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Switched from lisinopril 10mg to hydrochlorothiazide 25mg

Posted , 8 users are following.

theresa06691
theresa06691

ve tried almost every class of BP medicine there’s is. Started with amlodipine...horrible side effects that sent me to ER 3x. Changed to atenolol, even worse side effects. Then I took hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg but it wasn’t enough to bring BP down. Finally found lisinopril and after 8 happy months, I’ve got the dreaded cough. Cough so bad that I couldn’t talk at work (I’m on the phone a lot for work).

Doctor decided to try hydrochlorothiazide again but at 25 mgs because she felt losartan would be too strong and side effects from that may hit me hard. 

Per the doctor, ok to stop lisinopril cold and I am now on day 3 of hydrochlorothiazide with high BP (139/95) and rapid resting heart rate (105). Headaches, dizziness and feeling foggy. Would this just be temporary since coming off one and starting another? I want to give it a few more weeks but I to feel better again. I’m almost ready to just deal with the coughing and get back on lisinopril so that my BP is stable.

Any thoughts?

0 likes, 32 replies

32 Replies

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  • jx41870
    jx41870 theresa06691

    Posted

    I've been taking the ARB Olmesartan (brand name Benicar) for several years with minimal side effects - although there is a lawsuit they settled, so YMMV.

    Maybe it's more common in the US to go right to combinations, rather than just one drug, for BP.

    But while you're worrying, take a look at the fact that HCTZ may cause blood sugar to rise, and beta blockers may cause insulin resistance, and separately or together they may cause - diabetes!  So IF you find yourself on that combination, you might want to get a blood sugar monitor (available in any drug store, cheaper than a BP monitor but uses disposable strips that add up over time).

    • mike92384
      mike92384 jx41870

      Posted

      jx41870...The key wording here is "may". That doesn't mean it WILL. Actually, Dr's here in Canada most certainly have prescribed HCTZ on it's own. It's a good base to start with controlling bp rather than going full steam on a bp medication. Sometimes flushing out the excess water/salts from the body is enough to lower the bp. I think any Dr. worth his/her salt would be monitoring a person's blood...regular blood tests to be sure everything is on the straight/narrow. 

  • theresa06691
    theresa06691

    Posted

    Thank you for all your kind words of experience. Since I’ve been off the lisinopril, I feel like I should have tapered off (against my doctors instructions who said ok cold turkey). My BP is high but I’m hoping it’s just a rebound effect and as soon as lisinopril is out of my system and the HTCZ kicks in, the high BP will go down.

    I guess it’s all trial and error when finding the right meds. 

    • mike92384
      mike92384 theresa06691

      Posted

      Your doctor told you the truth when he/she said it was ok to stop Lisinopril cold turkey. If you were on Metropolol, Atenolol or any other beta blocker..then no way. 

      BP will rise as a rebound when one stops taking the meds. Monitor your readings. For some, just taking HTCZ isn't enough.

  • theresa06691
    theresa06691

    Posted

    Update...I saw another doctor in the practice and was surprised that the cough wasnt checked out first as a cold or allergies. So new doctor checked my throat and ears and sure enough new doc says I have a bit of post nasal drip. I’m prescribed a nose mist and lisinopril. So far on day 2 of medications cough has subsided and my BP and heart rest are back to where I like it to be 110/73, 88 rate.

    Guess previous doctor went straight to lisinopril without checking my symptoms and I didn’t doubt the recommendation. Ugh stupid me!

    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey theresa06691

      Posted

      Aah, great to have a good news story!  Thank Heavens for this second opinion doctor -  I would stick to him/her in future if I were you!  Stay well, Theresa.
    • mike92384
      mike92384 theresa06691

      Posted

      theresa06691...Glad things worked out so far. In your closing comment, you said..."Ugh, stupid me!? NOOOOOOOO, not stupid you. You reported things to your doctor, & it's up to him/her to delve into things.

      The 2nd opinion Dr. found a pit of post-nasal drip which could be the culprit in what you're dealing with. Now be wary though...the Lisinopril still could aggravate the cough. It's an ACE inhibitor which are known to cause cough. I'm one of the lucky ones...I take Coversyl HD PLUS which is made of Perindopril..but I haven't had a problem with it. I'm being investigate for cough because I had a cough prior to even starting on the Perindopril. I do have Gerd which can cause a cough, but also a Pulminologist tested me with Spriometry which came back normal, but he's wanting me to have a Methicone test, which is the 'gold standard' to confirm or rule out asthma. 

      Doctors seem to blame the medications straight away without investigating first hand. This seems to be the case with you as well. Good luck to you...glad all seems to be working, & again...you were NOT stupid.

    • VeeWat
      VeeWat theresa06691

      Posted

      Good you were able to stay on same dosage you were on prior to change
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