Stopping BP meds

[vickyd 24]

I have been on BP meds for several years and now that I have lost almost 60 lbs I am starting to think I may be ready to go off of them...I have been monitoring my BP and last night it was 115/63...so my question is how did you know you were ready to come off of your BP meds and who made that determination (your surgeon or your PCP)? The reason I ask is that I have my monthly check up/fill appt with my surgeon tomorrow and I am wondering if I should mention it (they don't normally check my BP when I go in)...

[ElfiePoo 109]

so my question is how did you know you were ready to come off of your BP meds and who made that determination (your surgeon or your PCP)? The reason I ask is that I have my monthly check up/fill appt with my surgeon tomorrow and I am wondering if I should mention it (they don't normally check my BP when I go in)...

My surgeon always referred me to my primary care for any care that was non-band related because they have a longer, more consistent history with you than the bariatric surgeon. If they don't normally check your BP, logic would suggest they're going to refer you to your PCP...or should.

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[spoiltmom 44]

My PCP told me to try half a pill and keep checking my pressures then if they were still low try going without and keep checking my pressures.

You should ask your PCP though because not all BP Meds can be split.

[kll724 3,055]

My PCP suggested reducing my bp meds to 1/2 of what I had. So, for 2 weeks I took the lower dosage. They said to monitor my pressure. I did that and it was really good. So, I came off meds, but then my pressure read 155/90, so I went back on. My pressure seems to drop real low when I take a whole med. So, I now, cut my bp med to a 1/2 of the lower prescripton, and it stays good. I am scared to come off altogether, as it creeps back up to high. I know this sounds weird, but that is how my pressure has been. I have lost 100lbs and am in maintenance,now. Karen

[papoose 48]

I came off my BP medicines about a month after I started. I was having really bad pain in my stomach area and went to the emergency room. In the emergency room they could not read my blood pressure it was very low. The Dr. there told me to stop taking them and get a portable one machine (which I already had) and if it went over a certain amount to start taking the pills again. I am six months out and it has been fine. My bariatric doctor checks my blood pressure once a month and says it is fine. I have not been back to my primary doctor since my surgery. I guess I need to make an appointment. But make sure a Doctor tells you to stop taking them. I have also stop taking my Lyrica (for pain) all pain has stopped. It feels good not to worry about taking medicines. Now I just have to remember to take my Vitamins.< /p>

[vickyd 24]

I was afraid you would all say to see my PCP...I HATE seeing my PCP (he's a real jerk)...I guess this will be the push I need to find a new PCP...

[spoiltmom 44]

I was afraid you would all say to see my PCP...I HATE seeing my PCP (he's a real jerk)...I guess this will be the push I need to find a new PCP...

Well you could call your pharmacist and ask them if your pill can be split. If they say yes then try 1/2 of it for a few days and see how your pressures are. The most important thing is just knowing rather or not you can cut your pill in half.

[ElfiePoo 109]

I was afraid you would all say to see my PCP...I HATE seeing my PCP (he's a real jerk)...I guess this will be the push I need to find a new PCP...

Definitely find a new doc! There are some really good ones out there.

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[JAM2YOU 2]

My surgeon monitored by pressure from the start of this whole process to surgery and the hospital stay afterward. From the pressures that were recorded the 36 hours post op I was sent home with instructions to split my 10mg dose in half and to monitor my pressures at home. I had my one week post op appt. last week and she said my pressures looked great and she said I will probably be off of them by the time of my next appt.(4/19) if everything remains the same. If you don't have a home blood pressure band yet it is really a good investment to monitor your progress more often then only when you are seeing your dr. or surgeon.

[chriper 0]

Blood pressure is nothing to play around with, please find a new doctor to get the help you need. Not all doctors have good beside manners and if your PCP is a real jerk then thejerk needs to lose you as a patient and your insurance payments. Get a great one, and go on from there. Only your PCP can tell you to alter your meds or go off them completely.

I'm 6 mnths out and I have an appointment in a few weeks to see my PCP for my 6mnth follow up and to discuss coming off my meds...I'll let you know how it goes.

[onenuttynurse 0]

Be very cautious doing that. I thought the same thing until I checked it, and it was sky high even though i have lost 65 lbs and exercise daily and am in the best shape of my life with running and spinning...I thought it would be fine, but its not...I am 43 and back now on bp meds...Dr. says it may just be something that is with me forever. As a cardiac nurse, i know the consequences if you don't take your meds..stroke, heart attack, etc...Just be carefull and monitor it...Continued success to you...

[vickyd 24]

Thanks everyone for your input. I did mention it to the nurse at my surgeon's office when I went in and she said to talk to my PCP. I'm not going to do anything on my own (I'm not that careless ) so I am now searching for a new doctor. I've been very unsatisfied with my current doctor for a while but didn't want to change because I didn't want to mess anything up before my surgery...Hopefully, I can find one quickly and get this taken care of...