Since the Ebola epidemic is on almost everyone's mind these days, I think it is time for me to do a health post. I just wanted to update a few of you who know that I have been struggling with some small health concerns prior to my trip to Ireland and after my return. I will not do this again as I hate writing about my health! What a bore!
Anyway, there was a time just last year when I could brag/blog that I was under no prescription medications. I was shooting toward 70 and still in reasonably good health. Then this year I changed doctors and after a whole battery of new tests and a couple of lingering illnesses and resulting doctor's visits I have been informed that I have osteoporosis and must take a prescription for that along with calcium and vitamin D supplements in goodly number.
Also, since my lungs decided to turn themselves inside out this summer and I had a chronic cough for no discernible reason, I was given an an x-ray just before my trip. I was also given heavy duty cough medicine. The X-ray showed several things: that I "probably have underlying mild COPD," I certainly have a mild scoliosis and definitely have some bone degeneration in the scapula. This diagnosis and a collection of prescriptions to loosen phlegm in my lungs and reduce coughing at night made me pull up for a time.
Then 4 days upon my return I got a sore throat which went into an upper respiratory virus and I was back to coughing once again. Upon my return I was given something even stronger and the result was
that I lacked energy for a while and the contrast from my high energy
activities while in Ireland gave me pause about all this drugging. Last week I still was weak from my flu that I probably caught in the Dublin airport or on the plane and added to all of the above I added a mild depression to my disposition. The depression seemed to me to be both psychological and chemical! Researching COPD was not helpful.
As I weaned myself off the medicines for the lung infection I got my energy back and my creative urges have now returned along with a better disposition. I am almost back to normal. I am lifting hand weights again trying to strengthen back muscles for my lungs. I am sleeping much, much better as well. I have far less health issues than many of my loved ones, so no complaining here.
But, reality bites, doesn't it?
Yes, it does. I used to laugh at old ladies who compared aches and pains, now I are one. Unlike you, I write about them. Not to elicit kindness but to document it all before I forget. I don't write about all of them tho. The best thing both of us can do is walk. I walk in the pool and find it isn't really quite enough. On land I find I huff and puff when just a short while ago, pre-hip, I didn't. All we can do is be dogged about it.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you.
I figure that the "cure" for our ailments are often worse than the ailments themselves. I'm not a fan of long term meds for most things. I'm glad you're feeling much better.
ReplyDeleteMage is right about walking. Of all the things I have tried, regular walking slow or fast has produced the best result. It keeps a body's balance steady as well and its so lovely outside here right now. :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like (hopefully) the worst is over.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the exercise and keep thinking young.
We've just recovered from the lingering symptoms from the colds we picked up flying to and from Philadelphia. Now, today, we fly to Europe. I can only hope that our antibodies are extra strong right now.
ReplyDeleteI did get a three mile walk in this morning. Walking keeps me going too.
I hope you are truly on the mend.
My friend just sent me an excellent video on strengthening the thoracic spine - I can't find an E-mail for you and if you're like me, you don't like links on comments, so if you're interested, E-mail me (address on blog), and I'll send it to you. I'm 70 and so far use only supplements and a baby aspirin. Be careful on the bone meds - do your research. I've heard some horror stories about brittle bones and breakage being caused by the meds. I think all of us after age 65 show bone loss. Do weight bearing activities like walking to strengthen your bones. Watch your posture and your balance - I've noticed both of mine are less good as I age.
ReplyDeleteGrowing older is a laugh a minute! Glad you are on the road to recovery.
ReplyDeleteYou have my sympathy, my scarred lungs wheeze sometimes, and it's a bummer to have such trouble.
ReplyDeleteYour health is not a bore to me so thanks for the update. They push drugs even more so in my case and i'm thrilled to say no to most. hugs
ReplyDeleteFor years I have watched "older" folks with their plastic bags of medications in dr.'s waiting rooms. I am sure I never thought I would have a list of meds and a pillbox to fill once a week. But here I am, I am them.
ReplyDeleteI can sympathize. When my doctor told me I had an enlarged prostate, Norman for a man my age, I instantly had a hard time peeing. It would have been better if he hadn't told me. Glad to hear you're doing better.
ReplyDeleteIt just sucks getting old I think! Always some issues with aging tissues!
ReplyDeleteEven I take vitamin D, because my mom had Osteoporosis. Yeah, reading med stuff gives you symptoms sometimes!
Hope you are feeling tip-top again ASAP!
I'll just be happy to make it to 70- neither of my parents did...
My sister is flirting with C.O.P.D. herself. They are running more tests on her to make certain before they have her on oxygen.
ReplyDeleteGetting old sucks? You know the response to that one! It sure beats the alternative!
We must ban the "O" word. Old. Life is just happening and I am so glad to be in it still...though I too have a long list of reasons for my multiple medications.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was a doctor and he hated 'pill pushers'. It is my understanding that the pharmaceutical industry is not about healing but about maintaining and masking symptoms. The less pills you take, the better off you are. there are other ways to regain health.
ReplyDeleteI also have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and they wanted me to take fosamax which I did for several years because I didn't want to break any bones. but then I started reading about those medications and the side effects, if you get them, are heinous. plus, they don't really strengthen your bones. the way they work, they way they increase your bone density is that they prevent your body from breaking down the old weak bone to be replaced with fresh strong bone. and they are now finding that women who have been on this medication, still suffer hip fractures so in the end, it doesn't really work but you have spent a fortune on the medication. also, I stopped taking the calcium supplements because those high doses, most of it just gets shunted out before it is absorbed anyway. weight training, making sure you weigh enough (my problem so I added 20 pounds), eat fresh calcium rich foods, and walking! walking, dancing, digging...anything that impacts your hips is very important.
I'm not recommending you don't take the med but do research it thoroughly and then decide.
I saw a few doctors and few years back and was prescribed about 4 or 5 medications but I took none of them and got a new doctor. I did find out during this time that I also have osteoporosis. I didn't go on the medicine because I was only at 25% which is when they actually start calling it that. Started taking Vit D, wearing a weight vest at times and drinking nettles and oatstraw infusion, as recommended by Floyd friend and master herbalist/author Susun Weed. It's nearing time to retest, gotta make sure it's not getting worst.
ReplyDeleteI also deal with reflux LPR which can cause sore throats, as well a long time degree of Chronic Fatigue and low grade depression (which makes for some cheap therapy poetry). I have found beta glutcan a big help for immune support. Mostly I have to protect myself from overdoing burnout, which comes faster in me than most people.
I'm glad you're on the mend and phasing out meds that create side effects.
I too don't like pills - if it can be avoided. I, like Hilary, feel the cure is often worse than the ailment - at least for me. Will be 70 next summer and so far take nothing - except an occasional Tylenol 500mg when a migraine strikes.
ReplyDeleteAnd I too believe walking is the best exercise. We do try to eat only fresh fruits and veggies (no canned), and although we eat meat... we don't eat a lot of it and buy what is said to be hormone and antibiotic free.
As we age, meds may become part of our lives - but until then, we will avoid it as long as possible.
It does indeed.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are doing better. I recommend yoga for respiratory problems. The breathing I've learned there keeps my lungs clear mostly, unless I encounter really bad air. Also, drinking a lot of water helps.
ReplyDeleteI have to take a beta blocker and warfarin for a heart condition, and these really work for me. I feel so much better than I used to. These diseases progress, of course, but for the time being I'm fine.
But I think that almost everyone experiences a downturn in health between ages 70 and 80. All you have to do is look at a 70 year old and an 80 year old, and the change is apparent. At 75 I'm somewhere in the middle.
We got our flu shots, and that must be some heavy flu it protects against, because I got a headache and lethargy from it. Also got the shingles shot, which I hope will protect me from that awful affliction, which made my mother miserable for months.
One thing I don't understand is doctor-phobes. But a good health scare usually converts such people!
Nice that you have found you can do well without the meds. I went on a statin years back when I saw that my good cholesterol was not growing but my bad was. It's a low dose and so far does good. Then came bp med, again low dose but I had a scary very high surge of bp which convinced me I needed something to keep it stable which this has done. I avoided meds as long as I could but I also saw my biological elders die from heart disease which I think is the reality-- look at our relatives to see what is our likely problem. I would take osteoporosis very seriously as I had an aunt who ended up stoop backed from it. I watch my own posture to be sure it's okay but my bone density showed very strong bones-- for now. It's the joys of aging, but deny it is happening doesn't really help :)
ReplyDeleteI am not making any comment to this so as not to jinx myself in some way. Except, I can wish you good health.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does.
ReplyDeleteWe were never going to be ill, were we, not even when getting old. I certainly never was going to be my mother and her friends whose major topic of conversation was ill health.
No, without my long-term meds, I would have a very bleak outlook. For only a short time, mind you. Sick hearts don’t mend, they just get sicker.
I post about health issues and they only started the last couple of years. Lucky me as I just turned 80. Always active and still do almost everything and hardly sit still. A year of a lot of inflammatory problems but with all of test told how healthy I am. Only take something for inflammation and very low b/p medicine - it is always fine except when I get upset and with all fine seems I am emotional.
ReplyDeleteI feel you are too young for all that is going on.
But do all you know
and yes walking and keep moving
the best.
I have an excellent diet except for sweets but have never had a weight problem - guess because I am always busy.
You and I
keep busy but rest more...