balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Jun 24, 2024 15:15:27 GMT -8
When my doctor talked to me about my high blood pressure, he was pretty sure that we could manage it with minor medications. In addition to the usual suggestions of no junk food, lower salt intake, and exercise (none of the would be much of a change for me) he prescribed the lowest possible dose of a popular blood pressure medicine.
One day later, my blood pressure was in an enviable state. Great.
And so for the past six weeks I have enjoyed taking my blood pressure and seeing those numbers fall exactly into the normal, desirable range.
Then I went for a hike in the High Sierra, part of my volunteer work with the Forest Service. Wow. I discovered that I was weak, dehydrated, and feeling rotten--so bad that I actually lay down and rested for an hour in the middle of the afternoon.
Well, that innocent little medication also is a diuretic, and can make you feel weak and tired. And it can knock you on your ass.
Yes, yes, and yes. I have a call into my physician, so that we can explore a few options. Missing out on the Sierra in the summer is not one of those options.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jun 24, 2024 16:02:32 GMT -8
Yeah, side effects can be a bummer. I'd ask if it's not only a diuretic, but if it can have additional effects at altitude like the Sierra.
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kayman
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Post by kayman on Jun 24, 2024 16:48:35 GMT -8
I’ve been taking Lisinopril for at least 10 years. It’s worked great for me. Can’t say I’ve had any side effects.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jun 24, 2024 17:32:17 GMT -8
Both my parents had high blood pressure so when mine went to elevated my GP felt I shouldn't wait and go on medication. My diastolic is high. She said that's pressure on my system 24/7. Also I have a BP cuff that I can download data from and when she saw my morning readings it was time.
So she put me on a beta blocker. It worked too well. When she saw my morning pressure and like 50 bpm heart rates she said in surprise "You could of died"
So she put me on Lisinopril. She wanted to put me on Valsartan but insurance won't pay for it. Linsinopril is cheap. But about 2 months in I developed Lisinopril cough. I could only talk for a minute then lose my voice. Wasn't good at work.
But since I am allergic to Linsinopril insurance now pays for Valsartan 160mg. That started years ago. I went for my annual today and it was 117/78.
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Travis
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Post by Travis on Jun 24, 2024 19:14:21 GMT -8
Well, that innocent little medication also is a diuretic, and can make you feel weak and tired. And it can knock you on your ass. Exactly. And from what I've read, diuretics are the most common form of early blood pressure medication. A few years ago I got really serious about keeping my BP below any threshold where any medication might be advised. I put myself on a low-sodium diet. It took a few weeks to take hold, but my average blood pressure remains right around 110/70 and lower — without medication of any sort. I count that as one of the best medical decisions I've ever made — before any recommendation from a doctor. But the upshot is that there are no dill pickles in my future. I made that decision and I certainly don't regret it. Small sacrifice to make in the big picture of my health and ability to keep on hiking.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jun 27, 2024 10:10:02 GMT -8
I've been on a diuretic (Dyazide) for hypertension for what seems like forever. In my case, it's mostly hereditary; my 4'11" less-than 100lb mother was on it for most of her adult life as well. When I started on it, my doctor monitored my electrolyte levels regularly (I think it's potassium that's mostly at risk) until she was convinced it wasn't getting depleted. From what I understand, it's an electrolyte imbalance that's usually responsible for the fatigue.
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Post by cweston on Jun 27, 2024 10:28:07 GMT -8
I've been on Valsartin for hypertension for a few years now. I've never noticed any dehydration or fatigue issues in regular life, but this thread does give me pause, because I've been having much more trouble as I get older adjusting to high elevation hikes--I now need at least three days pre-BP for acclimation, and the issues I've always had with high elevation trips (inability to get and keep food down, exhaustion, etc) have been much more pronounced. Perhaps the med is part of this?
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jun 27, 2024 12:15:28 GMT -8
Perhaps the med is part of this? First let me say ask your doctor. They are much smarter than me. But I will put it out there that as you get older your overall O2 transport slows down. If you ever smoked this can be pretty pronounced. Think of the people that you know that have COPD. I would imagine they don't do well at altitude. Also just like it takes longer to heal it likely takes longer to acclimate as you get older.
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balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Jun 27, 2024 15:54:27 GMT -8
Update: after conversations with both a blood pressure specialist and my doctor, we're getting rid of the diuretic and reducing the other medication.
It is amusing to think that the combination of meds to make me healthy, with the exercise that makes me healthy, makes me feel rotten!
But a good hike today, with both elevation gain and altitude, and no problems.
And no, I am not seeking medical advice in the internet --just sharing my experiences. Some of which involves getting older. And older.
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Travis
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Post by Travis on Jun 27, 2024 16:18:36 GMT -8
It is amusing to think that the combination of meds to make me healthy, with the exercise that makes me healthy, makes me feel rotten! Oh, the irony. There are some reputable sites on the internet for medical information, such as Mayo Clinic. But even there, I often find some conflicting advice with numerous suggestions to "Ask your doctor" and "Get plenty of exercise." If I set up an appointment to talk to "my doctor" every time I read that advice, I wouldn't have any time to get plenty of exercise. Instead, I'd be spending all my exercise time sitting in some clinic waiting-room listening to boisterous children, crying babies, or browsing some pamphlet that seems to be trying to convince me to get another test and spend more time sitting in a waiting room.
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balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Jul 6, 2024 13:42:42 GMT -8
After last weekend's challenges, I was determined to get back into Desolation Wilderness and continue my work there as a volunteer. And so on Wednesday I drove back up there and got started, all over again. It was hot. How hot was it? Hot enough that the freeways had heat advisories on their electronic signs, and hot enough that people were urged to stay cool... Well, it was also Fourth of July weekend, and Echo Lake was packed with cars, people, and pets. I took the boat taxi across the lakes, and then started up the trail, taking it slow, stopping at times in the shade to cool off, and making sure I not only drank enough water, but also took in enough eletrolytes to stay healthy. It worked. I arrived at Lake Aloha in time to enjoy my lunch, filter more water, and make plans for the rest of the day. One of the rangers had recommended a new route to Zone 39--America, Channel and Desolation Lakes, and I pored over the map to determine just exactly how I would tackle it this time. And I found a fun route that followed a wide granite ramp up from Lake Aloha that took me into the hinterlands, far from trails, and into the heart of Zone 39. I explored the many tiny lakes there, and made contact with Channel Lake and the outlet the leads down the canyon to Desolation Lake where I camped last time. And then walked back along the shore of American Lake to the spillway at Lake Aloha, and followed Aloha's shore back to my ramp, and my campsite. The sun radiating off that white granite packs a punch! Yeah, just about everyone was camped closer than the 100 foot limit that is specified on the permit. I spoke to a few who offered to move, others who offered to restore their site when they left. I cleaned up everything from micro-trash to toilet paper, restored a couple of sites on American Lake, and stopped in at Tamarack Lake to check on things there, with similar results. I spent the rest of the second day at Echo Lake, talking to be people at the trailhead, and urging them to use caution, keep cool, and drink as if their lives depended on it. Man, it was hot. 90 degrees F at Echol Lake, at 8,000 feet. That's hot. But the reflections in Lake Aloha that morning were pretty darn nice. Since I'm spending quite a few days up in the Desolation Wilderness this summer, I've started a photo log of my trips, starting in late June through the rest of the summer. Here's a link to the photos so far: photos.app.goo.gl/khFRypJtoZLBWoY28
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jul 6, 2024 14:45:15 GMT -8
It is amusing to think that the combination of meds to make me healthy, with the exercise that makes me healthy, makes me feel rotten! That's because most people don't exercise, especially strenuous exercise at elevation, so the drugs are prescribed without second thought.
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