2018--Striving to Make This Year Our Best Possible

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  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
    It will be interesting to watch the transition and see what changes are made. I suspect they will push their new DNA driven marketing program hard, although I remain very skeptical about how much it will improve one’s results.

    I’m skeptical in general about the use of DNA to determine how to treat various conditions. I know of at least two instances where DNA testing was used to determine what medications to prescribe that had very bad outcomes. In one case, a friend of mine nearly bled to death from a GI bleed caused by medication that was prescribed, based on DNA testing, after having a stent placed in her heart. The other case involves a friend’s son who is currently struggling with severe depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. His psychiatrist prescribed an antidepressant based on the DNA test, titrated it up to the highest dose, and wouldn’t consider changing it even though he grew progressively more depressed and non-functioning every time the dosage was increased. He finally insisted on a change in medication last week and is starting to improve now. The psychiatrist blames his lack of progress on treatment resistant depression, but I think he has just received very poor care. It’s so difficult to get in to see a psychiatrist as there is a severe shortage of them that he couldn’t easily change and see a different doctor. And he didn’t have a very effective therapist either, so he wasn’t getting any help there. He finally found a different therapist last week as well, and is seeing him or her 3 times a week for now, so hopefully he will begin to improve.

    Congrats, Maryanne, on losing 2 more pounds! Whatever you’re doing is working for you.

    I’m also down to within 1 pound of my lowest weight this year. I finally remembered why October did me in, and I blame it all on DH, lol! For my birthday he bought me a 5 pound bag of chocolate candy and then for Halloween he bought another huge bag of chocolate candy. We had very few trick or treaters, so you know who had to eat all of that candy! Of course he helped, but chocolate bars are my biggest temptation. I must remember to tell him not to buy me chocolates for my birthday next year.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    68 year old bird who spends 90% of her time flying over the ocean - and I already felt tired!

    https://jezebel.com/give-this-old-*kitten*-bird-a-break-1830942285
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    PamS53 wrote: »
    I’m also down to within 1 pound of my lowest weight this year. I finally remembered why October did me in, and I blame it all on DH, lol! For my birthday he bought me a 5 pound bag of chocolate candy and then for Halloween he bought another huge bag of chocolate candy. We had very few trick or treaters, so you know who had to eat all of that candy! Of course he helped, but chocolate bars are my biggest temptation. I must remember to tell him not to buy me chocolates for my birthday next year.

    Great job on the weight! I do keep mini chocolates here but have a strict limit per day. I can manage to stick to that limit most days. I'm more of a terror if there are pints of ice cream around. I'm now only buying the minis.
  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    Pam, that’s outrageous that doctors would prescribe medications that could end up killing the patient. It’s particularly upsetting to hear about the young man with mental issues. And to blame lack of progress on patient compliance. That doctor should be reported to the medical board.

    I went to the FL chiropractor today. He did a couple of movement tests. He thinks it’s an issue with the rotator cuff muscle. He gave me the name of an Island doctor who has a walk in clinic. I’ll give him a call for an appointment so I can get a referral for physical therapy. My MA chiropractor had also suggested PT but we were close to heading south so I decided to start the process here. I’ve never done PT so this will be a new experience.
  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
    Helene, the doctor wasn’t blaming the patient for noncompliance. He was saying that his depression is treatment resistant, which is a term I haven’t heard before. I think he has only seen the psychiatrist once and all of his subsequent appointments were with the PA. I agree that his treatment hasn’t been very good so far, but I’m hopeful things will start turning around for him soon. He’s on a different type of antidepressant now that works on both depression and anxiety and I think that, along with a new therapist and more intensive counseling, will be more helpful for him.

    I hope the PT will be helpful for your shoulder. I have found it to be very helpful for various issues, including back, ankle, elbow and knees. I’m sure you will be a good patient and do all of the homework. That’s the area where I struggled. For some reason, it was very easy for me to forget to do the homework as prescribed. I guess I wasn’t the best patient.
  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    I’m glad you clarified. I did think the doctor was blaming the patient. Glad to hear a different drug is more effective. I hope I be a good patient. The arm is painful enough to make me pretty motivated. I plan on doing whatever they want me to do.
  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    I am a big believer in physical therapy, if done right. I credit it with the fact I can walk today. However, the trend toward "group" p/t is not something that makes sense to anyone except the pencil pushers though. Next year apparently Medicare reimbursement rates are further changing to encourage group therapy.

    One of our volunteers has started going and she's now a huge believer as well. It's made a tremendous difference in her mobility and independence.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Pam - DH actually put bars in our shower after I broke my hand. Makes me feel OLD!
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
    Maryanne, show your DH the picture and ask him to modify the bar in your shower accordingly!
  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
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  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    I went to the walk in clinic today. I liked the doctor. He agreed it’s probably a rotator cuff injury. He’s had 2 himself and said my symptoms indicated that. He gave me a referral to PT. There are 2 practices on the island. I picked the one closest to home. Plus they have a excellent reputation. I stopped by to set up and appointment. The only downside is the earliest appointment is December 31st. I’d hoped to start sooner but the tourists are coming back and set up appointments before me. The receptionist said they sometimes get cancellations. My house is 10 minutes down the road so I could come down if someone cancels. I’m anxious to get started. The chronic pain is getting to me. It’s about a four but it’s constant. Certain movements shoot it to an 8 but I try to avoid making them.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    edited December 2018
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    edited December 2018
    PamS53 wrote: »
    Maryanne, show your DH the picture and ask him to modify the bar in your shower accordingly!

    I wish! LOL!!!
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Helene - bummer you can't get an appointment! I guess this is a bad time of year for tons of things. Maybe look online for some basic exercises to get started?
  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
    Helene--Sorry about the pain. I do hope you can get a cancellation spot but also suggest you research what you can do before the first appointment.
  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
    Now this isn't a meme but it is a goodie posted on FB:

    To all you nosey people out there who want to know my business soooo bad, allow me give it to you straight with no chaser regarding what has happened with my relationship. Before you start to make assumptions, now you can get it straight from the horse's mouth. It's been really hard for the both of us. For months, I have begged and pleaded and 100% invested myself in keeping it going. It has really taken a toll on me. Today I made a sound decision and left the relationship.

    To avoid drama and people getting things all twisted, I'll just give you the truth about what really happened. It's been a while since I've felt good about this relationship, and not 100% of my feelings are my fault (I can only own my own in this)... It has been an amazing ride ... that I won't deny. I fell madly, deeply in love but came to realize it was toxic, addictive and all-around unhealthy. I can't deny that we will still see each other from time to time; and even though it shatters my heart 💔 we need to go our separate ways. So as of today, my relationship with chocolate covered Twinkies, Cup Cakes, Honey Buns, Ding Dongs, Ho Ho's, Mini Muffins, Brownie Bites and other assortments of cakes, cookies, and sweets has to come to an end. That’s the scoop!!!
  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Jean - good ones!
  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    Good idea about researching exercises for the rotator cuff. I would like to get a jump on it. When I went to office to make the appointment, they asked how recently I had surgery. I haven’t had surgery. So they asked when surgery is scheduled. It’s not. I’m starting at the least invasive level so I don’t need surgery.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Helene610 wrote: »
    Good idea about researching exercises for the rotator cuff. I would like to get a jump on it. When I went to office to make the appointment, they asked how recently I had surgery. I haven’t had surgery. So they asked when surgery is scheduled. It’s not. I’m starting at the least invasive level so I don’t need surgery.

    Sort of chuckling but not surprised. I'm sure they are accustomed to getting many people after surgery, rather than in a preventive mode. Many doctors do seem inclined toward surgery.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    I looked at my orthopaedic group's web site but found nothing useful on shoulders without surgery.

    These videos show a person doing the exercises: https://www.healthline.com/health/rotator-cuff-injury-stretches#sidelying-rotation

    Also has video: https://www.setforset.com/blogs/news/7-rotator-cuff-resistance-bands-exercises-for-rehab-prehab-and-strengthening
  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
    Maryanne--Thanks for giving me a laugh for the day. I can just envision a toasty Santa.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Pam - that's about how much attention our cats pay if we ask them to do something (anything). LOL!
  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
    I bought Midnight a new toy for Christmas. As predicted, he was enthusiastic about it and played for a total of an hour the first day. Since then, it has gone untouched.

    I see NS is pushing "Fresh Start" as part of its new (or is it? program. I certainly get enough emails from them now but rarely did when ordering regularly.
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