Another Tooth Extraction

It was only in June of this year (2024) that I wrote about my tooth troubles and then my tooth extraction. Here we are again. Tooth trouble started around the 23rd November, yes that fateful day, and got progressively worse until I felt compelled to see a dentist yesterday (the 25th November) who put me on antibiotics and scheduled a tooth extraction by another dentist today at 6pm.

The tooth being extracted is the same molar that has bedevilled me for years after it was subjected to a botched root canal in Jakarta. I don't know what bought this current infection on. There's always been a low grade infection at that site but maybe my immune system is weakening and can't keep it under control. 

Saturn ground to a halt in 12º42' of Pisces on November 16th and so it is still in a close semi-sextile with my natal Sun. This planet rules the skeletal system including the teeth so I'm apprehensive about its effect on me when it passes over my Aries planets in the twelfth house. This transit may have precipated the attack.

I'll report back on the aftermath of the tooth extraction.

Oscillatory Exercises

It really is time to get serious about my health. I've made 139 posts on my mathematical blog as of the 18th November this year which is about 12 posts per month. By contrast I've made 19 posts to this blog so far in 2024 which is equivalent to about 1.5 posts per month. I need to experiment with different exercise regimes and nutritional supplements and see which ones stick.

Advice from old people is especially valuable obviously and a case in point is the concept of oscillatory exercises promoted by some silly old bald bastard like myself with a YouTube channel called I AM LONGEVITY. 

In a video titled Oscillatory Exercises: How To Keep Your Muscles, Joints, Tendons, And Ligaments Young, he says the following:

In this video, I discuss a novel exercise training method called "Oscillatory Training." 

Oscillatory training involves rapid, small-range movements where muscles contract and relax quickly. This type of training enhances neuromuscular performance, strength, power, and coordination by accelerating the relaxation of antagonistic muscles and improving force production. The exercises often involve pulsing actions that engage muscles continuously, promoting improved muscle engagement and athleticism.

In addition,  this type of training protects and strengthens ligaments, tendons, joints, and muscles. And helps them work as a team when needed. 

Furthermore, this specialized training helps recruit and active all the motor units, including the slow and fast, and their corresponding muscle fibers, including Type 2a and Type 2x fast-twitch muscle fibers.

I also show you some sample exercises you can incorporate into your regimen. Oscillatory Training is a primary reason I have good mobility, balance, coordination, and much more, even in my 60s.

Enjoy the video!!!!

As he explains in his video, the idea of oscillatory exercises involves quick movement within a narrow range and does not involve full stretching. I like the idea and just have to develop some ways to incorporate it into an exercise session without overdoing it and injuring myself. This activity is more in keeping with real life movement rather than say slow stretching exercises where is strive to increase our range of motion. In oscillatory exercises, the range is deliberately restricted and quick repetitions are carried out.

Turmeric, Ashwagantha Root and Maca Root

I watch Dr. Suneel Dhand on YouTube and he recently uploaded a video about the benefits of Turmeric (link) as an anti-inflammatory. Before viewing this, I'd also noted that it had been added the Moringa capsules that I'd recently purchased off Amazon. See my post on Moringa Leaf.

Here is what Gemini had to say about Turmeric:

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. It's a polyphenol compound that gives turmeric its vibrant yellow color and is responsible for most of its medicinal properties. 

Benefits of Curcumin:

Anti-inflammatory: Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation associated with various conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Antioxidant: It acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can contribute to aging and chronic diseases.

May Improve Brain Function: Some studies suggest that curcumin may improve cognitive function and memory, particularly in older adults. It may also have potential benefits for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions

May Aid in Digestion: Turmeric has been traditionally used to support digestion and may help relieve symptoms of digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

May Boost Heart Health: Curcumin may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It may also have blood-thinning properties, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.

Source

I was curious to find out the health benefits of the other ingredients in the capsules. So what is Ashwagandha root?

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, is an ancient medicinal herb with several potential health benefits. Here are some of the key benefits:   

Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Ashwagandha is often referred to as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress. Studies suggest it can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall mood and well-being.   

Improved Sleep Quality: Ashwagandha may help regulate sleep patterns, leading to improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia.   

Enhanced Cognitive Function: Some research indicates that ashwagandha may improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and reaction time.   

Boosted Immune System: Ashwagandha may help strengthen the immune system, making the body more resistant to infections and illnesses.   

Increased Testosterone Levels: In men, ashwagandha may help increase testosterone levels, leading to improved sexual function and muscle strength.   

Reduced Inflammation: Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis.   

Source

What about Maca root?

Maca root, also known as Peruvian ginseng, is a traditional Peruvian medicinal plant with several potential health benefits. Here are some of the key benefits:   

Improved Sexual Health: Maca root is often used to boost libido and sexual desire in both men and women. It may also help improve fertility in men by increasing sperm count and motility.   

Hormone Balance: Maca root may help balance hormones, particularly in women going through menopause. It can help alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.   

Increased Energy Levels: Maca root is believed to boost energy levels and reduce fatigue. It may be helpful for athletes and individuals with low energy levels.   

Enhanced Mood: Some studies suggest that maca root may improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.   

Improved Fertility: Maca root may enhance fertility in both men and women by improving sperm quality and egg health.   

Cracked Rib and Other Ailments

Leaning into a garbage bin to retrieve a rock that had tumbled in along with the garden refuse that I was discarding, resulted in a pronounced crunch that left me feeling that my one or more of my lower ribs had cracked. I don't know for sure if it has but the area remains very tender and I have difficulty in moving from various positions.

A couple of weeks earlier I was suffered for a couple of days with discomfort in the right unguinal area after a lot of up and down movement in the garden. I didn't have any herniation but the sudden onset of symptoms was a bit of a shock. The decrease in the strength of my leg muscles is disturbing. Today I was bending over repeatedly and putting all the weight on my right leg as I plucked out grass shots from the wood chip in the garden. I soon found that the leg was becoming fatigued.

Gardening has the benefit of making one realise where the weaknesses are in ones body. The unguinal discomfort and today's rapid onset of fatigue in the leg muscles remind me that I need to do a lot more strengthening exercises for my legs. I have started doing some regular isometric exercises for my upper body and a little for my legs. 

As I do so, other problems emerge such as discomfort in the bony protuberances on my hands and elbows. The latter is termed the medial epicondyle (the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow) joint while the former is the pisiform bone. To quote: 

Pain and tenderness on the palmar and ulnar aspects of the wrist in the area of the pisiform bone is fairly common. Chronic pain in the pisiform area may be due to tendinitis of the insertion of the flexor carpi ulnaris, bony fractures or osteoarthrosis of pisotriquetral joint which is the second most common degenerative arthritis in wrist after the scaphotrapezial osteoarthrosis. Source.

My right shoulder continues to bother me, especially when lying horizontal in bed. If I raise my upper body a little using two pillows, the pain subsides. The discomfort from my thymoma is ongoing but only manifests when getting out of bed or doing stretching movements. This and these other disabilities don't encourage exercise but I need to persevere nonetheless or I'm to find myself increasingly incapacitated.

A few days ago I weighed in at 70.8 kilograms and in fact over these past months I've been hovering around 71 kilograms. If I drop below 70 kilograms, it will assuredly be due to sarcopenia so I must strive to maintain muscle mass.

Source

Just as I track the properties of the number associated with my diurnal age EVERYDAY, I should be equally diligent in tracking all exercises and activities associated with my physical health. Should it be a physical diary or an electronic one? What do I track? 

... to be continued.

Urology Shivers: Why Cooler Temps Lead to Certain Urinary Conditions

Urology Shivers: Why Cooler Temps Lead to Certain Urinary Conditions

This is the title of an article that sheds considerable light on my current condition that manifested once I arrived in a chilly Melbourne a few days ago. Here are some excerpts from the article.

Ongoing research indicates that while our bodies adjust to colder temperatures, some functions have to catch up, and this can cause a lapse in efficiency. In the urinary systems, the lapse could contribute to overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary tract infections (UTIs). 

You may have noticed that when you are out in the cold, you have to go to the bathroom more often This is because the kidneys are making more urine to compensate for other bodily cold-weather “tricks.”

1. Trick one: The body preserves warmth around the internal organs by reducing blood flow to the skin.  

1. Trick two: This change causes blood pressure to increase, meaning more blood pumps through the body. 

1. Trick three: The kidneys, which filter waste out of all that blood, must produce more urine to meet their filtering demand.  

1. Trick four: We sweat less in the winter and therefore lose less fluid, so there’s more urine stored in our bodies. 

The result: We have to pee more.

People whose bladders are weakened due to age, excess weight, or childbirth, might not be able to keep up with this increased frequency. It doesn’t help that when our body temperature lowers, the muscles around the bladder are prone to tense up or spasm, leading to the urgent need to urinate.

So this article certainly explains why my condition developed but hopefully I seem to have improved to the point where I won't need to take antibiotics to resolve the lower UTI. It's interesting that when I arrived in Melbourne last year in the depth of its winter I suffered from OAB initially but not a UTI. This time around the suffered from both. I guess I'm an example of a person whose bladder has been weakened from old age. The cooler weather certainly does not agree with me and I look forward to a return to the tropics.

Another term for my condition is Cold-Induced Diuresis explained as follows (source):

During cold diuresis, blood vessels constrict, and blood flow decreases to warm your internal and vital organs. This causes your blood pressure to increase, making your kidneys filter excess fluid and blood to decrease your blood volume, which causes a full bladder and makes you pee more.

Moringa Leaf

I watched a video recently promoting the benefits of ground-up Moringa leaves in treating rhematoid arthritis and decided to purchase some capsules online.

The capsules containing the ground-up leaves do not contain gelatin and so once my online purchase arrives in a couple of days, I'll be ready to test the efficacy of leaves. At the moment, my fingers are slightly stiff and sore when I move them but I'm not really inconvenienced. However, it would be nice to regain the complete freedom of movement that I had before my unfortunate fall. In the video that I watched, the affected person gained remarkable relief within a couple of weeks.

I've also been taking an infusion of seeds twice a day for some weeks now. These were recommended by my psychic healer and they have definitely had an ameliorating effect on my rheumatoid arthritis. I don't know what the name of these seeds are but I'll attempt to find out. Currently, I've come down with what seems like a mild cold. I was sitting in a coffee shop that was rather chilly beforehand and this may have triggered its onset. My immune system has clearly become rather delicate in my old age, so I need to be extra careful and I need to keep a jacket in the car at all times that I can use if needed.

Naturally I've been apprehensive as Uranus is grinding to a halt in the heavens in close proximity to my natal Moon on the cusp of the Second House. This station of the planet will reach exactitude on September 1st. Whatever will be, will be. So all I can now is wait ...

Transits to my natal chart
for 1st September 2024

Recovery Continues

So August is here and what's happening with my body. By day, I'm feeling pretty good. I can walk more or less normally but my left ankle is still not quite right. After walking 4.7 km today, my left foot was visibly swollen but not painful. Some Arnica applied to the region reduced the swelling. My fingers still feel slightly stiff but I can play the guitar without difficulty and my grip strength has largely returned to normal.

By day things are generally OK but the nights are a little different. Awakening from sleep, I often find my fingers kind of frozen and I need to move them to regain normal mobility. Sometimes my shoulder or wrists can be painful. Overall, I'd say that I'm about 80% of my former self, that is to say my pre-fall self. Whether I'll ever recover the lost 20% remains to be seen. 

I am walking nearly everyday but I've sadly neglected my isometrics. My thymoma is noticeable mainly when I move about in bed at night but during the day it's hardly noticeable. Transiting Uranus will station within a couple of degrees of my natal Moon on September 1st and I'm hoping that this won't lead to any unexpected health problems. I won't go into the astrology here as that's better addressed in the appropriate blog (AstroWatch).

I have been making sure that some days I walk around 10 am when the Sun is rising but it still hasn't reached the meridian. The Sun in Jakarta is too powerful after that to do any sustained walking until about 3 pm. I'm hoping that this will boost my Vitamen D levels.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

There's no doubt now that I am suffering from rheumatoid arthritis but not osteoarthritis which is characterised by degeneration of the cartilage of certain joints. My wrists, hands, shoulders, feet and sometimes other parts of my body are being attacked by my immune system to varying degrees, causing stiffness and pain.

The condition was definitely triggered by my fall about three months ago because prior to that I only had sporadic pain in my right shoulder and nowhere else. I'm not too troubled at the moment. The soreness and swelling in my left foot has subsided. There was one night when my wrists were causing me considerable discomfort. Ironically, this had been caused by finger exercises that I had been doing to ameliorate the stiffness in my fingers.

I have been walking between 2km and 4km a day, sometimes more, but I notice my knees are weaker than they used to be and sometimes hurt when I'm walking up stairs. I definitely need to resume by leg band exercises and squats. I just have to accept that the arthritis is not going away anytime soon. The more I can find out about the condition and how to manage it the better. This post was prompted by this YouTube video and is where the screenshot came from.

The body's decline creeps like a vine.

Day to day, the changes can be imperceptible.

You adapt. 

Then something happens that finally makes it clear

That things are no longer the same.

My condition is certainly not severe at the moment. There is no redness and swelling of the joints of my hands and certainly no deformities. Maybe that will come later. Maybe it won't. One thing is incontrovertible. My body is in decline. The price one pays for longevity. Fortunately, my mind seems largely intact. Let's hope that continues.

Monitoring My Exercise And Diet

My resting pulse rate is 63 beats per minute and, with light clothing on, I weigh 70.9 kilograms. I've been walking regularly of a morning, at a fairly brisk pace, and covering about 2.2 kilometers. However, yesterday (Saturday 14th July) I had a not so good day. My right shoulder joint had been hurting in the night and I woke up feeling stiff in my fingers with my ankle causing discomfort as well. I also felt discomfort in my chest when getting out of bed.

Today, Sunday, I feel a lot better comparatively speaking. I wonder if it's diet-related. Yesterday I had my usual toast in the morning following by pasta at two different times of the day plus a couple of pastries in between. On the Thursday and Friday prior my bad Saturday I'd two eggs with mayonnaise on toast, even though I'd been advised to eat only the whites of the eggs and not the yolks. Could this have triggered my subsequent discomfort?

I did some very brief and mild isometric exercises for my arms on either Thursday or Friday. Could this have triggered the discomfort behind my sternum? It's hard to say and thus it's probably a good idea to monitor my intake of food and drink as well as the amount of exercise that I undertake. Should I start another Airtable database or should I record the information using some other software, perhaps a spreadsheet? Before deciding, I should carry my phone with me whenever I leave the house so that any distances that I walk can be recorded. My daily walk around the block is about 2.2 kilometres.

For the moment I've opened a fresh document in Google Docs and will begin recording there. I'll see how that goes. I'm rather averse to phone apps or other online methods of monitoring diet and exercise. A simple pedometer is sufficient for recording distance walked.

Recrudescence

A recrudescence is defined as the recurrence of an undesirable condition and that's certainly a word that applies to me at the moment. For a while there, I thought that my stiff fingers, weak wrists and dodgy left ankle were on the mend and that the discomfort caused by my thymoma was largely in abeyance. However, the last few days have seen a rise in finger stiffness and a noticeable uptick in thymoma-related discomfort. My ankle remains tender but then again I've been walking fairly regularly of a morning so that's to be unexpected. Overall, my mobility and ease of movement have declined and I tend to dodder about the house being particularly careful when negotiating any stairs.

While on a walk, I can generally stride about as I did in the old days but with the constant awareness that all is not right with my left ankle. Apart from the morning walks, I'm engaging in very little physical activity around the house. I found my old resistance band that was fashioned from pantyhose but have yet to make use of it. One can only speculate on the cause of this decline and what the dire consequences might be if I were I to suffer another fall. I've spent no time at all on introspection designed to discover what remedial action is necessary on my part to stem and perhaps reverse this decline.

I've adhered to my a significant reduction in my intake of fried foods, assisted by use of an air fryer. This is a healthy choice of course but I don't whether it's sufficient in itself to turn things around. I need to look deeper into the underlying causes, both physical and psychological. To this end, I decided to take another Etorvel (Etoricoxib) tablet. I still had four tablets left following my tooth extraction. It was 2:30am at the time of ingestion and this gave me about four hours before my morning walk to monitor the changes in my physical condition.

If there's a noticeable reduction in my finger stiffness, ankle soreness and general restricted mobility, then my problem is definitely of an inflammatory origin. The body is attacking itself. I've written about the effects of this drug in my recent post titled Tooth Extraction. As I said in that post, it's not a drug that you'd want to take in the long term given its side effects but this one off experiment should prove useful. So how is the experiment progressing?

• After about half an hour, the physical effects are quite noticeable. I feel quite flushed and I'm sure my blood pressure is elevated. My brain is not working all that well. I don't feel like concentrating on anything too taxing. I have an inclination to listen to some music which I'm doing. My fingers still feel stiff so not much change there.
  
  
• After about an hour, there is a noticeable reduction in finger stiffness and wrist weakness and overall a general feeling of well-being. I'm continuing to enjoy the music.
  
  
• After about an hour and a half, the flushed feeling has subsided and my mental faculties have returned. The general improvement in my fingers and wrists remain but has far from disappeared entirely. I'm definitely moving more freely and am feeling far less stiff as I walk about.
  
  
• About three and a half hours later, I went for my morning walk and felt particularly strong with my ankle giving me very little trouble. It would be good if I always felt like this but I have the drug to thank in part this time.

What conclusions are we draw then from this little experiment? It would seem that the drug is working as it's supposed to:

Etoricoxib works by selectively inhibiting an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 plays a role in the production of prostaglandins, which contribute to pain, inflammation, and fever. By blocking COX-2, Etoricoxib helps reduce these symptoms.

The question is why is my body continuing to produce prostaglandins that cause pain and inflammation. As Google's Gemini explained:

Prostaglandins are major contributors to the inflammatory response. They trigger processes like: 

• Increased blood flow to the injured area
• Increased permeability of blood vessels, allowing white blood cells to migrate and fight infection
• Pain perception by sensitizing nerve endings

 This process is what led to my DOMS but the problem is that the process never stopped.

ADDENDUM:

A day later and I'm still feeling very good. I have very little stiffness, my ankle is not troubling me and even the discomfort from my thymoma is greatly reduced. It will be interesting to see how long this feeling of well-being will last. Doubtless, the production of prostaglandins is still being inhibited by the Etoricoxib. 

Tooth Extraction

The decaying canine on the upper right side of my mouth has gone and only a gaping hole remains. So it goes. I had to wait two hours before entering the dentist's surgery but after that it all went smoothely. I fear that there may be more problems ahead but for the time it's all good. Only a few hours after the extraction, I can eat and drink normally.

I have taken the once-a-day pain killer that was prescribed and the fingers of my right hand are feeling a lot more flexible. Whether this is the result of the medication or not remains to be seen. I'm not in any pain so I won't take the medication again and I'll see if the fingers still remain relatively flexible tomorrow. I hope that's the case (see addendum at the end of this post).

Getting rid of the chronic abscess that lurked above my decaying tooth can only have a positive effect on my overall well-being. I've currently been advised by my psychic healer not to eat fried foods, peanut butter, egg yolks, baked beans and a plethora of other foodstuffs. If my stiffness disappears completely, then I can perhaps indulge in some of these forbidden foods again if the prohibitions can be at least relaxed in the future.

My umbilicus remains sensitive and this inhibits me from doing any exercises that put a strain on that area and my thymoma inhibits me from any exercises that put a strain on the solar plexus area. The stiffness in my hands doesn't help and so overall my upper body is slowly atrophying due to sarcopenia. I need to develop an exercise regime that maintains muscle mass in my upper body without exacerbating my existing sensitivities.

Walking regularly helps to thwart sarcopenia in the leg muscles but additionally I need to return to my squats and other leg exercises. Since my fall, I've noticed that my leg muscles have become noticably weaker. I tend to sleep in two sessions nowadays: two or three hours before midnight and then four or five hours beginning from four, five or six in the morning. Currently I weigh around 71 kilograms.

Of course, having completed my course of antibiotics, I need to rebuild my gut biome. To this end, probiotic foods like Kimchi, a spicy fermented Korean cabbage rich in beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus Kimchi, and Kombucha, a fermented tea drink that may contain probiotic bacteria depending on the brand and brewing process. Choose kombucha with unpasteurized and unfiltered varieties for the most potential probiotic benefit.

ADDENDUM 

My fingers remains flexible and no stiffness has returned. I asked Google's Gemini about the pain killing tablet that I took yesterday. Interestingly, the medication is an anti-inflammatory drug as well as having pain-killing properties. The dosage that I took, 120 mg, is quite strong and I may still be feeling its effects. If the stiffness returns then we'll know that I definitely have some sort of chronic inflammatory condition. If it doesn't then I'll be very much relieved. Clearly it's not a drug you would want to take in over a long period of time. Here was Gemini's response to my query:

Etorvel (Etoricoxib) is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to manage pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by various conditions. Here's a breakdown of key information about Etorvel:

Uses:

Treats pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with:

• Osteoarthritis (wear and tear of joint cartilage)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic inflammatory joint disease)
• Ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation of the spine and large joints)
• Gout (sudden and severe joint pain caused by excess uric acid)
• May also be used for short-term relief of moderate pain after dental surgery.

How it Works:

Etoricoxib works by selectively inhibiting an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 plays a role in the production of prostaglandins, which contribute to pain, inflammation, and fever. By blocking COX-2, Etoricoxib helps reduce these symptoms.

Dosage and Administration:

Dosage depends on the specific condition being treated, its severity, and the patient's individual needs. Always follow your doctor's instructions for dosage and duration of treatment.

Etorvel is typically available as tablets and is usually taken once daily, with or without food.

Side Effects:

• Common side effects of Etorvel include:
• Stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, indigestion
• Headache, dizziness
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Fluid retention

Important Considerations:

Risks: Etoricoxib can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and stomach ulcers, especially with high doses or long-term use. It's crucial to discuss these risks with your doctor before starting the medication.

Contraindications: Etoricoxib is not suitable for everyone. Inform your doctor about any allergies (especially to aspirin or other NSAIDs), a history of stomach ulcers, heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or liver disease.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Consult your doctor before taking Etoricoxib if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.

Interactions: Etoricoxib can interact with other medications. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tooth Trouble

In addition to my current woes, the decaying tooth on the right upper side of my mouth has started to play up again. I've decided to take the plunge and swallow the prescribed antibiotics for five days prior to the extraction of the tooth. It's not a great idea to have a decaying tooth just sitting in my gum. It is subject to chronic low level infection that from time to time flares up and becomes acutely infected. I have an appointment scheduled for Thursday the 27th June.

I need to take two 200mg tablets of Cefixime Trihydrate daily for five days. Here is what Google's Gemini spat out when asked about the medication.

Cefixime Trihydrate is a prescription antibiotic medication belonging to the third-generation cephalosporin class. Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:

Uses:

Treats a variety of bacterial infections, including:

Ear infections (otitis media)

Strep throat

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Gonorrhea (often as a single-dose treatment)

Lyme disease (in some cases)

How it Works:

Cefixime works by interfering with the bacteria's cell wall formation. This weakens the cell wall and prevents bacteria from multiplying and spreading.

Dosage and Administration:

Dosage depends on the specific infection being treated, the patient's age and weight, and kidney function.

Available as tablets, chewable tablets, and suspension (liquid) for oral administration.

Typically taken once a day, with or without food.

Side Effects:

Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache.

Less common side effects include rash, yeast infections, and allergic reactions.

Important Considerations:

Antibiotic Resistance: Like all antibiotics, overuse or misuse of Cefixime can contribute to antibiotic resistance. It's crucial to take it exactly as prescribed and complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms improve.

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you have allergies to penicillin or other cephalosporin antibiotics.

Kidney Function: Cefixime is eliminated from the body by the kidneys. If you have impaired kidney function, your doctor might adjust the dosage.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Consult your doctor about the safety of Cefixime during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Here's hoping. The dosage is quite high and to quote from this website:

Cefixime Trihydrate Film coated caplet and Film coated tablet : For adults and children weighing > 30 kg, the usual recommended daily dose is 50 – 100 mg (potency) of Cefixime given orally twice daily. Dosage should be adjusted according to the age, body weight and condition of the patient. For more severe or intractable infection, the dosage may be increased up to 200 mg (potency) given twice daily.

So it's bad news for bacteria, good and bad, but after the extraction I'll hopefully be able to repair my devastated gut biome. 

In Recovery

Following my psychic surgery in Medan to address my thymoma problem, I'm feeling quite good with only some lingering stiffness in my right hand and a sensitive left foot that I need to be careful to not subject to sudden stress. These are the residual effects of my DOMS and it's quite unusual that should have persisted for this long. 

My symptoms bear some similarities to mild gout but I doubt if I'm suffering from that condition. I just don't fit the profile (somebody who eats a lot of organ meats, seafood and alcohol). Here is what Google's Gemini had to say about gout:

Gout is a complex form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe attacks of pain, inflammation, redness, and tenderness in your joints. Here's a breakdown of the symptoms and risk factors:

Symptoms of Gout:

Sudden and severe pain: Often described as excruciating and debilitating, gout attacks typically strike at night and can wake you up. The pain usually affects one or more joints, most commonly the big toe, but it can also hit ankles, knees, hands, wrists, elbows, or even feet.

Inflammation and swelling: The affected joint will become swollen, red, and hot to the touch. Even slight pressure, like the weight of a bedsheet, can be very uncomfortable.

Tenderness: The joint will be extremely sensitive to touch, making even minor movements painful.

Limited range of motion: As the attack progresses, the inflammation can limit your ability to move the affected joint.

Risk Factors for Gout:

Several factors can increase your chances of developing gout:

High uric acid levels: Uric acid is a waste product created during the breakdown of purines, which are found naturally in the body and certain foods. When uric acid levels become too high in the blood, it can form sharp crystals that deposit in your joints, triggering gout attacks.

Diet: Consuming excessive amounts of certain foods and beverages high in purines, such as red meat, organ meats, seafood, sugary drinks, and alcohol (particularly beer), can contribute to high uric acid levels.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome: These conditions are associated with increased purine production and difficulty eliminating uric acid from the body.

Certain medications: Diuretics, low-dose aspirin, and some immunosuppressant drugs can elevate uric acid levels.

Medical conditions: Some health problems like high blood pressure, kidney disease, and psoriasis can increase the risk of gout.

Genetics: Having a family history of gout significantly increases your susceptibility.

Age and sex: Men are more likely to develop gout than women before menopause, but the risk for women increases after menopause.

It's important to note that not everyone with high uric acid levels will develop gout. Conversely, some people with normal uric acid levels can still experience gout attacks.

It's interesting that the Gemini article describes gout as "a complex form of arthritis". I simply don't know what I've got but I've been placed on a diet that restricts the amount of fried food that I consume and that forbids the consumption of many other foods that I was formerly fond of. The details are still being worked out.

I smile when I think how the so-called medical professionals in Australia would react if I said I'd had psychic surgery to address my physical problem. Hopefully I'll never be at their mercy and, if I was, I'd be very careful about what I disclosed to them. It still staggers me how brainwashed the majority of medical professionals are in Western countries and what little real help they are able to offer. 

Meanwhile I have done some walking and intend to do more as my strength returns. I probably will never return to the physical level that I was at before my fall but I can try to arrest any further decline. My weight is slightly under 71 kilograms at the moment which is good. I'd like to stay around that weight.

State of Play

I've made an appointment to have my decaying tooth on the right upper side either filled or extracted. It's only going to disintegrate eventually just as the one of my left upper side did some time ago. I felt that perhaps some bacteria was leaking into my bloodstream and exacerbating the autoimmune problems. 

I asked Google's Gemini: 

Is it possible that a decaying tooth could trigger an autoimmune response in the body? 

No, a decaying tooth itself wouldn't directly trigger a full-blown autoimmune response. Here's why:

Autoimmunity: Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

Decaying Tooth: Tooth decay is caused by bacteria feeding on sugar and starches in your mouth, producing acid that eats away at the tooth enamel.

However, a decaying tooth can indirectly contribute to inflammation and potentially worsen existing autoimmune conditions:

Infection:  The bacteria that cause decay can spread through the tooth and into the gums, leading to an infection. This infection can trigger inflammation, a localized immune response.

Weakened Body:  Chronic inflammation from a dental infection can put stress on the body's immune system, potentially worsening symptoms of existing autoimmune conditions like Sjogren's syndrome (which affects saliva production) or rheumatoid arthritis.

Overall:

Decaying tooth -> bacterial infection -> inflammation (not full autoimmune response)

Inflammation can worsen existing autoimmune conditions.

So the tooth is probably not to blame for my current troubles but it's best to deal with as such decaying tooth can certainly spread bacteria around the body with unpredicable consequences. Meanwhile my autoimmune situation has become chronic and is proving quite debilitating. 

With difficulty, I'm walking around the block everyday just to keep up my mobility but the stiffness and soreness in my hands, feet and right shoulder are a constant. I'm not getting worse but then again I'm not getting better. This afternoon I felt especially bad and took one Ibuprofen and one Paracetamol. This gave me considerable relief and now, hours later, I still feel quite comfortable.

However, once the medication fully wears off, I'll probably be back to where I was. I still can't sleep in my bed and have resorted to spending the night on the sofa in the lounge room. I want to try some visualisation and self healing this evening in an effort to effect a cure.

Lying Flat

The expression "lying flat" has become a popular expression in China in recent years. I asked Google's Gemini to expand on its meaning, even though I had a general idea of what the term meant.

What does the current Chinese expression "lying flat" actually mean?

The current Chinese expression "lying flat" (躺平, tǎng píng) is a slang term used to describe a social and personal philosophy that rejects societal pressures to overwork and overachieve. Here's a deeper look at its meaning:

Literal Translation:

The term translates literally to "lying flat" or "to lie down flat."

Figurative Meaning:

Figuratively, it represents a passive resistance or opting out of the "rat race" mentality. It's about prioritizing personal well-being and a simpler life over chasing material success or career advancement.

Underlying Factors:

The "lying flat" movement arises from several factors, including:

Economic Inequality: A growing sense of disillusionment with the traditional path to success due to increasing economic inequality and limited job opportunities.

Burnout Culture: A reaction against the intense work culture in China, often characterized by long hours and high pressure.

Desire for Balance: A longing for a more balanced lifestyle with time for leisure and personal pursuits.

Spectrum of Responses:

The "lying flat" movement isn't a monolithic concept. It can encompass a range of responses, from:

Minimalism: Choosing to live with less and work only to meet basic needs.

Quiet Quitting: Fulfilling work duties but not going above and beyond.

Pursuing Passions: Focusing on hobbies and interests rather than career advancement.

Criticisms and Concerns:

The movement has received some criticism for potentially hindering economic growth and innovation.

Some worry it might discourage ambition and hard work.

Overall:

The "lying flat" movement highlights a growing societal shift in China, with younger generations questioning traditional values of work and success. It's a complex phenomenon with both potential benefits and drawbacks, reflecting the changing social and economic landscape in the country.

I guess the term sums up my retirement lifestyle rather well but in this post I'm using the term quite literally. I've discovered that when I lie down flat to sleep a pain starts up in the socket joint of my right shoulder which seriously impairs a restful night's sleep. However, if I prop myself up, so that my upper body is no longer flat, the pain disappears and I mean it completely disappears. Naturally I asked Gemini.

When I lie down flat to sleep, I encounter pain in the socket joint of my right shoulder. This considerably impairs a restful night's sleep. However, if I prop myself up with pillows so that my upper body is no longer flat in the bed, then the pain completely disappears. What might be the reason for this phenomenon?

There are a few possible reasons why you experience shoulder pain when lying flat on your back, but the pain disappears when you sleep propped up with pillows:

Rotator Cuff Impingement: This is a common possibility. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. When you lie flat on your back, the space in your shoulder joint can become compressed. If you have rotator cuff impingement, this compression can irritate the tendons and bursa (fluid-filled sac) in the shoulder, causing pain. Propping yourself up with pillows takes pressure off the joint and allows more space for the rotator cuff tendons to glide smoothly, reducing pain.

Labral Tear: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket and helps keep the ball (humerus) of the upper arm bone in place. A labral tear can cause pain, especially when lying on the affected shoulder. Propping yourself up with pillows might shift the position of your arm and reduce pressure on the labrum, alleviating pain.

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis in the shoulder joint can cause pain and stiffness. Sleeping flat might compress the joint or stretch the capsule in a way that aggravates the arthritis, while sleeping propped up might provide some relief.

Sleeping Position:  Sometimes, simply the way your shoulder is positioned when lying flat can irritate nearby tissues. Propping yourself up might change the position and alleviate discomfort.

Recommendations:

See a Doctor: It's important to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. They can perform a physical examination, order imaging tests (X-ray, MRI) if needed, and recommend the best course of treatment for your specific condition.

Self-Care Measures:  In the meantime, some self-care measures might help manage the pain:

Apply ice packs: Apply ice packs to your shoulder for 15-20 minutes at a time, wrapped in a thin towel, to reduce inflammation.

Over-the-counter pain relievers: Consider using over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage pain.

Sleeping on your side: Sleeping on your unaffected side might be more comfortable than lying flat on your back.

Maintain good posture: Practice good posture throughout the day to help align your shoulder joint and avoid further strain.

Lying flat on my right side so that the shoulder joint is compressed might naturally cause pain and discomfort but the orientation of my body doesn't seem to matter. If I lie flat on my back, flat on my stomach or on my side with the right shoulder uppermost, it doesn't make any difference: the pain is always there. It really is caused by simply lying flat in any position and once I prop myself up, I'm fine.

The joint or its surrounding tissue is definitely damaged from an injury way back in my early thirties when I was playing tennis. At the time, I pushed through the discomfort and continued playing but the joint was never the same. However, it never caused me any day-to-day discomfort until now when it would seem all my chickens are coming home to roost.

I should be thankful I guess that I don't experience pain when I'm upright or else I'd be in a pickle. The Ibuprofen doesn't seem to have much effect so I've discontinued the use of that medication.

Ibuprofen

Today I ventured out and brought some ibuprofen to alleviate the pain in my aching shoulder and other areas. Of the ten tablets on the card, I'm taking three of the 400mg tablets daily. So far I've taken three and the relief is significant. However, the effect wears off after a few hours. What I'm hoping is that after three days, the inflammatory response that my body is generating will subside.

That probably will not happen but in the meantime, I'll enjoy some respite from the discomfort. However, I can't take ibuprofen forever so I'll need to get to the bottom of why my body is turning on itself. On the positive side, I've been forcing myself to walk more and as a result I don't feel as debilitated as I did earlier.

A trip to Medan is planned in early June which will provide me with the opportunity for some psychic healing, focused mainly on treating my thymoma, but perhaps assisting with my chronic inflammation as well. Perhaps the two are related so I asked Google's Gemini the following question and its response suggests that there may well be a link:

Is there any research available that links thymomas or thymic cysts to excessive inflammatory responses int the body?

The research on a direct link between thymomas or thymic cysts and excessive inflammatory responses in the body is limited and not entirely conclusive. Here's a breakdown of what we know:

Thymus Gland and Inflammation:

The thymus gland plays a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in T-cell development. T-cells are white blood cells that help fight infections.

In some cases, thymus dysfunction can lead to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. This suggests a potential link between the thymus and inflammation. 

Thymomas and Thymic Cysts:

Thymomas are tumors that grow in the thymus gland. They can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Thymic cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in the thymus. They are usually benign. 

Current Research:

Studies haven't established a definitive link between thymomas or thymic cysts themselves and causing widespread, excessive inflammation throughout the body.

However, there are some associations to consider:

Paraneoplastic Syndromes: In rare cases, thymomas can be associated with paraneoplastic syndromes. These are groups of symptoms caused by substances released by the tumor that can affect various organs and sometimes trigger inflammatory responses. 

Thymitis: Thymitis is an inflammation of the thymus gland itself. This can occur in association with thymomas or independently. While thymitis can cause localized inflammation in the chest area, it doesn't necessarily translate to widespread body-wide inflammation. 

Further Exploration:

More research is needed to fully understand the potential connection between thymomas/cysts and systemic (body-wide) inflammation.

Some studies suggest that thymomas might be linked to specific inflammatory markers, but the clinical significance and cause-and-effect relationship aren't fully established.If you're concerned about excessive inflammation:

It's important to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause. They can perform tests and rule out other conditions that might be causing the inflammation. 

Overall:

While a definitive link between thymomas/cysts and widespread inflammation is lacking, there are potential associations worth exploring further. If you have a thymoma or thymic cyst and are experiencing excessive inflammation, discussing it with your doctor is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.

DOMS

Ah, at this late stage of my life, I discovered DOMS. Let Gemini explain:

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common phenomenon you might experience after unaccustomed or strenuous exercise. It's characterized by muscle pain, tenderness, and stiffness that typically peaks 1-3 days after the activity.

Here's a deeper dive into DOMS:

Causes:

The exact cause of DOMS is still being researched, but the leading theory suggests it's a result of microscopic tears in muscle fibers caused by strenuous exercise, particularly activities that involve eccentric contractions (lengthening of a muscle under tension). These microtears trigger an inflammatory response in the body to repair the damaged tissue. This inflammation leads to the pain, tenderness, and stiffness associated with DOMS.

Symptoms:

Muscle pain and tenderness: This is the hallmark symptom of DOMS, typically felt most intensely 24-72 hours after exercise.

Muscle stiffness: The affected muscles might feel tight and difficult to move through their full range of motion.

Reduced muscle strength: You might experience temporary weakness in the affected muscles.

Risk Factors:

Unaccustomed exercise: People new to an exercise routine or those returning after a break are more prone to DOMS.

Strenuous exercise: Activities involving intense effort, eccentric contractions, or unfamiliar movements can increase the risk.

Poor exercise form: Improper technique can put additional stress on muscles, leading to more micro-tears.

Treatment and Prevention:

While DOMS can be uncomfortable, it's generally harmless and resolves on its own within a few days. Here are some tips for managing and preventing DOMS:

Rest: Allow your body adequate recovery time after strenuous exercise.

Active recovery: Light activity like walking or gentle yoga can promote blood flow and aid healing.

Stretching: Gentle stretching before and after exercise can help improve flexibility and potentially reduce DOMS severity.

Massage: Massage therapy can improve circulation and promote healing in the affected muscles.

Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and inflammation.

Preventing DOMS:

Gradual progression: Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to allow your muscles to adapt.

Proper warm-up and cool-down: Dedicate time to warm-up exercises before and cool-down stretches after workouts to prepare and relax your muscles.

Proper form: Ensure you use proper technique during exercise to avoid putting undue stress on your muscles.

Hydration: Stay well-hydrated before, during, and after exercise to support muscle function and recovery.

Additional Points:

DOMS vs. Injury: While DOMS can be uncomfortable, it's usually not a cause for major concern. However, if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by swelling or bruising, it's best to consult a doctor to rule out a more serious injury.

Individual Variation: The experience of DOMS can vary significantly from person to person. Some individuals might be more susceptible to it than others.

By understanding DOMS and following these tips, you can manage discomfort and optimize your workouts for better results.

Almost two weeks ago now, I tripped on the bottom stairs leading to the front door. I landed face down with my hands in front of me to brace myself for the fall. In the previous description, there's no mention made of age as a factor in the sudden onset of DOMS and yet it clearly is. I've suffered similar falls in the past and not shown any such symptoms. 

The day after the fall I was fine but next day I was a total wreck and remained that way for about two more days before gradually recovering. This was really a relatively minor fall and I wonder what the consequences would be have been had the fall been more serious. My body's inflammatory response was massively excessive. If a similar event happens I'll be sure to take some ibuprofen to ameliorate the symptoms. This time around I only took panadol which really didn't have much effect at all.

Maybe it's psychological but ever since turning 75 I've suddenly felt OLD. All I do is to ensure that I remain active and mobile. I've done a lot of sleeping during my gradual recovery and it's easy to fall into the taking refuge in the bed. Giving in to this tendency however, will greatly accelerate ones demise.