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December 8th Update

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Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25445
Posted 12/7/2016 11:15 PM (GMT -7)
Sorry I've kind of disappeared for a time. Thought I would check in.

Typical for me, have spent so much time with this new neurologist, so much testing and scans, etc., but he moves in slow motion, and is so overbooked, that I am still awaiting final diagnosis, let alone a treatment plan.

Since last time, have developed severe pain in right shoulder area, been to my reg. doctor, had x-rays done last week, still waiting for results. I am left handed, and really don't use my right arm per say. Did not injure or strain it. Pain is very acute, and hurts most of the time, extends at times down past my elbow toward my hand.

about at the half-way point in the VA's PTSD treatment program. It has been very tough, tougher than I thought. My therapist told me recently, that my "story" is one of the more severe she has heard in her career. Problem with the treatment, is being forced to bring back ghosts, horrors, etc. from one's distant past.

On the double-depression front, they have ruled me as "medicine resistant", which is not uncommon with double-depression. The base depression has been there so many years and is so entrenched, that all the normal anti-depressants have no effect with me. I have now been put on a pretty strong dose of Lithium, which is something I had hoped to avoid. My body is having a hard time adjusting to it, lots of side effects, but having to tough my way through them.

The VA is awaiting approval to have other treatment for me outside of the VA in my area. They are wanting me to undergo a min. of 12 ECT treatments. Mon-Wed-Frid, for 4 weeks, and see if they won't reset my brain, thus allowing medications to work. If approved, I will be able to have it done out-patient at a local hospital (largest in my area). Bad news, if I undergo them, I will not be allowed to drive the entire 4 weeks, or even longer.

If all else fails, they are preparing for me to do some in-patient care, either at the VA hospital in Asheville NC (my choice) or the one in Columbia SC. They are talking about 3-6 weeks.

Had a miserable Thanksgiving holiday, but hoping to salvage a better Christmas before any of the more severe treatments begin.

Haven't heard back from my new oncologist since my initial visit, but right now, the PC side of what ails me is the least of my worries.

Never knew life could be so complicated.

Thanks to those of you that have contacted me off the grid, its all appreciated.

All for now. Wish I had something more useful or positive to report.
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maldugs
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 802
Posted 12/8/2016 2:57 AM (GMT -7)
Hi David, I am still here for you, hope you are well enough to have a good Christmas.

Best wishes Mal.
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Faustmann
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2014
Posts : 520
Posted 12/8/2016 6:16 AM (GMT -7)
We have been thinking about you and wondering what was up. You are one helluva strong man, David. I send well wishes and prayers up for you! Thanks for the update.
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Bobby Mac
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2016
Posts : 804
Posted 12/8/2016 8:12 AM (GMT -7)
Purgatory,

Hoping the VA will take good care of you!

Wishing you the best!

Bobby Mac
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81GyGuy
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2012
Posts : 3102
Posted 12/8/2016 8:32 AM (GMT -7)
David -

Good to hear from you.

As always, best wishes for progress on the health front. And of course, best wishes for a good, satisfying holiday season!
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don826
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2008
Posts : 1010
Posted 12/8/2016 8:53 AM (GMT -7)
Dad gummit, David. The stuff just keeps piling up on you. That Lithium is some tough stuff. I took it many years ago for some emotional issues. I lasted three days on it and flushed it down the drain. I wish you luck and success with your treatments and hopefully the doctors will shake a leg in getting it done.

Hoping your Christmas will be better.

Don
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Ed C. (Old67)
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2009
Posts : 2492
Posted 12/8/2016 2:09 PM (GMT -7)
Hi David, I don't check in often but when I do I try to get your updates. We go back a long way since you gave a lot of support after my DX and surgery. I'm sorry that you are having all these problems on top of PC. I say a prayer for you and wish you the best.
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InTheShop
Elite Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 11468
Posted 12/8/2016 2:10 PM (GMT -7)
As always, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace,
Andrew
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jetguy
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 742
Posted 12/8/2016 6:17 PM (GMT -7)
I don't know how you do it my friend. I just don't know how. I wish that better things would happen for you. By the way, Triumph is selling a wonderful new Bonneville. 1200cc twin that looks sort of like my 1967 Bonnie. Most likely similar to yours. If I thought that I could do it with a reasonable degree of safety here in the DFW area, I would. But - I can't. Too old.

Keep Your Mach Up, (You have for so long.)

Bill
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Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25445
Posted 12/8/2016 7:38 PM (GMT -7)
thanks, one and all, I came back to catch up on some reading here.

thanks bill, yeah, everytime I pass my local triumph dealer, I am tormented and tempted at those beauties lined up. but like you, I simply can't, for so many reasons. that is a part of my life that is behind me, never to happen again. but never hurts to dream.
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worriedabouthubby
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 356
Posted 12/8/2016 8:26 PM (GMT -7)
David, it is so good to hear from you. Sorry things are still moving so slowly and that you've had more 'complications' in all areas. Know that you and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers.


PS- Hubby had a CT to double check his liver---- YEAH!!! No sign of cancer there, so specialist says his high readings HAVE to be from the Lupron/Eligard shots. Will be talking with urologist and specialist to decide where to go from here.
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rob2
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 1132
Posted 12/10/2016 4:59 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks for taking the time to provide an update. Hopefully your treatment on the depression front wil be successfull. I have been on the sight since 08 and have followed your journey and hope you are getting close to solving some of your issues. Take care and hope you can enjoy the upcoming holidays.
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Wilderness
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2015
Posts : 383
Posted 12/10/2016 5:28 AM (GMT -7)
David - you show us all what it is to meet challenges head-on. Most of us cannot fully imagine what it would be to deal with all that you do. I sure can not. Best to you. You are our Job. I hope you find moments of peace and meaning.

Wilderness.
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Cyclone-ISU
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2014
Posts : 1825
Posted 12/11/2016 1:11 PM (GMT -7)


Hello David,

You have a network of care, concern, and compassion right here --- day and night, 'round the clock, 365 days a year ---

We are all hoping for bit-by-bit improvements for you ---

Wishing you strength for each day --- keep pursuing treatments that will continue to help you.

Stay determined --- stay strong --- one day at a time --- and remember the fellowship of friends that you have right here, going forward.

My best to you,
"Cyclone Fan" ~ Iowa State University
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Aimzee
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2010
Posts : 1412
Posted 12/12/2016 11:42 PM (GMT -7)
David, we are here, thinking of you and hoping for the best. As the holidays approach may you find some peace and joy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you, dear friend!
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Chartreux
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2006
Posts : 9664
Posted 12/13/2016 7:52 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks for the up date was worried about you and hope you can get the peaceful Christmas your looking forward to...you have my continued prayers...
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Chartreux
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2006
Posts : 9664
Posted 12/13/2016 8:03 AM (GMT -7)
Ya know that Barbara would probably say "you can make it through those 4 weeks " I miss her still, too and I know that has you sad as well, but I also know she would not want us to be sad for her, she'd wanna kick our butts for being sad for her...Barbara is still looking out for us...
Prayers...
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Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25445
Posted 12/13/2016 9:19 PM (GMT -7)
thanks to each that posted since I last checked.

yes, chart, quite sure that dear barb would have said exactly that
----------------------------------------
so fed up with all my doctors at the moment. so much testing and scans, and so little follow up. getting ready to go post office with a few of them. meanwhile, symptoms keep piling up and getting worse, yet no firm answers about anything.

having constant "resting tremors" often. Mostly left sided, but sometimes on the right and sometimes both sides at the same time. was eating lunch out today with ex-boss, and my hand was shaking so bad that the pinto beans I was trying to eat, kept falling off the fork. I was embarrassed to say the least. It was very noticeable. tonight, while paying bills, I could hardly write the checks as the shaking was so bad. I know that can be an early sign of parkinsons, the neurologist mentioned this in the pass, but never diagnosed it as such. it is getting worse. that and I am slurring more and more when I talk ,and that makes me more self conscious around others.

tomorrow, back to my therapist on the ptsd front.

still trying to adjust to being on the lithium, have mixed opinions about it at this point, not sure if its doing anything or not.

meanwhile, if all of that's not fun enough, the pain in right shoulder is getting worse, most times extending down past my elbow towards my right hand. yet my family doctor still hasn't got back to me about the x-rays that were done over 2 weeks ago. this is the kind of crap that I have to put up with. since there was no injury involved, there has to be a physical reason it hurts so bad, just fortunate that I am left handed.

enough for now, depresses me just talking about it
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Chartreux
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2006
Posts : 9664
Posted 12/14/2016 5:52 PM (GMT -7)
You have my continued prayer
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Time101
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 184
Posted 12/19/2016 8:11 PM (GMT -7)
David, if you find you have to go the in-patient route in Asheville, let me know. Praying things get better for you. Hope the new year brings you some good news and peace.

Robert
Banner Elk, NC
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An38
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2010
Posts : 1166
Posted 12/20/2016 7:07 AM (GMT -7)
David, so sorry for all that you are going through. It cannot be fun having a series of debilitating symptoms over six years most of which have not been diagnosed or treated well. What has made it so much worse is the incompetence or indifference of pretty much all the doctors that you have seen during this period.

The only positive medical thing that seems to have come out of this experience is on reflection the progression of your metastatic prostate cancer. The last treatment you had for this was in 2010, the (disastrous) SRT and it's still not progressed to the point where you have any confirmed symptoms from it. Given the struggles that we see other people have on this site, this is in some ways a bit of good news.

I wish you courage and patience over Christmas and the coming year David. I hope you get some relief from all that ails you. Wish you the best.

Regards,
An
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