About three years ago my previous doctor started me on a very low dose of hydrochlorothiazide to help with my high blood pressure - few really feel the onslaught of symptoms, but I did... it started with a lot of pressure within a few weeks at the base of the skull like an upside down headache. Once I got started the drug did great - then came a side affect I could not believe, my leg muscles feel like they did a thirty miler in one day - the pain was the worst on the bottom of the feet. My hiking a 15-20 dropped to 5 miles and then a few months later a three was hell. I kept doing 4-5 miles each weekend. Then my foot size went up two sizes. Apparently this is a symptom for a lot of Hypertension drugs. Yea we have heard it all, but to continue to exercise with weak muscles - well I kept asking for solutions...
Class Thiazide diuretics:
epitizide
hydrochlorothiazide
chlorothiazide
bendroflumethiazide
WIKI
Well three weeks ago I was having a beer with some freinds and met a wonderful Nurse that works at a retirement home and after a discussion about her work I asked what she recommended for this issue... the answer was a complete surprise. A low dose of magnesium can remove some of the side affects of the drug. My best guess as the Thiazide is blocking the salt intake, it also blocks absorption of potassium and magnesium. The lower potassium levels also may be attributed to those small memory lapses. So at the moment I am using a pill splitter on the magnesium. The pain in the muscles of the legs are clearly reduced and somewhat relieved. So I am feeling "better".
Back to the treadmill and hiking...
Class Thiazide diuretics:
epitizide
hydrochlorothiazide
chlorothiazide
bendroflumethiazide
WIKI
Well three weeks ago I was having a beer with some freinds and met a wonderful Nurse that works at a retirement home and after a discussion about her work I asked what she recommended for this issue... the answer was a complete surprise. A low dose of magnesium can remove some of the side affects of the drug. My best guess as the Thiazide is blocking the salt intake, it also blocks absorption of potassium and magnesium. The lower potassium levels also may be attributed to those small memory lapses. So at the moment I am using a pill splitter on the magnesium. The pain in the muscles of the legs are clearly reduced and somewhat relieved. So I am feeling "better".
Back to the treadmill and hiking...
Be wise enough to walk away from the nonsense around you!