Back to the doctor today to get the results of my tests. The good news - my heart and lungs are awesome (that's my interpretation of their medical jargon). My thyroid is a-ok too. Which is good as it's the only thyroid in the house. Wait, do dogs have thyroids? Well it's the only human thyroid in the house.
My liver, not so good. That fucks me off. Apart from a few notable occasions, I've barely touched booze in the last five years. Particularly everyone I know deserves liver disease more than me. But it's not a like a 'your liver is fucked' kind of issues more like 'this showed up abnormal on the tests and it's probably a complication of diabetes so we should kick it to the curb before it becomes a problem' type issue.
Of course, the first thing the doctor suggested was doubling my medication, maybe tripling it. I've been slack as about taking it to be honest. I hate that though. I'd have so much more respect for a doctor that said 'stop with the porking out' than instantly turning to the meds. Still it's goodbye, snack foods. I'll miss those guys.
Anyway, I'm feeling much better today. I even took Gemma-dog for a walk - her first in nearly a week, poor thing. She sniffed the fuck out of the neighbourhood tonight.
Geez, no snacks? Sounds serious. Glad you're feeling better, and that Gemma dog got a good sniff in. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWell snacks are good, just less of the sugary and fatty ones.
DeleteFirst, lets hope you stay well.
ReplyDeleteI think doctors turn to meds because they have a low estimation of all patients, and as a generality, they are correct: witness 'lifestyle diseases'. At least in Canada, and Australia I hope, what kick-backs they get from meds are just salespersons' wining and dining, not a cut of prescriptions: Japan.
I won't give you any medical advice. I'm not a doctor, I don't know anything about your condition, don't have a right to ask, and am blessed to have no experience with chronic conditions apart from seasonal allergies and year-round arrogance. However, heaven forfend I get a bad medical condition, I am going to do as much as I can via changing lifestyle. My lifestyle is better than the norm ('damning with faint praise'), but there are things I could improve in diet and exercise, like all of us.
I'd simply treat it like I treated training for a half-marathon: somewhere between a challenge and lapsed-Catholic-penance. Also, because I am never going to attend to that arrogance of mine, I'd use it as a big 'F- you!' to everyone else with my condition doing nothing about it not pharmacological, and their docs. Arrogance is just why I started cycling to work in Toronto suburbs, and continued it some in Tokyo. I wouldn't join the Canadians bloating inside their cars, or the Japanese dying-inside on the trains.
If I'm going to be arrogant, I have to be better, so I am not more ridiculous.
I'm pretty sure some of the drug company kickbacks here include holidays and other nice things but yeah I think not cash.
DeleteThat arrogance is pretty much what I used to get off all the medication before. Have just got slack over time. Doctors pretty much say it's an irreversible condition and once you are on meds you don't go off them but I was doing (literal) half marathon training plus a lot of gym work - maybe a bit too much - and the meds were actually pushing me too far in the other direction.
I did get the comment that I've got from every doctor when I say I lived (or planned to live) in Japan -- that the diet is very healthy there! As my doctor was Indian, I didn't think she'd appreciate my views on too much white rice!
Did they tell you that you have fatty liver?
ReplyDeleteI got fatty liver and I know it's more from the boozing than snacking.
I was waking up with stomach probs nightly for several months before I went in to the doc. I thought it was gall problems. Turns out my stomach is all messed up and the doc put me on antacids. I was told to stay away from problem foods and booze.
What type of dietary changes are you planning on making?
Mainly just cutting down on snacks. I've actually cut back a lot on snacks since I've started working and have lost a couple of kilos.
DeleteBe grateful you had a dr who didn't immediately think (and say) lardy = unhealthy.
ReplyDeletemy friend E had an undiagnosed heart murmur for over five years b/c although she is extremely fit she is fat and all a very long string of drs said to her was 'how about some walking 3x week?" Her reply was 'I can fit that in around my marathon training and rugby training, sure'. She's had doctors tell her to her face that she is a liar bc she 'couldn't possibly' do as much exercise and eat as well as she does and be that fat
Ha, like when my physio told me to do light weight training, don't chest press heavy weights like 5kgs!
DeleteIt's so screwy. Sure a lot of weight problems are overeating etc but genetic factors and metabolism have to be taken into account. Some of us have to work a lot harder than others.
ps get well soon!
ReplyDeleteAll those bong hits apparently had no long term affects...thank goodness ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah dodged a bullet.
DeleteGlad you are feeling a bit better. You don't have to be a big drinker to have liver issues though. My mum has a fatty liver even though she's never been a drinker. Although she's much, much older than you!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first went to rehab in 2007 they did all the tests and despite my being an extremely heavy drinker for a very long time my liver was perfect. Guess I was lucky!
Hope you get back to full health soon!
Thanks.
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