Looking for drug without sexual effects

[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I'm 30 years old. I've taken Toprol XL and atenolol and
both do a fine job of lowering blood pressure, but they
also make it difficult to get an erection. Before that
I took HCTZ, but that didn't lower my BP at all.

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions on which drug I should try next? I'd
prefer a cheap generic drug since I don't have
insurance.

I'm not a doctor, and don't even play one on TV. But I've
researched this a good bit because I also have HTN.

Based on what I've read, you've managed to try the two
classes of HTN meds that are the MOST likely to cause ED -
beta blockers and thiazide diuretics.

If you read the prescribing information on just about any
hypertension med, you'll see some form of sexual side effect
as one of the possible adverse reactions. But there is a
difference in the percentage of men who have such problems.
Generally speaking, three other classes of meds are a good
bit less likely to cause erectile problems than the ones you
have taken.

Calcium channel blockers are generally considered to be
fairly harmless sexually, but I've seen cautions about their
tendency to cause increased levels of estrogen through
inhibition of the cytochrome P450 system. This applies
mainly to verapamil and diltiazem, not so much to the
dihydropyridine CCBs (the nifedipine class).

ACE inhibitors are also usually pretty benign on ED. In
addition, they are generally considered to have other
cardiovascular benefits beyond just BP reduction, which is
not thought to be the case with CCBs. A fair percentage of
those trying ACEIs develop a dry hacking cough and have to
discontinue it.

Potentially the brightest spot would be the ARBs - the
angiotensin receptor blockers. Some studies have shown that
Cozaar (losartan) actually has positive effects on erectile
function, and this may apply as well to other drugs in this
group. These are also less likely to produce the cough.

The fact that the thiazide did nothing for your BP is VERY
interesting, and may itself indicate to a real doctor which
med is most likely to work for you.

There are generic versions of, I believe, all three groups,
but none would be called cheap, certainly not in the price
range of HCTZ. You would be looking at maybe $1.00 per day
even for the generics. Canadian sources would be cheaper.

I won't go into my rant about how doctors typically fart off
complaints about side effects, but just say that it's going
to be up to you to put your foot down about effects you find
to be unacceptable. But based on discussions I've had with
others, and stuff I've read, I would not, at your age, take
beta blockers on a long term basis.

And finally, it seems to me that you are awfully young to be
having high blood pressure, and I would urge you to find a
doctor who will work you up for "secondary hypertension".
If you have that, and the cause can be isolated, it could
even be cured.

Good luck. For further information you might ask about this
in:

alt.support.impotence

Sorry to hear that. You might try the DASH diet - try a google
search. If overweight, weight loss may help. Finally, Viagra might
help your ED problem. Have you been checked for diabetes or metabolic
syndrome?

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm 30 years old. I've taken Toprol XL and atenolol and both do a
fine job of lowering blood pressure, but they also make it difficult
to get an erection. Before that I took HCTZ, but that didn't lower my
BP at all.

Any suggestions on which drug I should try next? I'd prefer a cheap
generic drug since I don't have insurance.

[email hidden] (Brad Sheppard) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Sorry to hear that. You might try the DASH diet - try a google
search. If overweight, weight loss may help. Finally, Viagra might
help your ED problem. Have you been checked for diabetes or metabolic
syndrome?

I am trying to lose weight, with limited success. I'd like to get my
weight down enough that I don't need any BP meds. I'm not diabetic.
I'm not even sure what metabolic syndrome is.

It's clearly the beta blockers, since I have less problems with lower
doses of the drug. And I didn't have this problem before I started
these drugs earlier this year. I've thought about Viagra, but that's
costly and it would seem better to just use a blood pressure med that
doesn't cause this problem in the first place.

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm 30 years old. I've taken Toprol XL and atenolol and both do a
fine job of lowering blood pressure, but they also make it difficult
to get an erection. Before that I took HCTZ, but that didn't lower my
BP at all.

Any suggestions on which drug I should try next? I'd prefer a cheap
generic drug since I don't have insurance.

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm 30 years old. I've taken Toprol XL and atenolol and both do a
fine job of lowering blood pressure, but they also make it difficult
to get an erection. Before that I took HCTZ, but that didn't lower my
BP at all.

Any suggestions on which drug I should try next?

You should inform your doctor. S/he could "wean" you off the
betablockers (Toprol and atenolol) and replace them with an ACE
inhibitor +/- a diuretic.

Quoted message said:

I'd prefer a cheap
generic drug since I don't have insurance.

Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide would be examples of generic drugs
that should be affordable. Would suggest you ask your doctor about
this.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm 30 years old. I've taken Toprol XL and atenolol and both do a
fine job of lowering blood pressure, but they also make it difficult
to get an erection. Before that I took HCTZ, but that didn't lower my
BP at all.

Any suggestions on which drug I should try next?

You should inform your doctor. S/he could "wean" you off the
betablockers (Toprol and atenolol) and replace them with an ACE
inhibitor +/- a diuretic.

Quoted message said:

I'd prefer a cheap
generic drug since I don't have insurance.

Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide would be examples of generic drugs
that should be affordable. Would suggest you ask your doctor about
this.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com

Quoted message said:

I am trying to lose weight, with limited success. I'd like to get my
weight down enough that I don't need any BP meds.

How much do you weigh now, and what's your target?

Quoted message said:

I'm not diabetic. I'm not even sure what metabolic syndrome is.

Diabetes mellitus is one of many metabolic syndromes--diseases that
change the way your body handles nutrients. In the case of diabetes,
it's a defect in the way your body handles glucose, the most important
nutrient.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Mxsmanic <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am trying to lose weight, with limited success. I'd like to get my
weight down enough that I don't need any BP meds.

How much do you weigh now, and what's your target?

I'm 6' and weigh 270 currently. (I weighed 30 pounds less before my
doctor had me try Zyprexa earlier this year.) I doubt I'll ever be
slender, since weight has been a life-long battle for me. I'd like to
get down to under 220, which is the lowest weight I've ever been at as
an adult.

[email hidden] (Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions on which drug I should try next?

You should inform your doctor. S/he could "wean" you off the
betablockers (Toprol and atenolol) and replace them with an ACE
inhibitor +/- a diuretic.

Quoted message said:

I'd prefer a cheap
generic drug since I don't have insurance.

Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide would be examples of generic drugs
that should be affordable. Would suggest you ask your doctor about
this.

I was thinking about asking for an ACE inhibitor. Are all ACE
inhibitors pretty much the same? I was thinking of enalapril, since
it seems to be especially cheap.

Quoted message said:

Mxsmanic <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am trying to lose weight, with limited success. I'd like to get my
weight down enough that I don't need any BP meds.

How much do you weigh now, and what's your target?

I'm 6' and weigh 270 currently. (I weighed 30 pounds less before my
doctor had me try Zyprexa earlier this year.) I doubt I'll ever be
slender, since weight has been a life-long battle for me. I'd like to
get down to under 220, which is the lowest weight I've ever been at as
an adult.

Would suggest you ask your doctor about the 2PD approach as described at:

http://www.heartmdphd.com/wtloss.asp

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Quoted message said:

I'm 6' and weigh 270 currently. (I weighed 30 pounds less before my
doctor had me try Zyprexa earlier this year.) I doubt I'll ever be
slender, since weight has been a life-long battle for me. I'd like to
get down to under 220, which is the lowest weight I've ever been at as
an adult.

this will work for you.

http://www.heartmdphd.com/wtloss.asp

Lift well, Eat less, Walk fast, Live long.

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions on which drug I should try next?

You should inform your doctor. S/he could "wean" you off the
betablockers (Toprol and atenolol) and replace them with an ACE
inhibitor +/- a diuretic.

Quoted message said:

I'd prefer a cheap
generic drug since I don't have insurance.

Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide would be examples of generic drugs
that should be affordable. Would suggest you ask your doctor about
this.

I was thinking about asking for an ACE inhibitor. Are all ACE
inhibitors pretty much the same?

No.

Quoted message said:

I was thinking of enalapril, since
it seems to be especially cheap.

Enalapril should be an acceptable alternative to lisinopril for lowering blood pressure.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

M_un Over New York City said:

Quoted message said:

I'm 6' and weigh 270 currently. (I weighed 30 pounds less before my
doctor had me try Zyprexa earlier this year.) I doubt I'll ever be
slender, since weight has been a life-long battle for me. I'd like to
get down to under 220, which is the lowest weight I've ever been at as
an adult.

this will work for you.

http://www.heartmdphd.com/wtloss.asp

Lift well, Eat less, Walk fast, Live long.

Please don't forget to involve your doctor especially since you are on
blood pressure medications which must be adjusted downward as you lose
weight.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Karl,

you already have two of the needed three things for Syndrome X. I'd
urge you to find a job or whatever that gives you health insurance.
Unless you change your lifestyle either/or diabetes and heart disease
are likley. The cheapest BP meds are diuretics, I believe - tho it
generally takes two meds to control BP. I would also urge you to ditch
the killer "Western" diet of meat and potatoes and switch to the
Harvard School of Public Health food and exercise suggestions:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Mxsmanic <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am trying to lose weight, with limited success. I'd like to get my
weight down enough that I don't need any BP meds.

How much do you weigh now, and what's your target?

I'm 6' and weigh 270 currently. (I weighed 30 pounds less before my
doctor had me try Zyprexa earlier this year.) I doubt I'll ever be
slender, since weight has been a life-long battle for me. I'd like to
get down to under 220, which is the lowest weight I've ever been at as
an adult.

Quoted message said:

I'm 6' and weigh 270 currently.

What's your untreated BP? If you lost all that extra weight (say, 70
lbs or so), you might not need medication at all, if the hypertension is
not severe. It's certainly worth a try.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Dr. Andrew B. Chung said:

M_un Over New York City said:

Quoted message said:

I'm 6' and weigh 270 currently. (I weighed 30 pounds less before my
doctor had me try Zyprexa earlier this year.) I doubt I'll ever be
slender, since weight has been a life-long battle for me. I'd like to
get down to under 220, which is the lowest weight I've ever been at as
an adult.

this will work for you.

http://www.heartmdphd.com/wtloss.asp

Lift well, Eat less, Walk fast, Live long.

Please don't forget to involve your doctor especially since you are on
blood pressure medications which must be adjusted downward as you lose
weight.

Whew. Thanks, Andrew. I could have caused some harm with my
off-the-cuff suggestion. It's actually more like a shoot-from-the-hip
suggestion, isn't it?

Lift well, push up, eat now, check your oil

Mxsmanic <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm 6' and weigh 270 currently.

What's your untreated BP? If you lost all that extra weight (say, 70
lbs or so), you might not need medication at all, if the hypertension is
not severe. It's certainly worth a try.

My BP varies. The highest reading ever was 160/120 -- that was at a
doctor's office and doctors make me very nervous (I suffer from severe
social anxiety). When I check my BP myself its usually around 145/95
without medication.

Quoted message said:

My BP varies. The highest reading ever was 160/120 -- that was at a
doctor's office and doctors make me very nervous (I suffer from severe
social anxiety). When I check my BP myself its usually around 145/95
without medication.

Losing all the extra weight might easily bring it down to normal. As it
is, a BP of 145/95 isn't going to kill you any time soon.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.