Thanks for the information. I wasn't really sure if they were two different drugs or just slighty different.

My biggest problem with the ARB's is really severe lower back pain. I made it the longest on cozaar (about 1 1/2 months) but the pain got so severe that it was hard to even walk. I just tried atacand and by the fourth day on it I had the same pain.

We are going to the beach for spring break next week and I'm not sure if I should try the lisinopril now or wait until we get back.

I think that I wasn't given an ACE initially because I have asthma and ACE's can cause coughing? I'm running out of things to try, though.

Susan

Bethsheba,

I still am having back pain from the atacand, so I'm going to wait a few days to start the lisinopril. My uncle takes it and he said that he has some dizzy spells occasionally as well.

My Dr. gave me 2.5 mgs to start and he said I could double that dose in three days if I feel O.K.

I'm amazed that people take these drugs and actually tolerate them.

Susan

[QUOTE=suki1724;3487032]...I still am having back pain from the atacand, so I'm going to wait a few days to start the lisinopril. ...

Susan,

Just out of curiosity, is your back pain sharp or dull? I'm asking because I had very sharp back pain with hct but from what i've read people experience different kinds of back pain with their meds. Has anyone ever explained to you "why" we get back pain on this stuff? I haven't come across it in my reading...only that it is a side effect of some of our bp meds.

[QUOTE]...I'm amazed that people take these drugs and actually tolerate them.....

Well, I suspect only a few tolerate them...thus the huge number of people who are not being treated for their hypertension. I forget what the statistics are, but I believe over 50 percent!

Bethsheba

Bethsheba,

The back pain is a very severe burning sensation in my lower back. I've never had any back problems, so I knew it had to be the meds,
AND I've had the exact same pain with benicar, cozaar and atacand.

I have been "googling" like crazy to try to find out how ARB's cause back pain and I haven't found anything that really explains it.

My husband was thinking it had to do with the kidneys, but I thought that these drugs were beneficial to the kidneys.

Susan

[QUOTE=suki1724;3488178]...The back pain is a very severe burning sensation in my lower back. I've never had any back problems, so I knew it had to be the meds,
AND I've had the exact same pain with benicar, cozaar and atacand.

Susan,

I think it is interesting that it is the exact pain. Did your doctor acknowledge that it was from the meds? Or did he just roll his eyes and change your medications? Because I've experienced similar side effects, I have no doubt that it is from the meds. But my doctor and some of our posters' doctors deny the connection despite "back pain" or "lower back pain" being listed on the med sheets/package inserts.

Although kidney pain shouldn't be ruled out, I think it is unlikley that it is the kidneys... I would think something would have shown up in your lab work by now, but I don't know.

They don't know why a lot of these meds work (I"m beginning to wonder if they actually do)...perhaps they don't know why they cause some side effects either! Do let us know if you come across something. I thought of calling in to a public station question and answer to see if the host would have some suggestions.

Bethsheba