Latent shingles and high BP

[Bea61]

Has anyone had shingles lately and increase in BP...contracted shingles couple of weeks ago, felt very hot but not high temp and only few spots on left arm/bra line and left shoulder/back....phoned GP and mentioned headache and light headedness and sent photos..went to pick up script at pharmacy and felt i was going to pass out and asked pharmacist for a BP check..anyway it was in the high 170s and was advised to ring GP back...today had follow up at GP with nurse and its lower but still in 160s so am getting 24hrs monitor to wear but when is the unknown question...I had a younger brother who died at 54 with sudden cardiac arrest non diagnosed and i also suffered a mild stroke 10yrs ago and am now very worried...but have been told to rest!!

Any advice pls.

[Aoibheann]

Hello Bea61, my husband was diagnosed with shingles about 6 months ago which were very painful. His GP prescribed Pregablin for a month which definitely helped and he is completely better. Take plenty of rest and keep in touch with your GP. X

[Bea61 in reply to Aoibheann]

Hi, i was prescribed Pregablin after a mild stroke 8yrs ago and weaned off this but take other meds as i gained so much weight/increased appetite, Have appt this wk for BP 24hr monitor ..thank you for your response and hope never to get shingles again as soo painful and itchy that i needed sedating🙂

[Aoibheann in reply to Bea61]

Hello Bea61, I am on 300mg twice daily of Pregablin and like you have gained excessive weight. Can I ask you please how did you wean off Pregablin. X

[Bea61 in reply to Aoibheann]

My GP prescribed amitrypline at night with 2 co-codomol...took less pregablin and then only every 2nd night and so on...good luck👍

[Aoibheann in reply to Bea61]

Thank you. I suppose I would need a gp appointment. Did you tell your gp that the pregablin was making you gain so much weight?

[Bea61 in reply to Aoibheann]

I didn't have to ..he cud see for himself so then i had to see nurse for healthy eating plan!🙂

[Aoibheann in reply to Bea61]

Thanks. Stay safe stay well. How's your eating plan going, are you off the pregablin completely now.

[Edwen_]

Hi Bea61, If your heart rate is 160-170 then that is very high indeed. Sounds like you need medication from your GP to stabilise your blood pressure. Shingles will certainly complicate things so I wouldn’t be waiting weeks before I got treatment. I had a monitor for a week and it showed nothing, then I had a heart attack. I’m fine now but without the medication My outcome would be different. Don’t delay get back to your GP. Good luck I wish you well.

[Bea61 in reply to Edwen_]

Hi Edwen, I've an appt for 24 hr monitor on Thursday so hopefully will know if i need meds as have already had mild stroke and younger brother had unexpected cardiac arrest and died so am on tender hooks and not trying to stress...LOL..😱

[waylay]

Not sure if this applies to you, but un/under-treated pain can cause BP to go up, among other things

[Bea61 in reply to waylay]

Yes i believe so...and certainly it went up with the shingles...but now its more normal Thank you!