High blood pressure, anyone?

RockABye · February 2014

Do any of y'all take high blood pressure meds? If so, can I pick your brain a little? I'm starting to think I need to suck it up and just get on something and I'm having a REALLY hard time doing it. HBP runs rampant in my family so it's only a matter of time, no matter what I do. It used to be that I could get a normal reading at home (and I still can on occasion if I'm SUPER relaxed) but lately, it seems to be staying higher (130s or 40s over 90s) no matter what. Then, the more I take it, the more anxious I get and the higher it gets. It's a vicious cycle lol.. I just went to the clinic at work to get some advil and they always have to do bp and it was like 150s over 105 (or maybe 110.. I can't remember what she said). I DO get nervous with the squeezing of the cuff, and I'd just hoofed it down there and was outta breath, but even then.. it shouldn't be that high..

So... Did you immediately go on meds or did you fight it for awhile? Once on it, did you feel any different? Do you have any side effects? I know there are MANY diff drugs that do diff things/diff side effects but i'm most nervous about side effects.. namely bp dropping and feeling faint. HUGE anxiety/panic attack trigger for me... stupid and irrational, I know. But that's a huge reason I've put it off. I want to try and fix things with this new diet and with exercise, but I am starting to think i need to go on it in the meantime. Blah. It's a pride thing for me and I hate admitting that I've failed at fixing it already

Thanks for indulging me...

seahorse01 · February 2014

So I take BP meds. The one I am on now actually helps with anxiety because my dr said it keeps my BP from accelerating in social situations. I don't know if it is pregnancy safe because I've given up on that concern.

I noticed a change very quickly after starting taking them. I get headaches when I miss one, and just feel off.

RockABye · February 2014

Thanks, lady! That's one thing I've been wondering too... If maybe getting on something would help my anxiety. My heartrate has always been on the higher side and it's RARE that I ever feel 100% at ease. I'm in a perpetual state of mild anxiety, which I'm SURE isn't helping the heart rate and blood pressure. I just can't make myself go back on anxiety meds right now. Other than the occasional Xanax that is.

brij2006 · February 2014

BP medication made a huge difference for me. I ignored it for a long time, then it was brought on by a full blown panic attack, and was when I was heavier than I am now. So the Dr had me take meds until I got the diet and exercise thing under control. Diet for my weight issue, and exercise to help ease the anxiety.

If I'm remembering correctly, they took me off of it when my BP was starting to read "low." They cut the dosage in half for a month and finally cut it out completely. This was only over a period of 4 months though. So the diet and exercise really cured it for me, and now my blood pressure is always low. You won't regret getting on it in the meantime.

Also, do you exercise much? Especially since you've mentioned about the anxiety. That has by far made the biggest difference for me. I will wake up very anxious and jittery. Even yoga or a short jog will ease it and calm me down.

RockABye · February 2014

Brij - That's great that it helped you and then you were able to get off it. I'm slowly getting into working out again.. very, very light though. Exercise is actually, oddly, a giant trigger for panic attacks for me as well. What really started all my panic stuff was that years ago, I was working out at the gym with my trainer and my blood sugar crashed and I passed out. For some reason, it really messed with my head. So ever since then (going on 7 years now..), any time I minimally exert myself and get even slightly lightheaded, I freak out. One of my counselors years ago said she was pretty confident in saying I had a form of PTSD from that experience. Which sounds silly because when I think PTSD, I think of people who have been through FAR worse things than just passing out at the gym! Regardless, that's what I deal with lol.

I AM starting to exercise but I have to go VERY slowly.. as in like just walking or biking. It's still a huge struggle for me. But all this is why I put on so much weight.. I stopped working out and started eating. I NEED to work out, but I just take it SO slowly and since I get so panicky, I have avoided it for so long, which is only making things worse, I'm sure! See? I'm a hot mess lol..

So, all that to say, I haven't worked out regularly since 2007 but have been slowly getting back to some level of activity. And once it gets a little warmer, I'll be in the pool which minimizes the anxiety since I don't get hot.

brij2006 · February 2014

That is definitely understandable! You have every right to want to take things slowly.

Maybe try doing a bike ride to a local shop or restaurant with H, or walking on a trail in a local park. There are also things like frisbee golf, golf in general, dancing (we have a square dance club my grandma and I do), or tennis. Try to do things that don't seem like "exercise" and ease yourself into it that way.

You aren't a hot mess. It just takes steps to get to where you want to be, and everyone has a different stride.

LuckyAngel07 · February 2014

I'm just going to chime in with the suggestion of taking up yoga classes. They're a wonderful way of "easing" yourself into working out. You really can build strength and flexibility and whittle away a few inches by consistently practicing. Beginner classes are very low-key and enjoyable.

And I'd definitely recommend starting with taking a class rather than doing a yoga video. I get SO much more out of yoga when I can actually go to a class rather than be in my normal environment and try to reach that level of concentration.

High blood pressure, anyone?

Re: High blood pressure, anyone?

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