Doc wants me on Lisinopril

[stinkpelt]

I am on cycle and have higher than normal blood pressure. The last 4 times I have visited my doctor (on cycle all 4 times) my BP was in the 140/80 range.

Off cycle, my BP typically averages 120/60. I bought a BP tester yesterday and have been testing it quite a bit. Yesterday before I walked into the gym it was 139/82. Last night it was 105/55 when I was EXTREMELY relaxed watching TV before bed. This morning, the average of 3 readings is 122/68. But I am sure it will rise when I get to work and start drinking coffee and get a little stressed.....I think that I can feel it rise sometimes.

What are some opinions on taking this type of drug (ace inhibitor)?
I value my doctors opinion but he is making a decision without knowing all the facts (my supplement use).
SHould I just suck it up and try to do more cardio to get my BP down before taking BP meds?

I was thinking about taking it to manage my BP during my current "blast phase" (600 test-c/ 400 deca) and then getting off of it while cruising and re-evaluating my BP. Oh yeah, I am also on 4iu gh/ 5 on/2 off

Can I please get some opinions from some folks that have taken BP meds before?

 

[Tyrone]

First off

Continue to monitor your blood pressure and see if you ever find a reading that's above average considering the conditions.


I went into a Dr.'s office recently and the nurse took my blood pressure...she tried a few times and couldn't even detect one...on the third or fourth try she says, "That's why I couldn't find it...Because it's VERY high." Well, it probably wasn't high and more than likely not 'very high'. I happen to have bigger arms than an average male and she's using the same bp wrap on me as she would the average joe...The reading came back SUPER high becuase of that(once she found it of course). When I tested it myself, or at the local pharmacy, it only came back with in normal ranges. The Dr. did Rx me the same bp med, Lisinopril but I don't take it...that's just me though...so continue to monitor your bp.

 

[Pekkerwood]

Take your readings same time each day during two parts of the day. Thats more valuable than a one time reading at the Doctors office.

I take Lisinopril with no noticeable effects.

 

[Massive G]

There are 2 options:
Decide to take the med or don't.
If you aren't going to be honest with your doc why try to self medicate?
BP is out of control for a reason-water retention or thick blood, or more rapid and stronger heart beat, bodyweight etc.
On or off (and I haven't done a real bb cycle in almost 5 years now) my BP remians high because of bodyweight.
ACe inhibitors also reduce the amount of protein released in the urine which is a protective effect as well.

 

[makaveli25]

anyone know a good online farm that sells prescription hypertension meds. I dont have inurance right now. Im gonna order some Lisinopril to take when im on heavy cycle.

 

[Jmuls]

ACE inhibitors are often one of the first level of meds used to treat hypertension. They work pretty well at decreasing HTN. Often people who are exposed to HTN for years and years can suffer some form of cardiac remodeling, with specific regards to the left ventricle. Use of an ACE helps prevent this.

Never the less, side effects are pretty rare and most everyone feels no different on the medication versus being off. It's also not metabolized by the liver, which is a plus. I will say this much though.....roughly 1 in 10 patients ends up suffering from a chronic cough. This is still a misunderstood effect, but it is believed to be associated with the medication increasing Bradykinin levels.

If you were to get the cough, you could ask about switing to an ARB, Angiotensin Receptor Blocker, like Diovan (Valsartan). The only downside to Diovan is it's a name brand pharmacuetical still under patent, so it's more expensive in comparison to Zestril (Lisinopril).

With whatever you choose, good luck!

 

[maldorf]

ACE inhibitors are often one of the first level of meds used to treat hypertension. They work pretty well at decreasing HTN. Often people who are exposed to HTN for years and years can suffer some form of cardiac remodeling, with specific regards to the left ventricle. Use of an ACE helps prevent this.

Never the less, side effects are pretty rare and most everyone feels no different on the medication versus being off. It's also not metabolized by the liver, which is a plus. I will say this much though.....roughly 1 in 10 patients ends up suffering from a chronic cough. This is still a misunderstood effect, but it is believed to be associated with the medication increasing Bradykinin levels.

If you were to get the cough, you could ask about switing to an ARB, Angiotensin Receptor Blocker, like Diovan (Valsartan). The only downside to Diovan is it's a name brand pharmacuetical still under patent, so it's more expensive in comparison to Zestril (Lisinopril).

With whatever you choose, good luck!

I totally agree. This medicine is very mild and you shouldnt even be able to tell youre taking it except for the fact that your BP will be lower. Youre not going to have to worry about BP being too low I dont think even when youre off cycle. The ARBs are the same, very good. I used to take Benicar. It was good but as was said those ARBs are a lot more expensive than the ACE inhibitors. For me the benicar had a much more powerful effect than the lisinopril. I had to go off of benicar because it lowered my BP too much, but my heart is half dead now.

 

[Jmuls]

I totally agree. This medicine is very mild and you shouldnt even be able to tell youre taking it except for the fact that your BP will be lower. Youre not going to have to worry about BP being too low I dont think even when youre off cycle. The ARBs are the same, very good. I used to take Benicar. It was good but as was said those ARBs are a lot more expensive than the ACE inhibitors. For me the benicar had a much more powerful effect than the lisinopril. I had to go off of benicar because it lowered my BP too much, but my heart is half dead now.

I'm not meaning to highjack this thread but Maldorf, if you don't mind me asking, what's your ejection fraction now?

 

[maldorf]

I'm not meaning to highjack this thread but Maldorf, if you don't mind me asking, what's your ejection fraction now?

Last one was at 28%. That was up from 22% about 6 months earlier. Big difference between the measurements though. THe first was ultrasound and I was on no beta blockers. the 2nd one was using the nuclear test (muga scan) and I was on 80 mg/day of coreg.

If you havent read about my experience, I have a post on here.

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/professional-muscle-forum/37736-just-survived-heart-attack-age-38-follow-up-phils-post.html

 

[Jmuls]

Last one was at 28%. That was up from 22% about 6 months earlier. Big difference between the measurements though. THe first was ultrasound and I was on no beta blockers. the 2nd one was using the nuclear test (muga scan) and I was on 80 mg/day of coreg.

If you havent read about my experience, I have a post on here.

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/professional-muscle-forum/37736-just-survived-heart-attack-age-38-follow-up-phils-post.html

I actually read quite a bit from your thread some time ago, when I just lurked here and wasn't posting. What you suffered is something one can only hope will open the eyes of some out there who think they're invincible and incapable of being defeated!

With an EF of 28, I can imagine how it is for you going through your day, trying to feel like you did prior to your event last year. I have patients who come through the department who have lower EFs and it's just amazing when they can actually get on the treadmill and go for 5 or 6 minutes.

At the very least, staying active in the gym, maintaining as much lean muscle as you can on your frame is only benefiting you in the whole scheme of things. That lean muscle is essentially the closest thing to the fountain of youth we're probably ever going to experience!

 

[MrCyp]

140/80 isnt even that bad. Im suprised he wants you on meds. I went to several drs with a bp of 150/80 and they said "well, its a tad high, so drop some weight and it should come down"

 

[stinkpelt]

Well, took first 10 mgs of lisinopril a couple of hours ago. I actually felt kind of "loopy" weird. Just ate a 24 oz ribeye and some mashed potatoes and BP was only 125/75 after my meal. gonna go punish myself in the gym for a couple of hours for being such a pig!

 

[maldorf]

Well, took first 10 mgs of lisinopril a couple of hours ago. I actually felt kind of "loopy" weird. Just ate a 24 oz ribeye and some mashed potatoes and BP was only 125/75 after my meal. gonna go punish myself in the gym for a couple of hours for being such a pig!

LOL. Feeling loopy is most probably just in your mind and not caused by the drug. I have a PDR and thats not listed anywhere as a possible side. Ive never felt such. Try not to think so much about it.

 

[machola]

Well, took first 10 mgs of lisinopril a couple of hours ago. I actually felt kind of "loopy" weird. Just ate a 24 oz ribeye and some mashed potatoes and BP was only 125/75 after my meal. gonna go punish myself in the gym for a couple of hours for being such a pig!

WOW! LOL. that's a lot of rib eye! i'd feel loopy too. i'd probably keel over after eating that... like Maldorf said, its probably in your head and not related to the drug