Getting off Lisinopril?

calmali · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 04:35 PM

When I was diagnosed eight months ago with an A1c of 6.5, my PCP put me on Metformin and Lisinopril to "protect my kidneys". Since the diagnosis I've lost 30 lbs and am currently at normal weight for my height, changed my diet, and get regular exercise. My A1c in Jan. was 5.9 and all was within normal range with the rest of the blood tests.

I've never had high blood pressure so when I started taking Lisinopril my bp started to really go down. Last week it was 90/60 so I asked my PCP if I could stop taking the Lisinopril and he reluctantly agreed. I told him my 30 BG average was 114 (he called me obsessive-compulsive for knowing that but that's another story and I'm looking for a new PCP).

I think I'm under pretty good control and almost always under 120 two hours post meal and less than 100 fasting. To me, a spike is anything higher than 140 and that only happens if I give in to certain foods and it never lasts longer than an hour. Now that I've lost weight, I'm finding I can tolerate some foods that I couldn't tolerate 6 months ago. I hate to be on a med if I don't really need it.

For those that are no longer on Lisinopril, what were the factors that allowed you to stop taking it?

MeadowLark · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 06:52 PM

LOL! My Dr put me on that for Blood Pressure control along iwth a baby aspirin. I stayed on it for a while too. Then I simply told my Dr I didnt think I needed it cuz nothing was wrong with my blood pressure and all my cholesterol, trygliceride numbers etc. were good. He simply said "Ok" that was that.
I agree. Go find a Dr that works with you! The better control your numbers are the better health you carry over all.
High Five coming your way!

MeadowLark

cgsmichelle · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 06:59 PM

I could not take Lisinopril. Made me so tired. I could not function. I switched to another BP med. I take it for my kidneys also. I am on cozar and I feel human. My A1C and my other blood work are within a range of normal now.

Alice · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 11:28 AM

I started Lisinopril years ago...my dosage is only 10 mg a day which I understand is very little. My doctor said only a small dose is needed for the kidney protection...even when you have "normal" blood pressure.

How many mg was your prescription?

calmali · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

I started Lisinopril years ago...my dosage is only 10 mg a day which I understand is very little. My doctor said only a small dose is needed for the kidney protection...even when you have "normal" blood pressure.

How many mg was your prescription?

My prescribed amount is 20 mg. My numbers are very close to a non D's thanks to the Metformin and my efforts at actively controlling my numbers. So I was wondering if non Ds don't have to protect their kidneys why should I if my numbers are close to normal and it causes my blood pressure to be 90/60?

R2112 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmali

My prescribed amount is 20 mg. My numbers are very close to a non D's thanks to the Metformin and my efforts at actively controlling my numbers. So I was wondering if non Ds don't have to protect their kidneys why should I if my numbers are close to normal and it causes my blood pressure to be 90/60?

I was prescribe Lisinopril too but never had the prescription filled. I felt my numbers were pretty good. A1C is 5.6 and my daily numbers have been in the normal range, fasting 83-88 and 2hrs after eating have hovered around 114? My BP was prefect according to my Doctor.

calmali · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeadowLark

High Five coming your way!

MeadowLark

Right backatcha

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2112

I was prescribe Lisinopril too but never had the prescription filled. I felt my numbers were pretty good. A1C is 5.6 and my daily numbers have been in the normal range, fasting 83-88 and 2hrs after eating have hovered around 114? My BP was prefect according to my Doctor.

Thanks for sharing that

My daily numbers are almost identical to yours. I'm feeling more and more like I've made the right decision about stopping the Lisinopril

Real4 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2112

A1C is 5.6 and my daily numbers have been in the normal range, fasting 83-88 and 2hrs after eating have hovered around 114?

With those meter numbers, your A1C should be around 4.8 or so, yes?

owlyn · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 02:09 PM

Your A1C is not the number to go by when deciding to be off or on Lisinopril. Obviously, your blood pressure is one consideration, but you really need a 24 hour urine collection test to look for microalbumen. If that is okay, then maybe you can skip Lisinopril. If it isn't you probably need to be on it. If you go off Lisinopril, have the test done at some point (I don't know how long the appropriate wait time is) to see how you are doing.

Generally, if your A1C is good, the chances of haveing any kideney problems are lessened, but A1C is not the test to determine.

jjordie · #10 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 02:20 PM

I was on Lisiniprol for 11 months for kidney protection although I did not have
any blood pressure problems. I had to discontinue taking it as it gave me a
really persistent cough and it also made me feel unwell.

I am now on Candesartan 2mg for the same reason and I feel so much better.
Like you I really dislike taking all these meds but am assured it is my 'best interests'.

R2112 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real4

With those meter numbers, your A1C should be around 4.8 or so, yes?

I'm really new at this so I'm not sure how to figure out my average from my meter numbers so I'll take your word? I have read that the meters are off a bit, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmali

Thanks for sharing that

My daily numbers are almost identical to yours. I'm feeling more and more like I've made the right decision about stopping the Lisinopril

Not sure if you can just stop cold but to my point I never started.

Hope it works out for you though.

calmali · #12 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owlyn

Your A1C is not the number to go by when deciding to be off or on Lisinopril. Obviously, your blood pressure is one consideration, but you really need a 24 hour urine collection test to look for microalbumen. If that is okay, then maybe you can skip Lisinopril. If it isn't you probably need to be on it. If you go off Lisinopril, have the test done at some point (I don't know how long the appropriate wait time is) to see how you are doing.

Generally, if your A1C is good, the chances of haveing any kideney problems are lessened, but A1C is not the test to determine.

Good advice

I had a test for microalbumin and my results were 6 mg/L. The desired range is listed on the lab report as less than 13 mg/L so I think I'm okay there too. My alb./creat ratio was 4.76 mg/g and the report says the normal range is 0-29 mg/g with the note that clinical nephropathy can progress at levels higher than 29 mg/g.

Those results along with my A1c of 5.9 and 30 day average of 114 made me decide to ask my PCP if I could stop taking Lisinopril and he reluctantly said yes. So I was just wondering what the opinion of some of the T2s were on the subject of Lisinopril.

Thanks all

Ronman · #13 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 07:34 AM

I like my current doctor but have found, in the past, that once a doctor gets you on a medication, no matter how many changes you make in your lifestyle, eating habits, exercise etc and no matter how much progress you make toward the "target" numbers, they alway credit the medication and not the other changes you have made. Thus, they unconsciously pat themselves on the back for getting you on the proper medication and are very reluctant to ever take you off it. It's your life and your body and sometimes you just have to make an "executive decision" and see whether it pays off for you. It has for me more than once.

Alice · #14 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 02:36 PM

You needn't have high blood pressure to be put on Lisinopril...it's prescribed to protect kidneys as a stand alone compound. That is why a small, minimal dose is often prescribed...when your blood pressure is normal.

As we age or due to genetics...this amount is often increased through the years as needed. But you don't necessarily start out with high blood pressure...as a diabetic on Lisinopril.

Rustman · #15 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008, 03:29 PM

Hey everyone,

I was diagnosed t2 three years ago. I was immediately put on actos 15mg once daily and my A1C went from 6.6 to 5.9 in three weeks.I immediately went through some lifestyle changes and reduced my weight by 40 pounds and started to exercise regularly. After about two years I requested my PCP to take me off of the actos to see how I would do he would not so i did it myself. Been off since Dec 2007 and A1C still under 5.7> fasting Glucose under 100 - two hours after meals ~140. I still get quarterly blood lab. Last lab work showed microalbumine numbers were off. So my doc put me on Lisinopril. No BP problems but said it would protect me kidneys for the long haul (i am 44). Within the first couple of days of taking the Lisinopril I started feeling lousy - headache every day, tiredness sensitive skin etc.

I researched this problem and it seems that exercise within 48 hours of lab work will skew the microalbumine numbers and I was exercising almost every day (don't feel like exercise now)

Can anyone tell me that if no elevated glucose how the kidneys could be damaged

I want off but can't get in to see him for two more weeks.

Thanks for the thread