How Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Forced My Health and Wellness Journey

Episode description

I knew it could be done; I just needed direction and determination.

I believed I could manage my blood pressure through diet and exercise, just like I had successfully done three years ago.

But this time, I fell short—I didn't follow a good diet, and I didn't exercise the way I should have.

It's frustrating, and I feel like I let myself down. I'm sure many of you can relate to this feeling of disappointment when we don't meet our own expectations.

What Started the Journey

When I went in for a routine colonoscopy, my blood pressure was wildly out of control. Stress because of the procedure, as well as the four-day preparation for it, was the cause.

I got a verbal spanking from the anesthesiologist because my blood pressure was so high, and I wasn't taking any medications or other remedies for it.

He stated he could bring my BP down for the procedure but strongly advised me to do something about it afterward.

That's when I should have left the scene. I didn't, however, and went through with the procedure.

Post-Op

After the procedure, on the way home from the medical facility, I exhibited heart attack symptoms. Rushing to the Urgent Care Emergency Room, I spent several hours being tested and waiting for results.

The results indicated a heart attack and an ambulance took me to the Cardiac Care Unit of a hospital over an hour away from home. That was the only bed available in the Valley of the Sun.

After two nights of constant monitoring and more tests, the doctors determined that I was dehydrated from the colonoscopy preparation, which caused the heart lining to thicken.

It was difficult for my heart to pump enough blood through my system and caused demand ischemia–not a heart attack.

The whole time I was in the hospital, an IV drip was in my arm. They started me on blood pressure meds and aspirin to stabilize me.

When I was finally discharged, the doctors made it clear that I needed to see the attending physician for a follow-up and stay under cardiac care. It was a sobering moment, a reminder that my health now demanded more attention.

Further Complications

A week later, I experienced a severe bleeding issue and was rushed to the Urgent Care Emergency Room again. The doctor and staff weren't fully aware of the severity of my condition–they seemed to minimize my symptoms.

After performing a CAT scan, they couldn't find anything conclusive other than some fluid in my bowels, which they assumed might be diarrhea.

Just as they were preparing to discharge me, I suddenly couldn't breathe, and my blood pressure plummeted. I was losing blood rapidly, and the medical team quickly scrambled to insert IVs for a blood transfusion and other essential fluids.

I ended up at another hospital, but all they did was take blood tests until I finally refused. After two nights of getting no real treatment, I insisted on being discharged.

Thankfully, I didn't need urgent care because they just left me in a bed and closed the door.

They discussed doing a colonoscopy the next morning (Day 2), so I followed the prep instructions, eating only broth and Jello. But the procedure never happened.

Instead, the hospital doctor told me I could go home that afternoon. Later, the gastroenterologist Physician's Assistant brought in another doctor, who strongly suggested I stay another night, which I reluctantly agreed to.

By the second morning (Day 3), after refusing two more blood draws—since my readings were stable, showing no signs of internal bleeding—I insisted on being discharged.

Though they weren't pleased, they finally agreed, but it took until 12:30 pm to be released.

Months of Reactions to Prescribed Medications

From November through February, I had reactions from the blood pressure meds, like rashes and itching–to distraction. I underwent allergy testing (all the results were negative for allergies of any kind) and dermatologist appointments, trying to find the cause.

I refused to take cholesterol medicine and a second blood pressure medicine because I didn't like the way it made me feel. With all the commercials about prescribed drugs and their side effects, I didn't want to subject myself to that. Plus, the medicine wasn't bringing my blood pressure down to normal.

My Primary Care Physician ran out of care options and wrote a referral to a mental health professional for counseling. This referral, I also refused.

Taking Matters into My Own Hands

At that point, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I got a referral from a friend for a naturopathic doctor, who ordered extensive blood testing outside the scope of regular lipid panels. (Naturopathic doctoring is not covered by insurance.)

Startling discoveries in my blood were revealed, one of which was mercury poisoning. I'll cover this in a future post. This was the moment I decided to take control of my health journey.

My naturopath and I agreed on a course of action, which was a six-month detoxification program with clean eating and supplements. It began on July 1–the month I turned 70 years old. Within three days, my blood pressure was coming down, and I was making plans to get off blood pressure meds.

Here’s the liver cleanse that I started early in the detox program. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

Bringing My Primary Care Physician Into My Plan

I brought my Primary Care Physician into my plans because one can't NOT have a PCP in the health care system. He supported my decision, acknowledging that he hadn't found a solution. We agreed that I would begin gradually reducing the dosage of the blood pressure medication he had prescribed.

Victories

On September 5, I stopped the one prescription blood pressure medicine because my BP was below average for several days in a row, and I was afraid it would go too low. I was relieved and experienced a sense of accomplishment.

Soon, I will have another blood test and report to my PCP. The detoxification program continues for the next three months and includes regular progress reports and consultations with my naturopathic doctor.

In the first two months of the detox and clean eating program, I dropped 18 pounds. It hasn't been easy. I'm changing a lifetime of eating habits and indulgences. But the results are encouraging, and I'm motivated to continue on this path.

Throughout this journey, I've held onto one belief: I knew it could be done; I just needed direction and determination. I'm living proof that with the right mindset and the right support, we can take control of our health and make significant improvements.

Biggest Fear

My biggest fear is losing my determination for the lifestyle I'm committed to now. Our society eats highly processed foods and encourages overconsumption. Caution is the name of the game, and that is tiring.

I constantly remind myself of my condition in this last year. I must remember my "why".

The Health Journey Continues

My health journey continues because of the mercury poisoning discovered in my blood test and other health issues. But those stories are for another day.

Takeaways

Realize that we are responsible for our own health.

Realize that doctors practice medicine as they learned–prescribe drugs to fix a symptom.

Realize that natural healing is a way of life and is beneficial to humans, animals, and the planet.

Realize that food plays a crucial role in our health.

Realize that we don't need to eat as much as we are led to believe.

Realize that clean eating is a good way of life.

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