Got the results from my blood tests this morning, and my blood pressure issues. Bad bits: Eosinofìls:3.5%..should be between 0.0 and 3.0 Srm Glucosa 122.0: should be between 74.0 and 106.0
Blood pressure is a steady 180/106. Prescriptions: ENALAPRIL EFG 20 mg once a day in morning. for the blood pressure. My BMI is about 4% higher than recommended..I weigh 80 kilos, which is about 176lbs, and I am 5ft 8 inches tall. Need to shed around a stone apparently. I know where the blood sugar comes from, apart from my pancreas slowing down in insulin production: about 10 cups of tea a day with 2 spoons of sugar, and my predilection for honey on my cornflakes, and the added sugar in most things we buy nowadays to shove down our throats Salt. I have cut down a LOT of my salt intake so far as preparing my food, but again, the salt already added in most of today's foods is a big problem. The Doctor is preparing some experimental diets for me to try, to see if we can reduce all the nasty bits naturally. I am 65% deaf in both ears My Srm-Antigen especific de la prostrata is 0.36 , and should be between 0.00 and 4.00, so it looks like my efforts to ward off prostate cancer are working !!! Hahahaha!! What do you make of all this, Frontal Lobe? Will I last another 10 years? Ellie wants to know, so she can take out more life insurance on me Hahahaha!! Nick
[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 12-12-2008).]
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05:57 AM
PFF
System Bot
AusFiero Member
Posts: 11513 From: Dapto NSW Australia Registered: Feb 2001
Hahaha!! Pickled Nick!! Should I be placed on the same shelf as the pickled onoins and pickled walnuts? I have always wondered what sort of state I would be in had I drunk copious amounts of alcohol during my life. i guess if you poured the total of my alcohol consumption from over the years into a barrel, it would hardly cover the bottom of it . Yes, the aging process has certainly started with a vengeance, but at least I can still easily combat the prostate cancer every day! Hahahaha!! Self medication should be the name, not self abuse!! Hahahaha!! Nick
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07:00 AM
hugh Member
Posts: 5563 From: Clementon,NJ,USA Registered: Jun 2000
I will be 69 on January 22nd. I weigh about 182 lbs.and am 5'4" tall.I take medicine for blood pressure(140/80),Cholesterol(140),Blood sugar (130),aspirin.Welcome to the old guy's club. You can be any age,but you have to be 18 years old inside.I think you pass the requirements for entry into this exclusive club.You are a little young, but we have lost some older members lately and need new blood. Joan gives me about 8 pills a day and keeps asking me if my life insurance is paid up! HHmmm ! Take care of yourself my friend so you can visit me if you ever get over here.
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08:04 AM
Curlrup Member
Posts: 2590 From: Havre De Grace, MD Registered: Apr 2007
End it now on a bender of sugar, booze and loud Elvis tunes. I hear ya man going to the doctor sucks. I'm 30 and am on Tricore. I have one big problem, I like food, I enjoy eating out and I like beer. I visit an irish pub weekly because they have over 200 beers from around the world. Nothing like a St. Peter's Cream Stout. Thankfully my consumption of Tricore is my only ailment now. Need to drop a few pounds and stay active. Yep growing older, it has it's surprises
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08:43 AM
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
Got the results from my blood tests this morning, and my blood pressure issues. Bad bits: Eosinofìls:3.5%..should be between 0.0 and 3.0 Srm Glucosa 122.0: should be between 74.0 and 106.0
Blood pressure is a steady 180/106. Prescriptions: ENALAPRIL EFG 20 mg once a day in morning. for the blood pressure. My BMI is about 4% higher than recommended..I weigh 80 kilos, which is about 176lbs, and I am 5ft 8 inches tall. Need to shed around a stone apparently.
The Doctor is preparing some experimental diets for me to try, to see if we can reduce all the nasty bits naturally. I am 65% deaf in both ears
My Srm-Antigen especific de la prostrata is 0.36 , and should be between 0.00 and 4.00, so it looks like my efforts to ward off prostate cancer are working !!! Hahahaha!! What do you make of all this, Frontal Lobe? Will I last another 10 years? Ellie wants to know, so she can take out more life insurance on me Hahahaha!! Nick
Hi Nick. Tell Ellie to please take out more life insurance, because, no you aren't going to make it another 10 years.
Would you PLEASE get off the enalapril and onto lisinopril? It lasts longer during the day, and it shouldn't cost any different. In the U.S., you can get lisinopril at Target or Walmart pharmacies with no insurance for $4 per month. You should be on 40mg lisinopril and add 25mg hydrochlorothiazide and GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE DOWN! Goodness. How long are they going to let your system get beat up with that high of a pressure?? I can't remember the last time you posted it, but it has been WAY too long.
Now if you would please just get your blood pressure below 140/90, you probably CAN have the 10 years Ellie is asking about. But the way you are going? It just isn't going to happen. It really is that dramatically important.
Your sugar of 122 is really insignificant, but you still want to reduce the sugars and drop a few pounds. Probably lose 5-7 pounds, and your sugars would be back to normal.
Eosinophils are one of the 5 types of white blood cells. Having 3.5% of your white blood cells be eosinophils is absolutely harmless and irrelevant.
I can tell you are 65% deaf in both ears BECAUSE YOU STILL HAVEN'T GOT YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE DOWN YET! Could you "hear" the caps? (OK. Actually the hearing loss is due to your playing music, but I was just making a point.)
That is your major health risk. (well, that, and if you went back to smoking).
THAT is your issue. Not some specially devised diet. Blood pressure. FOCUS. Your issue is blood pressure. Get on the right medicines until it is <140/90.
Tough love, there. But not too tough. And I know it isn't all your fault.
As I said before, if you make it to the states, I'll get it done for you in 2 weeks. Really.
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02:57 PM
Hulki U. My-BFF Member
Posts: 5949 From: Back home in East Berlin, PA Registered: Apr 2008
It's kinda hard to tell, but I think he's telling you to work on your blood pressure, Nick. We want to see you on here another 20 years or longer, not less than 10.
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03:04 PM
pokeyfiero Member
Posts: 16233 From: Free America! Registered: Dec 2003
Damn Nick I wish we could combine are problems for a good average.
I have Hypotension sometimes as low as 85/45 been as low as 40 when they had me on pain killers for 10 days straight in a hospital bed. Normal for me is 90/60. As I get older I am having trouble with dizzyness when I get up fast. I even passed out fell like a tree and bashed my head straight into a steel footing. I had a seizure for 2 minutes while I was out cold.
I wonder if this is life threating. After reading that Frontal tninks you could be a gonna in less than ten years It has me thinking. I don't know about you but I don't think the life insurance will do either of us any good.
Cut all carbs for 3-4 weeks (under 20 grams a day), high protein intake and your blood pressure will normalize faster than any drug. Also without weakening your heart muscles like prescription blood pressure medicines do which leads to many deaths.
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03:38 PM
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
Cut all carbs for 3-4 weeks (under 20 grams a day), high protein intake and your blood pressure will normalize faster than any drug. Also without weakening your heart muscles like prescription blood pressure medicines do which leads to many deaths.
OK, that was painful to read.
His blood pressure is 180/106. His blood pressure is not going to reduce 40 points with diet change. That is ludicrous.
Lisinopril and enalapril is also used in patients WITH weakened heart muscles to STRENGTHEN the muscle.
...blood pressure medicines... leads to many deaths... Why would you say such a ridiculous thing? The heart attack, heart failure, and stroke rates have plummeted over the past 20 years due to proper use of medicines. Calcium channel blockers lowered blood pressure greatly and were highly popular in the '90's, and actually "weakened" some hearts and actually increased the incidence of heart attacks and heart failure. Those were the ONLY ones. Any decent doctor would know not to use those as the only treatment any more (they are a fine "add on". Just no solo use.)
I'm all for using diet and lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure instead of using medicines. But the people that might be able to normalize are those in the 140's/90's range. A RARE person in the 150's/90's with an incredibly poor diet and lifestyle might be able to get it to normalize without medicine.
Not trying to be mean, but your comments were reckless and incredibly baseless and wrong.
Thanks frontal lobe. I have taken one pill today about 4 hours ago, and just took my B/P. it is 146/97. It is 22:45 here. Now I don't know what to do . Should I continue with these pills for the weekend, and see what happens, or should I just go out and get the ones you mentioned? To be honest, I am getting sick of all this crap here. My heart is still missing every fourth beat now and then, obviously accompanied by a few seconds of palpitations. It is like talking to brick wall. The guy in the emergency dept last October told Ellie I should see a cardiologist, and so I told my doctor this. She didn't listen, and left me for 2 months with no medication, on her instructions.. And when I went back for my appointment on 24th November, they took my blood, instead of the pressure. I am beginning to wonder if they want me to die Hope it doesn't hurt too much Crazy thing is, about 3 years ago I had my blood analysed, and I kept the report and all the figures etc. She didn't want to see it. I asked for help to quit smoking, or rather to KEEP quitted from smoking, and she made me an appointment for MAY 2009. I can give it up for 3 or 4 months, but then go back again, partly because I put on too much weight, and feel even more ill then! I have told Ellie I must cut down on sugar. I have cut out salt as much as I can. I don't get headaches or such, and just have a continual pain in my right thigh and calf muscle. Told her that too, and asked if it might be a DVT, but she said no, without even checking. I am thinking of faking a frigging heart attack in the street, to get past these doctors, to see a specialist. You HAVE to be referred to one by your own doctor, but she seems not to want to know. If I sell the Fiero, I might just pop over and see you Dan
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04:59 PM
PFF
System Bot
pokeyfiero Member
Posts: 16233 From: Free America! Registered: Dec 2003
Thanks frontal lobe. I have taken one pill today about 4 hours ago, and just took my B/P. it is 146/97. It is 22:45 here. Now I don't know what to do . Should I continue with these pills for the weekend, and see what happens, or should I just go out and get the ones you mentioned? To be honest, I am getting sick of all this crap here. My heart is still missing every fourth beat now and then, obviously accompanied by a few seconds of palpitations. It is like talking to brick wall. The guy in the emergency dept last October told Ellie I should see a cardiologist, and so I told my doctor this. She didn't listen, and left me for 2 months with no medication, on her instructions.. And when I went back for my appointment on 24th November, they took my blood, instead of the pressure. I am beginning to wonder if they want me to die Hope it doesn't hurt too much Crazy thing is, about 3 years ago I had my blood analysed, and I kept the report and all the figures etc. She didn't want to see it. I asked for help to quit smoking, or rather to KEEP quitted from smoking, and she made me an appointment for MAY 2009. I can give it up for 3 or 4 months, but then go back again, partly because I put on too much weight, and feel even more ill then! I have told Ellie I must cut down on sugar. I have cut out salt as much as I can. I don't get headaches or such, and just have a continual pain in my right thigh and calf muscle. Told her that too, and asked if it might be a DVT, but she said no, without even checking. I am thinking of faking a frigging heart attack in the street, to get past these doctors, to see a specialist. You HAVE to be referred to one by your own doctor, but she seems not to want to know. If I sell the Fiero, I might just pop over and see you Dan
Can't you change doctors? And why can't you see a specialist? What kind of krazy insurance do you have?
Pokey...it is our National Health system, just like the UK. And no, I can't get to see a specialist without referral from my own doctor. Unless I collapse in the street, then a specialist in ER MIGHT just take a look at me MIGHT. The Health service when you actually GET to hospital is excellent; one of the best in Europe...not that that is saying a great deal nowadays. Frontal Lobe..what is the second thing you say I should take, in layman's terms? I believe my pharmacist will let me have whatever I ask for, if he thinks it is to treat a genuine problem It was him who initially took my blood pressure and told me to get to the emergency centre immediately 3 years ago, when I first felt ill. Thanks again Nick Edit to add: my cholesterol level has actually dropped from 3 years ago,and it was quite acceptable then, to a pretty good level, so it doesn't seem as if I have any blockages, just high B/P
[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 12-12-2008).]
I have a feeling you don't take your BP meds on a regular daily "as prescribed" basis, but when you feel bad or your blood pressure measures really high. True or False?
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06:01 PM
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
Thanks frontal lobe. I have taken one pill today about 4 hours ago, and just took my B/P. it is 146/97. It is 22:45 here. Now I don't know what to do . Should I continue with these pills for the weekend, and see what happens, or should I just go out and get the ones you mentioned?
My heart is still missing every fourth beat now and then, obviously accompanied by a few seconds of palpitations.
I am beginning to wonder if they want me to die Hope it doesn't hurt too much
I asked for help to quit smoking, or rather to KEEP quitted from smoking, and she made me an appointment for MAY 2009. I can give it up for 3 or 4 months, but then go back again, partly because I put on too much weight, and feel even more ill then!
I have cut out salt as much as I can. I don't get headaches or such, and just have a continual pain in my right thigh and calf muscle. Told her that too, and asked if it might be a DVT, but she said no, without even checking.
For people with extremely high blood pressure like yours, I don't consider enalapril a once-a-day drug. It doesn't last 24 hours. I can work with enalapril, and so can you. But you should be taking enalapril 20mg twice daily until you can get lisinopril 40mg which you could take once daily. It isn't that lisinopril is better. Enalapril is great, too. They are also equal mg for mg. It is just a convenience issue. Once a day versus twice a day.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic. Getting rid of a little salt and fluid "turbocharges" enalapril or lisinopril and helps it lower blood pressure even better. A great combination.
But another idea is that since you are having some palpitations, you could take a medicine for blood pressure that also suppresses irregular heart beats.
So another alternative would be:
enalapril 10 mg or 20mg twice daily (it would depend how your blood pressure responded) hydrochlorothiazide 25mg once daily AND metoprolol or atenolol 25mg or 50mg daily
Each of these can be bought in the U.S. for $4/month or $10/3 month supply. So for total of about $10/month, you get a perfect blood pressure, reduce or eliminate the palpitations, and have protection against heart attack and stroke.
You aren't even a difficult case. Simple. Boom, boom, boom. Perfect bp. Feel good. Little money.
Regarding smoking, I would have you use chantix when you get urges after 3-4 months. Help you through the "rough spots" so you can stay on track.
Oh, yeah, btw. Your leg condition isn't a blood clot (deep venous thrombosis). You likely have some ARTERIAL narrowing or plaque from the years of smoking and htn, reducing the blood flow TO your leg. Do an internet search on claudication. We do angioplasties and stents on arteries to the leg in the U.S. If that is the problem, relatively simple fix, problem solved, pain gone, and back on with life.
Now a side note:
HEY, AMERICA. THIS IS YOUR FUTURE. For those of you that think you want national health care, go for it. I'm going to be successful any system you want to set up. YOU PEOPLE will be the ones that rue the day you elected officials that implemented it. And once it is done, it is done. There isn't going to be any going back on it.
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06:29 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Don't mess with the Blood Pressure. Stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, blindness.... it can kill you or mess you up in so many different ways.
I have high blood pressure myself. When I found out - in the hospital - that my BP was 210/190, they put me on medication and that knocked it down to a stable 120/80 very quickly. It's been a while since I started the meds, but IIRC, it only took a few days or weeks for the BP to come down.
How much is a plane ticket for you to make an appt. with Frontal Lobe? Seriously. Get it done. It IS a matter of life or death.
Originally posted by Formula88: How much is a plane ticket for you to make an appt. with Frontal Lobe? Seriously. Get it done. It IS a matter of life or death.
Beyond all possibilities Probably cost me in the area of $4000 all told. Can't do it, even if I am going to die without it. Dan, thanks so very much. I am off to the pharmacy first thing in the morning with this information in hand. I am NOT going to die for the sake of a useless flipping Spanish Doctor!! This HAS gone on too long!! I have tried every which way to get some PROPER attention here, and failed. Sod 'em. I am going to listen to Dan, and get cracking!I don't want to leave Ellie and Zwever here on their own Thanks Thanks Thanks
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07:24 PM
Patrick Member
Posts: 38901 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
I asked for help to quit smoking... I can give it up for 3 or 4 months, but then go back again, partly because I put on too much weight, and feel even more ill then!
I know where the blood sugar comes from, apart from my pancreas slowing down in insulin production: about 10 cups of tea a day with 2 spoons of sugar...
...
That works out to 20 freakin' spoonfuls of sugar a day just for your freakin' tea !!!!!
Jesus H Cryst, as long as you continue that nonsense, you are NOT serious about improving your health, and you are NOT serious about wanting to be around for Ellie.
Honestly Nick, it is really irritating to hear you blaming your weight gain on trying to quit smoking when you go and pump yourself full of that white sugar crap on a daily basis.
Real Brits don’t even put sugar in their tea. What’s the hell’s wrong with you?
You can’t quit smoking and can’t drink tea without sugar. Are you a wimp or are you a man?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nick, everything I’ve stated is said with the best of intentions, but damn, you’ve got to smarten up... soon!
Beyond all possibilities Probably cost me in the area of $4000 all told. Can't do it, even if I am going to die without it. Dan, thanks so very much. I am off to the pharmacy first thing in the morning with this information in hand. I am NOT going to die for the sake of a useless flipping Spanish Doctor!! This HAS gone on too long!! I have tried every which way to get some PROPER attention here, and failed. Sod 'em. I am going to listen to Dan, and get cracking!I don't want to leave Ellie and Zwever here on their own Thanks Thanks Thanks
1 round trip ticket from Barcelona to Milwaukee is about $700. It would definitely be cheaper to get it taken care of at home, but don't give up.
Nick, one last comment to help motivate you (copied from this thread)...
As I told you before Patrick, you are right. I have taken sugar with everything ever since I was a kid. It is hard to get used to things without it, but I will persevere. As to smoking......FOOL'S game!! And even harder to quit.But I must do it. And so must Ellie, but I don't hold out too much hope for that I feel better today. My B/P is at 135/80 tonight. I couldn't get the other ones Dan recommended, today..Fiesta in our region, and the nearest Pharmacy open is some 56 miles away. I think I can last until Monday , and I took two pills today, one in the morning and one with my evening meal. I AM A WINNER: Formula88..yes it does work out a LOT cheaper to treat it from here, with Dan's help. I really need to do something for his expert attention. But what? Thanks Nick
I will be 69 on January 22nd. I weigh about 182 lbs.and am 5'4" tall.I take medicine for blood pressure(140/80),Cholesterol(140),Blood sugar (130),aspirin.Welcome to the old guy's club. You can be any age,but you have to be 18 years old inside.I think you pass the requirements for entry into this exclusive club.You are a little young, but we have lost some older members lately and need new blood. Joan gives me about 8 pills a day and keeps asking me if my life insurance is paid up! HHmmm ! Take care of yourself my friend so you can visit me if you ever get over here.
Ooops!! I must have missed your post Hugh!! Sure I'll give you some 'new blood' might reduce my blood pressure doing so! Haha!! Seems logical that though, doesn't it? Let out some blood, and the pressure will drop!! Why hasn't anybody thought of that before?? Oh...they have..barber shops used to do it, didn't they? Nick
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06:19 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 41286 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Originally posted by fierofetish: .... I have taken sugar with everything ever since I was a kid. It is hard to get used to things without it, but I will persevere.
What a lot of people don't recognize is that sugar is addictive. Certainly not as much as nicotine, but addictive nonetheless.
Once you treat it like the addiction that it is, it is easier to deal with. Stop eating foods that contain sugar. When you are hungry for a snack, think about having a glass of water instead. You may still choose to have the snack, but at least it's given you pause to think. (And I'm betting that a significant portion of the time, you'll choose the water instead.)
I don't use raw sugar in any form. On the occasions that I drink tea or coffee, I always use some for of artificial sweetener, or none at all. Within the past few years, a sugar substitute called "Splenda" was put on the market. It looks, feels and tastes like sugar, with none of the calories. No "chemical" aftertaste, either. When it's not available, I just use a saccharin tab.
While some may argue about the downfalls of artificial sweeteners, I think they'd be benificial in your case.
Thanks Raydar!! Tried sweeteners before, but they always tasted revolting! I'll have a go at 'Splenda' next week...anything to avoid the nasty taste of unsweetened tea Nick
[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 12-13-2008).]
Nick, I don't have any health advice ( except this: LISTEN TO FRONTAL LOBE AND GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER! ) but a couple of thoughts.
quote
originally posted by raydar When you are hungry for a snack, think about having a glass of water instead.
This really works. The water is good for you, and chewing the glass cuts your mouth up so you can't eat anything for a couple of weeks. Ergo, no sugar.
quote
Originally posted by fierofetish useless flipping Spanish Doctor!!
Let's change that to " Useless Flippin Spanish Doctors ", and, as Dave Barry would say, there's a great name for a rock band.
NIck, take two of the BP pills and call frontal lobe in the morning. Get serious!
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02:39 AM
Dec 16th, 2008
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
My B/P is at 135/80 tonight. I couldn't get the other ones Dan recommended, today.., and I took two pills today, one in the morning and one with my evening meal. I AM A WINNER:
Formula88..yes it does work out a LOT cheaper to treat it from here, with Dan's help. I really need to do something for his expert attention. But what? Thanks Nick
It really should be very simple to keep your blood pressure in excellent control, and do it inexpensively.
Just taking the enalapril at 20mg twice a day will likely do most of the work.
From there, it depends more on how much the extra beats are annoying you. If you need a little more blood pressure lowering, you might as well use atenolol or metoprolol (I consider them equally excellent) as that will lower the blood pressure a little more and has the added benefit of helping suppress extra beats. Would probably start with 50mg once daily, but if you were concerned you would be too low, you could start at 25mg. The maximum dose for those drugs is 200mg daily, so you can see that you would be starting WAY on the low end either way.
I'm not someone who just throws tons of drugs at someone. Low doses if possible. Pinch of this, dash of that depending on the individual and what their symptoms are.
If you add one of those, I would not add the hydrochlorothiazide immediately as that might actually put your blood pressure too low.
I treat blood pressure like landing a plane (although full disclosure, I've never flown nor landed a plane). It isn't that fastest landing that is the best, it is the smoothest. So we gradually work it down until we have "landed" where your blood pressure should be.
Once you hit the target, it should just be take the meds daily and you are on "cruise control" from there.
Regarding artificial sweeteners, it takes about 3 weeks IN A ROW of no sugar and only the artificial sweetener until your taste buds are "reset". It would be a rough 3 weeks, but from there, you tend to lose the aftertaste and it actually tastes sweet.
Regarding what to do, you don't have to do anything for me. The simple thanks above is more than adequate.
All I want from any of you is to have people to talk to, hear your viewpoints, share a laugh, etc. You know, friendship. I've got all the other stuff I need and more.
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06:49 PM
Patrick Member
Posts: 38901 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
Regarding artificial sweeteners, it takes about 3 weeks IN A ROW of no sugar and only the artificial sweetener until your taste buds are "reset". It would be a rough 3 weeks, but from there, you tend to lose the aftertaste and it actually tastes sweet.
Doc, excellent advice from you to Nick on managing his blood pressure.
One question - Wouldn't it be more beneficial for Nick to "reset" his taste buds to accept food/drink items that don't taste sweet as opposed to dumping those artificial chemical sweeteners in/on everything?
Thanks again FL and Patrick too.. I seem to have reached a plateau at the moment with the BP. I HAVEN'T tried the other stuff yet, FL..I have to return to the Doc on 18th of this month. I AM taking two of the prescribed tablets, one every 12 hours, and now it seems to be impotent to lower it any more. I also have doubts about the accuracy of the wrist monitor I am using. I try to take my BP in a constant position of my arm, but have noticed that just by having my wrist even 2 inches higher than normal will show my BP as being considerably lower. I understand you should hold your wrist at the same level as your heart, or as near as possible. I just rest my arm in the same position on a table every time for a constant 'norm', and judge the results against each other. Anyway, it now stands at around 150/90..still too high. I have cut my sugar by more than half, by reducing the amount I put in my tea, the size of the mug, and how many cups I drink a day. I want to cut it out altogether from beverages etc, and that should help. I NEVR get headaches, except when we have an electrical storm in the area..I can predict storms within 12 hours usually This is, of course, caused by atmospheric pressure...and the thought crossed my mind that it might be as a result of my BP. Just a curious thought Nick PS..I also took my BP during a time of high exertion, and it went to 190/107 for about 10 minutes..better stop having sex, and constipation
[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 12-16-2008).]
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07:14 PM
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
One question - Wouldn't it be more beneficial for Nick to "reset" his taste buds to accept food/drink items that don't taste sweet as opposed to dumping those artificial chemical sweeteners in/on everything?
Definitely it would be MORE beneficial. I just didn't know how much change he could take on at one time. Have a discussion with your girlfriend on the success rate of making major changes all at once. If you try to make 3 changes at once, versus 2 changes at once, versus 1 change.
So getting the blood pressure under control and getting off the sugar was enough to tackle at one time, was what I was thinking.
Then the next project would be stopping smoking.
Then after that, it would be great to just learn to live without the "sweets", sugar or artificial.
But that was just my imposing on what would be realistic to handle over what time period, as opposed to the MOST beneficial.
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08:33 PM
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
Anyway, it now stands at around 150/90..still too high.
PS..I also took my BP during a time of high exertion, and it went to 190/107 for about 10 minutes..better stop having sex, and constipation
Enalapril at 20mg twice a day for you likely represents a blood pressure of 150/90. To get it lower, you need to add something else. Time to either add hydrochlorothiazide 25mg daily, or, if you want extra beats suppressed, 50mg of atenolol or metoprolol.
Regarding the blood pressure during high exertion, your system is DESIGNED to tolerate periods of higher blood pressure during exertion. Just like your car engine is designed to handle 5000 rpm when you are passing or merging, etc. But you certainly wouldn't want to idle at 5000 rpm.
You want your "idle" blood pressure at about 130/80 and you want your "under load" blood pressure up around 170/95ish. Something like that.
If you add one of the other medicines above, they complement enalapril well and will lower your blood pressure. It is just a matter of seeing how much.
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08:38 PM
PFF
System Bot
Patrick Member
Posts: 38901 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
Definitely it would be MORE beneficial. I just didn't know how much change he could take on at one time. Have a discussion with your girlfriend on the success rate of making major changes all at once. If you try to make 3 changes at once, versus 2 changes at once, versus 1 change.
Oh, being a psychiatrist, I'm sure my girlfriend would agree with you 100%.
Yes, you are probably right. I defer to your wise judgement in this case.
(Doesn’t mean I agree with you at all when it comes to politics or religion. )
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08:44 PM
Dec 17th, 2008
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
Yes, you are probably right. I defer to your wise judgement in this case.
If it is wisdom, it is from years of experience.
I have SO MUCH that I need to have people change in order to have them help themselves live longer. Usually if the person tries to tackle too much at one time, they get overwhelmed and quit EVERY attempt at improving anything.
Your girlfriend will probably actually be able to quote you the statistics on success rates of trying to change multiple things at once. I think for people trying to change 3 things at once, the success rate of changing even ONE of the three is something like 15%.
But your point on not just substituting one thing for another is very valid. Sometimes it is a transition step, though, that helps. I do it with some people, for example, with smoking cessation. I have them use nicotine patches, gums, etc. when they are quitting smoking. Would it be better to not have them take nicotine at all? Sure. But taking nicotine is better than smoking. And once the smoking is done for whatever...4 months, 6 months...then we can start working off the nicotine.
Behavioral change is a very interesting thing.
Regarding "religion", I just sang in my church's big Christmas concert this past Saturday and Sunday night. But I didn't invite you and your gf to come because, well... it was too far for you to come? Ha!
We don't have to agree about everything. I still think you are a great guy and I enjoy talking with you.
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01:14 AM
Patrick Member
Posts: 38901 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
I got to thinking....the extra beat could also be from the caffeine intake from the tea. It may not be entirely at fault here but a contributor. Just my street medicine opinion. I do completely agree with frontal on the rest.
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11:04 AM
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
Well, it is now 22:55, and I have just come up from the garage after having got on with repairing the Alfa. Ha some thinking to do, and I always do that better when I am busy. Just took my blood pressure, just before taking my second dose of jollop, and it reads 145/72. I am going to see the Doctor at 8:45am tomorrow, where she will take my BP and review how things are going, and then they will take a blood sample to test my sugar level. I will also be asking the Docto to change my prscription to FL's suggestion, and see what she says.Doesn't mean I have to abide by her wor, but it is polite to ask, I guess I have cut down my tea intake to 4 a day!! And the sugar has been reduced to one spoon. Drank water, as usual, but more. I now feel nicely tired, and ready for bed. I hope this continues..I am making every effort to ensure it does. Also, being busy, I only smoked 3 cigarettes from midday unitl now I have to say I feel a bit sick, but I reckon that is fue to the changes in my lifestyle I have made, so I am not worried about it. Ellie and I are planning to go to Holland on Sunday morning at about 2:30 am, and I will be taking my Laptop with me, so I can keep in touch (atogether now...MASS GROAN ) I will tell you about Yelte in the other thread. Thanks for everybody's concern, both about MY welfare, but more importantly about Yelte. God Bless Nick
Just got back from the Doctor.Blood sugar is now 90, down from 122 Cut my intake by 70% over the last week, and everything has started to taste 'acceptable'now Salt? No more 'added salt' at the table, and none in my food Smoking? gonna enjoy it until 31/12, and then with the help of prescribed Chantix, I shallbe giving up, for the last time Managed quite a few weeks earlier this year, so why not for ever? I am taking Ellie to the Doctor too, to tell her just how bad it is for us. Maybe, just maybe she will quit too Here'shoping Nick
Frontal Lobe !! The doctor wanted me to continue with the medicine she prescribed me. But this morning , I went to the best Pharmacy in the area, showed him my prescription, and then your suggestions. He didn't even hesitate..just said 'That will be the best for you...forget the other stuff, it is no good for you'. He then went and got me some of the Lisinopril...and they have the Hidroclorotiazida already added! Ha!! So, I will take the last of the old ones this evening, and then tomorrow start with the new ones. Another thing. I have never had much confidence in the blood pressure monitor I bought 3 years ago. It didn't seem practical to use it on your wrist, where there are so many bones etc shielding the veins and arteries...so I bought a new one that works on your upper arm this morning, and have just tried it out.157/87!! And I tried the other one at the same time..175/92!!! Better to err on the safe side I guess, but I have more faith in the new one. I have also tried out my friend's one, and the new one shows the same reading as his...and his was 5 times more expensive than mine So,I am feeling a LOT more confident now. Only trouble is..I took Ellie's BP, and it is really low..127/59. SHe says it has always been that low, but I think it is too low. What do you think? Thanks so much for sharing your hard-earned knowledge with both myself, and the Forum. Anybody who says you are overpaid for your work deserves to see MY Doctor Nick
[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 12-19-2008).]