I was prescribed Ramapril last year lowest dose and tolerated it really well. However when I saw my cardiologist in July my blood pressure was high and he increased the dosage to 2.5 mg twice a day. As well as hypertension I have mild CAD and moderate LVH. I started experiencing a vibrating sensation in my chest and as soon as I got into bed every muscle from my feet upwards would be twitching (hope this doesn't sound crazy), to the point I couldn't sleep. After reading some similar posts on here and my friends suggesting it could be the Ramapril I finally saw my GP last Friday. By that time the Ramapril was also causing pain in my kidneys, I have stage 3 kidney disease as well. Thankfully he took my blood pressure which was high and changed me to Candesartan.Within an hour of taking the Candesartan I had the most awful headache and my face was red hot and I felt dizzy. I decided when it came to the evening dose not to take it because I had taken paracetamol for the headache but it wouldn't go. I was also coughing that much my chest hurt. I had pretty much no sleep and still didn't feel well the following day. Spoke with another GP yesterday who has prescribed Amlodipine which I will get today and she also asked me to record my blood pressure twice a day for a week and drop the results into the surgery.
I know you may think I should have persisted with the Candesartan and maybe the side effects would have stopped but I really couldn't take anymore. I was reminded by my sister last night that our dad had a fatal heart attack at age 44 because he wasn't good at taking meds.
Any advice or help gratefully received from all you lovely people.
Written by
Noodlesalad
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When I was diagnosed with high BP over 20 years ago my GP prescribed Irbesartan which is in the same group of drugs as Candesartan and can have similar side effects. I do recall feeling very 'off' for about two weeks but in the end the headaches and slight dizziness went away and I have been taking Irbesartan ever since without issues and it does the job intended. We are all different and we respond to medication differently, so whereas you appear to have had a serious reaction to Candesartan, I didn't in the case of Irbesartan , but if I had been you I would have probably done the same as you and sought an alternative from the GP.
Thank you for your message. I'm usually pretty good at withstanding side effects till they pass I really don't understand why I seem to be having miserable side effects to certain medications at the moment. Maybe the Amlodipine will work for me at the very least I'm hoping to last more than two days without giving in.
I too have had problems with Ramipril and Candesartan. I stuck with the latter for 7 months this year, my BP kept spiking at 200 systolic. BP OK since changing 6 weeks ago. I took Amlodipine for years with no side effects so you should be fine once things settle down.
Ramipril dropped my BP so low I slept all day. Doc changed it to Candesartan and I had exactly the same reaction as you. IT was awful stuff. At that point he took me off BP tablets completely and luckily it's stayed stable. I do a week of BP checks every 6 months and send the results in so he can work out an average.
Thank you for your response. I haven't taken any blood pressure medication today but I'm waiting for the postman to deliver the Amlodipine and I'll try it.
How do you do your BP tests? I used to record the average of three, but I've read that it should be the average of the second and third, and my surgeon said it should just be the second,though IIRC last week he took it only once. My GP nurse notes the second.
When I do take my own multiple readings, I'm puzzled by the noticeable differences: the first can show a systolic reading in the 150s, the second one in the low 140s or even 130s.
I've been on Ramipril most of this year (pre- and post-TAVI) and it's the one pill I've yet to suspect may be giving me unwanted side-effects.
I used to do the best of three readings. However my GP sent me a hypertension log to fill in for a week and it only wants you to do two readings. I'm still adjusting to some health professionals taking my blood pressure while I'm still wearing two layers! Think I'm just old school.Thank you for your response.
I'm sorry to hear of your Blood Pressure Pill problems, Noddlesalad. I can empathise with you. I was on Ramapril full dose for 20 years.
Then I had a body scan as a result of infections and long term persistent cough's, and they found I had Bronchiectasis.
The chest consultant took me off the Ramapril, as he said it may have been causing the cough, and put me on 'Candesartin.'
I also have CLL and my Haematologist noticed that my 'Bloods showed my kidney was malfunctioning. She took me off all BP Pills, and the latest scan shows that my kidneys are now improving.
She feels this kidney malfunction was caused by 'Candesartin'. I am seeing her next week after yet another scan and bloods, and if the kidneys are ok, she will put me back on Ramapril, before she starts treatment for my CLL which is now due.
Different people have different reactions to Blood Pressure pills, what might suit one person, may not suit another. So, it is a question of trial and error, I'm afraid, till you find the one that best suit your needs, and has minimal side effects.
Hang in there, and be politely assertive when asking for tests. Some Health authorities are better than others when accommodating patients.
I find that it is sometimes necessary to ask for a 2nd opinion, and I have done this a couple of times in my life, always with a better result, so don't be afraid to 'Politely Assert'. 😀
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