I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: balapandian on August 26, 2012, 06:51:12 AM

Title: Low BP - need help
Post by: balapandian on August 26, 2012, 06:51:12 AM
I have low BP issues(90/65) for the past 2 weeks.  before that my BP usually hovers around 140/90 for many years.  I feel dizzy when I get up from bed and try to walk.

my electrolytes level are normal ( sodium = 137)  Hb 10.5
During dialysis, because of low BP issues, less fluid is removed, so post Dialysis weight is little bit above my dry weight.

What are the reasons for low BP and how it can be treated?  Please share your experiences
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: jeannea on August 26, 2012, 07:15:56 AM
Are you on any BP medicines? They may need to be adjusted.
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: Joe on August 26, 2012, 07:49:41 AM
My issue is usually that my BP meds are over correcting me. You may need to be adjusted some.
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: Rerun on August 26, 2012, 10:02:15 AM
Dry weight changes.  Maybe you need to increase your dry weight a little. 
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: jbeany on August 26, 2012, 10:37:40 AM
I think everyone has already covered the biggest two issues. 

It's not uncommon to need to lower bp meds, especially as you go through more treatments.  I started out on 4 different meds when I began dialysis, and was off all of them by the end of the second year.

You also may have gained body weight, and they might be stripping too much fluid off you.  If drinking fluid, especially salt broth, has any kind of immediate effect, or if the dizziness is gone as you drink more fluid between treatments, then increasing your dry weight might be the answer.

At any rate - contact your neph ASAP - whatever the fix, there's no reason to live with your head in a spin!
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: Leanne on August 26, 2012, 02:33:10 PM
I know I had a few treatments where my bp would drop, so on those days we stopped my norvasc and that helped.  I still take all my other bp meds though and between treatments I take my norvasc still.  But since I started dialysis in November some of my Bp meds had to be lowered.  Seems like things are constantly needing to be adjusted.  I have noticed when others in my center gain way too much between treatments their bp will drop because of having to take off so much fluid.
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: bevvy5 on August 26, 2012, 03:02:26 PM
How are you feeling other than the dizziness?  Any symptoms of too much fluid like shortness of breath, edema, etc?  If not, really sounds like maybe you've gained a bit of tissue weight and need to bump up your dry weight.  And until you get it sorted out, I'd definitely be speaking to the doc about your BP medication regime. 

Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: balapandian on August 27, 2012, 08:44:55 AM
Thanks all for the reply.  I have stopped taking BP medicine since my kidney removal 2 months ago.
I don't have shortness of breath or edema.  Pre-dialysis I can see the fluid buildup in my swollen face, and my BP would be around 110/70   I'm sure they are not removing fluid below my dry weight.  I'm taking food with full salt, salty juices and salty snacks.  My BP has improved a little bit.
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: kamar55 on August 27, 2012, 04:08:22 PM
I'm always having low bp issues regardless of how much is being pulled (not on high bp meds). Ask about Midodrine, which raises bp, and Meclizine which helps with dizziness. Also never get up too fast as you'll feel your bp drop quickly and you may get dizzy.
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: jbeany on August 27, 2012, 04:52:51 PM
How are your iron and hemoglobin levels then?  If your levels get low enough, that can cause dizziness too.
Title: Re: Low BP - need help
Post by: balapandian on August 28, 2012, 01:22:36 AM
Hb = 10.5  and took 14 iron injections