Dear Dr McDougall,
Am a vegetarian and have a benign prostate hyperplasia (the weight is now 110 grams, PSA 6,6 and F/T 35%, DRE is OK, rectal ultrasound OK, MSCT OK). My age is 60.
Concerning that I'm a TV celebrity for years, am under a tremedous stress. Usually, all my blood tests were OK and are now, but two months ago I suddenly woke up with blood pressure 195/105. Went to a doctor and have got a medicine Prinivil (ACE inhibitor) in a minimal dose (less then minimum, 5 mgs per day). However, 2-3 times mere reading of a disturbing mail triggered strong heart beating, between 110 and 115, which was followed by the rise in blood pressure, but never more then 160/90 or 150/100. In such situation I took Physiotense (Catapressan) that affects central nervous system and my pressure was down to 135/85 within half an hour or one hour. And, in following days, it was low at all times, like 120/75, even 110/70. Some types of stresses are the triggers of these episodes of jumping blood pressure every 5-7 days.
I have to admit that I'm hooked on benzodiazepines (Leksaurin which is bromodiazepam, 3 x 3 mgs per day, which is not high dose) and am now advised by a doctor, the psychiatrist, to exchange it for pure diazepam (5 mgs + 2 mgs + 2 mgs per day), which actually is Valium type of drug. For now, nobody is advising me to take Xanax because it's very addictive but they all think my reaction is a somatized panic attack, sort of.
I was even advised to take Seroquel for awhile, but it's antipsychotic drug, basically antidepressant, that makes me feel dizzy and groggy.
Abdominal MSCT is OK, kidney ultrasound OK, hormones and antibodies of thyroid gland OK, blood tests OK.
So, I cancelled all my TV engagements, media appearences and public talks. Changed a phone number and my daughter is now running my business as much as is possible.
Added spirulina to my diet and removed the salt entirely. However, don't have a feeeling that spirulina is good for me.
I am carefully trying to practice autogenic therapy just once a day, relaxing, but sometimes by dreams are telling me in a nightmarish way that I should leave that tense job of mine.
With your enormous experience, I am sure that you encountered cases like mine. Therefore, I kindly ask you to let me know if this is possible to be put under contol. Any diet advises, like resveratrol or Omega-3 or medicines that reduce the reaction of autonomic nervous system to stress in such a way?
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Dr Drago Plecko, M.Sci.
