High Blood Pressure: Your Input Appreciated!

[frigilux]

Well, I've joined the high blood pressure club. I was reluctantly dragged to the initiation, which turned out to be a 5-1/2 hour stint in the ER a couple of weeks ago.

ANYWAY....My doctor put me on a daily 20 mg. dose of Lisinopril, which is an ACE inhibitor. After two weeks of monitoring my blood pressure several times a day, I was still registering 140-160/85-93, which isn't terrible, but certainly not close to the desirable 120/80. I had another appointment Wednesday, and he doubled the dosage. If this doesn't do a better job, he said we'd try another drug.

My query: Does anyone else here take Lisinopril? Does it work well for you? If you take a different PB med, what is it and do you like it? Any BP meds you suggest staying away from?

This is the blood pressure monitor I bought. Do any of you have one, and if so, what brand? I don't think Consumer Reports tests them, LOL.

Thanks in advance for your input and suggestions!

 

[supersuds]

That's the monitor I have; it was recommended by a friend...that's all I know about it.

I was on Lisinopril + HCTZ (a diuretic) for a couple of months and it worked great. However, I started having very uncomfortable hot flashes -- no kidding -- and although I didn't make any connection, another friend said he'd had the same problem until his doctor switched his BP med. My doctor was skeptical, but he put me on something else (Norvasc) and the problem went away.

Norvasc is not keeping my BP down however....

Your reaction may vary. There are dozens of different meds to try if one doesn't work or agree with you.

 

[westingman123]

That's the monitor my Dr. recommended.

I was on hydrochlorothyizide and coreg for a spell. With exercise and weight loss I was able to stop both. I do take fish oil twice a day, and hit the gym M W F. I hated the coreg, it made me dizzy and cranky. My Dr. swore that it was not possible for the medication to make me dizzy; but as soon as I took myself off it (weaned slowly) all symptoms disappeared.

 

[appnut]

I aws on 20 mg of Lisinopril for a good 5 or more yeaers IU do believe. A year ago July I went on the HCTZ version and down to 122.5 mg and that erstored my blood pressure to what it was for a normal range after it had begun to inch up a bit over the years. Yeah, I odn't like peeing as often as I do now, but that's ok. But occassionally I end up with a slight cough that's due to a slight tickle in my throat (DOWN TOGGLES) for a few days or even a few hours. I told my doctor about it and he said due to my health plan, other alternatives would cost me several thousand $$$ a year, so I decided I could live with that occasisonal cough. Had another physical by a new physician 10 days ago and he was extremely pleased with the BP level. I do notice if I don't take it and don't feel very good.

 

[appnut]

The 122.5 mg should be 12.5. YIKES!!!

 

[nmassman44]

I am on 2.5mg of Lisinopril and 100mg of Metoprolol. That combo does keep my pressure in check. I am also on Plavix 75mg and 325 mg of asprin. That combo keeps my blood from clotting and clogging my stent. Its not fun if I cut myself or get a cat scratch. I will bleed. So far 4 years after my "event" aka heart attack I have been fine. Oh and I am also on Crestor 20mg. I was on Zocor aka simvastatin and was taken off of the Zocor since it made me hallucinate and it was overworking my liver. The Crestor is better at least for me. I did start out on Lipitor but that stuff put me down for the count and never felt right with that stuff...not to mention gawd is it pricey.
One side effect with blood pressure pills is that you might have erectile dysfunction. Before the pills I had no problem in that department. I was "up" in no time flat. Now it rises for the event but it takes a bit longer. Do not take Viagara or pills like that since it will drop your blood pressure so far down that you could pass out. It would be a tad awkward if someone were to be on you and took that they are going at it then they are out cold. Something to think about....

 

[frigilux]

Mike---I'd been taking Lipitor for 5 years, but my dear friends at Blue Cross/Blue Shield no longer want me on anything that isn't available in generic form. So, I switched to simvastatin back in July. I had a blood panel done last week and my LDL (bad cholesterol had actually gone down almost 20 points, so it seems to be doing its job.

Haven't had any hallucinations on simvastatin, so I'm feeling a bit ripped off, LOL!

Here's my daily regimen:

6:00 am: 1 mature (no iron) multivitamin; 1 Omega III capsule; 2 enteric coated 81-mg aspirin; 1 40 mg. Lisinopril

10:00 pm: 1 mature multiviamin; 1 Omega III capsule; 1 Simvastatin

 

[yogitunes]

Yeah....be cautious if your on BP medicine, then you could end up with ED, but if this happens, mention it to your doctor, he will then change it to reduce or eliminate these problems, actually if you have any side effects mention it to your doctor right away, never hurts to be cautious

Take care and be healthy.....to ALL of you guys

 

[rp2813]

Just recently an ICU nurse advised me that anyone who is on blood pressure medication should be checking their pressure every day at the same time of day. This could possibly help to stop a stroke before it happens.

 

[pulsator-power]

I'm on Lisinopril too- 10 mg. My BP is fine, but I went on it because I'm Diabetic, and supposedly it helps to keep your BP in check- elevated BP can cause kidney and eye damage in diabetics- the veins in your eyes and kidneys can get brittle.
Even though I don't have a problem with ED, it does cause a delayed reaction sometimes.
Jerry

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Eugene. I am also on 20mg of Lisinopril. I take 10mg twice a day and it works great. As a type 2 diabetic, my doctor wants my blood pressure below 110/70. A few years ago, I lost 70lbs and that is what got my blood sugar A1C down to 5.9 (my doctor wants it below 6.3) and my average blood pressure is 105/64.
I also take simvastatin for cholesterol and that seems to work well.
Much as I hate taking all this medicine, I am grateful to wake up each day and feel great so I am not going to complain.

Ross

 

[perc-o-prince]

Hey Frig,

My MD started me on 40mg atenolol (beta blocker). A little later, he added 5mg lisinopril (ACE inhibitor) and upped that to 10mg in October. I have to have a state physical for my job, and BP needs to be in a certain range. I've had the same NP at MedWorks for years now, and she's the one who suggested going to 10 since I was usually hovering in the mid-130's systolic. That seemed to do the trick. If I need to have anything added down the road, the lisinopril will be upped since ACE inhibitors are a little more organ-friendly than beta blockers.

Best of luck, and be sure to ask about when to take it/them. My MD said first thing in the AM since that's when most heart attacks happen (supposedly).

Chuck

 

[travlincub321]

I am on the HCTZ version of Linsopril at 12.5 mg.. Taken 1x daily in the am...

Been on it for 5 years now i guess..Works fine

 

[whirlaway]

Medicine

I take propranolol and protonix because I have bad veins,they have a tendancy to rupture.My normal blood pressure is 98 over 70,with the meds it drops even lower,to keep pressure off of these veins.I also take Mega-red qrill oil instead of fish oil pills.It really helps the doc was very pleased.I take 60mg twice a day of the propranolol.Have no erectile problems.One small megared once aday.The top number of yours is not bad at all its the bottom one you should really be concerned with as it nears 100.Sometimes it drops to 70over50.That is low.Eat lots of fiber get rid of added salt.Extra pounds really make a difference.Did you ever notice though when you go to the doctor how fat the nurses are.Go figure!!! Bobby

 

[fltcoils]

Low at home, high at doctors

I tend to get lower readings at home. Much lower. My physician said it is common, and that patients have taken videos and brought in their cuffs to verify the data.

One thing I'll mention, the cuff area being probed needs to be at heart level. if the arm is left hanging down, then one gets 10 15 pts high reading based on gravity. WHC says it should be taken at heart level.

My BP dropped after beginning taking daily iodine supplements and 1-1.5 grm magnesium daily. There are studies at NIH and other places about this. Went from 145/90 to 115/75. Apparently for me it was a nutrition issue, not "system a-muck". So I'm glad I didn't take BP meds. It would have been like the guy who turns up the car radio to drown out the bad wheel bearing. Many of my health issues have been either nutrition or poison (e.g. bromine poisoning).