Struggling

[Catlover3]

Am not having a great time at the moment. Just had ecg which shows LBBB and blood pressure sky high. Have managed to lose 2.5 stones but its the stress that is making my readings high. Took bp yesterday and was 190/103, managed to lower that to 166/93 with deep breathing but my anxiety is through the roof. My dad (84) is in ICU 400 miles away and I am feeling so unwell that I can't fly over to see him. I daren't tell my mum whats going on with me as she is obviously very very stressed about dad. I went over for a week whilst he had a gastric bypass due to a blockage and when I left he was eating and recovering well, then two days later his heart has started playing up and now he is in ICU. I also am full time carer to my daughters whom both have complex medical histories. I can't leave them for too long as although they support each other me being away for a week has not helped them either. We are also living in an area without any family/friends so feel really isolated. Thankfully Mum has a couple of cousins/sister in law and lots of friends to help support her but the guilt I feel about not being there is horrendous. I am waiting for a ct scan and have been advised to increase my medication which I have done. I also requested Diazepam to help with the anxiety which I have used in the past to get me through very stressful episodes. I know nobody can help my situation but just needed to tell someone.

[lettingoffsteam]

I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time Catlover3.What follow up have you had from your recent ECG?I hope things settle for your Dad and try not to worry about not being there as you can focus on that once you have settled your own health.I suffer terribly with anxiety and also high blood pressure and I sympathise.I was advised not to take my bp when anxious as it becomes a vicious circle of anxiety driving it up and up.Can you get an appointment with your GP to discuss support?I hope things improve for you very soon.

[Catlover3 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Thank you for your reply. It's hard to get a doctor's appt where we are but I managed to see a new registrar. She was very thorough and talked with a senior partner regarding my treatment. I have increased my bp meds and am waiting for an appt for the scan. The diazepam is very low dose as I only need it when the anxiety gets too much. I had a chest xray at the hospital and blood tests to see if I was having a heart attack which all came back clear so the damage which has happened has probably been there a while as I can't remember when I had previously had an ECG. At the moment I have chest pains which they think are muscular, and a temperature/ swollen glands too, which my daughter has now got. Some horrible virus going around again I suppose. I'm not normally an anxious person but I am finding it really difficult to deal with the fact that my parents are not going to be around for ever, yet his health has been getting worse over the years. I think I have been in denial for a long time and now reality is setting in!

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Catlover3]

It's so worrying to get chest pains.I've been getting burning pains in my chest and arms since going onto blood pressure medication in March.Before that I had no pain despite a very high blood pressure.I've been to A &E more than once and nothing has been found.I've been told it's gastric or stress but it's certainly not gastric and I've had had stresses in life but no pains.Now I'm being referred to a bp specialist as they think it's a side effect and my GP wants advice on a suitable alternative to try.I am currently on 5mg of ramilpril and 5mg of amlodipine.What do you take and how do you find it?

I'm glad you managed to see someone to sort out the bp and hope the scan happens soon.

[Catlover3 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

At the moment I am only on bisoporol 3.75mg. I have been on this for years and apart from hair loss it seems to be ok. I have these hot flashes which I am not sure if they are being caused by blood pressure spikes or as I am 57 and not on hrt caused by the menopause. I haven't had a period for at least 6 years now so don't know if these really hot flashes are meant to go away or not, or if its the blood pressure causing them. As you can never get into see the same doctor either it means that there is no relationship whatsoever which means that I feel that I am just a number on their computer screen.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Catlover3]

I quite agree.All of the GPs at my surgery are part time and it is very difficult to see the same one twice.