We're getting old (OO medical complaints)

[LordMortis]

Lots of activity hasn't helped my resting BP at all. I was really hoping the weight loss and a slowly increasing exercise over the last two years was going to give me good news from the cardiologist but not so much and I walked away very disappointed. It has helped my ability to do physical work without getting flush and headaches and all of the other things that me concerned about my heart.

[disarm]

For a lot of people, the causes of high blood pressure have very little to do with your level of physical conditioning and will persist no matter how healthy you feel or how "in shape" you may be. It's just one of those unfortunate things that happens as we get older.

Elevated resting heart rate or exaggerated response to minimal physical activity are both definitely things that can be attributed to a sedentary lifestyle and pretty easily improved with even a little regular physical activity. Even taking a short walk every day can help over time.

[Smoove_B]

Indeed. I've lost quite a bit of weight this year and have been biking about 40-50 miles a week. My blood pressure has lowered, but it's still elevated - even on medication. My cardiologist said if my diastolic pressure isn't down to 80 by the end of this month (I saw him 3 months ago) it me just fighting genetics and he needs to adjust meds. I'm close and I might get there eventually but I've been taking BP pills for over a decade now; no reason to change course if that's what's working.

[hepcat]

I've thrown out my back twice in the last month, so yesterday I went to the Illinois Bone and Joint institute to have a doctor take a look. After getting x-rayed (no sign of radiation based superpowers yet, but fingers crossed!), the doc told me that I had moderate arthritis in my lower spine. He gave me some steroids and I'm supposed to do 4 to 6 weeks of physical therapy designed to strengthen that area and reduce occurrences.

But good lord, arthritis? Am I really THAT damn old?

[Daehawk]

My BP was high and my thyroid was low about 2006 Im thinking. I took meds for liek 2 years then I simply stopped. I cant recall why I did. But at the doc my BP was normal and my thyroid was normal. Hell if I know how that happened.

But exactly when my wife died both went to hell again. I need kidney surgery that year and my BP was so high they wouldn't let me get it until I lowered it. It took my doc and three meds a lot to get it down enough for the surgery and it was still above normal.

Now its mainly my top number. It stays high. Like when I first get up its in the 145 range. The bottom is almost normal to say 85. My meds get my numbers more like 128 over 80 or even lower for the bottom number. But my top number likes to always stay high.

[Blackhawk]

I've thrown out my back twice in the last month, so yesterday I went to the Illinois Bone and Joint institute to have a doctor take a look. After getting x-rayed (no sign of radiation based superpowers yet, but fingers crossed!), the doc told me that I had moderate arthritis in my lower spine. He gave me some steroids and I'm supposed to do 4 to 6 weeks of physical therapy designed to strengthen that area and reduce occurrences.

But good lord, arthritis? Am I really THAT damn old?

I had the same diagnosis for similar reasons a year or two ago, and I'm seven years younger than you.

[stessier]

I've been on BP and cholesterol medication for about 18 months. I go for my checkup on Oct 10th, but my bloodwork is next Monday.

Before I started either medication, my Total cholesterol was 259 (LDL - 191, HDL - 53) and my BP was averaging around 135/85 with a resting heart rate of 65-70. I was working out some, but not regularly. After being on the meds for 6 months and exercising a bit more regularly, my Total Cholesterol was 183 (LDL - 111, HDL - 57) and BP was about 116/80 with a resting heart rate between 60-65. Then the wheels came off - I stopped working out due to some injuries and did not adjust food intake. I hit my highest weight ever on April 7th this year and decided to make a change (buying new workout clothes on April 8th since I didn't have anything that fit). I'm about 70% toward my goal (which I should hit between Thanksgiving and Christmas). My BP is down to 110/70 with a resting heart rate of 50-55. I'm really curious to see about my cholesterol as even though I didn't make any changes to purposefully effect it, the end result of eating fewer calories while still trying to feel full is a lower cholesterol diet (at least for me). I've also been very consistent with my exercise and hope that will have some effect on the HDL as well. Would be pretty neat to be able to get off both meds (even though insurance covers the cholesterol at 100% and I think I pay less than $1 for 30 days of the BP meds).

[Daehawk]

I forgot I take cholesterol meds. Mines about 200 ..I think. I have no idea right now. Im on Atorvastatin and a 2nd fish oil like one with some kinda acid in it. But I didn't take my meds until this year. I really dont believe the info and worry of cholesterol. my wife got hers down below normal and that is supposed to prevent stroke and such and yet she died of a stroke at 63 with perfect cholestrol. I feel its just a money gimmick..more pills more pills!

but my doctor has annoyed me constantly and now Humanna and medicare are both kinda saying I have to take it or risk something about being covered or getting free meds. So I started taking it...mostly...this year. i still miss it a lot. But Im trying.

[Blackhawk]

Lowering cholesterol can decrease the chances of a stroke.

Decreasing chances isn't the same as no chance at all.

Maybe perfect cholesterol is why she had a stroke at 63 instead of 56. One experience doesn't render medical science wrong.

[stessier]

Additionally, strokes can be caused by many things, not just high cholesterol.

[WYBaugh]

I'm 6'4" and nightly dishes are my chore. For whatever reason, I don't seem to have the issues you do. Sometimes things are a little stiff or sore, but it's not too bad yet.

6'4" here as well. Will definitely get complaints from the back but not horrible. Changing the litter boxes and dragging 50 pound bags of litter will twinge it a little more.

[hepcat]

As an imaginary friend that's been following your exploits for decades, I'm imploring you to please consider utilizing the resources others have shared to make your days and nights better.

See, here's the problem. Stop being an IMAGINARY friend and just GO to Daehawk. When he complains about something he can easily work to rectify, just slap him upside the back of the head, Tony Soprano style. If he answers any calls with "Daehawk here....let me get you my social security number!", that's another slap. And when he inevitably decides that taking his medication is too difficult for him as it's almost 7 feet away from him at the time...well...I'll let you fill the rest in.

[Madmarcus]

Lots of activity hasn't helped my resting BP at all. I was really hoping the weight loss and a slowly increasing exercise over the last two years was going to give me good news from the cardiologist but not so much and I walked away very disappointed.

I'm the same. I've lost weight, walked more, and given up most of my drinking over the past two years but it hasn't helped my blood pressure. It hasn't hurt it either but it annoys me that doing exactly what everyone tells you to do has had no measurable effect.

[dbt1949]

I have found that having cancer is a great way to lose weight.

[Jeff V]

I have found that having cancer is a great way to lose weight.

I recommend Ozempic instead.

[Jeff V]

I went for a CT scan on my shoulder today. I'll find out in a couple of days if it's really not healing and I'll need another surgery for a bone graft and a different, heavier plate.

[dbt1949]

Your skull?

[Isgrimnur]

FTC Sues Prescription Drug Middlemen for Artificially Inflating Insulin Drug Prices

Today, the Federal Trade Commission brought action against the three largest prescription drug benefit managers (PBMs)—Caremark Rx, Express Scripts (ESI), and OptumRx—and their affiliated group purchasing organizations (GPOs) for engaging in anticompetitive and unfair rebating practices that have artificially inflated the list price of insulin drugs, impaired patients’ access to lower list price products, and shifted the cost of high insulin list prices to vulnerable patients.

The FTC’s administrative complaint alleges that CVS Health’s Caremark, Cigna’s ESI, and United Health Group’s Optum, and their respective GPOs—Zinc Health Services, Ascent Health Services, and Emisar Pharma Services—have abused their economic power by rigging pharmaceutical supply chain competition in their favor, forcing patients to pay more for life-saving medication. According to the complaint, these PBMs, known as the Big Three, together administer about 80% of all prescriptions in the United States.

[stessier]

2022 Total cholesterol was 259 (LDL - 191, HDL - 53) and my BP was averaging around 135/85 with a resting heart rate of 65-70.
2023 Total Cholesterol was 183 (LDL - 111, HDL - 57) and BP was about 116/80 with a resting heart rate between 60-65.
2024 Total Cholesterol was 176 (LDL - 96, HDL - 69) and BP is down to 110/70 with a resting heart rate of 50-55.

Just got my 2024 results. Not too bad, although I was hoping my total would be closer to 150. My triglycerides are also down to 55 which seems like a good thing.

[Daehawk]

I take benedryl when i cant sleep. It has Diphenhydramine 12.5mg per 5L ....I got a friend that works in pharma sent me some of his companies sleep aid and it arrived today...50mg per 3L....man this should knock me out good like.

And each bottle has 40 doses.

[disarm]

Relying on benadryl for sleep is really bad for you. While it may help you fall asleep, it's not the normal, restorative sleep that you need and you'll ultimately wind up feeling much worse in the long run.

[Anonymous Bosch]

I take benedryl when i cant sleep. It has Diphenhydramine 12.5mg per 5L ....I got a friend that works in pharma sent me some of his companies sleep aid and it arrived today...50mg per 3L....man this should knock me out good like.

And each bottle has 40 doses.

Relying on benadryl for sleep is really bad for you. While it may help you fall asleep, it's not the normal, restorative sleep that you need and you'll ultimately wind up feeling much worse in the long run.

Also, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's clinical practice guidelines specifically recommends against the use of diphenhydramine in the treatment of insomnia, because of poor effectiveness and low quality of evidence.

[Jeff V]

So I saw the surgeon today for the punchline on the CT scan I had 2 weeks ago. I'm going to surgery again! Yay me!

Part of the bone healed well, but at the site of the lower break, nada. He said he usually sees this in patients who smoke...I quit smoking about 30 years ago. He said at this point I could do it at my leisure, even never if I don't mind the excruciating pain that hits when I reach for something, or sleep on it wrong, or inhale deeply. His office will let me know when the insurance company approves, then I'll get it scheduled. Winter is coming, and shoveling snow is something I can't do right now.

[LordMortis]

So even after over two years of slowly building my health with diet and exercise, I still can't get my heart rate up to 140 beats per minutes for a stress test. I got to 133 before they pulled me off. I did actually get to ramp up to running on the treadmill though and it about killed me especially after I got off. I have no idea how long it took my breathing to normalize but it was not fast. 13 minutes of jogging at a time has nothing on the slow ramp up of that treadmill ooph. All the more reason to get me in to a gym for a more full workout, I guess. I'm so glad I started to take some level of control of my health when I did. I should have put myself in the position to do so sooner.

[Punisher]

So even after over two years of slowly building my health with diet and exercise, I still can't get my heart rate up to 140 beats per minutes for a stress test. I got to 133 before they pulled me off. I did actually get to ramp up to running on the treadmill though and it about killed me especially after I got off. I have no idea how long it took my breathing to normalize but it was not fast. 13 minutes of jogging at a time has nothing on the slow ramp up of that treadmill ooph. All the more reason to get me in to a gym for a more full workout, I guess. I'm so glad I started to take some level of control of my health when I did. I should have put myself in the position to do so sooner.

2 things.
1. If you've been building up your body and getting fitter wouldn't it make sense that it's harder to stress your body?

2. If yiy need to do a stress test but can't do it naturally by walking the treadmill your doctor can induce it chemically. I had to go this route when I could barely walk 40 feet. It's definitely a weird feeling but it worked.

[LordMortis]

2 things.
1. If you've been building up your body and getting fitter wouldn't it make sense that it's harder to stress your body?

Definitely. If this was two years ago, I would have been on that treadmill for half the time and a much lower setting before they gave up on me and I would have been no where near what I needed to be. I got fairly close to to 140 beats per minute at 133, but not close enough for them to consider it "diagnostic" which is to say the minimum for what I'm supposed to be able to do at my age, I guess. I'm still waiting to hear if they are going to call me back to chemically induce a stress test like last time or if they're all good. Given they had to put a stent in my heart in 2016, I'm guessing it will be the former.

2. If yiy need to do a stress test but can't do it naturally by walking the treadmill your doctor can induce it chemically. I had to go this route when I could barely walk 40 feet. It's definitely a weird feeling but it worked.

I'm still waiting to hear back from them. They still did their before and after ultrasound. A doctor (not my doctor) has reviewed the results on their patient portal and...

• Exercise stress test was performed. Patient reported no chest pain
during the stress test. Exercise capacity was average. Normal blood
pressure response.
• Stress ECG was non-diagnostic due to failure to achieve 85 percent of
the maximum age-predicted heart rate.
• Post Stress Impression: The study is non-diagnostic due to inadequate
stress.

So I wait until my doctor has a say, I guess. IFACT there are no red flags, so I'll just keep on keepin on until I hear back from them.

[Isgrimnur]

The study is non-diagnostic due to inadequate stress.

We can always send you back to work.

[LordMortis]

No thank you

[Madmarcus]

I'm as confused as Punisher. You were on their treadmill for some amount of time. I don't see how it would be better if your heart hard to work harder to handle that?

I suppose I'll find out about a stress test at some point.

[Smoove_B]

They're trying to find out if putting your heart into "the red zone" (to use a car metaphor) will cause it to exhibit some type of muscular/physical (like a valve) or electrical failure. Until they can get it to beat at a rate that would be considered dangerous, they're unable to verify integrity (so to speak).

I had to take a treadmill stress test in October of 2021 while wearing a KN94 mask. I had no issues reaching stress levels, if that helps. Would not recommend.

[Madmarcus]

So why don't they run the treadmill faster/on more of an incline or continue the test? It sounds like they have specifically designed a poor testing procedure.

Part of my thinking is influenced by the fact that I have always had a slower heart rate. Below 60 when resting and rarely feeling fast even if I am clearly working hard. Statistically an outlier but my doctor didn't seem to think it was unusual (current doctor; my previous doctor said it wasn't unusual but he software always flagged it as outside normal). It sounds like I might not be testable either which feels odd as I'm not super in shape or super out of shape for my age.

[LordMortis]

By the time I was off the treadmill and they lay me down and ask me to hold my breath to monitor my heart with ultrasound, I'm worse than a fish out of water gasping. My heart rate may be under 140 but my breathing is this >< close to suffocating hyperventilation.

So why don't they run the treadmill faster/on more of an incline or continue the test? It sounds like they have specifically designed a poor testing procedure.

Part of my thinking is influenced by the fact that I have always had a slower heart rate. Below 60 when resting and rarely feeling fast even if I am clearly working hard. Statistically an outlier but my doctor didn't seem to think it was unusual (current doctor; my previous doctor said it wasn't unusual but he software always flagged it as outside normal). It sounds like I might not be testable either which feels odd as I'm not super in shape or super out of shape for my age.

To progressively make your heart work harder. I can't speak to if it's a poor way to do things. I think my problem will forever be my lungs, which keeps my muscles from getting enough oxygen, go in to overdrive easier, and never allow me to get my cardio up where they want it to be, at least to test. I'm guess that is slowing my progress to be better health, but the hand you're dealt and all that.

[stessier]

So why don't they run the treadmill faster/on more of an incline or continue the test? It sounds like they have specifically designed a poor testing procedure.

LM tapped out of the test - he said he couldn't go any further before the level reached the minimum for diagnostic results. The test could have kept going if he could have.

[Madmarcus]

Thanks guys; I'd missed that LM stopped the test and thought that they stopped it! Reading comprehension prior to coffee is only so so.

[LordMortis]

So why don't they run the treadmill faster/on more of an incline or continue the test? It sounds like they have specifically designed a poor testing procedure.

LM tapped out of the test - he said he couldn't go any further before the level reached the minimum for diagnostic results. The test could have kept going if he could have.

They tapped me out. I didn't tap out but I'm glad they did tap me out. When I got off my breathing went from crazy heavy to a rapid pace I can't remember ever experiencing before.

[Daehawk]

Ive found the answer to this entire thread...stop getting old. Im trying it..Ill let you know how it goes in a few hundred years.

[Skinypupy]

OMG, the side effects from the shingles vaccine suuuuuuuuuuuck.

I feel like I’ve been hit by a damn truck.

[Blackhawk]

OMG, the side effects from the shingles vaccine suuuuuuuuuuuck.

I feel like I’ve been hit by a damn truck.

Last year I triple-dipped my shingles, COVID, and flu shots. This soon filled me with sorrow.

[Punisher]

OMG, the side effects from the shingles vaccine suuuuuuuuuuuck.

I feel like I’ve been hit by a damn truck.

On the brightside, my understanding is that the disease is MUCH, MUCH worse.

[Daehawk]

I haven't had my flu shot or covid.