Storm Moon
02-28-2008, 09:14 AM
Well, looks like I got to start on a beta-blocker again, this time it's Coreg. My blood pressure shot up pretty high yesterday when I saw the dr, 160/114. Early monday morning, I had skipping sensations in my heart, chest pain (felt kind of like a dull ache) and dizziness, so I went to the hospital. I also had some heartburn and bloating. They gave me Nexium and this GI Concoction that numbs your stomach, diagnosed me with GERD and palpitations and sent me home. A couple of hours later I started having shortness of breath and went back up there. They ran blood tests and told me my potassium was low, around 2.5 and gave me some potassium. Both times when I was there my bp was pretty high, so it looks like the HCTZ wasn't going to be enough, so my doctor is starting me on Coreg. I was given a prescription for Atenolol but I don't want to go back on that stuff again cause it slowed my heart rate down in the 40s and scared me to death lol So I'm hoping that coreg won't be as bad.
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bethsheba
02-28-2008, 09:36 AM
.... A couple of hours later I started having shortness of breath and went back up there. They ran blood tests and told me my potassium was low, around 2.5 and gave me some potassium. Both times when I was there my bp was pretty high, so it looks like the HCTZ wasn't going to be enough, so my doctor is starting me on Coreg.....
Storm,
In my humble opinion I think they should have brought your potassium levels back up to normal before prescribing another med...although I don't know, I think this is where I ran into problems when I was first diagosed with hypertension...
My potassium levels were low and I was prescibed hct...I think the hct made my levels even lower (driving up my pressures) and as a result they increased my dose of hct. I have no proof of this...only memories of horrible side effects, many of which suggest an electrolyte imbalance and medication overdose.
So be careful...it may be that when your K levels improve, your medication will be too strong.
I don't remember...do you monitor your pressures at home? If not, you need to do so.
Good luck.
Bethsheba
Storm,
In my humble opinion I think they should have brought your potassium levels back up to normal before prescribing another med...although I don't know, I think this is where I ran into problems when I was first diagosed with hypertension...
My potassium levels were low and I was prescibed hct...I think the hct made my levels even lower (driving up my pressures) and as a result they increased my dose of hct. I have no proof of this...only memories of horrible side effects, many of which suggest an electrolyte imbalance and medication overdose.
So be careful...it may be that when your K levels improve, your medication will be too strong.
I don't remember...do you monitor your pressures at home? If not, you need to do so.
Good luck.
Bethsheba
bethsheba
02-28-2008, 10:15 AM
Storm,
Just for your info, some of the other problems I had with hct were vision changes (blurriness and sensitivity)....and the hct can cause the potassium deficiency which regulates heart beats.
I couldn't help but notice that you've posted on the arthritis board...has your arthritis improved since you've been off the lisinopril? When I was taking lisinopril I had problems with stiffness and movement (it was VERY difficult for me to get out of a car and I had problems walking) which I attibuted to arthritis, but my "arthritis" disappeared completely after discoing the lisinopril.
Bethsheba
Just for your info, some of the other problems I had with hct were vision changes (blurriness and sensitivity)....and the hct can cause the potassium deficiency which regulates heart beats.
I couldn't help but notice that you've posted on the arthritis board...has your arthritis improved since you've been off the lisinopril? When I was taking lisinopril I had problems with stiffness and movement (it was VERY difficult for me to get out of a car and I had problems walking) which I attibuted to arthritis, but my "arthritis" disappeared completely after discoing the lisinopril.
Bethsheba
Storm Moon
02-28-2008, 12:23 PM
Storm,
In my humble opinion I think they should have brought your potassium levels back up to normal before prescribing another med...although I don't know, I think this is where I ran into problems when I was first diagosed with hypertension...
My potassium levels were low and I was prescibed hct...I think the hct made my levels even lower (driving up my pressures) and as a result they increased my dose of hct. I have no proof of this...only memories of horrible side effects, many of which suggest an electrolyte imbalance and medication overdose.
So be careful...it may be that when your K levels improve, your medication will be too strong.
I don't remember...do you monitor your pressures at home? If not, you need to do so.
Good luck.
Bethsheba
They did give me some potassium in the ER and wrote me a RX for some liquid form, but my doc wants to see if they've improved first. I had blood drawn yesterday and won't hear from them until tomorrow (one reason why doctor's offices shouldn't send off bloodwork cause it takes too long.) But I agree, it makes you lose more electrolytes and can make BP level's rise, which is probably why it's typically not used alone. I did try to eat bananas and drink oj with my medicine every day but went we ran out of them, we didn't go back to the store for it yet.
As far as my RA, it hasn't improved any since i've been off the lisinopril, and those symptoms started before I went on it, back in april. I was prescribed lisinopril/hctz in june of last year. Maybe the HCTZ can cause rheumatic-symptoms? I've been on that for about 3 years now.
In my humble opinion I think they should have brought your potassium levels back up to normal before prescribing another med...although I don't know, I think this is where I ran into problems when I was first diagosed with hypertension...
My potassium levels were low and I was prescibed hct...I think the hct made my levels even lower (driving up my pressures) and as a result they increased my dose of hct. I have no proof of this...only memories of horrible side effects, many of which suggest an electrolyte imbalance and medication overdose.
So be careful...it may be that when your K levels improve, your medication will be too strong.
I don't remember...do you monitor your pressures at home? If not, you need to do so.
Good luck.
Bethsheba
They did give me some potassium in the ER and wrote me a RX for some liquid form, but my doc wants to see if they've improved first. I had blood drawn yesterday and won't hear from them until tomorrow (one reason why doctor's offices shouldn't send off bloodwork cause it takes too long.) But I agree, it makes you lose more electrolytes and can make BP level's rise, which is probably why it's typically not used alone. I did try to eat bananas and drink oj with my medicine every day but went we ran out of them, we didn't go back to the store for it yet.
As far as my RA, it hasn't improved any since i've been off the lisinopril, and those symptoms started before I went on it, back in april. I was prescribed lisinopril/hctz in june of last year. Maybe the HCTZ can cause rheumatic-symptoms? I've been on that for about 3 years now.
bethsheba
02-28-2008, 01:23 PM
... I did try to eat bananas and drink oj with my medicine every day but went we ran out of them, we didn't go back to the store for it yet.
Bananas and oranges are good sources of potassium, but if you run out you can eat baked potatoes with skins, yogurt, milk, grapefurit juice (canned), acorn squash, spinach, etc....so you don't have to rely on only 2 fruits to get your "supply".
....As far as my RA, it hasn't improved any since i've been off the lisinopril, and those symptoms started before I went on it, back in april. I was prescribed lisinopril/hctz in june of last year. Maybe the HCTZ can cause rheumatic-symptoms? I've been on that for about 3 years now.
Yes, I would say that hct can cause rheumatic symtoms...although I don't recall the "stiffness" so much as I recall the back pain and shoulder pain....I underwent about 10 weeks of physical therapy to deal with the symptoms only to have them disappear when I disco'd hct. I didn't figure out it was the hct until I read of others on this board who experienced "my" symptoms. I have since read in the literature that this can be a side effect of hct. Oh, and by the way my doctor denied the hct was causing these problems but again, these symptoms are documented in clinical trials and are reported by posters on this board!
Bethsheba
PS I might add that my symptoms came and went over the months that I was on hct...as with any med, symptoms have a mind of their own and come and go at their convenience, not ours.
Bananas and oranges are good sources of potassium, but if you run out you can eat baked potatoes with skins, yogurt, milk, grapefurit juice (canned), acorn squash, spinach, etc....so you don't have to rely on only 2 fruits to get your "supply".
....As far as my RA, it hasn't improved any since i've been off the lisinopril, and those symptoms started before I went on it, back in april. I was prescribed lisinopril/hctz in june of last year. Maybe the HCTZ can cause rheumatic-symptoms? I've been on that for about 3 years now.
Yes, I would say that hct can cause rheumatic symtoms...although I don't recall the "stiffness" so much as I recall the back pain and shoulder pain....I underwent about 10 weeks of physical therapy to deal with the symptoms only to have them disappear when I disco'd hct. I didn't figure out it was the hct until I read of others on this board who experienced "my" symptoms. I have since read in the literature that this can be a side effect of hct. Oh, and by the way my doctor denied the hct was causing these problems but again, these symptoms are documented in clinical trials and are reported by posters on this board!
Bethsheba
PS I might add that my symptoms came and went over the months that I was on hct...as with any med, symptoms have a mind of their own and come and go at their convenience, not ours.
Storm Moon
02-28-2008, 01:58 PM
That's interesting. The only thing I heard about HCTZ is that it can raise cholesterol levels, but I never heard of it causing arthritis. Should I talk to my rheumatologist about it?
flowergirl2day
02-28-2008, 02:13 PM
Storm,
Sorry to hear abou your problems. So which meds are you on now? Hctz, Nexium, coreg and lisinopril?
Your potassium deficiency must be corrected. Oral potassium is the safest way to treat mild or moderate deficiency. Take the liquid formulation you were given as directed. It is easily absorbed. 40-100 mEq a day over several days or weeks is used to treat hypokalemia and fully restore potassium stores. Dietary potassium does not correct potassium loss from choloride depletion, such as from diuretics or vomiting.
The diuretic you take will not be helping the matters at all.
Some of your symptoms can be attributed to your medication. Coreg can cause stomach pain, nausea, shortness of breath, slow and uneven heartbeat......This is what is recommended when using coreg as treatment in hypertension.
Starting dose..6.25mg 2x a day
maintain 7-14 days if tolerated
increase to 12.5mg 2x a day based on BP readings, measuring systolic blood pressure while the person is standing, one hour after administration, as a guide for tolerance
maintain 7-14 days
adjust upward to 25mg 2x a day if tolerated and needed
Do not exceed 50mg a day. Full effect seen in 7-14 days. Additive effects when combined with a diuretic.
A lower dose of Coreg might be enough since you take the Hctz also. I hope it works for you. Watch those stomach meds - sometimes they cause more problems than they cure!
Good luck! :)
flowergirl
Sorry to hear abou your problems. So which meds are you on now? Hctz, Nexium, coreg and lisinopril?
Your potassium deficiency must be corrected. Oral potassium is the safest way to treat mild or moderate deficiency. Take the liquid formulation you were given as directed. It is easily absorbed. 40-100 mEq a day over several days or weeks is used to treat hypokalemia and fully restore potassium stores. Dietary potassium does not correct potassium loss from choloride depletion, such as from diuretics or vomiting.
The diuretic you take will not be helping the matters at all.
Some of your symptoms can be attributed to your medication. Coreg can cause stomach pain, nausea, shortness of breath, slow and uneven heartbeat......This is what is recommended when using coreg as treatment in hypertension.
Starting dose..6.25mg 2x a day
maintain 7-14 days if tolerated
increase to 12.5mg 2x a day based on BP readings, measuring systolic blood pressure while the person is standing, one hour after administration, as a guide for tolerance
maintain 7-14 days
adjust upward to 25mg 2x a day if tolerated and needed
Do not exceed 50mg a day. Full effect seen in 7-14 days. Additive effects when combined with a diuretic.
A lower dose of Coreg might be enough since you take the Hctz also. I hope it works for you. Watch those stomach meds - sometimes they cause more problems than they cure!
Good luck! :)
flowergirl
Storm Moon
02-28-2008, 04:15 PM
Thanks for the reply flowergirl. As of now, I'm still taking the HCTZ and today I just started Coreg, 12.5 mg twice a day, and I'm also on loratidine (claritin). I didn't get the Potassium filled just yet (Kroger needed to order some, way cheaper there). For now I want to wait and check blood tests taken yesterday at the dr. I should hear from them tomorrow. Right now I'm feeling a little better, but still a bit weak. I really set myself up for this though cause I slept about 12 hours on Sunday and didn't eat or drink anything until late that night; I think all I did was take my medicine (HCTZ) and go to bed around 11:30 in the morning. I didn't wake up until nearlyl midnight. (Sleep patterns have been erratic for a few days).
bethsheba
02-28-2008, 06:34 PM
Hello Storm,
I don't know that hct "causes" arthritis, nor do I know how they define or diagnose arthritis. What I do know is that I experienced joint pain and bone pain--specifically in the lower back and shoulder--while taking this medication. Also, I was unable to turn my head to the side and look over my shoulder (when I was driving and switching lanes, for example). Back pain and shoulder pain are listed as known side effects of this med. Muscular aches and pain are also noted. My doctor denied that the pain was caused by the hct but I read otherwise.
I mention this because many people, doctors included, do not put two and two together and treat the side effects with more medication. Now this may not be the situation in your case. But you need to be aware of some of ther possibilities...and you need to look for the other possibilities.
And fyi, pain relievers including prednisone, can alter the effectiveness of hct...and can also elevate bp.
You should tell all of your doctors all of the meds, over the counter meds, herbs, and supplements that you are taking.
I really set myself up for this though cause I slept about 12 hours on Sunday and didn't eat or drink anything until late that night; I think all I did was take my medicine (HCTZ) and go to bed around 11:30 in the morning. I didn't wake up until nearlyl midnight. (Sleep patterns have been erratic for a few days).
I don't think you set yourself up for this at all. The sleepinesss may be caused by an electrolyte imbalance or it may be another side effect of the hct...BEWARE...it is a viscious cyle. It is important to tell your doctor about this...but don't say "I'm tired"...they hear that all the time...Tell your doctor "I slept 12 hours and was too tired to eat or drink anything until late that night....etc,etc.
Do let us know how you're doing. I'll be anxious to hear what your doctor says as I had similar symptoms...
Bethsheba
I don't know that hct "causes" arthritis, nor do I know how they define or diagnose arthritis. What I do know is that I experienced joint pain and bone pain--specifically in the lower back and shoulder--while taking this medication. Also, I was unable to turn my head to the side and look over my shoulder (when I was driving and switching lanes, for example). Back pain and shoulder pain are listed as known side effects of this med. Muscular aches and pain are also noted. My doctor denied that the pain was caused by the hct but I read otherwise.
I mention this because many people, doctors included, do not put two and two together and treat the side effects with more medication. Now this may not be the situation in your case. But you need to be aware of some of ther possibilities...and you need to look for the other possibilities.
And fyi, pain relievers including prednisone, can alter the effectiveness of hct...and can also elevate bp.
You should tell all of your doctors all of the meds, over the counter meds, herbs, and supplements that you are taking.
I really set myself up for this though cause I slept about 12 hours on Sunday and didn't eat or drink anything until late that night; I think all I did was take my medicine (HCTZ) and go to bed around 11:30 in the morning. I didn't wake up until nearlyl midnight. (Sleep patterns have been erratic for a few days).
I don't think you set yourself up for this at all. The sleepinesss may be caused by an electrolyte imbalance or it may be another side effect of the hct...BEWARE...it is a viscious cyle. It is important to tell your doctor about this...but don't say "I'm tired"...they hear that all the time...Tell your doctor "I slept 12 hours and was too tired to eat or drink anything until late that night....etc,etc.
Do let us know how you're doing. I'll be anxious to hear what your doctor says as I had similar symptoms...
Bethsheba
Storm Moon
02-29-2008, 05:35 PM
I haven't heard from the doctor's yet. I guess the results won't be in til next week. I'll post them when I hear from them.
So far the Coreg is making me feel a bit dizzy and sick to my stomach. It's slowed my HR into the 60s, from the 80s where it normally ran. It's also made me feel pretty relaxed. I'm wondering if it relieves anxiety now lol
So far the Coreg is making me feel a bit dizzy and sick to my stomach. It's slowed my HR into the 60s, from the 80s where it normally ran. It's also made me feel pretty relaxed. I'm wondering if it relieves anxiety now lol
flowergirl2day
02-29-2008, 09:34 PM
Hi Storm, :)
It's good to know that Coreg eases anxiety besides its other effects. It most likely contributes to your sleepiness. I hope the dizziness is only temporary while your body is adjusting to the new drug, slower heart beat and a lower pulse rate. The nausea/stomach issues are common side effects of many prescription drugs, unfortunately. Hopefully, they will lessen with time.
Let's hope that your current dose of Coreg is sufficient to keep your blood pressure well controlled. You might not even need a dosage increase. That could mean that the side effects will not get much worse then they are now. Your body will adjust and learn to tolerate the drug after a while. Once that happens, your side effects might even disappear. Please let us know how things go for you. I wish you success with your potassium battle....once your electrolytes are in balance, you will feel much better. I feel a lot better now- not as many aches and pains and muscle cramps - so I am hoping things have corrected themselves. I will have some labwork done in a couple of weeks and will know for sure then. I hope your labs show an improvement. Good luck.
flowergirl
It's good to know that Coreg eases anxiety besides its other effects. It most likely contributes to your sleepiness. I hope the dizziness is only temporary while your body is adjusting to the new drug, slower heart beat and a lower pulse rate. The nausea/stomach issues are common side effects of many prescription drugs, unfortunately. Hopefully, they will lessen with time.
Let's hope that your current dose of Coreg is sufficient to keep your blood pressure well controlled. You might not even need a dosage increase. That could mean that the side effects will not get much worse then they are now. Your body will adjust and learn to tolerate the drug after a while. Once that happens, your side effects might even disappear. Please let us know how things go for you. I wish you success with your potassium battle....once your electrolytes are in balance, you will feel much better. I feel a lot better now- not as many aches and pains and muscle cramps - so I am hoping things have corrected themselves. I will have some labwork done in a couple of weeks and will know for sure then. I hope your labs show an improvement. Good luck.
flowergirl