I've been having 'leg problems'. I'm sure you're not really interested in my aches and pains, but I've recently had swollen legs/feet and after a few hundred yards, walking had become quite uncomfortable.
I spoke to my Doc' about it, and asked him if I could have some diuretics. In typical fashion, he didn't have a clue, and suggested I buy some long socks!!! I didn't.
.jpg)
So, doing what we all do these days, I consulted reliable Dr Google and found that one of the tablets I've been taking was probably responsible for the swelling. It seems that Amlodipine is well known for causing leg problems, so I've self-non-medicated, and stopped taking them. Frankly I would rather be able to walk around comfortably than take pills for my blood pressure (which is roughly OK anyway).
I am now into my second week of not taking the wretched things, and I think my body is slowly ridding itself of the side effects of this horrible medicine. My legs are no longer swollen, and I can already walk much further distances without too much discomfort. I still have hip problems, and a bad lower back, but the worrying swelling has gone. Hooray!
I shall need to wait another week or more before I can be sure of any real change, but I'm really hoping this is the answer to my problem, and if my Doc' wishes, he can prescribe me something else that won't make my feet and lower legs swell-up. There must be an alternative.
Maybe he didn't read his 'Boys Book of Medicine' as far as S for 'Swollen Feet'; but had he done so, long socks certainly wouldn't have been the answer!
It also happened to me recently that I can trust Doctor Google more than my doctor. How unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteBut you have to choose carefully on Google; some sites are simply plugging their own products.
DeletePerhaps he meant compression socks, which are hell to put on if you have a bad back, because they are so tight. I've had no trouble with swelling but my amlodipine is half the dose of yours. Still better to do without if your blood pressure stays within normal range though.
ReplyDeleteYes, those are the socks he wanted me to get. Horrible things.
DeleteBut they do help. You can get lighter compression ones that aren't so hard to put on but still have an effect. Worth a try.
DeleteBlood pressure should not be taken so seriously. If you mesure your blood pressure three times in intervals of ten minutes, you can have three totally different results.
ReplyDeleteHilde in Germany
I take mine every morning, when I get up (as advised). It seems to be roughly the same every day.
DeleteWhen a locum GP told me several years ago that my blood pressure had become high I bought a simple blood pressure monitor from the pharmacy so that I could check it myself. As Hilde says, the results were different depending on the time of day and which arm I used.
ReplyDeleteAs I said above, I take mine every morning before my first Coffee of the day. It's usually around 130/70-ish. So nothing to alarm.
DeleteLong pressure socks do help with swollen legs but in your case it seems the medicine was the cause. Sometimes the patient knows best but doctors I'm sure will not agree to that.
ReplyDeleteIf you start taking something though and see an adverse reaction then it's obvious. My husband often gets his doc his doc to change pills. But here the doctor knows you and listens. It's not the same in crowded surgeries in cities
I'm certain that the medicine was to blame. The swelling started to go as soon as I stopped taking them
DeleteSwollen feet and ankles are such a well known side effect of that drug it’s a wonder your GP didn’t mention it to you when he prescribed the drug.
ReplyDeleteMine advised me, said if it did become a problem he’d consider something else but….that was the best drug ‘in this situation’.
I’m only on half your dose - take it at night (as advised) and have been lucky…no swollen extremities. Oh and hypertension should never be taken lightly.
I shall see if my Doc' recommends an alternative. I believe there are several.
DeleteWell he had you on the highest dose. The mind boggles. I suggest beetroot juice as an alternative.
ReplyDeleteI eat Beetroot regularly. I'll have a look for the juice.
DeleteCro, you are wise to stop taking those BP pills. Tom was on Ramipril for 20 years for his heart (he has never had high BP) and I am convinced that the reason he has terminal ipf (lung disease) is because of these pills.
ReplyDeleteI have found an FDA paper stating this fact and they are looking into it right now, but of course the medical profession will have non of it. My opinion is that a lot of the pills given out now are money making for the Doctors and cause more harm than good.
Briony
x
I often wonder if the other pills I take are all that necessary. Of course, I'd rather not take any.
DeleteGlad they seem to be doing the trick Cro. I do think that the side effects of most drugs cause us to look into things more carefully. Our parents tended to take the doctor's word for everything - now we are usually a bit more selective.
ReplyDeleteOne has to be a bit cautious with Google. I usually look at several sites before accepting their advice.
DeleteI would never stop taking a prescribed drug without medical advice or a bad reaction. I am fairly sure there are satisfactory alternatives to amlodipine. It is important that blood pressure issues are well managed. My partner takes the same but without side effects.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite foolhardy about my medicines. As long as I'm feeling OK, I would happily stop taking something.
DeleteThere are many drugs that can be prescribed in place of the amlodipine. Your doctor has what sounds like a serious case of 'it's to be expected'. Doctors can be quite dismissive.
DeleteOlder people's legs can swell up on long flights and many older travellers wear tight flight socks that are pretty successful in preventing swelling so maybe there was something in Dr Finlay's advice.
ReplyDeleteMy surgery is run by Janet. She isn't au fait with aeroplanes.
DeleteYoung or old can need flight socks. A young, slim, fit friend of mine had dvt after a long haul flight. In fact I have known more than one to have this happen. I admit to possessing two pairs of flight socks and to using them.
DeleteMy wife uses them too. I rarely fly!
DeleteI am small and slim and I need flight socks even for a long car journey. Can't be doing with all that sitting still for hours on end!
DeleteI tend to agree with Andrew. Most people with high blood pressure don’t have symptoms but I would ask the doc for an alternative. With blood pressure, it sometimes takes a bit of jiggling to find the tablet that is right for you. I’m now going to worry about you ! XXXX
ReplyDeletePlease don't worry about me, it would make me feel guilty! I shall ask for an alternative; if there is none, I shall go without.
DeleteI'm going through the same sort of thing with cholesterol pills. After a trip to the hand surgeon last summer, I discovered the pill I had been taking was notorious for causing tendonitis. Stopped it, and surprise!, the hand cleared up. Cost/benefits -- but there are alternatives. Stay with us, Cro!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you discovered what was causing it. We tend to blindly accept what our Doc's prescribe, but it's worth looking-up elsewhere as well.
DeleteWhen BP is high, I thought diet adjustments were made first. Eliminate salt and reduce coffee/caffeine intake. (Dark roast coffee has less caffeine.) My holistic doc recommends a Horse Chestnut (Nature's Way) supplement and beet juice. There are many BP medications and the med you take seems not a good match for you. Your doc should find an alternative.
ReplyDeleteI do eat Beetroot a lot, but I shall also try to find the juice. I believe that Sainsbury's have it. I know I consume too much salt, and without my first Coffee of the morning I can hardly survive. I'm not a good patient.
DeleteAll major supermarkets sell beetroot juice.
DeleteGlad you are getting relief from the swelling. Stay well!
ReplyDeleteIt's totally gone. I wish I could now find a cure for my hip pain.
DeleteAmlodipine turned my legs into tree trunks. An alternative which works for me is isradipine, generic of Dyna-Circ. It may cause some edema in the legs but only slightly.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how quickly the swelling disappeared after quitting the Amlodipine. I won't be going back on them.
DeleteCro, I was placed on Amlodipine in 2018 and had painful edema. I already have had gout and peripheral neuropathy in my feet - the latter due to 5 yrs. of Tamoxifen for cancer. The physician advised compression stockings. Hah! Placed me on something else. Think you're wise to do what you've chosen. Good luck in finding a substitution or whatever. Always best to do a little research & then make your own decision. Finding physicians in my area not that up to par. S'matter of fact: thinking of relocating closer to Boston where top-notch care is available. Best wishes from the base of the mini-mountain in Maine.
ReplyDeleteI am taking advice and will be drinking Beetroot juice every day.
DeleteI take 5 mg of Amlodipine and 25 mg of Losartan every day. So far, I haven't had a problem with swelling. You may need to add a diuretic. I hate taking BP meds. I was put on Lisinopril when I first start taking BP meds and I thought I would die coughing my head off. I am hoping I can eventually get off of BP meds at some point. Do take care. High blood pressure is nothing to play around with. Well, that's what my doctor tells me every time I tell him I want to stop taking the meds.
ReplyDeleteI shall try to reduce my salt intake, and drink Beetroot juice. I'm hoping that'll do the job.
Delete