Hypertension med sensativity

[Maxyz3]

70 yr. Old female wih high blood pressure that has caused thickening of lf side of heart. I have about run out of choices for blood pressure meds, cannot tolerate many i have tried. Caused awful side affects. I have anxiety about this. Can anyone suggest a pb med that is tolarable to someone that is med sensative?

[Celtic]

Maxyz3, I do empathise and sympathise with your situation. My body has thrown up so many intolerable side effects from blood pressure medication, and I’m sure the stress of dealing with both the side effects and those trying to treat me has just pushed my blood pressure to even greater heights. I was even admitted to a renal unit on one occasion to see whether a suitable medication could be found which caused the least side effects whilst at the same time not aggravating my reduced, sole kidney function.

The medication I have been settled on the longest now is Losartan Potassium, Moxonidine and Bisoprolol - the latter mainly to treat a heart valve leak. Losartan was described to me by a highly recommended pharmacist as being one on which his patients experienced the least side effects. As far as the Bisoprolol is concerned, there is an annoying runny nose side effect which, according to my cardiologist similarly affects many people taking it. But, although annoying, it is a very small side effect as side effects go.

Hopefully, one of the aforementioned drugs might help you if you haven’t already tried them, whilst at the same time remembering we are all different and what suits one may not suit another. Lots of good luck wishes.

[Hidden]

I have very similar problems with medications. Recently have started with Candestar which is supposed to be beneficial to CKD. I think they ran out of space on the label as it should read Candestartan. So far experiencing light headed moments, mildly and increased constipation. I'm on a low dose so far of 8 mgs once daily. I have been resisting meds for some years but finding the veracious migraines getting to me left little choice. I suspect the dose will be increased shortly. Not really looking forward to that but will try it and see the results. I'm only 4 weeks into the meds and have generally experienced less severe migraines, but not totally.

[springcross]

Hi Maxy. I'm 71 y.o. female with high BP. A few years ago I eventually tried all of them and the only one that worked for me was Amlodipine but that was not without its problems. Since then I've been on and off them a few times as they are the only ones that seem to work for me but the side effects eventually make me stop. I think my anxiety about what the GP is going to say makes mine worse to be honest. I had stopped another one last week because they make me feel so ill and had a warning from the nurse/practitioner about being at risk of stroke and heart attack and whilst I know she's right, I know that they make me feel like an inhuman being. You don't say what you have tried. The thing is what suits one person may not suit another person. Have you gone back to your GP about it?

[Maxyz3 in reply to springcross]

Hi springcross, i have been on every class there is of the bp meds. I had terrable reactions to them all. The only one i am left with is Verapamil which may be upsettin my stomach and causing lots of gas.

[springcross in reply to Maxyz3]

Hi Maxy..That was like me a few years ago. Dr eventually said that there was nothing more she could give me and that she didn't know what else she could do. I didn't bother going back about it as I was so relieved to be free of all those awful side effects. I am back all these years later though on Amlodipine again and yet again, swollen ankles and feet but it's the only thing that does anything for me. One of the meds I took years ago used to make me bloat so badly that I couldn't do my clothes up and would have to wear belts - I used to look very pregnant and even the Dr commented on it when I walked into her room. How long have you been on Verapamil and is this definitely what it causing your upset stomach?

[Maxyz3 in reply to springcross]

Hi sringcross thank you for responding. I have been on verapamil for over a yr. .120mg. 2 x day. It doesnt keep my bp #s low..i am very nervouse/anxious person which doesnt help.i am 70 yr. Old female ,4ft. 11, weigh 120.

My stomach is bloated like i am 9 months pregnant..i am constantly letting out gas, mornings i am sick to my stomach with gas rolling out of me. I dont have much of an appatite. I am afraid to stop the med and go on something else for fear of side affects. I am a mental mess!

[Maxyz3 in reply to Maxyz3]

Do you remember the med you were on that made you bloated?

[springcross in reply to Maxyz3]

I'm afraid I can't, sorry. There were a couple that did but the one in particular I can't remember. I'd had so many of them. x

[springcross in reply to Maxyz3]

I'm really sorry to hear that Maxy. Have you told your GP about the side effects? If not, maybe it would be worth having a word. I know how you feel though - been there, done that. It really is a nightmare. Have you tried meditation? It's very good for stress (the sort of stress associated with this). There are some on You Tube - one is Yoga Nidra, they do guided meditation which is good. There are other sites too. Have a word with your GP first though, there may be other drugs out now which might work for you. Good luck. I'd be interested to know how you get on. x

[lettingoffsteam]

I was diagnosed with very high bp last year and put on two meds at the same time: ramipril and amlodipine.Now I had a range of horrible side effects but doctors said keep on taking them, which I did.The side effects diminished gradually and my bp is now well controlled.My original bp was 244/133 and I also have a thickened left ventricle which is why they insisted I keep on the same meds as they said they were working and were effective.I'm not saying it was easy...I had a terrible time but I'm glad I persevered.I hope it settles for you.

[cuore]

You do not say which ones you have tried. I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the common classes of blood pressure medications: diuretics (water pill), ACE inhibitor, ARB, and calcium channel blocker. Each of these classes have their own favourite side effect.

Another point to consider is that a low dose will cause lesser side effect, so lower doses of two drugs can be better than a higher dose of one drug only,

One site to consult is drugs.com

You might want to go go back and research each of the drugs you took jotting down the side effect that was personal to you. Then, you may have a picture of what side effects are prone to you.

I am taking Olmesartan 20mg (an ARB) and Amlodipine 5mg (a calcium channel blocker) - two drugs at a lower dose rather than a higher dose of one.

[springcross in reply to cuore]

I always use drugs.com for finding anything out, also rxlist.com is an extremely good site too.

[cuore in reply to springcross]

Absolutely agree with you. Both are good sites.

[rubyred777 in reply to cuore]

What side effects are you getting?

[cuore in reply to rubyred777]

I don't think I am getting side effects from my blood pressure drugs, at least, none that are bothersome. I do wonder about some colouring in my ankles if it is the amlodipine, but there is no swelling.

I am taking Propafenone for my arrhythmia. Since it does have some beta blocker properties, I think it is keeping my heart rate lower.

In the past, in terms of arrhythmia, when I was taking Amiodarone and my GP doubled my Amlodipine from 5mg to 10 mg, I had a large blood pressure drop, felt completely weak and went into continuous arrhythmia for 6 days. I went back to the 5 mg. For me, amlodipine is one to watch for dosage.