Regular Guy, Brian Sloan, right here in order to share with you all a funny story. It's really a little bit embarrassing. However, throughout all of my article writing within the last number of years, it seems that folks prefer to check out how I make a horse's backside out of myself rather than reading some of my "amazing" insights concerning the condition of the planet. And, although this situation was not actually a big blunder on my part, I suspect this happened to be one of my most intimidating and embarrassing physician's visits ever. Fortunately, I have never had any significantly bad health disorders that couldn't be managed. But for the entertainment value of this story, just file away this fact. I had been having to take Amlodipine for minor high blood pressure for quite some time.
But, that ailment was in check - I assumed. But one issue actually was not. Here it is - fun, fun: I've had chronic prostate troubles for a lot of years (BPH - Benign prostatic hyperplasia, I think that is the condition). And it's somewhat annoying. Now, I'm thankful that it isn't cancerous. I've had some friends who had to go through that. But my condition is certainly not that serious. It's found in plenty of older gentlemen generally. But I've endured the stupid thing for many, many years. It feels like I was diagnosed around the age of ten. "Mrs. Sloan, just thought I would let you know that your child has a prostate gland approximately the overall size of a small refrigerator. But don't worry, we will certainly try to stop the thing from getting really large." SAY WHAT?? Oh, man, I have lived with this for a long period of time. I'm 54. And I mean, it's not like it's a matter that I bring up at parties. "Hey, guess what? I had this dude in a white coat who clearly just won the world's biggest finger contest ram his whole arm up my keister today! More chips, please." NO.... It's one of those things you just attempt to keep quiet about, hope it will get better, and you never bring it up at the dinner table.
Well, at any rate I was minding my own business, just trying to see my MD, considering that's what he makes me do frequently pertaining to my issue. As I recall the small refrigerator sized gland was infected. So, here I was, patiently waiting for my physician to come into the room. He's honestly a terrific person and our families were acquainted long before I started going to him as my M.D. And, I gotta tell you, it doesn't matter who it might be, if you're seated in that small room getting ready for the doc to come on in and do the dreaded finger routine, you ARE NOT relaxed.
So, I'm sitting there in my not relaxed, hurry up, get in here and let's get this over attitude, and then it occurred. And I had no idea whatsoever that something like this could affect my blood pressure the way this situation would. But, what the doctor's office had failed to tell me was that my physician was not around that particular day and his physician's assistant, a sweet young FEMALE, was ready to see me. And please understand that I'm not a sexist who doesn't want women in the medical profession. And I do believe that we need plenty of competent ladies throughout the health care profession. I simply didn't want one of them right there in that particular room at that particular moment.
Well, first she commences bombarding me with questions but in the process of doing so, checked my blood pressure. Upon doing so the good doctor didn't do very well concealing a distressing amount of concern. "Mr. Sloan, your blood pressure is extremely high." I really don't remember the doctor's exact wording or the blood pressure numbers. She took it once again and I think it was even worse then. If I correctly remember she asked me whether or not I get white coat hypertension at the physician's office. Of course the answer was yes, but I neglected to tell her that the real ailment that I had was FMPIWCH (Female Medical Person In a White Coat Hypertension).
So, bless her heart, she's now so concerned that this guy's going to have a stroke in her office, that she suggested that I lay back on the exam table, let her turn off the lights and she would leave for a few minutes in order for me to rest and calm down, then she would come back in a bit. Well, the problem with her strategy was that the chances were highly against her getting a complete sex change operation in the next few minutes and come strolling back into the room as a male doctor. So I lay there, practically in the dark on a hard examination room table and tried to relax.....uh huh. But it wasn't going to happen.
Well, she came back into the room about 10 minutes later, but again discovered my BP to be fairly high, approved for me a higher dose of amlodipine for my hypertension, didn't even examine my prostate at all, and advised me to see my regular doctor concerning that particular problem! So maybe she appreciated my anxiety after all. And, subsequently we determined that she had made a good call. I truly did need a greater dose of the Amlodipine for my blood pressure problem in general, no matter of what medical professional was lined up to check the prostate. And they consistently need to emphasize to me to take those blood pressure pills consistently.
I have worked out, watched my eating plan and shed some substantial pounds lately that did lower my blood pressure levels. Yet, I still have to take the medication. Despite my amusement and humiliation regarding this adventure, our blood pressure is something that we surely have to keep under control. Hypertension isn't referred to as the silent killer for no reason. Get it checked. See to it that you follow your physician's directions and don't ever let high blood pressure put you at risk of serious or deadly physical conditions.
Have yourself a terrific week!
But, that ailment was in check - I assumed. But one issue actually was not. Here it is - fun, fun: I've had chronic prostate troubles for a lot of years (BPH - Benign prostatic hyperplasia, I think that is the condition). And it's somewhat annoying. Now, I'm thankful that it isn't cancerous. I've had some friends who had to go through that. But my condition is certainly not that serious. It's found in plenty of older gentlemen generally. But I've endured the stupid thing for many, many years. It feels like I was diagnosed around the age of ten. "Mrs. Sloan, just thought I would let you know that your child has a prostate gland approximately the overall size of a small refrigerator. But don't worry, we will certainly try to stop the thing from getting really large." SAY WHAT?? Oh, man, I have lived with this for a long period of time. I'm 54. And I mean, it's not like it's a matter that I bring up at parties. "Hey, guess what? I had this dude in a white coat who clearly just won the world's biggest finger contest ram his whole arm up my keister today! More chips, please." NO.... It's one of those things you just attempt to keep quiet about, hope it will get better, and you never bring it up at the dinner table.
Well, at any rate I was minding my own business, just trying to see my MD, considering that's what he makes me do frequently pertaining to my issue. As I recall the small refrigerator sized gland was infected. So, here I was, patiently waiting for my physician to come into the room. He's honestly a terrific person and our families were acquainted long before I started going to him as my M.D. And, I gotta tell you, it doesn't matter who it might be, if you're seated in that small room getting ready for the doc to come on in and do the dreaded finger routine, you ARE NOT relaxed.
So, I'm sitting there in my not relaxed, hurry up, get in here and let's get this over attitude, and then it occurred. And I had no idea whatsoever that something like this could affect my blood pressure the way this situation would. But, what the doctor's office had failed to tell me was that my physician was not around that particular day and his physician's assistant, a sweet young FEMALE, was ready to see me. And please understand that I'm not a sexist who doesn't want women in the medical profession. And I do believe that we need plenty of competent ladies throughout the health care profession. I simply didn't want one of them right there in that particular room at that particular moment.
Well, first she commences bombarding me with questions but in the process of doing so, checked my blood pressure. Upon doing so the good doctor didn't do very well concealing a distressing amount of concern. "Mr. Sloan, your blood pressure is extremely high." I really don't remember the doctor's exact wording or the blood pressure numbers. She took it once again and I think it was even worse then. If I correctly remember she asked me whether or not I get white coat hypertension at the physician's office. Of course the answer was yes, but I neglected to tell her that the real ailment that I had was FMPIWCH (Female Medical Person In a White Coat Hypertension).
So, bless her heart, she's now so concerned that this guy's going to have a stroke in her office, that she suggested that I lay back on the exam table, let her turn off the lights and she would leave for a few minutes in order for me to rest and calm down, then she would come back in a bit. Well, the problem with her strategy was that the chances were highly against her getting a complete sex change operation in the next few minutes and come strolling back into the room as a male doctor. So I lay there, practically in the dark on a hard examination room table and tried to relax.....uh huh. But it wasn't going to happen.
Well, she came back into the room about 10 minutes later, but again discovered my BP to be fairly high, approved for me a higher dose of amlodipine for my hypertension, didn't even examine my prostate at all, and advised me to see my regular doctor concerning that particular problem! So maybe she appreciated my anxiety after all. And, subsequently we determined that she had made a good call. I truly did need a greater dose of the Amlodipine for my blood pressure problem in general, no matter of what medical professional was lined up to check the prostate. And they consistently need to emphasize to me to take those blood pressure pills consistently.
I have worked out, watched my eating plan and shed some substantial pounds lately that did lower my blood pressure levels. Yet, I still have to take the medication. Despite my amusement and humiliation regarding this adventure, our blood pressure is something that we surely have to keep under control. Hypertension isn't referred to as the silent killer for no reason. Get it checked. See to it that you follow your physician's directions and don't ever let high blood pressure put you at risk of serious or deadly physical conditions.
Have yourself a terrific week!
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Check out more of Brian's writing style and Ways to deal with high Blood Pressure, Also check out the home page Amlodipine Side Effects