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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on March 20, 2002, at 0:04:18
Does anyone know - is there a correlation (connection) between low blood pressure and depression? I tend to have low blood pressure when I'm depressed and normal (or on the low side) when I'm feeling *okay* so I'm wondering how low blood pressure factors in with depression - can low BP cause depression or could it be the other way around - depression can cause low BP? Any ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 0:51:51
In reply to Low blood pressure and depression, posted by Janelle on March 20, 2002, at 0:04:18
Here's a quote about a form of hypotension (low blood pressure) called "neurally mediated hypotension". It's when a person feels faint-headed from standing in one position for too long, or from working or exercising, especially on a hot day.
Quoting:
"Recurrent lightheadedness and fainting are common symptoms, as is an unusual difficulty with prolonged fatigue after a modest amount of physical activity. This post-exertional fatigue can last 24-72 hours, and interferes with many daily activities.We have also observed that chronic fatigue, muscle aches (or fibromyalgia), headaches, and mental confusion can be prominent symptoms of neurally mediated hypotension even in individuals who do not faint. The mental confusion takes the form of difficulty concentrating, staying on task, paying attention, or finding the right words. Some describe being in a mental fog. It appears that as long as the fainting reflex is activated whenever the person stands or sits upright for a period of time, then the blood pressure is improperly regulated, and these symptoms are the result. Some develop worse fatigue after such activities as reading and concentrating, and this may be due to the fact that for some, the veins of the arms and legs dilate, thereby allowing more blood to pool, rather than constricting in response to mental tasks."
This form of hyprotension can't be tested in normal conditions but a tilt table has to be used to find if one has it. If the symptoms sound right, bring it to your doctor's attention & ask for such a test.
I don't know if you're taking any medications for depression but many ADs can lower blood pressure too, especially when bending over or lying down & then standing up fairly quickly.
Posted by Janelle on March 20, 2002, at 17:53:12
In reply to Re: Low blood pressure and depression » Janelle, posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 0:51:51
Posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 19:15:37
In reply to ISO: thanks, where did you find that material? (nm) » IsoM, posted by Janelle on March 20, 2002, at 17:53:12
I read about this not too long ago & it rang a bell. Ever since I was a little kid, if someone grabbed me in play & held me upside-down, I'd panic. I hate even bending way over on my knees with my head to the floor looking for something. Tried a friend's gravity machine (you're securely strapped in & tilted upside-down to the angle of recline you choose) & immediately felt horrible, dizzy, instant headache. NMH fits me to a T but there's no way I'll do the tilt test. I KNOW what I'll feel like.
Here's a few sites about it. you'll find it referred to as NMH most times. Hope I haven't flooded you with too many sites, but better too much than too little, I hope. You can always ignore that which you don't want to read.
http://www.ourfm-cfidsworld.org/nmh.htm (scroll down this page a bit - it's about NMH)
http://www.med.jhu.edu/peds/cfs.html
http://www.cfids.org/youth/articles/medical/rowe95.htm
http://www.nfra.net/LowBlood.htm
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mecfs/general/nmh2.html (an Australian site - the internet is notoriously slow in Australia, it takes a long time to load this page)For me, it seems the most effective thing is to drink lots & salt lots. During my pregnancy, my salt shaker was always beside me. I really salted food a lot more - craved salt, yet never retained water & my blood pressure never even got slightly high. All the more reason I think I probably have it.
Posted by Janelle on March 20, 2002, at 19:29:13
In reply to NEURALLY MEDIATED HYPOTENSION » Janelle, posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 19:15:37
What is a tilt machine and wouldn't it be the same type thing as your friend's gravity machine?
Thanks for all those links. I have low blood pressure in general, and definitely get the dizziness if I stand up too rapidly.
Posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 19:38:45
In reply to ISO: Thanks a lot, and 1 more question! » IsoM, posted by Janelle on March 20, 2002, at 19:29:13
A tilt machine sounds like the same thing to me - maybe not as complicated because my friend's gravity machine can hang a person upside-down & a tilt machine just needs to tilt your head lower than your feet.
One time I'd been working, bending over at the waist only (in other words, not too much) but straightening up, putting things on a shelf - doing it a number of times in a row. I just went all light-headed, & fell over. I couldn't get up right away as everything was spinning & dizzy. I notice that even with moderately hard work (but NOT exhausting work), I feel completely flagged out afterwards. I never did understand why I reacted like that. I'm not in bad shape even though I'm not young anymore.
Posted by christophrejmc on March 20, 2002, at 21:02:52
In reply to NEURALLY MEDIATED HYPOTENSION » Janelle, posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 19:15:37
Another thing we seem to have in common... My pdoc thinks my NMH is related to my semi-hypo-thyroidism. Have you noticed any difference since taking T3?
-Christophre
(Janelle (if you are reading this), I don't have any ideas about your problem, but depression CAN be a symptom of hypotension...)
Posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 23:16:19
In reply to Re: NEURALLY MEDIATED HYPOTENSION » IsoM, posted by christophrejmc on March 20, 2002, at 21:02:52
Mistaking me for someone else, which is okay - it can get confusing. I do have hypothyroidism but I don't take T3 just T4, Synthroid. I'm going to gather info & discuss T3 with my doctor though. Are you taking T3, & have you noticed any difference?
I've been like this (i.e. perhaps having NMH) for many years, my whole life as I remember, before the hypothyroidism ever developed but it is somewhat worse now that I'm older. I just chalked it up to getting older but it bothered me lots as I saw far older people who never exercised or were active (really out of shape) & they never showed the exhaustion I'd show after physical activity. Bothered me lots as I like being active & want to be able to do lots. I hate depending on others unnecessarily.
Anyway, I blither... I prefer to stick to lots of fluids & salt, & try my best to moderate my activity. I'm wiped when I do stuff in hot weather & I'm very heat-intolerant, so I drink lots & salt lots (& very unladylike, sweat lots). Interestingly, a kineisology (sp?) professor I knew said research has shown that by the time a person feels thirsty, they're already somewhat dehydrated. The body needs far more water than most people realise.
Posted by christophrejmc on March 21, 2002, at 3:00:16
In reply to Re: NEURALLY MEDIATED HYPOTENSION » christophrejmc, posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 23:16:19
> I don't take T3 just T4, Synthroid.
Oops! I actually wrote T4 first, but I wasn't sure.
> I'm going to gather info & discuss T3 with my doctor though.
Why for? What info have you that T3 might be more helpful?
> Are you taking T3, & have you noticed any difference?
Nope. I'm in the normal-low range; I think I'll have to see an endo for it.
I've also had NMH-like symptoms most of my life (although they have definitely gotten worse with age). I think this might be the cause of my chronic EDS. And maybe my concentration difficulties... Nah, too easy.
I'm going to try to add more salt to my diet... It's weird how these things that were supposed to be healthy (low-salt diet, low-cholesterol diet, etc.) are now said to be unhealthy.
Cheers,
Chris
Posted by Zo on March 21, 2002, at 15:50:16
In reply to NEURALLY MEDIATED HYPOTENSION » Janelle, posted by IsoM on March 20, 2002, at 19:15:37
Posted by IsoM on March 21, 2002, at 16:32:01
In reply to Re: licorice root tea (nm) » IsoM, posted by Zo on March 21, 2002, at 15:50:16
This is the end of the thread.
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