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
Mesirm doug64
Posted
Thanks for sharing, Doug. I'm so delighted that I found this site. I was starting to have gastrointestinal problems and finally realized it was the Amlodipine. This week I requested my doctor change my BP meds and I feel so much better. The Amlodipine side effects were so slow and gradual that I did not realize my health problems were mostly the result of this medication.
margaret48648 doug64
Posted
aNY THE THOUGHT CROSSED MY MIND THAT i HAVE ONLY FELT THIS WAY RECENTLY SO i WANTED TO STOP THEM, i THEN DISCOVERED THIS SITE AND READ YOUR POST WITH INTEREST,
i AM SEEING MY gp THIS COMING tHUESDAY AND AM GOING TO MENTION MY THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER.
hOW DID YOU COPE WITH STOPPING THIS MEDICATION? iS IT WISE TO DO SO?
Mesirm margaret48648
Posted
Hi Margaret, I'm sharing my post about what happened when I stopped Amlodipine below.
I had been on amlodipine for over 12 years. I'm very heath conscious so exercising has always been a daily part of my routine. When I first stated taking amlodipine my ankles became swollen but because I was so active the swelling went away and did not return. As many users have mentioned, the side effects slowly take over so I did not realize that the pain under my left breast was radiating from near my stomach. Other symptoms I've experienced are, knotting in my lower and upper intestine, burning in stomach, neck/shoulder pain, burning in left arm, and in center of chest. In fact, the pain cause my doctor to think it was my heart so I had a heart cath but there was no problem with my heart.
I'm so thankful for this site because I have decided to stop taking the amlodipine and within 5 days I began to see the side effects subside. I have been off approximately 2 or more months ago) and now I feel so much better. My doctor has prescribed Losartan.
Were you able to discuss your concerns with your GP?
margaret48648 Mesirm
Posted
My left knee is clicking as I walk, after doing a bit of gardening I feel in a state of collapse after and hour. It seems ages since I had a clear head, I have pain in my left side of neck and tummy upsets when I suddenly feel sick and have to rush to the bathroom.
I have always been so busy with life and lots of friends say that I have inspired them over the years.
I am seeing my GP today so with all this info on amlodipine I can hopefully get it sorted.
sean29725 margaret48648
Posted
Don't let you GP tell you that your symptoms are not the known side effects of the medication. Too many people here have had similar side effects. Including me. Foggy head, hip and knee aches to the point of not wanting to walk a full block and terribly swollen ankles. It became ever so clear when he upped me from 5mg to 10mg. I felt like a complete invalid withing a week's time. And he had me start taking an anti-depressant. There are so many different meds for this condition. I currently take 40mg olmesartan (generic for Benicar) and 25mg hydrochlorithiazide (diruetic). Stand your ground and tell him you want to try another med. Good luck
Mesirm margaret48648
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Optivita sean29725
Posted
I have taken amoldaphine for several months,i did not realise all the symptoms i have has made me feel so unwell until i read this forum
vomitting, headaches, dreadful pain in neck shoulder, tingling down arm,
pins needles, itching, sleepless due to pain in muscles, list goes on
i asked doc to be taken off this awful tablet , was told no reduced me to 5mg
so desperate now i have taken myself off them keeping my fingers crossed
that i will improve
i am going to look for alternative med can anyone on this forum suggest what they are taking ,
i am sure we all will find a better way than taking this awful drug.
Thank you
margaret48648 Mesirm
Posted
Mesirm margaret48648
Posted
robert44007 doug64
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Mesirm robert44007
Posted
Hi Robert, I did not develop a rash with Amlodipine but did develop a rash while taking Lisinopril. The rash began about a month after I began the prescription. It started on the back of my neck and eventually moved to the front of my neck and chest. I'm glad I figured it out quickly because it became itchy and took several weeks before it stopped. I was very nervous that it might not go away. I'm so thankful because it was awful.
Little65023 doug64
Posted
doug64, I read your post about 7 minutes ago. I was searching the internet for causes of muscle pain, which eventually brought up your post. I just registered on this site because I wanted to touch base with you. I drove to Texas on the weekend of May 20th this year. That's about a 600 mile drive for me as I live in the middle of Missouri. By the time I got to Texas, I could hardly stand for any lenght of time, nor walk far. Since my return, which was that Sunday, I have had a minimal recovery from sore muscles in my lower part og my body. My doctor perscribed me Hydrocodone, sent me to the emergency room, expedited an MRI for my lower back, and I finally saw her Tuesday of this week. When I saw her I had been taking two Hydrocodes three times a day for about a week as per her directions. The day before I saw her she saw me I attended a conference at my local VA Hospital on opioids. Since Hydrocodone is an opioid, I attended the hour long session, which I was the only person there without a medical degree. They said that Opioids provide little to no effect for Low Back pain, and have several negative side effects, of which I had been experiencing one for sure. I made my mind up to stop takling the Hydrocodone, and then started to look at my current medications as a possible contributor to my muscle pain/weakness.
That led me to stop taking a pill called Atorvastatin because on the label it said to report any unexplained muscle pain/weakness to my provider. I asked her to give me two weeks to rule it out. But tonight I was looking on the inernet which said ACE inhibitors also are a possable culprit, and looking into these led me to question the Amlodipine Beysylate 10 mg tablkets I take daily as well.
I think i will stop my Amlodipine tomorrow too after reading your post. I saw that some 40 or more people have looked at your post. If they all replied you may never read this, but if you do, I would like to know if the side effects from this drug Amlodipine are life long, or will they disipate after one stops taking it?
I hope this reply wasn't too long for you. i look forward to hearing back from you. By the way, i have been on this Amlodipine for three or more years now.
mike92384 Little65023
Posted
Little65023...Sorry you're having such a rough go of things. You did not say what the results of the MRI on your spine were. I too have sore muscles, but on my shoulders. My legs will burn, & I have pins/needles.
I also have mild burning sensations on my scalp. The new Neurologist I'm seeing has ordered MRI on the complete spine (lumbar & cervical) & also the brain. The former Neurologist did the lumbar & cervical only, but that was over 20months ago. The former Neuro blamed my problem on severe narrowing at L5-S1, but the current Neuro disagrees with it.
NCD & EMG is negative...bloodwork fine...but he also wants me to see a Rheumatologist/Internist, just to see if I have an autoimmune disease or not. I'm getting better treatment from this guy then I ever did with the former Neurol.
I wasn't aware that ACE Inhibitors can be a culprit to sore muscles in the legs. I've been on Coversyl Plus HD for over 2 years now. The burning/pins/needles started at the end of January/2014. Yes, I've been dealing with this for some time now., but I didn't start the Coversyl til several months later. What I do find more annoying than anything is the burning, & the bottoms of my feet turn beet red.
Whatever you do, do NOT stop taking the Amlodipine without consulting your Dr.
I take Atenolol (50mg/day), Coversyl Plus HD, Doxazosin (1mg/day). If I could determine which of these drugs (if indeed my problem is caused by the drugs),I'd be strong with my doctor in asking him to take me off & give me something else, but I'm at wit's end with trying to find the cause myself. I've spent a lot of money trying this/that...but nothing has worked.
Please let me know how you get on, & I'd certainly welcome any suggestions you might have.
Mesirm Little65023
Posted
Hi, please provide an update on how you are doing.
I stopped taking Amlodipine about 3 months ago and all the side effects I was experiencing have subsided. I know there are many persons who can take it without any side effects but I was not one of them. I had intestinal problems, discomfort under my left breast, chest tightness that were so bad that at times I thought I was having a heart attack. I ended up with a heart cath and I'm thankful it was not my heart. My doctor has been very supportive in trying to find a med that will work for me. I hope you find your path to better health.
Little65023 mike92384
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Little65023 Mesirm
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Mesirm - I think my overall muscle pain is a little duller. I was hoping it would have stopped alltogether. I see a pain management doctor tomorrow. I hope for something positive from the appointment, but to be honest, I feel like a pinball being smacked around by a doctor operated pinball machine. ie: ("Let's send him here, no there. Wait...he said that was working - but we need to start the process over again before we can try that again!"
I hope tomorrow is a step in the right direction and not another wrong turn in the doctor laberynth. Thanks for checking on me.
Mesirm Little65023
Posted
Hi, ...happy to hear some improvement. Hope the pain doctor can help. I just noticed that you are or were taking some type of statin. I cannot take any type of statin because of muscle pain and weakness as well as joint pain The joint pain was primarily my left shoulder. I discovered it was the statin because after taking it for several weeks I noticed that I could not raise my left arm without pain in my shoulder joints. I try not to take to many meds because sometimes it's hard to tell which one maybe causing side effects. In this case, it happen to be the only new med in quite some time. I stopped taking it and notified my doctor. It took several months before the pain stopped but it eventually left. If I recall correctly, it took almost 5 to 6 months.
There are times the meds help and there are times when they may make us worst off. This is why it so important to have a doctor who realizes that the patient is the most important part of the team and recognizes that the patient is with their body 24hrs a day 7 days a week.