My Amlodopine Adventure: Hypertension Isn't funny...
Except this Time Regular Guy, Brian Sloan, right here in order to tell you a funny story.
It's really a bit awkward.
However, in all of my writings in the previous few years, it seems that people prefer to read just how I make a horse's rear end out of myself instead of scouring through some of my goofy ideas regarding the state of the world.
And, although this situation wasn't necessarily a big goof up on my part, I suspect this was among my most uncomfortable physician's visits ever.
Fortunately, I haven't had any type of significantly severe health disorders that could not be managed.
However, for the entertainment value of this small adventure, just file away this fact in the back of your mind.
I had been taking Amlodipine for somewhat minor high blood pressure for quite a while.
But, that ailment was well under control - I believed.
But one particular issue definitely was not.
Okay, so here it is - fun, fun: I have had persistent prostate problems for many years (BPH - Benign prostatic hyperplasia, I believe that's what it's called).
And it's somewhat aggravating.
Now, I really am thankful that it isn't cancer.
I've had friends who have gone through that.
But my ailment is certainly not that serious.
It's found in many much older gentlemen generally.
But I have had the blasted thing forever.
It almost seems like I was diagnosed in the 3rd grade.
"Mrs.
Sloan, just wanted you to know that your child has a prostate gland about the size of a small refrigerator.
Don't worry though, we will make an effort to keep it from getting really big.
" SAY WHAT?? Oh, man, I've tolerated this for a very long time.
I'm 54.
And I mean, it's not really like this is a subject that I bring up at parties.
"Everybody listen, guess what? I had this guy in a white coat who obviously just got first place in the world's largest finger competition poke his entire arm up my keister today! Pass the chips, please.
" NO...
It's one of the things in life you simply attempt to keep quiet about, trust it is going to get better, and you never introduce the topic at dinner time.
So, anyway I was simply minding my own stinkin' business, just waiting to see my doctor, because that's what they make me do frequently concerning my condition.
I think the small refrigerator sized gland had become infected or something.
So, there I am, patiently waiting for my doctor to come into the room.
He's really a terrific person and our families had been acquainted well before I started using him as my primary doctor.
And, I have to tell you, it doesn't matter who it might be, if you are sitting in that small room waiting for the doc to come in and perform the dreaded finger drill, you ARE NOT relaxed.
So, I'm sitting in there in my not at all relaxed, please hurry up, get in here and let's get this thing over mindset, when it happened.
And I had no idea that a little something such as this could impact my blood pressure as much as this situation would.
But, what the physician's office had neglected to tell me was that my regular doctor 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 person who doesn't want women serving in the medical field.
And I really know that we need plenty of qualified ladies throughout the medical profession.
I simply didn't wish to have one of them right there in that room at that moment.
Well, initially she begins bombarding me with questions and while doing that, checked out my blood pressure levels.
Upon doing so she did not do very well concealing a disturbing amount of concern.
"Mr.
Sloan, your blood pressure is really high.
" I really don't recall the doctor's precise wording or the BP level.
She took it again and I believe it was even worse then.
If I correctly remember she asked me whether or not I normally get Physician's office anxiety at the physician's office.
Of course the answer to the question was yes, but I failed to answer that the real condition that I had was FMPIWCH (Female Medical Person In a White Coat Hypertension).
So, God bless her, she's now so fearful because this guy might seriously have a stroke in her exam room, that she requests that I lay back on the exam table, let her turn off the lights and let her leave me for a several minutes in order for me to relax and settle down, then she would be back in just a bit.
Well, the problem with her plan was that the chances were very much against her having a complete sex change surgery in the following several minutes and come stepping back into the room as a male physician.
So I reclined there, virtually in the dark on a very hard exam room table while trying to relax...
uh huh.
But it was not gonna' happen.
So, she came back in about 10 minutes later, and still found my blood pressure to be higher than normal, gave me a new prescription for a higher dose of amlodipine for my hypertension, didn't even check out my prostate gland at all, and advised me to see my regular physician concerning that particular problem! So possibly she appreciated my anxiety after all.
And, subsequently we found out that she had made a good call.
I truly did require a higher dose of the Amlodipine for my blood pressure problem in general, irrespective of what medical professional was lined up to check the prostate.
And they consistently need to emphasize to me to take the amlodipine regularly.
I have worked out, watched my eating habits and shed some substantial pounds recently that certainly did lower my BP levels.
However, I still have to use the meds.
Despite my laughter and awkwardness about this incident, our blood pressure is something that we definitely must keep under control.
High blood pressure is not considered the silent killer for no reason.
Get yours checked out.
Make sure that you abide by your physician's directions and don't ever let high blood pressure put you in jeopardy of severe or deadly physical conditions.
Have yourself a terrific week!