never ends
 

This summer has been one doctor appointment after another. First, low testosterone levels, than having to deal with cataract surgery wish is coming up soon. Now my doctor, after taking some blood is referring me to specialist due to my PSA (prostrate) being high. Now he tells be to stop taking the testosterone cream. I'm also suppose to send in a sample of my stool to check on any cancer possibilities. Seems like as soon as I walk out of one doctor's office, I'm walking into another.
The thing is, I'm as healthy as a horse. Going nuts at the gym. Lots of energy, great attitude. Beginning to feel like my old car. Once I bring it in for service, they find something else that is wrong. Sometimes I feel getting a primary care physician was a mistake. Maybe I would of been better off taking care of my aches and pains on my own. Then I think that all this is because I put off taking care of myself for many, many years and it's catching up to me. I just don't get it. Tons of energy, getting stuff done. If I felt any better, I'd consider running a 5K. Just wanted to get this off my chest. I'll just be happy to get my life back to what it was. John

Met a guy at the gym last week. He's 72 years old but looked much older. Had three heart attacks and was married four times. He figures when it's his time, it's his time, had a full life, no regrets. John

I can tell by the lack of responses that I have worn out my welcome on SR. Wish all well. John

Hi John

Oh dear I'm sorry to hear about your health issues, you don't say how old you are but if you are feeling so good at the moment hopefully it's nothing to worry about. Better to get it looked at and sorted than leave it untreated right?

Good luck with your results :grouphug:

PS - Post away you definitely haven't worn out your welcome :)

It might seem like a lot but it sounds as though your doctors are being thorough. It's good to get checked out even if you feel fine.

Instead of waiting for responses to your thread, read & post to others might help you feel better :).

I'm sorry to hear about your health issues, but I'm glad you're feeling good and have a positive attitude. Attitude makes a big difference with just about everything I believe.

I hope you keep posting, I always enjoy your posts and read them whenever I see them. Best wishes :)

Hi John,

I’m sorry to hear of your health issues but glad that you have a doctor that is thorough. It can be unsettling, time consuming, and overwhelming to see all the specialists and do all the tests and wait for the answers. It sounds like you have a good attitude towards all of this, though.

Keep on keeping on. I’ll be thinking of you.

Hi John, I’m sorry for your pain. Getting older sucks! Sounds like you are doing everything you should be doing and that’s all a person can do. We don’t have control over this. I am glad you are feeling good and taking care of yourself. I don’t know how old you are. my husbands urologist told us that the majority of men over 60 have some sort of prostate issue. We had a big cancer scare but fortunately it ended up being enlarged prostate which is common in older men. He takes some medication for it and it’s all fine. I hope the diagnostics go well. Stay positive. Please keep posting here!

John, I had the cataract surgery on both eyes four years ago. It was simple and I recovered quickly. My vision is a lot better now. :)

It's always your option to get a second medical opinion John. Are you still drinking if I might ask? That won't help any of this of course.

Thing about doctors though is, that 's what there job is - to check you out. Just because the are recommending a test doesn't mean anything is necessarily wrong - they are just trying to get a picture of your health. And unfortunately as we get older, things don't always work as well as the used to - that's just part of life for many of us.

Yeah, I found out that there are many reasons for an elevated PSA so I'm not too concerned right now. My doctor told me most men my age (68) have some sort of prostate issue. I checked the signs of possible prostate cancer and I don't have any of them which of course was a relief.
I've been thinking about all the stuff I'm dealing with lately. I think it's just because I have put off doing the things I should of been doing to take care of myself, so I'm kinda playing catch up. Feeling better about things today. Acceptance is important right now. Been a lucky guy so far. Can't complain. John

Still drinking but not much. With all the doctor appointments I've had plus pretty much living at the gym, drinking a lot just doesn't work. I start back to work next week, which is always an incentive to quit drinking, so I'm planning sober weekend to get ready. I'm drinking so little right not I don't know why I bother, but I'm not concerned about withdrawals. It's just getting out of the habit. John

John, I gotta be honest and say that this sounds like a mountain of denial to me. Drinking "not much" is still drinking. And you also say you are drinking so little that you don't know why you bother, but then in the same sentence you need to use going back to work as an incentive to quit.

I don't say this to call you out by any means, but you've been here on SR a long, long time and should recognize what I'm suggesting. You'd likely give exactly the same advice to others, and you have before many times.

Do you want to quit drinking?

BTW I'm pretty sure that alcohol consumption can mess with hormones and your prostate. Its a class 1 carcinogen so there's that.

Why is it that when I'm completely honest on this forum, I get slammed. The last time I was honest about my drinking, I got a PM from someone reaming me over it. I've seen many people here that have also been here for a long long time that are still struggling with drinking and most of what they get is support and understanding. Enough is enough!!!! John

I think it’s the denial that’s triggering the firm responses. I felt the same way for a while, like why do some people get hugs and kisses and others (like me) get tough talk?

Looking back with a little sober time under my belt, I realize that I was still minimizing my drinking even while asking for help. And people were reacting to that.

Hi John!! Please don't leave SR....we care about you and haven't worn out your welcome...not by a long shot!

Now: I think there is a lot of good news here. You are feeling better...feeling good....feeling better about yourSELF, and that is HUGE. So, keep doing all these good things for you. I'm glad you are "healthy as a horse". I recent;y had a medical provider say that to me. I took it as a compliment. Our health is priceless, really. If we are healthy we feel so much better and better about ourselves and our "vision" is clearer!

I've had a lot Dr.'s appts too over the past few months. And yes, it does feel like you spend a lot of time and maybe a lot of money too.....

Try not to worry about the PSA...worrying about it will not change anything. That is something I tell myself when I start to go down the "worry road".

I recently got bit by a black widow spider....then I made the mistake of searching online about black widow spider bites and some of the pictures were horrendous!! I tell myself it's going to be okay. I have a very STRONG immune system and I WILL beat it!!

You can beat this John, the drinking, I mean. I feel confident in that for you. Take care, friend. Big hug to you.

I'm sorry you got slammed. I appreciate your honesty. I don't judge you, friend.

Well, despite all the doctor appointments, with a lot of hard work and determination, I managed to have the best summer I have had in many years, and I will pat myself on the back for that. While I still have a ways to go to get where I want to, I made some major strides in getting there. What I managed to accomplish this summer might not seem like much to some people, but it meant a lot to me and that's what really counts. John