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04/23/18 03:26 PM

#3054

David Mitchell

Is it just me? Or are we getting boring again?

I see a trend. It's all guys again since Janie's Birthday. I think we are suffering from what has been called "Man Answer Syndrome". We guys have an answer for everything - even when there is no question being asked.

Clare, maybe could you expound on the "Casting Ponds" just a bit more for us?

04/23/18 05:24 PM

#3055

Janie Albright (Blank)

Thanks for all your birthday greetings, especially all of you Mariachi band members who practiced so hard for my big day!

Some of you have already tried on 70 for size and you gave me the confidence to give it a try. So far so good! When it’s your turn go for it!

Colleen and I have been amigas since Peter Pan Playhouse days (Do any of you remember it? About Weisheimer and High in Beechwold?) Co is Godmother to my oldest daughter, Nancy and a member of our family. She actually brought the birthday cake from a fabulous and famous bakery in Cincinnati, Bonbonerie.

Co and Gabe and my great niece.

04/23/18 06:20 PM

#3056

Michael McLeod

I was never any good with the girls. You're the ladies' man, Dave. I hold you responsible.

04/23/18 07:55 PM

#3057

Timothy Lavelle

I sure wish we could expand our group too.

Hey, maybe we could could hear from some of the black kids in our group. They could give us their definitive view on what it means to be white and entitled.

No, no...way better. Let's get some in depth marriage advice from a priest since they've never been confused on the issue or confronted with any of the true difficulties of that relationship, having zero actual experience.

Or better, let me just shut up and let two guys who have never smoked weed tell us all about what is wrong with it.

Jim, as a decent guy you may never have given thought to the fact that because you are a doctor, you can sound off about anything and people immediately give it resonance...just because you have a title. You ask for definitive analysis of dope but then cut the legs out from under weed's help for glaucoma and such. Let's just imagine that on any given day, the number of dope smokers in the US helps reduce our overall tension quotient in this country...wouldn't that be a good thing in general? If one person has less pain isn't that a good thing?

Maybe you guys could talk about the medicinal wonders of single malt scotch?

04/23/18 09:09 PM

#3058

James Hamilton, M. D.

Tim

I think this Forum is proof positive that my comments on medical topics are not always met with blind acceptance! That can also be said about a significant portion of my patient population over the years.

I do not claim, nor does medical science, to have all the answers. Science is based on tests, results and percentages. Recently, there has been a trend for certain illnesses, mainly cancers, to pursue "Personalized Medicine". This involves looking at certain genetic variations in the tumor cells (which differ from patient to patient) and treating that patient with a specific medicine to target those cells. This is a paradigm shift from the old way where certain cancer drugs were used for all comers with the same diagnosis. I can see in the future that approach being used for many other disorders including pain management. Perhaps some of those 400 components of pot will be isolated, purified and concentrated for such purposes. That is what I referred to as keeping an open mind.

The main goal of glaucoma treatment is to control intraocular pressure (IOP) in order to prevent damage to the optic nerve and preserve vision. There are many medicines, mainly topical drops, that do this quite well. These have long enough half-lives to be administered once or twice daily. Marijuana smoke does lower IOP but the duration is very short lived, about 2 hours. That would require smoking pot at such doses over a 24 hour period to cause extreme intoxication and mental impairment. Now, if science could isolate the substance in MJ that helps lower IOP and make a slow release eye drop formulation of it that works, then we could add that to our treatment options. Maybe this also would be a good area for Personalized Medicine.

In regard to single malt scotch: I believe whisky was the "drug of choice" for anesthesia and antisepsis in the past particularly after those gunfights in the old west.

Of course, feel free to not agree with what I have just written! 😡

Jim

04/23/18 10:15 PM

#3059

David Mitchell

We interrupt this debate for the following public service announcement:

Today is Roy Orbison's Birthday!

I was hearing a radio show about his life - hosted by his two sons and did not know how closely related (as musicians, co-song writers, and friends) he was to Carl Perkins, Ricky Nelson, and my all time favorites, the Everly Brothers. And you can throw in a little influence from Johnny Cash. I did not hear the entire program. Can't help wondering if Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, or even the "King" might have figured into the story also.

Man, I loved all those guys. That whole "Rockabilly" sound was so sweet. Just think - "Pretty Woman", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Travelin' Man", and "All I Have To Do Is Dream" -- my vote for the best Rock & Roll song of all time. (The "B" side was my unoffcial theme song in about 5th grade - "Kathy's {Shannahan's} Clown")

04/23/18 10:35 PM

#3060

David Mitchell

Yeah, You're right. I better honor Roy with one too. Happy Birthday to one of the greats. This is one of his best!

04/23/18 10:41 PM

#3061

David Mitchell

Isn't that Bruce Sprinsteen sitting in a chair and playing guitar on the far right?

Check it out at 0:53 seconds into the video.

04/23/18 11:24 PM

#3062

Janie Albright (Blank)

Good eye, Dave!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Orbison_and_Friends:_A_Black_and_White_Night

04/23/18 11:25 PM

#3063

David Mitchell

Or is that John Jackson again?

And serously - just realized that is K.D. Lang standing with the three ladies at the microphone in back. Feels like I saw this on TV some years back - like a tribute to Roy or something like that. Might be some others in the group?

(Elvis Costello beside Bruce - to our left - of Bruce - maybe ???)

04/24/18 12:22 AM

#3064

Frank Ganley

Dave, if you watch the entire concert, how i wish i was there as i would have snatched one of those idle guitars on stage and really have a ball but i digress . Springsteen, elvis costello were playing guitars. emily lou harris and bonnie riatt were back up singers thats how strong the band was.all playing roy songs. Tim easy on the non smoking brothers because as the Lord so aptly put “ forgive them father for they know not what they say. Dr jim you are right on my of those points you made. Recently i have been dianosed with macular degeneration.. the Dr said it was the bad one , wet , whatever that means . Help on that jim lol. never be it said that i don’t have a comment on just about everything, oh thats ok doc i already smoke my medicine. And just as miracle max said in princess bride” oh you who know so much!” He stated without a smile, to my disappointment, you would have to smoke about a pound of pot a day. I told him i couldn’t smoke that much. To those who are under the opinion that smoking pot makes one listless similar to alcohol . No if you drink till you can’t move is nothing like the high from pot. On al k hall with that much you can’t drive. Those who do smoke would say the same. A completely buzz. Lets address opiates as i had a long time need and long time use. For those who don’t know my medical history it does not have anything to do with health but all orthopedic proceedures. Starting with a fusion on c-4-5, followed a year later with a laminectomy on the same area. Knee surgery followed but it only required a little trim up. Next came bi-lateral tarsal tunnel release. Almost list my right foot as it bacame infected with e-coli. Next came a complete left hip replacement. I have a stryker hip, everybody go wow as i was told its the best lol. The next i broke that little pointy bone on the inside of the wrist. My next surgery was a right mid foot fussion followed immediately with a fussion on that little bone again along with a bone graph and two screws. You ask what was the cause, 50 years of hitting golf ball after golf ball. The constant wear and tear on the body. I really don’t know how tour players move after all there time on the range.So for all of that time from age 42 till about 58 i took big daddy oxicontin, pham heroine, neither i nor my doctor who i have had for almost 35 years, so mike knows me well and i have no secrets from him, i was one of his first patients,neither of us knew that i would become addicted as i only took one every three or four days. When the pain became unbearable. It was only when a driving range i was teaching at sold to land developers that i became aware of addiction. Since i was sending out resumes and not hitting balls i didnt take a pill for about 4 days or so. Then i got the flu so bad i was living in the bathroom. After taking everything under the sun for the flu i asked my wife for an oxi so i could fall asleep. BOOM about a minute and i was perfect again. Next day with dr he cried as he didnt know he was doing that to me. I told him , we didn’t know but we do now. I stopped then and there and just do the pain with pot. I don’t know how or why it works nor do i care as i know it helps me. I also smoke it recreationally also a puff or two ah nice euphoric little buzz. Also i can smoke and drive. Please if ever comes to a vote in your state please vote yes for all who need it, or just want an alternative to booze or like me do both and smile.

04/24/18 04:27 AM

#3065

James Hamilton, M. D.

Frank,

You are correct that the wet form of macula degeneration is more threatening to vision than the dry form. However, it is also the more treatable form. I assume that your ophthalmologist or retinal specialist has discussed with you the various therapies available, the two most commonly used ones being Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitors which are injected into the eye and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) which is laser therapy. As with all treatments for anything, there are potential side effects which your doctors would discuss with you.

I know of no studies that look at cannabis in treating macular degeneration. At least with the dry form smoking tobacco has been shown to worsen and hasten the loss of vision. Since certain vitamins and supplemental minerals are helpful in treating both the wet and dry forms and some of those vitamins are contraindicated in smokers, smoking may limit the use of those in the wet form.

I have a very strong family history of glaucoma as well as macular degeneration. My father suffered from both glaucoma and dry macular edema. In his later years it was his major limiting factor to enjoying life. I had often wished he had had the wet form as these treatments were just coming on the market back then. Needless to say I faithfully get my eye examinations.

Jim

04/24/18 01:34 PM

#3066

Kathleen Wintering (Nagy)

Great picture of Janie and Colleen! ! Kathy W.

04/24/18 02:16 PM

#3067

Joseph D. McCarthy

First, Happy 70th Janie; It's about time you joined the crowd.

Next, for my 2 1/2 cents. regarding MJ. If my foggy recollection is right the United States was the biggest dispersant of MJ during WWII. It had the idea that sowing the seeds along railroad tracks would aid in keeping fires from spreading. Also, as once again my recollection goes, the Government licensed the growing and study of MJ over the years. One of the largest RESEARCHERS was an outfit headquartered in Columbus known as Batelle Memorial Institute (BMI). They supposedly published scientific articles on the subject. Don't know if any are still available through BMI or if they now repose only with Chemical Abstracts (another Columbus facility).

And last, yes Dave I'm finishing, scans of typical Coal Company Scrip used by the Captive Workers.

04/24/18 04:00 PM

#3068

Frank Ganley

Jim i get an injection in each eye once a month but it has been working as i now am every 6 weeks plus i take that medicine talked about on tv

04/24/18 05:23 PM

#3069

James Hamilton, M. D.

Frank,

Good treatment! The injectable one is most likely one of the VEGF inhibitors. There are about 4 of them on the market and are all about the same.

Do you know the name of the one advertised on TV, the other one you take?

Jim

04/25/18 12:18 PM

#3070

Mark Schweickart

Dr. Jim -- just a warning about beginning to offer free medical advice on this site of creaking 70 year-olds. You might blow up the forum. I was told by Mr. LaVelle that when he approached you at our reunion and asked you what this nasty thing was on his neck, you replied, "It's called, 'your head', Tim," and then you turned and walked away. I don't know if there is any truth to this, but then again, Tim is not one known to exaggerate or make light of things, so I imagine this was true. No doubt this was simply your way to protect yourself from people lining up at your table to seek free medical advice. You may need to prepare a list of similar snappy one-liners to shoot back with to use here on the forum.

04/25/18 01:29 PM

#3071

Timothy Lavelle

Mark,

In defense of Jim, he was right about the bump!

In defense of myself...I have never exaggerated, literally, never...not one time. I do find it a little difficult being the only person who is continually correct about every subject. I'll be signing autographs on the south lawn, adjacent to the crash site, at noon!

04/25/18 01:37 PM

#3072

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mark

Who said anything about FREE??? I sent Tim a bill but his Obamacare denied payment since I did not remove the offending bump. 😷

04/25/18 02:24 PM

#3073

Frank Ganley

Jim I’m heartly sorry my malidies that i gave you were not for advice(lol) but just to reference my need for my preferred pain management system. Mark, being an md. at a party is only slightly better than being a golf pro. Evveryone wants a lesson and a cure. As the questions and their ideas get to be about to much i will ask everyone to assume the address position, i will then hold my arms in the air and yell, “ Jesus heal them in your name” that about does it. If not i will ask how much they make an hour and bill accordingly

04/25/18 02:41 PM

#3074

Timothy Lavelle

Frank,

Isn't there another, more common name for "golf pro"?

"Hooker"...

04/25/18 02:58 PM

#3075

James Hamilton, M. D.

Free advice is worth every penny paid for it!

Seriously, I enjoy giving it out since it keeps that part of my brain active and justifies my continuing to subscribe to medical journals.

Besides, Mike McLeod gives us advice on how ro research topics, Mark on writing books, Donna on Spain's current events, Dave on the way it was in Viet Nam, and Tim and Beth on how not to mow a lawn.

Jim

04/25/18 08:55 PM

#3076

David Mitchell

This is kind of funny.

How often did I hear stories of my Dad getting "cornered" at a cocktail parrty or social engagement by someone wanting to grill him about their various conditions and maladies - for what seemed like forever a couple of times. Outside of his office, the hospital, or the Medical School, he would never introduce himself as anything but Bill Mitchell and even asked some of his party hosts not to let on that he was a physician.

Now by the way Jim, I was wondering if you could tell me what this pain in my back is from and what do you suggest I take for it?

Maybe you could set up a schedule of "office hours" for some part of our future reunions and Janie could set up some sort of advanced appointment system on this website.

I'll take the half hour at 9:30 if it's still open. But before you examine me, I'll need time to digest my lemonaide and cheese sandwiches, with or without the crust cut off.

04/25/18 09:52 PM

#3077

Linda Weiner (Bennett)

LMAO! I was planning to change the subject but this medical "discussion" is way more fun.

04/25/18 09:55 PM

#3078

James Hamilton, M. D.

Dave,

A rheumatologist died and was confronted by St. Peter and the devil. They indicated that the doctor could choose his eternal fate but whatever he chose he would be expected to work. St. Peter said that Heaven could use a good rheumatologist and proceeded to show him their clinic which consisted of a run down building with peeling paint, old yellow lighting and exam tables in need of repair. The devil told him that he, too, needed such a specialist and then showed him a modern, facility with brand new equipment, a full staff of support personnel and beautiful artwork on the freshly painted walls.

After considering the options the rheumatologist went with the latter option.

The next day the doctor walked into the sparkling clinic and began to see patients. The first three patients he saw complained of chronic low back pain. When he checked his schedule he saw the same diagnosis for all the patients scheduled for that day. The devil approached and asked how his day was going and the doctor complained that there seemed to be an epidemic of back pain. The devil replied "They all have low back pain. That's the hell of it."

Jim

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