by "Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
Published 09/05/2017 at 10:00
by "Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
Published 09/05/2017 at 10:00
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STARS: 11
I’m going to be 34 in less than a month. I may not have got to see it, though, because last Wednesday I had a stroke.
I thought I was in pretty good shape. I thought my blood pressure wasn’t that big of an issue. I thought the headaches were just one of those things. I thought wrong.
I sit here now a different person. I ended up in the hospital from Thursday through Saturday. I’m on blood pressure meds. I am having to cut down greatly on caffeine. I also had to quit smoking. Is it fun having to make so many lifestyle and dietary changes? No. Will it help keep me on this old world a bit longer? Absolutely, so I am doing it.
I want all of you to take care of yourselves. I was very, very lucky. I am still here and I didn’t lose any motor functions. If you think you may have high blood pressure or if you have headaches all the time, go get checked out. If you don’t, you may end up going through the hell I have endured for the past week or even worse. Take the time to take care of YOU. If you don’t, then you won’t be here to enjoy what life has to offer.
We all come to this site because of our passion for all things automotive. I ask that you take a little of that passion and devote it to keeping yourself healthy. Life is too short as it is, don’t make it shorter.
Thank you for your time.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
09/05/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 0
good to hear you’re ok
strokes suck!
one killed my dad nearly 2 years ago.
put your health first, don’t worry about changes to your diet, just accept them.
"random001" (random001)
09/05/2017 at 10:09, STARS: 0
Glad you’re still around.
"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
09/05/2017 at 10:09, STARS: 0
Glad to hear you’re ok.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
09/05/2017 at 10:20, STARS: 0
That must’ve been both a huge kick in the nuts and a wake up call at the same time. Glad you’re still with us! I’m from 1983 as well, so I can connect somewhat.
Does this run in your family?
"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
09/05/2017 at 10:24, STARS: 0
Glad that you’re ok.
"$kaycog" (skaycog)
09/05/2017 at 10:25, STARS: 1
Oh, wow. Scary stuff. Yes, you are very lucky to still be here.
"Quadradeuce" (quadradeuce)
09/05/2017 at 10:34, STARS: 3
I’m 36 and have been going to a GP yearly since I was 30. As a result, we caught my blood pressure creeping up and took the necessary steps to reduce it (losing 40lbs and taking mild BP meds). My doctor pointed out that taking care of this in my 30s will have cumulative effects as I age. Lots of men refuse to go to their doctor regularly for some reason. Treat your body like your car. Get it checked regularly once it has some miles on it.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
09/05/2017 at 10:34, STARS: 1
Holy shit, Matt.
Glad you are OK!
"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
09/05/2017 at 10:41, STARS: 0
Glad to know that you’re back on your two feet. Life is very fragile, to say the least.
As with anyone else, if you need something, just drop a line.
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/05/2017 at 10:51, STARS: 0
Really glad your ok.
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
09/05/2017 at 10:51, STARS: 1
This is exactly my thought - you maintain things that you care about, whether it be a computer, smart phone, car, lawn, garden or house. At least the same amount of attention should be paid to my health, physically and mentally.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
09/05/2017 at 10:57, STARS: 1
So sorry you’ve gone through that - - but glad you’re OK, with no long-term motor function loss!
Hopefully this is a wakeup call and the lifestyle changes you mention lead to a long, happy and healthy life! Good luck!
“Take the time to take care of YOU. If you don’t, then you won’t be here to enjoy what life has to offer.” So true - without your health, the other stuff doesn’t really matter. Take care!
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
09/05/2017 at 11:06, STARS: 1
Oh man, that sucks. Glad to hear you were lucky, and are still around.
I completely agree with your message. A few years ago my dad went to a physio due to having very tense shoulders/neck, leading to headaches. He however diagnosed my dad with extreme high blood pressure, and referred him to a doctor, just in time to start medication, and was thus able to prevent it causing other things. That really was an eye opener for my whole family.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
09/05/2017 at 11:28, STARS: 0
glad to hear you come through that okay.......
"Cash Rewards" (cashrewards)
09/05/2017 at 11:28, STARS: 2
By comparison I was lucky, but had something similar. Hadn’t been to a check-up in 8 years, despite being 34 with two kids (second just born). Finally went, got a “looks good, I’ll let you know if something turns up on the blood work”. Next day I get a call for a thyroid disorder. Turns out all the fatigue, depression, weight gain, blood pressure etc I dismissed as new job and new baby stress and sleep deprivation was something way more serious, but also treatable. Didn’t help that I’m naturally fit, lower weight and blood pressure to begin with, so increases in those I just dismissed as “well, I’m 34, not 24 now”.
You’re absolutely right, get yourselves checked, people.
Good luck, and get healthy!
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
09/05/2017 at 11:38, STARS: 0
I’m glad you’re ok and I’m gladder still that you’re going to BE ok. Thank you for sharing with us.
And yeah... now the headaches I’ve been getting every now and again are worrying me....
Happy early birthday, E92.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
09/05/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 0
Glad you are ok. Maybe I should go get a checkup. I’m 38, and haven’t been to the doctor in at least 15 years.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
09/05/2017 at 11:56, STARS: 0
Glad to hear you’re doing better and taking positive steps for your health. Just because I’m curious, how much caffeine were you consuming and what’s the new goal?
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
09/05/2017 at 12:23, STARS: 0
Well spoken. I don’t want people making the same mistake I made.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
09/05/2017 at 12:25, STARS: 1
All too often we dismiss things that we feel are caused by other reasons. Very good thing that you went.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
09/05/2017 at 12:28, STARS: 1
Glad to hear your dad went when he did. The warning signs were there and he acted on it.
Definitely. I’m not 100 percent yet, but I have an awesome wife who is doing everything she can to help and an action plan in place.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
09/05/2017 at 12:29, STARS: 1
Very much a wake up call. Thank you for the well wishes!
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
09/05/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 1
Thanks Xylo. I’m glad I am still around to share it! It’s going to be a long road, but I am determined and eager to promote a good cause.
Definitely get it checked. It’s much better to go and find out it’s nothing major than to not go and end up like me or even worse. I know you’ve been on here a while and you are very passionate in your beliefs. Remember what I said, though. Use some of that passion on taking care of yourself too. It’s worth it, I promise you! And thanks for the birthday wish. It’s definitely going to be one I don’t forget.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
09/05/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0
Oh yeah. I am having to change so many things it’s unreal, but it has to be done and that’s my driving force right now.
My grandmother had high blood pressure and my grandfather had low blood pressure. My mom is fine, so it skipped down to me I suppose.
"arl" (arl1968)
09/05/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 0
Glad you’re still with us. Hang in there and take care of yourself.
"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
09/05/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 0
I just turned 43 yesterday and went on blood pressure meds a year ago. I was always “fine” I thought...then messing around with my moms blood pressure tester I was up near stroke level. Scary. Glad you’re still kicking.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
09/08/2017 at 18:38, STARS: 0
Late reply, but...
A. SO sorry to hear this happened to you - I cannot believe the stress and worry this would have caused...
B. SO, SO glad to hear you were lucky enough to escape unscathed (relatively...?)...strokes are something people really have to take seriously, and our health....your post makes me want to start treating myself a little better...I’m definitely not one for exercise, so I should really get my old bike fixed up and get back into it...