Thanks for posting this, Susan. I'm in the process of lowering my bp drugs ever-so-slowly with doctor's permission, because I need to know whether my fuzziness and tiredness are reactions from the pills or just me. The two I take should cancel each other out concerning the potassium problem, but who knows. I'm back to taking a multivitamin every other day because I feel better when I do so for awhile.

I firmly believe doctors are extremely reluctant to consider side effects that aren't "common" or even mentioned in the literature, as long as they're not life threatening; what drug company wants to tell their patients they will probably gain weight on their med?

I'm also continuing to think we have been very naive about all this pill-popping our society is so good at, excepting of course the truly necessary. These drugs have to be affecting all our systems, not just the one that needs help. Thanks very much for posting this.

I have only one med, Advair, and I've required it for nearly 15 years. Alternatives do nothing for me. I'm borderline hypertensive, but so far my MD doesn't want to start any meds for it -- and neither do I.

I questioned DH's need for a med for his borderline high cholesterol, and his MD stopped prescribing anything. (Stopping it resulted in zero change.)

Strangely, DH's RLS only comes back if he does NOT take 1mg of Abilify -- something the AARP article cites as causing muscle contractions. His MD is totally puzzled about why this medically insignificant amount does *anything* -- good or bad -- but it does. EveryBODY is unique!

Looking at the ills these meds are prescribed to treat, you have to wonder if 90% of them couldn't be eliminated if more people ate right and exercised a little. I could probably 'treat' my slight hypertension if I'd just WALK more -- and drink more water.

If your blood pressure meds are calcium blockers there is much literature in the medical journals and in the drug information literature that list forgetfulness and fuzziness, as you described it, as a kknow effect.
Maybe talk to them about trying you on a different type other than a calcium blocker.
I had that exact reaction when I was trying them. I have to stay on a beta blocker because it also helps control a heart problem, so for me tenormin / atenolol does double duty.

Good that you are being pro active in your health care!
So do some Google research on that.

I started researching different bp meds when I realized the losartan, (an angiotensin receptor blocker) was bothering me, but all of them have side-effects, many worse than what I perceive to have. Lisinopril gave me the cough, or in my case constant clearing of the throat. I would not stop them suddenly, or at all if my bp were high. Research is good and often leads me to feeling overwhelmed. :) Thanks, Raven, if your comments were directed to me.