Blood pressure, hyperlipidemia

  I am currently taking no b.p. medication due to the fact that
  medication, especially beta-blockers, end up causing heart palpitations.
  The last episode lasting for 2 months.  I was totally incapacitated by it.  I've
   I had a holter monitor, ekg, stress echocardiogram and everything seems to
  be o.k.  However, I do need to be on medication for my b.p. and also something
  for my elevated cholesterol and triglicerides (triglycerides)...hyperlipidemia.  I am
  currently taking prednisone 10 mg. every other day for undetermined
  connective tissue disease that has caused extreme pain in muscles and joints.
  Just found out the pred. can also elevate b.p. and cholesterol..not to mention
  the prob. with osteoporosis, in which I am a prime candidate, being menopausal
  and having a family history of this devastating disease.  What would you
  suggest for the osteoporosis prob.?  I am not taking homones due to the fac
  that this might not be a good thing if indeed I do have lupus (positive high
  ANA homogenous). Also, what are considered benign b.p. meds that cause
  few problems. Was on lopressor, tenormin, but both after a time caused
  palpitations.  Tried Cardizem and didn't like it.  I have heart rate of
  80-100 beats per min normally and episodes of tach.  Would appreciate any
  input.
Dear Bonnie
Has the prednisone helped the muscle pains? I am always wary of starting steroids when there is no diagnosis as to what the underlying disease is. Long term steroid use is almost always associated with bad side effects.
A diet high in vitamin D and calcium and perhaps supplemental calcium are good to ward of osteoporosis. You might want to see an endocrinologist regarding newer medicines to treat osteoporosis.
I am surprised that beta-blockers caused palpitations, as they are often used to treat palpitations. Any blood pressure medicine can cause side effects. ACE inhibitors are another class of blood pressure medicines that your doctor could try.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.  Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.