BP suddenly shot up the last few days. Concerned.

[giddyup]

I've been taking BP medication for a few years now, Losartan and Cardeloc, which has maintained my BP at around 130/70, but the last few days have been getting a bad headache in the afternoon and BP has shot up to 170/80. I was using Clonazepam spasmodically, but decided to stop that all together a few days ago because it can be pretty addictive. I'm wondering if stopping the Clonazepam has caused my BP to skyrocket? I know a visit to the hospital to see a specialist is in order, (was only there a couple of days ago getting eyes checked), but what can a doctor prescribe to bring my BP down quickly? Obviously having it this high I'm concerned about things like a stroke.

[4reaL]

Clonidine

 

[giddyup]

2 minutes ago, 4reaL said:

Clonidine

 

Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, feeling irritable, trouble sleeping, and nightmares.

[whiteman]

With blood pressure problems one may have to change your meds go see your dr soon.  Make sure you tell him all your symptoms and what you have been taking.  Eg Brands of Meds.

Edited October 6, 2020 by whiteman

[4reaL]

28 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, feeling irritable, trouble sleeping, and nightmares.

 

Want to list the ALL the side effects of the other meds you were also taking?

 

Clonidine is BP med with sedative effects and that is used in ER settings to bring down BP.

 

 

 

 

[giddyup]

7 minutes ago, 4reaL said:

 

Want to list the ALL the side effects of the other meds you were also taking?

 

Clonidine is BP med with sedative effects and that is used in ER settings to bring down BP.

 

Of course they all have side effects, not sure if nightmares and chest infections are common with them though.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, 4reaL said:

 

Want to list the ALL the side effects of the other meds you were also taking?

 

Clonidine is BP med with sedative effects and that is used in ER settings to bring down BP.

 

 

 

 

 

He was not on Clonidine. He was on clonazepam, an altogether different medication.

 

Clonazepam is a benzo, same group of drugs as valium and atarax. It is highly addictive and can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

 

OP, high BP and headache are is indeed one of the symptoms of clonazepam withdrawal. So are: insomnia, tremors, dizziness,  anxiety, GI upset etc.

 

Withdrawal effects can be life threatening.  You need to taper off, not stop abruptly, and are strongly advised to do so under medical supervision.

 

There are injectable medications that can be given to quickly lower BP but they have their risks and probably nto indicated in your case, especially since it is only the systolic BP that s elevated. More likley doctor would give a low dose of diazepam (valium) and put you on a gradually tapered dose of it. Diazepam is the preferrred drug for weaning off benzos because it has a long half life.

[4reaL]

39 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

He was not on Clonidine. He was on clonazepam, an altogether different medication.

 

Clonazepam is a benzo, same group of drugs as valium and atarax. It is highly addictive and can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

 

OP, high BP and headache are is indeed one of the symptoms of clonazepam withdrawal. So are: insomnia, tremors, dizziness,  anxiety, GI upset etc.

 

Withdrawal effects can be life threatening.  You need to taper off, not stop abruptly, and are strongly advised to do so under medical supervision.

 

There are injectable medications that can be given to quickly lower BP but they have their risks and probably nto indicated in your case, especially since it is only the systolic BP that s elevated. More likley doctor would give a low dose of diazepam (valium) and put you on a gradually tapered dose of it. Diazepam is the preferrred drug for weaning off benzos because it has a long half life.

 

Clonidine is a BP med with strong sedative effects that brings down BP quickly, I meant what I wrote.   

[giddyup]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

 

He was not on Clonidine. He was on clonazepam, an altogether different medication.

 

 I was only using Clonazepam as needed, mostly for the leg spasms I suffered before sleep. So I might have used it a couple of nights in a row, then missed a couple of nights as the spasms weren't too bad. So I thought because of the irregular use stopping altogether wasn't going to be a problem, but it seems I was wrong. The problem with Clonazepam is that it would be too easy to develop an addiction.

[JAS21]

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

He was not on Clonidine. He was on clonazepam, an altogether different medication.

 

Clonazepam is a benzo, same group of drugs as valium and atarax. It is highly addictive and can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

 

OP, high BP and headache are is indeed one of the symptoms of clonazepam withdrawal. So are: insomnia, tremors, dizziness,  anxiety, GI upset etc.

 

Withdrawal effects can be life threatening.  You need to taper off, not stop abruptly, and are strongly advised to do so under medical supervision.

 

There are injectable medications that can be given to quickly lower BP but they have their risks and probably nto indicated in your case, especially since it is only the systolic BP that s elevated. More likley doctor would give a low dose of diazepam (valium) and put you on a gradually tapered dose of it. Diazepam is the preferrred drug for weaning off benzos because it has a long half life.

I had a friend who was in his early 50's and was been treated for high blood pressure. He changed his diet, started getting really fit, his blood pressure reduced so he decided to stop his medication .... One day on the way back from the gym he had a stroke and died .... so as Sheryl says    'Withdrawal effects can be life threatening'

[Promula]

16 minutes ago, JAS21 said:

 One day on the way back from the gym he had a stroke and died .... so as Sheryl says    'Withdrawal effects can be life threatening'

It might have been nothing to do with stopping the medicine. 

[RotBenz8888]

11 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Clonazepam is a benzo, same group of drugs as valium and atarax. It is highly addictive and can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

Atarax is not in the same group of drugs as Clonazepam, it's not a Benzodiazepine. 

[RotBenz8888]

3 hours ago, JAS21 said:

I had a friend who was in his early 50's and was been treated for high blood pressure. He changed his diet, started getting really fit, his blood pressure reduced so he decided to stop his medication .... One day on the way back from the gym he had a stroke and died .... so as Sheryl says    'Withdrawal effects can be life threatening'

I think she meant withdrawal effects of Benzodiazepines, not blodpressure medication. 

[Speedo1968]

On 10/6/2020 at 1:15 PM, giddyup said:

 I was only using Clonazepam as needed, mostly for the leg spasms I suffered before sleep. So I might have used it a couple of nights in a row, then missed a couple of nights as the spasms weren't too bad. So I thought because of the irregular use stopping altogether wasn't going to be a problem, but it seems I was wrong. The problem with Clonazepam is that it would be too easy to develop an addiction.

You could try some simple stretch exercises on the floor to help reduce leg spasms.
I do mine most days around 11.30 am, with a few other simple exercises.    If I miss out for a few days night time leg spasms come back.     Such exercise can also help with balance problems.