Nine nights ago I fainted for the first time in my adult life. I am convinced that this was an adverse reaction to Larbex XL - an alpha blocker that had just been added to my cocktail of anti-hypertension pills. That same night something else occurred that had never happened before. I deposited bright red blood in the toilet bowl and this kept happening for the next twenty four hours. It was alarming.
On Friday the 14th, I had a doctor's appointment which resulted in me having bloods taken on Monday morning. I should have left three stool samples but constipation had set in over the weekend. I was finally able to supply those samples on Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday afternoon I visited The Charles Clifford Dental Hospital for an operation - the surgical removal of a small granular cyst from the corner of my mouth. All went well but I need to go back for re-examination and the results of the biopsy.
On Wednesday, a receptionist at the local surgery phoned me about the bloods that I had provided on Monday. She said that something of concern had shown up and that I needed to have my bloods taken again on March 31st. There was some mention of diabetes but I didn't take it in. What was said seemed to be outside the sphere of an admin person.
On Friday morning, I had to attend the central clinic on Mulberry Street for pre-operative assessment as I have an operation coming up next month with the urology department at The Royal Hallamshire Hospital. This concerns a stricture in my urethra - quite close to the point where it reaches the sphincter that leads into my bladder. The pre-op appointment lasted for ninety minutes.
On Friday afternoon, I went back to the doctor's surgery for another appointment - this time linked to the stool samples. I think the doctor I met is Egyptian though I had never seen him before. He seemed kind and competent.
Of course the laboratory had found blood in my samples. Not surprising when these samples had been taken from my first stool after the night of the fainting.
The doctor, who I think was called Dr Ahmed, said he accepted that Larbex XL almost certainly caused me to faint but the release of blood suggested that something else was amiss unconnected with the new drug. What a hell of a co-incidence that would be!
He asked if it would be okay to refer me for a colonoscopy which in layman's terms means a camera up my arse and in spite of myself, I agreed to this.
So you may see what I mean about health matters swarming around me. I am sick of it. Once I was an urban superman with little need for medical professionals but now my frailities are coming home to roost. I can't even plan any holidays because of potential appointments around the corner. Maybe this is the beginning of the end.
Geez. You've been through the wringer this week! I admire the fact you've been posting here regularly throughout, but perhaps that's part of the coping mechanism. I do hope this can all be sorted out quickly. It sounds like you're getting competent care.
ReplyDeleteI was a tad surprised that you shared all this in such detail, professor, but I guess that's what professors do. Try to explain the realities of life to the rest of we poor peons. Well I hope everything turns out all right as I feel confident that it will. There's an expression that covers these things: Old Age is Hell!
ReplyDeleteI think the beginning of the end is too dramatic. I have to say I am very glad that a doctor agreed with me and has ordered you have a colonoscopy, and I'm sure Shirley is glad too. It sounds like the shit hit the fan this week, some weeks are like that, but hopefully everything turns out well.
ReplyDeleteDefinition of a colonoscopy-a tube with an asshole at each end:)
As John Grey would say, tits up Mr. Pudding, and sending hugs.
we all used to be invincible...... perhaps the hardest pill to swallow is the one of realisation that we're just made of tissue paper and dust
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly had some scary health-related trials and tribulations jammed into one short time period! I hope you get the answers you need soon. The colonoscopy cleanse is no fun but then they give you real nice drugs for the actual procedure, so enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, you're getting a much needed tune-up. Hopefully they'll set you right very soon.
ReplyDeleteI say you're doing all the right things, listening and learning and thinking of options and such. And the fact that you're sharing this may make it easier when someone else has the same issues and questions.
ReplyDelete"A cocktail of anti-hypertension pills" suggests more than one or two pills for the one problem. How many are you taking? And aren't you also taking some for high cholesterol? Your poor kidneys are taking a beating having to filter all that, liver too. Hopefully the colonoscopy will come back "all clear", and I hope very much that this isn't, ISN'T, the beginning of the end. Keep up with the walking as much as you can, but maybe get one of those "medic-alert" bracelets that can summon help if needed.
ReplyDeleteYou have my sympathy, YP; that's a heap of problems and stress to have all at once. Take courage in both hands; you'll get through this. Thank you for updating here; we do worry about our blogger friends.
ReplyDeleteDid Dr Ahmed give you the finger?
ReplyDeleteMaybe TMI, but the last colonoscopy I had (might have been the first as well; I can't remember now) turned into a bit of work with the cheese-grater lopping things off. The drugs kicked in, and with the masterful and quite attractive (to me) young surgeon it was quite a good trip. Your mileage may vary, of course.
Well let's break it down: once you get the rm the mouth thing, you probably won't need to think of it any more. The blood pressure may take some tweaking but you're working on it.
ReplyDeleteThe urology procedure just needs some healing time.
It's a lot right now but I'd bet my bottom dollar that in six months everything will have settled down.
And don't forget, your efforts at weight loss can stabilise your BP and blood sugars
Well said, Kylie. I'm of the opinion it's better to get it all taken care of almost at once anyway if it all has to be done. Hopefully you'll be all fixed up by summer and can enjoy it!
Deleteps...Happy birthday to Shirley!
Let me join the crowd here. Like Kylie and Jennifer, I think it is better to have it all taken care of more or less at the same time and then, once things have settled and you get the green lights from all your doctors, you will be able to enjoy life again the way you used to, not having your days structured by medical appointments.
DeleteAnd belated Happy Birthday to Shirley from me, too!
I'm genuinely sorry to read this. Try to think that forewarned is forearmed. Ignorance may be bliss but the reckoning comes at some point. I thought my life was over at 49 and was overwhelmed with all the medical stuff.
ReplyDeleteYet here I am mid sixties. Yes, i have health problems but life is still worth living.
Think about your three little people and view this as something to be done so you get more wonderful years with them. Take heart, Mr Pud. Xx
Hopefully all the medical botheration will keep you going for many years to come. I do know what it is like. Two years, two skin cancer surgeries and one melanoma surgery, three colonoscopies, pending abdominal hernia surgery caused by kidney surgery. Appointments seem to group together and you do get breaks. It nice to look at the calendar and see no medical appointments for the forthcoming week.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are going through at the moment but hopefully there will be some answers at the end of it which will lead the way to a successful outcome.
ReplyDeleteAge brings prodding in places we rather not go, it's scary at the start, so many things they want to check, do many test, hang in, my hubby has been through this, once they know what to treat things will settle.
ReplyDeleteBe brave and rely on the competence of the doctors to make you better. It all came at once - whoosh but keep that spirit flying and it will get better. x
ReplyDeleteOh heck, YP. Join the club! Hope it turns out to be not as bad as you are probably thinking in the darkness of night. The colonoscopy is an experience to look forward to. The first time I had one, I asked my wife 4 or 5 times how long she had been waiting by the bed. The knockout stuff reduces your memory span to about 30 seconds for a short time.
ReplyDeleteWell YP, you've certainly had an eventful week. Hopefully all will be sorted in due course.
ReplyDeleteIn many ways you are lucky to have reached three score years and ten without any medical problems. Mine started in my 50s with a hysterectomy (fibroid the size of a rugby ball) and stomach tumour (they removed a quarter of my stomach). I've been on statins for 20 years to ward off cholesterol as my family on both sides are prone to heart attacks and strokes and I'm only 9 stone. Be positive and hope they have caught things early. Being overweight is not good and I am afraid you will have to do without Yorkshire puddings, pies and crumbles, but it doesn't mean you have to starve yourself as there are so many fibrous things to fill you up. Fingers crossed, they can sort out all the problems quickly and you'll be skipping through the Yorkshire by summertime. Dr Addy x
ReplyDeleteMissed out a word.....skipping through the Yorkshire Dales
DeleteI'm thinking that "the beginning of the end" starts as soon as we're born, even if it differs at which point(s) in life we become aware of it... I totally get that it's been a lot for you to take in a short time, though - which can be both scary and feel like too much to cope with all at once, whether the health issues/symptoms are related or not. Hopefully the colonoscopy will help clarify that. (My own experience from last year is that the preparation was no fun, but the actual examination painless.)
ReplyDeleteBe strong, and make decisions based on your values.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're having so many problems at once. This happened to Barry last year and he was constantly 'giving' blood and having scans and operations. You do begin to wonder if there will be an end to it all. I hope everything can be sorted quickly and you can resume a normal life unburdened by endless appointments.
ReplyDeleteI just had a colonoscopy a few months ago and although the preparation for it is tedious and uncomfortable, the procedure is nothing to worry about.
ReplyDeleteCold comfort though, eh?
Yes. You have been through a whole lot and none of it pleasant in the least. It's as if your body has been saving everything up to present to you at once. But no, this is not the beginning of the end- that was the day you were born, as it is for all of us.
I'm with Pixie and imagine that your wife is relieved that things are being handled in the best ways possible.
But mostly, I just want to say that I am so sorry you're having to go through all of this. It just sucks.
It's rather disturbing when everything hits at once. Colonoscopies aren't nice but they don't kill you. Get it for sure. It's sad that many drugs have side effects. I've had about 6 colonoscopies. The prep is the worst. All the best for this week.
ReplyDeleteYou are in the wars YP. I hope you are feeling better soon and going on holiday.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot to take in all at once, Neil. The colonoscopy prep has gotten better and my helpful hint is to use lots of Vaseline on your bottom before during and after prep. It really makes all of the difference. I know that sounds like TMI but it really helps. :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes as you go through all of this.
For what it's worth, a colonoscopy is easy-peasy. I've had four or five of them by now, owing to increased risk of colon cancer in my family. The possibility that something will be found is unnerving, but I tell myself that it's ALWAYS better to know, and I suppose that applies to your other tests as well. I'm sorry you're going through it all, because it's no fun, but here's hoping you'll soon once again be fit as a fiddle and out stomping around the countryside.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best results from your tests and procedures. We and your family will be wanting you around for a long time to come! x0x0 N2
ReplyDeleteBefore committing to a lifetime of statins, I would suggest having a look at /reading this: https://drmalcolmkendrick.org/statin-nation-the-documentary/
ReplyDeletedr Malcolm Kendrick has spent a lifetime working in this field, and is worth looking at what he has to say before signing up to be another Big Pharma cash cow. As you've already seen, statins are not without side effects, these can be serious.