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Old May 14, 2023, 08:45 PM
Soupe du jour Soupe du jour is offline
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Member Since: Jun 2015
Location: Czechia
Posts: 5,172
Are you sure the low blood pressure is from an antipsychotic? Or that your blood pressure actually is "low"? A lot of people, especially younger, have low to low normal blood pressure. Have you asked your internist if systolic blood pressure readings of 90 or 100 are truly concerning? Do you feel faint?

When I was younger, I had lowish blood pressure, before and then while on bipolar medications. I had systolic readings of 90 and 100 much of the time. Nowadays at 51 I have had some years of high blood pressure, even to the point of needing blood pressure medications. I don't know that I can blame my antipsychotic for the high blood pressure completely, other than mostly that it does contribute a little to the weight gain and metabolic changes I've experienced over the years. Another factor I suspect is stress and adrenaline rushes I experience from stress, anxiety, and occasional bipolar hypomanic/manic symptoms. Also, genetic predisposition. But I'm talking about high blood pressure here. Not low.

As I wrote, it would be good to ask your doctor what blood pressure they think may be concerning. Or if you have symptoms. You can read a bit about blood pressure at Blood pressure chart: What is a healthy range? 8 signs your blood pressure is too high | Express.co.uk It focuses mostly on high blood pressure, but also mentions low and gives a chart. I've read that blood pressure can indeed be different at different ages. The chart (and most all charts) show normal blood pressure between 80 and 100 systolic, and 60 and 80 diastolic.

I'd be thrilled if my systolic reading was 90 or 100 again. I'm really curious why your doctor in any way seemed to worry you about it. If they already knew your blood pressure was picture perfect, they should have just flat out told you so instead of worrying you. Is there something much lower about your diastolic readings?

If you feel faint, you may want to determine if it's truly blood pressure to blame or anxiety about the blood pressure. Anxiety is notorious for causing dizziness and faint feelings, too. In those cases, breathing and grounding techniques can sometimes be helpful. Or sometimes breathing into a brown paper bag.
__________________
Dx: Bipolar type 1

Psych Medications:
* Tegretol XR (carbamazepine ER) 800 mg
* Lamictal (lamotrigine) 150 mg
* Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER) 500 mg

I also take meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, and tachycardia.

Last edited by Soupe du jour; May 14, 2023 at 09:07 PM.
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