verapamil /max - constipation

[EFT56]

Verapamil / Maxzide  for high blood pressure !  keep out of the Heat !  as a little known side effect can happen to you.
1.dehydration - 2. constipation -  I never had this happen before on these two drugs -  
I had the worse ever cramps and pains -bloating, very uneasy feeling !  I did all I could to hydrate fast - gateraid water.
so on ! non stop !!!   then I went to Natural food store , and bought  Senna Leaf Tea.. drank about 3 cups of it  ,6 hours later , it worked good !  

I have to ask, anyone had this problem before, with verapamil or maxzide ?  and or due to the hot weather conditions.

I called my Doctor about this problem , he laughed at me , and said oh take some ex-lax  relax it will be ok !

the cramps also triggered my back to pull out !  and now im seeing a D.C.  for that issue !!  

why me ??  I cant win !!  loling

booger the nose

[geronimo599]

I have done well, blood pressure-wise, with verapamil for ten or eleven years now, but as you described, the constipation issue has been a problem.  A few months ago, though, after a couple of tests revealed my potassium level was just slightly low, the doctor prescribed potassium supplements.  And, among other positives, that has made an incredible difference, relieving the constipation problem.  You shouldn't "freelance" with potassium, because getting too much of it is not good for you either, but if you're low--or at the bottom end of the "normal" range--on potassium, you might check with your doctor about supplements and see if that helps out with the constipation problem.  It has been a "win-win" for me.  

[ireneo]

Glad to hear things are running smoothly. You don't want people saying you're full of *&#%. You know what I mean?

BP meds are a necessity so you can save your heart and kidneys. I hope you get something that works with side effects you can live with.

A pill with no side effects? Sure, they have one of those. It's called a "placebo." Ha!

Take care.

[EFT56]

Doc Ireneo -  LoL  had me laughing on this one !  
guess you were real lucky in one way on the verapamil  and not in another way ?

so far im doing good - the tea worked well - and drinking alot of water helped too !
fiber always helps !   I still bloat , but whats new - im use to that issue !  at least my
lower parts are working near normal now !   its not prefect - but its good enough for me
lol --  I get mad thinking of all these side effects from these darn drugs we take !
I have to say, somebody out there I would bet, could make a stinking pill without side
effects !  I know they can do it !!   but its Money $$$   we know the story on that one !

oh yeah , I made a new appointment (outside of my insurance plan ) with a new Doctor
to try and get help and get onto some kind of b.p medication -I have not taken before
so I can , get new side effects LoL..  and complain to her !!   ( not really)  
Fingers crossed, something new works for me .. in a few weeks !    im trying hard to find
something that works and has less effects..  

thanks again for the reply back .. booger the nose

[ireneo]

I know a common side effect of Verapamil is constipation; says so on the teeny little insert that comes with the med. When I was on it, I had the opposite effect. I was like a goose. The senna leaf works very well as you can see but don't use any laxative type stuff for a long period of time. The poor old bowels forget how to work.

And being plugged up and bloated is nothing to laugh about. After my abdominal surgery, the pain meds and generally stirring around of my innards messed up the activity and everything stopped. Dang, that hurt. Perhaps your doctor could use a little constipation to increase his compassion. Take it easy, eat fiber, drink clear fluids and call me in the morning. :-)