Can these blood pressure medications be stopped?
Patient: Hi there, about 5 months ago I went to see a Dr and he prescribed me coversyl 4mg and amlodipine besylate 5mg, because he said I had high blood pressure.  I was having a bad anxiety at the time, and since then I've been on these medications.  I have never been sick, and I never had any of the side effects he was asking me.  But he said you must have you just don't know. Ever since, every time I go and see him my blood pressure seems to go up, and I get really anxious.  So now I am looking for a second opinion on what I should do, because he has really scared me, and said it's called the "silent killer", so now my anxiety/panic attacks are bad and I've been seeing a mental health worker.  My other question is can I stop taking these meds on my own? Doctor: Don't stop medicine. Although high blood pressure is problematic but if it's controlled then there is no problem. You should get one blood pressure apparatus and monitor your blood, initially three or two times a day then once e week. Consume low salt diet and have healthy lifestyle, including regular exercises. If your blood pressure is under control then we can think of tapering blood pressure medication, you will monitor it since high blood pressure is usually asymptomatic. You also get your sugars and lipid profile done.  And definitely no need to worry at all.