why is my blood pressure going up at night

[Vanessa74]

Thanks Beth,

That is VERY encouraging information Gives me some HOPE that I can beat this too and get off these meds -- I too feel they are actually making me WORSE.... The Toprol causing the breathing problems, and the ACID problems, which makes me have to be on an asthma medications and a PPI all which cause me OTHER side effects.... A vicious cycle.

Thanks again - I feel HOPEFUL again!!! Now if I could just get over that HEADACHE -- I could get OFF this Toprol!!!!

Nessa

[Rhonda9080]

Hi Bethsheba--everything you are saying makes a lot of sense! I also have gained 40 pounds once on these new BP meds--in about a year and a half. I also have hives on my upper shoulders and back continually, but when the Dr tried to switch me, I had such terrible chest pains I decided to keep taking these meds--Cartia and Toprol. Before toprol, I was having a continual pulse rate of 125 to 160--even in my sleep. Now that seems to be under control.
I switched just 3 weeks ago back to a whole grain and low sodium diet. I am watching my calories some but my main goal is getting off of processed foods because of the sodium.
I wish I could get to a place where I don't need the meds.
Its funny but I have had these symptoms every night pretty much since I started the natural diet. I do take some supplements like fish oil, flax seed, calcium, magnisium and zinc. I have stopped, then re-added each one to see if they are causing the problem, but none seem to make any impact either way.
I wondered about the sodium. I have reduced it to about 1000 to 1600 ml per day. I have been tracking my potassium intake and saw that it was much lower so I have been supplementing with a bit of the No Salt potassium. I hate the taste, but it has gotten my intake up to recommended levels. Of course, there's no way to know what I am absorbing.
I wish I could put my finger on it. I want so badly to be healthy and be able to run and play with my little granddaughter.
I thank you for you help and interest.
Rhonda

[bethsheba]

Originally Posted by Vanessa74;3***268

Thanks Beth,

That is VERY encouraging information

You're welcome, Vanessa. But hypertension is a SYMPTOM because it is caused by many different things...so everyone has to find their own solution, or at least a solution they can live with.

...Gives me some HOPE that I can beat this too and get off these meds

Given your age, I would think you would be able to do so providing you find the cause of your hypertension.

...-- I too feel they are actually making me WORSE.... The Toprol causing the breathing problems, and the ACID problems, which makes me have to be on an asthma medications and a PPI all which cause me OTHER side effects.... A vicious cycle.

Yes, it is a very, very viscious cycle. Although I have no proof that the medication side effects elevated my pressures, I have read of medical research that "proves" that sleep disturbances can elevate pressures. Clinical studies have revealed that some (in my opinion "many") medications interfere with sleep. It that's the case, then I am assuming that medications that interfer with sleep, even if they are anti hypertensive medications, can elevate pressures. However, this is an assumption on my part!

...Thanks again - I feel HOPEFUL again!!! Now if I could just get over that HEADACHE -- I could get OFF this Toprol!!!!

Nessa

Nessa, you can get off of the toprol...if Flowergirl (and others) could get rid of a monster headache, you can too!! But get as much info about how to do it, what to expect, etc. before you start tapering off.

Hope is everything...although many of us have gotten discouraged along the way, we are a tenacious bunch...and as a result we find more answers and sometimes solutions to our wellbeing.

Keep looking, Vanessa. I am confident you will find a treatment/cure that works for you.

Bethsheba

[bethsheba]

Originally Posted by Rhonda9080;3***269

... I also have gained 40 pounds once on these new BP meds--in about a year and a half.

If it's any consolation, I lost 25 pounds this past year with no changes in exercise or diet (except for switching to skim milk). I attribute the loss to sleeping normal hours (8 versus 16-20) and returning to normal activity levels. I'm now at a plateau (just over 200 pounds) so I will have to actually work at losing weight,

...but when the Dr tried to switch me, I had such terrible chest pains I decided to keep taking these meds--Cartia and Toprol.

Are you sure the chest pain wasn't due to the medication or withdrawal of the medication? I have no heart condition, but when I was on a ccb, I experienced chest pains...haven't had those pains since.

...I switched just 3 weeks ago back to a whole grain and low sodium diet. I am watching my calories some but my main goal is getting off of processed foods because of the sodium.

Sounds like a worthy goal...whole grains will help reduce your cholesterol levels, too, which in turn will keep your blood pressure lower.

...Its funny but I have had these symptoms every night pretty much since I started the natural diet. I do take some supplements like fish oil, flax seed, calcium, magnisium and zinc.

It may be a coincidence that your symptoms became prominent at that time...or it may mean there is a connection. If you had listed potassium, I would definitely suspect a connection. I remember taking supplements, too (with the doctor's knowlege)...but they didn't help. The DASH researchers studies suggested the same thing...supplements, generally, don't help. BUT foods with the nutrients you mention do help. The scientists speculate that it's not the nutrients but the combination of nutrients, fiber, and lots and lots of other things found in food that work together to reduce bp.

...I have reduced it to about 1000 to 1600 ml per day.

I don't remember what the DASH guidelines are...you might want to check.

... Of course, there's no way to know what I am absorbing....

Excellent point. But you should have some idea if you're on the right path if your doctor does routine lab tests....oh, and do make sure your doctor and pharmacist know about the supplements.

Take care, Rhonda.

Bethsheba

[Rhonda9080]

Beth and Vanessa--Thank you so much for taking the time to read my rambling post and respond! I am just really worried right now. I don't want to got back into the hospital, and I want to get off meds. I actually have had pretty good luck with toprol--nothing really bad in the way of strange symptoms, but the cartia is a real drag--especially the wieght gain and the hives. The other medications have been much worse though!
As you were saying--I can realy tell my 24 hr cycle is a big factor. I have always been more of the night person--which I attribute to my parents always working at night as well.
I felt really horrible today until about 6 p.m., and it was just like a light bulb went on and I was able to get up and clean house, go about many more regular tasks than I had earlier in the day.
I am also very alergic to some meds and chemicals and I am wondering if somehow what I am having is an allergic response to something. My basic heart damage first occurred when I was put on Naproxen many years ago and I kept having severe heart palpatations and finally stopped breahting and had to be recesitated. I had told my doctor repeatedly that I thought there was some problem with the medication, but he wouldn't hear me until I pretty much died in the floor!
I have gone throught this with the thalium dye for a stress test (chest nearly exploded before I passed out) and other meds. Thus, I am more than a little leary of the medical community, although I did have a pretty great cardiologist now. He is a specialist in heart rhthyms and does watch more carefully for drug interactions, ect.
I also just eliminated a dish soap I've been using for about 3 weeks that has broken my hands out. There are so many things it could be!
If I keep up this more healthy diet, as I did before, and I start gradually being able to add more exercise, maybe I can lick this. What you said about getting reglar sleep may also be a key. I rarely get more than about 6 hours at a stretch, although I do nap if I can with my little granddaghter, but it isn't always possible.
I also just got over step throat and I wondered if that could be a factor.
Thank you for giving me some encouragement and hope!
I hope tonight is not a repeat of last night. Right now, BP is 127/80.