More Info on Imdur

Here is what I found out about Imdur.

1 - Take on empty stomach with 4 ounces of water.

2 - Do not exercise until one-two hours after taking Imdur (Opps)

3 - Headaches are VERY common!

4 - No alcohol!

This med is the first that I have taken that is going to take some work & focus!

Imdur-Isosorbide

Imdur-Isosorbide

This is potent stuff!  What does it do?

Imdur is in a group of drugs called nitrates. Isosorbide mononitrate dilates (widens) blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow through them and easier for the heart to pump.

 For the past few days it has given me a BIG headache!  The side effect listed are:

• fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heart rate;
  
• feeling like you might pass out;
  
• trouble breathing, blue-colored skin, tired feeling; or
  
• worsening angina pain.
  

Less serious Imdur side effects may include:

• headache, mild dizziness;
  
• warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin;
  
• nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea;
  
• pain or stiffness in joints or muscles;
  
• hot flashes; or
  
• dry mouth.
  
   As I mentioned earlier, my exercise in the morning has been going well!  I have not seen my heart rate monitor go crazy one time!  And the headaches seem to be getting better!  I will try to drink more water and track my headaches!
  

A Look at My Medications

 The experiment continues, the doctors have changed my meds, again we are looking to get a handle on the PVC's.  The changes are as follows:

 Metoprolol - I am now taking 50 mg instead of 100 mg.  I told the doctor, when I did my exercise I felt lethargic and could not get my heart rate up above 80-85, and still had the PVC's around 78-80.  When I exercised before taking my meds in the morning I could get to 90-95 hart rate and PVC's would come around 90.

New drug - Isosorbide.  I have been on this for two days.  The first day I got the heart rate up to 90-95, and I had no VISIBLE PVC's!  And I felt good exercising.  The draw back is after lunch I have had headaches.  This is supposed to be a common side affect.  And I usually never have headaches!  I will keep an eye on this!

Medicines Old – Before Open Heart Surgery

Aspirin EC Tab                      81 mg                        1 per day                       AM

Lipitor(Atorvastatin)             40 mg                        1 per day                        PM

Singulair(Montelukast)          10 mg                        1per day                        AM

Aciphex(Rabeprazole)           20 mg                        1 per day                       AM

Medicines New – After Open Heart Surger

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

Results of Cardiologist Visit - 6 Month Checkup

The visit to the cardiologist proved to be very interesting.  The Blood tests were all good, the only work is the HDL, which will take some focus & weight loss to improve, plus continued exercise.  The results of the 24 hour heart monitor were fascinating!

For 22 hour period, my heat had 87,121 heart beats, and during that same time I had 1,621 PVC's!!!!

That was a surprise to me!  So, I must be having some during the day when I am not exercising!  As of now, they are not dangerous, but I cannot have a "run" (that is 4-6 in a row).  The "runs" only seem to happen when exercising.

So, here is the next experiment - a change of meds - Dr. Marwaha suggested the following, with some of my input.

The Metoprolol will go from 100 mg a day to 50 mg.  I noticed two things, 1-the Metoprolol makes me feel tired and when exercising, I have trouble raising my heart rate and the PVC's just will come at a lower heart rate.  So, we are trying to go to the 50 mg dosage.

A new drug, Isosorbide (Imdur or Isotrate).  This is a nitrate that is used for angina (heart pain) I do not have any pain, but this may help with any issues with my PVC's.

Found another website for a look at PVC's at the Mayo Clinic.

So, the experiment continues!  My next appointments are in September when I will see Dr. Worley who is the specialist with heart electrical issues.

Healing a Heart with Father's Day

It seems that after open heart surgery a lot of things seem different!  Today I was lucky enough to have both sons treat me to a round of golf!  Good weather, both boys together, and fours hours of quality time with my sons!  One reason golf is a great father - son sport!

As I said 6 months ago, one way I calmed my nerves was as I prepared for my operation on December 13, I focused on teeing off at Royal Oaks Golf Course, as the drugs put me to sleep, I played the first hole, then the second, then the third and the next thing I know I was waking up from surgery sometime late Monday afternoon on December 13th.

Well, today, June 19th, I had a chance to play the course for REAL, with my sons Jared & Josh!  What a difference 6 months makes and what a great day to be a Dad!

PS:  They also paid for it!