Subj : HEALTH UPDATE
To   : ALL
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Sun Jan 25 2015 05:29:25

  Well, things have been interesting around here, health wise.

  First, I went to the neurologist last week, to find out WHY I've been
having a burning pain in my left hand.

  He did a battery of tests on me, and wants to do an EMG (electric
nerve conductivity test) on me. From what I've read, it won't be very
pleasant. :( They put a needle into various muscles, injecting a
very small amount of voltage to see how the muscle reacts, relaxed or
"stimulated". I likely will be rather sore after that.

  Shortly after that, the same day, I'm going to undergo an MRI. The
neurologist thinks I may have "cervical osteoarthritis"...problems with
the nerves in the neck and spinal column. He wants to treat the
condition, because if left untreated, it could lead to paralysis. They
want to rule out ALS (Lou Gehring's Disease), Multiple Sclerosis,
Myesthenia Gravis, etc....all very painful issues. He also doubts that
it's carpal tunnel syndrome...which I thought was possible, since I do a
lot of work with the computer (the BBS, various websites, ham radio
applications, etc.). Those procedures will be done either before, or
after prostate surgery, noted later in this message.

  But, apparently, I also have a vitamin deficiency...the last blood
work showed my B-12 level rather low. So, I'm going to get a B-12 shot
sometime this week. My previous PCP took me OFF all vitamins and
supplements...I'm wondering if I should take a multi-vitamin again; but,
I'll ask the nurse about that.

  Then, on Tuesday, I see the urologist, to set up the "Urolift Prostate
Surgery". An enlarged prostate is part of growing old for all
males...but, when even a diuretic doesn't help a weak urine stream, it's
time to take action.

  The procedure (which obviously requires sedation) puts an instrument
up through the penis and urethra. Then, when it gets to the prostate, it
"opens up" like devices on window blinds to "hold them open". This
basically, "holds back" the lobes of the prostate, so that the enlarged
prostate does NOT put constricting pressure on the urethra. There is NO
cutting, burning, or other surgery, per se, on the prostate...plus,
there is no need for a catheter, or overnight hospitalization (it's done
as outpatient surgery). While pain medicine is given afterwards, it does
NOT lead to erectile dysfunction, and relief can be seen in as little as
2-4 weeks. I never thought I'd be so excited about a surgical procedure.
I hope to get all the details this week.

  For those wanting more info, I believe the URL is uroliftforbph.com

  Also, lately, I've had a large amount of gas and bloating. I realize
it could come from what I eat and drink (eating carbohydrates, legumes,
and drinking sodas are the main culprits)...but the ginger ale settles
my stomach without the caffeine, and without putting me to sleep. I'm to
see my gastrointerologist in June to set up my next colonoscopy,
possibly in August or September (after the last one in 2013, they did
find polyps (which were burned off)), but he felt I could wait until
2015 before I had the next one...since polyps are rather slow growing,
as it were.

  I'll keep everyone posted.

Daryl

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 þ OLX 1.53 þ Without geometry, life is pointless.
                                                                                                               
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