Tex-

[tex]

Thanks for the support, everyone. My BP got down to 148/92, late his afternoon, and right after that, I went to town, to get some groceries. I doubt that trip had anything to do with it, but now my BP is back up almost as high as it was this morning. I suspect that such erratic excursions might be common for certain drug reactions. I recall that when grannyH had a life-threatening episode with BP spikes, due to a doctor improperly prescribing Prednisone, when she was already taking Entocort, she had wild pressure excursions, and it lasted for at least a couple of weeks, before the Pred wore off, and her BP finally settled down. Of course, they tried to treat her, in the ER, by giving her a hypertension med, but she still had recurring spikes, for a couple of weeks, as I recall. She now has to take a hypertension med for the rest of her life. I may wind up having to do that, also, before this is over, but we can't tell, until the readings settle down, somewhere.

It's scary to think that we could unknowingly be taking a dangerous combination of drugs. Even scarier to realize that our doctors don't have a clue.

I think that's what bothers me the most about this.


Stanz,

I've never been a fan of taking meds, so I've never taken many, until now. Now that I've been drawn into the "game", though, I'm anxious to get back out of it, ASAP.


Gabes,

I agree. When I still had active MC, I could still go to work, and usually find a way to deal with the D, (especially since most of my work was out in the country). I sometimes had "accidents", but it wasn't that big a deal. (Of course, l sometimes had to make deliveries, and the few accidents that I had then, was a big deal).

On the days that I had migraines, though, if I couldn't stop them before they developed, I couldn't go to work - I usually had to stay in bed, in a dark room, until they were over.


Rosie,

I hope I'm right, but apparently, the jury is still out.

Thanks for the insight. I appreciate it.

Tex

[CAMary]

I've found pharmacists to be a far better resource about drug information and interactions. I was taking an asthma med (which is frequently prescribed off-label for preterm labor) when I was pregnant, and the OB told me I had to check my pulse before each dose, as it could cause a racing heartbeat (tachycardia?). Well I got a wicked head cold and cough (which triggered contractions) and the doc told me Sudafed & cough syrup would be fine...luckily my gut told me to check with the pharmacist - who told me ABSOLUTELY NOT! We really need to advocate for ourselves - and honestly with so many drugs out there, I wouldn't expect my MD to be current on pharmacology interactions.

Good job doing your homework, Tex!

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Tex,

I am praying for you and do understand the spikes. Have been experiencing them lately myself. With the heart condition, I try to be well aware of things. Also, my BP is registering about 25 to 30 ticks different on my left side (it is lower.) Saw my cardiologist last week and he is pretty sure it is due to a peripheral artery on that side being "compressed to a degree" by my clavical. Injured in the fall last year. Keeping an eye on it but he is not overly aggressive like some docs and as long as there is no numbness or tingling in the arm he feels it best to let "sleeping dogs lie." ABsolutely love him. PCP is another story.

Please keep a very good eye on this and do take care.

Love, Maggie

[tex]

Mary,

I hear you. I don't believe I'll make that mistake again. Next time a med is offered, I'll be checking out the interaction risks, before agreeing to anything.

I'll bet you're right about pharmacists, too. I noticed that they seemed surprised that I planned to take Azilect, and they had to special order it, but they didn't offer any thoughts on it, and it didn't occur to me to ask. (The neuro had described it as such a "safe" drug).


Maggie,

I'm sorry to hear that you're having a similar problem. I'll bet it's not all that unusual to have different pressure levels on opposite arms, but of course, the difference that you're experiencing, is probably much greater than is typical in such cases. I like your cardiologist's attitude, though. My PCP is a lot like that. He will write a prescription if I want it, (assuming that it's indicated for whatever ails me), but he never tries to "twist my arm". He usually eyes "exotic" diagnoses by specialists with suspicion, too, (even though he worked as a specialist himself, for many years - a colorectal surgeon). Come to think of it, when I told him that the neuro had diagnosed me with peripheral neuropathy and Parkinson's disease, he never questioned the peripheral neuropathy diagnosis, but it was clear that he didn't agree that I had Parkinson's disease. Apparently he was right.

I really believe that the "best" doctors are the ones who truly enjoy their work, (and it shows), as opposed to the ones who are in it for the money, and can't wait to get out of there, at the end of the shift.

Love,
Tex