Now it's Louis Turn

Early last week we noticed that Louis had a problem with his left rear leg and was limping intermittently.  This was countered by his normal behaviour on his morning walk when he was tearing around the park with J's two kelpies.  We took Louis to the Vets where he had X-Rays taken.  These showed that he had injured his Cruciate Ligament in his left knee and had arthritis in his right knee.  We decided to try conservative treatment and he is now on anti-inflammatory medication and limited to non-strenuous exercise for the next six weeks.  If this doesn't work we may try surgery.

Louis is still quite happy as the two photos taken in the back garden show.

He is looking quite clean at present as he has just been clipped.  Normally he is a scruffy little devil.

I am beginning to improve and my reaction to my medications have settled down. In particular I have stopped having dizzy spells.  I went to my computer club last Wednesday and it was good to catch up with old friends.  

I also went out with my cycling club on Saturday.  Apart from my fitness level having dropped a bit I had no problems so I will gradually increase my rides over the next couple of months.  With a bit of luck I should be able to go on my South Australian tour in October.

I have also had a bit of a windfall concerning my Warfarin medication.  The last blood test showed that my INR had dropped which normally would mean back to blood tests every few days.  Instead my GP has registered me on an introductory trial of a drug called Pradaxa which is targeted at lowering the blood viscosity in patients with Atrial Fibrillation induced stroke risks, e.g. me.  At present this drug is not on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and is very expensive.  On the trial I will get it free for the next 18 months  by which time it should be available on the PBS at a reasonable price.

Pradaxa is registered elsewhere and is the first product to really replace Warfarin in the treatment of AF induced strokes.  It does not require blood tests and it had no restrictions on diet.  With Warfarin I would have had to have a blood test immediately before going on holiday and one on return to check my INR.  Now I just pop two capsules a day and eat what I want.  My medications are now taken at breakfast and dinner which is easy to remember.

I am about to phone Meals On Wheels to get back to doing something useful again.  I have been signed off by my Rehabilitation Clinic as sane, fit and ready for work!!