Is it high blood pressure, and should I be taking this medicine?

Hi,

I'm a 31yo female, large, with a strong family history of heart disease (my mom died from CHF) and diabetes (almost every member of my family - it took my dad after it took his leg).

About two years ago I saw my doctor - my MA, actually - and she was fantastic.  My blood pressure was borderline.  She was working with me to prepare for all of my insurance company's hoops for weight loss surgery.  At that time, she told me she wanted me to come back in to have it checked twice more before she considered medication, and scheduled me for the next month.  Then, she retired.  I've had a hard time getting an appointment since then, and haven't been back.

I finally got in there last week and met one of the actual doctors for the first time.  I was frustrated, late, and having a bad day, and he took my blood pressure right after I was handed a 3 year old bill that my insurance company rejected (??? and I can do what about it NOW???).  My blood pressure was still borderline, but lower than it was the first time.

He immediately started me on Diovan HCT.  I have not taken the medication yet, because I have some concerns and haven't been able to reach him...not that I felt like he was listening to me anyway.  He did have blood drawn, and after calling daily I was finally able to get ahold of my test results; my WBC count was elevated (could that be contributing to the rise?) but my glucose and lipids were normal.  Those are both major watch points for me because of my size and family history.  I understand that the type of diuretic in the medication can cause glucose and lipid levels to rise, though I don't understand why...or if the 12.5mg included is enough to even cause those issues.  I'm afraid of breaking two things that are working to fix something that I'm not totally positive is broken.  He was very adamant that I take it, and sent a prescription too just in case I couldn't return before my samples run out.

Should I just take the medication anyway and assume he's right because he's the doctor, or wait until I can talk to him (or find another doctor) to be sure I really have a consistent problem with my blood pressure?  Even if I do need it (and I'll take it if I do) - should I wait until I find someone who I know will work with me to minimize the potential side effects?

Thanks!

Marie

[est78]

Hi Marie,

I'm sorry to hear of your family history, it sounds like you have been thru quite a bit.
I am also 31, overweight and in a similar situation. I started with borderline bp about 10 years ago before I had alot of stress, and gained weight. Many things contributed to this and I was VERY hesitant to try almost any medication because I was convinced I could lower it with diet and exercise, which by the way is standard protocol that a doctor should suggest especially at the borderline stage.
In the last 2 years however, every time I saw a doctor my bp was high, around 140/90 to 150/100 . I finally gave in to a doctor I had been seeing at a clinic this year who put me on beta blockers. My concern was that I knew how hard it was to just stop taking them. I ended up actually getting pretty scary side effects like chest pain, and had to reduce the dose. I think Im ok at the moment.
To make a long story long..... I say do not be afraid to question your doctor, I always have and it is the only way to protect yourself. You are not a statistic, I also think you should rethink the weight loss surgery, if your bp is not able to be controlled with diet and exercise and stress mgmt, take something both you and your doctor feel comfortable with...i hope this helps and keep me updated

Pam

[bluesneakers]

Hi Pam,

Thanks for that!  I'm glad you found something that seems to be working well for you.  These medications are just so scary - and one always seems to lead to more.  I think I've decided to hold off on taking them until I talk to my doctor.  I've called several times since the appointment; if he doesn't call me back before the follow up and I can't get him to have an actual conversation then, I'm going to start looking for a new doctor.  

All the best,

Marie

[lonewolf07]

Back in March, I had a heart attack.  I also have a family history of heart disease and have high BP, high cholesterol and am Type 2 diabetic.  All of these conditions have been under control for years but despite that I had to have a stent put in one of my arteries.

When they sent me home, I had so many different meds I had to take but no explanations about side effects so I phoned the pharmacist who gave me a lot of information about the meds and also sent written information about what the meds were for, side-effects, etc.  Sometimes a pharmacist is more familiar with the drug than the drs are.

I would assume that just because he/she is a dr that he/she knows everything.  Some drs are not up to date on the newest meds and some are unaware of side-effects.  There are patients who can have negative effects - I know that one drug I took gave me hallucinations and it was a BP med, not a "psychiatric" med.  Most pharmacists have access to the best kind of meds you should be taking.  If a dr and a pharmacist work together, you have a better chance of finding the drug that is best for you.

Hope things work out for you.