Thanks Steve. I will qualify that I don't actually know if I have High blood pressure or not. I think majority of the time it is anxiety induced high blood pressure. For example this morning -- I woke up with an anxious mind (this is typical) about checking my BP/just generalized anxiety. This is something that was entirely negated on 10mg of Lexapro -- I didn't think about my heart rate, BP, health, anxiety, etc. much at all while on it after it fully kicked in. The thing that was frustrating to me was that what used to work for cutting no longer did. As a 30 y/o male, relatively healthy (6'1, 225lb right now), I was doing a ketogains protocol (1g protein per lb of lean body mass), <20g net carbs, and fat as the lever of gaining, maintaining, or losing weight). Unfortunately, despite cutting to 1800 calories on non-workout days and 2k on workout days, I couldn't get the scale to budge. I was "looking slightly leaner" but the weight..even that initial water weight I expect from low carb, wasn't happening. That led me down the path with talking with my GP about Lexapro potentially being the culprit as I gained the weight upon starting it. It does reduce metaboslism like crazy, while also increasing hunger. I have since cut to 5mg the last 2.5 weeks so far, and I do feel some anxiety coming back unfortunately.
I do think I struggle from chronic stress, high cortisol, etc. I have TMJ issues which is a typical sign, my body (both poterior labrums) have been surgically repaired, and now my right shoulder has a major anterior tear as well. Labrums don't like me.. as I am dealing with a hip tear as well now. All to say.. this causes issues in my neck as well as shoulder function, but we keep chugging on. Its stressful in itself that my way of life has shifted so much from injury, on top of new stressors at work, etc. It's kept my out of being able to continue playing basketball intramurally (played in college).
I think Stress & Anxiety may be a good fit for me, and definitely willing to give it a go. My heart rate isn't an issue at all, it sits around 60 while working at my desk, and gets up to 160 with intense cardio so I don't think its a major issue.
Regarding BP XT - curious if you think that'd be a good fit for me.
Some readings:
Tuesday Morning: 121/72
Tuesday Midday - 142/86
Wednesday Morning - 136/80
Wednesday Evening - 134/91
Thursday Morning - 134/77 (like I said, was anxious this morning). I calmed down, did some deep breathing, and took it again. 121/81 afterwards (which is why I think my anxiety plays a big attribute to the higher readings - but I don't want to overlook that I may have stage1 or pre-hypertension).
It is not out of the normal for me to get 150~/90~ type readings when I am at my most anxious. I avoid doing a reading like the plague during a panic attack because why would I put myself through that, haha.
Thanks!
I only started adderall on 02/10/2024, so it's only been 5 days. Prior to that I was on Strattera (a non stim) but it made me one angry mother F'er so I had to stop it. I was on stimulant based meds my whole life and college, but stopped afterwards to try and live a life without them. With new responsibilities, stress, and a sense of overwhelmed, I am trying them again but not set on sticking to them necessarily if the cons outweigh the benefits. We'll see on that.
In the past I was on nortryptiline for anxiety/nerve pain and it also increased norepinepherine like adderall does, and it put my body in that same "fight or flight" state that I don't love... I know its suppose to help with focus, and it does.. but I also get bad physical anxiety sides due to it so I am still figuring it all out
Thanks!