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Global Patient Feedback for Hydrochlorothiazide ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been diagnosed with meineres disease. My ENT prescribed Hydrochlorothiazide to treat the water behind my middle ear. After taking HCTZ I have since have liitle feeling in my big toe,arms, and cramps in my fingers. Does anyone else have these same issues with this medicine? I
35 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-26 23:45:23
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Hydrochlorothiazide (25mg) and am experiencing frequent urination. I'm wondering if I should take a potassium supplement for possible potassium depletion. Blood work seems to indicate a normal range for potassium. What do your experts think ? I thank you.
63 year old male
64 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-03 09:47:03
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The potassium supplements available over the counter actually have less potassium that eating a banana. You should not add any medications, even over-the-counter supplements, without discussing them with your physician first. If your blood work shows your potassium in the normal range, it is best to continue with what you are currently doing and follow-up as directed by your doctor to continue monitoring your blood levels.
Posted: 2009-08-06 01:03:35
Answer/Reply:
if you are worried about potassium depletion you could eat one banana a day or drink orange juice. The amount of potassium in bananas and orange juice will help to keep your potassium at normal levels. Taking a potassium supplement might give you too much potassium.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-16 11:56:19
Answer/Reply:
I am on lasix and potassium. How come they have me on potassium. I eat potassium foods. Is lasix stronger than this other hypertension med. How often should a person have their levels checked. and what are signs to make you go get blood checked sooner. What is the most widley used drug for small edema sometimes (chf) and pre hyperteention) Just wondering, i would like to try this other med that the 53 year old takes. I am also trying to get rid of an ongoing rash and think it may be the lasix potassium. I am doing the elimination process. this lasix is next. 59 yr old gal
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 21:57:38
Answer/Reply:
ask your doctor to do blood work to determine your potassium levels...i take HCTZ and potassium so please ask your doctor before adding potassium to your daily routine
susi
crimson_rayne80800@yahoo.com
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-17 23:43:18
Answer/Reply:
It is not good to take Potassium without your doctor's ok. Too much Potassium can be dangerous for the heart. Just be sure to drink plenty of water, and be aware of where the bathrooms are! If you feel that you are urinating too frequently, talk to your doctor. The HCTZ may not be the culprit.
65 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 22:40:51
Answer/Reply:
You should contact your Doctor first,however I experienced the same effects and my condition became worse. I became dehydrated and my body started cramping up, I was told that while on this medicine a person needs to drink plenty of water and eat 1 banana a day. I hope this helps.
44 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-20 21:34:37
Answer/Reply:
I was taking 12.5 for several years, Dr, upgraded me to 25mg, I must say I have seen little change in my feeling or urination but again we each have diffrent experiences with any and all med. we take.
69 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-24 18:11:57
Answer/Reply:
I am a nurse in long term care. As long as your blood work is monitored closely and you have normal potassium values, than you are ok on your HCTZ.
I will say it is fairly common for those on this medication to need potassium supplementation but not as much as with Lasix.
Another thing is you did not mention any other medications you may be taking. Some Blood pressure meds will cause potassium rentention and therefore a diuretic will even out those levels.
Unless you have been specifically told not to by your Doctor, a natural way to keep your levels balanced is to include a healthy amount of potassium rich foods in your diet such as bananas, dried fruit, tomatoes, nuts, green vegetables etc.
Good luck to you.
38 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 21:39:13
Answer/Reply:
I take HCTZ also and potassium with it for my Meniere's Disease. It is a diarrhetic, and will make you go to the restroom a lot. A proper doctor should take your blood work, and see if you're potassium deficient. Go online, and find an expert. If you're in So. Ca, let me know. A banana is great, but...... Good luck
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-29 14:27:08
Question/Comment:
please pull up the answer/reply that I had written/hydrochlrothiazide...I had to leave and return to e-mail to get my password...which they said was invalid....but i had gone thru the CHANGE of password previously....now as I return...the letter I wrote is of course gone.....donnamoir@comcast.net
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-03 05:19:49
Answer/Reply:
I was having the same problem with my feet and asked the doctor about it. He pulled some blood and said my potassium was extremely low. I've just been taking a low dosage of potassium along with the HCTZ for years. He told me to double it at least until my feet quit hurting, I'm in La. and it has been extrodinarily humid this summer and he thinks I just lost too much fluid.
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 20:19:19
Answer/Reply:
I have been on the blood pressure pill, hydrochlorothiazide for many years now and am well aware that it is also a diraretic which causes one to lose a lot of the water in our body. But I am reading that other people are also having problems with pain in their feet. What kind of pain? I am having pain in my toes that really does hurt and keeps me awake at night. It seems that my toes cramp up and I just cannot relax! I thought that this was due to an injury that I had several years ago, had some surgery, and a nerve was nicked, but....maybe this pain is due to the blood pressure medication that I have been on for so many years!
68 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-30 02:20:26
Question/Comment:
I believe that this must be a valid answer for swelling in feet and soreness. I have Fibromyalgia,as does my 20 yr.old daghter,and my Father had gout for many yresr,off and on.
In all these cases,an over the counter bottle of Potssium was the fix. Lack of Potassium can definately cause havoc in multiple ways.
ALWAYS,discuss this with your phycian first! There are too many people who hear these things;and run out to the store and start popping them....and later find out it was indeed something else in the system,or a mix of the medication previously taken that caused the problem to begin with. donnamoir@comcast.net 54 yr.old female
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-03 05:05:32
Question/Comment:
I have been taking the hydroclorathiazide for many years also. Have trouble with low potassium & due to stomach aches, take powdered potassium. Major problems with feet that create walking troubles and lots of pain. Also just diagnosed with Raynauds, have fibromyalgia and arthritis. Not sure what is causing what & neither are my doctors now. After lung cancer surgery last year the water pill helped with the fluid pressure in my chest. What would happen if I stopped taking them now? I have minor blood pressure problems.
Patty
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-30 20:57:11
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
It is difficult to determine the exact cause of your foot pain - pressure and fluid build up could be one possible cause. In addition the fibromyalgia and or arthritis can cause additional pain as well. You should consider speaking with a specialist to determine the best course of treating the foot pain. It is not recommended to discontinue the hydrochlorothiazide without the direction of your doctor. Stopping this medication without your doctors knowledge could cause problems such as fluid build up, uncontrolled hypertension and or other significant health problems.
Posted: 2009-07-30 22:49:27
Question/Comment:
Hi Ive been on this medcation for a couple of years now.
Recently I have been having **serious Foot problems all of a sudden, with bad curculation and pain, and also breathing problems.**I don't know if anyone else has this problem. It also might be caused by all my medications mixed or because I also have a bulged disc which is damaging my back, side and leg. If someone else has these foot probblem without haveing other problems, please replay or email me at khaney46@yahoo.com. I am really conserned about all my health issues, and will be working to get them corrected soon. Thank You Ken
Very Hepful comment today Thanks All
49 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-26 17:15:40
Answer/Reply:
if your having breathing problems your allergic to something or you needto get a lung function test done. You may need an inhaler to help with breathin. I have copd with chf and cardiomyopathy. My feet hurt sometimes to. I dont know why either. But let me know if you find out. I am an ex somker and thinking of seeing someone about polycythemia. (thick blood) can cause pain. My blood test years ago showed it, and all i was told was, I am a smoker is what it meant. Get it all checked out.I am not trying to diagnose you just telling about me and maybe you can relate to it. I think i have enough things going on. 59 yr old gal
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 22:17:32
Question/Comment:
After taking HCTZ for 4 days my BP has increased a little and I have a mild dull headache.
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-30 10:49:17
Question/Comment:
Does HCT cause diabetes?
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-03 18:16:58
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Elevated blood glucose, one of the signs of diabetes, is reported by less than 1% of iGuard members taking hydrochlorothiazide. Although some studies suggest that hydrochlorothiazide may increase blood glucose, there are many things that cause a patient to develop diabetes.
Hydrochlorothiazide is often prescribed to diabetics. In fact, the American Diabetes Association recommends that hydrochlorothiazide be used in certain diabetic patients who are having trouble controlling their blood pressure. If you are concerned about hydrochlorothiazide and/or diabetes, please make an appointment with your physician to discuss your concerns.
Posted: 2009-06-05 16:33:14
Answer/Reply:
No. There are several different types of diabetes. HCT/HCTZ (same drug), Hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill that helps the body get rid of excess build up water in the body system. Everyone should drink plenty of water. If they do not, then the body is tricked into thinking there is not enough water in the system so it starts building up as storage in the body to prevent dehydration for temporary prevention of dehydration. If still not enough drinking water, then the body goes into storage of fluids and then the pockets of water can be found in fatty tissue. swelling, etc. This then can get into high blood pressure Hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease, etc. and other diagnosis that needs to be treated by your physician. Joy
72 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-14 15:50:53
Question/Comment:
I have taken Hctz for years for blood pressure. In the past 6 months, my feet hurt constantly. I have bought 4 different pairs of walking shoes, nothing helps. I have been on statins for cholestrol, have stopped taking them, to see if symptoms deminish. Symtoms still there. The foot pain is bilateral and in the proximal 1st and 2nd metatarsal bone. Could this be gout?
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-08 13:05:18
Answer/Reply:
Could be lack of minerals due to the "washing" effect of the Hctz. One may need to rethink what they eat and add more green and red vegetables or a mineral tablet. I have taken Hctz for many years, but I also take vitamins and minerals. Occasionally I get a cramp in a muscle but not too often. Most of the cramps come in a leg where I have bursitis, and a foot (same leg) that was broken about 45 years ago.
76 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-12 15:20:36
Answer/Reply:
it could also be a lack of potassium in your muscles from the hctz. you need to ask your dr. about prescribing a potassium pill and to have a blood test to test your potassium level. lack of potassium will give you mild to severe muscle cramps.
49 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-24 03:10:58
Answer/Reply:
If you have a history of gout, taking Htcz could cause problems. This is more so if you are taking any of the blood pressure meds such as lisinopril. They have a history of causing gout or gout symptoms. I have had the gout for the past 21 years and both of the above medications required an adjustment in my medications to deal with the gout. Even wth the adjustments, I will get gout symptoms in my feet from time to time. Also both the medications above can with certain foods make you more prone to gout symptoms. If however you did get a complete gout attack, you would not have to ask if it is the gout. The pain of a gout attack is generally off the pain scale, so much so that even the slightest touch of anything will cause pain at a high level, and you would not be able to walk. However you can experience gout symptoms that are not that bad, but are induced by your medication. You should have your doctor check your Uric Acid levels to insure you are not prone to gout problems. All it requires is a simple blood test.
Mav - Age 61
62 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-21 10:39:03
Answer/Reply:
HI, I'VE BEEN ON ATENENOL FOR YEARS AND I DON'T HAVE ANY SIDE AFFECTS. I GUESS IT D DEPENDS ON YOUR BODY EVERYTHING TREATS EVERYONE DIFFERENT. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. THANKS JACKIE SHINALL 47 YR OLD FEMALE
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-05 10:26:56
Answer/Reply:
The foot pain could be a number of things. When taking HCTZ, you should always take it with orange juice or a banana so as to keep from losing potassium. Doctors often forget to tell their patients that little bit of very useful information. When on any diuretic, potassium loss is almost inevitable if you don't increase your potassium rich foods, such as bananas, orange juice or potatoes. Potassium loss causes leg and foot cramps and pain.
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-21 15:49:44
Answer/Reply:
The pain could be from any number of things. Doctors OFTEN forget to tell patients that when on HCTZ or any diuretic, that it is important to take them with a banana or a glass of orange juice so your potassium level doesn't decrease. Potassium loss can cause foot and leg cramps and pain.
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-21 15:57:09
Answer/Reply:
Since taking this medication, my potassium level dropped and my doctor had to prescribe me potassium pills. My doctor re-checked it a month after he started me on the potassium pills and it is normal again. But he doesn't want to take me off the potassium pills. I sometimes have a "full" feeling around my ankles with some tenderness of the feet. I was advised to eat more citrus fruits, greens, chicken and fish.
36 year old female
36 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-03 14:13:32
Answer/Reply:
I also have taken furosemide for quite a long time, and I did have a potassium problem, which my doctor prescribed potassium pills, and it improved immediately.
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-09 01:26:10
Answer/Reply:
I have also been on this drug and have the same foot pain you described, to the point I can no longer go for my long walks anymore. Even going out to the mailbox is painful. In December diagnosed with chronic renal failure.
59 year old female
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-15 17:24:19
Question/Comment:
Does glipizide and HCTZ have any risks taken together.
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-03 14:56:44
Answer/Reply:
ALWAYS ASK YOUR PHARMICIST QUESTIONS LIKE THIS. PLUS IF YOU GET ALL MEDS AT THE SAME PHARMACY, THEN THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO BY LAW HAVE A COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT SHOULD RED FLAG ANY MEDS THAT DON'T GO TOGETHER OR THAT UNSAFE TOGETHER AND THEY SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY TELL YOU BY A PHONE CALL OR WHEN YOU COME TO PICK IT UP AND THEY SHOULD ALSO CALL YOUR DR. AND POINT IT OUT TO HIM AND GET HIS RECOMMENDATION FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
49 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-24 03:22:52
Question/Comment:
When my doctor put me on Hydrochlorothiazide, for my blood pressure, after taking it for a week I had severe pain in my feet I couldn't walk,so I went to see him, he was shocked to see me in my condition,and he kept apologizing because he didn't tell me hydrochlorothiazide, the side effect is gout, so becareful.......
70 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-21 20:27:59
Answer/Reply:
Hi, I too have taken hydrochlorothiazide and NEVER had any problems at all except once.. I had a severe infection in my great toe, which was MISDIAGNOSED as gout because of lab results when the doc (in the ER) did not take into account that I was a long-time user of a diuretic. Finally got it sorted out but not before I took medications for gout which have their own side effects. Your result from the medication happens so very seldom, it is no wonder your doctor was upset; he certainly never expected this to happen and possibly had never seen it before. This is a good medication in most circumstances. It is sad it did not do the job for you.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-18 20:44:58
Answer/Reply:
I have been takng Hydrochlorthiazide for 5 years to control my blood pressure. My only side effects have been a few bad cases of vertigo. However, these dizzy spells were pretty severe.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-31 12:25:42
Answer/Reply:
Yes, I was given the same med, hydrochorothiazide for my blood pressure. My hair was completely gone in the top of my head within six months after taking hydrochorothzide.
56 year old female
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-20 21:46:47
Question/Comment:
This is not the name of my medication
65 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-03 13:23:47
Answer/Reply:
I think they changed the name of the water pills a few months ago. I take this med and it is a small pinkish orange pill now rather than a capsule.
check with your pharmacy if you have that kind of concern over the name.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-05 15:22:32
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Yes- this is the name of my medication.
Posted: 2009-03-06 01:32:21
Question/Comment:
Does Hctz cause facial swelling? After taking two 25mg tablets, I have swelling of my upper lip and cheeks. I was on Lisinopril w/Hctz and had the same symptoms and was told it was a side effect of the Lisinopril. I was taken off the Lisinopril quite some time ago and was put on the Hctz this week. So I am concerned it was the Hctz rather than the Lisinopril. Can you help me?
77 year old Male
Posted: 2009-01-22 08:16:07
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I have been taking HCTZ for years and have never had a problem with leg cramps or facial swelling. If your having facial swelling you may be allergic to the medication.
I'm also on Keppra for seizures and it took me a while quite a while to overcome the side effects of it. It's better then the side effects of the many other seizure meds though and it will eventually go a way.
Posted: 2009-02-19 09:27:46
Question/Comment:
What is the risk of taking 25 MG Hydrochlorot and 20MG Fluoxetine not together , but each daily???
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-01-05 17:22:55
Answer/Reply:
I need the same answer.....please.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-01-26 12:41:58
Question/Comment:
The leg cramps are probably from lack of potassium. This med is a duretic and will cause your potassium levels to go down and you can get leg cramps. I was having the same thing, talk to your doctor. There is a combo pill out there with potassium in it , Dyazide, I think it is called. Same thing as this but has the extra potassium. That will stop the cramps. In the mean time take a few over the counter potassium pills or eat some extra bananas.
34 year old Female
Posted: 2009-01-02 15:55:40
Answer/Reply:
Bananas are good ;however my Dr. advised taking with a large glass of OJ. It is usually the loss of potassium because of the more frequent bathroom trips. My light headedness/slight dizziness went away after a while...I've been on HTCZ (hydroclorathiazide) for high BP for about a gazillion years (~40 yrs). About 5-6 yrs ago when my BP was spiking (inconsistency) the Dr put me on Toprol XL as well. Both are working fine.
60 yr old female
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-05 04:04:15
Question/Comment:
what are the side-effects i am have legs craps is this one of the side=effects
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-30 12:53:15
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Leg cramps could be a side effect. I was getting leg cramps at night after I started hydrochlorothiazide but I solved that problem by eating a banana every morning the first thing after I wake up and thankfully, I have not had leg cramps after making eating a banana every morning part of my daily routine. Carrie
Posted: 2009-01-02 11:26:18
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
In the prescribing information for Hydrochlorothiazide, it says, "Warning signs or symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance include dryness of mouth, thirst, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, restlessness, muscle pains or cramps, muscular fatigue, hypotension, oliguria, tachycardia, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting." Please speak to your doctor if you still have concerns.
Posted: 2009-01-12 14:40:31
Answer/Reply:
???Not sure. Potassium loss can cause cramps. You can learn to control them with bananas and OJ. I get them too. Was put on additional Magnesum when they became spasms. There's a wonderful powdered form (Calm) you can get at a vitamin store that works well for me. I take as needed. However; it's always good to speak with your Primary Care Physician. It could be something else.
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-05 04:14:34
Question/Comment:
I am trying to get a lower heath insrance police then what I am paying now. With 3med Iam consider high rick and i do not understand. can you help.
44 year old Male
Posted: 2008-12-13 14:37:43
Question/Comment:
What are the side affects of taking Toprol XL and hydrochlorot together?
73 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-08 16:21:44
Answer/Reply:
It increases the risk of blood glucose problems, especially in diabetics.
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-01-02 21:22:52
Question/Comment:
I recently found out I have very low vitamin D levels and started taking prescription vitamin D to correct his. In the drug interactions section for this prescription, it states that takin thiazide iuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) may decrease the absorption of vitamin D. Since I've been takin hydrochlorothiazide for about 5 years, I'm wondering if this is why my D levels are so low and maybe I should stop taking it or replace with something else.
57 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-01 09:09:45
Question/Comment:
One side effect I have had such a bad problem with is sun sensitivity. I cannot avoid being out in the sun as I must mow the lawn and do other yard work. Sunscreen helps but I develop small blisters and skin sores that take a long time to heal. I am diabetic so that causes slower healing. My doctor finally took me off of this medication and switched to another in hopes that my skin will not be so sensitive. This was the only side effect and for me it has been a bad one.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-29 11:07:45
Question/Comment:
I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS MEDICATION IN ADDITION TO A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM AND IT HAS HELPED ME TO LOSE MORE WEIGHT FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE. MY BODY HAS NATURALLY HELD ALOT OF WATER AND I NOTICED IMMEDIATE REDUCTION IN THE SWELLING IN MY LEGS AND FEET. LOVE THIS MEDICATION AND MAKE SURE YOU GET ONE THAT INCLUDES POTASSIUM.
23 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-14 10:41:25
Question/Comment:
i've been taking it for a couple years. i seem to have lost lots of weight i assume since i'm not carrying as much water? my cheeks have disappeared and this is what most people say when i haven't seen them in a while. is that normal?
40 year old Male
Posted: 2008-10-31 16:53:58
Question/Comment:
I am taking this drug, 25 mg. Since I have been taking it, I notice that my gums are sensitive - not really sore, but sensitive. Might this also a side effect of hydrochlorothiazide?
68 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-16 08:20:29
Question/Comment:
Initially I was taking 25 mg. HCTZ. I experienced mild confusion and chest pains. After going to the ER for what seemed like a heart attack, I was informed I was low in potassium, 3.0, and started taking supplements. Getting enough potassium in foods was difficult. It would have been nice to know about this potential side effect prior to actually experiencing it.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-08 00:26:45
Answer/Reply:
i can relate to that. After all, the heart is also a muscle. It scared the crap out of me. It quvered. Almost a cramp and pulled out of it. I never got it checked. Told the doc but they didnt do nothing.
They had no reason for it. It could have been to much or not enough. I was doing the lasix.
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 22:42:48
Answer/Reply:
i can relate to that. After all, the heart is also a muscle. It scared the crap out of me. It quvered. Almost a cramp and pulled out of it. I never got it checked. Told the doc but they didnt do nothing.
They had no reason for it. I was doing the lasix pottassium along with foridal and pred i was low. I just thank igurad for showing the risks to me. 59 yr old gal
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 23:30:12
Question/Comment:
Initially I was taking 25 mg. HCTZ for HBP.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-08 00:14:10
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