sulfasalazine/hydroxyc./supplemeents update also blood pressure

[Brychni]

So to recap: I spoke to rheumatology who said that since starting hydroxyc. mid March I should at least not have worsening of symptoms so I was told I would be sent slips for blood tests and prescription for sulfasalzine.

I received it all in the post and then rheumatology nurse called back to say I should take it along side the hydroxychloroquine. We chatted a bit and I mentioned my concerns about the magnesium and she was absolutely certain that unless I was taking 'bucket loads' of the stuff. I asked so do you think I should give hydroxyc. another months or so and wait a while to take the sulfa. and (it made me laugh) she said very sternly and tersely: 'No, I don't.' That was me told!

So I had my blood test this morning.

Another thing: I have always had fairly low blood pressure and since headaches got really bad I was encourage by GP to buy home blood pressure machine. Of course I've only used it once then the novelty started to wear off but lately I have had really bad dizziness when getting up from stooping or sometimes even just sitting down, going upstairs etc and almost fell over in the garden recently so I decided to take it this morning and it's really low! I showed the nurse this morning and she said 'gosh, that is low.' and advised drinking lots of water. I took 3 readings as suggested in the leaflet: 90/60 91/55 and finally 87/58.

Anyone else have this? Does drinking water do any good?

[springcross]

Hi Brychni. I'm not very medically minded but have a read of this because apparently, dehydration can affect BP either way.

healthline.com/health/dehyd...

[Brychni in reply to springcross]

I'm giving it a go. x

[springcross in reply to Brychni]

Let me know how you get on. I am being treated for high BP and I try to drink more but it just bloats me out and makes me feel nauseous to be honest, but that's just me.

[Brychni in reply to springcross]

Yes, I know what you mean - I feel bloated and a bit sick if I over do it. However, I think sipping it rather than tackling a glass at a time is probably best, so I'm trying that.

[springcross in reply to Brychni]

I hope it works for you, it hasn't for me. x

[AgedCrone]

If it doesn’t go up to closer to more normal readings....do get in touch with your doctors.

We should of course keep well hydrated but I do find on the whole some nurses imagine we are all on the verge of dehydration .....so tell us to drink more to be on the safe side!

I have high BP (hypertension) and I have never been told to drink water to bring it down,,,,... the only thing I remember being told about 30 years ago when I was first diagnosed was to avoid salt!

Those reading you quoted ....especially together with dizziness on rising indicate you could have hypotension .(low BP)

By the way what sort of BP monitor are you using?

If it it is an Upper Arm type monitor....if the cuff isn’t tight enough that can cause low readings.

Next time you see your rheumie nurse take it with you and get her to measure your BP with her monitor, then yours - that should ensure yours is reading True.

[Brychni in reply to AgedCrone]

Hi - I have a brand new one from the chemist with the cuff and have- followed instructions to the letter. I've always had low blood pressure but not this low...it's all very strange.

what'seven stranger is that there is a week old chick walking about on the keyboard...

[AgedCrone in reply to Brychni]

Whenever I get a new BP monitor I always take it in to get it checked against the one in my GPs office...My GP actually suggested it.

I have just checked up on what is regarded as a low BP reading in UK & it’s less than 105mmHg Systolic and less than 60mmHg Diastolic.....so if your latest reading was 87/58 ....you really should get it checked.

Are you sure the cuff was tight enough...just before the pressure releases it can sometimes really hurt for a couple of seconds it is so tight.

I hope the little chick doesn’t leave you any little ‘presents’🐥🐥🐥on your keyboard

[Brychni in reply to AgedCrone]

she leaves lots of little presents! She's an orphan, the other 4 eggs@: 2 were killed by their mother who was sitting, then I tried to hatch the other 2 with a heatlamp but it didn't work...sadly they both died. So here we are: it's like being parents to a baby. and she flies! Doesn't like being in her cage.

[AgedCrone in reply to Brychni]

What sort of bird is she? Are you going to keep her?

I’m afraid I would have to have her adopted I can’t bear anything with feathers!

Please do get your BP checked!

[Brychni in reply to AgedCrone]

she's a chicken, the mother is a Bluebell and Colin (the cockerel) is a mixture of 2 breeds - not sure what. the mother is big! the chick is too. As her mother abandoned them she can't provide any warmth so she has to be inside at the moment. she goes out under her run when it's warm but of course we have torrential rain at the moment. We have to go out and dig up worms for her 🤣 It's all become very complicated what with the dog lusting after her and the other chickens roost in the tree at night but I don't know how she will learn that so my husband is building a hen house for her! It's like Trump Towers! All this effort for one chick.

[Evaflo10s in reply to Brychni]

That sounds lovely ! Keep her running around long enough and all the stress and digging may elevate your blood pressure

[Brychni in reply to AgedCrone]

you'd hate it: she nestles in my hair.

[AgedCrone in reply to Brychni]

Ooh creepy!

[Lizard28]

When I was in hospital a few years ago having treatment, I had my blood pressure taken every half hour, same thing happened to me, my blood pressure kept dropping, next thing I knew she brought a jug of water and told me to try and drink the lot, strangely it went back up, it must help in some way.