I have not written for awhile and I guess this happens when one is feeling well. That all changed two weeks ago. My blood pressure has been slowly creeping up all year. My cardiologist decided I should be on a BP med. and I agreed. I watched my mom die as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage at the same age I am now.
He put me on Lisinopril 5 mg. After seven days I developed "the cough", so I stopped taking it. I also began with loose bowel movements and several a day. He then put me on Losartan 25 mg. I waited for about five days and began that. Today is my seventh day and I have been in the bathroom all morning. Again not watery, but going a lot. My weight has dropped a couple of pounds bringing me back down to about 105. I did go to my acupuncturist last Tues. and felt great again until today.
My question is, has anyone else run into problems taking these meds? I have been watching what I eat.
Nancy
Blood pressure medication - help
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
I haven't been on blood pressure medication myself, but I've been reading some different writings about their lack of effect at prevention. Basically, it's good to have lower blood pressure but the medications have not been found to be helpful with preventing out comes, at least with mildly elevated BP levels.
I only mention as if the medication is the cause behind the renewed D, it might be best to look further into dietary ways to lower BP. I've seen too that bowel diseases such as Crohn's can cause higher BP levels. Possible MC does similar. I know for me when the gut is inflamed it can cause my heart to race at times. Anyway, just my humble opinion. Good luck and a little bit on this from a few physician's web sights I stop by ~
"Should You Take Drugs for Mildly Elevated Blood Pressure?"
http://www.dietdoctor.com/should-you-ta ... d-pressure
"Does treating high blood pressure do any good?"
http://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2012/04/02 ... -any-good/
snippet:
I only mention as if the medication is the cause behind the renewed D, it might be best to look further into dietary ways to lower BP. I've seen too that bowel diseases such as Crohn's can cause higher BP levels. Possible MC does similar. I know for me when the gut is inflamed it can cause my heart to race at times. Anyway, just my humble opinion. Good luck and a little bit on this from a few physician's web sights I stop by ~
"Should You Take Drugs for Mildly Elevated Blood Pressure?"
http://www.dietdoctor.com/should-you-ta ... d-pressure
&Medication for high blood pressure is extremely common. But who needs it? How high should the blood pressure be before medication is indicated? Usually a blood pressure above 140/90 is said to be high and a lot of people are then put on drugs.
But a new big review of all studies shows that it’s unclear if medication helps when blood pressure is only mildly elevated (140-159 systolic and/or 90-99 diastolic). It’s likely that the risk of side effects may outweigh the potential benefits in these cases.
Eating less sugar and starch may be a healthier way of lowering a mildly elevated blood pressure. A significantly reduced blood pressure has been shown in a number of studies testing low carb diets for weight loss (lower than on other weight loss diets). And I see it regularly in my patients.
"Does treating high blood pressure do any good?"
http://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2012/04/02 ... -any-good/
snippet:
...They went on to make the following statement:
‘No randomised trial has ever demonstrated any reduction of risk either overall, or cardiovascular death by reducing systolic blood pressure to below 140mmHg.’
The effect of their analysis was, as you may expect, a deafening silence. This was despite the fact that these researchers had just proved that everything that everybody believed about lowering blood pressure was wrong. The log linear model rules, lowering blood pressure is beneficial.
Nine years later, another analysis appeared. The one mentioned at the start of this article. It exactly the same thing…. again:
‘A new review has found that lowering blood pressure below the “standard” target of 140/90 mm Hg is not beneficial in terms of reducing mortality or morbidity1.’ July 2009
During that twelve year period between these two studies, the thresholds for ‘treating’ blood pressure became lower and lower. For diabetics, essential hypertension has now fallen to a systolic of 115mmHg. This definition was created from combined end-point cardiovascular data, and the log-linear model. The one that has been proved ‘shockingly’ to be false. I wasn’t that shocked.
In fact, only one thing shocks me. It is fact that you cannot get anyone to change their minds in this area. A raised blood pressure is bad, and must be lowered, full stop. Whilst I would agree that a raised blood pressure is ‘bad’ in that it is associated with and increased risk of premature death. I cannot find evidence that lowering the blood pressure does any good, no matter what the level.
The simple fact is that when blood pressure is raised, it is raised for a reason. The reason is an underlying ‘disease’. And just because you cannot find it, does not mean that it doesn’t’ exist.
Lowering the blood pressure will certainly get rid of an annoyingly high measurement, but it cannot (unless by complete coincidence), have any impact on the underlying disease…… the thing causing you to die. So, unless it is startlingly high, what good can lowering blood pressure actually do?
The answer my friend, is not blowin in the wind. The answer is ‘no good at all.’
Hi Nancy,
I'm sorry that you're having a new problem to deal with. I take Lisinopril 10 mg for stroke prevention, but I'm probably just lucky to be able to get away with it, because ACE inhibitors are known to cause MC for some people. I have had the dry cough a few times in the past, but it's rarely a problem. I take at bedtime, and it doesn't seem to cause any bowel issues.
Losartan is one of a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Believe it or not, this class of drugs has actually been proposed as a possible treatment for IBD, and that may be why your physician suggested Losartan.
Unfortunately though, that is offset by the fact that diarrhea is listed as a side effect on the label, so it appears that you are one of the unlucky individuals for whom it will not work.
There are many different kinds of BP meds though, so surely your doc will be able to find one that will work for you.
This is strictly non-conventional, but IMO there is a good chance that your BP increase may be due to endothelial dysfunction (loss of elasticity of blood vessels). If our blood vessels are unable to expand normally as blood volume increases, then our BP increases. Blood volume increases during the day, as we drink water, and it decreases during the night, as we slowly dehydrate. So if we have endothelial dysfunction issues, our BP will tend to increase more than usual during the day (in addition to the normal increase that comes from normal activity).
As you may be aware, I take a special prescription vitamin combination that consists of the active forms of vitamins B-12, B-9, and B-6. It helps my peripheral neuropathy. However, I note that it is also prescribed to treat endothelial dysfunction, and I have noticed that if I skip taking it for a while, my BP does tend to increase. Your doctor may say I'm nuts, but I'm pretty sure that Metanx would lower your BP (and provide many other benefits, also. It also helps to improve memory and cognizance, for example. My previous GP took it for that reason.
Metanx requires a prescription because it is classified as a medical food.
Another thing that can cause BP to increase is magnesium deficiency. When I had the magnesium deficiency event last spring, that was set off by an antibiotic that depleted the rest of my already-low magnesium reserves, during the night, when I would run out of magnesium, my BP would be way too low. And during the day, as I drank water (magnesium deficiency also causes dehydration symptoms), my BP would go way up. My systolic BP is normally 100–115 mmHg, but when I was magnesium deficient, my BP would often be 140–160 mmHg during the day, and sometimes higher (170–180 mmHg), especially when I was at a doctor's office. None of them ever figured out that magnesium was my problem, though.
Tex
I'm sorry that you're having a new problem to deal with. I take Lisinopril 10 mg for stroke prevention, but I'm probably just lucky to be able to get away with it, because ACE inhibitors are known to cause MC for some people. I have had the dry cough a few times in the past, but it's rarely a problem. I take at bedtime, and it doesn't seem to cause any bowel issues.
Losartan is one of a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Believe it or not, this class of drugs has actually been proposed as a possible treatment for IBD, and that may be why your physician suggested Losartan.
Use of Enterally Delivered Angiotensin II Type Ia Receptor Antagonists to Reduce the Severity of ColitisConclusions
This study demonstrated efficacy of high-dose angiotensin II type Ia receptor antagonists in this colitis model. We postulate that a specially designed angiotensin II type Ia receptor antagonist with poor oral absorption may have great potential as a new therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease in the future.
Unfortunately though, that is offset by the fact that diarrhea is listed as a side effect on the label, so it appears that you are one of the unlucky individuals for whom it will not work.
There are many different kinds of BP meds though, so surely your doc will be able to find one that will work for you.
This is strictly non-conventional, but IMO there is a good chance that your BP increase may be due to endothelial dysfunction (loss of elasticity of blood vessels). If our blood vessels are unable to expand normally as blood volume increases, then our BP increases. Blood volume increases during the day, as we drink water, and it decreases during the night, as we slowly dehydrate. So if we have endothelial dysfunction issues, our BP will tend to increase more than usual during the day (in addition to the normal increase that comes from normal activity).
As you may be aware, I take a special prescription vitamin combination that consists of the active forms of vitamins B-12, B-9, and B-6. It helps my peripheral neuropathy. However, I note that it is also prescribed to treat endothelial dysfunction, and I have noticed that if I skip taking it for a while, my BP does tend to increase. Your doctor may say I'm nuts, but I'm pretty sure that Metanx would lower your BP (and provide many other benefits, also. It also helps to improve memory and cognizance, for example. My previous GP took it for that reason.
Metanx requires a prescription because it is classified as a medical food.
Another thing that can cause BP to increase is magnesium deficiency. When I had the magnesium deficiency event last spring, that was set off by an antibiotic that depleted the rest of my already-low magnesium reserves, during the night, when I would run out of magnesium, my BP would be way too low. And during the day, as I drank water (magnesium deficiency also causes dehydration symptoms), my BP would go way up. My systolic BP is normally 100–115 mmHg, but when I was magnesium deficient, my BP would often be 140–160 mmHg during the day, and sometimes higher (170–180 mmHg), especially when I was at a doctor's office. None of them ever figured out that magnesium was my problem, though.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank you both for your responses.
Tex, I have tried the B vitamins, I couln't get Metanx, so took OTC B vitamins that you had recommended. I stopped taking them after a year or so (for tremors) because they didn't seem to make a difference. I did not have high blood pressure then. I have to use magnesium topically and do every morning, but just put the bottle on my vanity so I can use it throughout the day to see if that will help. When I took magnesium with my calcium I never had a problem with BP, but that has been over a year now. I wouldn't be surprised if the lack of it may be a problem. I will continue with the meds until I can contact my doctor on Mon. to see what he has to offer. Just to let you know, he did not rush into to giving me the med. I had been keeping track at home and he even tried to get me in a "better place" to try lowering it. It just didn't work. I exercise regularly, eat a pretty healthy diet, drink plenty of water and have begun drinking coconut water too. I'm sure it's the aging arteries.
Nancy
Tex, I have tried the B vitamins, I couln't get Metanx, so took OTC B vitamins that you had recommended. I stopped taking them after a year or so (for tremors) because they didn't seem to make a difference. I did not have high blood pressure then. I have to use magnesium topically and do every morning, but just put the bottle on my vanity so I can use it throughout the day to see if that will help. When I took magnesium with my calcium I never had a problem with BP, but that has been over a year now. I wouldn't be surprised if the lack of it may be a problem. I will continue with the meds until I can contact my doctor on Mon. to see what he has to offer. Just to let you know, he did not rush into to giving me the med. I had been keeping track at home and he even tried to get me in a "better place" to try lowering it. It just didn't work. I exercise regularly, eat a pretty healthy diet, drink plenty of water and have begun drinking coconut water too. I'm sure it's the aging arteries.
Nancy
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Nancy,
The main issue I had to track when I strarted blood pressure meds was kidney function.
I have been on zanidep 10mg and Atenlol 50mg for 3 years
No major MC issues in that time
Keep in mind any new med is likely to cause issues, especially if you can do a slow start and gradual increase.
Is there scope to halve to dosage for a bit so your gut can adjust?
The good news is that due to health improvements we are starting to reduce the doses to taper me off.
I have been on 25mg of Atenlol for 3 months.
The main issue I had to track when I strarted blood pressure meds was kidney function.
I have been on zanidep 10mg and Atenlol 50mg for 3 years
No major MC issues in that time
Keep in mind any new med is likely to cause issues, especially if you can do a slow start and gradual increase.
Is there scope to halve to dosage for a bit so your gut can adjust?
The good news is that due to health improvements we are starting to reduce the doses to taper me off.
I have been on 25mg of Atenlol for 3 months.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Nancy,
Taking calcium without adequate magnesium to regulate it can cause increased blood pressure. (Magnesium removes calcium from the blood to make new bone tissue). Glabes, you're probably familiar with this study:
When I had the problem with kidney stones last fall, my calcium level was only up a little, but it was still in the normal range. I wasn't taking any supplemental calcium, other than what is in almond milk. I just wasn't taking enough magnesium to prevent the calcium from causing problems. And my blood pressure was slowly increasing, but it didn't become a major problem until the following spring, when my magnesium level really crashed.
Tex
Taking calcium without adequate magnesium to regulate it can cause increased blood pressure. (Magnesium removes calcium from the blood to make new bone tissue). Glabes, you're probably familiar with this study:
Blood Pressure Effects of Acute Hypercalcemia: Studies in Patients with Chronic Renal FailureThe observations show that acute hypercalcemia can cause an elevation in blood pressure, and renal failure may predispose to such a hypertensive response.
When I had the problem with kidney stones last fall, my calcium level was only up a little, but it was still in the normal range. I wasn't taking any supplemental calcium, other than what is in almond milk. I just wasn't taking enough magnesium to prevent the calcium from causing problems. And my blood pressure was slowly increasing, but it didn't become a major problem until the following spring, when my magnesium level really crashed.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Yes
I remember our original discussion when you posted that study and it is why I will not supplement with Calcium.
it is also one of the many reasons i did the hair analysis testing to check the ratios of the minerals and calcium etc to gauge how things are going...
I remember our original discussion when you posted that study and it is why I will not supplement with Calcium.
it is also one of the many reasons i did the hair analysis testing to check the ratios of the minerals and calcium etc to gauge how things are going...
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
I am not taking a full dose of calcium in supplement, only half. I do drink almond milk so know that I am getting calcium that way too. I have sprayed the magnesium several times today. I will keep it on the counter so that I won't forget. Is magnesium citrate the safest one to take? I am thinking of trying to supplement with that, but not until all of this gets ironed out.
Gabes, I am on the lowest dose of Losartan. If I run into a problem again tomorrow I will call him on Monday to see about reducing it until my body gets use to it. I am also going to write down the names of the ones you are on. Hopefully, this will all get straightened out.
Nancy
Gabes, I am on the lowest dose of Losartan. If I run into a problem again tomorrow I will call him on Monday to see about reducing it until my body gets use to it. I am also going to write down the names of the ones you are on. Hopefully, this will all get straightened out.
Nancy
Nancy,
No, too much magnesium citrate becomes a laxative. The safest form is magnesium glycinate (chelated magnesium). It won't cause D.
Tex
No, too much magnesium citrate becomes a laxative. The safest form is magnesium glycinate (chelated magnesium). It won't cause D.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.