Starting BP Meds

[The Jogger]

I start the above by taking the first one tonight and then one each morning, perindopril just 2mg, it was a bit above normal. Can I just continue my normal commute tomorrow or should I wait until I get used to them?

 

[slowmotion]

I've been on Ramipril for a couple of years. It's an ACE inhibitor similar to Perindopril. I take a few other drugs too. I've never had any side effects from any of them. Ramipril has been amazingly good at getting my BP right down.
Get on your pedals tomorrow.

 

[vickster]

Most likely side effect with an ACE is cough. I doubt it'll drop your BP dramatically (what was the reading that led to the prescription)? What did the GP say?

 

[The Jogger]

I decided to start them on Friday night. I started the statin tonight cholesterol was 8.7 BP he said wasn't too high, it was an average of the 24 hrs but he didnt give an exact figure.

 

[slowmotion]

Some people get muscle pain and other things from statins. I'm on them too, Atorvastatin, 80mg. I had no side effects at all.
BTW, if you want a connoisseur's view of Bisoprolol Fumarate and Ezetimibe as well, you know where to ask.

 

[vickster]

I think atorvastatin is better than Simvastatin for the muscle pains, more likely to get atorvastatin now it's off patent and cheaper

 

[slowmotion]

Two and a half years ago, I would have been horrified at the prospect of taking daily medication. When my GP said that I will have to take this that and the other for the rest of my life, I said "Crikey, that's a long time!" and then, after moment's thought, added "Actually, maybe it isn't". We both laughed.

 

[addictfreak]

I take amilodipine 10mg and lisinipril 20mg to keep my BP under control following my SAH two years ago. Never had any issues with the meds.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I've had problems with tolerating Ramipril - my BP is generally below normal anyway. I have also taken every statin available (seriously), over the last 20 years, low dose, slow release, one per week, even, and have had problems with muscle pain and weakness to some extent with all of them. I cannot tolerate Ezetimibe either. I have also tried all (?) the other Cholestrol lowering medications available with limited success. I would happily take statins if I could as they apparently have a protective effect in addition to lowering Cholestrol, but the side effects for me are severe enough to badly effect my quality of life and capacity for exercise. I am now trialling plant sterols (with my GP's approval) although my Cholestrol level is not terribly high, and the ratios HDL/LDL etc are usually good.
OP, @The Jogger, hope you are one of the fortunate ones who can take the medications with no problem

 

[The Jogger]

Thanks @youngoldbloke i started them last night and took one this morning ( 2mg perindropil) so far so good, on the bike around central London today and all fine.......lets hope it stays that way. I've been on statins before but prefer not to, how does the sterols work?

 

[youngoldbloke]

Best stick with the doctors advice if you can. However here's a link Plant Sterols and Stanols
Apparently they do lower cholestrol somewhat, but there isn't much evidence that they have any of the protective effects that some prescription medications have.