Diuretic causing fatigue? Increase in Body fat %?

[KimShea]

Not sure where the best place to post this is, but trying here. 

My doctor a few days ago switched my BP meds to one that includes a diuretic.  I've noticed a weight loss (YAY!) but also a noticeable increase in body fat % according to my Aria.  Does this make any sense?  I've also noticed the last day or so bizarre fatigue.  Last night I carried my 5yo up the stairs after she fell asleep and I thought I'd pass out and die for 5 minutes after.  She's not *that* heavy.  And I've noticed fatigue in my arms, like when I was putting my hair in a ponytail I had to take a break.  And same when I was trying to brush my 12yo daughter's hair this morning.  I haven't had that kind of muscle fatigue since following surgeries or maybe when I was so anemic I had to have IV iron infustions.  It's a little scary. 

Anyone know if this could be the diuretic at all?  It's the only thing that's changed recently that I can think of...

[WendyB]

I think you need to call your DR

[FoxFace]

 Hi KimShea. Diuretics can cause fatigue due to a number of reasons but the most obvious one being that it can dramatically lower your potassium levels which in itself can cause fatigue and a loss of general dexterity. If this is the case then it can easily be counter balanced with supplements or simply adding more potassium rich food to your diet.

Hope this helped 

[JohnRi]

Hi Kim, I was on a Linsiporil with a diuretic from September 2015 to January 2016.  Like you I had a weight loss, around 5 lbs.  I didn't realize that it was this when I was on it.  Besides taking fluid out of your blood, it removes sodium and potassium from your blood.  I had issues with cramping, so I took a 3% potassium supplement daily.  Sodium is in everything we eat, even if you are trying to avoid it.  I suspect your doctor told you to avoid sodium. 

At the same time I was trying to exercise.  Walking.  And I had a terrible time getting any distance or speed.  When I was 40, I started walking 3 miles the first day.  This time it took me to get 3 months to work up to 3 miles.  I was just stuggling so much.

At the time I figured it was my weight.  I was 50 lbs heavier than I was the last time I walked.

After losing about 24 lbs, my Blood Pressure was actually too low.  85/55 range.  So I was taken off the med.  My weight went up about 6 lbs, but a few days later I walked 4 miles.  Then I hit 5 miles a week later.  And 6 miles a week after that.

So in retrospect, I'm sure that diuretec was sapping my endurance, and causing fatigue.  Looking back I recall several instances where I had to stop what I was doing and resting.  Again I thought it was my weight, and never considered the med at the time.

Today I'm down 39 lbs, BP hovers between 105/70 to 124/82... 

Now you just go on the med.  I remember the first few days was just weird.  Dizziness, feeling bad, going from just fine, to suddently feeling like crap.  Having to sleep more.  It was quite the rollercoaster the first week or two.

Then my body adjusted to it, and was ok most of the time, until the my blood pressure got too low.

I'm sure you have a blood pressure tester, if you have a iPhone, get this free app BloodPressureLogger and log your your blood pressure.  You'll see trends of when you are tired, and your BP is low.

Right now your body was running at say 160% of normal blood pressure, and now your body is running at 140 or 130 or 120%...  And your body will have to adjust too it.  But it takes time as your blood pressure falls. 

I remember it being a little scary at first.  Your body will adapt.  And the best news I can tell you, in a month or so you will get a increase in energy.  You have no idea yet, that how bad the high blood pressure was making you feel.  Fatigue will fall off, but your indurance will still be lower.  But you will feel so much better, and it will be a shock.  I felt 10 years younger in a couple of weeks.  I had no idea how bad I felt with the high blood pressure.  I just thought I was getting older.  I was SO WRONG.

Give it a week or two, and talk with your doctor are my suggestions...

[KimShea]

Thanks so much John - this is very helpful information!

I've been on Lisinopril for a couple of years, but without the diuretic.  A few months ago numbers were running high, so she increased dosage from 5mg to 10mg.  Then went back for med check couple days ago, and even higher.   like 200/130 or some stroke level ( I can never remember the stupid numbers, but bottom was well over 100 and top was higher than I can ever recall it.)  I'm cursed with bad genetics.  Had BP issues even in 20s when I weighed a totally healhty 130 ish. 

So anyway, she changed me to the 10mg Lisinopril with the diuretic and suddenly I feel just off.  Felt fine the first day or so, but yesterday and today started noticing the weird fatigue.  I also noticed when I took a short 20 min walk today, I just seemed to feel winded, when normally this doesn't fase me at all.

I do have a cuff at home, but needs batteries.  I'll make a point of getting some and checking the numbers every day or so to see what's happening.  Really want that number back down and working on the weight.  Looks like weight loss has helped yours a lot!  I'd like a similar result eventually, but we shall see.  I'll look into potassium supplements also and see if that helps some of the muscle fatigue.

[JohnRi]

My BP never got higher than 160/105.  I can't imagine 200/130.  Wow.  I'm suprised your doctor tried you on such a low dose of Lisinopril.  I was on 10 mg with the diuretic immediatelty.  Then he tried to lowering to 5 mg, but my bp still dropped too much.  So he took me off completley to see what my BP would do... 

Your body will adapt.  I took my blood pressure morning, noon, afternoon, evening, bedtime.  I saw my blood pressure go up and down all the time.  One warning about the Potassium supplement, I had changed me diet during my weight loss.  With the increase in vegetables, I saw on my last blood work in January, that I had a 7 K+ reading.  Which was a little high.  6.5 is the max normal.  So I quit the supplement immediately.  At the time I was having issues with digestion, and having too much potassium will do that.  I'll get my blood work tested again in September. 

I hope you do get your BP under control.  I felt so much better once I did.  It made exercising so much easier when I wasn't drop dead tired after "sitting" at work all day...

Yeah I'm doing so much better today that I was six months ago.  I going to get into a normal weight range, and I can't imagine what that will feel like...

[SunsetRunner]

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@KimShea wrote:

Not sure where the best place to post this is, but trying here. 

My doctor a few days ago switched my BP meds to one that includes a diuretic.  I've noticed a weight loss (YAY!) but also a noticeable increase in body fat % according to my Aria.  Does this make any sense?  I've also noticed the last day or so bizarre fatigue.  Last night I carried my 5yo up the stairs after she fell asleep and I thought I'd pass out and die for 5 minutes after.  She's not *that* heavy.  And I've noticed fatigue in my arms, like when I was putting my hair in a ponytail I had to take a break.  And same when I was trying to brush my 12yo daughter's hair this morning.  I haven't had that kind of muscle fatigue since following surgeries or maybe when I was so anemic I had to have IV iron infustions.  It's a little scary. 

Anyone know if this could be the diuretic at all?  It's the only thing that's changed recently that I can think of...

---

Try to drink a gallon of water a day while you're taking diurectic meds.  The weight loss is probably water weight that you're losing from the diurectic meds.    And durectic meds does make one feel fatigue and sleepy.   Again,  drink alot of water while taking diurectic meds.   

[OCDOC]

Definitely talk to your doctor!!

Some people tolerate diuretics better than others. Usually the side effects you describe dissipate in a week or 2 (once your body gets used to it). Electrolyte imbalances need to be scouted.

People that can't stand diuretics are sometimes switched to a different agant, eg adding a calcium channel blocker (which has its own side effects...ugh).

Talk to your doctor. If you ride it out for a couple of weeks and still feel lousy ask about alternatives.

[KimShea]

Definitely need to get that potassium supplement.  Last night at bedtime got the worst leg cramps/muscle spasms I've ever had.  I used to get them while pregnant, but this was easily twice as bad!  Holy cow!  I actually went and dry heaved after, it hurt so badly.  Sheesh!

[OCDOC]

@KimShea

You're taking an ACE Inhibitor which can cause HIGH potassium if supplements are taken. Everybody's potassium balance is different when on ACEI/ARB's and diuretics.

Seeing/talking to your MD is the proper action.

[JohnRi]

He's right.  I see that it can cause your potassium to rise.  Interesting, my doctor told me it could lower it and he cleared me to take the 3% for the cramps.  He also said to drink LOTS of water.  My suggestion is increase your water to at least 2500 ml or more a day.  But check with your doctor if your cramps continue. 

[KimShea]

I love these boards!  Got a call in to the dr to ask what I should do.  I have to think with the wicked leg cramps it has to be low, but I could also see it might regulate after another week (started taking it last Saturday, so not quite a week yet.).  Thanks for the info & we'll see what Dr. thinks!  Meanwhile, down a couple pounds of water weight.  LOL!

[FoxFace]

Any which way its deffs worth talking to a Dr.

Hope everything goes OK and they it sorted ASAP>