Medical issues? The Hiroshima/Nagasaki Syndrome

[Ricordo]

Just a FYI. Btw, the "Hiroshima/Nagasaki Syndrome" phrase seems to be my inspiration, could be wrong.

Background first. In April 2020, I underwent an almost full-body CT Scan. Chest, abdomen, pelvis. Turned out my appendix had burst three (3) weeks before. I went to ER complaining of "bloating", the type of thing that wasn't relieved by Gas-X. Hence the CT scan.

On 11/29/2022  I'm scheduled for a Low dose chest CT. Now the urologist wants a CT Urogram. Two (2) weeks apart. I will decline those. Here's why.

First, if you think that those who operate the machine are specialists, think again. Usually they are late 20s or 30s individuals who are not necessarily certified.  "There's no guarantee that the equipment will work or that the providers are skilled. But there are some indicators. Ask whether the facility is accredited by the American College of Radiology, whether the CT technologists are credentialed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and whether the person interpreting the scans is a board-certified radiologist or pediatric radiologist. Also check online to see whether the radiology professional, imaging facility, or referring physician has joined efforts to reduce the overuse of medical imaging, such as Image Gently, which focuses on children, and Image Wisely for adults." https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/01/the-surprising-dangers-of-ct-sans-and-x-rays/index.htm

Second. There might be another exam/test that does not involve radiation that can be performed. Or blood test, or urine test.

Third. No one can say with exactitude how many CT scans are enough, healthwise. There are no Federal standards. https://radiology.ucsf.edu/patient-care/patient-safety/radiation-safety/risks-of-radiation

I understand why Doctors prescribe them. The spectrum goes from ignorance, to excess caution, to CYA, to an effort to "comfort" the patient.

But be mindful, there are risks involved. Research, ask questions, trust your gut feeling. Personally, I rely a lot on Miss Cleo's advice. 

Caveat Emptor.

 

[Ricordo]

[Ricordo]

Bit more background.

Even though I've been buying cigarettes since I was 18 (69 now, and previously stole them from my Grandma (God bless her soul) ), I show none of the symptoms of lung cancer, as per the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins. 

As to the microhematuria (microscopic RBC in the urine), it was discovered when I was also 18 at a medical installation that looked straight-out of a James Bond film. Explanation, according to a study in England at the time, some folks do have red blood cells (microscopic) in their urine without consequence. It just is and I was one of those. Btw, that medical exam took the better part of 5 or 6 hours. It was that thorough and complete. Including hair. Not kidding.

[Huaco Kid]

I've been through heavy medical care many times (for good reasons).

But you have to take me in on a helicopter or an ambulance.

I very rarely go voluntarily.

[Ricordo]

I agree with you.

I'm not saying that people should avoid medically necessary exams, tests, or consultations. But rather explore options and, most of all, know your body. It will talk to you and in clear language tell you if something's palpably wrong or needs attention.

[ChuteTheMall]

Used to be you could just have the dentist drill and fill a tooth cavity.

Now you have to get a full  x'ray so the dentist can show the insurance company the set of x-rays to look at the cavity, and all the other teeth.

Then you need a second x-ray to show the insurance company why the dentist is going to charge them for a procedure.

Then you need a third x-ray so the dentist can show the insurance company that the work was done. 

If x-rays were believed to be harmless they wouldn't smother you in a lead apron and go hide in the next room.

Brush your teef.

 

[GT4494]

I have never worried about background radiation or direct.  I have had about a dozen orthopedic operations all with x-rays before and after let alone check ups.  Have had 4-6 CTs and also spent a good part of my career wearing a film badge or dosimeter and was part of the RadCon program.  Which by the way they took yearly chest x-rays to make sure you werten't developing anything..   I'm now 64 and only plan on 80 so i must be doing something right. 

[Pogey Bait]

2 hours ago, ChuteTheMall said:

Used to be you could just have the dentist drill and fill a tooth cavity.

Now you have to get a full  x'ray so the dentist can show the insurance company the set of x-rays to look at the cavity, and all the other teeth.

Then you need a second x-ray to show the insurance company why the dentist is going to charge them for a procedure.

Then you need a third x-ray so the dentist can show the insurance company that the work was done. 

If x-rays were believed to be harmless they wouldn't smother you in a lead apron and go hide in the next room.

Brush your teef.

 

Of course the answer is to not have any dental coverage.

Problem solved.  

[railfancwb]

Growing up, the children’s shoe department at the local department store had a machine with which one could see how well a pair of shoes fit and how much growth room there was… until suddenly the machine was gone. Generally the machine was called “Shoe Fitting Fluoroscope”. 

[Silentpoet]

5 hours ago, railfancwb said:

Growing up, the children’s shoe department at the local department store had a machine with which one could see how well a pair of shoes fit and how much growth room there was… until suddenly the machine was gone. Generally the machine was called “Shoe Fitting Fluoroscope”. 

I don't know why they got rid of them, they got glowing reviews.

[janice6]

16 hours ago, Ricordo said:

Bit more background.

Even though I've been buying cigarettes since I was 18 (69 now, and previously stole them from my Grandma (God bless her soul) ), I show none of the symptoms of lung cancer, as per the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins. 

As to the microhematuria (microscopic RBC in the urine), it was discovered when I was also 18 at a medical installation that looked straight-out of a James Bond film. Explanation, according to a study in England at the time, some folks do have red blood cells (microscopic) in their urine without consequence. It just is and I was one of those. Btw, that medical exam took the better part of 5 or 6 hours. It was that thorough and complete. Including hair. Not kidding.

My EKG a year ago showed an abnormality that the Heart surgeons at the hospital considered potentially fatal.  I was instructed that unless I got a Pacemaker immediately, I would begin passing out in 6 months and be dead in two years.  Unequivocally.  I was familar with Pacemakers and their use since I was in a small group that started Medtronics.  I was a member of their research department.

 I argued that I had a lack of heart associated symptoms.  I had frequent severe heartburn at night.  When I sat up it went away.  This is what started this mess.

I argued that the stress of sitting up would increase my discomfort, not decrease it, if my heart was at fault.

I finally saw a different group of surgeons and one in particular had a talk with me.  Turns out I take data for myself sometimes for fun.  Two years of my blood pressure systolic and diastolic  data along with various regression analysis I did, pointed out a condition that that same surgeon wrote his PhD thesis about.  We laughed at that.

I wore a heart monitor 24 hours a day for a week.  It confirmed wierd things, but not fatal things.

At the evaluation of the end of the week of monitoring the surgeon believed that my anomoly has been there for most of my lifetime and isn't the threat the others believed.  I haven't started passing out at a year now and I have no symptoms of a problem.

Use your intelligence and reasoning when dealing with "specialists".  Some will be right and some will be wrong.

[janice6]

52 minutes ago, Silentpoet said:

I don't know why they got rid of them, they got glowing reviews.

It was proven that  the dosage used was excessive.

[geeorge]

17 hours ago, Ricordo said:

Bit more background.

Even though I've been buying cigarettes since I was 18 (69 now, and previously stole them from my Grandma (God bless her soul) ), I show none of the symptoms of lung cancer, as per the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins. 

As to the microhematuria (microscopic RBC in the urine), it was discovered when I was also 18 at a medical installation that looked straight-out of a James Bond film. Explanation, according to a study in England at the time, some folks do have red blood cells (microscopic) in their urine without consequence. It just is and I was one of those. Btw, that medical exam took the better part of 5 or 6 hours. It was that thorough and complete. Including hair. Not kidding.

might be a little late to start worrying about your body

[Ricordo]

2 hours ago, geeorge said:

might be a little late to start worrying about your body

Funny thing. Regarding inordinate use of CTs and XRays on people over 60, there are few, if any, long-term studies of their effects.

We don't last that long...

"well...he died...."

[railfancwb]

3 hours ago, janice6 said:

It was proven that  the dosage used was excessive.

Youngsters played on them while parents shopped elsewhere in the store. 

[gwalchmai]

Y'all worry too much. Hell, look at how many X-Rays Senator Fetterman has had. And he's a senator. We should be so lucky.

[Ricordo]

I understand why the Doctors prescribed the tests.

Perhaps it's a mistake on my part but I advise them that I'm a semi-retired lawyer with medical malpractice  experience. It's a risk/benefit equation for all.

[geeorge]

1 hour ago, Ricordo said:

I understand why the Doctors prescribed the tests.

Perhaps it's a mistake on my part but I advise them that I'm a semi-retired lawyer with medical malpractice  experience. It's a risk/benefit equation for all.

You should sue yourself for smoking all these years

[minderasr]

4 hours ago, railfancwb said:

Youngsters played on them while parents shopped elsewhere in the store. 

You mean in between playing with mercury?

[GT4494]

1 hour ago, minderasr said:

You mean in between playing with mercury?

And burning the magnesium tape in science class!!!

[janice6]

5 hours ago, minderasr said:

You mean in between playing with mercury?

When I was a kid I learned that hearing aide Mercury batteries actually had Mercury in them.  So I went to all the stores in town that sold hearing aides and asked for old hearing aide batteries.  I accumulated quite a bunch of them.

Then I took a pliers and tore them apart.  I took the paste that was inside and mushed it into a large ball which I put into a handkerchief.  I twisted the ball untill I had squeezed all the Mercury out of the paste I could.  Then I had a large quantity of Mercury, about a cupfull.

It was neat stuff but I couldn't think of what to do with it so I simply played with it.  I sat on the balcony of our house overlooking the front entrance and put a bunch in my mouth and would spit it out watching it splatter on the sidewalk.  It was some fun but finally I went through all the Mercury and the fun was over.  Now on to other stupid things.

The lesson here is that Mercury has to be ingested and preferably in vapor form to get to places where it does real harm.  If it is in some mixture and swallowed It can get into organs and also do harm.  Nothing in my subsequent experience seemed to point to Mercury poisoning. 

During my work in Research for my company, we had various things we worked with and were exposed to that at some time was at unexpected high levels.  My company was concerned about the potential for personal damage and injury due our exposure to these "things".

 We would have our eyes tested for the high energy lasers we worked withm and our hair , blood and lungs, tested for some of the other chemicals/elements we worked with.  At no time was any threat detected in my tests.  including Mercury.  So, sometimes you are luckier than hell. 

[railfancwb]

44 minutes ago, janice6 said:

When I was a kid I learned that hearing aide Mercury batteries actually had Mercury in them.  So I went to all the stores in town that sold hearing aides and asked for old hearing aide batteries.  I accumulated quite a bunch of them.

Then I took a pliers and tore them apart.  I took the paste that was inside and mushed it into a large ball which I put into a handkerchief.  I twisted the ball untill I had squeezed all the Mercury out of the paste I could.  Then I had a large quantity of Mercury, about a cupfull.

It was neat stuff but I couldn't think of what to do with it so I simply played with it.  I sat on the balcony of our house overlooking the front entrance and put a bunch in my mouth and would spit it out watching it splatter on the sidewalk.  It was some fun but finally I went through all the Mercury and the fun was over.  Now on to other stupid things.

The lesson here is that Mercury has to be ingested and preferably in vapor form to get to places where it does real harm.  If it is in some mixture and swallowed It can get into organs and also do harm.  Nothing in my subsequent experience seemed to point to Mercury poisoning. 

During my work in Research for my company, we had various things we worked with and were exposed to that at some time was at unexpected high levels.  My company was concerned about the potential for personal damage and injury due our exposure to these "things".

 We would have our eyes tested for the high energy lasers we worked withm and our hair , blood and lungs, tested for some of the other chemicals/elements we worked with.  At no time was any threat detected in my tests.  including Mercury.  So, sometimes you are luckier than hell. 

“Mad as a hatter” originated because hat makers worked with Mercury and their hands to shape hats. 

[janice6]

1 minute ago, railfancwb said:

“Mad as a hatter” originated because hat makers worked with Mercury and their hands to shape hats. 

Interesting, isn't it?

 

Hats were heated and pressed to shape them.  Vaporizing the Mercury.

[Ricordo]

On 11/19/2022 at 9:41 AM, geeorge said:

You should sue yourself for smoking all these years

But only as a co-defendant. I was only following the Doctor's orders.

Reminded me of the two-week period in the 70s when I smoked four (4) packs a day. No respite at night. Never again. It was a truly 'exciting' two weeks.