Swollen ankles

[Sunshinebrew]

My feet ankles and lower legs have become swollen over the last week, they swell during the day being worse in the evening and go down overnight, being okay by morning. I have microvascular angina and have just begun to feel better after a flare up and so have felt able to increase my activity as in longer walks and household tasks being on my feet more. I was prescribed amlodipine for an artery spasm and have been taking it for 3 months I know one of the side effects is swollen ankles but they have just happened since upping my activity so wouldn't a side effect happen in the first few weeks? I'm worried about heart failure? I'll be seeing the GP next week and the cardiologist in December but just wondered if anyone here can offer advice on heart failure please?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I was on Amlodipine over three years ago so my memories may be slightly hazy in this. As I recall odema was not a problem initially but then appeared and got worse over time. I was given a diuretic which helped but ultimately was taken off Amlodipine. You need to talk to your GP.

[Sunshinebrew in reply to MichaelJH]

That's quite reassuring thanks I'll speak to My GP.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Sunshinebrew]

Amlodipine is what is known as a CCI (calcium channel inhibitor). Another one, Diltiazem, did not cause odema. I tend to think why take two meds if one can do the same.

[Sunshinebrew in reply to MichaelJH]

I'm taking the amlodipine to treat an artery spasm and have only just started to feel better and increase my activity I have microvascular angina and 3 stents, it's difficult to get the medication right isn't it.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sunshinebrew]

Hi Sunshinebrew,

I' m on both Amlodipine and Diltiaziem for my Microvascular and vasospastic angina.

I have no problems with swollen ankles.

Do talk to your Cardiologist about your concerns and they can do a blood test if necessary to check how well your heart muscle is working.

It usually is very much trial and error to get the best treatment for Microvascular and vasospastic angina.

[Gladwyn in reply to MichaelJH]

When you stopped taking Amlodipine did the odema stop too?

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Gladwyn]

Not that long - about one to two weeks. I also stopped the diuretic. And my ankles reappeared even though they are not pretty! ☹️

[Gladwyn in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks that's interesting. I'll ask GP if it's OK to stop my Amlodipine. I think I was prescribed them to help reduce my BP. I have such a problem with swollen legs feet and ankles. I retain so much water it restricts my breathing too. I have severe emphysema so it doesn't help.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Gladwyn]

Currently because the BP guidelines for diabetics are lower than for the general populace I am on Lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor) and Bisoprolol (beta blocker). The Bisoprolol was added post bypass to lower pulse with a reduction of the Lisinopril dose.

[Gladwyn in reply to MichaelJH]

Did the Lisinopril make you cough? I coughed almost non stop for 2 weeks after starting the pills plus had lousy indigestion and felt really ill so much so that a friend said I looked awful and my husband took the day off from work saying he wasn't leaving me looking as I did. GP said I was having an exacerbation. I said I wasn't. He confirmed I had type 2 diabetes. Next day he rang for an ambulance as I was having HA. I blame the pills! 😏

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Gladwyn]

Only insomuch that the cough accompanying a cold seems to linger longer but to me that is a price worth paying for good BP control having had issues with other medications.

Like stains there is a range of ACE inhibitors and another may suit you better. There are also ARBs. Some diuretics are also used for BP control. Sorting out medication can occasionally take some time.

[Gladwyn in reply to MichaelJH]

Yes thank you, it can take a while.