Health Update

[mynewplace]

Occurred to me while I was sending yet ANOTHER email to a coworker who was asking about my recent doctor visit - I haven't passed on the news to you lot.

So I saw the doctor yesterday. I like her. She's sweet. My blood pressure was 140/80, which is not technically high enough for meds, but well worth watching. She had little say about the nosebleeds, just suggested saline. I'm not likely to use that, since anything that softens the protective barrier seems to start the bleeds again. Haven't had one since yesterday morning, and it was a brief one. I'll live in fear for a few more days, and then likely relax. Doctors don't seem as concerned about blood loss unless they can see it shooting in a stream.

I had my bp taken again this morning, after they tried to charge me for the free blood tests, and it was 140/88. Almost past concern level, to meds level. But you know, it seems to be situational. I can tell when it's going up.

A new concern, which I haven't mentioned here, is bone loss. I have osteoporosis in my family, albeit indirectly, and I've never been a milk drinker. I've always made up for it with yogurt and cheese, and spinach and broccoli and sometimes calcium supplements. But I've slacked off on the supplements of late. I am officially 5' 0 and 3/4" tall. At age 38, I was 5' 1 and 1/2" tall. At age 30, I was 5' 2 and 1/2" tall. I am shrinking more rapidly. NOT good. Thus, I will likely be sent for a bone scan, and hopefully put on Fosamax or some such. I am ALSO going to step up my calcium supplements again. siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh

Had blood work for HIV and Hepatitis, will have the remainder of the STD tests done in a couple weeks when I go for my 'girly' visit. Need a mammogram (any volunteers? LOL) and all that jazz.

Here's my plan. I'm going to start Yoga on Wednesday afternoons, and start seraching again for a bellydancing class. The yoga will help on several fronts - stress relief, pain reduction, cortisol reduction, prep for strength training (which aids in reducing bone loss) and will make me more stretchy. I am actually quite flexible in the evenings, when I'm naked, but it takes most all day for me to get to that point. Hopefully this will allow me to be more flexible when I have clothes on.

I'm also hoping the bellydancing will help with stress relief and endurance. And should build my self-confidence, which is once again sadly lacking. So sadly. (insert headshake)