HEALTH I may be getting close to “semi-invalid” status

CaryC

CaryC

Has No Life - Lives on TB
summerthyme said:
CHECK IT OUT. The rules for "long term" Medicaid are totally different than "regular " Medicaid. The main disqualifier is CASH or other liquid assets. A house and vehicles don't count.

You MAY not qualify, but things have changed totally thanks to <spit> Obamacare.

Summerthyme
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Totally agree.

Know people who don't qualify because they "draw" to much, but then qualify because they can't afford long term medical treatment. So spend some time checking it out.

Glad you are getting a VA appointment. And if that works out, great.

However, should it not.......a primary care doctor CAN be at a walk in clinic. Here in MS a first visit will run about 150.00, which they will be glad to work with you on payment. Really they will, they want their money.

If you have to go that route check out to make sure they are in the BSW system, that way all your records will be available to them.

You my friend are not in the best of health, and having a regular doctor who monitors your health, to catch things before they get bad, is something you stand in dire need of. Ask me how I know, and I'll tell you about catching a cancer in my kidney some day.

Different states, different agencies have different rules, so what I'm saying is for MS. There are all kinds of assistance programs even just making payments, putting it on a credit card, etc. And these medical places know them all.

Don't put it off, it never works out.
 
F

FireDance

TB Fanatic
Dennis Olson said:
I had a sip of apple juice before I left because my mouth was dry. Literally a single swallow. My normal drinks throughout the day are flavor drops in water.
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Meh. All sweeteners make your body “think” sugar. So watch that.

I would not drink fruit juices at this time unless your blood sugar drops to the floor. Then the idea is the juice (about 4 oz which brings up the glucose level quickly); followed by a protein that keeps glucose level steady after being hit with a sugar. A sugar will bring your level up and drop you to the ground again relatively quickly.)

None of the flavored drops either. IF you want to flavor your water, get limes or lemons and put that in there.

20 demerits for drinking something that causes cancer in California. Lol.

Seriously, aside from helping w your glucose levels, water with lemon/lime will help you also lose weight. It’s not a miracle, but I magically dropped 15 lbs by doing that rather than drinking sweet tea. It was difficult to get over my tea, but well worth it!

Glad you have an appointment. Another “trick” I have found is to have the doc you are going to see call in an order to your local hospital and get your labs there. Of course, who wants to go to the local hospital?

Thinking and praying about this. Hope you feel much better today!
 
Hfcomms

Hfcomms

EN66iq
Dobbin said:
Owner read your lament. His reaction: "Use it or lose it."

It does sound a bit like you're in the losing it category.

Easy to say - harder to correct. Losing it can be a downward and self created spiral.

Owner says you start with your physician - if he/she deems it ok then begin a GRADUAL exercise program. It could start with walking to your mailbox. Then do it twice a day. Then (next day) go down to the corner. Walking IS the original human exercise.

Keto will help with the weight. "Eat like a caveman" has its advantages. And for you without a microbial gut - carbs can be your undoing.

I, of course, LOVE my carbs.

I'm sorry you're undergoing this. But none of us are getting younger and age does have it's way of finding the chinks in one's physical armor.

Good luck going forward - literally. Maybe in a year you'll start doing legs of the Appalachian Trail? For your sake I hope so.

For your listening pleasure while you walk for the MP3 player/cell phone - 107 segments.


Dobbin
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You speak horse sense Dobbin. But as we all know you can lead a horse to water.......

If there is nothing wrong physically with the body it can be brought back to health with hard work, discipline in eating the right foods and staying away from the wrong ones and taking necessary supplements as the standard American processed foods are totally devoid of nutrition.

I agree with getting checked out medically and there may be some medications that will temporarily help but that won‘t fix what is wrong with you. I’m a lazy man at heart and because I’m lazy I know it’s easier to stay fit and healthy than it is to get back your health if it’s been squandered. It can be done and innumerable people have done so but what it boils down to is an individual question. That question is;

Do I want it bad enough to make substantial, serious and permanent life changes or not?
 
Lurker

Lurker

14
ANYTHING that mimic's sugar is going to be read by your body as sugar. I still can't shake diet soda's (Dr. Pepper and Mt. Dew are my evil's) but because I don't drink tea or coffee (hate the taste) I'm stuck with water, diet soda's or nothing. I try to keep my intake at a minimum though. I can feel the 'diet' soda hit my bloodstream, it sucks. I try to stay active and not sit as much as I can, knowing that burning calories is burning sugar/carbs and getting that crap out of me.
 
Satanta

Satanta

Stone Cold Crazy
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Well. I can only give you so much 'Advice', being Diabetic since I was basically Born and not having to 'Adapt' since it was just something I did like Breathing-just There, no real thought about what I ate or did not eat.

Definitely get the Bloodwork done of you can and maybe a Heart Eval.

As far as Foods? I doubt you can eat like I do-mostly raw veggies, pickled Jalapenos and Meat-prefferably large animal like COW and fish. I admit I drink diet Coke, not for everyone but to each their own.

What's with the Flavoring drops? Just make Tea. I drink mine without sugar or fake sweeteners. Most 'Flavored' water I've tried tasted like Chemicals-like one would hink the toilet water would taste with the little soap bar they stick in the bottom of a urinal for you to pee on.
 
R

rockcreek

Veteran Member
I just got my bill for my hospital stay. Insurance did paid most of it. I used my credit card. Now it's out of my mind how to pay.
 
Shotgun Willy

Shotgun Willy

Contributing Member
Can’t take the time to read the whole thread, but the initial symptoms remind me of my Dad’s symptoms before they figured out it was Parkinson’s
 
goosebeans

goosebeans

Veteran Member
Jubilee on Earth said:
Prayers for you, Boss. 62 is far too young to be dealing with these issues. Just a suggestion, take it or leave it. But I really recommend a keto diet. Cutting out all carbs. You’ll feel like a new man. I’m in my mid-40s and after seeing SO many people going on a keto diet and finding the fountain of youth, I dove in. I was starting to feel “old.” Achy joints, sluggish metabolism, breathing issues, stiffness, problems sleeping, headaches... minor things, but it all made me feel like I was way older than I am. I had a chat with a friend’s father who was pre-diabetic who went keto. He dropped 40 lbs and I swear he’s like a new man. He’s outside gardening and working on projects and exercising like he just found the fountain of youth. He now won’t eat a slice of bread or a gram of sugar or juice, and he’s telling everyone about keto. I’ve been keto since Dec 1 (and full-blown carnivore since mid-Feb) and I dropped over 20 inches. I have more energy, stamina, and flexibility than I’ve had in years. It really is remarkable. I have a job that requires me to sit at a desk in front of a computer all day, which is the worst thing for humans. I started walking back in Dec on a treadmill. I could barely do a mile without feeling like I was going to die. This last weekend I walked 6 miles, some of it running. It’s amazing.

Tons of books and videos out there on the keto diet. I’ve read and watched it all. Knowledge is power. Everything you’re feeling and experiencing in symptoms IS reversable through diet and exercise. Truly. It just takes work and commitment.

Again, praying you find good health. You have too many years in front of you to be using the word “invalid.”
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Agree wholeheartedly! I fell off the keto wagon this year - was losing too much weight- but I've felt lousy since adding carbs. SO much pain and extreme stiffness in the mornings. I was pre-diabetic a few years ago but keto kicked that to the curb. Getting back with the program again now.

Dennis, I hate to say it, since it's one of your few pleasures, but your bread maker isn't helping you out any. :(
 
Bps1691

Bps1691

Veteran Member
Dennis Olson said:
I often forget to take my second dose of metformin and glipizide. Today was no exception. I’ll try to remember tomorrow.
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If you aren't following the diet that goes along with this it doesn't work. Didn't they explain the diet that goes with this when they prescribed it?
 
T

Tennessee gal

Veteran Member
Pinecone said:
Prayers for you Dennis. Since you are having more and more health problems, and your job is not secure, now may be the time to move where you have family. You have mentioned several times you are fearful of something bad happening and not being able to take care of yourself and the pups. I hope that once you feel like you are stable, you make that move and be proactive. Yes, moving is a pain, but having to have your family move you would be even more of a pain, with fewer options for you in the long run. Take care of yourself!
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Just a word of testimony. About 6 years ago Dennis advised me to move back home to be near family.My husband had died and my only niece in TN. had died. Several major health issues had set me back.
I was happy there, and had precious friends from the various churches we served. I had cortid artery surgery in November and in the hospital with A-Fib the following January. I was sitting at my kitchen table in the Spring and prayed, “ Father, if you want me to move home you’re going to have to make it happen because I don’t have it in me to do it.”
Friends, when God works on our behalf the best thing we can do is to stay out of His way.
Everything about the move went like clock work. There are many details I could share, but I will sum it up by saying He is faithful!
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
Bps1691 said:
If you aren't following the diet that goes along with this it doesn't work. Didn't they explain the diet that goes with this when they prescribed it?
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I was never prescribed this medication for diabetes per se. It was Rx’d to me prophylactically starting about 2000-ish. Thus there was no “diet” discussed, ever. Truth.
 
F

FireDance

TB Fanatic
Dennis Olson said:
I often forget to take my second dose of metformin and glipizide. Today was no exception. I’ll try to remember tomorrow.
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HOLY TECHNOLOGY BATMAN!!!!

SET AN ALARM ON YOUR PHONE.

No excuse. I would give you a lecture about the inability to use/understand clocking devices, but will skip it. Hell set two alarms. I don’t trust your alarm cutoff and remember abilities.

Persistence and consistency is the only way to work this problem.
 
W

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Dennis, if you can get a handle on this now, it will be worth it. Everyone scaring you too death won't replace good trip to doc and some testing.
Sometimes it seems like it's like or death, then you find it is some things within your control.
I'm praying for you, keep us updated as we worry about you
 
packyderms_wife

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Dennis Olson said:
I was never prescribed this medication for diabetes per se. It was Rx’d to me prophylactically starting about 2000-ish. Thus there was no “diet” discussed, ever. Truth.
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It sounds like you need to make an appointment with your doctor, take all of your meds, including supplements, get a full set of blood tests done, and re-evaluate your medications, diet, etc., what worked in 2000 may not work for you today. I know OC has had a couple of his meds changed in the 20 years we've been married, and he's now 67. You mentioned you no longer have insurance because your job ended, did you get a COBRA plan until you get another gig? You'll also want to make a timeline of your health incidents, any surgeries in the last two years.
 
Bps1691

Bps1691

Veteran Member
Dennis Olson said:
I was never prescribed this medication for diabetes per se. It was Rx’d to me prophylactically starting about 2000-ish. Thus there was no “diet” discussed, ever. Truth.
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Goggle it and get the diet because my sister uses them and they've helped her lot but she follows the diet to the T. She floated from pre to diabetic and back all the time. Played hel* with her health. Once she got the drugs and went on the diet, she got back to normal and has stayed there.

Glad to see you've got an appointment at the VA.
 
cyberiot

cyberiot

Rimtas žmogus
Dennis Olson said:
FireDance, ever since my wife left in 2009, my handling of day-to-day stuff has been “spotty.” She kept me on schedule, and made sure I took my meds on time. Now I. Just adrift.
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I know how difficult it is to lose a spouse, and I'm sorry for your situation. But sometimes we just need to put on our big-kid pants and switch to Adult Mode.

Got a smart speaker? Alexa nudges me to take my meds every day, same time, morning and evening. She also reminds me to wheel the trash dumpster to the curb on garbage days and to back up my computer once a week. When I'm watering the yard, she tells me when to move the sprinkler. She's even sociable--calls me by name and says "please." If she sounded like Jean-Luc Picard, she'd be daggone near perfect.

Almost like having a spouse, except less lip.
 
Teeja

Teeja

On the Beach
Dennis, pretty sure that OSCAR software from ApneaBoard.com forum also tracks O2 via compatibility with some Pulse Oximeters and graphs that data alongside your CPAP data for analysis. You tape the oximeter to your finger at night and it tracks blood O2 during your sleep, then you import the data into OSCAR for analysis.

OSCAR supported machines - Apnea Board Wiki

www.apneaboard.com www.apneaboard.com

Eventhough your daytime O2 levels are clearly well above 90%, it's possible your night time levels fall below that during sleep due to inadequate CPAP treatment or other issues that the OSCAR software might be able to show.

That OSCAR software is really an amazing package. It's really a physician-level analysis tool, but designed for everyday CPAP users-- relatively easy to use for even dummies like me. Since you're a geek anyway, I would think you'd have no problem with it, but for the analysis of the charts and data-- the experts on that forum really come in handy and they can spot things most people can't, and even many sleep doctors miss.
 
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packyderms_wife

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Teeja said:
Dennis, pretty sure that OSCAR software from ApneaBoard.com forum also tracks O2 via compatibility with some Pulse Oximeters and graphs that data alongside your CPAP data for analysis. You tape the oximeter to your finger at night and it tracks blood O2 during your sleep.

OSCAR supported machines - Apnea Board Wiki

www.apneaboard.com www.apneaboard.com

Eventhough your daytime O2 levels are clearly well above 90%, it's possible your night time levels fall below that during sleep due to inadequate CPAP treatment or other issues that the OSCAR software might be able to show.
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I may have to do this, thanks.
 
Teeja

Teeja

On the Beach
No problem. The OSCAR software really works hand-in-hand with that Apnea Board forum. You use the software to track data, screenshot the resulting charts, then post those charts on their main forum for analysis. Takes some time & effort, but for me it was worth it and I was able to fine-tune my CPAP adjustments based on advice there and I'm sleeping like a baby now.
 
bev

bev

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Dennis Olson said:
I was never prescribed this medication for diabetes per se. It was Rx’d to me prophylactically starting about 2000-ish. Thus there was no “diet” discussed, ever. Truth.
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Prophylactically? To prevent diabetes? (Some drugs are given for off-label use.) And your doctors over the past 20 years kept prescribing it prophylactically?

Ive never heard of this! Can any other nurses or other healthcare professionals chime in here and help me understand this? It seems downright dangerous to me.

:shr:
 
bev

bev

Has No Life - Lives on TB
cyberiot said:
I know how difficult it is to lose a spouse, and I'm sorry for your situation. But sometimes we just need to put on our big-kid pants and switch to Adult Mode.

Got a smart speaker? Alexa nudges me to take my meds every day, same time, morning and evening. She also reminds me to wheel the trash dumpster to the curb on garbage days and to back up my computer once a week. When I'm watering the yard, she tells me when to move the sprinkler. She's even sociable--calls me by name and says "please." If she sounded like Jean-Luc Picard, she'd be daggone near perfect.

Almost like having a spouse, except less lip.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Dennis, since you no longer have a wife to keep you on track, either GET ONE or use Alexa as Cyberiot describes.
 
F

FireDance

TB Fanatic
bev said:
Prophylactically? To prevent diabetes? (Some drugs are given for off-label use.) And your doctors over the past 20 years kept prescribing it prophylactically?

Ive never heard of this! Can any other nurses or other healthcare professionals chime in here and help me understand this? It seems downright dangerous to me.

:shr:
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Let’s see - 20+ years ago? Perhaps a rogue MD?


PLEASE tell me your recent docs have not just been refilling these because they were on your chart.

Something I would DEFINITELY do, if you aren’t already, is take my vital signs twice daily and write date/time on there. Again, just clues to take to doc with you.

To answer original question, I have never heard of doing this as prophylaxis, but I don’t know everything either. Possible experiment to lower A1C??? Who knows? Plain weird w the information we have.
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
My A1C has never been above 6.3, and historically holds at about 6.0. Thus, it was never a huge issue for the docs.
 
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