Went to see cardiologist today. She said she won't be signing off for my surgery until after she has done an ultrasound on my heart. She put me on a BP pill for my BP and for swelling. This all has me scared. I need to take the medicine to get my BP under control but scared of all the scary side effects that are possible. I was put on triamterene-hctz. Has anyone been on this? Pros/cons? Safe??

Take the pill. You'll be fine.

I took triamterene-hctz for over a decade because I had venous reflux in my lower legs. Nasty edema. The pill helps you pee out excess water gathering in your legs, and helps control your blood pressure.

I never had any problems with triamterene.

After surgery, I was taken off this medication and did great:) Since my weight loss, I no longer need it:) My edema is much, much better. Am able to wear tall boots again:) Oh, and my BP is normal now, without meds.

High blood pressure is dangerous. Treating it when you have it...protects you. The benefits outweigh the risks. And when you lose weight and improve your lifestyle habits, you can safely go off it (with your doctor's supervision).

Take your meds!

Edited March 27, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

I took triamterene-hctz for over a decade because I had venous reflux in my lower legs. Nasty edema. The pill helps you pee out excess Water gathering in your legs, and helps control your blood pressure.
I never had any problems with triamterene.
After surgery, I was taken off this medication and did great:) Since my weight loss, I no longer need it:) My edema is much, much better. Am able to wear tall boots again:) Oh, and my BP is normal now, without meds.
High blood pressure is dangerous. Treating it when you have it...protects you. The benefits outweigh the risks. And when you lose weight and improve your lifestyle habits, you can safely go off it (with your doctor's supervision).
Take your meds!

Did you have any issues with potasium levels while on it? I hear mixed reviews, one that it can higher potassium and one that it can lower. If it's lower I want to get more potasium in through foods, but if it raises potassium I dont want to eat a bunch of potassium..

Been using triamterene-hctz for a long while now. At first I had some calf cramping, but adjusted by drinking more water. My friend who is Dr. of Pharmacy recommended switching out table salt for that pink all natural salt you can buy online (probably in stores too) as it has tons of trace minerals. Haven't had cramps ever since. The triamterene-hctz also slimmed my legs down from swelling. No real side effects to speak of now. Wouldn't worry about it at all.

I had no side effects.

A little increase or decrease in potassium is much less dangerous than untreated high blood pressure and edema. I didn't experience either issue...but even if I had, the benefits would still outweigh the risks by a landslide.

Edited March 27, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

As long as you have normal kidney function your potassium levels will be fine.

Don't equate other people's experience with your own. Those other people are probably taking a handful of meds and have other medical conditions that you don't.

How are you doing today@beccaconaty87? Any update on your cardiology problems? Please update us when you know more[emoji6]

How are you doing today[mention=258750]beccaconaty87[/mention]? Any update on your cardiology problems? Please update us when you know more[emoji6]

I have been on the water pill for 2 days and have done fine on it. Lost 6lbs in water so far. But my BP has actually gone up more not down. It's the diastolic number that is being an issue. When I do any type of exertion like just getting up to go to the bathroom or switching clothes from washer to dryer. Even just standing up or sitting down my diastolic goes into the 100s. Then when laying down in down to the 90's/60's. I called my cardiologist to tell her the numbers and she added 2.5 mg of lisinipril on top of the water pill. I'm hoping that, that will work. I have been so scared about it all which has me stressing. Which is not going to make my BP any better. Thank you so much for asking how I am doing

I have been on lisinopril myself, not a bad med at all. Don't stress, that won't do you any good. Relax, it sounds as though you have a,pretty good cardiologist who's right on top of things. Only cardiac anomaly my cardio and I are watching now is I have a slightly dialated aortic root but since it's still within normal range she cleared me for my bariatric surgery. My cardiologist is absolutely wonderful, I would recommend her to anyone. I was fearful as there are heart issues running in my family, I've been through ultrasounds, stress tests and even heart caths and so far (at 72) I am doing very well. I am praying your issues straighten out, I believe they will . Let's get you straightened up,so you can join me this spring or summer in surgery! You are going to get better, now smile and relax because things are getting set right.[emoji14][emoji14]I am always here for you, Okay?

I was on lisinopril for a decade, too:) 10mg

Went off it after surgery when I went off the triamterene.

Great BP, No edema, no meds:) (save thyroid...I still take that one, but that's it)

Lisinipril works great. Been on it for8 years no more ankle swelling and usually BP is 112/67 awesome

I took triamterene-hctz for over a decade because I had venous reflux in my lower legs. Nasty edema. The pill helps you pee out excess water gathering in your legs, and helps control your blood pressure.
I never had any problems with triamterene.
After surgery, I was taken off this medication and did great:) Since my weight loss, I no longer need it:) My edema is much, much better. Am able to wear tall boots again:) Oh, and my BP is normal now, without meds.
High blood pressure is dangerous. Treating it when you have it...protects you. The benefits outweigh the risks. And when you lose weight and improve your lifestyle habits, you can safely go off it (with your doctor's supervision).
Take your meds!

Reading this gives me hope for my lower extremity edema & Venous Insufficiency/Reflux! I started with HCTZ when I was 19! They switched me to LASIK about 8 years ago when I was 39. My LASIK is now 120mg to 180mg a day and it barely helps. It’s painful, uncomfortable and looks like my calves can explode at any given moment.

The surgeon said the Sleeve surgery will help but it’s nice to see on hear that others have had success and off of the water pills. Literally been on them all of my adult life and I’m tired of it.

How are you doing today[mention=258750]beccaconaty87[/mention]? Any update on your cardiology problems? Please update us when you know more[emoji6]

So the water pills were not lowering my BP so I was put on 2.5mg lisinopril. I had an echocardiogram and I got a call back that I needed to schedule an appointment to go over the results, which has me a little scared. I go back in April 19th. The lisinopril helps alot but I'm worried because when I lay down my BP drops really low. My ears start to plug up like I can't hear and my head starts to feel funny, like I'm going to pass out. Have also had palpitations sense starting it.

I have been on lisinopril myself, not a bad med at all. Don't stress, that won't do you any good. Relax, it sounds as though you have a,pretty good cardiologist who's right on top of things. Only cardiac anomaly my cardio and I are watching now is I have a slightly dialated aortic root but since it's still within normal range she cleared me for my bariatric surgery. My cardiologist is absolutely wonderful, I would recommend her to anyone. I was fearful as there are heart issues running in my family, I've been through ultrasounds, stress tests and even heart caths and so far (at 72) I am doing very well. I am praying your issues straighten out, I believe they will . Let's get you straightened up,so you can join me this spring or summer in surgery! You are going to get better, now smile and relax because things are getting set right.[emoji14][emoji14]I am always here for you, Okay?

Thank you so much. I appreciate you and your kind words . [emoji173]

Sorry for reviving the old thread, but I wonder if those water pills actually helped you?