health issue

[oldyam80sg]

I have been having some health issues lately that i think should be addressed but have to go to VA to get them done.First and most important i have not been able to sleep without trouble since January.I can be wide awake it seems all night long.Over the counter pills have helped but feel that i could have a serious issue.I sleep maybe 4 hours a night if I'm lucky-the most 8 hours with the pill.The other noticeable thing is my right and left hand shakes if i hold something like a coffee cup.I don't excessively drink but do drink sometimes.Would the VA think these things are serious enough to give me tests?Would they refer me to a specialist?I have no insurance other than going to the VA.

[vanhump]

Old Yam, I dont know about the VA there but I go to the VA here at Salem and they will do any test that needs did. A lot depends on the primary care doc that you have there.I could go to any other medical provider at almost no cost but prefer the VA. Most people that I know are satisfied with it. Could just be unique with Salem but I don't think it is. You just have to let them know what the problems are.

[Silent]

I stand by my VA doc. She does whatever she thinks is nessessary to keep me on an even keel. The VA will do what it takes to figgure it out I'm sure.

[oldyam80sg]

Great-OK will go then-just don't want them to say they cant do anything for me.Didn't know if they would say to look elsewhere.

[tw1980]

Great-OK will go then-just don't want them to say they cant do anything for me.Didn't know if they would say to look elsewhere.

Sorry to hear your having issues.You're in our prayers.

Terry

[oldyam80sg]

Thank You!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Peter,

I don't have any experience with the VA even though I'm a 6+yr veteran, I've had regular insurance when I've had to have things done, like both of my back/neck surgeries, etc.!!

I don't know how you would feel about talking about your symptoms in public, but my wife is an RN, I'm an ex-Navy Medic and surg tech. A few other symptoms I would ask you about would be:

1.) Have you checked your sitting/resting heart beat/pulse....is it much over 80 or not?
2.) Have you been perspiring alot more when just sitting at rest, or feeling much hotter, can't get cool, intolerance to heat?
3.) Have you noticed loosing more hair from your head?
4.) Have you lost weight without really trying or dieting?

It's more rare for men to develop problems with their THYROID, but it does/can occur, and these other symptoms are classic for hyper/over active thyroid gland activity. A simple blood test will check your thyroid profile for the hormones of TSH....thyroid stimulating hormone...which controls metabolism, but if it's cranking out too much, then it's like your engine is at 3k rpm at idle!!!!

It's treatment is often done by ingesting radiation laced iodine which goes directly to the thyroid gland...the thyroid metabolises iodine, and this will shut it down. Then about a month later they will recheck the hormone levels, and once they determine that it's been shut down, then they will prescribe replacement thyroid hormone pills to help maintain your metabolism at a proper level. Once this is done, your diet will need to be adjusted slightly by using NON-iodized salt since you won't have a working thyroid gland to process it. Most restaurants use and serve NON-iodized salt as well, it's easily available at your local grocer right next to the regular salt. Iodine is a small needed nutrient and salt is the most common way of getting this nutrient/mineral.

Good luck with your exam and hope it's something rather normal and simple like this instead of something more severe like Parkinson's or some other neurological condition!
T.C.

[oldyam80sg]

I have not had my heart beat checked while sitting,i don't sweat unless its really hot outside.My blood pressure does fluctuate somewhat as it can be high and 10 minutes later drop significantly.When i was in the service they tried to control it with medication for maybe 3 months but medicine didn't lower it and they stopped but has never been an issue.I do have a venous anamolly inside my brain(pinched vessel)but have been told it could have been there for years.I do have sleep apena and do sleep with a mask.Should schedule an appointment.

[Ivan]

I have been having some health issues lately that i think should be addressed but have to go to VA to get them done.First and most important i have not been able to sleep without trouble since January.I can be wide awake it seems all night long.Over the counter pills have helped but feel that i could have a serious issue.I sleep maybe 4 hours a night if I'm lucky-the most 8 hours with the pill.The other noticeable thing is my right and left hand shakes if i hold something like a coffee cup.I don't excessively drink but do drink sometimes.Would the VA think these things are serious enough to give me tests?Would they refer me to a specialist?I have no insurance other than going to the VA.

Man I am with you on the not sleeping part. I have never in my whole life slept well. At times it gets to the point that I will stay up for 2-3 days straight and then crash out of pure exhaustion, and then I will sleep for 8-10 hours when any normal person would sleep for 12 or more.

Needless to say, I have a bit of experience with it. The OTC sleep meds are mostly Benadril, allergy medicine. The problem with them is that they make you drowsy but inhibit the alpha (I think, may be beta) waves your brain makes when it sleeps, so you really don't get any rest, even though you sleep. Also, the shaking may just be due to lack of sleep. When I get bad, I get twitches and sometimes can't even hold on to a cup let alone hold it while shaking.

So, here's what helps me, when it starts getting bad.

Have a routine. A sleep routine. Turn off the TV an hour before you want to sleep. No caffeine after noon. Have your bed made, and use your most comfortable bedding. Start "winding down" way before its time for bed.

Trazodone. It is pretty safe and doesn't have the memory loss issues that Lunestra or Ambien do. I tried the latter and it got bad enough for me I couldn't remember where I was at times. Very scary. Trazodone is also really cheap. The generic only costs me a ten spot for a 90 day supply. The problem is that it makes you eat everything in sight after you use it for a few days. So if you fight weight, you'll have to decide whether or not the sleep is worth it.

Have a pattern. Always go to bed at the same time regardless if you are sleepy or not. Get your brain used to the fact that 10:00 is shut down time. This helps incredibly.

Don't have any TVs or magazines or hobby stuff in the bedroom. Its a way to let your sub conscious start latching on to the idea that the bedroom is for sleeping (and marital relations, but that is a good trade off for missing sleep IMHO).

Get some mild exercise when you are having sleep trouble. A brisk walk a few hours before bed helps immensly.

this is going to sound really goofy, but go to the mirror in the bathroom after you brush your teeth or what ever and look your self in the eye and say "I am sleepy and will rest well tonight." After you get used to it and have been caught and laughed at by everyone in the family, you'll get comfortable enough that when you say it, your subconscious will believe it.

If nothing else helps, look at depression, it can cause sleep problems.

I know what a trouble sleep deprivation can be. With me it is combined with an anger problem, which rears its head when I am tired and exhausted. Since drinking makes me sleepy and calms the anger down, I had a psychiatrist tell me that having a few drinks might be a good thing. Go figure. At any rate, I feel compassion for you. I am writing this at 1:14 am, since I can't sleep at all tonight either, and I have to be at physical therapy at 7.

Let me know what you find out.

[mstic2000]

I've never slept more than 2-4 hours at a time now for the last 30 years. I can count on one hand how many times I've actually slept a full 8 hours in that time. I've had blood work done every 6-12 months for the last 9 years for low HDL, liver function, etc., but that's about it on any irregularities. I'm not presently on any medications and I do manage to get power naps in to keep me going through the day.

If I were you I'd go to the doctor to get it checked out, if anything for peace of mind.

[Wildkat]

I hope they get you taken care of Peter...

Keep us posted.

We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers...





Sleep? What's that?

[xs11jack]

Yes, go to the VA!

I too, am dependent on the VA for medical help. I have found that in the large medical care system here in the St. Louis area, all the doctors I have seen are top notch. There are a bunch of Doctors from the renowned Wash. School of Medicine that see patients at the VA hospital. I did have a problem with one doctor, but that was a matter of personality clash, not competents. I really think they will take good care of you, and we will be praying for you.
PS I didn't mean to slight all the people in the care system that are not doctors, everyone I have seen has been extremely helpful and caring. I also tell them that I am grateful that they do such a good job on an old worn out F**t like me!
Jack