Blood pressure

[Accipiter]

Despite a 8 day average of 119/76 Ive been called back in.
Doubt its a congratulatory meeting.

May be concerning at this time Martin but they are being proactive .

 

[Accipiter]

Doesn't surprise me Roger ... Seems these AI critters will give different replies/answers to different people asking the same question (same terminology! ) depending on that person's location... and other things. *From a certain discussion taking place in another forum elsewhere* (possibly you've seen part of it? Question re climate change).

It was the term "with  mother" that made me do the search... which then presented the rest of the information leading up to how to take. If/when (?) I give it a try - having reduced/tapered off the Omeprazole further down the line - I can't see me taking ACV with mother long term... 2 weeks sounds about long enough

 

[RogerS]

Despite a 8 day average of 119/76 Ive been called back in.
Doubt its a congratulatory meeting.

Did you have bloods taken ? If so could be that and not your BP which is bloody good. Well within recommended levels

 

[RogerS]

I was a bit cavalier and yesterday decided not to take the Omeprazole 20mg. Come the evening stomach didn't feel good so tool the tablet. Sorted. So definitely needs tapering at a timer rate. Might go and see the GP.

But after Friday ......Spitfire Time

 

[Accipiter]

I was a bit cavalier and yesterday decided not to take the Omeprazole 20mg. Come the evening stomach didn't feel good so tool the tablet. Sorted. So definitely needs tapering at a timer rate. Might go and see the GP.

Ask your doctor to change the dosage of the tablet to 10mg - while you still have the 20mg ones. Then try a 10mg in the morning and a 10mg in the evening. That's how I went about it - 1 x20mg a day, in the morning, didn't work for me... whereas the 10mg twice day did. Now I'm doing 1 x10mg in the morning. Took a while to stop the evening one but recently been doing okay. I had to do something like taking the evening one every other evening. Then I only took the 2nd tablet if my gut/throat area was a bit uncomfortable

But after Friday ......Spitfire Time

? Have I missed or forgotten something? Spitfire...

 

[RogerS]

? Have I missed or forgotten something? Spitfire...

I only have one item on my Bucket List. To fly in a two-seater Spitfire. It was due to happen May 18 but I called it off as the cloud ceiling was too low as I wanted the pilot to do some aerobatics.

But it's this Friday ...at Goodwood.

I had a brainwave over the weekend though as I remembered that they were flying from Dunkeswell Airfield which is only 30 mins away from me. So I toddled along to see how things were done, ask loads of questions so that on Friday it will be plain-sailing.

 

[Accipiter]

That's BRILLIANT Roger - I'm envious but good for you . That's one of the (few) things on my bucket list. Fingers crossed for great weather for you.

Did you mean *Plane sailing*

 

[Woodbloke]

I only have one item on my Bucket List. To fly in a two-seater Spitfire. It was due to happen May 18 but I called it off as the cloud ceiling was too low as I wanted the pilot to do some aerobatics.

But it's this Friday ...at Goodwood.

I expect you'll be doing this Rog.....

....in your dreams - Rob

 

[RogerS]

I expect you'll be doing this Rog.....

....in your dreams - Rob

Brilliant....thanks Rob...not seen that before. This is my favourite 'warbird' video albeit of a jet

 

[Woodbloke]

SWIMBO found another seemingly good BP smart watch today which may be as good, if not better than the Huawei D2 indicated earlier in the thread by AJB. It works well with iPhone and Android, isn't so bulky, can be worn on either wrist and is a lot less dosh - Rob

 

[RogerS]

SWIMBO found another seemingly good BP smart watch today which may be as good, if not better than the Huawei D2 indicated earlier in the thread by AJB. It works well with iPhone and Android, isn't so bulky, can be worn on either wrist and is a lot less dosh - Rob

Rob, your money, your call but it has NOT been clinically validated to any known standard. They might claim it has but there is no evidence. On the other hand, the Huawei D2 has and has met it

• The Watch D2 met the ISO validation criteria for blood pressure accuracy.
• Mean measurement differences from the reference device were within the required limits.
• The device satisfied both Criterion 1 and Criterion 2 of the international validation protocol.

Source; chatgpt

 

[AJB Temple]

No doubt these things will become commonplace. It's a great idea, but would make me feel a bit of a hypochondriac unless I had a really pressing medical need.

Edit: good point Rog.

 

[Woodbloke]

Rob, your money, your call but it has NOT been clinically validated to any known standard. They might claim it has but there is no evidence. On the other hand, the Huawei D2 has and has met it

• The Watch D2 met the ISO validation criteria for blood pressure accuracy.
• Mean measurement differences from the reference device were within the required limits.
• The device satisfied both Criterion 1 and Criterion 2 of the international validation protocol.

Source; chatgpt

Agreed Rog, but as indicated earlier today the D2 has it's minus points which are making me think twice about it...clunky, lack of full integration with iPhone etc which the one above circumvents. Difficult call though, as you rightly say - Rob

 

[RogerS]

Agreed Rog, but as indicated earlier today the D2 has it's minus points which are making me think twice about it...clunky, lack of full integration with iPhone etc which the one above circumvents. Difficult call though, as you rightly say - Rob

TBH Rob I don't see it as a difficult call. This succinctly gives the decision one has to make.

For me, I'd only by a watch that would provide me with accurate health measurements which the D2 provides.

 

[Woodbloke]

TBH Rob I don't see it as a difficult call. This succinctly gives the decision one has to make.
View attachment 55855
For me, I'd only by a watch that would provide me with accurate health measurements which the D2 provides.

....except that there's no seamless, 100% integration with an iPhone. If I'm going to shell out £300 spondulicos, it needs to work all the time without a manual 'reset' from time to time. SWIMBO mentioned after tea that she'd ask the consultants that she hangs out with at the hospital what they and their mates think of these things....that's after I've asked my doc in a couple of weeks and I can guess pretty much what his reply will be - Rob

 

[Lons]

..............To fly in a two-seater Spitfire. It was due to happen May 18 but I called it off as the cloud ceiling was too low as I wanted the pilot to do some aerobatics.

But it's this Friday ...at Goodwood.............

Exactly the time you might need the Omeprazole if you're upside down and your stomache inside out. Enjoy Rog, hope the sky stays clear for you.

 

[RogerS]

....except that there's no seamless, 100% integration with an iPhone. If I'm going to shell out £300 spondulicos, it needs to work all the time without a manual 'reset' from time to time. SWIMBO mentioned after tea that she'd ask the consultants that she hangs out with at the hospital what they and their mates think of these things....that's after I've asked my doc in a couple of weeks and I can guess pretty much what his reply will be - Rob

What do you mean by 100% integration ? If you want to tie it into Apple Health then I agree. But so what ? If accurate BP is, for you, not as important as sending data to Apple Health then go get an Apple Watch. What's wrong with using Huawei Health app on an iPhone ?

 

[RogerS]

Exactly the time you might need the Omeprazole if you're upside down and your stomache inside out. Enjoy Rog, hope the sky stays clear for you.

Well, my GP said 'because you're on Apixaban you need to be on Omeprazole to protect your stomach from bleeding'. Thing is that's not the whole story and I don't meet the criteria to automatically take omeprazole for that reason.

 

[Lons]

..............What's wrong with using Huawei Health app on an iPhone ?

That's what I do.

 

[RogerS]

That's what I do.

Have you got a D2, Bob?

 

[RogerS]

Well, my GP said 'because you're on Apixaban you need to be on Omeprazole to protect your stomach from bleeding'. Thing is that's not the whole story and I don't meet the criteria to automatically take omeprazole for that reason.

And the NICE guidelines say PPI not automatically needed. Bit of a dilemma..do I argue the toss with the GP or quietly follow the excellent regime that Frank gave, gradually come off Omeprazole and just stay shtum?

 

[Woodbloke]

What do you mean by 100% integration ? If you want to tie it into Apple Health then I agree. But so what ? If accurate BP is, for you, not as important as sending data to Apple Health then go get an Apple Watch. What's wrong with using Huawei Health app on an iPhone ?

When you ask the question, this is the reply:

The HUAWEI WATCH D2 works with iPhones (iOS 13.0 or later), but it does not integrate seamlessly. You can easily track your health, but you will miss some smart features. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Health Features (What works well)

• All core health tracking works perfectly on iOS.
• This includes 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) and ECG analysis.
• You use the HUAWEI Health: Europe app on your iPhone to view these stats.
• The app can sync basic motion and weight data with Apple Health. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Smart Features (What is limited)

• Notifications: You can receive push notifications for calls and messages. However, iOS restrictions prevent you from replying to them from the watch. [1, 2, 3]
• Music & Apps: You cannot load offline books or install third-party watch apps from Huawei's AppGallery. You also cannot transfer personal music onto the watch to play offline. [1, 2, 3]
• Connection: You must keep the Huawei Health app running in the background of your iPhone for a stable connection. [1]

Basic features work well, but it's not a seamless connection with the iPhone, so becomes a bit 'iffy', especially when you have to shell out £300 spondulicos for it. I'll wait and see what SWIMBO's consultant buddies at Salisbury hospital (and my doc) have to say about these things before I hit 'submit' to buy one - Rob

 

[RogerS]

Exactly. As I have already posted above, the decision is not a difficult one to make.

Do you want to monitor and record accurate clinically validated blood pressure readings or do you want to record rough estimates of BP but be able to reply to a tweet.

 

[Accipiter]

...<SNIP>... Bit of a dilemma..do I argue the toss with the GP or quietly follow the excellent regime that Frank gave, gradually come off Omeprazole and just stay shtum?

I'm trying to reduce and come off them Rog, because of my doctor saying "do you need to take them?"...

That got me thinking of trying to come off them by gradually reducing the intake - because of what he asked *although not actually advising me to OR how to*. When I see him next I'll mention what I've been doing.

I'd rather you went and discussed it with your doctor and said you want to *try* to come off them. Dropping from your present dosage, what? 40mg day (2 x 20mg capsules?) would most likely be too much to reduce by trying one 20mg a day.

I went to 10mg capsules so I could juggle the amount if I felt I needed to; 1 x 10mg or 2 or even a third so 20mg or 30mg for that day if it'd been a bad one.

If you want to try to trial reducing and see how it goes before seeing him you'll be able to tell him what you've tried and, probably of more importance to you and him, how you've managed trialing the reduction over X days/time period. BUT... speaking to him about reduced dosage capsules so you can manage a gradual reduction better would be what I'd do - and advise you to do . *Stressing wanting to come off the damn things*. Fingers crossed for you

 

[Woodbloke]

Exactly. As I have already posted above, the decision is not a difficult one to make.

Do you want to monitor and record accurate clinically validated blood pressure readings or do you want to record rough estimates of BP but be able to reply to a tweet.

I made the decision last night not to get any sort of BP watch as there seem to be dozens of the things all competing for my money. If I had one it would only give me something to worry about with it's constant readings and it would only ever be a back up to a proper medical cuff that I use anyway, so I'm going to pass. I definitely don't want to wear it on my left wrist and put my much more desirable (for me) Rolex on my right - Rob

 

[Lons]

Exactly. As I have already posted above, the decision is not a difficult one to make.

Do you want to monitor and record accurate clinically validated blood pressure readings or do you want to record rough estimates of BP but be able to reply to a tweet.

I have an Iphone 12 mini and the watch isn't a D2 it's a GT3 pro so not validated but it does everything I want it to do. My son has the GT2 pro which is seamless with his Huawei android 'phone but personally I'm not bothered about having all the features available. I have enough problems with the 'phone which is too small for comfortable use so rarely use it for the internet, just calls, alarm, whatsapp etc.

It relays messages and calls from my phone which I can accept or ignore, I think I can reject a call but never tried, so I can see imediately if important and decide whether to pull out my 'phone or not. I'm mostly interested in my pulse rate given the A-fib condition but don't keep checking as the watch will buzz me if there's an issue but I can check BP, oxygen levels, ECG, skin temp, number of steps etc. if I wished. Just looked at tmy average pulse rate which was 49 bpm over the last 7 days. I can change watch face in seconds, it's extremely accurate and reliable enough for me to put a decent Seiko away in the drawer.

If I want more features I can enable them in the app but I don't and certainly don't leave the app running in the bacckground, instead I open it and sync with my 'phone a couple of times a week at most.

What others such as my son want from a smart watch is different and as Rob says the cost is enough to think carefully before shelling out. I think mine was £230 on offer 3 years ago and I doubt I'd have bought it had I not accumulated birthday and Christmas gifts including Amazon vouchers. No regrets though.

 

[Accipiter]

I made the decision last night not to get any sort of BP watch as there seem to be dozens of the things all competing for my money. If I had one it would only give me something to worry about with it's constant readings and it would only ever be a back up to a proper medical cuff that I use anyway, so I'm going to pass.

One reason I nearly didn't bother Rob... too many out there and too much £££ for me to put up to find out it wasn't giving me what I wanted some idea of BP range over the day... £60 notes was 'acceptable' to try one (Samsung Fit3 - Argos) but £40 (Amazon) for the same was better. *It does give a 'note' that the BP range readings are for "fitness and wellness only - not for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition"...

I definitely don't want to wear it on my left wrist and put my much more desirable (for me) Rolex on my right - Rob

After 43 years of wearing a watch on my right wrist - because of involved with falconry, hawks carried on the left gloved hand and not able to see a watch on the left wrist - it's feeling strange to have this one on my left wrist. . That said, when setting it up, there was/is the option to set for right wrist use.

 

[shafiq]

I made the decision last night not to get any sort of BP watch as there seem to be dozens of the things all competing for my money. If I had one it would only give me something to worry about with it's constant readings and it would only ever be a back up to a proper medical cuff that I use anyway, so I'm going to pass. I definitely don't want to wear it on my left wrist and put my much more desirable (for me) Rolex on my right - Rob

You definitely did make the right decision then Rob... BP cuff, use it, put it away, and you know it works. BP cuff on your wrist that you're not sure if/how it fully works and probably uncomfortable and owt if it actually does work.

I'd take one Rolex anyway and another free wrist...

 

[shafiq]

Thats not taking anything away from anyone who has/will decide to buy a wrist/BP watch. I'm always sceptical of these new inventions anyway, sorry.

 

[RogerS]

I'm trying to reduce and come off them Rog, because of my doctor saying "do you need to take them?"...

That got me thinking of trying to come off them by gradually reducing the intake - because of what he asked *although not actually advising me to OR how to*. When I see him next I'll mention what I've been doing.

I'd rather you went and discussed it with your doctor and said you want to *try* to come off them. Dropping from your present dosage, what? 40mg day (2 x 20mg capsules?) would most likely be too much to reduce by trying one 20mg a day.

I went to 10mg capsules so I could juggle the amount if I felt I needed to; 1 x 10mg or 2 or even a third so 20mg or 30mg for that day if it'd been a bad one.

If you want to try to trial reducing and see how it goes before seeing him you'll be able to tell him what you've tried and, probably of more importance to you and him, how you've managed trialing the reduction over X days/time period. BUT... speaking to him about reduced dosage capsules so you can manage a gradual reduction better would be what I'd do - and advise you to do . *Stressing wanting to come off the damn things*. Fingers crossed for you

There's no point in seeing a GP since they've told me
.....because you take Apixaban you need to take a PPI.

That does not follow NICE guidelines. So it's DIY time

 

[Robert]

So Mrs has had a pre planned phone appointment (most appointments seem to be done by phone round here) with the cardiology nurse - and has put her name down for ablation. Officially the success rate is good (no more than that offered) but it depends on getting the right spot and the problem not healing itself to reconnect the triggering signals. She was told it's a 3 hour procedure but the wait is currently 6 to 9 months.

Plenty of time to change her mind if symptoms disappear as they have done in the past or go ahead if they continue. Nurse again confirmed symptoms distressing but not life threatening.

 

[shafiq]

There's no point in seeing a GP since they've told me
.....because you take Apixaban you need to take a PPI.

That does not follow NICE guidelines. So it's DIY time

Roger, without sounding clever, you do realise that the GP will not have only been following NICE guidance and his training will have been alot more thorough than just a bit of NICE. There is also the SIGN - if you wished to look a bit further - Scottish Intercollegiate Guuldines Network but if it was me (and I know its not) on Apix I wouldn't overrule the GPs decision on a proton pump inhibitor. Having a stomach ulcer, then it leaking would surely be much more catastrophic.

Just my two pence in case it helps a tad.

 

[Accipiter]

There's no point in seeing a GP since they've told me
.....because you take Apixaban you need to take a PPI.

That does not follow NICE guidelines. So it's DIY time

He/she/they won't let you get a 2nd opinion? They sound like a bit of a bully - but possibly haven't explained everything with you...?

Putting into Google "do you need ppi with apixaban" it does mention that:

"You only need a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) with apixaban if you have high-risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding. Routine PPI prescription is not necessary if you are taking apixaban by itself and have no history of bleeding complications."

&:
When a PPI is Recommended
Doctors usually prescribe a PPI (like omeprazole or lansoprazole) for stomach protection alongside apixaban if you meet any of the following criteria:

History of Ulcers or GI Bleeds: A past history of peptic ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Concomitant Medications: You are also taking antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or ticagrelor) or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen).

Advanced Age: You are over 60 years old and have additional risk factors for bleeding.

Maybe he/she/they have this, the above, in mind? HOWEVER... your doctors should be giving you more support than they would seem to be for this medication...

Apologies if I've put up what you are already fully aware of . If you do go DIY... please do it carefully

 

[Accipiter]

50 odd years ago I had duodenal ulcers (from age 16 caused, we thought, by stress of taking 'O' levels back then (1967)... I've been asked if I suffer from stomach ulcers, various times over the years of being on this omeprazole, and before that, lansoprazole, and have said 'no' as I no longer do. Endoscopy procedures haven't shown any having returned.