Wellness

[makeupaddicted1]

I think your doctor will have to decide what's best for you based on your individual health needs. I started out with Lisinopril but had other side effects so my doctor switched me to Atenolol 50 mg. which unfortunately didn't seem to be helping much. Now I'm on 10 mg. of Amlodipine and it is working the best, BUT I occasionally have swollen ankles which is a common side effect of this medicine. As long as it is occasional, I can live with that. BP this morning was perfect 130/74!

[LilacTree]

On 1/14/2014 makeupaddicted1 said:

I think your doctor will have to decide what's best for you based on your individual health needs. I started out with Lisinopril but had other side effects so my doctor switched me to Atenolol 50 mg. which unfortunately didn't seem to be helping much. Now I'm on 10 mg. of Amlodipine and it is working the best, BUT I occasionally have swollen ankles which is a common side effect of this medicine. As long as it is occasional, I can live with that. BP this morning was perfect 130/74!

This is the same med my doctor prescribed to me yesterday. I haven't finished my research on it, but my doc told me about the swollen ankles and legs. There are other side effects in the drug informatiion that comes from the pharmacy that I'm not crazy about, so I will do more research today. This med is a calcium channel blocker, whereas Lisinopril is an ace inhibitor. I still have the same symptoms, but I would imagine if the Lisinopril was causing them, it will take a while for them to abate.

Oddly enough my last two morning BPs (did not take the Lisinopril either day) were 106/65 today, and 105/48 yesterday. At the doc's office, it was also on the low side. I asked her if I should put off taking the new med until I start to see a rise in my BP and she said "no, start it right away." I don't think I'm going to do that. If and when I see it rising, I will probably start the new med. I say "probably," because it depends on what I read today.

With the exception of rheumatic fever and scarlet fever I had as a child, and the rheumatoid arthritis which started at age 66 (now ten years ago), all of my health issues have been caused by medication side effects. So I am very, very wary of medications.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well on the amlodipine, it's good to hear. However, I am still undecided as to what I am going to do.

[Tissyanne]

I have taken amlodipine for several years with no problems. I take mine right before bed. I encourage you to start the blood pressure med right away, as high blood pressure generally causes no symptoms. My DH takes the blood pressure pill that causes cough, and he does cough some. I hope your other symptoms subside. Did your dr think you have lupus? I just got tested for it, because I get the red face mask at times. Mine has been attributed to extreme stress.

[Tissyanne]

Want to add, my ankles do not swell. My dosage is 10/20 once a day.

[QueenDanceALot]

On 1/14/2014 Ford1224 said:

On 1/14/2014 makeupaddicted1 said:

I think your doctor will have to decide what's best for you based on your individual health needs. I started out with Lisinopril but had other side effects so my doctor switched me to Atenolol 50 mg. which unfortunately didn't seem to be helping much. Now I'm on 10 mg. of Amlodipine and it is working the best, BUT I occasionally have swollen ankles which is a common side effect of this medicine. As long as it is occasional, I can live with that. BP this morning was perfect 130/74!

This is the same med my doctor prescribed to me yesterday. I haven't finished my research on it, but my doc told me about the swollen ankles and legs. There are other side effects in the drug informatiion that comes from the pharmacy that I'm not crazy about, so I will do more research today. This med is a calcium channel blocker, whereas Lisinopril is an ace inhibitor. I still have the same symptoms, but I would imagine if the Lisinopril was causing them, it will take a while for them to abate.

Oddly enough my last two morning BPs (did not take the Lisinopril either day) were 106/65 today, and 105/48 yesterday. At the doc's office, it was also on the low side. I asked her if I should put off taking the new med until I start to see a rise in my BP and she said "no, start it right away." I don't think I'm going to do that. If and when I see it rising, I will probably start the new med. I say "probably," because it depends on what I read today.

With the exception of rheumatic fever and scarlet fever I had as a child, and the rheumatoid arthritis which started at age 66 (now ten years ago), all of my health issues have been caused by medication side effects. So I am very, very wary of medications.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well on the amlodipine, it's good to hear. However, I am still undecided as to what I am going to do.

With readings like that why on earth would a doctor tell you to take a medication?

I wouldn't take that either. I'd just keep an eye on my bp at home.

[LilacTree]

On 1/14/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 1/14/2014 Ford1224 said:

On 1/14/2014 makeupaddicted1 said:

I think your doctor will have to decide what's best for you based on your individual health needs. I started out with Lisinopril but had other side effects so my doctor switched me to Atenolol 50 mg. which unfortunately didn't seem to be helping much. Now I'm on 10 mg. of Amlodipine and it is working the best, BUT I occasionally have swollen ankles which is a common side effect of this medicine. As long as it is occasional, I can live with that. BP this morning was perfect 130/74!

This is the same med my doctor prescribed to me yesterday. I haven't finished my research on it, but my doc told me about the swollen ankles and legs. There are other side effects in the drug informatiion that comes from the pharmacy that I'm not crazy about, so I will do more research today. This med is a calcium channel blocker, whereas Lisinopril is an ace inhibitor. I still have the same symptoms, but I would imagine if the Lisinopril was causing them, it will take a while for them to abate.

Oddly enough my last two morning BPs (did not take the Lisinopril either day) were 106/65 today, and 105/48 yesterday. At the doc's office, it was also on the low side. I asked her if I should put off taking the new med until I start to see a rise in my BP and she said "no, start it right away." I don't think I'm going to do that. If and when I see it rising, I will probably start the new med. I say "probably," because it depends on what I read today.

With the exception of rheumatic fever and scarlet fever I had as a child, and the rheumatoid arthritis which started at age 66 (now ten years ago), all of my health issues have been caused by medication side effects. So I am very, very wary of medications.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well on the amlodipine, it's good to hear. However, I am still undecided as to what I am going to do.

With readings like that why on earth would a doctor tell you to take a medication?

I wouldn't take that either. I'd just keep an eye on my bp at home.

It was high when Lisinopril was first prescribed. On the med, it never went quite this low, although it was always under 120/80.

I questioned her about taking it when it is reading this low without the med, but she said something like . . . "oh, it will go up again." I think you agree that I should wait until that happens, right? I have an excellent upper arm BP monitor at home (Omron Intellisense), so I will take my BP in the morning (always when it was at its highest) and not take the med until I see a significant jump. I'm glad you agree with me. Thank you!

I have read a lot about calcium channel blockers in the last couple of hours, and other BP meds as well. I am not thrilled about what I am reading. However, I realize everyone's situation is different.

[Tissyanne]

Sorry Ford, I see you are monitoring your blood pressure at home. I would then wait too, seeing readings as low as yours as well as it being low at the dr office. I wish you well and hope your symptoms subside.

[QueenDanceALot]

On 1/14/2014 Ford1224 said:

On 1/14/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 1/14/2014 Ford1224 said:

On 1/14/2014 makeupaddicted1 said:

I think your doctor will have to decide what's best for you based on your individual health needs. I started out with Lisinopril but had other side effects so my doctor switched me to Atenolol 50 mg. which unfortunately didn't seem to be helping much. Now I'm on 10 mg. of Amlodipine and it is working the best, BUT I occasionally have swollen ankles which is a common side effect of this medicine. As long as it is occasional, I can live with that. BP this morning was perfect 130/74!

This is the same med my doctor prescribed to me yesterday. I haven't finished my research on it, but my doc told me about the swollen ankles and legs. There are other side effects in the drug informatiion that comes from the pharmacy that I'm not crazy about, so I will do more research today. This med is a calcium channel blocker, whereas Lisinopril is an ace inhibitor. I still have the same symptoms, but I would imagine if the Lisinopril was causing them, it will take a while for them to abate.

Oddly enough my last two morning BPs (did not take the Lisinopril either day) were 106/65 today, and 105/48 yesterday. At the doc's office, it was also on the low side. I asked her if I should put off taking the new med until I start to see a rise in my BP and she said "no, start it right away." I don't think I'm going to do that. If and when I see it rising, I will probably start the new med. I say "probably," because it depends on what I read today.

With the exception of rheumatic fever and scarlet fever I had as a child, and the rheumatoid arthritis which started at age 66 (now ten years ago), all of my health issues have been caused by medication side effects. So I am very, very wary of medications.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well on the amlodipine, it's good to hear. However, I am still undecided as to what I am going to do.

With readings like that why on earth would a doctor tell you to take a medication?

I wouldn't take that either. I'd just keep an eye on my bp at home.

It was high when Lisinopril was first prescribed. On the med, it never went quite this low, although it was always under 120/80.

I questioned her about taking it when it is reading this low without the med, but she said something like . . . "oh, it will go up again." I think you agree that I should wait until that happens, right? I have an excellent upper arm BP monitor at home (Omron Intellisense), so I will take my BP in the morning (always when it was at its highest) and not take the med until I see a significant jump. I'm glad you agree with me. Thank you!

I have read a lot about calcium channel blockers in the last couple of hours, and other BP meds as well. I am not thrilled about what I am reading. However, I realize everyone's situation is different.

I do agree with you, Ford. You will be tracking it. You won't be ignoring it.

After the lisinopril debacle, I was given a calcium channel blocker. Within a week, my lower legs and feet swelled up and hurt so bad I could barely walk. THEN the doctor put me on Diovan (an ARB). That stuff did nothing and I was tired all the time. The last resort (med wise) would have been a beta blocker and the doctor had intially told me that I was too young for that. I've read more than enough about beta blockers to know I want no part of them.

I now (on the advice of my new doctor) take no meds, but do take a number of supplements, ubiquinol being one. I also stopped drinking coffee and using salt. I do a lot of yoga and stress management. I stress out when I go to the doctor's office and my bp goes up, but at home I seem to have it under control most of the time.

[LilacTree]

On 1/14/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 1/14/2014 Ford1224 said:

On 1/14/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 1/14/2014 Ford1224 said:

On 1/14/2014 makeupaddicted1 said:

I think your doctor will have to decide what's best for you based on your individual health needs. I started out with Lisinopril but had other side effects so my doctor switched me to Atenolol 50 mg. which unfortunately didn't seem to be helping much. Now I'm on 10 mg. of Amlodipine and it is working the best, BUT I occasionally have swollen ankles which is a common side effect of this medicine. As long as it is occasional, I can live with that. BP this morning was perfect 130/74!

This is the same med my doctor prescribed to me yesterday. I haven't finished my research on it, but my doc told me about the swollen ankles and legs. There are other side effects in the drug informatiion that comes from the pharmacy that I'm not crazy about, so I will do more research today. This med is a calcium channel blocker, whereas Lisinopril is an ace inhibitor. I still have the same symptoms, but I would imagine if the Lisinopril was causing them, it will take a while for them to abate.

Oddly enough my last two morning BPs (did not take the Lisinopril either day) were 106/65 today, and 105/48 yesterday. At the doc's office, it was also on the low side. I asked her if I should put off taking the new med until I start to see a rise in my BP and she said "no, start it right away." I don't think I'm going to do that. If and when I see it rising, I will probably start the new med. I say "probably," because it depends on what I read today.

With the exception of rheumatic fever and scarlet fever I had as a child, and the rheumatoid arthritis which started at age 66 (now ten years ago), all of my health issues have been caused by medication side effects. So I am very, very wary of medications.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well on the amlodipine, it's good to hear. However, I am still undecided as to what I am going to do.

With readings like that why on earth would a doctor tell you to take a medication?

I wouldn't take that either. I'd just keep an eye on my bp at home.

It was high when Lisinopril was first prescribed. On the med, it never went quite this low, although it was always under 120/80.

I questioned her about taking it when it is reading this low without the med, but she said something like . . . "oh, it will go up again." I think you agree that I should wait until that happens, right? I have an excellent upper arm BP monitor at home (Omron Intellisense), so I will take my BP in the morning (always when it was at its highest) and not take the med until I see a significant jump. I'm glad you agree with me. Thank you!

I have read a lot about calcium channel blockers in the last couple of hours, and other BP meds as well. I am not thrilled about what I am reading. However, I realize everyone's situation is different.

I do agree with you, Ford. You will be tracking it. You won't be ignoring it.

After the lisinopril debacle, I was given a calcium channel blocker. Within a week, my lower legs and feet swelled up and hurt so bad I could barely walk. THEN the doctor put me on Diovan (an ARB). That stuff did nothing and I was tired all the time. The last resort (med wise) would have been a beta blocker and the doctor had intially told me that I was too young for that. I've read more than enough about beta blockers to know I want no part of them.

I now (on the advice of my new doctor) take no meds, but do take a number of supplements, ubiquinol being one. I also stopped drinking coffee and using salt. I do a lot of yoga and stress management. I stress out when I go to the doctor's office and my bp goes up, but at home I seem to have it under control most of the time.

I'm happy to hear that Kitty. I can't exercise, or I definitely would if I saw the BP going up again. I just don't know why I can't seem to find a doctor with whom I agree. I make it very clear with every doctor I see, that I am not into meds. Yet they give me a prescription every single time I leave their offices (meds which I rarely wind up taking). With the low BP readings I had at home (which I showed her) and the low readings in her office (one by the nurse and one by her) I don't understand her advice to start immediately on this new med.

Doctors, and meds, and radioactive tests galore, have destroyed my health and my body. I don't know how I have made it to this age, I really don't. The only things I don't seem to have is some form of cancer (yet) or heart disease (yet).

Right now, today, I am on three meds . . . unfortunately, one of which is still prednisone. I can't seem to get that monkey off my back. On a list I found researching today, it is still listed as the number one worst med to take (all steroids are), although others do kill faster.

[LilacTree]

On 1/14/2014 Tissyanne said: Sorry Ford, I see you are monitoring your blood pressure at home. I would then wait too, seeing readings as low as yours as well as it being low at the dr office. I wish you well and hope your symptoms subside.

Thank you, Tissyanne.