Glossary for medical terms?

[Downbytheriverside]

I feel very stupid asking this question but on the PMRGCAuk Forum, and related, there are many initials used with reference to various conditions. Obviously I'm familiar with PMR and GCA but, for example, what on earth is PE when it doesn't refer to Joe Wicks. Is there a glossary somewhere?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

No you’re not stupid - I’m guessing it’s -pulmonary embolism (PE) .

But it’s not used on here very often - and isn’t necessarily related to GCA and PMR .

Sometimes we do go a bit off piste at times re other illnesses- and it would be useful if it were written in full.

Was it in replies to post about news from Israel?

[Downbytheriverside in reply to DorsetLady]

That was where I read it. Then I searched other forums. I could see that it is commonly used.

it's a strange thing though with medical terms generally. Whenever I spoke to friends about my Polymyalgia diagnosis, the majority thought I was referring to Fibromyalgia. It became annoying trying to explain the difference. I'd hazard a guess that other people have experienced this confusion.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Downbytheriverside]

And most people think arthritis not Arteritis in GCA!

hey ho we live to inform. 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Even nurses and other healthcare professionals!!!

[Longtimer in reply to Downbytheriverside]

Yes, very much so!.....

[Downbytheriverside]

Joe Wicks is an online exercise coach who has gone viral (unfortunate word) during Lockdown. I was thinking of PE from my schools days, Physical Education.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Downbytheriverside]

Mixed messages at the best of times - that’s the issue with a global forum. 😳🤣😂

[Highlandtiger]

He was on Desert Island Discs the other day and he sounded lovely. It is good to see young men from disadvantaged backgrounds themselves who have chosen to help out the nation's children during the pandemic in different ways. He has been doing daily free online exercise classes for children during lockdown (incidentally he also has some for seniors) and of course Marcus Rashford has done his bit to ensure that disadvantaged children are fed during the school holidays. Inspirational both of them.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Highlandtiger]

It was nice to see Marcus have his say at only 22. YBB

[maria40 in reply to Highlandtiger]

He also has some for 'seniors' which might be good for us. Haven't looked at them yet but will have a go. My grandson loves the ones he does for kids.

[MrsNails]

Please just ask, honestly the NHS is full of three letter acronyms, my case in point....

Some of us have been here a long time & the initials just flow off the tongue, there are probably many more people feeling the same 😉

So don’t hesitate or guess, please ask. I’ve noticed we have quite a few New Members & they maybe just as confused as you are & of course there’s always Predictive Text if you use a Phone to add to the confusion.

MrsN

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Afraid not - but you can usually get the right translation if you put the abbreviation you don't know with medical after it in your browser. I searched "PE medical" and it told me pulmonary embolism. If you try that and it still baffles you - just ask.

[Marijo1951]

There can be a particular problem when there's a typo, so we're given the wrong set of initials! I did it once myself in one of my first responses to a post and before I'd learned how easy it is to edit what one's written. I felt so embarrassed about possibly misleading people.

[anutycrixp]

Hi and welcome,hey, they don't do "stupid"here,ask any question you like regarding this baffling condition! Actually your question was really useful and necessary I think as so many abbreviations are used now.Perhaps a glossary of terms used would be a good idea?best wishes!

[Ciar]

Not at all stupid. There are messages on this forum that have so many abbreviations that they are in some kind of unreadable cryptic code. Many of those aren’t even medical terms. I just can’t make them out. Please, people, if it’s not an obvious PMR/GCA related abbreviation, type words.

[Downbytheriverside in reply to Ciar]

Phew. I thought it was just me.

I used to work for a leading media company here in the UK. I attended a managerial meeting on developing a new tech system. Everyone spoke in acronyms. I finally plucked up courage to ask my neighbour for an explanation of the key acronyms. “Haven’t a clue” he replied.

[MrsNails in reply to Ciar]

Hi Ciar

I’m compiling a list of commonly used acronyms & abbreviations used on here, if there are any that spring to mind for me to include please let me know.

We have quite a few New Members at the moment & it must be very difficult for them, the ‘Old Hands’, Ex NHS Staff & those with a Scientific Background tend to be just used to them.

Many Thanks

MrsN

Ex NHS

[Ciar in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks, MrsN. I actually have more problems with non medical abbreviations which are often pretty random, and I can’t remember any at the moment (ATM, lol, 😂😂😂😂) I do have a medical background so those are less troublesome for me. It would be extra hard without previous exposure to medical terms, and I feel for people who don’t have it.

[MrsNails in reply to Ciar]

They are the bane of modern life really, as long as you can understand the Medical Terms you’ll be OK

MrsN

[musicality]

What don't they cause!

[MrsNails]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Downbytheriverside]

Thanks for abbreviations. Really useful.