Anyone here on Blood Pressure medicine?

[Kitty 34]

Last week when I went in and found out my diagnosis was shingles, my blood pressure was very high, too. 170-96! It has NEVER been over 130 over 85!!! Ever!

Well they told me it was probably because of the pain from the shingles and wanted me to come back this week for a recheck. Well, it's still high 168 over 86. Of course I still have the shingles and the pain.

So anyway they want me on Blood Pressure meds. My DH is on blood pressure meds because he's had high blood pressure forever....mainly because of his weight and diet.

I would think they (the doctors) would be more concerned on WHY I just out of the blue developed real high blood pressure???

Any opinions on this?

If you are on blood pressure meds how long have you been on them?

 

[Serena]

Yep, I've been on a fairly low dose a couple years now.

 

[MHopkins2]

I was on them for about six months until I lost some weight. (My BP/weight "window" is very narrow - 10 or 15 pounds can send me from normal to YIKES!) I agree with you, though - it seems very strange that your doc wouldn't make the connection between previously fine BP and the new skyhigh BP along with another (painful) diagnosis.

 

[Kimberle]

Yes. I had HELLP when I had my dd. My BP never went down.

I would think your dr would watch you for 3-6 months before putting you on a med.

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by Kimberle
I would think your dr would watch you for 3-6 months before putting you on a med.

I am not a doctor (standard disclaimer ), but the thought could be that your BP being too high could complicate your shingles issues. In that case, it would be better to put you on BP meds right away vs. waiting and watching for a few months. But at any rate, the doc should have discussed this further with you - and you probably should have pushed for more explanation if s/he didn't seem willing and eager to get into it.

 

[Micca]

Been taking them for over 15 years. Hasn't been any big thing really--no side effects or anything like that. Can get expensive if you don't have insurance though. Good luck

 

[Pin Wizard]

I've been on them for 10 years now! I first ran into trouble during my pregnancy. I spent more time in the hospital with BP up than I was home in the last month. After baby was delivered, they stuck me on meds. Been taking it ever since. Just had meds changed since the one I was taking is having a manufacturing problem and NO pharmacy in our area has it! Weight change can make a huge difference...up or down!