Started New BP Med and have Questions????? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Caroline1949 · 01-08-2007, 10:43 AM

Hello,
I had been taking Lorpressor since 2001 when I had stents put in. I took that along with Lasix.
I moved from Georgia to Kentucky last November and started seeing another Internist. She took me off the Lorpressor and Lasix and put me on Lisinopril and HCTZ. My BP stayed high for months and now I've been put on Norvasc with HCTZ. As of today my BP is 170/99. I don't feel well. I started the Norvasc this past Sat. Would I be experiencing any kind of withdrawal from the Lisinopril? I didn't know that you could experience withdrawal from BP meds... this is all new to me. I have been researching this site about the effects of calcium channel blockers vs beta blockers and now I'm afraid. I have a doctor's appt. this Friday and need to know what to tell her. Maybe I should have stayed on the Lorpressor and Lasix???

I just need a bit of advice here. I am having to get help paying for the Norvasc because it is so expensive.

I will be 58 next month and am carrying over 75 lbs. too much weight.

Thanks.

Lenin · 01-08-2007, 11:37 AM

Personally, I hate Norvasc because it made me feel nervous, wasn't of much use for my BP, was expensive, and made my ankles swell. I took it for a month and stopped.

If you liked Lopressor (metoprolol) and Lasix, then tell your doctor that's what you want. It's a perfectly adequate treatment protocol...beta blocker + diuretic.

If you want to go cheaper there's nothing wrong with atenolol + lasix. Very similar to metoprolol and furosemide (Lasix.)

Tell him flat out that you prefer generic prescriptions to brand named ones. If he asks why, tell him that you don't make a doctor's salary.

Caroline1949 · 01-08-2007, 11:40 AM

Lenin,
What is your feeling on beta-blockers vs calcium channel blockers?

arlmon18 · 01-09-2007, 09:56 AM

I take atenolol and Micardis Plus along with 1/2 of a 5 mg. Norvasc. My cardio just upped the norvasc to the whole pill. I haven't had any ankle swelling. Lenin, do you really think the Norvasc made you feel nervous? Personally, I'm sick of all meds, but what choice do I have??

Lenin · 01-10-2007, 08:28 AM

Caroline,
That's a tough one. Beta-blockers are good for hypertension AND another condition like tachycardia or angina. And they are pretty good for basic hypertension IF they don't cause too much fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, etc. etc. They DO lower BP a lot.

CCB's on the other hand can't be generalized...amlodipine is very different from verapamil, is very different from diltiazem. You've got to experiment til you find one you like.
In general though, beta blockers have been around longer and are thus less likely to cause long term serious side efffects.
So, if someone CAN take a beta-blocker, then he probably should...how's that for fancy footwork?

arlmon,
The Norvasc for me was like taking amphetamines...I was running around like a crazy man.

The only upside is that I got an AWFUL lot done that month.