General Medical issues thread

[Flying mermaid]

Tiredness per se shouldn't cause tiredness.But a low pulse rate certainly can cause tiredness.
A common comment by people having a pacemaker in after passing out-I have so much more energy.

My doctor did say that further down the track a pacemaker might be the solution. I seem to have a lot of energy still -can walk vigorously on the treadmill and walk the dogs and do housework. I do get more tired, but then I am mid 60s. Will definitely talk to her re the monitor - my daughter has suggested the same thing, Thanks for your input. I don’t get dizzy or faint or get breathless which apparently would be another indication for more investigation?

 

[Flashback]

Tiredness per se shouldn't cause tiredness.But a low pulse rate certainly can cause tiredness.
A common comment by people having a pacemaker in after passing out-I have so much more energy.

Can a large change in pace of lifestyle also do it? I have recently wrapped up a gig where I was averaging 70+ hours a week and not starting my next one till I get back from holidays in a few weeks. I've found it to be really tiring and even though I'm out and about doing things, going to the gym, etc. I still find myself getting really, really tired and end up having an afternoon nap most days! I'm too young for that!

 

[love_the_life]

My doctor did say that further down the track a pacemaker might be the solution. I seem to have a lot of energy still -can walk vigorously on the treadmill and walk the dogs and do housework. I do get more tired, but then I am mid 60s. Will definitely talk to her re the monitor - my daughter has suggested the same thing, Thanks for your input. I don’t get dizzy or faint or get breathless which apparently would be another indication for more investigation?

I hope you are taking care of yourself and that they can find out why the heartbeat is so slow. Just as a reference point - mid 60s is not old so wash your mouth out!
My mother is 95 and has a very slow heart rate (around yours). In her case the doctors seem to think that it is basically her heart giving up (gradually). What we would notice is that she would drop off to sleep at odd times and often in mid sentence!. A change to her blood pressure medication has improved the situation a lot, though she finds that if she goes out/does something social on one day, the next she is not too good at all.

 

[love_the_life]

Can a large change in pace of lifestyle also do it? I have recently wrapped up a gig where I was averaging 70+ hours a week and not starting my next one till I get back from holidays in a few weeks. I've found it to be really tiring and even though I'm out and about doing things, going to the gym, etc. I still find myself getting really, really tired and end up having an afternoon nap most days! I'm too young for that!

I think that once the pressure of 'coping' is removed the body reacts in sometimes unexpected ways. I remember that when I had finished chemo/radio I went through a period where I felt totally drained and almost depressed.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I hope you are taking care of yourself and that they can find out why the heartbeat is so slow. Just as a reference point - mid 60s is not old so wash your mouth out!
My mother is 95 and has a very slow heart rate (around yours). In her case the doctors seem to think that it is basically her heart giving up (gradually). What we would notice is that she would drop off to sleep at odd times and often in mid sentence!. A change to her blood pressure medication has improved the situation a lot, though she finds that if she goes out/does something social on one day, the next she is not too good at all.

I am pursuing this even though I hate feeling a bit like a hypochondriac . At 95 I think your Mum sounds like she is actually doing very well, but I suppose it is hard for you to see the deterioration.

I know mid 60s isn’t old, but I think a bit of tiredness is explained by it - I would rather think that, than that I need a pacemaker .

I have also developed venous insufficiency, so am getting those hideous compression knee high socks - I go barefoot all the time and hate anything on my legs, so that is my idea of hell. Anyway shouldn’t complain - all little things and I should be grateful for that.

 

[drron]

Long work hours are definitely a cause of tiredness.

 

[tgh]

Long work hours are definitely a cause of tiredness.

Ooooohh such cerebral brilliance.. we are truly in the presence of a towering intellect….

 

[Flashback]

Long work hours are definitely a cause of tiredness.

It's the inverse though - was never tired when doing that, but now that I've stopped......

 

[love_the_life]

I am pursuing this even though I hate feeling a bit like a hypochondriac . At 95 I think your Mum sounds like she is actually doing very well, but I suppose it is hard for you to see the deterioration.

I know mid 60s isn’t old, but I think a bit of tiredness is explained by it - I would rather think that, than that I need a pacemaker .

I have also developed venous insufficiency, so am getting those hideous compression knee high socks - I go barefoot all the time and hate anything on my legs, so that is my idea of hell. Anyway shouldn’t complain - all little things and I should be grateful for that.

Actually I seem to get more tired these days than when I was younger and it seems to take me longer to do things!
Good luck with the compression socks. I think you have pretty slim legs so they should fit fine. I have chubby bubby legs (as in tree stumps!) and have real trouble getting ones to fit. The foot is far too big but I need the large size to go round the calf.

 

[Pushka]

It's the inverse though - was never tired when doing that, but now that I've stopped......

Like getting sick on holidays.

 

[Milboo]

I think if you see an Occupational Therapist (or similar professional) you can get custom made ones - which there is sometimes health insurance coverage for, or if your cause qualifies, a government rebate.

I have an issue with swelling in an ankle when I fly long haul (seriously injured it years ago) and saw a therapist and cos I have larger calves and needed different compression per foot I got a pair custom made (Jobst) and NSW Government paid for them. Bonus is I could get them toeless as I hate wearing socks!

 

[Flashback]

Like getting sick on holidays.

I am not a doctor but my guess is that it's because the body doesn't know what to do when all of a sudden you slam on the brakes and therefore "panics" as such.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Actually I seem to get more tired these days than when I was younger and it seems to take me longer to do things!
Good luck with the compression socks. I think you have pretty slim legs so they should fit fine. I have chubby bubby legs (as in tree stumps!) and have real trouble getting ones to fit. The foot is far too big but I need the large size to go round the calf.

definitely not tree stumps!! At the risk of going off topic, we really should organise a get together with Roger and some others

 

[Pushka]

I think if you see an Occupational Therapist (or similar professional) you can get custom made ones - which there is sometimes health insurance coverage for, or if your cause qualifies, a government rebate.

I have an issue with swelling in an ankle when I fly long haul (seriously injured it years ago) and saw a therapist and cos I have larger calves and needed different compression per foot I got a pair custom made (Jobst) and NSW Government paid for them. Bonus is I could get them toeless as I hate wearing socks!

Yikes, I quickly read that as topless!
I’ve used comparession socks on flights but if they wrinkle I end up with corrugated legs that take a couple of days to “iron out!”

 

[love_the_life]

More sad news. Wife of MrLtL’s cousin in UK has been diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer - in lymph and liver as well. Chemo has been problematic as she had a mystery infection after the first dose so it was stopped for a time. About to start again but having just lost our friend to the same disease, it’s not positive.
What is it about our age? Or life now?

 

[cove]

As we age we started having one drop off the perch each year. Now it has moved up to two and sometimes three a year. Bank the good times.
It could get pretty lonely if you live to 100.

 

[Pushka]

More sad news. Wife of MrLtL’s cousin in UK has been diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer - in lymph and liver as well. Chemo has been problematic as she had a mystery infection after the first dose so it was stopped for a time. About to start again but having just lost our friend to the same disease, it’s not positive.
What is it about our age? Or life now?

As we age we started having one drop off the perch each year. Now it has moved up to two and sometimes three a year. Bank the good times.
It could get pretty lonely if you live to 100.

My mother had lost all her childhood relatives - cousins etc, and some younger than her by the time she died. She was the last of her peer group. Including her younger sister who died just a couple of months before Mum. I think that was her last straw.

 

[drron]

Yes recently looked after a 103 year old.All her generation of family and friends had died as well as her only child.Admission precipitated by accidental death of her 1 grandson.Nobody left at all.

 

[love_the_life]

My mother had lost all her childhood relatives - cousins etc, and some younger than her by the time she died. She was the last of her peer group. Including her younger sister who died just a couple of months before Mum. I think that was her last straw.

In our family Mum has a sister and several sister/brother in laws and quite a few cousins etc so there are still people in her peer group around. We must be quite lucky as I have only lost 3 cousins over the years - everyone else is still alive and kicking!

Yes recently looked after a 103 year old.All her generation of family and friends had died as well as her only child.Admission precipitated by accidental death of her 1 grandson.Nobody left at all.

That is very sad.

 

[blackcat20]

My grandma was the last one left, except for her younger sister. A few friends vacated when her husband died, and the ones that didnt died long before her. Its lonely for them at the end.