Health and Wellness Chit-Chat: Your Primary Care Topic

[JTMacc99]

A place to discuss your general Health and Wellness thoughts, issues, and stories.

It is perfectly okay to talk about things going on in your life here that might also have more specific topics in the Health and Wellness forum. 

However if you are hoping to start an in depth conversation about something, you might find it to be more helpful to take it to the dedicated topic. 

[EtheltoTillie]

I am confused.  Where are the old "general practitioner" postings? 

[Bethany]

9 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

I am confused.  Where are the old "general practitioner" postings? 

I am thinking gone to the great cyber wastebasket in the sky along with the old Chit Chat posts!

[EtheltoTillie]

1 minute ago, Elizabeth Anne said:

I am thinking gone to the great cyber wastebasket in the sky along with the old Chit Chat posts!

Wait, what?  They are all gone too?

[Bethany]

2 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Wait, what?  They are all gone too?

I think so.  I didn't notice any directional info telling us they'd been vaulted somewhere.  But perhaps they have?

[shapeshifter]

Not sure where to put this, but I just messaged the company that sent me an e-bill for medical imaging:

Quote

I received an email from:
     "XXX Imaging's eStatement program"
stating:
     "You are receiving this message as a convenient method to pay your bill."
and: 
     "The total on this bill is $969.07" 
But at the time of my imaging on March 20, 2023, I paid the amount due, which was:
     $210.93
This seems like a scam to double bill and get me to pay the same amount my insurance is paying.
Misinformation about bills like this causes patients' blood pressure to rise.
Are you hoping to drum up more business by causing further illness? 
If not, do not send financially intimidating fake information about non-existent bills.

 

[SoMuchTV]

On 4/8/2023 at 1:42 PM, shapeshifter said:

Not sure where to put this, but I just messaged the company that sent me an e-bill for medical imaging:

 

Not sure if this was the same kind of thing, but I have Medicare plus a secondary.  Medicare automatically sends what they don't pay to the secondary.  I had a specialist visit a few months ago.  I got EOB's from both plans showing that between them, I was paid in full.  But, I got a text from the provider saying I still owed the amount that Medicare didn't cover.  When I called them, they said, Oh, your account isn't showing that you have a secondary, that's why that message went out. (Ugh, I showed you all my cards like you asked...)  Anyway, in my case it was more incompetence than malfeasance.  Easily fixed, though. 

Edited April 10, 2023 by SoMuchTV
fixing typo that's only apparent after someone quotes it

[shapeshifter]

4 hours ago, SoMuchTV said:

Not sure if this was the same kind of thing, but I have Medicare plus a secondary.  Medicare automatically sends what they don't pay to the secondary.  I had a specialist visit a few months ago.  I got EOB's from both plans showing that between them, I was paid in full.  But, I got a text from the provider saying I still owed the amount that Medicare didn't cover.  When I called them, they said, Oh, your account isn't showing that you have a secondary, that's why that message went out. (Ugh, I showed you all my cards like you asked...)  Anyway, I my case it was more incompetence than malfeasance.  Easily fixed, though. 

Probably similar.

It's just so annoying to spend so much time on the phone and filling out forms ahead of time, and being assured of the exact amount I owe and paying it, only to have them seemingly try to get me to pay more than 4 times more than I've already paid, especially since this is probably what they do to everyone, which is why I can't help thinking there are some people who do pay the "extra" thousand bucks or so. 
Where does that money then go? 

Ugh. 

Putting a reminder on my e-calendar for Monday to call them
— by which time I'll be able to appear so nice that they'll feel very, very bad.

Edited April 8, 2023 by shapeshifter

[Spartan Girl]

Fuck pan sinusitis, or whatever the hell has been plaguing me since December. I’m now on some kind of oral steroid, after taking antibiotics for a week, in addition to my nasal spray and Zyrtec. The only change I’ve been noticing so far is having more “productive” coughing in the morning, and it is NOT fun.

I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Humidifiers, pills, spray, the stupid salt water—NOTHING seems to get rid of the coughing for good. I’ve tried it all. I know I shouldn’t look up stuff on the internet but it’s hard not to when I want answers NOW yet have to wait until I’m out of meds to update them. It’s only day 2 of the oral steroids but I’m tired of being patient. I do not want to live with this the rest of my life, but the mere internet-suggested possibility that I might have to get surgery is scaring me.

Edited April 10, 2023 by Spartan Girl

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Spartan Girl said:

Fuck pan sinusitis, or whatever the hell has been plaguing me since December. I’m now on some kind of oral steroid, after taking antibiotics for a week, in addition to my nasal spray and Zyrtec. The only change I’ve been noticing so far is having more “productive” coughing in the morning, and it is NOT fun.

I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Humidifiers, pills, spray, the stupid salt water—NOTHING seems to get rid of the coughing for good. I’ve tried it all. I know I shouldn’t look up stuff on the internet but it’s hard not to when I want answers NOW yet have to wait until I’m out of meds to update them. It’s only day 2 of the oral steroids but I’m tired of being patient. I do not want to live with this the rest of my life, but the mere internet-suggested possibility that I might have to get surgery is scaring me.

I think you already said you had one, but are you sleeping with an air purifier in your room? 
If yes, do you work in a building that might have crap/perfumes/chemicals/dust in the air?

[Spartan Girl]

5 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

I think you already said you had one, but are you sleeping with an air purifier in your room? 
If yes, do you work in a building that might have crap/perfumes/chemicals/dust in the air?

Yes and yes, but sometimes when I’m at work I don’t cough as much so I don’t know what it or if it has any impact. 

I just don’t understand. I’ve never had anything this long before. I could believe it was just allergies/pollen if I didn’t have this problem since fucking December. I know I shouldn’t complain because people that have long covid have it worse. And every time someone tells me to “not think about it” or “be patient” I want to scream.

[shapeshifter]

15 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

And every time someone tells me to “not think about it” or “be patient” I want to scream.

I know what you mean! I've heard that for chronic pain, although it makes more sense with pain than with mucous in your sinuses. 

One last suggestion from my late, ex mother-in-law, who was one of 11 children, born around 1908: 
Try sleeping with a glass of water by your bed. 

I'm guessing you already do. 
(I do.)
But it was *somewhat* helpful for my oldest daughter when she was young. 

BTW, the same daughter (now 44 years old) starts coughing within minutes of eating dairy products if she doesn't first take a prescribed pill for (I think?) lactose intolerance.
The pills can't be taken very often, so saves them for planned pizza or ice cream events.

[MagnusHex]

As I've mentioned in another post, pretty sure I've come down with the ol' covid, no thanks to my mum inadvertently spreading it to me. It started as a sore throat, then a 38.6 Celsius fever, plus muscle aches. I felt like my brain was literally being cooked even after taking the Panadol my local polyclinic prescribed, so I had to buy a fever patch, but ultimately, sweating it out was the answer to really bring the heat down.

Now my fever is gone, but I still have dry coughs and food tastes bland. I read that people's sense of smell and taste while suffering covid don't get their senses back for up to a year. Ugh. I'm not sure if I could handle food tasting like nothing for a year. Might have to try out acupuncture if this goes on too long.

[TattleTeeny]

Has anyone had to do 8 weeks of non-weight-bearing because of a metatarsal fracture? Hints?

I'm losing it. I just don't know what to do. I am at home all day alone (BF owns a store and is his only employee). I had to move my workspace to the kitchen table and have to use the kitchen sink for teeth brushing and face washing (too hard to balance on one foot at first-floor bathroom sink). I have to wait for my BF to do laundry and scoop the cat litter, blah blah blah, and whatever else involves upstairs things. Two types of crutch just don't seem to be helping me navigate my small place. I have a knee scooter on the way, but that doesn't help me get down the stairs that lead out of my condo. I have been pushing myself around on a desk chair, but it's not easy and scares my cats (as do the crutches). I have doctor appointments that I don't know how I can get to (because I was also just diagnosed with some stupid hypothyroid issue out of nowhere and have an endocrinologist to visit -- my timing is so great, haha!). Everything feels impossible or at least not worth bothering with.

I don't like my doctor. He doesn't seem to understand that not everyone has some network of available helpers at the ready. I have an appointment with his boss at the same practice next week (and I plan to tell him that I think it was kind of unnecessary for this doctor to even utter the word "amputation," which has been stuck in my OCD brain for days). Every time my bad foot even accidentally taps the floor, I feel scared. I worry about what might happen if there's an emergency and I have to get my cats out of here. And I'm scared I will hurt my good foot while overcompensating. I am starting feel like I'm afraid of doing anything. I keep crying.

I'm sorry to be such a negative drag. I am trying to remember that it could be way worse -- and is way worse for so many people who don't have what I have and who have worse medical issues. I feel bad for worrying about myself. It's just that not being able to independently do what I need to do is hard for me. And never mind doing social/fun things, but I want to clean the house and go onto my balcony (it's tiny and kind of hard navigate like this). I want to be able to run to the store and go to the animal shelter where I volunteer. After getting laid off in December and still not finding a full-time job, I was just really looking forward to spring -- just being outside and going for walks (not hikes, haha -- just walks; I like to be moving around always) and flea markets and the beach. I'm just so sad, man.

 

Edited April 14, 2023 by TattleTeeny

[shapeshifter]

4 hours ago, TattleTeeny said:

Has anyone had to do 8 weeks of non-weight-bearing because of a metatarsal fracture? Hints?

No, but a former coworker did well with:

4 hours ago, TattleTeeny said:

I have a knee scooter on the way

I too am in a not accessible building and hate it. I look online for a new place to live every f'in' day. 
One with a view.

The doctor I saw yesterday about my hip pain actually used the words "I don't have the time" in reference to all of his patients before he left without listening to me or my daughter who was on FaceTime with me in the office. He said no walking if it hurts. My daughter said it's important for my mental health. He ignored her/us.
In contrast, the doctor who did the surgery on my colon in 2016 (when I had stage 4 cancer) was such a wonderful human being and excellent surgeon that I went to a few "extra" follow-up consult appointments with him afterwards. It was always a long wait in the waiting room because he took the same amount of time with each patient. 

Anyway, after the depressing visit with yesterday's orthopedic surgeon, I went home and tripped over a shoe and sprained/broke my thumb. It's still swollen etc., but I think it's be okay without medical intervention. I talked to a nurse, am icing, etc.

But now I have 3 painful body parts keeping me up at night. (I tripped over the shoe because I was half asleep and was getting up to go lay down.)

Still, likewise:

4 hours ago, TattleTeeny said:

I'm sorry to be such a negative drag. I am trying to remember that it could be way worse -- and is way worse for so many people...I feel bad for worrying about myself....

Although I live alone and am not as seriously injured as you are, @TattleTeeny, I this is much the same for me:

4 hours ago, TattleTeeny said:

...It's just that not being able to independently do what I need to do is hard for me. And never mind doing social/fun things, but I want to clean the house and
...be able to run to the store and
...I was just really looking forward to spring -- just being outside and going for walks (not hikes, haha -- just walks; I like to be moving around always) and ...the beach....

So. Yeah. 

The green leaves on the trees came out today.
It's supposed to snow next week.
So it goes.

Edited April 14, 2023 by shapeshifter
hopefully eliminated gibberish

[TattleTeeny]

Yeesh. At at least don't have snow on the way. I hope that your current doctor can figure out how to talk to patients in a more inspiring way! Or at the very least, offers an apology. They should be kind to people who are feeling distressed, even if that distress is not life-or-death dire. 

Edited April 14, 2023 by TattleTeeny

[SoMuchTV]

2 hours ago, TattleTeeny said:

Has anyone had to do 8 weeks of non-weight-bearing because of a metatarsal fracture? Hints?

I'm losing it. I just don't know what to do. I am at home all day alone (BF owns a store and is his only employee). I had to move my workspace to the kitchen table and have to use the kitchen sink for teeth brushing and face washing (too hard to balance on one foot at first-floor bathroom sink). I have to wait for my BF to do laundry and scoop the cat litter, blah blah blah, and whatever else involves upstairs things. Two types of crutch just don't seem to be helping me navigate my small place. I have a knee scooter on the way, but that doesn't help me get down the stairs that lead out of my condo. I have been pushing myself around on a desk chair, but it's not easy and scares my cats (as do the crutches). I have doctor appointments that I don't know how I can get to (because I was also just diagnosed with some stupid hypothyroid issue out of nowhere and have an endocrinologist to visit -- my timing is so great, haha!). Everything feels impossible or at least not worth bothering with.

My daughter-in-law was living in a 4-level townhouse when she was recovering from knee injury and surgery.  She said it required a lot of sitting on the steps and scooting your butt up or down one step at a time.  She's a young person, though, and I don't think it was as much as 8 weeks, and at least the stairs were all inside the house.  I'm sure that doesn't help you much, but best wishes for a quick recovery!

[TattleTeeny]

Oy, yikes, that's a lot of ass-scooting. 

[isalicat]

So...an update on my breast cancer saga (I know you were all waiting with bated breath 😺 ). After my mastectomy in January I had my first visit with my medical oncologist at the beginning of March and he realized the OncoDx test had not been done, so ordered that (its an in depth biopsy and genetic analysis of the cancerous tissues they removed) and as of the third week of March my original diagnosis was changed to HER2 positive (I was told negative from the original biopsy in November on through the lumpectomy and subsequent mastectomy) so now I apparently have a one in three chance of getting cancer again (somewhere) in the next 9 years. The recommendation is for herceptin infusions to fight the HER2 protein and also chemo. I had a PETscan and also blood work done to check for cancer cells circulating in my blood and both those came through entirely clear. So I have opted for the herceptin infusions (every 21 days for a year - I'm getting a port put in the week after next) but nixed the chemo - if anything had shown up on the PETscan it would be a different story but in my case I think the chemo is overkill - I won't risk compromising my immune system and putting my entire life on hold with no imminent risk. I had my first herceptin infusion this last Wednesday and so far, no reaction at all...they might as well just have put plain water in the IV for all it seemed to affect me (hooray! after the long list of possible side effects I read...). I see my oncologist just before each infusion and they will do every 6 months diagnostic mammograms or MRIs rather than once a year.

After the upthread talk of doctors, I have to tell you that everyone I have seen through Dignity Health and the Cancer Center (my surgical oncologist, the medical oncologist and each and every one of the nurses and techs) have been awesome! No rushing, no pressure - careful explanations followed by room for lots of questions on my part. My medical oncologist is like if a koala bear turned into a mid-50s year old gay man - quite adorable and funny.

So the beat goes on...its been fraught as I kept getting bad news every time I walked into a medical facility but I think I've turned a corner now and once I get through this port surgery bit, life should subside back to a dull roar. 😸

[Bastet]

3 minutes ago, isalicat said:

I had a PETscan and also blood work done to check for cancer cells circulating in my blood and both those came through entirely clear. So I have opted for the herceptin infusions (every 21 days for a year - I'm getting a port put in the week after next) but nixed the chemo - if anything had shown up on the PETscan it would be a different story but in my case I think the chemo is overkill - I won't risk compromising my immune system and putting my entire life on hold with no imminent risk.

I suspect that would have been my decision under the circumstances as well.  Everyone has to do what seems right for them based on the information available, and this is how you were leaning all along, so I'm glad it seems you're now even more secure in that choice.

5 minutes ago, isalicat said:

I had my first herceptin infusion this last Wednesday and so far, no reaction at all...they might as well just have put plain water in the IV for all it seemed to affect me (hooray! after the long list of possible side effects I read...).

Excellent!  I hope it stays that way.

5 minutes ago, isalicat said:

So the beat goes on...its been fraught as I kept getting bad news every time I walked into a medical facility but I think I've turned a corner now and once I get through this port surgery bit, life should subside back to a dull roar. 😸

From this outside perspective, it does indeed seem like you've finally turned a corner -- you finally got all the available information about your particular cancer, got that clear PET scan, made a decision on treatment, and flew through the first one with flying colors.  I think, especially after you get the port put in, you can relax some now.

My mom lives scan to scan.  She feels fairly confident going in based on her tumor marker, but is still tense until she gets the all clear.  Then she puts it out of her mind until the next one (there are monthly blood tests in between, to monitor the tumor marker - because she is not in remission and never again will be - and to monitor the internal side effects of the drug).  I think you'll settle into a routine over this year of treatment.

Thanks for the update - and the recap, since the previous thread went off into the ether.

[shapeshifter]

16 hours ago, isalicat said:

I had a PETscan and also blood work done to check for cancer cells circulating in my blood and both those came through entirely clear.

What a relief!

16 hours ago, isalicat said:

I had my first herceptin infusion this last Wednesday and so far, no reaction at all...they might as well just have put plain water in the IV for all it seemed to affect me (hooray! after the long list of possible side effects I read...).

Whew! #2!

16 hours ago, isalicat said:

After the upthread talk of doctors, I have to tell you that everyone I have seen through Dignity Health and the Cancer Center (my surgical oncologist, the medical oncologist and each and every one of the nurses and techs) have been awesome! No rushing, no pressure - careful explanations followed by room for lots of questions on my part. My medical oncologist is like if a koala bear turned into a mid-50s year old gay man - quite adorable and funny.

My oncology team were some of the best too.

16 hours ago, isalicat said:

So the beat goes on...its been fraught as I kept getting bad news every time I walked into a medical facility but I think I've turned a corner now and once I get through this port surgery bit, life should subside back to a dull roar. 😸

My port surgery was easy. Much easier than a colonoscopy or a root canal, for sure!
However, they had told me to mark where my bra strap went so they could avoid that spot, but, perhaps because I had to have the procedure done at a non-affiliated facility due to construction, they put the port in the spot I had marked instead of avoiding it — which actually makes more sense, but wasn't what my instructions had said. 
If I were to do that over again, I'd not make any marks until I was in the room with the surgeon, regardless of the facility, just to avoid any misunderstanding. 

ETA: On second thought, if I ever need another chemo port, I'd draw 2 lines on myself and write between them: Bra strap only goes here. 

Edited April 15, 2023 by shapeshifter

[Bastet]

18 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

However, they had told me to mark where my bra strap went so they could avoid that spot,

While not by a lot, that would vary by bra for me; I have a couple that I have in two or three colors/patterns each, but for the most part they're all different.  I guess I'd have to choose from among those with similar strap placement for the duration of treatment.  Should I ever arrive at that bridge, it will be the least of my worries.

23 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

However, they had told me to mark where my bra strap went so they could avoid that spot, but, perhaps because I had to have the procedure done at a non-affiliated facility due to construction, they put the port in the spot I had marked instead of avoiding it — which actually makes more sense, but wasn't what my instructions had said. 

Interesting; I would think it should be as you'd marked it per the original instructions -- so they'd know where not to put it, not where to put it.  I took a gander at the Sloan Kettering article on port placement, and it said it would be placed about an inch away from a bra strap.

[EtheltoTillie]

@isalicat thanks for giving us the update. Sounds like you got the info you needed to make a sensible choice. I have had a port in for 14 years and never notice it. Nobody ever marked for a bra strap, although I now see that it’s about one inch toward center from the bra strap. The surgery is easy. Having the port is a huge help for infusions. 

Edited April 15, 2023 by EtheltoTillie

[shapeshifter]

5 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

@isalicat thanks for giving us the update. Sounds like you got the info you needed to make a sensible choice. I have had a port in for 14 years and never notice it. Nobody ever marked for a bra strap, although I now see that it’s about one inch toward center from the bra strap. The surgery is easy. Having the port is a huge help for infusions. 

I think that's more common.
But don't you have to have it flushed every month?
I remember they were surprised about how anxious I was to get my port removed because it was so uncomfortable when I wore a bra (I was still working then).
Maybe it was because I have mostly small bones with especially narrow shoulders and ribs, and it was the only place to put it??

As I added to my earlier post:
if I ever need another chemo port,
I'd draw 2 lines on myself and write between them:
Bra strap only goes here.

Or maybe: 
Do NOT put port between these lines.

But, again, I think it was the only place they could fit it.

Edited April 15, 2023 by shapeshifter

[Bethany]

17 hours ago, isalicat said:

After the upthread talk of doctors, I have to tell you that everyone I have seen through Dignity Health and the Cancer Center (my surgical oncologist, the medical oncologist and each and every one of the nurses and techs) have been awesome! No rushing, no pressure - careful explanations followed by room for lots of questions on my part.

My mother developed breast cancer the year before she died (unrelated to the breast cancer) and as I was her designated "essential caregiver" even in the midst of lockdowns in the pandemic I was able to go with her for all appointments and I have to say there must be something about oncologists and the other medical people involved because every single person we had to deal with throughout were absolutely lovely, truly caring people.  

[shapeshifter]

9 minutes ago, Elizabeth Anne said:

My mother developed breast cancer the year before she died (unrelated to the breast cancer) and as I was her designated "essential caregiver" even in the midst of lockdowns in the pandemic I was able to go with her for all appointments and I have to say there must be something about oncologists and the other medical people involved because every single person we had to deal with throughout were absolutely lovely, truly caring people.  

Yes!

In contrast, here's what I put in the Final Comments section of the online survey for my orthopedic appointment last week:

Quote

There is a larger problem that is negatively impacting those of us so-called Boomers, especially since there are now a lot of us using the health care system.
We have longer medical histories that are not being adequately addressed or considered, primarily because the time allotted is the same for us as for those with decades-shorter medical histories. 
This problem is magnified by doctors only having access to recent medical records in the local systems, even when decades of older records have been uploaded and shared with [----] via EPIC.
But the real issue is sufficient time for patients with complex medical histories.
Twice I heard the doctor say "I don't have time to . . ." in reference to being able to read and consider the records of my other health care providers (specifically, physical therapists). 
He was clearly frustrated with the system rather than with me, the patient. I believe he would like to do more.
This must be addressed. 
[----] is not a large medical center such as those in the Chicago area. 
But sometimes medium sized organizations can more easily try out new solutions. 
I'm sure you are already aware of this problem of inadequate care for those 65 and older. 
Hopefully I have encouraged you to try some measures to alleviate the problem and have a more positive impact on the health of many. 

 

Edited April 15, 2023 by shapeshifter

[EtheltoTillie]

1 hour ago, shapeshifter said:

But don't you have to have it flushed every month?

I have the port flushed every two months, when I go for my usual follow up visits to the doctor.  I have to have these visits, as I'm on a maintenance medication. 

[Bethany]

I think I mentioned in the old thread that I was facing some major dental work, well I am glad to say that as of today it's all done and dusted.  No reflection on the quality of the work done by the dentist but I won't be going back to him.  I had multiple visits over a few months and he still, even on my last visit, acted like he had no idea who I was!  I get that he sees a lot more patients than I see dentists but I don't appreciate being treated like the invisible woman when I am a captive in a dental chair!

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Elizabeth Anne said:

I think I mentioned in the old thread that I was facing some major dental work, well I am glad to say that as of today it's all done and dusted.  No reflection on the quality of the work done by the dentist but I won't be going back to him.  I had multiple visits over a few months and he still, even on my last visit, acted like he had no idea who I was!  I get that he sees a lot more patients than I see dentists but I don't appreciate being treated like the invisible woman when I am a captive in a dental chair!

If the quality of work was excellent, then that’s a win, right? 
Or was it sub-par too?

[nokat]

18 hours ago, Elizabeth Anne said:

I don't appreciate being treated like the invisible woman when I am a captive in a dental chair!

That is something that would bother me too. I am lucky that I really like both my dentist and hygienist. I would forgive the cold behavior if the work was excellent.

[nokat]

I've been getting out and walking as my tibia and knee are (mostly) healed. The sidewalks around here are rough with poorly done patches so barely suitable for anyone with mobility issues. I've thought about complaining to the city. The sidewalks are of course better if you walk around businesses but I don't find that relaxing and nearer me are lots of slopes. I like the up and down as it strengthens my legs (minds out of the gutter :P ) and improves my balance.

The downside is that I'm usually really sore the next day and just do stretching and some seated exercises. The day after that though I'm always stronger with less pain. My physical therapist had warned me that pain can make you hesitant to push yourself the next time, and to take pain medicine if needed (especially at night so I can sleep).

[GHScorpiosRule]

Well, color me shocked. I went to the doctor's yesterday, and he informed me of the results of the MRI I had taken before I left for India. The pain wasn't due to sciatica after all. But apparently, some form of...arthritis! Like one of the discs in my lower back got misaligned and instead of moving back to its proper position, is "sticking" out like a pinched nerve.

Gave me a referral for a physical therapist for exercises to help with the pain (as I know the drugs, even the good ones, are a temporary solution) so I'm not in agony some days. I will admit, while in India, after the first few days, the pain stopped. But I also had my Mum's own personal massage lady come in and give me massages with warmed up mustard oil, and that also helped. She came in the day after I arrived, and the day before we left for Udaipur, and then again the day after we returned from our trip and the day before I was set to return to the States.

Even my cousin in Ahmedabad told me that a physical therapist was the way to go when we thought it was sciatica.

But there's good news in here. When I stepped on the scale, color me SHOCKED, SHOCKED, when I saw that instead of 6 pounds, I'd lost a total of 10 while I was in India. Now I'm aiming to try and lose another 10 (if I can), but will be happy if I can manage 5. And then maintain and not get back into the bad habit of eating processed foods (which I admit, I did on occasion, thinking it wouldn't matter, but it DOES!).

I'm glad that this weight loss is due to exercise and eating right and not the "bad" way from five years ago when I lost 20 in a 7 week period because I'd become diabetic.

My doctor was happy. I'm happy. And seriously, I look at myself everyday and couldn't see the weight dropping. But a coworker just told me she noticed the difference when she saw me last week.

So, yay! for that, but a big giant BOO to the arthritis.

Edited April 28, 2023 by GHScorpiosRule

[isalicat]

I had an interesting experience yesterday: Had my port put in as I will be having herceptin infusions every 21 days for the next year. I was given a Valium while waiting to be prepped for the procedure, and then as the surgical team were delayed (by 2 hours in total!) because of previous procedures running over time and then the team needed to have lunch (while I, having fasted entirely including liquids from the night before sat there listening to my stomach growl :), I was able to wait to see what the Valium would do, as I have never taken it previously. The answer: nada, nothing, no effect at all. Then they came and took me into the surgical suite and after prepping me in there, supposedly put sedative in me via IV. The nurse said I might fall asleep but most likely would be very drowsy and probably not remember anything about the procedure itself. (They also shot me up with Lidocaine, of course, where they made the incision for the port.) Okay, and also nothing! No drowsy, no lack of complete awareness of what was going on and although I was also in no pain at all, I certainly felt each bit of the procedure as it went along and was fully awake enough to hoist myself back on to the rolling bed thing to be taken back to the recovery suite. Last night and today the site is quite sore, but I'm doing an alternate Aleve/Advil course and I can take it (I don't do Tylenol ever.) Any one else out there have no response to Valium and/or a sedative previously? Are these just super low doses? or is it me 😸 ?

[Bastet]

17 minutes ago, isalicat said:

Any one else out there have no response to Valium and/or a sedative previously?

The first time I had surgery, the anesthesiologist gave me an injection and, shortly after, looked at me oddly.  "You're still awake?"  Well, obviously.  When I told him I didn't feel the slightest bit different, he gave me a little more.  I said "Okay, now I can definitely tell you did something, but, as you can see, still awake."  He said, "You must be able to hold your liquor" and gave me a little more again, and I'm not sure if I completed the response "Well, I just got out of college, so, yeah" before I was out, but I was finally out.

As for benzos, I've never taken Valium, but I take Ativan for anxiety.  It takes the 1 mg dose for me to feel like I've been sedated; 0.5 mg just makes me feel calmer.  (So, obviously, it's nice that I usually only need the smaller dose; I only take the larger one when my anxiety is severe, because that dose affects what I'm able to do.)

Anyway, I'm glad you got the port in and hope the soreness goes away soon.

[shapeshifter]

17 hours ago, isalicat said:

I had an interesting experience yesterday: Had my port put in as I will be having herceptin infusions every 21 days for the next year. I was given a Valium while waiting to be prepped for the procedure, and then as the surgical team were delayed (by 2 hours in total!) because of previous procedures running over time and then the team needed to have lunch (while I, having fasted entirely including liquids from the night before sat there listening to my stomach growl :), I was able to wait to see what the Valium would do, as I have never taken it previously. The answer: nada, nothing, no effect at all. Then they came and took me into the surgical suite and after prepping me in there, supposedly put sedative in me via IV. The nurse said I might fall asleep but most likely would be very drowsy and probably not remember anything about the procedure itself. (They also shot me up with Lidocaine, of course, where they made the incision for the port.) Okay, and also nothing! No drowsy, no lack of complete awareness of what was going on and although I was also in no pain at all, I certainly felt each bit of the procedure as it went along and was fully awake enough to hoist myself back on to the rolling bed thing to be taken back to the recovery suite. Last night and today the site is quite sore, but I'm doing an alternate Aleve/Advil course and I can take it (I don't do Tylenol ever.)....

17 hours ago, isalicat said:

Any one else out there have no response to Valium and/or a sedative previously? Are these just super low doses? or is it me 😸 ?

When I had my first cataract surgery in 2005, I was given a sedative that likewise might cause me to "fall asleep but most likely would [make me] very drowsy and [I would] probably not remember anything about the procedure itself." 
However, I felt them stick 6 needles in my eye (probably something like Lidocaine?).
Ever since then I have insisted that they give me more than the average bear, which is not as simple to request as it sounds. 

So, does everyone who has anesthesia for a colonoscopy or surgery have memory loss of the hours after the surgery, when you are awake?
Or is that likely because I am getting more sedative? 
And/or are they not really giving me more?

 

Related?:
In 1979 I had an emergency C-section in a rural hospital with only a former Doctors Without Borders-type doctor to act as an anesthesiologist. It didn't work. At all. He and the other doctor said it must have gone in the wrong place.
But, hey, the surgery was successful and the baby had an APGAR of 10. 
But both the surgeon and I were kind of traumatized even though I don't make noise when I'm in pain.
So I fought (successfully) against the "once a Cesearean, always a Cesearian" medical axiom of the 1980s (based on statistics of the time) to have my 2 other babies by VBAC (Vaginal Birth After a Cesearian) which was probably not necessary for planned Cesearians, but . . . .

Edited April 28, 2023 by shapeshifter

[nokat]

17 hours ago, Bastet said:

As for benzos, I've never taken Valium, but I take Ativan for anxiety.  It takes the 1 mg dose for me to feel like I've been sedated; 0.5 mg just makes me feel calmer.  (So, obviously, it's nice that I usually only need the smaller dose; I only take the larger one when my anxiety is severe, because that dose affects what I'm able to do.)

This is the same for me. A 1 mg pill and I'm way too out of it but it works when anxiety is severe, which thankfully is not often. I split the pill for a calming effect.

@isalicat The times I've had surgery (I think it's 8 with anesthesia, and 2 more while I was awake) and they gave me the IV calming drug (I assume valium) I definitely felt it. I was in a happy place and had not a care in the world while they were preparing me for surgery. I know there are people who don't react to anesthesia and the anesthetist definitely needs to know that. When they have me count backwards from ten, I'm out before eight.

[GHScorpiosRule]

18 hours ago, isalicat said:

Any one else out there have no response to Valium and/or a sedative previously? Are these just super low doses? or is it me 😸 ?

I don't think I was ever given a Valium during my chemo infusions. I did do the lidocaine-applied it about a half hour before treatment, but that really didn't work, so I would have to numb the area with ice. And since the chemo was during Winter, suffice it to say, they had to bundle me up with extra warm blankets.  The challenge for me was the size of the needle because of where the port was. It should have been a bit higher, but it was too close to my left boob (I didn't get the mastectomy for that one until a year later), and it would take up to two of the nurses to snap the needle in! It was something you'd see in a comedy.

17 hours ago, Bastet said:

The first time I had surgery, the anesthesiologist gave me an injection and, shortly after, looked at me oddly.  "You're still awake?"  Well, obviously.  When I told him I didn't feel the slightest bit different, he gave me a little more.  I said "Okay, now I can definitely tell you did something, but, as you can see, still awake."  He said, "You must be able to hold your liquor" and gave me a little more again, and I'm not sure if I completed the response "Well, I just got out of college, so, yeah" before I was out, but I was finally out.

Funnily enough, anesthesia worked on me almost immediately. I remember going in for my reconstructive surgery, and one minute, I was talking with my surgery team as the anesthesiologist injected me, and the next thing I know, I'm being wheeled into recovery. And this surgery was 14 hours!

The most embarrassing experience I had was when I was in my 20s and needed a D&C [NOT abortion related but due to

menstrual flow not stopping

, and when I was waking up, and my doctor asked how I was feeling, I remember, to this day saying to the anesthesiologist: "You're cuuuuuuuute!" in Rudolph the Reindeer's voice from that first special.

He was. And he was the one who I spoke with as he explained what the procedure would be like. It was the first surgery for me.

I was so humiliated. I can't imagine what the anesthesiologist was thinking.

[Spartan Girl]

Don’t worry @GHScorpiosRule I’m sure the anesthesiologist gets that kind of stuff all the time 😜 

[shapeshifter]

26 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

Don’t worry @GHScorpiosRule I’m sure the anesthesiologist gets that kind of stuff all the time 😜 

Like:

 

[Bethany]

So my husband went in to see the Doctor today for one thing (he's recently started experiencing problems that have been diagnosed as osteoarthritis)  and came home upset because the Doctor is also telling him he is pre-diabetic and he needs to Make Changes. I'm guessing Ben & Jerry's is off the menu but I'm going to have to get busy and do some research.    Getting older - so much fun.

[PRgal]

36 minutes ago, Elizabeth Anne said:

So my husband went in to see the Doctor today for one thing (he's recently started experiencing problems that have been diagnosed as osteoarthritis)  and came home upset because the Doctor is also telling him he is pre-diabetic and he needs to Make Changes. I'm guessing Ben & Jerry's is off the menu but I'm going to have to get busy and do some research.    Getting older - so much fun.

My husband is a lot younger than yours and was also recently told that he had to make changes due to being pre-diabetic.  He's dropped fizzy, sugary drinks, but refuses to cut chips and fried foods.  He's allowed one treat a week, which he uses to get pistachio or hazelnut cream croissants from a nearby bakery on his work-from-home days.  He's also managed to wean himself off sweetened coffee.  He's also on medication and has lost a little bit of weight.  He still has more to go until his goal.  I think he's due for some bloodwork soon, and we'll see how much improvement he's made and how much he still needs to do.

[Bethany]

He goes back in 3 months to see if he's improved.  The big issue is he's not exercising the way he used to, at least in part thanks to the osteoarthritis, so he's still eating the way he ate when he was running every day.  Not a good idea.  And of course being in pain makes him stressed and being stressed makes him hungry.  So vicious circle.

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, Elizabeth Anne said:

And of course being in pain makes him stressed and being stressed makes him hungry.

Plus stress can raise blood sugar. 

Edited May 3, 2023 by Bastet

[nokat]

I'm so frustrated with my knee. As I have mentioned, I fractured my tibia and patella (knee cap) and was mostly bed bound and then wheelchair bound for over 3 weeks with a full hip to ankle leg brace. Well, the bones are healed and I have most of my knee flexibility back, but I still can't trust it even while wearing a knee brace. You lose a lot of strength and flexibility very fast and it can be a long recovery for someone not young anymore.

I was out shopping and I normally have a long stride (34 inch inseam) and it feels good to stretch my legs that way, but my knee kept almost giving out. It also frequently feels like it needs to crack (like it almost locks) and then once it does crack it feels better.

I still use a walker around the house (I kind of just push it without putting weight on it) just in case because I've come close to falling several times. I do strengthening exercises for the supportive muscles which is mostly the quadriceps.

I just want to walk normally again. Sorry for the self pity party.

[isalicat]

10 hours ago, nokat said:

I just want to walk normally again. Sorry for the self pity party.

No really - this must be so frustrating! I think the exercises for the supportive muscles is the key thing (although you will have to be patient with yourself as it will take at least a few weeks to build those muscles up) - I would do the exercises you have been given and also google what else you might do (be careful!) as to accelerate the strengthening process. And what sort of massage or soak might help those same muscles heal after exercise too. Quads are a crucial muscle in ballet, so if you like ballet, now would be a great time to find a beginning class on YouTube and give it a try!

[GHScorpiosRule]

I never would have believed this if I hadn’t seen the results myself. I always thought that if I cheated occasionally, I would still be able to lose the weight I needed and wanted to lose. Nope. Thinking that occasionally cheating wouldn’t hurt was delusional thinking on my part.

Since returning from India, I have stayed away from all processed foods, eating home cooked meals-balanced. Because we do have rice as part of the many dishes we make. Got some organic coconut water that I’ve added to drink as well. I can’t exercise until I meet with a physical therapist to deal with my back issues. Other than walking.

And in the past two weeks, I’ve lost another four pounds! Ideally, I want to lose about 10 more, but will be happy with losing 5 more.

Clothes that were a bit too snug on me are now comfortable. But i do need to buy a belt.

I just want to lose the inches underneath my breasts and above my belly button. 

But I am glad that the agonizing pain I lived with before leaving for India is gone.

[roseha]

Hope it's okay to put this here and not in Pet Peeves:

I am peeved because my Medicare Part D plan has some kind of tie-in with CVS.  So my doctors send the prescription to CVS, I call them for delivery (because I can't do it online), tell then I'm okay with the cost, they say they will send it tomorrow.

Oh, then they forget.

I've had so many prescriptions due to multiple issues this year and this has happened at least twice.  How hard is it to remember next day delivery?

[shapeshifter]

16 hours ago, roseha said:

Hope it's okay to put this here and not in Pet Peeves:

I am peeved because my Medicare Part D plan has some kind of tie-in with CVS.  So my doctors send the prescription to CVS, I call them for delivery (because I can't do it online), tell then I'm okay with the cost, they say they will send it tomorrow.

Oh, then they forget.

I've had so many prescriptions due to multiple issues this year and this has happened at least twice.  How hard is it to remember next day delivery?

I hate stuff like this. 
I usually have to spend at least several hours on the phone, often over multiple days, patiently and relentlessly explaining the problem and making sure it is fixed. (My problem had to do with billing incorrectly)

Often talking to a manager is helpful, which I do by asking the person who answers the phone something like:
I understand, but do you think the manager could help with that?
(and then quietly persisting until they are willing to transfer me)

Do you have a relative or friend who might want to do the calls? They can throw you under the bus a bit and say they are calling on your behalf, and then stir up some sympathy for you. 😉

I am so good at this, I bet the customer service folks start hearing violins in the background.
Sometimes I make my voice sound halting (which it probably will be in a few more years like my mom's was before it went altogether).
But it works.

[oliviabenson]

For those who have asthma:

is yours worse in the warm weather? 
 

In winter mine mine is manageable. Now that the weather is warming up my asthma is kicking my butt. I’m a mess. 

[Bethany]

My husband's asthma is definitely worse in the late spring and  summer.  We basically no sooner have the furnace off for the year than the AC is turned on and is going until well into September.