Low BP reminder to me

Hi All

I have been a life long fainter w heart block, got a Biotronik edora PM last May and its been working well. Generally my HR stays below 60 and stable except of course with exercise. More of a comment here that I am wondering if anyone else has experienced. Have always had low (sometimes extremely low) BP. Mostly orthostatic, getting out of bed, standing too long, etc. Fortunately my episodes are very transient,quick quick so I don't really think about it too often.

However the other day, while in work I was acutely reminded of it as my allergies were out of control to the point of no return (watery eyes,sneezing and coughing etc) It wasn't pretty, LOL! I am an medicine and frankly it wasn't a good look! HAHA. So I caved and fished out of my purse a children's (under age 2y) benedryl for relief. Within about 20 minutes my BP tanked, was clammy, weak etc. I recovered mostly within 20-30 min. My PM was working fine with a ever so slight increase in HR to mid to high. 60's. (I run around 50-55) Bottom line, lesson learned. FYI, I am tiny (but athletic) which is why I rarely take any meds and if I do, its the kiddo version and never during the day, because of my BP issue. FYI my low BP issue has always been a separate issue from my heart block but I have had both as long as I was aware of such things (maybe 9th grade 13y or so)

4 Comments

Kid dose

by Lavender - 2023-04-23 10:49:39

I had an endocrinologist do studies on me. She said that I only need the child size dose of meds, too.  I'm glad you recovered quickly. I take no meds due to a long list of reactions to all kinds of meds.  
 

I have a history of low bp. They used to have trouble detecting it. I was told to eat more salt and drink more water.  I know that most people are to limit salt intake, but not me.

You may benefit from natural methods to combat allergies. I wear a mask outdoors a lot-especially when mowing. Nasal saline solution helps. I run a humidifier when sleeping. Vitamin C, eating more apples might help too. 

A real issue

by Persephone - 2023-04-23 15:35:16

The pollen season is in full bore where I am - there ain't no fooling with it. I see a lot of mask-wearing now (allergy-prone people have become free to mask!). I think the small-dose children's benedryl is a great idea.

Yes to Lavender's recommendations - and maybe add in an air purifier for your bedroom / workplace.

Thank you for responding

by skigrl3 - 2023-04-23 20:42:59

Thanks Lavender and Persephone. Yes I had the tests, even before the heart block. Was inconclusive for addisons x2 and my cardiologist at the time recommended V8 because it is full of sodium. Before I got my PM my cardiologist put me on meds to increase BP but it had too many side effects, I hated it. Anyways my current plan is to stick it out right now with kids meds and after hayfever season see a sinus guy.

Try Electrolyte Drinks

by Cyndie - 2023-05-01 11:53:44

I, too, am a life-long fainter due to both BP and heart rate crashing at the same time during times of extreme stress or pain.  Just got my pacemaker about two months ago.  I also have hyponatremia.  For years, I've been taking 1 gram sodium chloride twice a day and using salt very liberally.  After the pacemaker, I added an electrolyte powder to my water bottle once a day.  I found that the Re-Lyte brand that I bought on Amazon has the highest sodium and no sugar.  I like it!

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