I sure home some one can relate. During last two weeks on March my legs and feet became swollen and I was having extreme fatigue and exhaustion. My Doctor said I believe your med are making you sick ( tiazac, avalide) but did not take me off them. About a week later I thought I was having a heart attack because I felt like I just had to sit down and was breathing heavily and felt like my heart was in distress (no pain but distress). Took two asprian on way to emeregency room. Was given more asprain and told I did not have heart attack but should rest and see heart doctor. Heart doctor said I belive your meds are making you sick and took me off all but 1/2 dose of avalide. Over time I felt better. My primary doctor knows this and just recently put me on same dose as originally of avalide and cardizem. Blood pressure which was under control in pass for years. Has been all over the place since meds changed in March. Went to gyn and reading was 140/86 ten minutes later 115/50. Nurse was shocked! Since then went to two different fire station. Pressure started out 120/70 and 3 hours later 130/77 and 3 minutes yes you read correcly was 111/50.
Primary doc knows I am all over the place but seems unconcerned. Said if pressure is under 120/80 don't take meds. It changes from minutes to minutes so I can't really go by that. Can anyone relate.

[QUOTE=sadsally;3354190]...
My primary doctor knows this and just recently put me on same dose as originally of avalide and cardizem. Blood pressure which was under control in pass for years. Has been all over the place since meds changed in March. Went to gyn and reading was 140/86 ten minutes later 115/50. Nurse was shocked! Since then went to two different fire station. Pressure started out 120/70 and 3 hours later 130/77 and 3 minutes yes you read correcly was 111/50.
Primary doc knows I am all over the place but seems unconcerned. Said if pressure is under 120/80 don't take meds. It changes from minutes to minutes so I can't really go by that. Can anyone relate.

Normal blood pressure fluctuates minute by minute...that's why there's a criteria for taking it so you can compare pressures "apples to apples" so to speak. You need to wait 30 after excercising (the gym, grin) to take your pressures...so it is not surprising that your pressures dropped from 140/86 and went to 115/50 (the 115/50 may be too low, especially if you have symptoms of weakness, lightheadedness, etc). Even if you haven't exercised, you should sit/relax for 15 minutes before taking your pressures... when you went to the fire stations did you zip in/zip out without winding down for 15 minutes before the readings were taken? If so, that would explain the drop...but again, your readings are very low and to me that would be a concern...any dehydration or iron deficiency and you could put yourself in danger of passing out or otherwise hurting yourself.

The 120/80 reading is "ideal" but is only a resting pressure but depending on other health conditons it might be lower/higher. It sounds like you are well under that in resting conditions so I would really question your needs for meds, especially given your doctor's comment about not needing them if your are under 120/80.

Bethsheba

Thanks for your reply. I will wait as you say. I am just a little confused because when my primary doctor did check my pressure she checked lying down, standing, as well as sitting and was concerned that it was different in all cases. She said the meds were making me sick. The heart doctor said exactly the same words, "I think your meds are making you sick". I have read that some blood pressure meds can cause av heart blocks. So I am scared. Doctor seems unconcerned. Even with the meds I am looking at my hands and seeing a bubble of fluid on the back of both my hands. My legs/feet are puffy and swollen. I can see a big swelling of fluid on the top of both feet. My kidneys were checked and are well within normal limits. Heart doctor says heart is ok. I have had extensive test of heart. I think I will just take avalide and forget the cardizem. I was wondering if cardizem is dangerous

Thanks in advance for any comments

flowergirl2day

I appreciate very much what you said. I am so worried and confused I am not thinking straight. I do not know why my primary doctor insist on my taking the meds. The heart doctor told e to stop taking the Cardizem and just take the avalide. But when I went back to the primary doctor and told her what the heart doctor said she but me back on the cardizem and the avalide. I don't know if it is because she does not like that the heart doctor took me off of it or not. I will insist that she do something about these side effects. I know all meds have side effects but I thought if they bother you the docs would change them. I'm feeling too bad to have sense enough to even ask that she change the meds I realize that now.But the fact that I have been complaining since the spring should have given her a clue.

Hi Everyone

I just did some research on the two drugs I am taking, avalide and cardizem. According to my research both of these are calcium chanel blockers. The heart doctor said that "you past all your test there is not much wrong with your heart" The meds are for high blood pressure only. Could I possibly need two calcium chanel blockers? The highest my pressure has been is 150/95 and that only occasionaly. Usually it is 140/85 or 130/70. I would ask my doctor tomorrow but her office is closed for the next 3 days. Will ask as soon as I can reach her. Sometimes when I leave a message she won't contact me until the next week.I've been with this doctor since 1990 and do not want to break in another doctor but I'm beginning to wonder if she wants me to leave. I do not contact her unless it is absolutely necessary.