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I got smart today and took my bike ride early...before the wind kicked up to 30-45 mph.  The wind has been relentless for the whole month of March and it has been colder than usual (but not that bad relative to other areas, so I do not complain. Usually, March is the nicest month here.

Mike's swollen ankle has gone back to near normal.  His blood test showed a high level of uric acid which indicates gout.  We thought he had gout before, but the uric acid levels were not so high back then.  He of course wants it to be something else because gout means diet changes.  I am hoping I do not have to become the diet police.  On the other hand, it might mean fixing just one dish for the both of us--lots of vegetables without salt.   We need to follow up with his primary care physician at home for a review of the medications and how they may be impacting his kidney function.  So many meds mean too many side effects.  At least congestive heart failure was ruled out.  The FL doctor gave us all the test results to take home.  (I was there to ask for that.)

My sister was telling me that her kidney function was a concern at her recent physical and that her doctor is moving her off the blood pressure med she is taking because of that.  She takes the same medication as I do so now I will have to make an appointment with my own doctor to ask about this.

We took a ride to Manasota Beach:
 
 
 It seemed crowded compared to our usual haunt, Caspersen Beach:
 



Comments

  1. My Bob suffers from gout. He takes Allopurinol daily & always keeps a Rx of Colchicine in the medicine chest in case of a flare up. We call them the 'magic pills' because they work like magic to stop a flare up. Good luck dealing with this problem.

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    1. My brother takes those medications and talks to Mike about watching his diet. He still wants to believe it is something else.

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  2. I like your beach, even if it is windy. Good luck with the meds.

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    1. I like our sort of deserted beach. I am not recommending that you put it on your list of retirement communities because I am really quite selfish. Let me mention that I do have land for sale in Naples though.

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  3. It is kind of disappointing news for some when our ailments require our efforts to improve and that a magic pill is not the answer. However, we eventually learn those very magic pills have their own problems. I personally hate meds and always look for some adjustment in lifestyle I can do to make it all better.
    Hope he accepts the gout diet with no problems."Lots of vegetables without salt" sounds good for lots of reasons.

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    1. "Lots of vegetables without salt" Yeah, I have been nagging about that for way too long now, but now I am trying SO hard not to be all "I told you so!" so as not push him into a stubborn place. He really does not like the pile of pills he takes daily so I am hoping that he will get there because when he makes up his mind, it is made up and he will do the follow through. Gentle guidance vs. frustration--that is my struggle.

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  4. Sorry that Mike's dx was gout, and yes, you probably will become the diet police in the beginning! My husband was also dx'd with it, but the pain was enough that he stuck to the approved foods. Now, his sugar is high, so another adjustment is needed. He grumps a lot, but does as he's told. Love your beach pix -- they make me happy!
    Peace,
    Muff

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    1. Mike was also told last year that he has pre-diabetes. In his world, where the sky is pink, that means "no diabetes" (family history) and, therefore, no need to worry.

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  5. What pretty beaches. I hate medical stuff, but I a grateful that me and mine can get help when we need it.

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  6. I hope Mike is feeling better soon and you don't have to become the diet police.

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  7. Being the diet police is not a lot of fun!!! Let us know how that goes!!

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  8. Good luck with the change in diet! Salt is such a sneaky thing...I have to admit it is one of my downfalls.

    Both beaches are lovely! I'm looking out the window at piles of snow, so sand and sea are tantalizing.

    Have a great Easter!

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    1. Thanks for the link. Happy Easter to you, too.

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  9. Nice photos! Hope your hubby agrees to diet changes. I am not too fond of veggies, but I do force myself to eat them. Thank goodness that David and I shy away from salt. Happy Easter!

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