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Difficulty finding a blood pressure med I can tolerate
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: Dec 29, 2025 | Replies (55)Comment receiving replies
@thomason My husband was on lisinopril for more than a decade with no problems. BUT last year developed these "sores" on his ears! On the top of the helix of each ear. We tried all kinds of lotions - vit E with tea tree oil..can't remember name of lotion...worked the best but never did take it away. Just for the fact he had been on this so long I asked if he could take a different ACE inhibitor and he was changed to losartan and no more of those sores have ever appeared! They are hurtful; cracking of the skin, like blistering they were. I don't understand why you would have a sudden spike in your BP; was there a change in thyroid med? If not, did your pharmacy switch up by giving you same med but different manufacturer? I have heard of that causing issues for some people. Just this month our pharmacy changed the manufacturer where the losartan came from (for the sake of cost I am sure). So far not noticing any new symptoms, but watching it as some people have registered new symptoms with this kind of change.
Replies to "@thomason My husband was on lisinopril for more than a decade with no problems. BUT last..."
@luhn
I had that same problem but switched to Valsartan* its and ARB like losartan but gave me no side effects. I was also getting side effects like you with others 🙂
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"@luhn, thank you so much for your response! It is truly great how we can inform and support one another on this platform.
Regarding the sores on your husband’s ears: while I can’t say for sure if his medication played a role, I wanted to share that I developed a similar sore on my right ear last year—the side I sleep on. It was incredibly painful and just wouldn't go away. My doctor initially tried cryotherapy (freezing it), but it didn't help.
After doing some research, I discovered a condition called Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis (CNH). It’s common in older adults and often affects the tops of the ears. I learned that Nitroglycerin Cream is a highly effective treatment, though it can take a few weeks or months to fully heal. When I suggested this to my doctor's nurse, she knew exactly what I was talking about! They called in the prescription, and voila—it’s finally healed. It’s a reminder that we really have to advocate for ourselves!
As for my blood pressure, it’s a mystery why it spiked after a lifetime of being low. I stopped the Lisinopril yesterday, and while the back pain persists, I know it can take 2–3 days for the drug to fully leave my system. Thank you for the advice on medication changes, it makes a lot of sense.
I’m so happy to hear your husband is healing. He is lucky to have you by his side. God bless you both, and Happy New Year!"