Light headed and Shortness breath

[Jeremy22]

SCI-Nurse I'm a c5-6 incomplete quad when I sit up in my chair I get shortness of breath and light headed. If I put slight pressure on my stomach it goes away. My blood pressure is generally around 100/56 or 98/60 when sitting in my chair and sometimes it goes even lower. My blood pressure is normal when lying down. When I was first injured nine years ago I used to wear a binder because my light headedness and shortness of breath would get so bad. Now it's not as bad but I still get it mildly. Is there anything I can take prescription wise for this?

[november]

Midodrine, florinef...

[Jeremy22]

Originally Posted by november

Midodrine, florinef...

how much do those meds make your blood pressure go up

[SCI-Nurse]

While you can take meds, it is better to use physical measures (abdominal binder, compression hose, Ace wraps if necessary) to maintain your blood pressure and prevent orthostatic hypotension. The meds can trigger AD in some, and as always, unnecessary medication should be avoided if possible.

Response to these medications is very individual. You should discuss pros/cons of use with your SCI physician.

(KLD)

[TheRainman]

Originally Posted by Jeremy22

SCI-Nurse I'm a c5-6 incomplete quad when I sit up in my chair I get shortness of breath and light headed. If I put slight pressure on my stomach it goes away. My blood pressure is generally around 100/56 or 98/60 when sitting in my chair and sometimes it goes even lower. My blood pressure is normal when lying down. When I was first injured nine years ago I used to wear a binder because my light headedness and shortness of breath would get so bad. Now it's not as bad but I still get it mildly. Is there anything I can take prescription wise for this?

Are you getting up on a empty stomach? Try eating an hour before getting up. Gas in your stomach will cause that.

[smashms]

sounds like AD to me try a binder or ted hose on your legs. i used to get that all the time also started using ted hose and it got much better

[Sue Pendleton]

My BP is normally low so I don't tend to get the lightheadednes. When I do, I find drinking a glass of water or juice works wonders. I've had proof on BP readings when I've been hospitalized and the RNs have taken my readings before and after me drinking. My normal is 90/60 but I've felt fine as low as 62/48 but I start drinking anyway at that point.

[SCI-Nurse]

Originally Posted by smashms

sounds like AD to me try a binder or ted hose on your legs. i used to get that all the time also started using ted hose and it got much better

AD is not associated with low blood pressure....you must have blood pressure elevation (high blood pressure) to have AD going on. An abdominal binder will make AD high blood pressure worse. It is helpful for LOW blood pressure (hypotension) though.

(KLD)

[smashms]

thanks KLD but i do get AD and have always had low blood pressure. my AD was diagnosed by a neurologist and also my physictrist, because it happened in both of there offices once i was changed from the position i was in or after i cathed when i did cath it went away. i realize that you have worked in the SCI field for years but every injury is different as well as everyone's body and how it responds to SCI.

[chick]

Originally Posted by smashms

thanks KLD but i do get AD and have always had low blood pressure. my AD was diagnosed by a neurologist and also my physictrist, because it happened in both of there offices once i was changed from the position i was in or after i cathed when i did cath it went away. i realize that you have worked in the SCI field for years but every injury is different as well as everyone's body and how it responds to SCI.

How your body responds to certain things may differ from others, like the type of AD symptoms you may get for example, but AD is not associated with low blood pressure (low bp doesn't cause AD).

From what you've described, the AD you experienced was from changing position (eg. relieving pressure), and the other instance was when you cathed, with the AD being relieved after cathing (bladder pressure).