New to Diuretics-Got bad side effects.-Now Just got a CT scan of my brain!! - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

DylansMom · 11-14-2004, 06:14 PM

I started Hydrochlorothiazide on Sept. 28 and I personally only think I had white coat syndrome and low hypertension readings. Right away I noticed a strange sensation in my head. Not light headedness but a fullness also with tingling. Well it got worse. I couldn't get an answer from my doctor about lowering the dose, so I did it on my own on Oct.29 and boy did I pay. I went to ER 2 days later. Dr told me to stop taking them and threw my on a calcium channel blocker-NIFEDIPINE XL. Last week A CT scan was ordered in 3 days as the DR. must have thought my head symptoms were NOT due to high BP.
I have to go down the stairs on my bottom. I walk super slow. I wear sunglasses and light bothers me. I have been housebound other than the CT scan. My life seems to falling out from under me. I can feel my pulse throb in my scull if I move too quickly or look down. I can't bend my head down at all.
Question. Do you think this happened because I lowered the HCTZ and got a BP spike of 166/101 in the ER? They checked me for Meningitis but I was ok at the time. All my symptoms got worse after this. I'm so scared thinking this will last forever or worse, it could be fatal. I'm at a loss. I also was using a steroid nasal spray and thought it might have interfered with the meds but the pharmacist told me at the time it was okay to take. One last thing. I was a coffee drinker for 15 years and weaned very quickly once I started to feel so bad since I'd lost 6 pounds (it's now 10) and I had a queasy stomach on the HCTZ. Could this have altered the blood vessels in my head? My blood work taken a week prior was all normal.
I'm just so confused and can't wait to see a Neurologist. Thanks to all who respond.

jtu91952 · 11-14-2004, 09:02 PM

I take hctz and i have ringing in the ears and sometimes the fullness in the head. That's rare though. I haven't had too many side effects from the hctz that i know about. Hctz does increase glucose and cholesterol levels though. That's why i only take half of 25 mgs.

Random2 · 11-15-2004, 08:10 AM

Never had tingling in my head before Atenolol & Lotrel (as well as the meds that I am off of like Altace, Verapamil & Toprol (it happened a lot with Toprol). Some of these docs. need to look at the side-effects much much more closely. Ordering expensive tests right away seems a little premature.

pat52 · 11-15-2004, 05:51 PM

HTCZ was prescribe for me about a year ago with Lotension. I too had problems-Headache /heart palps / and head felt so heavy I felt like I was going to pass out. Couldn't sit up for longer than hour! Dr didn't think it was the HTCZ changed the Lotensin to Benicar. Still same symptoms-finally too the HTCZ away and no more problems. Dr thought might be sensitive to sulfa drugs which HTCZ has. I also was ordered a CT scan any everything came out fine.

strong_one · 11-15-2004, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillians Axe

Some of these docs. need to look at the side-effects much much more closely. Ordering expensive tests right away seems a little premature.

I Agree about the Docs! They shrug it off as if you shouldn't get these side effects! BUT WE DO!!!! We wouldn't be going back if we didn't!! Helllloooo!!! When I had hives with my Atenolol, my doc told me it was due to stress and to take benadryl. I went to ER with high BP, hives and heart palps and the ER doc said it has to be an allergic reaction.

When I got put on Avapro and Avalide - I told her what my side effects were and she shrugged it off and put me at a higher dose even tho I complained about these! What the heck!!!

Anyway, it has to be a side effect! See if you get off the med and have an improvement in your symptons. Also see if you can get a second opinion!!!

I am on Lisinopril now. I had to ADVISE my doctor to let me try this since my mother takes it - it must work on me.