Medical issues and procedures

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I’ve been having some occasional trouble swallowing over the last several years. That’s actually what prompted the first colonoscopy. At that time I also had an endoscopy and it showed nothing. They did the endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time. Recently the swallowing difficulty had become more frequent. It usually happens just as I begin to eat and I have to pause for a minute or two and it passes. But, recently I had an episode where it lasted at least five minutes and I couldn’t even swallow my saliva and I had to step away and go spit. Then I had to wait several minutes before it passed. That made me think I have to get it checked again. So, I went to the gastroenterologist for that and since it had been seven years since the colonoscopy I talked him into doing it again, just like before. This time he also stretched my esophagus some. The endoscopy didn’t show anything this time either, thankfully. My throat was a little sore for two or three days, but the stretching was pretty successful, because I haven’t had any swallowing issues since. Very thankful for that. Feeling like you can’t swallow is pretty disconcerting.

I've had the same thing -- a feeling that food or drink is "stuck" and I can get anything down for a while. I went to a gastroenterologist for it, and she scoped me and reported that my lower esophagus was damaged and narrowed and put me on 80 mg Prilosec per day for a while. I was to follow-up if I had a recurrence, but I've gone well over a year without any further issues.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Llarry

i’ve had the same thing — a feeling that food or drink is "stuck" and I can get anything down for a while. I went to a gastroenterologist for it, and she scoped me and reported that my lower esophagus was damaged and narrowed and put me on 80 mg Prilosec per day for a while. I was to follow-up if I had a recurrence, but I've gone well over a year without any further issues.

Careful with Prilosec, Llarry. I hear there are dementia risks with Prilosec and other PPIs after long term use (4 years).

"Aug. 10, 2023 – Prolonged use of acid reflux medications called proton pump inhibitors could increase the risk of dementia, a new study shows."

https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/new...-dementia-risk

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Careful with Prilosec, Llarry. I hear there are dementia risks with Prilosec and other PPIs after long term use (4 years).

"Aug. 10, 2023 – Prolonged use of acid reflux medications called proton pump inhibitors could increase the risk of dementia, a new study shows."

https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/new...-dementia-risk

I’ve been on Prilosec / Omeprazole (20 mg/day) for 25+ years under doctors’ direction. I’m aware of the risk, but going without it creates a risk of esophageal cancer for me due to reflux, even if diet adjustments and adjustable bed.

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

[Esteban]

Just letting him know what I read. Seems like everything has a risk or warning or a side effect these days. Do what you gotta do.

[NealfromNZ]

Had heart failure a couple of years back. Had a progressive build up of fluid around the body and lungs. Was gaining 1.5 to 2 lbs a day. Thought I had a flu of some kind initially and the local GP office operating under COVID lockdown did take a week or so trying to determine issue. Ended up going to ED. Turns out my mitral valve had torn. Got stabilised on fluid reduction and had open heart surgery. Got one of the newer mechanical valves so hopefully last 20 - 30 years. It’s a bit noisy, I can be heard ticking away in a quiet room.

Had some complications shortly after with third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, heart reacted so ended up with a resetting heart rate of around 110- 120 bpm and heart inflammation ( myocarditis ) . Had an interesting month after, but a combo of gout meds and beta blockers started to sort it over next 6 months. Two years on I have a new normal. But have an excellent rehab gym that has got me moving and fitter than before this started. Very thankful to the surgeon and team , apparently the op was close to 6 hours. Get to hang out with a bunch of post heart surgery guys and girls. It’s quite amazing how hard we can push ourselves post surgery.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Esteban

When I got my cataracts done my doctor inserted one lens for close vision and one lens for distance vision (monovision). The brain switches to the close eye for close up vision and the distance eye for far vision. Doesn't work for everybody but it does for me. They tested me first to see if it would work for me.

My doctor mentioned this. I seriously considered it. My pre surgery vision had my left eye near sighted my right eye far sighted. This since at least my teens.

I read with my left eye and relied on my right eye for distance.

But I decided to go with distance correction in both eyes and rely upon reading glasses for well, reading.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Had my second colonoscopy recently. Thankfully all clear. Not a single polyp. I’ve been having some occasional trouble swallowing over the last several years. That’s actually what prompted the first colonoscopy. At that time I also had an endoscopy and it showed nothing. They did the endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time. Recently the swallowing difficulty had become more frequent. It usually happens just as I begin to eat and I have to pause for a minute or two and it passes. But, recently I had an episode where it lasted at least five minutes and I couldn’t even swallow my saliva and I had to step away and go spit. Then I had to wait several minutes before it passed. That made me think I have to get it checked again. So, I went to the gastroenterologist for that and since it had been seven years since the colonoscopy I talked him into doing it again, just like before. This time he also stretched my esophagus some. The endoscopy didn’t show anything this time either, thankfully. My throat was a little sore for two or three days, but the stretching was pretty successful, because I haven’t had any swallowing issues since. Very thankful for that. Feeling like you can’t swallow is pretty disconcerting.

Back in 2009 I developed a problem swallowing. Felt like I had a potato chip caught in my throat. But no amount of water could dislodge it.

Became increasingly harder to swallow. And painful. Went to several doctors -- including a ENT specialist -- and got no where.

Was so bad I was down to eating soup and drinking coffee and water. Lost 15lbs.

Saw another ENT specialist and after a few minutes asking me questions he sprayed some anesthetic into a nostril and then scoped the nostril.

He reported seeing blisters at the back of my nasal passage and down in my throat around the larynx and beyond.

He said looked like pemphigus. Said the only way to be sure was to obtain a sample of tissue and send it to a lab. There the tissue sample is examined to look for signs the mucous membranes are separating.

So he took a sample of tissue from the roof of my mouth. (No pain he numbed that area up real good.)

Results came back in a day or two and it was pemphigus.

Started me on a round of steroids (pills) and directed me to a dermatologist. Seems the mouth/throat/nasal passages at least in this case are the domain of a dermatologist.

The steroids helped in the meantime.

At the dermatologist I was prescribed Dexamethasone rinse/spit medicine. Twice a day at first but after some time once a day proved to be sufficient to keep the condition under control.

Oh, years later, in Dec. 2020 in the ER for lower GI bleeding. Short version is diverticulitis was diagnosed. A colonoscopy didn't find this I was given some radioactive isotope (half life 6 days...) and while it took two times under the imaging machine the 2nd time blood was seen leaking into the large intestine.

(Diet changes have proved to be -- so far -- adequate to keep diverticulosis/diverticulitis under control.)

But while I was under for the colonoscopy the doctor did an upper GI endoscopy. Went all the way to the stomach and a bit beyond.

Doctor reported seeing esophagus erosion due to acid reflux. I had been using OTC anti-acids for some time prior to this exam.

I was given an IV of antibiotics for ulcers. And was prescribed Pantoprazole Sodium 40mg for the acid reflux. Have been taking this ever since and with some changes to my diet -- avoiding carbonated drinks (which I didn't drink all that often to begin with) and oranges, orange juice and other citrus fruits/juices, avoiding eating raw tomatoes, eating late in the evening -- no more acid reflux. Have not bought an OTC (or prescribed) anti-acid medicine since.

[cmyx6go]

Oldgixxer Good luck! Hang in there.

[RockCrusher]

Have a full and speedy recovery!

[NealfromNZ]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Trip to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Fla today,leaving in a few mins for pre-op testing. Procedure is next Monday,was supposed to happen a few months ago but was postponed due to contracting Sepsis then MRSA 'cause someone fucked up in the hospital. Bloodwork,urine test,EKG,CT scan,poking/prodding etc should be a fun day.

Background story: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2084752

Far out , as if the main issue isnt hard enough to work through. Hopefully your all clear for next stage of treatment.

[SpeedBuggy]

Well, got the second cataract surgery today and again went well. Everything went off on schedule. During prep, the anesthesiologist made mention that I might be a bit more aware of my surroundings during the procedure. He was right, again could see shadows of everything going on, hear all the sounds and voices and actually moved my lips enough to moisten them as they got rather dry. Did hear music playing in the background as they had a radio playing, no Pink Floyd but some Lynyrd Skynyrd was playing.

Vision has improved, actually sitting here this evening and can watch TV without glasses. Using readers for reading and banging away at the keyboard on my phone as I write this. Have worn glasses the last 40 years and need them for all aspects of seeing in my life.

Looking forward to getting a eye exam and seeing how much my vision has changed. I'll report back once this portion of this procedure is finalized.

[cbpip]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Had my second colonoscopy recently. Thankfully all clear. Not a single polyp. I’ve been having some occasional trouble swallowing over the last several years. That’s actually what prompted the first colonoscopy. At that time I also had an endoscopy and it showed nothing. They did the endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time. Recently the swallowing difficulty had become more frequent. It usually happens just as I begin to eat and I have to pause for a minute or two and it passes. But, recently I had an episode where it lasted at least five minutes and I couldn’t even swallow my saliva and I had to step away and go spit. Then I had to wait several minutes before it passed. That made me think I have to get it checked again. So, I went to the gastroenterologist for that and since it had been seven years since the colonoscopy I talked him into doing it again, just like before. This time he also stretched my esophagus some. The endoscopy didn’t show anything this time either, thankfully. My throat was a little sore for two or three days, but the stretching was pretty successful, because I haven’t had any swallowing issues since. Very thankful for that. Feeling like you can’t swallow is pretty disconcerting.

Have same situation, hiatal hernia causes it. Had a fundoplication several years ago and it was fixed. Then had open Heart surgery ( saddle pe) and they had to move the esophagus to do the procedure. So the hernia is back and will need to see the surgeon again to fix the fundoplication .

[Lady Jane]

In case you're wondering why calculi cause so much pain.

Kidney and gall stones.

[S1nner]

Mine is more about a healthcare rant.

I broke my left leg while sparring in a BJJ gym, soon ambulance arrived:

- Dude, which hospital are we going to?
- No idea, I'm not local just take me somewhere.
- Do you have insurance?
- Yeah I do, it's in my car, I'll get everything to you, let's drive, I'm kind of in pain.
- What's your SSN, DOB, mailing address etc.?
- My man, let's go, it hurts you know?
- I know, but I can't start driving without getting your info.
- Okkkk here is my SSN etc.

Finally, we started driving.

- Can I get some painkillers?
- Nah, better to get them in a hospital, ours are not that strong.
- Sounds good, I guess I have no choice.

We arrive in an emergency.

- Hey guys, I need painkillers.
- Sure, but first we need to register you - Proceed with questions about insurance bla bla bla.

It took about 30 minutes for them to finally give me a shot. Even though I'm very tolerant to pain, this one was painful, I broke my leg in 2 places.

I'm not even going to describe the procedure of casting my leg. It was a joke...

The most interesting fact for me was that I had to wait a week and a half for the surgery.

I pay an almost $2k family premium with a $10k deductible, which is the best I could get as a self-employed person.

The total cost of the surgery and everything else was about $70k + $8k I had to pay out of my own pocket.

For that amount of money somewhere in Turkey, they not only were to fix my leg, but also would make me a BJJ world champion for a cashback

[Llarry]

An old friend of mine from the Navy is undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Apparently, 15 or so "seeds" are injected into the perineum and then radiated. Sounds like an ordeal. And he has to do it again in a week or two.

I remember reading that a relatively large percentage of elderly men are found to have (slow growing) prostate cancer upon post-mortem examination after death from other causes.

Just to add a bit to my cancer anxiety, my own prostate-specific antigen (PSA) numbers are on the rise, although still within the normal range.

Oh, the joys of growing old!

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Llarry

Oh, the joys of growing old!

But you are still lovable. Warts and all.

[RickFLM4]

Anyone ever have a [leg] venous insufficiency procedure?

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Anyone ever have a [leg] venous insufficiency procedure?

Which are you specifically asking about and what do you want to know? Has your provider talked to you about your options?

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

Which are you specifically asking about and what do you want to know? Has your provider talked to you about your options?

The issue is moving blood back up to my heart. Not an issue with potential blood clots or anything like that. Just leg swelling and skin changes (including discoloration and periodic itching), particularly around my ankle. This has been maintained with lotions and steroid cream, but it is not something that will cure itself and only worsen with age. I have had it for decades and it is now rather significant on one leg more than the other.

First procedure is to seal the vein shut using heat (upper leg). For the lower leg, he uses some type of foam to redirect bloodflow to other veins. Lower leg would be done 2-3 weeks after upper. After that, we'll look into the other leg. Will need to see him annually thereafter for an ultrasound to monitor remaining veins as this is apparently genetic and it could occur in other veins as I get older.

Options are to wait or do it now. I am told that eventually I will have worse skin issues on my leg that could be difficult to heal. I have no pain or issues other than swelling and periodic skin irritation, but scheduled a procedure for November since it isn't something that will cure itself and will likely need to be addressed at some point. Sounds common and pretty minor / quick with minimal recovery so might as well get it done. The only reason I was considering waiting further is my primary care doctor left the medical practice and I wanted to talk it over with him. Can't contact him now and finding a new primary care doctor is a little challenging in terms of a near-term appointment.

So, I was just wondering if anyone else has done this and, if so, how it went. Any complications or is the procedure and recovery as simple as it sounds? Any questions I might want to ask?

[KRS_SN]

Originally Posted by Llarry

An old friend of mine from the Navy is undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Apparently, 15 or so "seeds" are injected into the perineum and then radiated. Sounds like an ordeal. And he has to do it again in a week or two.

I remember reading that a relatively large percentage of elderly men are found to have (slow growing) prostate cancer upon post-mortem examination after death from other causes.

Just to add a bit to my cancer anxiety, my own prostate-specific antigen (PSA) numbers are on the rise, although still within the normal range.

Oh, the joys of growing old!

True. There is an adage that most men die with a prostate growth than from it.
A related chart on PSA screening in asymptomatic men

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

The issue is moving blood back up to my heart. Not an issue with potential blood clots or anything like that. Just leg swelling and skin changes (including discoloration and periodic itching), particularly around my ankle. This has been maintained with lotions and steroid cream, but it is not something that will cure itself and only worsen with age. I have had it for decades and it is now rather significant on one leg more than the other.

First procedure is to seal the vein shut using heat (upper leg). For the lower leg, he uses some type of foam to redirect bloodflow to other veins. Lower leg would be done 2-3 weeks after upper. After that, we'll look into the other leg. Will need to see him annually thereafter for an ultrasound to monitor remaining veins as this is apparently genetic and it could occur in other veins as I get older.

Options are to wait or do it now. I am told that eventually I will have worse skin issues on my leg that could be difficult to heal. I have no pain or issues other than swelling and periodic skin irritation, but scheduled a procedure for November since it isn't something that will cure itself and will likely need to be addressed at some point. Sounds common and pretty minor / quick with minimal recovery so might as well get it done. The only reason I was considering waiting further is my primary care doctor left the medical practice and I wanted to talk it over with him. Can't contact him now and finding a new primary care doctor is a little challenging in terms of a near-term appointment.

So, I was just wondering if anyone else has done this and, if so, how it went. Any complications or is the procedure and recovery as simple as it sounds? Any questions I might want to ask?

If the only options he offered were now vs. later than I'd suggest a specialty consult for a second opinion with another vascular surgeon who specializes in these issues. If he discussed and rejected various surgical options with bypass grafts, then this may not be as relevant. Cardiologists usually have a lot of experience with local providers' work, and can be a good source of input for who are the better surgeons for this type of issue. I've not had these issues myself, but dealt with family and many patients who did.

[RickFLM4]

Got Paxlovid/COVID rebound a couple of days ago. First round was pretty minor, like a mild cold, and cleared up very quickly. Tested negative Monday and Tuesday. Then I woke up congested on Thursday and took a test around lunchtime. So this is day 3 of the rebound and it is now clearly worse than the initial round. No fever or serious issues, but more like a severe cold than a mild cold this time. Weird, because from what I've read rebound case are typically milder and don't last all that long. Might do telehealth again this afternoon but not sure there is much to be done other than fluids, rest and OTC cold remedies to treat symptoms. I do have a little more of a cough and have taken benzonatate in the past for other coughs so maybe that's something worth asking about.

I took all the vaccines and boosters through 2023 (all Pfizer) and managed to avoid it for 4 years. But it got me twice in the last 2 weeks. Better now than early on I suppose.