Anxiety and blood pressure

Hello and welcome.  Another newbie, just post treatment, posted today about how she was feeling so have a look here as I'm sure you will identify with these feelings.  We are all struggling a bit with the new format of this forum so replies are not so quick but I'm sure someone will come along.  So you can find your way back to the BC discussion group add this to your favourites on your browser on your phone or laptop  Breast Cancer discussion.

Carol x

Hi , and another warm welcome to the site. I don’t know about my blood pressure as no one has taken it since I left hospital after my op, nearly 2 years ago! But definitely have the anxiety, and, like you, think I dealt ok with the physical aspects initially but shelved the emotional side of it. 10 months after going back to work, having never got back to full time hours, I had a bit of a meltdown at the doctor’s when getting suspected cellulitis on ‘bad boob’ checked out. I was terrified that it was inflammatory breast cancer as it had lots of the symptoms, even though I knew logically that the skin changes and inverted nipple had all happened post radiotherapy. The ‘inflammation’ cleared up with antibiotics but the episode made me realise that the fear of the cancer coming back was simmering away below the surface. I was also waking in the night with palpitations - it was very reminiscent of my menopausal symptoms many years ago but with bells on. I’m sure it was the Anastrozole on top of anxiety about work. In the end, I’ve retired now at 61, earlier than planned but for the sake of my sanity. 
My main sanity saver is walking, including Nordic walking which was recommended to help with lymphoedema, which I have in tge treated breast. I also did a mindfulness course on Zoom through my nearest Maggie’s centre and still do weekly sessions, again on zoom. I have found that hugely helpful for dealing with anxiety . 
Now that you’ve raised the blood pressure issue I might track down our home kit which we bought a while ago when hubby had to monitor his for a week. Will be interesting to know. My biggest issue with the Anastrozole has been the ongoing fatigue. 
Sorry you’re going through this, hope it helps to know that you’re absolutely not alone. 
Sending love and a big virtual hug, HFxx

Hi , posted last night but fell asleep in the midst of it!

I developed high BP in the middle of my BC treatment 10 years ago.It went sky high and a cardiologist saw me during my chemo. The problem was that I had bilateral BC so nodes taken on both sides, so problems measuring it. Taken on the leg it is at least 10 units higher. It was not until faced with a bowel re section for bowel cancer that a lovely cardiologist sorted my problem, Thr BP went higher and higher from anxiety, but he showed literature saying that it is safe to have arm BP measurements where lymph nodes have been removed Had to havedrips and cannula too during all the ops and procedures during Bowel C treatment.

i have been on letrozole for most of the time sincemyBP first went up.I don’t think it had any effect.

There were scary occasions went it was very high indeed, but that was measured

on the leg, and my anxiety was fuelled by very bad handling by nurses, junior drs and even a consultant. Very traumatic that,,,,.

Am OK unless in a stressful situation, and it only creeps up a bit.

Take care, and Don’t let some of the nurses spook you. Good luck xxx