Blood pressure is definatly a killer. That is what finally got Bill.

His Dad died at the age of 42 and his Grandfather at the age of 53. It ran in his family. Yours was way way too high. You really need to buy you a blood pressure kit to keep up with it because the meds don't always work.

Bill was on 5 blood pressure meds. Our PA use to say he didn't know how Bill was alive back years ago. His would go as high as the 200's on top and around 135 or 140 on the bottom. They worked on him for over 20 years and no one could get his down to where it was even close to normal.

It's what causes strokes. Bill had the cebral hemorage in the back of his head and that was from his blood pressure being too high. He had gotten up and hadn't had time to even take his blood pressure meds.

Whatever you do Allen, keep up with it and if you see the meds aren't working call your Dr. or if you see if gradually keeps climbing and doesn't come down.

Glad they are helping you finally. I am glad to see you post also. You too Jose.

Ada

I have a doctors appointment today, gonna start getting ready in a few minutes, but wanted to say thanx for the replies and encouragment. You all are the best!


It doesnt seem the bp meds are working that great So it is a good thing they got me into this clinic so soon. Will let ya all know what transpires here.

Wow it is good to see Deb and Jose!!! Glad you all shared with us, it is always a pleasure to read everyones replies for new tidbits. Sorry if that info was wrong on the *77, but it still needs to be known about this type of crime. One of my (not anymore) close friends was arrested for just this type of crime. Jose has some good ideas there about 911. You do not have to pull over if the vehicle is unmarked, cant stress this one enough. Thanx Jo for straightening out the mis-information, to bad people have the need to lie, it just makes things more difficult for people when it really happens.

Just look how they messed up getting SSI, or saying you have RSD LOL. It would be taken more serious if there wasnt so many people trying to rip off the government or get pain meds all the time.

Here in california they use the umarked cop car trick, and others to carjack people. So keep on your toes about things like this.

Man this BP thing is even more scary after reading everyones stories
You can bet money I will be keeping track of this, as my own dad died at age of 48 2 days after his 2nd triple bypass. That is the reason they did the angio that they botched in 2000 that gave me the dreaded RSD.

Well it wasnt what I expected, but is it ever what we expect lol. There wasnt a doctor, only a PA and she wasnt ready to deal with the problems I am having.

The bp is 160/100, still too high so she gave a prescription for new meds for that, and some elavil to help with sleep. They are supposed to call me in a day or 2 with an appointment time to the pain management clinic, they have doctors in this one. This PA agrees with the ER doc's in that the high bp is a culprit of the pain.

So pain really gets your bp up lol.

Which gets your blood pressure up more? Pain or a Dr. that tells you that pain is whats doing it but doesn't do anything for it? LOL

All kidding aside. I do hope you get a good Dr. at this pain clinic. You have been in too much pain for too long.

Ada

Allen
Just a little note...
I have had high blood pressure for a while now.. maybe 10 years. It became a lot worse in 2001 when I got RSD the first time.

I took Norvasc for many many years to control my BP. I tried SO many meds and had terrible side effects. Norvasc was the only one that seemed to get along with my system. Then, when I got RSD, and my pressures went up, we tried several meds in addition. Settled on Avalide, which is a combination medication. It has a bit of diuretic in it.

Well, when I got RSD this time, I found that clonadine was all over the net as being a med good for RSD, so I requested to be put on it. I tried the patch, but my skin reacted to it. So, we tried the pills. Pills are a LOT less expensive than the patches! Anyway... I used the pills for over a year. BP levels were "ok" but not as consistent as they were with the Norvasc.

During this time, I had a very cold hand a lot of the time. I carried a glove with me all the time. When my right hand started to become involved, I started wearing two gloves. It is amazing how you can learn to type with gloves on!

Well, I still had a big 90 day supply of Norvasc at home. I asked my doc if she would mind if I switch back to it and use it up. Within 3 days - I felt a LOT better RSD wise. Did not notice a difference in my pain... but the swelling is about half what it was..... HOWEVER...... my hand and limb is no longer cold. I have had one or two instances in the last 6 weeks of it being just a little cool... that's it. With Clonadine... it was ice cold almost all the time.

SO --- work with your doc to make the High blood pressure work FOR your RSD. The small amount of diuretic in the Avalide helps with the fluid retention of some of the other meds I am on. And, the switch back to Norvasc has been just amazing in the comfort of my bad arm and hand. Also, 3 months ago, it was very painful to hold a cold can of pop in my bad hand. Now, it is not nearly as bad.

I've been using baclofen at night for sleep. 20-30 mg. Works a lot better than any of the anti-depressants have. And, helps SO much with those darned spasms!! I have had so many electrical type zingers!!! Baclofen has all but knocked them out.

Good luck Allen... hugs to you!!!
Jules

Hey Allen...

Keep at it and keep poking those drs till they sort the bp and the pain out it's great they took you seriously... (FINALLY!!)

I once made the mistake of going to the ER in my NHS chair (after getting RSD and already being unable to walk) after being dropped and breaking my ankle... The nurse took my full history and then said "WHERE DID YOU STEAL THE WHEELCHAIR FROM??"
me> I'm in one full time because of RSD.
nurse> BUT YOU'RE YOUNG! YOUNG PEOPLE AREN'T IN WHEELCHAIRS! OF COURSE YOU CAN WALK!!
me> err, look at my feet.

That ended that. (Also helped having mum waving my med prescriptions around + me crying/ screaming and all of that lot).

Keeping my fingers crossed that things get sorted soon for you! can't believe you were suffering so much in silence! Has the elavil helped? and did I hear you correctly? they have PM clinics staffed by PA's?

Love ya and take CARE!!

Froggsy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx