Five days ago My pressure went to 200/100 during the third bottle of 145gm total 3-day dose. Nothing brought it down not even my benicar. In frustration, I meditated for 15 uninterrupted minutes and my pressure went down to 168/86, still high but they let my wife drive me home. I was so glad she came along. Since then my pressure has come gradually down but remains on the high side for me (142/86). The headaches continue but are intermittent. to Dr. today. Any similar experiences?
Yes, but I don't remember what my pressure was...I think it was in the 140s/90s and I was retaining fluids so doc put me on spironolactone. Stiff necks lead to horrible headaches for me. If it makes you feel any better, a study came out in the past 6 months stating folks in their 70s and up are allowed to have 150s/90s BP and have it still be 'normal'. For the headache (I had aseptic meningitis) I was getting frequent toradol shots to help with the inflammation and was also using a new nasal spray called Sprix (diclofenac) that's a little pricey but works fast and takes the edge of the headaches so I could at least have a complete thought. My eyes were so photosensitive during that period and I became agitated easily. Good luck!
Doc still didn’t call! Thanks for the thoughts and meds prescribed for you. My internist won’t let my bp get over 150 as the article says, but prefers to keep it between 130-140 with minimal doses of Benicar 20mg, so when the bp hit near 200, i flipped! Being a retired MD,I had some vague concerns about “blowing an aneurysm”. Bp goes up with IVIg but never above 170. Sometimes I think the personnel get in a hurry and forget the consequences of running the drip a little faster than usual especially, as you point out, in my over 70 group. It really helps to hear back from others with additional ideas and support. Thanks Sunshine and all of you!
Hi Geeps. The 1st day of a 5 day loading dose my bp went from my normal 80/50 to 198/110 within an hour. They slowed down the rate but it wasn't enough. They stopped the infusion and tossed the ivig. The next day they switched brands to Carimune. I have never returned to normal. I run in the 100's-110's/60's-70's. I spike to 130-50 pretty easily too.
My nurse figured out that if my bp spikes past 130 during the infusion I will end up with a headache within a few days of the infusion. So she slows it down if I hit 130 regardless of how I feel at the time. Hydrating during infusion brings it down too. Does that mean the cause is kidneys?
I think anemia plays into it somehow too. Just after the iron infusions my bp would go down but only temporarily. I could feel the difference. I stay on top of the anemia because I am sure it is one of the triggers I can eliminate to extend time between infusions.
Have you considered changing the frequency of your infusions? Maybe less ig more often? 3 days straight of 145 gms on a regular basis is a lot to process.
145gm for all three days but I think you are right about the dose and rate. The IVIg is a thick plasma product which the heart has to pump extra hard to get it through the arteries to the brain, kidneys, etc. That's why hydration is so important because it helps thin the product. If the kidney is impaired, then you are in deep dodo. the kidney may start to shut down and raise the bp to malignant levels. I'm now on 7th day infusion day with the bp going up and down and very unstable as you noted. Didn't have this problem when there were 2 days between #2 and #3 bottles. will want to follow the bps in the longer term. Permanent? Hope it comes down when IVIg absorbed. Bummer is, no benefit to date!
mabes said:
Hi Geeps. The 1st day of a 5 day loading dose my bp went from my normal 80/50 to 198/110 within an hour. They slowed down the rate but it wasn't enough. They stopped the infusion and tossed the ivig. The next day they switched brands to Carimune. I have never returned to normal. I run in the 100's-110's/60's-70's. I spike to 130-50 pretty easily too.
My nurse figured out that if my bp spikes past 130 during the infusion I will end up with a headache within a few days of the infusion. So she slows it down if I hit 130 regardless of how I feel at the time. Hydrating during infusion brings it down too. Does that mean the cause is kidneys?
I think anemia plays into it somehow too. Just after the iron infusions my bp would go down but only temporarily. I could feel the difference. I stay on top of the anemia because I am sure it is one of the triggers I can eliminate to extend time between infusions.
Have you considered changing the frequency of your infusions? Maybe less ig more often? 3 days straight of 145 gms on a regular basis is a lot to process.