I am going through a tough time. What started as a a blood pressure issue of 220/115 has worn me down. I now have fairly well controlled BP but I still get morning highs of 150/90 which I have become obsessed with. My daily average is more like 130/80 which I am happy with but I struggle to take my readings as once I put on the cuff I am sure my anxiety pushes it up. No two readings are consistent. In addition I have suffered with health and general anxiety for 30 odd years and although I have been able to function, I now feel overwhelmed and am considering taking what seems like a drastic step of reaching out to the GP to discuss whether I would benefit from Anxiety medication. I already take a Beta blocker so I'm not sure what to say or ask about. Anyone taken that first step to admitting they are not coping? I feel all my health issues are anxiety based and I did do a self referral for CBT but they said I wasn't clinically anxious enough and discharged me after three sessions!! Any advice - I really want 2022 to be better.
Thank you. Andrew
27 Replies
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Hello
Blood pressure readings will go up and down all day and the more we take it the more likely it will go higher as we get anxious
I would say the biggest YES to reaching out to your Doctor this would be the best thing you could ever do , they have your medical history and will know exactly what medications you need to be on
I would tell them everything so they know what you are going through
I have health anxiety and now I do have health issues which is not a good combination to have when you already have health anxiety but I tell my Doctor everything and I hope you will to x
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Hi BeKind28 and everyone else who responded. Woke up this morning feeling pretty bad and so I bit the bullet as you advised. Taken the first steps, I e-consulted my GP and he increased my amlodipine dose and booked me a telephone consultation with the Mental Health Team at the practice. Thank you for encouraging me to take steps to improving my health. Andrew
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Hello Andrew
I am so sorry you woke up feeling pretty bad I really am
I to had a bad night and today feels no better , it is all affecting my stomach I feel now
But I am so proud of you for making that call
It is not all men but I would say more than women find it hard to make that first call and ask for help but it takes a man to do so and you have certainly done the right thing
Nothing is a quick fix especially when it comes to Mental Health but at last the help will be there and slowly with their help things will improve
Always here if you need to talk and please let us know how you get on
Remember this is the first step you needed to make for you and your recovery and you have done it x
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Hi BeKind28. Thank you as always. I hope you start to feel better soon, please keep us informed as if we can help we will. Keep well. Andrew
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Thank You x
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Remember as you bring comfort and advice to others - and I have seen all you replies to others and know you do, that I am here to help and others are too. If you just want a chat message me, I'm much better at advising others than I am at sorting myself!!! Be good and keep fighting .. we can all get better with faith and support and if needed I am an ear to vent at. Keep well Bekind28. Andrew
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Thank You so much Andrew :-)x
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So, todays discussion with the mental health team resulted in recommencing 10 mg of citalopram and a referral for counselling with "talking mental health- derbyshire" - little steps and a lovely talk with the GP's therapist who referred me. He was understanding and told me to not worry about it all .. he said I have anxiety and should not blame myself for it but I can overcome it with help. Told me to call him in a couple of weeks once the citalopram is in my system. He advised not to consider Valium or similar as this is only best for short term anxiety. BP tonight 124/82 - much better. Thank you again BeKind28 - I shall give it my all. Hope you are a little better today, Andrew
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O Andrew that sounds brilliant
I am so pleased
Give the meds time as they do take several weeks to take effect and with the rest of the help I have everything crossed for you
O I am the same as always worrying but I think that will always be the same
Thank You for asking me x
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BeKind28 - You are a lovely lady - This Forum restores my faith in everything human. I wish I could waive my wand and put everything right for you, but I realise that there are so many anxious people like us - but we are human and good too. Please keep well and I send you a virtual hug. Andrew
Good advice from previous post. If you can't think of how to bring info to a consult with your doctor, you can start with the thoughts in your post. Anything that has happened in the last six months might also be relevant as well as how you are sleeping. Making notes also helps if your anxiety muddles the thinking.
Thanks blackcat64013. I do think it has reached a point where I should swallow my pride and contact the GP and his mental health team. I will do so this week. Cheers, Andrew
Thanks as always BeKind28. I do think it has reached a point where I should swallow my pride and contact the GP and his mental health team, if not for me for my family. I will do so this week. Cheers, Andrew
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You are doing the right thing and you are right if not for you , your family :-)Let us know how you get on x
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Thank you. Andrew
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x
Thanks glenninindy for your advice. I shall do my research and contact the GP. I have spoken with my Sister and she is being supportive - she suggests" Headspace" for me to calm down with. She is buying it for my birthday present. Thank you again. Andrew
I hear ya on that, I am in the same predicament with blood pressure (not real high) and health anxiety and horrible thoughts that creep in my mind all day, the what ifs, Anyway i have been diagnosed with HBP but i really dont think I have, Why? Because I get so darn antsy about the pressure machine; the sound and when the cuff tightens ; man I am on the moon and i know it has to raise it. I take the pill because I cannot take my pressure. I have 2 machines but they are like monsters in the back of the drawer. I am going to try and do better this year and try to get my health anxiety in check. BeKind and BP120 both have given you and me good advice. I agree talk to your MD. and if you cant, when you see him write all of your concerns on paper and let him or her read it. Just make him hear it or see it There is a mediation I try and do on You Tube with a very good woman, at least I think....Look her up; her name is Tara Brach. Wishing you the BEST. try to relax, Im trying; you can too. Let me know how you make out.
Burnett1948. I hope my experience is what you need. I suffered from Anxiety and Depression. I had two nervous breakdowns, one very bad. But I have never had blood pressure problems. I was put on a anti-depressant and a relaxation tablet( very small dose). I Was treated in clinic where my self importance was worked on. To get control of my stress I found running 3.5 miles after work each afternoon really helped and I did this for years. The other thing that helped was listing to a guided mediation tap each morning for about 8 minutes. It worked. I could feel my body relaxing. I can give you information on how to get these tapes. I have put them on my phone. So I’m still doing all 3 now except I walk now. I am a advanced prostate patient. You can read my bio. The above has helped me. Cheers
BP120 I have read the book Mindfulness by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. A very well know book for people like use. I have taped 2 of their spoken meditations,Body Scan 14 minutes and Breath and Body - 8 minutes. I do the 8 minute one once a day when I do it properly I can feel my body and mind relaxing. Recommend you get the book. These two are famous for helping anxious people.
If you think that you will be anxious talking to your GP. I would write a list of things you want to tell the Doc so you don't forget anything. When you have spoken to the GP you should be proud of yourself. You have taken a first big step.
same,same ,same here!!! if i even see a blood preasure cup i freak out!! stupid, yes, but it is what it is!! instead of increasing my bp meds, he suggested lexapro for anxiety and well, he was right. after a few weeks of side effects, stuck with it and all is good. when i got normal readings, i stopped taking bp as often as i did and it's paid off. good luck!!
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