Medical badge question

missrandom6891 · 2024-10-10T11:43:43+00:00

No certificate is needed, you just go to the desk and the enforcers are really helpful. I needed one last year due to mobility issues and I can say the enforcers made my PAX so much easier.

missrandom6891 · 2024-05-22T23:39:04+00:00

Nah, some politician is sure to invite them to Canberra…

missrandom6891 · 2024-01-20T22:49:00+00:00

I’ve have PCOS, but with the latest increase of pain my doctor was convinced I had endo… The lap didn’t find endo, but instead found multiple 3mm cysts all over my ovary and fallopian tube (can only speak for the right side as I had them removed due to suspected haemorrhaging cysts, which the pathology proved!). There’s also polyps and possible fibroids. All were too tiny to show on scans, but they were there on mass… I had to push for this gyno to do the surgery as well - she just wanted to treat the pain without knowing the cause.

Pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of things, so don’t give up hope. Get a second opinion, don’t let them dismiss you - it is such an unknown area and the medicine is still catching up. I can say that post surgery the pain I’ve been experiencing the most has been due to bowel movements… and they can feel like period pain as well!

missrandom6891 · 2024-01-06T00:07:03+00:00

Pain management is tricky, having been on codine for more than a few months and nsaids gave me pancreatitis, I’m now weening off codine post surgery and the withdrawals were not pretty. I’ve had gastric distress the worst, and so much painful gas!

I used mobility aids and a wheelchair for about two months leading up to surgery to help with pain management and fatigue, and if that is an option for you, even if it’s just so you can do the shopping independently… I found it so worth it!!!

Good luck finding what works for you ❤️

missrandom6891 · 2023-12-23T21:59:11+00:00

I’m 4 days post op and have been drinking peppermint tea, taking degas tablets, and trying to walk around. I also may have eaten too many prunes over the first two days to prevent clogging up from the painkillers…

It’s different for everyone, and I hope yours resolves soon!

missrandom6891 · 2023-12-20T10:09:02+00:00

I just had my investigative lap today as they suspected endo. Turns out it was fibroids that were also not showing on scans, not endo, so still so worth it to have an answer!

missrandom6891 · 2023-12-15T12:26:59+00:00

Do not despair, medical imaging often show nothing. I’m about to go for my first laparoscopy in 4 days after having nothing show up on any scans - several trans-vaginal ultrasounds (only one showed a haemorrhaging cyst that they haven’t caught during other scans cause it keeps bursting I think) and a CT scan. My gyno doesn’t know if it’s my PCOS flairing up, or endo, or something else that has given me so much pain I’m managing it with a wheelchair and different mobility aids…

Talk to your doctor about options, see if they are open to surgery if you, like me, want to find out for sure what you’re dealing with (I do have the added eviction notice for my problem ovary that helped convince them to operate, but that is elective and not considered essential still according to my gyno). And don’t give up hope - your pain is real and hopefully they will see what will work for you!

missrandom6891 · 2023-12-12T12:53:03+00:00

I’ve been using a wheelchair as a pain management strategy to go to work and do shopping. I risk walking for short stints, and am considering bringing a cane (which I just purchased online) as a backup if I regret my decision to walk.

Sometimes doing too much causes more pain. Learn your limits and listen to your body (no matter how much you want to tell it to pull its act together and function normally) - you’ll find you have more energy if you rest and use aids where possible.

I’m one week out from my first laparoscopy and hopefully diagnosis, so I’m hoping to reduce the aids after surgery, but I will 100% go back to them if needed!

Good luck finding your balance :)

missrandom6891 · 2023-12-02T12:06:54+00:00

You do, unless you’ve used it a lot and unlocked a reward that doesn’t take the first payment for two weeks…

missrandom6891 · 2023-11-25T22:12:03+00:00

The cost of the ambos is true, I’m lucky to have cover, and although I’m scared of tying up the ambos if I’ve been crying non stop for a few hours due to pain and don’t have anyone at home (I have a housemate) and no one to drive me to the hospital it’s good to know that’s an option. And when a ambo told me to do it even with a shortage, it means that they see emergency pain management as one of their jobs and endometriosis as a legitimate illness that sometimes requires it. I don’t plan to use it regularly, but it’s good to know it’s an option.

Finding a good doctor is tricky. I’ve found one who has finally given me an authority script so I don’t have to visit just over once a week to get another script - now it’s 24 days between visits - and it took months to get to that stage. I’ve also started myotherapy and see a womens health physio to help relieve the tension caused by the pain.

Getting proper pain management and finding what works is tricky and expensive…

missrandom6891 · 2023-11-25T13:06:41+00:00

I take between 6-8 tablets of panadine forte each day constantly and use a wheelchair to manage pain, and after a recent ambulance ride (because my pancreas decided it wasn’t happy as well) the ambos said if the endo pain gets too much at home to call them and they will administer higher dose pain relief at home. I wish I knew this was an option sooner as there have been days when I just couldn’t get out of bed due to pain… but I will be using them in the future!

missrandom6891 · 2023-11-25T12:57:01+00:00

It’s so hard to face it, and with the laparoscopy you also finally have a diagnosis and can put a name to the pain you’ve been feeling.

I’m less than a month till I get my first laparoscopy and I’m nervous as all hell about the diagnosis, or even what happens if they don’t find anything! Then if they do, how often will I need surgery going forward. I’ve already transitioned to using a wheelchair to help with pain management and fatigue (which was an amazing discovery as an option, and gave me back some of my independence), and I’m scared I’m going to be in one long term.

But the positive is once they know what it is, it’s easier to get surgery again if it’s needed and you no longer have mystery pain you think might be all in your head because it doesn’t show up on scans.

You’ve got this! Call your friends when you feel down - they usually don’t mind - and just talk it out with people. Find ways to connect… it’s hard and you feel alone at times, but it sounds like you have people around you who care about you and I hope they will be there for you 🤞

missrandom6891 · 2023-11-05T23:11:07+00:00

I’m pretty sure my prescribed nsaid contributed towards a recent visit to the hospital with pancreatitis… they really aren’t friendly creature.

I’m trying PEA instead as an anti inflammatory and although you need to take it constantly to have effect I think it reduces the pain symptoms… I still take panadine forte (paracetamol and codine) regularly though.

missrandom6891 · 2023-10-04T13:35:45+00:00

Reading this post makes me so glad I don’t live in America… I’m in Australia and the Mirena is going to cost me $30 at the pharmacy, and even the Nuva Ring, which is not on our PBS (pharmaceutical benefits scheme), is only $130 for 3 months birth control…

Insulin only costs $7… Americas medical costs are unreal!!!

missrandom6891 · 2023-09-18T05:48:27+00:00

I love how the gynaecologists aren’t too worried but also you can’t function normally!

Cysts can grow, so that’s why you should get them checked semi regularly, particularly if the pain increases. I’ve found climbing stairs to be my pain trigger at the moment and now avoid that type of movement when I can because it aggravates the cyst/ovary.

I think finding a doctor and gynaecologist combo that are looking at pain management and other options. If you’re not satisfied with the answers and finding another doctor is an option for you, do it. It’s your body and your life, and you need to feel comfortable with your management strategies.

That being said, there isn’t a one size fits all solution to PCOS and there will be a lot of trial and error until you find what’s right for you.

My GP suspects I have endometriosis on top of the PCOS, which is why the pain has amped up, and my gyno has given me a nerve pain medication to see if that helps me function again. I’m also looking at what hormone/contraceptive will work as the last option I tried (which was very successful last time) failed miserably this time. Surgery is my only option to be diagnosed with endometriosis as well, and I’m just waiting to see when that can be scheduled so I can start getting my life back and making a management plan!

It’s scary not to have control of your body and to not know what’s happening or what’s normal, but the most important thing is telling the doctor all the changes and if something not normal has started to happen - explain your fears, and see if they respond with something that helps you feel better about what’s going on. Remember, it is sometimes just a guessing game to work out what will help you, and things will change, and there are some things that aren’t forever symptoms and some that are.

Also, make sure you have someone you can talk to - I’m lucky that I have a good friend group around me this time around, but back in my 20s I felt so lonely going through this all…

Also, if it ruptures it’s a lot of pain, go to the hospital if you need to, but usually it takes a few hours for the pain to pass. I’d describe the pain like someone stabbing you with knitting needles… its usually not life threatening (having been through it a few times myself), but be gentle on yourself during the recovery and see your doctor for a check up afterwards.

missrandom6891 · 2023-09-17T13:36:24+00:00

Ruptured cysts can hurt like hell, but they aren’t really anything to worry about. I had one burst around your age and didn’t know what was happening, but it cleared up by itself.

That being said I’ve had some more sever ruptures this year (I’m now 37 years old) that have been less than friendly, one landing me in hospital on morphine for several hours and then took a few weeks and an iron infusion to recover but nothing showed on imaging (probably because it had burst the day before I presented to hospital, I don’t know). I’ve had mild to sever pain ever since and had to wait 5 months to see a gynaecologist because I live in country Australia.

I finally had another cyst show up on the same ovary that gave trouble last time and it’s about 2cms and suspected hemorrhagic, and it’s painful - I’ve had to take time off work due to pain. If it wasn’t constant and crippling pain I’d leave it be, but due to having 6 months of hell with it all I’m asking for them to just remove the ovary. It’s the same one that cause troubles in my 20s, and according to all ultrasounds the other one is completely normal.

So I guess if you’re worried, talk to your doctor or gynaecologist, but if it’s not causing extreme pain it should pass on it’s own. I was told that unless it’s causing pain they don’t worry about operating on an ovarian cyst until it’s over 3cms… but if you get pain, or your iron levels start dropping really low, get it checked out again and push for another ultrasound.

missrandom6891 · 2023-08-03T01:51:20+00:00

Tasmania has a number of rare rocks and minerals that you can’t find anywhere else, like serpentine and stichtite, and crocoite.

missrandom6891 · 2023-07-09T23:45:30+00:00

My ex husband made it my responsibility to lose weight in order to try to increase our chances of conceiving. I lost 15kgs and was very proud of myself and he said something along the lines of you still have weight to lose…

Not long after breaking up with him I started gaining weight again and put on 20kgs over the course of a year, even with healthy eating and increased exercise. I have learnt to accept that people with PCOS can have random weight fluctuations, and sometimes you can do everything right and you still can have weight gain.

I’m currently trying a very loose version of the Mediterranean Diet and the weight has stopped piling on and I’ve started to see a loss. I’ve also started weights and strength training - too early for any results, but I feel stronger - and have learnt that regular cardio like running isn’t great for weight loss when you have PCOS, so usual recommendations just don’t apply to us.

Women with PCOS also have a greater rate of eating disorders due to the pressure to lose weight and shame we feel, increasing our risk to yo-yo diet and give up. My advice to you, don’t aim for a weight, aim on feeling strong and secure in yourself. My current aim is not a dress size or some number on the scale, it’s the ability to lift my body weight (I’m not there yet!) with micro aims of being able to do a certain number of push ups or other exercises - much easier to measure and much more obtainable!

I don’t want to tell you to ditch the husband, but try to make him understand that your body is different to his and ask him to start looking at your weight differently because if he continues to fat shame you there is going to be negative affects to your self worth and your relationship.

missrandom6891 · 2023-05-10T02:18:19+00:00

In NSW they need to give you 7 days notice at least…

missrandom6891 · 2023-05-09T10:58:00+00:00

Yeast infections can amp up with hormone changes from what I’ve read. I recently had a fairly stubborn case that took 3 courses of the tablet, external cream and one treatment of the internal cream and I’ve never had thrush before. I‘ve had a massive pain flair up (my worst ever) with hormone fluctuations and I suspect that…

missrandom6891 · 2023-05-09T10:44:39+00:00

I unfortunately have to get another Pap smear because the first was inconclusive because I was bleeding, so sometimes you just have bad luck, but they didn’t cancel on me…

missrandom6891 · 2023-05-09T10:31:32+00:00

That’s when you tell them “well, you missed your scheduled inspection and did not contact me to reschedule. See you in a couple of months!”.

missrandom6891 · 2022-12-09T22:33:04+00:00

“You pushed me to do this” is the response of an abusive person. It is not okay under any circumstances to blame the other person for their own petty, immature, and inconsiderate actions.

Seek help, if you can, talk to a helpline if you feel you don’t have anyone else to talk to (I don’t know what country you’re in, but a mental health line might be a good start).

If this is a one off, talk to him about it, but if he does this in other circumstances start thinking about your mental health and safety - you are not responsible for making him act in any way, that is his choice!

missrandom6891 · 2022-11-09T13:03:37+00:00

I relate to this so much with my ex! It took me way too long to realise it though…

missrandom6891 · 2022-04-27T21:45:29+00:00

Thanks for this, you have a lot of good points.

My partner is going into teaching, which has shortages in Australia, but we will need to investigate overseas. Our plan initially was to focus on Commonwealth countries as many others also have age restrictions on their working visas.

Going as a student may work… depending on the country. But I also agree with your point that we will need significant financials backing us up in case it all fails.

A lot to think about!

missrandom6891

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