How Low is Too Low?

[KabinKitty 11]

I have been doing things to try and increase my energy level, ie increasing Protein and fluids, starting Vitamin B12, etc. I started to wonder if part of it could be low blood pressure, as I'm still on 2 of my hbp meds. Yesterday I purchased a monitor and today my bp is 107/55. That is very low for me.

Did all of you who have gotten off bp meds just wait for a dr's visit for him/her to tell you to stop the meds? I've been on them for so long I'm a little afraid to just stop them. Should I just call my pcp or the surgeon's office. The surgeon took me off my potassium, which I put myself back on! He also told me to stop my dieuretic.

[lunarose 97]

You should talk to you PCP first some medications have what's called a rebound effect which would make your B/P sky rocket if stopped abruptly.

[DonnaG 0]

I had the exact same problem. I called my aftercare doctor and he suggested that I take my blood pressure in the morning before my meds and if it was normal not to take my medicine and then to take my blood pressure around 6 pm and follow the same regimen until I could get in to see my PCP. My blood pressure had been perfectly normal and I have not resumed my medicine since 2 days after surgery. I am 10 days post op

[suzylou 1]

I would work with both MD's as you come off your meds. My general opinion is if you get more than 2 MD's on one case assume they are not speaking to each other about you until proven otherwise (sorry--my apologies to any docs in the crowd). The potassium was likely originally prescribed because you were put on a diuretic if you are taking the Potassium but not the diuretic your potassium could get too high. That would not cause your low energy level though.

[Margaret 4]

I haven't had my surgery yet, but in the support group, it was mentioned to get an appointment with your personal physician at the same time you have your one week visit post-op with your surgeon to monitor the BP.

I have been doing things to try and increase my energy level, ie increasing Protein and fluids, starting Vitamin B12, etc. I started to wonder if part of it could be low blood pressure, as I'm still on 2 of my hbp meds. Yesterday I purchased a monitor and today my bp is 107/55. That is very low for me.

Did all of you who have gotten off bp meds just wait for a dr's visit for him/her to tell you to stop the meds? I've been on them for so long I'm a little afraid to just stop them. Should I just call my pcp or the surgeon's office. The surgeon took me off my potassium, which I put myself back on! He also told me to stop my dieuretic.

[bloomin_vjf 1]

Hi there,

I met with my regular physician before my surgery and discussed the plan for my meds. She told me that I would most likely be able to stop BP meds within a day or two of surgery. True enough, my blood pressure was normal the 2nd day after surgery. I spoke with my doctor and she advised me to continue monitoring my BP but that she felt that I was not going to need medication anymore. I haven't taken any blood pressure medications since.

Definitely talk with your physician! Congrats on your decision to start your new life!

[Godsfavoraintfair 3]

Sad to say, but prior to surgery I didn't take my blood pressure pills like I should. But I am 5 weeks post op and took them everyday after surgery and for the four weeks was very weak and thought it could only be my blood pressure being to low, so I ran out and this week I got my energy back. Now I have a six week post op visit next week and if its normal then i will just stay off but if its high I will go back on.

[dudeman 0]

I haven't taken Norvasc since post-op and I have checked my BP. Pre-op without Norvasc (when I forget to take it in the morning), my BP averages 155/100. Now post op, I've checked it 4 times over the last two weeks during the day, and the BP is within normal range any where from a low of 117/78 to 133/89. So, I have stop taking Norvasc altogether and so far don't see any spikes in my BP to warrant going back on. However, I should mention that I am male age 48 and my BMI pre-op was 36 and now it is 30 and it has been about 24 days post-op. My guess for my case of dropped BP is not the weight loss (which is only around 22lbs), but the low-sodium diet that is forced upon you post-op. <br>