I skipped the gym yesterday so I definitely had to get there today, after my glaucoma doc appointment. I had to get up super early to make sure the pups had some park time. It's gotten colder and there was no one for them to play with. At my doc appointment, I had my IOPs tested and took a new Visual Field test. Those results confirmed something I've noticed on my own: the vision in my right eye, specifically the upper quadrant is showing loss. It doesn't grow back. At least not under current therapies.
My pressures are also higher than they should be, and I'm on 4 different eye drops. Because degradation is advancing, the doc has suggested other treatments. The most conservative is to implant the Durysta device and maintain 3 of the eye drops. The doc also suggested a diuretic pill but since I'm already on a hypertension med, and my primary will no doubt want to prescribe a statin for my elevated cholesterol levels, I demurred. But the Rx is in the system, just in case. I have an appointment next week for my right eye, the eye with the higher pressure and more severe vision loss. Then it'll probably be another week or two before I get the left eye treated.
The only good news was that without the pilocarpine drops, I could read the eye chart just fine and still have 20/20-20/25 vision. If the Durysta doesn't work to lower my IOPs, she'll add the diuretic. And if that doesn't work, there's always actual surgeries to let more fluid drain out. That's probably going to affect my ability to exercise. My body has a tendency to scar so I'm trying to avoid the surgical options, but it's still an option. Better than being blind, right?
Just when I thought pills had reached the limits of horse-size, I got myself a bottle of magnesium citrate. Luckily the pills are coated with a smooth lavender gel, but they are still monstrous. Although the dose is for two, I can only handle one and even that takes me some mental prep before I can actually swallow it. I'm not kidding. These freaking pills are ginormous! Because magnesium can fight with zinc if you take both together, I take the magnesium citrate closer to dinner time. I also switched from magnesium oxide to citrate because oxide is mostly unavailable to the body and citrate is easier to absorb.
I got to the gym well past noon today, and I was surprised to see Wind Breaker on elliptical #3 while #2 and #1 were both vacant. I hop in #1 because it's really got the best glide. Halfway through my session, I see Wind Breaker in my peripheral vision. He's exited #3 and hopped on #2. Later, when I switch off to do pull-ups, the step machine, and the cross-trainer, I see that he's moved to machine #1. I guess he's decided to pedal three of the four machines. I think #4 isn't worth pedaling, but I could be wrong.
I get all my pull-ups! Yaaay me! It's been cold and I don't sweat as much today. I see some regulars. Kids come trickling in. Today is my cardio and pull-up day and that's what I do. Then off to the Aerobics Room to do basic body weight stuff. I'm good with everything except for my knees when I get to Air Squats. Because Squats. I'll save Walking Lunges for tomorrow when I hopefully will push some DBs around. The same for Wall Sits.
I've been watching a new Canadian show on TV called Coroner. It's only 4 seasons and I just started season 2. I was only half watching and doing other things when I heard a song I recognized immediately by the raspy voice and bouncy twang. Wreckless Eric released the Whole Wide World back in 1978, and I have the vinyl for Big Smash! as well as the subsequent CD set that was eventually released years later. Who doesn't know A Pop Song? Yeah, punk rock and next wave way back when. It definitely made me smile. In case you don't know it, here's the YouTube video...
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