[MissCharlotte]

I have been struggling to sort out some potentially serious issues with my health. This past week at visit to pdoc my bp was elevated. He immediately advised me to cut down on my zoloft from 50 to 25 mg.

He said that he never heard of it causing high bp but since I am so sensitive he wants me to cut back. Sure enough after three days at 25 mg. my bp is back in the normal range. However, yesterdy I had a hard time catching my breath and although my bp was normal my heart rate was too high. So I am talking to him tomorrow about weaning off completely.

That leaves me worried about how to manage my depression and anxiety.

He also said he might consider putting me on thyroid hormone. Although my thyroid bloods came back in the normal range I do have a goiter and other symptoms of thyroid disease (depression, slow metabolism, difficulty losing weight, dry skin).

It is so frustrating and I am worried about my heart health while I wean off.

I wonder what vitamins might help me during this time, or if anyone has any other suggestions.

Peace

[Brian37]

I have high bp....high cholesterol and overweight

I take celexa 20mg......also take Zocor for cholesterol and Benicar for bp....

I started taking a multivitamin every morning and take fish oil at night

my biggest problem is lack of exercise.....every doctor I visit says the same thing.....a good cardiovascualr workout will drop the bp faster than anything....walking...joggin...biking...swimming

and of course exercise is now linked with helping with depression

so im starting back at the Y tomorrow doing laps around the track

and my diet is horrible

I ve never heard of anti-depressants causing elevated bp.....

[Perna]

It's conceivable the thyroid med might fix some of your problems so you wouldn't need as much psychiatric meds?

I'd get a consult with a endocrinologist though, if you have the goiter but not the test numbers; could be adrenals or bunch of other things that could be having trouble:

http://www.hormone.org/public/endocrinologist.cfm

[bebop]

I agree with perna here. if you have a goiter there is a problem somewhere. I would not start on a med just because a pdoc might think it might help. please see a specialist.

[MissCharlotte]

Hi all,

Thanks. Yeah, Brian it's proved that some anti d's can cause high bp. I already went through this with effexor and had to go off it. The minute I went off, my bp was normal again!

I checked my bp today and it's normal again. Thank heavens for those drugstore machines. Heart rate tho is still too high.

I DO have an appt. with an endocrinologist next week. I had needle biopsy about 3 months ago that proved my thyroid lumps are benign. Will follow up 6 months on that.

Yes, there are lots that could be going on. Pdoc really is smart and knows his drugs & biochemistry. He told me what to make sure to mention to the endocrinologist.

I guess I'll wait to see what she says. Oh yeah, Perna, IT IS entirely possible that with thyroid meds I won't take any anti d's cause I won't need em! That would be just fine w ith me. I want to get off them but had awful suicidal ideation this winter.

Peace out guys.

[Perna]

I'm taking Synthroid but the only symptom of thyroid problems I've ever had is my age :-) and I'm too tired sometimes. I was borderline for awhile with my blood tests but then there was a clear high one so my GP put me on the Synthroid. It's not a very high dose but I still have problems with Jeff Foxworthy's favorite symptom from TV med advertisements. It's not fun/pretty. I'm hoping when I go see him again the end of the month to get that straightened out.

[MissCharlotte]

Update

My doctor put me on Diovan for hbp.

Today I am weepy and dizzy.

The weepy could be because of a difficul therapy session but it's really like a faucet. I wonder if this is related to the bp medication?

[ECHOES]

(((((((( MissCharlotte )))))))

[MissCharlotte]

Thanks Echoes.

Here's my update: I'm getting off this crap. One dose and I'm done. I'll have to lower my bp some other way.

I am also getting off the zoloft. Screw this stuff.



Peace