I put this in the entertainment catagory since I'm finding this mildly amusing as well as annoying.
I've been on my blood pressure med since friday. It's basically a diuretic. The theory is that if I lose enough retained water that my blood pressure will return to closer to normal. When I talked to the pharmacist about this medication I knew it was going to be interesting.
He suggested I take it in the morning to avoid having to get up at night. Good plan since I already struggle with what must be the worlds smallest and most nervous bladder. I'm already up at least a couple of times a night. Other more charming effects of the drug are dizziness, headaches and dry mouth. Check, check and check! Awesome, I can create the perfect storm inside my head with one very small pill.
I have notice one nice side effect. I'm less puffy. I guess I hadn't noticed just how much water I was because it happened gradually. I had noticed it at PMS but it seemed to correct afterwards. Now I see that it was still hanging around. I'm not sure it's worth the headaches and dry mouth. It does show off the results of my workout a little more though, so I'm on the fence about if it's all worth it. The last time they took my blood pressure it was 20 points lower, so it is having some effect.
I got a call from the pharmacy yesterday about having another medicine to pick up. Turns out my original complaint of low blood iron was confirmed by the blood work. Of course insurance doesn't cover the iron suppliments, but at least they're reasonably priced. The side effects on the other hand have me hesitating to start taking them.
The pharmacist (same one) went over these. Apparently I need to take it at least an hour before bed or laying down to avoid stomach upset. I also should avoid taking them within 2 hours of having coffee or tea. I should also take them on an empty stomach. I'm really not sure when I can be expected to take these things! Let's not even contemplate the constipation and black stool side effects. This leaves me wondering if I wouldn't rather be a little bit anemic. I'm going to look into other options before I start these. They seem kind of toxic.
I'm not happy with this getting older and having health issues thing. It's just unfair. I've done a pretty good job of taking care of my health and I don't seem to be getting any benefit for it.
Oh, and that weight thing, I've decided to tell the doctor to bite me if he brings it up again. I am happy with the weight I'm at and know that it's a very average and normal weight given the muscle mass vs fat ratio.
Jeepers uni, im shocked a doctor would even mention your weight, cause I know your well within normal! Shoots, im waaaay more over weight than you and my doc hasn't ever said a thing, im the one that brings it up! So I find that just really, distasteful.
As far as the diuretic, I say keep taking them...i've always been a fan.
I say maybe skip the iron supplements and just eat a shit load of spinach and broccoli. Idk though, im also a big fan of drugs...I mean, they always say on the package that your doctor prescribed them because the benefits outweighed the risks. I used to be anemic when I was little, as far as I could tell I was uneffected by it. I was prolly too little tho to feel what happens with anemia, 5-10 yrs old. So idk, I remember you saying something about being cold being a factor, and being tired a lot. I think I might be anemic, no scratch that, Phil is making me think im anemic. I used to be very hot blooded, the type that could run around in a tank top in 40 degree weather and be totally comfortable. Not so much any more, seems all winter i've been cold and Phil and I battle over the thermostat. I lay in bed and say "Finally, I think im finally warm" and he freaks out cause its 87 degree in our bedroom (he has a little digital thermostat by his side of the bed)....anywhooo I supose all that is mildly amusing...Hope you get your nutrients right, I am not real sure why but im sure its important...
As far as you living healthy and not seeing the benefits, well...I disagree. The benefits arnt gonna slap you in the face but when you think about all the ailments you surely dodged and are at no risk of because of your lifestyle...those are big benefits. You prolly wont ever have a heart attack, or heart disease, lung cancer, sorosis, or joint problems. I think I remember you having back problems, imagine how much worse they would be if you wernt so healthy. So, considering your age and stress level, I think its pretty impressive that your absolute only health issue (I think) is a little anemia and mildly above ideal blood pressure. A result of stress im sure.