Are People on Too Many Drugs?

Interesting article on patients on medications?  How many meds or supplements are you taking?  I am at 8!  I remember my mother at age 83 being on ZERO!!!

Take a look at the video discussion at theHeart.org- Are our Patients on Too Many Drugs?

I really think this is a critical question for patients - AND WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE!!!!

It makes me think of ways the average patient can intelligently discuss this topic.  Here are some of my ideas:

1 - Research your meds!  This is a double edge sword - the internet is great, but is the information accurate?  YOU MUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

2 - Doctor meds versus meds or supplements you take on your own!  What are you taking on your own?  ALWAYS ASK YOUR DOCTORS!!  And doctors even disagree!  My family doctor & cardiologist did not agree at times!  Who do you believe?

3 - Categorize your meds & supplements?

Here is my breakdown -

1 - Allergies & Asthma - Singulair

2 - Stomach Issues - Aciphex

3 - Heart Issues - Aspirin, Amlodipine, Metoprolol, Clopidogrel, Atorvastatin, & Omega 3 Fish Oil

PVC's and Exercise

Discovered another fascinating article on exercise & PVC's at a new website:

The new website - The Heart.org

And the article:  Recovery PVC's on Exercise Test are Prognostic

There are many interesting parts to this article on PVC's.  First, PVC's after exercise is BAD!

Dewey told heartwire: "Recovery premature ventricular complexes [PVCs] seem to be more significant than PVCs that occur during exercise testing. They seem to have some prognostic significance, so that there appears to be additional risk stratification provided by arrhythmias during recovery," he noted. In contrast, PVCs occurring solely during exercise have limited prognostic significance, he said.


The good news is:

PVCs during exercise were associated with increased mortality rates only if accompanied by PVCs after exercise. But "similar to previous findings in clinical cohorts . . . recovery PVCs were robustly associated with adverse prognosis regardless of the presence of PVCs during exercise.

This is seems to help my concern!  I do monitor my exercise with my heart rate monitor.  I do not have PVC's in the recovery phase of my workouts!

Meds taking a Year and a Half After Open Heart

Here is my list of meds that I am taking:

Aspirin - 81 mg
Atorvastatin - 40 mg (generic lipitor) - (was on 10 mg before surgery)
Singular - 10 mg (for my allergies & asthma)
Aciphex - 20 mg (for my stomach)
Amlodipine - 5 mg (after heart surgery)
Clopidogrel - 75 mg - (generic plavix) - (after heart surgery)
Metoprolol - 25 mg -(after heart surgery)
Omega 3 - Fish Oil - 1000 mg

So far, so good!  I seem to suffer no side effects from any of my medicines.  My PVC's after heart surgery seem to be under control. (Still get them at a heart rest of 120 & up)

Next cardiologist appointment is January 2013!!!

New Generic Med - Clopidogrel

Here I go again - getting excited about a new generic to save money$$$$$$$$$$$

The generic will take the place of Plavix - Clopidogrel!

Clopidogrel (Brand name: Plavix)

www.nlm.nih.gov

Clopidogrel is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks in patients at risk for these problems. Clopidogrel is in a class of medications called antiplatelet drugs. It works by helping to prevent harmful blood clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes. Clopidogrel comes as a tablet to take by mouth.

Now I go from $20 a month to $5 for this new generic!!

Why is this medication prescribed?

Clopidogrel is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks in patients at risk for these problems. Clopidogrel is in a class of medications called antiplatelet drugs. It works by helping to prevent harmful blood clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes.

What side effects can this medication cause?

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Clopidogrel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• excessive tiredness
• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• nosebleed

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• black and tarry stools
• red blood in stools
• bloody vomit
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• slow or difficult speech
• weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg
• vision loss
• fever
• shortness of breath
• fast heartbeat
• pale skin
• purple patches or bleeding under the skin
• confusion
• yellowing of the skin or eyes