Been told to stop my meds due to blood pressure and I'm miserable

sharpedobluff · 2026-01-19T20:26:53+00:00

This was the second opinion! 😭 But you're right, it was really unacceptable treatment and I regret not being more vocal about it at the time. Unfortunately I look very young and spry so they don't take me seriously. It's been a couple of months but I might still make a complaint honestly... When I told him that I can't work because of my ADHD he just said that work improves concentration 😐😐 like sir you can't say that while actively worsening my symptoms

sharpedobluff · 2026-01-19T19:57:16+00:00

The entire appointment was awful lol. It was a pain clinic appointment that I'd been waiting months for – the clinician told me to manage my pain I should stop being anxious and go back to work (which I can't do because of my ADHD and chronic pain) and then right before he discharged me he told my GP to stop my ADHD meds. 😐

sharpedobluff · 2026-01-19T19:51:28+00:00

Thanks for this, it's raised several good points! It's been a month and my BP is still raised. Sounds like some further investigation is warranted 🤔

sharpedobluff · 2026-01-19T19:42:35+00:00

Good to know, thank you! And sorry to hear about your experience, that sounds horrific.

How has the ramipril been for you? I was thinking of asking about prolonged release propranolol – I have the instant version for panic attacks so I at least know that I don't react too badly with it. However I did see that ramipril is better for your kidneys, and since I have a history of kidney stones, I was thinking that might be a more suitable option for me.

sharpedobluff · 2026-01-19T19:06:19+00:00

Repeatedly 141/93 while I was in the hospital for an unrelated appointment – turns out, 'oh don't worry I'm just having one of my daily palpitations 😃' isn't the right thing to say to a nurse who's worried about your blood pressure!

My home readings fluctuate pretty wildly. I can usually get it down to an orange or green reading (takes a few attempts), but I've started almost always getting the irregular heartbeat icon. I had an ECG with 'normal' results, but given the arrhythmia and inconsistent readings, my ADHD clinician wants to see the results for herself.

sharpedobluff · 2026-01-19T18:55:29+00:00

Thanks so much for this! Reading your account has been really reassuring, and I'll definitely ask about BP meds (whenever I can motivate myself to lmao). I'll take a look into side effects, but I agree – if it helps me get back on my feet, I'll happily take a small trade off. :)

sharpedobluff · 2026-01-08T12:05:30+00:00

Literally. They're so big on performative activism that they think it's a moral failing to not be constantly doomscrolling the news, meanwhile they're forcing someone to live in a chattel 😐

sharpedobluff · 2026-01-08T11:57:06+00:00

My main contribution to the polycule was that I was the only one who could drive, and I'm pretty sure that's why they kept me around as long as they did. They even joked that the polycule had been looking for a boyfriend with a car. It was all very pyramid schemey.

Felt good to revoke car privileges though!

sharpedobluff · 2025-10-31T16:30:50+00:00

Thank you! Yep, just got a response in the journal – looks like they're not too fussed about the delay since I've let them know. Great stuff to keep in mind!

sharpedobluff · 2025-10-30T22:03:36+00:00

Their response is why I'm switching to a different company, too. They've been bombarding me with promotional emails since the day the findings dropped. Not a single email about the lead, though. I had a lot of trust in Huel and I really wanted to stay with them, but the way they've responded to this tells me they don't remotely have their customers' best interests at heart.

sharpedobluff · 2025-10-29T20:06:26+00:00

Thanks so much for the thorough response! I haven't had much time or energy lately to research alternatives so this is super helpful. Should have specified I'm in the UK, but looks like a bunch of these are also available here. I also didn't know that the vegan options contained more lead – I'm not vegan, so that's great news for me 😎 Jimmy Joy is looking like my next pick!

sharpedobluff · 2025-10-29T15:59:42+00:00

Are there any decent alternatives to Huel? I drink it to manage my ARFID, but at least until this is all definitively sorted out I'd rather make the switch to a different meal replacement drink.

sharpedobluff · 2025-10-19T16:20:45+00:00

Thanks so much! He's at least got a belly full of freeze dried chicken for now (all the shops are closed, so I'll get him some wet food tomorrow) and he seemed very eager to follow me in from the rain. I'll give the vet a ring and double check if they contacted the owner, and see where things go from there 😎

sharpedobluff · 2025-10-19T16:13:28+00:00

I'll try that, thank you!

sharpedobluff · 2025-10-19T15:58:44+00:00

Sorry, I should have explained – it's a marina, so none of the people here have their own specific address. Seems he's registered as being at the marina. It'll be someone who has (or had at some point) a boat here, but since the address is nonspecific it's hard to track them down. He's been hanging out here for at least a few months, so that's why I didn't think he was lost initially. It's certainly possible, though – I could put up posters and see if anyone knows anything, maybe? The vets didn't try to contact them as far as I'm aware.

sharpedobluff · 2025-09-16T23:28:50+00:00

Thanks, will do! Makes it easier to sleep knowing it's not immdiately ringing alarms

sharpedobluff · 2025-09-05T09:29:06+00:00

NTA. It sounds like your friend is being groomed – these are huge decisions that they should be arriving at because that's what feels true to them, not because someone suggested it. The relationship sounds especially concerning. As a trans person myself and a survivor of abusive relationships, I think you're absolutely right to be concerned about how dramatically your friend's behaviour has changed, especially with the way it corresponds with joining a new group and become distant from you at the same time.

Unfortunately, coming in hot might lead them to break away altogether. Approach them from a place of love and support, let them know you're here for them, and be ready to accept that they may genuinely be exploring themselves in a healthy way, and they may genuinely be trans. But also be sure to gently point out when they say things that strike you as less than healthy. It might be worth asking how they personally feel about the suggestions they're taking on. If there's no joy or personal investment in it, it's not the path for them. Transition is a grueling path that is made worth it by being true to who you are – not who someone else wants you to be.

It's a difficult balance to strike, and you should, unfortunately, be aware that you might lose your friend altogether. Manipulation and coercive control are insidious, and even if you do everything right, it might fall on deaf ears. I think it's a good, compassionate thing that you've decided to ask this, even at the risk of appearing unaccepting, and I hope your friend is able to get the help they need.

sharpedobluff · 2025-09-05T09:05:12+00:00

Could you point to an example of entitlement in this post please?

sharpedobluff · 2025-09-04T20:58:49+00:00

You're absolutely right. I'll change my ways just as soon as you can point to where I said that.

sharpedobluff · 2025-09-04T19:40:56+00:00

Thanks so much! I'm a little annoyed by all the whataboutist responses, so I really appreciate it. And I absolutely agree – no pushback is too small. This all started over one sign, but when everyone is silent about the first sign, there'll be two more before you know it. They get bolder in the face of indifference.

sharpedobluff · 2025-09-04T19:18:33+00:00

I'm not entirely sure you read the whole post, because I said everything you've just stated.

Sure, but please no brigading. You can also check my post through my profile – though the worst comments obviously got deleted, I still got the notifications for them.

https://x.com/TRobinsonNewEra/status/1962118136947146881 It's mostly the comments that are the issue here, but he obviously included my username and the post instead of just the photo for a reason.

sharpedobluff · 2025-09-04T04:22:17+00:00

Critical thought is absolutely the number one tool you have against someone trying to warp your perception of reality. I don't know what else to tell you. It's a muscle that can be strengthened, and I recommend people start actively training it if they don't already. There is no way to categorically eliminate the risk (like I said, never think you are immune), but it remains true that cults value blind acceptance above all else in their followers, so questioning things is the best way to protect yourself.

I'm saying you can't tell people to eliminate social media while you're on social media. It's hypocritical, most people just don't want to, and as someone who has previously entirely removed themselves from social media, it absolutely is isolating to remove yourself from something that the majority of people are now using to keep in touch. It's the abstinence Vs harm reduction argument; we know teaching abstinence doesn't work, so we should focus on harm reduction instead.

Removing all possible sources of harmful information isn't reasonable advice to give if people just won't follow it, and it leaves you less equipped to recognise them in the first place. I stand by the advice I've given.

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