ARB's, Thiazides and Beta Blockers a safe combo?

[Machaon]

Originally Posted by pal7778

Sadly 10-15 was not enough, which is why I take Tiazac too. The combo gets the job done, but that's a lot of medicine.

I am on a calcium channel blocker, an ace inhibitor and on Avapro. I have experimented with each one, and have found out that each one has a lowering effect on my blood pressure. So I guess I am stuck with taking three blood pressure meds.

If I come into contract with something that causes a significant jump in my blood pressure, I have also found that a nitro, under my tongue, will bring the blood pressure down, and keep it there for quite a while.

When I adjust my medicine schedule and doses, I will take many readings over a few weeks period, in order to determine the net effect of the change. Without my numerous BP readings, and charts and statistics, I would not know how to determine the effectiveness of the changes that I have made.

I wonder what people with hypertension did before the availability of PCs?

Best of luck finding out what combinations work best for you!

[CASSIEBEL]

Originally Posted by beerzoids

I am on a calcium channel blocker, an ace inhibitor and on Avapro.

Hi Beerzoids,

I am also on an ACE (Altace) and an ARB (Benicar HCT). My doctor is talking about adding a CCB. May I ask which one you take? Does taking all these meds cause you any serious side effects? Another thing, you mentioned nitro for a quick lowering. My husband has those. He said they make him very dizzy. I have clonidine for that purpose but I want to get off of them.
I am jealous of your Marlins!
Thanks,
Cass

[Palamedes]

There's a slight gotcha mixing ACE's and ARB's. Combining the two is good. However, adding a beta blocker to the mix leads to worse outcomes. The reason is unexplainable. But, it shows up in studies. So, pick 2 between ACE, ARB and BB. But, not all threee.

Pal

[CASSIEBEL]

I have heard that mixing the three causes a problem and that's why I have been trying to wean off the atenolol. I have run into problems there because I understand it's also bad to be on a beta blocker and clonidine. When I get down to a low dose of atenolol I get rebound hypertension and anxiety so I tried to wean off the 1/2 of .1 mg of clonidine and got up to 188/90 last night.
What to do next, I don't have a clue and neither do any of my docs. Last night I took 25mgs of atenolol and about 3/4 of the clonidine .1. Today my BP is 115/74. I didn't take any Altace today.
I am really losing my trust in the medical professionals who get us hooked on these drugs with no way to get off them. They just keep adding meds upon meds with no results.
I can't find any one who can tell me which to try to get off of first.
Sorry for the ranting.
Cass

[Machaon]

Originally Posted by CASSIEBEL

Hi Beerzoids,

I am also on an ACE (Altace) and an ARB (Benicar HCT). My doctor is talking about adding a CCB. May I ask which one you take? Does taking all these meds cause you any serious side effects?

Hello Cass!

For blood pressure, I am on the ACE- Quinapril (Accupril) which just became generic. Much cheaper now! I am also on the CCB, Verapamil, which is also not expensive. The ARB- Avapro, however, is quite expensive. OUCH!

I am also on other heart meds.

The meds cause a mild dry skin problem on my hands, memory and concentration problems. Other than that, I do not think that I experience any other problems with the meds.

Another thing, you mentioned nitro for a quick lowering. My husband has those. He said they make him very dizzy.

Sorry to hear that they make him dizzy. Has he ever tried to take only a half of a nitro under the tongue? He might have to use a magnifying glass to split the tiny pill. Of course, if he is using it for chest pains, I wouldn't split it.

I went for years only using nitro for chest pains. Then I found out that it would bring my blood pressure down fast, but only for about 30 minutes. Since I've been on the diet that we are on, I've noticed that the nitro can bring my blood pressure down for an hour or more.

I have clonidine for that purpose but I want to get off of them.

Are you having a bad reaction to the clonidine? I thought that it was working for you.

I have read quite a few notes here about clonidine. It seems to be quite effective for those that are using it. I've been thinking of trying it myself, but I keep forgetting to ask my doctor.

I am jealous of your Marlins!
Thanks,
Cass

We lost today, 2 - 1. Almost pulled it out in the bottom of the 9th. They play next in snowy Colorado. Should be interesting.

How's your team doing? Off to a slow start? Any snow up there?