Orthostatic hypotension.....

March 23, 2012

I wasn't sure whether to post this on chat, or the main board. It is possibly

an adrenal or thyroid symptom, so I put it on the main board in case it helps

anyone.

For some time now, I've been having problems with what I believe is orthostatic

hypotension - I feel much better when lying down than standing up, and my pulse

rate shoots up when I'm standing, and my right eye goes funny (it wants to

shut), Often, my vision goes blurry or I get double vision and I get bad

anxiety. This happens more or less every morning: I feel fine when waking, but

as soon as I wake up, then I have only a few minutes before I feel bad. It

feels like the blood drains from my head (or doesn't get there in the first

place).

I have been trying to find out why and what I can do about it for some time now.

I found this link, where it mentioned 'Impedance Threshold Devices' -or ITDs.

These are a kind of breathing device. http://www.oiresource.com/index.htm

I managed to find an ITD sold by Boundtree.co.uk

It works by:

How does the ResQGARD® work?

During inspiration, a negative pressure (created from expansion of the thorax)

draws air into the lungs. When inspiratory impedance is applied to the breathing

circuit, it enhances the negative pressure (vacuum) in the chest, which pulls

more blood back to the heart, resulting in increased preload and thus, enhanced

cardiac output on the subsequent cardiac contraction. The ResQGARD® can be used

on a facemask or with a mouthpiece.

I got the ITD today, and am trying it. It is early days, and i have had quite a

few times in the past where i thought 'this is helping me' and then it turns out

that 'no it hasn't'. Other things that might help orthostatic intolerance

are abdominal binders, and also fludrocortisone, but as fludrocortisone might

have other effects, I wanted to try this approach first.

has anyone else used one of these things?

Chris

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