So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Back when I did my IVF cycle in July of last year the RE's office took my BP. They felt it was high and made me go to my GP to get it tested there before starting me on my BCPs with the thinking that if it was still hig they'd put me on BP medication. My GP took it and said it was 'fine' and 'within range'. So no BP meds were given.
Fast forward to day of retrieval... I arrived at my RE's office (after sitting in traffic for over an hour, afraid I was going to miss my appointment, and on top of that knowing I was getting an IV, besides the actual retrieval- which all made me really nervous, worried, etc...)
They take my BP and it's high..... really high according to them. I get changed and wait b/c there are ppl in front of me (right Mishmosh? ) and during the waiting it goes down some.
They took my BP and felt it was ok to start the IV. Once the IV comes out and the anestesiologist starts trying to put it in my hand, my BP shot back up again- I knew it would.
So whatever happens, I wake up from retrieval and the first thing my Dr. says to me is your bp remained elevated throughout your entire retrieval- go back to your GP and get put on BP meds... Wouldn't you know of course by the time I left his office the OR nurse took my vitals, and told me my bp was normal and fine. It was ALL from stress...
So I decided that I should get on a BP pill sooner than later... but my GP will not prescribe me anything or even meet with me when I had to have the methotrexate. I was sick- I had to suck it up... now it's out of my system and I went back to get put on a BP pill. They once again said it was w/in range (my mom thought it was slightly higher) and the nurse didn't think my dr. would put me on a pill. I explained everything to her- she shared w/ the dr. and they called me to ask for my RE/nurses's #s so they could figure this out. I have paid copays and numerous phone calls- and what is the outcome? NOTHING!!! They can't all seem to agree on a pill that I should be on, so they want me to watch my salt intake. Funny they'd go from telling me I don't need to be put on meds and then have this as a reason... Problem is, I don't add salt to things- except once in a blue moon on a holiday if we're having mashed potatoes or something. I have been eating bland foods b/c of the metformin as much as possible- and sticking to proteins, etc... which I don't add salt to. Ugh... this is so frustrating. I'm fine to not be on BP pills, if I don't need to be obviously, but why go through all of this then???
Sorry, just needed to vent and wanted to find out how everyone elses BP is... and out of curiousity if you're on a BP pill... what are you on? B/c they told me there was only 1 pill on the market they could give me and it's VERY old! So the dr. was hesitant to do that....

Message edited 1/26/2009 1:43:44 PM.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

My blood pressure is almost always 110/70...sometimes it's gone as high as 118/80, but that's the max.
I know my SIL is on blood pressure meds that they are switching around because she is trying to get PG.
Maybe get a second opinion from a GP?

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

I am on Aldomet, its the only safe BP drug that you can be on when you are trying for a baby. My OB told me that on the list of potency it is rated on the very very low side.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Shannon, sorry for your added stress to an already stressful situation!

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Sorry you are having a rough day. They really seem to have a hard time deciding anything for you, don't they? I feel badly.

My BP hasn't been taken in ages and am now left worrying about how it will be on retrieval day... Uh-oh... I guess I'll throw out the rest of the salty chicken fingers I have leftover from lunch.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

I don't understand why your GP can't put you on it even though its an older medication? What's the big deal? Its not like it doesn't work at all, especially if it was used for years!

I'm sorry you're going through this...but the only option it seems is to switch doctors one way or the other.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

I don't know if any are safe to take during pg but since your high bp seems to be stress related, can they give you something for anxiety? Again, I don't know how safe that is but maybe it's an alternative you can talk to them about. I don't think xanax is safe but maybe there is something similar. Your GP doesn't think you have high BP so why put yourself on something??

Message edited 1/26/2009 3:00:53 PM.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Posted by LaurenExp

I don't understand why your GP can't put you on it even though its an older medication? What's the big deal? Its not like it doesn't work at all, especially if it was used for years!

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Oh wow Shannon...I totally remember that. No secrets in that recovery area, that's for sure. I'm sorry that they have to yo-yo you around. But if you don't have high BP, then you shouldn't go on anything. I like the anxiety med suggestion.

I'm actually on atenolol, which is also a BP med (beta blocker) b/c my resting heart rate is high. There's nothing wrong with the heart. I've seen a couple of cardiologists over the years and I just have a high heart rate. Atenolol is contraindicated in pregnancy, but I can't go off of it. I tried when I was pregnant to try something else, but it didn't work. I'm on such a low dosage that the cardiologist consulted with a high risk ob-gyn and they decided it was fine to stay on it. I did research on it and have had enough doctors tell me to stay on it while pregnant, that I will next time.

I'm not telling you to try this medication, but a 2nd opinion can't hurt.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

HOw frustrating! I would get a second opinion. ON one hand, if not necessary, you do not want to go bp pills ttc. But, it may be safer to go on them if your bp is truly elevated. My BP throughout my entire IVF and pregnancy would fluctuate. I did not take BP pills. It was even high after birth.

Good Luck!

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Posted by juju

HOw frustrating! I would get a second opinion. ON one hand, if not necessary, you do not want to go bp pills ttc. But, it may be safer to go on them if your bp is truly elevated. My BP throughout my entire IVF and pregnancy would fluctuate. I did not take BP pills. It was even high after birth.
Good Luck!

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

That must be so frustrating!

My BP has always been on the lower side... they always are like - Wow, you must not be nervous about this at all!

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

if your BP was high under anesthesia the I would be less likely to dismiss it as stress, you should be pretty relaxed under stress.

That being said if you are overweight and have large arms, make sure they all use a large cuff. If you need a large cuff and someone tries to use a regular size BP cuff, the reading will not be accurate.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

I would also invest (they're not too much) in a home BP monitor...large cuff, as someone mentioned. I have one and check it once a month. I also get ridiculously nervous at any doctor's appointment and my BP goes up to the high normal range. When I'm home or "under" for procedures, it's perfect.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

I have to say, in my experience - anything over 120/80 is high. A few years ago I went to my regular Dr. for a physical and when he took my BP it was 121/83 and he was very upset about it. He made me take my BP once a week at home and I had to go back once a month for three months with the readings. Anyway, it must have been a freak thing, cuz all my other readings were normal - but he told me if it didn't go back to normal he was going to put me on meds.

I would still try a different GP and get another opinion. If you get PG, your BP will rise automatically(mine is steady at 118/ 80 right now) so it's better to be pro-active.

Re: So, how's everyone's blood pressure?- long

I am consistently 120/80 and they have always said that was normal for me. A diastolic (bottom #) of 90 is high