Some Good News From the Doctor

@moffittjc (118206)
Gainesville, Florida
June 21, 2020 7:11am CST
I routinely see my doctor every 3 months, mostly well visits, but also to manage my blood pressure and sugar levels. High blood pressure runs in my family. I had an appointment this past Friday. I was eager to see the results of my latest blood test. I already knew that status of my blood pressure, because I monitor it out home. The first bit of good news came right as I arrived. Upon taking my weight, I was surprised to learn that I had lost 22 pounds (10 kg) in the past 3 months. I knew I had lost some weight, but didn't realize it was that much. Amazing how much weight you can use by cooking at home instead of eating out at restaurants every day. And if you've seen how bad my cooking is, you'd understand the weight loss! And the funny thing is, I was not actively trying to lose weight! Next up, the doctor game me good news about my bloodwork. All the readings were safely within the acceptable ranges, including my sugar levels. Looks like the lockdown and corona pandemic has actually benefited me. I think I like this new lifestyle, and will plan to keep it up even after the crisis ends! The only bit of bad news is that my blood pressure is still high, but slightly down from the last time they measured it. My doctor is very well aware of my stressful job, and knows that it keeps my heart pumping at a high rate. But I have to put food on the table and pay my bills, so the best I can do now is just try to manage the blood pressure as best I can. In all other areas I am healthy and fit. Doc is going to start me on another BP medicine to help manage my pressure some more. So although I would have liked the blood pressure to be in better range, overall I was very satisfied with my visit to the doctor. How is your health doing these days, especially in this era of the coronavirus crisis? What news have you received from your doctor, good or bad?
32 people like this
33 responses
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
21 Jun 20
I have not seen my doctor from many month, just because I am well and I do not need to see my doctor. I check my blood pressure weekly, it's a bit low but fine, my oxygen level excellent, my weight it's fine for me, I am 104 pounds (47 Kg) and it's a little more than I was when I was young, so I have no intention to gain weight.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
21 Jun 20
@moffittjc We eat at home all the time, we used to go out only on special occasions. I take care what I eat, I like to keep slim.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 20
@LadyDuck That's great to hear Anna. I like to keep slim too. I have always been very fortunate to have a great metabolism and a very active lifestyle, otherwise I'm sure I'd be very overweight from eating out so much!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
That's wonderful that you are so healthy Anna! I hope I can be as healthy as you when I get to that age! I am focusing so much more on my health these days than I have in my past.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Jun 20
That's very good news! Hopefully, the new bp meds will get your bp wishing normal range. It's the silent killer! We are healthy as horses here, thank goodness!!!!
4 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
My levels are much lower now than they were a year ago. Interestingly, just in the past year the AMA has redefined the acceptable or "normal" BP levels. Under the old guidelines, my blood pressure would have been considered in the acceptable range. However, under the new guidelines, it's considered high. Either way, I still need to work on getting the numbers lower. I keep telling my doctor that it won't fully happen until I retire from my very high-stress job.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
@DianneN I am really hoping so! I have always been against using meds to keep people alive, but I've come to the understanding that sometimes there are no other good alternatives.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Jun 20
@moffittjc I know about the new guidelines. I hope retirement helps. I know the pressure of your job may contribute to your bp. In any event, the meds will keep you healthier!!!
3 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
21 Jun 20
You used to eat out every day? Why's that?
3 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
21 Jun 20
@moffittjc That's really good to hear. Try not to take up your old unhealthy habits again when the lockdown is over.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 20
@MALUSE Our lockdown is over, although I wish they would reinstitute it again, as our number of positive cases is skyrocketing ever higher. I am slowly transitioning to working back at the office full-time. Last week I worked three days at the office and two days at home. I might try to do the same thing again this week, as long as my boss doesn't say anything to me about it.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
My busy work schedule. I work two jobs, so I am at work from 5:00am until about 7:00pm. I normally just don't have time for cooking or making meals. It's always been so much easier and convenient to just grab fast-food every day. But since we've been in lockdown, I've gotten so much better at cooking, so now I know I can quickly prepare meals to take to work with me! Plus, it's amazing how much money I am saving by not eating out every day! I actually don't have to work my second job anymore! This lockdown has been a real eye-opener for me. I've made a lot of positive changes in my life!
3 people like this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Jun 20
That's great news from your doctor. I hope the new BP medication helps bring it into a better range. As far as I know, I'm doing well. I see my doctor in August for my yearly visit.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
My next appointment is in September. To check to see how the new blood pressure medicine is working.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
@just4him It will work. I have faith. But, I also have to be a realist. High blood pressure runs in my family. Always has. So even though I can control it with exercise, diet and medicine, I have to accept the fact that it's never going to dip into lower numbers. The trick is to find the balance and control what I can control, and just try to live my life as healthily as I can.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jun 20
@moffittjc I hope it works well.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99437)
• Atlanta, Georgia
22 Jun 20
Sounds like a good report to me. Cooking at home is much healthier if you don’t overdo it on dessert. That’s wonderful that you lost weight without even trying. My doctor keeps telling me to gain weight but I think I weigh enough for my height. I used to take high blood pressure med but mine has gone down and I only occasionally have to take a pill maybe yours will do the same with your weight loss.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Jun 20
@RubyHawk My top number was at 145 this past Friday when it got measured. My doctor wants to try to get my number down to 135 if possible.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 20
I wasn't overweight to begin with, so I don't think the weight issue was the cause of my high BP at all. I think a lot of it is hereditary, plus I work a very high stress job. My BP numbers will probably never fall down into healthy ranges until I finally retire from my job!
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99437)
• Atlanta, Georgia
24 Jun 20
@moffittjc That’s too bad but my doctor tells me they’ve discovered a higher blood pressure is not as bad as previously thought.For myself I feel most energetic when my top number is around 145 and my doctor tells me that’s okay. I take a pill if it gets a little higher.
1 person likes this
@Adie04 (17364)
21 Jun 20
So far my health is fine, and I'm happy after lockdown been eased, I can go jog again.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
Even during the lockdown, we were allowed to go outside to exercise, as long as we practiced social distancing. So even during the lockdown I was still going for my daily run.
2 people like this
@Adie04 (17364)
21 Jun 20
@moffittjc that's great to hear that. Here during the lockdown, only buying groceries allowed. And buying groceries, only one person pee household allowed. Everything else, stopped.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
@Adie04 Our lockdown has ended, and everybody can move about freely again. But everyone is required to wear a mask. They shouldn't have ended the lockdown though, because the number of positive cases has skyrocketed in the past 2 weeks. We actually have more cases now than we've had in the last 3 months, yet no one is suggesting we go back into lockdown. Doesn't make any sense to me.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
21 Jun 20
I wish my doctor checked every three months. My former one did. This one only six months. I gained weight and my A1c went up, but I told her I had just binged on pastries for a couple of weeks. Oh, and I can wear smaller clothes than a year ago, so maybe I turned fat into muscle, which weighs more. Over all, eating at home is good for us here as well.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
Over the last couple of years, my A1c's were creeping up slowly, but for the last two checkups they have gone down and are well within healthy range.
1 person likes this
@SHOHANA (16096)
• Bangladesh
22 Jun 20
I always feeling well by the grace of Almighty Allah so I never go to visit doctors and I'm blessed that I can't remember when I visited any doctor last time Take care yourself, high blood pressure need to control try foods your doctor may suggest you.
2 people like this
@SHOHANA (16096)
• Bangladesh
22 Jun 20
@moffittjc I'm glad that you are a healthy person and I pray to my Almighty Allah that my friends always stay healthy and blessed
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 20
Other than when I caught the coronavirus back in March, it's been a long, long time since I've been sick. I am a very healthy person overall.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (93527)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Jun 20
Thats great news. Especially about the sugar.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (93527)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Jun 20
@moffittjc A lot of it is controlling your weight. None of my direct family has been diabetic unless they let their weight go way up. I got away from the pre diabetic stage by losing 30 pounds.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 20
@wolfgirl569 I was creeping up close to pre-diabetic stage, but with me eating healthier since COVID started, and regular exercise, both the weight and the blood sugar numbers have dropped.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (153180)
• United States
21 Jun 20
Glad to hear that most of your visit was OK. My tests came back OK...I just need to lose a ton of weight.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
I was mildly surprised when they told me how much weight I had lost. I didn't even think I had that much weight on my to lose! haha
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 20
@LindaOHio I am very active, and thought I already weighed a decent weight. I guess I had room to lose a few pounds. Who knew? I don't even think I look any skinnier than before.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (153180)
• United States
21 Jun 20
@moffittjc You keep very active! Makes it easy to lose.
2 people like this
• Philippines
21 Jun 20
That’s great news! See to it to always check your blood pressure
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
Thank you, I check my blood pressure on a regular basis.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
21 Jun 20
Good to hear you go often and keep a check on things. Make sure to watch your blood pressure.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
I'm doing my best to keep my blood pressure in check!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
@CarolDM Some of it is out of my control. So I just do my part to control what I can!
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
21 Jun 20
@moffittjc Good to hear.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
21 Jun 20
high blood pressure is a tough one. it runs in my family as well. take care of yourself!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
Thanks! All my life my blood pressure had been great, so I thought maybe I had somehow been spared my family curse. But nope, as soon as you reach a certain age everything starts falling apart! haha
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 20
@DocAndersen That's an interesting way to look at it! My dad always used to say, "Birthdays are a wonderful thing. The more you have, the longer you live!"
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
22 Jun 20
@moffittjc my dad always said each decade you add to your life is a hurdle. The higher the hurdle the harder you land on the other side!
1 person likes this
@jayanth_77 (7180)
• India
22 Jun 20
Home cooked food is the best. No matter even if it doesn't taste like a hotel food. You need to just avoid salt, oil , fat and include more of fresh vegetables and proteins.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 20
yes, I agree that home cooked food is the best! But I'm not a good cook, so I am slowly learning how to cook better. I've also been eating lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts and other natural foods.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48225)
• Canada
21 Jun 20
Congratulations on the weight loss, that is wonderful. My doctor isn't seeing patients in his office, non of the doctors in his building are. They only do telephone appointments. He hopes that my next appointment in 3 months will be live and in person. Time will tell.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
I was actually surprised they kept my appointment, and did it in person instead of over the phone. It could have very easily been done over the phone.
2 people like this
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
21 Jun 20
Congratulations on your good medical news. Keep it up this way.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
I'm going to do my best. Although I have always been physically fit and active, I haven't always eaten the best. It's time I turn that part of my life around.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun 20
It's good that you are having routine checks. And it sounds like eating at home is better for you, even if you're not a good cook.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
Thankfully, there aren't too many ways to ruined canned soup, or macaroni & cheese, or sandwiches! haha
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (115614)
• United States
21 Jun 20
wonderful news!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
For the most part, yes. I am happy with the news I received. Still want to get my BP down lower. I'm sure with continued diet and exercise, and medication, I can do a better job of controlling it. I'm sure part of it is hereditary, but I need to control what I can control, and let the medicine do the rest.
2 people like this
• India
21 Jun 20
Nothing much to talk about because am just the same and only thing I have reduced is my food bill because I used to eat outside a lot but not anymore
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
It's amazing how much money we spend eating out all the time, without even realizing it! I am saving so much money now by cooking at home instead of eating out at restaurants!
2 people like this
@Shunnan (2106)
21 Jun 20
i didn't have any check up now due to many cases of virus.I avoid Hospitals and Clinics so I need to be healthy.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118206)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 20
You are very smart! It is best to avoid doctors, hospitals and clinics right now due to COVID. I hope you are able to stay safe and healthy!
2 people like this