High BP and no health insurance

seekingmuch · Apr 27, 2018

My BP was 165/96 and then 170/96. My general doctor refused to see me and referred me to the ER. You have to be 180/100 for the ER to consider it an emergency. So, I went to another clinic and it was 165/100. They said to monitor it and see my GP. They did diagnose a severe sinus infection. LOL Yes, I am definitely thinking---call my lawyer on the GP refusing to see me, didn't even do my BP or an EKG to see if it was emergency or not.

So, I was on Lisinopril (10mg) for years. They changed me to Amlodipine Besylate (5mg). I took two of the later yesterday morning and no change in BP. So, I figured the Amlodipine hasn't been controlling my BP for a month since I've been having Heart Palpitations and headaches (I rarely have a headache).

So, at 3pm, I took a Lisinopril and my BP dropped to 140/90 with a pulse of 61. Clearly the other drug has been doing nothing for my BP. But, this morning, my BP was 160/96 pulse 59. I vaped a little (LOL) and checked it 30 mins later and it was 151/100 pulse 71. I only took the Lisinopril at 3pm yesterday so don't know if I can take another one this soon. I don't want to bottom out my pulse or anything.

Please pray for my blood pressure. It didn't worry me yesterday, but has picqued my anxieties this morning.

“Paisios” · Apr 27, 2018

seekingmuch said:
My BP was 165/96 and then 170/96. My general doctor refused to see me and referred me to the ER. You have to be 180/100 for the ER to consider it an emergency. So, I went to another clinic and it was 165/100. They said to monitor it and see my GP. They did diagnose a severe sinus infection. LOL Yes, I am definitely thinking---call my lawyer on the GP refusing to see me, didn't even do my BP or an EKG to see if it was emergency or not.

So, I was on Lisinopril (10mg) for years. They changed me to Amlodipine Besylate (5mg). I took two of the later yesterday morning and no change in BP. So, I figured the Amlodipine hasn't been controlling my BP for a month since I've been having Heart Palpitations and headaches (I rarely have a headache).

So, at 3pm, I took a Lisinopril and my BP dropped to 140/90 with a pulse of 61. Clearly the other drug has been doing nothing for my BP. But, this morning, my BP was 160/96 pulse 59. I vaped a little (LOL) and checked it 30 mins later and it was 151/100 pulse 71. I only took the Lisinopril at 3pm yesterday so don't know if I can take another one this soon. I don't want to bottom out my pulse or anything.

Please pray for my blood pressure. It didn't worry me yesterday, but has picqued my anxieties this morning.

Praying for you.

You mention that you have a sinus infection. Have you been taking any decongestants or NSAIDS (ibuprofen or naproxen)? Both of these classes of over the counter medicine can raise your blood pressure, and some of the decongestants can cause palpitations. Make sure you ask a pharmacist what is the best option for symptom relief of sinus symptoms when you have underlying high blood pressure before taking any over the counter medications...

seekingmuch · Apr 27, 2018

No, the only thing I'm taking is Amoxicilian for the infection and prednisone. I don't take NSAIDs. At work, I'll take Tylenol for my back.

I've had a headache all night (from midnight to now) and pretty sure that is blood pressure.

Thank you for the prayers, Shoetoyou!

discipler7 · Apr 27, 2018

BP measurement can be inaccurate and fluctuate, ie it depends on how tight is the arm wrap, the air pressure being pumped into the arm wrap, how long before the air pressure is released, positioning of the arm wrap, position of the arm, mental state of nervousness, etc.

Better for you to avoid Amlodipine, which is a calcium blocker = weakens the arteries, muscles, tendons and bones. Lisinopril is a vasodilator = less negative side effects.

At 140/90, there should be no need to take any HBP medicine, as long as you feel fine, eg no heart palpitations or headaches/dizziness. Destressing, exercising and eating healthy should be enough.
....... Best to avoid long term drugs/medicine.

seekingmuch said:
So, at 3pm, I took a Lisinopril and my BP dropped to 140/90 with a pulse of 61.

seekingmuch · Apr 27, 2018

discipler7 said:
BP measurement can be inaccurate and fluctuate, depending on how tight is the arm wrap, the air pressure being pumped into the arm wrap, how long before the air pressure is released, positioning of the arm wrap, position of the arm, mental state of nervousness, etc.

Better for you to avoid Amlodipine, which is a calcium blocker = weakens the arteries, muscles, tendons and bones. Lisinopril is a vasodilator = less negative side effects.

At 140/90, there should be no need to take any HBP medicine, as long as you feel fine, eg no heart palpitations or headaches/dizziness. Destressing, exercising and eating healthy should be enough.
....... Best to avoid long term drugs/medicine.

I woke up and was a little dizzy and have a headache. That's what concerns me the most. I almost fell over twice. I'm better sitting down and taking it easy. Shockingly, the vape helped my BP. LOLOLOL I remember being at the doc's office a long time ago. My BP was high. I smoked a cigarette and it dropped 20 points. LOL The odd thing is things have the opposite effect on me a lot of times.

discipler7 · Apr 27, 2018

Prednisone is a steroid = commonly used for anti-inflammation and as an anti-rejection drug by organ-transplant recipients.

For anti-inflammation use, it should not be taken for more than 3 weeks. Otherwise, will result in negative side-effects(eg hairiness), addiction/dependence and horrible withdrawal symptoms when intake is stopped = similar to drug addiction or alcoholism.

The anti-inflammation effect of steroid medicine is related to our bodies' Fight-or-Flight immune response.

Alpha.Omega · Apr 27, 2018

I have found over the years, that most home BP monitors are very unreliable, and can cause unnecessary stress and anxiousness, which can add to any elevated BP! BP changes every minute and there are many factors that can cause the numbers to increase, like being unwell, not getting enough good sleep, worry, depression, stress, other medication, etc. 140/90 is nothing to worry about, and regarded as "normal" or "borderline" by many doctors. If the BP is always high, like 180/105+ whenever a reading is taken, this is a big problem, and a&e is required.

seekingmuch · Apr 27, 2018

Alpha, it was 165/109 at the doc's office yesterday. My blood pressure monitor is one of the expensive ones. When it gets down to 140/90 I'll be happy as clams. I took another Lisinopril at 6am. At 9 it should've kicked it.

)

Alpha.Omega · Apr 27, 2018

seekingmuch said:
Alpha, it was 165/109 at the doc's office yesterday. My blood pressure monitor is one of the expensive ones. When it gets down to 140/90 I'll be happy as clams. I took another Lisinopril at 6am. At 9 it should've kicked it. )

Hi, yes that does seem quite high. I had a reading of 175/103 about 18 months ago, and went to the hospital and was asked if I had other symptoms, like headache, chest pain, fainting, etc, and I said no, the doctor said that it is a spike, and sent me home. I am on BP medication and also have diabetes, but have an average of 120/89 over a 2 week period a month ago. I don't like a home monitor as it drives me nuts with the varied readings. Here in the UK most chemists do free BP tests, so I get monitored this way. Do you get any other symptoms when the BP is high?

discipler7 · Apr 27, 2018

seekingmuch said:
I took another Lisinopril at 6am. At 9 it should've kicked it.

.

In most patients studied, onset of antihypertensive activity was seen at one hour after oral administration of an individual dose of Lisinopril, with peak reduction of blood pressure achieved by 6 hours.

Lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.

Lisinopril - FDA prescribing information, side effects and uses

Ancient of Days · Apr 27, 2018

Six natural remedies for lowering blood pressure fast

seekingmuch · Apr 27, 2018

Thank you for all the advice and prayers. My BP was normal 134/84 with a pulse of 84. About normal for me. And, after taking my prednisone, my sinuses feel so much better. I've slept about 18 hours in the last two days. I'm sure that helped, too.

usexpat97 · Aug 16, 2018

Another really easy BP fighter: Stevia. Just use it as "artificial" sweetener (it's natural; not artificial).

Obviously the vaping is not helping, and a brief cardio workout when your BP is high should see it quickly drop down to normal for about 4 hours.

Steve Petersen · Aug 16, 2018

seekingmuch said:
My BP was 165/96 and then 170/96. My general doctor refused to see me and referred me to the ER. You have to be 180/100 for the ER to consider it an emergency. So, I went to another clinic and it was 165/100. They said to monitor it and see my GP. They did diagnose a severe sinus infection. LOL Yes, I am definitely thinking---call my lawyer on the GP refusing to see me, didn't even do my BP or an EKG to see if it was emergency or not.

So, I was on Lisinopril (10mg) for years. They changed me to Amlodipine Besylate (5mg). I took two of the later yesterday morning and no change in BP. So, I figured the Amlodipine hasn't been controlling my BP for a month since I've been having Heart Palpitations and headaches (I rarely have a headache).

So, at 3pm, I took a Lisinopril and my BP dropped to 140/90 with a pulse of 61. Clearly the other drug has been doing nothing for my BP. But, this morning, my BP was 160/96 pulse 59. I vaped a little (LOL) and checked it 30 mins later and it was 151/100 pulse 71. I only took the Lisinopril at 3pm yesterday so don't know if I can take another one this soon. I don't want to bottom out my pulse or anything.

Please pray for my blood pressure. It didn't worry me yesterday, but has picqued my anxieties this morning.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170910232512.htm

Steve Petersen · Aug 16, 2018

discipler7 said:
BP measurement can be inaccurate and fluctuate, ie it depends on how tight is the arm wrap, the air pressure being pumped into the arm wrap, how long before the air pressure is released, positioning of the arm wrap, position of the arm, mental state of nervousness, etc.

Better for you to avoid Amlodipine, which is a calcium blocker = weakens the arteries, muscles, tendons and bones. Lisinopril is a vasodilator = less negative side effects.

At 140/90, there should be no need to take any HBP medicine, as long as you feel fine, eg no heart palpitations or headaches/dizziness. Destressing, exercising and eating healthy should be enough.
....... Best to avoid long term drugs/medicine.

Are you a doctor? What if the OP takes your advice and has a medical emergency because of it?

usexpat97 · Aug 16, 2018

Lisinopril most definitely does have side effects. The cough can inhibit you from working out (which helps your BP). High blood pressure is well-known as the silent killer, so "feeling fine" is absolutely not a metric to consider.

seekingmuch · Aug 17, 2018

Thanks, everyone. I'm on 20 mgs of Lisinopril and feeling fine with a BP usually around 120/80 with a pulse in the 70s.

OldWiseGuy · Feb 12, 2020

usexpat97 said:
Lisinopril most definitely does have side effects. The cough can inhibit you from working out (which helps your BP). High blood pressure is well-known as the silent killer, so "feeling fine" is absolutely not a metric to consider.

I stopped taking Lisinopril because of the constant coughing, even when trying to sleep. BP is fine.

OldWiseGuy · Feb 12, 2020

discipler7 said:
BP measurement can be inaccurate and fluctuate, ie it depends on how tight is the arm wrap, the air pressure being pumped into the arm wrap, how long before the air pressure is released, positioning of the arm wrap, position of the arm, mental state of nervousness, etc.

I always check my home bp monitor against the one used by my doctor. They are usually pretty close.

I have also observed that the nurses that take my bp do so in a less than precise manner.

High BP and no health insurance

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