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280234 tn?1532986249

Panic attacks...

Glad I found this forum. I'm a 33 year old Caucasian, female. I'm 5'4, 143 lbs. I have always been kind of an anxious person... (runs in my family)

After my first daughter was born in 2002, I developed high BP during the end of the pregnancy, & during labor that never really went away. I have been on BP medicine since. I've been diagnosed with primary hypertension & sinus tachycardia. I currently take Bystolic 5 mg once daily. Used to take atenolol and Toprol for BP, but they didn't work well for me. I also used to take Zoloft for anxiety, but had to stop due to weight gain. Plus, my anxiety got better and I really didn't need it anymore. I see a cardiologist every 6 months for the BP & tachycardia.

I had a stressful year last year and my anxiety started to come back. Just recently I have developed panic attacks, so to speak. Whenever I get a little nervous about a situation, the nervousness can develop in to a panic attack. The last two times I've went to the doctor I started to get nervous (white coat syndrome) & my BP and heart rate skyrocketed. My BP was 153/112, pulse was 126. I talked to my cardiologist about this, but he thought I was probably find unless my BP was staying consistently elevated which it doesn't, once the panic attack is over. With the BP medicine, my BP is about 120/81, pulse 77 normally. I have had normal EKG's, echos, and a normal 24 hour heart monitor and blood work. Cardiologist has listened to heart and lungs and says normal. My anxiety seems to be doing this. I get so anxious my BP and HR go up drastically. My cardiologist wrote me 10 mg Celexa to try for the anxiety, but I'm afraid it will make me gain weight like the Zoloft.

I was just wondering any others in their 20s or 30s with anxiety dealing with these kind if symptoms with their anxiety? Anyone take celexa? If so did cause weight gain? Thanks!
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280234 tn?1532986249
UPDATE: Well, I tried taking the Celexa my doctor wrote for anxiety. I have been on it for just a couple of weeks and this is a WEIGHT GAIN drug, no doubt. So I won't be taking it. I took it for about 1 1/2 weeks, and have gained 4 LBS.  in 2 weeks! Haven't changed diet, and walk regularly. Just wanted to post this as a warning for those considering taking Celexa for anxiety. Weight gain will just add to my anxiety, so I definitely will not be taking this. I'll be looking for other anti anxiety remedies, but will not be taking Zoloft or celexa again...
Helpful - 0
280234 tn?1532986249
Yes, remar you're right.... Thanks for your reply. I think that's a good idea to have the nurse at my doctor's office check my BP once the visit is almost over. I usually am a little calmer by that point. I will check on the counseling as well.. thanks again....
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Avatar universal
Even though your a nurse you're still a human being. Those BP machines can be very scary. Have you asked your DR to check yours after he's done with everything else? That really helped me. I found that if it was taken as soon as I got in the room it could be a little high but once I calmed down at the end of the visit it's always much better.
Check with your college about counseling. Some colleges do have a counseling program, my daughters does. If they do have a program maybe you can fit it in after your last class.
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280234 tn?1532986249
Hi, thanks for your reply. It's funny really that I even get white coat syndrome, as I'm an LPN! lol I only work as needed right now though. I am a part time college student, and stay at home mom as well. I take my BP at home regularly too.

I have thought about therapy, but I live in a rural area- not a lot of therapy options here. Plus, I'm so busy as a mom, can't seem to fit it in to my schedule. I lost quite a bit of weight a few years ago, and felt great. I think I'm going to try to start eating super healthy again, and exercising more. Hopefully I can lose some weight which would take even more strain off of my heart (not that I'm that overweight though) and help w/ the anxiety.
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Avatar universal
Some of us can gain weight, lose weight, or stay the same on these meds. It's really hard to say how we'll do on any of them unless we give them a try.
Anxiety can make your BP go up. I've always had the same problem when I see my Dr. The white coat hypertension. I take my BP at home on a regular basis and it's always normal. So, I take those numbers to my Dr. Of course I still have it checked in the office too.
Have you thought about therapy along with the meds to help your anxiety?
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