High Blood Pressure

[Ronc531]

So I have had high blood pressure for over 40 years and been taking medication for the hole time. I was diagnosed with high BP when I got out of basic training and was in the best shape of my life. I am now 62 and out of shape. it wasn't borderline either, I could tell when I had forgotten to take my medication, i would feel different. 

the VA gave me a BP monitor at the first of the year so I could monitor it regularly. I was have in dizzy spells when I would stand up or just walking up stairs. when I would take my BP it would read 90's over 60 something. it was doing this for a while so I talk with my VA provider and he took me off all of my BP medications. that was almost 5 months ago and my BP is in the 118/75 range everyday now without exception.

I have never heard of this before. I havent lost weight, changed my diet, or started working out. I am not complaining but it is hard to believe that after 40 years my BP is normal now without any changes to my life style. Like I said when i got out of basic training is when I found out I had it and was in great shape I had just went through Marine Corps boot camp.

Just curious if anyone else has had this happen?

[GBArmy]

Hi Ronc531 Nice problem you have; I'll swap with you! No really, you have to get a good eval from another cardiologist/specialist (non-VA.)  First thing is you should assess your overall health, and by that I mean, do you have any symptoms or conditions now. Anything, If you do, tell them to the new doc. The idea is to find out if being treated with unnecessary meds has caused you some harm after all these years. Example, you now have acid reflux/GERD; maybe caused by meds? Other heart problems? ED; again caused by meds. Take evidence of your treatment by the VA with you so the specialist can review. If you have problems that are related to taking improperly prescribed meds, and you get a diagnosis, you may be able to receive compensation. The best way, and easiest way would be by way of secondary disability. The other is title 38 US Code 1151, which is legal remedy where you sue the government for negligence, etc. That is a tough thing to win and you would need a lawyer for sure on that. The thing is just because the VA screwed up, if you haven't developed symptoms and received a diagnosis, nothing happens. No harm, no foul. But definitely see a specialist; you could be harmed and don't know it.

Good luck.

[Berta]

GBArmy is right !!!!- you need an independent ( non VA ) doctor's opinion on why there is a sudden change in your BP, after the VA stopped the Prescription.

High blood pressure meds can be contraindicated by other meds. Meaning the other medicine can make HBP worse.

You could file a Section 1151 claim, if you have incurred any disability that can be attributed to taking an inappropriate medication.

Do you have any form of Hypertensive heart disease?

Something was wrong with your VA care in my opinion, but it is hard to say they damaged you ,if the HBP med was inappropriate or contraindicated by something else.

I know personallly how the wrong VA med can cause problems, and even death.

My husband filed a 1151 claim a few months prior to his death.He asked me many times, if the VA "killed" him, to continue his claim."I would say Honey the VA doesn't kill anyone."But I felt the 1151 would get him better PTSD care. That care did change after a few battles I had with them.

With no apparent warning he suddenly dropped dead years ago-I filed right away and succeeded in 1151 and FTCA. 

VA had malpracticed on many serious issues he had, heart disease, TIAs and major stroke,, diabetes mellitus, and HBP.

The VA had diagnosed a prior heart attack he had while employed by the VA, as a sinus infection. They prescribed a high dose of sudafed for the next 6 years after the misdiagnosed heart attack at VA.

I proved that the sudafed contributed to his and the VA agreed, and also I proved they malpracticed on all of the above conditions.

One single misdiagnose and the meds that are inappropriate for the misdiagnosed condition ,can cause further problems down the road.

I also proved after the 1151/FTCA ordeal that he also died due to 2 AO disabilities ( AO IHD and AO DMII) and have claim pending now for AO HBP.

I sure didnt think the VA would ever kill him or any other veteran but I was wrong. He made me promise to go after them ,if they caused his death.I did that. I also found thepharmacy had made a significant error and sent him another local vets HBP meds by mistake. It was the dose he should have been on all along ( per VACO review), but the higher dose also might have caused his death.I dont know if he took the higher dose-he was visually  impaired by a stroke, and all I did is check his meds with the PDR when they came by mail to make sure they looked right. I discovered the other vets name on the bottle when the coroner called here to see what meds he was on.

Section 1151 and FTCA involve  incurring a ratable documented disability or death directly due to a VA medical error.

The doctor ,in your case, obviously thought something was wrong-and mitigated further damage of the HBP med.

But, in my opinion, you need a Specialist as GBA said, to review your entire medical profile and they can determine if you have any other ratable disability that the VA caused due to medical error.

I filed FTCA right away- and then ordered my husband;s VA med recs. I was in shock over  his sudden death.They revealed the local VAMC's malpractice as well as a major cover up attempt by a different VAMC he was sent to.

If I had not done what my husband made me promise to do, the VA would have gotten away with ,in my opinion,Murder due to the steps they took , knowing one VAMC had already misdiagnosed him, to try to conceal the malpractice.

I even found their motive for the malpractice but you do not need to prove motive.My husband was only 47 years old when he died, a decorated Vietnam Combat veteran. No veteransregardless of their type of service, should be treated the way he was.I thought his death and the FTCA case would stop further malpractice, but  I was wrong, The same original VAMC locally ,who cauised the initial malpractice , also almost killed another vet who worked at VA with him. I got the vet 100% P & T under 1151.

Everything I know about FTCA and 1151 is in those forums here.

VA saves lives every day!  But something is wrong here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 22, 2020 by Berta (see edit history)

[Berta]

You stated :

"he took me off all of my BP medications"

All??I can't understand why the VA gave you more than one HBP med????

It sounds like none of them were effective and caused the HBP to raise.

It might cost you some cash to get a thorough review of your medical records, and for a doctor- if they find you incurred other ratable disability  problems, due to their past errors, who would need to prepare a strong IME for 1151 claims purposes

.FTCA has a 2 year Statute of Limits ( in some states the SOL is only one year) and if you filed for FTCA you would have to do that within those 2 years -but check your states SOL first.

I personally feel 1151 is the better way to go here. IMO/ IME info is in our IMO forum at hadit' under 'Read First before getting an IMO/IME.'

Also Google, IMO docs and even FTCA lawyers were not available when I filed for 1151/FTCA. 1995. It was difficult for me to access the medical info I needed for my claims over my husband's death. No NY lawyer would help me, as I contacted many, and I had to do all of  the medical and legal work myself.I even had to use a local law library to get into 38 USC, CFR.

I could only get 20 xeroxes at a time, for a fee. I would get 20 , then leave and go back later and then I could get 20 more  of VA regulations and case law. Luckily I also had been purchasing the VBM by NVLSP since 1991 and that gave me an idea of what 1151 was all about. and I read it to my husband who dictated his 1151 claim to me. But their FTCA info was limited in the VBM and they suggested FTCA cases required a lawyer.Every lawyer I contacted told me I could Never succeed. They were all wrong, and these days many lawyers specialize in malpractice.And IMO/IME doctors are much easier to find.

 

 

Have you googled every medication you were on, at a valid medical web site , to see the side affects of each med  and any cause for contraindications, with other meds VA prescribed?

 

 

[Buck52]

I never heard that taking a person off blood pressure meds will make the blood pressure improved  that seems down right ridiculous.and dangerous.

[Buck52]

Ronc531

What was the name of the blood pressure meds the VA HAD YOU ON  OR WHAT THE VA Dr Prescribe you?

and do you take other medications for different conditions?

[Buck52]

IF I WAS YOU I'D CHECK WITH A GOOD EXPERIENCED  CARDIO PRIVATE DR

TELL HIM/HER EVERYTHING YOU MENTION HERE  , OBVIOUSLY YOU NEED TO GET THIS SOLVED   ASAP. for your own health benefit and well being.

[Buck52]

I am over weight too and not in shape or workout age 68 and so for my ticker is doing ok  but there is one medication I can't take  and that is Prozosin HLC

My VA PCP put me on this med for my prostate and high blood pressure and help with high anxiety ,  but my blood pressure was not all that high so it was mainly for or to help shrink my prostate.& help with anxiety .

but When I use to take it  It made me feel as though I was going to pass out   just made me very nauseous & clammy, and I could not breath right  had to lay down and after about 30 min or so I was ok...so I mention this to the Dr and she took me off of it.

Dr orderd a Nuclear Stress test, I did that test and they found some Abnormality but didn't say what they were?...but since it don't seem to bother me  the cardio Dr tells me to lose about 70lbs...which i HAVE NOT LOST ANY SINCE SHE TOLED ME THAT ABOUT 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO OR SO

I DO NEED TO LOSE   NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

Edited July 22, 2020 by Buck52 (see edit history)

[broncovet]

 

  It could be like Berta said..the doc office made a mistake, misread your blood pressure readings, and put you on blood presssure meds by mistake.  Did other doctors confirm you had high blood pressure at that time?  Read your medical reports and see.  If those doctors did not indicate you had hbp, well you may have a case for 1151 claim as Berta said.  You will need documentation of malpractice..from other doctors..to prove malpractice.  

But, lets say your doc was correct and your high blood pressure healed on its own.  There are many instances of high blood pressure going away, sometimes for no apparenet reason.  Blood pressure can be affected by many things: diet, exercise, even pain or stress can cause your blood pressure to increase.  Likewise, if your pain or stress goes away, your blood pressure can decrease.  

There are many foods, for example, that can lower blood pressure.  Here are 13 of them: https://www.healthline.com/health/foods-good-for-high-blood-pressure#foods-to-try

You may not have even noticed you changed your diet.

EVEN not drinking enough water can cause high blood pressure: https://www.healthline.com/health/dehydration-and-blood-pressure

Changing your career can affect the above:  As an example, if you are in certain occupations you may not be able to use the bathroom frequently so you compensate by drinking less, and dehydrating yourself.  I have a family member who is a trucker who rarely drinks anything during work, as its inconvienient to have to do bathroom stops.  He is probably dehydrated 8 or 10 hours, or more, per day.  

Even your spiritual health can affect blood pressure.  Many people get a sense of peace and calm through their faith.  Others are "wired up" sometimes because they are "on the run" constantly looking out for the police.  

You may not have noticed your life changes.  

This study even shows that "forgiveness" can reduce blood pressure!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654362/

 

Edited July 22, 2020 by broncovet (see edit history)

[Ronc531]

10 hours ago, GBArmy said:

Hi Ronc531 Nice problem you have; I'll swap with you! No really, you have to get a good eval from another cardiologist/specialist (non-VA.)  First thing is you should assess your overall health, and by that I mean, do you have any symptoms or conditions now. Anything, If you do, tell them to the new doc. The idea is to find out if being treated with unnecessary meds has caused you some harm after all these years. Example, you now have acid reflux/GERD; maybe caused by meds? Other heart problems? ED; again caused by meds. Take evidence of your treatment by the VA with you so the specialist can review. If you have problems that are related to taking improperly prescribed meds, and you get a diagnosis, you may be able to receive compensation. The best way, and easiest way would be by way of secondary disability. The other is title 38 US Code 1151, which is legal remedy where you sue the government for negligence, etc. That is a tough thing to win and you would need a lawyer for sure on that. The thing is just because the VA screwed up, if you haven't developed symptoms and received a diagnosis, nothing happens. No harm, no foul. But definitely see a specialist; you could be harmed and don't know it.

Good luck.

Thanks, I don't think they messed up. I have been to several doctors and all said I had high bp. I went back and checked what my bp was the last couple times I went to the VA clinic. last September it was in the 140 range and October was also in the 140 range and that was being on my medication. I looked at my last 2 visits this year in January and both times my bp was in the 105/65, and it's been low since then.

Something has changed between October last year and January this year. I am happy it has gone down but concerned that there could be something wrong with me that has caused it to go down.  My VA doctor was just transferred and waiting to see me new doctor when she gets here.

[Ronc531]

8 hours ago, Berta said:

GBArmy is right !!!!- you need an independent ( non VA ) doctor's opinion on why there is a sudden change in your BP, after the VA stopped the Prescription.

High blood pressure meds can be contraindicated by other meds. Meaning the other medicine can make HBP worse.

You could file a Section 1151 claim, if you have incurred any disability that can be attributed to taking an inappropriate medication.

Do you have any form of Hypertensive heart disease?

Something was wrong with your VA care in my opinion, but it is hard to say they damaged you ,if the HBP med was inappropriate or contraindicated by something else.

I know personallly how the wrong VA med can cause problems, and even death.

My husband filed a 1151 claim a few months prior to his death.He asked me many times, if the VA "killed" him, to continue his claim."I would say Honey the VA doesn't kill anyone."But I felt the 1151 would get him better PTSD care. That care did change after a few battles I had with them.

With no apparent warning he suddenly dropped dead years ago-I filed right away and succeeded in 1151 and FTCA. 

VA had malpracticed on many serious issues he had, heart disease, TIAs and major stroke,, diabetes mellitus, and HBP.

The VA had diagnosed a prior heart attack he had while employed by the VA, as a sinus infection. They prescribed a high dose of sudafed for the next 6 years after the misdiagnosed heart attack at VA.

I proved that the sudafed contributed to his and the VA agreed, and also I proved they malpracticed on all of the above conditions.

One single misdiagnose and the meds that are inappropriate for the misdiagnosed condition ,can cause further problems down the road.

I also proved after the 1151/FTCA ordeal that he also died due to 2 AO disabilities ( AO IHD and AO DMII) and have claim pending now for AO HBP.

I sure didnt think the VA would ever kill him or any other veteran but I was wrong. He made me promise to go after them ,if they caused his death.I did that. I also found thepharmacy had made a significant error and sent him another local vets HBP meds by mistake. It was the dose he should have been on all along ( per VACO review), but the higher dose also might have caused his death.I dont know if he took the higher dose-he was visually  impaired by a stroke, and all I did is check his meds with the PDR when they came by mail to make sure they looked right. I discovered the other vets name on the bottle when the coroner called here to see what meds he was on.

Section 1151 and FTCA involve  incurring a ratable documented disability or death directly due to a VA medical error.

The doctor ,in your case, obviously thought something was wrong-and mitigated further damage of the HBP med.

But, in my opinion, you need a Specialist as GBA said, to review your entire medical profile and they can determine if you have any other ratable disability that the VA caused due to medical error.

I filed FTCA right away- and then ordered my husband;s VA med recs. I was in shock over  his sudden death.They revealed the local VAMC's malpractice as well as a major cover up attempt by a different VAMC he was sent to.

If I had not done what my husband made me promise to do, the VA would have gotten away with ,in my opinion,Murder due to the steps they took , knowing one VAMC had already misdiagnosed him, to try to conceal the malpractice.

I even found their motive for the malpractice but you do not need to prove motive.My husband was only 47 years old when he died, a decorated Vietnam Combat veteran. No veteransregardless of their type of service, should be treated the way he was.I thought his death and the FTCA case would stop further malpractice, but  I was wrong, The same original VAMC locally ,who cauised the initial malpractice , also almost killed another vet who worked at VA with him. I got the vet 100% P & T under 1151.

Everything I know about FTCA and 1151 is in those forums here.

VA saves lives every day!  But something is wrong here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am very sorry to hear about your husband.

I have only been seeing the VA doctors for the last 2 years for anything besides my disability, before that it was all private doctors.

I do believe I had HBP, but I am concerned about why it went away all of a sudden after 40 years. I've always been told HBP does not go away, that it is not curable. 

[Ronc531]

7 hours ago, Berta said:

You stated :

"he took me off all of my BP medications"

All??I can't understand why the VA gave you more than one HBP med????

Sorry was on only 1 med for my BP, it's been changed throughout the years.

I am not blaming the VA for anything. since I started seeing a VA doctor the last 2 years they have been great to work with. Previously not so good but the VA seems to have really changed lately.

[Ronc531]

7 hours ago, Buck52 said:

I never heard that taking a person off blood pressure meds will make the blood pressure improved  that seems down right ridiculous.and dangerous.

I was taken off becouse my BP was to low

[Ronc531]

7 hours ago, Buck52 said:

Ronc531

What was the name of the blood pressure meds the VA HAD YOU ON  OR WHAT THE VA Dr Prescribe you?

and do you take other medications for different conditions?

I take a number of different meds but nothing different for the last couple years. My wife has suggested that maybe something I am taking now has helped but nothing has changed for a while now