Dream recall & lucidity affected by Procardia XL

**anderj101** · 02-09-2011 03:06 AM

My doctor put me on Procardia XL for high blood pressure a few months back. Immediately, I noticed that I had lost nearly all dream recall, as I've had only one recall to speak of in the last couple of months. I stopped taking the drug for a few days and had a decent lucid with fair recall just a couple days ago.

Has anyone else encountered issues with Procardia or any other high blood pressure drug? I'm considering asking my doctor to change my drug if there is another that won't affect my dreams as bad.

**riverboy** · 02-09-2011 04:40 AM

Just did a quick bit of research and Nifedipine is currently thought to cause a drop in iron levels in animals and possibly humans too. If this is so then low levels of iron can cause problems with sleep.

I'm not a doctor but that's just what I picked up on from a bit of googling

**anderj101** · 02-09-2011 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by riverboy

drop in iron levels

I'll bounce this idea off the Doc next time I see him. Hopefully it's a simple fix, like taking an iron supplement.

**riverboy** · 02-11-2011 11:53 PM

Great, keep me updated!

**anderj101** · 02-12-2011 09:47 PM

Now I'm certain, without a doubt, that the Procardia was killing my lucids and recall. I have been off the drug for a solid week now, and just had one of the most vivid lucids ever last night. My recall was nearly perfect, as I could recall the exact dialog between a DC and I.

I read a couple of references to the iron issue, and wonder if that's exactly what got me. I have been snacking on a lot of organic roasted dark chocolate coated pumpkin seeds in the last couple days, so that probably gave me an healthy iron power-up.

**riverboy** · 02-13-2011 04:02 PM

That's great news, anderj! I used to work in a pharmacy and it always amazed me how medication could have such an unpredictable array of side effects!

This is slightly off topic but I just realised that I thought of you in a lucid dream the other night. I was thinking of what to do and I remembered seeing on somebody's signature that they wanted to fly through deep caverns. I didn't get round to it in the end but it's definitely an idea that I'm going to have to check out.

**anderj101** · 02-13-2011 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by riverboy

That's great news, anderj! I used to work in a pharmacy and it always amazed me how medication could have such an unpredictable array of side effects!

Judging by last night's epic adventure, I will not be taking that drug ever again. I'll adjust my blood pressure via an herbal remedy or a healthy change of diet.

I tried the canyon flight again last night, but failed miserably. Just as I was incubating the canyon scene, the world crumbled apart and swallowed me alive.

**riverboy** · 02-13-2011 08:39 PM

Okay, just run it by your doctor first! I'd hate to think I'd jeapordised your health or anything. But if a change of diet is afoot, good for you.

**anderj101** · 02-13-2011 09:11 PM

No worries at all. It was just a tiny bit high and my doc put me on the lowest dose available. I've been working toward a better diet for some time now, and I guess it's time to cut out the last of the junk food.

I'll talk to the doc tomorrow and ask his opinion.

**anderj101** · 02-23-2011 03:37 AM

Finally talked to the doc. He said it's quite likely that the Procardia was affecting my sleep, therefore affecting my dreams. I suggested the idea of an herbal remedy and he had no problem with it, but he would like me to come in for regular checkups to make sure all is going well.

As for my dream recall and lucids, they seem to be back on track after stopping the Procardia for a few weeks.