OMG—something to make Me Feel even Older

And I’ve even got old kids to prove it

My oldest son turns 48 this week. That’s good. He’s healthy, successful, and still keeps in touch with his elderly parents. All five kids are over 40 and then there are five teen-aged grandkids (and one mere babe). All this is good.

When I turned 70 I did a quick inventory of my aches and pains (there were more than a few) and determined that, in fact, I was getting older and more decrepit. But in my mind I was still 30. As the kids get older and older it’s hard to claim 30 or 40 or 50 or even 60.

I feel my true age more days in a week or a month than I used to. I have more side effects from those ever-increasing prescription strengths. I’m still alive, so all this is good, too.

Bottom line‑‑I guess I’ll have to come to terms with being young at heart, ancient of body, and the elder in my family (not as prestigious as in past generations). And I’m getting used to all those gray-haired kids of mine (at least in those who have hair).

axman

If More is Better…

...then I should be more better

About a month ago I discovered that my PSA had doubled since January. It also doubled between October and January. So that resulted in yet another increase in my main meds (bicalutamide). I have gone from a daily dose of 50mg in September to 100mg in January to 150mg in April.

It’s not hard to swallow them—the pills are very small—so that’s not a problem. There is the cost factor and my razor sharp math skills have led me to the conclusion that the cost of three-a-day is triple that of one-a-day (you see, I passed 9^th grade math).

So far it appears that there is no increase in obvious side effects like green spots on my skin, appendages falling off, or decreased brain function (it’s already at an all time low). But there is one little thing that stands out; I seem to need more sleep and rest. I’m not sure that fatigue is even on the list of 437 contraindications (possible side effects) printed out on the paperwork that accompanies my prescription.

As for me, however, whatever the actual reason (age, mental breakdown, physical collapse, the heartbreak of psoriasis, or climate change) I get tired sooner, need a nap oftener, and just doing my normal daily chores (as assigned by my wife) brings on heavy breathing (not the good kind).

What’s next? Pretty soon I’ll just stay asleep 24/7 and avoid all that interfering social stuff that now goes on every day between naps.

axman

Beware of Omega-3 fatty acids–Are They now Your Enemy?

...but just a few months ago they were considered OK, even better than OK...

If you’re a man who has prostate cancer, by now you’ve seen the articles‑they’re everywhere‑pointing out the results found at the  Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Men with faster growing prostate cancer are more likely to have it get even more aggressive if they eat a lot of fatty fish or omega-3 fatty acids. Those with the highest levels of DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) were two and a half times more likely to have high-grade prostate cancer. This is exactly the opposite of what was expected. Common sense be damned, again.

The results are based on an old clinical trial – the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial that started way back in the 1990s. I was one of more than 18.000 men in that trial (it turned out I was in the placebo - sugar pill - group) which was actually stopped early. Now, 15 years after it all started another strange result. While omega-3 fatty acids are still considered to be good for your heart; it seems they can be deadly to your prostate cancer.

In another twist, it seems that trans-fatty acids (bad, bad for your heart) cut your risk. Men with high levels of trans-fats in their blood were 50 percent less likely to have high-grade prostate cancer. The study doesn’t mention how much their heart attack or stroke risk is increased.

So, I guess I’ll go eat some French Fries and slow down my prostate cancer. I wonder when they’ll publish research telling me that wine and beer will make my cancer worse? I may have to quit reading.

axman