Any one takes Prinivil (Lisinopril) ?

[juvenissun]

One thing I found is curiously missing in this forum is the discussion of health issue. In church meetings, one topic every elder enthusiastically discussed whenever a chance is given is something related to health. Is everyone in this group super healthy and has no medical problem whatsoever? If not, why not talk about it?

To get it start (hope it will not be the end of it), I thrown out this simple one:

I have hypertension (not serious), and have taken Lisinopril regularly for more than a decade. My question has two parts to people who also has chronicle hypertension:

1. Are you also taking Lisinopril? Any obvious side effects?
2. If not Lisinopril, what is the alternative medicine you are taking? Any advantage of taking that rather than Lisinopril?

 

[clairefish]

It causes an annoying cough, really annoying. They say it will cease after about a yaer of taking it. Ugh.

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

I take spironolactone because of the diuretic properties, and have never taken your med.

For the most part, re: health issues.....it is what it is, and I wish to NOT dwell on it.

The Physical Health forums cover most major concerns, but I usually rely on my doc and do my own self help online research.

I address issues daily with prayer and pro-active health measures (diet, long walks, yoga stretches, qigong etc)

 

[juvenissun]

It causes an annoying cough, really annoying. They say it will cease after about a yaer of taking it. Ugh.

May be you should switch to the one said by servant of Merciful Love?

 

[juvenissun]

I take spironolactone because of the diuretic properties, and have never taken your med.

For the most part, re: health issues.....it is what it is, and I wish to NOT dwell on it.

The Physical Health forums cover most major concerns, but I usually rely on my doc and do my own self help online research.

I address issues daily with prayer and pro-active health measures (diet, long walks, yoga stretches, qigong etc)

May I ask how long have you taken it? Is it your first hypertension prescription? I just wonder how important is the diuretic function.

 

[davedajobauk]

I take Nifedipine 40mg daily
prescribed under the brand name ADALAT [every morning]

I also take Simvastatin 40mg daily

I have been blessed with peripheral vascular disease
and arterial calcifications of carotid and femoral arteries
These meds have been prescribed for me, since, my fourth and last angioplasty

I have been forced to avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit for breakfast
I have-to take these meds, for the remainder of my life
so, it is bye-bye to grapefruit and your derivatives... I have had-to give you up

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

May I ask how long have you taken it? Is it your first hypertension prescription? I just wonder how important is the diuretic function.

For me, the diuretic is a must, as I store fluid, and will get edema, shortness of breath and headaches.
It was prescribed over a year ago after I had a reaction to Lasix (Furosemide).

I am very sodium sensitive and must restrict it...so my daily dose is related to my weight and blood pressure as impacted by my diet.
Some days I even do without it...other days I must take 2 doses (25 mg each).

It was an adjustment.....I found I had to cut the pills in half and take them over the course of the day; otherwise I was so exhausted I felt very ill.

But mine is not the usual hypertension (caused by thyroid/adrenal issues).

You should always talk with the doc about bothersome side effects!

*You cannot take POTASSIUM supplements with my medication

**Dave....it is not hard for ME to give up grapefruit sorry you must if you love it (my hubby does too!)

 

[juvenissun]

I take Nifedipine 40mg daily
prescribed under the brand name ADALAT [every morning]

I also take Simvastatin 40mg daily

I have been blessed with peripheral vascular disease
and arterial calcifications of carotid and femoral arteries
These meds have been prescribed for me, since, my fourth and last angioplasty

I have been forced to avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit for breakfast
I have-to take these meds, for the remainder of my life
so, it is bye-bye to grapefruit and your derivatives... I have had-to give you up

What is the wrong effect of grapefruit to you? Could you just take a small sip of the juice (better than nothing, right?)?

I have gout and can not take high purine food. I could not eat more than 5 shrimps per day. But I can get by with just having one shrimp. Boy, that one single shrimp tasted more delicious than a whole plate of it when I was young.

 

[juvenissun]

For me, the diuretic is a must, as I store fluid, and will get edema, shortness of breath and headaches.
It was prescribed over a year ago after I had a reaction to Lasix (Furosemide).

I am very sodium sensitive and must restrict it...so my daily dose is related to my weight and blood pressure as impacted by my diet.
Some days I even do without it...other days I must take 2 doses (25 mg each).

It was an adjustment.....I found I had to cut the pills in half and take them over the course of the day; otherwise I was so exhausted I felt very ill.

But mine is not the usual hypertension (caused by thyroid/adrenal issues).

You should always talk with the doc about bothersome side effects!

*You cannot take POTASSIUM supplements with my medication

**Dave....it is not hard for ME to give up grapefruit sorry you must if you love it (my hubby does too!)

So, how would you know how much you need it, for example, at the beginning of a day?

 

[davedajobauk]

Hi Gail

My pills cannot work effectively in the presence of grapefruit juice
It is an absolute 'NO-NO'

I also love bananas........ and can eat a 'hand' [5] so very easily and enjoyably
A couple of years ago, I had to have 'bloods' done at a nearby hospital
I was ready, to go home when, I was called back in to see the doctor
He said that the hospital was concerned about my high pottasium levels
I then, mentioned the bananas, I had eaten the previous day
and I saw a smile and a visible look of relief on the doctor's face

I was NOT, told to limit my banana intake oh JOY \o/ \o/

 

[juvenissun]

Hi Gail

My pills cannot work effectively in the presence of grapefruit juice
It is an absolute 'NO-NO'

I also love bananas........ and can eat a 'hand' [5] so very easily and enjoyably
A couple of years ago, I had to have 'bloods' done at a nearby hospital
I was ready, to go home when, I was called back in to see the doctor
He said that the hospital was concerned about my high pottasium levels
I then, mentioned the bananas, I had eaten the previous day
and I saw a smile and a visible look of relief on the doctor's face

I was NOT, told to limit my banana intake oh JOY \o/ \o/

Hey, brother, I love banana too. However, I could not eat 5 at a time. But 5 in a day is very easy.

In this economic hard time, banana is probably the only fruit I can afford.

 

[davedajobauk]

Hey, brother, I love banana too. However, I could not eat 5 at a time. But 5 in a day is very easy.

In this economic hard time, banana is probably the only fruit I can afford.

Surely that statement cannot be true [?]
Save perhaps, in countries that are unable to produce a variety

All tree fruit, is quite inexpensive here
I grow redcurrants and blackcurrants canes here in our garden
Apples also
Satsumas /clementines /mandarin oranges/grapes and tropical fruit, are imported
and are, for the time being anyway, readily available, in the shops

"AFFORD" ? Get Peter to pay Paul ~and redirect necessary funding
Forget the 'MACDONALDS' and eat more vegetables and fruit !

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

So, how would you know how much you need it, for example, at the beginning of a day?

I check my blood pressure and weight, and if elevated I take 1/2 tab...4-6 hours later another 1/2 if needed etc up to 2 tabs/day as prescribed/needed.

 

[juvenissun]

I check my blood pressure and weight, and if elevated I take 1/2 tab...4-6 hours later another 1/2 if needed etc up to 2 tabs/day as prescribed/needed.

And if your blood pressure and weight are normal, then you do not take any until another measurement made on them 4-6 hours later. Is that right?

 

[juvenissun]

Surely that statement cannot be true [?]
Save perhaps, in countries that are unable to produce a variety

All tree fruit, is quite inexpensive here
I grow redcurrants and blackcurrants canes here in our garden
Apples also
Satsumas /clementines /mandarin oranges/grapes and tropical fruit, are imported
and are, for the time being anyway, readily available, in the shops

"AFFORD" ? Get Peter to pay Paul ~and redirect necessary funding
Forget the 'MACDONALDS' and eat more vegetables and fruit !

Good idea. I may try that in the next spring. Thanks.

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

And if your blood pressure and weight are normal, then you do not take any until another measurement made on them 4-6 hours later. Is that right?

Correct....and usually if it is ok on wakening I am all set for the day....unless I have had a higher sodium meal out for dinner etc....then I may take 1/2-1 in the evening.
If I don't I will wake up with a headache :o

 

[kaykay9.0]

It causes an annoying cough, really annoying. They say it will cease after about a yaer of taking it. Ugh.

Yes, my dr prescribed it when my other blood pressure meds quit doing the job sufficiently.

But it made me cough my head off....ok, not exactly but you know what I mean! I didn't just cough a little! I coughed my head off as I said!!!

After about a month of that, my dr switched me to a drug class similar called ARB's instead ACE inhibitors. He said they were similar and more expensive but seldom caused the cough. The one I take combines the ARB and a calcium channel blocker. The drug's name is Exforge. I have taken this for about 3 or 4 years and done fine. I also take a mild diuretic, hydrochlorathiazide.

 

[juvenissun]

Correct....and usually if it is ok on wakening I am all set for the day....unless I have had a higher sodium meal out for dinner etc....then I may take 1/2-1 in the evening.
If I don't I will wake up with a headache :o

Thanks.

Then, how do you estimate the Na (plus K ?) content in your food? For example, when you order a meal in a restaurant, how do you go for a low Na meal? How about a hamburger? or fried fish?

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

Thanks.

Then, how do you estimate the Na (plus K ?) content in your food? For example, when you order a meal in a restaurant, how do you go for a low Na meal? How about a hamburger? or fried fish?

I can't really (sodium)....I always stay away from chinese, processed foods, and fast food places.
When in restaurants I make a note of NO ADDED SALT when I order.
In selecting.... I try to choose FRESH, and the best selections, eliminating obvious sources of sodium, or having sauces on the side etc.
I have come to recognize what places are heavy in salt usage in their advanced preps (sauces etc) and I avoid them.

That is why my dose will vary, depending if we eat out and what I eat

*I cannot use potassium supplements but I don't have to avoid it in foods Though I a, sure not to over-do it in a day...just one serving of a high K fruit etc (veggies are ok)

 

[juvenissun]

I can't really (sodium)....I always stay away from chinese, processed foods, and fast food places.
When in restaurants I make a note of NO ADDED SALT when I order.
In selecting.... I try to choose FRESH, and the best selections, eliminating obvious sources of sodium, or having sauces on the side etc.
I have come to recognize what places are heavy in salt usage in their advanced preps (sauces etc) and I avoid them.

That is why my dose will vary, depending if we eat out and what I eat

*I cannot use potassium supplements but I don't have to avoid it in foods Though I a, sure not to over-do it in a day...just one serving of a high K fruit etc (veggies are ok)

Thanks for the info. I learned something from your case.

Stick to a special diet is always hard. I am glad that we do not have to eat any more in the Heaven (will I miss eating? ).