Blood Pressure meds and effect on Adkins

[Kaper]

Hello..I am new to the forum. I started the Adkins plan 2 years ago. I sucessfully lost 50 lbs and kept it off for a year. I went for a physical and the doctor noted high blood pressure. Not surprising as it runs in my family, and up until that point I was the only one not taking meds for it. My problem started immediately after starting my BP meds. My OWL plan was not working. I cut back my carbs, stepped up my treadmill workout, but still the weight was slowly creeping back on. I worked so hard to lose the weight. No other plan had ever worked for me. (I am 56, and have been battling the bulge all my life) I have now gained 20 pounds of the 50 I lost. I am back on the induction phase, and absolutely adhering to the letter. One measely pound in 12 days. Does anyone know if there is a correlation between BP meds and the metabolism?? I am getting depressed.

[not2late]

Re: Blood Pressure meds and effect on Adkins

you'll have to talk to your doctor about this because some medications can be associated with weight gain and your doctor will need to know about this weight gain in order to adjust your medicines.

[Analog6]

Re: Blood Pressure meds and effect on Adkins

Kaper, definitely talk to the doctor. They can make it harder to lose weight. What are you taking - diuretics, beta blockers ?? I have cured my high BP just by doing Atkins (see my signature stats) - I've watched my mother do the diuretics and BP meds for 40 years and was determined not to go that route. This is a thread I posted on my BP with some discussions on it. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=22546Good luck with it.

[Kaper]

Re: Blood Pressure meds and effect on Adkins

Thank you for the advice. I read your thread, Analog, and it helped. I am on Diovan HCL, which does have a diuretic. My BP was 165/110. He was really concerned and took an EKG right there in the office. Within a week of taking the meds I was down to 130/85. I am stable at 130/80. He is supportive of my weight loss plan with a bit of modification. Fewer eggs, or use egg white product, and to watch the amount of sausage or other high sodium meats and cheeses. I'll call about the weight gain, and ask if there is an adjustment that can be made for the meds. Oh...he will also be happy that I finally quit smoking, too. (I was verrrrry careful to not substitute food for nicotine, and I have also read that quitting smoking will slow the metabolism some.)

[Desertthorn]

Re: Blood Pressure meds and effect on Adkins

OH, Kaper, it is very possible that quitting smoking was the culpret here. They say that many folks gain weight when they quit. Young folks don't have the problem, mostly because they kick up thier exercise to "intense" but we middle agers just gain weight when we quit. The good news is....its only temporary and you'll start losing again very soon. Just don't get frustrated, but do up that exercise.
I would argue with your doctor about the eggs, I feel that they are the most perfect food, and he wants you to lower your fats by not eating them. I do agree about the sausage and cheese, they do have a lot of sodium and I would suggest that you eat them as condoments not as main dishes. Open up a fitday account, (its free) and track your foods, (particularly the sodium) as it will give you an idea on how its doing.
But exercise is really the key. If you are just starting, I would recommend the Walk Away the Pounds tape, or join Curves.
Keep me posted on how your doing, as I also take meds for my BP and while its very low now, I would love to come off them.