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

The pseudoephedrine really commonly causes nausea, dizziness, palpitations and as a result, a sensation of anxiety and even panic. No one in my family takes it because of this! It can feel absolutely horrible but it is very effective. I suspect it’s as a result of the Sudafed but feel free to call 111 to put your mind at rest. also, your BP is still totally within normal range and is likely slightly raised due to congestion as well as the medication. BP will fluctuate a lot throughout the day but because we don’t consistently monitor it, we don’t know.

How are people
Taking their BP at home?

@crispysausagerolls

With a home BP monitor, you can buy them from Boots, Argos, Tesco etc.

Thank you everyone for the advice. The reason I didn't just call 111 is because I didn't want to waste their time and take that time away from someone who needed it more!
I distracted myself for a while. I still feel rubbish but nothing has got worse. Got a bit of chest pain but I've had it since all this started so doubt its anything sinister or I'd know by now. Just hoping I feel better by tomorrow and never in my life will I ever take another one of those bloody tablets!

I'm no medic but I reckon there's a circle going on here.

Sudafed's make you a bit on edge (as mentioned above about the fight or flight) and that feeling of panic has made you more panicked. That would explain some of the other symptoms.

You have eaten something iffy that making you sick so it's unrelated to the Sudafed. Your body goes into anxiety mode and you can't you tell what's what.

BP reading though- I'd would do it again after you've been relaxing.

But as I say I'm not medical. Had similar with illness before though.

Curious to know why you’re checking your blood pressure? Are you on BP medication?

I had terrible headaches and couldn’t stand the lights on in the house- it was so bad I had an emergency optician appointment as my vision was blurry too.Found nothing wrong and told me it was a headache-like it for 3 days- saw my DSIL who luckily is a nurse- she did my BP- was very high for me-saw gp next day and it was the Sudafed tablets I had been taking as I was constantly congested with sinusitis- I could absolutely believe it was the Sudafed in your case too.

I spoke to my GP this morning. She reckons I've got an infection and also that the sudafed has caused lots of side effects. Antibiotics and a 48 hour wait for the sudafed to leave my system apparently. Deep joys.