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Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays.
Over the longer (and more relaxed for me) weekend, I've been
experimenting cutting back on my BP medications. I know it is best
to do under a doctor's supervision, however my appointment is still
3 weeks away, and I figure that I'd be doing the same thing. That is
increasing my Magnesium intake (currently 1000 mg) and continue
with my better eating program and weight loss (already lost 20 lbs).
It's just that I have the "feeling" that some of my health issues may
be related to my long term use of a combo ACE inhibitor/Calcium
Channel Blocker, even though it has been very effective. I'll know
more in two weeks after an EGD.
Anyway, while taking the Lotrel, my BP is regularly around 130/75
on the average, can go as low as 110/65 or as high as 180/105
while on it depending on my stress level.
Now off of it for two days and my "resting" (i.e. after meditation) BP
is about 115/68, but otherwise, when normally active and I rest a
few minutes, it is around 158/88. What a range! I'm 51.
My plan is that if it goes above 160/90 to jump back on the meds
and wait until my appointment to discuss where to go from here,
just wondering if the current BP is dangerous, considering the
range?
In Reply to: Blood Pressure variances & getting off medications posted by Eric d'cleric [858.129] on December 25, 2004 at 11:28:31:
Hi, Eric.
Blood pressure in the ranges you are describing is not dangerous to you until it has been in that area for about 20 years. The lowest pressure you have described is the best one for you over the long haul.
I would not recommend altering your medications until your pressure stays at the lowest levels you recorded here. You surely should record your pressure at least twice a day and discuss this with your doc (take this record with you when you see him).
Which of the things described in the hypertension archives are you doing and for how long?
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure variances & getting off medications posted by Walt Stoll [9.1465] on December 26, 2004 at 06:55:42:
Dr. Stoll,
Thank you! And apolgizing in advance for a long answer. Whew,
the doctor I "fired" acted like a stroke was going to happen any day
if I didn't get my, then average 145/85, BP down to 120/80
IMMEDIATELY when it was first noticed 10 years ago (and when I
started medications). My current doctor practices at a Center that is
open to alternative therapies, as is she.
I read the archives and feel relieved that it is unlikely that a couple
of weeks off of the medication (I only take the one) is not likely to
be dangerous. I do understand that this action is not
recommended. Because it is so variable, I take my BP at least 5
times a day, and often more than that.
Based on previous discussions with her regarding the direction I
desire to go, I am taking the following:
Magnesium Asporotate 800 to 1200 mg/day (6 weeks)
Calcium Citrate 1600 mg/day (6 weeks)
Omega 3/6/9 blend - 920/460/400 mg/day, respectively (6 weeks)
Colloidial Minerals/Vitamins (3 months)
Not related to BP, but (possibly GERD related) and for LPR:
Well, I'm trying GRJ (5 weeks)
Digestive Enzymes (3 months)
MSM (1200 mg/day) (3 months)
Double doses of PPI and H2 (3 months) (Yuck, but necessary)
Shake me and I rattle... :-)
Because of have 3 main issues (LPR, Hypertension, Internal
bleeding Hemorrhoids), I'm looking at a whole body approach.
The reason I took the "extreme" trial this weekend of trying no BP
medication was because I've since learned that there may be a
relationship between the class of BP medication(s) I'm taking and
the GERD-related syndrome I'm most interested in controlling
(getting over, if possible). Will know more after EGD in 2 weeks.
I'm using the juicer to consume more raw vegetables on a "see
what agrees with me" basis (OK so far: Cabbage, Carrots,
Radishes, Spinach, Beets, Apples, Pears) but not in large
quantities yet. And I've pretty much eliminated almost all
commercially prepared foods, sugar, etc. Switched to whole grains,
steamed vegtables and nominal amounts of poultry, fish most of
the time.
I have a hemisynch-style meditation CD which I utilize when I can,
at least once a day (6 weeks so far) to "guarantee" SR, otherwise,
I've meditated for years.
I've lost 20 lbs, working to lose another.
Anyway, I hope that by posting my progress in this public message
board that it may someday help someone else. BTW, average BP
for the last 3 days off of Lotrel is that 145/85 from 10 years ago,
and my throat and sinuses are feeling better today than any time
in the last 3 months. Coincidence? Don't know. As I've said before,
wellness is a journey!
Eric
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure: what I'm doing (and then some!) posted by Eric d'cleric [858.129] on December 26, 2004 at 14:41:02:
Thanks, Eric.
Looks like you are serious!
I woudl suggesrt you check your Sr techniques with biofeedback and let us know if you have been reacning the relaxation response with either of them. Once a day Sr will not likely have any effect even if it IS working. It takes at least twice day to resolve something like this and then, after a year or so, dropping to once a day may maintain those benefits.
I also would recommend an hour of walking at least 3 times a week.
These additions will magnify any effect the rest of your program may be having.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure: what I'm doing (and then some!) posted by Walt Stoll [9.1465] on December 27, 2004 at 06:47:54:
MAY maintain? I thought it was a definite thing considering 2 times a day every day forever is just very difficult to do, with the not before sleep and eating restrictions.
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure: what I'm doing (and then some!) posted by Walt Stoll [9.1465] on December 27, 2004 at 06:47:54:
Thanks again. My understanding, based on the work by
Robert Monroe, is that the sound patterns of
"hemisynch" will put automatically put you into the brain
wave pattern (in this case 4-9 Hz) that the recording is
made for. Unfortunately, my finances are awful right
now, with the health issues putting me into serious
debt as I struggle to get it together. I am expecting a
small bonus soon, and plan to get a simple GSR
feedback device to see if my regular meditations are
effective (guess I'll check out the CD too). So, it's in my
plan. I will post the results... but it's a few months away.
I'm still struggling to juggle everything considering my
time constraints, work, avocational and spiritual
enrichment classes obligations, and will do my best to
take the recommendations to heart. So does a three
hour walk on the weekend count? ;-) (There's a park
with a wonderful 3 mile circuit each way near where I
live.)
Happy New Year...
Eric
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure: what I'm doing (and then some!) posted by Walt Stoll [9.1465] on December 27, 2004 at 06:47:54:
Well, after posting my other response I have been
searching for GSR devices, models... prices, and came
across a site with comprehensive information. I found
this quote: (Note that Monroe techniques that attain a
'mind awake-body asleep' state do not suffer from this
dissociation and accompanying high basal resistance,
and neither do truly enhancing meditation techniques).
This implies that I couldn't measure my degree of SR
with the CD that I use. Of course I could still try with my
"normal" meditation.
Does anybody know of a biofeedback device besides
the GSR type (and doesn't cost a fortune)?
Thanks,
Eric
In Reply to: Re: GSR Biofeedback not effective? Alternatives? posted by Eric d'cleric [3011.129] on December 27, 2004 at 11:48:53:
Took me awhile to learn my way around the archives. Found what
I needed. I'll give updates. (Having a rough day of it.)
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure: what I'm doing (and then some!) posted by Steven [280.62] on December 27, 2004 at 09:04:35:
Steven,
As my cardiologist says: "ALL of my patients die!" In any genetically susceptible hypertensive, EVENTUALLY, nothing will work. All any of us are doing is living as many healthy years as possible and putting off as long as possible our "declining years".
Comments?
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure: what I'm doing (and then some!) posted by Eric d'cleric [3011.129] on December 27, 2004 at 10:27:52:
Thanks, Eric.
NOTHING works for everyone. In MY opinion, there are much less expensive ways to do this for most people, in spite of advertising claims.
My physician son spent a few weeks at the Monroe Institute, prior to his medical school training, and I know that their approach can be very effective for some people.
One hour, three times a week, is much more effective than three hours once a week. Check at your library for anything by Kennneth Cooper, MD and his Aerobics research.
Walt
In Reply to: Blood Pressure: what I'm doing (and then some!) Archive in wellness. PHILOSOPHY posted by Walt Stoll [9.1465] on December 28, 2004 at 08:05:45:
Hi Walt,
I’ve been thinking about this comment of your cardiologist. There is truth in
the statement, but the spirit of it has been dimmed, probably by the soul
deadening effects of conventional medical practice. It is the statement of
someone who is helpless because the paradigm in which he/she operates is
flawed.
Yep, we’re all gonna die. Yep, we want to postpone the decline. And, yep,
some of us have been dealt bad genetic hands. But your cardio’s statement
doesn’t take into account the difference between patching and healing, and
the quality of existence. And, “living long” is not “ALL” some of us are doing.
Quality counts. I’m sure this entered into your decisions about treatment for
your heart attack.
Medicine is a tough business/art, so much more so for a practitioner who is
not open to what we now call “alternative” treatment. Such a person is
wounded by the profession itself; a gaping spiritual wound.
Our crazy society does this to all of in public service.
Wishing you healing peace,
Jim
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure variances & getting off medications posted by Walt Stoll [9.1465] on December 26, 2004 at 06:55:42:
After sending an email to my physician briefly describing my
decision she said to monitor my BP carefully and come in next
week. Will do.
Great to have a doctor who lives in the 21st century.
In Reply to: Re: Blood Pressure: what I'm doing (and then some!) Archive in wellness. PHILOSOPHY posted by Jim H. [879.1644] on December 29, 2004 at 07:48:57:
Thanks, Jim.
My choice of cardiologist was a "luck of the draw" since he happened to be on call when my family dragged me, "kicking and screaming", to the emergency room when it happened.
I was fortunate that he, at least, does not actively disparage the holistic things I have done for myself. In this small community, that is about the best I can hope for. Since there IS a place for conventiohnal medicine, and I am tied to the monopoly with no license, I am held hostage just like the rest of us for prescriptions.
I agree completely with your points and have done everything I can think of to do something about them for the past 30+ years. Eventually things will change--they are already moving in that direction.
Namaste`
Walt
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