Current GP's... This Is What We Deal With - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Random2 · 11-11-2004, 07:23 AM

He puts me on BP meds...even increases them throughout the treatment...and every time I have gone back, after looking at my chart, HE ASKS ME, "WHAT ARE YOU TAKING AGAIN?"

Exactly. My doc. told me I had white-coat 7 months ago or so. Yesterday he said that he wasn't convinced even with a reading like 156/85, because my heart rate was 69. "Well you have me on Atenolol doc." Oh yeah he responded. That would explain why your heart rate wasn't higher. My deductible is $100, I feel that I spent $75 for a circus show. Let's see, it went down to 122/76 30 minutes later. I have logs for the 20 months that I have been on meds. Last year at this time my average B/P was 126/76, now it is 116/66 on the meds. Is it time to wean with all of the side effects? Yeah. His direct quote "You can go off of the meds., but I don't know if I would do that", but you can try, but they are good meds & protect you. What am I supposed to get from that.

jtu91952 · 11-11-2004, 07:30 AM

There is an article about drug companies and drs in the senior mag. three sales reps are ditching the dirt on the makers of vioxx. I think this happens alot where pharmaceutials pay drs to prescribe their dr. It was an interesting reading.

Random2 · 11-11-2004, 08:07 AM

I know about the kick-backs. It really makes me wonder if I am on Atenolol & Lotrel if there is a reason other than my white-coat.... My 1st doc. I asked to try Diovan, he put me on Lotrel & said that it was better..... It makes you wonder.

JJ · 11-11-2004, 08:22 AM

Axe..I had a dr. who would not take me off Altace as she felt it was a great drug, but it gave me lousy side effects. After almost 2 years on it, I started getting heart palps very badly so she put me on 25 mgs. of Atenolol. Once my palps stopped, I took myself off of the Altace. When I told her, she upped the Atenolol to 50 mgs. and I felt crappy, so I knocked it down to the 25 again, that is when they added the Avapro as she felt the 25 was too low of a dose, plus I had a low postassium reading, and the Avapro would help to hold the potassium level more steady.

If U aren't convinced U need all these drugs, go off of the one U hate most and see what happens. If it is the Atenolol, slowly wean yourself off, and if your BP goes up, then U will know U need them, but if it stays low, U have proven U don't need it. Don't drive yourself crazy wondering, just try it and see how it goes. I really wish U luck, it isn't easy being with a dr. who won't work with you. Take care....

Random2 · 11-11-2004, 08:32 AM

JJ,

When you say that you felt crappy on the Atenolol at 50 MGS, imagine 100. What side-effects did you have? When you weaned off of it, was it diffucult with withdrawals & etc. What was your weaning schedule?