I have not posted a brand new recipe for a number of weeks now, and plenty of of you’ve requested why. The reason being we’re experiencing but one other a type of pesky life updates, and this time it is my spouse.
On February 16, 2023, at about 4:00 am – I needed to name 911 for my spouse Rhonda as she awoke not feeling nicely and her blood strain was 208/118 with a pulse of 92.
Weeks previous to this, she had been experiencing random nosebleeds, normally within the wee hours of the morning, and once I began checking her blood strain – it was all the time very excessive. A response to the nosebleed? Or have been the nosebleeds a response to the blood strain spike?
In truth, we went to the ER when this FIRST began occurring, again in April of 2022 however surprisingly to me, emergency room medical doctors are VERY HESITANT to do something with blood strain – so that they taught her tips on how to pinch her nostril to cease the bleeding and despatched her residence.
On Feb 15, we FINALLY managed to get into our physician’s workplace to see a Doctor’s Assistant, who prescribed the drug Clonidine to assist her loosen up and produce her blood strain down, if we wanted it.
Seems we DID want it that evening, however sadly, the prescription nonetheless had not been stuffed but (on account of a backlog on the pharmacy). So at 4:00 am – I made the decision for a terrifying ambulance trip BACK to the ER with a blood strain of 208/123.
I ought to observe: my spouse has been taking 2 blood strain medicines for so long as I can bear in mind, however was actively making an attempt to eat higher and train to hopefully come OFF of them. She has been 100% WFPBNO since January 1.
After a number of EKGs and blood exams, regardless that they have been nonetheless very hesitant to do something together with her blood strain – they gave her a dose of Clonidine (however solely as a result of our physician had already prescribed it). And at 6:00 am she was launched to come back residence.
One other necessary consider all of this – she was NOT experiencing some other signs. No chest ache, no shortness of breath, no complications, or blurred imaginative and prescient… JUST the blood strain spike and generally a nosebleed.
And so we have now been within the “hurry up and wait” mode of our fantastic world of American HealthScare ever since.
It appears each time we attempt to arrange an appointment for an workplace go to or lab, or imaging of any kind- we’re instructed the earliest they will see her is in 1-2 weeks. And regardless that we additionally acquired a referral to a heart specialist – we are able to anticipate to attend as much as 4-6 MONTHS for that.
“However what if it is an emergency?!”, I ask.
Name 911.
Taking Issues Into Our Personal Fingers
In order we weave ourselves out and in of our extraordinarily damaged healthcare system, I additionally began wanting into alternate options.
Possibly there’s something WE can do – RIGHT NOW – as we wait.
Clearly, I considered weight loss program and life-style, however this is the factor, my spouse HAS been consuming a VERY clear 100% WFPBNO weight loss program since Jan 1, and 95-98% compliant for years now.
If she is consuming so nicely, why does she appear to be getting worse?
For that reply – I turned to the identical physician I turned to after I had my stroke in 2020 – Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, MD.
He known as us final week and after a little bit small speak, he requested about her weight.
- Rhonda: “135 kilos”
- Dr. Essy: “And what did you weigh in Excessive College?”
- Rhonda: “98 kilos”
- Me: “Hey doc – she HAS been reducing weight and she or he DOES eat WFPBNO…”
- Dr. Essy: “So why is she nonetheless 30 kilos obese?”
Ouch. He could look mild – however do not let him idiot you – he IS hardcore.
And this all occurred JUST once I started reside streaming to my help group. And that is when THEY instructed all of us do the ESSELSTYN REVERSAL DIET collectively, for Rhonda, and so they even coined it – “The Nice Excessive College Weight Problem“
We’re additionally studying his guide, “Stop and Reverse Coronary heart Illness” as a bunch in our neighborhood’s Guide Membership.
You’ll be able to be a part of us if you would like – both for the guide membership or the problem.
Here is the hyperlink. BNV Neighborhood
Along with all of this, on account of lastly getting again into our physician’s workplace to see a nurse practitioner this time – she put her on a low FODMAP weight loss program with but ANOTHER blood strain prescription.
Oiy!
One Final Factor…
So we nonetheless haven’t any solutions, she is as much as 4 BP meds now, making an attempt her finest to comply with Essy’s Food regimen plan AND a low FODMAP weight loss program plan (which belief me, does not go away a lot she will be able to eat), and the BP spikes are nonetheless occurring.
So simply to cowl each attainable avenue accessible – I simply arrange a digital appointment with Dr. Niki Davis, MD from Plant Primarily based TeleHealth.
You could have seen her on Chef AJ. She is the “rocket scientist” turned medical physician and is one among many plant-based medical doctors Plant Primarily based TeleHealth has to select from.
Despite the fact that that is strictly an internet digital telehealth firm, let me guarantee you they’re all actual medical medical doctors (not simply NPs or PAs) and may order labs, prescriptions, no matter – identical to your actual physician can. And so they cowl all 50 states right here in America, so ANYONE can have a plant-based physician.
In truth, one of many co-founders is none aside from Dr. Micheal Klaper himself.
So – that’s the place we presently are.
And belief me, there have been MANY sleepless nights since this entire factor began.
We simply need solutions.
WHY are the blood strain spikes occurring hastily? What can we do?!
My poor spouse is AFRAID of going to mattress at evening understanding she is going to most likely get up in a couple of hours – not enjoyable for somebody who eats very clear, workout routines frequently, does not drink, has by no means smoked, and appears approach youthful than her age.
“I am doing all the appropriate issues – so why me?”
Prayers? Good vibes? Therapeutic ideas? Ship them our approach if you would like and thanks, they’re very a lot appreciated.
We want all we are able to get.
