5th March 2008
Hi Lisa, :)
[QUOTE]I have had my Cartia XT updosed 2 times since Oct. last year, as my BP was surging with the stress I have been under
This might not have been the best way to go. While Cartia will indirectly relax your blood vessels through its action, it will not do much for your anxiety, which, I think, is the real problem.
Higher doses of this drug result in more severe side effects and add to your anxiety and depression. All of the symptoms you described correspond to the known side effects of calcium channel blockers. The side effects of CCBs are dose-dependent. They get worse with higher doses.
I have been taking my CCB at maximum recommended dose for over a year. I wanted to discontinue it mostly because of its side effects on a couple of occassions but was unable to do so. I find it impossible to manage on even a reduced dose. So watch for that.
The swelling is one of its known and expected side effects and it can get much worse than you experienced. The higher the dose, the more severe the side effects and the worse they will get.
Instead of increasing your dose of the CCB, your doctor should have added another a low dose of another antihypertensive drug, a diuretic. Together they would have worked well in keeping your blood pressure right on target and the side effects would have been minimal.
You should ask your doctor to a/ reduce your dose of the CCB and b/add a low dose of another antihypertensive. See what he thinks about that. I wonder why he hasn't done that to date. Are there any compelling indications for a high dose of the CCB?l
You have to do something about your anxiety and panic attacks. I would greatly recommend getting off this drug if you have a reason to suspect it contributes to your anxiety and affects your moods. (Depression, confusion etc. are possible side effects of this drug)
Good luck!
flowergirl
[QUOTE]I have had my Cartia XT updosed 2 times since Oct. last year, as my BP was surging with the stress I have been under
This might not have been the best way to go. While Cartia will indirectly relax your blood vessels through its action, it will not do much for your anxiety, which, I think, is the real problem.
Higher doses of this drug result in more severe side effects and add to your anxiety and depression. All of the symptoms you described correspond to the known side effects of calcium channel blockers. The side effects of CCBs are dose-dependent. They get worse with higher doses.
I have been taking my CCB at maximum recommended dose for over a year. I wanted to discontinue it mostly because of its side effects on a couple of occassions but was unable to do so. I find it impossible to manage on even a reduced dose. So watch for that.
The swelling is one of its known and expected side effects and it can get much worse than you experienced. The higher the dose, the more severe the side effects and the worse they will get.
Instead of increasing your dose of the CCB, your doctor should have added another a low dose of another antihypertensive drug, a diuretic. Together they would have worked well in keeping your blood pressure right on target and the side effects would have been minimal.
You should ask your doctor to a/ reduce your dose of the CCB and b/add a low dose of another antihypertensive. See what he thinks about that. I wonder why he hasn't done that to date. Are there any compelling indications for a high dose of the CCB?l
You have to do something about your anxiety and panic attacks. I would greatly recommend getting off this drug if you have a reason to suspect it contributes to your anxiety and affects your moods. (Depression, confusion etc. are possible side effects of this drug)
Good luck!
flowergirl