PBC ans High Blood Pressure

[alpha3]

I've been prescribed Amlodprine 5mg tablets for High Blood pressure. Since taking it for about 20 days, I've had swollen feet and ankles, I've read the side effects of this med. and it states that 1 in 10 will experience this. I've had PBC for 10 years and I wonder if it is safe to take this when you have PBC, When Iwas diagnosed I was told that I already had Cirrhosis. I'm 83 now and a little worried about taking this medication. Thanks for any help

[Zelda5]

This reminded me of something. And I had to share for whatever that's worth. I know this BP med seems to be one they use alot here in the US especially to start newbies on. I've taken it and didn't have any issues. However my boss who was in her early 70's at the time had a similar reaction and she swore it was caused by that med. So, she called her Dr. and got something else prescribed and didn't have anymore issues, at least to my knowledge.

[alpha3 in reply to Zelda5]

Thankyou Jean43 for your reply regarding Amlodipine. Sorry to have taken so long to reply but I've been on holiday. Each reply says speak to your Doctor, I will try but trying to get an appt. is rubbish, at the moment I've an appt on the 7th October so another month to wait. Hopefully I'll get something sorted then

[butterflyEi]

Hi alpha3

I would speak to the GP and see if you could try an alternative. Not all medicines suit everyone. It may also be worth a chat with your local pharmacist if there is a elay in speaking to the GP.

let us know how you get on, best wishes

[alpha3 in reply to butterflyEi]

Thankyou Butterfly, It's so difficult getting an appt. at my surgery, I have a telephone appt in a months time, I may try to speak to my pharmacist,

[nunbrook]

Hi Alpha3I have PBC diagnosed in 2018 through a routine blood test. I also take Amlodopine and Perindopril for high BP. I have been taking them for 18 years and also taking Urso which together haven't had an adverse effect. I also think you should contact your GP there are plenty of alternatives they could try.

Hope you are soon sorted.

[alpha3 in reply to nunbrook]

Thankyou for your reply, I've decided to try and get an earlier appt. with my GP. It's so difficult now trying to get any appt at my surgery

[Cstar1079]

EXACT SAME THING happened to me! I just saw a new cardiologist and he took me off of it. Although my BP isn’t too high. He put me on a diuretic instead. My feet and ankles would swell up so terribly and they would start to really hurt badly. It was even hard to walk because it made it worse. Amlodipine (Norvasc) is known to make you swell. I would definitely talk to your DR. You don’t want to be on anything that makes you feel bad. Good luvk

[alpha3 in reply to Cstar1079]

Thanks for your reply. My symptoms are exactly the same as yours. Trying to get an appt with my doctor is rubbish. I've now made one but not for another month. I think I need to try to get one sooner. I'm 83 now and this is the first BP med that I've had. I do wonder whether I shouldn't have bothered

[Twojer]

My twin sister who doesn’t have PBC (I do) was put on Amlodipine. Her ankles and feet swelled so much that she said her ankles looked like tree trunks. She found it painful to walk. She talked to her doctor and he prescribed something else.

There are a number of different blood pressure medicines. Talk to your doctor/consultant as others have suggested. Tell her/him about the swelling and your concerns that whatever you take is safe with PBC.

[alpha3 in reply to Twojer]

Thanks Twojer, I think I definitely need to have the med. changed to something that doesn't cause side effects.

[mrspeffer2]

Good Morning...what you are referring to is Pedal Edema. Amlodipine is in the class of calcium channel blockers. For whatever reason, calcium channel blockers are notorious for causing pedal edema. My husband was put on this a while back...almost killed the man. BP skyrocketed, he looked gray...the doctors wanted him to ride it out for a few weeks. NO BUENO! some people just to not tolerate that class of drugs. He is on a diabetic, however, be careful as they deplete your electrolyte stores and cause major constipation. Still searching for something that works. Be well

[alpha3 in reply to mrspeffer2]

Thankyou for the info. on Amlodipine. It doesn't sound great what happened to your Husband. I'll Try and get it changed to something more compatible with my body and PBC. Sorry for the delay in replying but I've been away on holiday.

[mrspeffer2]

I'm happy to hear you felt good enough to take a holiday...hope you came back with a renewed perspective. I see my commuter was helping me in the last note. He is not diabetic, I wanted to write that he is on a diabetic...that has it's own set of issues. Be well..M