Need help with medication side effects - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Beth36 · 10-06-2003, 09:49 AM

Hi everyone...
I was diagnosed with HTN and depression and started on Diovan HCT 80/12.5 and Prozac 20 mg on 9/13/03. Had been on Prozac twice before and tolerated it well. I was doing well on both meds for the first couple of weeks and then started developing lots of lethargy, fatigue, a feeling of muscle weakness and lost my appetite. Interestingly, these symptoms are worse during the morning and day and abate somewhat at night.

I called the doctor last Monday and had a basic metabolic panel run, which was all normal. My bp was 140/82 as of last night, which is definitely better than what it started at (160/100).

Has anyone ever experienced any symptoms like these with either of these meds? I've called the doctor again today because I'm still not feeling better-she's supposed to call me back later today, but the nurse said these symptoms may be med side effects.

I was exercising, eating healthy, and feeling great, and then these symptoms started and now I feel like I've been hit by a truck. This is all pretty scary for me, so I'd appreciate any help or support from anyone out there.

Thanks!

zuzu8 · 10-09-2003, 11:21 AM

HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) diurtetic can cause these symptoms if your potassium plunges or even goes slightly below normal. Did the blood test cover your electrolytes fully?

Don't get too freaked out about all this...I know it's awful when you first hear the diagnosis of Hypertension....(thought we were invincible!).....and most of us on this board have had trouble with various meds . There are many options/and/or dosages available should the HCT be the problem here. Just make sure your electrolytes were TRULY normal.

zuzu xxxx

Beth36 · 10-09-2003, 11:53 AM

Thanks for your response, Zuzu!
It IS hard not to get freaked out about high blood pressure. I've always been healthy, except for needing to lose about 40 lbs. Lipids are okay, no diabetes, no other health issues other than HTN.

I see the doctor tomorrow and will get a copy of my labs then. What did you mean by electrolytes being TRULY normal? Is is possible to have a potassium level within the normal range, just maybe on the low end, and still have symptoms of hypokalemia?

I've read a few of your past posts/replies, and it seems as if you do quite well now on Diovan without the HCT component. Maybe I should see if my doctor will try that. You always hear about how well-tolerated diuretics are, and for the most part that's probably true; but it does appear from this board that several people have had problems with them.

Anyway, thanks for your input, and keep up your helpful and reassuring posts!

-Beth

zuzu8 · 10-09-2003, 07:48 PM

Yes...while not being truly hypokalemic, you could still not feel well if your levels are at the low end... What I meant by "truly" normal is really what would be considered normal for YOU.
For instance...all my adult life my potassium level was around 4.2mmol/L. On HCTZ, it fell to 3.5 which is at the low end of the "normal" reference range (3.5-to 5.2) But for ME this was obviously too low.
Also my creatinine went up from my "usual" 0.8 to 1.1
Even though 1.1mg/dL for creatinine is considered within the normal ref range ( 0.6-1.1), again, it was high for ME.

I felt LOUSY.
So it would be good if your doctor has a previous blood panel to compare to.

Good luck..keep us updated.

zuzu xx

zip2play · 10-10-2003, 06:07 AM

I have often wondered why a potassium blood test is considered to be a true measure of the kalemic state of the body.
After all potassium exists primarily WITHIN the cells as opposed to sodium which exists extracellularly.
When they measure plasma electrolytes, is the plasma potassium really indicative of very much?
Can anybody shed some light for me?