I've been absent lately. Duh! I've been neglecting my health and not having regular checkups. I don't generally like to go to the doctor's because they find stuff wrong with you. But if you don't find that wrong stuff early, it can kill you.
For example, high blood pressure. When I get a cold, I run over to the convenient Care Now Clinic to see a doctor and get better. They've been warning me that my blood pressure was high the past few years. I attibuted it to the stress of going to a doctor.
Last week, on Monday, I was sitting at my desk at work. Wave after wave of dizzyness washed over me. Scared the crap out of me. I had Dear Hubby take me home because I was afraid that we were about to have to go to the ER. The first few times I tried to take my blood pressure reading at home, it wouldn't even register. Finally, when I calmed down and felt better, I was able to get a reading of 150/100.
Not good. I tried to make an appointment. They weren't able to get me in for a week (10/19/09). I avoided salt and caffeine and did everything I could to survive the long week.
At the doctor's office my blood pressure was 159/103. I had my first EKG (whooohooo!). Luckily, the EKG was normal. She has started me on Beta Blockers. Marvelous little drug. I'm a hyper-active little worrier and it has really mellowed me out. I might even live now.
I go in for bloodwork and chest xrays next week.
Point is, I had slight dizzyness before and I ignored it. It was a warning bell and I friggin ignored it until it was clanging over and over again. High blood pressure can damage your heart and your kidneys. Don't ignore warning signs. And please have a regular yearly checkup to catch stuff like this before it kills you. Hopefully, I caught it in time.
