stapfam

Just had my yearly checkup at the Quacks and no problems except for cholesterol count going up a bit so Symvastatin doubled to 40 mgs to see if it betters. Only 3 months of it and I have to keep an eye open for the side effect of Muscle wasting or Pain.

But a new doctor- again- and he asked all the questions about diet and lifestyle. Checking through he noted that I had had a bypass and wondered why I was not on beta blockers. Explained to him that a year after the op- I found it was affecting my cycling and decided to come off them. Why Did you want to come off them? It was affecting my heart rate and I could not get anywhere near my max HR and it was slowing me down. What was your Max HR? around 165 and occasional just into the 170's. And what do you get now? Don't get into the 170's any longer but still see 165 occasionally.

At that he asked me about my bike riding and explained that I am taking it easier now and only doing road riding at present- with at least two rides of 20 miles and if the weathers right- a longer one at the weekends.

At long last- I have a doctor who did not pass out at the thought of Cycling at a "Mature" age. But still got the lecture about not overdoing it- don't push yourself too hard and as soon as I get any problems- come back and see him.

Then the next question- "How do you get started on Cycling. What type of bike and what shop to get good advice on getting started"? Hope he does think about it a bit more as he passed the comment that I am carrying a bit of weight. And as I had already noted mentally- He is carrying a lot of extra weight. It would be nice to be treated by a Doctor who understands and practices the benefit of physical fitness sometime.

maddmaxx 

Be careful about the cholesterol or there will be no pie!

stapfam

On this forum- there will always be Pie. Just might have to go to smaller portions

Retro Grouch 

Yeah. I also found a doctor whose about 20 years younger than me. I don't want to be breaking in a new young pup when it comes time for me to kick the bucket.

Artmo 

Coincidentally, my family doc, cardiologist and orthopedic surgeon are all road cyclists/triathletes, but all much younger than me. I occasionally suffer from a-fib, so some time back I asked my cardiologist if it would be OK to go to my HRmax (161 achieved; 153 if 220-age) and he said as long I feel OK, do it, so I do, but not for extended periods, although yesterday I was drafting a couple of my 70+ year-old friends at 19-20mph into a stiff wind and my heart was at 97% max for about 20 minutes. I thought my lungs were about to explode! I've had nuclear stress tests and my pipes are clear. No problems yet.

John E

Yup! It would also be nice to see one who is not trying to support the pharmaceutical industry.

My orthopedist is a member of a group practice oriented specifically towards sports medicine -- I would not have it any other way. When I was recovering from my knee cap dislocation and later from my radius fracture, we compared notes on the merits of ASICS running shoes.

CtRoadie

took a stress test yesterday as a flooow up for a stent implanted in october. as i passed the medically dictated max heart rate, with no thoughts of stopping, i had to explain to the doctor that i wasn't trying to impress anyone but that i did have a point to prove to myself. i didn't stop the test until the heartrate went over 175.
my doctor is old school.....he doesn't think that the way i exercise is good for anyone with heart desease.
it's been 14 years since i had bypass, i quit smoking and lost a ton of weight. apparently, once you have heart desease, you always have heart desease.

good luck, chase the pie!

Beverly

That wasn't a very small portion in the picture

John E

I like old school bicycles, but not old school doctors.

CtRoadie

i agree, but without the doc, i wouldn't be showing everyone how badly i spell!

qcpmsame 

SF,
Glad your physical went well, at least your doctor asked, about getting into cycling, of you. Mine is in 22 days so I will know if the surgeries are over for a while and if I got the kindey function back to a respectable level. Have a piece of pie for me and I will do the same for you.

Bill

stapfam

Its not a very small rider either

He is my Co-rider on the Tandem on the Fun Rides.

Litespeed

About six months ago I had to change health care providers and am now with Kaiser. The doctor I went to see for my annual checkup was probably about 40 - 45, I'm guessing. The only thing he did was check my heart rate and then finally ask me about how much exercise and what type of exercise I do. I told him I walk 40 miles a week, ride my bike between 50 - 100 a week and go to the gym and do weights 3 days a week. I really don't think he believed me. I wanted to get blood work done because I like to keep track of my cholesterol, but he wouldn't even let me take it, he said I didn't need it. I haven't been sick in about 10 years except for back problems. I don't know what to make of this new doctor. He did have me take my yearly female tests but that was it.

stapfam

What you ought to do is put on 100lbs- waddle into the doctors and say you have a chest pain. Here in the UK- it is being realised that Cholesterol and (For Males) PSA blood tests become more important the older you get. And it is also realised that even the fittest- lightest- those on good diets and get plenty of exercise can get the problems