Talk Cancer » Cancer Hospital

Pissed off!!

admin — Thu, 03 May 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Hi Ron, Some enterprising Americans could buy meds in bulk, and sell them to consumers at a much lower cost And if there were several organizations doing this they’d compete. And competition would bring the price down even further. Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Mike, I understand your aggravation. You attempted to help yourself by calling the insurance company. ""No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication" – What the hell is that about!!! As I understand it, your doctor is responsible for you and the meds he prescribes. Best wishes, Mike. This will work out… smiles, Elise

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Same with dental insurance. They only pay 50% for a crown and dental work which cost more than fillings, etc. I need to get a crown and it will cost $700.00 and I will pay half, plus the same tooth was filled a couple of months ago and it was $200.00 for the filling which I had to pay half, so I will pay almost $450.00 and insurance rates they pay dentists are based on last years dental scales. Too bad we don’t have public dental insurance in Canada, but we are lucky to have medical insurance. Insurance companies only want the money, but don’t want to pay out. But at least for health care, you will always get looked after here no matter what hospital you go to, and we are lucky to get medical tests done free, though for MRI’s and the like we have to wait for a while, unless its an emergency. Like you say, National health care has its problem and they never have enough money, but so far, its still there for us. I had heart surgery done a while back and was in hospital 8 days in a semi private room as thats all they had available at the time, then I was moved to a private room, and didn’t have to pay a cent. Mary

If we had public dental insurance, I would sign up for that but since we don’t, I don’t carry any dental insurance at all as the premiums are far higher than what I pay as cash payment. — Ron P Member of the invisible generation — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I understand that a consumers’ group tried this a couple of years ago and the pharmaceutical companies got the government and courts to shoot them down. And if there were several organizations doing this they’d compete. And competition would bring the price down even further. Chip

I saw a couple of weeks ago that cancer drugs available in India made under license from an American drug company were selling for $200 US for a years supply and the exact same drug in the US cost $10,000 for the same amount of medication. No subsidies of the Indian price were involved and the company was still making a profit. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices. It is a false assumption that insurance companies are better than national health programs. The insurance companies are in health care for the money and only the money. The bottom line is make a profit at all costs and the patient is only good for paying insurance premiums. The insurance companies have only one motive and that is to make a profit. Patients who are requiring medications are hindrances to the goal of making profits. They are not on the patients side at all. The only competition between the insurance companies is to see who can sucker in the most paying customers for their minimum coverage for the dollar. We don’t have HMO’s here but I have relatives that are dependant on them and I am convinced that one of my uncles would still be alive if he was living in this country and not in the U.S.A. His health insurance ran out and he was forced to go back to work at minimum wage, after paying over a million dollars out of his own pocket for medications and treatment after the failure of his HMO to provide enough treatment for his usually non-terminal cancer. My only personal experience with insurance companies was after being involved in an auto collision. The insurance wasn’t going to pay anything until I hired a determined lawyer. In the end, it cost them a lot more than if they had been reasonable and just paid what the adjuster had recommended. National Health Care programs have their problems but I have yet to hear of anyone being refused necessary treatment because of money.

Ron, I agree with what you said above. Even with our more limited experience with insurance companies than the US, I get hate insurance companies, especially car insurance. I had a car stolen about 10 years ago, and it was only 2.5 years old and got a thousands of dollars less what it would be worth on the open market. Car insurance companies go by wholesale rates. Same with dental insurance. They only pay 50% for a crown and dental work which cost more than fillings, etc. I need to get a crown and it will cost $700.00 and I will pay half, plus the same tooth was filled a couple of months ago and it was $200.00 for the filling which I had to pay half, so I will pay almost $450.00 and insurance rates they pay dentists are based on last years dental scales. Too bad we don’t have public dental insurance in Canada, but we are lucky to have medical insurance. Insurance companies only want the money, but don’t want to pay out. But at least for health care, you will always get looked after here no matter what hospital you go to, and we are lucky to get medical tests done free, though for MRI’s and the like we have to wait for a while, unless its an emergency. Like you say, National health care has its problem and they never have enough money, but so far, its still there for us. I had heart surgery done a while back and was in hospital 8 days in a semi private room as thats all they had available at the time, then I was moved to a private room, and didn’t have to pay a cent. Mary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Although our health care system is going down the drain fast it seems yours is still a bit worse. What a load of BS! However, as I read it the bottom line is that your doctor *will* call in the PA if necessary and it *is* necessary so he will…. I am taken aback by his general attitude though, that’s no way to treat patients (hehe).

Not so sure, Philip. I was told over a week ago that they would call in the PA. Today, 8 days later, I was told, "No, we haven’t gotten to it yet. There are lots of them to call in." So I’m not so sure the doctor will have someone call it in. Guess I’ll just do without. MikeH . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Mike, This is the insurance company’s fault to begin with. I’ve called in PA’s before and the reason they are such a PITA is that you have to stay on hold forever – I mean, I’ve stayed on hold for half an hour or longer – while I was also supposed to be helping bring patients back, take vitals, assist with procedures, or a hundred other things. People that work in doctor’s offices don’t have the leisure time to sit on hold forever – then I would get asked some question only the doctor could answer, and I would end up having to call them back.. and wait again..Uh.. been there, done that, quit that, don’t do that any more. And yes, the doctor needs to make sure that you are in the category of patients for whom the medication is necessary. Seems the doctor shouldn’t be blanketly stating that no one should get prior approval for meds he himself has prescribed. Sounds a bit dangerous, even — to do so. But what do I know. Just seems like the more caring way to treat his patients, not to mention the safest way for him to avoid lawsuits. I guess I’m lucky – I had to have PA to take Prilosec BID for my hiatal hernia, and normally my company only allows it once a day – maybe it’s my company (cudos to Humana if so).. but they approved me for life, and I don’t ever have to get approval again to take more than they normally allow. Mike – you have every right to be angry about this. Angry at the doctor and angry at the insurance company. I’m so tired of insurance companies dictating to physicians how to treat patients, it makes me ill. I could write a book on some things I’ve seen. Just deplorable. Take good care, and write some letters. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

The system up hear buy medications in bulk which lowers the costs tremendously. That is why there are bus loads of Americans coming to Canada to buy the exact same medication that is available in the U.S.A. but at a very much lower cost. — Ron P Member of the invisible generation — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Mike, you’d still be paying for the high price of meds but doing it through taxes. And big government makes a mess of everything it does. And we’d all be paying them money to make the mess. Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices.

It is a false assumption that insurance companies are better than national health programs. The insurance companies are in health care for the money and only the money. The bottom line is make a profit at all costs and the patient is only good for paying insurance premiums. The insurance companies have only one motive and that is to make a profit. Patients who are requiring medications are hindrances to the goal of making profits. They are not on the patients side at all. The only competition between the insurance companies is to see who can sucker in the most paying customers for their minimum coverage for the dollar. We don’t have HMO’s here but I have relatives that are dependant on them and I am convinced that one of my uncles would still be alive if he was living in this country and not in the U.S.A. His health insurance ran out and he was forced to go back to work at minimum wage, after paying over a million dollars out of his own pocket for medications and treatment after the failure of his HMO to provide enough treatment for his usually non-terminal cancer. My only personal experience with insurance companies was after being involved in an auto collision. The insurance wasn’t going to pay anything until I hired a determined lawyer. In the end, it cost them a lot more than if they had been reasonable and just paid what the adjuster had recommended. National Health Care programs have their problems but I have yet to hear of anyone being refused necessary treatment because of money. — Ron P Member of the invisible generation — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Sorry, Chip, but that doesn’t show up in my recent costs for meds. And the national health plan in France works very well for all my in-laws. The drug companies have a CARTEL on prescription meds in this country. MikeH . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country!

It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices. Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

MH schreef: Although our health care system is going down the drain fast it seems yours is still a bit worse. What a load of BS! However, as I read it the bottom line is that your doctor *will* call in the PA if necessary and it *is* necessary so he will…. I am taken aback by his general attitude though, that’s no way to treat patients (hehe). Not so sure, Philip. I was told over a week ago that they would call in the PA. Today, 8 days later, I was told, "No, we haven’t gotten to it yet. There are lots of them to call in." So I’m not so sure the doctor will have someone call it in. Guess I’ll just do without. MikeH

Call them and *bitch* about it. Don’t accept it. Make it as clear as possible without making enemies. You are a most polite and civilized person, use your gentle charm to be very persuasive. Insist in a friendly way (acting somewhat hurt sometimes works well too Philip .

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks, Sally. I don’t think letter writing will do any good. I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! MikeH

I’m all for that, Mike! kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks, Sally. I don’t think letter writing will do any good. I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! MikeH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!! I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday. One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol. Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance. Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s. I understand the doctor’s situation. But I’m his patient! I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition. And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me. The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA. We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible. I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization. So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company. But what can I do? I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH Mike, This is the insurance company’s fault to begin with. I’ve called in PA’s before and the reason they are such a PITA is that you have to stay on hold forever – I mean, I’ve stayed on hold for half an hour or longer – while I was also supposed to be helping bring patients back, take vitals, assist with procedures, or a hundred other things. People that work in doctor’s offices don’t have the leisure time to sit on hold forever – then I would get asked some question only the doctor could answer, and I would end up having to call them back.. and wait again..Uh.. been there, done that, quit that, don’t do that any more. And yes, the doctor needs to make sure that you are in the category of patients for whom the medication is necessary. Seems the doctor shouldn’t be blanketly stating that no one should get prior approval for meds he himself has prescribed. Sounds a bit dangerous, even — to do so. But what do I know. Just seems like the more caring way to treat his patients, not to mention the safest way for him to avoid lawsuits. I guess I’m lucky – I had to have PA to take Prilosec BID for my hiatal hernia, and normally my company only allows it once a day – maybe it’s my company (cudos to Humana if so).. but they approved me for life, and I don’t ever have to get approval again to take more than they normally allow. Mike – you have every right to be angry about this. Angry at the doctor and angry at the insurance company. I’m so tired of insurance companies dictating to physicians how to treat patients, it makes me ill. I could write a book on some things I’ve seen. Just deplorable. Take good care, and write some letters.

. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::((((Jackie)))) :: ::I’m so sorry to hear that you are going through the same thing with Katie. :::(( Has the doctor *refused* to call in the authorization for her meds?? :: ::In *my* case, the prior authorization requires that the doctor’s office ::*call* the insurance company. I’m sure they have to go through recorded ::messages and it probably takes awhile with each one. So I *understand* the ::doctor’s dilemma. But there’s no point in prescribing a med for a patient ::if he’s not going to do what it takes for the patient to get the med to ::take. No, the rheumy has been very cooperative. I received a call this afternoon that the PA is done. Took 8 days! From what I was told, there’s paperwork that needs to be filled out by the doctor. ::Good luck with YOUR battle!! You too, Mike!! Jackie ~*~Nature made us individuals,as she did the flowers and the pebbles; but we are afraid to be peculiar,and so our society resembles a bag of marbles, or a string of mold candles. Why should we all dress after the same fashion? The frost never paints my windows twice alike.~*~ ~~Lydia Maria Child — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

MH schreef: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!! I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday. One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol. Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance. Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s. I understand the doctor’s situation. But I’m his patient! I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition. And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me. The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA. We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible. I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization. So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company. But what can I do? I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH

Response:

((((Jackie)))) I’m so sorry to hear that you are going through the same thing with Katie. ( Has the doctor *refused* to call in the authorization for her meds?? In *my* case, the prior authorization requires that the doctor’s office *call* the insurance company. I’m sure they have to go through recorded messages and it probably takes awhile with each one. So I *understand* the doctor’s dilemma. But there’s no point in prescribing a med for a patient if he’s not going to do what it takes for the patient to get the med to take. Good luck with YOUR battle!! MikeH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!! I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday. One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol. Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance. Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s. I understand the doctor’s situation. But I’m his patient! I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition. And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me. The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA. We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible. I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization. So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company. But what can I do? I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I wish I could help you, Mike, but I don’t know anything about PA’s. I’m so sorry they’re doing this to you. I hope they keep calling it in for you. {{{{{Mike}}}}} Love, Di

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

OT: Please pray for my sister in law

admin — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

My sister in law, Teresa, who has cancer, is in the hospital now doing very badly. I’m not going into details lest it aggravate someone’s anxiety, but it’s bad. The doctor gave her the option of a very strong chemo (that may kill her) or hospice and she chose the chemo. The family is rallying and I’m sitting at home like a big baby because I’m, of course, panicked and afraid to drive the hour to the hospital (all the way across town–my town is very spread out), plus I’m afraid to see her so sick even though I saw her Weds. I will go, it will just take some doing. Please pray for her and my husband and his family and keep them in your thoughts. Thank you, Dawn

you are indeed in my thoughts and my prayers — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Oh sweetie I’m so very sorry!!! You all with be in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted when you can and take care of yourself too. {{{{{{{Dawn}}}}}}} Love, Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My sister in law, Teresa, who has cancer, is in the hospital now doing very badly. I’m not going into details lest it aggravate someone’s anxiety, but it’s bad. The doctor gave her the option of a very strong chemo (that may kill her) or hospice and she chose the chemo. The family is rallying and I’m sitting at home like a big baby because I’m, of course, panicked and afraid to drive the hour to the hospital (all the way across town–my town is very spread out), plus I’m afraid to see her so sick even though I saw her Weds. I will go, it will just take some doing. Please pray for her and my husband and his family and keep them in your thoughts. Thank you, Dawn

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Dawn, You and your sis-in-law have my biggest prayers!! Let me tell you something. My mom had cancer and she had to do the wicked chemo. After that horrible time, the cancer came back. She then went on a chemo-type pill. When the cancer came back, it was in her lungs. I am happy to say that she is STILL alive and fighting it every day. There *is* lots of hope!!! —

Tripperc

admin — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Don’t know if you’re still lurking, Tripperc, but we’ll be thinking of you tomorrow. — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05, 5/05, 10/05, 2/06 PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 Non Illegitimi Carborundum

Response:

Don’t know if you’re still lurking, Tripperc, but we’ll be thinking of you tomorrow.

Thanks Steve and all the others out here, unfortunately I’ll still be lurking and learning tomorrow. I think I left off on my ‘tale of woe’ after seeing the bone spec. He sent me for an MRI. Radiologists said he believed it was cancer. Only one thing left to do was the bone biopsy. We just returned from my Uro’s office and the results of the bone biopsy shows cancer. Sooooooo it’s off to a medical oncologists next Monday. Will be discussing standard HT treatment and possibly clinical trials. I am also scheduled for a "multi-disciplinary clinic" on 4/6 at UNC Medical Hospital. It’s a 3 hour meeting with one hour spent with each doctor of urology, radiology and medical oncologists. They will have all my medical records up to this point. They meet together to suggest the best treatment plan for my particular case. Seems like a good idea to have everyone in the same room. Anyway, I’ll try to keep posting as

Response:

son of a bitch!!! To say the least, I am stunned! It also means I have to turn in my medical opinion degree. Worst of all, I.P. was right! — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05, 5/05, 10/05, 2/06 PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 Non Illegitimi Carborundum

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Don’t know if you’re still lurking, Tripperc, but we’ll be thinking of you tomorrow. Thanks Steve and all the others out here, unfortunately I’ll still be lurking and learning tomorrow. I think I left off on my ‘tale of woe’ after seeing the bone spec. He sent me for an MRI. Radiologists said he believed it was cancer. Only one thing left to do was the bone biopsy. We just returned from my Uro’s office and the results of the bone biopsy shows cancer. Sooooooo it’s off to a medical oncologists next Monday. Will be discussing standard HT treatment and possibly clinical trials. I am also scheduled for a "multi-disciplinary clinic" on 4/6 at UNC Medical Hospital. It’s a 3 hour meeting with one hour spent with each doctor of urology, radiology and medical oncologists. They will have all my medical records up to this point. They meet together to suggest the best treatment plan for my particular case. Seems like a good idea to have everyone in the same room. Anyway, I’ll try to keep posting as

Response:

Sorry to hear that but, at least it’s good that they found the mets before operating. It would have been much worse to find them afterwards. Good luck with the HT or whatever they offer you, and do keep tabs on clinical trials. There are a lot of them underway including some with quite new and promising treatments. Best of luck to you. Alan

Response:

Sinus CT Scan – Pictures

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

wrote: > The images you posted do not have Left and Right labeled. They were > obtained coronally, presumably with you laying on your stomach with > your chin up. Most CT scanners "flip" the images in that case. Based on > the reading by the Radiologist, the images are indeed "flipped". When > printed out, the images would normally be as if you were looking at the > patient (the patient’s left is on your right). Since they were not > flipped in your jpeg images, the patient’s left is on your left. > Therefore, you have more mucosal thickening in your RIGHT maxillary > sinus, not your left.

Um, his problems are mainly left-sided.. The report also noted the anomalies were mainly on the left. > To respond to multiple prior posts, the Radiologist is a doctor.

Right, so what else is new..? > His or her reading is correct and appropriate. It is not "gobbledy-gook". > It is appropriate communcation between him/herself and the ordering > physician.

Then this communication should be privy to those individuals and not handed to the patient or placed on the internet for discussion. In the time it takes for a lay-person to find out what its all about he could be half-way through treatment for his sinusitis.. >Most ENT’s will also look at the images themselves. "A picture > is worth a thousand words."

But only to those who understand what they see.. > An MRI of the brain is not an MRI of the sinuses. While the sinuses are > sometimes seen on an MRI of the brain, they are not evaluated in detail > and would not usually be commented on, except where there are striking > abnormalities. MRI is in general very tailored to the body part in > question.

The report may be, but the imaging is not so selective.. Which is what I meant. Had there been something abnormal in the sinuses that are often imaged with the brain (sphenoid, ethmoids, frontal) then I’m sure it would have been commented on. > For instance a foot and an ankle are two totally different > studies in MRI. > If your ENT wants an MRI of the sinuses, they could of course order > one. However, CT is usually the preferred test, and for most people, > MRI would not add anything.

I’m sure its not needed, the CT imaging was quite informative. :-/ If easily available I’d rather use the MRI than CT in pediatric sinuses though.. Ray

Response:

Michael Wilson III wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "Ray Laughton" wrote in message > news:1ha6zn4.10fmxoa1ae95blN%rlaughton@invalid.com… > > Michael Wilson III wrote: > > > I called today and found out that the radiologist did in fact give > > > impressions, I just needed to go and pick them up. Here they are: > > > http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/impressions.html > > > I’m not sure what any of that means, but I’m very relieved to know I’m > not > > > imagining it. > > LOL! But I’m surprised they missed the sinus problem in the MRI, its > > usually visible there too. > > > This has been going on for several years, a feeling of > > > pressure behind my nose and above my left molars. I had gotten tested > for > > > TMJ, had an MRI done on my brain, and gotten a laryngoscopy, none of > which > > > showed any problems. > > > Thanks to all who took the time to respond, it is nice to have a second > > > opinion. > > Yea, well mine was short, sweet and understandable. As I recall there > > were also problems with your teeth (malocclusion) which I’m sure you > > know about and a slight septum deviation but I understood your sinuses > > were the problem so I concentrated on them. > > A page of gobbledy-gook and no diagnosis are OK – (well, understandable) > > when you’re being paid by the hour and half a dozen lawyers are > > breathing down your back. I sorta feel sorry for my yank colleagues, all > > the Porsches in the world dont make up for the way they have to work. > > Ray > > BTW – Did you have a cold when you went for the CT? > No, I did not have a cold when I went for the CT. Actually since the onset > of this problem I have had colds very rarely.

Well you must have had a ’stuffy’ feeling in the left nostril that day, the air spaces are minimal.. > Is it normal to have the teeth jutting into the sinuses like mine are? I > thought that looked a bit strange.

Lets say its not unusual, the upper molar roots on both sides go quite far in. As long as you prevent an infection getting to the roots of the teeth and avoid taking a right hook on the jaw, ie no trauma you’ll be ok.. :-/ > Also my sinuses looked rather large and > oblong compared to the other ones I saw, but my only comparison is to single > snapshots, not a series. I wish I could get my hands on some other CT series > to get a better feel for what is normal. Maybe I will ask a professor at one > of the local med schools.

No need, all your sinuses are normally formed. > What do you mean by malocclusion? I had braces when I was younger and have > worn my retainer faithfully since then. But I haven’t been back to the > orthodontist for a checkup in a long time, perhaps it’s time to schedule > one.

Well, this is getting out of my field but your upper jaw is wider than the the lower jaw. On the left (assuming standard projection) the upper/lower teeth almost missed each other on some photos, AFAIR. Ray

Response:

The images you posted do not have Left and Right labeled. They were obtained coronally, presumably with you laying on your stomach with your chin up. Most CT scanners "flip" the images in that case. Based on the reading by the Radiologist, the images are indeed "flipped". When printed out, the images would normally be as if you were looking at the patient (the patient’s left is on your right). Since they were not flipped in your jpeg images, the patient’s left is on your left. Therefore, you have more mucosal thickening in your RIGHT maxillary sinus, not your left. To respond to multiple prior posts, the Radiologist is a doctor. His or her reading is correct and appropriate. It is not "gobbledy-gook". It is appropriate communcation between him/herself and the ordering physician. Most ENT’s will also look at the images themselves. "A picture is worth a thousand words." An MRI of the brain is not an MRI of the sinuses. While the sinuses are sometimes seen on an MRI of the brain, they are not evaluated in detail and would not usually be commented on, except where there are striking abnormalities. MRI is in general very tailored to the body part in question. For instance a foot and an ankle are two totally different studies in MRI. If your ENT wants an MRI of the sinuses, they could of course order one. However, CT is usually the preferred test, and for most people, MRI would not add anything. -Rich

Response:

"Ray Laughton" wrote in message

news:1ha6zn4.10fmxoa1ae95blN%rlaughton@invalid.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Michael Wilson III wrote: > > I called today and found out that the radiologist did in fact give > > impressions, I just needed to go and pick them up. Here they are: > > http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/impressions.html > > I’m not sure what any of that means, but I’m very relieved to know I’m not > > imagining it. > LOL! But I’m surprised they missed the sinus problem in the MRI, its > usually visible there too. > > This has been going on for several years, a feeling of > > pressure behind my nose and above my left molars. I had gotten tested for > > TMJ, had an MRI done on my brain, and gotten a laryngoscopy, none of which > > showed any problems. > > Thanks to all who took the time to respond, it is nice to have a second > > opinion. > Yea, well mine was short, sweet and understandable. As I recall there > were also problems with your teeth (malocclusion) which I’m sure you > know about and a slight septum deviation but I understood your sinuses > were the problem so I concentrated on them. > A page of gobbledy-gook and no diagnosis are OK – (well, understandable) > when you’re being paid by the hour and half a dozen lawyers are > breathing down your back. I sorta feel sorry for my yank colleagues, all > the Porsches in the world dont make up for the way they have to work. > Ray > BTW – Did you have a cold when you went for the CT?

No, I did not have a cold when I went for the CT. Actually since the onset of this problem I have had colds very rarely. Is it normal to have the teeth jutting into the sinuses like mine are? I thought that looked a bit strange. Also my sinuses looked rather large and oblong compared to the other ones I saw, but my only comparison is to single snapshots, not a series. I wish I could get my hands on some other CT series to get a better feel for what is normal. Maybe I will ask a professor at one of the local med schools. What do you mean by malocclusion? I had braces when I was younger and have worn my retainer faithfully since then. But I haven’t been back to the orthodontist for a checkup in a long time, perhaps it’s time to schedule one.

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Micheal, How did your ENT appt go?

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"tyshock" wrote in message

news:1139929110.862550.282190@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com… > Micheal, > How did your ENT appt go?

Sorry it took so long to reply. My appointment was fine, he prescribed oral steroids and a five day course of the antibiotic Ketek (telithromycin). It seemed to help at first, peaking around 10 days when I began augmenting with saltwater rinses, and low salt diet + increased water intake (to thin mucus). But that stopped working shortly after. Now I am back to the usual. He wanted to do surgery if it failed but first I want to give antibiotics another try. Plus my appointment isnt’t for two more weeks so I have some time to kill. Here is what I plan to do for the next two weeks, beginning today. 1. Amoxicillin 1000mg + Clarithromycin 500mg twice daily (google "Prevpac") 2. Grossan Irrigator twice daily. 3. Rhinocort 2 sprays per nostril, twice daily. 4. Steam inhaler once daily. 5. final four days only: Low salt diet + increased water intake 6. final four days only: Afrin 2 sprays per nostril, once daily 7. final four days only: Oral steroids (prednisone) which I have left over. it was giving me bad side effects so I didn’t take all of it. Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home before asking your doctor. I didn’t ask my doctor, but I am reckless and don’t particularly care what happens to me.

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On 3/9/06 2:17 PM, in article tPydnShK9N34NI3ZRVn…@comcast.com, "Michael – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Wilson III" wrote: > "tyshock" wrote in message > news:1139929110.862550.282190@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com… >> Micheal, >> How did your ENT appt go? > Sorry it took so long to reply. My appointment was fine, he prescribed oral > steroids and a five day course of the antibiotic Ketek (telithromycin). It > seemed to help at first, peaking around 10 days when I began augmenting with > saltwater rinses, and low salt diet + increased water intake (to thin > mucus). But that stopped working shortly after. Now I am back to the usual. > He wanted to do surgery if it failed but first I want to give antibiotics > another try. Plus my appointment isnt’t for two more weeks so I have some > time to kill. > Here is what I plan to do for the next two weeks, beginning today. > 1. Amoxicillin 1000mg + Clarithromycin 500mg twice daily (google "Prevpac") > 2. Grossan Irrigator twice daily. > 3. Rhinocort 2 sprays per nostril, twice daily. > 4. Steam inhaler once daily. > 5. final four days only: Low salt diet + increased water intake > 6. final four days only: Afrin 2 sprays per nostril, once daily > 7. final four days only: Oral steroids (prednisone) which I have left over. > it was giving me bad side effects so I didn’t take all of it. > Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home before asking your doctor. I didn’t ask > my doctor, but I am reckless and don’t particularly care what happens to me.

Why the low salt diet??? What is that supposed to do?

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Michael Wilson III wrote: > "tyshock" wrote in message > news:1139929110.862550.282190@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com… >> Micheal, >> How did your ENT appt go? > Sorry it took so long to reply. My appointment was fine, he prescribed oral > steroids and a five day course of the antibiotic Ketek (telithromycin). It > seemed to help at first, peaking around 10 days when I began augmenting with > saltwater rinses, and low salt diet + increased water intake (to thin > mucus). But that stopped working shortly after. Now I am back to the usual. > He wanted to do surgery if it failed but first I want to give antibiotics > another try. Plus my appointment isnt’t for two more weeks so I have some > time to kill. > Here is what I plan to do for the next two weeks, beginning today. > 1. Amoxicillin 1000mg + Clarithromycin 500mg twice daily (google "Prevpac") > 2. Grossan Irrigator twice daily. > 3. Rhinocort 2 sprays per nostril, twice daily. > 4. Steam inhaler once daily. > 5. final four days only: Low salt diet + increased water intake > 6. final four days only: Afrin 2 sprays per nostril, once daily > 7. final four days only: Oral steroids (prednisone) which I have left over. > it was giving me bad side effects so I didn’t take all of it. > Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home before asking your doctor. I didn’t ask > my doctor, but I am reckless and don’t particularly care what happens to me.

Why don’t you just do what the ENT specialist says without "augmenting" with any of your own solutions? You said yourself that the prednisone and antibiotics were helping before you started rinsing. I suspect that you have chronic sinusitis which you continue to irritate by rinsing/flushing/spraying various solutions up there. Sometimes your body just needs to heal. If you truly "don’t particularly care what happens to (you}," then quit whining and live with it. I’m not a doctor but I do work in health care and see lots of patients like you – chronic complainers who simply prefer to complain about their symptoms rather than follow their doctors advise. Andrew

Response:

"Murray Grossan" wrote in message

news:C037893F.3A8D%hydromed@adelphia.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On 3/9/06 2:17 PM, in article tPydnShK9N34NI3ZRVn…@comcast.com, "Michael > Wilson III" wrote: > > "tyshock" wrote in message > > news:1139929110.862550.282190@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com… > >> Micheal, > >> How did your ENT appt go? > > Sorry it took so long to reply. My appointment was fine, he prescribed oral > > steroids and a five day course of the antibiotic Ketek (telithromycin). It > > seemed to help at first, peaking around 10 days when I began augmenting with > > saltwater rinses, and low salt diet + increased water intake (to thin > > mucus). But that stopped working shortly after. Now I am back to the usual. > > He wanted to do surgery if it failed but first I want to give antibiotics > > another try. Plus my appointment isnt’t for two more weeks so I have some > > time to kill. > > Here is what I plan to do for the next two weeks, beginning today. > > 1. Amoxicillin 1000mg + Clarithromycin 500mg twice daily (google "Prevpac") > > 2. Grossan Irrigator twice daily. > > 3. Rhinocort 2 sprays per nostril, twice daily. > > 4. Steam inhaler once daily. > > 5. final four days only: Low salt diet + increased water intake > > 6. final four days only: Afrin 2 sprays per nostril, once daily > > 7. final four days only: Oral steroids (prednisone) which I have left over. > > it was giving me bad side effects so I didn’t take all of it. > > Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home before asking your doctor. I didn’t ask > > my doctor, but I am reckless and don’t particularly care what happens to me. > Why the low salt diet??? What is that supposed to do?

Your right, there is no point to the low-sodium diet. It was more of a trial and error thing at first. Around two days after taking my last antibiotic I was doing a lot of salt water rinses (this was before I purchased the Grossan) because initially they made me feel much better, if only for a short time. Then for no apparent reason things began to worsen, to the point where I was not getting any sleep whatsoever and feeling like crap. I’m still not sure why that happened but decided I might be getting too much sodium. The next day I dramatically increased my fluid intake and lowered the sodium in my diet. This helped immensely. It could have helped because of the low sodium diet, the increased fluid intake, or both. But the following studies lead me to believe it was not the low sodium diet: http://tinyurl.com/hwks7 http://tinyurl.com/fb374 http://tinyurl.com/h3ew6 I am going to increase both my water and sodium intake to higher than normal (but not super-high) levels. Chicken soup is basically lots of water and lots of sodium, right? And doctors always recommend increased fluid intake. Plus it just makes sense. If my body doesn’t want all that sodium or water it can just excrete it in the urine. But if it needs more, it has no way of getting it.

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"Ray Laughton" wrote in message

news:1hac5ax.1hh1k4s1icdse4N%rlaughton@invalid.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Michael Wilson III wrote: > > "Ray Laughton" wrote in message > > news:1ha6zn4.10fmxoa1ae95blN%rlaughton@invalid.com… > > > Michael Wilson III wrote: > > > > I called today and found out that the radiologist did in fact give > > > > impressions, I just needed to go and pick them up. Here they are: > > > > http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/impressions.html > > > > I’m not sure what any of that means, but I’m very relieved to know I’m > > not > > > > imagining it. > > > LOL! But I’m surprised they missed the sinus problem in the MRI, its > > > usually visible there too. > > > > This has been going on for several years, a feeling of > > > > pressure behind my nose and above my left molars. I had gotten tested > > for > > > > TMJ, had an MRI done on my brain, and gotten a laryngoscopy, none of > > which > > > > showed any problems. > > > > Thanks to all who took the time to respond, it is nice to have a second > > > > opinion. > > > Yea, well mine was short, sweet and understandable. As I recall there > > > were also problems with your teeth (malocclusion) which I’m sure you > > > know about and a slight septum deviation but I understood your sinuses > > > were the problem so I concentrated on them. > > > A page of gobbledy-gook and no diagnosis are OK – (well, understandable) > > > when you’re being paid by the hour and half a dozen lawyers are > > > breathing down your back. I sorta feel sorry for my yank colleagues, all > > > the Porsches in the world dont make up for the way they have to work. > > > Ray > > > BTW – Did you have a cold when you went for the CT? > > No, I did not have a cold when I went for the CT. Actually since the onset > > of this problem I have had colds very rarely. > Well you must have had a ’stuffy’ feeling in the left nostril that day, > the air spaces are minimal.. > > Is it normal to have the teeth jutting into the sinuses like mine are? I > > thought that looked a bit strange. > Lets say its not unusual, the upper molar roots on both sides go quite > far in. As long as you prevent an infection getting to the roots of the > teeth and avoid taking a right hook on the jaw, ie no trauma you’ll be > ok.. :-/ > > Also my sinuses looked rather large and > > oblong compared to the other ones I saw, but my only comparison is to single > > snapshots, not a series. I wish I could get my hands on some other CT series > > to get a better feel for what is normal. Maybe I will ask a professor at one > > of the local med schools. > No need, all your sinuses are normally formed. > > What do you mean by malocclusion? I had braces when I was younger and have > > worn my retainer faithfully since then. But I haven’t been back to the > > orthodontist for a checkup in a long time, perhaps it’s time to schedule > > one. > Well, this is getting out of my field but your upper jaw is wider than > the the lower jaw. On the left (assuming standard projection) the > upper/lower teeth almost missed each other on some photos, AFAIR. > Ray

My appointment with the ENT isn’t until tomorrow. But for the past week I’ve been taking Rhinocort and Sudafed. They seemed to help at first but have since stopped working, even after upping the dose. Two nights ago I started doing salt water rinses, they reduce the sinus pressure and also give me a slight mood lift??? Unfortunately the improvement is short lived and I experienced a bad rebound effect several hours afterwards where the pressure grows much stronger. I gave it one last try tonight adding a few ml of hydrogen peroxide to the salt water. Overall the results were the same. One thing I noticed with the rinses was an ammonia smell. I thought it must be impurities in the salt, but using the "no preservatives" saline spray from the pharmacy produced the same results, as did adding hydrogen peroxide to the mix. There are plenty of other people who have posted this problem but no one seems to know what is causing it. The only suggestion offered up is an excess of baking soda, but I didn’t use any baking soda. My guess is that the infection is caused by anaerobic bacteria, many of which produce ammonia. It’s far fetched I know, but either way I want to get on an antibiotic. Since this problem began five years ago I have taken antibiotics a total of once, when I had my wisdom teeth removed. I remember it being a good few days but the painkillers were surely responsible for much of that.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Don Brady wrote: > On Fri, 3 Feb 2006 19:03:19 +0100, rlaugh…@invalid.com (Ray Laughton) wrote: > >Don Brady wrote: > >> A caution is in order. > >Always a good idea. > >> The radiologist’s report and the informal comments here are just a rough > >> starting point – they are not medical opinions. > >Gee thanks for cutting me some slack here. :-/ > Oh I was not directing my comments at your posts at all. > >> A medical opinion can only given when the sinus specialist studies the > >> original images in connection with an endoscopic exam. > >Huh? > >Do you really think one can only diagnose a sinusitis by endoscopy? > >Normally a simple x-ray is sufficient. > >We’re talking about a simple infection or inflammation of the sinuses > >here, not cancer > How are your ever 100% sure until you examine the patient?

Well I learnt this stuff in the country hospital setting, where one can still chat with the patients.. The X-ray alone is too little. Of course if the referring colleague has take the time to include a good history then its easy. > >. CT is already over-the-top as far as rad. dose to the > >lenses go, it should be reserved for difficult cases. > >If the sinusitis doesnt improve after treatment THEN the endoscopy and > >maybe the CT is justified, both time-wise and radiation-wise. > I was not advocating the CT. It was already done.

I realize that, you were advocating the endoscopy. > I was just saying do not > rely on it *alone* until the physician sees it and interprets in conjunction > with a nomal clinical visit and pateint history.

See above > Nasal endoscopy is done routinely now. Pehaps you have experience in other > fields where it is more difficult? In any case, I was just using it as an > example of something that would be done by the physician, that the radiologist > cannot do.

It was a few years ago, nasal endoscopies were not routine (in fact they were quite traumatic and thus seldom used) in that setting. The radiologist diagnosed, his words were chiselled into stone and formed the basis of the therapy. We were the diagnostic gods.. :-/ Nowdays all you get from them are ‘impressions’, it seems (do they train in art galleries?) Ray

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A caution is in order. The radiologist’s report and the informal comments here are just a rough starting point – they are not medical opinions. A medical opinion can only given when the sinus specialist studies the original images in connection with an endoscopic exam.

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Don Brady wrote: > A caution is in order.

Always a good idea. > The radiologist’s report and the informal comments here are just a rough > starting point – they are not medical opinions.

Gee thanks for cutting me some slack here. :-/ > A medical opinion can only given when the sinus specialist studies the > original images in connection with an endoscopic exam.

Huh? Do you really think one can only diagnose a sinusitis by endoscopy? Normally a simple x-ray is sufficient. We’re talking about a simple infection or inflammation of the sinuses here, not cancer. CT is already over-the-top as far as rad. dose to the lenses go, it should be reserved for difficult cases. If the sinusitis doesnt improve after treatment THEN the endoscopy and maybe the CT is justified, both time-wise and radiation-wise. RL

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ray Laughton wrote: > Don Brady wrote: >>A caution is in order. > Always a good idea. >>The radiologist’s report and the informal comments here are just a rough >>starting point – they are not medical opinions. > Gee thanks for cutting me some slack here. :-/ >>A medical opinion can only given when the sinus specialist studies the >>original images in connection with an endoscopic exam. > Huh? > Do you really think one can only diagnose a sinusitis by endoscopy? > Normally a simple x-ray is sufficient.

For sinusitis, the percentage of false positive results from X-rays is known to be roughly around 40%, compared with around 10% for CT scans. medind.nic.in/ibd/t04/i1/ibdt04i1p9o.pdf > If the sinusitis doesnt improve after treatment THEN the endoscopy and > maybe the CT is justified, both time-wise and radiation-wise.

In today’s managed care, patients typically get referred to ENTs only after multiple courses of antibiotics and steroids have failed. — Steven D. Litvintchouk Email: sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Steven L. wrote: > Ray Laughton wrote: > > Don Brady wrote: > >>A caution is in order. > > Always a good idea. > >>The radiologist’s report and the informal comments here are just a rough > >>starting point – they are not medical opinions. > > Gee thanks for cutting me some slack here. :-/ > >>A medical opinion can only given when the sinus specialist studies the > >>original images in connection with an endoscopic exam. > > Huh? > > Do you really think one can only diagnose a sinusitis by endoscopy? > > Normally a simple x-ray is sufficient. > For sinusitis, the percentage of false positive results from X-rays is > known to be roughly around 40%, compared with around 10% for CT scans.

Probably because so few radiologists get to see them anymore.. > medind.nic.in/ibd/t04/i1/ibdt04i1p9o.pdf > > If the sinusitis doesnt improve after treatment THEN the endoscopy and > > maybe the CT is justified, both time-wise and radiation-wise. > In today’s managed care, patients typically get referred to ENTs only > after multiple courses of antibiotics and steroids have failed.

It’ll pass. We’re only beginning to find out the long-term effects of all this AB use in kids. As for steroids in kids, or steroids for adult sinusitis that matter…. ridiculous. RL

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On Fri, 3 Feb 2006 19:03:19 +0100, rlaugh…@invalid.com (Ray Laughton) wrote: >Don Brady wrote: >> A caution is in order. >Always a good idea. >> The radiologist’s report and the informal comments here are just a rough >> starting point – they are not medical opinions. >Gee thanks for cutting me some slack here. :-/

Oh I was not directing my comments at your posts at all. >> A medical opinion can only given when the sinus specialist studies the >> original images in connection with an endoscopic exam. >Huh? >Do you really think one can only diagnose a sinusitis by endoscopy? >Normally a simple x-ray is sufficient. >We’re talking about a simple infection or inflammation of the sinuses >here, not cancer

How are your ever 100% sure until you examine the patient? >. CT is already over-the-top as far as rad. dose to the >lenses go, it should be reserved for difficult cases. >If the sinusitis doesnt improve after treatment THEN the endoscopy and >maybe the CT is justified, both time-wise and radiation-wise.

I was not advocating the CT. It was already done. I was just saying do not rely on it *alone* until the physician sees it and interprets in conjunction with a nomal clinical visit and pateint history. Nasal endoscopy is done routinely now. Pehaps you have experience in other fields where it is more difficult? In any case, I was just using it as an example of something that would be done by the physician, that the radiologist cannot do. I was mostly just talking about terminology, in case the original poster thought (or was that you – I have lost track) he was done now.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Michael Wilson III wrote: > "Steven L." wrote in message > news:ZgrEf.4826$Nv2.3290@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net… >>Michael Wilson III wrote: >>>I got a sinus cat scan because of constant pressure above the roof of my >>>mouth. I am not sure if the radiologist looked at it, and if they did > they >>>did not give their impressions. I received a disc with the images, > however. >>>My appointment with the ENT to get diagnosed is not for another week, > and I >>>am getting very anxious to know the results. Could anyone provide some >>>insight? Here are the images (use Page Up and Page Down keys to flip >>>through): >>>http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/ >>>All standard disclaimers apply, I know not to trust advice given on the >>>internet, etc. This is only to ease my mind until my appointment with > the >>>ENT. >>[Disclaimer: I'm NOT a doctor or radiologist, just a patient who's been >>there, done that] >>What I see looks like sinusitis, particularly on your left side. The >>rule of thumb is that the black areas represent wide open space (which >>is what you want to have in your sinuses); the white/light-gray areas >>represent tissue or fluid (which you don’t want filling up your >>sinuses). So what I see is: >>Left ethmoid sinuses whose ducts are almost completely blocked by polyps >>and cysts. >>Significantly thickened sinus linings suggestive of inflammation and >>perhaps infection. >>And you’ve got a large polyp in your left maxillary sinus, which I think >>is blocking the duct from draining. >>Your right side doesn’t look too bad though. >>You have a deviated septum, but it’s not as deviated as mine was. >> From this CT scan , I’ll bet your symptoms are mostly on your left >>side–feeling of stuffiness, particularly above the left side of the >>bridge of your nose. >>– >>Steven D. Litvintchouk >>Email: sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net >>Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me. > I called today and found out that the radiologist did in fact give > impressions, I just needed to go and pick them up. Here they are: > http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/impressions.html > I’m not sure what any of that means, but I’m very relieved to know I’m not > imagining it. This has been going on for several years, a feeling of > pressure behind my nose and above my left molars. I had gotten tested for > TMJ, had an MRI done on my brain, and gotten a laryngoscopy, none of which > showed any problems. > Thanks to all who took the time to respond, it is nice to have a second > opinion.

I think you should make sure that your ENT looks at these films himself, and doesn’t rely on the radiologist’s opinion alone. I’m more interested in what your ENT has to say than what the radiologist has to say. Because your ENT can combine what he sees on the CT scan with everything else he knows about you–patient history, other tests–to make a more precise diagnosis. — Steven D. Litvintchouk Email: sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

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On 2/2/06 5:28 AM, in article 1ha4ypo.1w02qhj1721d4wN%rlaugh…@invalid.com, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Ray Laughton" wrote: > Michael Wilson III wrote: >> I got a sinus cat scan because of constant pressure above the roof of my >> mouth. I am not sure if the radiologist looked at it, and if they did they >> did not give their impressions. I received a disc with the images, however. >> My appointment with the ENT to get diagnosed is not for another week, and I >> am getting very anxious to know the results. Could anyone provide some >> insight? Here are the images (use Page Up and Page Down keys to flip >> through): >> http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/ >> All standard disclaimers apply, I know not to trust advice given on the >> internet, etc. This is only to ease my mind until my appointment with the >> ENT. > Pansinusitis, left>re. > The mucus membranes in your left nasal cavity also quite swollen, you > probably have a cold.

Doesn’t look too bad, looks like the kind tha clears with medication.

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I got a sinus cat scan because of constant pressure above the roof of my mouth. I am not sure if the radiologist looked at it, and if they did they did not give their impressions. I received a disc with the images, however. My appointment with the ENT to get diagnosed is not for another week, and I am getting very anxious to know the results. Could anyone provide some insight? Here are the images (use Page Up and Page Down keys to flip through): http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/ All standard disclaimers apply, I know not to trust advice given on the internet, etc. This is only to ease my mind until my appointment with the ENT. P.S. Tilt was -21.5 degrees, if that helps any.

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Michael Wilson III wrote: > I got a sinus cat scan because of constant pressure above the roof of my > mouth. I am not sure if the radiologist looked at it, and if they did they > did not give their impressions. I received a disc with the images, however. > My appointment with the ENT to get diagnosed is not for another week, and I > am getting very anxious to know the results. Could anyone provide some > insight? Here are the images (use Page Up and Page Down keys to flip > through): > http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/ > All standard disclaimers apply, I know not to trust advice given on the > internet, etc. This is only to ease my mind until my appointment with the > ENT.

Pansinusitis, left>re. The mucus membranes in your left nasal cavity also quite swollen, you probably have a cold.

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>From an absolute layman’s perspective———

On 0032 and 0033, your lower septum looks deviated to the left. This may be contributing to the bad swelling on the left side. It also looks like something is going on in the left maxillary. Do you have tooth pain in your left upper teeth (molar region)? The left ethmoids also looked like a bit of something was going on. To what degree, i don’t know. The ethmoids are hard to judge for this layman.

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[Disclaimer: I'm NOT a doctor or radiologist, just a patient who's been there, done that] What I see looks like sinusitis, particularly on your left side. The rule of thumb is that the black areas represent wide open space (which is what you want to have in your sinuses); the white/light-gray areas represent tissue or fluid (which you don’t want filling up your sinuses). So what I see is: Left ethmoid sinuses whose ducts are almost completely blocked by polyps and cysts. Significantly thickened sinus linings suggestive of inflammation and perhaps infection. And you’ve got a large polyp in your left maxillary sinus, which I think is blocking the duct from draining. Your right side doesn’t look too bad though. You have a deviated septum, but it’s not as deviated as mine was. From this CT scan , I’ll bet your symptoms are mostly on your left side–feeling of stuffiness, particularly above the left side of the bridge of your nose. — Steven D. Litvintchouk Email: sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

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I’m absolutely impressed by the responses here. I looked at the images too, but all I can see is adjacent humming birds taking nectar out of a couple of flowers. …Jon

Response:

"Steven L." wrote in message

news:ZgrEf.4826$Nv2.3290@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Michael Wilson III wrote: > > I got a sinus cat scan because of constant pressure above the roof of my > > mouth. I am not sure if the radiologist looked at it, and if they did they > > did not give their impressions. I received a disc with the images, however. > > My appointment with the ENT to get diagnosed is not for another week, and I > > am getting very anxious to know the results. Could anyone provide some > > insight? Here are the images (use Page Up and Page Down keys to flip > > through): > > http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/ > > All standard disclaimers apply, I know not to trust advice given on the > > internet, etc. This is only to ease my mind until my appointment with the > > ENT. > [Disclaimer: I'm NOT a doctor or radiologist, just a patient who's been > there, done that] > What I see looks like sinusitis, particularly on your left side. The > rule of thumb is that the black areas represent wide open space (which > is what you want to have in your sinuses); the white/light-gray areas > represent tissue or fluid (which you don’t want filling up your > sinuses). So what I see is: > Left ethmoid sinuses whose ducts are almost completely blocked by polyps > and cysts. > Significantly thickened sinus linings suggestive of inflammation and > perhaps infection. > And you’ve got a large polyp in your left maxillary sinus, which I think > is blocking the duct from draining. > Your right side doesn’t look too bad though. > You have a deviated septum, but it’s not as deviated as mine was. > From this CT scan , I’ll bet your symptoms are mostly on your left > side–feeling of stuffiness, particularly above the left side of the > bridge of your nose. > — > Steven D. Litvintchouk > Email: sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net > Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

I called today and found out that the radiologist did in fact give impressions, I just needed to go and pick them up. Here they are: http://home.comcast.net/~mike5566/impressions.html I’m not sure what any of that means, but I’m very relieved to know I’m not imagining it. This has been going on for several years, a feeling of pressure behind my nose and above my left molars. I had gotten tested for TMJ, had an MRI done on my brain, and gotten a laryngoscopy, none of which showed any problems. Thanks to all who took the time to respond, it is nice to have a second opinion.

Response:

How much does it cost to remove a prostate?

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

How much does an RRP cost? How much does the DaVinci procedure cost? I know there are endless variables, and expenses such as doc, anesthesia, nursing, hospital, meds, etc.I’m just looking for a ballpark figure. 10g’s, 25g’s, 100g’s? Thanks, WhiteSoxFan

Two years ago my insurance company was billed for the total of 38,000 for RRP and three days stay in hospital. I suspect that hospital accepted less but the whole procedure did not cost me a penny. Tee — Verba volant, scripta manent.

Response:

Thank you for your advice, however I was not raising the issue that I could not afford the surgury. I would like to know the comparative costs of RRP vs Da Vinci Robotic Surgury.

Response:

WhiteSoxFan, A DaVinci RP costs about $30,000 based on my bills. The insurances pay much less because they have contracts with the hospitals and docs. DaVinci usually has a shorter length of stay in the hospital, but uses more resources. The machine costs over $1M. How many cases do you amortize the cost of the machine over? Also, the instuments need frequent replacement, so the direct equiptment cost for disposables is about $1,500 per case. A standard RP costs vary a lot depending on the length of the hospital stay. Steve U

Response:

Thank you for your advice, however I was not raising the issue that I could not afford the surgury. I would like to know the comparative costs of RRP vs Da Vinci Robotic Surgury.

I think it’s around $5000 difference give or take a few.

Response:

I know their will be a difference with or without insurance. I’m not talking about my cost, just the cost of.

Response:

My recent 3 day stay in hospital after my RPP was $16K for just a semi-private room (with a very sick terminally ill guy). I am sure the insurance company has a negotiated rate. Haven’t rec’d surgeon bill or Anethesiologist etc but those are usually negotiated too. While it may be callous but if you have insurance I would not make a decision based on cost. The outcome of your surgery and life to me is worth whatever it takes. But I am fortunate and I understand as I was concerned with out of pocket expenses despite having good coverage. The national averages (couple yrs old) I found researching came up with $38K but like you say many variables.

Response:

$20K +/- depending on your location. —

Response:

Thanks for all your reply’s. This thread can be closed, I have the information that I need. WhiteSoxFan

Response:

Depends on whether you have insurance or not. For my LRP in 2003, the doctor billed insurance $7000, he was paid, because of his contract with the insurance company, $2500. The hospital billed insurance $80,000 for two nights (that’s right, $80,000!), they were paid a few thousand. Add in the assistant surgeon and other odds and ends for another couple of thousand and total cost to my insurance was well under $10,000. With no insurance, I assume I would have been billed about $100,000. Don’t know what I would have actually had to pay. Gotta luv the system. Dave Perry

Response:

My surgery with all tests and follow-up cost around $40k Sandy K.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How much does an RRP cost? How much does the DaVinci procedure cost? I know there are endless variables, and expenses such as doc, anesthesia, nursing, hospital, meds, etc.I’m just looking for a ballpark figure. 10g’s, 25g’s, 100g’s? Thanks, WhiteSoxFan

Response:

There are tips and some ways to save on these web pages. (some/many may be duplicates) http://www.rare-cancer.org/financial-aid.html http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/services/fs_financialhelp.pdf http://www.cancercare.org/services.html#assist I’ve searched before and never found specifc assistance for surgery. Is the name of the surgeon that important? Are there other surgeons, using same technology, who are as competent, who might charge less because they’re less well known? I’ve heard that some may be willing to discount if cash (instead of having to deal with insurance companies). Look at your assets and debts. Take a step back (be objective) and look at your assets again. Many (not all) people I’ve seen on cancer newsgroups, have more than they need. Houses bigger than they need, fancier vehicles than they need, duplicates and triplicates of "things". How to turn assets into cash….and still live a comfortable but more modest lifestyle. OR how to translate assets into cash to buy the insurance plan you need to cover your surgery and care? I looked at your Gleaon numbers. This is your life we’re speaking about, as you realize. Hopefully you’ll work it out and not get into debt for the rest of your life. Best wishes, J

Response:

One More Article On Statins Form JAMA

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Statins and Cancer Risk A Meta-analysis Krista M. Dale, PharmD; Craig I. Coleman, PharmD; Nickole N. Henyan, PharmD; Jeffrey Kluger, MD; C. Michael White, PharmD JAMA. 2006;295:74-80. Context Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that have been proven in randomized controlled trials to prevent cardiac events. Recent retrospective analyses have suggested that statins also prevent cancer. Objectives To investigate the effect of statin therapy on cancer incidence and cancer death and to analyze the effect of statins on specific cancers and the effect of statin lipophilicity or derivation. Data Sources A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, CANCERLIT, and the Cochrane Systematic Review Database through July 2005 was conducted using specific search terms. A review of cardiology and cancer abstracts and manual review of references was also performed. Study Selection Twenty-seven of the 8943 articles (n = 86 936 participants) initially identified met the inclusion criteria, reporting 26 randomized controlled trials of statins, with a mean duration of follow-up of at least 1 year, enrolling a minimum of 100 patients, and reporting data on either cancer incidence (n = 20 studies) or cancer death (n = 22 studies). Data Extraction All data were independently extracted by 3 investigators using a standardized data abstraction tool. Weighted averages were reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird methods). Statistical heterogeneity scores were assessed with the Q statistic. Data Synthesis In meta-analyses including 6662 incident cancers and 2407 cancer deaths, statins did not reduce the incidence of cancer (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.97-1.07) or cancer deaths (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.93-1.09). No reductions were noted for any individual cancer type. This null effect on cancer incidence persisted when only hydrophilic, lipophilic, naturally derived, or synthetically derived statins were evaluated. Conclusions Statins have a neutral effect on cancer and cancer death risk in randomized controlled trials. We found that no type of cancer was affected by statin use and no subtype of statin affected the risk of cancer.

One year followup would not be nearly sufficient to detect an effect in cancer prevention. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Author Affiliations: University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs (Drs Dale, Coleman, Henyan, and White); University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Dr Kluger); and Divisions of Cardiology (Drs Dale, Coleman, Henyan, Kluger, and White) and Drug Information (Drs Dale, Coleman, Henyan, and White), Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn.

Response:

Statins and Cancer Risk A Meta-analysis Krista M. Dale, PharmD; Craig I. Coleman, PharmD; Nickole N. Henyan, PharmD; Jeffrey Kluger, MD; C. Michael White, PharmD JAMA. 2006;295:74-80. Context Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that have been proven in randomized controlled trials to prevent cardiac events. Recent retrospective analyses have suggested that statins also prevent cancer. Objectives To investigate the effect of statin therapy on cancer incidence and cancer death and to analyze the effect of statins on specific cancers and the effect of statin lipophilicity or derivation. Data Sources A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, CANCERLIT, and the Cochrane Systematic Review Database through July 2005 was conducted using specific search terms. A review of cardiology and cancer abstracts and manual review of references was also performed. Study Selection Twenty-seven of the 8943 articles (n = 86 936 participants) initially identified met the inclusion criteria, reporting 26 randomized controlled trials of statins, with a mean duration of follow-up of at least 1 year, enrolling a minimum of 100 patients, and reporting data on either cancer incidence (n = 20 studies) or cancer death (n = 22 studies). Data Extraction All data were independently extracted by 3 investigators using a standardized data abstraction tool. Weighted averages were reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird methods). Statistical heterogeneity scores were assessed with the Q statistic. Data Synthesis In meta-analyses including 6662 incident cancers and 2407 cancer deaths, statins did not reduce the incidence of cancer (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.97-1.07) or cancer deaths (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.93-1.09). No reductions were noted for any individual cancer type. This null effect on cancer incidence persisted when only hydrophilic, lipophilic, naturally derived, or synthetically derived statins were evaluated. Conclusions Statins have a neutral effect on cancer and cancer death risk in randomized controlled trials. We found that no type of cancer was affected by statin use and no subtype of statin affected the risk of cancer. Author Affiliations: University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs (Drs Dale, Coleman, Henyan, and White); University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Dr Kluger); and Divisions of Cardiology (Drs Dale, Coleman, Henyan, Kluger, and White) and Drug Information (Drs Dale, Coleman, Henyan, and White), Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn.

Response:

Clean bill of health

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Yes, I sincerely apologize. We can only hope the good doctor will make a small mistake P. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

SOOOOOOO glad to hear you got a good report, Philip! Next Wednesday, it will all be behind you….. I *know* you will be fine! Take care….. MikeH

You are a true pillar of support, MikeY but then I already told you that a few dozen times… Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the pre-op test results and I have no cancer and no heart problems and no nothing. Even my diabetes II seems to have subsided while losing weight. Nice folks over there in that hospital, very understanding and accomodating with regard to PD. I am somewhat reassured about the operation which will be coming Tuesday. If all goes well I’ll be home about four hours after surgery. Philip .

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

"Philip Peters" wrote I got the pre-op test results and I have no cancer and no heart problems and no nothing. Even my diabetes II seems to have subsided while losing weight. Nice folks over there in that hospital, very understanding and accomodating with regard to PD. I am somewhat reassured about the operation which will be coming Tuesday. If all goes well I’ll be home about four hours after surgery. Philip

Everything sounds great Philip! Sorry I have no idea what kind of surgery you are having but I feel you will do great. Just don’t ride "da bike" as soon as you get home! Tono — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Awesome that the diabetes II went away after losing weight! I don’t think I ever knew anything about this problem with your dental thing… All will be fine, I’m sure. Make sure to get some decent pain pills, the first day can be a little icky if ya don’t have any. I’ve always preferred medium strength opiates and high potency anti-inflammatory drugs for dental pain control – each situation is different though, obviously. I’ll certainly be looking at the mail to hear that you’re doing ok. Be well, Gary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Awesome that the diabetes II went away after losing weight!

I’m not quite sure yet but it definitely seems like it might be true. I don’t think I ever knew anything about this problem with your dental thing…

Be glad It’s horrible whining. All will be fine, I’m sure. Make sure to get some decent pain pills, the first day can be a little icky if ya don’t have any. I’ve always preferred medium strength opiates and high potency anti-inflammatory drugs for dental pain control

The oral surgeon alrerady prescribed a NSAID for me. I’m not crazy about them but hopefully this will be effective. – each situation is different though, obviously. I’ll certainly be looking at the mail to hear that you’re doing ok.

Thanks, Gary. It’s a *biggie* for me but I will survive. Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

This is such good news! I’m so happy your health has improved. How lucky you are to have such nice healthcare people working with you. I’ll be thinking of you Tuesday — I’m sure all will be well. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I got the pre-op test results and I have no cancer and no heart problems and no nothing. Even my diabetes II seems to have subsided while losing weight.

Good for you, Philip. Nice folks over there in that hospital, very understanding and accomodating with regard to PD. I am somewhat reassured about the operation which will be coming Tuesday. If all goes well I’ll be home about four hours after surgery.

What is the surgery? Removal of some bad teeth? Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I got the pre-op test results and I have no cancer and no heart problems and no nothing. Even my diabetes II seems to have subsided while losing weight. Nice folks over there in that hospital, very understanding and accomodating with regard to PD. I am somewhat reassured about the operation which will be coming Tuesday. If all goes well I’ll be home about four hours after surgery. Philip

So happy to hear you are going to be around for a long time, Phil!! I know the feeling about having tests done. I am overdue going to the doc regarding my thyroid but I absolutely HATE anything medical. I despise going to the doctor, hearing a nurse say OMG when she takes my BP because it is always up when I go to the doctor. I knew you would be ok, however!! Very ironic I feel like that, since my career has always been in the medical field in administration, and I spent much of my time calming fears and reassuring people like me! Thus the saying "Easier said than done." I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and hope you will let us know how you are afterward, when you can, of course. Take care, Vicki — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::I got the pre-op test results and I have no cancer and no heart problems ::and no nothing. Even my diabetes II seems to have subsided while losing ::weight. Nice folks over there in that hospital, very understanding and ::accomodating with regard to PD. I am somewhat reassured about the ::operation which will be coming Tuesday. If all goes well I’ll be home ::about four hours after surgery. Woo-hoo!! Doing the "snoopy dance" for Philip I am so happy for you. (((((Philip))))) Jackie ~*~Moving at the speed of life, we are bound to collide with each other~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::I despise ::going to the doctor, hearing a nurse say OMG when she takes my BP because it ::is always up when I go to the doctor. Isn`t it awful when they do that? My last doctor did that to me. No wonder I am phobic about my BP being taken I can`t even look at those BP machine thingies in the supermarket without my heart speeding up. Jackie ~*~Moving at the speed of life, we are bound to collide with each other~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Wonderful news, Philip! smiles, Elise

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

SOOOOOOO glad to hear you got a good report, Philip! Next Wednesday, it will all be behind you….. I *know* you will be fine! Take care….. MikeH

. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – stone age chiseled out: I got the pre-op test results

6 zero’s and you are my man ! miss Anna miss? miss? Aim lower.

I aim as low as I can without hearing "This is below the belt" — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

It’s amazing. Best bedside manners I’ve seen in a long time. I’ll be thinking of you Tuesday — I’m sure all will be well.

I’ll survive and return to bore you guys for a long time to come Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the pre-op test results and I have no cancer and no heart problems and no nothing. Even my diabetes II seems to have subsided while losing weight. Nice folks over there in that hospital, very understanding and accomodating with regard to PD. I am somewhat reassured about the operation which will be coming Tuesday. If all goes well I’ll be home about four hours after surgery. Philip WONDERFUL news Philip! I am soooo happy for you. I had a therapist once that told me about an older gentleman that said (approximately, this was a long time ago, and I don’t remember the exact quote, but it went something like..) "I am an old man, and I have suffered many things, most of which never happened to me."

ROFL! I love it! From age twenty or so my grandfather used to tell everybody who wanted to listen (and a growing number of people who didn’t) that he would die soon. At age 82 he was proven right I am so glad the pre-op test results were good. I hope you can relax a little about the surgery, having that information.

At this point I feel much relieved. I’ll try to hold on to that. Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I am sooooooo happy to hear this, Philip! I’ll be thinking of you on Tues. Write when you can and let us know how it went. {{{{{Philip}}}}}

You bet I will! I recommend practicing the use of that delete button ((((Di)))) Philip I got the pre-op test results and I have no cancer and no heart problems and no nothing. Even my diabetes II seems to have subsided while losing weight. Nice folks over there in that hospital, very understanding and accomodating with regard to PD. I am somewhat reassured about the operation which will be coming Tuesday. If all goes well I’ll be home about four hours after surgery. Philip

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Yep. I don’t even know how many. The *visible* ones are all OK, the others have crumbled in the course of the years and now mainly consist of roots underneath the gum. Interestingly this started when I was first on clomipramine (you know, Anafranil). Because of this TCA anticholinergic side effect of *dry mouth* there is not enough saliva and that causes tooth decay. Of course that can be managed but I am so scared of Da Dentist that I never went to see one (or rather walked out on them before they could become really dangerous so here I am stuck with this. It took me 15 years or so to muster the courage to finally deal with it, I never had any kind of surgery before BTW). Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I am sooooooo happy to hear this, Philip! I’ll be thinking of you on Tues. Write when you can and let us know how it went. {{{{{Philip}}}}} Love, Di

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

WONDERFUL news Philip! I am soooo happy for you. I had a therapist once that told me about an older gentleman that said (approximately, this was a long time ago, and I don’t remember the exact quote, but it went something like..) "I am an old man, and I have suffered many things, most of which never happened to me." We can awfulize situations in our minds and worry, and get ourselves so worked up… before we have actual evidence that there is something to be worked up ABOUT. I am so glad the pre-op test results were good. I hope you can relax a little about the surgery, having that information. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Wonderful news, Philip! smiles, Elise

Hehe, you haven’t gotten rid of me yet. P. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the pre-op test results and I have no cancer and no heart problems and no nothing. Even my diabetes II seems to have subsided while losing weight. Nice folks over there in that hospital, very understanding and accomodating with regard to PD. I am somewhat reassured about the operation which will be coming Tuesday. If all goes well I’ll be home about four hours after surgery. Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

to the stone age chiseled out: no cancer no heart problems Psoriasis?

Not a scub. no nothing. Ah.. that covers that.

Psoriasis can cover you. I’ve seen a few bad cases. operation which will be coming Tuesday. That’s still not a good day for me.

OK, everybody will be relieved that you won’t turn up. If all goes well I’ll be home about four hours after surgery. With Diet Coke drooling outta your face ’cause you’ll be drug dumb.

Nope. No local. Just the gas (thinking of that some of my relatives had a bit of a problem with gas about fifty years ago It’s my favorite state of being….

LOL. I’m betting that you wake up to nothing, and see/hear nothing – and then sorta go ‘huh?’ and you can’t even hear yourself – and just sorta do nothing. We do what we’re best at, and doing nothing is a fantastic hobby.

It’s a vocation. Practice makes perfekt. You realize, of course, that it’s Wednesday the 7th, and you’re still laying around doing nothing? Good boy! Things went so well that you can’t even remember what you were thinking about before.

That doesn’t sound much different from my usual state of mind. On to: Wednesday’s lunch menu – Two choices – Take it, or leave it.

How much do I get paid for not eating? P. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hehe….so am I because I am rather fond of living (never done anything else I know the feeling about having tests done. I am overdue going to the doc regarding my thyroid but I absolutely HATE anything medical. I despise going to the doctor, hearing a nurse say OMG when she takes my BP because it is always up when I go to the doctor.

I can relate. I have this white coat hypertension too. I have one of these contraptions at home and when I measure my BP myself it’s always *normal*. I knew you would be ok, however!!

You must be clairvoyant Very ironic I feel like that, since my career has always been in the medical field in administration, and I spent much of my time calming fears and reassuring people like me! Thus the saying "Easier said than done."

I am pretty good at reassuring other people as well. Probably because we *empathize*. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and hope you will let us know how you are afterward, when you can, of course.

I am moved by all the kind words here. It means a lot to me. Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I *love* the *snoopy dance* and you;re very good at it Thanks, Jackie! Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

CNN Special on Cancer – 8 pm tonight

admin — Sun, 14 Aug 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Sorry….I meant to mention this earlier. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is doing a Special at 8 pm Eastern Time on cancer, including new medical discoveries, survivor stories, etc. It will be repeated here at 11 pm…..I assume that is the same in the US. I have no idea what all will be covered, but intend to watch it. Heather

Response:

I must say that while it was somewhat interesting, it didn’t cover Pca at all. It was 5 different stories and all happened at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Texas. I did react strongly to one story though…..of a small child with Ewing’s Sarcoma. She got into a clinical trial with a drug called Immeron (or close to that) which cured her. But the pharmaceutical company has decided not to continue producing it because it is not making enough money on it. That royally ticked me off!! What is the answer to that sort of thing?? Just because it is not a big moneymaker, is that a good enough reason to stop producing it if it works?? The money has already been spent on R & D. Makes me wonder just how often that sort of thing happens. Heather

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry….I meant to mention this earlier. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is doing a Special at 8 pm Eastern Time on cancer, including new medical discoveries, survivor stories, etc. It will be repeated here at 11 pm…..I assume that is the same in the US. I have no idea what all will be covered, but intend to watch it. Heather

Response:

Had Robotic RP 3 days ago

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Michael, I’m so glad to hear that your surgery went well and that you were happy with Dr. Tewari and his team. I hope that your recovery continues to be a fast and easy one. Please post when you get the final path results. Best of luck and warm regards, Jennifer (and Jennifer’s father)

Response:

Ross noted: "Definitely need something – my urethral meatus definitely doesn’t like being banged around. I don’t have access to any objective evidence, so I hope I’m not promulgating a hospital-urban myth, but a jelly or cream might be safer even if shorter acting." Since they’re currently using bacitracin and other Ab oints to lube the meatus…I gotta think that most cath materials are OK with it. Certainly, if they were NOT…water based products (though short acting) would be the way to go. Ron B. Chicago

Response:

At risk of getting my head shot off, I will relay to you what I got from my surgeon: Don’t overdo it!

I agree. I was forbidden to drive for six weeks, not because driving itself would cause problems but such things as emergency braking might. Takes awhile for those wounds to heal, and you only see what’s on the outside. Not being able to drive when one owns a car in New York City can get expensive. You can’t park the car on the street and forget it.

Response:

Sounds great Michael. I’ll just add…along with using lidocaine on the meatus (which just ‘numbs’ any irritation)…I’d use something like bacitracin or other antibiotic ointment often to lubricate the cath so it doesn’t rub any more than it needs to. When I got home…I walked a lot the first day and the meatus was sore for a while after that. Don’t want THAT. :-)

Definitely need something – my urethral meatus definitely doesn’t like being banged around. I don’t have access to any objective evidence, so I hope I’m not promulgating a hospital-urban myth, but a jelly or cream might be safer even if shorter acting. A wise and experienced nurse who was part of the team looking after me advised specifically against regular use of ointments on the catheter – she said they’d stopped routinely using them because of risk of degradation of the material (mine’s silastic I think) from the ointment base – resulting in some catheters parting company from their owners before schedule. She said creams and jelly (like KY) are fine. I’ve been slathering jelly on mine with excellent relief. Only problem is it’s temporary because the jelly soon dries out – oil based ointments definitely hang around longer. The difference as I understand it is that an ointment has a hydrophobic base such as vaseline (water in fat) whereas a cream has hydrophobic material suspended in a hydrophilic base like real dairy cream (fat in water).

Response:

Michael Keily, Welcome back. I too did a lot of walking right away. I think it helped my recovery go faster. I wish you the same good results. Enjoy telling your friends the good news. Steve U

Response:

At risk of getting my head shot off, I will relay to you what I got from my surgeon: Don’t overdo it! Just because you can’t see all the cutting and stitching doesn’t mean it isn’t there. The risk to your anastomosis of too much stress is increased leaking, herniation, and increased scarring leading to strictures. The nerves that should tell you something is wrong may not be working just yet. 6 miles+ per day seems excessive to me – the goal is not to get fit, it is to heal. Exercise will not heal anything; quite the reverse. The main benefits of walking at this stage are helping your bowel to function and reducing your risk of thrombosis, but frequent short walks of a few hundred yards are much better for those goals than 2 long ones per day. In some ways I think RRP has an advantage over Lap., because the incision in your belly reminds you to take it easy… — Peter Headland

Response:

Ordinarily, I’d warn you not to take it too far too fast, but with 8 miles under your belt in 3 days, I suspect it would fall on deaf ears. So, I’ll just tell you I’m elated to hear you are so far so fast. — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – With a lot of helpful input from this group + Walsh and 2 other good books, I opted for Robotic RP with Dr. Ash Tewari at Weil Cornell Columbia Presbyterian in New York City. He and his team are impressive: sharp, caring and apparently superbly competent. After a day of recovery in the hospital, I walked a mile and a half the first day home, yesterday four miles, today I walked 3 miles this morning and will do another three tonight. The hour-long ride home by car from the hospital was quite painful because of potholes and the like, and for the two days since my return home, abdominal gas from the surgery has pushed painfully on my stitches. I also find coughing quite painful and seem to lose quite a bit of scarlet fluid (over 100 ml every couple of hours) through a drainage tube in my abdomen, but despite these concerns, my recovery is much better and faster than I expected. In addition to the competence of the Tewari Team, my wonderfully supportive and helpful family have contributed substantially to this outcome. The catheter is a nuisance, but not really painful (yet?). I swab my meatus every few hours with lidocaine(sp?) which seems to minimize chaffing. Of course, we have yet to see what will happen in the continence, potency and strictures department, but rapid progress to date makes me hopeful about those areas as well. Dr. Tewari said my cancer was quite close to the rectum. He believes my margins were clear, but because it was so close, he is awaiting the final pathology report in about a week for confirmation of that assessment. He did say that he was able to spare both nerve bundles. Alleluia! So, I thank God, the Tewari Team and my great family that I have plenty of reason for hope at this stage.

Response:

With a lot of helpful input from this group + Walsh and 2 other good books, I opted for Robotic RP with Dr. Ash Tewari at Weil Cornell Columbia Presbyterian in New York City. He and his team are impressive: sharp, caring and apparently superbly competent. After a day of recovery in the hospital, I walked a mile and a half the first day home, yesterday four miles, today I walked 3 miles this morning and will do another three tonight. The hour-long ride home by car from the hospital was quite painful because of potholes and the like, and for the two days since my return home, abdominal gas from the surgery has pushed painfully on my stitches. I also find coughing quite painful and seem to lose quite a bit of scarlet fluid (over 100 ml every couple of hours) through a drainage tube in my abdomen, but despite these concerns, my recovery is much better and faster than I expected. In addition to the competence of the Tewari Team, my wonderfully supportive and helpful family have contributed substantially to this outcome. The catheter is a nuisance, but not really painful (yet?). I swab my meatus every few hours with lidocaine(sp?) which seems to minimize chaffing. Of course, we have yet to see what will happen in the continence, potency and strictures department, but rapid progress to date makes me hopeful about those areas as well. Dr. Tewari said my cancer was quite close to the rectum. He believes my margins were clear, but because it was so close, he is awaiting the final pathology report in about a week for confirmation of that assessment. He did say that he was able to spare both nerve bundles. Alleluia! So, I thank God, the Tewari Team and my great family that I have plenty of reason for hope at this stage.

Response:

Update from Michelle, Ozzie in Switzerland

admin — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

this is all wonderful news, Lee

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well it is time I come out of lurking properly and started participating more. Today I got the all cleat from the hospital. I am free of Thyroid Cancer. That is a great weight off my mind. I guess it was stressing me more than I thought. I celebrated with some of the foods that had been on the no allowed list (iodine content) by having pizza with my DH for lunch (he got off work extra to meet me to celebrate). Now to turn my concentration to other things. It will take about 2 months for the synthetic thyroid hormones to build up to normal level, but I should be feeling ok in about 3 weeks. My plan is….. Sensible eating and gentle start exercising, just walking and cycling short distances this week. The if all goes well I will be starting the WW powerplan NEXT Monday, there the Date is set! I figured as this is sorted out what when with shopping lists it would help get me started again. The points are a little higher than I should be having, I should be having 18 points (European plus points) this plan is for 20, but with the exercise it should work. Hopefully it won’t need to much tweaking I picked the plan because the planing work is already done. Thanks for the support in the time I was lurking just knowing I was missed kept me from dissapearing completely. You guys are great!! Michelle Ozzie in Switzerland 69.4/69.4/60 staring again 26.7.05

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well it is time I come out of lurking properly and started participating more. Today I got the all cleat from the hospital. I am free of Thyroid Cancer. That is a great weight off my mind. I guess it was stressing me more than I thought. I celebrated with some of the foods that had been on the no allowed list (iodine content) by having pizza with my DH for lunch (he got off work extra to meet me to celebrate). Now to turn my concentration to other things. It will take about 2 months for the synthetic thyroid hormones to build up to normal level, but I should be feeling ok in about 3 weeks. My plan is….. Sensible eating and gentle start exercising, just walking and cycling short distances this week. The if all goes well I will be starting the WW powerplan NEXT Monday, there the Date is set! I figured as this is sorted out what when with shopping lists it would help get me started again. The points are a little higher than I should be having, I should be having 18 points (European plus points) this plan is for 20, but with the exercise it should work. Hopefully it won’t need to much tweaking I picked the plan because the planing work is already done. Thanks for the support in the time I was lurking just knowing I was missed kept me from dissapearing completely. You guys are great!! Michelle Ozzie in Switzerland 69.4/69.4/60 staring again 26.7.05

I ‘m so relieved to hear you are OK! And glad to see you unlurking — Nathalie from Belgium 134.1/87.8/minigoal 86.2/Goal 68 Kg 295.6/193.6/minigoal 190/Goal 150 pounds

Response:

The synthetics shouldn’t take to ong to get up to the right dosage, we figured that out through alot of trail bloodtest error over the last 9 months. I just have to build the dose up slowly over the course of the week, each day a little more until the required dose is reached, then the body needs to fill the reserves, that is what takes so long. Thanks, here’s to the coming Ski season Michelle Ozzie in Switzerland 69.4/69.4/60 staring again 26.7.05 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – GREAT NEWS. It really is nice to hear you got an all-clear report. Hope you get the synthetic stuff sorted out. A friend takes it and I call her The Borg!!! (g) Strong and fast. Good luck with the new WW plan. Here’s to skiing this coming winter Well it is time I come out of lurking properly and started participating more. Today I got the all cleat from the hospital. I am free of Thyroid Cancer. That is a great weight off my mind. I guess it was stressing me more than I thought. I celebrated with some of the foods that had been on the no allowed list (iodine content) by having pizza with my DH for lunch (he got off work extra to meet me to celebrate). Now to turn my concentration to other things. It will take about 2 months for the synthetic thyroid hormones to build up to normal level, but I should be feeling ok in about 3 weeks. My plan is….. Sensible eating and gentle start exercising, just walking and cycling short distances this week. The if all goes well I will be starting the WW powerplan NEXT Monday, there the Date is set! I figured as this is sorted out what when with shopping lists it would help get me started again. The points are a little higher than I should be having, I should be having 18 points (European plus points) this plan is for 20, but with the exercise it should work. Hopefully it won’t need to much tweaking I picked the plan because the planing work is already done. Thanks for the support in the time I was lurking just knowing I was missed kept me from dissapearing completely. You guys are great!! Michelle Ozzie in Switzerland 69.4/69.4/60 staring again 26.7.05

Response:

Well it is time I come out of lurking properly and started participating more. Today I got the all cleat from the hospital. I am free of Thyroid Cancer. That is a great weight off my mind. I guess it was stressing me more than I thought. I celebrated with some of the foods that had been on the no allowed list (iodine content) by having pizza with my DH for lunch (he got off work extra to meet me to celebrate). Now to turn my concentration to other things. It will take about 2 months for the synthetic thyroid hormones to build up to normal level, but I should be feeling ok in about 3 weeks. My plan is….. Sensible eating and gentle start exercising, just walking and cycling short distances this week. The if all goes well I will be starting the WW powerplan NEXT Monday, there the Date is set! I figured as this is sorted out what when with shopping lists it would help get me started again. The points are a little higher than I should be having, I should be having 18 points (European plus points) this plan is for 20, but with the exercise it should work. Hopefully it won’t need to much tweaking I picked the plan because the planing work is already done. Thanks for the support in the time I was lurking just knowing I was missed kept me from dissapearing completely. You guys are great!! Michelle Ozzie in Switzerland 69.4/69.4/60 staring again 26.7.05