MEDICAL MATTERS

[Sue]

Step one was the Spinal Cortisone injection. I had that a couple of hours ago and am now home laying on the bed, as my legs are a bit wobbly and unreliable for the next few hours. They told me my bladder may leak ( oh dear!) so I remembered the box of puppy training pads we have in the cupboard ( we use them as disposable bath mats when camping), so I am sat on one.
They were very gentle with me in Radiology, until they hit the nerve. David said he heard me scream from the waiting room! But the had to do that, apparently, to confirm they were in the right spot. They could have pre warned me. I was laying there thinking this wasn't too bad at all...then WHAM!
I asked the Radiologist if there had been any improvement at all in the herniated disc since my original diagnostic scan a fortnight ago. He said that ( unfortunately) there had been no changes at all. That is disappointing, but explains the dreadful pain I suppose.
Anyway...they say this Cortisone may take anywhere from 2 hours, to 2 days, to 2 weeks to give relief...or may not work at all.
Luck of the draw and it depends how long a piece of string is!

Hope it works. Remember I said I had the surgery and never regretted it. The pain like yours was absolutely intolerable as was the lack of mobility and sleep. By the time I came round from the anaesthetic I was cured.

[plaques]

they say this Cortisone may take anywhere from 2 hours, to 2 days, to 2 weeks to give relief...or may not work at all.

Mrs P used to give Cortisone injections for frozen shoulders. The preamble introduction went something like this...
This can be quite painful would you like to sit down?
Six foot six policeman. No its OK I'll stand if you can reach.
I can manage; but most people can tolerate it better sat down.
Macho policeman. Go ahead its OK.
Inserts needle and injects Cortisone. Macho sinks to his knees with face contorted with pain.
I said you would be better sat down!

Cortisone works for some but not for others.

[PanBiker]

I had a cortisone injection in my shoulder when I tore the muscles a couple of years ago, it gave temporary relief and more movement. It was physio that sorted it finally. Anyway, I wish you well Maz.

Also you Stanley, start of your treatment, all the best.

[Stanley]

Thanks Ian......

[Marilyn]

Well...about 9 hours post injection...I have to say I am quite comfortable! The foot remains numb, the back of the calf is numb, and the side of my thigh is still numb. Some skin tenderness over the injection site ( not back pain, just skin tenderness).
I've not taken any painkillers and I've even omitted the 12 hour slow release painkiller. I hope I don't regret that overnight, but I really only want to take stuff if I need it. I'm not declaring "cured" yet...just hopefully optimistic.

[Marilyn]

I have lost 3 kilos in 10 days...
( and I still can't pee normally!!!)

[Tizer]

I might not be saying much on here but Mrs Tiz and me are thinking about those of you fighting your health problems and wish you all get the best outcomes. Onwards and upwards!

[PanBiker]

Sounds good Maz, hang on to the small gains.

Emma rang me yesterday and we had a chat. We agreed that I would not benefit from any further visits from her as I have all the exercises that she can give me. I am progressing all the time, albeit slowly but that is to be expected. We have agreed that she can sign me off and notify Mr Anderson to that effect. He said at our last meeting that we would become more like pen pals in the future as I would not need to see him again unless there were any problems. I can still contact the neuro physio department if I wish, just as I still have access to my surgeon if required, Avril at the Orthotic department said that I can contact them also if I feel the need. So from a treatment point of view that's it. I am officially signed off by the physio's and just awaiting my scan results from Mr Anderson. As near as makes no difference fixed. The rest is down to me. I have promised to send Laura my original physio angel a picture when I get to the trig, she should have her new baby to keep her busy any time now.

My new orthotic is doing what it should and is much better than the previous one so it's onwards and upwards, (literally if I want to get to the trig)

[Marilyn]

You should do a Billy Conelly when you get to the trig. Strip naked and run about it in a wild fashion. ( pics please)

A pretty good night for me. Just 2 zings of pain overnight as I turned over in bed and mild discomfort for a couple of hours this morning. Nothing to go racing to the pill packet for. The weakness in my legs may take another 24 hours to subside, according to the instruction sheet they provided me. Very hot here these next 2 days, so we are bunkered down and going nowhere. I' have a good book in hand, between waiting for layers of paint to dry on a lamp base I am re-vamping. Quiet pursuits.

[PanBiker]

Strip naked and run about it in a wild fashion.

First part would be no problem although it would be a tad cold at the moment. I couldn't do the second bit at the moment unless something was chasing me.

Glad you had a better night Maz.

[Stanley]

Glad to hear you had a good sleep Maz.....
That's all brilliant Ian, all you have to do is keep working at it. I'm pleased they have sacked you!
Margaret took me to Airedale yesterday and I had the first BCG irrigation. No dramas about the treatment, dead simple. Only bugbear was having to wait two hours afterwards in case there was any reaction. There wasn't, apart from feeling fatigued because my Immune system is working hard, I shall look after myself....
Next time will be quicker because there won't be all the form filling but I shall still have to wait for the two hours. After that it gets a lot better, I just go there, have the infusion and bugger off home, I shall be in and out in under 30 minutes.
They have come up trumps with the appointments, I have all my appointments for the next five weeks and they are all earlier as requested. All told, a good day and I'm glad I opted for the treatment.

[PanBiker]

Excellent Stanley. Are there any expected build ups with reaction as your treatment continues?

I remember Sally commenting at her second session of Chemo that she hadn't had any visible hair loss as expected. Denise gave a wry smile as she hooked her up for her second session. That was Thursday, Saturday morning half her hair was on the pillow when we got up! Much more aggressive treatment of course but an example of treatment build up.

[Tizer]

Because of my stomach inflammation I have to avoid aspirin and I often tell other people that it can be harmful by causing stomach bleeding. I've even had to explain it to a hospital doctor who wanted me to take it. Now a report from Imperial College emphasises this danger...
`Aspirin cuts heart attack risk but increases chance of dangerous bleeding' LINK

[PanBiker]

Sally has an aspirin allergy, it makes her swell up, It's flagged in red on her medical records. Just about every time she landed in hospital and needed pain relief, they always managed to give her an analgesic with it in! Thinking back, I think this was more a product of the record keeping regime at the time. In LGI I was asked at every medication session two things, my date of birth and any allergies that I had, you had to get both correct before you got the pills, all on the laptop when they accessed your medication record.

[plaques]

What a coincidence, I've just been talking to one of my pals who in the past has had heart surgery. He is on both aspirin and warfarin. Recently he has suffered a number of heavy nose bleeds which required hospital attention. Although they have temporally dropped the medication there is a strong suspicion that the recent cold weather is a factor in starting the bleeds. I know from my own experience that cuts etc; will break open when exposed to cold.

[Tizer]

The danger of aspirin damaging the stomach lining and even perforating it is made greater by the fact that not many people know it can do that. I only knew because of my bioscience background.

[Stanley]

I took aspirin for decades as a preventative against back pain and never had any problem at all. Funny how some bodies are different than others.
Ian, they do warn that build-up can happen, evidently some people can be badly affected. That's why I have to be under observation for two hours after the treatment next time as well but Helen said that after that it is very rare so that's why week 3 onwards they let you bugger off home as soon as you have had it. I don't seem to be prone to reactions, never had them in my life.... Perhaps I'm just insensitive!
She told me on Tuesday that they are run off their feet at the moment, I was her ninth and last patient!

[Sue]

The danger of aspirin damaging the stomach lining and even perforating it is made greater by the fact that not many people know it can do that. I only knew because of my bioscience background.

And me.

[Sue]

Well...about 9 hours post injection...I have to say I am quite comfortable! The foot remains numb, the back of the calf is numb, and the side of my thigh is still numb. Some skin tenderness over the injection site ( not back pain, just skin tenderness).
I've not taken any painkillers and I've even omitted the 12 hour slow release painkiller. I hope I don't regret that overnight, but I really only want to take stuff if I need it. I'm not declaring "cured" yet...just hopefully optimistic.

I hope the numbness clears up. I still get the occasional attacks of numbness, usually after our long trip to France when I maybe sat in the car in one position for long periods of time. Keep a look out for any form of incontinence. The injection mayblock the pain but those nerves may still be trapped indicated by the numbness. Can you manage any exercises now to help release them

[Wendyf]

The danger of aspirin damaging the stomach lining and even perforating it is made greater by the fact that not many people know it can do that. I only knew because of my bioscience background.

And me.

I thought it was common knowledge.

[chinatyke]

I thought it was common knowledge.

Me too.

[Tizer]

Unfortunately not, Wendy and China, and I can vouch for it by the fact that I've had to tell lots of people and rarely find anyone outside the medical profession who already knows (so you're both rarities!). Obviously, it's not going to affect everyone but will be a risk for those who have gut problems such as ulcers and inflammation or who secrete insufficient of the protective mucus that protects the gut lining or don't produce the right prostaglandin hormones.

This report could be the beginning of a new approach to understanding and preventing Alzheimer's Disease. More work needs to be done to confirm the findings and we have to keep in mind that the study was done together with a drug company. Also I remember in the past there was great excitement when studies seemed to show that arterial disease might be caused by gum bacteria...but we hear litte about that now.
`Common gum disease plays ‘central role’ in Alzheimer’s development' LINK

[PanBiker]

I was aware of the caustic effects of Aspirin.

On my matter, just received a letter from the NHS, I thought it was my scan results but it isn't. It's from the Orthotic Department at East Lancs Hospitals. They are booking a telephone review with me on 12th March to see how I am fairing with the new "foot up" orthotic.

It's slightly painful on the top of my foot when I'm wearing it. I think this is because it's new and I need to get used to the adjustments with the elastic, I may be setting it a bit tight. Anyway we will see how we go for the next couple of weeks. Not wearing it indoors, trying to do more in my slippers or stocking feet to exercise the toes.

[Moh]

I have just had an appointment with the specialist, he is organising a CT scan to see what is going on.

[PanBiker]

That's good Moh, best of luck that they can get a proper diagnosis.