Blood pressure medication

It’s the second time my sodium has been low on BP medication. The first was on Ramipril and I was admitted to hospital the second has been this recent one Bendroflumethiazide.

Abnuyc123

I’ve had my blood results back. The medication wasn’t actually upsetting my stomach, it was more serious than that. It was causing hyponatremia, low sodium. It’s a good job I stopped taking them.

The GP who reviewed my results obviously didn’t check why I’d had blood taken. The message just said, abnormal results, get another test in two weeks. The GP has no idea that I’ve stopped taking the medication. I could be still taking it and heading towards being really ill.

OMG, this makes so much sense for what happened to me when I took BP medication. I’ve looked up some clinical studies.

I really did feel that I was going to die soon.
My heart was ceasing to function at 38 beats.

I’m glad I listened to my body. Bet you are too.🙂

Like others here, took a good time to get my bp meds correct. I was only in my early 60's when a routine check discovered my bp was very high. I had been due to have a small procedure at the hospital where I worked, and popped over to have the pre-entry checks, when this came up. They would not even let me home that day until I had confirmed an appointment with my GP.

I had no symptoms, felt well and was very active, probably very slightly over-weight, but nothing much. Anyway GP put me on one of the cheap Rampiril tabs and I took these, bp came down.
Coughing fits became so frequent over next few months I got referred to hospital chest clinic. As each day went on, this coughing got worse, by the evening I would lose total control as I was racked with these.
Professor at chest clinic was brilliant, did all the checks and tests, but was correct in his first diagnosis that this cough was due to this bp med. Eventually he wrote to GP saying I was not ever again to have anything in the 'piril' range.

Took a long time to find a combination of drugs that really worked for me. Several years, but eventually Losarton and Bendroflumethiazide tabs taken daily keep my bp well within range and so confident am I with that medication that I have long ago lost my 'white coat' syndrome. And, as far I can make out - no side effects.

I know it is they that keep my bp good. I somehow lost a strip of one one them and ran out just for three days as I was away from home and could not contact doctor, and even in that short time, my bp started to rise.

We are fortunate, that for most of us there is the right combination that works for us. No good GP will get fed up with any patient that perseveres.

butterandjam

My GP who first prescribed it changed my prescription until he found one ( a licensed brand) that produced no side effects. . (enalapril, brand Innovace). Years later when we moved house/GP and pharmacy, the new pharmacist told me " "I have to order this in specially for you, nobody else gets it because its so expensive most GP's won't prescribe it".

20 plus years later we moved house.GP/ Pharmacist again.

At the new GP, their in-house pharmacist rang me to question, why named brand ? Because no side effects. "Could we try another? ". No thanks.

And the very first time I went to our new local chemist to collect my prescription, the chemist had obviously put a flag on it and comes out to ask " Are you going to be a regular customer? Just asking because no other customers get this ACE brand, we have to order it in specially. "

5 years later,they are still "specially ordering it in" just for me.

That is good service. I was on one of those Ace drugs, gave me a hacking cough in the evenings. Even had a chest X-Ray to rule out lung cancer. Switched to amlodipine & losartan. Ok now 👍🏻

I’ve had my blood results back. The medication wasn’t actually upsetting my stomach, it was more serious than that. It was causing hyponatremia, low sodium. It’s a good job I stopped taking them.

The GP who reviewed my results obviously didn’t check why I’d had blood taken. The message just said, abnormal results, get another test in two weeks. The GP has no idea that I’ve stopped taking the medication. I could be still taking it and heading towards being really ill.

There are many anti- hypertensive medications available.
So persevere .
Would an anti - acid prevent the heartburn ?
I suggest that you keep a diary so that you have an accurate record of the drug and side effects .
Your GP has to help you find the right medication.
Don't be embarrassed or inhibited .
Wishing you luck .

The nurse is good, I’ve seen her before and she can prescribe.

Abnuyc123

I tried to get a GP appointment. The receptionist made me an appointment but it was with a pharmacist. I cancelled that and made an appointment with a nurse. I have two weeks to wait.

Personally, I would rather have had the appointment with a pharmacist, who is trained to know about medications. Unless you have an appointment with a nurse practitioner, s/he won't be able to prescribe and will know far less about the effects of drugs.

I tried to get a GP appointment. The receptionist made me an appointment but it was with a pharmacist. I cancelled that and made an appointment with a nurse. I have two weeks to wait.

I have been on amlodipine for over 8 years and have been suffering from swollen feet and legs for at least the last two years. The Gp did an Ecg and took bloods which all came back fine and wouldn't offer any treatment to help. On a recent check up with a new dentist, it was suggested my swollen gums were due to medication not infection and that I should see the doctor. I saw a new one who straight away decided all my swellings were due to the amlodipine and changed my meds to ramipril, which I have just started. Hopefully this will help as the swollen legs are very uncomfortable. So glad this doctor listened to me,I previously just felt palmed off

It's your GPS job to get your medication right whether you think he's fed up or not.....keep bothering him till he gets it right!

I was on Amlodipine along with Indapamide, with no problems, until recently, when I developed swollen ankles and breathlessness. GP changed my prescription to Ramapril, still with Indapamide. I had blood tests before starting and after the first few weeks to check liver cos it can cause problems there, but everything is fine. I have rediscovered my ankles! My BP was checked by Practice Nurse this week, 135 over 80, which she is pleased with.

When I developed HBP during lockdown, it was over 200. I asked if I could come off the statin I was prescribed at that time, but she said I'm at high risk of heart attack/ stroke so I'll just persevere with the aches and pains. I'm thankful to have access to these medications when I think of my parents and grandparents, who suffered heart attacks and strokes and didn't reach my age.

So please, OP, keep going back to your GP until you find a medication that suits you.

I was on two different blood pressure medications and when went into hospital recently they took me off one. I felt much better and my measurements have improved. You have to let medication take time. At least 2-3 weeks before you notice improvement or getting worse.

Do be careful crushing tablets - it can have a negative impact health wise as they won’t be absorbed correctly.

Madmeg

I must be% ve=ry lucky cos with most medications the common ones work fine. However, in 2024 I underwent treatment for oral cancer and couldn't swallow tablets - and my GP almost refused to prescribe liquids cos of the price. Recently my usual brand of Ramipril has rocketed in price so I've been given enormous "bullets" instead. I simply can't swallow them and they don't dissolve either. My pharmacy did find a better one, but they are constantly "unavailable" - as are many medications since we left the EU. It's a problem I have yet to resolve cos I will be taking them for life.

It is probably no help, MadMeg, but I cannot swallow tablets of any kind, so I break them up and mix with chocolate spread. Not good for my weight, but works pill-wise

PS: if not clear the opticians prescription had to go via the Docs surgery!

As regards cost of meds. I was prescribed certain eye-drops by the optician to be used 4 x a day. After years I got the excuse no longer available, use this brand instead. Tried them for a while but they made my eyes sting and the bottle had no slim ‘spout’ for neatly putting in the drops to my eyes, just a ‘stub’ which meant the drops were no longer properly directions listed, but went almost everywhere but my eye! I looked up my original brand online and it was still in production!
Went along to the docs, left a message ( you can rarely get an appointment) that the new ones hurt, etc, … they immediately changed it back. It WAS due to cost, but if you make enough fuss they should change it back!

Abnuyc123

Amlodipine gave me horrendous heartburn.

Amlodopine gave me swollenness legs/ankles eventually, but was on it since my 40 s without issue, then eventually after various tries of various brands on a combination, which worked fine for years, but recently ankles/ legs swelling again…tho this may just be old age, lack of exercise? I’m 80 next year!

Hi
I feel your pain.
Drs have been trying to get my bp under control for 8 months.
Still struggling but will keep going.
Everyone i have taken and i have a,carrier bag full have given me terrible side effects but bp still the same.
So keep going.
A majority of my drs appointments have been on the phone.

Amlodipine made one of my legs swell up alarmingly. I could almost see it inflate. My husband can take it with no problems.

I contacted the GP via the online thing, and was prescribed Ramipril, which I can tolerate well. Apparently it is usual practice to start patients on the cheapest drugs and move up the expense list if the cheaper ones are problematic. It makes sense, really.

zakimasood1

Hi @bnuyc123,

I’m really sorry you’re going through this — it sounds so frustrating. Side effects can be horrible, but there are usually other options out there, so don’t lose hope. If your GP isn’t helping much, maybe ask about seeing a specialist. And if the worry about stroke feels too much, please do reach out straight away for support. You’re not alone in this. 💙

Thank you, you’re very kind. x

Try a light diet for the indigestion, but go to the GP with this whole problem, including PB meds, as you said it to the Grans.

I've taken amlodipine for several years now with no ill effects and my blood pressure is normal for my age every time I have it checked.

Hi @bnuyc123,

I’m really sorry you’re going through this — it sounds so frustrating. Side effects can be horrible, but there are usually other options out there, so don’t lose hope. If your GP isn’t helping much, maybe ask about seeing a specialist. And if the worry about stroke feels too much, please do reach out straight away for support. You’re not alone in this. 💙

Hi keep going, there seems to be a lot of choice these days. I was worried about starting BP tablets as I seem to get every side effects on the leaflet and more 🙄
The first one I tried Losartan did the trick, I’ve been on it 10 years now. The only side effect is I seem to wee a bit more than before. Long may it last because I hate starting new tablets . Good luck.