Difficulty finding a blood pressure med I can tolerate

@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 🙂

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

I have a suggestion, but it may not help you if you don't like plantains. I airfry two green plantains (16 minutes, 400 degrees). I eat most of it plain, but top a few ( to not overdo calories) with a mixture of peanut buttet and sunflower butter. It's delicious and keeps my BP low without medicatiin.

@wdytys Hi. I have heard of plantains yet have never tried them. Thank you, for the tip. The next time shopping I will definitely purchase a plantain and do it up like you do! My thyroid doctor had me taking two doses per day of Boswellia...YUK. The capsule and pills are too hard to swallow and the powder tastes so bad there is no way. Boswellia tastes absolutely awful. She told me it is a wonderful herb to lower blood sugar, which she claims could lead to high BP. My blood sugar has been borderline the last two labs.

Your tip came just in time! I am looking forward to trying this. Hey! If it tastes good and helps lower BP, who could ask for more!

Thanks, again and Happy New Year!