HaveaHeart
03-07-2008, 04:55 PM
Hello,
The past few times Ive been to the doctors office (for another thing Im dealing with right now) my blood pressure has ALWAYS been in the 150's/80's.
The past 4 times, over a 1 month period of time.
NOW, if I take it at the grocery store or at home w/ my Mother's bp cuff, it's in the 120's/70's. I've done this now TWICE in the past 2 weeks.
:confused:
My doctor went and put me on HCTZ 25mg (if that name makes sense here?)
I am beside myself right now...... I don't want to take anymore medicine, I'm already on so many for other issues.
My stress level has been very high these past few weeks. Financial issues, schooling issues, and pain due to my trigeminal neuralgia. And now it's even higher due to this diagnosis today.
I am only 33. But, I am also overweight by a lot, and I do smoke (though I am quitting tomorrow I gave myself a quick quit date after this scare!).
I am so scared riht now, I'm having chest pains........ panic attacks. Which is another issue I have. Anxiety/Panic Disorders.
Can someone share some encouraging words for me...... I feel so lost. I dont know if I should get a 2nd opinion on that, or just assume that he's right, as I do trust my doctor a lot.
:confused::confused:
The past few times Ive been to the doctors office (for another thing Im dealing with right now) my blood pressure has ALWAYS been in the 150's/80's.
The past 4 times, over a 1 month period of time.
NOW, if I take it at the grocery store or at home w/ my Mother's bp cuff, it's in the 120's/70's. I've done this now TWICE in the past 2 weeks.
:confused:
My doctor went and put me on HCTZ 25mg (if that name makes sense here?)
I am beside myself right now...... I don't want to take anymore medicine, I'm already on so many for other issues.
My stress level has been very high these past few weeks. Financial issues, schooling issues, and pain due to my trigeminal neuralgia. And now it's even higher due to this diagnosis today.
I am only 33. But, I am also overweight by a lot, and I do smoke (though I am quitting tomorrow I gave myself a quick quit date after this scare!).
I am so scared riht now, I'm having chest pains........ panic attacks. Which is another issue I have. Anxiety/Panic Disorders.
Can someone share some encouraging words for me...... I feel so lost. I dont know if I should get a 2nd opinion on that, or just assume that he's right, as I do trust my doctor a lot.
:confused::confused:
Sponsor
tamuprof45
03-07-2008, 05:34 PM
I believe what your doctor did was to commit a grave error. It sounds like you have classic "white coat hypertension." The fact that you are getting normal readings at home and high readings at the doctor's are the first clue. The second are your references to stress and anxiety.
My suggestions: talk to your doctor IMMEDIATELY about white coat hypertension, ask him to take you off the meds, and to let you take your BP at HOME for at least several weeks. If it is generallo in the normal range at home, or even if it is up to (but below) 140/90 at home, you do NOT need meds!!!
If you are in the prehypertensive range, then your doctor should let you try lifestyle changes FIRST.
If your doctor still denies all this and insists on meds, then it strikes me that you need a new doctor. Please let us know what you decide and how it goes.
tamuprof45
My suggestions: talk to your doctor IMMEDIATELY about white coat hypertension, ask him to take you off the meds, and to let you take your BP at HOME for at least several weeks. If it is generallo in the normal range at home, or even if it is up to (but below) 140/90 at home, you do NOT need meds!!!
If you are in the prehypertensive range, then your doctor should let you try lifestyle changes FIRST.
If your doctor still denies all this and insists on meds, then it strikes me that you need a new doctor. Please let us know what you decide and how it goes.
tamuprof45
HaveaHeart
03-07-2008, 05:52 PM
See I am sort of thinking along those lines too (white coat syndrome) - THANK YOU SO MUCH for your Helpful advice.
The whole, I am nervous, anxiety at the doctors but on my own time, when I know that no one is "testing my #'s" I seem to be more in the normal range.
Let me ask you a question.....
If I were to hold off on the meds until monday, since he is out of the office until then, unfortunately (I hate see'ing doctors on fridays, due to this reason!). Do you think I would be OK as far as heart attack and stroke go.
Ive got this huge fear since I was diagnosed with that, that I am a walking heart attack - that any minute I can have one, if I'm not careful. I'm afraid to exercise, go up or down my stairs, all for fear I'm going to have a heart attack. Isnt that crazy. :(
It's anxiety I'm sure, but gosh I get so nervous.
I asked my DH to pick me up a blood pressure cuff as I do not own my own, I borrow or use the stores, and he said "No, you dont need that!" So I'm all :mad: at him right now. I'll have to go buy my own when he's not looking! :D
Thank you for your help on this!
The whole, I am nervous, anxiety at the doctors but on my own time, when I know that no one is "testing my #'s" I seem to be more in the normal range.
Let me ask you a question.....
If I were to hold off on the meds until monday, since he is out of the office until then, unfortunately (I hate see'ing doctors on fridays, due to this reason!). Do you think I would be OK as far as heart attack and stroke go.
Ive got this huge fear since I was diagnosed with that, that I am a walking heart attack - that any minute I can have one, if I'm not careful. I'm afraid to exercise, go up or down my stairs, all for fear I'm going to have a heart attack. Isnt that crazy. :(
It's anxiety I'm sure, but gosh I get so nervous.
I asked my DH to pick me up a blood pressure cuff as I do not own my own, I borrow or use the stores, and he said "No, you dont need that!" So I'm all :mad: at him right now. I'll have to go buy my own when he's not looking! :D
Thank you for your help on this!
rudiraven
03-07-2008, 06:34 PM
You're going to be fine, stop worrying. Your BP was not that high even in the Dr. office. Just try to calm down, breathe and relax :). Good for you for stopping the smoking. That will definitely help with any BP issues. Try the lifstyle changes first; no smoking, walking for exercise and diet. You don't need meds at this time, in my opinion. Take care:D
tamuprof45
03-07-2008, 06:37 PM
I cannot speak to your risks between now and Monday. BUT I do know that it takes YEARS of having consistently high blood pressure to do damage, so you are probably ok. You do need to take a real hard look at your risk factors: smoking, weight, exercise habits, diet etc. and change what needs to be changed NOW. The reason is, the healthy effects on blood pressure begin very quickly.
Please search this board for the various posts on lifestyle changes, supplements for blood pressure, and the DASH diet. There are a LOT of veterans here who started in far far worse shape than you and got their groove on pretty nicely!
I would NOT really on store BP monitors as they are unreliable. There are many good brands of home monitors like Omron that work fine. Make sure you get the arm NOt the wrist type, and make sure you get the right cuff size.
tamuprof45
Please search this board for the various posts on lifestyle changes, supplements for blood pressure, and the DASH diet. There are a LOT of veterans here who started in far far worse shape than you and got their groove on pretty nicely!
I would NOT really on store BP monitors as they are unreliable. There are many good brands of home monitors like Omron that work fine. Make sure you get the arm NOt the wrist type, and make sure you get the right cuff size.
tamuprof45
10sboi
03-07-2008, 08:06 PM
See I am sort of thinking along those lines too (white coat syndrome) - THANK YOU SO MUCH for your Helpful advice.
The whole, I am nervous, anxiety at the doctors but on my own time, when I know that no one is "testing my #'s" I seem to be more in the normal range.
Let me ask you a question.....
If I were to hold off on the meds until monday, since he is out of the office until then, unfortunately (I hate see'ing doctors on fridays, due to this reason!). Do you think I would be OK as far as heart attack and stroke go.
Ive got this huge fear since I was diagnosed with that, that I am a walking heart attack - that any minute I can have one, if I'm not careful. I'm afraid to exercise, go up or down my stairs, all for fear I'm going to have a heart attack. Isnt that crazy. :(
It's anxiety I'm sure, but gosh I get so nervous.
I asked my DH to pick me up a blood pressure cuff as I do not own my own, I borrow or use the stores, and he said "No, you dont need that!" So I'm all :mad: at him right now. I'll have to go buy my own when he's not looking! :D
Thank you for your help on this!
I was exactly like this when I was given Toporal as a secondary HP medicene. I was pretty anxious about going to the store, picking up the kids at school, just basically doing anything, this was around the middle of January. But I decided to makes some changes and to keep a journal, I can tell you now that I feel a WHOLE lot better. I'm dieting along the DASH guidelines, low sodium, I'm walking on a daily basis. Be totally honest with your doctor. I wish now I was never given Toporol given the side effects, he told me to hang in there during the first week, they subsided, but I made the decision to change my lifestyle and do my part to help lower my bp. I'm down from 100mg to 25mg every other day with an eventual ween hopefully.
It can be done!
The whole, I am nervous, anxiety at the doctors but on my own time, when I know that no one is "testing my #'s" I seem to be more in the normal range.
Let me ask you a question.....
If I were to hold off on the meds until monday, since he is out of the office until then, unfortunately (I hate see'ing doctors on fridays, due to this reason!). Do you think I would be OK as far as heart attack and stroke go.
Ive got this huge fear since I was diagnosed with that, that I am a walking heart attack - that any minute I can have one, if I'm not careful. I'm afraid to exercise, go up or down my stairs, all for fear I'm going to have a heart attack. Isnt that crazy. :(
It's anxiety I'm sure, but gosh I get so nervous.
I asked my DH to pick me up a blood pressure cuff as I do not own my own, I borrow or use the stores, and he said "No, you dont need that!" So I'm all :mad: at him right now. I'll have to go buy my own when he's not looking! :D
Thank you for your help on this!
I was exactly like this when I was given Toporal as a secondary HP medicene. I was pretty anxious about going to the store, picking up the kids at school, just basically doing anything, this was around the middle of January. But I decided to makes some changes and to keep a journal, I can tell you now that I feel a WHOLE lot better. I'm dieting along the DASH guidelines, low sodium, I'm walking on a daily basis. Be totally honest with your doctor. I wish now I was never given Toporol given the side effects, he told me to hang in there during the first week, they subsided, but I made the decision to change my lifestyle and do my part to help lower my bp. I'm down from 100mg to 25mg every other day with an eventual ween hopefully.
It can be done!
HaveaHeart
03-07-2008, 08:55 PM
Hi everyone,
You all have already helped set my mind at ease - Ive still got a lot to do, research, etc..... But, that initial horror, of OMG I need to be on medicine for this! Is subsiding...
Nothing like going in to be treated for a cold/cough and then being told you have HBP and need medicine.
I'm liking the idea of working on this without meds FIRST. I am always let me try natural first, THEN if all else fails, THEN synthetics. I'm studying to be a massage therapist, so I'm a firm believer in alternative healing.
I just wish I would practice ALL what I preach.....and change my diet habits, and my smoking. The smoking is done. I've never been so serious. So, I know it's time.
The diet.......well, I began tonight with dinner, watched how much of this and that I used -no table salt.... But, the weight....unfortunately that's not an overnight fix.
Question......
I'm surprised actually to read all the try without meds first..... Is there something with the med, that is a negative? (Besides side effects, that eventually go away)??
IMO, any medication is undesirable, but I was just curious everyone elses thoughts on it, and why I am reading in mine, and a lot of other posts, how undesirable it really is.
10, Super for you to be able to wean down on your medicine, and hopefully wean off altogether! Keep it up! You're my inspiration!
You all have already helped set my mind at ease - Ive still got a lot to do, research, etc..... But, that initial horror, of OMG I need to be on medicine for this! Is subsiding...
Nothing like going in to be treated for a cold/cough and then being told you have HBP and need medicine.
I'm liking the idea of working on this without meds FIRST. I am always let me try natural first, THEN if all else fails, THEN synthetics. I'm studying to be a massage therapist, so I'm a firm believer in alternative healing.
I just wish I would practice ALL what I preach.....and change my diet habits, and my smoking. The smoking is done. I've never been so serious. So, I know it's time.
The diet.......well, I began tonight with dinner, watched how much of this and that I used -no table salt.... But, the weight....unfortunately that's not an overnight fix.
Question......
I'm surprised actually to read all the try without meds first..... Is there something with the med, that is a negative? (Besides side effects, that eventually go away)??
IMO, any medication is undesirable, but I was just curious everyone elses thoughts on it, and why I am reading in mine, and a lot of other posts, how undesirable it really is.
10, Super for you to be able to wean down on your medicine, and hopefully wean off altogether! Keep it up! You're my inspiration!
bethsheba
03-07-2008, 09:28 PM
...I'm surprised actually to read all the try without meds first..... Is there something with the med, that is a negative? (Besides side effects, that eventually go away)??
Side effects....well some go away and some don't...
I'm working at losing the 35+ pounds of weight I've gained on bp medication...it's only been 6 months since I've been off meds, and it took me 3 years to gain this weight (which can contribute to high blood pressure) so I'm hoping the weight will "eventually" go away.
My cholesterol levels shot up about 100 points in about a year while taking a "safe" diuretic for high blood pressure. I'm hoping that my labs will finally have returned to normal in the next month or so and the extra cholesterol that clogs my arteries and elevates my blood pressure levels as a result of the diuretic that I took to reduce my blood pressure will "eventually" go away.
I have spent over $1000 on prescription eyeglasses only to discover that I can see better out of eyeglasses that are 5 or more years old...seems the doctors (4 to be exact) didn't realize that med overdoses could change one's vision...I donated the glasses to the Lion's Club because they were worthless to me so I suppose, the glasses "eventually" went away...
I'm trying to find a job at the age when I should be retiring...couldn't work for the last three years because medication side effects crippled my body to the point of not being able to get out of bed, and crippled my mind (I would get lost going to the post office and the hair dresser and they were within 1-3 miles of my home) . As a result I have spent my life savings and my retirement savings just to survive and to pay for medical expenses that would have been unnecessary had I tried a healthy diet first.
It's been about a year since I fell 4 times in my home, once on my cheek/eye. There was concern about a torn retina, and fortunately that wasn't the case. The bruises have healed. I spent the last of my savings on the er bills and the specialists they had to call in....so I suppose, those side effects have gone away and hopefully, someday I will lose my fear of falling as I am not old.
So, yes, I suppose some of the side effects go away.
Bethsheba
Side effects....well some go away and some don't...
I'm working at losing the 35+ pounds of weight I've gained on bp medication...it's only been 6 months since I've been off meds, and it took me 3 years to gain this weight (which can contribute to high blood pressure) so I'm hoping the weight will "eventually" go away.
My cholesterol levels shot up about 100 points in about a year while taking a "safe" diuretic for high blood pressure. I'm hoping that my labs will finally have returned to normal in the next month or so and the extra cholesterol that clogs my arteries and elevates my blood pressure levels as a result of the diuretic that I took to reduce my blood pressure will "eventually" go away.
I have spent over $1000 on prescription eyeglasses only to discover that I can see better out of eyeglasses that are 5 or more years old...seems the doctors (4 to be exact) didn't realize that med overdoses could change one's vision...I donated the glasses to the Lion's Club because they were worthless to me so I suppose, the glasses "eventually" went away...
I'm trying to find a job at the age when I should be retiring...couldn't work for the last three years because medication side effects crippled my body to the point of not being able to get out of bed, and crippled my mind (I would get lost going to the post office and the hair dresser and they were within 1-3 miles of my home) . As a result I have spent my life savings and my retirement savings just to survive and to pay for medical expenses that would have been unnecessary had I tried a healthy diet first.
It's been about a year since I fell 4 times in my home, once on my cheek/eye. There was concern about a torn retina, and fortunately that wasn't the case. The bruises have healed. I spent the last of my savings on the er bills and the specialists they had to call in....so I suppose, those side effects have gone away and hopefully, someday I will lose my fear of falling as I am not old.
So, yes, I suppose some of the side effects go away.
Bethsheba
HaveaHeart
03-07-2008, 09:31 PM
Bethsheba, obviously you're in the extreme..........
Oops, it sent before I was ready.
I can't imagine BP medicine doing this to everyone, or we'd have a lot of people laid up at home. As it seems HBP is a common thing anymore.
That's all I meant by that.
At any rate - these are things I am sorry to hear about, yet wish I didn't. :(
Oops, it sent before I was ready.
I can't imagine BP medicine doing this to everyone, or we'd have a lot of people laid up at home. As it seems HBP is a common thing anymore.
That's all I meant by that.
At any rate - these are things I am sorry to hear about, yet wish I didn't. :(
bethsheba
03-07-2008, 09:48 PM
Bethsheba, obviously you're in the extreme.........I can't imagine BP medicine doing this to everyone, or we'd have a lot of people laid up at home. As it seems HBP is a common thing anymore.
HaveaHeart.
No, I wish I could say I was an exception....but I'm not. The stories of others are all here for you to read...that is why we encourage you to do everything you can possibly do to lower your blood pressure without medication.
HaveaHeart, we're on these boards to prevent this from happening to us AGAIN, and we want to prevent it from happening to others. I know you are scared and I don't want to scare you further...fear is not a motivator (but works against us much of the time.) Read our sucess stories...we have turned our lives around by eating right, exercising, quitting smoking, eliminating alcohol, reducing stress. If we can do it, you can, too..
but please, do not take what we say lightly. We have paid dearly for our knowledge.
Take care and take heed.
Bethsheba
HaveaHeart.
No, I wish I could say I was an exception....but I'm not. The stories of others are all here for you to read...that is why we encourage you to do everything you can possibly do to lower your blood pressure without medication.
HaveaHeart, we're on these boards to prevent this from happening to us AGAIN, and we want to prevent it from happening to others. I know you are scared and I don't want to scare you further...fear is not a motivator (but works against us much of the time.) Read our sucess stories...we have turned our lives around by eating right, exercising, quitting smoking, eliminating alcohol, reducing stress. If we can do it, you can, too..
but please, do not take what we say lightly. We have paid dearly for our knowledge.
Take care and take heed.
Bethsheba
HaveaHeart
03-07-2008, 10:02 PM
Beth,
I appreciate the experienced knowledge you and others are offering me right now.
I do not mean to come across as a know it all, because I am not, not at all.
But, I only speak from what I have seen in my life. My mom, dad, both my aunts and 3 of my uncles are on bp medicines, and Ive never heard of anything remotely similar to your story from any of them.
So please understand where I come from. Ive never heard of anything like what you described.
As you can see from my little brief family history, it RUNS in my family, but they are all older than me.
I do not work well under fear motivation. Like you said, if anything it makes me a lot worse. I suffer from clinical anxiety, and will probably have one heck of a night, after all this sinks in. ;)
I appreciate you and others from keeping me from doing something that harmed so many of you.
I appreciate the experienced knowledge you and others are offering me right now.
I do not mean to come across as a know it all, because I am not, not at all.
But, I only speak from what I have seen in my life. My mom, dad, both my aunts and 3 of my uncles are on bp medicines, and Ive never heard of anything remotely similar to your story from any of them.
So please understand where I come from. Ive never heard of anything like what you described.
As you can see from my little brief family history, it RUNS in my family, but they are all older than me.
I do not work well under fear motivation. Like you said, if anything it makes me a lot worse. I suffer from clinical anxiety, and will probably have one heck of a night, after all this sinks in. ;)
I appreciate you and others from keeping me from doing something that harmed so many of you.
10sboi
03-07-2008, 10:23 PM
Beth,
I appreciate the experienced knowledge you and others are offering me right now.
I do not mean to come across as a know it all, because I am not, not at all.
But, I only speak from what I have seen in my life. My mom, dad, both my aunts and 3 of my uncles are on bp medicines, and Ive never heard of anything remotely similar to your story from any of them.
So please understand where I come from. Ive never heard of anything like what you described.
As you can see from my little brief family history, it RUNS in my family, but they are all older than me.
I do not work well under fear motivation. Like you said, if anything it makes me a lot worse. I suffer from clinical anxiety, and will probably have one heck of a night, after all this sinks in. ;)
I appreciate you and others from keeping me from doing something that harmed so many of you.
Haveaheart,
I have two good friends. one is 44 and is on BP medicine. When we go out for lunch, his food selection is not the healthiest and he covers his food with table salt, etc. He chooses not to do anything about it.
My second friend is a co-worker whose cholesterol is very high. He had refused meds until he was experiencing pain. Once on meds and the pain went away, he has gone back to his poor eating habits, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle. It's a personal choice that one has to make.
There are great folks on here that are willing to help. You will be fine. Take bits and pieces that you find here and create your own healthy path.
Peace and blessings,
10sboi
I appreciate the experienced knowledge you and others are offering me right now.
I do not mean to come across as a know it all, because I am not, not at all.
But, I only speak from what I have seen in my life. My mom, dad, both my aunts and 3 of my uncles are on bp medicines, and Ive never heard of anything remotely similar to your story from any of them.
So please understand where I come from. Ive never heard of anything like what you described.
As you can see from my little brief family history, it RUNS in my family, but they are all older than me.
I do not work well under fear motivation. Like you said, if anything it makes me a lot worse. I suffer from clinical anxiety, and will probably have one heck of a night, after all this sinks in. ;)
I appreciate you and others from keeping me from doing something that harmed so many of you.
Haveaheart,
I have two good friends. one is 44 and is on BP medicine. When we go out for lunch, his food selection is not the healthiest and he covers his food with table salt, etc. He chooses not to do anything about it.
My second friend is a co-worker whose cholesterol is very high. He had refused meds until he was experiencing pain. Once on meds and the pain went away, he has gone back to his poor eating habits, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle. It's a personal choice that one has to make.
There are great folks on here that are willing to help. You will be fine. Take bits and pieces that you find here and create your own healthy path.
Peace and blessings,
10sboi
bethsheba
03-08-2008, 08:03 AM
Beth,
I appreciate the experienced knowledge you and others are offering me right now.
Thank you, HavaHeart. You did not come across as a know it all at all...simply as a person who was unaware of the risks involved. You asked why everyone was emphasizing "natural" ways to control blood pressure and I told you about my experience.
Like you, I knew many people who took blood pressure medicine and I didn't "hear" about any stories...looking back, the "stories" were there. For example, one person I knew had insomnia, and family members had blamed it on poor sleep hygene (taking naps during the day instead of keeping a regular sleep schedule) but based on my experience with sleep problems and medications, I am convinced the insomnia experienced by this person was due to antihyperintensive medication.
Another example: Someone I know was taking the same bp medication that I took. I told her that I had to stop taking it because of back and shoulder pain. I still remember her eyes popping out when she said "That is because of the blood pressure medication? I've been going to my chiropracter for weeks, now, because the pain has been unbearable!"
Too often we (and our doctors) attribute the side effects of antihyperintensives to "anxiety", "age", "menopause", "poor sleep hygiene", "an old injury", and other reasons not associated to medication. I only say this because from what I've observed it is one reason you don't "hear" the stories with bp medication.
As you can see from my little brief family history, it RUNS in my family, but they are all older than me.
Lots of things run in families....poor eating habits, poor exercise habits, obesity, sleep apnea, smoking, alcohol abuse....you get the idea. Now these things may or may not apply to you....but don't assume what you have is genetic and don't assume it is not genetic. Do some reading on secondary hypertension.
...I do not work well under fear motivation. Like you said, if anything it makes me a lot worse....
I doubt that many people are motivated by fear...and fear cripples many (like myself). But I think it's important for you to know where we are coming from and why we are saying what we are saying. We have our sucess stories! I am presently med free and have my pressures under control but this is because of lots and lots of reading! because of lots and lots of support (from the posters on this board)! and because of a little bit of luck.
You'll do fine, Havaheart...you'll do fine! But you're going to have to do a little work first.
Bethsheba
I appreciate the experienced knowledge you and others are offering me right now.
Thank you, HavaHeart. You did not come across as a know it all at all...simply as a person who was unaware of the risks involved. You asked why everyone was emphasizing "natural" ways to control blood pressure and I told you about my experience.
Like you, I knew many people who took blood pressure medicine and I didn't "hear" about any stories...looking back, the "stories" were there. For example, one person I knew had insomnia, and family members had blamed it on poor sleep hygene (taking naps during the day instead of keeping a regular sleep schedule) but based on my experience with sleep problems and medications, I am convinced the insomnia experienced by this person was due to antihyperintensive medication.
Another example: Someone I know was taking the same bp medication that I took. I told her that I had to stop taking it because of back and shoulder pain. I still remember her eyes popping out when she said "That is because of the blood pressure medication? I've been going to my chiropracter for weeks, now, because the pain has been unbearable!"
Too often we (and our doctors) attribute the side effects of antihyperintensives to "anxiety", "age", "menopause", "poor sleep hygiene", "an old injury", and other reasons not associated to medication. I only say this because from what I've observed it is one reason you don't "hear" the stories with bp medication.
As you can see from my little brief family history, it RUNS in my family, but they are all older than me.
Lots of things run in families....poor eating habits, poor exercise habits, obesity, sleep apnea, smoking, alcohol abuse....you get the idea. Now these things may or may not apply to you....but don't assume what you have is genetic and don't assume it is not genetic. Do some reading on secondary hypertension.
...I do not work well under fear motivation. Like you said, if anything it makes me a lot worse....
I doubt that many people are motivated by fear...and fear cripples many (like myself). But I think it's important for you to know where we are coming from and why we are saying what we are saying. We have our sucess stories! I am presently med free and have my pressures under control but this is because of lots and lots of reading! because of lots and lots of support (from the posters on this board)! and because of a little bit of luck.
You'll do fine, Havaheart...you'll do fine! But you're going to have to do a little work first.
Bethsheba
famnd
03-09-2008, 12:44 AM
Hi Have a heart,
I wholeheartly endorse what Beth has said. I won't tell you my horror stories as you can read them by using the search feature. But I wish I had known five yrs ago what I know now The main reason I give my time & it does take time to to be active on this board is the hope that I will save one person from disability from these b/p meds. It doesn't matter if most people take b/p meds & don't have side effects (not sure if that is true) if you are that person who get significant damage that limits your lifestyle as I have, it is a big deal, believe me.
On the other hand take everything you read with a grain of salt & educate yourself. That is key. Fam
I wholeheartly endorse what Beth has said. I won't tell you my horror stories as you can read them by using the search feature. But I wish I had known five yrs ago what I know now The main reason I give my time & it does take time to to be active on this board is the hope that I will save one person from disability from these b/p meds. It doesn't matter if most people take b/p meds & don't have side effects (not sure if that is true) if you are that person who get significant damage that limits your lifestyle as I have, it is a big deal, believe me.
On the other hand take everything you read with a grain of salt & educate yourself. That is key. Fam
bethsheba
03-09-2008, 08:25 AM
... It doesn't matter if most people take b/p meds & don't have side effects (not sure if that is true) if you are that person who get significant damage that limits your lifestyle as I have, it is a big deal, believe me.
On the other hand take everything you read with a grain of salt & educate yourself. That is key. Fam
Short and sweet and right to the heart of the matter.
Bethsheba
On the other hand take everything you read with a grain of salt & educate yourself. That is key. Fam
Short and sweet and right to the heart of the matter.
Bethsheba
HaveaHeart
03-09-2008, 03:38 PM
Thank you, I'm glad to know you all care to warn me.
I have decided that I am NOT going to take the medications, NOT YET anyway. I work in the medical field and have never heard anything quite as strong as I'm hearing here re: bp meds, but, I do trust what you are saying.
At any rate, I have decided to try some lifestyle changes first. I have a "DASH" book on hold at the bookstore, I'll be picking that up tonight, I quit smoking, and I'm trying to talk DH into a treadmill, but he says No, because I never use my exercise bike I insisted upon ;)
Thanks again for your replies.
I have decided that I am NOT going to take the medications, NOT YET anyway. I work in the medical field and have never heard anything quite as strong as I'm hearing here re: bp meds, but, I do trust what you are saying.
At any rate, I have decided to try some lifestyle changes first. I have a "DASH" book on hold at the bookstore, I'll be picking that up tonight, I quit smoking, and I'm trying to talk DH into a treadmill, but he says No, because I never use my exercise bike I insisted upon ;)
Thanks again for your replies.
tamuprof45
03-09-2008, 05:08 PM
I am assuming from your earlier posts that you are basically a healthy person and your numbers are not that bad. That said, I would urge you to be circumspect about all this. While lifestyle changes are the preferred option in dealing with BP, and should always be followed, you need to know the state of your cardiovascular system, and whether or not you need to bring your BP down sooner rather than later. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, and I am in no way shape or form being an alarmist, but some medically document facts are that vascular damage from blood pressure starts occurring above 120/80. While for MOST people the damage builds up slowly over the years, there are some people who are more susceptible because of already weakened or damaged arteries, or because aneurisms run in their family. In the latter case, BP levels need to be reduced fast, and meds may be required to do that. It is not scare tactics to mention, as a few posters have, that strokes and heart attacks are not to be taken lightly.
The point here is NOT to make you freak out again, but to really talk ALL this over with a doctor your TRUST and get along with. If its not your current one, I implore you to find one who really understands BP and is open minded about it. A good, caring doctor can tell you about tests to see if time is on your side, or you do need to bring your BP down in a hurry.
It is very easy to listen to all of us, or alternately to listen only to doctors and see this as a black and white "meds or nothing!" or "no meds or nothing!" set of choices. But it is not that simple, because blood pressure is not that simple, and everyone's health is different.
So again, I am not telling you to worry, but rather to get with a good doctor you trust to talk all this out.
tamuprof45
The point here is NOT to make you freak out again, but to really talk ALL this over with a doctor your TRUST and get along with. If its not your current one, I implore you to find one who really understands BP and is open minded about it. A good, caring doctor can tell you about tests to see if time is on your side, or you do need to bring your BP down in a hurry.
It is very easy to listen to all of us, or alternately to listen only to doctors and see this as a black and white "meds or nothing!" or "no meds or nothing!" set of choices. But it is not that simple, because blood pressure is not that simple, and everyone's health is different.
So again, I am not telling you to worry, but rather to get with a good doctor you trust to talk all this out.
tamuprof45
bethsheba
03-09-2008, 06:01 PM
...I work in the medical field and have never heard anything quite as strong as I'm hearing here re: bp meds...
HaveaHeart,
Some of my friends work in upper level management (several nurses and a nurse practioner), in the medical field (hospitals/hospice/nursing homes/and clinics and in the insurance industry. I have learned not to discuss my experience in depth with them UNLESS they have personal experience with hypertension and bp medications. Nurses and other health care workers have very different opinions about medication once they develop hypertension and have been on meds. I am aware of a very knowledgable, skilled nurse with hypertension who has made a consciencious choice NOT to take meds because the side effects were worse than the conditions she was "supposedly" preventing. The point is you are the one assuming the risks so it is your responsibility to know what those risks are so you can make informed choices about your health.
...At any rate, I have decided to try some lifestyle changes first. I have a "DASH" book on hold at the bookstore, I'll be picking that up tonight, I quit smoking, and I'm trying to talk DH into a treadmill, but he says No, because I never use my exercise bike I insisted upon ;)....
I personally think the DASH plan is wonderful and I'm not going to give it up...but keep in mind that hypertension is a "symptom" so there is no "one" pill or no "one" lifestyle change that is going to give you the perfect 120/80....but if you're DASHing and giving up smoking you're well on your way to good cardiovascular health!
Oh, and did you get your monitor yet? It's a must!
Do keep in touch....I know you're going to be one of our success stories!!!!
Bethsheba
PS Just for your info the government says on averagethe following lifestyle changes will drop your systolic by
Weight reduction 5-20 mmHg
DASH eating plan 8-14 mmHg
Dietary sodium reduction 2-8 mmHg
Aerobic activity 4-9 mmHg
Moderate alcohol use 2-4 mmHg
Cpap treatment for sleep apnea 10-13 mmHg
I added these changes up and got a reduction of between 31-68 points based on lifestyle changes alone! But these are only averages...if your lifestyle is presently out of whack, the numbers may drop even more if you start living healthy!
HaveaHeart,
Some of my friends work in upper level management (several nurses and a nurse practioner), in the medical field (hospitals/hospice/nursing homes/and clinics and in the insurance industry. I have learned not to discuss my experience in depth with them UNLESS they have personal experience with hypertension and bp medications. Nurses and other health care workers have very different opinions about medication once they develop hypertension and have been on meds. I am aware of a very knowledgable, skilled nurse with hypertension who has made a consciencious choice NOT to take meds because the side effects were worse than the conditions she was "supposedly" preventing. The point is you are the one assuming the risks so it is your responsibility to know what those risks are so you can make informed choices about your health.
...At any rate, I have decided to try some lifestyle changes first. I have a "DASH" book on hold at the bookstore, I'll be picking that up tonight, I quit smoking, and I'm trying to talk DH into a treadmill, but he says No, because I never use my exercise bike I insisted upon ;)....
I personally think the DASH plan is wonderful and I'm not going to give it up...but keep in mind that hypertension is a "symptom" so there is no "one" pill or no "one" lifestyle change that is going to give you the perfect 120/80....but if you're DASHing and giving up smoking you're well on your way to good cardiovascular health!
Oh, and did you get your monitor yet? It's a must!
Do keep in touch....I know you're going to be one of our success stories!!!!
Bethsheba
PS Just for your info the government says on averagethe following lifestyle changes will drop your systolic by
Weight reduction 5-20 mmHg
DASH eating plan 8-14 mmHg
Dietary sodium reduction 2-8 mmHg
Aerobic activity 4-9 mmHg
Moderate alcohol use 2-4 mmHg
Cpap treatment for sleep apnea 10-13 mmHg
I added these changes up and got a reduction of between 31-68 points based on lifestyle changes alone! But these are only averages...if your lifestyle is presently out of whack, the numbers may drop even more if you start living healthy!
HaveaHeart
03-09-2008, 06:25 PM
Tamu,
That's the only thing that worries me. I had a doctor, who has obviously been highly trained in all aspects of healthcare, and he has been SUPER with a current issue he is treating. One that literally takes doctors what seems to be long amounts of time, to diagnose, he did so in my first visit, and now that I'm being treated properly, I am in "remission". So, due to that, I love the man, and I trust him highly, due to that, alone.
BUT.... he is also the one who has chosen to put me on BP meds, and I was leary about them in the first place, due to my age alone, I was unaware of side effects.
I am trying to decide if I need a second opinion on this. ONLY because, my #'s are good at home, but BAD there in the doctors office.
Now, when you ask, if my #'s are good..... what #'s are you talking about? My BP? AT the doctors' they are in the 150's/80. At home they are in the Mid to High 120's/80.
My WEIGHT .....those #'s are too high. I definitely need to lose weight.
My cholesterol and lipids are all GOOD.
I do have low (or is it high) thyroid levels. I have hypothyroid, am on medication for that as well.
High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease, do run in my family, highly. It's the only thing, but it's there and it's there very obviously.
Maybe a second opinion is in order - who would that be, a Cardiologist?
I just hate see'ing new doctors, a lot of them see my weight and give me that whole "you're unhealthy b/c you're overweight". Whereas I partially agree with that statement, I don't always believe it. I can be overweight AND healthy. IMO.
That's the only thing that worries me. I had a doctor, who has obviously been highly trained in all aspects of healthcare, and he has been SUPER with a current issue he is treating. One that literally takes doctors what seems to be long amounts of time, to diagnose, he did so in my first visit, and now that I'm being treated properly, I am in "remission". So, due to that, I love the man, and I trust him highly, due to that, alone.
BUT.... he is also the one who has chosen to put me on BP meds, and I was leary about them in the first place, due to my age alone, I was unaware of side effects.
I am trying to decide if I need a second opinion on this. ONLY because, my #'s are good at home, but BAD there in the doctors office.
Now, when you ask, if my #'s are good..... what #'s are you talking about? My BP? AT the doctors' they are in the 150's/80. At home they are in the Mid to High 120's/80.
My WEIGHT .....those #'s are too high. I definitely need to lose weight.
My cholesterol and lipids are all GOOD.
I do have low (or is it high) thyroid levels. I have hypothyroid, am on medication for that as well.
High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease, do run in my family, highly. It's the only thing, but it's there and it's there very obviously.
Maybe a second opinion is in order - who would that be, a Cardiologist?
I just hate see'ing new doctors, a lot of them see my weight and give me that whole "you're unhealthy b/c you're overweight". Whereas I partially agree with that statement, I don't always believe it. I can be overweight AND healthy. IMO.
HaveaHeart
03-09-2008, 06:35 PM
Another question I would like to ask:
When a medicine gives you BAD side effects, it is LAW that they PUT them on the medication labels/insert you get with your medicine.
ONLY if it happens few times, so I hear, just once..... it goes on there.
When I read my "leaflet" of this medicine, their was nothing like what I am reading about here.
I would think that by law, they should be on there.
Why aren't they on there?
I take a medicine for another issue, and it has a very bad side effect, that has been known to be FATAL. Of course me, being paranoid, REFUSED to take it, took a lot of coaxing. Finally they told me it "ONLY HAPPENED ONE TIME", but because of the "LAW" they HAD to put it on there, and it wasn't even that particular medicine, it was a medicine that acted (treated) the same way, but not at all the same drugs. But they HAD to put it there, due to the laws.
I just thought of that..... So, why is it, these warnings aren't on my leaflet for this med? :confused:
When a medicine gives you BAD side effects, it is LAW that they PUT them on the medication labels/insert you get with your medicine.
ONLY if it happens few times, so I hear, just once..... it goes on there.
When I read my "leaflet" of this medicine, their was nothing like what I am reading about here.
I would think that by law, they should be on there.
Why aren't they on there?
I take a medicine for another issue, and it has a very bad side effect, that has been known to be FATAL. Of course me, being paranoid, REFUSED to take it, took a lot of coaxing. Finally they told me it "ONLY HAPPENED ONE TIME", but because of the "LAW" they HAD to put it on there, and it wasn't even that particular medicine, it was a medicine that acted (treated) the same way, but not at all the same drugs. But they HAD to put it there, due to the laws.
I just thought of that..... So, why is it, these warnings aren't on my leaflet for this med? :confused:
bethsheba
03-09-2008, 06:41 PM
... Whereas I partially agree with that statement, I don't always believe it. I can be overweight AND healthy. IMO.
Except for hypertension, I was overweight and healthy UNTIL I started taking bp meds...then I gained 35+ pounds more (I went from 191 to 224+). I stopped weighing at 224 because I couldn't face the scale and my cholesterol levels rose from their usual 160 to about 257...this was on the hydrochlorothiazide by the way. We won't get into the other disabling side effects as I'm sure others will tell you their stories. Given that weight gain and high cholesterol contribute to hypertension, I think it is safe to assume my pressures went up due to my antihyperintensive medication!
Havaheart, I would encourage you to get a monitor and monitor your pressures on a regular basis for accurate readings. You mentioned in an earlier post that you were diagnosed with hypertension when you went into the doctor's office for a cold. Did you know that some cold/cough/allergy medications can raise your blood pressure? If you were taking over the counters or prescription meds at that time, your bp numbers at the doctors' office may not be an accurate picture of your day to day pressures.
Bethsheba
Except for hypertension, I was overweight and healthy UNTIL I started taking bp meds...then I gained 35+ pounds more (I went from 191 to 224+). I stopped weighing at 224 because I couldn't face the scale and my cholesterol levels rose from their usual 160 to about 257...this was on the hydrochlorothiazide by the way. We won't get into the other disabling side effects as I'm sure others will tell you their stories. Given that weight gain and high cholesterol contribute to hypertension, I think it is safe to assume my pressures went up due to my antihyperintensive medication!
Havaheart, I would encourage you to get a monitor and monitor your pressures on a regular basis for accurate readings. You mentioned in an earlier post that you were diagnosed with hypertension when you went into the doctor's office for a cold. Did you know that some cold/cough/allergy medications can raise your blood pressure? If you were taking over the counters or prescription meds at that time, your bp numbers at the doctors' office may not be an accurate picture of your day to day pressures.
Bethsheba
bethsheba
03-09-2008, 07:01 PM
...I just thought of that..... So, why is it, these warnings aren't on my leaflet for this med? :confused:
Board rules (I"m making these up as I go along but basically it is what I've learned on the boards in the past year):
1. Never rely on any one source for your information...that includes doctors, pharmacists, specialists, leaflets, neighbors, fellow posters, and drug sheets.
2. Just because information is in print doesn't mean it's tested, or that it's true.
3. We're all guinee pigs...no one drug, lifestyle change, food, supplement, etc has been tested on everyone indefinitely.
4. Don't believe ANYTHING you hear or read without checking it out for yourself.
That said there are lots and lots of reasons why...I could and should write a book as to why. Some of the "symptoms" are understated...for example "back discomfort" is a euphamism for "excruciating, immobilizing, breath holding back pain"...and "change in mood" really means that you can get so depressed that you want to kill yourself...which reminds me, I've always wanted to write a dictionary with side effect terms and their real meanings, :D.
I run on...get the package insert for your medication...this may be different than the medication sheet your pharmacist sent home with you. The package insert will contain more info...and check out the info electronically...due to board rules, I can't say more here but I can give you the government website for medication info...
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
This isn't the "best" site but it is a place to start!
I will say it took me over a year to find information regarding hydrochlorothiazde and vision changes....this of course, was after the fact.
Bethsheba
Board rules (I"m making these up as I go along but basically it is what I've learned on the boards in the past year):
1. Never rely on any one source for your information...that includes doctors, pharmacists, specialists, leaflets, neighbors, fellow posters, and drug sheets.
2. Just because information is in print doesn't mean it's tested, or that it's true.
3. We're all guinee pigs...no one drug, lifestyle change, food, supplement, etc has been tested on everyone indefinitely.
4. Don't believe ANYTHING you hear or read without checking it out for yourself.
That said there are lots and lots of reasons why...I could and should write a book as to why. Some of the "symptoms" are understated...for example "back discomfort" is a euphamism for "excruciating, immobilizing, breath holding back pain"...and "change in mood" really means that you can get so depressed that you want to kill yourself...which reminds me, I've always wanted to write a dictionary with side effect terms and their real meanings, :D.
I run on...get the package insert for your medication...this may be different than the medication sheet your pharmacist sent home with you. The package insert will contain more info...and check out the info electronically...due to board rules, I can't say more here but I can give you the government website for medication info...
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
This isn't the "best" site but it is a place to start!
I will say it took me over a year to find information regarding hydrochlorothiazde and vision changes....this of course, was after the fact.
Bethsheba