[Bugtussel]

I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. (This may be related to my other meds.) I take lithium which interacts with just about everything. I was given a prescription for triamterene /HCTZ. I was wondering what HBP meds other people take?
- Bugtussel

[Miss Laura]

Propranolol and Amlodipine I think they are helping me lol

[Soupe du jour]

Hi Bugtussel. Sorry you've joined the high blood pressure club. Mine started about two years ago, and only was put on blood pressure medication about six months ago. I also take hydrochlorathiazide, but not the other med you mention. My second is irbesartin. They have helped, for sure, but my readings are still just over normal. I'm happy I take them, but wonder if one (likely irbesartan) gives me tingling/numb hands upon awakening. Three health professionals insist no. Oh well! In any case, I am starting to tolerate that more. If from something else, I don't want to know.

My Seroquel XR likely contributes to my high blood pressure. Perhaps stress levels and weight gain, too. And age and genes.

Miss Laura mentioned propranolol. I take a little of that, but consider it for my tachycardia, though I know it can also lower blood pressure. My small dose keeps my heart rate normal, but did little else. I've taken it for 12 years. That med gives me no side effects. I think it calms a type of anxiety I had. I like it!

[buddha1too]

Lisinopril here. I've been able to keep my blood pressure pretty much in check for quite a few years. My blood pressure was optimal several years ago when I was speed walking many miles a day & half the night (who ever said being hypo isn't healthy?). I lost a lot of weight & was getting tons of cardio work in. I try not to chase that hypo high, though. I should just aim to exercise like that without the bipolar bells & whistles.

[MickeyCheeky]

So Sorry about the blood pressure. i don't take any meds so i don't have a lot to say but i Hope and Pray things will turn out really well for you guys and your Families. Sending many safe, warm hugs to ALL of you, @Bugtussel, your Families, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

[*Beth*]

I have high bp due to weight gain from Seroquel. I take Amlodipine for it. My reading is still slightly above normal, but my doctor seems to think that's okay.

I don't know if it's common for others to experience it, but I've had some seriously weird reactions to bp medication. There was one, I wish I could remember the name of it, that caused me to space out really badly...depersonalization and just a very bizarre, pronounced feeling of disorientation.

Another bp med made me cough (there's one that has "the cough" as a common side effect). It was ridiculous and I couldn't live with a chronic dry cough.

The Amlodipine seems benign; I haven't noticed anything weird about it.

Good luck with keeping your bp in check!

[Bugtussel]

Thanks for all the information! I am going to do some research on these. I know the one I'm prescribed can increase lithium. I'm between psychiatrists so I have to depend on my PCP and he's not well educated on the medications.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

It's been a long time since I was on lithium but you might want to be sure HCTZ is ok with lithium. I think it might not be but I'm not a doctor and I've not been on lithium for 10 years or so.

[gina_re]

My doctor had prescribed one med a while ago, I can't remember what it was, but I hated the side effects and stopped it. She prescribed something else and I just never picked it up from the pharmacy. After this last appointment she was like I had to take something and prescribed something else, so I went ahead and picked it up. I've been taking it a for a month now and no weird side effects so I guess I'll stay on it for the time being. Micardis (telmisartan)

[Nammu]

I’m on propranolol but not for blood pressure, for anxiety. Tho my pcp doc thought that’s probably why my bp is normal. I’ve no idea if it interacts with lithium or not but it often used in mental health treatments for anxiety so it might mix well with other meds.

[Soupe du jour]

I took propranolol (small dose) with Lithium for about 5 1/2 years. I was not aware of any interactions, but when in doubt, either the doc or pharmacist can look into it.

[luvyrself]

I take lisinopril and metropolol. I dont like the metropolol because I think it makes my balance bad, so they said take it at night which helps. Still may ask for an alternative. My weight is out of control after covid, walking w lazy dog is no substitute for the water aerobics I used to to regularly (a great mood lifter as well). Without the metropolol I have spike to 178 a couple times.

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by luvyrself

I take lisinopril and metropolol. I dont like the metropolol because I think it makes my balance bad, so they said take it at night which helps. Still may ask for an alternative. My weight is out of control after covid, walking w lazy dog is no substitute for the water aerobics I used to to regularly (a great mood lifter as well). Without the metropolol I have spike to 178 a couple times.

I think that was what I was prescribed, metropolol. I hated the side effects and stopped taking it. Which I knew I shouldn't do, but I didn't care.

[Guiness187055]

I take losartan and atenolol

[Bugtussel]

So I did some follow up with the prescription, triamterene /HCTZ. The HTZ does interact with lithium per my pharmacist. I followed up with my PCP who said its only likely to raise my lithium "a little bit". So I'm not taking it and will try other things like diet and exercise to lower my Blood pressure. I am also going to invest in a at home blood pressure monitor to track my pressure better. Thanks for all of the supportive posts!

[*Beth*]

It took me a long time, but I finally bought a home blood pressure monitor. I'm so glad I did, it's very helpful.

[rwwff]

Spironolactone boosted a bit with the propanalol I take primarily to reduce a tremor side-effect. Keeps my bp very near 110/70.

[BipolaRNurse]

I have a long and storied past with hypertension (HTN). I developed it in my 20s thanks to overweight and a horrible family history of HTN. I’m now in my 60s and still have it, though it’s somewhat controlled on four drugs (well, I don’t take one of them because I don’t like having to pee every five freaking minutes). I take Losartan, Metoprolol, and Spironolactone.