BP Meds

taslajrisi · Apr 25, 2009

I have mild HBP or high normal. Although i have never been put on BP meds by my doc, i would like to hear experiences with whoever takes meds to control BP. I just do not want it to get too high and am looking for something mild w low sides. There are so many different types that do different things and i would only need something mild and i was thinking of a mild diuretic may do the trick. I do not have any experience w diuretics or ace inhibitors etc.

Just looking for thoughts/experiences so i have an idea of what i would like to try before i get with the doc because some docs steer you to the newer more expensive drugs when sometimes simple cheap ones are safer and even more effective.

Thanks guys.

Paul Bunyan · Apr 25, 2009

Generic lisinopril at 10mg/day works great for me. No sides. This costs me about $19 with my insurance at walgreens every 3 months.

PB

iprimate · Apr 25, 2009

Clonidine

I use Clonidine 200-300mcg day. It does have side effects: dry mouth and drowsiness. I am considering switching to Lisinopril.

Boo · Apr 25, 2009

Off meds my bp is 180 / 130 . . . shocking to my doctor.

I am on 40 mgs of Accupril and 25 mgs of Novo-Hydrazide ( hydrochlorothiazide ) a day and is well within acceptable range ( 130 / 85 )for a 45 yr old who has been training for 30 years . . . These run me $19.00 and change for a 90 day supply.

Sides, well I am cranky if I don't take them ( when I forget ) but besides that, nothing. One can stay on BP med for life with no ill effects.

Boo

Thor · Apr 25, 2009

TRY

taslajrisi said:
I have mild HBP or high normal. Although i have never been put on BP meds by my doc, i would like to hear experiences with whoever takes meds to control BP. I just do not want it to get too high and am looking for something mild w low sides. There are so many different types that do different things and i would only need something mild and i was thinking of a mild diuretic may do the trick. I do not have any experience w diuretics or ace inhibitors etc.

Just looking for thoughts/experiences so i have an idea of what i would like to try before i get with the doc because some docs steer you to the newer more expensive drugs when sometimes simple cheap ones are safer and even more effective.

Thanks guys.

hawthorn berry at 1000mgs daily, works for me and I have slightly higher than normal range.

Pekkerwood · Apr 25, 2009

Generic Lisinopril and Lasix. Both cheap. They actually have $3 prescriptions for these generics at a Chain Called Walgreens and at Walmart.

leegee38 · Apr 25, 2009

It is impossible to give a one size fits all suggestion because everyone's body reacts differently, but in general there seems to be fewer side effects reported from the use of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). Brand names like Diovan or Benicar. The best thing is to work with a physician to see what works best for YOU with the least side effects. Good luck!

qwerty · Apr 25, 2009

Cartia works for me with no sides. Was on lisinopril and made my upper lip swell so big I could look down and see it. Went to the emergency room and they knew right awat what it was. Pretty common side effect. Scared the crap out of me I was afraid it would spread to myu throat and stop me from breathing

taslajrisi · Apr 25, 2009

thank you all

I take hawethorne berry and garlic tabs....by BP is considered high normal. I heard Altace also is pretty good w no sides. It helps to hear what guys are taking and how they feel.

The Booger · May 9, 2009

I'm starting to take hawthorn berry this week. My BP has slowly been getting worse. It's been holding at ~160/110 for the past month, so it's time to do something about it. No idea why it is spiking, could be the stress from buying a house. Either way, that is WAY too high. It runs in the family so I was expecting it. And I haven't run a cycle for over a year either, even on my BP was around 130/90 or there about.

I'm going to start out at 1130mg daily and go from there.

Check GNC, they have Nature's Fingerprint Hawthorn Berries on sale for like $1.50 a bottle in the clearance section. At least the one near me did. Bought all five bottles.

geo1958 · May 10, 2009

BP Med Odyssey

I'll relate my experience, BUT, of course, each individual responds differently. I've been on a few different ones, through two different doctors.

First was Toprol XL, which is a beta blocker. Didn't feel quite right; can't really describe it -sort of like I always felt like coming down with a cold. Plus, it didn't really lower my BP much.

Doctor then added Norvasc which is a calcium channel blocker (taking Toprol and Norvasc together). Amplified the weird feeling and also didn't do much with the BP.

Doctor then wanted to add a third drug which really pissed me off, so I switched doctors. The second doctor is really great - can communicate with her. Anyway, I related my story up to this point and she suggested starting with basics and put me on hydrochlorothyazide, which is a diuretic. HCT has been used for 50 years and is quite safe, and quite cheap. 100 25 mg pills are $12.00 at drugstore.com. (Whereas generic Toprol XL is around $86 and generic Norvasc around $25.) For a good read on diuretics, see http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/archive/tcaw/12/i07/pdf/703health.pdf .

The first problem with HCT is that the doctor will say you'll piss a lot for a few hours after taking it. I didn't notice it making things any worse than usual for me since I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and have to piss a lot anyway. The bigger problem with HCT is that it can screw up your electrolytes. Specifically, it can deplete potassium. I was eating 1 banana a day and my potassium still was too low. Bumping it up to 2 bananas a day fixed that problem.

HCT did bring my BP down somewhat and my doctor would have left it at that, but I wanted better numbers. So, I was put on benazepril, actually a combo pill with benazepril and HCT. Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor. She said a common side effect was a chronic cough. After two days on it, I didn't get that, but my nose was completely plugged - like a bad cold - which went away when I stopped it.

Doc then suggested trying Diovan, which is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. She said many of her patients have had success with it and no or little side effects. It's available as a combo pill with Diovan and HCT. This absolutely did the trick for me. NO side effects and my numbers are consistently <120 / <80. Only problem is it's expensive. 30 pills are $100 at drugstore.com. I have insurance (for now, until I lose my job), so I'm covered.

Anyway, that's where I'm at now. Hope this helps.

Peace.

Geo

taslajrisi · May 10, 2009

thanks

great post geo

Another natural supp is Oxegen which i am trying now. I also read that HCT is safe, cheap and effective. My dad is on lotensin which seems to be good also.

thanks