Anyone with experience with this?

I'm obsessed with my blood pressure. I can make it go up and down. And while anxious, I can make it go up to dangerous levels. My doctor prescribed citalopram and clonazepam (for short term and as needed while the celexa starts working). I'm afraid to go on a long term medication like celexa, but I'm wondering if I'm being too presumptuous in thinking I can get over this myself. The anxiety only started two weeks ago, and I feel like it's mild. If I could just get over the blood pressure thing, and focus on exercises and losing a bit of weight, I'll be golden.

[29sillygirl]

Blood pressure certainly can be affected by anxiety.  It happened to me recently.  I don't know how you make yours go up.  Or down.  

I take clonazapam, as can no longer tolerate antidepressants.  If I let myself get worked up especially when driving or at doctors office, it will be higher than when I am not thinking about it.  

Don't know side effects of celexa, but assume it will help with anxiety, and doc knows you have blood pressure issues.  

If you check our archives you'll find at least a couple of threads dealing with anxiety and blood pressure.  Check 'em out.

[mammo]

I understand how you can control you BP with relaxation techniques to lower it, and getting yourself all worked up when anxious to raise it.  What I don't understand is "why" you would want to raise it to dangerously high levels?  High BP is very hard on our bodies.  I think therapy would benefit you in that you could learn how not to obcess over your BP.  I feel your doctor's thinking is the medication may help with keeping you calmer, thus keeping your BP down, and maybe help you with not obcessing so much about it.  I think adding therapy to this would be most beneficial.  Take care.

[MONICA402]

I'm kind of in the same boat as u.I had anxiety eight years ago and now for some reason it's back.Probably due to stress.I was put on 10mg of lexapro which i haven't taken yet bec.I to feel like i can handle it maybe on my own and also don't want to be on meds long term.But,as far as your BP i worrie about mine bec.all my family says i can have a heart attack or stroke.Which then freaks me out even more.I am 29 and don't want BP meds on top of these other pills.So i say relax and try to control it.I just took 1mg of adavan which is the only thing at the moment i take.But,i'm starting to consider the other meds bec.Somethings gotta give.I wish u the best of luck.I wanted to comment bec.I am in it to right along with u.

[justin61]

I have recently went through 'problems' with blood pressure readings. I was very anxious while in my doctors office, my heart rate was usually 140-160 and blood pressure was usually around 160/90, and I'm only 19 years old. After many tests on my heart my doctor ruled it as white coat hypertension and generalized anxiety disorder. I now usually get blood pressure readings of around 109/68 after taking citalopram(celexa) for one month. I started on 10mgs and am now at 20mgs per day. I have had no side effects and am on my sixth week taking it.