Quote:
Originally Posted by
reefraff http:///forum/thread/386303/would-you-like-a-fried-lung-with-your-cigarette/20#post_3392790
When I was drinking regular, like 2 scotch rocks a night, I had an irregular heat beat. The docs weren't concerned about it. Most people have them but I am one of the few that can actually tell when it's happening. Cut out salt and caffine first as those were the most likely suspects. Finally about 6 months after I quit drinking it was gone. Now, even if I get blasted once in a while it's no issue. Doc said the sedentary life style was probably more the cause and the alcohol was just an additional irritant. About the time I stopped drinking I also get the big hot tube so I can work out weather permitting.
When I was in the wreck my left hip blew out the socket and crushed the ball at the end of the femer or whatever it's called to the point the left leg is 3/4 inch shorter than the other. It was far enough out that when they lifted me out of the truck the bone tore through all the nerves in my lower back, that was a golly gee swell fun moment. Anyway they decided it would be better to wait to do the hip replacement so they put me in traction for 2 months to let it heal best it could. The hip doc who's one of the top guys in the country told me I could go a year or so before the joint died and the pain got bad enough I'd need the replacement........ That was 11 years ago. Leg turns out sideways a bit and is a little too short but at least I don't have to worry about the fake hip loosening up or popping out of joint.
Or replacing it.....Good for you...for putting it off as long as possible, and maybe never really need it. I'm not a big fan of joint replacement, my mother had both knees done TWICE and my father had his hip done 3Xs. He had polio when he was born, so he had almost no hip by the age of 30. There is less and less to attach the next one to...in the end he could only stand leaning on the counter for about 10 minutes before he had to take a pain pill and go back to bed.
My mother is up and walking but certainly not as well as she should be able to. The first time was premature, she didn't wait to the last moment but jumped right in and had it done...Back then it only lasted 10 years, the second one, she didn't have enough muscle and tendons needed, so they pounded a metal rod into her thigh and at the age of 70 that's pretty scary, but the old joint was leaking some kind of black gunk into her leg from it breaking down...the new joint is supposed to last 20 years...So if she lives to 90 she will need another, I'm pretty sure she won't live through that again at such an age. Not only the pain of surgey but the rehab isn't any picnic either. Each time gets worse and harder to attach.
Someday you might need a new hip joint, and who knows how long the doctors can make those new joints last...... and maybe you will only have to have it done once for a whole lifetime. At least you will have plenty of muscle and tendons to attach it without too much trouble, and rehab that first time isn't half as bad as the second and third.
