[lefty]

Hi everyone,

I was due to have my SGB on this Thursday. Well, that didn't happen.
When my son and I arrive at the surgical center, after filling out some paper work we waited for me to be called. Finally I was called back I got as far as getting undress, and my vital signs taken, my blood pressure was 180/110. I told the nurse that I was having some slight pressure in my chest. She had me to recline in the chair, and asked to relax. My bp was taken again and it was still high. The pressure in my chest did subside just a little but I found that my breathing was just a slightly difficult. The PM doc and anesthesiologist came into the pre-op room and said that I needed to go to the ER just to make sure that my heart was okay.

My son took me there and after one nitroglycerin pill my bp still was high. My RSD/CRPS is in my left upper extremity so they were not allowed to get blood from that arm or do their bp check in that arm. While there I had a very bad flare up, all I could do was lay there and cry. I was given percoset and it helped a little. After trying numerous times to get blood from my right arm which has mirrored my left arm's symptoms.

They were not able to get blood because once the needle was in they said that my veins disappeared. The doc said that I was extremely dry, then tried using a portable ultrasound machine to find a vein but still the vein was constricted. He didn't want to put in a central line because it would be too big. Finally they were able to get some blood from a vein in my shoulder. They wanted to start an IV this is the other reason they were so adminant in trying to a vein. Funny thing is that even after going through all that once they got the blood down to chemisty, my blood coagulated so quickly, and what good blood they had, when it was being spun my cells exploded. So again they came back for more blood, and finally was able to get the test they needed down to see if I was trying to have a heart attack, which I was not.

The pressure in my chest was still there. I was given another nitro pill under my tongue, and finally my pressure came down. My EKG had not changed from the last time I was there, meaning other than having T wave depressions, nothing had changed. I was admitted on the Telemetry unit for monitoring. Guys ever since I've had my injury in 2008 I've been in pain and my bp has be high. Hopefully I will be able to have the SGB done sometime next week.

Has any of you had any problems with you blood pressure or pressure in your chest? Took my bp tonight and it was 166/110. I can't sleep and I am so worry that if this continues that I my have a stroke. Anyone have any answers, or similar situation like this? They think that because of all the medication I've been on that I've developed acid reflux. And that this was why I was having the chest pressure. I was given a prescription for Protonix and Xanox for anxiety.

[gabbycakes]

Originally Posted by lefty

Hi everyone,

I was due to have my SGB on this Thursday. Well, that didn't happen.
When my son and I arrive at the surgical center, after filling out some paper work we waited for me to be called. Finally I was called back I got as far as getting undress, and my vital signs taken, my blood pressure was 180/110. I told the nurse that I was having some slight pressure in my chest. She had me to recline in the chair, and asked to relax. My bp was taken again and it was still high. The pressure in my chest did subside just a little but I found that my breathing was just a slightly difficult. The PM doc and anesthesiologist came into the pre-op room and said that I needed to go to the ER just to make sure that my heart was okay.

My son took me there and after one nitroglycerin pill my bp still was high. My RSD/CRPS is in my left upper extremity so they were not allowed to get blood from that arm or do their bp check in that arm. While there I had a very bad flare up, all I could do was lay there and cry. I was given percoset and it helped a little. After trying numerous times to get blood from my right arm which has mirrored my left arm's symptoms.

They were not able to get blood because once the needle was in they said that my veins disappeared. The doc said that I was extremely dry, then tried using a portable ultrasound machine to find a vein but still the vein was constricted. He didn't want to put in a central line because it would be too big. Finally they were able to get some blood from a vein in my shoulder. They wanted to start an IV this is the other reason they were so adminant in trying to a vein. Funny thing is that even after going through all that once they got the blood down to chemisty, my blood coagulated so quickly, and what good blood they had, when it was being spun my cells exploded. So again they came back for more blood, and finally was able to get the test they needed down to see if I was trying to have a heart attack, which I was not.

The pressure in my chest was still there. I was given another nitro pill under my tongue, and finally my pressure came down. My EKG had not changed from the last time I was there, meaning other than having T wave depressions, nothing had changed. I was admitted on the Telemetry unit for monitoring. Guys ever since I've had my injury in 2008 I've been in pain and my bp has be high. Hopefully I will be able to have the SGB done sometime next week.

Has any of you had any problems with you blood pressure or pressure in your chest? Took my bp tonight and it was 166/110. I can't sleep and I am so worry that if this continues that I my have a stroke. Anyone have any answers, or similar situation like this? They think that because of all the medication I've been on that I've developed acid reflux. And that this was why I was having the chest pressure. I was given a prescription for Protonix and Xanox for anxiety.

Left,

Sorry to here that you had to go through all that. But I have not heard of high blood pressure from RSD but definitly I have heard of people having high blood pressure from some of the pain meds. or a combination of certain type of drugs. I hope the new med. will help. Try and spend some time relaxing.

I hope you are able to get your block soon.

gabbycakes

[lefty]

Originally Posted by gabbycakes

Left,

Sorry to here that you had to go through all that. But I have not heard of high blood pressure from RSD but definitly I have heard of people having high blood pressure from some of the pain meds. or a combination of certain type of drugs. I hope the new med. will help. Try and spend some time relaxing.

I hope you are able to get your block soon.

gabbycakes

Hi gabbycakes

Thanks for the advice. I did some googling and found the following information:
************************************************** *******
The Link Between Blood Pressure and RSD

Pain is stressful to the body and one way that it reacts is to increase your blood pressure. RSD is believed to be a dysfunction of the sympathetic system. The sympathetic system is responsible for regulating your heart beat, blood pressure, body temperature, and respiration. Some patients need medication to control their blood pressure because RSD may keep it constantly elevated. You may have spikes in blood pressure, palpitations, and rapid heart beat especially during pain flare-ups. Know that any type of chronic pain can increase your risk of high blood pressure. Monitor your blood pressure to prevent serious complications.
************************************************** *******
So it sounds more like my sympathetic system is constantly reacting to my RSD pain and has elevated my BP. I have had my blood pressure medication switch several times. The good news is that the pressure in my chest has gone away! I am counting on this new medication to lower my blood pressure even though the PM doc said that I can still have the block as long as my heart is okay, and it seems like it is. The bad news is that my short term memory loss is getting on my nerves!

Thanks lefty

[Jimking]

My wife's doctor is always concerned with her bp because pain and age can cause a rise in pressure. Her bp is ok however. Your issue about taking the bp reminds me of an incident we had at Johns Hopkins. While we where in an examination room a rude nurse rushed and and grabbed at my wife's arm (who has full body RSD, especially her upper extremities) to take her bp. My wife reacted in severe pain and screamed. I calmly explained to the nurse she has RSD badly in her arms, can you take it with a wrist or ankle cuff? She stormed out and a young doctor came into the room and lectured us about being rude to the nurse. I explained the situation that we are here because my wife has been in sever agony for years with no treatment for this disease at all and to be grabbed by the arm without saying a word of warning I find it extremely unprofessional that a nurse from this facility would do this to a person with a painful neurological condition. The doctor responded my wife has 10 minutes to think about getting her bp using a cuff the traditional way, her upper arm. My wife made the decision to leave. The bill was $450.

Sorry for going off track but the mention of taking one's bp brings back bad memories and to this day I still cringe when my wife is asked by the doc for her bp. Such a simple act can be so painful for those with RSD.

[ali12]

Sorry to hear about everything you went through - I hope you are feeling better now!

For about 3 months now, I have been collapsing on average 25-30 times a day. It's so bad that I can fall to the floor whilst walking however does occur more whilst i'm sitting. I've actually developed RSD in my back now as a result of falling out of bed whilst collapsing.

I saw a Neurologist and was diagnosed with Reflex Syncope which is something wrong with the calf muscle not pumping enough oxygen to the brain causing your blood pressure to drop. It can be caused by pain, stress etc. I have now been told however that I have POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) which is where the heart beats too fast at times and as a result, your blood pressure drops.

POTS (and Syncope) can be caused by both pain and Hypermobility Syndrome so you might want to get checked out for them if at all possible.

Like you, I also can feel a lot of pressure on my chest and have a lot of chest pains. They are so bad at times that I feel like going to the hospital.

I know a lot of people with RSD have Blood Pressure problems. I'm not suitable for blood pressure medications apparently as it isn't low all the time ... I wish they'd figure something out that could help though!

Some things I were told that can help were keeping hydrated, not sitting / standing too quickly, drinking energy drinks, increasing salf intake etc so you might want to give that a try.

I'm here if you ever want to talk, I know how scary it can be.

Hugs, Alison x

[keep smilin]

Originally Posted by ali12

Sorry to hear about everything you went through - I hope you are feeling better now!

For about 3 months now, I have been collapsing on average 25-30 times a day. It's so bad that I can fall to the floor whilst walking however does occur more whilst i'm sitting. I've actually developed RSD in my back now as a result of falling out of bed whilst collapsing.

I saw a Neurologist and was diagnosed with Reflex Syncope which is something wrong with the calf muscle not pumping enough oxygen to the brain causing your blood pressure to drop. It can be caused by pain, stress etc. I have now been told however that I have POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) which is where the heart beats too fast at times and as a result, your blood pressure drops.

POTS (and Syncope) can be caused by both pain and Hypermobility Syndrome so you might want to get checked out for them if at all possible.

Like you, I also can feel a lot of pressure on my chest and have a lot of chest pains. They are so bad at times that I feel like going to the hospital.

I know a lot of people with RSD have Blood Pressure problems. I'm not suitable for blood pressure medications apparently as it isn't low all the time ... I wish they'd figure something out that could help though!

Some things I were told that can help were keeping hydrated, not sitting / standing too quickly, drinking energy drinks, increasing salf intake etc so you might want to give that a try.

I'm here if you ever want to talk, I know how scary it can be.

Hugs, Alison x

Left...possibly your rise in your blood pressure and heavy chest issue had a white coat syndrome attached it it..As in having the block done that day..Possibly, you were not aware of your resevation but sometimes we get anixous during procedures and such ...Am I all wet on this one...AND Jim..what a story..Dear oh dear..what are these people thinking?? I would not have given them any part of the due bill..not eve 45 cents of it let alone ...$450.00!!!

Hugz, Kathy

[Jimking]

Kathy, We did receive the bill and told the insurance company not to pay it, there were no services rendered and also said I don't give a damn if they are charging this amount because the simple act of a scheduled apointment justifies it. Whether they paid it or not I'm not sure.

[Lisa in Ohio]

Hi Lefty, Yep, I have been going through this same process since early spring. Pre RSD I had extremely low BP, to the point whenever I had it taken the doc would ask if I was feeling okay. I have since developed a high BP, Tachycardia, chest pains, shortness of breath and dizziness. I have been seeing a cardiologist this summer because my EKG showed a slight heart attack and the ECHO showed problems with the mitral valve. I have made the decision to only handle this with medication ( I will not have any invasive procedures done) and have had some success with the meds. It has been a crap shoot, one caused my pain to flare pretty badly (beta-blocker), so I am trying another one that has helped quite a bit. I have also added 1 baby aspirin a day and always have some in my purse for when I have a lot of chest pain. My PA told me when this happens to put 4 under my tongue and to let them dissolve as that is what they would do first thing in the ER. I had another really bad attack on vacation and did this and it really helped. I do blame this on the RSD because I am only 50, and prior to the injury worked over 60 hours a week in a very physical job.

So I guess what I am saying is to stay calm, get it checked out so you know what is going on, and just figure that this is part of the RSD equation.

Another thing that may have led to the difficulty with the blood draw is that if your blocks were like mine you had been instructed to not eat or drink after midnight. This causes dehydration and makes veins hard to find and hard to get a good "stick".

[keep smilin]

Originally Posted by Lisa in Ohio

Hi Lefty, Yep, I have been going through this same process since early spring. Pre RSD I had extremely low BP, to the point whenever I had it taken the doc would ask if I was feeling okay. I have since developed a high BP, Tachycardia, chest pains, shortness of breath and dizziness. I have been seeing a cardiologist this summer because my EKG showed a slight heart attack and the ECHO showed problems with the mitral valve. I have made the decision to only handle this with medication ( I will not have any invasive procedures done) and have had some success with the meds. It has been a crap shoot, one caused my pain to flare pretty badly (beta-blocker), so I am trying another one that has helped quite a bit. I have also added 1 baby aspirin a day and always have some in my purse for when I have a lot of chest pain. My PA told me when this happens to put 4 under my tongue and to let them dissolve as that is what they would do first thing in the ER. I had another really bad attack on vacation and did this and it really helped. I do blame this on the RSD because I am only 50, and prior to the injury worked over 60 hours a week in a very physical job.

So I guess what I am saying is to stay calm, get it checked out so you know what is going on, and just figure that this is part of the RSD equation.

Another thing that may have led to the difficulty with the blood draw is that if your blocks were like mine you had been instructed to not eat or drink after midnight. This causes dehydration and makes veins hard to find and hard to get a good "stick".

You rock!! Make em take that bill and eat it ..

Hugz, Kathy

[Imahotep]

I woke up one morning a few years back with pain all down my left arm (normal) and a thick layer of pain all around my heart. It felt heavy and my B/P was high. I suspected RSD so took pain killers and medication for it but there was no effect. After googling for ten minutes I started thinking heart attack so went to the ER. Nitroglycerin took care of the problems but then I thought I was going to get stuck in the hospital. Apparently it wasn't a heart attack though.

My blood pressure often soars when I see the doctor and sometimes it drops but it usually seems to be affected. That feeling of a heart attack has come back several times since but not as strong as that first time. There might be a little correlation with stress but there's some other factor as well.