Diltaizem

[lilleth]

Well, actually I do take triamterene-HCTZ which I guess is generic of Maxide. I am a lot less puffy just taking this than when I took this plus the Cardizem, although that last post about not being able to stop taking the stuff without swelling up is worrisome. Actually the reason I started the diuretic is that the Cardizem made one ankle swell. At any rate, my bp continues to stay down. Saw doc this week and took my spreadsheet of bp readings, and she was quite happy.

Something else for the ladies to note: my periods started getting intolerable for about 2 days a month about 4 years ago with really awful PMS. I've had pelvic ultrasound, everything is normal, and figured it is perimenopause (I'm 45). I've been trying to get bp really low because gyn and gp said I could take oral contraceptives if I got bp low enough to get periods back under control. About a month ago, I found a cardizem list of side effects on internet that said menstrual changes are a potential side effect. I've got about 10 lists of side effects, and this is the only list where I found this mentioned. Well, my period started today, I sailed through the week before, and so far so good. We'll see if this lasts, but I have about convinced myself the cardizem was affecting my hormones somehow, someway. Go figure.

[zip2play]

I just called my sister who was doing about a month of Cardizem (diltiazem) (360 or 320 mg)...she just went to the doctor and told her to shove them where the sun don't shine. Her complaints were NO SLEEP, amphetamine(speed)-like fidgiting, chest pain, nervousness, depression, and rage spells.
(Sounds like my reactions to Norvasc- also a channel blocker).

Anyhoo, she was switched to Calan (Verapamil...anothe CCB) which she likes a lot...but it's only been a week.

[lilleth]

Wow - I was only taking 120 mg of cardizem last 4 years or so, and I had some of the same reactions as your sister. I didnt' even realize they were from that, i really thought some of it was perimenopausal hormone changes. Wow. I felt really bad when I went up to 180 for 3 days. I don't know how your sis tolerated 360! Wow.

[Dark Fantasy]

Originally Posted by kfuchsel

I switched to Diltiazem xr (Tiazec) I also take hct 25mg. I'm up to 300MG right now and I average 138/85 with some readings of 150/90 which if I wait a little while do drop to 138/85ish. Wondering if anyone else is taking Tiazec and how much as we are getting up there in dosage with little response. I use to be o Lotrel- worked great (120/68) but the cough and difficuty running (cramps) cause me to change. Can someone have resistance to CCBs as I had to same problem of nonresponsiviness with Norvasc. Thanks

I had every side effect that I had wrote down here and have stopped taking Cardizem LA 240mg on 10/27/05 and now having withdrawals from it... My blood pressure had gone up to 190 / 116, have chills and shakes, rapid heartbeat also. I am taking Clonidine 0.2mg. Taking Lorazepam 2mg as needed for withdrawals.

I have taken Cardizem LA 240mg for the last 4 months and have now stopped taking it on 10-27-05; does anyone know what the withdrawals of this drug are?

I took Cozaar for just about 1 ½ years just stopped taking Cozaar at the same time what withdrawal are there and how long will they latest?

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