Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

Happy belated anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Karnut!   We have 4 more years for the official 50 but are about the same time together unofficially.  For better or worse is not equally applied in many relationships which often doesn't end well. The tough times have only made our relationship stronger.   The good times are gravy!    

[Donstar]

I have completed my fifth night as a CPAP user and I'm trying to remain positive.  I am on a four week trial and hoping the "therapist" will have strategies or equipment to further improve my experience.  I will also look elsewhere at oral appliances before committing to the high cost of this machine.  I know a professionally fitted mouth guard appliance isn't cheap or the "gold standard" for dealing with sleep apnea but if it does the job....    Through this process I have been surprised by the number of people around me who have sleep apnea.  The people that don't have it, typically haven't had a sleep study!  In other words, talk to your doctor about having a sleep study.  Sleep apnea is dangerous and  very common.  There is a difference between not having it and not knowing if you have it!

[TrueBlue]

On 5/8/2024 at 6:25 AM, Donstar said:

Thanks, Grumpy!  I am fine for now with keeping items in arms reach but a system like Unruli would be a great option!   For us, there is a lot of rarely used real estate in a full sized pickup.  Mrs. Donstar doesn't enjoy driving full sized vehicles and is striving for one "practical" vehicle in the garage.  However, both of our vehicles are in incredibly good condition and maintaining the status quo may prevent further "discussions".   

I stretched a cargo net between the rear-most set of cargo loops in my bed. Then I put a cooler between the net and the tailgate, along with an empty plastic storage bin next to the cooler. That way when I open the tailgate I have three options for storing stuff, including move the bins out of the way. The cooler works great of course, and I mostly use the storage bin to hold the gas cans for my lawn tractor, pressure washer, etc, that I take to the gas station, as well as stuff from home depot and the like. I have a BAK Revolver X4s tonneau cover for the bed and a rug mat to keep things from sliding around. Using the back two feet of the bed is all I need 95% of the time, and the cargo net along with the containers keeps things put.

[Donstar]

I know I am very lucky to have a nice, safe bed to go to every night and be with someone I've loved for 50+ years.  Adding a CPAP machine to my bedtime routine is a sign of how lucky I am but it is truly a pain in the a**.   The fact that my wife enjoys a quieter nights sleep without the worry of whether I'm breathing properly makes it all worthwhile.  The technology of these devices is great but the headgear is crude in my opinion.  A nasal mask works for me but has anyone found one that stays securely in place, easy on and off, yet comfortable to wear?  I am sure these devices would have a much higher user rate if the masks were less problematic.

[KARNUT]

19 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I know I am very lucky to have a nice, safe bed to go to every night and be with someone I've loved for 50+ years.  Adding a CPAP machine to my bedtime routine is a sign of how lucky I am but it is truly a pain in the a**.   The fact that my wife enjoys a quieter nights sleep without the worry of whether I'm breathing properly makes it all worthwhile.  The technology of these devices is great but the headgear is crude in my opinion.  A nasal mask works for me but has anyone found one that stays securely in place, easy on and off, yet comfortable to wear?  I am sure these devices would have a much higher user rate if the masks were less problematic.

They do have an implant that eliminates the mask. My brother in law had it done and likes it. 

[KARNUT]

As I move into my new strictly following weight watchers point program. I’m getting reeducate with the bad points that slow down progress. There’s a time when you reach a weight you can’t get past. Through experience you find there’s a minimum you can eat vs pigging out your getting hungry at the same time. Also what you cook with can add unnecessary calories like butter or cooking oil. What adds flavor, what doesn’t. Ketchup is a great example. Do you want to enjoy fries or ketchup? I haven’t used ketchup for years. I used to have ham, eggs and toast with jelly. Now I have eggs with veggies. And ham and bread for lunch. The biggest addition to my afternoon between the 3to5 starvation is the protein shake. I do a half serving with fruit. Pretty soon I start having my cheat day again on Saturday. I’m enjoying the weight loss too much right now. 238 down to 225 this morning. My knees and hips are celebrating. I bet I’ve reversed the pre diabetic warning already.

[Donstar]

Good job, Karnut!  My mantra for weight loss once was, "Eat less, move more".   Now I am more reliant on the eat less part and focus on eating better.  Little things like choosing an apple instead of an apple fritter with my lunch yesterday all help.  Of course, Mrs. Donstar's stare helps when such decisions present themselves!  Exercise is important but for many the fat burning, heart pumping workout of yesteryear become a distant memory.  Tuesday I was chatting with my dental hygienist and she was talking about her "struggling" aging mother.  I suggested that she will also be at the same stage in life someday soon and she can learn from her mother.  Preparing for your senior years is much more than getting finances in order.  I learned a lot by watching my parents deal with old age and am hoping my kids are watching us closely!

[Donstar]

Two weeks completed on my CPAP therapy.  It is no mystery to me why so many quit after a week or two of using this device!  Many of my peers have either tried or currently use a CPAP machine.  The rationale offered by those who quit often makes more sense than the reasons given for sticking with it offered by the  regular users.   I certainly don't enjoy the experience and don't feel more rested.  I am working with my doctor and therapist to improve my experience and trust some modifications to the settings and finding the right mask will actually improve my quality of life.   I know the potential dangers of sleep apnea and will work with a CPAP but would like to hear if any readers have had documented success with an oral appliance or surgery to keep your nightly events to a safe level.   My brother chose a mouth piece over a CPAP machine but hasn't gone for testing to see how well this option works.  My CPAP machine reports to me every morning!  My machine is telling me I am doing well but my body disagrees!

[Donstar]

Wow!  Today I have my first colonoscopy.  The prep is certainly special!!  My luck with test results hasn't been great lately and hopefully this is just a confirmation that all is ok in this particular department.  If there is an issue, then I can adjust accordingly.  Ignorance when it comes to my health is not an option.  Anyone north of 70 who claims to be in perfect health is simply not looking, imo.  Two of my older siblings died of causes that were preventable by early treatment.  They couldn't be treated because they didn't know they needed treating!

[Silverado4x4]

2 hours ago, Donstar said:

Wow!  Today I have my first colonoscopy.  The prep is certainly special!!  My luck with test results hasn't been great lately and hopefully this is just a confirmation that all is ok in this particular department.  If there is an issue, then I can adjust accordingly.  Ignorance when it comes to my health is not an option.  Anyone north of 70 who claims to be in perfect health is simply not looking, imo.  Two of my older siblings died of causes that were preventable by early treatment.  They couldn't be treated because they didn't know they needed treating!

I totally agree on the prep before colonoscopy it sucks period. When I started drinking the stuff in the prep kit after I think 2 doses I said to myself this stuff is not working well man I was wrong I was heading to the porcelain throne very quickly and then stayed very close to the bathroom afterwards. The doctor told me everything looked good and see ya in 5 years I'll be 65 then. Very embarrassing laying on your side and your butt hanging out.

 

[txab]

They've got pills you can take to flush you out. For my money that's the way to. Take pills drink regular approved fluids. Then eventually sh*t yourself to death of course. But it is an easier prep than drinking the other stuff

 

About being embarrassed about your but hanging out. Be more embarrassed about what your saying while you're under anesthesia. My colorectal Dr is a good friend. He's got all kinds of stories about what people say while under. I swore at my last one I was going to do my best not to say anything. Apparently it didn't go that way. I think I was being a smart ass to the Dr since he was my friend. I know the last thing I said was make sure they get my air pressure set correctly before they let me go. For those uninformed, you're getting blown up like a balloon so they can get a good view

Edited August 23, 2024 by txab

[Donstar]

On 8/23/2024 at 10:33 AM, txab said:

They've got pills you can take to flush you out. For my money that's the way to. Take pills drink regular approved fluids. Then eventually sh*t yourself to death of course. But it is an easier prep than drinking the other stuff

 

About being embarrassed about your but hanging out. Be more embarrassed about what your saying while you're under anesthesia. My colorectal Dr is a good friend. He's got all kinds of stories about what people say while under. I swore at my last one I was going to do my best not to say anything. Apparently it didn't go that way. I think I was being a smart ass to the Dr since he was my friend. I know the last thing I said was make sure they get my air pressure set correctly before they let me go. For those uninformed, you're getting blown up like a balloon so they can get a good view

I was given conscious sedation.  I recall trying to ask an "intelligent" question during the procedure.  I felt like a teen trying to hide my insobriety from my parents and quickly realized that silence would be my best strategy to avoid possible regret! 

[txab]

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

I was given conscious sedation.  I recall trying to ask an "intelligent" question during the procedure.  I felt like a teen trying to hide my insobriety from my parents and quickly realized that silence would be my best strategy to avoid possible regret! 

But were you really silent? You're sedated enough even though your conscious, something probably slipped out  

 

When do you get your results?

[Donstar]

On 8/28/2024 at 9:24 AM, txab said:

But were you really silent? You're sedated enough even though your conscious, something probably slipped out  

 

When do you get your results?

I've seen the results and believe everything is normal.  I see my doctor tomorrow and will confirm.  Thanks for asking.   I had my appendix removed when I was 17 and apparently talked a lot during my surgery.  The surgeon was also the one who delivered me and was our family doctor.  He told my parent things I said which created some awkward moments between my parents and me!  I found my own doctor after that!

[txab]

2 hours ago, Donstar said:

I've seen the results and believe everything is normal.  I see my doctor tomorrow and will confirm.  Thanks for asking.   I had my appendix removed when I was 17 and apparently talked a lot during my surgery.  The surgeon was also the one who delivered me and was our family doctor.  He told my parent things I said which created some awkward moments between my parents and me!  I found my own doctor after that!

Glad you got a good report.

 

Yeah I'd fire that doctor that passed on to your parents what you said