I realise they may be/are lifesaving, but after nearly 30 years I am running out of options for BP control. For many years I took 25mg atenolol, 20 Lisinopril and 1.5 Indapamide. The latter seemed to make the biggest difference. I can’t take large doses of beta blockers as they stop me from breathing. OK I have cfs but taking any of these made me far more tired than usual.
Then sadly last year my blood tests showed I was low in sodium and high in potassium to the point my meds had to change quickly. I tried doxasozin, which rendered me comatose and caused frequent highly urgent trips to the loo. Losartan I can’t have as it lowers sodium, they say. I’m now on felodipine which makes me dizzy, very anxious, but doesn’t lower my blood pressure much. It averages 143/80 on a good day. Worse, I have the worst brain fog ever and am now lying down 14 hours a day. That won’t lower my blood sugar, pressure or cholesterol. I’ve lost interest in everything.
The blood pressure nurse said “all BP meds will make one feel awful”. So I guess that’s that. For a week last year between changing meds I wasn’t taking any: I felt like a new woman, tearing about doing things. Can’t help thinking that would be better for me generally, inc BP, sugar etc than lolling about all day but am scared of strokes etc. I am 67 with prediabetes sometimes.
I’ve tried all the alternative remedies but none worked. Nor did losing four stone. Is this really how to go on? Thanks for any thoughts, I know others with similar problems.
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Hellio
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I am on lercanidipine, and have some of the same symptoms as you, but I have other conditions that may be the cause of the symptoms too. The lercanidipine doesn't even get my blood pressure down to the level of yours most days. Doctors have shown no interest in trying to determine why my blood pressure is high in the first place. Have yours investigated to work out why yours is?
Have your sodium & potassium levels improved?
Have you had cortisol, aldosterone and thyroid hormones checked recently?
Thank you. No one seems interested in discovering why my BP is high. It runs in the family though. My penchant for smoked salmon doesn’t help ha, but I am cutting down. All my bloods are fine apart from sugar levels (42) and cholesterol (6). Frankly the difficulty of getting an appt with a GP, and their lack of time when I do see one, plus the attitude of the receptionists is a major wind-up. They just don’t have the time or energy to sort me out.
Meds are the NHS answer and side effects aren’t their problem. I guess I’m lucky to be seen at all. But most BP meds seem to cause problems for many people and have the disadvantage of making it much harder to eg exercise. Which will make it worse.
All sounds horribly familiar unfortunately. All my GP wanted to do about my high blood pressure was to put me on meds, even when I asked about working out what the cause might be. Similar difficulties getting appointments and getting the attention of GPs, despite having a life-threatening condition that was caused by doctors in the first place
I sympathise totally. After trying 11 BP meds that made my life a misery, I have been referred to a lovely cardiologist who is sympathetic and trying to sort me out.I have been put on another drug, not a BP med,it’s side effect brings down BP.
It’s early days but I’m hopeful as he said if this doesn’t work we’ll try something else.
Hi, I am a bit confused because I think they are BP meds aren't they? I took felopodine, and probably the other one too. I have tried them all I think, to no avail.
Yes, my original post was about the side effects of all BP meds. I can’t come off them altogether although they don’t work that marvellously at low doses. I couldn’t tolerate higher.
I sympathies with anyone with BP problems it's horrible having to take meds with such nasty side effects. Be wary of the cause of high blood pressure. I was extremely fit and active with a good average weight,non smoker very light drinker but still developed severe hypertension.
Tried alot of different meds over the years,only Amlodipine seemed to do anything much.
Finally ,got a diagnosis of Conns syndrome after suffering from very low potassium levels. Now have heart problems and awful dizziness, has had a massive impact on my life. Have to sit and rest alot,am only 65 but feel 95 !
Don't let the doctors fob you off!! Do your own research it's your life,your body.
I m very similar to collywobbles64. I went on a keto / low carb regime and got to the point where I could potentially stop taking my meds. I m on atenelol, losartan and doxasosin and never had any side effects. In fact the reason I came on this forum was to check if anyone had side effects with these meds.
I resisted my GP’s recommendation to go on bp tablets for 2 to 3 years but like you I was worried about the possibility of having a stroke or heart attack, so I eventually relented and he put me on Amlodipine at an initial dose of 5mg. This was later raised to 10 mg and it keeps my bp at 120s/70s. Sometimes I lower this back to 5mg (if the tablet is easy to halve), because I prefer to take as little medication as I can . This sometimes leads to slightly raised bp readings but generally makes little difference. I also try to walk at least one mile a day but I appreciate not everyone can do this. As you point out there is little interest from the doctors perspective to investigate why a patient has developed a bp problem.It seems sense to give the patient short term medication while at the same time investigating the root cause, which if solvable could prevent long term prescriptions and therefore side effects. I’ve not experienced any debilitating side effects, after taking Amlodipine for over 5 years but sometimes wonder if there will be any long term consequences. Sorry I probably haven’t been much help , but I hope you are able to find a solution to your problem soon.
Hi Hellio, in the old days your blood pressure reading would have passed for average. My average is around 157/90 . But since they gave me Losartan apart from felling ill my BP is higher its probably to much potassium . But like you I used to take Atenonol & water tablet for years then we found they were causing other illness from long term use so they were stopped . I am not allergic to them its the side effects like raised uric acids that can still cause strokes ect . I feel better without tablets and its difficult to loose weight if you are so tired etc isn't it. So I wish you every best wish only you can decide what to do about your BP . Some herbes can lower it and avoiding certain foods can keep it stable , and you have lost weight. I know a lady who did all the right things but she had a stroke in her early 60s apparently it runs in the family. There is no hard and cast rules but you have tried all known help so get out and enjoy life while you still can. Maybe ask for lower doses of BP tablets if possible take care xx
Yes, 60 + years ago we all walked more, ate smaller portions and probably ate fewer processed foods and cakes, coffee wasn’t drunk much in our house either. I’m determined to try and improve overall but GPs and even more specialist nurses are as much a hinder as a help and don’t seem interested in anything other than losing weight and meds, neither of which has helped. But my BP could be a lot worse. Good luck. X
Hi Helio,I used to be on high blood pressure medicine and the side effects were horrendous. I was only in my sixties and wanted to have a life without constant side effects. All I did was to do research to see if there was another way to lower blood pressure. What I found was that a change of lifestyle - excercises and healthy diet was worth a go, and that Consistency was key to see results. I put my heart and soul in pursuing this change and it paid off , my blood pressure dropped my GP was shocked and I was happy that I can live without side effects of medication. Blood pressure UK website is the best site to start, they have recipes and very good advice that you can take on board. Nutrition facts.org is one to check as well. So try to change lifestyle and diet and see if it works for you, you never know. All the best
Hi Helio,I used to be on high blood pressure medicine and the side effects were horrendous. I was only in my sixties and wanted to have a life without constant side effects. All I did was to do research to see if there was another way to lower blood pressure. What I found was that a change of lifestyle - excercises and healthy diet was worth a go, and that Consistency was key to see results. I put my heart and soul in pursuing this change and it paid off , my blood pressure dropped my GP was shocked and I was happy that I can live without side effects of medication. Blood pressure UK website is the best site to start, they have recipes and very good advice that you can take on board. Nutrition facts.org is one to check as well. So try to change lifestyle and diet and see if it works for you, you never know. All the best
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