I was put on HBP meds 4 years ago. I've been on several and currently am on 80 mg. of Diovan. I've had borderline blood pressure since I've gained weight -- my BP readings were always 140/90-ish. On Diovan, my readings are 120/80s.
I really want to quit my Diovan. I'm sick of being on medication. Has anyone just quit their HBP meds? Does my borderline readings really constitute my being on meds the rest of my life?
I was put on HBP meds 4 years ago. I've been on several and currently am on 80 mg. of Diovan. I've had borderline blood pressure since I've gained weight -- my BP readings were always 140/90-ish. On Diovan, my readings are 120/80s.
I really want to quit my Diovan. I'm sick of being on medication. Has anyone just quit their HBP meds? Does my borderline readings really constitute my being on meds the rest of my life?
I have been on Diovan for about a year. I take 160 mg once a day. I also had borderline mild hypertension. My home readings were always in the high normal range 130/85 to 135/88. I have no noticeable side effects from the Diovan and now my readings range from 110/70 to 125/84. Why do you want to stop the Diovan? Do you have side effects?? I would check with your doctor before you decide to stop taking it. More than likely your blood pressure will go up again....
George -- thanks for your post. I have thinning hair (big time) and it is almost impossible to lose any weight (I lost 50 pounds before being on Diovan). I would change to a natural alternative, such as garlic capsules which I've read have been helpful.
I am going to go to a specialist next week for the same thing. I want to get off of the Atenolol & the Lotrel that I am on. My pharmacist friend who is also a doctor doesn't understand why I am on these meds. when it brings my pulse down to the low 50's. He also believes that the less meds. or no meds. the better. I saw a guy yesterday with a B/P of 188/118 or so. He needs to be on meds..... Yes George it may increase a little bit, but what is worse??? Having terrible side-effects & a horrible lifestyle on B/P meds. & B/P at 116/66 or being off of meds. & having to deal with rebound effects for a couple of weeks & then B/P of 137/80???? I would choose the 137/80 with no side-effects.
I'm certainly no expert, but it is my feeling that bp of 140/90 is not very bad, especially if you believe that you might be successful with losing weight if you get off the meds, which are evidently keeping you from being able to lose.
My bp has been fluctuating up and down for a few years now. I have tried numerous bp meds, all had side effects and didn't even seem to keep my bp under control very well. I didn't want to have to go with more and ever stronger meds, so I weaned myself off the meds and finally started getting serious about diet changes, weight loss, and exercise. Since I started on my new 'program', my bp has come down several points. Hopefully, this will continue to work for me.
I have thought about not taking it myself just to see what happens but I know that since I have been on it my numbers are much lower even though I sometimes I wonder if I truly have hypertension since the only high readings I ever had were at the doctor's office and not at home. I have to see the doctor next month and I am going to speak with him about it. I am just glad that I have had no noticeable side effects from the Diovan.. Before the Diovan the doctor tried me on Lisinopril ( ace inhibitor) for one month and I felt lousy--- no energy, hot sweats, taking naps during the day which I have never done.. I woke up unable to swallow one morning and ended up in the ER and that was the end of the Diovan. They put me on a diuretic but that did nothing except make me pee all day....
