So I took a dose of Hytrin for the first time last night for BP that is right on the line (usually pretty close to 140/90, couple points above or below), and also to deal with an enlarged prostrate. Practically fainted when I got in the night, and lasted about 8 minutes in my swim this morning. Felt completely shitty, and took forever to recover my heart rate and breathing from small efforts. Needless to say, I cut the workout short. So, my question is: Is this normal for the first dose, and then you get back to normal after a while? There is no way I can train if this doesn’t get any better…
I’m not a doctor and don’t even play one on t.v. I have used Cozaar (Angiotensin II Receptor) for BP for about 5yrs.I really have no problems with training and do sprints to IM distance( x4).The only thing for me is to stay topped off at all times with fluids.Cozaar works only for BP not prostate issues.If the Alpha blocker does not work for you talk to the Doc and maybe you can do a BP med. and a seperate prostate med.? Also tell your Doc about your training sometimes they dont understand.
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General info:
Alpha blockers relax certain muscles and help small blood vessels remain open. They work by keeping the hormone norepinephrine (noradrenaline) from tightening the muscles in the walls of smaller arteries and veins. Blocking that effect causes the vessels to remain open and relaxed. This improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure.
Because alpha blockers also relax other muscles throughout the body, these medications can help improve urine flow in older men with prostate problems. Uses for alpha blockers
Doctors prescribe alpha blockers to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in conditions such as: High blood pressure Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) Some circulatory conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease Hardening and thickening of the skin (scleroderma) Adrenal gland tumors (pheochromocytoma)
Though alpha blockers are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, they’re typically not preferred as the first treatment option. Instead, they’re used in combination with other drugs, such as diuretics, when your high blood pressure is difficult to control. Side effects and cautions
Alpha blockers may have what’s called a “first-dose effect.” When you first start taking an alpha blocker, you may develop pronounced low blood pressure and dizziness, which can make you suddenly faint when you rise from a sitting or lying position.
Other side effects include headache, pounding heartbeat, nausea, weakness, weight gain and small decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol).
Alpha blockers can increase or decrease the effects of other medications you take. Tell your doctor if you take any other medications, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or medications used for erectile dysfunction, if you’re prescribed an alpha blocker.
Some research has found that some alpha blockers can increase the risk of heart failure with long-term use. While more research is needed to confirm this finding, talk to your doctor if you’re concerned.
I think I’m going to have to bag this shit. Two workouts lost in two days. Went 6 whole miles on the bike on a gorgeous Saturday morning…heart rate 20 to 30 BPM higher and zero snap in the legs. My sister is a pharmacist…she commonly knows far more about drugs than most docs…think I’ll give her a call and see if this is normal or if this is my body’s reaction to this particular drug.
There is a BIG difference between knowing a drugs pharmacology and actually knowing/hearing patient’s reports on their response to them - this is where your PCP will come in handy
Did you let him know what you do? The reflex is to generally prescribe a Beta Blocker since that was the original BP study. Probably selected a alpha blocker because of your BPH as well. There are others that tend to work better for athletes (i.e. calcium channel blockers).
I think I’m going to have to bag this shit. Two workouts lost in two days. Went 6 whole miles on the bike on a gorgeous Saturday morning…heart rate 20 to 30 BPM higher and zero snap in the legs. My sister is a pharmacist…she commonly knows far more about drugs than most docs…think I’ll give her a call and see if this is normal or if this is my body’s reaction to this particular drug.
Spot
If you stop taking a heart med without consulting your MD first, you have bigger cajones than me. Google left ventricular hypertrophy and you will see that this very serious condition can result from high blood pressure. I am sure there are other serious complications from hbp but I am not a medical professional so I am talking out of my @ss.
Are you seeing a cardiologist or a GP? As a two-time cardiac patient (stent in 06 and aorta replacement in '08) and triathlete (completed 4 triathlons including a half iron after my open heart surgery), I listen to my cardiologist but also discuss with him. There are a buttload of different alpha blockers and other high bp meds out there with different side effects. I was on an alpha blocker and beta blockers at first, but my cardiologist took me off them because of side effects (dry throat) and put me on a calcium channel blocker instead. Go ahead and talk to your sister as pharmacists know their sh!t, but they are no substitute for a cardiologist.
I’ve been taking medications for BPH for over 10 years. I am not a doctor (disclaimer). Keep a diary of how the medication is affecting you. It is “normal” to have initial affects as one of the other posters mentioned. So it is not uncommon. Each person’s body and thus reaction to medications is different. If you take other medications, they may also impact the affects from the BP medication. If you continue to have issues after the 5th or 6th day of taking the medication, I would recommend contacting your doctor. I would not just stop taking the medication. It may take several attempts to find the right dosage or the right combination of medications.
If the doctor has not started having you maintain daily readings, I would do so. Keep a record of your readings. As a result of my daily log, we discovered I experience “white coat syndrome”. My blood pressure goes up when I go to the doctor (probably to a level of anxiety of just visiting a doctor’s office.) My blood pressure readings actually were lower (although still high) than the readings at the doctor’s office. Weight, salt intake, blah, blah, blah…the usual causes of elevated blood pressure might be a cause. Lack of sleep or sleep deprevation can also elevate blood pressure issues.
Your goal should be to get off the blood pressure medication, minimize the dosage and/or determine the root cause of the BPH. In my case, we are still trying to determine the root cause. It is not as easy as it sounds. With that all said, finding the right medication or blend of medications is the first step. For now, don’t be too upset if you miss some workouts. Do exactly what you were doing. Try your workouts and if it ain’t happening for you, back off. Once you find that right medication, return to your intensity of training. You’ll get your fitness back. Communicate with your doctor.
I might also mention to you to start keeping a file. Keep records of readings, blood tests, etc. Research your condition, studies and causes. Also right down your questions and things YOU want to cover during your appointments with your doctor. Don’t let the doctor breeze in, see you for 2 seconds and hurry back out. Sit the friggin doctor down until YOU are satisfied. I trained my doctor.
Sorry for the long post, but perhaps these points might help you.
Hard to believe your doctor didn’t warn you of the lightheadedness, etc. You can die if you just stop taking it cold. You have to wean yourself. Talk to your doctor.
I should have been clearer…I mean to talk to my sister about the side effects of the drug on performance and whether or not this is just because of starting out, and that it will get better quickly. I then intend to follow up with my doc.
I did let the doc know that I did triathlons, and I specifically asked if this drug would hinder athletic performance. She said I would be fine. I would also note that she is a GP, and not a cardio doc, and a very young doc at that.
All good points. When I said I was going to bag the meds, what I really meant to say was I intended on stopping this particular med, taking my blood pressure daily to see what it is on a regular basis, and also getting serious about a life-style modification, such as eliminating booze and caffeine, and losing 20-25 pounds. I also intend to discuss with my doc what other options are out there, along with asking my sister. The doc (a GP, not a cardio) selected this one primarily because it could lower my BP and treat my slightly enlarged prostrate.
A while back there was some concern about an enlarged left ventricle (after an EKG), so I got a nuclear stress test done, along with some imaging. Everything was as it should be
All good points here as well, and I intend to do most (if not all) of what you suggest.
I, too, suffer from “white coat syndrome”. I got a home blood pressure checker, and there is a huge difference between what the hospital measures, and what I get. I should also note that when the doc prescribed the meds, she was seeing BP in the range of 150/100 or worse in the office, and everytime I measure here, it is around 140/90 or less (usually a lot less on the diastolic…around 75 or so).
