'Amlodipine' High Blood Pressure Medication.

[walpurgis]

I have had varying degrees of highish blood pressure for years.

Some months ago my GP put me on Amlodipine to treat this, since then I've developed what appear to be side effects. They have sneaked up on me, as initially I did not experience anything, then I became aware of feeling cold in the extremities all the time, a loss of enthusiasm and energy for anything, knee and hip pains, sleeping difficulty at night, but wanting to sleep at every opportunity during the day, vision haziness, appetite loss, etc.

I usually take my medication religiously, but today, for the second time, I forgot and the physical symptoms I described have all but vanished and I feel energetic. The first time I missed a dose I ended up taking it half a day late and although I seemed to feel somewhat better, it was less pronounced. I've not taken it at all today and I'll see how I am in the morning. If it's obvious that the lack of medication is making me feel that much better, then I'll tell the GP to find me something else or keep me off the stuff

I just checked my BP and its about normal at the moment without the meds.

I checked online to see what side effects were known for Amlodipine and it seems that everything I've experienced is well known, with many people rejecting it.

[brian2957]

Geoff you have PM.

[Effem]

Get yersel back to the quack smartish.

I was prescribed Clopidogrel which gave me terrible rashes but my useless doc refused to accept it was that drug which caused it. I have stopped taking it altogether as I couldn't stand the side effects.

[synsei]

That's interesting Geoff, I've been on Amlodipine for years and suffer all the symptoms you describe to varying degrees, the worst being unable to sleep at night but sleeping like a log during the day, it drives my missus to distraction. We just put it down to one of my various conditions however now I know the actual cause I intend to do something about, thanks a lot dude... :)

[walpurgis]

I had a feeling I'd not be alone. I suspect we rather tend not to be outstandingly healthy here on AOS (speaking for myself only of course). I expect the balance of ages and possibly sedentary lifestyles/occupations (and bad habits?) may be a factor.

Anyway, if I've helped anybody by broadcasting my situation I'm pleased. See your GP if you relate to any of the symptoms/side effects I've described.

[Oldpinkman]

http://blogs.lawyers.com/2012/08/blood-pressure-meds-grossly-overprescribed/

[walpurgis]

I'll see how I am in the morning. If it's obvious that the lack of medication is making me feel that much better, then I'll tell the GP to find me something else or keep me off the stuff.

Well I slept OK and my joint aches and pains are all but gone and I feel clear headed. My BP measured 138 over 90 just now (slightly high, but it will go down over the day), so I've made an appointment to visit the GP this afternoon. No way am I taking Amlodipine again.

[walpurgis]

After the visit to the doctor I'm now off Amlodipine and having a four week respite before being offered an alternative.

[Effem]

Lock up your daughters, Geoff's getting his libido back :lol:

[DaveK]

I know it's obvious but it may do some good to repeat it. If you get any potentially adverse effects, even if you're not sure whether they are due to any meds you are taking, (and this includes over the counter 'aids'), go and talk to your GP. I'm speaking from experience here. Maybe I'm fortunate in having an understanding GP but in the last 6 or 7 years, after having a 'mini-stroke', I have taken a cocktail of 6 different medications for conditions the hospital treating me for my 'mini-stroke' identified that I was suffering from. Over that period 3 of those meds have been changed at my request because I suspected side effects.
Another thing worth considering is to use a site like http://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker (there are many others, just do a Google for 'Drug interactions') where you can see if any of your meds and OTC concoctions are known to react with any others.
If you don't take some responsibility for your own well being I don't see how you can expect anyone else to do so. Remember the old saying: We have to live with our mistakes but Doctors bury theirs :lol: .
Take care.
Dave.

[walpurgis]

Geoff's getting his libido back :lol:

It never went away mate. I'm still popular with certain ladies you know.

[struth]

I am on that too.....makes me pee all night and get really weird dreams, not quite nightmares but uneasy dreams but they are ok and better than the other one i was on that used to dehydrate me.

[DSJR]

I'm on this too (with Ramipril) and also suffer some of the effects mentioned. Oh fcuk!!!!!

[Effem]

It seems as if you added all of us old crocks together then you couldn't make one good one from all the parts could you? :rfl:

Oh heck, I have just knocked me commode over :lol:

[Sand Dancin Donkey Walker]

Hi Guys

I've been on Amlodipine for a couple of years now, my blood pressure use to be extremely high 160/135 or there abouts
I have no side affects at all from the medication, if anything I sleep better ( no odd dreams ).
also no cold feelings or joint problems, which is good as my job at the mo means I am on my feet all day nearly.
suppose it just means each of us different.

Andy

[Ninanina]

It seems as if you added all of us old crocks together then you couldn't make one good one from all the parts could you? :rfl:

Oh heck, I have just knocked me commode over :lol:

That made me giggle :rfl::rfl:

Bless.....

[walpurgis]

That made me giggle :rfl::rfl:

Bless.....

It's no laughing matter Bev. ;)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just had a quick read of this thread. For those of you that are having symptoms, you may may wish to consider that you have a problem getting rid of some of the metabolites this medication produces (in other words the waste products). It may well be that your storing higher than normal levels which cause your symptoms. Just a thought.......

[Yomanze]

Have any of you been recommended diet as the solution to controlling high blood pressure rather than just taking pills? As an example, if you cut out: sugar, carbs, grains, alcohol (red wine / non-grain stuff is acceptable), caffeine and salt you'd be feeling better than you've ever felt.

[hifi_dave]

I've been on BP medications for nearly 30 years now - I started early. I am on a cocktail of 5 pills plus Asprin and Flecainide for palpitations - so I can talk about side effects with some experience. As any Doctor will confirm, all medications are 'poisons' so you should expect some side effects but they don't affect everybody and the various combinations complicate things further.

Hypertension is a complicated condition and the Doctors should test to confirm what is causing it in a particular patient. Mine is down to benign tumours on both my Adrenal glands, so there is no cure, just the cocktail to reduce it. Unfortunately, each of the pills causes side effects, which I have to endure but the alternative is a stroke and/or heart attack. To discover what causes my Hypertension has taken quite a few years and it is only because we moved to where we live now and changed GP, that the proper tests have been done via the Nephrologists at Addenbrookes.

If the BP is slightly elevated, a single pill, usually a Diuretic, at a low dose, should reduce it to normal. However, as you get older, the BP increases naturally and that is when a cocktail is required, with the inevitable side effects. Over the years, I have discovered that the pills work or don't work at low doses. Increasing the dose doesn't usually reduce the BP at all but does cause the side effects to kick in.

So Amlodipine will cause side effects but may not at the minimum dosage. If your BP is normal now, then that is great but bear in mind that some medications take 2 -3 weeks to work and do stay in the system for a week or two. You do need to keep an eye on the BP because damage can be caused to your body by ignoring it.

[Yomanze]

Dave that doesn't sound fun at all, and understand that there are cases where you just need the daily "cocktail" to keep things under wraps.

[hifi_dave]

It's no fun at all. The side effects mean that I feel ill, all day, every day but there is no alternative. All I can console myself with is that I am not dead and some poor sods take far more pills than I do.

I would suggest that the average GP is probably not sufficiently skilled to deal with Hypertension. I have been treated by several GPs and also several Consultants both through the NHS and via BUPA. It is only now that the top Nephrologist at Addenbrookes has taken charge, that my BP is normalish - but with a cocktail. The average GP will be prescribing a pill here and there or a couple at a time but without knowing the cause. Sometimes the Dr will strike lucky but not always. You need to see a proper Consultant and not just a GP if Hypertension is a problem.

[losenotaminute]

Have any of you been recommended diet as the solution to controlling high blood pressure rather than just taking pills? As an example, if you cut out: sugar, carbs, grains, alcohol (red wine / non-grain stuff is acceptable), caffeine and salt you'd be feeling better than you've ever felt.

If I cut those out of my diet, there would be little left and I'd starve within a week. It's a lot easier to take a pill IMO.

Lawrence

[Yomanze]

If I cut those out of my diet, there would be little left and I'd starve within a week. It's a lot easier to take a pill IMO.

Lawrence

True it's the carbs that give that full feeling! Huge amounts of steak, fish, meat and green veg with onions and garlic still doesn't fill you up like a good Spaghetti, pizza, full roasts, pies etc. I miss the feeling but my body is much better after cutting it out. I still enjoy those things on weekends of course! ;)