A very busy day today and a health update ,....

[J.R.E.]

Hey everyone,...

Just wanted to give a little annual update as to what's been going on lately.

First of all, it was a great summer.  Ed and I got a lot of activities and exercise in this summer. However, weight is still about 10 pounds too high. We're still swimming, but it may come to an end this weekend, when temps are expected to drop.

Our community swimming pool is heated to 83 degrees.  We may get another day in Friday. When it gets a little too chilly, our daily walks will increase. We're also thinking of joining a gym.

Overall, I've been doing pretty good.   I had a couple of issues though, that I discussed with my primary care about two weeks ago.

I've been noticing an increase in light-headedness, dizzyness, over the past 5- 6 months.  So I brought this to my primary doctors attention, when I had my appointment.

Even though I have not smoked in over 20 years,  the doctor decided to order some tests. I reminded her that prior to quitting, I was a pack and a half day smoker. And I worked in smoke filled, and not so healthy environments, for a good portion of my life. She decided to test for asthma, and COPD.  it's not uncommon as we age, to develop asthma. 


Today I had three different appointments done.

At 11:00 this morning I had a Pulmonary function test done ( PFT). I've never had one of these done before. Lasted about 25 minutes.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/pulmonary/pulmonary_function_tests_92,p07759/

The preliminary results of that test showed no problems.  I was told that the lung functions test were good, and I had the lungs of a non-smoker.  So, I was glad to have those results. I treied to get an official copy of the results from Release of information,  but there computers hadn't updated that info yet.


At 12:00 noon,  I had a CT scan done of my lungs.  Those results, are unknown at this time.

At 2:00 this afternoon, I had an echocardiogram done.  This is where the fun begins.

The person performing this test, was a little concerned with what she was seeing.

I reminded her, that I had one of these test done 6 years ago.  She decided to compare the two results. At that point, she called the cardiologist into the room, to visually view the ongoing results of the ECHO...

It seems I have quite a bit more leakage in one of my heart valves. As a result, this may possibly be the reason for the light headness that I am getting, and a periodic shortness of breath.

The cardiologist, asked me to come to her office, as soon as the test was completed.

She decided on doing a TEE,.. " Trans-esophageal echocardiography" I've never had one of these done either.  But apparently, this will give a much better image, when they pass this thing down my throat, to look closer at my heart, and the valves.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/cardiovascular/transesophageal_echocardiogram_92,P07986/


Within about 40 minutes, of speaking with her,.. I now have this scheduled for tomorrow ( Thursday) morning at  10:00.

Total time at the VA today with test and discussion was 4 1/2 hours.


So    I now begin fasting tonight at 10:00 pm, and I am to report at Bay Pines VAMC hospital at 8:30 in the morning.


I thought something was going on for a while now, but never thought a leaky valve was causing the issues.

As I get the results of the CT scan, I will let you all know.

She believes my leaky heart valve is "Moderate".  So I think that places me in the middle zone. She also believes that I had this all of my life with no issues, that wonderful thing known as aging, just brings it on.

The joys of aging !   

As far as the HIV side of my health, T-cells are at 501,which is the highest it's been since starting treatment in 2003. Still undetectable,..  And I have officially begun my 31st year of living with HIV since I was diagnosed positive in October of 1985.  I will be 65 years young in a month.

So that's it for now.  I blame my valve issues on the stress of this election cycle  D
 

I am also very thankful, that the VA is acting so promptly on this. I was really quite amazed, to have all this done in one day. Ed couldn't believe how smoothly everything went today.

I will post results of the TEE, as they become available, might be a few days or so.



Hope everyone is well, and enjoying life !   ----Ray






 

[harleymc]

a leaky heart...
I'm sure I've had a few of those over the years.

Glad to hear that everything else is going great.

[J.R.E.]

Not sure if this will work, but this picture was taken about 30 minutes before I had the TEE done today, at Bay Pines VA hospital. Ed snapped it, on his flip phone ! 

It was about 9:30 this morning.

  The procedure went well, I don't remember much of it at all. One minute I was alert, the next minute, I was coming out of anesthesia.

The doctor decided to drop a medication ( Metoprolol) and add another one. I do have moderate leakage in one valve, that will now be monitored. This new medication is supposed to help with the valve leakage issues, but not sure what it's called. It hasn't shown up yet on my medications list. I only have a problem with one valve.

I have a follow up with the cardiologist in 2 weeks 

Take care----Ray

[pozniceguy]

Ray  so  happy  you had the test  and  the  results  so  quickly    does sound like a  sliding scale of  "old"  ..hope whatever the med is  that it helps... 

been having similar  issues  but  havent  had that test yet..will tell  Dr  next time I see him..
hope you both are  enjoying the  "golden years"  ....missed  seeing  you since the last fun trip  ...been a while...
 stay  healthy  so  happy you  got to use that  VA  facility

Nick

[Wade]

Ray, Glad things went well for you yesterday ,who would have thought we would be in our 60s and having all this old people shit done to us  !!!
Anyway , take care and you guys enjoy the warm weather.

Wade

[J.R.E.]

Thanks Guys !!,

Nick, Thanks, it's good to hear from you. I hope all is going well your way.

The new medication showed up today on my medication list.  It's still pending, as I am sure the cardiologist, is consulting with my primary care and ID doctor.

The med is called AMLODIPINE BESYLATE 5 MG.  When I receive this, it will be taken once a day for blood pressure.

https://www.drugs.com/amlodipine.html

I was reading up on this medication, and it says that it shouldn't be taken with SIMVASTATIN.

I take 40 mg of simvastatin daily, ( And have been for a while),.. which probably explains the hold-up on receiving this drug. The primary will have to remove and replace the Simvastatin with something else. My appt, with my primary care is Nov 28th, unless I get a notification to come in earlier.

As I mentioned earlier, I have two appts. scheduled with the cardiologist on 11/25/16. One is scheduled at 1:30 and the other at 2:30. 

I think one of those appointments may include another stress test. Find out more about that as time goes on. My last stress test was about 14 months ago.

Take care all /  Everything is going well---Ray

[aztecan]

Hey Ray,

I'm glad to hear all went well with the tests.

Who knew this getting older thing would be so involved?

HUGS,

Mark