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Blood pressure (Read 11905 times)
beadbabe
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Blood pressure
Jul 17th, 2007, 8:06am
 
Hi there
After telling someone recently that low BP is not an issue, after fainting yesterday in the shops I feel like a right nana for saying that.

Anyway, I have been feeling rough since yesterday's faint, and have resorted to taking my BP on several occasions. Yes, yes, compulsive checking = health anxiety. But perhaps if it was more normal I wouldn't have to have taken it more than once. And yes, yes I was looking for reassurance that I am not ill. But fainting is not normal for me.

these are the readings I have got - 97/60 - 93/56 - 88/56 - 100/60

Could I be fainting because of these readings - RLR do I need to see a doctor about this? I have been feeling sick all day and I know my anxiety is now coming back because of the latest event.

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seffie
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #1 - Jul 17th, 2007, 10:51am
 
Hi Beadbabe,
sorry to hear you're having to deal with this. I too have been worried about my low BP as I couldn't understand why it was so low but RLR's explanation from your previous post helped a lot as I didn't realise that anxiety lowers BP, I always thought it made it high!
Anyway, the last 4 readings I've had were 90 something over 60 something & the nurse took it today & it was 95/60. So I think you'll find there are lots of people walking round with low BP, I guess if you keep feeling faint then you could check it with your doctor but I think there are lots of normal reasons for it to be low.
Sorry I can't really answer any of your questions, just wanted you to know that I have a similar reading, it may just be normal for you at the moment so try not to worry about it too much.
Hope you feel abit more relaxed about it after RLR's explanation.
Seffie xx
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angiebaby
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #2 - Jul 19th, 2007, 2:01pm
 
I know this may sound daft and i also know that we worry about one thing and then we move onto worrying about something else.  My therapist wants me to concentrate on working on raising my pulse with exercise and then not paying any attention to it and NOT checking it at all!  Although to be honest i am begining to become more concerned about my bp now rather than my pulse.  I know i am probably being silly but it is scaring me that it is going too low and i understand that i am not alone either, thanks to previous threads.
My bp has been as low as 98/54 and this does worry me and i haven't been lying down or relaxing for ages either.  I just check it now and then, each day, and this is what it has been at it's lowest.  It has never gone lower than this though, but i was very concerned at this.  So now my concentration is on my bp and not my pulse.  My pulse has been in the 100's and i've not bothered about that, just that my diastolic bp has been in the 50's.  Thanks for any reassurance given.xx
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RLR
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #3 - Jul 23rd, 2007, 4:18am
 
Okay, your perspective on this issue is a bit in reverse and although a common situation, I will endeavor to set the matter on a proper course. You should never use the internet as a resource to determine whether a doctor's visit is necessary. Because I have no way to directly evaluate or examine you, I cannot prudently tell you whether your blood pressure represents a condition that warrants evaluation.

If your BP is a departure from normal and you are experiencing symptoms, then my recommendation is to present yourself to your primary care physician for evaluation.

Best regards and Good Health
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beadbabe
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #4 - Jul 23rd, 2007, 10:34am
 
Hi there
And thanks for replying - yes, I know that  really. It was a question really that made me wonder if it was worth it.

I had routine follow up with cardiologist today anyway and so brought it to his attention. I don't know whether what he said was a good or bad thing. He is sending me for a tilt table test but I don't really know what this proves or disproves. And also he is recommending me to a physician who he would like to take a second look at me just to rule out that nothing had been missed. Of course, I don't know that I wanted to hear any of that. I just want someone who has seen me and examined me to tell me nothing is wrong. This is the problem... you are often telling me nothing is wrong without seeing me, but at the same time you can't say if something is worth seeing a doctor about.

I find the whole reassurance thing / not looking for reassurance thing completely beyond me now. I don't know when to trust myself any more. Prior to all this period of ill health I was hardly at the doctors, and now everything is wrong with me. Dizzy spells, fainting, anxiety and panic attacks.

Beadbabe  Huh
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RLR
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #5 - Jul 23rd, 2007, 12:13pm
 
When someone has already been evaluated by their primary care doctor or specialist and is purely seeking reassurance because they either don't understand the implications of the doctor's prognosis or they are seeking a second opinion, I have often responded to address such matters.

By contrast, when anyone is experiencing symptoms and plainly asks whether I think they should be seen by their doctor, my answer will invariably be that I cannot make such a decision for them. This is necessary from both a legal and practical standpoint.

To address your statement "I just want someone who has seen me and examined me to tell me nothing is wrong. This is the problem... you are often telling me nothing is wrong without seeing me, but at the same time you can't say if something is worth seeing a doctor about." When I suggest to anyone on this forum that "nothing is wrong," it is based upon both their description of the symptoms and the outcome of previous diagnostic tests. People often tend to discredit the outcome of diagnostic tests because they are not aware of its actual implications and because their symptoms persist.

You stated that you were seen by your cardiologist today and walked away with a question about whether his response was a good thing or a bad thing. You must confront your healthcare physicians regarding any information that you don't understand or are unable to differentiate and remain vigilent until you are satisfied.

Tilt table testing is designed to evaluate how your body regulates blood pressure in response to some very simple stresses. Blood pressure is regulated by a set of nerves which operate continuously and subconsciously and are part of the autonomic nervous system. This set of nerves detects certain bodily needs and they respond by causing the appropriate changes in blood pressure. The purpose of this part of the autonomic nervous system is to insure that there is always enough blood going to the brain, and to distribute blood to other organs according to their needs. For example, during exercise, blood is delivered preferentially to the muscles, whereas during eating blood is delivered preferentially to the intestines. These changes in blood pressure are accomplished by making changes in the way the heart beats and by making changes in the caliber or size of certain blood vessels.

At times, the nerves which control blood pressure may not operate properly and may cause a reaction which paradoxically causes the blood pressure to drop suddenly. This reaction may produce a fainting spell or a number of symptoms including severe lightheadedness. Tilt table testing is designed to determine the likelihood that a patient is susceptible to this type of reaction.

My point to many issues facing both you and many others on this forum is that you believe something is physically wrong with you, despite diagnostic tests to the contrary. Like many others, you are of the steadfast personal opinion that all physical symptoms equate directly with physical disease. As long as you stubbornly retain this perspective, you will continue to present yourself to the doctor in search of a physical cause. Doctors will continue to rule out a variety of possible causes until the list is exhausted or until the insurance carrier capitates further testing. I have also suggested to many persons on the forum that evaluation and treatment for anxiety/panic disorder can be very beneficial and could represent a souce of assistance in your case as well if you haven't already done so.

Lastly, you must realize that my ability to assist visitors to this site is limited in many ways. I simply can't tell you whether a visit to your doctor is "worth it" or not. There are implications for such questions and if you'll search over the history of my postings, you'll see that I gave similar responses to persons seeking what would be construed as the practice of medicine. As far as the forum is concerned, I will gladly explain symptoms, the outcome of diagnostic tests and general questions about their condition. I am unable to provide reassurance by determining whether you should seek medical attention or not.

Best regards and Good Health

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beadbabe
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #6 - Jul 24th, 2007, 1:11am
 
Hi there
thanks for your reply. Of course I understand what you are saying and I have taken all the advice given and am taking medication for anxiety and paying for really expensive CBT which I think is helping gradually.

I do find it really hard to get my head round the fact that physical symptoms do not equate to something physically wrong. To me it is the same thing. The same thing is happening whether or not I have a disease. Also, I have to say, that I don't know anyone else who suffers with symptoms like mine who has not had a physical cause for their symptoms. There has always been a cause, that can be treated or not.

Yes, admittedly, there are people on here who don't have disease but who have similar symptoms, but most of them are saying they have problems with digestion, which to me points to a cause, and possible remedies for that.

I am being told by all doctors that there is nothing wrong - and I just don't believe that. Is it really all a mental cause? I don't really like that word 'mental' because it's only after all this time of symptoms that I am starting to feel that maybe I am mad, but even that doesn't change the symptoms.

I am feeling so frustrated now... I don't even feel that anxious until I have all this weird stuff happen. I will be feeling fine - going to bed nice and relaxed and then - wham! - the heart speeds up so that there is no way I am going to get much needed sleep, because your body just doesn't sleep when your heart has decided to go its own way.

And fainting - so now my body reacts by fainting as well. The 'No more Panic' website repeatedly says you can't faint through anxiety or panic, so why am I? I know it's possible if you have blood phobia, but on the two recent occasions I was not having blood phobia. But one time stomach cramps, and the other some kind of excruciating pain in my knee (which came from nowhere - probably twisted it somehow walking down the hill)

I am bored of seeing doctors but I don't even know any more what is really worth worrying about or not. I have no level of self-belief or trust left after all this time.

Sorry for the long email, and I do appreciate all the support on here!
bead
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RLR
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #7 - Jul 24th, 2007, 4:41am
 
Several points to be made here. Firstly, I can understand your frustration and have observed it frequently.

It's important to understand your perspective as it's portrayed in your posting. You stated that you don't know of anyone who has your symptoms without physical disease as well. That's a very isolated thinking pattern since your exposure is limited to persons within your awareness. Problems with digestion are also far more common in persons without disease than with it, so it doesn't point to a cause at all but rather additional symptoms.

You state that you don't like the term "mental" but use it. This is the primary reason that many people refuse to accept their problem to be cognitive in origin. If the term mental is objectionable, then don't use it. People have been socially trained to believe that experiencing a cognitive disorder is unacceptable and to be shunned. To the affected individual, it is a sign of failure and inability to demonstrate emotional strength. These disorders are very real indeed and are, in fact, a type of physical disorder because they represent an imbalance in neurochemistry of the brain, which is an organ just like the liver, or lungs, or heart.

You should remember that the brain is the control center for the entire nervous system and if the brain and nervous system are capable of making things work correctly, they are also capable of making that very same physiology experience dysfunction as well.

As for the No More Panic website, I would not place my confidence in this internet source as being correct. I visited that website at the request of several members on this forum and even attempted to address a number of medical questions posed by visitors and members there. I resigned from further participation because my responses were literally smothered by non-physician members attempting to answer medical questions as though they possessed the actual formal training and experience to do so. It was not only reckless, but they even defended their right to do so. So my suggestion where that website is concerned is to take it solely on the level of ability by those expressing what they believe to be factual but actually is but mere opinion.

Regarding the aspect of fainting, you need to realize that vagal tone is responsible for steep changes in blood pressure. I feel certain that you've either heard about, or even know someone personally, who fainted in the presence of an extremely frightening situation or traumatic experience. Surely you know of people who faint at the sight of blood. Does that mean that these people have a disease? Certainly not. Disturbances to the autonomic nervous system can swiftly result in fainting episodes and frequently does, and a vaso-vagal reaction is responsible for near-fainting or fainting. I can tell you of countless medical students who regularly fall to the ground during their first exposure to surgery or other graphic intervention. They are all very healthy individuals otherwise.  

I'm also here to tell you that anxiety and panic disorder can regularly be accompanied by fainting episodes, depending upon the physiology of the individual affected. Lack of sleep can actually exacerbate symptoms as well, so if you're not sleeping well then it could explain quite a lot.

If you're bored of seeing doctors and constantly receiving negative results, then maybe you should reflect upon this more thoroughly. If evidence does not support your contention that "something is wrong" with you physically, then it's time to possibly re-think your approach. You should also be thankful that you don't have a physical disease of some type, which in some cases may represent something that you can't treat or cure. Think of how you might feel if that were to be the case.

You'll be fine.

Best regards and Good Health
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Stu M
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #8 - Jul 24th, 2007, 5:10am
 
RLR wrote on Jul 24th, 2007, 4:41am:
You should remember that the brain is the control center for the entire nervous system and if the brain and nervous system are capable of making things work correctly, they are also capable of making that very same physiology experience dysfunction as well.


Great quote, I know its obvious but sometimes you need to see or hear it said for it to make sense.

Stu  Smiley


Im sorry I have no suitable words of wisdom for you Beadbabe, but hang in there !!!
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beadbabe
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Re: Blood pressure
Reply #9 - Jul 24th, 2007, 8:05am
 
thanks Stu and thanks RLR.
I'm sorry I have put such long postings but actually putting my thoughts into words here and having a debate or discussion about them actually helps A LOT. I also enjoy trying to help others here too by trying to support them especially if I recognise and sympathise with the symptoms they are having.
I am infinitely thankful I don't have a physical disease but constantly surprised and disheartened and scared that I have a 'brain problem' that leads to all this. I have a lot of work to do to get better, but it is quite isolating feeling like this.
Thanks to everyone for their help and RLR for having such patience with me!
beadbabe
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