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Long term use of Losartan

Posted , 31 users are following.

pam60654
pam60654

I have been taking Losartan since 1996.

During that time I have noticed several changes in my health but until now I did not even consider that they may be side effects of the drug.

I will list my symptoms and I would appreciate anyone's views or similar experiences whilst taking this drug.

(I have asked my GP but he puts everything down to age!!. I was 51 when I started taking them,

I'm 68 now)

Symptoms

Anxious feelings like feeling a bit scared all the time.

Burning sensation in lower legs when laid down in bed.

Cramp in legs and feet.

Skin blotchy.and a bit purple in colour. A bit like when you have sat in front of a fire too long.

This started in my legs but now covers most of my body.

Breathlessness and a wheezy cough.

Any helpful comments or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

pam

4 likes, 34 replies

34 Replies

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  • slim35664
    slim35664

    Edited

    Pam, in reply to your post, I started on Amlodopine, gave me leg ache. Doctor said Amlodopine would not be the reason. I disagreed. Changed to Ramaprill. (Leg ache stopped).Got the usual cough. I then spoke about this to a friend, who happens to be a Doctor. He advised me to try Candesarten. I spoke to my GP about this, who insitendtally got the hump because I had got a second opinion. Ever since I have been on Candesarten I have not been "happy". I know you are not on Candesarten, but Losartan, like Candesarten is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. They both work by "messing" with your ( our) brain. Hence, that is why some people's bodies cannot handle what is going on, that is making you feel Ill. What we have to do is get off these drugs that are messing with our brains, and find one that suits our bodies. I have been on Candesarten for 18 months, maybe 2 years and I have to change or stop. What's the point in being miserable when you don't have to be? By the way, I spoke to my Doctor freind about the side affects, and he said "well, that's what they do!" Thanks Pam, this has galvanised me into action and I for one will be coming off of these " brain benders" and moving back onto something, I have previously taken, or trying a new one!? Best of luck.
  • pam60654
    pam60654

    Edited

    Hi slim35664

    I went to my GP on Monday this week and asked to change from Losartan.

    He was not happy and poo poo'd the idea that my symptoms were side effects.

    Anyway he prescribed Amlodopine.

    After reading the posts on Amlodopine I decided to stop taking the Losartan and keep a check on my blood pressure. Unfortunately it has been very high so I daren't leave it any longer.

    I have taken my 1st Amlodopine this morning. I will let you know how I get on.

    I have searched the web but I cannot find any BP Meds that don't seem to have mostly the same side effects.

    When I started on Losartan it was supposed to be the one with the least side effects but I feel it has stolen many years from my life.

    Please keep in touch if you find one that suits!

    Kind regards

    pam

  • pam60654
    pam60654

    Posted

    Well I have had 2 doses of Amlodopine 5mg. and I feel terrible.

    I was actually starting to feel a bit better after coming off the Losartan but I am now back to wheezing, coughing. I have got the awful anxiety feeling back in my stomach and chest. i am completely sick of this but my blood pressure gets really high if I don't take medication for it.

    Which meds have you had and which one would you say had the least side effects for you?

  • pam60654
    pam60654

    Edited

    Quick update

    Stopped the Amlodopine after 2 doses.

    Decided to stop all BP meds and keep a check on BP.

    i have kept a chart of my readings and it shows a gradual decrease in my BP. i went back to the Doctors

    and saw a locum. He perused the chart and then checked my Bp. He said that he was very happy with my readings and that I should continue to monitor and to go back if i noticed a significant rise.

    I am feeling much brighter now. i am no longer breathless but i have got an annoying tickley cough.

    Burning and cramp in my legs has just about gone. My mood has improved dramatically. The aniety feelings are gradually easing off.

    After nearly 18 years on these pills I feel as though I have got my life back.

    Good luck to anyone else who is having problems with these meds

  • pinkrose
    pinkrose pam60654

    Posted

    I too was getting burning in my lower legs in bed and excruciating itching on my feet and palms. I also had a cough and was unusually breathless. My Doctor said I had a water infection which sounded plausable but the lab results said otherwise. I had also gone from peeing a lot to hardly peeing at all. After stopping Losartan, the cough and itching disappeared almost immediately and the peeing is now frequent again. I presume it was down to the Losartan as some of these things ARE listed as possible side effects. Until recently I was happy with my medication. I am now going for as many long walks as I can to keep my blood pressure in check. Always check with your Doctor before taking this step.
  • joan97610
    joan97610 pam60654

    Posted

    Have felt great with Losartan - but I am putting on weight! This may be bcause I am eating too much now that my previous digestive problems seem to have largely disappeared!

    However I would like to know where the Angiotensin that is blocked goes. Out through the kidneys? Anym adverse consequences over time? I think I fear dialysis more than a heart attack!

  • madio97651
    madio97651 pam60654

    Posted

    Hi pam. Just came out from the er. I have same symptoms. Been taking losartan for a year and i suddenly feel these nervousness, tingling and numbness in all my extremities and body. Lost appetite and always nauseous. My gosh they just diagnosed me with anxiety disorder. I do believe its from long term use of losartan. They did several blood test and everything was ok but i have no reason to be anxious like this...i have to suggest tomorrow to my famly dr to change my maintenance to see if these symptoms improves before considering anxiety drugs...

    • doreen34641
      doreen34641 madio97651

      Posted

      I know this post is from three years ago but wanted to know how you are doing now. I also stopped taking losartan and am having a terrible time. They also told me it was anxiety and I am going to be going to a group class on anxiety disorder. I also get heart palpitations that keep me from sleeping. I told melatonin and was able to sleep last night finally. God help all of us on these medications as it is hell on earth.

    • glynis59160
      glynis59160 doreen34641

      Posted

      I get palpitations which is why I'm awake now as they keep me awake.Also get the tingling and anxious in my stomach.

  • stone_cold
    stone_cold pam60654

    Posted

    yeah , I've been taking it since I was 33 now at 48 I'm wondering it too? I'm sure there is no meds are good for you there's always repercussions..

  • Dr.ZafarAli
    Dr.ZafarAli pam60654

    Edited

    Hi there,

    How are you doing are you still taking Losartan.

    I am taking Losartan since 2007, since two years I am having spells of vertigo and balancing problem which are progressing so much so that my GP and Neurologist who always never listened to my complaints are now of the opinion that I am going towards Multiple Sclerosis or some type of Upper Motor Neuron disorder. As i gone through the side effects of it I contribute these are the side effects of long term use of losartan because my neurologist says that I don't follow any of the criteria of MS. If somebody has any information about it please share it, though I am a doctor from back home but not licenced in Canada is very much disappointed with doctors in Canada. 

    • MeHere
      MeHere Dr.ZafarAli

      Posted

      @Dr.ZafarAli,

      Wondering how you are doing 4 years later. I can only imagine how alarming your symptoms were.

      I was on here looking into Losartan, but YOUR symptoms reminded me of a terrible time I went through over 15 years ago with symptoms that mimicked MS. I was not on any medications back then.

      The culprit was sucralose (Splenda in the US). Till this day, some of it must have parked itself in my fatty tissue (as so many toxins do) because if I unknowingly ingest sucralose, like clockwork, I have horrible pain 5-6 hours later. Nothing though like the "MS" symptoms I endured for months before finding out what was going on.

      Would truly be interested in an update.

      D

    • glynis59160
      glynis59160 Dr.ZafarAli

      Posted

      I get the vertigo and can't balance.I know it's the Losartan as it starts soon after I take it esp.on higher dose. Tried taking less and balance is bit better. But no goes up on less.Catch22.

  • Laroxe
    Laroxe pam60654

    Posted

    I've no idea why some Dr's seem to be such d*k* about these drugs, they often downplay the potential adverse effects and take the hump when people want to change. To be honest Pam all of these could be and some are likely to be related to the Losartan. People are given drugs in order to reduce the risk of them becoming ill, not to make them feel ill, its very common for people to go through several drugs before they find one thats tollerable.

    However don't give up on your doctor, just ignore his attitude, tell him again about these things and that you realise they are all pretty common and you would like to try something else. If he says they are not side effects and you shouldn't change, simply ignore what he has said and say something like so you think I shouldn't take any treatment now. if he says yes you do, simply say well I've explained I'm not continuing to take this so what should we try. Always nice and quietly persistent.

  • enda27923
    enda27923 pam60654

    Posted

    Hi Pam

    have seen your report after a year. hopefully you are feeling better now.I do agree with slim 35664 that our bodies are all different and we are reacting to the medicines in different ways. back in 2015 the consultant ( not GP) put me on ramapril and the cough was terrible. As I knew from my mother who went undiagnosed for her cough for two years and suffered terribly from ramapril , i stopped after  3 weeks and within two weeks cough was gone.As we all know doctors disagree with us about sideeffects but we are the ones who live it.Anyhow ,i am on Losartan now and agree with one of your symptoms " cramp in legs and feet" . It is definitely a side effect.Your other symptoms, luckily , i do not have, as my body is different to yours.

    I think the third alternative is candesarten but I will carry on with my Losartan until my next annual check up and see how it goes. good luck.

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