Medical Thread

[IrishSteelhead]

Figured I'd start a thread where we can discuss what ails us, and share experiences so others know what to expect. (If there already is one, please remember I'm an idiot, and shoot me)

I'll start:

Just received my first sign of getting old in awhile. Went to the doc today because I've had pain on the side of my groin, and he said I have a small hernia.

Said it wasn't a really bad one, but referred me to a surgeon for further instructions on what needs to be done.

Anybody who has had a hernia before, please share your experience, I'd like to gather some info on what to do next (surgery, no-surgery, etc.)

 

[RuntheBall]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uepFO4psgKE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[woolybug25]

My **** is too big.

 

[BGIF]

Figured I'd start a thread where we can discuss what ails us, and share experiences so others know what to expect. (If there already is one, please remember I'm an idiot, and shoot me)

I'll start:

Just received my first sign of getting old in awhile. Went to the doc today because I've had pain on the side of my groin, and he said I have a small hernia.

Said it wasn't a really bad one, but referred me to a surgeon for further instructions on what needs to be done.

Anybody who has had a hernia before, please share your experience, I'd like to gather some info on what to do next (surgery, no-surgery, etc.)

My doctor ordered me to sit when I urinate as lifting heavy objects are contraindicated.

 

[arrowryan]

My **** is too big.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1YRvXpLOft8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[arrowryan]

.

 

[NDRock]

Any back injuries/surgeries out there? I herniated my L4 a couple months ago and have been dealing with nerve issues. Some drop foot on the left side. Go back the 24th and will probably go ahead with the surgery if it hasn’t improved. Dr said outpatient surgery, should last 45 minutes (discectomy). Anyone have this done? How’d it work out?

 

[Valpodoc85]

Surgeon here:
Regarding the hernia: if your otherwise healthy probably best to have it repaired. If it's unilateral and is not recurrent consider having an open repair. If bilateral or recurrent consider the laparoscopic approach. Also, if an inguinal hernia is repaired laparoscopy it will make future prostate removal quite difficult. I would wait for the corona issues to blow over before proceeding
Regarding back surgery: for patients with neuromuscular disjunction (foot drop), surgery is usually the preferred option, with hopes of return of function. Back surgery done solely for the reduction of pain is a more difficult problem (studies have shown no difference in the operative and non operative groups after five years).

Hope this helps

 

[NDRock]

Surgeon here:
Regarding the hernia: if your otherwise healthy probably best to have it repaired. If it's unilateral and is not recurrent consider having an open repair. If bilateral or recurrent consider the laparoscopic approach. Also, if an inguinal hernia is repaired laparoscopy it will make future prostate removal quite difficult. I would wait for the corona issues to blow over before proceeding
Regarding back surgery: for patients with neuromuscular disjunction (foot drop), surgery is usually the preferred option, with hopes of return of function. Back surgery done solely for the reduction of pain is a more difficult problem (studies have shown no difference in the operative and non operative groups after five years).

Hope this helps

Yes. Thank you. Luckily I have very little back pain. It’s all about the numbness and weakness down my leg. Even the leg pain has gone away for the most part. Hopefully, once the impingement is off the nerves I’ll be back to a more normal lifestyle.

 

[Valpodoc85]

If you haven't done it already a medrol dose pack may help. Five days of steroids, decrease inflammation. Also a course of Physical Therapy can be miraculous

 

[NDRock]

If you haven't done it already a medrol dose pack may help. Five days of steroids, decrease inflammation. Also a course of Physical Therapy can be miraculous

I've actually done a couple of packs in the last 6 weeks as well as working with a very good PT. At one point the pain down the leg was debilitating but now I'm feeling much better. Like I said, the drop foot and numbness is what is concerning me. Without it, I wouldn't be thinking of surgery. I also tried a chiropractor...not good.

I'm really just concerned about letting the nerve issues go too long as I've read it could become permanent. Doctor said they usually don't want it to go past 4 months.

 

[Valpodoc85]

would agree with that. Sounds like you've already done a fair bit of conservative management. A micro disc will likely do the trick

 

[NDRock]

would agree with that. Sounds like you've already done a fair bit of conservative management. A micro disc will likely do the trick

That's what I'm hoping for, thank you.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I'm in. I've dealt with psoriasis for around 6 years now (just skin, not arthritic). It can be a bitch, but it's more annoying than painful and thankfully I have it mostly on my scalp (a few spots on my chest, but no big deal). I tried Otezla, gave me stomach issues and my wife said I got 'mopey' and sad. It didn't help as much as I was hoping, so I've just been doing the topical steroid creams, up to four times a day. Stress, eating shitty, and dry air all make it worse. Been thinking about looking in to injections, but definitely need to do more research.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Pretty fascinating stuff

 

[Irish#1]

Saw this on the news as I was getting ready this morning. Did I hear it correctly that they used someone who was brain dead?

 

[ab2cmiller]

Saw this on the news as I was getting ready this morning. Did I hear it correctly that they used someone who was brain dead?

Yes, the family donated the loved one's body for the study.

 

[NDRock]

Cholesterol medication question-

I’m 47 and in overall good health. Run/workout 4-6 times per week, eat clean, weight is good, etc... but I’ve always had high blood pressure and high cholesterol (Usually 220-250). My PC doctor referred me to a heart doctor because of this and family history (Dad, quintuple bypass surgery in early 60's). Anyway, he wants me on a statin and change up my bp medication as it's still running high (140/90).

Any negatives on taking statins? I'm pretty much maxed out on lifestyle changes without going vegan, which I don't want to do. Curious on other's experiences. Thanks.

 

[Irish#1]

BP can be tricky. Mine was in the 155/95 range. They had me on Losartan and Amlodipine, but they weren't working, so now I'm on Valsartan and Amlodipine which is working. My wife is on BP meds but not on the same ones. Amlodipine seems to be one of the first that docs prescribed.. It took about 7 BP meds before they found the right combo for my wife. Sorry, I don't remember the two she is on.

For cholesterol. she's on Rosuvastatin. Seems to be working.

I know a guy that is a health freak. Runs 4-5 days a week and never eats anything questionable. Only fish, chicken, salads, veggies and nothing fried. I would guess his BMI is around 8%. Yet he's on Cholesterol medication. Also had a blot clot, they found before it killed him. He was beating himself up trying to figure out why the clot happened given his lifestyle. The hereditary piece is weird. Good luck.

 

[Lberry]

Cholesterol medication question-

I’m 47 and in overall good health. Run/workout 4-6 times per week, eat clean, weight is good, etc... but I’ve always had high blood pressure and high cholesterol (Usually 220-250). My PC doctor referred me to a heart doctor because of this and family history (Dad, quintuple bypass surgery in early 60's). Anyway, he wants me on a statin and change up my bp medication as it's still running high (140/90).

Any negatives on taking statins? I'm pretty much maxed out on lifestyle changes without going vegan, which I don't want to do. Curious on other's experiences. Thanks.

I would be very slow to get on a statin
The short of it is the effectiveness results are mixed at best and there can be side effects. I'm not a doctor but used to manage med adherence for the largest health care company in the world. Many members start a statin and are one and done... So I would talk to some other docs or people in the field, even nurses. Or read some recent effectiveness studies (maybe not on google, they float pro pharma stuff).

Just take a shitload of viagra.

Kudos to you by the way for putting in the work to live a healthy life style. You're a 1%er in my book.

 

[Rizzophil]

Try listening to Gary brecka. He’s got all kinds of insights into natural health , genetic malfunctions, etc

 

[SoIll]

Try listening to Gary brecka. He’s got all kinds of insights into natural health , genetic malfunctions, etc

He definently has some interesting takes. He is also full of shit on half of them.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I would be very slow to get on a statin
The short of it is the effectiveness results are mixed at best and there can be side effects. I'm not a doctor but used to manage med adherence for the largest health care company in the world. Many members start a statin and are one and done... So I would talk to some other docs or people in the field, even nurses. Or read some recent effectiveness studies (maybe not on google, they float pro pharma stuff).

Kudos to you by the way for putting in the work to live a healthy life style. You're a 1%er in my book.

Koon reference in 3.....2.....1....

 

[Rizzophil]

He definently has some interesting takes. He is also full of shit on half of them.

No doubt…

However , the medical world doesn’t leave any room for other options. And that’s just not true

 

[NDRock]

I would be very slow to get on a statin
The short of it is the effectiveness results are mixed at best and there can be side effects. I'm not a doctor but used to manage med adherence for the largest health care company in the world. Many members start a statin and are one and done... So I would talk to some other docs or people in the field, even nurses. Or read some recent effectiveness studies (maybe not on google, they float pro pharma stuff).

Just take a shitload of viagra.

Kudos to you by the way for putting in the work to live a healthy life style. You're a 1%er in my book.

This is the main problem with health questions, such a variety of opinions and choices. What did you mean by “one and done”? Did they get off because of the side effects?

Thank you and everyone else who has responded.

 

[Lberry]

This is the main problem with health questions, such a variety of opinions and choices. What did you mean by “one and done”? Did they get off because of the side effects?

Thank you and everyone else who has responded.

Nothing that would scare someone directly, mostly physical effects (achiness, fatigue, feeling brain foggy or even alleged memory loss). There are some other studies (disputed) that show liver damage, but that's pretty much any medication to a degree. But the physical "yuck" is felt early and often by many who take one, and statins have a really low volume of members who "index in" (industry term to mean you've refilled at least once).

But it's also that statins don't show a strong signal of efficacy across open-book studies. And it's likely your PCP is incented to prescribe and keep you on. So unless you really trust them, maybe look around, get a 2nd opinion, or trying diet changes (keep exercising).

Studies on diets are not wide spread (probably intentionally) but IMO taking Ceylon cinnamon (throw some in your coffee each day) has helped nearly everyone I've heard try it, and low carb diets also have a lot of anecdotal evidence. Changing your diet at mid life sucks, but you also seem like a health conscious guy and are disciplined in exercising, so it might be for you. If you really wanted to commit to a quick self study, I'd do a 3 day water/broth fast, and then try a very low carb diet for ~2 weeks. Measure at the end of that and you may be shocked at how quickly you can change your numbers. Again, not a doctor but you also won't find a doctor with a clear cut answer on this one... Unfortunately it's unclear the effectiveness and the "better" solution.