Week 10 ~ Massive headache BP 198/99

Ok Guru's    ~   Im just gonna post and check later.      I have had a headache for 3 weeks now.   Thought it was my upper cervical in my neck.    Just took Blood pressure and its 198/99,  worst headache of my life.    Week 10 Triple w/ Inc.    
I cant even research the side effects right now my head is hurting so bad.   Any one have any ideas ??    8 week labs were good and HMG & WBC were hanging in there at 12.8 & 2.5  .    I dont know what else to look at ?   Will call doctor in morning , would just like to have a jump start on questions for GI         Thanks ya'll

[eureka254]

Glad you went to the ER... livingontheedge is just a screen name, right?!?
I'm really glad you're OK.  Make sure you do the daily BP checks, more often if necessary, especially if you find headaches are coming and aren't going away!  Hope you feel better soon. ~eureka

[Diane1186]

May I suggest you call your doctor now.  Your blood pressure is over the top and the headache may be due to this increase. Mathis should be reported now, not in the morning.  I don't mean to sound like an alarmist, but please call the answering service and tell them you need to talk to the doctor.  Give them your blood pressure, and symptoms.

[pooh55811]

Ribavirin can cause headaches as can high blood pressure. The side effect information states the following:

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Ribavirin:

"..... severe or persistent headache or dizziness; ....."

Your blood pressure is fairly high. There have been rare instances of cerebral hemorrhages while taking Ribavirin.

If it was me, I would call the doctor tonight or go to the emergency room tonight.

[Advocate1955]

Please call the doctor on call in your clinic or go to the emergency room or call 911.  BP is dangerously high.
Advocate 1955

[beeblessed]

3 weeks?!!  You're having either a migraine or cluster headaches, neither of which is good long term.  And your BP is off the charts, top and bottom numbers.  If it were me, at this time of night, I would just go on ahead to the emergency room so they could start giving me relief right away.  BP is nothing to play with and is called a Silent Killer.  The headache aspect is gonna be akin to.....which came first? the chicken or the egg.......the headache would cause your blood pressure to go up, but you may also have a headache because your pressure was already on the way up, and the cause may or may not be the tx drugs.  The most immediate thing is getting your pressure back to normal.

I know we HATE having to go to the ER, but you have waited 3 weeks in pain.  Let them hook you up with a good Saline drip and get you hydrated, and get some potassium in you too.  Please post when you are feeling better.

[beeblessed]

Hi again,

Please have a look at this blood pressure chart:
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/medicine/blood-pressure.14.pdf

[Livinontheedge]

I cant tell you what a relief it is having you all.  I am going to the ER.    Prayers and Blessing to you !!

[Vannh9]

Please keep us posted. I will be thinking about you. Those numbers are too high...I am so glad you are getting checked out!

[starshine1ca]

Soo glad to hear you are going to ER....putting out prayers for you and adding you to my prayer list right away.  Thank goodness for this wonderful forum and the awesome gurus that are here to help others...what a blessing!

Sincerely, Anita

[lapis]

Ditto...so glad you're getting this checked out, and hope it's easily managed.  Will be looking for your followup post.

Lapis

[roostermom]

Any word on how livingontheedge is doing??

[oceanblue701]

I'm so glad too that you went to the emergency room. I definitely think the blood pressure must be treated right away. I hope you will feel much much better with a good intervention for the sudden hypertension. Hopefully you will be able to continue your treatment without interruption. I send you my very best wishes for a speedy resolution.

[Livinontheedge]

Hi Warriors, Thanks for the support, You guys are AWESOME !    I landed at the ER at 4:30 am this morning, they took me in right away so no waiting !   The Doc on duty was very accommodating and ran blood labs and took chest xrays and monitored me like I was his own.    
According to my BP Rise, there is really no answer for it other than just being a result or sx of all tx meds.  (and situational)    He ordered clonidine for BP, which brought it down, and also I have some sinusitis going on and got a Z-pak for that.     I got a nice saline drip to rehydrate me a bit and fell asleep.    I will be monitoring my BP for the next two week twice a day and then following up with my GP to see if any changes need to be made.     BP is a really scarey thing and the headache that comes with it is horrible !  
Here are some labs #'s for anyone who is interested.    WBC 2.5 , Hgb 11.4 , Placelet count 124   , so i am still hangin on for week 10........
Two more weeks to go with INC, I cannot wait !     I would seriously like to say this is getting easier, but It's not.   Some sx are going away but new sx on the rise .       I just thank all of you for your positive thoughts and Prayers.   God Bless !     Livinontheedge

[Livinontheedge]

thanks on the chart Bee !    Very Scarey !  

[Advocate1955]

That sounds like good news.  If your BP doesn't settle down, no worries, because it can be easily managed with medication.  What's important is to keep a watch on it.
Advocate 1955

[Advocate1955]

Oh, and the headache might have been from the sinusitis, not the BP.  High blood pressure usually does not have much in the way of noticeable symptoms.
Advocate 1955

[beeblessed]

Oh good!!  I am so glad you went and that they took such good care of you.  All docs should treat us as their own (but often don't).  I forgot to even consider sinuses.  Those headaches can be a doozy, big time.  Stay hydrated and stay well.  2 more weeks will be here before ya know it!  

You think that chart was scary, you should have seen the other stuff I read about having a heart atack or stroke.  Yikes!  I wanted to scare you in a realistic way, so you would go get help right away.  I did not want to terrify you with the gnarly stuff that 'could' happen.  Take it easy.

[Livinontheedge]

Advocate~   I think your right , just as the ER Doc said it was probably a combo of things from Sinusitis , BP and TX meds.      I just want to get past this next 2.5 weeks on INC and Praying that some of the sx go away !    

[Livinontheedge]

Oh Bee !   You scared me alright, that's what sent me to the ER at 4AM !    LOL   But I am so relieved that I went, puts a lot of the stress to bed if you know what I mean.   I am just looking for a nice quiet peaceful nights rest to-nite.    I don't want to ever have to go through another night like that one again.   I actually got in the tub 3 times from 10pm to midnight to try and relieve some of the muscle tension around my head , neck and shoulders.  And then cried for about an hour I was in so much pain.   Ridiculous the stuff I try and endure thinking it will go away and pass quickly.   If there is ever a next time, it will be to the ER Pronto !    Thanks for all your Prayers and Good Thoughts :)   Livin :)

[lapis]

So glad you'er feeling better again.  Yes, those high BP's are nothing to mess around with, they can precipitate serious situations, so I was really relieved to know you were being seen.  Hopefully the new meds, the antibiotics and the hydration will do the trick.  Good idea for you to continue to monitore your BP too, hope it's just a passing thing but certainly something you need to track.  Best wishes to you!

Lapis

[Livinontheedge]

Thanks again Everyone, for all Your concern and support.   Feeling better :)   Just really weak,  Just wish we all had crystal balls :)

[jules2551]

Thank God you are ok Livin! When I read your original post you scared the $%^& out of me!  I am glad everyone jumped in and convinced you to go to ER!  Bp is nothing to mess with...as you know!  I hope you are feeling better and hang in there!

Jules

[eureka254]

Glad you went to the ER... livingontheedge is just a screen name, right?!?
I'm really glad you're OK.  Make sure you do the daily BP checks, more often if necessary, especially if you find headaches are coming and aren't going away!  Hope you feel better soon. ~eureka

[starshine1ca]

Sounds like there were angels waiting for you at ER!!  What great care they gave you and you must feel soo relieved that you went.  

rotfl...eureka...livingontheedge is just a screen name, right?!?   Isn't humour  a true healer?  Thank God we can release some of those endorphines.

Found this article on Laughter and its benefits that I found so interesting! Just wanted to share:

Did you know that laughing acutally increases circulation and improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to body tissue?  Humor evens lowers blood pressure and aids the immune system in doing its job properly and also wards off respiratory problems. Think of it as an aerobic workout for your lungs.  Laughter reduces stress hormones, helps control pain by increasing endorphines and by allowing a person to set aside aches and pains, allowing the body to relax.

How great is that?  :-)  Gonna pull out some good comedies to watch! :-)

Keeping you in my prayers and hoping you feel better soon, Anita

[belle19]

i'm so sorry to read about your horrible ordeal.  so glad you went to the er.  my prayers are with you.  belle

[Diane1186]

Just followed up, so glad you were seen at the ER, and they took good care of you.  Hugs.

[eureka254]

"Just wish we all had crystal balls :)"
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No worries, you have the next best thing, ones made of steel. :)