CHIEF COMPLAINT:   The patient is here for two-month followup. HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS:   The patient is a 55-year-old Caucasian female. She has hypertension. She has had no difficulties with chest pain. She has some shortness of breath only at walking up the stairs. She has occasional lightheadedness only if she bends over then stands up quickly. She has had no nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. She does have severe osteoarthritis of the left knee and is likely going to undergo total knee replacement with Dr. XYZ in January of this coming year. The patient is wanting to lose weight before her surgery. She is concerned about possible coronary disease or stroke risk. She has not had any symptoms of cardiac disease other than some shortness of breath with exertion, which she states has been fairly stable. She has had fairly normal lipid panel, last being checked on 11/26/2003. Cholesterol was 194, triglycerides 118, HDL 41, and LDL 129. The patient is a nonsmoker. Her fasting glucose in November 2003 was within normal limits at 94. Her fasting insulin level was normal. Repeat nonfasting glucose was 109 on 06/22/2004. She does not have history of diabetes. She does not exercise regularly and is not able to because of knee pain. She also has had difficulties with low back pain. X-ray of the low back did show a mild compression fracture of L1. She has had no falls that would contribute to a compression fracture. She has had a normal DEXA scan on 11/07/2003 that does not really correlate with having a compression fracture of the lumbar spine; however, it is possible that arthritis could contribute to falsely high bone density reading on DEXA scan. She is wanting to consider treatment for prevention of further compression fractures and possible osteoporosis. CURRENT MEDICATIONS:   Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg a day, Prozac 20 mg a day, Vioxx 25 mg a day, vitamin C 250 mg daily, vitamin E three to four tablets daily, calcium with D 1500 mg daily, multivitamin daily, aspirin 81 mg daily, Monopril 40 mg daily, Celexa p.r.n. ALLERGIES: Bactrim, which causes nausea and vomiting, and adhesive tape. PAST MEDICAL HISTORY: 1. Hypertension. 2. Depression. 3. Myofascitis of the feet. 4. Severe osteoarthritis of the knee. 5. Removal of the melanoma from the right thigh in 1984. 6. Breast biopsy in January of 1997, which was benign. 7. History of Holter monitor showing ectopic beat. Echocardiogram was normal. These were in 1998. 8. Compression fracture of L1, unknown cause. She had had no injury. Interestingly, DEXA scan was normal 11/07/2003, which is somewhat conflicting. SOCIAL HISTORY:   The patient is married. She is a nonsmoker and nondrinker. REVIEW OF SYSTEMS:   As per the HPI. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: General: This is a well-developed, well-nourished, pleasant Caucasian female, who is overweight. Vital signs: Weight: Refused. Blood pressure: 148/82, on recheck by myself with a large cuff, it was 125/60. Pulse: 64. Respirations: 20. Temperature: 96.3. Neck: Supple. Carotids are silent. Chest: Clear to auscultation. Cardiovascular: Revealed a regular rate and rhythm without murmur, S3, or S4. Extremities: Revealed no edema. Neurologic: Grossly intact. RADIOLOGY: EKG revealed normal sinus rhythm, rate 61, borderline first degree AV block, and poor R-wave progression in the anterior leads. ASSESSMENT: 1. Hypertension, well controlled. 2. Family history of cerebrovascular accident. 3. Compression fracture of L1, mild. 4. Osteoarthritis of the knee. 5. Mildly abnormal chest x-ray. PLAN: 1. We will get a C-reactive protein cardiac. 2. We discussed weight loss options. I would recommend Weight Watchers or possibly having her see a dietician. She will think about these options. She is not able to exercise regularly right now because of knee pain. 3. We would recommend a screening colonoscopy. She states that we discussed this in the past and she canceled her appointment to have that done. She will go ahead and make an appointment to see Dr. XYZ for screening colonoscopy. 4. We will start Fosamax 70 mg once weekly. She is to take this in the morning on an empty stomach with full glass of water. She is not to eat, lie down, or take other medications for at least 30 minutes after taking Fosamax. 5. I would like to see her back in one to two months. At that time, we can do preoperative evaluation and we will probably send her to a cardiologist because of mildly abnormal EKG for preoperative cardiac testing. One would also consider preoperative beta-blocker for cardiac protection.