diltiazem

[off beat]

wondering any info bout this drug.

[ALLEN]

I've been on diltiazem for 2 days and I feel like shit. So much so that I'm going off of it until I talk to the doctor. I've been feeling nausious and I get weak spells. Has anyone of you had similar side effects?

[FRANKIE]

I JUST PICKED-UP MY PRESCRIPTION AND AFTER READING THE SIDE-EFFECTS, I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE HAD SOME GOOD RESULTS?

[phyllis]

ALLEN wrote:

I've been on diltiazem for 2 days and I feel like shit. So much so that I'm going off of it until I talk to the doctor. I've been feeling nausious and I get weak spells. Has anyone of you had similar side effects?

hi.. ive been on this drug for 2 weeks.. im so dizzy.. lightheaded all the time.. sooo very tired all the time .. now im having a hard time eating.. no appetite.. and now getting direaha.. some times blood pressure is very low.. 115/56.. 122/69.. then gradually comes up to high again.. all the above symptoms ARE side effects.. so i've been waiting for them to go away... but they are not.. going to make doctor's appointment but am still taking them ..

[Grant]

I have been on dilatiazem 60mg twice a day for 20 years. I have never had any problem of any kind. I have the major vessal that feeds the left side of my heart blocked 100%. The right vessal is enlarged and the left side is fed through the collatterals from the bottom of the heart. I am only 83 and doing great.

[Darwin]

I have been on Diltazem 240 Mg for approx. 6 years and have constant problems. My doctor does not think Diltazem is the problem. I have taken every test possible and no other problems have been found. I am dizzy most of the time, wake up with an headach daily, have problems sleeping. Durning the summer I sweat to the point I leave a weat spot where I stand. I think I sweat so much that I become dehidrated and almost pass out.
Has anyone experience simular problems?
Darwin

[Ann]

Hi Darwin,Alan, Phyliss, all,
You arent alone!
I was on Clonidine for hypertension and rapid heart rate with some minor but frequent chest pain. I had a full cardiac workup. My heart is in great shape but wont be for long if they cant get it under control.

With Clonidine I would literally pass out and sleep for hours everyday it was making my life impossible. On Tuesday last they changed me to 90 mg Diltiazem four (4)times a day. I have had terrible headaches, nausea, my feet are swollen like little footballs, my bp is much higher than on Clonidine and my heart rate is very high; I feel extremely hyper and cant sleep. My sugar is also up but I beleive that is due to the lack of sleep. Everything I have read about this drug says that it lowers heart rate. Not mine.

Im sorry anyone out there is having a problem with this drug but I'm glad to know I am not alone. I have emailed my doc to ask for guidance and to see if he wants me to go in. I never had hypertension until about a year ago. I became hyperthyroid and had RAI (Radio Active Iodine) Ablation to destroy part of my thryoid. I just dont want to end up having a heart problem because they cant get it under control.

Phyliss I would be very happy with your stats. Mine are averaging 155/102 with heart rate of 89- 102. But if you are having such a serious problem you should scream bloody murder and make them check you out and maybe put you on something else. What I have learned is that there are lot of good effective drugs out there. It is just a matter of finding the right one for you.
Luck to all,
Ann

[DONNA CONWAY SC]

HAS ANYONE HAD HAIR LOSS? I'VE BEEN TAKING DILTIAZEM FOR 2 YEARS BECAUSE OF HBP AND PSVT'S. IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS I'VE NOTICED SEVERE HAIR LOSS.
JUST WONDERED IF THIS IS COMMON SIDE EFFECT OR NOT.

[Dave Hess]

I have been on Diltiazam for several years, and inderol to control afib. It works well in combination for me--If I feel myself going into afib, I take one flecanide, and my afib goes away--it's called the "pill in the pocket" and it works well for me

[Bonnie]

Been on Diltiazem for 7 mos. dose of 360 daily. put in Diovan 80 with HCT 12.5, 1 mo ago. Notice enlarged or swollen gums.??? if it is from the Diltiazem or the new combo.Spoke to DR's nurse, off diavan and put back on HCT 25. Noticed on refill label that Diltiazem can cause enlarged gums, was I just not aware???

[Caxact D Karmons]

please if someone has diltiazem 180 mg not to use and want to donate I apreciate that I must take daily but I cannot pay the price of what pharmacy charge.
GOD BLESS YOU
[e-mail],

[Doc]

Ann wrote:

Hi Darwin,Alan, Phyliss, all,
You arent alone!
I was on Clonidine for hypertension and rapid heart rate with some minor but frequent chest pain. I had a full cardiac workup. My heart is in great shape but wont be for long if they cant get it under control.
With Clonidine I would literally pass out and sleep for hours everyday it was making my life impossible. On Tuesday last they changed me to 90 mg Diltiazem four (4)times a day. I have had terrible headaches, nausea, my feet are swollen like little footballs, my bp is much higher than on Clonidine and my heart rate is very high; I feel extremely hyper and cant sleep. My sugar is also up but I beleive that is due to the lack of sleep. Everything I have read about this drug says that it lowers heart rate. Not mine.
Im sorry anyone out there is having a problem with this drug but I'm glad to know I am not alone. I have emailed my doc to ask for guidance and to see if he wants me to go in. I never had hypertension until about a year ago. I became hyperthyroid and had RAI (Radio Active Iodine) Ablation to destroy part of my thryoid. I just dont want to end up having a heart problem because they cant get it under control.
Phyliss I would be very happy with your stats. Mine are averaging 155/102 with heart rate of 89- 102. But if you are having such a serious problem you should scream bloody murder and make them check you out and maybe put you on something else. What I have learned is that there are lot of good effective drugs out there. It is just a matter of finding the right one for you.
Luck to all,
Ann

Clonidine is a good drug for night time use,most prescribed to take at bedtime, been taking for about a year now with very good results.Good luck

[Joy]

DONNA CONWAY SC wrote:

HAS ANYONE HAD HAIR LOSS? I'VE BEEN TAKING DILTIAZEM FOR 2 YEARS BECAUSE OF HBP AND PSVT'S. IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS I'VE NOTICED SEVERE HAIR LOSS.
JUST WONDERED IF THIS IS COMMON SIDE EFFECT OR NOT.

I've only been on this drug for about 20 days and I have definitely seen a lot more hair in the hairbrush. But a few of the other side effects I had in the beginning are getting better, so I'm going to continue the medicine at least for now. I have a follow up appt. this week and will mention this to him.

[Joy]

off beat wrote:

wondering any info bout this drug.

I've had a few of the side effects listed in this column, slight dizziness when standing, etc., but most of that has subsided now. My biggest problem is constipation. I didn't see that on the drug's list of side effects that came with it, but it's talked about online a lot. However, it has kept my heart rate down. I have Atrial Fibrillation. My resting heart rate has gone from 60 to closer to 50, but I just move around if I feel like it's getting low. I've had some hair loss, which is not a listed side effect. Dreams are vivid and sometimes not pleasant, but that seems to be getting better too. I've only been on the drug about 3 weeks, but so far I'm managing the side effects and consider the drug to be worth it for me. I'm sure everyone's experience is different, so each has to decide what works for them. Best wishes.

[Joy]

DONNA CONWAY SC wrote:

HAS ANYONE HAD HAIR LOSS? I'VE BEEN TAKING DILTIAZEM FOR 2 YEARS BECAUSE OF HBP AND PSVT'S. IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS I'VE NOTICED SEVERE HAIR LOSS.
JUST WONDERED IF THIS IS COMMON SIDE EFFECT OR NOT.

I've had some hair loss since I started on diltiazem 2 months ago, but it started right after my heart episode which scared me pretty badly. The heart problem turned out to be an inherited condition that I can live with. The medicine has been great so far. I don't know that it was the medicine that caused the hair loss, because I tend to loss some hair when I go through stress. I've also switched to a vegan lifestyle the past 6 months and am still learning how to supplement for nutrients I might have been missing. I'll try to remember to come back in a couple of months and give an update on the hair loss. I think I'm seeing new hairs coming in around the edges of my hairline.

[Joy]

Joy wrote:

<quoted text>
I've had a few of the side effects listed in this column, slight dizziness when standing, etc., but most of that has subsided now. My biggest problem is constipation. I didn't see that on the drug's list of side effects that came with it, but it's talked about online a lot. However, it has kept my heart rate down. I have Atrial Fibrillation. My resting heart rate has gone from 60 to closer to 50, but I just move around if I feel like it's getting low. I've had some hair loss, which is not a listed side effect. Dreams are vivid and sometimes not pleasant, but that seems to be getting better too. I've only been on the drug about 3 weeks, but so far I'm managing the side effects and consider the drug to be worth it for me. I'm sure everyone's experience is different, so each has to decide what works for them. Best wishes.

Update: I switched to a less expensive generic brand that is not a slow release. The constipation went away immediately. I have to take a pill 3 times a day, but I think I like that better also. It seemed like the slow release tablet did not really last 24 hours.