Why Are You Here?

I have a headache for three days. Not a migraine, not sinus. Just that dull nagging pain that never really leaves, but ebbs and flows. I tried all the ready remedies. Aspirin is my drug of choice for anything. Can't really hurt, might help. I use it  for arthritic pain and it seems to work the best for that, but won't touch a sinus headache. But, I always try aspirin first, my thinking that if I have a heart attack, I am all set.

Along with the headache, I have had just general malaise ( or crappiness). Insomnia, irritation and slight nausea. I figured that I may have picked up a bug from a poorly wiped grocery cart handle. I made the best of it by getting a good bit of writing done and some sewing. The weather was just beautiful yesterday and I longed to be outdoors, but just had no energy.

He who tows was busy all day long with stranded motorists and I was alone much of the afternoon. The headache was making it hard to concentrate and after many attempts to re-thread the sewing machine, I gave up and decided to eat my lonely supper and take my meds, then zone out in front of the TV. But, I decided to check my blood pressure. No reason, just did. It was 170/100. Gee, no wonder I feel so crappy. I decided to take an extra dose of my blood pressure meds. Went to bed, but could not sleep. Every sound and movement was magnified and I was so irritable, add to that the indigestion and the lingering headache.

This morning I still felt the same and my blood pressure was 150/98. It should have been a lot lower. I called the clinic to make an appointment. When I relayed my blood pressure I was told to come in right away.

I showered quickly and took my meds, along with aspirin. Hey, I watch TV, I know what those symptoms were pointing to. He who tows came home and took me (he loves me). I felt nauseous on the way. But, that could have been the over-heated car.

Upon arrival my blood pressure as 170/68. The nurse practitioner I usually see is no longer there and the doctor came in to see me. He asked why I was there and I gave him my list of woes. He listened to my heart for at least 2 seconds and then asked me if my headache had caused my blood pressure to go up. I almost asked him which came first, the chicken or the egg.

He seemed unconcerned and told me to increase my dosage and wrote a new prescription and sent me on my way. Oh, he did say I should call if I continued to feel bad.

I left feeling no better or worse than I went in. Ironically, while waiting to be called to the exam room, there was a warning about ignoring the signs of a heart attack on the health channel that was playing in the waiting room.

You hear it all the time ....... women ignore the symptoms because they don't want to be a bother. I felt like I was bother today. He even asked me why I was taking my blood pressure. Because I can. No, I monitor my blood pressure because I take medication and it is a good idea.

This is why women do not seek help with vague symptoms. I was less than impressed with this physician. He made me feel unimportant and silly. This clinic is my only option for health care right now and I am not feeling warm and cozy.