Hello:

I'm 43-years old and just started (about three weeks ago) taking
10 mg of Norvasc daily for hypertension. I take it at night along
with 100 mg of Nortriptilyn for depression.

I've been very active in the last few years--I run several times
a week, play a form of "aerobic paintball" on the weekends for
exercise. Up to this point I've been in very good shape.

It seems that after I started taking the Norvasc a few weeks ago
my stamina has gone all to hell. I get winded much more quickly
and my muscles begin aching after just a few minutes of some
activity that before I could have handled with ease. Further,
when I'm merely at rest, it seems that my pulse rate has
increased dramatically, and--this is gonna sound weird--my heart
seems to be working much harder than it used to. I never used to
notice my heart beat when just sitting but now I do. All in all
the net effect is to make me feel about 20 years older than I am.

Question: could this be the result of the Norvasc?

My blood pressure hasn't really responded all that well to the
Norvasc, and so if the symptoms above are a result of that drug,
it ain't worth it. I have an appointment in a few days to discuss
these things with my doctor, but I thought I'd ask here whether
these are typical symptoms or not.

Thanks!