Anyone else on blood pressure meds?!
Question: I stopped taking one BP med because it made me very lightheaded. The doc put me on a new one I started yesterday, and it is making me lightheaded too but not as bad. Does this kind of side effect go away in time? I hate it!
Answers: I stopped taking one BP med because it made me very lightheaded. The doc put me on a new one I started yesterday, and it is making me lightheaded too but not as bad. Does this kind of side effect go away in time? I hate it!
I participated in tests of a variety of blood pressure medicines over a period of eight years. When I stopped, the doctor supervising the tests reviewed my records and prescribed the medicine that appeared to have helped me the best. I have been taking that med for several years now and my bp is good with no side effects. During the tests however, I had some of what you describe, some extreme headaches, and many meds that didn't do anything at all... for me. Read the information sheet that came with your medicine. Please discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Find out what class of medicine it is that you are taking. There are several common types; ACE inhibitors, Beta channel blockers, diuretics, etc. Each class may manifest different side effects while some side effects may occur in more than one class. In the end, your doctor may have to try several meds with you to find the one that works best with the least onerous side effects.
It is common amongst these meds. Let your doctor know. He/she may want to change the dosage or the med itself.
Getting the right medicine and dosage for high bp can take some time. Depending on the medicine, it can get better so I would say to keep taking it unless you really can't deal with it. Also, ask your dr. if you can take it at night before you go to bed. That's what I did and now I don't have that problem.
Usually it will go away once your body is used to the med. The med will lower the pressure and often times it lowers too much and causes dizziness. I would take while you are at home and do not drive for several hours after taking, just to be sure you do not have adverse side effects. Or you can take at bedtime. I know a lot of people do that.
I always take mine before bed so that doesn't happen to me any more. Don't stop taking it, it will get better. Do ask your doctor if the dosage might be too high, though.
If you experienced light-headedness after only one day, it's a psychosomatic reaction, not a drug sensitivity.
By the way - yesterday being New Year's Day, how'd you get a doctor's appointment on that holiday?
It usually takes 2-3 tries to get the right pressure reduction w/ the fewest side effects. Some are lucky and hit on the right med/dose the 1st time, but it's not common.