Dear Nurse Annie,
I am still very confused and
scared.
I was driving last weekend and
lost half the sight in one eye. The vision field seemed to be whirling. IT did
go away in less than an hour. I have had similar eye stuff before that I have
told doctors about.
I stopped diet soda. This is the
only caffeine I drink. I never add salt to my food.
My Home blood pressure readings
can be 180/110 or 130/80. IT was 140/90 at my doctor.
He told me my Echo test was
fine. The did a neck Doppler when I told him about the eye thing. He told me it
was fine. He said my blood work was pretty good.
He told me it was too bad the
testing was negative because my high blood pressure problem is probably diet
and stress related.
He told me my BP was still high
and gave me more medicine. I am now supposed to take 5 medications that don’t
work.
For years I took one medication
that worked. They are not giving me that drug now.
Annie, I eat a low carb diet
most of the time and am slowly losing weight.
I walk when I have time for
exercise.
I have given up soda (which I
love) and have never added salt.
Help Annie, I do not know what
else to do.
Scared Solomon.
Dear Solomon,
I agree this is perplexing and
discouraging.
You mention you are eating low
carb and this is a good goal.
Eating low carb is it very easy
to eat foods very high in salt and preservative content.
Also, on low carb diet many
avoid high fiber foods.
I suggest:
1.
Continue to monitor
your blood pressure and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
2.
Read the packaging
for the foods you are eating for salt and preservative content.
3.
Eat 5x the fresh
carb vegetables and fruits to foods that contain salt and fat.
4.
Walk and have fun as
much as you can to reduce stress.
When do you see your doctor
again?
Nurse Annie