Very Frustrated Need Some Input - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

kg21678 · 07-04-2007, 11:17 AM

Hi everyone I Posted once before but for those that have not seen that original post i will give the breakdown again, I am a 25 year old male, that is on 10 mg of paxil (for depression which i no longer have and anxiety which i do (started after the highblood pressure) and 5 mg of norvasc for high blood pressure. I am 6'0 210 pounds and more on the atheletic side. Since November of 2005 (which was my first high blood pressure reading 170/90) I have been having problems. My blood pressure (which not severely high is high for my age its usually around 130/75-140/80. I have had EKG's, Electro cardiograms done all normal, I went to a pulmonary specialist who took a x-ray of my lungs and saw nothing. I went to a rhuemotoligist after testing positive for lupus (after a high ANA reading) only to have one test come back slightly positive, and the last test come back negative. On two trips to the hospital the only thing they notice is my blood pressure being high. Now, after just coming home from walking 6 blocks I started feeling very light headed and my heart was racing, while i do suffer from anxiety, I don't think this was the case, my . When i finally got home, I took my BP and it was 180/97! After 5 min rest it was 145/82 15 min of rest and its still 142/75. a little over 4 years ago I had mono and I am wondering if this could be related. Anyhow any and all input is appreciated.

ms58 · 07-04-2007, 01:11 PM

I'm not sure about all your symptoms, but I was on Norvasc for about a year and just did not feel right. And I usually feel very well. Even some difficulty breathing, dizzy, headache, etc. I had been the one to ask my doc for norvasc and I went back to him to change my meds due to feeling "just not right". He told me he never likes norvasc as it is a calcium channel blocker and that class of meds is falling out of favor for multiple reasons and was glad to take me off.
His nurse also said many people do not feel well on it.

It's been a month and I am feeling much better. He substituted Atenolol, a beta blocker, for the Norvasc. My pulse rate dropped from a little over 100 to 60-65 on Atenolol as well. You might think about getting off norvasc and see if it helps.

bethsheba · 07-04-2007, 06:20 PM

Bp,

Because you're young to have high blood pressure, you might want to read about the causes of secondary hypertension. Sleep apnea is one form of secondary hypertension and some estimate that at least 10 percent of those with high blood pressure have apnea...I mention this because you have experienced other symptoms of apnea as well--high blood pressure, depression and anxiety.

Myth: You have to snore to have sleep apnea
Myth: You have to be overweight to have sleep apnea
Myth: You have to experience daytime fatigue to have sleep apnea

Fact: If you have sleep apnea, ssome studies indicate that cpap treatment can reduce high blood pressure an average of 10 points or more, depression and anxiety can be alleviated or eliminated.

You can do some reading and take some "self tests" to see if sleep apnea might apply to you. Don't assume your doctors will identify it. This is one conditon that is very common but doctors overlook it. In my case, I did the research and approached my doc---I was fortunate because he listened to me and referred me to a board certified sleep specialist.

Bsheba

penybobeny · 07-04-2007, 11:13 PM

Bp,

When it comes to high BP, never give up and never surrender.

Does your blood pressure fluctuate widely at times and seem to be under control the rest of the time?

Does your heart rate seem to go up (feels like a drum roll in your chest) for little reason at times? (In other words, sometimes you can walk for blocks with no trouble and other times a short walk makes it pound?)

Do you turn red when you get warm or when your heart pounds?

Do you get sudden intense headaches that are like being hit on the head and last a short time then go away just as fast?

These might sound like strange questions, but something you said seemed to stike a chord.

kg21678 · 07-05-2007, 10:13 AM

Thank you everyone for the insight, one question what can I do to in regards to self tests for apnea? I was thinking of video taping myself. I also have real bad allergies I almost always wake up with a stuffed up nose.