Anyway, we decided to invest in our own monitoring device which I did NOT order from Amazon! Instead I went to the "Boots" store at Heeley Retail Park. There were several to choose from.
As I was looking at them, I met a man who showed me which one he had bought. Some friendly chat followed and it turned out that he had only recently emerged from the hollow of "Long COVID". For three years he had been housebound - mostly languishing in bed but now he's up and about.
I said, "It must feel like being born again?"
He said, "You're right. I hadn't thought of it like that."
"Boots" is Britain's most famous pharmacy chain. At the prescriptions counter, a young shop assistant kindly opened the monitor box so I could see the size of the cuff inside. Then I parted with some money after removing the padlock on my wallet.
Upon arriving home, I reopened the box and set up the blood pressure monitor. Soon, with the assistance of my personal nurse we were ready to go. The cuff was perfect and it squeezed my arm as if Bluto was gripping it. Unfortunately, both blood pressure readings we took were almost dangerously high - around 190/102 - confirming the high readings taken at my health check on Friday morning.
The sooner I can get started on that antihypertensive medication the better.
In other Sunday news, I went down to Frances and Stewart's house to watch Hull City play Sunderland courtesy of Sky Sports TV. We lost by one goal to nil but our lads played well - especially in the second half. Their goal was controversial following accidental interference in play by the referee.
Stewart made the Sunday dinner which was a nice change for me and later I caught the number 88 bus up to Bents Green, meeting my quizmates in "The Hammer & Pincers".
We were the overall winners and would have scored 25/25 if I had remembered the correct title of the Christmas 1994 hit by East 17. It was "Stay Another Day" and not "Stay Now" as I had mistakenly recalled. Such moments are not good for one's blood pressure.
I expect we are in for a medical quiz fairly soon.
ReplyDeleteNow you have said that, it will not happen.
DeleteI think that roast beef and yorkshire pudding shall have to go YP. Replaced with boiled fish and plain rice. That should do it.
ReplyDeleteI would rather have a glass of distilled water and a grape.
DeleteAdd half a lettuce leaf twice a week and you have the "Super-Model" diet.
DeleteBeetroot 😒
ReplyDeleteTHat's not my nickname!
DeleteWell that's not good. What did Shirley say?
ReplyDeleteShe didn't say much - just that it was too high.
DeleteWhen it's that high it deserves it's own fuck, as in it is fucking high.
DeleteGood that you are being proactive with your health. Lotsa folks are not, using hope as a placebo.
ReplyDeleteFortuitously, I have reached this situation without having to suffer a major health incident.
DeleteBack 2015 I found myself in a hospital emergency room (emergency intake - the British have a different name for it). When they took my blood pressure the read out on the machine turned red - flashed - and made a calming beeping sound. The top number was about as high as what you just scored. Time for medication.
ReplyDeleteAre you on blood pressure medication then David?
DeleteOf course I am, family history, and about 75 pounds heavier than I should be. It would be surprising if I was not.
DeleteI'm glad you were able to get the right monitor. Now on to getting the right blood pressure.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the meds work quickly.
DeleteI once heard a hypochondriac person say: "I am that I'll even the doctor doesn't know what is wrong with me". I couldn't help smiling. Doctor Google helps me misdiagnose my symptoms when I feel I'll.
ReplyDeleteDave - the quote does not make sense. Have you got high blood pressure or something?
DeleteOhh dear, your BP is high. The sooner you start the meds, the better. Good thing is that you walk so much, you are in good condition, aren't you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind concern Ilona.
DeleteIt’s always good to be able to chat with strangers and learn from their experiences, especially someone with a story as profound as recovering from Long COVID.
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling by and leaving this comment Pradeep.
DeleteOoof that is a high BP reading. I think you may have to forego some yorkshire puddings too!! I have the opposite problem in that my blood pressure is on the very low side which can sometimes make me feel a little bit faint.
ReplyDeleteI just need to make it to my next appointment on Wednesday afternoon.
DeleteWell YP, you're lucky you have your own personal nurse to keep you on the right track. Jaycee is right about the change in diet, but somehow I don't think we'll enjoy reading about your preparation of boiled fish and plain rice, as we have all the other scrumptious meals you've prepared!
ReplyDeleteWe eat healthily but I admit that I am overweight now.
DeleteYes, you need the bp meds quickly, but you know that. Along with the meds and the walking that you do you will be tiptop in no time.
ReplyDeleteOne or two life adjustments may be required.
DeleteWell, you got much closer than I would have with that trivia question. I've never even heard of East 17!
ReplyDeleteThey were a big boy band here in the 90's.
DeleteThat is indeed too high. When will you get some meds?
ReplyDeleteHopefully on Wednesday afternoon Margaret but it is rather depressing to think that I will be taking them for the rest of my life.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear this and hope you are quickly able to get on a medication that works for you. Your son might have some helpful suggestions for your diet. Lifestyle changes can often reduce the amount of medication needed.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are right Kelly.
DeleteIt's good that you're monitoring 'things'. We in the family gently mocked Barry for his monitors, but I think they went a good way to saving his life, or at least, putting him in the sights of the medics he had been avoiding for years, because he had no symptoms. Being 'fit' is not always what it seems.
ReplyDeleteOn the whole I have felt as fit as a fiddle but as they say, high blood pressure is a "silent killer".
DeleteI hope they give you other methods of blood pressure control other than medication.
ReplyDeleteI don't smoke, I don't drink a great deal and I eat healthily but maybe I eat too much and sometimes have snacks making me heavier than I should be.
DeleteRestrict the snacks, and eat normally but smaller amounts, aim to fill half the plate instead of the whole plate, less yummy gravy helps too.
DeleteIt is good that you are going on blood pressure medication. Once I started mine, my pressure has been great.
ReplyDeleteI hope I can follow your example MIchael.
DeleteThose football games, especially when your team just barely loses, can't be too good for the bp either. Take your meds, follow the doctor's instructions, live long and prosper, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dr Taylor.
DeleteMy blood pressure monitor came with 2 cuffs - regular size and a larger size for muscle men like you! I've been on blood pressure meds for years - metoprolol succinate - and simvistatin for high cholesterol. Last year they added a blood thinner - Eliquis - after I had an A Fib incident that put me in the hospital. I've had no side effects from any of these and my numbers are looking good now.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are following up to stay healthy, Neil!
Metoprolol succinate and simvistatin are names I have never heard before Ellen.
DeleteI'm still concerned your doctor didn't write a prescription right away. When I left the hospital that day I had a prescription and a pack of pills in my hands. Prolonged hypertension can damage the heart muscle. I remember going for a test and watching my heart on a monitor. Thankfully no damage was found. We did eventually have to try other brands because some give me severe heartburn and the one I take now gives me much less heartburn easily controlled. Oddly the best one for me is the one that Americans complain about as causing problems with leg swellings etc. I don't have that problem.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for a) the successful purchase of a BP monitor and b) the pub quiz win! Well done, you!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what the numbers are and what is too high or too low or just right. I suppose that, like with nearly everything about our bodies, it is highly individual what is good or when someone should see a doctor and start on medication.