Blood Pressure

It seems to be a coincidence that both Mr and Mrs Admin's blood pressures have been lower during the last couple of weeks.

Fortunately for Nelly, it meant that she was able get a good set of BP results during her 24-hour monitoring for her pre-op assessment, without the need to take additional medication.

This got me wondering if the recent good weather had been a factor, as we have both been spending more time outdoors.

A quick consultation with Dr Google confirmed that there is a link between Vitamin D and Blood Pressure - more Vit D = lower BP.

This may be generally known, but neither of us was aware of this connection and we spend a lot of time (probably too much) consulting Dr Google.

So, if you need to lower your BP for a test, cross your fingers for sunshine and spend more time in the garden,

Edwin

Hi Edwin 
So glad Nelly's BP was down for the 24 hr monitoring and that you too are noticing a difference.
I love being in the sun but I think the extra vit d must increase my calcium as my aches get a lot worse when I've been exposed to it.
P.S thank goodness for DR Google.
Amanda xxxx

Ah, yes, the sun. I remember the sun. It has rained every day for the past 10 days here in my area! I am the biggest sun worshiper on the planet. I scare my kids to death because I just can't stay out of the sun. However, I have only been out lying in it 3 times so far this year, and all 3 times, not only have I had trouble because of my awful stiff and painful muscles and joints, I get extremely nauseous! I'm used to the stiffness and pain, but the nausea from the sun is new. I don't know if it's because I get too hot or what, but it's not too much fun anymore.    I find it hard to believe it's from being too hot, because for the past few months I've been having a lot of trouble with always being cold! About a year go or so, I started noticing if I went longer than 4 hours without eating, I would get extremely cold, to the point of shivering. Sometimes I would get busy and forget to eat, but my shivering body would remind me. But for the past few months, I'm just cold all the time. As mentioned earlier, it has been raining here for 10 days. Obviously, it has been very humid. It has also been very hot. I used to HATE the heat and humidity! Couldn't stand it!! This year so far, people are all complaining of the humidity, and it has not bothered me AT ALL. I actually enjoy going outside to get warmed up some because it's too cold in the house, and I have the thermostat set warmer than I ever have in the past. Not sure what's going on. I'm thinking possibly thyroid issues? I recently tried to increase my thyroid meds, but it made my eyeballs ache, so I cut back again. My body is really having problems. I don't know what is going on, but it's not good.

Very interesting about the sun and blood pressure, Edwin. If we don't get some sunshine soon, I'm thinking my head might blow off!!   

Audrey

We have just had the first rain for ages.
It was to be expected - being the Glastonbury Festival this weekend, which is a few miles away from our home.
Glastonbury Festival Aerial Photos

Edwin

Hi Nelly

So glad your BP is down, mine seem to be on the rise and I live in California where it never rains  

Best wishes Kathi

The boy who made my sandwich at Subway yesterday was joking about the rain here and said it looked more like London than Pittsburgh. We both had a good laugh, knowing the weather in London was probably a WHOLE lot nicer than here at the moment!

Kathi, are there any houses for sale near you?    I've always wanted to head out to California. Not too thrilled about the earthquakes though.   

Yes, it's always good to get that blood pressure down! Unless, of course, your doctor prescribes meds when you don't need them, and your pressure falls to 85/43, as mine did. YIKES!

Audrey

Hmmm.... I was cleaning in my son's former bedroom. When I got to the BP machine, I decided to take my pressure, because I'm supposed to monitor it, and I haven't checked it for quite a while. It was 89/57. I haven't taken any BP medication for a couple of months, and when I did take it, I only took it for a couple of weeks. This is my natural pressure. I don't know what is going on with my body, but it would seem it is running in very slow motion! I'm guessing either thyroid or adrenal problems, even though my docs tell me my thyroid and cortisol levels are ok because they're in the normal range. Something is causing me to be full of water and have a blood pressure this low.

Audrey

And, yes, I'm thinking maybe a pituitary problem as well!

Audrey

I know you've had your cortisol levels checked Audrey but did you ever have a Synacthen stimulation test, I can't remember? Addison's sprang  into my head but I'm sure you will have checked this out? So sorry you're still having to go through all this cr*p.

Jasmine x

Thanks for the suggestion, Jasmine. No, I have never had a Synacthen stimulation test. Actually, I've never heard of it. Addison's was my thought too though. At first I was thinking Cushing's, but now I'm leaning toward Addison's. I will have to do some more research. I will add the Synacthen test to my list of things to ask the neurologist. I would imagine he will be thinking of all of these things, but in case he isn't, I will be suggesting them.

Yes, it stinks to still be suffering, but all of us on here are, so I'm not feeling sorry for myself. We all just keep researching and keep bugging our doctors, until somebody helps us.

Thanks again. I'm going to check that out now on the internet just as soon as I get finished in the kitchen. I had to stop and take a little break because my feet were hurting. They got tired of standing.   

Audrey

Audrey you are such a strong person and keep going no matter what gets throw at you.
I know what you mean about your feet hurting, this is a new one for me. I've always had achey feet and toes with this but now if I'm on my feet for more than about an hour I'm in agony, the only way to stop this is to put my feet up. 
Hope you get to the bottom of all of this there must be an answer it's not normal to feel in pain and unwell all the time, why don't doctors understand this.
Love Amanda xxxx