Medical Procedures...oh, the pain! Cedars Sinai malpractice!

Well, as I noted in a post a week or so ago, I went in to Cedars-Sinai to have a hernia repaired.

Post:  11/24/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/medical-proceduresiffy-at-best-just-ask.html

Ouch!  That hurt!

Now, after surviving the surgeon's scalpel - and arguably malpractice on the part of doctors at the celebrated Hospital to the tony elite - I am racked with pain.

Of course, there were quite a few nasty bruises - and alot of disturbing swelling to contend with - in the aftermath!

In fact, due to complications, I was forced to return to "Emergency" and be admitted to the hospital for emergency care for a few extra days.

Home at last.

So, I'll be moving in the slow lane for a couple of weeks, 'til I am totally on the mend.

Hopefully, I'll right as rain for the holiday season.

Cheers!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Medical problems...early diagnosis & treatment important!



A battery of doctors search for medical treatment!

This past week, I was thrust into a frightening situation that underscored how important it is to have a medical problem properly diagnosed - and promptly  treated, of course - to ensure the ailment is held at bay and under control (if not cured outright).

The sun was lazily beating down from a cloudless pristine blue sky, when I slowed to a halt at the curb at Market Street and Church to obey a red light day-before-yesterday in the Castro District.

When the signal changed, I started to step forward into the crosswalk, when - suddenly without warning - my leg muscles seized up from the knees down to the ankles making it difficult to maneuver.

Imagine trying to trying to walk on limbs made of sticks - without any joints or flexibility to help propel ’ya along - that’s what the terrifying experience was like.

But, the nightmare was far from over.

As I struggled to regain control over my over my lower limbs, I lost my balance.

For the next few minutes, I found myself flailing my arms in the air trying to regain an upright position, so I could quickly limp out-of-harm’s way.

The light had changed - and at this point - I nearly fell backward into an oncoming vehicle turning out of a side street onto Market.

I was in a panic.

Meanwhile, a few passers-by stood a few feet away, staring at me in disbelief.

Did they think I was a sailor who blew-into-town with the fleet - and after a couple of stiff ones - was two  sheets to the wind?

Within about five minutes, the cramping dissipated, and I was right as rain.

But, a terrible pall - deep depression - fell over me.

For the past year, I have suffered these unexpected crippling bouts of muscles cramps - in the feet, and the legs - even the stomach on occasion - without any relief on the horizon.

I have discussed the ailment with a half-a-dozen doctors over the past few months, but none of the physicians have been able to fathom the origins of the sudden attacks which descend on me without mercy at whim.

One doctor speculated I may be low on potassium, so he offered up a prescription, with the aim of resolving the problem.

Nope!

I still wake up in the middle of the night in deep pain.

Often, my hands cramp up, when I am inputting data into my laptop.

The fingers are so gnarled at the start of the episode, that I am unable to complete the task at hand, or even turn off the computer.

Shortly after these violent attacks descend out-of-the-blue - they disappear just as quickly - at which point I plummet into a deep funk unsure about which way to turn.

But, the muscle spasms this week on the street, were the most terrifying  to date.

What's going to happen to me?

I shudder to think!

Is there a doctor on the West Coast familiar with my mystery illness that can properly diagnose and treat my ailment?

I pen and publish this post with optimism.

I pray that it is so.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Shingles...herpes zoster outbreak in San Francisco? Nerve attacker painful!

Everywhere I sauntered this past week in the picturesque city by the Bay - I encountered some unfortunate individual afflicted with "Shingles" - a debilitating unsightly rash otherwise known as Herpes Zoster.

For example, when I was making an appointment for a check up at Davis Campus in San Francisco, a doctor there acknowledged that he suffered through a bout of the nasty skin eruption a couple of weeks ago.

Then, at the pharmacy, a Manager fessed up that her husband came down with shingles.

"It took months to heal," she confided in me.

During the first forty-eight hours or so after the unsuspecting victim becomes infected (and highly contagious to others) the virus attacks any number of major nerves on the individual's body.

For instance, years ago, a friend of mine had the great misfortune of suffering an outbreak of the nasty-looking rash on her forehead and neck.

Usually, Herpes Zoster attacks major nerves - like those that wrap around the rib cage (front-to-back) - leaving a trail of God-awful open sores that appear in all respects to be some un-holy plague  hounding the hapless patient.

Until the sores "drain" - as the doctor succinctly put it - the afflicted person suffers a thousand pin-pricks of sharp pain along the nerve endings which cause unbearable discomfort.

Understandably, the infection prevents the individual from getting proper rest at night - and likewise - interrupts any meaningful involvement in the most-boring-of routines daily until the open wounds eventually "dry up".

In the initial first phase of the infection, pregnant mothers and young children, are the most vulnerable.

Like measles, a shingles outbreak warrants caution, when a person is out-and-about in the community-at-large to ensure the well-being and continued good health of those in the near vicinity are safeguarded.

Unfortunately, there aren't any salves or medicinal creams to alleviate the swelling, tenderness, or reddened areas affected.

The doctor will issue a prescription - an anti-viral - which must be taken faithfully to get the unfortunate infection under control as quickly as possible.

In the interim, the patient would be wise not to scratch the rash, although it will be difficult to resist that temptation.

Without doubt, a strong pain killer may be necessary to provide some relief, until the first outbreak during the initial highly-contagious period  has passed.

Just don't get hooked on the potent controlled substance in the meantime, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Bill Clinton...doctors dishonest about medical ailment? Deceitful Slick Willy...

I'm not six feet under yet!

Yesterday, sources close to a former President - and Bill Clinton himself - noted that "heart pains" prompted a trip to a hospital in New York which resulted in emergency on-the-spot surgery to alleviate the medical problem.

I reported on the news alert early yesterday.

Post:  02/11/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/02/bill-clintonheart-pains-require.html

Later in the day, however, one of Clinton's doctor's made a point of noting for the record that the scandal-ridden former Arkansas Governor complained of chest "discomfort" when he was rushed to the medical facility which casts doubt on either the integrity of the physcian and/or the honesty of Clinton and his public relations team

"You wouldn't really call them "heart pains"," the doctor emphatically stressed to the media.

In retrospect, it appears that Clinton is up to his slick shenanigans once again.

I surmise that after-the-fact, his posse of "image brokers" hatched up an "emergency" escape plan, to prevent any fall out or questions about the severity of the ailment yesterday or doubts about the reliability of Clinton's "health" in the future.

For good reason.

The former President heads up a multi-million-dollar foundation,and in view of that, must be careful that an image of uncertainty about his future does not adversely affect the generosity of wealthy patrons or stop-up the flow of cash.

Because Hillary's hubbie (with the active libido and no problem with blood flow to the penis) has been assigned the role of a special U.S. envoy to assist with Haitian relief  there is also cause for concern.

In the high-crisis situation that he has been plunked down in - that will require a lot of physically-draining travel and a stressful demanding schedule - questions might be raised about his capacity to fulfill his duties (or even the wisdom of continuing on in view of the urgent health matters experienced this past week).

I surmise that - the doctor, Clinton (and Hillary), and former president's team of advisers and PR staff  - orchestrated a grip on the nature of the news reports filtering out in a deceitful effort to rope in potentially negative informantion that might ultimately weaken Clinton's public image as a robust man with years of public service ahead of him.

Frankly, I don't think the doctor was telling the truth.

Coincidentally, this past weekend, I was admitted to Cedars Sinai due to "chest pains".

I make no bones about it.

Personally, I am familiar with the procedures involved with "discomfort" or "pains" in the chest.

If a patient states he or she has "discomfort" in the chest, the doctor will undoubtedly ask if there is any actual "pain".

If not, the physician may rule out the "heart" as the culprit.

The symptoms may indicate muscle spasms, an infection in the oesophagus, whatever.

However, if the patient confirms there is  "pain", they will be asked to describe it in detail.

For example, the doctor will quiz as to whether the pain is sharp, dull, radiating from one area to another, and so forth and so on.

At this juncture, an EKG or X-Ray may be ordered up, if the symptoms and "pain" experienced signal potential heart problems.

In a nutshell, information is obviously being withheld to protect Mr. Clinton, for whatever reason.

Typical of slick Willy, don't you think?

It's difficult to feel any sympathy for a man who perpetuates a myth about himself from behind a mask.

Yeah, Hillary is in on it, too.

Lay down with dogs and you get fleas!

Stents look pretty scary to moi!

Michael Jackson...OD on prescription drugs? I relate to merry-go-round...

When the media roared up to UCLA Medical Center with paparazzi in tow on that fateful day last week when it was announced that Michael Jackson did not respond to CPR efforts - and he consequently succumbed to cardiac arrest - there wasn't much speculation about the cause of the Pop Icon's untimely death.

Personally, it never occurred to me that Jackson was ever an a "drug user" - or abuser - for that matter.

For starters, the talented musician appeared to be obsessively focused on his appearance; therefore, the vain over-the-top efforts to transform his face into that of a handsome young white man were first and foremost in most people's minds.

Notwithstanding, Jackson was a well-informed individual, who was keenly aware that the ravages of alcohol and/or drugs would take their toll on his "looks" over time.

In retrospect, I would have to surmise that three major events in his life may have sent him down the path to his unexpected demise last week.

If you recall, years ago Michael was seriously injured when a special effects stunt went awry and set the Pop Icon on fire.

Apparently, he was in a lot of pain after that incident.

Understandably, he may have used painkillers and other potent drugs to alleviate that problem, and got "hooked".

After that hiccup in his dizzying jet-set lifestyle, Michael was later accused of child molestation - at which point - he was subjected to public scrutiny and scorn (for the first time in the glare of the spotlight), humiliating physical examinations by the LAPD, and intense mental and emotional distress when he was forced to go into a sort-of self-exile for a short period until the worst of the storm passed.

In recent years, bad luck - in the form of financial woes, pending lawsuits, and unexpected falling from Grace with a fickle public, may have pushed a few hyper-sensitive buttons in his troubled psyche and pushed him over the edge.

In that event, doctors may have prescribed sedatives so he could relax - and ultimately - cope with the growing pressures of his personal and professional life spinning out-of-control.

In the event of insomnia - or a sleep disorder - there may have been more heavy-duty drugs prescribed to alleviate the problem.

In today's paper, it was reported - for instance - that a drug that is used primarily as an anesthetic (and not available to the general public) was found in Jackson's house shortly after his death last week.

In particular, there were numerous bottles of "Diprivan", which is normally dispensed by an individual trained to administer anesthesia.

Typically, it's used in hospitals.

An expert in the field - Ethan Bryson - noted for the record:

"It's a very dangerous drug if self-administered or administered by someone not trained in airway management and cardiac life support. You need to have someone who knows what they are doing to administer it."

In the Jackson scenario, the obvious question is this then.

How long after the drug is administered improperly - or in too large a dose - would it take for the individual to go into cardiac arrest?

The answer to that question may be the key to fathoming whether the death occurred by Michael's "own hand" or due to mistake and/or misadventure.

After all, if no one else was in the house when Michael went into cardiac arrest, he must have been the one to provide the lethal does.

Right?

On the other hand - if there were others present in the tony estate that fateful day - and none were medical professionals qualified to administer the drug - an accusing finger would have to point in their direction.

Wouldn't it?

Until those issues are resolved, I don't expect I'll speculate any further.

However, when a newspaper reporert noted that drugs like Diprivan may be prescribed for sleep problems, it struck a chord in me.

A few weeks ago, I disclosed in one of my posts that I was recently diagnosed with a sleeping disorder which was causing me a number of difficulties.

For instance, at night I found it difficult to sleep or get a good night's rest.

During the day, consequently, I often fell asleep while sitting in a restaurant shortly after I plunked into a deep easy chair to relax and sip on a cup of hot tea - and once, if you can believe it - while at the wheel of my car driving down the highway mid-day!

After a number of tests were taken (by virtue of an overnight stay at a clinic where they monitored my sleep patterns and frequency of rem cycles) it was determined that I was being plagued by a sleep disorder (possibly Narcolepsy) which needed treatment.

So, my doctor prescribed a "stimulant" to ingest early in the morning to get me through the day, and a sedative to help me drift off into dreamland at dusk.

I recall the first day I took the pill designed to keep me "focused" and alert.

About two hours after I swallowed the "medicine", my heart started to palpitate furiously.

In addition, I became intensely aware of my surroundings.

In fact, at times, my surroundings appeared to be a bit surreal and intense.

A short while later, I caught myself "smacking" my lips and grinding my teeth a bit.

Suddenly, I realized that the stimulant prescribed for my condition was some form of "meth" or speed.

Albeit, a legally-prescribed one!

Because I have written posts about such addictions in the West Hollywood community in the recent past, it was evident to me - that if was not careful - I may end up heading down that unpredictable (dangerous) path, too.

I took a reality check.

Obviously, I would have to monitor myself over time to ensure my firm grasp on things did not "slip" away from me when I was unawares - and ultimately - lead me to a dependence on the drugs.

So, the next day, I broke the pill in two and consumed only half.

Even still, by the end of the day, I was forced to gobble down the sleep aid to relax me.

I was buzzie, felt wide-eyed and drained, and my body was aching and crying out for sleep.

Fortunately, though, I was intelligent enough to figure it out.

If I'm not careful, I may end up on an endless merry-go-round of uppers-and-downers - and eventually - lose control.

But, there were worse concerns on my mind that the physical ups-and-downs.

Within a few days I began to experience moments of euphoria.

Then - a few minutes later - I might into a bit of a depression, without knowing why.

Mood swings, uh-huh!

As the Michael Jackson story started to focus on possible drug abuse last week, it dawned on me then, that perhaps this was how the pop icon got caught up in the downward spiral he may have fallen victim to.

We'll have to wait until the Jury is in to know for sure.

When you consider that some of the drugs seized at the Holmby Hills mansion were written for Michael Jackson in multiple "pseudonyms" (aliases, which were slight variations on the correct spelling of his name) it is easy to understand why eyebrows have been raised and a full-scale investigation is underway.

Were his doctors engaging in a deceitful bold-faced effort to conceal his identity (and the illegal distribution of prescription drugs) from the authorities or the prying eyes of the press?

Today, another thought occurred to me.

A person with a terminal illness might have to administer painkillers on their own in the event there was a sudden seizure or bout of uncontrollable pain which required immediate medical attention to bring relief to the patient.

In the event a doctor was not on hand to administer the drug in a professional capacity, wouldn't the individual suffering from the ailment - or a close friend or associate - have to take up the task then?

Is it possible Michael Jackson had a serious illness he did not want to disclose to the public?

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com