DynaCirc CR...an alternative to Norvasc?

[WaltW]

Hello everyone. I don't post much, but do stop in for a visit on occasion.

I've been taking Norvasc for a couple months now. Not feelin' too good lately, and it seems to be that my symptoms match those of Norvasc side effects.

I almost feel like I'm going to faint sometimes in the evening, especially when I'm winding down. That feeling seems to make me very anxious. I actually feel like I'm passing out! I also seem to "choke" when I'm falling asleep, like my oxygen is getting cut off and I come out of the sleep very QUICKLY...

My HR goes to the mid to low 50's (my normal was about 67 or so) and the other night my BP was down to 116/67! VERY low for me... Actually, I NEVER remember seeing anything CLOSE to that, even as a kid.

I am on Atacand. Was on 32 mg Atacand HCT, but had some bouts with gout, so I went off the HCT part. My BP seemed to creep up to the 150/100 range, so I called my doctor and he put me on Norvasc 5 mg. Well, it did the trick with my BP, but the side effects aren't very pleasant.

Do all calcium channel blockers have similar side effects? Can I expect the same BP results trying another CCB? I also heard something about DynaCirc CR...any info, has anyone tried it?

Thanks for your help.

[WaltW]

Ok, here's a more direct post.

What side effects have you kind folks experienced when taking Norvasc?

Thanks.

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Walt

[NMc]

Hi Walt:
I can't answer your questions about DynaCirc, having never taken it. I have been on 10 mg of Norvasc for about 6 months now (in addition to Diovan) and with the exception of a short-lived adjustment period, have had little or no side effects from either. I've read that minor differences in the composition of drugs within the same class can produce different psyiological responses - so it's possible simply changing from Norvasc to DynaCirc (I assume is another CCB?) would be a good way to minimize your side effects. Hope this helps.
Nancy

[WaltW]

Thanks.

I started breaking my 5 mg pill into two ~2.5 mg pills.

My BP is still lower than ever and the side effects seem to be subsiding.

I'll stick with it and ask for an adjustment to my dosage on the next refill.



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Walt