Jennifer, I’ve tried several antidepressants before my annie and had issues with BP on a couple of them. I no longer take them. My Neuro says the problem is my autonomic nervous system, I seem to live in “fight or flight”. My primary care doctor has prescribed a tiny amount of BP medicine along with an anti anxiety medication. My anxiety levels went sky high after my craniotomy. Look up “neurological flooding”. My PC dr says with an aneurysm history we must control the BP spikes. I wish I could say that meditation or exercise has helped me, but it hasn’t made a measurable difference. Avoiding certain environments and toxic people has helped. Best wishes, stay in touch.
Hi, Jennifer. Meds can be so much help and also so detrimental. One of Paxil's side effects is an increase in your heart rate, which can cause high blood pressure. I have been on Atenolol for years now for high blood pressure - it is in the class called Beta Blockers and they also lower your heart rate, which is one reason my doctor wants me to continue taking them.
Years ago I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer and all the doctors wanted me on Tamoxifen, which I couldn't tolerate, but I took it for 4 long years. My oncologist told me that some of the side effects I was experiencing was because of the stress the med was putting on my body - I had variegated high blood pressure that I had to treat according to what it was every 4 hours.
Antidepressants will take at least a few weeks to start kicking in (as far as the depression and anxiety - side effects could start immediately). I tried 5-6 antidepressants before I found one that really helped me - they are not one size fits all. Your blood pressure needs to get under control as it is not good on the ole blood vessels and arteries. Treating anxiety and depression is also needed, but the antidepressants could take some time to find a good fit.
For anxiety, Lorazepam is excellent and your regular doctor should prescribe it. I took .5 mg a few times a day - I still keep some around although I don't take it on a regular basis now.
Penny had suggested seeing a neuro psych, which I did a year ago and did the neuro testing. As a result, I finally started OT therapy a few months ago. I am finding it fun, challenging and am learning to accept my memory loss and frustration at not being able to "think" through things I would have been able to finish in speedy time.
I hope you get some relief soon - high anxiety combined with high blood pressure is not fun. I would recommend your buying an automated BP cuff (which will also measure your heart beat) - my health insurance paid for mine. I hope you get to feeling better real soon - take care.
Sherri
Hi Jen…I was browsing through a lot of older posts and saw yours. Is there still a FB page? If so could you head me in that direction? Thanks so much!