Update 11.27.25 Cardiology appt, new cholesterol med, ENT

Saw Dr Bagheri and he doesn't want to order me a CT angiogram.  Says it's 'unnecessary' and insurance doesn't care. My cholesterol is high so he's going to put me on Ezetimibe which is supposed to block cholesterol absorption in the small intestine.  So if the high cholesterol is due to diet, this should work.  He thinks its genetic since Jiji had his heart attack in his 50s.  Hide sight, Baba may of had high cholesterol too, related to pancreatic cancer.  We'll see at my lab follow-up in March.  In the meantime, getting a Stress Test 12/10 and Carotid Ultrasound 12/17.   The stress test is supposed to give an idea of how much blockage there is.  That's kinda my main concern, how bad is it?

He said a drink a day is ok, so feel a little better there.   Had a tequila soda last night, felt it in my head and then slept 9+hrs.

ENT said no need for septoplasty since I can still breathe out of my nose, it's not completely obstructed.  Using nasal spray and Flonase before bed has been helping.  Necessary surgery is not a good thing.  Tho I kinda wanted it done so maybe my oxygen level might improve.  But I see his point.  Things can go wrong during surgery too, and probably not worth the risk.

Update 10.20.25: Coronary Calcium Score, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, BP doing well, upcoming appts with ENT, Endo

 With BP still high, cardiologist NP tried putting me on a Clonidine patch.  Reading about it kinda scared me, especially the fast that I can't just stop since the patch stays on.  Decided to go back to bystolic/hctz and see if they'll start working again and it did.  Except that I noticed my max heart stayed before 130, even when hiking hard.  And also felt lightheaded, tho not sure if it was related to the lower heart rate.  Talked to cardiologist NP and said I wanted to lower dose from 20mg to 7.5mg.  Something about being less than 10mg has a lighter effect on max heart rate.   New dose started Sept 27, 2025.  BP still staying somewhat low and max heart rate's gone up a little to about 140.   Until the body gets used to this and stops responding, I think I'll stay with current med combo (with Amlodipine at night as well. )  

Went and got a Coronary Calcium Scan, my score was a little high, 166 in the Left Anterior Descending (the one that goes into the heart), the other three were ZERO.  Being 100-400 means I could have a coronary event in the next 3-5 years unless something changes.  Statins being the first line of treatment, but we'll see.  BP has been somewhat low, dunno if its because I've been hiking more, and really haven't been drinking since Abby left end of May.  Maybe a handful since then.  My next follow-up with Dr Bagheri isn't till January 2026, will call and see if there's any other tests they want to run to do it this year.  This score scares me. 

Went up to Kernville last week and my left shoulder arm started hurting on the drive up.  I've noticed it happening in the past when I drive at least 45min.  I think it might be thoracic outlet syndrome.  I have a chiropractor appt on Monday, I'll see what Chip says. Could also be related to that rib that's popped up.  I had Election Officer training today and after sitting in the chair for may 40 min the left side started to hurt.   Sitting at the table on the laptop now, there is mild pain.  I think it has something to do with sitting and how I sit.  

I have an endocrinologist appt coming up on Nov. 6, will ask about Primary Aldosternism.

Dec. 9 - Upper Endoscopy, I have low ferritin (iron storage) and iron deficiency with anemia (RBC and hemoglobin high).  Will see if I'm bleeding inside?  This is resulting from talking to Taylor from GI about my last lab work which still showed antibodies for Crohn's without symptoms so she thinks I'm the 5% who does this.  

Tomorrow is ENT appt, will see if my chronic sinusitis is still there (been regularly using Flonase and nasal saline spray) and feel like my nose breathing is better.  When on CPAP, I usually only have 1-2 events/hr.  Less than 5 is good.  And if surgery is still recommended and if so I can opt out of the caudal part. 

Sept 30:  routing mammogram.  All good.

Period was 10 days late this cycle.  Dunno if I'm getting closer to menopause or all the hiking has been affecting it.