Water tablets 2.5

[tamirra]

Hi, my mum has been taking Bendroflumethiazide Tablets 2.5 for 15 years now, a mate of hers has just been told that her kidneys are packing up due to long term usage of these tablets and you should never be on them long term, mums doctor has never told her this, does anyone know if this is right, she is making a doc appointment as soon as she can get one. Thanks in advance. xx

[naflharrison]

this is true, i used tablets to help with water retention a while ago until i was told about the long term affects. definately worth finding an alternative.

[tamirra]

So 15 years is too long then and the doctors should have known this, mum has been complaining of kidney pain for ages now and they havnt put 2 and 2 together, so her kidneys have probally suffered long term effects now du to the doctors.

[pink-kittens]

Your mum must consult her GP before stopping her medication and listening to her non medically trained friend
If she takes her meds for high blood pressure or odema, then she is on them for good reason (obviously)
Does she take potassium supplements as well?

[tamirra]

No, she dosn`t, but eats bananas which contain it.

[bednobs]

sometimes there is a balance to be had. For example, perhaps this tablet is the right thing for your mum, and without it she would have died of the problems she is taking it for. therefore the benefits and risks are carefully weighed up and a decision in the best interests is made. For example, perhaps the same thing could be said for all long term diuretics?

[sqad617]

bednobs is spot on with her answer. Kidney damage is very unusual with Bendroflumethiazide.

You mums kidneys could be failing for a whole host of reasons and if this was the case, then it would be impossible to claim that it was due to the diuretics.

[tamirra]

OK, but how come her friend has been told it is the water tablets that she is on that has made her kidneys relapse, and she is taking the same ones as my mum?

[sqad617]

tamiira....you had better ask your friend to ask her doctor.

[Ethel]

tamirra - your mum's friend may have totally different health problems to your mother, and could be taking the tablets for different reasons.

It may be true that in her case she should not have been taking the tablets for 15 years - she may have other problems that your mother doesn't have; that doesn't mean it applies to your mother.

It is by no means unusual to take these tablets for life.

[manofsteel]

I have been taking Bendroflumethiazide for 25 years with no problems at all!

[pink-kittens]

Has your mum seen her GP yet?

[tamirra]

No pink- kittens she hasn`t, she is terrible about going anywhere incase they find something wrong,ive given up pressuring her as it just makes matters worse, but thank you for asking. xx xx