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Coming off of blood pressure tablets including Amlopodine

Posted , 4 users are following.

ginettekr
ginettekr

I had been taking Amlopodine for about 6 weeks starting on 2.5mg every other day on the first week and progressing to 2.5 every day. My blood pressure was still high and my doctor wanted me to take 5mg. I refused. I found that I couldn't think clearly, couldn't string a sentence together without thinking. I was totally exhausted and slept for about 4.5 hours during the day. My ankles were more swollen than normal. Muscles were really aching and I felt as if I had flu without the cold.

I had been signed off of work for 3 weeks. I then went back to work for half days. I only lasted 1 half day. This left me so exhausted that I had to go back to the doctor. I read this forum the day after my short return to work. It opened my eyes and gave me hope.

I stopped taking my 2.5mg dose. The next day the obvious effect was that my brain was functioning better, I could think more clearly. Within a couple of days my muscles didn't ache as much. Now about 10 days later the muscles don't ache at all. I can stay awake for almost a whole day. Maybe a long afternoon sleep but not the sleep of exhaustion as I used to have.

As I was only on 2.5 mg I did stop my tablets. However I had bought a home blood pressure monitor. Omron wrist monitor. I had previously taken this into my doctor when she took my blood pressure. It was almost exactly the same reading. I use this every day about twice a day at the moment as I feel the need to monitor my blood pressure after reducing meds. I am also on 10mg Ramipril. I have found my blood pressure has reduced. It is really IMPORTANT to monitor your blood pressure if you reduce medication. I have no medical training but I would also recommend reducing medication relatively slowly and monitoring BP as you do it. For example going from 10mg to 5mg not just stopping 10mg. It would be ideal to get support from your doctor and hope they will why you want to reduce medication.

My doctor was not convinced that the side effects were due to medication. In fact she did write anxiety and depression on my certificate. I must say I don't think she belied me and thought that I was exaggerating. The day following my return to work was my day off and walking down te passage was painful. This was then i thought to check forums.

There are many things i have read that you can do to help BP. Take lycopene supplements, fish oil, garlic, beetroot supplements and I am sure there are more.

Also getting exercise and losing weight are both good. I need to do both but at the moment do not have the energy to exercise, I have started changing my diet. I will progress as I feel I am able. There is life after Amlopodine but as I mentioned before. Be careful as no one wants to risk a stroke.

As I said before I have no medical training but I use my common sense. I have seen many other tablets given to my family members that have had terrible effects. These can have life changing effects.

Good luck to everyone who decides to choose the healthy food and exercise route.

Ginette

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • alan08692
    alan08692

    Posted

    I was taking amlopodine 5mg and later prescribed 10mg of the same drug. Because of considerable swelling of the ankles and overwhelming tiredness and fatigue my doctor has now prescribed Amias ( candesartin cilexetil ) and to be quite honest I feel like a different person. Worryingly my blood pressure did not seem to be controlled properly with the amlopodine , basically it was up and down all over the place reaching 165 over 101 even at the 10mg dose of this awful drug. I have read some bad reports about Amias but at a dosage of 8mg my blood pressure is consistently down to around 145 0ver 85 which isn't perfect but I have so much more energy and sleep so much better I am just grateful I am not on amlopodine any more. It was disappointing to see that some doctors appear to dismiss the side effects of amlopodine but fortunately I seem to be fortunate in having a doctor who is receptive and understanding in this respect. I joined Slimming World a week or so ago and have lost 5 lbs so far because there is no question that being overweight I can apply some self help to reducing my BP without taking more drugs.
  • ginettekr
    ginettekr

    Posted

    Hi Alan

    I had joined slimming world myself a couple of weeks before starting on the tablets. I had to call my group leader and say I couldn't attend at the moment. I fully intend to continue when I am back at work in a couple of weeks.

    I must say that a couple of years ago I was uniting the Wii fit to exercise and lost over 2 stone. This was without dieting. Unfortunately I got an acute sprain playing the tennis which I loved. The best thing about this was I could do 10 minutes before work and 10 - 20 after work while I was waiting for the dinner to cook. It really helped my blood pressure. I shall start again as soon as I feel able as if you are doing this at home and get tired you can stop. It worked well and I built up the time. The sprain put paid to that. I tried again a few months later but aggravated my knee again. I have tried it since and again the knee started aching. I need to take things really slowly.

    I am glad your blood pressure is now controlled. The doctor has given me more tablets but I haven't got the prescription yet. I am just monitoring blood pressure. As it is much lower than before about 150/80 I am not going to take another tablet unless I see it change. I feel I am still recovering from the Amlopodine.

    I prefer to go down the diet and exercise route at the moment.

    I shall see another doctor at the practice next time I go.

    Good luck with slimming world. Men normally lose weight more quickly for some reason. Let me know how you get on.

    Ginette

  • len7
    len7

    Posted

    Hi ginett well you would have to try very hard to convince your doctor that amlodipine is the cause of your problems. As soon as you mention its amlodipine they go stone deaf. Not just your doctor all doctors and most chemists. You need to do what is right for you. Hope you get it sorted soon. Dont let your doctor fob you off with your stresst routine . All the best.
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