Moving: Pros & Cons of My Dream Place

[dlgoff]

Good news, Evo. BP needs monitoring, and you should keep a chart that you can take to your medical exams. If you want, you can write the readings on an old calendar (the day of the week doesn't matter, just the daily readings and the trends). You don't want to lose random functions, abilities, or sensations to a stroke (please take my word on this one!). Be well.

I bought a monitor from Walgreens for about $30 and it has a memory feature that allows you to store 96 measurements with date and time stamps.

 

[turbo]

I bought a monitor from Walgreens for about $30 and it has a memory feature that allows you to store 96 measurements with date and time stamps.

That's a nice feature. My wife has a rather primitive electronic meter that gives pretty repeatable results but still, the readings need to written down to establish trends so the doctor can adjust her meds.

 

[rewebster]

Thanks everyone for the concern. I am on BP medicine. The problem is my BP tends to have huge swings, sometimes it drops very low. I'm definitely getting a home BP machine so I can monitor it closer and if it seems to be running consistently high, I'm going to request that they increase the dosage.

then it may not the the right strength, or the right med at all---I'd present that to the doctor next time you see him/her

When I worked in Psych, the adjusting of the strength of the different meds was often the most beneficial thing, ---counseling came in second place---so, take up meditation, too.

 

[Monique]

I can't believe it. Did you at least get it re-measured in the few days that have already passed?

 

[Lacy33]

I can't believe it. Did you at least get it re-measured in the few days that have already passed?

e

v

o





She must have.

 

[TubbaBlubba]

then it may not the the right strength, or the right med at all---I'd present that to the doctor next time you see him/her

Agreed. I don't know what treatment you're taking, but there are at least three mainstream medications that may work well on their own, or have to be synergized by each other - Calcium inhibitors, ACE inhibitors and beta inhibitors. I eat calcium and ACE inhibitors myself, 10 milligrams a day. I have rather absurdly high blood pressure for my age (170/95 in a 17-year-old, good going).

 

[stevenb]

... there are at least three mainstream medications that may work well on their own, or have to be synergized by each other - Calcium inhibitors, ACE inhibitors and beta inhibitors...

Similar to ACE inhibitors are ACE blockers. I started on ACE inhibitors and experienced some side effects, even though they are supposed to have few of those. I had much better luck with the ACE blockers. The main difference is that the blocker simply binds to the enzyme and effectively deactivates it, while the inhibitor tries to prevent the manufacture of the enzyme. (at least that is a simple explanation from a layman to a layman)

I simply mention this for the benefit of anyone who tried, and did not like ACE inhibitors. There is another option available now.

 

[TubbaBlubba]

Similar to ACE inhibitors are ACE blockers. I started on ACE inhibitors and experienced some side effects, even though they are supposed to have few of those. I had much better luck with the ACE blockers. The main difference is that the blocker simply binds to the enzyme and effectively deactivates it, while the inhibitor tries to prevent the manufacture of the enzyme. (at least that is a simple explanation from a layman to a layman)

I simply mention this for the benefit of anyone who tried, and did not like ACE inhibitors. There is another option available now.

I think you're referring to ARB:s, which plug the Angiotensin receptor rather than inhibiting the Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).

(Also, Calcium inhibitor was a bit inaccurate on my part - Calcium channel blocker would be correct)

 

[Evo]

I've been on several BP meds and all had bad side effects. I'm on an angiotensin II receptor antagonist with a thiazide diuretic. I don't seem to have any side effects from it. Well, exccept that now i am on potassium supplements from a deadly loss of potasium. I scored a 1 on a scale of 1-4 and had to be given intravenous potassium in the ER.

But wikipedia says this

No benefits seen for
A large randomized trial following 4100+ men and women with heart failure and normal ejection fraction (>=45%) over 4+ years found no improvement in study outcomes or survival with irbesartan as compared to placebo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irbesartan

 

[TubbaBlubba]

I've been on several BP meds and all had bad side effects. I'm on an angiotensin II receptor antagonist with a thiazide diuretic. I don't seem to have any side effects from it. Well, exccept that now i am on potassium supplements from a deadly loss of potasium. I scored a 1 on a scale of 1-4 and had to be given intravenous potassium in the ER.

But wikipedia says this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irbesartan

You lost the potassium due to the diuretic? Ouch!

I hope you find a set of medication that works for you.

 

[Borek]

I hope you find a set of medication that works for you.

We all hope. But I guess she is looking for a correct one for several years, and knowing Evo correct one just doesn't exist. She is in general... different.

Sometimes I wonder if she is not an alien.

 

[rewebster]

We all hope. But I guess she is looking for a correct one for several years, and knowing Evo correct one just doesn't exist. She is in general... different.

Sometimes I wonder if she is not an alien.

if she moved to Poland without the right papers, she would be

 

[ViewsofMars]

I don't want to, I love my place. It's my dream place. But my older daughter, the Spawn of Evo, has just moved in with her dad to save money, and now my youngest, Evo Child wants to move in with me to save money and cut down an almost 100 mile daily commute.

The problem is that I have a 1 bedroom apartment now and we'll need two bedrooms if she moves in.

We've been looking at the 2 bedroom apts here in my complex, and they are gorgeous, but there are pros and cons to each, the worst for me is that I will leave my ravine with the babbling brook and the beautiful stone arch over my patio and my squirrels and bunnies.

More to follow on the pros and cons of the two units we're considering.

One has no kitchen space, but a gorgeous garden bath that is to die for and a huge living room. It has no garages though, and no nearby parking.

The other has an attached two car garage, a large kitchen, and a lot of windows. Unfortunately it has a very steep staircase that ends in a tiled floor and a large window in front. This means I will tumble down the stairs, bounce off the tile and fly through the glass window. Evo Child is terrified. She estimates I will kill myself in less than a week.

and

Thanks everyone for the concern. I am on BP medicine. The problem is my BP tends to have huge swings, sometimes it drops very low. I'm definitely getting a home BP machine so I can monitor it closer and if it seems to be running consistently high, I'm going to request that they increase the dosage.

Ok. Here's my last post to you. Seems like you are going to consult with your doctor. That's good news!

Thanks for bringing up this topic. Hey, lookie what I found. High blood pressure (hypertension) - Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER):

8. Reduce your stress
Stress or anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure. Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as work, family, finances or illness. Once you know what's causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress.

If you can't eliminate all of your stressors, you can at least cope with them in a healthier way. Take breaks for deep-breathing exercises. Get a massage or take up yoga or meditation. If self-help doesn't work, seek out a professional for counseling.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/HI00027/NSECTIONGROUP=2

There's a great article, The Science of Heartache by Amy Sutherland, that covers stress hormones.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/heart-hurts

Evo, you earlier mentioned having a very bad headache. Interesting article here too about stress and headaches: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/41508?key=JtWzBvLn9C3r9GYN8BN8

I like what Gary Lewandowski, Ph.D. said, "Whatever cheers the mind may help cure the body." Wishing you the happiness you deserve.

 

[Evo]

We started moving yesterday. I'm worthless, I can't lift or bend. Evo Child and her BF are exhausted, and we still have an entire household (mine) to move. Evo Child also hurt her back. The fibers in the air from the new carpet and the paint fumes from my bathroom have made my eyes swell up and burn, and I can't stop sneezing. I did take some allergy meds, but they don't help much.

NO cabinets in the kitchen, insane, so I bought a nice shelving unit so I can turn the hall closet into a pantry. Says, "no tools required". Then you need a wrench and a rubber mallet (disclaimer is that these are *suggested*, as in "if you want to assemble this, we *suggest* you have the following tools".

 

[dlgoff]

The fibers in the air from the new carpet and the paint fumes from my bathroom have made my eyes swell up and burn, and I can't stop sneezing. I did take some allergy meds, but they don't help much.

On a day like today with temps in the 90s, opening the windows and using a fan to blow the stuff out wouldn't be an option?

 

[Evo]

On a day like today with temps in the 90s, opening the windows and using a fan to blow the stuff out wouldn't be an option?

It would be if I wanted to add heat stroke to the list.

 

[Evo]

After 3 hours and constant setbacks, I am proud to have achieved a major milestone in assembling my shelves, all four posts are upright.

Unfortunately the little plastic brackets are too small to snap around the posts, and as a result they won't fit into the holes in the corners of the shelf, so if a fly lands on it, it will topple over again.

[PLAIN]http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8371/017qa.jpg

 

[dlgoff]

It would be if I wanted to add heat stroke to the list.

After 3 hours and constant setbacks, I am proud to have achieved a major milestone in assembling my shelves, all four posts are upright.[/PLAIN]

Stop there. It's perfect for your new

network.

 

[Astronuc]

After 3 hours and constant setbacks, I am proud to have achieved a major milestone in assembling my shelves, all four posts are upright.

Unfortunately the little plastic brackets are too small to snap around the posts, and as a result they won't fit into the holes in the corners of the shelf, so if a fly lands on it, it will topple over again.

[PLAIN]http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8371/017qa.jpg[/QUOTE] Looks a bit like a medieval torture rack.




Aren't the 4 legs supposed to be parallel?

 

[GeorginaS]

You lost the potassium due to the diuretic? Ouch!

Yep, I take prescription potassium -- Apo-K 600 mg -- to off-set loss as a result of a diuretic.

 

[Evo]

Stop there. It's perfect for your new

network.

The link doesn't work.

Looks a bit like a medieval torture rack.




Aren't the 4 legs supposed to be parallel?

 

[Moonbear]

He thought his gauge had malfunctioned, so he took it several times with two gauges.

I can tell I don't feel right. I took 2 mg of ativan when I got home in addition to my BP med. This wasn't my normal doctor.

What sort of doctors do you have in your area? First you have one put you on a diuretic without monitoring potassium until you were at dangerously low levels (potassium monitoring is standard for patients on diuretics), and then this one let you walk out after confirming a BP reading that high? I think you need to start bringing a lawyer with you on your doctor's visits. I've never heard of someone walking out the door of a doctor's office with a BP that high. Generally, they are transported out by ambulance to the nearest hospital ER!

If all these doctors trained at the same med school, I'd start looking for a doctor who trained somewhere else.

 

[Evo]

What sort of doctors do you have in your area? First you have one put you on a diuretic without monitoring potassium until you were at dangerously low levels (potassium monitoring is standard for patients on diuretics), and then this one let you walk out after confirming a BP reading that high? I think you need to start bringing a lawyer with you on your doctor's visits. I've never heard of someone walking out the door of a doctor's office with a BP that high. Generally, they are transported out by ambulance to the nearest hospital ER!

If all these doctors trained at the same med school, I'd start looking for a doctor who trained somewhere else.

That second doctor was for a company paid physical, he didn't even have a nurse. He's not supposed to share any diagnosis or give me medical advice, but I think this is a bit too much. Thanks for the feedback from everyone about this reading, I am going to make a complaint with the company.

The first doctor is my regular doctor, I know he's laid back and doesn't follow up. His nurse apparently realized this and a few months ago when my blood work was so bad, (not the potassium, the ER caught that, this was something else) the next time I came in she handed me a copy of it and said "this is serious", did he tell you this is serious? Uhm, no.

 

[rootX]

That second doctor was for a company paid physical, he didn't even have a nurse. He's not supposed to share any diagnosis or give me medical advice, but I think this is a bit too much. Thanks for the feedback from everyone about this reading, I am going to make a complaint with the company.

The first doctor is my regular doctor, I know he's laid back and doesn't follow up. His nurse apparently realized this and a few months ago when my blood work was so bad, (not the potassium, the ER caught that, this was something else) the next time I came in she handed me a copy of it and said "this is serious", did he tell you this is serious? Uhm, no.

 

[ViewsofMars]

It's been approximately 26 days since last I posted (#163) to this topic. Evo, you gave me the impression that you were going to see your primary care doctor and 'request that they increase the [BP medicine] dosage' and get a BP machine since I last posted here. Just wondering if you did see your primary care doctor since last I posted here? You just now stated, "The first doctor is my regular doctor, I know he's laid back and doesn't follow up. His nurse apparently realized this and a few months ago when my blood work was so bad, (not the potassium, the ER caught that, this was something else) the next time I came in she handed me a copy of it and said "this is serious", did he tell you this is serious? Uhm, no."

Evo, now you mention, "The fibers in the air from the new carpet and the paint fumes from my bathroom have made my eyes swell up and burn, and I can't stop sneezing. I did take some allergy meds, but they don't help much." Oh my! If I am in a field of weeds hiking, I have to take a tablet of over the counter Allergy Relief D though my primary care physician has prescribed an inhaler if I need it. I get to decide when I think I need it. That inhaler has lasted over a year and a half. I rarely need it. I try to avoid weeds when possible. I hope all goes well with your health issues.

Looks like you and your daughter moved in! Building shelves, eh? Lol, I just finished painting a metallic Venetian Gold on the trim of three freshly painted "Seattle Red" wooden shelves. Venetian Gold under my nails as I type this.

Moonbear, you said to Evo, “I think you need to start bringing a lawyer with you on your doctor's visits.” I’m curious, how many lawyers do you know that do that? How much do they charge the client? I’ve never known a lawyer to escort a patient to a doctor’s office nor have I ever heard a doctor mention that a patient was escorted by a lawyer to his/her office.

 

[rolerbe]

R.e. lawyers at a doctors office, FWIW:

We had to have a meeting with the staff from a hospice several years back. They wanted to kick my father-in-law out as he was 'not dying fast enough' (hospice gets paid a certain rate based on an average length of stay).

We had been getting nothing but run around and wanted to make sure we spoke with the Director, not just the nurses. So I dressed up in full suit and tie and brought a nice leather bound legal pad with me. They knew daughters 1 and 2. When they asked me who I was, I said "I'm just here to represent them" (the daughters).

Within minutes we were talking to the Director and established that there were no hard stay limits, just their averages for reimbursement. No more problems after that.

 

[Moonbear]

Moonbear, you said to Evo, “I think you need to start bringing a lawyer with you on your doctor's visits.” I’m curious, how many lawyers do you know that do that? How much do they charge the client? I’ve never known a lawyer to escort a patient to a doctor’s office nor have I ever heard a doctor mention that a patient was escorted by a lawyer to his/her office.

Evo's known me long enough to understand my sense of humor. You might too and just be ribbing me back, but I don't know for certain, so in case it wasn't clear, it was my way of telling her that she doesn't seem to be getting good medical care from either her primary care physician or this second one, enough so that from at least what she tells us here, it raises questions of malpractice.

I would NOT choose a physician who is laid back and doesn't follow up. When their nurse tells you "this is serious" and goes behind the physician's back to tell you that, red flags should be raising up all over the place. This tells me that the nurse is aware the proper standards of care are not being followed and is speaking up out of her own ethical obligations to watch out for the best interests of the patients.

And, regardless of the role of the second physician, if he actually holds an M.D. degree and is licensed to practice, he should know the difference between high blood pressure that requires a referral to a regular physician and dangerously high blood pressure that is an emergent situation.

Evo, you've had such a plethora of health concerns that I really do think you need to find a new primary care physician who pays attention to all of them. I'm concerned there is something underlying all of them that is being missed. Maybe you can call the doc who saw you in the ER when your potassium plummeted dangerously low, and ask him or her for a referral to a primary care physician who is more competent since you landed in the ER because your current physician wasn't paying much attention.

 

[rolerbe]

Ditto what Moonbear said. IMHO, your tales, Evo, for both doc's are not even borderline malpractice, they are way over the line. It's an easter-egg hunt and a PIA to find the right MD for you, but its a critical investment in the future.

 

[rewebster]

After 3 hours and constant setbacks, I am proud to have achieved a major milestone in assembling my shelves, all four posts are upright.

Unfortunately the little plastic brackets are too small to snap around the posts, and as a result they won't fit into the holes in the corners of the shelf, so if a fly lands on it, it will topple over again.

[PLAIN]http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8371/017qa.jpg[/QUOTE]

it looks like it should be turned 180 degrees (it looks backward)---the long vertical looks like it should be against the wall---

then maybe you could put a screw through a couple of the vertical posts' holes to attach it to the wall

 

[Evo]

it looks like it should be turned 180 degrees (it looks backward)---the long vertical looks like it should be against the wall---

then maybe you could put a screw through a couple of the vertical posts' holes to attach it to the wall

The posts are leaning because it's missing the other 3 shelves.

It has been decided that it will take 3 people to assemble the shelves. I know how to assemble them, but don't have 5 arms and Evo Child and her BF aren't mechanically inclined, so they will function as supports for the heavy metal poles and shelves. We are waiting until all three of us are available at the same time.

 

[Evo]

Evo, you've had such a plethora of health concerns that I really do think you need to find a new primary care physician who pays attention to all of them. I'm concerned there is something underlying all of them that is being missed.

That's what I'm thinking, each time they find something, they go "that's it!" and they stop looking. After the treatment fails I have to push very hard for them to start over.

 

[Evo]

The move is unending, I just had to pay for another week of rent on the old place because we still haven't moved all of my stuff out.

This is the new place, what a mess! The kitchen counter is covered with stuff as boxes are emptied and can't figure out where to put any of it.

I seriously don't know where we're going to put any of this, we've run out of room. We're going to have to sift through and decide what we can't live without and put the rest into the garage, which I am using as a storage space.

 

[rolerbe]

Of course the cows have to stay...that's a given.

 

[Evo]

Of course the cows have to stay...that's a given.

NO ONE touches my cows! And I have several more boxes of cows and hippos (cows are kitchen, hippos are bedroom).

Lacy asked for a picture from the new place. You can see the creek below and this is my flat squirrel. He had me worried because he drags himself around like this, but I saw him stand up the other day, so he's ok, just weird.

 

[Astronuc]

We have the same wooden chairs.

 

[dlgoff]

... and this is my flat squirrel. He had me worried because he drags himself around like this, but I saw him stand up the other day, so he's ok, just weird.

Dang. I don't know what the deal is but I had to reload this page four time go get the full view of the squirrel.

Okay. I think I understand why his behavior. Either he's trying to sun himself or he actually has some reptile in him.

 

[lisab]

Dang. I don't know what the deal is but I had to reload this page four time go get the full view of the squirrel.

Okay. I think I understand why his behavior. Either he's trying to sun himself or he actually has some reptile in him.

Maybe his belly is itchy.

 

[Monique]

We have the same wooden chairs.

Guess, what: I have those chairs as well

 

[rewebster]

NO ONE touches my cows! And I have several more boxes of cows and hippos (cows are kitchen, hippos are bedroom).

Lacy asked for a picture from the new place. You can see the creek below and this is my flat squirrel. He had me worried because he drags himself around like this, but I saw him stand up the other day, so he's ok, just weird.

he's a male squirrel---males like to lay like that...

 

[Borg]

We have the same wooden chairs.

Guess, what: I have those chairs as well

Add me to the list also.

 

[Evo]

Add me to the list also.

That's a very popular and practical style of chair.

It took three of us, but the shelves are up. I'll post a picture later.

 

[Evo]

My blood pressure is down today, 159/117. I did buy a BP home monitor.

 

[Monique]

Ai, that is still way too high. It would be good to make a chart of how your bp varies during the day, now that you have a home meter. Please follow Moonbear her advice and find a good doc, we care about you!

 

[Astronuc]

My blood pressure is down today, 159/117. I did buy a BP home monitor.

That's down?!?

 

[Evo]

That's down?!?

It was 215/135. I'm supposed to be in the hospital right now. I had quite a fight today with my doctor's nurses. He want's me admitted for a week. I can't do it.

Ack, now it's 179/109.

 

[Monique]

It was 215/135. I'm supposed to be in the hospital right now. I had quite a fight today with my doctor's nurses. He want's me admitted for a week. I can't do it.

Ack, now it's 179/109.

You should place nothing above your health, you have your daughters who can take care of things while you are at the hospital. Seriously, consider it. Bring wireless internet with you so that you can surf the net while you're there.

How is it that we have people dropping these messages that their health is in danger, but they don't want to visit a doctor/ the hospital?

 

[TubbaBlubba]

It was 215/135. I'm supposed to be in the hospital right now. I had quite a fight today with my doctor's nurses. He want's me admitted for a week. I can't do it.

Ack, now it's 179/109.

... Get into a freaking hospital NOW.

 

[rolerbe]

It was 215/135. I'm supposed to be in the hospital right now. I had quite a fight today with my doctor's nurses. He want's me admitted for a week. I can't do it.

Ack, now it's 179/109.

I'm sorry to say that if you keep on as you are, you may not have to go into the hospital, or finish the move, or anything else.

You are seriously freaking us out here. Please, please (please) get the medical attention you need.

 

[Evo]

I have a dr's appointment this afternoon. The last time I was in the hospital (last summer) my doctor agreed to discharge me 2 days early due to the incompetant nursing staff. I was better off at home, so I have no desire to go to the hospital. I definitely will never return to that hospital.

 

[TubbaBlubba]

Walking around with a blood pressure like that WILL beyond a shadow of a doubt cause heart failure in the long-term (not to mention the risk of internal bleeding), so I sure hope you get to deal with it. Please, please take care of yourself.