High Blood Pressure

[Irishmod]

Hi, I have ET and in the last year have changed from Hydrea to Anagrelide as I was having problems taking Hydrea after taking Anagrelide I did have some side effects but after a few months most disappeared and was left with very fast heart palpitations but otherwise ok. My question is this has anyone else had a problem with their blood pressure I have recently been diagnosed with blood pressure of 200/110 after monitoring for 24 hours and have had to go on blood pressure tablets to reduce my pressure. I have always had perfect blood pressure and now think it my be the Anagrelide causing the problem? I am curious to see if anyone else have experienced problems with their blood pressure?

Regards

[healthyme]

Your story is very similar to my own.The same happened to me. I believe it is a side effect unfortunately.

[Irishmod in reply to healthyme]

Thank you for your reply I'm trying to understand and get to the bottom of why my blood pressure has suddenly gone so very high and the only thing different in my life was changing to Anagrelide. I'm waiting for an appointment to see a cardiologist to do some stress tests and I will tell him about the Anagrelide and see if he thinks there is a connection. Maybe I could change to interferon!

[lizzziep]

I changed to Anagrelide from Hu, I get the palpitations but my blood pressure is fine.

[Irishmod in reply to lizzziep]

Thank you for the reply much appreciated. I was just concerned it was the Anagrelide causing the problem and if it was I could look at changing from Anagrelide to another drug rather than now having to take blood pressure tablets (a bit fed up with all this tablet taking). I'm waiting for stress test and heart echo appointment so maybe this will give me some answers.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Irishmod, so sorry to hear that you having this problem, I have checked the side effects in the booklet on Anagrelide and listed under the less common side effects affecting approximately one person in 100 up to one person in 10 (1-10%) of people taking Anagrelide, and palpitations, fast heart rate (tachycardia), drop in blood pressure when standing are included in the list. So you really must speak to your haematologist and the cardiologist about these symptoms. Hope it gets sorted out for you. Best wishes, Maz

[Irishmod in reply to Mazcd]

HI Maz, thank you for the reply I'm trying to get appointments with consultants but finding it difficult but hopefully soon to get the problem sorted.

Many thanks for your help

Maura

[Woodlandgarden]

Hi Irish Mod,I hope you are keeping well these days. Not sure how, but this morning I came across your posts and correspondence from a few years ago with Maz regarding problems accessing medical card/ longterm illness for MPNs in Ireland. Just wondering did you manage to get MPNs recognised? I was recently diagnosed with ET and am currently on asprin. However, I was told by haemotologist I will most likely have to go on stronger meds at some stage. Thanks, E

[Irishmod in reply to Woodlandgarden]

Hi. Sent in my application for the drug payment exemption but got nowhere with the department, kept quoting MPN not on the list and therefore not eligible.Could not convince this was a chronic illness with no cure and that drugs keeping me alive. I'm on interferon and this now costing me 124 every month and I have been paying this for years so very expensive but not optional. Too rare to ever get on the list.

M

[Hidden in reply to Irishmod]

I don’t know if it would help but why not make a complaint in Eire via the European ombudsman re the funds. Anagrelid interestingly is not licensed in Germany

[Woodlandgarden in reply to Irishmod]

Hi M, thanks for filling me in on your experiance. Did you send in an application to the HSE at any stage for a medical card with supporting letter from your gp /haemotologist regarding your condition?