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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Growing Old

Yesterday I returned to see my doctor. That's two days in a row spending quality time with my “friend”.
I was skeptic about him having the results from the previous day's X-Ray. He looked at his computer and what did he find? The results were in!
He started to look at my shoulder X-ray. Without even reading the report he told me: “When they write that much, it's always bad news!” WHY on earth would you say that to your patient? Read the damn thing first and then tell me what is going on, don't you agree?
After a minute he looked at me and said I have tendonitis. He explained it and showed me the X-Ray. There are calcium deposits between my bones and the shoulder muscle. He prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug and referred me to a physiotherapist. He seemed ready to move to the next problem, but I was not.
I take Calcium supplement every day, could it have anything to do with that?” I asked him.
Why are you taking that? Do you eat dairy products?” he answered!
Then I got a lecture why men don't need calcium supplement, women do and bla, bla, bla Darn, I got another lecture. But in the end he said the calcium supplement had nothing to do with my Tendonitis.
I asked him if I could continue to play pickleball.
NO! From now on, you have to limit yourself to non-violent sport “for the elderly”; bowling not the big pins the ball is too heavy for you, swimming, pétanque” I kid you not, that was his answer. Needless to say, it was not making me happy.
I told him pickleball was a big part of my life. He then told me the problem is the smash. In pickleball you don't smash the ball that often, so after talking with him a little we decided I can play but no smashing; don't tell my opponent that I have a handicap.
My back problem; I thought he said I had Osteoporosis but after looking it up I think he said I'm starting to have a mild case of Osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative disease but I have a mild case. I hate for it to be even a mild case but what can I do!
Of course he didn't tell me much about it, so Internet came to the rescue.
It can be painful – the pain may result from prolonged immobility” This is exactly what I have, when I move, like walking or playing pickleball, I don't feel any pain but as soon as I stop the pain returns.
Osteoarthritis can be managed with the use of joint protection (decreasing the amount of work the joint has to do), exercise, pain relief medication, heat and cold treatments, and weight control.
All of those treatments I have already started on my own, there is nothing else to do. It's going to be a managing the pain strategy. You just can't get your spine replaced :( Now if someone tells me I don't have a good back bone, they will be right!
Nowhere did I find this next treatment but I think I'll prescribe myself a liter of wine a day, repeat if necessary. Ha ha ha!
Tuesday I'm seeing a physiotherapist, I'll know more about my conditions from her. What is important for me to know is what I can and can't do.
Even with those news, the moral is great. I'm 55, so my body keeps reminding me, and I need a lot of reminders to register this number. My brain is still stuck at 13 years old, well maybe 13 and a half!

19 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see what tips the physiotherapist will have for you! Make sure to mention the pickleball... he or she is probably more of an expert than your doctor.

    -WWE

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    1. Thanks WWE, yes I'll tell her all about my life... from when I was born to my old age LOL

      Shouldn't you be packing?

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  2. Yes quick catch on my part....

    I will keep my toughts to myself "in some cases".

    It was very easy to read between the lines.

    It is not fun to start feeling pain here and there when we grow older but the most important thing is our attitude.

    I am sure you have the good attitude to deal with it.

    Careful when you play pickleball..

    Have a good day !

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    1. Thanks Choco,

      I agree it's all in the attitude. We all have to learn to respect our restriction, even people that are 100% in good health.

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  3. Richard, I used to take codeine to manage the pain from osteoarthritis then moved to morphine. It works very well. I'm sure the phisiotherapist will give you exercises for it that will help.

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    1. Thanks Elaine, I can't wait to see the physio. Hey if you have left over morphine... maybe you could be my supplier! haha

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  4. It's quite common for people to have arthritis in their back as they age and Dr. Internet is correct - keep moving!

    Be quite careful with the tendonitis. Being a runner I have had it many times in various parts of my legs and feet. It can take quite a while to heal if you don't rest it properly - and do your PT exercises!

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    1. Thanks Helen but I haven't age, I'm 13 and a half LOL

      My doctor told me that it might never heal!!? I always thought that tendonitis was only a temporally condition. Will see and I can't wait to get the right exercises to get back to be able to wave at people from y left hand :)

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  5. I don't think 55 is old by anyone's measure.
    Lori

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    1. My dad died at 55, his heart quit, so I guess for him it was old. My grand-dad live to be over 90, so 55 was not old for him... numbers are only numbers! :)

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  6. I agree with you, wait to read the darn thing, first.

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    1. Really!

      My wife has the same doctor and when she went to get an emergency Mammography in the fall of 2013 he saw us the same day. When we walked in his office he did the same thing then after reading the report said that he was sure at 99% that she had (and then he barely whisper) breast cancer. grrr

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    2. Same day is great. So glad you're wife recovered. You guys sound like a great couple.

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  7. Wow, I can't believe he blurted that out. They should have a 'good bedside manner' course in medical school. Some doctors are TERRIBLE at that.

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    1. Yes some doctors really need to learn manners and to listen.

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  8. 55 definitely not old.

    Yes, it would have been better to read first and then talk to you / discuss the situation.

    Once again 'Dr Google' or the internet can help when we need to do any of our own research.

    Take Care

    All the best Jan

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    1. I love 'Dr Google', it never disappoints me :)

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  9. Osteoarthritis is what I have in my knee. I'm glad yours is just mild; it can be managed.

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    1. Unlike you, I get relief lying down and sleeping. It get worse as the day progress. I can't believe the pain just for a mild case!

      FD the best thing for your knee; lose weight and do the recommended exercises.

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