Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group blood pressure and prednisone

hello all,

a curiosity question:

when i did a 6 day pred taper last month to turn around a flare, it was finals week so i had a few doctors appointments.

my blood pressure was "normal" 120/80.

that hasn't happened in years (normal BP that is)

usually the top number is between 130-150 and the bottom number can be anywhere from 70-90.

do you think its the inflammation / lack of inflammation that affected the BP?

or do you think its pain / lack of pain that affected the BP?

of course, could have been pure coincidence, but i don't think so. neither did the doctor. not enough time to ask the doctor, we had other things to talk about.

just curious.

A doctor told me when you are in pain it makes your BP go up. I have heard this a couple timkes over the past year. So if there is less inflammation, that means less pain and better bp.

Sue - IF the BP was a one-off in the doctor's consulting room, then forget it. Get yr own monitor - upper cuff. Get a good one, otherwise a total waste of money.

Take BP 3xper diem, times 3 times, each arms, and do for three days. SO, will have 18 readings in total for each day. Then, take the average for each. So, will have three average readings for each arm for each day. After three days, then take a further average, separate for each arm. Now, go visit the doctor with yr numbers - or send em into him?

Set monitor back to off, and loosen cuff between each reading take.

Some cardiologists (and doctors) often discard the first of the 3x reading. Suggesting/of the opinion that the first reading is not that accurate. So you can do a second set of numbers, discarding the first reading. My doctor takes all three into consideration, my cardi prefers to set aside the first readings, only taking into consideration the second and third and using the 2&3 to make his averages. But if they have full sight of all the numbers involved then their judgement call.

Alternative, go on a 24hr monitor.

Mission not impossible!

My BP is normal, usually. But it spikes with pain. Never specifically tested it while on steroids. Conventional wisdom I heard somewhere mentioned higher BPs on steroids, though. But that was mentioned with poorer control for diabetics, too. Take Molly's advice--get your own cuff and check it out over time for yourself. Every household should have their own BP cuff--good one.

thanks molly and rumble,

we have our own cuff. i use it when i need to.

got it because: 1. the zanaflex was dropping my BP so low, i wanted to monitor that. and combined with the vioxx way back when it was really low for about an hour (80/55 til it came back up) and 2. it was always borderline high at the doctors so i wanted to see if it was the same at home (it is)

and i go to the various doctors so often, and always, my BP is on the high side as i reported above. for years now, for at least a dozen years now, its been like that.

but on the pred it was perfect.

and i thought that was strange, and so cool! at the same time.

so was curious if it was the lower pain or the lower inflammation turning my BP around while on the pred.

or i guess i could turn the question on its head, is my normally higher BP for the last dozen years or so,

due to inflammation?

or pain?

or a combination of the two.

there is no question that it normally ranges between 130-150 / 70-90,

except for when on pred.

thanks valsmum.

i have also heard that pain can definitely raise BP.

was curious if inflammation by itself could?

Hi Sue!

pred raises my bp to a super scary level.

I am reading the Gerson Therapy book, and it talks extensively about how eliminating sodium and increasing potassium intake lowers high bp, and raises low bp. Interesting eh? I was interested in this because it also helps swelling/edema go away. My knees are playing the swollen game this week, so I'm hoping it will help!!

Take Care,
Donette

sorry pred does that to you

as i had nothing but good things happen on it.

yes, the whole sodium / potassium thing. i eat a lot of potassium rich foods and i stay away from the salt shaker and processed food as much as i can. thus i think i have a pretty good balance between potassium and sodium. maybe one reason i don't swell up much? probably not.

everyone talks about bananas for potassium, but really a lot of other foods as well:

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php

http://www.algaecal.com/potassium-rich-foods.html

i've wondered if the pounds i've put on over the years were contributing to my BP, but then the pred lowered the BP. strange?

Two good websites - good information. Have saved and will print off later. Thanks Sue.

thanks molly

yeh, i was really surprised at some of the foods that were high in potassium!