Help! Need Input re: Blood Pressure & GBS

Hello Cathie,

Severe blood pressure drops are not uncommon with plasmapheresis, although they are temporary (hours to maybe a day or so). Did your blood pressure recover promptly? If so, then perhaps your doctors overreacted.

Erratic blood pressure is a known residual of GBS (people here have various circulatory issues), but it is not a typical one. I suggest that you continue to work with your doctor. Let him know that you are concerned this might be a residual. He might select a different medicine and/or adjust the dosing. Checking your pressure 2x/day is a good precaution.

I am a little confused by your statement of “…when I take my meds….” I thought blood pressure medicine needed to be taken on a consistent dosing schedule and that it took the drug a while to be effective. If so, then perhaps you need to take the medicine more consistently for it to stabilize your pressure.

Godspeed in finding a resolution
MarkEns

Both GBS and CIDP can affect the autonomic nervous system. What does that mean?

“…Your autonomic nervous system is the part of your nervous system that controls involuntary actions, such as the beating of your heart and the widening or narrowing of your blood vessels. When something goes wrong in this system, it can cause serious problems, including

* Blood pressure problems
* Heart problems
* Trouble with breathing and swallowing
* Erectile dysfunction in men…”

There is a special test that can be run to determine if you trouble with your autonomic system.

Cathy,
I too have experienced high/low flashes in my blood pressure. It has been described as normal by my neuro.

yes,yes,yes!!! my bp was normal before I came down w/gbs! Since then, I have been all over the place…meds changed ect…now I have orthostatic bp (drops) when I stand up. gbs messed up every aspcet of my life! But, hang in there….I just had by 4 yr ann. and I just keep taking it day by day! Best to you

I received a pm asking for more info on the autonomic system tests. And, yes, I had those tests done twice at Mayo Clinic Rochester. My tests were normal.

Here’s the scoop:

[url]http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autonomic-neuropathy/DS00544/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis[/url]

I’ve heard a neurologist in my area mention at the local Peripheral Neuropathy group meetings that these tests are available in his office now. They may be available in your area as well.

Cathie,

I had low blood pressure too. As Yuehan said, it can affect the autonomic nervous system. Mine was low for quite some time and I had the orthostatic problems too, and was diagnosed with dysautonomia. My blood pressure has finally gone up a bit, so hopefully it will resolve over time.