Suggest remedy for side effects of Diltiazem medicine for hypertension
Patient: yes, I just started taking the drug diltiazem hc 60 mg for hypertension every 12 hrs. the side effect is herendous...put me like in coma state, and could not get out of bed, no matter how I tried. I stop taking it after three days, and only took one in a 24 hour period. I have been taking my blood pressure for the past three days an stable at 117/62 highest was 127/67. I feel a short of breath at times like I do not take in enough air to fill my lungs w/air...I have to make an effort to take in air to fill my lungs. I do not feel I can talk w/out feeling winded. I had phneumonia a couple of years ago which put me in the hospital for 2 days. I caught it as a virus, I never smoked, nor had any kind of lung condition. perhaps nasal allergy but nothing as bad as that. I am a 64yr old femaie. I never feel this shortness of breath when I am exercising at the gym a few days per wk for 1 hour. While I was on the meds I did not have that problem, but then I was asleep most of the time. Do you think I should see a cardiologist? or what could be causing this condition? My email YYYY@YYYY Doctor: hi, diltiazem does not cause side effects that you have mentioned, and your bp readings are normal which do not require treatment, you should see a cardiologist for shortness of breath and a neurologist for sleepy feeling.