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Are you experiencing baroreflex failure?
I've posted this under another topic labeled "Head and neck cancer and the possible consequences", but I realized it would be easier to find under its own heading. I was diagnosed and treated for SCC at the base of the tongue in 2006. I experienced many of the typical symptoms of treatment and haven 2018, I inadvertently discovered I was experiencing hypertension on a regular basis, though it never showed up in the doctor's office.
After much experimenting, I am using the current protocol of 400 mg of Labetalol before bedtime, and another 100 mg in the morning to offset supine hypertension I experience overnight. I use 0.05 - 0.1 mg Clonidine to treat systolic events >165, and 5 mg Midodrine to treat hypotension events caused by the BP meds. This combination has greatly reduced the episodes of hypertension, though hypotension is still a risk if Clonidine isn't used judiciously. Hopefully, it will help others. Good luck!
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@bgm1157 my husband is going to take it for fibrosis in his throat from 14 year old radiation therapy as well as bareolreflex failure and fibrosis around that.
That is interesting. I had SCC cancer too in 2008. I'm am now dealing with BP issues. @ blood pressure simultaneously goes dangerously low and dangerously high in short periods of time? This can happen 2 or 3 times a day. Dangerously high blood pressure can be brought on by simply relaxing too long (resting, reading, watching TV, etc). Dangerously low blood pressure can be brought on by being active too long (yard work, chores, exercising etc). If I am inactive too long and my BP goes too high, I can become active and it will drop. If I am active too long my BP will drop too low, I can become inactive and it will rise. I have been dealing with this for years and I have been to many doctors in this area, but no one has a clue why. Other than the BP issue I'm in good health but it is getting harder to deal with as I age (69).
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1 Reaction@larryhayes, our situation is nearly identical. At 69, I have had to deal with wild swings for years. Unfortunately, our condition is the more difficult one to treat due to the seesaw response to BP meds. The only advice I've found in my research is to manage it for quality of life. There is little chance of getting it completely under control. Emotions and stress like reading about politics or driving in tense conditions can trigger an event.
The research I've read is that for radiation recipients, over time it causes hardening of the arteries, limiting the ability of the baroreceptors to perceive changes in BP. This might explain why it took a decade before the problem showed up for me. The condition can be exacerbated when lying down as it is in my case. Who thinks to check their BP at night?
Hypotension side effects are a bear to deal with, especially when it falls extremely low, wiping me out for the day. Feeling ill and blurred vision are usually indicators I had better check my BP. Surprisingly, laughter causes syncope for me. My wife starts talking politics when I show signs of low BP. I also have Midodrine to help with that.
I monitor for hypertension daily as this is the one with the long-term side effects of organ damage, something that I've already experienced. I've come to accept that this is the new norm and am learning new ways to live with it. I can't just go out and do yard work for hours, and I have to limit stressful situations. This latest protocol I've been using has had a significant impact in managing my BP. Despite a higher level of stress, my BP has been very good lately. The only other change I've made is riding an ebike recently, a very low impact exercise. Time will tell how this will all work out, and I'll likely have to make adjustments. That's life as I know it. Good luck!
Has it helped? My husband has a barrroreflex problem from radiation as well as a swallowing aspiration problem. His swallow DR. At OHSU gave us a prescription for the PENTO protocol but with no monitoring. His blood pressure has been low lately. We are going to have to find someone at OHSU who understands the PENTO protocol. Your combo is interesting. His BP is lowest mid morning after breakfast. I’d love to here more about how you are doing.