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Another Blood pressure query

J

John J

Active Member
Messages
35
Location
Scotland
Hi all,

As I've already mentioned, I'm a type 2 diabetic controlled by diet only. I was diagnosed in late August 2009.

I've been doing very well so far.

Today I had to attend hospital for an unrelated procedure but also had my blood pressure taken. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was 110/68. A few months back it had been 168/90 although I already knew that it had been gradually falling.

Now I have been taking 20mg of Lisiniprol on a daily basis and I suggested that I might manage without the tablets now. Of course, I got the answer I expected, i.e that it was the drugs which was controlling my blood pressure.
However, I've also lost about 3 stone, been eating a far better diet, and doing much more exercise too. So, I'd also argue this has been a big factor too.

Do you think it's worthwhile to suggest to my own doctor that I could reduce the dose with the ultimate goal of eliminating the tablets altogether? I'm pretty sure I know what response I'll get already.. :-)
Or do I just carry on? There doesn't appear to be any side affects with this drug as far as I'm concerned and if they're not doing me any harm maybe I shouldn't worry? It's just that I'm the type of guy who doesn't really believe in taking medication unnecessarily.........

Of course, it's probably still early days and I should maybe just wait and see. I'd be a bit concerned if it got too low though.
 
If there are no side effects affecting you I would wait until my next checkup at the GPs then just mention it to him. Personnally i was informed that once on BP tabs you are on them for life (hope not)
 
Yes, that's what my doctor told me as well when I started off but I can't understand why this would necessarily need to be the case...

He also reckoned I'd need to take medication for my diabetes but I was quite determined to avoid this for as long as I could. Thus all the efforts to lose weight and exercise etc. Now, he's very pleased with my progress in this respect. Probably surprised too as I'm sure many people don't bother.

Now, he also tried me on aspirin....just in case.... but after the recent negative statements re this drug, I suggested coming off these. Fortunately, the diabetic clinic agreed that they were unnecessary and I no longer bother with these now.

They'd still like me to try statins to control my cholesterol even although its not particularly high...again, just in case.... but I've resisted this so far. I've told them we can review the situation once I reach my goal weight of just under 12 stone(I'm about 12/10 just now).

Sometimes, I feel they just want to prescribe drugs because they are there rather than because they are absolutely necessary. I can understand the "prevention" argument but I am in very good health generally aside from the fact that I have one or two underlying conditions...gout(for 25 years) and now diabetes... and I feel much better...great, in fact..... since I've been looking after myself properly.
 
John J said:
He also reckoned I'd need to take medication for my diabetes but I was quite determined to avoid this for as long as I could. Thus all the efforts to lose weight and exercise etc. Now, he's very pleased with my progress in this respect. Probably surprised too as I'm sure many people don't bother.
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Good for you I'm kinda in the same boat trying to stay away from the drugs as long as possible although I will end up on Cholesterol drug next month can't get it under control 7.8 :x

But definately talk to GP
 
I am also a T2 diagnosed around 2.5 yrs ago, diet only so far! I have been on Losartan for some years now, also for some years I have only been taking 1 pill every two days and each time I have my bp checked comes ok. I have always felt, maybe incorrectly, that I did not have high bp as I have white coat syndrome and hate having the test done! My dose is 50g per pill, however, having just collected my latest batch prescription my chemist questioned why my 6 month batch lasted so long, when I told her she said she had to write to my GP, she also said there is a 25g pill available and maybe I could suggest this to GP. I know my GP is going to moan at me about this, as we have been having a friendly, ongoing dispute re: statens, she insisted my Cholesterol at 3.4 is too high for a diabetic, however, it is my understanding that it is only T1 sufferers who need a lower than normal level and even chemist said my level was good! As you may tell, I am not keen on taking drugs, and having resisted the statens so far, also keeping to diet and exercise to keep off diabetic drugs as long as possible.

Any advice appreciated on any of these issues would be appreciated from my good friends on the forum :D
 
Thanks for links - you have only confirmed my doubts about statins. There was a tv programme once, one of those Trevor McDonald type investigations, so many bad things came out of the study of the use of statins, what really sticks in my mind was a US Airline Pilot who became so ill through them that he could no longer do his job. My GP (bless her heart) insists that most of the of the negative reports are ungrounded in fact, and that the alternative is heart attack or stroke, yet still I am loathe to take them!
 
mobrien said:
If there are no side effects affecting you I would wait until my next checkup at the GPs then just mention it to him. Personnally i was informed that once on BP tabs you are on them for life (hope not)
Click to expand...

Not entirely true mobrien, I know someone who was on bp meds for years and stopped them with the consent of his gp after making some drastic lifestyle changes and having lost 4 stone.

Tymlard, before dropping your bp meds, please discuss this with your gp first, but your recent results are certainly cause for celebration! :D

Nigel
 
It's not always the case that once on BP medication you on it for life, as it really depends on the reasons why you needed to take them in the first place... (my mum spent several years taking BP meds, but then was able to come off them)

For the diabetic, there is a advantage to keeping the BP as low as possible, as this takes the pressure off the kidneys so can help to prevent kidney damage..

As to whether you really need them, I would speak to your GP, as it may be that you can lower your dose and monitor how you BP responds... Going down the lower and see how it responds route you can see if it's the tablets that is lowering the BP or whether it's based on the lifestyle changes and you can then adjust your medication accordanly..
 
I first went on bp meds after taking HRT, I had to stop HRT because of this, surely this might a reason for bp getting high in first place, not taken HRT for some years so possibility of bp returning to normal cannot be ruled out, think I mention to GP!
 
Lifestyle changes do not always correspond to coming off BP medication. Talk it over with your G.P. before you decide to drop any medication.

I take three types of BP medication, (triple therapy if you want to be posh :lol: ) am not overweight, have acceptable cholesterol levels and my diabetes is well managed but the bp needs medicating and has done since my late teens. Sometimes, there is a family history and it doesn't become apparent until you are diagnosed with diabetes.
 
Sometimes, there is a family history and it doesn't become apparent until you are diagnosed with diabetes
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You know, it is a really strange thing with me, none of these things (diabetes, high cholesterol or bp run directly in my family - mother lived until 87, father to 86), I have never been overweight or non active and tried to eat healthily for many years, that is what makes all of this so frustrating and mystifying. My dear old Dad used to love his fry ups, cream etc, mother spend years telling him it was bad for him, and he really did not suffer much for it - however - this does not mean I condone the style of eating, but feel a little cheated in trying so hard not to overindulge on non-healthy foods :(
 
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