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Originally Posted by burpee I have prescriptions from different doctors for hydrochlorthiazimide and an Ace Inhibitor - Enalipril.
I have discovered that using a combination HCTD and the ACE gives me a better control than each or either drug by itself. |
Yep, you have discovered what scientists have known since the 1970's. See:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=372606&tools=bo t
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Originally Posted by burpee In other words, 5mg HCTD and 10mg of ACE lowers my BP more than 20mg of ACE or 20mg of HCTD.
So should I ask or tell each Doctor what I have discovered? Is it better to do a split therapy than a larger dose of an ACE?
Thanks. |
Well, for the ACE inhibitor, the difference between 10 and 20 mg will be minimal for BP lowering. However, a 10 mg dose may not last as long. ACE Inhibitors are more of an on/off type of drug. The drug is working once you get to a critical level. When this level falls below that critical level, the drug will stop working.
The diuretic has a different action. It will get in and out of your system quickly. The lasting effect from the diuretic is because it reduced your blood volume. In other words, the drug is not really in your system working for 24 hours. But, its effects are. The diuretic will tend to have more of a dose response - especially when combined with an ACE inhibitor.
You can also replace the diuretic with a low sodium diet. This has the same BP lowering effect without the potassium depleting effect of the diuretic. What I think would work the best would be to monitor your sodium consumption and take the diuretic on an as needed basis. In other words, if you were sinful with your sodium consumption the previous day, take a diuretic in the morning to flush it out. If you've been eating low sodium, skip the diuretic. Of course, no doctor will ever agree with this. But, a system like this will probably regulation your BP better than anything else.
Pal
