Q: I have recently been in hospital for prostate problems. I was throwing up on an empty stomach, although I managed to get by swallowing just one mouthful of food. I wondered if this was caused by something that happened in 1944 when I had a nasogastric tube in my stomach for nearly three months.
At that time there was no spring clip used to stop it going too far into my gut. It was just taped to my nose. As a result of this I vomited black blood. The doctors will not give me my records.
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Are there any pills or medications that will take the place of the needle to stop me throwing up?
A: It may not be possible for you to get records that date as far back as 1944. The larger hospitals sometimes keep old records on microfilm, but smaller hospitals may not keep them this long. The medical colleges recommend that doctors keep their records for a minimum of 10 years after the last recorded visit, but after that, they are not obliged to hang on to them.
If anyone wishes to get a copy of their medical file in Alberta, they can do so for a small fee to cover costs such as photocopying. I believe the same applies to Saskatchewan. If you do this, it is a good idea for you to read it in the presence of your doctor and discuss the contents with him, as some things may be technical and easily misunderstood or misinterpreted. You could become unnecessarily alarmed.
I do not know if it was the tube that caused your stomach problems in 1944, but it most likely does not have any bearing on the present situation, as any injury would have healed long ago. You may have an ulcer or something more serious such as an intestinal obstruction. I suggest that you ask your doctor to explain to you exactly what is happening.
I know that getting needles is unpleasant but this may be the only way to treat you as you will only vomit back up any oral type of medication.
Afraid of 13
Q: Have you ever heard of anyone having a phobia for the number 13? I know it is supposed to be an unlucky number, but my son takes this to extremes, such as refusing to go anywhere on the 13th day of the month.
A: I have only come across one patient with this condition, but there is a phobia known as triskaidekaphobia that makes a person have an irrational fear of the number 13. Some other interesting ones are rupophobia, which is a fear of dirt, brontophobia, a fear of lightening and pogonophobia, a fear of beards.
There is some new research being carried out in Atlanta, Georgia by Dr. Michael Davis at the Emory University School of Medicine involving 30 people with a fear of heights. They were given a medication called D-cycloserine, previously used in the treatment of tuberculosis. In combination with some cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, those who took the medication dramatically improved in as little time as a week. This is because it is believed that there are certain neurochemical abnormalities underlying phobias.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
