Types of blood pressure medication?

[marantz1935]

Hi again friends,

Well, I've had it with Atenolol and have decided to ask my GP to change medication. Apart from beta blockers (or at least Atenolol), could anyone recommend a new course for me? Today, I noticed swelling of my ankles and very red streaks on my lower legs where the skin was cracking due to severe dryness. I do have dry skin, but not at this level.

I appreciate all HBP pills have side-effects, but in your experience, which type did you find had the least. I'm not looking for brand-names, just the type itself.

Many thanks again.

Marantz.

[cartner]

Hi,

I have tried all the drug classes and I got side effects from ACEs, ARBs and Diuretics. Zebeta, a Beta-Blocker, at a minimum dose seems to be good for both controlling the BP and the heart rate. Also I take 5mg of Norvasc with it, which is a CCB drug, and my readings are great. I just took a reading and it's 125/72.

Anyway, I think that you should ask your dr to switch you to Norvasc. Do you have herat rate problems? normally drs prescribe Beta-Blockers for patients with heart rate problems. If that is the case then I think that Norvasc would be good for you, because this drug class lowers the heart rate (but of course not like Beta-Blockers). Anyway, if you combined Magnesium supplements with it you will have a good heart rate . At least this is what I have done
Good luck,
Michael

[marantz1935]

Originally Posted by cartner

Hi,

I have tried all the drug classes and I got side effects from ACEs, ARBs and Diuretics. Zebeta, a Beta-Blocker, at a minimum dose seems to be good for both controlling the BP and the heart rate. Also I take 5mg of Norvasc with it, which is a CCB drug, and my readings are great. I just took a reading and it's 125/72.

Anyway, I think that you should ask your dr to switch you to Norvasc. Do you have herat rate problems? normally drs prescribe Beta-Blockers for patients with heart rate problems. If that is the case then I think that Norvasc would be good for you, because this drug class lowers the heart rate (but of course not like Beta-Blockers). Anyway, if you combined Magnesium supplements with it you will have a good heart rate . At least this is what I have done

Good luck,
Michael

Thanks for quick response Cartner.

I'm not really sure of my heart rate. I think it may be a bit high (but under 100 bpm as far as i can remember), but the itself heart pounds quite a bit. I don't know if that's one and the same thing.

I'll mention the Norvasc at my next visit.

Your own numbers are great. Mine at my last visit (in the afternoon), were 140/86 on 50 mg of Atenolol. Not all that good.

Thanks again,

Marantz

[cartner]

Marantz,

One thing that you should put in mind, we are all different. Both my parents had no side effects on ACEs, when I tried this drug class I got many side effects. Let's just say that it's impossible for me to get out of home or do anything while being on this class. So you, and your doctor, have to try and find your best drug or drug combination.

5 mg of Zebeta made me feel so bad, now I'm on 2.5 of it + 5 mg of Norvasc. No side effects .
Please let me know what will your doctor say?
Good luck,
Michael

[bethsheba]

Marantz,

I tried 4 different meds in 4 different classes with varying degrees of side effects. The med I had the least problems with was norvasc or the generic, amlodipene. But this drug has horrible side effects for some so you should research the side effects and the warnings before discussing with your doctor, if possible.

Headaches are a common side effect of this med. I didn't get headaches but I did experience flushing (a red face), gas, but most difficult of all it disturbed my sleep. If you do not work a regular schedule, that may not be a concern. But I really believe in letting people know what the possibilities are so they know what may happen and can watch for any changes.

Hopefully, the amlodipene will work for you...

Bethsheba