PLEASE HELP!!! How Safe Are Diuretics???

[WannaBeDrugFree]

I went to the Dr. today and told him my Cartia XT 300 mgs. was making me too sick and wanted to go back down to 240 mgs. He wanted to add a diuretic...12.5 mgs. of Hydrochlorothiazide and then allow me to go down to 240 mgs. in the Cartia XT(Caridzem CD). I am really scared to take another pill and am afraid I will have problems weaning off 2 drugs instead of 1 when I get in better shape and get my anxiety down. My Dad died 5-6 months ago and I have been a mess since. I was doing well the first 2 months and then it all caught up with me. At any rate. Has anyone taken this and been able to come off when it wasn't needed. Does the body get addicted to or become dependent on a diuretic, like it does with a CCB??? I wish I knew what to do...I am at my wits end with this and it's making my anxiety worse.

Can someone help me with this, as well as the other thread I started about my CCB??? I have been sick on and off for at least 3 years where I have not been able to work, but haven't tried for disability, as it is nearly impossible in Ohio for something like this.

[aussiejono]

at 12.5mg, extremely safe, and a good addition

[WannaBeDrugFree]

I chickened out of taking the diuretic with my lowered dose of Cartia XT. I am really afraid of the side-effects.

[flowergirl2day]

Hi,

They are "relatively" safe and well tolerated at a low dose. Well, as safe as any drug can ever be. By staying on a low dose you will avoid some of the undesirable changes in blood chemistry. You will need periodic complete blood cell count, electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests. These meds should treat your blood pressure to goal.
Amazingly, a low dose of diuretics has been shown to decrease left ventricular mass in people with low to moderate high blood pressure, which, I think, is a little known fact.

flowergirl

[WannaBeDrugFree]

Well...earlier this morning I walked down 3 flights of stairs at my house and back up and my bp reading was 136/87/78 RIGHT after. I have been doing my recumbent bike all week for a little while each day, too. Trying to watch my diet a little at a time, as well. So, I am trying to turn this around the right way BEFORE jumping the gun, once again, and adding more to the mix. It's only been a little over 7 hours since the dose was lowered, but I have already begun to feel almost no anxiety in my chest and my pulse is trying to regulate.

Does this sound like I am doing the right thing here??? I want to work my way DOWN on this med, not up and not to add more meds to my body.

I wrote more in my other thread, too, flowergirl...so if you could respond to the last 2 posts there, I would really appreciate it.