lisinopril (High Blood Pressure medication) - Weight Gain

fatboy235
fatboy235 Posts: 147 Member
edited November 12 in Health and Weight Loss
I fought my Dr. for three years before deciding on taking lisinopril for my hypertension. Since i've been on the medication for over a year and a half it 1) has not lowered my blood pressure and i've actually gained an additional 15 pounds. I saw the registered dietician and we discussed my diet. I even went as far as sending her my MFP food log for 30 plus days. I was eating roughly 1600-1800 calories a day which is what MFP stated I should have to drop 1-1 1/2 pounds. I'm currently 252 pounds at 5/10. I saw the dietician Dec 23 and she told me that to maintain my current weight i'm consuming 3000 calories a day and then told me to reduce my caloric intake to 1200 a day. Wouldn't the drastic drop in calories put my body in starvation mode? I mentioned to her that I read online there was a plan to reduce 100 calories per day for 7 days then another 100 for seven days until I dropped the caloric intake to 1500. She told me she never heard of it before. Totally confused and beyond frustrated. I'm curently taking 40mg of lisinopril a day and meet with my Dr. Wednesday for my 3 month blood pressure check and my $20 co-pay. Any thought or suggestions? Thanks for the responses.

Replies

  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,371 Member
    Don't worry about starvation mode. It doesn't mean what you think it does.

    I wouldn't continue taking a medication that isn't effective. There are hundreds of drugs that treat hypertension. Try a different one. Or two.

    My father's blood pressure requires a 5-drug cocktail to treat successfully. I currently take 2. (Neither of us are overweight) It took a bit of trial and error to find what worked for me, and in the end my GP prescibed two of the meds my father takes.
  • ar9179
    ar9179 Posts: 374 Member
    Lisinopril/HCTZ did a number on me physically and mentally. Tell the doc it's not working for you and they'll prescribe something else to try. Remember that you are partners in health and you are your own advocate. You may have to try a few meds before finding an effective and beneficial treatment plan so don't be reticent in communicating when something isn't working.

    Meanwhile, continue your calorie reduction but 1200 for a man at your height sounds crazy to me! I don't see how you could keep it up and keep hunger in check.

    I like the TDEE -20% formula. I don't have to consider how many calories to eat back from exercise, which you can never be sure about. Just stick to the average it gives you and use a digital scale to weigh all foods.
    http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/
  • Vittoleggero
    Vittoleggero Posts: 1 Member
    I am in the same boat as you. I have been taking high blood pressure medication for the last 25 years and it was always getting worse. My minimum blood pressure was around 140/90. My last medical in October the doctor mentioned that I am at the max. of my three medications. During the last 25 years, I always tried to maintain my weight and never exceeding 210 lbs. In addition I was always trying to eat wholesome food, and since I am Italian, I followed the Mediterranean diet.
    Just by chance in October I saw Dr. Fuhrnam on a PBS channel. I then just bought the book Eat to Live and followed is diet plan by the letter, in addition started exercising every morning. My weight now is 169 lb and my blood pressure dropped to 120/70. I am ecstatic about the drop in my blood pressure; hopefully the doctor for once will reduce my medication. I suggest giving his diet plan a chance.
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    Lisinopril/Prinivil ain't your problem, Bro.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Starvation mode doesn't exist. You need a caloric deficit to lose weight.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Consider opening your diary for more specific feedback regarding what may need to be changed diet-wise. Are you weighing all of the food you are eating using a food scale? With regards to the medication, ask your doctor to reevaluate it. Something different may be effective for you, but that is something you need to discuss with him/her.
  • BruceHedtke
    BruceHedtke Posts: 358 Member
    Any good doctor will see that your medication isn't working and there are countless varieties/combinations for treating high blood pressure/hypertension. I'm taking a cocktail of Losartin and Amlopidine and it's worked great for me. If you've been taking the same medication for a year and half without results, it might be time to get a new doctor.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    I also had a high blood pressure
    And yes HAD.

    I fixed it by losing weight. (worked for me doesn't mean it works for others)

    Now the weight gain is not through medication but by eating too much.
    Of course there is medication that makes you more hungry or hold water etc.

    But still you only gain weight when you eat more calories than you burn.

    I had my share of problems and this is what i did ( doesn't mean that it helps for you.)

    1. I went back to my "old" habits...eating sensible and healthier and between 1200 to 1500 calories a day for now ( it slowly goes to maintenance level when i am approaching my goal weight)
    2. I can eat everything in moderation
    3. For my blood pressure i dont eat added salt at all..no sea salt no normal salt etc. I only get the natural salt out of foods. I also avoid salty foods but yes i eat sometimes pizza or other yummie things. They are not bad foods there is only TOO MUCH food is bad for you.
    4. I cut out added sugar and yes i eat normally fruit and a cookie sometimes But again moderation made my blood sugar normal again.
    5. I drink 2.5 to 3 liter water a day
    6. i cook from scratch and fresh
    7. yes i go out sometimes or drink sometimes something alcoholic ( but again key is sometimes portion control and moderation.)
    9. i move more. Every day 1.5 hour training
    10. I weigh every solid food and measure every liquid. So dont use tsp or cup serving sizes I weigh everything.

    result:
    * lost almost 70 pounds in 4.5 month
    * blood pressure is back to normal so the blood sugar levels
    * feel energetic and much fitter
    * i am not hungry or have gravings etc.

    On top of that i get skinnier...win win situation.

    Now i do this supported, always use some common sense.
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