Medical issues and procedures

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Than you for the support it's very much appreciated,funny you mentioned the damn port. I had the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville do the port#1 install,started my chemo 2 days later and port had to come out and a new one installed due to "a blood vessel being nicked" which led to a massive hematoma. That was port #1. Port #2 has been good to go since 9/29 and the other nite it started to ooze puss from the 99.9% healed incision.

Port#2 is now infected,cannot be used for chemo and has to come out. As you're aware,an infection is not good when you're immune system is compromised from chemo treatments.

Port#3 is scheduled to go in this monday,and port#2 is being removed. I F'n swear I have the worst luck. Im simply beyond upset and angry,this is kinda the straw that broke the camels back,so to speak. I'm about ready to say fuck the chemo and I'll just take my chances from here.

I've officially hit rock bottom everybody,I think I'm done&gonna tap out

Damn brother. You and I have had similar paths. I've had two ports put in too. I didn't need a third though. The first one my CRC surgeon tried to get it in. I was babbling when I was being wheeled out of the OR and I thought things were done; until I got the news. He for some reason couldn't get the blasted port in.

So I got sent to a radiologist that did a guided port install. I don't remember what scan machine they used. But they used that to make sure the port got placed correctly. They used "twilight" anesthesia so I was pseudo conscious during the entire procedure.

I now have matching scars....one on the right and one on the left.

Can't believe your second one got infected. I assume they have been flushing your port with saline and injecting heparin into the port?

I don't know if I can help you much further but if you need to talk to someone that's been there, feel free to hit me up via PM and we can exchange phone numbers.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

I’ve been scoped so many times that I revised the lyrics to Joni Mitchell’s song, Clouds:

I’ve looked at Mike from both ends now
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s Mike’s ilium I recall
I really don’t know Mike at all.

My GI didn’t think it was funny or even clever.

Second the recommendation to get scoped if you’re due. It is really no big deal at all, the prep is easy. Way overblown in pop culture. The only people I’ve ever heard complain about the procedure had polyps removed, which adds some discomfort for a day or so, but isn’t that worth it?

You're correct that the scope is no big deal. I've had 5 scopes so far. I did 2 of them awake. Yes, I wasn't knocked out. I was actually staring at the same screen my doc was looking at staring at my insides. So I don't want to hear the wimps whining.

[nazali]

No you still need to be dilated,

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Maybe it's just my eye doc but I thought the digital retina scan negated the need to be dilated. Haven't been dilated in years but glad OP is looking good!

And agree with Lady Jane!

[nazali]

Actually, they didn't say your good to go...

In the UK, with the letter, you get it says, please ensure you don't drive afterwards have someone come with you to take you home.

One testing station actually asked me (I had booked a cab back home)

In Canada they never ask, or say, even after the test they dont tell you.
20 years of dilation, I know the drill, usually sunnies work a treat, this time it was a bit of a blur (just the letters)

I was thinking,,, oh if I get copped for speeding, I could say, I couldnt read the signs, I thought it said 110 !

well... maybe that would have been a bad idea.

I was fine after a couple of hours, in the mall as it was relatively dark, it fooled me, I should have had a long lunch, I was walking around my pharmacists squinting at everything like a crazy person.

But technically it could have been impaired, I had a 10 minute drive home, with my fingers crossed
one of the times you want your BMW to be self driving

Originally Posted by R BMW

I hate it when they just say your good to go after the dilation drops.
It’s like “impared” driveing if you don’t wait for a while to drive after.

[nazali]

I probably would not have wanted my post mixed in with this thread, kinda defeats the object, it does get lost. NVM, there are times when you can merge threads with an already existing thread, probably wouldnt have wanted that with mine. I'll know better next time
Anyway
thanks

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

My father asked me a simple question once and I was unable to find the answer with multiple searches. It's unlikely that I'll find it here, but I'll ask anyway.

First let me say that he didn't like taking medication if he didn't absolutely have to.

He had been diagnosed with BPH, as many older men are, and was prescribed FloMax.

His question to his doctor was simple; what percentage of men (how likely is it) that BPH results in complete inability to urinate?

His doctor was unable to give him a clear answer, and I knew the moment he asked me the same question that he wasn't going to take his meds unless it was absolutely necessary, and who can blame him with everything he was already taking?

I read a bit, and told him about possible bladder damage, but he was undeterred.

Anyone know how to find these statistics?

I feel like it's coming for me at some point, so I might as well get the answers now.

At age 76, I've found that taking Advil PM just before bedtime not only allows better sleep, I also can go all night with out hitting the can.

Without it, I have to get up twice a night to take a leak. I recall reading somewhere that Advil (and others) temporarily reduces prostate
inflammation which increases flow. For me, it does help quite a lot.

[Bc2005]

Reference BPH - I think that complete inability to urinate is uncommon, but you may reach a point where the frequency is extremely high and sense of relief is very low. Basically, you go every hour and don’t feel any relief.

I do know a couple guys who had complete blockage, and it was due to a bladder infection, which was caused by inability to empty the bladder. You could say it might have been indirectly caused by BPH, but it was the infection that they were told was the cause.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by nazali

No you still need to be dilated,

Not according to my doctors... Maybe when my eyes get worse or if there are signs of another condition like yours.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Not according to my doctors... Maybe when my eyes get worse or if there are signs of another condition like yours.

My optometrist doesn't dilate my eyes but my ophthalmologist does.

[nazali]

I'm in Canada, so as I've often said on these forums, everything depends on the region.

I was told, without the dilation, it's like looking through yours eyes through a keyhole

NOW... MAYBE.... MAYBE, they have to do it manually it has to be dilated, BUT I've yet to have an eye exam where I wasn't manually looked at.

So I'm unclear, but anyway OCT's are only recent for me and only here in Canada, but usually it's the bright lazer burning 1000watt fog lights into ya eyes

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Not according to my doctors... Maybe when my eyes get worse or if there are signs of another condition like yours.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Not according to my doctors... Maybe when my eyes get worse or if there are signs of another condition like yours.

Do you know your prescription? How many diopters?

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Do you know your prescription? How many diopters?

Not an eye doc but I am nearsighted and one eye is -0.75 and the other is -1.0, assuming I’m looking (excuse the bad pun!) at the correct numbers. The print out I was given doesn’t use the term diopters…

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Esteban

My optometrist doesn't dilate my eyes but my ophthalmologist does.

And your proctologist?

[Esteban]

Nope, he doesn't dilate my eyes either. Wrong end.

[UncleWede]

Oldgixxer do not give up!

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Not an eye doc but I am nearsighted and one eye is -0.75 and the other is -1.0, assuming I’m looking (excuse the bad pun!) at the correct numbers. The print out I was given doesn’t use the term diopters…

That would be the most likely reason for not dilating your eyes. Your prescription is about as mild as they come. Those of us with very high prescriptions are at much higher risk of retinal problems and need a more thorough examination.

[Lady Jane]

Today was flu shot day at the clinic. All our staff including myself got it. We did about twenty walk-ins and I did about a dozen house calls. Good for another year especially if you are over 65.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Today was flu shot day at the clinic. All our staff including myself got it. We did about twenty walk-ins and I did about a dozen house calls. Good for another year especially if you are over 65.

Got mine last week, now need to get my Prevnar shot...

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Got mine last week, now need to get my Prevnar shot...

Look into Shingrix too, if not already done.

[UncleWede]

I had 3 shots last night

Wait, which thread am I in again???

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Look into Shingrix too, if not already done.

Already done!

[RickFLM4]

Let’s see… a lot pushed to the end of this year:

First trip ever to a dermatologist right before Thanksgiving. He removed a few slices, but all negative.

Had 5 year colonoscopy on Monday, 12/4 (due to polyp in previous one). Nothing found this time. I do find the prep to be difficult because I always seem to get sick during it, but really not a choice to be made - gotta do it.

The following Monday, 12/11, I started the process of a dental implant (or bionic tooth as I have decided to call it). First step was removing the loose crown, digging out the remnants of roots left behind from a root canal 15+ years ago and bone graft. (Pics omitted) Getting the roots out was rough and involved my dentist apply heavy pressure to my lower jaw on and off for about an hour, from which I still have not fully recovered. Between headaches and nausea from either the jaw trauma, antibiotics or Tramadol, I missed about 3 days of work this week, but much better now and getting stitches removed Monday. Supposedly, everything that comes next should be easy compared to last Monday. We’ll see.

Annual eye exam today. I wear reading glasses, but still 20/20 at age 55 and told I have excellent eye health. (They diluted my pupils and I drove home with sunglasses.)

Next Monday I am also going to see a new podiatrist to see WTF is going in with my left foot. Diagnosed with plantar fasciitis back in the spring, which got better but then foot swelled up and I was referred to a vascular surgeon who ruled out anything vascular causing it. Back to podiatrist, who ordered an MRI, which showed a tear in the plantar fascia and bone marrow edema. Walking boot for 6 weeks, which ended a couple of months ago. It is much better pain and swelling-wise but not 100% so getting another set of eyes on it.

Finally, I end up with my primary care physical the day after Christmas.

All in all, I really can’t complain. Definitely accumulating some relatively minor aches and pains (and doctors) as I get older, but fortunately still nothing drastic. I am a picky eater and don’t eat particularly well, but much better than I did 10+ years ago and try to exercise (mostly walking, which has been impacted by the foot issue). I think the #1 things to do are go to get an annual physical, get screenings when required and take the Rx when you need it (BP for me). My doctor tells me I wouldn’t believe how many people don’t get an annual physical, including checking BP and blood tests, much less get a colonoscopy or other screenings on schedule.

(Also got latest COVID and flu shots and keep tetanus updated. Haven’t gotten shingles vaccine because I never had chicken pox as a kid and got the chicken pox vaccine as an adult.)