Postural orthostatic hypotension: How is it treated?

Posted by Henrietta Pilcher @hpilcher1, Jul 20, 2016

Has anyone had effective treatment for this disorder? I am treated with beta-blocker and Florinef that is causing side effect of disabling fatigue and not being able to function normally, being unable to walk, or to drive a car, and is completely disabling. Has anyone found a reason for this disabling condition?

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Profile picture for anet @anet

My husband has been having times when his blood pressure drops very low when he stands up. He was on midrodine for a short time, but then it got too high. This seems to be a complicated situation to deal with. Has anyone ever been to Mayo Clinic for help?

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Same situation with the midrodine. It worked well for a while, but like you said BP started creeping back up. He does not want to take the midrodine so our doctor working on some other things. It IS very complicated. The doctors don’t seem to know what to do. And we have 3. PCP, cardiologist and nephrologist.

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Profile picture for anet @anet

Does anyone have blood pressure that is up and down?

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I am 78 years old and my Blood Pressure goes up and down. Last month at my Primary DoctorOffice my BP was 92/67. He asked if I was dizzy or light headed and I am not…At times my BP will go up to 140/80… This has been going on for a couple years now.. doctors are not concerned because I am not dizzy. I had some imaging done recently on my upper spine and it showed a mass on my Thyroid and I have an appointment at Mayo Clinic with an Endocrinologist and wander it this has something to do with my BP going up and down. I just bought a BP machine to check it at home since it went down to 92/67. Many times after I swim in the am and get home I just get very tired, kind of spacey and have to lay down. I feel like my BP is low…and that is why a got BP Sleeve to check at home. I only take Eliquis 5mg twice a day for medication.

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I was put on medicine for postural hypotension when I was younger, I don't remember but I was told that I was "like a zombie" I was told I couldn't function. I have never used medicine for it since and I think I'm fine just a feue big episodes here and their over the years.

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I have orthostatic hypotension and would like to find any successful treatments for this ?

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Profile picture for pam6426 @pam6426

I have orthostatic hypotension and would like to find any successful treatments for this ?

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Hello @pam6426. I moved your discussion and combined it with a discussion titled, "Postural orthostatic hypotension: How is it treated?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/postural-orthostatic-hypotension/.

Here you can read through some of the treatments and experiences other members have gone through. @gardenlady1116, @ajh5285, @gsu and @anet all shared their experiences and may have some insight to share with you.

@pam6426 - what sort of treatment have you tried or gone through?

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I am 66 and have had trouble being light headed from sitting to standing since probably in my 40's or more. I had to at times at work hang on to the wall until it passes. I find now that I'm older it's getting worse. I have to hold onto something and my one hand starts to shake. It goes away once the light headedness passes. I also find I feel short of breath when it happens. I am just going thru my dr on my BP from sitting to standing. It's weird my home BP machine works sitting but when I standup it pressures up but goes all the way to bottom and errors out so can't get it standing up. It's the Enron machine everyone buys. I also have low sodium levels. I drink water. I'm so tired of feeling crappy. Now last 3 times I got sick once I passed out, once I was disoriented and the other I don't remember the day

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Profile picture for youngforever @youngforever

I am 66 and have had trouble being light headed from sitting to standing since probably in my 40's or more. I had to at times at work hang on to the wall until it passes. I find now that I'm older it's getting worse. I have to hold onto something and my one hand starts to shake. It goes away once the light headedness passes. I also find I feel short of breath when it happens. I am just going thru my dr on my BP from sitting to standing. It's weird my home BP machine works sitting but when I standup it pressures up but goes all the way to bottom and errors out so can't get it standing up. It's the Enron machine everyone buys. I also have low sodium levels. I drink water. I'm so tired of feeling crappy. Now last 3 times I got sick once I passed out, once I was disoriented and the other I don't remember the day

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Welcome to Connect, @youngforever. After dealing with lightheadedness when you stand for so many years, I can understand being tired of feeling this way, especially now that it seems to be getting worse.

You mentioned that your doctor is checking your blood pressure from sitting to standing. I also want to make sure I understood the last part of your post. During your last three illnesses, you passed out once, were disoriented another time, and there was another day you don’t remember. Does your doctor know about each of those episodes, as well as the shortness of breath and shaking you experience when you become lightheaded?

What is your doctor having you do next to evaluate what is happening?

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Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

Welcome to Connect, @youngforever. After dealing with lightheadedness when you stand for so many years, I can understand being tired of feeling this way, especially now that it seems to be getting worse.

You mentioned that your doctor is checking your blood pressure from sitting to standing. I also want to make sure I understood the last part of your post. During your last three illnesses, you passed out once, were disoriented another time, and there was another day you don’t remember. Does your doctor know about each of those episodes, as well as the shortness of breath and shaking you experience when you become lightheaded?

What is your doctor having you do next to evaluate what is happening?

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@jlharsh I'm not sure I go tomorrow. I have to add salt to my food. I might have to start using compression socks so the blood doesn't pool in my legs when sitting. My old dr who has retired end of March just said as long as your hand quits shaking which it does once my light headedness passes. Yes I mentioned about when I get sick he is new so will see if he takes me serious or pass it off. I dread getting sick in winter now because this stuff is happening it's scary

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Profile picture for youngforever @youngforever

@jlharsh I'm not sure I go tomorrow. I have to add salt to my food. I might have to start using compression socks so the blood doesn't pool in my legs when sitting. My old dr who has retired end of March just said as long as your hand quits shaking which it does once my light headedness passes. Yes I mentioned about when I get sick he is new so will see if he takes me serious or pass it off. I dread getting sick in winter now because this stuff is happening it's scary

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@youngforever
Will you come back and provide an update after you visit with your doctor tomorrow?

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