Gingergrrl
Senior Member
- Messages
- 16,171
I know there are other threads on these meds but I am interested in hearing from people who have tried some of these meds, specifically with the goal to raise their BP, and how they compare to each other.
I have been on different doses of Midodrine since the end of Sept and for whatever reason it is not only NOT raising my BP but it seems to be lowering it and makes me incredibly sedated more than a sleeping pill!
Both last Fri and today after taking Midodrine, my BP is back in the 80's/50's making it impossible to function and tomorrow is Thanksgiving (in the US.)
My cardio's office is really pushing this new drug Droxidopa (also called Northera) which just got FDA approval this year (in the US.). They got me onto a list and now the drug rep keeps calling me.
I called back today and she was gone but the person I spoke with said my co-pay was over $800 per month, which not only can I not afford, but I don't even think I want this med! You cannot get this med at a regular pharmacy and it is a big production to obtain. There is some program where you can try it for free and they said I qualify but I have a bad feeling about the whole thing.
I googled Droxidopa and found horrible potential rare side effects which seem to always happen to me. Plus it seems to have no better effectiveness than Midodrine. It also seems to be for a specific diagnosis which I don't have.
On the third hand, several people from PR have now mentioned Mestinon but no doctor has recommended it for me. It is for myesthenia gravis (which I do not have) but seems to also raise BP if I am understanding it correctly.
My BP usually does not drop when I stand, it is just very low all of the time. This week I have had no tachycardia due to changing Atenolol dosing and no chest pain or pressure. I really feel if I could get my BP consistently in the upper 90's/upper 60's I would feel a lot better.
So my questions are for people who have tried Droxidopa and/or Mestinon in order to raise their BP and how this compared to Midodrine (if you have also tried Midodrine.)
I have referrals to 4-5 dysautonomia websites and have a serious goal to read through them or even post on their boards when I am feeling more alert.
But I would love to hear some feedback here from those who have tried these meds.
Thanks very much!
I have been on different doses of Midodrine since the end of Sept and for whatever reason it is not only NOT raising my BP but it seems to be lowering it and makes me incredibly sedated more than a sleeping pill!
Both last Fri and today after taking Midodrine, my BP is back in the 80's/50's making it impossible to function and tomorrow is Thanksgiving (in the US.)
My cardio's office is really pushing this new drug Droxidopa (also called Northera) which just got FDA approval this year (in the US.). They got me onto a list and now the drug rep keeps calling me.
I called back today and she was gone but the person I spoke with said my co-pay was over $800 per month, which not only can I not afford, but I don't even think I want this med! You cannot get this med at a regular pharmacy and it is a big production to obtain. There is some program where you can try it for free and they said I qualify but I have a bad feeling about the whole thing.
I googled Droxidopa and found horrible potential rare side effects which seem to always happen to me. Plus it seems to have no better effectiveness than Midodrine. It also seems to be for a specific diagnosis which I don't have.
On the third hand, several people from PR have now mentioned Mestinon but no doctor has recommended it for me. It is for myesthenia gravis (which I do not have) but seems to also raise BP if I am understanding it correctly.
My BP usually does not drop when I stand, it is just very low all of the time. This week I have had no tachycardia due to changing Atenolol dosing and no chest pain or pressure. I really feel if I could get my BP consistently in the upper 90's/upper 60's I would feel a lot better.
So my questions are for people who have tried Droxidopa and/or Mestinon in order to raise their BP and how this compared to Midodrine (if you have also tried Midodrine.)
I have referrals to 4-5 dysautonomia websites and have a serious goal to read through them or even post on their boards when I am feeling more alert.
But I would love to hear some feedback here from those who have tried these meds.
Thanks very much!