SavvyCat
04-01-2007, 12:30 PM
I suffer from panic attacks and my doctor put me on Paxil CR and Xanax XR. I eventually stopped the Xanax (no easy feat, let me tell you) and I continued with Paxil. (I'm getting to blood pressure, just hold on.) During all that time, my weight increased from 135 and actually peaked at 185. The doctor insisted it wasn't Paxil's fault. All he said was that it increases appetite a little and I just have to watch it. Well, I had been working out with a trainer all that time and the weight was coming on, not going off.
Then, I got nailed with high blood pressure and he put me on Lisinopril/HCTZ, 10mg/12.5mg. I started doing research on my own, and while Paxil is an appetite culprit, it also interferes with your metabolism, so it makes you eat, it also makes to keep it forever. LOL! And not only is weight gain often responsible for high blood pressure, but Paxil also by itself can increase blood pressure. My solution? Stop taking the darn Paxil!
I have a confession. During this time I was, shall I say, self-medicating with a bit o'the grape. Alcohol also is a weight gain and blood pressure demon. I didn't tell my doctor about the level of alcohol, but I did stop it. Then I stopped the Paxil. Six months out, and I feel like my body has decided it wants to drop some weight. Without doing much of anything, I dropped 6 pounds over a week.
When it comes to setting myself up for some weight loss, I think the last turd in the pool at this point is the Lisinopril. I don't think I need it anymore, because aside from the weight gain, I firmly believe that the high blood pressure was due to the combination of Paxil and alcohol. The thing is, that doctor and I had a falling out and I don't see him anymore, and I don't have health insurance or another doctor. I have one month left on my prescription and I'm trying to decide what to do.
My BP peaked at 150/105. While on this low dose, it has been fairly steady in the 115/83 range. I'm planning to stop taking the medication and see what happens, but I don't know if it's something you need to step down by taking every other day, or splitting the pills. I'm open to input.
Then, I got nailed with high blood pressure and he put me on Lisinopril/HCTZ, 10mg/12.5mg. I started doing research on my own, and while Paxil is an appetite culprit, it also interferes with your metabolism, so it makes you eat, it also makes to keep it forever. LOL! And not only is weight gain often responsible for high blood pressure, but Paxil also by itself can increase blood pressure. My solution? Stop taking the darn Paxil!
I have a confession. During this time I was, shall I say, self-medicating with a bit o'the grape. Alcohol also is a weight gain and blood pressure demon. I didn't tell my doctor about the level of alcohol, but I did stop it. Then I stopped the Paxil. Six months out, and I feel like my body has decided it wants to drop some weight. Without doing much of anything, I dropped 6 pounds over a week.
When it comes to setting myself up for some weight loss, I think the last turd in the pool at this point is the Lisinopril. I don't think I need it anymore, because aside from the weight gain, I firmly believe that the high blood pressure was due to the combination of Paxil and alcohol. The thing is, that doctor and I had a falling out and I don't see him anymore, and I don't have health insurance or another doctor. I have one month left on my prescription and I'm trying to decide what to do.
My BP peaked at 150/105. While on this low dose, it has been fairly steady in the 115/83 range. I'm planning to stop taking the medication and see what happens, but I don't know if it's something you need to step down by taking every other day, or splitting the pills. I'm open to input.
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bethsheba
04-01-2007, 02:11 PM
I'm without insurance so I know what you mean...but the plus side of it is, I scrutinize every pill, every test, and every recommendation that they "prescribe" and as a result, I believe my health care has improved!!
My doctor took me off hct and lisinopril ( I was only on one drug at time ) without reducing the dosage and like you, I was on a minimal dose. However, everyone is different so if it were me, I would check with at least my pharmacist and ideally my "new" doctor (insurance or not, you're going to need a regular doctor) before doing anything, if I were you.
Your bp on medication is at such a reasonable range, I would also suggest you work with your "new" doctor to address diet because altho the hbp may be under control at this time, as you age it may become more of an issue.
And last but not least, congrats on the reduction of alcohol...I love a glass of wine now and then, but I also know that alcohol is a drug and needs to be treated as such.
Take care.
Bethsheba
My doctor took me off hct and lisinopril ( I was only on one drug at time ) without reducing the dosage and like you, I was on a minimal dose. However, everyone is different so if it were me, I would check with at least my pharmacist and ideally my "new" doctor (insurance or not, you're going to need a regular doctor) before doing anything, if I were you.
Your bp on medication is at such a reasonable range, I would also suggest you work with your "new" doctor to address diet because altho the hbp may be under control at this time, as you age it may become more of an issue.
And last but not least, congrats on the reduction of alcohol...I love a glass of wine now and then, but I also know that alcohol is a drug and needs to be treated as such.
Take care.
Bethsheba
SavvyCat
04-01-2007, 03:43 PM
Thanks for the quick reply. This is the only drug I'm on, too. And I got denied health insurance because of it. I stopped the Paxil because I was doing better on intestinal fortitude than medication to deal with what will probably always be a daily struggle. But I'm functional and I do what needs to be done. Given that, my BP may always be a tad high. ;)
I'm positive the HPB was transitory given the other stuff I was doing at the time (that I never told the doc). The couple of times I asked my doc to let me off of it, he never actually said it would be unsafe, it was always, "I want to watch it for a while. Besides, that drug is so cheap." Yeah, you should keep taking meds because they're cheap...
I'm positive the HPB was transitory given the other stuff I was doing at the time (that I never told the doc). The couple of times I asked my doc to let me off of it, he never actually said it would be unsafe, it was always, "I want to watch it for a while. Besides, that drug is so cheap." Yeah, you should keep taking meds because they're cheap...
bethsheba
04-01-2007, 05:57 PM
The couple of times I asked my doc to let me off of it, he never actually said it would be unsafe, it was always, "I want to watch it for a while. Besides, that drug is so cheap." Yeah, you should keep taking meds because they're cheap...
Given the one comment your doc made, you were wise to fire him! But I'm sure you had other reasons.
Oh, and "you're welcome" about the quick reply!
Bethsheba
Given the one comment your doc made, you were wise to fire him! But I'm sure you had other reasons.
Oh, and "you're welcome" about the quick reply!
Bethsheba
meblonde
04-04-2007, 10:25 PM
I suffer from panic attacks and my doctor put me on Paxil CR and Xanax XR. I eventually stopped the Xanax (no easy feat, let me tell you) and I continued with Paxil. (I'm getting to blood pressure, just hold on.) During all that time, my weight increased from 135 and actually peaked at 185. The doctor insisted it wasn't Paxil's fault. All he said was that it increases appetite a little and I just have to watch it. Well, I had been working out with a trainer all that time and the weight was coming on, not going off.
Then, I got nailed with high blood pressure and he put me on Lisinopril/HCTZ, 10mg/12.5mg. I started doing research on my own, and while Paxil is an appetite culprit, it also interferes with your metabolism, so it makes you eat, it also makes to keep it forever. LOL! And not only is weight gain often responsible for high blood pressure, but Paxil also by itself can increase blood pressure. My solution? Stop taking the darn Paxil!
I have a confession. During this time I was, shall I say, self-medicating with a bit o'the grape. Alcohol also is a weight gain and blood pressure demon. I didn't tell my doctor about the level of alcohol, but I did stop it. Then I stopped the Paxil. Six months out, and I feel like my body has decided it wants to drop some weight. Without doing much of anything, I dropped 6 pounds over a week.
When it comes to setting myself up for some weight loss, I think the last turd in the pool at this point is the Lisinopril. I don't think I need it anymore, because aside from the weight gain, I firmly believe that the high blood pressure was due to the combination of Paxil and alcohol. The thing is, that doctor and I had a falling out and I don't see him anymore, and I don't have health insurance or another doctor. I have one month left on my prescription and I'm trying to decide what to do.
My BP peaked at 150/105. While on this low dose, it has been fairly steady in the 115/83 range. I'm planning to stop taking the medication and see what happens, but I don't know if it's something you need to step down by taking every other day, or splitting the pills. I'm open to input.
have you ever thought about trying apple cider vinger? I had high blood pressure and my Do put me on Altace. I have been on it for years. well I gained weight and guess what? Bllod pressure went up. So I read up on ACV and gave it a try. In just a couple days my bp went from 155/98 to 117/82.. Needless to say I'm sticking with it. I also read about all the other grest things it does. Its natural and can't hurt you. And maybe it's all in my mind but I fell better and I have more engry and less hungry. Its' worth a try.
Then, I got nailed with high blood pressure and he put me on Lisinopril/HCTZ, 10mg/12.5mg. I started doing research on my own, and while Paxil is an appetite culprit, it also interferes with your metabolism, so it makes you eat, it also makes to keep it forever. LOL! And not only is weight gain often responsible for high blood pressure, but Paxil also by itself can increase blood pressure. My solution? Stop taking the darn Paxil!
I have a confession. During this time I was, shall I say, self-medicating with a bit o'the grape. Alcohol also is a weight gain and blood pressure demon. I didn't tell my doctor about the level of alcohol, but I did stop it. Then I stopped the Paxil. Six months out, and I feel like my body has decided it wants to drop some weight. Without doing much of anything, I dropped 6 pounds over a week.
When it comes to setting myself up for some weight loss, I think the last turd in the pool at this point is the Lisinopril. I don't think I need it anymore, because aside from the weight gain, I firmly believe that the high blood pressure was due to the combination of Paxil and alcohol. The thing is, that doctor and I had a falling out and I don't see him anymore, and I don't have health insurance or another doctor. I have one month left on my prescription and I'm trying to decide what to do.
My BP peaked at 150/105. While on this low dose, it has been fairly steady in the 115/83 range. I'm planning to stop taking the medication and see what happens, but I don't know if it's something you need to step down by taking every other day, or splitting the pills. I'm open to input.
have you ever thought about trying apple cider vinger? I had high blood pressure and my Do put me on Altace. I have been on it for years. well I gained weight and guess what? Bllod pressure went up. So I read up on ACV and gave it a try. In just a couple days my bp went from 155/98 to 117/82.. Needless to say I'm sticking with it. I also read about all the other grest things it does. Its natural and can't hurt you. And maybe it's all in my mind but I fell better and I have more engry and less hungry. Its' worth a try.
SavvyCat
04-06-2007, 01:50 PM
For what it's worth, I stopped taking the Lisinopril on Monday and as of today, my BP is lower than it was on the drug. Figure *that* one out. I was never able to get the diastolic below 83, and I didn't get 83 that often. But this morning I took it and it was 124/77. I have taken it several times since then and it's in that same area.
I'll just keep watching it, but I think my personal diagnosis as to why it was high in the first place was correct, and having removed those factors, I should be good to go. :)
Thanks for the input.
I'll just keep watching it, but I think my personal diagnosis as to why it was high in the first place was correct, and having removed those factors, I should be good to go. :)
Thanks for the input.
scg1953
04-06-2007, 02:17 PM
meblonde
Please provide info on how much and how often for the Apple Cider Vinegar.
Have you gotten use to the taste and smell ? YUCK!!!
Please provide info on how much and how often for the Apple Cider Vinegar.
Have you gotten use to the taste and smell ? YUCK!!!
flowergirl2day
04-08-2007, 11:29 AM
It makes a pretty good drink - I take 2tbsp of ACV plus 1tbsp of honey in a large (beer sized) glass of water 2x a day. Just started doing it a few days ago and see a difference in the BP already. I don't know how much one should take - it would be good to hear from others.