To call 111 or go to hospital?

[AvocadoPrime]

I've been taking sudafed on doctors advice to help with congestion. I've only taken two and I feel awful, dizzy, anxious, scared. My BP is 132/82 and it is normally 106/65. I've been sick 4 times now and I'm really panicking.

What would you do? Thanks

Is it the first time you’ve taken them? Have you got other health conditions?

111 x

Could be labrynthitis which is horrid, def call 111 as they can give you meds over the phone to help. Also Sudafed can higher your blood pressure . The fullness in head and sinuses could be your inner ear ( which labrynthitis starts like)

111 will give proper advice. Sounds like a reaction of some sort but don’t rely on us, speak to a professional.

It could be an allergic reaction to the meds

Your BP is still within normal limits. Just a bit elevated because you feel crap and anxious I’d guess. Everything you’ve listed is in the side effects for Sudafed. I’d call 111 and have a chat with someone.

No underlying issues.. it is the first time iver taken them. I took the last one around 4 hours ago. The congestion is already being seen to by ENT x

Sudafed contain pseudoephedrine don’t they? That causes the symptoms you’re lifting.
Have you eaten?

Did you read the leaflet?

Side effects listed for Sudafed are “Nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, dizziness, headache, or nervousness may occur”. So that explains the vomiting and anxiety. Just don’t take any more and phone out of hours if you are concerned.

Like any medicine, decongestants can sometimes cause side effects. They can temporarily cause nervousness, dizziness, and sleeping problems. They can cause heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing) or higher blood pressure

132/82 is still within the normal range for blood pressure, and it's expected that your BP would be a bit higher than usual, as sudofed is a decongestant and can make your pulse and heart rate go up. Panicking also will make it a bit higher, but it's still normal.

Vomiting can also be a side effect of sudofed. Side effect, rather than an allergic reaction.

I'd see how you feel tomorrow.

I ate at lunchtime. Wasn't hungry at dinner and just been very sick a few times. These aren't in the leaflet with the box I have but read them online. Maybe I'm unduly panicking. I don't know. I feel terrible but could be anxiety ditto to bp

Ring 111 if you're really worried, definitely not an A&E thing though.

I don't even want to waste 111s time if its all okay. I'm an anxious human at the best of times lately so this is probably making it worse. Just wanted some advice x

Pseudoephedrine makes me feel like this. It should pass soon

It's not the sudafed with caffeine in is it? As I'm hypersensitive to caffeine so it would make me feel like that

nope @fatimalovesbread no caffeine.
@TheChineseChicken does it make you vomit too? Do you remember how long it lasts?

Pseudoephedrine activates the sympathetic nervous system, which is your “fight or flight” response. So you’ve probably had that kick in; then your anxiety has kicked in and the two are now snowballing each other.

And you haven’t eaten since lunchtime, which won’t be helping.

If you possibly can, I would have some toast and try and do something engaging for half an hour- watch some tv or something. Try and make peace with the fact that your heart is racing etc as a probable side effect rather than anything worse.

See if that helps. If you get any worse, obviously seek advice if you’re worried.

It is detectable in blood for 4-8hours usually.

I've only taken sudafed once in my life and felt so incredibly ill afterwards! Feeling sick and wide awake all night (would have slept better with the blocked nose that it was supposed to treat!) palpitations, the lot. I felt better the next day but that was a tough night. I've never taken it again no matter how bad my congestion is.

Why on earth post here rather than phone 111 for advice. THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR. THEY will advise if A+E visit required

My heart rate is quite low its 55 so not racing which is Good. I may try some toast still feeling very sick though. Attempting to distract myself.. not really working but its an idea. Thank you

You say your an anxious person, do you usually feel anxious trying new medication? It could simply be the act of taking it has set of your anxiety.
Sudafed can be quite addictive though, I used the spray for years and it wasn’t fun stopping...

I'm fine with medication. Was fine after the first tablet too. Its the second one that done it. About 30 min after taking it.

Sudafed makes me feel high as hell. It’s like I’m on speed, which makes sense as ephedrine is used to make meth. It’s pretty normal to feel a bit weird on it but if you feel really ill call 111

AvocadoPrime

Sounds like its just the Sudafed itself then, it definitely gives a ‘buzz’ it’s never made me sick though so sounds like it doesn’t agree with you