Norvasc dosage

[bethsheba]

Lenin,

I've got a question for you...as you may remember, I started taking Norvasc about 6 weeks ago. You warned me, and yes, last week I started running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Hyper, loud, and ugly...at least I immediately knew what it was thanks to you. My question is...when you were on Norvasc, did you try a reduced dose? If so, did it help?

I didn't have problems on 2.5mg but I went up to 5 mg and my sleeping was getting bad again. I stopped taking Norvasc 3 days ago, my dreams have returned and my pressures are the best they have been. Before I call my doc I thought I'd check with you.

Bethsheba

[bethsheba]

Fmnd,

Sorry to move you from Durectics and Back Pain but since we're "talking" about Norvasc I thought it best to "move" here.

Really appreciate that info on heartburn. Actually I had heartburn for YEARS until I was diagnosed with sleep apnea...once I started using my air machine at night it disappeared and I've been bragging to anyone who will listen about what cured my heart burn...

THEN, last week I started getting heartburn again despite sleeping with my little machine...never occured to me that it would be the norvasc. I did go back on the med but am taking it at night instead of with my oatmeal in the am. I'm also trying a lower dose as my readings were good after being off the stuff for a few days..my bp's were high while on the higher dose and I was beginning to have sleep problems so methinks the dosage was too strong. Will try it for a couple of weeks to see what will happen. Thanks too for the warning about the head problems. I've never had a headache so we'll see.

Funny thing about this drug is that it lists more side effects than the drugs I've taken in the past (which is scary because I've experienced MOST of the side effects of the drugs I've taken in the past) but except for flushing,hyperactivity, and increasing sleep problems, I've experienced the least severe side effects on this one...at least so far---just give my body some time to object . Isn't that ironic?

Bethsheba

[mabent]

Hi - Well, I'm obviously not Lenin, but I definitely can relate to your problem.
I started on 5mg. of Norvasc last year but immediately started feeling anxious and had trouble sleeping (I take it at night). I read somewhere that some take only 1/2 dose and have had the nervous feeling disappear.
My doctor was skeptical but said that I could try cutting the pill in half. It has worked perfectly! I also take enalapril twice a day; but my systolic pressure started to have high readings; thus, the addition of Norvasc.
My doctor said that it doesn't matter if I don't cut the pill exactly in half because it stays in the system and eventually evens out.
I certainly would never want to take that combination pill of Norvasc and another drug (I think the other drug is a statin).
Good luck! I'm glad to know that you went back on the 1/2 dose! It lowered my systolic pressure right away, so I didn't need the higher dose!

[famnd]

Hi Beth,

I'm new here so haven't got the hang of the landscape yet so move my posts anywhere. Anyhow, hope you don't get the headaches as mine felt like I was being stabbed here & there in my head (never had anything like that before). Even though I only took Norvasc a few days, I got the full force of the drug except that it didn't lower my b/p except for the first day!!! Regarding heartburn, mine is controlled as long as I do all the lifestyle stuff-very strict. I was using a c-pap machine which I'm going back too. Stopped it because my husband hates the noise even though he has a hearing problem-go figure. The c-pap reduced my systolic b/p 10 points. I've come to learn that it is best to start out on the lowest dosage possible with b/p meds so that one's body can adjust & sometimes tolerate the drug better. Fam

[bethsheba]

Mabent,

So very glad you responded...I was beginning to think I was the only one taking Norvasc and after rereading the multitude of side effects I was beginning to understand why. Really appreciate the feedback on the lower dose...my doctor started me on a smaller dose but the old systolic was a little higher than it should be so he upped it...it may be that I didn't wait long enough for the smaller dose to take effect (I don't respond to drugs the way they expect or want me to). My pressures were higher on the high dose than they were on the lower dose...I suspect the med was messing with my sleep and those pressures went up. Had similar experiences with other bp meds.

I will try taking it twice a day to see if that helps. I think I had better continue to have it with my oatmeal, tho. This acid is the pits.

Bethsheba