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Does anyone take Escitalopram for anxiety and Metoprolol Tartrate for HBP?

Posted , 7 users are following.

cat29642
cat29642

Hi everyone,

I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and was put on Metoprolol Tartrate - 25 mg/twice a day. I had an appointment with a vascular specialist on Wednesday and he thinks my anxiety is contributing to my high blood pressure. I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder years ago and was put on Zoloft, but I had such a bad reaction to it, I went off of it and never wanted to go on another antidepressant again. I also talked with my general physician yesterday about what the vascular specialist said and she thinks it would be a good idea to try an antidepressant again. She is confident it will help me. She suggested Lexapro/Escitalopram. She wants me to start with a low dose (5 mg) and eventually go to 10 mg. I picked up the medication last night and I'm just waiting to take it. The thing is, I'm scared to take it. I'm sensitive to medications and even the Metoprolol has affected my balance some. I've been reading about Escitalopram and I get scared of reading all of the bad reviews and horrible side effects people have experienced from taking it. It increases my anxiety even more!!

My questions for people with high blood pressure:

1. Did taking Escitalopram interact with your hbp medication?

2. Did you have any bad side effects from the Escitalopram? In particular, did you have any side effects that affected your blood pressure readings?

3. Did Escitalopram help you in the long run?

Both of my doctors seem to think this will benefit me in the long run. My mind knows that and I really want to get better, but like I said, I'm just so scared to start this new medication. I have all of these bad scenarios running through my head and they're keeping me from starting this medication. My biggest fear - the side effects...

Thank you all for reading this. 

 

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • robert47678
    robert47678 cat29642

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, I suffered a slight anxiety relapse back in December I had to change medication from Mirtazapine to Sertraline. Sertraline had awful side effects and after 5 days I had to change to Fluoxetine, I stayed on Fluoxetine for a few weeks, but the side effects became too much as well. So my doctor decided to put me on Escitalopram, surprisingly he told me that the side effects for Escitalopram are rather minimal. I've taken it for two days now, the only real issue I've had is morning nausea/vomiting, but my anxiety seems to be rather low and my heart beat seems more controlled, my appetite doesn't seem to be affected by Escitalopram. But I do worry about the vomiting though.

    • cat29642
      cat29642 robert47678

      Posted

      Thank you for your response. I've read that nausea can be bad on this medication. That's another reason I haven't tried it yet. I don't like to feel sick. I know I need to try it though because the benefits in the long run will be worth the "suffering" in the beginning. I just need to get my mind set on it.

    • Koonie
      Koonie cat29642

      Posted

      I was suppose to take 10 mgs of the lexapro...I cut it in half....I took half just now

  • Nickie54
    Nickie54 cat29642

    Posted

    Cat29642.. I started on Lexapro 2 weeks ago today .. I first started out with 2.5 then after a week went to 2.5 mg. 2 x a day.. that's where I am now.. I have GAD with Panic attacks and my BP was all over the place because of the GAD and Panic ... so my Dr. Did a saliva test on me because I'm so sensitive to all meds. And it came back that Lexapro was a good choice of drug for my DNA.. I won't say it's been a Lovely walk in the park but it has helped with the aniexty and  I suppose with my BP but not comfortable enough yet to take my BP.. it's all about the numbers for me... makes me nervous.. but please give it a try .. I have seen positives come out of it and as I said this is only week 2.. I'm trying to decide when to up it again to 7.5 mg. But I'm taking it slow...My Dr. Says to go up to 10mg. But she is not living in my skin.. so I'll b the one deciding when I increase to the next level of 7.5 mg...u have to b ready to take it so I just can encourage u to do it but do it slow and at your own pace... Take Care and keep us posted.. God Speed

    • cat29642
      cat29642 Nickie54

      Posted

      Nickie54, 

      Thank you for your response. This sets my mind at ease. It's terrible that I have anxiety over taking an anti-anxiety pill! I read about all of these bad side effects and knowing I'm sensitive to meds, it just makes me more anxious. My doctor lowered my blood pressure medication dosage because I was having bad side effects, so once I can rebound from that, I plan to start Escitalopram. I do want to give it a try. I know if it works, I'll be better off. 

      Thank you again and best of luck to you.

  • Nickie54
    Nickie54 cat29642

    Posted

    Yes ... you must b ready ... I know I had the pills for several days b4 I started them... I was sooo afraid that it would cause more aniexty and that I did not want at all.. so just take your time and b ready.. after being on 5mg for 2 weeks I still have aniexty of the evening say from 4-8.. but that is a issue I know from where it comes.. I will need to work on that issue..lexapro is not a miracle drug .. it will only help you ... it will not cure every bit of aniexty.. This area of aniexty of the pm I need to deal with...it's been a part of me for 50 years.. Sad 😭 but must b dealt with and let it go...Take Care and keep us posted...

  • Koonie
    Koonie cat29642

    Posted

    hi cat...I take bp med lisinopryl...and 25 mgs twice a day metoprolol...having crazy panic attacks also...I was just prescribed lexapro and ativan....they're sitting here infront of me...I too am scared to take it...did anyone else reply to you yet that does take it? plz reply ty ...

    • missy1771554
      missy1771554 Koonie

      Posted

      Hi, I'm currently in the same boat as the original poster 4 years ago and the other commenters such as yourself. I'm glad to see people still keeping this thread going. How are you doing?? Did you start the Lexapro? How's it going? I was diagnosed with anxiety and as a result high blood pressure. I was prescribed Escitalopram (Lexapro) for anxiety and Metoprolol Tratrate for HBP. They're sitting here in front if me and after going over the side effects with pharmacist I'm even more terrified to take them. I want to feel better:(

  • tracy00751
    tracy00751 cat29642

    Posted

    I've been taking Lexapro for years. It doesn't help with my anxiety, so I take Valium as needed. I was recently prescribed Metoprolol. Shortly after, I've felt like a hormonal teenager, crying every day, extremely intrusive thoughts that I've never had before, crawling out of my skin, zero patience, overwhelmed, massive anxiety attacks, nightmares, you name it.

    I decided to do some research on metroprolol and it's a friggin BETA BLOCKER which is on my allergy list because they make me insane. This is a fairly common side effect because it messes with other brain chemicals and your central nervous system.

    I've never taken a beta blocker this long. But, I'm not taking it again and I'm calling the cardiologist tomorrow.

    THIS has GOT to be what suddenly changed.

    I've been living in hell for the last month. I'm livid!

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