Last night, when I checked my blood pressure before going to sleep, it was high. High enough for me to check it three times! I got lower readings on the second and third checks, but, even they were elevated. So, I went ahead and took my blood pressure medication.
I have been trying to get to bed earlier, although, last night, "earlier" was 1:00 a.m. But I fell asleep almost right away. And I slept till almost 11:00 a.m., this morning, so I had plenty of sleep.
When I checked my blood pressure this morning, it was lower than last night, but still higher than recommended, and my heart rate was high. So, I decided to take the morning blood pressure medication. I checked the pressure another hour later, and it had come down, and what was even better (as far as I am concerned), my heart rate had come down, too.
What I am thinking is, my pressure went down, last week, because I was dehydrated; now that I have been drinking lots of water and am more hydrated, the pressure has gone up to a level that is requiring medications to keep it in check! I am not sure how that makes any sense, but, it is the best I can deduce. Needless to say, my doctor didn't call back, today, either. I don't expect her to call now, but, when I do go to see her, next, I will bring up the fact that I called and she didn't return my calls.
The rest of my pressure readings during the day have been good and I haven't taken any additional medication. I will check again, before going to bed, and take it from there. It isn't a very satisfactory way of doing things, I fear, but, I don't know what else to do. I am hoping that the medication dosages will be tweaked when I go back in February for my next check up. Unless, I feel I need to see the doctor before that, in which case, I will try to get an earlier appointment.
My sugar levels have been good.
I went ahead and had a cup of tea, this morning, with milk and one spoon less sugar than I normally take; I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually palatable! Not only that, I was OK with the level of sweetness. I am hoping that, over time, I can reduce the amount of sugar, even more.
There was a very slight drizzle this morning and early afternoon. But the forecast called for heavy rain this evening and thunder storms, tomorrow. I decided that this afternoon would be the best time to go grocery shopping. On the way to the grocery store, I stopped to put gas to the car, as I was down to almost quarter tank. Gas was $3.05/gallon; I put $30 worth. This is the first time I put gas to the car, in January. My monthly budget for gas is now set at $50.
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| 1/16 Groceries |
Cesar salad kit = $1.79
Green beans @ $1.49/lb = $.66
Carrots @ $.50/lb = $.30
Bananas @ $.59/lb = $.64
2 Beef steak @ $4.77/lb = $3.53 + $3.29
Total = $10.21
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| 1/16 Receipt |
Lunch was a bowl of my chicken soup. For dinner, I had a salad, some of the beef steak, and some orange juice. I cooked both pieces of beef steak; there is enough for at least three more meals.
It rained on and off in the afternoon, after I came back from grocery shopping. I called and rescheduled tomorrow's routine followup appointment with the radiation oncologist as I didn't want to be out driving in the thunder storm the weather forecast says we will have tomorrow. After that, I put away the laundry from yesterday and packed up the Christmas decorations that go into the suitcase in my closet. The tree is still up.
Today, I am grateful for:
- The rain slowed down long enough for me to run errands
- Gas prices have come down
- Dancer is continuing to do well
- My sugar levels are under control
- Being able to talk to family members by phone
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Call the doctor's office, again - DECIDED NOT TO
- Reschedule Thursday's medical appointment (severe rain in the forecast) - DONE
- Put away the rest of the Christmas decorations - DID SOME
- Housework: dust the living room, dining room, and family room
- Grocery shop - DONE
- Put gas to the car - DONE
Thursday's To Do List:
- Undecorate the Christmas tree
- Dust the living room, dining room, and family room
- Paperwork
How was your Wednesday? What are your plans for Thursday?
Hi Bless, it seems that I'm having problems commenting on your blog again and not all comments are getting through. I read and comment on every post but can see that some comments are missing.
ReplyDeleteI'd be annoyed with my doctor if he didn't return a call request so I hope you do mention it next time you go. I'd find the need to constantly monitor and decision make on whether to medicate or not rather worrying, which in itself can affect the blood pressure readings. A bit of a vicious circle! I hope they can get you sorted soon.
Eileen, I'm sorry that some of your comments are not getting through. I checked my spam folder to see if they went there by accident, but they didn't. I'm not sure where they might have gone!
DeleteI don't even know of the doctor received the message that I called! She is actually a Physician Assistant; I see her for my routine follow-up appointments, in order to free up the medical doctors for acutely ill patients. She is usually very thorough and good, always telling me to call or come in if there is anything, not to wait until the next appointment, etc. But, I will bring it up to her attention and ask if I should just leave a message for the doctor, himself, the next time.
I hate having to be the decision maker on when to take my medicines! Every blood pressure medication instruction I've ever read has always said, "Do not stop taking, unless told by doctor". These are supposed to be long-acting/slow release medications, and some of them take care of other things besides the blood pressure. I don't know if I am causing more damage, elsewhere, by not taking them! On the other hand, I don't want to get too low blood pressure and black out, either. I did that, about 3 years ago, and fainted in the bathroom, and knocked my head on the edge of the bathtub, where the shower door railing is! I was alone in the house when that happened. Fortunately, nothing major happened, other than a big bump on my forehead! I still have a dent where the edge of the shower door railing hit! I got thoroughly scolded by the Physician Assistant for not calling the paramedics or going to the emergency room, immediately! I just called one of the other doctors on call and he diagnosed dehydration. I had a regular appointment with the PA for the following week, so I waited till then, to see her. But, I'd rather not repeat the experience, as you can imagine.
Glad that you made it out for shopping before the rains. We're expecting snow this afternoon (not a lot, just enough to mess up rush hour) and a bad weather weekend, so we're trying to plan our activities, including grocery shopping, so we don't need to be out in it. There are several things we need to do so it is going to take some coordination.
ReplyDeleteHope the snow doesn't mess things up too much! Good idea to get the grocery shopping and other errands done before the bad weather arrives, Live and Learn. Hope the bad weather isn't too bad.
DeleteThere is no sense driving in inclement weather. You are wise to work around the forecast to reschedule your appointments and routines. I did that on Tuesday when I drove in to wait for my prescription to be filled. I try to take advantage of the good weather to run errands on the chance that good weather is not going to last forever. Why take a chance on running out of something when driving may be more difficult. I'm sure you will find lots to do at home during the next few days of downpours. Stay warm and cozy.
ReplyDeletePeople who come from places where there is more rain, often laugh at us, because we cancel appointments and things due to rain! But there are more accidents during rainy weather and our roads often get flooded, especially the roads around where I live. It rained all last night. It stopped around 10:00 a.m., and, I suppose I could have made my appointment, after all, but, we are supposed to get more rain in the afternoon, as well.
DeleteI hope you are having a good day and your weather continues to be sunny, even if not exactly warm. :)
Glad you are checking your bp and adjust your meds accordingly.
ReplyDeleteI should be ashamed but I am not. After class I came home, did a bit of decluttering (tiny bit) then sat and read. I am juggling 3 books right now and want to finish at least one of them by this evening.
I'm glad to see that you are taking a little time for yourself to sit and read, Anne. You deserve a little time to relax.
DeleteWe've having a non-summer here in Auckland, Bless. But rain can be so lovely, too. I was wondering where you live. I saw on Eloise's blog that you live where it's earthquake territory. Scary.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the non-summer, Ratnamurti. Maybe it will warm up before Fall.
DeleteI live in Southern California, in the Los Angeles region. It is earthquake country and semi-arid, with an annual average rainfall of just under 15 inches. Last year, our rainfall amounted to something like a total of 5 inches! October to April is our "rainy season", and wet winters, like this one, is very welcome, as they help keep the drought at bay. We had four consecutive years of severe drought, recently. So, we need all this rain!
Well I am amused by your sugar reduction in the tea. If I had even one teaspoonful of sugar in tea it would be unpalatable! I can't imagine what yours must have been like normally with that extra spoonful. I'm sure you will find that you can reduce it little by little. Funnily enough, it is not regular tea that I need sugar in, but with some fruit/herb teas I find the need for a smidgeon of sweetness, like honey, perhaps because some of them are a little acidic.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, it was strong and sweet, with that extra spoon of sugar, Bushlady. Just like me! :D
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