Blood Pressure Medications

barbarac · #1 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 01:44 PM

If anyone would like to volunteer information-- Just curious--My Dr. keeps adding more blood pressure medicine (GP) and the endocrinologist looks at it and says OK. My blood pressure seems to vary a lot, but runs from approximately mid 120's-140/60's or low 70's with pulse of about 65.

He wants the systolic under 120 if possible. That is why he keeps adding--and nothing changes much--it isn't going down any. Sometimes he just doubles the dose (on two)

Right now it is Toprox XL--100 mg -- 1 a day
Tekturna Tabs-- 300 -- 1 a day
Diovan--320 mg-- 1 a day
DynaCirc CR -- 20 mg. (2 a day--1 am, 1 pm)

also a water-- Hydrochlorothiazide--25mg. 1/2 a day

then I take other meds for cholesterol, etc.

They say it is not uncommon for diabetics to have to take 5 or more blood pressure pills. Is this true? Seems like a lot. With all I take I have trouble filling meds in on forms, etc. Plus I feel awful sometime, get tired of counting and figuring and ordering, etc. I know "gripe, gripe". But this is almost getting beyond my husband and my retirement pay!!! I use a generic for Toprol, but don't think the others have one.

So if anyone doesn't mind discussing and revealing--go ahead. Thanks.

BlueSky · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 02:26 PM

Wow - that is a lot of meds! The so-called normal range for blood pressure is 90-140/60-90, and your numbers seem to be comfortably in that range. Have you got a history of heart disease or kidney disease? I can't imagine why else a doctor would work so had at keeping blood pressure at below normal levels. Bear in mind that it is normal for blood pressure to increase as we age. The normal level for young people is 120/80, and your doctor is trying to get your blood pressure below this level. Normal blood pressure for older people is 140/90.

My blood pressure, at age 51, is about 130/75. This is probably where it needs to be, although many doctors would consider it "pre-hypertensive". I am not taking anything for blood pressure and hope that it stays at this level.

Penny · #3 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 02:34 PM

I know what you mean about the costs....they keep raising our co-pays, and it is becoming a big problem. I have, including insulin and needles, 11 prescriptions, Hubby has another 5. I think at least 5 of mine are aimed to keeping blood pressure low, 2 for Hubby's. I still have very low BP, but Hubby still struggles with his, so I am expecting more to be added to his pills. At one time Hubby decided he was not going to take his (He of course is smarter than the doctors

), his BP went really scary high and it took a long time to get it back down. We did get the doctors to change some so we could get some of the $4 prescriptions, this has saved us between $3 and $6 a month on them.

Penny · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSky

Wow - that is a lot of meds! The so-called normal range for blood pressure is 90-140/60-90, and your numbers seem to be comfortably in that range. Have you got a history of heart disease or kidney disease? I can't imagine why else a doctor would work so had at keeping blood pressure at below normal levels. Bear in mind that it is normal for blood pressure to increase as we age. The normal level for young people is 120/80, and your doctor is trying to get your blood pressure below this level. Normal blood pressure for older people is 140/90.

My blood pressure, at age 51, is about 130/75. This is probably where it needs to be, although many doctors would consider it "pre-hypertensive". I am not taking anything for blood pressure and hope that it stays at this level.

My BP normally is around 110/65, it does get up to 135 (140)/75, once in awhile, and my doctor is upset with me. I do have heart problems, but was told under 120 was the new goal for everyone.

BlueSky · #5 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny

... was told under 120 was the new goal for everyone.

I have a problem with the "... for everyone" part of that statement. The underlying logic doesn't stand up to even casual scrutiny. The idea is that lowering blood pressure reduces heart attack and stroke risk, which is no doubt true. But if we take that line of thinking to it's ultimate conclusion, the risk of heart attacks and strokes can be eliminated entirely by reducing blood pressure to zero . Doing this would, of course, make you die of a different cause. But you won't have a heart attack or a stroke. It highlights the danger of focusing on a statistical association between only two variables.

I read somewhere that 75% of new zealanders have blood pressure that is higher than the 120/80 "ideal level". This level of blood pressure is obviously much lower than normal, and 75% of people have to take drugs to achieve it. The implication is that 75% of people have malfunctioning cardiovasacular systems, which is absurd. The human species would have become extinct long ago if this was the case. For the most part, our bodies are working fine and will serve us better if we leave them alone.

The net health benefits of forcing blood pressure down across the board, below "normal" or "average" levels, are very dubious. The only winners are the drug companies. The same can be said of the use of statins to reduce cholesterol. These are the two areas in which the most over-medication takes place.

End of rant!

1type2go · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 07:54 PM

I too believe the meds are not needed
If they do nothing ..and many will NOT do anything for one individual and a great reduction for another person.

These drugs need to be tried (to be found) to work for the individual
I would agree that some may be doing nothing for pressure but may protect in another aspect.
Your Dr. should discontinue The Ones not doing a thing and the one found to reduce B.P. should be all the protection for kidneys one needs.

A shame for the cost, but not worth the price of health.

I've taken altace for 7 years and sensitivities have turned to allergies Major!!

and I have had to switch to cozaar with success thankfully

barbarac · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 08:21 PM

No history of heart disease or kidney disease. On last eye visit he said he saw slight bleeding--not bad enough for surgery and could heal on own if I got my sugar in better control--which I have tried so hard to do!! Can't get the basals right. Breakfast still off, but rest of the day seems good now. The GP just said that was the new standard and especially for someone with diabetes. My husband has a history of heart disease, and only takes one pill and his runs about 116/72 or so. I just don't know what to do anymore. I do feel over medicated. There is not a big choice of Dr.'s around here--lots but . . . No endocrinologists--I drive about 50 miles each way to see her and don't really feel I get much out of that visit. Guess I am just frustrated. It looks like in 2 years we would have these basals down.

morrisma · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 06:21 AM

Barbarac,
The only drug on your list that I am familiar with is Diovan. My endo calls it a water pistol compared with other firehose like drugs. I recently had my dose doubled to 160 hoping to avoid the firehoses.
Mike

Jan B · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 09:06 AM

Wow,

When Accupril quit working for me a few years ago, I was given Accuretic (which I think is great). I take the generic - Quinapril-HCTZ, 20-25 mg.

It's an ACE inhibitor with a diuretic in it. I take the 20mg pill every NIGHT, and my last BP a few days ago was 116/78. Without my pill for a few days, I'm running around 155/85 or so.