Diovan-weight loss

[James]

Frank wrote:

I took Diovan 80mg for a year and 160 mg for the last year, I powerlift 4 days a week as well as jog for last 20 years. I went from a solid 240 lbs up to a bloated 290 lbs, with the only change being diovan. I stopped diovan 3 months ago and have lost 15 lbs. I feel better than I ever have while taking diovan.

I have been taking Diovan 160 mg for almost 2 years. I run 3 days a week and lift weights. I eat a non fat egg beater omlet for breakfast, chicken salad with low fat vingerette dressing for lunch, I snack on celery sticks and a small handful of almonds in between and have fish, turkey or chicken with a vegetable for dinner. I can not loose weight in my stomach. I have a bloated "full" look all of the time. No matter what I eat or don't eat, the weight stays in my mid section. I have an appointment with my doctor to see about getting off of Diovan. Any one who's doctor told them that once you start this medication, you have to stay on it for life. I have tried before to get off of it, but my doc has said no way. Although I have lost 11 pounds since I first started the drug, from 196 to 185, waist size down from 36 to 34, still can't get rid of my gut. My BP pretty much maintains at 116/74. Any side affects to discontinuing the drug.

[James]

I have been on Diovan 160 mg for 2 years. No problem other than weight gain in my gut. I run 3 days a week, lift weights, have lost 11 lbs since starting the drug, down from 196 lbs to now weighing 185. My BP maintains at 116/74. I have totally changed my diet and exercise routine, but no matter what I do, I can not loose my mid section. I eat a egg beaters (egg whites) omelet for breakfast. Chicken salad with lowfat vingerette dressing for lunch. I snack on a handful of almonds and celery sticks in between and have some type of baked fish, baked chicken breast, turkey and vegetable for dinner. I drink a ton of water daily, but each day my stomach is bloated and full looking. Just doesn't make sense to me that with my daily routine, I can not loose my gut. I can only attribute it to Diovan. I have an appointment with my doc to see about going off of it. In the past, he has said, once you start this medication, you have to stay on it for life. May have to get a second opinion from another doc if my doc is not willing to budge a little. Any side affects to discontinuing the drug? What about lowering the dosage? Did you just quit suddenly or did you gradually lower the dosage amount,all the while monitoring your blood pressure.

[Barbara]

Frank, I am replying to an old message you wrote in JUly. Since you went off Diovan maybe you are not still on the list but I was wondering it the weight loss continued? I am really struggling with weight gain since my dose was increased about 6 weeks ago.

I am looking for information and facts to present to my Dr since he seems to think Diovan will be the solution for me.

[Stacy]

I have just started this med after developing a cough on lisinopril. I gained 20lbs in a month on that pill and coughed non-stop. It is incorrect of your doctor to tell you that you have to be on this medication for life. There are other medications. I was on Toprol XL. It was very good except that it depleted my energy. I was told I could never go off that or I would have heart failure, but here I am with no heart failure. You can look into herbal remedies. I know several people who have went that way and are a lot more satisfied. The only problem is that insurance doesn't cover it. After going through all these problems with these medications, I have to ask myself how much these doctors really check up on what the people say about the side effects. If I were a doctor and saw all these comments. I would cringe at the thought of prescribing this medication for anyone. I have been coughing for a month and mine puts me on the same type medication. I will try it for a week and see if there's any difference, but my eyes are watering a lot worse now as they were with the other medication.

James wrote:

<quoted text>
I have been taking Diovan 160 mg for almost 2 years. I run 3 days a week and lift weights. I eat a non fat egg beater omlet for breakfast, chicken salad with low fat vingerette dressing for lunch, I snack on celery sticks and a small handful of almonds in between and have fish, turkey or chicken with a vegetable for dinner. I can not loose weight in my stomach. I have a bloated "full" look all of the time. No matter what I eat or don't eat, the weight stays in my mid section. I have an appointment with my doctor to see about getting off of Diovan. Any one who's doctor told them that once you start this medication, you have to stay on it for life. I have tried before to get off of it, but my doc has said no way. Although I have lost 11 pounds since I first started the drug, from 196 to 185, waist size down from 36 to 34, still can't get rid of my gut. My BP pretty much maintains at 116/74. Any side affects to discontinuing the drug.

[TimFXF]

Jon wrote:

I have gaine 50 pounds on Diovan HCT. Really bad for me and I wish I could stop taking it.

Jon - You can stop taking it. TELL your Dr. you want to stop. I assume that you need to come off it over a period of time, but YOU need to take charge of what you put into your body. Don't let your Dr. bully you.

[Pamela]

I just started Diovan 160 about 6-7 weeks ago...during the first four weeks or so, I swore I was laying in bed at night losing weight and inches (10-12 lbs)...swelling went down in feet/ankles, hands, face, etc. My BP went down from 140 to 111 (with a quickness). I also had the lighthead, thirst, and dragged a bit. Now over the past two weeks (all of a sudden), I stopped "losing weight," my swelling is coming back, and so is the weight. Now I feel as though I'm about to gain weight exponentially! I'm very concerned because I don't want to gain weight, retain fluid and have an increase in BP again.

[Rebecca]

I took Diovan 80 mg for 6 weeks and lost 11 pounds. Heart rate stayed at 90 and I was always nervous. Could not get to sleep. No appetite. Developed swelling in thumbs and fingers that felt like carpal tunnel or gout. Blood pressure did not go down. Two days after I switched to Toprol, I am hungry and much more relaxed. Heart rate was 68 today.

[twinheart]

I had been off BP meds for a while, but my BP was at 160 twice, so now I am supposed to go back on - this time it is diovan - I just spent a LOT of time losing 26 lbs - I don't wish to put it back on!!!- oh yuck!!!- can I take this med at night? God be with all of you -

[Bob]

My doctor recently increased my Diovan from 80 mg to 160 mg. Since that change I have lost 10 lbs in 7 weeks without trying. Often feel tired, anxious, poor appetite and unmotivated - sleep habits are noticably affected for the worse as well. BP is marginally improved. Going to speak with the doctor about getting off the Diovan, seek other alternatives.

[Del]

On Diovan for 6 months, lost 7 pounds, blood pressure almost normal. Was on Norvasc but my feet swelled so the doc put me on Diovan... no side affects with Diovan except Diovan makes me more relaxed, not as hyper. Great product!

[Steve]

I been on Diovan for about three months, gained 30 pounds, it's crazy, legs swell slightly, but i haven't experienced anything else, just the weight, i walk 4 miles a day, and eat OK, but still gaining, i took myself off three days ago, we'll see what happens. doc says its not the do\van, but i disagree. I was never over weight,

[Latoya]

I just started diovan and so far I love it. I just hate peeing all the time lol.. I have lost about 5 pounds in 3days. I have alot of fluid and I assume, since this is a directic its releasing it.yeah! I just need to lose 15 more pounds lol. I feel good, I cant go on treadmill as fast or as long, but I dont give up I workout 4-5 days a week and drink 87oz of water a day.

[Latoya]

yes i am too

[Richard]

Steve wrote:

I been on Diovan for about three months, gained 30 pounds, it's crazy, legs swell slightly, but i haven't experienced anything else, just the weight, i walk 4 miles a day, and eat OK, but still gaining, i took myself off three days ago, we'll see what happens. doc says its not the do\van, but i disagree. I was never over weight,

Just wondering if you have lost the weight? I was on this product for approx a 6 weeks and gained atleast 20 lbs. Have now been off it two weeks but I am still gaining weight.

[KAREN canada]

I have been taking diovan for 8 months and what I notice is hair loss not coming out in junks but strands of hair. Has anyone else notice it as well.
thanks

[Pam]

Steve wrote:

I been on Diovan for about three months, gained 30 pounds, it's crazy, legs swell slightly, but i haven't experienced anything else, just the weight, i walk 4 miles a day, and eat OK, but still gaining, i took myself off three days ago, we'll see what happens. doc says its not the do\van, but i disagree. I was never over weight,

I totally agree Steve. I have always been very slender and now since being on Diovan 1 1/2 years I have a poochey stomach and I hate it!
I know it's the Diovan. I've had lab work done and there's no other reason for this horrible mid-section weight gain other than the Diovan.

[lynn]

I have had four months of hell on Dovan

[lynn]

I have had four of the worst months of my life on Diovan

[marcia]

I have been on Diovan 160/12.5 for about 7 months now. I have not had the weight gain issue and have been able to loose some. And I take my pill with dinner with no problems. May I ask how long you had been off BP meds? I am hoping to come off mine.

twinheart wrote:

I had been off BP meds for a while, but my BP was at 160 twice, so now I am supposed to go back on - this time it is diovan - I just spent a LOT of time losing 26 lbs - I don't wish to put it back on!!!- oh yuck!!!- can I take this med at night? God be with all of you -

[Kathy]

I have been on Diovan for about 5 months and lost about 20 lbs, but have started exercise and watching what I eat. When I took Diovan with HZT, it seemed to make me gain weight. So I do not know if any of this is connected or not. Just wanted to share.