High blood pressure symptoms and conditions

I started taking Lisinopril for high blood pressure January 6, 2010. The side effects are hot flashes memory issues my sex drive and sleep issues and depression but I'm not sure if this is due to the medication as far as depression. I believe in alternative medications other than pharmaceuticals if anyone knows what to take other than this please let me know thank you. I also take vitamins multivitamins bee pollen royal jelly and omega fish oils and hemp seeds as well.

I keep telling myself that all the pain and problems i've had over the past 4 years is due to YASMIN. I started taking YASMIN the summer of 2005, and Jan. 2006,thats when it all started. I went to the ER with left side chest pain and left side pain from my shoulder to my toes. After numerous tests, they thought i had a pulmonary embolism, then perhaps pericarditis.Off to the cardiologist i went, nothing was abnormal or was showing on the echo. Ugh,Numerous specialists i saw and no diagnosis for this pain. Finally i stopped taking YASMIN, the summer of 2006. I still to this day have high blood pressure, left sided pain , headaches now, and i truely believe that is was from YASMIN. Or i could be making myself think that it is. I now have had a child and am never going back on YASMIN. Am i crazy?

I have been a professional athlete pretty much my whole life and although in my 50's now I try to exercise 4-5 times a week. However, after suffering a fractured fibula and then developed a dvt in my calf area of the left leg early December, I am not allowed to exercise (running and biking) with my legs anymore. I finally spoke to another sports doctor who suggested swimming, which I have taken up now. This is for me the worst part, no exercise. The side effects I have developed are not much better either:
Can't sleep, which leads to irritability, tiredness and sensitivity as well as being very emotional i.e. feeling depressed. I also have low appetite, but feel like I put on weight anyway (retaining water?) plus I developed high blood pressure. Once when testing my coumadin levels I had 160 over 110 with the coumadin level being too high at 3.7 (should be somewhere between 2-3). Next time my coumadin levels were very low at 1.5 and my blood pressure was just a little high at 144 over 87. Now I have reached the right coumadin levels, I am hovering around 150 over 95. I asked the doctor if there is a correlation, but of course the answer is no. I personally think there is a correlation as I have never ever had high blood pressure before. So needless to say, the doctor wants me on blood pressure pills which I have refused to take, next is sleeping pills and next is you develop too much cholesterol so why not give me some lipitor too! I will try to exercise with swimming and see if I can keep the blood pressure lower and go from there. Just wondered if anybody else have had these crazy side effects?

Lumps, large masses, and discoloration of breasts
Swollen breasts
Unexplained rashes
Weakness
Chronic Fatigue
Unreliable energy - hyper-active, alternating with no energy
Severe pain in bones, joints, and muscles - feels like 10 inch screws turning in my bones
Tingling
Numbness in a total limb or half of body, numb hands, numb face, numb fingers, numb lips. I cut myself and do not realize it until I see the blood dripping or smeared.
Dry eyes, dry mouth, dry vagina
Morning stiffness
Shortness of breath, progressively becoming worse, effort to breathe
8-13-2000 Lungs Riddled With Silicone
Severe chronic diarrhea
Loss of memory
Profuse sweating
Depression from chemical imbalance
Loss of teeth, teeth turn to mush inside and break off
Blurred vision alternating with 20/20 vision
Severe and frequent eye infections
Auto-immune deficiency - every little cut or scratch becomes infected, difficult to recover from cold, flu, bronchitis, injuries, surgery
Injuries, such as from an auto accident, magnified and become worse instead of healing rapidly. Each injury takes longer to recover
Severe allergies to things never allergic to before, including medications, supplements, food, and food additives, plants, flowers, dust, pets, peanut butter
Shooting pains in different parts of body
Bulging disks in low back
Sciatic severe pain
Loss of balance
Dizziness
Loss of depth perception, constantly bump into things, trip, fall down
Severe muscle spasms and body cramps, including major organs
Extreme nervousness
Inability to concentrate
Hot spots on skull which move around
Beads of silicone coming to surface and pop out as beads of plastic
Bizarre symptoms that appear and disappear
Extremely low blood pressure prior to double mastectomy 1977
Extremely low blood pressure alternating with very high blood pressure after double mastectomy
Normal Cholesterol prior to double mastectomy
Sky high cholesterol after double mastectomy
Large blood clots from nose
Dark red bloody wax from ears, wake up and ears have bled on pillow
Blood-clotting problems after surgery
Ultra-Sound of my chest two years AFTER double mastectomy revealed the inside of my entire chest looked like the total snow on a television screen. The Radiologist told me this is silicone.
Two years after double mastectomy, I am once again getting lumps in my sunken chest which is now growing in bumps.
Two years after double mastectomy, silicone capsules are forming in my chest and near my underarms
Diagnosed with probable Pulmonary Fibrosis - March 2001
Gallium Chest Scan positive for Pulmonary Fibrosis - both lungs
Severe muscle cramps, muscles twist like pretzels without warning - back of thighs, chest muscles, feet, calves.
Twitching in my limbs, like little electrical switches are turning off and on.

I'm a 38 year old male and was prescribed Lisinopril a few months ago for high blood pressure. I've had a bald spot for several years, but since going on the medication it's gotten increasingly worse and a lot more noticeable to the point where friends and co-workers are noticing. There's significant amounts of hair showing up on my pillow and in the shower, and I think the pills are responsible. It was never this bad before.

Earlier today somewone wrote that all bp med. have the same side effects, I have to dissagree. You can't watch tv and not shake your head when a new medication is advertised. The list of (possible) side effects is almost laughable if it wasn't so scary. I don't know why one person will have a reaction to a med and another won't, and sometimes the reaction is imediate and other times comes on slowly. But to my point. There are 4 or 5 different TYPES of bp med. They all work differently on your system and all come with their own set of side effects. That as I said before may effect one person but not another.
Now I do agree that High Blood Pressure is a silent killer. For those who do not have problems on this med. feel lucky and I wish you the best. For those who have had sometimes disabilitating side effects, don't give up sometimes it takes time and trial but find a alternative that you can live with. If your dr won't help find another dr. Be smart reserch every med prescribed
and don't be afraid to speak up, It's your life. I was told lisinopril was not the cause of my coughing, leg aches, headaches,
and sinus problems, but after demanding a change, guess what, 2days later, no simptoms, and after 3 weeks, still doing good.
good luck and good health, Rick

First, I want to thank everyone else for taking the time to post their experiences with this drug – you helped me understand what’s been going on. I am truly sorry so many of you have had severe symptoms, as mine pales in comparison.

I have been taking 20mg Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets in the 90 day Wal-Mart container since May 2009, one per day. I also take Metoprolol, which I’ve taken in the past by itself and never had a problem. I’m taking these medications for borderline high blood pressure and benign palpitiations. In October 2009, I drove myself to the ER because of rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure and some chest pains, which were diagnosed as due to my hiatal hernia and esophageal reflux – this is now an open question for me, as I’m wondering whether Lisinopril had a hand in this, if not causing it then perhaps aggravating it. Anyhow, other than possibly that, I had had no symptoms until I developed a dry cough 6 weeks ago. I experienced the same throat tickle and feeling of slight obstruction in the throat as others have described, and I also felt constantly as if there was something on the back of my tongue but there never was. The cough has gotten progressively worse, sometimes keeping me up at night, but it usually calmed down with Hall’s cough drops. I had no fever, no sinus drainage, nothing except the cough. I also had been experiencing random, shooting pains in my calves, feet, knees and thighs as well as my left hand’s knuckles aching when I made a fist. These weren’t constant, they would come and go quite unexpectedly, and most often would occur of course when I was in bed – sometimes those kept me up too. I put it down to aging (but I’m only 53!) until today, when I finally recalled that my doctor had warned me to look out for a dry cough, so I Googled ‘Lisinopril cough’ and thankfully found this forum. I’ve already called my cardiologist’s office and told them I’m not taking this drug any more and that I want to know what medication they’re going to recommend BEFORE I get the prescription filled so I can research what side effects THAT new stuff might bring with it.

I can only echo what others have said – never again am I going to accept any medication without first researching it. I will check back in once my symptoms are gone (if indeed they stop as expected) so you’ll know how much time it took.

Again, thank you so much for taking time out to let others know.

My 69 year old husband has lost 25% of his total kidney function in the last three months. He had no physical side effects, but his routine blood work showed there were problems, thus he was referred to a kidney specialist. After several tests and more blood work, the first kidney doctor recommended a stent for the right kidney. The right kidney is noticably smaller than the left and we have been told the right kidney is reacting one way and the left kidney is reacting another way to the blood pressure medication. My husband got a second opinion yesterday and the second kidney doctor said more tests were needed to determine what has cause the loss in kidney function. He definitely mentioned Lisinopril as a possible reason, however my husband has been treated for high blood pressure for years and it under 120/80 and he has diabetes which is controled by diet and excerise. We also learned that as we age we lose 1% of our kidney function each year and it usually this starts around 50 years old.

Have been on this med for about 1 month. Am 45 year old female with fibromyalgia. Was having chest pain (not sure if was heartburn) but have strong family history of heart disease and high blood pressure. When dr checked blood pressure was 150 over 92. Am a little overweight 5'4" and around 154 lbs. Dr put on this med and also ranitidine in case pain is heartburn. Have been getting really sad, feeling very alone, having stomach pain, still having burning chest pain, trouble sleeping, dizziness, getting angered very often and easily at work. (not normal for me) but also constipation and when trying to go to bathroom-feel such pressure in my head-like going to blow off and face, ears, chest get blood red. Anyone else have this happen? Have so many weird things with my body with fibromyalgia wasnt sure if it was side effect or not. Also no libido.

I have been taking YAZ for a little over a year. At first I loved YAZ because my breasts went from a small B to a small D and my skin was beautiful. However, I started to pile weight on as the months went my. I've gained over 16 pounds on my 5' 2" frame. I have NEVER been this heavy in my life! I am bloated like crazy, have regular nausea and also have very brittle nails and am always thirsty-likely because YAZ has similar ingredients to spiranalactone used to treat high blood pressure. I have a belly for the first time in my life and have ZERO SEX DRIVE. Do not let your gyn tell you this pill does not affect your weight. It does!

I have had Mirena in since September 29th of 2009. I am very unpleased with the side effects of this birth control. I was previously on Yazmin (the stronger version of Yaz) due to a thickened utereus which caused horribly heavy and painful periods. I was soaking through ULTRA tampons in a matter of 45minutes and was unable to leave my home for a week out of every month which does not work with 4 very active kids. About 1 year into my Yazmin usage I discovered ,after passing out after a normal 6 mile run, that I had developed extremely high blood pressure which was accompanied by chest pain with heart palpitations. Extensive testing and blood work was completed and I was taken off of Yazmin. Testing came back negative of any health problems (which was expected) and it was assumed that over time my blood pressure would return to normal which after about 3 months it did. Now the problem was how to control the utereus problem which had just landed my mother, 3 months previous, in the hospital with a hysterectomy due to uterine cancer which started with the same symptoms that I have. Luckily my OBGYN is also my mothers and the urgency of this situation was known. She decided that Mirena would be a great option for me because of how the medication in the IUD was delivered, it was not supposed to cause high blood pressure and so be it...it was placed. I have since had PROBLEMS PROBLEMS PROBLEMS...bloating, abdominal pain, insomnia, numbness in my hands, vision problems, acne which I never had before NOT EVEN AS A TEENAGER and 14 pounds of weight gain and I am not a lazy ass that sits on the couch and makes excuses about a lack of time to work out with my 4 kids schedules...I was a 5'7" 124lb mother of 4 that runs 35-45 miles per week and lifts weights...I have certification in fitness training and am fully aware of healthy eating schedules... for goodness sake I had just 2 weeks previous to Mirena placement finished my first ultra marathon (35miles) and ran almost half of it with a 5th metatarsal fracture. Now my point to all of this complaining is to try to explain that I am in shape and very IN TUNE with my body and all of the things going on with my body at all times. That being said when I approached my OBGYN with my concerns she completely dismissed it and said verbatim " it is not caused from Mirena maybe you are stressed out" That was very hard to swallow and if my thoughts would have turned to words I might have asked her if she had a big bowl of STUPID for breakfast. I did not stop however with my OBGYN. I went to my family physician who said that Mirena is the cause of my weight gain and my acne. Very small percentages of women will get it but it is the cause. I will not know about the vision, insomnia or numbness till I have it taken out but am assuming it will go away. I am now having to make the decision of a hysterectomy due to my birth control usage being partially a medically needed medication. As others have said PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR BODY...if you are sure the symptoms were not there previous to placement and you cannot handle them...TAKE IT OUT and dont anyone tell you what to do with YOUR body. They are not the ones having to deal with the symptoms.

I thought this drug was a lifesaver.. I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2003. By 2005, I had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure. I was given 10/12.5 originally. After a few months, my echocardigram showed that my heart was normal size again. I was also told that Lisinopril-HCTZ will protect my kidneys. So, naturally I this drug was a lifesaver to me. Since that time, weird things have been occurring and when I mention them to my doctor's (and I have had several) they all chalk it up to panic disorder related issues. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because truth be told, I DO suffer from anixiety disorders and have since I was 19. (I am 40 now) ... But the more I read and research others having similar side effects, the more I wonder if it is all "in my head" or a direct cause of this drug. Over the last 2 years or so, my dosage was increased. I now take 20/25 once a day. I also take Glucovance 500/2.5 twice a day for diabetes. My main symptoms that I suffer from are: severe dizziness, faintness, increased anxiety and phobias, depersonalization (feeling like I am not "here", facial flushing and hot flashes, constant throat clearing, nasal congestion, insomnia, total lack of sex drive, irritability, itchy skin, palpitations, mysterious aches and pains, brain fog and memory issues, and probably a few I can't recall right now. The dizziness, panic, and facial flushing are every day occurrences for me. My face looks red and gets extremely hot to the touch as well. I have to keep checking my temp to make sure I don't have a fever.The dizziness is so bad that I need help sometimes when I walk because it feels like I am off balance or like I am going to pass out. I have had several heart monitors, EKG's, 3-D echo's, blood tests, and even a brain MRI to rule out other things. Please, anyone.. give me some advice. I am so scared. I feel like I am dying but can't get a doctor to listen to me. Is it really possible that this drug can actually cause all these terrible symptoms?

I was on Lisnopril for only 2 weeks, 10mg everyday for high blood pressure...starting coughing with the mucus...couldn't stop, hard time sleeping at night, tired...Went to my Dr., She took me off the Lisinopril. That was a week ago...still coughing, not as bad. So if anybody knows how long it will take to get this drug out of your system, I would like to know...I have read you could have the cough for a couple of months...This drug needs to be off the market....The side effects are terrible and the doctors don't warn you how severe the side effects can be...

I am a 41 year-old female with high blood pressure and cholesterol.The Dr. prescribed Lisinopril 5mg to protect my kidneys on Dec.15,2009. I was rushed to the Emergency room on Dec.22, 2009 with heart palpitations and shortness of breath. The E.R., Dr. said i was having an anxiety attack. Okay, here's what happend next, I couldn't sleep ,heart palpitations at night, headaches, crazy in the head[went to the men's restroom and used it.}, I've been going to Winn-Dixie for 10 years and I didn't know my way out of the store. Sinus Infection, pain in left leg while asleep, problems swallowing like a ball of mucus is stuck in my throat, tightness in my jaws.There are side-affects from Lisinopril and I have them. Today is my last day taking this medication.

I am a 50 year old male, in good health and physical condition. My Dr. prescribed Lisinopril for my high blood pressure (it was consistently around 130/85) about six - eight months ago. I did not notice any side effects until about three weeks ago when I caught a head/chest cold. The cough will not go away and now I have wheezing. I will be fine for hours and then go into a coughing fit for an hour or more. I cough so hard it makes my head hurt and is very annoying to me and those around me. About five months ago I spoke with my Dr. about a problem I had swallowing. He said that it was probably acid reflux (which I have never had a problem with in the past), now I think it is tied in with this medication. This is the only medication I am on. BTW, I have been monitoring my blood pressure and it has not gone down consistently. In fact, my Dr. started me on 5mg and then moved me to 10mg. I exercise regularly. I think I am going to try some of the alternative options discussed in this blog (celery and garlic pills). I'm done with Lisinopril!

I am on Metoprolol to control high-blood pressure (50mg) once daily. Have been taking it for a few months now. I skipped taking it today, and a few days back as well. Tonight I have experienced a very brief (less than a second) -- heart palpitation.

I am also taking 100mg of Zoloft (antidepressant) daily, coupled with 10mg of Mogadon (nitrazepam) -- nightly.

Besides impotence and yellowing of the skin (joking) -- coupled with the occasional bad dream, I have no real complaints about this cocktail of drugs.

I was prescribed Lisinopril due to high blood pressure. Since taking the medication (5 doses of 20/25mg) I have been experiencing rapid heart beats to the point of not being able to sleep. What is wierd is that is happens when I am laying down and not when I am up and walking around. I had to sleep last night sitting up, but still expierenced rapid heart. I also have swelling in feet and hands. I am not sure if this is due to taking the medication but can't think of what else it would be. I have heard that taking apple cider and garlic pills helps with high blood pressure. I hope it works cause I'm not going to continue taking medications with a long list of side effects. I would rather go the natural route..if it works.

I'm a 57, non-smoking, non drinking, not overweight male with extremely HBP. 180/120 on average. Was taking Captopril with no side effects and my doctor switched me to Lisinopril about 3 weeks ago. I could probably deal with the side effects if it actually lowered my BP. BP did NOT decrease and a few times I checked actually went up. Saw my doctor yesterday and she doubled the dose to 20mg twice a day and added Amlodipine. This afternoon I took some Apple Cidar Vinegar pills after researching them and don't you know my BP was 153/104. Hasen't been that low in some time. A short time after I took the second Lisinopril my BP skyrocketed to 195/131. I was relaxed and stress free so there was no reason for this. So, tomorrow morning I'll try the Amlodipine and the ACV pills and forget the Lisinopril to see if there's a difference. I will report back.

Jeff

First, remeber to always report adverse effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Second, after being on Advair for nearly a year and a half, I discovered only today that Advair contains Milk protiens in the form of Lactose. A point both my doctor and pharmacist missed - neither new advair containd milk. I removed all dairy from my diet last winter because it seemed to make my asthma worse, and we had not been able to figure out why I kept having trouble. Well, I think we found the answer. I also had experienced a rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. Yesterday my blood pressure was 138/108 and after discontinuing the Advair my pressure is down considerably to 128/86.
I strongly recommend reading the lengthy paper insert included with the Advair, and most medications, usually labled perscribing information. It is in this insert I discovered Advair contained milk and should not be given to anyone with a milk allergy - a point both my doctor and pharmacist missed - neither new advair containd milk. Also listed in the perscribing information is a list of possible side effects, and increased blood pressure, fast / irreglular heartbeat, chest pain, headache, tremor, nervousness, lower bone mineral density, eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts, weakened immune system and a higher chance of infections. And this is ALL in the perscribing information insert - just remember to have your magnifying glass ready!

Hi All, sorry to hear of all these side-affects. Many of you want to know how to lower your blood pressure without taking Lisinopril. Of course, excersize and weight lose. But if you want a magic pill, Garlic tablets did it for my Mother and many of her friends.

My Step-Mother read about garlic extract pills in an article. She tried them. Three months later when she went to the doctor for her yearly check up, her blood pressure was low enough that the doctor took her off her high blood pressure medicine. I told my Mother about this and she started taking them. Months later when she was at the docotrs, her blood pressure was so much improved that the nurse thought the blood pressure cup was broken.

Mom started telling her friends at bingo and one by one everyone got lower blood pressures. I have heard that garlic will clean out your arteries and veins. She buys the Kyolic brand at her pharmacy. Don't worry the pills don't give you bad breath. I am 58 so I thought I would start taking them a couple of years ago. My blood pressure is usually around 125/82. Also, I only got one mosquito bite last summer and I live in Oklahoma. When we sit outside they bother my wife but not me.

If you have serious high blood pressure, I am not saying to any of you to quit your medicine without talking to your doctor. Just start taking garlic tablets and use more of it in your cooking and see what happens in a couple of months. You all wanted help, this is the only advice I have where I have seen it work on people I know. Good luck.

Alvin

I have been on lisinopril for about a year for high blood pressure. I found that I had all the same symptoms as many of you. constant drainage, cough, tingling in fingers and hands, cramps, the cough and drainage to the point of vomiting. I took this information to my Dr. and pharmasist and they told me that they know the pill causes a cough, But non of the other symptons.
I had the Dr. change my Blood pressure pill to cozaar which is more money but works for me. This was 5 days ago. I have not coughed hacked in 3 days. I slept better last night than I have in almost a year. I am absolutely convinced that the Lisinopril was the cause of all of my sympoms. Good luck and good health. rvr

I am a 47 year old female , i am very active .. until recently i have always had low blood pressure .. but for some reason as of late my bp has been in the stroke levels at the highest 220/170 this sent me to the hospital via a ambulance ... long story short i was prescribed lisinopril to help control my bp.. OMG i have been on this medicine for a month now ... it has built up in my system .. i have missed three days of work .. i am extremely depressed in which i am usually full of zest... i am undescribaly tired tired tired all the time ... every thing is a chore .. extremely dizzy ... i can't concentrate and very very irritable ... as of last night researching and reading everyone else's comments my reaction to this drug has been validated .. I am NOT taking anymore drugs ... i called the doctors today and they want to switch me to benicar .. the side effects are just as bad .. No Thank You to drugs ...

I have been on Lisinopril and have a 24 hr cough with phlegm since I started taking it...but one other thinkg I noticed is that I have severly decreased urine flow...does anyone know anything about this problem and is it serious?

i was put on lisinopril /hctz 10-12.5 mg one week ago for high blood pressure, it hasnt relly lowed it yet. Pulse is stil really high. Woke up 4 days after taken it with a bad cough, runny stuffy nose. I cough so bad i vomit and pee on my self,sick at my stomach. I took my self off it one day ago and hope this crap stops.I fell worse on this med than i did when my bp was high and pule was high.

I was on cozar for high blood pressure. My insurance made it non formulary with a $50. copay so my Dr. switched me to Lisinopril. I did not make the correlation at the time but my symptoms include constant drainage and cough to the point of vomiting. I have been on nasonex for a year with little relief and reciently have tried not only other nasal sprayes but pills as well with no change. After finding this forum I have made an appointment with my ent specialist for next week to get me off of this pill.