Stomach Funky

Day 3 on the "Metamucil".  Tried taking 2 capsules instead of one.  Been taking it around 4:30pm.  Ate dinner normal.  Few hours later stomach started feeling like I need to use the bathroom.  But no actual urge to go, just tummy's acting like it.  Kinda has that diarrhea funky stomach feeling.  Tried sitting on the toilet but not much came out.

Mild headache the last couple days.  Took pain pill today, it went away.  Left side, stiff neck kinda headache.

Three Months

Today marks three months since the stroke.  Feels like the three months just whizzzed by. 

 I started the generic Metamucil today, starting off with one capsule instead of the serving size of six.  I took the capsule around 5pm, not sure if its because of it but it seemed like I got fuller faster during dinner, and dinner was basically just a big salad.  Planning on adding a capsule every couple days till I reach three.  I think that's really all I need for now.  Will try to just eat more soluble fiber instead.

Tomorrow will be one week off the lipitor.  Muscles still hurt. 

Overall, I feel pretty good.  BP is low, seems to be consistent for the most part, some days dips a little lower but still nothing lower than 100/80.  Not noticing brain farts, though mind drifts off, even when driving sometimes which is a little scary.  I think once the muscle pains go away, my body will start feeling "normal" again.  Hoping to feel stronger so I can start exercising with the dogs a little more.  School has started, work is supposed to slow down a little.  Would like to go hiking again, especially as the weather cools down.

Not sure if I'm just tired from working a lot lately but energy level seems on the low side.  Just doing what needs to be done.  Nothing extra.  Not feeling up to accomplishing things, not feeling productive.  Feeling lazy.  Feeling blah. 

Metamucil... Soluble vs Insoluble Fiber

Gonna try Metamucil, a Psyllium, a soluble fiber.

Psyllium is a bulk-forming fiber laxative. Psyllium works by absorbing liquid in the intestines and swelling to create a softer, bulky stool that is easier to pass.
Psyllium is used to treat occasional constipation or bowel irregularity. Psyllium may also be used to treat diarrhea and may help lower cholesterol when used together with a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

The two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble:

Soluble vs. Insoluble Fiber

Soluble fiber dissolves in water. Insoluble fiber does not. To some degree these differences determine how each fiber functions in the body and benefits your health.

Soluble fibers attract water and form a gel, which slows down digestion. Soluble fiber delays the emptying of your stomach and makes you feel full, which helps control weight. Slower stomach emptying may also affect blood sugar levels and have a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity, which may help control diabetes. Soluble fibers can also help lower LDL (“bad”) blood cholesterol by interfering with the absorption of dietary cholesterol.

• Sources of soluble fiber: oatmeal, oat cereal, lentils, apples, oranges, pears, oat bran, strawberries, nuts, flaxseeds, beans, dried peas, blueberries, psyllium, cucumbers, celery, and carrots.

Insoluble fibers are considered gut-healthy fiber because they have a laxative effect and add bulk to the diet, helping prevent constipation. These fibers do not dissolve in water, so they pass through the gastrointestinal tract relatively intact, and speed up the passage of food and waste through your gut. Insoluble fibers are mainly found in whole grains and vegetables.

• Sources of insoluble fiber: whole wheat, whole grains, wheat bran, corn bran, seeds, nuts, barley, couscous, brown rice, bulgur, zucchini, celery, broccoli, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, raisins, grapes, fruit, and root vegetable skins.

How Much Dietary Fiber Do You Need?

Most Americans get only about 15 grams of fiber per day in their diet. But the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends about 25 grams for women under 50 and teenage girls. Teenage boys and men under 50 (who consume more calories than women) require upwards of 30-38 grams of dietary fiber daily.

 

Don’t worry about what kind of fiber you are taking in unless you are seeking a specific health benefit, such as eating more soluble fiber to lower cholesterol. Instead, focus on eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This will provide a variety of soluble and insoluble fibers and all of the health benefits.

 

As you increase the fiber in your diet, you may experience more intestinal gas. Increasing fiber gradually will allow your body to adapt. Because some fibers absorb water, you should also drink more water as you increase fiber.

Top Soluble Fiber Foods

• Purple passion fruit, 6.5 g of soluble fiber per 1/2 cup
• Psyllium husk, 3.5 g per 1 Tbsp
• Metamucil, 3.4 g per 1 Tbsp
• Oat/Oat bran, 2.2 g per 3/4 cup
• Some Beans (1/2 cup)
  • Black beans, 2.4 g
  • Navy beans, 2.2 g
  • Kideny beans, 2 g
• Soy
  • Tofu, 2.8 g per 3/4 cup
  • Edamame, 1.5 g per 1/2 cup
• Vegetables (1/2 cup)
  • Avocado, 2.1 g
  • Brussels sprouts, 2 g
  • Sweet potato, 1.8 g
  • Asparagus, 1.7 g
  • Turnip, 1.7 g
• Fruit
  • Dried figs, 1.9 g per 1/4 cup
  • Orange, 1.8 g, medium size
  • Fruit with skin, like pear, apricots, and nectarine, ~ 1.2 g
• Flax seed, 1.1 g per 1 tbsp

Bye Bye Statin!

The last blood test showed I still have high protein levels.  They were going to stop the statin and put me on another cholesterol med but since it was too expensive we are going to try Metamucil instead.  The pharmacist recommended this, cheaper and its natural.  Still has some side effects, gas, tummy ache/cramps, nausea, so will start on low dose and see how it goes.  I am hoping going off the statin will make my muscle aches go away.  And I can have grapefruit juice again, yeay!

Not Thirst but Dry Mouth/Throat?

Couple days ago I realized that I drink a lot of water, not so much because I'm thirsty but because my mouth is dry and throat is irritated.  Kinda like when you sleep all night with your mouth open.  At first I thought it was the diuretic making me thirsty.  Which at first it probably was.  I don't remember my throat having that irritated feeling, which I notice more now.  I wonder if its the losartan.  Maybe I'll try sucking on hard candy.  Though drinking more water is probably a good thing. 

Memory getting worse?

My memory has always been kinda sucky.  So I try to make notes and lists.  But sometimes I forget I have a list, or forget to look at it.  Times goes by and I remember again what I need to do.  It goes on another list.  Sometimes I look at the list but just feel really lazy and unmotivated to accomplish the task.  I'll do it tomorrow...  which turns into a week later.  Sometimes it feels like I have less brain cells.  Whatever is supposed to connect isn't connecting.  I don't feel myself.  I don't feel normal.  I don't like it. 

Another brain fart & High Heart Rate

So David noticed that sometimes I act like I'm on caffeine when I haven't had any coffee.  I talk fast, talk alot, and don't stop.  And sometimes I move around fast.  The meds have been raising my heart rate.  Sometimes it's 90 when I first wake up, when it's supposed to be when I'm most at rest.  I wonder because the heart's pumping faster and it's "speeding" me up.  I would think a higher heart rate is making my heart work harder, and that's not a good thing.  If my heart works less, doesn't that lower blood pressure?

Can't remember the last time I had a brain fart but I had one a couple days ago.  I was washing dishes and I wanted to turn off the water.  Instead of reaching for the knob on the faucet, I reach for the light switch.   Not sure if my brain just registered "off".  I caught myself right before I flicked the switch, and just made me think of what just happened.  These little glitches scare me.  They are small now so no harm done but what if the degree of mess-ups increase?  I hope I don't start acting like an alzheimers patient. 

Losartan

Been off Lisinopril for three weeks.  Cough almost went away.  Three days ago, started Losartan.  Been noticing a cough and spotty muscle pain that jumps around the last day or two.  Muscle pain mostly in right arm at first.  Now travels to left arm and even back.  It's a mind pain, it's uncomfortable but not a whole lotta pain, then all of a sudden goes away.  Feels more like overworked muscle soreness.   Another blood draw in a week.  Funny thing, Baba's on the same med plus amlodipine.  Never thought we'd be on the same med.

Losartan (Cozaar) belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a feeling that you might pass out;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
• wheezing, chest pain;
• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
• high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).

Common losartan side effects may include:

• cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever;
• dry cough;
• muscle cramps;
• pain in your legs or back;
• stomach pain, diarrhea;
• headache, dizziness;
• tired feeling; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with losartan, especially:

• a diuretic or "water pill";
• other blood pressure medications;
• lithium;
• celecoxib; or
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.