For Those who have reduced or lowered their BP meds

susansilver · May 9, 2008

Hi guys,

Recently, I have been losing quite well and I finally starting to loser my insulin usage. But I also take Diovan and Hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure. I have had many dizzy episodes and light headedness in the past few days. I do have a home monitor and las night had one really weird reading of something like 65/33, but when I took it again in was 113/65.

What were your symptoms when you realized you had to lower your meds? Did you call your doctor about it?

Thanks for any suggestions,

Susan

wildercrews · May 9, 2008

That occurred to me about 2 weeks post-op with a 25 weight lost. My BP was 90/50 for 4 mornings. I called my primary and she said to discontinue Norvasc. I saw her last week for a follow-up and BP is normal. She said with another 25 pound weight lost, I should be able to discontinue the diabetes oral meds. Great!

Grammy in Columbus

VegasGrace · May 9, 2008

I wish I could tell you but I'd ask your doctor. Sometimes symptoms can be brought on by dieting in and of itself including dizziness and light headedness.

During any weightloss program, a patient should stay close to their doctor.

I was prescribed HBP meds but couldn't bring myself to take them. I was in shock that my weight had brought that on and was really confused. It wasn't the wisest thing, I know and could have been dangerous. But a month later I had the lapband and during my next checkup....the doc took me off the meds.

txaberry · May 9, 2008

My docotor took me off my diovan right after surgery. She took me off my lipitor and my niaspan as well. She said it would be too hard to effectively monitor while I was loosing so much weight.

tmusicmaker123 · May 9, 2008

I too am almost off my BP med completely. I have lost 73lbs and noticed after about 60 lbs my pressure was really getting low. I now take 1/4 of the prescribed amount about 2-3 times a week. Mainly for the diuretic effect that it has. Can't wait to be off completely. :lol:

aubrie · May 9, 2008

I was on metoprolol twice a day pre-op. After 2 months I lowered my dose to once. I had my BP taken today and it was 114/72. It hasn't been that low in years. I'm thinking another 10 -15 pounds and I'll be off it completely. Now that I think about it I have been a little lightheaded lately. Is that a symptom? I thought I was just hungry. LOL

Foofy · May 9, 2008

I am on Diovan and during the first two weeks after surgery, when my calorie intake was really low, my BP dropped so much that the doc said to stop the meds. However, as I settled into a normal routine, it crept up again and I restarted. My controlled BP is now lower than it used to be on the same dose of Diovan and I am hoping that when I lose another 40 pounds, I may get off it altogether. I had pretty resistant HBP. Good luck. Definately talk to your doctor and keep monitoring.