BP meds do not work for me.

Hi Folks.

I am currently being used as a guinea pig by my GP who is trying different meds with me to reduce my high blood pressure again. Nothing seems to work. I have used ramapril, indapamide, losartan, licanidapine and am currently using doxosocin. Which is causing me chronic rhinitis, giving me palpitaions and leg cramps. Non have worked. My BP is riding at 180 0ver 110 regularly. What other investigative methods can be used to ascertain WHY I am getting high BP?

[Happyrosie]

I think you should ask to be referred to a Cardiologist but before you do please have a look at the charity Blood Pressure UK website, you might get some relevant hints there.

[peter999999999]

docazosin was bad for me ,made me wee all the time,blood test showed it had depleted my salt levels right down, that what may be causing the cramps, try some salt in your diet ie a bag of crisps or some on your food, although i had hardly any salt in me bp was high, dont take the bp pill for a day or 2 then try a baby aspirin that will bring it down from 180 to 160 easily and no side effects, well it did for me and never gone back on bp pills,worth a try or a lifetime off misery and worry on them,good luck

[cimarosa]

Firstly look at this video clip by a cardiologist in York which explains why we can get bogged down by numbers: youtube.com/watch?v=QXE3SO0...(Not working as expected?)

It's basically sayng that the important thing about blood presure is whether there are any other underlying condoitions which might be contributing to high BP. Secondly are your elevated readings caused by anxiety.

Thirdly, finding the right medication or combinations of medications can take time. Keep pressing your GP and if possible go for an appointment with a specialist/consultant.

You can get devices (which connect with your phone) that continuousy monitor your BP and you don't have to look at the data, just pass to your doctor.

Good luck and stay strong: there is an answer but it's not always immediate. [PS also concentrate on diet exercise and relaxation.)

[Brisk61 in reply to cimarosa]

I can endorse the above uTube videos, there are several by Dr Gupta. I find them very educational & calming when u feel things are not quite right. He has such a reassuring voice. A cardiologist is probably your best option in the long run. Good luck with everything.

[Ylong66]

I totally sympathise. I have tried many medications, with lots of side effects and no impact on my BP. My GP is now referring me to a cardiologist who has a specialism in high BP. Truthfully I am very fed up with the whole thing. You are not alone. Keep smiling😊

[Hidden]

Thank you for all your kind informative comments. Prior to asking my question I had taken a proactive approach and started to research. Strangely enough I had already come across Dr Gupta during my search. I also came across a Doctor who uses Mukta Vati an Ayurvedic proprietary medicine to reduce his patients BP. I am also following a 800/1000 calorie Keto diet which I have used before with great success. Part of my problem is that I put weight on last November which usually increases my blood pressure. I suspect that I have some peripheral arterial damage from smoking and eating crap/descent food for years too. Even though I attended the gym etc. ( I wanted it all !!!!). I do not drink or smoke anymore by the way. I have invested in a laser wrist acupuncture device too, which is supposed to aid blood pressure. The good news is my sys and dis have dropped by 20 points each in the last two days which is great. I had another blood test on Thursday for lipids which I will discuss with the nurse next Friday. I have ordered some quality plant sterols having already declined statins, if the blood cholesterol is too high when I get the results. I am going to ask for further physiological tests and no more drugs this time. Thank you again. I will update soon.

[rosyG in reply to Hidden]

Hi Dragonrider

I' interested in how you are getting on with your blood pressure- read your posts today. I have tried loads of different meds and am now going to try exercise instead - found some reports online about 30 minutes on treadmill in the mornings and follow up during the day. The studies showed drugs gave better results for those without very high BP but for those over 140 systolic exercise worked better . I've always found BP is lower after a walk so am going to try this consistently

[Hidden in reply to rosyG]

Hi RosyG.

I am currently trialing Candasarten but it does not seem to be working as effectively as the GP thought it would. Started on 8mg and am now on 16. I have a review with the nurse today after filling in another BP form. It is frustrating for me as I do not smoke. My cholesterol is fine and I am pretty active. My diet is good too(not to many carbs). I am trying to push for other tests to try to find a cause. I do not like the 'give you meds based on a few observations approach.' I'm not sure whether this increase last week has affected me for the worse though. I feel a little out of sorts.

[Gstar123]

Nothing worked for me except Candersartan which really brings it down. I think it’s important to continue to try to bring it down while you investigate what’s behind it. Maybe ask for a referral to a cardiologist in the meantime. GP’s are not necessarily about the whys more about the prescription. I’m slim, don’t drink or smoke and exercise regularly and have had numbers like yours for years prior to going on Candersartan. Meditation and yoga does help and stress is definitely a factor but this medication has been the only thing that has worked so far.

[Hidden in reply to Gstar123]

Thanks for your helpful comment Gstar123. I have taken myself off any meds and have decided to go down the diet route. I had a reading of 127/94 two days ago which is fantastic as I have been above 170/100 since last November. After stopping the Doxasocin both my readings strangely dropped by about 20 prior to the above reading. I thought it was a fluke. I am still working with my Doc/nurse and have had a cholesterol test which will be discussed this Friday. I will decide then if Niacin and plant sterols will be added to my diet.

[Windmill6]

Hi,your story sounds an absolute copy of mine!!I had very high bp that wasn't responding to any medication, also bouts of severely low potassium. Like you I was experiencing heart palpitations, digestive problems ,extreme tiredness and fatigue.Plus also very thirsty and cramps in my legs at night.

Mine was eventually diagnosed as Primary Hyperaldosteronism or Conns disease. Unfortunately for me my scan didn't show a problem with my adrenals but the ARR blood test did!

Get your GP to send you to an endocrinologist for testing.

You need to omit some medicines before the test to get an accurate results. My aldosterone was sky high and renin undetectable .

Don't delay,is a very nasty disease if not treated early.

I am now suffering the effects of poor management of this.

Good luck!

[Windmill6]

Ps get your kidney function blood test done (u and e) see if your potassium is low and sodium high...although not everyone has low potassium with Conns.Is 1 of the later symptoms I'm told.Sorry don't mean to scare you but I've been through all of this with GP who put mine all down to anxiety!! Never even got an apology or explanation either even when diagnosis confirmed by endo.

See a different GP now,same practice.

[rosyG]

I have been similar to you but then found Amlodipine works well but I get bad leg swelling

[Windmill6]

Have you been tested ( blood test) for Conns syndrome?Sounds just like my journey!

[Windmill6]

I went through a similar issue,on multiple bp meds not really helping bring bp down. Plus I had other strange symptoms like incredible thirst and lots of bathroom trips,cramps,tiredness,palpitations and very slow digestion. Was eventually diagnosed by accident, turned out to be Primary Aldosteronism or Conns syndrome. Now I suffer the complications from it and it's getting worse.Can't eat much at all,constant exhaustion ,pain and dizziness.Hope you get some answers soon.