chemotherapy and blood pressure increase

[bohan54]

My bp has been controlled by 80 mg. Diovan until my second round of chemo.  Since I am in a clinical trial, I do not know whether or not I get Avastin, only know for sure about Carbo/Taxol.  Anyone experience hypertension induced by chemo?  My head hurts, it's hovering around 155/105, not good.

[crecco]

Sharon,
  At one time I was taking 4 different meds to try and get it under control. I had never had high BP in my life until then.
So it sounds like they will have to put you on a couple anyway.
Good luck, and I hope they get it under control fast because those headaches hurt like h***!
   Chris

[bohan54]

I'm already on meds and it's high.  Going to the family doc today, my oncologist won't deal with any issues but cancer.

[crecco]

Sharon,
I am going out on a limb here, but I have a good idea that you are recieving the Avastin as I had the exact same problems. I started having really bad headaches and asked the chemo nurse about it one day. She said that the Avastin would cause that but to also check my BP the next time I got one. I am glad she told me that as when I did it was 160/112. They immediately started me on BP meds. When the time came for my next chemo, my Dr said no way and sent me straight to the ER. When I got there my BP was a whopping 203/118. Talk about being scared. I took playing around with several different meds and several different doses, but it is finally back where it should be. I just take 7mg of norvasc a day.
  Any way, the headaches and the high blood pressure are side effects of the Avastin. Of course I cannot be sure, but I would say that it is a good chance.
  Chris

[manneca]

My BP has always been low--in the 110/65 range. During chemo when I was at the cancer center (whether to get chemo or for my neulasta or nupogen shots), my BP would be about 140/100 or so. But at my primary care physician's it was around 120/80. I think it was primarily the stress of being there. At home it was in the 110/65 range.

[marie3B]

I never had Avastin.  Before chemo all of my adult life my B/P has been low.  Always around 100/60.  Went up to between 140/80 and 150/90 during chemo and has never gone back down much.  Marie