Amlodipine Help

[Junglegirl_1998]

Hello everyone, I am a complete newbie to this site which has been recommended to me for a place to find help and friendship. I have been given Amlodipine, I have had very high blood pressure for years 200 range, a lot of the BP meds Rampipril family make me very ill. However, I am a Type 1 diabetic after having only 2 doses of this drug I have had severe stomach cramps with the runs, and also more worryingly my blood sugars have jumped. Researching this a little I know it has problems, any alternatives that won’t do this, that can be taken at night time and have no Ramipril connotations. Thanks for any help

[Fordcar]

They all have different side effects. Watch for allergic reaction

[Junglegirl_1998 in reply to Fordcar]

Thank you for your reply, I have been noted as allergic to Ramipril on my records.

[Ropa511]

Personally I have found Amlodipine to be the most difficult bp drug of the lot to tolerate.

If the side effects continue to be troublesome, ask about the possibility of going on an ARB and/or a diaretic. Whilst not without their problems I have found these drugs to be far better to deal with in terms of their side effects.

But everyone is different...its just a matter of finding whats right for you.

Good luck! ❤️

[Junglegirl_1998 in reply to Ropa511]

Thank you for your reply, I have had issues for years with BP meds one GP actually commented that I was screwed as far as the current BP meds were concerned. Being diabetic brings an added complication to everything.

[Happyrosie]

And chat to your pharmacist too - they are knowledgeable about effects of drugs and drug inter reactions.

Assume that your diet and weight control is good? If not, perhaps pay attention to that

[Junglegirl_1998 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi, thank you for your response. Weight is an issue I have struggled with for a long time, and still continue to do so. It will no doubt help a lot if I liked fruit/veg, fish and water. None of which I can tolerate.

I did think about pharmacy and will try to contact them once Covid has calmed down, at the moment they don’t answer their phones.

[Happyrosie in reply to Junglegirl_1998]

I’m slightly worried that you can’t tolerate water. Water is such a valuable thing for your health... if you struggle with your weight, just drinking a glass of water when you feel hungry (when it’s not a mealtime) will help.

Also, not having vegetables will definitely affect your health the wrong way. What about trying to get referred to a dietician?

[Junglegirl_1998 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi Happyrosie, please don’t be concerned. I have been diabetic for over 40 years and the medical profession/dieticians basically seem more concerned about changing my type of insulin as it is animal based.

I did once see a dietician and they did absolutely nothing to help me out, I think I am that one patient that no one wants to come through their door ...lol.

Ever since being little I haven’t liked water, mainly because it’s bloating and uncomfortable and I don’t like that feeling. I can stomach some but could never drink the amount that is recommended for good health.

As for vegetables again I have a small amount not a wide variety so I do have some but I have never liked fruit, again I can have a small amount of some but it’s the last thing I would reach for as a snack.

Dairy I was weaned off as a newly diagnosed diabetic as it’s a food and can alter the balance, a recent brush with a rheumatoid specialist who wanted me to increase diary met with objections from the diabetic team who didn’t want any increase in my dairy intake, I think they still discuss this from time to time.

[Littlenairny]

On the contrary, I had to come off Amlodipine because of side effects (constant palpitations) and am very happy with Ramipril. Everyone is different.

[Brisk61]

How about a diabetic specialist review, most services are back to normal and they should be able to sort this out. People with diabetes often develop B/p I believe in going to the experts . Good luck, hope u get sorted soon as it is a worry.

[Junglegirl_1998 in reply to Brisk61]

Thank you for your response. I am in the process of trying to arrange an appointment - hopefully this won’t be too far in the future.

Diabetics are definitely prone to BP , mine has always proved to be a bit of a conundrum for them.

[Junglegirl_1998]

Quick update, having used the econsult service my GP has instructed that I immediately stop taking Amlodipine and is switching me to candesartan, having read about the the side effects to this one and checking it out on the Yellow Card Reporting Scheme website, it’s almost as scary.

Fingers crossed.

Thank you everyone for your help so far.

[springcross in reply to Junglegirl_1998]

Good luck with the Candesartan. My husband has been taking it for a couple of years and is OK with it, but we are all different I suppose. I get on with Amlodipine apart from it making my feet and ankles swell and a spotty rash up the fronts of my lower legs but it controls my BP. x