Crazy Effects of My High Blood Pressure Medication

I became aware of the fact that I had developed high blood pressure about 15 years ago when I kept waking up in the night. A trip to my primary care physician showed the results - a blood pressure level of 160/90. That is too high. "We can fix that" the doctor confidently reassured me. So he put me on a dosage of Lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor) and sent me on my way.

I went back a month later and my measurement was still high. And I also now had a rapid pulse. My pulse rate was about 90 beats per minute. "Hmm" mused the doctor, well, we can add a different type of blood pressure pill that will further lower your pressure and also take care of that rapid pulse. So the doctor added Atenolol (a beta blocker) to my prescription. "But why do I have a rapid pulse?" I asked. I got a non-answer. "There can be many reasons. But this pill will take care of that".

I went back another month later and my blood pressure reading was still high, although my pulse rate was under control. "Hmm" mused the doctor, well, we can add a diuretic". So the doctor added HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) to my prescription. "But why am I retaining so much fluid?" I asked. I got another non-answer. "There can be many reasons, but stay away from salt and this will take care of it."

As a young person in my twenties and thirties, my blood pressure was famously low. Usually I had a reading of 90/60. That's barely conscious. Even during my pregnancies my reading was 120/76. Why did it suddenly skyrocket in my forties? No doctor seemed interested in searching for an answer. "This just happens to most people as they age" I was told.

Finally, at the next visit my BP reading was acceptable, so the doctor was happy and I didn't have to go back for two months. At my two-month checkup, my blood pressure had fallen to a new all-time low. The doctor was surprised and withdrew the HCTZ and told me to come back in a month. I went back in a month and my BP reading had skyrocketed again. The doctor was puzzled and I was disgusted. He wasn't sure what to do.

For years my doctors and I have played this up and down game. I have kept detailed journals and have a small cuff at home to check my own BP to keep track. But even with the journals as proof, the doctors simply cannot believe that my blood pressure goes up and down seemingly at random. They all honestly believe if they just happen upon the "magic" dose it will stay nice and steady.

Well, I can tell them and have told them, to no avail, that stress and pain and genetics play a huge part in what my blood pressure does - despite all medication. I was brought into the emergency room once in tremendous pain due to a case of diverticulitis. My BP reading was 220/120. Other than chest pain, that's the fastest way to be seem in the ER. They thought I was having a heart attack or stroke. After all the tests they determined it was a case of diverticulitis. But they still were baffled that my BP had gone so high. They refused to believe that the pain was the cause.

When I awoke in the recovery room after a complete and extensive hysterectomy due to complications, I told the nurse I was in pain. "Of course you're in pain" she yelled at me, "you've just had a big operation". The doctor stepped up. "Why is her blood pressure so high?" he asked. "She must take opiates on a regular basis" the nurse accused. "No I don't" I countered. They stepped away from me to discuss why my blood pressure was so high - which is why I was unexpectedly awake. I wanted to shout "It's the pain stupid". But I knew it wouldn't matter. Another grain of morphine did the trick.

I don't feel much of any side effects from the Lisinopril. The Atenolol does make me a bit weak and dizzy but relaxed. If I go without the Atenolol one night my pulse zooms up to the 100+ range. The HCTZ just dries me out a bit. BP meds are cheap and easy to use and free from most horrible side effects. I just want to let anyone else out there know that they don't work for everyone. And that you may have an underlying condition that is causing your blood pressure to rise. I have a genetic predisposition to retaining fluid, and avoiding most carbohydrates helps tremendously.

Insist on having heart-related tests, especially if your pulse rate is high. I eventually found out that my aorta is placed in an usual way in my chest, which makes me more susceptible to certain events affecting my circulation. And I already have some blockage in my left jugular but none in my right. And honestly, I feel being a woman makes it harder to convince doctors to do heart-related and vascular tests. Although since heart disease has moved up on the list of primary causes of death in women, we're getting a little more attention.

My system also tends not to react as predicted to sleep inducers and pain killers. You do have to stand up for yourself if you know that a medication is not working for you or you're suffering more from a side effect than the disease. I wish I had a penny for every time the doctor said "It's not supposed to do that". Why would I make it up? Why would I lie about the medicines' effects or lack thereof?

I think some doctors just don't like to be challenged. So keep good notes, and keep nagging them or find another doctor who will stay with you until they have actually solved the problem.