You’re Damned If You Do and You’re Damned If You Don’t
*EDIT* I’m optimistic about taking care of this. Not down and out about it. All is good.
I knew it would catch up with me eventually, but I was hoping that with all of the exercise and dieting and weight loss, I could prevent it from happening. Nope, no such luck.
Last week I was diagnosed with hypertension. I’m in probably the best shape of my life and I’ve still been diagnosed with it. I guess my lifestyle changes weren’t enough.
I have a strong family history of it, and I’ve been pre-hypertensive for all of my adult life….during the times I was young, thin and athletic and during my fat baby-making years. I don’t recall ever having a BP reading under 130/80.
A couple of months ago, I had a blood pressure reading of 160/105 at a dental visit almost 2 months ago (yes, they take BP readings there). They said that I should make an appointment with my doctor to have it checked again.
So a month ago, I saw my doc, and my reading was 140/90. She didn’t want to make a diagnosis right then and there, so she said she’d like to see me in a month to take another reading.
Last week, my reading was 150/90. So she diagnosed me with hypertension and said not to make any changes to my exercise routine. She doesn’t think it’s necessary for me to lose weight. Basically, the only change she made was to have me reduce my sodium intake to 2,000 mg per day. She put me on a diuretic to start out with to see if reducing water weight would help.
I see her at the end of the month again to see how my BP reading is. If she doesn’t like the range it’s in, she’ll increase the dosage. If that still doesn’t work, then it’s on to another BP med.
In the meantime, I’ve decided to stop taking the supplements I had been taking like White Flood, Superpump, and Purple Wrath since they give warnings about not taking it if you have health conditions like high blood pressure. I’m playing it safe.
Since I don’t have any of those awesome supplements to help me get through my awesome weight lifting routine 
I’ve revamped my diet to include more carbs by increasing my fruit, vegetable, and complex carb intake….based on the DASH diet. I have the outline of it in my workout section of my profile.
Also, I’ve had to eliminate cottage cheese (*GASP*) because it’s loaded with 440mg of sodium!! That’s a lot!
I’m sticking with 100% Optimum Whey protein powder because I can deal with it having 90mg of sodium per serving.
Now on to stress reduction. Yeah, like that’s going to happen with my household. So, I’ve been trying to come to terms with my penchant for road rage.
I rage when people go the speed limit:
"C’mon you idiot! Move it! Jesus****ingchrist."
I rage when they don’t hop to it and accelerate when the light turns green:
"Moooooove!! It’s a green light, people!!"
I rage when they don’t yield the right of way at an intersection (which is a daily occurance in NH):
"I have the right of way. DON’T GO. DON’T YOU DARE GO."
I STILL rage when I see a moving violation happening that has no impact on me:
"I want to be a cop just so I can give him a ticket! I wish cops were at every area possible so they can see this and give him a ticket!!"
Since these scenarios and more, happen on a daily occurance, I guess I should work on reducing my driving stress. I know my BP has got to be through the car roof when I drive.
Oh how I wish this worked, but alas…this would probably happen to me too:
Budget Rent a Car Advert - AromatherapyBreakfast: 2 eggs (12g prot)
oatmeal (5g prot) w/ raisins (1g prot), 1/2 scoop protein powder (12g prot)
1 cup milk (8g prot)
Lunch: Chicken (40g prot)
brown rice (6g prot)
carrots
cucumber and radish salad
May 26, 2009 at 5:34 am
Hey Shannon, I’ve had high cholesterol since at least age 25. I’ve tried several meds since age 35, but all with unpleasant side effects. Since I’m good on all other risk factors (except getting older!!!), I’ve elected to stay off meds. Hope you can manage the BP with lifestyle tweaks.
I think you need to hire a chauffeur……
May 26, 2009 at 5:38 am
Sounds like you will get it under control. If i had years ago i wouldnt be taking 5 pills a day! mine runs in both sides of the family. Best wishes, JIM
May 26, 2009 at 5:40 am
We have to learn that people are not going to behave in the manner we wish they would.All we can do is worry about ourselves and what we are doing to make the world a better place.This does take practice,but it is possible.You will be a happier person for it,and just like transforming our bodies,this also takes time and patience. Just chill momma.
May 26, 2009 at 6:04 am
Welcome to my world, but I started working out because of BP and heart issues and here you are fit and some BP issues.
My BP goes way down after I exercise. I do have a question when you go to the Dr. do they take a second reading after you have been there a bit?
I don’t really watch my sodium too much, but I am glad you are dropping some of your supplements, when I go to BB shows and they are handing out the free samples, I will say I have heart issues and right away they pull it back. Stress is huge w/BP IMO. Let me know if they want to put you on some thing. Some of these meds can hinder weight loss, and then your Dr. tells you to lose weight
May 26, 2009 at 6:26 am
I hope that the steps you are taking take care of it. I know it is hard, and you sound discouraged…but I am here to keep ya stress-free…if that is all possible in this world.
May 26, 2009 at 6:28 am
My doc took my BP in the other arm later in the visit about an hour later and it reads about the same…still high. She did that during the previous visit as well (took it 3-4 different times on both arms during the visit that time).
May 26, 2009 at 6:44 am
OK. Just don’t dwell on it, store it away in the back of your mind and live your life.
May 26, 2009 at 6:47 am
That sodium is a killer! I have tried to find lower sodium content for cottage cheese, to no avail…almost everything has sodium in it, including yogurt! Agh! It really is all about diet!! I bet you’ll be able to get it under control though. Good luck.
May 26, 2009 at 7:17 am
Hey Shan.
I right there with you sister. I’ve been diagnosed with that monster for a few years now. My doc also has me on a 2,000mg sodium intake. She wanted me to stop taking the protein shakes as well becuase she said they carry too much sodium, but I was able to find one that only had 50mg per serving (ofcourse its by Optimum), so she couldn’t say too much on that.
I myself was pretty down in the begining, because I’ve always been a health concious person. Working out, active in sports, not really eating junk food, but thanks to family history I got caught up in the cycle. But once i came to grips with the fact that its beyond my control, i decided to do whatever to counter it. I’m still trying to bring it down below 160, hopefully in two weeks it’ll be there and then we can set a new goal for 140, with my size i doubt it would get below that. But we’ll see. Bt just wanted you to know that you have a partner in your fight. I got your back!!
May 26, 2009 at 7:50 am
Shan:
Genetics can bite us in the rear. I’ve had cholesterol and triglyceride issues (thanks Dad) and will have to be very conscious about those for the rest of my life.
I’m sorry that you are having to deal with it, but I have faith that you will handle it with flying colors. I hope you have a great week and your treatment regimen gets this handled. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
May 26, 2009 at 8:02 am
Wishing you the best in dealing with this Shan. Do all you can to control what you can control and keep working hard and eating right. You just seem like the kind of woman that if there is any overcoming YOU will be able to do it. Stay positive and enjoy the day.
May 26, 2009 at 8:04 am
Hypertension doesn’t run in my family. Ours are all low. If it makes you feel any better my feet are starting to look like circus peanuts (DAMN my mom!).
I’m wondering if it’s your supplements that are upping your bp especially since you said it had never really been that high before?? You have been using them all for quite a few months now, right? Hmmmmm…guess you’ll find out soon since you have stopped taking them.
May 26, 2009 at 8:19 am
Quit driving! (lol) I know you can’t do that. But I feel your pain on the "road rage" thing. There is a song by a band named "Mower" (yes, like a lawn mower) and the song is Road Rage. (if I knew how topost stuff, I’d send it to you) But look it up, maybe on youtube or do a search on myspace for it. It will make you feel better when running your errands!
Hope you get things in check and balance soon. I know it is difficult as I too worry about this as my mom and dad both av BP issues. As fit as you keep yourself though, you will be fine. Take care.
May 26, 2009 at 8:19 am
Shanen, I have no doubt you will be able to get this under control. You are a very smart, determined and possibly strong willed woman
and I believe that being said, you will totally kick your BP’s arse! Best of luck & my thoughts are w/you 110%!!!!
May 26, 2009 at 9:05 am
Hey Shan,
Don’t get discouraged girl - your on the right path to nip it - so Im confident that your propensity for self motivation will let you deal effectively. As for the supps - don’t sweat it! After a month or so without - you’ll find they weren’t needed anyway. May even find some extra bucks in your pocket! - Damn they’re expensive
May 26, 2009 at 9:29 am
There are no low sodium cottage cheeses out there?
May 26, 2009 at 10:59 am
LOL - you’re a girl after my own heart! I believe I use lines just like those while driving, as well as about the makers of some video games. (I’ll leave out the comments I use, they could get me arrested…)
BTW, the GNC Whey Protein powders have 60mg per serving, if you are looking for options. Chocolate is good, cookies and cream is awesome.
Personally, if I were taking three supplements and not keeling over, I’d dial it back to perhaps one, but not none. That’s me though (and I’m the one with a "Succeed … or die trying" line on my gym wall - and mean it). Hmph, ok, never mind my advice.
May 26, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Well, I can’t say anything on the driving, cause Im just the same. i can’t stand ppl on the road, and I just want to run them off with my van.
I dont know what to say about the HBP, so keep doin what your doing. True words though, do it, dont do it, its gonna get you. Do you drink purified water? I dont know how much sodium ’sodium fluoride’ has or if it does at all, but its a ‘nice’ addition to our daily water intake.
Good luck to ya, Shan.
May 26, 2009 at 6:55 pm
They do make low sodium cottage cheese. It’s difficult to find, more expensive, and you’re better off eating dirt from your kids’ cleats!
May 27, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Shan, Sorry to hear about the BP, I have cholesterol and triglyceride issues but am also borderline hypertensive as well. When I did my 5 day blood pressure checks I found that when it was taken with a manual cuff it was much lower than with the electronic BP devices. I understand that you have the option as to which way you want your pressure taken so maybe you could try the manual cuff and see if it makes a difference. Of course I could just be weird like that. Good luck and don’t get down, you will get things under control.