btw, you're in a nursing home? Oh dear.
August 12
Hmm, your pain is 6 out of 6? They don't use a 10 pt. scale?
August 12
I do not get info on ABI test until February 3, 2027. The test was done, lying down. I do not eat large amounts of food, ever. I may bee dehydrated because I am not the one controlling the amount odmf water I get in a day. The care facility i am in does not have enough staff, so access us limited. Otherwise, I have covered everything else. My pain is a constant 6 or 6
August 11
It sounds like the ABI test (which measures blood flow using pressure cuffs) may have triggered the same blood pressure drop symptoms you've been experiencing. That's actually useful information for your cardiologist — it shows the symptom happening in a controlled setting.
Blood pressure drops when standing (orthostatic Show Full Answer
It sounds like the ABI test (which measures blood flow using pressure cuffs) may have triggered the same blood pressure drop symptoms you've been experiencing. That's actually useful information for your cardiologist — it shows the symptom happening in a controlled setting.
Blood pressure drops when standing (orthostatic hypotension) are fairly common with MS, affecting over half of people with the condition. MS can interfere with the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for automatically regulating blood pressure when you change positions. It's worth mentioning to both your cardiologist and your MS neurologist that this is happening, because the two need to work together. Some MS medications can also contribute to blood pressure drops, so a coordinated approach is important.
In the meantime, some things that may help manage symptoms include:
- Rising slowly when changing positions
- Eating smaller meals rather than large ones
- Staying well hydrated
- Compression stockings to help blood vessels constrict when standing
- Abdominal binders for similar support
There are also medications that can help raise blood pressure, but those need to be carefully coordinated with any existing MS treatments to avoid interactions.
August 11