High Blood Pressure

[JimmyTheMook]

Not sure why I have this , think it may be the salty and fried food in Thailand that I have been eating on a daily basis.

What is the best way to control it ?

[rio666uk]

whats your BP?

if its particularly high your doctor may prescribe medication, but will almost tell you the following too:

if youre overweight - losing weight will be a great help

if you smoke - quit, smoking is the worse thing for HBP

if you drink - moderate or quit alltogether

diet - change your eating to incorporate low salt and low fat

exercise along with the above will help you maintain lower blood pressure

no suprises here - just the same old story! good luck

[Prakanong]

There was recently a very good thread on this.

I am in the same situation and started medication in November which has had to be increased last month to control it.

I am not a clinician so take my info with that proviso in mind.

However I do work in clinical trials so have access to very good research material plus i have had opinions from my yearly health check up with a specialist, My GP, Drs I work with closely plus my friend who is a dr who I socialise with - more comprehensive consultations that most LOL

There are different opinions about when medication rather than lifestyle changes should be given. Mine was way up at 200/150 so there was no other option - medication

If you are suffering mild or moderate medication "Most" Dr's will try lifestyle changes ie diet and exercise while monitoring your BP regularly before trying medication - if you can control it like that well done

If not you may need medication for life as I most probably do - its then finding the best medication for you.

i am on Hyzaar Forte and it works very well for me

Good luck and if you have any follow up questions ask away - i will ask Dr's if req ;-)

[Jingthing]

Zestril is a good med. It is also good for your heart, and has minimal side effects.

Sure, try to control it without meds, but don't delude yourself if there are no results. Get on the meds! Also, salt doesn't affect all or even most people's blood pressure, and there is no easy way to know if you are salt sensitive or not.

[JimmyTheMook]

Zestril is a good med. It is also good for your heart, and has minimal side effects.

Sure, try to control it without meds, but don't delude yourself if there are no results. Get on the meds! Also, salt doesn't affect all or even most people's blood pressure, and there is no easy way to know if you are salt sensitive or not.

160/100

I do not drink or smoke but have a caffine addiction over 3 cups a day.

Should excerise as I may be about 15 to 20 pds overweight.

Edited March 2, 2007 by JimmyTheMook

[Prakanong]

Zestril is a good med. It is also good for your heart, and has minimal side effects.

Sure, try to control it without meds, but don't delude yourself if there are no results. Get on the meds! Also, salt doesn't affect all or even most people's blood pressure, and there is no easy way to know if you are salt sensitive or not.

160/100

I do not drink or smoke but have a caffine addiction over 3 cups a day.

Should excerise as I may be about 15 to 20 pds overweight.

I am not a clinican (I have to keep putting that - habit from work) but if i was you I would try lifestyle changes totry and control it first

Lose the weight

Exercise

Cut down on booze - mine goes through the roof after a session

Consult a clinician and try the lifestlye changes under supervision before medication - do not self prescribe either

I work for very big pharma - all drugs have adverse events for some people - get a clinicans advise about which drugs to have - - these are very powerful body altering compounds after all

ESP be careful of hypertensive drugs and the likes of viagra!!!!!

[Jingthing]

In cases of moderate hypertension, and taking meds to lower it, I think there is actually no problem at all taking Viagra. Of course, Viagra does lower blood pressure, and there are other contraindications, so of course it is recommended to consult a doctor.

[JimmyTheMook]

In cases of moderate hypertension, and taking meds to lower it, I think there is actually no problem at all taking Viagra. Of course, Viagra does lower blood pressure, and there are other contraindications, so of course it is recommended to consult a doctor.

I am turning 38 this year, in a bad marriage and that may be "helping" killing me from the inside.

There has been a history of heart disease in my family with related heart attacks.

Edited March 2, 2007 by JimmyTheMook

[lopburi3]

As pointed out in another thread buy a blood pressure meter and use it often to really find out if the pressure is high under tension or when at rest. There can be a huge difference - especially when taken in a doctors office. Mine, which is under drug treatment, will raise 20 or 30 just going out shopping (used to be confusing when using the check points in supermarkets - always appeared worse than it was). As you have family history I would not ignore and plan on visits to doctor every month or so until you can get a handle on it.

[Prakanong]

In cases of moderate hypertension, and taking meds to lower it, I think there is actually no problem at all taking Viagra. Of course, Viagra does lower blood pressure, and there are other contraindications, so of course it is recommended to consult a doctor.

I am turning 38 this year, in a bad marriage and that may be "helping" killing me from the inside.

There has been a history of heart disease in my family with related heart attacks.

Family history of heart attacks puts your risk factor up.

I had my full yearly health screening last December and even with high BP my risk factor of a heart atack was only 4% over the next 10 years - hope they are correct!

[NotYetArahan]

In my case I noticed meditation helps. I measured after a few months in a monestary and had 79 - 128 instead of 85 - 160 normally in daily life. Maybe it was not meditation so much as well the absense of stress. I am not sure about that.

[Sheryl]

160/100

I do not drink or smoke but have a caffine addiction over 3 cups a day.

Should excerise as I may be about 15 to 20 pds overweight.

That is high enough to need prompt treatment, especially given your family history.

I have to differ from the posters who suggested holding off on meds...not with a BP this high and a high-risk family history. Go on medication at once, and start life-style changes...once your BP is under control (do get a home monitor as suggested), if you have succeeded in moderating your life style, then you can try -- just try -- tapering off the meds to see if you can maintain it in normal range without.

In terms of life style, from what you have said, priorities would be:

1. Cut back on caffeine, Go to 2 cups a day (maybe de-caf for the 3rd cup if you miss it) and then try for one, or at most no more than one and a half. There are various tricks you can try to help yourself do this, for example, make 1 cup decaf and 1 cup regular, mix together so you get 2 cups but with the caffeine of one..or if tou take your coffee with milk, start increasing the amount of miljk relative to coffee...whatever it takes. This is very important.

2. Do your best to lose weight, and start exercising.

3. If you are consuming a lot of sodium, try cuttying back. Sodium means not only salt but virtually all packaged prepared foods, mixes, junk foods, frozen and canned foods etc. If you are going through a divorce and are like most guys you are quite likely consuming a lot of these sorts of things.

4. Do something to reduce your stress levels...what is up to you. Meditation, yoga, therapy, hypnosis, support groups, all work for some people. Whichever is most acceptable to you and that you can stick with.

As for the meds, different doctors have different preferences for first line therapy. Not sure where you are living, but for initial treatment (and again, since there is a high risk family history) I think you should get a good internist and follow his advice. Just be sure you know the name and dosage of what you are taking and are well informed of its potential side effects; if your doctor doesn't tell you this last, google it or ask a pharmacist. There are a wide range of drugs used to treat hypertension so if one doesn't work, or causes unpleasant side effects, ask to change to another. (BTW, some anti-hypertensives cause erectile dysfunction in some men...so if that occurs no need to freak out, just ask the doctor to change you to another drug).

Good luck

[karenbenn]

Make sure you get enough amounts of potassium daily. Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells.

Some lifestyle strategies may help to control high blood pressure. When lifestyle changes have failed, than medications can be considered.

I accidentally come across the electronic device called Resperate for lowering blood pressure. You can google it, they have the site and discussion forum about this device. Maybe there are other similar devices.

[ThaiPauly]

I started a thread on High Blood Pressure a couple of months ago as mine was 170/120 quite regularly

I quit drinking ...and my blood pressure is now pretty much normal..although I still smoke (one thing at a time) It was amazing how within a couple of days it came down so quickly.

Those blood pressure monitors are invaluable and well woth 4,000 Baht!

[Prakanong]

I started a thread on High Blood Pressure a couple of months ago as mine was 170/120 quite regularly

I quit drinking ...and my blood pressure is now pretty much normal..although I still smoke (one thing at a time) It was amazing how within a couple of days it came down so quickly.

Those blood pressure monitors are invaluable and well woth 4,000 Baht!

If I drink my BP goes through the roof. My GP doubled my dosage to Hyzaar Forte and itspretty much in contol now.

4000 THB? I got a excellent one for less than 2000 THB in singapore and plot the graph into MS Excel regularly. Its good advice to get one.

[toptuan]

On a related topic, I am borderline high blood pressure. What about taking small daily doses of aspirin to thin the blood and reduce chances of stroke? Is it effective?

[Prakanong]

On a related topic, I am borderline high blood pressure. What about taking small daily doses of aspirin to thin the blood and reduce chances of stroke? Is it effective?

One Dr I saw told me to take half an asprin a day. Then I had a ful health screen and the Dr there and others who have seen my results basically laughed at the notion.

Then others have said to me the adverse events ie bleeding in stomache are worse.

It is effective but do you really need it - what is your stomache like?

[lopburi3]

I have taken, on doctors advise, for last 20 years and have never heard a medical doctor advise against it for those of us in the high lipid/family history group (and indeed believe most use themselves) unless specific to an individual (other problems). Aspirin is still one of the "wonder" drugs. A stroke is deadly, or worse. You do not have to take much - mine is 81mg size and believe a normal size is about 325mg.

[Gary A]

I have told this story before but maybe it is worth telling again. I ignored my high blood pressure when I was still working in the US. I decided to quit smoking to bring it down. I got pretty cranky. I then tried the nicotine patches and ended up having a stroke. Whether that had anything to do with it is a big unknown. I was an engineer and precision machinist. That ended my working career because the doctor absolutely refused to give me a release to go back to work if I had to work around machinery. My boss was very good about it and we had a long talk. He told me that he could see no way I could still do the job. The company fully vested my retirement package at that point and I decided to come back to Thailand to retire. The company benefits and my 401K plan would easily hold me until I could start collecting my regular Social Security benefits. The point is to NOT ignore high blood pressure.

Now for the part Jimmy is interested in. My US doctor had me on a blood thinner, two different hypertension drugs and a diuretic. My blood pressure WAS NOT under control. I felt really bad every day and really didn't know what to blame it on. After I arrived back in Thailand a friend of mine took me to see his heart specialist. (Thai doctor). I got a brief checkup and my blood pressure STILL wasn't under control. The doctor asked me what I was taking so I laid it all out on the table in front of him. He said nothing but his eyebrows raised. He advised me to throw all that stuff away and gave me a prescription for an 20 mg ACE inhibitor called Enaril. He told me to take one a day along with a baby aspirin and to come back in about ten days. Within two days I felt great and my next checkup found my blood pressure within the limit. The doctor told me that I would live forever.

I still smoke but have no stress and eat 98 percent Thai food. I don't restrict my salt intake or diet. I drink beer a couple or three times a week. I have lost about 25 pounds, I think just by getting away from the US junk food. I buy the Enaril in a box of 100 foil wrapped tablets for 325 baht a box. The baby aspirin are cheap. I just checked my blood pressure and it was 124/68. Stress will kill you! It's interesting that my pulse rate also dropped by about ten or more beats a minute.

As a side note, I had medical insurance in the US. I still had to make a $20 co-payment on prescription drugs. For the four drugs that was $80 a month. Here it costs me less than $10 a month with no insurance for drugs.

[PeaceBlondie]

Yesterday I had my full annual exam, and the BP was down to 130/80, which the cardio doctor called "perfect." No, I only consider that acceptable. I've been on 5mg per day of Felodipine for about four months now. I don't drink or smoke (never really have, since 1965), but I occasionally take Ritalin, and always drink almost 3 liters per day of Pepsi Max! My cholesterol is too high, so if I cut out the high-choloesterol foods and reduce my sodium intake, swim vigorously ever day, etc., I should last until I'm 109. Then again, if I cut out the caffeine, I might fall asleep while riding my bike, and die at age 64.

[Luckydog]

160/100

I do not drink or smoke but have a caffine addiction over 3 cups a day.

Should excerise as I may be about 15 to 20 pds overweight.

That is high enough to need prompt treatment, especially given your family history.

I have to differ from the posters who suggested holding off on meds...not with a BP this high and a high-risk family history. Go on medication at once, and start life-style changes...once your BP is under control (do get a home monitor as suggested), if you have succeeded in moderating your life style, then you can try -- just try -- tapering off the meds to see if you can maintain it in normal range without.

.

In terms of life style, from what you have said, priorities would be:

1. Cut back on caffeine, Go to 2 cups a day (maybe de-caf for the 3rd cup if you miss it) and then try for one, or at most no more than one and a half. There are various tricks you can try to help yourself do this, for example, make 1 cup decaf and 1 cup regular, mix together so you get 2 cups but with the caffeine of one..or if tou take your coffee with milk, start increasing the amount of miljk relative to coffee...whatever it takes. This is very important.

2. Do your best to lose weight, and start exercising.

3. If you are consuming a lot of sodium, try cuttying back. Sodium means not only salt but virtually all packaged prepared foods, mixes, junk foods, frozen and canned foods etc. If you are going through a divorce and are like most guys you are quite likely consuming a lot of these sorts of things.

4. Do something to reduce your stress levels...what is up to you. Meditation, yoga, therapy, hypnosis, support groups, all work for some people. Whichever is most acceptable to you and that you can stick with.

As for the meds, different doctors have different preferences for first line therapy. Not sure where you are living, but for initial treatment (and again, since there is a high risk family history) I think you should get a good internist and follow his advice. Just be sure you know the name and dosage of what you are taking and are well informed of its potential side effects; if your doctor doesn't tell you this last, google it or ask a pharmacist. There are a wide range of drugs used to treat hypertension so if one doesn't work, or causes unpleasant side effects, ask to change to another. (BTW, some anti-hypertensives cause erectile dysfunction in some men...so if that occurs no need to freak out, just ask the doctor to change you to another drug).

Good luck

Been on medication for HBP for Yonks. Take 5mg of Amlodipine. Its made here so not expensive. When I first started taking it my calves felt tight in the mornings. OK now.

Also 75mg Aspirin to thin the blood and 20mg Fluvastatin to prevent strokes. At night.

I find a Pharmacy called Fascino is the Cheapest and you get 5% discount.

They are in Pattaya but may be in Bangkok too?

DON'T IGNORE HBP it isn't called 'The Silent Killer' for Nothing!

Edited March 13, 2007 by Luckydog

[Sheryl]

Fascino's has a branch in Bangkok, across from Siriraj Hospital (Thonburi side of the river). It is indeed an excellent pharmacy.

re the stroke/aspirin bit: there are 2 types of stroke. One is caused by a blood clot (often combined with hardening or thickening of the arteries) while the other is caused by hemorrhage (a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding; often a result of uncontrolled hypertension). A low dose of aspirin daily helps prevent the clotting type and is thus a good idea for people at risk for that (high cholesterol, heart problems, family history). However it will not do anything to prevent a hemorraghic stroke, which is the type that high blood pressure puts you at risk of. For that, the best and only prevention is to keep your BP in normal range.

Peace Blondie...I hear you re the Pepsi but large amounts of caffeine really, really does have a very bad effect on BP, and 3 liters is a lot. If you could cut it by half (maybe try mixing it with soda water?) I bet you'd find your BP comes down nicely.

[Yamantaka]

I would agree with the suggestion of meditation and exercise for reducing high blood pressure. I drink six cups of coffee, four cups of green tea and at least two cans of pepsi max every day. Most people think I am 15 years younger than I am. My blood pressure is usually 120/80.

I attribute that to the fact that I exercise five days a week (three days lifting and two days cardio) and even more, that I learned to meditate 28 years ago. It has positively affected every aspect of my physical health, attitude and mental "strength". I also quit smoking at the same time. And I don't drink much, lately not at all.

Find a good meditation teacher who can teach you the basics and then develop individually structured analytic meditations that are directly applicable to you and your lifestyle. I have no doubt this can lower your blood pressure to better than acceptable levels.

[tim armstrong]

Not sure why I have this , think it may be the salty and fried food in Thailand that I have been eating on a daily basis.

What is the best way to control it ?

If its still very high you may have no choice but to get on meds. But an excellent alternative is fish oil - at least 2000mg per day. It will help other things as well. eg heart, prostate etc. But lifestyle still come first ie less fat, carbs, including rice more green vegies, fish X 3 per week and exercise.

Tim

[gennisis]

160/100

I do not drink or smoke but have a caffine addiction over 3 cups a day.

Should excerise as I may be about 15 to 20 pds overweight.

That is high enough to need prompt treatment, especially given your family history.

I have to differ from the posters who suggested holding off on meds...not with a BP this high and a high-risk family history. Go on medication at once, and start life-style changes...once your BP is under control (do get a home monitor as suggested), if you have succeeded in moderating your life style, then you can try -- just try -- tapering off the meds to see if you can maintain it in normal range without.

In terms of life style, from what you have said, priorities would be:

1. Cut back on caffeine, Go to 2 cups a day (maybe de-caf for the 3rd cup if you miss it) and then try for one, or at most no more than one and a half. There are various tricks you can try to help yourself do this, for example, make 1 cup decaf and 1 cup regular, mix together so you get 2 cups but with the caffeine of one..or if tou take your coffee with milk, start increasing the amount of miljk relative to coffee...whatever it takes. This is very important.

2. Do your best to lose weight, and start exercising.

3. If you are consuming a lot of sodium, try cuttying back. Sodium means not only salt but virtually all packaged prepared foods, mixes, junk foods, frozen and canned foods etc. If you are going through a divorce and are like most guys you are quite likely consuming a lot of these sorts of things.

4. Do something to reduce your stress levels...what is up to you. Meditation, yoga, therapy, hypnosis, support groups, all work for some people. Whichever is most acceptable to you and that you can stick with.

As for the meds, different doctors have different preferences for first line therapy. Not sure where you are living, but for initial treatment (and again, since there is a high risk family history) I think you should get a good internist and follow his advice. Just be sure you know the name and dosage of what you are taking and are well informed of its potential side effects; if your doctor doesn't tell you this last, google it or ask a pharmacist. There are a wide range of drugs used to treat hypertension so if one doesn't work, or causes unpleasant side effects, ask to change to another. (BTW, some anti-hypertensives cause erectile dysfunction in some men...so if that occurs no need to freak out, just ask the doctor to change you to another drug).

Good luck

Just a quick note here. Studies in Denmark have found thet DCaf coffee produces MORE fatty acids to line your arteries and is regarded as being More harmful than standard coffee.

Perhaps the answer is cocoa!!

[Gary A]

Coffee ?

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Coffee lovers who are in good health may have little reason to cut back, at least as far as their blood pressure is concerned, a new study suggests.

Because the caffeine in coffee and other foods can cause a short-term spike in blood pressure, there's been concern that coffee drinking may over time raise the risk of high blood pressure. Studies, however, have come to inconsistent conclusions.

In the new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that healthy women who drank upwards of six cups of coffee per day were no more likely than abstainers to develop high blood pressure over the next decade.

On the other hand, women who drank coffee occasionally or in moderation -- reporting anywhere from zero to three cups a day -- had a higher risk of developing high blood pressure than the heavy coffee drinkers or the abstainers.

For men, the risk of high blood pressure did not significantly increase or decrease, regardless of how much coffee they drank each day. However, men who abstained did have a lower risk than any coffee drinkers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I recently ran low on my normal blood pressure drug called Enaril. I went to the local pharmacy and they had no Enaril but offered a substitute called Anapril. I turned it down and drove fifty kilometers to a larger pharmacy. They too did not have Enaril and offered that same product called Anapril 20. I bought a box of 100 foil wrapped tablets for 300 baht. After I started taking them I noticed my blood pressure was lower than normal. The little tablets are scored in the middle so I started breaking them in half. After five days I just checked my blood pressure and it is 120/70. I'll continue to monitor and see what happens.

[kuma]

so i just had a scare with breathing problems that were diagnosed as asthma, but i then ended up in the hospital one night after taking what turned out to be way too much ventolin - which the dr suggested - yet still feeling unable to breathe

in the end it seems my issue was stress not asthma, but it manifested itself as asthma like stymptoms.

incredibly, the dr that treated me was dismissed by the hospital (one of the largest private hospitals in bkk) due to her treatment of me (saw dr next day when i visited for more f/u's and was told this). so that did not help me feel much bettr to be sure, wondering what was done to me.

i seem to be fine now but my bp was way way up. it was explaind to me that it was the excessive ventolin that caused it and now it is down but i have a few q's here if anyone has comment:

1. M 43 yrs, what is "normal" bp range?

2. does anyone have a name or place where these home bp monitors can be purchased?

3. baby aspirin, i have been thinking of starting to take one a day, but was told they cannot be bought in bkk. is that true? anyone know where i can get them?

4. viagara/cyalis etc. what is the issue. does it impact bp? i have read here it briungs it down and that it is "not good" - no mention that it increases it. maybe once a month or so i consider reaching for one and wonder if that is nnot a good idea.

the whole experience at the hospital that night really freaked me out. if you do find you have asthma/breathing type problems and go to the hospital keep in mind that there could be stress related reasons for the way you are feeling and do not let a dr immediately put you on a major course of drugs for asthma.

thanks

Coffee ?

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Coffee lovers who are in good health may have little reason to cut back, at least as far as their blood pressure is concerned, a new study suggests.

Because the caffeine in coffee and other foods can cause a short-term spike in blood pressure, there's been concern that coffee drinking may over time raise the risk of high blood pressure. Studies, however, have come to inconsistent conclusions.

In the new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that healthy women who drank upwards of six cups of coffee per day were no more likely than abstainers to develop high blood pressure over the next decade.

On the other hand, women who drank coffee occasionally or in moderation -- reporting anywhere from zero to three cups a day -- had a higher risk of developing high blood pressure than the heavy coffee drinkers or the abstainers.

For men, the risk of high blood pressure did not significantly increase or decrease, regardless of how much coffee they drank each day. However, men who abstained did have a lower risk than any coffee drinkers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I recently ran low on my normal blood pressure drug called Enaril. I went to the local pharmacy and they had no Enaril but offered a substitute called Anapril. I turned it down and drove fifty kilometers to a larger pharmacy. They too did not have Enaril and offered that same product called Anapril 20. I bought a box of 100 foil wrapped tablets for 300 baht. After I started taking them I noticed my blood pressure was lower than normal. The little tablets are scored in the middle so I started breaking them in half. After five days I just checked my blood pressure and it is 120/70. I'll continue to monitor and see what happens.

[Cuban]

Hello K,

> 1. M 43 yrs, what is "normal" bp range?

Read this link , when you are looking at BP figures the second number is the more important one to lower. 125/70 is better than 120/80.

> 2. does anyone have a name or place where these

> home bp monitors can be purchased?

As mentioned on other threads, the Thai chain drug store "Fascino" can supply a selection of monitors. I suggest you avoid the automatic electronic devices and get a "Auscultatory method aneroid sphygmomanometer with stethoscope" known as a Styg for short - looks complicated but will take about ten minutes to learn how to use it and will give you a more accurate reading.

Another point is that BP can shoot up when in the stress situation of a seemingly strange hospital, if you are worried about asthma and the impact on your life, your BP will creep up. It's called white coat syndrome, another good reason to measure at home.

> 3. baby aspirin, i have been thinking of starting to take one a day,

> but was told they cannot be bought in bkk. is that true?

Depends where you are shopping, I don't know any particular places in BKK, try Fascino. FYI a "normal" aspirin is 500mg compared to 81mg in a "Baby" aspirin.

> 4. viagara/cyalis etc. what is the issue. does it impact bp? i have

> read here it briungs it down and that it is "not good" - no mention

> that it increases it.

Sildenafil Citrate (active compound) in Viagra etc has the effect of lowering BP by a few points, the amount will vary between the person taking it /body weight /dose /normal BP etc. My observations has seen a 5 point drop in both systolic and diastolic BP figures. Not something to worry deeply about IF you are a recreational drug user, if you are under other medication that impacts BP (high or low) you need to know what the drug interactions are.

One point to note that people forget, during the bouncy bouncy activity that people are taking Sildenafil Citrate for, their BP will rise anyway, if not, the sex is too dull to be taking Vit-V for in the first place!

> maybe once a month or so i consider reaching for one

> and wonder if that is nnot a good idea.

A full dose (100mg Viagra equivalent) per 24 hour period is considered the maximum safe dose, I don't suggest that you test this limit. On the other hand a once a month "treat" is overly cautious for a recreational drug user.

If you were seeking these answers from your personal doctor, they would be working on the average sexual activity of twice a week between couples, as you are asking this question on a Thailand web site I will assume you are being a little more active in this area. And as you ask about sources of low dose aspirin but not Viagra I will assume you are already getting this elsewhere.

The period of enhanced "power" you experiance will vary depending on your dose and food you have eaten before hand etc. You will probably find that one dose every two or three days is more than enough. I know of one user that spread a 100mg Viagra tablet over about four days after dissolving it into a 300ml bottle of water, and taking a small swig an hour before it was needed.

You may also consider that Viagra is now quite an old drug, compared to other brands that supply Sildenafil Citrate. IMHO Kamgra is a better product.

[Old Man River]

I have taken, on doctors advise, for last 20 years and have never heard a medical doctor advise against it for those of us in the high lipid/family history group (and indeed believe most use themselves) unless specific to an individual (other problems). Aspirin is still one of the "wonder" drugs. A stroke is deadly, or worse. You do not have to take much - mine is 81mg size and believe a normal size is about 325mg.

Absolutely correct. What you want is Aspent-M, which is baby aspirin (60mg) and coated for the stomach. It is manufactured by OLIC and available all over Thailand.

[kuma]

cuban thanks for that very informative post.

a few thoughts on your points.

fascino. i find it fascino-ating (sorry could not resist) that i have no recollection of ever seeing a store with this name in LOS. i have been here about 4 years, living in bkk, have been around a fair bit - i must have passed them before end they just never registered in my mind. i stay around sukhumvit/asok now, will keep my eyes out for one.

indeed after the events of a few weeks ago i was hyper sensitive to everything aroiund me and i fully concur with your "white coat syndrome" comment and that is a primary driver behind wanting to do it in a different environment. though things have improved dramatically now that the incident has passed and all that medicine has seemed to have passed though my system.

indeed i do use the v as a once a month kind of treat, about my current rate of hanky panky outside the home these days, so i usually pop one given the situation. and i should have mentioned that i was speaking of "v" in a generic sense. i have actually been buying the kamagra gels for the past year or so and found them to be quite good. i just became sensitized to the issue of their potentilal effect on your body after going thru this nightmare event, but all is back to normal now so i need not concern myself as i my overall health is good, aside from that blip! i also in my research came across comments about cialis and thought i would give it a try to see how it was. a visit to the pharm and i learned 4 tabs (i prefer the gel form) was 1800 bhat, quite a big price diff ( i get kamagra gels for 100 bhat) but he had generic apcalis from india for 800 bhat (for 4). not sure about whether they are good generics or not, the info out there i find is very mixed about these knock offs so if you have any comment on them please let me know.

thanks again for all the insight.

k

Hello K,

> 1. M 43 yrs, what is "normal" bp range?

Read this link , when you are looking at BP figures the second number is the more important one to lower. 125/70 is better than 120/80.

> 2. does anyone have a name or place where these

> home bp monitors can be purchased?

As mentioned on other threads, the Thai chain drug store "Fascino" can supply a selection of monitors. I suggest you avoid the automatic electronic devices and get a "Auscultatory method aneroid sphygmomanometer with stethoscope" known as a Styg for short - looks complicated but will take about ten minutes to learn how to use it and will give you a more accurate reading.

Another point is that BP can shoot up when in the stress situation of a seemingly strange hospital, if you are worried about asthma and the impact on your life, your BP will creep up. It's called white coat syndrome, another good reason to measure at home.

> 3. baby aspirin, i have been thinking of starting to take one a day,

> but was told they cannot be bought in bkk. is that true?

Depends where you are shopping, I don't know any particular places in BKK, try Fascino. FYI a "normal" aspirin is 500mg compared to 81mg in a "Baby" aspirin.

> 4. viagara/cyalis etc. what is the issue. does it impact bp? i have

> read here it briungs it down and that it is "not good" - no mention

> that it increases it.

Sildenafil Citrate (active compound) in Viagra etc has the effect of lowering BP by a few points, the amount will vary between the person taking it /body weight /dose /normal BP etc. My observations has seen a 5 point drop in both systolic and diastolic BP figures. Not something to worry deeply about IF you are a recreational drug user, if you are under other medication that impacts BP (high or low) you need to know what the drug interactions are.

One point to note that people forget, during the bouncy bouncy activity that people are taking Sildenafil Citrate for, their BP will rise anyway, if not, the sex is too dull to be taking Vit-V for in the first place!

> maybe once a month or so i consider reaching for one

> and wonder if that is nnot a good idea.

A full dose (100mg Viagra equivalent) per 24 hour period is considered the maximum safe dose, I don't suggest that you test this limit. On the other hand a once a month "treat" is overly cautious for a recreational drug user.

If you were seeking these answers from your personal doctor, they would be working on the average sexual activity of twice a week between couples, as you are asking this question on a Thailand web site I will assume you are being a little more active in this area. And as you ask about sources of low dose aspirin but not Viagra I will assume you are already getting this elsewhere.

The period of enhanced "power" you experiance will vary depending on your dose and food you have eaten before hand etc. You will probably find that one dose every two or three days is more than enough. I know of one user that spread a 100mg Viagra tablet over about four days after dissolving it into a 300ml bottle of water, and taking a small swig an hour before it was needed.

You may also consider that Viagra is now quite an old drug, compared to other brands that supply Sildenafil Citrate. IMHO Kamgra is a better product.