ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: Lorenzo on January 27, 2008, 11:53:59 pm
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Hi All,
I've been away from the forum for quite a while now, first due to a long trip to the US, then on my return I decided to follow up on my White Coat Hypertensive incident, which, as it turns out, was anything but that. I have now high blood pressure! I guess I had one espresso that must have tipped the balance! lol So been busy with that and dealing with it, making changes and so on.
But, other than that, things seem to be fine. AN is as dead as the Dodo, and that feels good. Of course, not everything is rosy, as I found out when I went back to work and had a mini-meltdown due to noise level at college. So I have to deal with that one too and get a special tutorial room sorted out so I can work. Not sure that'll work.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that things are fine, live goes on, and that I plan to return here a little more again, now that the routine has returned.
Ciao
Lorenzo
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Well welcome back, Lorenzo.
I am sorry to hear about the BP, but somehow it seems like an ordinary "normal" person kind of medical issue that "regular" people get. Nothing exotic about it at all. So you can take it as a sign that you are back to being a regular normal person, subject to the usual and ordinary trials and tribulations of life. Except for the hearing issue and tinnitus, of course, which will remind you from time to time of where you really belong.
Does this mean no more espresso? That would be a loss. Can you get ear plugs to help manage the room noise?
Happy 2008.
Steve
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Happy New Year to you to Steve! :)
Apologies, I didn't mean to imply that my blood pressure problem was connected to my AN. I have no idea one way or the other. It's pretty normal thing to get I guess, so many people do. I'll just have to change my life a little.
As for being normal, hearing and tinnitus, yes, they remind us regularly where we are. So did the noise induced anxiety issue I had last week. I guess if I needed any reminding that this does not just go away, that was it. Sobering reminder, and a somewhat depressing one at that. 'Normal' after all, regardless of how I might feel, does not mean normal at all. I had forgotten.
Espresso. Well, it is a loss, and a big one for me. I'll see, I have not given up hope to be able to drink decaf espressi anyway. Trial period for now, no coffee at all.
Unfortunately ear plugs in a tutorial / lecturing situation do not work. Only silence, and one-on-one tutoring can solve the problem. Looking into changing my working conditions here. Have to, or the only other option is to leave.
Big year ahead. :) Hope you're doing well.
Ciao
Lorenzo
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Welcome Back ,Lorenzo!
You have been missed. Figured you were resting up from your trip and all of the great news! Many friends who have high blood pressure have told me that it is easy to control with diet and life style changes. I have low blood pressure, so I have to do jumping jacks before I get mine checked! lol. Glad to have you back!
We are throwing beads in Texas right now, so here's a Happy Mardi Gra to you ::)
Brenda
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Thanks Brenda!
Rested up alright, and a few other things too! lol Yes, life style change wiil help, more walking, less eating, and so on. sigh. No that I overeat mind you... I don't think..
throwing beads? As that what one does during Mardi Gras? I should even use that word, gras, might up my BP! lol
have fun. good to be back.
Ciao, Lorenzo
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Lorenzo,
We've missed you! You came to the States and didn't come visit anyone? That's just wrong! Glad to hear you are doing ok! I'm in the same boat as you as my doctor has been telling me that we have to do something about my blood pressure. My BP has always been good or on the lower side, then all of the sudden it started on the upper end and he's not happy about it. I keep telling him I get stressed too easily. I hope things work out for you in your job, that always seems to be the culprit, doesn't it? Anyway, glad you're back and take care of yourself!
~Karen
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HI Karen,
:) Shhhhhh... I did visit a few... lol
So you suddenly have BP problem too? I wonder. Work works me up to the point of having had to take sick leave for a month last year. The thing is, do we get stressed too easily and get high blood pressure, or is it BECAUSE we have high blood pressure that we get stressed easily? One thing the doc said is to cut back on stress. Right. What he didn't tell me was how exactly I'm supposed to do that. lol I found two options, both of which involve not getting so involved in the work situation. We'll see how it goes.
Good to be back here Karen, nice to see you. Mind yourself.
Ciao, Lorenzo :)
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Well, once again, I seem to do things the opposite way of everyone else - I had high BP before the AN surgery and now it's normal to a little low.
So, Lorenzo, I will gladly take on the task of drinking the espresso in your honor. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. And speaking of dirty jobs, throwing beads is just one of the things that goes on at Mardi Gras! :o
Lori
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Yeah, I didn't learn about anything BUT throwing beads until a couple of years ago when I wore beads at school and my principal ask me if I got one of those everytime I flashed my ****s!!!!!!!!??????????!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my...
Lori~ I think I need to drink some of the espresso too -- you don't get it all!!! :o)
K
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K - I don't know - you'll be too busy flashing - you don't want to spill any! ;D
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I can multi-task -- I wouldn't spill a drop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o
K
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Hi there Lorenzo: I discovered I had high BP after surgery (too). Don't know if it would have happened anyway (age, family history, etc) or not.
I've been on antihypertensive & that did the trick. Sorry about the espresso.....
I had gotten a doctor's note to excuse me from large meetings. As it's not imperative that I attend these mtgs., I find out what went on from coworkers.
If that would be doable in your situation, I recommend it as single sided deafness is a disability as far as I'm concerned, & here in the states employers
have to make reasonable allowances for this.
Okay buddy, glad your back!! Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Nancy,
What kind of meds are antihypertensive? I'm just wondering what my doc might want to do with me next?
~Karen
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Hi Karen: Antihypertensives is a broad name for the different classifications of meds that lower the blood pressure.
Examples would be beta blockers, diuretics, etc. (can't think of the others right now - geez louise...).
If your doc feels things like diet change, lifestyle change (like meditating to decrease stress, 'quit smoking' - my problem), exercise aren't enough to lower your BP,
he/she may want to try one or another of these drugs.
Too bad we can't be given a prescription for a 2 week vacation of our choice (imagine the insurance company paying for that!).
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wow, looks like I started something here, a thread about bead throwing! Now, remember, yer talking to an ignorant European who has never thrown a single bead in his life. So, WHAT exactly are you talking about??? :)
As for the espresso drinking by proxy, thanks. I shall try and imagine that. In the meantime, I think I will find out if I can still drink decaf. Otherwise my days as a serial espresso drinker are over! I guess I had a good run at it, maybe it's time to pass the torch. Lori, you've got the right name, so it's up to you now! :)
Hi Nancy, good to see you. Unfortunately it's not meetings that are the problem, I avoid those like the plague anyway if I can getaway with it. The problem is more one of working in a class room / studio situation, with 30 students, most of whom are talking, simultaniously, as young people do in general. NOT a good place to be. Then there's the staff canteen which I won't go to, or the student canteen which makes the staff one sound like a church during service, and the lobby, which I have to traverse with my ears plugged.
I think I just get a note from my doctor to excuse me from the work place. Might be easier than negotiating the various auditory obstacles.
The drug I'm on now i caleld something like LINISOPRIL; I'm not good withd rug's names. Low dose ACE inhibitor, whatever that is. I'll find out more once I havea chance.
Ciao, Lorenzo
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OK...so I am just a dumb, naive blond, but what I THINK is done at Mardi Gras is something about women baring their chests and each time they do it, they get another strand of beds to wear. Is that right? I always thought that they just threw out beads off the parade floats -- that is how I actually got my beads. One of my students went to a Mardi Gras parade and brought them back to me! Hopefully she wasn't showing her chest since she was only in 3rd grade!!!!!!! :o)
K
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ah... right. hence the word 'gras'. ok. :)
Thanks for that explanation. Ciao, Lorenzo
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K - sounds like you're not quite as naive as you once thought! And Lorenzo, if you can't make it to Mardi Gras, they do the same thing on St.Patrick's Day in Savannah, Georgia.
And as luck would have it, no sooner do I agree to take up the slack by being the official espresso drinker - than the espresso maker decides to die! I turned around to find a waterfall of hot water onto my counter this morning and not a drop of anything drinkable in the pot! I guess I'll have to jumpstart my day with plain old coffee until my husband can fix it. At least there's a Starbuck's down the street - nothing like shelling out $5 for a cup of coffee. geez....
Lori >:( (this is me before morning coffee..)
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better only be espresso coffee "beads" being tossed around here! ;)
*runs in, gives Lorenzo BIG HUGGLE from the whirly girly of the best coast*
You've been missed, you "bloke"... Skype sometime?
Phyl
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Nancy,
Thanks for the explanation, I really don't know that much about drugs considering all the junk I've taken over the years! It's funny, but a few months ago I refused going on BP meds for another condition called "raynauds" which is partly why I am so cold all the time. My guess would be that those bp meds would increase my bp tho, in order to get the blood flowing to my hands and feet more. My hands and feet are always cold, even in warmer weather. It's not warm enough for me unless it's about 70. All winter long I keep saying I should have been a bear so I can hibernate until spring! Then again, I do like the idea of a prescription for a vacation for #1 the stress; and #2 to get away from the cold! Who wants to come??
~Karen
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Lorenzo,
You do realize espresso has less caffeine than regular coffee, because of the steamed process. My husband has high BP, he takes meds and he still drinks espresso. Moderation my dear friend. I wish you much luck as you walk down this road. I can give up sweets, pasta, but not my espresso.
Anne Marie
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Tossing beads on Paddy's Day?? he would be SHOCKED! Such profane activity on a Saint's day! lol :) I think they should introduce that here. Eevn better, bring you lot out for the national parade in Dublin then you can do a demo.
Hi Anne Marie, I know, espresso has 1/3 of the caffeine of normal coffee, mainly because it goes through the grinds quickly and also because it's arabica, which is lower than Robusta coffee which is normally used for instant and lesser coffees. Moderation, yes. I just wanted to try and see if it made a difference. I mostly drank decaf anyway, so no great change at all if any. What I will stop is the espressi out at coffee bars unless I can get a decaf. At home I can control that, out it's not easy.
Karen, the meds I'm on work by dilating the blood vessels to facilitate the blood flow, therefore lowering the pressure. Might well work for Reynauds? Now, where exactly ddi you have in mind for that vacation?
Phyl, skype sometime soon. I'll see you, you 'lass'
Ciao, Lorenzo
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Lorenzo,
Send me your address and I will send you some green beads for St Paddy's Day. I got lots!!!!!
Hugs,
Brenda
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Brenda,
The beads are not the problem, it's the recipients that are, sort of lacking in bare chested woman on floats on Paddy's Day. At least, I haven't seen any. Then again, maybe they don't show them on TV. PErhaps next time Texas sends over a contingent for the main parade in Dublin, instead of sending over cheerleaders, they should send over some bead receivers! :) I am SURE the parade would gain in popularity no end! :)
Ciao, Lorenzo
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Lorenzo,
You've got it wrong, the bare chested women aren't on the floats handing out the beads, they are the watchers and they flash the floats and parades as they go by to get the beads.........................you've got plenty of women watching the parades, right??
Hugs,
Brenda
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*ahem... folks.... lets keep the convo off woman body parts, ok?*
SKYPE, YAY! :)
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Lorenzo,
I really don't understand much about blood pressure. I figured high blood pressure means that it's going too fast through you so I would think that would warm you up?? I have no clue, really. I would never make a good doctor when it comes to remembering all that technical stuff! I figure a vacation to any place that's warmer than it is here. Actually, I prefer anything up around 70F or higher! I usually get this way around January and decide I probably should have been a bear. That way I could have hibernated all winter! I hope your BP is doing better these days and glad to see your smiling face back on the forum :)
~Karen
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Ah, I see... now I get the idea. ok, thanks for clarifying that for me. Won't mention it again, ma'am.
Blood pressure. I'm not an expert but that's the way I see it, as sort of explained to me by my GP. High blood pressure means that blood flow is restricted for whatever reason, so the pressure needs to be higher to keep the blood flow at a normal level. Which means the heart is working harder to. Taking drugs to dilate the blood vessels increases the blood flow, eases the flow, makes for less stress on the heart too. So that's probably why they wanted you to go on drugs for HBP for your Raynauds. Anybody a better explanation? Seems to make sense to me in your case. You know, I think we do sort of hibernate anyway, lol Our bodies slow down in winter, naturally. Personally I'd prefer to be wide awake and live somewhere warm. Wouldn't want to miss a bit of this life!
I am glad to be back, missed it. BP is still up, but this is just the start of a long journey. It'll take a bit of time to get it back to normal.
ciao, Lorenzo
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Lorenzo,
More New years purging of closets…ckecking in on the forum during coffee break here… Many ‘celebratory bead stings’ from various (clothed ;) :D) festivals are in a box to go off to the Goodwill… but before I drive anywhere where - I will stop in at Peet’s coffee and order a caramel latte. (Thanks to YOU Lorenzo I am SO addicted now- it IS better than Starbucks- I now agree). MMM maybe I should ask for a 'decaf'.
“How Peet’s Saved my Life� (then got me addicted)
( RE http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/books/review/Genzlinger-t.html ) ;) :D ;D
I am so glad you are back Lorenzo. I just knew you would be! :)
Have you ever thought of becoming a distance education on-line instructor?
Here are some quick examples.
http://www.aionline.edu/degrees/graphic-design/?keyword=graphic%20arts%20education&publisherSite=DSGoogle
http://www.artinstitutes.edu/portland/programs_degrees.asp?pid=10&dtid=5&display=program&keyword=graphic%20art%20schools&publisherSite=DSGoogle
http://www.learn4good.com/distance_learn/distance_learn_canada.htm
http://www.distance-learning.ca/
http://www.open.ac.uk/
My own parents were pioneers in starting this institution- back in the 1960-80’s
http://www.athabascau.ca/
We may have come out of this AN journey with some ‘disabilities’ but I’ll bet also some new ‘abilities’. Many of us just simply gained some more internet experience by conversing on this forum alone ...and researching links and trying to post photos etc. I know this forum made a huge difference in my recovery. The internet has opened up a whole new world (and job market) that never existed when you and I (us ‘old’ baby boomers LOL) were college aged kids.
I hope you and Capt Deb are still mulling over the idea that at the next ANA symposium we should look at opening up an art exhibit of healing AN’ers work in the conference center foyer. (And any other talented and creatively challenged artists from the ANA community that finds visual arts therapeutic.)
(Did anyone reading here ever sit in the waiting area at HEI and notice the multi-media artwork “Vestibular Journey�?… It would be prefect to put on exhibit at a ANA symposium! If they are willing to loan it for an exhibit.)
I think not just ‘physical rehabilitation’ but also ‘vocational rehabilitation’ are all part of the healing process
Maybe make another post on our “classroom noise� thread.
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=5313.0
You could cut & paste your original text on this thread…and see what others, with experiences similar to yours, might also suggest (reply-post)
Lorenzo - Get yourself your own cappuccino- espresso maker. I will ship you some Peet’s BEANS (not beads ;) :D) and you can make your own decaf (You can probably order on-line from USA to Ireland) and start firing out some resumes. As your on-line colleague (buddy and pal) I would be happy to give you a reference… as I know you would be a great on-line instructor. (Fire me an e-mail.)
These obstacles, I am finding, can be overcome with some ideas, encouragement and positive thoughts from ANA buddies.
I hope these ideas lower you BP levels ole buddy! (All that eating out in American restaurants might not have been too good for you sodium levels either)
Take care and KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
Cheers,
4 :)
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My simplified nursing school explanation of blood pressure in lay man terms....
blood pressure is a measure of the amount of pressure on the blood vessel walls as the blood is going through. The top number is when the heart is squeezing the blood out and the bottom number is when the heart is refilling with blood - which is why the top number is higher - it's being squeezed through. If you try to put a gallon of water through a 1/2 inch hose, it will take more pressure to get it in there than trying to put the same amount of water through a 2 inch hose.
The drugs that dilate your blood vessels make it easier for the blood to get through the pipes, hence, less pressure on the vessel walls, and the less stress is put on the heart because it doesn't have to try so hard to get the blood to where it's going.
There are all kinds of blood pressure meds out - some that dilate blood vessels, some that help to remove some of the excess fluid from the blood, because decreasing the volume can decrease the pressure, some that can regulate the heart rate so that it can pump more efficiently. It all depends on the underlying cause of your high blood pressure.
And that, in a nut shell, is our science lesson for today. This may come in handy while watching Jeopardy some day. ;)
Lori
p.s. and good news! My espresso maker is fixed!!! ;D
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Thank you very much for the explanations. You learn something new every day and if I would have read this earlier, I could have learned my new thing and went back to bed! I had such a bad headache this afternoon, that's exactly what I felt like doing but then I never would have learned about blood pressure today and I always did wonder what those numbers meant. Now I just have to remember. I have learned so many new things from this forum, I wonder how many college credits I can get from it ;)
Lorenzo, that online instructor that 4 mentioned sounds like something worth looking into. There should be the same percentage of good people in the world as there are on this forum. We could all live in a much better place :) Cheers to all :) :)
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HI you all,
Thanks 4 for the links and suggestions! I'll get back to you on that. :) Apologies for getting you addicted to Peets! Terribly sorry, but at least it's better than Starbucks! lol Now, I wonder if they would franchise it to this part of the world?? lol Then I could turn my passion into a profession, barrista. Actually, I already have. I've had an espresso machine at home for the past 3 years, but no need for sending beans, thanks. I have a plentyful supply of the next best thing, capsules of some of the best coffee one can get from Nespresso. Excellent. And anyway, with this machine I can only use capsules, no loose grind. Advantage and disadvantage. BUT, it's goooood coffee! :)
I found this forum incredibly helpful, and not just for all matters related to ANs, but all sorts of stuff. PLUS, I made some amazing friends here, some very good friends, which all goes well beyond anything to do with ANs - nevertheless it all forms part of our rehabilitation. How much so only came to light at my recent mini-meltdown at college. Without my close friends I don't know how well I would feel right now. Yes, we came out with disabilities, but I have also gained so much from the experience. It's amazing to just see the changes in me and what they bring to my life. Not all are positive, but mostly I feel much better and complete than I have for a very long time.
Hey Lori, good news about your espresso maker! Slurp! :)
Karen, I'll look into the online thing for myself. Meanwhile, we are living in a better place. I know my world has improved a lot!
Ciao a tutti, Lorenzo
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Oh gang, I hate to admit it but I am a starbucks gal- french roast at Costco from my espresso machine at home. (so horrible suburbian, huh?) I always found the peets to be too strong or a slightly burnt taste for me, I don't know why, I guess it's just my taste buds...
As for beads and girls showing their wares- reminds me of college days! Happy Mardi Gras ALL! WOO HOO!
Annie
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And you're an amazing friend my dear Lorenzo! Who ever knew rehab could be so fun! ;)
Peets with you and S was fun and most tasty, but I've always been a small buisness patron. Yea for Kona Kai!!!!
Kathleen
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Welcome back to the forum, Lorenzo dear, and sorry you are having BP and workplace issues. Great to hear that the dreaded AN f#%&$er is croaked! The Headache Wiz took me off the caffeine, too, but I adjusted to Decaf World quite easily. Believe me you will live. Plus there's lots of good BP lowering stuff to eat, too. Spinach! Blueberries! Yummy!
I've been afflicted with Raynaud's ever since I stupidly moved back to where there is winter. I keep telling Dr Love that I have a tropical body and we need to move back to where there is no winter at least part of the year, but that ain't cheap. I'm higher maintenance than I used to be I reckon.
On the subject of them beads. I got trunkloads of 'em. Guess why?
Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/emoticon___pirate_by_anya1916.gif)
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HI Deborah, :) I am used to decaf already. 85% of my coffee intake was decaf already, so a small switch to make really. Spinach? Ah. Blueberries I have already. Ok, good. thanks. Weird, I long for a proper winter with snow, and couldn't take the tropical heat I don't think. But then, it's what one is used to I guess. I grew up in mountains, so...
I won't hazzard a guess as to why you would have trunk loads of beads. far from me to have any such thoughts and insights!
:)
Ciao
Lorenzo