andrewducker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
andrewducker) wrote2025-12-11 07:12 pm
andrewducker) wrote2025-12-11 07:12 pm
Timeline of a new phase in my life.
About two months ago, I had a nasty respiratory infection. And while I was lying awake one night, I could hear my heart beating quite loudly.
Having had multiple friends go to the doctor to check on something and then have the doctor tell them that they urgently needed medication before their high blood pressure did them serious damage/killed them, I thought I should pop in to the doctor for a chat.
They checked me on the spot, said my blood pressure was a little high, but nothing terrible, and told me to join the queue to borrow a blood pressure device.danieldwilliam gave me his old one, and I spent a couple of weeks taking results. Which mostly showed that my pressure is fine in the morning, but that after I've spent 90 minutes shouting at Gideon to stop bloody well mucking about and go to sleep, it's a fair chunk higher than it should be. They also sent me for an ECG (which showed I have Right Bundle Branch Block, a harmless and untreatable condition that affects 15% of the population), an eye test (which found nothing), and a fasting blood test (which showed I'm still not diabetic, even though I can't have sugar in my diet even slightly any more).
They then had a phone call with me to chat it through, said that I'm a little high (on average), and a little young for it to be a major worry, but if I was up for it they could put me on some pills for hypertension.. I agreed that it sounded sensible, and the doctor sounded positively relieved that she hadn't had to bully me into it.
The weird feeling is that this is the first time I've been put on to a medicine that I will have to take for the rest of my life. There is now "The time I didn't have to take medicine every day" and "The time where I had to take medicine every day". Which definitely feels like an inflection point in my life. (Endless sympathy, of course, for people I know who have to take much worse things than a tiny tasteless pill with very few side-effects.)
So all-in-all, nothing major. Just the next step. I'm just very glad for the existence of modern medicine.
Having had multiple friends go to the doctor to check on something and then have the doctor tell them that they urgently needed medication before their high blood pressure did them serious damage/killed them, I thought I should pop in to the doctor for a chat.
They checked me on the spot, said my blood pressure was a little high, but nothing terrible, and told me to join the queue to borrow a blood pressure device.
danieldwilliam gave me his old one, and I spent a couple of weeks taking results. Which mostly showed that my pressure is fine in the morning, but that after I've spent 90 minutes shouting at Gideon to stop bloody well mucking about and go to sleep, it's a fair chunk higher than it should be. They also sent me for an ECG (which showed I have Right Bundle Branch Block, a harmless and untreatable condition that affects 15% of the population), an eye test (which found nothing), and a fasting blood test (which showed I'm still not diabetic, even though I can't have sugar in my diet even slightly any more).They then had a phone call with me to chat it through, said that I'm a little high (on average), and a little young for it to be a major worry, but if I was up for it they could put me on some pills for hypertension.. I agreed that it sounded sensible, and the doctor sounded positively relieved that she hadn't had to bully me into it.
The weird feeling is that this is the first time I've been put on to a medicine that I will have to take for the rest of my life. There is now "The time I didn't have to take medicine every day" and "The time where I had to take medicine every day". Which definitely feels like an inflection point in my life. (Endless sympathy, of course, for people I know who have to take much worse things than a tiny tasteless pill with very few side-effects.)
So all-in-all, nothing major. Just the next step. I'm just very glad for the existence of modern medicine.
no subject
Specifically a Whole Food Plant Based diet, with as little salt and added fats as possible. Olive oil you could make your own mind up on, the evidence there is kinda mixed. (I have some, personally). Basically "real food", not ready made vegan junk food. Perfection not required , even heading significantly in that direction should be helpful - though you would likely have to watch with the fruit given your sugar sensitivity (which would also possibly be helped a bit too).
There's a new updated edition of "How not to die" by Dr. Michael Greger out this week, I would recommend to read it at least.
no subject
no subject
With pasta, cooling and reheating alters the starch, so the effects on blood sugar are less. Not sure about tatties, but maybe? Neeps, celeriac and parsnips might all be good subs if you like them.
Take it easy as it takes a few months for your body to get used to increased fibre (but it's extremely good to have increased fibre!). Always soak beans peas lentils (except orange ones) and discard the water before cooking. Ideally also chuck the water they first come to a boil in, but I find I can skip that step now. (This is to reduce fartiness - eventually it will be eliminated, at least so I found)