Possibly getting off exforge

[CaptainHypochondriac]

I've had some strange health issues over the last 5-6 years and starting to wonder whether it's the exforge because I can find no other cause of this. Years ago, I think after I started exforge, I started to get random aches and pains in my arms and hands, but it was not so bad so I generally ignored it. Then after a few years I noticed that I would get a random twitch in my biceps or legs, it would sort of flutter for a minute or so then stop. Then early last year I started twitching all over, which the neurologists said is fasciculations. The muscle at the base of my thumb, the muscles around my arms and legs, and even my torso and face would twitch. It's been an awful experience.

I saw three neurologists who all basically came to the conclusion that what's happening to me is benign, but also possibly an electrolyte imbalance or metabolic disorder. When I do blood tests(and I've had so many), my Potassium is often at 5.0 but never above, and my Phosphate is either very low and out of range, or just within range. Magnesium always normal, same for Calcium, Sodium, etc. My ESR and CRP fluctuates between elevated and out of range, to normal. When I take a specific type of Magnesium supplement(I've tried several), it seems to improve my symptoms a little. I have yet to see a Cardiologist, but my GP has no idea what is going on with me.

I started on exforge over 7 years ago because my BP was around 148/100 or something high like that. I'm in generally good health, cholesterol is a little high but not terrible, I'm not at all overweight(I'm tall and skinny), and all my other blood tests are always normal(normal thyroid, normal kidney, liver, etc.). So also not sure why I have hypertension either. My BP is now usually around 120/70 which is really good. I've been thinking though that my twitching might be caused by exforge. But I'm wondering if anyone else ever experienced anything like this? Exforge is a combo of Amlodipine and Valsartan. I take the one that does not include Hydrochlorothiazide. I thought about stopping it for a while, like 1-2 months, to see what might happen, but I'm also wondering how long would it take to leave my system? Also wondering if it causes anyone any metabolic disorder or electrolyte imbalance?

[Happyrosie]

Hello Captain Hypochondriac (love the name!).

As your pre-medication BP readings were not in that high (unless you are in your twenties or thirties???) I am faintly surprised that you are on medication for it at all. Has your health professional not talked about lifestyle changes? Diet? Exercise? I see you are normal height/weight, though hypertension doesn't have to be caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. It can just, well, happen!

If you have not already done so, read the website of Blood Pressure UK and see if you can glean any hints from there. For instance, cutting down on salt can be beneficial.

But finally, and more importantly, if you feel that your BP medication causes your symptoms then there are plenty of other BP medications around that might suit you better, so I think a GP consultation is in order.

[CaptainHypochondriac in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you for the quick reply! When I originally checked my BP and got those readings, I was around 32-33 years old. I'm 40 now. My GP did tell me I need to exercise and eat healthier, two things I did not really do much of for a long time. That's a good idea, I should probably just go back and ask my GP what my options are for medication and try switching, or stopping for a few months to see what happens.

I guess what I'm curious about is whether others who take BP lowering medication experience any odd side effects relating to metabolism or electrolytes. Since everyone is different, for someone else who might experience low Magnesium and feel no side effects, my body may be reacting with twitching.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to CaptainHypochondriac]

I take amlodipine and ramipril and my potassium is on the low side.When we lowered the ramipril it improved so we assumed that was the reason but maybe not.I have had random pains in my chest, arms, wrists etc.I had a ct angiogram to rule out angina so maybe that was amlodipine.I seem to have got used to it now.

[CaptainHypochondriac in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Thanks for the reply! Yes, early on when I started exforge, I had pain in my hands and arms, sometimes an ache in my chest as well. That seemed to come and go over the years. So I wondered if that evolved into what I'm experiencing now. I read a few articles about how it might affect Potassium, I wonder if it also might affect other minerals such as Magnesium.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to CaptainHypochondriac]

Yes, I've wondered about magnesium but never had it tested.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to CaptainHypochondriac]

Yes, I've wondered about magnesium but never had it tested.