We're getting old (OO medical complaints)

[disarm]

I spend a fair amount of my time providing anesthesia for opthalmologic surgery (mostly cataracts). In the right hands, it only takes about 15 minutes, you have an itchy eye for a couple days, eye drops for a couple weeks, and see better almost immediately. I can assure you it's a very quick, easy surgery and one of the simplest procedures you can undergo that will be a huge improvement in your life.

Please tell me that you put people under for surgery like that? Someone cutting into my eye is one of my absolute nightmares and I don't know if I could do it wide awake.

I've had both eyes done and you are awake but they give you versed or similar to totally relax you. They do an extremely small incision and you don't feel anything. You'll see a bright light with a bunch of colors swirling around but as Unagi said, it's about 15 minutes and really is nothing.

Main concern is an infection after the surgery so make sure you stay on the drops.

I can't say anything more useful this...awake but numb and relaxed. You don't feel anything other than touching and a lot of water, and most people say it's like looking into a kaleidoscope while they work. Most people show up very nervous for the first eye but quickly realize it's no big deal, then can't come back for the next one soon enough.

[Blackhawk]

It's a concern for me as well, given that I'll be facing it sooner or later. I'm very, very sensitive about my eyes, and my reactions are completely involuntary. My eye doctor has a great deal of trouble even giving me eyedrops, as anything in that area causes my eyelids to go nuts, fluttering like a butterfly on speed.

[Smoove_B]

Samesies.

I cannot recall being under the influence of *anything* and thinking, oh yeah someone could absolutely slice/laser/needle my eyeball and I'd be totally fine with that right now.

[WYBaugh]

My left eye, I've had:

Cataract surgery

Surgery to repair a torn retina that required a gas bubble inserted into the eye and laser tacking of the retina after the surgery. Had to sleep on my face for two weeks, couldn't stand up/sit up straight during this time. Only time I really could was to use the bathroom.

My eye did not handle the gas bubble and I had numerous eye pressure build ups that causes HUGE headaches until getting to the doctor and having them insert a needle in the eye and bringing out some of the gas until the pressure goes down.

These episodes of pressure killed my optic nerve so I'm blind in the eye now.

5 years later the artificial lens fell out and I had to have surgery to remove the lens bopping around in my eye

Last year I had pediatric surgery to straighten my eye out since it was drifting pretty badly and making me look crazier than I already look. Recovery as an adult too quite a while.

All this to say that I also have issues with drops and people messing with my eye. I can tell you with no hesitation that cataract surgery is a serious nothing burger. Getting the drops prior to the procedure is worse than the actual procedure.

You'll be amazed at how well you'll see after getting the new lens. No more halos at night, no more blurred vision and the colors are extremely vivid. It's like you've got a new eye.

If you need the procedure, please don't put it off.

[Madmarcus]

But, man, this Spring and Summer I finally found the solution. I started bicycling to and from work as many days as I could, weather permitting, and it has made *all* the difference.

After my knee surgery (40 years ago) that was what my doctor said to do for PT.

[Kraken]

It's a concern for me as well, given that I'll be facing it sooner or later. I'm very, very sensitive about my eyes, and my reactions are completely involuntary. My eye doctor has a great deal of trouble even giving me eyedrops, as anything in that area causes my eyelids to go nuts, fluttering like a butterfly on speed.

I used to be like that before I got blepharitis. When I needed eyedrops Wife would have to pin me down and prop my eyelids open Clockwork Orange-style. I got over it once I started needing them routinely. Now I drop my own eyes once or twice a day, no biggie.

[Blackhawk]

It's a concern for me as well, given that I'll be facing it sooner or later. I'm very, very sensitive about my eyes, and my reactions are completely involuntary. My eye doctor has a great deal of trouble even giving me eyedrops, as anything in that area causes my eyelids to go nuts, fluttering like a butterfly on speed.

I used to be like that before I got blepharitis. When I needed eyedrops Wife would have to pin me down and prop my eyelids open Clockwork Orange-style. I got over it once I started needing them routinely. Now I drop my own eyes once or twice a day, no biggie.

I've learned to do my own, but it requires careful breathing and focus. Other people? The fluttering starts about six inches away.

[Holman]

I no longer wear contacts (as my astigmatism is now too crazy), but I started with a contact lens in ninth grade. This means I had to get over any squeamishness about touching my eye. (For a few years I wore only one contact, which I amused myself by imagining was a monocle.)

I use eye drops pretty frequently due to allergies and general computer use.

Maybe I should get eye surgery? It seems like I'd be good at it.

[Default]

If your prescription never changes, you are a good candidate.

[WYBaugh]

Had a stress test today that came back with issues. 1- 2 mm of upsloping st depression in the inferior leads which indicates possible blockage.

*Sigh*

[disarm]

Had a stress test today that came back with issues. 1- 2 mm of upsloping st depression in the inferior leads which indicates possible blockage.

*Sigh*

They sending you for a nuclear perfusion scan next, or straight to cardiac cath? Best of luck either way. At least they'll find and fix the issue before something bigger happens.

[Jeff V]

You'll be amazed at how well you'll see after getting the new lens. No more halos at night, no more blurred vision and the colors are extremely vivid. It's like you've got a new eye.

If you need the procedure, please don't put it off.

I have some shit going on thanks to being diabetic. The fun started when my vision rate 20/20, but I stopped being able to read anything. Reading glasses (2.25) fixed that. The problem is tiny aneurysms in the eyeball that obstruct the retina...the eye doc says they can be zapped by laser but chances are the laser would also destroy the cones behind it, leaving me no better off. About 2 years ago, my left eye has become decidedly cloudy. This has the effect of living in a haze. Last time I went to the eye doc, she said it's not a cataract or anything she could see. I probably need to see the retina specialist again, but it could well be an obstructive aneurysm. I can still read fine with reading glasses, I use bifocal readers for driving Uber when I need to read details on the phone but don't need it for seeing far...except the persistent cloudiness in the left eye often makes me feel sleepy.

[dbt1949]

How come when I get out of bed in the morning I hurt more than I did when I went into it the night before?

[TheMix]

How come when I get out of bed in the morning I hurt more than I did when I went into it the night before?

That, sir, is the great mystery of life. Along with, what the hell happened to the other sock in this pair???

[WYBaugh]

Had a stress test today that came back with issues. 1- 2 mm of upsloping st depression in the inferior leads which indicates possible blockage.

*Sigh*

They sending you for a nuclear perfusion scan next, or straight to cardiac cath? Best of luck either way. At least they'll find and fix the issue before something bigger happens.

Saw the cardiologist on Friday and heading for a CT Angiogram as well as checks on the carotids, etc. I was hoping they would just do a cath to cut out the middle man but I get they don't want to do an invasive procedure unless it's absolutely necessary.

[LordMortis]

I also saw the cardiologist this week. He's cutting me back to half aspirin. I was hoping he'd cut my other meds back as well (I'm freakin pharmacy at home) but the only reason he's cutting back my aspirin is because he says there is no additional benefit for the heart from a half to a whole. Stress test is scheduled for the 8th. Colonoscopy is on hold until after the stress test. And here I thought I was doing well enough to turn back time a bit. Nope.

[Kasey Chang]

I actually just went got my eyes checked, complete with dilation test. Seems I have beginnings of yellowing and cataracts, but it's too early to worry about. Just keep wearing sunglasses while outside is what my eye doc said.

[dbt1949]

I finally got my stepson to take one of my pain pills. He was the last holdout. Now I have the whole family hooked! A few more times and I can start selling them.
On a similar note my dil's son who lives with us got all high on meth and got a big knife and started waving it around. My stepson called the cops on him and locked all the doors. It took the cops an hour to get here and all the time he was knocking on all the doors and windows trying to get in. The cops got here and immediately handcuffed him and took him to jail. They didn't even ask any questions. Bye bye.

[Daehawk]

We used to take a baby aspirin a day. Its only 81 mg.

I too feel worse when i first get up. I think between me being 55 now, my deteriorated back that Im disabled for plus silly knees now and hands, the chair Ive sat in for 30 years and the chest my pc set on along with no car so Im ALWAYS sitting in that chair or sleeping on the old mattress I just hurt all the damn time now. Cant stand straight a lot and feel Im curved one way or the other sometimes. And just in paid a lot.

Wish I could F'n get out of this hose SOME. Other than maybe 5 trips to town Ive been couped up almost a year. I got a washing machine so this next month Im going to TRY and get someone to look at my car here at the house. I just cannot find mobile mechanic.

My friend today said his dad owned a mechanic shop for 30 years and he will try to get him up here. Shall see.

[Anonymous Bosch]

I too feel worse when i first get up. I think between me being 55 now, my deteriorated back that Im disabled for plus silly knees now and hands, the chair Ive sat in for 30 years and the chest my pc set on along with no car so Im ALWAYS sitting in that chair or sleeping on the old mattress I just hurt all the damn time now. Cant stand straight a lot and feel Im curved one way or the other sometimes. And just in paid a lot.

Wish I could F'n get out of this hose SOME. Other than maybe 5 trips to town Ive been couped up almost a year.

For the umpteenth time, you CAN leave your house and more importantly, obtain the the medical and psychological assistance you obviously require in the process.
As Kraken previously aptly conveyed: "You can have a better life. The first step is laid out clearly right there. Please don't just lie down and die because it's easier."

I dont feel all that well lately but staying in the bed all the time is killing my hips. I changed out my old mattress topper for a new one and the new one is thinner so the old mattress is hurting me. Plus Ive been home bound since the car died a year ago so all I do is sit in my chair at the pc or in bed resting or sleep. The hips bones and muscles in there are all hurting and weak. Ive started walking funny like Im tossing my legs out in front of me instead of walking and splaying my right foot out to the side more.

I cant get to the town now and force myself to go to the car or walk into stores or walk inside stores..im slowing rotting away here at home with no end in site.

To make it clear once again, if you have Medicaid in Tennessee, the medical assistance you require is freely available and readily accessible. You have the option to use TennCare's free transportation service to attend your medical appointments. Although I've mentioned this to you previously, you've consistently disregarded it. But I strongly recommend prioritizing your health and well-being. Do NOT use your broken-down vehicle as an excuse to avoid seeking the medical assistance you clearly and undeniably require. Please get yourself the medical and psychological help you need:

Should have had one 25 years ago. But anything where I can get done then leave is problematic for me as I have no ride. Im not sure they allow you to leave in Uber. And my Uber ride would mean from one city to another.

I wonder if after a op they would allow me to sit in the waiting room and sleep overnight there then drive myself home the next day? Thats if I had a op and if I had a car..if ififififif.

If you're on Medicaid, it looks like TennCare -- the state of Tennessee’s managed Medicaid agency -- provides access to free transportation for covered medical services through their Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) benefit:

[Kraken]

For the umpteenth time,

A decent chair and a new bed would improve your life. You suffer because you choose not to change.

[Daehawk]

Im never gonna change ever...part of me likes it bad.

New studies show walking heals lower back pain not just for a short time.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/scie ... -treatment

Trouble is my back is really bad and my stomach is fat now and overweights my back so its always pulling back to balance me out. Need to lose that belly but tried a lot even hardly eating and it never goes totally away now at my age. I used to walk all the time...we shopped a LOT...like 3 or more times a week. Walked our mall for many miles over that time. Plus I push mowed and went to normal stores and food shopping..you name it. Not now.

A lot of times now I have to take a break just standing washing dishes. I have to lean a little forward so Im holding myself with my back. Sometimes two breaks. I have to run sit down cause my back is a 10 of 10 pain on each side .

[Isgrimnur]

Standing and leaning is not walking.

[LordMortis]

Washing dishes has hurt my back for my entire life. The standing still plus hunching over for more than a minutes has always been a problem and probably related to me slouching so bad when I sit. I also wonder if I have two different leg lengths (My left hip will start hurt when I stand straight for a long time and I'll start shifting feet. Again, it's been that way for even when I was young and active and in great shape). Such is life.

[Blackhawk]

Im ALWAYS sitting in that chair or sleeping on the old mattress I just hurt all the damn time now.

This is unlikely to be coincidence. You are sitting or lying more because you're in pain, but don't seem to realize that sitting or lying all day causes back pain, especially on crappy furniture. You're solution for the pain is likely part of why the pain is getting worse. You're putting out the fire with gasoline.

Human beings evolved to walk. Our tendons and muscles did not evolve for chairs, and certain not for chairs pushed awkwardly in front of a chest with a computer on it.

Get up, get out the front door, and walk. Walk for 15 minutes. That's all. In a month, up it to 25, then 30. Then stick with that 30 for a while. It'll make you ache for a week or two, but your muscles will adapt and you'll quickly find that you are in less pain.

Or, you can stick with the bed and refusing to change. If you do, you are choosing to be in pain, and you are choosing for that pain to increase.

Up to you.

[Smoove_B]

Im never gonna change ever...part of me likes it bad.

So you're like a human rocking chair? Complaining gives you something to do, but you never actually go anywhere?

My dude, your life doesn't need to be like this; you do not need to suffer needlessly. You're not "earning" anything being mentally and physically miserable; you don't deserve to suffer every day, nonstop.

As an imaginary friend that's been following your exploits for decades, I'm imploring you to please consider utilizing the resources others have shared to make your days and nights better.

[Blackhawk]

Washing dishes has hurt my back for my entire life. The standing still plus hunching over for more than a minutes has always been a problem and probably related to me slouching so bad when I sit. I also wonder if I have two different leg lengths (My left hip will start hurt when I stand straight for a long time and I'll start shifting feet. Again, it's been that way for even when I was young and active and in great shape). Such is life.

I have that problem. Are you particularly tall? My biggest problem with dishes is that I'm tall enough that sinks are too low, forcing me to bend forward. Bending forward like that puts half of the body's mass on a lever made of your spine, with all of it supported by just a few muscles. It's why I've learned to bend my knees and crouch down when doing something like washing my face in the bathroom sink - bending over at the hips is brutal on your back, and while people can get away with it when they're young, doing it later in life can cause a lot of pain.

[Isgrimnur]

Or the splits.

[LordMortis]

Washing dishes has hurt my back for my entire life. The standing still plus hunching over for more than a minutes has always been a problem and probably related to me slouching so bad when I sit. I also wonder if I have two different leg lengths (My left hip will start hurt when I stand straight for a long time and I'll start shifting feet. Again, it's been that way for even when I was young and active and in great shape). Such is life.

I have that problem. Are you particularly tall? My biggest problem with dishes is that I'm tall enough that sinks are too low, forcing me to bend forward. Bending forward like that puts half of the body's mass on a lever made of your spine, with all of it supported by just a few muscles. It's why I've learned to bend my knees and crouch down when doing something like washing my face in the bathroom sink - bending over at the hips is brutal on your back, and while people can get away with it when they're young, doing it later in life can cause a lot of pain.

6'2", or I was. I may be shrinking as I get older. So I am tall but not particularly tall. Tall enough that public bathroom sinks make me feel like a giant and inevitably make me look like I pissed my pants after I wash my hands.

[Blackhawk]

A hair over 6'1", so I can imagine that the experience is similar.

[Anonymous Bosch]

Im never gonna change ever...part of me likes it bad.

So you're like a human rocking chair? Complaining gives you something to do, but you never actually go anywhere?

My dude, your life doesn't need to be like this; you do not need to suffer needlessly. You're not "earning" anything being mentally and physically miserable; you don't deserve to suffer every day, nonstop.

As an imaginary friend that's been following your exploits for decades, I'm imploring you to please consider utilizing the resources others have shared to make your days and nights better.

[dbt1949]

I always have to take a pain pill when I first get up in the morning and it takes 45 minutes to kick in.
Maybe I should put my pills within easy reach of my bed? No, that's too logical.

[Kraken]

I'd move my bed closer to my pills.

[Sudy]

A hair over 6'1", so I can imagine that the experience is similar.

Oh man. My brothers in pain. I'm so glad to have found you yet so sorry that you too must carry this burden. Sink pain is some of the most frustrating, stupid pain.

I can't imagine what life is like for the poor fucks who are even taller.

[LordMortis]

I always have to take a pain pill when I first get up in the morning and it takes 45 minutes to kick in.
Maybe I should put my pills within easy reach of my bed? No, that's too logical.

I don't look forward to that day. I wake every day in pain and I get up and walk it off until I can do aerobic walking to walk it off harder. That's working for me for now but I imagine that 30 years of sitting at a desk with low activity, a lifetime of bad posture, injuries, and my genes are going to make this a losing battle.

A hair over 6'1", so I can imagine that the experience is similar.

Oh man. My brothers in pain. I'm so glad to have found you yet so sorry that you too must carry this burden. Sink pain is some of the most frustrating, stupid pain.

I can't imagine what life is like for the poor fucks who are even taller.

I never thought it had to do with being tall. But then, I don't think of myself as all that tall. Maybe it's the company I keep (or kept).

[ImLawBoy]

I'm 6'4" and nightly dishes are my chore. For whatever reason, I don't seem to have the issues you do. Sometimes things are a little stiff or sore, but it's not too bad yet.

[Default]

This is because you are a viking, and fling your leathern jacks and wooden trenchers into a blazing hearth where they will flame and wither into ash, like the armies of your enemies.

[Daehawk]

Im 6'0" but Ive had a shit back since I was about 15. That little bend over at the waist is killer to me. Its ok as I take breaks.

Also Im hearing a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar helps with our type aches and pains without pain meds. Like a teaspoon a day in water. I may get some. I used to drink it like that when i had kidney stones trying to avoid surgery. By then it was too late. But it may help with that now that I had them removed to keep more coming back AND help my pains. We'll see.

[Daehawk]

I just ate and washed the single dish and took my BP. It was a normal 120/80 thnx to meds earlier today. But my heart rate just from that little stuff was 130. its always high now days even doing nothing.

[disarm]

But my heart rate just from that little stuff was 130. its always high now days because I'm doing nothing.

FTFY

Even a little daily activity goes a long way...better then letting your body rot away...