ktgrok Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 12 hours ago, Arctic Mama said: And while diet can help, please remember that in cases like his with so much family history this is a genetic tendency, and probably a very strong one if both parents struggled. Diet may play some role, but chances are unless he has major lifestyle and activity issues to address it’s probably not as significant as you think. Getting healthier and more active never hurts, but I wouldn’t stress about it overly much unless a specialist gives you cause to think there is a notable lifestyle role triggering the genetic loaded gun of the hypertension. That varies wildly by individual. Oh, yeah, I am not in the "meds are evil" camp or anything. But more in the "fast food multiple times a week, too much whiskey, too much coffee, not enough sleep, and sitting ALL DAY ever day" could be making it worse. He literally spends any time not sleeping sitting. He never gets outside, no fresh air, no exercise. And fast food multiple times a week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 Yeah, room for improvement 🙂 He is perfectly happy to eat a lunch I pack for him instead of fast food - in fact he very much prefers it. He just doesn't bother to pack one for himself if I don't do it, and given that I have other people that need me to get meals for him I don't always bother. Seems that between my new financial goals and his health I need to make it a priority if he doesn't. He SHOULD, but I'm not going to have him keel over just for the sake of principal, lol. He also needs to exercise in some fashion - or at least MOVE regularly. So far, he has no actual plans on that front that i know of but I THINK his new job also has a gym on site so maybe he's planning to just pack a bag to work out on lunch or after work - he hasn't mentioned it but he was off today for the holiday so I don't know. He has a very high stress life in some ways and I really wish he'd do some yoga or something - he did years ago and it really helped his day to day back pain, etc but again, no movement toward that. We have the space to do it in the living room with the TV via streaming, or our next door neighbor is a yoga instructor and has many many many times offered to do some with him. He just needs to work on some more balance in his life in general regarding movement/sitting, food, stress, etc. He has an appointment with a primary care doctor tomorrow, so that's good. He also told the board he is president of that he may need to hand some more things off as he figures all this out, so that's good. His numbers did not stay down nice and normal though - last one was 155/101 I think. So he took his pill, as it was almost time for it anyway. Last night I think it got to 150/90. And although he's done some work emails and writing for his maters he is still home, so not sure what it will be when he is back at work 😞 He is going to leave soon to teach his class again, then work in the morning and doctor's appt at 4pm tomorrow. Going to pack a lunch tomorrow of salad, salmon, and sweet potato. He will love that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Mouse Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 When I started blood pressure medication, my dr said that she prefers her patients to take smaller doses twice a day rather than a larger dose only once a day. She feels that it keeps the blood pressure more stable. She did say that this is not the typical way of prescribing, but it works better for most of her patients. (She was a geriatric specialist before she semi-retired and became the pcp at our very small town clinic). -which does remind me that I need to go take my evening pill. 2 hours ago, Ktgrok said: His numbers did not stay down nice and normal though - last one was 155/101 I think. So he took his pill, as it was almost time for it anyway. Last night I think it got to 150/90. And although he's done some work emails and writing for his maters he is still home, so not sure what it will be when he is back at work 😞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 Hope the doc can get his numbers looking a little better. If he’ll eat a healthy lunch that you pack, that’s a great start! Though you might find it’s much more expensive than fast food. ‘I hope you can convince him to get an Apple Watch. The activity app will badger him to get up for at least a minute every hour - the goal is 12 hours a day. And showing him how many steps he takes might make him realize just how little he’s moving. And it’s great for you, too- if he shows you his progress every day you can encourage him to do better or give him kudos when he’s making gains. Glad you convinced him to get it checked out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 18 hours ago, Ottakee said: I agree. The person I know with the highest blood pressure and cholesterol is thin, never overweight, eats very healthy, etc. They just have bad genetics. That said, moderate exercise, stress reduction, and a good diet is helpful to everyone .....it just might not eliminate the need for meds. Yes, when I was a kid, two neighbors of mine worked in the same place and they both rode their bikes together to work. Going to work was easy because it was downhill but coming back was a lot of exercise because there was a good sized hill to climb. Both men were tall and thin. Both men ate healthy food too since their wives were concerned about health. They were in their early to mid 30s. One of the men had high cholesterol and high blood pressure- all genetic.- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 4 hours ago, Annie G said: Hope the doc can get his numbers looking a little better. If he’ll eat a healthy lunch that you pack, that’s a great start! Though you might find it’s much more expensive than fast food. ‘I hope you can convince him to get an Apple Watch. The activity app will badger him to get up for at least a minute every hour - the goal is 12 hours a day. And showing him how many steps he takes might make him realize just how little he’s moving. And it’s great for you, too- if he shows you his progress every day you can encourage him to do better or give him kudos when he’s making gains. Glad you convinced him to get it checked out! Fitbits do the same thing. they may be cheaper too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 He actually probably still has a fitbit, but he has a watch he really likes and doesn't want to wear both. He'd give up the watch to wear an apple watch, but not the fitbit. And at nearly $600 not sure he's going to get an Apple watch anytime soon...maybe with a bonus at some point. Not sure when the next one comes. Blood pressure was 148/98 this morning. He took his medication at 6:30 last night, and was considering taking another pill now even though it is once a day but he has to drive and I worry about him going too low, etc. HIs appointment is at 4pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 7 hours ago, TravelingChris said: Fitbits do the same thing. they may be cheaper too. Oh yeah, for sure. Katie mentioned that he’s been wanting an Apple Watch so that’s why I mentioned that instead of a Fitbit. Loved my Fitbit for years! Katie, does he already have an iPhone? A WiFi Apple Watch 3 is only $200. Which is still a lot of money, especially now that you’re facing medical expenses. It does sound like he might benefit from some kind of device even if it’s a super simple one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 There are a number of fitbits. I have a cheaper model that is all black but functions as a watch too . My daughter got a more expensive version for Christmas and it looks really nice and professional. She has a Fitbit Versa 3. As to fluctuating blood pressure, I do take extra pills of either my lisinopril, if it isn't too high, or my clonidine .1mg if I need a quick lowering of the blood pressure. My doctor told me that most people have their highest blood pressure in the morning. I am unusual and that isn't the case with me but then my bp is most likely caused by other factors than the normal bp problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 2 hours ago, Annie G said: Oh yeah, for sure. Katie mentioned that he’s been wanting an Apple Watch so that’s why I mentioned that instead of a Fitbit. Loved my Fitbit for years! Katie, does he already have an iPhone? A WiFi Apple Watch 3 is only $200. Which is still a lot of money, especially now that you’re facing medical expenses. It does sound like he might benefit from some kind of device even if it’s a super simple one. Oh! That is significantly more reasonable! And yes he does have an iPhone already and it is always near him. I'll look into that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 2 hours ago, Arctic Mama said: Apple Watch doesn’t check blood pressure anyway. Just heart rate and falls. I’m not a huge fan of it over a normal iPhone and pedometer, personally. He needs to ask his doctor what number he needs to be concerned with on his meds. My team wouldn’t be super alarmed about that, they don’t change or adjust doses unless an hour after meds my blood pressure is running consistently above that. It’s not particularly dangerous to have a day or ten of 150/100, especially as meds are being adjusted. He just might need more frequent or higher doses. But, like, sitting here homeschooling I’m at similar pressures. No ER visit, it’s just labile right now and I’m between med doses 🙂. His doctor can give him specific guidelines about how long after meds to take his blood pressure are home and when to call. I wouldn’t jump up and do anything ahead of the appointment for that range, personally, though. It would be top of the list to bring up today for sure, however! Thanks - that's pretty much what I told him. And he actually retook it a bit later and it was down some - wondering if maybe the hot shower or something had raised it or just normal fluctuations. He's going to bring the whole chart of readings to the doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 So he went to the doctor, and actually liked this one, which is amazing 🙂 (He's actually a PA, I've seen him and liked him) He has instructions for diet and exercise, they are doubling his medication and he has instructions on how often to take it, how to take it, etc and knows what numbers to call the doctor about - both too low and too high - and when to go to the ER. He also got medication for the vertigo he's dealt with that has flared up recently - just to take if he needs it if/when it flares. (he also knows how to do the Eply maneuver which helps, but doesn't totally get rid of all symptoms right away). They are bringing him back on the 4th for a physical including fasted lab work, and will focus on blood sugar as there is a family history of diabetes and DH has had some issues with some slow healing on his feet recently - so want to stay on top of any blood sugar issues. And will recheck his Vitamin D, thyroid, cholesterol, all that good stuff, and then go from there if any other specialists/follow ups/etc are needed. Discussed in depth lifestyle - DH admitted that although the new job is low stress he eats out a lot more and moves less, and they discussed how eating out needs to be a monthly thing, not a daily thing. So all in all went well. We are playing hooky from scouts tonight so DH can come home and eat dinner, and because I started physical therapy today for my SI joint pain and am hurting a lot. This was the first consult so they were basically poking/prodding and doing anything they could to elicit pain in various positions to determine the cause. Which means what was a minor pain is now a really angry pain, lol. I need to take a muscle relaxer and can't do that and drive to scouts. Also, DH and I both remembered independently that at the last minute we signed up for an HSA this year, with enough to cover our family deductible, so that's a huge relief. Basically, we can stop worrying so much about his ER visit and I can justify doing the full PT course that I was prescribed which is awesome. i've been putting off dealing with it for 2 years and that's not working anymore. So, that's the update- DH is bringing home everything he wrote down, so I can see it all. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 22 hours ago, Ktgrok said: Accidentally hit quote but what a great report, Katie. When I first started hbp medicine, I needed twice a day too. Since I am now on a weekly patch, I only need extra meds occasionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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