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Q. I am a 73 year old retired RN who has been treated for high blood pressure since last August by an internist and a cardiologist. Every prescription they have written has had adverse side effects for me.
Within a week of starting the medication, I become very weak and occasionally very faint. I cannot function.
My blood pressure is neither lower nor higher. I have tried lisinopril, atenolol, Cozaar, Benicar, Norvasc, Procardia XL, Coreg, diltiazem, Altace and Aldactone. In addition I have been taking HCTZ 12.5 with each of the above. (I was not taking the others together.) Is it really worth taking medication that could make me lose consciousness? That frightens me.
A. Many older people have high blood pressure, and consequently their doctors prescribe medications to lower their pressure and reduce their risks of stroke or heart disease. That certainly is a desirable outcome. But we also hear from many people like yourself who find that the side effects of such medications can be upsetting.
It is not unusual for senior citizens to discover that a drug that can bring their blood pressure down can also make them dizzy or faint, especially upon first standing up from a sitting position or lying down. Because dizziness can lead to falls, and falls can have devastating consequences such as hip fractures or head injuries, we worry about aggressive treatment for hypertension in older patients.
A recent study found that older people who took anti-hypertensive medicines were more likely to have a serious fall over the course of three years (JAMA Internal Medicine, April, 2014). Those who had already experienced a fall were at double the risk.
The investigators who did the study told reporter Paula Span of The New York Times that older people should determine which is more important to them: avoiding cardiovascular risks or minimizing the risk of a fall. Then they should let their doctors know about this preference. We recommend that you discuss this issue with both your internist and your cardiologist. To help you prepare for the conversation, we offer our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment with a discussion of the pros and cons of many types of medication as well as natural approaches to controlling blood pressure. Our Guide to Drugs and Older People may also be helpful.
KJK
monterey,ca
After problems with metoprolol, Benicar and a disaster with generic Teva carvedilol, I decided to try Carditone. This has worked well but I have added Nattokinase 100 mg. in lieu of aspirin. This did the trick. My MD only cares about BP readings, which I log twice a day. A grudging respect from him is just a bonus.
Terry Graedon
some might wonder about Carditone. It is a preparation of rauwolfia, an herb that has been used in India for centuries. The active component, reserpine, is known to lower blood pressure, but it can also cause depression in some people.
Carol
Massachusetts
I was just diagnosed with high blood pressure and my doctor prescribed MetropolTopril which I have researched and read up on. The side affects are truly scary, to say the least, and my friend, a natural herbalist doctor has started me on Carditone to try for 2-3 weeks. I take two capsules of this herb combo a day. I certainly hope this helps. I am also under a chiropractor’s care – one two years ago nearly destroyed me. I have read many blogs on this subject and now I will concentrate on C7 vertebrae in my neck. I have had horrible pain in neck since the chiropractor who I went to two years ago twisted me so bad I could not breathe the next day. This one is fantastic and she uses the Activator on me. I have always had normal BP numbers, work out and am physically active. I can only hope that these herbs plus vitamins and garlic will help bring it down. I am putting off starting the doctor’s RX and we will see what happens. Thanks for all the info.
coco
I AGREE, GO NON-GENERIC WITH BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS!!! My mother went with a generic with her blood pressure med and had a ton of problems. I am afraid because I am on Soc. Sec. Dis. Inc. myself and rely on manufacturer’s prescription drug programs often. Medicare Drug Insurances WILL NOT PAY for brand name drugs or for many drugs needed for disabled people (children thru adults) with chronic illnesses!!! That is one reason why I chose not to go with a Medicare Drug Insurance, even though I am penalized by the government for not buying Medicare Prescription Drug Ins. Medicare Drug Insurances didn’t cover THREE of my HIGHEST COST medications and the deductibles were SO HIGH for basic meds like those for thyroid meds – Levothyroxin – that paying cash is cheaper than the high deductibles. MEDICARE’S PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCES are useless and the government penalizes you BY LAW for not buying the insurance!!! And, this RN’s advice about not taking generics is great, if you can afford it or aren’t forced into taking generics by Medicare’s Prescription Drug Insurances. I can only “afford” the brand name blood pressure med only because of a wonderful manufacturer’s prescription assistance program and I am poor enough to qualify. Plus, since I am disabled and under age 65, I am charged DOUBLE PREMIUM for Medicare Supplement Insurance to pay for what Medicare doesn’t pay for on bills from doctors, blood tests, hospitals, etc. I’m not required to purchase this expensive insurance! Insurance reform for individuals who are disabled individuals, anyone?
plm
I have been off Blood Pressure medicine for several months now and replacing it with Hawthorne Berry Extract Capsules of which I take 6 a day, 3 in the AM and 3 in the PM. I also have lost weight and do more exercise. My blood pressure is under 150/72 and I feel great. I also watch my diet which is vegetables/fruit and mostly fish. I keep an eye on my blood pressure and am happy with the results.
Smith
That blood pressure kill my uncle. That is the said story when I see this post.
Janny S.
Two years ago this June I had an “event” (felt like I had a cramp in my chest), ended up in emergency, BP over 220/120 (I learned this later.) Never had BP problems. Was given something IV which immediately lowered BP and established normal sinus rhythm. In less than three hours was released from emergency room with prescription for Cardizem – terrible side effects – unable to live with them after a day or two. Had one hour heart ultrasound – no problems or plaque at all (73 yrs old – female) Tried to get doctor to take me off medication – long story short – left that cardiac group and found, through my herbalist, a formulation called Carditone, (after twelve days on Cardizem and doing much research on-line) which contains a good bit of magnesium (blood work showed magnesium and potassium low) calcium, and a few herbs known to help with BP problems.
I was off my Cardizem within a week and took the Carditone (No Side Effects) for a couple of months or so and have had no recurring incidence. I did monitor my BP for a couple of months and still do occasionally. It was well within healthy numbers. Needed clearance from cardiologist for upcoming leg surgery – was referred to a specialist in the electrical part of cardiac problems (another cardiac group) and was pronounced clear and healthy for surgery.
It took between two and three months for most Cardizem side effects to subside. One of the most severe side effects was such dizziness that I had to hold on to furniture to walk through my home. I strongly recommend that anyone prescribed medication check it out with their pharmacist and on-line, if possible, for potential side effects and other drug interactions before they take any drug into their body except for emergency situations.
I had no blood pressure or cardiac problems before this event nor since but wanted to get this information out to those it might help. Please know that you need to be totally involved in taking care of your body.
Kristi
United States
PLEASE Janny S if you see this can you tell me if the surgeon made you stop your Carditone for days/ weeks before your surgery? I am going in for hip replacement revision surgery and they are trying to tell me I need to get off my Carditone (and ALL vitamins and herbs) for two weeks before the surgery because of possible side effects. But they are also concerned about my BP which is slightly elevated for a healthy 66 year old. So they are pushing lisinopril but after reading about its’ side effects there is no way I am going to take that stuff. Anyone have any experiences on this?
Beverly R.
I’m wondering if the culprit may be the HCTZ. I’ve tried it twice; once with Benicar and once with Atenolol. Both times I was dizzy, disoriented and very shaky on my feet. I insisted that my doctor put HCTZ on the list of meds I’m allergic to.
It’s very difficult to get doctors to listen to us; I even had one tell me not to read the information sheet that comes with a Rx because then I’d have every side effect listed! Never went back to her.
fbl
After being put on two different types of blood pressure meds for heart problems my pressure went crazy! What helped was a new technique that my Pettibon Chiropractor had just learned. By adjusting the C7 vertebrae in my neck it lowered my BP 40 points! Half of his paitents with high blood pressure are off their meds now.
JL
In response to the RN with side effects from BP medication.
My systolic reading was high. I was prescribed basically the same medications with similar side effects. The HCTZ 12.5 lower my sodium level to 124 within a week and the doctor stopped it immediately. I had several trips to the ER (BP 205/98/116) while trying to find a medicine that would work.
Finally, I went to a cardiologist – he prescribed Aldactone which had side effects – my second visit to him we went through all the medicines, vitamins, etc. that I take daily. My problem was too much caffeine!
Just a thought, since it took almost 2 years to find the cause of my high systolic reading.
Liz H
I’ve found that most doctors are not as familiar with drug interactions as they should be. I would also recommend a discussion with her pharmacist. I’ve read of a few consulting pharmacists who will do a thorough study of your meds & supplements.
CLW
I too had issues with dizziness when I first went on blood pressure medication. It also took a couple of different brands before I found Norvasc to work for me; linsinopril didn’t change my blood pressure and actually made it worse the higher the dose! With doctor approval, I quit taking HCTZ – mostly because it didn’t improve the blood pressure reading and why take a pill that isn’t making an improvement. My pharmacist recommended that I take my medication at bedtime – so that when the peak dose occurs, you are in bed. Since I switched to bedtime, I haven’t had issues with being dizzy or light headed.
CRL
Please tell this dear lady that she should discuss with her doctor the dangers of the HCTZ 12.5!
I was on that for years thinking it was a harmless “water pill” but when I switched doctors and the new one did a study of my problems, symtoms, and prescriptions, it was discovered that the HCTZ 12.5 was raising my blood suger and probably contributed from years of use to my recent diabetes dianosis, as well as it was fighting my Losartan (high blood pressure) which raises potassiam and the HCTZ 12.5 lowers potassiam!
She needs to have a frank discussion with her doctor about everything, including over the counter herbs and remedies because even some of the safest and helpful OTC’s can react badly with some prescriptions. If her doctor is unwilling to do this and she is unwilling to change doctors, then she or someone she trusts who knows computers, needs to go to WebMD site and fill in all that she takes and get a read out for interactions. Also she needs to be warned that the lisinopril she mentioned could cause a nasty long term cough. (I took that for years with previous doctor who refused to admit it was the problem causing my nagging cough; new doctor switched me to Losartan-cough gone.)
DP
I could have written the letter from the retired RN. (I’m a retired RN with High B/P; have tried every B/P medicine out there with the same result: serious side effects, and/or no effect on the B/P. Now I take 2.5mg. Norvasc and 2.5mg Aldactone for two days, than off one or two days depending on the side effects. Plus I use the Resporate device whenever the B/P reading is over 160. This session usually results in lowering the pressure.
I also request non-generic medication. I get the 5mg. tabs and cut them in half making it cheaper. By taking a “drug holiday” from the meds, it seems to allow my system to clear out residual meds before taking another dose. If I take the drugs for 4 days in a row, the dizziness and general malaise including nausea, frequent urination with incontinence, is unbearable. The dizziness is enough to cause falls. I’ve just been lucky enough to catch hold of something.
If I take no meds, the pressure goes over 200. This isn’t ideal, but after 15 years of trying to work something out, this is the best yet. So far no strokes, and I’ve made it to 74 and still doing Yoga and gardening. HCTZ put me in the hospital twice with low potassium, and caused ulcerative colitis with the constant diarrhea. After 12 years of being without this drug, I am left with a sensitive colon due to having taken the med for 3 years before figuring out what the cause of all that misery was. Some people can tolerate it, but lots can’t.
Diane S.
In 2004 when I lived in Richlands, NC the Rheumatologist put me on blood pressure medication for Raynauds’ disease, an autoimmune disease where the body overreacts to what it perceives to be COLD. I forget which medication it was but it caused me to feel lightheaded. I was a screening officer at the airport and could not do my job if I felt faint.
In 2008 in AZ, another Rheumatologist put me on a different medication for the the Raynauds’. It didn’t cause problems but I was also having daily migraines and Vertigo which required me to sometimes be in a wheelchair.
My Migraine Neurologist told me I needed to have the Rheumatologist put me on the blood pressure Medication Verapamil which can help with both Raynauds and Migraine prevention.
I have been on it since then.
I also found out from another Dr. that Verapamil can help prevent Vertigo.