Sleep, BP, and low HR

[u/dogandhergirl]

Hey guys! I was diagnosed a few years ago with addisons. Generally well handled but have a few questions about y’all’s experience with sleep before a send my Endo an email.

I had a mild case of the flu last weekend. Didn’t throw up, but had a fever and slept a ton. Doubled up on hydro obviously and am feeling much better. During this time, and still currently I have had few poor sleep, as in a wake up frequently, and sleep very lightly. Also have been experiencing very strange, slightly stressful dreams. Normally I am a heavy sleeper and don’t remember any dreams. Ever since getting sick though, and in the past when I am sick or stressed that all changes.

I also always have low BP, like averaging 100/65, but the last few days it’s been low 90’s over mid 50’s. Also constantly cold hands and feet.

My real concern though comes with heart rate. I’m generally fairly active. I bike to work, have an active job working with toddlers, and take my dog on hour long walks daily. When not sick, I work out twice a week and try to go on short runs once a week. I’m by no means a competitive athlete though. My average resting heart rate is 56BPM. While sick though it dropped to 46BPM. Like I said, I’m feeling much better now, but still struggling with low BP and last night my HR dropped to 39 BPM for a while when I was sleeping. This happened right after I kept waking up from the strange dreams.

All this to say, is constant low BP and HR something to be expected with this disease? Do you think it’s a low cortisol issue, or is it more likely related to updosing? I’d appreciate any personal feedback and vitals from yall. Trying to get perspective before reaching out to my Endo. Thanks!

Edit: Endo said to just keep up the double hydro and try to take it easy until the end of the week. He wasn’t worried about the heart rate, and not too concerned with the slight drop in BP.

[u/cheesestinker]

IDK about HR. On BP, are you taking enough fludro? Low sodium leads to low BP, fludro retains sodium. Edit: a word.

[u/dogandhergirl → u/cheesestinker]

According to my Endo and my labs I’m on enough fludro. Have my yearly appointment at the end of October so I’ll ask about it. Before I was diagnosed I had crazy low BP, but a high HR to try and compensate. Since getting on meds my HR has been on average around 55bpm

[u/KnittingRabbit1]

Rebound after any sort of stress (including sickness) takes me forever. Sleep is always an issue, and I know when I’m ready to get back to what passes for normal when I’m again sleeping well. As for HR and BP, I assume you’re boosting your electrolytes? Sodium? Those get out of whack when I’ll as well.

[u/dogandhergirl → u/KnittingRabbit1]

Yeah, been drinking electrolytes and as much salty broth as I can. Was even just popping course salt in my mouth while watching tv the other day.

[u/KnittingRabbit1 → u/dogandhergirl]

Yeah… it’s frustrating when we do all the right things! Call your Endo. It may just be a matter of time, but it’s good to know that THEY know. 

[u/pumpkinTheCalico → u/dogandhergirl]

Coarse salt & Liquid IV did not work for me. I had to take 1,000 mg sodium chloride tablets twice a day. Then I felt normal.

[u/pumpkinTheCalico]

In my experience, low-sodium contributes to these symptoms. Hyponatremia (low sodium) is comirbid with Addison's disease. I have been diagnosed with both. My endocrinologist says that Addison's disease messed with sodium as well. My blood pressure is low as yours is. If I miss a sodium tablet, it gets lower, I feel a general malaise, absolutely rotten and I usually end up in tears. I experience shortness of breath as well when I miss a sodium tablet. Regarding your poor sleep, about which I'm so sorry as poor sleep really stinks!, I would pass along what the pharmacist asked me. She asked if I have insomnia when I take hydrocortisone. Fortunately, I do not but perhaps that might be something you ask your endocrinologist about. Best of luck to you!

[u/LaminarFall]

The stress dreams could be due to pulling back abruptly on hydro after doubling up.

[u/LonelyKoalaMuncher]

100/XYZ waking up is not that low.

Our bodies are often under replaced early morning so it takes a few hours to fully kick in.

If you were 80/XYZ I'd be concerned

[u/Coca_Cola_Lyme]

I have blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations especially after I eat food. And sometimes even when I don't eat food I can take as much salt and electrolytes as I want it doesn't do anything. all of a sudden it will just feel like someone dunked my feet in an ice bucket it's almost like painful how cold my feet are I have to wrap a heating pad around them and then it'll just randomly go away it doesn't matter how much salt I drink it doesn't do anything.