I'm of an age when going to the doctor seems to be a social event.....

I laugh whenever I hear the side effects mentioned for some drugs.  No, it is not appropriate nor is it politically correct.  I hate telling on myself but I’m thinking the rest of you are shaking your heads behind closed doors.  I bet you’re laughing, too!

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So, there’s a medicine you can take for reflux but you might get explosive diarrhea.  This takes me back to an Economics class that I took at Iowa State in 1970.  Diminishing returns....so, which do you hate more.....reflux or explosive diarrhea?  Personally,  I would have to weigh those facts carefully before selecting the lesser of two evils.  I pick reflux.

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"If you have an erection lasting more than four hours, call your doctor."   The television pitchman tells all who are watching the evening news this fact almost every night.  I overheard some men talking about this while drinking their morning coffee at a local restaurant. “I don’t know about you, but I’d call the newspaper,” said one of the guys.  The rest of his group giggled.  I quickly stepped away and laughed my head off.

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"This drug could cause death."  Ick!  Think carefully about this one.  But, at least you know that it could be a side effect.

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I don’t want to take medicine.  I want to be a machine of health.  Last night, I was watching the news.  Every commercial was for a different drug focused on the geriatric crowd--ME!  I sat there laughing at what could happen if I decided to take different medicines.  Yes, I know that most of the times the side effects don’t happen....but what if they do?

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I am allergic to demerol.  I KNOW I saw those mice dancing at the end of my bed and I don’t ever want to see them again.  My entire body felt like a big, old hive.  However, I am quick to tell any and everybody that demerol was effective for pain....and for hallucinations.  It made a believer out of me.  I never want to see or hear that drug mentioned again.  One person’s trash is another person’s treasure....but the demerol worked for pain control.  I am glad it’s no longer being used to control pain.

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So, that being said, I am working on my health.  You know, eating to live instead of living to eat.  I wish I could say that the pounds come off magically and that I never back slide.  Ha!  It has taken two months to lose four pounds.  Just think, maybe by 2025......I’ll have the weight off!  Pass the fruits and vegetables.

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So why am I concerned about my "pandemic poundage?"  To quote my physical therapist "for each pound I take off, I take 4 pounds of pressure off my knees".  25 pounds lost = 100 pounds of pressure off my knees.  AND my right knee hasn't been the same since I ran from the snake....(in my defense, it was the biggest snake I had ever seen outside of a zoo....in my lower back yard.....I was weed eating....I disturbed him....instead of stop, drop, and roll.....I jumped, turned and ran.) AND for those of you that love me, you know I don't run.  Ever.  I barely fast walk.  

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I have never stuck with an exercise program like I am sticking with my assigned regime from OrthoGeorgia.  I have completed my exercise routine everyday since Monday, May 2.  Now, for my buff relatives, I know this ain't nothing to brag about.  I have a sheet of exercises that I am to complete daily and I am doing this.  I can feel a difference.  I go to Physical Therapy each week.  I am not cutting class.  

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I don't want praise or condemnation.  It's a fact.  It's my responsibility.  "Make it a great day or not, the choice is mine."