Think I need help

A lot of people have reported a side effect of palpitations on this site.  When I was raised from 5 to 10 mg I immediately got palpitations and I truly believe it caused me to have aFib and eventually a pacemaker.  My doctors deny it, but I am convinced.  There are a lot of better medicines out there, suggest you just tell your doctor you want to try something different and do it quickly.  I hope you find recovery from this. 

Go back to your GP.  Amlopdine doesn't suit everybody - definitely didn't suit me. With al' that irregularity, sound that beta-blockers might help.  You may want to see a cognitive behavioural therapist too - the fact that you mention your partner's death ... could be psychosomatic transference.  Even if it isn't, CBT will help you. 

Maggie, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your partner after all the years together - the stress of losing a loved one is enough to push anyone's blood pressure up and it is very early days for you still.  As your blood pressure was at an acceptable level prior to your partner's passing, it does sound as though the stress and anxiety that you are experiencing is the driving force behind your present problems.

You should feel reassured that your blood tests and 24 hour monitor results are normal.   

Having said this, Amlodipine wreaked havoc with me and it has with many other people - I stopped it after 4 months but the varicose eczema it cause on my legs has stayed with me ever since.  I am not a very good subject when it come to BP medication - my body has so far failed to tolerate about 8 different medications.  However, my hubby seemed ok whilst on Amlodipine at the 5mg dose but when they increased it to 10mg he developed very swollen ankles and the dose was then reduced back down to 5mg with the addition of 5mg of Ramipril.  A couple of years down the line he collapsed with total heart block for which a pacemaker was inserted.  Now that can happen to anyone but as our neighbour experienced exactly the same thing whilst on Amlodipine, and a friend has developed Atrial Fibrillation since being on Amlodipine, I feel very suspicious that this drug is just not suitable for some people.  Certainly when I was taking it, I noticed that the Mayo Clinic in the States was querying whether it was suitable for women over a certain age in particular.

As far as the possible SVT/ectopic beats are concerned, I was diagnosed with ectopic beats some years before taking any BP meds, and my ECG always shows "Abnormal" due to Supraventricular Ectopic Beats but it is not anything that has needed any intervention up to now. 

Yes, your symptoms do need thoroughly investigating just to rule out anything serious going on, but if it were me, in the first instance I would be asking for the Amlodipine to be stopped.  Bisoprolol may help your irregular heartbeat.  Certainly for a while I was prescribed Atenolol which is from the same family and that did help to restore the rhythm but was inclined to slow my heart rate a bit too much.

When you wake in the night with the palpitations, try and drink some ice cold water - that helped me  Also, you might benefit from some relaxation therapy, perhaps a Mindfulness class or a Tai Chi or Yoga class - Tai Chi did reduce my blood pressure for a time a few years ago.  Have you also considered some counselling to help with your grief?   The first thing you must do is try and relax and curb your anxiety which is so counter-productive to you feeling better.  Lots of good luck wishes, and  B R E A T H E! 

 

Listen darling, 1st off you are suffering from a lost I too lost my husband and the taking care of him the way we are suppose to and then the lost is a great pain. So now comes the depression of being without them. Our bodies just can't handle that, it takes time mine passed 17 years ago I live alone and it is as though it still just happened. Now the blood pressure , it's very sneaky that , the lost, the memories, the loneliness also messes with the blood pressure. Now you go higher cause there is no control, so we go for help that's where the trials of medication start trying to find the one that brings it down. I was put on Amlodipine Benazepril Baseplate for 3 years it work I came down to 120/70, then 120/80 I was happy I lost weight fro 247 to 221, but it took 3 years of it's side effect to hit. I had a reaction to the Benazepril, my lip sells (BAD) ,My pharmacist advised me stop taking immediately so I did she told me that is only one of it's side effects my throat could could swell up and I could breath it could kill me. But then came another side effect that I noticed my left eye became lazy like it did not want to open right away , my mouth became sore, I noticed a few blisters in my jaw headaches a piercing in my ear so I took myself off the whole pill in about 4 days I noticed everything started to correct itself. Now I am off ANY AMLODIPINE. So talk to your Dr. if you don't like what you hear from that doctor try a 2nd opion. Good Luck

Listen darling, 1st off you are suffering from a lost I too lost my husband and the taking care of him the way we are suppose to and then the lost is a great pain. So now comes the depression of being without them. Our bodies just can't handle that, it takes time mine passed 17 years ago I live alone and it is as though it still just happened. Now the blood pressure , it's very sneaky that , the lost, the memories, the loneliness also messes with the blood pressure. Now you go higher cause there is no control, so we go for help that's where the trials of medication start trying to find the one that brings it down. I was put on Amlodipine Benazepril Baseplate for 3 years it work I came down to 120/70, then 120/80 I was happy I lost weight fro 247 to 221, but it took 3 years of it's side effect to hit. I had a reaction to the Benazepril, my lip sells (BAD) ,My pharmacist advised me stop taking immediately so I did she told me that is only one of it's side effects my throat could could swell up and I could breath it could kill me. But then came another side effect that I noticed my left eye became lazy like it did not want to open right away , my mouth became sore, I noticed a few blisters in my jaw headaches a piercing in my ear so I took myself off the whole pill in about 4 days I noticed everything started to correct itself. Now I am off ANY AMLODIPINE. So talk to your Dr. if you don't like what you hear from that doctor try a 2nd opion. Good Luck

Hello, I have had similar side effects from amlodipine my doctor put me on

5 mg plus 2mg. When I take 7 my hands get tingly and numb I have a lot of pain in my lower back terrible anxiety cry a lot miserable. I have cut myself back to 5. My hands are less numb there's less pain in my body a little less crying. And I cannot get my doctor change it because I am overweight my BP goes up and down. I have tried for years to get off this medicine but they don't listen to me I've heard that beet juice is very good for lowering BP there are other things to that can do it I have to do research on. I am tired of feeling miserable. I know about the Restless sleep I toss and turn all night terrible this medicine should be banned in the u.s. some of these stupid doctors never listen

Suggest you get OFF the amlodipine and do try the beta blocker.  Amlodipine takes a week or two to clear out of your system, btw.  They say the SVT and ectopics are not immediately dangerous, they just feel that way!  I believe the amlodipine was causing - or at least aggravating - the arrhythmias in me, got much better when I dropped it.  Your BP numbers don't sound so horrible, at least you didn't post any that are horrible.  Be well!

Hi Maggie - First off, I am sorry for your loss - sounds like you have had enormous stress in your life which all can contribute to your symptoms. May I ask you if you are also going thru menopause?  The reason why I ask is your symptoms sound very similar to mine & I could never figure out if it was the amlodipine causing me the issues or menopause (symptoms are similar).  I got off the amlodipine (after 5 years) & oddly enough, my b/p leveled out - (I am still on irbesartan Hctz) I still have symptoms but I now think some of these are hormone related - google 66 menopause symptoms.  I had enormous loss in my my life the last 4 years & was under horrible stress, don’t discount what stress can do to your body.  I encourage you to get grief counseling, meditate & just do what feels good to you & make sure to take a good stress vitamin & google holistic options to lower your b/p - these B/P RX’s ALL have side effects & drs don’t really get it...be your own advocate! 

Hi it does take a while for your bp to adjust again and amlodipine does also give you anxiety. I would come come off completely if you can. The anxiety should then start to calm down. I'm very sensitive to medication and use bisoporol as a 'pocket' medication meaning I take it for fast heart beat when I feel I need to. I can only tolerate 1.25mgs of it. It does work to calm rapid heatbeat within about 15mins.

Maggie, I sympathize with you on your plight.  My cardiologist put me on Amlodipine and the side effects nearly killed me.  I quit taking it.  Next time he prescribed again at half the dose.  This time I felt like I was dying.  When I found those exact words in this forum from another patient, I quit that crap immediately and felt better in a few days.  I reported to my cardiologist that I refused to take that med ever again.  In a recent visit with him I tried to tell him about this site and told him I still had holdover issues from the drug.  Also, other people here have had trouble getting rid of the side effects.  The fool screamed at me and said, "Don't make me crazy."  It will be a cold day in hell before I try to talk to him about this again.  I am sick of his attitude and plan on finding a new doc.  I don't want to influence you, Maggie, but your health is your health.  Not even the doctors know how you feel.  If this one does not listen or cannot help, CHANGE.  Good luck.