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--- More on my symptoms
x-no-archive: yes Jean S. Barto wrote: > Hello again folks-- > > Here's some more information on my possible diabetic/metabolic syndrome > symptoms-- > > I have had the high BP readings for the better part of 5 years or > so--usually in the low 150s/high 80's to mid 90s--but they were actually > higher for a short time 2 years ago, when I was on BC pills and Effexor XR > at the same time. My weight was also out of control--I weighed in the mid > 160's at that time (highest weight of my life). I was taken off the BC > pills and started getting off the Effexor, and the BP lowered to my *usual* > high readings. However, on occasion in the past year when I've been > measured at the Dr's office, the BP has been in the high 120's to low > 130's/80's. The VA uses an *automatic* BP machine--which always gives a > higher reading than at home or when done with a *manual* BP instrument (I > cannot spell the *real* name of it). This is how my blood pressure was, labile, with occasional bad spikes into hypertension, during my years of undiagnosed metabolic syndrome and probable diabetes. > > My other blood work has been very good up till now--total cholesterol in the > 160's--but I don't remember my scores for triglycerides, or my ratio. > Glucose scores were also supposedly normal. I don't know about Thyroid > scores. However, these test results are 2 years old and that's why I'm > having more blood drawn this week. Your total cholesterol is much better than mine was, but a cautionary note: though I'm diabetic, and probably was for at least 5-10 years prior to diagnosis, my fasting blood glucose was and still is below the diagnostic threshhold for diabetes. I bought a bg meter (with rebates it was all but free) and strips and post meal testing revealed my diabetes. Sharing this with my doctor led to my diagnosis. I had very bad peripheral neuropathies without having my diabetes diagnosed! Triglycerides and your ratios, along with particle size of lipids are more important than your overall cholesterol, though it's great that yours is as low as it is. > > I've also been running more since last July--after being fitted for some > orthotics--and being able to increase my running mileage gradually has > helped me to lose 17 lbs or so in the past year. My objective now is to > remain biomechanically healthy so I can increase my mileage--and get back to > the decent shape I was in 4 years ago--weight in the low to mid 120's and > back to running 25+ miles/week, and placing well in my age group in local 5K > and 10K races. I turn 50 in June and plan to run most of the local races > this spring and fall--and my two important races are a large regional 1/2 > marathon in September and a local 10 miler in November. This exercise is great for glucose uptake. Do you do any weight training to add to your lean body mass? It also helps a lot; more muscle means more glucose uptake. > > I've been seen by both civilian and VA doctors, and while all have commented > on my high BP and threatened BP meds in the past, I told them I'd rather do > the diet and exercise modifications first. I no longer have civilian health > insurance, and so I'm seeing only the VA doctors now--and my PCP there is > the one who is now riding me about the BP issue, and who I'll be seeing > later this month--and who will also hear about my possible *diabetic* > symptoms when I see her. > > I have a home BP monitor but don't use it as much as I should--but when I do > take my own BP, it is in my habitual range. I was threatened with bp meds, lipid meds, all treating numbers but not my underlying defect. I did a lot of homework and switched from very low fat to moderately low carb and higher fat dieting. My bp plummeted, as did my triglycerides. My overall lipid levels were vastly improved, and I couldn't exercise as you do. > > My meds now are the generic Ditropan, LoEstrin 1/20 BC pills, and 2.5 to 5 > mg Zyrtec for hives and seasonal allergies. I also take herbal meds such as > Oregamax and Echinacea for my immune system. My father's side of the family > all had cardiovascular issues, and so there's a good chance my high BP is > genetically based. However, I'm more active than any of them, and I don't > smoke like my parents did. You may have a genetic predisposition to high risk for CVD and hypertension, but it can be overcome (my family risk factors are the pits) by diet, exercise and some supplements, even, that have been studied and also anecdotally found very helpful to me and others. You should not be taking echinacea except for acute infections, BTW. It loses its anti-infection power, but may be worsening your allergies. I don't know about oregano. > > Hope this explains some things, and I certainly didn't think that my > original post would spark such controversy. > > Jean in VA Jean, I didn't see your original post, so I don't know what your other symptoms are or what the fuss was, but I hope this helps. Email me at mcfeinsNO@gmailNO.com by removing the NOs if you'd like. Susan
"Jean S. Barto" wrote: > > Hello again folks-- > > Here's some more information on my possible diabetic/metabolic syndrome > symptoms-- > > I have had the high BP readings for the better part of 5 years or > so--usually in the low 150s/high 80's to mid 90s--but they were actually > higher for a short time 2 years ago, when I was on BC pills and Effexor XR > at the same time. My weight was also out of control--I weighed in the mid > 160's at that time (highest weight of my life). I was taken off the BC > pills and started getting off the Effexor, and the BP lowered to my *usual* > high readings. However, on occasion in the past year when I've been > measured at the Dr's office, the BP has been in the high 120's to low > 130's/80's. The VA uses an *automatic* BP machine--which always gives a > higher reading than at home or when done with a *manual* BP instrument (I > cannot spell the *real* name of it). > > My other blood work has been very good up till now--total cholesterol in the > 160's--but I don't remember my scores for triglycerides, or my ratio. > Glucose scores were also supposedly normal. I don't know about Thyroid > scores. However, these test results are 2 years old and that's why I'm > having more blood drawn this week. > > I've also been running more since last July--after being fitted for some > orthotics--and being able to increase my running mileage gradually has > helped me to lose 17 lbs or so in the past year. My objective now is to > remain biomechanically healthy so I can increase my mileage--and get back to > the decent shape I was in 4 years ago--weight in the low to mid 120's and > back to running 25+ miles/week, and placing well in my age group in local 5K > and 10K races. I turn 50 in June and plan to run most of the local races > this spring and fall--and my two important races are a large regional 1/2 > marathon in September and a local 10 miler in November. > > I've been seen by both civilian and VA doctors, and while all have commented > on my high BP and threatened BP meds in the past, I told them I'd rather do > the diet and exercise modifications first. I no longer have civilian health > insurance, and so I'm seeing only the VA doctors now--and my PCP there is > the one who is now riding me about the BP issue, and who I'll be seeing > later this month--and who will also hear about my possible *diabetic* > symptoms when I see her. > > I have a home BP monitor but don't use it as much as I should--but when I do > take my own BP, it is in my habitual range. > > My meds now are the generic Ditropan, LoEstrin 1/20 BC pills Uh-oh. I would be concerned about someone with the risk factors of untreated hypertension, family history, and possible metabolic syndrome being on BC pills which will further increase the risk of CVD. > and 2.5 to 5 > mg Zyrtec for hives and seasonal allergies. I also take herbal meds such as > Oregamax and Echinacea for my immune system. My father's side of the family > all had cardiovascular issues, and so there's a good chance my high BP is > genetically based. However, I'm more active than any of them, and I don't > smoke like my parents did. Their having heart disease would still count as a risk factor for you. > Hope this explains some things, and I certainly didn't think that my > original post would spark such controversy. > > Jean in VA Would suggest that you discuss with your doctor whether it is wise for you continue on the BC pills. At His service, Andrew -- Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD Board-Certified Cardiologist ** Suggested Reading: (1) http://makeashorterlink.com/?L26062048 (2) http://makeashorterlink.com/?V113154DA (3) http://makeashorterlink.com/?X1C62661A (4) http://makeashorterlink.com/?U1E13130A (5) http://makeashorterlink.com/?K6F72510A (6) http://makeashorterlink.com/?I24E5151A (7) http://makeashorterlink.com/?I22222129
On Wed, 6 Apr 2005 11:34:44 -0400, "Jean S. Barto" wrote: |Hello again folks-- | |Here's some more information on my possible diabetic/metabolic syndrome |symptoms-- Hi Jean When is that doc's appointment? See that doc and get those tests - until then it's a guess. I re-read the thread. What controversy? Boy, if you thought that was a controversy you're in for a wild ride if you do qualify to join us and read here daily:-) Cheers Alan, T2, Australia. -- Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter. Related Discussion: The Holy Shroud (1 posts) Enbrel syringe assembly problem warning (4 posts) Re: New to Diabetes--please help (2 posts) FDA Approves Labeling Showing Orlistat Delays Onset of Type 2 Diabetes (1 posts) Top Discussions From Our Archives Obesity a Risk Factor for acid reflux disease & esophageal erosion Feedback on stressed in the city site Re: matt parker hacks mailboxes what constitutes violation of the confidentiality of mail Other Discussion Categories Diabetes Symptoms Health Care Policy Health Care Providers HMO Arthritis Symptoms
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