Home after spending the night in the Observation dept. of St. Rafe's Hospital here in New Haven....

[CTyankee]

My bp spiked way, way high yesterday morning, accompanied by dizziness and a strange red flush on my face with some swelling. Off I go to the ER. Spent the day doing blood work, EKG, CT scan and MRI of my brain. Adding Norvasc to my other two bp drugs did the trick!

My worst fears never materialized, mainly that I had had a stroke, but I sure was on a path to one if I hadn't caught it in time by getting a bp reading right away from a local doc and having hubby take me to the ER...

Still a little dizzy (lots drugs in my system now) but my redness has faded and the swelling went down.

Gotta hand it to that medical team at ST. Rafe's AND the gentle care the staff all give the patients. The MRI was no fun but it was mercifully just my head so it took only about 20 minutes. Glad I'm not claustrophobic, tho...

Nice to be back. I even have a art blog for Friday afternoon for interested folks...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. glad to hear it was handled swiftly and that medication adjustment can handle the problem

Look forward to Friday

[CTyankee]

3. I don't know when the other 2 meds just weren't enough any more. It calls for more

frequent bp screenings...cuz my last reading, taken a few months ago, was fine...I need to do it once a week from now on...

[cbayer]

6. I have a very easy to use BP machine I recently bought on Amazon.

It was relatively inexpensive and seems to be very accurate.

You may already have one, but if not, you might consider getting one.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. What cbayer said....

We have a home BP unit, very reliable, it takes BP AND pulse rate, and can save readings for measurement over time.
It also automatically tightens the cuff, no hand squeezing of a bulb.
Only 60.00 a few years ago, small and compact unit the size of a square tissue box.

the reason it is important is that you can tell immediately if you have to seek help, no waiting for the docs to see you.

[Warpy]

8. A couple times a day would be better

Home cuffs are easy now, they run on batteries and you can just pop them on, run them, look at the number, and you're done. The cost won't break the bank and they're available at most places with pharmacies, but not Costco.

Keeping a log can tell you when it's creeping up or when it's down so far you need to hold one of the drugs so you don't end up on the floor.

[CTyankee]

10. I must admit that part of this is emotional. I freak out at a high number...

and I was told at the hospital that it would take a bit of time for the new drug to normalize my bp. So I took the Norvasc and my other meds today, per instruction, and am being very careful and not leaving the house or driving a car. Cleaning lady coming tomorrow and she can navigate the laundry from two floors.

I'm planning new menus and watching all the sodium levels in everything I eat, believe me! It's really hard because it means more time in the kitchen and right now that is difficult but I expect that as I feel better, that won't be so difficult. Tonight, broiled salmon and fresh green beans plus fresh fruit for dessert...

[Mz Pip]

2. Scary stuff.

Glad it's under control and that you will be okay. 💐

[CTyankee]

4. Thanks...serious, fast work by a team of real pros is THE BEST in these situations...

and they are NICE, too!

[cbayer]

5. Glad you are ok and that you caught this before anything happened.

I am assuming you have health coverage. Take good care of yourself and whatever you, don't stop your meds! You have some serious hypertension.

[CTyankee]

9. Thanks...well, I have pretty strong genes...

I've given up wondering the "why" of my hypertension. It is what it is.

but the nurse reminded me of the hidden sodium in so many foods and that was a good warning...I've been using far too many pre-made dishes, frozen and otherwise...need to go back to simple cooking...