11 replies to this topic

[Dbapwl]

My daughter is a c6 incomplete, her bp is so low that she has to take meds to keep it up. She has a hard time sitting up for a long period of time.

She will be getting a manual chair soon and I want her to be able to use it, but if her Bp keeps dropping she's not going to be able to. She can push the the chair she has but it's a heavy chair and it reclines. But her new chair will not recline and it's much lighter for her to be able to push.

Can anyone give me any advise on how to keep her Bp up. She has a binder she can wear, but hates to put it on.

[Muskie]

leg bindings or compression hose

Edited by Muskie, 07 February 2012 - 09:18 PM.

[brockit79]

I used to get this a lot in hospital and nurses used to make me drink more as it helps to raise blood pressure.i used to wear a corset around my waist when up. You need to make sure anything like that is measured up so that it isn't too tight, being too tight could cause sores.

Sorry to hear of your daughter's SCI. Hopefully this site will help you

[Trinity]

a high salt diet may also help

[Dbapwl]

Thanks everybody.
She is on potassium pills if I give her a high salt diet will that be bad.
Right now I'm just trying to get her to eat ANYTHING.

[goose]

I remember those days well. Try to get up slowly. Sipping water seems to help too. It took me a little while to get over that feeling. Recline and just come up a little at a time. When it happens in my manual chair, I can hook one arm to my arm rest and lean as far over to one side. Or you put on the brakes and have someone lean you backwards. Have that person sit in a chair so it won't be a strain on them. It will get more regulated but it will take a little time.

As far as the eating, taking a lot of meds. while in rehab did a number on my mouth. Nothing tasted good and some things really burned. Try to get her to eat yogurt to help balance her enzymes or get some probiotics at your drug store. Only give her small amounts of anything at a time.


Good news...both problems are only temporarily!!! IT WILL GET EASIER!!!

[Tetracyclone]

You are so right. Be firm with her that her light-headed troubles are largely due to the face she is starving. She should be forcing down those protein drinks. Food can be difficult for tase, but also for the dry mouth that goes with many meds.

Her heart has gotten weak from laying down. As she slowly spends more time sitting it will get stronger. just do as much as she can each day. The better chair should help a lot.

Pace yourself, lady, as the worry will last for years. Things will improve, but YOU , must look after yourself. Do not let your daughter's difficulties consume all of your energies, ok?

Be there, but be separate.

[qbounce]

Muskie said:

1328649466[/url]' post='273305']
leg bindings or compression hose

BOTH!I used both, thigh high compression hose first, then ace bandage wraps, 2 on each leg also wrapped from toes to thighs.
These were invaluablely the only things (along with the dreaded abdominal binder) that got me out of bed in the morning, making it easier for me to eat meals in my wheelchair.
Although these remedies aren't the most comfortable solution. It will only be necessary for a short time, maybe 6-8 months, until her body becomes acclimated to it's situation. Slowly, around 6 months, begin wrapping the legs more loosely until they're no longer needed.

[Dbapwl]

Thanks everyone for the advise. She will hate me now. But be glad I did it later. My goal is to get her up and moving. She really just wants to give up. I will not let her.

I give her meds to her in the morning.. Then have to wait a hour before I get her up. So she doesn't see black spots or everything goes black. I will only let her eat breakfast in bed so she doesn't have meds in a empty stomach.

When she does get up in her power chair she immediately does a pressure release. She is constantly back and forth. So does this mean it's her BP?
With the leg compression and ace bandages on how long will she be able to sit up? Or is just a little longer each day?

This is all so new to us. She has to relearn her body all over again is what ive been told. And when she doesn't know what to do or going on. She looks to me for the answers. And I'm just as lost.

[Dbapwl]

Tetracyclone, on 10 February 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

You are so right. Be firm with her that her light-headed troubles are largely due to the face she is starving. She should be forcing down those protein drinks. Food can be difficult for tase, but also for the dry mouth that goes with many meds.

Her heart has gotten weak from laying down. As she slowly spends more time sitting it will get stronger. just do as much as she can each day. The better chair should help a lot.

Pace yourself, lady, as the worry will last for years. Things will improve, but YOU , must look after yourself. Do not let your daughter's difficulties consume all of your energies, ok?

Be there, but be separate.

Thanks. My husband and sons tell me the same thing. I worry to much. And to take time for me. I do get a day here and there for me.

[kiwiquad]

Hi Dpapwl

It's necessary for your daughter to sit up in bed for no less than 15-20mins before getting up at her stage of recovery. If she's eating while still lying down, then getting straight into her chair from a horizontal position, her BP will be up & down throughout her time up. In itself, to-ing & fro-ing messes with the BP.

I'm 28yrs post & I have days where I'm continuously reclining, (this has only occurred since having a tilt chair, weird & un-figured) but if I get up in a timely manner & DO NOT recline from the get go, I'm usually fine. Perhaps discourage her from reclining & put her feet up instead.

Great job Mum

[Zack]

I would think struggling to push a heavy chair would help raise her BP, like weight lifting or extensive exercise does. No ?