Thank you and new question!

[Melba]

Thanks so much for the quick responses concerning my post about herbal/ natural BP remedies. After I posted yesterday, my BP climbed pretty high (probably because I was anxious knowing I couldn't get an appointment for more that a week with my GP). My systolic had climbed into the 170s and 180s and the diastolic had risen into the 100's. I got uneasy went to an urgent care practitioner who knows my GP and he decided it was time for a new med. He put me on the generic for Ziac.

Has any one used this med and what experiences have you all had? I know it is a combination diuretic and beta blocker (?). THe Dr. told me there are little side effects. Would you all agree?

Thanks for all the encouragement and support.
Melba

[bethsheba]

Originally Posted by Melba

... He put me on the generic for Ziac.
Has any one used this med and what experiences have you all had? I know it is a combination diuretic and beta blocker (?). THe Dr. told me there are little side effects. Would you all agree?...
Melba

Ziac is a combination of bisoprolol fumarate (a beta blocker) and hydrochlorothiazide. Whether the drug has few side effects is irrelevent in my opinion especially if you are the one to experience those side effects...

I would highly recommend learning all you can about the possible side effects of ziac, and IF you choose to take the medication, document the following DAILY:

date/time of dose

sleeping notes--how long, quality of sleep, naps

mental health notes--happpy, sad, irritable, angry

energy notes--did what I wanted to, what I wanted to do was difficult to do, can't do anything

eating notes--ate well balanced meals, ate like I usually ate, couldn't pull a meal together

any other things that come to mind.

Beta blockers can be very effective for some people...but for some there are very serious side effects. I personally experienced 4 falls in my home in one week (I have never fallen inside or outside of my home before this time) on a beta blocker (ended in the er on Christmas Eve Day), 4+ weeks of respiratory problems, a 90 percent drop in energy level, and suicidal tendencies after being on a beta blocker for just a few weeks!

So do your homework...FIRST.

Bethsheba

[Lenin]

Melba,

I haven't used ZIAC ( my sister has) but I have long experience with several beta-blockers and both major classes of diuretics.

I think the most likely difficulties will come in two areas" extreme fatigue/muscle weakness and big time INSOMNIA (from the Beta-blocker.)
Your heart rate will slow dramatically but that tends to feel nice.

Don't restrict your sodium when taking a diuretic and have a couple potassium rich foods every day.

(My sister got headaches from Ziac so I thought I toss that tidbit in. )

Good luck.
Who knows, you may have found the ideal combination...but the most likely scenario is that you will need to fiddle around awhile til you find something you are happy with.

[bethsheba]

Originally Posted by Melba

... THe Dr. told me there are little side effects....
Melba

I did a quick search and some of the possible side effects include:

chest pain, edema, bradycardia, hypotension

headache, dizziness, depression, abnormal dreams

rash, photosensitivity

hypokalemia, fluid and electrolyte imbalances (hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia), hyperglycemia

constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, insomnia, flatulence
micturition (frequency)

arthralgia, myalgia

abnormal vision

prerenal azotemia

rhinitis, cough, dyspnea

But these are only the more common side effects.

Bethsheba

[famnd]

I say "Buyer beware when the Doc says "few side effects"!!!! When was the last time he took any of these meds!!!

Having said that, most of these meds have side effects for most of us so we just have to find one that has the side effects we can live with.

Your Dr. has probably not told you that you must eat a well balanced diet & as Lenin said drink plenty of fluid when you are taking a diuretic (also don't restrict your sodium too much). You no longer have the option of just not eating much when you don't feel good as I found out when I had a tooth extracted. You can get into trouble real fast with potassium depletion etc. Read all you can.
Fam