Ace inhibitors versus arbs

[sigk]

I am new to the forum. I have taken blood pressure medication for a number of years: 25mg Atenolol; 2.5mg Ramipril and as these didn't control BP, bendroflumathiazide was added. With the medication BP was around 145/75. My GP stopped bendroflumothiazide last year. Ramipril was increased, but BP was still too high. Then started the search for a pill that would work! Losartan ( caused an irregular heartbeat), Candasartan caused exhaustion and dizzyness and BP continued to rise. Finally, one that worked: Felodipine BP now 120 odd over 80. As time went on, joint pain increased to the point where it kept me awake at night, feet and lower legs became increasingly swollen and facial flushing became permanent. 5mg was reduced to 2.5 without significant benefit. I begged the GP to put me on Ramipril again. I had expected that the pressure may well rise again initially, but didn't expect that even when the dose of Ramipril was increased to 10mg per day after four weeks that the BP would still be rising. It was now 170ish over 95ish! I was now told that ACE Inhibitors can cause a rise (and I now wonder whether I would have had high BP at all if I had never taken Ramipril?! ) I have again been prescribed 2.5mg Felodipine but now with 1.5mg Indapamine. Unhappy about being on Felodipine again, and am wondering whether to ask to try another ARB - I would even be willing to give Candasartan another go! If ACE Inhibitors raise my BP would an ARB do similarly? I understand that they work in the same way.

Thanks for reading this - I am getting desperate and have started getting flashing eyes and dizzyness when the BP peaks.

[Happyrosie]

Oh dear sigk this sounds like you’ve been through - are still going through - a journey!

Your question might be a bit technical for us forumites - we are all just sufferers from raised BP like you. there’s not going to be many people with exactly your symptoms and medication, who have been through the same sort of journey.

Saying that, I do have a couple of thoughts. The first is to talk things through with your pharmacist since most of them know a lot more about medication, their side effects and inter-reactions than doctors.

The second is diet and lifestyle: You probably have gone through this a long time ago and know all about it, but it might be worth just looking again at your food intake and the amount of exercise you do. The charity Blood Pressure UK is helpful on this aspect.

I wish you well.

[sigk in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you Happyrosie. I am dieting currently, and it is slow going! I do agree that exercise is important, and I have not been doing too much lately. In fact, since March I have not been out doing the usual things like shopping. I now only do click and collect. Even dog walking has changed and is now less energetic! I do notice how unfit I have become. Things are different now aren't they? I wonder how much the stress of the situation relates to BP.

[Happyrosie in reply to sigk]

I’m very lucky, sigk, that I live near a wood and within seven minutes can be walking in glorious British countryside. When Covid started it was, for me, a rather magical time as the weather was so good and the bluebells out! Slightly more difficult now to find a walk where it isn’t dangerously slippery.

I too get most shopping delivered but still go to a farm shop for fresh food. It’s very safe there I find.

Whilst we do rely on the medical profession for help with our ailments, it’s still down to us, as individuals, to get the diet and exercise right. No one else can do that for us! And worrying about it makes it worse! So a good walk outside listening to the wind and even the rain might do you good! And the dog!

I wish you well.

[springcross]

Hi sigk and welcome to the forum. Happyrosie has given some good advice but I would add that stress can be such a big factor with high BP - have you tried meditating or controlled breathing, if not you could try it and see how you get on - you could get advice about both of them on the internet. Many people worry about their BP, I know I have in the past which has made mine much worse and other people have had the same problem. I hope you can get it sorted soon as the longer it goes on, the more you will worry about it and that won't help at all. I really think you should mention to the pharmacist or GP (whoever you decide to speak to) what you have said here about your flashing eyes and dizziness. All the best. x

[Hidden]

I'm sorry to read your story. I've been on bp meds since my mid 20's even though I've always been slim and a runner. My blood pressure became unmanageable a couple of years ago. Then I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency due to colitis. As soon as I started having B12 injections, my BP levelled out again. I'm now on 5mg of Ramipril. I also do intermittent fasting regime of 16/8 and believe this also helps. It might be worth checking your B12 levels and asking your GP if they think intermittent fasting might be beneficial for you. It's been life changing for me. Good luck, I really hope things improve ❤️

[sigk]

Thanks for your good advice. I will contact the pharmacist for advice. I do worry about the .BP and am sure that this makes it worse! Interesting to read about B12 - and coincidentally I have had chronic stomach and bowel problems for that past 3/4 years. At one time I had to be rehydrated. I had every available test and was lucky as the pancreatic problems that I was tested for were negative - all that they found was two small peptic ulcers, a small hiatus hernia and gallstones- so maybe I am depleted in B12.

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