Hydrochlorothiazide (water pill)

[tiggerlover]

Anyone have any experience taking Hydrochlorothiazide? I know it is a water pill and that it will make you "go", but is it so bad that you can't go anywhere type of have to "go" or just more frequently?

 

[disfanatiks]

I was taking this and now take Diovan with the HCTZ component to it.

In my case, it has an "effect" about 1 hour after taking it and then sporadically throughout the day. Nothing life altering or anything.

 

[pumba]

I used to take taht one but thank goodness they gave me something else....I would never take it on the morning we were flying to Florida .....or if we were going to go on a two or more hour drive someplace.....NOPE....it is especially a go go pill if you take it in the morning with a cup of coffee......remember coffee is a go go go thing too.......good luck.......Lets say that some teachers I know had to ask for a different script instead of this.......

 

[tiggerlover]

I was supposed to start taking this in the morning, but I was reading the literature the pharmacy gave me and it says not to take if you have problems with sulfa and I do. So I guess I will have to call the doctor in the morning to see if there is another (non-sulfa) water pill available. I am surprised the pharmacy didn't question it since they always check what you are allergic to! Hmmm.

 

[HappyGramma]

I have been taking hydrochlorothiazide for about 2 months. When I first started taking it I had to "go" a bit more often but now things are back to normal. I even drink about 48 oz of water a day too.

 

[tiggerlover]

I started taking half of a pill this week and I really don't notice too big of a difference. (Thankfully).

 

[kldmom2000]

I've been taking 25mg a day now for a bit over a year and at the beginning, I noticed a slight increase as my body got used to it the first couple of weeks, but I always drink tons of water anyway, so it wasn't so much more than normal??? I take it in the morning too just so I don't have to worry about night time wake ups.... (not that my 3 yr old doesn't wake me up enough! ) Just be sure to eat a banana or drink some OJ with it... I've had a few dizzy spells thanks to low potassium levels (HCTZ flushes your body of much-needed potassium)....

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm surprised your doc didn't ask questions regarding anything you're allergic to, ie, sulfa.

I went through a period where I took Lasix. I'm told the strongest diuretic. So strong I also had to take potassium pills with it! A banana wouldn't do. Hope you like bananas!

Definitely call your doctor and mention the sulfa issue.

 

[Swimnoid]

I also take it with diovan. My Dr just upped the HCTZ part of it. I dont really notice any difference than when I didnt take it.

 

[tiggerlover]

I'm surprised your doc didn't ask questions regarding anything you're allergic to, ie, sulfa.

I went through a period where I took Lasix. I'm told the strongest diuretic. So strong I also had to take potassium pills with it! A banana wouldn't do. Hope you like bananas!

Definitely call your doctor and mention the sulfa issue.

It is all in my record, I am allergic to Septra, which is definitely sulfa. I did call and talk with her and these water pills are not actually made with sulfa and in such a low dose as I am on she said there shouldn't be any problems. Been on them for almost a week and so far (knock on wood) no side effects.

 

[DawnCt1]

. I've had a few dizzy spells thanks to low potassium levels (HCTZ flushes your body of much-needed potassium)....

Your dizzy spells may be from something else unless you had cardiac arrythmias that caused your dizzy spells. First symptoms are usually cramps and muscle weakness and thirst. Those kinds of symptoms require medical intervention. I wouldn't rely on a banana if that happens to you.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Take the potassium pills if the doc prescribes them. The doc should also be doing blood work. Water pills can alter your electrolytes. If they get too low then there is a potential for heart trouble - this is what I was told - I am in no way a doctor!! Also, I was told that when your legs start cramping then your potassium is too low.
Good Luck with it.

 

[kldmom2000]

Your dizzy spells may be from something else unless you had cardiac arrythmias that caused your dizzy spells. First symptoms are usually cramps and muscle weakness and thirst. Those kinds of symptoms require medical intervention. I wouldn't rely on a banana if that happens to you.

Thanks... you know, I probably should have also mentioned I also take 20 mg of Propanolol (inderal) in conjunction with the HCTZ for BP and as a bonus to help control my migraines.... one of the regular side effects of the Propanolol is dizziness and when I had the problem, I saw my MD who checked me out thoroughly and ran bloodwork again which showed my Potassium as being very low.... I should have mentioned that too! Sorry! I guess I just assumed that the only abnormalty in the bloodwork was that, so I assumed it must have been due to the low K.... thanks for the info though-now I know what to be aware of...

 

[princesspumpkin]

I too am allergic to sulfa. My MD warned me that I may have problems with HCTZ because of the small amount of sulfa in it. I do find that occasionally, I have a small amount of nausea, but nothing I can't tolerate. The pharmacist also called me to make me aware of the sulfa (how wonderful that everyone was on their toes ) I was never one to "go" often (maybe once at work and maybe two more times at home - but I also wasn't a big drinker either). Since starting, I'd say that I go about 2 more times during the day. It doesn't make me have to wake up during my sleep to go. I've been on it about a month now. Good luck.

 

[KelNottAt]

Sorry to be so ignorant...But what type of condition needs a water pill? I apologize if it's a very personal thing and my question is out of line.

 

[kldmom2000]

Sorry to be so ignorant...But what type of condition needs a water pill? I apologize if it's a very personal thing and my question is out of line.

For me, my MD prescribed it to aide in controlling my borderline-high blood pressure. Although I weigh what I should, eat right, exercise religiously, thanks to my family's genes, I have slightly elevated BP at age 32 (it runs 140"ish" over 80). Because both of my parents had heart attacks at or around age 50, my MD wanted to start treating my BP now. They've found that diuretics such as HCTZ will help flush the excess sodium out of your body (even though I eat a low sodium diet, my body retains whatever I consume causing some water retention) I don't know if that answers your question? I know there are other uses for it as well, but that's why I'm taking it-and I just take a very low dose (25mg).

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks... you know, I probably should have also mentioned I also take 20 mg of Propanolol (inderal) in conjunction with the HCTZ for BP and as a bonus to help control my migraines.... one of the regular side effects of the Propanolol is dizziness and when I had the problem, I saw my MD who checked me out thoroughly and ran bloodwork again which showed my Potassium as being very low.... I should have mentioned that too! Sorry! I guess I just assumed that the only abnormalty in the bloodwork was that, so I assumed it must have been due to the low K.... thanks for the info though-now I know what to be aware of...

The Inderal can cause postural hypotension. (dizziness when you stand up quick). If that happens just don't walk away from the chair until you know you won't faint., a second or two. Also, if you feel dizzy when walking. Sit down on the floor or ground. Its better than falling down. I take HCTZ for blood pressure control. The doctor also put me on Atenolol, a small dose. I hated it. I tend to be a bit hyper and I am used to that. It slowed me down so much that it felt unpleasant. I am not the tranquil, relaxed type. It also aggravated my psoriasis which was the major thing. He switched me to Zestril and it gave me a little dry cough, which I hated. I dieted, lost some weight, it didn't take much, and now I am just on HCTZ.

 

[goofy4tink]

Another one with high b/p that has to take a diuretic. But, I'm on Triamterene/HCTZ. I don't have to worry about the potassium since it already has some in it. It does really help my b/p also. In fact, I think it helps more than the Norvasc I'm taking.
But, I did have to 'go' more often when I first started taking it. But, after about a week or so, my body seemed to adjust and it wasn't a problem, even at WDW.