Difficulty finding a blood pressure med I can tolerate

Hello. I am a 66-year-old female and appreciate this site. Currently, I have a tracheotomy due to paralyzed vocal cords, the result of radiation treatments for a cancerous tumor in my throat (Pyriform Sinus near Vocal Cords) and Covid. I thank God I am alive, residual damage and all!

A few months ago, and out of the blue, I developed very high blood pressure (BP). My BP has always been within low-normal ranges, so I went to the doctor, and she put me on Lisinopril 10mg, once per day. In the beginning, the drug seemed to have no side effects...the BP went back to where it used to be--with normal ranges. However, after a little over one month I began experiencing side-effects.

The first side effect was deep cracks at the sides of my mouth. I tried every kind of cream, even prescription antibiotic, high-powered steroid, etc., to no avail. This is unusual, because most skin problems clear up if treated properly. Not these, and they are painful. The next warning siren my body projected is severe low back pain. Now, let me be clear, I have wrenched my back many times in my life, and usually after resting on a heating pad and some forced sit-ups (with a pillow on the arch to elevate) it slowly subsides after about 3 days. Not this time, Like the cracks on my mouth, this pain will NOT go away, is debilitating and does not feel like back pain I have had in the past.

After doing some online research, I learned that our internal organs cry out in distress through the surrounding muscles!!! Wow. If not for the pain happening, I would probably never have learned this. Here is yet another example of something we perceive as "bad," actually benefiting us in some manner. In other words, had I not experienced these symptoms, I never would have researched this topic in depth! So, according to research, my kidneys are in distress and the muscles that surround them are beeping out warnings to me. Again, wow!

This morning as I sit here writing this, the pill bottle containing the Lisinopril remains unopened. There is no way I am taking any more of this poison. My husband is angry. He wants to know, and rightfully so, why the doctor doesn't find THE CAUSE of the sudden BP hike? To just throw an elderly person on a drug that can destroy their body is not right.

Has anyone else experienced this, or similar? Right now, the research states that sudden withdrawal can cause a BP spike and kill a person. It seems we are damned if we do, and damned if we don't. Any suggestions about BP medications and what would cause a sudden BP rise? When I say "sudden," it probably went up over a period of one year. The only other medication I take is Levothyroxine 75mg. for a Thyroid that is sputtering a slow death--more residual damage. And yes, I will contact the doctor today. She will tell me to cut the pills in half and taper off. Uh, no. Thank you!

@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.

"@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!"

Hello, as a fellow medication side-effect sufferer my heart goes out to you! Have you tried a liquid formulation of a BP lowering med? I'm sensitive to fillers in meds and have found this strategy helpful with my thyroid issues. I'm at 4.5 cm of ascending aorta and not on any BP meds as my BPs are normal except when I go to the doctor. So far my dilatation has stayed the same thankfully. I hope you can stay safely off the med as side effects are life-changing and affect quality of life so much. Lisinopril is notorious for causing a cough. Very often. Hoping you have found a solution?

@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.

@luhn, thank you, for replying. I am happy to know you do not require BP medication. So many people tell me that no matter which one is prescribed, there are major side-effects. After walking around in a lot of pain and bent over the last several days, the pain is finally starting to subside! Also, the cracks at the sides of my mouth are almost gone. Tomorrow will be day three with no Lisinopril, so that was obviously the cause.

As for the liquid forms of medications, I never knew this. Wow! Thank you, for explaining this new bit of knowledge. That makes a lot of sense too. Sometimes when I take an OTC pill compared to the same medication in liquid form, there is a definite difference. The pill form may give me a headache, while the liquid does not.

One thing that is very concerning is the fact I looked on several websites about side effects before taking the first pill. All the usual unwanted related conditions were listed: coughing, fainting, etc. However, back pain was NOT listed. Not until I began suffering and looked up "back pain Lisinopril" did all the information about that particular side effect show up. It specifically states, "elderly women have reported severe back pain!" Well, at least it finally told me!

Thanks again for answering. Happy New Year!

@thomason Hi, I have been lucky to have been on Lisinopril without any serious problems. But, one day I was shopping and found beet root extract in a gummy on sale and decided to try it. In just one day the beet juice gummy lowered my blood pressure a few more points which is similar to the lisinopril. There are absolutely no side effects to this natural remedy. Its in most drug sections and on Amazon.

@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 🙂