They're killing me with this bullshit tow scam

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[–]send_nasty_stuff 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (15 children)

You need to let me help you out bro. You shouldn't be on BP meds.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (14 children)

u/Melodic_Programmer has been saying that too. I don't like BP meds, they weren't the first resort. I lost weight, exercised, quit caffeine (started drinking tea later), yoga, meditation, tried a number of supplements. Hell, I was on a low sodium diet forever.

And still, my blood pressure hits lethal levels. I can't even get dentistry done when it's doing that, the dentists won't risk the strain on my heart from the -caine. I had to go on the meds.

About the only thing I can think of that I haven't tried is quitting ciggs, but that causes a relatively minor difference.

[–]send_nasty_stuff 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (10 children)

I'm going to need your:

age range.

Level of exercise.

Sleep levels.

Sun exposure levels.

Average weekly diet.

Average eating window (when do you start eating when do you stop?)

Gender and race.

BMI

Guilty eating pleasure(s)

Water intake levels

Alcohol and soda levels

Any other meds or major medical issues besides BP levels?

You can PM me if you don't want to share all that out publicly.

(and for the record I've been on BP meds before and my entire family is on BP meds. I've been able to kick the habit but it takes time and a total rethinking about how you approach food.)

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (9 children)

age: 42

I stopped exercising because of joint and muscular pain. Used to just do light stuff, yoga, 1-2 mile walk daily, water exercises (that one surprisingly really hurt), elliptical.

Sleep is a huge problem. Especially now when I'm stressed by this tow. I have periods of awful insomnia, at the worst I only a few hours sleep every few days. Recently, pre-tow, it had been normal. Sometimes that happens for a bit.

Sun exposure: I make sure to get some morning sun, seems to help regulate my sleeping. It varies how much I get, but recently quite a bit.

Average weekly diet: usually plenty of fruit and I cook my meals based around a protein. Very little fast or fried food, processed food is often low. I have more of a sweet tooth in my old age, but I don't buy candy. On the weekends I might drink a six pack a day, sometimes my alcohol use is problematic but I quit daily drinking and being drunk all the time.

Average eating window (when do you start eating when do you stop?): I usually skip breakfast, and the other meals are whenever I am hungry. I eat about 400 calories in a sitting, all the solid food that seems to fit these days, the number of meals varies. I have experienced episodes one might call binge eating, but it's not generally an issue. Sugar seems to trigger it.

Gender and race: white male (slavic ancestry)

BMI: slightly overweight, 25.8 currently.

Guilty eating pleasure(s)

Freezer pops, ice cream, Rico's nacho cheese sauce, soda

Water intake levels

1-1.5L a day I believe based on how many times I have to refill my pitcher.

Alcohol and soda levels

Covered the beer, maybe 12-18 a week. Soda, I have a problem with. I drink way too much of it if I have it. So I don't buy it. When I do though it doesn't last long.

Any other meds or major medical issues besides BP levels: Chronic pain

[–]send_nasty_stuff 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (8 children)

PART I

To save time I'm just going to type out instructions. If you want reasons behind these things just ask. It would take a LOT of time to type out WHY you should do all this stuff but I don't mind explaining if needed.

Used to just do light stuff, yoga, 1-2 mile walk daily, water exercises (that one surprisingly really hurt), elliptical.

So you stopped these? or you do them infrequently?. I'd go ahead and get back on 'em if you can. If you're having trouble doing two miles just do less. If you can pick a time to do them try within 10 minutes after a meal. Otherwise do them any time. If you can get two or three walk sessions in a day do so. Yoga's great. Get back into that if you can. I like Yoga with Adrienne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3-gKPNyrTA

Remember that a quick session is better than no session at all. Remember that the key word is ADHERENCE. Making walking and yoga and any other exercise you want to do easy. Have exercise clothes ready. Have a regular time. Do little things to increase physicality. Example: parking further away. Using stairs. Taking phone calls on walks. Etc. Throw a podcast or news report or book on tape during walks.

Sleep is a huge problem. Especially now when I'm stressed by this tow. I have periods of awful insomnia, at the worst I only a few hours sleep every few days. Recently, pre-tow, it had been normal. Sometimes that happens for a bit.

Thanks for sharing. I think this is a big reason you're having blood pressure issues. I'm going to throw so general tips at you. If you can't do all of them that's fine but try to do as many as possible.

Sleep tips:

  1. Upon waking get outside in the sun as soon as possible for 30 second minimum 2 minutes preferable; even longer is better. No sunglasses. (obviously don't stare at the sun)

  2. Increase sun light exposure to your eyes during the day.

  3. After the sun goes down be SUPER mindful of artificial light from all sources. Dim them, shut them off if possible. If you have to use a TV, comp, or phone but an amber app on them. I use https://justgetflux.com/ but there are many others. Apple products have these built in.

  4. Try to set a general bedtime and get into bed even if you're not tired. An hour before you're bedtime try to be in the dark. That's hard but I like to do breathing exercises. The last 30-60 minutes before bed should be low or no light and low or no stimulating activities or food.

  5. If you consume caffeine to do it late morning or midday. Never first thing in the morning. Never afternoon or evening.

  6. Your sleeping environment should be dark, cool and clean.

  7. Try taking two of these 10-15 minutes before bed. They are NOT a sleep aid. In fact they are a brain booster but I've found they increase my dream vividness which gives me deeper quality sleep.

  8. Try goatsmilk and a high cacao chocolate 40 minutes before bed.

  9. Try 1-4 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar mixed with water. This won't really help sleep but will speed up digestion and help you get into sleep ketosis faster.

  10. Last tip: Try not to eat within 3 hours of bedtime. If this is difficult start with one hour and then over weeks and months kick it to 2 and then 3. Do not eat within 1 hour of waking. Water is ok of course.

  11. Bonus tip. If you wake up in the middle of the night that's actually a good thing. This is something all humans use to do. I would recommend getting up if that happens and do some type of moderate or low intensity chore and then you will naturally feel yourself getting tired. When you feel that natural tiredness go to sleep. DO NOT turn on bright lights or get on a computer/screen device during this time. Fold laundry. Tidy up. Read a book. Do something that can be done with candle light type light sources.

[–]send_nasty_stuff 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

PART II

Sun exposure: I make sure to get some morning sun, seems to help regulate my sleeping. It varies how much I get, but recently quite a bit.

Sound great. Keep it up. Expose as much of your skin as your situation allows. Start monitoring UV level if you live in a very Sunny area and aim for the 2-5 UV level zone. Above 5 you've gotta be careful and below two won't provide much vitamin D (although still good for the eyes and waking up the body).

Average weekly diet: usually plenty of fruit and I cook my meals based around a protein. Very little fast or fried food, processed food is often low.

Ok. Make sure your fruit consumption is more on the range of fibrous low glycemic index fruits. I.e. eat more green apples, blue berries, black berries. Avoid: watermelon, fruit smoothies, banana, fuji apples, etc. If you can eat you fruits with a meal do it. If you can eat them at the end of a meal even better. When possible always eat the protein first. Consider adding a quality dairy with your fruit. Try Fage 5% yogurt or kefir or both. Avoid fruits soaked in sugar or HFCS. Honey is the only sweetner I use and I'm very careful with how much I use.

I have more of a sweet tooth in my old age, but I don't buy candy.

That's awesome you've identified your sweet tooth and you avoid candy. Please keep doing that. Try high cacao chocolate and goatsmilk for a sweet snack late at night. If you don't mind the taste mix in a little kefir after you've heated the mixture. Part of fixing blood pressure and other metabolic issues is fixing your biota (gut bacteria). Kefir, yougurt, sour kraut, cottage cheese, apples, fibrous foods, etc will all help repair the biota.

On the weekends I might drink a six pack a day, sometimes my alcohol use is problematic but I quit daily drinking and being drunk all the time.

Cool. I drink as well. The fact you've changed your habit from nightly to weekends is huge. I applaud you on that. On nights that you knock back 6 beers don't be afraid to eat a meal before bed. Drinking a bunch of beer or liquor and then going to bed on an empty stomach isn't good. When you eat food and drink water you give your body a chance to dilute and deal with those alcohol sugars. You can even sandwich your drinking (eat before and after). This will cause a little weight gain but weight gain is 10x better than damaging you liver. I've found that if I don't eat after drinking I wake up and consume a lot of shitty quality food the next day and often multiple days after drinking. That's bad. You don't want drinking to fuck up your normal healthy eating routines. Try not to consume shitty american beers with preservatives and high glycemic rice in the mix. Give German beers with simple ingredients a shot. Watch out for beers that are very hoppy. Those are estrogenic.

[–]send_nasty_stuff 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Part III

I usually skip breakfast, and the other meals are whenever I am hungry.

Good. Keep that up. Keep your eating windows as short as possible. If you can wait until noon or later to eat do it. If you can wait until dinner do it. 80% of my eating is one meal a day. If you start doing one meal a day consider making a mixture of salt potassium and water to sip on while you fast. (Have a recipe if you need it).

I eat about 400 calories in a sitting, all the solid food that seems to fit these days, the number of meals varies.

Awesome; a youtuber I follow has had quality weight loss results with 3-4 400 calorie meals a day. So if you don't mind eating such small meals keep that up. If you start OMAD you will of course need to do bigger meals. Make sure that your 400 calorie meals are still quality and not trash. If possible those 400 calorie meals should have meat and quality fat in them. Also don't spread those meals out all day. Keep them in a 6-8 hour window.

I have experienced episodes one might call binge eating, but it's not generally an issue. Sugar seems to trigger it.

Ok. Sounds like you're already on top of that. Remember that the three biggest things that will drive up blood pressure and weight gain are seedoils, sugars and refined carbohydrates. Try to get those out of your diet at all cost. Especially the seedoils. Those fuck up your gut biota. Stress in general will also drive up blood pressure here's a podcast on breathing which is awesome for reducing stress.

Here's a crash course interview on breathing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvMe2mzjBtA

Here's a pod on stress

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfcfJ28eiU

Gender and race: white male (slavic ancestry)

Thanks. Since you're are a male you need to start evaluating you environment for estrogens. Don't cook in plastic. Make sure you drinking out of glass. Make sure your water is clean. Tap water can have estrogen from female birth control pissed out into the water supply. I have some old write ups about this if you're interested in exploring further.

I'm not sure where you live but if it's in a slavic country watch out for sunflower seed oil. It's one of the 'hateful 8' seedoils that need to be avoided. Those are really chronically toxic. Keep them out of your life as much as possible. (it will take time to get them out but it will be worth it!). Seed oils are especially toxic to western and eastern Europeans. We just don't deal with these things. We need high quality animal fats and dairy fats.

BMI: slightly overweight, 25.8 currently.

Not terrible. Most people with high blood pressure are getting it from metabolic issues around obesity. You're still technically 'overweight' but you're in a way better position than others. Don't relax though. You should aim for under 21. If you're still dealing with blood pressure try lower. I would also start trying to wean yourself away from the meds as you get healthier.

Freezer pops, ice cream, Rico's nacho cheese sauce, soda

Freezer pops: try natural fruit juice pops and eat them after or with a meal.

ice cream: not as bad as people think it is. Buy high quality stuff. Mix in kefir and fibrous fruit. Eat it after or with a meal if possible.

Cheese sauce(s): I don't know about 'ricos' but most of these are absolute garbage and cut with seedoils. I'd try to avoid if possible or make your own cheese sauce using quality ingredients.

Soda: Avoid this shit like the plague. If you have to eat more real food or drink more beer to make up for it then do it. Seriously beer is better for you than soda. Try mixing real lemon juice in your water or try chaga tea/black teas with a bit of lemon. If soda is a real problem for but you can't stop then at least buy the small 7 0z cans. Buy small quantities so you are always running out and only eat it with or after a meal.

Hope all that helps! Let me know if you need clarifications on anything.

Covered the beer, maybe 12-18 a week.

Maybe try to get it to 10 and keep it during weekends so you body has a nice break from it. Also try not to drink beer on an empty stomach or during a time when you're doing intermittent fasting.

Soda, I have a problem with. I drink way too much of it if I have it. So I don't buy it. When I do though it doesn't last long.

Ok. That's one that you absolutely need to tackle. I gave you some suggestion up above.

Chronic pain

I've gotcha bro. When you get up in the morning you need to start a turmeric routine. I do two teaspoons in water and I mix in a little pepper for better absorbtion. This won't take your pain away but will reduce general inflammation in the body which should naturally bring pain levels down over time. I'd also do a daily aspirin regiment. (81mg). It's going to take about 3-4 weeks till you feel 'relief' but it will come. Also give chuchuhuasi a shot:

https://barlowesherbalelixirs.com/chuchuhuasi-extract

This stuff isn't bad at all. Although it's also an aphrodisiac so keep that in mind. It's a bit expensive to take daily so just take it as needed for pain.

Give all that stuff a shot and give it time! If you're seeing good results check back with me in a month or two and I have a few other things for you.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

OMAD

One meal a day is not for me. I get hangry and dizzy. Wife does it though, suits her. Although she doesn't count her snacks as meals.... I don't mind fasting though, OMAD is like suffering through the worst bits of fasting every day to me. I'd rather go full bore if I'm doing it.

I once tried a 3 month fast, it wasn't a total fast, I was taking a multivitamin and drank a single caloric beverages. Around 140, a beer or a soda. I just wanted to see if people could really only live a month without food. It depends on your starting weight, but by three months I couldn't walk and could barely stand. Moving made me very dizzy.

I have met a few people who have done longer extended fasts, they all needed to be hospitalized, and iirc did significant damage to their bodies.

These days my longest fasts are three days, and more typically one or two.

Tap water can have estrogen from female birth control pissed out into the water supply. I have some old write ups about this if you're interested in exploring further.

I read about that recently, I think an article on here. Not a topic I want to delve too deep into atm, but what methods work to get the estrogen out of water? Is filtration enough, distillation, reverse osmosis?

Soda: Avoid this shit like the plague

I know, shits poison.

you need to start a turmeric routine

I'm not sure that's good for much besides a spice. It has promising data because of its natural properties, but I think it just messes with the tests. One of my Aunts died trying tumeric as a cancer treatment. I tried it for my knee. My father tried it. We saw nothing.

I'd also do a daily aspirin regiment. (81mg).

It's bad for the heart. Docs took a 180 on that one. Ibuprofen is no good. Tylenol doesn't work well, doesn't seem worth taking it for what it does, kratom worked but my tolerance slowly built up over the years despite my best efforts. It doesn't do much for pain for me anymore.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Cool. I drink as well. The fact you've changed your habit from nightly to weekends is huge. I applaud you on that.

Thanks. I'm pretty proud of that, although I had good motivation, docs said I was going to wreck my liver if I didn't stop boozing it up. I've spent a lot of time in various recover support groups, at first because I was looking for help, then later because I liked the people and wanted to try to help. Addiction is a strange thing. I know it's in me, it's obvious, but others seem to have a much harder time than I am. I guess I'm stubborn and frugal, so that helps.

Drinking a bunch of beer or liquor and then going to bed on an empty stomach isn't good.

Interestingly, a lot of alkies start because they can't sleep. I used it to put myself to bed, until at one point the effect kind of changes to Rocket Fuel instead of Downer.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

So you stopped these? or you do them infrequently?

I stopped. It just ends up causing more damage it seems. I'm feeling kinda hobbled right now just from some cleaning, laundry, and doing the dishes. I'm not tired from it, it just hurts and some of my joints don't want to carry weight. I know that's not great for my cardiovascular system. I tell the wife we should have sex more, I hear that's very healthy.

Good sleep tips, I do most of them already. I am bad about devices and artificial light. Working night shift for years I don't think helped either.

Yoga's great. Get back into that if you can. I like Yoga with Adrienne.

Best part of yoga is watching the vids with the babes! I still stretch pretty much constantly. I'm usually moving something. I'm pretty sure that almost constant motion is bad for the joints. Can't help it though.

Try taking two of these 10-15 minutes before bed.

I have been underwhelmed by the results of supplements. Even if something works, it becomes less effective, and this is occasionally an everyday problem. Once in a while insomnia wouldn't be too terrible.

I appreciate the tips, I've done/do some, some I hadn't heard of. I'll try most anything. I have run through a lot of stuff already though.

I have noticed that certain taiwanese oolongs really help with blood pressure. They can actually drop it so much my meds make me dizzy. Still waiting on my Chinese order and I'm pretty much out of the tea that helps.

[–]send_nasty_stuff 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I have been underwhelmed by the results of supplements.

I had the same view and until about 18 months ago I wasn't really using any supplements. Someone on saidit introduced me to a few things and I started down the rabbit hole and I think that there's a lot out there worth taking now.

I personally separate 'supplements' into 3 camps.

  1. Pharmaceuticals an nutropics

  2. Vitamins and essential minerals

  3. Mushrooms and roots

When I recommend things to people it's almost always in the 2nd and third camp. Lionsmane is not a pharmaceutical it's a mushroom. There are no additives. You could buy a mushroom growing kit, grow lionsmane, dry it and grind it up and you'd be getting the same thing as the link I sent you. Some people even cook with lionsmane. The turmeric I recommended is a root and also a common ingredient in cooking.

I have noticed that certain taiwanese oolongs really help with blood pressure. They can actually drop it so much my meds make me dizzy. Still waiting on my Chinese order and I'm pretty much out of the tea that helps.

I'm a big fan of all types of teas. Chaga is my go to right now but I'll try almost anything. Some of the fermented teas like pu'erh might also have a calming or blood pressure lowering effect for you.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I had the same view and until about 18 months ago I wasn't really using any supplements

I used supplements from age 14 to idk... 40? Kratom, L-theanine, fish oil, multivitamin, maybe some of the liver protecterants help... Those are the useful ones I've tried off the top of my head. Ephedra works too ig, but if you can get ephedrine it works a lot better.

nutropics

I'd avoid nootropics, they all suck. I have not heard one long term success story with those. Ever. Usually newbs get all excited about them, spend a lot of money, then feel ripped off later.

Some of the fermented teas like pu'erh might also have a calming or blood pressure lowering effect for you

Puerh is something I have to be in the mood for, tastes like mushroom soup lol.

[–]send_nasty_stuff 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

also make sure you read the other 2 parts I wrote. I replied to myself so you might need to go back to the original thread.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

And still, my blood pressure hits lethal levels. I can't even get dentistry done when it's doing that, the dentists won't risk the strain on my heart from the -caine. I had to go on the meds.

I have issues with shots at the dentist too, but it often isnt actually the anaesthetic that causes the heart issues, the epinephrine that those shots have in them is not good for people with heart issues. Most (but not all) dentists have the non-epi anaesthetic as well, but you will have to insist on it. I actually had a dentist lie and say he was using the non-epi when I told him I couldnt have it, then injected me with epi, making me pass out, because he didn't actually have it. You need to make sure they have it beforehand, but maybe you can get work done without risking your life

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Dentists are such scumbags. Well, scratch that, I have had three good dentists. Lots of opportunistic crooks though.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

You know interestingly, one of the first good dentists I ever had informed me my last dentist was doing a ton of unnecessary work. Drilling healthy teeth. He died under strange circumstances not long after.