Low Blood Pressure -- Interesting.
So, sometimes when I've felt off, I've done the obvious 'diabetic thing' -- I've checked my blood sugar. And sometimes it would be normal (or maybe even slightly high), so I'd be stymied.
Tonight I was clearly off, so I go check my blood sugar. It's fine.
But when I went to see Leslie last Friday, my blood pressure was low. We all saw that as a good thing, considering I'm being treated for high blood pressure (I take a pill for it every night before bed).
So I look up the symptoms of low blood pressure:
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fainting
Lack of concentration
Blurred vision
Nausea
Cold, clammy, pale skin
Rapid, shallow breathing
Fatigue
Depression
Thirst
I was nauseous and dizzy, yawning over and over agin and very thirsty. I also had flushing. (It doesn't help that I got slightly sunburned today. I'm not supposed to be in the sun while I'm taking this antibiotic...)
There was no way around the standing or sun exposure today. I was trying to drink water at dinner, but they hadn't provided enough for our table (everyone wanted it). I also drank a bunch of punch, but I probably should have skipped the wine (though I didn't finish the one glass).
Dehydration and sun exposure can cause low blood pressure. Obviously the medication is working to lower it. And my thyroid medication (which was raised last week) can impact it, too. So can standing too long in one place. Finally, infection is another factor. Every one of those things was going on for me today!
I'm forcing liquids right now. But even as I type this I keep yawning so hard that my eyes are watering. Good grief!
Another sign, I think, that the thyroid meds are what I've needed to resolve various health issues. Maybe I'll be able to get off the high blood pressure meds! Who knows?
Anyway, this could explain some recent weirdness. I always jump directly to blood sugar, but now I'll have to re-think it.
Leslie wrote me a prescription for a blood pressure cuff, but insurance wouldn't cover it. Sister Sue and I are going to Costco later this week (she decided not to go to cribbage this week after all). I think I'll look there and price this item.
But it's not like there's anything you can DO when you have this kind of low. With low blood sugar, eating helps. I've looked, but I don't see any kind of fix. But it would be good to chart it, for when I see Leslie next...
And I'm a fainter (always have been), so I just need to be careful while I feel dizzy...