1. < Kidney & Bladder

Is Low Diastolic Blood Pressure common with Stage 3 or 4 CKD?

Posted by Julie Chitwood @billchitwood, Jul 29, 2021

Bill has CKD. Has been on Atenolol for decades and it has keep his BP at a great range. However, we recently noticed that his BP has been dropping really low sometimes during the day, especially the diastolic (in 50s, 40s, and one day 34 diastolic. Then later it will go back to fairly normal or at least 114/60. Is this common with Stage 3 or 4 CKD? He has also been suffering from chronic diarrhea lately (once or twice a day a couple of times a week). He is 88. Doesn't want to go to doctor and have more meds as he is already on 8 prescriptions and several OTC. Has been suffering from fatigue for several years that doctors indicate they can't do anything for. Has an enlarged prostate (which coud have brought on the kidney problem along with old age?).

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 26, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "He has started talking in his sleep, which he never did before. He also called me..." + (show)
@billchitwood

He has started talking in his sleep, which he never did before. He also called me outside because people were saying 'your sister is sick'. This happened several days last week. I heard a couple of birds chirping.

We accepted an offer on our home. Moving is so stressful!

Jump to this post

Ah Julie, another hurdle to overcome! Have you decided where you will move?
Is it time for more help with Bill? The hallucinations sound like a worsening symptom - my dear friend with CKD used to get those as his very first indication of a urinary tract infection - have you had him checked?
I know you must be so very busy, but how are you doing these days?
You are often in my thoughts these days.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Mar 26, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Ah Julie, another hurdle to overcome! Have you decided where you will move? Is it time..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Ah Julie, another hurdle to overcome! Have you decided where you will move?
Is it time for more help with Bill? The hallucinations sound like a worsening symptom - my dear friend with CKD used to get those as his very first indication of a urinary tract infection - have you had him checked?
I know you must be so very busy, but how are you doing these days?
You are often in my thoughts these days.
Sue

Jump to this post

We are moving in with our daughter - who lives 6 miles away. She knows what she is getting into as she went through it with her husband. Yesterday he wanted to go live with his son - without me - as I wasn't paying enough attention to him. I was trying to organize things for moving lol.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 27, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "We are moving in with our daughter - who lives 6 miles away. She knows what..." + (show)
@billchitwood

We are moving in with our daughter - who lives 6 miles away. She knows what she is getting into as she went through it with her husband. Yesterday he wanted to go live with his son - without me - as I wasn't paying enough attention to him. I was trying to organize things for moving lol.

Jump to this post

I am so happy for you! But still you face the daunting task of downsizing, packing, and parting with your private space and probably many possessions. Any chance you can physically move yourselves before closing on the house? Then you can go back and finish the job without stressing him out.
Good luck with the transition!
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Mar 27, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "I am so happy for you! But still you face the daunting task of downsizing, packing,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I am so happy for you! But still you face the daunting task of downsizing, packing, and parting with your private space and probably many possessions. Any chance you can physically move yourselves before closing on the house? Then you can go back and finish the job without stressing him out.
Good luck with the transition!
Sue

Jump to this post

Fortunately I've downsized a lot. When we moved here over two years ago all I got to bring was what would fit in the car - including Bill, our kitty and her stuff (carrier, litter, food, water, toys, treats) and me! Our kids brought things back that we had actually given them 3 moves before - mostly financial papers that I get to toss since over 7 year IRS requirement - yeah! As soon as Robin has the garage organized (she doesn't want me to rent a storage place) we will start transferring things over each time she comes over here. I make it as easy on Bill as possible. Much easier on me.

REPLY
momzrule17 | @momzrule17 | Apr 19, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "I did and it can also be related to low Thyroid. Some years ago he was..." + (show)
@billchitwood

I did and it can also be related to low Thyroid. Some years ago he was put on med for low thyroid - just in the past year his blood test showed low TSH at .31 - so apparently the med isn't helping as much. When they did a knee reflex test on him he had no reaction in either knee. A few years ago was diagosed with a valve problem in his right leg. Treated for years for high BP, which was kept in a very good range, until recently when it has dropped, especially the diastolic. Also treated for gout, which he has suffered from since he was in his 30s, but now kept under control with med (actually no attacks after right hip replaced in 1999). Has always had sleep problems and taken sleeping pills. On anti-stress meds as well. Some confusion and often doesn't make it to the bathroom in time! Complete fatigue. Trip to and from the bathroom completely wipes him out and a shower is even worse. Seems like every day something new - now it is an itchy back. Has also had chronic back pain in the kidney area for some time. In the past two months has chronic diarrhea. Last blood test in Nov of last year showed him at GFR 55 while the one in July of 2020 showed GFR of 42.7 (likes to jump back and forth). Thank you for your help and just letting me ramble. Julie

Jump to this post

Sorry for his medical issues. My GFR has been about 30 since a bad reaction to radioactive iodine used on a CT scan but I don't have the intense itching some do which can be caused by faulty liver function. I really think that a medicine review would be in definitely be in order and some basic blood work. He may be over medicated. As we age our liver and kidneys can no longer process the larger amounts of medication. I had to drastically reduce my gout medicine and my gout remains OK. I also had to stop beta blockers (lost my hair after taking them). I do take a pee pill but if he is having trouble moving that might not be the best idea. And I just went to my cardiologist and he told me that low diastolic readings are normal as we age. Sometimes mine hits 40. If he has trouble sleeping does he use a CPAP? I fought the notion but I no longer have to take sleeping pills to stay asleep. Those have a LOT of bad consequences. Good luck and I will be praying for better health for both of you.

REPLY
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Jun 28, 2022

Bill has started seeing doctors - first 2 visits showed BP at 92/58. An EKG has his heart beat at 58 BPM.
Blood tests show his GFR at 47; calcium low; B12 (first time checked) very high at 1400; also showed vitamin D high at 53 ng/ml; low hemoglobin; low Erythrocytes; high RBC Distrib Width; and high MCV. I'm guessing these are all connected to his CKD? He is also suffering from dementia and CVI. We still have to set the appointment for the CKD and Urologist but they aren't doing appointment settings until after the July 4th weekend.

He has also had about 5 falls in the past 1 1/2 months, last two requiring 911 in order to get him up.

We moved in with our daughter as I couldn't take care of him by myself. Good days and bad. When he was told he could no longer drive by the doctor he insisted the doctor told him he was good to drive. No way! Yesterday his driver's license was switched out for an ID card when we got a handicap parking tag for him. I also sold the car as I shouldn't be driving either as reflexes just aren't that good. So far he hasn't noticed.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 28, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "Bill has started seeing doctors - first 2 visits showed BP at 92/58. An EKG has..." + (show)
@billchitwood

Bill has started seeing doctors - first 2 visits showed BP at 92/58. An EKG has his heart beat at 58 BPM.
Blood tests show his GFR at 47; calcium low; B12 (first time checked) very high at 1400; also showed vitamin D high at 53 ng/ml; low hemoglobin; low Erythrocytes; high RBC Distrib Width; and high MCV. I'm guessing these are all connected to his CKD? He is also suffering from dementia and CVI. We still have to set the appointment for the CKD and Urologist but they aren't doing appointment settings until after the July 4th weekend.

He has also had about 5 falls in the past 1 1/2 months, last two requiring 911 in order to get him up.

We moved in with our daughter as I couldn't take care of him by myself. Good days and bad. When he was told he could no longer drive by the doctor he insisted the doctor told him he was good to drive. No way! Yesterday his driver's license was switched out for an ID card when we got a handicap parking tag for him. I also sold the car as I shouldn't be driving either as reflexes just aren't that good. So far he hasn't noticed.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the update. Are you finding life a bit easier these days with a little more help?
I know you are still Bill's main caregiver, but at least you have some support, and I hope someone to talk to.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Jun 28, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Thanks for the update. Are you finding life a bit easier these days with a little..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Thanks for the update. Are you finding life a bit easier these days with a little more help?
I know you are still Bill's main caregiver, but at least you have some support, and I hope someone to talk to.
Sue

Jump to this post

It is much easier. And Robin is a good cook. Bill is even eating as he doesn't want to disappoint her. Me he could say no to lol.
She has also introduced me to Pilates and I'm really enjoying them. We go early and generally are home before Bill wakes up. He is getting more settled - a lot of anger when we first moved. When he would fall he would start swearing at us. Robin took it better than I did. Since his last appointment he is doing better. Even going along with changing his Depends (for a while it was a battle getting him out of the wet ones). Will enjoy while it lasts. We created a TV den for him, with another lift chair. He is enjoying watching movies. Forgets he just saw the same movie so gets to enjoy it again the next day. The cats all love to get in his lap and he gives them treats and sings to them. The stack of stuff behind him came from Robin's office (now the Bill cave) and we still have to find a place to put it.
REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 29, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "It is much easier. And Robin is a good cook. Bill is even eating as he..." + (show)
@billchitwood

It is much easier. And Robin is a good cook. Bill is even eating as he doesn't want to disappoint her. Me he could say no to lol.
She has also introduced me to Pilates and I'm really enjoying them. We go early and generally are home before Bill wakes up. He is getting more settled - a lot of anger when we first moved. When he would fall he would start swearing at us. Robin took it better than I did. Since his last appointment he is doing better. Even going along with changing his Depends (for a while it was a battle getting him out of the wet ones). Will enjoy while it lasts. We created a TV den for him, with another lift chair. He is enjoying watching movies. Forgets he just saw the same movie so gets to enjoy it again the next day. The cats all love to get in his lap and he gives them treats and sings to them. The stack of stuff behind him came from Robin's office (now the Bill cave) and we still have to find a place to put it.

Jump to this post

I am so glad it is working for both of you. Isn't it great to have a family member who can step in and help? And I love that you are able to get out and get some time to stretch and feel alive again, rather than just try to survive each day.
Sue

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 29, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "It is much easier. And Robin is a good cook. Bill is even eating as he..." + (show)
@billchitwood

It is much easier. And Robin is a good cook. Bill is even eating as he doesn't want to disappoint her. Me he could say no to lol.
She has also introduced me to Pilates and I'm really enjoying them. We go early and generally are home before Bill wakes up. He is getting more settled - a lot of anger when we first moved. When he would fall he would start swearing at us. Robin took it better than I did. Since his last appointment he is doing better. Even going along with changing his Depends (for a while it was a battle getting him out of the wet ones). Will enjoy while it lasts. We created a TV den for him, with another lift chair. He is enjoying watching movies. Forgets he just saw the same movie so gets to enjoy it again the next day. The cats all love to get in his lap and he gives them treats and sings to them. The stack of stuff behind him came from Robin's office (now the Bill cave) and we still have to find a place to put it.

Jump to this post

How great you have Robin around! Kudos to both you and her for being flexible and making all this work for now. It's certainly a challenge on a daily basis.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.