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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Heart Meds

Still taking the following heart meds:

Aspirin EC Tab                           81 mg                        1 per day                       AM
Lipitor(Atorvastatin)                  40 mg                        1 per day                        PM
Amlodipine                                  5 mg                        1 per day                        AM
Plavix(Clipidorel Bisulfate)       75 mg                        1 per day                        AM
Metoprolol(Lopressor, Toprol)   50 mg                        1 per day                        AM
Isosorbide (Imdur or Isotrate)     30 mg                        1 per day                        AM

Before surgery, I was on the Aspirin & Lipitor (only 10 mg).  I am still researching the other meds:
Amlodipine
Metoprolol
Isosorbide
Plavix

The PVC problems that I am still having is the only issue 8 months after surgery.  And the doctors are treating the PVC's with the meds - Amlodipine, Metoprolol, & Isosorbide.  As I have stated before, I could probably go the rest of my life like this, but when the heart rate reaches 100-110 I begin my PVC runs.  It feels like bad gasoline in your car, as I increase the heart rate I feel a sputter in the heart & my monitor goes crazy.  I back off & things are good.

From what I read the first treatment is usually - Metoprolol in doses from 12.5 - 200 mg daily.  I was on 50 to start & went to 100 and I am back at 50 mg.  The major side effect is feeling tired & crappy.  When I was on 100 mg I felt tired, now on 50 mg I feel a little better.

This website has a discussion on PVC's & Metoprolol.

The Amlodipine is another beta-blocker (lowers blood pressure) and I was put on that originally because my one by-pass had a spasm.  It was the by-pass that used the artery from my left arm.  They said this was common.  But, the question is for the doctor, must I stay on this, and what about the spasm?  The spasm was discovered when I had my second heart cath.

So, I an continuing to take the meds, but as I mentioned in earlier blogs, would love to try life without the beta-blockers - Metoprolol & Amlopdipine.  I need to wait till October to find out!

My next check-up is October, Dr. Worley had to move my appointment back because of a conflict in his schedule.

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