Wellness

[Toppers3]

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@KingstonsMom wrote:

My only symptom was consistently high BP readings.

I've been taking HCTZ for many years and eventually had to add Metoprolol which makes me dizzy, so Dr. told me to take that one at night.

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I can have dizziness with the Metoprolol too, if I move too quickly from bending over for example, or from getting up too quickly.

One of my other doctors told me to sit up and wait for 20 seconds before getting up, and then once standing, again to wait for another 20 seconds before starting to move/walk.

Then, just be careful when starting to move.

He had told me that this gives our body a chance to adjust without getting light-headed from the medication.

[Toppers3]

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@roxiegirl wrote:

My husband had a high bp reading at his physical.  He is making a good effort to lower it by intense exercise and eating foods on the Dash/Mediterranean Diet.  After 2 weeks, his reading has dropped to 135/85.

Have any of you tried avoiding taking bp medication, by diet and exercise?  If so, did you get good results in lowering bp to a safer level?

Thanks,

Roxie Girl

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My husband is trying to lower his without medication, at this time.

His blood pressure is usually in the normal range, but has been higher than normal lately.

The doctor said that being dehydrated and not getting enough fluids can raise it, and then we also found out that some people can be caffeine-sensitive too, and that caffeine can also raise it too, like too much caffeine from coffee or sodas, for example.

I had been noticing that he was drinking more diet soda than usual. It has caffeine in it. 

We have a blood pressue kit at home already from when I was told to check mine at home a couple of years ago.

So we started to check his blood pressure at home, and his readings have been all over the place, and we think that it's possibly due to the above--either too much caffeine, or not enough liquids, either.

He has to follow-up with the doctor's office, and take it from there. 

[Jrose]

I felt a little strange, somewhat lathargic, no shortness of breath.  I started taking the BP medication at night before bed and never had that feeling again.  I've been on BP meds for over 20 years.

[ALRATIBA]

I don't recall the names of the meds - but the first one prescribed started causing problems after about a year.

There was a meds change - and that was okay for a few years and then same side effects.

On my own - I decided to just stop taking the meds and switched primary care docs.  

It's been about 7 years since I stopped the meds .... no BP issues have come up with various specialists I've seen over these 7 years and I've been seen by lots of docs as a result of a fall last November.  (I tripped over my own feet.)

Apparently the BP issue cured itself.  

[hckynut]

@Toppers3 

What dosage of Metoprolol are you taking? I only ask because I started on LoPressor, brand name, then same generic as you. I was on it for 9 years and took myself off of it, with all my doctors agreement.

Have never in my life had hypertension, but after my 2nd heart attack(9-12-07), my Cardiologist wanted by BP as low as possible, but not effecting my physical functions.

Took a few months of getting to the right amount, and my BP was/is best at 90/60. If my Diastolic got under 55, I had similar to what you mention. Just had to get up slower was about it.

ETA: Just read your thread about your husband. Just a reminder, gaining just a couple pounds can up one's BP. Sounds like he needs to drink more of the good, free stuff. H2o and less flavored sugar drinks, diet or the hard stuff. 🙂

hckynut 

[Toppers3]

Hi @hckynut John, 

I take 50 mg. of Metoprolol in the morning, and then 25 mg. at night.

This is the dose that my Cardiologist figured is still the best/safest.

He also knows my medical history too, with my other medications and I told him that part of what was making me dizzy was "user-error" on my end--getting up too quickly--and taking all of my morning meds. and then moving around too much and not eating something with them.

He had also told me that taking diuretics along with the heart med. can also make you feel light-headed/dizzy when bending over and then trying to move/get up too fast/quickly.

I also have heart palpitations, so that's another reason that I'm on this particular heart medication--to help slow down the palpitations.

I still get them, but not like before where my heart went out of sync. and it wouldn't regulate. 

That was a trip to the ER, and that is how I ended up on the heart medication in the first place.

My heart would palpitate on occasion and my PCP was watching it, but then what happened is that I was ill, and it was stressing my heart out.

On top of that, I was also dehydrated and didn't know it, and my potassium level was too low, and that was also affecting my heart.

And, my BP kept fluctuating too much and it came to the point where the doctors finally decided to put me on the heart medication.

As for my husband--yes--I have been telling him in a loving way that that I really think that he needs to cut back on the diet sodas.

He does like the flavored carbonated water drinks, and those don't have any sugar, so I am hoping that he'll drink more of those if he wants something carbonated to drink.

He has been afraid to drink more liquids lately, due to prostate issues and having to use the bathroom more frequently, but I told him that I understand that, due to having an overactive bladder, and that there are medications for prostate issues, too.

I can only think that he sees what I have been dealing with with my health issues over the years.

I think that it overwhelms him, so regarding his own more recent health issues, I honestly think that he really doesn't like going to see a doctor.

I try and encourage him and will go with him to his appointments to support him, if he wants me to.