Amlodipine

[Missesd22]

I'm 39 and been told I have high blood pressure not high enough for hospital treatment
Currently on a diet and it's working as cholesterol levels have came down but docs have just put me on 5mg Amlodipine
Took my first last night and due my next shortly
I'm not sure if the symptoms I have are normal or if to stop taking them after 1 dose and speak to docs on Monday morning

This morning I woke up with a sore head then had a upset stomach ie loose stools (so wasn't sure if it was something I ate previously or if it's the Amlodipine) took pain killers for sore head and been ok till 6ish had dinner and had issues with stomach again as above my legs feel heavy slightly feel slightly warm in face vison feels funny

Are these normal and will it settle if I take next dose or will that make things worse?
Or do I miss this dose and see how stomach is in morning and take again tomorrow night and if stomach same as today on Monday then I know for sure it's tabs

What other tabs are better for high blood pressure?
Plus we are due to fly out in 9 days so not wanting heavy legs etc

I'm new to all this

It was the last thing that was offered to me after I'd been through about 4 others and was told I would have to put up with side effects,when I refused I was told there was just one more I could try...

@fortheloveofflowers apparently my bp has been high for a while or seems to be when I get it checked when it's time for the smear test it's always high was told it was high in Jan then was told I may need to go on medication so had follow up appointment booked for March so started my diet etc what with work changing shifts about wasn't able to see doc in March but managed to go a 2 weeks ago
Said was still high and was told to do home monitoring for a week but cause I was worried about it (I thought was the top numbers that were the problem turns out I had it wrong it's the bottom ones that are concerning) so brung my appointment with nurse forward that's when she put me on Amlodipine

At home the bottom numbers were about 80 I think (may check later as they gave me monitor to keep a check)

I'm 10 stone 9 now lost a good bit and cholesterol levels are down

Think the fact what's bothering me more is we are due to go away on sun 1st wedding anniversary and last think I want is too feel like this while away but then other side I don't want to not take anything in case something happens as there's obviously a reason I need them

Today I felt rubbish had no energy not good when your a housekeeper and it's a full house plus a wedding on stomach still off a little bit this morning feels a tad off just now one ankle is sore when I walk not good when on feet all day
And I'm now absolutely roasting and that's me in a saded spot again not good when I'm about to head to a warm country soon

I'm phoning doc in morning is it worth while asking for a different treatment

Yes, I would ask for an ACE like lisinopril. Amlodipine can make your ankles swell and be painful. Quite a few bp meds can make you tired but you can get used to them.

If you aren’t diabetic then your BP should be 135/85 or below, ideally below.

The diastolic, bottom reading, is more concerning when higher as it shows your vessel are never relaxing well so are constantly stressed. Very simple of way of putting it.

These are the guidelines and it can be a bit medical but you might find it helpful
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypertension/management/management/

Lisinopril not only works on bp, it protects the left ventricle in the event of a heart attack.

lowering cholesterol is great, but it doesn’t remove any plaques already in the arteries. Statins help stabilise the plaques, which helps prevent the chain reaction the leads to a heart attack.

That’s why docs use a risk index, there’s lots diet and exercise can do, but once damage is done, that stops things getting worse, but doesn’t help anything already damaged.

Thanks
When was at the docs other day results from blood test last week were in so everything all good no diabetes liver function good as I say cholesterol level has lowered due to losing weight

I need to be on top from for work and not to be held back so would need something that doesn't cause much side effects tiredness I could probably cope with it's the legs ankles stomach issues etc I can't if I wasn't working or had a sitting job then maybe

My husband is on 10mg Amlodipine and ramiphill for his high BP but he ended up in a&e with his high BP but wasn't put on the medication straight away think he was ok on them but everyone is different plus his diet is shocking lol
Where as I don't smoke have limited my caffeine intake and soft drinks and eat fruit veg salad etc

I'm thinking of fish oil or anything like that that may help lower bp

It was the third choice for me. Amlodipine was a disaster and Ramipril had no effect whatsoever.

Sadly my high blood pressure seems to be hereditary as I have no lifestyle changes I could make.

Docs want to take me off Amlodipine due to stomach issues and put me on a beta blocker due to the fact we are trying to get pregnant etc
So to stop Amlodipine and start new ones Thurs

So are beta blockers better?
Or is it better to stay on Amlodipine but lower the dose as I don't feel as bad today well so far mild tummy issues mild headache say 2.5mg any advice

Which one is it?

What's better is anything that works and is safe for you to take. What has your GP suggested now?

@Missesd22 I tolerated low dose beta blockers far better than ACE inhibitors or channel blockers and they are very good for getting rid of headaches-

They too though can have side affects- make you feel a bit 'slow' and you can't just come off them- you have to taper off slowly. The reason I came off was they sent my heart rate too low a fair bit of the time- frequently in the 40s - they do bring your BP down though (well they did me- but not stupidly) and they are good for anxiety . they don't give you water retention though- and I think amlodopine is known for that

This is all very interesting. I've been on anlodipine for a year now . First drug I was given for high BP and I had no side effects at all. Would it have been prescribed on price?

some things that can help:

Fish Oil - EPA helps not only with blood pressure but also can reduce plaque significantly if you take 2g twice a day. DHA also has health benefits, but you need a big dose of EPA for plaque reduction.

Vitamin B3 / Nicotinic Acid - this dilates the blood vessels if you get the flush type.

Beetroot - nitrates also help with heart and arteries including blood pressure and antioxidant.

Pomegranate - antioxidant and also lowers blood pressure and has vitamin c.
Vitamin c from other sources, but best is citrus fruits and berries.

So far today I felt ok untill I got to hospital for appointment to see fertility nurse was stressed etc and I just broke down after she done bp
Just everything has been getting on top of me ie all these tests to see if there's a issue to why we haven't fell pregnant yet then starting medication for BP right before a holiday where I'm not a great flyer so stress and anxiety are threw the roof with worrying about this dam high BP

As soon as I said I had stomach upset from Amlodipine he said to stop but wondered why nurse put me on them as that would of been his 2nd choice

So beta blockers am not sure on the name but it's suited for those who are trying to get pregnant and then a different one that beings with a L

I'm not currently not sure on what to do etc to keep going with Amlodipine try these beta blockers either way my mind will still be racing when it's time to board that plane in sun

Labetalol is what he will have changed it to. Totally safe if ttc, was on them in both pregnancies. It is a beta blocker though, can slow your heart rate and make you feel tired.

I take Ramipril and had to add in Amlodipine but I just couldn't tolerate it (painful swollen ankles and very tired on it) so I have been given Lercanidipine instead of Amlodipine, early days but seems much better.

@Missesd22 beta blockers are very good for anxiety . Personally given what you've said below I think they may suit you more

Right now my anxiety/stress levels are threw the roof to the point I could cry right now and not stop just one hell of a emotional being lol that gets stressed and worried too easily

Are you following the DASH diet?
I understand you have a physical job- housekeeping - however you should still go for a brisk walk, brisk enough to change your breathing. After a day on you feet it might be hard, so wake up earlier and go before work.

You are very young @Missesd22 you can absolutely reverse your high blood pressure. It takes determination and action, and alongs the meds , you can very powerfully use diet and exercise.

@AnIntrovert whats the dash diet?
I'm currently doing calorie counting worked so far I'm generally pretty healthy I don't smoke not a regular drinker don't salt my food grill never fry the typical stuff

My doc did say that my body will be used to what I do in a day it's going beyond that where I'll lose so as you say a walk gym or a workout

When was talking to the nurses in hospital today one suggested talking to my GP again to see if I could try 2.5mg first just incase the 5mg may be too much or at least give it time

Amlopodine made my feet and ankles so big I couldnt get my shoes on

Ive been on a few different ones, some gave me vertigo, others the swelling feet again.

All along Ive been on candarsarten as a main drug, bp still a bit high though, although they say its ok but its usually 140/80. Ive asked for ramapril but was denied, nto sure why

Years ago I was on propranalol for something else, it didnt really work for the thing I was given it for but it did lower my bp and my anxiety, and my migraines which were terrible at the time. It was a wonder drug, except that it made my hair fall out. Had to stop taking it

DASH stands for : Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. It is not just a calorie controlled diet, it is specifically designed to lower blood pressure . It is a 7 point diet and all points work all together.
Some diet, like a low carb one, can bring weight down but are detrimental to BP. What are the core points of the diet you are following? Was is advised by a GP?

If both you and your partner have high BP, there is a strong environmental factor.

Diet was just to control calorie intake due to trying to get pregnant so getting tested so bring weight down but done it myself as down it last year for wedding so never actually seen a doc before hand so was to lose weight so had a head start for seeing the fertility experts I'm 10 stone 7lbs now and on 1400 calories it has made a difference but now that I think about what your saying I should of maybe considered seeing doc first but I'm sure when I did back in Jan I said about going in a diet but they never gave any info on how to do it safely etc

Hubby has bp but is controlled by 10mg amlodipine and ramriphil only found his out as he started to get severe headaches and dizzy spells was in hospital for a week but his life style and diet isn't the same as me

Look up the DASH diet. Keep the 1400 calories, but change what you eat in these according to the DASH principes.

First and foremost a igh consumption of fruits and vegetables, rich in potassium, to not only counteract the effects of sodium but also use the potassium relax blood vessel walls, reducing blood pressure. If you eat a lot of processed meats, they are high in sodium even if you don't add salt to the pan. Then fibre from whole grains, low saturated fats and low dairy, and a few more.

Blood lipid control is really important. Viscous fibre can help, so eggplant, okra, oats.

There are plenty of books and online info on the DASH diet.