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

[Dennis Olson]

It must be different where you are, because the VA bills my husband's insurance first when he goes there.

See my post 73.

 

[Old Greek]

Hate to bring it up but from personal experience, excess weight as you get older really screws with not only your stamina and strength, but it also screws with your ability to breathe. As the Doctor who finally got through to me said "you’re too fat and you're eating yourself into an early grave". That was now 90 pounds ago and I'm close to my target weight. I'm able to do things much easier than for years, even with all my other issues.

The closer to morbid obesity you get, the worse everything gets. It also will make you stop getting exercise, which in turn makes you feel worse, which in turn makes you get less exercise. A real lose, lose all the way.

Obesity is frequently subdivided into categories:

• Class 1: BMI of 30 to < 35
• Class 2: BMI of 35 to < 40
• Class 3: BMI of 40 or higher. Class 3 obesity is sometimes categorized as “extreme” or “severe” obesity.

If you were ever a smoker or worked in really bad environments, COPD can sneak up on you and cause breathing issues, but with the O2 measurements you showed that is less probable.

Congestive Heart Failure can manifest itself with many of the symptoms you've reported here. Fatigue, swelling of the legs, and shortness of breath (especially with exercise). Did they run blood tests and cardiac ultrasound when you went in earlier this year?

You can have all kinds of symptoms with clogged arteries that don't have chest pains and if you haven't had any stress tests in years, that is also something to think about. If your not capable of a walking stress test, they do a chemical induced test which sucks, but stills gives the Doctors.

The thing is if you don't get this problem identified and a treatment plan that you follow, it won't just go away it will just keep getting worse.

And of course the timing of this sucks with the no insurance thing.

If you worked long enough at your last employer and they had at least 20 employees, you should be eligible for COBRA. It is expensive, but you can use it long enough to get all of the health issues addressed by your Doctor at less cost than paying it out of pocket. If you qualify, you can use your VA services if you can't afford COBRA. Does your Church have any giving programs to help its members with health issues?

I agree - The symptoms with clogged arteries can be unusual. Twenty years ago at age 47 my thumbs ached. My doc made me get a stress test. First one I ever had. The Doc monitering the test stopped it mid test, looking at the print out and told me I had a heart attack. Never knew it. Followed with a catherization and found two near fully block arteries. 95% in both. Next day - bypass surgery. I never had any of the classic symptoms. Get to the doctor. Prayers for you!

 

[cyberiot]

Addendum: I’ve cut all sugar out of my diet. For months I’ve been using monk fruit sweetener for all my needs. No soda except plain sparkling water. Occasionally I’ll have some fruit juice or a half pb&j sandwich.

You bake--and presumably eat--bread. Bread sends your blood sugar through the roof.

 

[Bps1691]

Yes. All normal.


I know (sigh)


Here’s the deal on that: I had a high-deductible plan. The annual amount was $6350. However, the employer reimbursed dollar-for-dollar over $3500. Fine. I’ve paid $4100 in deductible this year already, so they’re sending me a check for the difference. However, to be free of additional charges, I’d have to satisfy the last $2200 of deductible. That’s 100% out-of-pocket before the coverage would kick in. And now, the employer will not be reimbursing me for that. My COBRA is “only” $375 a month, but that $2200 is insurmountable

Unless they make you pay up front, you can play the game the welfare people do ... get the tests done then walk away from the bill.

Some providers will sometimes work with you if they know that they'll get the big dollars back from insurance and work out a payment plan in advance for that $2,200 deductible you're short.

Thing is if you procrastinate on health issues they never get better.

 

[cyberiot]

^^^^^
This

I take 3000mg of cinnamon per day. Does wonders with the regulation of my blood sugar. As long as I'm religious about taking it, 1000 mg three times per day does the trick.

Berberine is good, too. Some studies show it to be as effective as metformin.

 

[Dennis Olson]

You bake--and presumably eat--bread. Bread sends your blood sugar through the roof.

Yes, but I actually don’t eat much bread right now.

 

[AlfaMan]

If you’ve never tried it, get some of the monk fruit sweetener. It’s AMAZING.

I'll give it a try. My problem is that I crave sweets. All the time, except when I do the chemo. Then I crave all sorts of weird things-mashed potatoes, apples, cigarettes, beets. Really weird.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Unless they make you pay up front, you can play the game the welfare people do ... get the tests done then walk away from the bill.

I don’t play that way.

 

[Dennis Olson]

I'll give it a try. My problem is that I crave sweets. All the time, except when I do the chemo. Then I crave all sorts of weird things-mashed potatoes, apples, cigarettes, beets. Really weird.

Monk fruit sweetener is an EXACT 1-1 (volume) substitute for sugar. It’s granulated like sugar. It tastes EXACTLY like sugar. But it’s “inert” in terms of blood glucose levels.

 

[Cardinal]

I lost my medical insurance when my gig ended. That’s a problem.

Go and let them know you are unemployed. You will have to fill out some forms for assistence (means they will cut your bill) and work out a payment plan.

 

[cyberiot]

I'll give it a try. My problem is that I crave sweets. All the time, except when I do the chemo. Then I crave all sorts of weird things-mashed potatoes, apples, cigarettes, beets. Really weird.

Are you a Costco member? Look for Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener and Kirkland Signature Protein Bars (2g net sugar). I like the Chocolate Brownie/Chocolate Chip Cookie combo. Great dessert with a cup of hot tea.

Beets? Really?!?

 

[Bps1691]

I don’t play that way.

Then try the other way ... you might get lucky and get them to work out a payment plan on just the $2,200.

If none of those or the VA doesn't come through and you have an extra AR lying around, you could get a big chunk of what you need of the $2,200 real quick (if the prices of AR are like they are here for a private sale).

 

[TxGal]

Yes. It started around March 1st or so.

I'm still catching up on this thread, so I apologize if someone mentioned it further on down the thread. The oak pollen has been extraordinarily high since March, as I recall. Kicking our behinds up here.

That may not be the issue, but it sure as heck doesn't help.

 

[bw]

You bake--and presumably eat--bread. Bread sends your blood sugar through the roof.

Your saliva starts converting starch to sugar. It's already sugar when you swallow.

The lancets and test strips are cheap on Amazon. Don't get them at the store.

 

[JF&P]

If you need to lose weight Dennis, a change in diet is called for. I went from 255 lbs down to 175 in less than a year by simply avoiding sugar as much as possible. But thats just me. Ooops, just read post #59.


Dennis if you need financial help due to medical bills, shout it out, folks here love you Dennis and will be glad to help.

 

[dcvajnar]

Try the VA, as you wrote. Might take a few weeks for the first appointment, unless you use their ER, though it's better than nothing. Sounds more like a-fib than asthma, as the onset was sudden. What is your age, height and weight, if you don't mind? And what has your activity level been like for the last 6 months or so?

 

[AlfaMan]

Are you a Costco member? Look for Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener and Kirkland Signature Protein Bars (2g net sugar). I like the Chocolate Brownie/Chocolate Chip Cookie combo. Great dessert with a cup of hot tea.

Beets? Really?!?

We have a BJ's membership, but I'm going to try monkfruit sweetener. Can't stand any of the other sugar substitutes except sweet and low in iced tea.
Yep, beets. they give me methotrexate chemo for the rheumatoid arthritis at cancer level dosages. The cravings once it all goes through my system are weird but powerful. The brain is an amazing organism, and I'd love to find out how these meds can trigger such cravings.

 

[Lurker]

Let's be honest; he's weak from his body growing that new tail from the vax.

 

[WanderLore]

Goodrx has free meters and some strips, there are a bunch of others. Online even so

 

[Cardinal]

We have a BJ's membership, but I'm going to try monkfruit sweetener. Can't stand any of the other sugar substitutes except sweet and low in iced tea.
Yep, beets. they give me methotrexate chemo for the rheumatoid arthritis at cancer level dosages. The cravings once it all goes through my system are weird but powerful. The brain is an amazing organism, and I'd love to find out how these meds can trigger such cravings.

Cravings usually come from the gut microbes that feed on whatever you are craving. I'm guessing the chemo is messing with that gut microbial population. Maybe it is killing them.
Try using a probiotic and see if it helps.
And I second the Monkfruit sweetener. I have switched over to using that in my coffee. I keep the Swerve for baking.

 

[Meemur]

My last post on this topic: you're doing what you've asked us not to do, Dennis, diagnose from afar. You need to see a doctor. There were several great posts on handling finances in a responsible way.

I strongly recommend that you move this thread to a members-only area.

Prayers are ongoing for you!

 

[blueinterceptor]

COVID test?

 

[Terrwyn]

I don’t play that way.

Glad to see that. Honesty is a much better way of life. Sorry you arn't feeling well though and that is a scary thing to deal with. Best wishes for your return to health.

 

[llknp]

Lots of reference here about A-fib. Unless you have a cardiac monitor, really hard to tell. Check your pulse. If it is highly irregular, I would lean towards A-fib. A-fib is a problem in the fact that it can create clots. Pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, stroke.... you get the idea. I would lean towards low blood sugar and dehydration. See your doctor.

 

[dawgofwar10]

I would say hire a Mexicant to do the yard work, the problem, I always was perplexed with is which Juan do you choose? The big Juan, the middle Juan, or the little Juan? Juan only knows!!!

 

[Macgyver]

Just be careful, if you see the dogs dig a 6' long couple feet wide and deep hole in the yard they know something is up.

 

[Faroe]

Addendum: I’ve cut all sugar out of my diet. For months I’ve been using monk fruit sweetener for all my needs. No soda except plain sparkling water. Occasionally I’ll have some fruit juice or a half pb&j sandwich.

I haven't read the entire thread, and won't have time to this evening. I'll just address this post. Fruit juice is full of fructose - even worse metabolically than glucose. I can get you the name of a doc. that has a good lecture on why (can't remember his name at the moment) if you want it.

Anything starch is a string of sugar molecules. Carbs are sugars in various forms. Read all labels to determine the *net* carbs (some are just fiber). Dr. Berg videos explain this better than I can. Also, Dr. Fung videos - he is a kidney doc. who works with many diabetic and pre-diabetic patients. I also STRONGLY suggest Dr. Cywes, "the carb addiction doc." Other mentions: Ivor Cummins at The Fat Emperor, and Dr. Ken Berry.

Now that you are unemployed, you have time to watch them.

 

[Old Gringo]

Yes, but I actually don’t eat much bread right now.

Feel free to send excess me !

 

[dcvajnar]

I had to have a stent several years ago. My first symptoms were that I could only make one or two rounds with the mower before I had to stop for a rest, kind a short of breath and real tired. Thought it just the heat and being out of shape. That went on each time I mowed for a couple of weeks. Then one evening I started having irregular heart beat and shortness of breath but no chest pain. That progressed to chest pain about midnight and a trip to the ER. While I was there the chest pains went away and EKG didn't really show anything. Anyway they finally did a coronary angiogram and had an artery 95% blockage. Does this sound familiar?

Could be this, as well. The low cholesterol level doesn't make a difference. Atherosclerosis is really caused by lack of vitamin C, not cholesterol.

 

[Henry Bowman]

You bake--and presumably eat--bread. Bread sends your blood sugar through the roof.

Yup as all carbs do IF you are not active and burning them off.

As you get older and you are less active carbs do nothing but stay in the system and turn to sugar...then they cause a "Carb crash" . Sugar turns into fat ....wash , rinse, repeat

With high blood sugar you will get very fatigued very fast.

Staying under 40-60 carbs a day WITH walking/working out will lower the sugar and in turn lose weight .

Fruits , Tropical ones in particular are loaded in sugars and /or carbs...avoid them .

 

[desertvet2]

Care for yourself bossman. We need you and this refuge.

Get the full checkup pronto.

 

[night driver]

As far as the TB millions, check in with the bitch who co-founded Black Lives Matter. I hear she has a KILLER international Real Estate dude. Now understand they don't work cheap. Likely to be a couple million up front.

=================================================================

enough levity.

1) Meem has a point on moving to someplace other than Main.
2) Wally world has a SideKick tester and strips (either 30 or 60 of them) for about $35 (ABOUT the price of strips alone).
3)VA ER's are usually reasonably sharp. And VAs use local non-VA specialists (our local VA uses both Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals specialists.
4) Prayers on the way for clarity for action, clarity for docs, and financial graces.


BUT........

Drag yer but to SOME physician (MD or DO) SOONEST. Make it work. DON'T make me show up in my rattletrap pick up......

 

[TheSearcher]

So sorry, Dennis. Get to your doctor. This isn't right.

 

[Pebbles]

My DH is overweight due to severe back issues over the last few years. He was diabetes but his AIC was 5.6 with 1000 units of metformin and glipizide. Dr. said to stop the glipizide because it causes weight gain. Although my DH A1C went up to 6.0 after stopping Glipizide, Dr. was happy. He will have a day every once in a while just like you. Shaky, weak, extreme fatigue. I would take his blood glucose and it was always fine. I noticed it particularly happened when he worked outside when it was hot. Heat really knocks him out. ALSO....these are the symptoms of a rapid drop in blood sugar. His CPAP machine with oxygen helped him feel better.

You might want to get a test kit. Get a cheap one like GE. The tester and test strips are much cheaper that the accu-chek products. Test your blood for a week very frequently. Immediately upon waking, before each meal and two hours after each meal. On a day you are going to work test your blood before and after working. That will give you an idea if this is blood sugar related. It may seem like a pain but you will have a good idea about your blood sugar.

With an A1C of 6.1, ask you Dr. about getting off the Glipizide to see if it helps with the weight issue.

Getting old sucks!!!!!

 

[Fenwick Babbitt]

If you strongly believe it could be Afib get a bottle of magnesium glycinate and take 3 to 4 of capsules a day, it is powerful in dealing with cardiac rhythms and a boatload of other maladies.

 

[marymonde]

Haven’t read all the responses, but correct me if I’m mistaken, didn’t you recently get a covid vax? Your symptoms sound like a reaction. I’m praying for you.

 

[Pinecone]

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!

 

[Dennis Olson]

Unless you have a cardiac monitor, really hard to tell.

My Apple Watch has ECG capability. I use it regularly. The results can be sent directly to my doc.

I picked up a glucose meter at Wally’s. They’re pretty cheap. Tested as soon as I’d read how to use it and get it set up. Reading is currently 109 mg/dL. I think that’s pretty good, though I don’t really know. I haven’t eaten for about 4 hours.

After using the inhaler, I actually feel quite a bit better. Not sure what all this means, but I was able to walk more steadily and didn’t tire out instantly like before. I hope I don’t have asthma.

 

[llknp]

My Apple Watch has ECG capability. I use it regularly. The results can be sent directly to my doc.

I picked up a glucose meter at Wally’s. They’re pretty cheap. Tested as soon as I’d read how to use it and get it set up. Reading is currently 109 mg/dL. I think that’s pretty good, though I don’t really know. I haven’t eaten for about 4 hours.

After using the inhaler, I actually feel quite a bit better. Not sure what all this means, but I was able to walk more steadily and didn’t tire out instantly like before. I hope I don’t have asthma.

Watch the albuterol. It will drive your heart rate straight up.

 

[Fly Girl]

Praying for you, Boss.