Your thoughts on full-body MRIs is the one I wish more people heard before they booked one: up to 40% walk out with a finding that needs follow-up and fewer than 1% get a result that actually changes their health. The anxiety and fear it can create is real. From the ED I see the back half of that, the cascade of scans and biopsies chasing something that was never going to matter. The decision making between seasoned providers and the rookies is real. The wrinkle I would add, as someone whose own 80% coronary blockage was almost missed by a completely normal standard workup, is that the lesson is not screen less, it is screen smarter. Targeted, as you put it, has to mean the right targets, Lp(a) and a calcium score for the right person escalated to coronary angio when it makes sense, rather than a whole-body scan that finds everything except the thing most likely to kill you.
Another great edition, and thanks for the illuminating answer to the hip/joint question (I was the asker ☺️). I’m going to see my orthopedist because the hip thing you mentioned definitely sounds like it could be the case. I do get relief when I turn from my side to my back over night. Thanks again!
I can personally attest to the fact that muscle strengthening is a key treatment for gluteal tendinopathy. Strengthening the glutes and hips takes the strain off the tendons. My understanding is, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that the tendons are torn (to greater or lesser degree) and can't heal, so they need the muscles to be strong. I have found total relief from doing glute bridges and hip abduction exercises, unless I overdo it, in which case I can have a painful night! So I back off and stick to my regular routine. (I am a 69 year old female).
I’m the reader who asked the hip/joint question - thanks for sharing your experience! This sounds like what may be going on for me. I’m going to see my orthopedist and look into PT.
My PCP just treated it as bursitis at first and sent me to PT. It did not help. An MRI showed I had both gluteal and hamstring tendinitis. I could not do stairs except one at a time. I could not walk up even the slightest incline. It was awful! Back to PT. It still did not help, or maybe I was too impatient. I found some additional exercises on YouTube that really helped. I have to be careful with those tendons, like I can’t do sumo squats regularly or intense hip abductions, but I can live a ‘normal’ life and sleep pain free. 🙂 I wish you the best, that your journey will not be as long as mine was (two full winters without exercise made my clothes shrink!🤭)
Ever since Dr. McBride’s answer and your comments, I feel convinced this is what I have going on. I looked up some exercises to do at home and will try to avoid sleeping on my right side. If you’ve got YouTube videos to recommend, I’d love to see them. I don’t really have the time or co-pays frankly for PT, especially PT that may not work (which seems to be a pattern that has plagued me throughout my adult life).
I know I watched a lot of different videos and took a bit from here and bit from there. I had gluteal tendinopathy on both sides as well as hamstring tendinopathy on both sides. So some exercises I could not do (like the clam; I could only do them standing). Here is one fellow that explains the process. I liked how he began with isometric exercise which I found very helpful. His third exercise made a big difference for me as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9At4wIEKD78. Here is another which discusses research and takes you through an 8 wk protocol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=477OFkR0syE&list=LL&index=30. I also like Will Harlow for everything exercise! You really just have to strengthen those glutes! Best wishes!
I really can’t thank you enough, Trish! Yesterday I did some hip adductions on the floor and some bridge presses. And I consciously avoided sleeping on my right side, and for the first night in a long time, I had no pain and slept well. Will definitely be diving into these videos. And strengthening my glutes, stat! Much appreciated! 🧡
Thank you for addressing the limits of full body MRI scans. I read in a few places that people can have cancer cells in their body that never become troublesome. These can be found on a scan, but for whatever reason, never cause problems. The role of lifestyle and epigenetics really aren’t studied as much as they should be, and I think these have as much of an effect on getting cancer as smoking, being overweight, etc.
Great info. As someone with very high LDL the info on eggs and cholesterol was helpful.
This is straight-up cool and informative, doc.
Your thoughts on full-body MRIs is the one I wish more people heard before they booked one: up to 40% walk out with a finding that needs follow-up and fewer than 1% get a result that actually changes their health. The anxiety and fear it can create is real. From the ED I see the back half of that, the cascade of scans and biopsies chasing something that was never going to matter. The decision making between seasoned providers and the rookies is real. The wrinkle I would add, as someone whose own 80% coronary blockage was almost missed by a completely normal standard workup, is that the lesson is not screen less, it is screen smarter. Targeted, as you put it, has to mean the right targets, Lp(a) and a calcium score for the right person escalated to coronary angio when it makes sense, rather than a whole-body scan that finds everything except the thing most likely to kill you.
Another great edition, and thanks for the illuminating answer to the hip/joint question (I was the asker ☺️). I’m going to see my orthopedist because the hip thing you mentioned definitely sounds like it could be the case. I do get relief when I turn from my side to my back over night. Thanks again!
Glad to help!
I can personally attest to the fact that muscle strengthening is a key treatment for gluteal tendinopathy. Strengthening the glutes and hips takes the strain off the tendons. My understanding is, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that the tendons are torn (to greater or lesser degree) and can't heal, so they need the muscles to be strong. I have found total relief from doing glute bridges and hip abduction exercises, unless I overdo it, in which case I can have a painful night! So I back off and stick to my regular routine. (I am a 69 year old female).
I’m the reader who asked the hip/joint question - thanks for sharing your experience! This sounds like what may be going on for me. I’m going to see my orthopedist and look into PT.
My PCP just treated it as bursitis at first and sent me to PT. It did not help. An MRI showed I had both gluteal and hamstring tendinitis. I could not do stairs except one at a time. I could not walk up even the slightest incline. It was awful! Back to PT. It still did not help, or maybe I was too impatient. I found some additional exercises on YouTube that really helped. I have to be careful with those tendons, like I can’t do sumo squats regularly or intense hip abductions, but I can live a ‘normal’ life and sleep pain free. 🙂 I wish you the best, that your journey will not be as long as mine was (two full winters without exercise made my clothes shrink!🤭)
😂😂 those dang clothes!
Ever since Dr. McBride’s answer and your comments, I feel convinced this is what I have going on. I looked up some exercises to do at home and will try to avoid sleeping on my right side. If you’ve got YouTube videos to recommend, I’d love to see them. I don’t really have the time or co-pays frankly for PT, especially PT that may not work (which seems to be a pattern that has plagued me throughout my adult life).
Hello, Amy
I know I watched a lot of different videos and took a bit from here and bit from there. I had gluteal tendinopathy on both sides as well as hamstring tendinopathy on both sides. So some exercises I could not do (like the clam; I could only do them standing). Here is one fellow that explains the process. I liked how he began with isometric exercise which I found very helpful. His third exercise made a big difference for me as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9At4wIEKD78. Here is another which discusses research and takes you through an 8 wk protocol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=477OFkR0syE&list=LL&index=30. I also like Will Harlow for everything exercise! You really just have to strengthen those glutes! Best wishes!
Trish you are wonderful!!! I love seeing readers help other readers like this! thank you!
☺️
I really can’t thank you enough, Trish! Yesterday I did some hip adductions on the floor and some bridge presses. And I consciously avoided sleeping on my right side, and for the first night in a long time, I had no pain and slept well. Will definitely be diving into these videos. And strengthening my glutes, stat! Much appreciated! 🧡
excellent job on #4
Thank you for addressing the limits of full body MRI scans. I read in a few places that people can have cancer cells in their body that never become troublesome. These can be found on a scan, but for whatever reason, never cause problems. The role of lifestyle and epigenetics really aren’t studied as much as they should be, and I think these have as much of an effect on getting cancer as smoking, being overweight, etc.