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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Donna Louise on April 29, 2006, at 8:41:01
Please someone, tell me if this is normal. I am so freaked I can't even research it. BP is 158/100. Withdrawal from effexor in its 10th day. Starting EMSAM Sunday. I am afraid I am going to die. As you can see, I need help with anxiety, I do take klonopin, on effexor it was 135/90. Too high. Normally I used to be 112/70. I am turning 52. I am adopted. I don't know if it is genetic. I am just scared and got myself crying again. Please talk to me, even if you don't know what to think of it. I am embarressed to be begging.
Donna
Posted by gingerlyn67 on May 1, 2006, at 8:42:09
In reply to Help!! High BP, effexor withdrawal? VERY SCARED, posted by Donna Louise on April 29, 2006, at 8:41:01
I am not really sure about what to tell you about your blood pressure. I wonder if it is getting high due to the anxiety? I am working on my 3rd week of getting off of this mess, and, I am noticing that I am feeling a little bit better each day. Last week was a pretty bad week for me. I felt like I had the flu all week and my moods were off the wall. I know I am probably not much comfort, but, wanted to drop you a note to let you know that eventually you will get to feeling better. My children are even getting concerned about me and keep asking when I am going to be myself again. Sometimes it feels like I will never feel good. I've started walking everyday with my dog who is overweight, and, I notice that I feel a little better.
I hope you get to feeling better. They say to keep venting on here, I have been, and it really helps, even if no one responds, I still have it down in writing.
Ginger
Posted by apenname on May 2, 2006, at 19:48:03
In reply to Re: Help!! High BP, effexor withdrawal? VERY SCARED, posted by gingerlyn67 on May 1, 2006, at 8:42:09
Hi. Here's my story and my advice for when you're ready to deal with the numbers again. I've avoided measuring my blood pressure a bunch of times just to not deal with the anxiety the numbers gave me.
I was on Effexor XR (225mg) for some years. My BP was normal (on average) when I started, and on a dose that was effective for my depression (and anxiety), went higher. My psychiatrist was concerned more about the long term trend. This was back when I was 29, and my blood pressure one day was 158/101 in the morning (I was very very stressed and anxious), and dropped to 128/80-something in the evening once I was relaxed again. My doctor at the time was only worried if my blood pressure stayed that high for a day or two.
Be careful with stressing about one single data point. Make sure you are taking your blood pressure correctly, if you're using your own blood pressure monitor device, bring it to your doctor's and check against theirs. My last psychiatrist had me only take my blood pressure first thing in the morning just when I woke up to get a baseline measurement.
I don't remember if I took my blood pressure during Effexor XR withdrawal, or even checked the prescribing information for withdrawal symptoms related to blood pressure, so I don't know if that's normal. I did find that the wrist blood pressure device I had gave a consistently higher measurement than the arm one.
It's going to be ok. Get more measurements, and try and calm down. Take the blood pressure measurements seriously, and check with your doctor (who knows if you have anything else going on that this could be a symptom of), but don't let it scare you and make things worse. Some people found it eased withdrawal symptoms to reduce Effexor doses slower. I've been through this, and it is stressful.
Good luck and I agree with gingerlyn, vent where you can.
Posted by Pfinstegg on May 2, 2006, at 23:25:02
In reply to Help!! High BP, effexor withdrawal? VERY SCARED, posted by Donna Louise on April 29, 2006, at 8:41:01
This is a tough time for you; Effexor CAN raise blood pressure, and so can the stresses of withdrawal. The numbers you are talking about aren't ones you want to have long-term, but they are not dangerous if it's just short-term.
You'll be starting Ensam soon, at the lowest dosage. NO instances of elevated blood pressure have been found at that dosage. Tyramine restrictions are suggested for the higher dosages, not becaused hypertension has actually occurred, but because the higher doses have not been as well-studied for that. If you want to be absolutely sure (mostly to reduce your anxiety), you could avoid aged cheese and meat, beer, soy products and concentrated yeast products. You don't have to, but it might help you feel more secure.
As you get over the Effexor withdrawal, and hopefully, start to feel better with the ENSAM, your pressure should go down to its regular low level. If it doesn't, then would be the time to ask your internist for advice and help. Please let us know how you are doing in a few weeks.
Posted by Donna Louise on May 3, 2006, at 7:39:03
In reply to Re: Help!! High BP, effexor withdrawal? VERY SCARED » Donna Louise, posted by Pfinstegg on May 2, 2006, at 23:25:02
Thanks so much to all of you good people! I didn't know I had any responses to my post until today. I "talked" with Bassman on another thread and he said basically what you guys said and I think just all this reassurance brings it down. Today I am 2 weeks off effexor and 4 days on EMSAM. I feel so so much better although by afternoon I feel fluey again but by the evening I have a second wind. My BP has been normal,YEA!! but now my pulse is pretty high, for me anyway. Yesterday, midday it was 104. It is usually in the 70's. This morning it was 87, I am pretty sure this is the EMSAM and that is not nearly as scary as the high BP although I will now have to find out the long term effects of such a high (for me) pulse, if any. I know dehydration can do it so I am trying to remember to drink alot of water.
Anyway, thanks so much again. And yes, it does pass and it does get better!!Donna
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