Amlodipine

[Plum53]

Hi just an update incase anyone else is finding this . I was given5mg Amlodipine in 2016 after angiogram showed 80% blockage of distal Lad . I had another angiogram in December 2023 and because my bp was up during this I was changed to 10mg Amlodipine . I have noticed my ankles swollen a bit during the day and also left leg a bit bigger than right. Saw Dr yesterday and she has put me back to 5mg she said higher doses of the drug are notorious for causing this. My bp was also on the low side with this dose. Will get bp checked in a fortnight and if ok will continue with the lower dose.

[Blackcatsooty]

thank you Plum

I take nine medications but changed amlodipine for other drugs some years ago. It is hard to tell what effects the medication causes and cures, so it’s good to learn your improvement since lowering the dose.

So many thanks for the info.

Your chemist will do a BP reading, if you don’t want to wait two weeks. And maybe the chemist will be a better place for you. BP does bounce up and down. And is likely to be high at your doctors. This is White Coat Syndrome. I got higher BP readings because I get concerned at getting a higher reading. If that makes sense.

Sooty

[Plum53 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Hi , I have a blood pressure machine at home so do take my own readings. I think Dr wants nurse to check so it can go in my notes. I have only gone back on the lower dose today so hopefully that will be fine. My bp was fine before they put up the dose so will see. Thank you for your reply. X

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Plum53]

That’s ideal. You have your own machine and the surgery will ensure you have reasonable accuracy.

I take my BP once a week, at the same time of day. If I have it done by the professionals it is usually a lot higher. So I do get white coat syndrome.

Best wishes

Sooty

[Plum53 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks.

[Carercmb]

same as you prescribed 5 mg and even on this low dose

Left leg swollen and a rash on ankles.

On review they advised increasing the dose as my BP had lowered but still high 160/80

I decided not to increase it and as a few months went by my BP is settled within normal limits and my leg back to normal.

Sometimes I think it takes time for the body to adjust but we are all different and I was reluctant to go on medication at the time.

If my BP increases I will certainly try a higher dose.

[Plum53 in reply to Carercmb]

Hi I did reply to you but not sure where it’s gone.. so just to say if your bp rises the Dr. Can always try you with a different tablet. I read on here that there are a few alternatives.

[Carercmb]

Thank you for replying.I have settled down 🤞 but yes quite a few of my friends tried 2 or 3 before they settled.

At the time of my swollen ankles and leg I didn’t realise it was the medication !

[Bingo88]

Yes this drug gave me leg ulcers after only being on it 2 days. There are other drugs your doctor could give you. Brian

[Xhouse]

Hi, I'm not surprised your blood pressure was up during the procedure. I were you I'd discuss with the team about taking your own blood pressure and noting the results over a 5 day period. Your GP can supply you with details about how you do this. I've what is known as white-coat syndrome and more and more and more GP's are beginning to acknowledge this. You go the GP s/he takes your blood pressure, tells you it's a little on the high side (naturally, you're getting your bp checked and you may be a little anxious about this), so it's taken again and it's even higher. A natural reaction. But before you know it you're on lifetime bp medication due to GP's not having enough time to sit and talk and take the bp several times as you begin to relax. I've been as high as 190/100 in the GP surgery. My actual real reading is 112/65, and his has been verified by health professionals. I was taken off BP medication when it was making my BP dangerously low.

[Plum53 in reply to Xhouse]

Hi, yes I understand what you’re saying my first reading is always higher. I have my own bp machine so take mine regularly.

[Qualipop in reply to Xhouse]

Same here. If I know I'm going to have BP taken at GP or hospital I do a week of home readings the week before and take it with me to prove white coat syndrome. Driving there also puts my BP up. I also get my BP machine checked once a year by comparing it to he one at the chemist's. At l east the chemist makes you sit quietly for 15 minutes before they do it. Gps just rush you in and out.

[Plum53 in reply to Qualipop]

Yes too true

[Stabbo]

I had to come off Amlodipine because it brought on pains in.my lower back which came eventually into the groin and finally had chest pains. I then stopped taking it and reported. Apparently it can cause a heart attack! I'd been taking low dose for 3 weeks.

[Plum53 in reply to Stabbo]

Oh dear that is worrying. My husband has ( on Drs advice) stopped taking it for the time being because he has leg cramps and this is a side effect some people get.

[PecanSandie]

Same thing happened to me. Was taking 10mg for a long time but my nephro was really offended by my fat ankles so he took me off amlodipine causing a major crisis with my blood pressure (my story is documented somewhere on Health Unlocked). My primary care physician put me back on Amlodipine (but 5 mg this time). It appears that Amlodipine is the only BP drug I take that actually brings down my BP - I don't know why I take the others.

[Plum53 in reply to PecanSandie]

Thank you for your reply, it seems a very common side effect so glad you got it sorted. My husband was on Ramipril and Amlodipine which I was told work better than upping the dose of Ramipril. He had to come off Ramipril because of the annoying cough. Now he is off Amlodipine to see if that is causing his painful legs. Will have to see .

[Plum53 in reply to PecanSandie]

I have just read your posts must have been really worrying for you. Glad it seems to be sorted now.

[PecanSandie]

It was so worrying. My BP was so high I thought my heart was going to pop out of my chest!

[Redheart1943]

I too take Amlodipine/5mg, and have been for years. I’m curious to know if it is your diastolic or systolic that was affected?

[Plum53 in reply to Redheart1943]

I was fine on the 5mg it was doubled after angiogram as they said my bp was high but of course it was high I was stressing what they might find and if they would they stent. Dr said happy to drop dose down to half to hopefully stop the swelling and that my bp was on the low side so should be fine.