Health

[Foxdiamond]

51 minutes ago, Bryn said:

Unlikely to get much out of A&E other than painkillers. It does sound like you need to see a doctor though, does it feel like it’s going to lock or give way?

I am not a medical person but just to relate a knee problem I had some years ago. No memory of an accident other than the knee became very uncomfortable and walking became almost impossible. Doc prescribed anti inflammatory tablets. Did the trick though knee was weak for quite a while but even though I'm a lot older now knee is pretty good touch wood. 

[FoyleFox]

With the anti inflammatories having no impact on my arm/elbow issue, the Dr had advised consulting their physio. Impressively, I phoned the surgery on Wed and an appointment was made for today.

 

According to said physio, my issue is due to me doing so much physical work over a sustained period (12 months of house renovations) that now I've ceased, it's caused an issue. Like, and I quote, "a prime athlete who gets an injury and the other joints and muscles deteriorate without the same level of physical training".

 

So to retain my prime athletic status, I need to do more DIY

[Wymsey]

 

 

[Parafox]

On 05/12/2024 at 14:34, Wymsey said:

 

 

 

In my experience the problem is exacerbated by those that are housebound or with mobility issues, that don't make other arrangements to get the vaccine.

 

We used to get inundated with elderly patients in particular, with flu that didn't think it necessary or couldn't be bothered to be vaccinated, or didn't know that a community nurse would jab them at home if they asked the GP surgery.

 

Usually, by the time we got the 999, call it resulted in a hospital admission.

[Free Falling Foxes]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czjd7k44v2ko

TB cases on the rise

 

Thought about putting this in the, Is Leicester a dump?' thread as it is spread by peoples disgusting habits.

Only yesterday, Mrs. FFF called out some fella for spitting on the steps leading into Morrisons in Glenfield.

Dirty b4stard.

It has happened previously, but think it needs to happen again, where an awareness campaign needs to be targeted on certain cultures in this city of ours that it is unacceptable and can put others at risk.

[Paninistickers]

On a real roll this winter.

 

Hadn't been unwell for a good 12 months but since end of November I've managed to get norovirus followed by a heavy cold, then a lower level tinnitus fug which may have been covid, a week of mouth ulcers ....since last weekend I've finally felt great again, woke up this morning with stomach cramps in what feels like norovirus again.

 

Onwards and upwards! 

 

[CUJimmy]

I went to the Doctor just before Christmas with a cough that was hanging around for over a month.  She sent me for multiple blood test and a chest X-Ray which showed a shadow so made an urgent referral to hospital.  They booked me straight in for a chest and abdomen CT scan with contrast before the New Year so understandably it was a very worrying time and not my most relaxing holiday period.  Within 3 days I had a letter saying it wasn’t lung cancer then yesterday the Doc confirmed that the CT scan was normal so I have ended up having a pretty comprehensive MOT.
 

So two messages:

 

1. If something isn’t right get it checked out.  It will probably be nothing in which case you will feel better for knowing but if it is serious then you have a better chance of getting it fixed.

 

2. People who want to scrap the NHS for a US style system can do one.  The investigations I have had could easily have cost several thousand and it would have been very tempting to ignore the symptoms.

[chrishlcfc]

Got some more injections in my ankles next week. Still undiagnosed condition I’ve had for basically my whole life. Had them before and last time I had this injection I got a stress fracture in my foot 😂.

 

Look forward to getting it done and for it to really hurt and it be of no benefit to me as usual then I will be moving onto my next surgery. I’m not sure where they will take my bone from this time though. When they took it from my hip that was sore as anything for a few days.

 

One day I hope they can actually do something with the bloody things if not I’ll be wheelchair bound in later life. 

[Alf Bentley]

A quick nudge for posters in possession of a prostate, particularly those aged 50+....

 

- Prostate cancer is now the UK's most commonly diagnosed cancer: 55,000+ per year with 12,000+ deaths

- It often has no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. It is then usually incurable, though treatment can help people survive many years.

- Yet a simple PSA blood test from a GP, though inconclusive, should indicate whether an MRI scan & other investigations are advisable

- If treated before it spreads, even aggressive prostate cancer has about an 80% cure rate & then excellent longevity. Less aggressive prostate cancer often just need to be monitored, not treated.

 

The cyclist Chris Hoy (48) is the obvious example: one of the fittest blokes in the UK, no symptoms until he started getting pains in his collar bone/ribs....incurable secondary prostate cancer with a likely 2-4-year survival prognosis.

 

My case was a bit muddier. I went to my GP 3 years ago due to minor disruption of urination. Tests were negative, so benign prostate enlargement (v. common) was the assumption. Symptoms didn't change over the next 3 years, but I got another PSA test when I moved to a new address/GP......Highish PSA. MRI scan then suggested likely cancer, biopsy said it was aggressive cancer. 3 scans suggest it's not spread beyond the prostate yet. After considering radiotherapy/hormone therapy, I'm now heading for robot-assisted keyhole prostatectomy surgery in mid/late March. Fingers crossed that sorts it and it doesn't spread.

 

Well worth asking your GP to do the PSA blood check annually if you're no longer young, I reckon....

[jgtuk]

18 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

A quick nudge for posters in possession of a prostate, particularly those aged 50+....

 

- Prostate cancer is now the UK's most commonly diagnosed cancer: 55,000+ per year with 12,000+ deaths

- It often has no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. It is then usually incurable, though treatment can help people survive many years.

- Yet a simple PSA blood test from a GP, though inconclusive, should indicate whether an MRI scan & other investigations are advisable

- If treated before it spreads, even aggressive prostate cancer has about an 80% cure rate & then excellent longevity. Less aggressive prostate cancer often just need to be monitored, not treated.

 

The cyclist Chris Hoy (48) is the obvious example: one of the fittest blokes in the UK, no symptoms until he started getting pains in his collar bone/ribs....incurable secondary prostate cancer with a likely 2-4-year survival prognosis.

 

My case was a bit muddier. I went to my GP 3 years ago due to minor disruption of urination. Tests were negative, so benign prostate enlargement (v. common) was the assumption. Symptoms didn't change over the next 3 years, but I got another PSA test when I moved to a new address/GP......Highish PSA. MRI scan then suggested likely cancer, biopsy said it was aggressive cancer. 3 scans suggest it's not spread beyond the prostate yet. After considering radiotherapy/hormone therapy, I'm now heading for robot-assisted keyhole prostatectomy surgery in mid/late March. Fingers crossed that sorts it and it doesn't spread.

 

Well worth asking your GP to do the PSA blood check annually if you're no longer young, I reckon....

Going through similar atm although not had your diagnosis. 
Keep talking about it too, so many of us are too inhibited to address things until the symptoms are bad. 
I hope everything goes well. 

Good luck. 

[RobHawk]

1 hour ago, Alf Bentley said:

A quick nudge for posters in possession of a prostate, particularly those aged 50+....

 

- Prostate cancer is now the UK's most commonly diagnosed cancer: 55,000+ per year with 12,000+ deaths

- It often has no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. It is then usually incurable, though treatment can help people survive many years.

- Yet a simple PSA blood test from a GP, though inconclusive, should indicate whether an MRI scan & other investigations are advisable

- If treated before it spreads, even aggressive prostate cancer has about an 80% cure rate & then excellent longevity. Less aggressive prostate cancer often just need to be monitored, not treated.

 

The cyclist Chris Hoy (48) is the obvious example: one of the fittest blokes in the UK, no symptoms until he started getting pains in his collar bone/ribs....incurable secondary prostate cancer with a likely 2-4-year survival prognosis.

 

My case was a bit muddier. I went to my GP 3 years ago due to minor disruption of urination. Tests were negative, so benign prostate enlargement (v. common) was the assumption. Symptoms didn't change over the next 3 years, but I got another PSA test when I moved to a new address/GP......Highish PSA. MRI scan then suggested likely cancer, biopsy said it was aggressive cancer. 3 scans suggest it's not spread beyond the prostate yet. After considering radiotherapy/hormone therapy, I'm now heading for robot-assisted keyhole prostatectomy surgery in mid/late March. Fingers crossed that sorts it and it doesn't spread.

 

Well worth asking your GP to do the PSA blood check annually if you're no longer young, I reckon....

All the best Alf, 

 

You've been on here a long time and in my opinion one of the best posters around. Always worth taking the time to read one of your posts.

[ajthefox]

43 minutes ago, RobHawk said:

All the best Alf, 

 

You've been on here a long time and in my opinion one of the best posters around. Always worth taking the time to read one of your posts.

I second this @Alf Bentley, hope all goes well. 

[UniFox21]

2 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

A quick nudge for posters in possession of a prostate, particularly those aged 50+....

 

- Prostate cancer is now the UK's most commonly diagnosed cancer: 55,000+ per year with 12,000+ deaths

- It often has no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. It is then usually incurable, though treatment can help people survive many years.

- Yet a simple PSA blood test from a GP, though inconclusive, should indicate whether an MRI scan & other investigations are advisable

- If treated before it spreads, even aggressive prostate cancer has about an 80% cure rate & then excellent longevity. Less aggressive prostate cancer often just need to be monitored, not treated.

 

The cyclist Chris Hoy (48) is the obvious example: one of the fittest blokes in the UK, no symptoms until he started getting pains in his collar bone/ribs....incurable secondary prostate cancer with a likely 2-4-year survival prognosis.

 

My case was a bit muddier. I went to my GP 3 years ago due to minor disruption of urination. Tests were negative, so benign prostate enlargement (v. common) was the assumption. Symptoms didn't change over the next 3 years, but I got another PSA test when I moved to a new address/GP......Highish PSA. MRI scan then suggested likely cancer, biopsy said it was aggressive cancer. 3 scans suggest it's not spread beyond the prostate yet. After considering radiotherapy/hormone therapy, I'm now heading for robot-assisted keyhole prostatectomy surgery in mid/late March. Fingers crossed that sorts it and it doesn't spread.

 

Well worth asking your GP to do the PSA blood check annually if you're no longer young, I reckon....

All the best for your procedure mate. 

 

Incredibly important message. Men do generally avoid questions about their health and getting things checked. 

[bovril]

2 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

A quick nudge for posters in possession of a prostate, particularly those aged 50+....

 

- Prostate cancer is now the UK's most commonly diagnosed cancer: 55,000+ per year with 12,000+ deaths

- It often has no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. It is then usually incurable, though treatment can help people survive many years.

- Yet a simple PSA blood test from a GP, though inconclusive, should indicate whether an MRI scan & other investigations are advisable

- If treated before it spreads, even aggressive prostate cancer has about an 80% cure rate & then excellent longevity. Less aggressive prostate cancer often just need to be monitored, not treated.

 

The cyclist Chris Hoy (48) is the obvious example: one of the fittest blokes in the UK, no symptoms until he started getting pains in his collar bone/ribs....incurable secondary prostate cancer with a likely 2-4-year survival prognosis.

 

My case was a bit muddier. I went to my GP 3 years ago due to minor disruption of urination. Tests were negative, so benign prostate enlargement (v. common) was the assumption. Symptoms didn't change over the next 3 years, but I got another PSA test when I moved to a new address/GP......Highish PSA. MRI scan then suggested likely cancer, biopsy said it was aggressive cancer. 3 scans suggest it's not spread beyond the prostate yet. After considering radiotherapy/hormone therapy, I'm now heading for robot-assisted keyhole prostatectomy surgery in mid/late March. Fingers crossed that sorts it and it doesn't spread.

 

Well worth asking your GP to do the PSA blood check annually if you're no longer young, I reckon....

Wishing you all the very best Alf. 

[Parafox]

2 hours ago, jgtuk said:

Well worth asking your GP to do the PSA blood check annually if you're no longer young, I reckon....

 

Women between 25 and 64 get a routine cervical smear test every 3 to 5 years depending on age. Why don't men get a routine prostate screening test?

[UniFox21]

2 minutes ago, Parafox said:

 

Women between 25 and 64 get a routine cervical smear test every 3 to 5 years depending on age. Why don't men get a routine prostate screening test?

Is it not a regular "your test is due" type of thing?  

 

I know there's the "MOT" like things when you get to milestone ages. 

[Parafox]

14 minutes ago, UniFox21 said:

Is it not a regular "your test is due" type of thing?  

 

I know there's the "MOT" like things when you get to milestone ages. 

From the NHS website:

 

Routine PSA testing is not offered on the NHS. You may be offered a PSA test if a doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be prostate cancer.

 

The only routine test I'm aware of for men is for bowel cancer, which is every 2 years between the ages of 54 and 74

Edited 16 February by Parafox

[bovril]

Loads of private health clinics that offer them at not much expense. 

[Alf Bentley]

59 minutes ago, Parafox said:

 

Women between 25 and 64 get a routine cervical smear test every 3 to 5 years depending on age. Why don't men get a routine prostate screening test?

 

40 minutes ago, Parafox said:

From the NHS website:

 

Routine PSA testing is not offered on the NHS. You may be offered a PSA test if a doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be prostate cancer.

 

The only routine test I'm aware of for men is for bowel cancer, which is every 2 years between the ages of 54 and 74

 

I don't know why it's not routine, even for men aged 50+, though I think most GPs will do a PSA blood test if you ask (maybe trickier under 50).

It doesn't even have to be a separate blood test. I was offered a blood test for the usual (liver function, kidney function, cholesterol etc.) and just asked them to also do the PSA.

 

I suspect part of the reason may be that PSA alone is not conclusive. Indeed, when my PSA came back high, the GP reckoned there was about a 25% chance of cancer v. 75% chance of it being something else, most likely benign prostate enlargement (which is even more common than prostate cancer in older men). PSA reading can be high for other reasons.

 

So, it was essentially a 3-stage process: PSA indicated there might be a problem, MRI scan indicated it probably was cancer (even the scan isn't always clear, though it was my case), then the biopsy confirmed it was an aggressive cancer that needed treatment (before the 3 further scans revealed it hadn't yet spread further).

[Parafox]

3 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

 

I don't know why it's not routine, even for men aged 50+, though I think most GPs will do a PSA blood test if you ask (maybe trickier under 50).

It doesn't even have to be a separate blood test. I was offered a blood test for the usual (liver function, kidney function, cholesterol etc.) and just asked them to also do the PSA.

 

I suspect part of the reason may be that PSA alone is not conclusive. Indeed, when my PSA came back high, the GP reckoned there was about a 25% chance of cancer v. 75% chance of it being something else, most likely benign prostate enlargement (which is even more common than prostate cancer in older men). PSA reading can be high for other reasons.

 

So, it was essentially a 3-stage process: PSA indicated there might be a problem, MRI scan indicated it probably was cancer (even the scan isn't always clear, though it was my case), then the biopsy confirmed it was an aggressive cancer that needed treatment (before the 3 further scans revealed it hadn't yet spread further).

Thanks for the reply.

 

Best wishes and "keeeeeep posting"!!!

 

Cue music.

[mozartfox]

Prostate Cancer often runs in a family. In my case 3 generations have been impacted.  PSA tests are indeed inconclusive in isolation.  I  did a blood test in eatly February and the PSA value was around 2.00.  Did a voluntary MRI scan thereafter and something suspicious was found. Biopsy followed within a week and diagnosed with early signs of cancer. Start Radiotherapy next Monday in Vienna.     I am lucky that I can afford to pay for private treatment, otherwise it would be months and months of anxiety and worry.

 

Please be viligent chaps.  Catch it early and you should be fine!

[spacemunky]

39 minutes ago, mozartfox said:

Prostate Cancer often runs in a family. In my case 3 generations have been impacted.  PSA tests are indeed inconclusive in isolation.  I  did a blood test in eatly February and the PSA value was around 2.00.  Did a voluntary MRI scan thereafter and something suspicious was found. Biopsy followed within a week and diagnosed with early signs of cancer. Start Radiotherapy next Monday in Vienna.     I am lucky that I can afford to pay for private treatment, otherwise it would be months and months of anxiety and worry.

 

Please be viligent chaps.  Catch it early and you should be fine!

Best wishes to you mate.

[mozartfox]

57 minutes ago, spacemunky said:

Best wishes to you mate.

Thanks.  I am over the initial shock of being told I haVE cancer,  and now the fight begins and trust me I will put up a bigger fight than this shower that currently masquerades as LCFC ! 

[Thefox81]

1 hour ago, mozartfox said:

Prostate Cancer often runs in a family. In my case 3 generations have been impacted.  PSA tests are indeed inconclusive in isolation.  I  did a blood test in eatly February and the PSA value was around 2.00.  Did a voluntary MRI scan thereafter and something suspicious was found. Biopsy followed within a week and diagnosed with early signs of cancer. Start Radiotherapy next Monday in Vienna.     I am lucky that I can afford to pay for private treatment, otherwise it would be months and months of anxiety and worry.

 

Please be viligent chaps.  Catch it early and you should be fine!

All the best. Hope it all goes well. You can beat this 💪

[jgtuk]

5 hours ago, mozartfox said:

Prostate Cancer often runs in a family. In my case 3 generations have been impacted.  PSA tests are indeed inconclusive in isolation.  I  did a blood test in eatly February and the PSA value was around 2.00.  Did a voluntary MRI scan thereafter and something suspicious was found. Biopsy followed within a week and diagnosed with early signs of cancer. Start Radiotherapy next Monday in Vienna.     I am lucky that I can afford to pay for private treatment, otherwise it would be months and months of anxiety and worry.

 

Please be viligent chaps.  Catch it early and you should be fine!

Best of luck to you. You have an excellent health system over there apparently (albeit you are paying privately) so your outcome is potentially a  positive one, keep us updated - men need to talk about these issues and normalise them as health issues - so many in the past have ignored symptoms through fear of implied weakness...

 

I was referred in December 2024, as an urgent case, to urology after abnormal psa and physical examination confirmed one side of prostate is enlarged abnormally.

 

There is an 18 month waiting list for urgent cases!!!