Has anyone had terrible side effects from blood pressure tablets?

[lucy5]

I know some of you have but I can't remember what you advised. I have been taking tablets for nearly 2 weeks to lower my blood pressure and feel worse than when it was high. I feel dizzy, queasy, spacey, dry mouth etc. The doctor has said it should take another couple of weeks to settle. I'm not too bad if I remain horizontal but thats not always easy with a 5 year old. I'm not even mumsnetting much at the moment as I can't focus for long. Please tell me I don't have to suffer another 7 months of this

Could you ask if you could start on a lower dose and work your way up? I did this to start, and weaned off gradually to end the course when DS was 6m old.

Hi Lucy,

Is it Methyldopa you are taking by any chance? I had these (I wasn't pregnant at the time) and the doctor had to change the medication because I was falling asleep everywhere, and felt like a complete zombie all of the time, it was terrible. I am now taking Nifedipine which is also safe to take during pregnancy and so far I seem to be ok.

HTH
Tinasan

Hi, they are called Aldomet. Will go back to Doctors and see if he will reduce. I keep falling asleep all the time too.

I was on methyldopa and found the side effects lasted approx 3 to 4 days each time they increased the dose. HTH

Lucy5 - yup Aldomet is just a brand name for Methyldopa.

here \link{http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000060.html}

If you feel really awful perhaps the doctor can switch you to something else which is also safe to take during pregnancy. I really feel for you because I know how bad I felt when I was taking them!

Thanks Tinasan, I am feeling a little better today, which is a joke because it means I can stand up for a few minutes. Anyway thanks again and I will go and see the doctor in a few days if things havent settled down.