Question:
What did you do? low BP

I need some help OH folks, I have had very low blood pressure for the 7 weeks after surgery. I have seen my PCP 4 times & my wls surgeon once for this - to no avail - the doctors don't agree as to treatment. None is working so far. I can't exersice or my bp drops so much I almost pass out and I can't breathe, I start coughing - Congestive Heart Failure. I also have asthma and 3 kinds of arthritis. I have lost about 36# depending on what doctors scale I am weighed on. I am so tired and depressed. I don't want to fail. I have an appointment with my heart doctor May 4th, at the earliest - he's semi retired. I am thinking of calling his office and getting an earlier appointment with one of his partners. Has any one else had this low blood pressure with CHF for so long? And what did you do? Please email me. Thanks, Carol    — Carol S. (posted on April 6, 2004)

April 6, 2004
Carol, I had low BP for years and I found ways to correct it over time. It is not uncommon for WLS patients to have low BP after surery during the weight loss phase. Some things that contribute to low BP are: <p>Low Blood Volume (usually due to dehydration). It is important that you get your fluids in and retain those fluids by taking in salt at the same time. Gatorade is an excellent source of salty fluid that will replace lost electrolytes and help you to replace lost blood volume and other bodily fluids. Also, eat salty soups. Add salt to all your meals and the dizzy spells that happen when you stand up (due to low BP) will soon be a thing of the past. Also, stand up s-l-o-w-l-y. Make sure you aren't going to have another dizzy spell before you begin walking. If you experience dizziness, bend over at the waist with your head down until the blood rushes back into your head. Then slowly stand back up. <p>Low Potassium. Eat foods high in potassium (bananas, prunes, potatoes, etc.) and take supplements. <p>So, if your physicians don't agree, at least you can do SOMETHING. Let us know how it goes. Best wishes.
   — artistmama

April 6, 2004
Carol, I just had another thought about this. If you are suffering from CHF, then you are most likely on a diuretic such as Lasix. That would account for the reason you are dehydrated and suffering from low blood volume. Perhaps you should ask your doctor if you could cut back on the dosage to see if that would alleviate the low BP.
   — artistmama

April 6, 2004
I have chf too. I had real low blood pressure too. I had to reduce my coreg dose to 25 mg twice a day. I had to cut my zestril to 5 mg once a day. Those 2 meds lowered my bp too much. I had to stop zestril for my first 30 days post op. I passed out once. Peanut butter and crackers seems to hel when my bp gets too low. My bp is still low but I am not as dizzy and dont pass out anymore. It does help to get my water in. I have fund the heart docs want our fluid levels too low. I drink more water than they advise. I have lost 85 pounds but feel lousy.
   — bransonboy

April 6, 2004
I've taken Lasix "years before" WLS and NEVER had low blood pressure because of it. I've also tried salt and caffene to raise my bp and that has'nt worked ether. Mine has been as low as 80/40. I'm 3 years post op and I'm not growing out of the low bp. :( Sooooooo...... One of these days I'm afraid I will pass out. I've come close. No doctor will take this serious. And I feel it is VERY serious.
   — Danmark

April 7, 2004
Thanks so much to all who answered me. I'm taking Monopril for my heart; cut back to 1/8th of a tablet now, was taking 1 full tablet in the morning and 1 full tablet in the afternoon. Was taking 2 Lasix in the am with a Zaroxlyn tablet, it helps kick up the effiency of the Lasix tabs. But am now taking 1 Lasix in am with 1 Zaroxlyn tablet. I've lost over 36# in 7 weeks but am still retaining water badly. Was having heart palpitations but heart not too bad now. Heart back washes. My bp was 120/70 for all of my 60 years but has been as low as 70/58 and the high is around 102/75. I still feel tired, weak, dizzy when walking, bending, standing. I do take it easy when getting up but still I can't exercise, I have a treadmill so I don't have to go outside, I have sinus induced asthma - allergy season's been here for over 2 months - I live in the semi dessert of Wyoming. I guess I will just get on the treadmill and go till I can't. :-) Thanks again for all your help - you all are such helpful people, sharing and understanding. I do appreciate it all. You all take care and God bless, Carol
   — Carol S.