monsieur le docteur....some advice please :o)

[ethandron]

squad, my very own medics are unavailable at present so i'd value your opinion/advice.
my gp upped my blood pressure meds on wednesday from 7.5mg to 10mg. she was equally happy to leave things as they were or increase the dose, it was me who wanted them upped due to my blood pressure gradually becoming higher.
however, on thursday, after taking the increased meds on wednesday evening, my bp was 93/69 in the afternoon, and 106/69 in the evening. i didn't take the increased dose on thursday evening and my bp's today have been 125/75 and 126/73.
question: is it ok to take an odd 2.5mg extra when my bp readings are high, or is that not how these things work?
merci x x

[Sqad]

No it is NOT.
On the increased dose of 10mgms, you BP is quite adequate and I would say a bit on the low side.

Whatever you do, do not increase you BP tablet dosage.

On Wednesday evening you must have felt a little "light headed"

[Jemisa]

For gods sake e&r get rid of that BP monitor its making you paranoid. Once a week or fortnight is enough. No wonder its all over the place. You're worrying about it & it does not help.
Take it from me I used to be a monitor slave too. You're letting it rule your life.

Take care - Jem

[ethandron]

perhaps i didn't explain myself properly.
my blood pressure has been gradually creeping up over the last 6 months and i was on the point of going to see my gp when i got called in for a medication review and blood pressure check. when she did my blood pressure in the surgery it was 146/? (i forget) and has generally been between 130/75 to a high of l51/86, over the past 6 months. some readings have been 125/75 or thereabouts. she was equally happy to increase the meds or leave them as they were.
i only took one of the extra 2.5mg as my bp dropped so significantly overnight. however, if i no longer take the extra 2.5 but just continue on the 7.5 i've been taking, and my bp does what it's been doing over the last 6 months (ie. increases beyond a high normal range) then you're saying i can't just pop an extra pill now and again to bring it down??
i have to go back again in 6 weeks to have a urine dip test and another surgery bp measurement, so will obviously talk to the doctor about it then.
i wasn't lightheaded.
can you explain why i shouldn't just pop another 2.5 now and again? not doubtling what you're saying, just would like to know why? x x

[anneasquith]

talk to an expert. gp. nhs 24.

[Sqad]

OK...BP tablets, depending on what they are will take a least a week to work, so "popping " an extra one in when you feel your BP is going up is bloody useless, as it won´t start to take effect for a few days, by which time your BP will probably be normal.

Looking at all the figures you have given, it is my opinion that you dont need´an extra 2.5mgms.
Now either keep on the 7.5mgms or the extra 2.5 mgms, but make up your mind.

[Sqad]

anne....good advice....he probably won´t be able to speak English, but you will be able to speak to him.

[anneasquith]

i believe all doctors and nurses speak english in britain, a bit racist,

[DEN53]

Sqad - 'he won't be able to speak English' - so you have also spoken to Miquel then - I spoke to him on NHS Direct about 2 months ago - it took 25 minutes for me to give him all my Mum's details .......spelling everything and anything - I eventually lost the will to live !!!

ethandron - your pressure readings sound fine to me...

[Sqad]

anne...not so....Health Trusts have been advised to monitor locums after the German doctor gave a patient 10times the dose of Morphine and killed him, becuase he couldnt understand the patient. Not to be recommended.

Racist? too bloody right if my life is at stake.

[DEN53]

anneasquith - I don't think its racist to expect someone providing a public service at the end of a phone to have a good command of the English language..

[ethandron]

thanks squad, you've answered what i wanted to know, and i have made my mind up :) (by the way, they're ramipril).
den, i'm beginning to think they are too.
there is no way i would ring nhs direct on this particular occasion. my gp has told me to monitor my blood pressure fairly closely over the next few weeks, i usually only take it a couple of times a week. i appreciate what you're saying jem, but i am a great believer in taking control of my own health and both me and my gp are very happy with me monitoring my own bp at home.

[Sqad]

eth....Good girl....you know it makes sense ;-)