I went back to the doctor’s yesterday – with trepidation – to get my fasting blood test results for cholesterol. I had good and bad news.
The good was that my cholesterol dropped from 7.3mmol/L to 6.8. I was so very pleased, to say the least. I’ve been good about keeping consumption of saturated fats down, but not so good about losing weight.
The bad news is that my blood pressure has only been pretending to be under control. Until last week, all my good readings over the last year had been taken in the morning. The last two were high and they were both taken around 4:30pm. So it seems the tablet I take at night has worn off by then (I take another type in the mornings). The doc doubled my dose from 5mg to 10mg.
So, armed with this information, I must take a step up on the exercise front else I will be dropping dead sooner than I would like – or worse!
The kangaroos were out again. Two photos, show you the area on the hill overlooking the town.

You can see by my shadow how close I am. I noticed two buckets of water left out for the kangaroos down near that green house in the far middle.

You cannot see the town stretched out below the hospital. The buildings on the left are the x-ray rooms with the new medical centre built onto the back of it.
On the right is the paddock that the kangaroos are in. That’s my wagon in the car park.
Must go to work. Have a good day. 🙂
Sorry to hear about you BP. Hope things get better for you. I hope also that you’ve researched the side effects of your meds. My doc wanted to put me on BP meds also. I looked it up and discovered that it worked well for men, but caused problems for women. 🙂
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I trust my doctors to know what is best, especially as these were prescribed by two lady doctors. Besides, their computers will throw up warnings. Still, I always look up the side effects of everything. I was on reflux medication for a month after I had an unexplained under-rib pain but when I saw how they work, I told the doctor I didn’t want to take them anymore as I was on enough medication. Yeah, it is a pity about the BP, as I’ve had it high for years now and I was looking forward to having pills reduced, not increased! If I lose 8kg it will make a big difference, I think. Thanks for your comment, Olga.
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When you take your blood pressure you should take it three times then take the middle one, do it three times a day so you can better see how the medications are working. Has the doctor split it to night and morning or just once a day? There are a lot of different blood pressure meds and not all of them suit everyone, usually trial and error to get the right ones. Olga if your doctor wants you on meds it must be for a reason, don’t be put off what other people say or what sites you look up on the internet, there may be problems but the next group/site you check may have no trouble. Just keep a record & if you have any side effects and contact your doctor immediately you notice any change.
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Hi Sue. I was on a single tablet in the mornings for ages, but when the lady doctors changed over, the second wasn’t happy so she added another tablet to take at night. It is that second tablet that has now been doubled. I don’t have own BP machine, but perhaps I should. Another electronic plaything!
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Check the chemists for prices, not that dear and easy to use. Julius even knows how to use one. But still good idea to keep a record of your bp, good to refer back to.
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I have looked on eBay in the past, too, but I will check out chemists too. Good advice, Sue.
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Hi Christine, hoping you blood pressure gets controlled soon. Losing weight always helps, but I know how difficult it is. Nice photos!
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Thanks Elizabeth. In the first part of the last year I lost almost 7kg, but then put back over 5 during the next 6 months. I know I can do it! My life depends on it. Another 20 years will have to be earned!
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I hope your BP gets under control soon. Daily exercise helps 🙂
And beautiful shots as always Christine!! 🙂
Take care!!
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Oh yes, I am upping the exercise and being strict with my diet. Pizza tonight, but I’m not adding extra cheese so I am staying under my calorie intake – and right on the saturated fats limit!
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Well I had pizza yesterday 😉 Difficult to count and limit your calories on a pizza night but you are doing a great job…..and little exercise goes a long way 😀 😀
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Friend from dancing had birthday today and some of us went to lunch, Mosely Hotel down at Glenelg. Huge plate of Chicken Schnitzel, chips and salad. Delicious, but I could feel the pounds building up around the waistline. Worth it though, no tea for me tonight. They didn’t have pudding, wouldn’t have been able to squeeze it in anyway (unusual for me).
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I love chicken schnitzel, have not had it for ages. I buy those ‘guilt-free’ oven bake chips. They aren’t loaded with calories and taste good.
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Every time I think about going on a diet or at least to cut down, someone has a birthday and brings cake.
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Yeah, it would be so impolite not to eat it. 🙂
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I admire you for tracking your important health numbers and doing something about them when you need to. I also admire your photography and passion for birds.
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Thank you Janet. I really appreciate your support.
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