POST-OP'ers: WATCH your blood pressure!

[Big-Mike]

Wow!

I found out the hard way yesterday about just how critical it is to monitor your blood pressure and medication intake after surgery.
It's been such a habit for such a long time just to pop that little pill in the morning as part of my routine.
Well, yesterday morning, I did as I always do -- protein shake, vitamins, and my BP med.

About an hour later on the way to work, I started breaking out in a sweat all over my body (it's chilly here), started getting nauseaus, and quite honestly felt like I was going to fall over. I found myself reaching for my phone to call an ambulance. I really thought I was going to fall right there in front of everyone on the bus (I was standing). I ended up getting off on some random bus stop and sat down. As soon as the cool hair hit me as I was sitting I started to slowly feel better. Within 30 minutes, I was back on the next bus to my destination.

What happened was I took my blood pressure medicine when I actually didn't need to. My BP had returned to somewhat normal range. I checked it this morning as soon as I woke up and its 129/93. Needless to say, I'm NOT taking my BP med this morning and will discuss this with my doc.

Monitor your BP closely post-op, friends. This procedure's positive effects on your BP may start alot sooner than you think, as I found out yesterday, the hard way.

[MargeB]

Scary way to find out good news! Glad you are okay.

[cathbas]

Whew...glad you are better!!

[qqueen09]

Glad you are better.

[usarmy]

Wow, had the same reaction to my blood pressure medicine and diabetes med. My pressure has been 107/70..Sugar between 75-116. I was taking my meds as directed and everything was almost double digit. Yes watch your meds and make sure you have a glucose reader that is reliable. I take my pressure and sugar about 3 times a day. I'm working from home until next week so this gives me an opportunity to get it together. I fine i have more energy towards the evening. Thanks Mike

[usarmy]

Mike, I'm glad you are feeling better.

[Ann2]

Excellent post and points.

And congrats on not needing the BP medicine -- at least for now, and maybe never again.

[Amarquez2021]

I agree, Same thing happened to me just a few weeks after surgery... Sorry you had to find out the hard way like I did

[AugustW]

It's funny, the positive effect the surgery has had on my blood pressure was actually to raise it! My normal bp pre surgery was 90/50, and I was constantly light headed, particularly when I would stand up because it would plummet even lower.

A typical bp for me now 7 months out is 110/60. Whoo!

[bikrchk]

It's crazy to think that I actually run low sometimes now when my BP couldn't be controlled on 2 meds + an anti anxiety before! Gave up the anti-anxiety and one BP med within weeks after surgery and the water pill a couple months later when I kept getting light headed. Regular exercise I get these days is also a factor, I'm sure. I still track my BP occasionally, mostly to make sure I don't run too low. If that's happening, I can typically solve it by drinking more water. If it's summer time, I might throw in a G2 for the salt\electrolytes.

[SomeGuyJeff]

watch all meds and follow up with your doc if you are on any maintenance meds. everyone is different but blood pressure - sugar levels - and other numbers that can only be shown through a blood test are important imho.

good luck and congrats on progress

[RehabNurse]

Although I had no issues with my blood pressure post-op, I had the side effect of post-op tachycardia (i.e. rapid heart rate) for about three weeks after the surgery. I saw a cardiologist for it about one week post-op and was temporarily on beta blockers to slow down my pulse.

Still, I agree that we need to be mindful of all the changes that are happening after this life-changing surgery.

[rathgirl68]

So glad you are ok !