Side effects of Diltiazem, calcium channel blocker.
Hi. I have severe hypertension but any diuretics or beta blockers have caused severe side effects; much like Anaphylaxis. Now my cardiologist has prescribed me Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker. Because of all the other side effects from HP meds, I'm terrified to take this med. Has anyone else taken this medication and if so, did you experience side effects? I would appreciate any advice or information. Thank you so much!
Re: Side effects of Diltiazem, calcium channel blocker.
I take 240 mg of the ER, and the only side effect is a headache when I first started, and when I change doses. I have no other side effects. I had terrible issues on beta blockers, and the Diltiazem works great for me. It doesn't get my BP as low as on beta's, but I would rather be side effect free at this point.
Re: Side effects of Diltiazem, calcium channel blocker.
Thank you so much for your response. I haven't started them yet because I've been able to keep my pain level down thus my bp down to 125/71. I see my cardiologist on Friday and I'm going to show her the diary I kept over the past week of lower bp. Sometimes it will pop of up 170/85 but that's usually when I have pain or nausea. Thank you again!
Re: Side effects of Diltiazem, calcium channel blocker.
Thank you so much for responding. That makes me feel more confident once I start taking them. So far, my bp has been staying in the 120/77 range so my cardiologist told me to hold off on the meds for now. (She had prescribed 40mg twice a day). Sometimes the diastolic gets in the 80's but not consistently like a few months ago.
Re: Side effects of Diltiazem, calcium channel blocker.
How long were you on the bystolic if you dont mind me asking and did you have to wean off? Did you also feel like you had brain fog or just drugged out? It's a strange feeling and my doctor says its not the bystolic but the xanex that I had to start taking due to insomnia and panic attacks.
Re: Side effects of Diltiazem, calcium channel blocker.
I was on another beta metroporlol for 3 months then the bystolic for a month. I weaned off very slowly, because I had problems with rebound HBP. I was fatigued all the time, I couldn't get out of bed but I also couldn't sleep. I don't think doctors acknowledge that some people have very different side effects on meds. If you don't feel well on it and could possibly take something else, I would advocate for it! I had terrible insomnia on the bystolic too. It went away after I was weaned off.
Re: Side effects of Diltiazem, calcium channel blocker.
Leelee, I don't think it's the xanax. I had the same thing when they tried me on the bystolic and I wasn't taking any benzo's at the time. Then I was prescribed diazapam but only took it once. I hope y'all are doing better.
Side effects of Diltiazem, calcium channel blocker. 
