Annoying cough

After having off the scale bp readings a week ago the gp has kept me on ramiprill increased the dosage from 5mg to 10mg now the annoying dry tickle non stop cough has started and the dizziness vertigo and nausea has appeared.Is this normal after only 6 days.Will the cough go or do I have to upset my gp again and change my meds got told off last time I did this.Anyone recommend a bp med with low side effects that works getting very disheartened as I have to get it normal after a tia 17 months ago.

[Madlegs1]

I've commented on this before.

If BP meds are needed to be increased , it is better to switch to another in addition, rather than just upping the present med. ie-- take the lowest dose of 2 meds rather than increase the one.

This reduces the likelihood of side effects.

Talk to your doctor about the feasibility of doing this.

I am on Amlodipine 5mg, and Olmersatin 10mg.

Working well, although I do experience itching at night??

Also ,my diastolic number seems to be pitching in at 60.

I'm blaming the Olmersatin, and now just take it on alternate days.

Good luck. And let us know how you get on!☘️

[Hidden in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you.I have a review on Friday so….I did amlodipine and my ankles ballooned after just 3 days.Just want to get one that brings it down from a average 150/94 to the hospital want as low as 110/80 yeah that is just not going to happen so I will try 140/90 getting fed up already and only been taking meds for 6 weeks not looking forward to any of this I was better without the meds and the side effects could do my gym without any vertigo not cough & sleep and they say they will help and keep me alive REALLY I fail to be convinced until it comes down.

[Happyrosie]

please read the website of Blood Pressure UK, the specialist charity, for background information on all things hypertension.

Do you need to tweak your diet or lifestyle?

Rather than talk to your GP, try and talk to the pharmacist attached to your doctor’s group of surgeries. In my case we do this through the receptionist, your practice may have different systems.

[Hidden in reply to Happyrosie]

I posted on the other forum about my meds not working (ramipril) last week and the unhelpful unsympathetic gp I went back last Tuesday and they kept me on it increase to 10mg As stated gym 3 days a week eat ok plenty fruit veg low fat and watch the salt content.If something doesn’t work soon without side effects that left me feeling like I was having another tia at the gym today then I’m not taking anything feel thousand times worse than I did before seriously.

[Eviedog12]

A cough is a side effect of rampiril. I'm on Losartan and have no trouble at all.

[Cathie1954]

I'm on losartan with no problems at all.

[Hidden in reply to Cathie1954]

Thank you .How quick does it lower it it’s been high since lockdown when we wasn’t tested.Really have to get it down and quick.And there is no side effects at all?

[Hidden in reply to Cathie1954]

Thank you think I’m just plain unlucky with side effects yes I know everything comes with side effects but I’m only 53 and am going to be on bp meds for life so I can’t live with a cough vertigo every day and swollen ankles all the thing I’ve never had before I started bp meds surely their is a safer one ramipril caused me such bad vertigo at the gym I thought I was having another tia I wasn’t but I had a complete meltdown as was terrified it was happening again.I will never ever get over it and yes it’s probably why the meds aren’t working.Catch 22 😢

[katieoxo60]

HI RAmmylass17, this is not simply a case of doctor knows best , your body knows best. If your body is causing a cough then you need a reduced dose at least. A cough is a sign your respiratory system is under attack and trying to rid the system of the offending drug. Having read a reply you gave , I think to aim for 140/90 is more realistic as you say. Small doses regularly can get you to that stick to your guns . I have had high blood pressure since I was on the birth pill in my younger days and been traeted with many pills it is still similar now and stress rockets it to way above my norm , one of my stressers is hospitals out patients. Good luck at sorting it with the GP.

[Hidden]

aww thank you I loathe my local hospital after they left me over 12 hrs after suspected stroke I had had 2 silent and a tia I had the meds increased cause they wasn’t bringing it down was 200/105 last week so they upped it a week ago.Today and the last 3 days readings are acceptable at average 140/89 not perfect but I seriously am lost fed up and don’t know what to do anymore I crave my old life back with zero meds was only on the depo provera jab that is it nowt else don’t even take pain killers I just get on with it after the covid jab I have everything wrong no more ever for me.Before anyone jumps at me I had them all just believe they are not safe for everyone. Thanks for the advice x

[BobbyCollins in reply to Hidden]

Hi there sorry to hear about your problems. A lot of it seems similar to myself and I am also very disheartened. However I saw my GP yesterday and she said I am drug sensitive and my body is not metabolizing drugs in the way they are intended. She has changed my prescription back to Felodipine and if that doesn't work will refer me to the hospital hypertension clinic. Very hard I know but keep on trucking. All the best x

[cornishgal23]

I agree with Madlegs1 - better to be on a low dose of two different meds than a high dose of just one. I couldn't tolerate an ACE inhibitor either (same class as ramipril) because of cough and was switched to candesartan (an ARB) along with amlodipine. I was put on 10 mg of the amlo after suffering a TIA, but the dosage was lowered to 5 mg because of the swelling. Still getting a wee bit of swelling occasionally, but it is manageable. The candesartan still gives me the occasional tickle in my throat but nothing I can't handle. Maybe ask your GP outright if you can try an ARB instead of the ramipril with the addition of low dose amlodipine if the former doesn't do the trick.

[Hidden in reply to cornishgal23]

I can’t have the amlodipine as swelling was bad after just 3 days by body is holding onto water but will ask about the ARB as the cough is tiring me out and leading me so breathless after cardio etc which I don’t want after working out so hard for 17 months and losing over 2 and a half stone plus I enjoy my gym my release from the tia and bp problems.Hope your doing ok too?

[cornishgal23 in reply to Hidden]

Doing fine now on 5 mg amlodipine and 8 mg candesartan in addition to hydrochlorothiazide with BP usually around 130/65 which is fine for my age (79). Amlodipine seems to be the one that works best, so I'm willing to tolerate the occasional swelling/heat. I find putting my feet up for a while if this happens solves the problem.

[Lulu2607 in reply to Hidden]

My GP gave me lercanidipine instead of amlodipine (same class of drug) as I'd read about swelling. I still got a bit of swelling so switched to taking it at night instead of first thing and that has stopped any ankle swelling. Lercanidipine is supposed to be a newer version with less swelling side effects.

[Gilldy]

Hi - I've started blood pressure medication recently. My resting blood pressure isn't too bad but anxiety puts it very high. Back in April I went to hospital with a panic attack and blood pressure of 239/105 (then had a heart attack.) Subsequent tests showed no heart disease so they think it was taketsubo. However whatever it was I need to control the bp. I've tried losartan which worked but caused shoulder pain. Now on felodipine 2.5mg . Bp is great- usually averages aroundc120/65 but if I'm anxious will go briefly up to 170 systolic. I'm still getting shoulder pain though. The other side effects like headache swollen ankles, feeling sick etc all wore off after a few weeks. I can't decide whether to put up with the shoulder pain as the BP is so good or to ask for a change.Good luck - if you've given it a few weeks and still have side effects your pharmacist or GP should be willing to change your prescription.

[Moneylover]

yes the Ramipril made me cough and when I. Came off it the cough too k 10 wks to completely vanish.people often better on the ARBS which are similar. I didnt get on with Amlodipine either because of bright read feet. Switched to 5mg lacidipine with no side effects. Yes agree two drugs better th an one because good to stick to low doses

[Brisk61]

You definitely need to come off the Ramipril, it causes problems for lots of people. The advice of lower doses of 2 B/P meds is the recommended advice for many years. There are NICE guidelines to support this. Remind your GP if he/ she is reluctant to listen. The 1 bit of advice I would give you for now is not to overdo it at the gym, moderated exercise until your B/P has settled & stabilised over the next month . You can gradually increase the intensity later. Some people have 1 TIA without any significant damage, the lifestyle changes you have made are excellent. Good luck with everything.

[Hidden in reply to Brisk61]

I was a 7 days a week gym bunny before stupid lockdowns so nowt to do with lifestyle weight etc etc.Genetics play the key factor my parents were older and already not in great health heart problems bp problems thyroid problems so many meds it was very distressing to see as a very young child.I’m disgusted that I now have had tia silent strokes and now high off the scale bp and osteoarthritis all at a young 53.Why dud I bother working out for yrs and yrs to end up just like my parents.No meds are working at all I’m done with it all now it’s worse than I was on absolutely nothing.Nature and him up their will decide my fate nhs and gp’s are a waste of my precious time it’s all about money.Carrying on doing gym but sensible toned it down these meds can do one had enough total waste of money!

[Jojobeanz]

Same happened to me Rammy. My meds were changed to Candesartan