High Blood Pressue

[Peggy K.]

I have had high B/P now for over a year. My doctor has changed my medicine numerous times. My B/P has been up to 230/114 at times and he just kept changing medication to try and control. I have had EKGs, blood flow test which said I had 70-80% blockage in some of my arteries. He referred me to a cardio vasculor surgery who ordered a arterialgram and checked my kidneys at that time also test did not show but about 50% blockage. My kidneys were ok and they said I had two arteries into my kidneys. I kept feeling so wiped out all the time and my doctor ordered a stress test with thallium and said the only thing that show up was my pulse rate was low (60). He cut my atenolol down to 25 mg and that did nothing for me so he decided to take me off it completely. My blood pressure began to come down but my pulse rate is still around 60. My body feels completely lifeless. I am so tired I can not hardly walk through my house without huffing and puffing. I am so tired, I do not ever feel good.
I am 65 years old and have been on medication for a good while but it all of a sudden started going up about a year ago. He has never found any reason for it to be up.
My B/P is down to around 150/85 or 90. It seems that the lower my B/P goes the worst that I feel.
Is there any reason that you can tell me what is making me so totally tired now..
I have ask him to refer me to a cardiogist but he is not ready to give up on it yet.. I am ready and I have tried to get an appointment with some and they tell me they have to have a referral.. My doctor is not a specialist. He is my GP doctor and I have used him for several years. Please help me if you can.
Thanks

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Best of luck to you.
Please keep us posted on your progress.

[Peggy K]

I have some new things that have happen to me in the last few days.  I am having some pain around my left breast and it seems to start under my arm and sort of make a circle all around my breast at the base I suppose would be the best way to say it.. sometimes my whole breast hurts and somtimes it is just the lower part of my breast. I woke up this morning at 4:30 and there was a real bad tightness in my throat and I had to get up because it seem to be a sort of a choking reflex and cause me to have a stranging cough.  
I am getting really concern with all this and I fear that I am going to develop some problems if something isn't found that is causeing all this.
I return to see my GP on Monday and will insist on seeing a cardio MD. My GYN has referred me to an Internist and I have an appointment with him on Wednesday..
I just don't know where to turn anymore..
Thanks for all the good help on this forum. It has been a life saver for me.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Thank you for all your comments.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Peggy,

I would suggest a full cardiovascular evaluation and a review of your medications.  Your fatigue may be related to your medication.

[Linda]

If I were you and I felt that bad, I would INSIST on a referral so I could see a cardiologist!  If the doctor wouldn't give it to me I would call my insurance company and complain until I got one!  I hope you get some relief.

[Berenice A. Borman]

Peggy, Have you talked to your doctor about your potassium leve?  See if your potassium level is normal.  Low potassium levels can pose symptoms of extreme fatigue at the least bit of exertion. Also ask your doctor about magnesium testing on tissue, not serum.  Both potassium and magnesium are important to cellular oxygen usage. Good luck

[peggy]

Berenice, I was on potassium and lasix until last Friday and he took off them and told me that he thought I may be dehydrated. He took more blood and I have not heard from that test yet. I had to go to ER Sunday and my B/P was 206/99 and they were real concerned and said if I had been dehydrated the doctor would not have sent me home before he got me over it. I was a little surprised at that. They seem to be more concerned that the doctor was. They gave me clinidine to lower my B/P and was going to keep me overnight if it did not bring it down.It did bring it down some and they let me go.
I have not been tested for magnesium as far as I know. It has really been frustrating to me. It seems he has done everything he knows to do and I don't understand why he will not refer me to a cardiolgist. I am afraid there is something wrong and if I let it go it will only get worse. Thanks for the information and I will check on that test.  I feel soooooo tired.
I am now taking 300mg of avapro and 8 mg of Carduru.I have been on 7 different pills at one time. I am ready to throw all of them away..