Less and Less Activity

Been awhile since posted anything, but do keep reading the site, in 07 had heart attack, full blockage on right, stented, later more stents another on right, one on left, damage to heart, had ICD put in 08, told in 09 not any thing else they can do for me as my arties are hardeing (please excuse spelling). except give medication. I am 69 years young. In the last three months since been put on Diovan, 80 mg once day, seems my engery level has been reduced to near zero, walking distance cut to less than couple blocks, am wondering if any one else that takes Diovan along with, isosorbide 60 mg, once day, metoprolo 25 mg twice day, plavix 75 mg once day, baby asprin 81mg once day,or any combination close to these meds have the same reaction..I go back in for another 6 month check up in September and have been told they will be raiseing dosages of isosobride and metoptolo every six months as necessary. It seems that the more of dosages the less of activity can do, any suggestions would help.

2 Comments

Problems

by SMITTY - 2009-07-28 12:07:39

Hello Jim & Pa,


I'm not trying to play a one-up game here but I'm 80 years old and I too have atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries, or blockage) and I had bypass surgery for mine in 1982. Since then I've had 4 stents and a pacemaker implanted. At sometime or the other in the last 27 years I have taken every one of the medications you are taking, but not all at the same time, thank goodness. I will tell you what I know about them and what the side effects were for me.

Isosorbide is a in effect a long acting nitroglycerin which is given to prevent or treat chest pain. I can't take any form of long acting nitro because of intense headaches. So I use the little tablets as needed. I still get a headache but fortunately I don't need them very often.

Diovan is for high blood pressure. I took it (I don't recall the dosage) for a short while but had to stop because it ran my BP too low.

Metoprolol is a beta blocker that slows the heart rate to prevent or treat heart disease and lower BP. I've taken this one or one of several different beta blockers over the years and without fail they have caused a total lack of energy and I just generally felt bad. I have often described my feeling to the doctor as being like I had the flu, but without the fever. It for certain stopped any attempt at exercise.

For several years I have refused to take a beta blocker. Doctors don't like that attitude but at 80 I I'm no longer interested in meds for their long term effects. I want results in a short time or I don't want the meds if they will make me feel bad or if they cost an arm and a leg. I know I'm a good doctors nightmare, but ---, we will just leave it there.

Plavix is supposed to help keep the arteries open. I can't take it because after a couple of days I look as if I have the measles. Also, it is one of those "long term results" meds and it is expensive for me.

Aspirin, I take a full grown one at least once a day. It is supposed to help the Plavix work better. I'm going to be snotty here. I've always wondered which is helping the most, the aspirin or the Plavix as even the Plavix TV commercial say "when taken in conjunction with aspirin---."

Now the above is my experience with these meds and as you know we all react differently to different meds. So all I'm offering this for is to maybe help you come up with some questions for your doctor.

Good luck,

Smitty

Hello!

by Hot Heart - 2009-07-30 07:07:54

Sorry dont know anything about meds, but just saying I hope you get sorted out soon.

HH

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