Just talked to Gary D. on the phone and he inspired me to start new exercise program.
I made a good beginning with some knee bends. My doughnut rolled under the desk and I had to get it.

Way to go, Don ...
Whatever gets us started ...

I spent 4 nights in the hospital 2 weeks ago, had a FULL cardiac work up which unfortunately wasn't perfect, but fortunately wasn't too bad, and I'm hoping to start back at the gym tomorrow ... Three magic words " "DIET and EXERCISE" ...

My kind of exercise!

Parkinson and aging have given a positive attitude towards exercise. I live with: “You are not going much longer John”. I go to Parkinson’s boxing 4 times a week and the gym three to four days a week.
You can’t stop Parkinson, it keeps going, medication only stops the systems. BUT the program I am doing keeps Parkinsons on hold. The old saying, “Use it or lose it”.

My reason for writing this post is to tell you what I believe. What and how you are taking care of your body today will determine how you are going to survive aging when it comes.

This is preaching, but there is no better advice I can give. Don’t wait until????? This not just a theory, I am living it.

Life is good, John C.

Too true.Guys. Didn’t realise anything was wrong till I slipped last year and snapped my wrist. Bone scans showed I had osteoporosis. Pills they put me on ended up giving me muscle and joint pain to extent I could barely walk for about a month till realised what the problem was. Stopped taking them pain has gone, have to find a new pill.

Wish I’d d a bit more exercise in the last few years and possibly eaten a bit more healthier. Wise in hindsight. Haha

I started exercise 35 years ago and have stayed with it only because my favorite food is MORE. Hey if 1 pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream tastes good why not have 2, like wise if half pound of pasta with garlic, oil and anchovies tastes good, I'll go for the pound of pasta. Once upon a time I only went to restaurants that served the largest portions of meats. One of my favorites was a place that offered the Captains Cut of Prime Rib. Under the description of the portion it read "YOU WILL BE EMBARRASSED" when it's served. Sure enough when they delivered that cut of meat to a table everyone turned around to see who the person was.

I have exercised all my life, beginning in Elementary school. I was a skinny person until I got married, then beefed up to about 175 pounds at 6 feet tall. I had a Myocardial Infarction at age 68, but no ischemic damage to the heart muscle. At that point, I continued to exercise on a daily basis, but also began drinking good booze, which resulted in significant weight gain (lots of carbs in good booze.)

I still lift weights nightly, just lightweight arm weights of 5 pounds and do 100 curls with each arm, then climb aboard my stationary bike and ride about 5 miles, all while tethered to an oxygen line. I think exercise is why I am still alive today, because I only have about 17-percent of my lung capacity remaining due to asbestosis, which resulted in pulmonary fibrosis.

This morning,when I talked with DonM, I had just walked out on my deck to empty the kitchen trash can. The temperature was 88 degrees f, with relative humidity of 90 percent. After walking just 50 feet, I was out of wind, had to sit down on one of the deck chairs and use my rescue inhaler. I had the phone in my pocket, so I called Don and asked if I could get some first hand singing and playing lessons from him, of course, if the fee was not too high.

I stopped drinking booze for a couple weeks last month, lost 10 pounds in just 2 weeks, but I didn't feel like I was breathing any better, so I went back to the booze. The weight quickly returned, breathing is about the same, but damned that Jim Bean Honey Bourbon tastes soooooo good.

Good topic, Don,

Gary

I'm working on a video showing sloppy blues scale lead work and how to slur vocals. You're the first customer Gary!

UPDATE: Just did some walking. Made it to the kitchen and made strawberry smoothie. Resting now.

Atta boy, Don!

"Once upon a time I only went to restaurants that served the largest portions of meats. One of my favorites was a place that offered the Captains Cut of Prime Rib. Under the description of the portion it read "YOU WILL BE EMBARRASSED" when it's served."

Steve, Archie's ?

Archies! I figured you'd know it. I miss that place.

Only got there a few times and then it was gone ...

Fortunately I’m not overweight, but I do luv home made bread and cakes. My downfall. Should have eaten more vege’s. Yuk. Haha

Might as well chime in here. I'm 76, weigh around 240lb (been around that since 17 or 18 years old). The only exercise I get is schlepping the gear in and out of gigs, and I eat all the wrong stuff.

To top that, all my relatives on my mother's side of the family, whom I follow genetically, all lived into their nineties and died in their sleep.

Lady Luck on my side? Jeez, I sure hope so.

Something happened this evening that makes this not funny. I'm starting rehab asap, even if I have to pay for it. Probably the cardiologist will put me in it though.
It's not so much the weight, although I could stand to lose some, it's the lack of strength in my legs.
You remember that commercial that said "I've fallen and I can't get up?" Happened to me today. Nothing serious, family helped me up, but it was an eye-opener.

Best wishes, Don ...
God Bless

All the best to you, Don. Be well.

All the best Don. You haven’t started any new medication recently? My doctor didn’t mention the side effects my new pills might have, wish I’d asked a few more questions, as there were alternatives for my situation. Took about 2 months before the side effects kicked in.

Haven't started any new ones, but I had to get off one about three months ago because the side effects were so bad. Didn't really need it anyway.
Thanks!

get well Don whatever it takes!! good luck

Don, after just returning to work from back surgery...I feel your pain. My leg pain and strength was shot out. I’m finally getting back to normal (whatever that is). With all the gear lifting and standing you’ve done...don’t rule out the lower back. An MRI might be a good idea. Just a thought. God Speed my friend!
JM

JM ... How did the surgery work out? ...

Yes, spondylolisthesis is no fun, trust me ...
But, back to mowing the lawn ...

I have neuropathy in my legs. No cure. Not much feeling below the knees but they tell me it won't get any higher. I don't think that is the cause of the weakness; that is caused by sitting around not using my legs much at all.
However it does affect my balance and certainly not good for a golf swing.
I've have only played golf once in two months, and that is about the only form of exercise I get. Changing all that as of today!

Don get yourself one of these keep it under you desk, etc,..
and 2 or 3 x a day pedal for 5 minutes or more while you are surfing the web works wonders, it's silent & adjustable tension 1-10 also....
I do it every day great for legs, knees, etc,.

https://deskcycle.com/

Donny, got a link for that? ...

I purchased this one from Amazon, great price, assembly took about 3 hours, though, mainly because I'm F*****d up in the back and couldn't take the pain for more than about 10 minutes at a time before having to take a break. I also have neuropathy, mainly from mid calf down, but the docs say surgery is not an option and if I managed to survive the anesthesia, I would probably be paralyzed from the waist down, which is exactly what happened during the first back surgery in 1975. It took five months of physical therapy to learn how to walk again.

Marcy Recumbant Bike

Good luck, old friend,

Gary

Tony link is there

Buy on Amazon... Etc..

I went to Bass Pro, walked around the store for 30 minutes, climbed the stairs to the second floor, had to take the elevator back down. But it's a start. Later I will do exercises in the pool.

Donny, I did not see a link when I read your post ... my post to you was at 3:45 and your edit was at 3:46 ... perhaps you added the link as I was posting ?!?

I use this and it's free.

Excercise

Regards,

Jerryghr

OK buddy.... Hope you get one..

After my heart surgery, the cardiologist, surgeon, doctors, nurses, rehab, all stressed that smoking (I quit in 1990) salt, (I no longer use), lack of exercise (I now walk 2 miles a day) stress (I'm more relaxed) bad cholesterol( take meds) and fatty diet (That's a tough one) are all reasons for heart disease.

Then they all mentioned hereditary. And not much can be done about that.

The best advise I was given was enjoy life, try to extend it by adhering to the above, but you don't really want to pass away unhappy.

Tony, It took about 6-8 weeks before I felt somewhat normal. The week after surgery, I was back in the hospital with what they thought was meningitis. Spent 3 days on antibiotics. So all in all...it was not the easiest of recoveries. I do feel pretty good now, as I am back working 12 hour shifts (5p to 5a) dealing with drug dealers, pimps, murderers...but of course...they’re all innocent.
Thanks for asking,
JM

Larry, actually, cholesterol and fat have virtually nothing to do with coronary artery disease, though the cardiologists will all try to convince you otherwise. There is a huge amount of contradictory information about this, and from my experience in the field of cardio-pulomonary medicine for more than 15 years, I can concur. Take a look at

When I worked in the field, more than 70 percent of my patients that underwent bypass surgery had normal or low cholesterol levels and low fat intakes. There is also a longer video that should be viewed by every person taking statin medications. They have horrendous side effects, yet the cardiologist continue to prescribe them as if the side effects were no more lethal than aspirin.

Here's another link that if you take time to sit through the presentation you will get a good education on Coronary Artery Disease and it the causes.

Good luck,

Gary

Hi Gary, sometimes think doctors tend to take a one size fits all, approach.
My doctor didn’t warn me about any of the side affects my new pills might have. Just said go get your teeth checked before you take them. I’d just finished having my teeth done a few weeks earlier so thought , ok , should be fine. Wish I had gone in hindsight.
Since taking them for only a few weeks, I ended up with such pain in my legs, I could barely walk. I happened to be in the dentist the other day with my husband and noticed a sign warning patients to tell him if they’d ever been on this drug. So I asked. Apparently he can no longer remove teeth, just basically clean and keep an eye on them for me. Basic stuff, all because of this drug.

I stopped taking it after a couple of months because of the pain, almost back to normal 2 weeks on, walking, changing doctors and looking for new options for my problem.

Rikki, one of the things I quickly discovered when I first began working in medicine is that the vast majority of physicians, particularly specialists, have absolutely no common sense at all. NONE! Sure, there were a few, but that only amounted to a tiny percentage of them. Consequently, it was a one size fits all business, see as many patients as they could see during an 8-hour day, then rush home for supper. Very few did REAL followups on their patients, and the vast majority usually said "See me in two weeks, or months, and we'll see how things are going." When you arrived at the office, you had to wait an hour or more, then when you finally saw the doc, he or she said "OK, why are you here today?" Are you kidding me?

Unfortunately, this is the norm in most parts of the world, and there's no sign of this improving.

Be safe,

Gary

I fired three doctors; I use the word fired because they are being paid by my health plan. Nobody knows your nobody like you do.
Gary specks good wisdom, find a doctor that you are comfortable.

John C.

John, I have also fired several doctors, and additionally checked myself out of the hospital on a half-dozen occasions. I have also refused to accept many medications, knowing full well the side effects could have been fatal in my case.

I sincerely believe the only reason I am still alive is because of my medical background. The average person believes the doctor they just met for the first time is some sort of godlike creature that can do no wrong. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Patients, unfortunately, rarely take the time to educate themselves on the diseases they have contracted, treatment options and they tend to never question the physician's judgment, which is nothing more than a wild assed guess based on what they have learned in medical school, during their internship and residency. Some, at least a small percentage, seem to absorb those experiences and apply them in a caring, thoughtful manner, while others never seem to grasp the information and utilize it with a fair degree of common sense.

One thing for certain, Socialized Medicine would make things a lot worse, IMO. A classic example of this can be seen with the VA, which I must visit a couple times a year. That is definitely a one size fits all outfit, where people have died just waiting for an appointment to see a doctor that doesn't have a clue what he or she is doing. I have seen so many first hand horror stories there it would make the average person throw up.

Please, I implore all forum members, take control of your own health problems. Educate yourself about the diseases you have contracted and explore all treatment options. You have a wonderful tool at your fingertips to do this - the Internet, which has a myriad of accredited medical sites that can provide you with a wealth of information - information that can save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Good luck,

Gary

I'm so glad I live in my part of the world ...
During my lifetime I've had 5 major surgeries, and 6 'minor' surgeries, a pacemaker implant, suffered from acute reflux spasms, etc., etc., and I cannot say a bad word about any of the physicians I've dealt with ...
Yes, when I have an appointment with my PCP, orthopedist, or cardiologist, I may have to wait past my appointment time, but I'm ok with that because I know they are giving other patients the same thing they give me - whatever amount of time I need in their office ...
Unfortunately, today most doctors are joining 'medical corporations' that demand that they meet certain quotas ... My wife left one doctor because the doctor only allowed 15 minutes per visit ... Our PCPs have decided that they will not join a corporation for that reason, and fortunately, my orthopedist and cardiologist are so well established they couldn't care less about quotas ...
As for medications, we are all different and our bodies react differently to different stimuli ... consequently, one med might work for one person, but not for another, and two or three might have to be tried before the right one is found ...
And remember, doctors are trying to find solutions to problems WE are trying to explain to them ...

How does one know what disease they may have contracted by looking on the internet??? The symptoms one is experiencing could be for a stomach ache or stomach cancer ... yes find out whatever you can, but I think I would rather trust the EDUCATED 'wild assed guess' of a doctor or a team of doctors than my own UNeducated wild assed guess based on what I'm reading on a website ...

+++++1

chas

Well stated Mr. T If you're not honest with your doc, and explain exactly how you feel, they'll treat you as a one size fits all. My cardiologist changes things based on what I tell him, and of course test results. He gave me the option of having surgery, or a stent, or nothing. No quotas involved, it was my decision. And I agree, researching your heath problem on Google may not be the right move.

Gary, thanks for your insight, and I love ya man, and sure don't want to get political, but I don't understand how you can say "for certain" that medicare for all would make things "much worse"? Because people may have to wait for surgery is, IMO, not a good reason for rejecting Universal Health Care. Too many patients and not enough facilities is a problem that is correctable.

And, I always thought clogged arteries (cholesterol) is just one factor that could lead to heart disease, so I'll stick to my prescribed meds, and with the communication between my care team, we have found the right combo. Thanks for sharing your experience in the health field. Talking to you on the phone was interesting and informative.

BTW, I too visit the VA ( to stay active), and have personnel tell me, too many patients, and not enough facilities, lead to wait times. And they all seem to agree, the answer is not to reject and criticize current VA care facilities, but to expand. They need more

If you don't have at least an MD (and hopefully a few more letters) behind your name, I don't want to hear it. Doctors may not be perfect but they beat the hell out of 'death by stupidity'. I'm only speaking for myself but I'm only taking advice from people who can legally demonstrate that they're qualified to give it. BTW, at the top of my list of charlatans is Chiropractors. I might trust them to administer the Heimlich maneuver if I'm choking on a steak, but that's it. JMO (which is 100% valid for ME).

chas

Tony, you have a good point; sometimes we get lost among the negatives.

Eighteen years ago my Cardiologist got me to the hospital just in time. Not only is he a great doctor, he also my friend. One day he and I sat and added the many times my heart has beat in 80+ years. (smiel)

There are many good doctors out there.

John C.
PS, sorry to hear about the many difficult times you’ve had.

John, thank you, ... pretty much, like my butt, they are all behind me ...
Fortunately, my cardiac problems can be managed by meds, diet, and exercise ...

First and foremost, I am not telling anyone to self diagnose, including any physician - that would be damned well stupid, IMO. What I advocate is investigating decisions made by your doctors, which are not always accurate by a long shot. You don't need a couple letters at the end of your name - you just need to apply a grain of common sense.

For example, my last stay in The University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore was to have a stent inserted inside an existing stent that had had been chemically treated with anti-neoplastic drugs to prevent clogging - it didn't work! Fortunately, I had sufficient collateral circulation to prevent any ischemic damage to the left Ventricle muscular structure. I was admitted for cardiac catheterization which would take place in the very same cath lab that I directed many years ago. Ironically, one of the ladies at the admitting desk remembered me from way back when.

The cardiac cath did not go well, and the cardiologist damned near lost me on the table. Fortunately, I was wide awake and watching the monitor, told him that my BP had drastically fallen to 30/0 and I was passing out. The nurse anesthetist wasn't paying attention to my vital signs, the cardiologist had me injected with a cardiac stimulant, then everything went smoothly.

The following morning, a group of cardiology residents entered my room with an instructor holding a large pile of charts. She introduced me saying "This is Mr Gary Diamond. He suffered a severe myocardial infarction and has significant ischemic heart damage to his left ventrical. Additionally, he has a disecting descending, abdominal, aortic aneurysm, which is quite pronounced." I told her she either had the wrong patient, wrong chart or didn't know that the hell she was talking about. I told her to take the students and leave my room immediately. As the chief resident passed my bed, I stopped him, told him to get my X-rays, EKG and cath results and bring them to me, which he did within a few minutes. I can still read EKGs and X-rays. I didn't note anything on the EKG other than normal sinus rythm, to which the resident concurred. My aortic shadow throughout its length is perfectly normal, which the resident also confirmed. I checked myself out an hour later.

Some folks think they have the best doctors on planet. In reality, the vast majority have absolutely no way of determining the quality of the health care they receive other than the doc didn't kill them, at least not yet. Most individuals go by what is known as bedside manner. Or, he or she spent more than 15 minutes talking with me, that's why they were so late in seeing me. When in reality, most physicians set their appointments on a 15 minute schedule, then overbook so they can jam more patients into each hour to make up for the low medicare pay schedule.

Tony, with all your have been through, medically , you have been extremely fortunate, indeed. Especially when you consider "FFCJ said the 10 most litigious states are New Jersey, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Montana, Michigan, Connecticut and California." Not exactly sure where Lil Ol Rhodey falls into the list, though.

Good luck, everyone,

Gary