I'm not defending amlodipine. I've never taken it myself and from some of the things I've read on here, I wouldn't want to! (I'm just beginning to have age-related BP problems so am lurking on sites like this one to pick up tips.) I just don't like to see the dissemination of false internet rumours about anything on principle, as this can ultimately be harmful.
There's also the point that forums about a specific medication mostly attract posts from people who've had problems with it. In the same way, forums dealing with chronic illnesses mainly attract contributions from those most severely affected, giving newly-diagnosed patients the impression they're going to suffer horribly. I'm afraid that's just human nature. There are probably millions of people taking amlodipine who get no significant side-effects, so don't feel the need to come on these forums.
Have you tried contacting the original manufacturer of amlodipine, Pfizer? Either that, or the name of the company who makes the generic you're taking, which will be on the packet. This isn't as crazy as it sounds. I did it in desperation when a dear friend was suffering terrible symptoms which I suspected were due to a powerful antipsychotic she was being forced to take in a psychogeriatric home. Her doctor refused to admit that the creeping paralysis of her hands was due to the drug, so I contacted Eli Lilly. The response was surprising - seven calls from their offices in two countries within three weeks!
I think drug companies are quite interested in getting feedback from users. After all, it's in their interest to listen if they find there's a lot of dissatisfaction with their products. Doctors are supposed to report regularly on side-effects, but I suspect half of them never get round to it, especially in the UK, where they're particularly hard-pressed. A barrage of complaints from actual users might help to concentrate their minds.
And don't be afraid to tell your doctor if a medication he/she prescribes doesn't suit you. After all, it's your body and you have a perfect right to be heard. Try and look at your doctor as a supplier of health care, rather than an authority that can never be questioned or contradicted.
I was only stating my opinion, your telling me "don't feel the need to come on these forums" was very rude and I do not understand why you feel you have to be harsh with me, again, mine is only an opinion and I had believed that forums were for opinions. And you are correct, most of the people responding will be those with negative affects, however I state a lot of positive comments on what I am taking now. I just had such a bad reaction to the amlodopine that I thought I'd share, what is wrong with that. I never said this was banned anywhere, I do not know, I don't live in other countries - from my experience I said it "SHOULD be banned" because of what it did to me - just my opinion - please keep that in mind before being mean to me.
In March of this year I suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to high blood pressure I didn't even know I had, so blood pressure is extremely important to me because I almost died, if in any way my opinion helps, that would be good, if not, please don't scold me because of how I feel. Thanks.
xizziz, where did I tell you: "don't feel the need to come on these forums"? That wasn't what I meant at all, and there was certainly no intention to be "mean" to you. I just meant that we all need to bear in mind that forums about any medication tend to give a somewhat slanted view, as it's mainly the people who are unhappy with it who post.
These forums are indeed for opinions, and many people here share your view of amlodipine. I've benefited from this: as stated in my post, when the time comes for me to take BP meds - which I know isn't very far off - I'll certainly think twice about accepting amlodipine, having heard all your stories.
I didn't say you had stated it was banned, but you did say: "I keep reading about the banning of this drug in other countries". I was just setting the record straight, to reassure people who might come on here thinking they'd been prescribed a drug that was so dangerous it was about to be banned. In fact, as Oregonjohn has pointed out, it's a highly successful drug that has been used safely for many years all over the world. Unfortunately, however, it has drastic effects on some people, including you.
I'm sorry to hear about your subarachnoid haemorrhage. As a former neuro nurse, I know how frightening that must have been, and I hope you've now made a full recovery from your surgery.
Oooh - I've just spotted what you were talking about, xizziz! It was the last sentence of my second para, wasn't it? "There are probably millions of people taking amlodipine who get no significant side-effects, so don't feel the need to come on these forums." This is probably one of those famous transatlantic misunderstandings (I'm of British origin). According to British syntax and grammar rules, the word "they" would be implied in that sentence: "...so they don't feel the need to come on these forums".
Like the man said: "Two nations divided by a single language!"
2nd paragraph - last sentence:
"There are probably millions of people taking amlodipine who get no significant side-effects, so don't feel the need to come on these forums."
If you didn't mean it the way it sounded, then it's ok. I have been so depressed on and off that it really upset me - I'm just fragile right now, if you can understand. Thank you for clarifying and for the kind words 
And thank you as I am very lucky to be given the outlook of a complete recovery, I am 63 and it took 2 hours to get to the hospital so I thank God for putting me in the right hospital at the right time and with the right surgeon. I am told it was catastrophic and very bad - so I do appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much
I never said that it was banned, I said I keep reading on forums that it was and stated that it should be banned - based on my personal experience with it. I hope that was ok that I expressed my disappointment with that drug and didn't personally mean to offend you - please reread my statement and you will see I am not passing on rumors - but seems that many people have misread what I wrote - sorry for any misunderstandings.
Les forums regorgent de rumeurs et d'opinions généralement parce que les gens ont subi des effets secondaires négatifs. Ceux qui prennent de l'Amlodipine et trouvent que cela fonctionne bien ne postent généralement pas sur les forums. Je suis l'un d'eux ! prescrit il y a 16 ans - aucun problème mais il y a 3 ans, j'ai contracté une maladie auto-immune sans remède connu, pour me voir prescrire des stéroïdes qui sont le seul moyen de « guérir » les symptômes - avec 85 effets secondaires et plus !
Choix ; devenir immobile, risquer une insuffisance hépatique et de nombreux autres effets indésirables et être en grande douleur ou vivre une vie presque normale et « supporter » certains des effets secondaires - je sais lequel j'aurais pris (et j'ai pris) ? Personne n'aime les stéroïdes car ils sont dangereux, mais ils ne sont pas interdits simplement parce que certains patients subissent des effets secondaires désagréables - et je suis très heureux pour ma part.
Vous pouvez signaler vos expériences à la FDA aux États-Unis, à la TGA en Australie ou si vous êtes au Royaume-Uni, recherchez le schéma de la carte jaune.
Je suis désolé si j'ai mal lu votre message, mais j'ai sauté sur un certain nombre au fil des ans et certains ont été supprimés par Alan le Modérateur.
Lily, I've read many of your helpful, informative comments. One would've assumed you were a health care professional simply based on your caring nature and knowledge. I'm reminded of how wonderful all of the nurses, doctors, and technicians are when I read posts such as yours.