Right after the new year I decided I better start tracking again, if my goal to have my meds reduced was going to come true. That's when I got my first wacky reading and ultimately my own personal machine. I bought the machine and the batteries that came with it didn't work. I finally get more batteries and take my BP. High. Say what?
I repeated that process about 5 times in January. Always high. The bottom number was always 80, but the top number always. I was out of meds and something was wrong. I needed to make an appointment but I was dragging my feet. I love doctors that much.
Monday, I think, I went to the grocery store. I had to get something from a bottom shelf and felt light headed. Shit. Now I am positive that something is wrong. When I returned home my BP was 160/80. High, but not lightheaded high. I did it again Tuesday and it was 188/80. I called the doctor. Appointment was Thursday, 10 am. Wednesday it was back down to 155/80.
Yesterday was the big day. Happy things happened. Un happy things happened. First happy thing, no co-pay. Saved $25 because my insurance deems an annual check-up a necessity. Then we go in the exam room and they weigh me—another happy thing. I lost 7 pounds since October when I was there last, Then the bad news. I am down to 5'8''! And then more bad news. She takes my BP and it is 168/100! Holy Moly! She told me not to worry, he'll take it again and she leaves.
It was nearly a half-hour of stewing and drawing until the doctor arrives. There was an emergency. He could see I was unhappy. He didn't seem worried. W spent time talking about other stuff. I asked him for a referral to a dermatologist so I could have the moles on my face removed (plus others). He said it would take 9 months to get in. He gave me a referral for a plastic surgeon. He wouldn't leave a dermatologist touch his face. And the wait time is a month.
I also don't have to go for a colonoscopy. I got the FIT test instead because there is no family history. The kid is in the bathroom. Basically you put a "hat" in the toilet and catch the sample, then you take the probe an stick it in the poop, put it back in the container and mail it away. No drinking slime and pooping all day.
My blood work with include Hepatitis C because us boomers partied thru the 60s and are at high risk. Talking about high risk, on the suggested things to do list was an HIV/AIDs test. Really, if I was engaging in risky behavior that was causing HIV/AIDs I would have been tested 30 years ago. And a tetanus shot. He also gave me a script for the GYN/OB. Again. And a ACI test, again.
We ran out of ways to procrastinate. It was time. He took my BP. It was 148/88. Significantly different. It was similar in the other arm. So my meds changed. I pretty much am back at Square 1, Dec. 2008. I'm starting over. And it sucks.
I have to go back for a BP check in a month, and to see him in 6 months. Here we go again.
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