Plendil to Altace to Benicor, what now?

[zip2play]

I agree with zuzu on the 40 mg.

Alternatives:
Since you got good results with a CCB in the past why not try verapamil, a calcium channel blocker that is VERY different from the Plendil (feldipine) and Norvasc (amlodipine)
There is a new transurethral heating process that often cures BPH in an office visit. Give a look.
THe HCTZ often makes ALL the difference in BP control It was the first and is close to the strongest drug, especially for people who readily retain water from excess salt. MANY people neeed a diuretic to get enough "kick" out of the ARB's.

[Palamedes]

I agree with both zip and zulu.

I would also like to point out that the effects of adding a diuretic to an ACE or ARB were known long before these drugs were even brought to market. See:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=372606

This was a study on dogs done back in 1978 using the first ACEI (teprotide) and ARB (saralasin). Note that the BP lowering effects of these drugs were only seen when the dogs were "sodium-depleted". In fact, they induced this condition on the test group using Lasix and a low sodium diet.

From this, it seems logical that if you are on a high-sodium diet, Benicar (or any ARB or ACEI) won't do anything for you. It also seems logical that a low-sodium diet (and/or a diuretic) will enhance the BP lowering effects. And, we knew all this back in 1978.

Pal

[pvsurfer]

I want to thank all of you for your replies. I don't want to go too long with my very high BP readings, but I guess I'll give Benicar a few more days (by then I would expect to at least see some reduction in my BP).

I can't entertain taking HCT with Benicar if it's a diuretic. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I have a prostate condition and I would be aggravating that situation by taking a diuretic.

If Benicar doesn't do it for me, I may look into Verapamil (I hadn't heard of that one)!

Thanks again. ~pv