Any advice

[katieoxo60]

Hi everyone, recently I was asked by a Gp to take tablets for raised blood pressure. To spite having allergies recorded in the past on such drugs . I have taken the drugs prescribed and reported initial side effects to chemist who said they may subside with longer use. Then last week I had a totally different crisis which is listed on the patient leaflet I stopped the drugs as I realised from my old records that these drugs were stopped before due to adverse reaction and ending up at ENT to eliminate possible cancer. Since stopping the drug I still have ongoing uncontrolled productive cough due to COPD/Asthma and will contact the GP today but has anyone experienced anything like this with their COPD/Asthma.? Not sure there's much me or the GP can do.

[peege]

Hi Katie, I believe there are several different high BP drugs . A close friend who was my daughter's surrogate granny 30 years ago (Hazel had no lung issues) had adverse reactions to them, her GP told her not to worry and they'd try different ones until they found the right one which is exactly what happened. The right one was found and she's 96 now.One of the risks of having high BP is stroke which I wouldn't wish on anyone (my sis had a massive one last September) so I hope you'll persevere and find the right one for you.

All the best. Peege ××

[katieoxo60 in reply to peege]

Thank you, it is about getting the doctor or nurse to persevere it does take time.

[Jaybird19 in reply to katieoxo60]

getting to speak to a doctior is the problem . I was 12 th in queue when I last phoned

[katieoxo60 in reply to Jaybird19]

Hi I go onto the phone back line it took an hour this morning for a ring back and the doctors due to ring back this morning. Then I will have to ring the POD for my repeat prescription which is another hold on line. good job I have one of those cheap anytime calls line.

[Maggie153]

I had to have a few of mine changed around until I found that suited me even though I have to take more they suit me. Do tell gp that you don’t want to try the ones you’ve taken before as you’ve had adverse reaction to them. Good luck Katie I hope they sort you out soon. X

[katieoxo60 in reply to Maggie153]

This is the worst one I have had, now I can't get through to the doctors they are always busy on Monday according to the leaflet it could be any infection in my lung or airways making matters worse. Never mind there is only so much the staff can do in a day.

[Thepainterswife]

Why oh why is it so difficult being poorly these days 😩😩 , vulnerable people could do ,not only with Gp’s , pharmacist , and consultants but a designated secretary to deal with it all !! I hope you get sorted out soon 🤞x

[katieoxo60 in reply to Thepainterswife]

Now that's a brilliant idea Thepainterswife, of course in my case I was a secretary for my groups before lockdown , but these days you have to be a digital secretary as well. When you are ill you not only have to look after yourself , you have to work out what' s wrong and do the paperwork that goes with it. I have to do my own blood pressure and also a copy for the drs record. The tests done and their results seem to only be for the NHS reference not the patients. Now I am being sarcastic I guess, but who is getting paid to look after our health and keep records. And what are our doctors being trained for to press computer buttons or treat and heal us. ?

[Thepainterswife in reply to katieoxo60]

Couldn’t agree more katieoxo and apart from the medical maize there are so many other jobs the general public have become responsible for eg spending hundreds on security for our property because policemen seem to have become extinct , using social media and neighbourhood groups to get help for all manner of things that used to be dealt with by a simple quick phone call and my biggest bugbear - street cleaning ! My neighbour in her 70’s is out every week in all weathers with her bin bag and litter picker and yet since the demise of the street cleaners and other services there’s been no reduction in council tax 😡 Sorry for the rant 😂 but I really think Joe Public has been very craftily taken for a ride over the past few years and sadly it’s the most vulnerable who suffer most

[katieoxo60 in reply to Thepainterswife]

Oh so true many things have become joe publics responsibility nowadays, the list is long. We cannot provide services digitally for all things , so its expected we can do them ourselves. The latest offer in my area is free activities for over sixties who are vulnerable or isolated , but no transport services to get them out and about , just sign up on line. Like you I sometimes get so frustrated I want to scream.

[Thepainterswife in reply to katieoxo60]

🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[Ergendl]

The only blood pressure reducing tablets I can take without side effects ranging from irritating to severe, are indapamide water tablets. After discussing this with my lovely former doctor (now alas retired), I lost about 5 kg in weight even though I had a healthy BMI at the higher weight, and that helped my bp return to normal.

[katieoxo60 in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you Ergendl , Indapamide is one that I can't take I think. Have to check my old records. I have allergies which make things worse. Plus other health issues, the blood pressure is the least of my worries. Its quite intriguing really that the tablets prescribed can cause in rare cases a stroke. Yesterdays consultation was a waste of time really must be downing for the Dr too but sadly I cannot go round coughing , sneezing , bringing up phlegm , so tired I can't think only to be told there's no option. Will have to look and see if I can find an herbal alternative, did suggest it might be the raised pollen but no antihistamine given. It seems these days lots of lesser illness have to be treated with over the counter symptom relievers. Hopefully this is just a flare of my chest condition.

[Ergendl in reply to katieoxo60]

Big virtual ((((hugs)))).

[Pipswhips]

Are you on antihistamine those prescribed a gp.I have a lot medication allergies also hay-fever well.

If not ask your gp if you can have some see if they help with the meds allergies.

I've on fexafedine and immunologist suggested that soon as the pollen season starts I have to double up on them.

And when I had the covid vaccine I double up on them then as well under advise of my gp.

If I have certain antibiotics I come out in a hive rash all over my body luckily it never got to serious and affected my breathing because soon as the rash starts I stop the meds and get intouch with yhe surgery.

I hope this helps aslo keep a check on your blood pressure at home if you csn afford a blood pressure monitor just incase it drops to much then you can show the nurse or Dr the readings so he can adjust the dosage if sny problems

Good luck

[katieoxo60 in reply to Pipswhips]

Well I have to say I thought they might suggest antihistamines , recall having them years ago plus slow K to get rid of swelling, But now NHS mainly deals with only bad illnesses or maintaining chronic care. Thanks for reply

[Patk1 in reply to Pipswhips]

im on fenofexadine.they are gd.u can buy 120mg otc now.what strength do u double up to? X

[katieoxo60 in reply to Patk1]

Many Thanks I may try them to counter the cough from the pollen ect.

[Patk1 in reply to katieoxo60]

Certainly worth a try.when pollens high,I also take loratine( over the counter antihistamine). A friend of mine with no chest probs,developed a constant cough and tight chest,due to beta blockers for BP.dr changed them,cough etc cleared x

[katieoxo60 in reply to Patk1]

I'm sure its the bp tablets but it could be something else and with the pollen so high its easy for them to say hay fever, I'm going to Hospital tomorrow so see what they think as someone said they are the specialist in breathing problems. Bye for now

[watergazer]

Sorry can’t advise in any way but wish you well xx

[Caspiana]

Hello Katie. I'm sorry to read about this. I don't know what to advise except there are many kinds of BP drugs out there. I really wish I could help but I'm afraid I am at a loss. But I hope you get help soon. Much love to you. xx🌷

[Alberta56]

i hope you get this sorted soon, Katie. It's a right b*****. xxx