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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by grapebubblegum on June 19, 2001, at 13:15:37
I'm sure his advice was correct given the information he had at the time....
I walked into Wal-Mart Super-de-Duper-Center last night and plopped myself down in the b.p. machine chair and got a reading of 97/50. I asked for the pharmacist's opinion of my plans to go exercise at the track next (It's Florida here and always 85 degrees or so) and he said, "That is very low. Don't go to the track."
I did my shopping and came back and tried again and got a reading of 119/58. That sounded respectable to me so I went to the track anyway.
Now Cam, you know because I've said a million times that I take clonazepam .125 mg 3 x per day. My b.p. tends to be low anyway but I've always been told, "there's really no such thing as TOO low b.p.; as long as it is not high you are fine."
On a few different occasions in hospital when sick they drugged me up various antiemetic and/or antianxiety meds and I swear I saw 80/50 or even 60/40 or lower on b.p. machine. My doc at the time said that's ok for being in bed sleeping. I do not understand the world of blood pressure.
Could you give me a brief overview of the world of low blood pressure safety while sleeping/on meds/outside exercising? To give contrast, one day last week I felt that I was about to keel over dead or at least faint and another nice pharmacist personally took my b.p. (there was no machine) and it turned out to be nice and high, like geez... 130 something over 85 or so. She said, "the heat must be hitting you hard; drink some fluids."
So I cannot correlate feeling good or bad with b.p. readings. Assuming I don't have to worry about high b.p., what kind of low pressure should I worry about? I do try to remember to eat salt and drink fluids like a cardiologist once told me to do.
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 19, 2001, at 15:33:30
In reply to I ignored the pharmacist's advice, tsk tsk tsk , posted by grapebubblegum on June 19, 2001, at 13:15:37
Don't get up from a resting position too quickly or you will get dizzy (postural hypotension). You may want to get some fludrocortisone just in case your BP gets too low. Ask your doc about that.
Posted by Cam W. on June 20, 2001, at 11:04:39
In reply to I ignored the pharmacist's advice, tsk tsk tsk , posted by grapebubblegum on June 19, 2001, at 13:15:37
Gum - I am not up on my blood pressure stuff and it has been years since I have sertiously looked at that stuff. Blood pressure (the pressure of the blood on blood vessel walls) can be too low. Blood needs to maintain a certain pressure so that it will perfuse to all of the body's tissues with the oxygen that the blood carries. I believe that blood pressure that is too low does not reach the peripheral tissues (fingertips and toes) as readily, which can result in a cold sensation to these extremities; and, over the long term, gangrene from lack of oxygen to the tissues.
As for sleep medications, the should relly affect blood pressure, as they work in the brain, rather than in the circulatory system. Like I say, I am not up on my heart stuff. Perhaps one of the keeners on this board, especially those who left school more recently, can give you better insight into the working of blood pressure.
Sorry, Gum - Cam
Posted by terra miller on June 20, 2001, at 15:08:59
In reply to I ignored the pharmacist's advice, tsk tsk tsk , posted by grapebubblegum on June 19, 2001, at 13:15:37
Hi,
Went to my nurse prac. this week: 90/60. I know the wellbutrin I take knocks my b.p. down a bit as well as resetting my body temperature in the 96+ degree range (brrrrr). I take ativan, too. There's got to be some connection between the action of these drugs and being cold. I'm too tired to go dig it up; I'm with Cam: somebody here I bet knows. I'm wondering about the low b.p. thing myself. Currently I'm just figuring that as long as my nails aren't blue, I'm ok. -Terra
Posted by grapebubblegum on June 20, 2001, at 20:17:01
In reply to Re: I ignored the pharmacist's advice, tsk tsk tsk » grapebubblegum, posted by terra miller on June 20, 2001, at 15:08:59
Well, I can tell you that I have ALWAYS been one of those "cold-blooded" people (well, maybe except during the middle of summer here in FL.) But whenever it dips into or below the 70s outside, you will find me with sweater and chilly fingers and toes, although I have always been in fine cardiovascular health with low cholesterol, low resting heart rate, etc.
I know I was reading on one of the more interesting pages (the bearpaw one maybe?) a connection seems to exist between: Panic Disorder, low blood pressure, low blood volume and mitral valve prolapse. I believe one thing mentioned was that MVP is now being viewed as not a "conditions" as much as a symptom of that whole conglomerate of low blood volume and pressure. Meaning that the valve itself is not faulty; it only flaps backward when the blood volume (and I would guess blood pressure, also) is low enough to cause it to do so.
I do not claim to make exact quotes. I am only trying to vaguely recount what I read, for what it is worth to anyone. In other words, for some reason I believe that anxiolytics in general do lower blood pressure, and that the people who need anxiolytics as a group tend to already be prone to low blood pressure, volume, etc.
Posted by Sulpicia on June 20, 2001, at 21:05:22
In reply to I ignored the pharmacist's advice, tsk tsk tsk , posted by grapebubblegum on June 19, 2001, at 13:15:37
> Hi Grape-
my bp is *normally* around 95/60 give or take 5 points -- usually lower.
I'm tall and when I was growing rapidly orthostatic hypotension was a bit
problematic until I learned to stand up slowly.
Now I take tofranil, a TCA, which can cause the same problem -- I've simply
learned to slow down.
I was a collegiate athlete and still run and my bp has never caused me any problems.
I *do* have to make sure I get enough fluid when it's hot and I also watch the diuretic fluids
-- caffeine etc. And my feet are always cool to the touch.
The only problems you may have are with the heat -- if you have trouble keeping
hydrated increase your salt/sodium intake a bit and keep drinking.
The real fun: make SURE you tell the OR nurse or anesthetist that your bp is naturally
low -- I once could *not* get out of recovery -- they said "we have to wait for the anesthesia
to wear off -- once your bp rises we'll know you're awake."
S. :)
Posted by PuraVida on June 21, 2001, at 1:51:45
In reply to cool extremities and low blood pressure, posted by grapebubblegum on June 20, 2001, at 20:17:01
Wow, I'm so glad you guys are here. I have been told I have MVP (just was tested to confirm) AND my blood pressure is always on the low side AND I have probs with my fingers going numb in T-shirt weather temps, feet going asleep when riding the stationary bike, and arms going to sleep at night - so much I have to actually lift them to move them and get the circulation going.
A Dr. told me tonight I had a spinal disorder - pinched nerve - need physical therapy, etc. But, could it be me meds????
> Well, I can tell you that I have ALWAYS been one of those "cold-blooded" people (well, maybe except during the middle of summer here in FL.) But whenever it dips into or below the 70s outside, you will find me with sweater and chilly fingers and toes, although I have always been in fine cardiovascular health with low cholesterol, low resting heart rate, etc.
>
> I know I was reading on one of the more interesting pages (the bearpaw one maybe?) a connection seems to exist between: Panic Disorder, low blood pressure, low blood volume and mitral valve prolapse. I believe one thing mentioned was that MVP is now being viewed as not a "conditions" as much as a symptom of that whole conglomerate of low blood volume and pressure. Meaning that the valve itself is not faulty; it only flaps backward when the blood volume (and I would guess blood pressure, also) is low enough to cause it to do so.
>
> I do not claim to make exact quotes. I am only trying to vaguely recount what I read, for what it is worth to anyone. In other words, for some reason I believe that anxiolytics in general do lower blood pressure, and that the people who need anxiolytics as a group tend to already be prone to low blood pressure, volume, etc.
Posted by grapebubblegum on June 21, 2001, at 7:15:53
In reply to Re: limbs cold and asleep, meds? » grapebubblegum, posted by PuraVida on June 21, 2001, at 1:51:45
Well, Pura Vida, maybe you should listen to your doctor. Just to clarify, I don't have any feet-numbing or limbs falling asleep; I just seem on the cool side as people go; you know, like when others think the temp. is nice I may be sitting on my hands to warm them up. When some think it is t-shirt weather I may keep a sweatshirt on, but when it gets hot like it really does in the summer, I'm suffering just like everyone else does from the heat - no cold extremities.
Although, (and here's another oddity which surely ties in with the rest) I just don't sweat much! It has to be beastly hot and I have to be really exerting myself to draw sweat. THe funny thing being that my boyfriend has the opposite tendency. When I think the weather is pleasant, he is sweating; when he turns the A.C. on in the car so he won't pass out from the heat, I sit there with my arms crossed, huddling to conserve a little body heat. Ha ha ha, isn't that the way life goes sometimes...
BUT - your symptoms sound much worse because I could never imagine a limb going numb,least of all while exercising. Better get that checked out.
Thanks Sulpicia and everyone else... glad to know I'm not the only one. It's a nice bonus to be encouraged to eat all the salt one wants; many unfortunate salt-lovers have to restrict it so I feel grateful that salt is one thing I don't have to put on a "no-no" list.
Posted by gdog on June 21, 2001, at 11:35:43
In reply to cool extremities and low blood pressure, posted by grapebubblegum on June 20, 2001, at 20:17:01
this is very interesting. . .i have all the symptoms you folks are talking about: low body temp, low b/p (like 80/50 sometimes), cold extremities, numbness in limbs, i rarely sweat (even in the 110 degree whether we're having here in california!) and dizziness upon standing. the thing that interests me, tho, is the mentioned link with b/p and anxiety and "that heart thing." i frequently have heart palpatations/flutterings, and they often set off panic attacks (i have general anxiety and panic attacks.) i've had several heart monitoring tests over the years, and no one has ever found the problem. can you give me some more information on this, or post a link to the site gbg mentioned? if there is a link between anxiety, etc., and low blood pressure, which preceeds the other? i'm wonderin if i treat my low blood pressure (never felt the need to do so) if my anxiety and panic would subside. any thoughts?
Posted by Jane D on June 21, 2001, at 11:42:10
In reply to Re: I ignored the pharmacist's advice, tsk tsk tsk » grapebubblegum, posted by Sulpicia on June 20, 2001, at 21:05:22
> I'm tall and when I was growing rapidly orthostatic hypotension was a bit
> problematic until I learned to stand up slowly.Sulpicia - Is this common in teenagers? It happened to me daily when I was a teen but I never knew what it was. Eventually it went away. No low blood pressure now either. - Jane
Posted by Noa on June 21, 2001, at 15:46:03
In reply to Orthostatic hypotension in teens - common? » Sulpicia, posted by Jane D on June 21, 2001, at 11:42:10
Yes, I have read that it is common in teens--and that learning how to get up slowly/carefully helps.
Posted by gilbert on June 21, 2001, at 18:16:50
In reply to Re: Orthostatic hypotension in teens - common?, posted by Noa on June 21, 2001, at 15:46:03
Grapes,
I tried luvox again just to make sure it was as awfull as I thought......it was........yuuuuucccck.
I take blood pressure meds and have researched this quite a bit.....I am a little hypervigilant about my health so here goes...Systolic readings under 100 and diastolic readings under 60 are usually considered low blood pressure. The big issue is pulse. If the pulse is slowed by meds and the pressure gets low you get problems. If one of your meds is artificially slowing your heart rate and keeping your bp down that combination can cause trouble. One of the first drugs I took for BP was Cardizem...a calcium channel blocker that slows down the heart rate and lowers bp. I would run into trouble on days I exercised because my post exercise bp plus the med effect would give me low blood pressure problems. Now granted my resting pulse is 49 because I run 25 miles per week. Put me on a beta blocker or cardizem and my pulse goes to 42. I am currently on zestril an ace inhibitor. My blood pressure readings are the same as Cardizem but my pulse is almost always 10 beats higher around 52 to 55. I have no symtoms of low blood pressure. My readings will fall on exercise days but my pulse compensates by going higher. Check your pulse....if your klonopin is keeping it slow along with blood pressure drops you will feel like crap. One last note eat many small meals throughout the day low blood pressure plus a dose of low blood sugar will scare the hell out of you.
Good Luck
Your benzo buddy
Gil
Posted by Sulpicia on June 21, 2001, at 21:39:30
In reply to Orthostatic hypotension in teens - common? » Sulpicia, posted by Jane D on June 21, 2001, at 11:42:10
> > I'm tall and when I was growing rapidly orthostatic hypotension was a bit
> > problematic until I learned to stand up slowly.
>
> Sulpicia - Is this common in teenagers? It happened to me daily when I was a teen but I never knew what it was. Eventually it went away. No low blood pressure now either. - JaneI've never looked into it but I come from a tall family and married into another --
all of us had it roughly from the beginning of the fast pre-menarche spurt, or andrarche, right up to 17 or 18 -- this is also some stage in sexual maturity too but which, I can't remember.
It seems like it must be either the body having to play catch-up to regulate a much more extensive system or it could be hormonally related??
S.
Posted by Noa on June 22, 2001, at 7:45:46
In reply to Re: Orthostatic hypotension in teens - common? » Jane D, posted by Sulpicia on June 21, 2001, at 21:39:30
I may be mistaken, but when I was looking for info to help me understand why I fainted last year, I think I remember reading that in teens, it does have to do with growth and the development of the vascular system during and after growth spurts.
Posted by Sunny on June 22, 2001, at 9:35:01
In reply to Re: limbs cold and asleep, meds? » grapebubblegum, posted by PuraVida on June 21, 2001, at 1:51:45
Just a quick note.
My p-doc tested me for MVP. Evidently there is a nerve that connects the heart & brain. researchers are exploring the idea that things like MVP may be the originating biological cause of some people's pychological issues (no association here with emotional/psychological trauma). (I'm trying to remember what my p-doc said...) I think the connection is that if you have MVP, your CNS has to "turn up the volume" in your body so your heart knows to work a bit harder to pump blood. In the process, other areas may experience "increased volume" as well - which may result in a "louder" response to emotional stimulus. Just a theory right now, but interesting...> Wow, I'm so glad you guys are here. I have been told I have MVP (just was tested to confirm) AND my blood pressure is always on the low side AND I have probs with my fingers going numb in T-shirt weather temps, feet going asleep when riding the stationary bike, and arms going to sleep at night - so much I have to actually lift them to move them and get the circulation going.
>
> A Dr. told me tonight I had a spinal disorder - pinched nerve - need physical therapy, etc. But, could it be me meds????
>
>
> > Well, I can tell you that I have ALWAYS been one of those "cold-blooded" people (well, maybe except during the middle of summer here in FL.) But whenever it dips into or below the 70s outside, you will find me with sweater and chilly fingers and toes, although I have always been in fine cardiovascular health with low cholesterol, low resting heart rate, etc.
> >
> > I know I was reading on one of the more interesting pages (the bearpaw one maybe?) a connection seems to exist between: Panic Disorder, low blood pressure, low blood volume and mitral valve prolapse. I believe one thing mentioned was that MVP is now being viewed as not a "conditions" as much as a symptom of that whole conglomerate of low blood volume and pressure. Meaning that the valve itself is not faulty; it only flaps backward when the blood volume (and I would guess blood pressure, also) is low enough to cause it to do so.
> >
> > I do not claim to make exact quotes. I am only trying to vaguely recount what I read, for what it is worth to anyone. In other words, for some reason I believe that anxiolytics in general do lower blood pressure, and that the people who need anxiolytics as a group tend to already be prone to low blood pressure, volume, etc.
Posted by Jane D on June 22, 2001, at 23:00:02
In reply to Re: Orthostatic hypotension in teens - common?, posted by Noa on June 22, 2001, at 7:45:46
> I may be mistaken, but when I was looking for info to help me understand why I fainted last year, I think I remember reading that in teens, it does have to do with growth and the development of the vascular system during and after growth spurts.
Noa -
Thanks. I did a very superficial search on the internet after reading about it here but I didn't find anything on teens. Someday maybe I'll look up more but since this hasn't been a problem for years its low on my list of things to learn about. Still it's nice to have one mystery solved. That funny feeling actually had a name. And you're right - learning to get up slowly is definately a good idea. In fact, its hard not to learn that lesson.By the way when I needed to learn about thyroid problems in the last year I used your posts to get me started - and found that, with your links, they covered everything I needed to know. Thanks.
Jane
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