Everything Was Going Great and Then...

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JBG1987
JBG1987 Posts: 71
in Fitness and Exercise
So over the past 2 months I have lost 20lbs, completed 7 weeks of C25K and lost a pants size. Everything was going so well and on schedule, then I headed to the doctor for a routine visit.

My blood pressure has been increasing since around this time last year when I started a new, higher dose of birth control. About a month ago I went in for a physical before I started the C25K and I was in the pre-hypertensive range of 135/87. Which my physician has, over the past year, attributed to "white coat syndrome" just "nerves" from going to the doctor's office.

Seven weeks later I'm down 20lbs and on week seven of C25K and my blood pressure is officially in the hypertensive range 143/104. I'm scheduled for a two-week follow up to see if there is any change but can't help but feel incredibly discouraged and frustrated about this NON SCALE FAILURE. There is a history of high blood pressure in my family, but I'm probably in the best shape I've been in, in nearly 8 years.

Even if my birth control is contributing to this hypertension, I don't understand why it is constantly climbing...now into dangerous levels with weight loss and exercise.

Needless to say, I'm really, really bummed this evening.

:frown:


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Replies

  • JessyJ03
    JessyJ03 Posts: 627 Member
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    So sorry hun. I have HBP and despite losing 50 lbs it still stays up there. So I remain on pills until I can lose enough weight to get off my meds.

    Stay positive I'm sure they will figure it out for you.
  • JBG1987
    JBG1987 Posts: 71
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    Even no change would be better than a constant, steady increase. It seems I'm doing everything right and that is just telling me I'm doing SOMETHING wrong.
  • sparklelioness
    sparklelioness Posts: 600 Member
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    I dont think youre doing anything wrong, i think its the birth control. Is there any way you could switch to another method?
  • CHN_
    CHN_ Posts: 94 Member
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    Is there a reason you haven't changed birth control? I mean,you say it's been going up after you switched to a new type, so perhaps try a different pill that may not have such an effect on your BP?
  • JBG1987
    JBG1987 Posts: 71
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    I'm going to stop taking it completely for 2 weeks and check my BP every few days to see if it is making any difference. When I go in to see her in 2 weeks I'm going to ask her to refer me to a specialist so I can see about a non-hormonal IUD.

    I just really, really, hope it goes down in the next couple of weeks.
  • drgndancer
    drgndancer Posts: 426 Member
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    I'm with the group here. It sounds like you have a non-weight/exercise related problem. With a family history of HBP, and a traceable event marking the start of your problem (starting this birth control method); it seems likely that your problem is not weight or fitness related, but a genetic predisposition teamed with hormonal changes from the drugs. Losing weight and getting in better shape won't hurt, but they're not going to overcome all possible problems. Hypertension and Type II Diabetes are weight related, but both can strike even in people with no weight problem and in good shape. Sometimes you just lose the genetic lottery. I knew a guy in the Army whom I would have said was in excellent shape: little to no excess body fat, good runner, wouldn't have looked out of place on a Beachbody video. He developed Type II Diabetes, one shot in a million.

    The first place to look is definitely your birth control, since that seems to have started the whole problem. Good luck!
  • JBG1987
    JBG1987 Posts: 71
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    Yeah, I realize that even if I am physically fit I could still get hit by a bus. But something like BP to me seems like it should be easily managed. HOPEFULLY, this next two weeks without BC will put me back in the healthy range.
  • cunfewzed1
    cunfewzed1 Posts: 80
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    Yeah, I realize that even if I am physically fit I could still get hit by a bus. But something like BP to me seems like it should be easily managed. HOPEFULLY, this next two weeks without BC will put me back in the healthy range.

    The silver lining is you can maintain your diet. Stay away from vigorous cardio or anything of the like. You'll still lose, which is a scale win :)

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