I saw a doctor today for the first time in about 3 years.
First, I got my blood pressure checked. It was high, but not high enough to cause any immediate threat according to him. It was 129/90. While Ive been losing weight since quitting Olanzapine and exercising/eating better, I still have a lot left to lose and that will improve my blood pressure. Considering I still want/need to lose another 85 to 100 pounds. I thought it would be higher than 129/90. It will improve over time.
Secondly, the last 3 days my breathing has been realllllllly bad and i’ve been coughing a lot. I was confused because I was jogging on the treadmill pretty much everyday and Ive been losing weight, so my breathing should be getting better if anything. But its been getting worse, and since I have anxiety/hypochondria, ive been thinking I either have COPD, Lung cancer or heart issues.
After listening to my lungs with his stethoscope and asking me a ton of questions about my symptoms. He told me there’s 2 reasons why my breathing has been so fu-cked, and anxiety wasn’t one of them.
He said I have a chest infection and gave me 6 days worth of anti-biotics for it.
He said my asthma (ive had asthama since I was a little kid) is acting up and contributing to my shortness of breath and coughing. He gave me a new puffer (inhaler) for my asthma
He also wants me to get a blood test in a week after I finish my anti-biotics. And he said if my breathing and coughing doesnt improve in a week, then he wants me to get a chest x-ray.
But I have positive news… I didnt take any ativan before going today, and I even walked home when I always take a taxi home instead. Ive had a fear of long walks because I dont wanna get a panic attack and feel trapped out in public, and especially dont want to feel embarassed if people see me acting crazy because of my panic attack.
I think this is my longest post ive ever created on here before lol. If you read it all, thank you!
It’s been almost a full year since my last cigarette. I do smoke cannabis though but not everyday and when I do, literally only like 4 puffs in total. I smoke THC once or twice a week. Maybe its time to stop because of my asthma.
Your blood pressure was pretty high for a younger man, but you seem to be on the right track with diet and exercise. It also could be a little bit of “white coat syndrome,” where you’re a little nervous when you’re with a doctor and that drives your blood pressure even higher. An electronic home blood pressure monitor is only about 25. US$ and they’re easy to use.
systolic diastolic
Hypotension: < 90 < 60
Normal: < 120 and < 80
Elevated: 120-129 and < 80
High Stage 1: 130-139 or 80-89
High Stage 2: 140 or higher or 90 or higher
Crisis (Emergency): Higher than 180 and/or higher than 120
The diastolic (bottom number) is the more critical of the two.
Pardon me for interjecting, I’m no doctor.
Congrats on ALL the lifestyle changes you’ve implemented! You sound like you are really working hard to improve your health. I, too, quit smoking about a year ago…unfortunately, it was too late for me and i got COPD (but, really, i smoked for 31 years so what can i expect?). Keep working hard and facing your fears!
I’m sorry you have COPD. My grandpa had it in the finals years of his life. He smoked for more than 50 years before he was diagnosed. COPD can be managed though and its still possible to live a normal life span or close to it.
Thanks man
I vaped years ago, not for very long though. It didn’t satisfy me like a cigarette could lol.
