low blood pressure

[Guest guest]

Marlou:

As the Hospice nurse used to say when Ken's BP was 200/110 and also

when is was 60/30, " Perfectly Normal. " Fluctuations in BP are to be expected.

We could change Ken's by 50 points either way just by standing him up or

laying him down. It always fell after eating, so he always ate sitting in his

wheelchair so he wouldn't pass out by standing up right then. It also always

fell while he was on the toilet resulting often in his passing out and

someone having to hold on to him up until he came to. We stopped taking his

BP on a regular basis because we could always get whatever reading we wanted

just by changing his position. His doctor stopped taking it too. We could

tell pretty much how it was just by the color in his face and his

responsiveness. We also found that when he couldn't talk so we could

understand, if we lay him down for a moment, the circulation in his brain

would increase, and he could make himself understood. I am not sure this

would work for everyone, but it surely did for us.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

I have a question about the ups and downs of Sam's blood pressure. I

bought a cuff a week ago, and I don't know whether I am glad I did or

not. Sam really fades immediately after dinner, so much so that now he

gets in the wheelchair when he feels good, sits at the table in it, so I

can wheel him into bed and have only one transfer. (I have been using a

pivot wheel and am getting a little more competent with that.) He used to

do his fading at breakfast, but now takes provigil (200 mg) in the a.m. and

at noon, and that keeps him up. However, the neuro. says he can't take it

at night. He takes 15 mg of proamatine in the a.m, the same at noon (even

if these are very large doses,) and has been taking 10 mg at supper, but

now with this early bedtime, I have cut back on that. His bp in the am

while in bed is often 199 , and before dinner down to 72/49, but he can

still navigate. Then commonly after dinner it is 65 over 42 or 45, and I

know it has been worse, when he is unresponsive. I don't take it at that

time, as I am too busy holding him in his chair.

He was taking florinef but was taken off that in February after a heart

stress test. We see the neuro. next week, but it would be nice if I were

more informed and could ask better questions when we see him. Yesterday

Sam walked 1/4 mile with his cart without stopping. Today it is no go. I

know this is not unusual. I guess I need a little hand-holding. Thanks so

much to all. The group is very helpful.

[Guest guest]

lou,

Unfortunately, the blood pressure fluctuations are part of the " deal " . I

have a couple of thoughts, which you may already be doing, but here goes:

Are you keeping Sam's meals small? Frequent small meals are better that the

" three squares " we are used to.

Is Sam getting enough water? Between swallowing problems and bladder

control issues, many patients don't. Try for 6 to 8 glasses a day. Be sure

he really consumes them, not just that they are poured for him.

Has Sam increased his salt intake? This may not be possible if there are

heart issues, but if it is possible, buffered salt tablets (Thermotabs) or

bullion can be good sources of salt.

Do speak to the doctor and bring the bp readings with you. He may be able

to offer some additional suggestions.

Good luck,

Carol & Rob

Lexington, MA

low blood pressure

> I have a question about the ups and downs of Sam's blood pressure. I

> bought a cuff a week ago, and I don't know whether I am glad I did or

> not. Sam really fades immediately after dinner, so much so that now he

> gets in the wheelchair when he feels good, sits at the table in it, so I

> can wheel him into bed and have only one transfer. (I have been using a

> pivot wheel and am getting a little more competent with that.) He used to

> do his fading at breakfast, but now takes provigil (200 mg) in the a.m.

and

> at noon, and that keeps him up. However, the neuro. says he can't take it

> at night. He takes 15 mg of proamatine in the a.m, the same at noon (even

> if these are very large doses,) and has been taking 10 mg at supper, but

> now with this early bedtime, I have cut back on that. His bp in the am

> while in bed is often 199 , and before dinner down to 72/49, but he can

> still navigate. Then commonly after dinner it is 65 over 42 or 45, and I

> know it has been worse, when he is unresponsive. I don't take it at that

> time, as I am too busy holding him in his chair.

>

> He was taking florinef but was taken off that in February after a heart

> stress test. We see the neuro. next week, but it would be nice if I were

> more informed and could ask better questions when we see him. Yesterday

> Sam walked 1/4 mile with his cart without stopping. Today it is no go. I

> know this is not unusual. I guess I need a little hand-holding. Thanks

so

> much to all. The group is very helpful.

>

>

> If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may

> unsubscribe by sending a blank email to

>

> shydrager-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>