Lisinopril and medicine

I am 56 years old and I was put on Lisonpril about three months ago.

We had just moved to a different town with a new doctor. The reason I went to the doctors was that I had a bicycle accident where I went over the handle bars (front brakes locked up on me). I was also due for a periodic check up. I was sore from my bike accident (jammed my LH wrist, RH elbow, both shoulders and knees). The doctor had no x-ray machines so he sent me to the urgent care, nothing was broken. My doctor said that I would be sore for awhile and gave me some Vicaden pain medicine.

Due my periodic exam the doctor suggested that I go on Lisopril because I am a diabetic, even though my blood pressure is OK. He said that he actually takes it because of the preventive nature of the drug.

Well, as the weeks went on I continued to have aches and pains in my joints (wrist, elbow, shoulders and shoulders), wch I thought was from my bike accident. I also play seniors softball which is not a very agressive sport. Well I've had a pulled hamstrin and archilles tendon pull during playing. Thought this was normal but these injuries continued to plague me.

At nights sleeping my shoulders & neck would ach. My knees would shoot pains. My ankles constaintly ache, day & night.

A friend of mine told me about taking black cherry juice for joint pains, maybe from gout. After taking this black cherry juice it seemed to help, but still not normal.

Today I stopped at our local taven to have a berr and talk softball with the guys. I broke out in a heavy cold sweat and almost pasted out, lightheaded. I thought I was having a heart attack or something. Being very concerned I told my wife who is an RN. She read the side effects of Lisonpril and it clicked. This web site helped me figure it out also.

I am taking myself off Lisonpril today and expect improvement and my life back. I thought all this was from my accident and getting older. I am excited to see the results, which I feel very positive about.

I am so happy I found this website, I have been taking Lisinopril for about 5 years now. I have been have dizzy spells or the tunnel effect for about 2 years now. I thought I was going crazy! I can't drive, sit in a meeting, or even sit through church and it's getting worse. I call my mother and just sit and cry thinking something is wrong with me. I'm so glad all of you came here to tell your experiences. I will stop taking this medication RIGHT NOW!!

i have been on lisinopril 10 mg hctz for about a year now, bp is good averages now with the med 120/73, i do get the cough sometimes, also tightness in the throat, but the scary part now is i have been losing my hair rapidly in spots, one in the middle of the head and on the back of the head. I am 50, fair head of hair, my barber said i might have alopecia, but i wonder if it is the drug causing this, i see a dermatologist on dec 10th, anyone else losing hair in patches?

I have been on lisinopril for 4 years and today was the last one I will take. The doctor told me this morning to get off of it. I had shortness of breath, hoarseness, coughing til I gag, cramping, loss of hair and itchy skin and rash. I cannot believe that for 4 years I felt like this and never connected it to the medicine. I hope tomorrow will be a good day for me. I have suffered for 4 years because I thought I was just spiraling downward. I couldn't take walks anymore and always related it to my stressful job. I am on the right path now.

I have been on lisinopril for approximately 4 years. I feel like today is the first day of my life back. I went to a different doctor and told him my symptoms. He told me to stop taking lisinopril and gave me a prescription for something else. For the last 3 years or so, I thought I was spiraling downward. I have had shortness of breath, hoarseness, coughing, mucus in throat until I gag, red face, itchy skin, loss of hair and cramping. I was afraid to tell the doctor all this, so I lived with it until one day I went to an allergist. He found me allergic to a lot of food and things. I have been getting shots and all and still did not feel better. I am praying that all these symptoms were from the lisinopril. I will find out within a couple of weeks if I feel better. After reading all these stories, I probably don't even need allergy shots. All the symptoms I read about, I have. I want my life back and I cannot believe that there is a medicine out there like this.

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!

My husband had all of these same side effects... Bloating in the stomach, swelling in the ankles, sick as a dog!!! Vomiting, burning sensation in the chest, wheezing, chest pressure... He was on it 2 days before I found this site and discontinued use.. I gave him benadryl for the allergic reaction which is what this is .. It is called Intestinal swelling, some people get it on the inside and others on the outside in forms of rashes and such. I took him off of this immediately and gave him benadryl and lots of water. Almost immediately he was up and walking and talking and color began to return to his face. He had been sitting on the coach unable to move hardly or talk since I brought him home from the hospital... I read that this medicine is actually made from snake venum.... Enough said...
How many of you would not react if a snake bit you. I argued with the cardiologist and finally decided it was my way or the highway.. A lot of times the pharmacist can tell you way more about a drug than a doctor.
By the way if you are going to kick this drug be aware that you will still have some bloating and irritation due to side effects from this drug for usually 1-2 weeks.....My husband is almost through this... Good luck everyone and thanks for your posts.

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 just started taking it, but yawn a lot. I couldn't sleep last night so don't know if it is from the medicine or not. I can't get up too quickly after being in bed for awhile as I feel light headed. My appetite has decreased and probably depressed as I don't feel energetic at all. I will probably talk with my doctor about this even though it has taken my blood pressure down a lot.

I'm a 54 years old. I've been taking lisinopril hctz 20mg-25mg and is now having severe pain in my joints; it started in my left knee first. I thought I may have twisted or turn it , then both knees started hurting and my legs are weak and my feet burn' it like i'm falling apart. I've only been on the medicine for 6 weeks but convince its the cause of my joints pain. I will no longer take this harmful drug. I pray that the pain and weakness in my joints will go away.Thanks very much for this web sites, I can only imagine the money it save me from MD advice.

I am a 51 year old woman and have been taking Lisinopril for 8 months. I have a total lack of sex drive now and have felt sad and depressed often. I also have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. I had severe dermatitis (rash on trunk and back) about four weeks ago that required medicine to clear up. I thought it might be my bra, but now, after reading a few posts, I'm thinking it's the Lisinopril, too. Shortly after the rash my thick hair started thinning quickly. I, too, am afraid to step into the shower, as so much hair comes out it clogs the drain. It feels and looks very thin now. I have not added any new routines or products to my life to be causing these symptoms, except the Lisinopril. I went through menopause at age 43, I plan to visit with my Dr. next week about switching meds.

Like many of you in this forum, I'm experiencing the pins and needles feelings all over my body, especially on my arms and face. I have weird lapses in memory. I attributed the joint pain I've been feeling this past year to being a 45-year old runner. However, upon reading so many comments regarding joint pain, I can only ascertain this isn't just something caused by age and running. Is anyone of you men experiencing erectile problems? Since starting Lisinopril a year ago I've noticed performance difficulties. My doctor said that can be expected with high blood pressure and prescribed me Cialis. Good Lord is that drug awful! I'm going to flush my bottle of Lisinopril right now and call my doctor tomorrow and discuss a safer alternative to this medicine.

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!

I was taking Lisinopril for a month. I am a 38 year old male. My fingers on my right hand and joints began to ache and swell up which is making them weak and painful to grasp anything or make a fist. I never had these symptoms until I started taking this medication. I continue even after stopping Lisinopril for the last 5 weeks. Now my doctor is thinking I might have Rheumatoid Arthritis. It takes 4 weeks for this Lisinopril to work. Which is bringing me to think this medicine caused me to have these problems by triggering something in my system. Has anyone else had these problems with this medicine?

My experience with this medicine was a nightmare, I started to taking it on a Thursday by Saturday, I had a very bad headache from coughing from Thursday night, I also have a lot of mucus, swollen tongue and saliva gland, on the 6th day, I was very tired and body was aching, I slept from 4:30pm Tuesday evening til 5AM Wednesday morning, while sitting at my desk Wednesday morning I'm still falling asleep, I can do without this medicine

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....

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.

Good evening everyone. I'm just blown away from the comments on this message board. I've been taking Lisinopril since Thursday and I've been tired and feeling like nausea just today. I've noticed how tired I am too. I was walking this morning; about a 3 mile walk and it was hard for me to finish up. I'm a 39 year old African American male, very active as well. So, when this happened, I wanted to check out the side effects of this medicine to see if I'm the only one......I plan to consult with my Dr, to change as well; excuse I just vomited. I will be changing ASAP. Have a bless day./

Have been taking Lisinopril 10mg for less than a year and without positive effects at all. My doctor figured it was a low dose anyway and spiked it up to 20mg and I have been so sick it makes me not want to live anymore. From unexplainable constant nausea and vomiting up to several times per day to stomach wrenching pain and electrolyte imbalance manifested in my kidneys and all the way down my legs by constant fasciculations (involuntary nerve firing, very painful indeed). Needless to say I stopped the medicine without even consulting my doctor. I have never been so sick in my life!

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.

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.

Hi, I am a 47 year old female. Last month (June 2009) I went to the doctor because I had a bad migraine that wouldn't go away. After a week of suffering I went to my Doctor and my BP was high, so she put me on Benicar. I took it for 3 days and then I refused to take it anymore. After taking it I couldn't hardly get off the couch, and I was dizzy, and had a tightness in my chest with chest pains. The doctor changed my prescription to lisinopril and the chest pains got worse along with that deadly cough. I went back to my doctor and told her that I wasn't going to take lisinopril any more because of the chest pains and the caugh. She said that she didn't think it was the medicine and she gave me an EKG and I failed it. I went 2 days later and had a nuclear stress test and failed it too, then I had a heart cath and the cardiologist said that my heart was perfect, it wasn't my heart. Needless to say it was the meds that the doctor had put me on, those nasty side effects. Now I just moniter my BP and I'm to scared to take anything because of the side effects. I wished I could make the doctor pay for all the test I had to take. She should have just listened to me when I told her it was the meds. After failing 2 test, I thought that I may be really having a heart attach, Very scary. Just listen to what we are saying " DON'T TAKE LISINOPRIL" Oh yea after heart cath I called my doctor and told her that I was not taking Lisinopril any more because that was what was causing my problems not my heart and she said just to let all meds get out of my system and come back in a week and we would try something else. yea right. She's not getting any more of my money. I've come to realize that every thing has side effects, so before I take anything else I will look it up first. Be careful what you take!

I am a 32 year old woman who has been taking 5mg of Lisinopril for almost 2 years. I have never had high blood pressure in my life but after the birth of my second child my blood pressure didn't seem to come down and with a family history of high blood pressure my doctor put me on 5mg.

I started experiencing pain in my fingers and hands about a year ago off and on. I work on a computer 40 hours a week and just put this off to typing/computer work. I have recently started experiencing pain in my ankle and foot.

I have an appointment tomorrow with my doctor regarding my joint pain/Lisinopril. After reading many of your posts I have also experienced other side effects such as fluttering in chest and tingling in arms and legs. My question is do any of you have any suggestions of things I should mention to my doctor or additional things I should be aware of? I am going to ask to be taking off this medication as well. Does anyone have tips on coming off Lisinopril?

Alright, listen. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for those who have found this site. My story was posted on June 20th. I would have to say that I cannot trust any doctors for anything since then. This web site has saved me money from the idiot doctors and my insanity. Really. It is so scary that when you go to the doctor they will never investigate your meds you are taking and will send you through many tests and prescribe you medicine that you don't need. I went through 4 different doctors multiple times that prescribed many different things with no effect to my condition. I went off Lisinopril and went back on Diovan and it took 8 days before I noticed any improvement. During those 8 days I got more depressed because I didn't feel any better. Then my symptoms started going away. My anxiety and coughing started to decrease. By the second week i did not need the help of sleeping pills to knock me out due to the anxiety at night and the gagging and coughing decreased.Since then I am almost back to normal. I still though have some symptoms of coughing, but not that bad. If you found this site and taking Lisinopril, please take note that your doctor is probably wrong. You are not going to die. Get off the da#m med and start living again. It may take longer than me. Don't get discouraged.It may take more than a month or so. Stay strong. I am pissed off and would love to beat the s&it out of the ones that created Lisinopril. I know we are the small % that has the effects, but get it off the market. People are dead from this med and the others are going though Hell......I feel for the ones who have had family members that have died from allergic reactions. I had an undiagnosed throat swelling that took me to the ER. I know what it was now...Take care, stay strong, get off Lisinopril, enjoy the rest of your life...

July 8, 2009
I took Lisinopril for 2 months and began noticing soreness and stiffness cramping in my legs. Joint pain and general muscle weakness. Biggest indicator was my inability to ride road bikes (bicycle) nearly as much as normal. I did not have the muscle strength or stamina to ride like before. On one ride I had such sever cramping I had to get pick up, first time in 18 yrs of bicycling. It also states to not use sodium or potassium supplement while on this medicine, which I was doing for cramping. Also because I was borderline hypertension I did not notice any decrease in BP while on this. I have stopped taking this medicine. nn

i took lisinopril for two months and now i have the cough. I have stopped the medicine, now when does the cough stop, if is really getting to me.

Hello everyone. I too am experiencing the same problems described here from Lisinopril. On January 1st of this year, ( 2009 ) I was taken to the hospital emergency room and admitted into the hospital under the assumption that I was having congestive heart failure. After a barrage of tests it was determined that I have diabetes and I was already taking hydrochlorothiazide ( 50 mgs ) for water retention. I was prescribed Lisinopril ( 10 mgs ) and told to cut my hydrochlorothiazide in half. Everything was fine for about a month and then it started...
I had noticed on the bottle of Lisinopril that the one side effect in some patients was a dry cough but disregarded it since it didn't seem to be affecting me. After being on Lisinopril for a month, I began having this awful dusty feeling in my throat. It actually feels like someone has a bellows filled with dust which they've placed in my mouth and released a spray of dust which caused me to have this feeling of needing to cough almost to the point of choking. I don't have this cough all day long. It only happens intermittently throughout the day. Sometimes when I am standing or sitting but mostly when I am laying down in bed. I've also noticed that it seems to have somewhat of a consistent schedule. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I would take the pill every morning around the same time. However, I've stopped taking it about a week and a half ago and still seem to have somewhat of a pattern of when the coughs occur. Strange.
Another thing I noticed is that I've seemed to have an excessive amount of saliva which would also cause me to choke at times. Have any of you experienced excessive saliva with this medication?
I've been trying to lose weight without success and I'm wondering if Lisinopril has something to do with that as well. After reading all of these comments on this forum, I am wondering if doctors as well as The American Medical Association should take a closer look as to whether the side effects of this medication out weigh the benefits and/or what this medicine is supposed to be helping the patient with. So far I see no positive effects from this medication.

i was given lisinopril by my doctor for hbp,about 2 months later, i started having blurred vision,severe lower back pains,leg cramps,constipation,mood swings like i didn't care about nothing in life anymore,short head pains,breathing problems,and i almost moved out of the house with my wife because i was always depressed for no reason and i was upset because she didn't understand,this medicine is dangerous and poison.i pray that the lord will lead us and guide us to the right doctor with the right medicine. god bless you all and continue to have faith that the lord will heal us all in Jesus name.i thank him right know for revealing this to us,he is still on the throne and he still loves us.

I HAVE NEVER been on any meds before in my life. I was given this for blood pressure and let me tell you. Depression has kicked in along with real bad thoughts. I told my doctor and she said this medicine don't do all this stuff we are saying it's doing.
I know one thing before I took this mess I wasn't feeling like this and I have my family to raise I don't care what the doctor say I am not taking this mess and I know my feelings are real!!!! This medicine should be band and I am so glad I came across this site. I was only on this medicine about 2 weeks. I quit it and my doctor I got a new one who thinks with diet I can control my b/p God Bless everyone for telling me your story I thought I was going crazy

I have been taking this medicine for three years. This morning I woke up and my right upper lip was completely swollen. While at the ER, the doctor said that it was a common side effect--even if the person had taken it for a prolonged period of time. I had to go back to the ER about 3 hours later because my mouth became even bigger! As I was checking in, a nurse looked at my mouth and said, "Oh, you take Lisinopril, right? I see that reaction all the time here, plus, I had it myself." The second Dr. came out and told me my airwaves and oxygen were okay and that I was just going to have to wait it out (they had earlier prescribed me Benadryl and a steroid). Then he explained he had to stop using the medicine himself because is tongue became swollen. This is a common occurrence. And if you are like me, you assume if you are going to have a reaction to a medicine, it's going to be rather early. This side effect can take time before it shows. Be careful, apparently it is a very common incident with this drug.

I began taking Lisinopril back in early February. Within days, I developed a horrible cough, that was so severe, it induced vomiting - not food, just a clear sticky mucous. The vomiting happened 5-6 times per day following a stressful coughing bout. I saw my PCP, was diagnosed with a "bad cold", prescribed cough medicine and inhaler and sent on my merry way. The vomiting was happening while I was driving or sitting at my desk at work; it would come on so suddenly that I rarely had time to get to the bathroom. When this didn't clear up after several weeks, my PCP took me off the Lisinopril for about 10 days, but there didn't seem to be any change in the symptoms, so went back on the Lisinopril. I have had Abdominal, ENT, and Brain CT Scans to investigate the cause of this problem as I am a breast cancer survivor. Thankfully, the scans were clear. I have also had an Endoscopy, and have seen an allergist. I also developed a metallic taste in my mouth that was horrible. After doing research on the Internet and speaking with others who have also experienced similar symptoms, I contacted my PCP and took myself off the Lisinopril in mid-April. The coughing has been reduced, and the volume and frequency of the vomiting mucous has reduced as well. Here I am seven weeks off the medication and I am still have side effects. One of my doctors said that it could take several more months to see a complete improvement. Had I been aware of the potential for these side effects I would have never gone on this medication in the first place. I do know folks, however, that take Lisinopril without any side effects, so it works great for some. My BP is now creeping up again, and I am not sure what replacement drug will work best for me.

I was prescribed Lisinopril by my doctor. I am a diabetic so my doctor told me this medicine would protect my kidneys(although my kidneys are fine). I was prescribed this medication at the end of February beginning March of 2009.About two weeks into taking the medication I got the first reaction I started getting these rashes that would come and go,then my lips would tingle and get numb then they would instantly swell at that point. When this first happened I thought maybe it was food I had eaten. I bought Benadryl and after a few hours it went away. (second attack) A few days later the symptoms worsened the rashes got worse and the swelling in my face got even more worse. Still thinking it was the food I ate I took more benadryl. This time the swelling lasted overnight the next morning I was fine.(third attack) About four days after that I was sitting at home talking with family and my face got very itchy around the lips my chest started to feel tight then instantly my lips got gigantic. My family members got scared and advised me to stop the benadryl and call my doctor fast. That night when I got home I called my doctor they were closed but the emergency nurse told me to come and see my doctor the next day. When I saw my doctor he immediately told me it was the Lisinopril that was causing the attacks and that I should discontinue using it and that my next attack may be fatal but I should be fine, keep taking the benadryl he told me. I got home and immediately trashed the Lisinopril. Just when I thought it was all over a week later (fourth attack) I get home after work watching television all of a sudden I get this terrible itch all over my body like bugs were on me, I hopped in the shower got done still this terrible itch all over. My lips tingled like crazy all of a sudden my body was full of bumps/hives everywhere my eyes were swollen shut, throat felt like it was closing up, couldn't hardly breathe, my lips were bigger than ever before. I was rushed to the emergency room, before I left I had taken 4 benadryl 25 mil tablets when I got to the emergency room I was seen almost immediately they pulled me in a side room gave me 2 shots of benadryl a shot of another medicine don't remember the name,a shot of pepcid,plus two pills I can't think of at the moment. I was in the ER for five hours waiting for the swelling in my body to go down,well the hives went away but my lips were swollen for at least 72 hours. I was diagnosed in the ER with Angioedema. I saw my doctor within 24 hours of my ER visit he prescribed me an epi pen he also made me get a life alert bracelet and told me to always keep benadryl with me. He told me the medicine should be out of my system it shouldn't happen again but just in case it does I should keep the epi pen handy,the bracelet,and benadryl always beside me.Well since that visit I have been taking benadryl every single day because I keep hive/rashes, now the edema is spreading it's not just the lips I get this painful swelling in different spots on my body. As I am writing this @ 2a.m I have to take off work today June 3rd 2009 because my lips are so swollen they feel like they are about to burst. I can't afford to miss all of these days of work and I definitely can't afford an emergency room visit which are $150.00 each visit so I have to wait and see my doctor @ 9:15 a.m. I refuse to go to work in this condition these breakouts are affecting my life for the worse. This is just a brief synopsis it is really much worse than this though. I am 31 years old and when I have these attacks people look @ me frightened like i'm contagious or something.I went from being only allergic to morphine which gave me hives once, and that was minor to having allergic reactions almost everyday along with a lot of other symptoms to this drug. I really hope something can be done about this. PLEASE TAKE THIS HORRIBLE DRUG OFF THE MARKET!!!!

Don't take this medicine!!!! I was on this stuff for only four days and by the third day I was like a zombie. Every muscle in my body was killing me I felt like I had run a marathon. I couldn't think straight I was lethargic. My mood was terrible. It all started on the third day. I stopped taking it today and already I am starting to feel like my old self again. I am only 25 y/o I cant believe the negative side effects could out weigh the benefits of taking this drug. I also can't believe doctors prescribe this stuff. My only assurance was the fact that as soon as I told my doctor about how I was feeling he told me to stop taking it and just take my water pill. I am going back tomorrow to get prescribed something else. Hopefully that goes well........

I am reading the majority of your side effects re: Lisinopril, and I too am suffering from a nagging cough that keeps me up a bit when I am sleeping. BUT, please look at the side effects v. the benefits before you take yourself off the medication. High Blood Pressure is serious!!! I had a friend pass away quite quickly because he was not taking his HBP medicine like his Dr. prescribed. Trust me, I don't like my cough either, but given the alternative, I'll suffer with a little hacking.

I, too, am trying to get off of Lisinopril. I am 49, and 10 lbs over my ideal weight. Went on the drug in December 2008, 2.5 mg a day. Since then, I have been depressed, tired, had a dry cough, sometimes a pounding heart and most recently, I am now losing my hair! And, yes, my bp is normal while on the Lisinopril. I have to say, that while I knew it was making me feel lousy, the hair loss was the last straw of side effects. I went on it at a time of high stress in my life and for now, life is calmer and my bp ranges between 135/80 and 145/90 when I am off it. Thinking of some natural, healthy approaches to lower my bp. Perhaps lose that 10 pounds and get more exercise. It is the worry of a high bp that makes the lisinopril hard to give up. The side effects though tell me it is bad for my body. I appreciate this website and reading about the experiences others are having while on this drug. I am hoping my hair will come back in if I stay off of it. Has anyone else had their hair grow back?

I'm 51 and in good shape. I ran 60+ miles in Dec, a PR 5K and then started Lisinopril in late January. Since then I have been fatigued and wiped out after running - no longer get the runner's high at all. Two weeks ago I ran 6 miles and couldn't get out of bed for two days. Family doc said quit the stuff. That was 6 days ago - ran 3 today and was pretty wiped - also seen a pick up in anxiety. Any advice? How long does this stuff take to clear your system? When can expect my stamina to return? Thanks.

I have been taking this medicine for the last 2 months 5mgs a day. About a month ago I started having this horrible dry cough. I am very healthy and active and I do not get sick very often but, this cough will not go away. I have tried over the counter drugs but, nothing works. After reading your comments, I am calling my doctor TODAY to get off these meds.... Thanks

I am a 54 year old male in relatively good health. I was perscribed 5 mg. of Lisinopril by me Endocrinologist because the medicine I am on for type 2 diabetes is causing minor problems with my kidneys. I was told that Lisinopril which is used to lower blood pressure and be used to protect the kidneys as well. I began to use Lisinopril and immediately began to feel pain in my elbows. The pain became debilitating, I could not lift our garbage can to dump in the dumpster without extreme pain. I called my Endocrinologist within the first week of feeling these symptoms and she was surprised about this side effect. She asked me to discontinue using the drug and call her back in three to four days to see if the pain has subsided. If so, she will prescribe an alternate drug. At this point it's been four days and the pain has not subsided. How long will it take for the symptoms to clear? I'm afraid to call my doctor and tell her the pain is persistent making her rule out Lisinopril as the reason. I have decided to no longer take this drug regardless. I have also had some minor pain in my shoulders and hands.

I started Lisinopril a 6 weeks ago at the suggestion of my Internist. The blood pressure medicine I was on (for 5 years) was too strong and causing me to have episodes of dizziness and hypotension. Since starting Lisinopril I have suffered with a severe hacking cough that is especially troublesome at night. It wakes me up almost every night and I wind up sleeping in an upright position on my lazy boy and taking strong cough medicine to suppress it. Since I am an RN, I attributed this to climate, my job (with children), and generalized stress of graduate school/work/family. I have a call into my Internist and will stop Lisinopril immediately. Thank you for this blog.

wow , what a Godsend this site has been!! I have been on Lisinopril for about 5 weeks. 3 weeks at 10 mg, and then 2 weeks at 20 mg. I went for my weekly bp check at the doctor last week, not thinking a thing of it, nurse says my pulse was high and irregular, and doctor wanted them to do an EKG on me immediately. It only showed severe heart palpitations, and I was asked if I could feel them, I said Yes!! Doctor said " I bet!" she ordered blood work for me, to check thyroid and something on the heart. Told me to continue taking my lisinopril and water pill. I got to thinking later that night to google info on lisinopril, cause I had since read and threw away my prescription paper. Sure enough it said Lisinorpril can rarely cause heart palpitations!! Supposed to go for a Holter heart monitor to wear for 24 hours today, I don't think I need to now, cause I haven't taken this stinking pill for 3 days and I feel much better, Oh and by the way, it also had me feeling week in all of my limbs!! Bad Bad medicine!!

Took this medication with hydrochlorothiazide due to high blood pressure. Two weeks ago I took a nap Friday evening after school (I teach school from 8 to 4:30), and woke up with half my face and tongue swollen. I thought it must have been a food allergy.
This Friday, while at the gym, my tongue started swelling on one side. By the time I got home, my neck was swelling on that side. I called the doctor and got a dose pack of prednisone and went and picked it up. I took the first 6 pills at 8:30. 2 hours later the other side of my tongue was 3-4 inches thick and my neck was swelling to the point it was equal to or outside my head. I took another 4 pills and a benadryl.
I almost went to the hospital, but held out because of the out of pocket expense with my insurance. Finally, about 2 the swelling of my tongue subsided. I tried to lie down around 4 a.m., but couldn't breath due to swelling in throat. Had to sit up all night.
Now, Sunday afternoon, I still have some swelling in my throat. I was never warned that such side effects were possible. I wonder how many people have been effected and if the FDA has any idea of the numbers.
swelling of tongue,
swelling of neck,
trouble breathing,
trouble swallowing.
I had been on this medicine for 3 months. I'll never take another blood pressure medicine. And, I have to find a new doctor that I trust.

NUMBNESS IN RIGHT ARM & DIZZINESS
I had taken Lisinopril for only one week.10mg my right arm went numb I have been having dizziness before the medicine and my blood pressure was high.But this pill is making me crazy.Still dizzy and now numb the doctor told me I could have MS how scary to be. Medicine is what is killing people.Plus the doctors have to run all these test eliminating things and you go around thinking you have some really bad thing or your losing your mind.My doctor also said that I maybe an anxiety type person and I'm thinking of these side effects.He had no record of numbness or dizziness.

I am a 34 year old male and this drug is Horrible!! When I first started taking it, I was very light headed all the time and actually almost passed out a few times. The worst part for me was the hemorrhoids. I have never had a problem with that in my life. When I started taking it, the hemorrhoids appeared a couple months later. The worst pain in my life. I thought well, maybe I am not getting enough fiber, etc. So I started eating more fruits and vegetables and even taking supplements. Nothing changed. So when I was on google looking up side effects about this med, I saw one other person had the same problem. I stopped taking Lisinopril about 3 weeks ago and the hemorrhoids are almost gone. I also blame this med for making me dehydrated. My urine was always a dark yellow which is a sign of dehydration. I have no problems with that anymore. Also, the coughing was very annoying while on the med.

Hi everyone, I was on Lisinopril for about 3 months. I ended up having a really bad panic attack, numbness, thought I was having a heart attack. I even had the cough, which was the worse. I am glad to say that I stopped taking the medicine and its been about a month now, I still have the heart racing, but its few and far between, but everything else is pretty much gone. No more coughing, no more tingling, I still get anxious (anxiety) every now and then, but hopefully that will disappear soon as well. There is hope after lisinopril.

Took Lisinopril for several years but recently changed to a different medicine due to a very severe cough. Also noticed that shortly after stopping Lisinopril my problems with psoriasis has just about cleared up completely.

I am a 46year old male who has been on Lisinopril and Enalapril for about
2years. I'm having extreme joint pain in my knees and fingers .I have been checked for RA but they found no signs of this.I want to get off this medicine.
Are there any alternative blood pressure medicines for diabetics. Right now
I feel like i'm 70 years old and would like to know if anyone has stop the drug
and if their systems subsided.

I am a 37 year old female who has inherited my hbp. I was taking diazide, which gave me headaches, but now I take the lisinopril. I get the cough, to wear it is gagging sometimes and now I am having the palpitations. How long before you stop taking the medicine does the side effects go away. I don't like this medicine at all. My pressure is down however.......

Someone, please tell me how long this coughing will last! I took Lisinopril for 4 weeks. During that time I had many of the same symptoms that I'm reading now, but didn't realize what was causing them. But after 3 weeks of a constant dry cough that led to gagging more often than not and cough attacks every hour on the hour even at night, I turned to the Internet to research tickling coughs. I too was sure I had throat cancer after experiencing lung cancer just a year ago. After reading all of these experiences from all of the people on this site, I was relieved yet furious. I called to inform my doctor of the side effect of the coughing that was keeping me from going anywhere but work (I'm a teacher so you can imagine how difficult that is). I was consuming 10 - 15 cough drops a day and night which was not helping my weight issue. She prescribed Toprol which I researched and read that it should not be taken if you have had a history of lung issues. Needless to say, I'm not going to take that either. My blood pressure is pre-hypertension so I believe I can control that myself with exercise and diet. It's been 5 days since I stopped taking the Lisinopril and the coughing has not subsided at all. I was up every hour on the hour last night and that was with taking a sleep aid.

I first started Lisinopril hctz about 3 years ago. Within the first day I had hives, a rash, itchy skin and RED RED face. Dr says it will go away. So I keep taking it. Fast forward a month and I start coughing, coughing at night so bad my husband can't sleep. It's so bad I feel like I'm choking and cough so much I am almost throwing up from the dryness and my throat being so constricted. During that time, I also start having some big whopping sinus pain and pressure. Felt like there was a tennis ball in my sinuses. Big time pain, headache. Dr says nothing wrong, just some allergies. I start taking Benadryl at night to sleep, to help with the itching, wheezing, coughing. It seems to help a bit. So I deal with all this. ALong with the coughing at times I am having trouble getting in air. Almost like I have to force it in. Not sure if it's my throat, sinuses or my chest. Next comes, some bass drum booming of my heart. I think it's so loud in my chest and my ears that others can hear it. This still happens on occasion. At times my legs feel like tree trunks or cement and I just don't have the energy to do anything. My hair started falling out in GOBS. I go to derm doctor, they say it's stress. It'll go away. Next I have kidney pain.... this goes on for a few months... come to find out I have a stone. But I never had any kidney problems before. Doctor's say it could be from the hctz and my kidneys having to work harder, but they were speculating. GP says keep taking Lisinopril hctz the benefits outweigh the side effects. I asked him if he has ever had a kidney stone he says no. I keep taking it. Leg cramps come next, bad cramps. I go to dr and he says it's my potassium, the hctz has depleted the potassium in my body and need to start on some big styrofoam potassium pills. All this goes on for almost two years. Fast forward to now. I'm still beat red in the face (and cannot handle the sun), coughing, sinuses full, itchy and bass drum beating (on occasion), heart flutters (on occasion).... four days ago I almost fainted because I was so dizzy within two hours of taking my pills in the morning. I am by no means able to sit on my butt and do nothing because of all these side effects. I have a farm to run, horses to feed and ride, hay to bale and put up, and I'm ready to get my body safe enough to start trying to get pregnant. I start doing research and find Lisinopril to be UNSAFE for a fetus. I start to think, well if it is unsafe for a fetus why is it safe for me? So then I googled side effects of Lisinopril and it brought me here. Thank God, I have a GP appointment tomorrow. I'm taking control back of my own body. I've had enough....

I wrote in December, described the cough, my problems with this drug, I was on 40 mg prescribed from my cardiologist, I went to see my doctor last week, she increased me to 80 mg, bp was lower, but not enough, she had blood drawn, I think maybe by the grace of god, I did not start taking the higher dose yet, this morning I get an urgent call, from my Cardiologist office, to stop the Lisinopril immediately, I am now scared to death, and scared for my life, they said the Lisinopril, is effecting my kidney function, my kidney function lab work is way up, now I am going cold turkey with this medication, hoping my bp does not reach a dangerous level, need more blood work, a visit to cardiologist next week, and now a visit to a urologist, I am scared to death, I feel like crying WTF!