We're getting old (OO medical complaints)

[Isgrimnur]

Asterom Canes

Damn. They have a lot of nice ones. Too rich for my blood but super nice.

The nice thing is, since I already have the cane, now I can simply buy different handles.

You should get that Snake Head from Star Trek TNG, Time's Arrow

[Unagi]

Yes! That’s the one!

If I ever get a cane, I’ve always had my eye on that bad boy.

[Brian]

I kinda like this guy's approach...

[Isgrimnur]

Star Trek: The Next Generation "Time's Arrow" Snake Cane

This cane features a custom made snake head handle painted white and is attached to custom made long black cane. The snake head features intricate detailing and the cane features two gold details at the bottom and where the snake head is attached. This key prop was used throughout both episodes by the main antagonist, but is mainly featured in the second episode where there is a struggle for the cane, and Data's head is detached from his body. This piece comes from the collection of the Star Trek prop master Joe Longo and remains in good production used condition.

[Punisher]

I kinda like this guy's approach...

Soooo.. did he get his hip replaced just to have a cane made from it? If so, that's dedication to his craft!

[Isgrimnur]

Well, no one is ever going to call him square.

[Blackhawk]

My leg was just a bacterial infection, despite not having a fever.

On the topic of bone bits, I'll see you Mr. Hip Cane, and raise you a Lady Right Foot

[Brian]

That's pretty cool.
It's nice to be able to have a sense of humor about something like that.

[Blackhawk]

For some, it's vital to surviving.

[Punisher]

For some, it's vital to surviving.

It's pretty much how I've been handling my situation.
Ever since i became an EMT I learned to have a dark sense of humor.

[Brian]

I have a friend who's an EMT.

He has a bumper sticker on his car that reads, "I Narcanned Your Honor Student."

Dude's always got some fucked up stories to tell.

[stessier]

If you want some fun EMT/Fire Department stories, I recommend this guy's channel. He's great.

[Punisher]

If you want some fun EMT/Fire Department stories, I recommend this guy's channel. He's great.

I've been following him for a long time. I agree he's great!

[Punisher]

I have a friend who's an EMT.

He has a bumper sticker on his car that reads, "I Narcanned Your Honor Student."

Dude's always got some fucked up stories to tell.

I can imagine. While I don't remember mist rhings, I still remember some interesting ones but don't think they would be appropriate here for the most part.

[Blackhawk]

I had a friend who was an EMT as well, and while I wasn't an EMT, and he had quite a few stories as well.

I've managed to build up a few of my own. My training was halfway between first aid and first responder, and I dealt with a lot of nasty stuff in the casinos, but nothing on that level. Most of my more disturbing stories are related to people I dealt with who were well past needing an EMT.

[Skinypupy]

My on again/off again groin pain resurfaced significantly over the past 6 months. Some days it would be tolerable, other days I could barely move without massive pain.

Given my family history with cancer, we had tried pretty much every test to rule out that possibility and figure out what was causing it. Ultrasounds, blood tests, colonoscopy, CT scan, I saw a urologist several times, etc, etc. Everything came back perfectly clear and my doctor seemed stumped. I had just sort of resigned myself to trying to tough it out.

At my physical last week, I mentioned that it had flared up again. My doc said the last thing he could think to do was an MRI to check for structural damage. Had that today and sure enough, I have a “significant” anterior hip labral tear. He said I can still run as long as I can tolerate the pain, but other activities that involve quick movements or change of direction (football or basketball with the kids, for example) need to stop.

He referred me to a surgical consult so I’ll find out in a couple weeks what I have to do next. Bah.

[em2nought]

These guys make some really tough walking sticks https://www.coldsteel.com/walking-sticks-canes/ out of polypropylene. You could certainly use them as defensive devices too. Might find them cheaper at redistributors like midwayusa or others. I've got this particular one https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10172 ... pid=944988

[Blackhawk]

I've got some Cold Steel polypropylene training weapons. They're rock-solid.

[Isgrimnur]

Colonoscopy prep day. I got (not covered) pills instead of liquid. First batch at 1800, second at 0330 tomorrow.

It's going to be a fun night.

[Jeff V]

For years, if I was falling and had time to react, I'd always try to lead with my shoulder, figuring the muscle and bone could better withstand the shock.

Myth busted.

Two weeks ago, after tsking the garbage out, i was closing the garage door. I had neither shoes or jacket on...the later has the fob for the garage door which doesn't work well in cold weather. So I hit the wall switch and sprinted toward the door to catch it before it sta.e d resisting and bounced back up. Socks + cold concrete = fall. But I landed on my right shoulder, so ok, right? I tried to get up and my right arm was unresponsive. I finally got to my feet using my left arm, to find my right arm dangling uselessly on my side. I called my wife at work, she called the meat wagon to bring me to the hospital. I thought maybe dislocated shoulder the way it was clicking and at times seemed like maybe it was going back into the socket but no, x-rays showed two complete breaks of the upper humorous. The next day had to go see an orthopedic surgeon, the day after I had a plate and 8 screws installed. I cant describe what it was like for 36 hours before the surgery, my bones were clicking every time I moved a muscle.

Now I have a partial exoskeleton for 6 weeks.

[Daehawk]

When I fell out of my sisters vehicle I landed on my right shoulder. I thought I was ok until a day or so later and it started having a constant pain. it kept being worse for a while so asked my doctor when i went thinking it was arturitis that was inflamed from the fall.

nope, rotator cuff injury. Now I cant push with that shoulder well and cant wring out the hand washing I try to do. It also pops and I swear if i push with it any i can feel / see the bones stick out more forward. Im hoping it heals on its own. I have n way to go get xrays and to get it fixed is out of the question.

[gilraen]

Im hoping it heals on its own. I have n way to go get xrays and to get it fixed is out of the question.

Sorry to burst your bubble but rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own.

[Jeff V]

Im hoping it heals on its own. I have n way to go get xrays and to get it fixed is out of the question.

Sorry to burst your bubble but rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own.

I tore mine years ago throwing out a kid who tagged up on 3rd in softball. I beat him by 3 feet, but have never been able to throw again. Oddly, it only affects my ability to play sports, it's not an issue in daily life so I've never had it fixed.

[LordMortis]

Im hoping it heals on its own. I have n way to go get xrays and to get it fixed is out of the question.

Sorry to burst your bubble but rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own.

That's what my Ortho surgeon says. After my next arm surgery to get my plate removed if my shoulder doesn't see any relief (and they don't think it will), they're sending me off for an MRI to have my cuff looked at and determine if I'll need another surgery from shoulder specialist to scrape tissue and repair of cuff.

[Daehawk]

The net says its possible. Rare but can happen. I guess if it isn't too bad..like a partial tear and not a full on rip or parting of muscle.

But Im me so I doubt it will do anything but get worse as I age. Or in the next few months the way its feeling lol.

[Brian]

Five weeks after the knee replacement surgery and I'm finally getting comfortable with walking without a cane and then, BOOM!....covid.

Perhaps returning to the office this week was a poor choice.

[Isgrimnur]

Colonoscopy prep day. I got (not covered) pills instead of liquid. First batch at 1800, second at 0330 tomorrow.

It's going to be a fun night.

In and out (as it were) in 90 minutes. Headed for breakfast.

Clean bill of health, so I can put it off for another decade.

[Daehawk]

I didn't even know there were pills.

[Skinypupy]

My on again/off again groin pain resurfaced significantly over the past 6 months. Some days it would be tolerable, other days I could barely move without massive pain.

Given my family history with cancer, we had tried pretty much every test to rule out that possibility and figure out what was causing it. Ultrasounds, blood tests, colonoscopy, CT scan, I saw a urologist several times, etc, etc. Everything came back perfectly clear and my doctor seemed stumped. I had just sort of resigned myself to trying to tough it out.

At my physical last week, I mentioned that it had flared up again. My doc said the last thing he could think to do was an MRI to check for structural damage. Had that today and sure enough, I have a “significant” anterior hip labral tear. He said I can still run as long as I can tolerate the pain, but other activities that involve quick movements or change of direction (football or basketball with the kids, for example) need to stop.

He referred me to a surgical consult so I’ll find out in a couple weeks what I have to do next. Bah.

Well...shit. Looks like I have to get my hip replaced.

There is a repair surgery for a torn labrum in the hip, but if you're over 40 (I'm 49) there's a sub-50% chance it'll actually work. Since blood flow naturally decreases in that area with age, it prevents the surgery from healing. She said that more often than not, people over 40 who had that repair surgery were coming back within 1-2 years and having to get their hips replaced anyways, so they are now just recommending replacement as the starting point.

The other option is to do cortisone shote every 6-8 weeks, or to just continue to tolerate the pain until it gets to the point I can't anymore...then do the hip replacement at that point.

Never having had surgery before, I'll admit this all kinda freaks me out. Seems like a very drastic step, but what the doctor said made total sense to me.

Also, just a general WTF man. HIP REPLACEMENT IS FOR OLD PEOPLE!!

This sucks.

[hepcat]

Ah man, sorry to hear that. I can understand being freaked out, but just remember that complications are the outlier and most of these procedures are done every day without any problems!

[Daehawk]

Ive wondered at times if they couldn't use a longer metal piece and make you a little taller

[Brian]

Never having had surgery before, I'll admit this all kinda freaks me out. Seems like a very drastic step, but what the doctor said made total sense to me.

Also, just a general WTF man. HIP REPLACEMENT IS FOR OLD PEOPLE!!

Having just gone through total knee replacement surgery, you would think I'd have an opinion but now that it's been 5 weeks to the day, I'm still not 100% convinced.

That said, I've been told typical recovery time is 6-8 weeks so I'll have to give it some time yet.

[Scuzz]

Colonoscopy prep day. I got (not covered) pills instead of liquid. First batch at 1800, second at 0330 tomorrow.

It's going to be a fun night.

I have a colonoscopy next week. I checked into the prescription stuff but the $210 out of pocket has me doing it the old fashioned way.

A friend did the prescription stuff and found it much easier.

[Daehawk]

Buncha old farts. Ill never grow up!..old yes

Ive been not taking my blood pressure medicines to see how it goes without it. Been a pretty consistent 140 / 85 for the last few days.

But today when i got up it was 150/90. Then I forgot to take my meds . I just now remembered. I went to check it to be sure and its a nice 123/80.

I think its been up a little in this cold weather. You blood vessels shrink in your extremities in cold weather and raises your BP. my home is not heated so its as cold inside as out minus and wind or breeze.

I can tel l when my BP is high. One or both of my ears will suddenly seem to stop up and begin ringing. Then I know to check my bp. Im low on meds too. I should have had enough of all 3 until April. But I now only have enough to take one sometimes until April...and thats not one of each thats a choice of one pill of the 3. I overtook when my BP was extra high.

[Isgrimnur]

Colonoscopy prep day. I got (not covered) pills instead of liquid. First batch at 1800, second at 0330 tomorrow.

It's going to be a fun night.

I have a colonoscopy next week. I checked into the prescription stuff but the $210 out of pocket has me doing it the old fashioned way.

A friend did the prescription stuff and found it much easier.

My out of pocket for the pills was $60. Mark Cuban doesn't have it, but there's a mfg discount card

[Punisher]

Colonoscopy prep day. I got (not covered) pills instead of liquid. First batch at 1800, second at 0330 tomorrow.

It's going to be a fun night.

I have a colonoscopy next week. I checked into the prescription stuff but the $210 out of pocket has me doing it the old fashioned way.

A friend did the prescription stuff and found it much easier.

My out of pocket for the pills was $60. Mark Cuban doesn't have it, but there's a mfg discount card

It might be worth $60. That liquid is SUPER NASTY!!

[Scuzz]

Considering the old fashioned way costs are $25-$30, paying $60 is a no brainer.

[Isgrimnur]

Do eet! Swallowing 24 pills beats dealing with crappy-flavored liquids

[Daehawk]

24 pills!?? Couldn't they just make it one BIG pill an coat it in chocolate?

[Punisher]

Do eet! Swallowing 24 pills beats dealing with crappy-flavored liquids

This is literal...