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Problems eating carbohydrates / Increased blood pressure
I have a problem eating basic carbohydrates. Rice, oats, potatoes, etc. When I eat rice my blood pressure will elevate a bit from normal, increasing 30-50 points systolic and 10-15 points diastolic. Along with this comes a feeling of tightness and discomfort in my chest and an increase of heart rate. The feeling is bad enough that I go to ER and get checked out. EKG etc & cardiologist says there is no problem with my heart. All of this goes away 3-5 days later. Oats cause the same effect. Wheat causes symptoms of celiac disease.
Typical scenario: eat a small amount of rice and in a few hours blood pressure will elevate with increased heart rate. I will get a tightness in my chest but not angina or heart attack pain. for the duration, I will also have a feeling in my body like there is something wrong. I just do not feel good and this feeling lasts for the duration. After 12-24 hours I will have controllable loose stools during my normal poop schedule. Then 1-2 days of higher than normal BP and HR. On the last day, I will urinate a lot more frequently for a couple of hours. The next day I feel fine.
Potatoes increase BP & heart rate a little bit but not like rice & oats do. With potatoes, I get an irregular heartbeat once in a while. Maybe a couple every hour or so.
This situation has been getting worse over 6-7 years. I've asked several Drs along the way but the only response has been the wheat is probably celiac disease. I've not had a biopsy to confirm celiac. I just stopped eating wheat. Rice allergy test is negative. Blood sugar is OK. What specialty should I see to understand this better?
I am 65 yo male. 5'-8" and 160lbs. I have heart disease. Previous stents. Meds are statins, asprin 81, losartan, and metaprolol (off and on as I have difficulty with this). My normal resting heart rate is usually around 60-65 without beta-blockers. Blood pressure is usually around 115/70 first thing in the morning. I exercise 2-3 times a week on a treadmill or elliptical and some weights, etc. I walk a lot and usually choose stairs over the elevator in my building.
I don't feel this is a heart issue. I think it is the processing of the food triggering the heart and digestive issues. Maybe I'm short on some enzyme needed or something. I don't have a lot of options for complex carbohydrates. What specialty should I see to understand this better? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.
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@dorisena I know many of us, particularly those of us who are "seniors" are really feeling this isolation and having bouts of depression. It's a very difficult time. I only get out of the house to take walks. This is one of the few times I am glad I do not live in a city because I see few people when I do walk, and no one within 6'.
You mention exercise. I miss my health club terribly but I am doing lots of YouTube exercise videos. Have you tried any of them? There are many geared for older people.
My favorites are the ones with Jenny McClendon
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHufaoaq1VqjHvnv8zvg9pQ
I also like Shellea Fowler, "fabulous50s"
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8tdXMzGCCF6y_WGSdVSfBCSzMaPnDyLH
She has a lot of short videos that you are supposed to combine with other short videos to get a full workout but I also use them to just get a bit more exercise in the evening if I don't feel I've done enough during the day. I know it says 50s but I do them and I'm 73.
Another one, Annie Taylor Efremsky who uses dumbbells in many of her videos is
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKUpAAg8q4CozUxBjxyvDDQ
She is young but most videos expect you to customize for your ability.
This is one that I like more and more too, and there are two people exercising, one doing easier versions.
https://www.youtube.com/c/Hasfit
If you are looking for something specific you can do a search in YouTube. I have done searches for balance, posture, and core.
With all of the videos out there you can get a varied workout, that's for sure. If you have Amazon Prime I know there are exercise videos there that are free also, but I have not tried any of them.
JK
I am not ready physically for exercise programs of any kind because I can barely manage walking out to feed the dog and pet her. Thanks for encouraging me because i think that is what I need. I massaged and stretched for 45 minutes sitting and watching football last nightl. Dorisena
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1 ReactionIt is easy to feel isolated and get depressed. But knowing that you are not alone should help you feel better. When we go through major surgery and the doctor wants us to isolate to prevent us from getting any where near a hospital, our social interaction is limited. But you are on this blog with us, so not alone. We are with you. Sometimes you have to make an effort to reach out. Friends may be concerned about disturbing you when you rest. Let them know you would love to hear from them. And the best times for them to call back. Hope you get physically stronger soon and can get out to see the amazing skies we have been having since the onset of the pandemic. Each day it has been a blaze of different colors. Enjoy, relax and breathe! Sending positive vibes for your recovery!
I am sorry I misled you. My surgery was four years ago and before that I had two knee replacements. The recovery may be as good as it gets, and the doctor said i was better than expected. I am left slightly physically handicapped in that I can't walk very far, but am not on a walker, thank God. I am not isolated by a doctor but by my loving children because of my age and diabetes. Almost all my long term friends have died, and all my relatives and family except my three children and five grandchildren. Two of them don't take time to visit me. No one calls me anymore. I moved 22 years ago and have not assimilated into this community because I go to church elsewhere. I am not of their culture. I have reached out to the community, and tutored, for free, at the school. I donated, and made my home available for a community band practice for 22 years. Not one of them calls me, although I called them and gave them plants from my greenhouse. Thanks for the positive attitude. I am planning in being more involved in my new church as the pandemic subsides.
They want me and need me, so I am grateful for that, as I am 85, but have well honed skills to offer. I am not finished yet. With this isolation, I know I will outlive the pandemic. I have plenty of work to do at home, but there is more to life than work. I am a people person and have always been involved in community and church activities and taught in the 4-H program for 41 years. The world is not accustomed to someone being 85 and ready to go, whatever project you have in mind. I will be volunteering for some years to come, but need to be in the right place. Dorisena
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1 ReactionI could not of said that better. There are alot of us that read and sometimes write back so if you need something just give a shout out and see how fast things get back to you dave
Are you on steroids ? What's your cortisol level ?
My cortisol was 18 when I checked I did the test in the morning is that bad?
Your symptoms sounds like hipercortisolemia or Cushing syndrome. 18 is not bad, but quite high. I would report to endo with all the symptoms you mentioned above. Also check Cushing syndrome groups, I'm sure you will relate. Good luck
Also check insulin resistance or OGTT test for glucose. Typical with high cortisol