Fludrocortisone

I want off this devil drug.  I am swelling up like a balloon.  The EP put me on it to help keep my BP up "for a bit", and then just do it naturally with salt but my hands are like sausages, Ive gained a bunch of weight in a crazy short amount of time, my stomach is bloated out a mile.  Has anyone tapered off this stuff?  I contacted the doc but of course they arent in on sundays.  Its not even doing much for the BP that I can tell....  How should I taper?

I hate how I feel on it....


9 Comments

Try a different drug

by IAN MC - 2017-06-04 18:25:32

There are other drugs which can be prescibed to elevate BP e.g. "midodrine"  which has a totally different mode of action and is unlikely to cause the same side-effects.

Best of luck

Ian

PS  You need to ask a Dr about tapering off your current drug.   It will probably depend on how long you have been taking it . Sometimes it is recommended to take it every other day and then every third day and then stop it altogether BUT if you have been taking it a long time the weaning off may be more gradual

Waiting to hear from the doc

by WiredandTired - 2017-06-05 05:59:24

Its only been less than two weeks, but I've already left a message for my doctor to call me today about it.  Midodrine didn't work for me either. Thank you for your advice.  I am having a terrible time with these drugs.  I hope that I can just try higher salt intake. It's just to keep my low-ish BP up.

It's not all bad news

by IAN MC - 2017-06-05 06:23:12

Thumbcoast        I hope increasing your salt intake works for you ; the good news is that eating chocolate also helps ! 

Ian

Thanks Ian!

by WiredandTired - 2017-06-05 08:03:52

Bonus!  :)

Doc said...

by WiredandTired - 2017-06-05 15:22:29

....ditch 'em.  Whew!  I don't even have to taper getting off of them which sort of flies against everything I've been reading here but maybe it's because I've only been on them less than two weeks. So happy!

Fludrocortisone

by FitMomma - 2017-06-06 10:34:21

Wow! I am so glad I saw your post! My BP has been low since I got my PM on 3/24/17 and my EP took me off Bystolic just last week but prescribed fludrocortisone to raise my BP instead. It didn't seem right to me to stop one pill and immediately start another. I wanted to wait and see what my body did on its own before trying this new scary med. Plus I have struggled with my weight my whole life and just reached my goal weight the week before learning I needed the PM. The last thing I need to do is gain weight! I'm depressed enough from the PM as it is! I havent felt good since I got it.

 

Anyway, I am glad your doc agrees with you stopping the medication. I too am trying to raise my BP naturally with some extra salt (last night's steak was amazing!) and I'm trying to drink more water as well. If you have any ideas I am all ears.

I hope you start feeling better fast. (I'm waiting for my 2nd opinion appointment and hoping some fresh eyes and ears will get me on the right track.)

Take care,

Cathy

We are all different...

by WiredandTired - 2017-06-07 07:01:14

Don't take my experience as gospel.  If you read through the forum, some people love the stuff.  Personally, I couldn't handle it.  So far, the extra salt and water is keeping my BP in an acceptable range.  It's tough for me to get used to - I will pepper the crap out of food but I never used to salt anything.  I'll do anything over having to take those pills again though.  Florinef may work for you - you never know.  Congrats on your weight loss!

Me too....

by Heartfelt - 2017-06-21 06:47:42

Thank you for your post. My cardiologist has been trying to get me to take Midodrine for several years.  He says it's the more "gentler" product for treatment t and its dosage can be increased if the minimal doesn't work for me. I'm finally ready to accept this since my bp goes down to 60 when I stand up from sitting.  I grab onto something so I don't fall. Salt also bloats me and I tend to dehydrate quickly.  (But, I'm going to try chocolate as someone above suggested!) oh yes, also concerned if there will be any effect to my pm function.  

Good luck

by WiredandTired - 2017-06-21 10:55:35

I hope midodrine works for you!  You can always stop if you have ill effects.  Drink tons of water!  It helps with blood volume and your BP also.

 

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