Lisinopril and bp

I have been taking lisinopril for more than 5 years now and just happened upon this site the other day. After reading all the posts I was amazed to see so many others describe the same side effects that I have had for years now, ie) pain in my chest and left arm that has led me to think I am having a heart attack. I have had 3 EKGs over the past several years and every time it was normal but the pain has persisted and to the point of not being able to sleep at night and constantly wondering if I am having a heart attack, it has been incredibly frustrating!!! So when I found this site I was very relieved to know that I am not alone here. I have also recently discovered a natural product that has helped many lower their BP, it is called Pro-Argi9 Plus, you can check it out at this link, ******, it could change your life as it has for many.

I am 40 years old and was prescribed lisinopril/HCTZ 20-25 a little over two weeks ago. I went in for a little congestion and low grade fever. I am a teacher and have many kids out with the flu, swine flu, etc. and felt that I needed to get checked. I came out with 5 medications, one of which was lisinopril. I have never had bp problems in my life. I am almost certain that the nurse practicioner wrote me down for something else and the dr came in and changed. I am usually a very calm person but in the last two days have experienced what I thought was a panic attack and anxiety, horrible anxiety. I haven't been able to face my students which isn't like me at all. During the first week I took my students on a field trip and had a really great day with them- much less stress than a normal day. I got home and my bp was around 138/98. I thought that was kind of odd. It has been under control since I started taking it. On this same day, I got blistered on my face and wasn't outside much at all. I have Rosea and thought that it had been aggravated. I believe now that it was the lisinopril. I know that it has a diuretic in it, but it doesn't make me go frequently. Instead I get a sudden urge and have had two "accidents" recently. I have a sometimes dry, other times full of mucous, cough to the point of nearly gagging. My neck muscles were already stressed out and tight, but have gotten worse. I feel a tightness in my chest constently. My lips are so dry that they peel all the time. I have no appetite and when I do eat I get nauseous and almost feel like vomitting. I have been lightheaded and dizzy. I am not sleeping and feel extremely tired all the time. But these last two days have been awful. I love being around people and right now can't stand the thought of it. I am guessing that lisinopril has caused much of these problems. I am about to go see the doctor today and think they will want to put me on some sort of nerve pill. I hate that!!!! I have a plan to achieve everything that these meds are supposed to. Exercise, change my diet, go see the chiropractor, do more relaxing things for myself and take better care of me! After reading these blogs I believe that I am going to take myself off of lisinopril and see what happens. My hubby is also on it and just last week developed an oozing sore and his left cheek - could be the lisinopril. I will pray for all of you bloggers and those who are unaware. This is definitely a poison to our bodies. I think I even read that it contains snake venom. Is this true????? I will update in a few days. Good luck and God bless!

That's it!! I have had it. A couple of years ago, Dr prescribed Lisinopril HCTZ for my high blood pressure. 6 months later, 'Hey your cholesterol is really high.' So she prescribed Crestor. Then 6 months later, 'Oh Crestor can cause liver damage, we'll need to check your liver.' I know doctors mean well, but they seem to all be trained to simply prescribe a pill. The average senior citizen takes 12. Daily! I have had it. I refuse to take the lisinopril any more. Last night: zero sleep due to the cough. Hacking and coughing, trying to 'hock-up' the crap draining down my throat. The wheezing at the top of my bronchial tubes. Unable to inhale enough air to cough. Peeing in my pants. Disturbing everyone else in the house. This is just bullsh--. Hey, how about another tip: Did you know the HCTZ can cause artificial inflation in your cholesterol numbers?? Guess what: after switching 5 months ago to the lisinopril plain, not with the HCTZ... you got it cholesterol went down. Down by 80 points, too! I made no other change during that time, not in my diet, exercise or anything else. So effective today: (1) No lisinopril (I'll check my BP daily), (2) increase my Kelp and selenium for my thyroid, (3) stick on my insulin-resistant diet, (4) reduce my caffeine intake. I'll keep this site posted on my progress.

I to can say that Lisinopril has caused me to have the worst coughing ever. I work as a receptionist and sometimes I have to but the call on hold to be able to cough. This is terrible I spoke to my doctor and he just gave me a prescription for another medication. My sister in law told me as well that Lisinopril made her cough. I have not taken it for 3 days now trying to clear up before starting the new medication but I am still coughing from the it, hopefully it will stop soon as this is driving me crazy. I now find myself having this ugly white flem that at times when coughing spits out of my mouth. This is so terrible, doctors must tell you this when given you this prescription not after the fact. Good Luck to all.

I have been off the drug 4 days now. My BP is running around 175/85. This is to high. My doctor is supposed to call me tomorrow and let me know what to do. I refuse to take the lisinopril ever again.

Hello everyone! I am a 28 yr old male, and I have now been taking this drug for about 1 1/2 yrs. What is so overwhelming to me is that I have been having some of these side effects, but it never occurred to me that they may have been caused by this medication. My side effects are not major, but they do really affect my self esteem and I think have some what depressed me a bit.

None of us have direct physical evidence that this medication is the cause, but I don't think this is a big coincidence. Below are what I believe may be side effects of this medicine:

Unlike before I now feel:

-Anxiety (im always nerves, and was blaming debt for it)
-Decrease in sexual drive (also blaming my financial problems)
-Joints popping all the time (blaming my gaut)
-Bigger forehead because of minor loss of hair (blaming age)
-Problem falling asleep (blaming financial problems)

and again im always scared, even if everything is ok (ive been holding together because on the other hand, since i was born, I have always been a very strong minded person). This is really depressing because two years ago, nothing would be scare me, I mean nothing, I was afraid of nothing. No matter what time it was, or what situation I found myself in, my buddy down south would be ready for action, now when im going to have sex, im all worried hoping that it works!, (dont get me wrong, it works like 90% of the time) but before it would work 200% of the time, i mean i was turned on by a damn broom, and now its not the same. This really *ux!

I have been blaming everything on my financial ruin that I am currently in, but am having second thoughts on what is causing all of this. This site has really opened my eyes and given me a whole new theory and even hope.

I once asked my doctor that if I went home and got on a diet, exercised and did all that was necessary, would he consider taking me off the pill or lowering my dosage and he immediately said NO. I mean he almost didn't even let me finish asking. He told me that If i wanted to go in a pine box to stop taking it. So he scared the crap out of so I have not stopped taking it. I can afford to go to different doctors because i don't have insurance or money to pay for the visit. I wonder if this doctors has advised me based on his financial convenience. I mean is it possible that a doctor may lie? I never thought doctors would lie. Im afraid of just getting off the pill, im afraid that all the doctors are going to tell me not to get off of it. my bp is usually about 130/85 some times up to 140/90.

I would appreciate peoples thoughts on what I should do?

Thanks everyone that takes part in this blog! it is really helpful for people like me that have no money to get advice.

Hope everyone makes the right decision!

Regards!

I have been taking 20mg Lisinopril for six days for 140/100 BP reduction. Muscle cramps, muscle pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears (which I already had, but this medication has made it MUCH worse),some heart palpitations...generally scary and, on balance, I am going to find some other solution. Frankly, this is like taking a slow acting poison.

ok, i have been on lisinopril 10mg hctz for about a year now. sometimes i feel the cough, sometimes my throat fells tight , but one thing that scared the hell out of me just in the last few weeks was a sudden bald spot on the top of my head, granted i am 50, but i have a reasonable head of hair, i also, to my surprise found a little bald spot usually where a man does not go bald down toward the back of the head. I just walked by my haircut lady to ask her if i had this bald spot two months ago and she said no way and to hurry and see a dermatologist, i am truly thinking its this dam drug, anyone else experience sudden hair loss in strange places on the head? thanks.

Wow it's amazing how at this time there is forty seven pages of people making this up! I really think the maker of this drug should be burned at the stake, I still have palpitations after taking this drug for about 8 months . I have been off of this drug for about 8 months now and feel way better then I did while taking it. I have started a diet and exercise plan and now my bp is normally 117 over 70 , I'd say thats pretty good for still being over weight (I have lost forty two pounds so far) I am not taking any meds right now because diet and exercise has worked so far for me . And I went through hell thinking I was dying while taking this med with the palpitations , chest pain , dizziness , fatigue , tingling in my hands and feet , burning sensation in my feet , and depression . Is anyone suing the maker of this drug ? I think we should all get together and get this off the market so nobody else has to go through this !

My whole life 120/70. Two months ago 160/103 wtf. I am on my second month of lisinopril. I am pretty sure it has caused me to be absent minded and grouchy. I was never these before. Worse yet for me is that I am a life long runner. I live to exercise so that I can enjoy the more fun things in life. beer wine and good food. ( I am 47 years old) I ran my first marathon 26.2 miles in January. I now have trouble running three miles with out getting fatigued, dizzy and winded. This sucks!!! any advice would be appreciated.

im a 28 yr old male taking this med for 3 weeks i developed a rash type thing on my balls and penis they are itchy and red kinda raw ive also had swollen lips that cracked in the corner of my mouth. ive also developed a allergic rash on my face that made my face swell to the point i almost cant see out of my left eye my ears are red hot swollen and f ing itchy my doctor told me to take a couple bennies and stop the LISINOPRIL to see if that was the issue at hand ill come back to reply to let you know if this is my allergic reaction any body know a good bp med that doesn't suck ?

So what do we do? Wean? Cold turkey? Find and alternative? I didn't take my dose yesterday and felt better than i have in months. My bp was also in normal range. I haven't taken it today yet, and I'm thinking of taking a half dose a day until i can see my doctor, because my bp is a little up today.

Hi, folks, I posted back on September 22nd here, and have also responded to a few of your postings. I fear a lot of people visit once but never return here. That's a shame. An ongoing conversation might help us all.

Anyhow, I pretty thoroughly hate all the anti-hypertension drugs since every one that I've been given has caused me suffering and, in many cases, damage either temporary or permanent. I'm now on Cozaar, very expensive but I'm hoping it will prove tolerable.

One thing I would recommend is for all of you to look up a book by a research scientist, Richard Moore, Ph.D., M.D. It's called "The High Blood Pressure Solution." You can find it new or used at Amazon or perhaps even at your local bookstore or library. Dr. Moore taught at the University of Indiana, and was adjunct at the University of Vermont and also New York Stony Brook. A top level researcher. One of the great things about his book is that he explains, at the cellular level, what is the cause of most cases of hypertension. Not all, but most. The chapter on the science is high school level science, but you can skip it if you wish and still get the important stuff. After reading his book, for the first time I really understood the roles of sodium and potassium in blood pressure. It's not helped my BP very much, but at least I know what's going on. For those of you who've just recently developed high BP, it could possibly help you a LOT.

Bless you all, folks, and good luck. We all need it!

Glad I found you all. I have a couple questions. I am on 5mg Lisinopril and am already weaning myself off. What other meds do you recommend for blood pressure? Can we just stop taking it? I've only been on it for a couple weeks. I check my b/p daily and it is usually good. So I don't believe I have "high" b/p. I think it went up during pain and stress and my doc decided to keep it in check. I've been getting a lot of headaches and dizziness. I also have MS and Graves disease. So I'm confused and complicated.

Thanks

So. I have read a lot here about side effects. What have you guys switched to (i.e. what BPM are you taking now)?

Who has switched to something else and been pleased with the results?

Need specifics please on an alternative.

I greatly appreciate the comments posted on this site; I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and because I had not seen a doctor in > 3 yrs was prescribed Lisinopril to protect my kidneys. I had a concern about taking HBM because my average is 118/78 – 120/80. My prescribed dose of Lisinopril is 10MG but I cut the pills in half because I was extremely leery of possible side effects, doing so my BP is around 117/74. I will keep watch over every change that takes place in my body; and protest if things appear seriously out of sorts; thanks again for your comments, they are invaluable.

I was taking 20 MG of Lisinopril for approximately 1 month, getting a bp reading of about 155/95, so my doctor increased the dosage to 40 MG. About 2 weeks after that, my BP is up a lot, to about 190-200/95-110. Anyone have a similar reaction?

Started taking Lisinopril approx. 6 years. ago. Shortly afterwards I started a spiral downwards for no apparent reason. Did not connect this med. Shortly after starting it I was put on Synthroid for low thyroid. Started having loss of balance, dizziness, vision problems, muscle and nerve pain. B/P went up instead of going down. Have been to every type of Dr. (Neurologist, Dermatologist, Endocrinologist, Internist) and every nerve & muscle test and blood work came back negative. I have extreme cold in my hands and feet, increased back pain. headaches. This past week I have broken out in a rash on my torso and down both legs. The doctors answers are that I'm suffering from depression. The irony is that when the symptoms first started I questioned if I could be having a reaction to the medication and they flat out said no. After reading some of the comments as of today I am discontinuing the Lisinopril and will searce for something natural. I'm fed up with doctors and really short on cash from all the money spent trying to find an answer.

I am 61 years old. I started taking Lisinopril 10mg, once a day about 6-7 months ago. Because of cough, I switched to Diovan 80mg, once a day (samples from my physician friend). After running out of Diovan samples, I started taking Lisinopril 5 mg, once a day again about three months ago. For better BP control, I ended up again taking Lisinopril 10 mg, once a day about 5-6 weeks ago. I started to simultaneously suffer from having persistent, extensive and progressively worsening joint and muscle pains in my both sides of neck, both shoulders, both upper arms, left elbow, left lower arm, both wrists, both hands, all fingers, both knees and left calf muscles. I had difficulties walking, moving my arms, shoulders, doing anything with my hands at the peak of the pains about 7-8 days ago. In the night, my fingers were very stiff and uncomfortable that I hardly could make a fist and I had difficulties getting up to go to bath room because of pains. I felt like I were a 90 years old man. Even Cataflam and Advil did not work well to relieve the pain. As a retired physician, I started to suspect it was Lisinopril-induced side effects. I searched on Google and found this web site. Now, I realize that I am not alone. I got my Lisinopril from CVS Pharmacy. I immediately stopped taking Lisinopril about one week ago. All my joint and muscle pains have been dramatically subsiding (although not completely disappeared) without taking any NSAID pain killer. Even "cough problem" became much worse during the same time. I am convinced that Lisinopril I got from CVS caused my serious, extensive, multiple joint and muscle pains. Perhaps, FDA should look into this side effect: whether it is common ACE inhibitor related side effect or it is possible manufacturer, country origin of the product related problem (made in a non-USA country and imported by CVS?). I would never take Lisinopril again. Posted by myh810.

I just started taking this drug three days ago, and I am already having such bad side effects that I don't want to take it anymore. I am only 29, but have a family history of high BP, and went to the doctor last week to find out my bp was 175/90. Since starting the drug, I've been getting dizziness, but last night took the cake. I woke up around 4:30 with horrible nausea. I ran to the bathroom where I fainted while sitting on the toilet lid, wanting nothing more than to vomit. I remember waking up and looking in the mirror, and my face was as white as a sheet, as were my lips. I looked dead, and it scared the hell out of me. As I came to, I suddenly had diarrhea hit me, and once that was over, I felt better. My husband thinks my body is trying to get rid of the drug. In addition to all this, I am having palpitations and feel that my heart is beating too fast. I know that part of this is nerves, because I'm scared of taking this medication, but the fainting and nausea ARE because of the drug. I called my doctor today, and she wants me to come in to get my BP taken again. I am so scared that she won't lower the dose or (better yet) switch me to something else, because my bp always goes up at the doctor's office when I get nervous, every time. Oh, and I also started metformin last week because the doctor tested my blood sugar and it came back 250. Could it be the combination? I don't know. I just know I have only been on this stuff for a few days and already hate it and feel that it's bad for my body! It's very scary.

My post is going to read similarly to all the other posts. It's 2:45 a.m. and I got up, feeling like I was having a heart attack. I went online to see if I could learn more about Lisinopril. I've been taking 10mg for just over two weeks. I've been short of breath, wheezing, sore throat just started, had chest pains and palpitations, lowered body temperature, and mild anxiety. I was put on this medication to lower significantly elevated blood pressure -- at times as high as 212/106. That scared me! I don't want to have a stroke and yet, on this medication, I feel terrible. My BP is lower which is good and my headaches have subsided, but considering the side effects I've already experienced, I'm reluctant to continue with this drug. I see my doctor on in a couple of days and I'm hoping she has a better option. I also take Atenolol and am wondering if upping that dosage is a viable option as I've had no notable side effects with that drug. Thank you all for your posts.

I have been taking it for almost a week. I was swimming and got this awful leg cramp and had to get out of the pool. I got some potass. pills and took a couple before I noticed it wasn't recommended. Dear me! I couldn't go to sleep last night and rolled a lot and just couldn't relax I'm hoping things get better in the next few days. My back was hurting a lot today so don't know if there is a relationship or not. I hope this gets better as this medication did take it down a lot from 166 to 110.

I'm just not used to taking medication at all, but want to live awhile.

I recently back in April of this year received Cyberknife radiation for Adenocarcinoma with metastasis to my brain. After surgery to remove my brain tumor in March of 2009. I went though whole brain radiation and the Cyberknife to my lung. The doctor was very adamant that as the lung heals from radiation you will develop what they call wet lung or neumonesis sp? This will have to be treated separately, or severe coughing would continue. My primary care doctor in the mean time put me on Lisinopril 20 mg for hypertension. I have not gotten a good nights sleep in 2.5 months since, then came the pneumonosis. This cough persist to this day waking me from what little sleep I do get, and amazingly am now suffering from joint pain especial in my hips. It's to the point I can't even cross my legs anymore it hurts. When discussing this with my primary she says its in my head as of today and reading this site and side effects I am taking myself off of Lisinopril and will seek a second opinion, even a third if need be thank you all so much for posting your side effects from this drug.

I was taking lisinopril and having optical migraines, pain behind my left eye, continued high blood pressure and had lost half the vision in my right eye. Went into the hospital bp was 240/138 having tia. After 10 years of fighting the BP problems and going from med to med, I finally figured out my problem was really with Aspartame, the artificial sweetener. Aspartame and MSG are both excitations that do terrible things to your brain. After cutting out diet soda and all other sources of the aspartame, and reading labels and staying away from MSG, and cutting out caffeine. I am off all of my meds and starting to feel normal again. It sure cuts down one the quick things you can eat, but better than being a slave to the BP meds forever. with all their side effects. Search the web for Aspartame side effects. You'll be surprised

I have been on lisinopril for almost 3 months started out with 20 mg a day and my doctor upped my dose to 40 mg a day after going back for a check bp was still high I guess. About a month ago was out in the sun for about 6 hours and ever since then my head has been flaking and itching and has some scabs on it I also have some red rash on the back of my neck. Has anyone else experience this? I can't get it to stop either I tried using Head and Shoulders for 2 weeks like the doctor told me but it doesn't help. Any suggestions?

Hi all.

I just discovered this website, and reading all these comments makes me want to comment also. I, too, am on Lisinopril and am suffering many of the side effects mentioned here.

I'm a 54-year old male, and have had high blood pressure since around 1998-99. Nothing really controls it, although I've had episodic success from time to time. I lost a lot of my hearing last year due to a BP-related disorder called "hydrops" (my right ear particularly), and my eyesight has declined from 20/20 to "mediocre" in record time (although it's been largely stable now for 5 years).

Really, everything bad started when the medications began in 2002. For example, I now have Type II diabetes, almost certainly as a result of the diuretic I was prescribed from 2002-2007. I could also tell horror stories about clonidine, Toprol, Accupril, and others.

Latest event: I ended up in the hospital ER last Wednesday for what seemed like a minor stroke. I am now suspecting the Lisinopril because the symptoms so mimic much of what folks describe here. I've never had the bad cough, but the joint aches are awful. As for the stroke (actually, a TIA -- Transient Ischemic Attack) -- we'll know for sure after the MRI tomorrow, but my regular doc and the neurologist suspect it was NOT a TIA. Then I see descriptions here of tingling, neuralgia, and other symptoms identical to what happened to me!

Sadly, I don't have any simple answers to share. I've tried to cut all sodium from my diet, and I know that's helped. I am now trying a device called the Zona Plus (******), some $300 but possibly worth it. I used it for 90 days in 2007, then gave up and went to a no-salt diet ... and my BP dropped like a stone. I thought diet would do it all, but I was wrong. I should have continued using the Zona. So now I've started a new trial of it. We'll see what 60-90 days on it PLUS a low-sodium diet can do.

There's another device called the Resperate which is also kind of spendy. Anyone tried it and had success?

I'll be seeing my doctor this week or early next, and asking him to get me off the Lisinopril. But what to replace it with? Any ideas will be welcome.

Im so thankful i found this site, i was put on lisinopril about 2 months ago, i woke up one morning and felt dizzy took my bp and it was really high, i had never had problems before so i was surprised, went to the er where they check my blood and did an ekg, everything was fine, i have been so tired lately, my sex drive is completely gone, im having tingling in my hands every night, and my heartbeat is always elevated, my doctor is giving me an excuse of being over weight, well im only about 20-30 lbs over weight and never had this problem when i was 30 lbs heavier.. i have no energy to go to the gym, i was working out 3-5 times a week before, now i do good to get a full days work in, im always feeling shortness of breathe, im so sick of this, after reading this forum i have decided to stop taking it and hoping i get my energy back so i can get back to my life thanks to every one and their post.

I am 62, my bp 139/87 and just started lisinopril @10mg for the first week to increase to 20mg after that. I am 3 days into the regime and have no side effects.

I will post again after I increase the dosage.

I've been reading the responses to this medication, and I have to say I'm shocked. I've been experiencing most of the side effects on this site, and I thought I was starting to lose my mind.

I've always had panic and anxiety disorder, and I had developed an inner ear infection 4 months ago. This was also AFTER I quit smoking and started exercising and eating healthier. Well quitting smoking gave me horrible panic attacks that would last 3 or 4 hours at a time, and when I woke up that morning feeling dizzy I panicked because I had never experienced an inner ear infection.

I went to the hospital 3 days later because I was so dizzy and I was experiencing numbness in my face and left arm. I thought I was having either a stroke or heart attack, and it turned out my heart was just fine but my blood pressure was 195/105. They immediately put me on Lisinopril and Metoprolol to bring my BP down. They said I had high blood pressure brought about by obesity and panic disorder (no crap?).

I took the metoprolol for about a week before I started noticing my hands and feet go cold and my heart rate was dipping down into the 30's. Being someone who reads up on his medication, I knew what medication was causing what and I stopped taking it. My heart rate went back to normal and my body temperature went from 96 back to 98.6.

The only thing I was taking was Lisinopril 10mg which my doctor later increased to 20mg. After this I started feeling like I was constantly hanging upside down because my whole head felt so congested. I figured the ear infection was coming back again and didn't give it a second thought. Then the panic attacks started getting so bad, worse than I've ever had before. I was experiencing panic attacks 3 to 4 times a day (I still do, but I'm going to stop taking Lisinopril after today). The dizziness came back as more of a light-headed feeling, despite still having medium-high blood pressure. Since being on Lisinopril, my blood pressure stays in the 130/80 range, going as high as 145/90 during the day. What a help that was.

I also noticed my heart rate dip again. For 2 weeks my resting heart rate was around 51 and lower, though my blood pressure was still high. This is unusual for me, this past week my heart has been racing with a resting heart rate of around 106. I went from bradycardia to tachycardia in a matter of days. My hair has been falling out, my body temperature has been low, my heart rate is all over the place with Hell's own palpitations, I'm getting chest pains every now and then, my neck and head have been hurting, I've been coughing so hard I throw up, my stomach hurts, I have diarrhea and bad heart burn.

And on top of all of that, I'm so fatigued I can barely get out of bed half the time. And this is while eating VERY HEALTHY and walking 2 miles a day! ***? I thought maybe it was my thyroid (I'm scheduled to have blood tests for that next week), but now I'm quite convinced this "medicine" is the root of all my problems.

If I want low blood pressure, I will have to continue losing the weight, and eating less salt, because I will NEVER do this again.

I am a 60 year old male. I have a bad heart, type 2 diabetes, damage to my heart from a heart attack in 2006. i have a pacer/defibrillator in me.
now after reading all these post i am wondering. i have been taking this medicine since 1996 when then i was told i had my 2nd heart attack and i did not know i even had my first. This medication was given to me for either an alfa or bata blocker, was on 5mg.. now i am on 2 1/2 that i take at night. i take a total of 19 pills a day and 5 shots of insulin, i have bad teeth and now the rest of them have to come out and i have to have bone mass ground down just to get some false teeth. wow i am in great shape huh..lol
well since the little history on me, this is what i am going thru now. i wake up with this deep cough and it gets to a point were i am gagging, after i get the what i call the hair ball out i feel a little better, then i have to keep blowing my nose to get the mucus out of my nasal cavity, I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE THIS MORNING WITH THIS and i did die 4 times in 3 days in 2006 when i had this last heart attack. I see my caro Dr. on the 11th of this month, and i am gonna ask to go off this crap. my bp is normally anywhere from 90/55 to 114/65. and before i was taking this medicine and my attacks in 96, my bp was normally 124 over 70. now i can understand that this medicine is suppose to help protect my kidneys, but the way i am dry heaving and coughing one day they are gonna with everything else in this body cavity come out thru my mouth.
i am horrified off all the ppl and post i have read about this little blue pill i take and it is not for keeping wood either, that floated down the river. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE A POST ...YOU HAVE MADE ME QUESTION THIS MEDICATION AND I AM GOING TO DO MORE AND MORE RESEARCH ON ITS SIDE EFFECTS.

I am a healthy, active female on a low dose of premarin from a hysterectomy last year, went on a low dose or Lisinopril last June and within a month, was at the ER twice for heart attack symptoms. My EKGs were perfect, thyroid, electrolytes, etc. and we determined, my sis has two MDs that I was over-medicated because the panic attacks started there after and were nightmares! My doc said menopause triggers these even on hormones, I know my body and I was being poisoned with Lisinopril! Been off a month now and this is my first weekend I felt normal w/no more stroke/heart attack signs thank the Lord! Any ideas on what we menopausal women can take for high BP? There is life after this drug but if it high BP runs in your family, some kind therapy is needed for us middle aged gals!

I am a 54 yr old female never been sick I started to have high BP so I went to the doctor and they said because of my family history I should take Lisinopril
Well it is about 3 months and I cough all the time and i have been waking up at night a lot, so I went back to the doctor and they said go off it for 2 weeks and then we will try something else.No Thank you I will go back to natural remedies which have keep me healthy for yrs Good luck to you all!

I have been taking Lisinopril about 6 weeks it has lowered by blood pressure from 135 over 75 to 105 over 55, I feel dizzy and seem to get angry very easily. I was started off on 10 mg when I complained It was reduced to 5 mg by cutting my pill in half but my bp went back up to 125 over 70 which I guess is a little high. The above bp number are averages my bp can vary about 10 points from day to day.

I have been taking lisinopril for almost a year and it has decreased my sex drive. It has also decreased my blood pressure which is more important. My wife would prefer me to be healthy and doing it less often than dying on top of her. The only recent major problem I have had is dizziness and vomiting. I took it a few days ago and found myself sweating and dizzy. I tried to eat something and vomited it up in a mnute or so. I think changing my diet and exercising is more important than taking snake venom to open my veins. I am going to get off this stuff and try to eat right and exercise. I am a Black male 6'2" and about 265lbs. At 44 I should not be feeling dizzy all the time. Before this drug I took barley pills which made me dizzy as well. The nausea and dizziness are terrible and I think I will come off this stuff permanently after seeing my doctor. I do get nervous when I go to the doctor but I also know that I eat too much and at the wrong time and I need to exercise more. Worrying about the economy isn't helping either.

I am 48 years old and have been on Lisinop/HCTZ for about 6 weeks. From the onset of taking this medicine I have experienced swelling in my legs -- from knees to ankles. Also my stomach has swelled. Now I am experiencing muscle cramps in my legs that are bothersome when I stand up or lie in bed. I never had this on my other BP meds, but my doctor switched me to Lisinop?HCTZ. The doctor thinks it could be my heart, lungs, or kidneys causing the swelling.
HELLO, take me off this stuff first!

Funny, I've been on Lisinopril for 4 yrs. & just noticed the tip of my tongue felt numb & with a weird taste. I thought it was from the Hysterectomy I had ungone a month ago. Nope it's due to the Lisinopril. So is the depression. WOW, I think it may be time to change BP Meds.

I am a 36 yr old Hispanic-female who's been on all kinds of bp meds, since my early 20's. I am not overweight nor am I diabetic. For the past year or so I have been on Lisinopril 10mg.....here lately, I feel like I am having panic attacks all the times, w/the tightening feeling in my chest....and anger so much anger. I couldn't explain to myself OR my husband why I was feeling this way. This medication has totally taken over, not just my life, but my family's as well. Thank God and all you who have posted your comments and side effects on this site. I don't know how I bumped into this site, but I am soooo glad I did!! Never before have I felt this way....and guess what??? As of tomorrow, I will NOT be taking this medication anymore and will be setting an appt w/my dr. asap!!!! Thank you all...and for those of you who say, take the meds and get over it?? WHY waste your time....obviously, all of us have some type of problem w/this med...if you don't that is great!! Get out then!!!! Have a good day....

Hello
I am 57 years old and my BP has been trying to rise for the last 2 or 3 years. Without meds it is about 145/93. I started taking lisinopril 20mg, and it helped but didn't remedy the problem. My doctor added doxazosin mesylate 4mg and raised my lisinopril to 40mg. It was better but he also added hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg. My pressure is down to 118/68 most of the time now., but my hair has really started to fall out in the last month or so. It was thinning due to age anyway, but this has really kicked it into high gear. I jog and try to eat low fat diet, otherwise healthy. Any suggestions as to what the culprit is? and what to do about it?
Thanks

One more thing...I think everyone taking BP Meds should google the FASEB Journal and read the article "From Viper's Venom to Drug Design: Treating Hypertension". Fascinating! Can't imagine going to the Doctor and saying" "Hey Doc, can you give me a shot of that Viper Venom" to lower my blood pressure"? Can you? Do you think your Neurological system has be compromised?

Without a doubt!

Is anyone experiencing confusion, trouble thinking, trouble concentrating, decreased cognitive function, mental sluggishness, trouble solving problems or situations which require logical thinking and sequencing, and memory loss? Would love to hear from anyone experiencing any these symptoms and if so, how long were you on the drug.
Thanks!

P.S. I just happened to visit the Alzheimers Association Sites Forum as I was interested in a connection between BP meds (particularly this crap) and guess what...you will not believe the those folks diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimers who have taken Lisinopril for years before diagnosis...Hmmm...any connection here...bet there is...? This crap has been around since the early 80's...wonder how many people now in there 70's were taking Lisinopril in their 50's and are now suffering dementia. This is not coincidence folks. These BP meds that cross the blood brain barrier are doing more harm than good. Can't understand why if this drug can cause depression, it can't be doing other things to the brain. It is...I tell you it is....get off this crap before you're sitting in a Nursing Home and don't know your ass from a hole in the ground.

I've been taking 10mg Lisinopril for a year with absolutely no side effects. (I'm 6'3", 225lbs.) My BP was nearing 140/90 when they started me on it. Now it's constantly down under 125/85. Still a little high - I just need to exercise more and lose weight. Good luck all.
-S.

I like many others had average shoulder length hair. Since I have been on Lisinopril and HCTZ my hair has thinned in the top considerably, the texture has changed from mildly kinky to borderline straight. I am concerned about putting any heat on my hair, it is soft like cotton. I cannot style it so I pull it back. My BP is well controlled on the meds, however I am only 55 and my hair has thinned like a much older woman. Does anyone know if stopping these meds will make the hair regrow once it has thinned?? Help

I'm a 20 year old underweight male and usually 165/100. Since it's been like this for a few years I decided to go to the doctor's, and was first given metoprolol. After 2 weeks I couldn't handle its HORRIBLE side effects and was switched to 10mg lisinopril. Its been a month now and the only side effects I'm experiencing are shortness of breath and muscle aches throughout my entire body. It feels like everybody else said--like you worked out way too much the day before, except EVERY day. I've never had muscle strains in my life and have already had two in my legs and one in my arm, but even lifting a heavy box that would normally be no problem feels like it will rip off my arms and break my lower back. I don't know how you people keep trying different drugs and failing, if the next drug isn't perfect for me without any side effects I'm giving up and will just live happily ever after with high BP like I was before. Thanks for helping me figure out where these muscle aches are likely coming from!

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Hypertension

Hello. I have been dealing with my hypertension now for approximately 1-1/2 years now and those of you that have read my findings through my previous posts know that I'm always looking for natural supplements to stay off of the lisinopril. I stumbled onto a new herb for bp. You absolutely have to try this. I went to see my doctor yesterday and I was having a really stressed out day dealing with a family crisis and my bp was 150/100. I left with a prescription, but I received my order of this stuff in the afternoon and I took the recommended two tablets twice a day and woke up this morning with my bp 108/69. This product gets shipped from India and takes approximately two weeks to arrive by registered air mail, but very much worth the wait. I have the link to order it and to read more about the herbal treatment. If you are interested, feel free to e-mail me and I will send it to you. Take care and good luck.

I was prescribed this drug for HBP and have been taking it for 6 days. I've been checking my BP daily and it is now on the low side, averaging 100/60, sometimes lower. On day 2 I tried to take my dog for our normal walk and was so fatigued I could barely make it home. My legs were burning like never before! I thought that my body might just need a few days to get used to the medicine. However, I have become increasingly tired and the muscle fatigue is so bad I can't even blow dry my hair, or scramble eggs without my arms burning. I also have developed a slight cough. I took 1/2 pill today but think I will stop after feeling like this and reading all of these posts.

I was taking lisinopril and as far as my blood pressure goes, it worked great. However, after taking this drug (and Diovan and Benicar as well,) over time I developed Gastritis and GERD. I've switched to Micardis recently. Day 5 today and I don't get the sharp stomach pains I would get 20 or so minutes after dosing Lisinopril. IMO blood pressure is important to control. There's 100's of these type of drugs out there. I suggest to keep on trying different ones until you find one that works for you. This is number 5 for me (I tried Tekturna, which did not give me the digestion side effects, but was not effective for my bp.) I went with Micardis next because it's formulated differently than the Diovans and Cozaars and Lisinoprils, and so far so good. Wish me luck.

Well, let's see now.................
I am a 48 year old female who has always been healthy.
4 months ago I went to the clinic for stomach pain that was gnawing at me. That's when my nightmare started. I was told to go straight to the local hospitals ER room because my Blood Pressure was 238/127
I was kept for 2 days in the cardiac unit. Tests were run and they all came out perfectly fine. I was then put on 50 mg toporol along with 20 mg Lisinopril. I was sent home and couldn't hardly function. Nauseous and dizzy, I was hanging onto walls just to go to the bathroom. Doctor switched me to Diovan instead of the lisinopril but insurance would not cover it. So once again I was switched to Avapro taken along with toporol.
By the second day on Avapro I was itching extremely and my skin was on fire. I called the Doctor once again and he said to Quit the Avapro and just take the Toporol alone. Well, within 4 days I ended back up in the emergency room with an elevated bp of 204/107. Once again, I was kept overnight and put on Labetelol (an alpha and Beta Blocker).
I did quite well on this med for a month and then the bp levels started to rise once again. I called the doctor this evening and was told to take 20 mg of the Lisinopril I had in the medicine cabinet along with the Labetelol.
It's been two hours and I'm starting to itch from the Lisinopril now....sigh.
Thank God I go to the clinic in the morning!!
I am really getting anxiety problems from dealing with these meds!!
Hopefully I can get everything straightened out. I am willing to hang in there until I can find something that works. It is obvious to me that I need HBP medication. I just wish They could find the right ones for me without having to go through all this . To all of you that have high BP, Hang in there. If one med doesn't work, keep trying!!
God Bless All Of You!!!!

It's 4:42 a.m. Can't sleep. Keep coughing when start to doze off then. Shortness of breath. Was cold now hot.. Started searching internet for side effects found this site. I am taking 40mg of this started only 4 days ago. coughing up the clear stuff. started today. runny nose. have the same spitting episodes. I may go to ER. Trying to make it through the night to call dr. in the morning. I am unemployed...can't afford ER. have to visit clinic. Very hot. I wish I had known about these side effects would never have taken this medicine.

Mistake in my last post - upper home figure should read 140/90. Even more scope for people to stop increasing their BP by worrying.

Just a reminder to everyone that the upper norm. for BP taken in a clinic is 195/95 and at home, 135/90. Be aware of 'white coat effect'. Everyone gets stressed out in those situations and it's far better to monitor yourself at home. Think far too many people are being given these drugs when their BP is perfectly normal.