Hey, johnnycake, how goes it?
Your memory (or your research skill) is spot-on. I've been taking HCTZ for years now. Actually, prior to my valve surgery I was taking Avalide for high blood pressure. The compounds in Avalide are irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. I took that combo for maybe 5 years prior to surgery. After surgery, they wanted me on a beta blocker for heart rate control, but the BB also affects blood pressure. So I stopped the Avalide and for the last 4+ years, I've been taking metoprolol and generic HCTZ. I take 25 mg/day of the HCTZ and 25 mg/day of metoprolol succinate ER (extended release).My blood pressure stays a bit on the high side of normal in the morning (before I take meds), but it is consistently in range after meds (like yesterday afternoon at doc's office, 128/74).
I notice only two possible side effects, neither is at all serious. As with all diuretics, after you take it you will find that you need a few additional bathroom breaks to off-load the fluids released by the HCTZ. You're a bit younger than I, but most guys beyond "a certain age" won't notice a few more pit stops anyway. The other side effect is that I've become more sensitive to the sun. I can literally get a sun tan from the time spent outside going to and from the car during normal daily activities (to/from work, lunch, stores, etc.). Well, maybe it isn't that fast, but with my normal time spent outdoors on walks and normal activities, people always say that I look like I've just returned from vacation.
While taking any diuretic, we should be vigilant for changes in our weight. My cardio has instructed me to call him if I gain or lose more than 4 pounds (I normally weigh around 160) within a week. Losses aren't usually too worrisome, but gains could mean the onslaught of edema, which would indicate that something else is going on and it isn't good. I've become so attuned to my body that I can actually tell when I'm up or down by as little as a pound or two - but that's just me. I guess that part of the paranoia never stops. I watch my sodium intake but I still eat out pretty often (lunch on work days, some dinners on weekends).
All together, I'd label the hydrochlorothiazide more of a spelling/typing problem than anything else. It really doesn't affect my life, there is no need to take supplementary potassium (Blecch!) and I feel noticeably better without that extra fluid. The HCTZ has been consistent and manages things well for me. Oh, and the generic is cheap.
