Blood pressure/ thyroid

[Longinthetooth]

HiI was diagnosed with high blood pressure 4/5 months ago as feeling unwell. I have been prescribed the following tablets of which none have agreed with me - Amlodipine, Ramipril & Losartan. I'm now trying Spironolactone (water tablet). 3 weeks in & I'm getting more weary, confused, balance off & bowels loose. I'm seeing my GP today. Has anyone got any suggestions as to which tablet I should ask for please?

[Rollercoaster44]

Hi. Ive been on blood pressure tablets since my early 30’s. The doc first started me on losartan and i couldnt get on it with it, but they then changed me to candesarten which ive been on ever since with very few issues (that im aware of). They tried adding amlodipine a few years ago but it gave me swollen ankles and my bp went up instead of down so they just upped the candesaren. Im unable to have ramipril due to asthma. Regarding spironalactone - i personally havent used it but my hubbie has for fluid retention due to liver problems and whilst it did what it needed to it also caused some other temporary problems for him with electrolyte and aldersterone levels. Best to seek docs advice as several bp meds can upset sodium and potassium levels in the early days until body gets used to them.

[Longinthetooth in reply to Rollercoaster44]

I also had swollen ankles with Amlodipine. Perhaps I need to give these Spironolactone more time.Thanks for your reply.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I think you need to speak to your GP about it. It’s not something you can decide on from other people’s experiences.

I’ve taken Zestril (which is a branded version of lisinopril ) for over twenty years without any problems, I had a slight hitch early on when I was changed onto a generic lisinopril but was changed back to the named version when I had problems and I’ve been fine ever since - must have been a filler or something.

[Longinthetooth in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Yes, fillers are awful. I will discuss all with the GP this afternoon. Thanks for your reply.

[greygoose]

High blood pressure isn't a disease, it's a symptom. Very often a symptom of thyroid problems, either hypo or hyper. When did you last have your thyroid tested? What were the results?

[Longinthetooth in reply to greygoose]

Bloods were done 30 May this year after annual check with the Endo. We just get told that everything is fine. I could ask for a print out from the doc's today & let you know. I do wonder if it's thyroid related. The unfortunate thing for us is that our GP's have a limited knowledge of the thyroid & only do the regular tests. "Your TSH is fine". Thanks once again.

[jgelliss in reply to Longinthetooth]

I was just like you. Whatever the Dr said all was well I accepted. The problem with that was that on paper it looks well but in reality I was not well. I learned to always ask for copies of the lab results and write on the copy the dose I was on . I would keep a journal of my symptoms . And report back to the Dr . If the Dr would still insist that all was fine I would switch to different Dr that would *listen* and not just treat by lab results. Lab results are just a snapshot of the moment the labs were done. It doesn't say anything about the symptoms that are cellular. There are no test for that. *Yet*.Becoming more proactive in your care would benefit you very much. I learned this lesson from my own experiences.

Best wishes.

[Longinthetooth in reply to jgelliss]

I'm going prepared to the doc's shortly. Our doctors do try but this is out of their spectrum sometimes.Take care my friend.

[jgelliss in reply to Longinthetooth]

It's Great your going prepared. Knowledge is power.Best wishes.

[jgelliss in reply to greygoose]

Thank you so much GG for posting this. I was waiting for someone to post that it could be thyroid related. Here is a perfect example that Dr's just keep piling on meds for different ailments instead of going to the root of the problem. Thank you for your eye opening posts . Most appreciated.

[Longinthetooth in reply to jgelliss]

Hi there, You're welcome.

I just want to be well, as we all do.

It's good to share & know that we are not alone with this.

[jgelliss in reply to Longinthetooth]

I totally agree with you. This forum has been a tremendous Blessing for me. I'm not alone as you so well said.

[Longinthetooth]

Not sure if you've received this earlier from me so I've sent it again. My blood tests from May this year. Regarding my blood pressure.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Longinthetooth]

I have removed the image of your blood results as they showed your name etc.

When posting results be careful not to reveal your identity or those of your doctor.

[Longinthetooth in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you. I realized after I'd sent them.

[serenfach]

I suddenly had high blood pressure 2 years ago after being fine all my life. I have tried all the above bp drugs, plus others and none of them touched my blood pressure, but all had huge side effects. Three months ago I was put o Doxazosin despite being well over 65, was so dizzy I could not stand up and went blind for 2 days. The GPs response was to carry on taking them!

Not once has anyone looked into why my bp went silly. No looking at my heart - nothing.

I now take Hawthorn pills - yes I know, sounds a bit left wing, but they are prescribed in Germany. BP is very slowly dropping from 200/108 to 165/95. Still too high but at least I can see!

Good luck with your health, I hope you get it sorted.

[Longinthetooth in reply to serenfach]

HiThank you for replying.

How awful of the flipping GP to say to carry on taking them which is what I was told by my GP yesterday. You poor thing. So frightening what you must have gone through. May you continue to improve. I'm also of a similar age to yourself but that doesn't mean we are gaga.

I will look into hawthorn pills, thanks. I haven't taken a tablet today & that's the way I hope to go forward. I'm of a positive mind which helps but when you're weary it's hard. One or two of you have replied to me now regarding this & it's very helpful.

[Longinthetooth in reply to serenfach]

I've ordered hawthorn tablets which are being delivered tomorrow. I've tried to buy as natural as possible. Can I ask how long before they start to work & the best amount to take?

[serenfach]

I settled on 500mg a day, I am a bit cautious about this sort of thing. They say it can take a few weeks to start working.

I have a lot of Hawthorn trees here, so will see if I can do something with the berries myself!

[Longinthetooth in reply to serenfach]

A woman after my own heart! I also believe in the benefit of the natural resources that we have around us. I will forage for whatever I can. Good luck with your quest.