Nocturnal hypertension

[phebamom]

Does any one else have nocturnal hypertension. I am on high dose Valsartan, but still wake up with high blood pressure. Any one else.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you had a 24 hour Holter BP monitor? It checks your BP every half hour during the day and hourly at night.

myhealthmylife.com.my/high-...

Are you just under the GP?

[phebamom in reply to PMRpro]

No, and personally I think that is my next step. I am on 5mg prednisone, not enough to cause this, but have been on pred for 12 years with PMR/GCA. I am also on Actemra, and rheumatologist just doubled the dose of the monthly infusion. I am thinking another medication needs to be added for the nocturnal hypertension. I do not snore, hubby does. I wear ear plugs. They thought it may be anxiety, so tried Buspar, for anxiety. A good med, but it also raises blood pressure. Some times this disease feels like an eternal situation of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to phebamom]

Ah - one of the adverse effects of Actemra is raised BP. They do realise that I hope?

[phebamom]

I have been on 5mg of prednisone for a year, varying doses between 5 to 60mg. the last 12 years. In my case the disease just won't go away. The last infusion doctor doubled the dose of Actemra. All of the swelling and pain in my hands went totally away. that part was amazing.

[phebamom]

Hi: I am in Missouri. I have an excellent rheumatologist. I was unable to get my infusion in October because of a shortage. But, so far so good since then. Medicare will not pay for the shots, but will pay for the infusion. I have been dealing with this for 20 years, since 2017 with a proper diagnosis after several trips to Mayo in Rochester. I have read a lot, but stopped ruminating on it. I trust my rheumatologist. I went through 4 bad ones before I was referred to him. The bad ones can really make life difficult. that is when I had to become my own advocate, do a ton of reading, etc. I also have something called Complex Post Traumatic Stress disorder from family trauma. It is really hard on me when I have to dwell on "medical stuff'. I am intelligent, but get so mentally overwhelmed I have to back off. I suspect that that intense trauma, coupled with a virus, possibly chicken pox/shingles, may have triggered this illness. who knows.