Lisinopril and leg cramps

My tongue got thicker. I was only on Lisinopril for 5 days. I have also had severe leg cramps at bedtime and an episode of feeling disoriented. I went off this drug immediately and will never go back on it. I have never had these kinds of symptoms before.

Husband taking 10mg. He is having dizziness, confusion, memory lapse, depression, short-temper, severe leg cramps, chills, loss of appetite, constipation and severe stomach cramps. We are discontinuing this medication. He thinks it's literally killing him like being poisoned.

Am I the only one who has gained a lot of weight while on Lisinopril? I have gained over 40lbs in 3 years. I have also experienced odd muscle cramping and have never made a connection to this and Lisinopril. The pain in my ear, side of my head, and my jaw was unbelievable. ENT dr thought it was TMJ or nerve damage. He was not able to really pin down the exact cause. One month later I was bed ridden with severe back pain, which I have never had before. MRI showed nothing. Headaches are daily, cough, leg cramps, chest pain, decreased sex drive, and definitely have feelings of depression. I have never made the connection between the changes in my personality, health, and lifestyle to this medicine; but now I have. I will be immediately contacting my doctor to discuss alternatives. My BP when I started was 150/90 and now is 112/70. Please let me know if anyone has also had the weight gain like I have experienced. I know I am going to have to have hard facts to show to my doctor. Thank you.

I have been taking 40mg of Lisinopril daily for over 5 years, which has successfully lowered my blood pressure. I thought the drug was fine - however, I do occasionally experience ED, and to be sure of successful performance, I need to take 50 mg of Viagra. My testosterone levels are fine. My doctor has ascribed the ED to my 3 - 4 glasses of wine each evening - saying that if I reduced the wine intake to 2 glasses, the problem would go away. After reading these accounts, I'm not sure it is the wine. I did experience severe leg cramps at night for 2 - 3 years - but those have stopped, and I have not had any of the other symptoms mentioned.

I had been on Lisinopril for about 5 weeks, first on 40 mg. then I reduced it in half on my own, and have now decided to stop entirely and go back on Avapro. When I started it, I developed flu like symptoms and I thought I was just sick, but my body continued to fill "unwell". I had such terrible vertigo that I fell down 3 times and would get very dizzy when sitting up or bending over. Sometimes, the vertigo comes when I am sitting perfectly still! I became constipated and bloated with bouts of gas, headaches and sore throat in the evenings. My arms and legs were falling asleep during the night, so bad that I had to wake up and massage my hands and move my legs to get them circulating. Also, leg cramps have developed and cramps and shoulder pain that doesn't want to go away.I started to have to urinate all the time, as well! When I went to the doctor's office after being on it for 3 weeks, I complained that I was feeling awful (like I was going to die), depression had set in, I want to sleep all the time and have terrible vertigo, I was told that these were unusual symptoms and to try it for a few more weeks and see if these symptoms subside! Typical!!! It is thru researching blogs like these that I found that my symptoms are not at all unusual, but they are VERY ALARMING! I am a 46 year old woman and am healthy in every way. This medicine makes me feel as if I am being poisoned! I went off of it yesterday and am now doing an herbal cleanse to detox myself. I am also on fish peptides - which lowered my bp substantially in the past, but needed to find a reliable source that keeps it in stock all the time. It is safe and has no side effects.

My doctor (PA, actually) prescribed Lisinopril a few weeks ago because I'm diabetic and she said it would help protect my kidneys as well as lower my moderately-high blood pressure. Things went well for a couple of weeks, but the past few days have been unbearable. Not much of a cough, but I feel terribly weak, exhausted, and I can hardly think at all--am very confused, and can barely write this note (strange for a professional writer, eh?). I also have trouble walking, am quite dizzy and out of breath, and have severe muscle cramps; feels almost like my nervous system is shutting down. And truly, I feel like it could kill me. I was grateful to read all of your comments; makes me know that I'm not alone. I will have to discontinue this medication, as I simply cannot function while using it. (I'm a 62-year-old female, by the way.) Thanks again for your comments, and I wish you all luck and happiness.

45 year old female - 10mg per day taken at night for kidney protection. CONSTANT cough to the point I sometimes gag and get a pounding headache. Sinus drainage, leg cramps at night, itching red skin, can't sleep at night, very irritable. I actually thought I had a bad cold for the last 3 months with some allergies kicking in - BS - it is the Lisinopril - I know that now after reading hundreds of people saying the same thing...I e-mailed my doctor today and told her I want off this horrible drug!

I didn't seem to have any side effects until the doctor upped my dose to 20 mg of lisinopril after 7 weeks at 10 mg.Then the gastro-intestinal effects started with gas,constipation and severe cramping for about 2 hours every night.I finally was told to quit the lisinopril and wait until side effects subside to try another approach.I would be interested in find a more natural way to control my HBP other than a drug derived from a pit viper's venom.

I ran out the other day and haven't taken Lisinopril for three days. I feel overall better! One thing. I've been fighting knee and shoulder pain something like bursitis or tendonitis and the pain seems to have diminished. Any others with this experience? It may be all in my head but what the heck!!

Approximateley 1 year ago, I went to the emergency room and was treated with lisinopril for hbp. The following day I woke up with a terrefic migraine and cramping in both legs. I learned via internet that it contains the venom of a Brazilian Piper snake. Now, one year later, I am still having the cramps. Patients should be told what is in the products that we are being given. I only had two pills but it has changed my life. I am still suffering with leg cramps. They are poisoning all of us.

I have read a ton of the posts in this category. I have been taking Lisinopril as an addition to my regular blood pressure medication for approximately 3 years, with absolutely no problems. My 10mg was increased to 20mg a week ago. Still no problems. It has only helped me. If there are any changes, I will definitely post it. I believe that symptoms can arise from reading an article. I actually know a couple people who read things, and suddenly they are convinced they have the problem or disease referenced. I call it an Epidemic of Diagnoses. Always seek a doctors advice before stopping medications. Stopping suddenly on certain drugs, can be more dangerous than taking them.

I have been on this drug for a year. I have never felt worse in my life. I am a 54 year old woman who works out daily and am not overweight but I have HBP. My side effects did not start until 6 months after being on this drug, so I didn't think right away that it was this drug.
I would wake up with severe leg cramps at night that would not go away. I had severe pain in the lower back and on both sides where the kidneys are. I thought I had a terminal illness. I could not function in my life at all. My dr. changed my RX to Benicar which is in the same family the results were worse than the lisinopril. I took myself off both drugs for two days and all symptoms went away except the HBP. I am now on amlodipine for two days so far so good no cramps no pain. The only side effect is flushing which is a piece of cake next to what I lived with.
I am also so happy I found this site I thought I was either dying or going crazy.

I am 49 years old. I have taken Lisinopril for 8 days. The BP dropped from 175 systolic to 125 in the first two days. Last night I experienced the worst leg cramps ever in my upper thigh and groin area. I frightened my family as I screamed in agony for over an hour. Today I have continuously felt that both legs are going to cramp. I also have arthritis in my knee, which has worsened after needing to immobilize the leg with heat during cramping. My sister suggested the BP medication may have contributed to the cramps, and that's when I found this site. Thank you for all your posts. My meds are going to the police station's collection site tomorrow.

Severe leg cramps ....impotence....gout...depression.....thirst...

The leg cramps at 3 in the morning are KILLIN ME!!!!

I'm 40 yrs old and was prescribed Lisinopril on July 2. For at least a month or so I've been experiencing constipation and headaches on occasion. The leg cramps happen every night though. My scalp has been very tender in areas, my throat is sore, I have the nagging cough, my vision seems to have gotten worse, and my skin itches miserably. I have headaches, which I thought were sinus headaches, but sinus meds didn't help. Yesterday the itching got so bad, I took Benadryl, which helped...I also slept VERY well...I went to the Dr today. He looked at my arms and back which were red and splotchy. He told me to stop taking the Lisinopril and we'll watch my BP. I'm hoping that all these things go away soon. I was beginning to think it was all in my head.

I was prescribed Lisinopril 2 weeks ago (BP was 96 on the bottom). I am 32 years old. I have been sick since the second day with headaches, I am dizzy, I have been having the cold sweats (from my neck up, sounds odd, I know), insomnia, fatigue, horrible leg cramps, my neck hurts terribly on the left (it radiates a quarter way down my shoulder), itching (neck and upper back). I now have developed a fever, if it does not get better by the morning I am going to the ER (ironic because I have a Dr's appointment at 2pm 9/12/2007). I am having a hard time. I am not overweight (size 5 and 5ft9 inches tall), I eat plenty of fruits and veggies and drink more water than the law will allow, hardly any fried foods, red meat or pork are no no's. Something is wrong with this medication and if I find out it has caused me any issues, I will call a lawyer. I fell so sick and tired.

michele

how lucky am i , to have found this site...... started taking lisinopril about 5 years ago......... developed tinnitus.......... dizzy to the point, that i had to give up my garden. could not bend, and get up without almost passing out......... developed acid reflux. ( my cardiologist said it was from my hbp meds ) my reg dr. said " bull.".... he's nuts ) (sure on the staff at mass general, and he 's nuts ........)that was 6 mos. or so after starting lisinopril.......... now i have numbness from my elbow to my hands.. from my knee to my feet..........hands and feet warm...... cough........ cough has been worked up, as i am a smoker......... negative......has worsened in past year......... skin rash.. localized on back, but that all over feeling of itching........ new in past 6 months...... the big symptom.............. leg cramps......... so severe, i wake up crying at night., 3 to 4 times. so tired from no sleep..... cramps in back, hands....... after reading the comments on this site, i will call the pharmacist, and see if i can stop, or have to be weaned off........... i am 64, in excellent health . size 8....... used to run up the stairs in my home...... since starting all of the c--p, i feel as tho my health has gone downhill.......... thanks for all of the info from people like you.. this is a nasty drug.............. sue s
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I am a 44 year old female and experienced many of the side effects as shared. I have taken Lisinopril (20MG) for 5 years. I have experienced headache, nausea, stomach pain and now blurred vision, which I thought was due to just getting older, but the onset was so sudden, within the last 3 months. I have also experienced leg cramps and dry scalp. I have family history (Mother) with heart issues (by-pass surgery), but there has to be a better non-drug alternative to control hypertension. I am going to research and share my results as soon as I find a solution. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences. I thought I was falling apart.

Immediate and accurate control of blood pressure. Mine was 165/100 now 120/80. Unfortunately, dry cough, loss of sex drive, occasional hand/leg cramps, neck pain, tingling in fingertips. I am going to try to switch to something else, even though the control was immediate.

will re-post with results.

Glad to find your site. I have been on Lisiopril for 2 years (ever since my Insurance stopped paying for my Aceon and I had to have a substitute drug for blood pressure control). I have had increasing cough and horseness for the past 12 months to the point that I now have 24 hour symptoms! I also have been having leg cramps at night the past few months.
I will stop Lisinopril TODAY. Plan to monitor my blood pressure and see what happens. Does anyone see any problem with doing this?????

anyone experience problems with urination,bladder or prostate

I have been off this poison for exactly a month now.....and my symptoms seem to be getting worse.....i ended up in the ER last weekend thinking i was having a stroke or heart attack but they couldnt find any....i have a rash on my legs and back the dr says is hives....my leg cramps never go away and still have stomach cramps and grumbling....dr says its stomach hives.....never heard of that....metallic taste in mouth sometimes and spells of feeling really ill....arms go numb etc....joints ache.....pains in hands and feet.....on the dash diet and taking supplements.....i pray i get better....

I took 10 mg of lisinopril for about two weeks. I have developed intense leg cramps at night , a numb rt foot and tingling sensation in my arms. I haven't taken the med for a week now and my symptoms persist. I saw a neurologist yesterday and passed all neuro tests. Is it possible to continue with these symptons after being off this med for a week? I am normally a very healthy, active, slender person,
age 49. Could my sympotms have been caused by the lisinopril?

I am so happy I found this site. I've been on the medication for about three weeks now. Last weekend I thought I was having a heart attack in the middle of the night and was scared to death. But I think alot of it was due to acid reflux. And I have the nagging cough as well. I'm on the phone all day at work and can barely get through a call without putting my customer on hold and having a drink of water. I've been having leg cramps as well. I'm going to call the doctor on Monday!

i am male age 72. VA hospital put me on 20mg lisinopril, terrible cough, copnstant skin itching, unexplained weight gain. i do not eat meat, dairy products, etc. and still no weight loss. i reduced to 10mg but want to go off it completely. ill never take it again. and also leg cramps.

I was on Lisinopril for little over a month in 2005. My doctor changed my prescription to Cozaar and I have been much better on it--my blood pressure even responded better. Yes, the Cozaar is much more expensive because it is name brand, but quality of life is of value.

It has taken a year for most of the Lisinopril caused problems to subside. I can walk without feeling like I am going to pass out and I don't cough and wheeze like I did. I do still have some lung problems--I cough more than I used to but it is minor and I can live with it compared to what I was like with the full blown Lisinopril cough (TB Ward, anyone?).

I still get leg cramps and have to get up at night to walk around a bit to ease them. I find if I drink milk the cramps are less often and much less intense. Possibly calcium tablets and/or Vitamin D would have the same effect.

I am not depressed any more. I was terribly down when I was on the Lisinopril. I recommend talking and talking and talking to your doctor about the depression and when it started rather than letting them put you on an anti-depressant which just masks the problem. And if a PCP puts you on an anti-depressant, make sure you see a licensed therapist. Anti-depressants need to be used in conjunction with therapy.

I still have the aching joints but they are controllable with heat and, once in a while, Tylenol.

My eyesight was affected to an extent but even that has gotten better. I got to the point that I couldn't thread a needle. But I can see to thread a needle!

I just wanted to let those of you still on Lisinopril or who have been switched from Lisinopril and are still experiencing the side effects that they do get better. I still remember the morning I got up to get ready for bed and wondered what was wrong with me--I had energy and was actually looking forward to the day. It was (and is) a wonderful feeling after a year of existing and just trying to get through the day so I could go home and go to bed.

I started on Lisinopril 3 weeks ago and have had increasing problems ever since. First, I got the cough, which I was warned about by my pharmacist and my doctor. I also started having sudden, sharp pains in the toes of my right foot, like I was having an electric shock. I also had several severe leg cramps. Then my right knee started hurting and I had not injured it in any way. I have also had very severe burning eyes, that I atributed to allergies. My ankles also stay very swollen, something that has never happened before. Within the last week I have experienced extreme shortness of breath, tiredness beyond belief, a feeling that I could lay down whereever I am at the moment and go to sleep. I had no energy whatsoever, zero. last night I went to bed at 6:00pm and got up this morning at 9:30 am that's 15-1/2 hours! That signaled the end of my taking Lisinopril, I am not taking any other medication, so that has to be the culprit.
It is now 1:20 in the afternoon and as I did not take the lisinopril this morning, I feel much,much better as far as my energy level is concerned. We will have to wait and see if any other side effects appear or disappear, I'll let you know.

I am going to print out a lot of the comments on this forum and take them to my doctor and pharmacist.

I was put on Lisinopril about 4 weeks ago. After about 3 weeks I started the coughing and now am experiencing severe leg cramps and intermitten disorientation. My blood pressure isnt extremely high (140/80) and after finding this site, I think I will try to control my blood pressure WITHOUT the aid of a doctor, by watching my salt intake, exercising and eating right. Thank God I found this website before I had been on this devilish drug too long.

Started a 20mg regimen.
Cough started within 24 hours.
Leg cramps appeared within 2 days.
Perpetual headache (and "crabby mood" went away within 2 days of starting.
Lightheadedness and queazy feeling appeared within 4 days of starting.
Quit taking it at that point. Just not worth it.

i have been taking lisinopril for a few yrs now and i am suffering from leg cramps and pain around my rib area,i am also a diabetic could this mean anything ?

I have been on Lisinopril HCTZ 20/12.5 for approx 7 months -
3 months ago I started having a "tickle" cough - my eyes would water and I have this dreadful dry cough - wakes me up at night and happens during the day which is really bad at work since I have to talk on the phone. I am stopping it today and I hope and pray this cough goes away