Lisinopril Wholistic Approach, Excessive Mucus, Coat Hypertension, Pressure Increase, Tightness in Chest
Posted over a year ago
I started taking Lisinopril for my bp about 2 1/2 months ago and even though it did lower my bp, I started having strange side-effects. It started out with drowsiness throughout the day, no matter how much sleep I got. And, waking up feeling drowsy even ... more »
I started taking Lisinopril for my bp about 2 1/2 months ago and even though it did lower my bp, I started having strange side-effects. It started out with drowsiness throughout the day, no matter how much sleep I got. And, waking up feeling drowsy even after 8-10 hours of sleep. Then, I started getting strange aches and pains throughout my body, like I was getting over a stomach flu. My asthma also flared up and I started having to use my inhaler for the first time in almost 15 years (usually I just need it after exercise.) The side-effects continued to get worse over the next months with increased fatigue, drowsiness, coughing, anxiety, muscle aches, poor concentration, feeling like my nerves were "shot," headache, weakness, tightness in my lungs, numbness in my hands and feet, and just plain feeling bad.
I made an appointment to see my doctor because I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. It crossed my mind that I might be feeling this way because of the Lisinopril. I stumbled across this website and after reading everyone's testimonials, I decided to stop the Lisinopril. I haven't taken it in 3 1/2 days, and I am already feeling much better. I would rather try a more holistic approach to lowering my bp then taking Lisinopril.
I hope this helps someone else out there who might be going through the same thing.
Suzyheller - I have experienced alot of the same problems with Lisinopril. I was wondering how your BP is now. Was that the only med you were taking for BP? Did you have to increase other meds?
Kschell - Hi- My blood pressure actually hasn't increased at all since I went off the Lisinopril. I was just at my doctor's office this morning and my blood pressure was 110/80. So, my doctor said that I can stay off the Lisinopril since I've been having such bad side effects and my blood pressure seems to be fine. No, I'm not taking any other medications for my blood pressure, but it seems as if just staying away from caffeine, going off of birth control, exercising and lowering my stress might do the trick without having to take medication.
Also, I wanted to add that my doctor was very sympathetic (unlike some other doctors that people have posted about) and she said that all of these symptoms happen in about 5-10% of people who take Lisinopril, and she also said that the symptoms take a few weeks to completely go away after you've stopped the medication (I know there were quite a few questions on that.) Good luck!
Guest0222 - One of the problems with these side effects is that for some of us they creep up so slowly - over a period of months - that one doesn't necessarily put two and two together that it is caused by the drug.
In my case about 2 1/2 months also, but it was so long from having started the drug that it didn't occur to me for another month during which things got more and more quickly worse. And the doctors just kept insisting it was all in my head too, which also delayed my getting off the med!
I am now concerned about permanent damage as some of the efffects are still with me 3 years later. The good news is that if I take certain supplements (that took me over 2 years to find) I can feel almost kinda mostly normal (though I still have bad days).
I had a mild cough right away, but my doctor told me that there might be a mild tickle in the throat and not to worry. So I didn't, and it was very mild. However, I now realize that it was nature's way of saying there was something wrong, and I should have listened to that. But for me the cough started so mild and the doctor was so reassuring about it that I dismissed it. Eventually, it was the other side effects, like flu-like and such that caused me so many problems.
Best of luck to all.
Kschell - Yeah, I totally agree. My side-effects didn't start right away. With some other drugs that I've taken for other things, the side effects usually start right away with feeling nauseous or excessively tired, but with this drug the side-effects crept up so slowly that I didn't realize they were being caused by the drug until almost 3 months into taking it.
So, how long did you take the Lisinopril? What are your lasting side-effects after 3 years? It's only been about a week for me since I stopped, and I am still feeling very tired and still have a lot of tightness in my lungs. Some of the side effects have subsided, but I still don't feel back to normal yet.
Roxiebaby7 - Hi: Yes, your post helped in that I had similar effects from Lisinopril except that about a month ago my doctor ordered some blood work and saw an elevated level of potassium and calcium. She immediately stopped the Lisinopril, and then I searched the web for side effects of Lisinopril and came across this website. I could not believe how many people have suffered with this med and how most of us have the same nasty side effects. The doctor would like to take me off bp medication and she told me to cut the salt; exercise, etc. After she stopped the Lisinopril I noticed the symptoms (anxiety, the feeling of not being all there, extreme fatigue, mood changes, etc.) began to cease. I have been off the stuff for four weeks. I still feel some of the effects (I took Lisinopril for 4 years), but nothing like they were while taking the med. Since bp problems run in my family, I am hoping I can get off these bp meds the natural way. I hope you can get off them as well. Good Luck!
David123 - I have been taking lisinopril for about 5 months and recently associated it with a persistent, non-productive cough. I thought it was my allergies, but Claritan didn't do a thing for it and dextromethorphan cough medicine didn't help much either. It has gotten a bit better since I switched to Diovan, but the cough is still there. Anyone have an idea how long the side effects last?
Kschell - My doctor informed me that it takes a few weeks after going off of Lisinopril for the side effects to dissipate. I've been off it for a week and I am still having a slight cough, tightness in my lungs, and shortness of breath. I'm also still having some pain in my thyroid, which the person above this post mentioned she was having as well. I'd say, give it a few weeks and you should start feeling better.
Jwareagle1974 - I was on Lisinopril/HCTZ for about 10 months. My blood pressure would fluctuate up and down (140/100 to 115/90). I figured it was just a good day or a bad day. I decided that I would like to try to have another child and talked to my doctor. He said I cannot be pregnant on this medication-it is too dangerous. So I stopped taking it. Within a week, my blood pressure had fallen to 100/70 on a daily basis. It seemed that the Lisinopril had caused my blood pressure to increase! I have been off of it for over 2 months now and the highest reading I am getting is 110/75.
Easswansong55 - you may feel fine as your bp may be rising, run the risk for a stroke and other problems. Since you have asthma this drug causes dry throat and coughing which you don't need. Check w/ DR. there are other bp lower drugs. lower your sodium use, low fat diet and exercise Good luck. I no longer take this drug on Cozaar,Coreg,2 "waater pills and 15 drugs to survive. This site accidently added this drug to my cabinet, How do remove this drug from the list? Help?
Annmarie1125 - After reading these post, I am almost convinced that this med is causing me to lose my mind. I am on Crestor and Plavix too, and I just wonder which one is causing me to feel so bad(all the above symptoms mentioned)
Ryho1372 - I've been on lisinopril for a while now having had an increase in dosage for the past few months. I had an intermittent cough which I didn't pay too much attention but I've been wondering about the cause...Recently I have had those symptoms everybody has been describing - lightheadedness, inability to focus, shortness of breath. I exercise regularly but haven't felt vigorous. I am convinced it is the lisinopril.
Mailman87121 - Hi Kschell. I have been taking 10mg for about five years. I did not notice any side affects until Dec 30 2007. I would take the medication at night and the next morning at work I felt like I was going to faint. I went to the VA emergency room with intermittent symptoms of feeling faint, shock like symptoms (clammy cold hand and feet), Fain in the middle of my neck and left shoulder, upset middle stomach pain, and no appetite. The first thing that they did was wire me up like a lab rat to make sure that it was not my heart. They didn't draw blood thinking that it was dehydration. The ER doctor replenished me with fluids and I thought that in no time I would feel better. About 30 minuets later I felt the same. The next day I returned to the VA ER and this time blood was drawn. This time I was diagnosed with severe stress. I have noticed that my symptoms coincide with my medication. Does anybody feel the same way?
Thank you
Chris
Glenda97 - I've been on Lisinopril for over a year. I too have the dry cough and breathing problems, but none of the other symptoms mentioned. I also crave salt. Before taking this medication I never used salt on my foods but now? I can't get enough. My doctor didn't believe me when I mentioned this and I was wondering if anyone else has had this side effect? I know that salt is bad for high BP but I can't seem to get enough of it! Also, my BP runs around 117/65 consistantly...I tried going off the lisinopril on my own but after a week I started getting headaches and my BP started rising..I would be careful to advise anyone to quit a medication without having your doctor work with you...perhaps you need to be weaned off it rather than going cold turkey?
I also take toporol and the doctor has been decreasing it every office visit..if you are on this BP medication and have problems with dizziness when you stand up, talk to your doctor...you may need your dosage lowered. Hope this helps!
Trooper - After taking Lisinopril for a week, I had swelling in my neck.
I noticed this about an hour after taking my pill, the swelling stayed
with me about 3 hours. I would like to know if anyone else has had
this problem. It looked as if I had the mumps. I am going to ask my Doctor about this and if I should continue to take this medication.
211045 - Thank you so much, my experience have been exactly the same as yours but I had been on Linsinopril for much longer than yourself but have been caring for my 89 year old dad who had dementia and put my health on back burner, although I'd been feeling absolutely awful for a couple of years! Dad died last month and I have been looking on the internet in desperation as to what my problem could be. Thought it may well be my blood pressure medication and quickly discovered that I have been suffering for almost all the side effects listed on the leaflet enclosed with medication. I had started to get panic attacks and after much thought have just stopped taking Linsinopril. I felt instantly better and this has carried on as I suppose it is clearing my system. I know I will have to return to my doctor but there is no way I could use this drug again - life had become not worth living. Thanks again for your experience of Linsinopril it has really made me feel that there is hope for the future.
kindest regards.
Nomedsforme1 - I started taking Lisinipril in September, went on a cruise in October, I thought I had the flu because I felt tired and began coughing like crazy. I went to my doctor and at first she took it lightly and didn't even mention the medication, I went back 2 weeks ago and she immediately told me it was my BP medication. I immediately stopped taking it, 3 days later I was put on another med. I still have that horrid cough; it keeps me awake at night and sometimes it is so bad I almost vomit. She said when it was out of my system the cough would go away. I double checked with the pharmacist and she told me exactly the same thing. The coughing is so embarrasing at times. My co workers and other students I go to school with were giving me strange looks at first. Cough medicine and drops help somewhat, but how long can you take that?
Mika22ella - i had bad reactions to lisinipril also...now i list it in my allergic reactions ..i had chest pain ..like it was trying to give me a heart attack and the drowsiness ...my doctor told me that initially it has side effects and to stick with it and take it at night and stuff like that ...well i know i do better than some with endurance but i dont know anyone who can hang in there with "heart attack" like symptoms...for only slightly high blood pressure ...i am prescribed micardis now(only .5mgs of it) i have a pill cutter ..which has been okay if you can say blood pressure medicine is okay ...none of that crazy stuff like lisinipril ...i also lost some weight which was a drastic improvement on my blood pressure situation...im glad i found your post because these situations can make you feel like your an alien on planet earth
Bp123gc - I have been taking Lisonopril for almost 3 months and I am having multiple symptoms: shortness of breath, exhaustion, insomnia; tickling in the throat, thinning hair (feelings of burning in my scalp). I didn't suspect anything about the medication until my hair began falling out. Then I started remembering that all of this started happening when I began taking Lisonpril for my high blood pressure. I can't keep this up and I will definitely have to get the doctor to prescribe something else. This is an awful way to have to live...there has to be something else that will control my blood pressure without these side effects.
Dpeggaurnlnc - OMG, Im a Registered Nurse and cant believe that I missed the possibility that my problems in the last 5 months may be a cause of the Lisinopril. And the thing is, I tried to tell my doctor already a few time and he NEVER told me about these side effect possibilities. Im sitting in the ER two days in a row this week thinking theres something wrong with me, what did I do to cause this and beating myself up and all along Im SURE this drug was the problem with my troubles. Now I have to hava an echocardiogram to prove if there are now issues with my heart because of this. Well I promise my doctor one thing...He will have a law suit on his hands if there is anything wrong with my heart now...Im so angry right now. Thanks for sharing.
Perez_55 - I have started taking lisinopril for 3 days and have already started having alot of the side effects that everyone has written here. I told my docter about them and he wants me to see a cardiologist. I plan on not taking the lisinopril any more and trying to control my BP on my own with exercise and diet changes. Good luck to all......
Kim99 - I started taking hctz/lisinopril last weeka and have already stopped after taking it for four days. I had a dry cough and severe muscle cramps after 3 days of taking it. I had initially refused taking it telling the dr. that I preferred changing dietary habits etc. first, but she insisted my BP was way too high and I needed it to go down immediately, so I conceded. Let me add that she confirmed I had no heart issues and my lungs were "perfect". I did start taking it but also started researching and after having almost instantaneous side effects occur I stopped taking immediately. I informed my dr. and she called in a new prescription for me of straight Lisinopril-which I have zero intention of taking. It has only been a little over a week since I initially saw the dr. and I have kept my diet low fat,sodium etc. and plan to continue to do so. This is the first time I have been to a dr. in ten years and I am so disappointed that the "pop a pill" mentality has not changed at all. I am willing and requesting my dr. to help me with changing my lifestyle in a healthy manner and all she wants to do is give me a "cure" that seems far worse than the disease. Good luck everyone!
Sprdthewrd - I have been on lisinopril for about 2 weeks, my blood pressure went up, I am craving salt< I got the cough AND I have become very irritable. I will see the Doctor next week and ask to be taken off of it. Has anyone else had the irritability symptom ?
Tch1 - -ann-Lisinopril and I don't get along very well-consequently my doctor advised me to stop taking it. I have a history of sensitivity to medications and this will be added to the list. After reading all of your comments, I am glad I didn't stay on this med any longer. I started it apx 2 weeks ago and being sensitive...my doctor even agreed to let me take it every other day. At first, I found the med to calm me. After a few hrs, I began to feel like I was on a "tranquilizer!" I too thought perhaps it was just an initial effect and that I may need to try it awhile longer. Because it seemed soo powerful-l became very uncomfortable! I needed to stay awake during the day and not be tranquilized. I thought the "tranquilized" feeling would leave me on day two, but it didn't. On day three it began to wear off. I still felt calm and thought this might be good so I went another round (week). The second week seemed worse. I couldn't function well after taking the initial dose and dreaded the entire day/night. I could only look forward to the next day when some of the severe drowsiness would subside to an acceptable level. I tried to exercise and felt lact of energy. I felt like I was exercising in my sleep! I even experienced some PVCs after every first dose. To make matters worse...the pharmacist said drowsiness is not listed as one of its side effects. I thank God there are others who can confirm this side effect. I am going to show my doctor this web page.
Mbweiner - I too started craving for salt, a lot. Plus my throat always itches in the middle of the night caused by mucus.
Whatareyoutaking - I too have had dry cough,tickling cough,dizziness, lightheaded and diarreah and nervous stomach pain, the thing that made me take notice lately is that Ive recently had hair thining and scalp irritation like bumps. No shortness of breath for I think my daily walks help with that problem and a recent weightloss. Ive taken lisiniprol for about a year and thinking about changing it because of all the experienced side effects I had whileon this med. I have taken Micardis so far the best hbp. med with the least amount of side effects.
Maxxii - Those are my symptons. My doctor had prescribed a larger dose at first, and I could not take it during the day because it made me so tire. I could not walk 5 steps before having to stop and res. So she is having me to take them at night. The same thing is happening I wake up so tired that I have to sit down after I get out of the shower, I can' t get dressed without having to stop and sit down. The back of my neck hurts, and in the middle of my back I feel like I have the flue, and around my neck I have a rash. I lost 1 hour and 30 minutes from my job this morning because I was too tried to get dressed. I hope this helps someone. I am thinking abour trying natural supplements. I can not afford to be late for work because of medication. I am a single and I need to make money.
Jj11965 - WOW! I can't believe there are SO many people out there just like me. I only took Lisinopril 10mg for a little over 2 1/2 weeks and I can tell you that I thought I was losing my mind. I would wake up in the morning so dizzy I couldn't even get out of bed, I was depressed and cried alot, lost my appetite, just felt doom and gloom everywhere I looked. I called the doctor and told her that I am going to stop taking this crap and that is exactly what I did. I have been off of it for only two days but can already tell a huge difference, except I do still feel anxious and kinda panicky. I am just so glad I found other people who experienced the same thing, at least I know I am not going crazy.
Dusky - Dusky - I had been taking Lisinopril for two years and did not make the connection as to why I felt so ill, I had been getting flu like symptoms hot skin, headaches, body aches skin blisters on my legs and breasts and feeling absoulutely awful every day. I had lots of blood tests last year and the doctors could not find anything. I stopped taking my bp medication without telling the doctor in September and I felt great until two days ago as I started taking them again only to realise that they are the cause of me feeling poorly for the last two years so I will not be taking them from tommorow onwards, I'm off to the doctors on Wednesday to see if I can try something else. I urge anyone reading this not to take them, they make you feel like death on a stick.
Jackthedog - I'm on Atnelol, Lisinopril and Norvasc. I'm an RN working 12 hour shifts. I can barely get through a shift because of severe drowsiness. I thought it was the beta blocker causing this, but maybe it's the Lisopril. Severe drowsiness and dizzyness. The other day at work my bp was 88/38 with a pulse of 38. I have to get off this stuff.
Juleez - I started taking Lisinopril, 5 mgs, about 2 months ago. I thought at first I was okay, but I have had a lot of lethargy, feeling sleepy, foggy, and of course, that damn dry, awful feeling in my throat all day and all night, making me cough and strangle, eyes running water from it. My blood pressure at it's highest was maybe 152/96, I am really not happy at all. I am now afraid I will have repercussions if I stop taking it. I see my Dr. this Wed., and am determined to find a solution I can live with.
Jazzk2004 - i have not had any of the problems as stated here by others. I have always had a prpblem with insomnia, but that too has gotten better. please reconsider before stopping taking any medications which you all have been prescribed.
Wogirlrd - I've been on Lisinopril for two weeks and I have a small cough, but nothing too annoying yet. I'm wondering if anyone else has had changes in their periods due to the medication. I'm always regular and suddenly the period is missing, without the possibility of pregnancy. I found a few women on another forum asking the same questions, so apparently I'm not the only one out there, but nothing is listed on the side effects related to menstrual cycles at all.
Ashleygilmore2012 - hi. I have been on lisinopril for a while now after having my son i had high bp. so i got on it and no its hard to swallow, throats dry and i cough up mucus, but i recently just started smoking again as well, and get body pain all over.. can someone please help me out and let me know some things... i went to the er the other night and they said i must of been having an anxiety attack but i believe it is the lisinoprill. i just wanna be off of it now. . i never feel good! I wanna be happy, & feel good!
Juleez - Well, I wrote here before, and I can't swear that this is what has lowered my BP, but I started taking Astaxanthan, 4mg, once a day, and my PB at it's highest is never more than 128/82. It is made from shell fish, there are no side effects, and I feel great. No doctor I have mentioned it to has ever heard of it, but I don't care. It seems to be working for me, along with regular exercise, and I lowered my salt intake as well.
Perfectred - Hey,
I took Propranolol for 5 years 20 mg.and not knowing any better stopped it cold Turkey along with my Celexa. I never had high blood pressure before now but I am now just fast pulse and some anxiety. I went to the doctor a month ago panicky and heart racing, BP was 160/110 he put me back on Propranolol and Lisinopril10mg. I now have headaches, muscle aches, tired all day,can't sleep, nausea, eye twitching, Moody,and anxious ...Please help
Chadd - Lisinopril and other blood pressure medications are dangerous and totally unnecessary. Several studies have proven that vitamin C will lower high blood pressure safely and naturally. Just do a google search for 'vitamin C reduces high blood pressure' and read the articles. Vitamin C was effective even though the studies used a relatively small dose of only 500 mg per day, much less than the 2 or 3 grams per day recommended by Dr. Linus Pauling for cardiovascular disease. Of course, Big Pharma and organized medicine aren't interested in vitamin C at all because it is cheap, unpatentable, and a big financial threat to their high-profit pharmaceutical drugs. Unfortunately, Big Pharma practically 'owns' the FDA, so I doubt they will ever ban this drug no matter how much damage it inflicts on trusting and unsuspecting patients. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient vitally important for cardiovascular health. I would urge you to read two very informative articles at the website cqs.com. Just do a google search for cqs.com to get to the website, then click on the article Natural Cardiovascular Disease Therapy to read it, then click on Natural Statin Injury Therapy to read it.
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