artme
Member
Well, I haven't been here for quite some time but I thought I might warn you all of a potential health problem.
For a couple of years, or thereabouts, I was having some strange health/fitness issues. The main problem was lack of strength in my hands
and great problems getting up if i squatted or knelt down. Iused to joke that I had kneemoania - evry time I had to get up my knees would cause me to moan!
After we moved abodes and wound up here in paradiset hings got worse. I became tired and listless very easily. A blood test found low iron and vitamin B12 levels that were easily fixed with injections and tablets.
The lassitude, however returned. I began to get weaker and found it difficult to push an empty wheelbarrow for more than about 15-20 meters. I began to get a pulsating sensation in my head and the Black Dog was beginning to present himself again.
I went for a check up and asked for a scan of my head and carotid arteriesas I felt I may have had some blood flow problems to the brain. The scan for the carotids was fine but the CT brain showed NPH - Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Fluid on the brain!! An MRI confirmed this.
The reaction from my GP was totally unacceptable!! He saw no point in referring me to a neurologist, I was getting old and this was part of getting old, blah,blah,blah.. What is more he said the condition had been there for some time - how he came to that conclusion I will never comprehend.
Luckily my lovely guardian wife, Ana, had things to say and contacted our Cardiologist. He was suitably horrified and had me admitted to hospital inBrisbane under his name. I was seen by Professor Paul Sandstrom who said that I certainly seemed to have the condition both from a radiological perspective and a physical perspective. By this time I had periods of blurred vision, headaches and my gait was not the best.
I was sent home to be observed by Ana and self monitored. Within a fortnight I was walking like a drunk, leaving the gas on and sometimes talking gibberish. Walking down stairs was a real problem and I had developed an unreasonable fear of the swimming pool. I could not be more that a few meters from a toilet as I urinated very frequently. I also had a couple of episodes of bowel incontinence. Another strange event was the appearance of a band of acne about 100mm wide across my shoulders.
Ana rang prof. Sandstrom and I was admitted to hospital again. I was operated on By Dr. Bruce Hall, a wonderful surgeon who had performed surgery on a state premier and a famous Rugby League player here.
I had a shunt installed that drains excess fluid into the peritonium. If need be the flow rate can be adjusted externally with the use of a magnet. Think I should stay away from scrap metal recyclers with huge electro- magnets!! I cannot drive until given the say so by Dr. Hall. I will se him on 24th Feb.
Within a couple of days of the op. I was walking normally and have been on the improve ever since. I still have short term memory problems which will get better over time. The Lassitude has all but vanished and I have a reasonable amount of strength back in my hands. My bladder and bowels are back to normal working order and the acne has disappeared.
I might finally get back to the shed in the next moth or so and get to do some turning and sawdust making. I have a problem with my left hip at the moment. A pinched nerve methinks.
This condition is often confused with Parkinson"s and dementia.If left untreated dementia will develop. You wind up in a wheelchair, urinating, talking rubbish and being confused and forgetful. Not a pretty or necessary
outcome for something so treatable.
For a couple of years, or thereabouts, I was having some strange health/fitness issues. The main problem was lack of strength in my hands
and great problems getting up if i squatted or knelt down. Iused to joke that I had kneemoania - evry time I had to get up my knees would cause me to moan!
After we moved abodes and wound up here in paradiset hings got worse. I became tired and listless very easily. A blood test found low iron and vitamin B12 levels that were easily fixed with injections and tablets.
The lassitude, however returned. I began to get weaker and found it difficult to push an empty wheelbarrow for more than about 15-20 meters. I began to get a pulsating sensation in my head and the Black Dog was beginning to present himself again.
I went for a check up and asked for a scan of my head and carotid arteriesas I felt I may have had some blood flow problems to the brain. The scan for the carotids was fine but the CT brain showed NPH - Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Fluid on the brain!! An MRI confirmed this.
The reaction from my GP was totally unacceptable!! He saw no point in referring me to a neurologist, I was getting old and this was part of getting old, blah,blah,blah.. What is more he said the condition had been there for some time - how he came to that conclusion I will never comprehend.
Luckily my lovely guardian wife, Ana, had things to say and contacted our Cardiologist. He was suitably horrified and had me admitted to hospital inBrisbane under his name. I was seen by Professor Paul Sandstrom who said that I certainly seemed to have the condition both from a radiological perspective and a physical perspective. By this time I had periods of blurred vision, headaches and my gait was not the best.
I was sent home to be observed by Ana and self monitored. Within a fortnight I was walking like a drunk, leaving the gas on and sometimes talking gibberish. Walking down stairs was a real problem and I had developed an unreasonable fear of the swimming pool. I could not be more that a few meters from a toilet as I urinated very frequently. I also had a couple of episodes of bowel incontinence. Another strange event was the appearance of a band of acne about 100mm wide across my shoulders.
Ana rang prof. Sandstrom and I was admitted to hospital again. I was operated on By Dr. Bruce Hall, a wonderful surgeon who had performed surgery on a state premier and a famous Rugby League player here.
I had a shunt installed that drains excess fluid into the peritonium. If need be the flow rate can be adjusted externally with the use of a magnet. Think I should stay away from scrap metal recyclers with huge electro- magnets!! I cannot drive until given the say so by Dr. Hall. I will se him on 24th Feb.
Within a couple of days of the op. I was walking normally and have been on the improve ever since. I still have short term memory problems which will get better over time. The Lassitude has all but vanished and I have a reasonable amount of strength back in my hands. My bladder and bowels are back to normal working order and the acne has disappeared.
I might finally get back to the shed in the next moth or so and get to do some turning and sawdust making. I have a problem with my left hip at the moment. A pinched nerve methinks.
This condition is often confused with Parkinson"s and dementia.If left untreated dementia will develop. You wind up in a wheelchair, urinating, talking rubbish and being confused and forgetful. Not a pretty or necessary
outcome for something so treatable.
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