This time it's because of my blood pressure. For two years I'd been taking a med, lisinopril, worked fine for my bp but caused me to cough. I went off it in December and have been working with my doc to find another effective med. The first two he prescribed didn't do the job. So I wandered into the back alley of "I'll never find a med that works, and I'll have to go back to the old one and cough all the time. Or I could lose 40 pounds and maybe not need the med, but I'll start the diet tomorrow, only I won't. " And as long as I'm in that back alley, I think about my husband Art, whose blood pressure is also too high, and he's working with the doctor also, but he's not rigidly compliant about monitoring his blood pressure or taking his meds or having the lab test done to check his potassium levels, so it's more likely I'll be either a widow or the wife of an invalid, and that will mean money issues. Bag lady stuff, you know.
Such a useful train of thought! When I get stuck there, I know what needs to be done. I connect with friends, reach out to someone in need, and get some exercise. So far, I haven't done any of those things. Maybe I need to wallow from time to time to remember how much fun it isn't.
The latest med, a beta blocker, has brought my bp down to a nice level. But it also makes me tired and a little anxious. Or maybe my back-alley pondering is the culprit, or the touch of something I've had all weekend, or our trip to Santa Fe with its attendant family issues - or all of the above.
Better get out there and take a walk.
25 comments:
Tired is a side effect. Anxious shouldn't be. Good luck with the walk. And if all else fails, remember my mantra: only the good die young. That frequently works to shed some light on my back alley.
I'm about to start the whole high blood pressure treatment go-round. If nothing else, you have given me a nice heads up about the kinds of things to worry about and/or discuss with my doctor.
I take 5mg of lisinopril a day, down from 10. I noticed at the dentist last week that it's actually on the low side now that I lost those 10 pounds. I tried a beta blocker first but it lowered by BP so much I couldn't get out of bed.
Hopefully you'll find one that works, but isn't it possible to look in the direction of another ACE inhibitor like lisinopril rather than a beta blocker? Just a suggestion for the doc next time you go.
Ugh, so many things to balance at a certain age, including being the spouse's nursemaid. I've noticed that I get tired and winded easily now that I'm on lisinopril. Yes, physical exercise and fun activities would relieve bouts of depression; but then, so would a new dress or a new haircut.
Back to chemistry, I am afraid, the hidden problems of our bodies revealed by all kinds of signs, including depression.
Walking always works for me. At the very least it takes my mind off whatever I'm fretting about for some time, and by the time I'm back, everything seems a bit brighter. I hope you find some relief soon.
Ugg getting the right balance is such a trial and error process. Like your hubby, I don't worry too much about health issues. I've had high bp since I was in my thirties, and been on the same medication since then, it works well for me. Thank goodness.
So, I took my temp and I have a fever! I usually feel bleak when I'm sick, so that makes me feel better. Go figure.
Hope you feel better soon, Linda! The blood pressure treatment thing is so difficult. I'm on Cozaar and cough, too. But control is so important. Your plan to walk (before you realized that you might be ill) is a good one for funks and for blood pressure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Get well Kiddo!
I take a beta blocker because of a fritzy heart since I was 40. That was immediately after running a marathon and qualifying to run the Boston Marathon. Sometimes you do everything right and genetics still slaps you in the face, but you can't quit. I now need to loose 15-20 pounds and its so hard. One at a time....
I hope you get your meds and bp sorted out. You are right about reaching out, helping others and exercise. I found 2 things I enjoy doing as exercise, so it works out good. Have you found fun exercise?
Gee, I don't know whether to be happy or sad that you have a fever. It would explain the mullygrub but now that is something else to deal with.
Exercise works wonders for me. If nothing else, it makes muscles sore so I have something else to dwell on. Yikes, aging is a challange but certainly not boring.
I'm lucky...no meds yet. I tried an exercise DVD, but it was kicking my butt, so started walking with my little dog. I think it helps us both. And...I meditate daily, 15/20minutes, without exception!!! I read all the reports on the benefits of meditation and figure maybe this will help keep me healthy. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress...
Oh! well! ...if you have a fever and you're sick, then of course you're feeling down. I hope by now you are in bed, getting over whatever is causing you discomfort.
I am too familiar with those back alleys, m'sel', and they are dark and scary. I am also familiar with bp issues, and am taking a beta blocker that is not doing the job. I hope that spring gets me out walking regularly; I'm sure that the endorphins and some weight loss will help everything!
Ugg, is right. High BP is such a worry. Thankfully, I haven't had that problem, but my husband has which means I keep an eye on his. He was on one drug that made him nauseated. It was cheaper, so he insisted that it was the right drug for him. His doc was on his side. Finally, we traced back to when the nausea began and sure enough it was when he started the medicine. Now he is one another, but his BP is not under control. I am trying to moderate his diet more and we taking walks again.
I hope you get to the bottom of all this. A fever will cause us to think the end is coming soon. Get better. Hope you are soon walking on " the sunny side of the street."
Oh - that back alley. We need to learn to detour around it. Since my heart attack, I've been on a beta blocker to "heal the scar on my heart" which they couldn't find. I have always had low blood pressure, but supposedly the beta blockers also give the heart a chance to heal. I may be able to go off it - but not yet. Good Luck. I hate to take meds.
Go for that walk. Get an iPod and listen to good walking music, hum along and turn off that worry wart brain!
My blood pressure is much better with my weight loss.
Linda, I get those feelings too and hate them. I do find often however that the back alley leads me to a new place, an interesting place, a place I need to be.
Two good things for the back alley and high blood pressure? Exercise and meditation. Really!
Those crazy pills they have us take. I am not sure what they give me, I am like your husband with the no worry.I am the last of my family as a part of all this stuff.I get good excercise to beat that life robber.
I just loved how you mentioned the "wallowing" option! I do the same thing, my dear! I say to myself, "Well, it's just easier to sit here and worry and feel sorry for myself!" Then, after a few hours of THAT crap, I realize how much I hate it (and myself!) and head back out the door to walk, exercise, or just get back on track! I know it's hard, though! Good luck to you! I believe in you (and your husband!)!!
Hope by the time you get to the bottom of the list of comments here where I am...you'll be feeling better. This is the fourth blog I've been to today where someone has mentioned not feeling good....either they are all planetary empaths feeling something coming on in the world...or there's a nasty flu bug going around. Which ever...do hope you are okay. Big hugs and love coming your way.
I hope the walk is refreshing. I battled with this sort of thing for a very long time. I hope everything works out well for you. Hugs form me :)
Take care of yourself and don't give into the bag lady too much. Thanks for sharing your words and your world with us.
Exercise is definitely a really good way to stay healthy and I applaud you for even considering going out for a walk. I tend to think about exercising while watching the Biggest Loser and lately no other time than that (I blame my 30 hrs/wk of school). Usually (not always) we wait to eat the ice cream until after the show. Hope this medication's effects wear off but your bp does come down!
Why are men (all the ones I've ever met anyway, only generalizing in my personal experience because, yes, I do mean ALL that I've ever met) bad about taking care of themselves? I mean I know I'm not out running a marathon every weekend or anything but Matt would likely give up anything but steak & sit in front of the tv/computer forever if I didn't hit him with the cattle prod every once in a while...geez. Don't even get me started on my dad or brother in law...
Gad. I was going to suggest you bag all of it and go take a walk, and then you done said it yourself. I can't tell you how many people I know who are taking five meds to counteract the other ten they're taking. Good luck.
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