I was just put on hydrocholorthiazide(sp?) for my BP. It has been running around 150/90 for about 3 years. My other Dr. kind of dismissed it, and the new Dr I have now, decided to put meon this diuretic. I know it is probably going to make me urinate quite a bit. Is that going to be long term?

Is there anything else I should know about this medication? I am kind of bummed out that I have to take yet ANOTHER med(I am already on 4 for other reasons so this will make 5).

Side effects?

And did it help? I am afraid this stuff will make my BP REAL low and pass out or something...LOL

Thanks!

I am on blood pressure medicine. Mine didn't go up until I got pregnant with my daughter and once she came, it didn't go down. I have just started a new one, so can't recall the name right now (and am too lazy to go in the other room and look). It is a diuretic as well and no, the effects will not decrease over time if it is working properly. I don't usually have any side effects except one he tried to put me on I was allergic to and it made me cough and cough and made me feel ill, but the one I'm on now doesn't do that. If you should lose a substantial amount of weight you might start feeling light headed as your blood pressure drops and you will have to get your dosage adjusted (I lost some a while back when I was on another medicine and thought I would pass out every time I stood up).

Eating oatmeal and higher fiber foods are supposed to help lower blood pressure too. You might want to check with your Dr. too and see - all of the ones I have ever been on want you to limit your time in the sun because prolonged exposure makes you burn faster than you would otherwise.

Well, no problem with the sun here, we do not get that much.

And how long does it take for the med to start working?

I took it this morning, and my BP is still the same.

The doctor usually will check your blood pressure weekly to make sure the medicine is working. If not, he may up your dose or change it. Give it a few days to get into your system. I have noticed that when I am on my period that some of my medicines are not as effective during the cycle. If you doctor isn't checking you bp weekly to start with, you can check it at one of these pharmacy bp stations and if you see it isn't changing, call your doc and tell him.