New to all this.
Hi Folks,
I had my heart attack this past December. I was in ICU for 9 days. I had a helium balloon pump in for 4 days. Total time in hospital 14 days.
This April I had a St Jude implantable Defibrillator and a pacemaker. I am on a number of meds.
Advair, Proair HRA, Nitrostat, Ambien CR, Diphenoxylate, Furosemide, Lorazepam, Plavix, Simvastatin, Citalopran, Bystolic and Famotidine.
I don’t know what to expect from the defibrillator (what is it going to feel like if it goes off, and what if I am driving?) As well I don’t know anything about the pacemaker?
My Blood Pressure is always very low; I get dizzy and sometimes pass out because of the low blood pressure. I get so tired I cannot move.
Is there anyone that can help me and teach me a thing or two? I have a great Doctor, he and his staff just seems not able to tell me what to do or what to expect!!!!
Thank you,
Vance
3 Comments
hmmmmmm
by Pookie - 2010-10-19 12:10:42
I too was on numerous medications when I first received my pacemaker (but none were for my heart) and I also had (and still have) a few other medical issues to deal with...with all that being said, what jumped out to me from your post is the sleeping pill, the Lorazepam AND Celexa.....those 3 alone made me very very dizzy. I was a walking zombie.
Personally, the next time you get the opportunity to have an appointment with your doctor, I'd take all your pills in with you...yes all of them...I'm quite certain that he doesn't remember every drug you are personally taking and if he actually sees them all with his own eyes, perhaps the 2 of you can go through them to see if any can perhaps be eliminated or at least cut down on the dose.
I was in the same boat as you, actually I was on way more pills, but I first made an appointment with my Pharmacist, again bringing all my medicine bottles with me, and she was kind enough to go through each and every one with me and educated me on what each would do, the side effects, etc so I was well armed with knowledge when I went to see my doctor.
I felt a whole lot better after getting rid of some and being able to lower the dose on others.
Again, this is something you cannot decide on your own, you should have a frank discussion with your doctor about this.
I don't even know how your stomach can tolerate it all:)
Good luck.
Oh, sorry I don't know anything about defibs, as I have a pacemaker, but give it a few days and some of our members will help you out.
Take care,
Pookie
Feeling Bad
by SMITTY - 2010-10-20 11:10:06
Hi Vance,
When I saw your message the thought went through my mind that while I had heard of people having to take many different medicines you are the first I have seen with such list. I wondered if any of these were contraindicated by others you are taking. But try as I may I couldn't get a cross check on all of them. What I would suggest you do is take a list of your medicines to the pharmacist and ask them to do a cross check for you. To me this is especially important if you are taking medicines that were prescribed by different doctors.
I am listing your meds below with their purpose so others here can see how lucky many of us are when we have to take only 4 or 5 different meds each day. When looking at you list and comparing them to the 4 I take (I take the Nitro and furosemide on your list) I was reminded of the old story about the fellow that felt sorry for himself because he had no shoes until he saw the fellow that had no feet. My 4 are nothing when compared to your 12.
In all honesty, as I looked at that list, I thought that if you have to take each of those every day, how in the world do you navigate? The number looks overwhelming, but on the other hand you are alive and could post your question here so deliver me from saying that is too many.
As for answering your question about feeling so tired and having low blood pressure I know that is one of the side effects beta blockers of which bystolic is one. As for your other complaints, I have to suggest that you make an appointment with your doctor with the understanding that you are coming in with a list of questions about what is going on with you. You may have a great doctor, but if he is leaving you in the dark about your condition, then maybe it is time to see if you can get a second opinion.
I wish you the best,
Smitty
Advair, can help you manage your COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Proair HRA, is a quick-relief inhaler that can help you manage asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Nitrostat, (Nitroglycerin) patches or tablets are used to prevent episodes of angina (chest pain)
Ambien CR, a dual-layer prescription sleep aid for the treatment of insomnia
Diphenoxylate, is used to help stop diarrhea
Furosemide, a diuretic used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and edema
Lorazepam, an antianxiety medication and also a mild tranquilizer
Plavix, used to prevent blood clots after a recent heart surgery
Simvastatin, used to lower cholesterol.
Citalopram, used to treat depression in adults
Bystolic, beta-blocker and is used to treat heart problems and to treat hypertension
Famotidine, used to treat ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
You know you're wired when...
You have an excuse for being a couch potato.
Member Quotes
So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.
A thought Shared
by New Me - 2010-10-18 11:10:54
Originally Advair was the cause of my A-Fib, Bystolic caused my BP to drop fast.....Ambein....no way....I am not a medical person but just a thought..too many meds are working against each other .