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How long to fast before blood test?

  My plan is to go tomorrow and have blood work done.  The doctor ordered;  PSA, LIPID, CMP and TSH.  CMP is comprehensive metabolic panel with gfr.  The PSA is the prostate specific antigen test.  The TSH is for thyroid-stimulating hormone test. 
  The doctor wants the TSH test to see if that is why I am feeling dizzy and faint all the time.

  I always forget to ask how long to fast before the test.  I think it is something like 6 to 14 hours depending on the type of tests you are taking.
  Buzzle.Com has “Fasting for Blood Work” and a lot of information. 

 
 

“…Instructions for Fasting for Blood Work - Triglyceride Levels
If you are getting your blood tested for triglyceride levels, here are the rules for the same. You will have to undertake a 12 hour fast before the blood test. In some cases the fasting period can also be up to 14 hours. Only water is permitted during the fasting period. Coffee is NOT allowed. To get the exact measurements of triglycerides in your blood, it is important that you fast overnight and then take the blood test next day in the morning. This is important as anything other than water can increase the triglycerides levels in your blood. In case you consume any food, it is possible that triglycerides levels can be higher in your blood and your physician, will have to prescribe drugs. Along with the above mentioned rules, you are not supposed to consume alcohol for at least 24 hours before your blood test. If you do take any kind of vitamin supplements, you should not have them at least 24 hours prior. You will have to consult with your physician, if you are consuming any kind of antihistamines, antibiotics or cortisone…”

 

  I did not know about not taking the vitamin supplements.  I got a feeling a lot of people do not know about that point.
  I guess my plan is that I will not eat or drink anything after midnight.  The lab opens at 0700 hours.  But the lab is in the parking lot with a big shopping mall.  I think the mall opens at 1000.  So I will time it to get there at about 1000 hours and then I can go over to mall to the food court and get something to eat.

Dental

  I microwaved a chicken strip for breakfast.  The ends always get a bit hard.  So I was chewing away on a hard bit.  Then when done I noticed a hole in my upper left tooth.  I suspect I had a filling there.  Now I just got a hole.
  I guess I will have to see the dentist one day.  I am pretty lucky it is rare for me to have tooth pain.

  The next medical thing I got to do is have lab work done and then see my doctor after he gets the lab results.

Compression socks review for Amazon

  I have not done a written review on Amazon in a long time.  I should be doing written/video reviews on Amazon instead of YouTube.  More people would see them on Amazon.
  I use the reviews on Amazon when I think of buying something.  That is how I picked all of my cameras.

5.0 out of 5 stars They worked, February 8, 2012

By

James Howard "NØUWY" (Miami FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pintoli Style 1066 Unisex Classic Moderate Compression Socks, 15-20mmHg, Knee High, Black, Large Size (Health and Beauty)

I am 70 years old and for the the last couple of years my feet and legs have been swollen. The left foot and leg are the worst. Last year I saw my doctor and he was not happy with the swelling. He added a water pill to the pills I took. He also recommended compression socks.
I water pill did not help. I did not get compression socks. I did not see him again until last month. I already made up my mind to try the compression socks. A friend said they worked for him.
I saw the doctor and he increased my water pill dose from 40 mg to 40 mg. I told him I was going to get compression socks. He said great that he felt they would help.
I ordered Pintoli 1066 Unisex compression socks 15-20mmHg.
First off I did not mention the leg pains I been having for the last year or so. The leg pains went away and I do not have them when I have on the Pintoli compression socks.
What I could not believe is that the compression socks worked right away on the swelling. For the first time in over a year the swelling is way down and my left foot looks almost normal.
I wish I had listened to my doctor sooner. I am surprised that the compression socks worked so well and so fast.
So I recommend the compression socks.
Pintoli Style 1066 Unisex Classic Moderate Compression Socks, 15-20mmHg, Knee High, Black, Large Size

Pintoli compression socks

  Yesterday I had on all day a pair of Pintoli 1066 unisex moderate compression (15-20 mm Hg)  socks.  Right now Amazon has them for $9.90 and free shipping if you order $25.00 or more.  I will order three pair next month. 
 

• Knee High at 15-20mmHg with reinforced heel and toe, comfortable fit. Cotton Feel.
• Designed to increase circulation to lower extremities (e.g. feet, ankles, calves)
• Comfortable and durable thread knitting to prevent swollen legs and promote blood flow. Additional thickness added to the heel area for extra comfort and reduce the risk of blister.
• Material Content: 65% Cotton, 25% Spandex, 10% Nylon
• Sizing Guide: Please order by American shoe size: Mdeium(6.5 and under), Large(7- 8 1/2), XLarge( 9- 10 1/2), XXLarge( 11 and above)

 

  I guess I should order the XLarge size next time.
  I have no idea yet how these socks are going to hold up.  I fear I am going to hand wash them.  They say you can machine wash but not dry in a dryer.  I suspect they would not hold up long in a washing machine.

Braum’s Lasagna

  I just put Braum’s Lasagna in the oven.  It has to cook for an hour and 30 minutes.  I think it will be good. Russ and I like lasagna.  I think it cost about $13.00 but I think it will feed four.  I will check and see if Dar and Jimmy want some when it is done.

  I made pork chops last night.  Russ would not eat any.  They were good.  I ate both of them.
I love pork chops.  I love bacon. 

  Well the 80 mg of Furosemide (water pill) is working.  I have more output.  The only problem is I am going all the time.  It is hard to get very far away from the bathroom.  I can not say the swelling is down a lot in my left foot yet.
  I took my first potassium pill today.  I got it down OK.

  I think Amazon will get some of my compression socks here tomorrow.  I will let you know how they work and how they feel.  I got a feeling it is not going to feel good.  I do not even like normal socks.  Of course normal socks cut into my legs big time because of the swelling.

  Back to the lasagna I am going to have soon.  I love the microwave but I cook the lasagna in the oven it is better.  But in the microwave it would be ready in 23 minutes.  In the oven it takes 1 hour and 25 minutes.
  The package says one serving is one cup!  I think I eat two or three cups.  I never measure calories or worry about them.  But one cup is 300 calories.  Are you ready for this?
  One cup of this lasagna is 1320 mg of sodium. 
  
  With that much salt you know it will be good.

  I just got an email from Dar.  She said that she and Jimmy both want some of it.

Compression socks

  I ordered some “compression socks” from Amazon. My doctor wants me to use them.

“Compression stockings and socks are specialised hosiery items designed to increase blood circulation. Their main theraputic purpose is to provide graduated pressure on the lower leg and foot and, in some cases, the thigh, to alleviate circulatory problems such as edema, phlebitis and thrombosis. Unlike traditional dress or athletic stockings and socks, compression stockings use stronger elastics to create significant pressure on the legs, ankles and feet. Compression stockings are tightest at the ankles and gradually become less constrictive towards the knees and thighs. By compressing the surface veins, arteries and muscles, the circulating blood is forced through narrower circulatory channels. As a result, the arterial pressure is increased, which causes more blood to return to the heart and less blood to pool in the feet. There are two types of compression stockings: Gradient and Anti-embolism…”

 

  I do not think I am going to like them.   I hate having clothing on anyway.  Most of the time when I am home alone I am nude or just have on a t-shirt.  
  I am going to look and feel like a fucking fool sitting here at the computer nude except for socks on that run up to my thighs.  
 

    I just had an idea!  I wonder if since compression socks are forcing blood up from you feet and legs if some of that blood might head to your penis?  I might end up loving compression stocking. 

Medications

  I got my medications from CVS the other day. 
The Furosemide (water pill) I can now try and see what works best for me.  The doctor said take two of the Furosemide (each is 40 mg) at the same time or I can take one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
  So I am going to take 80 mg in the morning and see how that works for me.  I did that this morning and I think it is working.  It will take some time to find out.
  Because I am taking more of the Furosemide now I have to take a Potassium pill each day.  It is a big ass pill. I am going to have a problem getting it down.  Plus because of the Furosemide and Potassium I will have to have lab work done in about a month.  I have not taken the Potassium yet.  I may wait a few days. 

  Remember the water problems and the photo of the water leak in the parking lot.  Well they worked on that Sunday and fixed it.  So they did not need to turn off the water on Monday.  But we had “hot” water that was not very hot.  I took a shower and I did not use any cold water at all the the hot water was not very hot. 
  Well last night at 0300 I went out for a walk around the parking lot.  The driveway was filled with water all the way around the apartment complex.  The leak was coming up out of the ground next to the sidewalk in front of our building.  It was hot water.  I went to the office today and they said … yes they just fixed the hot water leak next to the office and now there is a leak next to our building.  They said they would have a plumber out tomorrow to fix it.
  We do not have to pay for water here.  I am glad of that because these people must have one big ass water bill. They have water leaks all the time here.

Norwegian Jarlsberg

  I got my new telephones today.  I like them.
I went for my doctor’s appointment today.  The bus ride made my arthritis hurt.  I just put up with the pain most of the time and rare for me to take Aleve for it.  But it was hurting so bad I was glad to get home so I could take an Aleve.
 
  The doctor ordered a lot of blood tests.  He wants them done in about a month and then wants to me come in and see him after he gets the results.  He is not happy with the swelling of my left foot and leg.
   He has increased my Furosemide (water pill) and he wants me to take one potassium each day now.
   The doctor wanted me to take a cholesterol medication.  I told him I was sorry to go against his advice but that I did not want to take any cholesterol medications.

   Last time I saw him, about a year ago, he wanted me to start using compression socks.  I did not do that…. So I told him this time I would buy some and start using them.
   They push the blood up from your feel and legs so the heart can put it out.
  

    I just had some Norwegian Jarlsberg (cheese).  I love cheese.  It was not very good.  First time I have had it as far as I can remember.

   I took an Aleve.  The pain is so bad from the arthritis I am going to bed and see if I can sleep.

Prescription refills

  I use CVS Pharmacy to get my prescriptions.  I take Benazepril HCL 20 mg, Avodart 0.5 mg, Tamsulosin HCL 0.4 mg, Furosemide 40 mg and Carvedilol 12.5 mg.  I also take one Aspirin 81 mg each day.
  I see my doctor on the 31st.  He is going to want to put me on a cholesterol-lowering medication.  I am going to say no to it.  A doctor in Miami put me on one and for a month I felt like someone had beat every inch of my body with a baseball bat.  I was thinking well this is old age and I do not want to live like this.  Then I wondered if it might be the medication I was taking and I stopped taking it and the pain went away.  This doctor is going to say he will put me on a different cholesterol medication but I am going to “just say no.” 

  I only have enough Carvedilol for today so CVS will have to call in and get the doctor to OK some more for me.  I hate it that the doctor sort of has control of my life.  I need the prostate and blood pressure/heart medications.  Your doctor has to write and approve the Rx.  
 

  I should be taking something for arthritis all the time.  I have pain all the time.  It is getting worst.  The doctor said for me to take Aleve when I need to take something for pain.  It is rare for me to take it.  I just do not like taking medications.  When you get old you have to take medications.  I guess the word to the wise would be to the young to take care of your health when you are young.

BP 119/71 and 222 pounds

                                                               

Taking the water pills (Furosemide 40 mg) is helping.  My weight is down and the swelling of my left foot is much better.  I had not taken my BP in months.  I took it today and it is 119/71 and that is good.
  I have been feeling extra dizzy and like I am going to faint for the last couple of days.  Furosemide can cause that.  I think a BP of 119 is low for me and that might also be the reason I feel faint.

  I have a doctor’s appointment in 9 days.