[*Laurie*]

Hi, I have fairly high blood pressure and severe anxiety. I recently read an article that suggested Clonodine for anxiety (off-label use for a standard bp treatment).

I'm seeing my pdoc this afternoon, so am wondering if anyone has Clonodine exeperience to share?

[Turtleboy]

high bp is dangerous laurie, please look after yourself

[Deejay14]

Clonodine is totally not unheard of, but usually not the first med a pdoc will put you on. If nothing else has worked for you I would try it.

[*Laurie*]

Thanks to both of you.

Yeah, I'm very concerned about my bp. I mean, it's not super-high but it is high. My GP always acts like...meh...whatever. Scares me! I have cardiac disease and stroke all over my family. it's like...uhhh...hello???

And meds - oh, Lord. I've been on many, many, many meds. I'm 55 so....yeah...stated meds 'way back when Valium was new. Nothing has truly helped anxiety - Klonopin used to - but it seems like a med that works for high bp AND anxiety might be a smart choice.

[Guiness187055]

I take clonodine for high BP. It helps a lot and it lowers my anxiety. I think it's a great med and worth a shot.

[TheSeaCat]

I was on Clonidine for about a month the pdoc put me on it to help me sleep but it did nothing for my sleep, blood pressure, heart rate, or anxiety. I hope everything went alright with your pdoc.

[*Laurie*]

Thank you all. Well, my pdoc nixed Clonidine. First of all, she told me to speak with my GP about bp med. Yet, she insists that the nurse take my vitals prior to any appointment I have with her. If she isn;t going to pay attention to my bp, why take the vitals?

I get sooo tired of how they act like the human body and mind are separate parts. I was trying to get it across to her that I was asking about Clonodine because it treats both high bp and anxiety. She went into something about how it was used for pediatric ADHD, but has fallen out of use because...blah, blah...I don't know. She just said Nah...

The entire appointment was sort of BS. I usually have more productive appointments with her.

[Blue_Bird]

I'm on it for anxiety and it helps immensely

[TheSeaCat]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Thank you all. Well, my pdoc nixed Clonidine. First of all, she told me to speak with my GP about bp med. Yet, she insists that the nurse take my vitals prior to any appointment I have with her. If she isn;t going to pay attention to my bp, why take the vitals?

I get sooo tired of how they act like the human body and mind are separate parts. I was trying to get it across to her that I was asking about Clonodine because it treats both high bp and anxiety. She went into something about how it was used for pediatric ADHD, but has fallen out of use because...blah, blah...I don't know. She just said Nah...

The entire appointment was sort of BS. I usually have more productive appointments with her.

Sorry to hear that you had a terrible visit to the pdoc. I agree why take my vitals if you don't care about them. I hope you are able to get on something that helps your anxiety and blood pressure. What about Inderal for the next suggestion, I've read that it can be helpful for both.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi Laurie,

Clonodine is sometimes used for certain types of neuropathic pain. I had found it very effective for this indication. However, I had severe suicidal ideation while taking clonidine. I simply cannot take it.

I have found gabapentin addresses my anxiety and lowers my pulse and my blood pressure. I do not know if it might lower your blood pressure enough.

I hope you can find a med which addresses both high BP and anxiety.

Much Love,

WC

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by TheSeaCat

Sorry to hear that you had a terrible visit to the pdoc. I agree why take my vitals if you don't care about them. I hope you are able to get on something that helps your anxiety and blood pressure. What about Inderal for the next suggestion, I've read that it can be helpful for both.

Thank you for your reply.Yeah, I'm completely confused about her insistence on always taking vitals before an appt. with her, yet all she ever tells me is to see my GP about everything except strictly psych meds. I dunno...I like her?? I guess...but she's really weird.


I've been in Inderal...didn't seem to do anything. Although, that was for anxiety...might give it a try for bp.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Hi Laurie,

Clonodine is sometimes used for certain types of neuropathic pain. I had found it very effective for this indication. However, I had severe suicidal ideation while taking clonidine. I simply cannot take it.

I have found gabapentin addresses my anxiety and lowers my pulse and my blood pressure. I do not know if it might lower your blood pressure enough.

I hope you can find a med which addresses both high BP and anxiety.

Much Love,

WC

Interesting, about the neuropathic pain. Ugh, Pdoc acted like I'd mentioned arsenic when I asked about Clonidine. I've noticed something strange. My pdoc has knee problems for which she has had surgeries. She usually has her knees heavily bandaged when I see her. Many meds that I mention are received by her with the same response: "Oh, my, nooo...that medication can cause falls..."

I'm wondering if she's projecting her fear of falling (or perhaps having had falls) onto her patients? She seems fixated on the subject of meds causing falling.

I am taking 600 mg./day of Gabapentin and I'm pleased with it. It does help my chronic back pain (a HUGE relief!), and seems to reduce anxiety quite a bit. Doesn't seem to lower my bp. Maybe that's because my high bp isn't connected to anxiety, but is a genetic thing...I just don't know.


Much love to you, too, dear WC.

[-jimi-]

Clonidine isn't used in my country because it is seen as useless for high blood pressure. Not sure if they are right though.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

Clonidine isn't used in my country because it is seen as useless for high blood pressure. Not sure if they are right though.

Well, that's pretty much what my pdoc told me.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Interesting, about the neuropathic pain. Ugh, Pdoc acted like I'd mentioned arsenic when I asked about Clonidine. I've noticed something strange. My pdoc has knee problems for which she has had surgeries. She usually has her knees heavily bandaged when I see her. Many meds that I mention are received by her with the same response: "Oh, my, nooo...that medication can cause falls..."

I'm wondering if she's projecting her fear of falling (or perhaps having had falls) onto her patients? She seems fixated on the subject of meds causing falling.

I am taking 600 mg./day of Gabapentin and I'm pleased with it. It does help my chronic back pain (a HUGE relief!), and seems to reduce anxiety quite a bit. Doesn't seem to lower my bp. Maybe that's because my high bp isn't connected to anxiety, but is a genetic thing...I just don't know.


Much love to you, too, dear WC.

Hi Laurie!

I would also wonder if she's projecting!
That's very insightful.

I hope you find what's most helpful to you.


WC

[Guiness187055]

They use it at detox centers to get your blood pressure down fast.