OT: Like Hal.... I'm also Physically PFFT

Its off topic, but its not. Comes with age i guess, just like PCa. And all health issues, IMO are interwoven/related.

The last month or so, i have been feeling very low energy. Not like me. I was low energy somewhat, during ADT, but thats over 2 years in the rear mirror. Of course my T never quite recovered to baseline of already low normal 322. It got to 267, then recently dropped to 215, which is why i hypostulate that it might be T related.

But there are other things going on......
could it be depression? I've got some things going on with my daughter who is going to have some serious (elective) surgery, and i cant say i am not concerned for her. Also, been in Florida for almost 5 months, really miss my kids and grandkids who did not come down, due to covid, i am looking forward to going home at the end of the month.
So i dont know could it be depression?

And here's something weird....
The Apple Watch measures a lot of health metrics, including V02Max, which is a measure of cardio fitness, and how efficiently the heart pumps blood and blood delivers oxygen to muscles. My V02Max was always in the mid 30's average for my age. Then suddely about a month or 6 weeks ago, it suddenly dropped in one day to 24. I realized that just before that happened, i updated the Apple Watch software, so after some googling, i figured that was the cause of the drop and i am not so sure the measurement is completely accurate anyway.

HOWEVER.... Since then, every time its measured (when i do a brisk walk, outdoors), it drops and its been a steady drop since . some days .01, some days, often after a few days of not walking/measuring, it drops .04. Its now down to 20.4 . Its not the number but the trend that is starting to concern me. I do have heart disease and a couple of stents.
Tried to see a cardiologist down here, but cant get an appointment for 3 or 4 weeks, and i'm leaving here end April.

So maybe my low energy is depression, maybe its related to inefficient heart performance?? Maybe a combination of both.

I'm trying to step up my walking, and also trying to do some Interval Training on the treadmill. But i find my legs get a little weak, maybe to strong a word, say tired, after a few minutes of walkingt. And the interval training involves treadmill at a steep incline which is tough on my knees (i know, i am full of excuses).

Anyway, this all has me concerned. This is more of a rant than looking for answers, but if anyone has any ideas or has experienced something similar (especially with the apple watch), i'm all earsl.

Besides your personal situation, there's an awful lot of depressing things going on in the world right now that can also be affecting you. On a personal level, I find that I'm not nearly as resilient about these things as I age. In my case, I wouldn't say I'm depressed, but I do feel like the wind has been let out of my sails lately.

And fully agree with Vince about the connection between mental and physical health. A chance of venue always seems to help me and it sounds like you have one coming up so I hope that's helpful.

I wish getting OLD came with instructions and or a guidebook.

It seems like everyday I have a New ailment. One day my left foot hurts so bad I couldn't do my morning walk. Next day or so my right lower leg has a new funky throb... Both of my wrists "itch" like I have a rash yet nothing visible.

What's Next?!?!?

VinceInMT said...
Prato, do not underestimate the effect of depression on your physical state and vice versa. While subtle, physical exercise is an excellent way to seek out a balance. At least while pursuing that physical activity, the mind gets a rest for the issues at hand.

Vince, for sure I believe that. My guess is I may not be clinically depressed, just a bit down in the dumps lately. I’m trying hard to fight through it, walked two miles this morning, and it wasn’t fun, but I felt better when I was done.

PDL17 said...
Prat,

The apple watch measurement is very inaccurate for VO2 max. The more accurate way is having the VO2 measured by directly looking at inspired and expired gas concentrations in an exercise physiology lab rather than to use age predicted equations the watch utilizes. Even the pulse measurements of heart rate are often off with the watch. I would not be overly concerned what values the watch gives you. You can monitor your improvement easily by keeping track of your distances and times. A chest strap for monitoring heart rate linked with your phone/watch improve the accuracy of beats per minute.

I keep track of my times to walk my standard distance and look at my average heart rate. When my times decrease or average heart rates decrease, I know I am becoming more aerobically fit.

Paul

Thanks, Paul. My concern is not so much the absolute # on V02Max, it’s the clear trend. I know V02 Max can’t possibly be correct on the watch as a number.
I’m trying to set up a B02Max test at Florida Atlantic University, they do it there, but they haven’t responded to my email yet.

BTW, I’ve. He led the Apple Watch Heart Rate measurement, against a manual count. And surprisingly, it was very accurate.

Jack64 said...
Prato, I know I said I would take a break in posting, but I am up late again this night after just having cataract surgery and caught up on some reading. You have me a little concerned with your post. An Apple Watch is all good and fine, but it doesn’t replace a doctor. Trust your instincts on how your body should work. One of your thoughts was to call a cardiologist. You have had stent surgery and your lack of energy could be related to your heart. I recently had a bad upper respiratory problem for a little over a week that caused me to cough and wheeze when I took a breath. I called my doctor and I couldn’t get in until the end of May. I decided to go to a nearby urgent care and got right in. They diagnosed me with a severely impacted sinus and infection, prescribed an antibiotic and prednisone and within a week it was gone. I would hope you go before your move to an urgent care or ER and have it checked out for piece of mind if nothing else. Please, trust your body and not a watch.
I can relate to your feelings about your daughter. My daughter has one Kidney. Her other one failed years ago when she was only twenty. The one she has develops stones every month or two. She has had over 15 surgeries. My wife and I always worry about her, but we manage through the best we can and keep her spirits up constantly. She has great fortitude and handles it better than we do.
This was not easy to write with one eye patched, but I thought it important as you ended you post with everything that was going on was concerning. Be proactive as you have with PC and get some professional answers. As always my best to you and your family,
One eyed Jack. LOL
On a side note: I went to the Walgreen's Pharmacy today in Tucson. I noticed a sign that said they would have a full time MD coming in, not a PA or RN with expanded hours including weekends. This would be for appointments and walk-ins. Of course, probably no diagnostics, but maybe just as good for quicker diagnosis and prescriptions if needed.

Thank you Jack.
I thought about urgent care, but I’m pretty sure they don’t address cardiology issues there, they would probably tell me to go to the emergency room. That’s a rabbit hole that I really really prefer not to go down. If I felt really bad, like beyond tired, I would go to ER rather than ignore it. But it’s not like that. Just low energy, and that pesky V02 Max trend.

I did schedule an appointment for 2 days after I return home to NY, May 4th, with my Dr who is both my internist and my cardiologist. He knows me well. Including my neuroses, which might be part of this. Sadly, going to him is likely to take me down that black hole of tests. But we’ll see. It’s only 4 weeks away.

Thanks for your concern.

mattam said...
Prato spoke about social media being a source of anxiety. My news feed does it to me too. I have made the conscious effort to just put my dammed phone down more often, including checking HW. Focusing my attention on things other than the internet seems to help.

But, here I am, posting at this moment. 🙂

I don’t consider HW to be social media. Well, maybe social media but with a purpose.

And yes, that’s something I’ve thought about too. Way too much time on my phone and iPad.

Thanks for your comments Vince.
And yes, you are right about social media. But since i stopped posting about anything but family and friends and jokes and music, nobody has pissed me off with their response. LOL