what next

Hi Melanie, I'm sorry you are having problems with your blood pressure meds.  Are you in the UK?

I ended up in A&E twice because of my out of control blood pressure.  My GP sent me.  The Casualty doctor said I should be referred to a Cardiologist, which I was.

The Cardiologist prescribed yet another drug so I now take 4 to control my BP.  I understand why I have the new drug & my BP is controlled but I can barely function & the Cardiologist has left me to my own devices [under my GP, who is very sympathetic & wants me to 'live' not just exist, so I thank him for that]

I will return to my GP to see whether there is an alternative to one of my drugs, just so that I feel more with it.  I have now put on weight from oedema - excess water mainly in my legs & ankles.

Have you asked your GP to refer you to a Cardiologist?  Even if it is only for one consultation, like mine.  At least I am heading in the right direction now.

melanie91634...I can most certainly sympathize with you. A few years back, I was put on bp medication. The doctor I had back then was a young, cocky-know-it-all. I was having problems with side-effects., & after a while, he was acting as though it was my fault; & made the statement..."well, if you want to be walking around with high bp thats up to you..do you want to take meds & get it controlled or not?". Truly, this is what was said to me. After a while, I decided to see if my former doctor would take me back. Luckily for me, he did., & although I'm on the same meds..I'm not having problems. I'm totally relaxed in his presence & feel at ease discussing anything & everything with him. I could not say this about the young doctor. So you see, the young doctor disagreed with my reactions just as you're experiencing now. 

You haven't stated which medications you are on..that would help me to help you.

Melanie, you really need a specialist to look at you as a whole & not just each bit separately if you know what I mean.

I take Bisoprolol amongst other drugs.  I was started on 5mg then my GP increased it to 10mg,  later, he added Ramipril but I developed a cough, which apparently, is a known side effect, so they changed it to Bendroflumethiazide.  Later, Losartan was added too  but when I had to take an immunosuppressant, my BP dropped too much, so the Losartan was stopped.  I also take steroids which don't help.

And, so it goes on & really, you need someone who has the time to go through your medication, possibly a pharmacist.  I know that when the local pharmacist does his annual review of my drugs he sometimes comments on some of my drug combos.

One thing I have learned, is that it is possible to split the dose of your drugs.  I am fortunate that one of my Consultants gives me his time & does deviate from his subject because he sees me as a whole & not just a specific organ.  

Are you only taking Bisoprolol 5mg?  Does it come in 2.5mg doses?  If it does & has helped you [forgetting the side effects for now]  perhaps taking half in the morning & half at night, you may not get the side effects.

Try asking to see the Pharmacist where you get your drugs & maybe he might come up with some suggestions for you to take to your GP

Has your GP screened you for possible reasons why your BP is up? When you cycle through BP meds and you don't appear to have much success, your resistant  hypertension can be a symptom of some other medical problem that remains hidden. Have you had a U/E blood test? e.g. levels of Sodium, Potassium, Urea, Creatinine, EGFR with ranges. Always ask for copies of tests especially if you are looking on forums for help.