I posted before about my blood pressure. I discovered I had high blood pressure two weeks ago and the doc put me on Bystolic. He started me on the lowest dose, 2.5 mg because of my med issues, but said I may not notice a big difference and felt that he would need to taper me up. I bought a monitor and have been keeping track at home. In a weeks time, it had gradually decreased to normal for a couple days (when I was away for the weekend) but since then has gone back up, even with an increase of Bystolic to 5 mg. I guess I am disappointed and know cannot expect all to be normal in two weeks time. I am tired of fearing a stroke is imminent if my pressure isn't normal RIGHT NOW. I do see the doctor tomorrow for a pap and pelvic as well. I guess I just needed to vent. I know worrying isn't good for me but my emotions are all over the place these last several months. Thanks for "listening."

I too have high blood pressure and have noticed that the more anxious and stressed I am that my pressure is higher. Maybe you were really relaxed on vacation and that is why it went down. Are you working out, getting adequate sleep and woking on eating the right foods? I think sometimes it takes a few tweaks with the meds to get it right. Don't give up and be sure to keep your doctor aware of the situation.Also, maybe you need to take a multivitamin if you aren't already.

Hi Ladies-

HBP here too! I frequently feared having a stroke or a heart attack. My fluctuations began in '07. At that time, my stress level was through the roof also. I began obsessing with it. I could not go a single day without using my bp machine. I was over-the-top. When you're dealing with a lot of stress, it only makes things worse especially if you introduce HBP meds to the equation or if you're "med sensitive". I went through just about all classes of hypertensives.....including the HCTZ. My GYN prescribed a low dose anti-anxiety that I took on an as needed basis to tackle the stress. I alternated between my anti-x, magnesium, and potassium. She then addressed the fatigue issue (Multi and Fish Oil). Throughout my ordeal I worked hard to address my diet....especially slipped my workouts had become nil Thanks to PS and a bit of research it took me almost 18 months to stabilize. I hope you find the "key" much sooner than I did. It just takes a little patience....I had none. I'm now on low dose enalapril(bp), b-complex, vitamin d, and fish oil. This seems to be working. It took about 2 weeks to gain balance with the enalapril. I'm now working out, BP averages btw 108-130 over 69-83, and I feel great........this is a far cry from 150-160 over 95-102....Hang in there! God Bless!

Hi Suzanne,

I have been on 5 mg of bystolic for about 8 months now. Initially I started at 2.5 as well. Hang in there and give it some time to kick in. Also watch your sodium intake. It's amazing how much sodium there actually is in food!

Rean

Thanks everyone for the replies. I do take a multi vitamin, plus fish oil, coQ10, and Holy Basil. I have been under a lot of stress the last few years and taking care of myself did fall by the wayside. I have started walking again, use no table salt and have been watching the sodium content in everything I eat. It is amazing how much sodium there is in a lot of foods. I found some relaxation CD's that I hadn't even opened yet and have been using those as well. I guess I expected more immmediate results with the med because I have no patience! What a wakeup call.

I too have spent much time worried about my BP. I have been on meds for 9 yrs. But this last year has been up & down, changing or adding meds. I became obsessed about my BP took it constantly. It didn't help that my M.D. wanted me to keep track 3x a day and fax her the results through all these changes. It made me crazy. It was anywhere from 140/170 over 80-100. It seems to be much better now. Though today it is 118/77 and now I'm worried it's too low! When I wake up in the a.m. it can be 102/110 over 60-70. Either way it caues me alot of anxiety I take Tiazac which is a calcium channel blocker.I take 1 in the a.m and 1 at bedtime. I eat right, low sodium, no caffiene, take vitamins, do biofeedback and acupuncture, and walk daily. So should I be worried it is going too low? Help.

It's wonderful to undergo all these bodliy changes at a time when our anxieties can run HIGH! I know how you feel. I wouldn't worry about it going to low, as long as you monitor it and your doctor is aware of it. Perhaps you will be able to decrease your dosage of the calcium channel blocker.