Crohns, kidneys and problems with Ramipril!

[Hoypaloy]

Hi there. I have kidney failure (Gfr generally between 40 and 50 but recently closer to 40), and also crohns which has been in remission for years but has recently been shown to be very active. My problem is for about 12 months now I have been prescribed ramipril for my kidneys and high blood pressure, but in the last few months and weeks (it seems to me since crohns has become active) it is making me feel absolutely terrible. It is giving me nothing short of severe chest pains and is actually putting my blood pressure up. Generally speaking my blood pressure is perfect before ramipril (120/80) and always around 150/90 within an hour of taking it. I cannot convince either of my consultants or my GP of this - my GP is claiming I have anxiety issues that are affecting my blood pressure readings. I really feel like I'm being pushed into a corner here as every fibre of my being is telling me that ramipril is harming me in the state I'm in right now but I don't want to start ignoring the opinions of my docs and discontinuing meds they are using to try and help me.
Can anyone shed any light on this for me? It feels to me as if crohns or some other auto-immune issue is affecting my kidneys in a way that is now making ramipril treatment unsuitable? Could it even be a sign of an undiagnosed heart condition? Any help would be hugely appreciated. Thank you.  

[click5]

Tell your Doctor in no uncertain terms that you want to consider switching bp meds. Ramipril is very capable of causing serious side effects including raising bp. It raised mine by over 80 points. The side effects of this drug can happen immediately or after a long period. Also I would question it's use in kidney disorders of any kind as it can damage kidneys and cause stenosis. Check out as much as you can about safer alternatives. As is common these days many GPs are unaware of the potential for damage that these drugs have. Not surprising given the way that Doctors who should monitor side effects rarely do and simply rely on trial information supplied by pharmaceutical companies. Slight conflict of interest maybe?

[click5]

Tell your Doctor in no uncertain terms that you want to consider switching bp meds. Ramipril is very capable of causing serious side effects including raising bp. It raised mine by over 80 points. The side effects of this drug can happen immediately or after a long period. Also I would question it's use in kidney disorders of any kind as it can damage kidneys and cause stenosis. Check out as much as you can about safer alternatives. As is common these days many GPs are unaware of the potential for damage that these drugs have. Not surprising given the way that Doctors who should monitor side effects rarely do and simply rely on trial information supplied by pharmaceutical companies. Slight conflict of interest maybe?