Episode Guide
Episode 4 - Hull
Friday 26th February 2010, 9pm on Channel 4
Dr Pixie first receives a visit from 30 year old Melanie whose been having bladder problems for two years. She simply can’t urinate. Having resorted to a catheter, Melanie found herself getting infections at least once a month. The condition was having a severe impact on her quality of life, as she didn’t dare leave the house in case of a bladder related accident and the catheter was, unusually, causing her pain. Dr Pixie sends Melanie to see urinary specialist Elizabeth Adams who puts her on the waiting list for sacral nerve stimulation – a revolutionary procedure which involves fitting a pacemaker that will produce contractions in her pelvis, hopefully enabling her bladder to work again.
Dr Christian met Adrian who suffered from severe piles or haemorrhoids. After Dr Christian examines the afflicted area he also notes a possible rectum prolapse and sends him to Dr Tariq Ismail who conducts a new procedure called Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation (Halo). After just two hours there was already a visible improvement and a few weeks later the piles had vanished altogether.
To see a more detailed version of Adrian’s operation, go here >
Peter dropped in on Dr Dawn to discuss a sore mole on his groin. Noting that the mole hadn’t changed colour, grown in size or started to itch or bleed Dr Dawn reassured Peter that the mole was no cause for concern.
84 year old Audrey popped in to see Dr Pixie over her agonising all over itching that had been tormenting her for 3-years. Dr Pixie diagnoses the relatively common Pruritis, which causes people to constantly itch and scratch. Noting how difficult the condition can be to treat Dr Pixie sends Audrey to psychiatrist Dr David Ryan who thinks the itching could be psychological and most likely a by-product of depression. He suggests that Audrey gets out of the house more and thinks some social interaction could do her the world of good. Audrey takes heed of the advice and attends a local age concern group which would hopefully set her on the road to recovery.
Having given birth 11 months ago Jodie had an episiotomy and also suffered a third degree tear which was still causing her pain, particularly during intercourse. Noting the rarity of the situation Dr Pixie emphasises that Jodie needs real commitment to shift it and sends her to see gynaecologist Dr Wendy Noble who prescribes a cream laced with oestrogen which because of Jodie’s frequent application managed to successfully ease the pain.
This weeks Living With strand, which sheds light on chronic conditions, follows Sarah, an 18 year old student who suffers from the mental illness Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) an anxiety condition that affects 3% of the population. The condition sees Sarah repeatedly washing her hands and other items such as cutlery as well as having to chew every mouthful of food a precise 33 times. She is able to contain her symptoms with medication and is on the waiting list for cognitive behaviour therapy which she hopes might ease the condition.
30 year old Annette has had problems with her feet since childhood. Annette’s feet are so constantly wet because of hyperhydrosis, that they frequently rot her shoes and having tried every product available she was hoping that Dr Pixie might finally be able to offer a solution for her putrefying feet. Dr Pixie takes swabs from Annette’s feet which she thinks may be plagued with bacteria. She send these to the lab and as expected Professor Val found a vast array of bacteria. For two weeks Annette applied antibiotic creams to kill off the bacteria on her feet, before starting to use an iontophoresis machine from Sweat Guard for 15 minutes a day for a week with the aim of reducing excessive sweating. A few weeks later Annette returns to show Dr Pixie the vast improvement.
Dr Dawn and Dr Pixie opened a specialist breast clinic for the day on the streets of Hull (in association with Coppafeel) which was inundated with concerned visitors. Leah was first through the doors worried over a milky discharge from her right breast. After examination Dr Pixie doesn’t suspect breast cancer, but she does send her to see specialist Dr Penny McMannas for further checks. After further examination, physiological causes are cited which, just like period pains, are one of those annoying facts of life.
Meanwhile Dr Christian dropped in on the Stourbridge Ladies Circle to discuss best breast health practice. Dr Christian demonstrated how to conduct a full and proper self breast check before moving onto some much needed myth busting such as ‘do under-wired bras cause breast cancer? – a resounding no!
The EB Team would also like to thank:
BMI The Priory Hospital
Birmingham Bowel Clinic
Sweatguard – Iontophoresis
Spire Liverpool
Spire Hull and East Riding
Coppafeel
The Ladies Circle
OCD Action
Mind
Time To Change
Young Minds
The Humber Bridge
Hull City Council
Channel 4 is not responsible for the contents of external websites
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Hi IM 15 and havent started my period yet is that normal
what was the oestrogen laced cream which was prescribed to Jodi in episode 4 - Hull, called?
i had my appendix taken out last year and i could wee so there put catheter inside my bladder and all time i was geting infections so now i have a suprapubic catheter in now. my bowel function isnt working properly , i have to pull out own poo by surgurical gloves . i have no feeling in spine,bowel,bladder,legs,feet . i have nf 1 and i have a lump inside my tisse were bottom is .
Has anyone mentioned trying something like peristeen to help with bowel function - it is brill.
HI MY BOYFRIEND HAVE PROBLEM WITH HIS PENIS AND HE CANT HAVE SEX BECAUSE HIS PENIS wont go up and stiff and he need viagra to help him have sex and can you help me and what shall i do with my boyfriend's penis and please tell me about it and many thanks ...xx
Does anyone know where one of these so called Blue Cards can be purchased for the IBS sufferers? If so please notify me.
Are you thinking of the toilet alert cards? If you contact the bladder and bowel foundation they will send you one out.
Hi my boyfriend is 17 and is embarrased about going to his doctor but i am vey concerened about him. He has told me that when he was about 13 his balls had dropped like normal, after having a play fight with friends and being hit hard in his balls the went 'back up' and have not yet come back down. I am concerened about his fetility and really need some adivse.
scince i had my last period i have felt a dry sore and itching sensetion in the virgina but i always use protection during sex do you think it could be a allergic reaction to the products im useing for my periods i have medicans and nothing seems to be moveing it
Fungal infections can be transmitted via other routes than sex. In fact if anyhting tips over your normal vaginal flora (new brand of tampons, new washing powder for undies, being on a broad band antibiotic, e.g. tetracycline) Yeast (fungi), which are nearly everywhere in the environment, can start growing without inhbition. Unfortunatley you don't mention on which type of medication you are. Antibiotics only kill or inhibit bacteria, never fungi (or viruses). If you're on an antibiotic, it might even help the spread of a fungal infection. To treat a fungal infection properly, you need fungicdes (antifungal medication). A pharmacist can help you choosing one. If your medication is not an antibiotic you might suffer from a bacterial infection. The so called honeymoon illness is a byproduct of sex: bacteria which normally live in your bowels & anal canal can be flushed by sweat in the urogenital region to the vagina or harnway. Your gut bacteria are alien to urethra & vagina and can there cause infection. Diarhoea is another way of accidently transporting parts of your gutflora to your genitals. And now the consideration on which type of medication you are needs to go into more detail. Most bacteria fall in the category of either Gram negative (like most bacteria in your gut) or Gram positive (like the vaginal flora). Some antibiotics only fight one type bacteria, if you're taking an antibiotic that fights only Gram positive bacteria when you're suffering from an infection caused by Gram negative bacteria, you won't recover. However your suspicion of an allergy cannot be ruled out. A common symptom of allergy is redness. Is redness present in the itchy areas? If so, it is likely that you're allergic. I would strongly recommend that in case you do not recover within three weeks of the onset of symptoms, that you see your nurse/GP or go to a GUM clinic where you can receive treatment without having to give your name. Hope that helps!
hi i have the same problem as the girl on the hull programme the other night (vaginal discomfort after sex) can i buy the oestrogen cream without going to my doctors,
ok i hope you are ok
my right breast nipple turns white and can feel uncomfertable if you give it a squeeze some times a green fluid comes out and sometime a clear and sometimes both together, also when they get cold my nipples really hurt the right more than the left is this any thing to worry about
since i give birth for my 3 kids,my breast fall down and i don't want to go to the kinfe.i'm 21 yr.and i got strech mark on my tommmy and big body(obesity),i hate my body.pls can you help.THANKS
