My doc ordering tests for my pain

[Ronni]

Had some weird mild back pain that I thought required a visit to my chiropractor but that didn’t solve it. It wasn’t constant, but wouldn’t go away entirely so made an appointment with my doc.

She checked me over thoroughly, said she suspected arthritis. I asked her if it could be some kind of cardiac symptom. She said it was atypical but definitely worth considering. Because of the nature of the pain, and the fact that my blood pressure was also elevated, she ordered a couple of additional tests in case there was any heart involvement.

She also told me to get a blood pressure monitor and check my BP morning and evening. She wants to establish a pattern. Said a random high BP reading by itself isn’t particularly concerning but if it continues elevated that’s another matter. My BP is typically around 120-130/70ish. it’s been reading in the 130-140’s for the last three days so that’s different.

I’m waiting on the test results and trying not to be concerned.

 

[Murrmurr]

Sounds like a good plan. I think you have a pretty good doctor there.

 

[Blessed]

yep, I have had a bp check/tester for years. Got it when my husband was sick. Had to keep a log of his bp everyday for the clinical trials he was in. These days I use to keep an eye on mine when I don't feel well. Very good to have one in the house.

Hope she will send you on for an MRI of the spine if she finds nothing else from her tests. I know when I first started with the migraines they did not look further. About five years in my primary ordered a MRI of the neck. There was damage, spinal stenosis, bulging discs, etc. Just had a visit with an orthopedist, he ordered a new MRI, things are a little worse. He does not recommend surgery right now. Trying new meds and PT for the pain. The meds alone are a big help, have not started the PT yet.

I tell you this because the first MRI was 5 years after the pain started. Do not let them make you wait if the pain continues.

 

[Ronni]

yep, I have had a bp check/tester for years. Got it when my husband was sick. Had to keep a log of his bp everyday for the clinical trials he was in. These days I use to keep an eye on mine when I don't feel well. Very good to have one in the house.

Hope she will send you on for an MRI of the spine if she finds nothing else from her tests. I know when I first started with the migraines they did not look further. About five years in my primary ordered a MRI of the neck. There was damage, spinal stenosis, bulging discs, etc. Just had a visit with an orthopedist, he ordered a new MRI, things are a little worse. He does not recommend surgery right now. Trying new meds and PT for the pain. The meds alone are a big help, have not started the PT yet.

I tell you this because the first MRI was 5 years after the pain started. Do not let them make you wait if the pain continues.

Yup. MRI. X-RAYS. CT calcium score scan for starters.

 

[Been There]

Had some weird mild back pain that I thought required a visit to my chiropractor but that didn’t solve it. It wasn’t constant, but wouldn’t go away entirely so made an appointment with my doc.

She checked me over thoroughly, said she suspected arthritis. I asked her if it could be some kind of cardiac symptom. She said it was atypical but definitely worth considering. Because of the nature of the pain, and the fact that my blood pressure was also elevated, she ordered a couple of additional tests in case there was any heart involvement.

She also told me to get a blood pressure monitor and check my BP morning and evening. She wants to establish a pattern. Said a random high BP reading by itself isn’t particularly concerning but if it continues elevated that’s another matter. My BP is typically around 120-130/70ish. it’s been reading in the 130-140’s for the last three days so that’s different.

I’m waiting on the test results and trying not to be concerned.

What’s the nature of the pain? Where is it located? Your BP may only be temporary, but even if it stays where it is, I don’t see anything to get upset over. I’m in pretty good condition and my BP runs around 140-145/70-80. I am not concerned about it. I had a heart catheterization done maybe just over a year ago and the Cardiologist was fine with everything. Never even mentioned my BP.

You will be fine. Maybe even consider just going to a Cardiologist and cut out the middle man. Keep in touch. I wish you well.

 

[Ronni]

What’s the nature of the pain? Where is it located? Your BP may only be temporary, but even if it stays where it is, I don’t see anything to get upset over. I’m in pretty good condition and my BP runs around 140-145/70-80. I am not concerned about it. I had a heart catheterization done maybe just over a year ago and the Cardiologist was fine with everything. Never even mentioned my BP.

You will be fine. Maybe even consider just going to a Cardiologist and cut out the middle man. Keep in touch. I wish you well.

The current BP number isn’t particularly high, but it’s elevated 15 to 20° above normal. Because it has gone up and is staying up so far, my doctor is concerned enough about that to want to follow up. I’m glad she’s diligent.

 

[Michael Z]

Two easy no-cost and low-risk things to check out:
1. Stretches for back pain. For me, putting my foot up on a stool or low bench and then stretching the back of my leg for 20 seconds works very well.
2. A diet that reduces inflammation. Which is helpful in a lot of other ways.

 

[jujube]

It's a vicious cycle: pain->higher blood pressure->tension->pain->higher blood pressure.............

 

[Timewise 60+]

Sounds like you and your doctor are on a good path. I would comment that having pain as you describe can increase the blood pressure. So that could be on cause to consider as you go through the testing. Best of luck, glad you are dealing with it like you are!

 

[Wigglestein]

yep, I have had a bp check/tester for years. Got it when my husband was sick. Had to keep a log of his bp everyday for the clinical trials he was in. These days I use to keep an eye on mine when I don't feel well. Very good to have one in the house.

Hope she will send you on for an MRI of the spine if she finds nothing else from her tests. I know when I first started with the migraines they did not look further. About five years in my primary ordered a MRI of the neck. There was damage, spinal stenosis, bulging discs, etc. Just had a visit with an orthopedist, he ordered a new MRI, things are a little worse. He does not recommend surgery right now. Trying new meds and PT for the pain. The meds alone are a big help, have not started the PT yet.

I tell you this because the first MRI was 5 years after the pain started. Do not let them make you wait if the pain continues.

I think an MRI would be great too. Spinal stenosis is more common than people think. I have MS and have had brain and spine MRIs annually for over 20 years. Only this year did stenosis show up. New rehab Doc says nothing to worry about, barely noticeable on the MRI, and very common in the 60+ crowd.

 

[Mike]

I had a back pain many years ago, it turned out
to be caused by taking too many pain killers, I
was taking them because of the sore back, that
they were causing!!

I hope that yours is nothing serious, Ronni, maybe
just a pulled muscle.

Mike.

 

[Ronni]

So. Got my test results back. Turns out I have mild (thank God!) atherosclerosis which for the uninitiated (I was) is a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls, often referred to as plaque.

I finally agreed to be put on a statin (Crestor) which I have to take once a day. History of heart disease in my family so my doc says this isn’t unexpected. Dad had quadruple bypass surgery in his 60’s and Mum had several small strokes over several years before her death. Doc also said that if I hadn’t been taking such good care of my health, this would likely have happened much sooner.

So I’m doubling down on diet, following the Mediterranean/Dash diet but also careful of calories and portion sizes, to see if I can’t shed this extra 8 pounds that just won’t go away!! and being more diligent with exercise.
Also need some follow up with BP which has always been normal, but is now higher. Doc doesn’t know if this is just an anomaly due to stress of this health stuff, or is a separate issue. Another appointment in 2 weeks while I monitor my BP morning and night, to get a general range rather than a couple isolated readings.

At the follow up appointment I’ll discuss the need to see a cardiologist.

Hate this.

 

[hearlady]

You can beat this!

 

[Gemma]

@Ronni Sorry to hear you are going through this but sounds like you are being taken care of well.

Taking a stain...did your doctor tell you to take it in the evening? It works better then. Also take CoQ10 because a statin will deplete it in your system.

 

[Wigglestein]

Two things....I was told to get a home BP monitor. Got one and my BP at home is always high....at the clinic its good! I am now supposed to take my monitor in to the clinic. Nurse said the home units often read high.
And 2, Hubs was started on a statin. Within a few days he had memory issues. He stopped and a few days later he was fine.

 

[Jules]

And 2, Hubs was started on a statin. Within a few days he had memory issues. He stopped and a few days later he was fine.

Are memory issues common? Glad he found the cause.

 

[Ronni]

@Ronni Sorry to hear you are going through this but sounds like you are being taken care of well.

Taking a stain...did your doctor tell you to take it in the evening? It works better then. Also take CoQ10 because a statin will deplete it in your system.

Thanks @Gemma. I’ve been taking CQ10 plus a bunch of other supplements for some years now and that’s one thing we went over. My doc advised me to stop taking red yeast rice once I start Crestor, but said the rest are fine.

And yes, both she and my pharmacist said to take it at night. I split my supplements up between morning and evening, so I’ve just added the med to my evening batch.

 

[Ronni]

Two things....I was told to get a home BP monitor. Got one and my BP at home is always high....at the clinic its good! I am now supposed to take my monitor in to the clinic. Nurse said the home units often read high.
And 2, Hubs was started on a statin. Within a few days he had memory issues. He stopped and a few days later he was fine.

my doc told me to get the Omron BP monitor, for the arm not the wrist. I’m already noticing puzzling variations in the readings. I can take my BP three times in a row without changing positions or moving in any way other than my thumb pressing the button, and I’ll get three entirely different readings! The diastolic doesn’t vary much, just a couple points, but the systolic will show a difference of 30 points with three readings taken seconds apart!

This is the list my doctor gave me of the most common side effects.

Common side effects of Crestor include:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Memory loss and confusion
• Muscle aches and pains
• Nausea
• Protein in your urine
• Weakness

 

[JustDave]

Waiting for test results can drive up your blood pressure. But take heart, you have reacted to the problem sensibly. No amount of worry is necessary about whether you are doing the right thing or not. Wait and see, and then make a decision with your doctor on what to do next.
Edit: And take anything you pickup from internet forums with a grain of salt.

 

[Wigglestein]

my doc told me to get the Omron BP monitor, for the arm not the wrist. I’m already noticing puzzling variations in the readings. I can take my BP three times in a row without changing positions or moving in any way other than my thumb pressing the button, and I’ll get three entirely different readings! The diastolic doesn’t vary much, just a couple points, but the systolic will show a difference of 30 points with three readings taken seconds apart!

This is the list my doctor gave me of the most common side effects.

Common side effects of Crestor include:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Memory loss and confusion
• Muscle aches and pains
• Nausea
• Protein in your urine
• Weakness

Mine is an Omron, too. I don't know what in going to do with it. The good news is doc says my BP is fine.

 

[Wigglestein]

my doc told me to get the Omron BP monitor, for the arm not the wrist. I’m already noticing puzzling variations in the readings. I can take my BP three times in a row without changing positions or moving in any way other than my thumb pressing the button, and I’ll get three entirely different readings! The diastolic doesn’t vary much, just a couple points, but the systolic will show a difference of 30 points with three readings taken seconds apart!

This is the list my doctor gave me of the most common side effects.

Common side effects of Crestor include:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Memory loss and confusion
• Muscle aches and pains
• Nausea
• Protein in your urine
• Weakness

His docs denied that the Lipitor was the cause of his memory loss. But when I looked online for studies on Lipitor and memory loss there were dozens over several years. Each one denied the connection but each one said they were doing the study due to patient complaints. Now I see its finally listed as a side effect.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Several months after my DIL died, my blood pressure was so high that I thought my machine had malfunctioned. Usually my pressures are good at the doctors' offices. After monitoring my pressures for a couple of week at home and reporting the results to my "new" cardiologist, she ordered a blood pressure study during which time I had to wear a monitor that was fitted at the hospital. I wore it for 24 hours then returned to have it removed. According to the report, my pressures were in normal range.

Seems your doctor has a good plan Ronni. It's a start and I hope they get to the bottom of it soon. It is no fun having an ailment and not know what it is exactly and what's causing it.

 

[Kaila]

@Gemma and @Ronni
I wonder if either of you, or other readers here, have any info regarding the 2 different basic forms of CoQ10;

Particularly, whether the one that does not need the body to change it into the usable form, (ubiquinol) works any better for most people or not. (I wonder if it is Possibly more effective at reducing side effects of statins, and therefore worth paying even more for, than the ubiquinone form?)

 

[Gemma]

@Kaila
Because of my husband having cancer and treated with chemo & radiation, his lab work numbers were all over the place. He was put on a statin and also CoQ10 which has really helped. He takes Qunol® Ultra CoQ10. We usually buy it at our local Rite-aid store and it's usually on sale where you buy one, get one for 50% off.

All his lab work comes back great now.

 

[Kaila]

@Kaila
Because of my husband having cancer and treated with chemo & radiation, his lab work numbers were all over the place. He was put on a statin and also CoQ10 which has really helped. He takes Qunol® Ultra CoQ10. We usually buy it at our local Rite-aid store and it's usually on sale where you buy one, get one for 50% off.

All his lab work comes back great now.

Thank you for this, Gemma!
I am glad it helped him! And I will follow up on it. Thanks, again!