Blood Pressure UPDATE About This Page:

[BostonTeaParty]

I cancelled my appt. because I convinced myself I'd be fine (denial). I got a scare when I had blurred vision and a bad headache (thought I might be having a stroke). So I went back and my bp is still a little high. The doctor explained to me that the dose of meds is very low, and if I do some weekly exercise, eventually I won't even need it anymore. So, I'm now taking the meds dutifully until further notice. Oh, the headache and blurred vision? Turns out I'm having MIGRAINES too!! There was a white spot in my right eye, you know how it is when you have a flash photo taken? Well I had that and blurriness around the edges of it. I was SO relieved it was only a migraine and not what I suspected.

[*Pixie*Dust*]

Yikes, sending some pixie dust your way. My brother suffered from migraines through most of childhood so I know how bad they can be.

[BostonTeaParty]

Thanks Margo! That's really sweet of you. Does your brother still get migraines? I'm hoping I won't get them too often.

[*Pixie*Dust*]

He doesn't get them as often. They started when he was a year old, yes, 1 year old. By the time he was 9-10 they were so bad that they treated them as seizures and put him on Dilantin. The neurologist predicted they might lessen or disappear once he was through puberty and thankfully, they did.

[Belle*]

Nancy, I have high blood pressure and migraines and it can be scary when I'm having symptoms that haven't quite declared themselves to be one or the other! Migraines can announce themselves in really strange ways and I'm still learning what some of my triggers and warning signs are, even though I've had them for 15 years. While I don't take medication for my bp, I do have to self-monitor and call the doctor if it gets to or over 150/100.

Good for you for going to the Dr and being diligent about your meds. I've been slipping and not monitoring as often as I should - I'm going to go take a reading right now!

[debe]

Sending you ixie dust: as I (not often T.G.) suffer from them too. Mine are usually related to sinus problems but have in the past had elevated B/P & Blood Sugar readings. Thanks for your posting as it reminded me that I need to go have lab work done.... ACK!!! (was suppose to do this right after coming home from WDW)

Hopefully you will be med free soon.

[BostonTeaParty]

Thanks Debe! I never even thought about what could possibly be triggering the migraines. I will have to do some detective work and see if I can figure this out.

[GoofyMom]

I'm glad you got it checked out. Hopefully the migraines will go away when you get that blood pressure under control.

[BostonTeaParty]

[ QUOTE ]
While I don't take medication for my bp, I do have to self-monitor and call the doctor if it gets to or over 150/100.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for sharing that Belle. My bp seems to be generally around 140/100 (sometimes the bottom number is 98 or 99). I've recently learned that it's preferred that bp be no higher than 130/85.

I have no idea what is causing the migraines. I don't have them very often, fortunately. You can bet I'll be on the lookout for triggers.

Donna, thanks for your support too. I really appreciate everyone's encouragement.

[AKLRULZ]

Hey Nancy, I just caught this post - it sounds as if you aren't taking this lightly and I'm glad to hear it. My maternal grandmother (who was in her 70s at the time) and a very close family friend in his early 50s both died from stroke due to high bp - both were supposed to be taking medication but didn't take it when they felt their bp was "normal".

I hope your bp (and migraine situation) stays in check and it sounds like with an increase in cardio for you that should do the trick. Best of luck and prayers headed your way.

[Shell_of_the_South]

Nancy, sending pixie dust your way! High BP can be so serious, it is amazing all the different functions of your body BP affects.

My grandmother has had high BP for years, and her doctor told her if she could lose 10 pounds, it would drop her BP 10 points. Now, I am not saying that you need to lose any weight, but I thought it was an interesting statement. Also, bananas are good for BP, and grapefruit juice. Good Luck!

[loobyoxlip]

Oh, no, Nancy. I just ready this. I'm so sorry to hear about that - high BP runs in my family. Mine hasn't been too bad so far, except for when I was pg.

[BostonTeaParty]

Wow, thanks everyone for your good wishes!! I'm really touched! You've all lifted my spirits.

Steve, I've heard High blood pressure referred to as the silent killer. Thanks for your prayers.

Michelle, glad to hear about the grapefruit juice, I got some just this weekend! And you're right about dropping some pounds. LOL!

Tina, I had preeclampsia during my first pregnancy. My blood pressure was so high they induced labor and my baby was born a month early. (Just in case you don't know what it is): "Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. It is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure, swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision. Preeclampsia is a leading global cause of maternal and infant illness and death."

I've been told that sometimes, an illness that appears during pregnancy, reappears years later - such as gestational diabetes.