The Train Is Running Again If Not On Schedule

It's been a bit since I posted. A brief update is in order. I went back on blood pressure medicine, with a few provisions. I would also be put on methylphenidate (ritalin ), the blood pressure medicine would be increased as needed, and other prescriptions for the blood pressure control will be added as needed, provided my blood pressure lowered and pulse didn’t increase. Well, for several weeks, it just wasn't dropping, then weeks became a month and then more. After the first two weeks, my ability to function nearly completely ceased. More time went by and finally I offered to take even more medicine,fosinopril, if methylphenidate would be added, otherwise I would have to cease taking the medicine and just "live" with the consequences as I knew I honestly couldn’t take more medication and function well enough to remember to take it (or I should say, be conscious enough or often enough to take it).

Beyond that, another sleep study was conducted indicating no rem sleep and low (if not critically low) oxygen levels (one of the best nights sleep I can remember, continuos air circulation in the test bedroom, go figure). So, beyond the hp problem, perhaps a sleep problem as well. I'll be being seen by ENT in just a few weeks (very quick this time at the Iowa City VA, yeah!).

Ok, so we agree and move forward with a doubling from 10mg to 20mg fosinopril once a day, and 5mg methylphenidate twice a day. Wow, those first two days on methylphenidate were like being alive again, if a bit stressing. As well, since there are dangers involved with the methylphenidate, a follow-up with a pharmacologist type (pleasant woman, really, and tall:) a week after my doctor visit. So, I saw her this last Tuesday. Little progress was seen on the bp drop, though pulse looked good and bp is lowering some. So, she doubles the doubling. Now I'm on 40mg fosinopril. Thankfully, I had been skipping one methylphenidate occasionally as it was a bit potent. Trust me though, I take all of it now and it has become a bit tight, though I am much more functional than on 10mg with nothing.

Life has been a little choppy, first from having no "boost" on the system crashing med, then having too little or too much boost and med changes. I think I am finally to something called minimally self sustaining, if still slightly erratic trying to keep a day schedule. Sleep is harder to come by, but function is generally much improved. I do fear more medicine, different medicine, etc, but I’ll go with it as far as I can function to do so.

I have started the process of buying a new vehicle (Nissan Xterra Off-Road most likely). I have test driven the Toyota FJ Cruiser and will test drive the Ford (Explorer) Sport Trac Monday. I am weighing these vehicles, finances, Mum’s input, etc. I must go slow, check, and plan, but I also need to do this sooner rather than later. I planted several herbs (hyssop, basil, Marjoram, and Parsley all but basil has sprouted!). I've been keeping myself and my “man thing cave” much neater. I've been getting out a bit more, I'm trying to devise a work-out routine, and I have a few old and new hobbies and projects that are back in play or starting up (golf, camping, target shooting, fishing, and hopefully some snorkeling and hunting this summer and fall respectively, thus the target shooting).

I see life hasn't changed all that much, and the world doesn't know and doesn't care what is happening here (which, to my thinking, is a good thing). World and US tragedies, successes, politics, and all is always right where I left it though some of you all change, just a bit here or there, so nothing important is exactly the same. I’ve been stopping by several bloggers places and leaving my typical little “gifts” (I’m sure many are as potent and welcome as subpotty trained peoples “gifts”, but…). Even when I can’t blog or even comment, I can at least browse your minds and intent, and even in Difster’s case, learn and change just a bit from you all.

Hopefully I’ll get back to this with some ideas I’ve had soon, ideas which have temporarily flitted from my grasp but might well come back better later.