Author Topic: Just a general question for you folks.. (Read 9350 times)

hope_for_a_cure · « **on:** August 29, 2011, 07:24:48 am »

Have any of you ever experienced a scenario where your ID Specialist does not renew your subscription for AIDS related meds because you are hesitant to start blood pressure meds prescribed by doctors practicing at the ASO where you receive care? I know this is far-fetched but I am on my last of 3 refills and usually by now have a renewed prescription for my Atripla. My two week supply at this point is cutting it close in my opinion and causing me a bit of anxiety at this point. I have a call into my case worker's v-mail as well as an e-mail expressing my concern. Perhaps this is something that will be resolved today but not knowing for sure has me a bit worried.

This past year I gained weight like crazy and my blood pressure is not crazy high but elevated to a degree that I was prescribed medication for it. At no time in my life prior to this year have I had issues with that. Also, my cholesterol is higher than they would like it to be. Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated.

mecch · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:30:42 am »

You fail to state that the doctor has said anything about your taking blood pressure medicine being a requirement of your getting your HAART.
Is this just a fear or yours, or did your doctor come out and give you this deal.

I really doubt any doctor cuts off a necessary medicine to force another upon you. Better just get a straightforward answer from your doc on this.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:34:33 am »

Quote from: mecch on August 29, 2011, 07:30:42 am

You fail to state that the doctor has said anything about your taking blood pressure medicine being a requirement of your getting your HAART.

No directive from him that it is a prerequisite/requirement for obtaining my Atripla. I do know by law (here in the US) doctors must prescribe blood pressure meds if elevated readings are taken over a period of time. I would certainly hope that a doctor would not just cut me off if my desire is to control BP through diet and exercise.

mecch · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:37:28 am »

I am sure it is apples and oranges. Just keep on them to get your renewal so you feel safe and comfy with your supply.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:40:11 am »

I will show up in person there today if I do not get a response by noon. The ID Spec is only there on Fridays but my liaison (case worker) is top notch and should be able to get in touch with him at his private practice today so see what is up. My Atripla supply has never gotten down to 14 pills before....therefore my worry may be getting the best of me.

Thanks for the response!

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:47:30 am »

I'm a little confused -- why is it that you don't wish to take blood pressure meds? It's not something unusual. I had to start doing so when I was 40, and my diet is fine and I'm not overweight. My doctor is of the view that it's more the result of being on HIV meds for 20 years, and like you my numbers are only slightly elevated, but even before going on BP med my numbers were always at the high end of "normal".

At any rate it's simply one more daily pill to a mix you already take. You state you are "hesitant" about taking it but don't detail what the hesitation is.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:54:26 am »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on August 29, 2011, 07:47:30 am

At any rate it's simply one more daily pill to a mix you already take. You state you are "hesitant" about taking it but don't detail what the hesitation is.

True. I guess in my case the hesitancy is yet another pill to take and the fact that never in my life (prior to this year) have I had any issues with BP. Hey, I will take it daily if need be and yep, now that I am 50 it may just be that I have reached that point in my life when blood pressure issues would begin. I know... weak excuse. The side effects from BP meds can vary and I am probably reading too much bad press about how they may affect some individuals.

buginme2 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:17:00 am »

I had to start taking blood pressure medication at 35. I've never had any side effects from them. Originally was started on hydrochlorothiazide and then changed to metoprolol er. Absolutely zero side effects.

Maybe this is all just a coincidence. Maybe the two events are independent of each other but just happened to occur at the same time.

I do understand how getting down to 14 pills would cause some anxiety though. Hope you get it straightened out.

Assurbanipal · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:19:02 am »

I can't imagine a doctor cutting you off from HAART just because you are reluctant to start BP medicine. That would seem to be pretty unprofessional.

I sympathize with the reluctance to start -- recently I've been hearing that my BP is high a little more often (every doc takes it but it only used to be high with the doctor who always changed the appointments 3 times winding up with me driving an extra hour during commute time). I dread the learning curve from another drug, but if I need it...

Good luck with the call/meeting today
A

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:23:23 am »

Quote from: buginme2 on August 29, 2011, 08:17:00 am

I do understand how getting down to 14 pills would cause some anxiety though. Hope you get it straightened out.

One way or another I will. I do get a little 'anxed' at times and all sorts of things run through my head when that happens. My next scheduled appointment with the ID Specialist is not until October so if I have to make an 'emergency' visit to him this week I will do so. I have heard of doctors who refuse to see patients if they do not do their part to follow 'doctor's orders' to the letter. It was my hope that I could control the BP with proper exercise but hey... if taking the hydrochlorothiazide expedites that result, I will do it.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:28:06 am »

Quote from: Assurbanipal on August 29, 2011, 08:19:02 am

Good luck with the call/meeting today
A

Thanks... I expect to hear from them in the next hour or so. At least I hope so.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:52:30 am »

Quote from: hope_for_a_cure on August 29, 2011, 07:54:26 am

True. I guess in my case the hesitancy is yet another pill to take and the fact that never in my life (prior to this year) have I had any issues with BP. Hey, I will take it daily if need be and yep, now that I am 50 it may just be that I have reached that point in my life when blood pressure issues would begin. I know... weak excuse. The side effects from BP meds can vary and I am probably reading too much bad press about how they may affect some individuals.

Seriously, it's just another pill -- no big deal. I will say when I first went on it they gave me a diuretic and it made me tired and I had to urinate constantly. Yes, it worked and got my blood pressure down some but not all of the way, so then they also put me on Diovan. Once I got my BP to normal (that took maybe 4-6 months) I asked if I could eliminate the diuretic because going to the bathroom 3 times during a movie wasn't a great experience. Diovan doesn't make me piss, so now that is all I take, and have been on it now for six years.

If you're diet sucks then yes you should work on that, but expecting it to magically solve your BP issues isn't realistic in the short term. But eating well is just something you should have already been doing.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #12 on:** August 29, 2011, 09:08:27 am »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on August 29, 2011, 08:52:30 am

If you're diet sucks then yes you should work on that, but expecting it to magically solve your BP issues isn't realistic in the short term. But eating well is just something you should have already been doing.

ZACKLY !! My bad for letting the diet go to hell in a handbasket. I think for me since coming out of the 'almost dead' state of existence last year... I had a fuck it attitude towards proper nutrition and exercise since at that time I thought I may expire during the upcoming year. Now that I realize that I am actually going to live for years to come, proper diet and exercise is becoming a priority for me again. Totally my fault for letting that happen.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #13 on:** August 29, 2011, 09:13:09 am »

UPDATE: Atripla is ready.... this ole boy is heading out the door now to pick it up... AND when I return I see a bikeride in my immediate future regardless of this brutal SC heat and humidity. Thanks all !!

leatherman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2011, 11:05:19 am »

Quote from: hope_for_a_cure on August 29, 2011, 09:08:27 am

I think for me since coming out of the 'almost dead' state of existence last year... I had a fuck it attitude towards proper nutrition and exercise since at that time I thought I may expire during the upcoming year. Now that I realize that I am actually going to live for years to come, proper diet and exercise is becoming a priority for me again.

ah, that's just another one of the fun issues when you have an incident that makes you face up to your own mortality. Being in the hospital that close to death, it can take some time to wrap your head around dying; then after being medicated, it can take some time to wrap your head around the idea of living.

I quit paying taxes, didn't give up smoking, ate whatever, quit exercising etc. Others have sold off everything and racked up huge debts. And then when death doesn't happen you have to suffer the consequences of repairing the damage. At least, your eating and exercise issues can be easily repaired, and you can see great results in a short amount of time.

so be pro-active. take the meds, change your diet, get back into an exercise regimen. In a few months you'll look back on all this worry and laugh - cause you'll be so much healthier.

oh, and don't be surprised if something like this happens again. The whole "AIDS/almost dying" thing can screw with your mind off-n-on from now on; but hopefully with the right attitude and positive actions, you can drown out any nagging depression and keep moving forward.

take in slow and easy biking in this heat. gradually work up the ladder of your goals. I'd hate for you to keel over and not be able to meet up with me in Columbia Sat for SC Pride.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2011, 01:36:29 pm »

Quote from: leatherman on August 29, 2011, 11:05:19 am

take in slow and easy biking in this heat. gradually work up the ladder of your goals. I'd hate for you to keel over and not be able to meet up with me in Columbia Sat for SC Pride.

Great advice. I had a seaweed salad for lunch with several glasses of iced water (YUM!!). It was actually very tasty. My doctor had been on his 'vacay' while we were gone and had I bothered to check the caller ID, I would have seen where his office had attempted to call last week. My imagination gets the best of me at times and was the case this weekend. The script was called in this morning and I have a nice comfort level knowing that the supply for next month is here with me.

The bike ride will take place later this evening through the older part of town (lots of shade trees) and believe me, it will not be a marathon by any means. Looking good for meeting up with you fellas in Cola on Sat.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2011, 04:23:03 pm »

I'm having a chocolate almond croissant and a cigarette.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2011, 05:12:58 pm »

Its homemade mango salsa over grilled tuna for supper tonight. Cracked pepper and fresh lemon for basting and will now dream about some fuckin chocolate almond croissant!! Bag the cigarette though... lol

eric48 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 29, 2011, 05:29:52 pm »

getting a prescription is one thing

swallowing the pills another.

you can pretend ... and do what ever you please

you are the decider

Cheers

Eric

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #19 on:** August 29, 2011, 05:47:14 pm »

Quote from: eric48 on August 29, 2011, 05:29:52 pm

getting a prescription is one thing

swallowing the pills another.

you can pretend ... and do what ever you please

you are the decider

Cheers

Eric

All pills swallowed and yes, your words sum it up quite succinctly.

A huge concern of mine was the fact that I was down to just 14 pills (Atripla) as my supply had never reached such a low level. Of course I was fabricating various scenarios in my mind as to why I had not received my refill notification. Time will tell if and when proper diet and exercise will be enough to '86' the BP pills. I am also ok now with the possibility of just taking the BP meds for life but will work towards my goal of not needing them.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:30:08 am »

I've asked my doctor more than once about going off the BP med to see what would happen, and he vigorously shoots that down.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:42:23 am »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on August 30, 2011, 11:30:08 am

I've asked my doctor more than once about going off the BP med to see what would happen, and he vigorously shoots that down.

I have a feeling that it will now be a permanent thing for me too. Its not off the charts high but elevated enough over the last 3 visits (9 months) for him to prescribe 25mg of Hydrochlorothiazide once daily. Like you said, no big deal. It was just psychological for me I guess because my BP was always in that desirable range. Oh well...

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:20:55 pm »

Hydrochlorothiazide was the one that made me urinate three times during a 2 hour movie -- I was pissing constantly. It's widely given out because it's cheap/generic. Diovan isn't, but it doesn't make you pee.

And stop whining, I had this happen to me when I was 40. You're 50 and a fossil.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:13:09 pm »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on August 30, 2011, 03:20:55 pm

And stop whining, I had this happen to me when I was 40. You're 50 and a fossil.

Just checked my BP and its 142 over 81... not the best but nowhere near what some readings get up to. This old fossil is about to join AARP.. just cuz I can. LOL

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:26:47 pm »

Quote from: hope_for_a_cure on August 30, 2011, 04:13:09 pm

Just checked my BP and its 142 over 81... not the best but nowhere near what some readings get up to. This old fossil is about to join AARP.. just cuz I can. LOL

Is that a grill in your avatar or one of those Medicare scooters?

Rev. Moon · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:44:31 pm »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on August 30, 2011, 04:26:47 pm

Is that a grill in your avatar or one of those Medicare scooters?

I always thought it was the second. Just now I realize that it is a grill.

hope_for_a_cure · « **Reply #26 on:** August 30, 2011, 07:00:00 pm »

Its a genuine geriatric mobile transporter with a grill attachment. Dont be hating on my jalopy!

aztecan · « **Reply #27 on:** September 01, 2011, 11:29:19 pm »

I adore seaweed salad and grilled tuna.

I like mine with seasoned rice wine vinegar on the salad and the tuna blackened or with a dash of Cajun spice.

After my gluttonous behavior in Seattle, I am back on my diet. In fact, I have restricted it a bit further and now eat vegetarian meals three days a week. The rest of the time it is usually fish. \

The exception is eggs. I adore eggs and allow myself four of them a week. I, of course, buy them from a local producer who has free range chickens which are not fed antibiotics or chemicals of any kind.

Hang in there with the diet.

HUGS,

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Author Topic: Just a general question for you folks.. (Read 9350 times)