Blood Pressure...

[Bubbsie]

I hope it goes well tomorrow. Stress certainly does not help, but that does not make it any easier. (Just had my appointment at surgery, blubbed and then we didn't bother with BP!!) I like your strategy of testing the BP after the appointment tomorrow. Having the machine at home can give you a much better view of things. Let us know how you get on.

Wanting to see DSN SB2015...never seen one before...never spoken to any health care professionals before who have an interest in diabetes...expecting a good appointment...however wound up because nearly all my appointments with GP so far have been such a let down...he is a real challenge...concerned she may be a disappointment too...sorry to hear you 'blubbed' although I can understand why...often feel like that myself...fingers crossed...will post an update...unless I am blubbing myself...thank you.

 

[Deleted member 16779]

I recently changed BP meds, as I was nearly passing out when standing up. Dug out my old BP meter and tested myself and it was around 90/60, which isn't enough for a 6ft 5in bloke it seems, it took a while working with my GP to get it to an acceptable level, with some swollen ankles along the way. I also found my weight went up by nearly 2kg without the diuretic tablet - I'm back on it now.

 

[trophywench]

Pete's is like that naturally when he's about 2 stone lighter and fit, now he's put on weight and isn't so fit, it's over 100/60 naturally.

Helluva job persuading the hospital to let him go home after he's had to be admitted, for other health concerns I stress. Last time after his cancer op, they were adamant on the ward that they couldn't possibly let him out until his BP came up. He said in that case they'd just have to keep him in till the day he died then - and he thought beds were in short supply? He asked them to speak to his consultant in the finish - which they did - and oooh fancy - Mr J said to send him home!

He learned as a teenager that he'd usually have to sit down when using the loo - having crashed into walls washbasins and loo roll holders and having to mop up! It was a lovely surprise when I moved in - the seat was always down!

BP tablets can be tricky - a lot of em make me 'take on water' - it's known they do that - and I'm not allowed a diuretic anyway cos of a tendency to low sodium - so can't have any that do that.

The ACE inhibitors (all the ~prils) have about the least worrying adverse side effects of any of them and being as they are also supposed to be kidney protective etc it's not surprising they try us with them first. I definitely need to take something - and really wish the things hadn't made me cough.

 

[DaveB]

Worth noting that natural BP rises rapidly with age so it's important that you and the GP use the right BP for your age and bear in mind that over about age 60 there is little data and GPs tend to stick wrongly with 140/80 when it should naturally be higher as you go into your 70s and beyond. Having BP tablets when using the wrong data might end up with you falling over!

 

[mikeyB]

I'll say, Dave! I've had to reduce my Lisonpril by half, and might even discuss stopping it as my BP is now averaging 118/70, which ain't quite enough enough for standing up after sleep and not sitting down sharply!

 

[happydog]

Good luck for tomorrow. Take a couple of deep breaths before you go in and remember this is your disorder and you are in control. They cannot make you do anything or take any drugs that you don't want. I got called back to the surgery a couple of weeks ago because I take Levothyroxine for an underactive thyroid but my blood pressure reading was low and the doctor thought that it could not be correct. (He says most people over 50 have to take medication for blood pressure and Levothyroxine also usually raises it) After taking it again twice while I was there he shook his head and accepted it. I smiled all the way home 🙂 Sending you a hug for tomorrow {} 🙂

 

[Ditto]

Levothyroxine raises your blood pressure? Good grief. I didn't know that. I always have high blood pressure. That's ridiculous, one drug for one thing and another to counteract that drug and so on and on.

Good luck for tomorrow. 🙂 Hope all goes well.

 

[trophywench]

I was a medical curiosity with naturally low BP (110-120 /555-60) until I was knocking 60 then ! And nobody ever batted an eyelid ...... except to say Oooh, that's good!

 

[Bubbsie]

Worth noting that natural BP rises rapidly with age so it's important that you and the GP use the right BP for your age and bear in mind that over about age 60 there is little data and GPs tend to stick wrongly with 140/80 when it should naturally be higher as you go into your 70s and beyond. Having BP tablets when using the wrong data might end up with you falling over!

Thank you for the information Dave...useful on one hand...worrying on the other one...I would have thought that was something any GP would know...take into account with Blood Pressure as a matter of course...or am I expecting too much?...another thing I may have to address with him at future reviews...fortunately have a few years before I get to that stage & BP seems back to normal now...definitely something to take into account.

 

[Bubbsie]

Levothyroxine raises your blood pressure? Good grief. I didn't know that. I always have high blood pressure. That's ridiculous, one drug for one thing and another to counteract that drug and so on and on.

Good luck for tomorrow. 🙂 Hope all goes well.

Thanks Ditto...its all news to me...amazing what information you pick up here.

 

[Bubbsie]

Good luck for tomorrow. Take a couple of deep breaths before you go in and remember this is your disorder and you are in control. They cannot make you do anything or take any drugs that you don't want. I got called back to the surgery a couple of weeks ago because I take Levothyroxine for an underactive thyroid but my blood pressure reading was low and the doctor thought that it could not be correct. (He says most people over 50 have to take medication for blood pressure and Levothyroxine also usually raises it) After taking it again twice while I was there he shook his head and accepted it. I smiled all the way home 🙂 Sending you a hug for tomorrow {} 🙂

Thanks happydog...ironically feel anxious in case this appointment turns out to be a huge disappointment like so many others at the surgery...I do feel reasonably in control of my diabetes...weight loss...and reducing BP...the Warfarin is another matter but getting my levels up slowly...all my hospital appointments have been good so far...wish I could say the same about my local surgery...sadly not the case...will take the deep breaths...and the hugs...think positive...fingers crossed...🙂

 

[Northerner]

Hoping all goes well @Bubbsie 🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

Hoping all goes well @Bubbsie 🙂

Thanks Northerner...going with a positive attitude...if that fails...good tip from fellow member...BLUBBING...never tried that before...could be productive...we'll see.

 

[SadhbhFiadh]

Good luck Bubbsie
I went yesterday. Nurse said my 126/60 was too high. Maybe increase my lisinipril. I said let's wait.
At home my bp runs 110 and lower, but she didn't seem interested.
She's looking forward to Tenerife next week so I think she's a bit flustered this week.

 

[Bubbsie]

Good luck Bubbsie
I went yesterday. Nurse said my 126/60 was too high. Maybe increase my lisinipril. I said let's wait.
At home my bp runs 110 and lower, but she didn't seem interested.
She's looking forward to Tenerife next week so I think she's a bit flustered this week.

Really Sadhbh...mine before my 'blip' was 129.79...last consultant I saw said that was perfect...yours is lower...and yet Nurse says it's too high...I always do my readings at home...GP is happy to accept them...he knows when I get to his surgery they will be way up...just because I am at the surgery...good for you standing your ground...hope she enjoys Tenerife...after a relaxing holiday you might just get some sense out of her!

 

[grovesy]

Good Luck for the appointment.

 

[Northerner]

Good luck Bubbsie
I went yesterday. Nurse said my 126/60 was too high. Maybe increase my lisinipril. I said let's wait.
At home my bp runs 110 and lower, but she didn't seem interested.
She's looking forward to Tenerife next week so I think she's a bit flustered this week.

Well, I'm no doctor, but I don't see how a single reading that is only marginally above their target for systolic (120) and well within their target for diastolic (80) - in fact, even a little low - can warrant an increase in medication 😱 I would like it if the nurse or doctor, after issuing such a statement, would then take their own BP and let us comment on theirs...! 😉

 

[SadhbhFiadh]

Well, I'm no doctor, but I don't see how a single reading that is only marginally above their target for systolic (120) and well within their target for diastolic (80) - in fact, even a little low - can warrant an increase in medication 😱 I would like it if the nurse or doctor, after issuing such a statement, would then take their own BP and let us comment on theirs...! 😉

I am certain hers would have been way up - she was racing around like a greyhound!

 

[FergusC]

Thanks Northerner...going with a positive attitude...if that fails...good tip from fellow member...BLUBBING...never tried that before...could be productive...we'll see.

But then we might have to change your name to BLUBBSIE🙄

 

[Bubbsie]

Good appointment with DSN...not a huge amount to discuss with her but we went through the history... mainly the lack of support/care on diagnosis...she looked at the figures...said I clearly knew what I was doing...my diabetes control was good...BG right on target...feet okay...circulation okay...poked toes with pointy 'thing' they were okay...weight loss...excellent...Blood Pressure fine (phew)..discussion on testing...she is not one of the don't test brigade...said you can learn so much...however...not sure she would have advocated it...so much better than expected...off to anti-coagulation clinic...level down (again)...frustrated by that...but...nothing I an do about it...it is what it is.