u/Sevyn_Satori

28F. During a stress echo, my BP was 124/70 at rest, around 160/80 standing, and reached 222/86 during exercise so the test was stopped. It came back down afterward, but I felt lightheaded and drained.
I’ve also had a few fainting episodes in my life, including a couple while working out, and I’m currently seeing neurology for numbness/tingling and muscle cramping.

I’m already following up with my doctors and not looking for anyone to interpret my results. I’m just curious if anyone here has had unusual BP changes with standing/exercise and what your own evaluation process looked like.

Had a stress echo today and they had to stop the test early because my BP went up to 222/86. I started at 124/70, then it was around 160/80 just from standing, and during exercise it shot up to 222/86. It came back down to around 160/80 afterward.
I also felt pretty lightheaded and drained after the test.
What’s weird is I had a stress test last year and my BP only got into the 160s. I haven’t been working out for months, so I’m wondering if being really deconditioned could play a role.
Has anyone had an exaggerated BP response like this during exercise despite having a normal resting BP? What ended up causing it for you?

Hi everyone,
I’m a 28-year-old female currently being worked up by neurology, and I’m hoping to get some insight into what else neurologists typically consider when MRIs are normal.
My symptoms started a couple of months ago with **burning in my toes**, which gradually spread into my feet and legs. I then developed intermittent **burning, pins and needles, and electric shock-like sensations** in my legs, hands, face, back, neck, and chest.
Over time, I’ve also developed:
Severe muscle cramps (especially both legs)
Frequent muscle twitching/fasciculations
Muscle spasms
Leg weakness and gait changes
One calf appears noticeably smaller than the other, and a provider documented calf atrophy
Persistent globus sensation (feels like something is stuck in my throat), although **I can still swallow normally**
Intermittent hoarseness
Ear pain and tinnitus
Migraines (neurology prescribed medication)
Random shooting pains in the side of my neck and chest
I’ve had a **cardiac workup multiple times** (EKGs, echocardiogram, stress test, etc.), and no heart problem has been found. NSAIDs haven’t helped the chest pain.
My neurologist mentioned that it sounds like whatever is happening **may have been triggered by something**, but they weren’t sure what.
So far my workup includes:
Brain MRI w/wo contrast: **Normal**
Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar MRIs: **Normal spinal cord with only mild degenerative changes. No evidence of demyelination or spinal cord compression.**
EMG/NCS: **Scheduled**
Additional blood work pending
Initially I was worried about MS, but with normal brain and spine MRIs that seems much less likely. What worries me now is that the cramping, twitching, weakness, and reported calf atrophy continue to worsen despite reassuring imaging.
I know no one can diagnose me over Reddit, but while I wait for my EMG I’m curious:
What diagnoses would still be on your differential with this presentation?
How much information can an EMG provide when MRIs are normal?
Has anyone seen a similar presentation that ended up being something other than MS?
Thanks for any insight.

Started amlodipine 2.5 mg a few days ago. Today I’ve had 3 dizzy spells with room-spinning sensation and needed to lie down. Lowest BP was 134/75, HR 80s. Unsure if medication-related or if I need evaluation. Should I be concerned?

I’ve also been avoiding salt today so idk if that has something to do with it.

Started amlodipine 2.5 mg a few days ago. Today I’ve had 3 dizzy spells with room-spinning sensation and needed to lie down. Lowest BP was 134/75, HR 80s. Unsure if medication-related or if I need evaluation. Should I be concerned?

I’ve also been avoiding salt today so idk if that has something to do with it.

I honestly don’t know if I’m dealing with severe health anxiety, a physical issue, or both, and I’m exhausted.
I’m currently sitting in urgent care and may end up in the ER for the 5th time in 2 weeks. I was supposed to be at work today, but I’ve been having chest pain, lightheadedness, headaches, dizziness, tingling/burning sensations, brain fog, and constant fear that something is seriously wrong with me.
I’ve had multiple workups, labs, an echocardiogram, and I’m currently getting a Holter monitor from cardiology. My blood pressure has been elevated (today it was 153/94), which has become a huge focus for me. Every symptom makes me wonder if I’m having a stroke, heart attack, neurological disease, or some other serious condition.
I was recently started on amlodipine for my blood pressure, and because my anxiety is so bad right now, I’ve found myself worrying about that too. First I was terrified my BP was too high, and now I’m scared the medication will make it too low. It’s like my brain can’t stop looking for danger.
The hard part is that I’ve also been having multiple panic attacks a day. I constantly check my body, monitor symptoms, seek reassurance, and then convince myself something was missed. My mental health provider today didn’t think I was having an immediate emergency, but I still feel terrified.
To be completely honest, things have gotten so overwhelming that I’ve even thought about admitting myself somewhere just because I feel like I can’t get a break from the fear. I went to a mental health walk-in clinic this morning, and they referred me to psychiatry and set up follow-up care. Part of me knows that’s probably the right direction, but another part of me is still convinced there’s some serious physical illness being missed.
Has anyone else’s anxiety gotten this severe? Like to the point where you genuinely feel physically sick every day, can’t trust your own body, and can’t tell what’s anxiety and what’s not? How did you get through it?

I’m feeling really stuck and could use some perspective from people who have been in a similar situation.
I am a 28 y/o woman. For the last few months, my blood pressure has been elevated on and off. I’ve had readings anywhere from normal (around 120s/70s) to the 140s. An ER doctor prescribed me 5 mg amlodipine about a week ago, and at a recent women’s health appointment the provider told me I should start taking it and encouraged me to do so.
The problem is that I also struggle with pretty significant health anxiety. I’ve been dealing with dizziness/lightheadedness, chest tightness, tingling sensations, and a lot of fear about my health. I’ve had multiple evaluations, including a reassuring echocardiogram, but my anxiety has been through the roof.
I feel trapped between two fears:
What if my blood pressure has been high for too long and I’m hurting myself by not taking the medication?
What if my blood pressure isn’t actually that bad, and I take the medication unnecessarily or have side effects?
I know nobody here can give medical advice, but I’m curious if anyone else has been in a situation where they were scared to start a blood pressure medication and felt caught between those two fears. How did you handle it?
Please be kind. I’m having a rough time mentally right now and just looking for experiences from others who have been through something similar.