Uh oh! πŸ€ͺ: My BP has been a bit erratic... - British Heart Fou...

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Uh oh! πŸ€ͺ

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64
β€’25 Replies

My BP has been a bit erratic for the last few months, especially first thing in the morning, pre meds. So I've been in touch with the Dr and had Amlodipine added to the cocktail and its had the right effect but there's still room for improvement, so it was suggested I take the Amlodipine in the evening and if there's no improvement, increase the dosage.

It's a real change to have a Dr working with me and asking my opinion.

This months meds arrived yesterday with a note from the Pharmacist advising I take both isosorbide in the morning rather than one twice a day, as I have been for about 10 years. πŸ™„

2 people on my side πŸ‘

So, chatting to the Dr this morning, she's happy with how it's going and I thought I'd discuss another little problem I'm having with urinating 😬

Seems I might have an enlarged prostate and I need a blood test then a face to face appointment to be "probed" 😳

Hardly a "face to face" then. πŸ˜‚

I think my BP has just gone way up again πŸ‘†

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Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64
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25 Replies
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Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64

I've never watched Family Guy so naturally I had to take a look 😳Not sure I wanna do it now πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64

All I can think about now is the "snap" of the glove and I'd better take something to bite on 😬

xmland profile image
xmlandβ€’ in reply toGriff-64

You will be fine, am sure the GP will have a pillow for you to bite on 🀷

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply toxmland

I hope it's a memory foam one 😬

Mollycorn1936 profile image
Mollycorn1936

Ive been tested for

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply toMollycorn1936

It sounds quite common but something us men don't seem to talk about.

Sounds familiar.... honestly, examination of the prostate is not too bad. My BP was similar and I now take Amlodipine in the morning and Ramipril at night and it has certainly lowered the morning BP readings by taking one med in the morning and one at night. I am also now on Tamsulosin and Finasteride for an enlarged prostate and doing well. Good luck.

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply to

I'm not worried about the examination, although it's not something I'm looking forward to, but better to know what's going on.I've been on ramipril for years and my BP has always been OK until recently, the amlodipine has made a difference and the Dr offered me a higher dose but I'll try splitting the 2 first.

Next thing is a blood test for the prostate.

I need to get something sorted soon, up 7 times in the night for the bathroom, and this horrendous storm started at 4am so I haven't slept much. It could be a duvet day 😁

β€’ in reply toGriff-64

Hi, I was the same - up five or six times in the night. Now I'm on Tamsulosin and Finasteride I can sleep all the way through the night without wanting the bathroom. Good luck with the tests.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipopβ€’ in reply to

Question. MY son is on Fenestride but for hair loss. which puzzles me. Does it work on testosterone?

β€’ in reply toQualipop

Sorry I don't know. I didn't know it can be used for hair loss. Finasteride is used to treat men with an enlarged prostate (benign prostate enlargement). It can help ease your symptoms if:

it's difficult to start peeing

you need to pee urgently or frequently more often

it's difficult to empty your bladder completely.

Edit - I found this explanation on the NHS site -

Finasteride is a type of medicine called a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.

It works by stopping testosterone (a sex hormone) turning into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT can cause your prostate to grow bigger. It can also stop your hair growing.

Finasteride stops DHT being produced and this helps shrink your prostate and reduce hair loss.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipopβ€’ in reply to

Ah that explains it. Thanks.

Bingo88 profile image
Bingo88

Well at least your getting looked after. Hope they sort your prostrate problems out. It's being featured a lot in the press recently keeping us guys aware of our health. Take care Brian

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply toBingo88

Thank you. My Dr is on the case so that part is OK, its getting hospital appointments that could be a problem. But I'm sure it'll be ok

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks

Oh dear I pray you get the help you need

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply toChipmonks

Thank you, I'm in the system now so I should do

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

Why on earth are men so scared of a simple rectal exam? My husband has been getting up at night for years, slow stream, going evry half horu during eth day and just won't go for a test. My dad died of prostate cancer. Please believe me it is not something you ever want to go through. He had just a year after diagnosis . It spread to his bones and he was in teh worst pain I have ever seen. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. MEN- GO GET TESTED. GPs do the exam daily. It's nothing to them.

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply toQualipop

I'm absolutely going to get tested. I think it needs talking about far more and men made aware of the consequences.My Dr did warn me about the prospect of cancer, which I'd deal with should that be the case.

The Dr asked if I'd prefer a man to do it but tbh, I'm not bothered who does. As long as they get to the bottom of it πŸ€”

Qualipop profile image
Qualipopβ€’ in reply toGriff-64

NO ONE deserves to go through what my dad went through. He was diagnosed too late and had been misdiagnosed as a bladder /kidney problem. He couldn't even bear a sheet over his legs. It was wicked that he should suffer so much. Having watched him I just can't understand why my husband is being so stupid. If caught early it can be treated; doesn't even need surgery. My uncle was on hormone tablets.

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply toQualipop

I had a family friend who unfortunately succumbed to it which has made me very determined to get the help I need.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipopβ€’ in reply toGriff-64

Good for you.

mumsastudent profile image
mumsastudent

My husband had his prostate removed over 15 years ago -& radiotherapy he is in very long term remission & has been since (cured really)

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply tomumsastudent

It's always good to hear of a good outcome.It's very early days for me but I'm keeping a positive attitude.

peterjones105 profile image
peterjones105

I had some prostate issues a few years ago which turned out to be BPH; although the digital examination is undignified it takes a mere second or two and is painless.FYI not only does my BP not get on with caffeine neither does my prostate.

Griff-64 profile image
Griff-64β€’ in reply topeterjones105

Hopefully it's not serious but I'm prepared for whatever comes my way.I think having a positive attitude will get me through it

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