I'm feeling hopeless (got denied a job due to BP)
Posted , 8 users are following.
I'm 30 years old. I finally finished school. Got licensed to work my profession. Got offered a job finally (competition is strong). Went for a physical with their doctor. BP was at 155/100.
and I'm already taking:
Metropolol 50 mg twice a day
Losartan 100 mg
Amlodipine 10mg
hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg
Doc told me he could not pass me but I could visit my primary doctor to adjust my meds and to have him sign a waiver. Went to my primary and he said he cannot sign the waiver until its under control đŸ˜—-(
"start taking metropolol 100 mg twice a day and I'll see you in a week" he says.
labs/procedures done: Echo, heart stress test imaging, MRI of kidneys for stenosis, adrenal gland tumor check. Everything came back normal.
When I do check my BP its usually fluctuates between 160/110 to 135/90 usually hangs around 150/100 even with those meds listed.
I don't know what to do. My BP is so stubborn. And I've also created a phobia to having my blood pressure taken (someone people hate needles, well I hate BP cuffs). I'm so frustrated, its unbelievable. Please any advice would be great.
0 likes, 81 replies
jesse04845 gabriel83491
Posted
We've figured out that sugar seems to be a trigger along with stress/anxiety. I've noticed that I will probably have a migraine a day or two after a doctor's appt. The BP thing creates enough stress in me that I get a migraine. My dermatologist doesn't take my BP and I usually don't have a migraine after those appts. I know I have scoliosis so I certainly wouldn't doubt that could come into play as well. Sounds like you have a really good GP too.
Conns gabriel83491
Posted
Cycling through meds to find one or a combination that work is not ideal. Testing should be done first. With resistant hypertension your doc should not write you off and get frustrated with the patient. I have dealt with resistant hypertension for 42 years. Certainly never easy to manage but the alternative is shorter life span. Even now local GP team and local Endocrinology consultant struggle with finding a solution. Like many of you on here I turned to the Net years ago to seek answers. I was lucky in finding a hypertension specialist in Wisconsin USA (I'm based in Northern England) who has guided my treatment for many years through email. I'm not the only one to benefit from his help which he provides freely. His name is Dr C. E. Grim and he runs a Yahoo Forum for Primary Aldosteronism and resistant hypertension. There are good people out there who may be able to help.
Paul
jesse04845 Conns
Posted
Paul, so how do you deal with the shame of it? I really need to figure this out.
Conns jesse04845
Posted
Jesse,
Being only 24 at the time of diagnosis, any thoughts of shame never occurred to me. It was February 1977 when I was told I had Conns Disease after 8 weeks of testing on Cardiac hospital ward. I can still hear Dr Hall sat at my bedside saying "we usually find this at autopsy". Now 66 I still try to celebrate each and every day.
Paul
jason1098 jesse04845
Posted
There's no shame attributed to hypertension, it's an illness that needs treating.
It's like saying you feel shame for catching the Flu.
My Hypertension is controlled by Amlodipine and Ramipril and when it was checked in clinic last week it was 125/74 so if I get asked if I suffer from high blood pressure I can with a clear conscience say no.
The important thing is to take a lead role in your own treatment, learn about your condition, understand the effects and side-effects of the medication you are prescribed and don't be afraid to pin the healthcare team down to answer any points you are not happy about. The single most important person in this treatment is YOU and you need to understand that, gaining that understanding is a great confidence builder and with confidence shame is banished.
I have also tried taking control of other factors related to my health, I stopped smoking 4 years ago (surprisingly easy when you're heating for a CT scan in the stroke clinic) and eat very little in the way of processed and packaged food. I run regularly, but exercise doesn't need to be overly rigorous, take the stairs rather than the lift in shops, park in the car park half a mile from the town centre, walk to the shops rather than drive, cycle instead of taking the bus.
Be strong, be positive and be a part of your own treatment.
mike92384 Conns
Posted
Conns....You make mention of a hypertension specialist. Anyone I've ever spoken to here in Canada says there aren't any 'hypertension specialists". Whenever there's a problem with blood pressure, once the GP has given the patient enough meds., they're sent to a Cardiologist.
About 6 yrs ago when I was first diagnosed with hypertension, the Dr. I had back then put me on meds...I had to come off them because my ankles/feet swelled too badly; then some other med was making me sick...then he'd double the dosage. He finally was abrupt with me making me feel as though it was all my fault. A while later, I was extremely uncomfortable going to him, waiting my turn, & in his presence. This is when I decided to return to my previous Dr. with whom I have a great rapport.
To be quite honest, if I knew there was a 'hyptertension specialist" in Toronto or wherever, you can be sure I'd want to visit that office & have a chat with him/her.
mike92384 jason1098
Posted
jason1098...right on, Buddy!!!!!!
I don't eat processed foods either. Rarely do I eat red meat, & my diet is 99% chicken cooked in different ways...but never fried, with skin removed. Adding different spices (powders, not salts) makes the chicken taste different so there's no boredom when it comes to meals.
I've started incorporating more fresh fruit & vegetables..cut the salt intake. I know I've lost a few pounds as well over the past 2 1/2 weeks & my goal is to lose approx. 20 lbs. Hopefully, I can drop 15 lbs. by Christmas.
Yes, WE are themost important person in the treatment of hyptertension, or any illness for that matter. We have the right to ask questions without being made to feel that it's none of our business, or we're bothering the Dr. by asking.
Thanks for such an encouraging blog.
jesse04845 Conns
Posted
Oh wow. That's a long time fighting it. I wish I could either get my BP down and/or get rid of my shame regarding it. Seems like this has been going on forever, so not sure I really think it's possible.
VeeWat Conns
Posted
l looked him up as i live in the next state. it says he is 80 years old. is he still in practice or just consulting?
Conns VeeWat
Posted
He is semi-retired. I can vouch for his credentials as we presented my case study together at the Sept 18 Heart & Hypertension Conference in Chicago. He introduced me to a few top guys in the US so he is deffo well connected.
Paul
Conns mike92384
Posted
Mike,
I would consider him a hypertension specialist. He has lots of experience with resistant hypertension, down to touring hospitals educating medics on how to take BP correctly. The sad truth is many just don't do it well enough, and we end up on the receiving end.
Paul
mike92384 Conns
Posted
Conns...I would think most people wouldn't realise that a lot of doctors out there do not take bp readings properly, yet they're medical professionals. A patient shouldn't be asked to extend their arm, & hold it up., & they shouldn't have the cuff slapped on as soon as they walk into the room. I was always taught that one should rest a few moments., & the arm should be resting on a table or whatever, & certainly not to engage in any conversation while the reading is taking place. The cuff is sometimes so tight, then when it's pumped up, it makes one wince. That should never be done either. Also one reading does not tell a proper story.
About the worst thing I've seen or experienced is some doctors/nurses placing the cuff over clothing. Sleeves should always be rolled up.
I totally agree with you..when they don't do things properly, we wind up on the receiving end.
As previously mentioned, if there was a 'hypertension specialist" here in my Province or City, I'd be most interest in attending either a lecture or a meeting. It also would be nice if some budding medical professionals decide to make hypertension treatment their specialty, instead of us being sent off to a Cardiologist to find out why some hypertension is resistent. It certainly is not fair that people are pumped full of medicines to get the numbers down. Some feel downright sick with all the meds, & it makes them wonder which is worse...feeling sick all the time, vs. not taking the extra meds & being happy in their lives.
Thanks for your information, Buddy!!!
Conns mike92384
Posted
Mike,
Here are some guidelines I got from the Chicago Conference in one of the sessions that dealt with BP measurement:
Patients should empty bladder.
Patients should rest quietly in a seated position for at least 5 minutes.
Patients should not talk or text.
Seated with back supported.
Both feet flat on the floor; legs uncrossed.
Measurement arm should be bare.
Cuff should be placed directly above the antecubital fossa.
The centre of the bladder of the cuff (commonly marked on the cuff) should be placed over the artery of the upper arm.
The cuffed arm should be supported on a flat surface such as a table.
ALSO
Multiple office and home measurements are necessary before you diagnose or treat people for their abnormal blood pressure.
Accuracy of BP measurement in the office and securing the diagnosis with accurate home measurements is of paramount importance to the future of your patient’s care.
Hope this helps but getting your team to adhere to this may prove difficult.
Paul
mike92384 Conns
Posted
Conns...this is exactly what I'VE been saying!!! When you go to a clinic or whatever, they go against just about everything written here, especially letting one rest for a few min. Talking is taboo also.
One reading doesn't mean a blasted thing. ..
Thanks again,Bud.
jesse04845 gabriel83491
Posted
Mike I wish you the best in losing weight. That's a real battle sometimes. At first I thought it was rather easy, but now it's become a real battle. I too have about 20lbs to lose.