TUESDAY VINTAGE MAINTAINERS

[zip2play]

Good morning everybody,

Loretta,
Sorry I couldn't deal with BP yesterday (I might have killed you with a recommendation while I was in a coma) but here goes:
ALTACE is an ACE inhibitor which isn't very strong if taken alone, and is most often prescribed WITH thiazides:

In longer term (4-12 weeks) controlled studies, once-daily doses of 2.5-10 mg were similar in their
effect, lowering supine or standing systolic and diastolic blood pressures 24 hours after dosing by about 6/4 mm
Hg more than placebo.
In most trials, the antihypertensive effect of ALTACE increased during the first several weeks of
repeated measurements. The antihypertensive effect of ALTACE has been shown to continue during long-term
therapy for at least 2 years. Abrupt withdrawal of ALTACE has not resulted in a rapid increase in blood
pressure.
ALTACE has been compared with other ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and thiazide diuretics. It was
approximately as effective as other ACE inhibitors and as atenolol. In both caucasians and blacks,
hydrochlorothiazide (25 or 50 mg) was significantly more effective than ramipril.

As you can see that 6 mmHg redution of systolic and 4mm diastolic isn't anything to crow about.

It takes about 4 days to reach steady-state dosage and unfortunaltely causes almost EVERYBODY to cough and cough and cough day and night; thus you might be short term on this stuff. Better for long term use is a combo of an ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker + HCTZ but the ARB's are pricier.

Check your medicine chest and see if you can dig out an old bottle of HCTZ (like Esidrix) and add 25 or 50 mg to your Altace...if you do, DON'T restrict salt! The combo will get you MUCH better numbers.

I'll be back later...take care all.

[SuSUN]

Good Morning Maintainers!

A lovely sunny day here again. We are off to the Mall(s) today, depending on DH. He gets weak knees with this Shingle aftermath and the pneumonia he is still fighting. He has to get in for more follow up when we return. He is not himself!

The shopping is for Ella's first Christmas, any extra ideas welcome. DD has bought a packaged Gingerbread house to start a tradition, so will get into that upon my return.

DS has already left for work. He is a busy boy at this time of year. We are so glad as the hurricanes took a tole on the business.

Loretta,
I am glad you sorted those Meds out. They are really tricky to get BP under wraps. DR. Roger, always comes through with such great info. Hope today goes better for you.

Supper out last night. I ordered a T bone, with mashed cauliflower and brocolli, felt full. Then, watching late night TV had a few pork rinds to snack on, terrific thirst upon wakening this morning. I guess I ODed on sodium.

Roger,
Hope you feel more hydrated today. I will be joining ya loading up on Water today. Thank you Roger for the calculation from Linda to me.

Linda,
Thank you for the info re: the sizing of the pics. Do you think 266 miles is a 3 hour drive? More like 5 or 6 for this ole gal!
How are you enjoying the Retirement? I saw your post about getting into your snuggles and remember you getting home from work to do just that.

Wavin to y'all!

SuSUN

[Loretta V]

Thanks Roger for all of that info. I have no diuretics on hand, just lasix that Dh takes. Doc told me to double the dose to 10 mg a day. He has more samples for me. My bp is very low today since I gave blood yesterday. 108/74. Giving blood is one tx, I guess. I wonder if my atenolol ran out of usage. It sure is not controlling my bp any longer. I am still taking it as doc advised.
Even that altace info states 2 yrs for effective control. We will see. I sure appreciated seeing that info.

Susun what a treat shopping for the new kids first Christmas. I'll admit I have not started yet but need to get my butt in gear.
Too bad Dh is not feeling a lot better. That warm weather and sunshine should perk him up.

Back later after I get my teeth cleaned and "sharpened"
Thanks for that Linda.

Loretta

[OrchidCactus]

Hey gang,

Staying busy, but lurking as I can. Just wanted to pop in and say hello!

[LoveMontana]

Hi folks,

Roger, hope you are feeling better today. Hangovers are nasty.
What would we do without your expert medical advice? We do learn so much from you.

Loretta, hope you get that BP under control soon. It's really strange how it's all over the place. Up really high and down so low. Mine does that too for some strange reason.

I don't even shop anymore for Christmas gifts. We gave that up years ago. Except for a small token gift for my brother who just refuses to abide by our wishes.

Susan, Maybe you should get your DH to a walk in clinic or urgent care place down there. It might not be a good idea to let it go until you get home, especially the pneumonia aspect.

Humm, I could make it to your area in 3 1/2 to 4 hrs. doing 65 to70 MPH, if there were no construction delays.

Why don't you do what I do and just give the grand kids money for their college funds or something. As far as I'm concerned, kids have far too many toys and material things anyway. But that's just me.

Hi ya Ginny, we all know you are very busy and hope you are doing OK.

Hi Shawnee, Barb, Jackie and lurkers.

[zip2play]

Loretta,

I'm doing some heavy duty BP research and I've found there are two distinct kind: low-renin hypertension (salt sensitive) and high renin herpertension which responds to the ACE inhibitoprs, ARB's and beta blockers.
IF you are a low-renin hypertensive then the only drugs that will work well are the diuretics and the calcium channel blockers.
Why not try the lasix for a couple days...maybe even with nothing else, and see what you get. A clue to it's working will be dramatic diuresis!

I think I might be a low-reninn type and as such I;ve been wasting my money on the Cozaar.
Here's an article worth reading (I usually don't favor Mercola but this is a good interview):
http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2003/...pertension.htm

[BarbCO]

Good evening ......

Nothing much going on here!! BP isn't something to fool around with -- both of you (Zip and Loretta) should get it under control as soon as possible. Do you have a headache? When mine was out of control years ago - I always had a terrible headache right in the front.

I agree Linda that kids have too much these days but, it's hard not to spoil them when they are so little and cute. I was very proud of a friend of mine who told her 24 year old son when his car broke down -- take the bus until you have enought money to fix it. I know I'm just hard-hearted.

Speakly of callous and hard-hearted -- I finally had a meeting with my "idiot" worker and told him to shape up or ship out. He became so nerous and when tears started coming, I reached behind me and put the box of kleenix on the table. Sounds bad, huh! I just can't stand it when you draw a paycheck and sit around all day and do nothing.!!

Well, speaking of angry - I better check I have enough BP meds for tomorrow!

Waving to all...... need to read a book

Barb

[shawneesioux]

Hi Y'all

readjusting to having Bob underfoot, after 10 days of solitude

to those of you who are not quite up to par.

Barb, I couldn't agree more; I support Tough Love for ALL ages, and have no use for slackers wanting a free ride.

Our Christmas just got smaller...DS called to say he will be spending 10 days in Mexico at that time. Can't blame him, FREE air fare. Will spend T-day at his house again. I'm in charge of Desserts..so a Cheesecake for sure..and ???

Be content.

Shawnee