Home blood pressure monitor

Your form above is much better than the one hubby has now been given. Hubby says he has to take 3 readings daily and put the last one on the form. Also there is nowhere to put pulse, which is where I picked up the missing beats.

 

Amlopidine is a calcium channel blocker and Ramipril is an ACE inhibitor I think. It's all new to us. You can also get diuretics, which make you want to spend a penny every two hours according to my mum. She is fine on them.

Our GP said you should change your BP monitor yearly! Well maybe the one in the surgery?

 

Just popping in with a quick reminder for those on AMLODIPINE of any strength - don't drink the juice or eat the fruit of Grapefruit. It can make any of the associated side effects worse.

It doesn't agree with everyone, but is generally one of the most widely tolerated and therefore prescribed medications for hypertension.

 

Agree, though seeing some of the ones in our surgery they look more like 10 years old !

We replace ours about every 5 or so years and , if still working, compare the old with the new and have never found any big differences.
Omron do offer a recalibration service but last time we checked it was about half the price of a new one, so no contest.

What we do is use a spreadsheet or wordprocessor to record all our 7 day readings and include the heart rate as well, plus any relevant comments.
Its good in that you can easily look back over time and notice any high or low trends developing etc.

 

Good point, though think it applies to lots more Heart tablets.

 

Hi Folks,
I should add that both my tablets are taken before 1 pm.
I have found that if I take them too early then my BP drops and that's when
I start to feel dizzy. I did check with the Pharmacist, they told me if it works
for me than carry on taking one when the time is right for me.
I do take two readings before taking a tablet.

 

Have you checked with your Doctor? John.
Pharmacists are not likely to tell you to do this or that regarding a prescribed medicine.

Does it say on the label, take one tablet if you feel the need, or are there more precise instructions.
If they make you dizzy you need to get back to the GP and tell them.

 

@john558 Sounds like the tablets might be too strong and lowering your BP too much, hence the dizziness, a common side effect, though it could equally be something else.

Like @pete suggests get your GP to review things properly.

 

I would like to have a face to face appointment with the GP, but
that's impossible at my surgery. I did ask for advice online and was told to make an appointment to see the Nurse.

 

The thing is they often warn about dizziness when you first start taking different tablets, but it can go off after a few days as you get used to them, if you are just taking one now and then you will never get used to them.

I'm pretty sure just seeing a nurse could sort it out for you, if she/he cant they will tell you you need to see a doctor at which point nobody can say you cant have an appointment.

 

Would phone up and ask for a GP appointment stating that you need your heart medication reviewing due to adverse side effects, even if they only say you can see a nurse, if the nurse cannot help during that appointment they should then pass you onto the GP.

 

Pharmacists can now prescribe certain medicines.
With our surgery any queries about medication you are taking are forwarded to their pharmacists. My wife used to sometimes forget to take her statins in the evening, and mentioned that to the pharmacist when they called to discuss her medication. Despite it saying on the box to take in the evening, the pharmacist said it didn't matter when they were taken, so take in the morning if more convenient.

 

My understanding is that because the body makes most cholesterol overnight it is better to take statins in the evening. I haven't a clue though if that is correct.

 

I've just had a look on Dr Google and the answer is....... 'It depends' on the type of statin, whether it's long or short lasting. For example, Atorvastatin can be taken at any time of the day.

 

I was prescribed statins, when I asked why I was told the government had told doctors they had to put a certain amount of people on statins every year, no blood test no nothing, just we think it might be beneficial regarding your age.

I worked with a mate who now has a muscle wasting disease and after years of seeing doctors because he was feeling weaker finally got referred to a consultant at one of the London hospitals, who said its irreversible and was triggered by statins.

He did tell me the name of the disease but I cant remember what it was, apparently its linked to a gene which causes it.