Has anyone got low blood pressure?

[Trenny]

Has anyone with Parkinson's got low blood pressure? How do you treat it? I am on sinemet tablets. I am also on Prednisolone for GCA. Yes, I am trying to increase my fluid intake and have a bag of crisps on most days. Any other ideas? I am 85.

[mistergadget]

I really think you should have an answer to this particular Question from your treating specialist.

[Tamarisk]

My husband who is 78 has V.L.B.P, its called Orthostatic Hypotension, which means when he stands up it plummets, then he passes out, once he is on the ground he returns to fairly normal.

After much nagging of the medic he was prescribed Fludrecortinsona, a particular steriod, it does really help as its side effect is to put up BP. so now his high BP is 120/60, he still collapes if he stands to long but he has cut his injuries in half.

If its right for you I do not know, as once you are on it you cannot come of it easily. I wish you well.

[grey in reply to Tamarisk]

I use Fludrocortisone as well, 3 X 100 micrograms tablets daily. Haven't noticed any side effects. Haven't had any passing out incidents since I started this treatment.

As normal, that is my experience. I make no recommendation that you or anybody else use this product without consulting a qualified health profesional.

[park_bear in reply to Tamarisk]

Dopamine agonists are notorious for causing Orthostatic Hypotension. If your husband is taking any that is the likely cause.

[falcon946]

Compression socks or tights help me some. And please get up slowly.

[isis6361]

Most pwp gave low BP and. Others have low BP which also falls when standing and walking which is called postural hypotension. You need to drink more fluids although you may never feel thirsty but drinking has to become a ritual. Many of you will say that you then have to keep running to the toilet. But low fluid intake leads to low BP and constipation. Medications for Parkinsons can also cause low BP . Treatments are increased fluid intake . Medications such as flufrocoryosobe is used in the UK. Avoid constipation as you will accumulate your drugs in the body which also leads to hypotension.

[Moodyblue]

My BP has always been on the low side, and, when I was fully active I would have dizziness if I got up too quickly, but it would quickly pass and was never a problem. Some 8 to 10 years ago, I began to have occasional severe dizzy spells which felt like they would result in a faint if I didn't get my head down fast, but lying down for 5 minutes would be sufficient to set it right. Luckily, I always managed to get horizontal in time to prevent a faint, but it did force my decision to give up driving. Attacks were not caused by orthostatic hypotension though, since I was almost always sitting down when they occurred.

Every time I saw a doctor, my BP would be checked and it was always in the region of 110/70. As time went on, attack frequency increased from two or three a month to two or three a day, and much longer recovery time was needed. One day, I had an attack and felt so bad I could only lie down. We managed to get a GP appointment for that day, and I did improve enough to get to the surgery, though still felt terrible. The GP checked my BP and it was 91/63. I was put on hydrocortisone: 1 x 0.1 mg daily, and I am back to having an occasional dizzy spell a couple of times a month. BP is in the region of 126/90.

It is assumed that, for reasons unknown, my BP takes a sudden dive. I have a BP monitor, but by the time I've been able to get it on and take a reading following an attack I am back to normal. I miss the freedom of driving, but after 8+ years I will never try it again.

I have been taking the hydrocortisone for a little over a year. I have had PD for 23 years from age 40 and been taking Madopar (L-DOPA + Benserazide - alternative to Sinemet) for around 16 years.

[michaela13]

Yes. I'm trying to increase my fluid intake. It's terrible when you don't know when you're gonna black out.

[Trenny]

Thank you all. I am already on reducing Prednisolone Currently 5mgdaily for GCA (Giant cell Arteritis), so doubt if I should have another steroid. This is all useful background knowledge for when I see the doctor.