General What’s Your Ailment?

[shadow puppet]

I had my procedure today. Doctor did not find the easy he was looking for and took a biopsy. He says more tests are in order. Yippee.

Hope things get better for you soon. Feel free to vent anytime. Lots of positive mojo on the way to you, friend.

 

[rdrr]

I just wanted to drop a note and say I am on the road to recovery, but I have had rough go of it so far with the pain. It was a lot easier at 41 to bounce back. Anyway… I am going to be lying low until I am my usual ornery self. @Alli my thoughts and good vibes are heading your way.

 

[Huntn]

Ailment related…Medical plan decision time...
I’m currently on a secondary Aetna Medicare PPO plan (covers in and out of network), considering on changing to a Aetna Medicare HMO Plan (in network or nothing) everything about it looks better, but based on what little I know about these plans, my impression is that doctors dislike the HMO plans more than PPO, and there maybe less availability with network only. However my dentist dropped out of the PPO plan I’m on and crown went up 80% from $600 for a crown to $1000, and I’m switching dentists.
Any thoughts on the choice?*

 

[Eric]

Had my annual doctor appointment, triglycerides are high again, then they ask for a second fasting test which typically shows them normal. I have a feeling I'm going to be put on statins this time around though.

 

[Renzatic]

Had my annual doctor appointment, triglycerides are high again, then they ask for a second fasting test which typically shows them normal. I have a feeling I'm going to be put on statins this time around though.

Eh, it's not so bad. I got put on them to control my high cholesterol about 6 months ago, and dolphin grandma what eat the bagel is shape liek frien.

 

[rdrr]

Had my annual doctor appointment, triglycerides are high again, then they ask for a second fasting test which typically shows them normal. I have a feeling I'm going to be put on statins this time around though.

I hope you don't like IPAs especially the Hazy type. Some of them put grapefruit juice or extracts to enhance the hops. Of course getting the beer maker to put in what they add to their IPA is next to impossible. I just stay away from citrus smelling IPAs now, due to almost killing myself drinking heavily of a brand (which I no longer remember now) that had grapefruit juice in it. It got so bad that I had gut pains and had cloudy/grey urine.

Had to give up drinking entirely for a while, until my liver functions starting coming around to normal again.

 

[Huntn]

I’m embarrassed, anyway…
The other day I cut a large branch from our Mulberry tree to give some room to a new cherry tree that I ordered online and have since planted. In the process of cutting up this significant branch, I got tangled up and ended up falling on my right shoulder in the grass, but when I hit the ground, I felt something go twang. I moved my, arms, shoulders, felt my ribs which felt normal, no pain to speak of, but when I move a certain way I feel something move on the right side of my chest like it’s loose in there, like it’s moving back-and-forth between two positions. As I said, no pain except when I cough, I noticed soreness on the right side of my chest in the same area. This happened on Saturday.

Yesterday, without any real improvement, I went to see my Doctor who examined me, told me that the fall may have knocked or torn something out of alignment, such as cartilage, or the muscles that are in the vicinity of the ribs. She ordered up some x-rays which were taken yesterday and I’m waiting to hear the verdict. Her suggestion yesterday was to do no exercise that affects that area and see if it goes away in a week. I ask what happens if there’s a broken bone? She said the same thing only I’d have to wait longer for it to heal before doing any exercise with the affected area or arm.

 

[cbum]

Just a WAG, but how is your collarbone?

 

[Huntn]

Just a WAG, but how is your collarbone?

Sorry for the late response, if to me, no issues with collar bone…

 

[Huntn]

I’ve been taking Tamsulosin for an enlarged prostate for several years now, but my frequent and/or urgent urination symptoms are returning. Saw my urologist yesterday, he scheduled me for a scope (fun) and suggested I try doubling up on my medication. Tamsulosin is designed to relax the prostate to allow more normal urine flow.

He also suggested 2 possible procedures after the scope, “Urolift” a permanent implant that spreads the prostate without surgery, and “Rezum Water Vapor Therapy” the actually shrinks the Prostste.

Anyone have personal experience with these or below? They are newer treatments as compared to more established procedures such as TUMT, TURP, TUIT, Laser. How have your results been?
Thanks!

• Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT)
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
• Laser Surgery

Rezum vs Urolift: Two Top Treatments for BPH Treatment | Austin Urology Institute

Urolift vs Rezum - how do they compare? These are two new, well-studied treatment options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

austinurologyinstitute.com

Do I Need Surgery for BPH?

As men age, it’s common for the prostate to enlarge. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Medications can often treat it, but for some men, surgery may be the answer if symptoms become severe.

www.webmd.com

 

[Tesseract4]

Saw a hand specialist yesterday. He says I have a minimal nerve damage to the median nerve, and that when a sensory nerve is damaged, partially cut, and then heals, it‘s not like plugging an electrical cord into a receptacle, that the circuit is not instantaneously restored to the effected area , that from the damaged area, the circuit must be reestablished at the rate of 1mm a month from the injury to the effected fingers. And that with this kind of injury, my body has greater ability to fix this than a surgeon does and to wait and see how it goes.

He also said damage to the Ulnar nerve (funny bone nerve) that controls movement vs sensory would be much more serious and would require immediate attention, because a broken connection there not restored could cause permanent impairment.

What Are the Major Nerves of the Hand? - Hand and Wrist Institute

Learn about peripheral nerves in the forearm, wrist, and hand. Discover functions, potential issues, and symptoms. Consult specialists at The Hand and Wrist Institute for personalized care.

handandwristinstitute.com

I have a similar situation. I had a wrist injury with partial cut of median nerve leading to tingling in the pads of index, middle, and ring fingers, and soreness/stiffness in middle when bent or extended. The sensation in my middle finger drives me insane; I just want my right hand to feel like my left hand again. I’m at 8 months, and injury is 9.5” from tip of middle finger. My doctor also said do nothing and wait for body to heal itself. Huntn did you have stiffness when bending affected fingers? How many months since your injury? Did the stiffness go away? Does it feel like your other hand again?
Thanks.

 

[Huntn]

I have a similar situation. I had a wrist injury with partial cut of median nerve leading to tingling in the pads of index, middle, and ring fingers, and soreness/stiffness in middle when bent or extended. The sensation in my middle finger drives me insane; I just want my right hand to feel like my left hand again. I’m at 8 months, and injury is 9.5” from tip of middle finger. My doctor also said do nothing and wait for body to heal itself. Huntn did you have stiffness when bending affected fingers? How many months since your injury? Did the stiffness go away? Does it feel like your other hand again?
Thanks.

It’s been over a year now, no stiffness, but I still have partial numbness in my index and middle finger. Sometimes there is a mild tingling that actually gives me some hope as in something is being regained, I have adapted though, It’s easier to type than it used to be, more of just a mild annoyance now. Yet, I’m not really hopefull it will 100% mend itself, yet I’m ok with my hand as it is.

 

[Huntn]

Interesting experience, saw the Dr yesterday to get a referral for a Nose Ear Throat specialist because my sinuses seem to be semi-clogged all the time. They don’t drip, just constrict. I had no clue that these doctors were called “otolaryngologists”.
Anyway when they took my blood pressure it was low 95/55, I take it on my own frequently and it had been in that range for a couple of days. I did feel the slight onset of dizziness at times, but I don’t know, did not associate it with blood pressure. My impression was over pretty good numbers compared to what they used to be.When I was young, and a runner, my blood pressure was low so I did not think this was an issue. Dr told me that for someone my age my blood pressure should be at a minimum 110/60. Then she brought me in a bag of chips and said eat these, my blood pressure got up to 98. So she said STOP taking your blood pressure medicine, go home and don’t do anything today can’t we come back in a week. I said OK.

I’m thinking that because I lost 30 pounds relatively quicklythat it took my body a few weeks, but it finally got around to adjusting my blood pressure. Today blood pressure is 108/66, feeling good and I’m gonna go work out. If you don’t hear from me again, it’s been fun.
*survived my workout.

 

[Huntn]

Had my annual doctor appointment, triglycerides are high again, then they ask for a second fasting test which typically shows them normal. I have a feeling I'm going to be put on statins this time around though.

That has plagued me since my late 40s. How are things now?

 

[Huntn]

I’ve been taking Tamsulosin for an enlarged prostate for several years now, but my frequent and/or urgent urination symptoms are returning. Saw my urologist yesterday, he scheduled me for a scope (fun) and suggested I try doubling up on my medication. Tamsulosin is designed to relax the prostate to allow more normal urine flow.

He also suggested 2 possible procedures after the scope, “Urolift” a permanent implant that spreads the prostate without surgery, and “Rezum Water Vapor Therapy” the actually shrinks the Prostste.

Anyone have personal experience with these or below? They are newer treatments as compared to more established procedures such as TUMT, TURP, TUIT, Laser. How have your results been?
Thanks!

• Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT)
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
• Laser Surgery

Rezum vs Urolift: Two Top Treatments for BPH Treatment | Austin Urology Institute

Urolift vs Rezum - how do they compare? These are two new, well-studied treatment options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

austinurologyinstitute.com

Do I Need Surgery for BPH?

As men age, it’s common for the prostate to enlarge. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Medications can often treat it, but for some men, surgery may be the answer if symptoms become severe.

www.webmd.com

Got my Urolift yesterday, a procedure to increase urination function in males due to an enlarged prostate that squeezes the urethra making peeing more of a chore.

• 30 min procedure with gas. These are glorified staples that pull the prostate opening apart, 6-8 of them. “Non surgical, but there is still a lot of blood in the urine after, and blood for the rest of day into morning. Permanent, can be removed if needed in the future.
• It’s good because it leaves other avenues open in the furture for surgery. Ideally it lasts 5 years.
• Started me on antibiotics the day before and an RX for a powerful (?) once a day anti-inflammatory pain killer (Meloxicam). I can tell I’m drugged…
• Doc said probably no catheter, but I left with a catheter. It’s miserable. Was in for 24 hours, and I removed it. You might ask what holds a catheter in? A small balloon is inflated on the end of it which holds it in your bladder. For the next day, they gave me a syringe to connect to a port on the catheter, to suck out the air deflating the ballon. Then it slides right out.
• Today, mild ache-like pain when urinating, urgent urination, these are normal. Passed on the gym today, with frequent, urgenturination, it was a no go. And younare supposed to take it easy physically. Depending on how it goes, maybe a mild swim in the pool on Friday. Recovery is supposed to be fairly quick.

 

[Roller]

Got my Urolift yesterday, a procedure to increase urination function in males due to an enlarged prostate that squeezes the urethra making peeing more of a chore.

• 30 min procedure with gas. These are glorified staples that pull the prostate opening apart, 6-8 of them. “Non surgical, but there is still a lot of blood in the urine after, and blood for the rest of day into morning. Permanent, can be removed if needed in the future.
• It’s good because it leaves other avenues open in the furture for surgery. Ideally it lasts 5 years.
• Started me on antibiotics the day before and an RX for a powerful (?) once a day anti-inflammatory pain killer (Meloxicam). I can tell I’m drugged…
• Doc said probably no catheter, but I left with a catheter. It’s miserable. Was in for 24 hours, and I removed it. You might ask what holds a catheter in? A small balloon is inflated on the end of it which holds it in your bladder. For the next day, they gave me a syringe to connect to a port on the catheter, to suck out the air deflating the ballon. Then it slides right out.
• Today, mild ache-like pain when urinating, urgent urination, these are normal. Passed on the gym today, with frequent, urgenturination, it was a no go. And younare supposed to take it easy physically. Depending on how it goes, maybe a mild swim in the pool on Friday. Recovery is supposed to be fairly quick.

Glad it went well!

You'd be surprised how often men remove their Foley catheter (named for its inventor, Frederic Foley, not Achmed Achmel Achwell Axel Foley) with the balloon still inflated.