Getting off of Blood Pressure meds

[LisaB411 0]

I've lost about 35 pounds so far with my lapband (band date Apr. 11, 2008). I take 4 different blood pressure meds, and before the band my BP was still borderline high. Now it is consistently running around 120/70. I asked my doctor when we could start cutting back on the meds and was told to give it some time.

If you were on BP meds and got off of them, how long/how many pounds lost did it take? Did you get off the meds one at a time? What was your Dr.'s criteria for discontinuing the meds? Thanks.

[maryrose 2]

Hi lisa,

I actually took myself off my meds and monitored my pressure a few times a day. My pressure had gone down to 100/60 average. This happened after I lost about maybe 50/60 lbs. I kept daily tabs and when the doctor took it last week it was 120/70 and she said it was fine to be off the meds.

I probably should not have stopped them on my own, but like you, she was hesitant to stop them.

[SHARONCRIST1955 0]

On an average my blood pressure runs about 120/70 I have been cut to 1 lovastin from 2. My Cozaar has been cut in half. I had my surgery on March 17,2008.

[Tulip 0]

I took 2 meds for blood pressure: one a Water pill and one is Toprol. The Water pill was reduced to 3/week after I lost 50 pounds. The Toprol I have dropped from 50mg to 25 mg. My last reading was 108/78.

My doctor allows me to reduce the pills only if I monitor my blood pressure at elast 3 times a week, which I have been doing.

Good luck.

PS I am off ALL cholesterol medicine.

[gkeyt 0]

Usually the meds are weaned off 1 at a time. It's important to do this with your doctor, as s/he will have a certain order they want weaned first. Some of them, particularly beta blockers (like toprol) have to be weaned very carefully or you can have rebound hypertension (high BP).

[Ms.Mel 2]

Thank you Lisa for asking this question. I was wondering the same thing. It seems like I may have been trying to hurry up the process. Even though my nutritionist gave me a "heads up" on what to expect when it's time for a medication change. She told me to really pay attention to how I'm feeling. Pay attention to moments when I feel light headed or a little dizzy when I get up too suddenly. Am I sleeping more than usual. All of these are signs that may indicate a need for a medication change.

Everyone that has responded pretty much states what I was told. I guess it will happen gradually and usually one medication at a time. Just pay attention to what your body is telling you and thanks for taking the step and asking for advice.

Good Luck!:biggrin2:

[4RE4ME 1]

My Dr is weaning me off mine. In fact I have to split pills in half as I am already at the lowest doseage of Atenolol whick is 25mg so I now take 1/2 of a pill or about 12mg a day. (some of the pill flakes away when you slice it) Seems overcautious but he is the Doctor.

[Christal 0]

I have a question. I was borderline high last October/Novemeber when I had surgery. I have never been on medicine before. I went to the doctor last week and my blood pressure was higher than it was last year! WTF I was screaming in my head. I lose weight and my blood pressure goes up??? She put me on maxide. Anyone ever hear of anything like this or know how that could be?

[Tulip 0]

Usually the meds are weaned off 1 at a time. It's important to do this with your doctor, as s/he will have a certain order they want weaned first. Some of them, particularly beta blockers (like toprol) have to be weaned very carefully or you can have rebound hypertension (high BP).

You are so right. That is exactly what my doctor told me. He is keeping me on a short leash as I reduce my meds. I have to turn in a journal of my readings each month.

I also felt very tired and slept more than usual when my meds were too high. Reducing them has helped in that area.

This is a great thread. Thanks for all your your responses.

[aubrie 6]

My doc is monitoring me closely. I've already gone from two to one dose of metoprolol a day. My last check my blood pressure was 114/70. The doc says that's still okay, but if the top number dips to 100 or below, that's when he'll cut the medication, either in half or altogether. So I'm to call him right away if I feel faint, lightheaded, confused, etc.

[EricaLyn 0]

I have a question. I was borderline high last October/Novemeber when I had surgery. I have never been on medicine before. I went to the doctor last week and my blood pressure was higher than it was last year! WTF I was screaming in my head. I lose weight and my blood pressure goes up??? She put me on maxide. Anyone ever hear of anything like this or know how that could be?

Unfortunately you may just have high blood pressure. Sometimes our weight has nothing to do with it. My grandmother was very small and not overweight and she had HBP. So did my aunt and she wasn't overweight. Same goes for both grandpa's and my dad. Just my lot in life to have HBP.

I lost 100 lbs about 10 years ago and my blood pressure didn't budge. Sometimes that's just how our bodies roll.

For those who are on high blood pressure medications please don't self medicate. If you take something like Metoporol and come off of it suddenly, you can cause a great deal of damage to your body. This is our heart we're dealing with.

The doctor knows best. I've had extremely high blood pressure since I was 15 years old (220/120 unmedicated - that's stroke level folks) and I know our blood pressure is something that should be closely monitored.

My hope is to one day be off of my meds, but due to my family history, sigh, I may never get off of them.

That's okay though. Getting the extra weight off my body is good for me in other ways. We all have a cross to carry, right? :biggrin: