The Sick Room

[Addie]

I need to get another 'script for shingles shot. Part deux? Did you need more than one shot?

My doctor only ordered the one shot when I asked him "if someone never had chicken pox, can they catch it from a person?" Within about three minutes he had the nurse injecting the vaccine into my arm. It is the only shot I ever received. No mention of a second shot was ever made. I will have to ask about that second shot. At my age, the last thing I need now is a childhood disease. And come to think of it, he never did answer my question.

 

[Mad Cook]

My doctor only ordered the one shot when I asked him "if someone never had chicken pox, can they catch it from a person?" Within about three minutes he had the nurse injecting the vaccine into my arm. It is the only shot I ever received. No mention of a second shot was ever made. I will have to ask about that second shot. At my age, the last thing I need now is a childhood disease. And come to think of it, he never did answer my question.

Just found this:- "To avoid chicken pox, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the chicken-pox vaccine — which is 98% effective — for kids, adolescents and adults who have not had chicken pox. "

 

[Mad Cook]

The following comes from the (British) National Health Service advice. Hope it helps.

"Is there a vaccine against chickenpox?
There is a chickenpox vaccine, but it is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine is only offered to children and adults who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox complications.
The recommended 2 doses of the vaccine is estimated to offer 98% protection from chickenpox in children and 75% protection in adolescents and adults.
So it may be possible to develop the infection after vaccination. Similarly, there is a chance that someone who has received the vaccine could develop chickenpox after coming in close contact with a person who has shingles.

Once you have had chickenpox, you usually develop antibodies to the infection and become immune to catching it again. However, the virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus, remains inactive (dormant) in your body's nerve tissues and can return later in life as an illness called shingles.

It's possible to catch chickenpox from someone with shingles, but not the other way around"

 

[Addie]

I did get my second shot for pneumonia, which is supposed to be better and stronger and improved over the old one, but did not know about the new chicken pox one. Fortunately for me needles simply do not bother me. I am just one of those old folks that would live from it if I were to contract the disease. Just too dang stubborn to give in.

I just had another heart stare. I was arguing with my nurse who kept insisting that I go to Winthrop to pick up my meds and if I did, I would miss my appointment for my pre-op appointment. If I missed that one, then my surgery would be cancelled. She easily could have had them delivered as they usually are. When I gave her my final NO, I hung up and immediately started to have problems with my heart racing. Sure enough, the upper left arm pain followed by chest pains starting. The shot of nitrate helped very little. Sure enough off to the hospital and rushed into the room for heart attack patients. I wasn't into a full heart attack, but too close for comfort. When I came home today, I had to call her to give her some information regarding my care and upcoming appointments. And I let her know that I felt the heart problem was brought on by my disagreement with her. Surprisingly, she agreed with me on that point. She will be handling me with kid gloves in the future.

 

[Addie]

The following comes from the (British) National Health Service advice. Hope it helps.

"Is there a vaccine against chickenpox?
There is a chickenpox vaccine, but it is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine is only offered to children and adults who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox complications.
The recommended 2 doses of the vaccine is estimated to offer 98% protection from chickenpox in children and 75% protection in adolescents and adults.
So it may be possible to develop the infection after vaccination. Similarly, there is a chance that someone who has received the vaccine could develop chickenpox after coming in close contact with a person who has shingles.

Once you have had chickenpox, you usually develop antibodies to the infection and become immune to catching it again. However, the virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus, remains inactive (dormant) in your body's nerve tissues and can return later in life as an illness called shingles.

It's possible to catch chickenpox from someone with shingles, but not the other way around"

Thanks for the info. I have to call Winthrop and possibly go there tomorrow. So I will definitely ask about that second shot. I keep a pad of note paper at the computer just for questions for Winthrop. This subject has gone on the list.

 

[LPBeier]

Well, it is 1:30 am here and I am up coughing my lungs out from another chest infection. Antibiotics no longer work for me as I have either built up an immunity or an allergy to any of the ones that are normally prescribed. So I am dealing with it the old-fashioned way with hot lemon and honey, cough medicine and Vicks.

I also have (finally) been officially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. At the moment I am only being treated with diet; however, I will probably end up with metformin, the same medicine my Dad took.

I also have to lose about 75 pounds and keep it off. That is hard when you are limited in terms of exercise because of physical problems. But they say where there is a will there is a way and I am tired of feeling sick, tired and in pain all the time.

So we shall see how I do!

 

[Addie]

It is 5 a.m. and have yet to feel sleepy. I need the narcotics for pain management, or I would be up all night crying and rocking myself from the pain. But then the narcotics keep me awake. Oh Joy!!! The Pirate tells me I I am flying from the narcotics. I can't win no matter what I do. The foot surgeon put a graft on my left leg and used metal staples. As the graft heals, the skin is being pulled against the metal staples. I REALLY NEED to call the foot doctor first thing in the morn.

 

[LPBeier]

It is 5 a.m. and have yet to feel sleepy. I need the narcotics for pain management, or I would be up all night crying and rocking myself from the pain. But then the narcotics keep me awake. Oh Joy!!! The Pirate tells me I I am flying from the narcotics. I can't win no matter what I do. The foot surgeon put a graft on my left leg and used metal staples. As the graft heals, the skin is being pulled against the metal staples. I REALLY NEED to call the foot doctor first thing in the morn.

Addie, it sounds like we have similar issues regarding pain and sleep. I am having to wean off the narcotics and they are trying me on CBD oil but it doesn't seem to be working for me, re sleep OR pain.

I hope you get some relief regarding your foot. I am allergic to the metal staples and get an infection and scar tissue whenever and wherever they are used.

Be well, dear lady!

 

[Addie]

Addie, it sounds like we have similar issues regarding pain and sleep. I am having to wean off the narcotics and they are trying me on CBD oil but it doesn't seem to be working for me, re sleep OR pain.

I hope you get some relief regarding your foot. I am allergic to the metal staples and get an infection and scar tissue whenever and wherever they are used.

Be well, dear lady!

Thank you LP. This is the second skin graft I have needed. One on each ankle. I called Winthrop and told them about the pain level and they called me back telling me that they will send another medication to help to aid the Vicodin with the pain. I will go see the surgeon in the morning and then directly to Winthrop so my PCP can look at the surgeon's notes on my progress and how he is addressing the pain. I have to admit, Winthrop is really working with me on this problem. I think when my nurse and doctor read the hospital notes as to why I had the scare with my heart was because of the stress they were putting on me at Winthrop.

This opioid epidemic is causing doctors becoming afraid to prescribe any prescriptions for pain control. My doctor fortunately knows I am not a pill or pain control seeker. I even asked him to take me off the patch of Fentanyl. He had to explain to me why he couldn't and he would have to withdraw me slowly from that drug. And he also knows that I have told no one in this building not even my kids that it is one of the drugs they are using on me. I am not very comfortable take narcotics. Not even when I need them. I am of the opinion that aspirin will cure everything. Some day I will catch up with the world.

This is third time I have had staples after surgery. The first time was when I had the gastro surgery. The incision was from the top of my breast bone down to my navel. The next time was for open heart surgery and now this time when the took a vein from one leg and put it in the other leg. I had less pain from the first two than I have had this this one. I didn't think to ask how many staples they used for the first two surgeries, but I know they put in 76 for the leg one. This is the fourth surgery since the beginning of January that they have done surgery on this one leg. I am praying that this last time is really the last time. I want to get out of this wheelchair and out in the kitchen to start baking all my goodies for my daughter and her husband. Her husband has a sweet tooth like I never seen in another person. He could eat sweets for a seven course meal.

You know, I was thinking there isn't a part anywhere on my body that doesn't have a scar from some sort of surgery. There is nothing left to fix. Well maybe my gall bladder and appendix. I still have both of them.

Take care of yourself and think of me when you are making one of those beautiful cakes you bake. Everyday they are creating miracles in the field of medicine. One of those miracles may just be yours.

 

[Caslon]

Addie, I miss by your replies here. It's no wonder you don't feel like jumping in on food topics lately.

 

[Addie]

Addie, I miss by your replies here. It's no wonder you don't feel like jumping in on food topics lately.

Everything started to go wrong in January, thanks to some sand fleas. Spike takes Teddy to the beach so he play with all the other dogs that bring them there. Unfortunately, fleas (any kind) smelt warm new blood the pounced on all of the dogs. But the owners didn't notice. Including Spike. When they left the beach, they both came to my apartment and as soon as he was in the door, Teddy jumped up on my bed. I was rubbing and playing with him when I noticed a flea on my hand. That little sucker never got to see his relatives again. BAM! One dead flea. Unfortunately I didn't see the four on my feet in time to send them off to live with their dead mate. I received four nice nasty bites that within a few days became infected. It has been down hill ever since. So far four surgeries on just one leg and continuous two times a day having a visiting nurse come twice a day to change the dressings. Kind of puts a cramp on my social life.

I am so sick of seeing that hospital. This last "visit" hopefully has turned every thing around. I should be on my feet by the end of July. Then it will be to Rehab three times a week in order to get some strength back in my legs and learn how to walk again. And hopefully I can get back into my kitchen and start doing some baking. Pirate takes care of cooking our meals and I do desserts. On some days when he is not up to cooking I do the whole meal. Or I used to. He has neuropathy in his legs from kicking in carpeting for 20 something years. His knees are shot.

Time will tell how it all turns out. I can only hope for the best. Thanks for the short note. It is deeply appreciated.

 

[Mad Cook]

+1...

We have been fortunate to have had no adverse effects from our various shots...

Ross

I have my free 'flu jab every year despite only having had 'flu twice in my entire life. However, I had my jab last autumn and then had a bad go of 'flu in January. Ho-hum. I recovered with no problems and didn't need the doctor, however I felt grim while it lasted. Fortunately, I live alone so I didn't have the side effect of someone fussing round me.

 

[Mad Cook]

Everything started to go wrong in January, thanks to some sand fleas. Spike takes Teddy to the beach so he play with all the other dogs that bring them there. Unfortunately, fleas (any kind) smelt warm new blood the pounced on all of the dogs. But the owners didn't notice. Including Spike. When they left the beach, they both came to my apartment and as soon as he was in the door, Teddy jumped up on my bed. I was rubbing and playing with him when I noticed a flea on my hand. That little sucker never got to see his relatives again. BAM! One dead flea. Unfortunately I didn't see the four on my feet in time to send them off to live with their dead mate. I received four nice nasty bites that within a few days became infected. It has been down hill ever since. So far four surgeries on just one leg and continuous two times a day having a visiting nurse come twice a day to change the dressings. Kind of puts a cramp on my social life.

I am so sick of seeing that hospital. This last "visit" hopefully has turned every thing around. I should be on my feet by the end of July. Then it will be to Rehab three times a week in order to get some strength back in my legs and learn how to walk again. And hopefully I can get back into my kitchen and start doing some baking. Pirate takes care of cooking our meals and I do desserts. On some days when he is not up to cooking I do the whole meal. Or I used to. He has neuropathy in his legs from kicking in carpeting for 20 something years. His knees are shot.

Time will tell how it all turns out. I can only hope for the best. Thanks for the short note. It is deeply appreciated.

Goodness, Addie, you have been through the mill. I hope you're feeling better.

 

[Caslon]

My elderly bro goes to a dermatologist. He tells my elderly brother to stop all his BP lowering meds. His cholesterol lowering drugs too. He says he's better off without them. Is this like asking him to possibly have a stroke or what? How dare a dermatologist make that assessment, even if his point of view has some credibility. I feel like calling up that dermatologist .

"Where in the hell do you come off recommending that"? "You're a freaking dermatologist."

 

[Caslon]

Want another example? My 83 year old golf playing dad suddenly couldn't get out of bed.

His/our family doctor was a cardiologist. He put him on Tums and a calcium booster.

Three weeks go by and my old man still doesn't want to get out of bed. I feel bad because I thought he could muster thru it. It turns out that an infection at his spine was dissolving his lower vertebra. Our "cardiologist" didn't get that fact, and, also that if a sample was taken from his spine, a suitable antibiotic would have been prescribed.

Instead, our family doctor "cardiologist" waited a month until my dads weird walking gait needed next day spinal surgery where a skilled surgeon replaced that dissolving vertabra with a metal steel collar.

Where does a cardiologist have any business waiting months and prescribing Tumms and calcium when my dad could not get out of bed and 2 months later required next day spinal surgery? Do I resent that cardiologists assessment? Hell yes! My spry old man never played golf again!

Now my brothers dermatologist tells him to quit his meds. If he has a stroke, is there some legal action to be taken here?

 

[Caslon]

Everything started to go wrong in January, thanks to some sand fleas.

I live next to a golf course on the first floor Addie. Don't ask me how, but I get bites. I swear, they are not fleas. I checked my bed sheets. Something bites me every week or so. I keep my screen door closed. I just cannot figure out why I'm getting multiple bites once every week or so. No see-umms? Golf course grass bugs that get past my screen door?

 

[GotGarlic]

Want another example? My 83 year old golf playing dad suddenly couldn't get out of bed.

His/our family doctor was a cardiologist. He put him on Tums and a calcium booster.

Three weeks go by and my old man still doesn't want to get out of bed. I feel bad because I thought he could muster thru it. It turns out that an infection at his spine was dissolving his lower vertebra. Our "cardiologist" didn't get that fact, and, also that if a sample was taken from his spine, a suitable antibiotic would have been prescribed.

Instead, our family doctor "cardiologist" waited a month until my dads weird walking gait needed next day spinal surgery where a skilled surgeon replaced that dissolving vertabra with a metal steel collar.

Where does a cardiologist have any business waiting months and prescribing Tumms and calcium when my dad could not get out of bed and 2 months later required next day spinal surgery? Do I resent that cardiologists assessment? Hell yes! My spry old man never played golf again!

Now my brothers dermatologist tells him to quit his meds. If he has a stroke, is there some legal action to be taken here?

First of all, why would you have a cardiologist as a family doctor? An internist or a family medicine specialist is a better choice. They can diagnose and treat the most common problems and refer patients to a specialist as needed. Mine is quite good at recognizing his limitations.

Second, if a doctor told me to do something different than another doctor already prescribed for me, I would tell them to talk to each other and come to a conclusion. You don't have to follow everyone's advice no questions asked.

 

[Andy M.]

I live next to a golf course on the first floor Addie. Don't ask me how, but I get bites. I swear, they are not fleas. I checked my bed sheets. Something bites me every week or so. I keep my screen door closed. I just cannot figure out why I'm getting multiple bites once every week or so. No see-umms? Golf course grass bugs that get past my screen door?

Spiders? Maybe while you're asleep.

 

[Andy M.]

First of all, why would you have a cardiologist as a family doctor? An internist or a family medicine specialist is a better choice. They can diagnose and treat the most common problems and refer patients to a specialist as needed. Mine is quite good at recognizing his limitations.

Second, if a doctor told me to do something different than another doctor already prescribed for me, I would tell them to talk to each other and come to a conclusion. You don't have to follow everyone's advice no questions asked.

Good advice.

 

[Caslon]

Hey, guess what? A cardiologist who he was seeing the most became his primary doctor. As such, it is not uncommon to have such as one's primary doctor. Are you OK with that FACT.

Do I regret it? Yes. A general doctor he should have had? If only he had had a freaking general practitioner? With all due respect, get real. I wish he had had a more talented cardiologist that might have recommended to the right specialist. Nah...Tums and calcium prescription should do it. Weeks pass.

Hey doc, somethings seems a bit more serious here.

What I regret is that cardio doc letting 7 weeks go by. My dad isn't one to lay in bed. I truly regret letting that time go by while the infection in his vertabra dissolved it.

As far as a cardiologist being ones main physician, that's not uncommon at all.