Very low blood pressure

Posted by meryw @meryw, Nov 7 4:59pm

I recently started taking lamictal 25mg once a day and after about a week I started to feel lightheaded all day long. I decided to keep taking it as sometimes side effects wear off and I really need this medication. After two weeks I started experiencing symptoms of very low blood pressure at night, severe dizziness especially when standing up from sitting or lying down. I stopped taking the lamictal 3 days ago but I still have the same symptoms. My doctor couldn’t see me until December 7th so she put me on midodrine. I’ve had low blood pressure pretty much my whole life and have taken this medication in the past but stopped because I felt it was making me dizzy. Should I try it again? Is there a better alternative? If I drink massive amounts of water it gets better but I know that’s not a great solution. Should I go to Urgent Care?

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gloaming | @gloaming | Nov 7 6:31pm

We can't recommend an alternative drug as we are not physicians, but we also know nothing of your blood analysis, medical history, co-morbidities, allergies, etc. You really have little choice but to take the prescribed medicine in the dosage prescribed, but make it easy for you to get to the local ER ASAP if you begin to experience symptoms that are alarming. The ER will listen to you, perhaps have some access to your records if a copy is posted on state medical databases, and be able to treat and to advise you of any changes to your prescription that they recommend.

Yes, go to urgent care if you are alarmed due to undesired changes shortly after taking a prescribed drug. Take a list of medications that you are taking under prescription, and include supplements.

windyshores | @windyshores | Nov 7 7:12pm

How low does your blood pressure go? I have low bp normally. I hear you about drinking water: i should drink a lot more. I put apple juice in it.

One of my kids takes Lamictal for a seizure disorder. I believe it is used for that, for migraines, mood stabilization and some other neuro issues. Is there an alternative medication that you could try? I understand if not: Lamictal was the only one possible for my kid after trying a lot of others.

ps As I remember my kid had to start at a very low dose after having some reactions to the 25mg. They titrated up slowly so that their body could accommodate. Do you think you could start at, say, 5mg (my kid started at 2.5mg as I remember) and increase over time? In consultation with your doctor of course.

meryw | @meryw | Nov 8 4:36am

In reply to @gloaming "We can't recommend an alternative drug as we are not physicians, but we also know nothing..." + (show)

Thank you so much for your kind reply!

meryw | @meryw | Nov 8 4:38am

In reply to @windyshores "How low does your blood pressure go? I have low bp normally. I hear you about..." + (show)

Thank you so much for your support. I will definitely talk to my doctor about starting on a lower dose of the medication and titrating up very slowly.

mikereed1946 | @mikereed1946 | 5 days ago

Droxidopa (formerly Northera) is another drug designed to raise blood pressure. It is very expensive, but if you get through Mark Cuban Cost Plus pharmacy it is VERY much cheaper than anywhere else. Google it!

meryw | @meryw | 4 days ago

In reply to @windyshores "How low does your blood pressure go? I have low bp normally. I hear you about..." + (show)

Not sure how low my blood pressure is going but it’s normally about 90/40 so I don’t have much room to play around. I bought an at home monitor but it got so tight taking the reading that I had horrible pain. I have fibromyalgia so I can’t take stuff like that. I just bought a regular cuff on Amazon (already have a stethoscope) so I figured I can watch some You Tube videos and figure out how to take it myself.

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