Well, things have been interesting around here, health wise.   
      
     First, I went to the neurologist last week, to find out WHY I've been   
   having a burning pain in my left hand.   
      
     He did a battery of tests on me, and wants to do an EMG (electric   
   nerve conductivity test) on me. From what I've read, it won't be very   
   pleasant. :( They put a needle into various muscles, injecting a   
   very small amount of voltage to see how the muscle reacts, relaxed or   
   "stimulated". I likely will be rather sore after that.   
      
     Shortly after that, the same day, I'm going to undergo an MRI. The   
   neurologist thinks I may have "cervical osteoarthritis"...problems with   
   the nerves in the neck and spinal column. He wants to treat the   
   condition, because if left untreated, it could lead to paralysis. They   
   want to rule out ALS (Lou Gehring's Disease), Multiple Sclerosis,   
   Myesthenia Gravis, etc....all very painful issues. He also doubts that   
   it's carpal tunnel syndrome...which I thought was possible, since I do a   
   lot of work with the computer (the BBS, various websites, ham radio   
   applications, etc.). Those procedures will be done either before, or   
   after prostate surgery, noted later in this message.   
      
     But, apparently, I also have a vitamin deficiency...the last blood   
   work showed my B-12 level rather low. So, I'm going to get a B-12 shot   
   sometime this week. My previous PCP took me OFF all vitamins and   
   supplements...I'm wondering if I should take a multi-vitamin again; but,   
   I'll ask the nurse about that.   
      
     Then, on Tuesday, I see the urologist, to set up the "Urolift Prostate   
   Surgery". An enlarged prostate is part of growing old for all   
   males...but, when even a diuretic doesn't help a weak urine stream, it's   
   time to take action.   
      
     The procedure (which obviously requires sedation) puts an instrument   
   up through the penis and urethra. Then, when it gets to the prostate, it   
   "opens up" like devices on window blinds to "hold them open". This   
   basically, "holds back" the lobes of the prostate, so that the enlarged   
   prostate does NOT put constricting pressure on the urethra. There is NO   
   cutting, burning, or other surgery, per se, on the prostate...plus,   
   there is no need for a catheter, or overnight hospitalization (it's done   
   as outpatient surgery). While pain medicine is given afterwards, it does   
   NOT lead to erectile dysfunction, and relief can be seen in as little as   
   2-4 weeks. I never thought I'd be so excited about a surgical procedure.   
   I hope to get all the details this week.   
      
     For those wanting more info, I believe the URL is uroliftforbph.com   
      
     Also, lately, I've had a large amount of gas and bloating. I realize   
   it could come from what I eat and drink (eating carbohydrates, legumes,   
   and drinking sodas are the main culprits)...but the ginger ale settles   
   my stomach without the caffeine, and without putting me to sleep. I'm to   
   see my gastrointerologist in June to set up my next colonoscopy,   
   possibly in August or September (after the last one in 2013, they did   
   find polyps (which were burned off)), but he felt I could wait until   
   2015 before I had the next one...since polyps are rather slow growing,   
   as it were.   
      
     I'll keep everyone posted.   
      
   Daryl   
      
   ---   
    þ OLX 1.53 þ Without geometry, life is pointless.   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
                                                                                     
   --- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS    
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)