Blood pressure and panic

[Flipmartin]

Been having a very difficult week. Started off Monday going to Dr for a small elbow issue. They took my Blood pressure and it was very high. I immediately felt a hot flash come on and the beginnings of a panic attack.
Followed up later that same day with my regular dr and blood pressure was still high, like 170 over 110. They put me on a diuretic to lower it. I’ve also been on a statin for 6 months for high triglycerides.
Spent the rest of Monday & Tuesday wallowing in bed with panic thinking my blood pressure would cause a stroke or heart attack at any moment. Woke up 4am on Wednesday with cramps in every muscle of my body. Thought it was the end. We to the ER and they said my statin was causing the muscle problems and I should stop taking it. They did ekg, chest X-ray, all the blood work, everything came back normal except my ck protein level, which they said was caused by the statin messing up my muscles.

Since then I’ve been basically bedridden. Every twinge or ache in my arms or chest throws me into a panic. I can’t stop thinking something is seriously wrong.

I followed up with my dr the day after going to Er and my blood pressure was much better. But I stopped taking the blood pressure meds now because I didn’t like the way they made me feel. I was only on them for three days anyway.

I go back in next week to try to find a better blood pressure medication. But I’m still in a constant state of panic. I take Ativan but it isn’t doing much. I’m only in my mid 30s. It’s all really wearing on my wife because she’s had to pick up a lot of slack. And my kids don’t understand why daddy’s been sick all week. The part about my kids makes me very depressed. I don’t want them to lose their dad at such a young age.

Anyone else dealing with similar things? I’d love to talk. Not many people around me understand what it’s like.

 

[triceps]

Been having a very difficult week. Started off Monday going to Dr for a small elbow issue. They took my Blood pressure and it was very high. I immediately felt a hot flash come on and the beginnings of a panic attack.
Followed up later that same day with my regular dr and blood pressure was still high, like 170 over 110. They put me on a diuretic to lower it. I’ve also been on a statin for 6 months for high triglycerides.
Spent the rest of Monday & Tuesday wallowing in bed with panic thinking my blood pressure would cause a stroke or heart attack at any moment. Woke up 4am on Wednesday with cramps in every muscle of my body. Thought it was the end. We to the ER and they said my statin was causing the muscle problems and I should stop taking it. They did ekg, chest X-ray, all the blood work, everything came back normal except my ck protein level, which they said was caused by the statin messing up my muscles.

Since then I’ve been basically bedridden. Every twinge or ache in my arms or chest throws me into a panic. I can’t stop thinking something is seriously wrong.

I followed up with my dr the day after going to Er and my blood pressure was much better. But I stopped taking the blood pressure meds now because I didn’t like the way they made me feel. I was only on them for three days anyway.

I go back in next week to try to find a better blood pressure medication. But I’m still in a constant state of panic. I take Ativan but it isn’t doing much. I’m only in my mid 30s. It’s all really wearing on my wife because she’s had to pick up a lot of slack. And my kids don’t understand why daddy’s been sick all week. The part about my kids makes me very depressed. I don’t want them to lose their dad at such a young age.

Anyone else dealing with similar things? I’d love to talk. Not many people around me understand what it’s like.

Hi Flipmartin. You answered my questions from my other posts. There are many folks here that can relate to your situation. My guess is that there are more health anxiety members than any of the other disorders. You're not dying, keep pluggin'.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Hey there and welcome. My situation is a little different, but I know that parent guilt feeling so well. Wanting to hide from everyone, but feeling like you're letting everyone down. Glad you're here - hang in there! It will get better!

 

[Flipmartin]

It doesn’t help too that I’m trying to quit smoking right now. Went from a pack a day to about 4-5 cigarettes a day this past week. Of course now when I have a cigarette I feel my heart rate increase which leads me right back into the hypochondria/panic cycle. I try to do breathing exercises to slow it down. But you guys know how that goes.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

It doesn’t help too that I’m trying to quit smoking right now. Went from a pack a day to about 4-5 cigarettes a day this past week. Of course now when I have a cigarette I feel my heart rate increase which leads me right back into the hypochondria/panic cycle. I try to do breathing exercises to slow it down. But you guys know how that goes.

Oh man - that would make anyone feel awful! I am not a smoker, but lots of family/friends who are, and several who have quit. Good for you for doing it, and please allow yourself to be a little crazy while you do, because it's not easy! What breathing exercises have you found helpful?

 

[Flipmartin]

Oh man - that would make anyone feel awful! I am not a smoker, but lots of family/friends who are, and several who have quit. Good for you for doing it, and please allow yourself to be a little crazy while you do, because it's not easy! What breathing exercises have you found helpful?

I usually just breathe in through my nose for 4 or 5 seconds, hold it for 3 or 4 seconds, then exhale 5 seconds. All belly breathing and I adjust the timing to whatever is comfortable. Doesn’t always work but it’s usually worth a shot. Also watching guided meditation videos on YouTube helps a lot. What kind of tools do you use?

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

I usually just breathe in through my nose for 4 or 5 seconds, hold it for 3 or 4 seconds, then exhale 5 seconds. All belly breathing and I adjust the timing to whatever is comfortable. Doesn’t always work but it’s usually worth a shot. Also watching guided meditation videos on YouTube helps a lot. What kind of tools do you use?

Breathing helps some for me. I found some 'yoga for panic Attacks' in YouTube that also helps - you can literally do it lying on a bed. I've been trying to get more into yoga lately, though I'm a complete beginner. It's amazing how it releases the anxiety from your body...

 

[Jenny]

Been having a very difficult week. Started off Monday going to Dr for a small elbow issue. They took my Blood pressure and it was very high. I immediately felt a hot flash come on and the beginnings of a panic attack.
Followed up later that same day with my regular dr and blood pressure was still high, like 170 over 110. They put me on a diuretic to lower it. I’ve also been on a statin for 6 months for high triglycerides.
Spent the rest of Monday & Tuesday wallowing in bed with panic thinking my blood pressure would cause a stroke or heart attack at any moment. Woke up 4am on Wednesday with cramps in every muscle of my body. Thought it was the end. We to the ER and they said my statin was causing the muscle problems and I should stop taking it. They did ekg, chest X-ray, all the blood work, everything came back normal except my ck protein level, which they said was caused by the statin messing up my muscles.

Since then I’ve been basically bedridden. Every twinge or ache in my arms or chest throws me into a panic. I can’t stop thinking something is seriously wrong.

I followed up with my dr the day after going to Er and my blood pressure was much better. But I stopped taking the blood pressure meds now because I didn’t like the way they made me feel. I was only on them for three days anyway.

I go back in next week to try to find a better blood pressure medication. But I’m still in a constant state of panic. I take Ativan but it isn’t doing much. I’m only in my mid 30s. It’s all really wearing on my wife because she’s had to pick up a lot of slack. And my kids don’t understand why daddy’s been sick all week. The part about my kids makes me very depressed. I don’t want them to lose their dad at such a young age.

Anyone else dealing with similar things? I’d love to talk. Not many people around me understand what it’s like.

Hi

 

[Jenny]

Hi Flipmartin
Anxiety will cause all those aches and pains, mimic a heart attack and cause high blood pressure. My blood pressure increases every time I go to the doctors, it's called white coat syndrome. You have to believe that it is Anxiety and accept that it is otherwise it will make you believe you have all sorts of horrible illnesses. You have had blood works done at the hospital, my doctor told me they are different to the ones that are done at the doctor's surgery so if there was something wrong with your heart it would have been picked up. I take diuretics for border line blood pressure and they have worked for me, even helped prevent my migraines. So long as you have regular blood checks done to check your potassium and sodium levels they are ok. I've tried other BP meds but they either made my ankles swell or made me cough a lot. Try to relax, listen to delta wave music in bed, breathe slowly and just say to yourself that it is just anxiety and let it pass.

 

[guitarman65]

Hi flip, i too have high bp which 3 drs said is caused by my anxiety. I am taking 2 different meds for it because my anxiety is usually all the time, except for periodic breaks. Worrying about it is probably not go away soon, at least mine didnt, but it will lesson and lesson over time, until u will realize nothing is gonna happen. Eventually that "worry" feeling will be gone...trust me from experience!

 

[scharley1973]

It doesn’t help too that I’m trying to quit smoking right now. Went from a pack a day to about 4-5 cigarettes a day this past week. Of course now when I have a cigarette I feel my heart rate increase which leads me right back into the hypochondria/panic cycle. I try to do breathing exercises to slow it down. But you guys know how that goes.

hello...i can relate totally to this. idk if my story will help but at least your hear about someone elses issues. ive had blood pressure issues that would also send me into panic mode. it would go really high and then drop to the floor..i was so sick i was going to the e.r. alot!!! becuz i didnt know if it was really my heart or just an attack. im in my mid 40s so...i guess with me, i didnt want to take that risk. it wasnt the "white coat" syndrome that people talk about. thats when your going to the doctor or in the office and your anxiety/panic kicks in. mine was on going at home and i could tell when it was high becuz id get really dizzy and my panic would explode and when it was low id be very tired and could barely get out of bed. after all the tests with the cardiologist its been said that my bp issues are just an extention from my anxiety and panic disorder. ive had similiar problems with my stomach. all have been trailered back to my anxiety. its sooooo frustrating and if i can say, pisses me off! its just like...why?? im a person that wants a answer to everything. to tell me that everything is basically becuz of my "mind" bothers me extremely!!! i hope this helps a little...not a great expierence but i think it sounded similiar to yours. thinking of ya! im right there with you.

 

[scharley1973]

o.....and the smoking, i was the same way. i was smoking a pack a day and went down to a cpl cigarettes a day. when i did that my anxiety went thru the roof but many studies say that smoking makes your anxiety or panic worse. ??? do i believe all that? idk? i dont trust to much in doctors anymore and ive traveled to c specialists

 

[triceps]

o.....and the smoking, i was the same way. i was smoking a pack a day and went down to a cpl cigarettes a day. when i did that my anxiety went thru the roof but many studies say that smoking makes your anxiety or panic worse. ??? do i believe all that? idk? i dont trust to much in doctors anymore and ive traveled to c specialists

Hi Scarley. Hope you've been able to sleep better. I look at the cigarettes as a trade off of risks. As a stimulant, common sense says they would be bad for anxiety. However, it seems they have a calming effect for me in areas perhaps outside of the anxiety. Kinda like Ritalin (a stimulant drug) does for hyperactive kids. Unlike coffee studies which will say how bad it is for you, then the next study says coffee is beneficial in moderation, I don't forsee any cigarette studies saying they're beneficial in any way. (except that you'll be more likely as a smoker to have matches if you get lost in the woods) Are you still smoking? I'm down to a bit less than half a pack/day but can't seem to get much lower than that. My blood pressure is fine but I think 40 years of taking benzos might have something to do with that.

 

[scharley1973]

Hi Scarley. Hope you've been able to sleep better. I look at the cigarettes as a trade off of risks. As a stimulant, common sense says they would be bad for anxiety. However, it seems they have a calming effect for me in areas perhaps outside of the anxiety. Kinda like Ritalin (a stimulant drug) does for hyperactive kids. Unlike coffee studies which will say how bad it is for you, then the next study says coffee is beneficial in moderation, I don't forsee any cigarette studies saying they're beneficial in any way. (except that you'll be more likely as a smoker to have matches if you get lost in the woods) Are you still smoking? I'm down to a bit less than half a pack/day but can't seem to get much lower than that. My blood pressure is fine but I think 40 years of taking benzos might have something to do with that.

your funny i love your posts! no, still having a hard time sleeping but thats when my anxiety is at its worse. and yeah...shockingly i might smoke a few cigerettes a day, some days none at all. and ive smoked since i was like 18, a pack or more a day. and i didnt put on any weight either...which is great becuz my anti depressants help my out in that department ugh!

 

[Richard G]

Been having a very difficult week. Started off Monday going to Dr for a small elbow issue. They took my Blood pressure and it was very high. I immediately felt a hot flash come on and the beginnings of a panic attack.
Followed up later that same day with my regular dr and blood pressure was still high, like 170 over 110. They put me on a diuretic to lower it. I’ve also been on a statin for 6 months for high triglycerides.
Spent the rest of Monday & Tuesday wallowing in bed with panic thinking my blood pressure would cause a stroke or heart attack at any moment. Woke up 4am on Wednesday with cramps in every muscle of my body. Thought it was the end. We to the ER and they said my statin was causing the muscle problems and I should stop taking it. They did ekg, chest X-ray, all the blood work, everything came back normal except my ck protein level, which they said was caused by the statin messing up my muscles.

Since then I’ve been basically bedridden. Every twinge or ache in my arms or chest throws me into a panic. I can’t stop thinking something is seriously wrong.

I followed up with my dr the day after going to Er and my blood pressure was much better. But I stopped taking the blood pressure meds now because I didn’t like the way they made me feel. I was only on them for three days anyway.

I go back in next week to try to find a better blood pressure medication. But I’m still in a constant state of panic. I take Ativan but it isn’t doing much. I’m only in my mid 30s. It’s all really wearing on my wife because she’s had to pick up a lot of slack. And my kids don’t understand why daddy’s been sick all week. The part about my kids makes me very depressed. I don’t want them to lose their dad at such a young age.

Anyone else dealing with similar things? I’d love to talk. Not many people around me understand what it’s like.

A very common occurrence for us with h.a....my normal bp is around 120/85 but at drs office seen it has high as 160.

 

[Flipmartin]

A very common occurrence for us with h.a....my normal bp is around 120/85 but at drs office seen it has high as 160.

Thanks. My bp seems to be under control now with this new medication I’m taking. But my anxiety has still been running rampant. Almost two full weeks now every day. I have IBS as well. So every time I get some twinge of pain I think it’s a heart attack or some other terrible condition. Even though I know my heart is healthy because I had multiple ekgs and other tests last week. I find it difficult to even get out of bed. My bed seems like a safe place. I took a shower and got a cramp under my rib cage, now I’m afraid to take another shower. I was able to see my therapist yesterday but I’m not sure how much that helped. It was my first time seeing her in six months. My primary care doc has increased my lorazepam dosage which does help, but then I get nervous about taking too much. I’m also on an ssri which always helped in the past.

My therapist thinks I’ve got a lot of built up stress in my subconscious mind that is coming out in physical symptoms. She recommended the usual stuff like deep breathing and meditation but I’m still struggling.

I’ve got a wife whose really holding down the fort but I know she’s super stressed. We have three kids as well, including a new born. Our oldest is 5 and she’s concerned about me. I tried looking up how to talk to a kid her age about anxiety. Hopefully that helped her.

I just need to stay out of bed and get active but it seems impossible. I’m writing this in my bed right now lol. Anyone else ever feel stuck in bed for extended periods of time from anxiety?

 

[Flipmartin]

hello...i can relate totally to this. idk if my story will help but at least your hear about someone elses issues. ive had blood pressure issues that would also send me into panic mode. it would go really high and then drop to the floor..i was so sick i was going to the e.r. alot!!! becuz i didnt know if it was really my heart or just an attack. im in my mid 40s so...i guess with me, i didnt want to take that risk. it wasnt the "white coat" syndrome that people talk about. thats when your going to the doctor or in the office and your anxiety/panic kicks in. mine was on going at home and i could tell when it was high becuz id get really dizzy and my panic would explode and when it was low id be very tired and could barely get out of bed. after all the tests with the cardiologist its been said that my bp issues are just an extention from my anxiety and panic disorder. ive had similiar problems with my stomach. all have been trailered back to my anxiety. its sooooo frustrating and if i can say, pisses me off! its just like...why?? im a person that wants a answer to everything. to tell me that everything is basically becuz of my "mind" bothers me extremely!!! i hope this helps a little...not a great expierence but i think it sounded similiar to yours. thinking of ya! im right there with you.

Yeah I’m back to smoking almost half a pack a day. I figure once I get this latest anxiety bout under control then I’ll take on smoking. I hope you’re doing well!

 

[Daisymae]

Been having a very difficult week. Started off Monday going to Dr for a small elbow issue. They took my Blood pressure and it was very high. I immediately felt a hot flash come on and the beginnings of a panic attack.
Followed up later that same day with my regular dr and blood pressure was still high, like 170 over 110. They put me on a diuretic to lower it. I’ve also been on a statin for 6 months for high triglycerides.
Spent the rest of Monday & Tuesday wallowing in bed with panic thinking my blood pressure would cause a stroke or heart attack at any moment. Woke up 4am on Wednesday with cramps in every muscle of my body. Thought it was the end. We to the ER and they said my statin was causing the muscle problems and I should stop taking it. They did ekg, chest X-ray, all the blood work, everything came back normal except my ck protein level, which they said was caused by the statin messing up my muscles.

Since then I’ve been basically bedridden. Every twinge or ache in my arms or chest throws me into a panic. I can’t stop thinking something is seriously wrong.

I followed up with my dr the day after going to Er and my blood pressure was much better. But I stopped taking the blood pressure meds now because I didn’t like the way they made me feel. I was only on them for three days anyway.

I go back in next week to try to find a better blood pressure medication. But I’m still in a constant state of panic. I take Ativan but it isn’t doing much. I’m only in my mid 30s. It’s all really wearing on my wife because she’s had to pick up a lot of slack. And my kids don’t understand why daddy’s been sick all week. The part about my kids makes me very depressed. I don’t want them to lose their dad at such a young age.

Anyone else dealing with similar things? I’d love to talk. Not many people around me understand what it’s like.

 

[Daisymae]

You sound exactly like what I have been going through all week. I also am in a constant state of panic waiting for a stroke or heart attack from high blood pressure. Same thing happened to me when mine was checked. Started the DASH diet for hypertension. Also read apple cider vinegar works to bring it down quickly. Tried it and it worked. Mixed a table spoon of it in warm water with honey and drank away several times a day. Then my stomach started bothering me. So I read if you take too much this can happen. You can’t win for nothing. My stomach then triggered even worse panic attacks.......ugggg

 

[scharley1973]

Been having a very difficult week. Started off Monday going to Dr for a small elbow issue. They took my Blood pressure and it was very high. I immediately felt a hot flash come on and the beginnings of a panic attack.
Followed up later that same day with my regular dr and blood pressure was still high, like 170 over 110. They put me on a diuretic to lower it. I’ve also been on a statin for 6 months for high triglycerides.
Spent the rest of Monday & Tuesday wallowing in bed with panic thinking my blood pressure would cause a stroke or heart attack at any moment. Woke up 4am on Wednesday with cramps in every muscle of my body. Thought it was the end. We to the ER and they said my statin was causing the muscle problems and I should stop taking it. They did ekg, chest X-ray, all the blood work, everything came back normal except my ck protein level, which they said was caused by the statin messing up my muscles.

Since then I’ve been basically bedridden. Every twinge or ache in my arms or chest throws me into a panic. I can’t stop thinking something is seriously wrong.

I followed up with my dr the day after going to Er and my blood pressure was much better. But I stopped taking the blood pressure meds now because I didn’t like the way they made me feel. I was only on them for three days anyway.

I go back in next week to try to find a better blood pressure medication. But I’m still in a constant state of panic. I take Ativan but it isn’t doing much. I’m only in my mid 30s. It’s all really wearing on my wife because she’s had to pick up a lot of slack. And my kids don’t understand why daddy’s been sick all week. The part about my kids makes me very depressed. I don’t want them to lose their dad at such a young age.

Anyone else dealing with similar things? I’d love to talk. Not many people around me understand what it’s like.

you have health anxiety disorder. its the worst and i wish u well. ive been on here for awile, i recently shut down my account, just trying to deal with my own crap. same thing...bp is up or its down, ive got panic disorder and GAD and health anxiety. good luck trying to get disability, i guess they only give it to 600 pound people that eat themselves to death. again, THEY DO IT TO THEMSELVES. were us...and everyone thats a parent and has to take care of children, i look up to you ..... thats y i never had any. in my 20s is when this started, im 45 now. its gotten worse, i knew i couldnt do this alone so sadly...no children. idk if its something you can pass down but i have read its genetic. thats frightening!......if your reading this... miss u triceps, my friend. i just need time alone. this will b my last post for awhile.