Treating Patients Over 80!

[cupotee2]

Right or wrong?

I feel we are in this trap right now. Husband had some Urine problems almost a year ago. PSA was borderline. At the time he was told "even if it was Cancer they wouldn't treat it" as he is over 80..a very active one at that.

Problem got a lot worse, til now in hospital with excessive bleeding for over 2 weeks. Second emergency admission last weekend.

Having had a Cystoscope that wasn't successful as blood clots stopped the instrument entering...[I think thats what he said] he is now on a "waiting list" for it to be repeated but with GA so a larger camera instrument can be used. Emergency patients are seen to first.

That being so, as more "emergency" patients add to the list husband may never get to the top of the list....

I asked what constituted an emergency...answer...patients that are dying!!

Should I be thankful he isn't considered an emergency? My opinion is now fully in the DON'T TREAT ANYONE OVER 80. Except this is my husband of 57 and a bit years..

I want him treated like any other patient. Is that too much to ask?

[Peter Pedant]

I am sorry that this has happened to you

the best thing I can suggest is that you contact PALS in the hospital where he is ( you are gonna go in and see him anway ) and discuss it with them - they are helpful

Dont get onto a discussion about what is an emergency or not
if they say he is an emerg then he gets treated quicker
which is what you want

you should bear in mind and tell the doctors that symptomatic relief which is what he needs is irrelevant to whether he has cancer and would need treatment for that

[Old_Geezer]

A reasonable thing to want, to me.

Difficult to know the situation if not involved in it. If there's a genuine cause for concern maybe contact your MP re age discrimination ?

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unsure from your post (not that it should matter) whether your husband is over 80, or 57.

[Peter Pedant]

OG put on your glasses and READ it !

eighty and married for 57 y

and MPS yeah wonderful idea but remember that MPs dont do ward rounds at his hospital and she wants action now

otherwise OG for best answer !

[cupotee2]

Sorry old-geezer he is over 80 and we been married 57 years....

Thanks Peter...I hadn't thought of Pal so I may just pop along to the office while I'm there today. I know exactly where its located....I'll be on a mission....thanks again.

[RATTER15]

Is he too ill to withstand the treatment maybe?

[Sqad]

\\\\ Husband had some Urine problems almost a year ago. PSA was borderline. At the time he was told "even if it was Cancer they wouldn't treat it" as he is over 80..a very active one at that. \\

That was a perfectly reasonable decision as long as follow up P.S.A's were performed.

There is a difference between, "urgent cases" and "emergency cases."

"Emergency" is life threatening........"Urgent" means not life threatening at the moment, but may become so.

Clearly emergency cases must be dealt with before urgent cases.

Complain as much as you like, but one would hope that patients are treated on a clinical basis rather than of age.

[Sqad]

I think that your husband HAS been treated like "any other patient" and there are no grounds for complaint.

[Old_Geezer]

I did read it. It says "this is my husband of 57 and a bit years" for which the obvious interpretation is that it is the husband's age.

[cupotee2]

I think that your husband HAS been treated like "any other patient" and there are no grounds for complaint......really?

So Squad, if a patient is admitted to the hospital twice in one week bleeding profusely from his penis... would you not consider this an emergency....

I saw the pan each time that looked more akin to a lady having a very heavy period. Clots have been coming away and still are from him, some painful to pass....as yet they haven't discovered where this is coming from.

Performing the awaited procedure is in my opinion paramount to get the answer sooner rather than later.

[Sqad]

\\\So Squad, if a patient is admitted to the hospital twice in one week bleeding profusely from his penis... would you not consider this an emergency.... \\\

"Profusely" to a layman is quite a different meaning to "profusely" for a medic. I understand your concern, but my opinion remains that it is almost certainly not an emergency, but is urgent.
If he was in danger of his life from "profuse bleeding" then he would have been transfused and i assume that he wasn't given a blood transfusion.

[cupotee2]

No, he wasn't transfused.

Urgent it most certainly is then, but sending him home without having an answer, plus being told less than a year ago no treatment would be offered doesn't instill confidence.

His latest PSA reading is up from last year too, so borderline last year and raised PSA now with the present problem is worrying.

Thanks for the replies.

[Sqad]

cupotee........I can understand your concern......but it is extremely unlikely that the raised PSA has anything to do with his bleeding,

[tinkerbell23]

I am a urology nurse.

We regularly treat over 80s and this includes surgery!

Cystoscopys are usually done when the heamaturia stops (blood in urine) as this obstructs the view, and there also may be infection.

Any idea whats causing the bleeding? X

[tinkerbell23]

Can i also say..... Blood in the urine is like "diluting juice".... One little drop colours the whole thing. It always looks frightening and lots of blood x

[tinkerbell23]

And does your husband have a past medical history that would affect surgery?!

[cupotee2]

tinkerbelle no infection in the urine and no idea what he bleeding is caused by.

They tried to do a Cystoscope yesterday but there was too much blood in the bladder and clots blocking the way

He had a bladder wash last week with a 3 way catheter. The bleeding hasn't stopped in 2 weeks. Hence my concern at having to go on a waiting list for the surgery they need to do.

[cupotee2]

I am well aware a little drop of blood goes a long way and turns the water pink..........bright red, with clots isn't a little drop of blood. The washing I have had proves its not always watered down.

He has had surgery on 2 knee and 1 hip replacement with no problems at all.

[tinkerbell23]

Oh the 3 way cathater... I know it well. Poor mr cupotee!!!

Most of the time, being honest, the patient is admitted with this issue.... And when it clears up they are discharged home with a follow up in place such as a scope or an operation. Thats just generally though.

I understand your worry... It isnt an unusual one... I have saw people go to theatre for a bladder washout before if it just will not clear up. Its a shame you dont know yet whats causing it. Thats one of the worst feelings isnt it. X

[tinkerbell23]

Has he been transfused any blood out of curiosity? X