Withdrawal effects?
Posted , 2 users are following.
My 80 year old mother was on Amlodipine for 8 years. Due to swelling in ankles and feet she was told to take one tablet every other day for 2 weeks, then stop altogether.
At this precise time she developed a burning headache in her right temple, sleep disturbance, poor appetite. She is drained of all energy. This has been going on for 3 months and we are no nearer to finding out what is causing all this.
She has lost weight, is very miserable and slightly confused sometimes. Previous to this she did not step foot into a doctors surgery - was very fit, went out and about - basically enjoyed her life.Now she hasn't been out for months and has no enjoyment of anything whatsoever. The headaches are sometimes like she has creatures crawling around in her head.
Does anyone out there know if these symptoms are related to stopping Amlodipine, I would be most grateful.
0 likes, 3 replies
MrsO-UK_Surrey
Posted
However, temple pain, sleep disturbance, poor appetite and weight loss should be investigated, if only to rule out a condition called Giant Cell Arteritis/Temporal Arteritis which can carry a risk to eyesight. Does she complain of any problems with her eyesight, such as pain or blurred vision, and does she have any discomfort in her jaw when chewing?
There are two simple blood tests - ESR (Erithrocyte Sedimentation Rate) and CRP (C-reactive Protein) - which can show if there is any inflammation in the body which could point to the possibility of GCA. However, it is also possible to have GCA without raised blood test markers.
I do hope your mother can get a definitive diagnosis and treatment soon to resolve her pain. Do pass on my good wishes and do come back and let us know the results of her tests.
helpplease
Posted
My mother does not suffer jaw pain, and she was sent to an Opticians for an eye test - no problems detected and the Optician remarked on how good her eye health was.
She had an ESR and the level (54?) showed some inflammation present. She does not have a fever.
She has appointments with Headache clinic (!) a Gastroenterologist and Neurologist.
I feel she has been left to wait to see specialists because of her age - the doctor is most vague and doesn't think it warrants any rush!
One can only hope he doesn't ever suffer the same treatment.
MrsO-UK_Surrey
Posted
The Neurology appointment might be helpful but I still feel that with inflammation and an ESR of 54 (normal for women is between 0-20 although it is quite common for it be slightly more elevated in the elderly) it would be even wiser to see a consultant rheumatologist to rule out GCA, especially as many sufferers don't experience all the symptoms and some purely have temple pain, often on one side only. Some sufferers of GCA have only been diagnosed after advice to visit A&E as an emergency, and some who have been either misdiagnosed or not diagnosed in time and treated with high dose steroids have lost partial or total vision, and once gone it rarely returns. It took visits to 4 GPs before my GCA plus its linked condition Polymyalgia Rheumatica was recognised so I was incredibly lucky to keep my vision. Luckily now we have a fast track system in place where GPs can refer patients on the same day they present at the surgery if they suspect GCA - however, it needs the GP to recognise it first! Lots of good luck wishes to your mother.