Nightmare over dose reduction....support needed!

[lettingoffsteam]

So my doctor decided I could drop my meds.Was on 10mg ramipril and 5mg amlodipine and we dropped it to 5mg ramipril keeping amlodipine the same.No change in good readings around 118/78 so ten days later she says drop to 2.5mg.Well I felt this was quick but gave it a go.

Lasted three days on good readings then today suddenly up to late 140s in systolic with diastolic up around 90.After two sets of readings had enough and took another 2.5mg ramipril....probably not good but panicked.This evening readings around 140/85. I'm worried it won't come back down and worry is a nightmare for bp.

Since when I was first diagnosed in March it was 244/133 having been normal before I have a lot to fear. Any advice or comfort out there as my husband thinks I should just chill as it will be fine whilst I'm going spare.

Sorry to ramble on guys but anxiety does that.

[Thecyclist]

Try not to panic, bear in mind BP med changes are not necessarily instant, mine took 4 weeks to kick in, so taking another 2.5mg of ramipril is unlikely to get your BP down straight away.

I would speak to your GP and say your BP went back up. In all likely hood they will put you back up on the ramipril. I would also not be too worried about a 140/85, again try not to get hung up on the numbers, that will send your BP up. Also try taking three readings , I guarantee they will go down, mine do. My consultant basically told me that during the drug balancing phase that only to report back if it goes over 170. Everyone is different though, but I think the whole process of getting your BP under control does take time, many months I am led to believe and the odd spike is unlikely to be harmful in the long run. Best of luck and try not to worry! I suffer crippling anxiety as well so I sympathise massively. Your hubby is spot on though!

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Thecyclist]

Well it was under control before she started lowering things but I was reduced from 10mg to 5mg to 2 5mg ramipril in short shrift whereas I think we should have done one drop at a time and waited longer.I had some potassium problems on 10mg you see so as my levels were good she dropped the dose.I know I need to be calm but I wonder if the rise in bp is due to the first drop or the second since it was so quick.

[Thecyclist in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Are you under your GP or a Hypertension clinic? If the former, see if you can get to see a consultant. I was "lucky" when I was taken in to hospital suffering severe hypertension (mine was 270/150) the on call doc was a hypertension consultant and I am now under her, my GP also is taking a deep interest in it and monitoring my meds. Hypertension in 2019 is a very manageable ailment and they will get it perfectly under control. My wife took a good year or two to get hers under control and it now sits happily at 120/70 all the time, and she's only on a small dose of Candesartan. Took many tries to get there. Try not to have too high expectations, you are well out of the danger zone now or bandit country as my consultant says. At least your doc is trying to reduce your meds, I can't see mine being reduced anytime soon and I am on Amlod, Ramipril, Doxazosin and now Bisoprolol. You are doing great!

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Thecyclist]

I'm only under my GP.I found out that my readings were up.in the 150s for part of yesterday and as low as late 120s.Today has been the same even though I took the 5mg dose today ie previous dose.Husband does my BP due to my anxiety you see. I tried phoning the BP association and the BHF for advice.Spoke to a nurse at BHF as I was worried that I dropped from 10mg to 2.5mg ramipril in under a fortnight and wondered if it had taken a time for the 10 to 5 initial dose to register with my body.She said it varies between people.Keep worrying it will rise more.I will try to get in at the doctors tomorrow and I wish she hadn't rushed me.

Was your BP high before your admission and how good is it now if you don't mind me asking.I was also interested in how much medication your wife managed to drop.Sorry to appear nosey but I'm new to all this with no close relatives with BP problems.Thanks

[Thecyclist in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Your anxiety is driving your BP for sure, so just try thinking to yourself that your BP is at a normal level 99% of the time, taking these snapshots of your BP is all that it is a snapshot and not representative off the whole time. I am the same, and I know exactly what you mean. I have just tried to confront my phobia by taking my BP a lot, it has worked. Although I did a 24 hour ABP on Monday and my anxiety was through the roof, I told the consultant and she was going to discount the results. Assuming my BP monitor at home is accurate I know my average BP is fine so again, anxiety drove a false reading.

Before my admission I had not had my BP taken for years. The last time I did it was high and was anxious and from then on I wanted to avoid taking it, this really was a mistake as I probably had high BP for years and it should be managed but my stupid brain said otherwise!

Have you asked your GP about CBT? I am on the waiting list, I have heard excellent things about it. I have had some hypnotherapy in the past and it worked for a while, but my brain eventually goes back to overthinking and ruminating. I hate it, anxiety is more of a curse than high BP!

My wife was on ramipril and amlodipine for while and Beta Blockers but is now on 4mg of Candesartan, she has hereditary high BP and manages it very well, it really is not an issue these days.

I hope you can get some comfort from this! Good luck!

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Thecyclist]

Thank you thecyclist, I really appreciate your post.Actually I am waiting for CBT but I'm told there is a long waiting list for it in my area.I'm on ramipril and amlodipine but GP thinks I could be on a much lower dose. Saw her today and she agreed with staying on 5mg of each for now.I had a terrible night with anxiety so really tired today.Doctor suggests not taking BP for a bit but that makes me worse as I worry about what it could be.There's no escape from anxiety it seems.

[hc75]

i really believe this is a case where you should see your doctor and work it out with them

[lettingoffsteam in reply to hc75]

Well, yes I've up and down to the doctor's on a weekly basis it seems, after a life of rarely going, except for well woman checks...takes a bit of getting used to. Ditto taking regular meds, is a new thing but my doctor has commented that I seem very sensitive to all medication and get every side effect.I am inclined to agree but I need to find something that works for me.