Scared & Worried about whats next and the "big" one to come. - Stroke Message Board

lloydlamere · 11-24-2006, 09:21 PM

Hi.

My name is Lloyd and I am a 56 yr old male with a long history of hypertension which has NOT responded to numersous bp coctails and any/all meds for hypertension in years. 2 weeks ago I started having small short episodes of "weakness" on the right side. They got progressively more frequent, stronger, and more numerous as well. On Wed. I called my cardiologist (I have had a few heart attacks and several stents so far for that) and they told me to go to the Heart Hospital of Austin, so, I went. Once there the staff said what I was experiencing was not heart, but head, ie, I had had, or was having, a stroke, so, since they had NO neurologist, I was transferred by ambulance to St. Davids in Austin and was "treated" by a very young neurologist....only, all I did was sit in a hospital bed for a day and a half, get a cat scan (which told them I couldnt have the MRI needed to properlydiagnose what/where/how bad whatever it is going on in my head is), an echocardiogram, blood tests which showed my LDL 108, HDL 34, Total Cholesterol 195 and Trig. 265. So, he walks in and says I can go....just like that. I do NOT know what is wrong with me, other than I had in his terms "a stroke". I have no relief from any of the symptoms I had when I went in, still having the episodes with more frequencey and regularity, and seemingly getting progressively stronger with each one. There were 4 so far today, and writing this just now I have just had #5. I have not in my entier life been scared of anything...not even during or after my heart attacks, but THIS scares me and I do NOT know what to do about it. That young man said to go home and "get with your primary doctor in 2 weeks" and because I experienced a gout attack in the hospital from the blood pressure meds they gave me to lower my blood pressure (that is what ALWAYS happens, the bp meds bring on gout, and NO, I do not eat red meat at ALL and havent for years because of the purines...MEDS bring on the gout). Well, I FIRED my primary doctor last year after repeated attempts to lower my bp with NO results, only more SYMPTOMS to deal with, besides the gout, which were in many ways WORSE than the ill they were intended to cure. One med needed another to counter its actions, which needed another, etc. to the point I was taking at one time more than 10 meds, and all I was getting was high Pharmacy bills, NO lowering of the blood pressure, and MORE things medical to deal with to the point I finally said ENOUGH!!!! I stopped taking all meds and going to any doctor. Brilliant? NO, but the other was killing me anyway. SO............... the symptoms continue... sudden onset of weakness and numbness entire right side, including face, top of head to toes, on right side. It sometimes, but not always, has a precursor of my right eye loosing its ability to focus. The episodes initally lasted just a second or two, enough to get my attention and that was about it, but, now they are extending into a minute or more at a atime and being a LOT stronger than when they started 2 weeks ago. How do I REALLY find out why, and what is wrong, and who can give me the REAL story on what is wrong with me. I have this fear that I will either not live long enough to find out OR will end up a slave to pills by the dozens, more symptoms that I can count, and no way off this roller coaster, and STILL have extreme high blood pressure. By that I mean my "normal" bp is running 160-200/100-155 ALL the time, except when I take a chlonidine (sp?) which drops it percipitously and leaves me totally lethargic and unable to function.

OK, Enough of my complaining. Can someone point me to WHOM I should get hold of before I am no longer on the green side of the grass for it to matter? Are there things to lower my bp that I can try that are not going to incapacitate me in other ways? Are there really ANY Doctors who DIAGNOSE and TREAT? Calling Dr. House, calling Dr. House... it is SO easy on TV!! In ONE hour he can diagnose the most HIDDEN diseases!!! lol......

Thanks for putting up with the rant.......

Lloyd

madfit · 11-25-2006, 02:39 PM

Hi,

Four years ago I suffered a stroke at age 55. I was unaware I had HBP. I had no symptoms prior to the stroke, except my hand which felt like it fell asleep.

After several hours, because I never even thought stroke, I finally went to the ER. There they took my BP which was 210/132. They told me it looked like I was having a stroke. P.S. The stroke left me with right-sided leg and arm disability. The good news with much therapy and going to the gym 3 times a week, I walk with a cane outdoors, nothing indoors. I have gotten back about 85% of my right arm, hand and finger function. I am typing this note using both hands touchtyping. Even began driving again about 6 months ago.

Enough of that, now to your High BP. For about 2 months, doctors couldn't seem to get my pressure down. Thank God I had a couple of fantastic doctors who tried several options. In the beginning they also gave me clonidine, which brings it down fast, but doesn't stay in the system long I was told.

Well, now for the past 3 years, this is the regimen I take and works well. I take a Beta Blocker (Atenenol), a Calcium Channel Blocker (Norvasc), and a Ace Inhibitor (Lisinopril) all in small doses. The trick they determined for me was to take only half doses of all three, in the morning, and the other half of all 3 before bedtime. Works like a charm, it gives me round the clock coverage and my BP has been 117-128/76-82 at any given time.

You may want to talk with your doctors about this. Oh, I was also taking Avalide in the afternoon, but for over a year now they discontined that because I am doing so good. I must keep up with my exercise regimen also which I do.

Hope this helps. Madeline

Teacupforme · 11-26-2006, 02:13 AM

Lloyd,

I can tell you many things that might help with gout,hypertension,and a bit of anxiety. But the first thing you need to do is go back to ER. Maybe a better hospital,during the day and demand a full work-up and a consultation with a neurologist who can advise you on what to do next. I can't beleive they released you without any sort of after plan. Worse than that, I can't beleive you are home. Please call an ambulance and go straight back to ER. Even if you have to scream and yell like your in extreme pain,force them to treat you.

As far as hypertension is concerned, there is no perfect fit all shoe. Many people have to try various combos until they come up with a tolerable,safe, and agreeable cocktail. I am personally on 2 different meds for HBP. My father is on either 5 or 6. I have labile hypertension,which means when I get scared or stressed my BP spikes up quickly. I had to get a bit of Xanax prescribed in order to break that cycle.

On a day to day basis my BP is ok. but it took about 5 months to figure all this out. I will tell you more if you like including some vitamins that help BP if you wish,after you go to the hospital and get treatment. Please-