Today I went to my doctor for a check-up appointment, which I’ve been doing monthly ever since beginning Phentermine. Since the medication carries with it some major health side effects, I’ve been very conscientious about checking in with my doctor to stay on top of the situation.
Unfortunately, today’s results from the blood pressure machine weren’t favorable. In fact, they were a bit shocking.
Normally, my blood pressure runs on the higher side of normal, considering my BMI/weight to height ratio. Usually the numbers are around 134/82 or so. Today’s reading? 146/100. And that was after they took my blood pressure reading 3 separate times. The lower number showed such a dramatic jump that I immediately got very concerned.
I usually fall into the Prehypertension category, but today I jumped to the Hypertension Stage 2 category. (source)
To be honest, I had no idea what the two numbers really meant, so the first thing I did was ask Dr. F to explain them to me. Which she did, very clearly:
- Systolic (top number): measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).
- Diastolic (bottom number): measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).
My doctor was very clear to tell me not to worry. She was pleased with my weight loss, and even more impressed that my 2-year smoke-free anniversary had passed just 3 days ago. (I actually didn’t even realize it had come and gone, that’s how far from my mind smoking and cigarettes are, thankfully). Dr. F was also glad to hear about my overall consistency in following the food and exercise regime outlined by the bariatric department.
The plan is to immediately stop taking the Phentermine; she told me to throw out the pills remaining in the prescription. Done! Dr. F asked me if I felt the Phentermine was really helping me with the weight loss, and I honestly told her that I think it initially helped me drop the weight, because it was sort of a shock to my system, but now that my body had gotten used to taking it daily, it had lost some of its potency. She said that she agreed. She mentioned that I was probably going to lose weight a bit more slowly by ceasing the prescription, and that I may need to increase the duration and intensity of my workouts. Done and done – I’ll make the time to fit in the workouts to escape a bad BP diagnosis.
Dr. F told me that she wanted me to come back for another BP reading in two weeks, once the Phentermine was completely out of my system, and then we’d take things from there. But she reiterated that she was very hopeful that my blood pressure would return to normal ad that further
Even with all of this info and knowing the probable cause, I am still feeling really uneasy and nervous. I know that it’s silly to get too upset over this reading, because before long it will be rectified, but it is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder of what my future could be like if I don’t stay on the healthier path that I’ve been following. It definitely motivates me to make sure that I don’t miss a workout or fall off the wagon with my diet/eating.
Bella, I had some borderline readings on my lab work and my blood pressure was often borderline high about a year ago. My thyroid was low, my cholesterol high, a few other things slightly out of whack. After losing almost 40 pounds, everything came back perfectly in range, which I am crediting towards losing some weight and eating better.
I honestly don’t know anything about any weight loss drugs, but I feel natural is best for many things. I hope you’re seeing some positive changes to your overall health even if your weight loss does slow a bit.
I’ll be one year smoke free in October!
Woot, woot on being cig free!! Just think of all the $$ you’ve saved.
You’re absolutely right about a healthy approach being best. The Phentermine was meant more as a kick start. Instead, it’s become a kick in the ass.
OMG yes! Even though towards the end I was only smoking about a pack a week, that’s still $250 or so a year! That’s groceries for an entire month for us!
A kick in the ass is good sometimes! I know I need one here and there.
Absolutely!!
Hi Bella.
It’s a while since I left a note but I continue to read your Blog.
You are still a young healthy woman and It’s easy to see how much you want to be a healthy weight as well.
I have lost more than 60 pounds this year and all I did initially was give up wheat because I knew all the high calorie foods I eat involved it. I’m feeling much more comfortable about food these days and still losing weight which is no mean thing at 73. A few months into this year I read the book Wheat Belly by Dr William Davis. It gave me solid science which backed up my experience. Now I’m not saying you need to go wheat free but I do think it might be a good idea to read the book. You can check up on who Dr. Davis is through his website http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/
I am working to bring my blood pressure back to normal too. Not so easy once you are older. I wrote a post on my blog a couple of days ago that you might find useful. It includes some tips on using natural methods.
Here’s the link to that post. http://withgodnothingisimpossible-tracker.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/about-reduction-of-blood-pressure.html
I hope things go well. I know how scared I felt whenever my BP is higher than expected. It is a serious danger sign. You really don’t need this when you are getting ready for a new school year.
And If I’ve already told you about the Wheat Belly book then please forgive me for going on about it.
All the best for a good reading in two weeks.
Blessings.
MargieAnne, thank you so much for the info on Wheat Belly as well as your blog post. I’m looking forward to reading both. I really appreciate your care & concern.
And, bravo on your weight loss!! It’s no easy task at any age, but especially as we get older.
I have been meaning to email you for about 2 weeks about something I read about smoking that I thought might be interesting to you. This reminds me I need to do that!
I had a similarly high BP reading a few weeks ago when I was at the dr for an ear infection. I haven’t had it rechecked but I need to, but I think I should be better about my diet. I still eat too much saturated fat, and all the working out in the world won’t overcome what that does to my arteries.
It’s good to take a look at your diet, but I do know that whenever your body is in pain or fighting off infection, your blood pressure can be elevated. Definitely follow up to see if it’s still higher than you’d like.