Hi VC friends, oldeVHS Pals!
Just a note to let you know that I am home, back in the swing of things (with a few limitations) after 6 days in Manatee Hospital ICU! (In Bradenton, FL.)Yikes what a 'trip!!!' A few details:I got up out of bed at 4 AM on June 1st to walk out a leg cramp, got real dizzy, sat down, passed out, rolled right, whacked my face into the bureau beside my bed, it took a chunk out of my nose and down I went. I never felt the hit, cause I was out! (luck?) My head went back on the
way down and the result was a blunt trauma to the top of my spinal cord! Yikes temp paralysis, a very sore neck and a bumpy ride to the Hospital E.R.! Luckily, no bones broken, no tendon tears, no heart problems, no evidence of a stroke! After 4 days I was feeling better, except for the lack of sleep and all the jabs, at all hours of the nite!!!! Great Doctors , Nurses and care, along with GOOD FOOD!!! The bottom line is that I am recovered, (Canadian Hardiness) with the exception of neck pain and nerve pain on the shoulders.( Lyrica a new drug will heal the nerve endings) Great to be home and learn that I do have many real (concerned )friends. (My wife June, was quite worried at first, but very strong throughout the ordeal. Thanks so much to Margo, Ed, Bahama and others who called. The info put on the site was OK. with me. (I couldn't sleep anyway) Thank You All! (Thank God for Medicaire too)
Victah aka Vic.
28 comments:
Welcome "home" Victah! Glad to have you back.
Welcome back! All's well that end's well.......just take care. Cheers.
Victah - so glad that there was no stroke now to get you fit as a fiddle again. Welcome home. (Sorry about your nose)
Welcome back Victah!!! I'm glad you pulled through with no major damage. I guess they made them tough in Verdun, eh?? Just a few questions I have. Please tell me more about that amazing wonder drug "Lyrica" that you took and who makes it? I have nerve-root damage caused by disc & scar herniation in my lower lumbar region that is now beyond surgical help. I'm surprised my surgeon didn't discuss it with me. Any info on this medication I would appreciate. Did they say what caused the passing out in the first place? As to the leg cramps @ 4 AM I am all too familiar with that too. Are you taking Lipitor by any chance? If so you may include yourself (and me) on a list of side-effect sufferers from that drug. If you want I have some tips on how you can ease the discomfort of those cramps. Have a good rest & recovery. Mac.
Mac. Maybe you can share with all of us about the leg cramps. I was on Lipitor for years. The aches and pains were always present. My Dr. retired, and my new Dr. put me on Vytorin. It seemed like I was doing better, but I am back to the aches and pains. Old age is galloping up on me I guess. Winston Allison
alls well that ends well, could not have said it better,sincere tidings for a speedy back to norm, carolyn bennett indian shores
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Hi Frenchmac! et al. Thanks for the note. Yep, there's something to be said for being raised in Verdun on the Avenues.. My nose got whacked a few times in my youth.(sports and altercations) No, I'm not on Lipitor. Lyrica, (Common Brand name) also is known as Pregabalin.(Pree-gah-ba-lin) It is a new drug, recently approved by the FDA. It is normally used to treat pain caused by nerve damage due to diabetes and Shingles. (herpes zoster) I've been on it for 7 days, but it is slow to show big improvements, the painfull areas are diminishing, tho..I'm sur eit takes awhile. The Manufacturer's name is Pfizer. (Go on www.Lyrica.com for more info) They are expensive, but my Med Plan helps to really knock it down. ($1.00 a pill, down 'ere mate!) As for the leg cramps, my Neurologist showed me how to get rid of the cramp, without getting out of bed. If it's in the shin or leg muscle, or---, sit up in bed, stretch the problem leg flat, bend or have someone bend all your toes toward you and hold until cramp is gone. (May have to try it a few times.) I haven't had one since my 'downfall' so I haven't been able to try it.) The only reason for my passing out, was that I got up to quickly, (still half asleep) to walk out the cramp, had a dizzy spell, just fainted., lack of blood to the brain. Common in folks over 70!(except I'm a YOUNG 72!) No evidence of stroke in MRI's or Catscans, Brain scans. They did confirm that I do have a healthy brain! (Ha!) In case any of you out there have been wondering. I am recovering rapidly, moving about at will, with only slight pain, I mowed my lawns this morning, (a few jolts now and then) while my wife slept in, (a sit down mower) but the mower woke her up just as I was finishing up. I did catch some verbal 'Spousal abuse!' (like water off a 'DUCKS back) Well, I hope some of this note helps you out and also others. Salut, sez Victah.
MSN is acting up again - I typed this message and it went into space - this time I will copy and paste. My husband and I are in late 50's and we get leg/foot cramps and neither of us are on any medication (thank you God) About leg cramps which can happen to people of all ages I have found that cold feet can make the feet and legs prone to cramp. What I have found helpful is to warm in the microwave those hotties that you can buy in many places - I make my own about 18 x 6" or thereabouts and fill with whole unground wheat - I have tried rice but it tends to burn after a while. If you do not sew you can get a white sport sock and fill with regular long grain rice and tie in a knot - I nuke my hotties for 3 minutes in a high wattage Panasonic microwave but when we travel I have found that it might take 5 minutes to reach the same temp in lower wattage microwave. These are great for people taking chemo who are often cold and also great for travel on cold winter day - place at small of back or in lap and it does warm you all over. My dogs love to crawl in my lap if I have a hottie warmed for travel. I also take my small maltese everywhere with me in her carry bag (looks like luggage sport bag with mesh) in very cold weather I will nuke one for her for 2 minutes and put in her bag so that she is toasty
Shirley I am sure your maltese loves to sit on your lap and snuggle especially if you have a hottie!!.....what works for me and I get cramps in my feet on occasion and usually wake up in the middle of the night with an awful cramp in my feet or foot, I usually just sit on the edge of the bed and put my affected foot or feet on the floor and this usually is enough to take away the cramps. It is a real nuisance to wake up like this bit I guess it goes with the territory...getting older.....Dianne
Thanks for your insight, Victah concerning the meds and leg cramps. Glad to hear your making your way back to health. I know about the pulling up of the affected toes, etc. but 1/2 the time the cramp is the other way with the toes pointing upwards!! Ouch! Then I have to bolt outta bed like a rocket and start hopping around the bedroom with one leg stretched out (usually going around in circles) until the cramp is gone. Extensive use of swear words (that I learned in my early years in Verdun) also helps alliviate the pain. Thanks for the tip about the hottie Shirley. I bring a hot water bottle into bed only after I've had 2 or 3 straight nights of leg cramps. Now.......getting back to Winnie about Lipitor (and other meds) that cause or bring on leg cramps. Here's what I found out over the years: First, diet plays an important role. If you have a lack of potassium that can cause not only leg cramps but finger, hands & hip cramps as well. 1/2 a banana a day usually gives you enough to ward them off. Orange juice also has alot of potassium. I drink 4-6 ounces a day. Secondly, a Doctor once asked me if I slept with big, heavy blankets on the bed. The logic behind it is that when you sleep on your back it weighs down on your foot pointing it towards the end of the bed and thus starting a cramp in your calf muscle. To remedy this I put an extra pillow at the foot of the bed, raising the blankets up and keeping the weight off the toes/foot. 90% of my cramps are gone because of this trick. Thirdly, there's the medication. Lipitor seems to have a major side effect such as leg cramps in many users. There is a test available to see if the medication is the cause of the cramps (I haven't found out the name of the test yet). Changing medication is a last resort because Lipitor is the most effective drug at reducing cholesterol on the market right now. At least for me it is. Since 80% of your cholesterol is produced by your own liver (your hereditary genes at work here), you are responsible for the remaining 20% (diet, intake, etc.). So even if you reduce your fat intake by 1/2, you would be reducing your cholesterol from 100% to 90% lets say. Not very good odds, eh? Thats why its important to take a good cholesterol medication. "So how far back in my life would my arteries start clogging?" I asked the Doctor. "From the moment you were born" was his reply. Thats why I couldn't run around Egan Park during gym class like most of the kids. Clogged arteries courtesy of my genes. I'll stop right here because this is a whole new subject in itself. I occaisionally get cramps now but at least I know what caused it and how to remedy it. I hope this info helps some of the Members out there. I'll get off my soapbox now........lol. Mac HF & RV.
Greetings from Cloudy Florida to Frenchmac and the responders to this 'BLOG' (?) Very informative replies and shows how we can help each other, thanks to this V.C. site. My wife has been using Crestor to lower her cholesterol and it's working. Ahh, these Golden Years, with the 'GOLD' part going to the pharmacies, Doctors and Hospitals. Take care y'all and thanks for making this 'blog' interesting. Victah
Frenchmac. Good info. I guess I will going to the banana store tomorrow morning. I will get on that banana bandwagon and see what happens. Thanks. Winston Allison
papaya is a natural blood thinner as well, just go into , naturel blood thinners, huge list. bananas and tomatoes, loads of potassium, check out new drink, FUZE, MOST GROCERY STORES.
SANDY, REGARDING MARILYN JONAS, LETS CHAT, 9 PM TONITE
Victah, God Bless You Man. Glad you're OK. From time to time I get charlie horses in the leg at night. Almost two weeks ago I had a prostate seed operation. Since that time I've had five killer nights with cramps. Same time as you, 4am. I get up wanting to scream. The big toe is bent upwards. I hopp around, stay awake & listen to the radio. If I get back in bed the cramps return. I read French Mac's tips. On some of these days I did have a banana and still got the cramps. I developed an infection after my operation and am presently on four medications. I think that has to be the cause of this onslaught of recent cramps. A friend in Ottawa told me that Tonic Water helps. Unfortunately we're out of bananas & tonic water. Tropical Storm Alberto has arrived in West Palm Beach. Buckets of rain are coming down. The though of tonight's torture is worst than the rain. I'm going out for bananas. Hope you're getting some rain on the West Coast. No boating today I would guess. Walter
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Thanks Mac, now I have pictures of you dancing around the room in your nightclothes (and I'm a married woman!) I don't know if I have age or heredity to thank but I have just started taking Crestor to lower my cholesterol. Tried diet but I just can't cut much out. Aside from giving in to french fries every now and then, my diet does not contain many cholesterol rich foods. I have a few "hotties" although I call them wheatpacks. A cinch to make and wheat is plentiful here in Saskatchewan. I haven't had to use them for cramps and hope I don't but I'll keep them handy (take them away from the kids) just in case.
Thanks Sandy. Do you think these prostate seeds will make me want to run in the New York Mayoral election? I remember back in the sixties going for my drivers license in Verdun. I did OK until the very end when the instructor told me to park and I did. Right in the parking slot reserved for The Mayor Of Verdun. I think the instructor still passed me. The only test I recall re-doing was in Toronto. They were nasty. I failed the test because I didn't attempt to get from the fast lane to the slow lane even though I knew at the next light I had to make another left turn. When I had my second test as soon as I went to get out of the fast lane the instructor told me to stay as we had a left turn coming up. Passed the Ontario license on the second try. I did my New York drivers license test in Jamaica, New York. Two million people and it took most of the day. Florida was fantastic. Give them my New York license, have them take a photo of me and get a Florida license. No test what so ever. Hope all is good in Westchester-Walter
Vic, I got the bike going. Doctor says for him it strengthens the calf muscles. Don't know what it did for his little cow but I still get cramps. Does prostrate seed make you lay on your back? Fresco talking about drivers licence reminds me that I applied for my first licence in 1951. I was 15 years old. I wanted to figh in Korea so I claimed 17. He didn't ask for proof of birth just my Father's signature. I caught Dad without his glasses and got the licence. The following year they started tests and proof. I got in the army but a guy that knew me from Verdun High squealed and I was drummed out. Kept the licence started driving truck at 16. Thirty years 3 and a half million miles, no accidents. Ed
Hi Walter, Hope you are doing better. I felt I needed to put my two cents worth in, on the seed operation. It was devveloped for men with a prostate problem as we know but has now been found to be a valuable tool to treat breast cancer. Unfortuneately I did not find out about the proceedure until it was troo late for me. But if I have the problem again in the future I will persue finding a surgeon here in Port Orange that does utilize the proceedure. Keep your positive attitude. Ruth
Hi Ed and Walter! Yikes! This 'rant' (?) is stretching out! Ed glad your on the bike, but riding around the block isn't enough, it will take time, so put your raincoat and rubbber boots on and peddle up to the cross on Mt. Royal for a few weeks. I did it years ago and the ride back down is a blast! (It's all downhill ) However, sitting for long periods on a bike seat can lead to prostate problems and other problems in that area. Yes, I remember those young truck drivers, I always wondered how they could reach the clutch and brake and now I know where all those scrapes on the overpasses and in the underpasses came from, and all those cars in the ditches. Luckily you never hit any of them! (all in jest, Ed.) Walter, the best of luck to you with that prostate problem. Plenty of rain on that East Coast today, huh? By Tuesday they say ALBERTO will dump plenty on this West Coast, but we need it! AHH, the WET SEASON has started in Florida! Let's hope for a mild HURRICANE Season. Hang in there and try to enjoy the "Golden Years!!! Vic
Ed, Loved your license-army story. It's amazing that someone would rat you out like that. Korea wasn't the safest place so possibly they did you a favor. Did you ever run into the squealer in later years? Ruth, Thanks for your wishes. Hopefully none of us will ever have to deal with cancer again in our lives. If we do though, these Florida docs seem pretty good. Vic, Thanks, things are getting better and it's been a couple of days that I've been free of those damn charlie horse cramps. Alberto seems to have stopped raining on West Palm Beach. Can you send him back this way again? We still need more water. Hope you're feeling better and will be out again on your boat real soon-Walter
I bought a case of strawberries to make strawberry jam but never got to it today so I just put them out on my deck on the patio table - hope that they dont freeze - yeah you read right - it is so dam cold here in Calgary feels like November not June - I can send you some rain if you can send me some sun and heat and while you are at it send some of the heat to Montreal - my sister is cold and tired of the rain too.
I'm going for the Ultra Sound test on my legs tomorrow,to find out what's wrong with mine. Cheers Vic. Steve
Hi Margaret, I was wondering with the cholesteral diet, do you eat eggs? I've really cut back on them and have been using egg substitue even in baking. The only thing is I get tired of scrambled or omellettes & miss having an egg or 2 over easy! I try to check the cholesteral on everything, but it's not always easy & I do cheat sometimes. I'm not on a med for it yet but we'll see next check up. Have a great day, Carole, (Clc)
Carole, I don't eat eggs except for in baked goods. I also don't eat meat so it is likely my ethnic background that is responsible for my cholesterol level. I was "kind of high" for a good ten years. My last test was up 3 points so now I'm "medicated". shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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