Always go to the Dr!

[dannyxm]

hey all, but of a info session to get us blokes to go to the Dr.

Im 33, Father of twins, all singing and dancing.

Sadly, for years I complained about having pains in the abdomen and such, always brushed it off as something simple and had more fibre in the diet and the like.

Of late, the pain was crippling and went to the Dr. Then to a Specialist, then to day surgery.

A colononosopy later, 2 golf ball sized lumps removed from my bowel. Now of to get checked if they are cancerous.

Seriously guys, get your act into gear and get checked up. I didnt feel any pain and even this morning after the opp, i feel so much better.

[martyal44]

Initially, you would have been screened for coeliac, then a stool culture, ? twisted bowel, diverticulitis etc. seems the intense pain got you to go to a Doc; hope you're on the mend and the results are OK.
I appreciate you sharing all of this.

[dannyxm]

Originally Posted by martyal44

Initially, you would have been screened for coeliac, then a stool culture, ? twisted bowel, diverticulitis etc. seems the intense pain got you to go to a Doc; hope you're on the mend and the results are OK.
I appreciate you sharing all of this.

Mate, i did none of this. Unless i am mistaken lol. In a matter of 3 weeks it was all done.
1. dr took down my symptoms then referred me to a specialist.
2. specialist made note of my symptoms, then 'raped me!' with his finger
Similar to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKdwGjOFy9g
3. specialist in day surgery undertook the colonoscopy, then lanced two lumps.

[Syndrome]

A lot of men leave it until too late. We are not indestructible.

[BENT_8]

Sorry to hear of your issues, I too have been suffering of late although I wish I could get a decent diagnosis.

Two weeks ago I developed excruciating abdominal pain, presented to our local Hospitals emergency dept at 9pm with a referral from a GP.

After a brief, 6 hour wait, I was taken out back and had an ultra sound performed in search of Gall stones, none visible.
I was then told I would require a CT scan, but couldn't get it done until the day crew clocked on after 9am.
I enquired as to wether I was staying there or coming back for it as an out patient, I was quickly told I could go home and get it done by my GP.
Before they released me they wanted to do a chest xray.
On my way down to xray I collapsed due to a sudden sharp pain which took my legs out from under me, I was wheeled down for said xray.
On return to the ED ward I told the DR I shouldn't leave as I had driven myself in, had no other way home and had just collapsed.
I was then told that they needed my bed, and that, as I hadn't been diagnosed yet, that it was too hard to hand me over to the next shift.

So I left, vomiting in the car park and stopping traffic as I made my way home.

Went back to GP, yes we can do CT but wont get results until after weekend, back to hospital.
Sat another 6 hours, was asked why I self discharged, told them my story which they were surprised at as the night crew had bragged about being the quietest night in years, only 17 patients. I then spat the dummy and went home as my wife needed to get to bed to start at 6am on Saturday morning leaving me to watch our 4 kids in terrible pain, but life goes on.
Sunday night, having seen more than enough of my local hospital I presented to Gawler Hospital. They were fantastic and did more in half an hour than the other mob did in 12 hours.
Only problem, they don't have a CT machine, so offered to transfer me to the other mob, I lost the plot at that point, but with no other option, I was loaded into the ambo to head to the butchers.
Spent another 12 hours there, waiting for the elusive CT scan which never came, nor did any food after being admitted to a ward, for the record I hadn't eaten in 5 days and had lost 7kg, all I wanted was some soup or a jelly.
Needless to say, I certainly self discharged then.
back to the GP, get a referral for a private CT, done the next day, nothing to report.
2 days later, back to GP, pain worse, referred for an endoscopy and colonoscopy with the words URGENT written in large, clear, legible handwriting.
That was 3 days ago, they were going to discuss it with their DR and get straight back to me. I still have no appointment or any idea what is wrong with me, however, my GP thinks I am bleeding internally somewhere.

I am now seriously considering private health insurance, our public system is a disgrace, although the private clinic im waiting on doesn't seem in much hurry either.

Good luck!

[TheSneakiness]

I should really go too to diagnose intermittant pain downstairs in the 2 veg and my dull headaches that happen nearly daily but to me I feel like they just play games until they know what going on (as per BENT_8's post)

[dannyxm]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I am now seriously considering private health insurance, our public system is a disgrace, although the private clinic im waiting on doesn't seem in much hurry either.

Good luck!

Mate, in order for the public systems to do my operation? 12 month wait.
Private, 3 months.
The Specialist had a day surgery arrangement. $400 for the opp, plus medicare to cover him to turn up. 2 week turnaround.

[Geez Louise]

Jack had stomach pains for over 2yrs. Never did anything about it until he nearly passed out at work. Went to the doctor, then a specialist and then in for an op to have his gall bladder taken out.

Seriously, you guys and your "Nah I will just suck it up" attitude is not a good thing. If you are in pain, go to the doctor...that is what they are there for! and re:private health insurance...best thing I have ever paid for!

Cheers
Col

[davenl5l]

and it's not just us men.my 31yo daughter went to the doctor fo 7 month's with the run's and **** bleeding doctor's would not send her to a specialist or for and I am quoting here "expensive test's" now my baby girl is going through hell chemo 24/7 through a pick line,radiation 5 days a week.then wait 6 weeks then all being well they will remove the stage 3.9 5cm tumor in her rectum . if she survives all this she will then have more chemo and radiation.not to mention the 4 months with a poo bag needing another op th reverse. that's if she is lucky. the poo bag could be permanent or she could die!!

[mcnews]

I feel for you guys. I have had numerous operations over the years and been in and out of a few hospitals and can't speak highly enough of the care and service I received. That was all in WA though, haven't been in for any stuff over this side of the country yet.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by davenl5l

and it's not just us men.my 31yo daughter went to the doctor fo 7 month's with the run's and **** bleeding doctor's would not send her to a specialist or for and I am quoting here "expensive test's" now my baby girl is going through hell chemo 24/7 through a pick line,radiation 5 days a week.then wait 6 weeks then all being well they will remove the stage 3.9 5cm tumor in her rectum . if she survives all this she will then have more chemo and radiation.not to mention the 4 months with a poo bag needing another op th reverse. that's if she is lucky. the poo bag could be permanent or she could die!!

Wow, that is heart breaking mate, best wishes and all the strength to you guys in this difficult time.
Ours prayers are with your family.

Steve

[Madaya]

Do not, at any point, blame the Doc's or Specialists.
I know some of these guys and gals, and if they could work 24/7 without sleep or even food, they would, but they are, just like us, human, and they do jobs we could not even contemplate or guess at.
You can turn to the government, and demand more, but be prepared to pay more tax. At the end of the day, Oz has one of the best public health systems in the world.
A friend of mine in the USA was denied Health Insurance for himself and therefore his family because he had Type 2 diabetes, i.e. no one would insure him because he had an existing condition. His young son recently had a snowboard accident, leaving the lad in traction, needing rehab and physio etc = +$2 million!
A close family friend, here in Oz, had a trail bike accident. Sure, the insurance angle still needs to be worked out (off road v on road), but here is the 21 year old man, facing a life in the chair (and doing well thank God), and the last thing the family is worried about is the money.
Yeah, lets scrap Medicare - err, who brought it in
Go To Your Doctor.

[Cobramad]

Private cover doesnt always guarantee better care, but you certainly get greater choice and more of a say in how you would prefer to deal with an issue. With our tribe, I figured out that I needed all the choices I could afford.

[Ringstinger]

Originally Posted by Madaya

Do not, at any point, blame the Doc's or Specialists.

Exactly, and if you aren't happy, or don't think your doctor is right, you can always go for a second opinion. Just don't cloud the second doctors judgement with the first doctors diagnosis.
Your health is only worth what you're willing to spend on it. Unless you are flat broke and then you are screwed.
Just like going to a different mechanic for their opinion on car repairs. Only it's YOU.
My wife works for a doctors surgery, and some of the people she puts up with are just ridiculous. There's one bloke staring down a diabetes death, "because no-one can tell me to give up my Bundy, it's too ********** good!". He then proceeds to abuse my wife when she tells him what he needs to bring for his next specialist appointment.

[davenl5l]

im not blaming the doctor (might have sounded that way ) just trying to make people more informed. if you or a loved one don't feel right get it checked!! in my daughter's case she worked long hours on night shift as a carer in an aged facility and for personal reasons was only happy with a woman doctor sadly these are to few wich made it hard to get a second opinion. I have nothing but praise and respect for 99.9% of the medical profession.

[Ringstinger]

Originally Posted by davenl5l

im not blaming the doctor (might have sounded that way ) just trying to make people more informed. if you or a loved one don't feel right get it checked!! in my daughter's case she worked long hours on night shift as a carer in an aged facility and for personal reasons was only happy with a woman doctor sadly these are to few wich made it hard to get a second opinion. I have nothing but praise and respect for 99.9% of the medical profession.

I wasn't having a go at you mate, everyone's case is different, just making a statement.
My uncle developed a chesty cough, went to the same doctor over and over again and kept getting given stuff to bring up the phlegm, by the time he started bringing up blood and they checked him for lung cancer it was too late. It had spread to his bowel and liver.
Could have changed his life going to a different doctor.
Wouldda Shouldda Couldda hey?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

Jack had stomach pains for over 2yrs. Never did anything about it until he nearly passed out at work. Went to the doctor, then a specialist and then in for an op to have his gall bladder taken out.

Seriously, you guys and your "Nah I will just suck it up" attitude is not a good thing. If you are in pain, go to the doctor...that is what they are there for! and re:private health insurance...best thing I have ever paid for!

Cheers
Col

My old man kept playing Terry Tough C with his chest pains which he knew was gall stones and it had to be removed.

He lasted a year before it got so bad he had to go into hospital by ambulance, and it was gangrenous.

[the_scotsman]

This thread really hits home for me. One of my close mates got stomach pains in February. Went to doctor etc...had bad pains for a few weeks. Finally ended up in hospital. After a week or so of tests, he was told he had stomach cancer. Less than a month later he was dead. I was gutted beyond belief.

From the initial stomach pains, to passing, was less than a month. He was told on a Friday that there was nothing more they could do, and he passed on the Sunday. That's how quick it happens.

He was only 40 and left his wife with 4 kids under 10.

Sorry for the depressing story, but it really does reinforce the fact that these things should NOT be taken lightly. You really do need to get ANY sort of pains checked out.

[BENT_8]

Im sorry, but in SA the health system is a joke.

Talk about getting a second opinion, I did.

It has now been near on 3 weeks since I took ill, a week since my GP told me not to bother with the public system and a week since I took my referral to a private clinic requesting urgent assessment.

I still haven't heard a word despite being told they would contact me asap.

My wife just rang them, they will see me on Thursday, that will mark 3 weeks.
As a result of a useless Lyell McEwen hospital it will set me back $320 to get it done privately.

Im sure that there are many good people working in the health system, it is unfortunate that they are run off their feet dealing with head colds and sickness certificates...

[Road_Warrior]

Christ there are some really unfortunate stories here. I feel for some of you guys I really do.

I have/had been suffering abdominal pains in the RUQ area (Right Upper Quadrant) for nearly 12 months, symptoms were almost identical to gallstones or gallbladder dysfunction. But an ultrasound, CT scan with iodine dye marker, 2 blood tests, test for Helicobacter Pylori and probably about 5-6 poking and prodding examinations by 3 different GP's revealed absolutely nothing - all tests returned normal values. And then the pain disappeared after 12 months just as suddenly as it started. WTF.

But I guess the message is don't "sit on it" for weeks or months on end if something is not right, get it checked out. Early intervention could save your life, or at the very least, put your mind at ease.

[martyal44]

Bent 8, sounds like kidney stones.

[monte.b]

Sorry to hear some sad stories here ,we cant complain about the hospitals up here ,my wife had a heart turn the other week ,she was transferred from Maryborough to Hervey bay hospital as the former gove stripped our local to transfer everything to Hervey bay ,anyway the next day she was airlifted to Brisbane royal hospital where she was operated on the next day,and i went down and picked her the next day ,wonderful service from the docks and those lovely nurses ,and they gave us a refund on our fuel to go down and pick her up ,My wife is now back at work for a few hours a day ,good really cause she is the practice manager for some of the local doctors and has 4 there to look after her ,hope all the sad stories ive read here end up happy ones

[dannyxm]

I get my results back next Tuesday to see if there is issue.

They have the results now, but wont release the info till i go in for an appointment.

[TheSneakiness]

Decided to bite the bullet and am going on Saturday to be checked out.

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

My old man kept playing Terry Tough C with his chest pains which he knew was gall stones and it had to be removed.

He lasted a year before it got so bad he had to go into hospital by ambulance, and it was gangrenous.

shows how bigga sook I am

to tell the story I need to go back to the 12months leading up to it

I had decided to change my life, I went from weighing 128kg down to 76kg in less than a year.

We went to my wife's aunts funeral and the food afterwards was fair dinkum Nanna specials (catered for by the CWA) and I hit the buffet hard (old habbits and all that)

That night it felt like a truck was parked on my chest so after about 6hours I said to my wife at 3am um I think you need to take me to the hospital it feels like a truck parked on my chest, I was also sweating heavily, so the in-laws came round to mind the kids and my wife took me to hospital fearing the worst

They ran a heap of tests and my heart rhythm was not normal but not what they would expect along with a heap of other things, the on call cardiologist had me transferred to another hospital for an Angio gram, that found nothing and by this stage, my heart rate and BP were back to normal and I was just tired, so they did an ultrasound and found a heap of gall stones which I found out is quite common if you lose a lot of weight relatively quickly, within a fortnight they threw me on a table ripped the gigger out and all was good.

I guess that's where the private health cover is fantastic, my mates Dad was diagnosed with the same problem a month before me and it was 6 months before he got it out under the public system.

The other issue I had which still relates to my poor lifestyle choices when I was younger but didn't show up until a few years after the gall bladder

Is diverticulitis, like the OP I had a few issues with abdominal pain when I was not looking after myself and they had all disappeared, again a function brought it to ahead, we were celebrating my grandmothers birthday at a shintzel house and this particular evening was the end of about a month of work travel, eating all the wrong stuff, and this night all bets were off, the following day I was in pain real pain, but I nurofined it and kept on keeping on the day after I could hardly walk but I shrugged it off. That night though I was in agony, I went to the medical center on the way home who suggested I take this letter to the ed as he suspected something nasty, they gave me some great drugs and said wait out in the waiting room (was a busy night) I couldn't sit I couldn't stand I was doubled over even with morphine, but they sent me back to my GP with a letter suggesting more tests, I had these done but hadn't gotten any results back that day and that night was worse than the last the following moring it was back to the GP and off to hosital for nil by mouth for about a week and a massive course of antibiotics to kill the infection.

The up side is I then had a colonoscopy that confirmed the diverticulitis and also that I had no issues polip / bowl cancer wise. it also was a BIG wake up call to eat lots of fiber and the right foods, trust me you NEVER want that pain

[MDS69]

A bloke at work is 47. For most of this year he would complain that he felt "crook" in the guts and would not come in or if he was at work would go home early. We always thought he was soft. Ended up passing blood in his urine. After some tests which involved a camera down his old fella he was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder. The docs scraped the inside of his bladder again through the old fella and said come back in 3 months and we will send another camera in for another look and if it returns more scraping. He is looking like he will be a lucky one. Both his parents died of cancer in the last 3 years.

[SantoAU]

I'm training to become a nurse. Guys, I really don't want to see you in there so keep on top of your health.

If I do see you.... *awkward*

[dannyxm]

Well i got back from the specialist this morning.

Got the all clear!

He said though had i left it untreated, within a year, it would be cancer and my options would be limited.

I need to go back each year for a check

Again, go to the dam Dr!!!!!!

[monte.b]

Well done mate ,its a big relief isnt it ,i had the same procedure a couple of months ago ,the worst part was the bloody wind in your gut after the procedure ,biggest fart iver had ,anyway i had about 5 pulps and they removed them ,no cancer ,but another one in 3 yrs time ,gee i just cant wait

[Fev]

Man you must feel so relieved. Great news!