What is the significance of eating a banana every today related to the heart?...
thank you straydog.......I wish to give you a compliment.....you're advice gives hope to others and hope is all most of us really need to push forward in whatever health situations. Most MD's do not...
Hope you get to feeling better soon....thanks for the comments....it really helps to understand more and thanks for calming the journey by sharing experiences and insight. Just got word today that my...
thank you.........
I am being seen at the Veteran Hospital in Dallas - Heart Failure Clinic - due to an echo Ejection Fraction (EF) reading of 35. I will turn 75 next month. I have had no prior heart side effects, but...
I had HDR Brachy done in 2020 followed by 25 EBRT and two years Lupron for prostate cancer. I still have issues getting much more than a semi-erection and all ejaculations have remained dry. I have...
I am a fellow G9, Stage 3.......PSA went from a 4 to 36.......the VA failed twice in taking biopsies 36 needles, 50 total) to find my cancer before they actually did by getting an actual Urologist...
Never heard of a 3200 PSA.....you were blessed by your Maker to continue life. Love your attitude and spirit brother. Great letter!...
I'm in the G9 Club so that always keeps you on the toes paying attention. Come May I'll be 4 years cancer free....latest PSA was 0.14 and before that 0.12 and 0.13.......so it seems in my case to has...
I totally understand that it is wise to consider all options to treat diagnosed cancer. Everyone has an opinion and advice and here's mind especially if you're a Veteran. I was diagnosed by VA with...
never heard of salvage brachytherapy treatment..........can anyone explain?...
I had HDR Brachy back in April 2020 followed by 25 sessions of EBRT at UT Southwestern.....that was followed up with two years of ADT Lupron. I am Stage 3, Gleason 9 HIGH RISK localized. So far...so...
Hey Straydog.....doing more testing tomorrow at the VAMC Heart Failure Clinic. Hope what I've done so far with meds and walking 30 minutes daily shows some progress note. As I understand the Heart...
Your advice and input has been kindly appreciated.....nothing is better in my book than the input of those who have already done the learning curve and now sharing their experiences with newbies....
You were right STRAYDOG !!!!!....nailed it perfectly on your assumption. I went to the VA Cardio Clinic today and they added Sacubitril 49mg., increased to a full pill of Metroprol 25 mg. plus...
Latest update added to medical portal........be seen again @ Cardio Clinic 2-22. Not familiar with some of these terms. _________________ Aortic Valve: There is focal thickening of the aortic valve...
thanks straydog......I am certainly hoping you're right and they'll just prescribe meds and monitor me because at my age (74) I really need to avoid any kind of evasive surgery that requires a knife....
My next gastro appt. is on Monday. I already submitted a stool sample so I will get another calprotectin update score revealed then. I know I'm improving as my stool is firm now and I have not needed...
this all is pretty vague to me so maybe you can make more out of it with your experience. 1-18-24 POST-PROCEDURE NOTE Preoperative Diagnosis: Moderate Aortic Regurgitation Postoperative Diagnosis:...
I will do that tomorrow and post. I hate to wait till Feb. 22 to ask questions to actually know more. I am hoping just more meds can be involved with monitoring. They cancelled the CT Scan today so...
you were right Straydog......my throat is just now minor scratchy from the TTE I had on Thursday but I did not feel it right away until today actually. I guess it will go away in another day or two....
I had two cardio evaluations done yesterday at VA....no blocked arteries.....but heart rate still sitting at 40. Waiting to get more results feedback....
thank you......that is what I needed to know and be aware of.That certainly accounts for the designated driver to get back home....
Straydog........I am going in for my TTE procedure a week for today at VAMC Day Surgery. Just have a few Q's since you've experienced TTE.. Are you knocked out enough that you don't feel the...
Thank you for the add'l info and your own experience Straydog......I wish Doctors in general would spend more time explaining things in layman terms but most won't share much unless asked and then...
Last VA Portal Update.....don't understand some of these medical terms....... Interpretation Summary Technically difficult study, improved with echo contrast Dilated LV, otherwise normal chamber...
I suppose they mean heart valve as well, but VA Cardio PA referred to my condition as a "leaky heart." My BP is fine and if they did not tell me I had an issue I would not have a clue....no distress...
I went to the VA Hospital Cardio Clinic today and after several tests prior I was informed today I had a "Leaky Heart" that appears to be mild to moderate and my rate was a 40 and normal is 50. They...
I will give Imodium a try....still loose....
I went to the VA GI Clinic today and was informed that my Calprotectin had dropped from 863 to 621.......still high but making progress. They did not change my meds usage or added anything...
poopydoop - I am taking Xeljanz 10mg twice a day. They upgraded me in early November from 5mg twice a day....
CCinPA......no they did a lower colon exam as well during my hospitalization and examiner stated severe inflammation....more severe than the last one. The only other measuring stick was my...
When did you start xeljanz?? They started it while I was in the VA Hospital on August 3rd. It got so bad I was going to the bathroom 12x a day and could not go anywhere because I could not control my...
I read a lot about colitis sufferers having "flares", but I am unaware to what extent that really means. Does it mean the meds failed and stopped working so back to square one trying something...
My last calprotectin test was 843 about a month ago.......my inflammation had worsen yet I do not have the urgency anymore since being on tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily since I was hospitalized in...
I have had a few friends recommend and I've also read up that taking a high quality curcumin supplement is good for all cancer patients and survivors because it keeps inflammation down. If anyone is...
what is the brand name your taking?...
thanks for the explanation.........I got a call from my GI Clinic yesterday and they said yes my calprotection tested at 834, which is high and normal is 50. She then added I have seen calprotection...
I believe they said my calprotein score was 800-something. They said my inflammation was worse than the last testing. I do more testing the end of this month and see my GI again on Dec. 18. I have...
great advice......totally agree!...
thanks straydog...
I had been on Tofacitinib maintenance level at 5 mg. per day twice a day for over a month......my urges had calmed down to the point I could make it to the toilet on time so I thought I had really...
Congrats Patrick......enjoy the great view!...
so far so good......have dropped to Xeljanz 5mg. twice daily now for a week and still working. Glad to drop to 10 mg. daily maintenance dose without issues. I see GI again on Nov. 6 at VA. Hope this...
thank you Mumbo for that explanation. My lowest PSA number after brachytherapy and EBRT in May 2020 was 0.07, 0.05 is the lowest number as I understand. It has bounced around a little since but has...
Wayne........thanks....I trust UT Southwestern more by far at every level......... Mumbo...when you say single digits does that mean 1.0, 2.0, etc. ? BillyBob,,,,,you're right I was not very clear on...
I am a Veteran that is seen in community care at UT Southwestern. I had High Dosage Brachytherapy and EBT back in May 2020. I also receive semi-annual checkups being over 65 at VA and at my last...
agree....good news is uplifting because I sure did go through Hell for 6 months to fully appreciate being able to say something is finally working. I had not been in-patient hospitalized since my...
Point well taken.......new meds arrived today.....TOFACITINIB 5 mg. take twice daily = 10 mg.......switching over tomorrow....