Anxiety is back, and Bp is a problem now...

[ChucksKat]

Hello, all-
I haven't been here in a long while. I had been on the original boards, so this is fairly new to me...different format. I guess I need encouragment today. To make a long story briefer, I have had IC since I was 24, and am now 55. I was only diagnosed in 1998, however. Since then, Elmiron has worked well for me. The only exceptions have been emotional upsets, meaning anxiety issues that are usually medication-induced. I was prescribed a bp medicine that caused me to pass out at home...luckily my husband was home. My bp dropped to 90/50, so we made the trip to emergency where they first told me it was not medication. We knew it was. Eventually they came in to tell me bloodwork was great, x-ray was great, ekg was great, and that I would want to consult my dr. about the meds. I was taking. She had prescribed Effexor XR and Benicar for Bp and I had only taken it for two days!! The anxiety was sickening and awful. I couldn't walk across the floor without feeling I had run a marathon. I usually walk on the treadmill at a brisk pace every day. I couldn't do that with the meds. I am very small, so a lot of meds. have to be adjusted, and I am VERY sensitive to meds. in general. I am discouraged once again. My gyno. gave me Xanax to help with a family crisis going on right now with my married son having trouble with his marriage. He is my son who was horribly sexually abused by a trusted family friend/church member who is married and has two daughters. Yes, I know...he only told us three years ago that this happened to him. He was 3 months too late coming forward to have a state case, so that has been hard. I guess what I am trying to say is, I don't have a lot of options as far as antidepressants as I have tried just about all of them, and they flare my bladder very badly...can't do it. Usually Xanax for short-term has been what got me back on even keel, and then don't need it for a long time again. If I have to take Bp med., I don't know what to do. The Benicar caused so many side effects... Does anyone here know of what most patients take for elevated bp that doesn't cause IC symptoms to worsen, or have horrible side effects? I also am going to call a counselor this morning to discuss therapy for anxiety issues. Thank you, everyone, for listening to this long post. I appreciate any encouragment or suggestions. God bless you all.
Kathy S.

[snowgirl]

I too suffer from anxiey- I take xanax as needed. I also suffer from depression and have tried every pill manufactured and can't tolerate the side effects.
My blood pressure has been borderline for about a year now. Three weeks before my hydro I went to my family Md for him to do my history and physical for surgery. My bp was 200 systolic and 100 diastolic. I was also just put on elavil 25mg. Everyone md and pharmacist told me that 25mg of elavil could not be reason for my high bp. I did not believe that and weaned myself from elavil. I do believe the 11 pound I gained on neurontin increased my bp. I need to lose weight that would help me bp. Anxiety from losing my job and having to go on permanent disability at age 45 ............ giving up my nursing career of 24 years........ this is a big root of my anxiety.

Back to bp med. I took benicar for awhile. It worked well bringing my bp down.
It however made me extremely fatigued and I felt like I had the flu. I now take catapress and tenormin both for bp. I am hoping things settle down and I can get down to one bp med. However it is not unusual for people to have to be on two different types of bp med to bring their bp down.

Taking bp meds is a lot like taking anti- depressants you have to keep trying them until you find one that works for you. I tried three bp meds . I would say they taking catapress and tenormin both have their side effects. If I was working I would not be able to take either of these and do my job. Catapress makes you groggy- a side effect. Tenormin I take at night however it makes me very tired and exhausted although these feelings are getting better.

Buy a blood pressure cuff machine and take your bp's and record them to give to your MD. WHen he put me on new bp meds I would take my bp in am and pm writing them down and giving them to him. Your MD will appreciated that very much.

Good Luck. Every friend I know who takes bp meds had to take a few before they found one that worked for them

Vicky

[snowgirl]

It was the effexor that gave you the anxiety. For me that's why I can't take anti depressants they either give me terrible anxiety or I can't urinate.
Some MDs will have you take the xanax while you start a new antidepressant until you get past that4 week period when the ad starts working. Ask your MD who prescribes your anti depressant if he thinks you should take xanax to start .

[Hypnogal]

Try some Chamomile tea. Not too simple to help. Its wonderful.

[Bessie]

When I was having problems with my blood pressure they put me on Diovan and for the times when it got over 160 I was prescibed Clonadine (sp?)
I hope you get your medication where it needs to be. That is scary that you passed out.
Good Luck,
Laura

[sickofmybladder]

I take Dynacirc and Cozaar for my bp - but I have tried many many meds before finding this mix that works for me - please be open to trying several before you find the right one - I would request samples from your doctor - until you find one that doesn't have side effects.