Hypotension

[Celia Eddy]

Last August I was diagnosed with a tumour on the pituitary gland:prolactinoma.I've been taking bromocriptine since then and one of the side effects (as far as I understand it)is to reduce blood pressure. The dose I'm on now is 15mg, reduced from 20mg.

I have to take care when standing up,as I might feel dizzy, and my hands and feet to go white and dead unless I take great care to keep warm at all times.

I have other symptoms as well: complete lack of appetite (I've lost 12lbs since I began the treatment), tiredness and a very pale face.I also have night-sweats and very disturbed sleep pattern.

My question is this: could ALL my symptoms possibly be related to the low blood pressure, or should I worry about other possible reasons? By the way, I've had a blood test recently which suggests that the production of prolactin has reduced, therefore that the tumour has done likewise.

[Michael Sivertz]

I am very interested in the symptoms described by Celia Eddy.
My wife has low blood pressure (80/50 typically) and describes
the same set of symptoms; coldness and numbness in her
extremities, mental fogginess, night sweats and very disturbed
sleep patterns, in addition to poor digestion.  In my wife's
case, this is a chronic condition related perhaps to mitral
valve weakness rather than a side effect to medication or
tumor.  But I wanted to let Celia know that her symptoms are
consistent with hypotension.  I would be interested in hearing
whether Celia spoke to her doctor or not on this issue, and
whether or not her doctor had any helpful advice.

[akaldevsingh panesar]

i have high blood pressure,agina and diabetes.i am controlling the diabetes by cutting sugar altogether with satisfactory results as i never use my car and walk to shops church etc.
i have been given asprin 75 a day. i was horrified to see the side effects taking aspirin.
could you recommend that i should carry on taking this as i also take istin 5 gram daily.
please do send in a reply.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

I doubt that all your symptoms are due to the low blood pressure.  Some could be due to side-effects of the medication and the tumor itself.  Be sure to let your doctor know how you are feeling.