For Zuzu, please ~ Re:Diovan - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

sunny6 · 05-05-2004, 01:09 AM

Dear Zuzu,

You were so kind and supportive. Due to increases in both systolic and diastolic readings, my doc has increased my Diovan from 80 to 160 mgs. I've been on the new dose now for 5 days and no change in the Bp..still HIGH. Would you happen to know how long it takes until the med kicks in?
Also, with menopause, it looks like I am dealing with low adrenal function. My cortisol level is off and I am very fatigued. Any experience with that?
Thanks for staying interested and sharing your story and learnings with me.

Hugs,
Sunny

zuzu8 · 05-05-2004, 04:42 AM

Sunny,

Regarding Diovan....usually you'll see a reduction in your BP within 2 weeks and maximal reduction within a month. I'd say give it more time.

As for adrenal function, I'm not too knowledgeable...do you have full blown Addison's? Presumably you are under the care of a good endocrinologist.
I do know that adrenal insufficiency may be permanent or temporary. When it is permanent, glucocorticoid medication is needed daily for life.
Temporary adrenal insufficiency is often brought on by physical stress, infection (including TB...Also HIV) and/or surgery.

What's odd about your situation though, is that your BP is elevated and adrenal insufficiency usually presents with hyPOtension....

Here is a link to the NIH's MEDLINE..a great website (permitted to post by Moderators). Links used to be "clickable" on the boards until recently, when the Webmaster had to turn off the function. So you'll have to just copy and paste into your address bar.

Hope you find some good info:

zuzu xxx

[url]http://search.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/query?DISAMBIGUATION=true&FUNCTION=searc h&SERVER2=server2&SERVER1=server1&PARAME TER=adrenal+insufficiency&x=46&y=8[/url]

sunny6 · 05-05-2004, 05:49 AM

Thanks, Zuzu. I guess I was (typically) hoping for BP results sooner than the med could provide them , I will chill and wait.

All of my labs are nicely normal and I consider myself fortunate to not have Addison's. It seems that my adrenals were stressed perhaps from various physical ( allergies, several surgeries) and emotional causes over the years and when menopause arrived, they became further stressed. Acccording to what I've been told and also what I read somewhere, most people with weak adrenals do have hypotension. However, there are some exceptions and in my case

, I happen to have inherited hypertension, so it is there.

I will just keep popping my Diovan and waiting for my numbers to decrease. I sure did now look forward to having to switch to any other BP med...been there, done that and had all of the intolerable side effects.

Thanks for answering ~ you're up early.

Hugs,
Sunny

sunny6 · 05-06-2004, 04:18 PM

Dear Zuzu and other generous supporters,

Just today, the 7th day on the increased dose of Diovan, my numbers are coming down, both the systolic and the diastolic. I am feeling dizzy and lightheaded at times, but I anticipate that that will pass as my body adjusts to a shift in the pressure.
Hope all of you are A-OK.

Sunny

zuzu8 · 05-06-2004, 07:03 PM

Hey Sunny,
That's very good news...stay with it...you're body will probably adjust very soon.

zuzu xx