So this morning I had an hour long consult with a Naturopath about my issues regarding poor sleep and lack of energy. Long story short, I have a bunch of strategies to try in terms of modifying my diet, and some herbs and stuff to take, to also combat my chronic sinus problems and a few allergies I knew about. As I thought might be the case, my sinus issues may be contributing to my disturbed sleep.
It wasn't all good news thought because apparently my blood pressure is majorly broken and needs some big time fixin'. Given my interesting family history (cancer, heart disease, strokes... nothing major) alarm bells are ringing off the hook. So, I gots me an appointment to see a new doctor for some blood work, and for a referral to a cardiologist for some tests.
I've been burying my head in the sand for a while about the possibility of cardiac issues (La-la-la, I can't hear you!) My father had his first heart attack in his early 50's and all of his siblings never made it to 60. Given my sister's stroke in her late 40's, well I'm about to turn 41 and we are now entering the red zone.
Anyhoo, even though I'm a little rattled by how bad my blood pressure was at least I have kicked off the process of getting things checked, and either way whether the news be good or not so good, informed is the best way to deal with it. Right?
Update: In the interests of honesty, I should amend this post so that the term "a little rattled" actually reads "absolutely crapping my pants". Just so we're clear.
11 comments:
The ostrich management system of burying ones head in the sand is never a good idea. It will only draw others attention quicker to the fact that you have indeed crapped yourself. And thats never a good look at the best of times, least of all with your head buried and your arse in the air.
Yes, definately better to be informed. You could rest completely assured in the knowledge that despite your minds somewhat paranoid delusions of lets-just-play-the-worse-case-scenario-nightmare-mental-marathons, reality does indeed have something completely different in mind. Or otherwise you could even take any appropriate actions to avoid or even control said issue, which may indeed be something quite minor.
Bodhi :-)
Sydney, Australia
[It now seems I have a working Blogger Profile .... don't panic, I'm pretty sure thats not a sign of the apocalypse ...]
I love the fact that your Blogger profile just says "Gender: male" in the details. You say that with such certainty...
:-)
Butt in the air, head in the sand, I agree is generally not a good look. Unless maybe you are a Bondi lifesaver.
The only reason I'm rattled (and I'm not freaking out unneccessarily here) is having watched first hand the experience of a)chronic angina, b)heart attacks, c)an aortic aneurism, d)two hemorragic strokes... I could go on all day! My family history is really crap. Having said that, I'm being realistic about possibilities here, and sure I'm keeping an open mind about it, but nonetheless it's a little sobering... Anyhoo, I have an appointment for next Monday morning to get bloods done - step 1.
I'm sooo glad your not unneccessarily freaking out Andrew, necessary freaking out is just so more appropriate and Buddhist of you.
:-)
Me thinks this could be a case of a little too much knowledge being a bad thing. My father has had three heart attacks and is a diabetic ... my previous pancreatitis problem also puts me at VERY high risk of same. And you know what. So far, NADA. ZIP! All good. Should I throw all this stupid equanimity and inner-peace out for some necessary freaking-out practise now?
Dont fret, Pet, I'm holding your cyber-hand.
Bodhi :-)
Sydney, Australia
... ahh yes, it took me a while, but here it 'tis:
In the little known discourse the Buddha once proclaimed thusly,
"Bhikku's, worthy are they whom, when faced with unknown and projected adversity, choose to neccessarily freak out and defacate upon themselves.
And the Bhikku's, unpon hearing the Blessed Ones words, went into a blind panic and tizz. And did shat their robes. And the Buddha was pleased."
From the DeludedIam Sutta
Bodhi :-)
Sydney, Australia
I'm glad you're grabbing the horns, Andrew. Genetics is powerful, but all those nasties in your family history should be manageable. Well, notso much aneurism, but to paraphrase Meatloaf, 3 out of 4 ain't bad!
Good luck, homes.
e) And a partridge in a pear tree? I'm very sorry Andrew, it's thoroughly inappropriate of me to joke. I'm very sorry to hear about all that you're going through, and worrying about. It can't be fun. One thing that I wanted to say was that my Mum has battled for many long years with high blood pressure and seems to have triumphed over it, largely, I believe, due to some magic herbal remedy. I can ask her about that if you like.
Secondly, and I don't know if this has any relevance whatsoever, but my Father suffered from depression for a long time, eventually taking his own life in his mid forties. Depression is hereditary and I went through a phase of freaking out about things as I would get pretty down at times, and then feel worse at my own certainty that it was full blown depression. I would feel that I had no chance whatsoever when beginning to suffer from depression at so early an age. Anyway, once I was talking to a very good friend about the issue and he said very simply, "you should realise that your destiny isn't the same as your Father's". It was like magic. At once it seemed so very obvious, yet so profound, and the clouds parted.
Now I am well aware that depression is very different from heart disease, and that the statistics aren't great. However, I'll say it for you, Your destiny is not the same as that of your Parents/Aunties and Uncles/Sister. And I don't think that I really need to point out the fact that stress and worry will only contribute to any heart or blood pressure problems. I know it's like telling someone to, for example, be more confident, but try to take it easy. Holding your cyber hand as well, Marty
And may I say that I like it when you uncharacteristically disclose yourself?
I must say that I too like it when he uncharacteristically discloses himself too Michael, having the courage to open himself up to others like that. It seems to make him both strong and vulnerable at the same time, and thats just such a wonderfully human quality that we cannot but fail to respond.
And in that unfolding, I hope our beloved TOA finds said disclosures and subsequent responses somewhat cathartic, healing, and hopefully even a little enlightening.
In all seriousnesss, (((HUGS)))) Andrew. Were with ya Bro. Sadhu!
Bodhi :-)
Sydney, Australia
[Disclaimer: Any humour on my part was said with love, and hopefully imparts a positive message]
Hi Guys, thanks for all your comments, cyper hugs and hand holds! It's true about genetics, and any of this other stuff being manageable.
I'm not generally a worrier or a fearfull person, but if I'm honest I have two big fears based on family history:- stroke and cancer. Both cut a damaging swath through my family. Yesterday my diastolic (sp?) blood pressure was 108, when it should be about 70-75... which when I found out was the cause of being a bit rattled. Initially the Naturopath didn't want to tell me. :-) It's not like I even think about this sort of stuff often, but yesterday just rattled me.
Thanks for the comments about being a little bit more open on this blog, maybe it's a new direction!? What I don't want it to become is WhineFest 2005!
Yeah, open and forthright. Feel free to use me as your guide.
Don't forget the "whitecoat effect" on BP. Sure it was just your naturopath, but the act of getting your BP taken can cause it to shoot up a bit.
Yeah Michael, you are right about the White Coat Effect but I was feeling pretty chilled when he took it. My BP has been bang on all my life until is started to creep up slightly over the past few years. The worst my diastolic has ever been is 80, and that was right after a car accident!
The Naturopath's first question to me was "Are you feeling pretty stressed at the moment?" :-) I should have read this as a bad sign...
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