When it comes to my weight loss, I mostly relate change to the way I look and the size clothes I wear; I sometimes forget the physiological changes my body has gone through. I was reminded of those changes last week, when I was diagnosed with a form of low blood pressure.

For about a week, I’d been having what I best describe as a “head rush” when I would rise from sitting or laying down, sometimes even just stepping off the elliptical at the gym. My peripheral vision would get dark and I’d see stars, though I never fainted. Usually, nausea would also accompany the symptoms. Once or twice, I didn’t think much about it,  but when it started happening on a regular basis, I scheduled a doctor’s appointment.

It turns out that I have a form of low blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension in which my blood pressure drops when I stand up from sitting or lying down. In the doctor’s office, my blood pressure dropped from a sitting 120/84 to a standing 80/something. Dr. Word said that it is most likely a result of my 90-something lb. weight loss, and that it’s not uncommon. He did some blood work just to rule out other causes — I’m not anemic — but said that my body likely just needs to reset . To help, he prescribed a low dose of Midodrine, which will raise standing blood pressure.

I really find it odd and strangely satisfying that before I lost weight, I had borderline high blood pressure, but less than two years later, it’s actually gone down enough to be classified as low. That being said, it’s not a good thing, and I’m ready for these head rushes to subside.

I’ve been on  the meds for five days now, and I haven’t had any full-fledged episodes in that time. I did have mild lightheadedness when I hopped off the elliptical this a.m., but it wasn’t even close to where it was last week. It may be psychological, but I also find that I’ve had more energy, especially in the last few days.I am having trouble remembering to take the meds, though, because I have to take them three times a day. I put the morning dose with my other morning meds, but it’s harder to remember the lunch and dinner dose.

Do you take or have you taken meds that require multiple daily doses? How did you remember to take them? Any great products out there to help, maybe a pill box with reminders? Any tricks or tips to help?