Posted by stjames on May 13, 2000, at 18:26:10
In reply to Re: Effexor and High Blood Pressure/To StJames, posted by SLS on May 13, 2000, at 17:45:25
> > >Effexor can raise BP. I also am having hypertension and plan to go off Effexor for a few days and see if that is what is causing it. I can't stop Effexor, it is the only thing that works, but I would like to know how much it is raising my BP.
> > >
> > > james
> > -----------------------------------
> >
> > James--If you have no plans to d/c Effexor, why put yourself through a world of hurt stopping it temporarily? The effects are supposed to suck big-time. Why not just treat the condition that is, regardless of what you may find out about E.?
> >
> > Literature suggests that when E. does raise BP, it does so by no more than 20 pts. Unless your BP is significantly high (>150/95), a low-salt diet or low-dose diuretic may be all that's needed.
> >
> > I had hypertension before Effexor, which E. didn't change. (I'm on Vasotec, an ACE inhibitor.) No probs. with the combo.
> >
> > BTW, thanks much for the Medscape abstracts--very interesting. How did you sign up for that edition?
> >
> > Best wishes--medlib
>
>
> I think this is real good advice, especially in view of the fact that you don't seem to respond well to any other drug. I just wanted to add another caveat when contemplating the discontinuation of an effective drug. Sometimes when an antidepressant that has worked well for many years is withdrawn, it will not work again once it is restarted to treat a relapse. I don't know the statistics regarding this phenomenon. As medlib has suggested, perhaps it would be better to address the hypertension with additional medication. It's probably a good idea to be evaluated by a cardiologist (or other blood-pressure doctor) so as to rule out any other causes.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> - ScottJames here....
I am on BP meds. I also have a complex cardiac case and possible ayurisim of the aorta ( a genetic condition runs in the family) I consult with the heart man shortly and will do an echo. As my BP shot up from 130/80-90 to 158/105 in 6 months I and my doc whould like to know why. Blood tests are normal. Primary doc says he can better prescribe if he knows the cause, i.e. countering a drug effect.
I will only have to stop Effexor for a few days as it is short acting and have done this many times b4, due to %$##$^ HMO sometimes not paying for it. Pdoc gives nod of approval and I will take Atavin to avoid breaking out in tears (the first day or so I will cry if lassie gets hurt ! So funny)
I do think that it is going to be common to all meds that effect nor-e that BP will go up. Primary and Pdoc agree that I can't stop taking Effexor or something like it so we really want to know how much this is effecting my BP.
It's funny, y'all are giving the same advice I would give "why worry if you have to take it" but there are things I am willing to do that I would never advise others to do. I can make this choice based on knowlage and a good primary and Pdoc's advice.
I'll let you know who it goes,
james
poster:stjames
thread:33355
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000508/msgs/33392.html