6 replies to this topic

[prentice]

hi,
My dad was a quadraplegic for 46 years. He had a car accident when he was 21 years of age. About six years ago, my dad became depressed after the loss of his mother. He began to stay in bed / wear hospital gown all day. When he woud get up, he started to have episodes where his blood pressure would drop and he would pass out. By merely leaning him back in his chair, he would come to. He never seemed aware that he was having these spells. After being examined by specialist in Chapel Hill, we were told that this was the long term affect of his quadraplegic condition and he would continue to do this until it took him out. My dad passed away last month. The term autonomic dysreflexia was thrown my way a few times. I tried to research and understand what it was. Everything i read on the subject talks about hypertension, not hypotension. Anyone with knowledge or understanding on the long term affect of quadraplegia , hypotension, and, autonomic dysreflexia, please email me. ... pbaker7@nc.rr.com

thanks,
p

[Coach]

I was hurt at the same age your dad was about three years after him. Early last year I had several low-blood-pressure episodes but they stopped when I stopped taking a drug a heart-drug called Lisinopril. Autonomic dysreflexia includes episodes of high blood pressure but I've not heard of its causing low blood pressure. It's not unreasonable to assume that your father's depression and inactivity contributed to his decline.

I suspect that quadriplegia puts an added strain on the body, particularly the cardiovascular system, lungs, and kidneys. I sleep on my back and have been diagnosed with apnea, which untreated increases the likelihood of stroke and heart attack, and I think many long-term quads probably are at greater than normal risk of having it. The usual treatment for apnea is CPAP, to keep the airways open, but in the five months since being diagnosed I've failed to adjust to wearing a mask and having air blown into my nose and/or mouth to keep my airways open. With a nasal mask I cheat by breathing through my mouth, and with a full-face mask I haven't found a balance that allows for a tight seal without skin damage to the bridge of my nose. I mention the apnea only as an example of the sort of added stress with which aging quads probably deal. It, as does autonomic dysreflexia, just makes our hearts work harder.

I'm sorry about your dad and hope you can learn more about what happened to him.

[Simon]

I am 23 yrs quad (c4 comp).
I have spells of faintness especially after eating. But when first injured always on getting up for around 2-3 years. Its because our level stops the body adjusting like in able bodied people, the nerves are severed and so the brain cannot tell the heartt to supply more blood when the body position changes from horizontal to vertical. Its saame ass when you have a hot bath and get up out of it quickly, almost everyone goes faint ot passes out.
Have found fennel tea is FANTASTIC at righting my low bp. No side effects of drugs like effedrin it naturally raises bp. Have one after getting up, one beforee eating my main meal. Make suree its a large drink around 500ml or a pint in size too.
AD is high bp, caused by irritatioon usually from bladder, bowel or preessure sores but ttherre are other causes such as dehydration. Yoyr dad would have known aboutt it as you get a SERIOUSLY thumping headache - it can kill as the bp is going up uncontrollably. GTN is a good standby for treat but the cause must be removed .

[Ana]

Tony, I am very sorry to hear about your wife's condition. I hope all goes well for you both in the future. My friend is a c5/6 quad and he was injured 24yrs ago. He also leans over to one side in his chair all the time. I think I will tell him about the early signs like falling asleep. I know he does that sometimes. Thanks for the warning and the info.

[Coach]

What a rough time you and your wife are having! Thanks for taking the time to warn us about what happened.