Boring day in clinic. Ask me anything.

[Aristus]

I guess I could use a little company.

If I don't reply right away, it means I'm visiting with a patient, but thank you in advance.

Will is in Stratford with his family. Things are slow in the Lounge. I just need some mental stimulation.

[steve2470]

1. opinion on statins for cholesterol, ty nt

[Aristus]

2. They all have the same mechanism of operation.

But some have fewer side effects than others.

When I get my patients on a good statin, it's very effective for lowering cholesterol. It requires frequent monitoring of liver function, though. But it's worth the bother.

Unless a patient's total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides are sky-high, I always advise conservative management to start with; a low-cholesterol nutrition plan, and plenty of cardio exercise.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Good morning, my dear Aristus!

I'm sorry your day is boring......well, sort of. Too much excitement is sometimes not a good thing!

I hope things pick up and your day gets more interesting.

[Aristus]

4. Well, it got busier.

I'm well-occupied now. But it's still good to see you...

[magical thyme]

5. I haven't slept well for the last 4 nights in a row

my dogs keep hogging the bed and blankets, and getting up and moving around.

Should I take a nap? Or have a 2nd cup of coffee and go ride my pony?

I'm sitting in bed right now, so the former would be more convenient and wouldn't require getting up and doing anything.

[Aristus]

7. Regular or decaf?

[magical thyme]

11. decaf? no way. I want that caffeine jolt...

it's the only reason I drink the stuff.

I split the difference. Got up, made coffee, went back to bed with coffee. I'm there right now. Sun finally came out and I'm just so lacking ambition it is pathetic...

[Aristus]

12. What time of the day do you have your last caffeine jolt?

It could be keeping you awake.

[magical thyme]

14. before 4pm latest...

I had been sleeping wonderfully, but the weather has gone into a mode where it gets very warm during the day and then very cold in the middle of the night. So that doesn't help. And now I have the full moon shining into my sun room. And my dogs have been waking me up repeatedly.

So I'm getting some sleep, but not enough. I fall asleep usually pretty quickly. Then around 3:30 am I wake up and either end up in a wrestling match with Luna, trying to get some blankets back, or a pushing match with Jake trying to get my bottom half back into bed instead of sliding off the side. Or both. Eventually, I end up with space and blankets again. But by then I'm wide awake...

[Avalux]

6. What's your opinion on the two confirmed cases of MERS in the US?

I'm following it because I'm into that sort of thing, and now they're testing four individuals here in San Antonio. It's not easily transmitted (at least it hasn't been) and the mortality rate is about 25%. I haven't heard of a link between the cases in Indiana and Florida.

[orleans]

8. is everyone over at that new website skinner et. al created?

and if so, will they ever come back here?

[Aristus]

9. Well, I came back pretty quick.

First right-wing troll to show up made copious use of the neologism 'libtard'. And there's an idjit over there who says Michelle Obama dresses 'inappropriately'.

Now, we don't generally expect truth, perception or rationality from right-wingers. But if someone says that about probably the most elegant, well-turned-out First Lady in American history, I think we can say safely that he has gone around the bend.

[femmocrat]

29. I am trying to visit both sites, but it's making me crazy.

I can't figure out who is whom over there. I have a hard enough time remembering the multitude of posters here.

Also, it's pretty much the same as DU only with a bunch of incognito members! I didn't run into any wingnuts, though. I'm sure they will invade like locusts eventually and the less combative DUers will come home where it's comfy like old shoes.

It was great to see Concerned Canuk again, though! Glad he's posting there.

[NightWatcher]

10. got any good pills laying around the clinic?

[Aristus]

13. Aspirin.

n/t.

[NightWatcher]

16. Hey everybody, Dr Feelgood is in the Lounge.

[Aristus]

18. Those who seek Dr. Feelgood usually try to shake me down for the three 'V's:

Vicodin, Valium & Viagra.

[NightWatcher]

20. I've already got the diazepam, I refuse to take opiates, and everything is is ok

I'm just getting tired of taking muscle relaxers every day.

[shenmue]

15. Do you like dogs?

I sure do.

[Aristus]

17. Love them.

I grew up with dachshunds as pets.

But my wife doesn't like dogs. I don't like cats. So we compromised, and have neither.

[In_The_Wind]

19. Why does my butt hurt?

[Aristus]

21. I don't know.

I'll have to examine it.

[In_The_Wind]

22. Hahaha. Seriously, I can't wait that long.

After all, you are 3,000 miles away.

However ... I think I've gotten to the root of my problem.

[Aristus]

23. Is it superficial pain, muscle pain or bony pain?

n/t

[In_The_Wind]

26. The cause of my distress ...

You see ...

There was a tack on the chair. Those two guys were just trying to save me.

yeah, right

[Aristus]

28. So you have an acute case of

Fallingonyourassitis!

This will require close monitoring and frequent re-examinations...

[In_The_Wind]

35. So, how do you suggest we ...

schedule those visits? hmmm [img][/img]

[Aristus]

36. Skype?

[In_The_Wind]

37. I've never done that.

[Callmecrazy]

24. Hello Aristus...

What is your opinion regarding ecigs and vaping in general?
Personally, It helped me quit smoking and I can taste and smell things again. I have a non smoker roommate who doesn't mind that I vape in the house but used to go nuclear if I smoked on the lanai without turning on my fan. I love the act of blowing a big cloud of fog and watching it disappear. Have you heard anything about long term negative effects of vaping?

TIA

[Aristus]

25. There isn't a lot of science out there on the long-term effects.

At least you aren't inhaling the by-products of combustion anymore; carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, every chemical lung irritant known to industrial science, and no oxygen.

But still, you are using an addictive substance, nicotine; and while I have nothing to confirm my suspicions, other than verified history, I'm willing to bet that the tobacco companies will include the same additives to vaping nicotine (if they haven't already started) that they added to tobacco that made it more addictive. Things like methane, ammonia, strychnine, and a thousand other toxic substances.

It would be a mistake to assume that all you are getting is nicotine and flavorings. The tobacco companies want to keep milking the cash-cow.

[Callmecrazy]

27. Thanks for your reply...

The thing I like about the juices is that I can control the amount of nicotine in my juice (even 0mg), and some of the flavors are incredible. Right now I'm puffing on a dark coffee and chocolate juice that's incredible. I have been reading up on vaping and have been to a few online forums and although there are some additives to look out for, it seems the activity is mostly harmless.
I agree that we have to be vigilant about the additives that the tobacco companies might try to slip in. That would ruin it for me.

[femmocrat]

30. In_the_Wind reminded me of a "sore" subject.

Why are gastro doctors still prescribing Go-litely (sp?) for colonoscopy preps? That has to discourage people from getting screened. It should be banned as toxic waste.

I have one coming up (ugh) and asked for something else. I don't know what, but anything else!

[Aristus]

31. Because it works.

If there was something more palatable, and less intestinally distressing, they would prescribe it.

[femmocrat]

32. Too well!

LOL

[Aristus]

33. Well, I once assisted in a colonoscopy procedure for a patient with an incomplete bowel prep.

It was, you should pardon the expression, shitty.

I'm sure the gastroenterologist wants a nice clean bowel to examine...

[femmocrat]

34. Gross!

Must have made crappy pictures, too!