Theophyllin side effects or effects of high BP?

[Ghoulette]

Hi all

I hope everyone is as good as can be in these uncertain times. I am on day 3 I think of the 12 week shielding following receipt of the NHS England text.

I started Uniphyllin in January and reached therapeutic level about 4-6 weeks ago (300mg am and 200mg pm). I stopped caffeine and alcohol when I was started on them.

Recently, I have been experiencing headaches and dizzy/floaty spells. At my last AN appointment, it was said that I have high BP and was asked to monitor my BP at home and send a couple of weeks of random readings to the AN, which I have done. I am continuing to monitor at home as well.

I just wonder if the headaches and dizziness could be from the Theophyllin (but would it not have started straight away?) or could it be from the high BP (which I haven't heard anything more from the surgery)?

I know I should probably contact the surgery to check but when attended a couple of weeks ago, the AN asked me to resend the readings as she hadn't looked at them yet. I just don't want to bother them unnecessarily in the midst of all that they are dealing with at the minute so wondered if anyone on here may have some insight please.

Many thanks xx

[Troilus]

Hi Ghoulette.

I would ring your surgery ASAP. You are not bothering them unnecessarily. High blood pressure can be very dangerous.

[Ghoulette in reply to Troilus]

Thank you. I'll try to get through to them xx

[Poobah]

I now have high BP thanks to Spiriva. Headaches and dizziness are symptoms of high BP but I don't know if they are symptoms of anything else. If you've started new meds then the patient leaflet should give a list of side effects.

Sounds like you need to discuss with GP ASAP - if you need meds for BP they can take time to work. The GP will be able to make that decision based on the BP results you've provided.

[Ghoulette in reply to Poobah]

Thanks Poobah. I'll see if I can get in touch with my surgery xx

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi Ghoulette

Headaches and dizziness can be a sign of toxicity, which can build up over time. (It basically means your levels may be too high). It wouldn’t necessarily show up straight away when you started taking them, as levels fluctuate anyway during the day.

Contact your team and explain what’s going on, and see what they suggest

Hope this helps

[Ghoulette in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you Emma. I'll try and get in touch with my surgery xx