freespiritedfem

I'm taking two BP meds for what my primary care calls "labile hypertension". I
take the BP at home and it runs anywhere from 125 to 155 on top number,
depending maybe on whether I've been upset, stressed or just running around.
Sometimes the readings make no particular sense. The upper number is usually
better than the lower -- 78 to 85. Problem is I'm planning to have minor
surgery soon done under straight local with some kind of sedation, hopefully
oral valium. I absolutely will not have general as this is a small cosmetic
procedure.My primary care doctor told me there is no medical reason I can't
have this kind of surgery but he did say they could put some BP medicine into
an IV which I'd rather avoid. My BP was 170 and 190 last year but that was
because I was an emergency room patient and I was just nervous. It makes sense
to treat the BP during surgery for the cause which will be fear from whitecoat
hypertension, hence the idea of the valium. Also I've had valium several times
so I know it agrees with me. Any replies or ideas for my upcoming surgery
would be appreciated.

Sherry

mxsmanic

FreespiritedFem writes:

If nervousness is raising your BP, then anything that makes you less
nervous will lower it. A sedative will thus return it to whatever it
was before you were nervous. What is there to worry about? I can see
why you have white-coat syndrome if you stress over this much in
advance.

--
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relocatablefem

I don't think you were trying to amuse me with your reply but that last part
gave me the laugh of the day and I thank you for that as well as your general
reply. Sooooo glad I didn't get a post such as "you may need general
anesthesia" or "your doc is probably right about the IV BP med." Anyway I HOPE
you're right. Thanks again.

Sherry

relocatablefem

BTW, you sound like you have some medical knowledge. Are you a medical
professional?

Sherry

mxsmanic

RelocatableFem writes:

I'm happy that you found it amusing, but it was in fact a serious
observation. The same tendencies that make you worry about all this so
far in advance probably cause your BP to jump when you get to the
doctor's office.

My mother has the same problem: with or without meds, her BP always
jumps when she gets worried, and she worries easily. She'll stress for
days before certain types of events (doctor visits, plane trips) with
her BP grazing the stars. She has even ended up in the ER with acute
hypertension. It is all nerves, though: After taking some Xanax, her
BP comes down as she relaxes a bit. Unfortunately, she hardly ever
resorts to Xanax because she worries about that, too (she's afraid
she'll turn into a dope addict and end up in the gutter if she takes
more than 1/4 of a Xanax tablet in any 12-month period).

--
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panjdefemale

I feel for your mother as I share her BP problem from nerves and I too am
afraid of meds but I will take it, with very small beginning doses, if
possible. I also have "labile" hypertension according to my primary care, and
even at home my readings run 125 to 155 on top number. I take 2 BP meds plus
klonopin for anxiety. My mom had been on xanax for YEARS, I know well over 12
years and she stopped cold back in 1990 when she was remarried and back on it
when she separated. Point is when she didn't need it, she stopped it and was
not addicted. Maybe it depends on the dosage and whether or not the person has
an addictive personality and I don't think my mom does.

Sherry