L
LayOffTheDoritos
Guest
Hi all, looking for some general input (read: reassurance) about a situation I’ve stumbled into. I've done plenty of homework so I'm fairly confident I'll be just fine, but I've always had a bit of anxiety about some surprise medical change having a detrimental impact on my upcoming 2nd class renewal, or even taking my wings away. Wouldn't mind a sounding board to ease the unease.
Had a doc visit recently after a long while without one due to the pandemic. I was in excellent shape in the summer of 2020, but unfortunately I got lazy and let my exercise routine slip away as my diet went to hell with it. I was aware I had let myself go a fair bit, but stepping on the scale at the doc's office was a VERY rude awakening(literally blurted out "that can't be right"). I also found out that my blood pressure had also gone up significantly, reading about 150/105ish iirc, when I've always known it to be right at 120/80. Not to mention, I'm now getting over a very new and unfamiliar brush with gout, which partly precipitated the visit in the first place. All amounting to a swift kick in the ass to get back in shape. I'm only 31 for christ sake, going from carefree 20s to suddenly being an old man sucks. Feels like all my dash lights just came on at once.
Anywho, on to the meat of my present concern. The doc wanted to put me on BP meds, but my lizard brain refused in favor of getting my diet and exercise back in shape first. I wanted time to research what kind of effect such a prescription would have on my flying. My readings lead me to believe it should not be a problem as long as it is well controlled on under 3 medications.
Asking for experienced opinions, did I choose wisely? Should I go ahead and accept the meds anyway, to get the BP down quicker while I shed the pounds? Or simply lean into getting fit, likely not even needing meds before long? I have another follow-up coming up soon to run some blood labs. I am very committed to taking better care of myself first and foremost, just don't want to needlessly risk the medical if I don't have to.
Thanks
Had a doc visit recently after a long while without one due to the pandemic. I was in excellent shape in the summer of 2020, but unfortunately I got lazy and let my exercise routine slip away as my diet went to hell with it. I was aware I had let myself go a fair bit, but stepping on the scale at the doc's office was a VERY rude awakening(literally blurted out "that can't be right"). I also found out that my blood pressure had also gone up significantly, reading about 150/105ish iirc, when I've always known it to be right at 120/80. Not to mention, I'm now getting over a very new and unfamiliar brush with gout, which partly precipitated the visit in the first place. All amounting to a swift kick in the ass to get back in shape. I'm only 31 for christ sake, going from carefree 20s to suddenly being an old man sucks. Feels like all my dash lights just came on at once.
Anywho, on to the meat of my present concern. The doc wanted to put me on BP meds, but my lizard brain refused in favor of getting my diet and exercise back in shape first. I wanted time to research what kind of effect such a prescription would have on my flying. My readings lead me to believe it should not be a problem as long as it is well controlled on under 3 medications.
Asking for experienced opinions, did I choose wisely? Should I go ahead and accept the meds anyway, to get the BP down quicker while I shed the pounds? Or simply lean into getting fit, likely not even needing meds before long? I have another follow-up coming up soon to run some blood labs. I am very committed to taking better care of myself first and foremost, just don't want to needlessly risk the medical if I don't have to.
Thanks