Blood Pressure

[redbirdcat44]

Hello. I have been having problems finding a blood pressure medicine that I can take without feeling like I am swollen and walking thru water. I was wondering if other people with lymphedema have high blood pressure and what medicine do you find works without side effects? Thanks for any and all replies.

[Lynora]

Hi there - you really should discuss this problem with a doctor. Some of the meds have a less diuretic effect (it’s diuretics that make lymphoedema worse). Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.

[redbirdcat44 in reply to Lynora]

Hey Lynora, I have never heard that diuretics make lymphedema worse. in fact, its the first thing every doctor tries to give me. I tell them it doesn't work, but they don't believe me. Do you know why the diurectic make lymphedema worse?

[Lynora in reply to redbirdcat44]

If you have an underlying cardiac or hypertension condition you MUST talk to your Medical Practitioner before making any changes in medication use.

There is a good explanation about lymphoedema and diuretics here:

lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/d...

[Califgirl2008 in reply to Lynora]

Excellent Information on that website! Thanks for sharing.

[CCT67 in reply to redbirdcat44]

Hi there

You’re not alone in being wholly misinformed by your doctor that diuretics are a viable treatment for your Lymphoedema/LE. Doctors receive little training on the lymphatic system, on average only 15-30 minutes during their entire degree programme.

LE is not a simple case of water retention. It would be nice if it were that simple! Diuretics promote the excretion of whole-body water as urine and they may induce body-fluid/electrolyte imbalance in Lymphies, among other possible problems. Long-term administration of diuretics, in the absence of a different health issue necessitating diuretics eg heart problem, should be avoided. This is advice from leading LE specialists and Lymphologists.

Speak to your doctor about blood pressure medication options and a gradual reduction of diuretics

[redbirdcat44 in reply to CCT67]

Thank you for your reply. that makes sense. (with my limited knowledge of how things work. )