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Amlodipine's Misery-Any Hypertensive Drugs with less side effects?

Posted , 3 users are following.

aime62813
aime62813

I've been taking Amlodipine 5 mg. as prescribed for almost a year now.For the first few months of taking this medication my BP was normal and everything seemed to be fine except for some minimal joint pains that I started experiencing,to which I thought was the result of calcium deficit syndrome brought about me being in the menopausal era...but,as my treatment goes on,I started to feel elbow pain and muscle pain in my whole right arm...and again,I thought that being in my 50's,it was just a normal attack of arthritic pain,in which to my very hope that simple modifications on my diet would somehow ease that uncomfortable muscle and joint pains...but, my perception was definitely wrong,the pains stayed and even worsened radiating on my right shoulder and cervical spine! I started asking myself where am I supposed to be getting all these pains? and what has been causing such agonizing attacks on sleepless nights?I then started to stopped taking some of my vitamins one by one thinking those were the culprits but again, the pains didn't disappear,not even a bit...Then one day as I was rushing off early to go for an important appointment,I accidentally missed to drink my dose of Amlodipine (which I normally take @ 5 a.m. daily),and to my surprised,my whole morning then was pain free! and when I got home that afternoon I hurriedly took again my dose of Amlodipine and guess what,the pains were back...My observation took me to my decision not to take Amlodipine again,the main culprit that almost took my sanity...I am now on my 3rd day without Amlodipine and I could say that my body is back now to its normal equilibrium.Next week is my appointment to our family physician and hoping that my "future" antihypertensive drug prescription would provide me a better and safe treatment...

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • chris21802
    chris21802 aime62813

    Posted

    Dear Amy that is exactly how I felt my sense of balance my equilibrium the pain is unbearable first I get it in my Achilles heel and I can barely walk then it goes to the other heal now it's in my elbow and my lower back and the doctor say not to quit cold turkey with amlodipine I also take Carvedilol which causes muscle pain I'm thinking seriously of going off of amlodipine because I don't have my life I'm in my early 60s female and I'm always in pain and I I just can't take it anymore thank you for sharing that I really appreciate it

    • aime62813
      aime62813 chris21802

      Posted

      Hello Chris,thank you too for appreciating what I shared about my experience regarding this medication...Still best to consult your physician on your decision on stopping to take Amlodipine,perhaps he/she could prescribe you alternative medications for hypertension,with lesser side effects...True enough that sometimes we should listen to what our body says and enjoy life to the fullest...God Bless!
  • chris21802
    chris21802 aime62813

    Posted

    Some, I agree I will consult with my doctor to make sure I know that there are herbal supplements and other things that can be taking along with exercise and other things thank you so much it's just nice to know that someone else's been in the same boat I wish you all the luck take care

  • meles
    meles aime62813

    Posted

    I am so pleased to here that you finally recognised it was the Amlodpine giving you the joint pains. I had exactly the same thought of you - I was post menopause and beginning to think it was normal to feel all these awful joint aches and pains. The doctor also told me at one stage to double the does, and the first day of doing so, when I woke up the next day, I could hardly move! I knew then, Amlodopine was the culprit. As soon as I was off it, I began to feel better, although I fear that it may have caused permanent damage as I was on it for over 2 years. Four months later I still have aching shoulder and outer thigh and have difficulty walking up stairs. I am seeing a specialist next week so will see what they say about fixing the problem areas.
    • aime62813
      aime62813 meles

      Posted

      I am so thankful I recognized the cause of all my pain miseries early in time but,felt like years of pain during those months...I am also considering having therapies to regain my muscle and joint strength...Take care and God Bless...

       

    • meles
      meles aime62813

      Posted

      I do pilates which stresses out your muscles and I find it helps a bit. However, if your muscle and joint pain continues, perhaps you should ask your doctor for a scan (I did) and consequently am seeing a specialist and physiotherapist to advice me what to do next. It is not enough to leave us in pain because of damage. We need to be helped to get back to our original selves, if possible. Cortesan injection of the affected area has been suggested...I wait to see the specialist.
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