BP was high, now low

[Deanne]

My blood pressure has been running high for about 20 years. Every few months, it seems like my neph would need to adjust my meds to bring it back into range. I was taking 8 mg doxazosin twice/day and 100 mg toprol once/day.

Then I got sick in early February. I thought at the time it was some sort of flu, but now I'm not so sure about that. When I took my bp when I was sick, my bp had crashed to something like 70/40. I kinda suspect the "flu" was actually just a bp crash. When I saw how low it was, I stopped all bp meds for a few days until it went back up to 130/80. Before I got sick, it was about 145/95 and I was planning to call my neph for instructions.

It's been almost 2 months now and I'm still taking much lower doses of meds - 4 mg doxazosin twice/day and 25 mg toprol once/day.

It seems odd to me that for years, my bp has continually crept up and now suddenly, it's so low. Has this happened to anyone else pre-d?

[MooseMom]

That's really odd, Deanne.  I've never heard of that and can't think of what might be behind it. 

[Deanne]

I see my neph next week. Maybe she'll have some insight for me.

[MooseMom]

If she does, please let us know.  I'm really curious.

For how long were you sick with this "flu/bp drop" thingy?  Did you have any other flu-like symptoms?  Were you feverish?

Is your bp still hovering around 130/80?

[Deanne]

I was sick for 4-5 days. The first four days I couldn't walk more than a few feet at a time without feeling like I was going to pass out. I was achy and had a fever of about 101 for the first day or two, but none of the upper respiratory stuff. Diahrrea set in on the third day, then it got very interesting trying to run to the bathroom when I couldn't even stand up. I remember thinking it would've been an opportune time for a colonoscopy. I could've skipped the whole prep step. I didn't realize my bp had crashed for the first day or two and took my meds as usual.

My bp is still around 130/80.

[Speedy1wrc]

I am on the same med's and the same previous dose. I wish my BP was bit lower. It drops every so often, but not enough.

I had a true FLU back in January but my BP stayed about the same. It dropped sightly, but not enough to be significant.

I'm interested in finding out what's up too.

[amanda100wilson]

my BP, previously always low without medication for years without medication, suddenly got really high, to the point that it was considered malignant hypertension.  this went on for about a year during which time they tried 'ever' BP medication with no success in controlling it.  I wad put on a short course of steroids for something completely unrelated.  my BP went back to its previous low level and I have not had any issues since.  no explanation could be give by this by doctors, but they denied that the steroids could have provoked this reversal, but I am convinced that there was a link. 

[Speedy1wrc]

I hate when something happens and Dr's either don't believe you or simply say it can't happen. I've had many of those with reactions to medicine or the like and my Nephrologist just dismisses it.

The worst was when I had a severe low blood sugar episode after starting on Prinivil. The Nephrologist said there was no cause or relationship. However, it happened and after that point I had to cut my Insulin dose in half as long as I was on the other medicine. Somtimes I really am scared of going to the Dr.

[MooseMom]

Wait a minute...shouldn't this discussion be in the pre-D forum?  I want to make sure you get appropriate replies.

[Deanne]

I thought I'd put it in the Pre-D forum, but when I saw it in Transplant, I thought I must've had a "kidney" moment and put it in the wrong place.

[MooseMom]

I thought I'd put it in the Pre-D forum, but when I saw it in Transplant, I thought I must've had a "kidney" moment and put it in the wrong place.

I've been known to do the very same thing!

[Grumpy-1]

When I was doing PD, my BP dropped low enough that I quit all BP meds.  Now I'm back to Hemo, it has jumped up and now on 2 different meds.   

Grumpy

[noahvale]

*

[Deanne]

I saw my neph yesterday and asked about this. She's just as puzzled as I am and said maybe I'm asking the wrong question. Maybe the question should really be "Why was my BP so high before?" instead of "Why did it suddenly drop?" She doesn't have an answer about why it was so high to start with, either, but it's an interesting way to look at it. I told her I'll just appreciate my lower numbers.

[MooseMom]

oh, that IS an interesting way to look at it!  I guess there ARE still many medical mysteries out there.

Did the rest of your appointment go OK?

[Deanne]

It went pretty well. She wants me to see a dietician. Blech. I've dodged that bullet until now and I'm not looking forward to it. My phosphorus is too high and I'd probably have my own dairy cow if I could.

[MooseMom]

Oh man, I was on the pre-renal diet for 8 years.  How did you get away with it for so long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That's so not fair!!!   

[Deanne]

LOL! I did a good job of staying under the radar for a long time. I think I got away with it because I was so young when I first got sick. I don't think there was any such thing as a renal dietician back then (1972). Until my labs showed a problem, no one made an issue of it.