Any body got an answer to my problem?
Posted , 5 users are following.
Been on Amlodopine for 9 years. Also take Canderstartin and since Feb, Bisoprolol too for fast heart rate. After reading other people's comments about Amlodopine and the side effects l realised one,or maybe all, my meds are making me ill. But spoke to GP and we decided l would come off Amlodopine and she upped my Canderstartin to 8mg from 4mg. Still on Bisoprolol for heart rate. Now for the last 4 days ( and who knows, maybe tonight) l have been woken at approximately 4am with very bad heart rate and a choking feeling in my throat and unable to breath. First night it lasted 2 hours and my husband wanted me to go hospital but l didn't. Next night the same,and last night (early morning) the same. I'm now so scared to sleep. What could it possibly be. Any ideas? Could it be the after effects of stopping the Amlodopine and not really having enough 'night's cover of high blood pressure medication? My blood pressure incidentally has gone up too. Would appreciate any answers or advice. Thanks.
0 likes, 34 replies
Chi000 christine_20029
Posted
Hello Christine ...
From the information and facts from everyone here ... you symptoms are more Amlodipine related .... why .. there is a whole set of seemingly unrelated side effects that can develop with Amlodipine use.... both from the onset or ... some of use develop it after months ....
... but there is also a series of possible symptoms once you stop Amlodipine.. that's because other than being effective in lowering bp... little is understood of the mechanism of how the drug affects and causes so many problems and misery ...
Once stopping Amlodipine.. most or all people will enjoy relief from the mental effects like brain fog and anxiety and memory loss and misery feelings ..
.. however .. the physical symptoms will not subside immediately .. like yr insomnia and breathing and palpitations etc... it may take weeks and months especially if u been on the drug for several years ...
I would advise you to try to ask yrself if u slowly feel better mentally and less foggy .. you are in a positive ...it may be wise to take something to promote sleep from yr doc or some relaxant or anti anxiety in the short term ..
How bad is yr heart rate issue and how high is yr bp ?
christine_20029 Chi000
Posted
Hi and thanks for the good advice.
My blood pressure is 140/81. It used to be 124/71 when on the Amlodopine.
As it's still early days yet l can't say l feel any more positive, but l live in hope every day that it will improve both physically and mentally. It's hard though to feel positivness when l fear the early morning fight for breathe. I would be loathe to take anything to make me sleep or to relax as they would also scare me. Am nervous enough really. Thanks once again for your take on this problem.of mine.
mrsmop christine_20029
Posted
Christine, you should go back to your GP.
I had something similar & I wasn't taking Amlodipine. It was suggested to me, that it was GORD, Gastro oesophageal reflux disease, which I didn't think I suffered from but when I took Gaviscon Advance before bed, it stopped.
Go back to your GP, don't try to guess yourself.
Good luck.
christine_20029 mrsmop
Posted
Hi.
Thanks for the reply. Yes l had a 24 hour monitor but that was when l was first diagnosed with Sinus Tachycardia. I really should have had a follow up from the cardiologist who put me on Bisoprolpl but not so far. I am going to.mentiom that to.my GP when l can get an appointment. Trouble is, l don't get the same Dr twice and having to explain over and over to a different doc is hard work..
With this brain fog l sometimes forget what l told who!
Can Gerd actually cause a fast heart rate of 146? It's a terrible feeling at the time as you can imagine.
Thank you once more.
mrsmop christine_20029
Posted
mrsmop christine_20029
Posted
How long ago did you see the Cardiologist? Maybe your GP can re-refer you, or can you ring the Cardiologist's secretary & ask for a follow up appt.?
I don't know about Gord causing tachycardia but I do know that the ENT guys told me that it was causing my problems.
I see a lot of doctors & because of that, I write out a brief diary of events since my previous visit, with pertinent points. I print this off & take it to every appt.. It saves time & I don't forget things! Maybe it would help you too.
christine_20029 mrsmop
Posted
Yes that's a good idea, shall do that. I have been noting my blood pressure down as l go along. And l showed a list of Amlodopine side effects to my last Dr and she only glanced at them!
I go again for a bp test a week Thursday but the way these mornings are going am going to ring tomorrow and see if l can get in earlier. Fingers crossed.
christine_20029 mrsmop
Posted
debra16694 christine_20029
Posted
Hi Christine -
Wow, I know how scary that is - yikes! When I initially stopped the Amlodipine I had so much anxiety and I also felt like I was gagging on just about everything. In addition to the Amlodipine, I am also on Irbesartan, which is the same class of drugs as Candestartin. It does list under those class of drugs as a major side effect as shortness of breath. My guess is since you were taken off the Amlodipine and the Candestartin was increased that the Candestartin is causing the shortness in breath with the added anxiety of the Amlodipine withdrawal. If I were you, I d go back to your regular dosage of the Canestartin (cut the pill in half) & see if you have the shortness in breath reaction. If you do not, than the Increased dose of Candestartin is the culprit - but I will also add that anxiety attacks manifest themselves in different ways and shortness of breath is very common in panic attacks, so again it can also just be the withdrawal from Amlodipine - 9 years on a drug is a very long time, it's probably very shocking to your system to come off of it, I know, I was on it for 5 years and I am off 50 plus days now and it seems everyday I am experiencing something new, I will say the extreme anxiety seems to have dissipated for now. Try a calming bath before bed with lavender and perhaps some camomile tea before bed. I hope you get this resolved.
Be Well,
Chi000 christine_20029
Posted
First .. Many of us understand yr symptoms and again .. your GP may not be able to help is why u have turned to this forum......
It is common knowledge that when you switch any bp medications... the bp gets elevated for a few weeks before it gets under control...from what u described 140/81 Is fine and to be ignored.. that is not a concern ....
The tachycardia could be controlled but if what u described .. do u range from say 80 to 146? If so you could increase the dosage of beta blocker or practise the valsalva manoeuvre to ease the palpitations ..
Again.. in understanding the facts here in this forum..... All bp medications have side effects ....however .. Amlodipine has been singled out to have serious to severe effects that warrants a visit to the ER....due to mental and anxiety issues... without doubt you have to stop it ...
You need to tide out this period but anti anxiety meds or any other form of sedation or hypnotic meditation etc may help ..
Chi000 christine_20029
Posted
Taking bisoprolol for 9 mths and not follow up with the cardiologist .. you really should look to that direction for help with yr breathing issues ...
christine_20029 Chi000
Posted
Yes chiooo
That's my main problem 're. The palpitations are very bad at around 4 in the morning, they wake me up and am fighting for breathe and really scared. This has now happened 3 early mornings when I've been fast asleep so why? I don't understand. My bp fluctuates also and the reading l have you was one of the lower ones. Just today it was 154/81. Like l said I'm phoning surgery tomorrow see what l can get in the way of an appointment. I don't want to up the dosage of the Bisoprolol as that is another drug that is poison to me and others I've spoken to on the Bisoprolol forum. Thank you though for your kind concern and it helps to know people are giving me advice.
Chi000 christine_20029
Posted
Hi Christine...
With this you should seek out your cardiologist but from the description... there is possibility you have developed an anxiety situation and hence palpitations that cannot be effectively controlled with bisoprolol .. it may not be to do with the sleep but the circadian rhythm bringing an inset of tachycardia in the mornings...
There is no clear medical solution or more drugs to kill off the problem but it is best to get yr total anxiety down... by whatever means necessary.. even if u don't wake up with obvious anxiety .. U may be suffering from a prolong heighten tension within..
christine_20029 Chi000
Posted
Thanks Chi000
You could have a point there. I have been mega anxious since August last year when l had a reaction to a pain rub Volterol. I was rushed to A&E as couldn't breathe and itching all over. Since then l only eat/drink food l know is ' safe for me. Very illogical l do l ow that but that is how l live my life now. I've seen a councillor a couple of times and was diagnosed with PTSD. She was also concerned it could be partly drug related too, ie betta blockers etc. She sent me off to have the blood tests etc and said to go back when ready. Unfortunately because I've never felt well and inclined to do anything at all, l just let it slide. Couldn't drag.myself over the threshold to be honest. I'm maybe my own worst enemy here but when you just don't feel like talking or even thinking it slides.
Chi000 christine_20029
Posted
Hi Christine.. that pain rub is anti inflammant VOLTAREN which is an NSAID and THOUSANDS of people are reactive to it so you are no exception and close that chapter ..
U need to treat yr anxiety but from the medical point .. it means more drugs and anti depressants .. is a vicious cycle ..
The is one solution .. and that's time . But u need to tide it out and not look at more drugs.. probably distract yrself ... sometimes u hear this from good doctors but we always tend to expect to leave with some pills .. its normal .. but less pills always means less uncertainty to the body ...
Hang on..
christine_20029 Chi000
Posted
Hi Chi000,
Yes l agree with you there. I should let it lie...
I do distract myself quite a lot as l read avidly. That has been my saviour to be honest, as when l feel panic stricken l pick up my latest book.
I certainly don't want to take any more drugs to the mix as goodness knows what side effects they will bring with them. I will do what you suggest and that's hang in there. It does help that I've had lots of support from.yourself and other people on this forum.