Losarton

Hi Nanny, i was on losartan 100mgs and put on a lot of weight. I also suffered severe back pain. I reduced the dose to 50 mg in the morning then the other 50 mg at night, so still getting the daily dosage of 100mgs. I bought an exercise bike and felt better so reduced my Losartan to 50 mgs per day. I made sure i monitored my bp three times a day at home. Ive read about Benicar and decided to try this instead . Olmesartan is the same tablet as Benicar I take 20mg per day and feel better. Olmesartan 20 mgs regulates my bp much better. My readings are now around 114/70. 95 pulse. I find that pharmacist are more knowledgable about drugs than a Gp who has to check his copy of mims for information. At the end of the day i think its all trial and error till you find the drug that suits you. Best wishes. Dave.

Hi

Losing weight is one of the hardest to accomplish because a lot of medications actually make you retain water.  

That can show up in such side effects as swelling of ankles/feet and bloating.

BP meds are supposed to decrease the amount of water in the blood, so interesting that they do the opposite of what they are designed to do, ie...holding water!

As a matter of fact some friends who are on Type II Diabetes medications have said losing weight is nearly impossible, and some actually gain more weight!

When it was discovered my BP had gone up over the past few years, I was prescribed a Calcium Channel Blocker called - Amylopidine (Norvasc) 10mg in July of 2016.

I experienced swollen ankles/feet within about 3 days of starting this medication, so took down the dose to 7.5mg

In January of this year (2017) I had a lot of stomach upset, and uncomfortable bloating, so lowered my medication by another 2.5mg. Current dose 5mg.

The bloating dissipated and I felt better although still not losing any weight!

Then in Feb/March of 2017 I had some dizzy spells due to a low a BP, along with a very low heart rate of 34 bpm!!!  

This medication was affecting me and causing a rebound too low BP/HR.

I am currently still on 5mg of Amylopidine. 

I have always been fairly active an average of 3-4 miles/4-5 days/week.

I love that I feel good so not sure if I'll lose any weight or ever get off the meds!!!

I only measure my BP when I'm relaxed and quiet.  

I noticed that my doctor would take my BP while was animated and talking.

That doesn't make sense.  When I visit my doctor she only prescribes different/more medications.  No thanks.  Healthy eating/exercise are my prescription.

Mediation and relaxation stretches help to lower my BP numbers.  

I take time to relax in the afternoon's. 

I monitor my BP on my home machine, and this reflects my relaxation mode.

Now that it summer, YAY!  I know I'll progress by eating nutrient dense whole food, smaller portions, and less sugar and salt.  I have one coffee a day.

Hope this helps.  Remain positive!

Hi Nanny,

I was on Losarten 100mg for a while, I did not have the weight issues but I did have my first panic attack ever.. I cut back to 50 mg and still had trouble driving.. it took a while but I weened myself off this drug and changed my primary care physician.  Doctors miss a lot small nuances that cause patients to be put on all kinds of medications which are unnecessary.. one of my primary concerns is older people do not tolerate the same dosage as younger people well.. Your pharmacest is your best friend when it comes to drugs reactions..  Be well and I wish you the best with the weight issue..

Being on alot of medications, you really need to talk to your pharmasist, not one of the girls in the shop but the chemist, make an appointment to meet with him or her.

Here in australia the govt pays for you to have a review of all your medications, and I do mean all, incl any vitamin supplements you are taking, because too many people were presenting at hospitals with serious overdose of medications, specialist prescribing one batch of medications with no care to what you are already on from your GP. and the opposite, the only person that can help you with that is your pharmacy.

I too have a weight problem, and it is has been a real battle to stay away from food that is bad for me, but finally got onto a really good dietetian, and she helped me with a food chart of what I should be eating and should not be eating, gave me a chart of amount of food to hang on the fridge with postage stamp sized pictures of what and when for breakfast lunch and dinner, snacks, and even treats once a week, brilliant and when I follow it I lose weight.