Sorry Phil. I’ve been lucky. Had a pretty high BP for years. Quit smoking. Didn’t help. Quit drinking. That did help. My BP varies a bit these days, from totally normal -like 125/75- to slightly elevated. But nothing a Dutch GP would medicate me for. Thank god (pun intended) I can call my GP’s office and make an appointment, how fast will depend on my health problem, ranging from today to within a week or so. Wishing you all the best friend.
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The lyrics in the song Sit Down by James - If I hadn’t seen such riches, I could live with being poor. They’re a metaphor for my situation.
I’ll come to terms with it. I’ll put up with the mild malaise and pain. Thank you 
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I wish our NHS was half as good as the health services of some of our European cousins’ health services. I’m just grateful it’s better than America’s. And that’s where I’ll leave this. Cos politics. 
I’m glad to hear you’re one of the lucky ones.
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Hi Phil,. Sorry that you have this to deal with, mate. My blood pressure has always been within range, even when chucking 10 pints a day into me. Doctors never raised any concerns. My job involves walking 30,000+ steps a day. Without sounding condescending, did you exercise alongside your reduction in medication, too? I know walking is a great way to exercise if your joints are up to it. If not (obviously your bad ankle to take into account), have you thought of swimming, cycling, or something that may not be so demanding on the joints? It is dreadful for you knowing you had that pain-free week. Get on to the doctors, demand an appointment, and pester your MP if need be. You need to tell the doctor exactly what you have done, how it worked for a week, and my thinking is that maybe, just maybe, an even longer period of tapering off—perhaps even 2.5mg every other day—could be a possibility for the doctor to look into. You need to tell them this is making your life as miserable as hell.
Im guessing your old school like myself and just get on with things as blokes do. You need to change that mindset and start thinking of yourself. You’ll have paid enough into the system over the years.
Kick up a fuss and get seen mate 
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Thanks mate. For the past few weeks I’m powerwalking almost daily between 5 and 10 miles at 4mph. I’ve pretty much always done some sort of cardio exercise my whole life. 14 years ago I cycled Lands End to John o’Groats over 13 days in August and trained for it the whole year preceding by going out doing 50-70 miles after work and weekends. So I’m reasonably fit, I neglect it sometimes (like everyone does) but when I knuckle down it comes back fairly quickly. I don’t cycle anymore ATM because there are too many idiots on the road and if I’m knocked off the bike I’m knackered for an income because I’m self employed. I don’t run because it buggers up the joints. But powerwalking is good, there are enough hills where I live to build up a sweat and get me out of breath and get the heart pumping.
I doubt my medical condition will ever allow me to stop taking meds completely. You’re right about me being a typical bloke and not wanting to cause a fuss. But maybe I should. I’ll get them to try me on multiple different ones until I find one that doesn’t cause the shitty side effects. I’ll insist on seeing the GP too.
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My dear neighbour Anja died yesterday. She was sweet and so kind. She loved being with her pets. She had a long and fulfilled marriage with her husband who was there for her always. She loved travelling and shared her adventures from all around the world. This summer she visited Japan. She loved life and made me remember to love life, too.
I am grateful that I invited her for my birthday party this year and that she was able to come, although her illness was already severe. She celebrated life with me and my loved ones.
I am grateful I visited her last week and had a piece of cheesecake with her and her husband.
These last shared moments were so precious. All we have is today.
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Very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. My condolences.
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Sorry for your loss 
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Daniela, I am so sorry to read that you have lost such an amazing neighbor; it is wonderful that you recognize that you have those special memories. Anja sounds like a very special person who looked to get the most out of life. What a privilege it must have been to know her as you did. I am sure her husband is hurting and will benefit so much from your support.
Im also sure your amazing partner will be there to support you. You also have us in your pocket wherever you go.
Take care love
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Very sorry for the loss of your neighbour Daniela.
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So sorry for your loss.
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How do YOU do YOURS?
When you took up sobriety did you start at day 0 or day 1?
I count today as my 208th day so therefore I am on day 208. If I relapse today (not gonna happen) I will consider myself to have racked up 207 consecutive sober days. The logic behind currently living in the 21st century is where I get my numbers from.
On a grand scale of stuff I don’t think it really matters which way you count it. Being sober is what counts.
Peace out. 
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Yep. One day at a time for all of us. I let my counters start counting at midnight (even though I had my last smoke and drink earlier in the day). And the 24 hours following that is day 0 for me, and at the same time my first day of sobriety. So the counters count completed sober days. Today I’m on my 2674th day of sobriety, while (my counter says) I’m 2673 days sober. And my non-smoking counter says 4023 days of consecutive non-smoking, so this is the 4024th day I’m not smoking. Right? Right. As you were
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Same for me, too.
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Yes, me too. The chips/coins/badges only come along when the day is complete which is understandable because we haven’t yet completed that particular day sober.
Some days when I check my counter I feel like this.
And I absolutely always have to go back to the login page to check my counter before I post because I’ve forgotten what it is within about 10 seconds of reading the threads. 
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I think similar to others but I didn’t count my day 1 until I had been sober for a full 24hrs. Felt weird counting day one, still being hungover with alcohol in my system. One thing I learned when I went through my DUI…alcohol can stay in your system for quite a bit the next day. When I was still in active addiction a night after heavy drinking the next day I would check my breathalyzer (I did buy one) and sometimes mid afternoon I would still be blowing .0 something. So every-time I had to reset in the past I wouldn’t start my counter until after 24hrs of no alcohol in my system.
It can definitely be confusing though. 
Above picture is accurate. lol
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Also same, haha.
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I also do this…
glad I am not the only one lol
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The first day I went 24 hours without drinking is my day one. Even though I was still drunk when I came too.
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My counter starts at 3pm thats my official start of a new day. When I wake up and say Im on day 398 thats what day it will be when it flicks over. It does make it seem like Im a kid waiting for Christmas when Im approaching a big milestone.
@JasonFisher Its only funny because I know its true. Looking back at the benders Ive had, I am genuinely frightened at how close I have been to not being here on at least 10 occasions that I can remember.
Being sober means I never have that to worry about.
Checking in here today, day 397.25 
hope you all have a good day. 
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