Swelling with amlodipine
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 12 2010
Q: While taking Amlodipine, I have noted the side effect of swollen feet and lower eyelids. Is there something I can do to remedy this side effect? I am taking 5MG tablet daily as prescribed by my Doctor. My BP ranges between 117 and 128 in the evening but 130-140 in the morning when I wake up. I have also been using RESPeRATE device.
A: Talk to your doctor about your swelling. Sometimes it is better to change drugs than to try to treat a common side effect. Your doctor will know the next best step.
Tags: amlodipine, bp, drugs, hypertension, RESPeRATE, side effect, swollen feet, Taking BP MedsLowering BP with weight loss
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 27 2010
Q: I am taking Norvasc (10mg), lisinopril / HCTZ (20/12.5mg); I also use Resperate for 20 min 4-5 times a week, and walk for 1 full hour 5 times a week. My current weight is 213lb, height is 5′10″, and BMI is 30.6. I have lost 53 pounds over the last year and increased my walking, yet my hypertension is still high. Is there a breakpoint, when my lower weight will bring down my blood pressure?
A: Congratulations on the weight loss. Keep on losing. Your BMI still isn’t in a healthy range. Even thin people can get high blood pressure. There is no magic weight where high blood pressure disappears.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, bmi, bp, Diet & Exercise, hctz, health, high blood pressure, hypertension, Lisinopril, Norvasc, RESPeRATE, weight, weight lossMedication changes while on RESPeRATE?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 27 2010
Q: If using Resperate lowers the blood pressure of one of your patients, would you approve that patient to discontinue taking BP medication while on Resperate?
A: Using RESPeRATE alone to control blood pressure is a possibility. Many factors need to be considered by a doctor prior to attempting to wean a patient off blood pressure drugs. A person with mild hypertension and no other health problems being treated with a low dose diuretic would be the best candidate. Don’t stop taking medicine on your own. Talk to your doctor.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure drug, blood pressure drugs, control blood pressure, diuretic, hypertension, medication changes, mild hypertension, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, taking medicineKidney function and high blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 12 2010
Q: At my last blood test my kidney function was 40 which concerned my doctor. She sent me to a nephrologist who said I needed a second blood pressure med to get it down since the high blood pressure was hurting the kidneys. My doctor is having me try the Resperate instead of the 2nd med and my blood pressure has already come down considerably over 3 weeks. Will I be able to raise my kidney function numbers by keeping it down, or will this just help stop the numbers from getting worse?
A: It is possible your kidney function will improve with control of your blood pressure. However, once your kidneys have been damaged, you should not expect function to return to completely normal.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, high blood pressure, kidneys, Medical Conditions, nephrologist, normal kidney function, RESPeRATESide effects from medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 29 2009
Q: In the last couple of years it seems that many of the drugs they have given me for High Blood Pressure cause bad side effects. They blister my lips or even cause sore skin around my mouth. It is beyond frustrating and the doctors don’t know what to do. Can you help?
A: It is difficult to know how an individual will react to a drug ahead of time. I am sure your doctors are doing their best to choose drugs in different categories in hopes of finding one that will control your blood pressure without side effects. The lack of side effects is one of the reasons I like to recommend use of the RESPeRATE.
Tags: drugs, high blood pressure, medication, RESPeRATE, side effect, side effects, Taking BP MedsLifestyle modifications to lower stress and BP
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 02 2009
Q: I’m 48 years old and have had issues with stress and anxiety for the past 10 years. As a result, my BP has been creeping up over the years from an average of 115/70 a few years ago to an average of 135/80 these past few months. I am in excellent health otherwise and very fit. At my doctor’s advice, I am finally starting stress reduction techniques like breathing exercises, yoga, and counseling this week. He’s giving me 60 days to try to decrease it without medication. Is there any chance that I’ve permanently “reset” my BP so that it will never go down again without meds, or is it possible to get it back down to where it was without meds?
A: It is possible to get your blood pressure in control without medication. This is why your doctor is encouraging a trial of lifestyle modification. You might also want to consider use of the RESPeRATE. It has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure without side effects. Personally, I find it very soothing and relaxing to use.
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Breathing, breathing exercises, health, lifestyle modification, lifestyle modifications, lower blood pressure, RESPeRATE, stress and anxiety, stress reduction techniques, yogaStopping BP medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 02 2009
Q: I am on 50 mg Tenormin for HBP. How long do you think I should use Resperate before I could stop the tablet? Tenormin leaflet says that the tablet should not be stopped immediately, but reduce strength over a period of time before stopping. Why? I have used Resperate for one month now.
A: Your doctor needs to be consulted prior to stopping any blood pressure medication. Abrupt stopping of certain blood pressure drugs can cause blood pressure to sky rocket. This reaction is known as rebound hypertension and can be life threatening. It is generally recommended that your doctor re-assess your hypertension treatment after using RESPeRATE regularly for about 8 weeks.
Tags: blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, bp, hypertension, hypertension treatment, rebound hypertension, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, TenorminUncontrolled BP on many meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2003. I tried Clonidine, Accupril and got rebound hypertension and impaired Kidney function. I am currently on the following medications - Tekturna 150 mg x2, Terazosin 10 mg x6, Labetalol x1, Guanfacine, x3, Hydralazine 10 MG x2. My BP now stays high. Can these meds be having an interaction issue, or just too much medicine? Can any of them cause rebound hypertension and make my BP worse? I just ordered the RESPeRATE Machine to see if that will help. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
A: The more medications you take, the more likely you are to have an interaction of some kind. For a good discussion on interactions, click here. The drugs you are taking for your blood pressure are all in different classes of medication and should work together to lower your pressure. Clearly you are having problems. You should show your blood pressure readings to your doctor and discuss your concerns. Rebound hypertension can occur if you stop your drugs or aren’t taking them as prescribed.
Tags: accupril, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure readings, Clonidine, guanfacine, high blood pressure, hydralazine, hypertension, interaction, kidney function, labetalol, meds, minoxidil, rebound hypertension, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, Tekturna, terazosinVariability of BP readings
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: My readings vary a lot, ranging from the healthy zone of 115/76 all the way up to 150/95. Many of my readings are in the 136/86 zone +/- In addition to being a Resperate user for several years, I am also newly taking a betablocker to help control my blood pressure. What is the significance of having such a wide range of readings?
A: Blood pressure is not constant. It varies with activities and natural body rhythms. However, when you repeatedly have elevated readings, it shows your blood pressure is not in good control. I assume this is why you were started on medication.
Tags: betablocker, blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, hypertension, Measuring Your BP, medication, RESPeRATEFrustrated with high blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 03 2009
Q: I’m an active 46 yr old African man. I’ve had high BP since I was a teenager, but I’ve also been active all my life doing sports. I have been running 3 miles every other day. Despite all these efforts I’ve been making (including the medications), my blood pressure is still high. I had a check up with my Dr last week, and my cholesterol has also elevated a bit. I’m frustrated, and don’t know what else to do!
A: Ask your doctor about using the RESPeRATE. This device has been proven in clinical studies to lower blood pressure. It is simple to use and has no side effects. Talk to your doctor about diet. Perhaps increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables and lowering your salt intake would be beneficial.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, cholesterol, fresh fruits and vegetables, high blood pressure, hypertension, RESPeRATE, salt intake
