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Blood Pressure spike during Panic Attack
I am currently on a Somatic Symptom Disorder Treatment and recently started medication Escitalopram 5mg and Etizolam 0.25mg in the night. It's my 13th day pf the treatment and have experienced 2 episodes of panic attack within this treatment. During the panic attack my BP spikes to 160+/100 and 90-100 Heart Rate, it causes headache and pressure during the attack in head. Whereas normally it range between 130-140/80-90 and 65-60 Heart Rate everyday. My heart rate being on the lower side of the normal range , I don't know whether to take any Beta Blocker like propanol daily or SOS during panic attacks OR any other good medicine which can fit best in this scenario.
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I can help you better with further treatment course needed. U can connect me via whatsapp on seven zero eight two zero two two zero six two.
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Hello,
From what you’ve described, you’re already under treatment for Somatic Symptom Disorder with Escitalopram 5 mg and Etizolam 0.25 mg at night, but are still having occasional panic attacks with transient blood pressure spikes.
Next Steps
1. Continue escitalopram at your prescribed dose and give it time to work.
2. Do not start propranolol on your own. Discuss with your psychiatrist or primary care physician- if they feel it’s appropriate, they may prescribe a low-dose SOS beta-blocker or adjust your current regimen.
3. Keep a symptom diary- note the timing, triggers, BP/HR during, and how long each attack lasts. This helps your doctor make the safest medication choices.
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Health Tips
1. Track attacks - note time, triggers, physical signs, and recovery time.
2. Begin breathing and grounding techniques - these can blunt the BP surge during panic.
3. If BP stays >160/100 even outside of attacks, or headaches persist, see a physician to rule out other causes.
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Your current symptoms suggest you're still adjusting to the treatment for Somatic Symptom Disorder and anxiety. It's common to have transient worsening of anxiety or panic attacks in the first 2–3 weeks of starting Escitalopram. The BP and heart rate spikes you experience during panic attacks are not harmful in themselves if your baseline vitals are normal. While beta blockers like propranolol can help with the physical symptoms of panic (like palpitations and tremors), they should only be used after assessing your resting heart rate and BP especially since yours is on the lower side. For now, it’s best to continue your current regimen, use Petril-MD 0.25 mg SOS for acute panic episodes as prescribed, and reassess after 4 weeks with your psychiatrist, who may then consider increasing escitalopram or adjusting medications.
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Just take therapy
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Hi.. maybe a review of your medicines will be needed. Consult online for treatment
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Your medication dose is optimum but the weight of the person is also important, determines tolerability to Medication.
More details are also needed as these anxiety episodes were earlier present before start of treatment or emerges after treatment
As per my opinion, you should not add any medication on your own, you must consult your psychiatrist and discuss regarding it
BP reading records, you can make notes of anxiety episodes and associated features, discuss it first with your psychiatrist
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Hello. While the initial days of starting an antidepressant (escitalopram in your case) there can be some spike in anxiety and panic episodes occasionally, and It is their usual side affects, but the good news is that they generally subside in a week or two.
Next Steps
However if you are having very frequent attacks or unbearable anxiety, it's better to consult your psychiatrist and get started on some anxiolytics or beta blocker for the initial month of therapy.
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Dr. K L Tejaswini
Psychiatrist
5 yrs exp
Guntur
Hi..
Need some more history like whether you are having these panic attacks before starting treatment or not..
If present the symptoms will slowly subside with medication. As you are taking a minimal dose of medication there needs to be dose adjustment based on your symptoms..
If new attacks of panic are occurring only after starting treatment and severity there is more need to consult your Psychiatrist for further assessment and treatment modification.
Generally it takes 3-4 weeks to get adjusted to the medication.
Next Steps
don't try to add medication on your own.. u need to consult a health care professional for management of symptoms.
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