Can Diovan cause heartburn? it has with me. Also I seem to be going to the bathroom more(#1and 2). What do yall think of seeing a nurse practitioner for BP? is a specialist better? I'm not really pleased with this med,but I'm slow to change it
thanx all~RR
non with me..I have been taking it for 2 yrs now..Mine has HCTZ in it so I run to the bathroom too. It took 6 different meds for me to find the right one. No heartburn for me..Lisa
Hope yall dont mind me bumping this ? up again. My readings are sometimes normal. But often I experience for instance 140/80,then next time it will be 130/90!! Or it will be 126/80 but my pulse will be racy in the 90's. The numbers are never in sync but when they are my pulse is wacky When I complained to my practitioner,she upped me from 80mg to another half of 80 mg in the evening but my pulse went crazy. She mentioned Cardizem for my next try. I am due for an appt at the end of the month. PLEASE can anyone suggest one type of doc over another. Like an internist vs. a cardiologist? I dont want my health to be in jeapordy.
THANX~R.R.
IMHO, I think you are better off with the nurse practitioner. Sounds like you've got someone who is working with you and listening to your concerns. Unfortunately, this is a game of trial and error for pretty much everyone. And, Cardizem certainly seems like a logical thing to try next.
As far as Diovan causing you to go to the bathroom.... The science says that it should cause you to have to urinate more often. So, it makes sense that it would cause this. However, strangely, this isn't listed as a side-effect. BTW, you aren't the first to complain about this on here. Also, an upset stomach doesn't sound like a "class" effect. So, you could try another ARB.
Or, your numbers really don't sound all that bad. You could go unmedicated. But, to what level you need to control it depends on other risk factors you may have (i.e., diabetic, high cholesterol, etc.).
Diovan made my heart flutter really bad! I now take Toprol XL and HCTZ for fluid. It has worked wonderful for me and my BP readings are like 117/67 now!
I find tha Cozaar (without thiazide) has something of a diuretic effect if I am retaining water. I never consider urination a problem; on the other hand I schedule my BP meds so I am NEVER taking them before bedtime or jumping on a Subway (Manhattan can be a TOUGH place if you have too pee.LD)
I love to urinate...it's the water retention that I hate!
I think ALL effective BP meds have the effect of lowering the blood volume by whatever means they employ...and lowering volume ALWAYS means dumping water and sodium.
The "best" medical person is the one who listens to you and is willing to work with you. How you find that person is hit and miss, or a recomendation from someone. I have a great GP who works with me on my medical problems. I went to a cardiologist who was a jerk. On the other hand, there are plenty of people visiting this board who have had terrible experiences with GPs and good luck with a specialist. Going to a specialist is no guarantee you will get the right medical care.
Side effects of Diovan 
When I complained to my practitioner,she upped me from 80mg to another half of 80 mg in the evening but my pulse went crazy. She mentioned Cardizem for my next try. I am due for an appt at the end of the month. PLEASE can anyone suggest one type of doc over another. Like an internist vs. a cardiologist? I dont want my health to be in jeapordy.
