High blood pressure

Hello onlineSally, I don’t have answers for you but am replying because I’m in the same predicament as you. What I did was book an appointment to see the GP on Tuesday to discuss. I also spoke to the BCN who made a good observation. She was of the view that it’s the worry and anxiety of it all that may be contributing to the spike in blood pressure and that I might benefit from something to calm me down. So I will be having that discussion with the GP. In the meantime I continue with eating healthy and exercising, and have cut out unhealthy stuff as much as I can.

Hi Onlinesally and Ruva, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I was diagnosed last September and had high blood pressure throughout most of my treatment because of stress and worry. Also white coat syndrome. I bought a blood pressure monitor so I could do my own pressures at home. In my own environment when I was relaxed/chilled and just doing my everyday things my blood pressure came down. I kept a record so I could show my surgeon and oncologist. Little technics I used to try and use especially on my ops and pre op was to close my eyes, take deep slow breaths and think of something I loved. It used to help and they would do my pressures a couple of times. Try not to talk to the person doing your pressure and also have an empty bladder. Also take off any watches/fitbits too. Even now on my targeted treatment my pressure is still high but at home it’s fine, so defo linked to hospitals and white coats as they say.

Wishing you all the best for your op and treatment.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Thank you both .  That's interesting about having an empty bladder, I wonder if i should have gone to the loo but I had the cuff on by then .  176/114 that time! I haven't taken it again.

I did read a tip somewhere to eat bananas and potassium rich foods if possible to help reduce the BP.  I loathe bananas but eaten 4 this weekend to help.  Other than that, I'm only drinking water and avoiding salt in my food.  I think it is the stress of treatment and white coat syndrome.

Thank you  

Hi OnlineSally my nurse has a very clever trick she sits and chats away whilst looking at notes and general chit chat and lo and behold my blood pressure settles. It is a known thing about white coat syndrome or if its any help or assurance you are definitely not alone. Hope it settles down for you .xxxx

Hello OnlineSally,  oh I know what you mean about blood pressure just being way high during this stressful time.  My blood pressure has always been in the low range but wow it went high all through my diagnosis, treatment and when I was finished it finally started to go down and no issues once I was done.  The highest I had was at radiation and it was 180/110.  I was floored to hear that as it had been in the 150’s and 160’s systolic and high 80’s and 90’s during all this but yikes.  Mine was all stress related but I was a little worried anyway so know how you feel.  
I tried all the deep breathing and relaxation techniques before getting blood pressure checked but it just didn’t make much difference. 
I am sure the docs will try to get your blood pressure down and things should go as planned.  Take care and hugs to you.

Barbara

Hello just a quick update.  I have had the operation now but I was in the recovery room longer than before (sentinel lymph node removal).  I'm now back on the ward, and my BP seems to be in normal range now.  They haven't come back with my tablets anyway, apparently they need to be prescribed to me.

Glad you are done with operation and back in the ward.  Take it easy and let the healing begin.  Those drugs they give you for anesthesia can help bring down your blood pressure and the relief of having your surgery done certainly helps too.  Hugs to you and all healthy thoughts going your way. 
Barbara

Glad to hear that you have the operation over and done with.  

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Daisy53