OT: High blood pressure??

When I was sick 2 years ago, my blood pressure was 230/120 - and the doctor nearly had a heart attack. Stress was causing my BP to elevate and I needed to come down very quickly. He prescribed tablets to help and when I had destressed (took about 8 months) we cut the dosage down until I was weaned off them. I now, with the help of two very close friends, try and stay destressed by walking away from my problems until I can handle them.

Quilting and genealogy have helped me so many times - and because I am addicted to both life seems to be goig along fairly smoothly at the moment.

I went to our local pharmacy and one of the staff took my BP each month then sent it off to the doctor. I was also able to see it coming down which only encouraged me more.

I also have to say that in the last year I have lost 7kg (15.4 lbs) and that also makes me feel better. I didn't go on a diet, just cut down on the excess, ate moderately and enjoy each meal. I don't eat in between meals but snak on fruit or nuts if I am desperate.

I also made a rpomise that there would be more 'me' time which has worked out extremely well and I am sticking to it. Take one day at a time Sunny, it will be hard but you can do it. From reading your posts I imagine you to be clever, talented and positive. Make yourself a promise to look after you then others.

I have also had my anti-depressants medication cut by half down from 200mg to 100mg over the year and I am aiming to half that in 2012.

Good luck Sunny and Happy New Year for 2012.

My prayers will be with you.

Di Vic Aust.

End of long story. Now I'm up a sphygmometer without a paddle.

So I need to hear your high blood pressure stories. How did you get it back under control (doctor says monitor it and come see him in a month -- clearly he's not as concerned as I am) and how quickly did it work? I don't eat a lot of prepared foods. I've knocked off the cold medicines. I've given up the nose spray that I've been addicted to for ........ my entire adult life. I know I need to lose a few pounds, but 10 pounds won't roll off my body overnight.

Yep, I'm stressing over this and stress makes blood pressure worse. Sigh.

Tell me your stories, successes, strategies, and keep me in your prayers. I need it.

Sunny

OK, my DM has had high blood pressure, and ate more beetroot and it worked for her.

Hope this helps,

Janner France

it's really, really high (bottom number 100 or more). I had to change bp pills

-- the one that worked was making me cough. AND, I've dropped all but the tiniest dose of morphine, which is wreaking all kinds of havoc on my body. AND, I've had a horrid cold for three weeks and was (stupidly) taking decongestants so I could breathe.

under control (doctor says monitor it and come see him in a month -- clearly he's not as concerned as I am) and how quickly did it work? I don't eat a lot of prepared foods. I've knocked off the cold medicines. I've given up the nose spray that I've been addicted to for ........ my entire adult life. I know I need to lose a few pounds, but 10 pounds won't roll off my body overnight.

My bro has/had high blood pressure. (Mine tends to border on the low/why aren't you unconscious? end of the scale... ) He's tackled it with a course of stains, diet (low cholesterol, mostly), and exercise. He walks a couple of hours every day, and uses his mountain bike on the local cycle paths, or as a static bike.

It's old fashioned, but it works., and he's lost a lot of his excess weight. Looks younger by quite a bit, except his hair is suddenly very grey. Not really surprising after the year we've had.

Walk. NOT the kind where you clench your jaw in a grim line, swing your arms hard and wear a $200 pair of the latest walking shoes. No speed. No destination. Comfortable clothes. NOT to the county line; just around the fence clockwise and then counter-clockwise. You can totter to the corner and back if that works for you. Slowly. (Actually fast is permitted but totally unnecessary.) 'They say' walking ten minutes will bring your b/p down 10 points. Ten points isn't much but, hey. It's a start. Polly

I have had problems with high BP for years and take a pill to keep it under control. I also do not use any salt when I cook, but keep it on the table for others. Drink lots of water instead of other drinks. I walk as much as I have time for, mostly indoors. I shop at a big grocery store ( WalMart ) and try to walk inside, along the far walls at least once, sometimes twice, before I shop. The store is only 5 miles away and I go there 2 or 3 times a week, mostly to walk, always using a buggy in case I find something I want to buy, even if it is just a can of soup or pre-packaged salad mix. I also know where the benches are in the shoe and auto dept. in case I need to rest. Also I walk in Targets. Walking inside stores gives you a controlled environment to walk in. Barbara in FL

Aha. So that's what she was doing. When DH and I shop WalMart, we get back together at the bananas. If he's tarrying along the way, it gives me time to really see what's interesting in the produce and bakery sections. One day I waited and waited - they had rearranged the store and DH was having a time of it finding the stuff on his list. I noticed an interesting looking woman pass by with an empty buggy. Very plain clothes - not the detective sort, seemed to me she might be a Catholic nun. In a while she passed me again and a 3rd time before Mr. Esther finally showed up. It didn't keep me awake at night but I have been very puzzled about what on earth she was doing. Just walking in a fairly safe environment. Smart. Very smart. Polly

"Polly Esther" Aha. So that's what she was doing. When DH and I shop WalMart, we get back

Ha! Polly, now you know why I start out walking in the grocery dept to put a can of soup or vegetables in my buggy! Yes, I wear very plain clothes as to not attract attention! You won't see me wearing my purple pants with a purple top! Barbara in FL

If that is too far....walk around the chair you are sitting in..once maybe twice and sit down...read 3/4 posts and get up and do it again. No more than

10 times per 30 min. you are starting SLOWLY. Be extra careful getting up...hang onto something so you don't fall.

My BP is cahoots to my pain level. Had that bought home again over the last

4 days as I was in hospital. (Diff post) Pain went up--so did both top AND bottom numbers.

Remember go slow and you can handle it.

Are you doing the 'relaxation exercise' where you : lie down, start with your lil toe and work your way up to the ends of your hair.....say each body part aloud and say: "I'm relaxing my________" and keep going. So, you might have a nap whilst doing so..go for it!

If you are worrying over numbers it will only increase them. Are you using a daily BP reading? Dr should be able to tell you how often and what times of day and if you should do it daily. KEEP A LOG and take it in on your next visit. It may show a trend (mine goes up in late afternoon)

HTH

Butterfly