New to BP meds - feel yuk!

[rayray100]

hello, I’m 39 and have just been diagnosed with high blood pressure (needed a spell in hosp where I was diagnosed with malignant hypertension) and have started on 10mg Ramipril and 5mg Amlodipine daily. Before diagnosis I would have never have known anything was up as I was feeling fine except for a headache. I’m 6 days into treatment and feel tired, dizzy, heart feels like it’s racing/that awful anxiety feeling, and have random pains around my chest area (different locations) - is this to be expected? If so just wondering how long can I expect to enjoy feeling like this for? Thank you!

[Hidden]

Hello

I was maybe just slightly younger than you when I first found out I was suffering with high blood pressure and I actually went to the Doctors with something else when it was spotted

I was never happy about going on blood pressure tablets but knew I needed them and at first I felt quite ill and thought I don't think much to these

But as my body adjusted to them I stopped noticing I was taking them

See how you go give it a few weeks to see if you settle down if not then talk with your Doctor they can look at other blood pressure meds , dosages etc till they get it right to suite you

If it does get worse though let them know straight away but hopefully you won't need to

Let us know how you get on x

[Hidden]

Some meds come with side effects, which can be long lasting or temporary, and importantly we all react differently. When I started on Irbesartan for high BP a number of years ago, I certainly felt 'different' for several days but it slowly passed. I suggest you give it a few more days then if your side effects persist talk to your GP who may able to adjust the doses or change the medication. But do not change anything with consulting your GP first.

[Hidden]

very interested in what you have written. I have been put on 20mg lisinopril and 25mg of spironolactone. To help my congenital heart defect. Basically to bring blood pressure down and to assist the heart. I have felt weird. Light head, dizzy when getting up quick. And my anxiety is through the roof, even though iam on fluoxetine. However iam now trying my tablets in the evening and just before bed. To see if it helps me get through tbe day. I have asked both doctor and cardiac nurses if this is ok and they said fine. So i will give it a go and see how it goes for the next two weeks. The troubles is what i want to know is if your body has been use to high blood pressure for a number of years and then you bring it down via tablets within a few months does this effect you in different ways, due to the sudden change. I was interested in the feelings that you have had as i have had similar.

[devonian186]

Ramipril is known to make you dizzy and that is quite a high initial dose. Have you a blood pressure machine? If so it would be useful to take readings to see the effect. If you don't they can be bought for a few pounds from your local chemist.

[lettingoffsteam]

This is absolutely my experience when I was diagnosed in 2019.I was started on 5mg ramipril and 10mg amlodipine. I felt exactly the same way re. anxiety and chest pains. It takes a few months for your body to get used to the meds and lower bp but you will get there. I lost a lot of weight and was able to halve my dose of both meds which made me feel better but it took time.

Try not to worry and give it time as you will start to settle down. Good luck!

Best Wishes,

Lorraine

[Hearty77]

hi I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis of high blood pressure, although it’s reassuring that you’re now being treated for it. Both of tge drugs you have been prescribed come with side effects and I agree with devonian186 that 10mg of rampiril is quite a high initial dose. Checking your blood pressure is always a good thing to do but I’d suggest speaking with your GP to seek their advice, they may be able to adjust the dose or if nothing else reassure you. Your body will adjust over time and often the side effects reduce but I’d always recommend discussing with your GP. Good luck and it really is a positive that your high BP has been spotted and is being treated. Take care.

[Crofton23]

Don’t stress about it. It’s very common to feel a bit strange when starting new medication. Ramapril can make you feel a bit dizzy to start with. After a few weeks you will feel fine. If not talk to a Doctor and discuss maybe changing your meds. Good luck.