Anyone taken Doxazosin and suffered vertigo?

[Motherinlaw]

My Mum who is 86 has had issues with her bp meds and potassium levels etc. The doc put her on Amlodipine which did the trick as far as her bp and potassium and salt levels , but made her feet, ankles and lower legs swell. She's now been taken off Amlodipine and given Doxasozin instead, she is very frightened of taking these because of the side effect of vertigo, she is very unsteady on her feet to start with. Has anyone else taken Doxasozin and suffered with vertigo? She say's if it's not dangerous she would rather have swollen legs than risk falling with vertigo.

[springcross]

Has she discussed this with her GP Motherinlaw? I don't know about Doxasozin but if she has these concerns, which are understandable, especially at 86 years of age, the GP must surely take that into consideration.

[peter999999999 in reply to springcross]

i took it for 2months first few weeks fine then memory loss started then feeling really ill and spaced out, would not take them again, amlodipine i dont get swollen legs etc but it makes me feel funny,why would a doc put a 86 year old on bp meds.

[springcross in reply to peter999999999]

I agree peter. x

[Motherinlaw in reply to peter999999999]

Mum's been on blood pressure meds for years but started with different problems with salt and potassium deficiency, when they were trying to sort her out her bp was very high, some days her bp monitor failed to take a reading it was that high! She's also had to have a catheter fitted as she wasn't able to pass water. These last few months have been a nightmare tbh, and made worse with the covid virus. Don't think the Doxasozin is for her reading your reply peter9999999999

[Motherinlaw in reply to springcross]

I spoke to her doc on Wednesday about the swelling, we went round in circles, she told me the swelling wasn't dangerous, I told her it was quite bad and she decided to take her off Amlodipine and put her on Doxasozin saying she should stay in bed when she first takes them, I told her that Mum wouldn't be happy about that, she ended the conversation. I'm phoning to ask to speak to another doc tomorrow, Mum was quite upset this morning, she's so unsteady on her feet she potters around her home using a trolley as a walking aid. I really don't want to take the little bit of independence away from her.

[springcross in reply to Motherinlaw]

I don't blame you Motherinlaw for trying to speak to another doctor, the attitude of her doctor isn't good enough I feel, especially as she doesn't sound particularly concerned about your mum possibly having vertigo when she is already unsteady on her feet. It's quite disgraceful I feel. Good luck tomorrow. xx

[Motherinlaw in reply to springcross]

Thank you Springcross. I feel so stressed about it all especially with Christmas being day's away also you only have a small time slot to speak to a doctor. Mum has had that many health issues and I'm sure a lot of them were connected, but the docs only want to hear about one thing at a time! I've been on the phone more or less every week for ages now. Thankfully we are getting there slow but sure, just need this bp problem sorting, a doc is calling back this afternoon, fingers crossed.

[springcross in reply to Motherinlaw]

Hope all goes well, please let us know what happens. xx

[Motherinlaw in reply to springcross]

The docs advised Mum to try the Doxazosin and to take it at bedtime, said not all people have vertigo with it. Can't rule it out until tried. Fingers still crossed.

[springcross in reply to Motherinlaw]

I hope all will be well Motherinlaw. Please let us know how your mum goes and thanks for the update. xx

[Motherinlaw in reply to springcross]

Well my poor Mum has done as she was told and has had an horrendous weekend with bad vertigo, feeling sick and faint! I have been trying to get through to her doc's with no joy. My blood pressure will be going through the roof at this rate!

[springcross in reply to Motherinlaw]

I'm really sorry to hear that M (excuse me shortening your name), I would keep trying or call 111. This is ridiculous isn't it. Good luck. xx

[Dearheart34 in reply to springcross]

I came across this earlier...

[springcross in reply to Dearheart34]

That's very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[Morgan]

I have been on Doxazosin for many years, and I was told by my GP I should take it just before going to bed as it drops the blood pressure quickly which has been fine so far, it makes no difference to how I feel in the morning, and I can't say it makes any difference at night either. However, i am prone to BPV on and off so I would hesitate to recommend it in case it has anything to do with the drug.

[Motherinlaw in reply to Morgan]

Thanks for your reply Morgan. My Mum soon goes dizzy if she bends down or moves suddenly, she often says she feels drunk or as if she's walking on a ship. So we feel uneasy her trying this med.

[Motherinlaw in reply to Morgan]

Just spoke to another doc who has advised Mum try the Doxazosin on a night, said we can't rule it out without her trying it, said not all patients have vertigo and if you look at all the side effects of any drug you wouldn't want to take anything, which we all know. Told Mum what you said Morgan, think it's helped her decide to take the plunge and see what happens. Thank you and fingers crossed.

[Happyrosie]

Hello. I’ve read your posts and all the replies, You both need to be aware - and I’m sure you are already - that dizziness and so on is a common side effect, not necessarily of medications, but of old age. You sound like a very caring person. Would you, without offending her, be able to check that her diet is healthy? Like, plenty of veg etc. And, make sure she is well hydrated.

[Motherinlaw in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks Happyrosie, yes I agree, keep reminding Mum that she is 86, lol. She know's to keep hydrated as she's a catheter in, so as been told how important it is to keep infections at bay. Her diet is quite healthy but she suffers bad with ibs, so certain fruits and veg are a no no. She was vegetarian for 40 years or so, but after having both hips replaced we managed to get her to eat fish for the protein to help her heal better, as she can't eat pulses or nuts. Her favourites are Avacado's , Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, broccoli, lactose free cheese, yoghurt and milk. She still likes to make herself a rice pudding, and I make her veg soup. She's started to have a few ready meals too from M&S. She's having her blood tested quite frequently as her sodium and potassium levels were low, they have been ok for a few weeks now. Just want this bp problem sorting and hopefully she can have some quality time. X

[Happyrosie in reply to Motherinlaw]

All the best to you both

[Lizzie25b]

Yes, I’ve had it for some time, I have had an inner ear infection in the past this gave me the same effects. I felt as if I had been drinking far too much and had to hold onto walls just to get to the loo and back. Your poor Mum. Doctor gave me stugeron (I remember that my Dad was on these years ago for the same problem). They are meant for sea sickness. They sorted out the problem though. I am in the process of reducing the tablets as I have had many other side effects. Good luck to your Mum.

My blood pressure is stress related rather that weight related. They are currently running a cortisol check on me. This is the stress hormone. My blood pressure has always gone up if I lose someone close to me. I felt it badly the first time after losing my Dad, we were registering his death and I felt really unwell and light headed.

Just get your Mum to write down anything unusual that she feels and then if there are others get her to see or speak to her doctor to see what they suggest. I hope this helps x

[Motherinlaw in reply to Lizzie25b]

Thanks Lizzie, Mum had a dreadful reaction to them, and she only took 2! She's had problems with her ears and dizziness for years, so the thoughts of suffering vertigo with the Doxazosin really worried her. I managed to speak to a lovely Dr and he took her straight off them and prescribed Felodipine instead. She's been on them just under a fortnight now and they seem to suit her much better, her bp has come down to a decent level, tho; she's still getting swollen feet and ankles, the Pharmacist advised me to speak to the Dr again. So will be doing. Mum has taken bp meds for years, she's never carried weight and was vegetarian for 40 years or so until we got her to eat fish. She is a very anxious, shy person and stresses over everything, think that's contributed to her ibs too. We wish she could spend the rest of her life a little bit more chilled. She lost her Mum in a horrible way to cancer when she was young, and she still can't talk about it, and has always got the fear of cancer in the back of her mind, she turned down a scan earlier in the year because she became so ill with fear and stress. Bless her, she always seems better when we talk things over, then when she's on her own again the anxiety takes over.

[Lizzie25b in reply to Motherinlaw]

I take sea kelp supplements and have done for years. These are a natural way to get rid of excess water as I too have suffered with swollen ankles regularly. I do now sit with my feet up as this really helps. Just as a side note, sea kelp are not good for people with thyroid problems so do not take then. They smell like fish food! Not pleasant. Check with a sympathetic doctor first, they are also good for nails and hair.

[Motherinlaw in reply to Lizzie25b]

Mum was on water tabs for quite a while, but started to have problems with lack of sodium and potassium as she was flushing it out of her system. She had a catheter fitted in October because she had problems emptying her bladder, even without the water tabs she passes quite a lot of water. She sits as often as poss with her feet up. She had an op on her thyroid because of a cyst when she was a young girl, tho don't think she's had probs since. It seems that everything is a very fine balancing act with her meds. Thank you for your reply Lizzie, much appreciated.

[Lizzie25b]

I know how worrying it is when a parent is ill. My mother lived with me for five years before she died and medication juggling was a constant battle. Good luck with your Mum, I feel sorry for the people who haven’t got friends or family to look out for them. X

[Motherinlaw in reply to Lizzie25b]

Oh Lizzie, we say the same all the time. It's actually my Mum-in-law I speak about, must be about 20 years ago we got her to come and live nearer to us, she was in a bad place with her partner etc. She admits she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for us, we know that's the case, she's had a very stressful life in one way and another, bless her. Agree the med juggling is a constant battle, at the mo she seems to be ok in herself, so hopefully get these niggling side effects sorted and onwards and upwards, at 86 she deserves some peace and contentment. XX