When I first went on blood pressure medications, my doctor was very careful about not placing me on a beta blocker since I had asthma. At the time, it cost me more in co-pays, but they now have more generics in the other types. I am now on low-dose Norvasc, a calcium channel blocker.

John319,

I would definitely recommend weaning off - just cut them in half and take 12.5 for about 7 days and then you should be able to stop - since its only been a month.

I hope that Benicar works well for your HBP control.

Thanks for the prayers - you will be in mine too!!!:)


Mountainreader,

Do you notice any side effects for the CCB Norvasc? My Doc is thinking of trying that one next. I tried Verapamil and got bad upper chest tightness - he said that may not happen with Norvasc even though they are both CCB's.

Thanks!

Vanessa

Better - now that MountainReader said that the cough from Bronchitis can linger for at least a month or more after the severe bronchitis passes. That gave me some MUCH needed peace of mind!!

I am still having unwanted 'side effects' from the Prednisone taper that I was on for a week - heart rate and B/P surges and hot flashes, headaches. I have read that it takes a few weeks to get prednisone out of your system - so I will try to be patient.

Truthfully - I tend to be a worrier by nature :) :)

Time for me to make an appointment with my Dr. to try another new HBP medication!!!! He is thinking Norvasc this time!!

I hope that you continue to feel better EVERYDAY!!!! I am so happy that you were able to get off that Toprol and see immediate positive results.

Take good care of you!

Vanessa

I did the Medrol pack again in February after my asthma had been out of control for weeks. I usually end up on Prednisone or Medrol a couple times per year. This time, for the first time, I had the rapid heartbeat side effect. I woke up one night and took my BP and my pulse was in the 150's. This was while resting. I called my doctor. He said not to worry about it unless it became worse since I wouldn't be on the steroids for long. After I completed my prescription, my pulse went back to normal. I can't speak to the headaches because I had a sinus infection at the same time.

The Norvasc has worked well for me for several years. I take it in conjunction with Dyazide.

John, I can relate to the anxiety over the chest tightness. Up until this January, my main asthma symptom was a horrible chronic cough. This year, I developed the chest tightness symptom as well. First time I had this it really scared me. I ended up needing emergency treatment. Now, I worry the next attack will end up the same. I now carry an epi-pen just in case to give me some time if it happens again.