What is your opinion on ACE inhibitors?

[mg_2204]

Hello!

Met with my new GP today and he said I should be on ACE inhibitors. First time I hear about those! It was just a 'meet and greet', will have my big check up in December and we will talk new medication then he said. It's to prevent kidney damage mostly. I was there thinking... yeah another pill. :stickyman

I have read a bit about ACE inhibitors and I am now curious to know... are you taking those too? What is your opinion on ACE inhibitors? Are they really necessary?

I am pleased about the follow-up I will have over here. One big check up a year and the doc wants to see me every 4 months.

Looking forward to your feedback on this. Thanks in advance!

:)

[rzrbks]

Pretty satndard fare for those of us with Diabetes. Gotta protect your heart and vessels as much as possible. and, in the process, protect all your organs and even your life too, I suppose.:)




:topic:
What is your opinion on ACE inhibitors? Makes beating your opponents in card games easier when you know they'll never get that ace they were searching for to fill a straight.

[MedsManSteve]

It's all about maintaining your cardiovascular system. There are many editorials and studies out there, one that's sheds some positive light is this one at Diabetes Journal.

Reduced Mortality (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/27/6/1330)

Not a current study, however I've found many others to be similar.

[lgvincent]

I've been taking 20 mg of Monopril since 1996.

I'm under the impression that high blood pressure can damage the kidneys so I guess that's one reason for diabetics to use them.

[mg_2204]

My BP used to run slightly high. It's not anymore and hasn't for at least over a year. I don't know what prompted his (the doc) comment about ACE inhibitors really.

Thank you for the link Medsman.

[lgvincent]

My blood pressure wasn't running high when the doctor gave me the prescription. Perhaps the drug benefits the kidneys in other ways, too.

[BriOnH]

My BP used to run slightly high. It's not anymore and hasn't for at least over a year. I don't know what prompted his (the doc) comment about ACE inhibitors really.

Thank you for the link Medsman.

Have you had lab work done lately? If so you might be spilling MicroAlbumin(uA) in your urine. They are also used as a protected measure in slowing, some even say halting and reversing, the progression of diabetic kidney disease. Here is more info too for you:
http://www.diabetesforums.com/type-1/11506-a1c-down-bun-up-how-your-kidneys.html

[Cyborg]

Ace Inhibitors gave me Ace Cough. I had to switch...

[Fenway]

I've been on Lisinopril for 10 years, because of hypertension.

Was glad to hear of the benefits when I was diagnosed with T2 18 months ago.

[Peter Lee]

I've been on Lisinopril for 10 years, because of hypertension.

Was glad to hear of the benefits when I was diagnosed with T2 18 months ago.

So have I with no problems.

[TAutry]

Marie,

My doctor recently put me on an ACE inhibitor, Altace. He said that although my labs and blood pressure were "perfect", that the meds were standard to help protect my kidneys in years to come.

I had a very unpleasant reaction to the drug. I developed excruciating back pain and gave up the Altace after four days. Back pain was not listed as a side effect, but muscle weakness was. Apparenly, the Altace reaction irriated one of my other conditions.

I will say that one of the first things I did, before starting the pills was to do a search on the forums to see what others have written. We have an amazing resource here that offers the reactions of "real people". I find that sort of information more valuable than any pamphlet from a drug company or the dispassionate observations from some study.

[June91]

We have an amazing resource here that offers the reactions of "real people". I find that sort of information more valuable than any pamphlet from a drug company or the dispassionate observations from some study.
Hear hear!

[Penny]

I took Altace for many years until I developed a cough. I was switched to Avapro and have not had a problem. I also had a consistently low BP, when I was prescribed the medication, and it is always very low now.

[seacomp]

My BP used to run slightly high. It's not anymore and hasn't for at least over a year. I don't know what prompted his (the doc) comment about ACE inhibitors really.

Thank you for the link Medsman.
ACE inhibitors, besides having an effect on blood pressure, have a direct effect on the functioning of the kidney which is considered benefical for diabetics and the risks we run of kidney damage.

[mg_2204]

Thank you all for your feedback, I really appreciate it :) :) :)

[Dewey]

Marie, I'm with the others. When my doctor put me on it back in 1996, he told me that, either way, I had a 50/50 chance of experiencing kidney issues down the line, and that the meds are basically preventative measures. He also said that if I experienced Any side effects, he'd take me off of them, no questions asked. I had reservations about taking them initially, but after being on them for ten years, I've not experienced any adverse side effects, and my kidneys seem to be ok. :) Hope this helps to ease some of the reservations you may be having.

[bfitz]

I've read that kidney disease is less likely to develop if it hasn't already done so in the first 20 years. My doc put me on Altace recently even though I have no sign of any illness, just as a preventive, and I'm just wondering if there is any downside..? First dose today....

[Michele]

I've been on Benicar 20mg for a couple years now. Doctor said it would help my kidney's because they did show some signs of damage. I've not had any problems with it at all. He 1st started me on Avapril (sp), I coughed alot using that one, but once I switched the cough stopped.

[Chris Graham]

My mom is a nurse and worked for years for one of the leading cardiovascular doctor's groups in our region. She old me theses drugs keep your arties, vein, etc. supple. One of the doctor's in the practice thinks everyone should be taking them.

[mg_2204]

Thank you again everyone for taking the time to give me a bit of feedback.

:top:

I think I have pretty much made my decision now. I will take the meds.

[jjordie]

We have an amazing resource here that offers the reactions of "real people". I find that sort of information more valuable than any pamphlet from a drug company or the dispassionate observations from some study.

.......I agree - advice from "real people" is so much more re-assuring and is the reason I keep coming back to this forum :deal:


.

[Cyborg]

I took Altace for many years until I developed a cough. I was switched to Avapro and have not had a problem. I also had a consistently low BP, when I was prescribed the medication, and it is always very low now.

I'm not alone! You got the same as me, Ace Cough. My doc switched me to Cozzar which has the same beneficial effects for diabetics without the cough. Ask your doc about it.

[BlueSky]

My BP used to run slightly high. It's not anymore and hasn't for at least over a year. I don't know what prompted his (the doc) comment about ACE inhibitors really.....
Tell me if I am missing something here. ACE inhibitors prevent the constriction of blood vessels, reducing blood pressure. Here is a brief description of how they work

What Are Ace Inhibitors, And How Do They Work?
Angiotensin II is a very potentchemical that causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract and thereby narrows the blood vessels. The narrowing of the vessels increases the pressure within the vessels and can cause high blood pressure (hypertension). Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in the blood by the enzyme, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).

ACE inhibitors are medications that slow (inhibit) the activity of the enzyme, which decreases the production of angiotensin II. As a result, the blood vessels enlarge or dilate, and the blood pressure is reduced. This lower blood pressure makes it easier for the heart to pump blood and can improve the function of a failing heart. In addition, the progression of kidney disease due to high blood pressure or diabetes is slowed.

So why would a doctore pre-scribe ACE inhibitors if the patient doesn't have high blood pressure? What is the benefit of treating a symptom before it manifests? :hmpf:

[Cyborg]

There are beneficial effects for the kidneys.

[BlueSky]

I am just playing devils advocate here :- . But, seriously, if there is no high blood pressure and no albuminuria, what is being treated by the ACE inhibitor? It sounds a bit like taking Panadol every day so you don't get a headache.

[liz32]

Hey Marie, great to hear that you're back home. Here in NOva Scotia it's considered the minimun standard of care to be put on some kind of ace inhibitor and cholesterol treatement just as a precautionary measure for down the road. I take ramapril/altace and crestor. So far no side effects and my blood pressure is even lower than normal so I figure that it's going to help with the long term wear and tear on my organs.
Liz

[jenet]

I am just playing devils advocate here :- . But, seriously, if there is no high blood pressure and no albuminuria, what is being treated by the ACE inhibitor? It sounds a bit like taking Panadol every day so you don't get a headache.
Same as taking 1 baby aspirin a day to reduce chance of heart attack. Studies have shown it is effective in reducing the risk, and I prefer to stack the odds in my favor whenever possible.

cheers,
j

[Steve Zamcheck]

I was on Altace for 4 years. Good Health! My Creatinine and BUN levels went up. Pressure ok. No Micro/Alb. My Kidney Doc decided to substitute Cardezem. " Altace could have problems too".



Steve