Blood pressure though the roof!

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oandtolivo
oandtolivo Member Posts: 83
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I'm on Herceptin/Tamoxifen/Zoladex and my blood pressure is running about 145/100.  Before chemo it was always about 120/80.  This is making me feel so much older than my 35 years.  Has anyone else experienced this and if so what did you do to help get it down?  My PCM said try to relax and don't stress out.  Please!! I have three kids and in and out of doctor offices and hospitals every couple of weeks.  I see my cardiologist next month, but I really need to try something now.  I'm feeling so off.  Thanks

Tracy

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited February 2012

    I have the same thing happening and don't know why. Leftover herceptin damage maybe in my case, not stress. I hope you get some answers....I'd love to know to. I'm constantly worried I'm going to stroke out and all the blood pressure medications my doctor has me on don't help. I did see a cardiologist....had a 24-hour heart and blood pressure monitor put on and he seemed somewhat unconcerned, given my cancer history. I'm Stage IV though, and I got the distinct impression that he thought I should be expecting it and "what do you want me to do about it" kind-of thing. I didn't like him and I was pissed when I left his office.

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  • zanoza
    zanoza Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2012

    Hi oandtolio,

    I'm on Herceptin only right now and my blood pressure problems started 3 years before cancer dx (at age 38) although all my hart tests were normal. My doctor tried few pills till we got to Hyzaar (50/12.5) that keeps we stable for almost 2 years now. Previously I had periodic jumps to about 135/120 (the small difference is what is dangerous) but now I'm in 120/90 range and feel fine.

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  • oandtolivo
    oandtolivo Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2012
    Thank you for responding.  I'm in a foreign country and I often feel like I'm not getting the answers I should from my doctors.  I hate it when they say "That's normal".  It's not normal for me!  I feel like I'm on the verge of a heart attack.  I know I need to relax, but it's hard.  BC has really flipped my world upside down.  I really don't want to take anymore meds.  I'll do a BP log next week and hope the cardiologist will see me sooner.
    Thanks again and have a great weekendSmile
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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2012

    Let's start here: your blood pressure isn't through the roof! Get that idea out of your mind as it is obviously causing you some distress. The highest I've recorded is 214/112 and that was when I was on 5 blood pressure meds. I was at the ER with chest pains. I had been sitting waiting for about 4 hours at that point to see a doc. The reading didn't alarm them at all. In fact, I sat for another hour before leaving against their "better judgement". I said if I wasn't going to see a doctor, there was no reason to sit for another 5 hours! So, as you can see, the blood pressure, though a serious issue, isn't always the emergency you may think it is. My "normal" reading walking around is 148/98. I am on meds and that is acceptable.

    A couple of things could be happening here. There is a phenomenon that some people get nervous when they know their blood pressure is about to be taken and that causes the rise. It's known as "White Coat Syndrome". Also, when my blood pressure is taken by my Nephrologist, it is done by a machine that takes readings for a five minute period and then averages them out. Also, it depends on who's taking it! My docs nurse goes so fast and it's always the same reading!! My doc goes slower, watches the dial closely and gets the true reading as far as I'm concerned.

     It is IMPERATIVE that you get seen for this issue, make sure your cardiologist knows your concern. But please, don't keep blaming yourself! There is very little we can do when the high blood pressure isn't caused by obesity or diet. I haven't had salt in my home for over 18 years now. What that did was give me thyroid issues as there is iodine in our table salt and I hadn't been "getting any"!!! What that has proven is that my HBP isn't caused by diet. Gave me relief to know that it's "not my fault".

    Let us know what your cardiologist says next month. We care.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2012

    Tracy:  If it's any consolation, my onc told me that Tamoxifen (and I'm sure other hormonals) can make your bp rise and make you "hypotensive".  She suggests cardio exercise for 1/2 hour about 3 times per week or more.  I know it wouldn't really help because I DO have the "white coat syndrome".  I always have high bp reading at the doc, then go home and it's normal.  I bought a blood pressure cuff for home and it is really very accurate. 

    Hang in there !

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  • oandtolivo
    oandtolivo Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2012
    My heart function has slightly decreased, but not enough to halt treatment with herceptin.Smile  I'm still within the recommended percentage, but I'll need to see the cardiologist every 4 week instead of every 3 months.  No meds, but the Germans really push the Mistel tea and eating your greens.  My BP has been all over the place this week, but my hubby is back from deployment and the kids have settled down.  He's taken on a lot of the stress and I'm grateful for that.  Thanks again for your help and support.  And for bringing me in of the ledge!Embarassed
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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited February 2012

    The possible side effects of both the chemo (AC) and the herceptin was a rise in BP and cholesterol levels in a small percentage of patients.

    I won the lottery with a major rise in both.  My primary care doctor treated me with a statin and 2 blood pressure meds.

    As herceptin slowly disappears from the body (can take 6 -9 months after the last infusion), I had to delete BP meds as time went on as my BP was dropping too much.  The first med was deleted 6 months after I stopped herceptin.  The second med has been slowly reduced.

    At one time, I hoped to be entirely off the medication until the study showing the positive effects of beta blockers on breast cancer was done.  Now I am very happy to take my low dose of beta blocker every morning.

    I have been off the statins for three years as my cholesterol levels also returned to normal.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited March 2012

    bump

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