I have had low blood pressure for most of my life. I was lucky because I had no diet restrictions or any medications that I had to take to maintain that low reading. When I went to the doctor for my annual physical, the doctor would always remark that I must be doing everything right.
This remark usually brought on some guilty feelings because I felt like I was doing everything wrong. I ate foods that contained too much salt, took way too much ibuprofen, and when I wanted to lie on the couch, I didn’t hesitate.
I was very confident when I had my physical this year, and was shocked to hear the medical assistant say that my blood pressure was high. Maybe she wasn’t fully trained, or I was too nervous. I was seeing this doctor for the first time, so I was about to jump out of my skin, wondering what she would have to say.
Ok, she was going to do the blood pressure again, but it was still high. For the first time in my life, I had to take medication to control my blood pressure. At least it was still in the early stages so I could control it before it reached a critical state.
How Safe Are NSAIDs?
I wanted to do some research about this problem, and I’ve found that pain relievers may cause high blood pressure. I have taken an NSAID(Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) for over 25 years and in the beginning, was prescribed the maximum dose of 1000 mg a day, which was broken up into two 500mg. doses.
NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin, Advil, Motrin, and Naproxen. These drugs work well for relieving pain and minimizing swelling, but now doctors want you to take Tylenol, which is a very temporary fix for me.
I know it can increase your risk of a heart attack and stroke, but I don’t want to be in pain all the time.
My doctor told me I can stay on the NSAIDs, but as I have gotten older, I have experienced more side effects. I now have chronic kidney disease and frequent heartburn.
If you are under a doctor’s care and taking an NSAID, watch for the following side effects:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea and/or Constipation
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Balance problems
- Not able to concentrate
- Mild headaches
There are alternatives to NSAIDs:
Topical Therapies
I have used Voltaren pain gel. It is most beneficial to sufferers of osteoarthritis, which occurs over time because of age-related “wear and tear” on joints. I have joint pain and swelling, and I am stiff if I sit for long periods.
Voltaren gel is commonly used to treat OA, the most common type of arthritis.
My doctor wanted me to try Voltaren, but it was not as effective as taking ibuprofen in pill form. This could be because I have been on medication for so long, so I need higher doses to keep the pain in check.
Check with your doctor to see if this might work for you.
TENS
TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a method of pain relief involving the use of a mild electrical current. It comes with sticky electrodes, and you apply them to the problem areas. Before I can apply the sticky part, it sticks to my clothes, my computer table, etc.
Once you have it in place, you can decide how much current you need, and leave it on for about half an hour to an hour. Pain relief is temporary, so schedule a time to do it regularly.
Seek advice from your doctor to go over any precautions or side effects.
Physical Therapy
I was referred to physical therapy a few times, and I would rather do the exercises at home. Your experience might be completely different. The first visit starts with an evaluation, and then specific exercises are prescribed. One of my problems with it was that the therapist would just leave me alone and tell me to do my exercises. I could do those at home.
I will give a shout-out to occupational therapy for your hands. Your hands may be dipped in paraffin wax, which can be soothing. The hand massage with lotion was one of my favorites. There are various finger aids that you use for exercise.
Weight Loss
Who doesn’t want to lose weight? I want to lose weight, but don’t want to give up my old favorites like macaroni and cheese, any kind of dessert, or hot chocolate with a double cloud of whipped cream.
I have had good luck using hypnosis and subliminal MP3s.
Counting calories was my preferred method for losing weight for many years, and I find that it is the easiest way for me to lose weight. Low-carb is too strict, and Weight Watchers makes me feel like I am just eating rabbit food.
Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your arthritis pain and improve your quality of life.
Summary
Arthritis can’t be cured, but by practicing good health habits, you can manage your condition. Start with a doctor’s visit, and try to get a referral to the dietitian. Try physical therapy and see if your pain level improves.
