Reduction in BP meds, CCB withdrawal

[dmer]

Several days ago, my Lotrel dose was reduced from 10/40 to 5/40 with 5/20 next, when my present supply runs out in 2 weeks.

The first couple of days, I didn't notice any difference, especially during my exercise regimen, where all physical and mental conditions manifest themselves!

3rd Day, my post exercise BP reading was 20 points higher on the systolic side, but still "normal" at 120. The overall feeling from the dose change was like going from a tranquilized to a normal state, even theough the new normal felt like my pulse was racing . Additionally, during the most strenuous portion of my exercise, I was aware of a little more burning sensation in my lungs and a slight tightness in the chest area.

I have to admit that when this occurred, my first desire was to reach for a little 5MG tab of Amlodipine and augment my dose. When upping my initial dose of 5/20 to 10/40, that transition was weird and now another version of change.

Do we become too sensitive to the fluctuations of our body chemistry?

[bethsheba]

Originally Posted by dmer

...
Do we become too sensitive to the fluctuations of our body chemistry?

I don't know...but I do know that those meds can interfer "big time" with our body chemistry. I went back and forth between 5 mg of amlodipine and 10 mg of amlodine only to disco cold turkey. It took several weeks before my body returned to normal and bps leveled off. Actually, when I came off the med I experienced some of the lowest readings ever, which makes me think the dosage was too high in the first place!

I don't think you'll have nasty side effects withdrawing...you're just going to feel different as you get used to having "normal" bp.

Bethsheba

[dmer]

Originally Posted by bethsheba

I don't think you'll have nasty side effects withdrawing...you're just going to feel different as you get used to having "normal" bp.

Bethsheba

Being "medicated" is certainly different from taking none and to a lesser degree, taking smaller doses. If someone has had a number of medications and varying doses, it strikes me as difficult to remember what a "normal" physical status might be. Thanks for the info.

[bethsheba]

Originally Posted by dmer

... If someone has had a number of medications and varying doses, it strikes me as difficult to remember what a "normal" physical status might be. Thanks for the info.

Yes, what comes to mind is Flowergirl's reference to having a "new" normal.

Bethsheba

[flowergirl2day]

My "normal" as I told my co-worker is when I don't feel as if I am about to get sick. She understands as she has been on two medications at the age of 23 for several years and is considering taking a leave of absence because she now has depression. Her doctor is trying to make her start antidepressant meds and she is resisting. I talk to her a lot about meds and their side effects. She asks a lot of questions. She is smart as a whip and does a lot of her own research. She is suffering with side effects of her medication, one of the reasons she is determined not to take any more new ones and to turn to alternative medicine. This contributes to her depression, which is, by the way, one of the side effects of one of her meds.

FG