My go put me back on BP medication, Micardis (I think generic name is telmistartin) as my BP readings have been chronically high when at his office. I've been on it before but stopped it because it seemed to make the Em worse (also increases abdominal pain, a symptom of POTS). I took my last micardis 48 hours ago and in the past couple of hours the flaring has finally gone for now. I expect it will return, but I think the micardis might make the EM flare more frequently and also may be one factor in intensity of skin burning/sensitivity. Am going to buy a new BP machine tomorrow (dropped and broke my last one) so I can start monitoring my BP again. I do get episodes of high blood pressure but this can be caused by POTS. My by readings are always high when at the doctors partially because I fear they will be high and the anxiety pushes it up - 'white coat syndrome' :)
Finally my question: Has anyone else experienced increased flaring with BP medication.? Any input appreciated, big time.
I haven't taken blood pressure meds before and I can be mistaken but I think different meds ork differently to lower your blood pressure. For instance ACE inhibitors work by blocking the body's production of a substance that tightens the blood vessels. As a result the blood vessels become more relaxed and the pressure decreases. I can see how possibly this can make EM worse because the excessive dilation is a factor in EM flares.
Calcium channel blockers work by relaxing the tiny muscles that surround the blood vessels . When these muscles relax the blood vessels become larger also possibly making your EM worse.
I would ask to switch to a different type of med if you are taking one of these or one like it. possible options could be diuretics that work by increasing the amount of urine your body produces. This causes the body to loose salt and water which decreases the volume of blood, leading to lower blood pressure.
Maybe a beta blocker which works by slowing down the heart beat and decreasing the strength of each beat . This means the blood is pumped through with less force which lowers blood pressure.
These are just theories and I am not a doctor but it is something you can discuss with your doctor. I would try to stay away from anything that dilates you blood vessels.
For instance ACE inhibitors work by blocking the body's production of a substance that tightens the blood vessels. As a result the blood vessels become more relaxed and the pressure decreases. I can see how possibly this can make EM worse because the excessive dilation is a factor in EM flares.
Calcium channel blockers work by relaxing the tiny muscles that surround the blood vessels . When these muscles relax the blood vessels become larger also possibly making your EM worse.
I would ask to switch to a different type of med if you are taking one of these or one like it. possible options could be diuretics that work by increasing the amount of urine your body produces. This causes the body to loose salt and water which decreases the volume of blood, leading to lower blood pressure.
Maybe a beta blocker which works by slowing down the heart beat and decreasing the strength of each beat . This means the blood is pumped through with less force which lowers blood pressure.
I've never taken BP meds either, but I agree with Alina that if you do end up still needing them after you check out your BPs at home, then you may be able to work with your doc to get one that has a different mechanism of action then the Micardis.
It looks to me (by the mighty power of google) like Micardis blocks constriction of blood vessels (like the ACE Inhibitors, but through a different route).
Is the doc prescribing the BP meds the same one who treats your EM?
I am feeling more confident that the BP medication was causing more flares. 60 hours after stopping it, i had a bit better night. Felt hot, but that awful skinned feeling receded. Going to try and get out and buy a new BP machine today. If the next couple of nights are a bit better I will definitely put it down to BP meds.
No, it wasn't my Em doc who prescribed the meds. I can't get into see him until late August. Sigh. Or grrrrrr.
Hi Blue. I am glad you are having a better time of it. If you can't see your EM doctor for some time I suggest taking a printout on EM to your regular doctor who prescribes the blood pressure meds and explain to him this is why you think it is making you worse. Then ask for a different one that He doesn't think will effect your EM.
I have other Doctors prescribe things that made me worse too when they weren't my EM treating Doctors. Sometimes we just have to educate them a bit on EM to get the best treatment in other areas too.
I saw my gp yesterday and he agreed with me that I should stop the med for now. As long as i/we monitor my bp. IBought a new BP monitor yesterday as I dropped and broke the last one. I am getting readings that swing from ballpark normal to high today and that can be a POTS symptom. I really don't know if it's the med - I was flaring all last night until migraine started 4 am this morning. Now I have migraine ( am being silly being on this tablet typing) but can also feel my feet burning. I always used to think a person could only feel one pain at a time -the most painful one. But that belief is obviously false. Migraine causes BP to rise too.
Hi Blue. I am sorry you are having such a difficult night. I know what you mean by thinking you can only feel the one pain that is worse at one time. I have discovered myself through this you can feel pain all over all at the same time! It is difficult to get an accurate blood pressure reading when you are in pain. well sure it's accurate at the time because you are in pain but it doesn't give a reading that would be your normal response to the medication because it is skewed from pain.
I hope this one turns out to help and your hard night was just a coincidence.