Hiya Dan,
Back from the doctors. He confirmed my blood test results are fine, he said it's weird as you'd expect the creatinine levels to be higher in someone with one kidney and high blood pressure, but mine aren't they are fine.
He tested my blood pressure again and it was still high. My pulse was high this time too.
I've been given something called Ramipril - don't know if you've heard of it? It says on the internet: "Ramipril works by causing blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart."
I have to take 1 a day for the first week, then 2 every day. After 10 days of taking it, I have to go and have a blood test done to make sure my kidney function is still normal (apparently sometimes Ramipril can cause your kidney function to decrease). After 20 days of taking it, I have to have my BP checked again and if it's fine my doctor will sign another prescription for me. :)
I have no idea how long I have to take these for though. I know at least 2 weeks, and then have to get another prescription after that. I know my mum takes these and she's on them for life because it brought her BP back under control. I know one thing it says is 'do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first'.
It also says something on the net about - keep regular appointments with your doctor. You may need to have your blood pressure checked to make sure the dose is right for you and you may also need blood tests. He never mentioned this though, he just said about having BP and blood test checked in 10 and 20 days.
So yeah, no idea how long to take them for and no idea about the regular appointments.
Back from the doctors. He confirmed my blood test results are fine, he said it's weird as you'd expect the creatinine levels to be higher in someone with one kidney and high blood pressure, but mine aren't they are fine.
He tested my blood pressure again and it was still high. My pulse was high this time too.
I've been given something called Ramipril - don't know if you've heard of it? It says on the internet: "Ramipril works by causing blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart."
I have to take 1 a day for the first week, then 2 every day. After 10 days of taking it, I have to go and have a blood test done to make sure my kidney function is still normal (apparently sometimes Ramipril can cause your kidney function to decrease). After 20 days of taking it, I have to have my BP checked again and if it's fine my doctor will sign another prescription for me. :)
I have no idea how long I have to take these for though. I know at least 2 weeks, and then have to get another prescription after that. I know my mum takes these and she's on them for life because it brought her BP back under control. I know one thing it says is 'do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first'.
It also says something on the net about - keep regular appointments with your doctor. You may need to have your blood pressure checked to make sure the dose is right for you and you may also need blood tests. He never mentioned this though, he just said about having BP and blood test checked in 10 and 20 days.
So yeah, no idea how long to take them for and no idea about the regular appointments.
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Hi Claire,
I'm glad your blood test came back fine and that he's looking at your BP.
I'm not familiar with Ramipril by name but I looked it up. It is an ACE inhibitor, They relax your blood vessels. You very well could be on it for life, or some similar med. Your doctor will keep checking your blood pressure to check the dosage and make adjustments as necessary.
Ramipril won't cure your high blood pressure, it only controls it. Take it as prescribed.
One thing, if you get pregnant you need to let your doctor know ASAP. It can harm a fetus.
Post back if you have any questions. Take care, Dan
I'm glad your blood test came back fine and that he's looking at your BP.
I'm not familiar with Ramipril by name but I looked it up. It is an ACE inhibitor, They relax your blood vessels. You very well could be on it for life, or some similar med. Your doctor will keep checking your blood pressure to check the dosage and make adjustments as necessary.
Ramipril won't cure your high blood pressure, it only controls it. Take it as prescribed.
One thing, if you get pregnant you need to let your doctor know ASAP. It can harm a fetus.
Post back if you have any questions. Take care, Dan
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Hiya Dan,
So how often would the doctor check my BP. Would he automatically send a request out for me to go in, or would I have to phone up to find out?
Like, I know i've definitely got one prescription here. Then i've got a blood test in 10 days and a blood pressure check in 20 days. Then if they come back ok, my doctor will sign another prescription - but I've no idea what I'm meant to do after that second presrciption. Would I go in for another blood pressure check, or would I get another prescription sent out automatically?
How do they determine whether someone needs to keep taking them for life? Like when I asked my mum earlier and she said they'd bought her BP down, so the nurse said she'll be on them for life now. I don't understand why they don't say, well it's come down, so we'll try you without them and if it's still high, put you back on them. Or is it a case of if it brings it down, it's better to keep taking them?
My doctor even said something about I might need more than one type of medication or something. I've no idea why.
Will I eventually need another appointment with my doctor who's prescribed them? The blood test and BP check I'm having down are both with the nurse, so I've no idea. I know the results will go back to him. But would the doctor need to see me again at some point?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm a big worrier and like to make sure I'm clear on everything!
So how often would the doctor check my BP. Would he automatically send a request out for me to go in, or would I have to phone up to find out?
Like, I know i've definitely got one prescription here. Then i've got a blood test in 10 days and a blood pressure check in 20 days. Then if they come back ok, my doctor will sign another prescription - but I've no idea what I'm meant to do after that second presrciption. Would I go in for another blood pressure check, or would I get another prescription sent out automatically?
How do they determine whether someone needs to keep taking them for life? Like when I asked my mum earlier and she said they'd bought her BP down, so the nurse said she'll be on them for life now. I don't understand why they don't say, well it's come down, so we'll try you without them and if it's still high, put you back on them. Or is it a case of if it brings it down, it's better to keep taking them?
My doctor even said something about I might need more than one type of medication or something. I've no idea why.
Will I eventually need another appointment with my doctor who's prescribed them? The blood test and BP check I'm having down are both with the nurse, so I've no idea. I know the results will go back to him. But would the doctor need to see me again at some point?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm a big worrier and like to make sure I'm clear on everything!
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Hi Claire,
Any time with the questions, really!
Right now the doctor is going to try to establish the proper dosage for you. They may ask you in every couple of weeks just to take your BP or he may have you do it at home. This is normal and needed to establish your baseline. Once it is controlled you won't go back that often, just for a regular visit to make sure the medication is working correctly. They'll set the schedule.
There are different medications because not everyone responds the same and sometimes your body adapts to the medication.
Give the meds some time to work and let them understand you. They will be keeping close eye on your blood pressure for the next several months if not longer. If the meds are working well and your BP is coming down, they may lower the dosage. Too low a BP and you'll pass out, so we don't want that either.
It's really up to your body as to coming off the meds.
Hope it helps.
Any time with the questions, really!
Right now the doctor is going to try to establish the proper dosage for you. They may ask you in every couple of weeks just to take your BP or he may have you do it at home. This is normal and needed to establish your baseline. Once it is controlled you won't go back that often, just for a regular visit to make sure the medication is working correctly. They'll set the schedule.
There are different medications because not everyone responds the same and sometimes your body adapts to the medication.
Give the meds some time to work and let them understand you. They will be keeping close eye on your blood pressure for the next several months if not longer. If the meds are working well and your BP is coming down, they may lower the dosage. Too low a BP and you'll pass out, so we don't want that either.
It's really up to your body as to coming off the meds.
Hope it helps.
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Hiya Dan,
So towards the end of the second prescription, they should get me in again to check my BP before sending out a third prescription?
So, with regards to keeping people on the meds for life. If the meds bring my BP down and once they've worked out the correct dosage, would they be more inclined to leave you on them, because if they take you off them, your BP could go up again couldn't it? I don't mind taking them, I feel more at ease taking them, knowing it's helping to protect my kidney. Just wondering what would actually cause the doctor to take you off them?
So towards the end of the second prescription, they should get me in again to check my BP before sending out a third prescription?
So, with regards to keeping people on the meds for life. If the meds bring my BP down and once they've worked out the correct dosage, would they be more inclined to leave you on them, because if they take you off them, your BP could go up again couldn't it? I don't mind taking them, I feel more at ease taking them, knowing it's helping to protect my kidney. Just wondering what would actually cause the doctor to take you off them?
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I also found this on a website:
How long is treatment needed?
Once you have started taking an ACE inhibitor you will generally keep taking it indefinitely, unless you experience an adverse effect.
So, judging by that unless something went seriously wrong with the meds, i.e. my kidney function worsened (as can happen with some people). I would keep taking them?
How long is treatment needed?
Once you have started taking an ACE inhibitor you will generally keep taking it indefinitely, unless you experience an adverse effect.
So, judging by that unless something went seriously wrong with the meds, i.e. my kidney function worsened (as can happen with some people). I would keep taking them?
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Hi Claire,
Yes, it is probably a lifetime thing with the BP meds.
Sometimes with a major lifestyle change, exercise, giving up smoking, losing weight, you can get the BP under control and can reduce the amount of meds needed.
They should check be checking your BP regularly. I'm surprised they didn't suggest that you purchase a home BP kit. It's fairly common around here. The more often you check the better the pattern is established. If you're curious you could ask the doctor about that. You might check your local ambulance barn too. We have an open door policy where I work and will gladly check BP's. It helps the patient and it helps us keep in practice.
Everything is a little different depending upon the doctor and where you live.
Good luck Claire!
Yes, it is probably a lifetime thing with the BP meds.
Sometimes with a major lifestyle change, exercise, giving up smoking, losing weight, you can get the BP under control and can reduce the amount of meds needed.
They should check be checking your BP regularly. I'm surprised they didn't suggest that you purchase a home BP kit. It's fairly common around here. The more often you check the better the pattern is established. If you're curious you could ask the doctor about that. You might check your local ambulance barn too. We have an open door policy where I work and will gladly check BP's. It helps the patient and it helps us keep in practice.
Everything is a little different depending upon the doctor and where you live.
Good luck Claire!
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Hiya Dan,
Guess it's just a case of waiting for them to work. My mum's got a BP monitor thing, and the results I get from that are roughly the same as I get at the doctors. Tested it about 5 minutes ago and it was up this morning - 166/95 - pulse was 92. Grrrrr! I'm on one tablet a week this week, but go up to two next week. Taking the dog out for walks every day, the sunny weather helps - hope i'll start seeing a difference soon!
Guess it's just a case of waiting for them to work. My mum's got a BP monitor thing, and the results I get from that are roughly the same as I get at the doctors. Tested it about 5 minutes ago and it was up this morning - 166/95 - pulse was 92. Grrrrr! I'm on one tablet a week this week, but go up to two next week. Taking the dog out for walks every day, the sunny weather helps - hope i'll start seeing a difference soon!
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When living with one kidney, can you feel the pain on the side where you miss your kidney?
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