Posted , 8 users are following.
I started Amlodipine on Thursday and have felt dreadful since. A constant dreadful migraine type headache, sore eyes and unbelievable fatigue. I'm due back to work Monday but at this rate theres no way I'll be able to go in. My question is do I stop taking this immediately or will this discontinue after a few days? Any advice would be much appreciated.
0 likes, 27 replies
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margaret90930 clare99444
Edited
In my opinion Amlodopine should be banned. I ended up in A&E after only 2 tablets. I would say stop taking it. Why would you keep on taking something that makes you feel so ill?
victoria69028 clare99444
Posted
Hello there,
I would suggest you give yourself at least 10 days or so. Your complaints are just a reaction to this new medication.
If you still can 't bear the side effects just talk to your GP. There are lots of other medications out there to try.
Good luck.
clare99444 victoria69028
Posted
Hi Victoria thanks for your reply. I will try for a little bit longer particularly as this is now the fourth bp medication I've been prescribed. The info inside the pack does say persevere for 7 days so I will try my best and hope things improve fingers crossed!
dawn62735 clare99444
Edited
I also ended up in A&E. Terrible reaction! BPM 127, BP 180/110, swollen legs. After 3 pills. it took 3 weeks for the effects to subside.
Never again!
victoria69028 clare99444
Posted
Hello Clare,
Did you start on a dosage of 5mg or 10 mg. It is known that the higher the dosage, the likelihood of adverse effects.
jx41870 clare99444
Posted
I took it for years, when I tried the larger dose it really got bad, finally discontinued it and have been happy about it, use other BP drugs instead.
OTOH my brother has apparently taken it for years with no problems.
So, it has a pretty high occurrence of nasty side-effects, but it also works fine for many people.
Are you on 5mg or 10mg?
Two things. First, the concentration in your blood goes up over the first couple of weeks, so I don't know that you can expect symptoms to get better. Second, it is safe to stop cold turkey, but if you do so it still takes the drug a couple of weeks to clear from your system.
clare99444 jx41870
Posted
Thanks for all of the replies. I am on 5mg Amlodipine. I was on Ramipril which gave me a dreadful cough so stopped that a month ago and havent been on anything since and have to say I felt great. My energy levels increased, less breathless, skin improved but BP still high so was given Amlodipine. Will give it a few more days and see how it goes. If no improvement will stop taking it.
victoria69028 clare99444
Posted
Hello Clare,
Did you have high Bp readings , like higher than say 200/120 or less. Sometimes doctors tend to prescribe drugs for average readings. like for example 140/88 . If that is your case then maybe you can manage without medication. If the readings are high then please take the the a treatment seriously.
All BP medications come with side effects, but it should not interfere with the way you function.
I'v e been taking this for more than 10 years. I experience some side effects but I'm able to function and live with it. Looking back i also had problems when i started but I'm fine now.
clare99444 victoria69028
Posted
Hi Victoria my readings have never been that high. Early part of this year they averaged around 185/90 hence the increase in medication which was when the problems started. During the last month my Dr advised stopping the Ramipril for a month until the cough disappeared, Strangely enough my readings have been around 153/88 lower than with medication which i thought was interesting. I will persevere if I can with Amlodipine and see what the next few days bring. Is reassuring to know that you experienced similar when starting the meds.
victoria69028 clare99444
Posted
Hello Clare,
Did you have high Bp readings , like higher than say 200/120 or less. Sometimes doctors tend to prescribe drugs for average readings. like for example 140/88 . If that is your case then maybe you can manage without medication. If the readings are high then please take the the a treatment seriously.
All BP medications come with side effects, but it should not interfere with the way you function.
I'v e been taking this for more than 10 years. I experience some side effects but I'm able to function and live with it. Looking back i also had problems when i started but I'm fine now.
Racie1 clare99444
Posted
Hi
My hair started to fall out on this medication. other people on here had the same. i stopped it and am now on indapaphine. which is making me feel terrible. no energy. feeling a bit sick on it. but sticking to it. my blood pressure was 150 something. that top figure has now dropped to the 140's wondering if that lower reading and feeling horrible is my body adjusting to the new medication. im on 2.5
was on 5 of the amlodiphine.
clare99444 Racie1
Posted
Hi Racie
Yes I've seem some of the comments about hair loss and that does scare me particularly as some say their hair hasnt grown back either. Sorry you seem to be suffering too these medications definitely do seem to have lots of side affects☹ You have a very valid point though maybe it is the the body adjusting to the new level. Fingers crossed it wont last long for both of us.
Racie1 clare99444
Posted
Hi there
just a thought, we brought a blood pressure monitor. its awesome. it sends the readings to your phone, the systolic and the dystolic, excuse the spelling.
you can then share this information with your doctor or specialist. whoever needs its.
clare99444 Racie1
Posted
Hi Racie
Thanks for the advice. I do have a machine at home which I use so no white coat syndrome although sometimes I think I probably have especially having to take so many readings! My levels really do alternate from almost normal ie 128/75 to 185/95 the first two of the day are always the best although when averaged its still way too high.
margaret90930 clare99444
Edited
Just a thought. It's a well known fact that when you have your blood pressure taken by a doctor or nurse in most cases it reads higher than it would if you took it yourself, so a huge number of people are being prescribed BP meds that don't really need them. It's a well known phenomenon called "white coat blood pressure". Is it your BP that's making you feel ill or is it the medication? Is your doctor scaring you so he can get his kickback from prescribing something you don't really need? 30% of people are in hospital with iatronic illness, i.e. Illness caused by medication.
janice7491 margaret90930
Edited
Boy, is that the truth. I had to find a new health care professional when my primary care physician relocated out of state. I decided to try my husband's. First appointment, I was kept waiting 45 minutes in outer area; then another 30 minutes in "holding" area where someone took my BP, followed by 10 minutes in the exam room before the doctor showed up. So, of course my BP is high, from anxiety, frustration, etc.; first thing that came out of the doctor's mouth was, "I would like to prescribe you BP meds." REALLY?!?! I LOVED my former doctor of 12 years. BP always low, 126/75ish. And this new doctor took no history, no discussion, nada, and wants to prescribe BP meds. I said "No" and left.