In 2009 I lost my business and my job; obviously this played a part in my high blood pressure problems and consequently my Doctor prescribed Ramipril. But nothing prepared me for the Ramipril side effects that would add to my mounting problems.
We had two cars and eventually lost them both, my mortgage was in arrears and on top of this we lived in a very rural place so work was not easy to find and getting to interviews without a car was near impossible. So you can imagine I was stressed and frustrated, this was a new experience for me as I had always worked and earned quite well. This took its toll on my health and my blood pressure went sky high.
My doctor prescribed Ramipril and I just did as I was told as most people do when advised by their Doctor. I hadn’t heard of Ramipril and wasn’t aware of the side effects that come with it. Most drugs have side effects I know but mostly they are mild and don’t really change your life much however, the side effects of Ramipril are quite severe in some cases. This added to my already dire situation.
Because my cars had gone I was having to walk a half mile to the bus stop which at 48 years old shouldn’t be a problem right? Wrong… once Ramipril got into my system I couldn’t walk even slowly without feeling like my body was starved of oxygen. My chest hurt and I felt like I was suffocating. 70 year olds were asking me if I was ok, because I looked pale and sickly. I would wake up every morning aching from head to toe.
I went back to the Doctors and told him I can’t live like this, I have three kids and need to get back to work and asked him how, when I can’t even walk to the bus stop. He told me there was no alternative and I would possibly have a stroke or worse if I didn’t take Ramipril because my blood pressure was so high.
One year in to unemployment and Ramipril I began to get a permanent sore throat. I would wake up every morning sounding like Barry White which pleased my wife no end but sadly just added to my mounting problems. Now I had aching bones, constipation, breathlessness and a sore throat. My nails became brittle and I would get numbness if I leant on any part of my body for any length of time.
I couldn’t carry on like this so I bought my self a blood pressure monitor, stocked up on muscle relaxants and stopped taking Ramipril. It was hard at first and I suffered immense pressure headaches but took muscle relaxants to get through the detox. My blood pressure went up to 150 over 100 and stayed that way for a week. But… I felt better in my self I got a job back doing what I enjoy and have even started losing my tummy which also seems to be a side effect of Ramipril.
Please be clear I am not suggesting that everyone should do what I did but don’t just give in to what the Doctors tell you, there are other ways of controlling your blood pressure and sometimes its just a matter of finding out what’s causing it rather than just loading up on drugs. Ramipril side effects are severe and can make you into some kind of zombie so try and find another way. We are all different and some people suffer more than others.
One more thing… if every time you go to the Doctor with a minor ailment and he puts it down to the side effects of the drugs you are taking for other things… when are you going to know if you have, God forbid, the beginnings of a genuine possibly fatal illness?
This is one of the many reasons why I came off Ramipril. So far I have been fine and no sign of stroke or other problems. I monitor my blood pressure regularly and I now use natural remedies to keep my blood pressure under control, normally around 135 over 75 these days which isn't too bad. Don’t give in to Ramipril side effects find a better way.
