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Would you take blood pressure medication?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 7 6:04pm | Replies (12)Comment receiving replies
Hi Frank @frenchfrank51, My PMR is currently in remission but I've been on prednisone twice for 2 different occurrences of PMR. I'm 82 now but have been on blood pressure medications since my mid 40s. I only started monitoring my blood pressure the last 10+ years but I have had it vary quite a bit sometimes though not as high as you mentioned.
I was in a Rochester Mayo heart study in my 50s after I had been on blood pressure meds for about 8 or so years and wore a Holter monitor for blood pressure during the day and while sleeping for about a week along with daily appointments at a local hospital. The result of my participation was that they changed the diagnosis for why I had high blood pressure. They determined that the hypertension was due to primary aldosteronism and changed my medications to spironolactone 5mg and hydrochlorothiazide 5mg daily which has worked much better than the previous meds (Lisinopril or Enalapril) to control my high BP.
You mentioned that you have talked to doctors many times but they haven't come up with anything. Have you thought about seeking a second opinion with a specialist or cardiologist?
Replies to "Hi Frank @frenchfrank51, My PMR is currently in remission but I've been on prednisone twice for..."
@johnbishop
That's very interesting regarding aldosteronism. I've googled it and it could be a possibility for me. Certainly some of the symptoms match mine including muscle aches and weakness, fatigue and confusion, poor and fluctuating vision and trembling and tingling. They've all been there for me at times since I started to feel unwell about 14 years ago. I suppose I'm going to have to find a good endocrinologist now. I saw one recently due to the fact that I had started taking prednisone and now need to monitor my adrenals. But she was another of those doctors who tunes out of the conversation after about 5 minutes and thinks you've taken up enough of her time.
I know that one thing that isn't often considered when looking at high blood pressure as a cause is pain. Acute pain in particular. I know when I have a spike or a flare in my pain levels thanks to arthritis in multiple places, my blood pressure can rise for a while. I've found the following statement online from a spine doctor website
"Pain can have an impact on blood pressure. Acute pain can temporarily increase blood pressure due to the activation of the body’s stress response. On the other hand, chronic pain may contribute to high blood pressure through various mechanisms, including an impairment of the autonomic nervous system, inflammation, and the psychological toll it takes."
I have seen a cardiologist and had a 48 hour monitor test. The results came back showing very high blood pressure at times. As high as 240 over 130 and that I needed to start taking meds. I said that was impossible as during the 48 hours I hadn't felt particularly unwell at all. They checked the monitor and found it was malfunctioning. I could have been on the meds for no reason at all. That was about 8 years ago and I've seen a heart specialist since who wasn't worried about my blood pressure even though I told him about the fluctuations.
I'll check out endocrinologsts now.
Thanks again.
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@johnbishop
I have been on a small amount of two blood pressure meds before PMR but now my blood pressure has been out of control. I’ve doubled both meds and it seems to be better. I have situational blood pressure issues and wonder if it’s related to cortisol variations.
I’ve seen an endocrinologist but he hasn’t connected any dots to why I have blood pressure issues. Maybe as I taper off prednisone soon things will get better. Very frustrating.