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Low Blood Pressure in Fibro

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Posted 5/3/2011 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi.  I'm seeing my doc tomorrow and I think the medication I take to boost my blood pressure is wearing out (Fludrocort).  I am often 70/40 with varying pulse rates from 64-114.  the neurologist said I have orthostatic low bp but when they checked me at the heart guy and I wore a Holter for 24 hrs, it never went that low that it recorded and everytime I felt woozy, the darn thing errored just like mine do at home so my doc doesn't know what to think.  I would love to know how many others of us deal with this problem.  and also what you do for it.  Right now, if it's too bad, all I can do is lay in bed so any ideas/answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

Sandi

Posted 5/3/2011 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sandi,

I don't have any major problems with my bp, however I do have bradycardia. My heart rate has always been slow (resting around 60), this past year it slowed even more. My resting is 45 - 55, I feel like my heart is racing if I'm laying in bed and it's above 65! When I did the holter monitor it showed that my HR went to 38 while I was sleeping. They don't have any explanation for this and are not too concerned. Many people in my family have low heart rates, but mine is the slowest. The Drs. say that everything is fine as long as I'm not fainting. I now have to have the tests done annually and see a cardiologist.

I have read a few people on the site having bradycardia, tachycardia or blood pressure problems. I often wonder if it's related to the nervous system issues. Since they aren't 100% what the problem with fibro is but assume in part it's a problem with the nervous system I think it could cause these problems without clear explanations.

My brother has a rare disease and before diagnosis one of his symptoms was passing out but his brain would stay awake. He was young and said it was really scary and bizarre, but basically his mind and body were working independently. Once they were able to treat him properly and manage the disease it was fine, but his autonomic nervous system was not working properly and a messed up BP was the result.

I hope you get everything sorted out when you go to your Dr. Keep us posted!
Posted 5/3/2011 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Are you by any chance taking a diuretic or eating things that are natural diuretics...like tea?  I used to have elevated blood pressure so my doctor put me on a low dose BP med and a diuretic.  This was fine until I lost a lot of weight.  My blood pressure went down but I was still on the meds.  Actually, the low blood pressure was slowing down my digestive tract and I was getting partial bowel obstructions.  (I have an ileostomy.)  My BP was 60/32 and they didn't know how I was even walking.  Once I got off the medication and diuretic, my BP went up to 90/60 which is very good and has stayed that way since.

 

Sometimes something very simple can be the problem.  Also, if you are taking any medications, you might want to speak with your pharmacist and see if any of them can lower blood pressure.  They would know.

 

Hope you feel better soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/3/2011 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have low bp. I've had the holter, stress test with echo and a tilt table test. All came out normal. I was hospitalized for my Uc back in December and at point my bp went to 85/?? - freaked the nurse out a bit. My natural bp is around 100-110/70-75. When it dips down low, I get light headed and dizzy. My doc told me to go on a high salt and water intake. My bp now stays closer to the 110/75 mark and it makes me feel better. But don't go on the high salt diet without the approval of your doctor if you decide to go that route.
Posted 5/4/2011 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have low BP too.  It used to be 130/80 all the time, then I lost a huge amount of weight and my BP dropped too.  When I saw my neruo in December, my BP was 80/50 and he had a fit, sent me right to my PCP.  I have had a BP monitor since then and was encouraged to add salt to my diet also.  Most of the time it's 90/58, which is ok.
Posted 5/4/2011 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your answers :)

I've been told to eat more salt too. Stopped anything that would make me loose water. I had to laugh, Red_34, as when I went in for my hysterctomy, my bp was 80/something and the nurse told me I wasn't going to get the good drugs if I didn't get my bp up! Ha ha. I'm glad the extra salt and stuff worked for you. some days are better than others.

Frankey, my gosh that's a low heart rate! Mine can get low too but nothing like yours. I remember cardio telling me they don't consider putting in pacemakers until you are below 50 & you're well below that but what an amazing body you (& we) have that you don't pass out. I hope all goes well for you. And your brother! Wow. What a trip about your brother. That must have been really scary. Glad it turned out alright.

Sherrine, I've wondered about the effect of low bp and bowels too so interesting you would mention that. Things can get real stopped up down there for sure. Last time at the the docs after having to use lax for four days to finally get a movement, got the 'what it feels like if you have an obstruction' lecture. Hope things go, well, smoothly for you :)

Deb, I'm like you...if I'm anywhere above 85ish, I'm usually ok. But there's that cut off point. I'm surprised we're not dropping like flies.

Again, thank you everyone :)
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