Health and Wellness Chit-Chat: Your Primary Care Topic

[shapeshifter]

Thanks @EtheltoTillie and @Yeah No for encouraging me to at least try the CPAP.

If When I get a CPAP, if it improves my energy and general well-being as much as my Primary Care Provider has said it has for some of her other patients, maybe I'll have some suggestions for things you might bring up with your provider to get recommended to a Sleep Center.

 

A somewhat weird (but not for me, LOL) thought about why to not get a CPAP machine:
Haven't we all always said we hoped to die peacefully in our sleep? 
Heh, but I've already figured out I could just stop using it in another 10 years if need be. 
Seriously, getting a CPAP now that I could abandon in the future might make the difference between having "a good death" and spending 2 years in hospice with a bedpan like my poor Mom did.

[EtheltoTillie]

1 hour ago, Yeah No said:

Sorry to hear that but thank goodness no Parkinsons!

At least with the CPAP you might be able to get a better night's sleep.

I have asked to have a sleep study done but I get told I don't need one every time and I don't know why, and this involves more than one doctor.  It's maddening.  So I've basically given up on that.  Although to be honest I don't relish the idea of using a CPAP.  If it helped me sleep better I might learn to love it, though.  My sleep is all over the clock these days.  I tend to sleep in 2 shifts which is one reason why I'm up posting here in the wee hours.  It works better for me than trying to sleep all the way through.

I have that sleep pattern too and have had it for decades.  It's common and has been known for centuries.  But I don't think I have apnea.   The CPAP addresses apnea, where your breathing stops many times an hour without your being aware, so it makes sure you're getting enough oxygen..  If I get enough total sleep, I don't feel sleep deprived the next day, but they say apnea sufferers do.  I suppose you could push them further for a test.

Of course, I could be wrong about myself and need a CPAP machine too.  The hammer and the nail analogy raised by @shapeshifter

Edited June 10 by EtheltoTillie

[PRgal]

My mom has been using a CPAP for a few years.  My son had to be on one when he was born since he was five weeks early.  Meanwhile, my surgery is this week.  It's supposed to be a complicated/long procedure, involving the removal of ribs to get the all of the tumour out (I hope this isn't TMI).  They told me I'll be in the hospital for a week or so.  I'm bringing my laptop so I can write and come on Primetimer (and watch Bridgerton).  

[shapeshifter]

56 minutes ago, PRgal said:

…Meanwhile, my surgery is this week.  It's supposed to be a complicated/long procedure, involving the removal of ribs to get the all of the tumour out (I hope this isn't TMI).  They told me I'll be in the hospital for a week or so.  I'm bringing my laptop so I can write and come on Primetimer (and watch Bridgerton).  

Oh gosh, @PRgal.
No, not TMI.
Sounds comparable to my stage 4 cancer surgery back in 2016, although no ribs were involved since it was colon cancer that spread to the liver and had not quite reached the lungs. 
I was in for about 10 days. 
There was one night nurse who angelic, if not an angel. 
You'll be in a hospital in Toronto, right? That's good. I was adjacent to Chicago, which was also superior. It makes a difference in the outcome.

Whenever you are able, let us know how you are doing.
Nothing lengthy necessary.
A "👍" or even just "k" is more than enough.
So is an "ow."
Or if pain meds work well, a smiley face is fine too.

🧸
 

[PRgal]

11 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Oh gosh, @PRgal.
No, not TMI.
Sounds comparable to my stage 4 cancer surgery back in 2016, although no ribs were involved since it was colon cancer that spread to the liver and had not quite reached the lungs. 
I was in for about 10 days. 
There was one night nurse who angelic, if not an angel. 
You'll be in a hospital in Toronto, right? That's good. I was adjacent to Chicago, which was also superior. It makes a difference in the outcome.

Whenever you are able, let us know how you are doing.
Nothing lengthy necessary.
A "👍" or even just "k" is more than enough.
So is an "ow."
Or if pain meds work well, a smiley face is fine too.

🧸
 

Thank you.  My tumour is nowhere NEAR stage 4.  The biopsy didn't even show that it was malignant, but it was at very high risk of becoming cancerous.  I had five weeks of radiation to stabilize growth/shrink it in February/March plus a CT and MRI to confirm the stability/shrinking (it did shrink a little).  It's just that it's in an area where removal of the rib is necessary to get everything out.  I'll have mesh there instead (they said that it's better than a fake rib).  What I'm most worried about is pain medication.  I don't want to become...dependent.  

[Mindthinkr]

5 hours ago, PRgal said:

Meanwhile, my surgery is this week. 

I wish you the very best. I wouldn’t be too worried about the pain meds. Nurses and Doctors are very aware of addiction risks and begin to titrate you off them as soon as possible. 
Just concentrate on getting better ❤️‍🩹 

[Anela]

10 hours ago, Yeah No said:

Sorry to hear that but thank goodness no Parkinsons!

At least with the CPAP you might be able to get a better night's sleep.

I have asked to have a sleep study done but I get told I don't need one every time and I don't know why, and this involves more than one doctor.  It's maddening.  So I've basically given up on that.  Although to be honest I don't relish the idea of using a CPAP.  If it helped me sleep better I might learn to love it, though.  My sleep is all over the clock these days.  I tend to sleep in 2 shifts which is one reason why I'm up posting here in the wee hours.  It works better for me than trying to sleep all the way through.

I've always been a really light sleeper, but it seemed like I went months with barely any sleep, starting around six years ago. I felt like I was losing my mind. It still happens occasionally, for days at a time. 

I got some sleep today, but I hate falling asleep as the sun is coming up (or when it's really up, like 7am). I took half a dose of zzzquil+ (pain medicine in there, too), and before that, I'd had a small magnesium glycinate drink. then some hot chocolate, because I was hungry, and hoped it would stop the mad feelings of hunger. It seems like I wake up every two hours or so, as well. I also have to go to the bathroom, but I was really out of it when I woke up at gone 11am. I was in such a good sleep, for a change.

I've also been sleeping on the couch a lot, and finally went back up to my bed. I have this issue where the mattress moves over, even though I'm not doing anything to make it move. So, my side starts to hang off the bed. 

[Gramto6]

7 hours ago, PRgal said:

 Meanwhile, my surgery is this week.  

Oh my gosh!  So sorry to hear this! I will keep you in my prayers for the very best of outcomes. When you feel able, let us know how you are doing.  And don't worry about the pain meds, if you are in pain, take them as needed. As @Mindthinkr said the drs will be minding how much you are taking and reduce them as you need them less.

Edited June 11 by Gramto6
fixed comma

[EtheltoTillie]

Best to you, @PRgal  keep us posted only if you can.  We'll all be thinking of you. 

 

[Yeah No]

9 hours ago, PRgal said:

My mom has been using a CPAP for a few years.  My son had to be on one when he was born since he was five weeks early.  Meanwhile, my surgery is this week.  It's supposed to be a complicated/long procedure, involving the removal of ribs to get the all of the tumour out (I hope this isn't TMI).  They told me I'll be in the hospital for a week or so.  I'm bringing my laptop so I can write and come on Primetimer (and watch Bridgerton).  

Oh wow, sorry if I missed you mentioning this before.  I'm sending virtual prayers 🙏 and hugs 🤗 for your quick recovery and minimal pain.

2 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Best to you, @PRgal  keep us posted only if you can.  We'll all be thinking of you. 

Yes and ditto on this too!  ⬆️⬆️⬆️

[Yeah No]

13 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

I have that sleep pattern too and have had it for decades.  It's common and has been known for centuries.  But I don't think I have apnea.   The CPAP addresses apnea, where your breathing stops many times an hour without your being aware, so it makes sure you're getting enough oxygen..  If I get enough total sleep, I don't feel sleep deprived the next day, but they say apnea sufferers do.  I suppose you could push them further for a test.

Of course, I could be wrong about myself and need a CPAP machine too.  The hammer and the nail analogy raised by @shapeshifter

Yeah, I've been reading that it's common and nothing to worry about.  As long as you feel rested they say you're OK.  Or as long as my smart watch gives me a good sleep score, LOL.  I'm following my mother's pattern with this - she was the same in her later years.

My problem is that the older I get the harder it is for me to sleep as long as I should to feel rested.  I often wake up just a little too early and can't go back to sleep.  Often my bladder wakes me up.  Or the lawn mowers.  Or my husband.  It's always something.  I've tried going to bed a little earlier but it just happens an hour earlier.  It feels like a conspiracy.  I even sleep with an eye mask and ear plugs and take magnesium before I go to bed and half an anti-anxiety drug my gastro. prescribed for my acid stomach believe it or not.  He told me for some unknown reason it helps with that.  And it does.  And it also helps me sleep but it hasn't solved this particular problem.  I once tried taking melatonin but it made me feel too drowsy the next morning.  I tried cutting down the dose but same thing so I gave up on it.

I've tried not drinking so much liquid later in the day esp. with caffeine but the same thing happens, my bladder wakes me up a little too early.  What is it about my body that no matter when I drink liquids I still have to pee at the same time, LOL?

[Mindthinkr]

 

Oh my gosh!  So sorry to hear this! I will keep you in my prayers for the very best of outcomes. When you feel able, let us know how you are doing.  And don't worry about the pain meds, if you are in pain, take them as needed. As @Mindthinkr said the drs will be minding how much you are taking and reduce them as you need them less.

🙀 I’m sorry. It didn’t show that my post was originally from @PRgal

She is the person having the surgery. 

[Gramto6]

On 6/11/2024 at 7:01 AM, Mindthinkr said:

🙀 I’m sorry. It didn’t show that my post was originally from @PRgal

She is the person having the surgery. 

Right, I knew that. I quoted just the part of  @PRgal's post referring to having the surgery then referred to your quote @Mindthinkr re the dr's being careful with the pain meds as she was worried about them. No problem... 😸

[PRgal]

Out of surgery.  Luckily, I allowed to eat right away so I’m having some soup and water.  Feeling okay, considering ever what they took out. 

[EtheltoTillie]

Great news!  

[PRgal]

Update:  I’ll probably be in the hospital for the next week of so.  Food is disgusting!  I had a sorry excuse of a bagel yesterday that didn’t even have cream cheese.  The only thing edible on my breakfast try was Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shapeshifter]

6 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Update:  I’ll probably be in the hospital for the next week of so.  Food is disgusting!  I had a sorry excuse of a bagel yesterday that didn’t even have cream cheese.  The only thing edible on my breakfast try was Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. 

Now that you mention it, I vaguely remember the terrible post-op hospital food.
Maybe they just figure that the pain meds and anesthesia side effect of wiping the new short-term memories for a little while means they can get away with serving food that would get even the worst cooks tossed out of the kitchen.

Ooo. I just recalled that the night nurse was able to get me a little cup of something from a little fridge on the floor. Maybe it was just Jell-O, but they may have other stuff too.

You need to have enough nutrients to heal. 👵🏻

[fairffaxx]

The last time I was in the hospital, I asked for a meatless menu & the orderly said they only had an Indian buffet.  Best meal I've ever eaten anywhere, so much flavor!

[PRgal]

Breakfast was cereal again.  Lunch, tuna salad with a few measly greens as my salad.  The bread looked sad so I ate half and dumped the tuna into the salad. I wasn’t hungry anyway

[PRgal]

And I don’t get what “nutrients” are even in these foods.  It’s all ultra-processed junk!!!

[roseha]

Best prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery @PRgal!

Too bad about the food!    Hoping you will  be home  soon.

[annzeepark914]

I had two sleep studies (probably because I didn't get much sleep as I'm not a back sleeper). They said I have a mild case of sleep apnea & provided the machine. Couldn't sleep using the machine so I got the dental device (like a mouth guard) & that has helped.

[shapeshifter]

3 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

I had two sleep studies (probably because I didn't get much sleep as I'm not a back sleeper). They said I have a mild case of sleep apnea & provided the machine. Couldn't sleep using the machine so I got the dental device (like a mouth guard) & that has helped.

Thanks!

I was wondering about this option. 
 

[annzeepark914]

Just now, shapeshifter said:

Thanks!

I was wondering about this option. 
 

If you decide on the dental device, make sure you get it from an oral surgeon so Medicare will cover the cost.

[shapeshifter]

45 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

If you decide on the dental device, make sure you get it from an oral surgeon so Medicare will cover the cost.

Thanks again!
What was your process of finding the right device, doctor, etc.?

[annzeepark914]

2 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Thanks again!
What was your process of finding the right device, doctor, etc.?

I called Medicare and was provided a list of oral surgeons in my area. At my appt, I showed them the letter from the sleep center doctor (I think I got that letter after telling him I couldn't sleep with the mask/hose & wanted to get the dental device). They then took impressions of my teeth. Went back a week or so later and got my device. At first it was very tight & I didn't like wearing it. But then I shaped up 😏 & started wearing it every night. It really helps me sleep better, longer. Also keeps me from grinding my teeth.

[PRgal]

I hate bottles salad dressing and I have to deal with it in the hospital.  The last time I had Kraft “Italian” dressing was in the 90s.  We typically make our own dressing at home with any combination of mustard, vinegar and olive oil.  Or hummus and vinegar (my favourite is hummus and apple cider vinegar).   I’m likely going to be here until at least Friday.  Probably Sunday. 

[EtheltoTillie]

3 hours ago, PRgal said:

I hate bottles salad dressing and I have to deal with it in the hospital.  The last time I had Kraft “Italian” dressing was in the 90s.  We typically make our own dressing at home with any combination of mustard, vinegar and olive oil.  Or hummus and vinegar (my favourite is hummus and apple cider vinegar).   I’m likely going to be here until at least Friday.  Probably Sunday. 

OOh, of all things.  Bottled dressing is awful.  And several more days in the hospital  Stay strong. 

[Gramto6]

3 hours ago, PRgal said:

I hate bottles salad dressing and I have to deal with it in the hospital.  The last time I had Kraft “Italian” dressing was in the 90s.  We typically make our own dressing at home with any combination of mustard, vinegar and olive oil.  Or hummus and vinegar (my favourite is hummus and apple cider vinegar).   I’m likely going to be here until at least Friday.  Probably Sunday. 

Hoping you are on the mend and feeling better each day!  So sorry you have to deal with hospital food for so long. I don't know of any hospital that gets raves for their inpatient food! They want us to eat but then serve almost inedible food to us. It has never made any sense to me. Hope you are able to go home sooner rather than later! 

Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way! (((Hugs)))

[Bastet]

@PRgal, are you on a restricted diet, or can your husband/parents bring you some decent food - at least some of the time - so you don't have to eat the hospital slop?  The hospital my parents and I use lets people bring outside food to patients unless they're on a medically-mandated diet.  (We've never bothered, as none of us have been there long <knock on wood>, but I've checked just in case.)

Edited June 18 by Bastet

[PRgal]

5 minutes ago, Bastet said:

@PRgal, are you on a restricted diet, or can your husband/parents bring you some decent food - at least some of the time - so you don't have to eat the hospital slop?  The hospital my parents and I both use lets people bring outside food to patients unless they're on a medically-mandated diet.  (We've never bothered, as none of us have been there long <knock on wood>, but I've checked just in case.)

Nope.  But seeing that I’m not moving much, outside food portions are just too big.  I’m so far only getting coffee from outside.

[BetyBee]

Today I'm heading to the Breast Center for Mammo 3D Tomography Additional Views and Mammo Ultrasound breast diagnostic limited (right side). I haven't done this before. I know they are specifically looking at a "mass" along the chest wall. I do have dense breast tissue, so I'm not surprised. I've been called back before, but never for an ultrasound test. I understand that they want a better look and I'm hoping that look will tell them I'm fine! My good friend had this exact procedure at the same place and she did have to return for a needle biopsy, which turned out to be fine. Her sister died from breast cancer, but I have 3 sisters, none of whom have had breast cancer. Still, I did have radiation as an infant on my thymus gland, so.....I'm kind of freaked out!

[shapeshifter]

27 minutes ago, BetyBee said:

Today I'm heading to the Breast Center for Mammo 3D Tomography Additional Views and Mammo Ultrasound breast diagnostic limited (right side). I haven't done this before. I know they are specifically looking at a "mass" along the chest wall. I do have dense breast tissue, so I'm not surprised. I've been called back before, but never for an ultrasound test. I understand that they want a better look and I'm hoping that look will tell them I'm fine! My good friend had this exact procedure at the same place and she did have to return for a needle biopsy, which turned out to be fine. Her sister died from breast cancer, but I have 3 sisters, none of whom have had breast cancer. Still, I did have radiation as an infant on my thymus gland, so.....I'm kind of freaked out!

I too have "dense" tissue and familial and personal cancer history, so was freaked out the first couple of times I was called back. Last year I was told they now do the 3D Tomography on all patients. I don't know if that's because I live in the state of NY now, or if that's routine nationwide (except maybe rural, poorly-equipped places?).

I once had the biopsy where they turn you upside down.
I don't know if statistics still indicate that breastfeeding lowers your breast cancer risk, but in the 70s-80s I did breastfeed 3 babies for 2-3 years each and have not had any malignancies in that area of my body.

Let us know how it goes.
🧸🤞

[PRgal]

I opted for a vegetarian option at lunch today and got dal (lentils) and rice with carrot sticks.  It was halfway decent for a change. 

Edited June 18 by PRgal

[BetyBee]

3 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I too have "dense" tissue and familial and personal cancer history, so was freaked out the first couple of times I was called back. Last year I was told they now do the 3D Tomography on all patients. I don't know if that's because I live in the state of NY now, or if that's routine nationwide (except maybe rural, poorly-equipped places?).

I once had the biopsy where they turn you upside down.
I don't know if statistics still indicate that breastfeeding lowers your breast cancer risk, but in the 70s-80s I did breastfeed 3 babies for 2-3 years each and have not had any malignancies in that area of my body.

Let us know how it goes.
🧸🤞

Thank you so much @shapeshifter! I'd say the result was really good. I have some cysts that the radiologist thinks look benign. She wants me to do a follow up ultrasound in 6 months to see if they've changed (grown), but she thinks it's all good. I'm so relieved! I don't even need a needle biopsy. I made the appointment for December and I'm so relieved! I nursed my 3 babies in the 70s-80s too. I hope that helped to prevent BC. I think doing the 3D for everyone reduces call backs, which relieves stress for patients! I'm so relieved! 

[Yeah No]

14 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I too have "dense" tissue and familial and personal cancer history, so was freaked out the first couple of times I was called back. Last year I was told they now do the 3D Tomography on all patients. I don't know if that's because I live in the state of NY now, or if that's routine nationwide (except maybe rural, poorly-equipped places?).

I too have dense breast tissue and when that started I always got the ultrasound if it was recommended. I know a law was passed a few years ago in CT for an ultrasound to be routine for women with dense breast tissue. My center says it was the first in the state to offer the 3D tomography so I've had that for at least a few years now. 

Edited June 19 by Yeah No

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I too have dense breast tissue and when that started I always got the ultrasound if it was recommended. I know a law was passed a few years ago in CT for an ultrasound to be routine for women with dense breast tissue. My center says it was the first in the state to offer the 3D tomography so I've had that for at least a few years now. 

Yes, I think the ultrasound is now "routine" here in NY state too. And all of the breast cancer testing is free. They even validate for parking!
Although, IMO, parking at any hospital should be free. Do they think we're coming for the free cable TV in our loved ones rooms??

13 hours ago, BetyBee said:

She wants me to do a follow up ultrasound in 6 months to see if they've changed (grown)

That sounds familiar, but I'd have to check my records. 

13 hours ago, BetyBee said:

I think doing the 3D for everyone reduces call backs, which relieves stress for patients! I'm so relieved! 

Yes. I was very freaked out when I had at least 3 callbacks before 3D was available. I don't recall them using ultrasound for breast cancer screening at that time either.🤔? 
I suspect there was a kind of push-me-pull-you between the insurance companies and the doctors and the researchers until ultimately the monetary value and the human life value were aligned.
Sometimes our team eventually wins.

 

[Yeah No]

3 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Yes, I think the ultrasound is now "routine" here in NY state too. And all of the breast cancer testing is free. They even validate for parking!
Although, IMO, parking at any hospital should be free. Do they think we're coming for the free cable TV in our loved ones rooms??

Same here in CT, it's mandatory for insurance to cover it and the ultrasound if called for. My hospital validates parking for all radiological procedures. I wish they had free parking for everything as it's often a huge PITA at the card readers. But thankfully when it's busy they often keep the gates open so everyone gets through for free.

3 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Yes. I was very freaked out when I had at least 3 callbacks before 3D was available. I don't recall them using ultrasound for breast cancer screening at that time either.🤔? 
I suspect there was a kind of push-me-pull-you between the insurance companies and the doctors and the researchers until ultimately the monetary value and the human life value were aligned.
Sometimes our team eventually wins.

Before the 3D I was called back for ultrasounds a couple of times which freaked me out too but then my center decided to lessen the worry by scheduling women who had them previously for an ultrasound immediately after their screening mammogram in case the doctor said it was necessary. That really helped. But thankfully now with the 3D that's not an issue anymore.

I remember in the beginning when I started with the ultrasounds the insurance company only covered part of it claiming that because it was coded as a "diagnostic" procedure and thus was subject to deductibles. The screening center said they couldn't code it any other way because of the type of procedure it was, so that used to piss me off. All that is now history. In CT I think it was the women's breast cancer groups that lobbied for the change, or at least they had a part in it. I remember the news piece when the bill was signed and there were all these women standing around wearing the characteristic pink breast cancer awareness pins.

[PRgal]

Update:  And I am HOME!  I managed to survive a week of hospital mystery food, with only one takeout session (salad, just to get some real vegetables) though my final meal there (lunch, yesterday) had something they attempted to call a sundae.  It tasted...weird.  But it was made from a major grocery store brand.  I think said brand makes inferior quality stuff especially for hospitals.  Because it certainly doesn't taste like that brand!

[Yeah No]

35 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Update:  And I am HOME!  I managed to survive a week of hospital mystery food, with only one takeout session (salad, just to get some real vegetables) though my final meal there (lunch, yesterday) had something they attempted to call a sundae.  It tasted...weird.  But it was made from a major grocery store brand.  I think said brand makes inferior quality stuff especially for hospitals.  Because it certainly doesn't taste like that brand!

Great news, on your being home, thanks for letting us know!  I've had good hospital food and bad hospital food and when it's bad it's awful! Thankfully that's not an issue for you anymore!

[PRgal]

21 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Great news, on your being home, thanks for letting us know!  I've had good hospital food and bad hospital food and when it's bad it's awful! Thankfully that's not an issue for you anymore!

It was actually earlier than they thought.  The doctors all expected that I'd be in the hospital until Sunday or Monday.  They're amazed at my progress and the nurses were surprised I was able to walk up and down the hall with very little help so quickly.  It helps to work out an hour a day.  I can't really go back to the gym just yet, but I'm on the mend.  I don't expect to do any full personal training until the fall ,though I'll probably be okay with an exercise bike in a couple of weeks.

[Gramto6]

On 6/21/2024 at 7:13 AM, PRgal said:

Update:  And I am HOME!  I managed to survive a week of hospital mystery food, with only one takeout session (salad, just to get some real vegetables) though my final meal there (lunch, yesterday) had something they attempted to call a sundae.  It tasted...weird.  But it was made from a major grocery store brand.  I think said brand makes inferior quality stuff especially for hospitals.  Because it certainly doesn't taste like that brand!

Glad to hear you are home and doing so well! I'll bet you are looking forward to good home cooked food!

[Mindthinkr]

On 6/21/2024 at 9:13 AM, PRgal said:

Update:  And I am HOME!  I managed to survive a week of hospital mystery food, with only one takeout session (salad, just to get some real vegetables) though my final meal there (lunch, yesterday) had something they attempted to call a sundae.  It tasted...weird.  But it was made from a major grocery store brand.  I think said brand makes inferior quality stuff especially for hospitals.  Because it certainly doesn't taste like that brand!

Glad that you are home and recovering so fast. Just don’t overdo anything. 

[shapeshifter]

Here's a free gift link to the NYT article, “The Promise of Weight-Loss Drugs: Where these drugs might take us — and what that means for medicine.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/briefing/ozempic-weight-loss-drugs.html?unlocked_article_code=1.2E0.EwFt.Yx8jQcwwH9hi&smid=url-share

I very briefly got excited when I read the section on Fighting Inflammation, that begins: “Some researchers think Ozempic and drugs like it may have something of a medical superpower: lowering inflammation in the body.…”

I've had chronic, increasing, debilitating pain for many years that no amount of physical therapy has helped and for which no MRI consultations with surgeons have gone anywhere. Painkillers — both OTC and prescription — just give me rebound pain worse than "normal." Alternative therapies like yoga, mindfulness, and acupuncture, have triggered new problems (including having to use a cane to attend my daughter's wedding.)

So I've pretty much resigned myself to not living to see an solution.
Then I had about 60 seconds of hope with this headline.
Alas, as someone with already decreased muscle mass, no more than 5 extra pounds, I don't think this would work for me.
Where's my Star Trek tricorder?

But it may work for someone else here.

[Yeah No]

@shapeshifter, as you probably already know, I can't take those diabetes drugs because they make me sick to my stomach. I haven't tried Ozempic or Wegovy but my doctor told me if I got sick on Metformin I'd likely get sick on these too. All are drugs that work the same way in the body by slowing digestion and acting like an appetite suppressant.  It does stuff in the gut even though Ozempic and Wegovy are injectables and bypass the gut when administered. 

Anyway, these drugs are not a good choice for me either. From what I'm reading they don't work for up to 30% of people who try them because of the constant nausea, upset stomach and other side effects! So at least you know you're not alone in thinking these drugs are not for you.

Do you take any supplements that are said to reduce inflammation? I suffer from some inflammation from arthritis and probably other causes so I've taken to taking many of those supplements and I am adding more all the time. The next one on my list is going to be Reservatrol. 

I take almost everything on this list:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/anti-inflammatory-supplements

Circumin is in Tumeric and I take 2,000 mg. of that per day. Reservatrol is not on this particular list but I've seen it on others. Reservatrol is one of those hidden gems that is good for a lot of things so I'm finding out.

Since I've been taking all this stuff I've seen enough improvement to warrant the cost. Anyway I thought I'd mention it in case you or someone else might benefit from it.

 

[Yeah No]

13 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

Back when I was struggling, in the late 90s and felt awful and blood work was deemed "normal" by several doctors and their only thing was "synthroid" which wasn't working, by some stroke of luck, my acupuncture dr. who was really an MD but not her specialty, when I whined to her, said, let me check your bloodwork.  Okay.  She said you have some odd combinations of all those thyroid numbers that could be considered "within normal limits" but so close to being outside, that she said "I am going to recommend my mother's doctor.  He is an endocrinologist who thinks outside the box".  It took a while to get an appointment and then I sat in his waiting room for a long time to my appointment which was late, but, I was feeling so awful really didn't even have the energy to get up and leave. Finally got called.  He had my bloodwork.  He sat there like I was the only person there in the place, seemed relaxed, talked about things I can't remember about "high this, low that" and then...Took My Hand in His and said "there are a lot of things to try and we will try all of them until we find the one that works for you".  I started to cry and thought I was having an out of body experience.  He did "fix" me.  And when we moved to metro Atlanta I had the darnedest time with finding a doctor to prescribe my pills.  They all said "this will kill you!"   I said, seriously?  I'm on them over 20 years.  I lucked into a wonderful oncologist for followups for the breast cancer and he is also an internist.  I told him my tale of woe, he looked at everything and said "this won't kill you!  I will be monitoring  your thyroid and prescribing what you need".  He is the same doctor who treated Sweet Son, sadly to no avail, cancer too far gone.  But the most wonderful human and doctor.    Honestly, there are other things to try besides Synthroid and Armour natural thyroid. That didn't work for me either.  There is another brand of natural I didn't like either.  I would not give up.  Maybe call some local pharmacies and see if they know doctors prescribing outside the box.

I brought this here from the Chit Chat thread.

What exactly are you taking if you don't mind me asking? Forgive me if you already mentioned it.

My current doctor told me there are other drugs and approaches now than in my mother's time so if I have a problem with one there are others to try. So maybe now things have caught up to where your great doctor was in the '90s.

The "other" brand of natural thyroid is probably the one I was taking because I know it wasn't Armour. That was prescribed for me back in '08 by an "outside the box" doctor that was recommended to me by my hormone specialist. He is a popular holistic doctor that prescribes a lot of natural stuff. When I was unable to take anything he prescribed me (all were hormones) he actually told me he couldn't help me and sent me on my way. That pissed me off as I recall. He didn't want to spend the time to find something to help me, and I was actually going to him to treat some pretty bad symptoms of menopause, not my thyroid anyway.

To be honest I have not found many doctors that seem willing to keep trying if nothing helps. After a few tries they give up on you, whatever you go to them for. At the time I didn't have the time or the energy to find another doctor because like I say, at that time I didn't have a thyroid condition and was really looking for relief from perimenopausal symptoms. And even if I did continue to search my thyroid numbers were even more normal than now and I probably would not have been successful anyway. I still have my blood test results from that time and I doubt that 95% or more of doctors would have put me on thyroid hormone. And my hormone specialist (who was brilliant but now retired) theorized that my sensitivity to what I was prescribed might have been partly because I already had enough hormone and any more was too much for me, which accounted for my reaction. He thought that might have applied to the estrogen and progesterone too. He might have been right. He was right about pretty much everything. I miss him very much! I even went to his daughter last year thinking she would help me with my fibroids but to no avail. It's like she's not even related to him. Did not help me AT ALL. 

Anyway thanks for your help, this has been amazing. Don't forget to tell me what you're taking!

[lookeyloo]

6 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I brought this here from the Chit Chat thread.

What exactly are you taking if you don't mind me asking? Forgive me if you already mentioned it.

My current doctor told me there are other drugs and approaches now than in my mother's time so if I have a problem with one there are others to try. So maybe now things have caught up to where your great doctor was in the '90s.

The "other" brand of natural thyroid is probably the one I was taking because I know it wasn't Armour. That was prescribed for me back in '08 by an "outside the box" doctor that was recommended to me by my hormone specialist. He is a popular holistic doctor that prescribes a lot of natural stuff. When I was unable to take anything he prescribed me (all were hormones) he actually told me he couldn't help me and sent me on my way. That pissed me off as I recall. He didn't want to spend the time to find something to help me, and I was actually going to him to treat some pretty bad symptoms of menopause, not my thyroid anyway.

To be honest I have not found many doctors that seem willing to keep trying if nothing helps. After a few tries they give up on you, whatever you go to them for. At the time I didn't have the time or the energy to find another doctor because like I say, at that time I didn't have a thyroid condition and was really looking for relief from perimenopausal symptoms. And even if I did continue to search my thyroid numbers were even more normal than now and I probably would not have been successful anyway. I still have my blood test results from that time and I doubt that 95% or more of doctors would have put me on thyroid hormone. And my hormone specialist (who was brilliant but now retired) theorized that my sensitivity to what I was prescribed might have been partly because I already had enough hormone and any more was too much for me, which accounted for my reaction. He thought that might have applied to the estrogen and progesterone too. He might have been right. He was right about pretty much everything. I miss him very much! I even went to his daughter last year thinking she would help me with my fibroids but to no avail. It's like she's not even related to him. Did not help me AT ALL. 

Anyway thanks for your help, this has been amazing. Don't forget to tell me what you're taking!

Well, hey there!  I don't mind at all with what I take - Levoxyl 75 mg and compounded T3 - 12.5 mg or mcg or whatever they are, both in the a.m. with water and wait a while before coffee or food.

Are you sure your issues are even related to your thyroid?  If all your numbers have always been normal maybe that isn't your issue?  Even on the right combo of meds the weight does Not fall right off.  It is still a huge struggle.  I am not normally a thin person but I have been able to maintain it since my 20s, some small ups and downs, but a lot of self discipline.  I'm not referring to your situation, because we are all different.  If left to my own devices so to speak, I would have a bread machine and a tub of butter at my side all the time and then the 600 lb life people would have to take me out of the house through a wall!!

If your thyroid isn't the culprit I hope you find the right dr to help you.  Have you considered that you have "sensitivities" to things?  mr. lookeyloo suffered with migraines for years that interfered with his and our lives.  He went to many doctors and got drugs, physical therapy, etc and nothing helped.  By chance we heard a dr on a local radio station back in the day who was an MD but thought outside the box and he went to see her and she had him go on a drastic elimination diet and keep notes and she was right that mainly what he was eating (and I was cooking) was causing his migraines.  He went on a very limited and I mean limited regimen to figure out what was what.  He could only have water in glass bottles, white fish, and then add in broccoli and groats.  Good notes, back to dr. and assess.  It was a very very slow process to see what was causing his issues.  He lost a lot of weight, looked awful, she told him he would detox and to expect this, and finally got migraine free.  He was off all the offending things for over 30 years, and is now able to have some of them with no issues.  I'm only telling you this because it could be something you are unaware of.  A filler in a pill, something unusual in your supplements.  Also be careful of supplements. Make sure you are taking ones that have been tested for purity and potency and look for interactions at high doses with prescriptions and other supplements.

I don't know if you do facebook but there are lots of "closed groups" that have been helpful to me, with the osteoporosis.  I have decided with that to forego any of the prescription meds and just take good care of myself, eat well (but not a lot) and exercise and lift weights.  Do I love all of this? No.  But it is worth it to feel not awful.  Am I perfect, also no.   There are probably a lot of them on menopause, etc.  I know Mary Shaman is a thyroid expert and she might offer some insights  https://www.mary-shomon.com

Remember, I am not a doctor, just relating how I have proceeded over the years.  Also Mr. lookeyloo. Your situation isn't our situations but there are some common threads.   It might be easier in the short run to give up but once you get feeling. better it will have been worth the search.

I guess if we get bounced we can DM?  Good luck, keep me posted.

[Yeah No]

1 hour ago, lookeyloo said:

Well, hey there!  I don't mind at all with what I take - Levoxyl 75 mg and compounded T3 - 12.5 mg or mcg or whatever they are, both in the a.m. with water and wait a while before coffee or food.

Are you sure your issues are even related to your thyroid?  If all your numbers have always been normal maybe that isn't your issue?  Even on the right combo of meds the weight does Not fall right off.  It is still a huge struggle.  I am not normally a thin person but I have been able to maintain it since my 20s, some small ups and downs, but a lot of self discipline.  I'm not referring to your situation, because we are all different.  If left to my own devices so to speak, I would have a bread machine and a tub of butter at my side all the time and then the 600 lb life people would have to take me out of the house through a wall!!

If your thyroid isn't the culprit I hope you find the right dr to help you.  Have you considered that you have "sensitivities" to things?  mr. lookeyloo suffered with migraines for years that interfered with his and our lives.  He went to many doctors and got drugs, physical therapy, etc and nothing helped.  By chance we heard a dr on a local radio station back in the day who was an MD but thought outside the box and he went to see her and she had him go on a drastic elimination diet and keep notes and she was right that mainly what he was eating (and I was cooking) was causing his migraines.  He went on a very limited and I mean limited regimen to figure out what was what.  He could only have water in glass bottles, white fish, and then add in broccoli and groats.  Good notes, back to dr. and assess.  It was a very very slow process to see what was causing his issues.  He lost a lot of weight, looked awful, she told him he would detox and to expect this, and finally got migraine free.  He was off all the offending things for over 30 years, and is now able to have some of them with no issues.  I'm only telling you this because it could be something you are unaware of.  A filler in a pill, something unusual in your supplements.  Also be careful of supplements. Make sure you are taking ones that have been tested for purity and potency and look for interactions at high doses with prescriptions and other supplements.

I don't know if you do facebook but there are lots of "closed groups" that have been helpful to me, with the osteoporosis.  I have decided with that to forego any of the prescription meds and just take good care of myself, eat well (but not a lot) and exercise and lift weights.  Do I love all of this? No.  But it is worth it to feel not awful.  Am I perfect, also no.   There are probably a lot of them on menopause, etc.  I know Mary Shaman is a thyroid expert and she might offer some insights  https://www.mary-shomon.com

Remember, I am not a doctor, just relating how I have proceeded over the years.  Also Mr. lookeyloo. Your situation isn't our situations but there are some common threads.   It might be easier in the short run to give up but once you get feeling. better it will have been worth the search.

I guess if we get bounced we can DM?  Good luck, keep me posted.

Oh don't worry about getting bounced on this thread, it's especially for talking about this kind of medical stuff.

I've been thoroughly checked out for food sensitivities so I don't think it has to do with that. There is an interrelationship between all the different functions in the body and I think I'm caught in a "catch 22" of problems between them. I'm reading that they're finding out that after menopause the lowering of estrogen and other hormones can cause a lowering of metabolism in some women which results in weight gain. Depending on genetics the slowing can be significant. So the problem may start with declining hormone levels but that causes other things. The weight gain can kick off metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, which we hear a lot about but so far no one really has figured out how to solve other than through diet, and we all know that for people stuck in this vicious circle doesn't really work. You lose an initial amount of weight, hit a plateau and then get stuck there and it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain that weight even with the same or increased level of diet and exercise. That's where I'm stuck right now and is exactly what happened to my mother, her mother and HER mother. So at least I know what side of the family this comes from.

So to answer your question, no, it doesn't have to be primarily caused by the thyroid but if you have a thyroid condition, especially an autoimmune one like Hashimoto's can be, it can make things even harder for you to maintain weight. And that's no matter what your thyroid hormone levels are. You don't have to have low thyroid hormone levels to have Hashimoto's. It puts your body in this mode where it's attacking itself and that can weaken the thyroid over time which causes it to not function as well to regulate metabolism and eventually results in below normal thyroid hormone levels.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's based on a blood test of a certain enzyme that is present in an amount that indicates having the condition. The medical sites and my doctor say that the body is attacking the thyroid which makes it harder for it to do its job regulating metabolism no matter how much thyroid hormone you have. So that is how my thyroid condition might be contribute to my problems with my weight even with "normal" thyroid hormone levels. My doctor and the major medical websites all say that over time with Hashimoto's the thyroid typically becomes weaker and weaker and eventually thyroid hormone levels will fall below normal. It's supposedly a progressive disease. So far I am seeing a very gradual downward trend in my hormone levels over the past 10 years, which is consistent with what they're saying. My doctor says it's slow enough that it may take a long time for that to happen or it may not, we just have to keep hoping it doesn't start going down faster. What I am doing can only help.  I've continued to eat as healthy as I can, exercise, get enough sleep and take all the thyroid support supplements that are safe to take.

Note that some doctors might consider prescribing me thyroid hormones based on my low/normal levels and Hashimoto's because they think it might help me but I don't think there's any real basis in that, just like there wasn't any when that holistic doctor put me on natural thyroid hormone. And back then my thyroid numbers were higher! So I'm not in any rush to take them to be honest (in fact just the opposite given my reaction years ago) and I do realize they may not be any answer to my weight issue.

BTW, I am familiar with Mary Shomon. I have been reading her stuff since way back in 2008 when I was prescribed the thyroid hormone.  But thank you for your insights, they do really help!

Edited June 25 by Yeah No

[lookeyloo]

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

Oh don't worry about getting bounced on this thread, it's especially for talking about this kind of medical stuff.

I've been thoroughly checked out for food sensitivities so I don't think it has to do with that. There is an interrelationship between all the different functions in the body and I think I'm caught in a "catch 22" of problems between them. I'm reading that they're finding out that after menopause the lowering of estrogen and other hormones can cause a lowering of metabolism in some women which results in weight gain. Depending on genetics the slowing can be significant. So the problem may start with declining hormone levels but that causes other things. The weight gain can kick off metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, which we hear a lot about but so far no one really has figured out how to solve other than through diet, and we all know that for people stuck in this vicious circle doesn't really work. You lose an initial amount of weight, hit a plateau and then get stuck there and it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain that weight even with the same or increased level of diet and exercise. That's where I'm stuck right now and is exactly what happened to my mother, her mother and HER mother. So at least I know what side of the family this comes from.

So to answer your question, no, it doesn't have to be primarily caused by the thyroid but if you have a thyroid condition, especially an autoimmune one like Hashimoto's can be, it can make things even harder for you to maintain weight. And that's no matter what your thyroid hormone levels are. You don't have to have low thyroid hormone levels to have Hashimoto's. It puts your body in this mode where it's attacking itself and that can weaken the thyroid over time and eventually result in below normal thyroid hormone levels.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's based on a blood test of a certain enzyme that is present in an amount that indicates having the condition. The medical sites and my doctor say that the body is attacking the thyroid which makes it harder for it to do its job regulating metabolism no matter how much thyroid hormone you have. So that is how my thyroid condition might be contribute to my problems with my weight even with "normal" thyroid hormone levels. My doctor and the major medical websites all say that over time with Hashimoto's the thyroid typically becomes weaker and weaker and eventually thyroid hormone levels will fall below normal. It's supposedly a progressive disease. So far I am seeing a very gradual downward trend in my hormone levels over the past 10 years, which is consistent with what they're saying. My doctor says it's slow enough that it may take a long time for that to happen or it may not, we just have to keep hoping it doesn't start going down faster. What I am doing can only help.  I've continued to eat as healthy as I can, exercise, get enough sleep and take all the thyroid support supplements that are safe to take.

Note that some doctors might consider prescribing me thyroid hormones based on my low/normal levels and Hashimoto's because they think it might help me but I don't think there's any real basis in that, just like there wasn't any when that holistic doctor put me on natural thyroid hormone. And back then my thyroid numbers were higher! So I'm not in any rush to take them to be honest (in fact just the opposite given my reaction years ago) and I do realize they may not be any answer to my weight issue.

BTW, I am familiar with Mary Shomon. I have been reading her stuff since way back in 2008 when I was prescribed the thyroid hormone.  But thank you for your insights, they do really help!

Well you have a dilemma for sure!  It is hard to come to terms with the "new body" at this age.  Of course I pretend I don't have all those wrinkles either!  I tell myself that at least I am walking upright.  My daughter in law's mother, who has since passed, used to say she wanted to be "a pill away from perfect" but there never was that pill!!

[shapeshifter]

Below is my rant. Feel free to ignore all or part.

ETA: I just got a call back and have an appointment for a mask-fitting Monday.

On 6/17/2024 at 8:00 AM, annzeepark914 said:

I had two sleep studies (probably because I didn't get much sleep as I'm not a back sleeper). They said I have a mild case of sleep apnea & provided the machine. Couldn't sleep using the machine so I got the dental device (like a mouth guard) & that has helped.

My at-home sleep study indicated I was rated at "moderate" or 18.5 sleep apnea.
The doctor said the dental device is usually for "mild" cases and can cause TMJ, which I had in the past and don't want to re-trigger. She did give me the names of 2 specialists if I want to try it anyway.

But yesterday I had a CPAP "session" with 2 other people to get my CPAP device and "learn" how to use it. 
Ugh. They issued me a mask based on a 5 questions (like, are you claustrophobic?) and a video scan done at home on my phone before the session. 
The "pillow" mask they gave me is clearly not going to work for my nose, but the guy running the session with a cute little button nose ignored my questions even though I was freaking out and pulling it off.
This was not a "fitting."

This was after he spent the first 15 minutes of our session helping the person who had not done the required questionnaire and face scan.

Meanwhile, I have 30 days to use the device for at least 21 days of 4 hours each or else, with "or else" meaning, I think, I cough up more money to continue to try. 

And it smells.

I am really upset.
Partly because I'm so tired, and I should probably have had one of these 5 years ago when I complained about feeling like I was choking when I was lying down, but I was sent to an ENT who did a scope and imaging and said there was no obstruction (they were looking for tumors).
Shouldn't he have checked me for apnea?
IDK. Maybe he did but it would have required doing a sleep study in a hospital and that didn't seem like something I could do?
At that time I was living in a Chicago suburb with top-rated health care.
The place I went to yesterday in Rochester NY had leak-stained asbestos ceiling tiles, etc.

I've probably had apnea for over 10 years, because that's when I started racing home at "lunch" time to take a 10-20 minute nap.
When they cut our lunch hours to 30 minutes, I got permission to stay a half hour late and take an hour (I usually stayed an hour late anyway because students would come to the reference desk with research questions after classes).

When I had my stage 4 cancer surgery in 2016 the anesthesiologist asked if I had apnea, and I said no. So I guess my loss of memory after the 6 hour surgery and 6 hour recovery was not typical but was due to the apnea?

Right now I'm waiting for a call back. 
It doesn't seem like I'm going to get a different mask before next week.

Okay. I feel better having expressed all of this, and, yes, I could have just saved it as a note in my files, but for some reason I wanted to post it here.

</tl-dr;>

Edited June 28 by shapeshifter