Staying the Course -- 6-5-2015

[Superbob]

Whoa, baby, hectic days. Time to slow down, stay the course. Hereby starting a new week's thread.

Both DW and I have made appointment with a physical medicine office specializing in non-surgical cures. Had about enough of orthopedists for now. She's got debilitating hand pain, probably carpal tunnel triggered by her fall last December, and I have unresolved spinal stenosis I've been dealing with for 11 years. We will see if some approaches that do not entail shots or surgery might help. Not sure how much might be covered by insurance, but we have a free consultation so we will see what's what.

Ol' Superdawg and I managed a late morning walk while it was cloudy. Stlll pretty humid but we made it. Might take a spin on x-bike between errands. Sure be glad when the weather's good for some pool exercise.

Great time of year for fresh veggies from farmers' markets.

Drop by when you can and let us know what's happening…..

Cheers…..

 

[skeptic49]

Sorry to read about the family medical issues, Superbob. Hope that you can find conservative solutions for both of you.

Here on Fire Island (NY) it has been a wet and chilly Spring. The garden is looking good, but good beach weather has not arrived yet.

Hopefully I'm finishing up with my three months post-op warfarin. For me it has been easy ...I eat and drink whatever I want, stay consistent, and my INR was been very stable. Nevertheless I'll be glad to be off of it, hopefully, by next week. Then my only med will be aspirin.

Jim

 

[Duffey]

I've had a pretty good week in terms of nutrition, but not so good in terms of physical activity. DH (darling husband) is having a tough time getting his high blood pressure under control. He's suffered from it since he was in his early 20's, and he was always able to keep the numbers down through diet, exercise, and medication. The last few months his numbers are high, and changes to his medication haven't brought it down. I launched my own effort to help him via a reduction in the amount of sodium contained in our meals, but that has not helped. He's started a new med in the past few days, so I'm hopeful that will produce the desired results.
Superbob, I'm glad that you're willing to try a different route in finding help for your stenosis and DW's hand pain. I hope your consult expands the field of options that you might chose to pursue.
Chimp, if you swing/wander through, I found myself in the Chick Fil A drive through today, staring at the sign for peach milkshakes. I was momentarily tempted, but then decided I should leave them to you. I know . . . I'm a pal!

 

[Superbob]

Duffey, hope and pray your DH will be able to get the bp down with help hopefully of new med. My DW had scary-high bp, and nothing much helped til she was in hospital and they put her on a new med and it has worked beautifully. If DH's problem doesn'y improve, I'b be glad to PM you the name of my DW's med (of course I know we are all different and what may work for one won't necessarily for another person).

Jim, down to just an aspirin a day would be wonderful. I take considerably more but a couple of them are diabetes-related, and a few are OTC supplements. I do have a doctor now who is willing to consider dropping meds when no longer needed or cutting down the dosage, and we have been able to do that the past few years. My previous doctor only knew adding meds or dosages.

Cheers to all…..

… and I'm wondering what the Kentucky Flash thinks about the chances of there being a Triple Crown winner tomorrow for the first time in nearly four decades. Even though the Belmont is in NY, is this an occasion for pig-out partying in good old Kentucky? : )

 

[Superbob]

Hi folks, I'm here again. I'm thinking a consultation with our local chiropractor to possibly help with both DW'S carpal tunnel and my stenotic back. (Have had second thoughts about the "physical medicine" place that is a long drive way and sounds less and less like something suited to us.) Chiro did help when I went for adjustments Dec/March -- kind of confirmed now, because I've regressed now that I no longer go in. I've always been squeamish about chiro but maybe a good one is what I need -- and hopefully DW, too. She went to him for a back/hip problem a year ago and the problem cleared right up in a few weeks and hasn't returned.

My son's old college baseball buddy and his family showed up yesterday and we all went out for a beer-and-burgers bash -- I shouldn't have stepped on the scales this morning but I suppose those 2.5 extra pounds I see are "water weight" --- or maybe "Amstel Light weight" --- anyway, better eating and more exercise today.

Staying the course, staying the course … how's the week going for fellow STCers?

 

[Superbob]

Hi folks, I'm here again. I'm thinking a consultation with our local chiropractor to possibly help with both DW'S carpal tunnel and my stenotic back. His adjustments did help when I went for adjustments Dec/March -- kind of confirmed now, because I've regressed now that I no longer go in. I've always been squeamish about chiro but maybe a good one is what I need -- and hopefully DW, too. She went to him for a back/hip problem a year ago and the problem cleared right up in a few weeks and hasn't returned.

My son's old college baseball buddy and his family showed up yesterday and we all went out for a beer-and-burgers bash -- I shouldn't have stepped on the scales this morning but I suppose those 2.5 extra pounds I see are "water weight" --- or maybe "Amstel Light weight" --- anyway, better eating and more exercise today.

Staying the course, staying the course … how's the week going for fellow STCers?

 

[Duffey]

Bob, It would be unAmerican not to partake of burgers and beer with a longtime baseball buddy. Wear those 2.5 pounds proudly! I'm watching both calories and sodium intake this week. We have a big family reunion to attend, and photos will be taken. I should have gotten serious 6 weeks ago if I really expected to see a difference, but hey, better late than never.

 

[Superbob]

Enjoy that family reunion, Duffey! Meanwhile, being the superhero that I am, I won't let you hang out here as the last to post here….guess it
is a slow week; missing some of our friends. Thanks to you and Jim for being here; I'm sure others will pop in from time to time as we stay the course.

DW's visit with the chiro this morning was very promising. It seems chiro got to the heart of the problem that the ortho only took a cursory look at, and therapy has started. DW says her hand feels better already. I'll see how it goes and I may resume therapy for my back with him, too. From a monetary standpoint, Medicare unfortunately covers chiro only very sparingly; but if it's what we both need, I'll just budget for it. Cut out my allowance for scones at Starbucks or something. (Not sure the cost-effectiveness math makes sense: If chiro enables you to get better without $50,000, even $100,000 surgeries, shouldn't it be better covered by insurance? Same for other forms of alternative medicine, such as acupuncture.)

Cheers to all -- Breaking News: it's getting HOT in South Carolina….heat index expected to hit 105 in a few days. Duh, I live in the subtropics. Whoopee! (The scenery is good, though, and I suspect The Chimp can back me up on that. ; )

BTW, in case anyone's wondering, I'm going to start opening a new week's thread on Fridays, instead of Thursday. Just FYI.