Not the news I wanted to hear, today...

But I am basically OK.

I had my treadmill stress test today...

My nurse practitioner stopped it after about 5 minutes, since my blood pressure was dangerously high...

And I felt quite short of breath.

So...in about a month, I have to have a nuclear stress test, where I will be injected with some dye so they can image my heart under stress and at rest.

And in the meantime, I'm on a new blood pressure medication...


Oh, and the noise my cardiologist heard in my right carotid artery? The report said "minor plaque."

No worries there. And my lab work is very good...

So...onward ...

I am dealing with it, one moment at a time...

I thank you for your support!

That's a little scary! Hopefully, the new BP meds will help, and your next test will be better.

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

I think it will help...

I have to tell you, I was scared, and upset...

But with your support, I am feeling a lot less isolated now.

I ain't dead yet! No plans for that for a long time now!

My doc wants me to monitor my BP at home for awhile,and let him know the results...

Which I am doing...

Thanks, sweetie...

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

I hope it will turn out to be a fixable problem.:hug:

It looks like it will be fixable...

Thanks, sweetie... :hug:

:hug:

Yes, I am taking steps...

I felt so discouraged today, because I have been working on this for awhile, and apparently without any good results...

But there are weapons in the arsenal, and I plan to make use of them!

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

He needs a triple bypass, looks like the VA will be paying for it.

Sorry to hear about your medical problem.

Everything will turn out OK.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

I don't think I'll need a bypass! :scared:

I didn't have any chest pain...just really elevated blood pressure...

Good vibes for your brother!

I should be OK, thanks, sweetie...:hug:

Everything will turn out OK.

It is best to try to be positive.

You are doing all the right things, getting proper medical care, taking care of yourself, and working through this emotionally with your friends.

I don't know if this will help, but I was in a very bad place with blood pressure a year ago, and with the right combo of meds, diet, and exercise, I came in at 124/73 today. I had really scary readings last year, some of it white coat fear, but definitely got my doc to stand up and pay attention!

Good luck, Peggy! You will get this under control and come through the other side healthier!

I've been working on my blood pressure for awhile, and even though I thought I was doing the right things, they were never enough!

So, now, new medication, and some further follow-up...

Just once, I'd love to go into my cardiologist's office and have my BP be normal!

Thanks for your support, sweetie...:hug:

You have been doing good things for yourself for some time now. I know you will prevail, and reach a healthier place!

Peggy and keeping a positive attitude! We're here for you whenever you need some good vibes or hugs. :loveya: :hug:

Thanks, sweetie...

I know you are, and it means the world...

:loveya: :hug:

:hug: Getting older isn't for wimps!

Yeah, it is scary...

Nothing like facing a crisis...

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

good news indeed!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

better...

:hug:

I think things will get better...

If I have any say-so, anyhow!

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

much, much worse. I'm so glad the carotid artery is not a major problem. Good luck getting that BP under control, sweetie. :hi: :hug:

Isn't it funny? The thing that took me in turns out not to be the problem after all!

I will get my BP under control, damn it!

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

Nice slow breaths. You'll be ok.

I am, and that's excellent advice.

Thanks, sweetie...I think I will be OK too...

:hug:

Hopefully everything will turn out OK:hug:

I truly appreciate your very kind wishes!

I think things will be OK in the long run...

:hug:

:hug:

Thank you, sweetie...

It means a lot, you know...

:hug:

I'm sure the new med will help a lot and you will be just fine.

:loveya:

Oh, you bet I am!

I have much to do in my life, yet...

Thank you, sweetie...

:loveya:

:hug:

But it can be dealt with. Once again, kudos to you for keeping tabs on things!

All the best.

Yeah, me too...

But what are you going to do? I'm not ready to roll over and die, just yet...

And you can believe I am dealing with it!

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

But good for you for being proactive about it!

:hug:

Hey, my doctor won't let me be anything but proactive!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

and you will be ok


being over a certain age (as we both are) is definately not for cowards and we are certainly not cowards , but we sure can get the sh--scared out of us!

Ah, I sure can get the sh-- scared out of me! Glad to hear I'm not the only one, lol!

But no coward, not me. Never. There's too much at stake...

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

I've had many of those same tests, and I'm still here. :hug:

Ah, I'm not afraid...not yet!

I really feel we will get a handle on this...

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

Glad to hear that the "noise" wasn't a big deal. That must have been a huge relief. Hope the new meds help you. :hug:

(P.S. Is the nuclear test the same as the "thallium" stress test? I had that at the same time as the treadmill test.)

I was happy too, about the "noise."

I think the new drug will help, but it's too soon to tell...It'll be a couple of weeks until we have a better idea about that.

I think the nuclear test could very well be the "thallium" test. One of the papers I got calls it the "TST."

Thanks for your very good wishes, sweetie!

:hug:

We are all around you like this ----> :grouphug:

And when we need a break to go pee, we make sure one person is around for this ---> :hug:

:hi:

i just have a feeling everything is going to turn out ok:pals:

I sure hope you're right!

Thank you, sweetie...:hug:

And you can believe that I feel this circle of love...so strongly!

This place we call the net is an amazing thing...

Thank you, sweetie...for being there for me!

:hug:

Hang in there my friend.

Ah, I will...

Definitely hanging in there!

Thank you, sweetie...

:hug:

I haven't taught you Linux yet!

LOL! Ah, you made me laugh, you did!

You'll have to show up here to teach me Linux, you know!;)

Nonetheless, I am taking care of myself...

Thank you, sweetie! :hug:

Sorry to hear about that, but best wishes for better results on the nuclear stress test.

We'll all be supporting you.

No doubt! This is such a stressful place!

We'll see what that nuclear test shows...I have no idea what's cooking inside my heart...

I cannot truly express how much your support means, sweetie...

:hug:

I'm so sorry things didn't turn out better for you.

Take good care of yourself.

:hug:

Well, that's life, right? Sometimes good, sometimes not...

I have to deal with it, and I am.

I'm doing the best I can to take care of myself.

Thanks, sweetie!

:hug:

Any suggestions from them, meanwhile?

Best thoughts to you... MMM

Well, I need to keep working out, taking my medicines, and measuring my blood pressure ...

And these are all things I've been doing...

Time will tell...

Thanks for your best thoughts, sweetie...

:hug:

:hug:

Thank you, sweetie...

:hug:

Thank you for the update...:hug:
Happy that the noise is nothing to cause worry...for you, and for all who love you..
I know you'll take good care of yourself....
All will be well...
One moment at a time...and we're here with you...
One moment at a time...



peace~

Of course...I thought all of you might want to know what's happening...

One moment at a time is all we have, isn't it?

And how precious they are...

I am very lucky in the people who love me...

Thank you, sweetie...

:hug:

You'll make it through. I haven't met you in person, only through this board and seen your pics. To me you look like a tough cookie, and you'll pull through.

All my best, Mark.

Aw, thanks for the hugs, Mark!

I expect to be OK, but time will tell...

Thank you!

:hug:

have`t had a test in 3 years...i really hate the treadmill...i`d rather do the chemical stress test.

the one i had at mayo clinic they used 120 grit sandpaper on my skin.....

good to hear everything went ok...

My doctor wouldn't let me go that long without testing...I have orders to get in every six months for a routine exam...

You mean the treadmill, right?

They can be very informative...

Take care of yourself...you matter to us!

:hug:

A big reason that I am taking a break from DU for about a year is that the Doctor can't decide whether the pain I'm experiencing is reflux, or whether my Gall Bladder wants a divorce. My BP is high for the first time ever, and I am 60 lbs overweight. I am not telling you this to get into a debate about comparative suffering. I merely suggest that if we don't invest some of the time we currently spend on DU into some aerobic exercise, neither of us may live to weld again.

Take good care!

I hear you! Actually, I do get to the gym on a regular basis...

Mon/Wed/Fri mornings, without fail. I missed Wed this week because that was the day of the treadmill test.

I hope your health concerns are rapidly and successfully resolved!

You take good care too, sweetie...:hug:

You have important battles yet to fight...

And hugs! xo

Ah, sweetie, and don't I know it!

Thank you so much...

Hugs back atcha! :hug: :hug:

Since I turned 40, health has gone downhill a bit. But you have to deal with it. I've had two "male plumbing" surgeries just this year. Both were comparatively easy, left me able to quickly recover, and (following recovery) totally satisfied with the guidance I'd had from my doctor.

I wish you the same luck....As our old friend Dan Rather would say, if he knew the situation, "Courage"

"Courage" indeed...

I'm glad to hear that your "male plumbing" surgeries went well, though I'm sorry you needed them...

I did have good news this time, just not about my BP and shortness of breath...

The sound my cardiologist heard in my right carotid artery (which is where all this started) was essentially nothing: according to the report, it was "minor plaque."

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

:hug: think positive...I'm sure it will turn out ok!

Ah, sweetie...you know I'm hanging tough!

Nothing to do but my best here.

Thanks, sweetie! :hug:

for tests and treatment immediately, so I hope this means nothing has reached a really threatening stage yet. Still, it's best to be on top of everything before it gets there.

It sucks to have to worry that your heart isn't as strong or clean as it used to be. I'm very sorry you are going through this. :hug:

I hope you are doing what you can do by yourself, eating right to lower your cholesterol, and exercising regularly. You are a nurse so I am sure you know what you need to be doing right now. :)

Beat the doctor to all that advice! Meet the doctor half way, and I'm sure it will help the medications do what they are supposed to be doing.

Please take care of yourself, and let us know how you're feeling. :hug: :loveya:

My doctor is very cautious and always keeps a close eye on me. I know he would have been rushing me through all these tests if things had looked really bad!

And you know I'm doing what I need to be doing! My cholesterol levels (all of them) are within the normal range and I am working out regularly! In fact, I will be at the gym this morning.

I will keep you informed, and I love your support, sweetie!

Thank you for being here for me... :hug: :loveya:

:hi: :hug:

I'm sure it will! I've only been on it for a couple of days, and that's too soon to expect any real results...

I'm not worried!

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

Pretty much everyone ends up with high blood pressure eventually and a bit of "plaque" eventually.

That is true, and good to remember...

However, the fact that my blood pressure went up as much as it did during the treadmill is cause for alarm, and for further investigation...

So...

We are investigating!

:hi:

:hug:

:hug:

I'm most definitely not at death's door!

I heard from my doctor today, and he suggests I persevere! He said it takes 7 to 10 days for a new blood pressure drug to produce stable results, and I've only just started it...

Thanks, sweetie... :hug:

Ah, no worries, sweetie...

My new medication is a very low dose, and so far I am tolerating it just fine.

I'm in touch with my doc via email, and he's very encouraging.

He wants me to persevere, and of course, I am!

Thanks...:hug:

You must "Endeavor to Persevere". And after you think about long enough, declare war on the plaque! :)

Sorry I missed this the other day. Glad to hear you're doing well! :loveya: :hug:

I am definitely persevering! I am by no means ready to shuffle off this mortal coil just yet...

I am doing well, and we'll see what the nuclear test at the end of the month shows.

Thanks, sweetie!

:loveya: :hug:

Health concerns can certainly take a toll. I hope the new blood pressure medication works out for you.

They can take a toll for sure...

I'll have a much better idea about the new medication in another week or so...

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

I'm sure you'll be fine; you're a tough one.:hug: :pals:

Hope you're right...

Some days, I'm not so sure of that...

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug: :pals:

my big vibes to you...:hug: :hug: :hug: :loveya: :loveya:


Beauty is always on the edge of being lost."...."Together we can save Eternity."

Aw, sweetie...

Thank you for the great vibes!

And the beautiful airplane...

:loveya: :hug:

I only treat people the way I want to be treated...

Thank you...

:hug: