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Low blood pressure collapse
Well that was an exciting afternoon...
Last chemo was on Tuesday; fatigue in full flight, nausea present but not too bad after a slightly better than normal night's sleep. Had a long standing dietician appointment at 1230 today, which I should've moved but just didn't process it. Chemo brain. Two friends drove me there and afterwards we went to get some lunch at a Chinese restaurant. I ordered some green veg, something plain to slip down easily.
Before the food had even arrived I started to feel like just being there was all too much. Head went into my hands, then onto the table. Needed to lie down. Very quickly really needed to lie down. Folded over onto the chair next to me. Started to pass out. Felt like I was going to vomit and go the other end as well. Hot and clammy and I'm told white as a sheet.
At that moment, unbelievably, two ambos came in to get lunch. It's the kind of miracle that doesn't happen in my life. Instant first aid. Daniel and Curtis, angels both.
They asked all the questions, had a blood pressure cuff on me fast, 80/40, and very quickly I was on a stretcher heading to the hospital five minutes away. They put the end of the stretcher up so my legs were elevated. That instantly helped.
It took about two hours for my bp to get back to normal. Two ecgs, iv fluids (took two goes to get the line in...), blood tests, oncologist called etc etc. Husband called in from work, my friends rearranging their schedules, what a palaver! What an embarrassment :/
End result is they don't know why it happened. I'm home in bed now and will not be venturing out for quite some time to come. Anyone else have low blood pressure problems? How was your Friday afternoon?!
Last chemo was on Tuesday; fatigue in full flight, nausea present but not too bad after a slightly better than normal night's sleep. Had a long standing dietician appointment at 1230 today, which I should've moved but just didn't process it. Chemo brain. Two friends drove me there and afterwards we went to get some lunch at a Chinese restaurant. I ordered some green veg, something plain to slip down easily.
Before the food had even arrived I started to feel like just being there was all too much. Head went into my hands, then onto the table. Needed to lie down. Very quickly really needed to lie down. Folded over onto the chair next to me. Started to pass out. Felt like I was going to vomit and go the other end as well. Hot and clammy and I'm told white as a sheet.
At that moment, unbelievably, two ambos came in to get lunch. It's the kind of miracle that doesn't happen in my life. Instant first aid. Daniel and Curtis, angels both.
They asked all the questions, had a blood pressure cuff on me fast, 80/40, and very quickly I was on a stretcher heading to the hospital five minutes away. They put the end of the stretcher up so my legs were elevated. That instantly helped.
It took about two hours for my bp to get back to normal. Two ecgs, iv fluids (took two goes to get the line in...), blood tests, oncologist called etc etc. Husband called in from work, my friends rearranging their schedules, what a palaver! What an embarrassment :/
End result is they don't know why it happened. I'm home in bed now and will not be venturing out for quite some time to come. Anyone else have low blood pressure problems? How was your Friday afternoon?!
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34 Replies
- I had it all through chemo. My GP freaked out a few times. When I went back to work it was hot weather. I had to have to 3 litres on board not to feel light headed. I was on herceptin also. It turns out iI had refuced haeart function. Medication did assist and a bteak but I had to stop my treatment early because of it. I got almost 3/4 through. It doesn't always mean heat failure though...just telling you my issues. It was months before I could stand still for any length if time snd not get light headed. Recover I did though.
- @SoldierCrab Interesting. And yes, scary. No, won't be walking alone any more until I'm feeling much more whole! I am staying even more on top of my hydration. I'd had plenty of water yesterday so I'm not sure how much of a contributing factor that was. Low bp has been an issue but yesterday was the worst and I've really only put the pattern together now. Dopey! Just in time for the end of chemo...
Thanks @KiwiAngel (my ed nurse yesterday was a Kiwi) and @Brenda5, and everyone for your kind thoughts. - Wise words from Soldiercrab. Best not to venture out alone for a little while. <3
- @kmakm I did it often throughout my Chemo. Worse day was when we were filling up with fuel I went into pay bang I hit the ground....no warning like you..... then I came around and twice did it again trip to Hospital and they couldnt get me to stand without me dropping like a fly ..... rest assured I was ok after an IV infusion and bed rest ... But the rest of my chemo roller coaster was plagued by low blood pressure problems.
Take it easy and Dont go walking on your own....
hugs
Soldiercrab - @kmakm - how scary but how amazing the ambos were there. Hope u r feeling better xo
- I have low blood pressure as the norm and the whole time throughout Taxol chemo I got the "whoozies" as I call it. I never fainted and the lowest I got was 90/60 . Rest up and no partying for St Patrick's day tomorrow x ;)
- @kmakm, I had low blood pressure while on chemo. I am on blood pressure lowering meds, but chemo really made it lower. Also dehydration can do it. Maybe your body has just had enough. God knows it all takes it toll. Rest up and let others take care of you.
- @sister Finishing with a bang, not a whimper!
- @kmakm That's no way to end chemo! I hope you are feeling better - everyone needs to pamper you so you don't have to get up. How frightening.
