Health and Wellness Chit-Chat: Your Primary Care Topic

[annzeepark914]

1 hour ago, shapeshifter said:

These days it's easy enough to try eliminating dairy from your diet for a month or so. There are whole sections in the Wegman's grocery store of "plant-based" foods, including cheeses, milks, yogurts, etc. 
When my daughter was here for her birthday, we got a really delicious non-dairy cake from a local bakery that also has gluten-free, nut-free, and other specialty cakes. That cake was probably tastier than any other cake I've ever had! 

I was just there today (never thought to check out these products). Thanks--my spirits have lifted. Think I'll try going non-dairy first to see what happens.

[isalicat]

On 6/13/2023 at 12:11 PM, annzeepark914 said:

Uh-oh...dairy products 🤔. I wonder if I can be tested for this (I've been allergy tested 3 times over the past 15 years w/ only mold and some trees showing up). Maybe stuff like this doesn't present via allergy tests 🥴

Yup - my son spent his entire childhood with post nasal drip and we finally took him to an allergist who quickly diagnosed him with a dairy allergy. He now uses either coconut milk or almond milk in his tea and coffee and eats very little cheese and problem solved!

Like anything else, as shapeshifter says, its easy enough to just eliminate dairy for a month (and you will have to be "religious" about it) and see if that helps before you need to see a doctor. Same thing with gluten for those experiencing any inflammatory symptoms (like asthma, which my dear friend self cured by just giving up wheat for the rest of her life, or some kinds of arthritis).

[Bastet]

There is one restaurant's ranch dressing that always makes me cough (but it's so good [they make it in house], and I only go there maybe once a year, so I eat it anyway), and every once in a great while some random dairy item I eat all the time with no problem will cause a cough that one time, but, thankfully, it's that rare for me. 

[Laura Holt]

Has anyone dealt with a family member developing mobility issues but refusing to use  a cane or zimmer frame (walker) or any other aid that would mean he might not fall?  My brother is only in his 50s and he feels that using anything like this is admitting to being old.  I get it, I really do, but working in a hospital I see people a lot younger than him (as in kids for godssake) having to use mobility aids.  I'm at a loss for what to say to encourage him at this point.

[chitowngirl]

1 minute ago, Laura Holt said:

My brother is only in his 50s and he feels that using anything like this is admitting to being old.

It’s admitting you need an aide of some sort! Like wearing glasses! Using any kind of aid gives you freedom. Not using one keeps you immobile.

[shapeshifter]

4 hours ago, Laura Holt said:

Has anyone dealt with a family member developing mobility issues but refusing to use  a cane or zimmer frame (walker) or any other aid that would mean he might not fall?  My brother is only in his 50s and he feels that using anything like this is admitting to being old.  I get it, I really do, but working in a hospital I see people a lot younger than him (as in kids for godssake) having to use mobility aids.  I'm at a loss for what to say to encourage him at this point.

We went through this with Mom. 
I'm not sure my long sad story of her experiences would be very useful, except that he might be willing to at least begin with letting a stylish, artsy cane live near his front door.

[thosme]

My mother pushed an empty wheelchair through our hotel in Las Vegas instead of using her cane. 

It was actually less disruptive than when she used a cane.  When she used a cane it became an extension of her arm when pointing to things. Walking along the crowded corridors in Las Vegas, everyone walking beside of her would be stopped suddenly by the cane blocking their path.  

[Gramto6]

After my fall and back injury last Dec, I used a walker for about 3 months, while in the back brace. I have balance issues and can trip over a shadow and fall. Not a good thing, in fact I fell this morning fortunately it was a soft landing. I got to the point I was pretty comfortable inside and use a broom handle to walk in the yard. But now I think after today's fall, I am going to get one of those stand up canes for inside the house. 

Walker, stick, or cane are things I never wanted/expected to need, but if I want to keep living on my own I have to protect myself from serious injury.

@Laura Holt Does your brother live alone? That might be something he should consider if he does.

@thosme that is a great idea. Would she consider a walker? There are baskets/trays you can attach to hold things. But the wheel chair is a great idea as she can sit down when tired. 

Getting old isn't for sissies that is for sure, but there are so many aids available these day that can really make our lives safer and thus better. It is just getting over that hump to acceptance of the need.

[Rose Quartz]

16 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

We went through this with Mom. 
I'm not sure my long sad story of her experiences would be very useful, except that he might be willing to at least begin with letting a stylish, artsy cane live near his front door.

Another alternative might be a hiking pole since that would give him some support but isn't as obvious as a cane.  That's what I used to get around earlier this year when I sprained my knee.

[nokat]

On 7/20/2023 at 4:43 PM, Laura Holt said:

Has anyone dealt with a family member developing mobility issues but refusing to use  a cane or zimmer frame (walker) or any other aid

Yes, an in-law who didn't want to admit to needing anything. He finally had some surgery that helped his mobility.

[nokat]

21 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

After my fall and back injury last Dec, I used a walker for about 3 months, while in the back brace. I have balance issues and can trip over a shadow and fall. Not a good thing, in fact I fell this morning fortunately it was a soft landing.

Glad to hear it was a soft landing. I used a walker after breaking my tibia, and I'm finding my balance is off and I trip easily. I'm always watching where I walk as I have tripped on the tiniest unevenness in the floor.  Actually that can be worse than a step as it's something you don't expect.

I'm thinking that I need to add yoga or something beyond walking to improve balance.

[PRgal]

10 hours ago, nokat said:

Glad to hear it was a soft landing. I used a walker after breaking my tibia, and I'm finding my balance is off and I trip easily. I'm always watching where I walk as I have tripped on the tiniest unevenness in the floor.  Actually that can be worse than a step as it's something you don't expect.

I'm thinking that I need to add yoga or something beyond walking to improve balance.

Try Essentrics!  I was taking weekly classes for a couple of years before the pandemic hit and then subscribed to their online program.  Recently, I started taking barre again.

 

https://essentrics.com

[Gramto6]

Thanks for that link @PRgal!

I have several issues that prevent me from some yoga practices. One is I have a spinal fusion in my neck and then the recent damaged vertebra in my low back. I have bad knees also but could probably do some of those exercises for them and possibly the balance ones. I'll spend some time looking over those programs and see what looks possible.

Thanks again for the suggestion!

[EtheltoTillie]

@Gramto6 You might try chair yoga.  I can't do the things on my knees anymore either, and there are many poses that make me dizzy.  I have not tried chair yoga, but I have seen videos.  Also balance exercises while holding on to the back of a chair like a ballet barre.

Edited July 25, 2023 by EtheltoTillie

[chitowngirl]

1 hour ago, EtheltoTillie said:

@Gramto6 You might try chair yoga.  I can't do the things on my knees anymore either, and there are many poses that make me dizzy.  I have not tried chair yoga, but I have seen videos.  Also balance exercises while holding on to the back of a chair like a ballet barre.

I do both Chair and mat yoga-love them equally! Both are beneficial to me in different ways

[shapeshifter]

After priding myself on having an uncanny sense of balance that prevented falls, I've had 3 falls in the last year or so.*   
I'm turning 70 soon. I've read it can be due to loss of muscle due to "aging," or possibly a symptom of Parkinson's (which my parents and a grandparent were "diagnosed" as having, although no tremors were present).

Doctors can be so dismissive when there are no answers. I wish they'd just admit they don't know instead of turning away.

Anyway, my son-in-law proved his worth by running off to the pharmacy and, after a lot of googling, came back with perfect bandages for old skin.

—————

*Mom often warned: Pride goes before a fall.

Edited July 31, 2023 by shapeshifter

[Gramto6]

Just turned 74, last year I fell 5 times. The last one was a doozy in that I fractured a vertebrae and broke 3 ribs. (On the mend now thank goodness!)  This year so far I have fallen 2 times, no real damage just split skin on my scalp the first one (just scary because the scalp bleeds so much).

I'd be really interested in what kind of bandages your SIL got for you. I would love to have them on hand for when needed. LOL, note I didn't say if needed...

[shapeshifter]

53 minutes ago, Gramto6 said:

I’d be really interested in what kind of bandages your SIL got for you. I would love to have them on hand for when needed. LOL, note I didn't say if needed...

What was great was that he got a variety so I could choose what I wanted. For this incident that involved a skinned knee, I used:

• Band-Aid “Hurt-Free” non-stick pads (Large Triple Layer, which I can cut to size as it heals — I might see if they come in other sizes too)
• held in place with 3M Nexcare “strong hold, pain-free removable tape” 1 inch x 4 yd. (I might get more)
• and a new tube of antibiotic ointment
  —IMO, if antibiotic cream or ointment has gone through a summer at room temperature, it’s no longer effective.

I need to make a habit of looking where I’m putting my feet, because my reflexes are not always quick anymore.

I might check out some Tai Chi videos on YouTube.

[stewedsquash]

18 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

 

I might check out some Tai Chi videos on YouTube.

This is the most “shapeshifter” solution yet. 

[shapeshifter]

On 7/31/2023 at 9:51 PM, Gramto6 said:

I’d be really interested in what kind of bandages your SIL got for you. I would love to have them on hand for when needed. LOL, note I didn't say if needed...

In addition to these:

On 7/31/2023 at 10:48 PM, shapeshifter said:

• Band-Aid “Hurt-Free” non-stick pads (Large Triple Layer, which I can cut to size as it heals — I might see if they come in other sizes too)
• held in place with 3M Nexcare “strong hold, pain-free removable tape” 1 inch x 4 yd. (I might get more)
• and a new tube of antibiotic ointment
  —IMO, if antibiotic cream or ointment has gone through a summer at room temperature, it’s no longer effective.

last night I talked to a nurse (free service with most insurances) about the still-stinging scrape and wanting to be able to swim. 
She recommended some waterproof bandages that worked both for swimming and made it feel better — I think because they're more secure so there's no rubbing.

• first I put on a Nexcare Clear Waterproof, Knee & Elbow-sized bandage 
• then, to go swimming (and bathing) I covered it with a Nexcare Waterproof Tegaderm Transparent Dressing
  — which says it can be left on for 7 days😶something I've never heard of before.

Since there was zero leakage after 30 minutes of swimming, both are still on. But I'll change them before bed because I still see blood seeping from the smaller (but apparently deeper) scrape. 

Like the other bandages, they are designed to not rip off elderly skin when you remove them.

Speaking of new-to-me wound care:
I don't think it was that long ago that nurses told us to keep wounds dry. Now it's all about keeping them moist with neosporin-type ointment.

Pre-OTC antibiotic ointments, Mom used to tell us to swim in the ocean, that the salt water was healing. It worked. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

And before girls were permitted to wear pants to school, as well as before playground surfaces were forgiving (back in the blacktop days) I always had dry, scabby knees. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

[StatisticalOutlier]

On 8/2/2023 at 6:35 PM, shapeshifter said:

• first I put on a Nexcare Clear Waterproof, Knee & Elbow-sized bandage 
• then, to go swimming (and bathing) I covered it with a Nexcare Waterproof Tegaderm Transparent Dressing
  — which says it can be left on for 7 days😶something I've never heard of before.

Tegaderm is da bomb!  But did you put it over another bandage?  I'm not sure if it's essential that the Tegaderm touch the wound, but that's how it's usually applied.

I fell off my mountainbike once and got a huge scrape on my shin.  I am horribly, horribly squeamish about scrapes or anything on my skin; I would rather break a bone.  Seriously.

I put a Tegaderm on my shin and left it there for a week.  It got filled with what looked like root beer, and I was doing a lot of outdoor work in high heat and the Tegaderm came unstuck a little along the bottom, which made the root beer leak out onto my socks.  But I left the Tegaderm there, and would shower with it like that but I didn't swim, so water didn't go up in it.  When I took it off, my scrape was all better, although it left a hefty scar.

Mr. Outlier falls off his bike more than I do (actually because he's a vastly better rider), and is also a huge fan of Tegaderm.  It's never been less than perfect, and keeps blood and ooze off the sheets, and really can stay in place for a week.

When I was in high school, I was riding on the hood of a friend's car in a parking lot, wearing hiphuggers (those army surplus jeans in the 70s) and a tent-style top.  My friend hit the brakes and I flew forward, skidding on my belly.  I was skinny and my pelvic bones (?) stuck out and the one on the right went scraaaaaaape. 

I ended up going to the doctor (after much evasion--busted by my next-door-neighbor's mother) and was horrified when he slapped a clear adhesive thing on that giant open wound.  For context, my pierced earring holes grew back over the earrings because I was too squeamish to turn the earrings properly--I held onto them from the front and the back to turn them to avoid the jiggling.  So adhesive and skin are a scary combination to me.

I recall that he said the adhesive thing would release something that would treat the wound, but I can't swear to that.  But it acted just like the Tegaderm on my shin did 40 years later--developed a bunch of dark liquid, and after a week came off easily. I was such a trailblazer.  😀

So anyway, leave it on there for a week and let it do its thing. 

[Spartan Girl]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here had or known someone that got shingles before they turned 40?

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Spartan Girl said:

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here had or known someone that got shingles before they turned 40?

My sister, her husband, and their daughter all got shingles before 40.

I still get angry when I think about my niece taking her kids to a “chickenpox party” instead of getting them a chickenpox vaccine — especially since she had already experienced shingles herself.

Unfortunately, my 3 kids had chickenpox too in the 1980s. The vaccine came out a year or 2 after the younger 2 kids had it.

I had chickenpox as a child in the 1950s and got the shingles vaccines as soon as they were available. I’ve never had shingles. 🤞

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

Tegaderm is da bomb!  But did you put it over another bandage?  I'm not sure if it's essential that the Tegaderm touch the wound, but that's how it's usually applied.

I fell off my mountainbike once and got a huge scrape on my shin.  I am horribly, horribly squeamish about scrapes or anything on my skin; I would rather break a bone.  Seriously.

I put a Tegaderm on my shin and left it there for a week.  It got filled with what looked like root beer, and I was doing a lot of outdoor work in high heat and the Tegaderm came unstuck a little along the bottom, which made the root beer leak out onto my socks.  But I left the Tegaderm there, and would shower with it like that but I didn't swim, so water didn't go up in it.  When I took it off, my scrape was all better, although it left a hefty scar.

Mr. Outlier falls off his bike more than I do (actually because he's a vastly better rider), and is also a huge fan of Tegaderm.  It's never been less than perfect, and keeps blood and ooze off the sheets, and really can stay in place for a week.

When I was in high school, I was riding on the hood of a friend's car in a parking lot, wearing hiphuggers (those army surplus jeans in the 70s) and a tent-style top.  My friend hit the brakes and I flew forward, skidding on my belly.  I was skinny and my pelvic bones (?) stuck out and the one on the right went scraaaaaaape. 

I ended up going to the doctor (after much evasion--busted by my next-door-neighbor's mother) and was horrified when he slapped a clear adhesive thing on that giant open wound.  For context, my pierced earring holes grew back over the earrings because I was too squeamish to turn the earrings properly--I held onto them from the front and the back to turn them to avoid the jiggling.  So adhesive and skin are a scary combination to me.

I recall that he said the adhesive thing would release something that would treat the wound, but I can't swear to that.  But it acted just like the Tegaderm on my shin did 40 years later--developed a bunch of dark liquid, and after a week came off easily. I was such a trailblazer.  😀

So anyway, leave it on there for a week and let it do its thing. 

I was just using the Tegaderm as an extra insurance layer for swimming. But I think I’ll check with the nurse again. 
Thanks!

[Bastet]

I never had chickenpox, but the CDC still recommends I get a shingles vaccine after I turn 50.  This would be fine with me were it unlikely but possible I could get shingles.  Except I can't!  The recommendation is simply based on the fact most Americans born before 1980 have had chickenpox "even if they don’t remember having the disease".  Even if I'd had it so young I forgot, my parents would remember.  I have never had it.  I haven't even had the chickenpox vaccine; I've had no exposure to chickenpox, period.  The CDC itself acknowledges I therefore I cannot get shingles (while it would have been possible had I received the chickenpox vaccine).  So why the hell would I vaccinate myself against something I can't get?!

Now, if I was exposed to shingles, while I wouldn't get it, I could get chickenpox.  But it would have to be during an infected person's blister phase (they can't spread it before blisters develop or after they scab over), and I'd have to touch the fluid coming out of the blisters or be close enough to breathe in particles of an oozing blister -- in other words, it is extremely unlikely.

[isalicat]

1 hour ago, Bastet said:

 

Now, if I was exposed to shingles, while I wouldn't get it, I could get chickenpox.  But it would have to be during an infected person's blister phase (they can't spread it before blisters develop or after they scab over), and I'd have to touch the fluid coming out of the blisters or be close enough to breathe in particles of an oozing blister -- in other words, it is extremely unlikely.

I'm not sure that this is absolutely accurate only from my own (admittedly anecdotal) experience. My son got chickenpox when he was 2-1/2 years old at his play group and sailed through it (as you do at that age - I had it as a small child as well) but it turned out my husband had never had it and caught it from our kid and he became very ill (its a dangerous sickness in adults some times) - very high fever and wound up in the hospital emergency room. He definitely did not go near my son once we knew the child was sick and therefore never touched him once there were the characteristic blisters (and there were almost no blisters on my son to speak of in any case), so we assume you can catch it as an airborne virus. Again, this may be anomalous but if you escaped it as a child, I would do everything possible never to get it as an adult.

[Laura Holt]

8 minutes ago, isalicat said:

it turned out my husband had never had it and caught it from our kid and he became very ill (its a dangerous sickness in adults some times)

I got it when I was in university, so somewhere around 20-21.  I wasn't sick enough to be hospitalized but I was very sick and missed over 2 weeks of school.  And boy that was fun, explaining to my profs that I had been home sick with chicken pox.  Most were sympathetic but one thought it was hilarious and brought it up regularly for the rest of the semester.

[Bastet]

24 minutes ago, isalicat said:

He definitely did not go near my son once we knew the child was sick and therefore never touched him once there were the characteristic blisters (and there were almost no blisters on my son to speak of in any case), so we assume you can catch it as an airborne virus.

I was relaying the CDC info on when and how shingles can infect a person who's never had chickenpox (who would become infected with chickenpox, not shingles) -- either touching the blister discharge or being close enough to it to inhale the airborne particles.  When and how chickenpox is contagious to one who's never had it, I do not know; it's so rare these days, I don't worry about being exposed to it (especially since I'm never around children and rarely around parents of young children).

[chitowngirl]

CDC says chickenpox is contagious from one to two days before a rash breaks out until after the pox crust over.

[Gramto6]

I got chicken pox at about 25 yrs old. My kids kindly brought it home for their Montessori school. At that time, their dad was doing a lot of travel for work and of course was out of town for 10 days. That left me really sick with 2 kids (2 &4) with it too, to take care of.  Fun times! NOT!

I called my mom and she said I had it as a child but so mild a case only a few blisters, so I guess I didn't have any immunity. I haven't had shingles and haven't had the vaccine (guess I need to put it on the list for my new pcp). 

I had a friend (now passed from Covid pneumonia) who was allergic to something in the vaccine so couldn't get it and went through shingles several times because of that.  I'm not against getting the vaccine, I just haven't been prompted to by old pcp. (Yet another reason to have dumped his a$$!) 

Edited August 5, 2023 by Gramto6

[shapeshifter]

7 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

I'm not against getting the vaccine

I recall seeing signs on the doors of various pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, etc.) and at pharmacy counters in stores (Walmart, Wegmans, etc.) advertising Shingles vaccines, so you should be able to get one the next time you pick up groceries or sunscreen.

 

But, yeah, regarding 

7 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

just haven't been prompted to by old pcp. (Yet another reason to have dumped his a$$!) 

don't get me started on that subject. 
All y'all know I'll fill up half a page here.

It took me 18 years of living in the Chicago suburbs to finally find a primary care provider I could rely on.
Then, within 2 years I moved to Rochester NY.  

The PCP I have now gives me lots of time and is knowledgeable, but doesn't seem to be able to diagnose complex or puzzling conditions. 
At least, not mine.🙃

Edited August 5, 2023 by shapeshifter

[Lisa418722]

My mom did not remember having chicken pox, but she probably did because of her age and her siblings got sick. She kept putting off the shot because she didn't think she needed it. She is now in her mid 80s and last year she had shingles and watching what she went through (and is still going through) I decided to get the vaccine.  
I asked the pharmacist and she said it was very possible I have the virus in my system because I was around people who did have chicken pox.  I figured it was better to have the vaccine than to wish I had had the vaccine.  I look at it like a tetanus shot.  More than likely I won't have an injury where I will need the shot, but it's better safe than sorry.  

Edited August 5, 2023 by Lisa418722

[Browncoat]

I definitely had chicken pox in the late 60s -- chicken pox parties for the win! -- and in 2020, got shingles.  On my face.  I'm sure some of you here will remember my whining about that!  I still have occasional tingling sensations around my eye, mostly in the eyebrow.  It's quite disconcerting, and I'm not sure how (or if) that affects whether or not I can get the shingles vaccine.  My PCP retired, and I haven't found a new one yet.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Browncoat said:

I definitely had chicken pox in the late 60s -- chicken pox parties for the win! -- and in 2020, got shingles.  On my face.  I'm sure some of you here will remember my whining about that!  I still have occasional tingling sensations around my eye, mostly in the eyebrow.  It's quite disconcerting, and I'm not sure how (or if) that affects whether or not I can get the shingles vaccine.  My PCP retired, and I haven't found a new one yet.

A pharmacist at a location where they offer Shingles shots can probably give you a “definitive” answer based on the forms they have that list the requirements and restrictions. 
🧸

[Spartan Girl]

So…the reasons I asked about shingles is I kind of had a scare. I had an appointment with my allergy doctor regarding my coughing (what he prescribed worked beautifully btw). As long as I was there I thought I’d ask him about the rash I’d gotten since Tuesday—raised spots appeared in a big cluster on my right shoulder, a few on my left, and a few on my neck base and my side—and wondered if it was allergy related. When he looked at it, he said it reminded him of shingles and told me to consult my regular doctor ASAP since he obviously doesn’t specialize in shingles.

Of course I freak out, thinking I’m too young for shingles (obviously I’m not but still). It doesn’t help that my doctor/PM didn’t have an open appointment for several weeks. So I went to my closest ready care.

Their doctor there took one look at it and said it’s definitely not shingles because she said shingles doesn’t spread out like like that. It’s some kind of dermatitis come from contact with something—my mom thinks it’s the new shower gel I just started, among other factors. So I’ve got a new ointment that will hopefully get rid of the rash.

The thing is, I did have chicken pox AND got the shot when I was a kid. Wouldn’t you know it, I unknowingly got exposed before I got the shot, so thankfully it was a slight case. But yeah, now I really want to get the shingles vaccine before I turn 70…

[Laura Holt]

25 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

But yeah, now I really want to get the shingles vaccine before I turn 70…

I was really on the fence about getting the vaccine because, shots, ugh.  But then a friend of my parents got shingles. The stuff of nightmares.  I jumped off the fence fast!

[ebk57]

I got the shingles vaccine as soon as I was eligible, about 5 years ago.  Then, 2 years later, they released a new one.  My doc made me wait another year or so to get it - which I did also as soon as I was eligible. 

I'm a huge fan of vaccines (although not of shots, but what can you do).  I think I've had 11 (covid, flu, shingles and pneumonia) in the last 3 years.  So far, they're working.

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

But yeah, now I really want to get the shingles vaccine before I turn 70…

Not sure if "70" was hyperbole, joke, or a typo, but just wanted to make sure everyone knows it's age 50 for the shingles vaccine (cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix), and now I also see "Adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems..."

 

And, while we're on the subject of ages for preventative medicine, as a stage IV cancer survivor who hates needles or having anything done to me, and who really struggles with colonoscopy prep, I want to remind everyone that 45 is the new 50 for a 1st colonoscopy, and "earlier than 45" if you have family history, or other reasons mentioned on the linked page.

[Spartan Girl]

2 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Not sure if "70" was hyperbole, joke, or a typo, but just wanted to make sure everyone knows it's age 50 for the shingles vaccine (cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix), and now I also see "Adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems..."

Ah, thank you for clarifying. That being said, I don’t want to wait that long either.

[PRgal]

On 8/4/2023 at 5:31 PM, shapeshifter said:

I was just using the Tegaderm as an extra insurance layer for swimming. But I think I’ll check with the nurse again. 
Thanks!

I have Neurofibromatosis and get some of my lumps lasered off at a hospital clinic every few months.  There's some minor bleeding (the area is frozen before the procedure) and I have to keep the area covered for about a week (and not to mention, tons of Polysporene (Neosporene to Americans)).  I used to use good ol' J&J Bandaids, but have found Nexcare/Tegaderm much better. :) 

[partofme]

7 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I want to remind everyone that 45 is the new 50 for a 1st colonoscopy, and "earlier than 45" if you have family history, or other reasons mentioned on the linked page

I had my first ever two days ago, the prep was a nightmare, but now I don’t have to have that done again for ten years!

[isalicat]

I had a PETscan several months ago as part of my ongoing post-cancer care and was told that it will substitute for a colonoscopy for now...as any cancerous polyps in my intestines would have shown up on the scan (but not the pre-cancerous ones). PETscans are not fun, but I would rather have one than a colonoscopy to be honest. I am weirdly skivved out by the very thought of a colonoscopy 🙀

[chitowngirl]

1 hour ago, isalicat said:

. I am weirdly skivved out by the very thought of a colonoscopy 🙀

Eh, you’re asleep. I’d be more skeeved out having to GIVE a colonoscopy 

[shapeshifter]

38 minutes ago, chitowngirl said:

Eh, you’re asleep. I’d be more skeeved out having to GIVE a colonoscopy 

It's the prep that's horrible.

[SoMuchTV]

48 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

It's the prep that's horrible.

Just want to put in a PSA to say that not everyone finds it horrible, especially considering what it can potentially help you avoid. 

Also - if you’re scheduled for one, once you get your prep instructions, start googling. There are often things you can do to make things easier. 

[Gramto6]

My next colonoscopy is Sept 12. I am on an every 5 year schedule.  I've had polyps every time but non-cancerous thank goodness. A friend told me his doctor said they don't do them after 80 years old. Yippee! I'm 74 so hopefully my dr.  follows that thought and the next one in 5 years will be my last! Something to look forward to!

ETA: I do really dread the prep though... I will do the google thing and see if that helps. Thanks @SoMuchTV!

Edited August 7, 2023 by Gramto6
added on to post

[chitowngirl]

Indeed the prep beats colon cancer!! I find drinking the prep cold with a straw gets it down quickly with little taste. And following the pre-prep diet makes everything easier too.

[Quof]

When I had my first colonoscopy, the surgeon asked how I tolerated the prep.  I told him "I have colitis, I have a worse day than that a couple of times a week."  What I minded was the restricted diet for 2 days before, damn I was hungry.  

[shapeshifter]

10 minutes ago, kristen111 said:

I don’t believe this.  I was up all night with a throbbing toothache.  I called the oral surgeon this morning as I know it has to come out.  It was only a matter of time.  He has three offices.  The person on the phone said she would leave him a message.  So far, no message. I called back and she said she related the message and I should call again tomorrow morning.  WTH, is that right?  Now, I have to go thru another night of torture.  Aren’t they supposed to call back the same day?  Is he such a big shot he doesn’t have to call back?

How about an endodontist? 

[kristen111]

56 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

How about an endodontist? 

 

56 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

How about an endodontist? 

I’m just so used to this guy with my teeth.   Here goes this I- pad again.  A PITA.

Edited August 7, 2023 by kristen111