I found the root cause of my temporary high blood pressure/anxienty/etc...

[TurtleCrusher]

Over the past year I have had episodes of panic attacks, severe anxiety, insomnia, and most worrisome, high blood pressure. The year prior I had no symptoms of these.

A month ago I decided I wanted to go into the Navy. Judging by the last medical visit the same week my blood pressure was 167/115, which is way higher than the recommended 120/80. At this time I made the choices to dramatically improve my life and my health. I started looking around at the side effects or symptoms of anxiety and HBP and found somethign that surprised me: Benedryl!

I had been taking Benedryl over the past year to possibly counteract an allergic reaction to whatever I had a couple from, as a first defense to respond. I carry (not for much longer) an Epi-Pen to fight the symptoms. Cliffs on this part, I am certain it is the Aspirin/INUPROFEN/Naproxin/NSAID drug class. But I didn't' realize it until a month ago.

I knew I couldn't take Benedryl at Boot Camp or on deployment in the Navy. I went off cold turkey. The first few days were intense, then the anxiety, panic attacks, swollen hands, depression all went away. The most important thing to me was the blood pressure. After having spikes in panic attacks from 180/120, I started noticing a trend.

Averages
Week 1 Hospital: 167/115
Week 2 Fred Meyers: 151/110
Week 3 FM: 146/94
Week 4 FM: 132/92

And today...

Awesome! IMO of course.

One thing I would like to add, when I initially sit down to take the test, I score 10-15/5-10 points higher than the second time around. Is it maybe just because I sat down and immediately took it? I know movement, stress or even talking can raise your numbers significantly. The second time I feel like I'm a little more relaxed and I get numbers like this.

I have improved my salt intake to about 2500-3000mg a day, which is still higher than recommended, but it is hard to cut certain food out. Sodium is in EVERYTHING. I also began working out again about a month and a half ago, playing basketball and stretching/steam room.

Insomnia, anxiety, all gone. I just need to keep on doing what I have been doing to get a perfect blood pressure rating.

TLR/Cliffs: Benedryl is an awesome drug if you ARE having an allergic reaction. DO NOT take it unless you have to.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Jesus, overmedicated idiots.

 

[Brigandier]

I used to be way overexcited...Then I stopped smoking crack.

 

[Powermoloch]

jesus...good thing you didn't have a stroke.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

I'm sorry to hear about the childhood abuse you suffered; for your own benefit please pay close attention to your blood sugar (hypoglycemia is making you crazy).

Also, please look into Prozac, it will help.

 

[RoloMather]

Coke will do that to you.

 

[brxndxn]

OP, good job..

IMO, the replies so far are lame.

 

[Bignate603]

Holy crap, how much benedryal were you taking?

 

[Matthiasa]

The real question is how you still function after taking it...
A lot of people that stuff knocks them out. :O

 

[Dr. Zaus]

OP, good job..

IMO, the replies so far are lame.

It's ok; you don't have the experience with this kind of very common and normal reaction to an all to often occurring abnormal environment.

Hypoglycemia is a common occurrence with such panic disorder.

 

[gophins72]

wow it took about 4-5 weeks to get the BP back to normal after going cold turkey? no idea that stuff affects a person that much, definitely something to be careful of

 

[destrekor]

Can one be allergic to the entire NSAID class of chemicals?

They all interact with the COX enzymes iirc, and again iirc that is the only common denominator between the NSAIDs.
I might be wrong about that, but I find it interesting one could be allergic to all of them.

And I sometimes use diphenhydramine (benadryl is but one brand-name for the chemical, allergy relief but one use for it) as a sleep-aid.
Never really noticed any blood-pressure issues. I've only measured it a few times in my life, nothing ever a noteworthy difference from the considered norm... I have enough perceived problems, I'm glad BP isn't one of them yet.

But regardless of reasons, congrats on getting your BP in line with healthy numbers.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Holy crap, how much benedryal were you taking?

About 35-65mg worth a day. Not much at all. Thats the single adult dose every 4 to 6 hours. I took the liquid version for fast action. Apparently the drug is a cumulative effect drug, which is only recommended for up to 3 weeks at a time. I took it for a year. It is also used to raise blood pressure in people who are hypotensive.

And to Matt, i got every side effect except for drowsiness. It will either 'excite you' (medical term for extreme anxiety) or it will cause marked drowsiness. I was the former.

Excercise+recommended salt intake+drop of Benedry= an amazing change in everyday living.

I have also lost 8 pounds in the last month and a half. I am 6'3 and 197 now. Hopefully I cant get to my basketball playing weight of 180-185 in the next month or two.

I cant help but think these basic changes are the road to healthier living.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Can one be allergic to the entire NSAID class of chemicals?

They all interact with the COX enzymes iirc, and again iirc that is the only common denominator between the NSAIDs.
I might be wrong about that, but I find it interesting one could be allergic to all of them.

And I sometimes use diphenhydramine (benadryl is but one brand-name for the chemical, allergy relief but one use for it) as a sleep-aid.
Never really noticed any blood-pressure issues. I've only measured it a few times in my life, nothing ever a noteworthy difference from the considered norm... I have enough perceived problems, I'm glad BP isn't one of them yet.

But regardless of reasons, congrats on getting your BP in line with healthy numbers.

Indeed you can. I had hives to both aspirin and aleve. I have had reactions to ibuprofen as well. Tylenol is the only go.

I had reactions to an antianxiety med that was related as well.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Took this after a walk to the grocery store. First take was 141/91, 30 seconds later I took it again and this! The 82 is what surprised me. That's the one I need to watch for!

Looks like I will be (hopefully) enlisting in the next week!

 

[Gibsons]

I had been taking Benedryl over the past year to possibly counteract an allergic reaction to whatever I had a couple from, as a first defense to respond. I carry (not for much longer) an Epi-Pen to fight the symptoms. Cliffs on this part, I am certain it is the Aspirin/INUPROFEN/Naproxin/NSAID drug class. But I didn't' realize it until a month ago.

Benadryl is an antihistamine. Completely unrelated to the NSAIDs.

I have no idea why you'd take it to "possibly" counteract allergic reactions. If you have symptoms, it's worth considering, but otherwise no.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Benadryl is an antihistamine. Completely unrelated to the NSAIDs.

I have no idea why you'd take it to "possibly" counteract allergic reactions. If you have symptoms, it's worth considering, but otherwise no.

People with panic disorders have a need to explain their problem, this often manifests in the form of "allergies" they think they have. What the OP needs is psycho therapy for the emotional trama he suffered that caused this panic disorder.

 

[thepd7]

good work OP, glad that helped and keep it up. You'll get the rest of the weight off soon.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Benadryl is an antihistamine. Completely unrelated to the NSAIDs.

I have no idea why you'd take it to "possibly" counteract allergic reactions. If you have symptoms, it's worth considering, but otherwise no.

I never said they were the same. I was experiencing major side effects of the drug, not allergic to it. Until now I had unexplained reactions, which could be life threating, and taking a little bit of Benedryl beforehand would significantly reduce symptoms. As it turns out, the only constant among reactions was the sparing use of an NSAID. Usually the second time.

People with panic disorders have a need to explain their problem, this often manifests in the form of "allergies" they think they have. What the OP needs is psycho therapy for the emotional trama he suffered that caused this panic disorder.

I don't have a panic disorder. These allergies were not fake. It took two solid reactions to make me wake up and realize this was happening. Unless panic attacks makes massive hands, mouth, face, legs, feet, and raised hives.

Certainly not a panic attack. I've had panic attacks because of benedryl. Not the same whatsoever.