Flowergirl re: b/p? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

famnd · 06-07-2007, 08:36 PM

How's your b/p doing with not taking labetalol? Is your breathing better? Fam

flowergirl2day · 06-07-2007, 10:32 PM

Hi Fam!

Quote:

Originally Posted by famnd

How's your b/p doing with not taking labetalol? Is your breathing better? Fam

Thanks for asking!

My breathing is almost back to normal! What a relief that is! Thank goodness. It looks like the doctor was right to blame the meds for my breathing difficulties.

I am still struggling with the withdrawal from Labetalol. My headache has been worse, I had an erratic heartbeat several times (very fast, racing, then slow, then fast again) and my face turned beet red (very flushed) on several occassions. I was dizzy all day yesterday and had to spend most of it lying down.

Just saw the doctor today and he said not to worry re: irregular heartbeat-normal with beta blockers. (???) He did not give me a chance to mention my other withdrawal problems. Hopefully, they won't last much longer.

Got a new rx today for Micardis. It's an ARB. The pharmacist just about fell over when I handed over my rx pad. He could not believe I was back for yet another drug from the same group I'd had such a bad reaction to. I took one earlier, and, so far, so good. It is just as expensive as Diovan. If all goes well, I'll be able to return to work in a few short weeks. My blood pressure has been in the 160's/100's while off Labetalol. The remaining meds I am on do not provide an even 24 hour coverage. As a result, I experience morning and evening surges in BP. This new drug takes up to 4 weeks of daily use to start working. It gives 24 hr even coverage and cardio protection better than beta blockers (supposedly), with fewer side effects.

Flowergirl

famnd · 06-08-2007, 09:20 PM

I can't believe your systolic is only 160 with lebetalol withwdrawal. Over all you are doing better than I'm sure I would if I tried to withdraw so quickly. Of course, I'm on 1800mg/day. I never heard about a irregular heartbeat with a beta blocker??? I hope you're to able to take this new drug. I'm feeling real good on my new med schedule. My b/p is settling down & hasn't been too high. I'm waiting to take my 900mg of Lebetalol until about 11 or 12Noon. This way I don't get that tireness that prevents me from getting stuff done plus the muscle stuff. I almost feel normal

. But it means I'm not taking lebetalol 12 hrs apart. Had a new Dr's appoint. (GYN). When I called for an appointment they said there had been a cancelation so could I come right in. I jumped at the chance since I would have to wait at least 2 months with any other Dr. & then have the hassle about insurance (even though I have 3 forms of med insurance plus I'm willing to pay cash). Go figure!!! Well, I hadn't taken my lebetalol yet so even though I took an extra 200 mg my b/p shot up to 199/75. Filling out all the paper work didn't help. Also, that morning I had had a run in with my neighbor who insists on letting his dog (golden retriever) have the run of the neighborhood. I've talked to he & his wife many times telling them that this situation is a diaster waiting to happen cause the dog runs in front of cars which could put those of us who walk at risk. Luckily, my new Dr. understood & so did the assistant. Surprise!!! Suprise!!! I had to go back on Wed because they forgot to put the pap in the proper solution. This time I told them NO B/P cause I did not take extra meds. I just told them my b/p at home. I really hate having to take extra meds so they can have a decent b/p to write down. BTW my diastolic that day was 49- I read that your's goes low too.
Well, I think I've taken care of the dog situation cause I kept the dog in my yard this morning when he walked home with me & my dog. Then the dog control officer picked him up. The owners will have to pay a big fine. Maybe that will motivate them. I would have done that a long time ago but I was told before that all they could do was write a letter. I really enjoy my walk & don't need the extra stress & the dog deserves to be properly taken care of. Fam

flowergirl2day · 06-09-2007, 12:01 AM

Hi,

thanks for your post.

I am wondering why the docs put you on such a high dose of Labetalol! I just read a somewhat troubling article about the beta blockers, CCBs and bradycardia. My dose of Labetalol was 800mg/day (daily max is 1200mg) but I was (still am) on other BP lowering drugs as well. Why was it decided that your med of choice should be such a high dose of Labetalol? Why not a combo of three or more drugs instead? Is there another condition (thus a good reason) requiring the beta blockers? Even so, I still think it's WAY TOO MUCH!

I think, reflecting on what I just read, that my SOB problems might have been caused by being on both Labetalol (large dose) AND a CCB. I am glad to be off of it. My new/old problem now is the potassium issue as I am now on THREE medications that increase its levels. That is making me very uneasy. It seems that one just can't win!

When it came to choosing another BP med, it was a tossup between a cardio-selective beta blocker and another ARB. I should mention that the Micardis drug sheet lists respiratory tract infection and sinus congestion as possible side-effects.....grrrr...something I can do without!!! I hope I'll have no problems with this drug as I'd rather not go on Atenolol. Should there be a need for another drug, (if this one does not work out) I might as well just go back on a lower dose of Labetalol.

Fam, you'd feel a lot less tired on a lower dose of Labetalol. I just remembered you mentioning an allergy to other BP meds, if my memory serves me well (it doesn't on some days)!

Sounds like you've kept very busy with your walking, doctors' appointments and other activities. I am glad you are feeling better, now that the summer is fast approaching, and more energetic on your altered med-taking schedule.

Flowergirl

famnd · 06-09-2007, 04:31 PM

I checked my Nurses' PDR (drug book) & my pkg insert re: max dose of Lebatalol. Both say 2400mg. Do you remember where you read that the max dose is 1200mg? I can't go lower because I don't have any other drug options. I have so many restrictions. To start off, I can't swallow capsules or take drugs with the Yellow dye. Then there's a whole list of drugs which can cause drug induced Lupus which Cozaar caused to my body. HCTZ is on that list but it is labeled low probability of causing it. We had considered taking two diuretics but after researching it, I decided don't want to go down that road. As you know my HCTZ is not availiable in the US & comes from China. So I just read that the man in charge of drug/food safety was sentenced to death in China because he took approved fake drugs etc. & bribes. I guess I'll have to take another diuretic if HCTZ stops working or causes health problems because it is tainted. Maybe a miracle will happen & the researchers will find the cure for HBP. Fam