How's Your Health ?

I just finished up a 10 day round of doxycycline for lyme myself. Joints were hurting for a while after being out in the woods, and the week before I went to the doc I was hurting so bad, sleeping 20 hrs a day, no energy. It was so bad it brought me to tears at times. I feel 100% better now, was out for some hikes and camping and a show. Hopefully your treatment clears it up, i've heard that there are some long term effects depending on how long you actually had the lyme. Good Luck and good vibes.

I was fit as a fiddle three years ago, but since then, it's been one thing after another. Dental problems, high blood pressure, thyroiditis, neck problems (a bulging disc, stenosis, and arthritis) and arthritis in my hips. And that doesn't include the (slightly) high cholesterol, or the Covid 20 I've gained in the last year and a half. I have a pill box now, dammit, and there's nothing I would call fun in there.

My mom keeps telling me getting old isn't for sissies. Enjoy your health while it lasts.

Especially given my proclivity to write long passages I could take up some serious bandwidth on this subject, but to spare everyone I'll just quote something that the great Philzoner John Olson once wrote that I've always remembered, "After you turn 60, you wake up every morning wondering what will hurt for absolutely no reason today."

I think about that quote when waking up these days, and that, along with some other issues gets me down at times. I find myself now at 61 often wishing that I felt like I did at 50 (and when I was 50 I often wished I could do the things & felt like I did at 35) so I try to remind myself that if I make it to 65 or 70 I'll almost certainly wish that I felt like I did at 61, which gives me some perspective.

I'm still not sure if that helps me or just adds to the bummer, but it's the best I can do to appreciate the moment.

The funny thing is, I now often think of the things I did and the ways I thought & acted when I was young and fully healthy, and I think to myself that I was a total idiot back then, wishing that I'd known then a little more of what I know now.

The irony of that makes me believe in a god. A god with a really twisted sense of humor.

Oh look, I've written a long passage.

I guess it's good to know I've still got that going for me.

Take care folks, enjoy whatever you've got today, and carry on!

>I just finished up a 10 day round of doxycycline for lyme myself.

I thought  3 weeks minimum of the doxy to deal with Lyme. I have heard of some docs under prescribing.

I am perfectly healthy with a few minor exceptions

Aging ain't for the squeamish!   My mom always said they shouldn't call it the golden years, they should call it tarnished brass...  (RIP)

My list of complaints continues to grow, with my kidneys being the latest to act up!  Thank goodness for good weed!!! 

> I now often think of the things I did and the ways I thought & acted when I was young and fully healthy, and I think to myself that I was a total idiot back then

I was an idiot back then too, Lance, but youth is a much better time for idiocy than so-called middle-age. I don't have many regrets for living hard while I was able to, but I do think I'd be ruing having played things safe if I had.

A big part of the problem is that we live in an oxygen-rich system of gravity. We need oxygen to survive, but every breath of the stuff deteriorates our tissues (which is why dietary anti-oxidants are important, I'm told), and gravity quite simply drags us down.

Had some scary symptoms back in March.  Seems to trace back to a serious Vit. D deficiency-linked thyroid thing.

Weekly D megadoses for 2 months.  Monthly now for maintenance.  All good.  Eye on the thyroid for good measure, tho'.

Sterling blood work, otherwise.

No* high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils for the last 30 years.

*The rare "Oops" or "Eh...what the fuck?" aside.

Most of my injuries and disabilities appear spontaneously overnight while I'm asleep.

And I usually don't even remember most of what I've been dreaming!

C Minus - i Plow through pain after 3 back surgeries.

My incision finally healed, 6 months after surgery. Life is much better without having to attend to it, drain it, and watch for infection. I do have lymphedema in my surgery-side arm and that breast. It requires that I wear a compression sleeve and hand piece during the day and bandages at night, both to keep swelling and discomfort down. The breast just hurts most of the time. I've spent many hours learning the techniques used to make it better but the lymph system is constantly moving fluid around and that means when I reduce the swelling it just recurs.

As I probably said at some point, since the incision was open I couldn't have radiation. I'm actually very relieved and happy about that because large breasted women have a lot more side effects from radiation. Not having it only ups the chance of recurrence in 10 years by about 2%.

I don't think I have cancer in my body now. To reduce the chances of recurrence I'm taking an estrogen-blocking medication with some inconsistent side effects but mostly I'm doing well with it. I'll be taking it for the next 5 years (assuming I continue to tolerate it), possibly longer. We'll see.

I'm doing okay. Best thing is, I'm getting my energy back including finding some of my creativity.

Was in Hospital on Tuesday. because of swollen calf for 3 days and have no Primary Physician. Had Cat scan, EKG, Ultra sound and blood tests. Everything seemed Ok but they suggested I go to a Cardiologist within 2 days?? Made an appointment with the Doctor they suggested and saw him on Friday. Said my heart is a little enlarged and a little high blood sugar level and was dehydrated because I told him I had dizzy moments the last few days. l. have a Nuclear Stress Test on Monday and an ECHO test on August 18th. 

Happy to hear it Judit!

Thanks, doolittle. Sorry about the stuff you're going through.

You guys with Lyme disease, follow up on it. Don't let it slide, the possible debilitating effects are real. Consider checking in with a Naturopath as there have been new protocols developed that have been very successful outside of allopathic medicine.

I didn't mention the other stuff that's always going on with me, but looking on the bright side, I've been able to use my hands and fingers in ways I haven't in years, like cut back blackberries, use the weed eater, weed by hand, small veggie garden, and more. It's been something like 10 years since I could do some of it. I've also been able to sew by hand! May sound like no big deal, but when I couldn't it was a big deal.

I think many of us old folks just hurt. It's stupid, but true. It's good that I can still dance or things would be terrible.

Take care, everyone.

Aw man doolittle, I didn't know you were suffering.

I know how it can suck when you're in the middle of something you don't know what it is.

Hang in there, and keep on chooglin'!

(Probably better not to listen to any Phish!)

Last year was brutal, and I almost died from perforated colon. As it had been diseased for a long time, and overall health is integrally tied to gut health, I was always battling something. Other than aches and pains of getting old and being very physically active, I'm now healthier and more fit than I've been since I was 16. My innards are still finding their "new normal," and they say it takes about 2 years after the surgery for that to happen.

I do sometimes wonder if I have Lyme's. I'm outside in woods and tall grass a lot, and sometimes have weird feelings. Maybe I'll get tested at my physical next month. As it can manifest itself in so many different ways, who knows?

Almost everyone should be supplementing with D3!

Better than it should be, and I am thankful for that and working to improve it. I dropped 60 lbs two years ago and that helped, and I need to lose more to keep my still working parts from over working and breaking. I have had neck surgery and lower back issues but I can still golf on weekends. Getting ready for a move closer to the Gulf and plan on spending a lot of time fishing, boating, kayaking, walking, biking, beaching, and avoiding work to improve my health moving forward.

Sorry to hear about all the hurt. We've had many bad years in my family but we're all on top at this point. Thankfully, the things that tried to kill us failed. #Grateful.

We are proof that it is possible to get back to good health. I attribute it to diet, exercise, positive attitude and love.

Never give up hope. 

I really need to go back to a higher protein lower carb diet, and cut way back on sugar. It's a slippery slope that gets out of control.

we're aging

and/or old

beats the alternative!

(many complaints to list>>no spot taken)

get your vitamins in, folks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzoldDKdNj4

Could be better, could be worse.

Heart cath reveals some mild blockage but no interventions yet.  A bit of a fatty liver.

Less alcohol and more protein from the flying and swimming group.

yeah I had hepC for 40 yrs. Got rid of it just in time for my 60's. Nuff said.

I'm 67 and have not been "healthy" since I was 20. So it goes.

Heading for a knee replacement Kent in September. I'll pass on the rest of the ailments......

classic, daylight !

(((astrological chart)))

For a deep dive into the pain zone try Kidney Stones

You know that you're over the hill when your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill!

> What else ya got ? 

I hope I die before I get old.

>>>C Minus - i Plow through pain after 3 back surgeries.

Is it worth getting back surgery?  My lower back is killing me.  Just got through PT and feel none the better but they basically we're like, there is nothing more we can do.   

>do you find when you're feeling like crap you listen to less music. . Music usually heals, but it really sucks when you're so down in the dumps even music can't help ya.<

Music is a distraction and entertainment for me, not therapy. I listen to less music when I am busy and overwhelmed. When I'm in such a state, i won't even notice if there's music playing in the background.

Overall, I need to eat better and exercise. A past injury has left me with chronic foot pain, so there's that.

I also have back issues, walking and starting a crunch sit up and holding it in the half way up position helps reduce pain for my lower back. Even when you are hurting get up and walk. these two thing are good for the lower back, I have two herniated disc down there in the past 

i also had a neck fusion for a degenerative problem. My doctor told me it would not make things better, but it would keep them from getting worse. He was pretty much right on. I still have numbness in thumb and fingers but the upper issues have not gotten worse as he said. Great old Doctor that worked at the Cleveland Clinic before setting up practice here. 

 

years of pick up basketball beat the hell out of some of my body parts

Tramadol is also good to have around when you feel spasms starting. 

I think a lot of the problems in this country have to do with the fact that we have never had so many people with back pain. I'm actually in good health except for the constant back and ankle pain, but I can mostly manage that with stretching and rolling it out on the evil foam roller. I second putting off surgery as long as possible. Most people I know who have gone there have not been happy with the results.

As someone who never had an abusive relationship with opioids it sucks that just as i'm entering the years where I will need them they have been cut off. It would be nice if pharma could come up with something for pain that isn't from the middle ages. 

Ras appreciate the feedback.   I've been fearful of the surgeries but tired of this lifestyle.   

I can't sit on couches, the long lean in me just naturally slouches.   Do the pillow in bed sometimes as you suggest and some core exercises.   I'll have days, moments where it's fine but then back into the darkness.  

My spasms were so bad four months ago that I iced my back directly (nothing in between for 3 hours).   Didn't know it was supposed to be 15 min tops with a shirt or towel in between.   Basically gave myself frostbite and I was none the wiser as I was in so much pain.   

Get your vitamins in, folks!>>

And minerals like magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium, selenium.  Especially if you're exercising with weights.

Turned 62 in April, always ace physicals & blood work, but need prescription for glaucoma drops, had a melanoma caught in time 2 years back, & nerve damage in both arches.

"prescription for glaucoma drops"

Why not just smoke pot?

I need to find a new primary care doctor because I moved. I think I will go into the first meeting with my new doctor by giving him a questionnaire 

will you prescribe me steroids?

will you prescribe me testosterone? 
 

will you prescribe me speed, preferably lemon stats?

I will be 61, I'm looking for short cuts bud, better health thru pharmacy, fuck your exercise I burned up all my body parts playing sports most of my life, and they are broken down 

Vit. D a touch low (after being crazy/scary low last spring).  And I need to drink more water (that isn't accompanied by caffeine).  And I could stand to lose 5-10 pounds.  Which a walk around outside today might take do.

Got a slew of good blood results otherwise yesterday.

The only way I'll be hitting a hoop court is if I collapse on one. It's been a long time since I've been able to do that type of activity, it's small steps for me.

And I've heard that Lyme is a tricky, pretty fucked up deal, so be careful with that and take care of yourself Ras. The Celtics are going to be good for a while, you want to follow all of that.

shit

jesus guys...i guess i'll just shut the f up about my tennis elbow...

in last 2 years

Covid 3x with the first fuckin me up bad including blood clots and heart attacks

Shoulder surgery

Staff infection dragging on and on 4x antibiotics

Bulged disks in L5 L4 L3   with L4 being a double bulge

And also this terrible marijuana addiction

My last post in this thread was almost a year ago, and since then I've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Late last summer, I had a major flare-up that had me in pain from head to toe, accompanied by a major lost of flexibility. At its worst, I couldn't raise my arms much higher than my waistline.

Since then, I've subjected myself to big pharma's solutions for this problem that has no cure. I've been on 6-7 different meds, and the only one that works and hasn't given me any side effects is prednisone. I'm on a maintenance dose of that now, which means my adrenal glands are still functioning, but there are some long-term side effects, like bone density loss, that I need to watch out for.

The good news here is my spirit is still alive and kicking, and other than the prednisone, I've sworn off pharmaceutical solutions to the RA problem; instead, I'll be consulting with a naturopath next month to see if there isn't a saner, friendlier way to keep me moving forward.

Sláinte!