Depression meds and heart disease

     I always thought it was weird that so many of our patients had a history of depression.     Being someone who can't stay depressed for long I was kind of shocked at the amount of people that had the problem.   But a recent study may show the reason so many of our cardiac patients have that listed in their history.    

     A study was done to check the long term effects of antidepressants on people.   To see if a placebo was  as effective as the real thing.    One of the things they found was antidepressants caused thickening of the carotid artery walls.   All the vessels actually.   And fairly quickly.   So maybe that is why it seems we have a higher then what I think is normal amount of patients on my cardiac floor with the history of depression.


       Medication is wonderful when you need it.   But I also found the patients who do the best and seem to live pretty good long lives are those who avoid the doctor and avoid taking any medication.   The side effects of so many meds just seem to cause a new set of problems.  Kidney failure,  liver damage, bleeding, you name it. 

   I  plan on being one of those old ladies who is on no meds except for my calcium pill.  And my vit D in the winter.   Rick and I are both lucky that we don't need any medication, well except I do take my asthma med when riding a lot on my bike.   With all my surgeries I have never had to be on any long term meds.  Since I lost weight I got rid of my blood pressure meds,  yippy.  This study just shows me one more reason to try to stay off medication.   Maybe it's because I meditate I don't need to medicate.


     But if you are one of those patients who is on a antidepressant this study shows you should keep regular checkup's to check your carotids and heart.  Monitoring seems to be a good thing.  Stay well all.

Beautiful Spring day

 

     It's a beautiful Spring day out today.   I love it.  I sat outside and listened to all the birds singing.   Wrens have moved back into their old birdhouse and I have more trying to tempt mates into the other 2 I have.   For such a small bird they have a loud mouth.    The wren on the front porch is running into trouble as the Robin doesn't want the wren so close to it's nest in the wreath.   It keeps diving at it and chasing it away.   But wrens are pretty feisty little birds and it keeps coming back.

      The robins have already raised one hatch of babies and are cleaning up the nest for another batch.   In the backyard I have cardinals and bluejays begging me to put some feed out and the big old turkey is strutting his stuff and begging some also.   I love sitting outside and watching all the birds.    We had Orioles, nut-thatchers, chickadees,  goldfinches, sparrows, cowbirds, thrushes, woodpeckers,  hawks,  blackbirds,  and a few I don't know the names to.

     We had a baby gardersnake in my flower bed in the front last week.   So tiny and cute.   I came out to water the new grass I planted and saw it dead on the walk with it's head missing.   Oh No!   I went and showed Rick and we were bummed out about it.   Rick went out later to get rid of the body and it was gone!  What!   Then we saw a hawk going flying by with the little body in it's claws.   Such is life.   Short for some.

  Zoey is better off and on.   We think she has a chronic pancreatitis going on.   Since her bad illness a few years ago she seems prone to it.   Of worry is one of her nipples is getting really big.  Since she has never had pups getting breast cancer is rare but not unheard of.   The vet wants us to keep an eye on it.  But the good news is she has lost some weight and seems happy and healthy today.  Shedding like a storm.   I brush her and get a dogs worth of hair off her and she is still shedding.   

        We are getting ready to go to the gym again today.   I slacked off for a week and yesterday it was hard to get back to my routine.   Personally,  as beautiful as it is outside I would love a bike ride but Rick wants to work on his arms today so the gym it is.

   I finally have my dress,  shoes and jewelry ready for the wedding next month.  I might have fun after all.    They are getting married at the mall of America which I have never been too,  that may be fun.  I hate shopping though.    We have someone who will stay here to watch the dog and the guinea pig.

         We are going out of town later.   With gas prices so high we don't do that much anymore.   We have cut down on everything we do actually.    But when it is so nice outside who needs to leave town.   I read about all the troubles people are having and am just happy to have a house high from any flooding and hopefully tornadoes are done for the year.

       Well,  time to get ready to work out.   Why is it all the things that are good for you aren't as much fun as the things that are bad for you?  

Ya diss is da Truth

Ole and Sven were drinking buddies who worked as aircraft mechanics in Minneapolis and one day the airport was fogged in and they were stuck in the hangar with nothing to do.

Ole said, "I vish ve had somethin ta drink!"

Sven says, "Me too. Y'know, I hear you can drink dat yet fuel and get a buzz. Ya vanna try it?"

So they pour themselves a couple of glasses of high octane hooch and got completely smashed.

Next morning Ole woke up and is surprised at how good he feels. In fact he feels GREAT! NO hangover! NO bad side effects. Nothing!

The phone rang. It was Sven who asks "How iss you feelin dis mornin?"

Ole says, "I feel great. How bout you?"

Sven says, "I feel great, too. Ya don't have no hangover?"

Ole says, "No dat yet fuel iss great stuff -- no hangover, nothin. Ve oughta do dis more often."

Sven agreed."Yeah, vell, but dere's yust vun ting."

Ole asked, "Vat's dat?"

Sven questioned, "Haff you farted yet?"

Ole stopped to think. "No "

"Vell, DON'T, 'cause I'm  in Iowa