Side effects of Diltiazem

[Jances13]

Hi everyone. Just recently the Dr. had me wean off metoprolol which I’ve taken for 8 years. After raising the metoprolol it started to tigger my asthma. I also have paroxysmal A fib. So they switched me to a calcium channel blocker Diltiazem 180 mg. Three days after starting the Diltiazem my ankles are swollen. For those of you that take Diltiazem Is this something that will evenly get better with my body adjusting to the Diltiazem or is it going to continue ? Today I put compression socks but they still feel very uncomfortable . Not sure if another calcium channel will cause the same side effect. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you !

[Responsable]

Never blindly follow the "orders" from GP or any other doctor. They have no magic formula to calculate the ammount of medication, which must be taken at any cost. Adjust the ammount to suet you - the minimal ammount that just does the job. Not long ago, I started taking calcium channel blocker Amlodipine which was prescribed to me 7 years ago, but I refused to take it considering that my BP is not dangerously high. After reaching 230/100, I decided to start taking it. It was prescribed with 5 mg a day, which made me feel too slowed down. After 2 days, I cut the pill in half, then after 1 day, I cut it in 4 pieces and continued with it for another 2 days. My BP went down to 165/75 or so, so I decided to try to stop the pills completely. Now, after about 10 days without pills, my BP is still satisfactory low and I simply follow it, to react if it starts going up again. What I have noticed, is that Amlodipine has slightly improved my vision and some other things connected with better blood circulation, lol. I intend to take Amlodipine in the future, when and as needed.

[Happyrosie]

another way to approach this would be for you to get an appointment with the pharmacist employed by your doctor’s group of surgeries - I understand that most GP’s do this,

They are the medicine experts, have access to your medical,records, and might recommend changes.