Tears and Laughter: More highs and lows of the healthcare roller coaster 

I seldom bother to toss in my opinion concerning healthcare. I haven’t been to the doctor since Obamacare passed, but of course my family has, especially my husband who is well-documented in the system. It was determined years ago at the emergency room that he has high blood pressure. There was a question as to whether he had actual high blood pressure or if it was high because he had just had his finger squished. But after a couple of weeks of monitoring, it was clear he needed to be on some form of blood pressure medication.

And to begin with, he was like an uncle I had, God rest his soul. He was a fine Christian man. He was respected in the community. He was one of the sweetest people you could ever meet, as long as he took his medicine. Otherwise, he was crazy as hell. Now the whole family knew this as well as he did, but every once in a while he would get it in his head that the Lord had healed him and he didn’t need to take his pills anymore.

He was wrong. And that is how Justin was about blood pressure medicine. He thought if he lost weight and ate healthy and exercised more that he wouldn’t need it. It took him time to accept that he wasn’t overweight or out of shape, but he still had high blood pressure.

So after a couple of misses with different types of blood pressure pills one was found that didn’t turn him beet red or make him pass out. He had been on Azor for years since without any issue until recently when it was placed on the non-preferred list of medications covered by our insurance company – despite the doctor’s recommendation – and the mail order pharmacy service slid in a generic. And these jewels are bad. They are not working properly for him and I think they are going to give me a heart attack, because when his pressure drops and he tells me he is not feeling well, that means he is about to pass out.

I cannot support his weight, and this pressure dropping has become fairly routine. I understand the issue is being looked into, and the emergency room has coached me about how to put pillows under his knees and try and get him awake enough to drink sweet tea. I have to go into a mode of trying to keep him opening his eyes and will constantly be checking his pressure. I’m no nurse, but I know when that bottom number is below 50 it is a problem. Every time, I have to decide whether and at what point to call 911. There was one night when I’m certain I would have before he came to, but he was in the Jacuzzi and I had to hold him up to keep from sliding down into the water. I couldn’t reach a phone. All I could do was pray. He finally opened his eyes and sipped the tea. And no, the water wasn’t overly hot.

I am worried this will happen when he is out alone working and no one will be there to help him. He could fall. There are the elements, like fire ants and heat. I am afraid of it happening in front of the kids. It will scare them. I’m terrified that one of these times I’m not going to be able to keep him coming back awake.

I don’t know if the healthcare plan needs to be fixed, repealed, or replaced, but my husband’s current generic blood pressure medicine – sent to him by the insurance company via their mail order prescription service – is not working. I tend to doubt he is alone in riding this healthcare roller coaster.

Amanda Walker is a blogger and contributor with AL.com, The Thomasville Times, West Alabama Watchman, and Wilcox Progressive Era. Contact her at walkerworld77@msn.com or at https://www.facebook.com/AmandaWalker.Columnist