 Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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Been taking some new blood pressure pills lateley (Benicar). Unfortunatley thay have been messing with my head lately and kind of making me feel awkward. It kind of tough to describe it. Some days are better than others. But, the last few days that seem to not agree with me much. If I stand up too fast I get light headed. If I move my head to the left, it feels like it takes a second for everything to catch up (not sure how to describe it). I feel like I get more tired sooner too. Been trying to drink as much water as I can, but it seems to help only so much.
Unfortuantely, it has affected my riding too. Yesterday I went on that ride to Sowerby's in Chehails (good ride with some great people), I ended up leaving the group and hit the interstate because the twisties (even though at that point there wasnt much, but I know the rest of the route) was starting to get to me.
Anyone else had problems like that with blood pressure medication?
Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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I've had similar symptoms from similar meds. Low blood pressure may be a large part of the dizziness issue. It sure makes for unsteady footing, etc., and has caused me some bike scratches. Quoted from: http://benicar.drugs.com/"Possible side effects of Benicar : Abdominal/stomach pain; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; unusual tiredness."
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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If high blood pressure is so bad, how come I felt better when I wasnt taking anything.
Not sure what the difference is but I am taking Benicar HCT, not just Benicar.
Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Soren, be safe & good luck.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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they got me on 100 mg per day of atenolol AND 25 mg of hydroclorothyodyne (beta blocker/water pill) the BP is still a bit high but not where it was...no real side effects to speak of except the DRY MOUTH...but I understand your sentiment about not feeling bad...but that IS why they call it the silent killer...it has NO symptoms untill it's to late...if the meds are affecting you adversly, talk to your MD, but don't stop taking them...get him to find something else to controll it that doesn't effect you in some way you can't stand...
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Soren,
I have been taking Benicar(1/2 a 10mg tab in AM) for about 6 months with no ill effects. Maybe your dosage is to high. Have you talked with your doctor? I take mine with a glass of juice then head out for a 3.5 mile walk. Have lost 35lbs since Jan. BP has gone from 155/105 to 110/75
Mark
The road goes on forever, The party never ends.
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Soren,
Your bod is a mechanical device. Based on vascular pressure readings, a mechanic (your doctor) has figured your pump is working too hard. If the pump has to work harder than it should, it won't last as long as it was designed to. Thus you've been prescribed a pill.
My opinion is that the presciption should be thought of as a stop gap measure that will get you to a more permanent solution. That solution is a pursuit of a higher fitness level. I began such a regiment last May, and have been kicking my own a$$ on an elliptical trainer for a hour each evening, 5 evenings a week (these are 2 half-hour sessions). This has made a big difference for me, - and you should consider something similar.
Of course strict dieting is necessary, but that is obvious.
All the best,
-BT
"Speedmaster" is a title not a name, - and the title is not plural.
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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This is related but still off topic: cutting out salt and caffeine makes an incredible difference. Few people believe that my BP is normal at my weight. Now my cholesterol, on the other hand...
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
Soren,
I have been taking Benicar(1/2 a 10mg tab in AM) for about 6 months with no ill effects. Maybe your dosage is to high. Have you talked with your doctor? I take mine with a glass of juice then head out for a 3.5 mile walk. Have lost 35lbs since Jan. BP has gone from 155/105 to 110/75
Mark
I'm betting that the 35 pounds and the exercise are more relevant than the meds  .
Of course some high blood pressure requires medication, but lifestyle changes are usually more effective.
(This is from my physician, who told me 15 years ago to lose 30 pounds and my 165/95 BP would go down. I did, it did.)
Keep it up.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Soren,
Talk to your doc ASAP. Youll probably try a lower dose or another type of med. Those side effects sound no bueno and could cause you to hurt/kill yourself befor the bp gets to you.
My doc told me to stop drinking and smoking and my bp went up...I started drinking and smoking again and now its down...go figure.
Losing some weight and some mild cardio is the answer for me...123/80 was the last check...much better than last years 150/90(ish).
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Soren,
I can relate to your issue, especially the dizzyness when standing up quickly and the tired feeling. I take a beta blocker - Toprol xl for my heart as I had quadruple bypass
surgery back in 2004. I've never had high blood pressure and in fact my BP has always been on the low side. My Dr. prescibes the Toprol to me so that my heart beats more efficiently and requires less oxygen to it. The downside of it is it makes my B/P and heart rate a little low. I did get him to lower the dosage though. I also experience times on my Speedmaster where I don't "feel" 100% right and comfortable and I tend to take it short and easy on my bike at those times. Like you, I try to stay well hydrated before and during rides which increases my body's total fluid and blood volume and lessens the effects of low B/P and that feeling of being shocky.
Bob
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I am glad that I am not the only one out there feeling this way. I'm only 40. But, sometimes I feel old.
Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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I'm on LOPRESSOR HCT 100-25MG and NORVASC 5MG at this time, which only started out with slight dizziness. Blood pressure started out at 184 over 140, its now down to 134 over 84. Still riding ok, but tend to be a little more cautious. To much sun tends to tire me out quicker now. Need to start the exercise program but, at 59+ its hard to get motivated. Take care.
Bob
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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I have been on lysinopril for a few years. After having a cough for over 2 months the Dr. now tells me I have become allergic to it. I see him in the AM to see what he is going to do about it. 
Yes! I am a Redneck. Any Problems?
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 Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Hey, I had a similar problem with my HBP meds (different type--linsinopril). Told the Doc and he cut my dosage for each day in half, all's well-- still gotta pee too much though. ex--foggy head, good luck 
________________________________
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_WXxYGyRas
Noli Irritate Leones
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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There are a box full of other alternatives, let the Doc know right away, you can get dialed in on something that does not mess you up. A bike accident is just as bad as a stroke or heart attack. By your pictures over weight is not an issue, but Salt and there is salt in everything is bad.
Let them know and they can alter it. Not unusual to have to try a number of meds before you get the combo right to accomplish. You a smoker? Gotta quit it's a powerful affect on the vascaluture and it's affect on high blood pressure.
eddy
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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I agree the dosage may be too high. Call your Dr's. office this week, let them know the side effects you are having. Maybe they could change the dosage w/o a visit.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Loquacious
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Quote:
. I'm only 40. But, sometimes I feel old.
Im 42, Today I feel and walk like Im 72
Erwin
05 America
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Old Hand
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Talk to your doctor, there are pressure controlling medications that don't do that. I really like the stuff I'm on now, I can ride all I want, but I cant do hard work out in the heat. So, I do whatever work I can in the early morning and then ride or whatever the ret of the day.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Soren,
Does your Doc have you on a home monitoring machine? I bought a simple battery powered one. I started BP meds in early July and have noticed numbers can range widely, 134-175. Still getting "dialed in" as they say. Numbers are still kinda' high. Next time I fax in a set of numbers, I'm going to ask my doctor for some pills that also make hair grow where it supposed to and make it stop where it's not supposed to.
See, I was doing you favor bumming a few cigs in Cambridge last year, same as those guys in Georgia. My only side effct is a dry cough, doctor told me about that, and no it's not from bumming cigs at Triumph rallys. Good luck. (it's not a joke).
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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Nope, I'm not monitoring at home. I should get myself a machine. I stop in at the grocery store once in a while. The meds I am taking are really working good for my BP. Maybe it is a matter of my pressure dropping more and faster than what my body is use to.
I need to call the doc about a refill in the next few days, maybe I'll see about a lower dose or something different. He's the mechanic (and been a good one), so I trust his opinion.
Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
See, I was doing you favor bumming a few cigs in Cambridge last year, same as those guys in Georgia.
Well, there ya have it.
You know the answer. Make yourself quit for two weeks and see where your BP is without meds. You'll have incentive to stay quit.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
You a smoker? Gotta quit it's a powerful affect on the vascaluture and it's affect on high blood pressure.
An immensely true statement.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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toss the pills & drink more like I did.
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
I cant do hard work out in the heat.
I hate that part. I love being out in the sun. Here in the NW, I gotta get it while I can.
Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Check Pants
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Quote:
Make yourself quit for two weeks and see where your BP is without meds.
Actually my BP has other causes Bill,
I quit cigs 30 years ago, I do admit to a pipe on and off, mostly off. I bummed cigs at Nelson, Cambridge and Georgia. Triumph peer pressure from Soren, Phil (he smokes pink ones  ), the Yutes (da*n yutes anyway ), Uncle Charlie, Rob, Rene-Louis so I could be like the big kids.
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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So, that's like 10 in 30 years?  Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Well, OK then John.
(Still applies to Soren though)
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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3/4 Throttle
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This is timely becuase I go to the doc tomorrow and I know he's going to put me on BP medicene. I've been monitoring it at hope and I know it's hig according to the new rules. It really sucks when your body starts wearing out. 
Redbike7
2006 America
No amount of skill can overcome gross stupidity. Ask me how I know...never mind, I forgot...
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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For those of you with high BP, there is a product out in GB and soon to be out in the US called SOLO Low Sodium Sea Salt. It is supposed to tast the same as salt but with about 60% less sodium. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival here. 
Yes! I am a Redneck. Any Problems?
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Check Pants
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just throught Id toss this out there...went to teh doc a week ago...couldnt sleep (as you can tell by some of the time stamps on my posts). BP was 123/80...I about fell off the table.
Yipee!
now to get under 280lbs...
Soren...got an update?
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Quote:
Quote:
I cant do hard work out in the heat.
I hate that part. I love being out in the sun. Here in the NW, I gotta get it while I can.
Soren
Oh, I can BE out, just can't do any heavy work once it starts getting hot. Sometimes I do anyway, but they said I shouldn't.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
For those of you with high BP, there is a product out in GB and soon to be out in the US called SOLO Low Sodium Sea Salt. It is supposed to tast the same as salt but with about 60% less sodium. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival here.
99% of the time I don't add salt to anything (usually enough in restaurant food or even natural salt), but if I do, I prefer the taste of sea salt.
Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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It was frusterating today. Beautiful perfect weather day. My regular day to go to Seattle. I didn't ride. On a day like this, I usually would. I did not want to chance the 372 mile round trip plus working.
Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Good luck bro! ****** our genes!!!
I need to get to the doc..err...mechanic and have em check me out.
-neight
2004 Triumph Bonneville Black
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Monkey Butt
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Soren, I am on a med called Verapamil (BP), they are for reducing the heart rate, I started off on 960 mg a day and had the same symptoms as you describe, also passing out at night time, when making a trip to the little boys room and waking with a headache.
I suffer with Chronic Cluster Headaches Right sided and Chronic Migraine left side, some how the Verapamil seem to work to prevent the Chronic Clusters, except at the moment I am going through a bad phase.
Get in touch with your GP and explain the side effects as best you can, hopefully he may try something else.
Ray(UK)
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Soren, I have been taking BP med for a lot of years (am 65 now). I take 100 mg of Atenolol twice per day and 25 mg of Hydrochlorothiazid once per day. My Doc tried other meds, before I went on the additional Atenolol, but they cause real problems. You might have to talk with your Doc to find the right balance and meds, but it is important to get the BP down. My Doc told me that Atenolol also has other benefits for my heart.
Dave
04 SpeedMaster, Windvest Screen, Leatherworks Bags.
F&AM, WM 3 times
Rifle & Pistol Competitor
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Loquacious
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Quote:
... I take 100 mg of Atenolol twice per day and 25 mg of Hydrochlorothiazid... Dave
Dave is that 100 mg, 50 am, 50 pm or 100 am, 100pm
cause our Docs must be the same
I'm at 100 mg atenolon 50/50 am/pm
and 25 hydro#(%_)*)DWL: -ine... whatever
only side effect so far is dry mouth...oh and I pee more than I did (but not alot more)
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
only side effect so far is dry mouth...oh and I pee more than I did (but not alot more)
I think I just might ask my doc about Atenolol.
Soren
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Re: Blood Pressure Meds and Riding
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Learned Hand
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Soren I would tell the doctor about the problems. Its one thing if your going to die cause of the high Bp in ten years but if the cure kills you in 1 year its not better. I have gone through 5 endocrinologists (diabetes) in 4 years to find one who will work with me, for what I want. Not what the drug rep tells him to prescribe. Its amazing the differences between doctors. One told me I need gastric bypass cause I'm morbidly obese. I still think he was on commission. The one I have now will look into a problem, present options and actually listen to me about my opoinon on it. After all we are the ones getting cured and the ones who will live with the side effects.
I take a small amount of Cozar for BP I don't have any problems like you describe.
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