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Posted 3/18/2011 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
hello,

I got some really bad news while I was at work, which caused me to have to leave my area and go talk on the phone for like 45 minutes. But it wasn't the type of thing where I felt that I should tell my boss I need the rest of the night off. So I stayed and suffered.

I was so mad about this situation and worried and upset that I ended up with a big headache and my face was all red for the rest of the night.

I have high blood pressure. When I get THAT upset, where my body is reacting, should I be concerned? Can that kind of reaction kill you? I am 48 but my family has a horrendous history regarding strokes and heart attacks.

My way of dealing with this situation so far is that I am not going to rush out and "rescue" the person involved. I am going to let her sit in the hospital and get the help she needs. Anyway, she has not called and asked for my help. Some guy who is a total stranger to me is the bearer of the bad news. I think he is sick of trying to help her too.
Posted 3/18/2011 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is best to look after you. When I get tension headaches, I generally rub my neck and shoulders because the muscles get so tight. And that is usually what causes the headache. I also have what is called a bed buddy that is a long tube filled with rice. I heat it in the microwave and put it around my neck. The warm heat loosens up my muscles and the headache generally goes away.

But in the case of psychological stress, we can't always do that. So I suggest deep breathing exercises that can help. Try to get the event out of your mind and proceed with what you need to do for you. You can be there to support, but you can't always be there to rescue. And there are some things people have to do for themselves.

I hope that you are able to relax and get some quiet time. Best wishes to you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/18/2011 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Karen,

yeah, deep breathing and even laugh therapy has worked for me in other situations. It's harder if you're just at work and you feel like, oh, should I be dropping everything now, and you can't.
Posted 3/18/2011 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
I know, at work you have to keep going. You can't just lay down until your headache goes away. Keep up the breathing and maybe learn some other type of relaxations tricks. I do meditation, it can be done anywhere. But it works with the breathing so I don't know if it would help more or not. I hope that you feel better soon.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

I wonder if a muxcle relaxer would help you???
Posted 3/18/2011 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Daisysmom,

I'm glad to see you posting on the forum.

You've mentioned that you have a family history of hypertension and
strokes as well as heart attacks. One of the most helpful things you can do is to purchase a blood pressure monitor (the best one you can afford) and keep a daily record of your blood pressure when you get up each morning--before showering and dressing or having breakfast.

Your readings daily will either reassure you that your blood pressure
is stable or that you need to discuss with your doctor whether you need a change in meds or an additional beta blocker. Your physician
would be very interested to see your monthly report on daily records
of your heartbeat and blood pressure at a resting state. If you wish
also to record these items when you're under stress, that will give your
doctor a clue about whether you need to add an additional medication to your schedule to secure safety of the heart function.

Stress does all kinds of things to us, including affecting the adrenal
glands secretion and that can affect the heartbeat readily.

The suggestions by your friends above are also very important; never underestimate the need to relax when under stress.

Let us know how you get along, won't you?

Good wishes,

It's Genetic

P. S.
Here's a suggested heart record design:

                           Heart Record for Physician 2011
A= before a meal
B= after a meal

Date    Time           Heartbeat          Blood Pressure              Weight

1/03   6:30 A.M.       B 72                   120/82                         125

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/18/2011 11:07:33 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/23/2011 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
hello It's Genetic,

Actually I do have a blood pressure monitor. I hardly ever use it now because almost always my numbers are pretty good. I used to use it a lot when i was on a different medication and my numbers were always kind of bad. I have been taking BP medicine for probably 10 years now, since my 30s and I am not a real overweight or otherwise obviously unhealthy-type person.

I have often wondered when I stress out and feel like my head is going to explode what my BP reading would be. But when that happens I am usually not in my home and don't have a monitor handy. Ha!! At home, my kitties do a pretty good job of settling me down if I am starting to stress out too much about something.
Posted 3/23/2011 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Daisysmom,

Omron makes a small hand-held blood pressure monitor that you may
put in your pocketbook and use at your desk to check blood pressure,
especially when you feel that you are under strong stresss enough to
give you the feeling that your head is going to explode. Your doctor
needs to know about this, Daisysmom. Taking blood pressure should
become a daily habit as essential as brushing the teeth, especially since there's an inheritability element in your family for strokes and
heart attacks.

Omron's litle blood pressure monitor just accepts your finger and
tightens for a few seconds and then prints on its screen the pressure
and heartbeat.

Hope you find the answers to why you have the strong reactions to
stress.

It's Genetic
Posted 3/23/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
It's Genetic,

that might be worth thinking about more -- why do i have the strong reactions to stress
Posted 3/23/2011 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Stress can cause a lot of health related problems for a lot of people. I became glucose intolerant because of stress. I was in my 20's then and only about 100 pounds. And my diabetic counselor treated it like type 2 diabetes. I had a lot of problems from my blood sugars going all over the place.

I think practicing deep breathing and meditation might be beneficial for you. It calms the mind. Also practice living in the moment. It really helps to cut the stress back. Even some peaceful affirmations might help you.

I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/24/2011 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
thanks Karen.
Posted 3/24/2011 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
You are so very welcomed.

Hugs, Karen

I hope that you are having a nice day.
Posted 3/25/2011 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have been in contact via e-mail with a self-help group that specializes in the type of family problem that started this whole thing. It is helping me to put things in perspective and feel better about the decision I am making.

I'm not sure the rules here allow me to mention it by name, so I won't.

Also, I am happy to report my head has not exploded. Maybe if I stopped picturing my head exploding that would help too.

--MK
Posted 3/25/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
LOL MK,

I have felt like my head is going to explode before. Too much stimulating information. I guess. Too many things on the mind. But you do sound better and I am happy for that.

I hope that this helps you to get things figured out ith problems. Best of luck with it. You can mention it as long as you don't have a vested interest in it which I am sure that you don't. Like making money on it or something like that. I really and truly hope that this helps you to feel better and get life on track.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Hugs, Karen
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