posted
Hey lymetoo, I've read some of your posts and I've always wanted to send you a message, I just haven't wanted to bug you! I'm 20 years old, but I've had atrial fibrillation before as well. I had it when I was in the hospital at age 16. My doctors (not my wonderful lyme literate one, the ones that are actually covered by insurance, HMO) refuse to believe that there is actually something wrong with my heart because of my age and because they don't believe I have a disease that would cause a heart problem. I have shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness and left arm pain every day, and at least two days a week I feel like I'm having a heart attack. The doctors won't believe me though and tell me it's just "anxiety" or "costochondritis". Even though they documented the instance that they were forced to catch in the hospital, where I went into atrial fibrillation. I'm terrified that I actually go into it a couple times a week...but how would I know? I don't have an at home EKG machine! My BP monitor often reads that my blood pressure is 80/40, my heart beat is 52 and my heartbeat is "irregular", but that's all the info I can get without going to the ER and begging for an EKG. By the time I get one, my heart has usually regulated itself and I'm just left with the shortness of breath.
So anyways, I'm posting to you because I wanted you to know that your blood pressure is low, but I'm not sure the doctors would be concerned unless it dropped below 70/50. My blood pressure usually runs around 80/50 and the doctors brush it off. They didn't become concerned until it dropped to 60/40.
Does your heart rate ever drop below 60? That's when I'd become a little concerned, if it didn't recover itself.
I hope your blood pressure regulates soon! In the meantime, if you are able to stand, please do so slowly and take a minute to breathe and stabilize before you walk. Low blood pressure can make you a little tipsy, and we don't want you taking a tumble Posts: 710 | From West Coast | Registered: May 2008
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I'm sorry you have chest pain and such everyday!! Have they tried a Holter monitor on you? I've had one for two days length before, but the cardiologist was threatening to put me on it for 3 wks!
That would drive me nuts!
PS.. hasn't dropped below 60 yet. Whew!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Mine has been getting low at times too. When I take a beta-blocker for the tachy, it gets really low. My LLMD told me to never worry about my BP. She said hers dropped to 80/40 when she was pregnant. Ugh!
If you are not lightheaded or dizzy, you should be fine. I hope you feel better!
-------------------- Lyme, Babesia Microti, possible Bart. Posts: 173 | From A little south of sanity - PA | Registered: Jan 2009
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Lymetoo,
Can a friend go with you? I would say better to be safe than sorry until you get adjusted to the new med.
I get low BP and feel very woozy....course I haven't driven in almost 2 years now....
I don't want to take the chance of hurting someone else if I have a "spell".....
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I don't know. Maybe my husband can go. He has a show that evening, but we would be back in time. I'm not sure what he has to do during the day tomorrow. His schedule is sometimes flexible.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Maybe call the doc and ask about changing the dose or
Changing to a different med entirely.
I think that your pressure is low enough to be concerned.
Not panicked, but concerned.
Maybe your husband can hold your hand and kiss your neck
During the trip to keep that heart rate up.
I know when mine was in the 60's/40's I was actually
Sitting in my LLMD's office. I drove both my children and myself
There (3.5 hours) and back (same distance).
I felt really wierd, but drank lots to keep me going.
Maybe some extra salt or liquids to keep the pressure up?
Sending Angels to ride with you.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Lymetoo, do you feel dizzy? Do you have episodes of dizziness or lightheadedness that could hit in the car? I'd say you're okay to drive if you aren't having any episodes of the sort. Can you make sure though and do a dry run for us, maybe drive the car around the block a bit? Posts: 710 | From West Coast | Registered: May 2008
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
HaHa Geneal you are funny! I needed to smile. Thank you. Good luck TuTu.
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
Geneal.. I LIKE the kissing idea!! Hmmm!! Maybe he could just kiss me up before I leave and then I'll drink water with a little salt.
hmmm....
No, I'm not dizzy... feeling a bit better .. BP is more like 100's now. Maybe it'll be OK tomorrow.
thanks, you nutcases!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
I am not sure what it too low. All I know is that mine is always very low. Always 80/40 or 90/50 and have been told by various people that it's too low.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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Sorry about your a-fib incident. Hopefully, when they get you on the correct meds / dose it will end the a-fib incidents.
As far as the low BP is concerned, it's really dependent on how it affects the individual. If the lowered BP (caused by the meds) is causing you to me dizzy, light-headed or to faint ... it's a problem. If you have no symptoms / problems then the numbers, no matter how low they are, are not an issue and, in fact, lower BP is generally good as it reduces strain on your cardiovascular system.
Hey lady ... you take care ... OK?
-------------------- Lou B Posts: 2200 | From Mount Hope, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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'Kete-tracker
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17189
posted
If you're driving an hour, your BP is running lower than "usual" and you just recently started a med, I'd have someone along with you, just in case... maybe even to drive. If not arrangeable, BUCKLE YOURSELF UP TIGHT, esp your lap-belt!
Not to protect you "in case" (though it would) but rather to help raise your upper body blood pressure a bit.
But if you have any dizzyness, or your BP readings are lower, in the Morning... have someone drive you. Better safe than sorry!
Posts: 1233 | From Dover, NH | Registered: Sep 2008
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quote:Originally posted by 'Kete-tracker: If you're driving an hour, your BP is running lower than "usual" and you just recently started a med, I'd have someone along with you, just in case...
My husband will be able to take me. He has some things he has to do this a.m. but will get off in time to get me there.
WHEW!
Thanks for everyone's comments. They were helpful.
Thanks, Lou!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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