Broken_Shell Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Does anyone know how to help peripheral normotensive cerebral hypoperfusion, i.e. lightheaded and symptoms of reduced blood flow to the head with normal blood pressure. My BP usually runs about 90/65, but I can only stand up for a few minutes at a time and am now having symptoms sitting as well. The only thing that helps is laying down. Does anyone know if midodrine is supposed to help this? What about Florinef? Drinking pedialyte? Thank you in advance for your feedback and suggestions.~ Broken_Shell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Have you tried compression? I don't wear the hose, just "shapewear;" the undergarments that squeeze the thighs and torso. They help me tremendously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potsgirl Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Both Florinef and Midodrine are supposed to help with that condition, although Midodrine seems to me to be a little more of an 'energy' drug. I only use it when I really have to have some extra energy, and then I only take 1/2 of a .25 tablet. If you're sensitive to drugs like a lot of us are, I would start very slowly with your doctor's guidance. Lots of water, salt, and compression hose like Firewatcher recommended can also help.Cheers,Jana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I would describe a BP of 90/55 as hypotensive ie low blood pressure. "Normal" BP should be more like 120/80.Increasing your BP should help with the symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion that you are describing. There are 2 main ways to raise BP (1) increasing blood volume and (2) vasoconstriction.(1) The usual fluids and sodium will help with this. Sodium can be from dietary salt, gatorade, pedialyte or salt tablets. Adding Fludrocortisone (Florinef) makes the kidneys retain sodium and that causes more water to remain in the blood. Medications like Erythropoetin (Epogen) also increase blood volume but are usually used where other medications have not worked.(2) The most common vasoconstrictive medication is Midodrine. A Non-medication way of obtaining a similar effect to constricting blood vessels is to wear compression garments such as stockings or hose or abdominal binders.Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramakentesh Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Like flop said - I think that is a little low for 'normo-tensive'.The problem is that cerebral hypoperfusion in POTS can occur for a variety of different reasons. It can occur because of reduced peripheral resistance which your posts suggests you dont have, because of a possible parasympathetic withdrawal that relates more to cerebral-vascular control than blood pressure and then there is excessive cerebral vasoconstriction/vasospams in NET deficiency and hypocapnic POTS. For me anything that boosts blood pressure helps - licorice, salt, or LOTS of water/gatorade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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