Thursday, January 15, 2009

Test Results

As I mentioned the other day, I had a checkup with the doctor. You know, one of those things you're supposed to do after you turn forty (and then, forever and ever thereafter).

The results weren't great.

My blood pressure is still elevated. Well maybe "elevated" is not the right term since everyone who checked it gave me this look like I was some mutant or something. But you know, the hell of it is, I was on some meds for 8 months before the test and apparently they were doing nothing other than making me feel like shit (which took me several months to figure out).

Today I got the call from the nurse saying that all of my test results were back. She said the urine test was ok (yeah, I had to piss in the cup, and no I didn't end up pissing down the front of my pants thank you very much). My PSA numbers were ok (which is good since my dad had prostate cancer), my sugar was acceptable (it was 101 ... she said 99 would have been better. No shit Sherlock), but my cholesterol is way too high.

Shocking.

Listen to this though.

BHE and I eat pretty darn healthy, even before this whole diet thing.

I go to the gym at least 3 to 4 days a week and have been doing so for years.

I am somewhat overweight, but nowhere near obese.

What can I do? Should I even worry about it?

Signed,

Over the hill and trying to push a rope.

10 comments:

  1. First off, I wouldn't worry about it. Because that will for damn sure make your blood pressure go up. And I am a champion worrier so I will just add you to my list. Worry - covered!

    Second, sometimes things like cholesterol, etc are genetic and no diet/exercise in the world will change it. So time for Lipitor.

    Third, if your blood pressure meds were making you feel like crap, have your doc change it. I am not on the normally prescribed meds for blood pressure either - hydro something or another. And I have had zero side effects.

    Getting old sucks!

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  2. ok whats PSA?

    Having many many relatives with high bloodpressure I can tell you that some of them have been on a dozen meds for it before they found one that was "right".

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  3. It may warrant a trip to a cardiologist jsut to be on the safe side and make-up get a heart work up...it can not hurt. The other news is great though.

    Keep us posted!!

    Marlene

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  4. My doctor here in Texas, and my old doctor in CA both told me that high cholesterol is 90% genetic. Mine was only slightly elevated, and I have it under control with low dose meds.

    Otherwise, make sure your doctor changes your high BP meds until you find the one that workds for you. I've been lucky in that dept too. Mine is on the low side.

    I'm so glad you didn't dribble on yourself.

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  5. I have no advice to give at all but I sympathize with what a pain in the ass it all is. They can't check my bp at the doc until it's time to go- I have a major case of white coat syndrome. My pressure starts going up as soon as I see the doc appt. coming up on my calendar.

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  6. Dear, Over the hill and trying to push a rope.
    I agree with everyone else...the cholesterol is just how your body processes your food. It must be genetic. you may need to add lipitor to your healthy diet.
    Hope you can find a way to bring down that blood pressure and stop getting the dirty looks from the nurses...they have some nerve.

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  7. You want some cheese with that wine, I mean Jim Beam? Just wait till you turn 50 and have to go for the ole hiney holearoo test! Thats when they go looking for pileups!

    I say dont worry about~roll down that hill and hang on to that rope! Life is good!

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  8. It is important to drill down for details on the whole cholesterol thing...as in your overall number could be sky high, but if the good cholesterol is high and the bad is low, and it totals to sky high, that's OK.

    The math portion of my brain has just sputtered and is now smoking.

    Try some cardio. As in every single day, even if it is just a 20 minute walk. See if you can build up to a walk-some-jog-some. If you can't just stick with the jogging.

    exercise is the ticket, along with diet, but the diet doesn't sound like it's a problem.

    Red wine, I understand, is very soothing for one's overall state, at least that's what I'm banking on.

    (p.s. I am awaiting blood test results myself. It's been over a week and I am starting to get nervous. All together now: 44 sucks!)

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  9. Hmmm ... sorry, I'm going to go a little chickish on you. I don't know how much stress you carry at your job and how you handle stress in general but that can be a pressure cooker. I'd suggest incorporating yoga (sorry) or some type of CALMING exercise. Meditating and yoga (in addition to working with your doctor and everyone else's suggestions above) can have a positive impact on your blood pressure. I know how you guys like to hold stuff in, but sometimes you just have an outlet to let it go ... that's not beer or football : )

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  10. Getting older bites. But at least you know what you need to work on...I get to go back in March for a re-check on my blood. Yippee.

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