Aa
high Blood pressure
I am 53, never smoked, only drink maybe 2-3 glasses of wine a year. No drugs. About 4 years ago I was diagnosed with hypertension. Quite frankly I was not compliant with the medication ordered. Father side has long history of cardiac problems including 2 aunts who died in their later 50 of strokes. But EKG, and lab is normal (Just done). Currently am on Procardia 60 mg XL Bid, Triamterene 100 mg daily, Clonidine 0.2 mg tid, Valturna 300/320 mg daily. I am 5, 6 and weigh 126. And yes for the last 6 months I have taken the medication, done what lab has been ordered, x-rays etc. But my blood pressure swings up and down. I can go from 150/110 to 220/134. My distolic never goes down lower then 110. I still (best way to describe it) is I get waken up by headaches about 1-3 in the morning. And by 2-3 in the afternoon I feel completly wiped out. Gaining weight but no fluid retention. I am at the point of just stopping the medication as at least I did not feel this tired. The doctors just shrug their shoulders and said I need to get use to it. Any suggestions?
When I tell him he says my B/P way to high and I'll need to get use to it. But not sleeping very well and then being tired and working (And in my job that does not go very well). I skipped a Procardia and one clonidine but will take it this afternoon and see how it goes. Thanks ed.
Is that wise? Would you be better to see the Doctor and try a different type of medication?
Your Doctor will be well aware of the side effects, or should be, so should be compliant with your wishes.
Your Doctor will be well aware of the side effects, or should be, so should be compliant with your wishes.
Thank you both for the response. Tomorrow I think I will try going without a dose of the procardia and clonidine and see what happens.
You should ask about pheochromocytoma.... adrenal tumor that produces adrenalin and could be the source of your BP problems.
No echo scan just chest x-ray which was normal. Blood test from my GP all normal except they sent me to a Urologist who did a renal scan which I'm still waiting on. But I do know the Neuclear Radiologist who said it looked normal. The Urologist did say there was something on my renal test though he might want a CT scan. No history of renal problems in my family that we are aware of though (even though out of 10 kids on my dad side 8 have had strokes). I just know this medication is wiping me out. And my thought process is like I'm 80 years old. Any suggestions how I can up my energy? I would appreciate any suggestions. I think I felt better except for the headaches before they put me on all this medication.
You say they've done an EKG but what about an echo scan? Also, have they done blood tests for kidney function or thyroid?
I am on my feet and walking about 4 hours out of 8 at work. Thanks for the reply. I have also addressed possibly going to a gym but the doctors have talked me out of it until my B/P comes better under control.
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Procardia - have the exact side effects you are describing. Swelling/headaches etc.
Clonidine - side effects also swelling
Both can cause you to feel tired/low on energy.