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Author Topic: You can't win for losing . . .  (Read 7302 times)

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Offline aztecan

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  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
You can't win for losing . . .
« on: November 03, 2010, 02:24:54 am »
Those were the words my doctor said to me. :'(

I was having a chat with my doctor today when he holds up a medical journal, can't remember which one, which had, as its lead story, "Neurocognitive Disorders Among HIV Patients."

It was all about us LTSers.

This came on the heels of a discussion about DEXA scans for HIV patients, and how we might not get them because insurance companies are balking at paying for them.

It also came after a discussion about my lipids, which, by the way, I have to have check again next week. My triglycerides, which are supposed to be below 200, were a delightful 112 the last time. :)

But the LDL still sucked, and my HDL was still marginal . We have recently upped the Niaspan to 750 mgs a day, so that might help the HDL.

I asked if diet can alter the LDL. The doc said, "somewhat."   ???

I have been exercising again. I do a workout with cardio and strength training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and I swim laps on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

I don't do squat on Sundays.

But my legs have started to cramp when swimming, even just four or five laps in the pool, which is just the usual olympic size.

I am somewhat concerned my CPKs are up again. I guess I'll find out next week, since I just noted the doc included it on the lab order.

EEP! He also is checking my CD4 and viral load! It isn't time yet. It has only been four or five months since the last time. :o

At least I think its been four or five months. I am foggier than I used to be. I feel I am fighting to maintain clarity in my mind - and I'm losing.

If that starts to happen, screw the diet. I'm eating bacon and real eggs. Better a heart attack than an Alzheimer's ward.

Don't mind me, just a less than stellar day.

HUGS,

Mark



"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline AlanBama

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2010, 10:38:51 am »
Oh honey, I hear you....seems as if we're always "on alert" for the next medical issue, or waiting for the "other shoe to drop".   It sure gets old doesn't it?  I am so with you on the Alzheimer's thing....I'd rather not be here, than to be here and "not really be here".   It makes me get cold chills, just thinking about it.   I don't want to end up a burden to anyone; have already gone through that plenty.

All we can do is to do our best to stay strong, stay well, stay active, and just keep on keepin' on.   But I hear what you're saying, some days it is just so hard to do that !  We wouldn't be human if we didn't let our minds venture over to the 'dark side' sometimes....

Hope you can find out about the leg cramps...that is disturbing.  Oh, and have I told you lately that I really admire you for all you are doing to try to stay healthy?  Exercise and eating right....I wish I could be half as diligent as you.

You are much loved, and appreciated.....

Alan   :-*
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline Theyer

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2010, 04:37:43 pm »
These bloody tests and numbers , and Mark we will mind you so you enjoy some Delicious free range eggs and organic bacon hugs back to you
love
michael
ps real butter on the toast
"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ."  Tony Benn

Offline denb45

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2010, 05:49:27 pm »
Mark, if I was anywhere close to ya, I'd give you a big naked BEAR HUG, then tell you it's gonna be alright
but I cannot  :(  so here's one just for you Mark  :D I know it's not much, but I guess it will just have to do  :-*

{{{{ NAKED BEAR HUGS }}}
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline Snowangel

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2010, 11:39:07 pm »
{{{{ NAKED BEAR HUGS }}}

I'd give you one of these too but I wouldn't want to make you feel worse  :-\

Mark- You are doing a great job excercising and taking care of yourself, maybe it will take awhile for your numbers to get where you want them.  Are you stretching enough before you swim?  Stay strong and I hope you feel better.
XO(fully clothed)
Snow





Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important

The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge..

One thing you can give and still keep...is your word.

One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.

Offline denb45

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2010, 10:35:02 am »
I'd give you one of these too but I wouldn't want to make you feel worse  :-\



And you know this because of WHY? Please explain how this would make dear ole Mark feel any worse we all want to know?





"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline bear60

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2010, 10:55:37 am »
Mark
If you feel a bit foggy...its no wonder...I couldnt keep all those numbers and doses and percentages and tests and results....in my head. So, I congratulate you for the great job you are doing in being involved in your health care.
Not to mention....you still work, and live alone.  Geez, a bit hard on yourself arent you?

Joel
Poz Bear Type in Philadelphia

Offline Snowangel

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2010, 04:22:06 pm »
And you know this because of WHY? Please explain how this would make dear ole Mark feel any worse we all want to know?
Because I would be a naked female and not a naked male.  I was kidding.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important

The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge..

One thing you can give and still keep...is your word.

One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.

Offline denb45

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  • "1987 Classic Old School POZ+"
Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2010, 05:01:25 pm »
Because I would be a naked female and not a naked male.  I was kidding.

A Hug is a Hug, both would work for me, hugs are encouraged around here, and they are FREE  ;D
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline Jeffreyj

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2010, 03:44:25 am »
Mark,
I understand your frustration here. The leg cramps have been a problem for me for the past two years. My toes cramp up nearly every night. The DR says it's the neuropothy. Who knows.

I think it's great you are exercising I know how hard simple exercising is. But we need to keep on keeping on dear friend! The LTP world can be so frustrating at times. Keep up the good fight, I know you will.
And thanks Snowangel. You have a great sense of humor. I greatly appreciate it!
Positive since 1985

Offline BT65

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2010, 08:51:24 pm »
Oh Mark, I hope your CPK's aren't becoming problematic again, that would suck. 

You do damn good with your exercising, trying to maintain a good diet, working still, etc.  I pale greatly by comparison.  I don't know how you keep track of all the labs, cholesterol, LDL, HDL etc.   I keep my labs, but I don't remember them much past a couple days.  I sure hope things get better for you!

Oh by the way, I have a bit of elevated cholesterol also, but I still love bacon. ;)
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline denb45

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  • "1987 Classic Old School POZ+"
Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2010, 11:21:40 pm »
Oh Mark, I hope your CPK's aren't becoming problematic again, that would suck. 

You do damn good with your exercising, trying to maintain a good diet, working still, etc.  I pale greatly by comparison.  I don't know how you keep track of all the labs, cholesterol, LDL, HDL etc.   I keep my labs, but I don't remember them much past a couple days.  I sure hope things get better for you!

Oh by the way, I have a bit of elevated cholesterol also, but I still love bacon. ;)

 ;D hey betty, you only live once, I love it too  :D
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline aztecan

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  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Update Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #12 on: November 08, 2010, 11:05:48 pm »
I had my blood drawn today and received some of the results this afternoon.

And the news is pretty good!

My overall cholesterol, which supposed to be less than 199, dropped from 204 in September to 184 today.  ;D

LDL, which is supposed to be less than 130, dropped from 153 to 134, still a smidgen high, but the doctor said it is not really bad and I can live with it.

HDL, which is supposed to be 32 or more, rose from 29 to 30. OK, not a huge leap, but still an improvement.

The really good news is the triglycerides. They are supposed to less than 200 and were 111 in September. They are now down to a round 100.  ;D ;D ;D

Thank you, fish oil and Niaspan!  ;)

Of course the Mediterranean/vegetarian diet and exercise probably helped too.

Naturally, there had to be bit of something for the doctor to shake his head at. As I suspected, my CPKs are up.

They had dropped to 482 in September and are supposed to be 230 or less. Today, they are up to 618. That is no where near the all time high of 2,857 measured in March 2009, but they are creeping up again.

At least that explains the muscle cramps and the aching legs.

Of course, since I just did the blood draw today, the CD4 and viral load aren't back yet. I am not particularly concerned about them.

Maybe I am too blase', but after all these years, I don't worry about them until I see them, if then.

So, the diet and exercise have worked. Oatmeal, fish oil and tofu smoothies are beating down the fat nasties in the blood.

Tonight I had vegetables (eggplant, patty pan squash, onion, tomatoes, mushrooms) sauteed in a bit of olive oil with cubed organic tofu, which I served over brown rice.

It was quite yummy. Gad, I think I am starting to like this new way of eating. :o

HUGS,

Mark
« Last Edit: November 08, 2010, 11:12:52 pm by aztecan »
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline BT65

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Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2010, 05:35:32 am »
Ug, oatmeal, tofu and fish oil smoothies just don't sound appealing to me, Mark. 

Good news on the cholesterol and triglycerides, but sorry about the CPK's.  Do you know what's going to happen regarding that? 
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline aztecan

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  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2010, 03:06:32 pm »
Ug, oatmeal, tofu and fish oil smoothies just don't sound appealing to me, Mark. 

Good news on the cholesterol and triglycerides, but sorry about the CPK's.  Do you know what's going to happen regarding that? 

I guess I am lucky. I like oatmeal, don't mind taking the fish oil and am OK with tofu smoothies, although they are not my all time favorite.

As for the CPKs, well, not really much to do about them at this point. When they were over 2,000, they were dangerous. As they are now, they are annoying, but something I may have to learn to live with.

I know someone else who has the same issue. He said the same thing - he has just had to learn to live with it.

The real culprit that caused the problems last year was a statin. Since then, the doctor won't even talk about putting me on a statin unless the lipid issue went totally nuts - which I am going to try not to let it do.

Its funny, though. I am actually starting to enjoy the new foods I have added to my lifestyle.

Go figure.  ;)

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline Theyer

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  • Current ambition. Walk the Dog .
Re: You can't win for losing . . .
« Reply #15 on: November 10, 2010, 03:41:30 pm »
Good news Mark , when I said bacon and eggs you know  I meant nut burger and salad ,
love & hugs
t
"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ."  Tony Benn

 


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