Again, it's been a while. That would be because I haven't had a chance to slow down enough to write! This creates the risk of a flood from the thoughts to the page of a rambling, potentially random bunch of observations and updates. I'll do my best to avoid such a brain dump here--but there's so much!
The April 6th news of Glenn Beck's TV show ending restored my faith--and when I did a quick search just now to confirm the date it gave me a laugh. On the first page of results, there were articles from the Jewish Funds for Justice, MoveOn.org, and a Latino blogger all rejoicing that Fox finally pulled that plug. That's a lot of diversity! (I also read yet another "fact check" article demonstrating another outright falsehood Beck pronounced as truth on his show, here.)
For us, April is a double birthday month; having celebrated my own, we celebrated my son's 17th last week as well. I guess I'm old enough to have a 17 year old child, although I don't feel like it. Where do the years go?
Easter is this Sunday; a few years ago I realized that Easter is my very favorite--bar none--holiday of the year. I love absolutely everything about it! It's pure joy to me, from the theme to the hymns to the traditional ending of our church service by singing the Halleluja chorus from Messiah. It's a joyous service for an uplifting and hopeful time of year!
Finally, I've well exceeded my own expectations for my exercise plan. I can't believe that for February, March and thus far in April I've run and walked 22, 22, and 27 miles. But more importantly, through patience (not my strong suit), I have slowly built up to longer distances and now am seeing my pace starting to increase! The other day, I was back on the Marine Corps Marathon website again and actually thinking I could do it this time! (A bit of history: in 2007 I started training for the MCM and registered for it; I was beginning to increase my distances and feeling really good--then, I ended up in the hospital because of asthma for the first time ever. In the end, I was in for 4 days in April, May and again in JUNE that year, missed weeks of work and couldn't even be outside much at all until September. I basically missed all of the activities of the summer. We tried to golf once in late September and I had so little energy I only played something like holes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 18. It was just wonderful to be outdoors though. Needless to say, I didn't make the marathon, which is held the last week of October.)
So, the feeling that I might be healthy enough again is amazing! (I should say or do something now to avoid a jinx or hex, shouldn't I? All I can think of is "knock wood.") Done. Next on the agenda: do some research on how many miles you should get out of a pair of running shoes. It's not something I've ever had to consider, but I'll admit that I'm proud to say that I'm above 100 miles on these shoes, so I'm curious!
Hope you didn't get whiplash from the quick changing of subjects, and I'm hoping to get some more time to post soon to avoid future overload. Off to bed now~
Have a comment? Advice? Random observation? I'd love to hear it. Click "COMMENTS" just below.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Some Progress to Report
I'm still here--not dead or anything--just too busy to write for the last month. (It's pure coincidence that my last entry was exactly a month ago.) So, here's an update on my progress: for February, walked 21.44 miles, did 6 hours of Jazzercise. To date in March: walked 22.29 miles, did 5 hours of Jazzercise and one hour of hot yoga...and logged it all on ActiveTrainer.com. In addition, I've logged all of my food daily since February 17 on FitDay.com and lost 6.5 lbs! (since 2/10) What's more, I'm pretty much on target toward my goal!
I was feeling great, except for the past 3 days when I've been having a sinus problem...which is why I'm here, now, writing. I took a sick day due to the headaches and dizziness; just now about to start an antibiotic (thank heavens for modern medicine). With that exception, though, I am really feeling hugely different--stronger, more energetic, more positive--all-around healthier.
As I focus on this (admittedly important) goal, it IS a bit harder to push on the several other goals I have in mind...but they're NEXT! With the new, healthier me, they should be even more attainable. (Recognize the little pep talk to myself there? I think it works--do you?)
Have a comment? Advice? Random observation? I'd love to hear it. Click "COMMENTS" just below.
PS: The poor Christmas tree is down...I'm not saying when it finally happened, but my dear husband undecorated it and my son carried it out, bless them!!
I was feeling great, except for the past 3 days when I've been having a sinus problem...which is why I'm here, now, writing. I took a sick day due to the headaches and dizziness; just now about to start an antibiotic (thank heavens for modern medicine). With that exception, though, I am really feeling hugely different--stronger, more energetic, more positive--all-around healthier.
As I focus on this (admittedly important) goal, it IS a bit harder to push on the several other goals I have in mind...but they're NEXT! With the new, healthier me, they should be even more attainable. (Recognize the little pep talk to myself there? I think it works--do you?)
Have a comment? Advice? Random observation? I'd love to hear it. Click "COMMENTS" just below.
PS: The poor Christmas tree is down...I'm not saying when it finally happened, but my dear husband undecorated it and my son carried it out, bless them!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Priorities
Have had some busy times recently, and a shift of priorities. I have set my mind on getting back into a healthy mode of life and lose the extra weight I've carried for almost 3 years, and this time I'm not letting anything distract me or get in my way. It seems almost silly to have to say this. Who in their right mind would let distractions get in the way of a healthy life? (At least that seems to be the sensible perspective, when you step back and regain a little.) (Oh, and it's also a big reason I haven't posted much recently.)
But it almost seems more normal around here to ignore healthy ways than to put them first on the list. I certainly see it in the people closest to me. When there's work to be done, the first thing to skip is going to the gym, taking a walk or an exercise class. Of course the next thing to go is the healthy diet--worked late? too tired to cook? Just eat out and enjoy the fat-laden, ultra large portions (complete with bread and all the fixin's) we find in most U.S. restaurants today. Before you know it, you're so far down that path it's hard to see where you took the wrong turn.
Well, I have a confession to make--but it comes with an affirmation. More than once during the past month, things have gone undone because my health is more important than that. For example, at one house (the one where I spend less time), my Christmas tree is still up. (The horror!) I have spent 2 weekends there during which I should have taken it down, but after the really mandatory housework, cooking and grocery shopping, I went to exercise classes, took walks, and even did 45 minutes of yoga on the floor right in front of it. I prepared healthy meals instead of prepackaged stuff, while that poor tree continued to wither.
I don't care. I am really just sick of feeling crappy and letting my good health slip away while the mundane, repetitious busywork of life is allowed to take over. It won't be holding me back any more. I'm moving forward--leaving unvacuumed carpets and pine needles in my wake if necessary--but I'm going to take this weight off, regain my health, and get back to being alive!
Have a comment? Advice? Random observation? I'd love to hear it. Click "COMMENTS" just below.
But it almost seems more normal around here to ignore healthy ways than to put them first on the list. I certainly see it in the people closest to me. When there's work to be done, the first thing to skip is going to the gym, taking a walk or an exercise class. Of course the next thing to go is the healthy diet--worked late? too tired to cook? Just eat out and enjoy the fat-laden, ultra large portions (complete with bread and all the fixin's) we find in most U.S. restaurants today. Before you know it, you're so far down that path it's hard to see where you took the wrong turn.
Well, I have a confession to make--but it comes with an affirmation. More than once during the past month, things have gone undone because my health is more important than that. For example, at one house (the one where I spend less time), my Christmas tree is still up. (The horror!) I have spent 2 weekends there during which I should have taken it down, but after the really mandatory housework, cooking and grocery shopping, I went to exercise classes, took walks, and even did 45 minutes of yoga on the floor right in front of it. I prepared healthy meals instead of prepackaged stuff, while that poor tree continued to wither.
I don't care. I am really just sick of feeling crappy and letting my good health slip away while the mundane, repetitious busywork of life is allowed to take over. It won't be holding me back any more. I'm moving forward--leaving unvacuumed carpets and pine needles in my wake if necessary--but I'm going to take this weight off, regain my health, and get back to being alive!
Have a comment? Advice? Random observation? I'd love to hear it. Click "COMMENTS" just below.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
'Tis the Season
It's beginning to look a little like Christmas--or maybe just to "feel" like Christmas--around here. The weather has turned cold, and we've had our first little bit of snow. Where I am, it began to snow after dark last week, when the temperature finally dropped, after a full day of windy rain. My car had a visible coating when I turned the porch lights on before going to bed, but when the sun came up in the morning it was gone. It counts, though--we had snow. For here, that counts as snow. We probably won't have anything measurable until January sometime. Right now I'm watching The Weather Channel, where they are reporting from the great lakes area, being pounded by lake-effect snows of nearly 2 feet. Maybe that's what's making me think about Christmas.
Unfortunately for me, I've been just too sick to do any decorating or shopping for the holiday. Hate that! It's starting to get a bit late in the season! Other than making lists in my mind and crocheting and sewing (I'll have to show those in another post) I have done nothing to usher in the season. I must get my head back together, make lists, and at least start to burn up the internet to get the shopping done.
About a Christmas tree...we actually need to do two, since I live in two places...I have no idea when they will happen. More importantly, I'm missing Advent, and listening to our sermons on iTunes just doesn't really take the place of being in my church, feeling the sense of preparation and warmth of Advent. Oh dear. Just to feel better and be a part of the season of preparation for the birth of Jesus, that's what I want for Christmas this year.
Unfortunately for me, I've been just too sick to do any decorating or shopping for the holiday. Hate that! It's starting to get a bit late in the season! Other than making lists in my mind and crocheting and sewing (I'll have to show those in another post) I have done nothing to usher in the season. I must get my head back together, make lists, and at least start to burn up the internet to get the shopping done.
About a Christmas tree...we actually need to do two, since I live in two places...I have no idea when they will happen. More importantly, I'm missing Advent, and listening to our sermons on iTunes just doesn't really take the place of being in my church, feeling the sense of preparation and warmth of Advent. Oh dear. Just to feel better and be a part of the season of preparation for the birth of Jesus, that's what I want for Christmas this year.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Read your Labels
Yesterday I finally got around to getting some medicine for this stupid cough. My doctor (the pulmonologist) usually has me take Mucinex when I start to cough. Mucinex is extended release guaifenesin--600 mg to be exact, released over 12 hours. In my discount store-of-choice, however, the only plain Mucinex was $30. There were either 40 or 48 tabs, I forget which, but that didn't matter much. THIRTY DOLLARS. I just didn't get it.
I knew guaifenesin was an old drug. I clearly remember taking it as a child, in over-the-counter cough syrup. I had some recollection from nursing school that it was plant-derived--surely not a scarce commodity. After I started thinking about it, I did a little research. Not only is it old, guaifenesin can safely be called ancient; there are records of it being used in the 1500's (albeit for syphillis) and it was grandfathered into the FDA system as an old drug.
What's more, it's all over the OTC shelves in dozens of other products. Although it took a few minutes to read the labels (since so many were combination products and I didn't want any other medications), I settled on a bottle of plain Robitussin, with 100 mg guaifenesin per tsp, and a bottle of 60 of a different mucus relief tablet--400 mg guaifenesin per tablet, to be taken every 4 hours. Total cost for both: about $6. Same drug, in sufficient quantity, for $24 less than the Mucinex. (I wonder if that's why they advertise so heavily on television?)
I also learned that the maker of extended release Mucinex developed and holds the patent for the extended release formulation--hence the price difference between it and standard release. For me, though, the convenience of that every 12 hours dosing is just not worth all the extra money! I'll just have to keep up with my dosing until this cough is better. Besides, I'm not positive I need liquified mucus in the middle of the night anyway. Cheers!
I knew guaifenesin was an old drug. I clearly remember taking it as a child, in over-the-counter cough syrup. I had some recollection from nursing school that it was plant-derived--surely not a scarce commodity. After I started thinking about it, I did a little research. Not only is it old, guaifenesin can safely be called ancient; there are records of it being used in the 1500's (albeit for syphillis) and it was grandfathered into the FDA system as an old drug.
What's more, it's all over the OTC shelves in dozens of other products. Although it took a few minutes to read the labels (since so many were combination products and I didn't want any other medications), I settled on a bottle of plain Robitussin, with 100 mg guaifenesin per tsp, and a bottle of 60 of a different mucus relief tablet--400 mg guaifenesin per tablet, to be taken every 4 hours. Total cost for both: about $6. Same drug, in sufficient quantity, for $24 less than the Mucinex. (I wonder if that's why they advertise so heavily on television?)
I also learned that the maker of extended release Mucinex developed and holds the patent for the extended release formulation--hence the price difference between it and standard release. For me, though, the convenience of that every 12 hours dosing is just not worth all the extra money! I'll just have to keep up with my dosing until this cough is better. Besides, I'm not positive I need liquified mucus in the middle of the night anyway. Cheers!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
When All Else is Ruled Out--
Today is actually my first day back at work since before Labor Day weekend (9/4). I can't even describe how frustrating it has been to have surgery and then have surgeons of 2 different specialites tell me they couldn't identify the cause of my problems...then to have fevers and have several doctors tell me they don't know why. I finally saw someone I know and trust, who did a new exam and a lot of labs. He approached it as an interesting case, and explored all areas. In the end, we know (by labs) that something messed up my pancreas and I have inflammation, and by symptoms I have fevers, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea. The numbers are headed back toward normal, but I was still unsettled without an explanation.
I spent nearly all of yesterday doing research in the medical literature and I am now confident I know what happened. There have been a number of reported cases of pancreatitis triggered by ACE inhibitors. A handful of those occurred after months to years on the exact medication I was on (there are several medications in that class), and a few occurred after very short times on the medication. One abstract discussed a "typical" case as a middle aged woman with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, who had recently started an ACE inhibitor...and the author exhorted fellow ER physicians to consider ACE inhibitor reactions as the cause of the condition, as he had seen it several times. There were also 2 abstracts on cases where individuals were treated multiple times and even had surgery but the abdominal issues only resolved after discontinuation of the ACE inhibitor.
I guess for some the above might be classified as "too much information," but I tend to get scientific when I can't understand a problem, and having what I consider not only a plausible but even a "likely" explanation cheers me immeasurably. Instead of that big "WHAT IF" being out there, with this research data I can rest much more easily with a concrete explanation in my mind. Although the doctors all (but the last) discounted my inquiries about intestinal angioedema from the ACE inhibitor as much too rare an event, they did a very good job "ruling out" everything else they could think of. They literally ruled out everything they could think of, and were done. (I used the all-important question, "What else could this be?" with each of them, including residents, more than once.) My surprise is that they were content to leave it an open question. Obviously, if it were personal to them, their response would have been different.
So, adding their confidence that "it" wasn't "a, b, c, d, e, f," or "g" to my research, I am now confident that it was pancreatitis triggered by the ACE inhibitor, something not ruled out or even on their lists. So now I know what I'm watching; I don't feel afraid of the fevers, etc., and expect it all to get better, albeit over a much longer time than the surgeons realized.
So, with some pancreas-local pain and associated symptoms, and thinking pancreas-healing thoughts, I'm back at work and trying to remember what it is I do!!
I spent nearly all of yesterday doing research in the medical literature and I am now confident I know what happened. There have been a number of reported cases of pancreatitis triggered by ACE inhibitors. A handful of those occurred after months to years on the exact medication I was on (there are several medications in that class), and a few occurred after very short times on the medication. One abstract discussed a "typical" case as a middle aged woman with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, who had recently started an ACE inhibitor...and the author exhorted fellow ER physicians to consider ACE inhibitor reactions as the cause of the condition, as he had seen it several times. There were also 2 abstracts on cases where individuals were treated multiple times and even had surgery but the abdominal issues only resolved after discontinuation of the ACE inhibitor.
I guess for some the above might be classified as "too much information," but I tend to get scientific when I can't understand a problem, and having what I consider not only a plausible but even a "likely" explanation cheers me immeasurably. Instead of that big "WHAT IF" being out there, with this research data I can rest much more easily with a concrete explanation in my mind. Although the doctors all (but the last) discounted my inquiries about intestinal angioedema from the ACE inhibitor as much too rare an event, they did a very good job "ruling out" everything else they could think of. They literally ruled out everything they could think of, and were done. (I used the all-important question, "What else could this be?" with each of them, including residents, more than once.) My surprise is that they were content to leave it an open question. Obviously, if it were personal to them, their response would have been different.
So, adding their confidence that "it" wasn't "a, b, c, d, e, f," or "g" to my research, I am now confident that it was pancreatitis triggered by the ACE inhibitor, something not ruled out or even on their lists. So now I know what I'm watching; I don't feel afraid of the fevers, etc., and expect it all to get better, albeit over a much longer time than the surgeons realized.
So, with some pancreas-local pain and associated symptoms, and thinking pancreas-healing thoughts, I'm back at work and trying to remember what it is I do!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I'm Back
Funny how things work out. First, we have resolved never to toast my good health again. I'm not sure if that's what caused it, but you can't be too careful!
Friday night, we had a nice dinner out to celebrate my good results on the heart-thing. We went early, soon after work, and by late evening I had a bad belly pain. Saturday morning, it was worse, and included my entire abdomen. By Saturday night, it was apparent that I needed to go to the ER. Various tests and worsening of it all led me into surgery by Monday afternoon. For better or worse, the surgeons couldn't figure out exactly what happened--but my appendix is no longer with me, just in case. I came home from the hospital on Tuesday night to complete my recovery at home.
So--you never can tell. My dear husband and I had planned to rest and stay put for Labor Day weekend; we were going to pack a little picnic and go to a local state park for a nice afternoon. Just goes to show you that you can't always count on doing what you plan on doing!
Friday night, we had a nice dinner out to celebrate my good results on the heart-thing. We went early, soon after work, and by late evening I had a bad belly pain. Saturday morning, it was worse, and included my entire abdomen. By Saturday night, it was apparent that I needed to go to the ER. Various tests and worsening of it all led me into surgery by Monday afternoon. For better or worse, the surgeons couldn't figure out exactly what happened--but my appendix is no longer with me, just in case. I came home from the hospital on Tuesday night to complete my recovery at home.
So--you never can tell. My dear husband and I had planned to rest and stay put for Labor Day weekend; we were going to pack a little picnic and go to a local state park for a nice afternoon. Just goes to show you that you can't always count on doing what you plan on doing!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Great News
Whew! Horray! Thank God! You get the message. I just found out that none of the horrible potential things that I've been worrying about are wrong with my heart. It's just high blood pressure. Yay!
Day before yesterday, my cardiologist had his nurse follow up with me to see how I was making out after the last med change. (My BP was still higher than it should be.) We traded phone messages, and in one I told her she could feel free to call back and tell me my echo was totally normal. The next day, she did!! Thank goodness...it was impossible to put thoughts of potential cardiomyopathy out of my head and concentrate on anything.
They also added an ACE inhibitor, which, after one dose, has really worked. My BP was so low this morning I was dizzy. A lot of coffee and some diet Coke helped a bit, and we're still good with the pressure this afternoon. I'm going to look out for the cumulative effect, but By George, I think we may have it here.
Tonight, hubby and I are going to our favorite restaurant to sit outside on the patio and celebrate the good news!! A great way to start the holiday weekend. Have a fantastic one, everyone!
Day before yesterday, my cardiologist had his nurse follow up with me to see how I was making out after the last med change. (My BP was still higher than it should be.) We traded phone messages, and in one I told her she could feel free to call back and tell me my echo was totally normal. The next day, she did!! Thank goodness...it was impossible to put thoughts of potential cardiomyopathy out of my head and concentrate on anything.
They also added an ACE inhibitor, which, after one dose, has really worked. My BP was so low this morning I was dizzy. A lot of coffee and some diet Coke helped a bit, and we're still good with the pressure this afternoon. I'm going to look out for the cumulative effect, but By George, I think we may have it here.
Tonight, hubby and I are going to our favorite restaurant to sit outside on the patio and celebrate the good news!! A great way to start the holiday weekend. Have a fantastic one, everyone!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Interesting Choice
Well. I couldn't tolerate the side effects of the Norvasc at 10 mg so I called and told the cardiology nurse. She relayed it to a partner of my doc, who directed me to go back to 5 mg. Interesting choice. Not what I expected, since I gave them my history in detail, (I did 2 weeks on 5 mg; it wasn't enough...) and my doc told me he was leaving instructions for "medication choice B" in my chart for his vacation coverage--which I also relayed to them. But I reduced it last night, and today my diastolic is up to 101 again. Interesting choice. I'm supposed to report in on Monday (which I will do sooner if I don't like my numbers) when my doc is back.
An echocardiogram is pretty easy, if you don't mind someone pressing a hard plastic transducer into (probably in between, actually) your rib bones very firmly for half an hour. And that goopy gel all over. I though I might end up with a bruise, but I didn't. My little heart valves all look very nice--that's all you can really tell while lying on your side with your head twisted back over your opposite shoulder to see the screen 4 feet away! (Of course I watched the whole thing.) My tech was really very nice, but she wouldn't tell me any measurements at all. 'Course not. It's only the ones I used to work with for 10 years at my old hospital who would do that! Without the numbers, I know nothing, so now I wait again.
Perhaps because of the uncertainty of the above, I went into another Scheduling Frenzy yesterday. From time to time, I get to the point where I absolutely must have everything on my calendar. Perhaps it's the way we live (or is it universal?), but hubby, teenage alien and I tend to talk about doing this or that--what we need or would like to do--invitations we receive, plans--and after a while they all seem to be floating out there, but nothing has actually been set. Yesterday, per pre-arranged telephone appointment (yes, our schedules are that bad), hubby and I did calendaring through the end of October. I feel so much better!! We have "the plan." I don't think we have one free weekend throughout that time, but that's another story. At least I know that we've scheduled the things we want to do so we don't miss them. I'm looking forward to a fun fall!
An echocardiogram is pretty easy, if you don't mind someone pressing a hard plastic transducer into (probably in between, actually) your rib bones very firmly for half an hour. And that goopy gel all over. I though I might end up with a bruise, but I didn't. My little heart valves all look very nice--that's all you can really tell while lying on your side with your head twisted back over your opposite shoulder to see the screen 4 feet away! (Of course I watched the whole thing.) My tech was really very nice, but she wouldn't tell me any measurements at all. 'Course not. It's only the ones I used to work with for 10 years at my old hospital who would do that! Without the numbers, I know nothing, so now I wait again.
Perhaps because of the uncertainty of the above, I went into another Scheduling Frenzy yesterday. From time to time, I get to the point where I absolutely must have everything on my calendar. Perhaps it's the way we live (or is it universal?), but hubby, teenage alien and I tend to talk about doing this or that--what we need or would like to do--invitations we receive, plans--and after a while they all seem to be floating out there, but nothing has actually been set. Yesterday, per pre-arranged telephone appointment (yes, our schedules are that bad), hubby and I did calendaring through the end of October. I feel so much better!! We have "the plan." I don't think we have one free weekend throughout that time, but that's another story. At least I know that we've scheduled the things we want to do so we don't miss them. I'm looking forward to a fun fall!
Friday, August 21, 2009
BMI Check
I've missed a couple of days posting for a combination of reasons--a work assignment I had to finish, guests for dinner last night, feeling "weird" from (I think) the BP med.
Not much new on the BP front; it is slowly coming down, but still not all the way there. I have a weird foggy-headed/spacey feeling which I am guessing is from the med (and/or my change in BP) but no cankles yet. Plus, every afternoon around 4:30, I can barely stay awake. What's that about? My echo is on Monday, and I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't worried about it. But, I'm trying to keep from obsessing about it until I know whether there's a real problem with my heart. The potential super sucks, but I'm going to avoid thinking about that for as long as possible. On a great note (in my opinion, obviously) I've lost 2-3 lbs. so far, depending upon which point in my normal fluctuation you measure it. I'm taking that as a win, and looking for the next lower number on the scale to appear.
I used one of the many free BMI calculators on-line, and found that I "only" need to lose 14 lbs. to be back in the "healthy weight" zone based on BMI. Here's one, in case you want to try it. http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ So far, I've only cut back on indulgences, kept up the healthy food choices, and (per the cardiologist's order) kept exercising. I've added to my walks at lunch and now go for 45-50 minutes 3-4 days per week, with Jazzercise on Saturdays. Once my schedule at work levels off, I fully intend to walk every day I'm not in court. It's been a challenge recently because all week it has been 90 degrees with high humidity at lunch--the heat index has been 98-101--but I'm out there. I'm committing to a positive attitude, with positive change as a result!!
Not much new on the BP front; it is slowly coming down, but still not all the way there. I have a weird foggy-headed/spacey feeling which I am guessing is from the med (and/or my change in BP) but no cankles yet. Plus, every afternoon around 4:30, I can barely stay awake. What's that about? My echo is on Monday, and I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't worried about it. But, I'm trying to keep from obsessing about it until I know whether there's a real problem with my heart. The potential super sucks, but I'm going to avoid thinking about that for as long as possible. On a great note (in my opinion, obviously) I've lost 2-3 lbs. so far, depending upon which point in my normal fluctuation you measure it. I'm taking that as a win, and looking for the next lower number on the scale to appear.
I used one of the many free BMI calculators on-line, and found that I "only" need to lose 14 lbs. to be back in the "healthy weight" zone based on BMI. Here's one, in case you want to try it. http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ So far, I've only cut back on indulgences, kept up the healthy food choices, and (per the cardiologist's order) kept exercising. I've added to my walks at lunch and now go for 45-50 minutes 3-4 days per week, with Jazzercise on Saturdays. Once my schedule at work levels off, I fully intend to walk every day I'm not in court. It's been a challenge recently because all week it has been 90 degrees with high humidity at lunch--the heat index has been 98-101--but I'm out there. I'm committing to a positive attitude, with positive change as a result!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Happy Monday!
Back to work Monday. I can't say it was a very happy Monday, but it was an ok day. I have a friend that sends out messages regularly with subjects like "Happy Monday!" (or any day of the week.) It's a bit "off" to put it that way, since "Happy ___" usually goes with holidays--"Happy Easter!" "Happy New Year!" or "Happy Hanukkah!"--not with days we are fond to dread. Maybe she's being ironic? Or more likely, she's just hopeful.
Well, not too much news (no swollen ankles yet but not much response to the BP medicine either), so I'm going to just show you a picture of my pretty girl cat, Frankie. (She was named after "old blue eyes" Frank Sinatra, mostly.) It's not easy to get good cat pictures because they normally get right up and come investigate the camera, but Frankie was just settling in for a nap when I took this one.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Cardiology? Me?
I went in for a cardiology consult yesterday as my internist/pulmonologist wanted. It's still hard for me to fathom that I would need a cardiologist. Working in ICU's, I used to treat all of those poor unhealthy souls who had heart problems...but I worked out, ate right, and made it a point to be healthy.
They did an EKG right there, which was fine. They printed me a copy of my labwork which (if I do say so myself) was spectacular. Cholesterol, fantastic. Triglycerides, great. HDL, LDL, VLDL all in delightful balance and where they should be. Blood sugar, electrolytes, proteins, all normal. Kidney function, good. Thyroid studies, normal. (Although I was kind of hoping the hypertension was endocrine related, because that's something that can be fixed.) Blood pressure: still high.
He doubled my medication and expects me to get swollen ankles...but maybe not, we'll see. If I suddenly grow cankles, he has a plan for that. (Which is good, because I do have decent ankles.) I'm getting an echocardiogram done in 2 weeks (something I've seen so many times but never thought I'd ever be getting myself.) A piece of good news: people do just suddenly get hypertension without something else being horribly wrong, and it can be as sudden as 5 months ago it was 120/82 and then it's 128/100, no other explanation. I asked him point blank about the diastolic dysfunction, but he just told me that the echo would tell us if anything's really wrong there. No false reassurances (darn), but I picked this guy because I know he's good and straightforward.
So, next step: see if BP comes down on double the dose, monitor blood pressure, keep positive attitude. And, direct order from cardiologist: KEEP EXERCISING! Good advice for almost everyone, don't you think?
They did an EKG right there, which was fine. They printed me a copy of my labwork which (if I do say so myself) was spectacular. Cholesterol, fantastic. Triglycerides, great. HDL, LDL, VLDL all in delightful balance and where they should be. Blood sugar, electrolytes, proteins, all normal. Kidney function, good. Thyroid studies, normal. (Although I was kind of hoping the hypertension was endocrine related, because that's something that can be fixed.) Blood pressure: still high.
He doubled my medication and expects me to get swollen ankles...but maybe not, we'll see. If I suddenly grow cankles, he has a plan for that. (Which is good, because I do have decent ankles.) I'm getting an echocardiogram done in 2 weeks (something I've seen so many times but never thought I'd ever be getting myself.) A piece of good news: people do just suddenly get hypertension without something else being horribly wrong, and it can be as sudden as 5 months ago it was 120/82 and then it's 128/100, no other explanation. I asked him point blank about the diastolic dysfunction, but he just told me that the echo would tell us if anything's really wrong there. No false reassurances (darn), but I picked this guy because I know he's good and straightforward.
So, next step: see if BP comes down on double the dose, monitor blood pressure, keep positive attitude. And, direct order from cardiologist: KEEP EXERCISING! Good advice for almost everyone, don't you think?
Friday, August 7, 2009
Quick Update on Health
I wish I could say that my blood pressure had come down nicely on its own--or even that the new medication had started working. However, there's been no real change yet. I've taken the norvasc religiously (it's only the 4th day though) and still diastolics in the high 90's. I've even managed to get back walking on my ankle (did I mention that I did a fantastic job of spraining it in Sedona, which will be 2 weeks ago tomorrow, and that it still hurts quite a bit? I guess I didn't mention that yet.) And, that I've even started to lose a little weight--ok, a really little so far, but I've started, and that's what counts (or at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.)
I'm practicing patience. I've iced my ankle as ordered, (in fact I'm icing it now), had my bloodwork drawn, got my allergy shots, and I'm walking as much as I can. I'm taking meds as ordered, and I'm just going to have faith that it'll all come together soon. I'm going to keep it positive!!
I'm practicing patience. I've iced my ankle as ordered, (in fact I'm icing it now), had my bloodwork drawn, got my allergy shots, and I'm walking as much as I can. I'm taking meds as ordered, and I'm just going to have faith that it'll all come together soon. I'm going to keep it positive!!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Another Blow
I went to my doctor today. In mid-July, my allergist noted my BP was high--I've been watching it closely and it's still high. She was suitably impressed; she put me on a medication and she wants me to see a cardiologist! I never ever thought I'd be seeing a cardiologist, I was always working with them, and I used to exercise a lot, and was very fit. In the past 2 years I've gained weight, but I still exercise pretty regularly. I thought I was doing pretty well--but I have had this thing where as soon as I start exercising my heartrate pops up to a very high rate. Doc said she was thinking along the lines of diastolic dysfunction. Something's not quite right I guess.
So, I will start the ace inhibitor and see what happens; I have a cardiologist in mind and I'll get an appointment I guess, after my bloodwork is done. Bloodwork tomorrow morning as long as I remember to keep fasting.
Sorry this post was so boring; I'm just a bit out of it. BP was 134/105 when I got home this evening, blame that.
So, I will start the ace inhibitor and see what happens; I have a cardiologist in mind and I'll get an appointment I guess, after my bloodwork is done. Bloodwork tomorrow morning as long as I remember to keep fasting.
Sorry this post was so boring; I'm just a bit out of it. BP was 134/105 when I got home this evening, blame that.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What Doesn't Kill You--
As I started my blog, I had quite a few ideas about what I wanted to write about; different interests, "causes" (such as they are), events. Yesterday, however, I had a wake-up call while at my allergist, in the form of the news that my blood pressure is high. So today I've watched it and it's even higher.
Hypertension. From my medical background, I know it's not something you mess with--they don't call it the "silent killer" for nothing. I've had a stressful week-plus, been very poor with exercising regularly for several months, have had regular alcohol intake, and have not lost that weight I'm supposed to be losing. All can raise your blood pressure. I'm scared. I've given myself a week to two weeks (since in a week I'm leaving on vacation) to exercise, relax, eat a better diet, etc., until I report myself to my internist. If that happens, I know what she'll do. It's not where I want to go, as a 'kid' just over 40.
So I'm dedicating myself with new purpose to regular exercise, diminshed indulgence, and increased awareness of stress relief so I can get back to where I need to be!
Hypertension. From my medical background, I know it's not something you mess with--they don't call it the "silent killer" for nothing. I've had a stressful week-plus, been very poor with exercising regularly for several months, have had regular alcohol intake, and have not lost that weight I'm supposed to be losing. All can raise your blood pressure. I'm scared. I've given myself a week to two weeks (since in a week I'm leaving on vacation) to exercise, relax, eat a better diet, etc., until I report myself to my internist. If that happens, I know what she'll do. It's not where I want to go, as a 'kid' just over 40.
So I'm dedicating myself with new purpose to regular exercise, diminshed indulgence, and increased awareness of stress relief so I can get back to where I need to be!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)