New to high blood pressure medication

[Pollypuss]

I have just been given 1.25 mg of Ramipril as my blood pressure was slightly high. However I feel extremely weak and tired and have to sit down a lot. Is this normal as I have to look after my husband who is diasabled?

[Happyrosie]

often your body has to,get used to a new medication, so it’s too soon to tell. If it’s really disabling you might have a word with the pharmacist employed by your doctors group of surgeries, who would have access to your notes and might suggest something different to your GP.

Have a look at the website of Blood Pressure UK where you might find some,help.

[Taviterry]

That 1.25mg is a low dosage, I'm on 2.5mg and the mother of a friend has just had her amount reduced from 10mg. But since my TAVI heart op in July 2023, I've had periods of slight and deep fatigue. I've had various blood tests and consultations with several specialists (with some disagreement among them) who could find no reasons for the deep fatigue (that led to three visits to A & E last year). My own theory now is that with my haematocrit and red blood cell count being on the low side for many years, my new heart valve, Ramipril and Clopidogrel have made me slightly anaemic.

The fact sheet that comes with Ramipril mentions that (only) up to 1 in 1,000 people have a decrease in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets or in the amount of haemoglobin. But up to 1 in 10 feel tired.

[wattsy1985]

Hi Pollypuss, I would suggest reaching out to either the Doctor or Pharmacist to see what they say, Everyone reacts differently to medication and everyone has there own story, for example i take both Ramipril and bisoprolol(Up to 15mg at one point) yet ive never had any issues but then you will read others that take smaller amounts really struggling. Only you know how you are feeling. Sometimes it does take a little time for the body to adjust and to settle, other times a change of medication is required.

[Eglatine]

I had the same problem with Ramipril, Amlopidine, Losartan, and others. For me the solution was to take half a tablet for a couple of weeks and then nibble my way up to a full tablet. But you need your GP to be sure there’s nothing else causing it and be happy. I should add that my BP wasn’t extremely high and I’m 61.

[TaffinSussex in reply to Eglatine]

Hi, not wishing to hijack a post, but can I ask please which med you're currently on as have tried Diltiazem Amlodapine and now Losartan and have to stop this one due to debilitating side effects. Losartan and the other 2 have caused many issues...Losartan has caused serious eye and vision problems and feet and ankles swelling as well as other problems. I've been on Losartan for 7 weeks. I've been advised whilst Ramipril may be better suited for me, the pharmacist advised, it would cause a cough and I have a cough on Losartan and am very hoarse. I am losing the plot with all the side effects I keep getting from everything I take. 😪 They're issues that get worse too not better with time as in the very beginning I was ok.

[Eglatine in reply to TaffinSussex]

Hi, please bear in mind that my BP is only slightly raised, (I have MVA), and I didn’t have any of the more serious side effects such as the cough or swollen legs. I’m currently taking 1.25mg Ramipril and 2.5mg Amlodipine which started as half tablets as I decided I wanted to persevere because of the long term benefits. Actually I’ve had tolerance issues with all the heart and BP drugs except for Ranolazine which, together with the warmer weather has made such a massive difference, making me able to function again.

[TaffinSussex in reply to Eglatine]

Hi, glad to hear you're improving and reaping good benefits. Long may they continue 😊

[Babsiom in reply to TaffinSussex]

Me too. What is it with this medication that causes so many issues? Amlodapine made my knee swell when they increased it to 10mg. The. Ramipril caused flushing and headaches, then Losartan which made my chest so tight that they gave me a spray for angina. Now on Felodipine and propranolol 10mg, I can’t breathe. I was better too before at the beginning. Let’s keep supporting each other we will get there xx

[TaffinSussex in reply to Babsiom]

Oh so you too have had lots of side effects! It's scary what they can cause tbh. Today I decided I'd try spacing out the doses as was reading that Bisoprolol can interact with Losartan if taken together...so I took my Bisoprolol first then an hour later my Apixaban and I will take the Losartan in a while. I already split my doses anyway by halving the Bisoprolol and Losartan to an a.m and p.m dose. My surgery really do not seem to care what they give me and I'm left to my own devices to manage side effects.

Keep in touch...you can inbox me if you like xx

[Murderfan58]

I take 10mg Ramipril a day have have done so for well over 10 years . It may be the increase of Ramipril making you tired and weak. When was the last time you had a full blood test including a fastening cholesterol test? Something else may be happening and needs medication or it could be just looking after your husband taking it's toll and your body is forcing you to slow down .

I looked after my husband until he died in 2004 ,then both my parents and mother in law . I didn't realise how much it affected my health until after mom died in 2017.

Do you have any help looking after your husband? I was a lot younger than you when I looked after others but did it on my own . But it cost me that much I didn't realise I was seriously ill with jaundice caused by 2 of my tablets I had been on since 1992. A few weeks after my mom's funeral..

If you don't have help could you get some even if it was for a few hours so you could rest and do want you wanted . You will feel better physically and mentally. Even if it's only going for a walk and having a drink at a local cafe. You will always find someone talk to.

I don't know what else to say but you do need help 🌹

[Pollypuss in reply to Murderfan58]

Thank you for your excellent response . Yes I do find looking after someone disabled very exhausting . Yes I must get someone in to do the housework once a month. It’s also the anticipating mentally what he may do which could be harmful . I only take the lowest dose of ramipril but I feel exhausted since o started. My doctor is trying me on something else today so hopefully that might work

[Murderfan58 in reply to Pollypuss]

I was born disabled but didn't get my diagnosis until 2022 when I was 63 as it's rare . But I was lucky enough to grow up in a large extended family who didn't treat me as different . All the children on the estate I grew up on went to the same infant and junior school. So used to me being in constant pain and falling over all the time . High school was when I realised I was different and bullied for 5 years and it had lots of stairs which I fell up and down every day.

But my dad always said no such word as can't . I was lucky enough to meet a man that didn't care about my problems he loved me for me we where eachothers other half and made a whole . Like you and your husband.

My husband had grade 4 malignant melanoma and we always knew he wouldn't live 5 years. He lived 3 and died 4 days after his 47th birthday. My dads heart gave out in 2007 I helped mom look after him but dad told me 2 days before he died he had enough and would die soon . Thankfully he died in his sleep but mom didn't realise he was dead until she called my brother and me over .

My mother in laws heart gave out. Even though I hated that woman for 40 years I couldn't not look after her. Her brother and sister in law only turned up at the hospital after she died. I had sat by her bed for 15 hours a day the last 2 days of her life because she was family and my husband had loved her but didn't like her.

Mom lived with me last 18 months of her life she had cancer and dementia. Mom died 4 months before her body did. Some people make out dementia and Alzheimer's violence is abuse it's not it's fear . My mom didn't know who she was , where or who I was . She thought I was her mom . But for all dementia took from her she always knew when she needed the commode as her greatest fear had been wetting or soiling the bed. When she first came to live with me she insisted on wearing a pad but I only used like a thick tena lady but Sainsbury's own .

But I did have my mom back for her few lucid moments when she sang the songs her dad taught her.

I haven't told you this because I think I am a brilliant person . But to show I understand how hard it is looking after others and you get lost . I had no life after my husband died I existed . I never want anyone to feel like that as it was horrible but I didn't realise at the time what was happening.

I didn't have a life until I was 61 and moved here now I live my life to the full. I will be 67 end of the month .

That's why you need help and hopefully you will get it. You can't do it all on your own even looking after your husband you need a life to . 🌹

[Pollypuss in reply to Murderfan58]

Thank you

[Badger1966]

we are all different on these types of medications, all I will say is listen to what your body is telling you to do . I tried 6 different medications before I found the right one for myself. You decide as you alone are taking this medication.

Regards Badger

[Blackknight57]

I’m on a lot of bp lowering meds, although I’m in range 107/75, I feel horrid at times , cardiologist said my body got used to my higher range and lower range feeling is normal until body adjusts. Normally before meds I was at 138/79. At time of ha my bp was over 200.

[Pollypuss]

Thank you to all who replied to my BP moan. I’ve met quite a few people who don’t feel like me and others who have a nap in the day because they feel so tired.so it’s a real jungle to get through . However someone who is on a high dose said it’s either putting up with it …..or the alternative.