[Fresia]

I went three weeks ago to for an annual specialist f/u doc appt, and happen to have my blood pressure checked during the visit on par with routine; though normally I have really low blood pressure, for forever, it was sky high. I had to go to my GP for a shot the following week, which is no big deal for me, asked them to check it then for a follow up, it was sky high as well. The nurse called me later that day after talking with my doctor, and the doc asked me to check my BP twice a day over the course of this last week and will give them the numbers on Monday.

The numbers all week have been bad, even the resting one in the morning when I wake up. I am really concerned. I know have been under a lot of stress with this new job that will not be going away anytime soon, stressful job and situation. High BP runs in the family but shows up in the teens not this late in life, perhaps I have been lucky. A few months ago, my BP before this job was fine, really low in fact; is it really this job or what else could have caused the change so dramatically, or just a time bomb with all the stresses over the course of the last year, or just genetic?!

I am really worried though and wondering if the symptoms I am experiencing can be attributed to it (?); need to research it today because I do not feel like myself plus dizziness and tightness in my chest. Not real thrilled at the possibility of starting another medication and wondering what else can do to help it. I guess I will be doing a lot of research today now that I have the weekend off.

What did your doc do when discovered you had high blood pressure? Are there more tests that get done? At what point might they consider medication? What do I need to know about the meds for treating it, if this is the decision? Are there things that can be done to help it without medication?

Thanks in advance for your insight and help!

[RRex]

You should see a doctor immediately if you are experiencing dizziness and tightness in the chest. I see you're offline. Hopefully, you're at the doctor right now.

I have high blood pressure and am taking medication for it, but it's uncontrolled right now, so I understand how you feel.

for you and good luck to both of us.

[Fresia]

Thanks RRex, I hope you get it controlled soon, both of us for that matter. ((((RRex))))

The dizziness and tightness do not happen all the time; it comes and goes infrequently and does not last long. But I do feel strange most of the time that I cannot put my finger on what it is but I do know my memory has been worth crap lately, as if I feel like I am in fog. I just feel fatigued and like crap. I will call the doc Monday to let them know about all this going on or definitely if it gets worse, will go in to the ER over this weekend.

[RRex]

Good, good. Dizziness and chest tightness are serious warning signs of an impending heart attack.

[Fresia]

Took my BP readings in yesterday from the week. Wasn't expecting it but they did take me back to another doc in the practice (mine wasn't in due to an emergency) to follow up given what is going on and to touch base. She took a history, BP reading again, which was still bad, and did an EKG, which was good at the time and a relief at least for the moment.

They did start me on a med, Lisinopril (Zestril); I think it has another brand name too, I cannot remember what it is. Anyone taking this?

I have a follow up appt with my doc in two weeks because he is on vacation next. This doc wanted me to see mine this week so I have to call back today to see what can be done. I did some reading overnight about the med; I also have to call today because I want to get some baseline lab tests done. It indicates it affects renal function and potassium levels, these should be monitored over time. I was not thrilled with the choice of meds and the side effects, let alone that 2 of the four she would recommended I cannot take to interactions with my other meds, of course, wouldn't that just be the case. It actually caused me to tear up adding another med; I feel like a walking pharmacy. Hopefully this will work out though ok and if it helps that is all that matters is what I will keep telling myself. Meanwhile if I could just get rid of this splitting headache that woke me. Hopefully it is not a sign of things to come with this med and just coincidence.

Thanks for the support meanwhile, RRex. Meant a lot. Have been worried with the family history of BP and my Dad having had a stroke recently; I don't know how much of this is the stress I am under with the new job and home stressors, vs genetics or both. Talking it out helped and appreciated the advice. I hope you are able to get your BP controlled soon, both of us for that matter. Hang in there meanwhile and take good care.

[Fresia]

Is the medicine supposed to work immediately if going to respond to this dose or more like a AD, cummulative, that will see effects over time?

I was so stressed I did not consider asking this. It has been a week and looking back now, all week long the numbers have been the same as they were pre-medicine. I will have to call the doc to find out what they want to do. I should have called on Friday but have been so busy, have had no time to think about it.

[RRex]

It will take a little time to tweak the dose. It does take time for the medicine to work. I had to wait two weeks with HBP before mine took effect, and that was just a dose increase.

They like to move slowly with heart meds because they don't want you to bottom out.

Do call the doctor. They need to monitor your progress.

[Fresia]

So Monday I called to let the doc know about how the BP readings were not decreasing and they said to increase the med. Tuesday morning. I woke up Tuesday morning around 4 am nauseated and vomiting, with this pulsing throughout my body. I took an antinausea med and as soon as it started to work I took the increased BP med. Meanwhile, was so lightheaded.

I tried to get ready for work and made it in, but things got worse as the morning went on. Apparently I was told I was white as a sheet and did not look good. 3 hours into the shift, I could barely stand upright; I had to go home. On the way home, I got chest pains. I turned around and went to the ER. BP was super high. Everything checked out labwise and over the course of the day being there the bP started to come down, a sign the med was working. No myocardial event but warning the doc said. I need to follow up with my doc for a stress test. I joked with him that I do not need a test for this I have enough this at home and work, tested every day. I will f/u for the test tho. I have an appt next Tuesday with my doc to discuss this.

I am staying home today. Doc recommended giving the med more time to work and to rest after yesterday. I need to take care of myself but I am on probation at my job being a new person; not how I wanted to start things off. I feel like my body is telling me something or that I am failing at taking care of myself, but do not know what to do. I did not have this issue a couple of months ago before this job. Please do not let this be the reason.

Meanwhile rest today, deal with tomorrow when it comes.