On several occasions, I was switched to generic blood pressure medicine by my insurance company and retirement fund. This led me to be hospitalized on a few occasions as the generic does not work for me. I politely wrote to them and explained my situation and enclosed letters to confirm this from my doctor. Health insurance is included in my retirement package, but I do have to pay for this, of course it is not the same as the working individual, but I do pay. Anyway, if I want and need the name brand, I have to pay the larger amount of the coverage, which is 80% not the 20% working people do. This puts a strain on what I have saved for and to live with from my retirement benefits. Since the FDA approved all these generic drugs, mine one of them, it is getting so that the insurance companies and retirement programs have a say-so in your health, not your doctor. I would like to know who gave them that right. Also, I now get my medicine from Canada simply because it is still cheaper for me to get the name brand from them than it is here. That's another thing I would like to know: Why is it cheaper there than here? Come on people, we ship it there then we have to buy it from them cheaper? There is something terribly wrong with this picture. Retired In Florida Published: September 16 ::

I developed hypertension when pregnant with my son 13 years ago. It never went away after the birth. I have taken a number of drugs to control it. I have been on 50mg of Metoprolol XL and 20 mg of Lisinopril for a while now. Although there now is a national shortage of Metoprolol XL, so my doctor had to change me to 25 mg of Atenolol twice a day until Metoprolol is available again. All the changes of drugs have been made because of insurance formulary restrictions. As a pharmacist myself, this is very detrimental to staying compliant on one's drug therapy! I wish we had nationalized health care. Published: May 07 ::

I have high blood pressure, and I am now taking three pills a day for it. Well, I was on two, but it was going up quite a bit to like 170/100, so my doctor put me on a third pill, which causes my ankles to swell all the time. And, I am trying to quit smoking and so far I am doing well with. I want people to know, if you are dizzy a lot, at times have red cheeks, feel tried a lot, your heart feels like it races at times, please get your blood pressure checked, these were my signs, but everyone is different. My doctors told me that with my blood pressure going up and up, my heart would like explode…matter of speech. We must control our blood pressure because it can lead to worse health problems. Published: September 16 ::

I was diagnosed with myocardial infection. I was not admitted in the hospital was just checked and given some drugs. I thought I was OK and continued my life. When I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and on a CT scan it showed my heart was enlarged. The doctors said that I was not properly taken care of that was what led to this situation. They said I should have been taking blood pressure drugs since then and it wouldn’t have gotten this way. They advised me that I take my drugs religiously and that the situation will improve. I am presently on 5mg Lisinopril everyday and 12.5mg Esidrix every other day. My BP is average on 128/76 mm/HG and I pray it stays that way. Published: August 26 ::

I have high blood pressure for over 20 years and high cholesterol for five years. High blood pressure was brought under control initially with beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, then ace inhibitors and others. Now in the month of May I had hypotension (very low blood pressure) 73/53 collapsed and admitted in emergency and recovered in a few hours with a blood pressure of 130/90 with normal saline infusion for over 18 hours. I had to stay in the hospital for 6 hours in the emergency and two days in the general ward. This happened because of concomitant intake of 20 mg Olemesartan, 450mg of Lithium, 300mg of Seroquel (Quetiapine), 500mg of Sodium Valproate (Valpro) this was due to shock and hypotension secondary to medications and interactions. Doctors told me not to take any antihypertensive yet his assistant doctor left a note to revise and take proper antihypertensive. I came to know I can take minimal dose of Lasik I need more appropriate information in this matter. Published: June 16 ::

I have had high blood pressure for about 10 years. I also have a genetic disorder that puts me at a higher risk for a stroke. So I am trying to keep both in control by relieving my high-stress life. I am looking into tai chi or bio-feedback to try to battle both. Published: May 07 ::

I just recently discovered that I was at risk when I became feeling unwell. I suggested to my doctor that I felt I may have a cardio problem happening and I was ignored as I was being treated for a respiratory infection. He did not even offer to take my blood pressure. He said I was too young and in too good of shape to have those worries. Well I went out and bought a cuff. Sure enough I was running anywhere from 188/140 to 164/134. I went back to the doctor got diagnosed and I am currently trying a beta to lower the blood pressure and to take the stress off of my heart. I am very tired still. Now I am going to demand some tests to determine if I have any damage. If your doctor ignores you, demand that your blood pressure be taken. It can save your life. Published: April 06 ::