earache by NewOldBrownCoat

NEWOLDBROWNCOAT'S BLOG

NewOldBrownCoat

earache
Sunday, April 13, 2008

So I had this earache, ya see? Pressure in my ear, hearing loss, face swollen on that side, ringing, numbness, yadda-yadda... Had it for a week and it wouldn't go away. Had something similar maybe 10 years ago, and I figured antibiotic, decongestant, maybe a shot of cortisone, which is what it took back then. So I took a night off from my job and made the first doctor's appointment I've had in about 10 years.

Walked in, paid the fee, filled out alla the paperwork. The nurse took my blood pressure-- then stopped. Took it again. Changed to a different machine. Tried the other arm. Got the Doctor's Assistant. He tried both arms. Then they got the Doctor. She took it on both arms and then explained. It was 190 over something. 200 is when the little oil derrick on Popeye's head explodes in a gusher.

Which, of course, blew her mind. " Can't treat your ear, anything I do might cause a stroke. We gotta get your BP under control before you leave the office today---" So she put me on one BP med--- she says it may take a combo of 3 or 4, but she wants to sneak up on 'em one at a time, to watch for side effects. Makes sense. Meanwhile, lifestyle changes- exercise, take pills, loose weight, change my diet, low sodium, low colesteral, reduce sugar and caffiene, lower stress, monitor my BP, buy a machine for that, Lots of Doctor office visits at $ 30 a pop. And a blood test...

Now, I've got a phobia about folks with needles. Can't watch some of the scenes in FF and the BDM where they're sticking folks with 'em. That's the main reason why I haven't been to a doctor in years- never been in a medical situation yet where somebody wasn't trying to stab me with something sharp, usually in the ass, and hurt me, " for my own good." So we negociated that one, put it on hold for the time being.

Anyway, she finally looked in my ear, and said, " Your problem is impacted wax- flush it with peroxide and water, it'll clear up. " Which I did, and it did.

Meanwhile, I've started walking every day, eating better, eating smaller portions, eating fruit-- I ate the first banana I've had since High School. Had a burger over the weekend, but it was a single with no cheese, instead of a double cheeseburger. Ate a tuna sandwich on white for lunch the other day-- maybe not the first since high school, but the first in a long time.

But I've lived on Pepsi-Cola and junk food for maybe 30 years. Eggs and sausage for breakfast. Drinking bottled *W*A*T*E*R* and fruit juice don't get it. Pasteurized OJ tastes like , that's why I don't drink the stuff. NO chips, no cookies, the old boiled fish and bran muffin diet. And my wife has done this for years, to deal with HER various troubles, so now I gotta put up with " I toldya so..."

Went to the supermarket today, and the "healthy " option products, where there were any, cost twice as much. Can't have tomato sauce, too much sodium, so no spagetti or gumbo, which we have lived on. No lunch meat, no pickles, no sauces, no Hamburger Helper, no mac-n-cheese, no cheese...

So I'm gonna lose weight one way or the other, either because I choose to eat healthier, or eat smaller portions, or because I can't afford to eat any more than I get, or maybe just because I'll starve.

But today I got lots of frustration. I DON"T WANTA DO ANY OF THIS STUFF. But I'm gonna, I understand the need, and the cause and effect relation, I JUST don't wanta. It would be easier if it didn't cost more of my already short money, and stuff was available at the local store instead of Acme HealthFood, where ya can pay $10 for a half gallon of good OJ. But I'm gonna do it, one day at a time. and see how it goes.

COMMENTS

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:04 AM

MAL4PREZ

So, I grew up on quite a lot of junk food, but at some point that option went away. (Change in location and income, mostly. No money for soda and snacks.) The odd thing? As I've gotten used to it, I just don't like junk so much anymore. OK - I certainly have my vices, but I feel physically sick from fast food and actually *crave* good stuff most of the time.

Which is all to say, the joy may not be gone for you. It'll be a shift and surely unpleasant at first, but you may discover new goodnesses.

And feeling healthy is a very, very nice thing. :)

Monday, April 14, 2008 3:26 PM

SLUMMING

On a positive note, pain can also make your BP go up, so perhaps it was at least slightly elevated by the earache. Not to say, of course, that lifestyle changes aren't in order, but hopefully things are not as dire as they seem right now! And as for orange juice, if you can, just buy the oranges and squeeze them yourself. Tastes much better and costs less in the long run! Speaking as a veteran of the BP wars, I can say that exercise was much more effective for me than diet changes! Pushed the pressure right back into the normal range after about a week! Good luck finding the combination that works best for you! :D

Monday, April 14, 2008 4:24 AM

EBIANNAH

Oh, and the other point,why does healthy food cost so much more? Man! It's like hunting, having to find the best bargains. Not my idea of fun, grocery shopping. Good luck.

Monday, April 14, 2008 4:22 AM

EBIANNAH

Well, at least you had the problem caught in time! Whew! And yeah, eating healthy can be a hassle and a half. But I've been trying it for the past six months or so. My blood pressure was going up and I'm the only adult in my family that doesn't have a problem with it. Both parents, both sisters...but not me. It got to be a bit of a pride thing. Anyway, short story long, it bloomin' works. I'm a few pounds lighter but my blood pressure is well within a normal range again.

So, hold on. You'll make it.

Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:11 PM

ADAMSTEVENSON

Sorry to hear that, I love my junk food if someone took that away from me I would be like them taking firefly away. You just don't. On your food problem however I don't know you that well but after a while if your sick of the health food go back to the usual food. You gotta die of something.

Keep flyin.

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