Hi everyone,
I seem to have developed a new problem over the last few months. I have high blood pressure! I noticed at my IVIG treatments over the last few months that it was high. I brought to my rheumo's attention and he suggested I buy a cuff and monitor it.

Well, I have not had one diastolic (bottom number) below 94. My systolic is 130 or above.

Today I took Sudafed PE for my sinuses. I had headaches the last two days. I came home and took my b/p and it was 147/100. I know sinus meds can cause it to increase. I am wondering if it should make it go that high. I'm beginning to wonder if the headaches are not sinus but b/p related. These readings are really high for me.

About a year or so ago I had a stress test and echo done and they were fine.
It's concerning me because my father died at 65 from a massive heart attack. His father died at 57 from the same.

So here is my question. I am listing my meds below and I'm hoping if you know any of them can cause high b/p you can let me know. I would really appreciate it as I have always been a person who had low b/p.

Synthyroid
Tramadol
Every once in a while a 5 mg Percocet
Just started Wellbutrin 150 that was after this started
IVIG


Supplements
Coq10
R lipoic acid
Krill oil
Vitamin d
Probiotic 10

I have done research myself but can't seem to find anything.
Please let me know what you think. Thanks

Hopeful

the Wellbutrin "may" be a factor. It raises dopamine and some people report heart side effects...rapid beats, etc.

The Cymbalta however is known to raise blood pressure in many patients. The Sudafed also if taken regularly will do it too.
If you recall, I did warn you about that factor.

When you are stressed...like with the IVIG...which seems to increase inflammation, this might raise cortisol, and that in turn will raise blood pressure in some people. Any big stressor will do it. Pain will raise blood pressure too.

So there are many factors for you to consider. This may be temporary for you, based on your recent medical stressors.

IVIG can also be pretty hard on kidneys and cause you to retain fluid...and therefore increase BP.

There are so many reasons BP can increase, you'll have to just look at one thing at a time.

Hi Mrs. D.,
This started well before the Wellbutrin. I noticed it for months now when they took my b/p during my IVIG. Since it was an automatic cuff I figured it was that. Then I had two doctors appts and the MA listened and it was high. I was actually surprised by it.

I did remember you told me that about the sudafed but not till after I took it unfortunately.

I'm going to keep an eye on it for a week. If it continues I will see my GP and go from there.

Maybe it is the cymbalta and the stress I have been under. I'm curious to see what happens when I am finally finished with this Cymbalta.

I wanted to be sure it wasn't one of the supplements I'm taking.

Thanks for everything!!

Hi enbloc,
My first thought with this was that maybe I was having kidney issues. As I told Mrs. D I'm going to watch it for a week and then go to my GP. I know one thing there will be no more allergy meds for me.

I'm going to look into the IVIG.

Thanks for your input. As I said with my family history it has me a little concerned. Along with my dad and grandfather, two of my fathers sisters had strokes in their forties.

Thanks again,
Hopeful

I have a suggestion... I would try the magnesium lotion, daily to see if that lowers your pressure. It does for me dramatically.

Especially when I use it on my upper arms. It seems to improve blood flow. My hypertension does not affect my diastolic number that much. But my systolic can go up to 160 at times.

I am also not a fan of the automatic cuffs...I don't think they are very accurate. I use an old fashioned manual one.

I think this going off Cymbalta was very difficult for you. First off the Cymbalta sets the stage for hypertension, then has the withdrawal stress which has to be a factor with all the pain and discomfort it causes. Chronic pain patients often have related hypertension, as part of the response to the pain.

http://updates.pain-topics.org/2013/...ertension.html

Wellbutrin can cause hypertension...if you search Google with that keyword and hypertension together you will find people on various health forums discussing it. Zyban, for smoking cessation is also Wellbutrin with another name, and also is a culprit. Many non depressed people use Zyban, and those also report hypertension and cardiac palpitations. I have a friend who tried Wellbutrin and got the cardiac effects, and had to stop it.

Not everyone responds this way, but it should be paid attention to, and discussed with the doctor who prescribed the Wellbutrin for you.

The magnesium lotion -- Morton Epsom lotion-- can relax the blood vessels and lower those elevations.

If you Google "IVIG hypertension", you will find similar reports of the IVIG causing increased diastolic pressures. If you are given steroids prior to the infusion...I'd expect a rise also in pressures.

Small elevations usually do not cause headache. I rarely have had headeaches from hypertension...even when it was so high when I was pregnant (220/120)... I had to have an elective C-section then 4 weeks early because of that rise in pressure!

Be very careful with the Sudafed, therefore. I only use it when in big congestion and then only one in the morning.

If you have sinus congestion try, Mucinex...it will help move the congestion out without affecting the blood pressure.

We have an automatic cuff for taking blood pressure. Have never had any trouble with blood pressure either using it or at the doctor's office with the manual one they use. I do know that you have to do exactly what the automatic one tells you to do - sitting a bit, correct position on your arm, etc.

Again no problem ever with blood pressure. Just take it now and again. The ones at a store such as WalMart, Target, etc. are not that accurate and a person always seems to be in the midst of someone going by, talking, noise and some kids screaming and asking if you are done while running around. No good. That did happen and then I bought my own. One recommended by the pharmacist. Works great.

I was shocked that my neurologist app the nurse used the wrist cuff that you place near your heart. I feel those things are useless. With the money those dr makes you would like the nurse would no how to do the old fashioned kind or have better cuffs.

I agree Stacy. They should have a manual cuff at the doctors office. It does not take long and I believe they are much more accurate. They certainly do make enough money!

Still depends on who is taking the blood pressure manual cuff or not. I've seen it. It seems one nurse does it differently than another. Just sayin'