Burnout and BP

[Juddie]

Hi,I'm a 59 yr old woman and take 7.5mg of Ramipril daily and my BP is usually well controlled on that dose. Levothyroxine for ubderactuve thyroud and Sertraline.

For the past few years I have been extremely stressed due being an unpaid carer for multiple family members, having a son who us in and out of trouble, I also work. I know I don't look after myself and keep pushing on. I am the type of person who can't say No.

I have been running about like a headless chicken from one crisis to another for years

I have been experiencing symptoms of stress/burnout. For a long time. My under active thyroid has gone very low, so have Vitamin D and folates.

I feel totally burnt out and feel like my body has hit rock bottom.

My normally well controlled blood pressure has increased to between 165-170 systolic and 95-100 diastolic. My pulse is around 70. I have got pulsing in my head and the right side of my heart feels like it aching constantly..and it's worrying me. I am wondering if it will settle down. I had scary symptoms last week, which brought all this to a head. I know basically I have run myself into the ground and this is a major wake up call... BUT I am most worried about the pulsing in my head and the fact that my BP won't come down. I have a GP appointment on Monday.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Happyrosie]

Juddie, you live in the UK so there should be available, via your local Social services, something called Carers Support. Please contact them.

If you care for someone you must put yourself first. If you have a wobbly then there is no-one to care for them.

SO YOU COME FIRST

other than that, of course there are things like breathing exercises, and actually physical exercises like going for a walk in nature - do you have a park near you?

Think about who else you could ask to help you, just to take the burden off a bit.

I wish you well - come back to us here when you’ve seen your doc.

[sunshineday]

Oh Juddie, no wonder you feel overwhelmed trying to cope with everything that's going on. I agree with everything Happyrosie has said. You have to find some timeout for yourself otherwise you'll go under. Is there any else in the family you can help out to give you a break ? Other family members must be aware of just how much you are coping with. Please take care and look after yourself. Good luck with your GP appointment.

[oceansplash]

You answered your own question. "I am the type of person who can't say No." Sounds like a great place to start to address your burnout. It's hard to do, I know from experience myself but you need to make some changes. Best of luck and hope your feeling better soon.

[Juddie]

UPDATE

Apologies for the long post.

Have now been started on 5mg of Amlodipine, alongside the Ramipril 7.5mg I already take.

This came about because last night and this morning BP reached 210/100 and I had constant pulsing in my head, blurred vision, headache and like an achy heart.

So I went to A&E.

Bloods and ECG were OK. Sent home when systolic was under 200.... last hospital reading was 196/96. Advised to contact my GP straight away..... who perscribed the Amlodipine over the phone. 4 hours later BP is 151/95 and I don't feel too bad now.

Plan is monitor BP over weekend, continue Amlodipine, return to A&E if it goes up again and appt with GP on Monday.

Thanks

[Moneylover]

I expect it’s all stress. Hopefully if GP can reassure you your blood pressure will go down. But as you say, you must look after yourself better. Vit D levels should increase in sunshine and u can take D3 in supplement form, most of us should from Oct to April. My daughter who is a senior dietitian takes it all year round. If your bloods and ECG basically ok then eat well and trust zGP to help you. Let us know how the appointment goes on Monday. I am skinny, eat well etc but suffer stress and that keeps my blood pressure high in spite of 10 mg Ramipril so still have a way to go re possible blood pressure meds doing their trick as far as possible. You are far from alone on a blood pressure journey, good luck tomorrow

[Moneylover]

also meant to say,the extra med wouldn’t have taken your BP down as takes a couple of weeks to really work so probably better reading is down to reassurance from hospital