We both are not much on talking about our feelings about stuff. So, we just pull up on piece of the problem and get feedback from each other, and then move on to something that is not so important. That is how we do it.
So... I asked hubby what if it was the Remicade making my BP high. He said next RD appointment I should tell her we need to explore more options. I told him I would like to stay on Remicade even if it is the cause of my high BP. He was not happy about my saying that. He just wants me to move on to another biological. I pointed out to him that I was nearing the end of the Biological line. I do not think my RD will put me on Enbrel, so that only leaves me with the IV Biologicals. And well... there are not to many more of those left after the Remicade.
So... I am thinking if Remicade is the cause of what has been happening to me, I will continue with it and just add a couple more pills.
But if my RD is really against me staying on Remicade I will do what she advises. But if I have the option, and she is not that against me staying on Remicade, I will stay on it.
my bp goes up right after getting my infusion. it is higher for about 2 weeks. i check it at kroger. all the time. it makes mine go up for awhile.Well, I have developed high blood pressure. Did not have it before starting the Remicade. I also have a rapid pulse 120. It is all a little lower now, since being on 40mg of Coreg CR, but it is not controlling it too well. I guess when I go back to GP in the next coming week, he will be putting me on 50mg.
I'll get to hear what RD has to say about all of this when I go back to her in April, do not remember when my appointment is, will have to look at the calendar.
Soo many appointments, so little memory. My BP goes up just sitting at the Dr. or RD office. Always has. I have pretty much gotten to the point that it isn;t quite so high though.
Maybe you should just talk to your RD about when you go in next. Maybe this is typicall for many patients, maybe not an dyou need to be talken off of it.
It is good that you and hubby could talk about it. Sounds like he is concerned about your health.
No, my BP is high even when I check it at home. I check when I wake up in the morning and both BP & Pulse are elevated, usually the diastolic is in the hypertension 1 and the systolic is in pre-hypertension and pulse 118-129.
I do get the white coat HBP, but it is never anything like this is now.
It may take some time to get the blood pressure and pulse regulated. Often times they have to add a second blood pressure medication. They also like to ramp up slowly so that your blood pressure doesn't fall too much; that tends to create different problems!
You might want to ask the doctor for a short course of valium/xanax/ativan to help calm your nerves while this mess gets sorted out. That will help bring your BP and pulse down as well.
Joonie...Remicade did cause my BP to go up, but not that much. I am on the borderline of adding to my BP so I know what you are saying. Take care of yourself and keep track of your BP at home. We love you and do not want any more harm to come to you.
Great suggestions about the valium or xanax...just to help relax you. I know that I would be pretty nervous...especially with all that happened with the stroke. Think about it....it would also help you sleep a little better and we all know how wonderful sleep can be!
Take care and know you are loved!
I have not took my BP but once Saturday, and that was in the morning. I cannot squeeze the bulb good enough to get it to go high enough to calculate my BP & pulse. I always get the stupid error because it takes so long for me to get to a number above my BP. By the time I hit 100 my hand is gave out.
Hubby will be home all day tomorrow, so I will get him to help me check it like I am suppose to 3 times a day.
My mommy went home early this morning, around 7am. She woke me up and told me to take my BP meds & asprin before she left. She might be back Monday. Not sure yet. She was the one who was helping me check my BP.
Oh and I have come to realize... it does not matter what arm you use to check it, because the readings are all about the same +/- 3 on systolic, diastolic or pulse. I was just hoping something wrong with my left arm from it being numb, but nope nothing wrong with the blood flow.
Get an automatic BP reader. You can get one for or so, and you just have to put it on your arm and hit the button. You can also get an automatic wrist unit, but they tend to be a bit more expensive. They're even easier to use. We have both at home, and the readings between the two are very close (perhaps a point or two different).
We looked for one at wal-mart and all they had was the one I got now. All we have close to us is a Freak-Mart. And our car just got fixed, it has been hospitalized for a week. SO, I had to make due with what I could get.
MIL did have one of those wrist ones, but she broke it some how. She got that one when she was going to college in another city to become a nurse.
The pharmacies around here nothing is ever cheaper than wal-mart.
I would not have a problem if my hands had more strenght in them. Thanks RA!
joonie2008-03-30 00:09:11Joonie; This BP thing is serious. You had a small stroke sweetie. Often these are warnings and I don't think you should take any chances. I can understand your husband being up set about you saying you wanted to stay on reimicade regardless.
A massive stroke could leave you unable to feed yourself or take care of the most personal business. Your family needs you. It's your responsability as a Wife & Mother to do everything possible to be there for them.
Please don't fool around with this. Honestly though; if your RD thinks that it's causing your HP he'll take you off of it and you really won't have a say in it. Does he know all that's happened lately? How long before your next appointment/infusion?
I found a cheap wrist BP monitor with good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Fitness-MF-81-Pressure-Monitor/dp/B00099YLMA/ref=cm_lmf_img_4_rsrssi0
Just wanted to say, you are fortunate that you have someone in your life that cares about you so much.
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