Danged old diuretic! Me vs. my high blood pressure pills...

[Gothikim]

A word of warning to folks on diuretics for mild high blood pressure...

My PCP put me on hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) for mild high blood pressure a month or six weeks before I was sleeved. It's the lowest dose considered therapeutic, and it was doing a great job for me. I had no edema in my hands or feet, and my BP was 110/70.

On Saturday, 8 days post-op, I was woozy and a little dizzy and a tad nauseated all day. My husband suggested that it was my HBP medication. Sure enough, my BP was 99/64! Needless to say, I stopped taking it that day. My BP is back up to 105/70 or so, and I feel much better. I am going to see my PCP to get official OK to stop the diuretic, and to show off my weight loss to date.

HOWEVER, I've gone from 208 to almost 211 in the space of a couple of days from some water gain! I know that I didn't gain fat back, so I'm not freaking out, but it's SO frustrating to see the scale move in the wrong direction. It will start moving in the right direction once my body finds its balance, but dang! I was trucking right along nicely there for a while...

Anyway, if anyone else is in my shoes and can stop their hydrochlorothiazide, be prepared for a little water gain and don't freak out like I almost did. Better to gain a couple of pounds of water than pass out from standing up!

[Kimmc]

Just a side note on the hydrochlorothoriazide....I developed pancreatitis as a result of using it for 2 years. 5 episodes in one year, hospitalized twice. Stopped the med, and not a problem since. So good thing u are off it now!

[RockvilleGirl]

I have been on Tekturna HCT (with hydrochlorothiazide) for a few years now, and I have no problem with it. I am still pre-sleeve, but my date is 6/17. At my final pre-op appointment my surgeon switched me to just plain Tekturna saying that essentially I will gain a couple lbs in water weight, but that it will be worth it because I will be able to stay more hydrated. I have also been struggling with my CPAP (which is new since I had a sleep study as part of the approval process) because it was drying my sinuses way out and giving me a bit of a sinus headache in the morning so he said it should help with that too.

[Laura H]

I take Lisinopril/HCTZ and have for many years My blood pressure did the same thing after surgery and my medication needed adjusted. If you have not already call your PCP you may need to take it every other day or something but your PCP would be the person to ask

[Jason71]

I had surgery on 4/30/13 and during my 2 week post op apt with my surgeon I mentioned I was getting dizzy when I get up and down. He told me about needing to reduce my HBP meds so I went to my PCP and they only took me off of the HCTZ (was on a combo pill Lisinopril and HCTZ 20/25mg). I was having the same issue so stopped everything all together with out consulting the doctor. Was just back there this week and they said it was a good choice and they officially took me off of all of my BP meds. I was shocked that it didn't take very long to be relieved of these meds. I am now able to get up and down with out feeling like I am a second away from passing out. I was at a complete stall right after being taken off the HCTZ made me retain, and I didn't even think of that.

[reberm]

I have been on Losartin with HCTZ for about a year. The surgeon had me stop taking it the day before surgery and waited about 10 days. I have been taking it again 4 days going to have to get in my blood pressure today was 106/68 the lowest I have ever been hoping they will let me get off. I haven't been feeling to good this week.

[Cathie]

this is what i am dealing with right now..i am retaining fluid like crazy! up 3 lbs..so i put myself back on my benazapril hctz, i guess i better call my dr and let him know what is going on but i cant stand the water retention, it actually makes my feet hurt! i am really sensitive to any sodium! glad i found this post!!

[MNMomma]

They should have told you to stop any diuretic during the liquid phase (pre- and post- op). I'm on one for kidney stones and they told me not to start taking it again until I'm on soft foods and regularly getting 64+ oz of water in during the day.