Frankly, that gives me the heebie-jeebies. Firstly, because I have never had anything quite so intrusive done to me before, and secondly, because it's the Dun Run the following day. In the letter it tells me that there will be a local anaesthetic for the invasive procedure and "I will be able to drive" afterwards. Yes, but will I be able to ride a bike???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 July, 2017, 10:53:12 am
Glad they're seeing you so quickly Wow, hope it doesn't screw up the Dun Run AND I hope there's nothing badly going on.

My random health and fitness thing is yet another moan about upper respiratory boringness. I was getting better after having a sore throat all week and now it's getting worse again with sinuses getting in on the act. I've even resorted to pseudo ephedrine which I fucking hate (gives me pounding heartrate these days, can only take 1/2 pills at a time) cos I want to hammer this to stop it going antibiotic-worthy. I've a record of 3yrs 3 months between antibioticses for teh snot to beat and I'm only 17 months in! Damn and blast my stupid ENT system!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 01 July, 2017, 11:20:00 am
Hope all goes well Wowbagger.


GWS Barakta.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 July, 2017, 11:27:40 am
@Wow: good luck with the probe.  I had a look for a clip of Jo Brand explaining the probang on QI but couldn't find one. Sorry.

@barakta: sympathy. I'm all bunged up & sore of throat after inhaling a shitload of wood dust yesterday, but it'll pass.  17 months of it - yetch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 July, 2017, 11:41:54 am
I should probably clarify, I've not had 17 months solid of this snot, that's my gap between antibiotics doses so far.  My record is 3yrs 3 months and before better "medical management" and part time job I was having antibiotics 2-3 times a year and that was probably stretching it further than my ENT surgeon would have recommended. I still get snotty episodes a lot by most people's standards but have been able to nobble em quicker. 

I have chronic ENT issues (some of which may be sodding migraine) due to fairly severe facial abnormalities from birth. I had bone blocking my nasal passages and my palate is "nearly cleft". I had over 10 surgeries to get the blockage and sinuses sorted but "sorted" is a relative value. I will always be at increased risk of getting snot, getting worse snot and it likely to go nasty. The surgeries themselves caused damage and there's nothing they can do surgically to improve things without causing more damage.

I greatly value modern surgeons for being more aware of risks as well as claimed advantages of surgery. They are also more creative, if the textbook procedure doesn't work, they don't just keep re-attempting it verbatim eleventy times. They will be more balanced. They still get evil gleams in their eyes tho, they hate stuff they can't fix by slicing ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 July, 2017, 01:34:38 pm
If it's any second-hand consolation, my Dad doesn't seem to be much discombobulated by flexible cystoscopy under local anaesthetic.

Rigid cystoscopy under general anaesthetic is a different issue
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 July, 2017, 01:36:50 pm
Rigid cystoscopy under general anaesthetic is a different issue

I definitely wasn't going anywhere near a bike after one of those.  Mostly due to the effects of the GA, but the bleeding was a close second.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 July, 2017, 02:31:54 pm
If it's any second-hand consolation, my Dad doesn't seem to be much discombobulated by flexible cystoscopy under local anaesthetic.

Rigid cystoscopy under general anaesthetic is a different issue

Dez said that the removal of the stent wen he had his kidney transplant was "most unpleasant" but once over, there were no after-effects.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 July, 2017, 07:27:44 pm
flexable cystoscopy under local is unpleasant but once the probe is removed the after effects are no more than mild discomfort (speaking from personal experience). the most painful bit is when they push past the prostate, that actually hurts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phixie on 01 July, 2017, 07:40:57 pm
I had a letter this morning from the hospital. I have an appointment on Friday at the "One Stop Haematuria" shop. This involves an ultrasound and an invasive procedure with a telescope. Frankly, that gives me the heebie-jeebies. Firstly, because I have never had anything quite so intrusive done to me before, and secondly, because it's the Dun Run the following day. In the letter it tells me that there will be a local anaesthetic for the invasive procedure and "I will be able to drive" afterwards. Yes, but will I be able to ride a bike???

Each person's reaction will probably be unique, but when I've had it done, the procedure wasn't as bad as imagined (which is not saying very much) but for the next couple of days it seemed like I was passing barbed wire.  From memory, it didn't affect any cycling activities. Your usual painkiller tablets may help.

Hope it all goes well for you and they manage to diagnose then treat the problem promptly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 03 July, 2017, 05:57:37 pm
Recovery after a "long ride*".....how do you do it?

I have just moved up to doing 100km rides which, whilst on the road have proven to be quite doable. However, I have noticed that the following day it all seems to fall apart and I either become very aggressive or feel like crying.  Not sure why as I have rested well and ensured I have taken some protein and reloaded my carbs but its quite strange and off putting.  I don't get this when I knock of 50 to 80km rides.

Any ideas what is causing this? Or, is it just me?



*I know 100km isn't that long but frankly, its taken me 8 years to get there so I am pleased with the progression!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 July, 2017, 07:03:43 pm
I suspect you haven't had enough rest and energy food - not just carbs. Getting sufficient energy on board is challenging for all, some more than others.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 03 July, 2017, 08:19:03 pm
Recovery after a "long ride*".....how do you do it?

I have just moved up to doing 100km rides which, whilst on the road have proven to be quite doable. However, I have noticed that the following day it all seems to fall apart and I either become very aggressive or feel like crying.  Not sure why as I have rested well and ensured I have taken some protein and reloaded my carbs but its quite strange and off putting.  I don't get this when I knock of 50 to 80km rides.

Any ideas what is causing this? Or, is it just me?



*I know 100km isn't that long but frankly, its taken me 8 years to get there so I am pleased with the progression!

Disclaimer: I don't know much about nutrition - and IANAD.

As I understand it, you have limits on how much input you can process?

You'll need input that's rich in Actual Nutrition - so that's veg and a little bit of fruit, plus some essential aminos, so maybe some Salmon or Mackerel, or a juicy steak.

If you seriously need to limit portions, eat small amounts often.

Recovery needs a good supply of essential proteins (fish/meat) as well as vitamins and minerals as "enablers". Think (or Google) "Maximising nutrition density"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 July, 2017, 08:11:32 am
Sounds like low blood sugar levels to me - and possibly you are depleting your glycogen stores with longer exercise.
When I was doing very regular longer commutes I had trouble and found that having a high-protein recovery drink consumed within 15minutes of getting off the bike made a world of difference. I started with commercial SiS recovery drinks, which were good but upset my stomach after a few months of daily consumption. Then moved on to making my own with whole milk, a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder (NOT hot chocolate powder) and molasses. This was excellent stuff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 04 July, 2017, 08:30:48 am
However, I have noticed that the following day it all seems to fall apart and I either become very aggressive or feel like crying.
I get like this if i haven't slept enough.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 July, 2017, 08:57:20 am
Forget about fancy drinks. Tuck into something that's easy to eat within 15 minutes of finishing, e.g. tea and biscuits or just a banana.  That gives you enough energy to get showered and changed, and then some. Thereafter a full meal: starter, main course, cheese and/or dessert/fruit, coffee. Drink whatever you like, but include a glass or two of water.  Then go for a short walk, maybe half an hour, to stretch your legs and digest before bed.

That's what our bunch used to do during holidays in the mountains, doing ~100k and several cols every day. After the very first day out I felt like death, but four days in I felt great.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 04 July, 2017, 09:19:56 am
Cheers all. It did seem that I didn't eat enough as all I had when I got back was a protein shake, eggs on toast followed three hours later by a pasty and potatoes for tea. Apart from the protein shake, that's what I would normally eat without a "long" ride. I suppose also, I missed a meal while I was out as all I ate while out was one protein bar and a small packet of biscuits along with 750ml of a carb drink.

While I feel more balanced today, I didn't sleep very well due to an irregular heart beat: my heart seems to be skipping one beat in 10. I have raised this with my Doctor before and have had several ECG all which found nothing wrong. This only happens now and again. This however, is the first time I have noticed it after exercise. If it continues, then I will take myself down the docs to get it checked out.

I have another 100km ride planned and paid for on Sunday, so I will try to eat more before, during and after the ride to see if it helps....as for a "juicy steak" I am afraid that won't be on the menu as I haven't eaten meat in over 30 years  ;D

 

 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 July, 2017, 10:07:56 am
Forget about fancy drinks. Tuck into something that's easy to eat within 15 minutes of finishing, e.g. tea and biscuits or just a banana.  That gives you enough energy to get showered and changed, and then some. Thereafter a full meal: starter, main course, cheese and/or dessert/fruit, coffee. Drink whatever you like, but include a glass or two of water.  Then go for a short walk, maybe half an hour, to stretch your legs and digest before bed.
The only reason I did the 'fancy drinks' as you call them is that is it difficult to get the same number of calories and nutrition down in a palatable form quickly enough. My digestion is dodgy and I found I couldn't stomach some things, combined with it being difficult to ensure that they were available.
Being able to put this in my water bottle meant it was guaranteed to be there when I got off the bike. Get off bike, drink. Simple. The ingredients were just a really strong version of chocolate milk, without any sugar.
Loughborough Uni tested that vs 'sports' drinks and found it worked just as well.

I'd been fine with a 'normal' routine for about 3 months of distance commuting but then started to deteriorate. It was only with using recovery drinks that I was able to carry on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: robgul on 06 July, 2017, 06:23:53 am
I had a letter this morning from the hospital. I have an appointment on Friday at the "One Stop Haematuria" shop. This involves an ultrasound and an invasive procedure with a telescope. Frankly, that gives me the heebie-jeebies. Firstly, because I have never had anything quite so intrusive done to me before, and secondly, because it's the Dun Run the following day. In the letter it tells me that there will be a local anaesthetic for the invasive procedure and "I will be able to drive" afterwards. Yes, but will I be able to ride a bike???

Speaking from some experience of flexible cystoscopies there's no need to be concerned about the procedure - the thought of it is the worst part!   

I've had 5 now as part of pre- and post-bladder cancer tests.  The first one, when I had a prostate, just had a sharp stabbing pain for a micro-second as the probe passed through it.  Post operative (no prostate, no bladder - hopefully you wont be in that league) it's been an almost painless procedure.

And I would have no qualms about riding a bike the day afterwards - perhaps best not to ride to the hospital!  The normal process is to have the procedure, put your trousers back on, have a cup of tea and sit down for 20 minutes and then go home (I've driven myself there on all but one occasion - and that was only because I was upstairs in a hospital bed)

Hope all is well.

Rob
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 06 July, 2017, 10:31:40 am
Just caught up with this. Hope all goes well WB.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 July, 2017, 03:43:56 pm
On today's ride my old ankle-cartilage problem flared up at ~50 k, shooting occasional bone-grinding-on-bone daggers but I popped a couple of paracetamol and ignored it.  Hell, at max distance from home what else was there to do?  Got home without too much ouch but walking down stairs isn't much fun right now, so the weekend's probably banjaxed. Hell, it's going to be ++hot anyway & club plans are for a few Black Forest cols, which I've never much enjoyed anyway. I shall rest it & watch go to sleep in front of the Tour.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 July, 2017, 03:52:19 pm
 :-X
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 July, 2017, 04:15:38 pm
:-X
Has someone been for their cystoscopy?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 July, 2017, 04:43:12 pm
:-X
Has someone been for their cystoscopy?

Might have (tries to emerge from foetal position).


All a bit inconclusive. Still have blood in my wee, but no visible or measurable causes. Will have a CT scan with dye in my blood - this will be the equivalent of putting a partially inflated inner tube in a bowl full of water.

No extra meds. Oh, I have what sounds like a pretty large cyst on my right kidney, but they reckon it's harmless.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 July, 2017, 04:52:14 pm
Did they give you a date for the scan?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 July, 2017, 06:37:22 pm
Oh, I have what sounds like a pretty large cyst on my right kidney, but they reckon it's harmless.

Snap.

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/simple-kidney-cysts
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 July, 2017, 08:07:26 pm
Did they give you a date for the scan?

No. Will write to me in the next couple of weeks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2017, 09:46:10 am
That's a bore.

Meanwhile my ankle felt fine yesterday but I kept off it all the same - took Mrs. T42 for a drive round the circuit I did on Thursday with coffee & blueberry tart in my usual place. Watched the TdF all afternoon.

This morning the ankle's sending out the occasional stabbing pain again when I walk down stairs. Bugger.  Maybe I should have taken the bike instead.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 09 July, 2017, 10:29:11 am
All a bit inconclusive. Still have blood in my wee, but no visible or measurable causes. Will have a CT scan with dye in my blood - this will be the equivalent of putting a partially inflated inner tube in a bowl full of water.

No extra meds. Oh, I have what sounds like a pretty large cyst on my right kidney, but they reckon it's harmless.

Missed all the preceding. Best wishes for the CT scan.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 09 July, 2017, 05:10:59 pm
Had a hip resurfacing op on right side hip 5 years ago. Giving me jip  :'( at the moment. Still waiting for same op on left side.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 July, 2017, 07:39:38 pm
I am not enjoying my pre-colonoscopy low residue diet, but I expect I will dislike tomorrow's moviprep even more.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 July, 2017, 08:24:21 pm
Sympathies! BTDT etc.
For me, days and days of teh DULL with no fruit & veg was worse.
My downstairs loo is close to where I normally sit in the kitchen so I could shuttle between seats with little ado.

I didn't find it that bad but had a fair amount of discomfort 24-48 hours after the scope.

Hope scope goes OK.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 July, 2017, 08:26:42 pm
Yeah, no fruit, veg, nuts, wholemeal or granary anything etc is doing my head in. I want carrot sticks and hummus!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 July, 2017, 08:33:30 pm
Don't know about you, but eating little other than Rich Tea biscuits is what I remember.
Prep diet is in total contrast with what the healthy bowel nurses advised for lifestyle 5 a day, wholegrain etc, on which I normally lived.

Hope you're back to hummus soon and it doesn't generate Megafartz with any residual Moviprep!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Andrij on 09 July, 2017, 09:34:45 pm
I'm definitely 'healthier' than I was last year - I've lost over 20kg since early November.  I'm regularly commuting 200km a week.  But two long rides in the space of a week have pointed out while I may be significantly lighter, I'm not particularly stronger.  *sigh*  It will come with time - and more riding - but it is a bit disheartening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 July, 2017, 03:17:54 pm
Did they give you a date for the scan?

No. Will write to me in the next couple of weeks.

Blimey things move fast! Phone call earlier. CT scan tomorrow at 8.20am. Normal breakfast, make sure I drink at least half a litre of fluid. Well, that's easy enough. Should take about 20 minutes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 July, 2017, 09:27:10 pm
Had a checkup with the nurse at the doctor today - one of the NHS keeping an eye on one's creeping decrepitude things, prompted by a letter from them rather than any complaint on my part. Mostly a good report, but two less good bits: came over feint having a blood pressure test - never had that before; and my cholesterol is up, got told to sort my diet and come back in 3 months. Given my Dad'd heart attack last year that leaves me feeling not great, but well done to the NHS on being proactive.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 10 July, 2017, 11:42:18 pm
MRI on 't brane today. I've got so fat that I was having trouble breathing while I was lying on my back in the scanner. A true reality check!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 July, 2017, 09:55:10 am
CT scan done. Results in a week or two.

I inadvertently left my Cateye computer in my pocket, remembering part-way through the scan when I already had a cannula in my arm. I had hoped that the machinery would give it some outrageous readings, but alas it didn't.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 July, 2017, 12:36:05 pm
Catseye won't matter for CT, and if it had been an MRI they probably would have checked you for metaaal more carefully.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 July, 2017, 04:52:32 pm
I had my Iphone in my pocket as well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 July, 2017, 05:04:13 pm
Colonoscopy is done and dusted. I was first on the list, so into the suite by about 2pm, in recovery and asking for a sandwich half an hour later. Some parts were more than uncomfortable and into painful, mainly as the scope was navigated around the sigmoid, but I sucked hard on the entonox and really, I've had period pain that was worse and nobody gives me entonox for that. I got to watch the monitor as well, and can say with pride that my colon looks like the Sarlacc Pit. Biopsies were taken, but no abnormalities detected visually, it all looks healthy.

Disappointingly, no monster farts so far.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2017, 05:05:39 pm
I had my Iphone in my pocket as well.

The iPhone's probably about as bothered by x-rays as you are:  Given a large enough dose it's likely to cause the bits to go wibbly with potentially nasty consequences, but at normal levels the chances of a problem are remote.


Interesting fact:  In a dark room a sufficiently strong source of x-rays is visible to the human eye.  This was discovered around about the time that people realised that mucking around with strong sources of x-rays was a bad idea, so the factoid has faded into obscurity and the underlying mechanism goes unresearched.  It's a bit like carbon dioxide, in that by the time the concentration is high enough to smell it, you're probably in trouble.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 July, 2017, 09:09:07 pm
, I've had period pain that was worse and nobody gives me entonox for that.
Seriously, there has to be a market for that. entonox is awesome. sod weed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 July, 2017, 10:45:05 pm
Colonoscopy is done and dusted. I was first on the list, so into the suite by about 2pm, in recovery and asking for a sandwich half an hour later. Some parts were more than uncomfortable and into painful, mainly as the scope was navigated around the sigmoid, but I sucked hard on the entonox and really, I've had period pain that was worse and nobody gives me entonox for that. I got to watch the monitor as well, and can say with pride that my colon looks like the Sarlacc Pit. Biopsies were taken, but no abnormalities detected visually, it all looks healthy.

Disappointingly, no monster farts so far.

Sounds a similar experience to mine.
Glad they've not found any obvious Big Trouble.
My Big Gripes came on the two evenings  about 30 and 54 hours after the scope.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 12 July, 2017, 09:34:59 am
Had been putting up with nasty paronychia on my RH saluting finger for over a fortnight, so I went to the quack on Monday (surgery is just around the corner from work, so I went at 9:15am and got an appointment at 10:30!) and got some antibiotics.  It's going down already but the skin's still really irritated were it's been peeling away around the infection.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 July, 2017, 10:17:09 am
Colonoscopy is done and dusted. I was first on the list, so into the suite by about 2pm, in recovery and asking for a sandwich half an hour later. Some parts were more than uncomfortable and into painful, mainly as the scope was navigated around the sigmoid, but I sucked hard on the entonox and really, I've had period pain that was worse and nobody gives me entonox for that. I got to watch the monitor as well, and can say with pride that my colon looks like the Sarlacc Pit. Biopsies were taken, but no abnormalities detected visually, it all looks healthy.

Disappointingly, no monster farts so far.

Sounds a similar experience to mine.
Glad they've not found any obvious Big Trouble.
My Big Gripes came on the two evenings  about 30 and 54 hours after the scope.
I'm quite uncomfortable today; it feels like someone has been rummaging around in my insides. So I'm working from home. A couple of small to medium farts, but nothing wonderfully huge yet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 16 July, 2017, 08:37:55 pm
Triennial arsecam tomorrow. I must say the 2017 Moviprep is a particularly effective vintage.

My main concern is to avoid a repeat of last month’s events, in which I received a letter (  >:( ) on the morning of the procedure to inform me that it had been rescheduled. Tomorrow, I am not checking the post before setting off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 July, 2017, 11:47:38 pm
I personally would not want to set off for a fool's errand. Don't suppose you you can phone to confirm you won't be travelling in vain?

Hope all goes well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 July, 2017, 09:00:17 am
Triennial arsecam tomorrow. I must say the 2017 Moviprep is a particularly effective vintage.

Thought it was all CGI these days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 17 July, 2017, 03:25:38 pm
I personally would not want to set off for a fool's errand.

True, but I wasn’t taking no for an answer this time. All done.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 17 July, 2017, 03:42:33 pm
I must admit last min cancellation of something which requires days of unpleasant prep by patient is very much not OK and I'd be very cross about it indeed.

Glad this time was fine. I'd not have been taking no for an answer either.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 17 July, 2017, 04:15:29 pm
I was moderately cross. To be fair they did create the cancellation letter sufficiently in advance, but they should have known that in the NHS a considerable time can elapse between writing something that is to go in the post and that item entering the actual RL postage system.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 July, 2017, 12:00:34 am
I was moderately cross. To be fair they did create the cancellation letter sufficiently in advance, but they should have known that in the NHS a considerable time can elapse between writing something that is to go in the post and that item entering the actual RL postage system.

Such a shame they didn't phone/SMS you.

I appreciate there can be confidentiality issues but...

If they'd been able to let you know 5 days in advance, you might have avoided any prep.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 July, 2017, 01:30:10 pm
Yes, I would consider that a telephone or SMS job myself.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 18 July, 2017, 02:19:10 pm
Agreed. They have my mobile and they made use of it at earlier stages in the booking process. But apparently not for cancellations. 

(The same hospital also uses SMS appointment reminders, but for some reason not for endoscopy).

I'll leave this here, but as someone who spends part of their time in dragging my own department away from IT crapness I don't want to dwell on it too much:

http://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/Health-Care-News/digital-doldrums-nhs-remains-worlds-largest-purchaser-of-fax-machines


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 19 July, 2017, 02:23:25 pm
Yeees. Well.  I'm having a lovely correspondence with a local NHS Trust about their lack of compliance with "Accessible Information Standard (SCCI1605 Accessible Information)" aka using accessible communications with us here disabled patients and indeed the Equality Act...

They're terribly surprised to hear how inaccessible their services are and will seek feedback and review and report to committees... And no mention of the concrete actions I requested - aka provide accessible comms to ALL patients in appt letters (mine had ZERO contact details, not even phones on it) and a system for arranging reasonable adjustments that isn't making PALS do it cos I got so fucking deadlocked by sodding telephony.

My reply, which I must get round to finishing today will remind them that under the Equality Act (which they're also in breach of) I can give them till 8th Oct to have IMPLEMENTED accessibility properly or I will have no choice but to escalate to the next legal stage because being a large bureaucratic organisation I know they won't DO anything unless there is a mahoosive STICK being waved in their faces to do so... It's TOO LATE, they're ALREADY in breach, this isn't options, fucking well fix it or else.

Oh and a copy of the NHS Information Governance guidance which I got from the disabled person who got the AIS created in the first place, by threatening the Secretary for State for Health with a Judicial Review on access issues. #Legend
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 July, 2017, 09:41:11 am
Wretched dodgy ankle making life a pain.  I can ride one day and it's OK, but next day it can send up acute jabs on stairs, or maybe not; or maybe ache all the time, or maybe not; or I can start a ride and get spikes of pain after 50+ k.  Naproxen helps but attacks my gut even with [ome,panta]prazole. The only cure remedy is rest, but being diabetic with coronary problems that is not exactly optimal. Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 July, 2017, 04:36:12 pm
Wretched dodgy ankle making life a pain.  I can ride one day and it's OK, but next day it can send up acute jabs on stairs, or maybe not; or maybe ache all the time, or maybe not; or I can start a ride and get spikes of pain after 50+ k.  Naproxen helps but attacks my gut even with [ome,panta]prazole. The only cure remedy is rest, but being diabetic with coronary problems that is not exactly optimal. Bugger.

I found that my dodgy ankle became a lot less dodgy when I ditched SPD pedals. Platforms for me now.

In other news, my CT scan above has identified a stone lodged in my left ureter. Saw the GP/locum this afternoon. It hasn't given me any pain. I was advised to speak to the consultant or his PA. it turned out that the former was on annual leave and the latter on sick leave. Awaiting a return call. I would be perfectly happy with the "do nothing" approach. Is it possible to dissolve/dislodge these things if I drink a lot of water/beer?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2017, 04:39:25 pm
Is it possible to dissolve/dislodge these things if I drink a lot of water/beer?

Maybe combine with a trip to Alton Towers?

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2016/09September/Pages/could-riding-roller-coasters-help-you-pass-kidney-stones.aspx
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 July, 2017, 09:29:40 am
Wretched dodgy ankle making life a pain.  I can ride one day and it's OK, but next day it can send up acute jabs on stairs, or maybe not; or maybe ache all the time, or maybe not; or I can start a ride and get spikes of pain after 50+ k.  Naproxen helps but attacks my gut even with [ome,panta]prazole. The only cure remedy is rest, but being diabetic with coronary problems that is not exactly optimal. Bugger.

I found that my dodgy ankle became a lot less dodgy when I ditched SPD pedals. Platforms for me now.


It's sandals that do for me.  Since the weather turned cool I was back into sneakers and the ankle got better.  The heels of my sandals are low and uncushioned, those of the sneakers are normal height and cushioned. But the weather's getting warm & muggy now and the sneakers are sweat-baths.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 July, 2017, 11:45:13 am
Speedplay are said to have more float than other clipless systems.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 July, 2017, 01:00:33 pm
So do worn cleats, and I've been wearing mine since 2010.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 July, 2017, 01:02:28 pm
Just imagine how much float seven year old Speedplay would give you!  :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 August, 2017, 05:04:57 pm
In other news, my CT scan above has identified a stone lodged in my left ureter. Saw the GP/locum this afternoon. It hasn't given me any pain. I was advised to speak to the consultant or his PA. it turned out that the former was on annual leave and the latter on sick leave. Awaiting a return call. I would be perfectly happy with the "do nothing" approach. Is it possible to dissolve/dislodge these things if I drink a lot of water/beer?

I have phoned the hospital again. Spoke to someone who seems to know what's going on. There's a letter awaiting despatch, which she read to me. I have been the subject of some conference or other and the recommended procedure is to bung another camera up, this time under general anaesthetic, to have a look a the stone. It's not showing up very well on X-ray and they want to find out whether it is small enough to be passed naturally.

This all seems a bit extreme for the minimal symptoms I have been displaying. My sis-in-law had a kidney stone quite a few years ago and it gave her massive pain. I have had none. The letter invites me to come and see the consultant to discuss the options. There's a big bit of me which says "leave well alone" but another bit which says they wouldn't be suggesting this unless they thought it was worth it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 August, 2017, 05:55:44 pm
I am no expert on these matters!

AIUI small stones that make their way to the bladder can cause big pain on their way and may obstruct the ureter en route.

Big stones sometimes sit still but can act as a nucleus for further precipitation and crystallisation.

And grow...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 August, 2017, 09:16:26 am
About 3 weeks ago I dislocated my ulna again.
Was at a bbq, the host was trying to snap some sticks for a fire, one was a bit thick so I tried.

Ulna dislocated like twisting a chicken wing apart. Didn't hurt, but it was right out of position. Bent my wrist over and shoved it back with the other hand.

Since then it is pretty much free-floating. Rotating my forearm takes it past normal position. Not sore, but that wrist is a bit weak again. I certainly won't risk 'twisting' actions (I can't really open jars for example - I have to put the jar down against a surface and mostly use my right hand).

Got my squeezy exerciser and fingertip exercises to strengthen things, but I suspect I just simply don't have the ligaments joining radius and ulna anymore.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 02 August, 2017, 09:26:57 am
About 3 weeks ago I dislocated my ulna again.
Was at a bbq, the host was trying to snap some sticks for a fire, one was a bit thick so I tried.

Ulna dislocated like twisting a chicken wing apart. Didn't hurt, but it was right out of position. Bent my wrist over and shoved it back with the other hand.

Since then it is pretty much free-floating. Rotating my forearm takes it past normal position. Not sore, but that wrist is a bit weak again. I certainly won't risk 'twisting' actions (I can't really open jars for example - I have to put the jar down against a surface and mostly use my right hand).

Got my squeezy exerciser and fingertip exercises to strengthen things, but I suspect I just simply don't have the ligaments joining radius and ulna anymore.

I guess they never did manage to sort that out for you  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 August, 2017, 09:41:22 am
About 3 weeks ago I dislocated my ulna again.
Was at a bbq, the host was trying to snap some sticks for a fire, one was a bit thick so I tried.

Ulna dislocated like twisting a chicken wing apart. Didn't hurt, but it was right out of position. Bent my wrist over and shoved it back with the other hand.

Since then it is pretty much free-floating. Rotating my forearm takes it past normal position. Not sore, but that wrist is a bit weak again. I certainly won't risk 'twisting' actions (I can't really open jars for example - I have to put the jar down against a surface and mostly use my right hand).

Got my squeezy exerciser and fingertip exercises to strengthen things, but I suspect I just simply don't have the ligaments joining radius and ulna anymore.

I guess they never did manage to sort that out for you  :(
To be fair to them, it is really, really good compared to how it was. The radius is straight.
This time last year I couldn't have ridden a drop-handlebarred bike - it would have just dislocated when I put my hands on the hoods, let alone on the drops. I can ride now.
I've just done some damage by overstraining it, probably stretched what few ligaments are left intact.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 07 August, 2017, 09:17:10 pm
Wrists slapped by the dentist today.

It seems I've been too thorough in brushing my teeth in a side-to-side motion, and I'm starting to erode the gumline and underlying enamel.

And it seems I grind my teeth at night, so a dental impression taken, so that I can be fitted with for a bite guard at my next appointment.  I'm expecting it will feel like Richard Kiel's stainless steel "Jaws" dentures :-/  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 August, 2017, 09:38:48 pm
I switched to an electric toothbrush and don't have the bleeding gums that I did when brushing manually. Worth it for that alone.
I also have a bite guard,  though I requested mine as I clench my teeth. It doesn't stop me clenching my teeth but it must make it less hard as it made a big difference to the pain I'd previously been experiencing in my facial muscles.

I'm going to have to go and get fitted for a new one, mine is getting a bit dog-eared.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2017, 09:17:22 am
Your mouth to dog's ear. ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 16 August, 2017, 06:54:35 pm
I've had some of those pupil-dilating eye-drops this afternoon. Fortunately only in one eye, but it's still rather weird.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 August, 2017, 01:43:24 pm
When I straighten my left forefinger and move it like that it moves on out of its own accord and jams. Have to shove it back with the thumb.  Anno effing domini strikes again.  Must be that there millennium hand.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 August, 2017, 10:00:55 am
And shrimp.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 August, 2017, 10:50:11 am
I'm going for a Contact Lens Assessment / Trial this afternoon!  8)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 August, 2017, 05:09:15 pm
Now wearing the trial contact lenses.  Feels weird!   ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 August, 2017, 10:24:13 pm
And it took me 20 minutes to get the blooming things out again!  Looks like I'll be a Speccy McSpecface as I can't see myself getting on with contacts at all....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 28 August, 2017, 11:21:19 pm
And it took me 20 minutes to get the blooming things out again!  Looks like I'll be a Speccy McSpecface as I can't see myself getting on with contacts at all....
You did better than I did first time round.

It gets a lot easier with practice. I found the 'prod finger on lens, look at nose, pull contact out' method better than the pinching off one.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: fimm on 29 August, 2017, 09:41:47 am
And it took me 20 minutes to get the blooming things out again!  Looks like I'll be a Speccy McSpecface as I can't see myself getting on with contacts at all....
Give it time (she says, who has been wearing them since she was 13). They do take more than a few minutes to get used to (be thankful you aren't getting the kind I got N years ago where you wore them for an hour on the 1st day, two hours the second, 3 hours the third, etc). Getting them in and out gets much much easier with practice.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 August, 2017, 10:00:27 am
And it took me 20 minutes to get the blooming things out again!  Looks like I'll be a Speccy McSpecface as I can't see myself getting on with contacts at all....
You did better than I did first time round.

It gets a lot easier with practice. I found the 'prod finger on lens, look at nose, pull contact out' method better than the pinching off one.
Yes - and slide them to the side of your eye before trying to pinch.

I've tried contacts and given up a couple of times (I get dry eyes which is why I don't use them). If your eyes do dry a bit, dribble some saline in before trying to remove them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 29 August, 2017, 11:40:08 am
Lol, managed to tear one of the trial "monthly disposable" contact lenses while trying to get the flipping thing in...

So I'll be contacting specsavers to cancel the trial... Too much hassle spending 30 mins in the morning trying to put contacts in... At least with specs you just put them on and thats it! I must admit I wasn't that impressed with the care i got. Sales assistant seemed to be more interested in her fingernails than actually advising on best way to put contacts in....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hulver on 29 August, 2017, 11:49:09 am
First ride of the year for me on Monday. 30km and absolutely knackered at the end of it. Barely made it up the hill to home, and my arse is like mince now.

Just wait for my back end to harden up, and I'll go do it all again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 29 August, 2017, 12:00:11 pm
Contact lenses - get on with them fine. I started on dailies in 2013 after getting a motorbike licence as they make a big difference to peripheral vision and comfort - and they don't steam up when it's cold.

Switched to monthlies in August 2015, because of PBP. They can be slept in, which is very useful on a long brevet. Otherwise, I don't often do this, as it increases infection risk. So I've slept overnight in them about 3-4 times in 2 years.

Putting them in: I don't have to hold top eyelid, just one finger on cheek, lens on another finger. Place it over eye, make sure it's holding on, blinking a few times pushes any trapped air out, job done. Taking them out, just pinch gently.

Have torn about two lenses in two years since going to monthly. Also throw lenses away if I get water in my eye from rowing.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 29 August, 2017, 12:23:50 pm
I've been wearing contacts since I was sixteen, and back then it was the gas permeable lens that were basically like sticking a shard of glass under your eyelids and blinking. I confessed to several crimes I'd not even got around to committing during my first trial. There's a knack to getting them in and out, just takes a bit of practice. I can do it in milliseconds. I don't like the dailies, too flimsy, so I use monthlies. They're more robust and easier to handle. The couple of seconds it takes me to pop them out and clean them in an evening isn't really a challenge. For putting them in, I put a spot of solution on the upturned lens atop my finger, surface tension helps them settle on the eye. I have very dry eyes, it's less of a problem these days with newer lenses, I can mostly wear all day without an issue. I pop them out with two fingers, one either side of the lens, slide together and out it pops.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 29 August, 2017, 06:31:12 pm
Ended up managing to tear one of the lenses trying to get it in this morning. So it seems contact lenses are not for me! Suffice to say i got in touch with specsavers and cancelled the trial
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 29 August, 2017, 06:35:25 pm
Ended up managing to tear one of the lenses trying to get it in this morning. So it seems contact lenses are not for me! Suffice to say i got in touch with specsavers and cancelled the trial

I've done that loads of times  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Veloman on 29 August, 2017, 06:45:48 pm
Ended up managing to tear one of the lenses trying to get it in this morning. So it seems contact lenses are not for me! Suffice to say i got in touch with specsavers and cancelled the trial

Can you use disposable?

Much thinner, much nicer and no faffing with cleaning.  I find my an absolute revelation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 29 August, 2017, 07:20:19 pm
Balance the lens on your finger tip, give it a squirt of solution (tip away any excess, there should be enough to see but not enough to make the lens fall off your finger tip). Use other hand to separate eyelids wide enough to apply lens to eyeball. Surface tension does the rest. I think I've torn a lens only two or three times in the decades I've been wearing them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 29 August, 2017, 08:13:56 pm
Veloman, I was given a measly pair of "monthly" disposables for my trial period from Specsavers (should have gone elsewhere, I fear).

To be honest, I was never particularly happy with the almost 5 minute eye test I got from them a couple of months ago (no, they didn't even check my eye pressure, despite my father, and grandfather both having glaucoma  :facepalm: )

So I think I may try and arrange myself another eyetest, at a local independent opticians, then discuss contacts with them. It seems Specsavers were more keen for me to take out a direct debit for contacts rather than take the time to train me to put them in properly...  Sorry, but showing a specsavers youtube video on the rather disinterested sales assistants tablet isn't what I'd call good teaching of placing and taking out contacts, neither was rushing the customer out the door...

Alarm bells should have rung when I overheard a customer complaining that the two months supply of contact lenses she had recently been given were of the wrong prescription.....   ::-)

If I do get another trial (from a decent opticians), I think disposables would be more what I'm looking for (pardon the pun). Day to day use I'd were my specs, then for fitness classes / yoga / cycling / going on a date I'd just put in a pair of disposables...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 29 August, 2017, 08:49:00 pm
Lens should be fitted and demonstrated by the optometrist, never ever the salesperson. That's shocking and unprofessional.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 29 August, 2017, 09:06:49 pm
Balance the lens on your finger tip, give it a squirt of solution (tip away any excess, there should be enough to see but not enough to make the lens fall off your finger tip).

This sounds like the sort of fiddly procedure that people have to put their glasses on for...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Veloman on 29 August, 2017, 10:46:02 pm
Brian
I would recommend going to a decent opticians or even more than one to get confirmation of what you need regarding strength: I have separate tests for specs and contacts.  I was lucky and had a really good service from Boots, but I may have been just lucky.

I started off with washables and realised my mountaineering in far off places with less than perfect hygiene options was never going to work so my foray into disposables and never looked back.  Order direct from internet with fast service and use them as required for sport or other times when specs are not as favourable.  So this morning popped them in before cycling, did ride during which it rained so just peered over tops of rain speckled cycling specs, popped them out and had shower after which specs back on. Nice and easy!  Fortunately my requirements are so near that I don't need different left/right which makes life easier. I will also keep them in during an audax but will also pop new ones in during longer events. I need corrective glasses for reading with contacts and just carry a cheap pair with me (Poundshop) and have some safety glasses with reading pane for use on the bike to read Garmin etc.


I never thought I would cope with them as I'm strangely not keen on messing with my eyes, but it was amazing how soon you get used to them. I would suggest perseverance as the difference doing sport (and other things) without the specs is amazing.  Finally, contacts do steam up or suffer from the misting of specs when you hot!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 30 August, 2017, 07:49:43 am
If you cannot get on with contacts and dislike glasses then you could consider Laser surgery.  Scary but fantastic if you are suitable. 

I went to Mooorfields as they are proper ophthalmic surgeons and the top guy there invented most of the laser kit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 30 August, 2017, 12:20:37 pm
A note on damaging contacts - daily disposables are the thinnest of thin things. They are quite easy to tear if you're a bit ham-fisted, but great when touring as no solutions to carry.  Monthly softs are quite robust, and I never damaged one in 20+ years of wearing them. But then again I found I adapted to soft lenses in about 5 minutes. Like Ian, I even had rigid gas permeables to start with, but because I had quite a "strong " prescription they were relatively thick, and I got hazy vision after 8 hours due to lack of oxygen in they eye (I think). The soft lenses were in from 6am to 10pm most days.  Unfortunatley I now need varifocal glasses, and "multifocal" contact lenses didn't work for me - my dominant eye is too dominant apparently, and not even a 3 month trial worked :-(.

I still keep some "near enough" toric dailies for riding, and a pair of cheapo reading glasses when I need to see the garmin track or a map.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 30 August, 2017, 01:08:42 pm
I have found the local opticians here to be really good, and everything is handled by the optometrist rather than a sales person. This is the way it should be. I first tried contacts many years ago before the advent of the gas permeable soft lenses, and it was more like BrianI's experience, though I got on with the lenses ok. I stopped using them eventually for other reasons.

The new lenses are a lot more comfortable to keep in for a decent length of time. I wear them all day when I'm commuting on the motorbike. It's quite an odd experience, if used to wearing glasses for years (34 years in my case), if you ever sleep in them, to wake up and be able to see (ish - the lenses do move a bit and it takes a moment to settle).

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 31 August, 2017, 10:30:51 am
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/men-who-suffer-cardiac-arrest-during-sex-four-times-more-likely-to-die-a3623506.html (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/men-who-suffer-cardiac-arrest-during-sex-four-times-more-likely-to-die-a3623506.html)

Suspect successful out of hospital CPR is more likely if there are multiple bystanders and casualty is on a firm surface.

Both are unusual in a typical bedroom scenario.

Even in France.

Out of hospital cardiac arrest has a statistically dismal prognosis. Victims need several folk to give the a chance. It's not possible for one person to do CPR, call for help and unlock a dwelling simultaneously, even if they don't give a f*** about the state of dress/undress.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 31 August, 2017, 01:01:12 pm
If you cannot get on with contacts and dislike glasses then you could consider Laser surgery.  Scary but fantastic if you are suitable. 

I went to Mooorfields as they are proper ophthalmic surgeons and the top guy there invented most of the laser kit.
I did the same, a fantastic investment 15 years ago! Well worth the money, and the peace of mind that Moorfields did it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 31 August, 2017, 01:40:15 pm
I wish my vision was stable enough to consider laser surgery... Myopia which gets worse every 18-24 months and silly astigmatism is making my other visual issues much harder to deal with...

On the other hand I prefer how I look wearing glasses. And if I find a good optiquack I can get good prescriptions and fitting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 31 August, 2017, 09:03:26 pm
A bit of an update!  :thumbsup:

Unsatisfied with Specsavers, I had a wander into a family owned local independent opticians, Ferrier & Mackinnon, http://www.fmoptom.com/ today, mainly to ask if I could get a second opinion eye test, and see about getting a proper contact lens fit.

Luckily they had an appointment available in the mid afternoon for a complete eye test, and contact lens fit!

40 minutes for the eyetest, and I got *everything* checked including digital retinal photography, eye pressure test1, field of vision test,  shape of cornea test as well as the usual "better or worse" lenses test as well as colour vision test.  Pretty thorough compared to the 10 minute test Specsavers gave me!

That done, the same optemetrist then spent a good twenty minutes patiently guiding me through putting in and taking contact lenses out!

While he didn't have any contacts of my exact up to date prescription available, he has given me  a pair of monthly contacts of a close enough prescription / lens case and contact solution to practice with , and he'll have my contacts in stock for my next appointment next week! 

I'm certainly feeling a lot more comfortable regarding contacts, plus I know that I got a very good eye test.   

 :thumbsup:

Thumbs up for family owned independent opticians!

1 Due to father & grandfather having had glaucoma, I am at increased risk, so I was glad the optician did the eye pressure test.  According to the digital retina scan, I have a very large optic nerve, and all is well.  But they want me to have annual, rather than every two year eye tests.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 03 September, 2017, 08:24:58 am
That's great Brian!

It's befuddling that you got such poor service from Specsavers. You'd think they'd want to maintain a reputation for quality. Do you intend to complain?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 September, 2017, 01:42:45 pm
Slowly realizing that climbing for half an hour last Tuesday with my heart running at 102% of rate at which "slight" ST depression appears probably starved my quads of oxygen so they likely cannibalized themselves; which is why I didn't much enjoy Sunday's 67k. Legs were sore to the touch yesterday, and a bit sore after a stroll round the village this morning.

Doesn't bode well for doing BRM in this neck of the woods next year, what with all those handy mountains. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 September, 2017, 04:34:21 pm
The UN Special Rapporteur on rights to health has issued a report on mental health care worldwide, the first to look at this in the light of the 2006 Convention on Rights of Disabled People, though it applies to all. It's interesting in that it takes the view of mental health as reflecting problems in societies as much as in individuals.
Quote
The crisis in mental health should be managed not as a crisis of individual conditions but as a crisis of social obstacles which hinders individual rights. Mental health policies are in crisis – not a crisis of chemical imbalances, but of power imbalances.
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21689
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 06 September, 2017, 12:28:20 am
I think I just picked another bit of Gay Hill[1] out of my arm.


[1] Wasn't named by a cyclist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 September, 2017, 12:32:20 am
The UN Special Rapporteur on rights to health has issued a report on mental health care worldwide, the first to look at this in the light of the 2006 Convention on Rights of Disabled People, though it applies to all. It's interesting in that it takes the view of mental health as reflecting problems in societies as much as in individuals.
Quote
The crisis in mental health should be managed not as a crisis of individual conditions but as a crisis of social obstacles which hinders individual rights. Mental health policies are in crisis – not a crisis of chemical imbalances, but of power imbalances.
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21689

Social model of mental illness, good!  There's long been research showing that mental ill-health rises with social inequities and inequalities.

I am very tired of mental ill-health being linked to individuals' lack of resilience rather than shitty things that are done to people by power imbalances and oppression.

Not that we follow the UN Convention on Rights of Disabled People despite ratifying it in 2009. We've just been given a second slap by the UN about it, our government is already poohpoohing it. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2017, 09:33:40 am
Must reflect on physical health too, most obviously obesity.
already poohpoohing it. :(
Always makes me laugh, thinking of Stephen Fry as the General in Blackadder goes fourth.
https://youtu.be/QeF1JO7Ki8E
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 September, 2017, 04:05:48 pm
One prescription for topiramate to try and prevent migrainosity and general brainsplode and one for sumatriptan for nobbling known 'migraine attacks'.  Two friends had serious effects, two didn't. GP thinks nausea is likely to biggest issue. Migraine nurse thought possibly "word finding" for a few weeks.

Got about 2-3 weeks before next likely job interview and likely gap in having to submit applications so now is as least-worst a time as any...

Hope I'm one of the ones who doesn't get a fried brain or digestive system.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 September, 2017, 06:31:43 pm
Wishing you good luck and success  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 September, 2017, 09:39:45 pm
That's great Brian!

It's befuddling that you got such poor service from Specsavers. You'd think they'd want to maintain a reputation for quality. Do you intend to complain?

Funnily enough, I got a "could you fill in a survey" email from Specsavers a few days ago.  So I gave them a fair review of their poor customer service!

Anyway a couple of days ago I was into the same  independent family owned opticians, for my fit of the trial toric lenses.  An aura of calm, in there, compared to the almost running about like headless chickens in the national high street chain which rhymes with "smecsavers".

The very patient optometrist1 was very thorough in checking the various brands of contacts for fit and comfort.  And I've got 4 pairs each of two different brands to try for the next week to see how they go.

I've managed wearing them for around 6 hours, without too many issues, so I may try them at work tomorrow. (hopefully I wont end up misdelivering here, there and everywhere..... ) 

1 Even althoug he looked of an age he should still be in highscool... I take its a sign i'm getting old.....  :P



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 September, 2017, 04:54:52 pm
A complete day at work wearing a set of  the trial contacts!    These are the most comfy of the two sets I'm trialling:

https://coopervision.co.uk/practitioner/contact-lenses/clariti-1-day-toric 

Does this make me Cooperman? 

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4419/36953386932_97bc23d0f8.jpg)

 ;D

No trouble at all with distance or close work while wearing the contacts.   :thumbsup:

Had the lenses in for about 9 hours now, and just starting to feel a bit dry.  So for the rest of today, I think I'll go au naturel in the eyeball region!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 September, 2017, 08:03:08 am
Found a bloody great haematoma on the inside of my thigh this morning, high up. Reckon I must have caught it on the underside of the nose of my saddle yesterday, on the upstroke. There was one point when, negotiating a wretchedly-close set of overlapped barriers, I had to uncleat both feet rapidly to avoid a tumble, so I'm blaming that and our god-damned nanny town councils.

Anyway, this damned thing hurts when I walk and will probably do so for a couple of days, so I am in an official Bad Mood. :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2017, 08:07:11 am
And it rubs on the eaves of the saddle so I can't ride. Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 September, 2017, 05:41:41 pm
The trial of the daily disposables went well!  I can put the lenses in and take them out in seconds now! As a consequence, I think I'll be going for monthly disposables as I think I'll be wearing contacts the majority of the time.

Unfortunately the optician's didn't have monthly disposables of my exact prescription in stock, so I've been given a pair of almost the right prescription to trial for the next 2 weeks, if I get on OK with them, then I've to phone and let them know, at which point they'll get my final lenses ordered in, and I'll set up the direct debits for payment of lenses & 6 monthly contact lens check. 

Certainly a very good service compared to Sp*csavers!   :thumbsup:  :smug:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 September, 2017, 07:03:26 pm
8 days into Topiramate and so far pretty good. Brain is a bit working memory, executive function, proprioception impaired and I might be dizzier than usual (hard to tell cos my baseline balance is SO appalling atm). Basically "a bit stoned".

I got mild gassiness and sometimes a funny metallic taste in my mouth. Oh and pins and needles but I get that anyway from dodgy balance/overload and have done for years (which confused the fuck out of neuro bods in 1995) but it's more noticable and persistent in hands and feet with this drug. I also get migraine symptoms after each pill for a bit - which is almost certainly "to be expected" cos anti epileptics are totally "gets worse before it gets better" meds.  I've had one nasty migraine, threw one of the sumatriptan + domperidone at it, not convinced it helped much but I may have left it too late before noticing... It's useful to know sumatriptan didn't do anything evil either. I could have done without 1 day with poorly working vision and 2 days of photophobia though.

I was going to double up to 25mg 2x a day this morning, but my first BAHA abutment decided to go manky, painful and stop me sleeping cos I can't lie on the other side *scowls at shit shoulder* - I definitely can't do sleep dep on these drugs. So I decided to bounce dose uppage to tomorrow. I'll keep logging the lot of it and see what happens.

Clinic letter arrived, it's a good thing I'm very intelligent, educated and totally speak medicine, cos it's appallingly badly written even for dictation, repetitive, and contains bollocks info. I was told about two non drug options, a forehead "electrical stimulator" and a neck one - but cos it was all audio (no leaflets) I didn't catch the names. Nurse said it would be sent to me with the letter so I expected proper leaflets. She talked at length about how NICE had said they worked and she thought they were potentially good but NHS wouldn't fund them so people have to go private for them.

My letter refers to the Cefaly V1 vagal nerve stimulator but googling http://www.cefaly.co.uk/en seems to suggest that this is actually an external trigeminal nerve stimulator. The second device was a vagus nerve stimulator but there is no mention of that in the letter >:(

I will look through NICE and Cochrane at some point and see what they do and don't cover and what they say. A friend who has wrangled NHS more than me says I may be able to get my GP to fund stuff that the NHS officially doesn't fund, or put in a case for it.  But I suspect not until I've tried some of the medication options.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2017, 07:13:33 pm
Ime the tingly buzz goes with higher doses, mostly. I still get it occasionally , feels like muscles in my face are vibrating. Definitely not every day.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 September, 2017, 07:57:28 pm
I have transient tingly buzz frequently, I've long used it as a marker of audio and balance overload so I'm fairly used to it - the neuros had no idea what it was, and acted like I was making it up, very odd. It's not as evil as the endless twitching eyelid thing I got on amitriptyline...

And yeah, effects are weird, effects don't always become more severe with more dose. I am getting more noticeable visual weirdness, but it's the same as my usual (and always present for me) visual weirdness.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 September, 2017, 09:02:10 am
Sounds vile. Sympathy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 14 September, 2017, 07:49:01 pm
On the 22nd Feb 2002 I had a car accident when my car was hit from behind while stopped at a set of traffic lights. The resulting damage to the car was terminal, whereas I got off quite lightly with only whiplash (which actually hurts like hell) and a bruised calf muscle. Little did I realise at  the time that what I thought was a bruise actually turned out to be a bad soft tissue injury which kept me off my bike for over five years.

Fast forward 15 years to Monday of this week when I decided to see what running was all about and attended a beginners session at my local running club. After the session, I noted that my calf was a little sore but nothing special painwise: I put it down to cramp. However, it was slowly got worse over the last few days and now I cannot walk without pain/ a Herr Flick type of limp.

I am not best pleased as it feels like I have aggravated the old injury. If so, then that's put an end to my cycling for some considerable time.   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 September, 2017, 08:23:40 am
That is one heck of a soft tissue injury. What on earth was it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 15 September, 2017, 09:50:33 am
I never really found out. All my GP and the physio person I saw said was that it was "soft tissue" and would get better with time.

It is a little less sore this morning but frankly, I am cancelling any cycling for the next couple of weeks just in case. I seem to take ages to heal as the soft tissue injury to my left arm caused my falling off my bike on the 30th March last year, still hurts and is currently stopping me from swimming as I can't raise the arm above my head without pain.

Anyone know any exercise you can do using only one arm and/or one leg?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 September, 2017, 01:37:42 pm
Anyone know any exercise you can do using only one arm

NSFW is that way -->
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 15 September, 2017, 05:35:21 pm
Anyway, a few days on from starting to wear the trial monthly disposable lenses, and I don't really feel them at all!  :thumbsup: And I can generally put them in and take them out in under 10 seconds per eye!   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 16 September, 2017, 12:09:27 pm
Two days after hiking up Goat Fell and I'm absolutely crippled.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mike on 02 October, 2017, 10:06:24 am
I tried paddle boarding on saturday, it was great.  Didn't quite fall in, and after a couple of hours (with a break for a cup of tea) I was starting to get a bit better and able to work hard enough to get a sweat on, rather than just trying to stay upright.   

Recommend - although my abs and core are absolutely killing this morning!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 October, 2017, 09:42:09 am
Bursitis is back. Missus bought me new socks a while back. I take a 43, shop had 39-42 or 43-46, herself got the former which were OK at first but shrank in the wash. Bah.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: RichForrest on 03 October, 2017, 10:33:56 am
Results are back from my MRI last week. Phone appointment with the doc yesterday, I have a small tear in my rotator cuff and a lot of inflammation around the shoulder after the 30mph off 3 weeks ago.
Nothing they can do at the minute but take vitamin I and wait, if still painful in 2 weeks to go back. It aches well when moved wrong but I'm able to lift my arm now and can just about sleep in more than 1 position.
Can ride the upright without pain, though that would be easier if I hadn't twinged my back at the weekend after jolting when the camping seat sunk in the mud  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 03 October, 2017, 03:05:10 pm
My post-colonoscopy farts were noisy and explosive.
I had a fair bit of painful griping.

It seems this will be in my future. Laxatives in the post.

Nope.  :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 October, 2017, 03:37:29 pm
My post-colonoscopy farts were noisy and explosive.
I had a fair bit of painful griping.

It seems this will be in my future. Laxatives in the post.

Nope.  :hand:

Good luck!
For me it was no great shakes, really.

I blame my post-scope griping on very enthusiastic resumption of all the foods I had to eschew pre-scope, when they encountered residual MoviPrep.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 October, 2017, 05:12:08 pm
Well that was a bit unpleasant, but quicker than expected. I am sans one wisdom tooth and have gained a suitably droopy face and a mouthful of blood and stitches. Hopefully the anaesthetic will start wearing off soon, it's been two hours so far. Or maybe I shouldn't hope for that too soon, might be a bit achy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 October, 2017, 05:36:00 pm
Well that was a bit unpleasant, but quicker than expected. I am sans one wisdom tooth and have gained a suitably droopy face and a mouthful of blood and stitches. Hopefully the anaesthetic will start wearing off soon, it's been two hours so far. Or maybe I shouldn't hope for that too soon, might be a bit achy.

Make sure you have plenty of suitable painkillers at home before the anaesthetic wears off!
The shops might be closed otherwise.
And heal well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 04 October, 2017, 08:51:57 pm
Fun and games last night! I had to call nhs 24 due to shortness of breath / pins and needles in left arm after a very busy day at work yesterday. Got a nice visit from the emergency paramedics who took my vital statistics, then an out of hours gp appointment at a&e!

GP put it down to fatigue / low blood sugar levels and anxiety as well as the start man flu (as my glands were somewhat swollen)

Quite a frightening experience though, considering my dad died last year with sudden heart failure  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 October, 2017, 08:40:48 am
Well that was a bit unpleasant, but quicker than expected. I am sans one wisdom tooth and have gained a suitably droopy face and a mouthful of blood and stitches. Hopefully the anaesthetic will start wearing off soon, it's been two hours so far. Or maybe I shouldn't hope for that too soon, might be a bit achy.

Too late to say now to keep an ice-bag on it for a while afterwards to counteract swelling. Worked for me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 October, 2017, 09:44:41 am
Take care brian, don't let the anxiety build up.

I have remarkably little bruising, considering yesterday it felt like they were pushing so hard I thought my jaw would dislocate. Just managed some watery porridge, although it took me an hour to eat it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 October, 2017, 06:06:40 pm
Take care brian, don't let the anxiety build up.

I have remarkably little bruising, considering yesterday it felt like they were pushing so hard I thought my jaw would dislocate. Just managed some watery porridge, although it took me an hour to eat it.

Thanks mrcharly!  :thumbsup:

Thankfully I'm now on a 4 day weekend, back to work Tuesday. I was supposed to be going away for a long weekend camping trip to Applecross with my walking meetup group, however given the circumstances I think it's better I rest up at home! (Foolishly perhaps? I went into work as normal yesterday and today). Seems like I have a healthy dose of man flu starting as well...  :sick:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 06 October, 2017, 02:15:18 pm
Still totally jiggered today  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 07 October, 2017, 04:24:46 am
It appears to be conclusive.

I can:

Drink alcohol in the evening. XOR sleep soundly past 3 a.m.

Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 October, 2017, 09:51:46 am
Try drinking until 3 am.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 October, 2017, 07:56:39 am
I had a slightly sore throat on Monday evening and yesterday it got very painful. I have tried gargling with 300mg of aspirin and paracetamol honey and lemon but it is still somewhat sore :'(. Just to add insult to injury the sinex nasal spray is only lasting about three hours before my nose blocks again  and I cannot sleep. . I got to sleep at ,2.30am this morning and woke up at 5.00am  . I can use the spray at 8.00am  :thumbsup:  back to sleep I go ( I hope  ::-)  !  )
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 October, 2017, 06:05:42 pm
I think I might have gallstones.
David has just fed me some feral chips he found dumped on the grass verge outside the house (defrosted but previously frozen sealed bag of recently manufactured pre-fried chips).

Now I have a mild crampy pain in my right upper abdomen.

I don't usually eat chips and will have to avoid them in future, which isn't really a loss.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 October, 2017, 09:22:21 am
I get a pain like that when I'm cooking - have done for ~40 years.  No problems yet...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2017, 12:21:31 pm
Laying off the chips is no real hardship; I don't like them much!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 October, 2017, 01:30:35 pm
These days it's all home-made oven chips here.  They're good about one time in ten, depending on the spuds.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 October, 2017, 01:49:33 pm
We are now a potato and pasta free zone.

Cauliflower mash
courgettini
Celeriac rosti
Celeriac oven chips

lovely flavours and far fewer calories
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 October, 2017, 01:53:19 pm
Celeriac is sadly ignored. Never tried celeriac chips though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 October, 2017, 03:00:03 pm
I cut them as chunky chips and then shook them with slat and sunflower oil before cooking in the oven.  Came out very nice.

The Rosti was good as well.  Needs to be really dried out so I put the grated celeriac into a tea towel and wring it out for a few minutes, then an egg, spoonful of flour and fry in the frying pan with a bit of oil to brown and then into the oven.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2017, 03:29:00 pm
Laying off the chips is no real hardship; I don't like them much!

Since having my gallbladder removed, my tolerance for chips is greatly reduced.  I tend to work on the principle that if I'm going to risk getting the poo, then the chips need to be worth it.  On that basis oven chips are firmly in the "fuel, if there's nothing better" category.

If they're really nice proper chips, then I'll either suffer the next day, or eat a small enough portion that I can get away with it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2017, 05:07:08 pm
Well quite! Most chips are best avoided. Little pleasure for the calories...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 12 October, 2017, 06:55:42 pm
Managed via various NHS comms stupid to get hold of my migraine nurse by email. She agrees that topiramate should not be basically making my flicker and photo sensitivity and visual weird about 200% worse + stupid memory, language, cognitive and other effects... Taper down 25mg/week so three weeks to get clear.  Good fucking riddance.

Alternative medication options seem to be SSRIs, more anti epileptics, blood pressure meds or if I fail on three meds AND meet criteria for chronic headache then I could be offered botulinium injections (really rather not thanks).  Really not getting a sense any of those are going to do damn all for the kind of "migraine" I have. I do not have headache unless triggered by evil lighting. I am sensitive to flickering fucking lights which I wasn't sensitive to 2 years ago before evil-office and I'd like it to stop kthxbai!

Nurse seems very keen for me to try the Cefaly V transcutaneous nerve stimulator system. Basically stick a weird thing to my forehead and zap it for 20 mins a day. Ostensibly fewer side effects than meds (wouldn't be hard). But because NICE haven't said the NHS have to provide funding, my trust won't fund it and I have to buy it myself at a couple of hundred quid  >:(  I'm more than a bit pissed off about this, cos it's Yet Another Thing this clinic have suggested which they don't fund. They did the same about Migralens, FL41 lenses and indeed the kind of prescription blue lens I already have (which is the only thing which helps the migraine).  My next blue lenses (reusing frames) are costing £400 and will need replacing in 12 months :'(... Don't be poor if you need stuff the NHS decides it doesn't cover.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 October, 2017, 08:43:33 pm
My immune system decided to reject the corneal graft in my right eye on Tuesday.  Woke up and the eye was useless - waterlogged (fog and rainbows) and unable to focus on anything.  It really happens quickly and you have to do something in the first 24 hours.  Pedalled down to A&E and was sent up to the eye department where they prescribed a shedload of dexamethasone drops.  It was still shite all day yesterday but started to clear and sharpen this morning...by lunchtime I could read car numberplates at 50m when I couldn't read them at 10m yesterday.  Back to clinic tomorrow but I imagine I'll be on drops for a few months.    Scary!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2017, 10:48:38 pm
Scary indeed!

Hope improvement endures!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 October, 2017, 08:11:23 am
Yikes!  Eye stuff is indeed scary. Hope it goes on getting better.

I ought to get back to the ophthalmo myself - >2 yrs since my last visit, but with cardiac shenanigans in between I've had a surfeit of white coats.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 October, 2017, 10:19:28 am
Blimey roger, that's scary.

Doc this morning said "It is good that you have been getting pain because it makes prostate cancer unlikely. You probably have a kidney infection. We will start with a urine sample and antibiotics to try to clear things up."

I was fairly sure I had/have a kidney infection but it is never a good conversation when the doctor is starting by assuming there is a possibility of cancer. Age+symptoms did make it a possibility
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 13 October, 2017, 12:57:44 pm
I hurt my wrist lifting the motorbike off its side stand outside Bristol Royal Infirmary last week. Comes from the council liking to put motorcycle parking in the most awkward places. It's an ulnar side injury.

Rowing coach wanted me to make sure it was assessed, saw GP yesterday, and he agreed that though I'd likely return to normal day to function without treatment, for rowing I would likely need physio and could be out for some time. It possibly helped that he used to row himself.

I have a physio appointment for next week, hopefully I won't be out too long. I can at least get back on the turbo soon (once I stop coughing up horrible gunk from the lurgy I got at the same time) and I'll be able to hopefully do some core strength and bodyweight stuff.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 13 October, 2017, 04:20:58 pm
I just passed an eye test.  Or at least failed it in exactly the same way that I did two years ago.   That's never happened before  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 13 October, 2017, 04:58:08 pm
I just went for an eye appointment at an opticians in Mülheim (where my GerMan goes). I had all my old prescriptions since 2001with me.

First of all he asked if I wanted glasses for reading or distance. I said that was the point of the eye test, to find out. But I have glasses for driving and the TV.

I then had to look into a machine with my chin on a chinrest. I assumed this was the glaucOma thing so expected the puff of air but no, there was a picture of a boat on a beach which went in and out of focus.

Then he said ‘I will now check your glasses’ and took my old ones away. He came back 2 minutes later ‘your prescription hasn’t changed so we don’t need to do anythung’. I said ‘what about the retina check for cancer and the glaucoma’ and he said ‘we don’t do that, you need an Augenarzt for that’ (eye doctor). Klaus confirmed that what I had was indeed the eye test. None of this ‘do the circles appear clearer in the red or the green’ stuff I am used to.

So I left. I had been planning to buy some new glasses as the coating on the old ones is a bit knackered but as they didn’t suggest I chose some new frames I left. Klaus has never had the glaucoma test or retinal cancer check because he has of course never been to an Augenarzt. He is 50.

I feel really nonplussed by it all. I’m wondering if I can fit in a proper optician visit in the UK at Christmas...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 13 October, 2017, 05:06:52 pm
I then had to look into a machine with my chin on a chinrest. I assumed this was the glaucOma thing so expected the puff of air but no, there was a picture of a boat on a beach which went in and out of focus.

I got both of those (I assume the latter is an automated way of measuring your eye shape, which presumably gives them a head start on where to begin in the actual test).  Plus a really annoying visual field test machine thingy which I haven't had before - stare at an LED in a box while wearing your distance glasses over an eye patch and count the LEDs in your peripheral vision without relaxing and focusing at infinity because they then blur too much and you fail the test.

And the usual swapping lenses in front of a Snellen chart stuff.


Quote
Klaus has never had the glaucoma test or retinal cancer check because he has of course never been to an Augenarzt. He is 50.

Same goes for Brits who are lucky enough not to need glasses, I suppose.  I know people who've only had their vision tested post-primary-school because they volunteered for SCIENCE.


Quote
I feel really nonplussed by it all. I’m wondering if I can fit in a proper optician visit in the UK at Christmas...

Yeah...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 October, 2017, 05:13:44 pm
Our opticians' receptionist does the boat on beach thing before we see the optometrist himself. It's a coarse focus automated thing but the finer details are obtained with the old-fashioned lenses in the frame.

I think getting checked in the UK would be worthwhile though it's unlikely there's anything amiss.

You won't damage your eyes by getting reading specs off the shelf.

If you are finding reading uncomfortable, go back to the optician...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 October, 2017, 05:21:51 pm
I feel really nonplussed by it all. I’m wondering if I can fit in a proper optician visit in the UK at Christmas...

They're just separating the clinical side from the fitting side, some as here, i.e. an ophthalmologist looks for clinical abnormalities and produces an exact spec for glasses, the optician makes and fits them. Opticians can also do eye tests but can't pronounce on retinal condition etc. Demarcation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 13 October, 2017, 05:46:07 pm
It's also the German obsession with sticking to your narrow field/specialism.

The whole thing was just a bit odd as I went with preconceived ideas about what would happen:
1. Taken into a back room and have a proper sight test, including Glaucoma puffer, light shining in eye to detect retinal cancer, circles clearer in the red or the blue, wearing weird spec frames with lots of little lenses in, 'which line can you read when you hold this near your face' etc etc. Asking me about my Lasik surgery and when was it etc. General chat about my health, whether I do work with computer screens, how I find my sight etc etc
2. Aha, your prescription has changed minutely so let us sell you some expensive glasses
3. Here's some paperwork with your prescription on it
4. Let's clean and adjust your current specs

What I got was
1. Boat on beach
2. You don't need new glasses
3. Here are your glasses cleaned

Mind you, I paid nothing for it, but for a shop trying to sell glasses they could have tried a bit harder as I wanted some new frames anyway...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 13 October, 2017, 10:02:07 pm
Plus a really annoying visual field test machine thingy which I haven't had before - stare at an LED in a box while wearing your distance glasses over an eye patch and count the LEDs in your peripheral vision without relaxing and focusing at infinity because they then blur too much and you fail the test.
I had that test when I was getting migraines (that resulted in a loss of vision) as a teenager.  Had to go the hospital and stuff. I was somewhat surprised when it started appearing in the opticians - I guess the technology behind it got a lot cheaper!
Reasoning here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_field_test
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 13 October, 2017, 10:06:48 pm
Yeah, batakta had hers tested at the hospital a couple of times using a distinctly more analogue method.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 October, 2017, 10:13:19 pm
My optometrist has tested my visual field in the past but does not do this routinely.
Some treatable insidious causes of blindness result in field loss before other symptoms emerge.

It is useful to ensure drivers are not developing tunnel vision...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 October, 2017, 08:39:41 am
Optician vs optometrist vs ophthalmologist: https://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/132
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 14 October, 2017, 07:43:50 pm
An optometrist is  a person for whom the glasses are always half full.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 19 October, 2017, 03:37:30 pm
Saw physio today.

Diagnosis: tenosynovitis of the extensor carpi ulnaris.

Treatment: no rowing. And other stuff. But mainly, no rowing. A few strokes on a rowing machine set it off quite badly.

Also, I have to get a new keyboard for work.

Also can't ride motorbike, or fixed wheel. Or perhaps even outside at all.

I can do turbo.

*sad face*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 October, 2017, 07:52:17 am
<waves hello> we are members of the same group, I think

Quote
Intermittent, but include: leg weakness (including complete collapse), numbness, 'hollow' pain, burning/itching feeling on skin on leg, spasmodic pains and movements.
I get all of those.

Now, your other symptoms are really interesting. I do get something similar, but mine started to become severe and were eventually diagnosed as a migraine condition (nothing to do with Perthes) and treated with drugs. However, since Perthes tends to affect the spine (for odd complex reasons that nobody seems to understand, in my case exacerbated by the treatment I was given), I do wonder if there is a sensory feedback issue going on here.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 October, 2017, 12:02:21 pm
I didn't have Perthes Disease but do have MS.
Numbness and painful burning episodes of both (but mostly left) thighs have kept me awake on some night this week.
Spasms have woken partner.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: jsabine on 20 October, 2017, 08:16:58 pm
Physio on tues. I'm a member of a Perthes support group. The leader of the group has written the NHS booklet on Perthes.

Seems my troubles are very common in ex-Perthes patients.

Intermittent, but include: leg weakness (including complete collapse), numbness, 'hollow' pain, burning/itching feeling on skin on leg, spasmodic pains and movements.

I also now have 'floating' dizzy spells with muscle tremors over whole body. It's all intermittent (I dug and planted two trees this morning, mowed lawn yesterday without trouble). Only just coped with some supermarket shopping yesterday; floating dizzyness and muscles tremors meant I twice rammed the trolley into innocent immobile objects. No, they weren't slow-moving grannies.
<waves hello> we are members of the same group, I think

Quote
Intermittent, but include: leg weakness (including complete collapse), numbness, 'hollow' pain, burning/itching feeling on skin on leg, spasmodic pains and movements.
I get all of those.

Now, your other symptoms are really interesting. I do get something similar, but mine started to become severe and were eventually diagnosed as a migraine condition (nothing to do with Perthes) and treated with drugs. However, since Perthes tends to affect the spine (for odd complex reasons that nobody seems to understand, in my case exacerbated by the treatment I was given), I do wonder if there is a sensory feedback issue going on here.

Dunno what MotifSky's game is, but there's a reason the posted text might have looked familiar ...

Physio on tues. I'm a member of a Perthes support group. The leader of the group has written the NHS booklet on Perthes.

Seems my troubles are very common in ex-Perthes patients.

Intermittent, but include: leg weakness (including complete collapse), numbness, 'hollow' pain, burning/itching feeling on skin on leg, spasmodic pains and movements.

I also now have 'floating' dizzy spells with muscle tremors over whole body. It's all intermittent (I dug and planted two trees this morning, mowed lawn yesterday without trouble). Only just coped with some supermarket shopping yesterday; floating dizzyness and muscles tremors meant I twice rammed the trolley into innocent immobile objects. No, they weren't slow-moving grannies.

(No, I'm not cyber-stalking you - Mrs Pingu noted plagiarism in another thread, so I had a wee look at all MotifSky's posts. All copied.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 October, 2017, 08:49:26 pm
I suddenly wondered that, did a search and it didn't come up. So motivsky is looking like a bot. Shame, the Perthes group has a Strava cycling section, would be good if some joined here.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 October, 2017, 12:56:51 pm
I meant to stop taking the topiramate last night (slightly different skew down than recommended) but forgot to take the pill, so my last was Thursday.  Good Fucking Riddance.  I feel so much better than even a week ago, no longer like my brain and skin are bathed in acid all the time. Hoping I can get back into my regular clear lens glasses next week without getting migraines from normal light and computer use.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 23 October, 2017, 12:22:00 pm
Every cold I get seems to last 2-3 weeks and I’m getting three a year. And every time I get the flu jab I get a cold immediately afterwards. Beginning to wonder if flu jab + impending cold = double assault on an immune system already impaired by daily inhaled steroids.

I am pissed off and knackered.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 23 October, 2017, 12:34:54 pm
Saw physio today.

Diagnosis: tenosynovitis of the extensor carpi ulnaris.

Treatment: no rowing. And other stuff. But mainly, no rowing. A few strokes on a rowing machine set it off quite badly.

Also, I have to get a new keyboard for work.

Also can't ride motorbike, or fixed wheel. Or perhaps even outside at all.

I can do turbo.

*sad face*

Got my new keyboard. Typos galore.

Also got some therapy putty. No, it's not like playdough. It flows, very slowly.

I have to do grip strength exercises twice a day. Wrist does seem to be improving slowly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 23 October, 2017, 04:09:51 pm
Beginning to wonder if flu jab + impending cold = double assault on an immune system already impaired by daily inhaled steroids.

I was under the impression that immune systems don't work like that.  If nothing else, surely J Random Vaccine is no different to the thousands of other sources of infection that we're exposed to on a daily basis...

Anyway, I think it's more a case of random lurgy taking hold according to a variant on Tucker's Law.  This also explains my GP's policy of doing asthma reviews around the time of patients' birthdays - it means that mine always falls into the optimum breathing window between the end of the pollen season and before my annual chest infection (when a cold combines with the air quality going to shit) at the end of October.  So I always feel like a bit of a fraud.


Quote
I am pissed off and knackered.

This.  Actually, it hasn't gone to my lungs yet.  We can but hope.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 23 October, 2017, 04:20:20 pm
Every cold I get seems to last 2-3 weeks and I’m getting three a year. And every time I get the flu jab I get a cold immediately afterwards. Beginning to wonder if flu jab + impending cold = double assault on an immune system already impaired by daily inhaled steroids.

I am pissed off and knackered.

You're not alone. I came down with a cold a day before my wrist injury and that was three weeks ago and I'm still coughing.

I hope you feel better soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 26 October, 2017, 03:16:57 pm
Went backwards a little bit with the cough and there was a tiny amount of blood yesterday. Reckon it's bronchitis. Continuing to avoid training, but maybe I should get onto Dr Freeman.

Also I've set up a meth lab just in case.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 27 October, 2017, 09:53:31 am
Went backwards a little bit with the cough and there was a tiny amount of blood yesterday. Reckon it's bronchitis. Continuing to avoid training, but maybe I should get onto Dr Freeman.

Also I've set up a meth lab just in case.

I’m still coughing and still knackered. Shall I get a plastic tub? We can go halves on the meth lab.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 27 October, 2017, 11:30:53 am
That doesn't sound good. GWS Ruthie :-*

I'm umming and ahhing about tomorrow's audax. I've been for a ride round the block a couple times to check the bike is ok after I crashed on Wednesday. The roadrash isn't a problem, and my shoulder didn't feel too bad in a riding position (though I could feel something when I was out of the saddle). Whether it would start aching more on a long ride I'm not sure though. :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 October, 2017, 01:57:26 pm
Went backwards a little bit with the cough and there was a tiny amount of blood yesterday. Reckon it's bronchitis. Continuing to avoid training, but maybe I should get onto Dr Freeman.

Also I've set up a meth lab just in case.

I’m still coughing and still knackered. Shall I get a plastic tub? We can go halves on the meth lab.

Seeing as we're not in USAnia, I assume you've got something like this in mind:  http://heterodoxy.cc/meowdocs/pseudo/pseudosynth.pdf (http://heterodoxy.cc/meowdocs/pseudo/pseudosynth.pdf)  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 27 October, 2017, 02:19:14 pm
Went backwards a little bit with the cough and there was a tiny amount of blood yesterday. Reckon it's bronchitis. Continuing to avoid training, but maybe I should get onto Dr Freeman.

Also I've set up a meth lab just in case.

I’m still coughing and still knackered. Shall I get a plastic tub? We can go halves on the meth lab.

Seeing as we're not in USAnia, I assume you've got something like this in mind:  http://heterodoxy.cc/meowdocs/pseudo/pseudosynth.pdf (http://heterodoxy.cc/meowdocs/pseudo/pseudosynth.pdf)  :)

I’m guessing you’ve never seen Breaking Bad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 October, 2017, 02:23:06 pm
Went backwards a little bit with the cough and there was a tiny amount of blood yesterday. Reckon it's bronchitis. Continuing to avoid training, but maybe I should get onto Dr Freeman.

Also I've set up a meth lab just in case.

I’m still coughing and still knackered. Shall I get a plastic tub? We can go halves on the meth lab.

Seeing as we're not in USAnia, I assume you've got something like this in mind:  http://heterodoxy.cc/meowdocs/pseudo/pseudosynth.pdf (http://heterodoxy.cc/meowdocs/pseudo/pseudosynth.pdf)  :)

I’m guessing you’ve never seen Breaking Bad.

I have, but since the whole plot is redundant in a country with a functional welfare system...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 27 October, 2017, 03:46:44 pm
I’m guessing you’ve never seen Breaking Bad.

I have, but since the whole plot is redundant in a country with a functional welfare system...

Yeah, course you have. That welfare system is steadily being eroded though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 29 October, 2017, 05:05:31 pm
I might try turbo again tomorrow. Cough is not as bad as a week ago and it is now 4 weeks.

Wrist still nowhere near recovered.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 29 October, 2017, 06:17:14 pm
Day 26 of the Worst Episode of Sciatica for a few years. Nothing seems to ease the pain, other than Bed rest combined with Lots of Drugs, and, once I'm upright, the pain is so bad that I can't do anything. Anybody got any ideas, be they Homeopathic, chemical or Woo?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 29 October, 2017, 08:39:08 pm
My coughing has triggered my asthma. Yay. A one mile utility ride today has left me wiped out. Sigh.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 31 October, 2017, 02:25:15 pm
My coughing has triggered my asthma. Yay. A one mile utility ride today has left me wiped out. Sigh.

Feel better soon.

The I’m at the dentist because I found part of a tooth in my mouth.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 November, 2017, 08:35:17 am
Flu shot yesterday. Headachy, sore-armed and feeling like shit today. It's a holiday (All Saints, when folk go and tidy up the fambly vault then repair to the cakeshops), sun's shining and there's no wind.  I could be out there having fun. Rats.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ruthie on 01 November, 2017, 11:38:53 am
Flu shot yesterday. Headachy, sore-armed and feeling like shit today. It's a holiday (All Saints, when folk go and tidy up the fambly vault then repair to the cakeshops), sun's shining and there's no wind.  I could be out there having fun. Rats.

Yeah.  It got me like that a month ago.  Ever since then I've had a cold, and felt worse every day.  Went to the doctor's today:  Chest infection.  Antibiotics.

So I'm taking a couple of days off work sick because just walking to the doctor's has knackered me.

 :'(

I'm really fed up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 November, 2017, 04:54:23 pm
That's a bummer.  GWS.

I shoved in a gramme of paracetamol, bellyached for two hours then went out and did 100k.  Feel great now. :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 02 November, 2017, 07:01:14 pm
<Too Much Information>
Exceedingly Itchy Baws!  :-[
</Too Much Information>

Seems to be worse after drinking caffeine...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2017, 07:47:25 pm
Don't have baws but use Canesten cream on burny, itchy, sweaty undercarriage 'bits' and find they get better PDQ.
Said cream available from Sainsbury's for treating Athlete's Foot.
Undercarriage frequently unhappy after spending a day on a plastic-covered wheelchair cushion.

Suggest as much fresh air as possible, within the bounds of decency.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 November, 2017, 07:52:02 pm
Undercarriage frequently unhappy after spending a day on a plastic-covered wheelchair cushion.

Ever considered Ventisit?  Darksiders swear by it for a reason.

https://ventisit.nl/en/wheelchairs-and-medical/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2017, 08:02:55 pm
LWaB also suggested this. TBH I just think I need to get up more as even the kindest cushion won't let me break wind, which is a major bugbear with a day in the chair.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 02 November, 2017, 09:12:07 pm
Don't have baws but use Canesten cream on burny, itchy, sweaty undercarriage 'bits' and find they get better PDQ.
Said cream available from Sainsbury's for treating Athlete's Foot.
Undercarriage frequently unhappy after spending a day on a plastic-covered wheelchair cushion.

Suggest as much fresh air as possible, within the bounds of decency.

I am currently trying Canestan, but 5 days in, and no change :-(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2017, 09:19:37 pm
You might benefit from a GP or dermatologist.

Is there any chance of biteys from pets?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 02 November, 2017, 09:32:04 pm
There's a vicious circle going on here. I find that menthol talc (specifically Gold Bond (https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/272899448947)) helps. I find that itching often is linked to riding and undercarriage accoutrements. I  find that riding with underwear leads to sweatiness which - even if I don't notice - leads to itch later. As a result I try to ride anything more than 10 miles with cycling shorts/liner, and I use a menthol chamois cream to help keep everything calm. It's not that I can't ride without, just that it is much better and easier to keep everything calm than it is to deal with Excessive Itch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 03 November, 2017, 12:25:05 pm
Much less TMI from me. Still coughing (past a month now since the cold started). Wrist improving. Physio suggests cycling outdoors (with gears) may now be attempted. Rowing, motorbike, fixie still verboten.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 10 November, 2017, 12:07:00 pm
Foot x-rayed yesterday, obviously not conclusive enough for the radiographer to tell me on the spot (I didn't push for her off the record diagnosis) so it'll have to wait for a radiologist to look at it (7-10 days for that info to go back to the GP).

Amazingly slick. From going in to the GP to coming out of the local hospital having been x-rayed was just 50 minutes (and that includes the 20 minutes it took on the bus between the two).

Now to wait and see whether I need a boot to help it heal properly, and when I can start physio (ankles need some work as they suffered when I was compensating for the initial injury, continuing to play football for 4 more weeks whilst in occasional pain obviously didn't help), and then when I can start running again.

Probably off 5-a-side and running until Christmas. (16 weeks back from Brighton Marathon 2018 is Christmas Eve, it's going to be interesting to go from struggling round a 5k to improving my marathon time in just 4 months. May have to pull out and focus on one later in the year [and London in 2019].)

Swimming will be fine (I tend to use a pull buoy almost exclusively anyway). If cycling is not going to make it worse I'll hopefully focus on fitness and weight loss with those two. (It might be a useful excuse for not riding fixed too.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 November, 2017, 03:42:01 pm
After a week of annoyance and occasional breath-stopping jolts of pain from my arthritic right ankle I realised ten minutes ago that I had just come up two flights of stairs without a twinge.  Then I picked up my coffee and damn near dropped it when the tendinitis in my wrist woke up and roared.

Heigh ho, business as usual.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 12 November, 2017, 11:28:28 am
My post-colonoscopy farts were noisy and explosive.
I had a fair bit of painful griping.

It seems this will be in my future. Laxatives in the post.

Nope.  :hand:

Good luck!
For me it was no great shakes, really.

I blame my post-scope griping on very enthusiastic resumption of all the foods I had to eschew pre-scope, when they encountered residual MoviPrep.

Two hours so far, waiting for stuff to happen.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 November, 2017, 12:03:24 pm
Good luck!
Don't know if the Singletrack Picolax posts are still around.
They are rather good...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 12 November, 2017, 05:48:31 pm
Stuff has been happening. Second dose was about 2h ago and has kicked in. Hopefully things will settle down by bedtime.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 November, 2017, 05:53:13 pm
They did settle for the night for me. Hope they do for you too!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 13 November, 2017, 10:16:02 pm
They did settle for the night for me. Hope they do for you too!

It did. Digestion returned to normal fairly quickly afterwards. Nothing abnormal found.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2017, 10:17:40 pm
They did settle for the night for me. Hope they do for you too!

It did. Digestion returned to normal fairly quickly afterwards. Nothing abnormal found.

That must be a relief!

Enjoy your normal diet!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2017, 03:39:45 pm
After yesterday's chutney incident, I've got this terrible pain in all the diodes muscles down my left right side.  I didn't even hit the ground that hard.   >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 15 November, 2017, 03:48:31 pm
Heal well Kim.

In the hospital my blood pressure was 144/83. So I was given a red wrist band and told to keep an eye on it. So I got a wireless thingy and checked it at home last night which gave 127/79 which is only slightly elevated.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 November, 2017, 03:49:47 pm
After yesterday's chutney incident, I've got this terrible pain in all the diodes muscles down my left right side.  I didn't even hit the ground that hard.   >:(

But you probably wrenched the muscles HARD in a subconscious effort to stay upright.

Mend well soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2017, 04:11:54 pm
Or it not to stay upright (there's not really anything you can do when a recumbent slips out from under you), to protect myself on impact.  As on previous occasions falling from that bike, my instinct to protect my fingers from being crushed overrode my instinct to break my fall, so I didn't land on anything particularly delicate, but wrenched my shoulder a bit in the process.  Leg aches from the usual emergency unclip and landing in an awkward position.

The one actual bruise on my left ankle is much less painful today.  I expect it will turn an interesting colour in due course, but shouldn't cause any mobility problems.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 08:12:58 am
Over the last few days I've been having an issue with an infection in my right thumb, seemed to be centered under the nail around the point it goes "under" to "over". Only, I didn't remember getting a splinter and couldn't see a foreign body. My normal treatments for minor infections, Magnesium Sulphate or/and Hydrogen Peroxide didn't seem to touch it, and I was treated to the odd oozing of pus. So much so I had resigned myself to a doctor visit to get some antibiotic cream.

Anyhow, on the basis that it really felt like something was in there, last night I had a good machete-ing about and came up with..... a seed. The dangers of breadmaking, who would have guessed? Seems to be on the mend now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 November, 2017, 12:23:05 pm
Dangerous things, seeds.  (DAHIKT)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 16 November, 2017, 03:01:33 pm
I’m being referred to a hand specialist re my wrist injury. I guess the next step is likely to be a steroid injection.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 November, 2017, 03:48:01 pm
I’m being referred to a hand specialist re my wrist injury. I guess the next step is likely to be a steroid injection.
Or amputation. Be careful, those surgeons are keen.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 16 November, 2017, 04:12:50 pm
I’m being referred to a hand specialist re my wrist injury. I guess the next step is likely to be a steroid injection.
Or amputation. Be careful, those surgeons are keen.

A rowing pal has helpfully suggested a hook.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 20 November, 2017, 03:26:20 pm
I’m being referred to a hand specialist re my wrist injury. I guess the next step is likely to be a steroid injection.
Or amputation. Be careful, those surgeons are keen.

A rowing pal has helpfully suggested a hook.

Referral through work has been approved for consultation and MRI if required. At least this should allow the diagnosis of ecu tenosynovitis to be confirmed or rejected.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 November, 2017, 10:18:30 pm
ECU tenosynovitis is relatively rare. ECU subsheath damage is more common and loss of a small area of lining below the ECU tendon where it point loads over the distal ulna is quite common.

You really need a top quality local hand surgeon who just does hands.  PM me if I can advise
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 21 November, 2017, 09:32:42 pm
ECU tenosynovitis is relatively rare. ECU subsheath damage is more common and loss of a small area of lining below the ECU tendon where it point loads over the distal ulna is quite common.

You really need a top quality local hand surgeon who just does hands.  PM me if I can advise

That's interesting - thanks. I have been given three surgeons to pick from and one of them seems to be much more of a hand specialist than the others - I reckon he's the one then!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 22 November, 2017, 09:40:16 pm
Vernon and I have whooping cough  :(

We got the diagnosis today, neither of us is infectious now, it's just bloody annoying.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 November, 2017, 10:04:47 pm
Yuck!  GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 November, 2017, 10:13:18 pm
 :o Sorry to hear this Clare. Hope you and Vernon recover fully soonest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 November, 2017, 10:35:59 am
So - MrsC and I went out for a meal, somewhere expensive. Enjoyed meal (although I was a bit underwhelmed by the food and £XX for a bottle of ok wine is 8|)
   
Then she ordered a coffee, which came with a chocolate, looked like a truffle. She bit off half of it, didn't want the other half as it was a sort of caramel, handed it to me. Hmm, nicely coffee flavoured toffee/caramel . . . um, this is made with coffee. Real coffee. and a migraine kicks in.

Restaurant spins round, heaves up and down, head in a clamp, hearing goes dim, my speech slurs and my eyesight goes.

From half a sodding chocolate.

Fortunately it wore off 10 minutes later, was just left with wobbly legs and faint feeling of sickness.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 November, 2017, 12:46:57 pm
>:( that's extremely annoying. Glad it passed quickly and hope you had minimal lingering effects.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 November, 2017, 01:10:01 pm
Yikes. Not the best way to end a meal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 24 November, 2017, 03:12:48 pm
So - MrsC and I went out for a meal, somewhere expensive. Enjoyed meal (although I was a bit underwhelmed by the food and £XX for a bottle of ok wine is 8|)
   
Then she ordered a coffee, which came with a chocolate, looked like a truffle. She bit off half of it, didn't want the other half as it was a sort of caramel, handed it to me. Hmm, nicely coffee flavoured toffee/caramel . . . um, this is made with coffee. Real coffee. and a migraine kicks in.

Restaurant spins round, heaves up and down, head in a clamp, hearing goes dim, my speech slurs and my eyesight goes.

From half a sodding chocolate.

Fortunately it wore off 10 minutes later, was just left with wobbly legs and faint feeling of sickness.

Oops. So does that mean the recommended 3 to 4 cups of coffee per day are out, or just chocolate?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 November, 2017, 03:45:22 pm
I eat loads of chocolate

So it must have been the coffee in the chocolate. I haven't been able to drink coffee for some time. Just can't believe it took so little to affect me. Spoiled the evening
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 24 November, 2017, 04:10:07 pm
I can imagine and sympathize. Hope you're fully recovered now?

Mike
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 November, 2017, 04:14:00 pm
Oh, fully recovered, thanks. I used to get multiple episodes like that per day, several per hour (but worse).

Just so damn irritated that it took so little to trigger on, and that it had to happen when having a rare evening out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 November, 2017, 06:52:56 pm
That'll be the Patellofemoral pain starting again on the left knee  :(

At least no blocks of flats on my new rounds!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 November, 2017, 09:46:53 am
Mrs T42's hearing has been degenerating noticeably over the last year, and now she's experiencing visual snow in one eye. Doing a bit of research on line she's found that both effects are listed against statins. Having naturally high cholesterol levels she's been on quite a heavy dose for years, and the particular statin she's on - pravastatin - is cited as being one of the common culprits.

She's off to the quack tomorrow to try and get things put right.

I've been on the same one for ten years, with the dosage bumped up since last year, so I'm wondering how long it'll be before my own eyes start going funny.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 01 December, 2017, 03:39:30 pm
So I now am on a course of antibiotics for my cough as it's been ongoing for a while. Chest X-ray booked as well.

Wrist appointment on Monday.

Meanwhile colorectal surgery department have written back to offer an appointment for the next stage of investigation there.

One more condition and I'll be able to shout "House!"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 01 December, 2017, 04:31:08 pm
He'll only see you if it's not lupus
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 December, 2017, 04:36:05 pm
~It's never lupus or Behcet's
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 01 December, 2017, 08:46:01 pm
I had my eyes looked at with those dilation drops in late this afternoon. Most frustrating trying to use a computer, even several hours later.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2017, 11:02:31 pm
Following my colonoscopy and stuff, GP has confirmed I have IBS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 03 December, 2017, 05:45:11 pm
IBS is a sort of non diagnosis (after they have failed to find anything significant in tests) in my experience. They have given up running tests I assume? Hope they settle down soon...

My guts have been playing up for a week or 2. Always kinda panics me at first, because I had an obstruction necessitating surgery and 2 weeks in hospital (and a long time off), but it seems to just go away again and they can't find anything hence -> IBS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 04 December, 2017, 10:40:42 am
ECU tenosynovitis is relatively rare. ECU subsheath damage is more common and loss of a small area of lining below the ECU tendon where it point loads over the distal ulna is quite common.

You really need a top quality local hand surgeon who just does hands.  PM me if I can advise

That's interesting - thanks. I have been given three surgeons to pick from and one of them seems to be much more of a hand specialist than the others - I reckon he's the one then!

The consultant I saw this morning quickly came to a similar conclusion, MRI booked to have a look-see.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 December, 2017, 10:57:54 am
Excellent
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 04 December, 2017, 11:47:08 am
Just back from the optician. Found out why getting my right eye corrected is so difficult (as in, not actually possible). Turns out I have a scar right across the centre of my eyeball. Having ruled out any past incidences of welding or stone-cutting without eye-protection, the best theory we could come up with was that a piece of road grit could have got lodged under my eyelid when out cycling once. I have vague memories of things in my eye - just assumed it was a bug or something.

So, forget the h*lmet debate - time to open up the "All cyclists should wear eye protection" debate  :thumbsup:.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 04 December, 2017, 03:03:24 pm
About 4 years ago I saw my GP about the terrible pain in my knees. I've had the problem for thirty, or more, years but it became a Lot worse and more frequent, longer lasting, sessions. He had a look, feel, move around Etc. He said "Welcome to Osteo-arthritis! I take Naproxen daily but, in the past six months, they don't seem to help at all. The past couple of months has taken it to the level of Permanent Agony.
1/. Any advice on things I can do myself? walk/Don't walk, Ride/don't ride, Sitting position or anything at all I can try.
2/. I already use Pain-Killers (Dihydrocodeine, Tramadol) as well as the Naproxen. Any thought on what would replace the Naproxen, without any bad interactions to the other stuff?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 December, 2017, 03:46:36 pm
Movement helps
Warmth local to the joint helps
General advice is avoid stressing the joint - so keeping weight down is important.
Osteoarthritis does not seem to be a one-direction street. Cartilage can regrow, given the right conditions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 04 December, 2017, 03:51:02 pm
I assume you have had the knees xrayed and they are not showing bone-on-bone - meaning the meniscus has gone? If the meniscus has disappeared then a knee replacement is in your immediate future. Nothing to worry about with that, apart from the expected inconvenience for a while, you could be back to normal in a matter of months. If however, you still have cartilage, you might see if the physician (NHS?) will swing for a MRI. If the pain is actually muscle related, you might find a therapist who will use electric therapy on the problem muscle.

As for pain meds - nsaid's often help - I prefer Ibuprofin to Naproxen - and knee strengthening exercises  for the hamstrings and quads together with plenty of non-load bearing activities - for which cycling is best could improve the quality of your life.

Keep in touch.

Charlie.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: giropaul on 04 December, 2017, 04:20:22 pm
There is increasing evidence that NSAIDs plus hard exercise can be an issue. There is work in progress at a couple of University departments on this topic. For me prolonged NSAID use led to significant muscle weakness and loss of limb control ( embarrassing when one falls over trying to dismount the bike!). Stopping taking  the NSAIDs saw a rapid improvement.
Just left with crippling osteoarthritis in upper limbs then. There is no cartilage left, so nothing to regenerate, just keep ( carefully) taking the pain killers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 05 December, 2017, 02:56:57 pm
I wasn't told, and didn't ask, if cartilage was thinned or gone. I had spent 3 half-days a week in Hospital for various treatments from 1975 to 1977 and I have a Memory of them talking to my Mam about Removing the cartilage. I'm sure that didn't happen as, up to the mid 90's, I was Very fit and active and knee problems only flared up occasionally.  I should be able to book an appointment with by GP,sometime before next April, so I'll try to negotiate an MRI then. Thanks for the help so far. Please keep any more knowledge coming.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 December, 2017, 03:28:07 pm
Cartilage can regrow from almost nothing. I have personal experience of this but only as a child - it may be different when you are an adult.
However it was my belief the there are few tissues (spinal cord?) in the body that cannot regrow. Even tooth enamel, to an extent, will regenerate.

There are many types of arthritis; osteoarthritis, to my amateur knowledge is usually caused by malformation or other damage to a joint that causes excessive wear. Reform the joint, reduce the stress, stretch (so that the joint is not under compression all the time) and the cartilage can regrow and reduce the pain.

It is a subject I keep a close eye on as it is the usual cause of very early needing an artificial hip for ex-Perthes patients; many in their 30s.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 December, 2017, 01:53:50 pm
I am surprised that hellymedic has not weighed in on this one. my understanding is that cartilage except in very young children does not regrow.  If cartilage could regrow we would not do joint replacement.

Hyaline cartilage may regrow but articular cartilage does not. 

osteoarthritis is a fascinating condition.  A very large proportion of its causation is genetic.  Probably 80%+ but damage to the hoint at any time leading to a significant step will increase the risk of arthritis.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 06 December, 2017, 02:19:21 pm
There are ways of stimulating the growth of cartilage, but they are never pleasant:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfracture_surgery
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 06 December, 2017, 02:25:43 pm
And you get hyaline cartilage rather than articulatar iirc, so it’s not anything like as good as the original surface and can only be used to repair small defects.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 06 December, 2017, 03:26:43 pm
And it needs a big period of time off, and it's not enormously reliable. Maybe worth it if it can prolong your multi-million dollar career, but unless the rewards are huge I suspect the replacement type options are actually more palatable. Obviously the usual "not a doctor" caveats apply. ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 December, 2017, 03:34:25 pm
microfracture surgery is really great if you are a sports doctor attached to a majorleague franchise or even a significant private practise.  I have read nothing which makes me think that it has the ability to really heal cartilage.  it will produce some blood clot and a scar, possibly cheap, useless hyaline cartilage in the laboratory animal.  Fundamentally it is placebo surgery for the patient and non placebo surgery for the surgeons wallet.

If I really thought it would help I would be doing it on all the arthritis patients I see every week.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2017, 03:36:26 pm
I am surprised that hellymedic has not weighed in on this one. my understanding is that cartilage except in very young children does not regrow.  If cartilage could regrow we would not do joint replacement.

I have been minimally indisposed following a somewhat complex dental extraction and a visit to my aged parents yesterday.
Abnormal service will be resumed when I can be *rsed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 December, 2017, 03:43:45 pm
Quote
I have been minimally indisposed following a somewhat complex dental extraction and a visit to my aged parents yesterday.

Sorry to hear that.  Hope you are better soon. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2017, 04:00:38 pm
I'm fine! Thanks!1
I have just spent somewhat less time on this computer because of Real Life.

1) Don't seem to need analgesics, not bleeding, minimally fatigued.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 06 December, 2017, 04:07:41 pm
microfracture surgery is really great if you are a sports doctor attached to a majorleague franchise or even a significant private practise.  I have read nothing which makes me think that it has the ability to really heal cartilage.  it will produce some blood clot and a scar, possibly cheap, useless hyaline cartilage in the laboratory animal.  Fundamentally it is placebo surgery for the patient and non placebo surgery for the surgeons wallet.

If I really thought it would help I would be doing it on all the arthritis patients I see every week.

I thought so too, but my ortho docs assure me cartilage regrowth is a thing of myth perpetrated by quack on-line sites. Once cartilage (meniscus) goes, there is no turning back the clock. I wish it were otherwise. I have a titanium knee and it is likely the other knee will need the same in time to come.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 06 December, 2017, 05:17:44 pm
Articular cartilage != meniscus.
The first one lines the ends of the bones to provide a low friction surface (hence the theory around microfracture producing a clot on the end of the bones).
The latter appears in 2 C shaped plates near (hanging off?) the collateral ligaments and stabilise and cushion the knee bones.

I've torn my medial meniscus twice and have (recurring) kneecap tracking issues that inflame the articular cartilage on the back of the kneecap (plus MCL and ACL tears). Hence an amateur interest in knee injuries and their treatment... ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2017, 05:22:16 pm
Don't seem to need analgesics, not bleeding, minimally fatigued.

Mental note:  Hellymedic's used up all the dental karma.  Avoid eating hard foods for a while.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2017, 06:17:55 pm
Don't seem to need analgesics, not bleeding, minimally fatigued.

Mental note:  Hellymedic's used up all the dental karma.  Avoid eating hard foods for a while.

Rejected salads at lunch time. Was fine with Ruff Nut and Kit Kat.

Will be dining with Brent Cyclists later. Reckon most Indian veggie foods will be OK and there's always Lassi & Kulfi!

Might take a couple of Vit I before I leave the house; might not bother.

I have NO discomfort if I don't bring my teeth together.

I have every intention of taking things a bit easy and half-following the dentist's advice. (He suggested 48 hours analgesics and they've been tapered. Leaflet stated 'no rinsing 24 hours' but advised keeping other teeth meticulously clean. I brushed & flossed elsewhere, then swilled GENTLY.) Some advice is somewhat contradictory!

Extraction was a lower tooth but it seems upper teeth complain most on chewing; Suspect cantileverage!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2017, 07:27:14 pm
I can go home with a surprising amount of pain simply from having my jaw held open for prolonged prodding-about.  I had TMJ problems as a teenager, which cleared up when I reached adulthood (I assume due to reduction in stress), but it's never been entirely happy about that sort of thing.

This, combined with the pain of evaporative cooling when they use suction means the hygienist doing their polishing thing can be at least as traumatic as actual dental surgery, sometimes more so.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 06 December, 2017, 07:35:35 pm
And it needs a big period of time off, and it's not enormously reliable. Maybe worth it if it can prolong your multi-million dollar career, but unless the rewards are huge I suspect the replacement type options are actually more palatable. Obviously the usual "not a doctor" caveats apply. ;)

In my case I had microfracture of the retropatella with  12 weeks off work on crutches recovery(surgery november 2015). So far it has been successful, considering I'm employed as a postie walking upwards of 10 miles a day.  A shame it seems my left knee is now going the same way...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 December, 2017, 10:32:07 pm
No pain at all?

That is the great thing about a good placebo.  It carries minimal risks and the patient gets better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2017, 11:03:47 pm
Put the Vit I in the wheelchair's back pocket, where it remained untroubled until my return home, when I put it away. I have no sensation of even minimal mouth discomfort so see no point in any kind of medication. The Vit I that I took yesterday expired over 5 years ago. I take these things at the drop of a hat, really I do but isn't very often!
The lassi was so thick that the straw stood up by itself and I ate so much other stuff there was never room for kulfi!
I am FULL, pain-free and happy - which can't be bad...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 December, 2017, 02:51:00 pm
I seem to have meralgia paraesthetica on both sides, left worse than right.
I initially thought this was an MS thing.
I do not possess jeans of any sort, never mind skinny jeans.
I am not obese.
I have not lost weight recently.
I only wear my bumbag when I go out and don't stand at all then.
Excess exercise is not a factor.

It is possible my trousers might be a bit tight over the kips and thighs when I sit.

Think I'll go back to BIG trousers...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 10 December, 2017, 08:46:57 pm
Bah. I was shovelling snow earlier, and I kicked at an annoying bit with my left foot.  It didn't move, but my knee twinged. I continued shovelling as if I didn't then I couldn't get out of my close, and it didn't hurt. Now it's sore, and feels just like when I've tweaked my MCL before. :( My left knee is supposed to be the good one. :(

I had managed to do 9 weeks of uninterrupted Trainer Road training. Since then I've had a week off because no energy, then a cold, now a bad knee (and if it's MCL then it'll be sore for 4-6 weeks). :( Back to square 1.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 December, 2017, 07:43:37 am
Sympathies.  I had a jolly time shovelling snow yesterday, then an hour later sciatica said "wotcher!" in cheery tones.  Didn't stay long but it's hanging around outside, just waiting.

Then it rained like buggery and the snow's gone, apart from the odd heap.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 11 December, 2017, 11:30:03 am
Frustrating, isn't it?

I came down with a cold, and injured my wrist, within a day of each other. On 2nd October, my CTL was 65. By 10th November I'd managed to train twice and my CTL dropped as low as 26 as I started ramping back up on the 17th. My CTL will only recover to 39 by this Friday, after 4 weeks, so it will likely be February before I'm back where I was 4 months previously.

=> I hope that you recover from your cold faster than I did and that your knee isn't as badly hurt as you fear.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 December, 2017, 12:07:54 pm
I'm not too good with abbreviations, sorry!

What is CTL?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 11 December, 2017, 12:52:15 pm
I'm not too good with abbreviations, sorry!

What is CTL?

Chronic training load. It’s a measure of accumulated training stress (ie fitness). Its corollary is ATL (acute training load) or fatigue. When you do a workout both CTL and ATL metrics increase. But when you rest, ATL drops faster (as in tapering or during a recovery week).

This can be plotted over time. https://flic.kr/p/213wq26

The blue is CTL, purple is ATL and yellow is the difference between today’s CTL and yesterday’s ATL which is form. The big spikes in ATL are long Audax rides.

The far right of the graph is in the future so includes some planned training I’ve entered. I’ve entered up to the end of the recovery week at the end of my current training block.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 13 December, 2017, 09:10:10 am
Frustrating, isn't it?

I came down with a cold, and injured my wrist, within a day of each other. On 2nd October, my CTL was 65. By 10th November I'd managed to train twice and my CTL dropped as low as 26 as I started ramping back up on the 17th. My CTL will only recover to 39 by this Friday, after 4 weeks, so it will likely be February before I'm back where I was 4 months previously.

=> I hope that you recover from your cold faster than I did and that your knee isn't as badly hurt as you fear.
That sucks. I don't know how to calculate CTL - TR shows that my weekly TSS has been between 170 and 260 (with the exception of the rest week and the cold week).
My cold has abated without really getting going, and my knee is sometimes sore but not excessively painful.  My hamstrings and glutes are still super tight and sore. I'll give it all a test tomorrow (though I don't think Kaiser is the ride to do it with - might just skip to Lamark and dial it down a bit!). I think that will then illustrate whether I can ride with this knee or whether I'll have to wait until after Christmas...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 13 December, 2017, 10:59:11 am
CTL is, I think expressed as TSS/day so eventually a weekly TSS of 280 would stabilise with a CTL of around 40, I think. It's a longer term rolling average than weekly, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 14 December, 2017, 12:16:05 pm
What's Total Suspended Solids got to do with training. Health I can understand as you end up with poorly treated water (be it potable or effluent).  ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 December, 2017, 11:32:54 am
MrsC has been on 3 months of injections to prep her for a major op.

Just been for her pre-op and the injections have sent her bp sky-high (she normally has low BP).

187/91

Op might get postphoned now.
Since this is a known side effect might it have been a good idea to have checked her BP over the last 3 months?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 18 December, 2017, 11:48:59 am
What's Total Suspended Solids got to do with training. Health I can understand as you end up with poorly treated water (be it potable or effluent).  ;)

Training Stress Score.

Basically a metric equating the potential fitness gained from a particular workout. It's relative to your current fitness (i.e. if a stronger rider produces the same power output over a workout, TSS is lower) and is supposed to be invariant over workout type, so a higher intensity workout with lower duration can give the same TSS as a longer one with lower intensity.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 20 December, 2017, 12:28:35 pm
So my wrist pain has mostly been caused by a glanglion cyst on the back of the wrist and not by the original injury, which seems to have healed well - there was a slight increase in brightness over the ecu tendon at the subsheath but nothing of concern, and I have the all clear to return to normal activity.

Cyst may go away on its own or might require treatment, but it's just about the best possible outcome.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 December, 2017, 01:46:37 pm
 :thumbsup:

Meanwhile, I just got the medical certificate I need to get my comprehensive FFCT insurance for another year. "Including competitions", it reads. Wow. They must mean "Dirtiest Bike", "Flattest tyre" and the like.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 December, 2017, 11:23:16 am
Oh dear oh dear

My brother poured scorn and hideous criticism on my half-aspirin habit a few years back "They'll kill you" etc etc

He's just been told he has the coronary arteries of a 69-yr-old (he is 54 this year and used to pride himself on his low heart rate and fitness). In telling me this he sent me a link to an extensive article that, amongst other things, extolled the virtues of taking aspirin regularly (if there is a familial history of cardio issues).

I think there is a German word for this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 December, 2017, 09:46:00 am
If he has the coronary arteries of yrs. trly. (age 70¾) he's lacking 50% of normal capacity. Give him my sympathy and a box of Gaviscon (aspirin does that to me).

Anyway, I'm here to sing the praises of a hard mattress. My dodgy sacroiliac has been singing rude songs for the last couple of weeks, and I finally prevailed on madame to sideline the nice new mattress she ordered me (we have side-by-side 90-cm mattresses in a double-bed frame) four years back and allow me to revert to the "horrible" 20-year-old mattress that I loved. Three nights on that and I not only slept like a top but the sacroiliac has shut its yap and I did 84k yesterday without a twinge.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 25 December, 2017, 02:43:53 pm
I’ve got “golfers elbow”. In both elbows. I have never played golf.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 December, 2017, 03:10:08 pm
Ouch! Partner has/had this too and isn't a golfer.
Suspect lugging my wheelchair provoked this.

GP sent him for physio, which helped but he's forgotten the exercises.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 25 December, 2017, 08:13:26 pm
I’m squeezing tennis balls to strengthen the muscles. Plus ibuprofen.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 December, 2017, 08:29:41 am
I’ve got “golfers elbow”. In both elbows. I have never played golf.  :-\

Gin-slinger's elbow?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 03 January, 2018, 05:18:45 pm
Aussie flu: not pleasant.  Felt like I'd been hit by a train over Christmas, and my lung function status is halfway been 'emphysema' and 'pleurisy'.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 January, 2018, 12:30:34 pm
At the beginning of November, I fell over in my bedroom (sober, I just tripped over my feet I think) and landed really hard with my shin on my jewellery box, which is a sturdy hard metal box. You know how much shin injuries hurt. I tried RICE over that weekend, kept my leg up as much as possible over the next few weeks, tried NSAIDS and voltarol gel (left over from whatever I did to myself last). Eventually the bruising disappeared but my shin still has a massive swollen patch, and I can't put any weight on it at all. Knocking it, kneeling on a soft mattress or cushion, even using it to close a kitchen drawer, all sore enough to make me shriek, wince, lose my breath and cry a bit.

I rang the NHS msk physio line yesterday and they said "see your GP" so I saw my GP and she said "get an x-ray" so this afternoon I'm going to get an x-ray.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 04 January, 2018, 03:12:29 pm
Ouch, hopefully nothing serious EG.

^^ reminds me I need to see my GP, I think I have some form of tendonitis in both of my elbows.  No pain on movement generally, but tender to the touch without any bruising. Been that way for a few weeks, but I can't think what might have caused it, other than general vibration/road bumps on the bike
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 04 January, 2018, 06:42:42 pm
^^ reminds me I need to see my GP, I think I have some form of tendonitis in both of my elbows.  No pain on movement generally, but tender to the touch without any bruising. Been that way for a few weeks, but I can't think what might have caused it, other than general vibration/road bumps on the bike

Outside or inside, Tennis or Golfers? There's plenty of 'cures' on Youtube to look at. Been there done that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 January, 2018, 09:38:52 pm
At the beginning of November, I fell over in my bedroom (sober, I just tripped over my feet I think) and landed really hard with my shin on my jewellery box, which is a sturdy hard metal box. You know how much shin injuries hurt. I tried RICE over that weekend, kept my leg up as much as possible over the next few weeks, tried NSAIDS and voltarol gel (left over from whatever I did to myself last). Eventually the bruising disappeared but my shin still has a massive swollen patch, and I can't put any weight on it at all. Knocking it, kneeling on a soft mattress or cushion, even using it to close a kitchen drawer, all sore enough to make me shriek, wince, lose my breath and cry a bit.

I rang the NHS msk physio line yesterday and they said "see your GP" so I saw my GP and she said "get an x-ray" so this afternoon I'm going to get an x-ray.

She's been waiting a long time for that x-ray.....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 05 January, 2018, 11:17:38 am
^^ reminds me I need to see my GP, I think I have some form of tendonitis in both of my elbows.  No pain on movement generally, but tender to the touch without any bruising. Been that way for a few weeks, but I can't think what might have caused it, other than general vibration/road bumps on the bike

Outside or inside, Tennis or Golfers? There's plenty of 'cures' on Youtube to look at. Been there done that.

Yep same here. Tennis elbow in my left arm a couple of years ago exacerbated by using a rowing machine. Currently have golfers elbow both sides, NAIDS plus tenni s ball squeezing is easing it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 05 January, 2018, 04:26:50 pm
Underneath/at the back, where it typically rests on a desk/table.  I'm not sure of the structure of an elbow, never had any issues there before.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 January, 2018, 01:51:40 pm
Underneath/at the back, where it typically rests on a desk/table.  I'm not sure of the structure of an elbow, never had any issues there before.

Students' elbow aka olecranon bursitis...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 06 January, 2018, 01:54:06 pm
That's what I was thinking as a possibility, looking at elbow structure yesterday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2018, 01:18:04 am
Stolen from Facebook
Bristol Stool Chart
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 07 January, 2018, 08:02:29 am
Thank you for that!

Gives the lie to the notion that 'You can never have too much chocolate'.

I could ask you to explain what it means . . . but I fear that would be too much information before breakfast!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 January, 2018, 08:22:51 am
Falling between stools must be a rather messy business.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 07 January, 2018, 11:28:28 am
Would leave you dans le chocolat.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2018, 01:15:55 pm
Thank you for that!

Gives the lie to the notion that 'You can never have too much chocolate'.

I could ask you to explain what it means . . . but I fear that would be too much information before breakfast!

Google might be your friend. Suggest you use the words in my previous post...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 January, 2018, 02:04:17 pm
What on earth do you have to eat to produce Cadbury's Flake?  :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 07 January, 2018, 02:07:43 pm
Vegetarian lasagne?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: TPMB12 on 10 January, 2018, 09:15:35 pm
Can sleep levels affect energy levels drastically?

I have commuted by bike the same route, same time, on the same bike for a number of years. My times have been consistent over three years. Then two years ago I slowed down in the autumn until spring before returning to my original speed. Reason could be that I developed mild asthma (possibly EIA). However after last winter I didn't recover my pace until later. Then I slowed again after perhaps 2 months not almost 6 as before.

Right now I'm feeling like I've hit a brick wall. The only thing I can think could have caused it is sleep or lack of it. About one hour less. Could that be the reason? Or could there be something else? BTW after Xmas it got a lot worse. Two weeks with less cycling could be an affect but it's just so severe that two weeks laziness can't be the reason.

Any Internet diagnoses for cycling through treacle?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 January, 2018, 08:09:52 am
Start with the known variables: fix your sleeping pattern (if possible) and then see.

---o0o---

Me own curiosity this fair morn* is that I'm bursting with energy such as I have not felt since the days before I was diabetic. Thanks to diet & drugs I usually wake up feeling like shit warmed up on a shovel and have to drag myself round until breakfast kicks in and I begin to rise out of the slough. Last night, however, there being a shitload of little black puddings** left over from New Year and on the point of being chucked out, I said "well, that'd be a shame" and ate most of them (the dogs helped). Later on I felt a bit queasy and bunged in a couple of clementines to cut the fat. This morning I'm bouncing like a Trill budgie***.

Doc'll probably moan about cholesterol and say "don't do it again". :(

* lie
** en masse they do look like that
*** was it Les Dawson who complained "I shoved two pounds into the little bugger and he wouldn't bounce a ruddy inch"?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 11 January, 2018, 08:52:57 am
I had a yawn last night that was so big I couldn't take a breath deep enough to finish it. That was really frustrating. I feel like I'm still getting the last of it out.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 11 January, 2018, 10:46:55 am
Hopefully on the final cold/flu symptoms and my RHR is finally starting to come down (my HR didn't go below 70bpm the other day where it is usually in the low 50s whilst sitting around).

At least it's a good excuse not to go for a run.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 11 January, 2018, 11:23:12 pm
^^^
I had black pudding last night, felt like shit today, but that could have been the overheated hotel room and late night.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 11 January, 2018, 11:24:25 pm
Anorectal physiology tests tomorrow. That should be fun. No picolax required this time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 January, 2018, 11:37:04 pm
Good luck!
Are they suspecting late-onset Hirschsprung?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 12 January, 2018, 12:39:56 am
Good luck!
Are they suspecting late-onset Hirschsprung?

That's not been suggested. A mucosal slippage is one possibility.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2018, 01:32:12 am
Hope all goes well, anyway!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 12 January, 2018, 08:07:26 am
On a similar subject, there's a doctor wanting to shove a camera up my bum next week, I'm a little disappointed to have Moviprep not Picolax, given familiarity with the Picolax brand name, I'll get over it I'm sure. I'm actually thinking I will use the occasion to kick start the shedding of my winter plumage, so may start low calorie intake from Saturday (for a Tuesday appointment)

Reading through the advice, it says avoid foods with fibre for 2 -3 days prior, and lists examples of such food. Wholemeal bread, Fruit. And... yoghurt ????? WTF? I'm thinking they listed it because of a general inability to differentiate between yoghurt and yoghurt with fruit. Anyone think there may be something else to it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2018, 01:33:30 pm
Having had Moviprep prior to a colonoscopy myself I should say that the lo-res diet is VERY VERY BORING and you will almost die of boredom if not starvation. You'll eat less just because food is not very tempting, but probably won't mount a big energy deficit.
Moviprep was, for me, effective without being to drastic.
Good luck with procedure and weight loss!

ETA Just looked at my weight reports around the time of my colonoscopy (31/10/2013). I might have lost 0.5kg that month so any difference was not very much...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2018, 08:14:40 pm
** tests tomorrow. That should be fun.

Hope you weathered this OK!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 12 January, 2018, 08:19:33 pm
** tests tomorrow. That should be fun.

Hope you weathered this OK!

There are better ways to spend a morning, but it wasn't so bad. No physical issues found, but some dietary changes (more soluble fibre, less insoluble) might help. There are also some exercises to try and adjustments (having a box to place feet on when going to the loo).


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2018, 08:30:25 pm
There is a reason I DO NOT WANT the raised toilet seat that the OTs think is a Good Idea...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 12 January, 2018, 10:36:05 pm
Reading through the advice, it says avoid foods with fibre for 2 -3 days prior, and lists examples of such food. Wholemeal bread, Fruit. And... yoghurt ????? WTF? I'm thinking they listed it because of a general inability to differentiate between yoghurt and yoghurt with fruit. Anyone think there may be something else to it?

Always wondered about this myself. I had assumed it was because yogurt must result in some sort of chalky residue regardless of fibre content or added fruit etc..

There does seem to be a lot of variation in the prep advice available online from various hospitals and bum doctors, from “no yoghurt” to “no set yoghurt” (because that has fibre added to it) to “no fruit or grain-containing yoghurt”, so I think there is something else to it rather than my imagined chalky stuff.

As an aside, I have noted the last couple of times that senna is no longer on the prep menu. Not much in it but I think the process kicks off less abruptly sans senna.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2018, 10:47:13 pm
Senna's a crap laxative...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 January, 2018, 10:30:19 am
Ayrton will haunt you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 16 January, 2018, 12:13:00 pm
Having the snip in a couple of hours...  :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 January, 2018, 12:14:58 pm
Good luck, mend well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 January, 2018, 01:13:58 pm
There is a reason I DO NOT WANT the raised toilet seat that the OTs think is a Good Idea...
It IS a good idea if the lowness of your toilet makes it difficult for you to get on/off.  We can always give you a bath step to prop your feet on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 January, 2018, 01:17:35 pm
Having the snip in a couple of hours...  :o

Our dogs had that.  Maybe not the same one, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 January, 2018, 01:47:03 pm
There is a reason I DO NOT WANT the raised toilet seat that the OTs think is a Good Idea...
It IS a good idea if the lowness of your toilet makes it difficult for you to get on/off.  We can always give you a bath step to prop your feet on.

More clutter to trip over and fall off: no thanks!

I have had major issues with 'helpful' raised toilets when on holiday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 16 January, 2018, 05:13:35 pm
Good luck, mend well!
Thanks helly, a bit sore but nothing compared to Mrs Legs' travails...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 18 January, 2018, 04:58:02 pm
GP Practices don't make it easy to see a GP do they.....

For the best part of a year (or maybe even two or three, I can't remember not having it...) I've had a scab which hasn't healed in the cartilage on the outer edge of my left ear. 

So I thought it best to get it looked at.

So I popped in to GP to enquire about booking an appointment for the following week at a time outwith working hours (i tend to finish work after 3pm).

No, the Keeper Of The Appointments replied, you can only get an appointment on the same day. So either apply in person when the surgery opens at 8am, or phone from 8:30am when the lines will be engaged, and if there are any appointments free on the same day, then you may be able to get one if the Planets Align....   :facepalm:

I'm sure the wee scabby thing on my ear isn't anything to be concerned about (avoiding googling Basal Cell Carcinoma!), but would rather get it checked out to be on the safe side...  especially since I work outdoors all year round.... 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 January, 2018, 05:28:26 pm

No, the Keeper Of The Appointments replied, you can only get an appointment on the same day. So either apply in person when the surgery opens at 8am, or phone from 8:30am when the lines will be engaged, and if there are any appointments free on the same day, then you may be able to get one if the Planets Align....   :facepalm:
They are telling you bolloks, Brian. All GP surgeries are obliged to offer electronic facilities to book appointments online, ahead of time. So they can certainly book appointments ahead
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 January, 2018, 05:54:56 pm
I suspect your attempt to escape reading about Basal Cell Carcinoma is based on a high probability of this being the diagnosis.

These are easily treated with surgery or radiotherapy if treated reasonably early. Good luck with getting this sorted promptly!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 January, 2018, 06:05:46 pm

No, the Keeper Of The Appointments replied, you can only get an appointment on the same day. So either apply in person when the surgery opens at 8am, or phone from 8:30am when the lines will be engaged, and if there are any appointments free on the same day, then you may be able to get one if the Planets Align....   :facepalm:
They are telling you bolloks, Brian. All GP surgeries are obliged to offer electronic facilities to book appointments online, ahead of time. So they can certainly book appointments ahead
But you typically need to first attend in person in order to be given a password or whatever which then allows you to register on the online booking system, so it's still cumbersome.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Veloman on 18 January, 2018, 06:24:08 pm
I'm sure the wee scabby thing on my ear isn't anything to be concerned about (avoiding googling Basal Cell Carcinoma!), but would rather get it checked out to be on the safe side...  especially since I work outdoors all year round....

Sounds very much like BCC and I have become very acquainted with them over the last 15yrs. I often despair seeing some folk in the specialist clinics or day surgery and wondering why on earth did you not get it seen earlier!

Bloke across the road had similar experience to you and it was quickly sorted via some day patients surgery. It did require more surgery than would have been necessary had he gone earlier.

As it has been there for some time it is not going to suddenly disappear so needs to be checked. Any dark bits or has it bled a tiny bit? Need to get it checked as it is free and is the sensible thing to do.

BCC is no big deal if you sort it before it gets bigger and causes more distress to you when something needs to be done. I am rather prone to them and have regular check-ups and bits removed when necessary (all done in the Plastic Surgery Dept!). After which, get into the slip, slap, slop habit when outside.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2018, 06:25:37 pm
On the other hand, the Keeper Of The Appointments will tend to be somewhat less obstructive when you use words like 'suspected carcinoma', which is prudent if they ask you if it's an emergency.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 18 January, 2018, 06:49:50 pm
Thanks for the replies peeps!

Yes, it has bled. It tends to scab up, I then end up scratching the scab off, rinse and repeat...   :facepalm: So going to make an appointment ASAP to get it looked at.

Question is, do I let mother dearest know first, or wait till I get a diagnosis.... 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 January, 2018, 06:55:38 pm
The silly thing is that you should be able to send a good quality photo of this thing as an email attachment and that should be flashed on the GP's screen PDQ without this whole stupid telephone runaround.

But that's a bit easy.

I know security and confidentiality are another matter.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Veloman on 18 January, 2018, 07:37:09 pm
Question is, do I let mother dearest know first, or wait till I get a diagnosis....

I would wait as after the Dr you will no doubt be referred to the hospital to see a specialist who will confirm and provide a plan to treat the little miscreant and then Mother can be informed that all is under control and hospital doing a wonderful job sorting it out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 January, 2018, 08:38:28 pm
Question is, do I let mother dearest know first, or wait till I get a diagnosis....

I would wait as after the Dr you will no doubt be referred to the hospital to see a specialist who will confirm and provide a plan to treat the little miscreant and then Mother can be informed that all is under control and hospital doing a wonderful job sorting it out.
This.

BCC are eminently treatable, should not be taken lightly but also can be mistake for something else. No need to worry your mum unduly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 18 January, 2018, 09:15:29 pm
Well, I've been and spoken to mother dearest about it. She was glad I told her, as she agrees its better I get it looked at, and we'll deal with it as a family, whatever happens!   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Veloman on 18 January, 2018, 09:28:25 pm
Well, I've been and spoken to mother dearest about it. She was glad I told her, as she agrees its better I get it looked at, and we'll deal with it as a family, whatever happens!   :)

Sharing it is also good as it is no longer a secret and you have one less matter to concern yourself with.

Glad you're off to see Dr and any subsequent treatments will be rather similar to going to the dentist or having a verruca removed: all very straightforward and matter of fact once you have had been through the regime a few times. And yes, I have had them treated by applying cream, frozen off and having them removed with a scalpel. You have no worries and embrace the processes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 18 January, 2018, 10:03:46 pm
Well, I've been and spoken to mother dearest about it. She was glad I told her, as she agrees its better I get it looked at, and we'll deal with it as a family, whatever happens!   :)

Sharing it is also good as it is no longer a secret and you have one less matter to concern yourself with.

Glad you're off to see Dr and any subsequent treatments will be rather similar to going to the dentist or having a verruca removed: all very straightforward and matter of fact once you have had been through the regime a few times. And yes, I have had them treated by applying cream, frozen off and having them removed with a scalpel. You have no worries and embrace the processes.

Thanks Veloman, and everyone else who has replied.  Will see if / when I can get a GP appointment arranged... No doubt there will be no appointments for 3 weeks, yet only be able to make an appointment on the day....  Will mention "Suspected Carcinoma" to the keeper of the appointments, Kim!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 19 January, 2018, 04:16:06 pm
Well, I waited patiently at the front door of the GP surgery for it opening at 8am, and managed to bag an appoinment for 9am, then heading into work for 8:10am. Luckily work is close by!. Line manager was annoyed at the timing of my appointment though, as I had to pop out for half an hour from 8:45 to get the appointment... The only other appointment would have been 1:30pm, which would have been half way round my rounds.... 

Dismissive Locum GP was dismissive (perhaps that's an essential part of their training, to be dismissive?) and saying at first that I was too young to get anything like a basil cell carcinoma.  Then he looked again at my notes, and saw my age (40) and said it is possible, but unlikely.  I emphasised that the scab hasn't healed in well over a year, and is scabbing over and bleeding, and getting itchy.

So the GP has prescribed some antifungal cream (Daktacort) for me to apply twice a day (mainly to rule a fungal infection out), and he will arrange for me to be seen by the dermatology department.  Should expect a letter in 10-14 days. 

 :o :facepalm:  ::-) :'( :-[

Not sure what to make of this whole situation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 January, 2018, 04:51:04 pm
I'm very glad to hear you have a reference to dermatology. Locum sounds like a right knob - age might be a risk factor, but so is an outdoor occupation, like, um, posties.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 January, 2018, 05:05:19 pm
Daktacort is an anti-fungal combined with a steroid, which would quell inflammation from a fungal infection.
Fungi tend to like warm, damp places. I don't think the outer ear is warm and damp. (The ear canal is another matter.)

I don't think the Daktacort will do any harm and a therapeutic trial can be a useful diagnostic medium.

I had a colleague who suffered BCCs very young (under 25 IIRC) which he attributed to school cricket.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 January, 2018, 04:19:27 pm
Thanks for the replies. As you say hellymedic, the antifungal medication will be a useful diagnostic trial, if anything at least it will be one less thing for the dermatologist to try.

I guess it'll be, what it's going to be.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 January, 2018, 04:24:24 pm
I don't know because I haven't looked but I'd guess there are enough images of BCCs on the ether for you to make an educated guess.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 21 January, 2018, 09:22:00 am
Oh dear, gutrot all round at Legs Towers.... :-X :sick: :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2018, 12:04:01 pm
Oh 5H1T!

Get well soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 21 January, 2018, 12:47:04 pm
Mummy and Andrew are now asleep, I'm just about to embark on Daniel's 7th nappy change since 6am (and he had a 2hr20m sleep mid-morning).  I had 'tops' yesterday and suspect that the only thing stopping me having ' bottoms' is the co-codamol I've been popping since my snip... :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 January, 2018, 12:57:38 pm
Sometimes you wish you could just plumb them in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2018, 01:07:03 pm
OBE = Open Both Ends...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 January, 2018, 02:27:37 pm
Someone defined a baby as an arrangement of uncontrolled orifices. Google appears to differ (https://www.google.fr/search?q=arrangement+of+uncontrolled+orifices&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVpsPCoenYAhXDaRQKHdZODD8QsAQILA&biw=1680&bih=937).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2018, 02:43:53 pm
My friend read a definition of a baby as a tube with a loud voice at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 23 January, 2018, 02:37:04 pm
Got my appointment through  for the dermatologist.

Tuesday 13th February at 9:40am.

Fingers crossed work will let me swap a day off the previous week, so I can take the Tuesday off  ::-). I would have offered to swap my Monday 12th February day off, but I'm getting new central heating boiler fitted that day... 

Trying not to sh*t bricks and avoiding google image searching Basal Cell Carcinoma.   :sick:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 January, 2018, 02:58:02 pm
Got my appointment through  for the dermatologist.

Tuesday 13th February at 9:40am.

Fingers crossed work will let me swap a day off the previous week, so I can take the Tuesday off  ::-). I would have offered to swap my Monday 12th February day off, but I'm getting new central heating boiler fitted that day... 

Trying not to sh*t bricks and avoiding google image searching Basal Cell Carcinoma.   :sick:
BCC are unpleasant, no denying that. But they are eminently treatable, highly unlikely to spread (unlike melanoma - I've had a precursor melanoma chopped out of my face, dermatologist took one look and was 50/50 on it being a melanoma, wanted to remove it there and then).

All of my family in australia have had BCC removed. Seems to be every couple of years for them now, they don't see it as a big deal. Best removed early to avoid scarring.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 23 January, 2018, 04:00:32 pm
Common problem in Oz and seen as only a run of the mill hassle in almost every instance.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Veloman on 23 January, 2018, 04:05:12 pm
Trying not to sh*t bricks and avoiding google image searching Basal Cell Carcinoma.   :sick:

Don't. No need to. As LWaB says, fairy routine in some countries and has become fairly routine for me.

Glad the system is embracing you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 23 January, 2018, 04:22:14 pm
I've had a few BCC's on my back and now do not spend time out in the sun without a shirt on. Not that shirts always prevent re-occurrence, but better than bare skin if you want to avoid the removal treatments.

I've had one Moh surgical procedure on between my eye and nose which seems the cancer there is not coming back.

We need the sun for Vitamin D, but too much is not good either. Best keep covered up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 January, 2018, 06:16:27 pm
There is a reason I DO NOT WANT the raised toilet seat that the OTs think is a Good Idea...
It IS a good idea if the lowness of your toilet makes it difficult for you to get on/off.  We can always give you a bath step to prop your feet on.

More clutter to trip over and fall off: no thanks!

I have had major issues with 'helpful' raised toilets when on holiday.

https://www.manageathome.co.uk/pd/Mountway-Solo-Powered-Toilet-Lift_10302.htm
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 January, 2018, 06:46:47 pm
Thanks!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 23 January, 2018, 07:40:32 pm
I had an enema followed by a flexible sigmoidosopy (camera up my bum) this pm. I watched on the screen and all looks very pink and smooth. I got a clean bill of health which is good but doesn't explain my incontinence.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 January, 2018, 07:51:07 pm
Nice to hear the hardware is sound.
Suspect mischief in wiring and circuitry.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 23 January, 2018, 11:02:54 pm
wondering why my blood glucose was high and increasing this afternoon, chanced a look at my insulin pump and saw internal condensation.

Seems I'd cracked the vial of insulin last night, dropped it as I was bout to change it, but hadn't noticed.  Glad I caught it when I did as ketoacidosis is not good.  All back to a hunkidory 5.3 after dinner
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 24 January, 2018, 06:02:29 pm
Nice to hear the hardware is sound.
Suspect mischief in wiring and circuitry.
Thanks Helly, do you think it could be diet related. I was adding chilli to most meals, stopped at the start of December. I know that chilli is good for digestion as they can soften the gut lining. Maybe my over consumption has led to things getting too soft. Apparently I can clench ok.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 24 January, 2018, 06:26:59 pm
The ironic Crapita lurgy (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=46587.msg2249114#msg2249114) has now gone to my ears, and barakta's lungs.  This is suboptimal.  Last night I resorted to Sudafed, which controlled the post-nasal drip admirably well.  I know this because I was wide awake for the duration.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Butterfly on 25 January, 2018, 10:33:48 am
The ironic Crapita lurgy (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=46587.msg2249114#msg2249114) has now gone to my ears, and barakta's lungs.  This is suboptimal.  Last night I resorted to Sudafed, which controlled the post-nasal drip admirably well.  I know this because I was wide awake for the duration.

Someone has delivered that lurgi to clarion as well. It's gone to his lungs  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 January, 2018, 10:49:04 am
I've picked it up from London town. Feel incredibly weary, with 'heavy' lungs. Suspect if I were asthmatic, this would be serious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 25 January, 2018, 02:17:22 pm
My lungs are certainly being shite.  My temperature regulation is all over the place: I'll spend an hour felling hot, then two hours later I'm shivering.  Random joint pain too, with the Stupid Knee being particularly bad (which combines with dodgy balance to make stairs non-fun).  And I keep being overwhelmed by exhaustion and wanting to hide in the dark.

Barakta seems a bit less 'ill' with it, but probably only because her baseline is so awful.

It's not flu, but certainly the worst case of snotty urgh I've had for a long time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 January, 2018, 02:22:25 pm
I have ten minute spells of feeling hot, without feeling ill.
This is age-related and not a lurgy but I keep thinking I'm a bit old for this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 27 January, 2018, 09:58:37 am
Out for dinner last night with friends at a local pub and woke up this morning with the runs!  Won't go there again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2018, 02:04:56 pm
Through a combination of luck, ventolin and undignified dangling upside down I've just managed to cough up the lump of urgh that's been stuck at the top of my lung for the last 24 hours or so.  I feel *so* much better[1] for it.


[1] Still hot and cold, still achy, can barely speak, throat's a mess, left ear isn't really working, peak flow's a couple of hundred below normal and I'm exhausted.  But I can kinda-sorta breathe again!  xkcd://349 (https://xkcd.com/349/) applies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 27 January, 2018, 03:24:08 pm
Through a combination of luck, ventolin and undignified dangling upside down I've just managed to cough up the lump of urgh that's been stuck at the top of my lung for the last 24 hours or so.  I feel *so* much better[1] for it.


[1] Still hot and cold, still achy, can barely speak, throat's a mess, left ear isn't really working, peak flow's a couple of hundred below normal and I'm exhausted.  But I can kinda-sorta breathe again!  xkcd://349 (https://xkcd.com/349/) applies.


There's such a thing as _dignified_ dangling upside down ? 


GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2018, 03:38:16 pm
There's such a thing as _dignified_ dangling upside down ? 

Not really, but this sort of thing was much easier when I was a small and my dad could hold me by my ankles in a steamy kitchen while I coughed out the grot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 27 January, 2018, 03:47:43 pm
I am in my 8th day of this sodding infection. I am not usually given to chest tightness, but my breathing is laboured.

My dear wife, who is asthmatic, is struggling.

So far, Dez & Aunt Phyllis have avoided this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 30 January, 2018, 08:23:43 am
My night terrors are getting a bit out of hand, it's not so much having them that's the issue, it's that first millisecond when Mrs S wakes me complaining about doing fire engine impersonations  :-[ :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Andrij on 30 January, 2018, 09:00:56 am
When exercising, rest between sets. (http://rhymeswithorange.com/comics/january-30-2018/)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 06 February, 2018, 02:04:24 pm
Boil on my nose is making me look like a dipsomaniac Rudolph...  >:(  Feeling very taut and hurty - would be feeling quite tempted to lance it if there were any indication of a 'head', but alas...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 February, 2018, 08:33:57 pm
Sounds horrible!
Do not be tempted to squeeze this and seek medical advice if you feel ill in any way.

I believe this is infection in the 'danger area of the face', which brought Dire Warnings in Medical School.

Actually, maybe best see a doctor anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 06 February, 2018, 08:54:47 pm
I have a big streptococcomus doing a dance on my tonsils (and really everywhere down there). It's quite colourful but frankly not much of a pet. You have no idea how often a human animal swallows until it hurts every time. Fortunately I have 1000 ibuprofen pills (god bless America, a land that puts the killer in painkiller) and what appears to be a similar number of phenoxymethylpenicillin tablets. I gave it ten days to go away on its own accord and it failed to take the hint. I got swabbed to see if it was a exotic strain gleaned from my recent trip to the US. They got bigly bacteria over there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 February, 2018, 09:00:08 pm
Pen V should kill ordinary streps DEDD without allowing too many superbugs to flourish.
GWS!

I'm not sure I've had any antibiotics this decade myself...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 06 February, 2018, 09:09:05 pm
I do generally avoid antibiotics but this one doesn't appear to be leaving without something packing its bags for it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 February, 2018, 09:20:00 pm
Waiting 10 days then going for cheap, old-fashioned Pen V seems fair to me. GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 07 February, 2018, 12:30:21 pm
I think the GP, after a morning of listening to people telling him that they or their kid had woken up that morning with a cough or sniffle, was relieved that someone had waited a few days before confronting him.

I'm not actually ill any more, it's just hurty throatyness. Seems a bit less today. It's quite surprising how much saliva we reflexively swallow, we're like bodily fluid conveyor belts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 February, 2018, 03:26:57 pm
Day 18 of snot, I am very bored. I am just at this lingering snot stage which I want to fuck off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 February, 2018, 03:30:12 pm
It does linger, doesn't it? Only very minor traces here, but chest still hurts when I go out in the cold. More 2 weeks since I've been for a run.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 February, 2018, 03:38:14 pm
My lungs are still rattling, but peak flow is improved.  I'm going to experimentally ride to the shop via the local hill and see what happens.

I used to be able to speak.  That was useful.  Wonder if it will come back.

ETA: Breathing much improved (thought still coughing a lot).  Snot production levels about normal for the low temperature.  But it all went to hell when I got smoked at.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 February, 2018, 04:16:12 pm
I've been known to struggle with lingering before, but this is really annoying. I'm going to book GP appt for other stuff and if it's still shit by then (next week probably) I'm going to ask for avamys nasal spray which is the bomb for "post nasal drip".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 February, 2018, 10:54:22 pm
Oral thrush.  Marvellous.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 February, 2018, 11:15:13 pm
Oral thrush.  Marvellous.

Get well soon!

Are you on antibiotics?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 February, 2018, 11:20:20 pm
Oral thrush.  Marvellous.

Get well soon!

Are you on antibiotics?

Inhaled steroids for asthma.  I upped my dose a couple of weeks ago in an attempt to help fight off the chest infection alluded to above, and this is the predictable consequence.  At this point lung symptoms are greatly reduced, so I'm going to go back to my normal dose (and actually use my spacer, like a good little asthmatic) and see what happens.  I can't get a GP appointment for a couple of weeks, so hopefully it'll clear up on its own.  Hopefully the lurgy will do the same, for that matter.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 12 February, 2018, 11:29:18 pm
Oral thrush.  Marvellous.

Get well soon!

Are you on antibiotics?

Inhaled steroids for asthma.  I upped my dose a couple of weeks ago in an attempt to help fight off the chest infection alluded to above, and this is the predictable consequence.  At this point lung symptoms are greatly reduced, so I'm going to go back to my normal dose (and actually use my spacer, like a good little asthmatic) and see what happens.  I can't get a GP appointment for a couple of weeks, so hopefully it'll clear up on its own.  Hopefully the lurgy will do the same, for that matter.

There are OTC medicines to treat thrush; maybe speak to a pharmacist?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 February, 2018, 11:48:00 pm
There are OTC medicines to treat thrush; maybe speak to a pharmacist?

Ah, hadn't thought of that.  I've got some Corsodyl, which would appear to be the thermonuclear option, but regular use of that basically means giving up food.  Daktarin gel can't possibly be worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 February, 2018, 07:26:45 am
Ear day today.  ??? Hopefully I'll get a diagnosis today as to whether it is a BCC, and an indication of a plan of attack. Perhaps I'll need to look on eBay for clip-on Spock ears. 

 :-[
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 February, 2018, 10:59:16 am
Saw the rather dismissive consultant. He doesn't think it is anything untoward apart from "chronic inflammation due to the geometry of my ear". Stronger topical steroid prescribed, as well as an appointment for a biopsy for 4 weeks time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2018, 11:01:24 am
It's never nice to be 'dismissed' but at least it wasn't bad news!

How on earth does the shape of your ear make it get inflamed?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 February, 2018, 01:46:26 pm
It's never nice to be 'dismissed' but at least it wasn't bad news!

How on earth does the shape of your ear make it get inflamed?

Apparently due to the angles of the folds of the helix, it's liable to be a trap for soap etc, leading to long term inflammation.   ??? Would rather wait until I get the biopsy done & results before being satisfied it's nothing though...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 13 February, 2018, 02:00:10 pm
etc? Beetles, tiny aliens, what?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2018, 02:11:39 pm
Point of information: the pinna has a 'helix' and an 'antihelix'.

It is not a snail.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 February, 2018, 03:12:51 pm
etc? Beetles, tiny aliens, what?

Lol, yes, I should have asked what the "etc" meant when the consultant said "soap etc"  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2018, 03:25:54 pm
Srsly etc = Substances that can degrease and irritate skin: shampoo, aftershave & smellies, possibly some sunscreens.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 February, 2018, 04:56:59 pm
My view is that it is possible for clinicians to do "oh that's probably not serious" in a reassuring not dismissive manner - go back to manners school!  Especially as my experience is that manners correlates considerably highly with clinical clue and outcome.

"I can understand why you and your GP were worried, at this point, I think due to the shape of your outer ear anatomy I think it is more likely to be things like soap being trapped and causing inflammation...." "At this point I would like to prescribe a stronger XXX and you will be seen again in 4 weeks for a biopsy just in case, but again as I said, please try not to worry".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 February, 2018, 05:50:25 pm
Caffeine teeshirt on short notice GP appt changed to locum ftw.

Locum doc was happy to confirm that I don't have serious bacterial lurgy, my lungs are clear and that mega-snot-spray avamys was a reasonable prescription. He also upped my zolmitriptan from 3 doses per script to 6 (checking I understood analgesia rebound effect).

Understandably locum said he wanted my usual GP to deal with the migraine clinic stuff where they're asking GP to prescribe yet more migraine prophylaxis as the two options they're suggesting are not licensed for migraine.

But getting appts with my GP or the other one who is even better on migraine is REALLY hard... Keep phoning at 8am cos the advance appts are all booked up. Might try phoning first thing for one of the advance appts on 28th Feb to see if that works....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 13 February, 2018, 06:04:15 pm
Caffeine teeshirt on short notice GP appt changed to locum ftw.

"I'm wearing a molecule, which means I understand SCIENCE, so don't treat me like an idiot"?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 February, 2018, 06:37:44 pm
Yup.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 February, 2018, 01:59:10 pm
Big Carbs are not necessarily the best for hanger IMO but YMMV...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43050394 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43050394)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 February, 2018, 04:10:26 pm
Just back from the ophthalmo, irises dilated to the size of manhole covers and everything in a fog. Being driven home, straight into the sun, was murder. Trouble is that the secy/nurse didn't know me and didn't believe me when I said I was very sensitive to mydriaticum, so she put in enough to drown a quart of gin.

Anyway, my retinae are fine despite > 35 years of diabetes, ditto internal pressure, but the capsule enclosing the left lens is becoming cloudy from the extreme left in.  Going back in a couple of weeks to have holes punched in it with a laser, whereafter I'll have cinders floating in my vitreous humour till the end of my puff. I already have that on the right and it's not a bother. Although at times I seem to have the odd fly keeping station off to the side, they don't stay there long.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 14 February, 2018, 10:57:29 pm
I've had to postpone my appointment twice now - bloody clients!  Usually Feb is a decent month for this kind of thing, but this year has gone stupid.

I always ride there and stress to them no eye drops, not required, never have been, perfect photos every time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 February, 2018, 09:14:49 am
The ophthalmo told me afterwards that next time he has a peek at the retina they wouldn't dilate.  I got on well with him. My previous ophthalmo's manner was like the ageing school-teacher I had when I was 5 - the one who always kept a cane standing in the corner.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 February, 2018, 03:11:46 pm
Back from the laser-wielding eye-popping ophthalmo's den with my eye running over, he having cut away the offending membrane in my left ocular with a few deft zaos.  The iris is still a bit over-dilated so things are still somewhat hazy, but I can already see much more clearly in the left periphery than I could before.  No cinders visible yet, but it took a while for them to appear when he did the other eye a couple of years ago. No gas bubbles either, which is disappointing - they were quite entertaining last time.

Bloody marvellous, what they can do these days. 50 years ago I'd have been looking at open-eye operations with 50-50 chances of success. Chuffed, me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 February, 2018, 12:50:00 am
Just come across this from the director of Public Health England.
It's a long, moving read.
https://www.hippocraticpost.com/ageing/incurable-lung-cancer-phe-director/ (https://www.hippocraticpost.com/ageing/incurable-lung-cancer-phe-director/)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 February, 2018, 09:04:09 am
Very moving. Raw honesty - and particularly the bits about doctors often accepting fewer treatments.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 February, 2018, 09:50:38 am
The final paragraph is marvellous.

(click to show/hide)

I'm approaching the age at which my father died, of essentially the same maladies as those from which I suffer.  I often contemplate the fact that I may have no more than 5 or 6 years left, maybe less.  Obviously I hope for more but, like Cosford, I feel the stronger for facing it and it doesn't worry me.

I hope he has more time than he expects.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 February, 2018, 11:06:39 am
Have you read Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End".

It covers a lot of the same themes including balancing 'aggressive treatment' with quality of life preserving treatment and how sometimes people who withdraw from treatment actually live better and longer than expected.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 February, 2018, 04:34:49 pm
This article seems to confuse visceral and subcutaneous fat.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43225477 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43225477)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 February, 2018, 04:55:42 pm
Have you read Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End".

It covers a lot of the same themes including balancing 'aggressive treatment' with quality of life preserving treatment and how sometimes people who withdraw from treatment actually live better and longer than expected.

No, I haven't read it.  After 37 years of diabetes it's suspected that multiple microlesions in the brain are causing my short-term memory to deteriorate, which makes reading anything instructive a bit too challenging.  Long sentences in French are also a problem; I've been trying to read Zola on the 1870 war in Alsace, and while he doesn't compare with Henry James, the beginnings of his long sentences with multiple subordinate clauses tend to disappear over the horizon before I reach the full stop.

As it happens, though, my doc is totally against trying to drive figures for e.g. blood sugar right down into the normal range if they're not egregious and if I'm exercising  frequently and feel fine.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 03 March, 2018, 07:09:28 am
your insulin can get too cold as well as too hot  :demon:

Drove to Birmingham on Sunday, with my luggage sat in the car outside a restaurant for 2 hours, then drove down to Farnham.  Tuesday was cancelled so my luggage sat in the car again outside the offices all day until I drove home again.  Spare insulin was in the luggage and got used on Tuesday.  Blood glucose then went screwy for the last three days (8/9/10 vs more normal 5-8).  Changed everything again yesterday including fresh insulin and seems to be back to normal again, although I'm noticing the lack of aerobic exercise at the moment.  Will get out for a run this afternoon - SNO has largely passed by CB6
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 March, 2018, 07:48:49 am
your insulin can get too cold as well as too hot  :demon:

Pastis is like that too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 06 March, 2018, 08:33:37 am
Boil on my nose is making me look like a dipsomaniac Rudolph...  >:(  Feeling very taut and hurty - would be feeling quite tempted to lance it if there were any indication of a 'head', but alas...
Jeez, have I really had that boil for a month?  Just clearing up now...  It rather charmingly decided to explode over my face a little while ago and Mrs Legs extricated a gigantic ingrowing hair from the wound which was seemingly causing the problem.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 March, 2018, 08:40:19 am
Oh ingrowing hairs are a major hassle.

They don't shave before operating these days and if you are hairy you get many entrapped hairs in surgical wound (and if you have a cast, many many hairs start growing under the skin).

I spent hours picking and pulling hairs out of the cut on my arm. Some were a couple of inches long and only a tiny bit sticking out. TMI?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2018, 10:26:11 am
Tooth abscess began to shrink as soon as I bought the amoxicillin & yeast but before ingesting any. Decided to take the course anyway in case it's just backing up for a fresh start, like the tertian ague.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 March, 2018, 03:12:30 pm
Trepanning for migraine? (https://theconversation.com/drilling-holes-in-the-skull-was-never-a-migraine-cure-why-it-was-long-thought-to-be-90782)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2018, 04:45:26 pm
Robespierre & C° had a rather more radical solution for anyone who was a headache.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 March, 2018, 10:02:43 am
Well that's confusing!
I received a reminder text from NHS Fife, saying my appointment is 3pm on Monday 12th March.

Appointment letter says 4pm, Monday 12th March!

So i have phoned the hospital, and according to dermatology receptionist I'm booked in for both 3 and 4pm!!!

I have asked for clarification, as I'd need to finish work earlier to be able to attend the 3pm appointment. But seeing as the hospital does not have my notes yet (referral appointment was at the Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy, the biopsy is getting done at the Queen Margaret hospital Dunfermline) they need to wait until they get them to see if i actually need a 2 hour appointment or whatnot.

So i should get a return call later on today or tomorrow...


 ??? :facepalm:
I'm glad i phoned though, I'd have hated to turn up at 4pm, only to be turned away due to my appointment being at 3pm. I just want this fecking biopsy done, so I can find out what is going on with my gammy lug. :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2018, 11:27:21 am
Tooth abscess gone but keeping on to the end of antibiotics course, of course, yet feeling like shit warmed up on a shovel. Sunny day & 10°C but don't feel like a ride. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: fimm on 08 March, 2018, 04:57:03 pm
Has this been mentioned anywhere?
How exercise in old age prevents the immune system from declining: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43308729 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43308729)
I think some members of this forum must have been involved?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 March, 2018, 04:32:45 pm
Well that's confusing!
I received a reminder text from NHS Fife, saying my appointment is 3pm on Monday 12th March.

Appointment letter says 4pm, Monday 12th March!

So i have phoned the hospital, and according to dermatology receptionist I'm booked in for both 3 and 4pm!!!

I have asked for clarification, as I'd need to finish work earlier to be able to attend the 3pm appointment. But seeing as the hospital does not have my notes yet (referral appointment was at the Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy, the biopsy is getting done at the Queen Margaret hospital Dunfermline) they need to wait until they get them to see if i actually need a 2 hour appointment or whatnot.

So i should get a return call later on today or tomorrow...


 ??? :facepalm:
I'm glad i phoned though, I'd have hated to turn up at 4pm, only to be turned away due to my appointment being at 3pm. I just want this fecking biopsy done, so I can find out what is going on with my gammy lug. :'(

Received a voice message today, to clarify that the appointment is at 4pm, and to apologise for any confusion! 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 March, 2018, 09:38:51 am
Mrs T42 mentions the plight of a US running chum of hers who came down hard on ice about a month back and forbore to go to the doctors because of cost, insurance etc. and had been hobbling since.  It finally got too painful so she went on Friday. Double sacral fracture.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 12 March, 2018, 07:50:45 pm
I had my biopsy today, just a small nick to remove the scab, and a couple of sutures. So not nearly as bad as I expected!

Stitches out in 9 days time (no appointments with the practice nurse until then), and results of the biopsy in 6 to 8 weeks time.   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 March, 2018, 08:25:07 am
6 to 8 weeks is a hell of a wait. Bon courage.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 13 March, 2018, 08:48:56 am
For the fortnight before we went on The Bloody Cruise to Norway I had a cold/chest infection, during The Bloody Cruise to Norway I was alternately sea sick, sniffly (air conditioning) or frozen stiff, now I'm back from The Bloody Cruise to Norway I've got another cold/chest infection.
Six weeks of feeling rough. Will it ever end?
(No, I didn't enjoy our cruise to see the Northern Lights)

Sent from my P01W using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 March, 2018, 03:23:50 pm
6 to 8 weeks is a hell of a wait. Bon courage.

Yes, 42 to 56 sleeps...  :facepalm: 

I suppose no point in worrying about it.   ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 March, 2018, 05:52:54 pm
George Monbiot has prostate cancer.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/13/prostate-cancer-happy-diagnosis-operation#comment-113489319

That's a very positive outlook.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 14 March, 2018, 11:19:48 am
George Monbiot has prostate cancer.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/13/prostate-cancer-happy-diagnosis-operation#comment-113489319

That's a very positive outlook.

Drat.  That man writes more sense in each column than many news outlets manage to publish in a year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 March, 2018, 06:52:45 pm
Kidney stones. Again. Not so much blood in wee this time, but pain that had me nearly vomiting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 March, 2018, 07:05:08 pm
Ouchy ouchy!

Get well soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 March, 2018, 12:31:00 pm
Asthma nurse has promoted me. I now have a brown inhaler as well as a blue one.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 26 March, 2018, 04:23:32 pm
People think it's funny,
But it's really hot and runny!
Diarrhoea uh uh!
Diarrhoea uh uh!

The fun of having norovirus on one's long weekend off work. Can't see me being at work tomorrow either, as im still as weak as a newborn kitten, hardly any appetite since Saturday. #Jiggered
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 March, 2018, 08:37:53 am
People think it's funny,
But it's really hot and runny!
Diarrhoea uh uh!
Diarrhoea uh uh!

The fun of having norovirus on one's long weekend off work. Can't see me being at work tomorrow either, as im still as weak as a newborn kitten, hardly any appetite since Saturday. #Jiggered

Mostly Diarrhoea Dan last night!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 March, 2018, 12:37:53 pm
Immodium for norovirus, or just hang loose and let it all out? No vom, thankfully, just watery number 2s. Phoned in sick  today. I do now have some rehydration sachets courtesy of mum posting them through my letterbox  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 March, 2018, 01:02:27 pm
Get well soon!

I am unconvinced of the merit of some of these oral rehydration salts in adults tbh. Gatorade/Isostar taste better and are easier for adult quantities.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 29 March, 2018, 07:42:48 am
Phoned in sick today as still weak as a newborn baby. Thankfully the diarrhoea seems to have cleared up. I've been "encouraged" to return to work tomorrow upon pain of death attendance procedures interview...  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 March, 2018, 01:26:24 pm
Hobbling today: arthritic right ankle doesn't like too many hills, and the value of too many is diminishing. :(

It'll be better tomorrow. By order.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 30 March, 2018, 05:02:43 pm
Phoned in sick today as still weak as a newborn baby. Thankfully the diarrhoea seems to have cleared up. I've been "encouraged" to return to work tomorrow upon pain of death attendance procedures interview...  ::-)

Given you're supposed to wait 48 hours from the end of symptoms that is too soon - if you're handling post you could be a public health risk to others.

Employers really need to get the feck over themselves when people are sick.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 31 March, 2018, 07:17:37 pm
Lol, i went back to work on Friday 30th.
Guess what got delivered to me today, a letter (dated the 30th!) from Slightly Big Boss, expressing their concern about my sickness, but reminding me to keep in contact..  ::-) a bit late for that...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 April, 2018, 04:24:02 pm
Phoned in sick today as still weak as a newborn baby. Thankfully the diarrhoea seems to have cleared up. I've been "encouraged" to return to work tomorrow upon pain of death attendance procedures interview...  ::-)

Given you're supposed to wait 48 hours from the end of symptoms that is too soon - if you're handling post you could be a public health risk to others.

Employers really need to get the feck over themselves when people are sick.

Yebbut there's a certain pleasure in going back early and passing it on to them.  :demon:

Works better in France & Germany where people shake hands all the time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: izza on 01 April, 2018, 11:37:09 pm
Crap weather meant no cycling on family trip. Decided to enjoy lie in with current spouse.

Now have trapped nerve in back (self diagnosis) with spasms on one side of back and tingling down to middle two fingers.

Can’t wait for it to subside and go for a proper ride.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 April, 2018, 09:45:03 pm
Lol, i went back to work on Friday 30th.
Guess what got delivered to me today, a letter (dated the 30th!) from Slightly Big Boss, expressing their concern about my sickness, but reminding me to keep in contact..  ::-) a bit late for that...
Did you get to deliver it to yourself?  :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: arabella on 03 April, 2018, 09:01:20 pm
Why am I getting Reynauds about 10x more frequently this year than I usually do?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 April, 2018, 11:15:51 pm
Bad luck, associated disease, cold weather, age, hypothyroidism.
Take your pick, wrap up warmly, turn up the heating, have some virtual tea and sympathy.

If symptoms persist, seek medical advice...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: betriBaron on 04 April, 2018, 05:32:48 am
I've been facing the same problem and finally, I caught the problem. It is because of your weak muscles that are supporting your knees. You have to do a lot of squads and <link redacted> [mod] to train those muscles.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 April, 2018, 10:25:50 am
Christian, a chum of ours, just underwent catheter ablation for atrial fib.  First time didn't work so he was back for another go, and this time his heart stopped. They got it up & running again but at only 32 bpm, so now he's got a pacemaker. He's under observation and feeling extremely glum.

This happened to the ex-treasurer of our club, too, and to some other folk we know, but they're all in their late 60s when such excursions are more likely.  But Christian's 54, very fit, does cyclosportives and the odd race, and has an excellent bike sales & service shop two villages over from here. Which of course won't be earning him a cent while he's off. I hope his wife has a good job.

Everyone we know who has had this has had relapses soon after starting to ride again. :(

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 April, 2018, 12:32:46 pm
This is unfortunate.
I have a friend who lurks and occasionally posts here.
He had a catheter ablation for AF but relapsed. Had another catheter ablation and has not relapsed, walks quite a lot but does not cycle. He was also in his late 60s when this started.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 April, 2018, 01:31:56 pm
It's going to be pretty sickening for Christian to work on bikes if he can't ride.  He did a lot of MTB, too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 April, 2018, 01:41:37 pm
I'm sure my friend could cycle. He's just 'gone off' it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 April, 2018, 03:08:59 pm
The shadow of anything like that hanging over you is pretty off-putting.  Any time I've been off the bike for a while I remember the episode I had a couple of years back and I'm chary of starting again.  Have done so far, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: arabella on 07 April, 2018, 01:37:59 pm
Bad luck, associated disease, cold weather, age, hypothyroidism.
Take your pick, wrap up warmly, turn up the heating, have some virtual tea and sympathy.

If symptoms persist, seek medical advice...

I really shouldn't read symptoms.  My parents both in the past have had (different) thyroid problems and there's a long list of symptoms for hypothyroidism, most of which overlaps with things you can also attribute to the menopause.  Plus a couple that I have which can't.

I shall bear this in mind.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 April, 2018, 01:58:36 pm
Getting thyroid tests should be easy as they cost the NHS little more than buttons.

Given that you're female and have a family history, it might be worth chasing at some point.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 11 April, 2018, 11:35:02 am
Boil on my nose is making me look like a dipsomaniac Rudolph...  >:(  Feeling very taut and hurty - would be feeling quite tempted to lance it if there were any indication of a 'head', but alas...
Jeez, have I really had that boil for a month?  Just clearing up now...  It rather charmingly decided to explode over my face a little while ago and Mrs Legs extricated a gigantic ingrowing hair from the wound which was seemingly causing the problem.
Hello old friend!  Has it only been a month since you left?  Welcome back, make yourself at home, take over my face, why don't you?  :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 11 April, 2018, 12:34:49 pm
I've just managed to bonk sitting at my desk, the whole shebang, clammy, shaking, world spinning and going black. I am an idiot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 April, 2018, 12:49:36 pm
I've just managed to bonk sitting at my desk, the whole shebang, clammy, shaking, world spinning and going black. I am an idiot.

NSFW is thataway ---\
                                V

 ;) ;D

Seriously need to rethink your carbs and riding...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 11 April, 2018, 01:03:39 pm
 ;D

I know, it's unusual for me to get to that stage, early tea last night, no evening biscuit, nasty headwind this morning, no brekky, no elevenses. I'm sat next to a drawer full of fruit bars. As I say, idiot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 April, 2018, 04:27:09 pm
Hah. Just did much the same on a ride. As you say, idiot (or as I'd say, eejit). Hey, look at my slogan thingy under the avatar.

Anyway: mentioned to El Prez that last time I complained to doc that after a 100k it took me 3 or 4 days to recover, he replied "you're 71, what do you expect". El Prez replied "my doc's been telling me that since I was 50".

It's far from being a satisfactory reply. Doc needs to address causes instead of bringing out a facile rationalization.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 April, 2018, 02:13:16 pm
At my smear yesterday the practice nurse said my cervix is perfect, better than some teenagers'.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 14 April, 2018, 04:17:46 pm
Miss Ham who is (a) a personal trainer and (b) preggers attended an antenatal thingy where the nurse checked her blood etc. Apparently she has the highest iron levels the nurse had seen in a pregnant patient. Not sure why Miss Ham didn't appreciate me pointing out that was obviously because she has been pumping iron.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 17 April, 2018, 08:58:19 pm
I went for a gentle run at lunchtime. At halfway my calf felt painful, kind of cramps, but not as tight. Didn’t trip or anything. Took it even gentler on the way back. Still sore to walk now (so I’m not). Bugger.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 April, 2018, 08:36:03 am
Husband of chum of Mrs T42 caught the flu on holiday in Malta. He already suffers from some incurable condition, which aggravated the flu, so he had to go into hospital there for two weeks. Care and facilities were excellent and he made a good recovery. When they discharged him they told him, though, that he should have another scan within 5 days of getting back to the UK to be sure that all was OK.

When his wife called to make the appointment she was told that he'd go "straight onto the urgent list - about 20 weeks' wait".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2018, 12:48:02 pm
When his wife called to make the appointment she was told that he'd go "straight onto the urgent list - about 20 weeks' wait".

Barakta's been waiting for an MRI to confirm that her deterioration of migraine symptoms isn't due to some scary brain thing.  It's been almost but not quite a year now, and still no sign of it.  On the plus side, we can be reasonably sure that it isn't a fast-growing tumour.

I blame Thatcher.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 April, 2018, 01:02:18 pm
I suffered from urticaria from around the ages of 8-18.

It seems to have returned. I don't know what has triggered it. I have a trivial cold - a bit hoarse and little cough.

Previous attacks were triggered by mustard (1/1/1967), rubella (summer 1975) or cause unknown (early 1970s). Phenergan, prescibed when I was little, made me dizzy but I was fine with Piriton, without being noticeably drowsy.

I don't have any antihistamines in the house but might splash out on something new-fangled, introduced long after I ever previously needed antihistamines...

ETA Just read https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/top-allergy-types.pdf (https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/top-allergy-types.pdf) and it seems mustard is a well-known allergen. There might well have been some in my ham sandwich on Monday.
D'oh!
There again, I must have had mustard without trouble in the last 50 years...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 April, 2018, 01:14:07 pm
Hives, yeah. Had them* a couple of times as a kid. They came and they went, with copious applications of utterly useless calamine lotion.

*why are English diseases always plural?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 April, 2018, 01:31:05 pm
Cos one measle is too measly, even for the Brits...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 18 April, 2018, 03:14:51 pm
Hopefully the end of this week, or the end of next week I'll get my biopsy results from my lug.

No, I've not been thinking about it too much...   :facepalm: ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 April, 2018, 07:21:57 pm
Hopefully the end of this week, or the end of next week I'll get my biopsy results from my lug.

No, I've not been thinking about it too much...   :facepalm: ::-)

Got my results back today! (20th April)

According to the letter from the consultant the biopsy came back as showing inflammation only, with no evidence of any cancer in the specimen. The consultant says that he was hopeful that the excision of the abnormality should have settle the problem, (which it has, now the biopsy wound has healed).  As a result no further treatment required.

Quite a relief, although a reminder of being safe in the sun, particularly if you work outdoors all year round.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 April, 2018, 07:32:51 pm

Got my results back today! (20th April)

According to the letter from the consultant the biopsy came back as showing inflammation only, with no evidence of any cancer in the specimen. The consultant says that he was hopeful that the excision of the abnormality should have settle the problem, (which it has, now the biopsy wound has healed).  As a result no further treatment required.

Quite a relief, although a reminder of being safe in the sun, particularly if you work outdoors all year round.

Excellent news!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 April, 2018, 09:49:06 pm
Good news Brian!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2018, 06:53:57 am
Good news. Now slip, slop, slap

(aussie advert campaign to reduce skin cancer; slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 April, 2018, 10:20:54 am
A black spider wandering round in my left eye last night with the odd CGI lightning strike for atmosphere, so that's me crying off today's ride and in to see the ophthalmologist this morning. Examination was a bit ouch but nothing to do with diabetes, says he, but shrinking vitreous humour pulling a bit on the retina. Can I ride my bike? Won't make any difference. On our lousy roads, bouncing downhill at 60 and grinding uphill at 240/70? Won't make any difference. But if the fireworks get any more emphatic or gert black blobs plop into view, hasten himwards soonest else disaster.

So now I'm sitting here with a vastly dilated left eye and swearing into my cuppa 'cos I was looking forward to this particular ride and well, fuckit. All the same I'm relieved, and glad I could get in to see him so swiftly. Good bloke.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 21 April, 2018, 05:05:08 pm
Shucks!  Andrew (4.75) and Mrs Legs have got chicken pox.  Mrs Legs grew up in Kenya so never got it as a child.  Andrew is being very good about not picking and scratching.  Mrs Legs has only a few spots but has been feeling lousy for a few days... She's on a course of Aciclovir antivirals now.  Probably only a matter of time until Daniel gets it...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 24 April, 2018, 08:43:20 am
Oh noes!  Andrew has got a narsty bacterial infection in two of the pox spots - one on his lower eyelid and one between his nose and other eye. :-[  He's on antibiotics and feeling remarkably chipper, but looks like a mugging victim.  :(

Jo, meanwhile, is giving the lie to the received wisdom about chicken pox in adulthood being especially unpleasant.  I guess she's just been really lucky to have been able to catch it early with the antivirals.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 April, 2018, 12:28:18 pm
I hope/presume Mrs Legs is not  'with child'. Chickenpox in pregnancy is potentially disastrous. Good to see she seems OK.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 24 April, 2018, 12:55:51 pm
Definitely not!  We tried getting Jo fixed for private inoculation when she was pregnant with Daniel, but it fell through since the treatment can't be given when you're pregnant.  Fortunately it didn't come to pass.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: seraphina on 24 April, 2018, 12:59:59 pm
Chickenpox is teh pants. We used Poxclin and a couple of handfulls of oats in the bath for relief from scratching (put oats in foot of pair of tights, tie knot in tights and hang over the taps).

We booked our two in for vaccinations but they thwarted us by catching it between making the appointment and going for the jab. Between us we had to take best part of a month off work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 April, 2018, 01:46:18 pm
Just to add to the general cheer, I managed to have chickenpox twice as a nipper.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 April, 2018, 02:08:58 pm
I'm probably repeating but teh pox persuaded Brother Who Refused Pottie to get out of nappies...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 24 April, 2018, 08:04:24 pm
This is generally where I bore everyone silly with my CP story.

In the interest of boredom avoidance, I'll merely leave a reference to a previous iteration (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=102563.msg2154414#msg2154414) and leave it up to you whether you want to be re-bored with it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 April, 2018, 04:31:24 pm
Was startled awake by the doorbell[1] this morning, and discovered I had a crick in my neck as I stumbled down the stairs.  No idea if it was there before I woke up; usually when this happens I feel the crunch as I stretch or sneeze or something.  I've employed the proven technique of hammering it with codeine, on the basis that being unpleasantly stoned for a day or two is better than pain and being unable to move properly for a week.

That's written off this weekend's soggy cold camping trip, then.  I missed the last two because chest infections.   >:(

To add insult to injury, one of the smoke alarms chose to announce its low battery about an hour later.  Being repeatedly startled by bipping isn't conducive to muscle relaxation.  So we now know that stoned Kim who can't look upwards is safer at climbing ladders than normal barakta.


[1] Demon-spawn vibrating pad under barakta's pillow which is evil enough to (at least theoretically) stop her sleeping through the fire alarm, accompanied by assorted flashing lights and the dulcet tones of Rod Hull and his crack team of 80s drama students.  It brings me from REM sleep to ready to fight off the zombie hordes in less than a second, which is generally suboptimal unless there's actually a fire or someone's got a sufficiently exciting parcel.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 27 April, 2018, 10:43:20 pm
Colonoscopy and Endoscopy booked for late May due to blood tests showing possible markers for Coeliac Disease.

Trouble is, I've got a fairly tough Sportive booked two days after the procedures. Will I be alright or shall I think about cancelling?

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 April, 2018, 12:23:08 am
Never had colonoscopy.

Endoscopy is nothing to worry about and shouldn't affect you unless you are having it under general. I've had 2 using just a bit of local anesthetic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 April, 2018, 12:29:59 am
Consider cancelling, I'm afraid. You'll need a low residue diet for several days prior to the colonoscopy, which is likely to be low on everything apart from Rich Tea biscuits, as well as needing MoviPrep/Picolax to clear the gut and being nil by mouth on the day of the scope.
Your mineral and energy/glycogen reserves will be low - not necessarily so low that you'd feel rough at rest but not really high enough to get repleted in time for you to undertake your sportive at a brisk pace.
You'd probably be OK for a 100km Populaire a couple of days after, but I wouldn't push harder than that.

And that's if you've had little sedation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 April, 2018, 12:31:40 am
Might be scope for some jet propulsion, thobut?   ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 May, 2018, 03:08:50 pm
Seems Dr Michael Watt's diagnoses have been suboptimal and patients are being recalled.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43955732 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43955732)
I don't understand how they'll do this for for patients who have died and I read this might be considered in future.
Irish?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 May, 2018, 03:23:51 pm
I wonder how much longer I might have menstruated if I had given up ALL carbs!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43948399 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43948399)
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 02 May, 2018, 12:08:34 pm
Back at BRI for a follow-up. Surgery not indicated, which is good.

Going to monitor and if symptoms don't improve further, GP can refer direct to physiology dept rather than going through a consultant which adds extra waiting time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 03 May, 2018, 02:12:05 am
Owww, owwww, owwww. So tuesday at work i realised my back was sore but nothing major. Then today i was walking into work towing my office bag on wheels when i had to traverse an access ramp. Half way across my back spasmed. Or rather one the muscles down one side suddenly locked taught to protect something. Cue an awkward afternoon where sitting comfortably was difficult and transitioning from seated to standing is highly painful. As i carry an emergency stash of co-codamol as a legacy of my hip issues i have jumped onto my max dose. However that is barely touching it. This evening i have had about 2 hours sleep and now can't get comfortable. Laid flat isn't helping as the tightness is forcing a curve into my back that the hotel bed isn't supporting.

There is a localised tender spot towards the outside of my lower right rib but the whole of my middle back feels sore because everything is tensed to protect whatever has happened. It feels like someone has tightened a metal band across my back. Fortunately my head and neck are unaffected and my legs are ok so i am still mobile. I can't rotate my back from the waist but can bend forwards with care.

If i were at home i would have gone to my local minor injuries unit but i am in a hotel for work tonight and tomorrow. I don't want to go to a&e as its not life threatening but fear come tomorrow i will have little other choice through lack of local knowledge or gp.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 03 May, 2018, 10:22:48 am
Well i got a further 4 hours sleep. Phoned my gp for an appointment when i get home tomorrow and then picked up my office bag at the hotel.

It went again and despite a full dose of co-codamol 20 minutes earlier it put me to my knees. So i am now in a&e. As expected it is a rib muscle. But i have now been given some diazepam to be taken once in a safe place if it makes me drowsy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 May, 2018, 10:37:48 am
Ouch. Hope the diazepam helps unlock things a bit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 May, 2018, 01:09:20 pm
Well that counts as one of the more miserable 24hours of my life. Kidney-stones, again.
This time the pain was severe enough that I was vomiting. Couldn't even keep water down. Didn't have supply of painkillers to hand. Housemate gave me some co-codemol then another housemate picked up some ibuprofen for me. Managed to start drinking (and keeping down) water after about 16 hours. Was very close to going to A&E so I could get put on a drip; not being able to keep hydrated when there are stones lodged is bad news.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 May, 2018, 01:35:22 pm
Get well soon! Could you get an emergency supply of Voltarol suppositories from your GP in case you get more stones?

Is there any reason you couldn't use these?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 May, 2018, 01:44:59 pm
I don't know of a reason. Guess I'll be seeing doc for a followup so will talk to him.

If I'd had painkillers to hand I don't think I'd have ended up in such a bad way, maybe.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 May, 2018, 01:48:10 pm
Precisely! Voltarol supps are the bees' knees for pain from kidney stones and can be used when nauseous/vomiting. They're not something you'd abuse...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jaded on 03 May, 2018, 02:51:17 pm
Consider cancelling, I'm afraid. You'll need a low residue diet for several days prior to the colonoscopy, which is likely to be low on everything apart from Rich Tea biscuits, as well as needing MoviPrep/Picolax to clear the gut and being nil by mouth on the day of the scope.
Your mineral and energy/glycogen reserves will be low - not necessarily so low that you'd feel rough at rest but not really high enough to get repleted in time for you to undertake your sportive at a brisk pace.
You'd probably be OK for a 100km Populaire a couple of days after, but I wouldn't push harder than that.

And that's if you've had little sedation.

helly speaks sense.

If you opt for sedation then you are supposed not to do important things like drive or sign documents for the next 24 hours, and you should have an adult with you. On the day of the procedure you will have an empty gut, and you are supposed to eat carefully afterwards. Plus your gut will be largely clear of bacteria etc. and there will be recolonisation  :P

In my experience of 20 years of endoscopy, I'd suggest you consider cancelling, as helly says.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 04 May, 2018, 10:56:02 am
Shucks!  Andrew (4.75) and Mrs Legs have got chicken pox.  Mrs Legs grew up in Kenya so never got it as a child.  Andrew is being very good about not picking and scratching.  Mrs Legs has only a few spots but has been feeling lousy for a few days... She's on a course of Aciclovir antivirals now. Probably only a matter of time until Daniel gets it...
Well, it was bound to happen...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 May, 2018, 01:45:07 pm
GWS Daniel!
How old is he? One of my nephews had it at 8 months and was not much bothered.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 04 May, 2018, 01:58:06 pm
All 4 of mine had it together, at <1; 3+ 5+ and 7+.

Youngest was lousy ill with it- that baby whiny crying constantly, she couldn't sleep or do anything. Fun times.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 04 May, 2018, 08:42:20 pm
Colonoscopy re-booked so I can ride my event in May. Thanks for the advice all.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 May, 2018, 08:46:08 pm
Colonoscopy re-booked so I can ride my event in May. Thanks for the advice all.  :thumbsup:

Good luck with the sportif!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 07 May, 2018, 11:51:11 am
GWS Daniel!
How old is he? One of my nephews had it at 8 months and was not much bothered.
14m.  He was in a really bad shape yesterday, struggling to keep his temperature under control.   Upped the Calpol to 6x daily on doctor's advice and he's quite a bit perkier this morning.  My very lovely friend Christine is looking after Andrew today, because my wife works Bank Holidays (it's a JCB thing) and otherwise I'd be stuck at home with both.
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213765884995259&set=a.1642673620624.2085581.1050346777&type=3&theater). His gentleman's area is like a warzone...   :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 May, 2018, 02:02:10 pm
Poor Daniel!
Get Well Soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 May, 2018, 09:49:22 am
Not sure this is quite a health and fitness thing, but why do the NHS, or some of their depts, insist on using "Private number" when they call you? Phone rang just as I was going out, fished it out of pocket, see "Private number" so ignore it. It goes off again immediately, so I decide to give them the benefit of the doubt – and it was about an appointment for my son. I realize they don't want people calling back on that number but surely it's easy to both block incoming calls and have the number display as something relevant (like "BRI outpatients" in this case)? Telecoms have been able to do this for 20 years or so.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 May, 2018, 11:13:09 am
Just back from ophthalmologist's with a dilated iris, looking forward to four or five hours of blindingly bright, fuzzy vision. Asked him why he couldn't reverse the dilation; he explained that to achieve it they paralyse the sphincter (not that one) and stimulate the dilator muscle. Reversing it with drops doesn't work worth a damn: paralysed is paralysed. Grin & bear it, and try not to walk into the wall.

Anyway, vitreous humour is now well away from the retina but nothing to worry about, and "ignore the flocks of birds and flashes and they won't bother you". And joy of joys, t'other eye is likely to do the same within a year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 09 May, 2018, 11:14:13 am
Not sure this is quite a health and fitness thing, but why do the NHS, or some of their depts, insist on using "Private number" when they call you? Phone rang just as I was going out, fished it out of pocket, see "Private number" so ignore it. It goes off again immediately, so I decide to give them the benefit of the doubt – and it was about an appointment for my son. I realize they don't want people calling back on that number but surely it's easy to both block incoming calls and have the number display as something relevant (like "BRI outpatients" in this case)? Telecoms have been able to do this for 20 years or so.

It's about privacy- they don't want to advertise to other people that the GUM is calling you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 May, 2018, 11:34:58 am
I think the privacy should be opt-in cos the calling from blocked causes all manner of issues.

And some NHS depts don't, the last time I had a spate of unwanted incoming calls (to the deaf person) there was a CLID which I was able to Google and link back to hospital so I could email them and say "Use email, like you've been told, eleventy times".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 May, 2018, 12:33:31 pm
Not sure this is quite a health and fitness thing, but why do the NHS, or some of their depts, insist on using "Private number" when they call you? Phone rang just as I was going out, fished it out of pocket, see "Private number" so ignore it. It goes off again immediately, so I decide to give them the benefit of the doubt – and it was about an appointment for my son. I realize they don't want people calling back on that number but surely it's easy to both block incoming calls and have the number display as something relevant (like "BRI outpatients" in this case)? Telecoms have been able to do this for 20 years or so.

It's about privacy- they don't want to advertise to other people that the GUM is calling you.

Exactly.

That and NHS trusts are large, bureaucratic organisations, which means you've got a good chance that their lowest-bidder outsourced telephony is set up in such a way that it couldn't present DID numbers for the relevant department if it wanted to.  While presenting the main hospital switchboard number would be useful for when you're deciding whether to answer the call, it would also cause the poor switchboard operator to be inundated with calls from confused people returning their missed calls.

MY GP's surgery has a workaround for this:  When you reject the call with withheld CID, they try again from their fax line, which does present CID.  Neatly solving the communication problem, if not the privacy one[1].


Of course, this could all be solved if the NHS were dragged kicking and screaming into the Century Of The Fruitbat and allowed to use email.  I'll gladly sign a disclaimer and give you my public key, just sign me up, for fuck's sake.  Fat chance.

As for opt-in, that's even worse.  Either you try to automate it, which means an NHS IT project (and we all know how those go), or you put some sort of flag in the patient notes and expect the person calling to withhold or present the number on a case-by-case basis.  Which clearly isn't going to work, because most hearing people when faced with a telephone number and some supplementary notes, will dial first and ask questions later.  It's impulsive, like there's an important part of their brain that's permanently set to "phone a friend" rather than reading or applying common sense.


[1] Pragmatically, they bombard me with sufficient routine asthma checkups and minor administrative cockups that anything contentious ought to be lost in the noise.  But, having been there, it's different when you live with your parents and want to access GUM/mental health support.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 May, 2018, 02:10:39 pm
I'm not quite sure how a phone number, rather than the content of the phone call, is a privacy issue. Unless you've given them your work number for instance, in which case you've clearly decided privacy isn't important.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 May, 2018, 06:26:17 pm
I'm not quite sure how a phone number, rather than the content of the phone call, is a privacy issue. Unless you've given them your work number for instance, in which case you've clearly decided privacy isn't important.

Because then you've got to explain to your mum[1] why the hospital are phoning.  Are you pregnant or on drugs or something?

Seems trivial to most of us, but it's enough to put vulnerable people off engaging with healthcare services.


[1] Other fearsome authority figures with no respect for their family members' autonomy are available.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 09 May, 2018, 06:42:51 pm
Agree with Kim, but why does my local Renault garage hide its number when they phone me?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 May, 2018, 06:58:49 pm
Agree with Kim, but why does my local Renault garage hide its number when they phone me?

Might be the inability to present a DID thing.  Might be that they enjoy playing phone tag or something.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 May, 2018, 07:04:39 pm
Just back from ophthalmologist's with a dilated iris, looking forward to four or five hours of blindingly bright, fuzzy vision. Asked him why he couldn't reverse the dilation; he explained that to achieve it they paralyse the sphincter (not that one) and stimulate the dilator muscle. Reversing it with drops doesn't work worth a damn: paralysed is paralysed. Grin & bear it, and try not to walk into the wall.


I hate it when I have to have the dilation drops.  Being extremely light sensitive already it causes me extreme discomfort for hours.  Last time I sat in the corner of the waiting room with a coat over my head for four hours.   :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 May, 2018, 07:26:53 pm
I'm not quite sure how a phone number, rather than the content of the phone call, is a privacy issue. Unless you've given them your work number for instance, in which case you've clearly decided privacy isn't important.

Because then you've got to explain to your mum[1] why the hospital are phoning.  Are you pregnant or on drugs or something?

Seems trivial to most of us, but it's enough to put vulnerable people off engaging with healthcare services.


[1] Other fearsome authority figures with no respect for their family members' autonomy are available.
Which reminds me, completely OT but here it is, that I saw a woman with a hi-viz tabard which had printed on the back: CAUTION - PREGNANT CYCLIST
Not sure whether this was a plea, "Do take extra care and be extra nice because I'm cycling for two" kind of thing, or maybe a warning, "Do take extra care and be extra nice because otherwise I'll bite your legs off."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 May, 2018, 07:57:06 pm
Which reminds me, completely OT but here it is, that I saw a woman with a hi-viz tabard which had printed on the back: CAUTION - PREGNANT CYCLIST
Not sure whether this was a plea, "Do take extra care and be extra nice because I'm cycling for two" kind of thing, or maybe a warning, "Do take extra care and be extra nice because otherwise I'll bite your legs off."

Sounds like just the thing for blagging access to random loos.  I think we should have a forum challenge for the first beardy gentleman cyclist of the aerobelly persuasion to be photographed cycling in one.

On a similar note, I was never quite sure what to make of "DANGER: GOLFERS" signs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 May, 2018, 08:09:26 pm
On a similar note, I was never quite sure what to make of "DANGER: GOLFERS" signs.
Illiterate, innit? Everyone knows it's "Golfists"!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 09 May, 2018, 09:34:54 pm
It's possible to mow a small lawn 8 days after a hip replacement*. I kept on thinking of the
mower as a zimmer frame to aid my walking; so ended up accomplishing two jobs with one
action.

Still can't walk unaided at the moment; whilst next door neighbour has volunteered to mow my lawn
once a fortnight (just to stop it from having that overgrown look).

*Not recommended, as there's the cleaning of the mower, oiling the blades,sweeping up and
binning the cut grass to consider too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 May, 2018, 09:38:04 pm
 :o

I'd take up your neighbour's kind offer! :)

Hope you are otherwise healing well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 10 May, 2018, 09:50:23 am
:jurek:

I'd take up your neighbour's kind offer! :-)

Hope you are otherwise healing well.
Don't worry, I have. I just didn't want to be a burden on anyone. Mind you, it's amazing what you can do
when you put your mind to it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 May, 2018, 12:58:34 pm
Not sure this is quite a health and fitness thing, but why do the NHS, or some of their depts, insist on using "Private number" when they call you? Phone rang just as I was going out, fished it out of pocket, see "Private number" so ignore it. It goes off again immediately, so I decide to give them the benefit of the doubt – and it was about an appointment for my son. I realize they don't want people calling back on that number but surely it's easy to both block incoming calls and have the number display as something relevant (like "BRI outpatients" in this case)? Telecoms have been able to do this for 20 years or so.
They're not calling on a direct line; the call is routed through a switchboard and they've pressed 9 for an outside line, so the caller display doesn't have anything to show.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 May, 2018, 01:06:23 pm
:jurek:

I'd take up your neighbour's kind offer! :-)

Hope you are otherwise healing well.
Don't worry, I have. I just didn't want to be a burden on anyone. Mind you, it's amazing what you can do
when you put your mind to it.

Hard to find that balance between can-do and having to sheepishly have to return to doc with "I broke it, sorry" (BTDT with ortho stuff).

I figure with the neighbour you can pay it back or forward. It's only our society which makes us see needing assistance after major surgery as a "burden". Many other societies would call it community and kindness :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 11 May, 2018, 02:27:04 pm
This afternoon I shall be shopping for a walking stick. My hip has become sufficiently sore to drive me back to the Co-codamol and I am trying to maintain the consumption such that my bowels continue to function (personally <120mg codine/day). Unfortunately I am already there for today and given the 30/500 tablets can double this in a day which is ok occasionally but not after day 3.

All I can say is role on june when I will see the consultant.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 14 May, 2018, 11:13:45 am
Ouch. Any chance of NSAIDs doing anything for you in the meantime?  Or seeing if GP would give you something like tramadol instead?

I'm playing the equivalent game with a shoulder (and elbows and a wrist) and diclofenac with the opposite problem with bowel function.  >:(..
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 14 May, 2018, 02:09:24 pm
Normally when I'm riding I have my HRM on. Couldn't find it yesterday, so didn't.  I was somewhat surprised to see in the rest periods between my intervals that I could see my heart rate (something was blipping in rhythm round the end of my sternum)!  :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 14 May, 2018, 04:26:52 pm
Ouch. Any chance of NSAIDs doing anything for you in the meantime?  Or seeing if GP would give you something like tramadol instead?

I'm playing the equivalent game with a shoulder (and elbows and a wrist) and diclofenac with the opposite problem with bowel function.  >:(..

My problem is an allergy to Ibuprofen which means I have to be careful of NSAIDs. Though my recent back pain was aided Votarol which is diclofenac. My hip seems to be OK provided I am careful, though it does tend to mean lazy weekends with little activity to let it recover a bit.

I hope your shoulder issues are resolvable and soon.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2018, 10:01:00 am
It's possible to mow a small lawn 8 days after a hip replacement*. I kept on thinking of the
mower as a zimmer frame to aid my walking; so ended up accomplishing two jobs with one
action.

Still can't walk unaided at the moment; whilst next door neighbour has volunteered to mow my lawn
once a fortnight (just to stop it from having that overgrown look).

*Not recommended, as there's the cleaning of the mower, oiling the blades,sweeping up and
binning the cut grass to consider too.
Ouch! Good that you have a nice neighbour. Just don't do what my aunt did and fall down the stairs, breaking the other leg, a few days later.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2018, 10:03:21 am
Not sure this is quite a health and fitness thing, but why do the NHS, or some of their depts, insist on using "Private number" when they call you? Phone rang just as I was going out, fished it out of pocket, see "Private number" so ignore it. It goes off again immediately, so I decide to give them the benefit of the doubt – and it was about an appointment for my son. I realize they don't want people calling back on that number but surely it's easy to both block incoming calls and have the number display as something relevant (like "BRI outpatients" in this case)? Telecoms have been able to do this for 20 years or so.
They're not calling on a direct line; the call is routed through a switchboard and they've pressed 9 for an outside line, so the caller display doesn't have anything to show.
Probably is, but whatever the technological reasons the effect is to get those calls dismissed as spam.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2018, 12:04:47 pm
It's possible to mow a small lawn 8 days after a hip replacement*. I kept on thinking of the
mower as a zimmer frame to aid my walking; so ended up accomplishing two jobs with one
action.

LWaB used my wheelchair for this purpose when the comedy crip trio travelled to Taunton for the AUK Reunion in 2016.
He was partially weight bearing and otherwise on crutches, having fractured his pelvis...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 May, 2018, 03:49:49 pm
Hmm - it seems that the doctors want to stent my kidneys.

I'm not keen on this. It would be semi-permanent; the leaflet suggests that I'd need a replacement every 6 months!

My issues are almost certainly caused by medication. Some research suggests that the issues could have been prevented by taking potassium citrate as a supplement.

Plus it doesn't solve the problem of stopping me getting kidney stones in the first place.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 23 May, 2018, 08:13:45 am
I got my hearing aid yesterday (singular). Apart from the fact that the plug timers are all bloody noisy, and the birds need silencers, it's fantastic!
Everything is so much 'brighter', and the tinnitus isn't there, and - so far - I don't find it an irritation.
Audiology - a forgotten corner of the a NHS!

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2018, 12:37:21 pm
Cardiologist wants me back on beta-blockers. NOT A FUCKING CHANCE. Those bloody things turned cycling into Hell for three years and cost me my qualification for PBP 2011.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 May, 2018, 01:25:36 pm
Doctor, doctor, if I give up smoking, cakes & alcohol and take statins & beta-blockers, will I live forever?
No, but it will feel like forever...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2018, 02:46:45 pm
I'll have a natter with my GP next week. He has the final say in prescribing and I'm pretty sure he'll agree with me.

Cardio also wants to add apixaban on top of clopidogrel, while warning of haematoma risk if I fall off my bike.  I suppose I'd better pick my crashes carefully and aim at hedges rather than trees.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 May, 2018, 03:21:10 pm
They've put me on Tamusolin, to make my kidney stones pass through (hopefully; the alternative is surgery). My BP has dropped through the floor. I can cycle the two miles to and from work, if I ride carefully. Rode a bit fast last night, got off the bike, then had to hold onto a wall to stop myself from keeling over.

Two weeks ago I was hitting the gym for a hard 1hr session twice a week. :-(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2018, 03:58:45 pm
Great sensation, huh? I had that all the time 2008-2011 because of overcautiously-prescribed meds.  Hope your stones pass faster than that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 May, 2018, 04:28:59 pm
Me too.

Hill climbing is utterly out when on beta blockers (I've been on those, too). Like driving a van with a speed limiter fitted.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2018, 07:36:07 am
I did cols in the Vosges when I was on BBs. Heart wouldn't go over 130. Every 5-10 pedal-strokes I had to give one big one so that I could coast for a couple of seconds and let the quad pain subside.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2018, 08:38:59 am
Further to the above: decyphering the letter from the cardio, it would appear that I have hyperexcitable atria, and I gather that spurious spikes are crossing the bundle of His* and "troubling" relaxation of the left ventricle.  This is annoying, since it's exactly what the currently crocked El Prez suffers from, only he's reached the extreme phase.

I know of several cyclists who have this. Mostly they're col-chasers: I'm the first endurance rider I've heard of with it. However, long ago I was told by an anaesthetist that "we'll have you in here one day for a pacemaker. We get droves of cyclists needing them".

Just now the cardio wants to try BBs, but if they're too effective - and I know they would be - he wants me on an anticoagulant instead, and warns me of the risk of haematomata [sauce] if I fall off my bike. In future I'm only to ride on quilted roads.

Joking apart, it looks like the start of something major. Shit.

OTOH yesterday I did 149 km with 900+ metres of climbing at an average of 22.2 kph, so there's life yet.  Need to find out how many seasons I can get in before the chopper.

* or Theirs if you want to be non-denominational
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 31 May, 2018, 10:43:42 am
Further to the above: decyphering the letter from the cardio, it would appear that I have hyperexcitable atria, and I gather that spurious spikes are crossing the bundle of His* and "troubling" relaxation of the left ventricle.  This is annoying, since it's exactly what the currently crocked El Prez suffers from, only he's reached the extreme phase.

I know of several cyclists who have this. Mostly they're col-chasers: I'm the first endurance rider I've heard of with it. However, long ago I was told by an anaesthetist that "we'll have you in here one day for a pacemaker. We get droves of cyclists needing them".

Just now the cardio wants to try BBs, but if they're too effective - and I know they would be - he wants me on an anticoagulant instead, and warns me of the risk of haematomata [sauce] if I fall off my bike. In future I'm only to ride on quilted roads.

Joking apart, it looks like the start of something major. Shit.

OTOH yesterday I did 149 km with 900+ metres of climbing at an average of 22.2 kph, so there's life yet.  Need to find out how many seasons I can get in before the chopper.

* or Theirs if you want to be non-denominational

I could mention this to Mrs Ham, she might well see the quilting of a road as a challenge. (FTR, anything in Ham Hall that doesn't move fast enough gets quilted)

Good luck, anyhow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 31 May, 2018, 12:04:35 pm
Went to Central Middlesex Hospital today to see surgeon about the cysts on my scalp. Been put on waiting list to have one or two removed from my bunch of six. Consultation might have lasted three minutes.
GN: Appointment ran on time.
BN: 8 mile trek £10 and two Taxicard Swipes
GN: Couldn't see taxi rank by exit so hopped on waiting bus, which took us halfway; didn't have to wait very long for next bus, which went to our door.
BN: They have replaced receptionists with technology. Check-in on terminals by clinic. Desk in waiting area blocked off with signs telling you to use terminals outside. Large TV screen on wall shows BBC1 with subtitles on left (wrong aspect ratio so distorted images) Right half of screen is patient stuff: Joe Bloggs to Room 4 or whatever. Hospital time on top left of screen is 3.5 minutes behind BBC time. Folk with visual impairments or language/literacy issues would have trouble managing this.
GN: Hospital ATM works. I has CASH!

My brother had his cysts removed at the GP surgery. My last batch were removed at Edgware Hospital, which is within walking distance but on the east side of Watling Street, the frontier between Brent & Harrow and Barnet.

I'll have my Breast Squeezing at Edgware in a fortnight though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 31 May, 2018, 12:24:31 pm
I had my "lost twice" 11 months overdue head MRI to eliminate scary causes of migraine yesterday... £18 in taxi fares cos local buses don't do the route properly. We arrived 35 mins early cos travel was at rush hour o clock and I had to apply a worst case traffic AND worst case taxi factor and taxi came early.

There was a human receptionist but she was a bit sluggish and didn't have great awareness. So much for my "patient advocate" saying it was all sorted and they were expecting me. Had to keep saying "I'm deaf, face me while talking" "say again". There was a crap TV loud enough to be annoying but not loud enough to hear, no subtitles showing crap telly. I don't miss having a telly.

I wasn't taken out to the MRI scanner van till 65 mins after my appointment time then had more waiting in there... They took my hearing aid and spex off me quite a bit before taking me in... While the radiographers were friendly, they only half grokked DEAF.

The funniest bit was me being taken into scanner room and lipreading radiographer 1 telling someone behind me "she can't hear you!" before turning to talk at me herself and trying to give me disposable earplugs... I had to explain 100db deaf at <500Hz, I can't HEAR the MRI scanner apart from a tiny bit of some high frequency harmonics... They plonked headphones on me anyway which then got wire snagged so I had them pulling in a funny way while in the scanner.   

Apparently reporting is delayed, signage all says 2 weeks with biro scrawl saying 6-8 weeks. Radiographer 2 said chase specialists' secretary after 4-5 weeks so I'll do that via my "patient advocate" cos my consultant's secretary has shown herself incapable of responding to emails even after I formally complained, TWICE.

I need to then go back to arguing with a new human "I really do MEAN IT when I say be Accessible Information Standards compliant or I'm escalating again" and I'm done with nice education, I did that 11 months ago and they still haven't sorted basic access.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 May, 2018, 01:01:16 pm
Further to the above: decyphering the letter from the cardio, it would appear that I have hyperexcitable atria, and I gather that spurious spikes are crossing the bundle of His* and "troubling" relaxation of the left ventricle.  This is annoying, since it's exactly what the currently crocked El Prez suffers from, only he's reached the extreme phase.

I know of several cyclists who have this. Mostly they're col-chasers: I'm the first endurance rider I've heard of with it. However, long ago I was told by an anaesthetist that "we'll have you in here one day for a pacemaker. We get droves of cyclists needing them".

Just now the cardio wants to try BBs, but if they're too effective - and I know they would be - he wants me on an anticoagulant instead, and warns me of the risk of haematomata [sauce] if I fall off my bike. In future I'm only to ride on quilted roads.

Joking apart, it looks like the start of something major. Shit.

OTOH yesterday I did 149 km with 900+ metres of climbing at an average of 22.2 kph, so there's life yet.  Need to find out how many seasons I can get in before the chopper.

* or Theirs if you want to be non-denominational

I could mention this to Mrs Ham, she might well see the quilting of a road as a challenge. (FTR, anything in Ham Hall that doesn't move fast enough gets quilted)

Good luck, anyhow.

Ta. Got a stress test next week. Thing is, I'm climbing well and I feel fine. The cardiologist calls that "asymptomatic".

My sister's into the quilting bit as well.  It makes for a lot of obligatory likes on Facebook.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 31 May, 2018, 10:16:00 pm
Hmm. Is that the wee weird scabby thing which was biopsied off my ear (and diagnosed as all clear) coming back again? Seems to be right where one of the stitches were from the biopsy site. 

Will keep an eye on it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 31 May, 2018, 11:03:58 pm
Sounds interesting T42. For what little it is worth, I know of a couple of randonneurs with pacemakers who are holding up pretty well. We're still aiming to share the road with you again in your part of the world, so don't stop turning your wheels just yet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 June, 2018, 03:41:33 pm
Thanks, LWaB.

Had the stress test today: everything normal, absolutely without arrhythmia. Cardiologist has backed off from the BBs but wants me to take a mild anticoagulant to offset the risk of cerebral haemorrhage. "Minimal risk of haematomata", quoth he.

Why is it that all these medical words are so bloody difficult to spell?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 June, 2018, 04:52:36 pm
They're all Greek (and Latin) to me!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 06 June, 2018, 07:43:00 pm
5 years ago today, I became a type 1 diabetic officially

I feel no less healthy now than I did before, and certainly better than the undiagnosed and uncontrolled diabetic I was for several months
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 June, 2018, 08:22:21 pm
I think life-changing diagnoses can be a relief.

They provide an explanation for multiple symptoms and a hope of a useful management plan.

It might be sad to have the diagnosis but it's good to know the illness is treatable and you're not a malingering neurotic etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 June, 2018, 08:54:18 am
Yes. My son is vastly overweight (BMI 37 and counting - a figure I have trouble believing) yet remains just within the limits for not being diabetic. As a result his knees and ankles are grumbling, at the age of 44.  My own ankle problems started at that age, but they came from jumping a couple of metres down a bank in the forest and landing hard on both heels.  Were he to do the same he'd have to be helicoptered out.

A diagnosis of T2 diabetes delivered with a good scare would do him a world of good.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 June, 2018, 01:32:13 pm
Weird how hurty joints don't spur action from some folk.

I am privileged in not having pain in general. I don't do pain. If I had pain,I would do my best to minimise or abolish it.

I am a softie!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 June, 2018, 01:41:09 pm
I had my pre-op assessment yesterday. My BP is low (105/60), despite recent exercise being minimal (just basic planks and about 80 pushups a day).

Despite losing 7kg recently and getting down to 76kg I was still flagged as 'overweight'. I'm skinny with maybe an inch of belly fat at the most.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mike on 07 June, 2018, 01:47:58 pm
A new gym just opened up around the corner, it looks quite nice so I went along for a 'briefing'.  It's a grand for a series of induction classes and then 200 pounds a month... I might not join. [what planet, etc..]
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 June, 2018, 02:16:57 pm
****!!!!

David is paying £16/month for his membership of 'the gym'. This was an introductory offer and standard membership is £19.99/month.

DAvid doesn't like the muzack thobut...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 07 June, 2018, 02:19:27 pm
 :o :o :o

Our local council owned gym £100 pa.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 07 June, 2018, 11:21:05 pm
I had forgotten how tiring constant low grade pain is. My hip has deteriorated to 4-6 co-codamol per day to maintain a 4/5 on the 1-10 pain scale. Role on two weeks time and the consultant appointment which will probably go along the lines of hello your back, i don't have any recent images so please go for xray and here is a referral for an MRI in 8 weeks time and i will see you 4 weeks after that to discuss.

At the current rate of deterioration i am going to have to investigate blue badges as that is the only way i can jump the queue for an on site parking space and 1/2 a mile to the off site parking is too much even with a stick.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 June, 2018, 06:56:10 am
Blue badges are notoriously hard to get unless the "impairment" is likely to be permanent.

HOWEVER... As you have had this hip thing for some time, and it is deteriorating again, this is a recurrence of an existing disability and you have rights under the Equality Act to "reasonable adjustments" one of which could be to provide you with more local parking.

Seek a work Occy Health appt and see what they say. Show them how long you've had and how long the waits are for treatment. Hopefully they will agree. Feel free to PM me if you want more specific advice as I know these hoops well.

You have the right not to be in pain or made to walk so far you're in pain.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 08 June, 2018, 02:14:02 pm
I agree blue badges should be hard to get, I don't believe I currently warrant one, however my client (I am on secondment to their office) does not seem to be able to jump me up the 3 year wait for onsite parking without issuing me a pass for the disabled parking bays.

I have been given a temporary pass for the onsite disabled bays (as would be procedure for broken leg etc.) until after I see the consultant in two weeks time. Therefore one of the items I am going to need from him is a letter to work to explain my condition and request onsite parking.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 June, 2018, 02:53:32 pm
I don't think you can get a Blue Badge for impairments likely to last less than three months BICBW.

Hope you hip gets sorted PDQ!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 June, 2018, 04:08:28 pm
Vitreous humour now shrinking in right eye - the "floating spider" mark, where it was in contact with the retina over the optic nerve, is now swanning about when I move the eye, and divers other blobs are appearing. That's both eyes crocked within a month and nothing to be done about it.  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 June, 2018, 05:16:03 pm
Well if the disabled parking bays are on private land they don't need a blue badge...

Hopefully with a consultant letter they will agree to let you use the disabled bays or some other parking space on-site. How they do it is their problem, but they HAVE to do it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: dave r on 14 June, 2018, 05:45:36 pm
Finally I'm able to sit on both cheeks, after a week of only being able to sit on the left cheek, I'm genuinely surprised at the amount of pain and discomfort caused by a large bruise on the outside of my right cheek. A week ago my foot slipped of the pedal as I accelerated away from a set of lights and I banged the outside of my right cheek on the nose of the saddle but stayed on the bike. I'm now able to sleep on my back as well as sleep on my left side, I'm hoping to get back to sleeping on my right side soon, the side I habitually sleep on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 18 June, 2018, 08:05:47 am
Since I started audaxing just over a year ago, I seem to have become much more susceptible to annoying ENT type stuff, particularly tonsillitis and sinusitis. Anyone else experienced this, or am I just weak?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 June, 2018, 08:47:58 am
It's the opposite for me: long rides leave everything clear.  It's household dust that gets me, that and maybe the dogs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 June, 2018, 12:04:00 pm
I had more colds in my first year of audaxing but that settled.

Now, my cleaner gets surprised if I sneeze cos I don't get lurgied very often at all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Frank9755 on 18 June, 2018, 03:25:22 pm
Food poisoning
Lying in bed with zero energy after sleepless night with violent vomiting
Yuk!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 June, 2018, 03:38:21 pm
Get Well Soon!

Down the Dioralyte/Gatorade/Lucozade Sport!

IME Sports drinks taste better and come in adult-sized portions.

Are you sure this is not a heart thing?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 June, 2018, 03:39:52 pm
what fun, frank! I hope you were able to use a bowl or make it to the loo. Cleaning up is so depressing, otherwise.

I, too, had a sleepless night. I don't think that I should be peeing out blood clots this large still (but I guess some pain is to be expected, having been stented up to my kidney).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Frank9755 on 18 June, 2018, 06:42:00 pm
My wife and daughter weren't well either so not specific to me. Either food poisoning or a bug from nursery.
We were round at friends for lunch yesterday so I've just sent the awkward email asking how they are. If it's food poisoning they have given us it and if a bug we may have given it to them!
Annoying thing is it might delay my heart op.

I managed to get to the bathroom in time in both occasions. Sounds like I probably had a more comfortable night than you, mrc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 18 June, 2018, 07:46:57 pm
If you have to take a bucket into the loo because it's "both ends", and you feel the need to hang a note on the door saying "No access until further notice" then it's probably something an outsider brought home. In my experience. Bonus points if it's Christmas Day. And then you infect your 90 year old Mother. And it was all brought into the house by your MIL.

Oh.... just me?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 19 June, 2018, 12:27:15 am
" Y' might wanna give it a few minutes, bloke!"

Croc' Dundee, my favourite quote!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 03 July, 2018, 07:58:33 am
Just about to give my teeth a squirt with my Waterpik jetwash thing & noticed the tank had a layer of green stuff at the bottom. First time that’s happened in the couple of years I’ve owned it. Must be the constant sunny weather.  It’s now filled with Milton & I’ll be keeping it off the window ledge.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 03 July, 2018, 09:44:11 am
Kicking a ball around with my daughter on Sunday I thwacked it hard into the railings to rebound to her. Railings being round, it rebounded differently to how I expected - directly under the foot I was landing on! In the resulting falling over I managed to put all my weight onto the tips of my toes bending the toes upward and the foot the other way.  :o
X Rays didn't show anything, but 2 days on and while the swelling has gone down a bit walking still hurts and driving is not possible (right foot obv - I have an auto so could drive if it were my left). Sigh.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 July, 2018, 10:56:50 am
I feel your pain. No, wait, I don't: I feel mine. Hope we both GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 03 July, 2018, 10:36:21 pm
You can drive an automatic with the left foot. Best done in a slow traffic jam where you just gently move along. Spent 7 weeks doing this some years ago.

My wife tried it and drove into friends garage door.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 04 July, 2018, 01:57:16 pm
I tried left foot braking on my way home after I first injured it. It worked OK where I could concentrate on the left foot, but where I thought about something else it all came to an abrupt halt! I can drive again using my right foot now - it's not as painful as it was, but it's still massively swollen (including the ankle), and the whole foot is in the process of turning into one giant bruise! Elevating it in the hours afterwards would probably have been a good plan, but the A&E chairs don't really allow for that!  ::-)
Current treatment protocol is ibuprofen after meals, elevate where possible, try not to walk much, and wait and see...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 05 July, 2018, 01:51:28 pm
Since I started audaxing just over a year ago, I seem to have become much more susceptible to annoying ENT type stuff, particularly tonsillitis and sinusitis. Anyone else experienced this, or am I just weak?

I used to get colds after long bouts of exercise (such as Audax).

Having a large dose of protein within 45 minutes (ideally 20) of finishing made it all but go away for me. I usually have 500ml of chocolate milk (my personal rule is that I need to have burned off at least double the calories to warrant it).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 July, 2018, 08:12:14 pm
Loads of ice is key.  Especially in this heat.  4 bags of cheap iceland frozen peas large size.

wrap one in a damp cloth and place on foot moulded to shape.  leave for 15-20 minutes.

put in freezer.

30 minutes later
use the next bag

Repeat for 4 weeks
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2018, 11:10:36 am
First 5-min session on the turbo since my faux pas on the stairs last week.  (Diagnosis (own): minor external-quad tear & severe ileo-tib tendinitis.)

Outcome: mild pain sitting down, about 3 on a scale of 10 rising to 7 when I stand on the pedals.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 13 July, 2018, 06:10:33 pm
Physio diagnosis - torn ligament in mid-foot. 6-8 weeks to be in good shape, probably another month to be able to run properly. Just in time for autumn and darkness. :(
Manipulation cleared loads of the swelling, ice and elevation every day should help with the rest (I still have huge bruising, a full 12 days after I did it). Gonna try swimming to see if I can keep some cardio fitness, though I suspect much of my hard won FTP will have disappeared by the time I can actually work hard on the bike. :(
I can do core stuff though - loads of crunches, planks (on my shins) and so on, and bodyweight squats to maintain some power. Maybe if I do enough of that I can get more aero and the loss of power will be less noticeable!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 13 July, 2018, 11:00:24 pm
What do we want?
Competent Doctors.

When do we want 'em?
About eight hours ago!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 July, 2018, 07:52:10 am
Doc: at least two more weeks sans vélo and then, if no better, an echogram.

July seems to be my favourite month for sitting around moaning while my condition goes out the window. Third time since 2013.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 14 July, 2018, 05:23:02 pm
Swimming wears out my shoulders. When I forget not to kick it hurts my foot too! However, it's better tan not doing anything.  I'll have to build up the distance though, otherwise I'll make myself completely useless!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 23 July, 2018, 05:24:56 pm
Curse progress and the Nanny State. Once upon a time one could buy Solarcaine, and it had, as the name suggests, a topical anaesthetic in it, namely Novocaine. Excellent for scrapes, bites, minor burns, saddle sores.... The product still exists, but even in the Good Ole USA it only has Aloe Vera in  >:(.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 24 July, 2018, 02:07:10 pm
I've done swimming 2 Saturdays in a row. I am getting better at swimming, but I'm not getting my HR very high (100 ish if I believe my watch), and I can only manage 20-30 minutes before my arms/shoulders are worn out. However, the ice/elevation has made a significant difference over the last week and my foot is much improved - I'm going to try riding my bike this evening (stiff clipless shoes should help). I won't resume training until next week at the earliest though - it will be interesting to see how much my FTP has gone down (will probably test a week on Saturday).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 25 July, 2018, 03:38:57 pm
I rode my bike on the turbo last night for 10 minutes. I tried to keep a reasonably spinny cadence in a lowish gear, so not producing too much power. My foot noticed when I tried to pull on the upstroke, but it was otherwise OK except for when I unclipped, which hurt lots. I'm going away this weekend, but hopefully I will be able to ride the turbo properly when I get back.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 August, 2018, 08:23:23 pm
I was supposed to be seeing the local ortho hospital physician led shoulder team today and having Xrays.

But upon reading my medical history (rather than the outline which went with referral) the lead consultant decided my condition was not within his remit of "sports injury" and cancelled the appt on me. He tried to suggest I went back to hand surgeon which for shoulders is useless! Fortunately PALS are brilliant by email and I got them to ask scaredy doc for a named SHOULDER bod for my GP to refer me to.

GP is lovely and has sorted the new referral. PALS will try and expedite the appt cos I've already waited 3.5 months. 

Good thing I know how to wrangle the NHS really... And I have a Plan C. If next doc can't/won't treat me, I want that in writing on headed paper with reasons (if nothing else useful for battering fuckwits at the DWP with) and I'll seek referral back to RNOH Stanmore via my "open appointment" letter or my GP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 August, 2018, 04:15:30 pm
Decided to ignore cardiologist-imposed heart rate limitations. Killjoy wuz here, duly ejected.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 15 August, 2018, 08:13:54 pm
Bizarre sking symptoms, on my shins this time, but I've had similar on my chest before. 

Post run today, my shins were covered in what looked like tiny blisters, fulll of fluid, clear.  No pain, but qute itchy.  Now I've had similar before after riding the bent, so belly up, with my zip partway down and getting that classic sunburnt triangle.  I ended up looking like human bubble wrap until the skin peeled.

I'm assuming it's the same on my legs?  They would have had lots of sun and wind exposure last week - arm warmers or long sleeves worn, but not long legs - so I assume windburn a possibility.  A scrub in the whower with a buff has got rid and no pain now. I'm asuming dried skin, sweat bubbling underneath and can't penetrate.

Anyone else had similar?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 August, 2018, 08:31:06 am
AKA further symptoms of exposure to ionizing radiation - too much sun.  Seen it many a time on myself & others. Various folk have uttered the word precancerous in portentous tones but worrying about it'll have worse effects. Slap on some factor 108 next time as a nod to medical piety.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 22 August, 2018, 09:08:31 am
My foot is 95% better, but the last 5% is taking forever. I can ride my bike, even the fixie, so long as I don't do low cadence high force riding. So no steep hills (or even rises) and my foot survives without too much discomfort. Definitely can't run though.
The physio has me doing calf raises and stretches and rolling a golf ball (couldn't find one, using a pool ball) under my foot every day.  Last night I woke up with pain in my big toe joint, and it turned out to be resolved by stretching the front of my shin. I guess it's agonist/antagonist, but it's really annoying. I remember reading about an american footballer who had a Lis Franc sprain basically learning to pick things up and write and stuff with his toes as a means of making the foot dextrous and working all the little muscles/ligaments in there - I wonder if that's worth a go. Will experiment before the next appointment (a week on Friday).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 August, 2018, 09:46:48 am
Sounds wearing.  From one unwise ride in the mid-80s I took away ACL damage that still niggled 10 years later, and tendinitis caused by the wrong handlebar inclination in 2011 still bothers me on occasion - cut my steak at the wrong angle and the pain makes me drop the knife.

Fortunately the GP had the perfect remedy: "with your coronary troubles you shouldn't eat steak". Thanx, doc.

Anyway, hope the 5% comes to order PDQ.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 22 August, 2018, 03:39:43 pm
A potentially revolutionary new insulin, developed right here in the UK.  This would be a lifechanger for so many T1 diabetics - just imagine not having to think 4 hours ahead to go for a ride or a run, turn down your pump/reduce your injection, go high in the meantime etc, just eat as normal and step out of the door, letting the smart insulin do it's things, just like a normal person .  Let's hope this kind of pioneering research doesn't disappear from our shores on 29th March 2019 thanks to a bunch of short-sighted xenophobes

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-45268904 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-45268904)

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 August, 2018, 03:59:40 pm
Agree with you there.

I saw in Nature today that succinate causes mice to burn brown fat and lose weight, with implications for the obese (e.g. a licence to eat even more).  To do so it triggers the standard heat-producing reaction, meaning that the gluttonous who are hot & sweaty will become hotter and sweatier. Nothing's free.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 August, 2018, 04:19:47 pm
A potentially revolutionary new insulin, developed right here in the UK.  This would be a lifechanger for so many T1 diabetics - just imagine not having to think 4 hours ahead to go for a ride or a run, turn down your pump/reduce your injection, go high in the meantime etc, just eat as normal and step out of the door, letting the smart insulin do it's things, just like a normal person .  Let's hope this kind of pioneering research doesn't disappear from our shores on 29th March 2019 thanks to a bunch of short-sighted xenophobes

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-45268904 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-45268904)
It sounds amazing.

Apart from the short term-advantages, sounds like it might stave off the damage that T1 diabetes causes; so no more circulation damage, heart muscle damage etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 August, 2018, 05:23:46 pm
It has a bright future, as long as it doesn't threaten profits.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 August, 2018, 05:28:20 pm
It has a bright future, as long as it doesn't threaten profits.

Brexit might make things 'interesting'...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 August, 2018, 08:32:06 pm
Interestingly it has been bought by the supplier of half the worlds insulin.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 22 August, 2018, 08:34:39 pm
Yes, I noticed that, I'm already using Novo Nordisk insulin.   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 August, 2018, 08:35:15 pm
Which is in Denmark...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 22 August, 2018, 08:59:04 pm
Which is in Denmark...

hence my comments about post March 29th
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 04 September, 2018, 07:24:08 pm
Heard something interesting on the Toady show on R4 this morning.
They were discussing that heart age website thingy.   Presenter suggested that docs ask questions about family history of heart attacks in order to suggest genetic propensity to heart problems.   A leading cardiologist  said that the reason was also that poor lifestyle is also most likely inherited.

That may be obvious, but I'd never thought of that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 September, 2018, 07:35:18 pm
Heard something interesting on the Toady show on R4 this morning.
They were discussing that heart age website thingy.   Presenter suggested that docs ask questions about family history of heart attacks in order to suggest genetic propensity to heart problems.   A leading cardiologist  said that the reason was also that poor lifestyle is also most likely inherited.

That may be obvious, but I'd never thought of that.

Up to a point, Lord Copper.

There has been a HUGE increase in obesity in the past 40 years, which can't be inherited. You only have to look at photographs of holidaymakers to see this. Our parents' and grandparents' generation had a less obesogenic environment and lifestyle, though may have smoked more (which is not really inherited).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 September, 2018, 07:42:11 pm
Isn't there a genetic component to obesity? And within our generally prevalent obesogenic environment, some of us inherit a more particularly obesogenic lifestyle; if our parents ate junk food, drank, smoked and spent their time in front of the TV, we're more likely to so similar, which is surely Basil's presenter's point.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 04 September, 2018, 07:43:26 pm
what I wasn't clear with on that is how some of the risk factors are used - for example it asks if you are diabetic, which I am, but not which type which to me is relevant to heart risk. It also asks no questions about levels of exercise which I thought odd. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 September, 2018, 10:55:33 pm
Insulin-dependent diabetes is still associated with increased risk of cardiovascular illness.

Sorry!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 September, 2018, 11:00:46 pm
Heard something interesting on the Toady show on R4 this morning.
They were discussing that heart age website thingy.   Presenter suggested that docs ask questions about family history of heart attacks in order to suggest genetic propensity to heart problems.   A leading cardiologist  said that the reason was also that poor lifestyle is also most likely inherited.

That may be obvious, but I'd never thought of that.

Up to a point, Lord Copper.

There has been a HUGE increase in obesity in the past 40 years, which can't be inherited. You only have to look at photographs of holidaymakers to see this. Our parents' and grandparents' generation had a less obesogenic environment and lifestyle, though may have smoked more (which is not really inherited).
My grandad weighed 26stone. He died in his 60s from heart disease.
My gran died in her 50s. She was short and fat
My uncle died in his late 40s. He was 'stocky'.
My other uncle had his first heart attack at 60. He was the figure of a robin. Sticklike legs, corpulent body.

None were smokers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 September, 2018, 11:00:51 pm
I see doctors apparently use too much jargon.

This is easily done, especially when conferring with medical colleagues.

Please let me know if I ever use incomprehensible language.

I don't think I'm guilty though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 September, 2018, 11:14:40 pm
Heard something interesting on the Toady show on R4 this morning.
They were discussing that heart age website thingy.   Presenter suggested that docs ask questions about family history of heart attacks in order to suggest genetic propensity to heart problems.   A leading cardiologist  said that the reason was also that poor lifestyle is also most likely inherited.

That may be obvious, but I'd never thought of that.

Up to a point, Lord Copper.

There has been a HUGE increase in obesity in the past 40 years, which can't be inherited. You only have to look at photographs of holidaymakers to see this. Our parents' and grandparents' generation had a less obesogenic environment and lifestyle, though may have smoked more (which is not really inherited).
My grandad weighed 26stone. He died in his 60s from heart disease.
My gran died in her 50s. She was short and fat
My uncle died in his late 40s. He was 'stocky'.
My other uncle had his first heart attack at 60. He was the figure of a robin. Sticklike legs, corpulent body.

None were smokers.

'Apple' type fat distribution, by the sound of things, which is associated with many of the ills of obesity.

British waistline expansion suggests this is increasing.

Our family were either reasonably slim or pear shaped - my grandmother weighed 14 stone (~89kg) when I was six and lived to 101.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 05 September, 2018, 06:24:43 am
Insulin-dependent diabetes is still associated with increased risk of cardiovascular illness.

Sorry!

Yes, but is that in the statistical generality, where I've seen quite a few both obese and poorly controlled T1s, or due to the condition itself, in which case my fitness and good control (hbA1c <50, 98% of readings on target) counts for nothing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 September, 2018, 08:52:28 am
I see doctors apparently use too much jargon.

This is easily done, especially when conferring with medical colleagues.

Please let me know if I ever use incomprehensible language.

I don't think I'm guilty though.

It's an interesting one that:  As a child of medics, I'm reasonably conversant with medical jargon and get thrown a bit when people don't understand what - to me - seem like normal English words.  In a way that I don't with all the computer jargon I've actively learned.

As ever, plain English is a Good Thing, and the problem with jargon is that you need someone who isn't fluent in it to spot it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 September, 2018, 11:13:33 am
All of the models are vast simplifications of population level statistics.

We could produce a model which asked you 1000 questions about your health and lifestyle and come out with a specific risk factor for you but we still do not have enough data to make it meaningful.

The good news for T1 diabetics is that they probably should still take an annuity on retirement!  The insurance company model will give you a low life expectancy and therefor a higher pension.  Your general fitness will let you enjoy the high pension for longer!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: arabella on 05 September, 2018, 11:47:44 am
Isn't there a genetic component to obesity? And within our generally prevalent obesogenic environment, some of us inherit a more particularly obesogenic lifestyle; if our parents ate junk food, drank, smoked and spent their time in front of the TV, we're more likely to so similar, which is surely Basil's presenter's point.
I'm reading the Robert Lustig book about sugar atm which covers genetics vs environment in spades
he reckons most people could slim down if they ate right (environment) but some are doomed by genetics no matter how healthy they eat/live
in particular 'food deserts' - areas where you can't buy decent food, only sugared/processed stuff (apparently 80% of what you can buy in US has added sugar)
haven't finished reading/digesting the  book yet, mind
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 05 September, 2018, 11:56:46 am
I filled in the form, but I don't know my bp or cholesterol.
It told me my heart age was 1 year above my chronological age. WTF? I have no other risk factors, so therefore I'm 1 year above?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 September, 2018, 12:00:23 pm
I filled in the form, but I don't know my bp or cholesterol.
It told me my heart age was 1 year above my chronological age. WTF? I have no other risk factors, so therefore I'm 1 year above?

Rounding error?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2018, 01:51:26 pm
I filled in the form, but I don't know my bp or cholesterol.
It told me my heart age was 1 year above my chronological age. WTF? I have no other risk factors, so therefore I'm 1 year above?

Rounding error?

Possibly their algorithm 'thinks' if you CnBA to get your BP or cholesterol checked, you have a higher risk of disease associated with elevated levels.

Take-up of these silly health checks is reduced in deprived areas and it's the deprivation that influences morbidity...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 September, 2018, 02:21:14 pm
I filled in the form, but I don't know my bp or cholesterol.
It told me my heart age was 1 year above my chronological age. WTF? I have no other risk factors, so therefore I'm 1 year above?

Rounding error?

Possibly their algorithm 'thinks' if you CnBA to get your BP or cholesterol checked, you have a higher risk of disease associated with elevated levels.

Take-up of these silly health checks is reduced in deprived areas and it's the deprivation that influences morbidity...
Quote of the day
"Poverty kills. You can't fix poverty with Statins."

My brother is far from impoverished (he has a world-touring holiday about every 2nd year and co-owns 3 houses).
He lives on statins, tries to convince me I should join him. His BMI fluctuates between 30 and 35, it has been a while since he has seen his toes without bending over. Basically, he is in denial. To be fair to him, he did make a major effort to get his weight down from 115kg to about 95kg.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 05 September, 2018, 02:37:32 pm
I filled in the form, but I don't know my bp or cholesterol.
It told me my heart age was 1 year above my chronological age. WTF? I have no other risk factors, so therefore I'm 1 year above?

Rounding error?

Possibly their algorithm 'thinks' if you CnBA to get your BP or cholesterol checked, you have a higher risk of disease associated with elevated levels.

Take-up of these silly health checks is reduced in deprived areas and it's the deprivation that influences morbidity...
Sure.  On the other hand, the only things they know about me are my BMI (22) and that I don't smoke or have family history. I suspect it defaults to the age of the participant and that's it's 1 year out is just a rounding error as Kim suggested, I just found it odd.
I should probably get one of those 40+ checks done, but that would mean organising it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 05 September, 2018, 05:12:37 pm
Ben Goldacre made a good point on twitter about the reactions to this. In all probability, the number of healthy people who will click it and decide they need a cholesterol check from their GP to allow them to get an accurate picture of their heart health (i.e. fill the form in better) will result in wasted GP time and unnecessary expense for the NHS. Not convinced it's been thought through...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 05 September, 2018, 05:48:20 pm
I filled in the form, but I don't know my bp or cholesterol.
It told me my heart age was 1 year above my chronological age. WTF? I have no other risk factors, so therefore I'm 1 year above?

Same here. Healthy BMI, answered no to all the risk factors, no BP or cholesterol results, yet my heart age is a year above.

Interestingly, I tried again, with exactly the same answers but using a different postcode (my old one, in York rather than Glasgow) to see whether it made a difference. That aged my heart by a year, so 2 years above my real age! I'd have expected the opposite, since Glasgow doesn't exactly have a healthy reputation... ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2018, 05:57:15 pm
Maybe having few 'lifestyle' adverse factors is so unusual in Glasgow that you get double longevity Brownie points!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 05 September, 2018, 06:24:32 pm
Ben Goldacre made a good point on twitter about the reactions to this. In all probability, the number of healthy people who will click it and decide they need a cholesterol check from their GP to allow them to get an accurate picture of their heart health (i.e. fill the form in better) will result in wasted GP time and unnecessary expense for the NHS. Not convinced it's been thought through...
On the other hand if some unnecessary tests also results in catching some people that could really be helped...

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2018, 06:56:55 pm
Ben Goldacre made a good point on twitter about the reactions to this. In all probability, the number of healthy people who will click it and decide they need a cholesterol check from their GP to allow them to get an accurate picture of their heart health (i.e. fill the form in better) will result in wasted GP time and unnecessary expense for the NHS. Not convinced it's been thought through...
On the other hand if some unnecessary tests also results in catching some people that could really be helped...

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I don't know how many people on average need to be tested to find somebody who needs to be treated. The NHS doesn't like wasting dosh so it tends to test where there's a potential health/economic benefit. The diagnostic yield in unbidden subjects is likely to be low, hence 'unnecessary' tests...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 05 September, 2018, 07:05:18 pm
Ben Goldacre made a good point on twitter about the reactions to this. In all probability, the number of healthy people who will click it and decide they need a cholesterol check from their GP to allow them to get an accurate picture of their heart health (i.e. fill the form in better) will result in wasted GP time and unnecessary expense for the NHS. Not convinced it's been thought through...
On the other hand if some unnecessary tests also results in catching some people that could really be helped...

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I don't know how many people on average need to be tested to find somebody who needs to be treated. The NHS doesn't like wasting dosh so it tends to test where there's a potential health/economic benefit. The diagnostic yield in unbidden subjects is likely to be low, hence 'unnecessary' tests...
All very true. I don't know where the balance lies.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2018, 07:25:10 pm
Public Health doctors have mostly done the maths.

A pre-menopausal woman, with normal blood pressure, desirable weight, no diabetes, no symptoms and no family history of heart disease, will be VERY unlikely to have a cholesterol worth checking or treating.

Suspect the same is true for men under 40.

If you are on any regular medication, it might be worth asking for a cholesterol check the next time you see your GP, especially if you have any of the risk factors listed above.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 05 September, 2018, 07:54:28 pm
Many pharmacies offer cholesterol tests. That’s what I would use. And at a surgery it’d most likely be the nurse that did th3 test, not a GP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 September, 2018, 09:37:35 pm
Modern British man must be even fatter than I thought.

We were ambling past a menswear shop in Christchurch earlier today and David thought he'd like some new shirts. He asked me what size he needed andI suggested 15" as the 15½" shirt he'd been wearing was too loose on the neck.

Shop had only ONE shirt in that size, which was unsuitable. Shop assistant measured David and agreed 15" was the correct size. Said she used to sell loads of that size in the past but there was no longer any demand.

David is not particularly thin and would appear to have a thicker neck than his taller brother.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 September, 2018, 06:49:02 am
Modern British man must be even fatter than I thought.

We were ambling past a menswear shop in Christchurch earlier today and David thought he'd like some new shirts. He asked me what size he needed andI suggested 15" as the 15½" shirt he'd been wearing was too loose on the neck.

Shop had only ONE shirt in that size, which was unsuitable. Shop assistant measured David and agreed 15" was the correct size. Said she used to sell loads of that size in the past but there was no longer any demand.

David is not particularly thin and would appear to have a thicker neck than his taller brother.

Which ties in with this:

I did that heart-age thing. I'm 1m74 for 70 kilos. I lied about being diabetic & coronarily afflicted and didn't have any of my figures to hand, so they used the averages for the UK (without telling me what they were, obscurantist twats that they are) and told me that I had a cardiac age of 79. Since I'm only 71, the implication is that the average UK male is in a bad way.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2018, 08:32:47 am
I've never quite got the point of sizing shirts by collar when there are so many other variables – chest, waist, arm length, torso length – which vary without affecting neck diameter.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 September, 2018, 06:48:10 pm
Nor did I, though there's a range of body and sleeve lengths for a given size.

In the days when men wore ties almost all the time, a well-fitting collar helped a tie and neckline look neat.

My rule of thumb is collar size in cm = chest size in inches...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 21 September, 2018, 05:33:13 pm
I've been trying to improve my dire levels of fitness by cycling (yes really!) - I've been going out almost every morning for the last 10 days but despite doing no more than 18km (and averaging 11km per ride) at a moderate pace (about 20kph), I'm constantly knackered, exhausted and tired  :sick: . I know I'm really really ancient (at 63) but this is hardly coal mining territory, and I'm wondering how long to persist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 September, 2018, 07:06:05 pm
Do you have breakfast before riding?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 21 September, 2018, 08:48:15 pm
Yes. I have my usual 50/50 cornflakes /fruit & fibre with Oatly milk substitute, and a cup of tea. I've also been careful to drink about 300-500ml of water (or squash) when I get in because I know I've been previously bad at hydration.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 September, 2018, 09:04:52 pm
Cornflakes cause me to get a reactive hypo.
Suggest a BIG porridge!

My mum used to put butter in my porridge...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 21 September, 2018, 09:53:28 pm
reactive hypos are nasty from what I've been told!

My porridge is packed with nuts and fruit and maybe lashings of double or clotted cream
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 September, 2018, 10:06:23 pm
I get symptomatic below 2.8mmol/l...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 21 September, 2018, 10:12:28 pm
Interesting thoughts. I like porridge and it's getting to that sort of season. I'll give it a go. Thanks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 September, 2018, 10:36:21 pm
You are 63 and you expect improvement in 10 days?  20year olds improve in 10 days. People over 50 who are unfit take 2-3 days to recover from a sudden change in exertion.

Stick at it, aim for exercising 3 days a week for over an hour a time. Look for improvements every fortnight. Expect to feel tired. If you aren't feeling tired, you aren't trying hard enough.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 21 September, 2018, 11:40:43 pm
Almost every day means no recovery. You’ll only improve with proper recovery. Give yourself a break. Literally.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 September, 2018, 07:16:25 am
Also I suggest that we both need to lift some weights. As we get older we lose muscle mass and cycling also leads to osteoporosis. Weights will help to reverse that
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 September, 2018, 08:47:19 am
Also I suggest that we both need to lift some weights. As we get older we lose muscle mass and cycling also leads to osteoporosis. Weights will help to reverse that

For God's sake don't tell my missus, she's bad enough every time I take a glass of Badoit.

I used to do quite a bit of weight training, until one day the structural integrity of my shoulders was compromised by sudden contact with a cycle track barrier. It probably wasn't organic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 22 September, 2018, 10:23:56 am
You are 63 and you expect improvement in 10 days?  20year olds improve in 10 days. People over 50 who are unfit take 2-3 days to recover from a sudden change in exertion.

Stick at it, aim for exercising 3 days a week for over an hour a time. Look for improvements every fortnight. Expect to feel tired. If you aren't feeling tired, you aren't trying hard enough.
You have a v good point! I just wasn't expecting to feel so bad.
The trouble with increasing age is that your body is aging, but your mind still thinks it's 30

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 September, 2018, 03:52:23 pm
I attended my surgery yesterday for routine lady maintenance.

Nurse says there's a lump on the right side of my behind. I'm unconvinced there's anything there TBH.

If there is, methinks it's likely to be either a bursa or a lipoma, which are benign, asymptomatic (by definition) and best managed with masterful inactivity.

I'll have to see my GP about this.

But she is on annual leave and surgery's fully booked for her return.

<yawn>
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 October, 2018, 11:45:34 am
I've just learnt that the number of parents refusing compulsory vaccinations for their child or children (from memory these are TB, measles and rubella) in Poland rose from 3,437 in 2010 to 30,989 in 2017. There is currently a citizen's bill going through parliament to repeal the obligation to vaccinate children "except in cases of an epidemic".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 October, 2018, 01:28:52 pm
You're not obliged to vaccinate kids here either, you just can't send them to school without.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 October, 2018, 01:56:04 pm
Same rule there, applies to nursery schools too. Possibly also fines, I'm not sure. But of course the main argument of the antivaccinaters is "in Western Europe, where vaccination isn't compulsory, there are no outbreaks of measles etc." And appeals to the noble tradition of liberty, etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2018, 01:58:44 pm
But of course the main argument of the antivaccinaters is "in Western Europe, where vaccination isn't compulsory, there are no outbreaks of measles etc."

https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/measles-continues-circulate-eueea-new-outbreaks-reported

But what do they know, eh?   >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 October, 2018, 02:15:58 pm
Oh but they (the people behind the proposition) do know. They just have other motives.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 03 October, 2018, 04:23:24 pm
What is the endgame for the anti-vaxxers? Killing children with preventable disease is clearly just a by-product, but I don't understand what the purpose is.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 October, 2018, 04:31:58 pm
The scientifically-illiterate Chattering Classes have seen publications in the Press or Web that state Vaccination is Harmful cos Chemikuls etc

Fake news causes harm.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 October, 2018, 04:53:39 pm
There's a common conviction, rampant among idiots, that things were better in the old days. Food was great before "chemicals" (except for 3rd-world famine but it's unfair to mention that), everyone was fine before vaccination was invented (never mind that smallpox, polio, TB etc took millions every year because it's unfair to mention that too) and anyway, that nice Dr. Westlake says that vaccines cause autism.

Dara O'Briain has it right: "on one side of the argument we have a dentist who studied for ten years and has 15 years of experience, and on the other we have Barry, who pulls his own teeth with a door".

A further consideration is that most of the anti-vaxxers were vaccinated as kids, to which a few of them probably owe their continued unfortunate existence.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2018, 04:55:53 pm
Vaccines cause adults.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 October, 2018, 06:35:37 pm
I read somewhere (can't remember where, can't find it now, but it was in English) that the antivaccine scare is being spread by, amongst others, Russian troll bots. The point is not that Putin wants Western kids to die of measles, of course, it's that it stirs up controversy and spreads disharmony and distrust (of governments and probably more generally of organised medicine on the part of the antivacciners, of antivacciners on the part of the provacciners).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2018, 06:59:36 pm
I read an article yesterday suggesting that much of the negative Twitter noise about the last Star Wars film was from Russian trollbots and users "with a political agenda", rather than the misogynist manbaby Star Wars fans we'd all assumed.  Presumably for similar reasons.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/02/star-wars-the-last-jedi-rian-johnson-abuse-politically-motivated-russian-trolls

Starting to wonder how deep this rabbit hole goes...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 October, 2018, 07:27:59 pm
Haven't seen it, therefore haven't read the reviews, but my domestic Star Wars fan says the film was meh and is dismissive about the troll review idea. However, he's trying to explain/ask about laws regarding telling lies in parliament!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 October, 2018, 09:39:42 am
This is worrying:

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/environnement/pesticides/enquete-franceinfo-un-plausible-scandale-sanitaire-des-cas-de-malformations-inexpliquees-a-la-naissance-dans-trois-communes-de-france_2968713.html

In essence, clusters of children with missing hands or forearms & hands have been born in three widely-separated communities in France. The health authorities are saying "chance" while epidemiologists are saying otherwise. Suspicion is falling on pesticides.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 October, 2018, 01:03:39 pm
Are they sheep-farming regions?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 October, 2018, 02:06:22 pm
I had a reminder text message this morning, about an appointment at Central Middlesex next Friday stating only date, time and that missed appointments cost the NHS around £160.
I now have the letter, which informs me this is a pre-assessment clinic, prior to my operation...
... which is sebaceous cyst removal under local anaesthetic.

I have no indication when this will occur.

I don't really think I need pre-assessment for cyst removal under local.

This jaunt will need at least one taxi to take me there.

We might get buses back.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 October, 2018, 02:39:21 pm
Are they sheep-farming regions?

No idea, but they're all small communities so there's a fair chance that at least someone in the area has sheep.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 05 October, 2018, 03:13:32 pm
Follow-up booked for Wednesday for my wrist. Though it was good enough to get through regatta season intact, it's been uncomfortable recently. It might just be the ganglion cyst needs another bash.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 05 October, 2018, 03:15:26 pm
Follow-up booked for Wednesday for my wrist. Though it was good enough to get through regatta season intact, it's been uncomfortable recently. It might just be the ganglion cyst needs another bash.

You'll need a bible for that. So I've heard.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 05 October, 2018, 04:02:08 pm
Follow-up booked for Wednesday for my wrist. Though it was good enough to get through regatta season intact, it's been uncomfortable recently. It might just be the ganglion cyst needs another bash.

You'll need a bible for that. So I've heard.

Or having it stabbed repeatedly with a hypodermic syringe full of steroids.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 06 October, 2018, 09:40:59 pm
anyone have acess to this paper?  I'd like to get a copy if possible.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00394-017-1406-2 (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00394-017-1406-2)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 October, 2018, 10:05:25 pm
You have PM :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 06 October, 2018, 10:57:10 pm
Cheers  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 October, 2018, 11:53:00 pm
First choice for finding papers is sci-hub.tw
Superb resource used by all PhD candidates (who introduced me to it)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2018, 01:56:52 pm
I read somewhere (can't remember where, can't find it now, but it was in English) that the antivaccine scare is being spread by, amongst others, Russian troll bots. The point is not that Putin wants Western kids to die of measles, of course, it's that it stirs up controversy and spreads disharmony and distrust (of governments and probably more generally of organised medicine on the part of the antivacciners, of antivacciners on the part of the provacciners).
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304567

"American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) October 2018
Weaponized Health Communication: Twitter Bots and Russian Trolls Amplify the Vaccine Debate"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 October, 2018, 01:10:09 pm
Meanwhile, the WHO is preparing to recognize traditional Chinese medicine. Pass the rhino horn.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 12 October, 2018, 06:39:58 pm
The insulin pump is generally much easier than 5 daily injections, but every now and then, removing a cannula can be interesting.

Seems the last one had nicked a vein close to the surface, which spurted like mad when I took it out.  Took a bit of stopping this time and ended up with blood all over my left hand.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tiermat on 26 October, 2018, 10:40:15 am
I went to see the specialist, yesterday.

First thing they normally do is weigh me.  the usual output of this is that I weigh 95Kg.

Not this time.

I have gone up to 101Kg...

UgBer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 26 October, 2018, 08:44:25 pm
First choice for finding papers is sci-hub.tw
Superb resource used by all PhD candidates (who introduced me to it)

Plus you're giving a bung to your favourite Slavic organized criminals in the process, and they're everyone's favourite villain.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 26 October, 2018, 10:18:08 pm
First choice for finding papers is sci-hub.tw
Superb resource used by all PhD candidates (who introduced me to it)

Plus you're giving a bung to your favourite Slavic organized criminals in the process, and they're everyone's favourite villain.

I did not realise this was an organised crime website?  I understood it to be a single person who set it up and certainly free to use.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 28 October, 2018, 05:14:10 pm
Ruddy hell, digging thorns out of your nipple hurts  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 October, 2018, 06:10:21 pm
How did it get in there?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 28 October, 2018, 06:16:03 pm
First choice for finding papers is sci-hub.tw
Superb resource used by all PhD candidates (who introduced me to it)

Plus you're giving a bung to your favourite Slavic organized criminals in the process, and they're everyone's favourite villain.

I did not realise this was an organised crime website?  I understood it to be a single person who set it up and certainly free to use.

Nah, it's our merry friends in Russia. They hack university networks and steal passwords and user information (by the by, using them to download all material, which is mostly the usual sundry mayhem). The person behind it either knows this or is a happy idiot, I think the jury is out on that one. Anyway, if you think that's all they use your credentials and information for, well. Anyway, regardless of the origins, it's still stolen content.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 28 October, 2018, 07:23:22 pm
How did it get in there?

Optimistic idiot in charge of stepladder and hedgetrimmer, so all in all could have been so much worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 October, 2018, 07:36:27 pm
I received a letter from (a third party mailer) from my general practice instructing me to make an appointment for a blood test.
I phoned the surgery and questioned the need as I have regular monitoring for my medication.
Receptionist checked with someone who said I must come as I MUST have this blood test.

I don't know what they are testing. (I can guess it's sugar and cholesterol; I've not been told to fast but will, anyway.)

I think it's RUDE to do a blood test without explaining what and why.

I suspect this is part of an incentivised box-ticking 'screening' program.

As a sixty-year old, of normal weight and blood pressure, with two fit parents, it is probably a waste of time and trouble...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 October, 2018, 09:59:29 pm
Montgomery would suggest that taking blood without ascertaining your wishes and desires re the blood test is poor medical care and therefore an assault.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 October, 2018, 10:18:59 pm
How did it get in there?

Optimistic idiot in charge of stepladder and hedgetrimmer, so all in all could have been so much worse.

Hopefully you learned a valuable lesson today? ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 October, 2018, 11:34:08 pm
Montgomery would suggest that taking blood without ascertaining your wishes and desires re the blood test is poor medical care and therefore an assault.

Making an appointment (first appointment was two weeks ahead) would imply consent for the sampling but the lack of information in the initial letter REALLY rankles! I don't see why the initial letter failed this way.

My monitoring blood tests specify, my invitation for smears/flu jabs/mammography specify.

GRRR...!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 29 October, 2018, 08:01:20 am
My wife got the same sort of thing recently. She has quarterly blood tests to monitor medication and other levels, but still got a separate "invite" for the "well woman" clinic tests. At least the practice nurse said that next time they'd do them together - we'll see.

EDIT: And she went in again yesterday, part of a new scheme to check the health of those on long term medication. Presumably another Government initiative. At least no blood tests, just a questionnaire plus a repeat of height/weight/BMI etc etc she had in the "well woman" check last week. Why it needed a GP to waste 15-20 minutes rather than the nurse I cant imagine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 29 October, 2018, 09:42:17 am
I confess, as I crossed the forty-year boundary, I expected to deluged calls for tests (probably a symptom of being a once-upon-a-time American, I'd get a full body MRI for a headache over there).

A good few years later, nothing. I'm not sure this is good or bad news. Probably good news for the bits that don't like being poked and jabbed (all my bits, really).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 29 October, 2018, 10:50:33 am
How did it get in there?

Optimistic idiot in charge of stepladder and hedgetrimmer, so all in all could have been so much worse.

Hopefully you learned a valuable lesson today? ;)

Go ride my bike and GAMI?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2018, 12:48:20 pm
My wife got the same sort of thing recently. She has quarterly blood tests to monitor medication and other levels, but still got a separate "invite" for the "well woman" clinic tests. At least the practice nurse said that next time they'd do them together - we'll see.

My repeated attempts to combine my yearly asthma review with my yearly repeat prescription review (which is of course mostly asthma/allergy related) have been only sporadically successful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2018, 01:36:03 pm
I seldom have occasion to see my GP. My MS is under annual review at two hospitals but I don't have any need for other regular medication.

As a woman of 601 summers, there are bits and pieces they wish to check or maintain, which is fair enough.

A little explanation would go a L-O-N-G way!

Come to think of it, if they are looking for an excuse to put me on statins, I might be dismissive. My last cholesterol was low and my only risk factor for heart disease is my age.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 29 October, 2018, 01:46:06 pm
My wife got the same sort of thing recently. She has quarterly blood tests to monitor medication and other levels, but still got a separate "invite" for the "well woman" clinic tests. At least the practice nurse said that next time they'd do them together - we'll see.

My repeated attempts to combine my yearly asthma review with my yearly repeat prescription review (which is of course mostly asthma/allergy related) have been only sporadically successful.

I've been largely sucessful in limiting my specialist diabetes appointments to two a year - pump clinic in June and Consultant in December, well planned in advance.

My GPs surgery kept sending me reminders to book an annual review with them, but I ignored them and they went away.  I attended in year one, which was a useful learning experience for the practice nurse in how to manage T1D and do exercise.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2018, 02:04:09 pm
Our quack has a simpler system: every consultation I get a prescription for 3 months' worth of meds, then I have to go back again.  If I run out of something - because some pills are 28 to a box and some 30 so they get out of step - I can get a fill-in prescription without seeing him, but only if I set up the next consultation at the same time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 30 October, 2018, 10:33:45 am
Sigh.... my family as a tradition of hearts stopping at unexpected times so whenever I get a chest pain, I worry.

This has resulted in me having two stress tests and several ECG's over the last 10 years all of which have shown nothing is wrong.....

So, about a week ago I started to get some light chest pains and a little breathlessness. I also noted that my power when cycling was a little lower than normal but the pains didn't increase when out on my bike. I did just over 5 hours on the bike last week. I also have had an irregular heart beat over many years. This comes and goes and is no worse now than it was previously. 

Recently I also noticed some pains in my wrists as well at the same time as the chest pains. As I do a lot of typing, I wondered whether these were linked, but also know that pains in the arm can be linked to heart issues.

Anyway, CBH suggested it would be worth heading to the vets doctors. So I phone them for an appointment...nothing available until next week. If I am worried, they suggest I go to A&E.

Sigh. I am not going to sit around in A&E unless I really need to. I am going to phone back tomorrow morning at 8am to see if they can free anything up for me then but not really a good service is it.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 October, 2018, 11:23:14 am
Re irregular heartbeats, El Prez has an implant that registers the last n minutes of ECG in a ring buffer.  If he has heart pain he slaps a USB-stick-sized device over the implant, presses a button and the recording is transferred over. Once he gets home he plugs it into his computer and transmits it to the cardiologist. Rather nifty, that.

His problems were happening when he pushed his heart much over 100 bpm. It dropped suddenly to around 40 and he had quite acute pain.  He got an eBike a few months back, and he told me the other day that recently he's been reaching 140 bpm without hurting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 October, 2018, 03:41:41 pm
essexian, get tested for anemia when you go in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 31 October, 2018, 07:05:40 am
Well, that was interesting....

After having spent the majority of yesterday feeling crap I decided to take myself to bed early and listen to some football on the radio before dropping off to sleep.  Still awake a couple of hours later due to the chest pains, I decided to look on the NHS 111 website to see what it suggested which was to go straight to A&E  :facepalm:

Not liking that idea, I phoned 111 instead to take some advice. After a few minutes questioning, they said I would need A&E so sent an ambulance! Approximately 10 minutes later they arrived and did some tests. It seems I wasn't having a heart attack but would still need to go for further tests given that my BP was 230/140.... "Impressive" they said!

Now since the great NHS closures under this Government, Stafford County (the old Mid Staffs which was, despite what you read, an excellent hospital) A&E closes at 10pm, so it was a blue light rush to get me there, otherwise it would be a ride to either New Cross in Wolverhampton, 20 miles away, or the same to Stoke.

Thankfully we arrived and after some more tests, my heart was declared to be in excellent shape as are my kidney's etc. Indeed, the doctor described my lifestyle as: "ideal."  :o However, my BP was still and issue but had come down to 210/120 when they discharged me. I must admit I thought I was there for the night!

A nice 3 mile walk home at midnight followed....get a taxi? Nope, I hate them and would rather walk.

Today then, its phone my GP for some BP meds and no doubt further tests. I still have the chest pains but am glad its not my heart.... now, can I avoid a stroke something that two of my sisters and my dad had all had by the time they reached 50 which for me was many years back!

PS: Of course in the three ECG's they did, there were no irregular heart beats. "They sometimes hide from us when we are looking for them", the Doctor said!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 31 October, 2018, 07:26:43 am
That sounds really scary. Look after yourself!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 October, 2018, 08:05:11 am
A systolic of 210 is what I hit when I'm pushing out 180 - 200 W during a stress test.  OTOH my diastolic is usually 70-80, at rest or under effort. Cardiologist says that if I ever hit 250 he'll put me on BP meds.

Take care - you don't want to blow a gasket.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 31 October, 2018, 10:38:09 am
Player collapsed during 5-a-side last night in the game after ours. 10+ minutes of CPR and multiple ambulances. Don't know the outcome but hoping for the best obviously.

Stark reminder of the fragility of life.

[EDIT] Email from the league, he didn't make it. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 31 October, 2018, 02:14:07 pm
I should trust my instincts when I'm not being properly listened to in a medical consultation.  I sincerely hope the Prof is less arrogant than his senior physio (who sneakily introduced the female colleague in the consultation as name+physio but only gave me his name and not his role - so I assumed he was an SpR - I am happy to talk to physios, on average they're easier for me to deal with than doctors!).

Despite PALS' best efforts the clinical history I prepared so I didn't have to do verbal coherence under audio stress and indeed my deaf awareness info did not get to the clinic which I'm pissed off about. I spent AGES preparing it carefully and Mr Arrogant Would Not Read my printed copy. Next time I'm going to refuse consent for examination till clinicians read the fucking info - and properly, not just glance and fob-off!

My clinical history is 38 years long, includes related ortho stuff, my syndrome and what I do and do not know, treatments and indeed "opportunities for treatment" which were missed. All in a logical order + dated excerpts of medical letters in medicalese so clinician could see that my function used to be better. Or indeed what the specific shoulder issues are cos it's beyond my understanding and I didn't want to misrepresent it.

PALS are meeting me in person for tomorrow's hip appt to help "transmit clue to clinicians" which will be a bit simpler (less relevant history) but still needs me to prepare a single A4 sheet of history + thoughts I have about why things like my balance and different length arms mean I am sitting or standing oddly A Lot... Cos they have to look at WHOLE ME to understand why I use my body like I do...

PALS have also asked about the shoulder imaging on my request... See if that nudges Mr Arrogant into sorting it...

And people wonder why I find hospital appointments TEETHGRINDINGLY stressful and lose a day to exhaustion after each one. I don't need and can't use a sign language interpreter. Text to Speech is hard work cos I can't PROCESS the information even with captions... I can hear or I can think... I can't really do both at the same time, especially when under stress.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 November, 2018, 12:20:23 pm
Well bugger.

Today's hip Xray shows some degree of hip dysplasia and something else about the femoral head rotated wrongly in relation to my pelvis. It was clear that doc knew something was wrong the minute he looked at my Xray and me walking nevermind examination where he said my hips had hyper-extended ranges of motion (I said I didn't know what 'normal' was other than the right one going the wrong way)...

So much for a 2008 pelvis Xray being "normal", there's simply no way that could have been the case. I am extremely pissed off with my ex-GP in That London and will be asking current GP if they can see the records and wtf actually went on. I have spent a decade misinformed and assuming my poor mobility wasn't something medics were interested in and my belief that the Xray was normal also misinformed my attempt at getting physio which was a very painful disaster (which today's doc was NOT surprised about at all after examining me). This just didn't get to the top of the "medical TODO" which is still too long and growing...

Next steps are a CT and MRI of my hips, one (both?) of those is going to be whole legs I think and injection of steroid into both hips + Xray "examination" cos doc wanted as much data as possible. 

PALS lady turned up and made sure data was IN my notes and said hello while I was fighting with the stupid "assess your state iPad on a stand which kept crashing me out" - she was as nice in person as she is by email. Doc had clearly spent time reading all the shoulder stuff as well as my new hip stuff that I gave the nurse on arrival -- before I went in. That definitely helped, he could go and Google my syndrome and it was clear he had a sense of "you're weird, you have epic history, we'll be thorough and go from there".

I really wasn't expecting an abnormal Xray. Radiography is going to be *sick* of me...

I have also emailed my audiologist as radiography would only let me in the 1.5T MRI scanner for shoulders but hip doc REALLY wants a 3T MRI. While the BAHA abutment is rated for 3T, apparently there's other things like gauss level and SAR or something... See what they say. I dunno also if the pins in my arm are an issue for this too.

Thank the deities for the NHS and indeed 2 NHS trusts/hospitals with clinicians who use EMAIL sensibly so I can coordinate clinical stuff sensibly! If this was OtherTrust I have to deal with I'd be going insane by now. And that I have flexible work and a boss who I think will be reasonable about it when I talk to her next week (I may need to change some work at shortish notice if I get offered appts etc).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 November, 2018, 01:07:11 pm
I am SO pleased you've seen someone SENSIBLE and there's a chance  of reasonable management!

HOW LONG have you been banging your head on a metaphorical brick wall?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 01 November, 2018, 01:34:16 pm
Indeed. Pleased for you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 November, 2018, 02:05:12 pm
I diagnose that hip dysplasia and femoral head twist has been caused by years of kicking down barriers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 November, 2018, 02:06:18 pm
You should have seen a ballet tutor back in 2008, I reckon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 November, 2018, 02:58:41 pm
Yes, it's looking very sensible for investigations and at least they're taking me properly seriously.  The steroid injection will both allow them to inject air into the joint while taxing Xrays at weird angles I suspect and whether or not I get improvement/relief and improved mobility will be diagnostic in itself.

How long I've been having legs issues that should have been picked up? Debatable. I had issues throughout my childhood. Ballet tutor probably assumed it was under the hospital like everything else (I've had other stuff people just assumed I knew was wrong but unfixable or being dealt with when I didn't even know X was wrong). 2008's GP can get in the sea tho, they were sooo bad on so many things.  Having a decent GP who pays attention and doesn't just decide "too long, boring" is vital for me. I won't put up with a poor GP again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 01 November, 2018, 09:28:35 pm
Barakta

Sorry to hear your diagnosis is significant but glad to hear you have a clinician who has seen something is wrong and will investigate it thoroughly. I hope that your imaging can happen, though take care with the high power MRI. I think my last one caused some issues in my left elbow where the pins are, I also felt some tingling in there during the final imaging.

As for my hip, it has recently been much better, pain medication is rarely required whilst walking further. The latest set of images are clear as a bell which is reassuring. Certain hobby activities that use a kneeling stool seems to be great core exercise which is useful and helpful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 November, 2018, 01:34:38 pm
Put a new gas cylinder in my workshop heater: 16 kg of cylinder + 13 kg of gas. Was wearing light-coloured trousers (eejit) so had to hold it a bit out to the front.

I used to think Sciatica was a town in Ancient Greece...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 November, 2018, 01:36:51 pm
Having a decent GP who pays attention and doesn't just decide "too long, boring" is vital for me.

I read some years ago that the average time a GP would let a patient talk uninterrupted was 15 seconds.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 02 November, 2018, 06:12:25 pm
Thank you Matthew, I have had you in mind when thinking about hips.

Clinician was really very good, the benefits of having read the bloody notes and my prep info, paid attention and been methodical. I suspect he googled my rare syndrome and discovered what I learned today - hip dysplasia is linked to my syndrome which I did not know...

I think what is upsetting me the most is that I have had poorly explained mobility issues ALL my life, repeatedly sought help in my childhood/teens including from an ortho consultant and got fobbed off with "growing pains". My mobility since 2008 has been very poor and I've constantly been accused of being lazy or just unfit because I couldn't say why walking distances most people manage easily were really painful and difficult for me.

I have to see my GP to get my repeat prescriptions before my prepayment card runs out (computer says so) and will be asking what she can see of my 2008 GP record in case that sheds any light on why I was told the xray was normal. I've also SARed the Xray, radiologic and other data with it and had an acknowledgement from the info team for that.

I suspect we'll have to stick with 1.5T MRI cos there's no more safety info available. I'm surprised they're more worried about the BAHA which is Titanium and Gold whereas my arm pins are steel of some kind which actually can get magnets to stick to it as per
(click to show/hide)

Ah well I got some sensible advice for interim management which is keep moderating activity but I can do non impact. Kim is going to put the trike on the turbo as I can do that a bit so I don't get stuck with hip pain X km from home like last time. And keep making use of my higher rate PIP for taxis and stuff. I'll be seen 6 weeks after the steroid injection which itself will be SomeNumber of weeks (hopefully before Xmas).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 November, 2018, 10:52:45 pm
Odd that you can get magnets to stick to your arm pins. Must be the variety of stainless used - nothing works on the plate in my wrist (and that is very close to the surface). I've even tried hard disk magnets.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 November, 2018, 11:00:23 pm
Suspect barakta's arm pins are of considerably older manufacture than mr charly's!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 November, 2018, 02:40:30 pm
Jan 1992 for this lot which I believe are Steinmann pins thanks to my SAR and the hospital coughing up pre 1990 records cos I asked nicely.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 November, 2018, 02:59:57 pm
I thought Steinmann pins were the chunky metalwork used to attach the femur to a trapeze from which to dangle...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 November, 2018, 03:05:35 pm
Seems to be a case of hysterical raisins... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3157064/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 November, 2018, 03:46:23 pm
I have FINALLY received the paperwork for some very minor surgery scheduled for the end of the month.

Two leaflets bear 'Expires end of September 2018 ' on their front sheet...

Good thing I usually ignore 'Use By' dates!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 05 November, 2018, 04:04:11 pm
Six months since my hip replacement operation. I think I'll take the knee guy up on his invitation to arrange
an appointment with his secretary to get her to put me on the list to finally get my knee sorted out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 November, 2018, 11:52:40 pm
Montgomery would suggest that taking blood without ascertaining your wishes and desires re the blood test is poor medical care and therefore an assault.

Making an appointment (first appointment was two weeks ahead) would imply consent for the sampling but the lack of information in the initial letter REALLY rankles! I don't see why the initial letter failed this way.

My monitoring blood tests specify, my invitation for smears/flu jabs/mammography specify.

GRRR...!

Turns out it was for a repeat monitoring test.
A response to the letter my Consultant had sent in mid-September following a blood test in mid-August. This recommended a repeat after a month.

I had arranged and had a repeat test in early October at Queen Square and had already received another copy letter from my consultant saying all was well.

I didn't really need this morning's test but the cogs at the GP surgery are VERY slow and communication none-too-crisp.

Partner was FURIOUS about unnecessary outing (surgery is 100 yards away and blood appointment ran promptly)!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 12 November, 2018, 12:03:59 pm
Well, that was fun (not).  Second root canal on the same tooth in a week. Last week I went in with an abscess/infection, so filling was drilled out, and two of the three root canals cleaned out. The third wasn't, as it was occluded by some earlier temporary filling material and they'd had me there an hour for the emergency appointment already. So it was re-filled, antibiotics prescribed, and off I went.  That was Tuesday last.

This morning tooth is 90% better but large swollen (think chipmunk) painful jaw.  Luckily I got in this morning with the head honcho, who normally only does private work (the NHS dentistry is carried out by graduates in their first training placement).  In 20 minutes he drilled out, found and cleaned all three canals, refilled and gave me more antibiotics - though only to use if the infection starts to get worse again - these are alcohol intolerant!!.  I guess that shows the benefit of nearly 40 years experience - he knew how hard to push the drills and still not break them.

Hopefully there will be enough tooth left to cap/crown.  And then on to the same tooth on the other side  :-X

ETA: Well it did get worse, and I started the antibiotics. ANd then this morning at work the abscess burst. Yeuuugh! A bit less painful now the pressure is off tho.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 14 November, 2018, 03:54:33 pm
Good news time.
I've been suffering pain in my left knee, which at times was excruciating, and started after I decide to improve my fitness  ??? by cycling a lot (too much) more. As the learned gallery on here pointed out, I wasn't giving myself enough recovery time - but I digress.
I was referred for an x-ray after my GP said "that's definitely the start of osteoarthritis" and  physiotherapy. (The process of getting seen at physio hereabouts is seriously crap, but again I digress).
The physio talked me through the x-ray which showed no arthritic changes at all  :thumbsup:
After a lot of pushing, pulling, pressing, standing up, sitting down, moving this way and that - he diagnosed that the muscle(s) supporting the tendon that holds my kneecap in place had been overworked, and hadn't been able to recover (at least that's my simplistic rendering of the subject). He's given me four simple exercises to do twice a day, and recommended more cycling - but more, shorter, rides for the next few weeks.
All in all, a result.  :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 14 November, 2018, 04:44:08 pm
Recovery from my accident is going pretty slowly. 

I'm trying to walk most days, a 2.5km loop which is taking me between 35-40 mins i.e. bloody slow and painful as well. The elbow remains tender to the touch, but the bruising is fading now.  The hip/pelvis however is causing all sorts of knock-on issues as my gait is affected. Still mostly walking with the stick, but some short distances without, trying to build a bit of endurance there. I'm working about 50% of normal, last week I tried nearer 75% and was wiped out by Friday.

I'm mostly missing just doing stuff, so I'm going to take a membership at the local pool.  It's a rolling DD that can be cancelled any time, and if I swim just 5 times in the month, pays for itself (and will be charged back to my claim anyway).  I managed 400m mostly arms on Monday. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 November, 2018, 11:40:29 am
I have a copy of my 2008 hip X-ray and the reporting... Subject Access Requests are my friend!

Even I as a not-doctor can see the same features Mr Hip surgeon was pointing out to me on the 2018 X-ray even if I can't interpret anything else. 

Report says
"X-RAY RIGHT HIP No fracture or bony injury seen. Bony alignment is normal."

The GP referral was only for the right hip even though I reported both were bad - maybe cos I showed GP the right hip subluxation that I could always do.  The image does have both hips on it.

I will take a copy to my next appt and see what Mr Hip Surgeon says and if he wants a copy for my local record.

2 weeks till my CT/MRI scans and 5 weeks or so till my joint injection of steroids, local anaesthetic and 'air' for contrast and Xraying...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 16 November, 2018, 08:08:29 pm
I slipped on the stairs at my parents house this morning and my ankle made a crunch so loud my dad heard it.
Set off on the train but navigating the platform change at Newcastle was such, that I diverted away from work to my friends at Redcar Minor Injuries. There the usual speedy service had me in and out in an hour. Nothing broken. Not that it makes much difference, soft tissue damage can take just as long to heal, and be just as painful.

It hurts.

I hate stairs. They're way more dangerous than bikes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 16 November, 2018, 08:22:23 pm
They are, my dad managed to fracture tib and fib slipping on the one step at the entrance to the Tan Hill pub, wearing his cycling shoes.  My mum made him go to the hospital next day
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 17 November, 2018, 07:52:02 am
It hurts....

Best wishes for a surprisingly good recovery.

You're missed at Stirling!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 November, 2018, 10:17:56 am
Nothing broken. Not that it makes much difference, soft tissue damage can take just as long to heal, and be just as painful.

It hurts.

Ouch. Still, it could have been soft-tissue damage and something broken.  Heal well.

Quote
I hate stairs. They're way more dangerous than bikes.

YTM. Last July I missed a step on our stairs at home and wrenched the hell out of a quad. Two weeks' rest plus pussy-footing for the three weeks after that really buggered up my season.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 17 November, 2018, 11:03:15 pm
I'm having an allergic reaction to something.  Itchy blister appeared on my upper lip and over the course of a couple of minutes, had swelled to about 10mm in diameter.  It's now (almost an hour later) stable and slowly reducing in itchiness.  I've taken a couple of Piriton, keeping an eye on my breathing and am trying not to dribble too much.

No idea what brought that on.  I was debugging some C at the time, so it's not like I ate something dodgy, or got stung by a triffid or anything.  Bah!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 November, 2018, 08:53:59 am
Chewing over pointers will do that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 18 November, 2018, 01:18:07 pm
I started gym going a couple of months ago, 3 times a week.  A couple of weeks ago I started getting an abscess, and my last gym session was 10 days ago.  Yesterday, 3 days after said abscess had burst, and after 3 decent nights sleep un-drugged, I went back. Firstly I found I was more or less back where I started on weights, and today my legs/glutei are quite achey from squats and lunges.  ::-). How quickly fitness drops away if you sit at a desk all day  :-\.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 November, 2018, 09:57:00 pm
It hurts....

Best wishes for a surprisingly good recovery.

You're missed at Stirling!

+1!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 November, 2018, 02:54:46 pm
Opened my 'Cycle' magazine envelope today.

Not sure I like the idea of a shoulder surgeon publishing an advertorial.

Should this post go elsewhere?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2018, 03:30:39 pm
Opened my 'Cycle' magazine envelope today.

Not sure I like the idea of a shoulder surgeon publishing an advertorial.

Me neither, but it was well timed for barakta coming home from doing superman impressions in an MRI scanner.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2018, 03:48:22 pm
Opened mine on Tuesday, saw the thing about shoulder injuries on the cover or was it in the contents but didn't notice it in the actual body of the magazine. Not that I read it with great attention, seemed a less interesting than usual edition.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 30 November, 2018, 05:55:29 pm
Finally had a 'flu jab today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 30 November, 2018, 06:38:10 pm
I've got the coughing virus that's going round  . :( .I am surviving on sinex,cough syrup and paracetamol at the moment  .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 01 December, 2018, 06:34:49 am
And a trip to the doctor at 11pm last night confirmed that I now have a chest infection  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 December, 2018, 07:40:07 am
Got a medium-sized dose of waiting-room arse at the ophthalmologist's yesterday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 01 December, 2018, 05:05:40 pm
My wife has suffered what I suppose you could call a spontaneous haematoma. Monday morning she felt a sharp pain in her hip, and was initially worried it was related to her replacement. Very painful, hard to stand and walk. By Wednesday she had a bruise developing from the small of her back, over her hip and down her thigh. The thigh is now some 50% larger circumference than usual and still very tender. Doc was impressed by the bruising - “spectacular” was her description. Seems to be a spontaneous bleed, something similar happened around 5 years ago, same leg, though that time it was all down the back from buttock to ankle. She’ll be going back for a blood test to check her platelet level in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 December, 2018, 07:12:48 pm
Weird!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 03 December, 2018, 09:09:32 am
fracture clinic tomorrow.  Pelvis is definitely getting better - not using the stick around the house now, just long distance (about 2 miles  :P).  The non-fractured elbow however remains tender as does the whiplashed lower back.  And the right wrist is still playing up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: whosatthewheel on 03 December, 2018, 09:12:49 am
And a trip to the doctor at 11pm last night confirmed that I now have a chest infection  ::-)

Seems to be the latest fad... the NHS way of saying "I have no idea why you are coughing, but let's blame the bugs and give you some antibiotics, just in case".

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 03 December, 2018, 09:53:58 am
I'm trying out a Sissel "Sitfit Plus" cushion at work, to see if it will help with occasional lower back pain. An added bonus, assuming I stick with it, will be to allow me to refit the arms to my office chair - without the cushion the height of the seat means the arms always clash with the desk. With the cushion everything is a couple of inches lower.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 December, 2018, 02:45:37 pm
I've got full-blown snot lurgy.  Feels like someone's dry cleaned my head.  The usual.

Will endeavour not to let it turn into a chest infection...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 03 December, 2018, 02:50:06 pm
I'm trying out a Sissel "Sitfit Plus" cushion at work, to see if it will help with occasional lower back pain. An added bonus, assuming I stick with it, will be to allow me to refit the arms to my office chair - without the cushion the height of the seat means the arms always clash with the desk. With the cushion everything is a couple of inched lower.

I've had one of those at work for a few years. I like it. It *really* confuses other people when they try and sit at my desk, though. :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: whosatthewheel on 04 December, 2018, 07:31:21 am
I've got full-blown snot lurgy.  Feels like someone's dry cleaned my head.  The usual.

Will endeavour not to let it turn into a chest infection...

Can turn into sinusitis... had it once and it can be painful... carbocisteine as aerosol worked a treat to remove the thick snot and reduce the inflammation in just a few days, but these days doctors of course prefer to prescribe antibiotics instead, just in case  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 December, 2018, 08:53:58 am
AARGH

"We are calling to tell you that we are rejecting your request for a repeat prescription for topiramate, because it is triggering the formation of kidney stones and the neurologist (who hasn't seen me in 2 years) wants you to stop taking it. "

Me "You should have a letter from a urologist stating that I'm ok to continue on topiramate, as long as I take a supplement to counteract the side effects. I've already had a conversation with one of the doctors in the partnership about this, and I have a letter about this."

"Um, let me look. Oh, we do, yes, it does say that. I'll have to speak to the doctor again. "

Right. Nothing like actually looking at the patient record and reading the correspondence then, before making medical decisions. Good thing I don't depend on the drug, oh, wait, I do.
FFS
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: whosatthewheel on 04 December, 2018, 09:43:11 am
AARGH

"We are calling to tell you that we are rejecting your request for a repeat prescription for topiramate, because it is triggering the formation of kidney stones and the neurologist (who hasn't seen me in 2 years) wants you to stop taking it. "

Me "You should have a letter from a urologist stating that I'm ok to continue on topiramate, as long as I take a supplement to counteract the side effects. I've already had a conversation with one of the doctors in the partnership about this, and I have a letter about this."

"Um, let me look. Oh, we do, yes, it does say that. I'll have to speak to the doctor again. "

Right. Nothing like actually looking at the patient record and reading the correspondence then, before making medical decisions. Good thing I don't depend on the drug, oh, wait, I do.
FFS

... you might be eligible for cannabis, maybe? ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 December, 2018, 11:44:00 am
AARGH

"We are calling to tell you that we are rejecting your request for a repeat prescription for topiramate, because it is triggering the formation of kidney stones and the neurologist (who hasn't seen me in 2 years) wants you to stop taking it. "

Me "You should have a letter from a urologist stating that I'm ok to continue on topiramate, as long as I take a supplement to counteract the side effects. I've already had a conversation with one of the doctors in the partnership about this, and I have a letter about this."

"Um, let me look. Oh, we do, yes, it does say that. I'll have to speak to the doctor again. "

Right. Nothing like actually looking at the patient record and reading the correspondence then, before making medical decisions. Good thing I don't depend on the drug, oh, wait, I do.
FFS

... you might be eligible for cannabis, maybe? ;)

CBD oil might well be something that would help; I'd need proper medical-strength dosage, not holland and barrett shite. It isn't being mentioned or offered.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 December, 2018, 01:53:47 pm
I've got full-blown snot lurgy.  Feels like someone's dry cleaned my head.  The usual.

Will endeavour not to let it turn into a chest infection...

Can turn into sinusitis... had it once and it can be painful... carbocisteine as aerosol worked a treat to remove the thick snot and reduce the inflammation in just a few days, but these days doctors of course prefer to prescribe antibiotics instead, just in case  ;D

Sinusitis is barakta's department.  As an asthmatic I tend to get the postnasal drip respiratory crap, and occasional (I used to have them chronically as a child) middle ear infection.

Usual protocol is to up my dose of steroid inhalers to try to keep the chest clear and wait for the snot to go away.  Abuse of chlorphenamine to improve the sleep:sneezing ratio overnight, and if it gets really stupid, pseudoephedrine (which is horrid, but works).

Not worth wasting doctors' time for viral lurgy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 December, 2018, 02:18:22 pm
AARGH
<stuff>
Right. Nothing like actually looking at the patient record and reading the correspondence then, before making medical decisions. Good thing I don't depend on the drug, oh, wait, I do.
FFS

I had a call from my GP's surgery yesterday about a blood test result.
They said they had been trying to contact my Consultant for over a month, without success about this.

I KNOW my consultant knows this.
She has sent the practice two letters (which they would appear not to have read) and discussed the matter with me.

SIGH...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 December, 2018, 02:55:41 pm
FFS Mr C, sudden withdrawal from topiramate is not good ffs!  I don't understand this inability to READ and check there's not answers before screwing people around.

I guess I shall find out how good Shoulder Prof is tomorrow after CT/MRI scans the other week and Xrays being done pre-appointment. Must make notes for impact of shoulder issues, that seems to be their metric. See if he is less scared than his physio ;)

I also filled in Amplitude bollocks online "rate X on scale of meaningless to meaningless"...
"How often does your shoulder singular dislocate": "Once ever" "Twice ever" "Once or twice a month" "Once or twice a week".... *HAHAHA* goes I... About 50-100x a day? Every time I move my arm? Sometimes more than once. Better shoulder isn't much better as that has started to subluxate daily... *KERRUNCH* and my right elbow does a good loud *SNAP* too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 04 December, 2018, 03:13:05 pm
Topirimate? vaguely remember that as an anti epileptic, one of those we talked about for my son - quick withdrawal of any of those suggested was not good.

In my case, fracture clinic today, ortho-bloke much more useful than last time mainly because he actually had a conversation instead of talking AT me, perhaps he realised I'm not a complete fuckwit.  Seemed to understand what my "normal" is.

So, elbow - yes the continued swelling is a bit odd 5 weeks later, but may be just a haematoma settling down - check again next time
Hand - if anything could be a sesamoid fracture which would not have any treatment anyway, call back again if it's still hurting.
Pelvis - OK, getting better - happy with my progress as I desctibed it - 4km walk this morning in 50 mins, 1km without the stick.  Keep using the stick as necessary but wean myself off it.
Prognosis - 6-8 weeks for fracture healing, 6-9 months for full recovery from soft tissue stuff  :demon:
Carry on with what I'm doing, try cycling, perhaps easy turbo and rowing machine, my target of a HM and 100 miler in the first weekend of August - "Yes, probably a good target, but don't expect to hit your times"

Anyone else got experience of recovery frm this scale of soft tissue damage?  It's the whiplashy stuff that is now most painful/restrictive
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 December, 2018, 04:11:24 pm
Topiramate is an anti-epileptic, I had it for migraine for a while (hideous!). Abrupt withdrawal can invoke seizures even in those who don't normally have em, you have to taper it very slowly!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 December, 2018, 04:59:29 pm
ElyDave, sounds like you are doing very well. Cartilage heals very slowly, expect that to take longer than the bone to fully heal, ditto ligaments. Take care not to over stress either.

The frustrating thing for my interaction with doctor's surgery is that I have had a discussion with one GP and he agreed to continue prescribing and wrote to indicate so. Another GP has come along, read one letter in my file, didn't read the rest and refused my prescription . . . Arse. I have tried tapering off the topiramate, but once I drop below 50mg, the migraine symptoms return. I'm not functional anymore.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 December, 2018, 07:33:20 pm
BMI is probably a better indicator of bed-warming capability than fatness, given that heat GENERATION is directly related to mass and
heat LOSS is related to surface area...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JonJo on 05 December, 2018, 10:41:42 am
Does anyone use these https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/prescriptions/electronic-prescription-service-nhs ?

Sent them an email enquiry and got an automated response immediately. Three days later I got another automated email telling me that they had missed their own target for response times and would I still like an answer to my original enquiry.  :facepalm:

Based on that I've decided not to use them as I may need a swifter response if I actually got my medication from them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 05 December, 2018, 10:48:32 am
Does anyone use these https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/prescriptions/electronic-prescription-service-nhs ?

Sent them an email enquiry and got an automated response immediately. Three days later I got another automated email telling me that they had missed their own target for response times and would I still like an answer to my original enquiry.  :facepalm:

Based on that I've decided not to use them as I may need a swifter response if I actually got my medication from them.

You could of course phone them if you need an urgent response - the email won't be manned outside office hours anyway. Or indeed you could phone your doctors, or pharmacy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 December, 2018, 04:30:58 pm
Never used them. I order online from my GP surgery.

I've also used Boot's own system (bit difficult to tell what you have ordered).

If you run out of a prescription, you can go into any pharmacy and ask for an emergency scrip. The pharmacist will either prescribe or phone your GP and get over-phone or electronic proof of your prescription.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 05 December, 2018, 04:43:21 pm
Whilst my wife uses the GP online system too, I believe the Lloyds pharmacies will also provide a repeat ordering service at no additional cost.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JonJo on 05 December, 2018, 05:11:23 pm
Whilst my wife uses the GP online system too, I believe the Lloyds pharmacies will also provide a repeat ordering service at no additional cost.

I'm using Lloyds repeat prescription service at the moment but I have to drive there and pick it up myself. It's also a bit chaotic - they seem constantly surprised that two different people may have the same name or they tell me that I don't exist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 December, 2018, 05:57:37 pm
Well as predicted Prof shoulder surgeon's view on the left shoulder is "it's fucked, I'm not touching that" with arthritis developing and thinks the only option is leave it to get "properly fucked" before considering shoulder replacement (probably not) or joint fusion (more likely).

Right shoulder is probably over-use from covering for the left and because the wrist/elbow are limited. He thinks I've got a biceps tendon inflammation issue. So referral for steroid injection under ultrasound and possibilities of surgery if needed (severing the tendon entirely?) although that has risks of reducing my arm rotation ability. I think (hope) they'll be talking to the elbow/wrist guy they're referring me to.

Referral to physio for right and maybe left shoulder, and pain management cos there's nowt else they can offer for the left... I am wondering how many departments of the ROH I'll see by the time we're done.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 06 December, 2018, 12:36:22 am

CBD oil might well be something that would help; I'd need proper medical-strength dosage, not holland and barrett shite. It isn't being mentioned or offered.

I found the (Pharmacy Uber Strong) CBD oil Did ease the pain a bit. Very specific, short as in about 3 hours from when it kicked in, period of respite.
Realised, within around 20 days, that I was feeling generally "Angry and Intolerant" with everything. Stopped the CBD and that aspect went within a few days. I decided that the balance of Quality of Life weighed CBD out of the picture.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 December, 2018, 09:21:40 am

CBD oil might well be something that would help; I'd need proper medical-strength dosage, not holland and barrett shite. It isn't being mentioned or offered.

I found the (Pharmacy Uber Strong) CBD oil Did ease the pain a bit. Very specific, short as in about 3 hours from when it kicked in, period of respite.
Realised, within around 20 days, that I was feeling generally "Angry and Intolerant" with everything. Stopped the CBD and that aspect went within a few days. I decided that the balance of Quality of Life weighed CBD out of the picture.
That's interesting, Steve. " "Angry and Intolerant" with everything" is a side effect of topiramate (although where I work now, people have described me as "an anchor" and "always giving reasoned and considered responses").
I had assumed that CBD would have a mellowing effect.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 06 December, 2018, 12:18:40 pm
Well as predicted Prof shoulder surgeon's view on the left shoulder is "it's fucked, I'm not touching that" with arthritis developing and thinks the only option is leave it to get "properly fucked" before considering shoulder replacement (probably not) or joint fusion (more likely).

Right shoulder is probably over-use from covering for the left and because the wrist/elbow are limited. He thinks I've got a biceps tendon inflammation issue. So referral for steroid injection under ultrasound and possibilities of surgery if needed (severing the tendon entirely?) although that has risks of reducing my arm rotation ability. I think (hope) they'll be talking to the elbow/wrist guy they're referring me to.

Referral to physio for right and maybe left shoulder, and pain management cos there's nowt else they can offer for the left... I am wondering how many departments of the ROH I'll see by the time we're done.

Barakta, sorry to hear that the prognosis for your left shoulder is so poor. Does this at least mean that he had read and understood your wider history?  Good luck getting the shoulder, wrist, elbow and hip people talking to each other. Maybe you need to be asking for a joint consultation / conference / meeting / complex case review to get them all in one room at one time to ensure they all know each other is treating you. As they are all ROH you would have thought there might be a chance. I appreciate this might make the environment difficult for you to cope with due to many people talking but it may work out to your benefit to be able to say this is my biggest problem so can they have first pass to fixing it please.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 December, 2018, 01:31:53 am
Matthew, thank you for your kind and thoughtful responses, as ever.

Sadly, the left shoulder prognosis is somewhat "as predicted" and physio and pain management 'might' help. If not, I'm no worse off. It sounds like they think there's nothing I could have done to prevent this, they were impressed with how I could function while barely moving the joint (thanks RNOH!).

Right shoulder/arm sounds more fixable/improvable than I expected too. not sure I'm up for tendon chopping yet but I guess we see what steroid does.

I did ask if elbows doc could see me at same time as shoulder bods and physio I saw in Oct acted shocked I suggested it. I did have a multi-disciplinary prodding at RNOH which was scary but I think useful as you really got a sense of everyone's perspectives. Sadly ROH don't seem to this. Beyond the wit....

I fear how patients who are less educated, less persistent and less aware of "how" to wrangle the system 'fare'...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 07 December, 2018, 06:56:14 am
I must have just been lucky over the years to mostly find docs that believe in joined up thinking.  It really shouldn't be that hard, should it?

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 08 December, 2018, 07:22:58 pm
AAAAIIIIIIEEEE!!!!! Tripped over while collecting coal from our local merchant (on a timber bearer protruding from under a pile of stuff on his yard), and broke my fall on my left patella.  I am now Big-Knee-Little-Knee and dosed up to the eyeballs on Co-codamol.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 08 December, 2018, 08:30:42 pm
Spent the morning with a Mr, being x-rayed and foot massaged. Nice to get an expert opinion on the sprain as well as what I actually went for.

As this is a cycling forum I can use our terminology: I'm getting my hot-foot sorted. After years of 'stiffer soles' 'wide footbeds' Road vs SPD and cleat positioning, I went to see an expert.

Diagnosis - mechanical, probably not a neuroma, bursitis and metatarsalgia. First stop, a pro about orthotics, back to the mister in 4 weeks for steroid injection and repeat ultrasound and if none of that works, surgery.
I liked him. He listened, and looked, and had a good foot fondle.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 09 December, 2018, 01:18:33 pm
AAAAIIIIIIEEEE!!!!! Tripped over while collecting coal from our local merchant (on a timber bearer protruding from under a pile of stuff on his yard), and broke my fall on my left patella.  I am now Big-Knee-Little-Knee and dosed up to the eyeballs on Co-codamol.
Nice visit to A&E this morning; nothing borked but I need to go back to Fracture Clinic on Tuesday to assess for connective tissue damage...

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 December, 2018, 02:01:13 pm
I must have just been lucky over the years to mostly find docs that believe in joined up thinking.  It really shouldn't be that hard, should it?

To be fair to the ROH docs, I think they're reading each other's clinic letters and hopefully can interpret one another's illegible handwritten scrawl notes and Prof Shoulder bod was less uninterested in my right shoulder than the shoulder physio had been - and it's one of those shoulder/elbow/arm interfaces which possibly could be handled by any/or of the specialists. I think if I had not insisted on an elbow/arm referral Prof would have made one of those too - I just pre-empted it a bit... And as I haven't heard anything yet, wonder if it was on a "pause" till Prof had seen me... Letters are a bit random, the appts come quickly but the clinic and "Dear Forename" referral typed letters take 21-35 days cos it looks like a backlog in the transcription.

Will see what the clinic letter says. I might ask if anyone can see an elbow referral/appt in the system next time I'm in as people do see happy to check the computer, or I can ask my nice PALS lady.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 09 December, 2018, 05:21:17 pm
AAAAIIIIIIEEEE!!!!! Tripped over while collecting coal from our local merchant (on a timber bearer protruding from under a pile of stuff on his yard), and broke my fall on my left patella.  I am now Big-Knee-Little-Knee and dosed up to the eyeballs on Co-codamol.
Nice visit to A&E this morning; nothing borked but I need to go back to Fracture Clinic on Tuesday to assess for connective tissue damage...

Ouch, I fully sympathise, make sure you drink lots with the co-codamol. 

Baratka, I wasn't having a dig, sounds like you're well capabable of coralling your various docs from experience.  Seems like the current lot are co-operating. 

In my case, entry into my training diary for today, for a 20 minute turbo session, it's a start.

first recovery session 5weeks and 5 days post pelvic fracture.  On Giant, on turbo.  Pelvis OK, depending on position on saddle.  Neck and lower back limiting effort and duration of session.  HR high by about 10-15bpm                        
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2018, 10:47:10 am
Restaurant meals have more calories than fast foods.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46540132 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46540132)

This, apparently, makes them 'less healthy'.

I don't dispute the facts but the eating behaviours I'd associate with these foods are not IMO equivalent.

A restaurant meal (for me at least) is an 'occasion'.  I'll be sitting, eating, chatting, taking my time and stop eating when I'm full. I would not expect more food for several hours afterwards.

I don't really do fast food myself now but it seems those that do eat on the hoof, mindlessly downing the chips and expecting more food quite soon.

The issue of eating behaviour seems neglected. I don't think like is being compared with like...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 13 December, 2018, 10:53:09 am
For some of us, that travel regularly in connection with work, restaurant eating is much more frequent, by necessity.

To avoid ending up spherical you do need to be a lot more mindful
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2018, 11:03:33 am
Indeed. This starts with breakfast.

A small breakfast is easy at home and almost impossible in an hotel.

Two of my brothers travel a lot for work. One of them eats little when away from home, mainly on religious/convenience grounds. He's never overweight.

The other brother has lost loads of weight after reducing his carb intake. I think he crammed when he could.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 13 December, 2018, 01:01:26 pm
Restaurants are an occasion.  Fast food is fuel.  There's a blurry line somewhere around "really good fish and chips".

But for plenty of people fast food is a treat.  And for many, fast food is cheap, accessible food.

I hadn't really considered restaurants as an only source of food for travellers.  That sounds like a circle of hell, TBH.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2018, 03:13:30 pm
A problem with fast food IMO is that it's not eaten as a meal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mark on 13 December, 2018, 03:54:01 pm
When I had to travel for work, I learned to 1) be very selective at hotel breakfasts, 2) bring a good supply of sandwich makings including good whole wheat bread, as well as fresh fruit and Clif bars to snack on and 3) use the hotel room microwave for meals when possible. This allowed me to pocket a good bit of my per diem allowance and kept me from getting too spherical.

I also became adept at using Google maps satellite view to pick out good running and walking routes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 13 December, 2018, 04:46:03 pm
A problem with fast food IMO is that it's not eaten as a meal.

I dunno, fast food is generally the sort of thing you eat in one go before it gets cold anyway.  IME usually somewhere random before resuming your journey or continuing with whatever task has made more usual food arrangements impractical.  The problem is that an awful lot of it is spectacularly unsatisfying (particularly at the Scottish Restaurant end of the spectrum, where this seems to be by design).

While I'm a big fan in sitting to eat at a table, that probably makes me old-fashioned.  Or at least sufficiently privileged that I consider having the space to do that to be normal.  I don't think it correlates with moderation particularly - my parents' generation, who are sit-down table eaters by default, are some of the worst for obsessively clearing plates regardless of how much they've eaten.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2018, 04:48:20 pm
Yet the plate-clearing generation are not generally as obese as their progeny...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 13 December, 2018, 04:56:05 pm
Yet the plate-clearing generation are not generally as obese as their progeny...

Maybe eating behaviour isn't a major factor, then?

I suspect it's more to do with availability of food (both financially and in terms of immediate accessibility) and levels of activity.  It's much easier - and crucially, more appealing - to nibble random stuff while you're pushing pixels or driving cars all day than it is when you're on your feet or getting your hands dirty.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 13 December, 2018, 05:32:10 pm
And also to do with the habit of eating food whenever it's available?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2018, 05:44:36 pm
As you say, it's much easier to eat when you're not getting your hands dirty.

Aside from the occasional biscuit with a hot drink, our predecessors seldom ate between meals.

IMO eating behaviour IS a major factor in obesity, with the almost incessant grazing and snacking.

Schoolkids now visit the chicken shop on the way home to their TVs, where they'll feed their faces whilst moving their bodies very little.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 December, 2018, 10:05:53 am
And what is this red, sore bit under one of my toes?  Thought it was a bite (whence???) until I remembered (a) diabetes and (b) concrete floor in the workshop, carpeted with opened-out cardboard boxes.  This morning it was Arctic in there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 16 December, 2018, 11:25:54 am
nerves work less well in the cold so if you have diabetes (nerves may work less well) and cold your feet may have become properly numb.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 December, 2018, 01:09:48 pm
Yup.  The temperature nerve-endings seem to crap out before the pain ones, which is just as well. Those oils that contain capsaicin set my legs on fire but just make my feet cold and clammy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2018, 01:09:58 pm
WATCH THAT FOOT!

It's probably a simple chilblain but you don't need me to tell you how diabetic feet can misbehave.

Come to think of it, my memories of chilblains were that they affected mostly the upper surfaces, not the pads, of the toes. (I had chilblains as a kid and again in the early 2000's.)

WATCH THAT FOOT!
Like a hawk.
Get a doctor/podiatrist/friend to watch it if you can't.

There might be a place for taking serial photos with a phone or camera and selfie stick or tripod but I have little experience with these.

WATCH THAT FOOT!

Hope it heals well and soon...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 December, 2018, 03:48:00 pm
Will do, thanks.  I've had much worse frostnip before.  Meanwhile I've put on warmer socks & shoes and not done the laces up too tightly.

The woman who used to live across the road from us was an unrepentant diabetic who shovelled in all the wrong things. She lost a leg and died 6 months later after the corner of a dropped carton of orange juice scratched her shin.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2018, 04:59:19 pm
(click to show/hide)

I am very paranoid about diabetics' feet.

Tasteless Seasonal
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 December, 2018, 05:09:23 pm
On my post-stent readaptation course in 2008 they showed us some great pics of diabetic ulcers.  Unfortunately their dietician also put me on a diet (I was 72 kg for 1m74 and she put me on a diet!) that knocked off 9 kg, stripped off muscle and gave me heroic bonk, so that didn't last. Kinda knocked their credibility on the head.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2018, 05:19:01 pm
I'll never forget the spherical clinic attendant screaming 'Have you seen the Dietician?' across the Diabetic Clinic waiting area to a fairly lean chap...

Balancing diet, weight and energy are difficult and it would seem your dietician did not modify the advice to fit your cycling.

Applying 'one size fits all' approaches in health care can cause massive failures!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 December, 2018, 07:44:48 am
'One size fits all and covers your deontological ass' seems to be the watchword - although to be fair, my cardiologist tried to find a diabetologist who specialized in sport for me, but couldn't. Thin athletic T2-diabetic coronary patients would not seem to be a rich field.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 17 December, 2018, 08:54:32 am
'One size fits all and covers your deontological ass' seems to be the watchword - although to be fair, my cardiologist tried to find a diabetologist who specialized in sport for me, but couldn't. Thin athletic T2-diabetic coronary patients would not seem to be a rich field.

That is where I seem to have been very lucky with Addenbrooks, one of the specialist diabetes nurses has gone heavily into the area of managing diabetes and sport.  It was very helpful early on in nutrition and hypo management, and then in using the pump.  It's turned around a bit now with them using my data as examples of how to do it, and me introducing them to some of the low carb ideas.

On the issue of the feet, this has always been something of a problem for me, keeping feet warm on the bike in the winter.  To the extent that I come home from a winter ride with toes that are white, frostbite style, and then turn a deep grape/plum colour on re-warming with about 10 minutes of exquisite pain.  I've not managed to find a way to prevent it, only heated insoles not yet tried.

I tend to spend most of the winter with the chillblains, purple/red blotches and dry, peeling skin like sunburn.  After a bout of nasty athletes foot as well a few years ago from the sweatiness of winter boots and socks, I've found that massaging with tea tree or lavendar oils both help to prevent the fungal infections and also help relieve the discomfort.

I'm too stubborn not to ride outside in the winter.  This year of course with an enforced layoff, my feet are the best they've been for years. 

I'm a 65-67kg, pretty lean, 1.75m rider/runner so suggesting a diet to me would have had very little attention.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 December, 2018, 09:07:51 am
Cold feet on the bike don't seem to be a problem for me: I get home with toes still pink and the hot shower doesn't bother them. I think this might be a fool's paradise, though, because 10-15 years ago they did exactly what yours are doing now. Mind you, following orders I don't ride in <5°C and usually I use overshoes & Sealskinz below ~10°C.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 December, 2018, 02:49:01 pm
No hip steroid injections for me today. Consultant checked the CT/MRI scans from last week just before I went in. There's a 1.7cm lesion on the neck of my left femur picked up on both scans. Consultant isn't worried, but wants to talk to Radiologists and possibly Oncology before he goes stabbing around in there. He's slightly frustrated at the 1.5T scan cos that might have shown more clearly but understands why they won't 3T scan me (so far).

Collaborative meeting thingy in early Jan and Consultant will write to me once that's done and decide what to do from there. Small chance Oncology will want a biopsy or something but likely outcome will be that we reschedule the Steroid Injections. I think the theatre staff were more upset than I was, I'm used to my body throwing spanners in clinical treatment planned works. No point in worrying, if it's small % of badness I'm in best place, and worrying or not won't change that.

A few hours of standard no food and waiting around which is what books are for. I will however have a second mobile service provider as GiffGaff spectacularly had no signal and I'm sick of their rubbishy data. Hospital WiFi didn't like IRC, SSH or my usual email client so had to update Kim via Google webmail ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 December, 2018, 02:57:09 pm
Eeek barakta!

Hope you get properly sorted!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 December, 2018, 03:15:11 pm
Barakta, ouch! GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 December, 2018, 03:17:31 pm
Consultant said he thinks lesions are probably a harmless cyst thing which happens from time to time. Showed me the radiologist reports on computer (alongside scans) and they merely said "rescan in 3 months" so very much "look not hiding stuff here" :). 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 21 December, 2018, 06:28:31 pm
I'm sure I don't need to tell you not to let them off the hook.

Glad it's nothing sinister on the face of it. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 December, 2018, 07:27:54 pm
If I haven't heard from them by 1st Feb I'll definitely chase them. I have a friendly PALS human who does email. So far they have been good at following up rapidly with things. I'm not sure even if doc had seen results say 2 days ago if he could have got the "discussion" done with radiologists in time, only difference would have been a cancellation in advance with some kind of explanation which might have been less reassuring than the face to face one I had today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 22 December, 2018, 08:46:20 am
My right leg is becoming increasingly painful to stand on when getting up to walk after sitting for some reason. It feels like the mussels in my thigh are over taut. I am hoping to be able to get through Christmas and new 5 before seeing a doctor . :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 December, 2018, 04:46:20 pm
I have just (16.42, Sunday 23 December 2018) received an SMS text from my GP surgery requesting I update my records online.

They state they don't have my email address.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2018, 12:20:52 am
BN: In spite of hanging upside down after a large dose of Ventolin, I didn't succeed in coughing up whatever's currently rattling in my left lung.

GN: After a few moments of pain from the over-pressure, everything's now slightly spinny and LOUD in my left[1] ear.  I'll take that as a small victory.


[1] We've established that high frequency hearing loss on my left side is completely the wrong way to go: It means I can only hear her properly when I'm on barakta's bad side, and we're whatting at completely different things (more than usual).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 December, 2018, 02:41:40 pm
This upper respiratory crud can sod off any time it likes. Or improve substantially by 7:45am tomorrow before I phone my GP for antibiotic pathogen eviction toolz. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 December, 2018, 02:58:14 pm
Seconded.

GN: After a few moments of pain from the over-pressure, everything's now slightly spinny and LOUD in my left[1] ear.  I'll take that as a small victory.

It was a short-lived victory.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 27 December, 2018, 06:57:03 pm
My right leg is still hurting so I am off to the doctor in the morning. It is really uncomfortable to walk at the moment. Get well soon all  of you   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 December, 2018, 10:54:33 pm
Hope the doc can identify and fix your leg Chris, you don't need more legwonkiness!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 28 December, 2018, 08:39:05 am
I suspect a physio in my future   ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 December, 2018, 02:58:04 pm
I suspect a physio in my future   ::-)

Physioterrorism, such joy!

On the other hand, I think I prefer physios to surgeons as a rule ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 December, 2018, 06:40:49 pm
I suspect a physio in my future   ::-)

Good luck!
I'm seeing a (private) physio for the third time in as many years for an ongoing knee problem.

It seems my gammy knee is caused by my kneecap not tracking properly, caused my lack of muscle tone in my quads. Odd though  this lack of muscle tone despite walking 10miles plus a day...  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 December, 2018, 08:54:01 pm
I suspect a physio in my future   ::-)

Good luck!
I'm seeing a (private) physio for the third time in as many years for an ongoing knee problem.

It seems my gammy knee is caused by my kneecap not tracking properly, caused my lack of muscle tone in my quads. Odd though  this lack of muscle tone despite walking 10miles plus a day...  ???

Maltracking is often caused by relative weakness in vastus medialis, which is really only active when the knee is nearly or completely fully extended (straightened). This is why the exercises to manage this ('static quads') mostly involve a fully extended knee. The vastus lateralis in cyclists etc tends to be overdeveloped and pull the patella outwards.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 29 December, 2018, 06:05:46 am
I suspect a physio in my future   ::-)

Good luck!
I'm seeing a (private) physio for the third time in as many years for an ongoing knee problem.

It seems my gammy knee is caused by my kneecap not tracking properly, caused my lack of muscle tone in my quads. Odd though  this lack of muscle tone despite walking 10miles plus a day...  ???

Not necessarily lack of tone, more an imbalance as Helly says, this kind of think is not unusual when you have a soemthing that strengthens/works one muscle but not others that counter or balance equally
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 December, 2018, 01:34:27 pm
Patellofemoral maltracking is very common in young women and cyclists.

I am no longer young nor cycling so my knees are happeh...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 29 December, 2018, 01:42:33 pm
Cycling - particularly the darkside kind that works the quads - did wonders for my patellofemoral tracking.  I can walk short-medium distances without pain these days.  There were small muscle side-effects to cycling that required physioterrorism and voodoo biomechanics to resolve, mainly due to mismatched leg length.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 29 December, 2018, 07:00:45 pm
I am getting a sharp pain in the knee and I can't push very hard with the right leg,  I am getting pain in the right thigh when walking especially just after getting up  . :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JonJo on 30 December, 2018, 11:08:55 am
Lower left wisdom tooth has never erupted. Dentist spotted something on recent x ray that's baffled him. The tooth is gradually disappearing. He's sent me to the oral maxillo outpatients for them to have a look but that won't be until late February.

I've had a bit of a asearch but can't find anything on t'internet. Anyone had anything similar?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 30 December, 2018, 01:47:42 pm
My lower right never put in an appearance, though I don't think there was ever any sign of a tooth there on an x-ray.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 December, 2018, 02:11:23 pm
My lower right never put in an appearance, though I don't think there was ever any sign of a tooth there on an x-ray.

Neither my lower right 8 nor my lower right 5 put in appearance. That's just the way I was made. (The lack of chewing teeth in my right lower quadrant is a nuisance following decades of sometimes indifferent care.)

Resorption of a formed and unerupted tooth is another matter and Questions Need to be Answered.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 30 December, 2018, 02:15:14 pm
My lower right never put in an appearance, though I don't think there was ever any sign of a tooth there on an x-ray.

Neither my lower right 8 nor my lower right 5 put in appearance. That's just the way I was made. (The lack of chewing teeth in my right lower quadrant is a nuisance following decades of sometimes indifferent care.)

Yes.  Murphy dictates that it's my lower right 7 that's in the most perilous state...


Quote
Resorption of a formed and unerupted tooth is another matter and Questions Need to be Answered.

Indeed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JonJo on 30 December, 2018, 04:21:51 pm
Resorption of a formed and unerupted tooth is another matter and Questions Need to be Answered.

They do indeed. One that springs to mind is, 'is this anything to do with chewing tobacco when I was dahn t'pit in my youth?' Probably not - I think there would be some other symptoms - but it is a little niggling worry at the back of my mind.

BTW - 'Resorption of a formed and unerupted tooth' as a search term has given me much more useful results than my clumsy searches. Thanks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 30 December, 2018, 06:44:53 pm
There’s a child with its foot (or something) in my ribs. It will not move, I’ve tried everything. Very irritating, can’t sleep, can’t sit, can’t lie, can barely eat. I cannot shift this foot  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 30 December, 2018, 06:56:25 pm
There’s a child with its foot (or something) in my ribs. It will not move, I’ve tried everything. Very irritating, can’t sleep, can’t sit, can’t lie, can barely eat. I cannot shift this foot  :-\

Told you that you had to chew before you swallow, whole childrens feet can stick a bit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2019, 11:10:25 am
My lower left 4 never erupted. It came out just enough to push out the baby tooth – when I was 19! – but then thought better of it and is still in there. Not really a problem as far as I and every dentist I've ever seen are concerned.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 January, 2019, 02:34:03 pm
In the shower after today's ride (ave 4°C, daft Mavic shoes have a ventilation grille under the toes) I thought I had cyanotic big toes, but when I got out they were just pink. Duh.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 January, 2019, 03:53:29 pm
Had my annual Asthma Check earlier.  This usually happens in early October, well after the pollen has fucked off but before the lurgy season begins.  This time it happened straight after my annual nasty chest infection, with *hilarious* consequences.

In the interests of not wasting NHS resources, the nurse carefully manipulated the figures to stay below the "come back and see me" threshold, and sent me on my way with a promise of a "you know you're middle aged when..." checkup to look forward to next time.

Silly budgetary box-ticking exercise...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 January, 2019, 03:54:51 pm
Fucking tick-box 'medicine'!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 January, 2019, 03:58:53 pm
Fucking tick-box 'medicine'!

Quite.  If they were actually interested in monitoring my asthma, they'd need more than a 4 week sample at the same time every year.  There's no way of recording anything useful like "bad year for hayfever because all the pollen hit at once, but I've had good control of exercise-induced asthma".

Fortunately the nurse in question is old-school enough to have a sensible conversation about whether my drugs are working properly (which is what it should actually be about) rather than run through the checklist like it's gospel.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 10 January, 2019, 04:02:37 pm
Submit repeat prescription request last Wednesday. Appear yesterday at pharmacy for said prescription to be told "We've not done it yet, and we've got loads to do. Can you come back tomorrow evening?". FFS. How long does it take to get 3 boxes of 50s and 3 boxes of 25s, stick a sticker on each and stick them in a bag?  ::-)
Thankfully my daughter and I take the same pills, so she'll be taking mine until her prescription is sorted.

Also, psoas. Can you just start working again? Hurting when sitting down and when cycling and when driving is taking the proverbial.  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 10 January, 2019, 04:10:54 pm
Fucking tick-box 'medicine'!
Every year I get a request to attend an annual diabetes review from my GP surgery.

Every year I ignore it on the basis that I have 6-monthly appointments in far more detail at teh hospital clinics.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 January, 2019, 05:02:14 pm
And now:

Quote from: SMS
NHS-NoReply:How likely are you to recommend Bournbrook Varsity Medical Centre to friends and family if they needed similar treatment? Send 1 for extremely likely, 2 for likely, 3 for neither likely nor unlikely, 4 for unlikely, 5 for extremely unlikely or 6 for don't know to 07800000199
bournbrookmjog@nhs.net 4:54 PM

 :facepalm:


ETA: I'm wondering how many 'don't know' responses they get...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 January, 2019, 05:17:12 pm
And now:

Quote from: SMS
NHS-NoReply:How likely are you to recommend Bournbrook Varsity Medical Centre to friends and family if they needed similar treatment? Send 1 for extremely likely, 2 for likely, 3 for neither likely nor unlikely, 4 for unlikely, 5 for extremely unlikely or 6 for don't know to 07800000199
bournbrookmjog@nhs.net 4:54 PM

 :facepalm:
Fuckin spurious feedback!

[OT] I bought some shoehorns from Amazon and they wanted feedback.
They said I should tell to what use I'd put them.

Well, I did not attempt to pick my nose with them for some inexplicable reason!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 January, 2019, 08:04:26 pm
[OT] I bought some shoehorns from Amazon and they wanted feedback.
They said I should tell to what use I'd put them.

Well, I did not attempt to pick my nose with them for some inexplicable reason!
Mount them on your wall as a big game hunter's trophy. Well, they are horns!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2019, 12:14:03 pm
Yesterday the Mayor of Gdansk was stabbed to death on stage at a charity event in front of a live audience broadcast on TV. Obviously this has caused quite an uproar and a lot of attention has been paid to the attacker's apparent schizophrenia. Which makes it perhaps reassuring that the Minister of Health has appeared to defend mental health sufferers against the media attacks. He said in a TV interview "It's extremely important not to stigmatize people with mental health issues, schizophrenics, most of whom suffer a lot and are in need of our help, friendship and support."

Edit: He gave this interview after three other people had been arrested making Twitter appeals for more murders of politicians, and the Internal Affairs Minister said "Two were internet trolls [...]. The other was psychologically unstable."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2019, 12:22:40 pm
Barakta's got actual work to do, so this rant left as an exercise for the reader...  But we went to the hospital at twirly o'clock this morning so they could do a steroid injection into the biceps tendon that it turns out (after some prodding about with the ultrasound scanner and a puzzled squint at the MRI) she hasn't got.   :facepalm:


(The VACTERL association bingo card is a bit like the list of potential side-effects for $random_scarydrug.  Once you discover a thing you can look and discover that, yep, it's on there, but as a list of things to look for it's so all-encompassing as to be practically useless.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 January, 2019, 01:16:53 pm
Radiologist++, he seemed to understand that the elbone is connected to the shoulder anatomy which seems to be a radical concept with some clinicians. I advised him that there were elbow MRIs which I'd had to "be rather persuasive" to get shoulder bods to order which he spent some time looking at. I believe I have the short head bit, but not the long head of the biceps tendon... Not sure about the elbow end of it thobut, will ask someone to show me the report next time I'm there which at this rate is next week or 25th Jan...

The idea of a numbered set of photos for the required arm positions was a good one, it meant that despite finding the radiologist difficult to hear (male, Indian, noisy ultrasound unit computer fan) I could work out which number he wanted. Kim signing at me later in the appointment while Radiologist was talking from across the room and with his back to me (bless!) got the point across. Annoyingly the accompanying radiographer who was female and English was also hard to hear cos she spoke really fast and a bit too quietly and gave no pre-amble so I wasn't parsing brilliantly...

Symptoms of a missing biceps tendon in the literature match mine - pain, difficulty lying on arm, instability - all a massive yep. Reaching up and tilting a mug to my face also painful. Have resorted to evil environment killing a straw to reduce tilting #NeedMyTea and that is helping...

Oh well, appt with arm/elbow bods in mid-March... Only taken them since October to get that appt through... July 2018 since I asked for shoulders AND elbows to be looked at cos they're all a "bit fucked"... Getting there, slowly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2019, 02:22:54 pm
Reaching up and tilting a mug to my face also painful. Have resorted to evil environment killing a straw to reduce tilting #NeedMyTea and that is helping...
Totally comprehending your pain on this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 January, 2019, 02:29:02 pm
That^^^. I only have a couple of buggered ligaments (or summat) under a shoulder blade but they can make life an aching misery. What you have to deal with sounds several hundred times worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 January, 2019, 03:16:41 pm
Reaching up and tilting a mug to my face also painful. Have resorted to evil environment killing a straw to reduce tilting #NeedMyTea and that is helping...
Totally comprehending your pain on this.

[OT] Plastic straws are light and hygienic. I don't think judicious, necessary use adds significantly to the plastic mountain problem. (Supermarket produce packaging is another matter.)

I have a metal 'ice cream spoon' which is long, spoon-ended straw (or straw-handled teaspoon). Dunno if you might find this useful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 January, 2019, 08:32:59 pm
Turns out there's only 5 or maybe 6 cases of absent biceps tendons reported in the literature... One of those is associated with my rare (1 in 10-40,000 ppl) syndrome. I shall see if I can get the paper which is in the American Journal of Orthopedics from 2002...

As for straws, I am well aware they're not actually evil, as a friend who worked for DEFRA researched, it's down to weight and purpose. We have an awful lot more single-use plasticky tat or things like coffee cup lids and unrecyclable coffee cups that should be reduced before picking on straws which benefit so many (disabled) people. Something like 75% of plastic waste in the sea is due to fishing net shreds or something bonkers like that. The whole (fucking) straw debate is virtue signalling and disablism on a huge scale!

Long handled stuff increases the leverage force so probably isn't helpful for me but yes I do pick my food and eating utensils carefully. I just eat with my hands some % of the time which I've been doing due to the elbow/wrist being problematic. I should probably type less, but that's just not something I'm willing to do - Dragon and I still do not get on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2019, 08:47:07 pm
Eating with your hands is the tastiest way. Except for soup of course.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JonJo on 16 January, 2019, 09:07:37 am
I should probably type less, but that's just not something I'm willing to do - Dragon and I still do not get on.

Have you tried the latest version? I've used it at work and was surprised that it worked straight out of the box. With previous versions I've had to set up different profiles for various mic/location combinations and spend quite a bit of time training the software to those configurations.

I recently had to do a demo for some software developers to show the difficulties customers with impaired mobility have. There was a new machine with a new version of Dragon in the test lab so I decided to use that. Booted it up for a test run and was surprised that I could dictate with a very high degree of accuracy straight away.

Can't remember the latest version number but it shouldn't be too hard to find.

BTW - our accessibility expert reports Narrator in Windows is very good and getting better all the time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 January, 2019, 11:14:06 am
Sadly I have tried v15 which is the latest. I do Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) assessments for a living so have a copy of Dragon 15 at work to show students.

The difficulty for me is that I'm severely deaf from birth and my speech isn't actually as consistent as most people think. Even when dictation software does work, it's inordinately tiring for me to use cos I have to really work at my speech. v13 pro which I had on my uni work computer sometimes worked but after 20 mins of dictating work I was exhausted and could no longer speak or think. I manage my energy levels by typing and reading which are much less tiring and don't need me to use my hearing aid...

I have to use a video to demo Dragon to my students cos I can't reliably get it to work for me. Colleagues all share the same profile for demoing and were boggling that it doesn't like my speech at all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 January, 2019, 03:20:40 pm
5k walk with MrsT this afternoon. On last 2.5 k I realized what a good thing it is that sphincters don't get cramp.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 16 January, 2019, 04:03:42 pm
5k walk with MrsT this afternoon. On last 2.5 k I realized what a good thing it is that sphincters don't get cramp.

BTDT arrived home without a sock  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 January, 2019, 05:16:16 pm
Better than an empty wallet or a very disgruntled goose.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 16 January, 2019, 07:09:09 pm
For some months I have had lumps on my scalp. I initially thought they were spots and didn't take much notice other than to think to myself "They are hanging around a long time." They are behind my head, so totally out of sight and very difficult to see even with two mirrors.

One day I was playing the piano when Dez, who happened to be passing, said "What are those lumps on your head?" "Spots," I replied. "No they're not."

He then photographed them and showed me and indeed they weren't. Off I went to the doc's.

Visit 1: steroids and the reassurance that it wasn't cancer.

Visit 2: stronger steroids.

Visit 3 (5th November): stronger steroids still and the executive decision that we'll come back to these after all your cardio tests are over.

Visit 4 (a week or two ago): different doctor. "I don't know what it is either. I'll refer you to a dermatologist."

Visit 5 (dermatologist, yesterday, on Canvey island!): "Hmmm. I think we need to send you for a biopsy to find out if it's what I think it is."

"What do you think it is?"

"It might be a form of cancer or it might be viral. You could need plastic surgery."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 January, 2019, 07:50:49 pm
Oh dear, WB!

Suspect these will need the attention of a plastic surgeon.

Most scalp lesions are fairly simple to remove and some respond to radiotherapy.

Hope all is sorted soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 January, 2019, 08:00:14 pm
My FiL had something similar. It wasn't cancer or a virus but it did need removing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 January, 2019, 07:42:19 am
You're a medical mystery, Wow! I'm surprised that a dermatologist couldn't identify the lesions.

I have what I am 99% certain are lipoma on my ribs. One has been there for years, has always been about 2cm across. Had that one checked by a doc way back and they said it was a cyst. The others are pea sized, maybe 3 or 4 of them. Tiny things and a bit difficult to find. MrsC thinks I should get them checked. I'm 99% certain they are just classic lipoma (i.e. lumps of harder fat).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 January, 2019, 07:53:20 am
@Wow: ouch.  I hope it can be dealt with simply and painlessly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 January, 2019, 10:32:21 pm
The leader of "The Association for Knowledge about Vaccinations" (in Poland) has been found guilty of libel against a doctor on some national vaccination programme. Fines totaling about £3k. Ha!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 January, 2019, 09:33:28 am
The WHO has named anti-vaccination sentiment as one of the top 10 health threats facing the world in 2019.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 January, 2019, 10:21:30 am
I'm glad they're taking it seriously.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 January, 2019, 12:57:42 pm
+1
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2019, 12:52:33 pm
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/health/nhs-gout-tuberculosis-scarlet-fever-2449042
Quote
Hundreds of people in <insert place name here> are being admitted to hospital with 'Victorian' diseases like gout, tuberculosis, and scarlet fever.

Exclusive figures from NHS Digital show there were at least 260 occasions in 2017/18 when people were treated as inpatients for one of 13 Victorian diseases.

They are classed as “Victorian” because they were commonly found in the 19th century, when poverty was rife. The figures count what the NHS refers to as “finished admission episodes” in 2017/18.
Gout a disease of poverty? Surely a disease of overly rich eating not poverty?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: whosatthewheel on 21 January, 2019, 12:58:04 pm
The WHO has named anti-vaccination sentiment as one of the top 10 health threats facing the world in 2019.

Not big in the UK, but in Italy is all the newspapers talk about
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 January, 2019, 02:49:13 pm
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/health/nhs-gout-tuberculosis-scarlet-fever-2449042
Quote
Hundreds of people in <insert place name here> are being admitted to hospital with 'Victorian' diseases like gout, tuberculosis, and scarlet fever.

Exclusive figures from NHS Digital show there were at least 260 occasions in 2017/18 when people were treated as inpatients for one of 13 Victorian diseases.

They are classed as “Victorian” because they were commonly found in the 19th century, when poverty was rife. The figures count what the NHS refers to as “finished admission episodes” in 2017/18.
Gout a disease of poverty? Surely a disease of overly rich eating not poverty?

A disease of excess, previously the reserve of the privileged. Or maybe the gout of the poor simply wasn't noticed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2019, 02:57:00 pm
It lists "13 Victorian diseases".
Quote
Gout

Tuberculosis

Malnutrition

Whooping cough

Measles

Scurvy

Typhoid

Scarlet fever

Diphtheria

Mumps

Rickets

Cholera

Vitamin D deficiency.
Some are clearly linked to poverty, others I can't really see the connection.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: IJL on 21 January, 2019, 03:46:27 pm
Gout is still common, in most cases however it's simple to treat, it's to do with the way some peoples Kidneys handle Purines, those who are susceptible will create high levels of uric acid which in turn can precipitate into uric acid crystals in the joints.  Despite the rich living reputation many fairly mundane foods are high in purines.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 January, 2019, 05:11:28 pm
A lot of the diseases in that list are made worse by overcrowded or poor quality living situations and or poor diet.

Gout has a bad reputation for being a disease of excess - making it stigmatised...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2019, 05:30:34 pm
Prince Albert is supposed to have died of typhoid! Though as it's a disease of hygiene I'd think it's strongly connected with poverty, overcrowding etc now. Not sure what the link is with mumps, measles and scarlet fever though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 January, 2019, 06:04:16 pm
It's not absolutes, it's 'likelihood of contracting the disease' with poorer people suffering in larger numbers.

I suspect measles, mumps, scarlet fever are all more spreadable in overcrowded housing or people who have lower immune systems because of poor diet and living in shitty housing...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2019, 06:26:29 pm
I wonder if there's an anti-vaxxer link? Probably not because I don't think that movement has taken off yet in the UK as much as some other places, and in as far as it has, it seems mostly a middle-class neo-hippie thing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 January, 2019, 06:52:24 pm
Possibly. I wonder what the demographics of different antivaxxers is. I don't know many cos I'd find them too fucking annoying (and painfully and harmfully wrong).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JonJo on 21 January, 2019, 07:56:27 pm
5k walk with MrsT this afternoon. On last 2.5 k I realized what a good thing it is that sphincters don't get cramp.

proctalgia fugax . clinical features. a severe, cramp-like pain of the rectum; lasts several seconds or minutes to up to half an hour; pain then disappears completely

DAMHIKT
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2019, 07:59:02 pm
PITA in Latin.

Horrible; sympathies!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 21 January, 2019, 09:31:54 pm
It's not absolutes, it's 'likelihood of contracting the disease' with poorer people suffering in larger numbers.

I suspect measles, mumps, scarlet fever are all more spreadable in overcrowded housing or people who have lower immune systems because of poor diet and living in shitty housing...

By chance last week I was looking for a death record for my great-great-great grandmother in King's Lynn some time after 1838. I found someone of the same name who was buried in 1845, but she was only 3 years old so couldn't have been my ancestor. I looked at the records anyway. Of 16 entries on 2 pages, 14 burials were of under-10s. And nearly all lived in the densely-populated fishing quarter known as North End (where that branch of my ancestors lived). 

(http://i.imgur.com/Oj9qSBu.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Oj9qSBu)

A search in contemporary newspapers suggests that smallpox was a the big killer (especially in famine-hit Ireland). Vaccination was available for free, but it wasn't compulsory until the 1850s. Even back then there was debate in the newspapers for and against compulsion. I've read accounts of court cases in the 1890s where anti-vaxxers were prosecuted by my G GF in his capacity of Inspector of Nuisances. [His patch included the Sandringham estate, and there was once an outbreak of diphtheria there (I think it was diphtheria, but I'd have to go to Kew to check).]

(https://i.imgur.com/pCttqAW.jpg)
Norfolk Chronicle 22nd November 1845

The WHO declared smallpox eradicated in 1980.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 January, 2019, 08:49:27 am
5k walk with MrsT this afternoon. On last 2.5 k I realized what a good thing it is that sphincters don't get cramp.

proctalgia fugax . clinical features. a severe, cramp-like pain of the rectum; lasts several seconds or minutes to up to half an hour; pain then disappears completely

DAMHIKT

Maybe the Compex people could produce an appropriately-shaped TENS electrode.

---o0o---

Meanwhile, since we only had -3°C yesterday morning I shoved in two cups of tea and two vasoconstrictive espressos and went for a stiff walk into the East wind to test my coronary arteries. Cardiologist says "not below 5°C" but the only pain was in one of my dodgy ankles.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 January, 2019, 01:45:07 pm
I've received a text from "NHS-No Reply" saying they (who?) require an up to date blood pressure reading as part of my "health monitoring" and I should text a number they give with my "name, DOB & BP" so they can update their records. While I'm tempted to write this off as a bizarre phishing attempt, I think it actually means what it says: I'm expected to check my BP at home (how?) and tell someone (who?) as part of some "health monitoring" I wasn't hitherto aware of.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 25 January, 2019, 01:51:06 pm
It's almost certainly a phishing attempt.

If you reply you'd probably be asked for more info at some point (maybe via a different pretence), but they'd have your name, mobile number and DOB at that point. Next thing would probably be your address.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 January, 2019, 06:27:48 pm
I rode 21 miles on the e trice today for the first time since before Christmas and my leg muscle is still painful  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 25 January, 2019, 06:35:31 pm
I've received a text from "NHS-No Reply" saying they (who?) require an up to date blood pressure reading as part of my "health monitoring" and I should text a number they give with my "name, DOB & BP" so they can update their records. While I'm tempted to write this off as a bizarre phishing attempt, I think it actually means what it says: I'm expected to check my BP at home (how?) and tell someone (who?) as part of some "health monitoring" I wasn't hitherto aware of.

Send them a blood pressure reading so low that you'd have to had been dead for a couple of days or so high that you'd have to be a London black cab driver and see if they send an ambulance.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 January, 2019, 06:46:06 pm
Given that the NHS don't usually even leave messages I'd agree with Greenbank.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 January, 2019, 06:56:58 pm
I've received a text from "NHS-No Reply" saying they (who?) require an up to date blood pressure reading as part of my "health monitoring" and I should text a number they give with my "name, DOB & BP" so they can update their records. While I'm tempted to write this off as a bizarre phishing attempt, I think it actually means what it says: I'm expected to check my BP at home (how?) and tell someone (who?) as part of some "health monitoring" I wasn't hitherto aware of.

Send them a blood pressure reading so low that you'd have to had been dead for a couple of days or so high that you'd have to be a London black cab driver and see if they send an ambulance.
:D
I actually think it's genuine though because it includes the (correct!) surgery name. Not that I intend replying to it anyway. Even if I could measure my BP at home. I could of course just phone the surgery but really ICBA. If they want to know my BP they can contact me in some sensible way and check it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 25 January, 2019, 07:15:55 pm
Our surgery sends out somewhat clunky text messages of a similar format, though they've yet to ask about my blood pressure. It's almost like they don't care. They probably don't, I did gripe about their lack of bicycle parking the last time (and the time before that, and the time before that) I was there. My blood pressure might have gone up then.

Today I don't know what is. I don't like having my blood pressure taken, I always think the cuff will sever my arm and it'll end up the floor and the doctor saying well, I've not seen that happen before. Then it'll grow back like a lizard tail. And I mean a real lizard tail and the doctor will say (again) well, I've not seen that happen before. And then I'll end up as a case report in the BMJ.

Generally, I take this as good enough reason not to visit the doctor unless it's genuinely likely that something will fall off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jurek on 25 January, 2019, 07:33:20 pm
I've received a text from "NHS-No Reply" saying they (who?) require an up to date blood pressure reading as part of my "health monitoring" and I should text a number they give with my "name, DOB & BP" so they can update their records. While I'm tempted to write this off as a bizarre phishing attempt, I think it actually means what it says: I'm expected to check my BP at home (how?) and tell someone (who?) as part of some "health monitoring" I wasn't hitherto aware of.
I had one of these a couple of days ago.
It was deleted.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 January, 2019, 07:35:50 pm
Ian, you seem to have become a minor character out of Bulgakov.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 26 January, 2019, 08:27:17 am
I've received a text from "NHS-No Reply" saying they (who?) require an up to date blood pressure reading as part of my "health monitoring" and I should text a number they give with my "name, DOB & BP" so they can update their records. While I'm tempted to write this off as a bizarre phishing attempt, I think it actually means what it says: I'm expected to check my BP at home (how?) and tell someone (who?) as part of some "health monitoring" I wasn't hitherto aware of.
I had one of these a couple of days ago.
It was deleted.

+1

Something to do with a rollout of the MyGP app. I can't say I'm surprised,  defeating the evil guardian of the doc's calendar to advance to the waiting room of doom fits quite nicely into video game format.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 January, 2019, 10:48:51 am
I've received a text from "NHS-No Reply" saying they (who?) require an up to date blood pressure reading as part of my "health monitoring" and I should text a number they give with my "name, DOB & BP" so they can update their records. While I'm tempted to write this off as a bizarre phishing attempt, I think it actually means what it says: I'm expected to check my BP at home (how?) and tell someone (who?) as part of some "health monitoring" I wasn't hitherto aware of.
I had one of these a couple of days ago.
It was deleted.

+1

Something to do with a rollout of the MyGP app. I can't say I'm surprised,  defeating the evil guardian of the doc's calendar to advance to the waiting room of doom fits quite nicely into video game format.
Bonus points for taking up most of the doc's time with the most trivial reason and having the most serious condition not being treated!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 26 January, 2019, 02:34:26 pm
I regularly get NHS texts, mainly due to having a chronic condition, and then overlaid with being run over. I tend to ignore 99% of thethem.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 February, 2019, 03:38:29 pm
I gargled chlorhexidine before bed last night, in an attempt to fend off cheeky-throaty urgh that's doing a half-decent impression of toothache.

I discovered that if you keep it in your mouth for over a minute the taste starts to wear off and be replaced with pure pain.  Imagine a combination of hot coffee, carbon dioxide, toothpaste, alcohol and bittrex, turned up to 11.

My taste buds still haven't recovered.  Everything tastes like the molecules have been flipped over in the fourth dimension[1] or something.  I'm forcing myself to eat some cardboard biscuits to fend off the nausea.  Some improvement in symptoms, but my tonsils still look fairly nasty.


[1] Concept borrowed from a 1980s children's book inspired by Flatland that hasn't aged well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2019, 03:52:37 pm
GWS Kim!

I've never really been able to gargle (and haven't touched the Corsodyl bottle that's lodged for aeons in the bathroom either).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 03 February, 2019, 05:48:27 pm
GWS.  See my comments in Food & Drink re cheap Highland Park single malt. Much nicer to gargle with & you can share the bottle with Barakta.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 February, 2019, 06:17:53 pm
I've never really been able to gargle (and haven't touch the Corsodyl bottle that's lodged for aeons in the bathroom either).

The expiry date on this one was in 2014.  Given the side-effects, it's a weapon of last resort (just before going to the GP for antibiotics, or amputation at the neck).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 03 February, 2019, 08:41:54 pm
Get well soon kim  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 February, 2019, 10:50:00 am
Bleurgh.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 February, 2019, 02:28:26 pm
Good luck.  Our GP opines that out-of-date medicaments cannot poison you, although that one seems to be making a fair attempt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 February, 2019, 05:44:42 pm
I think it's working.

The effect is indistinguishable from in-date chlorhexidine.  Weirdly, if you cover your entire mouth with it and painfully obliterate your tastebuds the overall effect is less unpleasant than if you dab a little on a mouth ulcer with a cotton bud or similar and carefully try to avoid tasting it (which never works).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 05 February, 2019, 01:01:13 pm
Corsodyl is disgusting but amazing.  :thumbsup:

Unfortunately it wouldn't do anything for the bumwee I've had since yesterday evening.  I'm down to the last loperamide in the strip...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 06 February, 2019, 06:50:22 pm
The virtual fracture clinic has confirmed my icy fall last week (walking) has resulted in a hairline fracture in my wrist. 4-6 weeks in a splint, no driving, no cycling and no walking stick. Fortunately i can walk to one client office and get a bus to my base office but the walking will either make or break my hip.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mcshroom on 06 February, 2019, 10:03:48 pm
Ouch. I hope your hip is ok :)

Sorry this is a bit of a whinge.

I took Amoxicillin for the first time Friday before last after a (not fully successful :() wisdom tooth extraction. Since then I've had a spotty rash by the Sunday (stopped taking the drugs on chemist's advice and started taking lots of antihistamines), then full chicken pox style itchy welts all over my arms, torso and legs (now thankfully just about gone), and the last couple days swollen calves/ankles. the swelling seems to be subsiding now, so just have itchy, and slightly spotty, feet.

Itchy feet are nothing like the most serious of those, and I feel much better, but they are very annoying.

Apparently I'm allergic penicillin based meds - I really wish I'd found out in a less uncomfortable way.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 February, 2019, 10:15:00 pm
A rash with amoxicillin does not necessarily mean a penicillin allergy, though might do.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 February, 2019, 09:00:53 am
Apparently I'm allergic penicillin based meds - I really wish I'd found out in a less uncomfortable way.

My son has a very violent penicillin allergy. When he first had it he was 6 or 7: he had not only all the reactions you list but his joints stiffened up as well. Doc + meds dealt with it, but it was quite terrifying for a while.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 07 February, 2019, 11:41:39 am
Ouch. I hope your hip is ok :)

Sorry this is a bit of a whinge.

I took Amoxicillin for the first time Friday before last after a (not fully successful :() wisdom tooth extraction. Since then I've had a spotty rash by the Sunday (stopped taking the drugs on chemist's advice and started taking lots of antihistamines), then full chicken pox style itchy welts all over my arms, torso and legs (now thankfully just about gone), and the last couple days swollen calves/ankles. the swelling seems to be subsiding now, so just have itchy, and slightly spotty, feet.

Itchy feet are nothing like the most serious of those, and I feel much better, but they are very annoying.

Apparently I'm allergic penicillin based meds - I really wish I'd found out in a less uncomfortable way.

I am also allergic, after being prescribed some by my dentists for a tooth abscess.  Symptons appeared whilst on holiday in Mallorca. First turned up on legs and just thought it was something I had brushed against whilst walking in the hils. Continued taking pills and it got worse. Went to medical centre, diagnosed, and given injections to combat.   Also warned about potential internal organ damage had I continued to take Amoxycillin.  When I got back I was perscribed a different set of antibiotics and made sure my GP knew about the reaction.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 07 February, 2019, 07:38:33 pm
Full term pregnant

Tonsillitis

FML
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 February, 2019, 08:22:19 pm
Hope all goes well with birth pdq!

Tonsillitis worries me as streps can be really nasty to both baby and lady bits.

Make sure everyone who treats you knows you have tonsillitis, please!

I am not one for casual use of antibiotics but would seriously consider giving you penicillin or similar urgently.

I'm not an obstetrician though but feel you should get skilled medical advice.

GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 07 February, 2019, 08:32:47 pm
I’m allergic to penicillin, I’ve got a doc and midwife appointment first thing to try and sort this mess out though. I have not had one single day of illness in pregnancy until now. What good timing 🙈
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 February, 2019, 08:36:19 pm
Eeek!
Don't hesitate to get treatment sooner if you have a fever or feel rough.

GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 February, 2019, 08:41:41 am
Fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, El Prez had a runny nose on just one side and tingles in one hand so his GP gave him a bunch of quick CVA tests, happily negative. El Prez went home and started sneezing on both cylinders, is now groaning under a massive lurgi onslaught. Good GP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JonJo on 11 February, 2019, 02:19:42 pm
Lower left wisdom tooth has never erupted. Dentist spotted something on recent x ray that's baffled him. The tooth is gradually disappearing. He's sent me to the oral maxillo outpatients for them to have a look but that won't be until late February.

I've had a bit of a asearch but can't find anything on t'internet. Anyone had anything similar?

Seen a consultant today after a spinny round the head type X-ray. Spontaneous resorption of an unerupted Wisdom tooth. It sometimes happens and in this case it isn't sinister.  :thumbsup:

He offered the option to extract what's left of the tooth but as that would seem to be a waste of resources and involve lots of pain I declined.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 February, 2019, 04:01:40 pm
Lower left wisdom tooth has never erupted. Dentist spotted something on recent x ray that's baffled him. The tooth is gradually disappearing. He's sent me to the oral maxillo outpatients for them to have a look but that won't be until late February.

I've had a bit of a asearch but can't find anything on t'internet. Anyone had anything similar?

Seen a consultant today after a spinny round the head type X-ray. Spontaneous resorption of an unerupted Wisdom tooth. It sometimes happens and in this case it isn't sinister.  :thumbsup:

He offered the option to extract what's left of the tooth but as that would seem to be a waste of resources and involve lots of pain I declined.

Excellent news!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JonJo on 12 February, 2019, 10:46:59 am
Thanks hellymedic. It was a relief to find it wasn't serious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jurek on 13 February, 2019, 11:42:41 am
I had an appointment with the dental hygienist first thing this morning.
I had anaesthetic, sufficient to stun a bison, injected into my gums.
Only just starting to get feeling back in my face, I'm feeling peckish so I decided to have a banananana.
Against my still partially numb lips, the banana felt warm.
Very, very weird.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 13 February, 2019, 02:24:35 pm
I had a phone call from Virtual Fracture clinic this morning

Nurse: "No fracture you can remove your splint and we will discharge you."
Me: "Really? I was told on first X-ray fractured Radius, then no fracture on first review possible scaphoid,  then after proper look at X-ray yes hairline fracture of radius, now you tell me no fracture"
Nurse: rereads notes, "follow up X-ray was to check scaphoid, no scaphoid fracture was found however please keep using the splint for the radius fracture"
Me: "Ok but I will be contacting PALs as it was my confidence that challenged your opening statement"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 February, 2019, 02:48:22 pm
:O Keep your story straight folks! Sounds very confusing. Hope PALS can get it clear.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2019, 03:00:28 pm
Story seems quite clear to me.

Droid like phone call gets challenged by Patient with Working Brain.

Working Brain thinks Droid is Dangerously Incompetent and should contact PALS to Take Action.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 February, 2019, 04:19:16 pm
El Prez seems to have caught a tertian ague: felt like death on Saturday, better Monday, clobbered again last night to point where I told him to call the emergency services: chill & shivering typical of flu but his heart was dancing a tango as well and giving him a lot of pain. He didn't, and this morning he's feeling better but very weak, and waiting to see if it comes back again.

Anyone who's had this year's lurgi, is this typical?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 14 February, 2019, 05:20:30 pm
I had a phone call from Virtual Fracture clinic this morning

Nurse: "No fracture you can remove your splint and we will discharge you."
Me: "Really? I was told on first X-ray fractured Radius, then no fracture on first review possible scaphoid,  then after proper look at X-ray yes hairline fracture of radius, now you tell me no fracture"
Nurse: rereads notes, "follow up X-ray was to check scaphoid, no scaphoid fracture was found however please keep using the splint for the radius fracture"
Me: "Ok but I will be contacting PALs as it was my confidence that challenged your opening statement"

I had much the same, not West Suffolk is it?

Call back the day after the incident
"OK, so there's no fracture, just soft tissue damage"
"really? The A&E doctor showed me the x-ray yesterday and pointed out the chip of bone out of my pelvis, which explains why it [fucking] hurts"
"pelvis? No, I'm talking about your elbow"
"I know that's not fractured, I was shown that x-ray as well"
"Oh, OK"
"I'd like you send me a letter clearly detailing that my pelvis was in fact fractured thank you"

Next day I was called back to the actual fracture clinic and the letter duly arrived to negate the previous one that had arrived in the meantime stating no fracture.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 14 February, 2019, 06:56:40 pm
No berkshire for my hospital.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 14 February, 2019, 08:02:26 pm
This is the downside to the virtual fracture clinic where X-rays get treated instead of people.  They save shedloads of money but may be storing up a lot of angry mistreated patients.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 14 February, 2019, 08:23:05 pm
This is true but being a patient at an ordinary fracture clinic can be one of the most soul destroying options. So much of the demand is dependent on what comes through A&E reception yesterday or this morning that my memory of them as appointment at 9am like 30 other people so expect to be seen sometime between 10 and 11. Appointment at 11am you'd better have a good book and nowhere else to be before lunch. Repeat for the afternoon clinic from 1pm. I can't even begin to think what it must be like to staff one.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 February, 2019, 08:29:01 pm
I'd always squish the fracture site, even on the briefest of brief discharge clinic visits.

I'm not convinced a phone/computer consult would/could do this.

Even if you ask a patient to do this, you can't really gauge how sore it is if you can't see their face/hear their voice.

(Good grip.
Full ROM.
0 BT
Disc...)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 February, 2019, 08:52:00 pm
I don't think I have taken any antibiotics in the last ten years.

When I had a dental abscess as a medical student in the early 1980s, culture grew a staphylococcus that was sensitive to Penicillin V, which was unusual even then.

I don't think I am personally responsible for much antibiotic resistance...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 14 February, 2019, 09:05:57 pm
[...] Appointment at 11am you'd better have a good book and nowhere else to be before lunch.

Unless you're actually bleeding out, it's unwise to attend hospital of any description without a book.

See also: Eating a full meal before going to the dentist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 February, 2019, 09:22:44 pm
[...] Appointment at 11am you'd better have a good book and nowhere else to be before lunch.
Unless you're actually bleeding out, it's unwise to attend hospital of any description without a book.
See also: Eating a full meal before going to the dentist.

For an appointment maybe...
Went to Queen Square for routine blood tests on Tuesday this week, having employed my cleaner as my 'pusher'.

Told her we'd pretty well be out before we were in. Explained she should take numbered ticket from machine.
Went round labyrinth to OPD desk, where they have forms for folk like me in file under the desk.
Was handed my form.
A pulls ticket #74 from machine.
#75 is already on screen!

Straight in, straight out, home.

There & back in <2hours despite dreadful traffic & HS2 road closures.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 14 February, 2019, 10:31:23 pm
Routine diabetes clinic, 9:20, seen about 10:30

I mentally write off the entire day
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 February, 2019, 12:38:55 am
Routine diabetes clinic, 9:20, seen about 10:30

I mentally write off the entire day

I think that's wise.

My routine 'annual'1 checks at Queen Square mostly start after 16.00 so they don't clog a whole day.

Currently >16 months between appointments.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: quixoticgeek on 15 February, 2019, 02:29:25 am
Unless you're actually bleeding out, it's unwise to attend hospital of any description without a book.

See also: Eating a full meal before going to the dentist.

These days I'd also add a full battery pack and enough usb cables, maybe also a bottle of drink.

I thought using a healthcare system other than the NHS waiting times might be shorter, but no, Doctors Mean Time as a separate time zone to local time seems to be universal...

J
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 February, 2019, 07:41:27 am
I'd always squish the fracture site, even on the briefest of brief discharge clinic visits.

I'm not convinced a phone/computer consult would/could do this.

Even if you ask a patient to do this, you can't really gauge how sore it is if you can't see their face/hear their voice.

(Good grip.
Full ROM.
0 BT
Disc...)
Addingtons did this with me before discharge. Went over my skull, face, jaw, hip, knee, hand. Reassuringly thorough, particularly since I'd had CT of the skull.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 15 February, 2019, 08:06:32 pm
Surely that's Addenbrooke's?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 February, 2019, 02:58:21 pm
Surely that's Addenbrooke's?
Yersh, Addenbrooke's.

Maybe parts of my brain are still scrimbled!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 February, 2019, 07:10:48 pm
Surely that's Addenbrooke's?
Yersh, Addenbrooke's.

Maybe parts of my brain are still scrimbled!

I just thought this might be a local neologism for 'Addy's'...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 17 February, 2019, 06:52:59 am
That would just be Addy's
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 February, 2019, 08:33:04 am
Sounds Addled.

Meanwhile, Yrs Trly seems to be suffering from whiplash and/or trapped nerve after hitting a bump on the fast downhill just before home the day before yesterday. Rib insertions to the right of the sternum hurt when I breathe deeply, trapezii hurt around shoulder blades and when I tilt my head back or turn it to the right there's a don't-do-that! pain down the side of my spine. When I sat down to breakfast this morning my whole rib cage lit up and the pain had me gagging for a few seconds - missus must've thought I was having a heart attack. It did subside and it's generally a bit better now but I'm chary of moving.

Oh, the bike has a flat front tyre and the wheel has a bit of a wiggle, nothing I can't fix.

Happy Sunday, everyone.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2019, 03:40:54 pm
My Twitterfeed has just informed me that deaths from liver disease have increased by 400% since 1970.

I didn't have a clue that this was the case!

Liver disease is mostly preventable and treatable in the early stages. The commonest causes are

Alcohol
Obesity and metabolic syndrome
Infection

Many liver infections are prevented by immunisation and sanitation.

Look after your livers, people. Some liver disease is silent until well-advanced!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jurek on 17 February, 2019, 03:46:01 pm
My Twitterfeed has just informed me that deaths from liver disease have increased by 400% since 1970.

I didn't have a clue that this was the case!

Liver disease is mostly preventable and treatable in the early stages. The commonest causes are

Alcohol
Obesity and metabolic syndrome
Infection

Many liver infections are prevented by immunisation and sanitation.

Look after your livers, people. Some liver disease is silent until well-advanced!
To add to that, I remember reading somewhere that your liver could be 96% shot and you'd not necessarily notice.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2019, 05:13:06 pm
My Twitterfeed has just informed me that deaths from liver disease have increased by 400% since 1970.
I didn't have a clue that this was the case!
Liver disease is mostly preventable and treatable in the early stages. The commonest causes are
Alcohol
Obesity and metabolic syndrome
Infection
Many liver infections are prevented by immunisation and sanitation.
Look after your livers, people. Some liver disease is silent until well-advanced!
To add to that, I remember reading somewhere that your liver could be 96% shot and you'd not necessarily notice.
Troodat.

Also the liver has VAST potential for regeneration so that if treatable disease is caught before DISASTER, pretty well full recovery is possible.

End-stage liver disease is really horrible and an awful way to go.

Look after your livers, folk!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: quixoticgeek on 17 February, 2019, 06:20:19 pm
Also the liver has VAST potential for regeneration so that if treatable disease is caught before DISASTER, pretty well full recovery is possible.

End-stage liver disease is really horrible and an awful way to go.

Look after your livers, folk!

What symptoms should people look out for, and what can we do to look after our livers? I have regular liver function tests (every 6 months), what else should I keep an eye out for ?

J
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 February, 2019, 07:52:26 pm
Yellowy eyes?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: quixoticgeek on 17 February, 2019, 07:55:20 pm
Yellowy eyes?

Isn't it a bit advanced by that stage?

I once worked in an office where the lighting in the meeting room made it look like everyone had Jaundice. Was creepy the first time.

J
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 February, 2019, 08:12:56 pm
Probably, but it is 96%? I don't know.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 17 February, 2019, 08:19:35 pm
Funny coloured poop (very light colour).

This was my only symptom when I had liver damage following the flu four years ago.

I now have joined the Germans in their habit of inspecting your poop daily in the bowl to check its colour is reasonably normal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 17 February, 2019, 08:44:12 pm
Same habit here, ever since I thought I might have thyroid issues, similar symptoms, turned out to be T1D in my case. Poo colour and changes in consistency can say a lot about ones health
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: quixoticgeek on 17 February, 2019, 08:45:33 pm
Same habit here, ever since I thought I might have thyroid issues, similar symptoms, turned out to be T1D in my case. Poo colour and changes in consistency can say a lot about ones health

Ah that Bristol stool chart...

J
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2019, 08:57:36 pm
If you're having regular liver function blood tests, it is unlikely you you will have develop a hidden issue.
Minimal changes in enzyme levels will occur long before symptoms emerge.

I have a friend elsewhere with a liver issue that was incidentally detected. There were NO symptoms.

The issue is being addressed by avoiding all alcohol and weight reduction by a combination of moderate diet and lots of low-impact exertion. Friend is well and trim, having lost a mound of lard.

I don't know how the liver is faring in this but will find out in due course.

Some people get itchy. Some feel off-colour but most have NO symptoms.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: quixoticgeek on 17 February, 2019, 09:19:30 pm
If you're having regular liver function blood tests, it is unlikely you you will have develop a hidden issue.
Minimal changes in enzyme levels will occur long before symptoms emerge.

Which blood tests would you do for liver function?

J
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 17 February, 2019, 10:10:45 pm
Funny coloured poop (very light colour).

While we're on the subject, I'll add fluorescent orange urine as a symptom of jaundice that nobody tells you about.  (DAHIKT)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 17 February, 2019, 11:17:01 pm
Kim: Half your problem was that you couldn't see the problematic colour till it was really bad cos of your colour blindness. People aren't normally in the habit of asking someone else for toilet content inspections although you can and occasionally have asked for a sanity check from me with my colour vision which is just sensible....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 February, 2019, 12:32:36 am
If you're having regular liver function blood tests, it is unlikely you you will have develop a hidden issue.
Minimal changes in enzyme levels will occur long before symptoms emerge.

Which blood tests would you do for liver function?

J

Seems I was wrong about this, apologies!

Liver enzymes are not always deranged in some cases, which makes this business something of a minefield!
Standard 'liver function tests' are for enzymes which are not all exclusively hepatic but which might point in the direction of trouble.

ALP = Alkaline phosphatase. This is also produce in bones and is elevated in biliary obstruction and pregnancy/childhood.
AST = Aspartate transaminase - also present in the heart
ALT = Alanine transferrase
GGT = Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase: probably the best indicator of alcoholic liver trouble

Prothrombin time and serum albumin can be indicators of liver function/malfunction but are not part of the routine 'LFTs' which measure some liver enzymes.

The issue is very complicated but someone of normal weight and low alcohol intake, with little risk of liver infection is unlikely to run into trouble. Things are different if you're not quite well, in which case you'll need a doctor.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 February, 2019, 08:37:31 am
Mine's been lightish since I started taking metformin ~20 years ago, but then metformin plays around quite a bit with liver function.



Meanwhile, a colleague of El Prez's son lost his 2-year-old son to flu last week. This year's dose is vicious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 February, 2019, 10:31:43 am
That's horrible. Very sad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 February, 2019, 01:31:40 pm
How long does it take a strained sternum to recover?  Mine's been aching - rib insertions on sternum, with a bit of radiation to both sides - since I hit that insolent bloody bump last Friday.  Thought it was more or less OK to go for a ride this morning until I pumped up a tyre from flat with the track pump and ribs shrieked stop from about 5 bar on. One is sore.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 19 February, 2019, 08:04:38 pm
I've done that before, different circumstances, I seem to remember being OK within the week, or I at least moderated activity to avoid the pain
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 February, 2019, 12:50:40 am
Reading some medical website, I found another condition abbreviated as OCD - Osteochondritis Dissecans. (I got the quiz question correct and had a little knowledge of the entity.)

ALWAYS define your abbreviations when you use them please!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 February, 2019, 08:20:03 am
I've done that before, different circumstances, I seem to remember being OK within the week, or I at least moderated activity to avoid the pain

I certainly intend to avoid 45 kph bumps. ;)  Going out today once the temperature passes 5°C.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 February, 2019, 04:24:18 pm
Back again after 86k, thorax a bit achy but nothing dire. We'll see how it goes once it's had time to stiffen.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 20 February, 2019, 09:02:59 pm
Evening all. I had a horrid, snotty cold about 5-6 weeks ago. Lasted a week, then cleared up, except for a very vague 'not right' feeling in my sinuses, dry, tickly cough at night and coughing up a load of green gunk every morning. The symptoms are really minor, but very persistent and annoying. Lack of sleep is starting to be an issue. I feel a bit daft about asking a GP, bearing in mind how mild the symptoms are, but I've never had a cold drag out this long. Guessing I should just continue the waiting game?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 February, 2019, 09:45:05 pm
6 weeks seems OTT for a cold. I would suspect a pocket of lingering infection, either in the sinuses or chest.

I don't think it's unreasonable to seek advice if you've battled this long.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 February, 2019, 11:53:44 pm
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=80971.msg2360333#msg2360333 refers.

I had the biopsy last Wednesday and a load of doctor's surgery-related faff today.

I had an appointment at 9.20am for what I am certain is a herpetic whitlow on my left index finger. It's been hanging around a while and is quite painful. The Dr. I saw was the same guy who prescribed three sets of consecutively stronger steroids for me in the autumn. I tried to persuade him it was viral (google "herpetic whitlow". The photo is exactly like mine) but he gave me antibiotics. I took them home, had my porridge and was about to take one of these tablets (1 4 times a day for 7 days) when I decided to read the label. "Take on an empty stomach. Either 1 hour before food or 2 hours after food". That actually makes it pretty hard for me to find 4 opportunities to take a tablet during a day, but there we are.

I then had a think and decided that it would be wise to go for a second opinion. The NHS website says of herpetic whitlows firstly that they are infections and can spread, and secondly that they are best treated with anti-virals and the sooner you start the better. I phoned firstly the dermatology centre (based in Blackburn) and they advised me to go for the second opinion. I then phoned the surgery to ask for another appointment with a different doc. "Phone at 2pm to see if we have any available slots." I went at 2pm but in the meantime had googled herpetic scalp excrescences and found some really tasty-looking photos of scalps looking just like mine. I got an appointment for 4.50pm with a different doctor.

I took my Ipad, loaded with the relevant photos, and argued my case. This guy gave me anti-virals. Result! 1 tablet 5 times a day for 7 days. No need to worry about food intake, so that's pretty much 7 & 11am, 3, 7 & 11pm. I got home, read the leaflet and had just taken my first tablet when the phone rang. It was the woman from Blackburn telling me that my biopsy result was through but because they weren't medically qualified they couldn't give it to me. They emailed it to my doc and told me to phone him in 10 minutes' time. I did, and then awaited a return call. It took a couple of hours to arrive, but the upshot is that I don't have cancer and the lesions on my head are indeed viral. It was something other than herpes by the sound of it, but nevertheless that's generally pretty pleasing news.

Bed now. I'm getting up early tomorrow to go for a 12 mile walk.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 February, 2019, 08:30:35 am
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 21 February, 2019, 05:45:16 pm
Good news Wow, hope it clears up quickly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 22 February, 2019, 07:41:24 am
Good to hear it's treatable Wow

in my caswe, first yoga class since last October, had deliberately left this till last in line.  As predicted, RHS very tight from overcompensating the left, LHS weak in comparison.  No major reaction thsi morning, left hip flexor a bit painful and right hand side of back is tight, but that's it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 February, 2019, 01:11:03 pm
Got the results yesterday of brain and spinal cord MRI I had in mid-December.

Brain unchanged.
Spinal cord has patchy signs of MS but this is first cord MRI.
Bones are showing my/their age.

This is the not news BONG!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 February, 2019, 02:08:05 pm
Got the results yesterday of brain and spinal cord MRI I had in mid-December.

Brain unchanged.
Spinal cord has patchy signs of MS but this is first cord MRI.
Bones are showing my/their age.

This is the not news BONG!
That sounds like very good news (of sorts).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 February, 2019, 02:10:04 pm
Seems fine to me!  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 23 February, 2019, 12:50:10 pm
I checked my blood pressure Friday. It was 121 / 78. I was inordinately pleased.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 February, 2019, 02:34:42 pm
I know that some people's MS scans show up worse than their symptoms and vice a versa. Interesting that they've started doing cord MRIs, I wonder if that's cos they can now get enough resolution or have learned something from this.

Glad it's reasonable news Helly!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 February, 2019, 03:51:48 pm
My Poole 1997 scan was not available.

I recall it looking like a bomb site even though I was largely asymptomatic, aside from a totally blind left eye at the time.

There were prominent brainstem changes then but I didn't get symptoms that fitted with those plaques till 1999.

FWIW I've had cord symptoms since 1990.

Anyway, I'm happy with the status quo.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 February, 2019, 05:13:21 pm
*nods* By MS standards you are fairly lucky considering how long you have been symptomatic. We really don't have a good understanding of why scans show X damage but people experience Y level of symptoms for many things. Bodies are both amazing and complicated.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 February, 2019, 07:01:37 pm
Indeed.

I've had symptoms for 29 years and, touch wood, have been VERY stable for the last ten. I think retirement has been beneficial.

I think an MRI in 1990 would have shown much activity but I was effectively lost to follow-up after losing the will to live after excessive telephone waits. Being in the trade was a disadvantage when the neurologist told me to phone the secretary in in a few months if I still had symptoms; a formal appointment in which doctor, patient and notes convened might have led to different management.

It's moot if I might have been better served by earlier diagnosis.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 March, 2019, 11:40:06 am
My sister has nerve damage in her left arm – from a blood donation! It seems the nerve got caught when they were withdrawing the needle and she now has constant discomfort between elbow and hand and can't feel her finger tips, which is rather a problem for a violinist. Should repair itself in 6-12 months, she's been told.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 March, 2019, 07:29:22 pm
Whilst it may recover itself in that time, it should not have happened and for it to happen on withdrawal is even more unusual. 

I would probably want to be seen by a peripheral nerve expert to confirm that it will get better and to have some nerve conduction studies.  PM if you want some recommendations of where to go and who to see.

I say this as a peripheral nerve expert for the last 25 years
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 March, 2019, 10:56:05 pm
Indeed.

I've had symptoms for 29 years and, touch wood, have been VERY stable for the last ten. I think retirement has been beneficial.

I think an MRI in 1990 would have shown much activity but I was effectively lost to follow-up after losing the will to live after excessive telephone waits. Being in the trade was a disadvantage when the neurologist told me to phone the secretary in in a few months if I still had symptoms; a formal appointment in which doctor, patient and notes convened might have led to different management.

It's moot if I might have been better served by earlier diagnosis.

Yes, I have met several folk with MS whose progression has slowed considerably when they gave up work. I know some who were advised to give up work fairly early, to preserve their capacity for longer. This of course doesn't work if you're at the mercy of the Department for Work and Pensions who assess people's capability to work on things like if you can push a button once... No concept of fatigue, mental capacity, etc etc.

I am sure there's a balance of when to stop/reduce working and when not and it'll depend on each person, their job, how stressful they find it, the MS and a massive random 8 ball of "luck". 

I'm delighted your MS has stayed pretty stable, it's definitely easier to manage stable impairments, progressive/deteriorative ones are hard work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 March, 2019, 11:11:04 pm
Indeed.
Stability is manageable!

My mum's friend Janet was stable for decades but then started nosediving, eventually dying of MS at 73 after >50 years of symptoms.

Her youngest daughter also has MS but seems stable and mobile. She's still working and about 5 years my junior.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 March, 2019, 08:46:55 am
Whilst it may recover itself in that time, it should not have happened and for it to happen on withdrawal is even more unusual. 

I would probably want to be seen by a peripheral nerve expert to confirm that it will get better and to have some nerve conduction studies.  PM if you want some recommendations of where to go and who to see.

I say this as a peripheral nerve expert for the last 25 years
Thanks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 07 March, 2019, 12:43:43 pm
I realised I never posted any update on here, but baby Harry was born on 25.2.19. 8lbs 6.

It was all quite eventful, I was induced Sat morning at 9am, by Monday evening I was Still only 3cm dilated but waters had broken early hours Mon morning.

Everything happened very quickly but I’d not been well before the labour for couple weeks and it bit me on the arse. My temp started going v high v fast, as did Harry’s HR and all of a sudden I was having an emergency section due to sepsis and having IV antibiotics thrown in everywhere. Main thing is he is here ok. We were in hospital 9 days as he also had some initial stomach and feeding problems and we had to be transferred to Southampton to see some specialists but all home now and he is doing a fantastic job of being nocturnal and keeping me awake all night. Completely besotted with him.

Hello sleep deprivation! Thankfully I’m starting to feel a bit better but gutted the section is keeping me from getting back to being active as quick as I’d like. And I have no idea how people manage without driving!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 March, 2019, 01:03:16 pm
Sorry to read you've had a rough ride, Lady C but relieved things are improving now.

Hope you continue to recover well and baby Harry picks up a nocturnal sleep habit soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 07 March, 2019, 04:34:37 pm
sounds a bit traumatic at the time, glad the outcome is good though
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 March, 2019, 05:23:40 pm
Glad to hear you are ok. Sorry to hear it didn't go so well.

After a few years of baby, coping sleep deprivation in 24hr sporting events will be easy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 March, 2019, 10:10:32 pm
Sounds like you've had a rough start Lady Cavendish and hope things keep on looking good from now on. Congrats!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 March, 2019, 10:20:05 pm
Let's hope tales I've heard about big babies sleeping through when young aren't just Old Wives' Tales.

(Anecdote: Had colleague with >4.5kg baby who slept through from 10 days!)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 08 March, 2019, 09:11:51 am
Sorry you had a rough time, but great news all is well now. As a newly inducted grandpaw, I'm going through the fun for a second time, at an effective remove (doesn't keep me a awake nights ;) ) Wish you and Harry all the best and hope you get the support you need.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 08 March, 2019, 11:29:02 am
Thanks everyone 😃 husband still has a further week off next week and Harry’s sisters are 19 and 16 and loving him very much so he’s getting a lot of attention. It’s when everyone goes back to work and leaves us that the ‘fun’ starts ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2019, 12:59:07 pm
Congrats! Glad you're both through it and healthy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 March, 2019, 01:04:07 pm
congratulations
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 March, 2019, 06:20:42 pm
Congratulations   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 March, 2019, 02:02:41 pm
Partner complained of calf pain at 3am today.
He hadn't injured it but had been a passenger in an 18 hour car journey over the weekend.
An uncle had died of a pulmonary embolism.
I was worried.
Partner slept well overnight.
Calf feels better today and is soft and squishy to the touch.
Wait, watch, worry and see...
And breathe...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 13 March, 2019, 09:35:07 am
Wishing you both well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 March, 2019, 01:20:05 pm
Half-popped my dodgy sacroiliac playing with the dogs. Standing up straight doesn't hurt, being bent right over doesn't hurt, but the transition... <yelp>
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 19 March, 2019, 08:58:11 am
I’d forgotten how hard life in a complete sleep deprived fog is. Love my little monster but jeez I think I’m now too old for this 😂🙈

Quite relieved I’m not breastfeeding (I know, terrible mother but there were significant issues with Harry and feeding at the start and we’ve stuck with what was safe/working) so that I can rely on ridiculous amounts of caffeine to get through life.

Got up to walking 3 miles now but C section recovery isn’t that quick either, I want to crack on at life now! Body has done well at getting over sepsis and a blood transfusion helped loads on the iron front after losing a lot of blood during birth but I want total recovery now, I’m so impatient! And don’t get me started on the jelly belly 😂🙈
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2019, 12:18:35 pm
Be kind to yourself!

You have survived the kind of illness than many didn't and some still don't. Of course you need time, of course you are impatient!

There is NOTHING wrong with bottle-feeding when:
1) You can afford to buy increasing quantities of formula.
2) You have a good reliable source of potable water.
3) You have the time and facilities to sterilise bottles until child is crawling.
4) Child is thriving on bottled milk.

There's a lot of guilt-mongering about breast-feeding. There are some people for whom it works fine and others for whom it does not, for whatever reason. Don't give the guilt mongers a thought. We don't live in the Third World and you should celebrate your child, your improving health and the fact you can make a choice which works for you and Harry.

The jelly belly is something few others will see; it will shrink but some jelly may remain. Modern fashions accommodate MUCH more belly than those of previous generations; you might as well use that to your advantage. My Mum wore a girdle after her first five kids but such constricting corsetry/shapewear had fallen out of use by the time she was recovering from #6, after which she moaned about her tummy...

I'm sure you'll look great when clothed before long!

You're doing great.

Things WILL get better!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 19 March, 2019, 01:27:56 pm
I agree about Sepsis, it's serious business and recovery takes ages - and folk I know who've had sepsis have had difficulties with relapses if they overdo it. Please be careful even if it's frustrating now.

Also anyone who sneers about bottle feeding can get in the sea, if the small person is fed, clean, properly looked after and loved everything else is snobbery. My sister got flak for not breastfeeding, but bottle feeding was the *best* thing for her mental health and meant my BiL could do more babyfeeding work (which I'm always up for!).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 March, 2019, 02:21:37 pm
Niggling miseries: earlier this week I put on a pair of socks that had shrunk in the wash and now I have bursitis in my left foot. And yesterday I swallowed an inadequately-chewed chip that had a pointy end and scratched my oesophagus. Bah. Paracetamol with a Gaviscon chaser, please. :(

Still, on the bright side I had quite good results from my latest blood'n'piss test. Kidneys still efficient after a probable 40 years of T2 diabetes ain't bad at all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 March, 2019, 03:28:13 pm
Also anyone who sneers about bottle feeding can get in the sea, if the small person is fed, clean, properly looked after and loved everything else is snobbery. My sister got flak for not breastfeeding, but bottle feeding was the *best* thing for her mental health and meant my BiL could do more babyfeeding work (which I'm always up for!).

This^^^ in spades.

I would add 'gaining weight/thriving' to The Kim's list.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 29 March, 2019, 10:47:04 pm
Since my accident, which both skinned and heavily guided my left elbow, it has become markedly more hairy than the other elbow, weird. 

I assume its the skinning which has stimulated follicular activity
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 30 March, 2019, 07:44:12 am
Increased blood supply
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 March, 2019, 01:34:25 pm
Does that work on heads?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 31 March, 2019, 04:58:54 pm
A scalp injury will lead to increase hair growth if there are follicles capable of being stimulated to grow
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 April, 2019, 09:56:55 am
Return on pain investment might be a bit low.

ISTR reading that those who go bald in the usual manner still have all the follicles, but the hair they grow is very short and fine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 April, 2019, 10:20:56 am
There's a comment on an article about vaccinations which is either genius conspiracy-busting or tin-foil; maybe both at the same time.
Quote
The tendency to vehemently oppose vaccination as a Big Pharma conspiracy is almost certainly funded by Big Pharma, and with a profit motive. It is my belief that the anti-vaccination lobby are almost certainly being funded, and supported in misinformation by the people who will most benefit from children not being vaccinated, and unwittingly so. It is almost inconceivable that parents would willingly put their children at risk if it were not for the fake news and fake research that has been spread to undermine their faith in a well established medical benefit. The profit margins in vaccination are tiny compared to those that arise from hospital treatments and interventions to treat (and even save the lives) of children who fall ill with these dangerous, but cheaply, and easily prevented, diseases. Consider this recent example, where the medical costs of treating an unvaccinated child for Tetanus cost in excess of $800,000. https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.l1172 Who benefits from that outcome? Tetanus vaccination only costs a few cents… Recent discoveries that Russian server farms have been implicated in manipulating US election results and Brexit make it clear that social media is an easy pathway to ‘innocculate’ the well-meaning innocent against the facts of vaccination - and stirring up anti-vaccination sentiments has to be easier than manipulating elections, the red flag of babies being harmed by faceless corporations has to be an easier sell than Donald Trump… Blame the anti-vaccination movement on Big Pharma and their secret farms in far away countries, but don’t blame anti-vaxxers for being unable to comprehend and respect the vast quantity of legitimate research supporting vaccination that is available - they are being artfully deceived.
https://theconversation.com/measles-should-vaccinations-be-compulsory-114481

So the claim is that that anti-vaxxers are being covertly funded or promoted by the pharmaceutical industry, because they get to profit more from treating the effects of diseases than preventing them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 02 April, 2019, 09:59:41 pm
The story of oxycontin does suggest it is plausible.. They set up committees and task forces to define pain as something which should not be allowed and then provided oxycontin as the answer. 

Result  - massive profits and more dead americans from prescription narcotics than illegal drugs!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 April, 2019, 09:40:50 am
Isn't oxycontin mainly given to women in labour? Anyway, that's creating an additional drug sales opportunity. With vaccinations it would require pharmaceutical companies to make more profit from treating a relatively small number of infections than millions of low cost vaccinations worldwide. I'm sure that's true on a profit per item basis but overall, I don't know. Could be.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 April, 2019, 10:11:11 am
In north america, oxycontin, is prescribed for pain. Any pain. It is more physically addictive than heroin.

I don't think it is even used in the UK. Doctors here would rather use Morphine (or synthetic versions thereof).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 April, 2019, 10:51:10 am
I was probably conflating it with oxytocin...  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 03 April, 2019, 10:54:45 am
It's certainly licensed for use in the UK, and a quick google throws up results about addiction in the UK as well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 03 April, 2019, 01:36:05 pm
If I was a manufacturer of antiviral drugs and not vaccines I would certainly support the anti vaccine people (and no morals).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 03 April, 2019, 02:04:55 pm
The story of oxycontin does suggest it is plausible.. They set up committees and task forces to define pain as something which should not be allowed and then provided oxycontin as the answer. 

Result  - massive profits and more dead americans from prescription narcotics than illegal drugs!

IMHO it's the tip of a very large iceberg regarding the FDA as a whole, there's been various exemptions and loopholes appearing in the CFR for a little while but that process has massively accelerated recently - to the point whereby a very small company such as ours with only a single regs officer can drive a coach and horses through 21 CFR 820 should we so choose, which we haven't*

EDIT: Just be grateful that you live in a country that the IVDR and MDR is going to apply to.....Oh....Oh bollocks
* yet
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Torslanda on 03 April, 2019, 02:40:39 pm
Don't want to rant. Monday ended up at A&E for an ECG. I've been feeling a bit banjaxed for a couple of weeks, caught myself falling asleep in the shop more than once. As you're probably aware I bought a very heavy motorcycle recently and the effort required to reverse it into a shed that's only just wide enough... Well, I put it down to that.

Last week on a few occasions I was breathless and tight chested.  On Monday I had a routine appt at the docs for a health check, turned up & the practice nurse took my pulse - three times - then failed to extract blood for samples from both arms and finally told me to foxtrot oscar to A&E.

The upshot is I'm now awaiting an appt with cardiology. Meanwhile I have 3 kinds of drugs to take & a GTN spray...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 April, 2019, 02:45:31 pm
Fingers crossed...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 April, 2019, 02:58:52 pm
Hope you're better and sorted soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 April, 2019, 03:20:37 pm
Break a leg.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 April, 2019, 03:23:19 pm
Bloody hell, tors, be careful.

You could give a chap a heart attack with news like that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Si S on 03 April, 2019, 03:23:39 pm
GWS tors
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 April, 2019, 08:12:36 pm
Eeek Tors. Hope the ticker docs can check you out and give you more useful info soonest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 03 April, 2019, 08:20:35 pm
Only just seen this Tors.  Bloody hell mate.  Best wishes for a good outcome.  Hugs. (Man hugs mate. Man hugs)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 03 April, 2019, 08:23:36 pm
Best of luck with diagnosis and treatment options.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 03 April, 2019, 08:37:35 pm
Torslanda, not met you but appreciate all you're input.  Get well soon and best wishes for all the heart stuff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 03 April, 2019, 10:33:12 pm
Take care of yourself tors. ,thinking of you and wishing you well   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 April, 2019, 10:28:07 pm
Also anyone who sneers about bottle feeding can get in the sea, if the small person is fed, clean, properly looked after and loved everything else is snobbery. My sister got flak for not breastfeeding, but bottle feeding was the *best* thing for her mental health and meant my BiL could do more babyfeeding work (which I'm always up for!).

This^^^ in spades.

I would add 'gaining weight/thriving' to The Kim's list.
My daughter was advised to stop breast feeding. It may be "best for baby" but she was told it was inhibiting her recovery (two children, first involved a 4th degree tear, 2nd a planned caesarian).

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 05 April, 2019, 06:27:33 am
Don't want to rant. Monday ended up at A&E for an ECG. I've been feeling a bit banjaxed for a couple of weeks, caught myself falling asleep in the shop more than once. As you're probably aware I bought a very heavy motorcycle recently and the effort required to reverse it into a shed that's only just wide enough... Well, I put it down to that.

Last week on a few occasions I was breathless and tight chested.  On Monday I had a routine appt at the docs for a health check, turned up & the practice nurse took my pulse - three times - then failed to extract blood for samples from both arms and finally told me to foxtrot oscar to A&E.

The upshot is I'm now awaiting an appt with cardiology. Meanwhile I have 3 kinds of drugs to take & a GTN spray...

Just seen this, hopefully nothing serious, and easily dealt with
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Torslanda on 05 April, 2019, 11:06:04 am
Cheers, Dave. I'm rather hoping that next week's cardiology appt goes something along the lines of 'you're a lazy, fat git, now get some exercise and lose some weight before we have to think about measuring you for a box!'

I'd take that...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 05 April, 2019, 05:57:01 pm
Or as my GP once put it: "I hope you're not making too many plans for your retirement."  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 05 April, 2019, 08:11:07 pm
Take it easy Tors.  Hope they sort you out asap.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 April, 2019, 09:00:35 am
Or as my GP once put it: "I hope you're not making too many plans for your retirement."  ::-)

My mum's GP once told her (she was more than a bit dumpy) "why do you see so many little thin old ladies? All the fat ones are dead!" She made it to 87 all the same.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 April, 2019, 09:19:31 am
Or as my GP once put it: "I hope you're not making too many plans for your retirement."  ::-)

My mum's GP once told her (she was more than a bit dumpy) "why do you see so many little thin old ladies? All the fat ones are dead!" She made it to 87 all the same.

When I was six, I was out shopping in Woolworths with my grandmother. She stepped on the weighing scales at the back of the shop and put her 3d coin in the slot. The pointer swung to 14 stone (89kg). Said grandmother died 20 years ago, at 101.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 April, 2019, 09:21:05 am
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mattc on 06 April, 2019, 11:56:26 am
Or as my GP once put it: "I hope you're not making too many plans for your retirement."  ::-)

My mum's GP once told her (she was more than a bit dumpy) "why do you see so many little thin old ladies? All the fat ones are dead!" She made it to 87 all the same.

When I was six, I was out shopping in Woolworths with my grandmother. She stepped on the weighing scales at the back of the shop and put her 3d coin in the slot. The pointer swung to 14 stone (89kg). Said grandmother died 20 years ago, at 101.
What is this telling us?

Your posts generally contain advice backed by years of experience (and medical knowledge); I'm not clear what to take from this one  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 April, 2019, 12:06:42 pm
Or as my GP once put it: "I hope you're not making too many plans for your retirement."  ::-)

My mum's GP once told her (she was more than a bit dumpy) "why do you see so many little thin old ladies? All the fat ones are dead!" She made it to 87 all the same.

When I was six, I was out shopping in Woolworths with my grandmother. She stepped on the weighing scales at the back of the shop and put her 3d coin in the slot. The pointer swung to 14 stone (89kg). Said grandmother died 20 years ago, at 101.
What is this telling us?

Your posts generally contain advice backed by years of experience (and medical knowledge); I'm not clear what to take from this one  :-\

Not all fat people head for an early grave.
No more.
No less.

Not all smokers die young either...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: TPMB12 on 10 April, 2019, 01:46:40 pm
Oh well, what are my chances of living above average age if I take up smoking for the first time at 45? That versus living with a spare tyre around the middle? I heard smoking helps you lose weight.

Just an idea here, case studies of one or two cases doesn't make sense to me. I think I'll keep living without ciggies and excessive alcohol and lose my midriff a little too. No harm trying to increase your odds right?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 April, 2019, 02:05:34 pm
Right. You can't change your genes.
When I was a young student, they told me smoking was MUCH worse than obesity for shortening life expectancy but folk were generally much slimmer 40 years ago and even fat people generally had much less weight around the waist.

Probably best keep smoke-free, active and slim-waisted...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 April, 2019, 02:21:24 pm
40 years ago the food companies and agrobiz hadn't yet realized that they could double their sales volumes by encouraging gluttony, and the drug companies hadn't realized how much of a killing they could make out of diabetics.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 April, 2019, 02:29:19 pm
50 years ago I was amazed how the characters in the Enid Blyton books I read seemed to be eating all the time when we really only ate at mealtimes. We were slim but close to average weight for our ages..
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 April, 2019, 03:33:39 pm
The great thing about being a fictional character is limited consequences, except where required to drive the plot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 April, 2019, 04:12:36 pm
Maybe the kids Blyton knew were always eating but were very active...
Kids are generally less active than we were.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 10 April, 2019, 04:34:23 pm
Maybe the kids Blyton knew were always eating but were very active...

You missed the later additions to the series -
Five Create A Viral Internet Meme
Five Break Their CoD Killstreak Record
Five Binge-watch Game Of Thrones All Weekend
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 April, 2019, 04:50:32 pm
Which was the one where they go to the haunted MySpace page, but it turns out that it's being used to smuggle bitcoin...?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 10 April, 2019, 10:40:28 pm
Maybe the kids Blyton knew were always eating but were very active...

You missed the later additions to the series -
Five Create A Viral Internet Meme
Five Break Their CoD Killstreak Record
Five Binge-watch Game Of Thrones All Weekend

Five have plenty of cake
Five go down to the McDonalds
Five on a couch together
Five get into a fight
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 April, 2019, 10:42:26 am
Really struggling with cold hands (and feet), even when exercising.

Doesn't matter if it is kayaking or cycling, my hands (and to a lesser extent, feet), lose circulation and get cold. Hands particularly go dead white and numb.

Never used to have issues, I had hands like little radiators in winter.

My BP is lowish these days (on waking it is typically 93-5/6-something).

I can be paddling, sweating, head warm and body boiling; my hands will be dead white and absolutely numb.
Get warm again, nice warm pink fingers, put gloves on, set off cycling; 15min later half my fingers are numb. Toes ditto.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 April, 2019, 11:26:53 am
What medicines (if any) do you take?

I am no great expert on Raynaud's phenomenon, though have mild features.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 April, 2019, 11:39:18 am
Topiramate. One side effect is 'numb extremities', but no details beyond that, so it could be referring to a neurological effect or effect on blood supply.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 20 April, 2019, 07:45:36 am
Sorry to be crude but....snot. Loads of the stuff the day after swimming.

I assume that its an allergic reaction to something in the water (its worse at one pool of the four I use but I get it to some degree at all four) but my question is, will it last? I mean, will the reaction stop or would meds (and if so what type) help.

While its not painful or anything, its just unpleasant.

Any suggestions gratefully received.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 May, 2019, 03:02:06 pm
Just back from annual heart check-up.  Everything fine; other than the automatic BP gizmo on the stationary bike turning in values like the depth gauge in Das Boot.  Since I wasn't having a stroke or blowing a gasket then & there cardiologist sighed and said "oh well, we'll put you a BP holter on and see what happens. Oh, and might as well do the ECG one too".

So now I'm festooned in cables and tubes, hung with lumpen devices and pissed off that I have to crawl back to the medicated shit-factory tomorrow afternoon. In petulant revenge I'm tightening up my biceps every time the bloody cuff inflates and holding it until it gives up. Not allowed a shower, either. Arse.  >:( >:( :demon: >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 May, 2019, 07:14:41 am
And to add injury to insult... the BP cuff inflates "every half-hour during the day and once an hour during the night" with a noise like a young alarm clock. It woke me every hour on the hour all night, with the exception of 4 am because I was still awake from 3 am. Then it decided that I should get up at 6 am because that's when it went into daytime mode.

There's a shit-brained twat at the hospital who's going to get a flea in her ear when I take the thing back this afternoon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 May, 2019, 03:31:57 pm
Aforesaid lassie didn't do the programming: culprit not available.  Plus "they're all set like that, we just plug them into the computer and etc".  Told her to tell the perp to stick it where the sun don't shine, but she probably won't.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Man in a tree on 11 May, 2019, 11:07:51 am
And to add injury to insult... the BP cuff inflates "every half-hour during the day and once an hour during the night" with a noise like a young alarm clock. It woke me every hour on the hour all night, with the exception of 4 am because I was still awake from 3 am. Then it decided that I should get up at 6 am because that's when it went into daytime mode.

I was given one like that and, having worn it all afternoon and put up with it inflating quite painfully every ten minutes, I decided I wouldn't get any sleep at all and took it off at bed time. The next day when it was plugged in to download the afternoon's data, it turned out that it hadn't recorded anything at all, at which point I rebelled and refused to cooperate with a repeat attempt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 May, 2019, 01:44:01 pm
Every 10 mins is cruel and unusual.  Maybe it couldn't get a reading and was trying over & over until it could; mine did that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2019, 12:07:37 am
Facebook Marketplace is flogging an unusual ice cream scoop...
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1329592007198959/ (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1329592007198959/)

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 May, 2019, 08:47:32 am
Facebook Marketplace is flogging an unusual ice cream scoop...
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1329592007198959/ (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1329592007198959/)

(click to show/hide)

Yebbut my ice-cream allowance is two balls.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 May, 2019, 08:57:07 am
Anyway, for a few years MrsT has had trouble staying asleep at night: she drops off all right but wakes up again an hour later and stays awake for an hour or two more.  Being from Yorkshire she has hereditary high cholesterol and the doc's had her on 40 mg Pravastatin for a few years.  Recently she re-read the list of side effects and found that troubled sleep and nightmares were listed. She shifted her pill from evening to morning and has been sleeping like a top ever since.

The funny thing is that, according to the leaflet, only 1% of patients are affected this way, yet last week I shifted my own 40 mg dose from evening to morning with similar results.  I was blaming the coffee. Hmm....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2019, 09:50:35 am
I strongly suspect adverse effects from statins are GROSSLY under-reported by the 'mustn't grumble' generation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 May, 2019, 09:56:53 am
Meanwhile, the effect on memory of losing sleep is put down to getting on a bit.  Interesting, though - the dreams I had from 5am on were much more vivid than usual - brain catching up?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 19 May, 2019, 10:30:23 am
Date confirmed for my knee replacement operation (26th June). Looking forward to it.
Once the rehabilitation is over (approx September) I'll be able to start riding and get
back to circuit training. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Genosse Brymbo on 19 May, 2019, 07:23:23 pm
Date confirmed for my knee replacement operation (26th June). Looking forward to it...
Hope everything goes well.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 19 May, 2019, 09:50:52 pm
Thank you. It should have been done a few years ago, but I put up with the pain until
I couldn't even do the warm-up jog in circuit training. Looking forward to the weight loss
(of the eight pounds) that will inevitably occur once I'm active again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 May, 2019, 04:29:57 pm
Date confirmed for my knee replacement operation (26th June). Looking forward to it.

Sounds about right. Most of my major injuries have happened in late June, just in time to watch the TdF while immobilized.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 May, 2019, 08:59:34 am
Saw Ozzy the GP this morning to discuss cardiologist's recommendations. Cardio wants me to take a BB (bottom bracket, not) but the one he "suggests" has a half-life of 5 hours so I suggested to Ozzy that if I take the dose at ~7pm it'll be largely gone by next day.  He seemed quite tickled with the ploy so that's what I'll do. Last time I had BBs I took them in the morning and was duly poleaxed.

Nice thing about Ozzy is that whereas the cardio when asked why says "to avoid arrhythmia" and moves on, whereas Oz explains in terms of turbulence, mini-clots & effects thereof. Good lad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2019, 03:52:14 pm
First ride with new beta-blockers today. This lot are a lot easier to tolerate than the ones I had in 2008. They made it almost impossible to push my heart over 130, with the result that on every decent hill my legs hurt like hell: I remember one hill where I had to coast every 5 pedal-strokes to let the pain die down. With the new ones, taken in the evening, I can get to 150 and do virtually everything I want to. BPM doesn't climb as fast as without but power seems the same if not slightly more, possibly because salvos of extra-systolics don't deliver as much O2 as regular beats.

Plan now is to ride this week, report to Ozzy on Friday and go on from there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 26 May, 2019, 07:35:14 pm
I am getting pain in the front of my left leg between the knee and the ankle which is making it painful to straighten my leg  .I was proscribed naxproxin but my lips swelled up and ibuprofen doesn't seem to make much difference to the pain. This is making it difficult to do the streaching exercises i have been given. I am scared to ride any distance at the moment in case I make it worse.  Bah  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 27 May, 2019, 09:54:55 pm
I'm now part of the Kilted Coaches clan!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 June, 2019, 03:07:41 pm
10 days of beta-blockers and I've probably reached saturation.  Today's ride was murder: I went well for about an hour then somebody pulled the plug out. Halfway up a somewhat trivial climb that I usually take standing on the big chainring my legs began to burn and my power just went, so that I had to crawl up the rest of the way sitting down.  I recovered a little half an hour later over coffee but I had sore quads the rest of the way and every climb was painful.

I reckon the BB's are slowing the rate at which my muscles recover en route, and once the reserves go I'm limited by what my heart can deliver.  Overall heart rate appears to be down by around 10 bpm.

I'll give them another week or so and then bend the GP's shell-like into a pretzel. :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 02 June, 2019, 03:16:58 pm
...and it was all going so well yesterday.  :-\

First parkrun for seven months. First 'serious' run since my op (I have been building up gently once past the six-week layoff). Didn't do too badly, considering.
Then most of the rest of the day in the garden. Back out to the garden this morning. About ten minutes (if that) of weeding the patio.

And my back goes. Just the usual 'overdoing it on the first decent day when we've been home' syndrome, but none the less annoying for that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 June, 2019, 03:21:17 pm
Bummer. Hope they can fix it for you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: PeteB99 on 04 June, 2019, 11:44:48 am
What's the name of the muscle that runs along the back of the shoulder?

I must have slept on it badly last night because it really hurts this morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2019, 12:00:30 pm
Infraspinatus?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 June, 2019, 01:37:58 pm
Trapezius?
Rhomboid?

Other quadrilaterals are available; your pain sounds too high for the quadratus lumborum.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: PeteB99 on 04 June, 2019, 03:41:26 pm
Trapezius I suspect. The pain goes from the base of the neck to about the shoulder blade. Rubbed a generous splodge of sticky gel on which made it go away for awhile but its coming back now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 04 June, 2019, 03:46:07 pm
Well had my test for Fabry's yesterday. The results may take a month but then again, they aren't expecting to find anything.

Off to the doctors tomorrow for advice on this ongoing sciatica problem I have now had for five weeks. I do hope she can guide me on how to fix it as frankly, I am finding it hard to sleep at night due to the pain.
I have tried the exercises on Youtube but they aren't working for me.  :(

Edited to add:

So, does anyone want my body as frankly, I am fed up with it as not only have I the ongoing issue noted above, I now have gout AGAIN!

Anyway, been to see the GP who is arranging for me to have an MRI and to see a Physio. Hopefully that will fix the problem but I have been told it takes time to resolve but I could have meds to help with the pain. Thanks, but no thanks. All I want to do is ride my bike, be able to walk and go swimming a couple of times a week. Really, is that too much to ask?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 12 June, 2019, 12:48:31 pm
Back from the dentist & no work needed.  Praised for the condition of my gums & cleanliness of my teeth.  The Waterpik & electric toothbrush must be doing the job.   

Is it just me changing dentists or have examinations got a lot gentler in the last 30 years ?   I can recall my old dentist sinking probes into every tooth until I winced.  Then again I now think a lot of the fillings he gave me were probably not needed.   Since I changed to my current practice about 20 years ago the number of encounters with the drill has dropped right down.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 June, 2019, 01:39:46 pm
They ARE gentler. Probing was shown to convert small cracks that would possibly repair and seal themselves, into portals that decay, so probing was stopped in favour of watchful waiting and X-rays.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 12 June, 2019, 08:06:43 pm
Eye test yesterday and out of that I need a second opinion of something they picked up.  Originally told referral letter wouldn't be ready till today. But whilst I was choosing some frames for reading glasses was told to hang around and she'd get the letter done so didn't need to come back.  Told NHS appointment with eye specialist would probably take two months.  Walked to GP from opticians and dropped off letter.  Got a text today and I have appointment with the eye specialist at the hospital for Monday. Wow, was expecting the two month delay to be even longer. Now here's hoping what they picked up isn't too serious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 June, 2019, 08:15:53 pm
Phil, hoping this is efficiency not severity.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 12 June, 2019, 08:34:34 pm
Phil, hoping this is efficiency not severity.

So do I.  I have a copy of the referral letter and it requests a routine appointment. There are some things in the letter that concern me but until the appointment is completed I think best not to speculate on outcome. I'm staying away from search engines.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 14 June, 2019, 03:34:23 pm
I staved/jammed a finger playing football way back in late March. it swelled up and bruised nicely and after a few days I managed to remove my wedding ring (with a fair amount of swearing, washing up liquid and a bit of pain).

Coming up 3 months later I still can't get my wedding ring back on over the proximal interphalangeal joint.

I have full motion in the finger although I do get some mild discomfort in the joint when clenching my fist, but it doesn't stop me from doing anything (playing sport, swimming, catching/throwing, typing, picking up things, etc). I don't think there was a fracture, just some ligament damage.

The PIP joint does look a bit swollen on the outside (lateral with palm facing down) compared to my other ring finger.

Is it worth going to minor injuries or should I just leave it a bit longer?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 June, 2019, 03:45:21 pm
Get the ring resized.

The joint is likely to remain big and if there's a full range of movement, you can't get any improvement.

You can leave a ring at a jeweller while they do the business and get on with your life.

Appointments with healthcare folk will tie you up for hours, for little long-term benefit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 14 June, 2019, 04:05:51 pm
I has similar, a severe knock and small fracture on top joint of right ring finger as a student, still bigger than the other 20 years later, but functionally not inhibited
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 June, 2019, 05:03:57 pm
Did a short & sharp 47k yesterday with much climbing (for me), 700 metres, under the influence of beta-blockers.  Heart didn't go anywhere near max even when I hammered it rather hard, and my average speed was as good as it was 2 or 3 years ago.  Legs didn't seem to suffer any more than they would have pre-BB, although this morning they were a bit sore to the touch.

What I'm wondering now is if, in trying to squeeze a decent performance out of a retarded heart, I'm not at risk of causing something untoward, e.g. enlargement.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 June, 2019, 05:16:07 pm
High pressure injection injuries to the hand can be really nasty!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-48599963 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-48599963)

Avoid.

Get rapid expert treatment if affected.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 15 June, 2019, 05:32:29 pm
Picked up reading glasses today. What a fantastic difference being able to clearly read the top line of the optician reading charts and when using my iPad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 15 June, 2019, 07:14:41 pm
High pressure injection injuries to the hand can be really nasty!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-48599963 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-48599963)

Avoid.

Get rapid expert treatment if affected.

i read this, as someone working in H&S it makes me cringe, especially knowing it could easily have been avoided.

One of the most despairingly avoidable injuries I have read of was a young construction worker (young in the meaning of the law) on his first day on the job, employed on a large concrete pour.  Given no PPE and not experienced enough to question, stood in concrete in trainers and jeans for one shift. Result = both legs amputated below the knee.  Horrific and entirely avoidable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 15 June, 2019, 10:41:25 pm
Blimey. I knew concrete was fairly harsh and could cause chemical burns but didn't realise it could be that severe. How awful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 16 June, 2019, 04:18:32 pm
Anyone got any experience with Prednisolone 5mg tablets?

I ask as the emergency doctor has just seen me: 7 nights without sleeping is excessive and as the normal gout medication was not working, said I should try these.

The Doctor said I should take them as soon as I get home but the Chemist said I shouldn't start the course until the morning as it could cause sleepless nights. I guess as I am not sleeping anyway, it can't harm taking them this evening can it?

Any information gratefully received.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 June, 2019, 05:43:10 pm
Well, they certainly improve my sleep when I'm struggling to breathe...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 June, 2019, 05:53:42 pm
I've not taken these tablets myself, but have prescribed them in the past.

I can't tell from your post how many tablets you've been instructed to take as dosage regimens for different conditions vary hugely. I doubt if one or two tablets would make much difference to your sleep.

I did feel a bit 'buzzy' when I had a hundred times one tablet intravenously...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 16 June, 2019, 06:02:38 pm
That's strange. I posted a reply but it isn't showing!

I am to take 6 x 5mg once a day (yes, I did double check that they are all to be taken at once) for five days.

I have just had by tea so have taken then. Lets see what happens!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 16 June, 2019, 08:05:13 pm
my son took them short term as an infant, to try and stop his seizures
1) you may put on weight, be ready to be hungry
2)they can chemically induce diabetes symptoms, so if you start feeling extremely thirsty and pee a lot, talk to the doc
3) they can supress the immune system,

thats all I can remember
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 16 June, 2019, 10:19:43 pm
HK is weaning down on that drug. 30mg isn't a huge amount; she started on double that. Morning dose is better than evening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 16 June, 2019, 10:48:09 pm
Thanks all.

Well the dose I took at 6pm has done nothing so once again it looks like a sleepless night.  I will move to morning doses over the next few days and see my own GP tomorrow even if I have to do a sit in to get seen for some blood tests.

This just isn't right and frankly, I have had enough of the pain.

Edited to add: I managed to sleep sitting up and with my foot in a bowl of cold water from 12.15 to 4am.   :facepalm:  Laying down was just impossible as it increased the pain to an unbearable level.

Come 8am I am going to phone my GP and get a further appointment!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 June, 2019, 08:26:43 am
Good luck with the GP. Endless pain will grind you down & do you in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 June, 2019, 11:08:22 am
I am pleased to report that my routine ultrasound check for aortic aneurism indicated that I hadn't got one. An aneurism, that is. I do have an aorta.

The ultrasound lady commented indelicately that there was an awful lot of gas in my large intestine. This, I told her, was almost certainly on account of the vegetarian meal we had eaten the previous evening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 June, 2019, 02:12:23 pm
Aortic aneurysms are drop dead awful and well worth the screening.

Mortality is HUGE once they leak or burst...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 17 June, 2019, 04:39:45 pm
Phil, hoping this is efficiency not severity.

Good news and such a relief.  Results of hospital examination is that there is no evidence of retinal detachment or tearing in either eye. But pupils now super dilated due to anesthetic. It's like being on a glaicer with everything superbright.  Have put on my glacier goggles for now till my eyes return to normal.   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 June, 2019, 04:45:51 pm
Aortic aneurysms are drop dead awful and well worth the screening.

Mortality is HUGE once they leak or burst...

Yes, I can imagine. I was curious as to why it is that men are 6 times as susceptible as women, and only men are screened.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 June, 2019, 05:14:19 pm
I don't know why men get this more though I will speculate.

It's obviously more cost-effective to screen those at higher risk.

Men generally have longer torso than women. The abdominal aorta might be partially supported by its branches but has a longer unsupported run in a longer belly.
Men generally have a greater circulating volume.

More men are/were smokers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 17 June, 2019, 08:32:56 pm
took a mole to the quacks this evening, it seemed to have been growing recently, and looking a bit funny.

doc suggested seborrheic keratosis, which is luckily benign.

free reminder about the use of sunscreen came with the appointment
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 17 June, 2019, 09:10:32 pm
So spoke to my GP this morning about the gout who has arranged for some blood tests tomorrow to check for acid build up and to make sure my kidneys are fine... They were when I had them checked in March so I will be interested if there is any change.

One change there has been is the pain level in the foot since I started taking the new medication. I took it at 11anm with breakfast and then popped out to buy a new number plate.... Long story. Overall I walked less than 50m but ever since I have been in incredible pain, worse than it was previously. Also my foot is now very tender to heat or cold and I have numbness in my hands and other foot.

So not best pleased and generally a bit pissed off especially as I had to ask some of my team to take on my workload when they are already overworked. They dont mind but it makes me feel bad. I don't suppose writing audits which could cost contracts and or jobs on 3 hours half sleep is a good idea really.

Thanks for listening.

Edit with morning update: Well, slept a little better last night (5 hours) as I took a sleeping pill which helped me drop up (the first one I have taken in years!). However, the pain is still at a higher level than before and the numbness is still in my hands. I have, of course, spent the last 20 minutes looking up what it could be if its not gout. I know my doctor hate people doing that! At least I know its not West Nile Fever  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DrMekon on 18 June, 2019, 06:27:50 am
Had a tube up my nose and down into my gut yesterday that tested the strength of my swallowing and upper sphincter. It was part of a research study that is testing the hypothesis that these are related to GERD in various lung conditions. I've got non CF bronchiectasis, and have pretty chronic GERD even with a decent helping of Omeprazole Renatidine and Gaviscon Advance. Had to have a week off meds and a 12 hr fast.

It was horrible. The RF said it looks looks I do have a weak sphincter.

I didn't ask, but I have to say, I thought at 60 per condition they are recruiting, I'll be amazed if they have power to detect relationships specific to the separate conditions they are looking at if they have different effects. Additionally, I'm sure they weren't looking at the different aetiologies grouped together in my condition (mine is at least partially genetic, but I get put in clinics with people who smoke and people who have been exposed to asbestos).

I'm very sure the the PI (who is at the same uni as me) will know and it's simply that they couldn't get the money to look more closely. I'm not expecting that this work will lead to treatment changes for my condition.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190618/c85500e2227d927f3850871a958ffbf2.jpg)

Sent from my LLD-L31 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 June, 2019, 12:28:12 pm

Edit with morning update: Well, slept a little better last night (5 hours) as I took a sleeping pill which helped me drop up (the first one I have taken in years!). However, the pain is still at a higher level than before and the numbness is still in my hands. I have, of course, spent the last 20 minutes looking up what it could be if its not gout. I know my doctor hate people doing that! At least I know its not West Nile Fever  ;D

When I had my head lumps in February I was very pleased I did self-diagnosis by google. I was right and short-circuited the process by quite a bit, the result being given a week’s supply of anti-viral drugs, which sorted the problem out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 18 June, 2019, 01:18:05 pm
I suppose it can be good, Dr Google, for putting some peoples minds at rest and for knowing what questions to ask the doctor etc. However, I would still prefer to put my trust in someone who has trained for the job.

That said, I am not liking these Prednisolone tablets one bit. They have not decreased the pain at all: indeed I would argue my foot hurts more than it did, and it is now considerably more swollen than it was before I started taking them!

I do wonder whether this is actually gout but I suppose I will know for certain on Friday when my blood tests come back.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 18 June, 2019, 04:11:07 pm
I didn't think prednisolone did anything for pain directly, I thought it was a very strong anti inflammatory?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 June, 2019, 04:32:44 pm
I suppose it can be good, Dr Google, for putting some peoples minds at rest and for knowing what questions to ask the doctor etc. However, I would still prefer to put my trust in someone who has trained for the job.

That said, I am not liking these Prednisolone tablets one bit. They have not decreased the pain at all: indeed I would argue my foot hurts more than it did, and it is now considerably more swollen than it was before I started taking them!

I do wonder whether this is actually gout but I suppose I will know for certain on Friday when my blood tests come back.

Inlaw Paw had a couple of run-ins with erysipelas, which did a pretty good impression of gout: swollen, inflamed & painful at big toe joint, spreading to rest of foot and IIRC up leg before the GP got a good bead on it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 June, 2019, 04:46:59 pm
Prednisolone is a steroid, which will suppress inflammation.

It may also increase blood pressure, blood sugar, thin the skin and bones as well as facilitating infection and its spread...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 18 June, 2019, 04:56:26 pm
Just back from yet another emergency GP appointment as my BP on my own monitor was 180/110 with a pulse of 110 which is way higher than my standard figures. I also felt totally crap and my foot is twice (okay 125%) of its normal size. When the GP did it, it was higher still at 210/140 with the same heart rate. Not good he said.

It seems I have had a very nasty reaction to the steroid, hence the high blood pressure while the results of the blood tests were back which does not show any uric acid or Na/K in my system higher than normal so no gout.... but it could be gout but the steroid may be suppressing the results, or something. By this time, my normally good ability to take on board information had left me.

So, stop taking the steroid NOW and return to the gout medication which gave me the runs but take a lower amount. I've been given Co-amoxiclav for the infection in my toe joint (I think that's what the doctor said) and Amlodipine for my BP. I am to go back on Thursday for further monitoring.

Frankly, I am really, really miserable with all the pain.

Goes off to look up: "erysipelas" Thanks Dave, T42 and Hellymedic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 June, 2019, 05:00:41 pm
Hoping you get better PDQ!

Co-amoxiclav is otherwise known as Augmentin; it's amoxicillin with a 'boost' of clavulanic acid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 18 June, 2019, 05:40:15 pm
Goes off to look up: "erysipelas" Thanks Dave, T42 and Hellymedic.

I've had a couple of bouts of that - in my right shin; it's unbelievably painful. I was so delirious with fever the second time I had it, I misheard the doctor give his diagnosis and thought he said "You've got syphilis".  :facepalm:

Also known as "St Anthony's fire"; well named - the pain is very much a burning sensation. Also common in pigs, according to fboab. So that's nice.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 June, 2019, 10:29:06 pm
Ouch EssexIan, that sounds really grim and unpleasant all round. Well done for going back to doc, those symptoms were definitely worrying. Augmentin is good stuff, hopefully that'll zonk whatever's infectiony and let everything else improve a bit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 19 June, 2019, 06:10:07 am
Thanks.

Managed to sleep a little better last night: all six hours of it and was able to lay down to do so for the first time in four days.

My foot is still swollen, quite red and I still am having problems walking but its not as bad as it was yesterday lunchtime!

My health does feel a little like an episode of "House".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 June, 2019, 07:19:57 am
@essexian: here's hoping...

---o0o---

Meanwhile, I am utterly fed up with the beta-blockers.  Last Thursday I did a shortish ride with a good bit of climbing: yesterday, four days later, I went out again but still hadn't recovered and more or less crapped out at 46k.  I've also been miserably depressed and unable to stick at anything, and it takes me two espressos and a hunk of chocolate to get up & running in the morning.

Just made an appointment with the doc to plan BB withdrawal.  No ifs, just how and how fast and I don't give a shit what the cardiologist said: these damned things are going to kill me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 20 June, 2019, 09:40:50 am
Losing my faith in modern medicine.


So, just back from my fourth visit to the doctors this week with yet more pills to take/advice to follow. Frankly, I am starting to think I would be better off letting my body fix itself rather than using modern medicines to do so.

As you will know….sorry I know I have been boring on for England (after places are available) about my Gout… I was prescribed some steroids on Sunday to help with this after all previous medications had been ineffective. This was also ineffective and indeed allowed an infection to gain a hold in my left calf.  This seems to be on the mend thankfully but was bloody painful.

However, all this messing about seems to have caused my BP and heart rate to increase to something silly. The GP gave me another BP pill which has brought that down a bit but has done nothing for my heart rate: 110 at the moment! So, have another pill to slow that down... a Beta Blocker.

Frankly, no, I am not going to take anything else as my body seems to be in a right state and one drug just seems to cause other issues (I've had bad reactions to BB previously!). I do wish I had not bothered going to see the GP for a simple gout attack. Yes, it’s bloody painful and yes, it was causing me not to be able to sleep/exercise/work without pain etc but the side effects seem to be worse.

So, I am just going to monitor it for a couple of weeks which is how long the doctor said this attack will last….. 6 to 8 weeks for a gout attack! That’s excessive as normally they last less than a week for me. I am only going to return to the doctor in the meantime if I become very unwell and need A&E treatment.

While the doctors have done everything by the book: trust me, I read up on it, and I can’t blame them for anything, it seems the book isn’t always appropriate.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 June, 2019, 01:31:30 pm
Sometimes it does feel as if they're using imperial spanners on metric nuts.  I just got back from the quack's with an OK to chop my beta-blockers in half but on no account to stop them, even by tapering off.  Well yes, I can understand why they were inflicted in the first place (a single instance of atrial fib in 24 hours  :o ::-) ) but while my inner animal grumbles, roars and claws at the walls I can also understand that it's probably the only thing in the toolkit that fits.

Mentioned to aforesaid gent that in March my average distance was >80k per sortie with a couple of 100s and a 140 and since BB infliction end of May it's been <50 with a max of 84. "Don't you think that you're a bit obsessed with cycling?" sez he. Admire my self-restraint: I did not lay him out.

Sometimes, though, I think that if you pronounce one sentence with several figures in it they stop listening after two.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 June, 2019, 07:20:37 pm
If anyone here wishes to post about hand issues please name the offending digit; don't use numbers.
The names I suggest are thumb, index, middle or long, ring and little (or pinkie for Scots). Numbering fingers causes confusion/ambiguity.

It's useful to know which side is affected and whether you are right or left-handed.

Pictures can be helpful (in spoiler tags if gory)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 June, 2019, 01:55:26 pm
Have decided to shift my annual cardiologist visit to January: he's too good at buggering up my summers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 25 June, 2019, 11:00:23 am
Okay, bored of this now....

So, after a sleepless night again, I took myself back to the doctors this morning as things have got no better. Indeed, I would argue that they are worse in that I now have pins and needles in my hands/wrists along with the pain in my big toe joint. Oh, and my lips are tingling in a way completely unlike they do when I am about to get a cold sore!  Basically, I think I am falling apart.

The doctor did examine me in detail and said that I had no real signs of anything other than gout in my foot but agreed to send me to a rheumatologist for some tests, while my hands are most likely down to Carpal Tunnel.... I have had tests for carpal tunnel previously but the pains in my hands don't really feel like this. So, off for some nerve tests as well!

No idea about my lips!

Anyway, back onto the Naproxen as the other stuff did NOTHING for me. I suppose it will get better.... it must get better shirley.



 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 June, 2019, 11:08:52 am
Sounds grim. Kick 'em up the arse until something works.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 June, 2019, 01:33:26 pm
[random thought]

Is there any reason why your blood calcium should be low?

This tingling in the lips and hands screams low blood calcium to me!

Checking blood calcium levels is simple, cheap and quick; see if you can persuade someone to do this and

GET WELL SOON!
Title: Re: The health and fitness RANT thread
Post by: T42 on 28 June, 2019, 08:08:36 am
<rant>
Crikey, nobody warned me about the vile effects of beta-blockers and hot weather.  My blood pressure has been in the cellar the last couple of days, e.g. 111/57, and I've been laid out like a dead fish on a slab.  Stands to reason, though - depressed adrenalin reaction + normal hot-weather vasodilation.

What pisses me off is that every time I compare my current cycling performance with that of previous years I get "well, you are getting older". FFS, four years ago I finished PBP. Two years ago I did a 200k that took me up one of the nastier climbs in the Vosges. The week before I started the BBs I did a 140k toddle, and now I fret about being able to do the climb out of the village.  "Well, you are getting older". Shove it up your arse.
</rant>
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 June, 2019, 08:54:22 am
It won't be your resting BP (mine hovers around 95/63), it will be that the BB just don't let it rise much (plus the vasodilation). My brief period on the BB was pretty weird; felt like driving a car with a speed limiter. No matter how hard I pushed the accelerator, the engine just wouldn't go any faster.

Take care when standing up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 June, 2019, 09:20:37 am
Yeah, that's how the buggers work all right.  When I'm not taking poison my resting BP is usually around 130/75, or 150/75 in the presence of white coats.

I already had a 3-year stint on BBs, 2008-2011.  Living with them and trying to qualify for PBP is a gargantuan task: I crapped out on two 600s and gave up. Haven't forgiven the perps yet. Never will.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 28 June, 2019, 10:21:22 am
I assume there are other reasons why you're on BBs. I recently went back on BP meds, and made a point of saying "No BBs!" and doc said "Oh no, we've got much more precise drugs these days for BP".

I then guessed she'd prescribe an ACE inhibitor like I was on previously, but even they're out now apparently - instead I'm on a CCB (Calcium Channel Blocker).

Can't say I've noticed any side-effects yet, but then again, my BP is still knocking around the 140/95 mark, so they're not exactly mind-blowingly effective.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 28 June, 2019, 10:42:30 am
Me again. Sorry.

So after yet another sleepless night due to the pains, I got in to see a GP this morning again who read the huge number of notes regarding my recent visits, had a look at my toe and decided that.... hummmm, we best double check that it is gout. It looks like gout, is in the right place for gout but four weeks plus....?

So, off for some more blood tests including Vit D, Calcium (thanks Helly for that suggestion)Uric acid and the likes, and then off to the hospital for an X ray on my foot to check for Arthritis. Why is the X Ray department at Stafford General so far from the car park!

Been given a lower dose of steroids to take along with the naproxen and "as much co-codamol as you think you need." Nothing has helped so far but I live in hope.

Need to go back in two weeks for the results of all this further work. Frankly, if I still have the pain in two weeks, the foot is coming off!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 June, 2019, 11:06:44 am
I assume there are other reasons why you're on BBs. I recently went back on BP meds, and made a point of saying "No BBs!" and doc said "Oh no, we've got much more precise drugs these days for BP".

I then guessed she'd prescribe an ACE inhibitor like I was on previously, but even they're out now apparently - instead I'm on a CCB (Calcium Channel Blocker).

Can't say I've noticed any side-effects yet, but then again, my BP is still knocking around the 140/95 mark, so they're not exactly mind-blowingly effective.

Aye, there are other reasons: a single salvo of atrial fib* in 24 hours, which admittedly can have dramatic effects,** but it took a holter ECG to notice it because I didn't.  If it's prolonged, though, you fall over.  There's also a risk that if blood isn't evacuated from the atrium clots can form and give you a stroke.

The problem is that cycling forms at least half my treatment of diabetes, not to mention keeping me sane after 30 years on a restricted diet - a diet which, in view of the latest infliction, I feel less & less inclined to follow, especially when the quack says "you're obsessed with cycling" as if it's a character defect.

EDIT: I just noticed that the "salvo" occurred at 08:40, so probably quite soon after my two cups of breakfast tea & two espressos...

* 6 'fine' QRS complexes, a QRS complex being the main spike you see on an ECG. 

** might turn into Dick Cheney
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 June, 2019, 10:20:52 pm
A single salvo of atrial fibrillation in 24 hours.

I think if it was me I would buy an Apple Watch and check every day as well as monitoring HR over a 24 hour period. Then I would come off BB.

Check with cardiologist before taking internet advice and remind them about how little AF you had.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2019, 08:01:48 am
Thanks, Chris. I had a confab with my GP before cutting the dose in half, which seems to be working.  Yesterday I did quite a satisfactory 90k, and I feel as solid as a rock this morning*.  That might also have something to do with being allowed to skip metformin and eat like a human on days when I get a decent ride in.

* apart from aching legs from not having gone over 50k for a month.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 05 July, 2019, 01:20:34 pm
Goutgate update....Goutgate update....Goutgate update.....

Goutgate day 42 (or thereabouts).

So, upon phoning my GP this morning I was informed that my blood results were back and they would like to see me. So an appointment was booked and in I went at lunchtime.

First, the bad news.... my diabetes is on the way back....my measure was 42 units against a maximum permitted of 41 so watch it I was told. Well, no exercise and weight gain due to that seems to be a trigger.

And... I have a major deficiency in both Vit B12 and D due to being a veggie for the last 40 years. Got to say, being low in B12 does tie in with a lot of things I have noticed recently such as breathlessness without being breathless, tiredness and pins and needles.

Moving onto my "gout." I don't have gout: both the x ray and blood tests show this. What I do have however is the narrowing of the gap between a number of bones in my foot with additional bone growth in a couple of places. The Doctor did give it a name but my memory isn't what it used to be.... Given that I was grumbling about the pain etc, I have been referred for an urgent appointment to the bone people at Cannock Hospital.

Finally, I have been given Pregabalin for the pain. Frankly, the pain has been excessive and is stopping me sleeping so any medication which will make me sleepy is to be welcomed!

EDIT TO ADD..... the word was Osteophyte....... or Bone Spur.  As an Arsenal supporter, I am having nothing to do with Spurs so the foot is coming off! :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 July, 2019, 04:52:36 pm
Finally, some information for you.

Vitamin B12 is vitally important and will cause permanent nerve damage.  so a lifetime of injections awaits but should see a response fairly quickly. (2-3 months)

Vitamin D is known to be associated with bone pain as well as weakness

osteophytes suggests 1st MTP joint arthritis and an acute flare of osteo-arthritis.  There should be somebody in the practise or town who does steroid injections.  I would suggest going back or leaving a message asking for a steroid injection in the joint ASAP.

Good luck
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 July, 2019, 05:50:14 pm
Hope you've been prescribed the vitamins you need or are getting them anyway.

Vitamin D tablets are cheaper than chips...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 06 July, 2019, 08:52:08 am
Many thanks both. Yes, I have been prescribed the vits I need: I have to collect them today as the chemist did not have the mega strength ones ordered in stock.

I will speak to the specialist later this week when I book an appointment about an injection: what the doctor said sounded very much like what you wrote Chris. Thanks.

Well, despite still being in pain, I actually managed to sleep from 9.30pm to 7am with only four trips to the loo (about right for me.... perhaps not right for most people!) so I count that as my best nights sleep in months. Lets hope I am getting on top of this but it may be a long road but at least I have taken the first limp/step!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 July, 2019, 09:36:20 pm
Friend has just posted photo of rainbow-illuminated tunnel at Kins Cross to mark Pride.

Whist I admire the sentiment, I can't imagine I'm the only one for whom such an environment would cause nausea/vertigo/balance problems...

 :sick:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 July, 2019, 11:08:37 pm
 :sick: from here too. Bet it flickers like a bastard too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 July, 2019, 11:43:53 pm
Don't know cos I haven't been there but methinks you're likely to be right!

I don't usually have trouble keeping my eye movements well-yoked - I'm lucky that way; many with MS have multiple issues here. Colour perception is HUGELY different between my two eyes though and whilst this is well-compensated in neutral light, stripy colours would freak me out!

This has nothing to do with my sexual politics...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 July, 2019, 08:12:24 am
:sick: from here too. Bet it flickers like a bastard too.

You're not wrong:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3VwBuOcaxs

OK, stroboscopic interference between fluorescents & phone video frequency but ye gods. Epileptics abstain.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2019, 10:20:01 am
I'm not seeing a huge variety of colours in that video. No reds, greens, yellows, oranges, just blues and browns. Don't know if this is the video, my monitor, my eyes or it really is like that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 July, 2019, 10:56:22 am
Again, I'd blame the phone that took it.   This one's better but the colours are much the same:

https://youtu.be/c5ld4npbYNA

BTW I wrote "fluorescents". LEDs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 July, 2019, 01:02:07 pm
Phone detecting flicker is a pretty good measure of whether it'll do my head in. Phones don't get everything but if it's showing that badly on a phone it'll almost certainly make me ill. I would see something pretty much like that with my own eyes which is vile and quite scary - cos I can't process vision with everything distorted.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 July, 2019, 01:16:14 pm
Looks like they're doing PWM to slowly change the colours, which usually means whatever the default PWM frequency happens to be on their microcontroller of choice.  Generally a few hundred hertz, so better than the mains, but fully modulated rather than a ripple.  The perceived intensity flicker will change along with the colour, which can't help, either.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 08 July, 2019, 05:12:08 pm
It looks like Barakta isn't the only person loosing patience with their hospital trust and accessibility:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-48907926 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-48907926)

sending letters from the eye clinic in small print FFS  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 July, 2019, 05:29:11 pm
That is ridiculous. I get the option of larger print, which I don't need BUT

receptionist who REFUSED to use lower counter to face me in wheelchair scored nul points with me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 08 July, 2019, 05:41:00 pm
https://m.xkcd.com/2161/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 July, 2019, 05:45:58 pm
Good old RNIB, their legal adviser Sam is ace.

And yes, huge problem. 75% of visually impaired people live alone I think.

The law has been in place for well over a decade and the new accessible standard 3 years in August... Hospitals still don't get even the basics. I have another visually impaired friend struggling with similar and he doesn't get on with his neighbours so is losing out on healthcare.

It's not just letters, its meds leaflets/info, instructions for physio, consent forms etc etc... It would not be hard to have these available electronically as needed, but hospitals just don't.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 11 July, 2019, 11:42:24 am
Well some good news at last... I have specialist appointment for my foot on the 30th July. I was worried that it might be many months away but I can cope with three weeks given that this attack started 7 weeks ago.

My foot is now a lovely purple colour, still swollen and very painful but hey ho. the painkillers I have been given have taken 20% off the top so I am still not sleeping that well. Thankfully, I work at home which means no transport issues and I must say my line manager has been great about me being flexible with the hours I work/my place of work (even walking the 20 yards to my shed office is too far some days). Being generous, I have emailed her line manager to say how much I appreciate this. 

The bad news is that I have had to cancel my cycling holiday.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 July, 2019, 07:55:01 am
Sounds glum.  Can't imagine working in constant pain.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 July, 2019, 02:52:19 pm
Our hospital rheumatology service run an emergency clinic with less than one week access. Might be wirth phoning and asking then telling GP
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 15 July, 2019, 06:38:22 am
Had an MRI on my back yesterday..... blimey, the whole process is horrible. I hated being in that tight white cylinder with strange noises going on around me. No wonder why they give you a panic button if you need it.

Not my cup of tea but it seems some strange people like it according to the nurse.

Results on my back/hip (which were playing up before my foot started) in seven to ten days time. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2019, 09:53:37 am
Gawd, they keep you waiting, don't they?  Whenever I've had MRIs, scans, scintigraphy or ordinary X-rays the radiologist has told me what was up straight away. Same goes for any specialist.

---o0o---

I'm nursing quads wounded by an excess of iatrogenic anaerobic respiration. My GP's on holiday so I can't work on him. Arse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 July, 2019, 08:01:54 am
Well, whee dawgee. I just discovered that the beta-blocker wot I am on affects adenosine receptors so that caffeine has a swift and radical effect on the heart.

<cue irresponsible attitude>
Which explains why my supposedly-throttled-back pumping engine hit 110% of theoretical max* during a 10k blast on the flat after two large ones yesterday.  And you can bet that with two espresso machines in the kitchen I'm going to tell the cardiologist. Well, next time he spots a hiccup in the holter, maybe.

Hey, I went like a bat out of hell. Now I know what to put in the bidon.
</irresponsible attitude>

* and if you subscribe to the whole theoretical max scam I have a great used car here.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 20 July, 2019, 02:19:18 pm
think I might be coming down with an ear infection.  Thought my left lower wisdom tooth was on the move last Weds/Thurs, but no swelling of the gum. Instead, ear feels blocked, achey, corner of the jaw feels a bit sore and neck is a bit tender to the touch.   Cotton wool and olive oil in it last night didn't pull out any great gobbets of wax, so looks like it's not blocked up in that way.

At least I'm home next week so can go to the docs
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 20 July, 2019, 03:09:24 pm
gobbets of wax,

Next book in the series perhaps?  ''Harry Potter and the Gobbets of Wax''
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 20 July, 2019, 03:17:01 pm
by now it'll be Harry Potter and the Middle Aged Spread
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 24 July, 2019, 07:22:51 am
another broken clavicle.  yesterday evening i decided to use the cycle path as i was worried that drivers would be hot, sweaty, and concentrating less.  Perhaps i was concentrating less as I came to a park entrance across the path with normal curbs, hit the far curb and instead of mounting the curb went head over heels and landed on my shoulder.  Then had to get up and finish cycling home using one hand.  could feel the ends overlapping so pulled my shoulder out and back until I felt the ends engage and before the spasm set in.

My wife was away up North seeing family so I had a shower and a coffee before getting a taxi into the hospital.  fracture confirmed and into the fracture clinic today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andyoxon on 24 July, 2019, 07:52:17 am
 :(  GWS
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 July, 2019, 08:28:56 am
another broken clavicle...

Sympathies.

Quote
...fracture confirmed and into the fracture clinic today.

Well, you're well-qualified to keep an eye on they buggers.  The wretched intern who fixed* mine had only just lost the L-plates and I still suffer.

* see The Godfather, "we gotta fix Sonny Corleone".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 July, 2019, 01:46:36 pm
another broken clavicle.  yesterday evening i decided to use the cycle path as i was worried that drivers would be hot, sweaty, and concentrating less.  Perhaps i was concentrating less as I came to a park entrance across the path with normal curbs, hit the far curb and instead of mounting the curb went head over heels and landed on my shoulder.  Then had to get up and finish cycling home using one hand.  could feel the ends overlapping so pulled my shoulder out and back until I felt the ends engage and before the spasm set in.

My wife was away up North seeing family so I had a shower and a coffee before getting a taxi into the hospital.  fracture confirmed and into the fracture clinic today.

Ouch! (Such a DOCTOR way of self-treating *grin*) and hope you heal well soon.  I must say hospitals are more civilised as a patient with HotDrink inside you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 24 July, 2019, 01:53:50 pm
That does sound very unpleasant. GWS (I did the same in 2015 but landed on my arm which resulted in soft tissue injury which lasted three years! The most impressive thing about it was that a BMW stopped to check I was okay....  ;D )

Anyway, I am now worried. My GP has just phoned. They have the results of the MRI check on my back and would like to see me.

Friday would be great, I said.

"Er, she has an appointment available this afternoon at 4pm. Could you make it then....?"

Bugger. I am quite a worrier so now I am scared it's something major....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 July, 2019, 02:13:13 pm
Mend well & fast chrisb!

Hope essexian's problem is easily sorted whatever!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 July, 2019, 02:17:35 pm
Ouch! May all clavicles be reunited.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 July, 2019, 02:29:03 pm
That does sound very unpleasant. GWS (I did the same in 2015 but landed on my arm which resulted in soft tissue injury which lasted three years! The most impressive thing about it was that a BMW stopped to check I was okay....  ;D )

Anyway, I am now worried. My GP has just phoned. They have the results of the MRI check on my back and would like to see me.

Friday would be great, I said.

"Er, she has an appointment available this afternoon at 4pm. Could you make it then....?"

Bugger. I am quite a worrier so now I am scared it's something major....

Fingers crossed. Still, better than waiting even longer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 24 July, 2019, 02:31:42 pm
Thanks.

It's been an interesting afternoon thinking of the worse it could be and then looking at recumbents if I can longer ride an upright.....  ;D


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 24 July, 2019, 05:43:50 pm
Looks like I won't be getting a bent after all  :facepalm: ;D

So, I have a "moderate left side foraminal narrowing of L3 and L4 due to hypertrophic arthritis" along with "moderate central canal and bilateral lateral recess narrowing in L4 and L5" and finally, "A prominent left paracentral disc bulge with mild depression of the left S1 nerve root."

The specialist letter ends: "this demonstrates multiple levels of potential neural compression." and "Incidental findings are frequently identified and further clinical correlation is advised in terms of surgical intervention."

This last line worries me a little although my GP did say first, as the sciatica is not permanent, they would try me on physio before doing anything more serious.

I have been told that I should start swimming and cycling again as soon as I can and that an upright would be fine.

Goodish news I think....well things could have been worse I think!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 25 July, 2019, 06:21:48 am
ouch Chrisb, gws

Essexian, hope the physio work well for you, the key ime is getting one that understands your normal, and won't say things like "isn't riding 100km a bit extreme?"

as for my ears, the olive oil had done its trick, practice nurse did her bit with the warm water, and I could hear the cars following me up the road on my way home. Good idea really with a cycling holiday next week
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 July, 2019, 09:37:52 am
@essexian, here's hoping.

NEway, I'm just back from doc with the OK to halve my BB dose* yet again, so that the 5 little bundles of joy remaining in the box will suffice for a sojourn in the desert** or a Parliamentary recess.  However, he now wants a pro-BNP*** check for diminished pumping oomph. Oh, and dial back the caffeine. :( Not to zero, though. :)

The damnable thing is that none of the symptoms he's investigating were present (a) before the Thane of Glamis cardiologist murdered a night's sleep with simultaneous BP & ECG holters and then inflicted the BBs after a single salvo of AF that occurred about an hour after I'd kick-started myself with two cups of tea & two espressos next day and (b) before the BBs sent my riding pleasure & post-ride recovery to hell.

* @Wobbly, put the air-rifle away, it's them nasty pills again
** who was the Biblacious bloke who did that? Moses was years, wasn't he?
*** Banque Nationale de Paris according to this Google thing here. Or not.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 26 July, 2019, 03:42:25 pm
17 days on from my laparotomy to fix a twisted bowel, and I'm still surprised at how week and feeble I am!  To think, just last month I did my first 200km Audax, now I think I'd be doing well to cycle 10km...  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 July, 2019, 05:05:23 pm
Expect 6-12 weeks before you feel halfway 'normal' and Get Well Soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 26 July, 2019, 08:36:49 pm
I seem to have caught Phantosmia (olfactory hallucination).

We both have suffered badly from the plague that we very likely caught from the new bio hazard in the family erm baby. Peli was sick for about 6 weeks and I for about 4. Both of us were hit hard on our weak spots - Peli lungs and sinus/middle ears for me. I just couldn't sake it, even with the help of sudafed, I had to take it for longer than normal. Just sat there never leaving or breaking out in full blow, but hard enough to weaken me (and Peli) so I had to have 2-3 weeks to recover. 

Over the last two weeks I have noticed the smell of cigarette smoke, just like when someone who smokes walks past you. But since this little spot of heat we are having, I have the smell and borderline taste all the time. I reminds me of when I lived with my folks where my mum smoked 30+ a day. Today it was at it's worse where I started to cough now and again, just like when smoke annoys you and causes a dry throat.

I did notice while sick that my taste and smell was worse than it is when I'm sick and also I notice that it haven't returned to normal yet.

Other reason for getting phantosmia is a migraines, head injuries, strokes, which I'm very sure that I don't suffer from. The cure I can see is that it will go away on its own in time, oh joy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 30 July, 2019, 04:55:32 pm
The saga continues....

So, I return from seeing the Arthritis specialist with further tales of daring deeds and dragons put to the sword...

Actually, I return with tales of GP's not being able to read X rays and yet another change in my diagnosis from arthritis with bone spurs to gout plus a twice broken foot...... yes, back to gout!  :facepalm:

It seems that I have been very unlucky and simply had a very bad attack of gout which has taken 10 weeks to clear (thankfully, its on the way out). Ten weeks is rather a long time, but not unknown I was told. My foot however, shows signs of me breaking my big toe at least once: there is a large piece of bone hanging off the side, while half of the bone below the little toe is also detached. I have no memory of either of these injuries but both are historic so not the cause of my recent issues. These had been misread by my GP as bone spurs.... GP's should stay away from X rays I was told!

So, the plan to take things forward is to have yet another blood test for the acid which causes gout to confirm this now the acid is no longer forming crystals and then onto the anti gout medication for life. This is likely to cause more gout in the short term which is brilliant and just what I need but should keep me clear thereafter. If that doesn't work, then they will look again but it's definitely gout...100%

Let's hope it is although I have sharpened my battle axe and my Squire has my chain mail ready......  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 July, 2019, 05:10:49 pm
The saga continues....

So, I return from seeing the Arthritis specialist with further tales of daring deeds and dragons put to the sword...

Actually, I return with tales of GP's not being able to read X rays and yet another change in my diagnosis from arthritis with bone spurs to gout plus a twice broken foot...... yes, back to gout!  :facepalm:

It seems that I have been very unlucky and simply had a very bad attack of gout which has taken 10 weeks to clear (thankfully, its on the way out). Ten weeks is rather a long time, but not unknown I was told. My foot however, shows signs of me breaking my big toe at least once: there is a large piece of bone hanging off the side, while half of the bone below the little toe is also detached. I have no memory of either of these injuries but both are historic so not the cause of my recent issues. These had been misread by my GP as bone spurs.... GP's should stay away from X rays I was told!

So, the plan to take things forward is to have yet another blood test for the acid which causes gout to confirm this now the acid is no longer forming crystals and then onto the anti gout medication for life. This is likely to cause more gout in the short term which is brilliant and just what I need but should keep me clear thereafter. If that doesn't work, then they will look again but it's definitely gout...100%

Let's hope it is although I have sharpened my battle axe and my Squire has my chain mail ready......  ;D

Yours & Donald Trump's.

Good luck with the anti-gout.  For the laugh, I was originally diagnosed with diabetes after the position I was holding James Clavel's Noble House in to read it let uric acid crystals build up in a tendon channel, giving a mild case of gout in the elbow. The GP took at look at the blood test, had a chuckle at the elbow then gave me the rest of the bad news along with a hearty recommendation to cut out the good life or else. That, and a prescription a yard long.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 August, 2019, 03:24:19 pm
I am now 12 days since the injury. I have done 2 Pilates classes and 2 sessions on the turbo. First was 40 minutes on Thursday and 55 today.

Pilates teacher has been superb. Totally changed my whole session to keep my shoulder and right arm still but gave my abs, core and legs a good session.

Now down to 2 paracetamol at bed time and an occasional ice pack during the day.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 August, 2019, 07:39:00 am
Found a new term for the condition that afflicts me just now: diabetes burnout.  I'm sick to death of the drugs and the miserable diet, I'm depressed and liable to become flaming angry for half nothing, I've started eating anything I bloody well feel like and with beta-blockers punishing me every time I ride I'm jacking in the bike until something changes. I can ride if I take 2 espressos & 2 paracetamol before going out, but it takes my quads 5 or 6 days to heal thereafter and it's no fun with medics chattering in my head the whole ride. I also know that with coronary artery disease the paracetamol isn't a good idea. Fuckit neither is sitting home getting fat.

Seeing the quack this afternoon to tell him I'm stopping the beta-blockers before I kill myself.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 August, 2019, 02:21:25 pm
Had my review X-ray this morning.  Greater than 50%chance of non-union so surgery on Monday all being well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 August, 2019, 02:39:16 pm
Here's wishing you a steady-handed sawbones.  Or screwbones in your case, I'd presume.  Do they leave the plates in these days or take them out after the bones have knit?

Meantime, my GP gave the nod to my beta-blocker withdrawal but told me to cut out the coffee and keep my heart under 150 on the bike until the BBs have had time to leach out.  Acceptable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 August, 2019, 02:47:36 pm
Had my review X-ray this morning.  Greater than 50%chance of non-union so surgery on Monday all being well.

Hope all goes well!

How much radiological union can you expect to see a fortnight after injury in an adult? I presume the decision for surgery is more based on the nature of the fracture.

Mend well anyway!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 August, 2019, 03:22:23 pm
Good luck Chris, hope you get a decent surgeon and the jobs a goodun. Also that being on the otherside of the bed is not too jarring for you!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 August, 2019, 03:32:52 pm
Had my review X-ray this morning.  Greater than 50%chance of non-union so surgery on Monday all being well.

Hope all goes well!

How much radiological union can you expect to see a fortnight after injury in an adult? I presume the decision for surgery is more based on the nature of the fracture.

Mend well anyway!

Not so much the absence of callus but the complete non contact between the ends and the movement
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 August, 2019, 03:42:49 pm
Had my review X-ray this morning.  Greater than 50%chance of non-union so surgery on Monday all being well.
Hope all goes well!
How much radiological union can you expect to see a fortnight after injury in an adult? I presume the decision for surgery is more based on the nature of the fracture.
Mend well anyway!
Not so much the absence of callus but the complete non contact between the ends and the movement

= the nature of the fracture... Seems like a wise and prudent move.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 August, 2019, 03:04:54 pm
"Can we stop America's teen vaping epidemic arriving in Britain?"
Quote
Newton says that in the UK, regular e-cigarette use among young people “remains low”, but in America, worries abound about the 20% of high-schoolers who vape.
It's a lot less than 20% in my son's year (14-15 year olds) but significantly, none of the vapers have ever smoked and their stated reason for vaping seems to be that it's "healthy". No idea which brands they use.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/11/can-we-stop-americas-teen-vaping-epidemic-arriving-in-britain-
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 August, 2019, 11:07:07 am
I'm still losing weight. Not so rapidly but creeping down.

Went on holiday for two weeks and had pretty much no exercise. A bit less food than normal, but quite a lot more beer. A lot of sitting around (in a car).
Lost a kilogram. :-\

Down to about 70kg from a high of 84kg a little over 2 years ago. When I was cycle commuting a lot of miles, my weight was pretty stable at about 82kg, but I ate like a starving hog.

According to health check 12 months ago, when I was 75kg, I had a fat level of 18%. Considered very healthy for a man of 51. Getting another check in a couple of weeks. I can barely float in seawater now, so guess my fat levels are a lot lower.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 August, 2019, 06:53:27 pm
Surgery done and I am now dressed and ready to go home. Arm already feels better in terms of where it should be and stable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 August, 2019, 07:48:26 pm
Glad you're well fixed!

Hope you heal & recover well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 12 August, 2019, 08:36:58 pm
Keep recovering well! Hope discharge is reasonably efficient and rapid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 August, 2019, 08:19:51 am
Glad to hear it, Chris.  Hope nothing else untoward happens before it solidifies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 August, 2019, 08:24:49 am
Meanwhile, I've had to cut short three rides in a row with oomph tending to zero. Back to GP this pm. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 13 August, 2019, 09:08:19 am
So I saw the back specialist this morning about my back/leg pains and received some good news.... I have the most powerful legs he is likely to see all week due to my cycling, although my flexibility is quite poor due to age degeneration. After a number of tests, we agreed that I am not a candidate for a back op as I would gain from physio instead. So, that's good news  :thumbsup:

I should carry on doing what I am doing cycling wise and would benefit from swimming again. As to walking, it is thought that that is what caused the recent attack so I was informed to walk, but perhaps not to do 12 miles over three days as I did but to build the distance gently.

So, generally good news. My gout has almost gone, the carpal tunnel found in my right hand was "mild" my back is not as bad as it could have been and my general health is okay but with a bit of work could be better.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 13 August, 2019, 09:13:28 am
Essexian that sounds good news.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: essexian on 13 August, 2019, 09:43:23 am
Thanks Chris, it does feel like I am on the road to recovery.  :thumbsup:

Hope you heal quickly also.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 14 August, 2019, 09:55:31 pm
This should probably be in the rant thread, imagine suitable sweariness.

20th June I saw a random hip doc in clinic who was extremely conscientious and reassuring about the anomalous scan results, followups and indeed very carefully breaking the news (which he didn't realise I'd had/worked out) that I'm almost certainly looking at surgery by Orthopods with big saws in my near future... He spent a long time measuring scan angles and explained what that meant.

So outcome was that I was all clear for steroid injection attempt 2, expedited with "urgent" written on the form cos my mobility is deteriorating and pain increasing and it's clear that they want me on waiting list for Saw-Time. I was told ~6 weeks...

Fast forward to 6 weeks and I haven't even received an appointment letter, so I email PALS.

First reply is that the steroid injection is dependent on me seeing pain management which is at the end of August and I'll get referred after that... I reply saying wtf cos hip steroid is nothing to do with pain mgt which is for the shoulder/arm fail which is "clinically unfixable" and too painful for me to physio properly (although neither surgeon felt physio would help much)...

Second reply is "Oh, yes, you're right, but the locum you saw didn't do the paperwork... So I replied to that to say "Yes he flipping well did, he wrote it out in front of me, and it was taken out of my hand as I left the consulting room by one of the nurses in what was the most chaotic clinic I've been in. So it's been lost, please don't blame Dr Conscientious... Cos he did it...

Now seeing how quickly consultant's secretary can get me on the steroid injection list which I've stressed is really urgent given I have 6 weeks after that to see clinic then however long the waiting list for surgery is... I'd like to be able to walk more than 500m a day without pain and fatigue kthx. Especially as the drugs I have don't touch it.

I shall give them a week to send out an appt letter or update and check again. New policy for hospital is chase all referrals after 2 weeks to ensure not lost or put at bottom of pile. Fneh!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 August, 2019, 10:57:53 pm
Just had a report of a death, and several cases of serious respiratory illness associated with vaping, from the USA.

Watch this space!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 23 August, 2019, 11:05:18 pm
Been reading about Vaping Lung for a few months now

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/23/health/vaping-lung-disease-death-illinois-bn/index.html

These numbers are an increase from the 153 potential cases in 16 states that the agency reported Wednesday. At the time, there were no known deaths reported, the agency said.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2019, 11:07:21 pm
That stuff's clearly not good for you.  It's just much less not good for you than tobacco, and it seems like we're going to find out how much...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 August, 2019, 11:13:45 pm
To quote from BAT, vaping, heated tobacco and oral tobacco are "novel ways of reaching nicotine consumers".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 August, 2019, 08:15:24 am
They forgot the suppositories.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 August, 2019, 09:14:04 am
The French seldom forget; T42 can remind them...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 24 August, 2019, 12:47:15 pm
Been reading about Vaping Lung for a few months now

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/23/health/vaping-lung-disease-death-illinois-bn/index.html

These numbers are an increase from the 153 potential cases in 16 states that the agency reported Wednesday. At the time, there were no known deaths reported, the agency said.

I suspect this cluster is related to people vaping something other than normal nicotine-containing e-juice.

Having said that, I continue to believe it is too early to know if even “normal” e-juice is safe, and I remain amazed that PHE put their name to this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e-cigarettes-around-95-less-harmful-than-tobacco-estimates-landmark-review

I think it is inevitable that some vapers, even those who do not vape anything other than normal e-juice, will go on to develop interstitial lung diseases or hypersensitivity-related conditions.

With that in mind I am weaning myself off at this very moment. Down to 0% nicotine tomorrow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 August, 2019, 01:13:55 pm
The French seldom forget; T42 can remind them...

...you suppose.

---o0o---

Meanwhile, I am discovering that one consequence of following the GP's exhortations to cut down the caffeine is that the beans go stale in the hopper and the coffee tastes like batshit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: spesh on 24 August, 2019, 01:29:17 pm
Been reading about Vaping Lung for a few months now

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/23/health/vaping-lung-disease-death-illinois-bn/index.html

These numbers are an increase from the 153 potential cases in 16 states that the agency reported Wednesday. At the time, there were no known deaths reported, the agency said.

I suspect this cluster is related to people vaping something other than normal nicotine-containing e-juice.

This. From the news reports I have seen, it's suggested that it might be linked to vaping cannabis or other drugs.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-vaping-illinois-idUSKCN1VD22Y
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49452256

Quote
Having said that, I continue to believe it is too early to know if even “normal” e-juice is safe, and I remain amazed that PHE put their name to this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e-cigarettes-around-95-less-harmful-than-tobacco-estimates-landmark-review

I think it is inevitable that some vapers, even those who do not vape anything other than normal e-juice, will go on to develop interstitial lung diseases or hypersensitivity-related conditions.

With that in mind I am weaning myself off at this very moment. Down to 0% nicotine tomorrow.

Well, quite. Even if you have substituted vaping for setting fire to dried shredded tobacco (or other) leaves and breathing in the combustion products, you are still breathing stuff into your lungs that your brionchial system wasn't intended to deal with, IMHO.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 24 August, 2019, 02:38:56 pm
As a non-smoker, the main win is air quality.  Glycol fog doesn't linger like cigarette smoke, and appears to be Mostly Harmless (other than well-documented psychosomatic effects on actors and musicians[1]) at low concentrations.  Walking down the street and getting the occasional whiff of Strawberry Rubbers[2] is a small price to pay for reduced numbers of actual smokers.


[1] The trick being to head off the issue by saying that you're using a special new fluid that doesn't dry your throat in the smoke machine for this production.
[2] Teenagers: Ask your parents.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 August, 2019, 01:53:42 pm
Nicotine suppositories might be an effective way of delivering the drug (or might not, I don't know) and clearly harmless (for lungs at least) but probably a challenge for the marketing department.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 25 August, 2019, 03:35:28 pm
Nicotine suppositories might be an effective way of delivering the drug (or might not, I don't know) and clearly harmless (for lungs at least) but probably a challenge for the marketing department.
I often pondered the most acceptable way to tell people what to do with their 'nicotine sticks'.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 August, 2019, 08:12:08 am
Whole new meaning to bumming a cigarette.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 26 August, 2019, 09:23:04 am
Nicotine suppositories might be an effective way of delivering the drug (or might not, I don't know) and clearly harmless (for lungs at least) but probably a challenge for the marketing department.

Meet them half way, how about bum vaping? Your friends and family will be overjoyed with your strawberry rubbers scented farts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 August, 2019, 11:59:22 am
Well that was a surprisingly helpful pain management clinic appointment, sensible Plan A and B via GP who they're writing to, and a possible C. No woo in sight. It probably helps it's an ortho hospital where pain management are used to dealing with dodgy bones/joints which the surgeons and physios have done their best on.  Also helpful they understand "syndrome" so the idea of multiple medical nonsenses going on at once.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 27 August, 2019, 10:10:23 pm
 :thumbsup: that's good news.

On the less positive side i have over worked my hip at a festival over the weekend. The combination of camping, walking to all the events and lugging the tent and kit in from the carpark field has been a bit much. Today at the Winchester science centre with the nephew was sore.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 August, 2019, 11:50:51 am
Sorry to hear about your hip Matthew, hope you can get some rest and painkillers.  Sadly my hip treatment is "currently lost in hospital admin" and I'm chasing it politely one more time before I send a "formal complaint" as the unnecessary delay is now at 4 months...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 August, 2019, 03:40:19 pm
Waiting on tenterhooks here for the result of my pro-BNP test, to see if further cardiac unpleasantness is in the offing. Wasn't in the post today, should be tomorrow, unless the GP forgot to put "cc patient" on the prescription.

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if I am due for another go on the table: the beta-blocker-triggered depression that started in June has hit me very hard: +3 kg in 2 months and I feel 10 years older.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 30 August, 2019, 06:22:54 pm
Been reading about Vaping Lung for a few months now

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/23/health/vaping-lung-disease-death-illinois-bn/index.html

These numbers are an increase from the 153 potential cases in 16 states that the agency reported Wednesday. At the time, there were no known deaths reported, the agency said.

I suspect this cluster is related to people vaping something other than normal nicotine-containing e-juice.

This. From the news reports I have seen, it's suggested that it might be linked to vaping cannabis or other drugs.

https://gizmodo.com/black-market-thc-may-be-causing-the-alarming-surge-in-v-1837740898

Wrong solvent would be my guess.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 September, 2019, 08:30:03 am
Somewhat horrified this morning: I had my first encounter with a diabetic ulcer, fortunately not mine.

Son's missus was diagnosed with diabetes in July, after going to the GP with a cut on her calf that hasn't healed since she got it in February.  It has a 2" square dressing on it now, and the skin around it is flaming red with trails radiating up and down her leg. It hasn't gone too far yet, but it looks to me as if it'll reach amputation country if she doesn't get it in hand before long.

She needs someone to give her a good course in diabetic health. For breakfast this morning she had a big bowl of drinking chocolate @ 48% sugar, with baguette (high glycaemic index) and butter.  Son is also diabetic now: his breakfast was a bowl of chicory with three slices of bread slathered in butter and MrsT's jam.  Everything else they eat is in the same style.  Both of them are obese, and while son does aikido she never moves to speak of.

And there I thought I was living dangerously with patisserie on 80k rides.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 September, 2019, 09:01:19 am
That is terrifying.

I used to think that I knew about food and diet. Using cronometer has been an eye-opener for me. Days when I don't cycle to work or paddle, my 'normal' food intake is well over what is required. If I ate like that and didn't exercise, I'd be pretty big. (Like my brother I guess, struggling to stay under 110kg instead of hovering around 73kg.)

Days when I cycle and paddle, I don't eat enough. Not enough protein, carbs, very low on vitamins. Malnourished. Before I saw the doc, I was worried I was diabetic.

People, the general populous, don't exercise enough.

Looking at the readouts has even changed how MrsC is eating - she feels more comfortable (justified) in eating 1/3 the amount I do when we eat together.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 September, 2019, 09:31:00 am
I used to track meals on charts the cardiac unit provided, but it turned mealtimes into a chore and in any case after a few weeks I could pretty well gauge intake vs expenditure.

I was always amazed, though, at the calorie expenditure involved in committee meetings in Strasbourg. Even though I drove there and we did nothing but sitting around a table jawing, I would get home ravenous and, no matter what I then ate, wake up with a roaring headache next day. Doc could never explain it, but I reckon it was some kind of metabolic hangover.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 04 September, 2019, 09:36:05 am
Crikey. Makes my post feel like a rather smaller win...
I pulled my back 10 days ago. Today, for the first time since, i was able to ride to the station. I could feel it, but not as pain.


Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 September, 2019, 02:25:13 pm
Good luck with the back - don't test it too much.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 04 September, 2019, 04:33:43 pm
Sigh.

It feels like I've got a case of Epididymitis starting on my left nut :-( I wonder if it is related to my having a catheter for a couple of days when I was in hospital back in mid July? Whatever it is, it certainly feels like I've been kicked in the nut  :sick: Luckily day off tomorrow, so I'll queue up outside my GP for it opening at 8am, and hopefully get an appointment (I'm needing a repeat prescription of anti depressants as well...)
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 September, 2019, 09:43:38 am
Sigh.

It feels like I've got a case of Epididymitis starting on my left nut :-( I wonder if it is related to my having a catheter for a couple of days when I was in hospital back in mid July? Whatever it is, it certainly feels like I've been kicked in the nut  :sick: Luckily day off tomorrow, so I'll queue up outside my GP for it opening at 8am, and hopefully get an appointment (I'm needing a repeat prescription of anti depressants as well...)
 :facepalm:

Appointment obtained, saw GP, diagnosed with epididymitis, so a weeks course of antibiotics! Perhaps more supportive undergarments might be an idea. Anti depressants now on repeat prescription.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 September, 2019, 10:34:16 am
Good luck with the back - don't test it too much.

And after giving that advice my old sacroiliac trouble is moaning and occasionally stabbing. Even using the clutch in the car gets a cheery wee "cuckoo!".  After the original injury I was off the bike for a month and another two months of swearful comments in my log before it settled down.

Aye well, sitting around doing SFA for a week or two will help my duff ankle.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2019, 10:39:59 pm
Trump wants to ban flavoured vaping. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-vaping-deaths-ecigarettes-ban-flavors-a9101841.html I'm sure he's correct in saying the flavours a big part of the appeal to kids, but are they actually the harmful part? There's so much in vape, erm, vapour that it doesn't seem anybody knows.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: bludger on 11 September, 2019, 10:58:24 pm
Just wait until he hears about cigarettes. He's going to be livid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 September, 2019, 11:29:10 pm
This is getting a tad POBI but IMHO:
Vaping is Big Tobacco's foot in the door for the next generation of consumers.
Until now it was seen as less harmful than cigarettes and a good way to wean established smokers off cigarettes so was not discouraged.

Now we Have Deaths POTUS Must be seen to Do Something.

Tobacco in any form is harmful and its sale is only allowed to continue because Big Tobacco has commercial and political Influence.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2019, 11:52:07 pm
AIUI vapes don't contain tobacco. Presumably the nicotine in them is extracted from tobacco but could also be from other sources. In a way this is more disturbing...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 September, 2019, 11:53:21 pm
I reckon a vaper (vapour?) is more likely to take up smoking than a non-vaper, thobut, even if there's no nicotine involved.

Presumably USAnian vaping restrictions could be easily circumvented by molishing the appropriate gubbins into a handgun...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 September, 2019, 11:54:55 pm
Nicotine is addictive. Its actual origin is academic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 September, 2019, 11:55:48 pm
Nicotine is addictive.

...but in itself Mostly Harmless.  The problem comes from the common delivery method.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2019, 11:57:25 pm
I reckon a vaper (vapour?) is more likely to take up smoking than a non-vaper, thobut.
Perhaps/probably. Essentially the same thing from the commercial point of view (ie. a nicotine consumer, along with the other "novel forms" such as heated tobacco) but obviously different health implications.

Quote
Presumably USAnian vaping restrictions could be easily circumvented by molishing the appropriate gubbins into a handgun...
dont.give.them.ideas
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 12 September, 2019, 07:30:39 am
I reckon a vaper (vapour?)
Can we use “vapeur”?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2019, 07:58:28 am
Nicotine is addictive.

...but in itself Mostly Harmless.  The problem comes from the common delivery method.

E.g. pure, in someone's butty: https://www.wired.com/2012/05/nicotine-and-the-chemistry-of-murder/

I reckon a vaper (vapour?)
Can we use “vapeur”?

Vaporetto/vaporetta would be much more picturesque: after all, vapeur just means steam, whereas with vaporetto you get the whole steamboat.

But if you want to remain within the confines of English I'd suggest vapids for users.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2019, 02:02:10 pm
I expect the Vapons to be a new Star Trek species.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2019, 02:26:25 pm
Vapon... vapoff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 16 September, 2019, 07:17:53 pm
My left knee pain has now been diagnosed as arthritis  :'(.
The beginning of the end of my cycling maybe.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 September, 2019, 08:05:11 pm
My left knee pain has now been diagnosed as arthritis  :'(.
The beginning of the end of my cycling maybe.

Arse.  Was worried it might be that...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 September, 2019, 07:55:02 am
My left knee pain has now been diagnosed as arthritis  :'(.
The beginning of the end of my cycling maybe.
What type? Some are treatable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 17 September, 2019, 09:17:30 am
I don't know what type I'm afraid. That was all that the physio told me. Maybe I should make a appointment at the doctors to see if I can find out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2019, 09:58:40 am
That sounds a sensible thing to do. Really hoping it doesn't mean the end of your cycling.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2019, 10:07:49 am
My left knee pain has now been diagnosed as arthritis  :'(.
The beginning of the end of my cycling maybe.

I don't know what type I'm afraid. That was all that the physio told me. Maybe I should make a appointment at the doctors to see if I can find out.

Bummer... From ~2000 to 2007 I used to get stabbing pains in my left knee on occasion, right at the top of the tibia and on the left. On one 600k when I had to climb up to the Jura plateau it was bloody murder.  Doc & fizzy both rumbled on about arthritis, but after that ride it disappeared and I've never had it since. Maybe I ground something off.

---o0o---

After yesterday's ride I'm going ask the GP about IBS.*  For some time now I've been alternating between two days' constipation and one day during which I will go twice, usually an hour or so after eating, with about ten minutes' notice between the first stirrings and the pressure becoming agony. Yesterday a bumpy bit of tow-path triggered proceedings, and I had to turn off and negotiate a 9% climb before finding a corner of a foreign field that could be forever Ireland. It's hard to climb well with a cracking sphincter.

Anyway, it's getting to the point where I'm staying home rather than do long rides where I know there'll not be much chance of cludges or good cover. Bah.

* not to mention Earts, the other Edinburgh football team.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 17 September, 2019, 12:07:53 pm
I don't know what type I'm afraid. That was all that the physio told me. Maybe I should make a appointment at the doctors to see if I can find out.

Yes.  Given how much of your general health hinges on the mobility you get from cycling, this is worth treating if at all possible.  Referral to orthopaedics time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 17 September, 2019, 05:57:56 pm
My left knee pain has now been diagnosed as arthritis  :'(.
The beginning of the end of my cycling maybe.

It's my understanding that some kinds of exercise can be beneficial for arthritis, but you may need intervention to manage it with meds to enable that. I think asking the GP for a referral for management advice would be good.  Swimming and cycling are "approved" from what I can tell.

I have been diagnosed with arthritis in my left shoulder and elbow, right elbow and probably right wrist. Surgeons have finally all made their bad faces and the outcome is "sorry nothing we can do except fuse joints"... It's caused, possibly like yours, by unusual use of the joint because of other impairments!  I suspect my lot would love it if I cycled/swam... I'm also getting a Cox 2 inhibitor and occasional diazepam for when shoulder SPANGS and they're gonna do a nerve block for the severe pain... So there are things they can do...  Are there any prescribed exercise options for example? Hydrotherapy? Or other support you can get...

If you don't ask - you won't get!

Also, consider ways of lowering your gears, I'm told you're a hell of a masher!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 17 September, 2019, 06:48:36 pm
Thanks for all the advice everyone 😊
I will phone the doctors tomorrow and see what they say.
As for my pedaling the e assist means a slow (by even my standards) spin to get the best speeds out of it  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 17 September, 2019, 06:50:53 pm
A friend who had pretty bad arthritis was told to keep on, in her case, dancing if she could cope with the pain.
'You can't do any more damage'
As others have said, it all depends on the individual case.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 17 September, 2019, 07:22:22 pm
Thanks for all the advice everyone 😊
I will phone the doctors tomorrow and see what they say.
As for my pedaling the e assist means a slow (by even my standards) spin to get the best speeds out of it  ::-)

Any chance of a tweaking of the setting to make it less of a trigger point?

And yes, as SteveC says, you can't really damage it more, so it's pain management time. I'll let you all know how my Cox2 inhibitors go when I've sorted my own GP appt out for them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 18 September, 2019, 07:52:14 am
I have no idea how to adjust settings on the electrics and don't know if it's possible.. I will mention pain relief when I see the doctor, thanks again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 September, 2019, 10:35:37 am
And it's not just about mobility for you – getting out on the trike is obviously important for your mental well-being, a way to stay sane even. Can you make your GP understand this?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 September, 2019, 12:45:19 pm
And it's not just about mobility for you – getting out on the trike is obviously important for your mental well-being, a way to stay sane even. Can you make your GP understand this?

God yes, hammer the desk if you have to. I went to pieces when the cardio inflicted beta-blockers on me - 71.5 to 74.5 kg in two months and HbA1c soaring. Still fighting to get back to normal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 19 September, 2019, 05:57:03 pm
I have had a few experiences, at random times, where I have woken in the night with a dull ache in my testicles. By the time I wake again in the morning this has disappeared, all good to go. I had a suspicion that this might be something to do with how I was lying and maybe my testicles were being twisted or squeezed, maybe. Last night this happened again and after going for the usual nightly pee I got back into bed, laid on my back and made sure everything was positioned how it should be. When I half woke again a short while later the ache had gone. My question is, do other males experience this problem or is it unusual and I should see my Dr. Thanks for your help. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 19 September, 2019, 06:16:26 pm
Do check if there is only one meat and two veggies and no other lumps that isn't normal.

It reminds me of this (which I have suffered) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular_torsion. Yes most common for the youth and it is NOT dull pain, you would happy swap with kick in the private with clogs, instead off this. But before the operation I do remember some dull pain.

But short story - call and meet your GP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 19 September, 2019, 06:27:57 pm
To answer your question.  No. I don't get this.  Visit the GP.  There may be something slightly twisted.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 September, 2019, 06:53:22 pm
Testicles can twist, temporarily or not. This more commonly happens in teenagers.
It's also possible for a small testicular appendage to twist, with less dire consequence.

As others have said, get checked!

AIUI cancer of the testis is usually painless. (It is, of course, serious but usually VERY treatable if caught early.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 19 September, 2019, 07:12:26 pm
Another thought.   Ahem.  Don't if you're single or not, but could it be 'Blue Balls'?
The remedy is quite simple.   ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 20 September, 2019, 08:03:52 am
Thanks for your help, I will see my Dr. To add, I had been out running in the pm prior although I think that the lycra cycling type shorts I was wearing were supportive.

Sent from my PRA-LX1 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 20 September, 2019, 06:37:16 pm
I
Saw the doctor this morning and she sent me off to the hospital for a x Ray. She prescribed cocodimol and talked about the possibility of surgery. 🙂
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 September, 2019, 06:48:20 pm
Hoping the x-rays will show what's wrong.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 20 September, 2019, 07:12:04 pm
I
Saw the doctor this morning and she sent me off to the hospital for a x Ray. She prescribed cocodimol and talked about the possibility of surgery. 🙂

Erk, hope they give you some answers about what's going on soonest. Glad GP took you seriously.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 20 September, 2019, 07:44:10 pm
Looks like I haven't seen GP in 7 months... No wonder there were about 9 letters on file. I do like that my GP groks that I'm juggling several conditions at once and sometimes treatments clash. She also understands not letting surgeons get too slicey! 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 25 September, 2019, 09:41:58 am
Just 11 weeks and 1 day since my laparotomy.  No wonder I'm feeling a bit sair, as I think I've over done things the past few days...  Perhaps the trip to IKEA on Monday to purchase two 12kg flat pack sets of metal storage drawers wasn't clever, especially lifting them into and out of the car, then carrying them up stairs to assemble them :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 October, 2019, 10:40:13 am
Steak three times a week, right on:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2217915-avoiding-red-or-processed-meat-doesnt-seem-to-give-health-benefits
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 01 October, 2019, 06:25:29 pm
I phoned the doctors today and they said that the x Ray was marked no action required so now I have to phone them tomorrow and actually speak to a doctor to find out if I have arthritis in my knee and if so what can they do about it  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 October, 2019, 07:46:18 pm
I phoned the doctors today and they said that the x Ray was marked no action required so now I have to phone them tomorrow and actually speak to a doctor to find out if I have arthritis in my knee and if so what can they do about it  ::-)

Schrödinger's knee...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 02 October, 2019, 07:47:37 am
  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 04 October, 2019, 09:56:24 am
I'm supposed to be flying back from my holiday today. Except I'm not, because I didn't go: in a brilliant act of timing, I managed to get admitted to hospital on the day I was supposed to fly (Tuesday). Appendectomy yesterday. This is a bit rubbish.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 October, 2019, 11:43:10 am
Ah, one of those stupid organs being a traitor (https://xkcd.com/2147/).  GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 October, 2019, 12:43:12 pm
I'm supposed to be flying back from my holiday today. Except I'm not, because I didn't go: in a brilliant act of timing, I managed to get admitted to hospital on the day I was supposed to fly (Tuesday). Appendectomy yesterday. This is a It was a bit rubbish.
FTFY

GWS
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 October, 2019, 12:51:50 pm
GWS

Would it pop if they flew above 2500 metres? :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 October, 2019, 08:31:31 pm
Get well soon!
I don't know Teh Rules about flying after abdominal surgery, but ISTR they are strict and restrictive.
I also don't know where you are or whether surface transport could comfortably and practically get you home sooner.

Get well soon anyway!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 04 October, 2019, 08:49:20 pm
Thanks for the well wishes folks. Hopefully going home tomorrow.

I don't know Teh Rules about flying after abdominal surgery, but ISTR they are strict and restrictive.
I also don't know where you are or whether surface transport could comfortably and practically get you home sooner.

Ah, I wasn't clear - I was at home when I was admitted (I was due to fly out for holidays that same day), so am in my local hospital. Fortunately, nothing more complicated than a couple of miles in a taxi will be needed! (I'd normally walk/Subway it, but am going to take it easy.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 October, 2019, 08:52:53 pm
Hope you manage to get a nice holiday when you're well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Duckfoot1606 on 04 October, 2019, 09:06:22 pm
I am having cataract surgery at the end of October, because I am pretty short sighted (-7) I’ve elected to have two ops, starting with the bad left eye and then the right eye a week later. The consultant reckons I need to take a week off, I’ve had some contradictory guidance on when I can fly again. Optician reckons after a month, consultant after a week.

Would any medical professionals on here give an opinion on this?

Tks in advance

A
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 October, 2019, 09:37:19 pm
Check with your airline and insurance, then ask your consultant and other hospital staff.
Advice varies between airlines and whatever else you need to check you CAN go...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 06 October, 2019, 09:59:52 am
I staved/jammed a finger playing football way back in late March. it swelled up and bruised nicely and after a few days I managed to remove my wedding ring (with a fair amount of swearing, washing up liquid and a bit of pain).

Coming up 3 months later I still can't get my wedding ring back on over the proximal interphalangeal joint.

...

Is it worth going to minor injuries or should I just leave it a bit longer?

Another 4 months and I managed to get it back on with no pain, it's still tight over the joint itself but that's not unusual.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2019, 10:04:25 am
I don't know Teh Rules about flying after abdominal surgery, but ISTR they are strict and restrictive.

IIRC air can get trapped in abdominal cavity and expand with decreasing pressure ===> ouch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 October, 2019, 02:16:56 pm
Indeed ouch and potentially burst.

As I posted earlier, it's worth checking with insurers and carriers, as well as medics. If the first two say NO! medical advice is academic...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 06 October, 2019, 08:49:36 pm
90 days on from my Laparotomy for a twisted bowel, and I seem to be having stomach / bowel cramps again...

I really do hope it's not going to be a repeat of last time (involving a laparotomy & 9 days in hospital)  ??? :facepalm: :-[ :'( :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 October, 2019, 08:58:57 pm
Oh dear!

Hope things settle!

Worried about adhesions...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 06 October, 2019, 09:26:37 pm
Oh dear!

Hope things settle!

Worried about adhesions...

Yes, that's what I'm worried about, along with getting a stage 2 attendance warning if I'm off again (and if it comes to  a stage 3 attendance warning then I'm sacked)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 October, 2019, 08:37:21 pm
We went to our local GP surgery for flu jabs today.
Appointments were running late so I looked around the waiting room.
There was a full water jug but nothing out of which to drink - I suppose David couldhave refilled his bidon but even he does not take his comfort bottle for a quick appointment 6 doors up the road.
The scrolling screen ahead read inter alia
Apologies
The Nurse Practitioner is running (late we presumed, but they'd run out of space...)

Please give 72 working hours for repeat prescription request (Is that two weeks? we wondered.)

[person's name] to the Kingsbury Hub (What? We're not quite IN Kingsbury! I later observed part of the reception desk was headed 'THE HUB')
Inside the glass-fronted noticeboard, there was one notice stating travel vaccinations were available as an extra service, another stating that the practice did not do travel vaccinations due to a lack of vaccines and a third suggesting where travel vaccination could be obtained.

I was glad our visit was for something simple. I'm not surprised if people find the health service confusing...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2019, 08:40:44 pm
They vamped some blood and told me I was a good asthmatic, so I'm allowed to book a flu jab now.  To be fair, the nurse doing the asthma review had Common Sense, and would have jabbed me there and then if they'd had any of the adults-under-65 vaccine in stock.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 07 October, 2019, 08:47:16 pm
A friend of mine is severely sight impaired, affecting his central vision so reading is difficult.

He is having amazing trouble trying to get his GP surgery staff to stop constantly being disablist dicks to him. His file is supposed to flag to staff that he's sight impaired.

Friend: "Hi, can you tell me where Dr X's office is please for my appointment"
Receptionist (looking at his file as he's just checked in): There's name labels on all the doors.
Friend: "My file should tell you I don't see well. Can you tell me in words where the doctor's office is?"
Receptionist: "You'll need to look at the door labels"
Friend: *EXPLODE*

Or

Staff: *Hands paper with small text on it"
Friend: "I can't read that, can you email it to me as a Word document please?"
Staff: "Oh we can read it to you" (often in front of the entire fucking waiting room)
Friend: "No thanks, I want to read it for myself so I can remember it and I use my own format. Please email word document"
Staff: "We can't do email, it's too hard"
Friend: *EXPLODE*

Makes me very grateful that my GPs are actually excellent, are one of the few to reference the Accessible Information Standard on their website and have a decent practice manager.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2019, 09:15:00 pm
Makes me very grateful that my GPs are actually excellent, are one of the few to reference the Accessible Information Standard on their website and have a decent practice manager.

Indeed.  I haven't had the heart to raise the issue of the prolifieration of socket-safety-feature-defeation devices (http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/) in their waiting room.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 08 October, 2019, 02:02:42 pm
Hopefully going home tomorrow.


Well, they didn't let me go on Saturday after all, but I finally escaped last night. So good to be home where the food has actual taste and there isn't a constant hum of machinery and beeping! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 October, 2019, 02:07:42 pm
:thumbsup:

...and the breakfast trolley rattling past your door an hour before it reaches you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 08 October, 2019, 03:36:32 pm
We're changing GPs with the move and their questionnaire (having established I'm a standard resident of County Durham by asking about my smoking, drinking and COPD) asked if I'd had any hospital inpatient treatment. And gave a whole line to give dates and details. I wrote 'yes'.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 October, 2019, 03:55:51 pm
:thumbsup:

...and the breakfast trolley rattling past your door an hour before it reaches you.

Or one's room in the recovery ward was directly opposite the kitchen, and you were allowed nil by mouth :-(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 08 October, 2019, 04:06:27 pm
Went to see the GP this am about the dull pain from my balls. Apparently it's quite common for men to request a female Dr to inspect their privates, well, that's what she told me. Anyhow, everything looks in good shape, size and in position. I have experienced no pain since I last wrote here.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 October, 2019, 04:33:38 pm
GP surgery have just phoned inviting David for a flu jab, some 24 hours after he had one there.
I Am Not Impressed!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 October, 2019, 04:44:09 pm
Work is offering all their staff free flu vaccinations through a local chain of pharmacies.  I wonder if they are doing it to benefit their staff? Or doing it to reduce staff off sick with flu?  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2019, 04:56:20 pm
Work is offering all their staff free flu vaccinations through a local chain of pharmacies.  I wonder if they are doing it to benefit their staff? Or doing it to reduce staff off sick with flu?  ???
If posties are at risk of flu, perhaps because they come into contact with a wide range of people, then preventing them getting flu means they won't be ill either at work or at home. So how do you differentiate?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 October, 2019, 05:04:28 pm
Posties make great flu vectors. Vaccinating them makes sense. Same goes for bus drivers and anyone else who deals with the public in large numbers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2019, 05:09:16 pm
Also a good, probably better, point.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2019, 05:37:01 pm
I expect the cost of flu vaccines compares favourably to the cost of disciplinary procedures and similar HR processes in the event of some employees getting properly ill[1].  It's just sound business sense.


[1] Given that flu tends to be nastier in the young and fit, this makes even more sense for posties.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 October, 2019, 06:08:45 pm
I expect the cost of flu vaccines compares favourably to the cost of disciplinary procedures and similar HR processes in the event of some employees getting properly ill[1].  It's just sound business sense.

I'm probably going to get the flu vaccination anyway, considering I'm already on a stage 1 attendance warning due being off following my laparotomy surgery in July...


[1] Given that flu tends to be nastier in the young and fit, this makes even more sense for posties.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 08 October, 2019, 06:16:38 pm
I had mine earlier in the week.  No side effects.  I paid to have it done in Boots near my office rather than try for a GP appointment which have meant a longer wait & a train journey.


They were pushing Pneumonia vaccination as well  ???   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 October, 2019, 06:39:20 pm
Postal delivery staff are probably at LESS risk than many, if they are mainly outdoors and NOT mixing with the General Public in confined spaces like buses or classrooms.

Flu could be nastier for outdoor workers so protection makes sense.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 08 October, 2019, 06:47:09 pm
I paid for mine last year--£7. At that price it wouldn't take many days not off sick to pay for a large number of staff to have them.

This year Asda (work's 'corner shop' aren't doing the low risk one at the moment and couldn't say when or if they would be).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 08 October, 2019, 07:13:31 pm
My work normally offers the flu jab (or jag, as they call it round here ???) free to staff as well. I've never bothered taking up the offer, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 October, 2019, 07:25:13 pm
'Jag' seems to be colloquial in Scotland. South of Hadrian's Wall, I suspect a healthcare worker picked it up and spread it...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 October, 2019, 08:20:26 pm
It's been confirmed that I have got arthritis in my left knee. I am told that the plan is to control the pain as long as possible as the operation s only work for 10 years and the doctors says that I will need 3 of them  :o. She must think that I look young for my age  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2019, 08:22:55 pm
Well that's one for each knee and then...

I hope they manage to contain the pain and perhaps most importantly keep you mobile.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 October, 2019, 08:52:41 pm
It's been confirmed that I have got arthritis in my left knee. I am told that the plan is to control the pain as long as possible as the operation s only work for 10 years and the doctors says that I will need 3 of them  :o. She must think that I look young for my age  ;D

I hope they have some good ideas about managing your pain.

I've been told I have arthritis in my left shoulder, both elbows and probably my right wrist. No surgery is possible other than joint fusion which everyone agrees is too much at the moment.

I am about to start celecoxib which is a COX2 inhibitor for the shoulder. I had to delay it to see what impact the hip steroid injections had (TLDR: fuck all, possibly worse than before). I've also been offered a nerve block injection for an area near my left shoulder and am allowed to use diazepam occasionally 'as needed' which is helpful.

So if you've tried the usual NSAIDs, DO ask about cox2s and indeed occasional diazepam as options. GP might be up for those.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 October, 2019, 09:26:50 pm
10 years is on the low side for knee replacements
 https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-long-do-knee-replacements-last-2549612 (https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-long-do-knee-replacements-last-2549612) is much more what I would expect.
Did you see an orthopaedic surgeon or a physio?
Even if the x-ray says arthritis that does not necessarily mean that painkillers or surgery are the only options.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 October, 2019, 11:07:36 pm
Cycleman, I agree with ChrisBainbridge about seeing a surgeon given your specific history and spinal injury stuff and the balance of mobility now v mobility later etc. 

My arthritis stuff was assessed by consultant surgeons x2 before "nowt we can do surgically" was decided, and Pain Management bods have plans A B and C starting with improving my meds.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 October, 2019, 01:37:24 pm
Lurgy.  Fuck off.

(This is what I get for going to the GP's on Monday.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 October, 2019, 07:16:13 pm
Thanks chrisbainbridge and barakta I will show the doctors this post and see what happens. You never know I may end up bionic and go faster in ever dicreasing circles  ;D.
Get well soon Kim.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 October, 2019, 09:01:14 pm
*giggles*

Be clear what's important to you. My lot seemed to want to know if I cared more about pain or range of movement - I of course want less pain and current range of movement which may not be possible but to me it's not either/or... If pain is a big nono then that is your thing you should stress.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 11 October, 2019, 03:08:17 pm
Wunnerfull!
Wednesday afternoon first ride on a New Bike. Coming back home I had a freaky door unlocking accident and Borked my right knee. Now I’m in hospital waiting for x-rays.
Bike’s okay though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 October, 2019, 04:07:54 pm
Oh dear!

Hope knee hets fixed soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 11 October, 2019, 09:02:58 pm
Examination and X-rays done. Orthopaedics will be checking the "Something not quite right" on said X-rays.
In the meantime, rest and gentle exercise, non load bearing and No Cycling!
Bah!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 14 October, 2019, 05:30:32 pm
Vauxhall Combo vans (2010 Vintage).  Way too low down to the ground, and a nightmare to get in and out of.  So I'm now all sore on the abdomen :-(

Hopefully I'll get my Peugeot Expert (2015 vintage) back at work tomorrow!  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 October, 2019, 01:22:26 pm
To regularize my wayward tripes, my GP has visited upon me a drink that has the taste, smell & texture of lemon-flavoured fish glue. "And prithee, dottore mio, will I then be able to do 150k rides without having to dive through a hole in the hedge?"  "Probably not." Gee thanks, doc.

Oh well, it's raining anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 18 October, 2019, 07:58:16 pm
Taking painkillers because of painful tooth and the dentist can't see me till Monday  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 October, 2019, 08:02:33 pm
OUCHY!
Get thee to A&E or some sort of emergency dentist if you get a fever or a swollen face.
GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 19 October, 2019, 07:27:59 am
Will do, I want to get it sorted ASAP  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 October, 2019, 10:01:32 am
Shit way to spend a weekend.  Hope someone can help.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2019, 01:48:02 pm
My body hates me, and is getting its revenge for yesterday's lung abuse through the medium of dizziness and lung grot, as well as the traditional tiredness and post-race 'aches and pains'[1].


[1] Read in an Norn Iron accent, it was a common complaint of my grandmother.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 21 October, 2019, 07:30:10 pm
Feel better soon Kim  :)
I have had the patnful tooth pulled out this morning and and now I am co codimol as the area is very sore now  ::-) :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 21 October, 2019, 07:44:35 pm
out for a walk this evening, wearing trainers for comfort.  Broke into a "lampost" jog on three occaisions, with less discomfort from the ankle on each go.

I'll go easy on it this week and next I think, but I can see short runs of a mile or so being feasible during my upcoming Brisbane trip the week after.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 21 October, 2019, 07:55:27 pm
Brisbane has a small but enthusiastic audax scene, including recumbent and Moulton riders. You may be able to borrow a bike during your time there, if you wish.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 21 October, 2019, 09:16:24 pm
Probably wont have time, I arrive Sunday morning, depart the following Saturday with two days in the middle up at Gladstone LNG
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 21 October, 2019, 09:32:55 pm
The offer is there. https://www.audax.org.au/public/audaxregions/qld
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2019, 10:41:30 pm
Feel better soon Kim  :)

Lungs seem to be operating normally again, after 24 hours without further exposure to cigarette smoke.

And I got an apologetic response from Co-Wheels, who are going to give the car a thorough decontamination (and presumably the offending user a thorough bollocking).


Quote
I have had the patnful tooth pulled out this morning and and now I am co codimol as the area is very sore now  ::-) :'(

Better out than in, I suppose.  At least it's not going to get any worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 22 October, 2019, 12:59:51 pm
My body hates me, and is getting its revenge for yesterday's lung abuse through the medium of dizziness and lung grot, as well as the traditional tiredness and post-race 'aches and pains'[1].


[1] Read in an Norn Iron accent, it was a common complaint of my grandmother.

Hope you feel better.

Started a new medicine to reduce my bg levels and just tested at waking and it is 8.1 mmol so dropping from 12 3 days ago.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 23 October, 2019, 11:49:06 am
Dentistry  :sick:
The temporary crown that was hurting-a-lot was taken off last Thursday*, and the dentist decided that there wasn't enough tooth to attempt a root canal thing.
So rather than put the permanent crown we agreed on a 'surgical extraction' - which by the feel of things was a cross between fracking my gum & heavy duty carpentry.
Which led to a spectacularly horrid infection - I don't think I've felt so ill & incapable in a very long time. Even Mrs M has been sympathetic. I decided it was an infection on Sunday*, and started myself on Amoxicillin (don't ask  :hand: ). The dentist confirmed my diagnosis and treatment plan on Monday*.
My cocktail of painkillers seems to be holding things at bay - except for the regular 5am wake-up call when my face decides to complain violently. (I even tried Tramadol last night which didn't help with the pain, but I didn't care as much).
This morning's swill with salty water dislodged something disgusting smelling - and I think I might be feeling a little bit more perky.
Keep taking the tablets.
(*I'm losing track of days & times. What century is this? Have they cancelled Brexit yet?)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 23 October, 2019, 11:57:23 am
Just listening to the podcast of Inside Health from the BBC from 2 October and it seems our very own Chris Bainbridge is on it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 24 October, 2019, 09:08:16 am
3rd day of lurgy here. Tuesday was a bit run down, yesterday was no voice and mostly dozing. Today it’s enough snot to make my head hurt. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 October, 2019, 02:45:20 pm
Weird twinging pain in my index and middle fingers when I curl them inwards as if to grip, started last night, not gone away. Typing isn't very pleasant, but I don't have an alternative (speech recognition software b0rks my deaf speech). 4 reports to write this week.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 October, 2019, 06:45:38 pm
Get well soon barakta
I have been suffering from excessive stomach acid for nearly a year now and it has been slowly getting worse. I have a appointment for a camera stomach exam on the 12nov. Which I am quite worried about. I am taking 2 omeprazole day and I am still getting acid  :'(.
Life is getting depressing  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chinskidder on 24 October, 2019, 07:46:57 pm
Cycleman, as a long time lurker I'm breaking cover to try and put your mind at rest regarding your endoscopy. I had one on Monday and I was scared silly for days beforehand. The gag reflex is strong in this one you see.
I grant you this was in Denmark, but I can't imagine the procedure is any different in the UK. I made the nurse aware I was nervous, I might have overegged it a bit, but I really was.
I had a spray at the back of the throat and then I was given an injection and knew absolutely nothing about the whole procedure from then until I was wheeled off to a recovery area and fed a drink and a sandwich.
So don't worry, you'll have a slight sore throat for a day or so though, though no worse than when you have a cold.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 24 October, 2019, 07:59:42 pm
I had an ERCP (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopic_retrograde_cholangiopancreatography) some years ago.  The propofol messed up my perception of time a bit, but spectacularly failed in the intended effect.  The scope down the throat was much less unpleasant than being held down at the right angle with my arm behind my back over an x-ray table, or the second or so of acute pain as they cut into the bile duct.  At which point the severe pain I'd been in for over a week stopped abruptly, so I'm not complaining!  It hurt to speak afterwards, so I was apparently fingerspelling at high speed in USAnian[1].

If they're only going to have a look around your stomach, you won't have any of those nasty bits.

Hope it's nothing serious...


[1] My left arm being preoccupied with a potassium chloride drip, which is also less fun than an endoscope down your throat.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 October, 2019, 08:22:51 pm
Good luck cycleman, hope they find the cause and can treat it. I hear the procedure isn't nice, but it's not the hideous-est thing either.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 24 October, 2019, 09:36:24 pm
My experience was of general discomfort, but not pain - good drugs.
Only side effect was general belchiness for a few hours from the stomach inflation. I took the bus home.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 24 October, 2019, 10:01:11 pm
My experience was of general discomfort, but not pain - good drugs.
Only side effect was general belchiness for a few hours from the stomach inflation. I took the bus home.

You get entertaining fartiness when they scope the other end too - which would make you really popular on the bus home.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 October, 2019, 10:39:31 pm
Cycleman, think of this: on the 12th of November 101 years ago, peace had returned to the trenches. Pacifying your trencherman's stomach should be easy after that!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 October, 2019, 08:46:55 am
I've had 3 endoscopes, all with just a spray down the throat. Not particularly pleasant, fairly quick, not painful. Uncomfortable and can be panic-inducing. A bit like having a dentist drill your teeth - think of something else, it will be over in a less than 5min start to finish.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 October, 2019, 09:15:17 am
I've had 3 gastroscopies too, twice without any kind of painkiller and once with a general anaesthetic. The last was by far the most agreeable but they kept me in until the evening and I wasn't allowed to drive home. The first two times I was simply held on the couch by a nurse built like Bertha Bulkhead and restrained when I gagged.  The most annoying bit was that I couldn't see the monitor while they were doing it.

Re the omeprazole, I read a couple of weeks back that taking PPIs long-term can lead to the stomach producing more acid to compensate. It's a barrel of laughs & no mistake.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 October, 2019, 09:18:23 am
Thanks all of you. I intend to play the weak and feeble pain adverse wimp and hope for the best  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 25 October, 2019, 01:13:18 pm
The most annoying bit was that I couldn't see the monitor while they were doing it.

Ohgod, yes.  When will they learn?

(I suspect there are two types of people: Those who want to see the monitor, and those who very much don't, and the latter are more likely to give the medics cause for concern.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 October, 2019, 01:19:34 pm
Having a stent put in is great. Vast screen, easily visible. First time around the surgeon let me keep my specs on, too. Not the second and third times, though - that was frustrating.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 28 October, 2019, 08:45:36 am
Metronidazole may be clearing up my tooth socket infection, but the nightly showing of the strangest dreams is very, very unwelcome.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 28 October, 2019, 01:48:46 pm
Well i spent the night upchucking every half hour from 11pm to 3am.  :sick:
(click to show/hide)

Just hope that it wasn't the food I served 40 people and that any virus was not contagious as no symptoms.

Light food and plenty of fluids are the order for today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2019, 09:46:58 am
Headache & nausea this morning - interaction between Metformin and Mimolette cheese.  I can usually tolerate hard cheese two or three days in a row: this was just day 2 and I didn't have Metformin on Sunday because I was riding so I thought I was safe, but right now I feel like shit warmed up on a shovel.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 29 October, 2019, 10:04:56 am
Any idea what causes that, as fatty cheese will slow the carb absorption, know as the pizza effect.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2019, 10:28:37 am
According to my GP all hard cheeses contain toxins, some more than others.  Metformin does walk rather heavily on the liver so he & I assume it's that - crise de foie*.  I've had a much worse reaction with durian, some varieties of which can be lethal in combination with alcohol. I used to love the stuff but I don't eat it any more. Soft cheeses are OK, at least in small doses: The Rules allow me 30g of Camembert/day.

* not to be confused with crise de foi - see Teilhard de Chardin et al.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2019, 10:33:28 am
Incidentally, I've just found out that the plasma half-life of Metformin is 6.2 hours but the elimination half-life is 17.6 hours. This implies that if I want to go cycling tomorrow I should knock off the stuff the evening before at least.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 29 October, 2019, 11:54:50 am
Is that normal metformin or modified release. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2019, 12:47:59 pm
I've never bothered to look, but since it's generic I should think it's the simplest form available.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 07 November, 2019, 10:42:34 am
Good Grief!  Went to bed last night around 10, and woke around 11 feeling slightly nauseous. A bit hot-and-cold too. Went to the bathroom and sat on the loo to wait it out. At which point, with no warning cramps etc., my bowels opened, quite literally like a tap  :o. I swear it was continuous for 3 minutes!!  I finally got some sleep around 4am after several more decreasingly long but increasingly liquid interludes. It was like having two bladders. I’ve not gone to work. I just had to capture a mouse the cat brought in. I’m exhausted  :hand:  Trying to get something down me for the Imodium to work on will be a challenge  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 November, 2019, 01:17:34 pm
Good luck with that, it's bloody miserable.

---o0o---

Right knee a bit stiff & hurty since Tuesday's ride - I'll need to cut down on the verticality for a while. Trouble is, I have to climb a 9% to get out of the valley our village is in.

Heigh ho.  Oh well, it's raining.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 23 November, 2019, 06:43:49 pm
I had the stomach Camera this afternoon and have been told that I have a hernia in my stomach  :o.
Not sure if they can do anything about it though
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 November, 2019, 07:01:10 pm
Much depends on your symptoms. Though surgical fixes are possible, symptoms can be reduced by medicines, sleeping posture, lifestyle changes and weight loss.

Horses for courses etc...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2019, 07:17:41 pm
Hoping that something, whatever it might be, can be done for you, Chris.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 November, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Sorry to hear that Chris, not what you need having weird and annoying health shit on top of impairment nonsense.  I hope there are treatments or alleviations that you can be offered and you find out soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 November, 2019, 07:40:31 am
Thanks all  :), I will see the doctor next week and see what happens.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 November, 2019, 02:11:48 pm
If by stomach hernia you mean hiatal, then it can be lived with: I've had one since 1986.  I was off fizzy drinks for a while & had to lose ~18 kg, but eventually things stabilized.  I can't tolerate aspirin or NSAIDs any more but otherwise it's not a problem.  My doc says that surgery is a 50-50 proposition so not worth the pother.  I certainly hasn't bothered me for cycling.

I hope the doc says something encouraging.  Good luck!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 November, 2019, 06:17:41 pm
Thanks for that t42, I am trying to avoid ibuprofen as much as I can but it's finding the balance between pain relief and and acid. I may seek dietary advice from doctors and see what other options are available.. Things are complicated by needing to avoid constipation as when I am I rarely get acid but run the risk of water retention  ::-), that's life!!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 November, 2019, 03:36:20 pm
There's new generation NSAIDs like celecoxib I'd hope the GP considers trying. You can still use proton pump inhibitors if you still need em (I seem to need it).  Hopefully the GP will be able to help you juggle stuff.

My gran had a hiatus hernia and had to avoid acidic food, especially tomatoes and onions. I think she eventually had hers operated on with success.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 25 November, 2019, 04:04:01 pm
The only painkiller I use is paracetamol, although I can use ketoprofen gel for tendinitis and other small hurts.  I've been on PPIs since 2007, which pisses off cardiologist because they interfere with the clopidogrel I'm on because of my stents and I can't take his beloved baby aspirin.

The whammy is - wait for it - that I read recently that long-term use of PPIs increases acid production in the gut - exactly what they're supposed to inhibit.

Tilting up the head of the bed helps a bit - I just stuck pillows under the top end of the mattress - but burial-at-sea syndrome somewhat cancels it out.

Heigh ho, let's all keep smiling.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 November, 2019, 05:29:20 pm
Yeah long term use of PPIs also has implications for absorption of various vitamins, B complexes certainly and maybe D as well.

I haven't ever taken PPIs regularly cos I couldn't take the NSAIDs regularly either. My GP was very good and said if on the celecoxib, new generation meds I needed regular PPIs she'd do me a 15mg lower dose prescription of them.  I have a month or two's 30mg supplies to use up and once my dose is stable, experiment with alternate days of them...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 November, 2019, 07:44:34 pm
I have a pile of old clothes underneath my mattress (saves ironing) which helps  :).
Thanks for the heads up barakta  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 November, 2019, 10:08:56 am
On a lighter note, in the early 90s my singing voice went to hell. At around that time MrsT's parents moved in with us, and I attributed my flagging desire to sing to the presence of my mother-in-law.  It wasn't until she was long dead that I realized the acid reflux had done for it.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 02 December, 2019, 07:25:30 pm
I have shingles.

The rash appeared yesterday. This morning I filled in a questionnaire on the local health centre's website and attached photos. This evening I was summoned to the surgery, diagnosis was confirmed and I was sent away with a prescription and a 4-page leaflet.

I'm very impressed with how slick the system proved to be.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 December, 2019, 09:05:39 pm
GWS and hope you get no post-herpetic pains!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 02 December, 2019, 09:42:58 pm
GN: I got to the pharmacy a minute before it closed.
BN: The woman who processed the prescription didn't consider it necessary to ask if I was over 60.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 03 December, 2019, 07:08:45 am
Hoping the recovery goes very well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 December, 2019, 11:02:19 am
Isn't that the one where dormant chicken pox viruses suddenly come galloping out of the woods crying "I'm baaaaaaaa-ack"?

Nasty - hope you get over it PDQ. 

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 04 December, 2019, 12:43:40 pm
Yes, that's the one. Most common in the over 50's and more likely the older you get. You can only get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you haven't had chickenpox, and only by direct contact with the rash. You can't get shingles from someone with shingles.

I knew nothing about shingles until monday evening. Now it would probably be my specialist subject.

I'm lucky in that my rash is on the left half of my chest and isn't very painful, just uncomfortable if I try to lie on that side, or if I turn round and my clothing brushes against the rash. Face or groin would be worse apparently. Best of all it doesn't itch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 December, 2019, 06:15:59 pm
Ugh! GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 05 December, 2019, 08:39:01 pm
Given that the original Chickenpox I had aged 30 almost put me hospital, and is likely implicated in some of the lung issues I have now, I'm dreading any viral reactivation.

Here's hoping yours burns itself out trivially, Salvatore.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 December, 2019, 08:27:03 pm
So I've been prescribed Rifaximin as my current 'symptoms' have been been going on for two years now.

I know some antibiotics really really (really) disagree with alcohol so had originally planned to start the course after Christmas. What's a couple more weeks of the usual nonsense after all?

However the wee leaflet doesn't mention alcohol at all. Does this mean that I'm safe to have a few beers over the coming weeks and start the antibiotic course sooner?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2019, 08:51:06 pm
I was not familiar with this medication so I looked it up.
As it is not absorbed and its action seems mostly confined to the bowel, I can't imagine it would cause a problem with alcohol, which is very well-absorbed high in the gastro-intestinal system and is metabolised by the liver.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 December, 2019, 08:53:56 pm
Super, cheers Helly.

That's what I thought, my googling only found sites that say some medications don't react well with alcohol but nothing specific to Rifaximin.

But thought I'd ask here as well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2019, 09:08:35 pm
I googled rifaximin, got Wikipedia, read that (with the background knowledge I had already) and reported back...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 December, 2019, 09:59:27 pm
Any UK pharmacist can also give advice about medicines for this kind of query. It's massively under used and under known about.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2019, 09:32:13 am
Any UK pharmacist can also give advice about medicines for this kind of query. It's massively under used and under known about.
Trouble is when you ask the prescribing doctor and the pharmacist, and they give conflicting advice...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 December, 2019, 10:49:34 am
Any UK pharmacist can also give advice about medicines for this kind of query. It's massively under used and under known about.
Trouble is when you ask the prescribing doctor and the pharmacist, and they give conflicting advice...

In that case you do whatever you like.  But knowing my GP you'd get "you'd be better off without the alcohol anyway", so his reply would be suspect anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2019, 01:20:19 pm
Any UK pharmacist can also give advice about medicines for this kind of query. It's massively under used and under known about.
Trouble is when you ask the prescribing doctor and the pharmacist, and they give conflicting advice...

In that case you do whatever you like.  But knowing my GP you'd get "you'd be better off without the alcohol anyway", so his reply would be suspect anyway.

Doctors tend to know what they're talking about on this one, on account of being functional alcoholics.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 December, 2019, 01:34:21 pm
Any UK pharmacist can also give advice about medicines for this kind of query. It's massively under used and under known about.
Trouble is when you ask the prescribing doctor and the pharmacist, and they give conflicting advice...

In that case you do whatever you like.  But knowing my GP you'd get "you'd be better off without the alcohol anyway", so his reply would be suspect anyway.

Doctors tend to know what they're talking about on this one, on account of being functional alcoholics.

The Inlaw Paw, a medical gent himself, was a great one for saying "if you drink less than your doctor..." as he poured the brandy.  Drinking less than my GP that would involve negative mass.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2019, 01:53:17 pm
Doesn't have to be alcohol though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 December, 2019, 08:25:58 am
I messed up my right index finger a bit, back at the start of Nov. It didn't get better. Very sore at the knuckle, when carrying a cup of coffee, pinching, extending up or typing. Thought it might be a bit of arthritis. Bit of a lump out of the side, towards the thumb. Lump is visible.

6 weeks on, it is getting worse. So I see the physio at work.

Not arthritis, joint space too well preserved. Either fracture of metacarpal that hasn't healed or torn transverse metacarpal ligament that isn't healing. Referral to hand surgeon/specialist.
Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 January, 2020, 10:59:27 am
Off to see the Dr this morning (for the second time, since the other dr didn't bother turning up, my 9:10am appointment was rescheduled for 11:30) for ongoing bowel crampy issues. Hopefully it won't be a repeat of last July, and ending up getting admitted for emergency bowel surgery to fix a twisted bowel...  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 January, 2020, 12:23:14 pm
Off to see the Dr this morning (for the second time, since the other dr didn't bother turning up, my 9:10am appointment was rescheduled for 11:30) for ongoing bowel crampy issues. Hopefully it won't be a repeat of last July, and ending up getting admitted for emergency bowel surgery to fix a twisted bowel...  ???

Now been referred to see the surgeon at acute admissions at Victoria Hospital.... 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 January, 2020, 12:51:32 pm
Off to see the Dr this morning (for the second time, since the other dr didn't bother turning up, my 9:10am appointment was rescheduled for 11:30) for ongoing bowel crampy issues. Hopefully it won't be a repeat of last July, and ending up getting admitted for emergency bowel surgery to fix a twisted bowel...  ???

Now been referred to see the surgeon at acute admissions at Victoria Hospital....

 :-[ :-[
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 January, 2020, 03:19:08 pm
Good luck, Brian.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 January, 2020, 05:59:01 pm
Sorry to hear this Brian, hope the hospital can find out what's wrong and get you fixed up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 10 January, 2020, 12:48:42 pm
Thanks everyone. X-Ray yesterday afternoon and kept in overnight. No follow up CT scan required this morning so discharged with a shrug from the surgeon, here's low residue diet to follow...  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 January, 2020, 01:12:45 pm
Coincidence: my daughter's partner was just in hospital with severe colitis. He's on antibiotics & low-residue now, with a scan to follow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 January, 2020, 04:57:40 pm
Hope low residue diet sorts things out, bowels are tricky beasts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 10 January, 2020, 08:16:02 pm
Hope low residue diet sorts things out, bowels are tricky beasts.

Hopefully, barakta.  Doesn't look a particularly thrilling diet though :-/  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 January, 2020, 08:21:04 pm
Get well soon
Don't die of BOREDOM!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 11 January, 2020, 11:01:59 am
Get well soon
Don't die of BOREDOM!

Thanks Helly! Although according to the consultant, I'll need to be on this diet for ever and ever!  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 January, 2020, 03:33:18 pm
I doubt your low-residue diet will be as strict or unbalanced as my pre-colonoscopy low-res work-up.

I think only very white food was allowed.

I hope you can fabricate interesting and nutritious dishes within your limits!

GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 14 January, 2020, 04:42:01 pm
Thanks Hellymedic.

I think I may see about getting a referral to the NHS nutritionist though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 January, 2020, 11:16:01 pm
Sounds wise...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 January, 2020, 11:01:26 am
My bum ankle was at it again yesterday.  I did around 20k pain-free, followed by ~45k where it hurt to varying degrees from mild to breath-stopping on virtually every pedal-stroke, and for the last 20-odd I had no pain at all. This continued into the evening, then I had one dart as I was climbing the stairs.

I say 'ankle' because I've had cartilage problems and hyaluronic acid injections in the joint before, but the pain currently seems to come from deep within the foot, and is of such short duration that it's over before I can really localize it.

It's a real pest. I have plans for this year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 15 January, 2020, 11:39:56 am
That's an odd place to have an ankle.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 January, 2020, 01:17:46 pm
But a salutary place to receive a well-merited boot
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 21 January, 2020, 09:31:57 am
Tuesday is my rest day, and therefore my worst day for steps. Since I'm working from home and I'm not playing 5-a-side all I really get is a 20 minute round trip walk to collect my daughter from school. I've done as few as 4000 steps on a Tuesday before (every other day averages ~13k or so).

In order to rectify this I'll be off later to take some stuff to the local recycling centre whilst I have an hour long work conference call (one of those ones where you say "Hello, it's X" and then 59 minutes later "Thanks, bye").
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 January, 2020, 09:39:32 am
Steps is an anagram of pests. I had one of those asinine watches until I got sick of the fatuous congrats and put it back in the box.

Word to the wise: once you get fed up with it, sell the bloody thing on PDQ, 'cos if you just put it aside for too long the battery will autofuck and it'll become unsellable. DAHIKT.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 21 January, 2020, 09:46:15 am
Steps is an anagram of pests. I had one of those asinine watches until I got sick of the fatuous congrats and put it back in the box.

I've got a Garmin 935 which I use to track my swimming, running and cycling. Keeping track of steps is a bonus and I find it useful to help point out the days when I am too sedentary.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 21 January, 2020, 09:49:39 am
Tuesday is my rest day, and therefore my worst day for steps.

Sorry, you deserve this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NO-h9PFum4), then
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 January, 2020, 02:41:41 pm
Barakta makes good use of one of those to limit her daily steps to what her hips will tolerate.  Mostly.  Some contrivance required to stop it pestering her with goals and such[1].

Its main use is vibrating to tell her about stuff she otherwise wouldn't hear.  Because Women's Clothes Don't Have Pockets (And Even If They Did A Modern Phone Wouldn't Fit Properly).   An afterthought by the designers that knocks disability-specific technology into a hat.


[1] The best approach seems to be to set a goal that's an order of magnitude bigger than you're likely to normally achieve.  That way it mostly leaves you alone, while quietly despairing about your lethargy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2020, 04:48:56 pm
Tuesday is my rest day, and therefore my worst day for steps.

Sorry, you deserve this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NO-h9PFum4), then
I was thinking this. (https://youtu.be/R8AOAap6_k4)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 January, 2020, 08:17:03 pm
Physio wants me to have hydrotherapy... I've never had that before.

They seemed to think booking a BSL/English interpreter (cos hearing aids and humid hydro pools don't mix) would be straight forward. How much do I trust a terp will turn up? I'm screwed if they don't, as in can't access the session but it's a common issue my BSL using friends have a lot.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 21 January, 2020, 10:30:50 pm
No experience of such things but it would seem sensible to ask them for a familiarisation session to introduce yourself & your requirements and for them to explain & demonstrate as many of the exercises as they can in a dry environment before you get into the pool. Pools are loud, splashy, echoey places so ask for this to be done somewhere quiet.  If they are in the pool with you then it might be a case of being shown something & being asked to repeat it within _your_ limits.  The might want to touch you to position you in the correct way or correct your form,  best to discuss this beforehand as well.   Would Kim be able to accompany you for help & reassurance ?


Suggest using yourself as a reason to get some training videos made showing & explaining the exercises with subtitles ?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 January, 2020, 11:02:56 pm
I've got them to book a BSL interpreter so I won't have any issue with the noise in the pool cos I won't hear any of it. I'd like familiarisation but it doesn't seem to be offered and as it's a class as part of a set I think that's included in the first session...

I may look online to see what there is too and I have someone on twitter with experience of BSL terps and hydrotherapy going to tell me how she wrangled it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 21 January, 2020, 11:12:11 pm
A search for Hydrotherapy exercises pdf brings up a lot of stuff.


https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/physiotherapy/hydrotherapy-for-lower-limb.pdf


https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/physiotherapy/hydrotherapy-for-your-back.pdf


https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/physiotherapy/hydrotherapy-for-shoulder.pdf


https://www.poole.nhs.uk/pdf/Hip%20exercises%20part%202.pdf



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 January, 2020, 08:50:29 am
Usually in the mornings my son goes off to school just after 8, meets his friends at a certain spot and walks in with them. Today, he did this as he has every morning for the last four years or so but five minutes after he'd left, I heard the front door open and the distinctive voice of one of his friends. I went to see what was happening and there they all were, all four or five of them, with this one friend (whose voice I'd heard) looking only semiconscious and as white as the walls. Turned out he'd actually passed out twice at their meeting place. I was thinking to take him to hospital, only about five minutes away, but wasn't sure if he'd make it. His mum's just picked him up and apparently it's something that's been happening for a year or so but this is the first time he's actually passed out. He said he'd been running up the hill so might be a blood pressure thing. Odd though.  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 January, 2020, 10:31:55 am
Could also be diabetes, although its manifestations would have been noticed pretty quickly by his parents.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 27 January, 2020, 01:48:41 pm
Speaking as an inveterate passer-out-er, is he sure he's not pregnant?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 27 January, 2020, 02:00:59 pm
apparently it's something that's been happening for a year or so but this is the first time he's actually passed out.

You are probably aware, but that needs investigation to rule out cardiac arrhythmia as a cause. GP should be able to organise, or see:

https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/screening/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 January, 2020, 02:13:34 pm
Speaking as an inveterate passer-out-er, is he sure he's not pregnant?
:D Should I suggest this possibility to his parents?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2020, 02:15:06 pm
Like Sgt Pluck, I suspect a cardiac arrhythmia and feel this need urgent and thorough investigation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 January, 2020, 02:21:09 pm
Like Sgt Pluck, I suspect a cardiac arrhythmia and feel this need urgent and thorough investigation.
Hmm, not my child so not sure how to suggest that without scaring his parents. But his mum told me the GP said he's "just prone to fainting" but is doing bloods next week. Hopefully they'll pick anything up if it's there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 27 January, 2020, 02:57:42 pm
My GP also said I was probably just prone to fainting, but sent me for further investigations, just in case. Which is even more necessary if you're a teenager than it is if you're a woman in her 30s. On the plus side, one of the recommendations was to eat more crisps, so it could be a win for him
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2020, 03:10:10 pm
Like Sgt Pluck, I suspect a cardiac arrhythmia and feel this need urgent and thorough investigation.
Hmm, not my child so not sure how to suggest that without scaring his parents. But his mum told me the GP said he's "just prone to fainting" but is doing bloods next week. Hopefully they'll pick anything up if it's there.

Blood tests won't show trouble with the heart rhythm.

Fainting in the heat when you're standing still is one thing. Lads meeting their mates in winter is another. I would not want to alarm anyone but I do think this needs proper investigation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 January, 2020, 03:10:59 pm
Speaking as an inveterate passer-out-er, is he sure he's not pregnant?
My GP also said I was probably just prone to fainting, but sent me for further investigations, just in case. Which is even more necessary if you're a teenager than it is if you're a woman in her 30s. On the plus side, one of the recommendations was to eat more crisps, so it could be a win for him
So you were told to eat more crisps because you were pregnant?  :o :)

"Just prone to fainting" sounds like code for "I don't know".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2020, 03:23:04 pm
Fainting is more commonplace in pregnancy as blood vessels dilate and blood may pool in the lower limbs.

I somewhat doubt the likelihood of pregnancy in a teenage lad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 January, 2020, 03:37:46 pm
This reminds me of football players having sudden heart attacks on the field.  Worth agitating for an ECG.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6327574/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 27 January, 2020, 04:38:00 pm
Passing out when you're mid-life onward and you stand up too quick is one thing; passing out when you're a teenager is likely something else entirely. I'd be getting that teen to the GP if he/she were my responsibility.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 January, 2020, 04:54:55 pm
He's not my responsibility but we would all be quite upset if anything nasty happened to him. I'll have a word with his mum (his dad's currently in North Africa, writing a book – it's what he does – which isn't the handiest place to be when a thing like this happens).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 27 January, 2020, 05:51:04 pm
Passing out when you're mid-life onward and you stand up too quick is one thing;

What causes this passing out from mid life onwards?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 27 January, 2020, 05:57:01 pm
Passing out when you're mid-life onward and you stand up too quick is one thing;

What causes this passing out from mid life onwards?

Postural Hypotension, usually. I added the mid-life part because I never noticed it until I was beyond 30s/40s.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 27 January, 2020, 05:58:11 pm
Random google:-

Quote
Age. Orthostatic hypotension is common in those who are age 65 and older. Special cells (baroreceptors) near your heart and neck arteries that regulate blood pressure can slow as you age. It also may be harder for an aging heart to beat faster and compensate for drops in blood pressure.

From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/orthostatic-hypotension/symptoms-causes/syc-20352548

The latter point makes it more common in fitter people as the time between heartbeats is longer, so there's more of a delay for the heart to pump blood back up towards the brain when you stand up quickly.

(Obviously it doesn't just kick in at 65, it'll be more prevalent the older you get.)

I haven't had it for years as I haven't been fit enough but I know I have to watch out for it once my resting heart rate approaches 40bpm.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 27 January, 2020, 07:16:03 pm
Like Sgt Pluck, I suspect a cardiac arrhythmia and feel this need urgent and thorough investigation.
Hmm, not my child so not sure how to suggest that without scaring his parents.

There are benign causes, and the likelihood is that it’s one of those.

But there is no way around the need to exclude a cardiac cause. Needs an ECG to be seen by a cardiologist and maybe an echo (ultrasound) of the heart. Both quick and painless.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 27 January, 2020, 07:57:14 pm
But there is no way around the need to exclude a cardiac cause. Needs an ECG to be seen by a cardiologist and maybe an echo (ultrasound) of the heart. Both quick and painless.

Yep, I had a scan thanks to CRY (https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/screening/) back when I was young enough to qualify as "young".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 27 January, 2020, 09:25:55 pm
Most of my frequent syncope is postural hypotension and my RHR only has to be less than about 55 for it to kick in. Sub 50 & it gets even more regular. I'll take any other excuse as well mind - pregnancy, shock, pain, nausea...

I've been fainting since I was a child, I think I just got in the habit of it :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 28 January, 2020, 12:42:38 pm
Interesting. 

Yeah my resting heart rate is around 48 at the moment. It gets a bit lower as I get fitter further into the year. I occassionally feel a bit light headed if I've been reclined on the sofa and get up quickly to go upstairs.  I had an ECG as part of my well 40's GP session in late 2014 which didn't reveal anything untoward. I have a home blood pressure monitor and that's shows it as 114 / 74 this week.

My father died of a heart attack (younger than I am now) so heart stuff interests me. But that was coronary thrombosis with smoking being a major factor (he was smoking 40 a day), rather than electrical faults.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 January, 2020, 05:47:14 pm
Like Sgt Pluck, I suspect a cardiac arrhythmia and feel this need urgent and thorough investigation.
Hmm, not my child so not sure how to suggest that without scaring his parents.

There are benign causes, and the likelihood is that it’s one of those.

But there is no way around the need to exclude a cardiac cause. Needs an ECG to be seen by a cardiologist and maybe an echo (ultrasound) of the heart. Both quick and painless.
Apparently they're suspecting diabetes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil W on 28 January, 2020, 06:08:29 pm
From what I’ve read. Early onset type 2 diabetes is rising massively in the younger generations.  It’s one of the reasons that life expectancy is dropping for the first time in years.  The younger generation is the first generation in a long time likely to live less years than their parents.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 January, 2020, 11:32:16 pm
https://www.facebook.com/cancercouncilaustralia/videos/185114115923809/

Feeling rather proud of someone in that video...  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 01 February, 2020, 07:03:42 am
Get well soon
Don't die of BOREDOM!

Boredom hits after just a couple of weeks on this low residue diet..

What I'd give for a nice bowl of Scott's Porridge Oats (not allowed) , brown bread toast, and a nice crispy skinned baked potato.😑
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2020, 11:36:50 am
You have my sympathy...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 February, 2020, 04:53:04 pm
And mine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 02 February, 2020, 12:17:40 am
I had a nerve block on my shoulder (supra-scapular) on 14th Dec, kicked in on 15th, was like MAGIC! I could lie on my left side, sleep better and 50-75% of my shoulder/back/neck pain including some of the right sided stuff went away.

It lasted a whole 3 weeks :(.  (which is waaay shorter than they said it would)

Getting into pain management without clashing with work (I lose pay if I don't get to office 2 hours away or other appointments) is proving challenging. I fear it'll be mid-March before I get to talk to anyone.

Pain consultant didn't want me on higher doses of celecoxib (the ones that had any effect, the lower dose was useless).

I'm really struggling, severe pain between 2-4 days a week where I can't sleep and large amounts of codeine wreck my ability to function/work. Diazepam helps a bit but I've rightly got very limited amounts.

If the final pain mgt appt is more than 6 weeks away I'm going back to my GP for ideas cos this is stupid. Also worried pain management won't do radio ablation if it didn't last long enough... Annoying, cos I never expected it to work at all, but to work for tiny periods of time then revert again is almost worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 February, 2020, 01:31:06 pm
Oh dear!

I really hope you get some sensible input ASAP!

It's folk like you who make me realise how lucky I am to be pain-free.

Thinking of you...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2020, 11:37:02 am
Called El Prez to set up a ride for this afternoon: "Nah - streaming cold, sore throat, I need antibiotics."  He has an old-fashioned doc who'll probably give him them, too, just in case it's bacterial.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 February, 2020, 07:38:31 pm
They were advertising for a Locum Consultant Neurologist in Harrow at the top of my Freegle mail this evening.
I'm not qualified to do this in any way but it's local but I thought I'd clicky on the linky out of idle curiosity.

No such post appeared listed when I did.

Freegle seems to be an unusual place to advertise for a neurologist...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2020, 09:44:26 pm
Freegle seems to be an unusual place to advertise for a neurologist...

I blame brexit.  Or software.  Ultimately, they're both a collection of bad decisions that remains inexplicably popular.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 08 February, 2020, 07:30:06 pm
Trivial really, but I'm suffering with some sort of viral lurgi whose main effect is severe lethargy, although it started out as muscle & joint aches, and I'm developing a bit of a cough. The worst bit is that the persistent earache I've had for months is now really uncomfortable, but not to worry I'm seeing the ENT people in...... April.
As the lady said 'I will survive'.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 08 February, 2020, 09:24:30 pm
Sounds like what I've had for the last 4 weeks.   The cough & sore throat have almost gone, but a few kms of walking today left me needing a 3 hour lie down.   I'm sleeping about 9-10 hours a night as well, which is a lot for me. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 February, 2020, 08:30:07 am
Yesterday, El Prez mentioned that while he was reading the paper he suddenly found himself not knowing where he was or what he was doing, and he was "incapable of reading two letters". Then the spell passed and he felt OK.

Sounds to me like a transient ischaemic attack.  I told him he should talk to the doc about it, but he said he had done last time it happened(!) and the doc just said "wait and see what happens".  His doc is the same old (or young, I don't know) fogey who gives antibiotics on demand.  El Prez went on to say that he'd had lots of such spells for years.

So does the panel reckon he's heading for a fully-fledged stroke, or is there a less dramatic explanation?  I'd very much like to point his nose in the right direction and give him a boot up the arse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 09 February, 2020, 08:30:30 am
I seem to have the lurgy too. I’ve had about 3 weeks of cough, that was almost better. Friday night I was feeling not right, and went to bed early. Which then led to over 24 hours of hot and cold, no appetite, coughing again. Perfectly timed to coincide with Miss Dan the Elder’s birthday. I feel a bit better today, but not full of get up and go.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 10 February, 2020, 10:43:46 am
Yesterday, El Prez mentioned that while he was reading the paper he suddenly found himself not knowing where he was or what he was doing, and he was "incapable of reading two letters". Then the spell passed and he felt OK.

Sounds to me like a transient ischaemic attack.  I told him he should talk to the doc about it, but he said he had done last time it happened(!) and the doc just said "wait and see what happens".  His doc is the same old (or young, I don't know) fogey who gives antibiotics on demand.  El Prez went on to say that he'd had lots of such spells for years.

So does the panel reckon he's heading for a fully-fledged stroke, or is there a less dramatic explanation?  I'd very much like to point his nose in the right direction and give him a boot up the arse.

Petit Mal Epilepsy?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 February, 2020, 12:59:25 pm
I had similar symptoms with migraines.

Amateur internet doctors shouldn't diagnose patients. Get a professional in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 February, 2020, 01:50:51 pm
Agree re internet diagnosis but the guy's doctor is not awe-inspiring.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: bludger on 10 February, 2020, 02:16:55 pm
I am FINALLY going to the sports centre down the road from my newish work to sign up and start training for sport properly.

I will be lifting weights 3x weekly and doing some proper cardio fitness work - either on a wattbike (hopefully they'll have ones with SPDs and bluetooth connectivity) or my old friend the Concept 2 rowing machine.

Exciting!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 11 February, 2020, 09:18:14 pm
https://twitter.com/drinksmcgee/status/1222702269671575552?s=20     :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: bludger on 13 February, 2020, 04:10:33 pm
Interestingly (for me if no one else), I'm starting to get pins and needles in my bum and legs a lot more than last week. I wonder if this is related to the recovery I'm needing after my sessions. So far I've done two weights sessions and two rowing sessions, I recall I used to get P and N a lot when rowing more full-on. At college I was often having to take a few minutes at the end of lectures to hobble my way out of the theatre since my legs had been tucked under some ghastly furniture.

I'm only getting them when sat down with my legs under a desk really. Moving about for a bit gets rid of it. Hm.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 29 February, 2020, 08:50:47 pm
 I had my regular six monthly ultrasound scan earlier.  The polyps they found in my gall bladder a couple of years ago (after some mild abdominal pain)  haven't changed since then, so they see no need to carry on with the scans.  And my liver is still intact 👍🏻
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 03 March, 2020, 06:42:16 am
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 March, 2020, 12:50:11 pm
Had a pain under right lower ribs when breathing hard for about a week and a half - assumed it was a stitch (bit surprising, since it was kicking in when I was just doing moderate exercise).

Yesterday it was much worse, 'moderately bad' on the scale where kidney stone is at the top end (the sort of kidney stone pain that makes you vomit in sheer agony). Very weak, nauseous, upset stomach. It was tender to manipulation. I was feverish as well.

OK this morning, although I'm still weak and shaky.

Would have put yesterday down to mild food poisoning, apart from the pain under ribs. Now I'm wondering about gallstones. Symptoms disappearing along with pain fits (just as with kidney stones).

Think I'd better check in with the doc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 March, 2020, 01:37:54 pm
Hope your pain settles soon!
I'm thinking gallstones too but there are other causes of pain in that region that should be checked out, so you're right to see a doctor.

Get well soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: bludger on 05 March, 2020, 01:46:02 pm
Honestly if it's getting worse I would go to A and E. That's exactly what the service is there for, you don't know what might be on the line.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 10 March, 2020, 06:11:29 pm
Sounds like what I've had for the last 4 weeks.   The cough & sore throat have almost gone, but a few kms of walking today left me needing a 3 hour lie down.   I'm sleeping about 9-10 hours a night as well, which is a lot for me.


Well I'm now in my 2nd week back at work (from home).   Walking a few miles doesn't tire me out & I'm not needing excessive amounts of sleep. 


However I've still got an almost permanent sore throat & post nasal drip so something is still bugging me.    Talking to a colleague from a different office earlier & she's had something very similar as well. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 March, 2020, 10:10:18 pm
I came over faint on the train home. Which isn't normal for me. I'm hoping it is some combination of dodgy beer and chips and being half way through catching up on the corona virus thread.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 10 March, 2020, 10:55:13 pm
Hope you feel better in the morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 11 March, 2020, 08:58:01 am
Hope you feel better in the morning.

Thanks. I am feeling much better, though a bit off.
I hope your recovery picks up it's pace.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 March, 2020, 09:02:59 am
So, yesterday I woke up (late, very late), with a cough, constricted chest, headache and incredible exhaustion.

"O oh, we know what this is." thinks the household. So I sit in splendid (exhausted) isolation all day. By evening, chest ok, no cough. Still tired. Very very tired though. Feel the cold easily.

Can't think I could have thrown off the dreaded bug so quickly (he says, yawning hugely).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 March, 2020, 09:06:10 am
Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 March, 2020, 09:18:04 am
The hand I staved when I came off two weeks back is inexplicably sore this morning.  It was fine last night when I turned the key in the front door. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 30 March, 2020, 10:17:14 am
Time to restart the 100 pushup programme.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 01 April, 2020, 07:38:44 am
Time to restart the 100 pushup programme.

Yeah. Did 10 yesterday and nearly died.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 09 April, 2020, 08:55:25 pm
I have just spoken to Jonathan notp and he is in hospital with suspected covid 19
H was difficult to understand. I spoke to his wife katherine who said that although he is seriously ill he is  currently stable. His ms has been getting worse this year and he is often quite  confused 
Not looking good I'm afraid  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 09 April, 2020, 09:03:39 pm
Time to restart the 100 pushup programme.

Yeah. Did 10 yesterday and nearly died.

Surprising how quickly it builds up.

Initial test 7. Today (W2D1 col 2) was 9,11,8,8,11+ (and managed 12 in that last set), usually 60s-90s rest between the sets (it depends on my daughter as she's doing column 3 although they're very dubious pushups.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 April, 2020, 09:35:30 pm
I have just spoken to Jonathan notp and he is in hospital with suspected covid 19
H was difficult to understand. I spoke to his wife katherine who said that although he is seriously ill he is  currently stable. His ms has been getting worse this year and he is often quite  confused 
Not looking good I'm afraid  :(

Sorry to hear this; keeping fingers crossed for him and hoping he pulls through it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 09 April, 2020, 09:48:39 pm
I have just spoken to Jonathan notp and he is in hospital with suspected covid 19
H was difficult to understand. I spoke to his wife katherine who said that although he is seriously ill he is  currently stable. His ms has been getting worse this year and he is often quite  confused 
Not looking good I'm afraid  :(

Sorry to hear this; keeping fingers crossed for him and hoping he pulls through it.


Shit.  Fingers crossed.  Take care of yourself Chris.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2020, 11:40:54 pm
Oh no :(

Thinking of you all...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 April, 2020, 08:16:51 am
I will keep you all informed of his progress .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 April, 2020, 06:54:43 pm
The good news is that Jonathan has not got covid 19 but he still is in hospital with breathing problems. Obviously a virus but hopefully less serious. I will keep you updated on his progress   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 April, 2020, 07:15:45 pm
Not being Covid-19 is good, fingers crossed he can stay free of it, and that he can kick whatever virus/illness he has got.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 April, 2020, 09:40:55 am
Bloody hell. When I had my minor crash a month ago I thought I got off lightly with torn fingernails and a skinned knee, but an hour on the turbo yesterday left me with my left hand and left elbow complaining bitterly, and this morning my left knee doesn't much like taking weight. Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 April, 2020, 07:36:21 pm
I need to email my GP and say buprenorphine patches don't seem to be doing a lot. Today battering everything with what I have cos shoulder pain is affecting my ribs and hurting when I inhale. I suspect pain management is now suspended so if GP isn't happy to try either a higher dose or something else, I'm probably stuck for 6 (more) months. And if the hospital hadn't fucked around with my nerve blocks and hip treatments I'd not be in this situation as I'd have been able to access Plan B or a deeper nerve block before lock down - it's hard not to be fucking cross about that and the age-criticality of my hip treatment now also down the drain for months. I may lose out on permanent mobility because of this and hospital admin incompetence.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 April, 2020, 08:07:55 pm
If I said "I feel your pain" it would be a lie as well as a cliche – it's pretty difficult to imagine what having a Barakta body feels like – but your anger and frustration is both apparent and justified.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 April, 2020, 08:17:24 pm
Thank you, I appreciate that. I think just being able to moan a little bit somewhere without blaming anyone really helps.

And just cos I know folk are worse off doesn't make my shit any less.

Am now trying the medicative effects of ALCOHOL which may actually work better than my prescription drugs  ;D.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 April, 2020, 08:24:52 pm
I raise my pint of Bath Gem in your virtual direction. (I'm actually drinking peppermint tea but hey, next time!)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 15 April, 2020, 08:37:29 pm
This does indeed sound sub-optimal.  I hope you can find some effective pain manglement quickly,  and without resorting to local dealers!


What alcofrol are you drinking? I seem to recall a preference for single malt  :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 April, 2020, 10:29:00 pm
Peppermint tea makes a good cheers tool. I am back on the regular tea now.

Alcohol of choice is Southern Comfort. I don't drink it much, but I do quite like it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 15 April, 2020, 10:35:13 pm
I had a spell of drinking single estate dark rum last year.  Sweetish, very smooth & dangerously drinkable !   M&S had a decent selection.  Spanish brandy is nice as well. 


Quite a few of my friends have said they are drinking far more than usual during the lockdown.   Something to watch out for. 



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 April, 2020, 11:33:13 pm
I haven't drank rum or brandy in ages. Because I mostly only like spirits and can't always drink (meds/dizziness depending) so don't tend to reliably have the chance as I don't want to get completely piss0red.

Thanks for the kind thoughts/warning about too much drinking, I too have seen a lot of folk doing that which is a little worrying. I also come from a family of people with alcohol issues so I'm very aware of "over drinking" on my own and other terms. Most of my drinking is 1-2 units at a time and it's rare I drink twice in a week - just by habit as much as anything else.

Also, Kim would kick my head in if I drank too much or behaved obnoxiously  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 15 April, 2020, 11:42:43 pm
I haven't drank rum or brandy in ages. Because I mostly only like spirits and can't always drink (meds/dizziness depending) so don't tend to reliably have the chance as I don't want to get completely piss0red.

Thanks for the kind thoughts/warning about too much drinking, I too have seen a lot of folk doing that which is a little worrying. I also come from a family of people with alcohol issues so I'm very aware of "over drinking" on my own and other terms. Most of my drinking is 1-2 units at a time and it's rare I drink twice in a week - just by habit as much as anything else.

Also, Kim would kick my head in if I drank too much or behaved obnoxiously  :-D


I can neither imagine an obnoxious Barakta or a Kim in head kicking mode (unless it was my head...)   :jurek:


Edit.  "Thanks for the kind thoughts/warning about too much drinking" I wasn't thinking of you when I said that !    My own parents, the husband of a friend, & myself are far more likely candidates for AA!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 16 April, 2020, 07:21:45 am
Wishing you all the best barakta .
Jonathan is still stable in frimley park hospital but there has been no improvement in his  condition.
And my back is playing up this morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 22 April, 2020, 07:07:03 pm
There is no change in Jonathan notp condition. He is still in frimley park and stable  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 April, 2020, 07:26:36 pm
Stable is better than deterioration; but hope he can start to improve soonest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 21 May, 2020, 05:58:04 pm
I had a small piece of knee removed this morning for biopsy purposes.

Because (a) I was a big boy and didn't cry (not the exact words she used) and (b) it would save me a trip to my local health centre, the consultant suggested I could remove the stitch myself, and gave me instructions.

(https://i.imgur.com/lyjTIo0m.jpg)

I don't think the 2000+ pedal revolutions on my way home did it any good (68" fixed) - the dressing was soaked in blood when I got home.

The local anaesthetic is now wearing off. Now where is that paracetemol?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2020, 06:01:40 pm
I don't think the 2000+ pedal revolutions on my way home did it any good (68" fixed) - the dressing was soaked in blood when I got home.
You might have been a big boy but that wasn't a very clever thing to do, was it?  ;)
(Hoping the biopsy result is good.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 21 May, 2020, 06:27:39 pm
I don't think the 2000+ pedal revolutions on my way home did it any good (68" fixed) - the dressing was soaked in blood when I got home.
You might have been a big boy but that wasn't a very clever thing to do, was it?  ;)
(Hoping the biopsy result is good.)

I asked if it would be OK to cycle home (admittedly without specifying gearing) and was told it wouldn't be a problem.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2020, 06:36:55 pm
"Will I be okay to cycle home? I'm on 68 inch fixed."
"Ooh, if you've got 68 gears you'll be fine, it's not like you're on one of those hipster bikes with only one gear, is it?"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 May, 2020, 08:18:42 pm
Wounds on extensor surfaces (outside of joints) always take longer to heal than those on flexor surfaces. Give your knee a fortnight and good luck with the biopsy!

Your knee will heal and the delay from cycling home will be minimal. If they didn't give you a stitch-cutting blade, you can get one for pennies from ebay. These are also brilliant for delabelling garments without doing other damage.

Hope all goes well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 22 May, 2020, 11:06:03 am
Wounds on extensor surfaces (outside of joints) always take longer to heal than those on flexor surfaces. Give your knee a fortnight and good luck with the biopsy!

Your knee will heal and the delay from cycling home will be minimal. If they didn't give you a stitch-cutting blade, you can get one for pennies from ebay. These are also brilliant for delabelling garments without doing other damage.

Hope all goes well!

Biopsy: the first medical professional I saw said it didn't look like  "anything to worry about" (medical code for cancer), then asked me if I spent much time outdoors and said she'd refer me to a dermatologist "just in case". The dermatologist inspected it closely but was hampered by my having banged it on a door frame, and there was some bruising or something, so referred me for a biopsy "just in case". So I won't be losing any sleep over it.

Stitch-cutting: the consultant suggested nail scissors, and I've got a sharp pointy pair lined up. *Thinks* she left the ends untrimmed (as in the photo) so I could test their sharpness by seeing how easy it is to snip a mm or so off the end.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 May, 2020, 12:08:42 pm
Did they tell you to apply vaseline every day?

I had an apple-core biopsy done on my face, stitched up. Vaseline keeps wound from crusting over, makes it easier to remove stitches.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 May, 2020, 12:12:03 pm
Doesn't everyone just remove their own simple stitches? Or have I spent too much time round medics and children of medics?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 May, 2020, 03:19:22 pm
You can use nail scissors but stitch cutters are shaped like curved hooks, with the sharp face on the concavity of the hook.

Personally, I find them excellent for removing threads from all manner of awkward places (and both D & I have damaged new clothing using scissors to de-label).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 23 May, 2020, 01:45:22 pm
Did they tell you to apply vaseline every day?

I had an apple-core biopsy done on my face, stitched up. Vaseline keeps wound from crusting over, makes it easier to remove stitches.
Yes. It's on the A4 Dermatology Wound Care Advice Sheet I was given, which also says I should arrange with the GP surgery for removal of stitches.

Doesn't everyone just remove their own simple stitches? Or have I spent too much time round medics and children of medics?

I don' t know what's normal. The only other time in my life I've had stitches they were in my mouth when I had dental implants. I certainly didn't remove those myself.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 26 May, 2020, 07:00:21 am
Back to the gym today. It's a crossfit style gym (but more adult) and they've divided it into 6 spaces with the needed equipment laid out (and cleaned).
But, holy crap, have I lost strength!.
Workout was simple and 'go easy' was emphasized. Strength part was a backsquat/pull-up (ring rows for me) combo. I ended up with 135lbs for the backsquat, which used to be my basic warm-up weight and I barely got through the sets!.
Quads are already seizing up and tomorrow will not be fun at all!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 28 May, 2020, 03:13:22 pm
Dentists aren't allowed to do anything at the moment apart from prescribe antibiotics or perform extractions.

DAHIKT

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 May, 2020, 04:49:36 pm
Ouch!
Had a text from my dentists yesterday, stating they'd reopen on 2 June but would 'prioritise emergencies'.

Hope your tooth trouble gets sorted ASAP!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 30 May, 2020, 10:18:04 am

(https://i.imgur.com/lyjTIo0m.jpg)


Stitch now removed using nail scissors. Much easier when I realised my leg should be straight not bent, to allow some slack.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 30 May, 2020, 12:34:13 pm
I developed a mild ache on the outside of my lower leg towards the end of yesterday's ride, and when I got home discovered that balancing on that foot was painful.  It looks like bruising from a mystery bash impinging on a peroneal something-or-other, but I've no memory of bashing it  ???

It's still quite swollen today, but the skin is turning a sufficiently interesting colour that I'm reasonably convinced it's trauma rather than yet more biomechanical fuckery.  The only thing I can think of was having to straighten the Garmin at one point during the ride, so maybe I bashed it while incompetently mounting/dismounting the bike and immediately forgot about doing it...

Bah!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 31 May, 2020, 04:05:59 am
So, after barely being able to walk for 4 days after the last gym session, I went back in today and felt a lot better. Losing 30lbs has made box jumps a lot easier too!. Moderately heavy deadlifts, but I don't think I abused my glutes/hamstrings too much.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 June, 2020, 10:41:12 am
Had a couple of cups of tea and an espresso at breakfast this morning.  A couple of hours later I ran up two flights of stairs and oh dear me, feels like angina.  OK, caffeine/theine is a vasoconstrictor but that little shouldn't have an effect like that, right?

Cardiologist ordered for September, seeing usual GP tomorrow.

Arse.

I do not want to start all that embuggerance again.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 June, 2020, 07:50:45 pm
I developed a mild ache on the outside of my lower leg towards the end of yesterday's ride, and when I got home discovered that balancing on that foot was painful.  It looks like bruising from a mystery bash impinging on a peroneal something-or-other, but I've no memory of bashing it  ???

Back from a 75km ride where it didn't seem to cause a problem.  There's still a bit of swelling and it's gone an interesting colour, but as long as I can pedal, it's all good.

I've got some sort of fettling-related knee bruise to keep it company.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 12 June, 2020, 06:47:25 pm
Well, that's me on 7 days self isolation, due to developing covid like symptoms yesterday. Drive through covid19 test carried out today at local army staffed test centre. Should get the results in a few days.   :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 June, 2020, 09:02:13 pm
Fingers crossed, Brian.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 June, 2020, 07:13:29 pm
Results came back as negative! So probably just a normal dose of man flu.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 June, 2020, 09:41:17 am
Results came back as negative! So probably just a normal dose of man flu.

Man dear, don't do yourself down: women's immune systems are about twice as effective as men's.  No need to perpetuate the sneer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 June, 2020, 09:45:06 am
Anyway, planning to get out on the bike early today and beat the thunderstorms I got up an hour earlier than usual, caught the diabetic roller-coaster at the wrong bit of the cycle and now, despite food, feel like shit warmed up on a shovel.  Arse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 18 June, 2020, 05:06:48 pm
I had a small piece of knee removed this morning for biopsy purposes.
And this morning I had a letter saying "no evidence of skin cancer, which is good news*" which is what I was expecting,

*just in case I was in any doubt as to whether cancer is a good or bad thing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 June, 2020, 05:30:19 pm
I had a small piece of knee removed this morning for biopsy purposes.
And this morning I had a letter saying "no evidence of skin cancer, which is good news*" which is what I was expecting,

*just in case I was in any doubt as to whether cancer is a good or bad thing.

Pleased to see this!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 29 June, 2020, 11:27:18 pm
Well, this weird trapped nerve thing in my neck / shoulder causing a numb right thumb seems to be taking an "interesting" turn. My right hand is getting weaker, and seems to be more like a claw at rest...

Not ideal, it being my dominant hand... And a few pizza hut d2ds may have gotten squished trying to get my hand to work properly to post them through letterboxes.  ???  :-\

Whatever next... Perhaps I'll get my MRI scan of neck before the end of the year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 29 June, 2020, 11:35:36 pm
Er ...shit?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 30 June, 2020, 09:39:21 am
Er ...shit?

Indeed. Looks like the rest of 2020 is going to be a washout healthwise :-/ At least I seem to have fully recovered from last years twisted bowel though, so that's something.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 July, 2020, 03:51:03 pm
This saga needs documenting, as it looks like it could run and run:

Barakta has a suspected UTI.  It hasn't cleared up with >36 hours of copious drinking.  Her syndrome means she needs to take kidney things seriously.

As TextRelay (or AAA Breakdown Cover or whatever they've re-branded TypeTalk as this month) is overwhelmed with 111 calls, she emailed her GP practice, cunningly using the address they actually monitor, rather than the one they append to all outgoing SMSes.  She explained that she's deaf and lip-reads, so masks would be a problem if they want her to come in.

They replied suggesting that this could be worked around by giving her a telephone consultation.  So far so normal.

She asked if they were doing sign video consultations, because they'd recently bragged about it in one of their many SMS updates.  They said yes, but no technical details were forthcoming.

But that's okay, because in the interim someone had decided that all she needed to do was bring a urine sample.  She fetched a jam-jar from her collection, and took it round to their back door.  The intercom on the gate wasn't actually a problem, because they've been just buzzing everyone in without asking since the week after it was installed.  Someone without a mask collected the sample, asked her if she was well ("no, that's why I'm providing a urine sample") - it turns out they meant COVID-19 symptoms - and that was that.

*Time passes*

Predictably, calls from 'Private number' to her mobile.  I was in the loo at the time, so she just told the caller she was deaf and if they were the GP they should email her and hung up.

No email.

She sent them an email asking what was going on and if it was them trying to phone her (and they shouldn't there's a note in her file, FFS).

They reply saying that she'll have to provide another sample, because the container leaked.

I molished a label for it with a "this way up" arrow, and she's just taken it round...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 July, 2020, 04:00:25 pm
She's just received an SMS for a video call.

It's some proprietary thing, there's no interpreter, and she's having unidirectional audio problems...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 July, 2020, 04:01:33 pm
She's got the audio working.

Unfortunately they couldn't test her sample, because it leaked...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 July, 2020, 04:02:40 pm
No, she's really not pregnant...

They're going to look for her second sample, and will let her know.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 July, 2020, 09:22:59 pm
No, we were never using sign language video interpreters... I decided to see if I could do 1:1 video consultations on their own with a clear "I don't know how it'll go, I'll try".

I think it's OK, probably best to request female GP (most of them are) and hope for the best.

Apparently there is definitely a note on my GP file but HCA didn't see/read/notice it... Not a very good note then. I suspect if <99% of patients don't have a note of interest, the note isn't worth checking Every Time and people are busy and stressed... The note needs to be more obnoxious.

I have documented the events and I will write to practice manager to say I don't want to complain, it's clear staff are under a lot of stress but they need to be aware the notes do not work, the buzzers aren't amazing and a few suggestions on how to improve that quickly and easily even if the note IT fix has to wait till post Covid.  Oh and they need to stop using images of text or weird shit on their site or they'll be automatically in breach of the new public web access regs in September... Just Use Text damnit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 04 July, 2020, 07:10:03 pm
Er ...shit?


Indeed. Looks like the rest of 2020 is going to be a washout healthwise :-/ At least I seem to have fully recovered from last years twisted bowel though, so that's something.   :facepalm:

I phoned the appointment department yesterday to see where i am in the queue. Still another 4 months to wait for my MRI scan...  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2020, 08:55:50 pm
You are probably low down on the list because it isn't thought to be life-threatening. Not very reassuring when you have to put up with the pain and inconvenience.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 July, 2020, 06:41:37 pm
I was offered a cancellation appointment for mri scan for Friday morning at 9:25am!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 July, 2020, 08:03:40 pm
Happening quite a lot as people are offered appointments then decide they do not want to risk the hospital.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 July, 2020, 08:25:13 pm
I was offered a cancellation appointment for mri scan for Friday morning at 9:25am!  :thumbsup:

Fab! Delighted for you and hope you get answers and possible treatments ASAP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 July, 2020, 04:56:22 pm
Got a nasty reminder yesterday that quads which mostly contract to push pedals aren't too good at resisting elongation in braking mode. Ran down a banking on a walk to next village, been groaning on stairs since.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 10 July, 2020, 07:29:43 pm
I was offered a cancellation appointment for mri scan for Friday morning at 9:25am!  :thumbsup:

Fab! Delighted for you and hope you get answers and possible treatments ASAP.

Thanks barakta.  :thumbsup:
Scan done in about 15 minutes, then I was away home again by 10am. 

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 July, 2020, 09:56:25 am
18km on the mtb Saturday evening. Two days on, right hand is still very weak and stiff.  ??? Hopefully the mri scan will reveal something... Meanwhile I'm trying to avoid Dr Google...  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 July, 2020, 08:39:10 am
Stung on the tongue on the way to work this morning!

Hurt a bit and I was worried about my tongue swelling up for a bit. Settled down to just a bit of pain now.

No, I wasn't wearing a mask  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 July, 2020, 09:15:29 am
Happy lunch!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 16 July, 2020, 02:07:20 pm
Stung on the tongue on the way to work this morning!

Hurt a bit and I was worried about my tongue swelling up for a bit. Settled down to just a bit of pain now.

No, I wasn't wearing a mask  ::-)
Did you swallow?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 July, 2020, 02:09:22 pm
Stung on the tongue on the way to work this morning!

Hurt a bit and I was worried about my tongue swelling up for a bit. Settled down to just a bit of pain now.

No, I wasn't wearing a mask  ::-)
Did you swallow?

I spat (doesn't every cyclist have a 'spit out insect' reflex?)

Then realised there was something rough on my tongue. Rode on a bit, tongue starting to really hurt. Stopped and used selfie camera on phone to find the sting and pull it out.

Still sore. Stupid insect.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 July, 2020, 04:59:01 pm
Can haz new skeleton?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 July, 2020, 10:00:14 pm
 ::-) it takes me a bit of effort to hold cutlery in my stupid right hand.  :facepalm: ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2020, 10:06:14 pm
'Good' table manners mainly relate to the ulnar nerve function (Interosseous muscles)
Power grip uses different muscles and nerves.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 July, 2020, 05:13:02 pm
Ah yes, able-handed people who lecture me on how I hold my cutlery... The sea has plenty of space for them. Thankfully I'm an adult now and I spend time with people who take me as I come, even on a bad day where I choose food that can be eaten with hands and no cutlery at all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 21 July, 2020, 05:56:11 pm
Ho hum. Now I'm noticing increasing overall weakness, more so in legs and tiredness / dizziness  ???

Whatever next... Trying to avoid googling the symptoms though...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 23 July, 2020, 01:14:09 pm
Anyhoo, off work sick. Phoned GP am, got a telephone consultation. GP spoke to consultant and has seen MRI scan results.  Phone call back this afternoon from GP to explain the findings. Slight bulging of discs at C5/C6 level, which are putting pressure on nerves, which explains the symptoms in my right arm.  He isn't so happy however about the symptoms of weakness in my right leg. So an appointment has been made for this afternoon at 3pm.  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 23 July, 2020, 01:20:34 pm
Good luck, Brian!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 23 July, 2020, 01:25:06 pm
Good luck from here too
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 July, 2020, 02:08:23 pm
Good luck this afternoon Brian, glad GP has been so helpful and efficient.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 23 July, 2020, 09:42:27 pm
Well, after seeing the GP, I'm now in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, having a battery of tests done... So far tonight blood tests, chest x-ray and CT scan, as well as test of reflexes and limb strength.

Talk of MRI scan of head tomorrow.

Dr unsure, but possibly TIA or stroke. MS was also mentioned as a possibility.  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 23 July, 2020, 10:32:15 pm
Crikey - I was expecting the "proceed directly to hospital, do not pass go" bit, but still thinking spine vs nerves.

Fingers crossed!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2020, 10:49:14 pm
Hope you're sorted soon!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 July, 2020, 12:33:23 am
Brian, sorry to hear they did send you directly to hospital. I hope you've got all you need including phone electrons and all that.

I hope you get more information ASAP and it's the least-worst of the options and they can do something to treat you effectively.

Thinking of you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 July, 2020, 09:43:31 am
Well, after seeing the GP, I'm now in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, having a battery of tests done... So far tonight blood tests, chest x-ray and CT scan, as well as test of reflexes and limb strength.

Talk of MRI scan of head tomorrow.

Dr unsure, but possibly TIA or stroke. MS was also mentioned as a possibility.  ???

Aw shit.  Hope it's nothing dire.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 July, 2020, 09:54:41 am
BTW, you folk who know you've got atrial fib: what does it feel like?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 24 July, 2020, 02:45:58 pm
Well, after seeing the GP, I'm now in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, having a battery of tests done... So far tonight blood tests, chest x-ray and CT scan, as well as test of reflexes and limb strength.

Talk of MRI scan of head tomorrow.

Dr unsure, but possibly TIA or stroke. MS was also mentioned as a possibility.  ???
Brian, so glad you are finally in the right place!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 24 July, 2020, 03:00:12 pm
BTW, you folk who know you've got atrial fib: what does it feel like?

T, this is a bit of a long read, but it might help:-

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=113146.0

It was a real shock to me to find (a year ago) that I had AF - because I had no strange feelings at all.  It was only the most transient of TIAs which set me on the investigative path.  I now occasionally feel "edgy" in the chestal area but I think that is anxiety, of which I have plenty for unrelated reasons.  I can tell when I am fibrillating only on the occasions that my BP monitor checks coincide with the "spasms" and then it's only the figures that suggest it.  I think you are already on some medication, aren't you?  If not, and you suspect AF, Depeche-toi au medecin sofort, as they might say in Alsace.  A fairly normal life is possible with AF (cf Eddy Merckx) but I'm really grateful to have found out how ill I am and getting treatment for it.  PM me if you want to talk.

PS  I can very occasionally feel my heart going bonkers through the wall of my chest, if I'm lying on my side, but there is no other symptom.  I solve this by lying on the other side!

All the best,

Peter

PPS  More good luck to you Brian!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 July, 2020, 04:09:09 pm
Thanks, Peter.  I'm already on bog standard T2 diab/cardiovascular meds, i.e. metformin, clopidogrel (platelet population limiter) & pravastatin, none of which [should] have a direct effect on rhythm.  Mostly I notice my heart wambling (technical term) after a ride where I've pushed harder than I ought to, and what I get then falls into two categories: (1) regular atrial+ventricular beat pairs at around 1/sec with the odd "missed" beat or (2) regular ventricular beats with the odd "fizzing" sensation where the atrial beat ought to be.  However, I've been noticing this for ~20 years with no obvious TIAs or ill-effects.

I suspect (2) to be AF, and while I'm looking for corroboration I'm also wondering if there's anything harmless that could cause it. I'm due to see my cardiologist in late September. He's a great fan of beta blockers when there's a whiff of anything untoward, however trivial. I am not.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 27 July, 2020, 06:59:23 am
Hopefully I'll get MRI scan today. Meanwhile I seem to be getting institutionalised, I've only been in hospital since Thursday evening!  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 July, 2020, 08:07:03 am
Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 July, 2020, 08:28:26 am
Hopefully I'll get MRI scan today. Meanwhile I seem to be getting institutionalised, I've only been in hospital since Thursday evening!  ???

Hospitals do that to you, sorry to hear you haven't had scan and therefore answers yet. I forgot about the days of waiting that aren't uncommon. Fingers crossed!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 27 July, 2020, 03:13:07 pm
You could be right - did you have anyone in particular in mind?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 July, 2020, 09:59:16 am
MRI scan today at 1:15pm!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 July, 2020, 10:05:35 am
:thumbsup:

That's going to bugger up lunch, isn't it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 July, 2020, 07:33:59 pm
MRI scan done after lunch. No signs of MS in the brain scan. So discharged home today with a 2wk sick note, and I'm getting referred to neurology and physio outpatients. ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 July, 2020, 09:20:06 pm
I hope the neurology and physio appointments are both swift!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 28 July, 2020, 09:47:01 pm
Well they've found nothing bad which is good news.  But they don't know what's wrong with you , which isn't  :( .


You are a postman.  How do you carry your mail ?  Do you do van deliveries or do you walk around with a honking great bag over one shoulder ?   If so could that be the cause of the problem ?   



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 29 July, 2020, 01:52:18 pm
Well they've found nothing bad which is good news.  But they don't know what's wrong with you , which isn't  :( .


You are a postman.  How do you carry your mail ?  Do you do van deliveries or do you walk around with a honking great bag over one shoulder ?   If so could that be the cause of the problem ?

Walk with a bag of mail on *left* shoulder, along with driving a van to do oversized parcels.  The bag of mail over one shoulder may explain the bulging discs though.

Hopefully the neurology appointment will be helpful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 30 July, 2020, 08:18:50 pm
I have registered with MyCare at UCLH.

This gives me access to blood test results and clinic letters. (Well some letters I saw one from 2011 but rather few since.)

One test result, from blood drawn yesterday at 4pm was available at 9am today. I still await some more.

I rather like seeing my results promptly!

ETA The FBC was drawn at 15.56, resulted at 17.56 and posted at 9am next day.
U&E and LFT seem to have vanished, previously having results within a few hours. Am chasing. They were definitely taken.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 01 August, 2020, 10:21:22 am
I have registered with MyCare at UCLH.

This gives me access to blood test results and clinic letters. (Well some letters I saw one from 2011 but rather few since.)

One test result, from blood drawn yesterday at 4pm was available at 9am today. I still await some more.

I rather like seeing my results promptly!

ETA The FBC was drawn at 15.56, resulted at 17.56 and posted at 9am next day.
U&E and LFT seem to have vanished, previously having results within a few hours. Am chasing. They were definitely taken.

Sounds a useful facility, being able to view letters / results etc online!

Especially since the way the postal service is at the moment, with parcels getting prioritised over letters  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 August, 2020, 08:48:18 pm
I like the facility. My records go back for over 10 years at UCLH but currently rather less than 10% of my blood results and letters seem to show. Seems great to have blood results from 4pm the previous day on the next morning (and they are SO similar to those of 7/8/2019) but I'm a tad concerned about the biochemistry; there's no urgency and at the worst I'll have to return for a repeat but WHERE IS IT?
I've emailed the team to see if they can find it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 August, 2020, 10:17:06 pm
They've now sent a letter & email informing me the results are 'in the system' and 'normal', which is fine
except the data freak in me would quite like the numbers
to which I don't seem to have access.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 04 August, 2020, 09:18:28 am
I got stung while out on my bike on Sunday. Didn't see the culprit, just felt a very sharp and painful sting in my arm. Suspect it may have been a wasp. I was on a nice long downhill stretch at the time so didn't stop to investigate.

By the time I got home, I had a large inflamed patch on my arm around the site of the sting (oval shaped, about 8cm long, though not with the sting at the centre, interestingly). Now, nearly 48 hours later, it is still red and swollen and very tender. 

I can't remember the last time I was stung by a wasp, but Dr Google tells me this is within the normal range of reactions, and that it might take a full week for the inflammation to go down. So I'm not worried about it, but it is bloody irritating! Have taken antihistamine and ibuprofen, though I don't expect them to make any difference.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 August, 2020, 09:45:22 am
IME, topical antihistamine cream helps quite a bit will localized reactions (wasp stings etc)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 04 August, 2020, 10:30:36 am
IME, topical antihistamine cream helps quite a bit will localized reactions (wasp stings etc)

Good suggestion, thanks.

Was expecting it to have died down by today or I might have gone out and bought some kind of treatment for it yesterday. I probably ought to pop along to the pharmacy today - if only so I've got some in the house ready for next time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 04 August, 2020, 11:11:13 am
Show it to the pharmacist.  It sounds as if it could be a horse fly bite rather than a wasp's.  I had one (through my shorts!) and it was extremely painful.  They can turn pretty nasty, though fortunately mine didn't.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 August, 2020, 12:34:45 pm
I had a horsefly bite a few years ago that caused my left hand to swell up and - after a day or two - go a funny colour.  Barakta, of the functional colour vision, was concerned about infection so made me see the world's least interested GP, who told me it was an antihistamine(sic) reaction and why was I bothering him.

I spent the next week zonked out on chlorphenamine and applying hydrocortisone at regular intervals, which sort of helped a little, but the hand wasn't up to much, as it was stiff to move and the sensation in my fingers was all wrong.

Vowed never to do Gardening again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 04 August, 2020, 12:39:42 pm
I had a horsefly bite a few years ago that caused my left hand to swell up and - after a day or two - go a funny colour.  Barakta, of the functional colour vision, was concerned about infection so made me see the world's least interested GP, who told me it was an antihistamine(sic) reaction and why was I bothering him.


How very crap.

When I went for an unrelated reason after a very thorough midging last summer (the kind that makes people stare, it was all over my face and neck), the practice nurse looked worried and made me promise to come back straight away if it got even a tiny bit worse, because cellulitis was a concern.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 04 August, 2020, 01:57:06 pm
I had horsefly bombardment last week - I was fighting through brambles and nettles on a footpath between Wynyard and Hutton Henry and there were loads of the buggers. I have at least 6 bites keeping me itching.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 04 August, 2020, 07:24:14 pm
It sounds as if it could be a horse fly bite rather than a wasp's.

Quite possible, though I would expect a more virulent reaction.

I may just have got off lightly - due to my impressive descending speed meaning the bastard couldn’t get a decent purchase on my arm before being blown off.

I found some calamine lotion in the bathroom cabinet. Made sod all difference, but the inflammation seems to be going down now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 04 August, 2020, 07:24:58 pm
Kim: ouch!

Fboab: ouch!

I’ve definitely got off lightly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 August, 2020, 09:48:51 am
Off to see the Wizard of Oz the orthopaedic consultant today, with regards the bulging C5/C6 discs in my neck.   ??? :facepalm: ::-) :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 August, 2020, 10:07:10 am
Good luck, Brian.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 05 August, 2020, 10:23:24 am
+1
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 August, 2020, 10:37:02 am
Good luck, Brian.

And sympathies to the horsefly-bitten.  There's a tiny village about 25k from here called Bremendell, where the "breme" bit means horsefly. They don't stay there, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 August, 2020, 03:37:14 pm
Buck now been passed, and I'm getting referred to neurosurgery at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh ??? :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 August, 2020, 04:05:48 pm
This seems like a good call.
Hope they can fix you!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 05 August, 2020, 05:21:04 pm
Buck now been passed, and I'm getting referred to neurosurgery at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh ??? :facepalm:

Fingers crossed they'll be able to get to the root of the problem.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 August, 2020, 06:50:26 pm
Buck now been passed, and I'm getting referred to neurosurgery at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh ??? :facepalm:

Fingers crossed they'll be able to get to the root of the problem.

Hopefully, although getting to the Western General in Edinburgh is a bit more bothersome. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2020, 07:37:55 am
Good luck.  My memories of the WG are of a splitting headache, a vast echoing ward, and an ancient in the opposite bed who had to have everything done for him. Yetch.  Michael Gambon would've fitted right in.  I hope your memories will be more pleasant.

---o0o---

Meanwhile, I have a wonderful dose of whiplash, most likely sustained from a vicious bump I hit yesterday.  It set in a couple of hours after I got home, which apparently is in the nature of the beast.  Gets me when I move my upper body without thinking it through in advance.  Not as bad now as it was last night, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 August, 2020, 10:13:48 am
Good luck.  My memories of the WG are of a splitting headache, a vast echoing ward, and an ancient in the opposite bed who had to have everything done for him. Yetch.  Michael Gambon would've fitted right in.  I hope your memories will be more pleasant.

---o0o---

Meanwhile, I have a wonderful dose of whiplash, most likely sustained from a vicious bump I hit yesterday.  It set in a couple of hours after I got home, which apparently is in the nature of the beast.  Gets me when I move my upper body without thinking it through in advance.  Not as bad now as it was last night, though.

Hopefully T42, although I'm hoping it'll still be 2020 when I get my appointment to see the neurologist...  :facepalm

I hope you feel better soon yourself, though!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 August, 2020, 10:57:11 am
Clearing slowly, thanks, Brian.  Reckon I'll get out again tomorrow and do it all over again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 August, 2020, 01:08:23 pm
Discussing some acute and mysteriously non-standard knee pain[1] last night:

Barakta: Is that one Bad Knee?
Me: Yes.  Does that make the other one Little Monster Knee?
Barakta: We're *not* naming your knees after ian's cats.


[1] Later resolved by walking *up* the stairs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 10 August, 2020, 01:47:53 pm
Anyway, letter arrived for appointment for lower spine MRI. Sunday 23rd of August at 5:15pm.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 August, 2020, 01:56:11 pm
Anyway, letter arrived for appointment for lower spine MRI. Sunday 23rd of August at 5:15pm.   :thumbsup:

EXCELLENT!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 August, 2020, 02:46:39 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 August, 2020, 08:45:02 pm
Good news Brian, sounds like you might be on the way to getting this sorted out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 August, 2020, 08:51:01 pm
Good stuff.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 15 August, 2020, 11:27:10 am
So I now have my appointment with the neurosurgeon.

A telephone consultation, at 10:50 am on the 2nd of October!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 August, 2020, 12:44:46 pm
Less good stuff  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 15 August, 2020, 01:45:06 pm
Less good stuff  >:(

No doubt a 3 month waiting list after that to actually see him in person...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 August, 2020, 02:21:44 pm
Bummer again. :(

---o0o---

It sounds like I'm only getting to the angiologist because the usual bloke is on hols and nobody wants to see his scotum locum.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 16 August, 2020, 12:26:33 pm


So I now have my appointment with the neurosurgeon.

A telephone consultation, at 10:50 am on the 2nd of October!  :facepalm:

They won't have you actually in the hospital until they're doing stuff they can't deal with through interview and over near me (video consultation)

A month and a half isn't too bad for transfer...

Shite not being able to do stuff tho but.


Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 17 August, 2020, 04:20:07 pm
Saw GP today to arrange extension to fit note (taking me up to September now).  GP wants me to get a blood test to check for Vit B12 and folate levels, so that's organised for tomorrow with the phlebotomist
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 August, 2020, 08:45:52 am
Yeah, I've been due for a touch of phlebotomy for the last month, but ICBA setting it up.  PITA when appointments clash with cycling. Mañana. Ah, but that's Saturday, I'll have to put off procrastinating until next week.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 22 August, 2020, 10:30:57 am
Orthopaedic surgery clinic appointment Wed 9th September.  ??? Hopefully it's to discus results on tomorrows MRI scan of lower spine...  And not just to say "we'll refer you to $department, with a x month waiting list".   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 August, 2020, 10:41:04 am
Good luck.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 August, 2020, 02:40:13 pm
Fingers crossed. I'm shocked how long you've been left with severe symptoms, unable to work and not even given answers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 22 August, 2020, 05:48:21 pm
Yeah, I've been due for a touch of phlebotomy for the last month, but ICBA setting it up.  PITA when appointments clash with cycling. Mañana. Ah, but that's Saturday, I'll have to put off procrastinating until next week.
on my last visit to see the doc about a suspect lump he actually offered to get blood taken from me while I was there with no need to arrange a specific appointment or anything. And this was my routine annual blood test, not one related to the reason I was wasting his time with. I was shocked I tell you, shocked. I was also worried that he, the doctor, was suggesting that he’d attempt to take the blood. Fortunately he wasn’t.

Mind ewe, it all subsequently fell apart when the surgery thrice refused to fill a prescription request made by the pharmacy on my behalf, and only on the third time of asking did they bother to mention the reason, that being I needed an annual meds review (ie blood test). No one had bothered to update my records with the details of the above blood letting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2020, 06:07:01 pm
Mind ewe, it all subsequently fell apart when the surgery thrice refused to fill a prescription request made by the pharmacy on my behalf, and only on the third time of asking did they bother to mention the reason, that being I needed an annual meds review (ie blood test). No one had bothered to update my records with the details of the above blood letting.

This sort of thing happens to me with tedious regularity because my GP, while lovely, emits bogons and shouldn't be allowed near a computer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 22 August, 2020, 06:40:37 pm
Fingers crossed. I'm shocked how long you've been left with severe symptoms, unable to work and not even given answers.

To be honest, i don't think the NHS has answers.... Working diagnosis when I was discharged from hospital at the end of July was "functional weakness". Which seems to mean "we don't know what's wrong, so can't give you any treatment".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 August, 2020, 07:13:06 pm
Fingers crossed new neuro will have ideas cos it seems utterly bizarre to have sudden onset and no especial answers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 23 August, 2020, 01:54:10 pm
Fingers crossed. I'm shocked how long you've been left with severe symptoms, unable to work and not even given answers.

To be honest, i don't think the NHS has answers.... Working diagnosis when I was discharged from hospital at the end of July was "functional weakness". Which seems to mean "we don't know what's wrong, so can't give you any treatment".

Consultants have opinions, they may differ from the opinions of other consultants even though based on the same source information.
Don't let the lack of answers so far get you down, there is an answer out there, you just need to find the consultant(s) that can see it and unless it's extreme should be able to find them under NHS Scotland funding.

I'm assuming that your appointments with the consultant in Edinburgh is automatic and part of your NHS Fife care rather than because you've asked for a second opinon or for transfer to NHS Lothian's care.

So this is based on that:
NHS Fife are very limited in a number of areas as to the services they provide locally and contract other boards to provide services to them*; you're still under NHS Fife's care for the Edinburgh consultant.
If after working with the Edinburgh consultant you're still not happy with the diagnosis or case management, you can ask for either a second opinon (Which will be arranged by NHS Fife with a consultant elsewhere, probably Glasgow) or for the case to be transferred to another board.

The problem is if necessary both the second opinion and transfer routes takes time, effort and energy to argue for, the important bit to make clear to them is you want to work and you want to ride your bike if at all possible and you're not giving up until all routes are exhausted, many people give up and get retired due to ill health and sloth.

A friend had her ACL replacement transferred to NHS Lothian from NHS Tayside because she was unhappy with the consultant in Tayside (like proper unhappy, as far as she was concerned what was being proposed was batshit crazy experimental stuff and she wanted the tried and tested ACL graft that would allow her to ski again (Also helped she's medically trained))


* This is normal in Scotland, there's no point trying to recruit 14 shit hot Neurologists as you'll have 14 bored shit hot Neurologists looking for another post.
The structure is for the larger boards (Lothian, Glasgow, Grampian, Tayside) to cover most of the more specialized work on behalf of the smaller boards (A&A, Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles, Fife, Borders, D&G), with the medium sized boards (Highland, Forth Valley and Lanarkshire) doing a bit more than the smaller ones.

Even in the larger boards work is covered by Lothian and Glasgow for Tayside and Grampian, for example any cardiology work beyond fitting Stents is likely to go to Lothian and Glasgow no matter where you are.  The cardiologist we work with is registered as a provider to Lothian, Fife and Tayside, and his private work and then there's his involvement in Digital and his own software development work... (Workaholic or what)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 23 August, 2020, 07:37:09 pm
No, I've not asked for second opinion yet or anything.


Lumbar spine MRI done today, so hopefully should get the results when I see ortho consultant (who specialises in Arthroplasty, knees and trauma according to their bio  ??? ) on the 9th of September.  ???

Hopefully should get blood results back this week sometime...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 24 August, 2020, 04:22:07 pm
Blood tests back today. Now I'm on a 3 month prescription for 5mg folic acid daily!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 August, 2020, 09:04:05 am
Hell of a shock last night.  MrsT has had severe diarrhoea for over a week and has been treating it with the usual rice, pasta and eggs, to no avail. On Monday I finally persuaded her to let me call the doc, who dropped in on Tuesday and gave her an antibiotic. Analysis showed campylobacter, so he came round again yesterday with a prescription for azithromycin*, which would clobber the infection in just one large dose instead of a one-week course of the other antibiotic.  Last night she took the azithromycin just before dinner.

About 15 minutes later she suddenly said "I feel strange" and then "my head's spinning". Then her head went forward, her face went blotchy yellow and her jaw dropped. She didn't react when I spoke to her. Her hands went cold, she broke into a cold sweat and lost bladder control.

Last time I had seen anything like that was when the Inlaw Paw had a massive internal haemorrhage and we nearly lost him, so I called the emergency services, but while I was talking to them she began to move again, and very gradually returned.  Meanwhile the emergency doc had got all the data, and told me that vertigo was a not unusual reaction, although he didn't comment on the other symptoms. End of panic.

I got her upstairs in the Inlaw Paw's electric chair for a clean-up. Thereafter she was very weak for a while, but after tea and a couple of hours in a comfy chair she was a lot better. This morning she's fine - had a good breakfast and told me to go cycling.

It looked to me like a shock reaction with a severe drop in blood pressure, although I didn't have time to get the BP meter.

Not something we're going to forget in a hurry - I hope I never see it again.

* yes, that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 27 August, 2020, 10:03:47 am
That sounds like a real nightmare.  Azithromycin does cause vertigo, and dizziness along with vasodilation.  It might be worth looking at any possible drug interactions.
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/azithromycin.html (https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/azithromycin.html)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 27 August, 2020, 10:53:17 am
Bloody hell!  THAT must have been awful for both of you.
Best wishes and gws to Mrs T42.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 August, 2020, 01:32:37 pm
Thank you both.  It was horrible when it lasted.

Those nice NICE people only allow access from the UK or hangers-on, but I've read up a bit on it elsewhere.  Says a lot about MrsT, too, that the very first movement she made while coming round was to reach for the package-insert leaflet.  She's fine now: not quite sprightly, but getting there.

I did go cycling as instructed but didn't have any heart for it. Turned back at 10k.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 27 August, 2020, 02:03:06 pm
What a horrid experience - and you with your heart stuff, too.  So glad it seems to be sorted out.  Have you any idea what caused the food-poisoning?

Best wishes,

Peter
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 August, 2020, 11:26:06 pm
Chest x-ray today, as a follow-up from my chest x-ray while I was in hospital.  Apparently I have a bulky upper pole in my left hilum.

Whatever next. Hopefully the consultant will make sense of this all when I see the orthopedic consultant on the 9th of September.  :facepalm:. No doubt he'll refer me onto yet another consultant with a 3 month wait for an appointment...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 August, 2020, 12:03:42 am
The hilum is the 'root' of the lung. Bulkiness there is most commonly from big lymph nodes or, occasionally, engorgement of the blood vessels.

Hope you're sorted soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 31 August, 2020, 02:48:11 pm
Physio appointment via online video call tomorrow!  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 August, 2020, 03:24:48 pm
What a horrid experience - and you with your heart stuff, too.  So glad it seems to be sorted out.  Have you any idea what caused the food-poisoning?

Best wishes,

Peter


Thanks, Peter.  Haven't any smoking guns, but we do have dogs & a parrot and the neighbour has chickens, so transfer of germs via flies is a possibility. :sick:

MrsT's almost back to normal now. Ouf.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 31 August, 2020, 08:37:51 pm
Never eaten a parrot but they eat dogs in China and now look what's happened.  Glad things are better.  (Putting your wife in the electric chair has given me an idea - I expect it gave her a bit of a shock, too!)

All the best

Peter
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 02 September, 2020, 11:15:21 am
OOoh, fancy!

Saw NHS physio via online consultation yesterday. I now have some prescribed exercises to do to try and improve the strength of my legs. You now get a link as well for a smart phone app, which also shows you your specified exercises! (Physiotools)   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 02 September, 2020, 11:05:08 pm
Does the app have exercises for smart phone neck, which will soon be a thing (related to Cockney neck as in ET crowd)?

Good luck, Brian!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2020, 08:40:38 am
OOoh, fancy!

Saw NHS physio via online consultation yesterday. I now have some prescribed exercises to do to try and improve the strength of my legs. You now get a link as well for a smart phone app, which also shows you your specified exercises! (Physiotools)   :thumbsup:

Good luck with that. My phone is so full of stuff I don't need, can't uninstall or move out to an SD card that I can't install anything I really could use. Motorola G3 or some such.

Good luck with the exercises.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 08:56:58 am
That episode with Mrs T42 sounds really frightening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2020, 11:18:22 am
That episode with Mrs T42 sounds really frightening.

Yeah.  I'm still wondering if the heroic dose of 4 tablets at once was necessary: individually over the course of an hour or two might have been kinder.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 03 September, 2020, 12:53:01 pm
Just in the queue for Hoka Europe as I need to arrange sending back a pair of running shoes I ordered (I ordered two pairs and one pair will be kept). It seems they forgot to add the Returns note into my box.

Anyway, when I first called I got a recorded message from a lady in German saying which options to press etc, but first she said "Hoka One One" as the company name, but pronounced it the German way, so "Hoka oh-nay oh-nay"  :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 September, 2020, 01:05:21 pm
Just in the queue for Hoka Europe as I need to arrange sending back a pair of running shoes I ordered (I ordered two pairs and one pair will be kept). It seems they forgot to add the Returns note into my box.

Anyway, when I first called I got a recorded message from a lady in German saying which options to press etc, but first she said "Hoka One One" as the company name, but pronounced it the German way, so "Hoka oh-nay oh-nay"  :D

Hoka oh-ay oh-ay is the correct pronunciation.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 03 September, 2020, 04:42:10 pm
Oh is it? Even though it looks like a British company (or at least European central distribution is organised from the UK)

Interestingly, when my call was picked up after 50 minutes (!!!!) the woman on the end of the phone said "do you speak English"? I think she was relieved I did as it seemed she didn't speak German. Obviously they transferred the call to a different call centre...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 September, 2020, 06:21:24 pm
Oh is it? Even though it looks like a British company (or at least European central distribution is organised from the UK)

Interestingly, when my call was picked up after 50 minutes (!!!!) the woman on the end of the phone said "do you speak English"? I think she was relieved I did as it seemed she didn't speak German. Obviously they transferred the call to a different call centre...

The name is Maori, the company is French. Go figure.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 September, 2020, 09:01:30 am
Oh is it? Even though it looks like a British company (or at least European central distribution is organised from the UK)

Interestingly, when my call was picked up after 50 minutes (!!!!) the woman on the end of the phone said "do you speak English"? I think she was relieved I did as it seemed she didn't speak German. Obviously they transferred the call to a different call centre...

The name is Maori, the company is French. Go figure.

French in origin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoka_One_One
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 September, 2020, 01:51:13 pm
Absolutely atrocious night's sleep.

Yesterday's tile-bagging mission involved comprehensive nettle stings to both my lower legs.  Being over the age of 10, I mostly ignored the tingling, knowing it would go away after a few hours.

Until, it seems, about an hour after I went to bed, at which point my skin was crawling.  Not quite itchy, not quite painful, but somewhere between the two, and utterly intolerable.  Vaguely reminiscient of how my mouth felt when I had a bad reaction to Cephalexin.  Weirdly, nothing visible on the skin - I was expecting the usual allergic welt.  I took some chlorphenamine and painkillers, which did approximately nothing, but eventually discovered that if I stuck both legs out from under the duvet and lied there shivering the cold would reduce the sensation to tolerable levels, except on the side in contact with the mattress, which would stay warm.  Turn over, scratch, repeat.

I appear to have managed not to shred the skin around my ankles in my sleep, as I'm prone to do with insect bites.  Probably because I haven't really had any sleep.  It's fine now because I'm awake, my legs are cold, and I can ignore the tingling.


I've not had a reaction like that to stinging nettles before.  It had better fuck off by tonight.    >:(???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Davef on 07 September, 2020, 06:48:54 pm
I think there is quite a range of stinging nettles or certainly my reaction to them. Normally I barely notice and 5 minutes later is if forgotten but occasionally I have had long lasting (2-3day) reactions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 07 September, 2020, 06:55:46 pm
Palpitations, good or bad?

Phone consultation tomorrow. Probably harmless. I'm experimenting with no caffeine. So far a mild headache and a healthy BP seem to be the outcome, but no change in the palpitations. Home ECG from Apple Watch (not mine, it's too old) suggests not life threatening.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 07 September, 2020, 08:01:39 pm
Palpitations, good or bad?

Phone consultation tomorrow. Probably harmless. I'm experimenting with no caffeine. So far a mild headache and a healthy BP seem to be the outcome, but no change in the palpitations. Home ECG from Apple Watch (not mine, it's too old) suggests not life threatening.

Stress and lack of sleep kicks mine off - ectopic beats, so a missed beat followed by a big beat. It happened whilst I was being monitored in hospital once, and they were completely nonplussed by them in a kind of "Oh, everyone gets those, most people can't feel them" way.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 08 September, 2020, 10:36:36 am
I've not had a reaction like that to stinging nettles before.  It had better fuck off by tonight.    >:(???
Standard tile-bagging practise for me- I think it's the added brambles that do it?

(this comment is both facetious, and sadly, accurate)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 08 September, 2020, 11:14:17 am
I feel you Kim, I've been there, well I am there every time. Massive reaction to any bites and nettles, I was introduced to these "fun" nights from a young age. Two of the most memorable events happened after fall from tree (yes I'm not a good tree climber clearly) into either a bed of nettles* or red forest ant hill** which was about 1.20m high before impact.

* note don't climb trees in only small shorts as you get cuts all over when you fall through the various branches, so nettle stings and small cuts all over.
** this time I was more dressed, which just helped the wee buggers to cling on and harder to brush off, so helping parent had to strip me naked in front of the rest of the school/parent picnic ...

Now I don't climb trees anymore but just "enjoy" the fact that the wee biting bastards like my blood buffet and that any bite/sting result in massive swelling and then seepage from the bites. So when the bites stop itching I'm enjoying the itching from the scabs ...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 September, 2020, 11:33:47 am
It had died down to normal itching by bedtime, so I was able to sleep.

The bramble theory is compelling.  Can certainly imagine a nettle sting onto freshly scratched skin being extra-effective.

I've ended up covered in nettle stings before (my first clipless moment was on the Regent's Canal towpath, and I opted for the nettle bed rather than going for a swim) without this lasting effect.  The less said about biting beasties the better.

Today's tile-bagging mission will be in the relative safety of the A38.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 08 September, 2020, 12:52:30 pm
I feel you Kim,.....
:o I assume this is consensual?


 ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 08 September, 2020, 03:24:05 pm
I was just waiting for someone to pick that :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 08 September, 2020, 05:03:11 pm
Palpitations, good or bad?

Phone consultation tomorrow. Probably harmless. I'm experimenting with no caffeine. So far a mild headache and a healthy BP seem to be the outcome, but no change in the palpitations. Home ECG from Apple Watch (not mine, it's too old) suggests not life threatening.

Stress and lack of sleep kicks mine off - ectopic beats, so a missed beat followed by a big beat. It happened whilst I was being monitored in hospital once, and they were completely nonplussed by them in a kind of "Oh, everyone gets those, most people can't feel them" way.

Yes, that's hopefully where it'll end up at. I'm allowed to continue training for now, and my ECG and bloods are booked for Thursday. I could've had it tomorrow but that wasn't convenient for me, and the doc wasn't concerned about delaying it for a day. It helps that I'm on the working from home Covid shift this week, so it's easy to get to the surgery during work hours.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 September, 2020, 09:01:12 pm
Off to see the orthopedic consultant tomorrow, hopefully to discuss my lumbar spine MRI and recent chest x-ray results.

No doubt it'll be a case of being referred to yet another consultant, with a 4 month waiting list to see...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 September, 2020, 06:02:17 pm
Buck passed yet again to neurology department...  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 11 September, 2020, 03:40:45 pm
My case has been referred to a cardiologist to decide whether ecg result merits further investigation. Looks like PVCs as suspected.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 11 September, 2020, 06:22:33 pm
My case has been referred to a cardiologist to decide whether ecg result merits further investigation. Looks like PVCs as suspected.

Good luck Simonp. Hopefully not too long a wait for the referral.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 15 September, 2020, 01:25:39 pm
Cardiologist agrees likely not a big deal but echo nonetheless.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 17 September, 2020, 09:39:30 pm
Well that escalated fast, after video consultation, cardiac CT scan also ordered to rule out CHD. I’m sure it’ll be fine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 18 September, 2020, 06:47:33 pm
Good luck, Simon.  I don't know if you saw the thread about heart stuff that I started after I had a TIA?  That was a year ago.  My numbers are seriously (as in death-defyingly) bad when it comes to heart efficiency but I'm still symptom-free and amazing such of the medical profession that can use a phone.  I have Atrial Fibrillation but I'm still riding (carefully).  There's an awful lot that can be done for heart troubles now.  Again, good luck!

Peter
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 18 September, 2020, 11:34:20 pm
Good luck, Simon.  I don't know if you saw the thread about heart stuff that I started after I had a TIA?  That was a year ago.  My numbers are seriously (as in death-defyingly) bad when it comes to heart efficiency but I'm still symptom-free and amazing such of the medical profession that can use a phone.  I have Atrial Fibrillation but I'm still riding (carefully).  There's an awful lot that can be done for heart troubles now.  Again, good luck!

Peter

Hi Peter,

No, I missed that. Scary stuff, I'm glad to hear you're defying medical science. I'll make a mental note to read about your experience.

The cardiologist I'm seeing specialises in arrhythmias and their treatment, so if that's what I have going on, I'll be in the right place.

I've been training hard and set some 3-year PBs on the trainer as recently as last Saturday, so I'm hoping it's all going to be fine. In the meantime I asked about doing a maximal effort test on Tuesday to kick off the next training block, and was told no. So I'm going to say I hit FTP of 250W (not unrealistic), and switch to a long/steady but higher volume training plan for now. I may lose the will to live anyway if I have to do too much of that indoors - though I rode outdoors last night, and within minutes (around 10, at a guess) of me turning off the Mark-Blackford road, a female cyclist was hit and killed along the same stretch.  If I had kept on that road I may well have come across the aftermath.  :-\



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 September, 2020, 08:48:53 am
Well that escalated fast, after video consultation, cardiac CT scan also ordered to rule out CHD. I’m sure it’ll be fine.

Even if it isn't the chances are they'll bang in a stent and you'll be riding again in 3 weeks. Knocks a hole in the training but ultimately for the best.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 September, 2020, 05:19:10 pm
Cardiac stress test today, all well but then he adds "of course, it's only 80% reliable". Well duh.  But he also added that diabetics like me were usually ~10 years behind diabetics who didn't do any sport, so attaboy. No holter. I grimaced when he suggested it, so instead he wants me to buy a watch that'll talk to my phone and register an ECG if I ever feel phunny. Will do, but my watch usually spends the day on the desk and the night on my bedside table, which has escaped cardiac symptoms to date. Oh, and he wants me to take corvasal, which won't be happening. Last time he had me on vasodilators I couldn't ride for toffee.  I remember one all-nighter where I was riding strongly towards dawn, then had the pills and could barely move afterwards.

Anyway, all well for the nonce.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 September, 2020, 05:56:44 pm
I've been referred for radiofrequency denervation of my left suprascapular nerve cos the shoulder is "officially very fucked". Doc didn't know waiting list times. I got postal letter to my GP and a load of bumpf with hilarious contradictory templateo content (I both did appt by phone and attended with an interpreter) but no appointment date in there.

After 4 weeks, I decided to email the secretary very nicely to check if I should have received an appointment date with the bumpf and if it was possible to get an indication of waiting times without causing them too much trouble.

Cue being offered a slot for Monday 28th. I've said yes and the lovely appointment lady has done the pre-procedure stuff by email instead of phone which we've done a few times now so have it down.

They're just trying to confirm a BSL interpreter for me, as 1) masks and 2) the room has to be dimmed and 3) the ultrasound machine is hella noisy.

Last time I had an ultrasound procedure in that room I couldn't hear the unmasked foreign accented doc or babble-radiographer and Kim had to try and bash out BSL for me which at least made doc slow down (radiographer continued to babbletalk even when I asked her explicitly to SLOW DOWN). I have said if we can't get a terp, I'll bring Kim instead cos I want this done ASAP so I can 1) stop being in fucking pain and 2) get off the damned meds which are worsening my migraine.

I'm hoping this works for the year+ doc claims it should.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 24 September, 2020, 06:07:19 pm
Good luck barakta! Hopefully the procedure will be successful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 September, 2020, 07:30:27 pm
Also wishing you a suscessful outcome barakta  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 September, 2020, 09:07:44 pm
Good luck barakta!
Hope all goes well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 September, 2020, 10:25:54 am
Good luck from me too. Hope Tuesday is painless and it lasts longer than a year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2020, 02:24:54 pm
Looks like it's going well:

Quote
<barakta-mobile> Fun times. Nurse doesn't wanna let terp into procedure room cos it's xray mot ultrasound
<barakta-mobile> Apparently letting Dr kafafy decide
<barakta-mobile> Success terp inside
<barakta-mobile> And it is ultrasound!
<barakta-mobile> All confused I can hear some things
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 September, 2020, 02:31:11 pm
Sounds like Nursie needs a quiet word in her lughole. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2020, 03:08:57 pm
And she's on her way home.  In severe pain when breathing apparently.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 September, 2020, 04:47:43 pm
Home now.

90 mins after codeine/diazepam (sneaked at hospital), taxi home and applying heat to thoracic spine which has "gone into spasm" (I think) I'm feeling maybe 50% better but still can't inhale fully.

Nurse who wanted to refuse terp was male, and it seems they are confusing foreign language terps with BSL terps... Dr K wanted to refuse terp too but I was insistent and reminded him last time his theatre nurse had had to "re-speak" which isn't an option cos masks and while I can hear some stuff I can't hear everything.

Was very glad I had terp in procedure room, it seemed a bit chaotic, seems they'd set up for xray and it was ultrasound so the room was cluttered and nurses didn't seem to know stuff. A lot of <ABOUT TO START THING>" then babble and terp saying <THEY'RE FAFFING WITH THINGS, NOT STARTING>... Dr K didn't quite give long enough between instruction and terp delay but it was OK. I had real issues keeping my eyes open cos it was surprisingly painful and speaking loud enough to be heard over my own mask and background noise - I couldn't sign because I had to use my good hand to hold the other arm in a weird position...

I will email PALS when I feel less dead and say the staff were all nice, but they all need serious training on what a language communication professional for deaf people are for. We can't HEAR. So we need the terp/etc (could be lipspeaker or STTR or deafblind interpreter) to relay questions and instructions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 28 September, 2020, 07:09:15 pm
Hope the pain goes quickly & that you get some relief as a result.   



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 September, 2020, 09:19:04 am
@barakta: hope comfort returns soon. Chronic pain is bloody.

---o0o---

Daughter's swain went in for a colonoscopy & gastroscopy yesterday, she went with to interpret (he's only been in France for 10 years). When taxi driver heard "hospital" he was convinced they had Covid, turned very unpleasant and didn't want to take them. Fortunately, daughter is used to telling people what's what; all the same, he complained all the way.  I believe he's due for a managerial flea in his ear today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 29 September, 2020, 01:35:08 pm
Managed to sleep as the one low-pain position is sleeping on my right hand size, and tbh with the amount of diazepam and codeine I had in me (all within actual dose limits) I should have slept.

The rest of the left shoulder quadrant local anaesthetic has worn off and I still have unhappy thoracic area spine/ribs but probably about 50% less than yesterday. Trying to make myself breathe properly otherwise lurgi tends to happen.  It all feels like every combo of pain-spasm I can get at once, which suggests most of it is this damned nerve getting pranged by the constant dislocation of the very fucked shoulder joint that surgeons couldn't run away fast enough from.

Will take it easy today and see how the rest of the week goes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 September, 2020, 01:37:07 pm
Ooooh barakta, hope you feel more comfortable PDQ!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 30 September, 2020, 06:19:11 pm
Hopefully you'll be feeling a little better today Barakta!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 30 September, 2020, 06:50:46 pm
After a hot bath, which seemed to be helping until she tried to use a towel, she's just dosed up on painkillers and gone to bed...

Really not clear how much of this is nerve-zappage, and how much is a result of the arm positions they had her hold during the procedure.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 10 October, 2020, 02:57:34 pm
Update on from my cardiologist, from cardiac echo I had last week; she says I have a mildly dilated left & right ventricle with normal function and atria right at the upper end of normal size. There were frequent ventricular ectopics during the ultrasound and if these are confirmed by ECG monitoring (I'm still wearing the monitor) an MRI of the heart is recommended. I'm sure the monitoring will confirm this, I've had frequent symptomatic palpitations every day since the monitor went on.

TLDR: results so far suggest heart is functionally and structurally normal and the findings are adaptations to endurance.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 12 October, 2020, 04:39:34 pm
So it would appear that my GP has received a letter from Neurosurgery at the Western General Hospital Edinburgh, and the GP wants to discuss things with me.

Fingers crossed it will be a referral to neurology, and not just a letter of discharge saying there is nothing more which can be done.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Greenbank on 12 October, 2020, 10:54:31 pm
Piriformis syndrome and not sciatica.

Got some stretches and core exercises to do but got the go-ahead for 5-a-side on Thursday and back to running at the weekend (assuming it doesn't flare up again).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 13 October, 2020, 12:32:29 am
Today I had a CT angiogram. Things I learned, among others:

1. Contrast fluid makes you feel hot. The heat gets to your groin and it feels like you wet yourself.
2. Cannula insertion is more painful than anticipated.
3. As is removal.
4. Nitroglycerin gives you a headache.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 October, 2020, 09:04:56 am
Today I had a CT angiogram. Things I learned, among others:

1. Contrast fluid makes you feel hot. The heat gets to your groin and it feels like you wet yourself.
2. Cannula insertion is more painful than anticipated.
3. As is removal.
4. Nitroglycerin gives you a headache.

Had one of those a long time ago, without the nitro.  Quite entertaining.

Did they tell you anything about the results?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 13 October, 2020, 10:56:26 am
Today I had a CT angiogram. Things I learned, among others:

1. Contrast fluid makes you feel hot. The heat gets to your groin and it feels like you wet yourself.
2. Cannula insertion is more painful than anticipated.
3. As is removal.
4. Nitroglycerin gives you a headache.

Had one of those a long time ago, without the nitro.  Quite entertaining.

Did they tell you anything about the results?

Nope, I have to wait for the consultant to get the report.

They gave me beta blockers as well, because my heart rate was higher than they like for the scanner. As I'd gone there on my own, by car, I had to hang around for about an hour for the effects to wear off. Not that I noticed any. This is the first time I've actually seen the ecg myself (apart from the one from Feline's watch, which didn't record for long). The ectopic beats are frequent, and always looked exactly the same on the ecg, which the doctor said suggests a single cause. I could feel them pretty strongly at the time; they're not shy when medics are present.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 13 October, 2020, 12:17:44 pm
I'm sorry you had so much discomfort, Simon.  I think they choose from groin and wrist for the insertion.  I'm guessing yours was groin.  I don't know how they decide, but mine was in the wrist and although I was aware of the possibility of the effects you described, I was lucky enough not to get any of them.  I also got a good result: my heart is wrecked but it's not because of coronary artery disease!

I'm glad you seem to be getting such speedy intervention with the procedures.  I had my TIA in July 2019 but in spite of the anxiety and recommendations of two echo-technicians that I be seen immediately by a cardiologist, I had to go private in December to see one.  He it was who ordered an angiogram on the NHS, which I had in February.  I still haven't seen a "doctor" face to face, since August 2019 (except the appointment with the private specialist) though I get regular medication checks.  This is done by a team of excellent nurse-practitioners, over the phone since Covid.  I'm hoping to get an echo again soon to see if the drugs have actually improved my heart function as opposed to solely arresting the deterioration.  It can happen.  I feel fine and cycle regularly (and. I hope, sensibly - I was relieved when they cancelled Paris-Roubaix!).

I'm hoping that the lack of urgency is partly down to the judgement that (EV of 8% notwithstanding) I don't represent an emergency but it would do me the world of good to have the back up of an improved echo.  My heart rate is still all over the place but I don't feel any of that.  blood pressure's fine, too.

I'm hoping for the best for you Simon!  I think heart treatment is one of the great success stories in medicine and it looks like we've both been "got" soon enough.

Best wishes,
Peter
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 13 October, 2020, 05:47:19 pm
I'm sorry you had so much discomfort, Simon.  I think they choose from groin and wrist for the insertion.  I'm guessing yours was groin.  I don't know how they decide, but mine was in the wrist and although I was aware of the possibility of the effects you described, I was lucky enough not to get any of them.  I also got a good result: my heart is wrecked but it's not because of coronary artery disease!

I'm glad you seem to be getting such speedy intervention with the procedures.  I had my TIA in July 2019 but in spite of the anxiety and recommendations of two echo-technicians that I be seen immediately by a cardiologist, I had to go private in December to see one.  He it was who ordered an angiogram on the NHS, which I had in February.  I still haven't seen a "doctor" face to face, since August 2019 (except the appointment with the private specialist) though I get regular medication checks.  This is done by a team of excellent nurse-practitioners, over the phone since Covid.  I'm hoping to get an echo again soon to see if the drugs have actually improved my heart function as opposed to solely arresting the deterioration.  It can happen.  I feel fine and cycle regularly (and. I hope, sensibly - I was relieved when they cancelled Paris-Roubaix!).

I'm hoping that the lack of urgency is partly down to the judgement that (EV of 8% notwithstanding) I don't represent an emergency but it would do me the world of good to have the back up of an improved echo.  My heart rate is still all over the place but I don't feel any of that.  blood pressure's fine, too.

I'm hoping for the best for you Simon!  I think heart treatment is one of the great success stories in medicine and it looks like we've both been "got" soon enough.

Best wishes,
Peter

I'd say it was less uncomfortable than most rowing races I've done, and they were for fun! My cannula was in my upper arm, which surprised me a little, given what I'd read beforehand.

Fingers crossed all round!



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 13 October, 2020, 06:07:22 pm
Certainly!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 13 October, 2020, 09:11:14 pm
Ah yes. That has to go down as one of the weirdest experiences I've had.

"I'm going to inject you with this -> *points* -> it'll make you feel like you're wetting yourself, but don't worry."

It was really WEIRD. And yes, it does make you feel like you're wetting yourself.

ETA: The weirdness - they were looking at my lungs! Hey - my lungs are up HERE people!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 14 October, 2020, 01:35:28 am
ETA: The weirdness - they were looking at my lungs! Hey - my lungs are up HERE people!

They're relatively close in plumbing terms.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 19 October, 2020, 08:30:34 pm
Earlier today I was putting something together, and managed to trap my right little finger between 2 folding bits.  10 hours later it's still oozing blood.  the skin seems to have been torn off rather than cut. There is a bit of swelling & a purple patch under the skin which I suspect is more bleeding.  No pain. 


Worth bothering a minor injury place with or just wait to dry up ?


https://twitter.com/andrewxclark/status/1318272680018300929?s=20


 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 19 October, 2020, 08:35:31 pm
Superglue?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 19 October, 2020, 08:44:03 pm
I'd probably stick my fingers together  :facepalm:   


I can see me wearing a glove to bed tonight to stop the sheets being ruined. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 19 October, 2020, 09:18:02 pm
10 hours and still oozing?
Worth a call to 112 or whatever it is?

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 19 October, 2020, 09:26:33 pm
It's currently wrapped in a "non woven sterile swab" from the first aid kit , held in place by a bit of sellotape.    I didn't clock how bad it looked when it happened & just stuck a plaster on.   Later on I shook the hand & noticed drops of blood being shaken out of the end of the plaster. 


The splodges on the swab don't seem to be getting bigger at the moment. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 October, 2020, 02:09:43 am
Blood blister.
Clean, dress, elevate, wait.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 October, 2020, 11:26:12 am
I agree.

Just woken up after getting in at 05:00 having spent 7 hours reattaching various bits and pieces
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 20 October, 2020, 06:18:36 pm
Not your own, presumably?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 October, 2020, 08:26:44 pm
No, thankfully. Just your average night on call.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 24 October, 2020, 09:55:07 pm
93 days since onset of my weird neurological gammy legs syndrome, and no further forward with diagnosis.  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 October, 2020, 11:26:29 am
 >:( that is really unfair Brian, I am frustrated for you. Not knowing is horrible. Keeping fingers crossed someone works it out ASAP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 25 October, 2020, 04:51:57 pm
After 2 months of gentle weight loss (6.5kg) and abstinence from alcohol, plus decent exercise 3 times a week, I measured my blood pressure today at 113/75.   On August 28th it was measured at 134/97. I’m quite pleased by the reduction. Only another 10kg or so to go....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 October, 2020, 05:08:34 pm
93 days since onset of my weird neurological gammy legs syndrome, and no further forward with diagnosis.  >:(

Fingers crossed that you hear something soon.

Sadly, you will have been triaged as 'not life threatening' and pushed down the priority ladder :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 25 October, 2020, 08:02:09 pm
93 days since onset of my weird neurological gammy legs syndrome, and no further forward with diagnosis.  >:(

Fingers crossed that you hear something soon.

Sadly, you will have been triaged as 'not life threatening' and pushed down the priority ladder :(

Yes, I think that is the case. While I'm grateful I'm in the "not life threatening" triage box, it is a bother waiting and wondering (a) what the diagnosis is, and (b), how long I'll still be employed. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 26 October, 2020, 02:42:03 pm
Another letter from cardiologist. Monitoring over two weeks showed very frequent ectopic beats, 12% of all beats over two weeks. No dangerous arrhythmias (reassuring). Goes away during exercise (reassuring). More tests (MRI) recommended to investigate if there's a subtle structural defect that could be causing this. Also exercise stress test. No results from angiogram yet.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 27 October, 2020, 10:32:01 am
That's good about the arrhythmias, Simon.  Hope the angiogram works out ok and the MRI when you have it.  I di wonder about your tandem, when I saw it, I think on Yr Elenydd.  just pushing that would probably have killed me!

good luck.

Peter
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 27 October, 2020, 12:16:43 pm
Video consultation with physio this morning.
They are suggesting it may be Functional Neurological Disorder, which apparently was on my discharge notes from when I was in hospital at the end of July.  http://neurosymptoms.org/

proper diagnosis won't be made until I see neurologist, but the physio is saying that it'll do good to work on the symptoms through physio in the mean time. 

Also says I can try indoor cycling as well.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 October, 2020, 02:02:00 pm
Interesting...

Hope exercises start to help and you start to get support.

Appalling that they had a prospective diagnosis on your records but hadn't fucking well told you - that's just crass but oh so common.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 27 October, 2020, 08:16:57 pm
Interesting...

Hope exercises start to help and you start to get support.

Appalling that they had a prospective diagnosis on your records but hadn't fucking well told you - that's just crass but oh so common.

The fortunate thing is the (private) counsellor I've been seeing for my black dog over the past year or so, also has experience with dealing with Functional Neurological Disorder, so hopefully once I get a *definite* diagnosis, I'll have another avenue for treatment.

But yes, a bit annoying, they could have told me "we think it could be functional neurological disorder, so here are some leaflets and physio plans to be getting on with until you see neurology" when I was discharged.

 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 October, 2020, 08:54:09 pm
Agreed about sensible discharge info... Then again, I think there's a law which says it has to be useless and shit. The look on my A&E doc's face when I told him what I got from my denervation procedure was a picture and he said he hated discharge sheets cos they were always useless...

Glad you already have an in with someone who treats FND if that is indeed what it is.

I can't help thinking the damage from such a condition would be less entrenched if it was treated promptly rather than months of fuckery and delay...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 27 October, 2020, 10:45:11 pm
I hope the physio is helpful BrianI.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 29 October, 2020, 02:36:11 pm
Well, physios had team meeting with neurologists today.  Looks like the neurologist wants me to get seen sooner, rather than later due to my symptoms. So hopefully a few more weeks, rather than months until I get the appointment for neurology.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 29 October, 2020, 04:50:39 pm
Fingers crossed Brian!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 October, 2020, 09:08:48 am
Well, physios had team meeting with neurologists today.  Looks like the neurologist wants me to get seen sooner, rather than later due to my symptoms. So hopefully a few more weeks, rather than months until I get the appointment for neurology.

Aye well, the word patience comes from the Greek for suffering.  I hope they get you sorted soon.

Bon courage.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 10 November, 2020, 05:24:37 pm
Patience is a virtue innit.

In totally unrelated news, it's 4 weeks (yesterday in fact) since I had the angiogram. I'd like to know the result now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 November, 2020, 09:15:07 am
Patience is a virtue innit.

In totally unrelated news, it's 4 weeks (yesterday in fact) since I had the angiogram. I'd like to know the result now.

Bloody hell, when I had my last one I watched the whole thing live on a screen and they told me what they were finding all through the exam. Afterwards the surgeon gave me a summing-up in my room and a week later I had the movie on a CD. Unfortunately not compatible with YouTube.

---o0o---

In other news, the electronic bumf that came with my Afib watch contains the wondrous advice "If you have no symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation, consult your doctor urgently".  Er...

Zero instances detected, BTW.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 19 November, 2020, 04:35:30 pm
Patience is a virtue innit.

In totally unrelated news, it's 4 weeks (yesterday in fact) since I had the angiogram. I'd like to know the result now.

Bloody hell, when I had my last one I watched the whole thing live on a screen and they told me what they were finding all through the exam. Afterwards the surgeon gave me a summing-up in my room and a week later I had the movie on a CD. Unfortunately not compatible with YouTube.

---o0o---

In other news, the electronic bumf that came with my Afib watch contains the wondrous advice "If you have no symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation, consult your doctor urgently".  Er...

Zero instances detected, BTW.

Well I got the letter today, doesn't say much.

I have very slight furring of one coronary artery, unlikely to cause symptoms, definitely doesn't explain my palpitations.

"Overall these are reassuring findings". I guess they were looking for something more significant. It would also suggest that my palpitations aren't the result of a silent heart attack.

Have to get my cholesterol checked. Still no explanation for the arrhythmia. Still trying to find out if I can book MRI and exercise stress test. I'm guessing that things are slow because of Covid.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 November, 2020, 07:58:02 am
Well I got the letter today, doesn't say much.

I have very slight furring of one coronary artery, unlikely to cause symptoms, definitely doesn't explain my palpitations.

"Overall these are reassuring findings". I guess they were looking for something more significant. It would also suggest that my palpitations aren't the result of a silent heart attack.

Have to get my cholesterol checked. Still no explanation for the arrhythmia. Still trying to find out if I can book MRI and exercise stress test. I'm guessing that things are slow because of Covid.

It's rare that anyone reaches middle age without some plaque somewhere, and the coronary arteries seem to be a favourite target.  Reminds me of oxbow lake formation from school geography lessons.

The stress test would probably be easier to get.  MRI is likely in demand for Covid cases.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 20 November, 2020, 09:22:32 am
This is the risk of having all these tests - finding things that sound like you should worry but indeed most people do have some degree of furring by my age. If the cholesterol is high then statins are recommended - to stop the furring getting any worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 November, 2020, 09:43:33 am
Statins are no great problem. I read a report the other day to the effect that most of the ills ascribed to them are psychosomatic - the so-called nocebo effect.

Quote
The researchers found 90% of symptoms experienced by the patients were present when they took placebo tablets.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/nov/15/nocebo-effect-cause-of-most-statin-side-effects-research-suggests

I've been on them since 2006 and the only discernable effect is that I'm still getting older. Oh, and the cardiologist doesn't bellyache about my cholesterol levels.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 20 November, 2020, 10:03:40 am
Statins are no great problem. I read a report the other day to the effect that most of the ills ascribed to them are psychosomatic - the so-called nocebo effect.

Quote
The researchers found 90% of symptoms experienced by the patients were present when they took placebo tablets.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/nov/15/nocebo-effect-cause-of-most-statin-side-effects-research-suggests

I've been on them since 2006 and the only discernable effect is that I'm still getting older. Oh, and the cardiologist doesn't bellyache about my cholesterol levels.

Yep, I came across a similar statistic the other day. So we’ll see what the result is (test is booked for Tuesday). Last time I had a test was several years ago and iirc it was slightly above ideal but not considered an issue.

If I wanted to try to control it with lifestyle then increasing exercise beyond what I’m doing already isn’t really feasible. Might have to stop trying to keep up with the chickens’ egg laying. That was going to get very tough anyway as we rescued 10 more recently. Of course it’s unclear that normal egg consumption is an issue but maybe eating 4 a day isn’t so clever now. 🤔
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 20 November, 2020, 11:45:59 am
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-many-eggs-should-you-eat#

Our dogs used to love eggs. And winter's almost here, you'll be down to 30% production soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 20 November, 2020, 12:08:43 pm
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-many-eggs-should-you-eat#

Our dogs used to love eggs. And winter's almost here, you'll be down to 30% production soon.

Thanks for the link - indeed production had already dropped from our remaining chickens. I used to be able to give excess production to people at work but that's not possible now.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 November, 2020, 12:10:14 pm
When you get the results make sure that they look at the LDL:HDL ratio which is the important number not the absolute cholesterol limit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 20 November, 2020, 03:31:25 pm
It's a bit puzzling, isn't it?  Like T42, I got my angiogram result while I was still on the slab, or at least the broad finding that there was no significant arterial furring and certainly nothing to cause my almost negative ejection fraction.  I'm glad that you have finally got a good result, Simon.  The puzzle is the part that cholesterol might play in this if you haven't got significant furring - I thought that's what high cholesterol led to.  Anyway, good luck with the investigations!

Peter
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 23 November, 2020, 02:04:52 am
It's a bit puzzling, isn't it?  Like T42, I got my angiogram result while I was still on the slab, or at least the broad finding that there was no significant arterial furring and certainly nothing to cause my almost negative ejection fraction.  I'm glad that you have finally got a good result, Simon.  The puzzle is the part that cholesterol might play in this if you haven't got significant furring - I thought that's what high cholesterol led to.  Anyway, good luck with the investigations!

Peter

Thanks Peter. The cardiologist’s view expressed in the letter is that whilst the furring is only very slight, won’t impact blood flow, and isn’t a cause of my symptoms, she says it is a good idea to prevent it getting worse. Hence controlling cholesterol levels if they are high.

I asked about what to do to prepare. No need to fast but no meat for 24h. Last time I had it checked I wasn’t given any such advice. My recollection is that it was slightly higher than ideal but not a concern and no action was taken.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 23 November, 2020, 10:58:39 am
That sounds good (except the fasting bit!).  I'm sure you'll be fine.  They seem to change the desired figures for cholesterol from time to time.  Last time I was checked specifically for this, I was told that my reading (like yours) was slightly high but as in your case, they weren't bothered: they said they weren't bothered because of my life-style (sports, diet and being invisible from the side).  I hope and expect that's what you get!

After my TIA, they did the blood reading and decided it was a bit high but left it to me to point out that the ratio was well within the guidelines.  I'm not sure if they were grateful to me or not!

All the best

Peter
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 29 November, 2020, 01:19:02 am
I found my cholesterol readings from my previous check. 5.09 total and 1.12 HDL. These would not be considered high risk so if it’s unchanged then they won’t put me on statins. I haven’t got the results back yet. My overall risk of heart attack was scored as low (1.3%). <10% is low.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 November, 2020, 01:44:44 pm
They've crossed off stenosis, so now...?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 29 November, 2020, 09:39:41 pm
They've crossed off stenosis, so now...?

Waiting for appointments: MRI to look for subtle structural changes that could cause the ectopic beats, and exercise stress test to confirm it goes away under load.

Will chase cholesterol numbers tomorrow. I've put on weight since last check so it may be higher.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 30 November, 2020, 03:02:48 pm
So we have the new cholesterol numbers:

Total 4.2 (down - good)
HDL 1.2 (up - good)
Ratio 3.6 (down - good)

=> No statins required.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Chris S on 30 November, 2020, 03:12:14 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 November, 2020, 03:21:18 pm
Those are really good figures!

MrsC hit double that for total.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 30 November, 2020, 08:57:10 pm
Up thread I mentioned an occasional pain in my testicles. The GP checked for twisting but found nothing. I am still getting the random episodes of pain which max at about 8/10 intensity. Today I went for an ultrasound scan but again all looks good. Chatting to the guy doing the scan offered no suggestions although he did mention that these things can be caused by say a back problem.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 30 November, 2020, 10:50:48 pm
Ouch I know what you feel. I endured the fun 4 times, the first one was like a good kick to the privates. The second bout of pain was when I went to the doctor. I managed to get to the waiting room on the second floor, half bent over, pain that had at this point lasted 20min, managed to sit down in the waiting room. Got called in right away as the nurse could see this wasn't good. Stood up and just like pain arrives when you get a direct hit to the jewels it went away, it was only the fear of it returning that kept me from jumping for joy. The quack looked at me and said I'm booking you in for an emergency op. The next day, a Wednesday, I had a booking for the following Monday to go under the knife.

That Wednesday was when the real fun happen, who am I kidding, agony, hell, screaming, fainting, blood draining, puking pain hit me twice.

If it wasn't for a school mate I would had headbutted the table. I stood up and boys, cross you legs now, cause if you ever had a size 10 hit you right there after the wee friends have dropped and you lost your breath for a few moment and some crying later you were up walking again. This was nothing compared to give me a direct kick with steel caps any time. I only got half way up and the I just buckled over. A few minutes later I managed to wake up, about a 20min later I was ok to get a lift by a teacher home. And some time later that evening after a lot of care from my mum I could stand upright without fainting.

Two days later, now Friday, I experienced the joy again, lucky in the same class right next to a sofa and we had just had a first aid session so the whole class. No head butting, soft landing and out long enough so I didn't have to clean up my spilled lunch, no not from lunch box but belly. Got taken care of the first aid teacher and class mates, called the doctor, who called the hospital. Who said they couldn't get me in earlier so be just go home and stay there until time to go to hospital. Sometime Saturday I could move around and touch down there with out being tender and didn't feel crap or scared of moving.

For some silly reason I had to have the op twice, one for each ball. In one way I can understand because the dangling bits was delicate for a while after and I couldn't lift anything heavy for 3 weeks. But I could have lived without the porn star look twice, feck me it itches when it grows back and it isn't a place on a normal day you can just grab and scratch without pre-planning. And now you got the added bonus of a healing scar to avoid and the itch of that to deal with.

This was about 30 years ago so I'm sure the surgeon got better skills now. And it's not the old let's cut it up nice and wide so we can see what is going on down there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 30 November, 2020, 10:59:46 pm
I shouldn't laugh at your predicament Woolly, but you write your experience so vividly!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 30 November, 2020, 11:27:26 pm
After 30 years I can laugh too ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 30 November, 2020, 11:32:49 pm
Ohsha!

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 02 December, 2020, 07:29:50 pm
Off too see the Orthopaedic Consultant tomorrow.  No doubt a quick in, "there's nothing we can do" and out again, especially since Neurosurgery has said they don't think the discs in my neck are causing my issues so won't be operating...
...  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 02 December, 2020, 07:32:25 pm
Keeping fingers crossed it is better than feared and someone takes some responsibility for treatment and so on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 02 December, 2020, 08:01:25 pm
Keeping fingers crossed it is better than feared and someone takes some responsibility for treatment and so on.

Hopefully, barakta.  If not, I see the neurologist on the 14th of December, who according to a friend, is a not very good neurologist...   ???  Sometimes things are best left unsaid...  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 02 December, 2020, 10:29:43 pm
*sighs* I hope your experience is better than friend's but BOO.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 03 December, 2020, 05:13:11 pm
In and out the orthopaedic consultant office in under two minutes.
Passed onto neurology.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 December, 2020, 08:55:20 pm
Neuro appointment on Monday 14th.   :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 December, 2020, 10:06:47 pm
Keeping fingers crossed for some sense and support for you Brian!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2020, 09:28:38 am
Neuro appointment on Monday 14th.   :'(

I hope it goes well for you.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 10 December, 2020, 09:07:41 pm
How odd.
Letter from NHS today, saying that my ortho consultant has identified that I would be suitable for the Orthopaedic Surgery Patient Initiated Review Pathway.   ??? Apparently, If I get a change in symptoms with regards to herniated discs in neck, then I can contact the orthopaedic department via email, who'll then try and get back to me within 72 hours, for either a telephone / video consultation with the consultant.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 11 December, 2020, 10:31:52 am
I hope this works out very well for you!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 December, 2020, 01:07:33 pm
Good luck!

Meanwhile, I have inverted QRS complexes showing up sporadically on my Scanwatch ECGs and AFAICS they correspond to the muted "flub" sensation I get in the cardiac region every so often.  According to Halford's Big Book of Heart Maintenance they indicate anything from ischaemia to ingrown toenails.  I'll print one out and show it to the GP next time I'm there. I don't fancy ingrown toenails.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 December, 2020, 02:35:43 pm
Looking more closely, QRS not inverted, rather the R wave hardly developed, followed by normal RS swoop. Fascinating.

Interesting thing is that this started the evening after my first lockdown ride, when we were only allowed to get out for an hour and I tried to pack as much into it was possible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 14 December, 2020, 07:33:51 pm
Well, I saw the neurologist today.

Despite comments from a friend that he wasn't at all any good, I actually found him rather helpful.

A thorough neurological examination, (even if I had to strip down to my underpants!).

Outcome.  He isn't committing to it being Functional Neurological Disorder, or Multiple Sclerosis, until further tests have been done.

More bloods taken (7 vials worth!). Not entirely sure what he was testing for, but the results should be with my GP at the end of the week.

I'm also getting referred for a lumbar puncture  :o, as well as a spinal MRI *with* contrast as apparently part of my spine wasn't scanned on my previous MRIs. 

So while no diagnosis yet, at least I'm getting more tests to rule things out.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 14 December, 2020, 07:37:06 pm
That's a bit more promising...   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 14 December, 2020, 07:56:58 pm
Sounds like thoroughness if nothing else Brian. Glad it felt more useful than your friend's report. Hope you get tests and answers ASAP!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 December, 2020, 08:08:38 pm
Good luck Brian!

LP's not necessarily bad (at least mine wasn't!) but I had post LP headaches at 2pm every day for a week afterwards. Drink plenty and lie down if you do!

I've not had contrast for an MRI but have had my spinal cord imaged. I was able to wear my trousers as I had removed all metalwork from them. Having to change/undress can be a bit dehumanising so if you can find some metal-free trousers, I'd wear them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 15 December, 2020, 07:01:02 pm
Picked up a dose of tennis elbow about a month back. Finally got into the physio today, where he proceeded with IMS treatment and it's now (as he warned it would be), *really* sore.  2-3 weeks for any real improvement, ~ 2 months to make it go away completely.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 December, 2020, 07:39:39 pm
What's IMS?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 15 December, 2020, 09:35:53 pm
Intramuscular stimulation; Basically accupuncture with dose of electrity added.  It's much more targetted at specific muscles/nerves and forces the whole muscle to activate.
It's not comfortable at all, but can be quite effective.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 15 December, 2020, 11:45:51 pm
Caught a toe nail on the lip of a storage box lid this morning thus lifting it.
Oww and fuck.
It's a shit enough toe nail normally and I let it get a bit long evidently.

Might have to join the methadone micks* in the queue at the pharmacist down from work tomorrow.

* wish I was joking, the area down from work has one of the highest drug death rates in Europe.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 December, 2020, 05:50:07 pm
Picked up a dose of tennis elbow about a month back. Finally got into the physio today, where he proceeded with IMS treatment and it's now (as he warned it would be), *really* sore.  2-3 weeks for any real improvement, ~ 2 months to make it go away completely.

There is no level 1 evidence that anything works for tennis elbow and the vast majority settles spontaneously within a few months (1-12).  I know of no treatment for tennis elbow which is not either snake oil or harmful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 December, 2020, 07:15:37 pm
Is the same true for golfers' elbow?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 18 December, 2020, 11:54:25 am
There's a golfer's elbow?  At least tennis elbow is exercise-related.  Is it a 19th Hole thing?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 December, 2020, 01:22:09 pm
No, it's a similar affliction to the 'inside', rather than 'outside' elbow end of the humerus.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 18 December, 2020, 01:23:09 pm
Is the same true for golfers' elbow?

Probably.  the problem with golfers elbow is that it catches a significant number of cases of early cubital tunnel syndrome as both have medial epicondyle pain.

Not only is there no level 1 evidence of any benefit the best evidence from a randomised trial (although possibly not adequately powered for this outcome) is that steroid injections alleviate pain but give a poorer longterm outcome with more frequent severe recurrence than physiotherapy or a single session of advice.

The best treatment is advice to lift with the palm facing upwards which immediately removes all pain by defunctioning the radial wrist extensors.  On this basis there is no need for treatment and recovery can progress unhindered.  A tennis elbow clasp may help for similar reasons and there is a particular stretch I teach patients which may be mumbo-jumbo but which I used personally to good effect.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: simonp on 18 December, 2020, 04:33:00 pm
I found sawing wood on Saturday very painful at the inside of the elbow, have wondered for a while if it is golfer's elbow. Riding my fixie is the other thing that brought on similar pain and that might have been the original cause. I sawed up some old wood on Tuesday, and had no pain at all, it's a bit random. Though I'd also used a sledgehammer to demolish some old decking and its foundations on Saturday - that was high impact.

Completely unrelated but I've had no palpitations that I've been aware of this week, and indeed the ecg from Feline's watch now looks normal. Maybe it's because I've got the week off work, or maybe the rogue cell or cells that triggered the ectopic beats have died? I'm back at work a couple of days next week, let's see if it comes back!



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 19 December, 2020, 08:48:11 am


there is a particular stretch I teach patients which may be mumbo-jumbo but which I used personally to good effect.
Can you share? My tennis elbow has been niggling for 12 months this time around. Years ago I had the steroid injections - and found it very effective. I had almost had to stop working (I was milking cows). It's intermittent but annoying for me this time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 19 December, 2020, 09:21:18 am


there is a particular stretch I teach patients which may be mumbo-jumbo but which I used personally to good effect.
Can you share? My tennis elbow has been niggling for 12 months this time around. Years ago I had the steroid injections - and found it very effective. I had almost had to stop working (I was milking cows). It's intermittent but annoying for me this time.

I will try to put together a little video as it is difficult to describe.

If you had a lot of steroid injections previously then you probably have some weakness of the tissues which is why you are getting recurrent issues
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 19 December, 2020, 09:33:06 am
I had 2 injections - one in New Zealand and the second one back in the UK 6 months later. I was told subsequent injections would be less effective.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 December, 2020, 02:30:17 pm


there is a particular stretch I teach patients which may be mumbo-jumbo but which I used personally to good effect.
Can you share? My tennis elbow has been niggling for 12 months this time around. Years ago I had the steroid injections - and found it very effective. I had almost had to stop working (I was milking cows). It's intermittent but annoying for me this time.
https://youtu.be/LjnwsM4jCp4 (https://youtu.be/LjnwsM4jCp4)  Should get you to the video.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 December, 2020, 08:27:59 pm
Good luck Brian!

LP's not necessarily bad (at least mine wasn't!) but I had post LP headaches at 2pm every day for a week afterwards. Drink plenty and lie down if you do!

I've not had contrast for an MRI but have had my spinal cord imaged. I was able to wear my trousers as I had removed all metalwork from them. Having to change/undress can be a bit dehumanising so if you can find some metal-free trousers, I'd wear them.

Thanks! I'm used to MRI scans as this one will be my fourth one this year
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 23 December, 2020, 06:19:16 am

https://youtu.be/LjnwsM4jCp4 (https://youtu.be/LjnwsM4jCp4)  Should get you to the video.

Interesting. It's a bit weird sensation. I'll add it to the daily list of exercises. FWIW, mine has a improved a fair bit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 23 December, 2020, 09:06:40 am


https://youtu.be/LjnwsM4jCp4 (https://youtu.be/LjnwsM4jCp4)  Should get you to the video.
Thank you. Very much appreciated.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 23 December, 2020, 10:01:58 am
The stretch often needs doing every 3-4 hours in the Acute phase.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 26 December, 2020, 11:58:02 pm
Despite almost tripping over while bringing the bike in from the shed while using a crutch in the other hand  :facepalm: I managed to get the bike set up on the smart turbo trainer, and I did a trifle 8km on Zwift.

I really had to concentrate at the beginning to get my legs turning the pedals smoothly, but once I started concentrating on the screen, rather than my legs, it certainly got easier.

So perhaps it is some sort of weird Functional Neurological issue I have? Kinda like a negative feedback loop where if I focus on being unsteady on my legs I *will* be unsteady on my legs...  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 December, 2020, 12:41:07 am
Quite possibly.

This article https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/25/learning-how-walk-again-pandemic-neurological-disorder is about an online friend of mine who I didn't realise had FND after a bad bout of meningitis. She recently had intensive rehab to help her learn to walk again and stuff.

Well done for getting on your bike, I hope you can keep doing that and keeping yourself moving till you get proper support.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 December, 2020, 09:53:07 am
@BrianI good going. Sounds as if you're OK with a horizon to look at. Certainly, that's my experience - when my blood sugar is too high my semicircular canals get out of whack and I need a visual reference to walk straight.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 01 January, 2021, 07:02:16 am
Second round at the physio for my tennis elbow...the IMS treatments have been very effective. General use of elbow is now fine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 January, 2021, 01:37:18 pm
Sleeping a lot better since I stopped using the Withings Smartwatch to monitor my sleep.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 January, 2021, 07:33:27 pm
Anyhoo, a phone call from the NHS today, offering my an in person physiotherapy consultation, next Friday at 3:30pm, at the Cameron Hospital (NHS Fife's main rehab physio facility).   :thumbsup: I think my neurologist had requested that I see the physio in person, rather than via online video calls.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 January, 2021, 08:16:52 pm
Great news!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 January, 2021, 08:59:04 am
that is really good news.

Good luck brian
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 11 January, 2021, 04:41:38 pm
A couple of letters from the NHS today.

First one being a copy of the letter from the neurologist which is getting sent to my GP, as well as an appointment for my next MRI scan. It seems my thoracic spine  hasn't been scanned during my previous MRIs, so that's what I'll be getting this time, with contrast dye.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 January, 2021, 07:38:15 pm
Good luck!

My pain management lot wanted me to ask for a generic "just scan entire spine"cos we don't think I've ever had thoracic spine scans (they've done cervical, lower lumbar and sacral alongside other stuff) but weren't willing to put that in writing or ask for it themselves so I said "I might mention it to a GP but don't expect them to agree". I thing that's "you have scary syndrome with vertibral anomalies, we'd like to eliminate that".

Hope scan goes as well as it can, contrast sounds unfun.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 15 January, 2021, 05:35:02 pm
Anyway, a productive in person physiotherapy session today.

Basically what the physio was saying, the physio will help with my symptoms, no matter what the diagnosis turns out to be. Even if it's FND or MS, the same physio will help.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 January, 2021, 06:10:06 pm
That sounds great! Glad person was helpful, that is important!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 26 January, 2021, 10:08:20 pm
Well, I had my Thoracic Spine MRI scan today.

No contrast dye.

I mentioned this to the nurse who was checking my details, and when they checked the system, it seems neither the neurologist, or the radiologist actually asked for contrast dye to be used..

So hopefully the MRI scan will show something..  But I'm not hopeful, since every other scan has came back clear...   ??? :facepalm:

Gosh, 6 months, 3 days since the onset of my symptoms...  At least I'm back at work on on amended duties (since the start of November)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 January, 2021, 09:26:58 am
If it shows something, I hope it's something treatable.

Meanwhile, I have totally recovered from the optional (said cardiologist) but desirable (said GP) molsidomine that had made me heavier by 2 kilos and made it impossible to climb the hill out of our valley. Since the water to fill my dilated circulatory system had to come from somewhere, I  suspect the stuff was also responsible for the heroic bout of constipation that has afflicted me since last Thursday. So over the last two days I have peed like a world champion, and this morning the mother lode decamped,*  returning my weight to normal.  I can also run up the stairs again without slowing down.  All I need now is for the snow, wind and rain to bugger off so that I can go for a ride before the next lockdown.

* mixed metaphor exercises
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 27 January, 2021, 03:33:56 pm
May you live in less interesting times!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 31 January, 2021, 12:31:57 pm
Anyway, I managed an online seated cardio workout session this morning!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 03 February, 2021, 08:33:27 am
I had a fall on Monday hitting my back on a kerb. Doctor diagnosed bruised ribs.day before Yesterday I felt something move and the pain increased. A trip to a and e and I'm told I have a broken rib .stronger painkillers and Yesterday much improved till about 4pm when I chouphe and the pain got so bad I cannot  move ambulance came 2ish and I am now back in and e still in pain and can't move. I need to go to the loo but I'm scared to due to the pain so I'm putting it off as long as I can  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 03 February, 2021, 11:58:19 am
Get well soon cycleman!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 February, 2021, 01:58:03 pm
Ouch! GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 February, 2021, 03:07:43 pm
Aargh! Broken ribs are painful but generally, I think, harmless beyond that. Mend well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 February, 2021, 03:09:03 pm
Ow!  Hope they give you TEH GOOD DRUGZ
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 February, 2021, 05:10:13 pm
Cycleman I hope you've now had some good drugs and been able to get to the loo. Can imagine that rib pain setting off sorts of issues for you. Thinking of you. GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 03 February, 2021, 05:14:07 pm
Remember Cycleman, don’t read any good jokes or let anyone tickle you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 03 February, 2021, 06:32:45 pm
Thanks all, yes loads of drugs including morphine. I will in hospital at least 2 days. Nice nurses at least  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2021, 06:36:49 pm
Get well soon!
Shame the Pain Team are probably ensconced in CovidCare.
They could otherwise make you comfortably numb round the site of the fracture.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 February, 2021, 07:10:44 pm
Get well soon!
Shame the Pain Team are probably ensconced in CovidCare.
They could otherwise make you comfortably numb round the site of the fracture.

That would be too sensible Helly...

Even though I was wondering if in Cycleman's case that would be ideal given his spinal injury and the risk of pain triggering off all sorts of complications for him!

Cycleman, maybe you should ask about that as an option! If you don't ask, you don't get! Hope the food is OK and incarceration isn't too miserable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 04 February, 2021, 06:59:03 am
I suddenly felt nausea in the middle of the night and they gave me a pill that took ages to settle it down. I am hoping that it isn't the painkillers causing it. I have been scared to eat as bowel movements will be painful 😫
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 February, 2021, 08:34:39 am
Ask them why you have not been given a paravertebral block or even an infusion.  Should be standard of care these days. Also lignocaine patches can be used
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 04 February, 2021, 08:42:52 am
Sorry for to hear, Cycleman. Broken ribs can be very uncomfortable.
When I broke mine for the first time, I was taking flying lessons at the time and had at that point, never taken any kind of pain killers in my life.
Went to A&E, they looked at and went "Well, it might be bruised or it might be broken"..I knew it was broken as I could feel it moving!.
Anyway, they prescribed me some painkillers. At the pharmacy, I asked "I'm flying this weekend, can I still take these?"
She went "Sure! No problem". A couple of days later, I managed to realy re-tweak it, got searing pain and popped one of the pain killers....and shortly after I was conked out on the sofa and figured I should most definitely not fly on these!
It took me awhile to figure out that the pharmacist obviously thought I meant going flying as a passenger, not as a pilot...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 February, 2021, 08:32:40 pm
Ask them why you have not been given a paravertebral block or even an infusion.  Should be standard of care these days. Also lignocaine patches can be used

I was thinking intercostal block but posted that I thought Pain People might be tied up with CovidCare.

Certainly, regional blocks are the way I'd want to go with rib fracture pain.

I can't blame cycleman for being scared of his bowels!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 05 February, 2021, 07:39:23 am
Still no bowel movement. I will take another movicol this morning but I don't think that I should eat breakfast till i have had one 🤔.
They put a patch on the broken rib side  last night. No idea what it was. They have taken it off now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 February, 2021, 09:12:10 am
that would be the lignocaine patch.  Local anaesthetic absorbed through the skin
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 05 February, 2021, 07:39:52 pm
And now I'm back home with just paracetamol and naxproxin . Hope I don't end up going back in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 February, 2021, 08:25:56 pm
We hope so too! Being at home is good...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 February, 2021, 09:36:55 am
+1.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 February, 2021, 09:44:07 am
Buggered my left knee schlepping wood up from the cellar and groceries & dogfood up from the car.  Pain under kneecap when I e.g. push my foot into a shoe or go down stairs, and pressing a pedal is ouchville.  Yesterday pain was on inside top, today it's on outside top.

And it just so happens that this week we've got excellent cycling weather for the first time since 2nd January. Am not amused. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 16 February, 2021, 07:12:27 pm
Rib pain is now under control but now my lower back is playing up  :( when I had a ct scan in hospital they said that I had some old trauma to my lower spine. Hopefully when covid is less of a problem I will have to see if there is anything that can be done to improve the back. I'm not that hopeful though 😕
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 16 February, 2021, 08:32:04 pm
My wife’s bipolar, and recently had some additional blood tests, diabetes and cholesterol included. Unexpectedly today one of our GP’s phoned, and told her she had high cholesterol and they were putting her on statins immediately  :-\. She’s 77, 8st 5lb, teetotal and non smoker.  Spends all the time she can gardening. So just age related it seems.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 16 February, 2021, 10:30:57 pm
May be worth asking for a repeat, making sure it is faster and asking what the ratio is. Ratio is far more stable important.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 17 February, 2021, 08:31:57 am
I’ll mention fasting to her for next time, although that doesn’t seem to be a usual requirement these days. She has a retest in 4 weeks, and as bipolar gets quarterly tests anyway, to which I would expect them to add cholesterol now. She was pissed off. Another tablet to add to lithium, thyroxine and prophylactic antibiotics.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 February, 2021, 10:50:31 am
I am not surprised she is fed up.

This sounds like a knee jerk reaction from the GP and the easy way out.  Absolute cholesterol is much less important than the ratio of HDL:LDL.
Also the numbers needed to treat with statins to save one life is in the thousands so unless there are other significant causes of increased risk for heart disease relevant to your wife then she may decide to live with the risk.

Also does she eat a moderately ketogenic diet as that will push up your cholesterol but is not dangerous as the ratio goes in the right direction.

I think you need a zoom discussion with the GP about absolute and relative risk and what the benefit to your wife actually is.

Also before just adding statins have they checked her TSH levels as even mildly low TSH and can raise the cholesterol.  Also lithium can raise cholesterol but may not increase risk.  That seems much less known and I am very much outside my specialism now so these all need to be discussed with the GP
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 17 February, 2021, 12:55:07 pm
Achievement hit: fifteen barbell squats (3 sets of 5 reps) at 65kg which is bodyweight.

I have done that (and slightly more) in the past but not for many years.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 February, 2021, 01:18:02 pm
Bully for you, I can't even do a nobell squat without my bloody left knee hollering stoppit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 17 February, 2021, 02:34:09 pm
I am not surprised she is fed up.

This sounds like a knee jerk reaction from the GP and the easy way out.  Absolute cholesterol is much less important than the ratio of HDL:LDL.
Also the numbers needed to treat with statins to save one life is in the thousands so unless there are other significant causes of increased risk for heart disease relevant to your wife then she may decide to live with the risk.

Also does she eat a moderately ketogenic diet as that will push up your cholesterol but is not dangerous as the ratio goes in the right direction.

I think you need a zoom discussion with the GP about absolute and relative risk and what the benefit to your wife actually is.

Also before just adding statins have they checked her TSH levels as even mildly low TSH and can raise the cholesterol.  Also lithium can raise cholesterol but may not increase risk.  That seems much less known and I am very much outside my specialism now so these all need to be discussed with the GP

Thanks Chris, I'll see if I can persuade her to get her full results. The GP in question is also by way of a good acquaintance / ex-neighbour, and certainly has her best interest at heart, however he isn't her GP of record (who was the one who spotted her enlarged thyroid during an unrelated appointment some years ago) and she said that, once face to face appointments are more available, sh'e goinf to see "her" GP for a chat.

Diet is largely vegetarian, with a small amount of meat (she's just never been a great meat eater). My (at 64) recent total cholesterol was considered "normal", so it's probably not dietary.  Whether there is any past record of cholesterol checks over the years to compare to I don't know, but I doubt it given the frequency of her blood tests and sudden reaction.  She always considers herself a "healthy" person (and about 15 years younger than she is!) so it took the wind out of her sails a bit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 February, 2021, 10:12:38 am
Spent an age massaging ketoprofen gel into complaining left knee.  Got a sore arm as well, now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 February, 2021, 11:47:49 am
My damn hand is withering.
It is the one injured back in 2016 and subsequently operated on.

Random nerve pain, quite weak at times.

Compared to my right hand, the left looks like it belongs to someone 10 years older. Back to constant physio exercises for me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 22 February, 2021, 01:38:27 pm
All the best with the exercises.

Physio exercises: dreadfully boring, but the boredom can be overcome by knowing the enormous value.

Thanks Physios - absolutely brilliant work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 22 February, 2021, 06:50:26 pm
Rib is barely noticeable now  and the is allowing me to move about fairly normally again (for me).  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 23 February, 2021, 08:55:16 pm
Ho hum.

Symptoms still not improving (slighty worse, perhaps)
 and still no test results from the thoracic spine MRI on the 26th of January, nor from the blood results on the 14th of December.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 February, 2021, 08:50:35 am
Ho hum.

Symptoms still not improving (slighty worse, perhaps)
 and still no test results from the thoracic spine MRI on the 26th of January, nor from the blood results on the 14th of December.

That's disgusting.  We get MRI & radiology shots explained and handed to us before we leave the lab.  Blood analyses we get by post within 48 hours.

Sympathies. And to Cycleman & Mr. C, it's a bloody time to be out of action with the new season starting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: QFour on 25 February, 2021, 12:21:20 pm
Why have you waited so long for blood test results they should have been back ages ago unless it was an out of the ordinary test. Get on to your GP or check your notes online. If you are seeing a Consultant about your back make an appointment to see him. They can read the MRI results. When SWMBO went to she a Consultant and he asked for an MRI she booked another appointment to see him and the MRI at the same time. You have to be your own advocate with the NHS otherwise you can sit around for months and nothing happens. In the mean time people who went after you have rung them a few times and got their results.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 26 February, 2021, 07:25:13 am
Why have you waited so long for blood test results they should have been back ages ago unless it was an out of the ordinary test. Get on to your GP or check your notes online. If you are seeing a Consultant about your back make an appointment to see him. They can read the MRI results. When SWMBO went to she a Consultant and he asked for an MRI she booked another appointment to see him and the MRI at the same time. You have to be your own advocate with the NHS otherwise you can sit around for months and nothing happens. In the mean time people who went after you have rung them a few times and got their results.

Apparently the MRI scan is getting looked at by another top neuroradiologist consultant, which may explain the delay?

At least that's what my neurologists receptionist said when I phoned a couple of days ago.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2021, 08:39:38 am
MrsT & I were let blood this morning. Nurse was wearing an ordinary clinical mask with the loops crossed and I could see through it from one side to the other. She said she was vaccinated, so I hope it was long enough ago to stop her catching Covid & spreading it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 06 March, 2021, 09:11:22 pm
A 40 minute stroll, using trekking poles, rather than my crutches, for my daily allowed exercise Physio Approved around a local woodland.  A mere 4000 steps.  To think in 2020 I had done my first 200km Audax event, and now I'm struggling to walk.   :'(

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 06 March, 2021, 10:31:48 pm
Mate you will get back. I cycled around the world arrived back to not being able to go to the loo with out having a rest in bed/sofa for an hour or so before I could make a cuppa to then again have a rest...

Yes 2020 was a bugger I just got back into enjoying cycling again and had taken up archery (which I really enjoyed). Only manged one ride all of last year. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 07 March, 2021, 12:17:48 am
Why have you waited so long for blood test results they should have been back ages ago unless it was an out of the ordinary test. Get on to your GP or check your notes online. If you are seeing a Consultant about your back make an appointment to see him. They can read the MRI results. When SWMBO went to she a Consultant and he asked for an MRI she booked another appointment to see him and the MRI at the same time. You have to be your own advocate with the NHS otherwise you can sit around for months and nothing happens. In the mean time people who went after you have rung them a few times and got their results.
Bloods should have been done within a couple of days and the results available to gp within a day of that tops.
Unless a properly rare test at worst Fife would have sent them to Edinburgh or Dundee, which then has cross border communication limitations RM don't have the mail contract though.

No direct patient access to most medical records in Scotland yet though.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2021, 11:22:14 am
Got my dodgy knee X-rayed and echoed today, and since they got both my knees onto the same sheet of film the radiologist pronounced on the good one too. Nothing untoward, just a wee bit of plaque in the popliteal arteries, which doesn't play any part in what I was feeling.  He reckons that the kneecap was floating a bit and touching the femur during my wood-schlepping exercises, and the rest was due to the consequent inflammation.  Nice thing was that he's a cyclist, so we were nattering about that as much as the load on my bendy bits.

Quite a relief: last thing I need is a buggered meniscus or arthritis.  Bought myself an imposing entrecôte to celebrate - not quite within the constraints of my diabetic diet but my last analysis was good and Jack gets fed up being a dull boy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 March, 2021, 01:29:44 pm
WHINGE... My dodgier right hip decided to start fucking around at about 10pm last night, joint catching which is excruciatingly painful and having no comfortable position in seated or lying position. There's no point in pain meds, they don't work.

I'm now actually ON the waiting list for the Birmingham Pelvic Osteotomy and Femoral Osteotomy surgery but that's going to be 3-4 months away at absolute best and the recovery from hell.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 March, 2021, 04:58:15 pm
Ouch!  I know all about bone-on-bone fun & games, real breath-stoppers. Sympathies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 March, 2021, 06:06:58 pm
Thanks, it seems to be easing off a bit. Sat in a different chair for a while. Trying to remember to keep moving around a lot so I don't stiffen up more.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 March, 2021, 09:41:37 am
Cardiac echography & stress test yesterday, all well. He only took me up to 180W on the exercise bike, though. When I did the Ventoux in 2007 I maintained that for 2½ hours. I was a young thing of 60 back then, though.

6 months to play until the next appointment.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 26 March, 2021, 09:57:01 am
I woke up on Sunday with a big red patch on the white of my eye, but no other symptoms at all, so I basically ignored it (as per the NHS website) and figured it would just go away. It shrunk significantly, but has now stopped shrinking. I've sent a picture to the doc via their online portal, I am wondering if I ought to try to get a GP appointment (or an opticians one - I reckon the opticians are probably easier to see).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 26 March, 2021, 10:39:01 am
I woke up on Sunday with a big red patch on the white of my eye, but no other symptoms at all, so I basically ignored it (as per the NHS website) and figured it would just go away. It shrunk significantly, but has now stopped shrinking. I've sent a picture to the doc via their online portal, I am wondering if I ought to try to get a GP appointment (or an opticians one - I reckon the opticians are probably easier to see).

My wife gets these occasionally, completely out of the blue. Takes a few days to dissipate, but always have. No known cause.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 30 March, 2021, 09:13:21 pm
The other night I managed to get a literally off-scale reading from my peak flow meter.  The little pointer pingfuckited across the room, never to be seen again.  PH33R MY AW3S0M3 LUNGZ0RZ!  (Or possibly the age of the meter.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 April, 2021, 09:28:38 am
How in hell do you manage to tear an anterior tibialis on a bike?  Cycling is one of the recommended alternative sports for runners recovering from injured shins. Mine went ouch on a lousy 5% climb yesterday.  Palpable lump last night, much less today but still giving me the odd jab.  One is not amused.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 06 April, 2021, 10:49:23 am
Equally how does one mess up ones back while soaping your lower legs in the shower?   :facepalm:

Something tweaked on Sunday morning, I was still mobile till after lunch when it became difficult to stand let alone walk. The stairs were not fun. Sunday night was uncomfortable and Monday morning still bad. By monday evening I was at least able to walk without leaning on a wall or banister.

Today it is uncomfortable but I am mobile and am able to sit at work, though walking around site says something is still wrong.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 April, 2021, 11:00:12 am
Equally how does one mess up ones back while soaping your lower legs in the shower?   :facepalm:

That's a bit easier than tearing a muscle that's not under strain.  Bending over with straight legs is one of the commonest methods of popping something in your back.

While the Inlaw Paw was still alive we had a fold-down seat put into the shower for him.  I used to disdain it myself, but lately...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 06 April, 2021, 01:33:46 pm
I've been injected this morning.

Last time I had this done the nice  Mr Al-Maiyah  (https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/consultants/mr-mohammed-al-maiyah/) went top down but today  Dr Spratt (https://www.spirehealthcare.com/consultant-profiles/dr-jonathan-spratt-c3612646/) went bottom up.
He also said I had really a impressive callus.

I'm waiting for the steroid flare.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 12 April, 2021, 11:44:56 am
I think my welding helmet is a bit wonky. I did a tiny bit of welding (maybe 10 tacks) on Saturday, and my right eye has been really gritty the last day and a half. :( Strangely, the left is basically fine.
I've ordered a new helmet (one with replaceable batteries and a low battery warning light), so it shouldn't happen again, and I'll get some regular saline drops when I go out this afternoon...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 April, 2021, 11:52:01 am
In what must be a forum tradition, IRTA "wedding helmet".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 April, 2021, 02:23:00 pm
[OT] Which reminds me of the photo a friend posted elsewhere.
3 men at wedding, in top hat & tails. Couple's fathers with hats on heads.
Groom holding hat in front of trousers...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 April, 2021, 04:34:33 pm
My left thumb (carpometacarpal joint) has started partially dislocating. The bone is moves off the joint and sometimes gets jammed there - I can move it back with my other hand.

Very annoying, I presume it is a side-effect of my wrist injure in 2016.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 April, 2021, 04:05:56 pm
Another day, another letter from the NHS.

My next MRI scan, number 5 in my neurological diagnosis adventures, and the second scan of my cervical scan, will be on the 5th of May.  :facepalm:

I wonder if I'll get any answers? Or will the diagnosis can get kicked further down the road as I get punted between specialists, waiting for appointments to go on waiting lists for tests.

It'll by 9 months next week since onset of neurological symptoms, which put me in hospital for 5 days at the end of July last year. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 13 April, 2021, 05:00:14 pm
Don't despair BrianI, I had over 9 months from my referral to get a scan until I got to talk to a consultant about that scan. Among many other funny delays like being referred to the same doctor that referred me, because the online booking couldn't book a specific doctor only time at a the clinic. Took a good 30min, once I got through, to explain in a way they could that got past the normal - computer says no - before the system and the person on the phone clocked that booking a time at 9am does not book a named doctor that I was asked to book.

Glad that you are getting it rather soon in these times, I wouldn't be surprised that there a longer waiting list out there atm

GWS
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 14 April, 2021, 03:51:39 pm
Don't despair BrianI, I had over 9 months from my referral to get a scan until I got to talk to a consultant about that scan. Among many other funny delays like being referred to the same doctor that referred me, because the online booking couldn't book a specific doctor only time at a the clinic. Took a good 30min, once I got through, to explain in a way they could that got past the normal - computer says no - before the system and the person on the phone clocked that booking a time at 9am does not book a named doctor that I was asked to book.

Glad that you are getting it rather soon in these times, I wouldn't be surprised that there a longer waiting list out there atm

GWS

Thanks woollypigs!  This will be my 5th MRI scan (a repeat scan of my cervical spine), hopefully this one gives answers...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 April, 2021, 10:31:11 am
My left thumb (carpometacarpal joint) has started partially dislocating. The bone is moves off the joint and sometimes gets jammed there - I can move it back with my other hand.

Very annoying, I presume it is a side-effect of my wrist injure in 2016.
And resolved.

Did something at my desk (typing or picking up pencil).  Something went 'click' and there was a loud pop. Pain and movement difficulty gone. Hasn't got stuck since.

So I suspect it was partially dislocated all the time. That or a bone chip was getting stuck.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 23 April, 2021, 10:57:19 am
Great news Mr C!  :) :) :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 April, 2021, 04:17:50 pm
Was daft enough today to have an espresso just before riding, and had very mild angina when heart was running over the cardiologist's theoretical max. Nothing startling, but enough to make me reduce the effort.

At my last stress test I had a "discreet" depression of the ST segment when I went over "max" revs.  In previous years the cardiologist would have pushed it a wee bit further then sent me for an angiogram + probable stent, but that would have meant an hour or so in what's joyfully called reanimation here, and I reckon they don't want odd bodies cluttering the place up just because they want to pedal a bit hard.

I reckon I'll try the vasodilator the cardiologist recommended.  If it clobbers the effort too much I can always have an espresso or two.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 07 May, 2021, 03:36:51 pm
Bugger. My gall bladder has started complying again, after 7 years of virtually no symptoms. Now I’ve had discomfort - although thankfully not the full-on agony - twice in 2 days  :( :(.

Here’s hoping it passes again before bedtime. And a wake-up call to start eating sensibly again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 07 May, 2021, 04:04:06 pm
Was daft enough today to have an espresso just before riding, and had very mild angina when heart was running over the cardiologist's theoretical max. Nothing startling, but enough to make me reduce the effort.

If you don’t mind me asking. What percentage of your max HR is this theoretical max set by cardiologist?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 21 June, 2021, 11:18:34 am
I have developed a lump / cyst on my elbow. It's not quite on the point but it is close. In fact it is located directly over the wire twists that secured the ends of the wire when I had the fracture of my olecranon pinned.

I wouldn't think much of it except a) new lump and b) being over the wire it interacts when I put my elbow on an armrest which is uncomfortable.

Anyway GP Econsult form completed and I will see what they say. I wouldn't mind if the answer is take out the wire as after 15 years I doubt the bones still need it there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 June, 2021, 02:06:59 pm
I suspect removing the wire might well cure your problem.

Wire removal is not usually an urgent/high-priority procedure and NHS surgical waiting lists are extremely long at present. Things might literally come to a head (& change urgency/priority) if a wire pokes through the skin or there are signs of infection.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 25 June, 2021, 11:27:53 am
Well I was actually asked to do a face to face consultation at the GP! Diagnosis is a Bursitis and give it a few weeks whilst trying to avoid aggravation but leaning on it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 June, 2021, 10:45:51 am
A week's holiday, first time in ages. Daughter, son-in-law and baby grandson are here.

So I get sodding tonsillitis.

Not serious enough yet to need antibiotics.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 01 July, 2021, 06:58:45 pm
So was at the docs today, having bloods taken and a general chat.  Had my blood preassure taken last week and it was very high 160/110 high, today had a similar high reading even after cycling 16miles to get to the docs. 

As there were other things going on they gave be something for anxiety....15 minutes later my BP was in the normal range and I felt calmer.  Cycling back was interesting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 02 July, 2021, 09:11:41 am
I drove almost the entire length of the A14 yesterday. This is the furthest I've driven in around 2 years.
I woke up in the night with everything aching to the point I was wondering if I had flu. Plus, dehydration from only stopping once for a coffee (well , Starbucks) somewhere near Cambridge.
This morning it's just my neck and shoulders.
Moral is - pace yourself back to normal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 July, 2021, 02:53:02 pm
Got a hilly hundred km tomorrow with a bunch of chums, first group ride since March 2020, so I did a short loop today to get my legs moving.  Was tempted into overtaking a couple of younger riders on the only decent hill of the ride, and now I've got a phunny pain to one side of my left Achilles tendon.  As it says in 1 Corinthians ch 13, bugger, and furthermore drat.

Just rubbed a few ccs of ketoprofen gel into it to see what happens. Don't want to miss the ride, we're aiming i.a. at our favourite Italian coffee & ice-cream joint in Dahn, but I might miss out a few of the gratuitous cols El Prez pencilled in - since he got his buzzy eBike he's a devil for them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 02 July, 2021, 09:54:10 pm
One for the docs, why would elevated sodium appear in a blood test then in a blood test within 16 hours of the first be not as elevated but still out of normal range? 

As a diabetic, on diabetic medication and ssri so am really excessively sweaty as well as a diabetic med that make me thirsty and pee alot.  Monitoring the colour of my pee to see if I am correctly hydrated.

Is there any thing to be concerned about or change so this won't happen again?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 July, 2021, 10:18:38 pm
Do you know the glucose level at the time of these measurements?

A high sodium can indicate dehydration.

Water follows osmotic gradients and big shifts in osmolality can shove/suck water in & out of vital organs & cause mischief.

Potassium & glucose follow each other into the cells, under the influence of insulin, and sodium tends to move in the opposite direction to potassium.

Potassium levels are critical to healthy functioning, sodium less so.

It's all something of a merry-go-round,

I'd be interested to know your sodium level when your hydration is adequate and blood sugar is within healthy limits. I suspect it's OK...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 02 July, 2021, 10:54:39 pm
Do you know the glucose level at the time of these measurements?

A high sodium can indicate dehydration.

Water follows osmotic gradients and big shifts in osmolality can shove/suck water in & out of vital organs & cause mischief.

Potassium & glucose follow each other into the cells, under the influence of insulin, and sodium tends to move in the opposite direction to potassium.

Potassium levels are critical to healthy functioning, sodium less so.

It's all something of a merry-go-round,

I'd be interested to know your sodium level when your hydration is adequate and blood sugar is within healthy limits. I suspect it's OK...

First time there has been an issue that I know of.  In the sense my sodium levels has never been mentioned before.

First time I have had a call from an out of hours gp, and be told to go to A&E, if I can't get there by myself an ambulance would be arranged.  Glad I took a book.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 July, 2021, 11:21:31 pm
We medics seldom get worked up about sodium levels, unless they are high in babies or very low in adults.

This GP had not seen  you and was playing dafe.

My instinct would be to watch, wait & repeat the test, observing contemporaneous glucose & potassium levels.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 03 July, 2021, 11:49:26 am
Please do not take this as complaining, just a bit scary.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 July, 2021, 02:30:41 pm
I don't! Suspect Dr was scared about 'the numbers' too!

We were taught to 'treat the patient, not the numbers' BUT

Some numbers, like potassium levels, might be dangerous and won't show in the patient's appearance.
Remote consultations have obvious limitations...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 03 July, 2021, 10:44:29 pm
We have peppermint in The garden growing luxuriously so we have taken to drinking peppermint tea. Which is great until the laxative effect becomes obvious.

I am probably empty enough that I could have a high quality colonoscopy with no further prep!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 July, 2021, 10:49:07 pm
Partner drinks peppermint tea (Sainsbury's bags) and isn't so affected.
Maybe he needs more....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 04 July, 2021, 12:19:13 pm
We have peppermint in The garden growing luxuriously so we have taken to drinking peppermint tea. Which is great until the laxative effect becomes obvious.

I am probably empty enough that I could have a high quality colonoscopy with no further prep!!

Picolax?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 July, 2021, 02:49:48 pm
Isn't he one of the characters in Asterix?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 July, 2021, 05:57:25 pm
We have peppermint in The garden growing luxuriously so we have taken to drinking peppermint tea. Which is great until the laxative effect becomes obvious.

I am probably empty enough that I could have a high quality colonoscopy with no further prep!!

Picolax?
pretty much the same effect, but gentler
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 July, 2021, 07:36:58 pm
Well it couldn't be less gentle or you'd turn inside out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: giropaul on 04 July, 2021, 08:26:01 pm
I don't think we have one of these in here.

Me leg is acting funny. Sometimes it spasms. Sometimes it goes on strike and goes floppy. Always when I'm walking and occasionally in public, which is amusing/embarrassing/'ucking ridiculous. Pick one.

GP decides it might be a problem with my knee. Well, unlikely, I have knees like a bullock (figuratively speaking). More likely my damaged/weak lower back. Never mind, another Physio referral will help anyway.

I had similar. After scans etc ( that did diagnose a completely borked back ) some googling led me to a University study, and this suggested Naproxen as the culprit. Sure enough, it was.
A little later I was in a pharmacy and in conversation with the pharmacist he expressed surprise that I was so up to date. He’d only just qualified and there was some mention of the issue in his final weeks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2021, 09:28:15 am
I usually get a little bit of hay fever in June or July. This year it's gone weird. I go camping and it clears up; come back home and my eyes itch and nose streams. It's not a cold and it's not something like dust, as it's seasonal, so I presume the culprit pollen is something in gardens or roadsides. There's a plane tree opposite, and they're not commonly seen out of towns, so perhaps it's that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 July, 2021, 11:56:20 am
I usually get a little bit of hay fever in June or July. This year it's gone weird. I go camping and it clears up; come back home and my eyes itch and nose streams. It's not a cold and it's not something like dust, as it's seasonal, so I presume the culprit pollen is something in gardens or roadsides. There's a plane tree opposite, and they're not commonly seen out of towns, so perhaps it's that.

This was my childhood.  We'd go on holiday for two weeks and I'd maybe sneeze occasionally when exposed to grass.  Then on the way home we'd turn off the M25 and my eyes would start streaming again.

I had it similarly badly as a PSO in Canterbury, but not while living in Brizzle, Sheffield or, strangely, Newham.  Middle Earth is somewhere in the middle, and seems to have a strong pollution factor to it.  And of course Highgate (That London) is where it all began.

I've concluded that I'm allergic to Conservative-voting areas.  Hypothesis that Tory voters are more inclined to doing Gardening...

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2021, 12:34:59 pm
Your conclusion is a safe one though it may be nothing to do with gardening! But to live in a Conservative-voting area of Brizzle you have to be a multimillionaire or a student (yes, those Stoke Bishop halls) so that doesn't apply here.

Actually, the worst I ever had it was one year high summer at the in-laws, surrounded by fields of wheat, rye, etc, and forests of mostly pine trees, so I don't know.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 July, 2021, 10:14:31 pm
I don't know what bit me leg but the red raised hot area of skin has progressed over the course of last night and today from 50p sized, to palm of my hand, to now only just coverable with palm and fingers.

And it hurts, admittedly only a bit, if I completely extend or fold my knee.

Hopefully it calms down overnight.

Weirdly given the extent of reaction I can't see or feel the actual bite point.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 14 July, 2021, 10:23:35 pm
Sounds like a cleg.

They love me. Or maybe I keep hanging out where they hang out.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 July, 2021, 10:31:08 pm
That's what my workmate reckoned too. Well he said horse fly but Google tells me they're the same.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jaded on 15 July, 2021, 12:39:38 am
Clegs are bigger, badder, and madder.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 15 July, 2021, 06:28:39 am
Aye. Because they're Northern bastards.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2021, 10:37:37 am
Aye². Worst cleg bite I ever had, in Norn Iron, was like someone sticking a hot needle into my leg. All night. I was 8. "It's better if you don't knock them off," they say, but they haven't had to stare into the white face of one of the bloody things while it's feasting.

Wasps, bees & hornets I can get on with, but clegs still arouse a feeling of panic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 15 July, 2021, 10:46:09 am
I don't think I felt the bite itself. It's not going down though, if anything it's bigger.

Swollen from mid-thigh to just below my knee.

I wish I'd worn shorts today and not jeans that's for sure.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2021, 11:21:06 am
I needed antibiotics for one like that once. The buggers don't sterilize their drinking-straws.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 15 July, 2021, 11:48:10 am
I'm going to see how it looks tomorrow morning. I was expecting to be on the office again tomorrow but I now can work from home which is handy for the pharmacy and/or GP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 July, 2021, 12:33:33 pm
Meanwhile, a horsefly got me on the ankle, so all my allergies are in overdrive and I'm desperately trying to stop myself from scratching the skin raw when I'm not paying attention, because taping sanitary towels to your ankles to soak up the ooze is not a good look.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 July, 2021, 02:10:05 pm
'All my allergies are on overdrive'...
My skin seems to be turning into a total nocturnal itchfest, which mostly resolves by morning.

I stopped the gabapentin, which I thought was the culprit and things seemed to resolve.

Visited parents yesterday; Started with sweat rash on my back, then spread & developed into hives.

Mostly better now...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 15 July, 2021, 07:25:26 pm
Visited parents yesterday; Started with sweat rash on my back, then spread & developed into hives.
It's not just my parents then.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 July, 2021, 09:24:44 pm
Last time we had a parental visit, barakta's dad and stepmother managed to aerosolise enough sesame that I had an asthma attack without even touching their food.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 15 July, 2021, 09:28:03 pm
My feet and ankles have swollen up. I’m putting it down to a selection of stings and scratches, combined with going from touring to sitting at a desk.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 July, 2021, 01:28:06 pm
Last time we had a parental visit, barakta's dad and stepmother managed to aerosolise enough sesame that I had an asthma attack without even touching their food.

And it wasn't even prime allergy season...

I've just remembered the awful cake too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 July, 2021, 02:57:15 pm
No surprise, but a short ride an hour after 2 espressi got me a spell of angina yesterday when I got home.  I just hope that when it goes tilt at the cardiologist's this September there's room for me in the stenting shop.

That's the trouble with 30 years of T2 diabetes: the diet is so effing miserable that you can't help but break the rules occasionally>often>every day. It doesn't help that the medicos are so sanguine about it: back after my first stent I mentioned to one that I enjoyed cooking. She replied "well, now you're going to discover lots of ways to cook chicken". Cow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 July, 2021, 03:41:17 pm
Visited parents yesterday; Started with sweat rash on my back, then spread & developed into hives.
It's not just my parents then.
;D ;D ;D

Seriously, my wheelchair cushions leave me sweaty & parents' flat is fairly hot.

Rash has all but disappeared, with occasional marks around elastic in clothing.

Partner thought I should see a mediquack; I see no point wasting time on the evanescent & self-limiting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ashaman42 on 16 July, 2021, 04:15:27 pm
My leg ent fallen orf  :thumbsup:

By the time I went to bed last night walking and standing were actively painful which was a bit concerning. Decided to see what it did overnight.

The red patch wasn't any reduced in area when I woke but it was maybe a bit less red and inflamed. And walking and standing were ok again. Wasn't sure if that was an actual improvement or just that I'd had my legs up overnight but a trip to the supermarket and a walk back with too much shopping and it wasn't any worse albeit a bit hot and itchy from my jeans.

I think it's still reducing/improving although I've not got a nice tennis ball sized bruise developing around the bite site.

I think I'll live.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 July, 2021, 06:51:43 pm
Visited parents yesterday; Started with sweat rash on my back, then spread & developed into hives.
It's not just my parents then.
;D ;D ;D

Seriously, my wheelchair cushions leave me sweaty & parents' flat is fairly hot.

Rash has all but disappeared, with occasional marks around elastic in clothing.

Partner thought I should see a mediquack; I see no point wasting time on the evanescent & self-limiting.

Helly, you mean you didn't think you had RAREDISEASE-X and work yourself into a hypochondriac frenzy like my stepdad would've? :D

Sounds wise not to see a mediquack for self limiting and clearly NotAPotentiallyDanerousInfection thing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 July, 2021, 08:03:11 pm
Seriously, my wheelchair cushions leave me sweaty & parents' flat is fairly hot.

Have you tried Ventisit (https://www.ventisit.nl/)?  It's not just for darksiders...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 July, 2021, 09:06:43 pm
Seriously, my wheelchair cushions leave me sweaty & parents' flat is fairly hot.

Have you tried Ventisit (https://www.ventisit.nl/)?  It's not just for darksiders...

I have not, though I am aware of its existence.

My problem is only with the inbuilt, padded folding backrest. I suspect any more padding there won't help.

I have also decided to reduce, though not eliminate, my mustard intake. My urticaria seemed to start when I had Colman's French Mustard when I was 8. It bugged me as an adolescent but I seemed to outgrow it. Returned after ham & mustard sandwich in 2018, carbamazepine earlier this year and gabapentin this month. I've obviously had mustard without issue over the last 5 decades...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 17 July, 2021, 01:52:44 pm
Bodies are odd. I get occasional hives, no idea why. Around 2 weeks ago, one Sunday evening, a rash erupted. Right inner forearm, right inner bicep, stomach to the right of belly button, inner left bicep and a bit on my neck. Small (3mm) red lumps, slowly (and very itchily) transforming into what I expected to be vesicles, but never did. Itch went after about a week, all signs after 2. <shrug>.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: fd3 on 18 July, 2021, 12:42:59 am
Woke up in the middle of the night, I had actually rolled over and slept on my shoulder - so heavily that I had cut off all circulation to my arm.  Not just slightly tingly, I had no feeling in that arm.  Really creepy having an arm missing, then picking it up with your other arm.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 July, 2021, 04:32:19 pm
Hmm, one of my glands is up. Go away lurgy, whatever you are.
(The last time that happened I had shingles).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Andy W on 18 July, 2021, 06:06:12 pm
Daughter and grandchildren stayed last weekend. Normally we’re fine with that, however the 3 year old grandson had really bad tonsillitis and was on antibiotics and Calpol. For all of last weekend the poor boy grizzled. They went home, now MrsW and I have really bad colds. Negative for Covid ( both of us at double jabbed). Completed a 70 mile bike ride this morning and last 20 miles was so challenging. 6 am home by 12 still too hot. Didn’t want to let my son down as we’re supposed to be getting the miles in for forthcoming ride
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 July, 2021, 07:23:28 pm
Hmm, one of my glands is up. Go away lurgy, whatever you are.
(The last time that happened I had shingles).
It went away but is now back again :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 August, 2021, 09:16:47 am
Back in June I was doing rides of 100-150 km once a week, alternating with 50-60 km rides in between.  Then, starting a fortnight after my second AZ shot, I had a bout of "flu".  GP said it probably wasn't Covid, but since then it's been taking me a couple of weeks to recover from a 100k. My last 100k was end of July, since then I've done two rides of under 50k, the last one was 35k on Monday and climbing the stairs just now made my legs ache.

I guess I've got long flu.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mike on 18 August, 2021, 02:08:08 pm
this cough has come and gone for about 2 months.  I wish it'd just sod off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 21 August, 2021, 10:36:45 pm
Itchy baws!  >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 August, 2021, 01:27:19 am
Canesten cream is good for jock itch. Just sayin...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 August, 2021, 12:17:59 am
Today my daily average paces for 2021 passed 11000. I now have to keep up a daily average of at least 10966 paces daily to reach 4000000 paces for the year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 August, 2021, 10:03:06 am
Restaurant Wednesday evening, stinking cold since yesterday.

That's twice now since my 2nd vaccination that I've eaten in public eating-places, and twice now that I have developed some kind of upper respiratory lurgi in the days following.  I'm beginning to wonder if isolation, lockdown, mask discipline etc. don't sap our normal resistance to such maladies.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 August, 2021, 01:10:13 pm
Meanwhile, the hubby of chum of MrsT's in England went into a small local hospital with a crippling headache and was diagnosed with a subdural haemorrhage. The docs there, all disconcertingly young, hummed & hawed and decided that the best thing was to wait and see what happened, rather than bother the BFO district hospital unnecessarily.

What happened was that last night he was rushed to the BFO hospital and they're hoping he'll survive.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 August, 2021, 08:26:48 pm
I've been offline with horrendous D&V for the last couple of days.  And I do mean horrendous.  Worse than trapped gallstone and Long Itch Lurgy combined - full on regain-consciousness-in-a-pool-of-bodily-fluids-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-bathroom-door type stuff.  Barakta mentioned The Exorcist, so you don't have to.

Things seem to be improving, as I've managed to keep down a small amount of bread, and am no longer pining for a bag of Hartmann's.

The mystery is where it came from.  Had a friend visit last weekend.  He's generally being sensible about Covid and has had no symptoms of anything.

I did a DIY 200 on Tuesday, on which the only human contact was a conversation with a passing motorist while repairing a mechanical.  I did wipe the oil off my hands in the verge and later operate a gate on a popular dog-emptying route.  I took 800mg of Ibuprofen over about 5 hours, along with a sufficiency of cheese sandwiches, on the basis that a bit of acid reflux was preferable to having to bail because OwMeKnee and risking a covid-infested train.

Digestive system was surprisingly well behaved on Tuesday night and Wednesday, until I woke up with nausea and cramping at 4am on Thursday, and all hell broke loose a couple of hours later.

Barakta remains asymptomatic (by barakta standards).  We've both done a PCR covid test (results pending), and I'm treating it as norovirus.  Seriously, though, WTF?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 August, 2021, 08:28:29 pm
Sounds unpleasant, hope you feel better soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 27 August, 2021, 08:37:45 pm
Ditto. I was completely resigned to you overtaking me a great multiple of times over the weekend.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 27 August, 2021, 08:46:15 pm
Sounds horrible.  Hope you make a full & swift recovery. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 27 August, 2021, 11:09:46 pm
^^^GWS
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 28 August, 2021, 07:22:05 am
Get better soon kim 🙂
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 August, 2021, 08:58:50 am
GWS, Kim. BTDT after eating oysters in Stuttgart.  Never been to a Nordsee shop since.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 28 August, 2021, 10:00:00 am
Sounds awful Kim.  GWS.
Did you touch anything that may have come into contact with raw sewage?  The same thing happened to me after joining the village clean up volunteers after the Grate Flood.
You've done well not to pass it on to barakta.  Mrs B caught mine after three days, and we were being super careful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 August, 2021, 10:32:19 am
That there alcoholic solution is good for more than Covid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 August, 2021, 06:33:24 pm
We're at at ~60 hours since onset of symptoms so still have a few days for me to consider myself "to have escaped" getting it myself. I'm going to call it ~48 hours from when Kim stops being considered infectious which will be ~Wednesday at this rate.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 August, 2021, 06:37:05 pm
That all sounds remarkably grim. GWS, Kim, and stay well, Barakta.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 August, 2021, 06:51:14 pm
Meanwhile, the hubby of chum of MrsT's in England went into a small local hospital with a crippling headache and was diagnosed with a subdural haemorrhage. The docs there, all disconcertingly young, hummed & hawed and decided that the best thing was to wait and see what happened, rather than bother the BFO district hospital unnecessarily.

What happened was that last night he was rushed to the BFO hospital and they're hoping he'll survive.
I've had one of those. In my case I was admitted to hospital an hour or so after a taxi driver left me unconscious in the middle of the road, and the doctors apparently said that 20 minutes later it would have been too late. Very occasionally I still got a pain where they sewed my skull back together after letting the devils magic smoke blood out. I hope MrsT's chum's hubby survives.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 August, 2021, 06:56:25 pm
That there alcoholic solution is good for more than Covid.

But, critically, not norovirus.  It's surprisingly hard to kill and has a very low infectious dose.  Real soap for hands, bleach for things that will tolerate bleach, hot wash for fabrics.

I'm continually amazed that primary schools aren't permanently awash with the stuff (well, they are, it's just that usually people develop some level of immunity).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 28 August, 2021, 09:59:53 pm
Sounds really quite awful Kim.  You have our sympathies and best wishes for a speedy recovery and an uninfected Barakta.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 August, 2021, 10:43:56 pm
Today I have managed to keep some proper food with protein in it down, shampoo[1] the landing carpet[2] and provide remote moral support[3] to the other half of the BHPC Time Team, who has been left with a load of unexpected work to do for probably the biggest event of the year, without access to the Official Jam-Filled Babbage Engine due to me becoming incapacitated just before the sign-on deadline.

I've discovered a nice bruise on my hip, to go with the bashed elbow and not-sure-what-happened-to-it-but-it's-clearly-not-right wrist.  Injuries like that without the aid of a bicycle are just unfair.  On the other hand, my kidneys appear to be rebooting.

Barakta has collapsed in bed with general exhaustion, but still no out-of-the-ordinary symptoms.  All this going up and down the stairs and endlessly cleaning things and generally watching in case I black out again has been very hard on her.


[1] In an attempt to displace the real poo.   :sick:
[2] I did a 200 4 days ago, today climbing stairs with a hoover is a struggle.
[3] Ie. little that was substantially helpful.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 29 August, 2021, 01:44:11 pm
...and we've both just got negative PCR test results for Covid.  That's a huge relief, with barakta's surgery in a week and a half...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 31 August, 2021, 05:07:44 pm
Funnily enough (or not), Bike Forums sent me an email earlier on entitled " How To Entirely Empty Your Bowels Every Morning".

Wot, right back to the duodenum?  Wow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 September, 2021, 10:40:56 am
Cycling chum has a branch block and wears a 24/7 subcutaneous monitor.  Yesterday his cardiologist told him that the last couple of times he's fallen asleep his heart has stopped for a few seconds.  "We'll need to keep an eye on that - might need a pacemaker".

Leaves him - and me - wondering how likely it is to stay stopped.  He's a wee bit apprehensive now, to say the least.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 September, 2021, 08:55:07 am
Own stress ECG yesterday, "much the same as last time".  What wasn't was that the nurse didn't let the pressure in the suction-cup electrodes equalize completely ("well the gauge said zero"/"it was measuring your brain-power") before wrenching them off my chest so I now have a couple of raw rings of peeled blisters there, as if I'd been struggling with something Capt. Nemo would have fled.

Once home, suffered all evening & all night, every time shirt or sheets came in contact. Brainwave this morning: taped a couple of perforated plastic eye protectors over the wounds, near-perfect peace ever since.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 22 September, 2021, 08:16:44 am
Having been 'pinged' earlier, my period of self-isolation ends at 23.59 tonight.  Looking forward to the pub on Friday night.
Thought it probably the pub where I made contact but no other regulars pinged according to the landlord (I thought it best to WhatsApp him to tell him), but it seems that the owner of the convenience store is also self-isolating, so it was probably there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 September, 2021, 10:08:05 am
Age and damage-related arthritis. Osteoarthritis I guess.

I've had sore joints before and put it down to 'start of age-related arthritis'. That has waxed and waned a bit.

This time, no doubt. Little finger joint starting to swell, painful all the time. Although it is my strong (and not-so-damaged) hand, I'm finding excuses not to use it.

It is surprising how discouraging mild, but chronically persistent, can be. Dammit, I still have a lot I want to do!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 September, 2021, 01:38:17 pm
Dentist yesterday: three molars to come out* then I'll have the grub going over the side for 3-4 months while the craters heal, whereafter I'll finally join the crowned heads of Europe.

* that'll be a wrench, ho ho ho wot!?®
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 22 September, 2021, 03:40:16 pm
Still have gout in my right ankle (since 3rd October 2020). Naproxen makes my heart rate
go off the scale the moment I do anything vaguely exercise related. GP says I may have to
live with the pain (and swelling).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 September, 2021, 04:21:15 pm
Gout does not last a year. Gout is an Acute severe pain secondary to a rise in urate levels with Crystal deposition in the joint.
Pain lasting a year may be gout related damage but is not gout.

If your urate is so persistently elevated as to cause 12 months gout then you are very very sick!

Ask for an x-Ray and referral to a foot and ankle specialist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 22 September, 2021, 05:31:20 pm
Gout does not last a year. Gout is an Acute severe pain secondary to a rise in urate levels with Crystal deposition in the joint.
Pain lasting a year may be gout related damage but is not gout.

If your urate is so persistently elevated as to cause 12 months gout then you are very very sick!

Ask for an x-Ray and referral to a foot and ankle specialist.
I will believe what my GP has told me, instead of advice from a cycling forum (unless you are suitably
qualified and are prepared to assess me in person).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jaded on 22 September, 2021, 06:04:38 pm
chris speaks a lot of sense there.

Also Naproxen should only be used sparingly, it's for acute attacks, not chronic pain.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 September, 2021, 06:49:07 pm
Hi, I am a consultant hand surgeon with over 30 years experience of treating people with gout and gout related conditions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 September, 2021, 06:51:39 pm
Well, some of us knew that…
…thanks for input!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 September, 2021, 07:35:52 pm
De Sisti is right. You should not take advice from people on the internet. I could also have phrased my reply a bit better. I am currently dealing with a number of similar cases affecting the wrist and hand, hence my rather brusque responses.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 September, 2021, 08:20:30 pm
We all get overstretched on occasions!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 September, 2021, 09:58:49 am
Gout does not last a year. Gout is an Acute severe pain secondary to a rise in urate levels with Crystal deposition in the joint.
Pain lasting a year may be gout related damage but is not gout.

If your urate is so persistently elevated as to cause 12 months gout then you are very very sick!

Ask for an x-Ray and referral to a foot and ankle specialist.
Curious question; what happens to the crystals in the joint? Do they normally dissolve after a short period, or can they persist?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 23 September, 2021, 10:08:35 am
Curious question; what happens to the crystals in the joint? Do they normally dissolve after a short period, or can they persist?

The crystals dissolve again.  The synovial fluid (joint fluid) for some reason seems to either accumulate the urate or for some  other reason it becomes saturated and the crystals occur.  once the urate level in the blood reduces then the crystals dissolve and disappear.  Takes a few days to about a couple of weeks for the severe pain to go.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 September, 2021, 10:27:30 am
Curious question; what happens to the crystals in the joint? Do they normally dissolve after a short period, or can they persist?

The crystals dissolve again.  The synovial fluid (joint fluid) for some reason seems to either accumulate the urate or for some  other reason it becomes saturated and the crystals occur.  once the urate level in the blood reduces then the crystals dissolve and disappear.  Takes a few days to about a couple of weeks for the severe pain to go.
Thanks.
That sounds like immediate treatment would focus on getting urate levels down. Then looking at what made them elevated in the first place (reminds me; must take my citrate pill; prophylactic for kidney stones.)
 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 23 September, 2021, 10:44:42 am
First thing is to control the pain!!!

The urate by the time they get to hospital is usually already on the way down and may even be back in the normal range which can cause problems with diagnosis.

Colchicine will help to reduce the inflammation of gout specifically. Then allopurinol will help keep the urate level low (but can precipitate an acute attack initially and therefore is usually covered with colchicine first off).

Lifestyle choices are then important in the context of reducing the risk such as less red wine!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 23 September, 2021, 10:59:43 am
I drink very little alcohol, but like a cake and biscuit. GP wouldn't give me allopurinol, but
prescribed Naproxen (which made me fart a lot :hand: ). I have a phone appointment next Monday
(earliest I could get).


* I was given another drug to stop the tummy inflammation, but I can't remember what it was.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 23 September, 2021, 01:02:18 pm
* I was given another drug to stop the tummy inflammation, but I can't remember what it was.
probably omeprazole or similar
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 September, 2021, 01:05:57 pm
I don't think cake & biscuits are particularly bad for gout. Excess body weight might be bad for joints in general, admittedly.

Uric acid is produced when purines in cell nuclei break down so a lot of meat, or chemotherapy for cancer, can precipitate gout. Some folk just produce more uric acid than others and allopurinol helps reduce blood levels.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 23 September, 2021, 01:42:18 pm
Quote

 * I was given another drug to stop the tummy inflammation, but I can't remember what it was.
 
Quote
probably omeprazole or similar
 

Yes, that’s the one
Quote

 Some folk just produce more uric acid than others
 

Yes, probably me.
It'll be interesting to see what the GP says on Monday if I insist on a particular course of treatment*. The xray that I had late last year didn't prove anything (according to the GP and the specialist who analysed it).
 
Colchicine, Allopurinol or Corticosteroids

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 September, 2021, 02:21:13 pm
Lifestyle choices are then important in the context of reducing the risk such as less red wine!

Oh hell yes.  My diabetes was originally diagnosed when I went to the GP with forearm pain near an elbow*.  A comprehensive blood analysis showed glycated haemoglobin through the roof, cholesterol near Alpha Centauri and triglycerides dancing a jig.  The elbow pain was gout: the way I'd been holding a heavy book to read it had opened up a nice synovial backwater for the crystals to moor in; when I put the book down this closed up and ouch.

Once treatment started the pain went away and the figures returned to low Earth orbit, but it still took me a while to drop the Château Lirac and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  Been off the stuff for >25 years now.

* stop sniggering at the back, it wasn't from that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 October, 2021, 12:47:39 pm
Just had the results of my (long, boring) stress/rest scintigraphy exam last week: no myocardial ischaemia during effort at 97% theoretical max, ejection fraction 68% under stress, 70% after 2 hours at rest.  Stress test electrically and clinically negative. ECG/BP profile boringly normal.

One is crowing.  OTOH I wish they hadn't picked the last decent cycling day of September to do it.


ETA: Interesting titbit: when I was all done with the scintigraphy they handed me what looked like a credit card receipt which bore the cost of the exam: 472.72€.  One US insurance purveyor gives the average US charge for the same thing as $4113, boasting that with their insurance it would "only" cost $1874.  Since I'm a permanently diseased old bugger it cost me exactly nowt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 October, 2021, 05:04:37 pm
My dear wife and I have just had our flu jabs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 01 October, 2021, 05:30:59 pm
Have been bitten by a garden monster. Not sure if it is a spider or horsefly bite. Bit of a lump in my shoulder. Not sore exactly but sensitive. Two days and counting. Antiseptic and  mozzy soothng creams applied. Not sure if we have any antihistamine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 October, 2021, 05:33:50 pm
Chlorphenamine is like ibuprofen or loperamide:  The sort of thing you want to have in the drawer, because when you really need it the last thing you want to do is go shopping.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 01 October, 2021, 07:01:05 pm
Found some Piriton in the dark recesses of a cupboard.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 06 October, 2021, 07:08:29 pm
1 week today. Daughter No 2 had a look and reckons it was a false widow (she has been bitten hitherto) and that bits of its anatomy were still plugged into my back.  Applying tweezers and needles she removed said bits and I am now free of these. Perhaps the lump will now start to diminish.  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 October, 2021, 07:14:04 pm
Was it definitely not a tick? They are nasty little sods.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 06 October, 2021, 09:03:20 pm
Don't think so.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 October, 2021, 11:12:39 pm
Keep an eye on the bite site. Definitely seek medical advice if you get this pattern:

(https://assets.nhs.uk/nhsuk-cms/images/S_0817_lyme-disease_C0031417.width-320.jpg)

My brother and son-in-law both caught lyme disease but fortunately dealt with it promptly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 07 October, 2021, 09:05:21 am
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2292543-drug-treatment-for-lyme-disease-could-lead-to-its-eradication/


Research into a treatment for Lyme disease featured in New Scientist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 07 October, 2021, 09:31:43 am
I rolled the sun ez3 last night and  bruised my ribs on the right side. Sore  but coping. Every time I hit the ground it seems harder. Must be global warming  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 October, 2021, 09:33:12 am
GWS cycleman. At least it's only ribs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 October, 2021, 10:38:40 am
And not broken. GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2021, 11:39:52 am
Was the trike okay?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 07 October, 2021, 06:14:32 pm
The first thing I  checked was the trike. It's fine 🙂
Thanks all  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 11 October, 2021, 04:02:33 pm
Spider bite. Still here. day 12,  is angry and getting a tad sore now. Does look very much like a classic false widow bite, possibly a recluse. NHS advice if getting worse/painful seek medical advice. Surgery Reception, can I see a Nurse, No. Can I see Doctor, No. Can a doctor phone me back, No. I ask question as to how their Interwebby self service system work as is not very clear on their web site. This requires an allocated surgery ID.  I am then requested to produce ID for myself which I do. It will be now be available to me from 6:30 pm tonight and then I will be able to make an appointment verbal or otherwise. My wife also has to attend and produce ID, notwithstanding my having signed a pro forma to act for her years ago, due to her disability. Strewth.

Boots now offer a £15 PIP qualified Pharmacist formal consultation. I  may end up having to do that, if I can't get an appointment or talk with a GP, rather than loading more on our local A and E Dept. This will go very much against the grain. However I do not fancy a hole in my shoulder. If I can find a walk in centre nearby, I might try that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 October, 2021, 04:44:20 pm
Spider bite. Still here. day 12,  is angry and getting a tad sore now. Does look very much like a classic false widow bite, possibly a recluse. NHS advice if getting worse/painful seek medical advice. Surgery Reception, can I see a Nurse, No. Can I see Doctor, No. Can a doctor phone me back, No. I ask question as to how their Interwebby self service system work as is not very clear on their web site. This requires an allocated surgery ID.  I am then requested to produce ID for myself which I do. It will be now be available to me from 6:30 pm tonight and then I will be able to make an appointment verbal or otherwise. My wife also has to attend and produce ID, notwithstanding my having signed a pro forma to act for her years ago, due to her disability. Strewth.

Boots now offer a £15 PIP qualified Pharmacist formal consultation. I  may end up having to do that, if I can't get an appointment or talk with a GP, rather than loading more on our local A and E Dept. This will go very much against the grain. However I do not fancy a hole in my shoulder. If I can find a walk in centre nearby, I might try that.

I am very very much against receptionists triaging patient calls. They are not medically trained.

Canardly, your surgery sounds absolutely crap. I've never had a problem getting a telephone appointment with the past 2 surgeries I've used (and one of those was put in special measures by CQC).

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 October, 2021, 06:12:17 pm
While you're waiting to get proper medical attention if you have any Epsom salts it might be worth applying some of that in case there's anything in there it can draw out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 October, 2021, 10:42:12 pm
At the start of the year, I began recording my daily steps without a specific target in mind. At the end of January, I had averaged a little over 8000 paces per day.

By late April I was averaging over 10000 paces per day, largely thanks to delivering political leaflets around the ward in which I was standing as the Green Party candidate in the May council elections.

Some time after that I decided to aim for 4,000,000 paces for the year, which meant a daily average of something approaching 11000 paces per day. I am now averaging 11267 paces per day.

Within the past few minutes, my required average paces per day to reach that target came down to below 10000.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 October, 2021, 08:59:23 am
Good going, Wow. I get fed up after walking for half an hour, and after an hour of it I'm ready to bite.

Last time I did a decent ride my smartass watch informed me that I had done 2668 steps and travelled 3.3 km in 7h35, burning 4800 kcal and climbing 41 floors in the process.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 12 October, 2021, 09:40:48 am
The requisite allocated surgery ID info for the remote surgery appointment system 'System Online' did not arrive yesterday via email, nor is it pre allocated when you try to register using your name and DOB. I have checked spam folders both local and with service provider. Why is it so difficult?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 October, 2021, 09:46:25 am
Good going, Wow. I get fed up after walking for half an hour, and after an hour of it I'm ready to bite.

Last time I did a decent ride my smartass watch informed me that I had done 2668 steps and travelled 3.3 km in 7h35, burning 4800 kcal and climbing 41 floors in the process.
Interesting, in fact worrying, energy to distance ratio. Seems your smartass watch is more jackass than smart.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 12 October, 2021, 09:51:48 am
I'm coughing up what looks like lime-green chewing gum. :sick:  Yes, I know, don't eat lime-green
chewing gum
. Will pop into the local pharmacy and see what they recommend.

I once read that several generations ago people used to take cough medicine made up from liquorice for symptoms like mine.

Where's Gees Linctus when you need it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 October, 2021, 10:18:16 am
Good going, Wow. I get fed up after walking for half an hour, and after an hour of it I'm ready to bite.

Last time I did a decent ride my smartass watch informed me that I had done 2668 steps and travelled 3.3 km in 7h35, burning 4800 kcal and climbing 41 floors in the process.
Interesting, in fact worrying, energy to distance ratio. Seems your smartass watch is more jackass than smart.

Oh, I agree. TBF, I didn't tell it I was going cycling and I certainly didn't allow it into my phone's GPS, nasty battery-draining gadget that it is.  I only really wear it because it gets me out of having to schlepp a Holter around for 24 hours when I go to see the cardiologist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 October, 2021, 10:23:06 am
Good going, Wow. I get fed up after walking for half an hour, and after an hour of it I'm ready to bite.

Last time I did a decent ride my smartass watch informed me that I had done 2668 steps and travelled 3.3 km in 7h35, burning 4800 kcal and climbing 41 floors in the process.

To be fair, that is "paces or equivalent". It records bike rides, but at considerably fewer paces and recording less energy than is the true equivalent, and also digging the garden. Yesterday I dug an area of about 4 square metres and the machine recorded under 2000 paces for that. Digging - and that took me the best part of an hour - was a damned sight harder work that a 20 minute walk would have been! I generally record about 110 paces per minute when I'm walking on my own, rather fewer when I'm with Jan.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 October, 2021, 11:00:19 am
With my gadget, that "considerably fewer" is around 10%. And then the bugger says "Top job!"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 13 October, 2021, 05:37:18 pm
Finally got some meds via a walk in health centre and telephone triage. They got back to me within the hour. Not my own practice. My surgery, fobs people off insisting that you phone in each morning at 8am. Also, the fact that my own practice holds a 'hub' surgery in the evenings in a different locality for people urgently wishing to see a medical professional was made known to me by the walk in Health Centre. This was not communicated to me by the receptionist when I visited my own surgery. They probably 'forgot' to tell me that this was available. (oh really). Thought you may be interested in the gruesome detail. Not a good photo as it is behind me. Watch out for them there spiders people.

(https://i.ibb.co/3Tvhy3F/20211013-172745-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3Tvhy3F)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 October, 2021, 06:08:41 pm
Nice!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 October, 2021, 08:11:28 pm
Finally got some meds via a walk in health centre and telephone triage. They got back to me within the hour. Not my own practice. My surgery, fobs people off insisting that you phone in each morning at 8am. Also, the fact that my own practice holds a 'hub' surgery in the evenings in a different locality for people urgently wishing to see a medical professional was made known to me by the walk in Health Centre. This was not communicated to me by the receptionist when I visited my own surgery. They probably 'forgot' to tell me that this was available. (oh really). Thought you may be interested in the gruesome detail. Not a good photo as it is behind me. Watch out for them there spiders people.

(https://i.ibb.co/3Tvhy3F/20211013-172745-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3Tvhy3F)

If you posted that on facebook, I think it would fall foul of the nipple police, Bob. I hope you recover soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 13 October, 2021, 11:26:36 pm
Tooth sourced discomfort since erm a while, kent it was about to grt nasty St the weekend but...

Kept me awake last night, got an appointment just after lunch today, dentist was pretty sure it's an abscess from my triage answers but confirmed when I was in. He was sure enough to keep an AGP room appointment that had freed up available for me tomorrow.
Which was nice of him.

Root canal, I find the 15 mins for a filling tedious enough. I've been told to expect 45 minutes with the possibility of the erm excitement of a change of plan to an extraction.

so on top of the 200 plus quid for glasses last month its another 200 quid...

Not quite as sore as the sudden burtds of painful distraction emitting from my guns that I'm hoping will be gone when the local runs out...

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 October, 2021, 11:47:21 am
Just had three adjacent molars out.  Disgusting: nearly 70 years good & faithful service and they get callously wrenched from their places and thrown aside. Dentist must be a Tory.  And as usual, every time I have a medical emmerdement it's a perfect cycling day.  3 or 4 days without physical for clotting to solidify, quoth the toothy man with a smile, then it'll be pissing down heaven's hard.

Anaesthetic just beginning to wear off, paracetamol not yet working...  Oh what fun.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 14 October, 2021, 08:53:24 pm
My local ran out earlier, I can bite down on the area now, the pain is gone (for now) but I can still feel somethings not right, but I'm not sure how much of its is from recently having been attacked by a psychopath*.

There was plenty of new devices whit ah'd ne'er seen afore, a slow oscillating drill, and a small pokey thing attached by a single wire to some sort of electrical device that beeped  when he pressed down, the return wire was hooked to my cheek and he'd set up some sort of tent round the tooth.

Round 2 is next Friday, if its worked then the remains of the tooth gets coronated.

The new dentist used FFP3 mask rather than an active respirator like the previous.
And the air on was pumping at a fair rate.

* assumed because apparently surgeons and dentists show psychopathic tendencies.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 October, 2021, 08:41:08 am
I had an interesting night, mostly spent looking at the clock until painkiller time rolled round again - that and swallowing blood, since avoiding a heart attack takes precedence over gingival haemorrhage so I had to keep up the meds.  Face this morning looks like an impression of a unilateral hamster.

Daftest thing is that molars have negative mass, and might possibly lend themselves to the development of an Alcubierre warp drive, since negative mass is just a hair away from the requisite negative energy.  This observation prompted by the fact that although I ate very little yesterday I was 2 kg heavier this morning than yesterday.  Eat your boxers, Shatner, any day now I'm going to boldly go further than the Enterprise ever did.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 October, 2021, 03:08:45 pm
Mend well soonest!
Trauma causes fluid retention, as do some pain medicines.
Expect a day/night of pi$$ing like a trooper, followed by dramatic weight loss, within the next few days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 October, 2021, 03:33:40 pm
Thanks, Helly.  Just had a dose of the runs, probably from the same origins.  Feeling surprisingly good otherwise.  According to dentist's clotting predictions I should get a ride by Wednesday.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 October, 2021, 08:33:56 am
Mend well soonest!
Trauma causes fluid retention, as do some pain medicines.
Expect a day/night of pi$$ing like a trooper, followed by dramatic weight loss, within the next few days.

You got that right.  Dazed from lack of sleep this morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 October, 2021, 02:47:45 pm
Knowing the SCIENCE doesn't necessarily reduce the effects!
I suppose it's useful/reassuring to know this was a likely scenario.
Rest well.
Mend well!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 October, 2021, 04:14:51 pm
Knowing the SCIENCE doesn't necessarily reduce the effects!
I suppose it's useful/reassuring to know this was a likely scenario.

It's quite educational to watch, too.  As the dentist warned me, the subcutaneous haemorrhage has spread, and has now reached my Adam's apple.  I should have phoned the cardiologist and asked if I could knock off the clopidogrel for a couple of days.  I did ask the dentist but he quite rightly wasn't going to tell me to suspend cardiac meds.

Quote
Rest well.
Mend well!

Thanks again. That's exactly what I'm doing: that and eating soft things.  Reminds me of the old folks when I was a kid: "can't eat that with my teeth".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 October, 2021, 04:25:36 pm
My Daddy says 'Gravity Begins at Home'.

Enjoy your soupe!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 16 October, 2021, 10:05:36 pm
What's that now 3 days post root canal?
Discomforts due to dentistry have now gone and I'm left with a couple of slightly sore bits.

Got out on bike, and oh!
Yes how long has this been developing in my gums?
Feelings under higher HR loads other than the throbbing tooth did not appear for the first time in ages. Throbbing tooth obviously also did not appear as the root canal removed all the throbby stuff from it.

Hopefully being able to eat on the right hand side of my mouth again will also help get the ear wax partially blocking my right ear in the move too.

If it wasn't for the apparent dairy intolerance I'd attack some ice cream to, you know just to really test the sensitivity that's been under that tooth for the last 10 years or so.

I await round 2 to see what dentist says.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 16 October, 2021, 10:29:51 pm
My Daddy says 'Gravity Begins at Home'.

Enjoy your gruts soupe!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 October, 2021, 08:51:00 am
My Daddy says 'Gravity Begins at Home'.

Enjoy your soupe!

Quenelles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quenelle) are the thing. Haven't had them for yonks (carbs etc) but they won't hurt for a few days. Great w. cheese sauce.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 25 October, 2021, 11:46:48 pm
Round 2 of root canal was on Friday, the temporary filling lasted till today...

Rounds 3 and 4 are on the 10th,
So far no discomfort from it not being there, do I accept eating on one side for 2 weeks or spent 2 hours whenever the dentist can replug the hole.

Edit: looks like the temporary dressing's cracked horizontally and the top bits off,
Meh.

The Brust lip is more annoying

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 26 October, 2021, 10:08:47 am
My wife has been diagnosed coeliac for 11 years.  Yesterday we went to a chain Italian restaurant and after she ordered gf pizza they gave her a wholewheat base instead (and delivered it on the gf serving board)! When they realised and came over it was too late and we had all finished eating. Nothing to be done now, but if you are eating out, even if you trust the chain, it's probably worth checking that whatever arrives at your table definitely meets your dietary needs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 October, 2021, 12:37:44 pm
My wife has been diagnosed coeliac for 11 years.  Yesterday we went to a chain Italian restaurant and after she ordered gf pizza they gave her a wholewheat base instead (and delivered it on the gf serving board)! When they realised and came over it was too late and we had all finished eating. Nothing to be done now, but if you are eating out, even if you trust the chain, it's probably worth checking that whatever arrives at your table definitely meets your dietary needs.
That is shockingly bad. I hope your wife doesn't have a serious reaction. I've known people who would be hospitalised after an incident like that.

(Similar thing happened to me in York once, at a restaurant called Ambiente. Fortunately I'm not allergic, just wheat intolerant.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 26 October, 2021, 12:57:44 pm
Bloody hell Duncan M, I wonder if that's worth reporting to the local food standards agency as that's a serious matter.

I hope your wife doesn't suffer too serious effects and if she does, they pass quickly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 October, 2021, 12:57:58 pm
Reminds me of the habits of Parisian restaurants in the lunch hour, where one bloke is working the coffee engine full tilt and lining them up for the waiters.  If someone orders a decaff the waiter just adds some hot water to one of the ones already waiting.

Well, that's the way it was in the 80s, last time I worked there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 26 October, 2021, 01:46:44 pm
She's feeling a bit crap, but hopefully it won't last too long. She's in touch with Coeliac UK, so things may yet happen on that front.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 October, 2021, 04:12:05 pm
EeeeK!
HK OTP is quite severely coeliac and is out & about a fair bit.

Maybe she needs to know which place to avoid.

I appreciate this might just be due to one employee...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2021, 04:40:03 pm
Reminds me of the habits of Parisian restaurants in the lunch hour, where one bloke is working the coffee engine full tilt and lining them up for the waiters.  If someone orders a decaff the waiter just adds some hot water to one of the ones already waiting.

Well, that's the way it was in the 80s, last time I worked there.
It doesn't sound quite that bad, as it was clearly a genuine mistake (otherwise why would they apologise) rather than laziness. But it's also worse, because far more serious.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 26 October, 2021, 05:30:13 pm
It was definitely human error. It's been entered into the chain's cloud incident management system so they can be audited on it, so it sounds like they are treating it properly. I think Coeliac UK are chasing it with head office, so it's not something that is going to just get forgotten about. I don't want to put names out there on a public forum, but if anyone is coeliac and wants to PM me, feel free.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 26 October, 2021, 06:03:31 pm
I am glad it is being taken seriously. Hopefully it will be used to learn lessons and not blame low-paid people, but fix systems for the future.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 26 October, 2021, 07:45:43 pm
I am glad it is being taken seriously. Hopefully it will be used to learn lessons and not blame low-paid people, but fix systems for the future.

^ This
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 26 October, 2021, 09:09:18 pm
I had a lovely 20 mile ride home from work, made tea and then metaphorically collapsed, shattered.  Desperate for some toast and butter.  Most unlike me.

Then realised, I had my Covid booster at lunchtime.

Eat the toast and go to bed

And I broke a tooth eating tea!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2021, 10:13:39 am
Sympathies for the tooth.

I just had a good poke at the ACL I hurt on Wednesday. It should have make me yelp but nary a twinge, so I'm thinking that it was the meniscus getting pinched under the too-floaty kneecap that was mooted by the radiologist earlier this year.  I'd much prefer it to be the ACL.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 29 October, 2021, 04:53:33 pm
Sympathies for the tooth.

I just had a good poke at the ACL I hurt on Wednesday. It should have make me yelp but nary a twinge, so I'm thinking that it was the meniscus getting pinched under the too-floaty kneecap that was mooted by the radiologist earlier this year.  I'd much prefer it to be the ACL.

Not sure how you are poking the ACL. Do you mean MCL (Medial Collateral) or LCL (Lateral Collateral)?
There is a meniscus attached to each of the MCL and LCL, but neither go particularly near the kneecap (you can pinch them between the femur and the tibia though)?

Sympathies either way.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 November, 2021, 07:32:58 am
Sympathies for the tooth.

I just had a good poke at the ACL I hurt on Wednesday. It should have make me yelp but nary a twinge, so I'm thinking that it was the meniscus getting pinched under the too-floaty kneecap that was mooted by the radiologist earlier this year.  I'd much prefer it to be the ACL.

Not sure how you are poking the ACL. Do you mean MCL (Medial Collateral) or LCL (Lateral Collateral)?
There is a meniscus attached to each of the MCL and LCL, but neither go particularly near the kneecap (you can pinch them between the femur and the tibia though)?

Sympathies either way.

Ta, and I see what you mean.  Funny how you can labour under a misapprehension and no-one puts you right for 35 years.  Pain might have been caused by my floaty left kneecap, then - GP remarked on it last time I had a knee problem.  Anyway, I did an energetic 86k with only a mild ache yesterday so I'm putting it on the don't worry list and not carrying 10kg baskets of logs up from the cellar for now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 01 November, 2021, 09:26:06 pm
So I have my face to face neurologist review appointment tomorrow (which I can't help but think I'd still be waiting on if I hadn't grinked to my local political councillors).

So will I have some answers tomorrow afternoon?

Or will the diagnosis can be kicked down the road for another 12 to 18 months as I get referred to see someone else, with an 18 month waiting list for a  referral to go on the waiting list, waiting list...   ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 November, 2021, 07:56:49 am
Sounds like a Cop26 allegory.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 02 November, 2021, 02:07:34 pm
Well, no real answers today from my appointment. A "working" diagnosis of potentially "Functional Neurological Disorder", as well ad the neurologist saying "it may be something degenerative in my brain or  spinal cord"

The neurologist did record a video of my shoogly walking, which he will email to Prof Jon Stone, Professor of Neurology, one of the top neurologists in the UK, who I  will now been referred to. 

--edit -- seems the NHS Fife email service / network blocks google drive links, so instead I have to send the video in on a cdrom by post...   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 November, 2021, 04:15:29 pm
That doesn't sound too good Brian.  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 02 November, 2021, 08:02:00 pm
That doesn't sound too good Brian.  :(

Or it could be the Neuro I saw today, trying to cover all bases. Certainly nothing in my MRIs of my brain or full spine, has hinted at that, so I've got the neuro stumped.  I do think it's going to be Functional Neurological Disorder I'll get a diagnosis of, and Prof Stone is one of the leading authorities on that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 02 November, 2021, 08:23:33 pm
--edit -- seems the NHS Fife email service / network blocks google drive links, so instead I have to send the video in on a cdrom by post...   :facepalm:

Yes.
CD Rom might be tricky too.... not sure when I last saw a CD drive at work.
USB pens are probably also blocked, we're all working to NHS Scotland directives.

Suppose you can seen being directed to Prof Stone in either light, bad that you're being referred to someone at that level because everyone else seems to be stumped, good that you're being referred to someone at that level because he literally wrote the website on FND https://www.neurosymptoms.org/en_GB/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 02 November, 2021, 09:06:31 pm
--edit -- seems the NHS Fife email service / network blocks google drive links, so instead I have to send the video in on a cdrom by post...   :facepalm:

Yes.
CD Rom might be tricky too.... not sure when I last saw a CD drive at work.
USB pens are probably also blocked, we're all working to NHS Scotland directives.


How about Flickr?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 02 November, 2021, 09:25:02 pm
That doesn't sound too good Brian.  :(

Or it could be the Neuro I saw today, trying to cover all bases. Certainly nothing in my MRIs of my brain or full spine, has hinted at that, so I've got the neuro stumped.  I do think it's going to be Functional Neurological Disorder I'll get a diagnosis of, and Prof Stone is one of the leading authorities on that.

Brian, Functional Neurological Disorder sounds like a diagnosis - but it isn't really.  It's an admission that they don't yet know what is causing your problems.  What is good is that they seem to be moving you up the chain, which is not before time.   The very best of luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 03 November, 2021, 07:01:30 am
--edit -- seems the NHS Fife email service / network blocks google drive links, so instead I have to send the video in on a cdrom by post...   :facepalm:

Yes.
CD Rom might be tricky too.... not sure when I last saw a CD drive at work.
USB pens are probably also blocked, we're all working to NHS Scotland directives.

Suppose you can seen being directed to Prof Stone in either light, bad that you're being referred to someone at that level because everyone else seems to be stumped, good that you're being referred to someone at that level because he literally wrote the website on FND https://www.neurosymptoms.org/en_GB/

Well the neuro i saw said to put it on a cdrom? Hopefully that'll work otherwise I don't know what else to do.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 November, 2021, 08:20:52 am
Here's hoping, Brian.  "FND" sounds like medispeak for "WTF".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 03 November, 2021, 09:55:42 am
It is!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 03 November, 2021, 10:43:27 am
Today begins my prep for surgery-

Stop taking the placebos vitamins and supplements in case they have a blood thinning effect.

LFT #1

Order slippers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 03 November, 2021, 10:46:01 am
Here's hoping, Brian.  "FND" sounds like medispeak for "WTF".

It's a real condition, according to Prof Stone.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 03 November, 2021, 11:13:20 am
Let's hope you can get some action, then, Brian.  And my apologies if I made you anxious.  My statement was based on my communications with parents who have had such experiences with their children's treatments.  Good luck!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 November, 2021, 12:16:08 pm
Brian that sounds potentially positive, FND is absolutely a thing, which has been massively under-recognised for ages. I know 2 or 3 people with it as one of their diagnoses. One managed to get intensive treatment in London that massively improved her impairment levels.

Fingers crossed sending the CD to this Prof will get you noticed and checked out by him. Frustrating that it is more waiting though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 November, 2021, 01:52:22 pm
Good luck for surgery Fboab!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 November, 2021, 02:17:22 pm
Here's hoping, Brian.  "FND" sounds like medispeak for "WTF".

I thought it was merely 'IDK' but it does seem to be taken seriously, which is some progress.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 November, 2021, 02:18:17 pm
Today begins my prep for surgery-

Stop taking the placebos vitamins and supplements in case they have a blood thinning effect.

LFT #1

Order slippers.

When I went in for de-cataracting it was "order pyjamas".

Bon courage!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 November, 2021, 02:24:29 pm
Today begins my prep for surgery-
Stop taking the placebos vitamins and supplements in case they have a blood thinning effect.
LFT #1
Order slippers.
When I went in for de-cataracting it was "order pyjamas".
Bon courage!

Few folk have pyjamas…

Hope all goes well!

Hope all goes well
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 03 November, 2021, 03:28:46 pm
Today begins my prep for surgery-

Stop taking the placebos vitamins and supplements in case they have a blood thinning effect.

LFT #1

Order slippers.

Easy mistake to make if you have cataracts.

When I went in for de-cataracting it was "order pyjamas".

Bon courage!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 November, 2021, 01:01:09 pm
I've injured a muscle in my back, laying concrete, mostly pushing wheelbow full of concrete - by rough reckoning I shifted 12tons of it in 1.5hours. Then spent the next two hours screeding it off.

Consulting my old anatomy book, I've injured the Quadratus Lumborum on one side.

Really could do with cycling to the shops tonight - not sure I can manage it. Well, I might get there, not sure I'll get home. Vitamin I before I set off I guess.

[Edit] well I finally went on Fri eve. Lo and behold, back doesn't hurt when cycling!

So I can ride, but walking or sitting at a desk is really not comfortable.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 November, 2021, 01:44:04 pm
Hope the Vit I is effective!

Quadratus lumborum is muscle that bridges the gap between the lowest ribs and the posterior pelvis.

Get better soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 November, 2021, 04:22:55 pm
GWS, Mr. C.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 November, 2021, 02:13:42 pm
Was pleased to go up local 6% climb out of our valley without angina today, with heart at 100% max just 7 min after setting out and despite 3°C.  El Prez wasn't doing so well though, despite his eBike: he didn't do the hill but his branch block was kicking in (out?) even on false flats, which sent his heart rate down to 44 bpm and gave him quite severe pain. Dunno why his cardiologist doesn't get him a pacemaker.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 November, 2021, 06:23:03 am
Younger daughter doing media again: https://twitter.com/7newsmelbourne/status/1457948834684817408?s=21

(Aussie news broadcast).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 November, 2021, 08:46:09 am
Worried about El Prez: since our ride last Saturday, he tells me, he has heart pain every time he moves and his SpO2 is running at 92% rather than his usual 97-98%.  He has his regular appointment with his cardiologist on Friday, but I told him to call her now or else get to the ER. Between now & Friday he could be dead.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 09 November, 2021, 09:05:34 am
I spent six hours in A&E yesterday as I've had a rather uncomfortable arrythmia (literally missing beats, and causing a tight feeling in the chest) on and off since Saturday, and constantly yesterday afternoon.  They did ECG, bloods and an X-ray but there is nothing apparently wrong, although the arrythmia was very obvious during the ECG.  It went away by 7pm.  The theory is that it's a minor infection accentuated by too much coffee (I don't drink much coffee - none from now! - but, when I do, ir's very strong and black).

I have to arrange a thyroid function test through the GP to rule that out.

I overdosed on coffee 35 years ago and this did feel extremely similar.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 November, 2021, 12:46:50 pm
I did the same bit with coffee when we first moved to France - felt horrible, alarming too.  GP was most amused. Hope it stays away.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 09 November, 2021, 05:08:29 pm
T'is done.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 November, 2021, 05:23:00 pm
Nice bandage! I don't think I've kept track with what you had done, but I hope you have good pain relief and can escape soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 November, 2021, 06:06:49 pm
Younger daughter doing media again: https://twitter.com/7newsmelbourne/status/1457948834684817408?s=21

(Aussie news broadcast).
She seems to be picking up an Aussie accent (or is it just Essex?).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 November, 2021, 07:06:29 pm
T'is done.

(click to show/hide)

 :o

They've removed a toe!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 November, 2021, 07:11:02 pm
T'is done.

(click to show/hide)

 :o

They've removed a toe!

And given 2 hypnotoad eyes!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 09 November, 2021, 07:48:11 pm
I haven't checked but I do think that littlest piggy is still under there. Hypnotoad is a guide for the correct inter-metatarsal space.
They refused to show me the excised bundle, but Dr Google says it looks like this:

(https://manchesterfootandankleteam.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Mortons-Neuroma-Surgery.jpg)


Eeeewwww.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 November, 2021, 07:58:41 pm
That looks like something that crawled up my tent in the night.   :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 November, 2021, 08:31:24 pm
Remind us what that is again?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 November, 2021, 08:34:53 pm
Morton’s neuroma
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 November, 2021, 09:21:00 pm
Morton's interdigital neuroma.

It's a swelling on the nerves between the toes, which causes pain and numbness in the forefoot and toes, when it gets squeezed between the 'knuckles' of the metatarsal heads...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 09 November, 2021, 09:25:16 pm
And as cyclists.. Hot foot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 09 November, 2021, 09:44:45 pm
You could have sent it to me, L.  I could use it in my gloves, these days!  Hope all recovers well.  I'm guessing you won't be riding on Dec. 4th from Darlo?

Peter
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 09 November, 2021, 09:47:19 pm
I doubt it, Peter. I might be there or thereabouts with cake, though
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 November, 2021, 09:51:02 pm
So they take out a whole pile of nerve then?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 November, 2021, 10:03:45 pm
GWS fboab.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 09 November, 2021, 11:05:01 pm
I doubt it, Peter. I might be there or thereabouts with cake, though

That'll do!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 09 November, 2021, 11:11:12 pm
So they take out a whole pile of nerve then?
Yes. You lose the pain but there's a high chance of continued local numbness. Also has a fairly poor success rate, apparently a significant minority (8%?) grow back. I have it in the other foot too, but nowhere near as frequently/severely.
For me it's been debilitating enough to be worth the risks.
Apart from cyclists, it's also common for folks who do a lot of work up and down ladders. And wearers of high heels. All that localised pressure.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 November, 2021, 11:26:15 pm
Ouch!

I hope it keeps working and it's not too painful now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 November, 2021, 08:25:39 am
So they take out a whole pile of nerve then?
Yes. You lose the pain but there's a high chance of continued local numbness. Also has a fairly poor success rate, apparently a significant minority (8%?) grow back. I have it in the other foot too, but nowhere near as frequently/severely.
For me it's been debilitating enough to be worth the risks.
Apart from cyclists, it's also common for folks who do a lot of work up and down ladders. And wearers of high heels. All that localised pressure.

Yetch.  GWS.  Even if you're not cycling, I trust you'll still be allowed CAEK in the meantime...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 15 November, 2021, 07:25:24 am
I seem to have borked my knee. Did a lunge-jump thing at fencing last Wednesday and it complained mightily. Complained if I tried to bend it too much with load, so stopped doing that and finished the bout without any major discomfort. Got home, it was sore but nothing screamed acute injury. Next morning it was clearly very unhappy and using it to go up & down stairs wasn't doable (I can stiff-leg it, one step at the time). Been RICE'ing it, I can walk normal-ish, I can bend it without load. Any kind of bend with load on makes it instantly painful below the kneecap and up the inside of the knee.
 Timing is awful. I'm just about to start a 2 month break, where I was planning to snowboard, hike, kendo, fence and in general catch up on all the stuff that covid + insane work schedule has prevented me from doing the last year+..+ a bunch of refurbishment, which I think, I should still be able to do..I hope. If I have to spend 2+months on my arse, I might as well work.

 Got a doctors appointment on Tuesday, where I'll try to convince him to get some imaging* done and a physio appointment Wednesday which will hopefully give me a better idea of what I messed up.
 *I should be able to get an ultrasound, MRI, I suspect not. Family doctors here are firmly in the 'go home and rest' category rather than actually figuring out what you messed up, when it comes to sports injuries. I am considering paying for an MRI, but I'll see what the doc/physio says first.

In normal times I would have gone to ER, but they're still pretty heavily loaded here from covid cases/workload.

I have done a bunch of googling, but it's really inconclusive (And I'm not a doctor). I did have some funky swelling on the front of the knee Sunday, but that felt more liked I banged it against something (which I may or may not have) and it was a little sore from Sunday/Monday activities, but only a little. This leans towards bursitis, but the current pain area suggest meniscus?.
Only very minor swelling.

Bah. Why do I always get injured in November?. All my 'bigger'  injuries have happened in November.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 18 November, 2021, 07:53:47 am
So, doctor was like "Oh you have a knee sprain". No shit, sherlock. Not interested in any kind of imaging or treatment, just 'go home and rest until it goes away'.

Physio was much better: Minor meniscus tear. Those wont heal, but as long as it isn't completely torn and fragments aren't getting caught in the joint, it's mostly just about recovering from the joint irritation. He did a little bit of alignment work, prescribed some light exercise (stationary bike, very light leg press) and told me not worry.
Not sure if it was the alignment work or just the pure psychological factor of finding out that my knee wasn't actually falling off, but it's already much better and I can now (gently) use it for stairs. Weeks, not months for recovery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 18 November, 2021, 10:01:23 am
I've had a knee issue for years and I've finally learned from all the times I have fecked it up. Take it easy it will get better, but not in the time you have hoped, it takes much longer.

It took me years to learn, that if I did dumb shit and messed my knee up, I would be limping for a long while yet. So, for example, I don't run for a bus anymore cause that equal 2-3 months of ouch easy. 

I now go with this rule, if it took 3 days/weeks/months of gentle recovery to get it not to hurt anymore, I need to add 3 days/weeks/months before I even think about doing anything more than gentle recovery.

Only when I have done that, I can start slowly to build up what every I like to do, like walking or cycling.

So Jakob, take your time don't try to rush it, there's a ski season next year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 18 November, 2021, 06:18:15 pm
Dr Google was convinced on Monday I had plantar fascititis - and I went along with that.
Yesterday morning I woke up with my calf muscle being somewhat tender. By yesterday evening, "somwhat" didn't quite cut it, and I could feel a line of hard stuff down my calf. Hmmmm.
Mrs M bullied me into getting an appointment at the GP this morning.

I've have had a blood test (D-Dimers) to rule out DVT, but she reckons its probably thrombophlebitis, as well as plantar wotsit.

I've been given anticoagulants until the D-Dimer result is back.
Also paracetamol & brufen (which gives me the shits).

My leg and foot is bloody painful, and the drugs don't work.

Yours feeling miserable!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 18 November, 2021, 07:17:20 pm
Sounds  like superficial thrombophlebitis to me.

Elevate, ibuprofen, exclude DVT and

Get Well Soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 18 November, 2021, 09:33:43 pm
Sounds  like superficial thrombophlebitis to me.
Elevate, ibuprofen, exclude DVT and
Get Well Soon!
Thank you.
D-dimers came back raised (impressed to get a call from the GP at 7:30pm) so she's arranging an appointment at the DVT Clinic tomorrow where they can ultrasound it.
I'm convinced too that it's superficial thrombophlebitis.
I'm not too sure that ibuprofen & anticoagulants are a great mix, but the GP suggested it, and the pharmacist didn't query it - and I can survive without the stuff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 19 November, 2021, 07:51:52 am
So Jakob, take your time don't try to rush it, there's a ski season next year.

Well, with climate change and my work schedule...maybe not!. In any case, I can now walk down stairs, with only a little extra caution.
The physio did tell, that ones the irritation goes away, functionality returns almost instantly . It's now just getting rid of the remaining inflammation and a bit of conditioning.

I will, however, go back to the gym and work on strengthening the knees. (and just about everything else). The plan is to come out of this 2 month break a lot fitter.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 November, 2021, 06:41:06 pm
Double stab yesterday. Flu and COVID booster. Dual sore shoulders and exhausted today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 22 November, 2021, 06:51:14 pm


Sounds  like superficial thrombophlebitis to me.
Elevate, ibuprofen, exclude DVT and
Get Well Soon!
Thank you.
D-dimers came back raised (impressed to get a call from the GP at 7:30pm) so she's arranging an appointment at the DVT Clinic tomorrow where they can ultrasound it.
I'm convinced too that it's superficial thrombophlebitis.
I'm not too sure that ibuprofen & anticoagulants are a great mix, but the GP suggested it, and the pharmacist didn't query it - and I can survive without the stuff.

DVT clinic this morning with lots of ultrasound waves and a nurse with incredibly cold hands.
It is superficial thrombophlebitis - there's a 19cm length of vein that won't compress.
I've got 6 weeks worth of anticoagulants and instructions to rest my leg, but take plenty of exercise (wot?)
It's still bloody sore, and I still feel like poo, but at least it isn't a DVT
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 November, 2021, 06:59:40 pm
Glad it's not a DVT.

Still wishing you well...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 24 November, 2021, 08:54:25 pm
Round 2 of root canal was on Friday, the temporary filling lasted till today...

Rounds 3 and 4 are on the 10th,
So far no discomfort from it not being there, do I accept eating on one side for 2 weeks or spent 2 hours whenever the dentist can replug the hole.

Edit: looks like the temporary dressing's cracked horizontally and the top bits off,
Meh.

The Brust lip is more annoying

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Well actually it was the old filling that had come loose.

Next round is due 2nd week of December after that because the long appointment had to be delayed.

But since then i managed to make the temporary filling last 2 weeks before breaking it, luckilly not breaking the tooth as the other dentists feared as that checked it out.
Unlike previous times I've needed painkillers after the fact, duff temp filling removed, tooth washed out and redressed, gum still bloody sore at the base but at least the tooth isn't still throbbing. Hopefully be in a state where I can blat out a 200 at the weekend without risking other things by being under the influence of paracetamol and ibuprofen....

But until it calms down (it better)... F--king Oww...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 27 November, 2021, 12:59:42 pm
'effing Shingles. onna Face and HEDD!  Two BIG blistery things appeared overnight on my right arm, should've known from those and i can't get the Med's until Monday.
I was scared, with the symptoms I had, that it might have been a return of the Hep' C from the early 90's. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 November, 2021, 01:32:09 pm
Ouch, hope it's not too bad and doesn't go near your eyes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 November, 2021, 02:08:56 pm
Gah! Hope it buggers off sharpish.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 28 November, 2021, 07:37:00 am




It is superficial thrombophlebitis - there's a 19cm length of vein that won't compress.
...
It's still bloody sore, and I still feel like poo, but at least it isn't a DVT

Just saying.   The thought occurred to me in the dead of night that this all started about 10 days after my covid booster.

Is it worth filling in an MHRA yellow card?

(And, yes, I'd still rather have a sore leg than covid)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 November, 2021, 07:44:44 am
Yes
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 November, 2021, 12:59:21 pm
Yes.

How are you doing?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 28 November, 2021, 02:58:11 pm
Yes.

How are you doing?
Fine - the leg is generally OK, I was dragged round a garden centre on Thursday, and my whole leg ached all that evening.
I've been to the allotment today and suspect I'll be suffering this evening. I've already got a sharp pain just above my ankle.
Overall it's improving remarkably quickly.
Thanks for asking!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 November, 2021, 03:44:46 pm
Did they offer you support stockings?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 28 November, 2021, 05:55:28 pm
Did they offer you support stockings?
No - which I now think was a bit odd.I was too shell shocked at the clinic to pick up on that.
I was wondering whether to purloin Mrs M's compression stockings but have no idea of the sizing. I'll just keep taking the Rivaroxaban.

MHRA report done. Thanks for the advice.
(In a different life our team used to say about Datix reporting "if you're asking if you should report it, then you should report it" - I need to remember my own advice!)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 29 November, 2021, 02:35:07 pm
Well that's another temporary filling that I've not managed to make last a week.
Thank god my dentists some how manage to be decent for appointments.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 01 December, 2021, 07:18:54 am
Double stab yesterday. Flu and COVID booster. Dual sore shoulders and exhausted today.

 By contrast with jab 1, very little side effects from the booster and flu jab, muscles tender for a couple of days and HR elevated for the effort on Monday's turbo session.  I was braced for the worst that never came.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 05 December, 2021, 12:18:20 pm
Is it bad to take medication after it's best before date?  Have some prescription co-codamol that I have been taking and I noticed that it's sell by, best before date is december 2019.  Been taking it and it is working.

Should I continue taking the meds or bin.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 December, 2021, 02:19:36 pm
The official answer will always be ‘bin old stuff’. Some compounds naturally degrade over time, losing efficacy. Some things work as a growth compound for bacteria and the use by date somewhat limits their maximum concentration. I have no idea about that particular medicine though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 05 December, 2021, 02:35:47 pm
Yeah, that what I was thinking/worried about.  Have been taking the tablets for a few days and no ill effects and the pain seems to lessen.  But it all could be in my head, as these are branded painkillers ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 December, 2021, 02:55:04 pm
Our old GP used to tell us that it wouldn't poison us but it wouldn't be as effective.  I'd rather take stuff that had been in blister packs than loose in bottles, though, for obvious reasons.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 05 December, 2021, 05:32:17 pm
Rivaroxaban.
I've been taking it for about a week following the superficial thrombophlebitis diagnosis.
And I'm shattered - a short walk along the local canal towpath this afternoon, and I'm ready for a long lie down.
My leg has pretty much settled down now, so it's not that. So it must be the drugs. Fatigue is listed as a side effect, but bloomin' eck, I can live without it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2021, 05:32:30 pm
My rule of thumb is that out-of-date medication is a lot better than no medication, and if it's only a little out of date and hasn't been exposed to unusual temperatures, I don't worry too much.

Dry tablets like co-codamol should be pretty stable if kept somewhere cool, dry and dark, unless it's a chemical that degrades over time at room temperature, like aspirin.  The limiting factor may be how long they reckon the packaging will remain airtight.  Liquids like antibiotic suspensions and injectable hormones and vaccines tend to have much shorter shelf lives - I'd consider expired insulin or adrenaline to be a last-resort option, as it's likely the dose will be unpredictable.  And things like inhalers and auto-injectors will likely be further limited by the specifications of the delivery system, even if the drug itself has a long shelf life.

Here's an interesting paper where they tested some decades-old drugs found in the back of a pharmacy:
 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1377417
Note that both codeine and paracetamol were close to the specified concentrations.

So for co-codamol, if the packaging's un-damaged and it hasn't been left on the windowsill, it's probably fine.  By which I mean you should of course hand it in to your local pharmacy and obtain a new prescription  ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2021, 06:09:38 pm
Solid medication in tablets doesn't really go 'off'.

I'm guilty of taking tablets past their 'use by' date.

I shouldn't use creams past their date but I do.

I note there's an expiry date on the dental floss, which I'll definitely ignore...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 07 December, 2021, 07:36:06 am
Insulin lasts a long while if refrigerated.  Generally consider it ok for a month out of the fridge  but recent research has shown it to be more heat stable than previously considered, good news for Africa and other place where the ability fridge is lower, at least that's for synthetic insulin.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 December, 2021, 03:18:32 pm
My new GP has come down yet another notch in my esteem. Just had my blood analysis back from the lab and the bug.. fellow failed to ask for fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, transaminases or gamma GT. Previous GP had them done every 6 months.  This fellow is now on probation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 December, 2021, 03:27:15 pm
Solid medication in tablets doesn't really go 'off'.

I'm guilty of taking tablets past their 'use by' date.

I shouldn't use creams past their date but I do.

I note there's an expiry date on the dental floss, which I'll definitely ignore...

There's thing here called Cyclamed that purports to tell you which expired meds to throw out and which to return to the pharmacy for recycling.  I tried it the other day but as usual it's so convoluted and verbose that it vanishes up its own fundament without really telling you anything.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 08 December, 2021, 01:15:23 pm
Final Round of Root Canal today.
Jaw feels like Mike Tyson's Left Hooked it, at least my ear is still intact

I think I need to lie down and scream for a bit while the paracetamol and ibuprofen kick in, but I've already clocked on. feck.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 09 December, 2021, 11:02:46 am
I had a small piece of knee removed this morning for biopsy purposes.

Because (a) I was a big boy and didn't cry (not the exact words she used) and (b) it would save me a trip to my local health centre, the consultant suggested I could remove the stitch myself, and gave me instructions.

(https://i.imgur.com/lyjTIo0m.jpg)

I don't think the 2000+ pedal revolutions on my way home did it any good (68" fixed) - the dressing was soaked in blood when I got home.

The local anaesthetic is now wearing off. Now where is that paracetemol?

I've only just realised that the discomfort which sent me to seek medical help in the first place hasn't occurred since the piece of knee was removed 18 months ago, although there's now a 10p-sized patch of pinkish and wrinkly skin* which wasn't there before. It seems that whatever they did to take the sample also excised whatever was causing the problem.

* a slightly different shade of pink and slightly more wrinkly the rest of my knee. Difficult to spot unless you know where to look.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2021, 02:05:36 pm
Maybe the bit removed was impinging on another bit, or on something pinched between it and another bit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 December, 2021, 09:44:02 pm
Another letter from the neurologist the other day, confirming a working diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder, but also talking about getting more tests of  blood  and CSF and genetic tests to rule out something degenerative.   ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 December, 2021, 10:13:05 pm
I'm glad you have something in writing even though they're still wanting to rule stuff out. I hope you're holding up as well as you can.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 10 December, 2021, 08:46:27 pm
I'm glad you have something in writing even though they're still wanting to rule stuff out. I hope you're holding up as well as you can.

Thanks barakta. I'm just trying not to think (or google) the scary thing neurologist suggested it might be in the letter.  (hereditary spastic paraparesis)   ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 December, 2021, 11:13:25 pm
Definitely do not Google any of the scary neuromuscular shite. Wise! A friend was heavily investigated for neuromuscular gubbins and googled themselves silly without being a medic or understanding the medical context of the academic papers they were devouring at depth...

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 December, 2021, 01:20:48 am
I steered clear of much online stuff about MS when I was first diagnosed and still don't delve too far.
I AM medical, I made the diagnosis before the medics confirmed it and my first computer arrived during my admission for MS but...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hubner on 14 December, 2021, 09:19:09 pm
I felt a small bump on my forehead this afternoon, with a slight pain when pressed.

I've just squeezed it, only lightly, a mixture of blood, liquid and solid white pus popped out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 14 December, 2021, 09:43:14 pm
That’s the evil leaving you!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 December, 2021, 09:44:48 pm
Pus is usually better out than in. If this is a sebaceous/epidermoid cyst, it might recur or form a horn.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 14 December, 2021, 11:57:38 pm
On a related note, barakta's left BAHA abutment just did its monthly space mumps thing, and deflated in a very satisfying way.  Now covered in antibiotic/steroid cream.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 15 December, 2021, 12:38:50 pm
Pus is usually better out than in. If this is a sebaceous/epidermoid cyst, it might recur or form a horn.
Horn? Yep, that’s evil alright.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: offcumden on 15 December, 2021, 05:37:46 pm
Pus is usually better out than in. If this is a sebaceous/epidermoid cyst, it might recur or form a horn.
Horn? Yep, that’s evil alright.

Doesn't a single horn suggest a unicorn? Or a rhino!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: fimm on 16 December, 2021, 01:39:42 pm
We had a Zoom call with mr fimm's Uncle and Aunt the other day. Uncle H is somewhat bald.
"What have you done to your head?" I asked. It looked as though he'd lost an argument with a very spikey bush.
It turned out that he'd had some itchy spots on his scalp. When he'd been to get his Covid booster, he'd asked the nurse if she could suggest something he could get from a pharmacy to help. Nurse took a look, and got straight onto her laptop.
"I've made you an appointment with your GP," she said. So H went to the GP who (to quote H) "muttered something about pre-cancerous growths" and gave him some stuff to put on them to burn them off. Sounds nasty.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 December, 2021, 04:42:26 pm
Yes, I think bald blokes forget about their solar panels somewhat. I seem to remember my Dad had stuff zapped off his head too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2021, 05:21:14 pm
The term solar (actinic) keratosis springs to mind.

This is a thought on the Internet from somebody who has not seen anything & comes with usual caveats.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 December, 2021, 10:26:09 am
Woke up this morning with a really sore TFL.  can hardly walk upstairs.  Getting older is no fun!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 December, 2021, 06:32:20 pm
Voyaged to York to spend Christmas with family. So the one who had COVID is now out of isolation, most of the rest of us are coming down with horrible chest infection, which tests negative on LFT .
Currently wearing a jumper in a warm house and feeling sorry for myself
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 December, 2021, 07:04:30 pm
Voyaged to York to spend Christmas with family. So the one who had COVID is now out of isolation, most of the rest of us are coming down with horrible chest infection, which tests negative on LFT .
Currently wearing a jumper in a warm house and feeling sorry for myself

Please get a PCR ASAP! LFTs are for screening folk who DON'T have symptoms!

Sorry!

Get Well Soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 December, 2021, 07:57:20 pm
Pcr ordered

Pulse ox swings between 92 and 95
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 December, 2021, 10:42:14 pm
Get well soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 30 December, 2021, 10:20:32 am
Well that's my getting back to rowing after crimbo delayed. While out walkies I felt like something hit me on the calf or I had touched a electric fence with my calf.

Moving foot around and bending leg and even touching the place I got "hit" I feel just fine. Just at certain weight bearing I get pain.

An image search.with Dr Google says I've stained the Gastrocnemius.

So I'll have to take it easy, rest and ice it for a few days and then see what is what.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 January, 2022, 08:19:09 am
Funny one, hopefully insignificant: doing our usual 5k dander with MrsT yesterday I felt light pressure round my left ankle, as from a too-tight sock or even a hand resting on it. At the same time, my left foot wanted to turn inwards slightly.  The feeling is there again this morning; different socks, though, and gutties rather than walking shoes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 January, 2022, 08:37:55 pm
I have a face-to-face rheumatology appointment tomorrow. I've just done an LFT (negative) and been re-reading my appointment letter. Everything is clear but for one puzzling condition:

Quote
We can't allow anyone in clinic who is wearing a uniform

I can't understand this. There are some conditions only being allowed to attend on your own unless you need a carer for some reason. But quite a lot of carers wear uniforms as part of their job.

Are any of our medical professionals able to throw light onto this?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 January, 2022, 08:45:16 pm
I'd assume it's so they can't be mistaken for a member of staff[1].  Obviously that's more likely in the case of non-hospital healthcare workers or military uniforms than someone wearing, say, the uniform of The Scottish Restaurant, but I suppose they want to keep it simple[2].

It's not unusual for carers to not wear uniforms when accompanying a client in the outside world, so as not to attract abuse.


[1] Not that it necessarily works.  IME walking around a hospital while looking like you know what you're doing is perfectly sufficient to get you mistaken for a member of staff.  As is arriving by bicycle.
[2] Unlike the average NHS trust uniform policy, which will be full of important distinctions of the different shades of blue, and be almost, but not quite entirely, unlike those of the adjacent trusts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 03 January, 2022, 09:50:09 pm
Mrs M (ex Nurse) is convinced it's an infection control measure.
My (out dated, probably) perception of IC bods is that they live in a parallel universe.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 January, 2022, 10:05:59 pm
Mrs M (ex Nurse) is convinced it's an infection control measure.
My (out dated, probably) perception of IC bods is that they live in a parallel universe.

A strange parallel universe where people care about controlling infection, yes.

Seems plausible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 04 January, 2022, 11:31:51 am
I have self diagnosed phantosmia, where I smell cigarette smoke.

In various strength from someone walking past who have just smoked to someone blowing into an ashtray aimed into your face (yes that was "fun" back in the mid/late 80's in DK).

It is often that strong/real that it causes me to cough, like back when I was 9 and sneaked a puff from my folks cancer sticks. When it is bad I can't taste or smell anything but cigarette smoke.

I think I got the smell all the time, just got used to it. When it flares up it is at random times, haven't found a pattern like when drinking, it's cold or if it is food linked.

It started after I went to an ENT specialist* in 2015. After I had suffered with badly with middle ear infection for a long period. That taking sudafed daily like gumdrop didn't even touch.

The specialist gave me steroids which made everything worse - worse pain, length of time when it was REALLY bad, and nose gunk flow and I felt even worse with general energy etc. After a month I went back and the specialist said - I don't know why the steroids is making it worse and what do you want me to do.

Since I have had all the other test while looking into what was wrong with me with CT/MRI scans, blood tests and even eletro zapping of my nerves etc. I'm pretty sure it is not a stroke, head injury, brain tumor,  neuroblastoma, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease as I haven't got any other signs of these issues just the god awful smell.

What I have read it's a serious bout of sinus infection or a nasty cold can cause these phantom smells, but they should disappear in a few weeks to month. There is various drugs you can take to remove it but by the sound of it, it isn't really the drug that helps - it is time. From reading online GP's don't really understand it and also don't want to give you these drugs.

The only thing I have found that removes this horrid smell is eating Fisherman's Friend.


* the final doctor/specialist I got send to and requested to see, in my 3+ years of trying to figure out with regards to the pain I had in my arms, remember that https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=65523.0
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 05 January, 2022, 07:03:23 pm
Woke up this morning with a really sore TFL.  can hardly walk upstairs.  Getting older is no fun!

What is a TFL other than a backwards Lateral Flow Test?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 January, 2022, 11:58:34 am
Woke up this morning with a really sore TFL.  can hardly walk upstairs.  Getting older is no fun!

What is a TFL other than a backwards Lateral Flow Test?
Tensor fascia Lata.  Muscle on the outside of the hip.

Thankfully all settled with a day or two of rest, foam rolling and use of electrothumper massage
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 12 January, 2022, 12:58:18 pm
Feedback on my latest x-rays yesterday. Severe arthritis and bone spur on the inside of the joint of my right knee. Hobbling about not being able to use my left foot post surgery has exacerbated the existing damage to the point I am now almost totally out of cartilage in there. I can't walk without aids and can only cycle for about an hour.
And the operated foot? It hasn't made any difference. I'm still getting hotfoot after 45 minutes riding. Looks like recurrent bursitis on the metatarsal joint.

FML, as they say.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 12 January, 2022, 01:17:25 pm
Bugger, but you are doing good times on the rower :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 12 January, 2022, 02:00:31 pm
Bugger, squared!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2022, 02:12:00 pm
Well that's shit :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 January, 2022, 05:42:01 pm
:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 January, 2022, 12:35:37 am
Ouch! Did the medics make any suggestion of possible treatment options for you?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 January, 2022, 09:12:21 am
Well that's a bloody bastard.  Can they pump the joint full of hyaluronic acid to give you a bit of interim cushioning and let other inflammation sites calm down a bit?  I suppose they tried that already, though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 13 January, 2022, 09:31:55 am
At least you can dodge the Vietnam draft.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 13 January, 2022, 10:59:13 am
Ouch! Did the medics make any suggestion of possible treatment options for you?
No. I've been told (before this latest set of x-rays) I'm too young for joint replacement surgery.
I'm being referred.

Well that's a bloody bastard.  Can they pump the joint full of hyaluronic acid to give you a bit of interim cushioning and let other inflammation sites calm down a bit?  I suppose they tried that already, though.
Their treatment/management plan seems to be throw painkillers at it. I don't want to. Mostly because this is a degenerative disease and I want to know what activity exacerbates it and not drug myself daily so I can walk to the shop. There isn't any visible swelling or inflammation so NSAIDs seem pointless.

Consultant for my foot says it's early days and they expect 3-6 months before it's fully healed. He signed me off despite me answering 'no' to 2 of his 3 questions, to whit: Is the wound healed (yes) Can you walk normally (no) Are you free from nerve pain (no).

Anyway, I'm now on a long and tedious path where I will be constantly nagging for better options and fighting for treatment they don't want to fund. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

At least you can dodge the Vietnam draft.
Every cloud  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2022, 01:29:32 pm
Not good news. I hope something can be done about it, at some point.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 January, 2022, 02:15:30 pm
Well that's a bloody bastard.  Can they pump the joint full of hyaluronic acid to give you a bit of interim cushioning and let other inflammation sites calm down a bit?  I suppose they tried that already, though.
Their treatment/management plan seems to be throw painkillers at it. I don't want to. Mostly because this is a degenerative disease and I want to know what activity exacerbates it and not drug myself daily so I can walk to the shop. There isn't any visible swelling or inflammation so NSAIDs seem pointless.

Consultant for my foot says it's early days and they expect 3-6 months before it's fully healed. He signed me off despite me answering 'no' to 2 of his 3 questions, to whit: Is the wound healed (yes) Can you walk normally (no) Are you free from nerve pain (no).

Anyway, I'm now on a long and tedious path where I will be constantly nagging for better options and fighting for treatment they don't want to fund. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.


Sounds like "wait and see".  3-6 months is a bummer, though, especially if your knees are suffering in consequence.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 January, 2022, 05:46:37 pm
I'm always wary of the "too young for joint replacement surgery" given knee replacements are quite good and it's a tradeoff between mobility now and mobility in the future and screwing over the now for some unknown future and increasing risk of putting on weight and other effects of poor mobility doesn't seem worth avoiding surgery for.

Good luck with the fight Fboab, that is the nature of the NHS, you have to be assertive about your priorities which includes not being in pain. I would discuss pain management further though as NSAIDs may well work on stuff that has inflammation that you can't see externally - IANAD so don't know for sure. My understanding is that some NSAIDs or even daily 2-3g of paracetamol can give quite significant long term reduction in pain if they're managed properly e.g. you get a proton pump inhibitor and the right NSAID... There is more than just ibuprofen for example.

(I know this cos I can't tolerate paracetamol or NSAIDs cos my brain is a stupid special fucking snowflake and throws migraines if I take them, but most people's bodies/brains aren't that stupid).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 13 January, 2022, 09:43:00 pm
I would support baratka in her comments. I do not know how old you are fboab but I would guess mid 50s?  Increasingly surgeons are going for unicompartmental replacement preserving the ligaments. One of my friends is a specialist knee anaesthetist and was telling me that he expects patients to be up and walking the same day and home the next.
GPs May not be aware of the latest technology.
Does your company do any private health scheme?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 14 January, 2022, 01:16:06 am
Hip replacement was a serious consideration (now it's Plan B) for my hip nonsense and I'm 42 in 6 weeks. I think you're older than me by at least a few years.

One of my (many) lovely GPs told me a few years back when hip-nonsense was first picked up that her mum (also a Doctor, so needed good mobility) got hip replacements in early 40s for the same condition (hip dysplasia) and they're still going strong in her mid-70s.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 14 January, 2022, 07:59:21 am
I'm 53.

I don't plan to take it lying down (although to be fair that is largely a pain-free option for me) but the biggest problem at the moment is how depressed it's making me, particularly as my 'coping mechanism' appears to be chocolate.

No private health care from work. In a worst case scenario I'll flog all my bikes and a kidney and pay for it myself.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 14 January, 2022, 08:21:50 am
Paying for the first visit saves months in the queue then get transferred to the NHS.
Get the x-rays done by the GP and even an MRI scan if you can organise it.
Then tell the consultant private and NHS secretary that you are seeing him/her privately but please could he look at NHS X-rays. Then see them privately.
Read around. You want to see either pure knee surgeon or knee/sports surgeon. Look them up on the joint registry (May be hospital level).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 January, 2022, 08:51:06 am
Sounds good, Chris.  I'd have thought that the decision to replace would be based on the condition of the patient rather than on some imaginary decrepitude schedule.  Or is it imaginary?#

ETA: MrsT reminds me that a friend of ours in Walsall has been waiting for a new knee for the last 8 years. She's hobbling with a walking frame and is continually being told "it's not quite bad enough yet".  She's 78, and reckons they're just fobbing her off until she dies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 14 January, 2022, 08:43:59 pm
Yay for bowel "issues" again.  >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 14 January, 2022, 09:41:06 pm
The decision to undertake major surgery is multifactorial but includes patient condition as in the level of pain and disability, the health of the person in general and the psychological makeup.  I often refer patients for counselling before surgery for example. For many patients the fear of the pain and the impact of that fear is more debilitating than the pain.
Next is the x-rays or other investigation showing the extent of the arthritis. Could a simpler operation work or an alternative. Sometimes we get so used to joint replacement in the elderly we forget to consider osteotomes, debridement, etc in younger patients to buy time.

Finally the longevity of a joint replacement. Hips and knees are the gold standard with 15+ years now normal. However that does mean that someone in their 50s will probably need at least one revision. Revision joint replacement is a massive undertaking!

All of these factors have a different weighting for each patient and surgeon as well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 15 January, 2022, 08:40:26 am


The decision to undertake major surgery is multifactorial but includes patient condition as in the level of pain and disability, the health of the person in general and the psychological makeup.
(snip)
All of these factors have a different weighting for each patient and surgeon as well.
Which brings me back to Mrs M's knee replacement which has now been postponed until she's seen the High Risk Anaesthetic Team, which is likely to be late February.
I suspect her surgical team are, for whatever reason, very risk averse. I have no particular problem with that.
 
In the meantime they are arranging for a rerun of all of the cardiac investigations that were done prior to, but not connected with, her last knee surgery. Nothing has changed - cardiac related - since that surgery except for the episode of AF.
She's always had a PDA too small to be operated on, and it doesn't cause her any issues.

Having already been for the Echocardiogram yesterday she's had a hint that the cardiologists will refuse to do another 'stress MRI', for which Mrs M would be truly grateful.

The new delay, a promise of surgery with it snatched away, has had a huge impact on her mental health. I think she'd have been content if it'd been covid staff shortages on the day.

So yes, different surgeons take different approaches. But, i wish they'd read her notes before the clinic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 17 January, 2022, 09:37:04 am
Well that's a bloody bastard.  Can they pump the joint full of hyaluronic acid to give you a bit of interim cushioning and let other inflammation sites calm down a bit?  I suppose they tried that already, though.

I'm getting this done this afternoon. Crossing my fingers for the potential 6 months relief. The physio implied that if it works I can keep getting it done at intervals until it stops working. I'm totally on board with that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 17 January, 2022, 09:46:11 am
Best wishes for this afternoon and subsequently.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 January, 2022, 09:54:43 am
That sounds positive. Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 17 January, 2022, 05:24:57 pm
Good luck, hope it works and that there isn't a worse-before-better period.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 18 January, 2022, 05:58:53 am
Going through suspected knee bursitis here. Had a weird minor swelling like I'd bumped the knee and then managed to do a suspected minor meniscus tear, which might have masked the bursitis issue. About 3 weeks later, with knee virtually pain free, I was out on a light hike with the dog, when the area below my kneecap swelled up to like 1/2 egg sized.
 Physio agreed that it was most likely bursitis, the temp  doctor (my regular GP was away) agreed, but wanted me to complete a course of naproxen first. (This was the second time I saw him on the issue, first time was "well, just rest", which is just about the worst advice ever).

Completed that, knee still feels like at 70%. I can do most things, but it will get 'angry' if I push it and I need to ease off for a few days.
Spoke to my regular GP today, she's reluctant to go to corticosteroid injections and now wants an x-ray. Amazingly there's a couple of new walk-in imaging clinics and it took 10 mins, so I'll book a new appointment at the end of the week with the doc.

It's been extra annoying as it happened just before my 2 month break from work, where I had planned to A) get fit again B) do a bunch of renos, and neither has been possible with the knee buggered up.  I'm close to buying a trainer for my bike, but I've always hated those things.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 January, 2022, 10:06:49 pm
Jakob, sympathies.

I'm not speaking to my right knee. It's been extremely painful since I started weightbearing on my operated leg in early December. The surgeons trashed my flexors and it's taking ages for them to recuperate despite a lot of work in hydro. I can't tolerate the physio very much - the knee craps out. Physio appts are one per month (they're supposed to be one every 1-2 weeks but they're short of slots). I'm giving it till my next physio which will be 2 months of knee pain (despite re-increased morphine) and if it's still sore I'm emailing my surgeon's secretary to chase up my due-appointment and X-ray.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 January, 2022, 10:23:58 pm
This morning I had my first session in a gym, since leaving college in 1975.

I lifted some weights, amongst other things.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 19 January, 2022, 04:36:55 am
Ouch, yeah, mine is nowhere near that bad!. However, doctors office already got the X-ray report (in less than 12 hours?!??!) and they called to book a follow up, which frankly has me a little concerned. Either my GP is being extra diligent or there's something else going on. (Normally they're happy to wait for you to book the follow-up!). Granted, it's a mostly functioning knee, so it's unlikely to be life(-style) threatening, but still? Maybe bone spurs? (Paranoia grows!).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 January, 2022, 11:34:01 am
Well that's a bloody bastard.  Can they pump the joint full of hyaluronic acid to give you a bit of interim cushioning and let other inflammation sites calm down a bit?  I suppose they tried that already, though.

I'm getting this done this afternoon. Crossing my fingers for the potential 6 months relief. The physio implied that if it works I can keep getting it done at intervals until it stops working. I'm totally on board with that.

How's it going?  First time I had it done it lasted a week or two, second wasn't so good.  Cost 150€ a shot, too - I hope yours is 100% NHS-covered.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 19 January, 2022, 11:43:14 am
Well that's a bloody bastard.  Can they pump the joint full of hyaluronic acid to give you a bit of interim cushioning and let other inflammation sites calm down a bit?  I suppose they tried that already, though.

I'm getting this done this afternoon. Crossing my fingers for the potential 6 months relief. The physio implied that if it works I can keep getting it done at intervals until it stops working. I'm totally on board with that.

How's it going?  First time I had it done it lasted a week or two, second wasn't so good.  Cost 150€ a shot, too - I hope yours is 100% NHS-covered.

Heh £140. Plus £50 for the initial consult. She said positive effects could be felt in 2-4 weeks and last for yonks after. Next line of attack (if/when this doesn't work) will be PRP in the joint. Today was single leg drills on the rower as my range of movement is massively reduced.  ::-) Early days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 January, 2022, 02:09:49 pm
Well that's a bloody bastard.  Can they pump the joint full of hyaluronic acid to give you a bit of interim cushioning and let other inflammation sites calm down a bit?  I suppose they tried that already, though.

I'm getting this done this afternoon. Crossing my fingers for the potential 6 months relief. The physio implied that if it works I can keep getting it done at intervals until it stops working. I'm totally on board with that.

How's it going?  First time I had it done it lasted a week or two, second wasn't so good.  Cost 150€ a shot, too - I hope yours is 100% NHS-covered.

Heh £140. Plus £50 for the initial consult. She said positive effects could be felt in 2-4 weeks and last for yonks after. Next line of attack (if/when this doesn't work) will be PRP in the joint. Today was single leg drills on the rower as my range of movement is massively reduced.  ::-) Early days.

Good luck!  I dunno if they'd do that with me since I'm on clopidogrel, which keeps my platelet count down to around 50% of normal.

I suppose they charge a lot for hyaluronic acid because it's also used in cosmetic surgery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 22 January, 2022, 09:10:13 am
Called my physio in (he does home visits) to take a look at my forearm, I suspected golfers elbow, which he confirmed. 

I think he knows me too well though, as I was roundly mocked when I said it's starts getting niggly after a while on the bike riding on the hoods.  His response was "when you say a bit niggly after a while, knowing you, that means about 5 hours and pain that would have my other patients roling around on the floor".

He's very good at tailoring his treatments to the patient, also gave me some very good advice on my achilles, as he has the same issues and is also thinking about entering the CAmbridge half-mara in march
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 22 January, 2022, 07:04:14 pm
So, not bursitis, but a knee effusion. 6 weeks of rest. (But I've already done 10 weeks, doc!) Well, take 6 more.
Crap.
Gonna get a copy of the X-ray report and see if my physio can't get one of his tame sports medicine doctors to have a quick look.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 22 January, 2022, 11:14:42 pm
Sister Liz', Sprogs OTP, is on her first full week of a Bloody Awful case of TEH SHINGLES. Both arms and the top half of her back!
Please to be sending her The Sympathy, hoping the Drugs help before she goes (More) Insane!
Our brother is going in for a Hip Operation on Monday, there's no way he can risk contact before then so she's stuck with putting up with I, and I.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 January, 2022, 02:12:33 pm
Oh, that's horrible, P-D!

Get Well Soon Sprogs!

Best wishes for brother's hip!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 January, 2022, 02:25:21 pm
Shingles is horrid! I hope it starts to clearup ASAP and that your brother's hip op goes well too!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 February, 2022, 10:47:27 pm
GP surgery rang me this evening inviting me for repeat smear.
I told receptionist I thought I'd had a letter after my last, stating I was too old for any more.
Decided to go for it anyway.
Get offered an appointment for tomorrow.

Look at computer Calendar.

'Ooooh sorry, I've got Covid, I'm not supposed to go out!'

Silly me!

I've now booked another date.

Looked up routine screening: every 3 years up to 50.
Every 5 years age 50-64.
Stop after 65.

Which explains why I received letter with result just after I was 60, stating they'd stop.

I'll still go unless they cancel.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 03 February, 2022, 08:21:22 am
In Germany it’s still every year for me and I’m 50. I missed the last one as I didn’t fancy it due to COVID and am debating whether to hookup now. I don’t really like my Frauenarzt but it’s hard to get on the books of another. My GP is brilliant but they don’t do smears.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 03 February, 2022, 03:19:22 pm
I have an appointment to see a man about a plastic joint.
Looks like we might be getting another Longstaff (https://www.nhs.uk/profiles/consultant/4260538) in our house. Should I view this as a positive sign?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2022, 03:26:51 pm
Sounds hopeful.
Seems LL qualified a LONG time after I did.
My GMC Number is 2585534...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 February, 2022, 03:46:44 pm
I have an appointment to see a man about a plastic joint.
Looks like we might be getting another Longstaff (https://www.nhs.uk/profiles/consultant/4260538) in our house. Should I view this as a positive sign?
Be careful. You might end up like Jake the Peg.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 February, 2022, 06:56:27 pm
In Germany it’s still every year for me and I’m 50. I missed the last one as I didn’t fancy it due to COVID and am debating whether to hookup now. I don’t really like my Frauenarzt but it’s hard to get on the books of another. My GP is brilliant but they don’t do smears.

Every year? Jeez. I was delighted that my last results came back and said that due to the new way they're screening in Scotland now I get 5 years off \o/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2022, 08:12:24 pm
I was equally pleased when I receive That Letter in 2018 saying No More, as I'd be >65 in 5 years' time...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 February, 2022, 09:38:57 pm
I was relieved to get my delayed-by-a-year-cos-Covid smear done BEFORE my hip surgery because I still can't get my legs to do the smear position and it wasn't easy pre-op. I'm now left alone till 2024.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2022, 10:16:32 pm
I will need to be hauled onto the couch.
SuspectI'll need somebody to position my thighs, as there is no strength.
I am fortunate to have full passive hip movements.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 February, 2022, 12:07:26 am
Will you have to take someone with you to do the hauling or do the GPs' staff assist. Several of my friends can't get smears cos no GP has any hoists and just assumes they can transfer... One paid £££ to get the HPV vaccine privately to reduce her risk factors cos smears aren't accessible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 February, 2022, 12:57:30 am
Can't remember what happened in 2018.
I know David came but that was pre Covid, of course...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 February, 2022, 10:52:42 am
You're totally legitimately allowed David again. I've taken Kim to GP appts, cos she's shoving the wheelchair and helping with comms. I am sure if you say "David will help me transfer" they'll be so grateful they'll just let him. Good luck when it comes!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 February, 2022, 03:51:19 pm
Thanks!
Someone hasto push my chair anyhow...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 09 February, 2022, 12:35:05 pm
It's a waiting game. 3-6 months for a new one. Then 3-6 months recovering.

Bone on bone. Like knock on wood, but less funky.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220209/6511e7ffced75dfcdb4fed8d7d4fe5b7.jpg)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 February, 2022, 12:37:33 pm
*winces*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 February, 2022, 01:55:42 pm
Ouch! Hope surgery is able to help and you're back on your legs properly soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 February, 2022, 03:59:51 pm
Have you tried some WD40 on that?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 February, 2022, 04:17:34 pm
Ouch². That must hurt like hell - I know that when my ankles were playing silly buggers it was breath-stopping, and occasionally the leg would just collapse.  Fortunately they never both cut loose at the same time.

FWIW for some unfathomable reason my ankles cleared up most of the way, and I only get twinges if I've been doing something unnatural such as walking > 5 km.  Hope your knee does the same.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 February, 2022, 06:13:43 pm
Ouch also.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 09 February, 2022, 07:50:21 pm
That'll buff out.

No. Ouchie.  GWS boab...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 09 February, 2022, 08:41:16 pm
They have the technology,  they can rebuild you.....


Hope the fix is quick & effective. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 09 February, 2022, 08:45:39 pm
I hope they can keep it at the short end of the waiting.

That picture made we wonder whether metallic L and R stickers would be a useful thing for X rays, though I know which way round and whose left and right are an important topic in medical school.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 February, 2022, 10:23:53 pm
That picture made we wonder whether metallic L and R stickers would be a useful thing for X rays

They're very much a thing, though I suspect radiographers marking the images electronically at time of acquisition is more common these days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 February, 2022, 07:23:07 am
Not seen markers for a while now with digital images. I think it is a slide thing on the cassette.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 10 February, 2022, 10:18:07 am
Ouch I can imagine the sound of the grinding like a pepper mill.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 10 February, 2022, 07:58:38 pm
Digitally the bits are meant to be displayed from the medics perspective not the patients.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 February, 2022, 09:10:01 am
Digitally the bits are meant to be displayed from the medics perspective not the patients.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Is there a hand surgeon joke in there?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 February, 2022, 09:32:21 am
Digitally the bits are meant to be displayed from the medics perspective not the patients.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Is there a hand surgeon joke in there?
Hand surgeons – read the manual!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 12 February, 2022, 11:50:05 am
I got a letter from the NHS this morning, offering me a free Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening. It’s apparently offered to all men “in their 65th year”. My birthday is March 14th. My appointment is March 15th.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2022, 01:23:39 pm
I got a letter from the NHS this morning, offering me a free Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening. It’s apparently offered to all men “in their 65th year”. My birthday is March 14th. My appointment is March 15th.

I didn't think that was considered particularly concerning. My brother was informed that he has one. (Actually, they told him he had an aneurysm, but not where. He only found out when I freaked and told him to get more information.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 February, 2022, 02:33:43 pm
Well worthwhile.

A burst abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has HUGE mortality.
A leaking AAA has high mortality.

Planned surgery to fix (before leak/burst) has low mortality.

A big AAA is an unexploded bomb under your belt.

SMALL AAAs can be watched.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 February, 2022, 03:42:06 pm
Inlaw Paw had his fixed when he was in his early 80s & lived to be nearly 100.

I had my aorta done (screened) a year or two ago. All clear.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 February, 2022, 07:16:05 pm
Nowadays they treat the majority with endo-vascular treatment which is virtually day surgery.  All done through a small incision in the groin.  Known as EVAR.  They have extremely fancy replacements now which can repair into the renal arteries or the vessels for the intestine.  All done using x-rays and very fancy unfurling technology.  Pleating and unfurling of minimally invasive implants is a major science.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 12 February, 2022, 08:22:49 pm
Well worth getting screened. Some years ago a friend collapsed at our house with what we assumed was a heart attack. Fortunately for him, the medics not only arrived at speed, they realised straight away what it was.  He "died" several times on the way to hospital, but survived and made an almost complete recovery.
I then bullied my husband into getting screened and his GP was delighted someone had actually come forward. (husband OK)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2022, 11:25:10 am
ISTR my brother's was measured as 5cm.

Risky but not critical.

He deflected, saying he'd read that these are often caused by people do do a lot of intensive exercise all their life.  That's another deflection, he does about 3 hours of kung fu a week.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 February, 2022, 03:56:52 pm
I’ve got a really sore calf. Like after bad cramp, but without the sudden cramp. Maybe it’s still cramped. I’ve done a bit of town based walking around the last couple of days, but I can’t identify what might have caused it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 February, 2022, 11:15:10 pm
Don't buy aerosol sunscreen, kids!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ORMf4-KFU

(That's my younger daughter at work there).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 February, 2022, 08:49:36 am
Don't buy aerosol sunscreen, kids!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ORMf4-KFU

(That's my younger daughter at work there).
Doesn't look like you at all. No beard.

I can't believe the lunacy of spray sunscreen. Pink zinc forever!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 14 February, 2022, 01:12:26 pm
Quote
I’ve got a really sore calf.
Get it checked for DVT?  Especially if there is any swelling.
Not too likely as you have been active.
A&E doctor used a tape measure to check the size of each of my calves when I had a suspected DVT.
It wasn't a DVT, but that's a Long Story.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: perpetual dan on 14 February, 2022, 06:42:12 pm
Quote
I’ve got a really sore calf.
Get it checked for DVT?  Especially if there is any swelling.
Not too likely as you have been active.
A&E doctor used a tape measure to check the size of each of my calves when I had a suspected DVT.
It wasn't a DVT, but that's a Long Story.
Thanks. Mrs Dan checked me for swellings and bruises, though not with a tape measure. It’s no more painful when prodded either. A bit better today, but I’m still taking stairs with a wince.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 15 February, 2022, 03:11:14 pm
When a blood test showed it was unlikely to be a DVT , the A&E doctor was mystified and insisted it got scanned anyway even though the radiologists were decidedly sniffy about doing it.
It was a large cyst in the top of my calf muscle that had burst. No idea what caused that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 February, 2022, 03:56:10 pm
Baker's cysts are usually an out-pouching from the knee joint, I think… https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bakers-cyst/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 February, 2022, 06:32:12 pm
Baker's cysts are usually an out-pouching from the knee joint, I think… https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bakers-cyst/

My mum had one of those in 2008, it was bloody painful, she could barely walk and we had to haul her across London and then back again when she had to go home early cos knee (and sister in prison again).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 15 February, 2022, 09:30:30 pm
Radiologists insisted it wasn't a Baker's cyst. But yes very painful.
I collapsed on the floor, husband shovelled me into the car and needed a wheelchair to get me into Urgent Care.
Triage made sure I jumped the queue and a lovely GP took over.
I was sitting on a chair and had to ask to lie down before I fell off...
Got pumped with anti-coagulants before they had any results from blood test.
But no lasting ill effects, and very happy it wasn't a DVT.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2022, 05:17:56 pm
GP surgery rang me this evening inviting me for repeat smear.
I told receptionist I thought I'd had a letter after my last, stating I was too old for any more.
Decided to go for it anyway.
Get offered an appointment for tomorrow.
Look at computer Calendar.
'Ooooh sorry, I've got Covid, I'm not supposed to go out!'
Silly me!
I've now booked another date.
Looked up routine screening: every 3 years up to 50.
Every 5 years age 50-64.
Stop after 65.
Which explains why I received letter with result just after I was 60, stating they'd stop.
I'll still go unless they cancel.

So I went, with D pushing my chair and booking me in via touchscreen.
HCP looks at her computer screen.
"Your last smear was September 2018. We only do smears every 5 years in over 50s. If we do another, they'll just throw it away so best not.."
Told her I thought last smear was my last as I'd had a letter to that effect.

She then counted on her fingers to confirm that I'd be over 65, five years after my previous smear.

What a FARCE!

At least D has not been too dischuffed!

Good thing surgery is only 100 yards away!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 19 February, 2022, 03:13:51 pm
A week last Thursday I caught my thumb in the belt loop of my trousers. I hyper-extended and twisted it. At first I was not worried. Last weekend I could not do anything with my right-hand. And the bottom of my thumb was engorged with blood. I was worried that a bone might be broken. So on Monday I walked to Cardiff Heath Hospital discovered people with minor injuries needed to phone for an appointment. I walk home and pick up the phone after half an hour I put it down again. The next hour I try for another half hour. And again. The fourth attempt was answered almost immediately. So at 6pm I was in the waiting room. Shortly after 9pm I see a nice doctor, get an x-ray and an appointment with a hand specialist on Wednesday.

On Wednesday I go to Llandough hospital and half an hour after see the doctor. He checks my hand  moves my thumb around in circles and concludes I have no ligament damage. By now the blood swelling had gone. I had substantially healed. I can use my hand again.  He said I have a little arthritis at the base of my thumb, nothing to worry about yet. He offers to have a nurse dress my hand with splint. I ask if I do not have my hand wrapped "could I do more damage." He said no.  So I am discharged.

Today I can do ordinary things like pick up the kettle to make tea which I could not do last week. (My left hand could last week).  Last week I used pasta and rice, peeling vegetables would have been very painful.  Although my thumb is not perfect I am happy again.
 
   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 February, 2022, 09:17:57 pm
I keep doing single hiccups. What's that all about?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 March, 2022, 12:41:41 pm
Our doc, and the pharmacy between them (mostly the doc, I think) has buggered up my Dear Wife's inhaler prescription. Normal pharmacy hasn't got a spare to lend her, and sh has only 2 puffs left. She has dialled 111, but they don't seem to be able to find any record of our doctor's surgery on their records.

This is all shit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 March, 2022, 03:47:18 pm
Hope you manage to find some replacement inhalers without having to go to walkin clinic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 05 March, 2022, 06:36:52 pm
I'm getting worried. I suffer from stomach acid from what I've been told are micro hernias and take omeprazle antacids for it. I have for a few years had dark no 2s  especially when when I  on the consterpated side  but over the last few days there seems to be blood in them as they are nearly black. I have had a blood test on  Friday and will give the doctors a no 2 sample on Monday. I am convinced that I have bowel cancer. So  now I am not sleeping 😐  . I am planning to keep cycling as long as I can and hope that it helps a bit
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 March, 2022, 08:01:32 pm
I hope you get sorted soon!
Black stools are more likely to originate from quite high in the gastrointestinal system, like a duodenal ulcer (which isn't a cancer).
You do need urgent investigation though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 March, 2022, 08:20:38 am
Thanks hellymedic .I managed to get to sleep last night with the help of a nytol.I will get a sample in on Monday and hope for the best. I  assume that I will need a operation to sort it out I hope its sortable  .
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: bikepacker on 06 March, 2022, 11:45:55 am
Hope it goes well for you try to keep positive until you get the full diagnosis.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 March, 2022, 12:10:35 pm
Sorry to hear you have this worry Cycleman. My mum always says that if you worry before a medical test then 99% of the time you've worried twice, and in the rare occasion it is bad news, you've worried for more time and it still doesn't change anything. Not 100% sure she lives what she preaches but.

I'm not a doctor as you know, but whatever it is, you're picking it up early. You're not ignoring blood in your stool. You have a known condition that could be causing it. You're doing the right thing by getting it checked out. It just takes a week or two for that to all go through.

Keeping fingers crossed for you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 March, 2022, 12:30:16 pm
Thanks barakta, I am still planning cycle camping trips for the moment. Apart from the blood, I am feeling fit by my standards of fi anyway. Still  scared of possible operations etc though. Compared with your ongoing problems my worries rate as minor. I  am of course a first class wimp  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2022, 01:55:33 pm
Better a live wimp than a dead stoic.  Good luck, cycleman.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 06 March, 2022, 03:59:48 pm
As far as I remember - and the noddle is getting fuzzy - ulcer repairs (which it sounds like you need) are done by endoscopy - tube with camera, tools & repair kit going up, or more probably down. So - if I'm right - not a 'proper' operation, and it may well be done under sedation not a full anaesthetic. It may not even involve an overnight stay.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 March, 2022, 04:50:01 pm
That sounds reassuring. I have visions of being stuck in hospital then weeks of recovery before I can ride again. I'm feeling a little more relaxed and hopeful now. Thanks all of you  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 March, 2022, 04:53:41 pm
If it is actually blood then you are in for some major investigations. I would expect you to be put on a 2 week cancer? pathway and have endoscopy, possibly CT scan or MRI scan and to see some hospital doctors.

If no signs of cancer are found and this is a bleeding duodenal ulcer then it is medication with probably Omeprazole or equivalent and antibiotics to kill the helicobacter pylorii bug which causes the ulcer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 March, 2022, 06:22:42 pm
No sign of weight change which I will take as a good sign. I will hope that it is just a bleeding ulcer can be resolved quickly. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 March, 2022, 12:27:56 pm
Wishing you all the best, cycleman!

Jan got her inhaler in the end, via 111. She had to walk into Sainsbury's (less than a mile) for it. It looks as though 111 prescriptions  count as private: there was a £35 price on the label, which Jan didn't have to pay.

Is the 111 service a price-gouging private enterprise?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 07 March, 2022, 07:06:41 pm
Thanks wowbagger 🙂 ,sample submitted this morning and now I await developments  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 07 March, 2022, 07:34:36 pm
Only just seen this Cycleman.  Hope it’s nothing serious & that you can stop worrying soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 March, 2022, 08:13:20 pm
It looks as though 111 prescriptions  count as private: there was a £35 price on the label, which Jan didn't have to pay.

Wasn't there a move towards doing this with all prescriptions, in order to extend the scrounger rhetoric to vulnerable people taking necessary medication?  Don't know what became of it...


Quote
Is the 111 service a price-gouging private enterprise?

Undoubtedly, and if my recent dealings with them are anything to go by, one that could be replaced by a small shell script.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 07 March, 2022, 08:15:47 pm
Cycleman: Might-be-cancer-but-probably-isn't does at least mean they should get to the bottom of it in a timely manner.  Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 March, 2022, 10:06:10 pm
Fingers thumbs and toes all contorted for you cycleman.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 March, 2022, 07:41:43 am
Please don't get cramp ,I'd feel guilty. Thanks all of you  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 08 March, 2022, 09:14:19 am
Quote
Is the 111 service a price-gouging private enterprise?

Undoubtedly, and if my recent dealings with them are anything to go by, one that could be replaced by a small shell script.
I don't know how this is different from the actual case- which is a read-by-unqualified-person-script?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2022, 01:38:45 pm
Quote
Is the 111 service a price-gouging private enterprise?

Undoubtedly, and if my recent dealings with them are anything to go by, one that could be replaced by a small shell script.
I don't know how this is different from the actual case- which is a read-by-unqualified-person-script?

Shell scripts are cheaper to run, and marginally less gormless?

In the case of 111, a computer can give inappropriate medical advice[1] immediately, rather than phoning you back at 4am to do it.  Which is why you might as well use the https://111.nhs.uk/ website.

The other thing that 111 is supposedly able to do, but fails at spectacularly, is give you details of services such as emergency dentists, out-of-hours pharmacies and so on.  They're worse than google.

Bring back NHS Redirect.  At least they had actual nurses.


[1] The problem is, as you say, they're unqualified.  So if you phone them up with "I have $diagnosed_medical_condition with needs $urgent_treatment because $usual_doctor isn't available out of hours" all they can do is follow their script to mis-diagnose it as something else that doesn't require A&E and is therefore treatable with paracetamol.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 March, 2022, 02:20:54 pm
And the results are in. Bowel movement dark but  blood free. That's surprised me. Blood test shows I am low in iron and the doctor said something about reduced kidney function?. He's proscribed iron tablets 2 a day and wants me to redo blood test ia month or so and has booked me for a  health check and  urine sample on Monday. Interesting tim :)es ⏲  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 March, 2022, 02:24:23 pm
That is good news!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 11 March, 2022, 04:59:03 pm
excellent
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 March, 2022, 05:12:20 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2022, 06:45:35 pm
And the results are in. Bowel movement dark but  blood free. That's surprised me. Blood test shows I am low in iron and the doctor said something about reduced kidney function?. He's proscribed iron tablets 2 a day and wants me to redo blood test ia month or so and has booked me for a  health check and  urine sample on Monday. Interesting tim :)es ⏲  ???

Apologies if I've mentioned this before (I think I have, but not recently).

A friend of mine submitted his bi-annual poo sticks only to have his results called in and further tests carried out. The conclusion was that he was advised not to eat black pudding in the 48 hours prior to carrying out the poo sticks test.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2022, 07:18:11 pm
On a related note, expect similar effects from the iron pills.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 11 March, 2022, 07:39:09 pm
Iron stools are black but smear green on loo paper.
Blood-stained poo smears brown...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 11 March, 2022, 07:45:24 pm
I still have no idea why my poo is dark. I  haven't had black pudding for quite a few years.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 15 March, 2022, 05:01:05 pm
AAA scan completed, and I’m signed off the programme as everything was normal. In and out in 10 minutes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 March, 2022, 05:19:37 pm
AAA scan completed, and I’m signed off the programme as everything was normal. In and out in 10 minutes.

Excellent news!

Happy birthday!!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 15 March, 2022, 08:18:11 pm
I still have no idea why my poo is dark. I  haven't had black pudding for quite a few years.
Beetroot is another one
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 15 March, 2022, 08:27:57 pm
I seem to be getting weaker as time goes on... Unlike Stu Francis (of Crackerjack1 fame), I doubt I could rip a tissue, crush a grape, or jump over a dolls house.  >:(

1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stu_Francis
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 March, 2022, 02:35:15 pm
AAA scan completed, and I’m signed off the programme as everything was normal. In and out in 10 minutes.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 16 March, 2022, 07:13:39 pm
I haven't had beetroot for ages either, still baffled  ::-).  Still I'm glad that it's all that's baffling me at present. Thanks for the support you all gave me while I was panicking  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 March, 2022, 03:46:44 pm
Cardiac stress test today, ECG perfect.  Then the cardiologist spoils it by saying "your blood pressure was a bit high so we'll get you another appointment and put you a BP Holter on".  Firstly my BP is always "a bit high" in the presence of men in white coats and secondly those bloody gadgets wake you up once an hour all through the night. So either I'll do a good hard unelectric ride the day before or else I'll have a Molsidomine on the day: I won't to be bothered with his bloody arse-protecting performance-killers again.  Last time they not only weren't needed, they cost me a PBP qualification and killed my sex life.

Come to think of it, my stock of Molsidomine comes from a stress test a couple of years ago when he thought my BP was a bit high.  I didn't take them & nothing happened.

He got me so pissed off I forgot to ask if I could do a VO2 max one of these days. Arse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 March, 2022, 10:53:28 am
The effects of age: yesterday the cardiologist took me up to 150W, kept me there for two minutes then said "that's enough", and I agreed with him.  15 years ago, when I was only 60, I did Mont Ventoux with an average of 174W.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jurek on 19 March, 2022, 01:32:02 pm
Yesterday evening was the first time in two years that I've left the house whilst not wearing a mask.
I went to the pub for a meal with a couple of friends.
Today, I tested negative.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 March, 2022, 03:05:06 pm
Wearing the aforesaid BP Holter.  The current "a bit high" measurement was 121/72 mmHg @ 55 bpm.  Slap a vasodilator on top of that and I'll likely keel over every time I stand up, assuming I'm able to.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 23 March, 2022, 11:01:41 pm
I did 270 hilly KM and my right knee started to hurt. I then remembered that the last time I was doing 200+in winter tights the same thing happened.  Patellar bursitis from the pressure over the skin I reckon. Crepitus and slightly warm. Taking ibuprofen and hopefully it will settle soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 March, 2022, 03:20:39 am
I thought you left both Clergymen's and Housemaids' afflictions to your other half... ;) ;D ;D

Hope it's better soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 25 March, 2022, 10:34:58 pm
I did 270 hilly KM and my right knee started to hurt. I then remembered that the last time I was doing 200+in winter tights the same thing happened.  Patellar bursitis from the pressure over the skin I reckon. Crepitus and slightly warm. Taking ibuprofen and hopefully it will settle soon.

That is annoying and know how painful it can be.

Worst bit is that it may go away by itself or not.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 25 March, 2022, 10:37:09 pm
Oh how do you identify a bruised or broken coccyx without an xray.  Or if there is anything that can be done till it heals.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 March, 2022, 11:00:03 pm
There is little to do.
X-raying is discouraged because it entails a big dose of radiation to the genitals, without really altering management.
Treatment is symptomatic: ring cushion, painkillers and gluteal exercise  (buttock clenches)to bulk out the muscles enough to lift the coccyx off the chair.

Persistent pain can be treated by removing the coccyx surgically, but this is very much a last resort.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 26 March, 2022, 12:28:11 am
Was playfully thinking of sending you photsos ;)


Edit: of the injury...as I managed to injure myself from my shoulder blades down to my bum.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 26 March, 2022, 01:06:41 am
Injuries to the coccyx are a pain in the arse but most improve over time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 26 March, 2022, 01:21:04 am
That might be funny, but not when I have the pain.

Spoke to doctor and the basic commetn seems to be if it hurts when you poo we have to do something.  Other than that there is nothing to do.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 March, 2022, 10:32:45 am
Injuries to the coccyx are a pain in the arse but most improve over time.

And some don't. Back in the 60s my dad took the painter of my uncle's dinghy in his hand and hopped over the prow onto the beach.  When he was still in the air a wave lifted the bow and the top of the stem gave him a crushing kick right on the coccyx. The whole boat shuddered, and poor Dad just curled up and rolled on the beach in agony.  A couple of days later he bent over to tie his shoe-lace and popped a disc, giving him sciatica for the rest of his life.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 26 March, 2022, 03:16:37 pm
You should see my back!

Am more concerned that I blacked out.  But find that it hurts when I sit or lie down.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 March, 2022, 01:45:05 pm
Turned over in bed and got the worst vertigo I've ever experienced without the aid of playground equipment.  Turned back and it did it again, but worse.  Had to wake barakta and get her to grab the bin while I kept my head extremely still.

And then it stopped.  No head movement seems to reproduce it.  Autonomic nervous system now hates me (went hot and dripping with sweat, now tired and cold), but seem otherwise okay.


WTF?  This had better not be BPPV.  I've got mild snot, which I take to be early-season hayfever, but ears seem okay.  COVID test in progress negative.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 27 March, 2022, 06:33:31 pm
Cured my persistent (2 painful weeks) upper back pain - between my shoulder blades.

I've put a thin pillow under my shoulders in bed and...... duh....... stopped reading the news and YACF on Tapatalk in bed when I wake up in the morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 27 March, 2022, 07:33:59 pm
Turned over in bed and got the worst vertigo I've ever experienced without the aid of playground equipment.  Turned back and it did it again, but worse.  Had to wake barakta and get her to grab the bin while I kept my head extremely still.

And then it stopped.  No head movement seems to reproduce it.  Autonomic nervous system now hates me (went hot and dripping with sweat, now tired and cold), but seem otherwise okay.


WTF?  This had better not be BPPV.  I've got mild snot, which I take to be early-season hayfever, but ears seem okay.  COVID test in progress negative.

Blimey Kim.  How are you now?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 March, 2022, 08:52:35 pm
Blimey Kim.  How are you now?

Absolutely fine!   ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 27 March, 2022, 10:34:57 pm
Hope you stay that way.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 March, 2022, 01:24:44 pm
Happened again at bollocks o'clock this morning.  I quickly moved my head in the opposite direction and the spinning reversed and then stopped before the nausea got too bad, but couldn't get back to sleep as I kept jolting awake with a falling sensation.  I don't feel too bad now, but fail the stand-on-one-leg-with-my-eyes-closed test.

I happened to have a pre-booked phone appointment with the GP this morning because medications, so mentioned it to her and she's told me to come in later this afternoon so Dr Locum can check my blood pressure and peer in my lugholes.

Barakta is being about as unsympathetic as you'd imagine.  I pointed out that we really need one of us to have a working vestibular system, so it's not allowed to be BPPV or Ménière's or cholesteatoma or any of that shit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 28 March, 2022, 01:26:59 pm
Sounds horrible.  I have to spend serious money on boozeahol to get that feeling.    I hope they can pinpoint what it is & suggest a solution. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 March, 2022, 01:30:40 pm
Hope this resolves.

Might need a neurologist.

Do you get nystagmus when you have the vertigo?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 March, 2022, 01:34:27 pm
Do you get nystagmus when you have the vertigo?

Impressively so.  Even with maximum willpower, I couldn't fixate on a point.  It was like the horizontal hold knob[1] needed adjusting.  Unfortunately barakta wasn't awake to see it, and my attempt to reproduce it with assorted head movements only achieved mild dizziness.


[1] Teenagers: Ask your grandparents.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 28 March, 2022, 06:17:24 pm
Blood pressure a bit low, but the machine hates me.  Ears inconclusive, maybe some pressure on the left.  Did the Epley manoeuvre, but it didn't seem to achieve anything.  Basically, wait and see what happens, and if necessary refer to ENT otolaryngology the snot doctors.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 March, 2022, 07:00:03 pm
I didn't think I'd been that unsympathetic  :demon:, just figuring Occam's Razor suggests snot as cause and worrying about BPPV, Choleasteatomas, Menieres, Schwann's Neuromas, etc etc wasn't going to change anything - just make Kim anxious.

At least we know about vestibular-re/habilitation in this house, so keep trying to move around and stay active, zap the snot with extreme prejudice, do vestibular rehab exercises and don't ever take fucking prochlorperazine which is evil and stops the brain rehabituating or betahistine which is pointless.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 28 March, 2022, 07:47:59 pm
Blood pressure a bit low, but the machine hates me.  Ears inconclusive, maybe some pressure on the left.  Did the Epley manoeuvre, but it didn't seem to achieve anything.  Basically, wait and see what happens, and if necessary refer to ENT otolaryngology the snot doctors.

To make you feel better, my coccyx is still sore...  Had another moment of everything going dark when I got up from my bed.

EDIT Try not to stress and maybe makes things worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 March, 2022, 08:46:35 pm
I think I had a shot of Stemetil when I was on a drip, puking my guts out, with brainstem MS badness, giving me a similar constellation of symptoms.
Mine were persistent but abated.

But that was me and I knew I had a BIG brainstem plaque that hitherto had given no grief.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 01 April, 2022, 07:49:33 am
big news in the treatment of Type 1 in England (not sure about the wider UK)

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations (https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations)

Looks on the face of it as if CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) is now available for all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: giropaul on 01 April, 2022, 08:35:31 am
big news in the treatment of Type 1 in England (not sure about the wider UK)

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations (https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations)

Looks on the face of it as if CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) is now available for all.

They seem to be being widely advertised in the cycling ( and no doubt other sport) media. That’s despite the devices being banned for racing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 April, 2022, 10:18:42 am
big news in the treatment of Type 1 in England (not sure about the wider UK)

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations (https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations)

Looks on the face of it as if CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) is now available for all.

Yet more big T1 news.  I'm waiting for a T2 breakthrough that would allow you to eat reasonably without blowing you up with weaponized fart. Be nice if it didn't grow warts on your liver, too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 01 April, 2022, 03:42:59 pm
big news in the treatment of Type 1 in England (not sure about the wider UK)

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations (https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations)

Looks on the face of it as if CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) is now available for all.

They seem to be being widely advertised in the cycling ( and no doubt other sport) media. That’s despite the devices being banned for racing.

I can't understand why a device telling you what your blood glucose is would be banned, I don't see how, in the case of a T1 racer it's anything other than a safety device.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 01 April, 2022, 04:29:47 pm
big news in the treatment of Type 1 in England (not sure about the wider UK)

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations (https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations)

Looks on the face of it as if CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) is now available for all.

They seem to be being widely advertised in the cycling ( and no doubt other sport) media. That’s despite the devices being banned for racing.

I can't understand why a device telling you what your blood glucose is would be banned, I don't see how, in the case of a T1 racer it's anything other than a safety device.

Confusing with this: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/apr/01/hundreds-fitted-with-artificial-pancreas-in-nhs-type-1-diabetes-trial ?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 April, 2022, 07:11:32 pm
That continuous glucose monitoring on NHS is long overdue, a friend has been paying privately for years because it was lifechanging for them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 01 April, 2022, 07:46:20 pm
too fecking right, the flash glucose monitoring had become available, but with conditions (>8 tests per day I think, was the one I was looking at), adn I would have had it at my next pump change in December.  With this news however, I'll be giving the team at Addenbrookes a nudge for an early pump change
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2022, 02:52:15 pm
A friend I met from Shropshire I met at the w/e was on the trial and is now on this permanently. It sits on his lower arm and has to be changed every two weeks or so, which I think he said he does himself. He has covered his with a patch (self sourced) because otherwise it gets knocked off (he's an electrician, so can get knocked at work, in addition to cycling, hiking and so on). It sends an alarm to his phone if he exceeds high or low limits and he's delighted with it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 15 April, 2022, 08:12:08 am
The tinnitus is turned up to MAX this morning.

(Overdid the walking yesterday, was shattered in the evening, slept unusually well until I was woken by the cat fighting outside at 5ish, went back to dozing - not sure that's correlation)

AAARRRGGGHHH!

Hope it settles soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 15 April, 2022, 11:31:41 pm
big news in the treatment of Type 1 in England (not sure about the wider UK)

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations (https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/thousands-of-people-with-diabetes-set-to-benefit-from-real-time-information-after-updated-nice-recommendations)

Looks on the face of it as if CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) is now available for all.

Big news or is it cheaper than strips, lancets and device (as well as any issues with test and injection sites) with any over or under insulin dose issues.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 April, 2022, 11:39:59 pm
It's a Big Deal because it gives you the rate of change and automagic alarms, rather than just an instantaneous reading when you remember to take one.  Which can be invaluable if your diabetes is hard to control.  (It's also a Small Matter Of Programming (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_matter_of_programming) to close the loop and use the CGM data to control an insulin pump, but that's still quite rare.)

It's also a game changer for young children, as you can wave a phone at them rather than stab them.  And presumably useful for people with vision or dexterity issues for similar reasons.

It's more expensive than traditional solutions, because the manufacturers have taken a lesson from the inkjet printer industry (cheap monitor, expensive sensor patches).  But the expense is worthwhile for better health outcomes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Gattopardo on 16 April, 2022, 12:55:31 am
Ah looks like I am coming over as flippant, I was part of the campaign to bring insulin pumps on to the NHS.  From when I was first diagnosed over a decade ago.

Yes, they are a game changer, but to look at it from the NHS level of short term cost over long term cost reduction (cos we are customers sorry service users of the NHS)  Which is what any campaign was based on the cost merits.

Anyway how are you, Kim.  Any reoccorance of the illness?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 April, 2022, 02:14:39 pm
I haven't had a recurrence of the horrid spinning effect, but I've been mildly dizzy for almost 3 weeks now.  Worse when I lie down.  Disappears completely when I'm riding a bike (which is an effect I've noticed before when I've had ear grot - I assume that bicycle riding is inherently about learning to use torque from the handlebars for balance rather than what your vestibular system is telling you).  Reading (especially from something held in my hand, rather than a screen in front of me) makes me mildly travel-sick, I need some light on to not fall over when I get out of bed (which has been annoying barkata), and I feel a bit unsteady in the shower, but that's the worst of it.

I've been trying to ignore it and hoping it will go away, on the basis it might be viral labyrinthitis or similar.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 April, 2022, 03:48:05 pm
Try using a rear-light as a torch when you get out of bed. You should see enough to have a visual reference and the light won't be powerful enough to disturb barakta. Won't clobber your night vision either.  I also have dodgy balance and it works for me. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 April, 2022, 03:59:33 pm
Try using a rear-light as a torch when you get out of bed. You should see enough to have a visual reference and the light won't be powerful enough to disturb barakta. Won't clobber your night vision either.  I also have dodgy balance and it works for me. 

I just press the button that lights the LED fairy lights around the periphery of the ceiling to 5% of maximum brightness.  That's enough to not fall over (giving a 'horizon' makes up for low illumination), but not enough to see through closed eyelids.  Barakta will sleep through it, unless she's not sleeping properly anyway, sees the lights on and gets confused and starts asking me why the lights are on (and then can't see well enough to read my response, requiring further waking up).

We have a similar arrangement in the bathroom that comes on automagically when the motion sensor is triggered between sunset and sunrise, giving enough light to find medication, check for Big Hairy Spiders™, see if the toilet's flushing, have a bath when you've got a migraine, etc. without blinding yourself.  Something which I can thoroughly recommend.

The bigger problem is finding clothes in the morning if she doesn't want to get up, but 'twas ever thus.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 16 April, 2022, 04:33:54 pm
Try using a rear-light as a torch when you get out of bed. You should see enough to have a visual reference and the light won't be powerful enough to disturb barakta. Won't clobber your night vision either.  I also have dodgy balance and it works for me.

A technique I once used.
We've improved on that now.  Separate rooms.   :thumbsup:  She can read as late as she likes; I can listen to the iplayer.
We did try separate countries for a while, but it didn't really work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 16 April, 2022, 09:19:29 pm
We have several of those tiny glow stick things, that give a very feeble light. Not enough to disturb sleep, or to see by, but they do give points of reference to navigate by. Two on the mantlepiece to guide me to the door, one each side of the loo, then one on the door handle so I don't walk into the door on the way back to bed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 19 April, 2022, 10:30:42 am
A short Physio Approved bike ride yesterday, around 40 minutes or so, just under 10km.  :thumbsup:

My walking is still crap though, in it's weird neurological wading through treacle way.    ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 April, 2022, 07:25:20 pm
Do feet shrink in the same way that old people shrink vertically?
Quote
A poll conducted by the college found two-thirds of women claim their feet have got wider in adult life, and 35% said they have got bigger. And the survey of 2,000 British adults found 48% of men said their feet have got bigger, and 61% said they are wider.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/03/british-feet-longer-wider-say-experts
In contrast, my feet now seem to fit smaller shoes than they used to, but I'm not sure if this is actually my feet shrinking – and I'm not noticeably shorter than I used to be, so it would seem odd that my feet would shrink even if it's possible – or if shoe sizes are inflating in the same way as trouser sizes?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 April, 2022, 08:12:38 pm
Feet are getting fatter because people are getting fatter.
Mum's feet got longer in her last pregnancy, possibly because her arches sank.
I'm using larger shoes as my feet are swollen. Length appears unchanged.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 April, 2022, 06:37:07 pm
My feet aren't getting fatter – even if the rest of me is!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 April, 2022, 06:52:02 pm
My feet aren't getting fatter – even if the rest of me is!

Looking only at my own hands and feet, they are less fleshy now than when the rest of me was about as fat as I am now, in the past.
Maybe younger plump people have fatter feet.

Buying shoes for myself and Mum suggests lasts are getting shorter and fatter.

This is a pity because Mum needs new slim/medium soft Size 9s...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 April, 2022, 07:04:56 pm
Yes, it could be that not only are people in general getting fatter but distribution of fat is changing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 April, 2022, 07:10:41 pm
I think ageing changes fat distribution.

Older folk have more 'central' fat.

'Bingo wings' feature on women who have been fat in younger years…

People are heavier in general now, especially younger folk.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 21 April, 2022, 05:53:51 am
Bingo wings are a major problem for me now - at 50 years old and 40kg down from my adult weight.

I keep trying to find some kind of bolero thingie to wear under a t-shirt to extend the arms to elbows (my forearms are fine) but can’t find anything. Sleeve/arm warmers just roll down.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 21 April, 2022, 06:09:13 am
Feet are getting fatter because people are getting fatter.
Mum's feet got longer in her last pregnancy, possibly because her arches sank.
I'm using larger shoes as my feet are swollen. Length appears unchanged.

My feet got wider, but did not change length, I put it down to taking up long distance running. Now that I'm not running any where near so much, they've not gone back
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 21 April, 2022, 10:10:45 am
Feet are getting fatter because people are getting fatter.
Mum's feet got longer in her last pregnancy, possibly because her arches sank.
I'm using larger shoes as my feet are swollen. Length appears unchanged.

My feet got wider, but did not change length, I put it down to taking up long distance running. Now that I'm not running any where near so much, they've not gone back

Tranverse arch has stretched allowing the feet to spread wider?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 24 April, 2022, 08:03:35 pm
Mrs M had her other knee replaced on Tuesday, home yesterday (would have been Friday, but pharmacy).
She's hobbling around well, but the acrobatics & trampolining are still on hold. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220424/2fd7317ec34e4cdcc31365b535f8233b.jpg)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 April, 2022, 08:05:30 pm
Hope Mrs M's recovery goes well and she is able to both stay mobile and convalesce accordingly.

Who did the drawing?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 24 April, 2022, 08:23:13 pm
Hope Mrs M's recovery goes well and she is able to both stay mobile and convalesce accordingly.

Who did the drawing?
Thank you!
One of my scribbles.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 April, 2022, 09:38:14 pm
Excellent scribble! Thank you for sharing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 May, 2022, 03:09:34 pm
Anyone here have experience of Morton's Neuroma?

I've been getting pain in one foot, put it down to damage from an old old accident.

Location fits (between 3rd and 4th toe).
Worse in the morning when I get up.

Been on my feet a lot more than previously, what with dog walking plus a little bit of running.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 May, 2022, 03:11:59 pm
I think a forum member had surgery for this.
Might have been fboab but I'm not sure.

ETA… https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=116107.msg2513263#msg2513263 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=116107.msg2513263#msg2513263)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 May, 2022, 03:24:54 pm
Morton's is a neuroma (lump on the nerve), which occurs on the nerves serving the toes as they run between the marble-shaped metatarsal heads. Pressure from underneath and sideways worsens the symptoms and relief of this can improve matters. This can sometimes be achieved by orthotics, bigger shoes/boots or a metatarsal arch support.
Sometimes it's necessary to remove the neuroma and this can result in numb toes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CJ on 04 May, 2022, 04:21:19 pm
Anyone here have experience of Morton's Neuroma?

Yes, I have. It felt like I was constantly walking on stones in my left foot for a couple of months about two years ago and I couldn't run without pain. I got a bit desperate, tbh, and I tried various things to try to relieve the pain.

I pretty much solved it with innersole in my cycling shoes that have a metatarsal pad. These ones: https://footactive.co.uk//metatarsalgia-full-length. It was trial and error to find the right innersole which could have been avoided if I had just gone straight to a podiatrist or cycling fitter that makes custom innersoles.

They felt very weird at first but now I don't notice them at all when cycling. Interestingly, I can't wear these innersoles when I'm walking as they are too invasive and press into my foot.

I know other people suffer badly so I'm glad to have found a solution.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 May, 2022, 04:36:49 pm
Anyone here have experience of Morton's Neuroma?

Yes, I have. It felt like I was constantly walking on stones in my left foot for a couple of months about two years ago and I couldn't run without pain. I got a bit desperate, tbh, and I tried various things to try to relieve the pain.

I pretty much solved it with innersole in my cycling shoes that have a metatarsal pad. These ones: https://footactive.co.uk//metatarsalgia-full-length. It was trial and error to find the right innersole which could have been avoided if I had just gone straight to a podiatrist or cycling fitter that makes custom innersoles.

They felt very weird at first but now I don't notice them at all when cycling. Interestingly, I can't wear these innersoles when I'm walking as they are too invasive and press into my foot.

I know other people suffer badly so I'm glad to have found a solution.
Did it only hurt when on your feet? My foot is worse when I first get out of bed in the morning, which seems weird.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CJ on 04 May, 2022, 05:03:04 pm
Yes, it did hurt first thing in the morning as far as I can remember. Those first steps were painful. Plantar fasciitis is also painful first thing in the morning which is associated with how tight your calf muscles are and the fact that you lay with your feet in plantar flexion.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 May, 2022, 05:21:35 pm
Thanks

The thread Helly linked was also quite informative.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: delthebike on 05 May, 2022, 11:35:37 am
My optician chain tells me their lens maker will not allow the near sight segment to be lower than 12mm in height, base of frame to top of segment, as they say that "you will not be able to see through it."  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 May, 2022, 04:39:30 pm
There are REASONS why Mel Kirkland, son of an optician, has HUGE lenses...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 May, 2022, 04:59:33 pm
...and matching big dents in the bridge of his nose.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 May, 2022, 05:03:47 pm
My optician chain tells me their lens maker will not allow the near sight segment to be lower than 12mm in height, base of frame to top of segment, as they say that "you will not be able to see through it."  :facepalm:

Weird way of putting it, because the important bit is the height relative to your pupil. If you measure from the frame, the positioning will be affected by frame size and shape.

My current specs have large, nearly round lenses. If the reading bit was only 12mm high, I wouldn't be able to read through it and trying to do so would severely strain my eyes (not to mention I'd either have to tilt my head back until it was horizontal, or hold the reading material under my chin).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 05 May, 2022, 09:45:14 pm
Sprogs had an idea, a year or so back. She wanted bifocals to be easier for reading music. She went into Specsavers and told them the height of lower lenses and they obliged, no problem.
No extra sucking in of cheeks and "It'll mean more time in the Lab'" was given.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: delthebike on 12 May, 2022, 03:02:26 pm
I just collected my new spectagoggles.
Apparently my eyes have improved a little and these new pair, bi-focal and transition, mean I can get away with wearing them to look at the monitor and write without changing to a near vision lens or adjusting my posture.  8)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 May, 2022, 09:13:06 pm
Since we don't actually have a medical rant thread, I'll just mutter "bitey beastie bastards" here.

If anyone needs me, I'll be in the corner with the antihistamine dozies, waiting for my arms to return to being the same size.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 15 May, 2022, 09:41:33 pm
The joys of camping ? I’ve had a few bites myself in the last week.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 May, 2022, 09:59:47 pm
Yeah, after a couple of years of not camping I hadn't missed that part; I've had to get my midge bites vicariously by following Notsototalnewbie's tweets.

Though I suspect this was something nastier than a midge.  The reference midge-bites on assorted other parts of my body remain merely itchy, where this one caused me to wake up at 3am with my right hand feeling non-specifically funny.  Then, in the time it took to find my torch, I proceeded to wondering why my lower arm looked like it belonged to Popeye...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 15 May, 2022, 10:06:26 pm
Sounds a bit extreme for a mozzie. Horsefly?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 May, 2022, 10:32:15 pm
Is the prime suspect.  Though I didn't feel it happen.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 15 May, 2022, 10:49:05 pm
GWS & hope it’s not too uncomfortable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 May, 2022, 09:30:56 am
Blood sugar 179 mg/dl this morning despite cycling & frugal diet. ???  Turned out the pharmacy had given me Rennies with sugar in instead of my usual sugar-free ones. I've been using them against nocturnal acid reflux for the last week with nary a thought that they might not be sugar-free. Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 May, 2022, 11:27:13 am
GWS & hope it’s not too uncomfortable.

Some enterprising beastie has helpfully taken my mind off the arm by biting me on the sole of the foot last night.  Fucksake.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 16 May, 2022, 04:06:09 pm
HK has been badly affected by some stinging/ biting thingy too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 May, 2022, 04:57:04 pm
Sounds like Blandford flies: https://www.deddingtonsurgery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/New-ajc-Blandford-Fly-Bite-Advice-Sheet.pdf

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 16 May, 2022, 06:00:09 pm
Sounds like Blandford flies: https://www.deddingtonsurgery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/New-ajc-Blandford-Fly-Bite-Advice-Sheet.pdf

Good call.  I remember shooing something that looked a bit like that away when it landed on my other arm.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 May, 2022, 07:59:19 am
Worst bite I had from one of those things ended up with the entire calf red & swollen and a course of antibiotics.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 17 May, 2022, 08:06:27 am
HK is on antibiotics for her bite.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2022, 08:49:19 am
They sound quite gnasty. Maybe even knasty. Anyway, "3. Avoid swarms of insects" seems like rather good advice no matter what sort of insects they are.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 17 May, 2022, 10:43:39 am
Sounds like Blandford flies: https://www.deddingtonsurgery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/New-ajc-Blandford-Fly-Bite-Advice-Sheet.pdf

And one of the best treatments for such bites used to be Solarcaine, until the nanny state took the (lido)caine out of it and substituted Aloe Vera  >:( >:(.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2022, 11:48:15 am
HK is on antibiotics for her bite.

Ugh!  Mine seems to have cleared up now, and is less itchy than the midge bites.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 18 May, 2022, 03:57:03 pm
I've been trying to ignore it and hoping it will go away, on the basis it might be viral labyrinthitis or similar.

This strategy was working quite well until I woke up at 6am with horrendous tinnitus (high pitched whistling edition) in my left ear, and a sensation unpleasantly like being drunk.  Over about half an hour or so the tinnitus spread to the right ear, but less loud.

It's showing no signs of abating, but the associated hearing loss appears to be purely conductive, and my eardrums are throbbing and squelching, so I'm going with the snot theory on this one.

Didn't help that I had to go to Mr Sainsbury's Emporium to stock up on Toothy Comestibles, which has made me travelsick.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 18 May, 2022, 04:43:19 pm
Arthur Dent voice: “what’s so unpleasant about being drunk?”


Hope it clears soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 May, 2022, 05:42:26 pm
My mum got stung by a wasp on Sunday evening, She was woozy and not v happy Monday. Ex-GP stepdad was worried about her despite her taking a lot of antihistamine. Yesterday she contacted her GP, got a shitty email saying "take antihistamine" which she'd been doing and now it was infected looking and her arm doubled in size. She phoned and grr'ed at them and a GP phoned her back, Glaswegian like she is, so she liked him, he reviewed her pix and agreed antibiotics were probably a good idea. Hoping they kick in by tomorrow as she sounds rough.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 May, 2022, 11:05:51 pm
I'll be glad when my left nostril stops feeling like there's something growing in it.
(Srsly, WTF is going on up there?)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 19 May, 2022, 11:46:55 pm
The tinnitus was down to normal background levels by bedtime yesterday, and doesn't seem to have come back today.  Hearing's still a bit asymmetric, but I'm getting used to it.  More importantly, I spent a large chunk of today riding my bike, and no longer feel like a glass of water.


I'll be glad when my left nostril stops feeling like there's something growing in it.
(Srsly, WTF is going on up there?)

Nostril top tip: Don't stick anything that can germinate anywhere you couldn't fit an audiologist.  (DAHIKT)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 26 May, 2022, 02:54:57 pm
After some faff with my GP, I got an appointment with the radiology for a scan. My mum's GP had found something that in DK they scan for if you are over 50, since it runs in the family. But in the UK only scan for over 65.

Got letter today with a date, of course the only two important things I have had in my calendar for years should end up falling on the very same day. I've booked my first trip to DK in about five years and lo and behold the radiology department picked the day I fly out to be, the day they want to scan me.

Called up to reschedule, armed with tea and a comfy chair as this could be a long Debbie Harry (Hanging On The Telephone). But phone only ran once, and a very nice lass said hello, that flustered me and was saying a few random things before I got the correct words out. She took my details and said, ok we know when you are back and we will get an new appointment out to you.

Didn't get to hear which day that would be, now I just wait for the next letter from them. It would be grand to know, even if I don't have a massively busy social and work life, just so that I don't end up booking something else on the new date, oh well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2022, 04:59:01 pm
Didn't get to hear which day that would be, now I just wait for the next letter from them. It would be grand to know, even if I don't have a massively busy social and work life, just so that I don't end up booking something else on the new date, oh well.

It will be on a perfect day for cycling, to be preceded and followed by a week of heavy rain and high winds.  At least, that's my experience of such things.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 26 May, 2022, 06:09:45 pm
Either that, or it will be on the day before the appointment letter arrives.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 31 May, 2022, 11:40:12 pm
I’ve got a paronychia down the side of my right-hand ring finger which has been irritating me for about 6 months and hasn’t cleared up.  It’s been getting more painful recently whenever I’ve had it immersed in water; when the skin is dry and hard it’s quite resilient, but when the skin is softened it’s rather tender.  I’ll see if I can get a photo to upload.  It looks pretty insignificant (only about 1/2 an inch in diameter), but I’d much rather it go away!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 01 June, 2022, 04:39:53 pm
If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 02 June, 2022, 06:52:15 am
Well, that's something to look forward to.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 June, 2022, 08:09:15 am
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jun/05/diabetes-drug-tirzepatide-leads-to-notable-weight-loss-in-people-with-obesity-study...

...when coupled with a low-calorie diet and exercise. Gee, who'd've thought it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 June, 2022, 08:31:20 am
However this was a randomised placebo double blind trial and the difference in weight loss between placebo and other groups was significant.
Very interesting that it gives you a feeling of satisfaction through hormonal means and gets results similar to bariatric surgery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 June, 2022, 11:45:07 am
If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.
I'm surprised they didn't offer you a local anaesthetic from that description.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 June, 2022, 02:26:42 pm
If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.

I've had similar length needles used on me; when I smashed my wrist they injected anesthetic/painkiller into the wrist by pushing a needle up from my knuckles. I was high as a kite on gas and air at the time so didn't mind much.

It is very freaky seeing the seemingly endless needles shoved under your skin though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 June, 2022, 08:34:39 am
However this was a randomised placebo double blind trial and the difference in weight loss between placebo and other groups was significant.
Very interesting that it gives you a feeling of satisfaction through hormonal means and gets results similar to bariatric surgery.

I'll admit that I didn't read the whole report - the photo caption sounded too much like the blurb on a bottle of Contrex.  "Long-term effects on the pancreas" would worry me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 07 June, 2022, 09:52:49 am
If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.
I'm surprised they didn't offer you a local anaesthetic from that description.
They did, but it still F****** hurt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 June, 2022, 10:15:43 am
Skim reading, missed that, sorry.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 June, 2022, 09:46:07 am
Ridiculous. I get one cold virus and I'm destroyed.

Lost 6kg in two weeks, I guess there is a bonus to everything (I wanted to get my weight down).  Feel hollow, jeans falling off me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 14 June, 2022, 03:22:32 pm
Cold virus or hay fever?  I have been fine at home for the last 3 years since having allergy treatment but arrived in Bavaria and got a massive dose of hay fever. I then remembered I had my worst ever hay fever about 4 years ago  in Budapest in June. I noticed they are cutting the hay in al the fields so I suspect it is a massive pollen/ allergen release. Had to have an extra day off the bike as my eyes and nose were streaming so much I couldn’t safely ride. Now on steroid spray, antihistamine tablets, spray and eye drops as well as ibuprofen and was able to do another 100km today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 June, 2022, 03:27:41 pm
Cold virus or hay fever?  I have been fine at home for the last 3 years since having allergy treatment but arrived in Bavaria and got a massive dose of hay fever. I then remembered I had my worst ever hay fever about 4 years ago  in Budapest in June. I noticed they are cutting the hay in al the fields so I suspect it is a massive pollen/ allergen release. Had to have an extra day off the bike as my eyes and nose were streaming so much I couldn’t safely ride. Now on steroid spray, antihistamine tablets, spray and eye drops as well as ibuprofen and was able to do another 100km today.

Riding with a dose of hay fever is bloody. End of April I did a ride through pine forest where the pollen was lying in drifts in the gutters and being stirred up into hazy yellow clouds by passing cars.  It affected me not a bit, but a few hours later I went through deciduous forest and sneezed all the way home.

Hope it continues better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 June, 2022, 07:21:21 pm
Cold virus or hay fever?  I have been fine at home for the last 3 years since having allergy treatment but arrived in Bavaria and got a massive dose of hay fever. I then remembered I had my worst ever hay fever about 4 years ago  in Budapest in June. I noticed they are cutting the hay in al the fields so I suspect it is a massive pollen/ allergen release. Had to have an extra day off the bike as my eyes and nose were streaming so much I couldn’t safely ride. Now on steroid spray, antihistamine tablets, spray and eye drops as well as ibuprofen and was able to do another 100km today.

Covid

Just tested, on the offchance.

Not ill before I left. Wore a mask on plane and train on Sun.

Bit of sore throat Tues. Distinctly rough by Wed.  I'd forgotten to pack LFDs, and people aren't testing as much now that kits aren't free.

Bugger bugger. Probably spread it around the office. I'm still rough and struggling to eat enough.

Oh well, it is effective at removing the flab.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 14 June, 2022, 09:51:48 pm
Cold virus or hay fever?  I have been fine at home for the last 3 years since having allergy treatment but arrived in Bavaria and got a massive dose of hay fever. I then remembered I had my worst ever hay fever about 4 years ago  in Budapest in June. I noticed they are cutting the hay in al the fields so I suspect it is a massive pollen/ allergen release. Had to have an extra day off the bike as my eyes and nose were streaming so much I couldn’t safely ride. Now on steroid spray, antihistamine tablets, spray and eye drops as well as ibuprofen and was able to do another 100km today.
Covid
Just tested, on the offchance.
Not ill before I left. Wore a mask on plane and train on Sun.
Bit of sore throat Tues. Distinctly rough by Wed.  I'd forgotten to pack LFDs, and people aren't testing as much now that kits aren't free.
Bugger bugger. Probably spread it around the office. I'm still rough and struggling to eat enough.
Oh well, it is effective at removing the flab.

Eek! I thought that might be the case!
It's a great imitator and has been shoved onto the back burner by the politicians.

Get Well Soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 June, 2022, 11:36:37 am
Everyone who was sat near me in the office now has covid :(
(come into the office, they said. It is good for productivity they said)

My lungs are recovering. I take that back. Went outside to empty cat litter tray and bring in bins. Absolutely destroyed, lungs clamped down.

Mostly left with dreadful dragging exhaustion and difficulty eating. Keep getting pains like a stitch.

Managed to walk dog a whole 100m or so this morning. That is a major improvement.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 16 June, 2022, 12:22:26 pm
Cold virus or hay fever?  I have been fine at home for the last 3 years since having allergy treatment but arrived in Bavaria and got a massive dose of hay fever. I then remembered I had my worst ever hay fever about 4 years ago  in Budapest in June. I noticed they are cutting the hay in al the fields so I suspect it is a massive pollen/ allergen release. Had to have an extra day off the bike as my eyes and nose were streaming so much I couldn’t safely ride. Now on steroid spray, antihistamine tablets, spray and eye drops as well as ibuprofen and was able to do another 100km today.

This year has been significantly worse than the last few years for me. I normally don't suffer to any degree worth remarking on, but this year I've had consistently irritated eyes and dry throat. Yesterday, went out for an evening ride, just an hour or so and it got so bad that I was sneezing regularly from about half way in. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 16 June, 2022, 04:44:11 pm
Depressingly, I note that positive covid tests and hospital admissions are on the rise and the mortality rate has all but stopped falling.  With the sheer mess that the country finds itself in I don't think that the government has any moral or ethical authority left and will now simply ignore the problem.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 16 June, 2022, 05:14:14 pm
I fear you are correct, PB!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 16 June, 2022, 10:20:20 pm
When I was taken to A+E, yesterday, I was in there for about 4 1/2 hours. Not asked to take a test! I enquired as I was leaving and was told "We Only take tests on Obviously Symptomatic People". There were around 30% of people sitting around without masks, including Police Officers with a (Handcuffed) bloke.  The staff were all masked.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 16 June, 2022, 11:34:58 pm
OMG I’ve just done 30 minutes of Les Mills GRIT Cardio. If I could get off the floor I’d go for a lie down.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 17 June, 2022, 02:59:08 pm
I’ve got a paronychia down the side of my right-hand ring finger which has been irritating me for about 6 months and hasn’t cleared up.  It’s been getting more painful recently whenever I’ve had it immersed in water; when the skin is dry and hard it’s quite resilient, but when the skin is softened it’s rather tender.  I’ll see if I can get a photo to upload.  It looks pretty insignificant (only about 1/2 an inch in diameter), but I’d much rather it go away!
Never got round to uploading a gross-out pic, but I got an appointment this afternoon and was prescribed a course of floxapen which will hopefully see it off...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 19 June, 2022, 07:18:20 pm
Eye test tomorrow. Better mention the "pale optic discs" which my neurologist flagged up last year.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 June, 2022, 11:07:52 pm
Eye test tomorrow. Better mention the "pale optic discs" which my neurologist flagged up last year.   :facepalm:

Suggest you request testing colour vision and visual fields...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 20 June, 2022, 07:39:15 am
Pretty severe stomach pains that was spreading, so ended up going to ER. 4 hours and 1 CT scan later and I got diagnosed with diverticulitis.
I've had funner Sundays, but at least it wasn't anything serious.
Liquid/bland diet until clears and a short course of antibiotics.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 June, 2022, 08:32:54 am
Good luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 20 June, 2022, 02:18:39 pm
Eye test tomorrow. Better mention the "pale optic discs" which my neurologist flagged up last year.   :facepalm:

Suggest you request testing colour vision and visual fields...

All done today.

Maybe very slightly less colour vision in left eye, than right (particularly the pale red & pale green colour vision test).  But not serious enough to be an issue .No issues on the visual fields tests (the one where you  look into a plastic dome with one eye covered up, and press a button when a dot flashes in the dome). 

Optic discs look pretty much the same as they did during my last test in 2018 (near enough identical when they showed the images side by side). So while there might be something neurological going on, and affecting my eyes, it's not a clear cut case. And while the optic discs might be pale, the only other comparison image was that taken in 2018, again so nothing that the optician can say for definite if it is optical neuritis etc.  I did mention slight discomfort on moving my eyes full left / full right up and down, again the optician isn't too concerned about that yet.

And I passed the glaucoma screening test as well.  Although optician did say if it was something neurological I eventually get diagnosed with, it's more likely that the neurological condition will affect my eyesight eventually, than glaucoma (which both my dad, and grandad had)

No change to my glasses prescription. So next eye test in two years time. 

So while I've no obvious clear cut diagnosis opticians wise, to go back to neurologist with, at least I know nothing is bad enough yet that it is affecting my eyes.

The opticians was an independent chain (Ferrier & Mackinnon), who I've used for a while and gives a decent eyetest, rather than Specsavers (who I find rushes you through an eyetest in order to flog new glasses).

So just the lumbar puncture to get done next week, and we'll see what that brings. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 21 June, 2022, 10:56:09 am
Trying not too ponder too much about the fact that next week's Lumbar Puncture, may very well indeed come back as inconclusive. Cue then a Tick  Box Diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder, and a discharge and cheerio?  :facepalm:   Although one of the leading experts in Functional Neurological Disorder, Professor Jon Stone, who I saw a while back, doesn't think my symptoms match Functional Neurological Disorder.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 June, 2022, 01:32:31 pm
Lumbar puncture can be negative even with a definite diagnosis of MS too. Mine was.
It can confirm a suspicion but is not definitive.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 21 June, 2022, 09:54:14 pm
Lumbar puncture can be negative even with a definite diagnosis of MS too. Mine was.
It can confirm a suspicion but is not definitive.

Unfortunately, none of my 5 mri scans showed any signs of MS :-/, apart from high foci signals which were put down as "age related changes in the brain"  :facepalm:

I just want some answers!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 June, 2022, 10:16:32 pm
Of course you need answers!
Hope you get some!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 22 June, 2022, 05:25:47 am
Ingrowing toenail.
It's been sore for a few days. Very sore. Extremely sore.
Without thread necromancy (from 2009) I'll just agree that because I'm a Real Man I've been avoiding professional intervention, but may have to swallow my pride.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: arabella on 22 June, 2022, 12:20:04 pm
Last week I did some gardening, removing unwanted plants before they seeded.
One such plant was alkanet.
I collected all the (not-quite-seeded) fronds in the crook of my left arm.

I now find that alkanet can give you a lovely itchy rash (in the crook of my left arm, the right hand which was doing the pulling is fine).

I've been smearing it with anti-histamine (not much use) and germolene ('cos it has anaesthetic in it) (also not much use).
This morning I tried a salty scrub (damp/wet table salt & rinse off).  It seems to have lasted better than the previous options - got 5 hours with itchiness mainly alleviated, rather than the usual 1.5-2.5 hours.
The internet has zero suggestions, though it says alkanet roots are good for your skin.  I haven't yet got to the point of trying this though, just in case it makes things worse which I really don't want.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 June, 2022, 12:25:13 pm
That's exactly the sort of reason why I try to have as little to do with Gardening as possible.

Hydrocortisone cream?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: arabella on 22 June, 2022, 01:15:10 pm
I did think of that but there doesn't appear to be a (massively out of date) tub(e) hiding in my cupboard.
I have sufficient clue to realise that ibuprofen gel isn't the same thing!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jakob on 23 June, 2022, 08:35:31 am
Aloe vera?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 June, 2022, 04:32:50 pm
Todays lumbar puncture went well. Apart from a "sharp scratch" when doctor injected the local anaesthetic, and some "discomfort" as he inserted the spinal needle and manipulated it to the right spot, overall a painless experience.


Hopefully a pain free rest and recuperation the next two days which I've booked off work.  :thumbsup:

Neurologist should have the results when I see him on the 12th of July
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 June, 2022, 05:12:32 pm
Keep REALLY well-hydrated for the next week!
Lie down if you get a headache.
Post-LP headache can be very gradual and insidious in onset!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 June, 2022, 06:14:39 pm
Keep REALLY well-hydrated for the next week!
Lie down if you get a headache.
Post-LP headache can be very gradual and insidious in onset!

Apparently full fat coke helps as well, (not the diet caffiene free stuff).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 June, 2022, 06:53:42 pm
Yeah, SUGAR, caffeine & water FTW.
The American MS groups were recomending Mountain Dew in the 1990s.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 29 June, 2022, 09:29:30 pm
So far no signs of post LP headache.

Slightly achy back though.

And my walking is a bit more mince today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 June, 2022, 09:48:03 pm
Good to read you have no headache.
Mine only started 48 hours post-procedure...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 02 July, 2022, 09:31:34 pm
Got a text asking me, rather rudely I thought, if I was intending to make use of the FIT test that has been sent to me. I would do so, if they had sent one.
The text includes a number to ring which, after a series of slightly clumsy steps, brings you to the appropriate local hub where one can request a FIT test. Tried a couple of random times a day over a few days while off with COVID. No answer; there simply isn’t anyone there, I suspect.

No big deal I guess but this is the sort of thing that should be done via the NHS app, or even by text.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 07 July, 2022, 05:42:16 pm

If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.

Today’s visit to the Urology Department handed me the news I didn’t want to hear. On a scale between 2 – 10 (with 2 being the mildest form of the prostate cancer, and 10 being the most aggressive) mine is 7.

I have been given tons of information to read through, with the aim of choosing the most appropriate form of treatment.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2022, 05:43:12 pm
Can only wish you well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 07 July, 2022, 08:35:14 pm
Going to have my painful knees x rayed tomorrow.  Probably just wear and tear but could be arthritis I'm been  told.
Wishing all of you worse off than me the best 🙂
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 July, 2022, 08:38:14 pm

If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.

Today’s visit to the Urology Department handed me the news I didn’t want to hear. On a scale between 2 – 10 (with 2 being the mildest form of the prostate cancer, and 10 being the most aggressive) mine is 7.

I have been given tons of information to read through, with the aim of choosing the most appropriate form of treatment.

Sorry to hear that. Hope whatever treatment you have goes well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 July, 2022, 08:22:09 am

If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.

Today’s visit to the Urology Department handed me the news I didn’t want to hear. On a scale between 2 – 10 (with 2 being the mildest form of the prostate cancer, and 10 being the most aggressive) mine is 7.

I have been given tons of information to read through, with the aim of choosing the most appropriate form of treatment.

I can only repeat; cancer sucks.

Too many people I know getting cancer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Genosse Brymbo on 08 July, 2022, 12:18:59 pm
Today’s visit to the Urology Department handed me the news I didn’t want to hear. On a scale between 2 – 10 (with 2 being the mildest form of the prostate cancer, and 10 being the most aggressive) mine is 7.

I have been given tons of information to read through, with the aim of choosing the most appropriate form of treatment.
Sorry to hear that, Michael.  Both my brother-in-law and best friend were diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, the former a number of years ago and the latter in the past year.  Both chose to have it surgically removed and both are making a good recovery and leading active and fulfilling lives.  There is a range of other, effective treatments, which you'll no doubt read about.  Wishing you all the best.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 08 July, 2022, 12:51:17 pm
Thanks for the kind words. I am very much upbeat about things, as I've addressed the issue early.
Besides, I want to enjoy my retirement  :-D (after having worked for 42 years).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 July, 2022, 02:44:06 pm
Today’s visit to the Urology Department handed me the news I didn’t want to hear. On a scale between 2 – 10 (with 2 being the mildest form of the prostate cancer, and 10 being the most aggressive) mine is 7.

I have been given tons of information to read through, with the aim of choosing the most appropriate form of treatment.

That's a bastard.  Sympathy, and bon courage.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Canardly on 08 July, 2022, 02:52:38 pm
All the best with that. If it helps, I cycle regularly with an ex PC person who is going strong.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 July, 2022, 07:44:15 pm

If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.

Today’s visit to the Urology Department handed me the news I didn’t want to hear. On a scale between 2 – 10 (with 2 being the mildest form of the prostate cancer, and 10 being the most aggressive) mine is 7.

I have been given tons of information to read through, with the aim of choosing the most appropriate form of treatment.

Sorry to hear this. Hopefully whatever treatment you choose, works well for you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 08 July, 2022, 07:45:58 pm
Finally got my shiny new Medical Driver's Licence in the post today...  Not too bad considering I only filled in the bumph for a medical drivers license enquiry November 2021, and it was only a few weeks ago the DVLA contacted my consultant... 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 July, 2022, 04:36:09 pm
Good luck making treatment choices De Sisti, and hope they are able to zap the cancer good and proper!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2022, 04:52:52 pm
Wishing you all the best, De Sisti.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2022, 10:08:05 am
Going to have a gastroscopy under anaesthetic next week and the anaesthetist wants me to stop taking clopidogrel until then.  Asked cardiologist if I could still ride and he said no.

Colour me shit fed up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 11 July, 2022, 11:49:20 am
Thanks for the kind words. I am very much upbeat about things, as I've addressed the issue early.
Besides, I want to enjoy my retirement  :-D (after having worked for 42 years).
Hear hear.
Best.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2022, 08:03:47 pm
Apparently sunlight makes men but not women hungry. It's to do with oestrogen protecting dna from UV damage, it says.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jul/11/sunlight-may-trigger-hormone-that-makes-men-hungrier-study-suggests
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 12 July, 2022, 08:08:48 am
Just got a email from the doctors. Knee x ray confirms osteoarthritis  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 12 July, 2022, 09:44:17 am
Just got a email from the doctors. Knee x ray confirms osteoarthritis  :'(
I've spent the last 12 months going from 'normal person levels of activity' to 'needs a crutch to get round a supermarket'.
Presumably other levels of deterioration are available.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 12 July, 2022, 10:40:46 am
Sorry to hear that Cycleman and indeed Fboab. I don't think many people realise how painful and debilitating arthritis is until they experience it.

Hope both of you can get some decent treatment!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 July, 2022, 01:37:54 pm
Going to have a gastroscopy under anaesthetic next week and the anaesthetist wants me to stop taking clopidogrel until then.  Asked cardiologist if I could still ride and he said no.

Colour me shit fed up.

Pre-gastroscopy interview with anaesthetist this morning.  I mentioned being told not to take clopidogrel for the 8 days preceding and he said bollocks, who told you that? Some bloke here when I phoned to make the appointment, quoth I.  Nah, four's enough, sezee, so tomorrow yrs trly is heading for ye hills.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 12 July, 2022, 04:52:00 pm
Saw consultant today

Lumber puncture results "unremarkable".

Bloods taken for genetic testing.

If they come back all clear, it'll be a tick box diagnosis of something "Functional". :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 12 July, 2022, 07:46:22 pm
Sorry to hear that Cycleman and indeed Fboab. I don't think many people realise how painful and debilitating arthritis is until they experience it.

Hope both of you can get some decent treatment!
The notes I've been sent recommend swimming and.............cycling as good exercise for this condition 😯😀. I  should cycle at 150 minutes a week. Well I'll try  ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 12 July, 2022, 08:34:06 pm
Sorry to hear that Cycleman and indeed Fboab. I don't think many people realise how painful and debilitating arthritis is until they experience it.

Hope both of you can get some decent treatment!
The notes I've been sent recommend swimming and.............cycling as good exercise for this condition 😯😀. I  should cycle at 150 minutes a week. Well I'll try  ;)

Both of those are reasonable suggestions, do they have any other advice about pain management?

I know your case is more complicated cos of your spinal injury but iirc there's things like medication or joint replacement.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 12 July, 2022, 09:14:55 pm
We are all getting old & falling to bits!   Good wishes to De Sisti, BrianI, Cycleman & Fboab.   Hope the medics can do miracles for you all.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2022, 09:56:51 pm
Bloody knees.  Sympathies to all afflicted, and fingers crossed that barakta's (due for x-rays later in the week) don't feel like joining in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 15 July, 2022, 02:45:55 pm
Letter from neurologist today about lumbar puncture results

"glucose was 3.2/4.3, protein 0.78 (mildly raised - unlikely of any significance), white cell count 2, red cell 0 and oligoclonal bands are awaited."

 ???

No doubt the oligoclonal bands will be negative too...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 15 July, 2022, 06:38:45 pm
Sorry to hear that Cycleman and indeed Fboab. I don't think many people realise how painful and debilitating arthritis is until they experience it.

Hope both of you can get some decent treatment!
The notes I've been sent recommend swimming and.............cycling as good exercise for this condition 😯😀. I  should cycle at 150 minutes a week. Well I'll try  ;)

Both of those are reasonable suggestions, do they have any other advice about pain management?

I know your case is more complicated cos of your spinal injury but iirc there's things like medication or joint replacement.
As for pain management the notes say about the possibility of injections to the knees and when you're completely immobile knee joint replacement 🤔 😕
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: graculus on 15 July, 2022, 07:32:10 pm
Sorry to hear that Cycleman and indeed Fboab. I don't think many people realise how painful and debilitating arthritis is until they experience it.

Hope both of you can get some decent treatment!
The notes I've been sent recommend swimming and.............cycling as good exercise for this condition 😯😀. I  should cycle at 150 minutes a week. Well I'll try  ;)

Both of those are reasonable suggestions, do they have any other advice about pain management?

I know your case is more complicated cos of your spinal injury but iirc there's things like medication or joint replacement.
As for pain management the notes say about the possibility of injections to the knees and when you're completely immobile knee joint replacement 🤔 😕
Injections can be very effective in some cases. It has allowed my father (b.1929) to continue playing tennis, trundle a trolley round the supermaket, walk to the shops etc. They won't repeat them too frequently however, due to the risk of infection.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 July, 2022, 11:43:43 pm
An infrequent rider at my local cycling group has a pair of titanium knees...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 July, 2022, 02:10:55 pm
Had a gastroscopy today. Under anaesthetic it was a doddle. Immediate results good, now awaiting results of any biopsies (gastro didn't mention taking any samples but she probably did). Judging from the pain I now have swallowing, though, I reckon she used a wire brush to do it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 July, 2022, 10:11:51 am
Utterly knackered today, as if I'd done 200k yesterday instead of snoozing in a hospital.  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2022, 03:23:33 pm
People often feel hammered for a few days after a general anaesthetic.

You are not 'asleep'; you are POISONED with sub-lethal doses of dangerous drugs! It takes a while to eliminate the poisons and recover from the effects.

The language we use about anaesthetics is far too soft and cuddly...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 20 July, 2022, 06:01:15 pm

People often feel hammered for a few days after a general anaesthetic.

You are not 'asleep'; you are POISONED with sub-lethal doses of dangerous drugs! It takes a while to eliminate the poisons and recover from the effects.

The language we use about anaesthetics is far too soft and cuddly...
I was poisoned yesterday with a radiation injection of some sort prior to having a whole body scan
This was to determine if the prostate cancer has spread to any other parts of my body. I was told
the dose would dissipate after about 24 hours.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 21 July, 2022, 03:16:32 pm
Ive booked my 'flu jab for this year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 July, 2022, 09:34:16 pm
Here's a very random one.

My sis-in-law recently went to Sweden to visit her twin sister, who normally lives in Oslo. The twin had had a sore throat and a very husky voice for quite some time and had seen a number of medical professionals who had been largely mystified by her condition.

However, now it seems that the medical consensus amongst those who have examined her is that her condition is due to having spent the first 23 years or so of her life speaking English, and the next 51 mostly speaking Norwegian.

I wonder if our resident medical professionals and linguists would care to comment on such a thing. I have to say that I find it quite surprising. My brother, certainly neither a medical professional nor a linguist, described it as "bollocks".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 July, 2022, 12:43:54 am
My Mum had a LOT of tonsillitis until she was middle-age but little since.
She spent the first 20 years of her life speaking German, Swedish and Danish (mostly Danish, which is rather similar to Norwegian).
She has spent the next 66 years of her life speaking mostly English.
I have not observed hoarse ness or trouble phonation.

Mum's sister's is quite deep. She moved from Copenhagen to Manchester around 1968.

I don't really buy this story...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 22 July, 2022, 06:21:07 am
When I moved to Germany I got jaw ache as speaking German is physically different. My German speaking voice is lower too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 July, 2022, 09:53:52 am
Surely if speaking first one language then another were to cause a sore throat (perhaps because of differences in the way the vocal chords or tongue are used?), then this would occur shortly after switching. A delay of 51 years seems extremely far fetched.

My German speaking voice is lower too.
I've observed this in myself (not with German). I think the reasons might be as much psychological as anatomical.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 July, 2022, 01:03:33 pm
Somewhere barakta has a frequency plot of different sounds in different languages.  It's certainly true that some languages are easier than others for a given hearing impairment, due to different frequencies conveying more information.

I also note that my English speech has evolved over time to hit barakta's better frequencies.  It's probably why I've lost any trace of Norn Iron vowels, which are guaranteed to confuse her.


51 years seems like a long time to wait for a sore throat, thobut.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 22 July, 2022, 02:31:57 pm
I've had a persistent cough/itchy throat for about 10 years. All the usual scans, allergy tests etc drew a blank. Eventually a consulant asked me if I had had whooping cough as a child. Well yes, according to my late Mum I had it rather badly and was treated with what was probably an early form of antibiotic. (This would be late 1940s/ early 50s). Consultant said he was beginning to see a lot of folks of my generation who suffered damage to the bronchioles due to whooping cough in infancy, but it didn't show up as a problem until they were older and lung function was decreasing naturally. Apparently the damage did show up on a CT scan but not bad enough to diagnosed as bronchiectasis.
I was prescribed a proton pump inhibitor which might improve things, but they destroyed my innards, and I decided I'd rather put up with the cough.
I dont annoy my husband too much as he has very poor hearing.....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 22 July, 2022, 02:46:50 pm
What I actually logged in to ask about is cataract surgery. I'm sure it must have been discussed here, but searching hasn't found anything.
I need surgery on both eyes, first followed asap by the second.
Obviously what I want to know is when can I resume cycling. The blurb says not be running, gardening, heavy lifting etc for 4 weeks, but the clinician didn't seem too sure about cycling.
There is nowhere flat around here, so all cycling tends to be "strenuous".
Any experiences/advice will be valued.
Thanks
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 July, 2022, 05:47:21 pm
From that lift of activities, I suspect they don't want you to do anything that makes BP shoot up.

(image of blood squirting out of eyeballs)

So I think strenuous cycling, such as hill climbing, would be ruled out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 22 July, 2022, 09:29:53 pm
Thanks
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 July, 2022, 07:29:29 am
After my last cataract op I was off the bike for 2 weeks. First ride afterwards was a relatively gentle 60 km with 450 metres of climbing, thereafter I left three days to see if anything developed then went back to business as usual.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Duckfoot1606 on 23 July, 2022, 07:46:13 am
I had both eyes done in Oct 2019. I had been chronically shortsighted since primary school and had developed cataracts in both eyes with the left being worse than the right. The issue you have to deal with is called anisometropy, effectively a gross difference between the prescription in 1 eye vs the other. After the first op, my left eye was restored from -9 to about -1.5 whilst the right carried on as before (-8.5) and in my case the visual disturbance was significant,  no way i could drive (or ride) for example and even walking was comedy. Second op on the right eye was done a week later, again restoring the prescription to about -1.5. I was told no exertion during the recovery period, including bending, heavy lifting or any form of exercise. I think i took about 3 weeks off and everything has been fine since, although i have now developed posterior vitreous detachment so another challenge to overcome.

No regrets and i would take the same actions without hesitation.

Good luck

A
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Horizon on 23 July, 2022, 10:00:17 am
If ever you go for a biopsy on your prostate watch out for the long needle that injects the anaesthetic! It's about 4 inches long! It made me scream as it was pushed inside me! Having the surgeons take the samples wasn't too bad. My first pee after the procedure was the colour of a dark red wine. I'm a bit tender below, so no riding for a few days.
I'm surprised they didn't offer you a local anaesthetic from that description.
They did, but it still F****** hurt.
(I know the thread moved on, but this is germaine as this point).
I elected to have a template biopsy - after lots of tests and an MRI, I was graded 3 on the Pirads scale (with a normal PSA and no family history, but a shady area on the MRI) - this is 'equivocal' (ambiguous) and I was given the choice of do nothing or have a template biopsy for a definitive result. What they didn't tell me was how painful it would be!
I had two of those 4 inchers (I couldn't see anything and was being quietly held down by a chatty nurse) - the first hurt like hell and I thought ok, done, and then the surgeon said here's the next one. Then the very large dildo/ultrasound probe inserted - lots of lube, said the surgeon - yikes, sharp intake of breath. The biopsy itself then comprised firing 20 needles one by one to collect samples. Each one sounded like a gun going off (which in effect it was). Some hurt more than others, after 15 or so I reckon the anaesthetic was wearing off and the chatty nurse was doing her best to distract me when I had to say this is really hurting now. They somehow map the MRI with the ultrasound scan to accurately target the needles, all very clever, but a bit more patient comfort wouldn't have gone amiss. The bruising over the next few days was something else. Result two weeks later was all clear, they didn't need to see me again. I was peeing blood for about 6-8 weeks which I was told was normal. Presumably some of the needles passed through the urethra. The prostate really is a crap piece of design.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 July, 2022, 03:25:24 pm
Just read this^^^^ without looking at the quoted text and thought "this is a bloody funny way to operate on cataracts".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 23 July, 2022, 05:31:23 pm
Duckfoot and T42:
Thanks to both of you
Duckfoot - I hope you getyour eye problem resolved as well
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 July, 2022, 10:45:04 am
Chez le GP yesterday and he mentioned in passing that my recent gastroscopy hadn't turned up any cancer.  Had a bun to celebrate.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 July, 2022, 11:24:37 am
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 27 July, 2022, 09:32:35 pm
Attempted to straighten a bent tent peg this pm. Instead of bending the peg just snapped. This sent me flying backwards onto some gardening tools. Unfortunately I grabbed the bow saw blade. After 3 hrs in A&E I am back home with dressing, steri-strips used for the deepest cut, and told not to get it wet for a week.

Sent from my moto g(50) using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 July, 2022, 10:14:46 pm
T42, that is good news.

campagman - the f div thread is that away -->

Hope you didn't slice anything too bad, like tendons.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2022, 10:48:43 am
Another one that belongs on the feckulous div thread as well:

A week ago, after clearing a month's growth of nettles, elder etc. from around our fallen barn door and putting the brush-cutter away, MrsT says "what about that?" and points at a sturdy stem standing a statute mile well no, a foot, out of the ground. "Later," sez I, and sure enough around three hours later I caught it with my foot and went flat, wham.  Got up, poked around body, knees a bit scuffed, sore ribs on one side but no jaggy pains. "All ok," sez I.

3-4 days later the sore ribs are still sore, and occasionally something goes click when I take a deep breath. But it's not every time, it's not a sharp pain and it doesn't always click in the same place, so who's worrying?

Did 146 km on Saturday. Had to take paracetamol at 30k but thereafter all was well.

Ribs hurt like hell yesterday.

Seeing GP this afternoon to get a prescription for an X-ray.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 August, 2022, 10:52:54 am
Ouch! There's nothing to do for broken ribs anyway, apart from not breathing too hard...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2022, 10:58:13 am
Ouch! There's nothing to do for broken ribs anyway, apart from not breathing too hard...

I can sneeze without pain so I'm hoping it's a crack at worst.  I've got a lot of physical work to do and I don't want to be off the bike for any longer than, say 4 days. My last ride was 6 days after the previous one and I could really feel the loss of form.

ETA: I'm thinking we should split off a thread from this one for self-inflicted wounds but ICBA to start it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 August, 2022, 01:38:03 pm
Another one that belongs on the feckulous div thread as well:
3-4 days later the sore ribs are still sore, and occasionally something goes click when I take a deep breath. But it's not every time, it's not a sharp pain and it doesn't always click in the same place, so who's worrying?
Did 146 km on Saturday. Had to take paracetamol at 30k but thereafter all was well.
Ribs hurt like hell yesterday.Seeing GP this afternoon to get a prescription for an X-ray.

Over on Twitter, mu good friend Anna was taken for a walk by her dog, who darted off, causing A to fall forwards onto her ribs.
We were regaled with pictures of some spectacular bruising.

After 11 days, she was running out of painkillers, ribs are clicking and she gets an X ray: 6 ribs broken, some in two places...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2022, 01:59:27 pm
Another one that belongs on the feckulous div thread as well:
3-4 days later the sore ribs are still sore, and occasionally something goes click when I take a deep breath. But it's not every time, it's not a sharp pain and it doesn't always click in the same place, so who's worrying?
Did 146 km on Saturday. Had to take paracetamol at 30k but thereafter all was well.
Ribs hurt like hell yesterday.Seeing GP this afternoon to get a prescription for an X-ray.

Over on Twitter, mu good friend Anna was taken for a walk by her dog, who darted off, causing A to fall forwards onto her ribs.
We were regaled with pictures of some spectacular bruising.

After 11 days, she was running out of painkillers, ribs are clicking and she gets an X ray: 6 ribs broken, some in two places...

That sounds far worse than my case.  I've had no external bruising and the pain has been very similar to the pain you get after having a bad stitch that has taken a while to pop out.  The only painkiller I've taken was 1g of paracetamol on Saturday.  This morning I was out in the barn heaving planks about and stooping & lifting for a couple of hours with no serious discomfort.

ETA: Crikey, I just realised that even my GP is called Lagrange.

ETAA: who says maybe a very minor crack, carry on. Good.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: delthebike on 11 August, 2022, 05:05:43 pm
Swimming these past few days has been glorious, high tides and few people.
Today I swam 1100 metres from Thames Estuary Yacht Club to the Old Jetty beach at Westcliff on Sea. 45 minutes of easy breast stroke.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: delthebike on 13 August, 2022, 02:55:36 pm
Today's swim saw me with an escort boat, for about 100m, as the Thames Esuary Yacht Club was just about to start a race. I don't think I held the start up as the horns sounded about ten minutes after.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Tynan2 on 14 August, 2022, 10:45:59 am
What a marvellous thread, well done everyone. I almost never hurt myself ofr get sick but this year I had a checkup colonoscophy for bowel cancer screening, all good, did not hurt, for me anyay. I was carrying the bike down four concrete steps and missed the first step, went up in the air and landed on the bike, there were some other proper bruises and nicks but the showpiece was landing on the back of the saddle which caught me in the ribs under the right armpit, properly winded me, there was talk of an ambulabce from bystanders. People were arriving minutes later, drawn by my intial yelp and subsequent noise of bloody hell. I thought cracked ribs, it felt a bit soft but hey, all good now. a small but intense bruise took a long time to appear.

Cataract op tomorrow, hopefully, been put off twice They mentioned issues between the done eye and the undone eye, I did not know it was as bad as mentioned earlier, or that there was no cycling afterwards for 3 weeks.

erm, mild reflux and a proper buggered up neck from a proper smash 20 years ago, it all works but stiff and hurts all the time. Had all the tests They could find 'nothig wrong whatsoever'.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 14 August, 2022, 12:05:55 pm
Nothing wrong is a shorthand technical term. It usually means “we cannot see anything we can stick a knife or needle usefully in”.
Sometimes it means we know you have a problem but the 3mm slices done by the MRI scan do not show it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Tynan2 on 14 August, 2022, 12:44:55 pm
I know, at that medical conclusion I leant forward quickly to open my mouth to say 'they is definitely something wrong' but he beat me to it by smiling and saying, 'all I mean is we cannot find anything wrong to act on', I was offered a cut nerve but declined.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 August, 2022, 07:51:14 pm
I've got an ache in my eye and it's a bit bloodshot  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2022, 10:24:00 am
I drink at least four cups of black tea every day, therefore I am immortal!
Quote
Drinking tea may be linked to lower risk of death, study suggests
Data from UK Biobank suggests people who drink two or more cups of black tea a day have lower risk of mortality
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/aug/29/drinking-tea-may-be-linked-to-lower-risk-of-death-study-suggests
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 30 August, 2022, 09:31:15 pm
I drink at least four cups of black tea every day, therefore I am immortal!
Quote
Drinking tea may be linked to lower risk of death, study suggests
Data from UK Biobank suggests people who drink two or more cups of black tea a day have lower risk of mortality
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/aug/29/drinking-tea-may-be-linked-to-lower-risk-of-death-study-suggests

Usual crap headline, we all have a 100% risk of death, no matter what we do.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 02 September, 2022, 02:49:50 pm
Damn! I’ve not had an ear infection quite a few years and I’d forgotten how bad it can be. I’ve been ignoring it for a couple of days in the hope that it will go away, but this morning I decided I needed antibiotics. It was late (11:30am), and we’ll past the window of opportunity to bag a doctors appointment today,  but I pursued Dr Beardy to ring the surgery on my behalf1 because the alternative wou;d have been an emergency out of hours call to the county out of hours GP service (never a pleasant or efficient experience.

The receptionist was, as expected, brusk and negative, although not totally unhelpful. She offered to see if a doctor cou.d fit me in and would ring back with an update. In the event the GP2 rang back himself, spoke to Dr Beardy on my behalf and it was agreed that he would send a prescription for the updated version of my preferred treatment to the local Boots forthwith.

Given the tales I hear and read about the shocking difficulties people have in accessing a GP, I am again very thankful to my surgery for the care and attention they have delivered to me and my family over the years. Yes, I complain about the receptionist, but I recognise the shitty job they have, and the doctors have often got above and beyond to help.

1. The infection is in my better ear and I’ve always struggled to use my left ear on the phone.

2. Dr Sidhu, the now senior partner, who was the junior when we joined the surgery on moving here some years ago. He was the chap, who on being presented with my (then) 7yo boy, sought a second opinion from the senior partner because he’d never seen the mumps before. 😁
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2022, 08:23:11 am
I drink at least four cups of black tea every day, therefore I am immortal!
Quote
Drinking tea may be linked to lower risk of death, study suggests
Data from UK Biobank suggests people who drink two or more cups of black tea a day have lower risk of mortality
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/aug/29/drinking-tea-may-be-linked-to-lower-risk-of-death-study-suggests

We'll, I can confirm that it's all true.  I drank tea yesterday and I am still alive!!!

The Guardian has been going downhill in my opinion for some years but now I know that I am The Highlander* I suddenly feel invincible.  Or maybe not.

* Paternal grandmother was a MacLeod.  Oh, how come she and so many of her kin have passed ???  🤔
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 September, 2022, 02:37:13 pm
Realized when I set out today that working up a ladder in trainers is a bad idea: the arches of my feet didn't actually hurt but it's the first time in my life that they've felt tired on the bike.  I'll try my walking shoes tomorrow and go get a pair of safety shoes if they're not stiff enough.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 07 September, 2022, 09:05:40 pm
Whilst walking on Mon I twisted my ankle on a wobbly rock. Not bad, I thought, anyway 8 mls later it was getting quite painful. I was staying at a hostel and as the night wore on and I did less the ankle stiffened and got quite painful. not looking good for my next two days. The next morning the ankle was much improved but not enough for what I had planned. Fortunately the Hostel wardens allowed me to move my the next two nights accommodation and I was able to drive home, I wasn't far from home, just using the hostels because I can. At home I was able to give the ankle some better attention, ice and elevation and rest. Today the ankle feels totally recovered and hasn't bothered me at all. I'm just amazed at how fast this recovery has been, our bodies are very clever.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 September, 2022, 03:53:10 pm
Well, despite my Functional Neurological Disorder, I managed a local Qi-Gong class today :-)  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 16 September, 2022, 11:47:11 am
Cancerous prostate gland removed on Monday. Had to stay in hospital for two extra nights due
to 'complications'. One of which involved me having a CT scan to determine (rule in or out) what
was wrong in my bladder area and why I was in so much pain (the bloke who had the same
procedure after me had no such issues).

Oral morphine was great, in that it allowed me to forget about the pain in my abdominal area (left
by the keyhole incisions).

Worst experience of the stay in hospital was the loud snoring, and the high-pitched moaning and
groaning by two other patients on the ward. The nursing staff were sympathetic, but said the two
patients were in to have their ailments treated, not their snoring. Fair enough.

The catheter is very sensitive where it enters my penis (that was the fear I had from the beginning), so will be glad when it's removed on 26th September.

As the surgeons had to cut into my gut (for the keyhole stuff), my stomach is very painful and it has
affected my posture. I'm stooped all-over and am using a walking stick to try and remain straight-backed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 September, 2022, 01:57:09 pm
I wish you a full, pain-free recovery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 September, 2022, 02:37:10 pm
+1. Sounds nasty.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 September, 2022, 02:38:57 pm
It does sound nasty. More recovery wishes from here.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 September, 2022, 08:49:19 pm
Sending recovery wishes your way, I hope things improve rapidly over the next week or so.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 September, 2022, 01:18:19 pm
Hope your recovery goes well De Sisti.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 September, 2022, 01:19:27 pm
On a more minor note. Another precious weekend day wasted cos I daren't stray too far from the toilet.  :-\
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 September, 2022, 01:29:59 pm
Wishing you all the best, De Sisti.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 September, 2022, 02:38:22 pm
On a more minor note. Another precious weekend day wasted cos I daren't stray too far from the toilet.  :-\

Sympathies. Last ride I did I only just made it to the cludge before exploding.  Bloody metformin.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 September, 2022, 04:49:59 pm
I have no idea what my excuse is but it seems to be occurring more regularly. Maybe I need to keep a diary of my dodgy poos too see if they are linked to something I'm eating.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 18 September, 2022, 04:56:45 pm
Best wishes for your recovery, De Sisti.

It wasn’t until I’d had keyholes (minor stuff by comparison to your op) that I realised just how much work your abdominal muscles are doing when you are walking without one being aware of it. Most noticeable when walking downhill, I recall.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 02 October, 2022, 09:35:18 pm
Abdominal wounds are horrible. Hope you don't get a post op cough, that just adds insult to injury.

Yesterday evening it felt like there was an AAA battery stuck under the first joint of my big toe (and it was a bit sore). This morning that sensation was gone, but now I have giant black/purple bruise-like effects, on the inside and outside of the toe. It seems to move ok, so I'm kinda confused. I'll probably send pictures to the doctors tomorrow and see what happens.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 October, 2022, 12:47:55 pm
This morning My Dear Wife and I went to the chemist's and were jabbed with anti-flu.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 October, 2022, 01:16:36 pm
This morning My Dear Wife and I went to the chemist's and were jabbed with anti-flu.

Aye, we've got vouchers for same but our previous doc always said to leave it until November because the flu doesn't really get under way until December or even January, so if you get it done too early it might wear off before the end of the season.

Heard on the radio this morning that the next wave of Covid shots are becoming available. We'll not be eligible for ours before mid-December.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 03 October, 2022, 03:18:56 pm
Best wishes for your recovery, De Sisti.

It wasn’t until I’d had keyholes (minor stuff by comparison to your op) that I realised just how much work your abdominal muscles are doing when you are walking without one being aware of it. Most noticeable when walking downhill, I recall.
Staples (from the incisions) were removed last Monday, along with the catheter. Virtually no abdominal strength. One of the nurses advised me to refrain from strenuous exercises for about 12 weeks (so the abdominal nerve endings that were severed during the procedure can heal; that means no cycling or indoor rowing. Never mind, on the bright side, my weight is down to 11st 2lbs. The lightest I've been since my late teens/early 20s. It may have something to do with my loss of appetite.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 October, 2022, 09:54:01 pm
Best wishes for your recovery, De Sisti.

It wasn’t until I’d had keyholes (minor stuff by comparison to your op) that I realised just how much work your abdominal muscles are doing when you are walking without one being aware of it. Most noticeable when walking downhill, I recall.
Staples (from the incisions) were removed last Monday, along with the catheter. Virtually no abdominal strength. One of the nurses advised me to refrain from strenuous exercises for about 12 weeks (so the abdominal nerve endings that were severed during the procedure can heal; that means no cycling or indoor rowing. Never mind, on the bright side, my weight is down to 11st 2lbs. The lightest I've been since my late teens/early 20s. It may have something to do with my loss of appetite.

Just over 3 years on from my laparotomy for my emergency surgery for a twisted bowel (no GP, it wasn't IBS as you thought), and I still get occasional mild  twinges from the scar... 

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2022, 12:57:43 pm
Twinges... I came off the bike in 2002, breaking my collar-bone and doing a lot of soft-tissue damage into the bargain. The clavicle healed; as to the rest:  Our brush-cutter took half an hour to start this morning, and after half an hour massacring our front jungle my right wrist, shoulder and a point just below and to the left my shoulder blade were screaming - all souvenirs from the crash.  Not doing any more without a wrist support at least.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 October, 2022, 07:47:50 pm
 I realised that I have significant damage to my left pectoralis major following my clavicle fracture since I included arms in my strength training.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ElyDave on 07 October, 2022, 06:23:49 am
Left shoulder dislocation in my late teens has left that one functionally weaker than the other when it comes to lifting things overhead etc, and a definite misalignment.

Stable fracture of the pelvis made me realise just how much we depend on that area for anything g from just sitting still to any kind of movement, everything ultimately connects through here. I'm still feeling the effects 4 years later mostly related to L/R and front/back imbalance from compensating for it initially
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 October, 2022, 03:03:59 pm
So, here I am in A&E following a strange episode at work today. I realised that I was struggling to read lines on websites. I have a very distant history of migraine and more or less knew this was one of my symptoms. I headed over to the main office on my Brompton, but once I got there I simply couldn't speak coherently and I couldn't even think of the words I wanted to say. Very weird. I put my feet up and got tingly hands, which was another symptom I used to have. Work have erred on the side of caution and have taken me to hospital, but I now feel much better, despite a mild headache. The question now is whether I want to wait six hours here to be seen. Probably not... Strange how migraine can wait 30 years to be triggered.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2022, 03:36:26 pm
So, here I am in A&E following a strange episode at work today. I realised that I was struggling to read lines on websites. I have a very distant history of migraine and more or less knew this was one of my symptoms. I headed over to the main office on my Brompton, but once I got there I simply couldn't speak coherently and I couldn't even think of the words I wanted to say. Very weird. I put my feet up and got tingly hands, which was another symptom I used to have. Work have erred on the side of caution and have taken me to hospital, but I now feel much better, despite a mild headache. The question now is whether I want to wait six hours here to be seen. Probably not... Strange how migraine can wait 30 years to be triggered.

Sympathies!

I likewise have few migraines and accompanying headache can be pretty mild.

Had a similar episode in my 20s. Could only read 2 letters on brother's school report at a time, then read he was 'flapjack' (slapdash) in his efforts.

Just last week, I saw these zigzags to my lower left with both eyes and couldn't see properly…

Didn't last long. No headache or vomiting.

I think there's a migraine optical symptoms thread somewhere...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 12 October, 2022, 06:22:25 pm


Didn't last long. No headache or vomiting.
I think there's a migraine optical symptoms thread somewhere...
Very similar to my Migraine Aura experiences, and yes there's a thread elsewhere.
Best to get it properly diagnosed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 October, 2022, 07:08:12 pm
Still in hospital in the Medical Decisions Unit. I've had 2 ECGs and I still have the headache, but that's what I used to get when I had a migraine. Only praise for my care so far. It's not the staff's fault they're under-resourced.


Edit: got let out at 1am, exhausted, hungry and dehydrated.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2022, 08:11:46 pm


Didn't last long. No headache or vomiting.
I think there's a migraine optical symptoms thread somewhere...
Very similar to my Migraine Aura experiences, and yes there's a thread elsewhere.
Best to get it properly diagnosed.

I think I told my MS neurologist about a similar episode, a long while back and she agreed it was migrainous. The episodes seem self-limiting and sporadic so hardly merit much action.

It DID deter me from taking The Pill when I was younger though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2022, 08:19:50 pm
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43629.0 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43629.0)

200 posts over 11 years...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 12 October, 2022, 08:32:33 pm
Occasional migraines are very common (and quite mysterious). I've had three or four ever. The last one made everything go swirly. The ones before made me lose the left side of my body. I could see the left side of me, I could feel the left side of me, but it wasn't actually there. Trust me, it made as much sense to me as to you. I have to be more careful though as my brain is held together with Pritt Stick and string.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: arabella on 12 October, 2022, 09:39:39 pm
Why have I got a solid-feeling lump just below the kneecap on the inside of my knee.
It went away.
Now it's back again.
I had a bursa slightly higher up for a few years, that has gone at least 9 months ago and this feels more solid.
I'm inclined to wait for it to go away again, but it'll be a nuisance to find it's become a semi-permanent feature as it's slightly niggly this time around.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 October, 2022, 10:07:23 pm
The last migraine I remember having was in 1991 or 92 whilst on a summer vacation job. Mild symptoms and no major effects. I had a bout of them when I was 12 to 14. Some of them were very debilitating with nausea and severe headaches. I'm not used to sitting in front of a monitor and I have been doing so heavily the last two weeks and that may have caused it, but who knows? I don't recall the speech issues being present before and that has raised some concerns here when I was seen. TIA was mentioned, but I don't seem to have any of the history or presenting symptoms for that to be the case. Hopefully.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 13 October, 2022, 05:30:58 pm
While rare, if you get TIA symptoms it is worth getting them checked out even if they suspect migraine cos there are cases where people thought "just migraine" and it was a TIA or more serious cerebral issue.

I am reading Oliver Sacks's book on migraine at the moment.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 October, 2022, 09:46:08 am
While rare, if you get TIA symptoms it is worth getting them checked out even if they suspect migraine cos there are cases where people thought "just migraine" and it was a TIA or more serious cerebral issue.

I am reading Oliver Sacks's book on migraine at the moment.
About 11pm I'd been told I could go home, but was kept waiting even longer. I had scarcely had anything to drink, nor anything to eat since breakfast, so I was very weary. I approached the doctor and told him I was heading home. He asked me not to, as the consultant had requested a CT scan. I waited for that, of course, and that gave me the all clear. I got home around 2am. The TIA clinic called me the next day and, based on my symptoms and the CT scan, aren't going to call me in.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 October, 2022, 03:25:04 pm
I'm glad you were clear of likely TIA, I know in practice *most* people will be clear, but checking is wise if difficult with no access to food/drink in A&E.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pedaldog. on 15 October, 2022, 11:23:53 pm
I had a TIA, back in 2011, scared the hell out of me, especially as I was driving at the time! Pulled over and Sprogs called the Ambulance. I was whisked into Carlisle hospital. I've had the odd "Was that..?" since then. Mortality bites!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 17 October, 2022, 01:55:40 pm
Had an echocardiogram yesterday morning (yep - Addenbrookes was doing NHS OP diagnostic clinics on a Sunday morning and my appt was 8.00 a.m.).  Heart seems structurally fine.

The sonographer was a young chap from Porto.  We talked Caminos.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 17 October, 2022, 02:04:18 pm
Our local hospital at early Sunday am, is right out of the 28 hour later intro, bar the garbage flying around. A bit weird to enter via ER when you got an appointment and like a Chinese finger trap to leave.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 17 October, 2022, 02:09:25 pm
Our local hospital at early Sunday am, is right out of the 28 hour later intro, bar the garbage flying around. A bit weird to enter via ER when you got an appointment and like a Chinese finger trap to leave.

Addenbrookes A&E seems to be the favoured hang out for the majority of the police officers in Cambridge, so it seems...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 October, 2022, 05:02:09 pm
Had an echocardiogram yesterday morning (yep - Addenbrookes was doing NHS OP diagnostic clinics on a Sunday morning and my appt was 8.00 a.m.).  Heart seems structurally fine.
The sonographer was a young chap for Porto.  We talked Caminos.

[OTish]

There is Fierce Debate on Twitter about asking folk 'Where are you from?'

I'd love to know how I can show a genuine interest in a person and their journey without appearing racist...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 17 October, 2022, 05:49:17 pm
Had an echocardiogram yesterday morning (yep - Addenbrookes was doing NHS OP diagnostic clinics on a Sunday morning and my appt was 8.00 a.m.).  Heart seems structurally fine.
The sonographer was a young chap for Porto.  We talked Caminos.

[OTish]

There is Fierce Debate on Twitter about asking folk 'Where are you from?'

I'd love to know how I can show a genuine interest in a person and their journey without appearing racist...

It came up as he was asking about the background to the AF and I mentioned it had twice scuppered plans for a Portuguese Camino. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 October, 2022, 07:02:45 pm
Had an echocardiogram yesterday morning (yep - Addenbrookes was doing NHS OP diagnostic clinics on a Sunday morning and my appt was 8.00 a.m.).  Heart seems structurally fine.
The sonographer was a young chap for Porto.  We talked Caminos.

[OTish]

There is Fierce Debate on Twitter about asking folk 'Where are you from?'

I'd love to know how I can show a genuine interest in a person and their journey without appearing racist...
It helps if you come from overseas yourself.  "Are you local? I'm really an Australian, only just moved into the area."
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 October, 2022, 11:07:25 am
I had the opposite recently. "Have you always lived in St Paul's?" "About 20 years. I'm originally from Germany." I'd noticed some sort of accent but could not have placed it as definitely foreign let alone German.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 18 October, 2022, 11:15:42 am
Ah, Twitter excelling as usual. I think it's probably OK in the real world to ask people where they're from, it's like conversation. Though I'm minded we should converse in pre-approved statements, sensibly redacted. The world would be easier. It would certainly have helped Liz Truss.

Reminds me, I had a long chat with the audiology consultant a while back as he was poking me, I must have shared my entire career history, since the letter he sent back basically included my entire career, and also his, since he interspersed where he was and what he was doing at the time. I think the last sentence was the one that contained any relevant medical information.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 18 October, 2022, 11:44:03 am
Career history in medical letters is doctor-code for "this person is valid"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 18 October, 2022, 03:32:32 pm

There is Fierce Debate on Twitter about asking folk 'Where are you from?'
This happens quite a lot when I'm out cycling alone. I now reply with:
"Introduce yourself to me".

Or if I'm feeling naughty:
"Tell me all about yourself" ....sometimes including ...."since you left school"

They (almost exclusively other male cyclists) don't like it, and take umbrage to the fact that
I had the temerity not to answer their questions, and to pose my own.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 18 October, 2022, 03:49:57 pm
My stock phrase - learned while volunteering on the canals - is "Where's home for you?"
This seems to be a life-history starter in 50% of cases
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 18 October, 2022, 04:41:48 pm
Career history in medical letters is doctor-code for "this person is valid"

Yes, Kim, I've wondered about these medical flags.  A few times I have had "Thank you for referring this pleasant gentleman....".  Is this code for "Look, this guy may be old but he doesn't bite" or something more specific?  I'm happy about the "pleasant" because I try hard to make that true most of the time, even when afraid or in pain, but "gentleman" - that's a bit hard to take!  Does that mean "ponce" or just another version of "won't bite"?

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 18 October, 2022, 06:33:37 pm
I've been called eccentric on doctors letters before. No idea why 😮🙂
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 18 October, 2022, 08:25:28 pm
Quote
I've wondered about these medical flags
The notes of one of my recent encounters with medical staff includes this:
Walked into room independently, gait normal
Alert and orientated
Talking in full sentences

Not exactly a coded message, but I do wonder what she expected?
2 nurses, 3 GPS, 1 X-ray later and the lump on my collar bone is still a mystery. but it is nice to know I made a good impression!
(except they are pretty sure it isn't cancer)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 18 October, 2022, 08:43:08 pm
I offered a stimulating and genial discussion on the subject of Pakistan. I'm not sure what that's code for. I'm not sure I really contributed that much, considering he'd lived there for 25 years, and I was there for four days once.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2022, 08:42:37 am
What are you people doing that, firstly, gets a doctor to write such non-medical stuff about you, and secondly, you see it?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 19 October, 2022, 09:29:36 am
What are you people doing that, firstly, gets a doctor to write such non-medical stuff about you, and secondly, you see it?

Hospital consultants should, as a matter of course, provide patients with a copy of any clinic letter or discharge summary sent to their GP.

And shortly patients will be able to access this information electronically via their GP record (which they are entitled to have access to electronically).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 October, 2022, 09:32:35 am
I knew this walking lark was dangerous. 5k stroll w. MrsT yest set off my dodgy ankle and I'm hobbling today.  :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 19 October, 2022, 09:35:41 am
As above, I had an appointment to check a mystery lump on my collar bone.
The nurse must have had a mental list of things to observe and record when a patient walks in.
I am of an age when I can rock up for a flu vaccination and be asked if I would like to do a dementia test.

The local GP practice has a website and patients can register to get repeat prescriptions etc via the website. We can also sign up to see some of our records. So I can see what was done at face-to-face or phone appointments. It's very useful to check that what I think happened is recorded, and a reminder for next time if I need a follow up. I can also see results of blood tests, X-rays etc before the practice contacts me, so I can get an idea of what they mean and what I need to ask. Saves a lot of time on both sides.

e.g. Several years ago, I had a routine old age check up
GP: your cholesterol is a bit high, perhaps you should be on statins?
Me: but the balance of "good" to "bad" cholesterol is in my favour, isn't it?
GP: Umm, yes. If they were my results, I wouldn't be taking statins.

I think patients are legally entitled to see their records now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 19 October, 2022, 02:49:02 pm
What are you people doing that, firstly, gets a doctor to write such non-medical stuff about you, and secondly, you see it?

The few times I've been to hospital, they've sent both me and the referring GP a copy of their report and their sundry thoughts.

Which is a good thing, since the GP never bothered to get back to me.

My MRI was a more terse 'brain appears OK for the patient's age' along with some medical gloop I had to Google but effectively resolved to the same thing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 19 October, 2022, 03:02:49 pm
I think it depends on the medic how verbose they are as well... I've had some where they don't have any extra and some where they're writing about my occupation (often mangling it a bit) which is relevant in as much as what I need my arms and legs to DO to stay employed/employable and some with other info basically proving I'm not mad (pain management) or faking it. 

I think sometimes consultants get bored and just spew their entire memory buffer of the patient consultation to the letter without thinking of relevance.

I've been lucky that even if my stuff can't be treated, most clinicians will document it for me so I can drown the DWP with it when they ask me if I've grown missing bones back yet or become less physically impaired despite becoming slowly more physically impaired as I age with added extra arthritis excitement.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 19 October, 2022, 03:18:44 pm
Addenbrooke's EPR is EPIC, to which patients can have access.  Test results (including blood tests ordered by the GP) get posted to EPIC before they're sent to GPs (the messaging to GPs tends to be done overnight), which means I can often see my test results before the GP - and certainly before they're clinically coded into the GP system (as our practice uses a system that doesn't properly interface with hospital system). 

It was quite handy when I had my LTC check up recently and was getting nagged by the nurse... I was able to point her to test results she hadn't seen which indicated that what she was suggesting might be the case (high cholesterol) wasn't the case.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 19 October, 2022, 07:29:29 pm
My compressed disc is still playing up  :'( this is getting depressing. Back on naxproxin today
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 23 October, 2022, 03:46:59 pm
Mrs M being presently a resident of the local hospital in Inca, Majorca has discovered that Spanish clinical care is excellent, but that standards of Spanish personal care & dignity are not what an English lady of mature years expects.

She nearly drowned in the sea, and was looked after by some excellent lifeguards and the ambulance service.
She's now remembered that she 'just' missed her footing, keeled over on her front, and panicked being unable to get onto her back. That's when she inhaled some water.

She's making an excellent recovery, and we're hopeful of an early return to rain and cooler weather. I'll be happy to get away from the mosquitoes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 October, 2022, 11:54:09 am
Mrs M being presently a resident of the local hospital in Inca, Majorca has discovered that Spanish clinical care is excellent, but that standards of Spanish personal care & dignity are not what an English lady of mature years expects.

She nearly drowned in the sea, and was looked after by some excellent lifeguards and the ambulance service.
She's now remembered that she 'just' missed her footing, keeled over on her front, and panicked being unable to get onto her back. That's when she inhaled some water.

She's making an excellent recovery, and we're hopeful of an early return to rain and cooler weather. I'll be happy to get away from the mosquitoes.
That sounds very frightening. Drowning, or near drowning, is really horrible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 28 October, 2022, 01:58:22 pm


Mrs M being presently a resident of the local hospital in Inca, Majorca has discovered that Spanish clinical care is excellent, but that standards of Spanish personal care & dignity are not what an English lady of mature years expects.

She nearly drowned in the sea, and was looked after by some excellent lifeguards and the ambulance service.
She's now remembered that she 'just' missed her footing, keeled over on her front, and panicked being unable to get onto her back. That's when she inhaled some water.
That sounds very frightening. Drowning, or near drowning, is really horrible.

That's a possible reason for the heart attack that followed.

She's made excellent progress and the hospital are happy for her to be discharged back to my hotel pending repatriation. All investigations (including an angiogram) are OK. But the Travel Insurance medical team want her to occupy a scarce hospital bed until they can arrange a flight. I've challenged that and am currently waiting for the outcome of the review.

There's another English couple we've met at the hospital and it seems we've struck lucky with Nationwide (who use UK Insurance, which is part of Direct Line) compared to the other couple's experience of AXA three weeks down the line.

Don't knock the NHS until you've experienced the rest, and saints preserve us from insurance based health decisions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 01 November, 2022, 11:33:08 am
Mrs M is out for the hospital and at my hotel.
The insurance company told her to discharge herself - which we insisted on seeing in writing. In the end the cardiologist was happy to discharge her normally, possibly due to my somewhat assertive posturing.
We're waiting for the insurance company to sort flights out, but at least we can breath a lot more easily. Mrs M is grateful for decent food and a comfortable bed.

There's a lot we've learned about travel insurance which I might pontificate on when my head is in the right place.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 01 November, 2022, 02:50:21 pm
Mrs M being presently a resident of the local hospital in Inca, Majorca has discovered that Spanish clinical care is excellent, but that standards of Spanish personal care & dignity are not what an English lady of mature years expects.

She nearly drowned in the sea, and was looked after by some excellent lifeguards and the ambulance service.
She's now remembered that she 'just' missed her footing, keeled over on her front, and panicked being unable to get onto her back. That's when she inhaled some water.

She's making an excellent recovery, and we're hopeful of an early return to rain and cooler weather. I'll be happy to get away from the mosquitoes.

I was in Granada hospital for a week in 2004, no friends or relatives present.  The system seemed to rely on family visiting and looking after you. Fortunately the family of the patient in the next bed adopted me. That was fortunate as both arms were in slings until my operation and I was unable to feed myself or do basic things etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mike on 07 November, 2022, 03:16:53 pm
Other ½ has entered an ironman (Copenhagen, August 2023) to celebrate a milestone birthday. She's a proper athlete, did national level pentathlon as a student and will be at the pointy end of the field if she can spend enough time training.  (sadly, she says, no horses or swords allowed in triathlon)

We paid for flights & hotel for me and the teenagers to go and cheer, then some bright spark asked why I shouldn't enter it too...  So I did. 

This was 2 months ago and I've loved having something to train for - so far without injury - and am losing weight and getting quicker at all 3 of the sufferings.  I'll be getting to the finish a few hours after her but am now at least 60% confident of actually making it!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 November, 2022, 01:36:00 pm
Crikey! Was let blood at 8 am this morning for my 3-month check-up next week and the results arrived at 2:30 pm.  The lab are usually fast enough, say 24 hours, but that's a record.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 10 November, 2022, 02:57:40 pm
Other ½ has entered an ironman (Copenhagen, August 2023) to celebrate a milestone birthday. She's a proper athlete, did national level pentathlon as a student and will be at the pointy end of the field if she can spend enough time training.  (sadly, she says, no horses or swords allowed in triathlon)

Good Luck! Hope you can afford Copenhagen next year...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 November, 2022, 08:26:39 am
MrsT & I were flu-bejabbered last Thursday. Fine yesterday, planned to ride today, but it's clobbered me. Arse. She's fine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 18 November, 2022, 07:51:22 am
Had some weird cramps recently. Used to be prone to them after sweaty exercising but haven't had any for years

About 3 weeks ago in the early hours woke up stretched out in bed and felt my right calf start to cramp bit was like trying to grab an slippy rope just couldn't stop it. Was sore but went for a gentle cycle next day and felt fine early part of next week

Due to real life haven't done much cycling since and what I have has been at a very low intensity and nothing at all so far this week

Early hours of this morning it cramped up again and whilst not feeling sore can feel some tightness in it
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 December, 2022, 08:30:14 am
Off to the specialist neurophysiotherapist this morning.
Probably another 40 minute drive each way for a 10 minute appointment where I'm told to "walk normally".  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 December, 2022, 12:23:07 pm
Off to the specialist neurophysiotherapist this morning.
Probably another 40 minute drive each way for a 10 minute appointment where I'm told to "walk normally".  :facepalm:

In amoungst other things, neuro physio suggested I take up Nordic Walking...   ??? I'm unsteady enough on my feet as it is, without tripping myself up with nordic walking poles....  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 05 December, 2022, 03:34:24 pm
Hope they get you mended Brian.

Though I have walked in the Nordic countries and we never were required to have sticks. So I don't where this Nordic Walking comes from ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 December, 2022, 05:02:00 pm
+1.

According to wiki it started in Finland.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 05 December, 2022, 09:30:39 pm
Nordic Walking seems to be popular among German elderlies.

It's never really caught on over here, although I know of one place locally where the dark art is practiced https://www.shuttlewood-clarke.org/ulverscroft-manor/activities/nordic-walking/
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 December, 2022, 09:10:54 am
When I was 17 I learnt to use an alpenstock in Bavaria. They're wonderful for hill-walking, and you can run down steep slopes using them as a brake: you trail it behind you and lean on it hard to slow down.  Back in the 90s on a stamp around the Alps we met lots of folk with Nordic-walking sticks, so next time we were in a kit shop I pulled one out of a shelf and leant on it as if it were an alpenstock. Oops.  Fortunately they're not expensive.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 06 December, 2022, 09:44:20 am
They are just walking poles, reduce load on knees by about 30% in steep terrain.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 06 December, 2022, 10:37:19 am
Not just in steep terrain. I can walk double the distance with than without. (Still not very far- maybe 3 miles rather than 1.5).

Don't knock it till you've tried. You might not believe the diagnosis but that doesn't mean the physio's suggestions aren't worth considering.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mike on 06 December, 2022, 11:16:08 am
I love using walking poles, definitely more confident on anything rocky and it feels much less pressure on ankles and knees. They also let you use your arms and back a bit more on the uphills which helps me (almost) keep up with the family!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 December, 2022, 11:24:13 am
Sticks of any kind only work if your arms are up to the job thobut and I seem to recall Brian has difficulties with his hands as well as his legs.

Regardless, if Brian doesn't feel listened to, then the physio hasn't done their job. They've not made the time to listen and think rather than blat out advice willy nilly.

Brian, I am sorry, that really sucks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 December, 2022, 11:29:15 am
It is likely that the Physio suggested nordic walking precisely because Brian has trouble with his hands and shoulders.

the straps should remove the need for him to maintain a tight-precise grip.

the light-weight sticks will provide slight loading for his arms.

Moving the body with some loading helps develop the strength of nerve signals. that seems to be precisely what Brian would need.

If we hear 'Nordic walking' and think 'walking fast up and down hills', that is almost certainly not what is being recommended. I suspect the physio is thinking 'gentle short strolls on level ground, gradually increasing after evaluation'.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2022, 11:47:36 am
A friend with ataxia finds she walks best with one pole. With two, she does trip over them and can't use her hands. With one, it provides a bit of stability that she needs. Also, it's a psychological prop, particularly with the yellow and black hazard tape she has wrapped round it; it says "I have a disability, I need a little bit more time to cross the road etc, and no I'm not drunk". You don't have ataxia afaik and might find two or no sticks better than one, but point is, try and see rather than dismissing it out of hand.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 06 December, 2022, 02:49:53 pm
It is likely that the Physio suggested nordic walking precisely because Brian has trouble with his hands and shoulders.

the straps should remove the need for him to maintain a tight-precise grip.

the light-weight sticks will provide slight loading for his arms.

Moving the body with some loading helps develop the strength of nerve signals. that seems to be precisely what Brian would need.

If we hear 'Nordic walking' and think 'walking fast up and down hills', that is almost certainly not what is being recommended. I suspect the physio is thinking 'gentle short strolls on level ground, gradually increasing after evaluation'.

And issues with my balance and walking...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 06 December, 2022, 03:46:45 pm
And issues with my balance and walking...
... which the poles will likely assist with...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2022, 04:01:47 pm
Sticks of any kind only work if your arms are up to the job thobut and I seem to recall Brian has difficulties with his hands as well as his legs.
Regardless, if Brian doesn't feel listened to, then the physio hasn't done their job. They've not made the time to listen and think rather than blat out advice willy nilly.
Brian, I am sorry, that really sucks.

I NEED free hands to grasp things and occupying them with sticks just wouldn't work for me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 06 December, 2022, 04:05:56 pm
But this isn't a recommendation for life/living, it's a suggestion for exercise. Brian is an expert on Brian but the physio is an expert on physio for neurological disorders.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 08 December, 2022, 11:26:12 am
Seeing a GP these days is fun. I don't know why more people aren't doing it. I'd been putting it off for a cough issue but a friend of mine is a GP and she insisted that I stop being a man and get it looked at. I couldn't book an appointment at the weekend (because they don't let you complete the form*) and then on Monday and Tuesday, they turned the booking form off because of 'sickness among their GPs and there being no available locum coverage' (and at the best of times, it's the sort of surgery that depends on locum cover; and I checked with my friend and she's basically, there are no locums any more since we closed the door on foreign doctors).

So about to give up and just do it privately, and they finally let me get a telephone appointment with a GP at the local minor care centre at 5 pm today for an issue that will obviously require a face-to-face unless my gurgly, grating chest becomes audible over the phone.

*the form is actually quite useful since it avoids the 8.30 am call-thing-which-didn't-ought-to-be-a-thing, though it's hosted on a website that looks more than a bit Geocities and requires the completion of several puzzles before you can find the actual form.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 December, 2022, 11:51:41 am
Gurgly, grating chests seem to be popular.

Daughter had this last week, and very narrowly avoided an ambulance callout (she rang 111, they said because she couldn't complete a sentence, and reported having trouble breathing, they wanted to send an ambulance). She did end up in A&E, rushed in and put on oxygen for some hours.

I've caught it from her. Uncharacteristically cold and talking is a struggle.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 08 December, 2022, 12:11:18 pm
Seems to be, but this is now four weeks old (I had a nasty cold after a trip to Switzerland) that seemed to decline but then came back (might have been a second infection, or something weird with the covid booster I had in between) and for the last two weeks I've been struggling and now I've strained and pulled a lot of muscles. Gets worse every evening and sleeping is annoying as my chest/throat vibrates and makes me sound like a demonically possessed purring kitten. If it were the size of an elephant. I worry my wife will euthanize me with the pillow. She did record me last night and declared THIS IS THE NOISE YOU ARE MAKING. It's not a good noise. I may play it down the phone.

It just seems pointless to have a telephone consultation which will then, I am sure, just mean they still have to find me a GP to see face-to-face. They already have all the information, my reciting it down the phone won't add any further value. It's just stalling. It doesn't feel like we have a functional health service.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 December, 2022, 12:47:20 pm
I'm still exhausted from spending over three hours listening to our GP's hold music (having spent most of the night on bucket duty) in order to secure some emergency prochlorperazine for barakta last winter.

And they're usually pretty good.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 08 December, 2022, 12:53:52 pm
https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/how-not-to-save-the-nhs


https://archive.ph/FRCwz  (archived version of above, in case you can't get past the paywall).



Article comparing the British & German systems, saying it would be difficult to change. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 08 December, 2022, 01:25:04 pm
It seems a mess at the moment; not so many years ago, I could wander down to the surgery between 8.30 and 10.30 am and wait to see a doctor (which never took more than 30 minutes or so) or book an actual appointment if it wasn't urgent. Then that was deemed 'too popular' (in my limited experience, it was busy but not excessively so, but they would turn people away if there were too many people to see).

Personally, I don't think our obsession with a 'free' NHS is helpful, but everything seems very conservative. We seem unable to approach primary care differently (not to mention the wholesale change to preventative care, but that involves cultural changes). The medical establishment is very orthodox (if you want to pickle their onions, ask a group of senior medics involved in training why a successful nurse can't become a doctor, seriously, they turn puce and start to splutter like a 2CV on a cold morning). Since I was involved in research around this, not much has changed, mostly because the establishment won't change the way (and who) they want to train, or the processes they follow. They'll always agree that being a junior doctor is terrible but immediately pivot to how they 'benefitted' from the character-building (and often patient-killing) experience. There's a weird thing about 'resilience' they mutter on about. None of this is a uniquely British phenomenon, of course.

There doesn't seem to be any real planning for how we maintain any kind of service in the future given the rapidly increasing health burdens and costs; mostly because we have a government only interested in selling bits off to their friends, of course.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 08 December, 2022, 05:11:35 pm
I'll eat my words and cough-them-back-up, as apparently, I don't need a face-to-face. Suck it up, kiddo, and hack it back out. Call that consumption? Write a book, moon over some poetry, have a wayward and ill-advised affair or three, etc. I'm not sure this is a NICE-approved care pathway.

Pretty much what I expected, if it doesn't get any worse, or doesn't go in a few more weeks, or I die, seek further advice. In the meantime, I shall continue my noctural celebration of the giant demonically possessed kitten purr. Part badly maintained earth-mover, part congested tiger. Le sigh.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 December, 2022, 06:53:30 pm
A few months ago (late June to be a little more precise) youngest son commented that I seemed to have shaky hands.  I didn't dismiss his observation but sought confirmation from family and friends.  Having established that a few had noticed this I booked in to the quack.  Quack booked me a consultation with the consultant.

I had that consultation on Tuesday.  I have what is termed essential tremor and mine is so mild as to be uninteresting unless it ever gets worse.  There is no imminent danger of anything even remotely bad, thankfully.

I was worried about it being Parkinsons as my father suffered from Parkinsons as does one of my cousins. 

And coincidentally the background tension headache that I have been nursing and bearing for weeks has magically disappeared.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 December, 2022, 07:43:16 pm
I am glad you have an explanation and it is not scary news, and that your headache has gone too. Stress is surprising in how it manifests sometimes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 December, 2022, 08:43:29 pm
Apparently we all have essential tremor to a lesser or greater extent.  An explanation of mine apparently worsening was offered as a remote but possible reason which I'd prefer not to share so as to avoid speculation and criticism of the consultant.

What I would say though is that her suggestion of what I might do which does not involve medication is something that I will be working on over the coming months and years.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 December, 2022, 08:45:10 pm
And many thanks Barakta.  Much appreciated.  ☺️
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 December, 2022, 09:13:25 pm
Nurses are becoming doctors. Slowly I accept but it is happening. 2 of my recent trainees were nurses. Another nurse in theatre has trained as a physician assistant. We have 3 nurses and 3 therapists who are doing work previously done by doctors (slowly and expensively). Each therapist sees a fifth of the patients seen by a trainee surgeon at the same cost.

GPS are doing more F2F appointments than ever but more people are turning up.

Everything now takes longer. I see about 20% less patients per clinic partly because I am getting older but largely because people want more explanation, discussion, etc. I am not objecting to that but you cannot have more appointments if you have not trained more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 December, 2022, 09:18:40 pm
Apparently we all have essential tremor to a lesser or greater extent.  An explanation of mine apparently worsening was offered as a remote but possible reason which I'd prefer not to share so as to avoid speculation and criticism of the consultant.

What I would say though is that her suggestion of what I might do which does not involve medication is something that I will be working on over the coming months and years.

My grandmother lived with a significant essential tremor for decades.  Thanks to a typewriter, microwave and careful choice of kitchen implements, cutlery, etc. (being a child, it took me years to realise why she had a specific favourite drinking glass) she was able to function pretty much normally, even when she lived alone after her husband died.  The only thing I remember her really struggling with was knots.

When I last had contact with my mum, she was developing it too.  Sort of thing that makes you glad to be adopted, admittedly, but it certainly beats Parkinson's.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 December, 2022, 10:14:43 pm
Nurses are becoming doctors. Slowly I accept but it is happening. 2 of my recent trainees were nurses. Another nurse in theatre has trained as a physician assistant. We have 3 nurses and 3 therapists who are doing work previously done by doctors (slowly and expensively). Each therapist sees a fifth of the patients seen by a trainee surgeon at the same cost.

GPS are doing more F2F appointments than ever but more people are turning up.

Everything now takes longer. I see about 20% less patients per clinic partly because I am getting older but largely because people want more explanation, discussion, etc. I am not objecting to that but you cannot have more appointments if you have not trained more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.

How much is stuff taking longer because of NHS bureaucracy and bad IT?

I recently read Henry Marsh's biographies (he's a retired neurosurgeon) and he claims that NHS changes and rules up to 2015ish when he retired reduced how many patients he could operate on at once. Crappy IT systems often slowed down clinics because he couldn't access imaging or records properly.

Interestingly I would say my appointments with hospital docs are about the same as they were in the 80s and 90s but then I suspect paediatrics perhaps run slower and my current hip surgeon is very chatty and keeps having to take my case to the MDT.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 08 December, 2022, 10:46:13 pm
This should nearly be in the grumble thread. Some months ago I had a scan at the hospital, who said they would send the result to my GP. Weeks later I contact GP via their fancy new system. Get a text reply back saying no results here yet. Some weeks later I contact GP via same system, since I have heard nada. GP comes back 3 days later, the results have gone back to the hospital and I should call them. I call the hospital, very nice staff on the bone, tells me that they can't give me the results. But will put a note in the system for the consultant to contact me with the result, though couldn't tell me how this would happen or when.

Now the question is, should I be worried, since the GP send the stuff back and what if it is serious have it become worse in the nearly 3 months since said scan.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DaveReading on 08 December, 2022, 10:53:10 pm
This should nearly be in the grumble thread. Some months ago I had a scan at the hospital, who said they would send the result to my GP. Weeks later I contact GP via their fancy new system. Get a text reply back saying no results here yet. Some weeks later I contact GP via same system, since I have heard nada. GP comes back 3 days later, the results have gone back to the hospital and I should call them. I call the hospital, very nice staff on the bone, tells me that they can't give me the results. But will put a note in the system for the consultant to contact me with the result, though couldn't tell me how this would happen or when.

Now the question is, should I be worried, since the GP send the stuff back and what if it is serious have it become worse in the nearly 3 months since said scan.

It's very hard to believe that your GP no longer has access to your scan results.

I had a similar issue a couple of months ago with echocardiogram results which my practice claimed they couldn't give me (and the hospital said that only my GP could).  I insisted on a telephone consultation, and the outcome was that they agreed I could call into the practice to pick up a paper copy of my results.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 December, 2022, 11:22:49 pm
Actually admin is great. Notes are now online, I can order tests online and I can see x-rays for almost half of England.
Staffing is probably the biggest impact on who I can operate on. Staff my theatre properly and I could operate on 50% more people.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 December, 2022, 11:32:20 pm
Sounds like you have one of the good IT systems at your place!  :thumbsup:

I wish the changes needed to improve staffing could be made so people like you and other HCPs can all use your skills properly and efficiently.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 December, 2022, 08:10:31 am
A few months ago (late June to be a little more precise) youngest son commented that I seemed to have shaky hands.  I didn't dismiss his observation but sought confirmation from family and friends.  Having established that a few had noticed this I booked in to the quack.  Quack booked me a consultation with the consultant.

I had that consultation on Tuesday.  I have what is termed essential tremor and mine is so mild as to be uninteresting unless it ever gets worse.  There is no imminent danger of anything even remotely bad, thankfully.

I was worried about it being Parkinsons as my father suffered from Parkinsons as does one of my cousins. 

And coincidentally the background tension headache that I have been nursing and bearing for weeks has magically disappeared.

Essential tremor can be hereditary. My mum had it, I have it, my nephew has it.

Mum was the worst - she struggle carrying things like trays, since anything on the tray would rattle around like there was an earthquake. She couldn't do things like pouring tea without spilling it.

Nephew isn't as bad as mum, but still they were worried when young until diagnosis.

Mine comes and goes. If I have a virus it gets worse and I have to use two hands to pour something.

Keeping fitness levels up seems to help. If I'm tired it gets worse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 09 December, 2022, 09:59:10 am
Nurses are becoming doctors. Slowly I accept but it is happening. 2 of my recent trainees were nurses. Another nurse in theatre has trained as a physician assistant. We have 3 nurses and 3 therapists who are doing work previously done by doctors (slowly and expensively). Each therapist sees a fifth of the patients seen by a trainee surgeon at the same cost.

GPS are doing more F2F appointments than ever but more people are turning up.

Everything now takes longer. I see about 20% less patients per clinic partly because I am getting older but largely because people want more explanation, discussion, etc. I am not objecting to that but you cannot have more appointments if you have not trained more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.

Good news at least on some fronts (I used to work with the various Royal Colleges etc. and the general suggestion that nurses and other medical professions become actual practitioners did make some older members turn literal puce).

Of course, it doesn't deal with the fact that the burden on healthcare is increasing, we're getting older, less well, have a constellation of issues of which an increasing number aren't simple organic-here's-a-pill, and everything costs more but we want to pretend it's free.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2022, 10:25:19 am
A few months ago (late June to be a little more precise) youngest son commented that I seemed to have shaky hands.  I didn't dismiss his observation but sought confirmation from family and friends.  Having established that a few had noticed this I booked in to the quack.  Quack booked me a consultation with the consultant.

I had that consultation on Tuesday.  I have what is termed essential tremor and mine is so mild as to be uninteresting unless it ever gets worse.  There is no imminent danger of anything even remotely bad, thankfully.

I was worried about it being Parkinsons as my father suffered from Parkinsons as does one of my cousins. 

You too, huh? My hands started to shake 30 years ago and have got steadily worse ever since, to the extent that I can no longer play the guitar. I have to do printed italic rather than joined-up writing at risk of sending a loop over the line above, I continually hit the wrong link when I use a tablet and if my tremor matches the resonance frequency of my coffee I need to get another hand to it PDQ.  A couple of years ago I was trying to show my son something on the banjo and one thumb went into oscillation rather than just shaking.

I put it down to diabetes attacking motor nerves and/or the wondrous quality of the roads around here - my hands have taken a right bashing in the last quarter-century.  I'll maybe ask for a referral just to get an idea; I have no hope that it might be cured.  I haven't stuck the fork in my ear yet so it doesn't stop me eating, which is what really counts.

Hope yours stays off the Richter Scale (the low end).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 09 December, 2022, 03:55:14 pm
Sticks of any kind only work if your arms are up to the job thobut and I seem to recall Brian has difficulties with his hands as well as his legs.

Regardless, if Brian doesn't feel listened to, then the physio hasn't done their job. They've not made the time to listen and think rather than blat out advice willy nilly.

Brian, I am sorry, that really sucks.

Thanks barakta.

Anyway, I did request from my physio that I get referred back to Prof Jon Stone (the FND Expert). So physio has had a meeting with my usual neurologist Dr Zeidler, who has agreed to refer me back to Prof Stone.

Probably many months before I get an appointment though.

With regards to the physios suggestion of taking up Nordic Walking, maybe no harm in giving it a try, they seem cheap enough to by on Amazon / decathlon etc.   Especially since I don't feel particularly safe cycling at the moment, perhaps this will be a good way to keep some form of exercise going.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2022, 04:23:03 pm
Good luck, Brian.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 December, 2022, 05:53:59 pm
Glad you managed to secure the re-referral. Neurology in the UK, especially for chronic shit like FND and migraines is pretty poor. I think if you are clear you want some nerve conduction studies and whatever else hasn't been done, that's a good start.

I think if the poles are cheap then giving Nordic walking a try is a good idea. Maybe don't go out if it is icy for obvious reasons, but start out small and try and build up slowly. Definitely try to take a logical approach and don't overdo it at the start which are common failure modes of any kind of "rehab".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 09 December, 2022, 09:15:16 pm
Good luck Brian and as Barakta said start slowly and build up. I'm sure there will be videos on the tube for the best setup on the sticks for the benefit for the kind of walking you want, they are different kettle of fish if you go up or down.

If you go and get nerve conduction studies, do check that the person testing you, turn it to low before they start to zap you. First time they did, but second time they didn't. And boy did that smart!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 09 December, 2022, 10:19:45 pm
Actually admin is great. Notes are now online, I can order tests online and I can see x-rays for almost half of England.
Staffing is probably the biggest impact on who I can operate on. Staff my theatre properly and I could operate on 50% more people.
When I compare the hospital and the GP IT systems of today (purely by looking over shoulders as a patient) with the 'wonderful' IT systems we thought we had when I retired from the NHS a decade ago, it's like night and day.
The different parts of the services now actually communicate with each other seamlessly instead of having to remember six different logins.
My GP can see my hospital results and images and the electronic referral systems seem to 'just work'.
Certainly round here the IT systems do not seem to be a bottleneck.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 12 December, 2022, 11:28:12 am
So I now have teh Covid....  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 12 December, 2022, 10:32:50 pm
Get well soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 14 December, 2022, 08:57:56 pm
Erk, hope your illness is mild and you recover soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: PeteB99 on 15 December, 2022, 11:59:06 am
NHS IT - For the last 18 months I've been having 3 monthly blood tests done. After a few weeks the practice nurse rings up and talks me through the results. After the last one there was no phone call so I looked on the practice website and found my results - all within normal bounds hence no phone call. Tried to look for the previous test results but they only keep one set so I can't see what has changed.

Storage isn't that expensive.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 18 December, 2022, 10:53:24 am
I spent a while last week hunting around websites - the Drs surgery one says that I can access them on the NHS app or Emis, Emis says the surgery hasn't ticked the box so they can get access to the records, the NHS app doesn't seem to have them either. Eventually I filled in a form on the surgery website asking for the results, and got a text from them. Joined up seems to vary somewhat (but the surgery are pretty good at responding to that webform quickly).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Tim Hall on 18 December, 2022, 11:15:35 am
Something went Spang! in my back Friday as I got up from the sofa. Couldn't bend easily to put stuffs in the oven, but it got a bit easier as time passed. Got some  Voltarol* and applied that. Yesterday afternoon it was Bad Swears hurty but improved a bit by walking. Terrible night's sleep, vitamin I at midnight didn't touch it. It's not back pain, more like near the hip pain with numb skin.
Hobbling round with a walking stick today, can't tie my shoes. xkcd 883 applies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 December, 2022, 11:49:06 am
IANAD but it sounds like a nerve pinch, possibly spine- or sacroiliac-related.  I had a very nasty dose of that ~10 years back. It did eventually go away.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 18 December, 2022, 03:03:27 pm
Yesterday afternoon, driving back from seeing daughter, I thought I felt flu-ish.
Once I'd got in and had a chance to take stock, I decided I was definitely suffering with a lurgi.

I went to bed early (almost unheard of) and apparently spent a lot of the night rambling about random sh¡t.
Today all I'm left with is a vague achy swollen spot in my armpit, and overwhelming lethargy. It's all I can do to drag myself to the loo.

I'm strongly of the opinion that it's not a physical illness, just physical manifestation of a week (or more) of daughter-related stress.

I guess 24 hours of rest should see it off (ready for the next trip to see daughter on Tuesday!).
And then there's Christmas in which to be ferkin jolly about.....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 December, 2022, 04:08:06 pm
Do an LFT just in case? That way you can ensure you're not adding Covid to a place where it's really best avoided.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 December, 2022, 12:01:54 pm
IANAD but it sounds like a nerve pinch, possibly spine- or sacroiliac-related.  I had a very nasty dose of that ~10 years back. It did eventually go away.
Take a house point and a gold star.

Physio at the GP practice agrees with you. Exercises, keep mobile, come back in x weeks if it gets worse.  It was much better this morning and I could tie my own shoe laces.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 January, 2023, 10:27:14 am
OUCH! Right quad, exterior, 10-12 cm above knee. Sharp sporadic pain started during night, recurred a few times, gone by morning, came back 20 minutes ago when I got up from my desk, seems to occur on relaxation of muscle rather than contraction but not sure. Definite hollow, which may already have been there, at pain site.

Don't like this, feels like a tear. :(  Everyone please shout bugger! right now. Thank-you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 January, 2023, 05:39:37 pm
BUGGER!

Sorry to hear this T42, bodies are RUBBISH so much of the time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 January, 2023, 09:00:12 am
 :thumbsup:

Thanks, barakta. No further pain but area a bit tender.  The next ride will tell.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 07 January, 2023, 09:01:56 am
The last couple of times I've started on a major journey I've experienced severe anxiety attacks (palpitations, bowel control, unable to string a sentence together etc) - it's happened at a railway station, and at an airport in Spain - where I was rescued by a lovely security lady.

Two questions :
1) I've seen that beta-blockers can reduce these issues. Any experiences here & are they worth trying on a private prescription?

2) Is this the sort of thing that airport 'Special Assistance' handles? (Mrs M always uses airport wheelchairs because of her cardiac issues anyway)

I'm looking at an airport departure in about 3 months, and even thinking about it is setting me off!

I know I need to get to the root causes, but I don't have any headspace for that yet - daughter issues fill that up nicely thank you!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2023, 10:23:03 am
This sort of issue strikes me as ideal for a non-urgent e-consult with your GP.
Beta blockers are cheap as chips for the NHS & your GP will have insight into your personal and family health.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 January, 2023, 07:55:37 am
:thumbsup:

Thanks, barakta. No further pain but area [of putative quad tear] a bit tender.  The next ride will tell.

Next ride told: quad worked, no further pain, so a cautious unbugger might be appropriate. My experience of tears in the past chimes with this: I once had a tear 10k from the start of a 100k ride but had no further pain the rest of the way. Doc had a poke at it and confirmed the tear, saying that I could strap it up if I wanted but it wouldn't make any difference.  Anyway, did >100k yesterday so leg still functional which is all that matters.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 January, 2023, 08:09:39 am
Two questions :
1) I've seen that beta-blockers can reduce these issues. Any experiences here & are they worth trying on a private prescription?

I was on BBs for 3 years after my first coronary stent.  Dunno if I was any less nervous but I was bloody angry most of the time because my heart wouldn't go over 130 bpm and struggling up mountains with insufficient O2 reaching my legs was murder.  Cardiologist had warned me, too, that stopping them abruptly could be dangerous - they had to be tapered off.

If you do consult your doc over them, make sure he knows you're a cyclist. You may find a dosage level that will allow you to stop them without risk on cycling days. A chum of mine managed that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 08 January, 2023, 08:47:04 am


Two questions :
1) I've seen that beta-blockers can reduce these issues. Any experiences here & are they worth trying on a private prescription?

 
If you do consult your doc over them, make sure he knows you're a cyclist. You may find a dosage level that will allow you to stop them without risk on cycling days. A chum of mine managed that.
Worth thinking about!

A bit more research shows that use of beta-blockers for situational anxiety is an off-label use, the suggested regime is very low single dose (10mg)about an hour before the 'stressful event'.
Based on what you've pointed out I'd guess that even this low dose would be counter-productive for someone who got an anxiety attack before, say, a race or even the start of an Audax.

Based on Helly's words of wisdom - I've put in a request using the surgery messaging system.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 January, 2023, 05:12:17 pm
I hope your GP is supportive Mike, I think it's good to have it on their books that you are struggling, that you have limited capacity due to DaughterIssues TM but you'd like some short term help to manage things which may otherwise improve your general wellbeing and hopefully MH options in the future.

As for airport assistance, I don't believe there's rules on what you need to have to ask for it. If you feel it would assist with acute MH difficulties, then book and ask for it. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 January, 2023, 08:50:18 am
I was on BB for a couple of months. Don't think they reduced anxiety, but they aren't 'comfortable'. I found the sensation quite suffocating.


Speaking of suffocating, this damn virus has got me. Suspect I have the same thing that my daughter had back at start of Dec (and still hasn't thrown off, she's now dependent on an inhaler). Lungs on 50% I reckon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 January, 2023, 12:45:49 pm
I think taking BBs regularly for Whatever Reason and occasionally for anxiety management are hopefully fairly different in effect and potentially dose.

I tried propanalol (the basic one they usually start with) for migraine prophylaxis and at 40mg I just got really cold which was miserable so I ditched them. Annoyingly the effective dose for migraine prophylaxis is actually a lot higher than most GPs will try, I had a migraine clinic letter about it... As ever, the treatment for the migraine is worse than the migraines - same for fucking triptans.

Hope whatever Lurg you have Mr C is as mild as possible and fucks off soonest!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 10 January, 2023, 02:40:48 pm
I hope your GP is supportive Mike, I think it's good to have it on their books that you are struggling, that you have limited capacity due to DaughterIssues TM but you'd like some short term help to manage things which may otherwise improve your general wellbeing and hopefully MH options in the future.

As for airport assistance, I don't believe there's rules on what you need to have to ask for it. If you feel it would assist with acute MH difficulties, then book and ask for it.
Thanks
Very helpful conversation with a GP this morning. She has proposed a 6 month trial of Sertraline which should also help with the baseline anxiety caused by the family issues. She's also agreed to the option of beta-blockers if I don't find the anti-depressant helpful in the short term.
This seems like a result.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 January, 2023, 05:11:19 pm
 :thumbsup: Here's hoping.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 January, 2023, 09:22:42 pm
Started feeling unwell last Tuesday afternoon, thought it was a migraine, it lingered as I sometimes get (postdrome for 4-5 days and increased trigger risk isn't uncommon for me :( ) and then got worse again on Thursday, I thought triggered by being under a light which sometimes overloads photo-phobia brain.

Was off sick on Friday, couldn't look at screens then or all weekend until this evening.

I think if it started as a migraine, it's now not the only thing wrong. I think is sinuses which overlaps for me a lot. I've spent the last 2 days taking all the meds that might help symptoms to get "less shit" episodes, but not good. I did not go to work today even from home - too dead.

This feels like the weird atypical sinusitis I had in Oct 2017 that triggered my ENT-GP (former registrar) to write "Go straight to 2nd line antibiotics, do not delay on suspected respiratory anything" on my record. Sadly ENT-GP left (Covid burnout I think :( ) but the remaining colleagues have always served me well.

FFS. Too tired for this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 23 January, 2023, 09:56:36 pm
Bugger. Sounds awful.  GWS.  Sending healing thoughts.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: orienteer on 23 January, 2023, 10:11:15 pm
Started feeling unwell last Tuesday afternoon, thought it was a migraine, it lingered as I sometimes get (postdrome for 4-5 days and increased trigger risk isn't uncommon for me :( ) and then got worse again on Thursday, I thought triggered by being under a light which sometimes overloads photo-phobia brain.

Was off sick on Friday, couldn't look at screens then or all weekend until this evening.

I think if it started as a migraine, it's now not the only thing wrong. I think is sinuses which overlaps for me a lot. I've spent the last 2 days taking all the meds that might help symptoms to get "less shit" episodes, but not good. I did not go to work today even from home - too dead.

This feels like the weird atypical sinusitis I had in Oct 2017 that triggered my ENT-GP (former registrar) to write "Go straight to 2nd line antibiotics, do not delay on suspected respiratory anything" on my record. Sadly ENT-GP left (Covid burnout I think :( ) but the remaining colleagues have always served me well.
a

I've suffered from blocked nose on and off for years. Sometimes had a spray which might relieve it for a while. Recently I read a drink recipe which has worked well after two or three doses. Hot water with honey and half of squeezed lemon, then add one tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Might be worth a try?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 23 January, 2023, 10:48:19 pm
I've suffered from blocked nose on and off for years. Sometimes had a spray which might relieve it for a while. Recently I read a drink recipe which has worked well after two or three doses. Hot water with honey and half of squeezed lemon, then add one tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Might be worth a try?

Assorted hopeful ENT surgeons armed with  a) drills  and  b) FRIKKIN LAZERS  have failed to unblock barakta's nose over the years (these days they just look at the CT scan and run away).  It seems unlikely that a hot drink will manage it.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 24 January, 2023, 02:55:54 pm
I even have the bomb of nasal sprays called Avamys which most GPs won't prescribe at all nevermind long term (mine did, she agreed it was better than episodic use post infections) and while hot drinks help, it's pretty deep damage.

ENT wrote to my GP (they used to work together) and effectively said "It's fucked, nothing we can do, fuck off and manage in primary care cos we aint got any better answers!". GP always used to laugh at my paraphrasing as such while I directed her to where to find it and would say "yeah, you're not wrong". Am lucky the GP practice as a whole groks that I have a very unusual history and work with it.

I'm giving it till tomorrow, and if no improvement, will see a GP. I usually leave it slightly too late, but it's a tricky balance when they're supposed to follow NICE reccs and my case isn't ideal for that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 January, 2023, 06:27:20 pm
I have running sinuses for a number of years but in September last year it got worse. The  doctor sent me to ent and they prescribed some drops and spray. They have not been as effective as I hoped and I have been having disturbed nights of coughing and wheezing. I contacted the doctor on Monday and she prescribed me a inhaler which seemed effective on Monday but I am coughing and wheezing again today. There is a bit of improvement and I slept better last night but coughing woke me up this morning. The doctor said that I needed a chest x ray which I did this afternoon. When I got to the hospital I put a covid mask on but by the time I had walked to x ray, I was panting and felt a bit sick. The receptionist said to remove the  mask and within a few minutes I felt better. X ray results should get to the doctors in the next 3 days. I'm beginning to fear that I am on the way out. In my 30s I had fears of dying which turned out to be a part of depression. Now I am not frightened of dying but how I die. Slowly suffocating is one of my fears. Hopefully I am just being melodramatic  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 January, 2023, 08:25:09 pm
Covid masks do cut a lot of airflow. Way back in the early days, I tried cycling in one. Very bad move. So I don't think getting out of breath and feeling sick while wearing one, when you've already got a sinus infection, means you're about to slowly (or even quickly) suffocate.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 27 January, 2023, 07:29:08 am
I know the mask won't suffocate me but during covid I cycled on a number of occasions masked. Although I had to breathe harder the main problem was my glasses misting up. Now I had problems walking with my walker 800 feet. I appear to have lost a fair amount of lung capacity  :(. I  am worried about that decline continuing 😢. Might get some results today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 30 January, 2023, 06:58:24 pm
Update time. I  had some peak flow tests at the doctors today on 2 different gadgets. The  results showed that I am borderline asthmatic which the doctor will confirm next week. The chest x ray showed no problems which is a relief. I  am hoping the doctor can find a way to stop my sinuses running which will hopefully reduce or stop the coughing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 30 January, 2023, 07:00:18 pm
Hopefully treating asthma will help, some kinds of asthma can cause snottiness too I believe. Sometimes antihistamines and nasal sprays can help with constant snottiness, so hopefully doc can try some of those.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 31 January, 2023, 08:40:17 am
Thanks barakta, I hope you and Kim are doing well. Doctor will phone on the 9th February so hopefully after that I can hope for some improvement 🙏  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 31 January, 2023, 09:00:35 am
If you do have asthma then ask about the dry powder inhalers.  My wife has struggled for years with her asthma control but we eventually managed to get her a dry powder inhaler rather than the spacehaler thing and it was a game changer.  her respiratory rate halved and depth increased when sleeping almost literally within 24 hours of changing.

We also cut out milk unless cooked. The research evidence is equivocal but again she felt it made a big difference.

The other thing to ask about is reflux especially when asleep and whether some omeprazole out similar would be worth trying.  Certainly coughing at night would be a symptom of reflux getting into the airways.  https://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/heartburn-asthma (https://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/heartburn-asthma)

A really good GP will probably ask and test all of these but some highly stressed GPs may opt for the simple, 'try an inhaler"

Always worth writing down your symptoms and take print outs with you.  Try to get ones from reputable sources such as webMD.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 31 January, 2023, 06:53:07 pm
I have suffered gastric reflux on and off for years and omeprazole has been effective in it's control. Thanks for the heads up on dry powder inhalers. I was unaware of their existence. I hope that milk is not going to be a problem as I do enjoy it. I will have a lot of questions now to dicuss with the doctor. Thank you again for the information  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 31 January, 2023, 07:09:16 pm
If you have a history of reflux I would suggest pushing for a referral for an endoscopy to check out your oesophagus and make sure something unpleasant isn’t happening
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 01 February, 2023, 07:05:06 am
That was done 2 years ago and found that I small hernias in my stomach which are not  repairable. No fun getting old 😕
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 February, 2023, 09:43:31 pm
Bugger.

I am wont to indulge in Waitrose Own Brand dark chocolate with hazelnuts. A toothy comestible par excellence, especially since a day or two ago I broke my left second bicuspid on some, and today have dislodged a bit of filling. Dental appointment for next week...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 03 February, 2023, 10:14:50 am
I too broke a tooth (mine was on soft licorice, clearly not so soft) but I'm not allowed to get anything done by a dentist for another 36 days. Not that I'm counting.

In other news, bruising now extends from my ankle to the hip. Niiiiice.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 February, 2023, 10:21:40 am
I too broke a tooth (mine was on soft licorice, clearly not so soft) but I'm not allowed to get anything done by a dentist for another 36 days. Not that I'm counting.

In other news, bruising now extends from my ankle to the hip. Niiiiice.

I think we need pictures.

Plus . . .
Did they do the correct leg?
Did they put it back on the right way round?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 February, 2023, 04:43:33 pm
After realizing that my coffee machine really was beeping I found this frequency test on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/qNf9nzvnd1k

It's simply a tone rising in frequency from 20Hz to 20 kHz.  Useful because if you're not certain you can go back and repeat bits.

It was on here: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/how-high-can-you-hear-video-frequency-hearing-test/

I top out just short of 5 kHz. I used to be able to hear bats. :(

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 February, 2023, 04:47:10 pm
Sounds like you might benefit from a proper audiogram and hearing test. Age related hearing is the higher frequencies going first. Hearing aids usually take you up to 8k covering full speech frequencies and modern programmable ones are quite clever these days.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 February, 2023, 05:28:16 pm
After realizing that my coffee machine really was beeping I found this frequency test on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/qNf9nzvnd1k

It's simply a tone rising in frequency from 20Hz to 20 kHz.  Useful because if you're not certain you can go back and repeat bits.

It was on here: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/how-high-can-you-hear-video-frequency-hearing-test/

I top out just short of 5 kHz. I used to be able to hear bats. :(

I lose it just over 10kHz
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 February, 2023, 06:37:00 pm
About 12kHz for me, which still doesn't mean I can always hear useful things like what people are saying to me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 03 February, 2023, 07:17:42 pm
10kHz for me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 03 February, 2023, 07:38:50 pm
8kHz for my wife, around 12.5kHz for me. 79 and 66.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2023, 07:39:07 pm
About 12kHz for me, which still doesn't mean I can always hear useful things like what people are saying to me.

Much the same.

'Masking' is a problem for me. I can't hear what D is saying when:
The kettle is on.
The fridge is purring.
The washing machine is spinning.
D is mumbling/walking away/in another room.

D says I'm deaf; that test says my hearing is 'under the age of 25'.

I'm 64.65 and think my hearing's OK.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 February, 2023, 07:53:36 pm
I start to hear a tone[1] at around 47Hz and lose it around 14.3kHz, closer to 14.5 if I turn the volume all the way up.  I know I lost most of my sensitivity to 15.7kHz some years ago, at around the time it stopped mattering.

Of course, in a proper hearing test, the amplitude is calibrated.  Playing a YouTube video tells you at least as much about people's audio equipment as it does about their hearing.

Not that a hearing test tells you anything above 8kHz, because Audiology considers hearing anything other than speech to be unimportant.


[1] There are some artefacts below that, audible as a cracking sound, which I don't count for these purposes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 February, 2023, 08:02:14 pm
'Masking' is a problem for me. I can't hear what D is saying when:
The kettle is on.
The fridge is purring.
The washing machine is spinning.
D is mumbling/walking away/in another room.

D says I'm deaf; that test says my hearing is 'under the age of 25'.

I'm 64.65 and think my hearing's OK.

Auditory processing, innit.  Apparently this is common amongst people who had hearing problems as a child.  My ability to hear arbitrary sound is pretty good.  My ability to understand speech with a poor signal-to-noise ratio significantly less so.  I seem to require more bandwidth to decode speech than most people, as evidenced by wanting people to face me while speaking (even though I'm not lipreading), finding µ-law/A-law telephony[1] Hard Work, and GSM[2] frequently unintelligible (exacerbated by the poor telephone habits enabled by mobile phones). 

Particularly galling is that barakta's hearing aid performs assorted DSP witchcraft to filter out background noises.  Which means she fails to raise her voice to make herself audible over the sounds she can't hear.  So in the kitchen it tends to be me whatting at her, rather than the usual way round.  She gets particularly offended when I leave the room in order to hear her better.


[1] The PCM codec you get on a landline phone.
[2] Codec that mobile phones use to throw away most of the information so they can fit more calls in, because that's probably fine.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 February, 2023, 07:53:33 am
Sounds like you might benefit from a proper audiogram and hearing test. Age related hearing is the higher frequencies going first. Hearing aids usually take you up to 8k covering full speech frequencies and modern programmable ones are quite clever these days.

Had one when I was 50: the bloke took 500 frs to tell me that my hearing was that of a 75-year-old. On that reckoning my ears are now 112 years old.

With me I reckon diabetes takes at least as big a toll as age: glycation stiffens cilia.  The amusing thing is that it affects balance too: on one 1000k I did with a chum I got Shermer's neck and couldn't keep my head up enough, and looking straight down at the road didn't provide enough visual clues to establish a horizon.  I managed OK by heaving it up far enough for a glance forward every 20-30 seconds, but going up steep hills in the dark was unpleasant.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 06 February, 2023, 01:24:17 pm
Lurghi over Christmas seems to have left me with occasional spells of lightheadedness/dizziness. Also, right eye seems drier and more prone to lack of focus than normal. I've taken the sudafed and beconase to no great effect, and had my ears de-gunged. Back to the Drs I go. It's worse if I exercise as well, meaning I've been avoiding the bike and the gym. :(
Also, bench pressing on the couple of times I did go to the gym this year has caused the return of costochronitis (or something similar). :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 February, 2023, 10:37:05 pm
I have had acute sinusitis since 17th January. On the third round of antibiotics Clarithromycin. NExt step is "hot" ENT referral (2 weeks to be seen) cos their "usual" waiting list is 2 years long.

GPs have been absolutely brilliant - it feels like each one of them is working with me to 'do our best' with my damaged anatomy and an unusually persistent-even-for-me infection.

I would like the vertigo to fuck the fuck off. Probably triggered by the infection (my middle ear feels wrong). today I've had tremors and issues with my vision where I could not read certain text on the work system (an urgent and complicated issue) so I had to copy paste it out into Word, use Atkinson Hyperlegible (visual impairment font), green background AND my blue lenses. It seems that clarithromycin has dizzness as a common side effect and visual issues and tremors as uncommon ones.

I am due an eye test, but don't want to get the test till my sinuses are behaving as I suspect they'll affect the outcome.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 February, 2023, 09:34:52 am
Sounds bloody awful. Sympathies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 24 February, 2023, 06:41:01 pm
I really hope you feel better soon barakta.
Just to update my latest status, I have been diagnosed with asthma and have been given a brown inhaler which I take 1 in the morning and 1in the evening. I have sinus issues although they seem to be less severe and I am no longer wheezing at night so I call that a win  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 February, 2023, 12:50:55 pm
Cautious optimism. Finished Clarithromycin at midnight last night... Still not 100% but it can take a few weeks for full improvement. I do at least not have the "feel worse on last 2 days" like I did with penicillin.

Hope the brown inhaler helps Cycleman and that your sinuses improve - do you get hayfever?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 February, 2023, 07:14:39 pm
I've had runny sinuses for years but have never been able to find any matches with pollen or known alligens .. I wonder if there might be a link to air pollution as I am on the east end of slough and the prevailing wind is from the west 🤔
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 February, 2023, 08:05:35 pm
Sinuses are awful things. What are they actually for, apart from getting infected, giving you a chronic headache and snotting all over your face?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 February, 2023, 09:13:29 pm
Reduce the weight of your face as they are air-filled
Keep inside of nose moist, to humidify inspired air
Improving the quality of vocal output is secondary, I suppose.

I fortunately get little grief from my sinuses so might be biased!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 February, 2023, 09:23:31 pm
Reduce the weight of your face as they are air-filled
Drillium for the skull – that's real weight-weeny talk!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 February, 2023, 09:37:34 pm
A hefty head is a pain in the neck, as any helmet wearer know...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 27 February, 2023, 02:43:18 pm
https://www.thecut.com/article/weight-loss-ozempic.html


A long piece on the use (abuse?) of semaglutides intended to treat diabetes for weight loss instead. 


"The street finds it's own use for things."  William Gibson.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 February, 2023, 03:02:06 pm
https://www.thecut.com/article/weight-loss-ozempic.html

I understood all the words, but it's like the article was written by someone on another planet...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 27 February, 2023, 03:21:59 pm
https://www.thecut.com/article/weight-loss-ozempic.html

I understood all the words, but it's like the article was written by someone on another planet...

Too many cooks?

Quote
Photographs by Pierpaolo Ferrari and Maurizio Cattelan
Creative direction: Pierpaolo Ferrari and Maurizio Cattelan
Art Director Assistant: Adriano Trentacosti
Set designer: Michela Natella
Ghost photographer: Alberto Zanetti
Photo assistant: Tommaso Fenu
Digital: Silvano Banfi
Food stylist: Emanuela Tediosi
Creative producer: Stefania Biliato
Assistant producer: Fjoralba Murati
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 27 February, 2023, 03:32:35 pm
I think it's written in a world where people aspire to be "social X-rays" to quote Tom Wolfe.      I note that some of them are now having plastic surgery to tighten up the folds & wrinkles caused by their sudden weight loss.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 February, 2023, 03:41:40 pm
AIUI Ozempic for weight loss is Wegovy for diabetes slightly reformulated and highly remarketed, so it's in effect already an officially promoted abuse, IYSWIM, of a drug made for something else. But it wanted me to start a subscription – "You've reached your monthly article limit" – so I haven't actually read the article.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 27 February, 2023, 05:02:22 pm
“The appeal of an effortless, near-instant fix proved irresistible to many”

What that woman is doing does not sound effortless and near instant.  It just describes someone who has a poor relationship with food and body image; who then digs the hole deeper.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 February, 2023, 05:26:55 pm
Reduce the weight of your face as they are air-filled
Keep inside of nose moist, to humidify inspired air
Improving the quality of vocal output is secondary, I suppose.

I fortunately get little grief from my sinuses so might be biased!

I was feeling surprisingly good Fri-Sun. Finished clarithromycin on Friday night.

Today I feel like shit.

Can't tell if this is a migraine or the sinuses rebounding with fail. Not impressed at all!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 27 February, 2023, 05:46:31 pm
Oh no.  Another friend had a bad case of Sinusitis recently. He said he felt like he’d been repeatedly punched in the face.  Sounds horrible.
GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 February, 2023, 05:53:10 pm
Yeah, I have that post-punch feeling. It has been easing off this week but seems to be back. Will give it a day or two to see if this is just a bad day and go back to GP if unsure.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 February, 2023, 07:02:51 pm
I really hope this settles PDQ barakta!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 February, 2023, 02:02:28 pm
I had such a vicious attack of cramp in my right calf last night that I am limping today. It feels a bit like my torn calf muscle of about 7 years ago, but not so bad and in the other leg.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 February, 2023, 02:15:34 pm
I've had that way too often. Screaming pain. But not for a year or so. If I knew what had changed, I would tell you, though there's no saying that your cause would be the same.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: JenM on 28 February, 2023, 02:36:33 pm
Quote
I had such a vicious attack of cramp in my right calf last night that I am limping today. It feels a bit like my torn calf muscle of about 7 years ago, but not so bad and in the other leg.

I cycled past that roundabout a week or so ago - I thought of you at the time. Hope your leg improves.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 February, 2023, 05:05:26 pm
Speaking of legs: in 2006 I did the UAF version of PBP, and on a supposed recovery ride a week later I managed to tear my left quad.  It rarely bothered me even on the 1000k+ rides I did since, but in the last couple of years a ride in cold weather is sure to bring back the pain.  I noticed last night that while the right quad is smooth top to knee, the left one feels like a hilly landscape.  Not a good feeling, that.  Doc told me years ago that it might smooth out at bit with time, but the ends will never reunite.

Take it easy, Wow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 01 March, 2023, 09:25:52 am
The physio says I can go in a swimming pool "when the scar is pink and shiny". No outdoor swimming till April.
What does Thee Panel Think??

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 March, 2023, 09:46:09 am
I would give that a little bit longer.

It looks still a little raw.

Swimming pools are cesspits. You really don't want an infection in there.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 01 March, 2023, 12:14:42 pm
Go swim when you are ready but outdoor swimming in the UK ain't a thing to do while the tories are keen on flooding the waters with poop over profit
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 01 March, 2023, 01:22:18 pm
I would wait a bit - that looks purple not pink
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 01 March, 2023, 01:45:36 pm
If you put a dry dressing on it or a clean hankie, do you get any discharge onto the hankie?
If not the wound is sealed.
People seem to think wounds need days to weeks. Actually the wound is watertight within 30 minutes.

If you are worried get some waterproof dressings from the chemist.  Go swim

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 01 March, 2023, 02:01:53 pm
Barakta was in the hydro pool as soon as her morphine levels precluded falling asleep mid sentence and drowning (so maybe a week or so after she was discharged).  Those posh unobtanium waterproof dressings are amazing, and managed to contain ooze without taking on pool water.  I may have secreted some away for times of road rash...

I don't judge these things using colour vision, but I'd say that looks well beyond the leaky stage.

As for swimming pools being cesspits, at least they're chlorinated cesspits.  Have you seen what's been happening to BRITISH waterways recently?   :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 01 March, 2023, 02:52:40 pm
If you put a dry dressing on it or a clean hankie, do you get any discharge onto the hankie?
If not the wound is sealed.
People seem to think wounds need days to weeks. Actually the wound is watertight within 30 minutes.
If you are worried get some waterproof dressings from the chemist.  Go swim

… which reminds me of the nurse's advice I ignored.

Had scalp cysts removed.
Stitches removed after a week.
Told not to wash my hair for another week…

Couldn't see how this could be a problem under a shower immediately but waited until evening for convenience.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 01 March, 2023, 03:21:59 pm
I like the surgeon's advice best. There is no seepage at all. Just need to check the pool entry- I won't manage steps in the wall.
I've been semi-regularly swimming at all 3 local pools- Stanley, Consett and Durham but can't remember which has which steps.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 01 March, 2023, 04:13:48 pm
Many pools now have disabled seat access
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 01 March, 2023, 05:14:34 pm
I've never needed to know so have not really noticed. I think there's steps out in the wilds but the City serves the Uni so has assumptions of fitness, except for special occasions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 March, 2023, 07:58:35 pm
I'd expect a uni pool to have basic disability access by now. It can be worth asking maybe by phone about hoist access which is how I got into the pool until about 4 months post-op due to weightbearing limitations.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 01 March, 2023, 11:17:35 pm
It's not a Uni pool, it's a council pool in a massively Uni dominated town. It also has expensive parking.
I'm going to Consett, as I remembered how annoying it was that the stairs to get in stopped you turning effectively at that end of the lane.

I'm a bit nervous that it will be almost as disappointing as riding a bike/using the loo /sitting at a table were, in terms of the pain afterwards vs the joy of independence and a return to normality.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 March, 2023, 12:30:58 pm
The posh way to do it is to have a corner of the pool with a movable floor, so you get to re-enact the end of Terminator 2 in slow motion on the way in, and freeze to death on the way out.  This is an expensive retrofit, so is more likely to be a feature of a newish pool.

The more common approach is a sort of ducking stool arrangement, which like all good disability equipment can be wheeled out of the way and forgotten about when not in use.  Bonus points for fucked batteries and the one member of staff trained on its use not being in that day.

If the pool hosts regular sessions for some sort of disability swimming group, that's a good sign they'll have something and know how to use it.

If you're currently on crutches, they may require you to use a wheelchair-shaped-object (they've likely got one that they've wheeled out of the way and forgotten about) at the poolside.  Crutches don't react well to wet floors.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 02 March, 2023, 03:51:38 pm
Swimming: success.

Fortunately I can't do breast stroke as that isn't allowed. It was quiet (apart from the 40 women of a certain age doing aquafit in the small pool) so I did the swimming equivalent of a bimble up and down for half an hour. I thought I'd be out again in 10 minutes but it was absolutely fine.
I'm on 2 sticks as much for confidence as anything else but you are correct, Kim, they do not interact nicely with wet floors. The out of the pool bit was much more difficult than the swimming part.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 02 March, 2023, 04:37:06 pm
Pleased to hear that went well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 March, 2023, 05:43:56 pm
One of the features of barakta's many hydrotherapy sessions was occasionally watching the staff drop whatever they were doing[1] and go into intercept mode whenever it looked like someone with crutches might be heading towards the pool.  They had an array of walking frames on standby, as well as the detachable chair for their (inferior, manually-cranked) ducking stool, and staunchly encouraged people to use them.


[1] Unless it was a patient.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 02 March, 2023, 05:52:53 pm
Glad the pool went well, hope you don't get delayed "ouchies" and are able to find this as a way to start to rebuild strength etc.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 March, 2023, 07:18:36 pm
I went to the dentist's this afternoon for a filling on a tooth. But when I sat in the chair I realised that she was intending to fill a wisdom tooth that her predecessor wrote off several years ago as unfillable, given that there was so little real tooth left to attach a filling to. So I declined the invitation to have it filled. It's been crumbling away for years and so far hasn't given me any pain so we'll eave it as it is. Dog knows how much she would have charged me for a massive filling of that monolith.

The other piece of info I gleaned was that if I ever do need an extraction, it will have to be under general anaesthetic as I was on alendronic acid for so long (about 8 years) that my teeth must be well and truly welded to my jaw bones now. It seems that the welding-in effect never wears off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 18 March, 2023, 08:14:55 pm
About a month & a half ago I began to feel some discomfort.  Mild pain in my right hand side,  occasionally spreading to the lower back and on a few occasions up to the right shoulder.  A feeling of something being swollen.  Googling suggested gallstones,  the GP agreed when I filled in an online form & spoke to him on the phone.   Blood tests & an ultrasound scan were arranged. 


There was a 2 week wait for the bloods, which shocked me.  It's never taken that long before.  Results were on the NHS app the next day, together with a SMS from the GP saying nothing wrong, bar slightly high cholesterol. 


By this time all of the pain & discomfort had gone.


The 1st ultrasound appointment appeared to have got lost in the post.  I rearranged it for today.  The woman doing it was very thorough, but couldn't find the pre-existing polyps* in my gallbladder until a colleague pointed them out.  Nothing else looked out of the ordinary.


SMS from the GP later today.  Slight fat infiltration of the liver,  losing weight was suggested.... Given my vino consumption it's reassuring to know it's still there!


* These were spotted several years ago after a previous episode of discomfort.  I was on annual scans up to 2020 after which they said nothing was changing so it was a waste of time.  Being 2020 I suspect they had other stuff to deal with...   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 18 March, 2023, 08:18:53 pm
Gallstones would have been a bit more than slight discomfort. Well, fucking agony is closer to the mark. This I know…
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 18 March, 2023, 08:34:26 pm
I've had one episode which had me rolling around the floor in agony & contemplating A&E.  Fatty lamb chops I think.     This was nothing like that,  a dull ache around the side & mild pain up towards the shoulder.  However she had a good scan around  & couldn't see anything that worried her. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 18 March, 2023, 08:43:58 pm
I dunno, I have had the severe pain version which GP told me to medicate with codeine and diclofenac which cleared up after 2-3 days but got infected after and needed antibiotics. Had to eat a low fat diet for a while to avoid annoying it. I was on a next-week scan which came through 5 weeks later, no stones to be found anywhere.

On Friday I got severe nausea which I blatted with epic anti-emetics which I think may be gall-bladderous nonsense again. As long as I kept the antiemetics up it's been "ok". Stopped eating and went to clear fluids for 24hrs as well. Just about been able to eat without topping up the antiemetics. Hoping to avoid GPs as I expect it wouldn't be useful unless persistent and not self-improving.

I have a strong family history, especially maternal side (which is apparently higher risk factor), for gallbladder nonsense.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 18 March, 2023, 08:51:49 pm
"went to clear fluids for 24hrs"

White wine or gin ?   Hope you feel better soon. ;) :-*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 18 March, 2023, 09:26:30 pm
Gallstones would have been a bit more than slight discomfort. Well, fucking agony is closer to the mark. This I know…

But may not rate that highly on your personal pain scale.  This I also know.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 18 March, 2023, 09:42:21 pm
People treat pain & discomfort differently.  I had a minor op done under local anaesthetic. The surgeon & nurses seemed very surprised at how indifferent I was to the discomfort* (surgeon said it was at the limit of what he’d do under local).  They were horrified when I said I was walking to the station for the train home!


Kim was kind enough to change the dressing a few days later. 


*for a long time my main, none cycling hobby involved being punched, kicked & slammed into a mat, whilst wearing white pyjamas…
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 18 March, 2023, 09:44:28 pm
Indeed.  Unfortunately, not all of the medics have got the memo, and may consequently miss gallstones if you neglect to scream.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 20 March, 2023, 12:33:44 am
Storage isn't that expensive.

It is when
It's on dedicated nodes on a dedicated network with extra security layers and is replicated on 2 or 3 sites and has multiple layers before you get to backups.

3 grand a gigabyte is a number I remember from a good few years ago.

That said it almost certainly will have stored all your results, it's just not in the access system, medical record have to be retained for a certain period somewhere between 7 years and 7 years after deth.

When we decommission servers the data gets frozen in storage rather than wiped.

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tom_e on 20 March, 2023, 04:51:21 pm
Indeed.  Unfortunately, not all of the medics have got the memo, and may consequently miss gallstones if you neglect to scream.

We experienced similar from midwives. 

I came to the conclusion they don't listen to the words said by the woman or partner at all.  They only listen to the tone of voice.  mrs_e or me calmly talking to them was not a concern, to the extent that mini_1 was born without any midwives in the delivery room at all.

To be fair, they followed the rule themselves - when I nipped out to the desk and told them "The baby is out", then quickly turned to go back in the room, the midwife made some alarmed noises.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 March, 2023, 05:12:35 pm
Indeed.  Unfortunately, not all of the medics have got the memo, and may consequently miss gallstones if you neglect to scream.

MrsT diagnosed her own gallstones after gastropod and cardiologist had failed in their respective diagnoses of appendicitis and heart attack. That "oh yes, right enough..." moment. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 20 March, 2023, 05:50:41 pm
The gastropod later informed me that my symptoms were absolutely classic, apart from the lack of screaming that caused them to be misdiagnosed as a panic attack and musculoskeletal pain respectively.  It was only once the symptoms became advanced enough that they started suspecting pancreatitis that they started to pay attention to the right bits of anatomy (and only then after a magical mystery tour of the lower abdomen).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 March, 2023, 01:34:55 am
My autonomic nervous system is a bastard. I am back on the amitriptyline as the sinus-nonsense has triggered episodic vertigo (a known trigger for me) which is tipping into autonomic badness. I had been giving it 4 weeks to clear and thought it was improving, but it clearly is not improving.

My hip physio last week was alarmed at how much I was keeling over sideways. The balance nonsense and falls is preventing me doing the physio I need to do cos it's just not safe.

I've got an exciting new symptom of weird tremor feeling like I'm sat on a bus with an especially rumbling engine on top of pounding heartrate, and the rest of it.

6 weeks and we'll see if that calms things down enough to get my sodding brain to retrain itself. Reason 3579360 that I don't want fucking Covid, sinusitis from hell was bad enough.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 March, 2023, 11:17:20 am
Gahh, that sounds horrendous, barakta.  My sense of balance is pretty bloody shot but not to the extent of vertigo.  Sympathies.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 March, 2023, 11:32:27 am
Meanwhile, I am galumphing back from my annual cardiac/coronary checkup (echography + stress test).  All's well, apart from a couple of too-shallow ST slopes that my cardiologist called "insignificant" (and which might be ascribed to the 60 mg of caffeine in my coffee this morning). So that's me cleared to ride for another year.

On the down side, the cardiologist is retiring on Friday. We've known each other for the last 30 years, since he treated the Inlaw Paw before me. Good bloke.  Rueful fist-bumps in the doorway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 06 April, 2023, 04:46:28 pm
Just booked my wife’s Covid booster. It’s 4 miles away - but in a small town (pop 16,000) pharmacy, as nowhere in the (also 4 miles away) County town of 65, 000 was offering them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 April, 2023, 05:49:14 pm
For some unknown reason developed significant tiredness and the runs in the last 24 hours.  Really annoying
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 07 April, 2023, 07:25:03 am
Now feeling awful. Had the electric blanket on all night I was so cold. More runs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 April, 2023, 07:50:17 am
GWS, Chris. Hope it'll bugger off sharpish.

Meanwhile, I've not been very perky and I have that vague ill-defined ache in the lower storey that suggests prostatitis.  Or maybe last week's saddle-fettling would best be reversed. Or both.

Of course, this being Alsace, Good Friday is a holiday and the GP won't be on again until Tuesday, when he'll be taken by storm by folk wanting a few days off work to deal with their hangovers and dodgy livers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 April, 2023, 09:37:14 am
Now in emergency department being rehydrated, anti-emetic and then antibiotics and home hopefully. Very efficient. Bloods. Done and can upset very quickly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 08 April, 2023, 09:38:13 am
GWS Chris
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 08 April, 2023, 10:53:01 am
That sounds unpleasant & alarming.  Hope all is OK.  GWS Chris.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 April, 2023, 10:58:54 am
Thank you. My very sensible wife insisted thankfully. The initial triage was excellent but very slow to see the doctor.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 April, 2023, 02:15:45 pm
Ugh, that sounds like Type 3 fun.  GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 April, 2023, 05:21:42 pm
Thank you. My very sensible wife insisted thankfully. The initial triage was excellent but very slow to see the doctor.

Glad you have a sensible wife, it is very hard I know for doctors to know when you're sick enough to go to another doctor if Medic Twitter is anything to go by.

Hope all of that treatment does the trick and you recover soonest!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 April, 2023, 07:31:13 am
Thank you. Feeling somewhat better this morning although still some way to go.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 April, 2023, 08:56:26 am
Thank you. My very sensible wife insisted thankfully. The initial triage was excellent but very slow to see the doctor.

Glad you're being looked after.  "Triage" sounds grim.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 09 April, 2023, 09:04:25 am
Thank you. Feeling somewhat better this morning although still some way to go.
Good to hear.
Take time to fully heal yourself - there's a temptation to fool yourself into 'feeling well enough'
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 April, 2023, 10:46:57 am
Crikey! Just seen this. GWS Chris!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 April, 2023, 07:37:32 pm
That feeling of joy when sat on the toilet and finally nothing comes out!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 April, 2023, 07:53:08 pm
If something came out of the toilet when I was sitting on it I think I might be somewhat alarmed...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 April, 2023, 10:40:34 pm
Nice one Wow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 09 April, 2023, 10:57:23 pm
Pretty sure it would be surprised too, Wow ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 April, 2023, 08:50:11 am
If something came out of the toilet when I was sitting on it I think I might be somewhat alarmed...

Florida man somewhat alarmed in toilet by...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 April, 2023, 04:21:39 pm
Can do a set of seven chin-ups now on the road to my eventual goal of 20.  It was 2 or 3 a fortnight ago.  They are incredibly hard if you're <cough> still over 13 stones.  Mind you, they are unlikely to be of much benefit in losing weight, since my shoulders are now sufficiently large that my arms hang funny  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 April, 2023, 05:43:57 pm
Fed up with ill health.

Hit on shoulder by branch weeks back - can't do any of my normal exercises.

Caught bug from grandchild last week - now in post-viral malaise. Exhausted after the most trivial of exercise.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 22 April, 2023, 08:34:02 am
I've been getting increasingly worse & frequent episodes of vertigo.

Contacted the GP on Thursday. Got a phone consultation Friday lunchtime. He asked to see me at 5pm that same day. I went expecting to get an ENT referral.
He did the diagnostic eye test and then the Epley Manoeuvre there and then.
Ace service from our GP

I haven't had the instant relief that I got last time it was done years ago. In fact I spent the evening feeling bloody dreadful with nausea and headache - almost certainly due to my brain readjusting to having normal balance receptors again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 April, 2023, 03:01:30 pm
Hope today is going better so far vertigowise!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 April, 2023, 03:51:12 pm
That is interesting that you can fix it yourself at home.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 23 April, 2023, 08:21:46 am
That is interesting that you can fix it yourself at home.
There's a few YouTube videos of DIY Epley - I've never had any luck with manipulating my own head. I'm sure there's a knack to it, I just ain't got it!

I think it might have worked - I still felt queezy yesterday but played a couple of games of Pétanque OK. The bonus was getting out of bed in the night and not crashing into the radiator!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 April, 2023, 07:13:42 am
Just got the results of yesterday's blood test, looking for signs of dodgy prostate/prostatitis. All OK, leucocyte & CRP levels generally reassuring. So why the low-level ache in my perineum, even after 4 days without cycling? The public deserve to no they bloody don't.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 May, 2023, 07:14:15 am
Utterly fed up with being ill. It's been 3 weeks now. Still occasionally coughing up lumps. Utter dragging exhaustion if I try exercise.

Oh well, at least I have an Ultrasound booked for borked shoulder.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 01 May, 2023, 08:14:06 am
Side effect of the above mentioned Epley Manoeuvre on my head:

I woke up at about 5am a couple of days ago thinking 'this is a bit odd' - it took me a moment or two to work out that there was..... silence.

The Tinnitus that had been steadily getting more and more troublesome had magically gone.
It's stayed mostly gone since, and when it's been audible it's been at a higher pitch and much quieter.

There does seem to be a loose relationship between BPPV and tinnitus, so there's an explanation.
Bonus!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 01 May, 2023, 08:15:31 am
Utterly fed up with being ill. It's been 3 weeks now. Still occasionally coughing up lumps. Utter dragging exhaustion if I try exercise.

Oh well, at least I have an Ultrasound booked for borked shoulder.
That sounds grim.
Could it be a chest infection that needs a blast of antibiotic treatment?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 May, 2023, 08:18:16 am
Utterly fed up with being ill. It's been 3 weeks now. Still occasionally coughing up lumps. Utter dragging exhaustion if I try exercise.

Oh well, at least I have an Ultrasound booked for borked shoulder.
That sounds grim.
Could it be a chest infection that needs a blast of antibiotic treatment?
I seem to lapse into this state every time I get a minor virus. Been this way since the last time I had covid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 May, 2023, 10:59:47 am
Immune system over-reaction?  I envisage the immune system as a vast army controlled by a self-taught AI with a few bugs and a tendency to refight the last war.

Meanwhile, my hangdog perineal pain took enough time off on Saturday for me to do 6 hours on the bike in comfort. Still feels OK, too. Puzzled.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 May, 2023, 06:28:38 pm
Bugger, bugger and thrice bugger!

I've been feeling rather achy today, and I put that down to overexertion at my Stoutness Exercises yesterday morning. But the achyness has increased and I've developed a cough. I have just tested negative for covid.

I'm hoping I recover soon: I'm missing out on tonight's choir practice but I hope I'm OK for the concert on Saturday. Beethoven Mass in C - postponed from April 2020, which was the 250th anniversary of his birth, and J. S. Bach's "Jesu, meine Freude".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 May, 2023, 07:39:56 pm
LFTs aren't that accurate for the current variants of Covid, often needing quite a high viral load before they go off if at all.

I think it's only wise for any of us with "possible Covid" symptoms to assume it 'may be Covid' and treat it accordingly for ourselves (rest rest rest and don't fuck about if you need medical support) and don't spread the damned thing.

Hope you are mildly affected by whatever it is, it fucks off soonest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 May, 2023, 09:12:13 pm
LFTs aren't that accurate for the current variants of Covid, often needing quite a high viral load before they go off if at all.
Do you have the reference for this?  I am struggling to find source data for it.  The second half of the statement has always been true relative to PCR but I am not aware that it has changed significantly. 

I know there are a lot of people getting bad colds with negative LFD tests and these may be Covid or they may just be a bad cold.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 May, 2023, 09:21:29 pm
On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being at death's door and 10 being tickety-boo, I'd say I'm probably a 7. I feel "a bit rough". I'm mildly achy and I have an intermittent cough. My throat isn't very sore, but it is a bit uncomfortable. I also have arthritis symptoms, the first time for quite a while, but I did eat Too Much Ice Cream over the weekend and I and sure that dairy is not good for the joints, or my joints, I should say.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 09 May, 2023, 09:21:56 pm
LFTs aren't that accurate for the current variants of Covid, often needing quite a high viral load before they go off if at all.
Do you have the reference for this?  I am struggling to find source data for it.  The second half of the statement has always been true relative to PCR but I am not aware that it has changed significantly. 
I know there are a lot of people getting bad colds with negative LFD tests and these may be Covid or they may just be a bad cold.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/234154/lateral-flow-tests-missing-substantial-number/ (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/234154/lateral-flow-tests-missing-substantial-number/)

The groundswell from my medical Twitter friends is very much the same as barakta's quoted asertion.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 May, 2023, 10:34:06 pm
No. That is not the question. That study is from 2022 and does not relate to the newer variations but as has always been the case discusses the efficacy of the LFDs over the whole time scale. It is also part of the altSAGE grouping.
I am happy to accept that it is anecdata but we do the truth no good at all when we push stories that are not substantiated.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 May, 2023, 11:21:22 pm
GOV.UK suggests it can take p to 4 days after symptoms start for LFTs to show Covid positivity. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lateral-flow-device-performance-data/performance-of-lateral-flow-devices-during-the-covid-19-pandemic)

It doesn't seem to specify that the latest variants are less detectable, so I may have been wrong there, but like Helly says, Medic Twitter seems to be saying pretty much.

Regardless, it would be nice if people stayed the feck at home with their Whatever It Is Lurgy and took steps not to spread it if at all possible... My boss has come into work twice now with "just a cold" that turned out to be Covid n days later which is one reason I'm staying the feck away.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 May, 2023, 06:59:27 am
GOV.UK suggests it can take p to 4 days after symptoms start for LFTs to show Covid positivity. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lateral-flow-device-performance-data/performance-of-lateral-flow-devices-during-the-covid-19-pandemic)

It doesn't seem to specify that the latest variants are less detectable, so I may have been wrong there, but like Helly says, Medic Twitter seems to be saying pretty much.

Regardless, it would be nice if people stayed the feck at home with their Whatever It Is Lurgy and took steps not to spread it if at all possible... My boss has come into work twice now with "just a cold" that turned out to be Covid n days later which is one reason I'm staying the feck away.

Yesterday I had to sit through compulsory training videos.

One of which was about health and safety at work.

Pleasingly, it told people to stay away from the office if ill, and to wash hands.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 May, 2023, 07:28:29 am
Thank you but we agree there is no evidence that they are less able to detect the newer strains.
We should expect that vaccinated people will have lower viral loads, plus the increasing socialisation means multiple other viruses are around and spreading quickly in what is now a “naive” population. This all adds up to a lower pre-test probability of being positive and lower positive rates.
If we the supposedly sensible and honest do not police ourselves in what we say we give Laurence Fox and his allies an open goal.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 10 May, 2023, 08:16:09 am
The story about LFTs being unable or less able to detect the whatever the variant du jour is have been around since the beginning (remember that the initial story from some – fed by the usual suspects – was that LFTs were ineffective).They have proven to be consistently effective within the expected bounds of performance. All the ones I know about use polyclonal IgG antibodies that recognise a range of epitopes on the spike protein. As such it's far less sensitive to mutational changes than PCR (which relies on small regions of nucleic acid in which changes can have significant effects – this is why the standard PCR assay looks at three regions, and indeed, drops in binding efficiency have help track variants – there are QC processes and internal controls to monitor this).

LFTs are, of course, less sensitive; but counter to that PCR is in some circumstances oversensitive, detecting viral RNA long after infection (leading to those frothy 'omg, covid found in brain' stories, because yes, that's what happens post-viral infection, all that degraded viral nucleic acid from lysed and dying cells floats around in your blood and lymph, larger pieces removed through antibody binding and phagocytosis, the rest slowly degrading – there's no specific extracellular pathway to remove nucleic acid – till you piss it out, which may take days to weeks depending on initial viral load.

As Chris says, disputing known things isn't helpful, this is why I rag on Independent Sage who have driven a good degree of this misinformation (not to helped to politicised this amongst their many social media followers), and indeed, this approach drives counter misinformation all the way through to anti-vax propaganda. They should – but won't – take some responsibility for this.

The test works, and the sensible assumption, which is also known is that there isn't a lot of covid circulating so a negative test probably means you don't have covid. Everyone in the UK has significant and broad immunity through vaccine and exposure and it seems the virus has already exploited much of its ability to evade that immunity. There are, as there has always been, many other viruses which have, of course, taken the opportunity to spread again.

As ever sensible advice to avoid people and take time off work if ill, but we really ought to bear in mind (another unlearned lesson from the lockdown era where modestly affluent middle-class people made a virtue of outsourcing their risk to delivery drivers and the like), that the luxury of taking a week or two off work is just that for many people.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 10 May, 2023, 08:23:11 am
One thing lockdown has done, in our office at least, is make it 'OK' to work from home if you're ill. I'm not sure I'm OK with this, if you're ill, you're ill, and you shouldn't be working. It's easy for me to say that, though, because as senior management (hollow laughter) I get full pay for sick time. My underlings get nothing for the first 3 days then SSP. Historically they used to use their holiday allowance. I flexed my management discretion as often as possible to make it authorised leave on full pay but I shouldn't have had to.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 May, 2023, 12:58:21 pm
Yes, the issue with LFTs was always that they were good at telling you you do have COVID, and bad at telling you that you don't.  Which was fine until we started misusing them as a diagnostic test, rather than a practical way to do mass screening.

But ultimately, in terms of spreading infection at least, it doesn't matter that much whether it's COVID or some other lurgy.  You should keep it to yourself, and your employers/school won't allow you to.  'twas ever thus.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 May, 2023, 01:18:36 pm
GOV.UK suggests it can take p to 4 days after symptoms start for LFTs to show Covid positivity. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lateral-flow-device-performance-data/performance-of-lateral-flow-devices-during-the-covid-19-pandemic)

It doesn't seem to specify that the latest variants are less detectable, so I may have been wrong there, but like Helly says, Medic Twitter seems to be saying pretty much.

Regardless, it would be nice if people stayed the feck at home with their Whatever It Is Lurgy and took steps not to spread it if at all possible... My boss has come into work twice now with "just a cold" that turned out to be Covid n days later which is one reason I'm staying the feck away.

Yesterday I had to sit through compulsory training videos.

One of which was about health and safety at work.

Pleasingly, it told people to stay away from the office if ill, and to wash hands.
On the recent Not the Coronation camping weekend, we went to the local pub, which was Quite Posh and not cheap. The toilets were Quite Posh too – no marble or gold taps, but an acre of floor between urinals and wash basins, which were approximately equal in number. In there, I saw a man do something which seemed so remarkable, it was worth telling; he washed his hands. And he hadn't even had a shit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 May, 2023, 04:09:35 pm
Class has always been an issue with being able "to be sick" with risk of no pay or worse being struck off. Even in "middle class jobs" T&Cs are dropping this last 15 years of Tory rule and I've narrowly avoided losing jobs over unavoidable disability-worsened sickness more than once.

I know too many other disabled people left with permanent worsening of their conditions after Covid to take the risk. I would be happier if we invested in ventilation systems and public health, and research into Long Covid but we haven't, so I continue to mask indoors around other humans. A choice I still get to make at present cos I can't fight anyone's battles or manage anyone's health but my own.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 May, 2023, 04:48:04 pm
My shoulder hasn't been right since a tree branch hit it (I was taking down a small tree/very large bush). Hit me hard enough to knock me to the ground.

Gave it 6 weeks before seeing the doc, who referred me for an ultrasound.

Verdict a bit vague. They had trouble finding one tendon - it was surrounded by fluid and inflammation. Verbal report "Evidence of a torn tendon, muscle and historic calcification in the shoulder joint".

Seeing a physio on the 22nd.
It is a bugger, getting older. Things take a very long time to heal. Time was, I'd have bounced back from something like this in a week. Not over 2 months.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 May, 2023, 05:14:30 pm
It does sound like a right bugger.  My 2002 shoulder/tendon injuries still give me hell on occasion.  This weekend I felt as if I had toothache under the trapezius.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 10 May, 2023, 08:32:01 pm
Yes, the issue with LFTs was always that they were good at telling you you do have COVID, and bad at telling you that you don't.  Which was fine until we started misusing them as a diagnostic test, rather than a practical way to do mass screening.

But ultimately, in terms of spreading infection at least, it doesn't matter that much whether it's COVID or some other lurgy.  You should keep it to yourself, and your employers/school won't allow you to.  'twas ever thus.

It's the opposite now, the lower the actual prevalence, the less likely a positive result will be accurate. On the other hand, a negative test is very likely to be accurate.

And we should have learned, assiduously avoiding infection maybe isn't a great idea. Sometimes you've got to sniffle.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 May, 2023, 09:46:54 pm
I think most people have accepted now that Covid is in the same class as the common cold, flu and all the other viruses we are exposed to.

I know of almost nobody who wears a mask unless seriously immune deficient even in the hospital.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 May, 2023, 11:20:23 pm
Being friends with many disabled people, I'd say over 50% are still taking precautions, masking indoors around strangers at least some of the time and or using CO2 monitors to identify ventilation. Some of us have a lot to lose or impairments that are likely to go haywire if we get it (or have already experienced that). Quite a few have long covid symptoms either from non-disabled to now severely impaired, or their impairments are much worse than pre 2020.

Don't get me started on hospital transmitted Covid which has happened to a few elderly vulnerable people I know recently (and one died shortly after)...

Maybe we're paranoid, but being able to assume you won't be affected is a huge privilege. Some of us are balancing on a knife edge as it is and with the NHS state it's in (I'm 2 years into waiting for new clinic  migraine care after 4 years of fucking about with a useless clinic as I still don't have an explanation/solution to my severe flicker/light sensitivity issues). Many of us cannot trust that we'll be able to access timely NHS advice/care and cannot afford/access private. If my health worsens by even a bit, I'll struggle to hold down employment and I am deathly scared of being dependent on the DWP to live again, it was shit pre 2007 and is 10x worse now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 10 May, 2023, 11:53:03 pm
Yes, the issue with LFTs was always that they were good at telling you you do have COVID, and bad at telling you that you don't.  Which was fine until we started misusing them as a diagnostic test, rather than a practical way to do mass screening.

But ultimately, in terms of spreading infection at least, it doesn't matter that much whether it's COVID or some other lurgy.  You should keep it to yourself, and your employers/school won't allow you to.  'twas ever thus.

It's the opposite now, the lower the actual prevalence, the less likely a positive result will be accurate. On the other hand, a negative test is very likely to be accurate.

Well yes, but that's just whatever microbiologists call the noise floor.  I suppose it's unintuitive if you're not used to measuring things.


Quote
And we should have learned, assiduously avoiding infection maybe isn't a great idea. Sometimes you've got to sniffle.

And sometimes you can greatly reduce the amount of transmission with simple engineering.  We treat drinking water to reduce the amount of infectious agents people are exposed to, which has generally been considered to be a Good Thing for publich health, and there's no reason we couldn't do the same for the air in many public spaces (other than that nobody important stands to make a shitload of money from doing it).  If COVID has taught us anything, it's that many diseases are more airborne than we like to imagine.

And it's not like we don't need a bit push to retrofit HVAC anyway to reduce carbon emissions, so why not set some standards to mandate a much higher number of air changes, or a sensible amount of filtration while we're at it?  If nothing else, reducing the spread of diseases through hospitals, care homes, and the like would free up some healthcare resources.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 11 May, 2023, 12:22:38 pm
With thanks to Barakta and Kim, I think there’s a lot more nuance required Chris.

We are now at the point that for most healthy people most of the time Covid is non-serious. I don’t think lack of mask wearing demonstrates that though - that’s an artefact of human nature and the information people have received.

We’re at this point as a consequence of a mass rollout of vaccinations and multiple infections. There are still a lot of vulnerable people around and, as with other potential life threatening infections, it behaves us to behave appropriately to protect them too.

Before we got to today’s position, we lost a friend to Covid - he was in his early 50s maybe, I have a (vaccine resistant) colleague who hasn’t worked for 2 years and know another peer who, after 9 months in bed had to downsize her job and income to be able to cope. At the start and the height of it, my wife saw old people discharged from hospital into care settings who were either rushed back to ICU a few days later or who went home, apparently well, and died of strokes etc a few days or weeks later. Anecdotal, but aligned with the evidence and stats we’ve done since.

There is also emerging, but still uncertain, evidence about the impact of repeated infections on some people. That just needs watching of course.

However, whilst for most of us Covid is no longer considered threatening, it remains so for some and I am cautious that we don’t adopt a revisionist approach to history now we, by and large, once again feel safe.

FWIW, part of my day job is to make assessments of how long we expect people to live in the future. At present, Covid itself isn’t weighing in very heavily but the state of the economy and of the NHS means that we have been taking a relatively pessimistic view for the last couple of years and we’re not feeling any better about it this year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 May, 2023, 01:48:20 pm
mike, if by 'non-serious', you mean that the fatality rates are low, then I agree with you.

However, there can be other effects. Since I last had covid (very mild bout), I've been persistently exhausted. One day's moderately strenuous exercise wipes me out. I sometimes get good weeks - but if I'm exposed to any virus, it is straight back to square one. Hesitate to call it CFS, because I've lived with someone with CFS, and I'm nowhere near as bad as they were.
Is it serious? Well, it is affecting my life on a daily basis. There are hundreds and hundreds of thousands affected in this way (I read one estimate of 2 million in the UK alone). I know of one person who has been unable to work since Nov 2022. They are a highly motivated and organised person who is utterly unable to work.
The effect on the uk economy will be huge.  The effect on individuals will vary from 'annoying' (which, tbh, is where I am), to catastrophic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 11 May, 2023, 07:19:30 pm
None of those things are untrue of any other illness, though. We like lives of risk, so we have to balance how we mitigate that. Some people believe riding a bike is beyond of the pale of safety, I'd hazard most people here would disagree. The vast majority of people have made their risk decisions re covid (and vast majority of people have also had covid, which means combined with the vaccine, that's very low risk of any kind of poor outcome). Masking has also failed to pass any reasonable test of effectiveness at a population level.

While some people have been significantly affected, given we've just been through a pandemic that's unsurprising, the massive predicted impacts of long covid have simply (and fortunately) not been realised. Yes, I know, everyone has an anecdote, but normal life has resumed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 11 May, 2023, 10:39:03 pm
mike, if by 'non-serious', you mean that the fatality rates are low, then I agree with you.

However, there can be other effects. Since I last had covid (very mild bout), I've been persistently exhausted. One day's moderately strenuous exercise wipes me out. I sometimes get good weeks - but if I'm exposed to any virus, it is straight back to square one. Hesitate to call it CFS, because I've lived with someone with CFS, and I'm nowhere near as bad as they were.
Is it serious? Well, it is affecting my life on a daily basis. There are hundreds and hundreds of thousands affected in this way (I read one estimate of 2 million in the UK alone). I know of one person who has been unable to work since Nov 2022. They are a highly motivated and organised person who is utterly unable to work.
The effect on the uk economy will be huge.  The effect on individuals will vary from 'annoying' (which, tbh, is where I am), to catastrophic.

Well, by non-serious I was thinking more broadly than just fatality rates and also considering other debilitating impacts. The proportion of infections leaving people debilitated in the medium or long term is now low, but not zero. That’s not saying I don’t have sympathy or care - I was trying to bring a bit more nuance to Chris’ fairly bald statement - and the effects on individuals can be catastrophic of course.

If I look at my own workplace, where we have a wide range of ages and everyone is back to going out (if not to the office!) we lose far far more time/productivity to mental health challenges than to Covid. This is a real concern now - it’s becoming increasingly difficult to plan how to deliver client work from week. I’m not blaming the staff and we try to adjust and accommodate of course, but I do wonder what we’ve done to our children and society to create the epidemic  of mental health problems we so clearly are facing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 May, 2023, 11:21:37 pm
None of those things are untrue of any other illness, though.

That's my point.  Vaccines and immunity do nothing to mitigate the next one, or all the other infectious diseases that never went away.  Engineering solutions can.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 May, 2023, 11:24:36 pm
I do wonder what we’ve done to our children and society to create the epidemic of mental health problems we so clearly are facing.

Surely that's obvious...  *gestures around in exasperation*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 12 May, 2023, 06:43:06 am
I do wonder what we’ve done to our children and society to create the epidemic of mental health problems we so clearly are facing.

Surely that's obvious...  *gestures around in exasperation*

I think some of it is and we all take a, probably similar, view but I remain cautious about ‘obvious’ as it can be too simplistic. Appreciating that you’re thinking isn’t simplistic.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 May, 2023, 12:42:29 pm
What is long covid?  We have been through the most stressful population level event most of us will ever see. We would expect to see after the event a whole range of events ranging from severe medical side effects to minor stress related problems of a psychosomatic nature.

Note I am not saying these are not real but rather the impact of the psyche on the soma.  TATT (tired all the time) is probably the commonest single entry I have seen in GP records over the last 20 years of reviewing GP records.

Therefore tiredness has just been given a new name. 

as Ian has said the circulating level of Covid is now low.  There were certainly killer viruses circulating before Covid so what did people do prior to covid.

As to increasing ventilation, etc.  Why? People spend half their time asking us to reduce heating, seal our houses, etc for energy efficiency and then open them up and use large amounts of electricity to ventilate them.  Exposure to viruses is GOOD for us.  there is now unequivocal evidence that you should feed your baby peanuts as you wean.  You should buy a dog simply to have dog hair, mites, faeces around your house to increase exposure and you should let children eat mud as it is good for them.  Reducing exposure to viruses is the last thing we should do for population health
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2023, 12:44:13 pm
I do wonder what we’ve done to our children and society to create the epidemic of mental health problems we so clearly are facing.

Surely that's obvious...  *gestures around in exasperation*

I think some of it is and we all take a, probably similar, view but I remain cautious about ‘obvious’ as it can be too simplistic. Appreciating that you’re thinking isn’t simplistic.

Indeed.  The usual simplistic view is that it's the smartphones[1] damaging young people's mental health.  Rather than, say, lack of housing and financial security.  Or the overwhelming pressure to secure the right qualifications.  Or the prospect of growing up in an increasingly authoritarian society.  Or lack of social mobility.  Or being targeted by exploitative marketing practices.  Or lack of access to healthcare.  Or that UN report on LGBT discrimination referenced in another thread.  Or rivers full of sewage.  Or having their EU citizenship revoked.  Or just being acutely aware of how little our society actually values young people.  To say nothing of an overwhelming consensus on climate change which those in positions of power (everyone from their parents to Joe Biden) are determined to gaslight them into pretending isn't a thing out of business-as-usual self-interest.

Mental health services, such as they are, are mostly a way to prevent us having to fix all that.


[1] Which are obviously against the natural order of things, unlike television, rock music, books or [insert previous moral panic here].
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sojournermike on 12 May, 2023, 01:13:19 pm
I do wonder what we’ve done to our children and society to create the epidemic of mental health problems we so clearly are facing.

Surely that's obvious...  *gestures around in exasperation*

I think some of it is and we all take a, probably similar, view but I remain cautious about ‘obvious’ as it can be too simplistic. Appreciating that you’re thinking isn’t simplistic.

Indeed.  The usual simplistic view is that it's the smartphones[1] damaging young people's mental health.  Rather than, say, lack of housing and financial security.  Or the overwhelming pressure to secure the right qualifications.  Or the prospect of growing up in an increasingly authoritarian society.  Or lack of social mobility.  Or being targeted by exploitative marketing practices.  Or lack of access to healthcare.  Or that UN report on LGBT discrimination referenced in another thread.  Or rivers full of sewage.  Or having their EU citizenship revoked.  Or just being acutely aware of how little our society actually values young people.  To say nothing of an overwhelming consensus on climate change which those in positions of power (everyone from their parents to Joe Biden) are determined to gaslight them into pretending isn't a thing out of business-as-usual self-interest.

Mental health services, such as they are, are mostly a way to prevent us having to fix all that.


[1] Which are obviously against the natural order of things, unlike television, rock music, books or [insert previous moral panic here].


Yep - but all that really isn’t obvious to most people around us.

FWIW - I’m a parent and I don’t pretend the climate crisis isn’t a thing and I know it frightens my children, much as it frightens me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2023, 01:23:24 pm
FWIW - I’m a parent and I don’t pretend the climate crisis isn’t a thing and I know it frightens my children, much as it frightens me.

Yeah, but you're posting on a cycling forum, that pretty much makes you the exception by default.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 12 May, 2023, 01:46:12 pm
Took Chompsky (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=112462.msg2695633#msg2695633) to the vet yesterday for his quarterly manicure. Vet took one look at me in my N95 and immediately offered to put on a mask (I usually have to hold him - Chompsky, not the vet – so we get quite close), which was momentarily awkward as I know how much people hate wearing them, and one can only take gappy crappy masks so seriously anyway. But it's so nice to have someone acknowledge that yes, covid is still a thing, an airbourne thing that can mess with your body in ways scientists are still uncovering, and damned if I'm going to just invite it in when we have enough health issues as it is.

We're extreme outliers when shopping etc., but who cares. My wife is used to stares anyway, from being a tall girl growing up in Sri Lanka where men don't always take kindly to that sort of thing, to years spent getting on a commuter train in our very white neck of the woods.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 12 May, 2023, 01:50:54 pm
Did you take this much care for flu, pre-pandemic? What are you afraid of? I'm not judging, just curious where/ how people's risk assessments have changed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 12 May, 2023, 01:57:17 pm
Covid ain't the flu. I haven't read much of the thread, but this must have come up. I also have a less than robust immune system, as the NHS keeps reminding me with invitations for yet another shot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 May, 2023, 02:08:09 pm
Our club prez has a genius for calling a committee meeting and then, when everyone is seated round the table, apologizing because he has "la crève", which can be anything from a cold to gastroenteritis. He usually gives 3 weeks' notice of meetings so he doesn't do it on purpose, but in the last 20 years I've come away a couple of times with a bad cold and one chum got pneumonia. But the show must go on...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 12 May, 2023, 02:19:01 pm
I've been getting increasingly worse & frequent episodes of vertigo.

Commiserations. I get this too from time to time: usually strikes in the middle of the night when I get out of bed and keep going, almost into the window. Locomotion then becomes reduced to crawling. Can last a day or two. My Eustachian tubes (always makes me think of Euston Station) could also be better run.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 12 May, 2023, 08:52:18 pm
I do wonder what we’ve done to our children and society to create the epidemic of mental health problems we so clearly are facing.

Surely that's obvious...  *gestures around in exasperation*

I think some of it is and we all take a, probably similar, view but I remain cautious about ‘obvious’ as it can be too simplistic. Appreciating that you’re thinking isn’t simplistic.

Indeed.  The usual simplistic view is that it's the smartphones[1] damaging young people's mental health.  Rather than, say, lack of housing and financial security.  Or the overwhelming pressure to secure the right qualifications.  Or the prospect of growing up in an increasingly authoritarian society.  Or lack of social mobility.  Or being targeted by exploitative marketing practices.  Or lack of access to healthcare.  Or that UN report on LGBT discrimination referenced in another thread.  Or rivers full of sewage.  Or having their EU citizenship revoked.  Or just being acutely aware of how little our society actually values young people.  To say nothing of an overwhelming consensus on climate change which those in positions of power (everyone from their parents to Joe Biden) are determined to gaslight them into pretending isn't a thing out of business-as-usual self-interest.

Mental health services, such as they are, are mostly a way to prevent us having to fix all that.


[1] Which are obviously against the natural order of things, unlike television, rock music, books or [insert previous moral panic here].

At the same time, we're the most privileged people in human history. That we're willing to piss this away through an avoidable series of catastrophes isn't an irony that is lost on me, though it seems to be lost on many people. Many of the problems we have are problems of affluence.

There's no test for long covid, it's a patient-defined illness, and on the mental side one we've built an expectation for (as Chris says, that doesn't mean it's not real, just that the cause is more complicated). In the most part, any lingering symptoms play out in weeks or months. That's not a prescription to go out of your way to catch covid, but equally, as I said, life is a series of risks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2023, 03:52:03 pm
And sometimes you can greatly reduce the amount of transmission with simple engineering.  We treat drinking water to reduce the amount of infectious agents people are exposed to, which has generally been considered to be a Good Thing for public health, and there's no reason we couldn't do the same for the air in many public spaces (other than that nobody important stands to make a shitload of money from doing it).  If COVID has taught us anything, it's that many diseases are more airborne than we like to imagine.

And it's not like we don't need a bit push to retrofit HVAC anyway to reduce carbon emissions, so why not set some standards to mandate a much higher number of air changes, or a sensible amount of filtration while we're at it?  If nothing else, reducing the spread of diseases through hospitals, care homes, and the like would free up some healthcare resources.

Uncanny timing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/Improving-Ventilation-in-buildings.html

MERV-13 appears to be USAnian for F7, which is a bit on the meh side, but it's probably the highest standard filter that you can drop-in to J Random existing HVAC system without overly restricting the airflow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 May, 2023, 03:01:33 pm
News on lyme:
Quote
Lingering Nerve Symptoms From Lyme Disease May Be Tied to Immune Response​
By Leroy Leo
May 11, 2023

(Reuters) - Neurologic complications of Lyme disease such as hand and feet numbness and pain that do not resolve with treatment may be due to an exaggerated immune response rather than the infection itself, a study published on Wednesday suggests.
Researchers found that Lyme disease patients with persistent central nervous system problems have high blood levels of interferon alpha, an inflammatory protein produced by the immune system in response to infection.
These central nervous system symptoms that can also include weakness, facial muscle paralysis, vision problems, fever, stiff neck, and severe headache are known as Lyme neuroborreliosis.
If the findings are confirmed in larger studies, immunity-suppressing medicines might be used to treat patients with persistent disabling neurologic after-effects of the disease, said senior researcher Dr. Klemen Strle of Tufts University School of Medicine.

Each year, nearly 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease, with another 200,000 cases believed to occur in western Europe, researchers said. It is caused by a bacteria carried and spread by ticks prevalent in the U.S. upper Midwest and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states, as well as in Europe and some parts of Canada, especially in wooded areas.


Lyme neuroborreliosis occurs in up to 15% of those who contract the illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and most patients recover after treatment with antibiotics. However, around 10%-20% of patients continue to show symptoms even after treatment.
Earlier research found that Lyme-causing bacteria do not survive antibiotic treatment and therefore cannot be preventing recovery, according to the report in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a CDC publication.
For the current study, researchers in Slovenia took serial blood samples over the course of a year in 79 patients who had experienced Lyme neuroborreliosis during their acute infection, including 27 with new or lasting complications six months or more after treatment.

Patients whose symptoms had resolved by the start of the study had the lowest interferon levels. Those with the most severe and most persistent problems had the highest interferon levels, suggesting that the immune system never stopped responding leading to "low-grade, systemic inflammation," the researchers said.
Other illnesses with prolonged symptoms believed or known to be triggered by immune system over-reaction include COVID-19, influenza and mononucleosis, the researchers said.
(Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Nancy Lapid and Bill Berkrot)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 17 May, 2023, 10:49:00 am
On my third cold in 2 months. Bah.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 17 May, 2023, 11:09:36 pm
I'm getting a cold every two or three weeks at the moment - very annoying.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 May, 2023, 08:09:52 am
Seem to have rebuggered the sacroiliac I displaced in 2013. Not as badly - back then I took 3 months to recover - but it's getting me every time I shift my position.  >:( :-\ :demon: Got to help shepherding a bunch over 45k in the hills tomorrow: going to be riding in sack'o'spuds mode. You never know, it might sort it out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 20 May, 2023, 01:51:09 pm
I've given in and am now using votarol gel on my right arthritic knee  :'(.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 20 May, 2023, 06:08:40 pm
I've just returned from a 20 mile potter and the votarol gel seems to be helping. I try a longer ride during the week  ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2023, 07:11:33 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 22 May, 2023, 08:13:54 am
I have a trapped nerve/pulled muscle/ crick in my neck. This has materialised the last two Sundays.

Is it possible that swimming in a cold lough in a wetsuit is setting this off? If so, anything I could/should do to stop it?

Last week I rode & swam on Monday with it. this week I  gave up riding after less than 5km yesterday and now can't turn my head at all, Mr Smith has driven me in to work. It's only 3 weeks till I swim Windermere and I need wetsuit time between now & then.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 May, 2023, 09:01:38 am
I have a trapped nerve/pulled muscle/ crick in my neck. This has materialised the last two Sundays.

Osteocyte, aka parrot's beak spur, maybe.  I had one in my cervical vertebrae ~20 years ago, and if I moved my head in a particular way it would hook onto something and stop me.  I could disengage it by reversing the movement.  It eventually disappeared, possibly due to aggravated cycling.

https://www.spine-health.com/video/cervical-bone-spurs-symptoms-and-causes-animation
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 23 May, 2023, 09:10:17 am
Interesting. I have bone spurs on my fingers and knees.

Dr Google has provided some anecdata that it might be wetsuit fit related.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 May, 2023, 10:23:41 am
Good luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 May, 2023, 05:16:22 pm
My shoulder hasn't been right since a tree branch hit it (I was taking down a small tree/very large bush). Hit me hard enough to knock me to the ground.

Gave it 6 weeks before seeing the doc, who referred me for an ultrasound.

Verdict a bit vague. They had trouble finding one tendon - it was surrounded by fluid and inflammation. Verbal report "Evidence of a torn tendon, muscle and historic calcification in the shoulder joint".

Seeing a physio on the 22nd.
It is a bugger, getting older. Things take a very long time to heal. Time was, I'd have bounced back from something like this in a week. Not over 2 months.
Seen physio.
They are confused. Expected weakness and pain (based on the ultrasound) in several directions - no pain at all.

I have some exercises to do, but I get the sense it is all just 'time will heal it'. The physio reckoned another 8 weeks.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 05 June, 2023, 08:40:39 pm
for the past week I have been suffering the double whammy of High pollen levels and a cold, not nice. I have never really suffered proper hayfever but the last 20yrs or so I have been seeing some symptoms. This year is the worst I have seen. In previous years all symptoms have disappeared around Mid June so thinking It may be tree pollen that affects me, maybe. Also some things I have seen are typical of a head cold, for me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 June, 2023, 04:50:20 pm
I just encountered the irritating side of SNHS.

Eyes acting up a bit (tad blurry, achy), and pressure was up at last checkup.

So I figure I'll be sensible and go to the optiquack.

Who informs me they can't do an eye test, because it isn't due until October (I guess I could insist on 'going private' and paying).

Well, they do examine my eyes and say that my dry eye problem is definitely an issue still so lets deal with that (no argument there, I wake in the night to insert drops because eyes have completely dried up. Being unable to move eyeballs creates some *interesting* nightmares.).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 07 June, 2023, 10:25:56 am
I’ve had enough now.

I saw the doctor last monday for an ear infection in my left ear which started on the previous Friday. By Monday it was hurting and the whole of the left side of my head was ‘tight’. The dr prescribed some ear spray.

The left side is still tender and hearing has not fully returned (fsvo fully obv.) but the right ear is now painful although the tightness hasn’t set in.

I might have to return to the doc to get oral antibiotics  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 June, 2023, 10:30:59 am
I’ve had enough now.

I saw the doctor last monday for an ear infection in my left ear which started on the previous Friday. By Monday it was hurting and the whole of the left side of my head was ‘tight’. The dr prescribed some ear spray.

The left side is still tender and hearing has not fully returned (fsvo fully obv.) but the right ear is now painful although the tightness hasn’t set in.

I might have to return to the doc to get oral antibiotics  :(

They will have prescribed left-ear spray.

You need to get some right-ear spray.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 07 June, 2023, 10:53:19 am
Sounds a bit sinister.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 07 June, 2023, 12:01:19 pm
Calls for some dexterity to use it on the opposite ear.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 June, 2023, 12:53:13 pm
Nah, just stick it right 'ere.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cygnet on 07 June, 2023, 10:38:35 pm
Right ear, right now
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 June, 2023, 07:44:23 am
Or stick it in the left one and push hard.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 08 June, 2023, 11:10:23 am
You’re all horrid  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: woollypigs on 08 June, 2023, 11:22:01 am
Beardy have you tried Sudafed ? Does not kill the infection or remove the pain, when I have had ear infections, but have made it so I could at least think about other stuff that pain and cutting parts of my body off in hope of less pain.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 08 June, 2023, 12:02:10 pm
Beardy have you tried Sudafed ? Does not kill the infection or remove the pain, when I have had ear infections, but have made it so I could at least think about other stuff that pain and cutting parts of my body off in hope of less pain.
I’m currently on daily oral antihistamine and antihistamine nasal spray to limit a near constant cough. The ever present congestion exacerbates ear infections when I get them as ‘me tubes’ get blocked. So, no I’ve not tried Sudafed specifically, but I think the congestion is as controlled as it can be.

Thanks for suggesting it though, I don’t pretend to know everything about ear infections (though you’d think I should, given how frequently I get them) so I’ll always listen to other peoples ideas and solutions.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 June, 2023, 03:09:10 pm
You’re all horrid  :'(

Because we luv you.  O:-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 08 June, 2023, 03:23:59 pm
You’re all horrid  :'(

Because we luv you.  O:-)

We wax lyrical about you  :-*
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 13 June, 2023, 02:50:37 pm
Had new hearing aids today.  So lot of sitting in front of pink noise and stuff on top of all the tests last week.
Never had them before and it's going to take a while to get used to them.  My own voice being amplified is not fun, but apparently my brain will learn to filter that out soon.
The controls are on an app on my phone which is great and I'm busy setting up various program states. Garden, street, living room, that sort of thing. I'm sure they'll all need to be changed as I get better at it.
Looking forward to setting and saving a 'pub state' tonight.
If needed I can adjust each side separately, so if I'm sitting between shouty Gareth and whispering Breian, I can deal with it.

Anyway probably no news to some of you, but I was impressed with the thoroughness and promptness of the service.  Well done NHS/GIG.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 June, 2023, 04:03:34 pm
Would be great is 'pub' or 'restaurant' mode enabled you to tune in the the bar staff and whoever you are with, and tune out the rest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 13 June, 2023, 06:07:18 pm
 ;D
Haven't yet worked out how to take phone calls or listen to podcasts yet. It claims that it is possible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 June, 2023, 09:52:04 am
In hosp while they try to work out if I had a stroke yesterday or not. Got v. muzzy & incoherent yest ca 4am, slept again, up at usual 0630 , had to try 10 times to enter Windows PWD. The feeling faded by in an hour but called doc, who sprang into action. Ended up here too late for MRI to help (shd have called asap), had scan + carotid/coronary/cardio echographies, MRI today probably.

Feeling fine, enjoying it so far. Docs are great, explain everything. Neurologist strongly suspects hyponatremia, my Na was 'very' low 126. Here's hoping.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 June, 2023, 10:03:58 am
Ulp! Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 June, 2023, 10:04:04 am
Here's hoping indeed.

Keep your electrolytes up in hot weather!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 June, 2023, 12:00:18 pm
Doesn't seem serious. MRI shd show if there's damage but did a Graun Quick this morning easily as usual.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: onerousdeporte on 14 June, 2023, 12:06:39 pm
Doesn't seem serious. MRI shd show if there's damage but did a Graun Quick this morning easily as usual.

Do they give you copies of the MRI so you get the homer looking slice of the head? ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 14 June, 2023, 12:46:01 pm
Hope so. We get all our x-rays back
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mzjo on 15 June, 2023, 02:28:02 pm
Hope so. We get all our x-rays back

Do you? This side of the country we just get a code to tap into the internets to try to download them (in lo-res I think) then print out if you're that way inclined. IRM (MRI) used to give a cd for the images (perhaps only if private), which could only be read with the right medical software, but I'm not sure they still do that (pretty certain we didn't have one for Mme's last one but that was public sector).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 15 June, 2023, 06:13:31 pm
Hi T42, how is it going today?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 June, 2023, 08:04:30 am
Hi Auntie,

I'm fine, need my bike. Out of ICU (ITU?) yest, waiting for an MRI slot, lo priority. In view of Na & K levels they might scrub round it. I'll not be out before Monday though.

Discovered that while pills from the pharmacy taste vile, the same pills in here are sweet. Out there they only want you to take them if you need them, in here they give you an incentive.

I'll take the bitter ones any day.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 June, 2023, 10:22:16 am
Still stuck on stir, but waiting for MRI slot or doc's ok to get out. Been doing stairs to maintain legs, 28 floors yesterday. Boring. Luckily roomie is a good lad or I'd go bonkers.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 19 June, 2023, 10:34:07 am
Still stuck on stir, but waiting for MRI slot or doc's ok to get out. Been doing stairs to maintain legs, 28 floors yesterday. Boring. Luckily roomie is a good lad or I'd go bonkers.

Better than the alternative and all that. HK and I hope you get sorted in double-quick time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 June, 2023, 11:43:34 am
Wishing you well, T42.

If you have low sodium and potassium levels at the same time, are you just NaK-ered?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 June, 2023, 05:19:33 pm
Home again yesterday afternoon, somewhat knackered indeed.  Looks like it was a TIA but they haven't found a reason yet, so I'm due for a 24-hour holter to see if I've got silent atrial fib.  That'd be a PITA coz they'd probably beta-blocker me until my legs stopped working (although a few stiff coffees can negate that).  Also on extra diabetes nostrum, sitagliptin as in psittacosis (not), and looking forward to an MRI in early July. Did a 5k walk this morning, all well.

Thanks for good wishes, everyone.

One thing that p's me off: when I was a student I used to smoke a pipe, but when we got to France I couldn't get the right tobacco and so stopped. 50 years later they still put on my med history "tobacco (stopped)" with no reference to how long ago it was.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 21 June, 2023, 06:08:34 pm
A trip to the audiology department today, and a Shiny. New. pair of hearing aids dispensed. They’ve got Bluetooth connectivity and everything. I’m thinking of procuring a copy of Oticon Genie 2 / link thingy so that I can add components directly myself and fiddle with the programming without having to visit the clinic. I’ll also have to find a computer that will run a recent enough copy of windoz, so not a trivial task.

As an additional observation, the audiologist I was dealing with maintained the level of competence I’ve come to associate with her profession and actually tried to talk to me while she had my hearing aids in bits on the desk in front of her.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 June, 2023, 06:30:56 pm
I’m thinking of procuring a copy of Oticon Genie 2 / link thingy so that I can add components directly myself and fiddle with the programming without having to visit the clinic. I’ll also have to find a computer that will run a recent enough copy of windoz, so not a trivial task.

I know people who have done this and really like the flexibility!

Quote
As an additional observation, the audiologist I was dealing with maintained the level of competence I’ve come to associate with her profession and actually tried to talk to me while she had my hearing aids in bits on the desk in front of her.   :facepalm:

That's like a compulsory rite of passage or something!

I hate it when they do that, cos the ones who do that NEVER apologise, they just make excuses and giggle nervously. They hate it when my companion snarks at them about it (I don't know they've done it, cos I can't hear it at all, which they should know).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2023, 06:34:38 pm
To be fair, I snark at myself for doing it too.  Usually something to the effect of <me audiologist stupid>
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 21 June, 2023, 06:44:10 pm
Also she didn’t give me the HA cases and I forgot to ask >:(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 21 June, 2023, 06:47:23 pm
Hmm. I got blue tooth hearing aids last Tuesday.  One week later and one has failed.   ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 June, 2023, 07:30:52 am
As an additional observation, the audiologist I was dealing with maintained the level of competence I’ve come to associate with her profession and actually tried to talk to me while she had my hearing aids in bits on the desk in front of her.   :facepalm:

A bit like unblocking the sink and then emptying the bucket into it before putting the U-bend back together.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 22 June, 2023, 10:57:50 am
Hmm. I got blue tooth hearing aids last Tuesday.  One week later and one has failed.   ::-)

Blimey.  I took failed hearing aid down to audiology in Carmarthen yesterday.  It has come back in first class post today!
That's not bad service.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 June, 2023, 12:21:29 pm
Hmm. I got blue tooth hearing aids last Tuesday.  One week later and one has failed.   ::-)

Bathtub curve applies to hearing aids, fail quickly or last ages.

Blimey.  I took failed hearing aid down to audiology in Carmarthen yesterday.  It has come back in first class post today!
That's not bad service.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 June, 2023, 12:22:21 pm
To be fair, I snark at myself for doing it too.  Usually something to the effect of <me audiologist stupid>

The difference is, you notice, you apologise via Snark and KNOW you made a mistake.

We're not asking for mistakes not to be made, we're asking for them to be owned and minimised where possible.

Living with me, you are 99% brilliant which is positively inhuman levels of deaf awareness.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 22 June, 2023, 01:33:27 pm
Quote
levels of deaf awareness.

My husband is very hard of hearing, even with aids. (age related, not life-long)
What always surprises me is his lack of awareness that anyone else may be similar.
So if we drive or cycle (with a cheery hello) towards someone with their back to us, and they don't move over, it doesn't occur to him that they might just not have heard us.
Same if someone doesn't contribute much to a conversation, or reply to a greeting, even though he often doesn't himself.
With prompting, he is getting more aware....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: fimm on 22 June, 2023, 01:36:21 pm
My father-in-law has hearing aids that bluetooth to his phone.
He wanted me to listen to something he was playing on said phone. Unfortunately he couldn't work out how to temporarily un-bluetooth them, so all that happened was that the thing played into his hearing aids! (We ended up using my phone instead.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 22 June, 2023, 01:58:54 pm
My father has hearing aids bluetoothed to his phone. Instead of him not hearing my mum because he can't hear, he now can't hear her because he's listening to something else. She *loves* this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 22 June, 2023, 08:17:18 pm
I’m finding my new HAs very frustrating because they do some stuff incredibly well and the audio in general is very good. That I don’t have to use my streamer anymore and that the HAs work better than with the streamer is fantastic.

I’ve not tried my external Mike yet, but the new HAs work with my phone Mike so perhaps I won’t need the external mike in any case.

But the fact that they won’t pair with my TV is most vexing which is leaving me to take them out and use some other ear buds.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 23 June, 2023, 12:01:12 am
My father has hearing aids bluetoothed to his phone. Instead of him not hearing my mum because he can't hear, he now can't hear her because he's listening to something else. She *loves* this.

This is why I do a significant amount of communication with barakta via IRC when we're in the same room.

Of course, it only works if she notices the hilight/notification.  My historical work-around was a small keyring torch that lived on my desk, which I'd flash in her general direction.  (This is now superseded by a cunning row of LEDs along the back edge of her desk, which - amongst other things[1] - I can cause to light up with the right invocation.)  Failing that, and because our Victorian floorboards aren't rated for repeated shock loads so stamping-is out of the question, the back-up option is throwing things.  Which I'm notoriously bad at.


[1] The most awesome and least obvious is them doing a little chase pattern when someone  a) comes up the stairs  or  b) opens the bathroom door from the inside.  The sort of thing hearing people unthinkingly know has happened by sound, as advance warning that someone might be about to enter the room.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 23 June, 2023, 12:23:49 am
Mild electric shocks are out of the question, then?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 23 June, 2023, 12:58:07 am
Mild electric shocks are out of the question, then?

We have a carpet for that...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 June, 2023, 03:01:26 pm
Got handed one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't deals this morning. Cardiologist fitted me up with a 24-hour holter to look for silent Afib: "And if it's negative we'll put an implant in your chest for the next 3 years and look that way. You can come in and have it checked every 3 months."  And if it's positive they bung me full of bleed-if-they-look-at-you anticoagulants.

So I'm in for a royal pain in the arse no matter what.  Oh, 3rd option is to do nowt and get nagged.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 June, 2023, 10:26:38 am
Get it cut out and have done with it. Given you nothing but trouble for years, you'll be glad to get rid of it, T42


I've developed a salt water ulcer on my leg. Started as a tiny cut from a bumped shin, now 1.5cm sore with 3cm red swollen patch.

Gradually improving if I keep my trouser rolled up to let it dry out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2023, 02:09:55 pm
Get it cut out and have done with it. Given you nothing but trouble for years, you'll be glad to get rid of it, T42

And get it replaced with and experimental one of titanium/carbon fibre composite? Hmmmm...


Quote
I've developed a salt water ulcer on my leg. Started as a tiny cut from a bumped shin, now 1.5cm sore with 3cm red swollen patch.

Gradually improving if I keep my trouser rolled up to let it dry out.

And let on you're joining the Masons.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 July, 2023, 07:46:44 pm
My back has gone into spasm today and I'm stuck on my sofa trying to avoid watching lizs TV programme choice. I feeling trapped and depressed.  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 06 July, 2023, 08:12:36 pm
My back has gone into spasm today and I'm stuck on my sofa trying to avoid watching lizs TV programme choice. I feeling trapped and depressed.  :'(

That's rubbish.  Dispatch a kitteh to steal the remote.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 07 July, 2023, 07:09:53 am
My cats are far too lazy to do anything other than act as heavy, furry go cat containers.....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 11 July, 2023, 05:42:05 pm
30 lengths at my local swimming baths this morning!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 11 July, 2023, 05:55:19 pm
@BrianI :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 11 July, 2023, 08:05:30 pm
+1!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 July, 2023, 08:26:06 am
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2023, 12:14:03 pm
Good stuff BrianI!


Meanwhile, for the last day or so, my right hand has been smelling vaguely feety.  Normally I'd attribute this to prolonged use of gloves soaked in Eau de Audaxer, but I've barely ridden a bike this week on account of a monsoon starting up every time I leave the house.  Also, you'd expect the left hand to be similarly afflicted, which in this case it is not.   ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 July, 2023, 02:22:15 pm
Gangrene?  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 12 July, 2023, 06:38:26 pm
My back is still very problematic. I seem to be ok on the trike but cannot straighten up and walk. I'm trying some leg stretches to see if that helps as I am finding it hard to straighten my legs fully and the two problems may be connected 🤔
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 July, 2023, 01:23:20 am
Hand skin and foot skin are very similar. Both will smell 'feety' if unaired and unwashed. Wrist plaser casts are VERY ripe when removed!

I noticed my feet were less smelly when I was on antifungals.

Leather bar tape, as well as cycling gloves can get whiffy...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 July, 2023, 09:30:21 am
Just had an MRI to ascertain whether my brane had p'd off to Borneo while I wasn't looking.

GN: got the pics home on a CD
BN: dunno how to read them (natch).  There's more than a 6502 in there.

'Ere's me 'ed (viewer discretion recommended):

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 July, 2023, 09:34:51 am
Just had an MRI to ascertain whether my brane had p'd off to Borneo while I wasn't looking.

GN: got the pics home on a CD
BN: dunno how to read them (natch).  There's more than a 6502 in there.

'Ere's me 'ed (viewer discretion recommended):

(click to show/hide)

<sings>
There's an 'ole in the brain,
Dear Liza, dear Liza,
An 'ole in the brain,
Dear Liza, an 'ole.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 July, 2023, 10:01:24 am
Just had an MRI to ascertain whether my brane had p'd off to Borneo while I wasn't looking.

GN: got the pics home on a CD
BN: dunno how to read them (natch).  There's more than a 6502 in there.

'Ere's me 'ed (viewer discretion recommended):

(click to show/hide)

<sings>
There's an 'ole in the brain,
Dear Liza, dear Liza,
An 'ole in the brain,
Dear Liza, an 'ole.

That's where the straw goes in, dear 'enry.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 13 July, 2023, 02:03:37 pm
You need a Dicom reader which is the medical image file.  I use either Sante Dicom lite or Osiris both of which are free.  Sante is probably easier to use.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 July, 2023, 03:30:41 pm
I'd be happy if my brain looked like that.
It doesn't...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 July, 2023, 03:39:26 pm
You need a Dicom reader which is the medical image file.  I use either Sante Dicom lite or Osiris both of which are free.  Sante is probably easier to use.

They only gave me lo-res stuff. I can zoom in with the viewer and look at the pixels but that's about it.  Quite educational though, seeking out various structures.

I've noticed that the left ventricle is quite a bit larger than the right, but I gather that asymmetry is not unusual

I'd be happy if my brain looked like that.
It doesn't...


That's glum.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 13 July, 2023, 04:08:41 pm
I'd be happy if my brain looked like that.
It doesn't...

My MRI Scan on the 28th of July 2020 had "a few tiny white matter high signal intensity foci considered not diagnostic for demyelination or ischaemia". Put down by my neuro as being "age related". This is despite this being the start of my neurological symptoms, ending up with an "assumed" tick box diagnosis of FND August 2022.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: onerousdeporte on 20 July, 2023, 02:51:43 pm
My father has hearing aids bluetoothed to his phone. Instead of him not hearing my mum because he can't hear, he now can't hear her because he's listening to something else. She *loves* this.

This is why I do a significant amount of communication with barakta via IRC when we're in the same room.

Of course, it only works if she notices the hilight/notification.  My historical work-around was a small keyring torch that lived on my desk, which I'd flash in her general direction.  (This is now superseded by a cunning row of LEDs along the back edge of her desk, which - amongst other things[1] - I can cause to light up with the right invocation.)  Failing that, and because our Victorian floorboards aren't rated for repeated shock loads so stamping-is out of the question, the back-up option is throwing things.  Which I'm notoriously bad at.


[1] The most awesome and least obvious is them doing a little chase pattern when someone  a) comes up the stairs  or  b) opens the bathroom door from the inside.  The sort of thing hearing people unthinkingly know has happened by sound, as advance warning that someone might be about to enter the room.

Tape measure used as a poking device.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: onerousdeporte on 20 July, 2023, 02:56:27 pm
Just had an MRI to ascertain whether my brane had p'd off to Borneo while I wasn't looking.

GN: got the pics home on a CD
BN: dunno how to read them (natch).  There's more than a 6502 in there.

'Ere's me 'ed (viewer discretion recommended):

(click to show/hide)

Was that with contrast?

Have an MRI from the top down, where I look like homer simpson in a few shots.  Was a good and bad day....seeing bits of my brain that had been starved of blood.  RIP bits of my brian.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 20 July, 2023, 07:56:27 pm
Tape measure used as a poking device.

I believe that's on my list of things that I promised never to do again[1], on account of it being a little too effective.


[1] See also: Curing hiccups by sneaking up behind her and making myself look big (in the style of The Cat from the documentary Red Dwarf).  Worked instantly, but it took her about half an hour to get over the shock.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 July, 2023, 08:19:39 am
Back in 2011 I developed a horrible stabbing pain in my left ankle when I was 100k into a 300. Since then I've had hyaluronic injections in it and ho-hums from various doctors, all bootless (har har).  After every ride I've had pain in that ankle and what feels like tendinitis up beside the malleolus. It usually went away in a day or two.

About a month ago I bought a couple of Specialized varus wedges with a fall of about 1mm inside to outside.  Both of them in my left shoe completely relieved the pain. And made my knee hurt.  Took one out: ankle still OK and knee ache hardly noticeable.

Counting that as a win and ordering wedges for all my shoes.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jurek on 24 July, 2023, 08:02:54 pm
I have snots, fever, shakes. aching limbs.
I do not have covid. (Just tested neg)
I do have the first cold I have had since the start of covid.
S'no bad for three years.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: alfapete on 24 July, 2023, 08:32:31 pm

I do not have covid. (Just tested neg)

I'd still test again in 24hrs
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jurek on 24 July, 2023, 08:37:30 pm

I do not have covid. (Just tested neg)

I'd still test again in 24hrs
I will.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 July, 2023, 09:10:21 pm
GWS anyway...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: onerousdeporte on 25 July, 2023, 01:39:35 am
I have snots, fever, shakes. aching limbs.
I do not have covid. (Just tested neg)
I do have the first cold I have had since the start of covid.
S'no bad for three years.

Man flu....
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: onerousdeporte on 25 July, 2023, 01:43:04 am
Tape measure used as a poking device.

I believe that's on my list of things that I promised never to do again[1], on account of it being a little too effective.


[1] See also: Curing hiccups by sneaking up behind her and making myself look big (in the style of The Cat from the documentary Red Dwarf).  Worked instantly, but it took her about half an hour to get over the shock.

Remember you mentioning that here and the video of someone else doing the tape measure poke made me giggle

Hiccups cured job jobbed. Personally i'd have laughed at the cat impression.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 August, 2023, 05:11:00 pm
Had a mini heart monitor shoved in under the skin of my chest this afternoon.  Trouble is that when it was done I was flat on my back, but I have pronounced kyphosis and when I'm sat up and relaxed the thing hurts and the dressing has a BFO bloodstain on it.  Going in again tomorrow to see what they can do about it.  A right pain in the... ribcage.

Also, my cardiologist said 3-4 days to heal, but once the (literally) bloody thing was in they told me a full week. Arse.  Oh well, they can always plead expedience.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 August, 2023, 05:41:46 pm
That sounds bloody uncomfortable.


My random is eyesight.
Went in for annual 'count the dots' glaucoma test.
Technician couldn't give an automatic all clear (even I could see missing areas from across the room), so she called optician in the check.

She ummed and aah'd a bit, and decided that I'd be ok for another 12 month.

Two hours later phoned back and said they want me back in 6 month's time, for much more extensive testing.

Blast.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 August, 2023, 02:45:33 pm
Bloodily uncomfortable is right.

Anyway, I drove in and had the dressing changed & the closures reinforced this morning, then MrsT & I went round the shops a bit and had lunch in our favourite Thai/Viet/Chinese place. Damned device started to hurt soon after I sat down and got worse the longer I sat. By the time we got home it looked like this ( :sick: warning):

(click to show/hide)

Looks like a haematoma to my ignorant eye. Oh jolly.

Qu to anyone in the know: does it need further medical attention?  Might it be grounds for getting the bothersome thing removed forthwith? (Please say yes.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 August, 2023, 05:32:46 pm
cannot really see enough to be certain.

Any temperature, feeling sick, raised pulse?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 05 August, 2023, 08:49:12 pm
Since my return to physical activity (in Nov 2022) from my radical prostatectomy operation
(Sept 2022) I've had a sharp pain in my right glute. I've been active all my life and have
never had that sort of pain before, but can't honestly put it down to the effects of the operation.

I've tried pidgeon stretch, but that hasn't helped. I'm going to try a massage gun to see if it will
make things better.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 August, 2023, 07:42:03 am
cannot really see enough to be certain.

Any temperature, feeling sick, raised pulse?

No, feeling fine thanks Chris.  Now thinking that it's due to the surface wound having knit sufficiently and/or enough steristrips having been applied to keep the blood inside, but my belly fat, whereof I have a disgraceful surplus, being shoved up by my belt and pushing the device around a bit under the skin, causing subcutaneous bleeding.  Paunch-reduction procedures have now been initiated and I've switched to braces.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 August, 2023, 07:51:46 am
2 days into holiday I am hit by major virus. LFT negative but wiped out completely. This going to be a problem as we came north for FiL’s 90th birthday with a load of other oldies plus brother in law who is suffering from major complications of cardiac ablation.

What could possibly go wrong?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 August, 2023, 08:25:52 am
So you end up wrong whether you stay away or not and have the pleasure of the virus in both cases. Sympathies.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 10 August, 2023, 10:02:14 am
10 days ago I broke a tooth. A large chunk of porcelain right down to the gum came off the back on an upper molar, the only one I have left on that side. It wasnt painful so I left it until I could get a 1/2hr appointment just in case.  Went in at 09:00, back out at 09:10. Apparently it was a chuck of white filling, and easily patched up. £25 as I'm lucky enough to get NHS treatment. Result!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rogerzilla on 11 August, 2023, 07:20:17 am
It's not looking as if I actually have any underlying heart problems or asthma.  Somewhat embarrassingly, I think it's general anxiety disorder.  All the symptoms fit, as does the timing (it vanished for a week on holiday and returned on the very day we flew back).

There's no feeling of not being able to cope - it's purely physical symptoms.  Previously, it has subsided as quickly as it appeared.  I shall be making major changes to my lifestyle this time next year anyway.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2023, 09:39:13 am
It's not looking as if I actually have any underlying heart problems or asthma.  Somewhat embarrassingly, I think it's general anxiety disorder.  All the symptoms fit, as does the timing (it vanished for a week on holiday and returned on the very day we flew back).

Could easily be.  When I worked in London I used to get heartburn after every meal. It disappeared when we came back to France.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2023, 10:24:19 am
Hoo-bloody-ray!  I just got rid of the albatros dressing on my chest and I'm free to ride again. 11 days' stagnation to recover from now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 11 August, 2023, 04:59:47 pm
Gah! Another ear infection. A definite consequence of wearing my hearing aids more of the time. I think I’m going to have to upgrade my HA cleaning skills as a first step in reducing the infections.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 August, 2023, 08:18:25 pm
Unsolicited advice: I can recommend pipecleaners and ultrasonic cleaners + a drybox to dry the earmoulds or domes out.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 11 August, 2023, 11:08:57 pm
Novice here, thanking B for that advice.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 12 August, 2023, 12:50:01 am
Different people have different levels of oiliness of ear wax or sweatiness in that area. Some people may need to clean hearing aid "in the ear" bits every day or every few days.

A tactic that might work for the daily cleaner folk is to run 2 sets of moulds/domes, so one is washing/drying while the others are on the HAs so you don't wake up without clean functional moulds etc. May also help to ensure they get to properly dry/air out.

I should note I haven't worn in the ear hearing aids since a 6 month trial in about 1987... But I found I needed to clean the moulds a lot as I didn't like the feeling of waxy moulds. My mum was remarkably tolerant. As a teacher of the deaf some 20yrs later, she spent a lot of time dealing with kids whose moulds were beyond minging.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 12 August, 2023, 01:32:35 am
Not being a hearing aid user, but as a veteran of countless ear infections with experience of dealing with barkata's abutments when they go manky, it's my considered opinion that ear moulds are the sort of thing that makes a hole in your head seem like an attractive option   :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 14 August, 2023, 11:45:00 pm
OMFG

I made an ordering mistake last night
And bought a kashmiri chicken tikka korma
Made with actual dairy cream

For some reason I thought the place used coconut cream for that

Last night's bloating was not fun
Today has not been fun


I need to bring forward my WGAC delivery.

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 August, 2023, 09:11:52 am
2 weeks ago as above, I thought I had a virus which put me in bed for 24 hours within a couple of hours of symptoms starting.  I also developed a severely overactive bladder waking 4 times per night and need to urgently find a toilet every 2 hours or less during the day.  All accompanied by total lethargy and brain fog. 

Anyway we were at the start of a 2 week holiday in Scotland seeing relatives and FiL's 90th birthday party.  So Pulled myself together and we did the party and the tour round Wester Ross and Skye afterwards.

Went to the GP yesterday who thought probably a UTI which is unusual in men and asked about loin pain.  I said no loin pain.

Got home and sat in the chair almost asleep when I realised I do have loin pain bilaterally.  I had been putting it down to bad hotel beds and general stiffness.

I reckon I am working at about 30% of normal function so this today back to the GP and my wife is coming to tell them how bad I really am.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 22 August, 2023, 09:46:35 am
Quote
back to the GP and my wife is coming to tell them how bad I really am.

Hubby an I were talking about the prostate/PSA/MRI scan results reported today.
"I wonder what made the men volunteer?"
"The ones whose wives saw the invite and told them to"

GWS Chris.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 August, 2023, 11:49:30 am
GP agreed that a course of antibiotics would be very sensible.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 August, 2023, 02:07:11 pm
Hope antibiotics help soonest.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 August, 2023, 04:13:11 pm
Hope antibiotics help soonest.
So do I😂. Seriously feel worse than when I had covid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 August, 2023, 04:30:58 pm
GWS, Chris.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 August, 2023, 04:37:39 pm
Hope antibiotics help soonest.
So do I😂. Seriously feel worse than when I had covid.

UTIs can be seriously nasty - cruddiness, fatigue. I had a spate of kidney infections as a teen and could be unwell and floppy for weeks.
 
And I suspect cos men are less susceptible, you're more likely to get more serious/embedded infection before treatment so it takes a bit longer to perk up.

Keep on resting and all that boring drinking plenty of fluids advice!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2023, 10:59:12 pm
The mention of floppies and kidney infections is giving me exam flashbacks...   :hand:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 28 August, 2023, 01:13:07 am


Ultra-processed food raises risk of heart attack and stroke, two studies show

 (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/aug/27/ultra-processed-food-raises-risk-of-heart-attack-and-stroke-two-studies-show)

Quote

Ultra-processed foods are products that have gone through multiple processes during manufacturing. They are often high in salt and sugar and may contain additives and preservatives. Often, the foods are low in fibre and lacking the nutrients present in fresh or minimally processed foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, plain yoghurt and homemade bread.

Previous studies have linked eating high levels of ultra-processed foods with a range of health problems including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Speaking to reporters in Amsterdam, one of the researchers behind the first study, Anushriya Pant, of the University of Sydney, said many people were unaware that food they assume is healthy, such as shop-bought sandwiches, wraps, soups and low-fat yoghurts, were in fact UPF. “It could be that foods you think are healthy are actually contributing to you developing high blood pressure,” she said.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 August, 2023, 06:51:34 pm
I have taken my antibiotics and drunk lots. I am feeling a lot better so I tried 20 minutes zone 2 and I am knackered. I can see I need this week off as well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 August, 2023, 09:03:18 am
MrsT read somewhere yesterday (Nature Briefing or such) that wonder-drug Metformin may mitigate the effects of Covid and help avoid long Covid.  I still hate the stuff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 29 August, 2023, 10:36:47 am
It seems that I am into inadvertent nocturnal self-harm. Twice last night I woke myself up having dug a finger nail into my scalp. I think I shall have to wear cotton gloves when I go to bed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 29 August, 2023, 10:49:39 am
It seems that I am into inadvertent nocturnal self-harm. Twice last night I woke myself up having dug a finger nail into my scalp. I think I shall have to wear cotton gloves when I go to bed.
Were you not wearing a helmet?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 29 August, 2023, 05:03:23 pm
Bah, I’ve had 2 or 3 vitreous haemorrhages in my left eye since Friday, the last, this morning, leaving so many blood particles and streamers that it’s effectively useless for vision.  I went to A&E this morning (before the last bleed) and was given a referral to the urgent eye care clinic. I missed their call at work, and then had another bleed that took me back to A&E. I’ve an appointment on Thursday afternoon.  The consultant uttered the phrase “have you had injections in your eye”  :(. Ok, it’s probably self limiting, and, like the one I had in my right eye a few years ago, will clear up eventually, but right now it’s a bit scary.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 29 August, 2023, 06:06:14 pm
Hope it settles down soon - sounds scary!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 30 August, 2023, 02:07:53 pm
Hope it settles down soon - sounds scary!

Thank you. No further bleeds for 24hrs, so fingers crossed!. Bloody hard work working one-eyed tho - especially with the distraction of all the floaters and streamers in the other. I might seek out an eye patch.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 August, 2023, 03:45:16 pm
Bah, I’ve had 2 or 3 vitreous haemorrhages in my left eye since Friday...  scary.

Gawd, that sounds awful. Good luck tomorrow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 31 August, 2023, 05:40:16 pm
Bah. Small tear in retina. Doc - “That warrants laser treatment” Me - “When?”  Doc - “Today, it might be a long wait”. So I’ve been here 3 hours, it’s 17:30 and my wife’s gone home. Oh joy. I think I’ll call in sick tomorrow.

ETA. Laser didn’t work, too much blood in the way. So had to have cryo-surgery instead. I’ll Google it later. Definitely type 2 fun! And I still can’t see shit, time will take care of the blood eventually. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 September, 2023, 03:44:39 pm
Hope time gets a bloody move on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 02 September, 2023, 05:28:48 pm
Hope time gets a bloody move on.

Apparently it tends to clear up at 1% per day - so 2-3 months to totally go. Or you can have it sucked out and replaced…..   
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2023, 08:41:04 am
Not an attractive proposition either way. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 September, 2023, 06:56:23 pm
That sounds scary. Hope procedure goes well
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 September, 2023, 07:28:40 am
back to work today and I have been up all night with the runs.. Oh joy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 September, 2023, 07:59:06 am
Sorry, Chris, but my dodgy eyes read that as nuns.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 04 September, 2023, 09:03:54 pm
At my long over due eye test I found out why, when cycling/walking into a head or cross wind, I often get something in my eye which is very difficult to clear away. My eye lids have some dry flaky skin. You can buy eye lid wipes from the chemist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 September, 2023, 11:50:46 pm
You can buy eye lid wipes from the chemist.

If you buy the ones that work on waterproof mascara, they helpfully double as a way to get chain schmoo off your hands after a mechanical.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 05 September, 2023, 08:12:16 am
Wipes for blepharitis are not makeup removal wipes (are they??)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 September, 2023, 08:40:47 am
I was told to use cotton pads. Seem to work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 05 September, 2023, 12:25:55 pm
Wipes for blepharitis are not makeup removal wipes (are they??)

Yeah, they'll do. Heated eye mask to soften the occluding material, then wipe it out/off/away.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 September, 2023, 02:49:02 pm
Up & down a ladder half yesterday morning and all of the afternoon, too busy to drink more than half a litre. Cramp in calves, ileotib pain and a very nasty hip pain after this morning's ride.  Thoughts of arthritis.  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 05 September, 2023, 04:40:38 pm
I had my long term conditions review last week.  I asked for a thyroid function test, as I know there's an issue (I'd had a test privately) and I haven't had a test for a couple of years (I've asked for the test but my request was rejected by my old GP who told me I was imagining things and that the test I'd had wasn't valid).  Luckily the the LTC nurse listened and arranged for the test.

The results cam in over the weekend and yesterday (I can see them at the same time the GP gets them).

I had a text from the practice today saying my results are 'abnormal' and being reviewed by a GP, who will be in touch.

Now... next time I say I think there's an issue, perhaps they will believe me?!?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2023, 05:04:09 pm
You can buy eye lid wipes from the chemist.

If you buy the ones that work on waterproof mascara, they helpfully double as a way to get chain schmoo off your hands after a mechanical.

These are liquid paraffin wipes.

I would expect blepharitis wipes to be water/saline based.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2023, 05:06:04 pm
Wipes for blepharitis are not makeup removal wipes (are they??)

I don't think so,
(See upthread.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 September, 2023, 05:06:32 pm
I'd be nice to believe "I told you so" got GPs to listen if they don't wanna in the first place (I'm lucky, I have the kind of GPs who apologise if they get it wrong before I have a chance to anything and usually they're following protocol which they have to try first)...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 05 September, 2023, 05:17:19 pm
I'd be nice to believe "I told you so" got GPs to listen if they don't wanna in the first place (I'm lucky, I have the kind of GPs who apologise if they get it wrong before I have a chance to anything and usually they're following protocol which they have to try first)...

I'm a bit annoyed by the old GP's dismissal.  Despite everything, I'm not a frequent flyer* and, although the test I had was done privately, it was actually processed at an NHS trust rather than a private lab**.

The new LTC nurse and my new named GP seem a lot better at listening.


*Although a little more frequent that I'd like due to the heart issue.
** Not that I'm saying there's an issue with private labs.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2023, 07:57:12 am
I have a midge bite (I think) under my eyelid.

Currently looking like a victim of domestic abuse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 06 September, 2023, 08:48:51 am
I have a midge bite (I think) under my eyelid.

Currently looking like a victim of domestic abuse.

Apropos of nothing much, whilst I was waiting to be seen at the emergency eye clinic (reasons above somewhere) a patient before me emerged from their consultation, and said to their companion "it isn't the stitch, I have a cold sore in my eye".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 06 September, 2023, 08:54:10 am
I came across a minor accessibility issue yesterday. Because of the number of floaters in my left ey, I found it easier to switch me Outlook to a dark grey theme, so white text on dark background. Then I tried reading a Word doc, which for whatever reason has also changed to a dark theme (classic Microsoft) and was unable to do so with the first page due to white "tiger stripes" running across it.  Switched to the normal view and notice there are subtle pale grey stripes on the original template.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 06 September, 2023, 11:37:07 am
GP phoned.  They'd like to see me today, and I need to have some additional blood tests done tomorrow, before they go back to the Endocrinology team at Addenbrookes.

I don't think it's anything serious - I think they're just being cautious as I should have had a follow test last year and it wasn't arranged.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Legs on 06 September, 2023, 11:58:47 am
I have a midge bite (I think) under my eyelid.

Currently looking like a victim of domestic abuse.

Apropos of nothing much, whilst I was waiting to be seen at the emergency eye clinic (reasons above somewhere) a patient before me emerged from their consultation, and said to their companion "it isn't the stitch, I have a cold sore in my eye".
There are some things that really don't bear thinking about!  Poor them!

Hope the various eye maladies clear up well.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 06 September, 2023, 12:49:04 pm
I came across a minor accessibility issue yesterday. Because of the number of floaters in my left ey, I found it easier to switch me Outlook to a dark grey theme, so white text on dark background. Then I tried reading a Word doc, which for whatever reason has also changed to a dark theme (classic Microsoft) and was unable to do so with the first page due to white "tiger stripes" running across it.  Switched to the normal view and notice there are subtle pale grey stripes on the original template.

Bane of my fucking life is bad backgrounds in documents.

I routinely make documents have a green background which helps my trippy vision/migraines but often people use horrid templates which prevent those working properly or have nonsense in the background which is then a pain to hunt down and delete with extreme prejudice.

Also everyone is moving to Sharepoint inna web browser where I can't change the colours. I have a OneDrive sync with ShitPoint hack so I can still use the file explorer and desktop apps properly but it is cranky and I need to raise it at work's accessibility committee that has cancelled 10 of the last meetings and if they cancel next week's I will snark.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 07 September, 2023, 03:28:06 pm
back to work today and I have been up all night with the runs.. Oh joy.
Started metronidazole yesterday which almost instantly stopped the runs. Spent yesterday in bed. Did one teams meeting then spent all day on the couch.
Absolutely exhausted.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 07 September, 2023, 03:33:47 pm
Mentioned to the LTC nurse at my LTC review last week that I hadn't had a bowel cancer screen for a while...

...guess what turned up in the post today?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 07 September, 2023, 03:57:40 pm
Envelope from HMRC?  That usually gets things moving.  Right colour, too!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 07 September, 2023, 04:00:35 pm
Envelope from HMRC?  That usually gets things moving.  Right colour, too!

The only brown envelopes I get from those nice HMRC people tend to enclose rebates...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 07 September, 2023, 04:29:49 pm
I think mine must be going to your house, then!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 08 September, 2023, 11:01:16 am
Due to the bilateral otitis externa I decided that I’d use my running headphones to listen to my audible book, as they are bone induction. I may have to revise my diagnosis, because I can only ‘hear’ the story in one ear, and that not very well. Well, either that or revise my understanding of how bone induction works.

At least only one ear is hurting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 September, 2023, 11:25:12 am
Yes, bone conduction should bypass any conductive hearing loss in the outer/middle ear.  If you still can't hear that's an inner-ear (or brain) problem, and if that's new you probably want to get to ENT as a point of urgency...

That said, when I tried a set of Aftershokz, most of the higher frequencies arrived at my ear through the air.  It's hard to achieve pure bone conduction when you have normal hearing, as bone conduction transducers leak, and they appear to be engineered to take advantage of this (hence the transducer in front of the ear, rather than over the mastoid as is traditional).  I have to block my ear canals to listen to barakta's BAHA via a bite-bar, for example.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 September, 2023, 03:08:52 pm
GP thinks clostridium difficile!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 08 September, 2023, 03:33:14 pm
GP thinks clostridium difficile!
I had that, BITD, and so did my 3 under 5. Fun times.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 September, 2023, 05:35:24 pm
I can see why people die from it! I cannot remember ever feeling as week and tired as this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 September, 2023, 10:09:43 pm
I think it killed my great-uncle.
He was 104.5..
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 September, 2023, 11:36:22 pm
Chris, sounds nasty. Met isn't exactly fun either. I hope it kicks in pronto and you start to feel less dreadful soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2023, 12:53:18 pm
I can see why people die from it! I cannot remember ever feeling as week and tired as this.
The clue is, of course, in the name. Nasty stuff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 September, 2023, 05:18:46 pm
GP thinks clostridium difficile!

Hell. Hope they can kill the bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 10 September, 2023, 12:56:31 pm
I can’t hear ANYTHING. It really is most vexing.

I seem to be managing the infections, but neither ear appears to be improving so in the morning I (or rather Sarah) will be playing the trying to get an appointment at the GP game.  :'(

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 September, 2023, 02:23:08 pm
Gah, that sounds very stressful. One of the downsides of hearing aids is the increasing risk of infection. Hope GP can be helpful tomorrow in shifting it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 September, 2023, 03:54:17 pm
GOOD LUCK BEARDY.





hope you heard me!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 10 September, 2023, 04:43:55 pm
GOOD LUCK BEARDY.





hope you heard me!
PARDON?

(git)
 ;)

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 September, 2023, 08:02:58 pm
I hoped to elicit at least a wry smile!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 September, 2023, 08:41:46 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 10 September, 2023, 09:52:31 pm
It’s been agreed that Dr B will ring the surgery for me in the morning, but they are probably going to insist on a telephone consultation (the doctor will ring me some time during the morning). That’s all well and good if Dr B is here, but she has a dental appointment in the morning and won’t be here all morning. The doctor won’t only be unable to triage me, they won’t be able to set up a face to face appointment with me.

Can the surgery insist on a telephone appointment or should be be required to make a face to face appointment straight up.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 September, 2023, 10:37:31 pm
I would immediately pull disability discrimination and pointless waste of time of telephone.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 11 September, 2023, 06:32:16 am
I would immediately pull disability discrimination and pointless waste of time of telephone.
They'll just say you should use TextRelay.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 11 September, 2023, 08:10:54 am
Start the day on a high!

Dr B delegated the task of ring the GP to Ms B the younger who is a little more feisty. She got me a F2F appointment THIS morn. I’m stunned.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 11 September, 2023, 08:20:59 am
Excellent
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 September, 2023, 08:33:21 am
Start the day on a high!

Dr B delegated the task of ring the GP to Ms B the younger who is a little more feisty. She got me a F2F appointment THIS morn. I’m stunned.

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

What became of all the docs in the UK? Were they purged à la 1953 Russia or have they simply effed off to sunnier climes?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 September, 2023, 09:21:54 am
Start the day on a high!

Dr B delegated the task of ring the GP to Ms B the younger who is a little more feisty. She got me a F2F appointment THIS morn. I’m stunned.

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

What became of all the docs in the UK? Were they purged à la 1953 Russia or have they simply effed off to sunnier climes?
A ton of them realised that working 80+hrs per week and getting abuse from patients and the government wasn't what they signed up for.

I personally know someone who lasted 18months as a GP. Said that there as constant abuse and hassle from the senior partners, no time to actually treat patients and stream of angry patients. They run a holiday farm and make organic soap now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 11 September, 2023, 11:43:09 am
Start the day on a high!

Dr B delegated the task of ring the GP to Ms B the younger who is a little more feisty. She got me a F2F appointment THIS morn. I’m stunned.

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

What became of all the docs in the UK? Were they purged à la 1953 Russia or have they simply effed off to sunnier climes?

Complicated.  We never had that many homegrown docs as University places are capped.  We relied on overseas graduates and a lot of racism, hence why the "unattractive" welsh valleys, etc more often ended up with foreign GPs.

Management of most conditions has become more complex.  No longer is a 3 minute consultation enough, people want a discussion and options so throughput in clinics has decreased, sometimes by 50%.

We can investigate more which gives better answers and more rational treatment and those scientists keep finding new drugs for diseases we did not know existed, all of which needs more time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 11 September, 2023, 02:36:04 pm
That sounds very rough for docs & patients.  Back in the 80's here under Mitterrand aka Dieu, the govt decided we had too many doctors and capped university places, only to find in the 90's that making doctors rare didn't please the voters. It took a few years to fill the holes, and there are still places where doctors are scarce and maternity hospitals far away, but generally I believe there's not much difficulty getting treatment.  I have a 20-minute face-to-face consultation with my doc tomorrow, booked this morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 September, 2023, 07:45:26 pm
Glad
Start the day on a high!

Dr B delegated the task of ring the GP to Ms B the younger who is a little more feisty. She got me a F2F appointment THIS morn. I’m stunned.

Excellent, and rightly so. Ear infections if you are a hearing aid user are Actually Serious and need to be treated as such.

Chris is right as well, not only is it unlawful under the Equality Act to make a deaf patient do a phone consultation but it is extra unlawful under the NHS Accessible Information Standards which sets out specific issues/adjustments (most of the law is intentionally more vague) and breaching the standard is an automatic breach of the Equality Act.

Sadly despite being mandatory since 2016, most healthcare professionals that I know (including the deaf ones) have never heard of it, and a lot of healthcare orgs do not even slightly comply, even when complained into it. Not helped by the parliamentary and healthcare ombudsman (PHSO) (regulators) being a bunch of tossers who think it's somehow acceptable not to comply if they meant well, or didn't mean it, or or or.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 11 September, 2023, 09:28:53 pm
And the GP I saw was excellent. Ms B the younger accompanied me as my hearing person, the the GP directed his questions to me, facing me when talking and repeating where necessary. I save us got some time by turning to Ms B as needed because she knows me well, and I am attuned to her voice also.

The GP did all the usual stuff and also took a swab from one ear as it was atypical apparently and he wanted to sure. I like them, bu they seemed fairly young and I do wonder how long it will be before they succumb to the grind that is general practise these days.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 13 September, 2023, 08:45:48 am
Spending a good chunk of the day up a ladder 10 days ago when it was > 30° and planing 32 metres of board edge with the principal force provided by the right foot has given me the mum & dad, grandsire, great-uncle and sainted aunt of a tendinitis attack up the outside of my right thigh. Damned thing gets me both going up and going down stairs. Kind of ominous for my planned 200 tomorrow. Rats. :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2023, 09:41:49 am
You were planing it while up the ladder? That is a lot of work.

I'm getting a chest infection, already coughing and have that 'top third of lung full of fluid' feeling.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 13 September, 2023, 09:45:09 am
Mr R thinks he might be coming down with something... he did a Covid LFT this morning that was negative but I'll make him take another this evening and one tomorrow morning.

Would it be unfair of me to make him sleep outside?  I don't want to catch anything - particularly Covid - before my holiday next week...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 13 September, 2023, 10:23:24 am
Asthma review. All good. Except weight: 15.5st! I knew I was heavy - heavier than ever - but 15.5st?

Something must be done.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 13 September, 2023, 11:50:32 am
Asthma review. All good. Except weight: 15.5st! I knew I was heavy - heavier than ever - but 15.5st?

Something must be done.

Skinny bugger!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 13 September, 2023, 12:44:40 pm
Asthma review. All good. Except weight: 15.5st! I knew I was heavy - heavier than ever - but 15.5st?

Something must be done.

Skinny bugger!
This ^
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 13 September, 2023, 09:50:34 pm
Asthma review. All good. Except weight: 15.5st! I knew I was heavy - heavier than ever - but 15.5st?

Something must be done.

Skinny bugger!

You do realise Paul is 3 ft 9” , short for his weight.?  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 13 September, 2023, 10:13:35 pm
Asthma review. All good. Except weight: 15.5st! I knew I was heavy - heavier than ever - but 15.5st?

Something must be done.

Skinny bugger!

You do realise Paul is 3 ft 9” , short for his weight.?  ;D

Git!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 15 September, 2023, 03:47:50 pm
My wife has been offered her Covid booster, for a months time. Good thing is it’s in Aylesbury at one of the GP surgeries so only about 4 miles away.

Update:  Just out of interest I had a look-see on the HNS app if I could book mine. Turns out I can, and at a pharmacy only 2 miles away. Better still they have loads of appointments availaible from tomorrow. So now we're both booked in for Thursday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 21 September, 2023, 03:16:26 pm
Good for you.

I got free jabs for the first time last year on turning 50 but now they've changed the rules, I no longer qualify, chiz. But to me it's a no-brainer to get them, even if I have to pay.

I've been out of action since Monday with flu and it's been some years since I last had it so I'd forgotten quite how nasty it can be. Temperature was up to 40.1 on Monday evening, which was worrying. Over the worst of it now but still feeling quite feeble.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 21 September, 2023, 03:27:33 pm
Interestingly enough she went this morning, and got offered the 'flu jab too. I had a gander at the NHS app, and I see a note on mine that says "Patient specific direction to administer influenza vaccination" - so it looks like I'll be offered it too, which is good, as our local (Lloyds as was, but got sold to a local co Jardines) pharmacist doesn't have a timescale for 'flu vaccines yet. The pharmacy I'm going to (Lloyds as was, now Pyramid) didn't previously offer the Covid service.

Sometimes (mostly) the NHS works well despite the challenges.

ETA Despite it being near the end of the day my 4:20 appointment was about 4:28. Excellent.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 September, 2023, 05:07:46 pm
I keep forgetting to arrange ours.  Must do it tomorrow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 September, 2023, 07:39:00 pm
I've arranged a Covid jab for next Thursday afternoon. I'm over 65 now, so automatically eligible.
Hoping to get flu jab at same time, and both jabs for David too, as he's my carer.
Will phone pharmacy tomorrow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 September, 2023, 08:39:48 am
Metformin increases the expression of myostatin which in turn reduces muscle volume and increases fat deposition.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8818615/

Myostatin expression is higher in the elderly in any case. 

Maybe this is why it now takes me 5-6 days to recover from a flattish 200k using a motor for most of the climbs.

The Catch-22 is that diabetes increases sarcopenia in any case: hanged if I take the bloody stuff, hanged if I don't.

Have read that dark chocolate contains a lot of epicatechin, a myostatin antagonist. Oh goody.  Might also ask GP to prescribe something officially.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 September, 2023, 11:10:50 am
We have had a reminder to have our flu jabs, so we are going out to our local pharmacy later this morning to have them. I've also had a reminder to have a Covid jab, in a pharmacy in Rochford. It's only about 3 miles away, but the two most direct routes are most unpleasant for cycling. I could go by train, bus or car.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 September, 2023, 12:29:47 pm
A jab in each arm - Covid to the left, flu to the right. The flu jab caused me to bleed on my lovely linen shirt.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Keef66 on 26 September, 2023, 01:55:24 pm
Me too, curiously.  Covid in the left which was fine, and Flu in the right which bled.  I was taped up with a ball of cotton wool so my shirt was saved...

I'm waiting to hear if I'm offered Shingles and Pneumonia jabs too, which some people we know have already had.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 September, 2023, 02:30:09 pm
I bled on the left as well, but only just noticed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 26 September, 2023, 02:54:49 pm
Odd.  I'm on blood thinners but neither jab was even visible.  They never are.  On the plus side, I tested positive for covid 36 hours later.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 September, 2023, 04:01:19 pm
Well, you wouldn't test negative on the plus side...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 September, 2023, 05:28:37 pm
Odd.  I'm on blood thinners but neither jab was even visible.  They never are.  On the plus side, I tested positive for covid 36 hours later.

Positive for Covid or positive for the effects of the vaccine?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 26 September, 2023, 06:34:38 pm
fool!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 26 September, 2023, 07:24:32 pm
Odd.  I'm on blood thinners but neither jab was even visible.  They never are.  On the plus side, I tested positive for covid 36 hours later.

Positive for Covid or positive for the effects of the vaccine?

I wondered about that.  Does the injection itself give a positive test result?  First I've heard of it, though I know of John Campbell and his conspiracy stuff.   I only tested because my wife was feeling ill and tested positive.  She had NOT been vaccinated recently.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 26 September, 2023, 10:01:41 pm
No, the mRNA vaccines only contain part of the spike protein, the PCR and antigen tests look at a broader set of markers. It could confuse an antibody test, but these are generally only used to assay immunity across a population.

In other news, I managed to book a doctor's appointment last Thursday – for tomorrow, and that only earns me a cherished telephone call. Well, is it urgent? they ask when I query a six-day wait, on the basis God only took that long to create. I did have to rein in the sarcastic response let's see if I answer the phone. (I don't think it is and I'm quantifiably not dead, but I'm not sure of the value of asking patients to triage themselves.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 26 September, 2023, 10:11:24 pm
I am now forever an outlier with my N95 when out shopping or anywhere else Covid may roam. It is fun maskspotting though. I'd give my fellow outliers a secret smile, but, you know.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 26 September, 2023, 10:20:40 pm
Thanks Ian.  I thought it was probably unlikely.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 27 September, 2023, 07:51:24 am
Went over to our office corner shop (Asda) yesterday lunchtime to try to book a flu jab (I am five months too young for the free one this year).
Sorry, the wrong pharmacist is on duty.  ???
I could understand 'we can't give you one now because...', but not being allowed to book one?
So I had to wait until I got home to book an appointment on line. At the same store.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 27 September, 2023, 08:00:11 am
A jab in each arm - Covid to the left, flu to the right. The flu jab caused me to bleed on my lovely linen shirt.

Interesting (FCVO). We also had Covid left, 'flu right. Must be the Pharmacists union decision.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 27 September, 2023, 09:34:10 am
A jab in each arm - Covid to the left, flu to the right. The flu jab caused me to bleed on my lovely linen shirt.

Interesting (FCVO). We also had Covid left, 'flu right. Must be the Pharmacists union decision.

When I got both last year I was told they were putting the flu jag in the dominant arm as there had been more reports of discomfort with the Covid jag.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 September, 2023, 09:39:59 am
"Covid to the left of me, flu to the right, here I am, jabbed in the middle with you"

Vaccination by Tarantino
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 27 September, 2023, 11:53:05 am

When I got both last year I was told they were putting the flu jag in the dominant arm as there had been more reports of discomfort with the Covid jag.

Well thats was true for me - except they never asked if I were left or right handed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 September, 2023, 12:47:23 pm
I have the issue no one wants to jag me in the left arm (my more disabled arm) but if I even needed two jags they also wouldn't want to do two in the right arm. I did try to get them to do a leg jag at my first Covid jag to save wrecking my only good arm but they said they hadn't been trained on that and refused - nicely, to be fair and understood why I was asking (I got the proper doctor for being a bit weird).

I do need to see if the pharmacy will do me a flu stab as they were super keen to do so last year ;)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2023, 12:54:26 pm
Do we have to call them jags?  It just makes me think of John Prescott.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 27 September, 2023, 04:41:03 pm
I believe it's a Caledonian trait, ma'am.

Jan and I are both feeling pretty well wiped out after our intrusions yesterday. I even had some paracetamol this morning, and I fell asleep in my wonderfully comfortable chair for an hour or two this afternoon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 September, 2023, 08:17:55 pm
I have the issue no one wants to jag me in the left arm (my more disabled arm) but if I even needed two jags they also wouldn't want to do two in the right arm. I did try to get them to do a leg jag at my first Covid jag to save wrecking my only good arm but they said they hadn't been trained on that and refused - nicely, to be fair and understood why I was asking (I got the proper doctor for being a bit weird).

I do need to see if the pharmacy will do me a flu stab as they were super keen to do so last year ;)

I'm booked for Covid & 'flu jabs tomorrow.
David will get the Covid jab but pharmacy claimed not to have 'flu jabs for under 65s...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2023, 11:38:35 pm
While the COVID vaccine knocked me out for about 2.5 days last week, I haven't had so much as a sore arm from the flu one on Monday.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 28 September, 2023, 05:46:22 pm
While the COVID vaccine knocked me out for about 2.5 days last week, I haven't had so much as a sore arm from the flu one on Monday.

We both had two jabs today.
Await events...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 28 September, 2023, 09:16:06 pm
While falling asleep last night, I observed (as I usually do) that my left ear drum seems to be continually rhythmically vibrating.

Somewhat curious, this evening I fired up an online metronome and established that my left ear drum seems to be pulsating at 284 beats per minute.

45 going on 46, 6'2", Size 48 (EU) feet, resting heart rate of 56bpm.  ???
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Hot Flatus on 28 September, 2023, 09:19:47 pm
A friend of mine has COVID. Until he tested today he thought it was flu. Proper nasty, he tells me
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 September, 2023, 03:13:53 pm
While the COVID vaccine knocked me out for about 2.5 days last week, I haven't had so much as a sore arm from the flu one on Monday.

We both had two jabs today.
Await events...

I am well. My arms feel a little bruised, which is eminently forgettable.

D report poor sleep, pain both arms, mucle pains elsewhere and claims to be at death's door

which I do not believe!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 02 October, 2023, 10:40:57 pm
My sloth is probably going to save me from late evening snacking. This is a good think; I just need to convince myself of this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 03 October, 2023, 01:11:13 pm
Had co-vid vacc in left arm and flu vacc in right arm yesterday.
I remarked to the nurse that the flu vacc was more painful, and she said that a lot of folks had said the same.
That's why they do the co-vid first!

More worryingly, the lass on the computer found that my records said I had a flu vacc 3 weeks ago at a pharmacist in Huddersfield.
Totally wrong.
I am going to follow it up as that is all my data including date of birth and NHS number that someone has got unauthorised access to.
Anyone else had this happen?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2023, 01:15:29 pm
Nonsense in medical records is normal and ordinary, but it does raise an interesting question of how that particular factoid got there.  (Possibly a pharmacist in Huddersfield making a typo?)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 03 October, 2023, 04:44:12 pm
I'm still chasing it up.
When I went for my genuine vaccinations at our local practice I was, as usual, asked name (my first name is unusual for someone of my generation), DofB, and address. And my records were up on their computer.
If the vaccinator in Huddersfield did ask those questions, it's difficult to see how a mistake could be made.
Yes, I know humans make mistakes, but there are a lot of checks in the NHS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Peter on 03 October, 2023, 06:55:09 pm
Nonsense in medical records is normal and ordinary, but it does raise an interesting question of how that particular factoid got there.  (Possibly a pharmacist in Huddersfield making a typo?)

After I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, COPD suddenly appeared on my records.  I have no symptoms for that at all, and don't recall any procedure which would have tested for it.  I can't be bothered to get it checked by the GP practice because I 'd have to make sandwiches and find my sleeping bag - even for a phone appointment.

EDIT:  Just looked up the testing for COPD and it seems there are several procedures (which I've had) that could "surreptitiously" indicate COPD whilst ostensibly checking more urgent stuff.  These include, electro and echo cardiograms, and blood-oxygen readings (when I thought they were just taking my temperature with a clothes peg).  But I still have no symptoms and any breathlessness (which I also don't have) would be more likely to be owing to the AF, I think.  Anyway, I imagine that they don't think it's serious because I've not been offered anything for it.  Just don't know for certain how it got on the records.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 October, 2023, 01:26:05 am
A diagnosis of COPD might prioritise you for 'flu, Covid & other vaccines, which may be no bad thing…

.. i wonder if your GP is 'gaming' a stingy system to squeeze you a few vaccines...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 October, 2023, 08:28:56 am
In Haguenau hospital yesterday to have them read out the Afib bug they stuck in me last August. Zilch, as I expected.  I wish my previous cardiologist hadn't retired, we liked and respected each other.  His successor shoved me in an age-labelled pigeonhole and is irritatingly patronizing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 04 October, 2023, 08:29:53 pm
Still suffering from groorkiness, got around to booking a proper appointment with my GP after the usual wait-a-week-and-see-if-you-die crowd control measure.

Of course, no sooner had I confirmed, I have spent the day feeling increasingly better. I really do think doctors have voodoo dolls of their patients and they poke them with knitting needles until they ask for appointments, and then as soon as their wish is granted, out the needle away. Using the dark arts to drum up custom.

Not that, in practice, I'm complaining about getting better. And there are still occasional groorks to contend with.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: citoyen on 04 October, 2023, 10:11:09 pm
This is why I don’t bother with the doctor unless it’s something chronic. Either I’ll die before I get to see them or I’ll get better. So far I’m fortunate it’s been the latter every time, though I started to get a bit concerned when my temperature went above 40 recently.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 04 October, 2023, 10:25:55 pm
I’m normally a serial doctor dodger and that policy works until it doesn’t, I suppose. This doctor is the posh one who says ‘tummy’ like I’m five.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 October, 2023, 10:43:31 am
This is why I don’t bother with the doctor unless it’s something chronic.

Some of them are something chronic, it's true, but I have to sympathise with them occasionally: seeing a procession of old farts with virtually-identical conditions every day must be as boring as hell, not to mention smelly.  But getting talked down to then slapped with a one-size-fits-all-(not you but live with it) cocktail of poisons and the same old screed of thou-shalt-nots gets up the nose faster than an LFT swab.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2023, 06:57:23 pm
Started coming down with lurgy on Monday and thought it would be getting better by now but all I've done this evening is sneeze and cough until Pumpkin gave me the evils and got up in disgust.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 05 October, 2023, 07:32:38 pm
This is why I don’t bother with the doctor unless it’s something chronic.

Some of them are something chronic, it's true, but I have to sympathise with them occasionally: seeing a procession of old farts with virtually-identical conditions every day must be as boring as hell, not to mention smelly.  But getting talked down to then slapped with a one-size-fits-all-(not you but live with it) cocktail of poisons and the same old screed of thou-shalt-nots gets up the nose faster than an LFT swab.

A consultant audiologist (or whatever they call ear doctors these days) extended my appointment by about 45 minutes to talk to me about exciting science stuff, which was nice, though tempered by the fact that most of his conversations with his customers were probably 'pardon?' A friend of mine is a GP and she has to go shopping 10 miles from her home to avoid conversations with patients. No, that isn't normal, and doubly so as you're showing it to me in the freezer aisle of Sainsbury's.

I do like the doctors who tell it like it is, I remember once going to see my elderly GP in Lewisham about some knee pain, and she just made a pffftt sound and said 'you think that hurts, try being my age.' I'm working on it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 October, 2023, 10:53:37 pm
A consultant audiologist (or whatever they call ear doctors these days)

Otolaryngologists, I think, AKA 'Snot doctors' in this household.    Audiologists are the ones with the beepy headphones (and the good ones will have a random conversation with the patient in order to determine the pardon?-rate after jibbling hearing aids).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2023, 08:26:03 am
Shone a torch into my achy throat today and discovered a bright yellow Junior Smartie with an angry red rim grinning back at me out of one corner. Only it wasn't a Smartie.  Got a grumbling molar, and despite PPIs & so forth throat is half-digested with acid reflux so... targets of opportunity etc., you fill it in.  Dentist was already booked for Tuesday, doc is on a long weekend. Was planning a 200 but MrsT sez "you can't ride with that and pump it all round your body" which does feel right so I'm stuck here grumbling while the sun shines. Arse.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 06 October, 2023, 08:35:24 am
I feel on the edge of BPPV (https://youtu.be/Xx5dUvtUGbE?si=-OCSzX3_f3o4668L) again, and made the mistake of mentioning it to my wife. Am grounded as well, though I feel an appeal coming on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2023, 09:27:10 am
That's the one where you get out of bed and start to fall over backwards/sideways/anybloodyway, isn't it?  Fortunately, when I built our bed I put metre-high posts at the corners.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 06 October, 2023, 10:29:02 am
That is exactly how it happens for me. Out of the bed and into the wall. I can sometimes tell there's trouble ahead when I'm lying down and start to bring it on simply by turning my head to the left. At its worst I end up crawling on my hands and knees if I need to get anywhere.

(https://i.imgur.com/aqk08LM.jpg)
Welcome to my world
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 October, 2023, 10:58:19 am
That's the one where you get out of bed and start to fall over backwards/sideways/anybloodyway, isn't it?  Fortunately, when I built our bed I put metre-high posts at the corners.

Nope.
You are stationary. It it the world that spins round and hits you.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2023, 11:09:11 am
I only get the backwards variety of this.  Haven't fallen. Goes away pretty fast, but I'm not going to stand with my back to a precipice any time soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 October, 2023, 07:02:14 am
On Friday evening I developed a sore throat and by Saturday evening I was coughing and wheezing and I have been Awake all night. I  phoned 111 at 00.30 and again at 0320 before seeing a doctor at 05.20 .now I have to find a chemist that might dispense on a Sunday morning  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 08 October, 2023, 03:58:26 pm
A consultant audiologist (or whatever they call ear doctors these days)

Otolaryngologists, I think, AKA 'Snot doctors' in this household.    Audiologists are the ones with the beepy headphones (and the good ones will have a random conversation with the patient in order to determine the pardon?-rate after jibbling hearing aids).

There's an ENT consultant who Tweets as ***Snot...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 October, 2023, 09:24:08 am
Throat flared up overnight, looks like the rubbish bin in a butcher's shop. Doc's away, locum's booked out (Monday, innit?). Dentist tomorrow. Hope antibiotic does something by Wednesday, but not so much that I feel too lousy to ride - the weather's perfect.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 October, 2023, 09:58:29 am
Throat flared up overnight, looks like the rubbish bin in a butcher's shop. Doc's away, locum's booked out (Monday, innit?). Dentist tomorrow. Hope antibiotic does something by Wednesday, but not so much that I feel too lousy to ride - the weather's perfect.

Gargle with soluble aspirin.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 09 October, 2023, 10:32:45 am
Quote
Gargle with soluble aspirin.
I was given that advice by a GP decades ago, and it really does work.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 October, 2023, 11:35:04 am
Thx but can't tolerate aspirin so there's none in the house.  Used chlorhexidine to no great effect.  Will try presently with espresso.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 09 October, 2023, 03:30:34 pm
Nonsense in medical records is normal and ordinary, but it does raise an interesting question of how that particular factoid got there.  (Possibly a pharmacist in Huddersfield making a typo?)

My guess is a pharmacy assistant inputting data into the SCR has mistyped an NHS number/a wrong NHS number was recorded on the vaccination form and they've not double-checked the other demographics to confirm the patient ID.  It does happen unfortunately, no matter how often you drum into people the correct processes for accessing and recording data on the SCR.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 09 October, 2023, 03:34:07 pm
The endocrinology team has now decided that there is an issue with my thyroid and has asked the GP to refer me.   I've only been chasing this for three years.

I'm going to give the endocrinology team at Addenbrookes a call and see what the wait time is for an outpatient appointment.  I have a feeling it might be a long time...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 10 October, 2023, 03:36:59 pm
Bugger. The opti-quack decided that although improved by 4 weeks of steroid eye drops my macular oedema wasn’t better enough. So I got a steroid injection around the eyeball. I hope that does the trick, but he wants at least 2 more visits, each of which entails my wife driving me then hanging about for 3-4 hours. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 11 October, 2023, 02:41:35 pm
Met with a surgeon for hip replacement today. He doesn't want to operate because my arse/hips have too much subcutaneous fat with poor blood supply. He also thinks a portion of the pain I'm getting isn't from arthritis, but trochanteric bursitis, and joint replacement may well make that worse.
I could go see another surgeon but I don't think 25% risk of deep infection is a risk I'm willing to take.

Some American Website (Dog Bless Google) tells me that cycling is bad for hip bursitis. They can feck right off.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 October, 2023, 02:59:14 pm
trochanteric bursitis is what I get on my right hip (I think due to childhood perthes and treatment).

It is annoying and occasionally makes me limp like I have an artificial leg.

Bearable though. I'd rather put up with it than have surgery, with all the commensurate recovery bollocks.

My whinge is about my stupid shoulder, that after 6 effing months still hasn't healed.

That, and the cramp I keep getting just above my knee (that's probably my fault though, going from almost 0 cycling to 70km rides is possibly expecting a bit much from my aged body).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 11 October, 2023, 03:13:42 pm
The endocrinology team has now decided that there is an issue with my thyroid and has asked the GP to refer me.   I've only been chasing this for three years.

I'm going to give the endocrinology team at Addenbrookes a call and see what the wait time is for an outpatient appointment.  I have a feeling it might be a long time...

I had a call from the endocrinology clinic admin bod - I should get an appointment in the next 4-6 weeks, which isn't bad.  Plus it might be quicker if I can make a short notice slot.  I explained I work from home and live a mile from the outpatients department.  She said she'd let the team know...  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 11 October, 2023, 04:29:52 pm
Flu jab scored, pharmacy round the corner walk-in, got it under respiratory nonsense criteria. Better than work's vouchers which wasted an hour of my time failing to find a slot in a place I could get to.

Less said about the fucking vertigo the better; it's not really improving, so doubled my meds and if that doesn't work I'll come off them and see if GP has any better ideas.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 October, 2023, 07:58:08 am
Feeling like shit warmed up on a shovel this morning between Covid jab reaction and antibiotics.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 12 October, 2023, 10:09:27 am
Bearable though. I'd rather put up with it than have surgery, with all the commensurate recovery bollocks.
The commensurate recovery bollocks is a one time thing. The hip is arthritic, no doubt about that, so will need replacing sooner rather than later. Wait too long and the rest of me will be too worn out to appreciate the shiny! new! joint benefit.

I'll do the bursitis relief stretching/ exercising and see if it makes much difference. I don't really want to spend years on anti-inflammatories if I can spend 3 months feeling sorry for myself and then be OK.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 14 October, 2023, 08:00:56 pm
MrsC and I have both come down with some sort of gastric bug.
She was ill on Wednesday night, I was last night. Slept until noon today and didn't get enough energy even for a shower until about five.

We were supposed to be out all day today and have had to turn down an invitation to a pub lunch tomorrow.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 October, 2023, 09:23:42 am
Finished antibiotics, abscess in throat still there. Should see quack again but I've had the medical trade up the arse enough this year already.  Bah. I'm away for a gargle with essence of arabica.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 20 October, 2023, 11:11:15 am
This morning I had to get to the railway station in short order and as it’s chucking it down I elected not to put running gear on and run but to wear my everyday clothes and ‘speed walk’

Now, I wear barefoot shoes most of the time, and do walk quite bit, but I run in ‘normal’ running shoes (FCVO run). This morning I had my barefoot boots on. 

My shin muscles are now very weak and I find it very difficult to raise my toes. Standing is a bit wibbly as well. Maybe I won’t look at getting any barefoot running shoes just yet!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 October, 2023, 01:16:00 pm
Fresh antibiotics w. clavulanic acid topping to see if the Yellow Glob From Hell will succumb. If not, it's another round of specialist visits. I hate this f*cking year.

In other news, MrsT recounts the story of one of her UK chums who went to A&E with a suspected broken wrist and got it X-rayed. The break confirmed, they got her an appointment with a fracture clinic.  She just got it set & plastered, 2 weeks after the referral. :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 October, 2023, 02:25:25 pm
Fresh antibiotics w. clavulanic acid topping to see if the Yellow Glob From Hell will succumb. If not, it's another round of specialist visits. I hate this f*cking year.

In other news, MrsT recounts the story of one of her UK chums who went to A&E with a suspected broken wrist and got it X-rayed. The break confirmed, they got her an appointment with a fracture clinic.  She just got it set & plastered, 2 weeks after the referral. :o
That is weird. Last time I broke a wrist, it was set immediately and plastered.

IANAD, but I don't think you can set a break 2 weeks later, you'd have to 'rebreak' it (unless it was a hairline fracture and just needed holding in place, rather than 'setting').
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 October, 2023, 02:38:59 pm
Fresh antibiotics w. clavulanic acid topping to see if the Yellow Glob From Hell will succumb. If not, it's another round of specialist visits. I hate this f*cking year.

In other news, MrsT recounts the story of one of her UK chums who went to A&E with a suspected broken wrist and got it X-rayed. The break confirmed, they got her an appointment with a fracture clinic.  She just got it set & plastered, 2 weeks after the referral. :o
That is weird. Last time I broke a wrist, it was set immediately and plastered.

IANAD, but I don't think you can set a break 2 weeks later, you'd have to 'rebreak' it (unless it was a hairline fracture and just needed holding in place, rather than 'setting').

Aye, you'd think it would start to knit* in the interim.  One of my collar-bones in knobbly because an unseen fracture did that.

* betcha she didn't.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 20 October, 2023, 02:40:20 pm
Apparently (according to Mr Smith, who had it from his consultant, and wasn't seen by a doctor for more than 2 weeks after his break) current practise is to treat conservatively (ie do nothing) much more than historically was the case- some previously common interventions were found to have no better, and often worse, long term outcomes.

And, bonus, it's cheaper. The Post-Covid NHS is quite different from the pre-Covid, as a user.

Obviously, IAANAD
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 20 October, 2023, 05:32:38 pm
Since my return to physical activity (in Nov 2022) from my radical prostatectomy operation
(Sept 2022) I've had a sharp pain in my right glute. I've been active all my life and have
never had that sort of pain before, but can't honestly put it down to the effects of the operation.

I've tried Pidgeon stretch, but that hasn't helped. I'm going to try a massage gun to see if it will
make things better.
Sciatica, caused by my radical prostatectomy operation.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 21 October, 2023, 09:30:44 am
I’m getting my flu jab this afternoon.   It’ll be interesting to see if I get any reaction - several people I know who are normally fine with the jabs said it really knocked them back this year. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 October, 2023, 02:56:00 pm
That is weird. Last time I broke a wrist, it was set immediately and plastered.
IANAD, but I don't think you can set a break 2 weeks later, you'd have to 'rebreak' it (unless it was a hairline fracture and just needed holding in place, rather than 'setting').

Adult fractures are still fairly mobile after a fortnight and are only just starting to get 'sticky' but a fortnight's delay is somewhat suboptimal.

It does mean (hopefully) the fracture will get set
in daylight
under expert supervision
with optimal anaesthetists.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 21 October, 2023, 02:59:24 pm
I’m getting my flu jab this afternoon.   It’ll be interesting to see if I get any reaction - several people I know who are normally fine with the jabs said it really knocked them back this year.

Had both 'flu and Covid jabs on 28 September this year.

Arms felt a bit bruised but I was well.
[YMMV obv]
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 21 October, 2023, 06:36:58 pm
I’m getting my flu jab this afternoon.   It’ll be interesting to see if I get any reaction - several people I know who are normally fine with the jabs said it really knocked them back this year. 
No reaction to either this year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2023, 09:45:40 pm
No reaction at all to my flu jab this year.  Covid was another matter.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Basil on 21 October, 2023, 10:23:28 pm
No reaction at all to either.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 22 October, 2023, 12:00:16 pm
I'm not entirely certain I want to know the answer to this.

If someone is being given IV Vancomycin alongside IV flucloxacillin for an infection, does that signify an infection (bone) condition that is a matter of extreme concern? Full culture results are not available. MRSA is not a factor. Reading Vancomycin is an antibiotic of last resort makes me think so.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 October, 2023, 12:40:07 pm
I'm not entirely certain I want to know the answer to this.

If someone is being given IV Vancomycin alongside IV flucloxacillin for an infection, does that signify an infection (bone) condition that is a matter of extreme concern? Full culture results are not available. MRSA is not a factor. Reading Vancomycin is an antibiotic of last resort makes me think so.

Unless they're using it because the patient is allergic to more usual antibiotics, that's fairly serious stuff.  I'd expect them to be monitoring the vancomycin levels and renal function.  Possibly they might switch to something more specific if cultures become available.


(IANAD, but I answered the phone for one who had to approve doses of this stuff for most of my childhood.)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 22 October, 2023, 01:09:51 pm
That's what I thought, especially with the dose taking 3 hours multiple times daily (no allergies involved). I was hoping someone with knowledge might pop up and say it's a normal precaution, but I don't think it is.


Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 October, 2023, 01:28:53 pm
You've got to titrate Vamcomycin to a fairly precise concentration in the blood (enough to kill the organism without risking kindney damage) and the half-life is fairly short, so administering it slowly like that would be normal, unless it was a one-off dose for post-surgical prophylaxis.

I don't think it can be administered orally?  Most of the patients requiring my dad being involved out of hours were unconscious in ITU, thobut (usually MRSA run riot or complicated cases with HIV and such), so my perspective is probably skewed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 October, 2023, 04:49:55 pm
Bone infections are a bugger to treat.
I presume the antibiotics are prescribed with the advice of the hospital microbiology team, who know their stuff.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 22 October, 2023, 05:22:27 pm
Microbiology, plastics and orthopedics are all involved.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 October, 2023, 06:53:52 pm
Sounds like good teamwork hopefully they'll cure this!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 October, 2023, 08:06:10 pm
Vancomycin is now a fairly standard drug for specific indications depending on bacteriology. However it is generally second line agent due to the need for titration against levels and kidney function.

The need for orthopaedics and plastics  to both be involved is more worrying I am afraid.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 22 October, 2023, 08:42:09 pm
That's actually reassuring, thanks.

Nothing at the moment is good, just didn't want to feel as if we were drinking at the last chance saloon, which Vancomycin felt like.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 22 October, 2023, 11:21:55 pm
It sounds like they're going with what's most likely to actually work, so as not to wast time waiting for cultures, which can always be a bit hit and miss.

I note that non-medics tend to think of second-line antibiotics as 'stronger' whereas it's better to think in terms of 'appropriate to the organism', traded off against side-effects, ease of use, and risk of encouraging resistance.  You don't go around routinely blatting things with vancomycin because you can't just give the patient some pills four times a day, and you want it in reserve for the MRSA and C. difficile.  But equally you don't want to let a bone infection take hold while the microbiologists do it with culture and sensitivity.  Medicine is as much art as SCIENCE.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 23 October, 2023, 01:16:40 am
Good summary, Kim!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 23 October, 2023, 09:05:43 am
.. you don't want to let a bone infection take hold ...

That would have been excellent to have avoided   :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 23 October, 2023, 09:42:31 am
I’m getting my flu jab this afternoon.   It’ll be interesting to see if I get any reaction - several people I know who are normally fine with the jabs said it really knocked them back this year.

Turned up for my 'flu jab and the pharmacist asked if I'd like the Covid jab at the same time.  I said 'yes' (meaning I don't have to take time out from work on Wednesday).

A have a slightly tender spot where I had the Covid jab but that's it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 24 October, 2023, 01:41:53 pm
The endocrinology team has now decided that there is an issue with my thyroid and has asked the GP to refer me.   I've only been chasing this for three years.

I'm going to give the endocrinology team at Addenbrookes a call and see what the wait time is for an outpatient appointment.  I have a feeling it might be a long time...

I had a call from the endocrinology clinic admin bod - I should get an appointment in the next 4-6 weeks, which isn't bad.  Plus it might be quicker if I can make a short notice slot.  I explained I work from home and live a mile from the outpatients department.  She said she'd let the team know...  :thumbsup:

I now have an appointment next Wednesday (1 November).  :thumbsup:   So roughly fours weeks from A&G request to OP appointment.  That's almost as good as going private...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 31 October, 2023, 11:37:06 pm
Today my wife discovered she needs £1000 of dentistry. Time to crowdfund a smile?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 01 November, 2023, 08:28:09 pm
A single filling then?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 02 November, 2023, 05:41:09 am
In a way. A partial denture.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 November, 2023, 08:43:12 am
Earlier this year MrsC was told she either needed an implant or a bridge, to replace a rotten tooth that had to be removed.
Cost was going to be north of £2000.

She actually considered just having the tooth removed.

I told her not to be stupid and she should get the implant while we could afford it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Keef66 on 02 November, 2023, 10:30:25 am
My teeth appear to be made of cottage cheese.  Not many left now.   :'(

Years ago I had a crowned upper incisor.  Then courtesy of our 5 year old's head-butt it got knocked out snapping it level with the gum so that had to come out.   So I went for a bridge which involved scarificing and crowning the 2 adjacent teeth.  Some years later the stumps of those teeth just disintegrated and the bridge of 3 false ones landed in my dinner.  Those 2 stumps then had to be extracted leaving a nice Nobby Stiles 3 tooth gap.  When they told me that implants start at £2000 per screw, we quickly moved on to the cheaper option of an NHS partial denture.  Needs Fixodenting into place every morning and sometimes faffing with during the day if I eat anything with pips

Some days I wish I'd stumped up for implants...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2023, 01:21:49 pm
Implants seem to be the way to go if you can afford them.
I think we boomers had the worst of all worlds with our teeth, which seem to be falling to bits as we age.
Mum (87) has most of her natural teeth, having had loads of dental trouble when we were kids.
My siblings' teeth are mostly pretty ropey.
Brother #1 lives abroad and seems to be paying only about £400 a pop for implants. Seems the techniques used for him are less fiddly than that which D had recently.

I'll be interested to see how these fare in the future.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Keef66 on 02 November, 2023, 02:15:36 pm
Both my parents had more dentures than I currently do.  We found quite a few sets grinning at us when we cleared the house after Dad's demise.  Genetics, sugar and lack of fluoride I suppose.
I guess back in their day the dentists were more likely to simply extract dodgy teeth than try to salvage them.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: alfapete on 02 November, 2023, 02:35:09 pm

Some days I wish I'd stumped up for implants...

You still could.  Implants can be placed any time after extractions. There are some advantages to placing them sooner rather than later but these are fairly minor.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 November, 2023, 02:38:40 pm
I have had an implant (top incisor) for decades and can’t imagine putting up with a denture.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 02 November, 2023, 02:53:51 pm
Her situation is a little different from the usual. It's a fix for a tooth that never arrived in the first place. The dentist says the imbalance, which only lately started causing discomfort, will worsen if not addressed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 02 November, 2023, 03:38:03 pm
Any suggestions for dietary supplements/vitamins that would aid bone repair and regeneration? All degrees of woo considered.

Signed

Assistant barman at the last chance saloon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2023, 03:54:10 pm
If your diet is as good as the food posts you sometimes share, they're probably unnecessary.
Vitamin D has all kinds of benefits though.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: joy of essex on 02 November, 2023, 03:58:40 pm
RE Boomers  Teeth

Yes, there's some truth in what you say. We missed out on Fluoride toothpaste, experienced drill and fill dentistry, and out on missed preventative dentistry. I have a mouthful of amalgam whereas my children have no fillings.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 02 November, 2023, 04:57:08 pm
Also, there was no sugar rationing after WWII and sweets were cheap & easily available...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Ham on 02 November, 2023, 05:04:48 pm
If your diet is as good as the food posts you sometimes share, they're probably unnecessary.
Vitamin D has all kinds of benefits though.

t'aint me, but yes our diet is almost zero processed, high fibre, fruit etc.

It isn't what is necessary, it is what might possibly maybe potentially help, things are not in a good place.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 November, 2023, 05:15:55 pm
After barakta's hip surgery, based on a combination of expiry dates and common sense, I suggested that it might be a good idea to incorporate the Big Jar Of Overpriced Multivitimins™ from the Brexit stockpile into her medications routine, given that she was at that point subsisting on a diet of TEA, toast and laxatives.  Didn't seem to do any harm, anyway.

Calcium probably seems prudent...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 02 November, 2023, 05:28:43 pm
Also, there was no sugar rationing after WWII and sweets were cheap & easily available...

As were penicillin lozenges, over the counter without a prescription.  My mum once gave me a full tube of them and told me to eat as many as I liked. Sweet and lemony they were.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 02 November, 2023, 05:30:12 pm
As were penicillin lozenges, over the counter without a prescription.  My mum once gave me a full tube of them and told me to eat as many as I liked. Sweet and lemony they were.

What is it with boomers and lozenges?

I once had an English teacher force-feed me one because I was having an asthma attack, thus confirming every prejudice I'd developed about language teachers' understanding of SCIENCE.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 17 November, 2023, 05:13:01 pm
As were penicillin lozenges, over the counter without a prescription.  My mum once gave me a full tube of them and told me to eat as many as I liked. Sweet and lemony they were.

What is it with boomers and lozenges?

I once had an English teacher force-feed me one because I was having an asthma attack, thus confirming every prejudice I'd developed about language teachers' understanding of SCIENCE.

Cheer up, he might have force-fed you Thomas Hardy.  And our physics master pronounced Poiseuille Pwaserel, showing that the converse is also true.

Anyway, MrsT & me had our flu shots this morning and nurse drew my blood for a couple of analyses I had outstanding.  Got the results by email this afternoon: all within normal bounds.  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 19 November, 2023, 07:42:09 am
05.12 this morning and my compressed disc has gone into spasm again. I  can't move and the wife's sleeping through her phone. This could be interesting  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 19 November, 2023, 09:08:11 am
I have been on holiday with a rubbish mattress and 36 hours of low back pain. Thankfully it is easing now with diclofenac gel, tablets, paracetamol, massage and an ice pack.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 19 November, 2023, 10:35:54 am
Yesterday (Sat 18 Nov) I had another acupuncture injection session to reduce/ease/eradicate
the pain I am feeling in my obturator internus* area.

The pain is not as intense now, but I will probably have one more treatment, and continue with
the specific stretch I was given to do, and see how things progress.

*The pain is a result of the the radical prostatectomy operation I had in Sept 2022.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 19 November, 2023, 01:09:24 pm
Managed to survive till she who mustn't be obeyed arose. Now full of painkillers and bored stuck in here  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 19 November, 2023, 02:31:48 pm
Meanwhile, I have been troubled this last week or so by pain developing in both hips, not to mention big toes and thumb joints (not gout, according to analyses). It's worst when I get up and goes away gradually with movement.  A few days ago I looked up 'sitagliptin arthritis' and discovered a case where a bloke who'd been on the former developed the latter after 6 months. Uh-huh.  I'm on sitagliptin and PPI's so I did another search, for PPIs and arthritis, and came up with another gotcha.  It seems that sitagliptin and PPIs together might be an excellent recipe for joint misery, especially since 'severe joint pain' is listed in sitagliptin's possible side-effects.

Anyway, two days ago I cut the sitagliptin (I'm still on metformin so no fear diabetic comas) and halved the dose of PPIs (and after-lunch espressi), and the pain is receding.  I'll see my GP in a couple of weeks and negotiate a change of meds accordingly.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 November, 2023, 02:14:21 pm
Saw the local GP yesterday.
So, he was perturbed by the lack of range of motion in my arm (can't even raise it to horizontal now).

It is definitely deteriorating.

He was surprised I hadn't had an xray; previous consult was over the phone and they just booked an ultrasound.

The bones feel to be in the right place to me, but given the original injury was from a blow, an xray seems sensible.

Then a referral to the hospital physio, who are more experienced with more major injuries.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 29 November, 2023, 05:20:00 pm
Erk. Hope X-ray and or physios can help. Shoulders are notoriously tricky joints. I blame bad design.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 30 November, 2023, 01:02:37 pm
Went to the dentist as one of my crowned molars has been a bit sore. Infection and bone loss all around the root, ”that’ll have to come out” says the dentist. Bugger.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 30 November, 2023, 01:48:38 pm
Been on the diabetic hyper/hypo roller-coaster since our 5k toddle this morning - reckon the cold burnt up available blood sugar and I over-compensated. Haven't felt right since.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 10 December, 2023, 08:23:29 pm
Well, that will teach me for having a toffee, there goes a filling and guess what I am going to have to do in a hurry.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 13 December, 2023, 07:30:24 am
Woke up this morning and the eczema on my hands is infected.  That means another round of telephone consults with the GP to get some steroid+antibiotic cream.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 13 December, 2023, 11:31:57 am
It's not really horrible, but if you're a bit sensitive or, say, eating, you might just prefer a warning:

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 13 December, 2023, 11:35:34 am
It's not really horrible, but if you're a bit sensitive or, say, eating, you might just prefer a warning:

(click to show/hide)

I had something similar, but never identified despite swabs. My "inny" became a swollen and extremely sore and prominent "outy"  before equally mysteriously settling down, as a "flushy". Bodies eh?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 13 December, 2023, 11:52:10 am
Woke up this morning and the eczema on my hands is infected.  That means another round of telephone consults with the GP to get some steroid+antibiotic cream.

No need for a telephone consult.  As this is a recurrent problem, I was told I could email the prescriptions team, asking for what I needed and they'd double-check with the GP it was OK to send out a prescription.  I sent the request from my NHS mail account and got a response about 15 minutes later.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 13 December, 2023, 02:18:32 pm
It's not really horrible, but if you're a bit sensitive or, say, eating, you might just prefer a warning:

(click to show/hide)

I had something similar, but never identified despite swabs. My "inny" became a swollen and extremely sore and prominent "outy"  before equally mysteriously settling down, as a "flushy". Bodies eh?

I suppose a "flushy" (an Action Man?) is better than a "shake-it-all-abouty" which is where I thought you were going  ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Beardy on 15 December, 2023, 01:07:38 pm
Day nine of anti-D meds reduction. I had the disassociation wobbles on days 3 to 5, but they went away mostly when I moved my dose time 3 to 4 hpurs earlier. The wobbles are back today. I’m supposed to reduce again on day 14 but because we (that is I) are driving to deepest Cornwall next week, Dr Beardy has suggested I postpone that reduction until we are home again. I think she’s right.

On the other hand, my mental state doesn’t seem to be changing in response to the reduction of mind altering drugs, but it might be a bit early for that yet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: road-runner on 15 December, 2023, 03:11:06 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/rXTgdSk.jpg)

Does anyone recognise this problem? Mrs. road-runner is a piano teacher and in the winter she suffers from splits in the ends of her fingers and on her knuckles. She thinks she lacks vitamin D but taking vitamin D tablets does not resolve the issue.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 15 December, 2023, 03:51:16 pm
It’s probably just the cold dry weather. Plenty of moisturiser it’s the key. We use either Norwegian hand cream or O’Keeffe’s.

ETA after reading Helly’s post below, neither of those are greasy except initially.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 December, 2023, 04:07:43 pm
I'd slap some collodion on those to keep the crud out first. Stings like a bastard but you grow to love it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 15 December, 2023, 04:08:02 pm
D gets similar.

Suggest gloves, moisturiser & possible judicious use of Vaseline.

I appreciate greasy fingertips are suboptimal in a pianist!

Also:
Reduce/limit the amount and frequency soap and detergents are used on the hands. 'Handwash' detergent like Carex is a pernicious degreaser and is very difficult to rinse off well enough to stop degreasing the skin. Bar soap will get inactivated by water of even minimal hardness but not truly soft water.
Rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse after washing.
Dry well with an absorbent towel. Blowers do not remove detergent remains.
Use hand cream or similar every time the hands are washed.
Keep the wind off the hands with gloves EVERY outing.

<Gratuitous sexism>
Now's the time to get your wife to make lots of buttery pastry with her bare hands.

Season's Greetings!

 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 15 December, 2023, 05:03:46 pm
As others have said, caused by cold dry conditions.  I am sure there is a proper dermatological term for it but who cares.

They are really painful as the depth of the wound takes ages to heal.

From practical personal and professional experience:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: tonyh on 15 December, 2023, 06:16:56 pm
And, fingerless gloves, as they can be worn nearly all the time, seem to have helped my fingers to stop splitting.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 15 December, 2023, 08:43:39 pm
Husband and I get these frequently, not just in winter, due to getting hands cold and wet working outdoors.
As Helly says reduce use of handwash and dry carefully. Persist with the heavy duty moisturiser eg zerobase especially at night. Keep warm so the blood gets to extremities and keeps them healthy.
When the edges go hard and dry, they will not heal up - I  resort to trimming the hard bits off with scissors, but I probably should not recommend that! Then I completely cover them with small compeed blister plasters which keep the cuts from drying out and gives them a chance to heal. Husband uses tea tree cream and micropore, but that doesn't work for me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Clare on 15 December, 2023, 09:16:55 pm
I gave this advice ages ago in a different thread but it is worth repeating here:

Quote
Get a pair of white cotton gloves of the type worn by snooker referees and a hyooooge pot of emollient ointment. Prior to going to sleep slather your hands with the ointment and put on the gloves. The ointment will do its work overnight.


Technical bit - fold the gloves halfway inside out, so the hand bit is folded back over the fingers it is then easier to get them on with massively gooped-up hands by sticking your fingers in the finger holes of both gloves then using gloved fingers to fold the bottom part of each glove down to cover the rest of your hands.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 17 December, 2023, 09:14:03 am
Bugger. I have a cold. That’ll still be lingering on until well into Christmas knowing me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 December, 2023, 12:48:27 pm
GWS!
Partner's piano pupil yesterday had a cold and he reckons he'll get a Christmas cold too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 17 December, 2023, 02:36:58 pm
GWS!
Partner's piano pupil yesterday had a cold and he reckons he'll get a Christmas cold too.

Ta. Colds have always lingered for me (well, runny noses) hence the removal of my adenoids as a child, when that was A Thing. Decided not to go into work tomorrow (almost unheard of for me) so only 1 working day left this year (Tuesday).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 December, 2023, 03:25:30 pm
I think D still has his tonsils & adenoids but his colds tend to last longer and are much more miserable than mine.

He tends to announce he's dying, when I just need to blow my nose a bit more...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 17 December, 2023, 08:43:20 pm
I think D still has his tonsils & adenoids but his colds tend to last longer and are much more miserable than mine.

He tends to announce he's dying, when I just need to blow my nose a bit more...
Isn't that cos "man flu"

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 17 December, 2023, 08:58:26 pm
Well yes but he does appear to have worse symptoms.
His nose gets too blocked to allow him a comfortable night's sleep, while mine doesn't etc.

I presume the same bug is causing both our colds if we have rgem simultaneously or in quick succession.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 December, 2023, 03:03:35 pm
Yebbut women's immune systems mount stronger defences against infection because they evolved to cover the foetus as well as the mother. Thus "man flu" is a sexist myth.

Meanwhile, was worried about my old cycling chum El Prez, who has a branch block (left or right, dunno) and has had a few malaises recently, one sufficiently acute to take him to hospital overnight. His BP was heading for the heights, too. However, a change of BP meds has improved things and he was able to do a short ride on Saturday. He should be getting a defib/pacemaker in the New Year.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 December, 2023, 03:25:56 pm
Yebbut women's immune systems mount stronger defences against infection because they evolved to cover the foetus as well as the mother. Thus "man flu" is a sexist myth.

Harvard medical school completely disagrees with you.

Women's immune systems have a less strong response.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/man-flu-really-thing-2018010413033 (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/man-flu-really-thing-2018010413033)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 18 December, 2023, 03:48:59 pm
Yebbut women's immune systems mount stronger defences against infection because they evolved to cover the foetus as well as the mother. Thus "man flu" is a sexist myth.

Harvard medical school completely disagrees with you.

Women's immune systems have a less strong response.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/man-flu-really-thing-2018010413033 (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/man-flu-really-thing-2018010413033)

Interesting. From the above:

Quote
Since flu symptoms are in large part due to the body's immune reaction, a lessened immune response in women may translate to milder symptoms.

and

Quote
So, I agree with the author of this new report, who states "…the concept of man flu, as commonly defined, is potentially unjust." We need a better understanding of how the flu affects men and women and why it may affect them differently.

So we would both appear to be right wrt the man-flu myth.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 18 December, 2023, 04:10:56 pm
Yebbut women's immune systems mount stronger defences against infection because they evolved to cover the foetus as well as the mother. Thus "man flu" is a sexist myth.

Harvard medical school completely disagrees with you.

Women's immune systems have a less strong response.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/man-flu-really-thing-2018010413033 (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/man-flu-really-thing-2018010413033)

Which would make more sense as their immune system needs to be more tolerant to the foetus.  There is in the news this week, emerging research that is concluding that miscarriages has a strong genetic component tied to certain gene variants the father contributed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 December, 2023, 04:24:22 pm
Yes. Stronger immune response means more and stronger symptoms. Not healthy for a fetus.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 19 December, 2023, 06:47:06 pm
do we mean immune response or immune sensitivity?  The female immune system probably needs to be more tolerant/les sensitive to non-me proteins but that does not mean it cannot mount just as good an immune response to a challenge.

There is also some evidence that women have some extra protective measures to enhance parts/all?? of their immune system and men have a higher incidence of cancer than women.

Fascinatingly it may be due to men only having one X chromosome and women having 2.  https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2017/02/why-is-cancer-more-common-in-men (https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2017/02/why-is-cancer-more-common-in-men) I haven't linked the primary data because I probably wouldn't understand it!!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 19 December, 2023, 09:05:50 pm
Women, as far as I have read, mount a broadly stronger immune response – greater antibody responses than males, higher basal immunoglobulin levels and more B cells. It's complicated though as a number of key immunity-related genes are located on the X chromosome (indeed, the X is a significant determinant of autoimmunity, karyotypes with multiple X chromosomes typically result in a significant propensity toward autoimmune diseases). Also the X chromosome contains around 10% of the machinery that determines which other genes are expressed and these work in concert with a number of sex and other hormones. In men, X chromosome effects are relatively simple, they have only the one. Women have two, which means (nearly) every cell in a woman's body has to silence one of the X chromosomes, and it may be one of them, or it might be the other – so all women are chimeric. Of course, there's the entire foetus thing, which entails massive adaptations though the core one is maintaining physical separation (most animals achieve this by the females laying eggs and effectively air-gapping the entire shebang). The placenta is an amazing and complex organ. That said, it may be that when you are around eight month's pregnant, the egg-laying alternative might sound appealing. Evolution, eh?


Of course, all this is modified by environmental influences and the microbiome. Tldr, it's complicated.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 December, 2023, 07:55:10 am
Ian, I had been taught that women turn off one of their X but the study seems to suggest that a few immune related genes on the other X remain functional. Humans are so amazing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 20 December, 2023, 11:17:40 am
Ian, I had been taught that women turn off one of their X but the study seems to suggest that a few immune related genes on the other X remain functional. Humans are so amazing.


I can't pretend to understand how since the inactivated X is usually seen to be tightly bundled up in heterochromatin and thereby physically isolated (not to mention the DNA is heavily modified), but I read this too, so there's some clever mechanism to access certain genes. For added complication, it also seems that the inactive X can modify the active X's gene expression, which is counterintuitive (one X has to be inactivated to avoid gene dosage effects, two active Xs would mean women producing twice the gene products and a regulatory mess). I think there's a school of thought that X inactivation is key determinant of genetic sex differences (basically the presence and interaction of two X chromosomes), the Y chromosome is mostly congenitally useless, and effectively sits around the sofa eating Pringles and drinking cheap beer while the X does all the hard work.


If I recall, only placental mammals randomly inactivate the X chromosome so any cell in a woman will have either the maternal or the paternal X active, in other mammals, females inactivate the paternal X.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: paton on 25 December, 2023, 10:33:02 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymcUe2c4VKk
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 25 December, 2023, 10:38:23 am
10 days on from coming down with a cold, I’m still sniffling and coughing through the day. I’ve always been the same. Luckily at night it completely clears.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Salvatore on 27 December, 2023, 10:24:06 am
I went to bed on Christmas Day feeling distinctly unwell, and spent the night throwing up at regular intervals. I spent yesterday in bed not doing anything, but today I'm up, showered and shaved, and enjoying a coffee.

Meanwhile, nuncio has some of what I had yesterday and is staying in bed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 December, 2023, 03:16:15 pm
Get Well Soonest, Spooners!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 27 December, 2023, 07:10:37 pm
I had a bit of a fright this afternoon. I had just taken some nose spray AVAMYS and I got a massive nose bleed..the wife called the ambulance and of course by the time they arrived it had stopped..I was advised to phone my doctors surgery and speak to a doctor who told me that the nose spray was not best used frequently (which I was Initially told it was OK for daily use instead of sudufed.I had using).apparently nosebleeds are a common side effect. I'm not using it anymore as it frightened the *ell out of me  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 27 December, 2023, 08:01:04 pm
Steroids thin the skin.

Hope you get no more nosebleeds!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 December, 2023, 08:24:55 pm
Avamys isn't like the decongestant nasal sprays, it can be recommended for long and short term use _ i've had it for both.

It might be worth visiting the GP again or talking to a pharmacist about nosebleeds and managing the dose and what it's for. It may be that there's alternatives, or you keep it for shorter term use as times of need.

Also worth getting advice on how to use nasal sprays as many of us use them wrongly cos we're not explicitly taught...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 01 January, 2024, 09:30:18 am
Although I have not used any nasal spray since the nose bleed 20 mins ago I have just had another one. It's pretty much stopped now but I I have no idea what has caused it. Scared now 😳
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 01 January, 2024, 04:47:53 pm
I think nose bleeds can be caused by various things but it may be worth getting GP advice about them if they are frightening you, the GP should be able to advise you on tracking them, and when is risky and when is just annoying and so on.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 01 January, 2024, 07:09:03 pm
Ambulance paramedics turned up 2 hours after the bleeding had  stopped. I was advised that as it was only 2 days after the first bleed I had probably knocked the scab somehow. Also I should avoid  hot  drinks and chilled drinks.
I  will speak to a doctor tomorrow if I can.  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 05 January, 2024, 06:46:18 pm
Was given blood test on Tues and the results this morning by text informing me that l have low iron. So I went to the chemist and bought some iron tablets..I  haven't had a bleed for a while and hope that these tablets will stop them completely 😐
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 05 January, 2024, 09:11:37 pm
The iron will be for replacing the haemoglobin you've lost from the bleeding (or it could be that it was low anyway - I can't imagine a couple of decent nosebleeds would make that much difference, unless you went the full Torslanda).  Think breathlessness, fatigue, that sort of thing.  I don't think iron level affects clotting per se?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 January, 2024, 08:32:02 am
Ah,very interesting. Thanks Kim  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 07 January, 2024, 04:41:23 pm
Well, today was my first time back in a gym for about 5 years, and my first meaningful exercise since my last recorded ride in June 202z (before it got too hot and I lost my mojo). Took it easy, I think, an hour of mainly cardio though the 10 minutes on the rower left me with wobbly legs!  Nice and quiet on a Sunday lunchtime, as it was when I joined on Friday lunch. Tues after work will be much busier, but I’ll wrap up warm and do some core work in the covered terrace.

ETA Fortunately it wasn't nearly as busy as I expected from previous times, which was just as well as it was a bit parky to be outside. Beaking myself in gently, but still surprised that my core isn't sore today - perhaps I'm not doing it right!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 January, 2024, 10:35:08 am
Who on earth thinks up the names for ointments?

I have just applied Efudix to my face.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: orienteer on 15 January, 2024, 11:44:30 am
Anusol; guess where to be applied :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2024, 12:41:35 pm
Who on earth thinks up the names for ointments?

I assume the usual pharmacological naming scheme applies, whereby a scientific name is established through the usual random combination of historical reasons, cod-Latin and organic chemistry, and the first company to market it comes up with a catchy trade name based on that.  Subsequent brands might come up with something based on what it's used for, but the scrabble for increasingly tenuous names eventually reaches the point where they're just pulling random tiles out of the bottom of the bag and going with that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 15 January, 2024, 12:53:41 pm
Anusol; guess where to be applied :demon:

It was originally AnuSol when it was created in the US.  It became Anusol for the UK and Europe when it was introduced into the UK in the 1930s.  It's now known as 'Tucks' in the US (dreads to think of the derivation for that name).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 22 January, 2024, 11:53:22 am
I've been noticing what I would describe as eye strain headaches each afternoon for the last few weeks, typically from mid afternoon onwards a developing headache towards the front of my head and a feeling of pressure around my right eye. By knocking off time my head has been really ringing.

So I went to the optician on Friday expecting the prescription of my glasses to have changed. But no, at most a 0.25 dioptre change in the astigmatism and nothing significant. Just advice to rest my eyes from the screens at work at regular intervals and if problems persist to see the GP. I guess I give it another week or so and see if the site day mid week is different before trying to get a GP appointment.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 January, 2024, 01:49:51 pm
Are you beginning to develop presbyopia? Or do you use varifocals?

Many people using computer screens benefit from glasses specifically set up so your neck is in neutral position and eyes relaxed when focusing on the screen.
Obvious really to audax cyclists. We know that the wrong bike fit does not work for a 10 hour ride.
Most prescriptions and glasses are set either for long distance or reading. Computer use is neither and quite specific.

I need to use a computer screen and examine a patients hands, arms and neck for my clinic glasses. I told the optician the distance range I wanted comfortable easy viewing and she did the rest. I can barely see properly in focus to the door and dare not wear them to go downstairs.
Perhaps worth measuring your distances, monitor heights and get someone to take a side on photo at work. Then return to the optician and perhaps a physio.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 January, 2024, 04:08:51 pm
I would agree with chrisbainbridge.

Partner has single vision ‘intermediate’ spectacles optimised for 75cm eye to screen/keyboard (we measured!) distance.

These are MUCH cheaper than varifocals and mean there is rather more vertical pitch in sharp focus than you have with varifocals.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 22 January, 2024, 04:18:54 pm
I run 2 pairs of glasses - my ordinary ones are known as my listening glasses at work because if I'm having a conversation across the room I change out of the computer glasses to my real glasses to hear properly.
If I leave the computer glasses at work I have to wear ready readers on top of my usual specs to do anything on a PC. This isn't great, especially for Zoom calls.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 January, 2024, 09:49:29 am
Same here: computer glasses w. comfy focus from ~45cm to arm's length, distance glasses for normal use and nothing at all for reading. Tried varifocals 30-odd years ago when I couldn't accommodate enough to do woodwork with my distance glasses on, but they made me seasick to I took them back and got the computer glasses.

Nowadays I could use the latter for woodwork but I just swap distances glasses for plain eye protectors in the workshop because I don't care to schlepp an extra pair of glogs about.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil21 on 23 January, 2024, 10:25:01 am
Strong agree, having a pair of glasses honed in for the right distance that you have your screens at is worth it.

There is another option. I have "varifocal" contact lenses. I once asked my optician if there was such a thing as varifocal contact lenses and he said no...but you can have different prescriptions in both eyes. The left eye is optimised for VDU use and the right eye for long distance. The brain then "picks the appropriate one" as necessary. It really works.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 23 January, 2024, 11:05:42 am
There is another option. I have "varifocal" contact lenses. I once asked my optician if there was such a thing as varifocal contact lenses and he said no...but you can have different prescriptions in both eyes. The left eye is optimised for VDU use and the right eye for long distance. The brain then "picks the appropriate one" as necessary. It really works.

Interesting. Implies that when I had my cataracts done I might have had the new lenses in different focal lengths...  You'd have to have perfect vitreous humour in both eyes, though; once one of them has detached, as they can with age, it might not be such a great solution.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 23 January, 2024, 12:49:01 pm
Quote
The brain then "picks the appropriate one" as necessary. It really works.
I know quite a lot of folks who use one near and one distance contact lens successfully.
Mostly orienteers who use one eye on the map in their hand and one on the terrain.
I tried this, but it just didn't work for me - my brain could not make the world look right and I kept falling over.
It was an expensive failure.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 23 January, 2024, 07:04:16 pm
Quote
The brain then "picks the appropriate one" as necessary. It really works.
I know quite a lot of folks who use one near and one distance contact lens successfully.
Mostly orienteers who use one eye on the map in their hand and one on the terrain.
I tried this, but it just didn't work for me - my brain could not make the world look right and I kept falling over.
It was an expensive failure.

Indeed, neither multi-focal contacts (they aren’t varifocal) nor mono-vision (one near, one far) worked for me even though I went to a contacts only practice.  Luckily they were free trial lenses, so  “just” cost me lost wages (contractor) and train fares to Brum.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: SteveC on 23 January, 2024, 07:05:17 pm
I once asked my optician if there was such a thing as varifocal contact lenses and he said no...but you can have different prescriptions in both eyes.
I don't know when you had this conversation, but you can now get varifocal contacts. I have used two different sorts. The first when I was still trying to wear contacts all the time. They were not much cop and I had to use reading glasses as well for the computers which rather missed the point. I asked again a few years later, when my contact use case had changed, and was offered a newer style. These weren't too bad, although I only really used them when re-enacting (modern glasses do not mix well with the English Civil War). I was told at one point that they were just about legal for driving and I'd already found that I really didn't like driving any distance at all in them. I cannot have the one eye for close work and one for distance solution as my eyes are too different.
What I now use, again only for re-enacting, are single vision lenses, but which compensate for my astigmatism, which the multi-focal ones did not. I have some period correct reading glasses if I really need them.
Apparently it is possible to get multi-focal lenses which will correct astigmatism as well, but not as daily disposables. As I only wear them a dozen or so times a year, the monthly ones get very expensive per wear.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:03:36 pm
I think varifocal contacts are actually the same thing as multifocal, though I am willing to be corrected. I have monthlies. I won't say they're great compared to glasses, but good enough for out-and-about stuff.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Phil21 on 24 January, 2024, 09:24:14 am
I don't know when you had this conversation, but you can now get varifocal contacts.

It was about 3 years ago. The near-and-far setup works well for me, interesting that there are other options. The only problem is I can't do super-close-up work, like looking inside a shifter to see what's broken (don't ask). Have to take the contacts out for that.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 January, 2024, 07:51:14 am
This bloody shoulder is really getting me down. Had real fit of black dog syndrome this week, found myself sitting in my office chair for hours yesterday, just couldn't get up and do anything.

I've been doing some self-guided physio, and concerned that may be making it worse.

Still waiting on hospital appointment.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 January, 2024, 09:35:07 pm
May be worth phoning hospital to get timescale and express interest in short notice cancellations.

Any chance to see a private physio for interim advice? Shoulders are notoriously difficult joints and there's no good resting position.

Do painkillers work at all? Heat/Cold packs? That's my management strategy for my "condemned" shoulder cos I won't let them fuse the joint (cos it'll fuck my spine).

Much sympathy, shoulder pain is shit (and for me worse in the cold).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 January, 2024, 10:43:00 pm
I have phoned hospital. They estimate another month waiting list.
The private physio around here has a 6-month waiting list, and she wouldn't be able to see my x-rays and scans.

I'm taking painkillers before going to bed so I can sleep. That usually lasts me until about 5:00. A.m.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 26 January, 2024, 07:50:25 am
Where are you based?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 January, 2024, 08:21:19 am
I have phoned hospital. They estimate another month waiting list.
The private physio around here has a 6-month waiting list, and she wouldn't be able to see my x-rays and scans.

I'm taking painkillers before going to bed so I can sleep. That usually lasts me until about 5:00. A.m.

Sounds bloody. Bon courage.

Worth camping out in Emergency?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 26 January, 2024, 10:57:35 am
I have phoned hospital. They estimate another month waiting list.
The private physio around here has a 6-month waiting list, and she wouldn't be able to see my x-rays and scans.

I'm taking painkillers before going to bed so I can sleep. That usually lasts me until about 5:00. A.m.
You can submit a Subject access request to see your medical records and thus share relevant bits with private physio. (it's a data protection thing so you have to get everything held).

currently that's the only way for patients to access their data up here.

which is a total faff.

It might be worth travelling to inverness or Skye for?

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 January, 2024, 11:01:25 am
I have phoned hospital. They estimate another month waiting list.
The private physio around here has a 6-month waiting list, and she wouldn't be able to see my x-rays and scans.

I'm taking painkillers before going to bed so I can sleep. That usually lasts me until about 5:00. A.m.
You can submit a Subject access request to see your medical records and thus share relevant bits with private physio. (it's a data protection thing so you have to get everything held).

currently that's the only way for patients to access their data up here.

which is a total faff.

It might be worth travelling to inverness or Skye for?

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk
I doubt skye has better facilities.

Inverness would be a possibility, but not great for regular appointments. Guess I'd have to have a referral.

Might see if I can get the subject access request bit though.

Wish I hadn't listened to MrsC. She said "You pay all this tax for better healthcare, might as well use it, don't go private".
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 26 January, 2024, 11:09:47 am
you really pay more tax for better paid healthcare workers.

When you start comparing the differences of services it's mostly just political and health economic trade offs.

When I went to the private physio in Dundee it was 2 days after I called for the appointment, and they did a progress check and exercise tweak once each of the next 3 months.

worth having a look for private physios off either ferry and speak to them about the extra challenge of the distance.

in NHS terms it would be a struggle to argue for another board to have someone look, would probably be Glasgow if you managed it too.

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Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 January, 2024, 11:18:04 am
you really pay more tax for better paid healthcare workers.

When you start comparing the differences of services it's mostly just political and health economic trade offs.


Can't agree with you there.

Cambridge; 1-2 week wait to see GP, minimum.
York; weeks long wait for delivery of OT equipment
Scotland (western isles); GP same-day video, next day face to face appointments. OT equipment delivered within 48 hours.

Seems it is the physio that is overwhelmed. Consequence of an aging population probably.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 26 January, 2024, 11:39:53 am
And if you manage to get a GP appointment in Cambridge there’s a 3 month waiting list for NHS physio assessment. 

Luckily I could be seen by the physios at work the next day. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 26 January, 2024, 12:22:53 pm
If you are thinking about going privately, I would personally suggest going to either Aberdeen or Glasgow and be seen by a surgeon from the start.  Alternatively go to somebody whilst in York visiting family.

you do not need a referral letter.  They will be able to do an X-ray immediately and theneither do a steroid injection or arrange physio.  At least you will have a definitive diagnosis.  you can continue with the NHS physio at the same time.

There is a clinic in Inverness offering shoulder injections but I have no knowledge of their skill set.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 26 January, 2024, 12:42:44 pm
And if you manage to get a GP appointment in Cambridge there’s a 3 month waiting list for NHS physio assessment. 

Luckily I could be seen by the physios at work the next day.

Not everyone has private physios at work
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 26 January, 2024, 01:39:37 pm
And if you manage to get a GP appointment in Cambridge there’s a 3 month waiting list for NHS physio assessment. 

Luckily I could be seen by the physios at work the next day.

Not everyone has private physios at work


Absolutely - I'm very lucky and have a very supportive employer (our health insurance even covers pre-exisiting conditions).  I still try to use the NHS whenever I can, but our local NHS Trust doesn't make it easy.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 January, 2024, 01:58:56 pm
And if you manage to get a GP appointment in Cambridge there’s a 3 month waiting list for NHS physio assessment. 

Luckily I could be seen by the physios at work the next day.

Not everyone has private physios at work
I can honestly say that I'm currently missing the private health access I had when living and working in Cambridge.

Do I have something life-threatening? No.
Am I in extreme pain? No.

What I have is limiting my day-to-day living. I can't raise my left arm above shoulder height, have restricted range of movement and get interrupted sleep because of pain at night.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 26 January, 2024, 02:13:17 pm
I would go to the private clinic in Inverness and get a steroid injection
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 January, 2024, 02:46:39 pm
I would go to the private clinic in Inverness and get a steroid injection

I'm going to wait until I get the xray through (made a subject access request) to see if I can work out why arm doesn't go up.

With effort, if I hook hand onto something, and crouch, I can get it a bit above horizontal, but not far. Doing that forces it into a weird position, like I'm shoving the head of the humerus on top of my shoulder.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2024, 12:26:54 am
You may be turning into barakta.  Is your tea consumption up?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 January, 2024, 09:51:20 pm
Mid December I had a call from my dentist. I have the number saved on my phone and the display said "dentist".
The person on the other end told me I have a hygienist appointment in February (maybe, I couldn't swear to it) and they'd like to take payment upfront. I said it wasn't convenient (my scam-ometer needles were starting to twitch as well) so I declined.

Fast forward to yesterday. Dentist phones again. "As you know we take payment upfront." I told them no I didn't know and I'd never paid upfront from the hygienist before. I got put on hold. After two minutes I got bored so hung up. They tried calling back a few minutes later but I was busy so cut the call. And again, but I was still busy so ignored it. Next thing I had a text message saying they've had to cancel the appointment and could I call to reschedule. I'm not impressed.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 January, 2024, 12:50:16 am
My partner pays MONTHS in advance for his hygienist, usually when he makes the appointment at the previous visit.
Hid dentist does not take payment upfront.
Perhaps this is common practice.

Hygienist was VERY keen to see D just before lockdown (21 March 2020, when Covid locally was rampant) & was cramming in extra sessions. We declined this arrangement.

I was Not Impressed!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: ian on 29 January, 2024, 06:59:18 pm
My dentist asks for a deposit. That said, I don't usually bother with the hygienist and let the dentist attack me with his power grinder.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 29 January, 2024, 07:51:56 pm
A swollen left foot where the sandle strap passes over. Doctor has given me antibiotics.  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 January, 2024, 10:07:13 pm
My dentist asks for a deposit. That said, I don't usually bother with the hygienist and let the dentist attack me with his power grinder.

My dentist has asked for a deposit in the past. They don’t any more.

I think the team trust me now. They treat my Mum and treated my (late) Dad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 February, 2024, 04:58:44 pm
Police have been called in for crowd control as a queue has formed outside a premises in Bristol today. What are so many people queuing for: Casting as extras in the latest Bristol-filmed TV spectacular? Chance to have your photo taken with Banksy? Lottery tickets at a shop which sold last week's lucky winner? Sign-on for the hottest audax? No, it's NHS dentistry.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/hundreds-queue-new-bristol-nhs-9078525
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 07 February, 2024, 01:07:57 pm
My wife was horrified to witness me wrap tape around an injured thumb rather than use something more official. Bandages are for the womenfolk of the household, I informed her. (https://youtu.be/pN_pozMG0Co?si=lIcEt7n1KGBnEwSl)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 February, 2024, 01:55:47 pm
Felt great yesterday morning, after a day on the bike with no metformin. Nonetheless I took my 3x500g like a good little diabetic.  Result: I've felt like shit warmed up on a shovel since I got up this morning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 February, 2024, 07:48:32 pm
I had a fall into our stair cupboard and hit my right eye on a upturned flap of a cardboard box. It hurt and my eye watered for a while but I thought little of it. When I got up this morning painless but reduced,  blurred vison in. It's now a bit worse than the left eye. I went to the opticians today and the eye has definitely got much worse but the opticians could find no damage  ???. So I will have to have the eyes diluted to try and find out what has happened  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 February, 2024, 08:12:54 pm
Cardboard box?  An accident worthy of Hananananah the Astrononononomer!

Hope it's merely unpleasant rather than serious...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 09 February, 2024, 08:20:49 am
Good luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 09 February, 2024, 10:03:19 am
I will have to have the eyes diluted to try and find out what has happened  :'(

'Tis a mere typo I know, but you might want to make sure the optician doesn't actually dilute your eyes. Whatever that involves, it can't be good.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2024, 02:42:53 pm
Hospital records finally came through.

Seems first physio did me a disservice; she focused on the fluid and inflammation in bicep tendon and gave me one, repeat, one exercise to put gentle loading on shoulder. That was after an US where the radiographer stated

Quote
Appearances consistent with supraspinatus tendinosis and fluid around the biceps tendon. Features suggestive of adhesive capsulitis.
So, basically frozen shoulder.

If I'd been given the absolutely standard list of exercises for frozen shoulder, it probably would have completely recovered by now.

Because it has been neglected (I've not been forcing the range of movement), it will now be more difficult to treat.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 February, 2024, 04:25:50 pm
^^^Rats.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 13 February, 2024, 02:56:33 pm
urgh! that's shit.
how long ago was the injury? bear in mind my right foot injury was 2017 and physio started in 2021 for that when I discovered there was issues when I returned to rocky mountain tops, so it may be that the appropriate exercises work quickly to grt things moving again.


had my visit to the secondary care/real physio today.

gave me yet more exercises to do, this time all focused on my terrible balance

range of plantar and dorsi flexion roughly match now at least...

lunges
walking on a line
rolling feet heel to toe rsther than flat footing
 and balance on a wobble cushion

oh and she noted that my right Calf is smaller than the left I know I have a left biased imbalance from basically everything but have never noticed by looking before.

review in 2 weeks

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2024, 03:05:27 pm
May last year

US at end of May.
Saw Physio a week later. She seemed to have only read first sentence from the US report.

I've started on sets of the recommended exercises for frozen shoulder.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 February, 2024, 09:58:39 am
Felt great yesterday morning, after a day on the bike with no metformin. Nonetheless I took my 3x500g like a good little diabetic.  Result: I've felt like shit warmed up on a shovel since I got up this morning.

Happened again this morning: had a ride set up, had to cry off.  Old UAF chum says he's had the same effect for the last 50 years.  I've only had the stuff for 25 years so I suppose I'm winning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 February, 2024, 07:47:09 am
May last year

US at end of May.
Saw Physio a week later. She seemed to have only read first sentence from the US report.

I've started on sets of the recommended exercises for frozen shoulder.
Overdone it. Back to where I was a month ago. Shooting pain through shoulder now.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 February, 2024, 09:37:47 am
Overdone it. Back to where I was a month ago. Shooting pain through shoulder now.

Aw shit, that's no fun. Sympathies.

---o0o---

Meanwhile, 3 days since my last ride and I'm waking up knackered in the morning (05:45 today). Dunno why: don't think it's metabolic any more and V1-V4 ECG is normal.  I'm hoping there's no sinister connection with my years of oesophageal reflux. I'm seeing the ENT specialist on Tuesday and then I'll have a few tense days waiting to hear if it's gute Nacht um 6 or not.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 19 February, 2024, 06:50:21 pm
I received a appointment with the optometrist at Wrexham hospital on the 18th march. Eye dilution. The reason cataracts
I'm terrified. I am expecting pain in my future  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 February, 2024, 07:41:31 pm
Most folk I know who’ve had cataract surgery have found it a fairly painless breeze, clearing their vision enormously, within a few days.
I wish you luck!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 19 February, 2024, 07:56:16 pm
I take it you mean Wexham Hospital in Slough.......   if they are referring you to Wrexham they must be really short of local capacity!      Good luck anyway. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 19 February, 2024, 08:57:09 pm
My mindset thinks Wexham PARK for Slough, while Wrecsam is a Welsh suburb of Chester...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 19 February, 2024, 09:08:18 pm
Quote
The reason cataracts

I had both done just over a year ago.
Very pleased with the result - my distance vision is better than it ever has been, as the lenses they put in correct for my short sightedness.
So I only need glasses for close work really.
The thought of it is worse that the reality!
Actual op only takes a few minutes, its the eye drops and waiting beforehand that takes the time (about half a day).
Uncomfortable/stinging eyes for a day or two.  Just need to be careful for a few weeks then fine.

You won't have the only problem I haven't solved - that's putting on eye make up!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 February, 2024, 09:47:26 am
just done an online consultation at GP. I developed a small lesion on my lower eyelid which has been concerning.  5 minutes to log in, use NHS app credentials, upload details and a photograph and send it all off.  promised response within 30 hours.  We will see how they do. 
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 February, 2024, 10:12:26 am
just done an online consultation at GP. I developed a small lesion on my lower eyelid which has been concerning.  5 minutes to log in, use NHS app credentials, upload details and a photograph and send it all off.  promised response within 30 hours.  We will see how they do.
I find phone cameras dreadful for photographing lumps, bumps, and swellings. Something that looks red and inflamed, or has visible blood vessels, just looks 'flesh' coloured in the photo.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 20 February, 2024, 10:21:02 am
just done an online consultation at GP. I developed a small lesion on my lower eyelid which has been concerning.  5 minutes to log in, use NHS app credentials, upload details and a photograph and send it all off.  promised response within 30 hours.  We will see how they do.
I find phone cameras dreadful for photographing lumps, bumps, and swellings. Something that looks red and inflamed, or has visible blood vessels, just looks 'flesh' coloured in the photo.

I find that interesting, as when I take photos (particularly of the inflamed eczema on my hands) it tends to make redness and inflammation look worse.  Perhaps it's a phone brand/model thing..?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 February, 2024, 11:18:16 am
just done an online consultation at GP. I developed a small lesion on my lower eyelid which has been concerning.  5 minutes to log in, use NHS app credentials, upload details and a photograph and send it all off.  promised response within 30 hours.  We will see how they do.
I find phone cameras dreadful for photographing lumps, bumps, and swellings. Something that looks red and inflamed, or has visible blood vessels, just looks 'flesh' coloured in the photo.

I find that interesting, as when I take photos (particularly of the inflamed eczema on my hands) it tends to make redness and inflammation look worse.  Perhaps it's a phone brand/model thing..?
I find that interesting as photos are widely used by dermatology for follow up, etc
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 20 February, 2024, 11:27:36 am
And a photo, based on my partner's current goings on, is the first step in triage.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 20 February, 2024, 12:02:52 pm
just done an online consultation at GP. I developed a small lesion on my lower eyelid which has been concerning.  5 minutes to log in, use NHS app credentials, upload details and a photograph and send it all off.  promised response within 30 hours.  We will see how they do.
I find phone cameras dreadful for photographing lumps, bumps, and swellings. Something that looks red and inflamed, or has visible blood vessels, just looks 'flesh' coloured in the photo.

I find that interesting, as when I take photos (particularly of the inflamed eczema on my hands) it tends to make redness and inflammation look worse.  Perhaps it's a phone brand/model thing..?
I find that interesting as photos are widely used by dermatology for follow up, etc


My GP  or the practice pharmacist will normally prescribe on the basis of the photos of my hands.  I think they know I only ask for stuff when I need it.  It saves so much time and hassle for both sides.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 February, 2024, 01:20:55 pm
Most folk I know who’ve had cataract surgery have found it a fairly painless breeze, clearing their vision enormously, within a few days.
I wish you luck!

+1.  Absolutely painless and fascinating to boot.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 February, 2024, 01:23:22 pm
Back from ENT: nothing sinister to report, just inflammation from acid reflux (and the espresso I drank in the hospital snack bar beforehand). Next hurdle the gastropod at the end of March.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 20 February, 2024, 01:51:26 pm
Un escargot pour l’homme français...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 20 February, 2024, 02:26:59 pm
Action shot from the last time I rode up to La Grande-Fosse:

(https://pbase.com/johnewing/image/66278349.jpg)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: sam on 20 February, 2024, 08:39:50 pm
Spotted in the radiology waiting room of a hospital this afternoon [X-ray for TMD].

(https://iili.io/JEbPqib.jpg)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 23 February, 2024, 03:23:27 pm
just done an online consultation at GP. I developed a small lesion on my lower eyelid which has been concerning.  5 minutes to log in, use NHS app credentials, upload details and a photograph and send it all off.  promised response within 30 hours.  We will see how they do.

Excellent service from GP.  They phoned me back within the 30 hour window (26 hours), had reviewed my information and the photograph and agreed that an urgent referral was appropriate. That was wednesday.

This morning I recieved a letter acknowedging the referral and giving a 4 day turn around for recieving an appointment.

Then this afternoon i recieved an email from the hospital via patientknowsbest (PKB) to say that my information had been updated, despite to my knowledge never previously enrolling!  Initial transfer was via NHS login which is fine but then it needs another password with no information on how to set one up or change it.  Very poor.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 23 February, 2024, 04:38:21 pm
interesting, never heard of them before but website suggests they're available in Scotland and Norn iron.
They're not.

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: orienteer on 23 February, 2024, 05:43:47 pm
just done an online consultation at GP. I developed a small lesion on my lower eyelid which has been concerning.  5 minutes to log in, use NHS app credentials, upload details and a photograph and send it all off.  promised response within 30 hours.  We will see how they do.

Excellent service from GP.  They phoned me back within the 30 hour window (26 hours), had reviewed my information and the photograph and agreed that an urgent referral was appropriate. That was wednesday.

This morning I recieved a letter acknowedging the referral and giving a 4 day turn around for recieving an appointment.

Then this afternoon i recieved an email from the hospital via patientknowsbest (PKB) to say that my information had been updated, despite to my knowledge never previously enrolling!  Initial transfer was via NHS login which is fine but then it needs another password with no information on how to set one up or change it.  Very poor.

Digital communications with NHS, hospitals, GPs are a mess. I think if you go to the patientsknowbest.com website you should see an option to set up a login with email and a password if you haven't already.

My NHS app login is a mess. If I sign in with my fingerprint it goes to my wife's account. I have to refuse that option and login with my email address. Can't be arsed to get that sorted now I know how to get round it.

Besides these apps I also get text messages which can't always be replied to.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 February, 2024, 10:10:47 pm
Birmingham University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) trust seem to use "Dr Doctor" and it shows two separate logins for Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital which are both UHB and so far after going through the login rigmarole for both, the letters in each hospital section are duplicates.

I need to chase ROH again cos the email alerts links don't let me access letters, they just send me to a broken page. I don't like using my phone via SMS alerts cos the phone is more fiddly to type on and it's harder (more steps) to actually download the PDF and get it to somewhere useful for me.

I need to work out how to get my historical record in the app tho, that would be useful and if there's a standard process, write a leaflet for students as we're now struggling to get GPs to agree to document student disability stuff for access to university (we'll bodge) and Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) support who will not budge at all and often reject compliant evidence so students get stuck between unhelpful GP (overloaded, not wanting fucking letters work) and fucking government dept nonsense. I haven't had much success with encouraging students to use the Data Protection Act, some of them just lack the basic gumption to do the most basic 'admin' or "writing letters to authority" sometimes cos they come from verbal and favours cultures where Uncle Ahmed or Malik who works at X will talk to someone or Auntie Amna will help you do it... IF you don't have a suitable Uncle/Auntie (person in your network) then the admin thing just doesn't get done to the ongoing detriment of the student in question. We can only do so much for them ourselves.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 February, 2024, 03:12:18 pm
I have today received a courtesy copy of a letter sent following a clinic attendance at the end of January.

I had already received the same letter (albeit with an earlier printing date) in early February.

I have refolded the letter and asked partner to post it into my GP’s surgery, as I think it’s possible one copy has been misfolded & enveloped.

I’m wondering if this happens frequently...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 24 February, 2024, 04:04:54 pm
I’m wondering if this happens frequently...

I think barakta got three copies of her last pro-op assessment appointment letter, though I think that was due to someone with a brain bypassing the usual channels so she'd get it in time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 24 February, 2024, 06:34:33 pm
and appointment for next Sunday morning at 10:00am received today.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 24 February, 2024, 08:42:37 pm
My left ear has waxed up.
Sent partner off to buy suitable drops for the softening of said wax.
He has obtained Magic Drops.
Didn’t realise until now that Cerumol drops aren’t all the same.
Sainsbury’s offers 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil and these contain Turpentine and all manner of Other Stuffs.

Most confusing!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 25 February, 2024, 09:00:52 am
got up a hill yesterday (Beinn Ghlas), this involves lots of up, and thus lots of threshold and big steps.

the slowness and struggle mirrored my attempts to hop back on the trainer without adjusting my ftp.

urgh.

on the plus side, there was barely a grumble from my feet, coped with crampons fine and the only real issue is the soles on my mantas are now a bit too worn to cut into thin layers of snow.

My bilateral reduced Dorsiflexion is definitley a manoeuvrability issue but on the plus side I no longer have a reason to favour left foot leading in such locations it's an issue so might end up with less of an imbalance...

I need to decide if I'll actively me tiin this to the physio tomorrow or if it'll only be mentioned if asked...

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 February, 2024, 03:16:13 pm
I just measured my height and discovered that I'm 4½ cm shorter than I was last time I was measured, in 2008.  Back then I was 2cm shorter than I thought I was.

I don't care, I'm still using 1m75 to work out my BMI - after all, having a shrunken spine shouldn't affect my metabolism.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 26 February, 2024, 04:57:46 pm
physio asked me if I'd been up any hills at the weekend, so that removed that dilemma.

she recorded it, asked if there were any issues and I said all CV related, ankles were good.

now on "open access" for 2 months, as in if there's any issues phone her.

she was also happy that I'd bought a balance cushion as recommended since most people apparently don't bother.

other than that it's basically get them moving and do the resistance and balance exercises.

phew.

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 27 February, 2024, 09:14:17 am
Yesterday, as part of the Our Future Health initiative, I had a health assessment. My blood pressure was taken and revealed it to be 150/97. The nurse said that was a bit high. I took
a few deep breaths and, two minutes later, the test showed it as 132/85 (it has been much
lower in the past).

Total cholesterol 9.86
HDL 2.59
Triglycerides 0.73
LDL 2.01

Later on I went onto an NHS website and took a reveal your heart age test, using the cholesterol
figures and my weight. The test uses bmi\* as one of its parameters for determining your heart age.


*We all know bmi is bollocks, right?

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 February, 2024, 12:26:39 pm
A muted hoo-bloody-ray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 29 years of metformin bloat the doc has finally agreed to cancel the damnable stuff.  As of tomorrow I'm on glibenclamide with the injunction to always have fast carbs handy and not to take it on cycling days.

On the downside, the side-effects look worse than metformin.  I was on sulfonylureas before 1995 and had a few nasty hypos.  Aye well, I'll give it a month.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 February, 2024, 04:39:29 pm
BMI is indeed bollocks. It's also racist and I think sexist, based on cisgender white men at SomePointTM and doesn't account for women and various ethnic groups' "normal" body types.

Congrats on ditching the Metformin T42, hope the new thing's effects are manageable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 27 February, 2024, 05:07:48 pm
I had my blood pressure taken and an ECG done last Friday.   Despite being a fat bugger my blood pressure was normal (122/67) and my ECG was described by the cardiologist as 'excellent'.

Bad news is I still need to take the beta blocker (at least until the thyroid issue is sorted out, which could be up to another 18 months) and the anticoagulant (until they can get the electrophysiologist to sign off on my stopping it). 

The cardiologist nagged me about losing weight and asked what I was doing.  When I explained he said I was doing all that could be expected.  He's suggested that if I don't lose a reasonable amount of weight in the next 12 weeks he'll make a Tier 3 referral to see if there are other (drug) interventions that might be available.  My GP won't consider semaglutide or similar due to the contra-indications but the Tier 3 specialists might be more open to prescribing, in consultation with the endocrinologist treating the thyroid issue.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 February, 2024, 05:21:00 pm
BMI is indeed bollocks. It's also racist and I think sexist, based on cisgender white men at SomePointTM and doesn't account for women and various ethnic groups' "normal" body types.

Congrats on ditching the Metformin T42, hope the new thing's effects are manageable.

Thanks!  Actually, it's an old thing, very old, and is in fact what I was on in the early '90s - I thought it rang a bell. Ah well: what goes around...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 27 February, 2024, 06:20:27 pm
Always fun seeing drug trends come round and round, a sign of getting old innit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: campagman on 27 February, 2024, 08:39:56 pm
I had a Our Future Health screening last week. I new my cholesterol was a touch high but the instant tester came back with a reading of nearly 8, which is way too high. Anyway the woman doing the test said it was because the test wasn't done fasted and only a couple of hrs after b'fast.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 27 February, 2024, 09:32:00 pm
I had a Our Future Health screening last week. I new my cholesterol was a touch high but the instant tester came back with a reading of nearly 8, which is way too high. Anyway the woman doing the test said it was because the test wasn't done fasted and only a couple of hrs after b'fast.
Same in my case.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 28 February, 2024, 07:48:46 am
Our doctor's practice has been nagging us for several years to use statins, based on total cholesterol values.
When I tell them to look at the HDL/LDL ratio they tend to back off.
The on-line calculator for risk of a CV incident is fun. If I knock 5 years off my age, the risk goes down enormously.
So I reckon if I can keep fitter than the average bod 5 years younger, that will do.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 February, 2024, 08:01:25 am
Always fun seeing drug trends come round and round, a sign of getting old innit.

Got enough of those already.  Creaky, creaky, old and {squ,l}eaky.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 February, 2024, 08:52:28 am
Our doctor's practice has been nagging us for several years to use statins, based on total cholesterol values.
When I tell them to look at the HDL/LDL ratio they tend to back off.
The on-line calculator for risk of a CV incident is fun. If I knock 5 years off my age, the risk goes down enormously.
So I reckon if I can keep fitter than the average bod 5 years younger, that will do.
My wife is the same.  We tend to be keto in our diet but with a plant based bent more recently.  Her cholesterol is high but all her ratios are excellent.  I sent a print our to the practice nurse who was doing the hassling.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 February, 2024, 10:45:22 am
Just had a glorious hypo (= knock, bonk) with new DB med added to metformin residue from yesterday.  Chance to eat a few chunks of crystallized ginger & a croissant.

I could get used to this.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: FifeingEejit on 28 February, 2024, 04:30:27 pm
BMI is indeed bollocks. It's also racist and I think sexist, based on cisgender white men at SomePointTM and doesn't account for women and various ethnic groups' "normal" body types.

Congrats on ditching the Metformin T42, hope the new thing's effects are manageable.
it's used in most health risk models, as its a fairly easy way of getting a crude idea of whether you're putting your organs under strain or not without having to use calipers or other methods.
the "healthy" ranges are altered for "sex at birth" and can feasibly be altered based on ethnicity if that's collected too.

but then ethnicity is self reported, so if you're south Asian you can immediately reduce your risk of diabetes by identifying as white.

It's been that long, but I don't think it had all that much of a weighting in the model I implemented but then the biggest part of that was previous admissions and comorbidities in general.

without the risk modelling associated it's just a calculation of weight and height.
and we tend to use a model based on perceived equipment and ignore the other variables that alter risk.

Sent from my IV2201 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 28 February, 2024, 06:09:12 pm
I had a Our Future Health screening last week. I new my cholesterol was a touch high but the instant tester came back with a reading of nearly 8, which is way too high. Anyway the woman doing the test said it was because the test wasn't done fasted and only a couple of hrs after b'fast.
Unless the science has changed, or at least the interpretation of the science, the accepted wisdom during my (approx) 40 years of measuring Cholesterol, and its subtypes as they became measurable, was that fasting wasn't required to accurately measure Cholesterol (including HDL, LDL, & VLDL) - but fasting was most definitely needed for Triglyceride assay, which is generally measured by Laboratories at the same as cholesterol.

I'm probably out of date now with the accepted wisdom but a random Google brings this up from Harvard https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/farewell-to-fasting-before-a-cholesterol-test
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 28 February, 2024, 06:44:33 pm
Half the issue is that there isn't much research on "BMI norms" for various ethnicities or appropriate space to identify say two minority ethnic backgrounds e.g. Black African + East Asian or something.

BMI is more about population level wossnames rather than individual muchnames. The NHS and other entities try too hard to generalise a BMI thing to specific individuals as a 'heuristic' without any wider nuance or discussion of things like risk factors.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 28 February, 2024, 11:30:54 pm
So, today the (very nice) quack took some photies of the lump on my face. She seemed quite excited to do so. We had a look at Google images of the various likely things that lumps the face can be. She reckons it's most likely a basal cell carcinoma. I'm getting referred to Dermatology (average 22 week waiting time in NHS Teuchter) to no doubt get hacked with a rusty scalpel by a recently graduated PSO leech.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 February, 2024, 01:37:27 am
Partner & I BOTH saw GP for lumps on face on 17 January, me because I had spot in EXACTLY same anatomical location as Mum had Keratoacanthoma removed a few days before and he because he has a spot I thought was a basal cell carcinoma.
We sent mobile phone pictures to GP
I asked to go to Ealing Hospital, where Mum had been treated and brother-in-law is a consultant. I was seen in Ealing on 30 January, reassured and discharged.
David has just been seen by a Community Dermatologist in Wembley. They are going to cut his spot out at some point in the future, at some clinic in Rayners Lane.
Await events...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 February, 2024, 07:56:01 am
Funny you should mention that: I'm off to the dermatologist in a thick hour from now for her to have a gander at the pink patch on my forearm that first appeared as a tiny itchy point mid-october.  I showed it to a pharmacist last week, she gave me a new mycocide and told me to show it to the GP if it didn't disappear in 6 days. On Tuesday GP listened, looked and got his secretary to book the dermatologist. Two days later and I'm in.

Fingers crossed.



Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 29 February, 2024, 10:47:11 am
And out again, having had pink patch + divers blibs & blebs cauterized with liquid N2: "pre-cancerous". Cheery lass, the dermato, same age as my son, thought I was 10 years younger than I am so now I'm a cheery lad. Tell you what, though, liquid N2 on the bridge of your nose hurts.

Last time I had N2 treatment was at university, when a bored doc with a vast Dewar vessel daubed warts with a Q-tip.

Hope everyone else's skin issues turn out as trivial.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 February, 2024, 11:19:42 am
My dad used to burn out any warts we got using a philips screwdriver chilled in liquid N2 (we had it on the farm for branding horses).

Yes, it bloody hurts. Only had it applied to feet, so not sure if nose would be worse or not.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Arminius on 29 February, 2024, 02:56:53 pm
Doc thinks I have Dupuytren's disease in my hand, which accounts for the odd lump that's been growing slowly for the last 4 months or so. I hope it doesn't develop much further - I don't really fancy having a finger stop straightening, or surgery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 February, 2024, 04:38:36 pm
80% probability that it will never progress. Lower if you have a first degree relative with the cndition
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 February, 2024, 05:11:12 pm
My dad had crooked little fingers, one bent at 90degrees. My brother's were a little crooked, mine not noticeable and it straightened.

I think that was something different to Dupuytren's, erm Camptodactyly it is called
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 February, 2024, 05:13:02 pm
My dad had crooked little fingers, one bent at 90degrees. My brother's were a little crooked, mine not noticeable and it straightened.

I think that was something different to Dupuytren's, erm Camptodactyly it is called
camptodactyly or clinodactyly depending on orientation
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 February, 2024, 08:06:52 pm
And out again, having had pink patch + divers blibs & blebs cauterized with liquid N2: "pre-cancerous". Cheery lass, the dermato, same age as my son, thought I was 10 years younger than I am so now I'm a cheery lad. Tell you what, though, liquid N2 on the bridge of your nose hurts.
Last time I had N2 treatment was at university, when a bored doc with a vast Dewar vessel daubed warts with a Q-tip.
Hope everyone else's skin issues turn out as trivial.

Some 35 years ago, one of the services the Surgical team at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Shetland offered was the Wart Clinic, where we applied liquid N2 to the warts & veruccæ of Shetland every 3 weeks, when the boat came in.

I asked Boss to do the 20+ vericcæ on my left foot, at the end of clinic, when all the other punters had gone home and he obliged.

3 weeks later, he was on Paternity Leave so I DIYed my 20 veruccæ & kept working/walking.
Decided I could do this if I wore spongy running shoes rather than Smart Shoes and dress code laxity was better than going off sick.

Cured my feet...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Arminius on 29 February, 2024, 08:08:23 pm
80% probability that it will never progress. Lower if you have a first degree relative with the cndition

Do you mean 80% chance of it not progressing far enough for surgery to be recommended, or something else? If the former, that's comforting, thanks; the impression I got from the Dr was that it was almost inevitable. I'm not aware of any relative having it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 29 February, 2024, 08:10:14 pm
Both Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher had Dupuytren’s contracture...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Arminius on 29 February, 2024, 08:20:36 pm
Not people I was hoping to have much in common with.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 29 February, 2024, 08:25:43 pm
Isn't Dupuytren’s straightening surgery one of the most effective ones? My stepmum had surgery for hers very successfully.

I have a finger stuck at 45 degrees for OtherReasons, it is annoying, but the hand is so generally impaired there isn't much that could be done, so thankfully no one tried to hack at it in the 1980s. Just a stupid splint that made my finger go blue so I binned it.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 29 February, 2024, 08:27:40 pm
My mum treated our verrucae, with razor blades and salicylic acid. Nurses really are fucking sadists.

I think both sisters did have bad enough ones to see chiropodists for more serious treatment or perhaps were less tolerant to my mum's slicy treatment than I was.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Arminius on 29 February, 2024, 08:35:12 pm
Isn't Dupuytren’s straightening surgery one of the most effective ones? My stepmum had surgery for hers very successfully.

I have a finger stuck at 45 degrees for OtherReasons, it is annoying, but the hand is so generally impaired there isn't much that could be done, so thankfully no one tried to hack at it in the 1980s. Just a stupid splint that made my finger go blue so I binned it.

I'm not sure. I've read there are 4 different surgery options, and they sounded relatively straightforward to a non-medic, but I've not seen any stats.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 February, 2024, 10:34:40 pm
80% probability that it will never progress. Lower if you have a first degree relative with the cndition

Do you mean 80% chance of it not progressing far enough for surgery to be recommended, or something else? If the former, that's comforting, thanks; the impression I got from the Dr was that it was almost inevitable. I'm not aware of any relative having it.
80% of nodules never progress to a contracture. If you are over 65-70 it is probably 90%. Even if it does progress to a contracture there are simple treatments available which are n and out in 30 minutes and using the hand the following day.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Jaded on 29 February, 2024, 10:50:45 pm
I had a verruca done with a hot wire.

Local anaesthetic, then hot wire. Cue magnificent smoke and a smell like at stubble burning time, and a cured verruca.

I think I got it off a toilet seat.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 01 March, 2024, 07:37:46 am
My dad had crooked little fingers, one bent at 90degrees. My brother's were a little crooked, mine not noticeable and it straightened.

I think that was something different to Dupuytren's, erm Camptodactyly it is called


Now I'm imagining a mincing pteranodon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 01 March, 2024, 09:21:31 am
80% probability that it will never progress. Lower if you have a first degree relative with the cndition

Do you mean 80% chance of it not progressing far enough for surgery to be recommended, or something else? If the former, that's comforting, thanks; the impression I got from the Dr was that it was almost inevitable. I'm not aware of any relative having it.
80% of nodules never progress to a contracture. If you are over 65-70 it is probably 90%. Even if it does progress to a contracture there are simple treatments available which are n and out in 30 minutes and using the hand the following day.

As Chris says, the surgery is very quick and straightforward - the procedures used are primarily done as an outpatient procedure these days. 

However, that's if you can get it done.  Dupuytren’s contracture release is on the Evidence Based Interventions list and subject to Prior Approval.  It's one of the treatment's that ICBs tend to restrict when they're running short on funds.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 01 March, 2024, 09:55:47 am
Regulator is technically right but on this occasion the rules were at least helped by the surgeon.  the limits are 25deg contracture at the MCP joint or any contracture at the PIPjoint.  Needle Aponeurotomy is a game changer and is so cheap that I do not know of a single place it is banned.  problem is that not all surgeons are trained or willing yet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 01 March, 2024, 10:05:22 am
Given Chris Bainbridge is THE MAN for this I'm astounded even Regulator feels the need to interject.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 01 March, 2024, 10:30:06 am
Given Chris Bainbridge is THE MAN for this I'm astounded even Regulator feels the need to interject.

I'm not not really commenting the technical side of it... I'm commenting from the perspective of a provider who provides these procedures for the NHS across England on the restrictions that are being placed on patients accessing them in a timely manner.  It gets worse as the financial year wears on...  roll on April (if the Treasury actually get round to agreeing the 2024/25 NHS settlement before the General Election in May).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 03 March, 2024, 06:36:00 pm
I guess with my lack of exercise, general lazyitis, and winter hibernation feeding, I'm becoming a lardy fatty.  205.8 lbs  BMI 26.4, 0.56 waist to height ratio. :facepalm: Which is a bit concerning as both my dad, and grandad were very overweight, and had issues with their heart (dad died of sudden heart failure in 2016).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 March, 2024, 06:54:42 pm
I guess with my lack of exercise, general lazyitis, and winter hibernation feeding, I'm becoming a lardy fatty.  205.8 lbs  BMI 26.4, 0.56 waist to height ratio. :facepalm: Which is a bit concerning as both my dad, and grandad were very overweight, and had issues with their heart (dad died of sudden heart failure in 2016).
Don't listen to BMI.

I'm currently 28.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 03 March, 2024, 08:33:22 pm
A little over zealous hill climbing has made my right knee intermittently very painful. I'll hit the ibuprofen tomorrow and see if it settles down again.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 03 March, 2024, 11:00:02 pm
Brian, that doesn't sound irretrievable. I too am lardy (similar BMI to you I think) due to immobility and slightly suboptimal diet.

I'm hoping once this leg has healed I can look at my options to do something about it as I do know weight-management is one of the few things that helps hip dysplasia. Although my excellent physios also counselled me not to get too fixated on 'being lardy' as I'm not close to worrying them and they didn't want me to go underweight either.

I hope you can look at your options and find something that works for you without fucking your head up too much cos weightloss is surrounded by much fuckery/stigma.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2024, 08:37:34 am
Had a very high blood glucose reading an hour after breakfast, and since I read somewhere years ago about caffeine being antidiabetic I had a double espresso. Then came up to my office and looked it up, only to find that I was 180° out of phase and that caffeine causes a spike in BG levels, ho ho ho.  Although since the reaction to the spike could well be a gush of insulin, maybe my BG will decline overall.

Now looking forward to the down side of the roller-coaster: towards 11 o'clock I should be shaking but not to worry, we have lots of energy bars.

New meds are such fun!


Oh aye, my legs are still sore from Saturday's romp and one knee is bellyaching, so I'm obviously getting something right.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 04 March, 2024, 10:47:11 am
I guess with my lack of exercise, general lazyitis, and winter hibernation feeding, I'm becoming a lardy fatty.  205.8 lbs  BMI 26.4, 0.56 waist to height ratio. :facepalm: Which is a bit concerning as both my dad, and grandad were very overweight, and had issues with their heart (dad died of sudden heart failure in 2016).


I can't remember when I was last had a BMI of 26.4....   perhaps when I was a foetus.

My BMI is at the level at the moment where some providers might decline elective care.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 04 March, 2024, 11:00:19 am
I guess with my lack of exercise, general lazyitis, and winter hibernation feeding, I'm becoming a lardy fatty.  205.8 lbs  BMI 26.4, 0.56 waist to height ratio. :facepalm: Which is a bit concerning as both my dad, and grandad were very overweight, and had issues with their heart (dad died of sudden heart failure in 2016).


I can't remember when I was last had a BMI of 26.4....   perhaps when I was a foetus.

My BMI is at the level at the moment where some providers might decline elective care.
My BMI is at the level where I have been refused critical illness cover and the stats on hip replacement complications mean I won't do it, even if they would.

BMI might be a population measure but there's no real doubt that if you have big numbers and aren't a professional athlete, you're unhealthily fat.

26.4 is higher than my goal weight.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2024, 11:02:35 am
Back in the 80's the overweight Franz-Josef Strauß, Minister-President of Bavaria, caused a rule to be adopted to the effect that civil servants whose weight in kilos was greater than their height in cm minus 100 had six months to reduce it or they'd get the boot.  In other words, if he was getting grief for his weight he'd do his best to make everyone else suffer too.  Not a bad rule, though.

Anyway, I have just had the eBrute out without the battery for a 2km blast to try out my new cleats.  Blood sugar dropped so fast I had half a fruit/peanut bar at the turnaround.  Getting it under control is going to take a bit of work...  Maybe (bleh) walking might be involved.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 04 March, 2024, 11:04:25 am
I guess with my lack of exercise, general lazyitis, and winter hibernation feeding, I'm becoming a lardy fatty.  205.8 lbs  BMI 26.4, 0.56 waist to height ratio. :facepalm: Which is a bit concerning as both my dad, and grandad were very overweight, and had issues with their heart (dad died of sudden heart failure in 2016).


I can't remember when I was last had a BMI of 26.4....   perhaps when I was a foetus.

My BMI is at the level at the moment where some providers might decline elective care.
My BMI is at the level where I have been refused critical illness cover and the stats on hip replacement complications mean I won't do it, even if they would.

BMI might be a population measure but there's no real doubt that if you have big numbers and aren't a professional athlete, you're unhealthily fat.

26.4 is higher than my goal weight.


My target weight (agreed with my cardiologist) will give me a BMI of 30(ish)...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2024, 11:37:38 am
Back in the 80's the overweight Franz-Josef Strauß, Minister-President of Bavaria, caused a rule to be adopted to the effect that civil servants whose weight in kilos was greater than their height in cm minus 100 had six months to reduce it or they'd get the boot.  In other words, if he was getting grief for his weight he'd do his best to make everyone else suffer too.  Not a bad rule, though.

Anyway, I have just had the eBrute out without the battery for a 2km blast to try out my new cleats.  Blood sugar dropped so fast I had half a fruit/peanut bar at the turnaround.  Getting it under control is going to take a bit of work...  Maybe (bleh) walking might be involved.

Ugh.
I would have just met that requirement when I was kayak racing, but according to the company health check, I was under recommended fat levels (below 15%, which is recommended for my age). They wanted me to eat more.

So, my BMI of 28 accompanies a waist/height ratio of 0.56.

No news there, I need to work on it.

Chest is still bigger than waist.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 March, 2024, 11:41:22 am
BMI might be a population measure but there's no real doubt that if you have big numbers and aren't a professional athlete, you're unhealthily fat.

Or someone mis-recorded your height years ago, possibly due to Mars Climate Orbiter issues.   :facepalm:

I used to get regular weight-based naggings, until a newbie nurse noticed that I was slightly taller than her and decided to check my height.  I took the time to remove my shoes and get her to measure with me standing with the weight on each leg and both, so we could get to the bottom of what was a realistic figure.

The naggings stopped.  Then the world went to shit and I'm back to having the opposite problem (which is, AIUI, where BMI is a more clinically useful measure).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 March, 2024, 01:24:15 pm
I think the thing with BMI is not just accurate measurements but Using Your Brain.

I think at 25 BMI I'm definitely slightly overweight for my build which is relatively small. Nothing catastrophic, just "a bit overweight". My hip physio was worried when I aimed to lose 10Kg in 2020 that I'd 'overdo it' and get MH related eating issues. I think this was in part cos I was nowhere near their 'concern' BMI/weight and being underweight or certain kinds of weight loss may be bad for bones/healing.

The reason Hip (and I guess knee) procedures have BMI limits is about the forces through the femur. I think my dysplasia book says for every Kg of bodyweight there's approx 6 Newtons worth of force through the joint/femur. That's why they want us less heavy for hip surgeries and replacement may be even more so than the osteotomies. That is why I thought getting 10Kg off my weight in 2020 was worth doing, 60N being not insignificant.

My ex on the other hand, 6'6" and built like an absolute tank. We worked out his BMI 25 weight was about 13.5 stone. When we were together when he was 19-23 years old and more like 21-22 stone which was fairly overweight (he had recently stopped SeriousSportsing, discovered BEER and his mental health was atrocious). A few years later I bumped into him and he was unrecognisable (I only knew it was him cos how many redhaired giants were going to be in that space), he'd got his weight down to 18 stone and restarted rugballing again. He was still by BMI maths overweight but I doubt he could have gone much lower without being in danger territory.

That's why I think waist ratio and other measures and common sense are also a good idea. In my experience the sensible doctors will consider that.

I think also there are some cases where medical gatekeeping on BMI is used as a way to keep the numbers down as well as being genuine medical needs. An engineer friend undergoing fertility treatment asked for evidence showing weight as a risk factor and none could be supplied (she also looked) and it basically came down to the (private) hospital's insewerants policies. So she lost the weight under duress for the treatment and went back to her more stable whatevers afterwards.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 04 March, 2024, 01:40:45 pm
The GP seemed to be keen on waist circumference a few years ago, around the point they started taking one look at me and not bothering.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2024, 02:27:43 pm
My old GP's favourite trick was telling you to get on the scale when you were still half-dressed.  On one occasion, after I objected, we determined that my jeans incl belt + pocket contents weighed 2 kilos.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 04 March, 2024, 02:29:17 pm
I still think BMI is SILLY if your height in metres isn’t around 1.73, which is the square root of 3.

That’s a fair guess for Mr Average and works for Ms Average.

Mr Tall is 2 metres tall and ‘overweight’ at 100kg; that’s hardly more than a beanpole! A cubic function would make more sense...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: L CC on 04 March, 2024, 02:33:07 pm
The reason Hip (and I guess knee) procedures have BMI limits is about the forces through the femur. I think my dysplasia book says for every Kg of bodyweight there's approx 6 Newtons worth of force through the joint/femur. That's why they want us less heavy for hip surgeries and replacement may be even more so than the osteotomies. That is why I thought getting 10Kg off my weight in 2020 was worth doing, 60N being not insignificant.

No. It's not about your level of suffering which is what the forces through the joint will tell you. It's about the poor blood supply in fat so 'healthier' subcutaneous fat means the incision site is poorly 'fed'. The increase in deep infections for THR with higher BMI is entirely due to that. As a woman who carries her weight in the traditional pear shaped way- fat hips, thighs and arse- I'm a terrible candidate for surgery. Knees have much less fat cover and so excess weight is less of an issue except in that it correlates with other health issues that affect recovery and surgery.

I'm increasingly finding my 'BUT I'M FIT' claims are just my own comforting fiction. BMI matters
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 March, 2024, 03:22:15 pm
I am sat here recuperating after removal of my eyelid lesion. Everybody is being very nice to me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2024, 03:53:53 pm
I am sat here recuperating after removal of my eyelid lesion. Everybody is being very nice to me.

" I can see clearly now, the eyelid's gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the lesions now that had me blind"
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2024, 03:58:26 pm
I am sat here recuperating after removal of my eyelid lesion.

<wince>  Good to have it behind you.

Quote
Everybody is being very nice to me.

So they should.  Tea & bickies?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 March, 2024, 08:32:35 pm
Hope you're now escaped home Chris and it's not too uncomfortable.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 March, 2024, 09:41:28 pm
Finished the teaching session (3 hours) then headed home. I did get tea and biscuits. Very good custard creams actually.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 04 March, 2024, 09:49:57 pm
Biccits are the best! One level down from hospital toast which is also amazing.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 March, 2024, 08:44:45 am
Bowl of "coffee" with a length of split baguette with butter to dunk in it. Sure you end up with butter floaters but that just adds to the charm. Slurp!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 March, 2024, 12:13:52 pm
Bowl of "coffee" with a length of split baguette with butter to dunk in it. Sure you end up with butter floaters but that just adds to the charm. Slurp!
Will you please stop going on about the advantages of living in France, this talk of bowls of coffee, patisseries, croissants, etc is really quite of putting for most of us.  Most of us still have to put up with stale dishwater, cheap bacon sandwiches  and stale flapjack at our stops.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 05 March, 2024, 01:10:17 pm
Sorry, Chris.  If it helps, the best bacon sandwich I ever had was from a wee shop at the bottom of the Royal Mile at 6 am one May morning after spending the night on Arthur's Seat.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: DuncanM on 05 March, 2024, 02:20:25 pm
My "good" knee has been sore (in a nagging "you've done something that the medial ligament didn't like" sort of way) for the last few days. I have no idea what might have caused it.
Last night, my wife rolled over in bed and clonked her knee right onto my (left) kneecap. Now my "good" knee has 2 different ways in which it is painful! :( Soon it will be catching up with the bad one!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 March, 2024, 03:06:43 pm
Brian, that doesn't sound irretrievable. I too am lardy (similar BMI to you I think) due to immobility and slightly suboptimal diet.

I'm hoping once this leg has healed I can look at my options to do something about it as I do know weight-management is one of the few things that helps hip dysplasia. Although my excellent physios also counselled me not to get too fixated on 'being lardy' as I'm not close to worrying them and they didn't want me to go underweight either.

I hope you can look at your options and find something that works for you without fucking your head up too much cos weightloss is surrounded by much fuckery/stigma.

I'm certainly going to try and be a bit more mindful what I eat.  Do I really need two slice of toast with butter and jam after a huge bowl of overnight oats for breakfast (with sultanas and sugar)?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 March, 2024, 04:59:03 pm
Mindfulness about eating sounds wise. You may be one of those people who will gradually lose weight with a small deficit of calories, or may not, but either way, if you can stop the gain, and related habits which lead to gain, you can re-assess for weightloss another time.

I'm very much not worrying right now while in recovery, trying to get my veg/vitamin/calcium, iron and protein uptake as high as manageable, worry about the rest later.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 05 March, 2024, 10:24:00 pm
Mindfulness about eating sounds wise. You may be one of those people who will gradually lose weight with a small deficit of calories, or may not, but either way, if you can stop the gain, and related habits which lead to gain, you can re-assess for weightloss another time.

I'm very much not worrying right now while in recovery, trying to get my veg/vitamin/calcium, iron and protein uptake as high as manageable, worry about the rest later.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 05 March, 2024, 10:44:08 pm
Thanks. Need to get iron on board and new blood cells created as quick as I can (which isn't quick) so probably slow. But GP doesn't seem worried and was helpful. Work are being fine too.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 March, 2024, 06:52:03 am
I had a panic attack this morning at around 01.30 and phoned 111 someone will call me this morning. Around 0430 I have gone into retention. I managed a movement at about 0600 but I am still in retention. I have had no sleep all night.
It's not my day is it  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2024, 07:49:26 am
Doesn't sound like it.  Try imagining you're out in the country looking across a field with the bike leaning on a post beside you. Works for me.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 March, 2024, 08:11:59 am
Retention is awful. Hope you get relief soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 March, 2024, 08:35:26 am
Another. movement and still in retention.  Waiting for the doctor to phone  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 06 March, 2024, 07:00:46 pm
The doctor said go to a and e which I think 111 should have advised. That was at 0930. Taxi to a and e and catheter was fitted at 1100. Taken upstairs for a long wait for bags and tubes and then more waiting for transport home. There must be some residue damage from the last time I had a catheter as the insertion was very painful in 2 spot's and became almost unbearable in a short time. I have been given some co dy dramol 10mg500mg .to help with the pain and some daziepam 2mg to help me sleep so hopefully the world will look a little better
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 06 March, 2024, 10:13:19 pm
The doctor said go to a and e which I think 111 should have advised.

This is the problem with 111.  At least NHS [re]direct had calls answered by nurses.  Which meant that although they were a bit ambulance-happy when it came to breathing issues, meant that they'd hopefully have sufficient medical clue to know that urinary retention is a proceed directly to A&E job, or that you don't treat known faecal impaction with para-fucking-cetamol.

Unfortunately, proper out-of-hours services have basically evaporated, so you're stuck with 111, who will take ages to call you back, read from a script, then pass your details on to a third party service, who will finally manage to get someone medically qualified to contact you about half an hour after your GP opens the next morning.

Anyway, hope TEH GOOD DRUGZ help, and you aren't stuck with the extra plumbing for too long...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 07 March, 2024, 08:46:32 am
Anyway, hope TEH GOOD DRUGZ help, and you aren't stuck with the extra plumbing for too long...

+1

---o0o---

Meanwhile, glibenclamide instead of metformin has made life interesting, but mostly in a fun sort of way:  I do go hypo at times but it's mostly predictable and a good excuse to eat something verboten, and with less ingested starch & sugar getting down to Skid Row (aka lower intestine) the inexorable expanding-faecal-foam effect has gone.  Gone!!!!  Hoist a flag and fire a gut gun. And with less gut pressure the acid reflux has declined quite remarkably.

Blood glucose figures aren't that great but it's early days yet and in any case I no longer give an expanding-foam shit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 07 March, 2024, 06:40:11 pm
Back into hospital this morning with extreme stomach bloating which effected my Breathing making me pant when I moved about. I have felt hot and sweaty all day. The ambulance   crew did a  ecg and blood pressure which was a bit higher than my normal. The hospital Was uncomfortably hot and when I got back this afternoon I ran warm bath. Interestingly the discomfort where the catheter enters disappeared while in the bath and for a while afterwards. Now I'm feeling constipated and have just taken a gamble on another movicol . I am hoping that I'll be able to get some sleep tonight 😴
The saga continues......... ::-)
                                         
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 07 March, 2024, 06:55:27 pm
This sounds grim Chris.  GWS.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 07 March, 2024, 09:41:09 pm
Thanks Andrew,doctor said that I should take another movicol and I have done so and I still feel like I can almost succeed with just a bit more effort but it never quite works. I doubt I'll be able to sleep tonight again and tomorrow the doctor said something about using a different laxative. It feels like I'm jamed somehow. Frightening me and scared of what is happening to me. I'm a terrible weak wimp I'm afraid  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 March, 2024, 03:32:45 am
And it's getting worse. The movicol hasn't worked and the catheter has blood in the urine and appears to be blocked as I'm now leaking bloody urine around the pipe and getting my shorts wet with in I am expecting a call from medical people soon after 1st trying 111with a 2 hours wait ì used my pendent alarm system and spoke to ambulanc :'(e service and they said someone will call me soon to get me some assistance .
I think that I will use 111 only for non urgent needs in future.. terrified of where all this is going. And yet another night with no sleep. I'm beginning to wish euthanasia was a option. Better than this pain fear and uncertainty
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 March, 2024, 05:13:21 am
And I'm back in wexham hospital on trolley bed and the probably long wait begins for me to be seen  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 March, 2024, 05:30:54 am
Could be up to 6 hours to be seen  :o
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 March, 2024, 07:44:45 am
Oh no. Hope things get sorted.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 March, 2024, 07:54:12 am
That is grim, hope you can get some relief soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2024, 08:33:42 am
Could be up to 6 hours to be seen  :o

Hope it goes faster than that.  Having to wait in that condition is vile.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rr on 08 March, 2024, 09:15:01 am


My mum treated our verrucae, with razor blades and salicylic acid. Nurses really are fucking sadists.


I did my own, with my swiss army knife and clear nail varnish.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 March, 2024, 11:32:21 am
Just seeing the doctor now and get some painkiller s first off
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 March, 2024, 11:37:06 am
These trolley beds are bloody uncomfortable. Bits of are aching I didn't know I had  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 March, 2024, 01:50:33 pm
Can you ask for a pressure mattress on the grounds that with your partial spinal injury you're at risk of pressure sores (frame it that way).

Hope you are getting somewhere with care now Chris.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 08 March, 2024, 07:35:57 pm
Your be lucky  barakta, I was lucky to get a  pillow. Rare apparently in wexham hospital a and e
..
I ended up having a scan in what looked like donut 🍩 before getting painkillers. Then they went to fit a bigger catheter and couldn't get get it in so fitted one the same size as the original one 🙄. Happily the scan shows no problem and I'm now home and very sore. Hopefully I'll be able to get some sleep tonight as I have lost  nights sleep now 😴
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2024, 07:41:06 pm
Your be lucky  barakta, I was lucky to get a  pillow. Rare apparently in wexham hospital a and e

The Royal Orthopaedic also has a pillow problem.  Apparently they all migrate to ADCU, leaving the wards bereft.


Quote
I ended up having a scan in what looked like donut 🍩 before getting painkillers.

CT, presumably.  Should rule out serious nasties.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 March, 2024, 07:52:21 pm
Hope you're doing reasonably okayish (ideally better but hey) Chris.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 08 March, 2024, 10:27:47 pm
The lack of pillows is a them not a you problem, they still have a duty not to put you at harm or risk of bedsores but then I'm bolshy like that.

It winds me the fuck up when hospitals can't provide extra pillows, blankets or towels as needed. There is simply no reason not to have a well stocked linen cupboard with said items in surplus at all times. It used to be possible!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 09 March, 2024, 07:27:16 pm
Now back at home and have spent most of the day sleeping 😴. So far so good  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Auntie Helen on 09 March, 2024, 08:04:16 pm
That’s a relief! Hope the improvement continues.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 09 March, 2024, 10:49:49 pm
Hospital stays usually involve a sleep-catchup phase. Hope you feel much better soonest and can see a urologist about the root cause of needing a sodding catheter ASAP.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 March, 2024, 08:27:59 am
I have been given a appointment at heatherwood hospital ascot on 20th March with urology. At 0845  in the morning. I don't think I can cycle there and the bus doesn't start early enough and awkward to Get to. I  don't know anyone who could give me a lift so  a expensive taxi both ways it will probably be.. if they follow what they did last time they will remove the catheter and fill me up and see if my plumbing works. If  it does no more catheter  :thumbsup:, if  it doesn't..........
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 March, 2024, 09:22:20 am
Now back at home and have spent most of the day sleeping 😴. So far so good  :)

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 March, 2024, 09:23:15 am
Cross-posted. Good luck for 20th.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Flite on 10 March, 2024, 09:35:41 am
Quote
I have been given a appointment at heatherwood hospital ascot on 20th March with urology. At 0845  in the morning. I don't think I can cycle there and the bus doesn't start early enough and awkward to Get to. I  don't know anyone who could give me a lift so  a expensive taxi both ways it will probably be.. if they follow what they did last time they will remove the catheter and fill me up and see if my plumbing works. If  it does no more catheter  :thumbsup:, if  it doesn't..........

I hope they can sort out your health problem.
Transport - I don't know where you live, but in our area there is a volunteer patient transport charity.
The NHS will only provide transport if the patient can't walk into the hospital, but the charity will help anyone who can't get to hospital for exactly the reasons you list. Your GP surgery should be able to provide a contact number.
My husband has to have injections in his eyeballs. On one occasion I could not drive him to and from the appt. The charity could arrange a volunteer, who would not only do the driving, but would go to the eye dept and guide him back to the car. No charge, but we could send a donation if we wanted to.
(In the end, I relented, cancelled a day of my holiday and took him myself, but we may well need them in the future)   




Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 10 March, 2024, 10:38:02 am
Just had a glorious bout of hypoglycaemia, shaking so much I couldn't have used the BG meter even if I'd wanted to.  Put in a couple of Krisprolls® with butter, a madeleine and a couple of espressos.  Should be going hyper just in time for lunch. All the fun of the fair.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 10 March, 2024, 01:56:48 pm
Good luck for 20th March, also agree that you should look into hospital transport volunteers or taxi reimbursement as buses don't start in time. PALS should be able to help and signpost if you phone them and explain the issues.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 10 March, 2024, 07:48:52 pm
I feel like I am going backwards again good bowel  late morning  but need to  go again and I am feeling conterpated
Again. I have given up and taken half a movicol..
I am going to try sleep after I done my postes
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 12 March, 2024, 08:30:22 am
I now have a tasteful pink patch about the size of a CR2032 on the top of my left forearm, where the nice dermatologist lady took the liquid N2 to it.  It crossed my mind this morning that it probably won't tan this summer, so I'll have a nice white or pink or angry red sun-scorched blotch there for evermore.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Pingu on 13 March, 2024, 06:24:24 pm
So, today the (very nice) quack took some photies of the lump on my face. She seemed quite excited to do so. We had a look at Google images of the various likely things that lumps the face can be. She reckons it's most likely a basal cell carcinoma. I'm getting referred to Dermatology (average 22 week waiting time in NHS Teuchter) to no doubt get hacked with a rusty scalpel by a recently graduated PSO leech.

I have an appointment with the Plastic Surgery Clinic quacks next month...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 13 March, 2024, 08:05:27 pm
D is still waiting for his...
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 14 March, 2024, 01:21:19 pm
I received a text from my gp practice inviting me to submit blood pressure readings.
They informed me that they have a machine in there that 'robotically' does it for you.

It is a very simple process. I took three readings and they were all different.

No1: 149/93 hr 59
No2: 142/92 hr 60
No3: 138/85 hr 58

I returned home, replied to the text and submitted reading no:3.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: orienteer on 14 March, 2024, 05:28:32 pm
My GP said to take three readings and record the lowest. In my case that's usually the second one. Maybe I get so excited that it's lower than the first that my BP then rises😀
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Lightning Phil on 14 March, 2024, 08:48:39 pm
A submit your own blood pressure readings is what the over 40s NHS 5 year health checkup has turned into for my GP surgery.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Von Broad on 14 March, 2024, 09:42:24 pm
It is a very simple process. I took three readings and they were all different.

It jumps around all over the place, and three readings in succession after sitting for 5 minutes prior is the suggested way to go.
I'm a classic white coat syndrome sufferer, so never really take a lot of notice if it ever gets taken be a professional at the surgery, or if I used the machine in the surgery.
My doc wanted me to go on meds, but I convinced her I'll go away, have a look at a few things [namely my booze consumption] and report back. I've had two occasions with a 24 ambulator[a device wore for 24hrs taking a reading every hour] over the years, which, although a bit inconvenient during the day, was very interesting to see the results. Interesting to see what happened to it at night, and also when a did a session on the turbo......on purpose - 'through the roof' comes to mind  lol
I have a couple of monitors at home now, and I go through spells where I take regular readings and spells where ICBA. I've been borderline hypertensive for a long time.
Well worth keeping an eye on it though.
There is a reason why it's called the silent killer.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Regulator on 15 March, 2024, 07:40:52 am
I take my BP weekly, using a Withings cuff.  It’s automatically set to take three readings.

Despite being obese I have relatively normal BP, which I think somewhat bugs the quacks.  I had one GP start talking about statins and BP medication almost as soon as I entered the room… and then he checked what my test results were.   That was satisfying!  :demon:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 March, 2024, 09:36:17 am
I'm making huge strides in recovering from frozen shoulder.
Seen physio, who approved of my self-researched exercises and added a few more. Also gave guidance on how far to push it.

I'm mostly working with therabands. Key to using these is not in the exertion (stretch) phase, but a very slow relaxation. 'Frozen shoulder' seems to be adhesions between muscle and scar tissue. Lengthening muscles involves individual bundles relaxing, increasing the load on adjacent, contracted, bundles. I hypothesize that this interaction is breaking the scar tissue up.

This is one instance where a desk job is an advantage. I have bands rigged so I can do a few reps every time it occurs to me.

The shoulder is still weak, less than 50% normal strength. But range of movement and strength are returning.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 15 March, 2024, 01:02:57 pm
That's great news Mr C, and good hard work on your part. Frozen shoulder is a complete bitch of a condition, so I hope it continues improving with the right kind of physio.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 15 March, 2024, 02:17:17 pm
Way to go, Mr. C.

Meanwhile, my blood glucose level was doing wot it otter this morning, 120 mg/dL an hour after breakfast: feeling smug. Saw doc and he cut my dosage in half. :D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 15 March, 2024, 02:19:43 pm
I'm making huge strides in recovering from frozen shoulder.

Good to hear, Mr C.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 15 March, 2024, 11:03:26 pm
There is a big link between frozen shoulder and dupuytrens.  There is also evidence that the fibroblasts under tension relax and lengthen.  The tension has to be slow and constantish.  your exercises are entirely correct
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 16 March, 2024, 02:11:37 am
Whoever sent the shoulder gremlins to me, please take them back!

I expected to have a sore hip from replicating my excellent hydro session exercises in the colder sports centre pool. Nope. Hip is fine. Left shoulder spazzed up my entire neck and the right shoulder is distinctly iffy. Hoping this dual shoulder-gremlins doesn't stop me sleeping tonight.

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: De Sisti on 16 March, 2024, 07:38:10 am
I received a text from my gp practice inviting me to submit blood pressure readings.
They informed me that they have a machine in there that 'robotically' does it for you.

It is a very simple process. I took three readings and they were all different.

No1: 149/93 hr 59
No2: 142/92 hr 60
No3: 138/85 hr 58

I returned home, replied to the text and submitted reading no:3.
Yesterday I received another text from the gp surgery, apologising for sending out the original
text (to hundreds of people), as it was done in error. :-D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: rafletcher on 16 March, 2024, 12:06:37 pm
Some of the woo behind the ZOE stuff being questioned. I think Spector means well, but that is a business monetising health (s)care founded by an “entrepreneur”. IMO of course.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68452019
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 16 March, 2024, 12:27:01 pm
Some of the woo behind the ZOE stuff being questioned. I think Spector means well, but that is a business monetising health (s)care founded by an “entrepreneur”. IMO of course.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68452019

I think most people that have done the Zoe thing, at least those I know personally, use it as a learning exercise and take what they can from it without seeing it as being definitive about what they should or should not eat. Personally I found it useful, a nudge to more fully accept things that I knew anyway but wasn’t really acting on.

My big issue with Zoe, and a big weakness that leaves it rightly vulnerable to criticism, is that the plan does not include a repeat of the initial blood and stool tests. So there is no way to determine the effect of any change one might have made. Another criticism is that when your “membership” ends, you lose access to your food scores. Why should you lose access to that for failing to keep paying?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 16 March, 2024, 12:40:17 pm
Some of the woo behind the ZOE stuff being questioned. I think Spector means well, but that is a business monetising health (s)care founded by an “entrepreneur”. IMO of course.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68452019

That's them off my Christmas-card list. What'll they push next, jade eggs or hydroxychloroquine?
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Von Broad on 16 March, 2024, 02:58:18 pm

I think most people that have done the Zoe thing, at least those I know personally, use it as a learning exercise and take what they can from it without seeing it as being definitive about what they should or should not eat.

Marketing. Band Wagons. And You Tube. And it's a powerful combination. For those that have type 2 diabetes, then I'm sure there are many that are happy to pay for it. For those that don't....

What I really resent, is the language of some of the adverts on You Tube. There is one in particular where your main man talks [before I can skip it] about how porridge for breakfast was spiking his blood sugar so he switched to kefir and berries. Ok fine - his choice. But there is an implication, an infference, in this use of language that porridge can spike your blood sugar, so it might be best avoided. Really? It spikes my blood sugar? So fucking what? And how much damage is that going to inflict? Jesus. Have I now got to be conscious of and worry about a hefty dose of insulin circulating in the bloodstream, for a short time? I won't be binning my oats matey boy!!! Are you telling me that the aim of dietary intake is to eat low glycaemic food........ALL the time? Good luck with that [on PBP lol].

Your body is an extraordinary thing. And the moral of the story is: don't abuse it.....ALL of the time!!! [Just now and again!] If you pummel it with a lorry load of processed, simple, refined carbohydrate, with little else, then it's highly likely that you're you're going to get problems - all kinds of problems. But I think we're all so vulnerable to getting pulled into these things - thinking there is an answer, a road to the promised land, a health nirvana, to the issues of a disgruntled life. Kind of.

I wouldn't normally respond to these lind of threads, but those adverts really wind me up......and that's my issue :-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: jsabine on 16 March, 2024, 04:16:47 pm
but those adverts really wind me up......and that's my issue :-)

It sounds very much as though bringing these kinds of tensions into your lifestyle may be placing you at risk of high blood pressure - I think you could really benefit from my latest range of miracle cures.

If you'd like to know more, please call on 0898 #£%{no-carrier}
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 16 March, 2024, 05:34:32 pm
What I really resent, is the language of some of the adverts on You Tube.

I have never seen any of them. I came across Zoe as I had been mildly interested in Tim Spector and the COVID symptom app. I regard the whole Zoe thing as a source of reports / articles / thoughts that I then explore myself elsewhere. I think it is all well intended, interesting, and occasionally throws up advice which I think seems reasonable.

I find that many of his podcasts are rather poor. I read the transcripts rather than listen to the podcasts, which is a good way of seeing just how much of the podcast is waffle and chat. The proportion often approaches 100%, only at the very end might you come across a useful source of evidence.

That doesn’t change my view of the Zoe programme itself, the app, or the insights into my diet.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 20 March, 2024, 10:46:56 am
Today's visit to the hospital was to test remove the catheter. I felt constipated and the doctor said they would rebook me for the test next Wednesday. 15 minutes later and the bowel opened  ::-) home by taxi £30 .
Now I have to do it all again next week  :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 21 March, 2024, 08:48:36 am
Another night on a trolley in wexham hospital. Severe wind in the lower stomach with most discomfort on the right side led the 111 gp to suscept  appendicitis  :o. So to the hospital I go and this morning I'm told constipated..back home now with a new laxative to try  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 21 March, 2024, 08:50:59 am
 :facepalm:

Save the NHS - send more trolleys.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 21 March, 2024, 04:12:00 pm
Are you taking opiate meds Cycleman (codeine, codydramol, morphine)? I sometimes think they don't give enough laxatives quickly enough with these from recent painful experience (fortunately not as bad as yours).

Also as someone with a spinal injury even incomplete like yours, you may be more prone to guts issues cos of poor feedback between gut and the rest of your body.

Hope new laxatives help. It may be worth asking for a meds review with GP to see if any meds aren't helping or ways you can manage it, cos constipation is (badoom tish) shit.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 22 March, 2024, 01:29:11 pm
I'm just at the doctors and he says that I have a urine infection and checking my blood pressure which is normally around 130 is currently between 77 and 90 .he's called a ambulance for me. I I'm not taking painkillers at this time but do have a variety available at home. Before the doctor checked my blood pressure he was prescribed antibiotics and anti fungal. He also said that I needed to take 2 movicol a day as well as lactose syrup 2 a day..I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever recover 🤔.. I am I know prone to thinking the worst and making myself depressed but I cannot see the end of the tunnel at present and when I do it will probably be a train coming the other way  ::-)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 22 March, 2024, 01:45:47 pm
This sounds sub-optimal Chris.  Hospital again ?  They'll be inviting you to their Christmas do at this rate !   


Hope they can sort you out & get you home asap.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2024, 02:03:49 pm
UTIs can have general awful effects, on you state of mind, not just physical (one dragging down the other).
Fingers crossed they can sort it quickly, so you can start to recover.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 22 March, 2024, 03:09:23 pm
Glad doc has checked you out, urine infections can affect so much. Hopefully if you can get all that laxo-stuff into you and survive the antibiotics things will clear up and improve for you soon. May not be as quick as we'd like, but This Too Shall Pass.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 22 March, 2024, 03:27:04 pm
UTIs can have general awful effects, on you state of mind, not just physical (one dragging down the other).
Fingers crossed they can sort it quickly, so you can start to recover.

Agreed, it was scary how well my Gran's dementia correlated with UTIs. It was as if the energy needed by the body to fight that infection was taken directly from her mental capacity.

Chris, if you find yourself needing another early morning lift to Heatherwood do reach out and ask. I'll try not to commit to travelling into london on the same day and also to set off 15 minutes earlier next time.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 22 March, 2024, 03:54:15 pm
And the ambulance turned up and they did all the checks and my blood pressure was 134. Result they spoke to the doctor and have got him to send the prescription to the chemist. They then very kindly gave me a lift home 🏡. Liz has just gone out to pick up the prescription and I have just taken another movicol.
Matthew that's all very kind offer which I am happy to accept. The doctor at heatherwood hospital said Wednesday 0845 but I have received a email saying Thursday 0845. I will chase them up on Monday and let you know   :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 22 March, 2024, 04:30:13 pm
Hoping the antibiotics kick in ASAP!

I suspect your GP was worried you might have sepsis, lowering your BP but was reassured when it bounced back.

A full bladder or rectum can addle the brain (as I’ve posted on the AUK forum and elsewhere, rather frequently) and also lower the pulse and blood pressure by stimulating the vagus nerve.

You hardly need me to tell you to try to keep these as empty as possible for maximal well-being!

Unfortunately this is MUCH more easily said than done!

Hope this is all sorted quickly!

Get Well Soon!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 March, 2024, 05:11:59 pm
I didn't realise about the spinal injury and know nothing about your status.  In my experience spinal injuries units have pretty much an open door to seeing ex-patients.  Might be worth getting in touch if you had treatment in the past.  Many problems occur later due to spinal injury.
https://spinal.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SIA_Bowel_Management_2_Factsheet_v2.pdf (https://spinal.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SIA_Bowel_Management_2_Factsheet_v2.pdf)

If I have read too much into a chance comment not knowing you in person please forgive me and blame the internet :) :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 22 March, 2024, 05:20:35 pm
Sounds vile, Chris (cycleman).  Hope you get it resolved soon.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 23 March, 2024, 09:03:07 am
Very small bowel movement this morning but the day is still young.  Many thanks everyone your support does help me  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: Paul on 23 March, 2024, 02:05:27 pm
... This Too Shall Pass.

Very small bowel movement this morning but the day is still young.  Many thanks everyone your support does help me  :)

(Meant with kind good humour)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 March, 2024, 04:44:55 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 23 March, 2024, 10:03:43 pm
All this talk about Number 2's reminds me I better get a repeat prescription of Laxido.  :facepalm:

You'd have thought GP would have been a bit concerned, about my needing continual courses of Laxido (once daily), especially giving my history of a twisted bowel in 2019 (which they thought was IBS)

But no, they'd rather just palm my bowels off with "Laxido orange powder for oral solution".  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 23 March, 2024, 10:25:35 pm
Shame it's dodgy to share unneeded meds, I've got a metric tonne of Laxido which I didn't need after the last surgery cos I stopped the morphine cos I didn't want impaction again and hospital hadn't given me laxido for the first 24 hours (the prescribing was a total mess).
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 24 March, 2024, 09:52:13 am
Anyone in the market for 850 mg Metformin, whereof I have a shitload?  In combination with Movicol or Laxido it's guaranteed to have you diving off into the undergrowth at about 5 minutes' notice. #firehose

On the bright side, this morning I managed to balance Glibenclamide and carbs on toddle to the next village & back to buy a few goodies.  2.5 mg Glib = 1 madeleine + 1 Decathlon marzipan bar + 5k walk. Blood sugar once home bang in middle of OK range. Last time I tried it I had a shuddering hypo at ~1k.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: BrianI on 25 March, 2024, 04:05:51 pm
It's FND Awareness Day today.
https://www.fndaction.org.uk/fnd-awareness-day-uk/ (https://www.fndaction.org.uk/fnd-awareness-day-uk/)

Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 March, 2024, 06:35:59 pm
No further bowel movements since the little one but comfortable with with windy farts. I am still taking 2 movicol plus lactose and also eating pears and bananas. I still worried about the the future of this  :(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 25 March, 2024, 06:41:06 pm
ISTR that Viennese coffee with fig extract was a great loosener.   Brown liquid in....... :-X
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 March, 2024, 08:06:46 pm
I would expect by now that a stream of brown fluid is what I should be experiencing. I am concerned that the bowel has shut down completely and I will soon be back in wexham hospital in pain 😢
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 March, 2024, 08:08:30 pm
I am phoning the doctor in the morning but have no idea what he/she could do about it 🤔
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: andrewc on 25 March, 2024, 08:15:17 pm

Lets hope they can sort you out with something quickly, otherwise you might have to resort to DIY techniques.....      :hand:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-pipe-drain-cleaning-coil-1-32m/65766


(https://media.screwfix.com/is/image/ae235/65766_P?$fxSharpen$=&wid=257&hei=257&dpr=on)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: barakta on 25 March, 2024, 09:52:23 pm
I was told when I had faecal impaction that it could take 2-3 days for laxido to start working. I think if you are unsure, it is wise to seek GP advice for your specific circumstances as they are slightly different to mine. It may be worth asking if avoiding food entirely is wise (I was told to minimise food and try an go on all liquid diet to rest my bowel).

Fingers crossed the guts move or the GP can advise.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: hellymedic on 25 March, 2024, 10:06:03 pm
Seek urgent medical help if you are not passing wind…
GWS!
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 25 March, 2024, 11:50:41 pm
40 minutes ago shit happened!!!!.the floodgates opened. Note to self...
... be careful what you wish for. I wonder if I'll be up all night 🌙 🤔.
Seriously I will have to phone the doctor and see what happens next  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 26 March, 2024, 08:21:57 am
And now my back has gone into spasm..the fun never ends
.paracetamol and meloxicam plus antibiotics for breakfast this morning    :'(
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 26 March, 2024, 09:04:37 am
 :facepalm: It's never-ending. Hope the NSAID doesn't go for your upper gut ==> cherry on the cake.

Bon courage.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 26 March, 2024, 06:45:21 pm
So far so good. I tried sitting in the hated wheelchair this afternoon and I seemed comfortable in but before I could experiment further it's started to rain again so I'll have to try again tomorrow  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 27 March, 2024, 04:17:46 pm
Heigh ho. Mentioned the angina I suspected on my last ride to the cardiologist this pm, and now I have an appointment for a coronography + possible stent in 2 weeks.  He offered to do a stress test to confirm it first, but last year's test showed the odd "insignificant" ST depression at 150W, and my blood sugar was running pretty high during the experiment with glibenclamide, so I thought "in for a penny" and opted for the coro.  Last time it took me 2 months after stenting to get back to doing 100k outings so I reckon I should be fit enough for a 200k just as it gets too bloody hot to do one.  Assuming they don't do a (please not!) bypass.

Otherwise, resting ECG & echography fine.  I reckon I'll do my own stress test on Saturday if it's not raining.

Interesting trivium: from first stent to next took 8 years, and that was 8 years ago.  If they do one in a fortnight I should be good until I'm 85. Gawd.  I want a complete refurb.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 27 March, 2024, 08:42:09 pm
Up to heatherwood hospital in the morning to hopefully get the catheter removed. I will go for a ride whatever the weather if I  have a success  :)
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: matthew on 28 March, 2024, 08:55:04 am
Given the sunshine this morning I wish you well on your ride.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: T42 on 28 March, 2024, 09:29:39 am
Up to heatherwood hospital in the morning to hopefully get the catheter removed. I will go for a ride whatever the weather if I  have a success  :)

Here's hoping.

---o0o---

Meanwhile, after following the gastropod's injunctions and switching my main reflux nostrum to half-an-hour before breakfast yesterday, I have just had the worst night of acid reflux I've ever had. Mind you, I did have a bacon* and melted Munster sandwich for "dinner", but I had one last week too with no great ill-effects.  So the dose that she called ineffective obviously wasn't.  Am now quandarized as to which path to follow and it's bloody Easter so the pros have all buggered off for the weekend. Can't blame them, the incessant procession of carping ancients must be really depressing.  They pull down good money but what they have to put up with to get it...  I'm glad my career was varied and fascinating.


* French "bacon" is not the hearty cholesterol-oozing deliciousness that the UK enjoys but an almost fat-free pork product.  It's edible if you're not expecting the stuff we used to get in Norn Iron, which probably helped to off my dad.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 March, 2024, 10:26:52 am
Hmm.
I was on Omeprazole for years.

2 doses a day of slow release, it was expected to gradually build up. I found less than 24 hours before it was noticeably beneficial.

I suspect that your gastro expert was thinking of non-slow release omeprazole. the slow stuff is capsules filled with granules; these are coated and release gradually, so there is a sustained dosage throughout the day.
Title: Re: The health and fitness thread about random things
Post by: cycleman on 28 March, 2024, 12:49:15 pm
And the hateful catheter is gone  :thumbsup:. Hopefully it won't be back for years  :).  Thank you all for the support and advice. You have helped me keep slightly sane  :P