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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Jen111111111 on November 19, 2000, at 16:15:26
I spent the day at the emergency room yesterday. I experienced tightness in my chest. My BP was 170/118.
I'm a 31 y/o female with an appropriate weight. Any similar experiences???? I'm going back to the doc tomorrow.
Posted by coral on November 19, 2000, at 16:33:08
In reply to Effexor and blood pressure, posted by Jen111111111 on November 19, 2000, at 16:15:26
According to the website for Effexor, high blood pressure is a possible side effect.
Posted by Jen111111111 on November 19, 2000, at 16:33:53
In reply to Effexor and blood pressure, posted by Jen111111111 on November 19, 2000, at 16:15:26
Also...my EKG was irregular. They told me to stop taking Effexor, but I just can't. I too afraid of the withdrawls. Plus, I need to take an ad.
Posted by stjames on November 20, 2000, at 1:58:48
In reply to Re: Effexor and blood pressure...also, posted by Jen111111111 on November 19, 2000, at 16:33:53
> Also...my EKG was irregular. They told me to stop taking Effexor, but I just can't. I too afraid of the withdrawls. Plus, I need to take an ad.
James here....
Don't rush to take out that ad. Many AD's can cause EKG changes
and this is well documented. Not generally with Effexor and most common
with TCA's. When I was on TCA's my EKG was "borderline abnormal" which the
cardiologist said was of no consern. I would be more conserned
that there is not something else going on, not related to the Effexor.
Also if Effexor causes these problems in you then it is not for you.
Many take PPA without event but with me pulse and BP rocket.Also keep in mind that Effexor works with nor-e, which also has cardiac
effects. You can't seperate the 2. By their very nature all NT's effect
multiple systems. Even the most specific AD's will have spillover effects.
Tofinil made my hands go numb, this is a reaction not heard of, so I moved to another.
This effect and the epossible cardiac effects you are having from Effexor are totally reversable
when the medication is stopped.James
Posted by Boots on November 20, 2000, at 12:20:56
In reply to Re: Effexor and blood pressure...also, posted by stjames on November 20, 2000, at 1:58:48
I have been taking EffexorXR since July 99. It made my blood
pressure go up - usually around 155 over 100. So my regular
doctor put me on Zestril which made my blood pressure go down.
They said the bottom number on the blood pressure reading was more of a concern
than the top one.I have tried to stop taking EffexorXR because of this and also the
extra cost of the medicine. I am on a limited budget with no insurance.
I get the EffexorXR from my psychiatrist. They get through a Patient's
assistance program direct from the manufacturer. Otherwise it would cost about $200 or more
and I would not be able to take it.When I try to cut down on the EffexorXR a little at a time, I still
get depressed. Right now I cut down to 225mg to 150mg and am having some
very depressing thoughts about life that I wasn't having. They seem to
be obsessive thoughts about the futility of life.Anyway, I need to get my blood pressure checked again. I haven't had
an EKG.I am wondering what symptoms you had that you had to go to the emergency room.
I think you should talk to your regular doctor about this too. Pam
Posted by MarkinBoston on November 22, 2000, at 12:38:43
In reply to Effexor and blood pressure, posted by Jen111111111 on November 19, 2000, at 16:15:26
> I spent the day at the emergency room yesterday. I experienced tightness in my chest. My BP was 170/118.
> I'm a 31 y/o female with an appropriate weight. Any similar experiences???? I'm going back to the doc tomorrow.Absolutely possible. My ex-gf ended up in the ER several times with racing pulse and bad rhythm while on (I think) Celexa. Hasn't happened since she went off the med. Effexor does raise my bp, but nothing like that.
Posted by Sunnely on November 25, 2000, at 1:10:28
In reply to Effexor and blood pressure, posted by Jen111111111 on November 19, 2000, at 16:15:26
> I spent the day at the emergency room yesterday. I experienced tightness in my chest. My BP was 170/118.
> I'm a 31 y/o female with an appropriate weight. Any similar experiences???? I'm going back to the doc tomorrow.++++++++++++++++++
Hi Jen,
This may not apply to you but I think it's worth mentioning here.
A couple of cases reported in the literature indicate that SSRIs can unmask a pheochromocytoma. This a tumor of the adrenal gland that usually manifest itself by episodes of palpitations, nausea, paleness, perspiration, headache and markedly elevated blood pressure.
It was suggested that sudden elevation in blood pressure in a patient taking SSRI might indicate this possible underlying diagnosis.
References:
1) Kashyap AS: Phaeochromocytoma unearthed by fluoxetine. Postgrad Med J 2000;76:303.
2) Seelen M, de Meijer P, Meinders AE: Serotonin reuptake inhibitor unmasks a phaeochromocytoma. Ann Intern Med 1997;126:333.
Posted by jay samson on November 25, 2000, at 22:28:57
In reply to Effexor and blood pressure, posted by Jen111111111 on November 19, 2000, at 16:15:26
I have been taking Effexor XR for several months now and it caused some elevation in my previously normal blood pressure. My doctor added 1.0 mg of guanfacine (Tenex) and my BP went rapidly back to normal and has stayed that way. Haven't had any side effects either. Plus its cheap. Might be worth a try. Good luck >
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