I have been put on amlodipine for of all things 'hypertension'. This has only become a development in the last 2-1/2 months.
I was hestitant to try it? But what I've found out about it? Isn't exactly stellar. What caused this 'prescription' was a high b/p. UP 30-60 points on the systolic and 105 on the diastolic.
My concern is that once on this med? My BP #'s have dropped back to almost below normal [what they'd been the last 9 years?] and very suddenly..as in having starting to use the med. [#'s dropped in a 4 days of starting this med]
My concern relates to the fact that this is a 'calcium channel blocker'? And because I am newly on this, how does this affect my regular calcium intakes to try to avoid worse osteoporosis?
I am sure others here have had issues such as this? But you good person I trust to steer me to the best sources of caution and reason.

It's almost sounding as if its a danged if'n I do, or if'n I don't situation...
Thank you in advance if you can steer me in the good directions to make good choices! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! - j

I think the worst thing about amlodipine is the dependent edema it can cause in the legs and feet. If you don't have that, then I wouldn't worry.

It is thought that only high blood levels of calcium interfere with calcium channel blockers. In fact IV calcium is used to treat overdoses.

http://highbloodpressure.about.com/o...alcium-sup.htm

I think a warning of low calcium would be leg cramps. Calcium channel blockers sometimes cause these.

To the best of my knowledge moderate living has not been implicated in any interaction. This question has never been fully answered either in studies, etc.

You are the absolute greatest!
I'd started reading about this all, and simply? My mind shut down.
Edema, I've had before, and I'm not having too much more than normal...
This is a real ease to my mind!
Tame and effective? Like that combo...
's!!!!!!!!!!! - j

Am walking on 1" bubble wrap, could be worse? And my edema bad leg is swollen like either a tree trunk or a fence post! Massaging away as best I can to increase circulation Strange tho? When I'd first started this med, my BP went down waay lower than it's ever been for consistent 'normal', and while it's not as High as last month? It's still higher than I've ever had before.
Can't wait to see the GP and see how she reacts/acts to all of this... Sigh.
I mean it could be worse? Such as changing colors and weeping or the like, so I'm counting myself lucky!
Thank you again! 's!!!!!!!!! - j

I tried this drug years ago. Standing at work was highly stressful.
At the end of the day, I couldn't bend my knees!

That was the end of Norvasc!

I use another calcium blocking agent... Cardizem CD. I don't get nearly the edema with it.

I've increased my dietary intake of magnesium by about 200%...by eating more beans. Black beans, Edamame, and lentils (I can't eat red beans for some reason?). My blood pressure was excellent on Wed. check up!
When I go to the doctor I often have elevated inspite of my medication. I am eating the beans, as part of a new diet to suppress carbs. The beans are allowed as slow carbs and keep blood sugar down and they work well for that too. I especially like the Edamame beans...you should try them. They are really good just plain! Buy them cooked and frozen, and just defrost in hot water.