Blood pressure medication - despair at adding in a new one

[MamOfTwo]

I was taking a low dose of Ramipril for ages but recently had to increase it and add in Amlodipine due to high readings. Systolic has come down a lot but diastolic is still stuck in 90s so GP has suggested adding Indapamide. Thing is, I feel really reluctant as I don't want to be on two tablets let alone three. I don't drink or smoke but am overweight. Should I just suck it up and take all the medication or there another way? I accept I need medication to control my BP but three tablets just seems a lot.

You shouldn't suck it up. What you should do is having a conversation with your GP to get help in controlling and reducing your excess weight that is causing your hypertension.
This includes exercise protocol - start walking briskly - , change of diet , eliminating alcohol.

In the end, it is up to you. You can either increase again and again drug dosage and new medication, or solve the cause of your hypertension.

Do you know your average readings OP?

From what I've read 3 lower doses is a really good way to control BP and very common.

I take 2 minimum doses as I can't tolerate more than that on one tablet as I get side effects. Works well for me.

What's worked really well and quite dramatically is losing weight . I lost 2. 5 stone with Slimming World and I am on a quarter of the doses I was on originally. You might still need BP meds as it can be hereditary and nothing to do with weight but it was for me. I'm hoping I can reduce meds even further the more I lose.

Good luck .

Why don’t you want the meds? If you need them just take them.

is there something ‘bad’ about being on multiple meds? If so what?

Why are you overweight? Explore that if you want to reduce medication OP.
It's for the best and you know it. You wouldn't be the first.

Just take them - there isn't any purpose in being despairing over something like this. If you need them, take them. Get a home BP machine and take your BP every week so you can track it , and if you want to do something about losing weight, do that too. But don't get all upset over adding another tablet, just think of how lucky we are to have access to these medications which keep us healthy.

Take them. I had a TIA a month ago, the consultant thinks it was because my BP was too high for too long

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/are-3-blood-pressure-drugs-better-than-1#:~:text=A%20combination%20medication%20with%20lower,lower%20doses%20of%20three%20medications.

I'm sorry to hear that - I hope you are feeling better and the outlook is positive.

Thank you, all. I know I should just take the third to get it under control. It's just when I read the info leaflet for indapamide it seemed terrifying. Also I know I need to address weight - I am trying.

I've had a terrible time trying to find a BP that suits me, but I'm settled on two low doses now as I said earlier and actually I haven't had any side effects at all when I took the second tablet and I was absolutely terrified of starting it as I'd felt so I'll previously. Take it and if it doesn't suit you then go back to the GP as there are loads of options. I used to be on 100 mg of Losartan, I'm now on 25mg with my 2.5 stone weight loss, it's made a huge difference.

Well done on your weight loss, that's amazing! I had success with Slimming World in the past - may take another look. Yes, I guess I can always go back and request another type if it doesn't suit.

I don't know when you tried SW but there aren't red and green days anymore, it's really easy. I do it on line with an app but you might prefer the group side of it. I have another couple of stones to go but I felt so ill on the high dose of BP meds I HAD to lose weight. It's been helpful to think of the weight loss for health reasons rather than looks of that makes sense?