Heavy feeling and BP hikes

[jade]

hi guys.  here i am again to share some new symptoms.  i am seeing my rheumy next month and we will see what she recomends. 
i have been getting blood pressure hikes .. in the last couple of months or so.. i can feel them coming by the way i feel.  they tell me you can't tell when you have bp .. but it looks like every time "i think" i might have it.. well i measure it and sure enough it's high.. the feelings are: headache, in the back and a bit at the top and also more on the sides behind my ears. also, i get this sore spot just before my shoulder starts in the front side.. u know the spot right above your armpit.. it's a "muscly" part .. and when i press on it.. it feels good, like it's sore and it needs a massage..
the other thing is this strange heavy feeling.  like i am wearing invisible weights.  i don't feel fatigued but i just feel like i am not light on my feet and i am wearing a big wet wool coat.. lol.  this became more worrysome when one night i woke up at about 1 am and i just felt panic come over me.  really heavy and felt like if i went back to bed i will not wake up.  i felt like i should walk and be moving.  my head didn't feel all painful but it didn't feel good either.
it's been months since i have been able to sleep thru without waking up
my face and top of my head and my forhead have started to tingle more
i have to concentrate hard to remember things and talk at a fast enough pace ..
what's weird is that just yesterday i was almost "ok".  today, it's another story.
i am only on thairoyd medication. i have been refusing to take plaquenil .. so far

any feedback on similar experiences and solutions would be appreciated.

oh.. i was going to go see a "naturalist" but still have not been able to do it.. i really think that would be something that would help.

[Scottietottie]

Hi Jade 

I would check it out with your doctor before your rheumy appointment if possible. I don't know what's causing it but if it was me - I'd want to know. 

Take care - Scottie 

[tomsmom]

Hi Jade,

I have high bp and been on meds for it for the last 7 years.  I too can feel if my bp is higher than normal.  The heavy feeling in your body is more than likely the Sjogren's.  The neuro I see says it's bodily fatigue.  When I have a flare up, my blood pressure spikes.  Please make sure you're getting enough water every day. 
I wake up every night about 2 am.  I have a baby so it's usually to check on him and change him if need be.  Sometimes though, when I initially wake up, I feel that heaviness on me.  It could be fatigue, the fact that I take my bp meds at bedtime, or another mystery of the Sjogren's.  I have yet to find out. 
You're not alone.  Definitely bring all this up to your doctor though.
Please don't be afraid of the Plaquenil.  I was and stopped and started it so many times, convinced it either wasn't helping or that it was giving me other issues.  I've been on it consistently for months now and have actually had days where I've gone shopping and out and about.  And a huge benefit is that it will lower your blood pressure slightly!  Give it a try and a few months to see if it helps you too.

[jade]

i wish i could go to the doc sooner.  can't   trust me.  i would like to know too
that night i was telling you about the panic set it ... i almost went to the emergency room i was so scared.. but the expense i think gave me more blood pressure. 

interesting plaquenil tidbit there.  i need to consider it more i guess. thanks for the input.. so you do get the heavy feeling also?   how weird is this thing.  and .. i think the water thing is so true.. i really feel so much better when i do drink throughout the day.. i have to force myself.. for some reason it's been about a year or a little more. .i started HATING water. like it makes me gag to drink it.. my diagnosis of sjs was this year in march.  you would think if your body is lacking moisture.. it would welcome hydration?  mine is rejecting it.  i don't knwo if there is another theory about this sjs and water relationship as far as craving it or not wanting it..

[drylady]

Hi Jade,

I have been on Plaquenil since July and have my blood pressure has gone down.