One month on Valsartan/HCTZ

Had been having hip pain for about a month now, just thought something was tight or off.   Went on drugs.com last night and read some user reviews on Valsartan.  Just passed one month on Valsartan/HCTZ combo.  Common side effects seemed to be tiredness, knee pain, joint pain.  This morning when I woke up, had bad knee pain, muscle pain in thigh, the usual hip pain, and my foot hurt.  All on left side.  Started to wonder if it was related to Valsartan.  Most people said their symptoms improved after going off it for two days.  So going to try that.  Had also been feeling low energy, not drowsy but tired and no motivation.  Not to ride a bike nor hike.  Didn't want to do anything that required energy.  I did go on a four mile hike with Debra last week.  Felt good.  Tho pelvic pain after...  Just feeling blah lately.  Could be the Valsartan.   But also read user reviews on the Bystolic/Nevibolol and same sort of side effects.  I have been on that one for about two months now.  Right middle finger joint (herberden's nodes) been acting up last few weeks.  It's red and bigger and hurts.  Middle finger also been locking up.  We'll see if going off Valsartan for couple days will help. 

Natural alternative to Valsartan is vitamin B6.  Food sources:  milk, garbanzo beans, carrots, ricotta, tuna, eggs, chicken, spinach, sweet potato, green peas, bananas, fortified cereal, avocado.  Will pick up either b-complex of B6 supplements (no more 100mg).  

Food sources of B vitamins: salmon, beef, leafy greens, eggs, milk, oysters/clams/mussels, legumes, chicken/turkey, yogurt, nutritional yeast, pork, fortified cereal, sunflower seeds. 

Valsartan was also making my tummy funky.  Like I pooped several times a day, in small amounts.  but soft and pasty.  Dunno if my body was starting to adjust but it has started to become less frequent.  

Don't think I've been drinking my 8 cups of water a day.  Should be monitor that more closely and drink more water.  I think I maybe drink 6 cups on a good day. 

UPDATE 6/23/22:  Stopped Valsartan end of April.  No real change in BP.  Tummy is improving.  About 4 out of 7 days out of the week, need to poop in morning within 30 min of waking up.  Just on Bystolic and HCTZ now.  

Pelvic ache after hiking. Possible weak pelvic floor muscle.

 Went hiking with Debra to Jack's Shack.  About 4 miles, 2 hrs.  After the hike I start noticing an ache on the front of my pelvis on the right side.  Is it from the hike or just a coincidence?  

Could be Pelvic Muscle Pain:

Pelvic muscle pain can feel like you have an ongoing cramp in your pelvic area most of the time. "The pain can also be sharp or stabbing and shoot up the vagina or rectum," she says. "You might have pain with sex or using tampons, which can last for hours afterwards.

"Pelvic muscle pain often gets worse with exercise, especially core-strengthening exercises such as pilates, sit-ups or crunches. Women can often find some relief by lying in the foetal position, using a heat pack, doing pelvic muscle stretches and seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist."

Stretches of help relax the pelvis:

https://www.pelvicpain.org.au/easy-stretches-to-relax-the-pelvis-women/

How do you know if your pelvic floor is weak?

Symptoms of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction

1. leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or running.
2. failing to reach the toilet in time.
3. passing wind from either the anus or vagina when bending over or lifting.
4. reduced sensation in the vagina.
5. tampons that dislodge or fall out.
6. a distinct bulge at the vaginal opening.

So maybe my pelvic floor is just weak from sitting all day and not exercising.  Something to be aware of post-exercise.