Good Morning Kandy... It is possible to get the AD symptoms for a real "AD reason" without his BP being elevated. It's unusual, but possible.
You didn't mention headaches as a symptom. THAT is one of the more/most dangerous aspects of AD as it can lead to a stroke. I'm not trying to scare you, just mentioning what's possible. If he does not have headaches it's a good sign that a stroke may not happen. (But not a guarantee.) The reason I say the non-elevated BP is unusual is because *typically* it's the elevated BP that causes the headaches that accompany the sweating and goose bumps. But then again, nothing about a quad is truly "typical." It sounds like you're already experienced a little with working through the process of elimination... i.e. positioning, skin, bladder, bowels, etc. It's good you remember to keep on top of it so well after just a month home! I had AD like his without high BP way back when a butt sore began! It ended with a flap surgery and 6 weeks in bed and off my butt using a prone cart at home to get around (If you've never seen a prone cart, it allowed me to get around by laying on my stomach while pushing rims on the front wheels of the cart.) On the other hand, I get the same symptoms if my toes aren't straight in my shoes! If one is bent and a toe joint is rubbing/pressing in the shoe. In my case, my sore began outside as a small scratch that occurred during a transfer from a shower chair to bed while naked... no bottom coverage/protection... a rehab nurse's dumb move but what can you do. The real sore began a year later at that tender area. BUT, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW: While my sore started outside, many CAN and DO begin breaking down inside near the bone with no outward signs... except AD!... until they suddenly erupt as a big open sore that looks months old. So PLEASE be EXTRA careful and check the skin and all the little skin folds very carefully and each time he gets out of his chair if possible... or try to MAKE it possible! * Feel the skin to see if it feels "normal" like , * Press on it looking for soft spots or other oddities, * Check for "blanching." ... when you press it, the skin should turn whiteish as the blood supply has been pushed away. That blood flow should return quickly as a pinkish color like the surrounding skin. When I had this I was beginning college and I used lots of paper towels every day to wipe sweat from my head and shoulders. I would sit in the sun to get some sweat to evaporate but that only helped a little because I lived and went to school in a humid area at the time (near Philadelphia and Erie, PA in the summertime). I was moving from hot-humid sunny areas to cool, dry air-conditioned classrooms and my dorm room. I had my PCAs check everything carefully for any changes once I knew it was a sore (confirmed by another nurse who thought it was nothing to worry about). I never had a headache through this and I never had high BP. All of my doctors --the ones who knew what AD is, that is-- were somewhat surprised my BP wasn't up but they were glad I recognized it for what it was. The nurse at the college (mentioned above), who was hired to work with students with disabilities in a dorm floor set aside for us (this was pre-ADA), didn't think this sore was much to worry about. By the time I was finally able to get enough mirrors positioned well enough that I could see it, it was big (about 2 x 3 in.) and smelled like rotting meat or a dead animal. Technically, it was! I insisted on getting to a doctor right away and had this nurse escolrt me so she could hear the doc's opinion! Again, I'm not trying to scare you. I just want you both to be extremely careful as this goes on. I know mine was an extreme situation. Yours could be much smaller... even nothing at all. I've heard of quads who get profuse sweating and goose bumps all the time for no apparent reason. There are meds that can help this but I forget what they are. So... there it is. All the words I can offer at this time. I hope I helped more than frightened. And I wish you and your hasband all the best as he continues his transition back to Home, Sweet Home! Best wishes! --Tod ---- Kandy Vogelpohl <[email protected]> wrote: > Good Morning, I am trying to figure out if my husband is having AD > episodes.... I know for sure he had one when he was in the hospital because > his blood pressure spiked, and I know it was from a kinked hose into his > cathetor. So I am always checking that.... > > What I am wondering is that my husband breaks out in sweats around his > shoulders and head, but then will have goose bumps going down his forearms. > But his blood pressure is never elevated. Can he have AD without the blood > pressure elevation? He gets so many of the symptons except that. > > Thanks for your help. > > Kandy (Wife of husband - C-4 Complete Car accident 2008. > > (My husband was hospitalized for a year. I just got him home a month ago.) > I could use any pointers anyone has to offer.
