Change of meds

Hi everybody, I have had a busy week, though not the kind I would like! Heart failure clinic, cardiologist and GP twice! I am def keeping the NHS busy hmm, my cardiologist has changed my meds again, third time since diagnosis in Feb, I started on ramipril, then changed on to candesartan and now sacubitril and valsartan, they have reduced my diuretics from three to two, and my bisoprolol, is staying the same, I haven't started the new ones yet the chemist (boots) had to phone the manufacturer for them?! I was just wondering if anyone else takes them, and how they got on with them, I have low blood pressure so thats a bit of a worry, on a cheerier note myself and my other half are off to Belfast in the morning for a short break, really looking forward to getting away for a couple of days 😊 xx

[jokelly]

The Valsartan and Candesartan group are to control blood pressure and I also took first the former and am now on 24 mg Candesartan. Ramipril I also tried and it made me cough and cough. Bisoprolol was also prescribed for lowering heartbeat and BP but this drug had a very bad effect on me and made me feel fatigued and heavy all the time. I used to take Flecainide to steady the heartbeat also, so I have been on most of the drugs you now have (oh yes, Benzfluorazide also diuretic - still take that one) . It is quite a cocktail which doctors often change as some suit where others don't, so it is very much up to you to be able to describe and convey how you feel to your doctors. If your blood pressure is too low, then it does sound like an overkill of those drugs which control it. I have in the past refused both Ramipril and Bisoprolol but this is not to say you won't tolerate them. However, in your circumstances I would question the dosage of BP lowering drugs. Have a good time in Belfast - my husband comes from there and we have had many stays in the Lisburn area.

[Hidden in reply to jokelly]

Thanks we are looking forward to it, the ramipril gave me a cough which I have still got, so annoying in the middle of the night, they seemed to think the candesartan wasn't working too well so they would try the new ones, I suppose it's just trial and error to see how it works with my blood pressure which can be a nightmare, so fingers crossed xx

[Adswoodartist]

I am on Ramipril and it doesn't cause any problems yet my friend has just started on it and it makes her cough a lot. So it doesn't suit everybody. I have never heard of the other tablets you mention so can't help you there, sorry.

[Hidden]

I was taken off Ramipril and put on Amlodopine as it was affecting my kidney function

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi I hope that has made a difference, it is good that they keep an eye on the kidney function, I hope the change has made a difference x

[Debmcknight]

Hi

Yes I too had problems with the meds was diagnosed in Feb this year and felt terrible until ablation in July

Had a tia in march and was a zombie for time I was on bisoprolol

8 weeks post ablation off beta blocker and so far so good

Wishing you well

Please feel free to text anytime

Deb

[Hidden in reply to Debmcknight]

Hi I think sometimes the meds are worse than the condition they are meant to help! It is so much trial and error, I have been so tired since I started them, mabe the new ones will be better fingers crossed 🤞 x

[Ravi1000]

Hi

Get a decent BP monitor record your finding when you feel bad them take to cardiologist and get him to adjust . I did this when on bisoporol 2.5 then 1.25 until they took me off it within 3 months. Now on ramipril 1.25 every other day BP much better, however it's not being used for BP but to reduce re modelling of arteries, makes me pee a bit and now and then I get a cough but not severe enough to warrant changing yet. Been on it for nearly a year.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Ravi1000]

Thanks I never thought of that, but I will def look into, I still have a cough drives me nuts in the middle of the night grr x

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Hi Chaz. I've been taking sacubitril and valsartan (instead of my previous enalapril maleate) since the start of this year. I was worried about it, having read some horror stories online, but I didn't suffer any adverse side effects (other than EXTREME dizziness, for the first week only) and feel like they have been easing my symptoms. Hard to say because I started on an intravenous iron trial around the same time and my heart function hasn't improved, but I've definitely had more energy. I had to see my heart failure liaison nurse to keep an eye on my already low blood pressure (no change) and my kidney function (since I've had issues with that previously) but it's all been fine and I'm not having to be so closely monitored any more.

I've had some problems with the chemist not being able to get the stock for my prescription, but I try to make sure not to leave it until the last minute and now that they know I'm going to be taking it long-term, they always try to have at least a couple of packets in stock at all times.

Good luck, hope the new medications work out well. And, maybe even more importantly, enjoy your time away!

[Hidden in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Hi and thanks, good to here someone else is taking them without too much ill effects, I will be careful when I start them which will be Wednesday I think, I have not to take my candesartan for 48 hours, before I start them, so fingers crossed 🤞 they will help xx

[Richard762]

Hi. I’m on my 3rd month of taking sacubitril/valsartan. Heart failure centre have been increasing the dose each month I have a check up. I’ve had no noticeable side effects since taking them instead of the ramipril. I’m taking 5 other drugs also. I feel I can do more than before. I do get tired late afternoon after work and I’ve learnt not to rush around after standing up. Always pause before walking off. I have to get my pills from the hospital 4 times before I can collect them from a chemist. So far there have been no problems after each blood test. Enjoy your break away.

[Hidden in reply to Richard762]

Hi good to hear that, they do seem to be working quite well for a lot of people, I feel much more confident about taking them now I know how others are managing, thanks x

[skid112 Heart Star]

Ramipril has also given me a cough, more noticeable last few weeks and very irritating at 2 am.

Have a great time in Belfast, come back refreshed

[Hidden in reply to skid112]

It def is grr, hotel is lovely and it's dry! So far so good, 😊 x

[skid112 Heart Star]

If you get a chance pop into the cloth ear for a beer, they may have some live music on top

[Hidden in reply to skid112]

Will do ta x

[Kwik-Fit]

Hi Chaz i have been taking Bisoprolol 5mg x 1 per day to lower my blood pressure. I see you have low blood pressure so beware.

My father in law recently was ill and when i checked out all his medications i was shocked to discover he was taking 3 different tablets a day to lower his blood pressure. He spent a week in Hospital with guess what Low Blood Pressure. However credit to the Hospital as they also noticed his pill combination and stopped 2 of them and he has been feeling much better since. p/s get well soon. and to check your pills go to medications.com i found it very usefull in identifying tablets that should not be taken together. Good Luck

[Hidden in reply to Kwik-Fit]

Hi and thanks for your reply, I think I have to stick with the bisoprolol and the side effects! but Now that I am starting the new meds I can reduce the ferusomide from two a day to one but still have to take the spirolactane, I will cross fingers that the new ones are ok x

[Lolalacey]

Does anyone find there meds make them feel really cold an itchy all over