28 and on BP meds already - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

highbpsucks · 09-19-2005, 03:17 PM

hence my name for this site.

Ugh!

Anywho. Im a rookie to this, never really paid much attention to this disease at all.

For the first 27 yrs of my life, my BP was fine. Perfect. 115 over 75, 120 over 80. Always right around there. Pulse was fine as well.

About a yr ago I got Mono, and when I went in for it, my BP was around 150 over 110. Very high. I was shocked. At the time, my doc didnt think too much of it, he was concerned, but not that it wassomething major as I was very sick, but for the past year, every time I go to the doctor, which has been frequent due to a neck condition, its been on the high side. 140 over 100, 130 over 90 is about the lowest its been.

Today I went to the doc for possibly Sleep Apnea, which is probably a main cause, along with my weight which isnt good, and that I smoke, yeah, lots of reasons to have high BP, I get that, and it was 153 over 98.

The doc I saw is a neurologist/sleep specialist. He said Im going on Atenolol, really didnt give me an option the way he was talking. I said my fam PA, not a doc, hasnt really pressed the medication stuff yet. He is more about me losing weight, quitting smoking etc. This doc though said thats all fine and dandy, but you need to get on soemthing now.

I guess my questions are... What Atenolol like for someone with JUST high BP? My anxiety is fine, Im not depressed and everything Ive read here about it seems that people with low BP, but high anxiety are taking it.

And? Does anyone think that my neurologist is jumping the gun just a bit, as my BP hasnt been horrid the past 6 mnths or so, 130 over 90. I think today it was just very high due to the fact I probably have Apnea and will need to do something about that as well.

Any help would be appreciated. As stated, Im 28 and have to deal with something I always thought would be an issue when Im 58.

Thanks.

strong_one · 09-19-2005, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highbpsucks

hence my name for this site.

Ugh!

I guess my questions are... What Atenolol like for someone with JUST high BP? My anxiety is fine, Im not depressed and everything Ive read here about it seems that people with low BP, but high anxiety are taking it.

And? Does anyone think that my neurologist is jumping the gun just a bit, as my BP hasnt been horrid the past 6 mnths or so, 130 over 90. I think today it was just very high due to the fact I probably have Apnea and will need to do something about that as well.

Any help would be appreciated. As stated, Im 28 and have to deal with something I always thought would be an issue when Im 58.

Thanks.

I have been hypertensive since your age. Does it run in your family? I have neices and nephews that have it at 18. I took Atenolol for many years (probably prescribed in my 30's). I had some slow developing reactions to it including anxiety attacks. I suggest doing the full battery of tests. Have they run any kidney, heart, stress tests on you?

Fast forward until now. After several blood, heart, kidney tests...they still can't find the cause of my hypertension other than I inherited it. Wed. I turn 38 and dealing with a whole new set of issues with hormones and BP. This board is great! It helps ease some of the stress. I Love your username BTW!!

TGOS

highbpsucks · 09-19-2005, 03:57 PM

I have been hypertensive since your age. Does it run in your family? I have neices and nephews that have it at 18. I took Atenolol for many years (probably prescribed in my 30's). I had some slow developing reactions to it including anxiety attacks. I suggest doing the full battery of tests. Have they run any kidney, heart, stress tests on you?

-------

Both of my grandfathers were on BP meds. My mother currently is. Spoke to her today, she takes something, not Atenolol, but says its helped a lot. No real side effects.

No other tests at all.

Like I said, my family PA has known aobut this for a while and has never pressued the meds issue, just on losing weight, drinking lots of water, etc. and then all of a sudden I see a new doc today, neuro/sleep guy and he was ultra quick to put me on it.

After reading the net now and all of the stories, IM really starting to wonder if I should start taking it, havent picked up the RX yet. Maybe I should go see my PA again, whom I trust more than the guy I saw today and see what he says.

Thanks for the reply though. Im sure we will talk again.

strong_one · 09-19-2005, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highbpsucks

IAfter reading the net now and all of the stories, IM really starting to wonder if I should start taking it, havent picked up the RX yet. Maybe I should go see my PA again, whom I trust more than the guy I saw today and see what he says.

Thanks for the reply though. Im sure we will talk again.

It seems as if you do have family history. You can't rule out that you can be hypertensive too. The best thing is to take action. Yes, give your PA a call and get his opinion. I would suggest doing some preventative things too as your PA prescribed - like change in lifestyle changes, diet as I'm sure you've read numerous times in your web searches. You are still young and if I knew what I know today back then maybe I won't be in the condition I am in now.

Good luck sweetie! Let me know how it goes. BTW, I'm having 'bout of what they call spikes in BP. My BP is 155/105. Crazy!! Prevent it now!

Uff-Da! · 09-19-2005, 07:55 PM

Do you take your own BP at home so you know what your average BP is? If you only have it taken at the doctor's office, part of the elevation might just be "white coat syndrome." Although I think with your borderline HBP, doing the things your PA recommends could very well bring your HBP down over time, taking medication in the meantime might not be all that bad if your diastolic pressure really is 90 or higher. Unless you have undesirable side effects, of course. And not everyone has them. Just plan on weaning off the medication after you have brought it down by other means.