Amlodipine?

[Scarlett]

After years of high blood pressure, I have now taken two types and both seem to give me this horrible side effect of feeling very very heavy. It's so weird, I feel like I am lugging a bear around with me. The result is, far worse joint pain (EDS) and lack of movement, which helps nobody. I have no idea what is causing this, even though I have read about 'heavy legs', but I think that just means swelling legs? I got on the scales, thinking I had gained about three stone, but I haven't, so it's not weight as such. I've been much heavier in the past, I never felt this heavy. When I have stopped the medication, the symptom goes away, so I'm sure it's caused bye the blood pressure medication. 
Has anybody else experience this, and is it even a thing? Asking here, because my doctors don't seem to know what I'm talking about!!

[maggiebee]

Could you ask your GP for an alternative medication for HBP? I take Amlodipine but have never experienced any of the symptoms you describe.

[bhg481]

I take amlopidine and have no side effects. My wife, however, was taking it and happened to mention to her doctor that her "white finger" had got worse recently, even affecting her in summer. He immediately took her off it and she's had no problems since. I've just looked up the side effects and "white finger" isn't mentioned but it certainly affected her. It's worth taking maggie's advice and asking your doctor for an alternative - there's plenty about.

[barry1010]

Back to your GP.  Hopefully he will prescribe something more suitable. 

I wouldn't recommend it but have to tried stopping the amlodipine for a few days to see if the symptoms abate?  Don't try that willy nilly.

[Scarlett]

Yes I have tried stopping for two weeks to see if the side-effects stopped, and they did. Took awhile, but definitely got better. Unfortunately, my blood pressure got even higher, so I don't wanna try that again.

[barry1010]

You definitely need to see your GP.  Hopefully he'll have an alternative that will suit you 

[JimF]

Ask your GP if it's possible to lower your dose of Amlodipine and combine it with a low dose of Ramipril. This should have the same efficacy against hypertension but without the side effects.

[Scarlett]

Thanks Jim, I'll give that a go!