Quote From: lindalellMy Doctor's Appt. Friday was not bad, but not good, either. For the first time in my life I had high blood pressure(160/98). I know it could be a lot worse, but it is usually low. My Dr. did'nt believe it and had the nurse take me to another room and take it again to be sure. It was still high. My Dr. then ordered medicine for it. My sister (a nurse for 30+ years) says it is just because I'm getting old. (50 this year). I wonder if it could be all the vitamins I have been taking the last few months, (iron,C,B12). Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
My Dr. also INSISTS that I have a Sleep Study done. This the second time she has made the arrangements for it. Last time, I cancelled it. I have SEVERE insomnia, missing an entire night's sleep once or twice a week. I once was awake 5 nights and 6 days without a nap. If I can't sleep at home, I know I could't go to sleep at will in a hospital room attached to monitors. My doctor said she would order Valium for me, but, wouldn't that affect the results of the Sleep Study? I know I probably have Sleep Apnea - Why do I need proof? I think what bothers me most is my Dr.'s insistence that I do the Study against my will. Shouldn't I have the right to decide what medical tests I undergo? Oh well, maybe I need another doctor?
Sometimes our doctors can seem overbearing, but we need to remember that THEY are the ones who study their field, not us. We may know our bodies, but there is so much involved in each facet of our health. It is important to listen to what the doctor tells you. Your blood pressure may have been elevated slightly because you were at the doctor's office (most people have a slight rise just because of that) but it may also be high (as mine was) due to excess swelling and water retention. A small dose of a diarrhetic brought miine down to its former low normal level and now I would not be without it. Yes, I still retain liquid often, but not nearly as bad as before. So my doctor was right in giving me that prescription.
As for the sleep apnea, I think many of us who are overweight have it to some degree. What I did not realize was how important this is. Nor did I realize that the doctors cannot prescribe the machine that will help you continue to breathe while you are asleep UNLESS you go to a sleep clinic for the sleep study. It is a great liability for the doctor to prescribe without definitive proof that you have it and the sleep study is the only way to get that proof. And what happens when you have sleep apnea? Why is it important to get that treatment? Because sleep apnea means that several times during the night when you sleep you quit breathing. That means NO OXYGEN is getting into your bloodstream and no oxygen is getting to your brain and other organs. Severe brain damage can be the result. I just visited my aunt last Friday (my favorite aunt, btw) and it broke my heart. She has sleep apnea and didn't think she needed to have oxygen during the night NOR the C-PAP machine that helps pump it into her lungs while she sleeps to keep her breathing regularly in spite of the apnea. She now has severe dementia--cannot live on her own any more. She is my mother's baby sister--all her siblings are from 3 to 10 years older and none of them has any sign of dementia or disability. It is so sad to see this once active, vibrant woman reduced to her present state. All because she "knew" she didn't really need that--she "knew" better than her doctors. So please PLEASE listen to your doctor. Otherwise, why even bother going to one? Your doctor insists because she is a GOOD, CARING doctor--she cares about your health.
Yes, you do have the right to decide which medical tests you will undergo. You also have the right to stand in the middle of the highway until you get run over. Choosing to switch doctors may take you on a tour until you find one who doesn't care enough to order the tests you need to save and enhance your life and your health. But why bother with that? If you don't want a doctor who will care for you, just quit going altogether and save yourself a lot of time going in for checkups. You do have the right to deteriorate to your heart's content, but I, for one, hope you choose to live--and live a HEALTHY lifestyle. That's what this board is all about. And we DO care whether or not you breathe in your sleep and we do care that you take good care of yourself.
Sleep apnea is NOT necessarily related to insomnia. You may have trouble sleeping for an entirely different reason. It's possible that the valium may just relax you enough so you COULD sleep during the sleep study. Or maybe it wouldn't work. But unless and until you give it a try, you AND YOUR DOCTOR don't know that for sure. It just might save your life. I know my aunt would be a totally different person if she had followed her doctor's pleading to have her sleep study and follow his orders. Please don't be so stubborn with this and so careless regarding your health.
WE DO CARE HERE.
Cherie
