Is My Limited Factory Warranty Running Out?

[phildinftlaudy]

So, I went to see the neurologist today to get the results of my sleep study - and was met with a host of other tests he now wants me to take...
I go in on Friday for a Pulmonary function test...
Then, I have to get blood work done for the following:
1) Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) quantitation and mutation analysis
2) High Sensitivity CRP (Cardiac)
3) Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
4) CBC and diffential
5) Lipid Panel
6) Vitamin B12
7) Testosterone, Free, Total
8 ) TSH
9) Cortisol
10) Hemoglobin A1C
11) Ferritin
12) Folate
13) Antistreptolysin O Titer
14) Brain Natriuretic Peptide
15) ANA Panel, Comprehensive
16) Anti-Dnase B Antibody

He wants some of the blood also sent for genetic analysis for HLA DQB1*0602, Ghrelyn level, leptin level

I have to also go back for 2nd sleep study on May 13th to be fitted for c-pac (?) for sleep apnea (he said previous study showed 10-12 episodes of apnea an hour with 6 of them average an hour severe) -  he said this is unusual for my size (6'1, 176 pounds)...

Anyone have any clue about what any of the above tests are about?  Should I begin making funeral arrangements? 

So, I'm thinking that I should have bought the extended warranty offered at birth ---- 

[WillyWump]

Yikes. When and where is the funeral?

[phildinftlaudy]

Yikes. When and where is the funeral?

Well, I don't want to compete with the Royal Wedding, so, I'm thinking maybe September or October (that way the weather won't be too hot for everyone) and people can do a second AMG on South Beach or something like that. 

Working on my Last Will (get it??) and Testament right now...

Trying to remember my first Will --- oh yeah, I remember him....  mmmm mmmm..... but anyway back to my overconcern and extreme worrying..... LOL ----- maybe this will be my last post....than another....than another.... than another....than another...

[WillyWump]

----- maybe this will be my last post....

Jsut in case here's a Pea Salad Recipe...

Pea Salad

2 cans peas
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 c. chopped clery
1/2 c. chopped dill or sweet pickles
1 c. diced Velveeta or American cheese
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. Miracle Whip salad dressing
Salt
Pepper

Drain peas. Add remaining ingredients. Add salad dressing to cover ingredients. Serve chilled

[phildinftlaudy]

Jsut in case here's a Pea Salad Recipe...

Pea Salad

2 cans peas
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 c. chopped clery
1/2 c. chopped dill or sweet pickles
1 c. diced Velveeta or American cheese
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. Miracle Whip salad dressing
Salt
Pepper

Drain peas. Add remaining ingredients. Add salad dressing to cover ingredients. Serve chilled

Thanks, now I just need for Skeebo to post a recipe and I will be ready to close shop....  It's times like this that this site needs a LIKE button.

[Solo_LTSurvivor]

So, I went to see the neurologist today to get the results of my sleep study - and was met with a host of other tests he now wants me to take...
Anyone have any clue about what any of the above tests are about?  Should I begin making funeral arrangements? 

So, I'm thinking that I should have bought the extended warranty offered at birth ---- 

I'm not a doctor, nor do I even play a nurse on TV but it looks like he's concerned with whether or not you're getting sufficient oxygen flow.  Normally when a person sleeps, they still breathe in order to perform the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.  If a person suffers from sleep apnea, they "forget" to breathe - and depending upon the duration of how long it takes them to get back into that regular cycle and breathe again (thank you Toni Braxton), they could possibly deprive themselves of oxygen - and brain cells require a constant oxygen source to live.

And as the brain is in control of the autonomic nervous system (the branch of the CNS that regulates things that we do which are second nature to us, like breathing), you can understand how damage could cause considerable problems.  There is also the risk of seizures as well, when the level of oxygen in the blood drops.  I also feel he wants to rule out the possibility of whether you have any cardiac problems, because you could experience heart problems (such as cardiac arrest, angina, and the like) if you were to experience a seizure when your blood oxygen level drops, as well.

It sounds like your doctor is on a path to figure out why you're suffering and trying to do everything to get to the root of the problem.  Good luck and keep us posted.

And remember extended warranties are so overrated 

[denb45]

Thanks, now I just need for Skeebo to post a recipe and I will be ready to close shop....  It's times like this that this site needs a LIKE button.

Oh now stop it phildinftlaudy your not going anywhere, there isn't gonna be a funeral   those test sound
kinda routine to me, I don't think it means your demise  

[skeebo1969]

   Hey Phil... did you ask the doctor if these tests were the norm?   With the association between heart problems and sleep apnea a lot of these might be standard to see how the hearts holding up maybe. (?)


   Not Skeebo's Homemade Pea Cakes:

1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 garlic clove, minced
2 1/2 cups canned black-eyed peas, rinsed, drained, and divided
1 tablespoon dry breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon canola oil

heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup green onions, rind, thyme, and 1 garlic clove to pan; sauté 1 minute or until garlic is golden brown. Place garlic mixture, 1 1/4 cups peas, breadcrumbs, and next 4 ingredients (through red pepper) in a food processor; pulse until well blended. Combine pea mixture and remaining 1 1/4 cups peas in a bowl, stirring well. Divide pea mixture into 8 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Place cornmeal in a shallow dish; carefully dredge pea cakes in cornmeal. Place pea cakes on baking sheet; refrigerate 15 minutes.
Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add pea cakes; cook 2 minutes on each side or until golden and thoroughly heated. Serve over collard greens.

This is definitely last meal stuff here.....  Enjoy!

[Joe K]

Hey Phil, a lot of these tests will determine your heart function and that's very important for many reasons. Solo's overview is pretty spot on regarding oxygen levels and cardiac function. But unless you have been experiencing heart issues, I think you will be fine and the tests will confirm that fact.

Believe me, if you had major heart issues, you would know it, so try not to worry too much. Your doctor is just being very thorough in exploring your total health. You will be fine.

[newt]

AAT is to look for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a lack of a protein which leads to poor lung function. The ANA panel is a test for autoimmune disease (probably to be read with the AAT test to see if they suggest your body is attacking your own lungs but also has other uses).

CRP (cardiac) is for c-reactive protein, an inflammation marker, and here relates to risk of heart disease. Brain natriuretic peptide is another specific test for some aspects of poor heart health.

Vitamin B12, ferritin and folate is to check for deficiency, perhaps related to anaemia and/or nerve function.

TSH is a test for thyroid function.

Hemoglobin A1C is a test for insulin resistance ie diabetes.

Antistreptolysin O titer and anti-DNase B antibody are a pair of tests to look for recent streptococcus infection, specifically to look for post-infection complications with the joints, kidneys and heart.

Comprehensive metabolic panel looks at electrolytes (calcium, potassium, albumin etc, standard). CBC is complete blood count (again standard). Likewise lipid panel (cholesterol), testosterone and other tests not mentioned above.

HLA DQB1*0602 is a specific test for narcolepsy.

Ghrelin and leptin are smart but somewhat research-oriented tests relating to sleep and appetite.

I'd hold on the florist. Your doctor is being comprehensive, that's all.

Hope this helps

- matt (test nerd) the newt

[phildinftlaudy]

Thanks Everyone for the insight and reassurance -
Thanks Newt for being a test nerd - definitely made me feel better (I think - LOL)

He does seem like he is on top of things (oh, and he is kinda cute, so it wouldn't be bad for him to be on "top" of things)

One really good thing is that when I get the next sleep study done on 5/13, I get to see the cute Cuban/Dominican technician Ray again --- he will be sticking the electrodes on me (mmm mmmm mmm).

Thanks again everyone. 

[woodshere]

Hope you pass all your tests with flying colors.

[aztecan]

Hey Phil,

The C-Pap is a real treasure. It will make you look like a Hannibal Lecter wannabe.

But, I know a half-dozen people whose lives were changed by using it - for the better, I mean.

HUGS,

Mark

[buginme2]

Jsut in case here's a Pea Salad Recipe...

Pea Salad

2 cans peas
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 c. chopped clery
1/2 c. chopped dill or sweet pickles
1 c. diced Velveeta or American cheese
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. Miracle Whip salad dressing


Velveeta and miracle whip? Makes me want to watch Nascar


Salt
Pepper

Drain peas. Add remaining ingredients. Add salad dressing to cover ingredients. Serve chilled

[eric48]

Why bother for the warranty ? they have no spare parts anyway...

Whishing you well

Eric

[phildinftlaudy]

Update:
I went for the pulmonary function test today (no one told me they would be taking a blood from an artery by my wrist ---- luckily he numbed it first).  After the pulmonary function test, I went and got all of the other blood work requested by the doc - 13 vials (16 tests).

The Respiratory Therapist gave me the first bit of news at the end of the pulmonary test - he said doctor will review results and confirm - but, it appears, that I have Stage 2 (Moderate) COPD.  My FEV1/FVC % was 76% (best reading) - which means lungs are functioning at 76% of their capacity... anything below 80% puts one into the Stage 2 category.  So, I know that I have to get rid of the smoking and, according to resp. therapist, I will probably be prescribed an inhaler - broncodilator.  I see the doctor on May 25th to get results of the blood work, go over the pulmonary test, and my upcoming 2nd sleep study on 5/13.

On the bright side: While my air flow may be messed up - my sucking reflex seems to be okay   

[Joe K]

The Respiratory Therapist gave me the first bit of news at the end of the pulmonary test - he said doctor will review results and confirm - but, it appears, that I have Stage 2 (Moderate) COPD.  My FEV1/FVC % was 76% (best reading) - which means lungs are functioning at 76% of their capacity... anything below 80% puts one into the Stage 2 category.  So, I know that I have to get rid of the smoking and, according to resp. therapist, I will probably be prescribed an inhaler - broncodilator.  I see the doctor on May 25th to get results of the blood work, go over the pulmonary test, and my upcoming 2nd sleep study on 5/13.

Phil, the next update I want to see is you announcing that you are finally smoke free. This is not a request, but a demand, because I do not want to lose you over something that is entirely preventable. So get yourself pills, patches or voodoo dolls, anything to stop smoking and do it NOW. Please.

[Hellraiser]

Phil, the next update I want to see is you announcing that you are finally smoke free. This is not a request, but a demand, because I do not want to lose you over something that is entirely preventable. So get yourself pills, patches or voodoo dolls, anything to stop smoking and do it NOW. Please.

We are in complete agreement on this fact.  You're now at 3/4 lung functioning, time to try moving in the other direction.

[denb45]

We are in complete agreement on this fact.  You're now at 3/4 lung functioning, time to try moving in the other direction.

I never inhale, I just like the HOT ASH of the cigar and the full aroma 

[Solo_LTSurvivor]

On the bright side: my sucking reflex seems to be okay   

That's all that should really matter, isn't it?  Now lay off them cancer sticks