Well, sure enough the optometrist found I have Hypertensive Retinopathy, and is writing to the GP to that effect. She said GPs just don't use opthalmascopes nowadays!! Long ago they used to look into the eyes whatever you presented with. Longer ago still, they looked at your tongue which gives clues to every complaint!

I mean, it is fairly easy, if the BP and the eyes flare up at the same time, to deduce there is a connection. But no, three people at the surgery, including the senior GP, 'saw' various kinds of eye condition at the same time as checking my BP which so suddenly went up.

I even asked the senior partner if there could be a connection but just got a monologue about allergies.

On the plus side, since I started Lisinopril, there has been improvement in my vision which had distortions for a year!

Pleased to hear you feel better now with the Lisinopril, it is bloomin complicated though.

Had to call at the GP to renew my prescription. Not a good day to take BP, after this particular hospital morning. I have added to the tongue saga on Anything Goes.

Sure enough, the BP had rocketed again, so the dose of Lisinopril has to be increased from 2.5 to 5 mgs. I told him about the profuse sweating at start of medication, and he said see how it goes.

Sounds a bit like me as far as BP going up just when its not wanted. You cannot win Vannin.

Got an appointment for an ECG soon, not had one for three years. This is mainly to calm down my daughter who wants to be sure all possible tests take place!!

Why is it that even after your first 40 odd years you are as healthy as a horse and once you hit the 40's - you get everything that's going!! I had an ECG about 4 months ago and everything was just fine.

I was a little luckier! I stayed fine until 58. My husband too......well, I hear he was a sickly baby not expected to survive. But he had more than fifty healthy years before another change in outlook!

I am not ill very often. I usually just have accidents

I haven't been to the doctor for years, except for my diabetic check ups

I dread ringing up for my repeat prescriptions in fear that this voice say's " Ah! Mrs Me, its a while since you had....Something or other checked"

Next time they ask say "don't bother me, I've got a gingham tablecloth, and that's enough check for anybody"

Love your sense of humour.

Had the ECG, and don't expect it to show anything untoward, but the GP has gone on three weeks holiday anyway and I won't go to anyone else.

I have a feeling the breathlessness and night-time tachycardia I have, are from the Lisinopril, especially since I had to start doubling the dose last week. These side effects are not a great bother and are preferable to the huge sweats I had when starting on it a month ago.

Guess it is a lesser of two evils

We have to pay a price one way or another for q uality of life these days!!

Found out from my GP that the new medication that had been put on my prescription without my knowledge was for. ;.... Because beta-blockers are known to be damaging to some peoples kidney's if used long term ,they are using some ACE Inhibitors along side Calcium Channel'd medication if possible avoiding beta-blockers. BUT if you need to keep on the blockers then ace inhibitors may protect your kidneys. Please do not take this as gospel, however I have also read a couple of articles which hint the same possibility. Has anyone else heard?