Another day, another (early) appointment. Waking up early, showering, fasting, packing up breakfast for work, and meeting my doctor for my 6 month appointment. The usual. I usually schedule these appointments first thing in the morning, and I fast, even if they don’t tell me specifically to do it, because they almost always realize they missed a test and they need to poke again. And I’d rather do the test then and there, rather than come back another day, and miss some more odd hours from work.
They did my blood tests about 3 weeks ago (the every 3 month routine for that), and this was the follow-up of that, as well. The doctor was disappointed as all my cholesterols went up; the total went from 274 to 304. I assured her I am eating even healthier than before, so I am not sure what the deal is. Truth is, I am eating healthier, since my husband was diagnosed with diabetes, and overall, I think I am under less stress than earlier in the year. And yet, the numbers are up. True, I am not walking or hiking nearly as much as I did last summer, but still: 30 points is a significant jump, even for me! The blood pressure has been doing some insane things lately (like when it dropped to 60 over 40 during my stress test a couple of weeks ago).
The doctor was sort of blasé: she said: “Well, with you, you eat right, you take the pills and you pray for the best. But you never know what you’re gonna get!”. Isn’t she ever so right.
She is not going to add anything else to the drugs for now. Due to the fact that there is a laundry list of other symptoms completely unrelated to cholesterol that might be pointing to some hormonal dysfunctions, she is doing a thyroid test (I told you: more blood tests) today, and she is referring me to some specialists. She needs to rule out any hormonal changes and endocrinology-related malfunctions before she can attack the cholesterol with more drugs. She thinks that since cholesterol is a metabolism disease and metabolism is usually so influenced by glands and their well-being, she wants to check these out next, given my most recent symptoms.
Now, I am waiting on my thyroid test, which should be done tomorrow, but I am not sure when they will call me with it. After I hear the results from that one I will make the first appointment with the first specialist.
My next blood tests for cholesterol and liver functions are due in 3 more months, again. Yippee…
The complete panel:
Total cholesterol: 304 (from 274)
HDL cholesterol: 37 (from 34)
LDL Cholesterol: 248 (from 227)
Triglycerides: 96 (from 68)
The last tests were in August. I have to believe that the summer diet, of all fresh herbs and veggies, as well as regular walks weekly, as opposed to the semi-sedentary life of the winter has something to do with it. But all the other changes in my body have gotten me worried, so an extra check elsewhere should not hurt, I s’ppose.
Another new thing from the doc's office is that I got my first ever prescription for GENERIC lipitor! I have no idea how much this one is, with my insurance, but I will let you know. I have been on lipitor for 10 years or more and it's been always treated by all insurances as a non-preferred drug. I am dying to see what the generic lipitor is to my insurance.
Hoping for good news for all, till next time …
"In the end, when we look at our life, the questions will be simple: Did I live fully? Did I love well?"
(Jack Kornfield)
"The proper function of a man is to live, not to exist." (Jack London)
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Glow in the Dark Test
(well, sort of ...)
I tell you what – they’re going to either stress me out completely or totally distress me doing so many stress(ful) tests on me this year!
The first one I had earlier was just a “regular” stress test – for the very first time! Usually, they have done just the “nuclear” one in the past. This year, the new doc decided to go with the “regular” one first, and then decided that it was not very conclusive, so he ordered a nuclear one, to follow, as well. More trouble for me, more money for them – is how I look at it.
Although I have done the nuclear one at least twice if not three times at my old doctor’s office, in NC, I discovered that this one, another state, another clinic, was slightly different than before. I am still not nervous about it, except for the IV, which I hate, but I was surprised about some things that I was not familiar with, really.
First, they refer to it as the “thallium test”, not the “nuclear one”. So, I am not quite sure whether the substance they inject you with, the one that glows in the pictures, is the same as before. The sensation of cold, when the “poison” goes into your body is the same, however.
The nurse also asked me if I am going to travel by plane in the next week or so. I told her no, but I also asked her why she’s asking – this was the first time I was asked this. She said it’s because thallium will stay in my body for that long and I can set off a security metal detector at the airport because of it. My eyes must have popped out of my head, because she continued: “Oh, no, don’t worry. It is not harmful to anyone around you, nor the environment, so it’s OK!”. This time, I could not stand it, and blurted out: “Harmful to the ENVIRONMENT?? Or OTHER people?! What about to MYSELF? I am a walking, rusting (no doubt!) robot for a week but this is not harmful to ME?!”. She laughed it off and said no, but … are you really convinced?! I am not, and I am not usually paranoid about what might kill me. Just sounds a bit strange!
So, the drill with this test is: you go in preferably early in the morning, definitely fasting. They hook you up to an IV and you wait for about 40 minutes in the waiting room, till the thallium gets through your whole body, I guess. Then, they put you on a table, to take pictures of your heart. You wear a gown for your upper body but you can be dressed in your own clothes from the waist down.
After the pictures, you wait for another 40 minutes or so, not sure why. Then, they ask you to come in the treadmill room. You walk on the treadmill, with them increasing the speed every 3 minutes and the incline, as well. You have to keep going till you reach your required heartbeat rate for your age – mine is 156. At about 146 I thought I was going to choke! But I reached my peak, nonetheless.
My chest never did become heavy, but my throat always chokes up when I am running, like someone is literally strangling me. My throat just becomes very, very narrow, all of a sudden.
While you are running, a different nurse injects more thallium in your IV.
Towards the end of the exercise, they lowered this old fashioned X-ray machine and made me put my chest right up against it WHILE I was running, with an IV in my arm, and stickies with wires stuck all over my upper body, to measure my blood pressure and what not. This was, once again, something new to me. I am not sure what the X-ray machine measures, but I honestly don’t see how 90 year olds do this.
After I reached the heart speed they wanted, they slowed down the treadmill and I was walking normally after that, in a stroll pace. When I stepped down from the treadmill, I was extremely light headed. My blood pressure went during the exercise from 120 over 60 to 147 over 98, and then, within minutes, down to 60 over 40! No idea why!
The nurse shot about 4-5 syringes of saline into my IV and I started to come to. I also drank a lot of water. She did not release me from the room till she got a “normal” blood pressure and the headache and lightheadedness subsided.
After this, I went to the waiting room for another 40 minute wait, and this time, I ate a breakfast bar – as I was told that the fasting part of the test was over.
After another 40 minutes, I went back to the room with the machine that takes the heart pictures. For the pictures, you lie down on a very narrow wooden (I think) table, with your arms folded under your head. You are told to not move whatsoever, even if it is just to clear your throat. The pictures will be blurry otherwise and they will have to start over. You lay there for about 15 minutes while this massive moving metal machine goes around your chest from right to left and shoots pictures of your chest. The pictures show up on a computer screen somewhere, in the room, but the machine blocks your view, so you’re not seeing anything. The machine is not touching you, and although it is terribly close, you don’t panic, like in the MRI tube, from claustrophobia. Not the same feeling at all.
And after the second set of pictures you are done!
After a week or so, I got a call form my cardiologist’s nurse and she told me that the test was fine and that my heart can withstand exercise, so I should continue exercising as much as I can, and come back for another regular checkup in 6 more months.
Mystery solved – and now I am happy that this is behind me, too!
It’s not too bad of a test, and if it is indeed accurate about spotting blockages and their severity is pretty harmless and noninvasive to be worth while in knowing what you’re dealing with. The biggest inconveniences are that it takes about half of your day (and time off from work, etc) and the IV is not very pleasant. And I almost forgot: they sand down (yes, as in sandpaper!) the spots on your torso where they stick the sensors for the EKG wires. They use a small piece of sandpaper to make sure no oil or other residue is under that sensor. When you peel them off, you will lose some skin!
Aside from that, and considering that a regular dental cleaning is more bloody and messy than all this, this is pretty tame. Just don’t get thrown out of a flight for transporting liquid thallium in you! Plan your test a couple of weeks in advance of your flying trips, I’d say, and good luck with the results!
I tell you what – they’re going to either stress me out completely or totally distress me doing so many stress(ful) tests on me this year!
The first one I had earlier was just a “regular” stress test – for the very first time! Usually, they have done just the “nuclear” one in the past. This year, the new doc decided to go with the “regular” one first, and then decided that it was not very conclusive, so he ordered a nuclear one, to follow, as well. More trouble for me, more money for them – is how I look at it.
Although I have done the nuclear one at least twice if not three times at my old doctor’s office, in NC, I discovered that this one, another state, another clinic, was slightly different than before. I am still not nervous about it, except for the IV, which I hate, but I was surprised about some things that I was not familiar with, really.
First, they refer to it as the “thallium test”, not the “nuclear one”. So, I am not quite sure whether the substance they inject you with, the one that glows in the pictures, is the same as before. The sensation of cold, when the “poison” goes into your body is the same, however.
The nurse also asked me if I am going to travel by plane in the next week or so. I told her no, but I also asked her why she’s asking – this was the first time I was asked this. She said it’s because thallium will stay in my body for that long and I can set off a security metal detector at the airport because of it. My eyes must have popped out of my head, because she continued: “Oh, no, don’t worry. It is not harmful to anyone around you, nor the environment, so it’s OK!”. This time, I could not stand it, and blurted out: “Harmful to the ENVIRONMENT?? Or OTHER people?! What about to MYSELF? I am a walking, rusting (no doubt!) robot for a week but this is not harmful to ME?!”. She laughed it off and said no, but … are you really convinced?! I am not, and I am not usually paranoid about what might kill me. Just sounds a bit strange!
So, the drill with this test is: you go in preferably early in the morning, definitely fasting. They hook you up to an IV and you wait for about 40 minutes in the waiting room, till the thallium gets through your whole body, I guess. Then, they put you on a table, to take pictures of your heart. You wear a gown for your upper body but you can be dressed in your own clothes from the waist down.
After the pictures, you wait for another 40 minutes or so, not sure why. Then, they ask you to come in the treadmill room. You walk on the treadmill, with them increasing the speed every 3 minutes and the incline, as well. You have to keep going till you reach your required heartbeat rate for your age – mine is 156. At about 146 I thought I was going to choke! But I reached my peak, nonetheless.
My chest never did become heavy, but my throat always chokes up when I am running, like someone is literally strangling me. My throat just becomes very, very narrow, all of a sudden.
While you are running, a different nurse injects more thallium in your IV.
Towards the end of the exercise, they lowered this old fashioned X-ray machine and made me put my chest right up against it WHILE I was running, with an IV in my arm, and stickies with wires stuck all over my upper body, to measure my blood pressure and what not. This was, once again, something new to me. I am not sure what the X-ray machine measures, but I honestly don’t see how 90 year olds do this.
After I reached the heart speed they wanted, they slowed down the treadmill and I was walking normally after that, in a stroll pace. When I stepped down from the treadmill, I was extremely light headed. My blood pressure went during the exercise from 120 over 60 to 147 over 98, and then, within minutes, down to 60 over 40! No idea why!
The nurse shot about 4-5 syringes of saline into my IV and I started to come to. I also drank a lot of water. She did not release me from the room till she got a “normal” blood pressure and the headache and lightheadedness subsided.
After this, I went to the waiting room for another 40 minute wait, and this time, I ate a breakfast bar – as I was told that the fasting part of the test was over.
After another 40 minutes, I went back to the room with the machine that takes the heart pictures. For the pictures, you lie down on a very narrow wooden (I think) table, with your arms folded under your head. You are told to not move whatsoever, even if it is just to clear your throat. The pictures will be blurry otherwise and they will have to start over. You lay there for about 15 minutes while this massive moving metal machine goes around your chest from right to left and shoots pictures of your chest. The pictures show up on a computer screen somewhere, in the room, but the machine blocks your view, so you’re not seeing anything. The machine is not touching you, and although it is terribly close, you don’t panic, like in the MRI tube, from claustrophobia. Not the same feeling at all.
And after the second set of pictures you are done!
After a week or so, I got a call form my cardiologist’s nurse and she told me that the test was fine and that my heart can withstand exercise, so I should continue exercising as much as I can, and come back for another regular checkup in 6 more months.
Mystery solved – and now I am happy that this is behind me, too!
It’s not too bad of a test, and if it is indeed accurate about spotting blockages and their severity is pretty harmless and noninvasive to be worth while in knowing what you’re dealing with. The biggest inconveniences are that it takes about half of your day (and time off from work, etc) and the IV is not very pleasant. And I almost forgot: they sand down (yes, as in sandpaper!) the spots on your torso where they stick the sensors for the EKG wires. They use a small piece of sandpaper to make sure no oil or other residue is under that sensor. When you peel them off, you will lose some skin!
Aside from that, and considering that a regular dental cleaning is more bloody and messy than all this, this is pretty tame. Just don’t get thrown out of a flight for transporting liquid thallium in you! Plan your test a couple of weeks in advance of your flying trips, I’d say, and good luck with the results!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
This and That
Not much happening on the medical front lately. I have a thallium stress test scheduled for this Friday, and another doctor appointment in a week with my general doc, to follow up on the most recent labs and on the stress test. So, we shall see.
In the meantime, we have found out that my mom (not my dad who has been the designated “gifter” of the cholesterol and heart disease in my family) has been diagnosed with heart disease, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and cardiac insufficiency, whatever that might mean. She is still to undergo more tests, but basically – it’s all bad. Since her mom died of hear disease as well, I gotta wonder - did it really come all from dad, or … both?! It doesn’t really matter, of course, but just wondering. Plus, given her history, with her mom, this makes me very worried for her!
In the spirit of “I am sick of all this being sick, I’ll do something about it NOW”, I am determined to improve my exercise regimen, even if it’s the last thing I do! I am so saddened when I realize every day that I am a lard butt and do little to get my heart rate going! So, my priceless husband has bought a treadmill for me for Christmas, and I am determined to use it! Effectively and regularly! I live in a part of the world where winter is long and cold! I have no excuse now not to walk! I have a basement and although not finished, it’s never really too cold down there! I want to move. I want the rust to peel off my joints and arteries, and I want to be able to breath normal when I climb up one flight of stairs! I am determined! I will try to keep sort of a journal here, or somewhere to keep me motivated! But I – need – to – move!! Big time!
An interesting piece of news today was this article: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/coldflu/story/2011-12-14/Study-Statins-reduce-flu-death-risk-by-half/51914122/1. I knew they called them “miracle drugs” but I didn’t know they did everything! Also, all the doctors I have ever seen have ambushed me into a flu shot – and I have always managed to say “no, thank you” and gotten away with not having one – heart disease and all. And, thank God, I never get the flu! Sure, an occasional sneezy cold here and there, but almost never ever the flu! Of course, not sure whether the Lipitor does anything to it, but thought the article to be interesting, nonetheless.
Hope everyone is well and healthy and with ALL the numbers in check!
Trying out the new treadmill this weekend - my husband couldn't help it and snapped a picture with my phone. It shall be used. I promise you! The treadmill, not the phone, that is. :-)
In the meantime, we have found out that my mom (not my dad who has been the designated “gifter” of the cholesterol and heart disease in my family) has been diagnosed with heart disease, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and cardiac insufficiency, whatever that might mean. She is still to undergo more tests, but basically – it’s all bad. Since her mom died of hear disease as well, I gotta wonder - did it really come all from dad, or … both?! It doesn’t really matter, of course, but just wondering. Plus, given her history, with her mom, this makes me very worried for her!
In the spirit of “I am sick of all this being sick, I’ll do something about it NOW”, I am determined to improve my exercise regimen, even if it’s the last thing I do! I am so saddened when I realize every day that I am a lard butt and do little to get my heart rate going! So, my priceless husband has bought a treadmill for me for Christmas, and I am determined to use it! Effectively and regularly! I live in a part of the world where winter is long and cold! I have no excuse now not to walk! I have a basement and although not finished, it’s never really too cold down there! I want to move. I want the rust to peel off my joints and arteries, and I want to be able to breath normal when I climb up one flight of stairs! I am determined! I will try to keep sort of a journal here, or somewhere to keep me motivated! But I – need – to – move!! Big time!
An interesting piece of news today was this article: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/coldflu/story/2011-12-14/Study-Statins-reduce-flu-death-risk-by-half/51914122/1. I knew they called them “miracle drugs” but I didn’t know they did everything! Also, all the doctors I have ever seen have ambushed me into a flu shot – and I have always managed to say “no, thank you” and gotten away with not having one – heart disease and all. And, thank God, I never get the flu! Sure, an occasional sneezy cold here and there, but almost never ever the flu! Of course, not sure whether the Lipitor does anything to it, but thought the article to be interesting, nonetheless.
Hope everyone is well and healthy and with ALL the numbers in check!
Trying out the new treadmill this weekend - my husband couldn't help it and snapped a picture with my phone. It shall be used. I promise you! The treadmill, not the phone, that is. :-)
Monday, December 5, 2011
Holiday Eats
I think you don’t have to be a genius to know that this is the hardest time of the year for keeping a healthy diet! Of course, when you try to eat low fat and no oils nor saturated fats, and low sugar is doubly hard, but generally speaking, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is terror to our arteries and hearts for all of us!
Typically, all during the year, I try to eat just white meat poultry and fish, always. Around this time of the year, however, the options are turkey, duck and ham! I used to buy small Cornish hens (which are actually not that low in fat, really) for Thanksgiving, when I was single, but now, it’s turkey, all the way.
And then, there is the ham! My favorite meat in the whole world, but of which I eat only twice a year – for Easter and Christmas – and maybe New Years, too. Then, all the fixings. If I cook myself, I try to make wise choices: Smart Balance instead of butter, turkey bacon if I want to cook with bacon, 2% milk, fat free shredded cheese for chowders, and the likes. When I do have a choice, I try to be careful what I chose, and use plenty of spices and herbs, to not skimp on the flavor.
In the mornings, and when eating normal meals, not over visits with friends, I stick to my healthy meals – lots of fiber and some greens. Being Eastern Orthodox, I have a “good excuse” to not eat animal products twice a week, from about 6 weeks before, until Christmas, too – so this helps to keep me “in line”, as well. I have kept this tradition since I was a child, mostly for health reasons, and secondly for religious ones.
My husband loves to bake, but lately, he’s been using half the amount of sugar a recipe needs, he replaces butter with vegetable margarine, or Smart Balance, and he makes mostly oatmeal cookies lately – yum! He has also used flaxseed and wheat flours, too.
When I visit other folks, my focus is on portion size, since I have no control over what goes in the dish. I can’t have 15 pieces of ham, no matter how much I love it. And I try to go for the greens – green beans, salads, and no casseroles, if I can, as I am sure everyone uses the “real deal” ingredients in everything else.
We went to our first Christmas party this weekend, and I had a sautéed chicken breast, with mashed potatoes and a spinach salad. I had literally two bites of my husband’s cheesecake, and water to drink. I was full, and never felt like I was missing out. I am somewhat lucky, too, to not care for red meat nor sweets much – so the choices were easier. I also try to focus on the atmosphere and the experience of getting together and celebrating the old year, more than making it about the food.
Just like when I travel, I try not to obsess over the foods on a time like The Holidays. I try to enjoy the moment and tell myself that I can be careful without making my choices the center of my life. In fact, most people that don’t know me very, very well, have no idea I watch what I eat. I always get the “why are YOU dieting? You’re nothing but a little bit!” spiel, and I dread going into details – out of lack of patience more than anything.
But if I go tomorrow, in a middle of a heart attack, I tell you this much: I would regret not having that ham more than I would be proud of myself for always sticking to carrots and cold water fish! There is a time for everything, and at Holidays time, it’s time to enjoy what the table has to offer, but only remember to keep size in check.
Happy Holiday Season to all, and happy eating, too!
Typically, all during the year, I try to eat just white meat poultry and fish, always. Around this time of the year, however, the options are turkey, duck and ham! I used to buy small Cornish hens (which are actually not that low in fat, really) for Thanksgiving, when I was single, but now, it’s turkey, all the way.
And then, there is the ham! My favorite meat in the whole world, but of which I eat only twice a year – for Easter and Christmas – and maybe New Years, too. Then, all the fixings. If I cook myself, I try to make wise choices: Smart Balance instead of butter, turkey bacon if I want to cook with bacon, 2% milk, fat free shredded cheese for chowders, and the likes. When I do have a choice, I try to be careful what I chose, and use plenty of spices and herbs, to not skimp on the flavor.
In the mornings, and when eating normal meals, not over visits with friends, I stick to my healthy meals – lots of fiber and some greens. Being Eastern Orthodox, I have a “good excuse” to not eat animal products twice a week, from about 6 weeks before, until Christmas, too – so this helps to keep me “in line”, as well. I have kept this tradition since I was a child, mostly for health reasons, and secondly for religious ones.
My husband loves to bake, but lately, he’s been using half the amount of sugar a recipe needs, he replaces butter with vegetable margarine, or Smart Balance, and he makes mostly oatmeal cookies lately – yum! He has also used flaxseed and wheat flours, too.
When I visit other folks, my focus is on portion size, since I have no control over what goes in the dish. I can’t have 15 pieces of ham, no matter how much I love it. And I try to go for the greens – green beans, salads, and no casseroles, if I can, as I am sure everyone uses the “real deal” ingredients in everything else.
We went to our first Christmas party this weekend, and I had a sautéed chicken breast, with mashed potatoes and a spinach salad. I had literally two bites of my husband’s cheesecake, and water to drink. I was full, and never felt like I was missing out. I am somewhat lucky, too, to not care for red meat nor sweets much – so the choices were easier. I also try to focus on the atmosphere and the experience of getting together and celebrating the old year, more than making it about the food.
Just like when I travel, I try not to obsess over the foods on a time like The Holidays. I try to enjoy the moment and tell myself that I can be careful without making my choices the center of my life. In fact, most people that don’t know me very, very well, have no idea I watch what I eat. I always get the “why are YOU dieting? You’re nothing but a little bit!” spiel, and I dread going into details – out of lack of patience more than anything.
But if I go tomorrow, in a middle of a heart attack, I tell you this much: I would regret not having that ham more than I would be proud of myself for always sticking to carrots and cold water fish! There is a time for everything, and at Holidays time, it’s time to enjoy what the table has to offer, but only remember to keep size in check.
Happy Holiday Season to all, and happy eating, too!
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