Anxiety or Thyroid problems

All of my symptoms point to anxiety; but then they also point to thyroid problems. I've been on zoloft now for 4 weeks and it hasn't helped me all that much. Now, in the past 5 days, every time I test my blood pressure, it is extremely high; 154/104. It's NEVER been that high. Could this be from the zoloft? Are there any other meds out there without all the negative zoloft side effects such as lack of sex drive; hot flashes, etc? Could it still be a thyroid disorder IF I was tested back in May and they came back within the normal range??  I'm getting tired of feeling like **** all the time with my racing heart, anxious, tired, hair loss, nervousness, headaches, feeling as if my neck is going to blow up....any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[tostressed]

I have an enlarged thyroid and have gone through testing and ultra sounds to check for nodules. My bloodwork comes back normal and scan normal too. I have a lot of signs of thyroid problem, but am dismissed as anxiety. I know that lexapro is known to raise blood pressure, so I assume zoloft would too. I would ask your doctor and see what he/she says. Thyroid disorders are very tricky to diagnose. Since you were just tested in may for your thyroid you will probably want to have another one done in 6 months to a year. Thats what they do for me at my doctors. I know how you feel not wanting to feel crappy anymore. Not knowing is the worst. Hang in there and I hope I answered some of your questions.

[dobiqueenx2]

How did they find your enlarged thyroid, may I ask?? Should I ask for further thyroid tests? These symptoms also point to a tumor in the medulla of the adrenal gland with something called Pheochromocytoma....wish the symptoms would all just point to one thing and make it a lot easier!!  

[tostressed]

You can tell my thyroid is big when they touch it and they ask me to swallow. I don't look any different they can tell from feeling it. Thats why I originally had a ultra sound done. Make sure all was normal and no nodules. I actually just had blood work done today for my thyroid a full panel. They are even testing antibodies. The endocronologist that I went to said that my examination was normal. Now he just wants to see the numbers in my bloodwork. If all is normal I do not have a thyroid problem. If you want more tests I would go and talk with your doctor and see what they say. Nothing about our bodies can be easy can they.

[katiebear20]

i have been dealing with the same **** that you have. i have been on zoloft for the past 5 months 50 mgs and still feel like ****. you may need to increase your dose or try something different? another thing is that if you have a thyroid problem your temp will be wacked. like if its really hot outside and you feel that it isn't hot at all then i would see a doctor on the problem its just a simple blood test. but i would stay on the zoloft because it takes a long time to fully work right

[dobiqueenx2]

But, do you think it could be the cause of the high blood pressure?? That is what really has me worried. I've had consistent normal blood pressure for the past year and 8 months since I've been dieting, exercising and lost 75# so far, but now, suddenly after being put on zoloft, it's extremely high...I'm up to 75mg of zoloft right now; and if you are still feeling like **** after 5 months, that isn't showing me a lot of confidence in this med either. Is there something out there that anyone has tried that doesn't have all the rotten side effects zoloft does??

[Shannon Wyatt]

Hey, I didn't think that an SSRI can cause an elevation of blood pressure?  Is this not true?  I'm also having high blood pressure (hypertension) and I've been on Celexa for 2 months now.  My doctor tells me it is my constant worrying and anxiety that causes the high readings.  What does the group think?

[tostressed]

I do no for a fact that lexapro can give high blood pressure, but so can constant worrying and anxiety. I go to the doctors and I have elevated blood pressure. I go to my moms and use her machine and it is normal. I hate going to doctors. I have white coat syndrome they say. I would check with your doctors and see about hypertension in ssri's. Call your pharmacist. I would call pharmacist only because our doctors always want to dismiss everything as anxiety. Once your labeled someone with anxiety everyone thinks thats what caused all or problems.

[dobiqueenx2]

Yes, but for weeks, when I began suffering from anxiety, and I thought it was a reaction to some medications I was taking, every time I went in or tested elsewhere, it was normal, prior to taking any Zoloft, and I'd tested at least 5 or 6 times after the anxiety symptoms began and prior to going on zoloft.

[graceface]

I have had terrible anxiety all my life, most people did not realize. I hid it well. Panic attacks were so embarresing at times, though. So, I would avoid certain situations. At 38 I had a scan done on my Thyroid at the hospital. All came out normal. One year later my new Doctor took a blood test and found my Thyroid was way out of wack. I have been on Levothyroxine since and feel wonderful. BUT!! I still had continued to have panic attacks in certain social situations for a long time. Told my doctor I needed something! (I am one who believes in lots of exercise and eating healthy. Not taking meds) At 45 I realized the anxiousness was worse for my body. She put me on Citalopram. It has helped a great deal. It has been approx. 1 year and I have had about 2 small panic attacks in all that time. I'll stay on it for as long as I need to. Don't forget exercise!! I am a runner and boy do I feel like a million bucks after a hard run.  Good Luck to you All.