The slow build up of side effects- anyone had the same?
Posted , 55 users are following.
I was prescribed amlodipine 5mg and then, very quickly, 10 mg about 1 year ago. My high bp was detected by my optician via an eye test (!). I have only just discovered this site and wish I had done so earlier.
I am 64, married, semi-retired/work part-time, am fairly active ( e.g. do a lot of walking; go to gym regularly). My bp was taken by the nurse last week and was defined as \"absolutely normal\"; my own readings at home now average 130/80. I had been a heavy smoker for 50 years but gave up a year ago, i.e. as soon as I was put on this awful medication, simply by \" \"going cold turkey\".
My diet is extremely healthy because my wife has to eat very carefully and sensibly for medical reasons.I am a big believer in medical self-help/ alternative treatment and I am personally averse to taking any pills on a long term basis without attempting alternative treatments. I'm not trying to depict myself as a \"health/lifestyle angel\"- I like a drink and good food, like a laugh, go to football, love rock music gigs.
However, my relationship with my GP is not what one would call a \" \"partnership\". One of the most recent NHS policy straplines in terms of patients' rights ( and, boy, how I hate these types of weazel words) is \" \"no decision about me, without me\". Well, folks, even in the first few weeks of taking amlodipine and of being bumped from 5mg to 10 mg my GP was strongly inferring that I would be on bp medication \" for life\". And, when I complained about weight gain, he said he was not concernd \"as long as my bp came down\".
What I have realised, especially after reading this site, is that the side effects of amlodipine can also build up very slowly over a long period of time, i.e. as opposed to being more of a sudden or \" allergic\" body reaction. The danger of this \"gradual accumulation\" of symptoms is that the patient can come to accept these side effects as normal. In my own case, I guess I have up to now been thinkng that they were all to do with natural ageing , smoking cessation, etc. Indeed, my contact with my GP is so minimal that it's a wonder I think of the amlodipine at all.
The main side effects for me are:
-weight gain ( and, I suspect ,fluid retention); for 30 years I could have sent anybody to, say, M&S with a note of my size for a shirt, a suit, jeans, etc. Now, after 1 year of amlodipine, I have 5 business suits which no longer fit and a new, larger suit purchased as a stop gap in July which does not fit. And ditto with dress shirts. And so on.
-calf cramps during the night;
-exacerbated pain in what ,previously , were weak spots/ old sports injuries ( hip, back, knee);
- significantly reduced intellectual/ creative energy;
-\"doing the same amount of activity ( walking, gardening,etc) takes more and more effort/ makes me more and more tired\"- in other words, I still try to do the same length of walk, amount of gardening but it takes longer and takes more out of me; and no- I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I CAN SIMPLY HAVE AGED THIS MUCH IN 12 MONTHS!
I have paid for acupuncture, which has yielded good benefits; I am about to purchase the RespeRate breathing machine ( has anybody else out there used this/ found a benefit from it?) plus some Cumel natural herb tablets.
However, my huge, huge concern is that my realisation, after reading this site, that amlodipine's side effects can also be gradual and can literally \" \"creep up on you\" if there is no real dialogue with your GP will fall upon the deaf ears......of......my GP.
7 likes, 72 replies
paul86581 doug64
Posted
I put the tiredness etc. down to the betablocker (which also has similar side effects to amlodipine) so was taken off it and pit on an increased dose of amlodipine (+ another salt reducing drug) - I did feel briefly less tired but then gradually symptoms increased - tiredness, aching muscles (I have had a bad frozen? shoulder which seemed to feel worse and worse), lack of go beyond belief - my job is very physical and I was really demotivated and depressed.
So a few days ago after other research and this thread I discontinued it cold turkey and within a few hours felt a lot better. I am monitoring my BP with a good quality wrist monitor but I can tell you I'd rather be dead than go back to this drug - its a devil that sneaks up on you - I mean I have no idea how you are supposed to feel at 56 so put it down to ageing - now I feel like I did years ago.
I honestly think this drug has made me make some bad life/monetary decisions recently as well due to depression probably cost us £30K.
I was struggling to get out of a chair it was that bad.
Banned in Holland and only used by vets in a lot of countries - no wonder!
I find my GP to be disinterested so I'm sticking to just the lisinopril and the salt reducing drug now (Indapamide) which don't seem to be giving me grief.
Thanks to all contributing to this thread - you aren't alone! - I don't recommend doing what I have - check with your (probably better) GP and regular monitor the BP. I also agree with another poster above in that my BP is always higher at the surgery its a nerves thing I feel.
Good luck to all!
Mesirm paul86581
Posted
d16586 doug64
Posted
The worst is burning itchy eyes about every two month. I can't read or get on computer or watch t.v. for a couple of days. I have to lay there with and ice pack on my eyes. For someone that was once considered a type "A" this tiredness and lack of ambition is horrible. I think I'm going to chance meds although I hate the thought of it as Diovan and Benciar gave me a dry cough every two seconds and Tekturna gave me some depression. I'm going to rely on my diruetic for now and talk to my dr. I'll see what he will recommend, try it and come back here with any news I might have. Thanks to all here for your input. It helps to know what other are experiencing. Thanks
mike05018 doug64
Posted
thank you all, and -hopefully - goodbye!
michael41635 doug64
Edited
elizabeth58460 doug64
Posted
Hello Doug64, I totally sypathise with you I was put on Amlodipine , which for me lasted about 10 days, my feet, ankles, legs, hands all became extremely swollen, water retention, I told my Doctor, she said it wasn't to do with the pills. Well I stopped taking them, (couldn't get shoes on, or walk properly) the minute I stopped by 2-3 days all swelling had gone. when I next spoke to my Doctor she just said "Mmmm". I am now on Lorvacs XL 1.5(Indapamide) slow release, and working very well so far. I also take Candesarten. for blood pressure, as at one time my pressure was always high even up to 210.
mike92384 elizabeth58460
Posted
elizabeth58460...I'm very surprised your doctor would say the swelling had nothing to do with the pills!!!!! A VERY common side effect of Amlodipine IS swelling of the feet & ankles. Some people don't experience such side effects, some do. Some didn't while on the 5mgs, but certainly did on 10mgs. I am an example of what I just said. From everything I read on this site about Amlodipine, Im surprised it's marketed anywhere..yet there are a lot of doctors out there who think it's the choice of the day.
Glad you're feeling better.
diana41733 doug64
Edited
I have used Resperate since April of 2015. I love it very much. I will never take any prescription medication for high blood pressure (or anything else, probably) again.
I have some psychiatric/psychological problems also. Because of these problems, I cannot take my blood pressure at home, and I also do not allow any medical professionals to take it, either.
I used to get serious panic attacks, which sentme to the ER. I do not get those anymore, so that is my indication that Resperate works, and that BP is not so high anymore.
PS: I'm sure medical folks will not like what I say here.
Sorry. God bless.
mike92384 diana41733
Posted
diana41733...you are VERY entitled to express how you feel about things. There are some Drs out there who make people nervous, either by their attitude, or tone of voice. Some people suffer from White Coat Syndrome, a very common thing, & THAT in itself can raise bp.
I
shoshanah18578 doug64
Posted
Hi , I'm having very similiar problems after being on this drug for about 2 months. I honestly think I'm going to stop taking it because of the side effects. It's horrible ! I can't take Lisinopril because it makes me sick so guess I will just have to hope for the best.
connie68157 doug64
Posted
Hi Doug, yes I didn't start noticing problems until I had been on a Adlodipine for maybe 2 months. At first I had a lot of energy and I really liked it. Like you, I had always been extremely active. I am 57 and in very good shape for my age and my health has always been excellent. I started feeling really slow, my legs felt woozy, my left side felt a little strange, feet felt a little swollen. I used to walk at least 3 miles every day and sometimes as many as five. After taking the Adlodipine. I was out of breath within the first half of a mile. Yeah, I'm 57 but the medicine was making me feel like I was 80. And then the worst kicker of all, the mood swings almost made me feel like I was going crazy. I would be up for about 3 days and then I'll be seriously depressed for 3 or 4. I have always had mood swings but never to this extreme. I took myself off the Adlodipine, and my legs started feeling better almost immediately. But it is taking time to get my extra strength in them. I cancelled my doctor's appointment and I'm keeping an eye on my blood pressure.
And another thing, you said that your eye doctor found your high blood pressure? Well my blood pressure always goes up when I see the doctor or if I'm having any kind of anxiety. And I think your blood pressure goes up a little bit as you get older anyway you just have to try to keep it down and not worry so much, eat right and exercise. Not everyone has perfect blood pressure. Good luck and I hope you feel better.
mike92384 connie68157
Posted
Hi connie68157...I'm sorry to know you were having such problems with Amlodipine. It seems a lot of people are having a rough go of it.
I know some people who have good success with it, my cousin being one of them. I was on 10mg Amlodipine 3 years ago, & had to come off because my feet & legs swelled. I would never encourage anyone to take themselves off bp meds without first consulting their doctor. You put yourself at risk of rebound bp spike. By all means, monitor your bp. Your bp goes up when you see the Dr. That's a very common thing known as "White Coat Syndrome". The bp can be fine at other times, but once you step into the Dr. office, it spikes. Drs are well aware of t his, & take it into consideration. You're so right too..not everyone has perfect blood pressure. A lot of people think the normal bp reading should be 120/80. That's not exactly true. It depends on age, etc. At the Dr. 2 weeks ago, mine was 130/80 & the doctor said "that's great". Age factors, what meds you're already on, etc. come into consideration.
Please let us know how you get on.
debbie87385 doug64
Posted
Hi. When I First started taking the Amlodipine, my bp when slightly down, however the doctor wasn't happy. He said he wanted to top it up from 5 mg to. 10. I said I was off on holidays, I will Calm down and the blood pressure will be down too. I had the worst holidays ever. Usually I go to Italy and come back with a few extra pounds. This time I lost weight. Went to the doctors when I get back complaining of tummy ache. He said I was constipated. I said I was having episodes of diarrhoea or constipation but never suggested it was the amlodipone. It went in for 3 months. I couldn't eat ( I lived on crackers). Until one night which I haven't slept well I forgot to take the boys tablets in the morning. I was so bloated. No way to pass any wind. Uncomfortable. 3 months taking painkillers. Had gone to gastroenterologist, had done endoscopy, colonoscopy, MRI etc... The day I haven't taken the tablets I had a wonderful day. Went to the GP 2 days later. He gave me another tablets and all the problems ended there. When I went to the pharmacy I brought the amlodipine for them to get rid off. I gave it to the lady and said " I don't want it, it gave terrible side effects." Her answer was "Too many side effects to too many people." My question is why do they still prescribe this poison?
john041288 doug64
Posted
Although it's scary to think such a widely prescribed medicine can have such life changing side effects on so many people (checkout literally scores of other forums on this subject around the internet) ...... it is also heartening to know I am not the only one.
For the record I am a 61 year old male. Had a fall and bashed up my ribcage prior to Christmas 2016. Couldnt explain the pains too well to the GP when I visited after the Christmas break, thought I was having some kind of heart failure, but whilst there I had a surprise diagnosis of unexplained HPB. So then comes APBM then Amlodipine at first around 2 weeks on 5mg, followed by what is now around 6 weeks on 10mg, I am now a completely different person.
I did then ask for a precautionary chest x-ray on a subsequent GP visit - he agreed and that took 3 weeks to get back to him at which point he called me to say I had broken 2 ribs. So felt very relieved no heart attack. Although I'm going to have an Echocardiagram soon - yes all of 3+ months after it all started!!
Anyway, prior to all of this I was as fit as I have been for 30 years, going to the local gym 5/6 times a week, power walking on the treadmill for 30-45 mins every visit followed by good all round strength workouts on the machines & weights. So now with the Amlodipine I have piled on weight, legs ache cosntantly and feel like they're wrapped in lead sheet when I get up from the armchair. I have a 24 x 7 headache - not enough to make you wince but it's just there all the time, enough to make you worry. Eyesight has deteriorated - blurry vision, again only slight but enough to cause concern. A good night's sleep is hard to come by and worst of all, the thumping heartbeat - normal speed but you are just constantly aware that it's apparently beating "harder" than you ever remember it doing in the past.
My plan - if I can get it together is to shed weight back to a very low body fat percentage - that's gonna be tough but it's doable, then get back to the gym even if it feels impossibe to do so. I am praying I can reduce then stop this drug over the next 2 months. We shall see.
Best of luck to all.
mike92384 john041288
Posted
john041288...It seems you're having a bad time. If you truly feel the culprit in all of this is the Amlodipine, why not ask your GP to change the medication??? I was on Amlodipine a few years back...started with the 5mg..then the Dr. increased the dose to 10mg. Result?..swollen feet, ankles, legs (to just below the knee) He took me off the Amlodipine. Some people are fine with it, some are not, but remember, the higher the dose the more liklihood of side effects.
You COULD ask him for Coversyl. My doctor says "THAT's a good medicine". I've been with him 30yrs & trust him implicitly. I have a cousin who takes Amlodipine. (5mg). Her bp was spiking in the afternoons, so her Dr. said for her to take 1/2 tab in the morning, then 1/2 tab in the afternoon. It worked. Some Drs will think of this, while others will just increase the medication.
Please let us know how you get on with this.