A little background first:
I was dx with hyperthyroidism in 2002. My BP was fine & my body weight was 160. I had Radio Iodine done as treatment in Novembe of 2002 & my weight started to creep on as my body shifted to being hypothyroid. Around 200 pounds, my doctor pointed out that my BP was rising (around 130/82 to 135/87). Unfortunately, in July of 2003 I began having panic attacks. With my first one, I was at work and thought I was having a heart attack (I'm 28 btw). At the ER, I presented with a BP of 162/104! I thought I was a goner Anyhow -- a lot of tests were done & everything checked out ok. I have since gotten rid of my panic attacks & anxiety (this became easy once I got my thyroid under conrol). ANYHOW - to the meat of my problem. I've never had a "close to normal" reading since that day. I'm terrified of having my BP taken because I'm afraid it's going to be 162/104 again. My weight got up to 244 & my BP would range from 139/90 - 148/100 (from August of 2003 until today). I talked my doctor into letting me try to lose weight before we started meds. Well, I've lost down to 205 (and will contine to lose!!) but had my BP taken today and it was 145/98. So, he said we need to treat it now b/c it's been too high for too long. He has prescribed me 50mg of Tenoretic along with Potassium. After reading through these boards I'm becoming very afraid to start. I'm afraid the side-effects will cause my anxiety to return as I hate taking new meds. My doctor said he fully expects me to get off the BP meds as I continue to lose weight and begin exercising. I just really need some insight here about my meds and what to expect and if the people on this board feel it's a prudent move at this point to start meds. Any help would be appreciated!
My opinion - keep trying to lose weight & exercising
I am running about what you are now, unmedicated & I am trying everything I can to bring it down naturally, as I have been thru a half dozen meds & they have only made it worse plus there are nasty side effects (dizzyness, weight gain, muscle pain, etc)
162/104 wont kill you if it is when you are under occasional stress, I am actually reading that right now because i threw my back out again & it hurts like heck, but i cant take my darvocet until I get home (its worse than alcohol for driving)
normaly i'm, 145 - 150 / 95-100, & I'm not going back on meds unless it really shoots up
First of all, be aware that the people who come to these boards may not be representative of all people taking the medications. Seems likely to me that those with problems are more likely to come and talk about it. As someone else here said not too long ago, those without side effects or other problems are probably home in front of the TV set. So try to put what you read in perspective.
I know that there are people on this board who have had severe side effects with BP meds. By contrast, I was put on one, had no side effects at all, got effective control after the dosage was increased and now, after five years, it looks like I might be able to go them entirely. (I've been off them about two weeks and seem to be doing fine.) My recommendation is to read up thoroughly on the specific med you've been prescribed, so you know what to look for in possible side effects. If the first one presents problems or doesn't control the pressure, let the doctor know and request a change of dosage or med. Many people have to go through several, just doing a trial and error to find the right one. Some have to take more than one. People react differently to different meds, so that is just to be expected.
Another thing - are you monitoring your BP at home?
If not I would recommend that for at least a couple of months before taking meds, at least every couple hours (when its convenient), if I'm on a business trip for 6 hrs i dont stop to take it
I use the Omron HEM-711 from walmart, I had to order the larger cuff size as my bicep is over 13", from your weight I think you might have to also, Omron also makes the relion brand for walmart, I prefer the arm cuff style, my mother uses the wrist cuff & they arent very accurate on me, I take at least 2 readings a minute apart & sometimes more, occasionally one reading is wacky, but I average the others
I keep track of what i am doing, what I have eaten, how I am feeling, etc
I dont worry about taking the readings resting, unless I already was, I want to see what its doing under normal activity as well as resting (this was one thing I agreed with my doc on)
Even when doing very strenuous excercise or heavy lifting i dont go over low 170's/low 110's, so i'm not real worried
A little background first:
I was dx with hyperthyroidism in 2002. My BP was fine & my body weight was 160. I had Radio Iodine done as treatment in Novembe of 2002 & my weight started to creep on as my body shifted to being hypothyroid. Around 200 pounds, my doctor pointed out that my BP was rising (around 130/82 to 135/87). Unfortunately, in July of 2003 I began having panic attacks. With my first one, I was at work and thought I was having a heart attack (I'm 28 btw). At the ER, I presented with a BP of 162/104! I thought I was a goner Anyhow -- a lot of tests were done & everything checked out ok. I have since gotten rid of my panic attacks & anxiety (this became easy once I got my thyroid under conrol). ANYHOW - to the meat of my problem. I've never had a "close to normal" reading since that day. I'm terrified of having my BP taken because I'm afraid it's going to be 162/104 again. My weight got up to 244 & my BP would range from 139/90 - 148/100 (from August of 2003 until today). I talked my doctor into letting me try to lose weight before we started meds. Well, I've lost down to 205 (and will contine to lose!!) but had my BP taken today and it was 145/98. So, he said we need to treat it now b/c it's been too high for too long. He has prescribed me 50mg of Tenoretic along with Potassium.
Let's see... Tenoretic = Atenolol + Clorthadone... Yuck!!! Atenolol and a diuretic for starters. And, you need the potassium because the diuretic will deplete your potassium. This is a stupid script for starting on. A combo drug for a 145/98? Is this doctor nuts?
Quote:
After reading through these boards I'm becoming very afraid to start. I'm afraid the side-effects will cause my anxiety to return as I hate taking new meds. My doctor said he fully expects me to get off the BP meds as I continue to lose weight and begin exercising. I just really need some insight here about my meds and what to expect and if the people on this board feel it's a prudent move at this point to start meds. Any help would be appreciated!
I don't see how you will lose weight on that cocktail. And, getting off atenolol won't be easy.
I'd first like echo the advise of others... Check you BP at home. My preference for a BP monitor is the HEM-780REL model from Walmart. The 711 is a little less expensive. But, I think the the extra features of the 780 are worth it. Plus, the included cuff on the 780 will accomodate a large arm. Either model will work well, though.
Secondly, ask your doctor for something else. That is about the WORST combination I can imagine for a 28 year old. I'd strongly recommend that the doctor start you off on ONE drug. My preference would be an ACE Inhibitor or ARB. And, you won't need no stinkin' potassium supplement with that either. A diuretic by itself would be reasonable alternative. Atenolol should only be used as a last resort if you have a very high pulse rate.
Anyhow -- a lot of tests were done & everything checked out ok. I have since gotten rid of my panic attacks & anxiety (this became easy once I got my thyroid under conrol). ANYHOW - to the meat of my problem. I've never had a "close to normal" reading since that day. I'm terrified of having my BP taken because I'm afraid it's going to be 162/104 again. My weight got up to 244 & my BP would range from 139/90 - 148/100 (from August of 2003 until today). I talked my doctor into letting me try to lose weight before we started meds. Well, I've lost down to 205 (and will contine to lose!!) but had my BP taken today and it was 145/98. So, he said we need to treat it now b/c it's been too high for too long. He has prescribed me 50mg of Tenoretic along with Potassium. After reading through these boards I'm becoming very afraid to start. I'm afraid the side-effects will cause my anxiety to return as I hate taking new meds. My doctor said he fully expects me to get off the BP meds as I continue to lose weight and begin exercising. I just really need some insight here about my meds and what to expect and if the people on this board feel it's a prudent move at this point to start meds. Any help would be appreciated!
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