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Today was my doctor's appointment - general check-up and drug updates.
My blood pressure, when it was last checked (in February) was about 142/94 ... this is going on my muzzy recollection, mind you. Today, it is 130/90, which is not too shabby at all. :) Another good thing is that for the first time in about 10 years or so - they were able to use the standard arm cuff. Y'see, in the past, because of my big arms (batwings, here we come!), the doctors had to use a thigh cuff to take my blood pressure. So besides the lower numbers, using a "real people" cuff was another sign of progress for me!
The blood pressure meds are being kept the same for the time being, which I can live with. I figure that it'll be that way for at least a while - perhaps more of a weight loss, continuing to cut back on the caffeine, and whatever else is helping there will continue to help, and the meds can be reduced at some point. :)
As for my anti-depressants, we're trying an increase in the dosage from 20 mg. to 30 mg. per day, to see if that helps my moods any. Something to get me beyond functioning day-to-day, feeling no creative or sexual desire whatsoever. Occasionally being overwhelmed by feelings of shame and/or guilt that really have no basis in anything. Anyone that has experienced, or is experiencing, depression knows what I mean.
I was given Celebrex to treat my misbehaving knee (among other joints), because it's something that I had taken previously - with successful results - and the hope is that it'll work again this time. Anything is better than the alternative, which is arthroscopic surgery, to find out what's going on exactly to make my knee all crunchy, annoying, painful and dysfunctional.
Also, for some strange reason, it seems like I must have "please stick me with needles" written on my body somewhere. Really. Every time I've gone to a new internist, they've come up with some reason or another to give me an injection - in the past, it was a flu vaccine, that would give me the nastiest respiratory infection a couple of months after the fact. Today, it was a Tetanus/Diptheria shot, which has left me with a sore arm. Ouchies.
The good news - I was given about 2 1/2 months' worth of samples of Lexapro, which saves me from having to pay $25 per month (G*d forbid) if the increased dosage doesn't work. I was also given about 3 weeks' worth of samples of the Celebrex, so, after I'm through that course, I'm supposed to call the doctor & let her know how it worked out.
Other good news is that for the first time in eons, I am able to go to a doctor without having to go back every few weeks for BP checks or medication maintenance or whatever else. I'm able to go to the doctor, just like any other normal human being. I like that. :)
Oh yeah ... as for the subject line, that comes from something I'd witnessed coming back to the office from my doctor's visit. Walking down Powell Street, I went past the Westin St. Francis Hotel, where a visiting baseball team was staying. How I figured this out was due to the small convergence of fanboys (and fanmen) with baseballs, cards and other assorted memorabilia.
I just walked past, thinking, "I have no idea who you are - and I really don't give a fuck." As I mulled over this, it evolved into my deciding that I'd love to make a t-shirt that says, "Yeah, I know who you are. No, I don't care." Just to be kind of honest and bitchy and wicked all at once.
My blood pressure, when it was last checked (in February) was about 142/94 ... this is going on my muzzy recollection, mind you. Today, it is 130/90, which is not too shabby at all. :) Another good thing is that for the first time in about 10 years or so - they were able to use the standard arm cuff. Y'see, in the past, because of my big arms (batwings, here we come!), the doctors had to use a thigh cuff to take my blood pressure. So besides the lower numbers, using a "real people" cuff was another sign of progress for me!
The blood pressure meds are being kept the same for the time being, which I can live with. I figure that it'll be that way for at least a while - perhaps more of a weight loss, continuing to cut back on the caffeine, and whatever else is helping there will continue to help, and the meds can be reduced at some point. :)
As for my anti-depressants, we're trying an increase in the dosage from 20 mg. to 30 mg. per day, to see if that helps my moods any. Something to get me beyond functioning day-to-day, feeling no creative or sexual desire whatsoever. Occasionally being overwhelmed by feelings of shame and/or guilt that really have no basis in anything. Anyone that has experienced, or is experiencing, depression knows what I mean.
I was given Celebrex to treat my misbehaving knee (among other joints), because it's something that I had taken previously - with successful results - and the hope is that it'll work again this time. Anything is better than the alternative, which is arthroscopic surgery, to find out what's going on exactly to make my knee all crunchy, annoying, painful and dysfunctional.
Also, for some strange reason, it seems like I must have "please stick me with needles" written on my body somewhere. Really. Every time I've gone to a new internist, they've come up with some reason or another to give me an injection - in the past, it was a flu vaccine, that would give me the nastiest respiratory infection a couple of months after the fact. Today, it was a Tetanus/Diptheria shot, which has left me with a sore arm. Ouchies.
The good news - I was given about 2 1/2 months' worth of samples of Lexapro, which saves me from having to pay $25 per month (G*d forbid) if the increased dosage doesn't work. I was also given about 3 weeks' worth of samples of the Celebrex, so, after I'm through that course, I'm supposed to call the doctor & let her know how it worked out.
Other good news is that for the first time in eons, I am able to go to a doctor without having to go back every few weeks for BP checks or medication maintenance or whatever else. I'm able to go to the doctor, just like any other normal human being. I like that. :)
Oh yeah ... as for the subject line, that comes from something I'd witnessed coming back to the office from my doctor's visit. Walking down Powell Street, I went past the Westin St. Francis Hotel, where a visiting baseball team was staying. How I figured this out was due to the small convergence of fanboys (and fanmen) with baseballs, cards and other assorted memorabilia.
I just walked past, thinking, "I have no idea who you are - and I really don't give a fuck." As I mulled over this, it evolved into my deciding that I'd love to make a t-shirt that says, "Yeah, I know who you are. No, I don't care." Just to be kind of honest and bitchy and wicked all at once.
