H.P. Lovedrafts
Active Roster
Hello, My Fellow Phin Fan Brothers and Sisters!
On November 4th, I had one of those life-changing moments that completely rocks your world. After having some shortness of breath earlier that week, my GP sent me to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram. The echocardiogram showed that I have both pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the heart to lung blood exchange) and low ejection fraction (basically meaning your heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should). The most terrifying thing to me was that they refer to low ejection fraction as a type of "heart failure", which to me sounds like your heart is going to stop beating any minute. I've suffered from OCD and panic attacks off and on since I was 22. And, of course, this set off a huge panic attack that lasted several days. I'm doing better now, but still have moments of terror.
One thing that has made me feel good is that as soon as the cardiologist gave me the diagnosis, I made some immediate lifestyle changes. I'm a 48 year old man that's weighed over 300 lbs. for about 15 years now. For about the last 10 years, my primary focus has been on taking care of my elderly parents and work. I put myself last and frequently used fast food as a quick but poor alternative to regular meals. My meal schedule was ridiculous. Get home from work at 11pm? Get a Whopper and onion rings! Get hungry at 1am? Have half a frozen cheese pizza! As of 4:00 pm on November 4, 2020, I have totally cut out caffeine and soda (including diet sodas) and drastically reduced sodium, fats, and carbs in my diet. I'm eating lots of greens, lean white meat, salmon, fruits and vegetables, etc. I've also started a regular exercise program of working out 4-5 days a week (walking vigorously for 30 min/per day and lifting weights 2 days/week). This lifestyle change has seen me drop 26 pounds since November 4th, which I'm proud of. Losing weight and eating right are good for both of my conditions, as well as the great medications my cardiologist has me on, but I still worry from time to time about things (I am on anti-anxiety meds - have been since I was 22 - but they don't do a lot when I'm really anxious). I'm seriously thinking about seeing a therapist, as I haven't seen one in about 8 years, due to a combination of insurance and work schedule.
I could really use positive thoughts from my brothers and sisters to help me fight both the physical and mental part of my battle.
Thank you so much in advance!
Brian
On November 4th, I had one of those life-changing moments that completely rocks your world. After having some shortness of breath earlier that week, my GP sent me to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram. The echocardiogram showed that I have both pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the heart to lung blood exchange) and low ejection fraction (basically meaning your heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should). The most terrifying thing to me was that they refer to low ejection fraction as a type of "heart failure", which to me sounds like your heart is going to stop beating any minute. I've suffered from OCD and panic attacks off and on since I was 22. And, of course, this set off a huge panic attack that lasted several days. I'm doing better now, but still have moments of terror.
One thing that has made me feel good is that as soon as the cardiologist gave me the diagnosis, I made some immediate lifestyle changes. I'm a 48 year old man that's weighed over 300 lbs. for about 15 years now. For about the last 10 years, my primary focus has been on taking care of my elderly parents and work. I put myself last and frequently used fast food as a quick but poor alternative to regular meals. My meal schedule was ridiculous. Get home from work at 11pm? Get a Whopper and onion rings! Get hungry at 1am? Have half a frozen cheese pizza! As of 4:00 pm on November 4, 2020, I have totally cut out caffeine and soda (including diet sodas) and drastically reduced sodium, fats, and carbs in my diet. I'm eating lots of greens, lean white meat, salmon, fruits and vegetables, etc. I've also started a regular exercise program of working out 4-5 days a week (walking vigorously for 30 min/per day and lifting weights 2 days/week). This lifestyle change has seen me drop 26 pounds since November 4th, which I'm proud of. Losing weight and eating right are good for both of my conditions, as well as the great medications my cardiologist has me on, but I still worry from time to time about things (I am on anti-anxiety meds - have been since I was 22 - but they don't do a lot when I'm really anxious). I'm seriously thinking about seeing a therapist, as I haven't seen one in about 8 years, due to a combination of insurance and work schedule.
I could really use positive thoughts from my brothers and sisters to help me fight both the physical and mental part of my battle.
Thank you so much in advance!
Brian
