Hypertensive crisis - be patient, or ring GP

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I'm fat, 50 and frumpy and saw a consultant yesterday to see about metformin to help manage PCOS related obesity.

My BP was 181/111. She wants a 24 hour monitor, I'm waiting for them to call me back with a machine.

However, I've been thinking about it and I've got symptoms.

I've been having palpitations and chest pain for weeks - which I thought was anxiety (my daughter and my mother have serious illness, plus, you know, pandemic). I've been doing C25k to manage what I thought was anxiety, and for weight loss, and I've been getting chest pain when doing it. My heart rate goes up to 170, so I stopped running as fast and am still hitting 165.

I'd made an opticians appointment because my eyesight is fuzzy, I can't thread a needle and read without blinking.

I am dead tired, by 5pm I'm having a nanna nap.

Been eating paracetemol for thumping headache.

I didn't tell her about the symptoms yesterday, I didn't make the link at the time.

Dr Google says that with these symptoms I should go to A+E.

AIBU to go to A+E, or should I ring GP, or wait for the consultant, which I'm guessing could be Monday?

Ring your GP and explain.

I had similar post my son’s birth but was hospitalised and in a very bad way and it came on fast.

A&E asap imo. Hope you are ok.

I think I would phone GP but if they can't speak to you straight away I'd go to a&e.

I'm googling and have really scared myself. Which isn't helpful from a BP POV.

I rang the GP, they'll call back.

Reading about it, I said to GP months ago about having swollen ankles and pitting oedema - which has improved with a bit of weightloss so I thought it was just related to fatness.

I've noticed for months that I have crackling in my breath when I'm lying in bed.

And, I've noticed that I can see a pulse in my neck when I brush my hair, I thought that was cos I'd lost a bit of weight and it was just more visible.

I've got literally all of the symptoms listed for you-are-about-to-have-a-stroke-itis.

Am going for a shower with my posh shampoo. May as well start using up the bloody good stuff.

Fuck.

Really lay it on thickly when you speak to the GP. They need to be taking this very seriously so don't let them fob you off with anxiety or something. Start by saying what you think it is, then listing every single symptom you have.

I think first ring 111. They can recommend whether you go to A and E or not. Hope you are ok. Try not to panic xx

Dr Google is not always your friend. Hopefully your GP will Phone back soon. If not or if they do and later you are still concerned call 111. Good luck.

Might be overactive thyroid, have that checked out asap. Go to A+E if you get palpitations with high blood pressure.

GP thinks it's anxiety, which is true - there are stresses at home and, you know, my BP is really high.

I went and bought a home monitor. It's lower than at the hospital, so I guess I do have white coat syndrome. Still high, though, consistently around 140/108, but at least that's not going to kill me before I finish my posh shampoo.

She wants me to monitor it over the weekend and call back. Which is fair.

I guess I need to exercise more, drink less, eat better, sleep better.

Thanks for the advice.

You don’t just need to do that. You need medication and medical oversight. Don’t let them fob you off.

I do hope you're ok OP but your posh shampoo comment made me laugh I thought the same whilst waiting for a covid test.

The problem is the bottom figure. That is much, much too high. Now, I do not want to give you more anxiety and elevate that heart rate anymore, but I would really push for them to take this seriously. Anxiety rarely affects the diastolic figure and that is the pressure on your arteries between heart beats. My relative had a similar figure abs was put immediately onto an ACE inhibitor to bring it down. Do not delay. And once it’s stabilised, keep up with the weight loss and the exercise. Good luck.

Also you’re very unlikely to have a stroke or a heart attack now but because you’re exhibiting symptoms associated with hypertension, you need to be treated.

Has your GP prescribed any medication to bring down your BP? (I hope so)

I was the same as an above poster and my high bp came on quickly after childbirth. I went to A+E with headache, zig zags at the corner of my vision and heavy strange feeling in neck and shoulders. I was pumped full of medication immediately and in hospital for 3 days. BP was 206/106 on admission. I would at the very least call back GP and state that you are having symptoms. A+E took it very seriously.

No meds yet.

I had BP problems after my last pregnancy (baby is 12 now), they diagnosed post-eclampsia? It's never been good since then, but, because I'm also fat then the advice has been to lose weight. Which is fair, but losing weight with PCOS is hard! Thus the consultation for metoformin.

It's very frustrating, I don't feel particularly listened to. I respect my GP, but, I do think she's got me down as being a bit hysterical.

I did have anxiety for a couple of years after my son got better, he was a poorly scrap for his first 8 years and once he was doing ok I went a bit nuts. I'm anxious now that my daughter is unwell - but not inappropriately so, you know?

It's so hard to know what is anxiety and what is actually a cardiovascular concern.

Right, will keep a record of my BP, have started low carb, will chase consultant on Monday and Not Panic. If I get visual sparkles again, or if my headache gets worse or the chest pain comes back I'll check the BP and any increase I'll just go to A+E.

I have to not have a stroke. Apart from anything else, the house is chaos, can't possibly have carers come in - they'll judge me as a slattern.

Did she give you a reason for not medicating you? Are you supposed to just wish it lower or something? Sorry to say this, but your GP doesn't sound great, (implying you are "hysterical") can you see another one? It doesn't have to be a big kerfuffle, just request a different GP when you make your next appointment, (that's what I do).

I also suffer from high BP and anxiety, (also same age as you) and unsure whether it's the anxiety causing it. My GP began prescribing ramipril and amlodipine when I was overweight (obese in fact), she didn't take the attitude yours did and tell me to lose weight first. Your weight may not be causing high BP anyway, I'm no longer overweight, teetotal and fairly physically fit, but my BP still rockets if I come off the meds. Sadly it's just down to some of our genetics.

Your GP sounds difficult, life's so much easier if you can find one who listens to you - and actually treats your ailments instead of gaslighting you!

I’d seek a second opinion personally. Your diastolic in particular is genuine cause for
concern.

I’m pretty sure she should’ve given you a first line medication and referred you to the hypertension clinic.

I’m not a doctor but I’ve been around people with these issues my whole life.

Bloody hell! I have had BP meds for years. My BP went into overdrive and they could not shove more meds into me quick enough. I cannot understand why you are not on any BP medication!!!

Thanks, all. It has been frustrating.

Diastolic is sitting at 92-95 at home. It's really good to hear that I'm right, that this isn't acceptable.

Consultant said she wanted a 48 hour trace before giving me meds, to figure out which is best, I guess.

My vision is not blurry today - and diastolic was 92 this morning. So, I really do think that maybe that is needing looked at. It's blurry if my BP is higher.

I'll call the consultant tomorrow - I think she's more likely to give me the drugs.

It makes no sense to me, they have just kept saying "if you lose weight it'll come down". I genuinely have tried - but I use food as an emotional crutch and there is quite a lot of drama at home and so.

If I have a stroke I'm going to be livid. I'll be sending all the emails. All. Of. Them.