famnd

We as drug consumers have to take responsibility for our health while taking these potent b/p meds. If you wait for your Dr. to tell you all you need to know, you may be in deep trouble in the ER.

What I have learned in the past 5 yrs is to ask for the package insert BEFORE filling the prescription. I read it thoroughly even if I don't understand it all. I'm looking for possible drug interactions, allergic ingredients, & bad outcomes if I have other illnesses. Once you buy the drug, you can't get a refund even if you never opened the package. I learned that the hard way even though I was still at the counter reading the package info.

Most Dr's just do not have the time to go over everything even the most important points. The insurance companies just alot them a certain amount of minutes with each patient.

I've been on HCTZ for about 4 yrs. I've only gotten into trouble with electrolytes such as potassium about 2-3 times. These occurred when I had a bad cold & just didn't feel like eating or drinking much. That is no longer a luxury when one is on HCTZ.
You have to have a sick day plan like a diabetic.

Potassium depletion is the biggy with HCTZ. I made a list of the foods I usually eat to make sure I was getting enough potassium.
Then I listed the symptoms of too little potassium so that I would be alerted early to the possibility. For me I get a little nausea (which is usually rare for me) & my b/p drops for no known reason. I then load up on orange juice & low fat milk. You need to get your blood potassium checked about 1-2 weeks after starting HCTZ & then once you are stabilized every 6 months.

The body doesn't store potassium although it does have ways of upping the level for a day or so. Too much potassium can stop the heart. I wouldn't take a potassium supplement without a DR's okay & a blood test. If for some reason you can't eat enough potassium or have some condition that increases potassium loss such as constant diarrhea or vomiting, then you may need a supplement. Eating potassium rich foods is good for one's b/p.

Don't go salt free because your body loses a lot of sodium with a diuretic. I eat at least 1/2 tsp of salt every day with food. That's also the amount that contains enough iodine to keep one's thyroid functioning properly.

Water or other fluid must for consumed so that one's urine is pale yellow or lighter. I aim for about 10 (8oz) glasses of fluid a day so that I hopefully prevent Gout which can be one of the side effects of diuretics. Avoid drinking any fluid fast as that will raise one's b/p. I find drinking before I eat the best so I have a have a mug of hot or cold water before breakfast while I exercise in the AM.

HCTZ causes a certain amount of calcium to be retained so check with your Dr. before taking calcium supplements. He can check your blood calcium levels. Too much calcium can damage the kidneys & cause kidney stones. Drs forget the fact that HCTZ cause calcium to be retained so you may have to gently remind them.

One last thing which is very important. Most medical articles & Dr's say that only 12.5mg of HCTZ is needed to control b/p. More is not better with these drugs because of the potential adverse effects. In general, it is better to start on the lowest dose of any med so that you can see if it is enough & if there are any side effects.

Good luck. There are lot of people on this drug so ask all the questions you want & you'll probably find someone who knows the answer. Fam