Hi,
I am a 58 y female, with no history of hypertension, although my brother and mother both do (they are also obese). I was a very active person just two years ago when I 'suddenly' developed severely high BP. After realizing what I was experiencing was HBP symptoms (stabbing pain between shoulder blades, migraines), I went to a doc and was put on Losartan. Exactly 7 days later, I started experiencing BP spikes with what I can only explain as 'adrenaline dumps' - like extreme anxiety, although it has nothing to do with anxiety. I've lived with severe anxiety before, and I had some modicum of control over it. I have zero control over what is happening to my body during these 'episodes', as I now call them.
I was healthy and very active with a good diet (much of my food is homemade due to a severe soy allergy), low salt intake, alcohol intake is very low - rarely, and I drink a lot of water daily. This stumps everyone, as I simply don't fit the 'profile' of someone that should have experienced BP troubles.
I was admitted to the hospital a year ago with BP around 234/130, had a 2-night stay, then released without having the BP or the episodes controlled. Before and while in the hospital, all kinds of meds were tried (simply can't remember them all, even the ER docs were impressed by the number of meds tried), and I came home on some that were changed repeatedly over the course of months. I am currently taking Carvedilol (25 mg), Olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide, amitriptyline 10 mgs (seems to have helped extend the amount of time between episodes) for BP issues- other meds are for other conditions I need treated. I can list those if needed though.
I have seen, been tested by, and released by a Nephrologist, Cardiologist, and Endocrinologist. No one can find anything wrong. As a matter of fact, they are all giving glowing reports of how good things look!
However, I am starting year two with these issues, having a ton of trouble trying to get back into shape (I've gained a substantial amount of weight, muscles have deteriorated significantly, and so on) because every time my body feels "a bit too much stress", my BP spikes back up into 'stroke range' and I have to have a rescue med (Clonidine) to get me back into safe ranges again.
The one good thing is that through all of these medication changes, my average daily BP is good now (after a year of fighting it), but I still struggle with trying to improve my situation.
If this is scattered, my apologies!! My brain doesn't work as well as it used to either!
Thanks for any insights!
Traveler07