Hi Everyone,

New guy here...nice to meet you all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have been on the BP Meds Amlodipine Besylate & Atenolol quite a while

The amlodipine has caused my legs from the knees down to swell for 9 years or more, the meds work for me like none other I have tried, but GOD the swelling is just way too much, somehow I have lived with it.

I am in good physical shape, I run 2 miles 3 days a week, lift weights...still play contact football etc....& I'm 45 years old 5ft 10in 237...fairly solid.

The swelling is so bad that I can hardly wiggle my toes, I can wear socks & the outline of the sock causes a deep impression in my calf when I take them off. I was working in the yard & a sliver of wood got stuck in my lower leg, I swear to you it leaked just like water....that's how bad I swell.

Now, when I don't use the the amlodipine I feel like a million dollars, I look normal, I can feel my feet...there not numb like they were. The atenolol only serves one purpose, it slows down my heart rate but it gives me NO troubles.

I eat very good, I don't use salt & never have.

Does anyone have any idea as to how I can get off this med, I have tried many that just were not as effective.

Could this just be a withdrawal thing ? I've been off the med for 3 days, pressure seems fine....I really don't want to take another tablet....that's how good I feel when I don't take it...I do monitor it very close in case it rises out of control.
Right now here at my pc my pressure is 132/80
Why do I get all the swelling, what is it water retention ?

Thanks For Reading

I feel your pain. However, there is hope!
I, too, was a tough case. Marathon runner. 117 lbs. Healthy eater but bp was very high. I began using Resperate and read books by Dr. Stephen Sinatra (cardiologist). After three months of folliowing his supplement advice and faithfully using the Resperate, which I enjoy, bp is down to 120/79 or lower. No more bp meds, either. I do use the three supplements Dr. Sinatra is most enthused about.
Good luck!

Thank You Sandra, I will research his books & definately start using RESPeRATE
I wonder if the VA would cover the cost ?
Either way I'll start using it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I was just reviewing the forum and saw your comment re Norvasc and leg swelling. I had the same problem, and my Doc put me on Diovan in conjunction with the Norvasc. No more swelling! Diovan is made by the same company. One (the amlodipine) relaxes the arteries and sometimes overpowers the veins ability to return blood to the heart. The Diovan relaxes the veins and allows them to carry a larger volume of blood back to the heart. Unfortunately, there is no generic version of the Diovan - expensive. I understand that there is now a combination drug (Exforce, I think) that combines the Norvasc (amlodipine) and Diovan. Best wishes for a successful solution!
Mel