Amlodipine - Any advice

Cosy

Well-Known Member
Messages
108
At my last hospital clinic I was told my blood pressure was high and prescribed 5mg Amlodipine, I am already on Ramplin - or whatever it is called - and a beta blocker. This was four weeks ago and I still have not started the Amlodipine. Is anyone here on this tablet and do they have any side effects. I read some of the side effects and one being headaches which I can do without as I think I am having them as a side effect from Actos ! But I dont want my blood pressure to stay high either, I cannot make up my mind. Do you think I would be able to go on this tablet and if I feel it is giving me side effects get taken off it again. I try to be positive about things but all this medication is so depressing. I am also confused about some of the things you should eat. I was told I could eat anything in moderation also potatoes, rice etc but some people on here say no I should not. I also eat a lot of fruit but seemingly there are some fruits that should not be eaten. ' Oh I think I need to be a Philadelphia lawyer to understand everything' !! I really have not been taking this illness seriously for over a year and feel I need to ' Get myself together'. Sorry about all questions etc. This seems to be a good helpful site which I can accross by accident.
 

JOWO

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi Cosy,

I am on 10mg Amlodipine and have been for a few years now and can honestly say that I have never had a headache from taking it. I certainly don't notice any side effects at all.

Yes, I agree it can get confusing figuring out what you can and can't eat and what will make your blood sugar rise but just keep checking your sugar levels and it will become clearer what kind of effect different foods have on you. Try and keep to a low carb diet and you shouldn't go too far wrong. You will get lots of helpful advice on this forum so read as much as you can.

Ask as many questions as you like, that is what everyone is here for!
 

Cosy

Well-Known Member
Messages
108
Thank you for advice, I am on annual leave this week and have been trying to read as much as I can while I have the time. I will seriously think about going on the blood pressure pills. I had bought one of these blood pressure machines and it is mostly 135/82 although a few times has been 125/80 just dont want to drop down with heart attach or stroke but also dont know what all this medication is doing to my body - I am not too good at this I MUST BE POSITIVE - I MUST BE POSTIVIE - he he !!
 

bluebird

Well-Known Member
Messages
132
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Dislikes
Grumpy folks and taking tablets
Hi

Did the hospital know that you were taking amlodipine? If not I would go back to your doctor and check that it is ok to take amoldopine and ramipril. Although they are both for lowering blood pressure they work in different ways and maybe it is ok to take both but it just seems a little odd to me but I'm no expert.

Regards Val
 

Tormod

Member
Messages
23
Hi - I also take the amlodipine at 10mg - no issues or problems in the last couple of years - except the packaging is a bit big. Don't know if it's working or not - they put me on amlodipine a couple of years ago and reduced my atenolol from 100 to 25 because I was always falling asleep.

The best thing I would suggest you do is insist that your GP gives you a BG meter and some strips - that way you can measure the impact each food has on you. Just because some fruit or specific carb can be terrible on someone else doesn't mean it will have the same effect on you. We're all different (thankfully!) and tell your GP that knowledge is the key to control and lowering his budget in the long term if he argues about the meter or strips.

Test before eating and + 2hours (also + 1hour if you want) - you will soon see what makes the BG rocket and what is OK
 

Cosy

Well-Known Member
Messages
108
I have a test metre but was told only to test twice a week so not really sure how things go on a daily basis. I am more worried about my blood pressure at the moment and I suppose they would not have put me on the amlodipine if I did not need it, it is just because I am taking Ramporilin - (well name like that ) and a Beta Blocker my blood pressure ranges from 127/80 to 147/88 depending on time of day etc.