Anyone experience acid reflux while on Amlodipine (Norvasc)?
Posted , 28 users are following.
Hello, on the first of the year I woke up with chest pain/tightness and some asthmatic like symptoms. I have a bicuspid aortic valve so I monitored my blood pressure which was slightly high and called my cardiologist who put my on 2.5mg of norvasc. Later on in the month I started having bad regurgitation. Called my GP and he told me to start taking 20mg of prilosec. I started to notice less regurgitation but in Feb I started to feel a sensation of a lump in my throat. I was then referred to a GI specialist. Had an endoscopy and was informed I had mild esophagitis. He told me to continue prilosec. No help. Beginning of march I had an esophageal manometry and 24hr pH study. Was informed my esophageal motility was low and was probably caused by continued reflux. Was informed to take prilosec twice a day. I've since continued to exercise, remain active and eat well. I'm 27, 5'4 and weigh 135 pounds. It is driving me crazy and I feel like I am not the prime candidate for these symptoms. I also noticed some swollen pockets on the top off my feet .
Last week I read online that calcium channel blockers can cause reflux because it can relax the LES and allow acid into the esophagis. With the permission of my cardiologist I stopped taking the amlodipine on 4/19/2017. The first 4 days I felt terrible. High anxiety and nerviousness with some weird feelings in my body. My blood pressure remained normal and those anxiety symptoms seemed to have went away.
If the amlodipine was the cause of the reflux how long will it take the side effects to go away after taking it 4 months? I'm ready to feel normal again. The doctors seem to have no idea what could be causing this. This is the only thing I have to blame at the moment.
2 likes, 32 replies
d01875 kdoyt
Edited
Yes. I had terrible acid reflux, to the point where I was taking antacid by the bottle. Couldn't eat, up all night as couldn't lay down. Nightmare. No one told me it could be the amlodipine either. I went through alsorts, even had a gastrointestinal endoscopy (camera down the throat). Nothing found. Then was put on omeprazole to deal with the acid reflux, and that brought more problems. Ended up a virtual zombie with more problems than I can list. Had huge swelling on my feet, ankles and lower legs. Had to go and buy shoes 2 sizes bigger. Still no one would admit it could be the meds and kept me on them. Had all the symptoms you mention and worse. I know others that don't have these problems, but so many do. I was on them 4 years all the time being told my prob's weren't related to the meds. Came off cold turkey and started to feel better within a couple of weeks. After a couple of months, I didn't recognise myself I felt so well. Been off them now about 18 months. My BP is still slightly high, and now my GP wants me to go back on tablets for it, but I've told her not unless I can find one that doesn't affect me the way amlodipine did. Tried two different ones so far and no luck. About to go back to see what else I can have as my feet have swelled up again, gained 10 pounds in a month, acid reflux is back and feel lousy on the latest one. If I don't find one that works for me I'll take my chances.
kdoyt d01875
Posted
Thanks this gives me some hope. I was hoping things would have gotten a little better in a week but I guess I need to give it more time. The constant feeling of having a bubble in my throat is driving me mad and is causing me to struggle mentally. I've lost about 20lbs since January with the new diet which also kind of freaks me out but I'm still considered in the healthy reange. I'm wanting to get off of the omeprazol as well because my symptoms aren't much better. I stopped taking them for almost a month before last week but started taking it again because I started feeling really bad again and wanted to do anything to just feel some relief. Hopefully things get better soon because I'm starting to consider taking to the doctors about surgery. I'm concerned about the long term effects of the acid in my throat.
I hope you find something that will get your BP down without side effects. Are you taking it at home? I just realized that I've been probably giving false high readings because I was never fully breathing when taking my BP. Just this week I began taking normal full breaths during my readings and they have been consistently low.
ritzi d01875
Posted
d01875 kdoyt
Posted
Hi kdoyt, yes I take my BP at home. It is a little higher than it should be, but it runs in my family. However, if I have my BP taken at the GP surgery it's always much higher, mainly because I'm worked up before I even get there thinking I'm going to be put under pressure to go back on these tablets. But then again, I was on all these tablets for years. Funny how everything all went away as soon as I stopped taking them. Now I research everything I'm given to take. I didn't before, just trusted the doctors. I don't advocate anyone else doing what I did, I just forgot to take my meds on holiday and felt so much better when I came back, that I decided to carry on not taking them to see if I continued to improve, and I did. That's when I started researching online and was shocked at what I found out and that’s how I ended up on here.
As a side note, a couple of years ago when I had my regular blood test, I showed as borderline anemic, I asked what caused that, and was told my diet (thought that strange as I'm very careful with my diet), I was put on iron tablets. I've since read that ameprazole, if taken long term, can cause anemia and a severe depletion of magnesium, which is no joke. I was on them for over 4 years. Still not one doctor questioned the meds I was taking.
I'm a lot older than you though, and even though amodipine and other meds caused a lot of prob's for me, they do work for some. I still recommend you talk to your GP about your symptoms and don't be fobbed off, but go informed and if you still have the acid reflux when not on amlodipine, then it warrants further investigation. I hope you feel better soon and if your BP is now normal, let your doctor know, you may not need any BP tablets.
d01875 ritzi
Posted
Hi Ritzi
I tried Losartan and went a bit loopy on them. Plus I got headaches, nausea and started vomiting. But one size never fits all and we're all different when it comes to what suits us. I'm supposed to be on Felodipine now, but they're having the same side effects as Amlodipine, so I stopped taking them the other day. I can feel myself going downhill again. Plus the weight gain, 10lbs in a month is just too much. I've just lost all the weight I put on when on amlodipine last time. I'm willing to keep trying different ones in the hope I can find something that suits, but the side effects for me so far aren't worth it. I really can't function on them and they make my life a misery I feel so ill. Also, since starting on Felodipine, my BP has gone way UP! So it's back to the doctors next week. I do hope you get sorted.
chris21802 kdoyt
Posted
Hi
I've recently stopped amlodipine also and I'm feeling some strange residual effects like you are
Mitsou chris21802
Posted
just curious to know what are your residual side effects. I am wondering if i am in the same situation ...
Mesirm kdoyt
Posted
Hi Kdoyt,
I had been on amlodipine for over 10 years. I'm very heath conscious so exercising has always been a part of my daily routine. When I first stated taking, Amlodipine my ankles became swollen but because I was so active the swelling went away and did not return. As many users have mentioned, the side effects slowly take over so I did not realize that the pain under my left breast was radiating from near my stomach. Other symptoms I've experienced are, knotting in my lower and upper intestine, burning in stomach, neck/shoulder pain, burning in left arm, and in center of chest. In fact, the pain cause my doctor to think it was my heart so I had a heart cath but there was no problem with my heart. I'm so thankful for this site because I have decided to stop taking the amlodipine (approximately 1 month ago) and now I feel so much better. Most of the symptoms have subsided. My doctor has prescribed Lisinopril and so far it's controlling my blood pressure. I'm taking Perfusia-sr which is supplement I have taken in the past.
kdoyt Mesirm
Posted
Glad to hear you're feeling better. It's been about 8 days since I stopped and I haven't noticed any improvement. Getting discouraged that it might not be the amlodipine. It is still the only thing I can think of... Hopefully I just need more time.
Mesirm kdoyt
Posted
You are probably correct that you need a little more time. I'm still having some occasional discomfort but it's not as bad. I'm using an an antacid and a colon cleanse which really helps clear me up. When I stopped taking statins it took much longer for the pain in my shoulder to stop but it eventually happened. I hope you will feel better sooner than later.
kdoyt
Edited
Day 11 since I've been off of the med. My esophagus feels different today but not better. Just different... I still have the swollen pockets on my feet. Called my GI today and asked to speak with him about the next steps in case the amlodipine wasn't the issue. Losing hope and patience.
Mesirm kdoyt
Posted
wendie01421 kdoyt
Edited
Just googled side effects for Amlodipine and found your post. Any update? I began taking it just last week and reflux is awful! I've never had this problem except during pregnancy, and it wasn't this bad.
Wendie
main01851 kdoyt
Posted
Same I've been having issues as well neck pain,stomach cramps,burning left bicep and chest and serious anxiety. I'm going to my doctor tomorrow because its freaking me out and making me think there is something wrong with my heart.
angela75439 kdoyt
Posted
Hi, I took Maalox or was it Mylanta for three days as indicated by my pharmacy by my pharmacist rather and by the second day I woke and it was gone things were back to normal the liquids will work better than the pills trust me it's inflammation swelling is all it is. Of course I am referring to the bubble that you're talking about. Yes it is very uncomfortable not so much painful but very uncomfortable. I hope this helps you. I went through a lot of red tape to register for this crazy site just to have the opportunity to let you know I hope it works for you.