Posts by Keith Perez5

Four months ago, I had a CT scan because of some double vision issues. They found a ring-shaped structure in my fourth ventricle. My neurologist says it’s just a 17mm cyst, but honestly, nobody has given me a straight answer. I'm trying to figure out exactly what this implies and if anyone here has dealt with something similar. Any thoughts on treatment? Note: the double vision isn't related to the cyst... thanks.

The clinical symptoms are headaches.

Back in February, I took a hard fall. Ended up in the hospital where they diagnosed me with a compression fracture of the T12 vertebra. Spent 12 months in a brace, and now I’m dealing with serious issues—intense pain and numbness in my left leg. I just got an X-ray, and here is the report: at the thoracolumbar junction, the T12 vertebral body shows an antecliped formation with narrowing of the intervertebral space at the T11/12 segment. There is also early subchondral sclerosis of the adjacent vertebral endplates, where the anterior portion of the T12 endplate appears irregularly contoured.

I've tried everything—physical therapy, various treatments, you name it. Nothing works. The pain in my left leg is brutal, and there's this numbness stretching from the T12 area all the way down to my tailbone. It feels like nerve entrapment; that whole section is numb, leaving me completely immobile. I need advice or anyone with experience on what to do next. I'm only 26; I can't live like this for the rest of my life. P.S. At the hospital, I was barely seen by anyone—just a quick glance and nothing more. They clearly couldn't care less. Thanks.

Three months ago, I had an "accident" resulting in the diagnosis mentioned above. I'm currently wearing a brace. Every time I go in for a routine X-ray, they tell me there’s no dislocation, yet the pain remains constant and excruciating. My surgeon just keeps insisting it'll heal on its own—claiming that since I'm young, I just need to suffer through this brace for another six months. I'm looking for specifics on this diagnosis and potential complications. Also, should I be doing any exercises? No one has mentioned physical therapy, though in my opinion, it seems necessary. If anyone has dealt with something similar or knows the specifics regarding s.22, I'd appreciate some insight or advice. Thanks.

My mistake, I misread that. You said one per syringe. I agree with that part. As for the dilution, I’ll pass on commenting. So, they’re being administered individually, which is just common sense. Thanks.

So, the issue isn't really about dilution anymore. It's more about whether I can load all three medications into a single syringe to administer as a bolus, or if they need to be given individually.

I can't say for certain. Back when I worked in the ER, we never "mixed therapies." For an asthma attack, we’d administer aminophylin and ketoral—usually as a bolus—but they were always given separately. We didn't just draw them both into one syringe to inject at once. As a medical technician, I'm not entirely sure if mixing Synopen and saline with aspirin is even permitted. I might be wrong, but I remember the next day that the patient was scheduled for the same treatment, and I made sure everything was administered individually. I didn't mix them. If I've got this wrong, feel free to correct me.

Anyone?

The real question is why this isn't standard knowledge for every doctor graduating med school. The reality is that basic resuscitation skills are mostly reserved for anesthesiologists. You might see a pediatric intensivist or someone working in a US Navy medical unit who practiced it during residency, but that's about it. Most other hospital doctors just stand there acting helpless during respiratory arrest, playing scientist while they wait for the anesthesia team to show up and actually do the work...

I agree. I spent a year and a half on EMS crews, and it’s pathetic how many doctors can’t even place an IV, let alone handle intubation. It’s sad. As for my current role in the OR, I'm working in the transplant unit, and I've already applied quite a bit of what I learned in EMS. At the end of the day, everything comes down to experience—specifically, being a reliable anesthesia tech and earning the surgeon's trust so they'll eventually bring you onto their transplant team.

Does anyone have any insight on how to pass the certification exam for an anesthesia technician? I finished medical vocational school and landed a job at Mercy Hospital in the surgical shock unit. Now, there’s word that an opportunity might open up for me to move into the OR as an anesthesia tech, but I’m lost on the specifics. I have no idea which courses or exams I need to take, where they are held, or how long the whole process takes. Neither the head nurse nor the department heads at the hospital have given me a straight answer—they just say I'll find out when the time comes. Google hasn't been much help either. If anyone knows the drill, please let me know. Thanks.

I’m dealing with someone threatening to sell my kidney on the black market. Does anyone know of any specific sites or resources where I could look into this? Not joking... they are being dead serious. Thanks in advance.

I’ve run into a problem. I was in a motorcycle accident with my girlfriend. The bike was a rental and had full coverage, but I was drunk. She ended up with serious injuries. I’m not sure if the policy covers both the rider and the passenger, or just the operator. If both were covered, does she have a claim against the rental company's insurance regardless of my intoxication? Right now, the owner of the rental agency isn't returning my calls, making it impossible to reach him. Meanwhile, the insurance company won't tell me anything—it feels like they're hiding something. I need help, Emergency.🤷🤷🤷🤷