Blood Pressure Meds

[nailit]

I was put on blood pressure meds about 5 months ago.
Amlodopine to start with and then Ramapril.
(One week on Anlodopine wreaked my stomach)...
Never had a follow up appointment since.
Shouldnt I have at least a blood pressure check with a nurse or something?
What's the protocol with this?
Just been prescribed meds and no follow up as far as I can see??

[davebro]

ask at the surgery - maybe you are due a check soon

[Hazlinny]

As far as I am concerned , it seems one is put on medication
and,unless you report to GP that you are still feeling ill or your symptoms have worsened, you will stay on that medication until Annual Review if the Surgery offers one. In my case, Ramipril lowered my blood pressure so much that I fainted - only then was my blood pressure monitored for a month or so, If you are concerned, ask for a check.

[bednobs]

check your own bp at home if youre worried

[jno]

my local chemist does BP checks. Or as bednobs says you can buy a BP meter of your own.

[Hazlinny]

I did buy a BP wrist monitor but GP said they were no use!!
Maybe an arm sleeve one better?

[jno]

yes, I've got an arm sleeve one though it's hard to get it to go on straight (though my arms are the only part of me that isn't fat)

[nailit]

Only asked what the protocol was....

[Hazlinny]

Perhaps Sqad will advise.

[jno]

the protocol is if you think you are ill you call the doctor, who will see you within six months.

Their assumption is that the prescriptions they give you will cure whatever problem you have. If you think it isn't working, as with the amlodipine, tell them

I only get followups once a year.

[Buenchico]

People with hypertension are encouraged to take their own pressure from time to time and to then report persistent high readings to their GP. (I check my blood pressure once, or sometime twice, a day).

As a rough guide, 120/80 is generally considered as 'ideal'. However, when my GP increase my dosage of amlodipine, he stated that the target was to get my BP below 145/85. So that might give you a bit of guidance as to what your own GP might regard as 'acceptable'. (Most blood pressure monitors have green/amber/red indications on them anyway).

[nailit]

LOL JNO,
You are not Wrong!

[Sqad]

nailit......what protocol, do you need a protocol.

Get onto Amazon or nip into Boots and buy a BP machine, arm reading.

I don't know what figures we are talking about concerning your case and I only have a passing memory of some of your underlying problems.

If I were you......I would buy a machine as I have described and take your BP every day at the same time and try and keep it below 120/80.
If you are happy, then just contact your GP for a repeat prescription, if you are not then contact the surgery.

[jennyjoan]

amlopidine 10mg wrecked me too - I told doctor and she brought me down to amlopidine 5mg plus 2.5mg ramipril which meant I was getting 7andhalf blood pressure. I'm on those about a year and so far so good. Well according to blood tests last week.