sudden high blood pressure?

creseis · 11-14-2012, 08:43 PM

I admittedly do not know much about HBP because it has never been remotely a problem for me. I always have had extremely low blood pressure, bordering on too low, and my doctors always thought my blood in general was stellar. 4 months ago I had my first high blood pressure reading and the nurse was like, "eh, it's probably just today... doesn't matter, don't worry about it." Today, I had a VERY high blood pressure reading, 150/100. How did I go from 110/60 or 110/70 (about 8 months ago and my whole life) to this number???

I have always had a problem with caffeine addiction. I drink a ton of diet coke and coffee. I mean, at least 40 oz diet coke and 2 cups of coffee a day. Plus, I started a new birth control 5 months ago.

I have also noticed that my heart rate has been really funky. I first noticed this after I was taking prednisone, so my doctor and I agreed that it was probably the prednisone. I stopped taking that and after a week I didn't feel it again. However, I have been feeling it lately, like over the last week. I have also had a lot of sinus problems and some female related problems. My new dr thinks it's because of the birth control, but I don't think birth control of any kind can raise blood pressure this much this suddenly.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? What do I do? I feel like all of the doctors are scratching their heads on this one and leading me to empty spaces.

I have vowed to quit caffeine--eliminate diet soda completely and only have 1 cup of coffee in the morning to start with and eventually phase that out.

I am hoping that since I am in induction level low carb, this should help too, right?

I also work out 5-6 days/week. Is there anything else I should consider? There has been a lot of stress in my life, too, but I've always had similar stress, and it's kind of a good stress--very productive.

Ultimately, I've also been in a LOT of pain for a long period of time. Could that be it? Or is there a threshold that I have crossed for all of these things considered?

I am going to call a relative who is an endocrinologist tomorrow to see what he thinks. So frustrating... you feel like you've done everything science and medicine tells you to do and you end up with everything you're not supposed to.

ravenrose · 11-14-2012, 09:53 PM

The woman who writes the Blood Sugar 101 site had trouble with erratic very high blood pressure related to excessive Vitamin D supplementation.

Arctic_Mama · 11-14-2012, 10:10 PM

That is unusual. I'd investigate the birth control (blood pressure/vasoconstriction and clotting changes are known side effects) and any additional meds or supplements you're taking, as those are almost guaranteed to be the culprit. I doubt it would be caffeine, unless you just recently upped your quantities or began drinking it.

LoriWants2Lose · 11-15-2012, 12:09 AM

Pain sends my blood pressure up. When I had my youngest daughter, my BP shot up to 180/something. They were freaking out. Then, I had a car accident once and it did the same thing. I would see if you can alleviate the pain and see if that helps, but if it doesn't come down I would go ahead and get on some meds to help with it until it does. You don't want to let that go for too long. That lower number is pretty high. too.

Leo41 · 11-15-2012, 03:11 AM

I agree that it definitely could be the birth control--sometimes women react to certain brands, and birth control Rx has been known to cause all sorts of effects that often aren't mentioned in the maker's info.

Also, I don't know why you're in constant pain, but pain will always drive up BP. During a gall bladder attack some years ago, I wound up in the ER, and they were concerned I was having a heart attack because my BP was so high--it was caused entirely by the pain I was experiencing.

creseis · 11-15-2012, 04:41 AM

Interesting... I am becoming more convinced it's the BP Rx. I also had gall bladder pain a few years ago, but my BP never went above my usual 110/70 throughout the whole thing. Also, when I broke my back, BP was always low. I am deficient in vit D, so that's not it.

creseis · 11-15-2012, 04:46 AM

And then I looked at the side effects of my BC meds:
Infrequent side effects of Jolessa Oral:
High Blood Pressure Severe

and my first, nasty thought is:
So I *don't* have to quit coffee!!!

clackley · 11-15-2012, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creseis

And then I looked at the side effects of my BC meds:
Infrequent side effects of Jolessa Oral:
High Blood Pressure Severe

and my first, nasty thought is:
So I *don't* have to quit coffee!!!

That would be my thought as well!!

Hope a switch works well for you!

zagnut · 11-15-2012, 05:00 AM

I also have a friend who had a gall bladder attack that sent her BP up to very high levels. I hope you can get it figured out, that would be scary.

Please, whatever you do, rule everything else out before quitting the coffee!! LOL

creseis · 11-15-2012, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zagnut

I also have a friend who had a gall bladder attack that sent her BP up to very high levels. I hope you can get it figured out, that would be scary.

Please, whatever you do, rule everything else out before quitting the coffee!! LOL

I have been using coffee to bribe myself to work every morning for.... decades.. don't know what I would do! I'd end up quitting my job, going on disability, and being a menace to society!

Jennyl · 11-15-2012, 01:53 PM

I recently had to start taking blood pressure medicine. My doctor told me to switch to decaf!! horrors! She also told me to stop using salt

svenskamae · 11-15-2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennyl

I recently had to start taking blood pressure medicine. My doctor told me to switch to decaf!! horrors! She also told me to stop using salt

I don't know your particular situation, but I have read (in Phinney and Volek's books, for example) that people who are eating a low carb diet may need more salt than people eating SAD. Also, if you have given up eating a lot of processed food as part of a low carb WOE, then you are already eating less salt hidden in things like pudding mix and baked goods. And the evidence that cutting back salt helps people with high blood pressure is weak; that seems to help only a minority of people with high blood pressure, according to Barry Groves's book Trick and Treat.

My blood pressure has dropped from high down to normal since I've been eating low carb and losing weight. If you stay on plan and lose weight, you may find that you can reduce your dose of medication or even go off it, eventually--another reason to eat low carb faithfully.

Jennyl · 11-16-2012, 12:41 AM

yes, I'm hoping that my blood pressure may improve while lowcarbing. so far it hasn't though. It's only been about 6 weeks though. I have a LOT of weight to lose, so I hope between low carb and dropping some weight....I might get off the medicine at some point.

creseis · 11-16-2012, 09:33 AM

My mother is still on Atacand for HBP, but she has reduced her dosage in half because of low carbing and being retired (less stress), and her doctor hopes she'll be off of it by the spring.

LoriAS · 11-16-2012, 09:52 AM

I have not read the entire thread just your original post, but I have had the same thing happen to me! I started a new BCP and a few months after my BP was high. Like you I have historically had very great blood pressure readings.

My OB took me off (estrogen based) BCP and within a few months my BP went back down!

She is now recommending a new (progesterone based) BCP. She said that the estrogen based sometimes does that to women who are estrogen sensitive.

Hope this helps!

pink princess · 11-16-2012, 12:45 PM

My husband swapped coffee for barley cup.

I am not sure if you can get it in the US though.

mom23kids · 11-16-2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creseis

And then I looked at the side effects of my BC meds:
Infrequent side effects of Jolessa Oral:
High Blood Pressure Severe

and my first, nasty thought is:
So I *don't* have to quit coffee!!!

Glad you figured it out and

at the coffee!

This spring I ended up in the ER with a blood clot. First thing they asked me was if I was taking bcp at the time (yep). I guess those side affect warnings they include actually do mean something

creseis · 11-16-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoriAS

I have not read the entire thread just your original post, but I have had the same thing happen to me! I started a new BCP and a few months after my BP was high. Like you I have historically had very great blood pressure readings.

My OB took me off (estrogen based) BCP and within a few months my BP went back down!

She is now recommending a new (progesterone based) BCP. She said that the estrogen based sometimes does that to women who are estrogen sensitive.

Hope this helps!

Yes, that's really good to hear. I was worried that my BP might stay high and I might damage my heart. My dr said the same thing about the estrogen based BCP and I'm going on a mostly progesterone drug while I wait for my Lupron to come in, and that of course will open a new can of worms. But yea, good to hear your BP went down, I hope mine does too!! I am surrounding myself with doctors and surgeons this weekend, so if anything goes wrong, they will rescue me!

clackley · 11-16-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennyl

yes, I'm hoping that my blood pressure may improve while lowcarbing. so far it hasn't though. It's only been about 6 weeks though. I have a LOT of weight to lose, so I hope between low carb and dropping some weight....I might get off the medicine at some point.

Took me more than a year to get off b.p. meds.

spoiltmomof2 · 11-16-2012, 06:53 PM

Pain can make your Blood Pressure skyrocket!!

zestytx · 12-31-2012, 05:43 PM

Birth control hormones can raise blood pressure significantly in women who are susceptible.., caffeine and salt are two other things that will affect it... check with your doctor!!

Sharss · 01-04-2013, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creseis

I have been using coffee to bribe myself to work every morning for.... decades.. don't know what I would do! I'd end up quitting my job, going on disability, and being a menace to society!

I don't think coffee has anything to do with HBP. Like you, I had always had low blood pressure and it went flying up to 151. I simply cut back on salt and sugar <- I'm sure sugar had nothing to do with it and I didn't eat that much anyway, but I cut back anyway. BP now normal.

I also started taking potassium three times a day as recommended by Doctors Eades in their book Protein Power. For people on BP medicine, they have to check with their doctor as their medication already has potassium included. Learned that from my son.

For me, apparently it was the salt issue as I don't take medication and never have. I haven't done the estrogen thing either and I'm 70 going on 71 this month.

I did my research back in my 50's and decided against taking it. I do take many vities and always have.

Oh, and like you, I'm a heavy coffee drinker. Love the stuff so can relate.

creseis · 01-15-2013, 06:22 AM

Turns out it was the asthma that caused everything! As soon as I made this realization, independent of any doctors' help, although a savvy intern led me in the right direction, I realized that I forgot I have asthma sometimes. I started taking my albuterol. Next dr's appoint, bp was back to normal and I stopped having problems with exercise.

Note: Doctors are not always going to look at all of the symptoms and come up with the right answer for *you*. In fact, in this situation, they all jumped to the most severe explanations. This is because they are used to seeing patients with severe problems and it is their job to rule out the most awful things first. But that doesn't always solve the problem. Know your own history, and get copies of your medical records each year and keep them on file so you can look at them and make decisions, too, or at least suggestions.

I am such a stubborn scientist that I rarely agree with my doctors anyways, which will probably be to my detriment someday!

Also: after getting my menopause shot (nurse literally had to chase me around the office to give it to me omg it was awful), I am doing SOOO much better.

clackley · 01-15-2013, 06:24 AM

So glad you figured this one out and shared the reason!!

creseis · 01-15-2013, 10:58 AM

yeah and OMG my bloodwork was so perfect, I mean, TEXTBOOK perfect. I was so pleased, especially because it kind of showed that the low carb proof is in the pudding. My blood sugar was 85 exactly, which is what it is supposed to be if your liver is regulating it. And this was NOT after fasting. I ate a big egg and cheese breakfast only an hour or two before they drew blood. And it goes to show that cholesterol levels in *my* blood are NOT affected by eating eggs and cheese and saturated fats. Screw you, medical experts!!! Every other number was exactly what the textbook says it should be ideally. I was happy to be vindicated, even though I was the only one to really notice

However, apparently I won't survive more than 15 minutes during a zombie apocalypse.

11-14-2012, 08:43 PM	#1
creseis Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 897 Gallery: creseis Stats: 163/152/135 WOE: Atkins/Eades's/Volek and Phinney/Attia.. Ketogenic Start Date: Jan 10.2013	sudden high blood pressure? I admittedly do not know much about HBP because it has never been remotely a problem for me. I always have had extremely low blood pressure, bordering on too low, and my doctors always thought my blood in general was stellar. 4 months ago I had my first high blood pressure reading and the nurse was like, "eh, it's probably just today... doesn't matter, don't worry about it." Today, I had a VERY high blood pressure reading, 150/100. How did I go from 110/60 or 110/70 (about 8 months ago and my whole life) to this number??? I have always had a problem with caffeine addiction. I drink a ton of diet coke and coffee. I mean, at least 40 oz diet coke and 2 cups of coffee a day. Plus, I started a new birth control 5 months ago. I have also noticed that my heart rate has been really funky. I first noticed this after I was taking prednisone, so my doctor and I agreed that it was probably the prednisone. I stopped taking that and after a week I didn't feel it again. However, I have been feeling it lately, like over the last week. I have also had a lot of sinus problems and some female related problems. My new dr thinks it's because of the birth control, but I don't think birth control of any kind can raise blood pressure this much this suddenly. Has anyone else had a similar experience? What do I do? I feel like all of the doctors are scratching their heads on this one and leading me to empty spaces. I have vowed to quit caffeine--eliminate diet soda completely and only have 1 cup of coffee in the morning to start with and eventually phase that out. I am hoping that since I am in induction level low carb, this should help too, right? I also work out 5-6 days/week. Is there anything else I should consider? There has been a lot of stress in my life, too, but I've always had similar stress, and it's kind of a good stress--very productive. Ultimately, I've also been in a LOT of pain for a long period of time. Could that be it? Or is there a threshold that I have crossed for all of these things considered? I am going to call a relative who is an endocrinologist tomorrow to see what he thinks. So frustrating... you feel like you've done everything science and medicine tells you to do and you end up with everything you're not supposed to.

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11-14-2012, 09:53 PM	#2
ravenrose . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 9,172 Gallery: ravenrose Stats: lost 130 lb so far, and miles to go before I sleep WOE: low carb controlled calorie Start Date: June, 2009	The woman who writes the Blood Sugar 101 site had trouble with erratic very high blood pressure related to excessive Vitamin D supplementation.

11-14-2012, 10:10 PM	#3
Arctic_Mama Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,778 Gallery: Arctic_Mama Stats: 257/163/140 WOE: Atkins 2002 Start Date: R1 12/11, R2 3/12	That is unusual. I'd investigate the birth control (blood pressure/vasoconstriction and clotting changes are known side effects) and any additional meds or supplements you're taking, as those are almost guaranteed to be the culprit. I doubt it would be caffeine, unless you just recently upped your quantities or began drinking it.

11-15-2012, 12:09 AM	#4
LoriWants2Lose Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere my imagination takes me Posts: 2,425 Gallery: LoriWants2Lose Stats: 228.6/192/155 WOE: Atkins Start Date: October 12, 2012	Pain sends my blood pressure up. When I had my youngest daughter, my BP shot up to 180/something. They were freaking out. Then, I had a car accident once and it did the same thing. I would see if you can alleviate the pain and see if that helps, but if it doesn't come down I would go ahead and get on some meds to help with it until it does. You don't want to let that go for too long. That lower number is pretty high. too.

11-15-2012, 03:11 AM	#5
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,458 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	I agree that it definitely could be the birth control--sometimes women react to certain brands, and birth control Rx has been known to cause all sorts of effects that often aren't mentioned in the maker's info. Also, I don't know why you're in constant pain, but pain will always drive up BP. During a gall bladder attack some years ago, I wound up in the ER, and they were concerned I was having a heart attack because my BP was so high--it was caused entirely by the pain I was experiencing.

11-15-2012, 04:41 AM	#6
creseis Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 897 Gallery: creseis Stats: 163/152/135 WOE: Atkins/Eades's/Volek and Phinney/Attia.. Ketogenic Start Date: Jan 10.2013	Interesting... I am becoming more convinced it's the BP Rx. I also had gall bladder pain a few years ago, but my BP never went above my usual 110/70 throughout the whole thing. Also, when I broke my back, BP was always low. I am deficient in vit D, so that's not it.

11-15-2012, 04:46 AM	#7
creseis Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 897 Gallery: creseis Stats: 163/152/135 WOE: Atkins/Eades's/Volek and Phinney/Attia.. Ketogenic Start Date: Jan 10.2013	And then I looked at the side effects of my BC meds: Infrequent side effects of Jolessa Oral: High Blood Pressure Severe and my first, nasty thought is: So I don't have to quit coffee!!!

11-15-2012, 05:00 AM	#9
zagnut Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 678 Gallery: zagnut Stats: 143/119/118 WOE: LC/JUDDD Start Date: 5/24/12-LC 12/1/12-LC JUDDD	I also have a friend who had a gall bladder attack that sent her BP up to very high levels. I hope you can get it figured out, that would be scary. Please, whatever you do, rule everything else out before quitting the coffee!! LOL

11-15-2012, 01:53 PM	#11
Jennyl Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: GTA Posts: 45,143 Gallery: Jennyl Start Date: manana	I recently had to start taking blood pressure medicine. My doctor told me to switch to decaf!! horrors! She also told me to stop using salt

11-16-2012, 12:41 AM	#13
Jennyl Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: GTA Posts: 45,143 Gallery: Jennyl Start Date: manana	yes, I'm hoping that my blood pressure may improve while lowcarbing. so far it hasn't though. It's only been about 6 weeks though. I have a LOT of weight to lose, so I hope between low carb and dropping some weight....I might get off the medicine at some point.

11-16-2012, 09:33 AM	#14
creseis Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 897 Gallery: creseis Stats: 163/152/135 WOE: Atkins/Eades's/Volek and Phinney/Attia.. Ketogenic Start Date: Jan 10.2013	My mother is still on Atacand for HBP, but she has reduced her dosage in half because of low carbing and being retired (less stress), and her doctor hopes she'll be off of it by the spring.

11-16-2012, 09:52 AM	#15
LoriAS Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 831 Gallery: LoriAS Stats: 218.2/162.8/150 (really 128) WOE: Atkins Start Date: 9/17/12	I have not read the entire thread just your original post, but I have had the same thing happen to me! I started a new BCP and a few months after my BP was high. Like you I have historically had very great blood pressure readings. My OB took me off (estrogen based) BCP and within a few months my BP went back down! She is now recommending a new (progesterone based) BCP. She said that the estrogen based sometimes does that to women who are estrogen sensitive. Hope this helps!

11-16-2012, 12:45 PM	#16
pink princess Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: North East England Posts: 115 Gallery: pink princess Stats: 140/115/125 WOE: LC Start Date: 24th Oct 11	My husband swapped coffee for barley cup. I am not sure if you can get it in the US though.

11-16-2012, 06:53 PM	#20
spoiltmomof2 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: TX Posts: 510 Gallery: spoiltmomof2 Stats: 230/164/138 WOE: Lap Band/LC	Pain can make your Blood Pressure skyrocket!!

12-31-2012, 05:43 PM	#21
zestytx Junior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2 Gallery: zestytx	Birth control hormones can raise blood pressure significantly in women who are susceptible.., caffeine and salt are two other things that will affect it... check with your doctor!!

01-15-2013, 06:22 AM	#23
creseis Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 897 Gallery: creseis Stats: 163/152/135 WOE: Atkins/Eades's/Volek and Phinney/Attia.. Ketogenic Start Date: Jan 10.2013	Turns out it was the asthma that caused everything! As soon as I made this realization, independent of any doctors' help, although a savvy intern led me in the right direction, I realized that I forgot I have asthma sometimes. I started taking my albuterol. Next dr's appoint, bp was back to normal and I stopped having problems with exercise. Note: Doctors are not always going to look at all of the symptoms and come up with the right answer for you. In fact, in this situation, they all jumped to the most severe explanations. This is because they are used to seeing patients with severe problems and it is their job to rule out the most awful things first. But that doesn't always solve the problem. Know your own history, and get copies of your medical records each year and keep them on file so you can look at them and make decisions, too, or at least suggestions. I am such a stubborn scientist that I rarely agree with my doctors anyways, which will probably be to my detriment someday! Also: after getting my menopause shot (nurse literally had to chase me around the office to give it to me omg it was awful), I am doing SOOO much better.

01-15-2013, 06:24 AM	#24
clackley Chatty Cathy Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,205 Gallery: clackley Stats: 228.5/168/125 WOE: N.K.=vlc/hf/moderate protein & organic/pastured Start Date: Restart Oct 18 2009	So glad you figured this one out and shared the reason!!

01-15-2013, 10:58 AM	#25
creseis Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 897 Gallery: creseis Stats: 163/152/135 WOE: Atkins/Eades's/Volek and Phinney/Attia.. Ketogenic Start Date: Jan 10.2013	yeah and OMG my bloodwork was so perfect, I mean, TEXTBOOK perfect. I was so pleased, especially because it kind of showed that the low carb proof is in the pudding. My blood sugar was 85 exactly, which is what it is supposed to be if your liver is regulating it. And this was NOT after fasting. I ate a big egg and cheese breakfast only an hour or two before they drew blood. And it goes to show that cholesterol levels in my blood are NOT affected by eating eggs and cheese and saturated fats. Screw you, medical experts!!! Every other number was exactly what the textbook says it should be ideally. I was happy to be vindicated, even though I was the only one to really notice However, apparently I won't survive more than 15 minutes during a zombie apocalypse.