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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Matty the Damned on June 30, 2006, 01:14:10 am

Title: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: Matty the Damned on June 30, 2006, 01:14:10 am

 . . . well hypertension at any rate.

Yesterday I visited the clinic to have my bloods taken by my Clinical Nurse Specialist, the Indefatigable Joe. She can speak, read and write chinese. I think anyone who isn't chinese but can read those crazy characters is pretty cool. Since I haven't actually had my bloods done since January (and because certain people won't stop bitching at me about it) I figured it would probably be a good idea. My last work up was cool and I don't expect this one to be any different.

Being an old fashioned hospital trained RN, Joe fussed about doing other nursey things to me including taking my blood pressure. The old ways are dying out. Rather than use a manual hand pumped sphyg, she cheats and uses some fandangled electronic gadget. I think it takes the romance out of the clinical encounter, much like a plastic speculum would make a pap smear an impersonal experience.

Well anyway my blood pressure was 158/111. This is not good. I'm not surprised, I have to say my BP has been elevated for a while and there have been times when it's been much higher than that. When I came out of surgery at the dental hospital it was 190/160. The RN there freaked out a bit and threatened to not let me leave until it came down. I willed the fucker to drop.

But yesterday was the first time anyone had used the term "hypertension" with reference to me. I mean my grandmother has hypertension for Christ's sake. But there's no way around it. Joe said "We're going to have to do something about your hypertension," and she's got spooky medical powers. When she says stuff like that it counts.

Shit. High blood pressure? At 30? Smoking for 20 years will fuck your health it would seem.

MtD
(Who blames all of this on Dubya)

/edited for a typo/

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: Mouse on June 30, 2006, 01:18:06 am

Certain people?

Who...?

 :D

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: JohnOso on June 30, 2006, 01:33:56 am

Well smoking doesn't help (neither does Bushie, goddess knows), but it could be a genetic component.

Who knows?  Important to get those numbers down though, Boss!

John
(whose gaydar also says Lipid Profile has recently or will be in the cards)

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: Cliff on June 30, 2006, 02:45:53 am

Two high readings, at a hospital/clinic where blood pressure tends to be elevated, doesn't necessarily mean you have hypertension, (or that it is high enough to get treated with meds).  One option is to take BP readings at various times of the day for a week or so, (you can buy those automatic reading machines at your local drug store).  Those readings will be more important to your doctor in terms of deciding if treatment is warranted and possibly what, (and the dosage), medicine to use.

Uncontrolled hypertension and smoking don't mix very well.

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: BB on June 30, 2006, 03:11:11 am

I too know about high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My doc's threaten me each blood test with an increase in pill swallowing if I don't do something about both highs. So far my answer has been to increase my consumption of red wine, eat blue cheese sparingly and cut back on pork and bean burritos unless I add more tomatoes and roasted chili peppers to the burritos.

I've also made major sacrafices by giving up cigars and beer! My gawd what else can I do?

BB
(who thinks MtD really really likes Dubya for his inspirational leadership, one liners, and comic relief)

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: Moffie65 on June 30, 2006, 06:38:06 am

Matty,

It is quite common for those of us on PI's to suffer with abnormally high numbers with the heart.  Whether it be blood pressure or high lipid counts, all of this is normal for us, and not necessarily a sign of need for any more medication.  I tried timed release Niacin, which has done an admirable job at lowering my triglicerides which we all know are supposed to be under 100.  Mine have hovered in the 500 range for the better part of three years.  I started the Niacin about four months ago, and my number is now dropping and is currently in the 300 range.  Many uninformed doctors stress over the cardio problems that are the result of PI's, but never fear, the reasons for our high numbers are inevitably because of these pills and nothing else. 

Do with this information what you will, as I have no way of proving any of it. 

In Love.

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: Dachshund on June 30, 2006, 08:27:04 am

Matty-poo,

If this Southern boy's ciphering is correct...you have been smoking since you were ten! Can you say "oral fixation" pet? Guess you will have to cut back on the meat pies and Swan's for lunch. Somehow I just can't see you in a Pilate's class. Maybe yoga.......

Aunty Doxie

(who knows Mtd could do without the comedy of dubya)

BREATHE IN.......BREATHE OUT.......

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: jack on June 30, 2006, 08:41:14 am

Matty, I discovered I had high blood pressure when I was 30 years old. I had been a smoker but quit several months before the test.
I started on aetenol(a beta blocker) at that time. I have been on it for over 20 years. My blood pressure is perfect.
I think alcohol is a bigger factor in high blood pressure than tobaccy,it boils your blood.
I had two close friends who refused to take blood pressure meds, one died in mid 40s and the other suffered a stroke and now has permanent short term memory loss, a fate worse than death.
START ON BP MEDS NOW!!

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: aztecan on June 30, 2006, 08:54:50 am

Matty, my beloved red-headed brother in the cause,
When the diastolic numbers start creeping up into the triple digits, it is time to pay attention.

High blood pressure can cause no end of difficulties, not the least of which is a stroke. Since you know you have had more than one reading that was just too high for comfort, a serious sit-down with the doctor is in order.

I'm not advocating jumping feet first into the realm of hypertension meds, but exploring your options is certainly in order.

Just cause I care.

HUGS,

Mark

(Whose own blood pressure spikes whenever he hears Dubya or Ann Coulter speak.)

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: RapidRod on June 30, 2006, 08:57:37 am

Matty Dear, lets be watching our BP. Go get it checked again and if it's remaining high get youself on medication. You little slut, you may not have to take it forever.  ;)

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: Matty the Damned on June 30, 2006, 09:34:15 pm

Thanks one and all for your replies.

It's definitely my appalling western lifestyle which is the fault here, combined with my genetic heritage. Thanks Nan, you inconsiderate old cow. Why can't you keep your creaky chromosomes to yourself, eh?

I'm not on any HAART at the moment. I ceased in December 2004 and have been avoiding it ever since and I've never taken a PI so I can't blame those either.

Actually my BP has generally been at about 180/90 for the last 18 months or so. Whether it's taken at the AIDS clinic or by my GP or at the dental hospital or wherever, it's consistently in the WARNING!!! STROKE POTENTIAL!!! range. Joe, my CNS went back through my medical record and there's not much doubt about it. I've got to go and see my GP about my epilepsy so I'll get it looked at.

MtD

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: bobik on July 02, 2006, 11:44:58 am

Hey Matty, I've got it too. First I thought it was meds related but after changing meds it didn't change so I think it is just something I have to love with. Of course I am muuuuuuuuuuuuuuch older than you, being 41. I have a very nice little white pill called fosinapril and it has no side effects whatsoever for me and brings the pressure down to a beautiful 130/80......

Hug

Coen

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: The Canuck on July 02, 2006, 12:00:59 pm

'' Actually my BP has generally been at about 180/90 for the last 18 months or so. ''

Not much to add here to what has already been said but this is not good and should be taking care of soon. I have been taken HIV meds for almost 5 years and it never messed up my blood pressure. I would be normally at risk since I turned 50 recently but mine is still normal, and I'm a smoker too. I must be a lucky sob.

'' I've got to go and see my GP about my epilepsy so I'll get it looked at. ''

Matty...great to hear you will take care of this as I'd hate to hear you suffered from a stroke or any other related heart problems .

Take care of your goodself  :-X

The Canuck

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: tnboy on July 02, 2006, 12:28:46 pm

  My Man Matty,

    Sorry your ole BP is acting up. Mine tends to do that as well, (especially when I think of you)..lol :-*

   Just be sure you keep a close check on it. Always better to play it safe.  I know that being a young, hot blooded, hunk of an Aussie man you are, the BP is bound to act up from time to time but don't let it get out of control..  ;)

Love and Hugs,
Mike

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: GSOgymrat on July 02, 2006, 03:32:22 pm

I've not noticed a big change in my blood pressure being on different meds. Mine runs around 120/77. When I was on Kaletra I noticed it went up to around 130/80 but I've not seen a dramatic change. There is a history of hypertension on my father's side so I keep an eye on it.

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: lydgate on July 02, 2006, 03:48:10 pm

Matty, what (if anything) are you taking for epilepsy? Depakote (valproic acid) perchance?

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: Matty the Damned on July 02, 2006, 05:49:03 pm

Thanks guys.  :-*

Jay, I take 2500 mg of sodium valproate and 400 mg of lamotrigine daily to control my epilepsy. I really need to have my anti-convulsants reviewed. They control my seizures well, but sodium valproate is not terribly kind on the liver.

MtD

Title: Re: Pressure!!!!!
Post by: BillyRay on July 03, 2006, 03:48:14 pm

 ...PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!!!  It is no joke!!!  As a smoker of 20 years, you have no other option.  The pressure you quoted is DEADLY.  Monitor it at home if you feel both readings were "white coat syndrome".  If you still get these high readings, seek medical help and medicate if necessary/prescribed by your MD.  If you are on PI's and have the all too common elevated cholesterol numbers, etc. you are speeding at a brick wall at 100MPH with no seat belt!!!  Make that 150MPH if you are still smoking!!! :o