All of My Health and Wellness Issues in Embarrassing Detail

Updated: February 2, 2017

Similar to my What I’m Doing Now page, this is a continuously updated listing of every health issue I have. I’m doing this for three reasons:

1. I like full transparency with my readers

This website is not about applying a filter to my life and making it appear to be something it’s not. It’s about the reality of being human, about aging, about overcoming the challenges that life throws at us. So you need to see what’s going on behind the facade of a nice profile photo.

2. I want my readers to know that they are not struggling alone

Everyone assumes that they are the only ones dealing with stuff, that the image that other people project to the world is real. That everyone else is so happy and successful and healthy (or at least happier and more successful and healthier than you). This is totally not the truth, as I explain in this article.

I’m a teeny-tiny bit of public persona, in that I have a website and reach a few people out of the billions on the planet. So you might look over this well-crafted online presence and draw the conclusion that my life is in many ways awesome. Well, my life is the same as yours in 99% of the things that really matter…like my health. So take a close look at my reality and know that without a doubt, here is a person (me) who is struggling with many of the same things you are.

3. I don’t think people should be embarrassed about the way their bodies work (or don’t work)

It’s socially OK to say “I have a sore on my hip.” But it’s not socially acceptable to say “I have sore on my butt.” That made you squirm, didn’t it? (For the record, I don’t have a sore there.) Why are we so prudish about this? Why is one part of your body OK to talk about, but you can’t talk about something that is located mere inches away? Why does mental health have a stigma? Everyone is so childish about this, and I won’t be a part of it.

So, on this page, I don’t hold anything back. Maybe it will help you feel more comfortable about your own health and wellness issues.

A few more comments

As you can see, I work very diligently to address every single health issue I have. I wish I’d started sooner, because I endured many things (e.g. depression) for far too long. Frankly, when I write all this stuff down, I’m shocked at how much there is, but I’m glad it’s all in the “getting taken care of” column and not the “ignoring it and hoping it will go away on its own” column.

I’m eternally grateful for good insurance coverage, which I know a lot of people don’t have. But I also have never hesitated to pay whatever is necessary out-of-pocket for good health. I’ve never understood people who’ll make huge car or house payments without blinking but put off medical care that is much more important in the long run.

Every single thing you read on this page is known to one or more of my doctors. I’m not managing anything based only on internet wisdom, and that includes the supplements I list.

So here goes. Enjoy…or feel superior…or whatever.

This Is Not Health Advice

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This is it: “The line.”

When you cross this line, you are acknowledging that you are a mature, thoughtful adult who is responsible for making your own health decisions no matter what anyone else does…including not-a-doctor Scott Weigle. You also promise not to be dumb about self-medicating or using stuff you find on the internet as an excuse not to seek professional help.

This line is like one of those tire-puncturing strips that you can only drive over one way. Once you cross, there’s no going back…so let’s keep moving forward.

Issues that are completely resolved

The short list of things I don’t have to do anything to maintain. In approximate order of resolution.

Irritable bowel syndrome

• Resolved spontaneously

Nearsighedness

• Corrected with LASIK surgery

Deviated nasal septum

• Corrected with surgery

Right Knee pain

• Corrected with two surgeries

Rotator cuff tear, right shoulder

• Corrected with surgery

Extensive wear and breakdown of all teeth

• Corrected with full mouth reconstruction (32 crowns)

• Long process of adjusting the bite to alleviate sensitive teeth finally ended in February, 2017

Chronic lower back pain

• Corrected with surgery (lumbar fusion)

Issues that I’m working on

Body weight

Working on losing about 40 pounds. So far I’ve lost 30. This time, I swear I’ll keep it off! I’ve learned so much about my body over the last few decades that I’m putting to use this time.

Plantar fasciitis

I’ve dealt with this off and on for years. Right now (and for the last two years) it’s only on the right. As long as I wear a splint every night and good arch support in my shoes, it’s OK. Recently I increased the angle of my night splint (so my foot is bent farther upward) and it made a big difference. I’m actually optimistic that it’s nearly healed as I have no symptoms at all during the day. But I’ll keep using the splint for a few more months to be certain…re-injury sets you all the way back.

Psoriatic arthritis

Given the ongoing/intermittent joint tenderness and tendonitis, my dermatologist became concerned with psoriatic arthritis. My initial visit to a rheumatologist produced a diagnosis of that condition, and the discussion made a lot of sense given some longstanding complaints. I’m currently on sulfasalazine, which has eliminated morning soreness. Follow up in June, 2017.

Difficulty emptying bladder

Removal of ejaculatory duct cyst that was blocking urine flow was somewhat successful. But a condition called “bladder neck dysfunction” remains an issue for emptying my bladder. It may require surgery. Follow up in June, 2017.

Dry eyes affecting vision

I’ve made good progress on this since I realized that getting super dry eyes at night was causing problems with vision during the day. In addition to the items listed below that I have been doing for several months with limited success, I’ve added putting ointment in my eyes at night. This helps a lot. I’m going to try some eye shield (supposed to keep eyes moist) next. Follow up sometime this summer.

• High-potency fish oil daily (already taking for management of Triglycerides)
• Daily hot packs (Bruder mask) ~5 minutes each morning, followed by lid massage to stimulate oil glands
• Eyelid scrubs twice a week to remove excess dead skin than can block oil ducts
• Restasis eye drops, which are WAY too expensive

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Issues that I’ve learned to manage

I’ll be managing these for the rest of my life. I’ve learned to be OK with that.

Neuro

Headaches

• Avoid all caffeine

Auditory Processing Disorder

• Minimize background noise
• Avoid loud environments

Episodic depression

• Light therapy, fall/winter/spring
• No caffeine
• No alcohol
• Careful monitoring food intake
• SAM-E morning and noon daily
• 5-HTP as needed

Mild social anxiety

• Avoid many social situations
• Ask people not to hug me
• Kava

Ortho

Left knee tendonitis

Caused by patella misalignment (see 1981 surgery). Non-operable.

• Currently asymptomatic, given my exercise routine. Strengthening with exercise bands twice a week if symptoms recur

Shoulder pain

Caused by mild arthritis in cervical spine

• Rub on trigger point in shoulder once a week to keep it broken up (golf ball in sock)
• Cervical epidural injection as needed

Vision

Presbyopia

I.e. Difficulty seeing up close

• Reading glasses

Circulatory

Heart disease risk due to high triglycerides and mild blockage shown on coronary calcium scan

• 6 daily high-potency fish oil, split between meals
• Regular exercise
• Monitor with coronary calcium scan yearly

Lower leg edema

Caused by venous insufficiency and/or lymphedema

• Diosmin/Hesperidan (supplement)
• Pycnogenal (supplement)
• Support stockings as needed

Dermatologic

Intermittent eczema, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis

• Clobetasol cream and Protopic ointment as needed (prescription)

Actinic keratosis on scalp, ears and face

• Annual blue light treatment to remove several layers of skin

Yeast/fungal overgrowth on skin

• Soap with salicylic acid for armpits and groin
• Anti-fungal cream on feet twice a week
• Pumice heels twice a week

Ear, nose, throat

Phlegm / clearing throat

• Atrovent (Ipatroprium) nasal spray twice daily (prescription)
• Seasonal allergies: Flonase (over the counter)
• Breakthrough phlegm due to dry throat: Halls lozenges

Moderate reflux (LPR)

Only when prone at night

• Try to avoid eating 3 hours before bed
• Alginic acid tablets if I feel post-meal reflux occurring

Snoring

• Somnodent dental device to keep airway open

Gastro

Anal Itching

• Avoid foods I’m sensitive to:
  Dairy, eggs, coffee, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol
• Treat as needed with aloe/lidocaine gel (sunburn gel)

Abdominal bloating

• Avoid foods I’m sensitive to: dairy, eggs, coffee, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol

Past surgeries

Some dates are approximate.

1981

• Left knee. Repair dislocating kneecap that was originally injured in wrestling.

1994

• Vasectomy.

2003

• LASIK to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism

2011

• Repair of deviated nasal septum, originally injured in high school wrestling

2013

• Right knee surgery clean up joint to correct consistent pain (unsuccessful)

2014

• Right knee surgery to realign kneecap to correct consistent pain

• Right shoulder surgery to repair rotator cuff, torn years before when whitewater rafting

2016

• L5/S1 lumbar fusion to correct degenerated disk

• Removal of urinary ejaculatory duct cyst

Physicians I have an ongoing relationship with

I’m a patient of record with the following:

• Family practice
• Dermatologist
• Rheumatologist
• Orthopedists (more than one in same office)
• Urologist
• Opthamologist
• Ear, Nose and Throat
• Family dentist

Prescription medicines

• Clobetasol (steroid cream for eczema, psoriasis)
• Triamcinolone (steroid cream for eczema)
• Hydrocortisone (steroid cream for eczema)
• Protopic (ointment for eczema, psoriasis)
• Ipatropium bromide (nasal spray for excess phlegm)
• Restasis (eye drops for dry eyes)
• Sulfasalazine (tablet for psoriatic arthritis)

Regular supplements

Again, all have been discussed with my doctor, who is both an M.D. and a Naturopath.

• Fish oil (triglycerides)
• Caprylic acid (yeast/fungal overgrowth)
• Multivitamin (because I eat a limited diet)
• DHEA (hormone support)
• COQ10 (ubiquinol) (anti-oxidant)
• Diosvein/Hesperidan (circulation / leg edema)
• Pycnogenol (circulation / leg edema)
• Vitamin K (arterial health)
• Vitamin D3 (because I don’t get enough sun)
• SAM-E (depression and anxiety)
• 5-HTP (depression and anxiety)

Workout

After years (decades) of trying all manner of fitness/strength routines, I now focus on functional fitness.

Monday and Thursday

• Stretching
• Balance routine
• Sprints on exercise bike OR burpees
• Pullups, pushups and dips
• Shovel glove sledgehammer routine

Tuesday and Friday

• Walk

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Until next time… remember: Think about it. A lot. Then do something.