Crap (rant)

I've had a tough year... hospitalization, med changes, new meds, lost job, new diagnosis....

So, I finally have found a combination that seems to work -- Lithium + Effexor XR + Serequel...

So I go to my family doctor today because I have a nail infection and want som antibiotics... and guess what. In the last six weeks my BP has gone from 110/70 to 140/90. Primary suspected culprit: The upping of my effexor from 150mg/day to 300mg/day.

Back to square one (almost). I'm doing great, no bad side effects, no problems.... except my damn blood pressure.

crap.crap.crap.

So now I monitor my BP at home for the next week or so. If it stays elevated, off the effexor I go, and back to the search for medicines that don't make me nuts in attempting to cure my craziness.

all the medicines that are working for me... I'm back to square one.

The BP increase is being caused by the pschotropics...

;(

check out this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=276x1649
I'm thrilled with the results that I'm getting from this device. It might be of help to you, too.

:hug:

Doug has been on Geodon with such good success for three years and boom, he's getting nasty side effects in the morning. I found out that Vitamin E really, really helps. But it also blocks the effects of his diabetes and blood pressure meds.

And today, the doc just switched him to something else without tinkering with the Vitamin E dosage. I'd bang my head against the wall but, I may need it later :)

and even if the culprit is the effexor, there may be things you can do to lower your BP without having to drop the meds.

You say you have had a tough year. Stress can lead to higher blood pressure. How's your weight? How's your diet? Are you getting regular exercise? Do you smoke?

If you think that any of the above could be an issue, or if you can change any other habits that might be contributing to an increase in your BP, ask your doctor to work with you in developing a plan.

I've lost twenty pounds in the past few months and I did it by not eating red meat, which in turn reduced my sugar cravings. I also started walking regularly - not even fast walking - with friends. The overall affect has been to reduce my stress and give me more energy.

Talk with your doctor - you might be able to lower your BP and still keep taking the meds that are working for you.

Good luck!

Thanks for your suggestions.

The thing is, none of the above BP problems have changed in the last 6 weeks, just my dose of effexor -- even my general stress level is probably the same (or close too it).