"Blood pressure is only ONE of the many effects of Angiotensin-2, and even the converting enzyme, ACE has many functions since it is KININASE and affects the production and breakdown of many prostaglandins/histamines all over the body. Messing with this system is SURE to provide all kinds of side-reactions, probably many that are poorly understood, in ADDITION to the dreaded COUGH!"
I was wondering if you know exactly what is the result of Kininase acting on the production & breakdown of prostaglandins & histamines....
I have fybromyalgia, and since taking lisinopril, I've noticed that my aches & pains have relented quite a bit...there is a thought that fybro can be worsened by release of prostaglandins & histamine. So, my thought is that lisinopril may interfere with their release. Could I be right? I'm hoping that there is a connection somewhere between the hbp pills & the lessening of fibro symptoms.
Jillygirl,
Let me check round and form up a good response. My head is fuzzy right now and I'm beat from the gym. My first blush opinion is that since ACE (kininase) prevents the breakdown of bradykinin and bradykinin is a potent inflammatory agent that activates other also potent inflammatories, that an ACE inhibitor would make the aches and pains of FM worse. But I'll look more deeply tomorrow. It's seems EXTREMELY complicated and I doubt anyone on the planet understands it fully.
But don't look a gift horse in the mouth, especially if that horse is easing your pain.!
Maybe palamedes will weigh in here too, he's up on Ace/Arb influence on bradykinin, etc.
You might want to read up on something called the "Marshall Protocol". I believe angiotensin II plays an important role in autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia. Dr. Marshall has all kinds of theories. In this "protocol", folks load up on incredible amounts of Benicar in an attempt to make 100% blockage of Ang II. From what I remember reading about all this, it reduces inflamation and makes these cell wall deficient bacteria "visible" to your immune system. In any case, you should find some very interesting articles and information.
I read up on the Marshall Protocol, and from what I can see, they think it inhibits bacterial growth and would be a help with CFIDS. Fybromyalgia is not the same as CFIDS, although some people think it is. My symptoms worsen when my allergies are flaring, and hense my thought that histamine (and prostagantins) are part of the cause of the aches & pains & other symptoms. I believe mast cells play a big part too. My guess is that chemicals are a big problem (both in & out of the body), and it helps to try & limit the production of histamine & other inflammatory chemicals. I thought the Marshall Protocol was a "little out there".
We are experiencing a bad Nor'Easter and my symptoms are worse (and allergies too), and so the fibro is now flaring. I guess it's not the lisinopril that was helping me. So, that's the answer to my question - it was obviously a co-incidence & not the lisinopril that was lessening symptoms. It's my belief that the allergic response in some people is so great that it causes the symptoms of fibro and also, arthritis (or rheumatism) plays a big part in this illness.
But, I'm always searching for a cure, so hopefully someday, someone will find it & we fibro sufferers will be out of the woods.
Thanks for your input, I appreciate it!!
I had to take a step back too when I read "makes the cell walls deficient bacteria visible to the immune system."
I started hearing the SHARK MUSIC in my head (some people hear ducks!)
But, truth be told, my eyes start to glaze over a bit when I see the term "fibromyalgia," too. Sorry, that's just how I see it. Same occurs with endless "candida" infections that are immune to yeast killing drugs and modern medicine cannot find, and "leaky gut syndrome" and on an on. I stopped being a believer in what I see as hoodoo!
I DO believe people hurt and science doesnt know why, but then along comes the huckster and preys on this, usually with his mail order nutrition degree and his made up quasi-scientific jargon, and his own line of "natural cures"...and my blood boils.
Perhaps our ancestors had it right when granpa complained that bad weather was "a comin" because his lumbago was acting up. And that was the beginning and the end of it.
Thanks for your quick response! Yes, you are right about the "hustlers" out there who want to make a buck from people who have chronic illnesses that are dumped by doctors into a big vat of new name illnesses. I think that the human condition leads to alot of stress on the body sometimes, and perhaps this is what is really the basis of our problems - I'm not talking about a stressful day, but, all kinds of stresses, both physical & biological, that ordnarily would cause a bodily response like "lumbago". I think you are right, and I hate to say I have fibromyalgia, 1. because it's a new term that doctors have devised when it's really a muscle problem, and 2. because I'm not sure it even exists in reality. I do know I have myofacial pain alot, and this could be the result of physical injury (too much gardening) and ageing (sorry to say age does count in this sort of thing)...also, allergies do rear their ugly head at times, and chemicals fly around the body that cause discomfort. So, I must say, I agree with you somewhat in your thinking and will probably stop my obsession with finding a "cure" for my problems. Guess I will just head for the advil!!
