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health issues

Sleep Apnea Update

So, I have received the CPAP machine ordered by the Otolaryngologist and spent yesterday reading the documentation and setting it up. They say that it takes a month or so to adapt to the machine and become comfortable with it. Yesterday was day 1.

This is me trying on my mask and adjusting the straps to get a good fit.

My Sleep Number bed collects data on the soundness of sleep, restlessness, and brief bed exits. Below is the data from two nights ago, Dec 16-17.

I stayed up too late, went to bed at 0103. The good news is that it only took 4 minutes to fall asleep and I got 6 hours of restful sleep. The large 78 is the overall score (out of 100).

Below is my first night using the CPAP machine. The overall rating of 75 is only slightly lower that the previous night.

I got to bed much earlier, at little before 23:00 and apparently fell asleep wearing the CPAP without issues. I experienced some discomfort about 05:00, possibly due my throat drying out. I gave up and got up about 06:00. I’ll see how it goes tonight.

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Medical Update

I just got a call from my doctor’s (actually Physician’s Assistant) office. It turns out that she is coming back a week sooner than I had expected. I have an appointment on Monday, Dec 23rd at 1:00pm to discuss my concerns about Alzheimer’s Disease.

Earlier that morning (at 10:00am) I have the consultation at Casper Medical Imaging about the Veinous Insufficiency issue that I have. So, it looks like I should have some of the answers to my path forward early next week.

Below are copies of the CT Scan and Venous Mapping reports. At the risk of head softening, you can read through them, but the bottom line in both reports is that there is no obvious explanation for my observed issues. It will be interesting to see what they say next Monday.

Below is a copy of the report of the CT scan.

CMS MANDATED QUALITY DATA - CT RADIATION — 436

All CT scans at this facility utilize dose modulation, iterative reconstruction, and/or weight based dosing when appropriate to reduce radiation dose to as low as reasonably achievable.

CTV abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast

INDICATION: Bilateral lower extremity discoloration

COMPARISON: None

FINDINGS: CT venous angiogram examination of the abdomen and pelvis was performed in multiple contiguous axial sections with the use of intravenous contrast enhancement. Sagittal and coronal 2-D MPR
were obtained.

Radiation Dose
Total exam DLP:
324 mGycm

Contrast: Visipaque 320 150 mL Used 0 mL Discarded

Lung: The visualized lung bases are clear of active disease.

Liver: The liver is homogeneous without biliary ductal dilatation or enhancing mass.

Gallbladder :The gallbladder and gallbladder fossa are within normal limits.

Adrenal glands:Adrenal glands are symmetric and unremarkable.

Spleen: The spleen is homogeneous and unremarkable.

Pancreas: The pancreas is unremarkable as visualized.

Kidneys: The kidneys are perfuse symmetrically without evidence of obstructive uropathy. There are bilateral renal cysts. There dominant on the right,

Bowel:The small and large bowel are normal in course and caliber. There are few scattered diverticuli without evidence of acute diverticulitis.

(Ed. note: Turns out there is a new (as of 2012) organ in the abdomen)
Mesentery: There is no gross free air, free fluid, or other gross mesenteric abnormality.

Reproductive: The prostate gland is heterogeneously enlarged causing mass effect on the posterior bladder.

Soft tissues:Soft tissues are unremarkable without abscess or subcutaneous gas.

Venous: The IVC is normal in course and caliber throughout its abdominal and hepatic course. The bilateral iliac veins are symmetric, widely patent without significant stenosis or compression.

Bones:Osseous structures are unremarkable. There is no focal pathologic bony lesion.

IMPRESSION:
1. No evidence of venous thrombosis or stenosis.
2. No acute abdominal process.
3. Diverticulosis without evidence of acute diverticulitis.
4. Prostate enlargement.
-Electronically Signed By: Ryan Bonifield
-Electronically Signed On: 11/27/2024 3:40 PM

Also below is the venous mapping report.

EXAMINATION:
Bilateral lower extremity venous mapping.

HISTORY:
74-year-old male with bilateral leg swelling and bulging venous varicosities.

TECHNIQUE:
In both the supine and standing positions the superficial and deep venous systems of the right lower extremity are evaluated with grayscale, color Doppler, and spectral Doppler sonography without and
with compression.

COMPARISON:
None

MEASUREMENTS:
The report below indicates reflux exceeding one half second (500 milliseconds) occurring in the venous branches charted below.

RIGHT
DEEP VENOUS EVALUATION:

DVT: No

Deep reflux: No

Common femoral vein: No wall thickening, endoluminal thrombosis, or luminal narrowing.

Femoral vein: No wall thickening, endoluminal thrombosis, or luminal narrowing.

Popliteal vein: No wall thickening, endoluminal thrombosis, or luminal narrowing.

Posterior tibial veins: No wall thickening, endoluminal thrombosis, or luminal narrowing.

LEFT
DEEP VENOUS EVALUATION:

DVT: No

Deep reflux: No

Common femoral vein: No wall thickening, endoluminal thrombosis, or luminal narrowing.

Femoral vein: No wall thickening, endoluminal thrombosis, or luminal narrowing.

Popliteal vein: No wall thickening, endoluminal thrombosis, or luminal narrowing.

Posterior tibial veins: No wall thickening, endoluminal thrombosis, or luminal narrowing.

SUPERFICIAL VENOUS EVALUATION:

RIGHT

VEIN DIAMETER (mm) REFLUX REFLUX (ms)
SFJ 6.8 mm no REFLUX ms
PROX GSV THIGH 4.9 mm no REFLUX ms
MID GSV THIGH 4.6 mm no REFLUX ms
DST GSV THIGH 4.4 mm none REFLUX ms
KNEE GSV 4.1 mm no REFLUX ms
PROX GSV CALF 3.9 mm no REFLUX ms
MID GSV CALF 3.2 mm none REFLUX ms
DST GSV CALF 3.7 mm no REFLUX ms
AAGSV 3.7 mm no REFLUX ms
SPJ 3.6 mm no REFLUX ms
SSV PROX 2.7 mm no REFLUX ms
SSV MID 1.4 mm no REFLUX ms
SSV DST 2.3 mm no REFLUX ms
GIACOMINI mm REFLUX ms
PERF 1 mm REFLUX ms
PERF 2 mm REFLUX ms
PERF 3 mm REFLUX ms
PERF 4 mm REFLUX ms
DOM VARIX mm

LEFT

VEIN DIAMETER (mm) REFLUX REFLUX (ms)
SFJ 8.4 mm no REFLUX ms
PROX GSV THIGH 4.3 mm no REFLUX ms
MID GSV THIGH 4.3 mm no REFLUX ms
DST GSV THIGH 4.7 mm no REFLUX ms
KNEE GSV 4 mm no REFLUX ms
PROX GSV CALF 3.9 mm no REFLUX ms
MID GSV CALF 2.9 mm no REFLUX ms
DST GSV CALF 3.3 mm no REFLUX ms
AAGSV mm REFLUX ms
SPJ 1.4 mm no REFLUX ms
SSV PROX 1.5 mm no REFLUX ms
SSV MID 1.6 mm no REFLUX ms
SSV DST 2.4 mm no REFLUX ms
GIACOMINI mm REFLUX ms
PERF 1 mm REFLUX ms
PERF 2 mm REFLUX ms
PERF 3 mm REFLUX ms
PERF 4 mm REFLUX ms
DOM VARIX mm

FINDINGS:

Right greater saphenous vein: Competent.

Right anterior accessory greater saphenous vein: Competent.

Right small saphenous vein: Competent.

Left greater saphenous vein: Competent.

Left anterior accessory greater saphenous vein: Competent.

Left small saphenous vein: Competent.

IMPRESSION:
1. No evidence of deep venous thrombosis.
2. No evidence of deep venous reflux.
3. No evidence of superficial truncal venous insufficiency.
4. If there is concern for central venous obstruction in the pelvis, recommend CT venography abdomen and pelvis for further characterization.
-Electronically Signed By: Charles Bowkley
-Electronically Signed On: 11/13/2024 5:10 PM
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Health Update

Note: This is part of an agreement with my children, that as long as I keep them advised of my health they will no longer worry and harass me about health issues; feel free to skip this.

Had my Winter health update today with my PCP Dr. Corrie White. First the good news – my A1C level is at 5.5, down slightly from 6 months ago. My weight was 250 lbs, so I could stand to lose another 20-30 lbs which would probably help out the A1C as well.

They had me take an Alzheimer Screening Test to measure cognition and I aced it, so that was not a current problem; I had discussed a study of Viagra linking improved cognition and reducing Alzheimer biomarkers with her last time. She said that currently she could prescribe it for Erectile Dysfunction but not for Alzheimer’s prevention, especially since that was not a current problem (apparently one of the side effects of COVID-19 is a reduction in off-label prescriptions). Recognizing the correct answer when presented, I obtained a prescription for ED.

A current issue/problem is my blood pressure. At the office my BP was 160/90, they would like to see it at 130/80. But to make sure it wasn’t an issue of the “white-coat effect” she wants me to get a weeks’ worth of daily measurements. I also brought in my BP cuff to compare it to theirs and it was reasonably accurate. After I drop it off, they will consider whether to put me back on medication. I had been prescribed Losartan and Lisinopril but had been off them for a year.

All in all, it was a successful checkup; I have an appointment for another check in 6 months in early July.

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Voluntary Waiver of HIPPA

For those of you interested in the state of my health, I have just returned from my doctor’s appointment. One of the key findings is that my measurement of A1C is 6.5. This is concerning, but is most probably related to my weight, currently 254 lbs. Losing 15-20 lbs would probably have much the same effect as Jan 2017 in the chart below.

For historical interest here are my recent measurements of A1C.

A1C measurements

Most of the other concerns (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, PSA) will be determined by the blood panels.

In other news Dr. White went through with the usual questions/answers for depression, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, breathing issues, joint pain, edema, etc., etc.

Overall, her assessment is that, with a couple of exceptions (FAT!) I am in remarkedly good shape for my age. She would like to see me walk more and eat less (and include more fruits & vegetables).

She also did a quick check and there is one mole/lesion on my back that she wants to do a precancerous/cancer screening of next week.

In related news, I haven’t been back to Chili’s since the Monday Grand Opening this week. I expect to be able to get by with weekly periodicity or two weeks going forward.