Going to start the dreaded medication

[DeanSamson]

Hello everyone,

I have PKD, diagnosed about 4 years ago, my blood pressure remains the same at around 143/91. The doctors say this is to high and I neph says its needs to be lower than 135/85 other I should consider starting medication.

The drug I have been given is ramipril, I haven't started it yet as I'm a little nervous as you here the horror stories. And to be honest Im not able to be off work due to dizzyness or other side affects. I know it effects everyonw differently and I might not even get side effects. So does anyone have and experience taking this drug and what should I expect when I first start it. The does is 1 tablet per day Im sure its 2.5mg. I'm going to have to start it sooner or later.

Thanks In advance.

[Ropa511]

143/91 is a little high but maybe you should continue to explore lifestyle options to get it down. Also is that measurement taken at the GPs surgery or at home????

If you take your BP at home whilst relaxed and after sitting quietly for 5 minutes you may well find it is quite a bit lower.

If you do go down the Ramipril route in my experience it is one of the better drugs...you will feel groggy for the 1st few days and then start to adapt to it. But it can cause a persistent cough.

So in short as your BP is actually fairly borderline, and almost certainly you are not in any immediate danger, I would go back to your GP and firstly ask if you can buy a BP monitor and take readings at home, and secondly explore the option of lifestyle changes that you can realistically put in place before you do go down the medication route....which is something best delayed until the need is undeniable, and all other options have been exhausted.

Good luck!

[Hidden]

I'm CKD and have lost track of the number of BP meds I have reacted to. As you say they can effect everyone differently. You really have to suck it and see, you could be fine, there is only one way to find out. I usually get a reaction after around 2 weeks of medication and keep at it for 3 weeks to ensure it is the meds and not something else going on at the same time. I keep trying as there could one day be a BP pill my body accepts.

My BP is typically 150/100 and I don't worry about it. It hasn't been able to be controlled in 20 years of it. Even with diet and lifestyle changes. My highest recorded BP was 260/180 at hospital and I really felt like I was going to burst a blood vessel.

I do monitor it daily, I have my diabetes under control through diet and my kidneys are now stable. I have not yet found a BP pill that hasn't effected my kidney function results.

At some point it may become time to mitigate my health issues but not yet.

If you do get yourself a BP monitor take it with you on your next Dr's visit to check it against their BP monitor so you know how they compare.

[Happyrosie]

Hello Dean. I’m concurring with the other posters, and to add that my husband was on ramipril without side effects. And with y our condition it’s even more important to keep your BP under control, starting with diet and lifestyle (I expect you’ve already done that).

Have you read the Blood Pressure UK website? It’s helpful.

[DeanSamson]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to check it again next week. I'm losing weight to try and lower the readings. Even tho I'm not that overweight really. I checked it the other day and it was 141 over 81. I do have a BP monitor and check it at home. I'm really wanting it in check to help with the pkd. My kidney function is normal with a egfr of 90> just want to get the BP in check. Totally unsure whether I start them or not. 😬😬😬