Amlodipine good or bad?

David, you have missed the point entirely.  The problem is that long term use destroys the Sinus AVnode conduction path so that electrical signals do not get to the heart muscle telling them to contract.  The damage is permanent.  In other words, bradycardia and irregular or missing heart beats is the result.  If you do a search for Amlodipine or Calcium Channel Blocker and Bradycardia you can get all the information on this awful drug.  The Mayo Clinic site has a lot of good information on the AV Block, as it is called, from long term use of Calcium Channel Blockers, and Beta Blockers and there no exceptions.  My two year use resulted in an emergency pacemaker implant.

The issue is not blood pressure control but the terrible side effects of all these different types of BP meds.  

There is another point you may have missed David. It can be accepted that there are many people who tolerate Amlop. well and for them it is effective. It worked fine for me for many years until I had a period of immobility. That then gave me enormous leg swelling which then resulted in me finding sites like this. As an aside the swelling went down when I discontinued the drug.

So I did not start searching on-line until I had a problem. I suspect the same is true for many online illness forums. The fit and healthy are out getting on with their lives, but those disabled by their condition will be at home posting information. So there will be a tendency for forums to contain horror stories and there are plenty here for this drug. This does not in any way belittle those for whom the side effects are serious. It has to be said that every drug has side effects, there is no free ride of a cure. It is a balance of benefit and there is no doubt th drugs have revolutionised lives but for some the side effects can be serious. Some who read here may not always recognise that their symptoms are a side effect of the drug and the opinions here will encourage them to seek alternatives. For those who tolerate the drug well, this may not be the place for them.

This forum encourages people to share their story and in so doing enables people to take a balanced choice which may include seeking alternative drugs for their BP. There are many combinations of drugs for BP and they generally have to be taken for life with doses and drugs changed from time to time. When on drugs the aim is for BP to be normal and you are right, it is sensible to read your own BP regularly. Suitable devices are cheaply available and BP is easy to check. But if it is normal is not a time to discontinue the medications if you are already taking them. If your BP is normal and you are not taking medications, no action is needed.

 

You don't know what the problem is because you have not grasped what other people have experienced. It isn't the BP that is the problem, it is the drug. I am pleased that you do not suffer the side effects that I did. My BP was fine and is still fine on a drug which does not cause me the problems that Amlodopine did. Many many people have had huge problems with this drug, count yourself lucky.