I'd been on Losartan for 10 months and before that a Ramipril equivalent dose, in all I've been on meds for 17 months. For many months my average readings were around 122/70 with many way below that figure and only very rarely anything over 140 [systolic]. After the reduction I monitored my BP carefully twice a day and all seemed fine with just a slight rise, to be expected with a lower dose. Then I went away for a lovely holiday for 3 weeks and was horrified on my return to find the BP has risen sharply. Oddly the same thing happened last year on my return from holiday. I find I have wildly fluctuating readings and the diastolic is way too high too, i think. 138/86 was average over just 2 days but there have been readings of 189/97 on occasion. I don't smoke, add salt to my food and am considered thin. I also walk at least half an hour daily. I need another prescription so do i ask for a repeat and wait and see if things settle down or would it be wise to ask for a GP appt and expect an increase in meds? I'm not due for a check up for another 4 months.
If i was you i would make an appt and go and see your doctor just to be on the safe side i recently moved doctors and when the nurse did my health check my blood pressure was high 158 /108 which is the worst ive seen it i was on medication and the dosage has been changed my previous doctor hadnt checked my blood pressure for over 9 months let us know how you get on
Were it me I would ask for an early appointment with my GP before you ask for a repeat prescription - 4 months is too long to wait to discuss the raised BP with your GP
Jane, it does seem unusual for BP go increase following an enjoyable holiday. Although you say you don't add salt to your food, any food eaten on holiday would have had added salt, and did you perhaps have more alcohol than usual? Or it could simply be that your BP is not maintained on the recent reduction to 50mg of Losartan. I am on Losartan 50mg and it isn't controlling my BP sufficiently but can't have the increased dose owing to blood test results. I definitely agree with Gill - don't wait for your next check-up or put in a repeat prescription without getting your GP's advice first. Do keep in touch and let us know how you get on..and good luck.
Hi Jane, if in doubt I would always either go, or telephone your doctor. Your readings don't sound too bad when I have read some other people's on this website. Mine vary immensly. I have been on 50mg Losartan for about 3 weeks now after trying enalapril, almopodine + water tab, then ramapril all of which made me feel so unwell, & didn't bring my readings down acceptably either. Since being on Losartan I still get some high readings, & still don't seem to have reached an acceptable average yet. Can u remember how long it took for losartan to bring your readings down? as I'm away for 3 months my gp gave me enough tablets to double up dosage if I can't reach an average reading of 145/90. He admitted they don't really know why it varies so much & that's why they aim for an average, so I think we can expect really highs & lows at times. You sound very like myself in lifestyle & I hate taking pills also, I've been om meds since middle of March.
Anyway, hope you ring your gp & put your mind at rest. A friend of mine has been on 100mg losartan for quite a number of years & seems fine. I think we have to try not to worry too much about the occasional high reading. Hope you are reassured soon. best wishes Sue
I have taken 100mg of Losartan for years apart from odd changes for a month or so. After initial lightheadedness (is that a word) the only noticeable side effect is a slight itching but it has not done much for my BP highs.
This past week I have taken it at night instead of morning. My readings are no less in the morning but still come down to acceptable levels as the day progresses.
Hi Jane. I am 73 yrs of age and do have periods of high blood pressure. I too dislike medication and prefer to try natural things if possible. I have read about organic beetroot juice and it seems quite a few people have turned to that and there are reports that it does keep blood pressure low. There are also reports about bananas and celery which seem to do the job! The best beetroot juice (which is NOT concentrate) is called Beet It. It is expensive but you only need to drink 250 ml a day. Hope this helps.
I more than likely did all of those things on holiday. I was staying with my daughter in France and we consumed wine by the bucket load and loads of cheese and all those salami type sausages, all stuffed with salt which usually I don't do at all. All very relaxed though... However as you say it could also be the reduced dose of Losartan, or indeed all of those things. I was controlling it all so well before and now I don't know where it's going. I do wonder whether had I not adopted the acknowledged life style changes when initially diagnosed [cutting out salt, vastly reducing alcohol, losing weight and exercising more] it might all have been much worse. Who knows!
It the swings that bother me really and also some of the high diastolic numbers which I'm told are more serious that the systolic although not sure if that is right. i mainly take readings before breakfast and before bed and to go from systolic numbers like 180 then down to 100 a short while later is alarming.Likewise with the diastolic, numbers in the 60's and next time in the 90's. Puzzling.
I reluctantly thin a GPs appt is inevitable, assuming I can get one !!
Thanks I'll let my sister know that one too as they can't get proper control of hers
Interesting that you take it at night, perhaps I should try that. Would it make any difference though. When I took a 50mg dose of Losartan I also had periods of light headedness, that was the principal reason the dose was reduced I think, that and the fact that there were so many very low readings.
I do think an email or call to the dr is on the cards, albeit reluctantly. I have been on Losartan 50mg for a year now with no side effects. Before that I was on Ramipril which gave me the predictable cough. The Losartan 50 mg was the equivalent dose. Interesting you have a goal of an average of 145/90. I was given 135/85 as being the limit..
It's the swings of high and low that bother me. I really hate being on medication !
Thanks everyone, I'll drop a line to my GP and see what she says
According to my GP yesterday swings in BP are quite normal which is why she has encouraged me to onloy take it once per month, when I am relaxed and have not been doing anything too strenuous physically. According to her the ontly time to worry is when it is consistently above 160/110 or below 100/60 if these are not normal for you.
Hi Derek, what was result of scan on your kidneys?
Thanks Gill, that's interestingl: i'm inclined to take that on board probably because it's what I want to hear but really I don't want to just go back to the higher dose after a such a short time. Wisely or not I will just ask for another prescription and see what it does at the end of another month. Fingers xed!
I have previously tried all the options night/morning. half at night half in morning. When I was taking verapamil as well I tried switching dosages around without much effect.
Last night before taking the losartan my BP was 133/65 43. This morning my BP averaged 186/87 42 and was 154/84 61 this evening at 6.30.
I'll warn you, I found that it tastes earthy and quite disgusting and repeats on you. Your urine turns red as does your poo.
Yes it is an earthy taste (which I like - you either like beetroot or you don't) and urine turns red but not for long. If it is doing the job, who cares really !!
My fluctuating readings are broadly similar to yours.
The consultant I saw recently at the Hypertension Referral Clinic is of the opinion that fluctuations are not dangerous though much I have read says otherwise. Talking of home readings he said that you can never take your BP to often!
She loves the stuff, as you may be able to tell I don't 