Blood pressure meds and RL

[pennygates]

I have been put onto blood pressure medication, as my BP is 'dangerously' high. So far I've taken Losinipril, Perindropil, Propranolol, then moved to another type Doxazosin, a calcium channel blocker All of them have aggravated restless legs, to such an extent that I haven't slept for weeks, other than dropping off with exhaustion for a few minutes. I'm completely exhausted trying to find a suitable treatment. I have used some, suggested on this forum, which were known to work well with RLS. But I seem to have no luck with them. My GP has warned me that I'm at risk of a heart attack/ stroke at any time, and is trying to find a suitable medication as soon as possible. But I'm running out of options, and we haven't even addressed high cholesterol, which I also have.

Has anyone on the forum had a similar experience, but found a suitable treatment which did not aggravate restless legs?

The GP is working through an arsenal of treatments on a trial and error basis, but I wonder what will be left of me before a suitable treatment can be found.

[Madlegs1]

I take Amlodipine 5mg and Olmersatin 10mg without any ill effects.

[pennygates in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks Madlegs 1. I will add it to the list. I'm bound to hit lucky soon.

[SaltyUK]

I have Portal vein hypertension since a thrombosis in 2019 and I was prescribed Carvedilol which I believe lowers heart rate and therefore BP. It hasn’t aggravated my RLS. It may or may not be suitable for you if your BP is dangerously high but may be worth investigating.

[SueJohnson in reply to SaltyUK]

You are lucky as it is a beta blocker which make RLS worse for most. It just shows how we all react differently to medicine.

[pennygates in reply to SaltyUK]

Thank you SaltyUK.

[pennygates in reply to SaltyUK]

It's a game of trial and error with medication, because we all react on an individual basis. We can only try what has helped others and hope for the best.

[SueJohnson]

I'm so sorry the ace inhibitors you took made RLS worse for you. Amlodipine that Madlegs1 takes is a calcium channel blocker so I wouldn't try it (actually Doxazosin isn't) but Olmersatin is worth a try. The next one I would try is Clonidine (Kapvay, Catapres) which can help RLS. Then there is Isosorbide Mononitrate (Monoket, Imdur) and tenex (Guanfacine, Intuniv).

Avoid any beta blockers as they can make RLS worse. Also avoid any ace inhibitors because the 1st 2 you tried were ace inhibitors.

As always discuss these with your doctor.

[pennygates]

Yes Sue, Doxazosin is an alpha blocker? my mistake. Think you're right about Ace Inhibitors, I've tried a few, so move on. You also mentioned in an earlier post some things to discuss with my GP.

I think my GP started with Ace Inhibitors, and is going through a process.

I almost begged him to look at the RLS -UK site , as he wouldn't work with the Mayo updated Algorithm. He told me yesterday that he has looked at the charity site, and was impressed. I pointed out that there is a section for professionals to read. Think he is slowly accepting that I'm not making things up just to annoy him. Baby steps. Maybe I can inch him towards more updated information and research, bit by bit. The direct approach just alienates him.

Thanks again for your kind help.

[SueJohnson in reply to pennygates]

Unfortunately too many doctors are like that.

[Jelbea]

Hi Pennygates - Very nearly all calcium channel blockers will cause or aggravate restless legs. Betablockers such as propranolol may also cause RLS. I am 81 and recently had to start an anti-hypertensive. I have been taking Irbesartan for about six weeks and seem to have no side effects at all. Granted I am only on the lowest dose at 75 mg daily but I am always very sensitive to all types of medication. This is in the ARB class of antihypertensives and I see that Madlegs has told you he is on olmesartan which is in the same class.

The diuretics which are often given in addition to a BP drug cause RLS. I think I did somewhere that amlodipine can be OK for some but others seem to get RLS with it.

Hope this helps

[pennygates in reply to Jelbea]

Thank you for replying Jelbea. Like you, I'm very sensitive to many medications. It's a relief to hear that there are some medications which do work without RLS symptoms occurring. Guess I've just been unlucky that the first five I've been given have caused severe RLS. It has caused me some distress. I've also been worried as my hip replacements have been cancelled again, this time because of high blood pressure. So, I might be lucky next time! I'm pleased you have found a good one for you.

[Jumpey]

I take felodipine with no problems.

[pennygates in reply to Jumpey]

Good to have another suggestion. Thanks for that, Jumpey.

[SueJohnson in reply to pennygates]

It is a calcium channel blocker.

[RLSgirl]

The not sleeping and exhaustion alone is going to raise your BP!

I can't give any advice on meds. but look into breathing technics. They really do work. My husband can drop his BP 20pts by just doing some breath work.

look up chi gong breath work.

[RLSgirl in reply to RLSgirl]

My Mom also told me about this device. it is supposed to help train you on how to breath to lower BP. we haven't tried it because my husband seems to be having success on his own. but I thought I'd pass it along.

resperate.com/resperate_d_l/

[pennygates in reply to RLSgirl]

I'm sure meditation is a way to reduce BP also. Thanks for the link.

[RLSgirl in reply to RLSgirl]

My Husband has also been taking a red yeast rice supliment to help with his cholsterol. we bought on from jarrow formulas that has CoQ10 in it as well which is very good for the heart. Between doing the breath work and a few supliments as well as cutting back on smoking he has been able to reduce all his numbers into high but normal ranges and been able to stay off the meds!

[pennygates in reply to RLSgirl]

Well done to be able to do that in the way you have. I have taken Co Q10 myself for ME, and found it helpful. Staying off the meds is what I would prefer, although I may need a small amount until I can find other solutions. I've never heard of red rice supplements. Where did you source that, it sounds interesting. Thank you for your help.

[RLSgirl in reply to pennygates]

My husband's docotor actually recomended it when we asked if we could try doing things naturally first. Like I said the one we found that also included CoQ10 was from Jarrow formulas. you can buy it on amazon.

[Eryl]

High blood pressure is mainly the result of your diet and stress levels. If you do not want to take bloood pressure medication you need to change your diet. The changes to your diet and lowring your stress levels (possibly with the herb Ashwaganda to control cortisol levels)that will normalise your blood pressure will also reduce your RLS. Take a look at this video: youtu.be/fPsOX3S3mCE(Not working as expected?)

[pennygates in reply to Eryl]

Eryl, I have watched many of the videos you have posted. It makes sense to me, and I'm going to do all I can to get my BP down naturally, as that is what I would rather do. I've tried at least 6 different BP medications. I'm extremely sensitive to many drugs (only wish I had been sensitive to dopamine agonists, and not been able to take them). Some of my health problems now are as a result of prescribed medications, and I'm now much more wary of new medications. Lithium and dopamine agonists are among some that have caused immense problems for me. My daughter and I have been looking to do a low carb diet for some time. So, I will seize the day, and see how I can succeed with this. I would be very happy not to take BP medication, although I know I may need to take some initially to work with my GP, but ultimately its not what I want to do. I see from the video that there is help available to move to a low carb diet. Obviously this must be something you are doing yourself. I know you have posted many times on diet being a way to also reduce RLS symptoms, which I've always found interesting. I have the same worry about taking cholesterol reducing medication. I'm very suspicious about the science that supports this . As far as stress levels are concerned, the last two years have been off the scale, so I'm not surprised that my levels have increased. I would be surprised if it hadn't taken a toll on my health. Thank you for the information and the excellent links and videos that you post.

[Eryl in reply to pennygates]

The stress hormone cortisol is in a group of hormones called glucocorticoid hormones. The 'gluco' portion of the name is an indication that it's a very short step away from being blood sugar (it's purpose is to be a readilly available source of energy for the 'fight or flight' response) and will raise your blood pressure. I wish I'd known this before I had my stroke. However Ashwaganda has since normalised my cortisol levels and brought my blood pressure down significantly.

[pennygates in reply to Eryl]

Eryl,I'm so sorry to hear you had a stroke. It's no consolation to find things out afterwards, which could have helped. We are bombarded with information about our health, but it's difficult to always know what to do for the best. Ashwaganda is not something I know about, but I will find out.

I wish you well,

[Grammieof4]

I take Amlodipine 5 mg. No issues with my RLS.

[pennygates in reply to Grammieof4]

Thank you Grammieof4, so kind of you to reply. Madlegs1 takes Amlopodine without any problems too. Fingers crossed I get on the right meds too.

[Nanpat]

Doxazosin is actually an alpha blocker not a beta.

I personally take a drug called Physiotens , one in am, one pm and a very small amount of a diuretic, neither has aggravated my condition.

The physiotens was added after much failure with other drugs to lower bp, may be worth adding to your list…..good luck

[pennygates in reply to Nanpat]

Thank you for your suggestions. Definitely worth adding. It's good you have found something that works, and leaves your RL alone. Maybe it will work for me too.