A med question

[Howie]

I think I've seen others say they take the blood pressure med Atenolol. They have stopped making it. What has your doctor switched you to, and any problems with it?

[stillstANNding]

Howie, besides being an old beta-blocker and that there are better drugs out there to treat hypertension, atenolol is very popopular. Are you sure they don't make it? I couldn't find anything on the FDA site.

ANN

[Howie]

They may have just run out of it (the suppliers) and will be out of it until they get restocked. My doctor told me that, but I could have easily misunderstood what he said.

I had taken Atenolol for a long time, and with a new med he started me on, did fine. But then recently he started me on another med, and I had to stop it in a few days. It was causing seizures.

I have a new appointment in May, so I'll just tell him what's happened, and see what he does.

ANYTIME I start a new med, I read about it, usually on Drugs.Com, before I take it. This new med had a BUNCH of warnings and cautions about it. And more importantly, the little alarm in my head went off.

But I trust my doctor, and tried it. That's the first time he ever made a bad call with meds. Strike one!

I'll just have to wait until I see him, and get a clear explanation on why he dropped Atenolol. Thanks everyone!

[Cherie]

They still make it and are still selling it. Sometimes it is sold under the name Tenormin. I am on Bystolic which is a newer beta blocker but still has the depressive and weight gain side effects of atenolol although to a lesser degree. It is also retailing at $140/month for the dosage I take and Medicare part D Drug plans do not want to cover it. Some do but the monthly premiums are high.

[Howie]

And I'm on the Medicare part D, so I guess that's out, but I'll write it down just in case. Thanks Cherie!

[Lazarus]

And I'm on the Medicare part D, so I guess that's out, but I'll write it down just in case. Thanks Cherie!

Howie,
I used to take attenelol but it made me cough. I was teaching and remember great disruption to classroom discussions!
Now I take valsartan and amlodypine(? Sp.) besylate. No side effects that I have ever noticed. Does blood pressure have anything to do with your toes being red? I always wanted to ask you about that.

[Howie]

That's a good question. It's the toes on just one foot, and it's looking better these days. Still red, but not as bright.

Amlodipine Besylate is the new med I can tolerate. Only 5mg, so it must be very powerful. Lets hope it's helping us.

[Lazarus]

That's a good question. It's the toes on just one foot, and it's looking better these days. Still red, but not as bright.

Amlodipine Besylate is the new med I can tolerate. Only 5mg, so it must be very powerful. Lets hope it's helping us.

Good luck...I have spikes that are in the high 200s over high 100’s. Does not last more than a few days and no one understands why. When it happens there is no clear indication except for a headache. Because I take my blood pressure twice a day my bp has been under control completely for the last few years. We often increase meds until the spiking is over.

[stillstANNding]

Gary had BP spikes.

And, he's a farmer! ;-)

ANN

[Howie]

Right now, it seems to stand up after being lying down is the problem.. It doesn't last but 10 LONG seconds, then I'm okay. I've made a point of resting with my head and shoulders elevated. THEN when I stand up, I'm okay. I just want to feel normal again no matter if I'm getting up from lying down, or not.

[Cherie]

Howie,
When I was on AARP's part D my copay for Bystolic was $44/month. Then I went to one that has premiums around $20/month instead of $70/month and the cost of Bystolic went to $140/month My doc sent a letter to the company telling them that this was the only med that was helping to control BP so they did a "Tier Waiver" and now I pay $47/month.

[Howie]

After giving it a lot of thought, I'm going to also drop the Amolodine Besylate, and rely on just the Lisinopril, and start the Atenolol again, and how ever much those two reduce the BP, then that will have to do.

I'm tired of the reactions I'm having on these new meds. I would rather feel normal right up until I have a fatal heart attack, than feel terrible until I die from taking meds that are supposed to help me. I am ready to die now, so however long I have, I will feel good until then.

I cut some of the Amolodipine in half today, and will cut those in half eventually, and wean myself off that med, and by then, I will see my doctor, and start the Atenolol again. That's the plan, and nothing can change my mind.

[nuthatch]

I used to take atenolol but my doctor changed it to carvedilol years ago. Much better blood pressure control now. Was a little light headed at first, until my body became adjusted. When doc changed me to this, she said this med was actually good for the heart. Don't know if that's true or not.

[Howie]

Thanks Nuthatch!