Is it ok to miss some doses of meds

Obviously I know it’s not ideal to miss meds but I’m struggling with bad bout of diverticulitis and can’t keep anything in stomach. Only been since 5am but this is first bad bout I’ve had since STEMI and stents 14 months ago. I just can’t take meds - normally ramipril, ivabradine, isosorbide mononitratw, aspirin, ranolaxine and lansoprazole - plus other meds for other issues. I know people can’t give medical advice but maybe experience of similar issues? Thank you

[Hidden]

Hello

I suffer with IBS and diverticulitis recently had a stool test and that came back which had detected blood in it which could be diverticulitis and maybe triggered by my meds I have got to have further investigations done

However even though I suspect my meds I am on are not helping or could even be a cause of this happening I have always phoned either my Doctor , Consultant and even surgeon to ask and sometimes they have suggested tweaking my meds to see if it will help

I know we need these meds to protect our hearts so personally I would not miss any doses even though I know how you will be feeling without speaking at least to your Doctor first

I hope you manage to get some medical advice which will help with the Diverticulitis flare up as well as continuing to protect your heart

Let us know how you get on x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for reply and sharing experience. I just can’t keep even sip of tea down at moment. Tried calling GP but waited so long for answer had to ring off to get to bathroom. I’ve been so lucky for this not to flare up for about 18 months as usually end up hospitalised at least twice a year with it. My ramipril is being increased to max dosage so could be trigger but far more likely stress in my life at moment 😏. I’ll try meds again soon I think and get husband to try GP when he gets in if I still can’t take them. Thanks again

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello

There have been times when I have had to take the phone to the toilet with me which is not ideal even though can be sanitised after

I just keep pressing redial over and over again

I have sat doing that up to an hour but eventually got through , I know it is not easy

The increase in the med could very well be the cause and hopefully you can get to speak with someone to try and sort this out

I to thought I was getting away with it as it had been a year for me and coping ok on my meds till a couple of weeks before Christmas it flared up and has not settled down since

I hope your flare up settles down soon that you get to speak with a Doctor and you get it sorted out x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Unfortunately the phone just rings and rings until it eventually turns off😉. But I will get sorted.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Let us know how you get on x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Despite numerous attempts to get through to surgery still didn’t manage! Stopped vomiting so tried taking important meds an hour ago. So far so good. Still got diverticulitis pain but getting slightly better 🤞👍

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello

Since I last spoke to you I have been in touch with my surgery and I did get through but then fell out with them so not sure who has done better me or you ?

I am glad you have managed to take the meds , I do honestly know the pain you get with diverticulitis but priority is protecting your heart

But even if you have to literally spend all day just pressing that phone I would as you do need to speak with them and sounds like a medication change might be needed

I have had a few of mine changed so this is something they can do

Just had another thought

Is there anyway you or your Husband could actually get to the surgery and say we need to speak with a Doctor and had to come because it is impossible to get through on the phone line

Sometimes we have to do these things and I know I would if needs must

Fingers crossed that you stay settled for tonight

Let us know how you get on x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well my husband did actually offer to do this on his way back from hospital (he has light therapy treatment twice a week just now) as our GP is a not particularly nearby but I forgot to remind him 😏. Good thinking though. I seem to be improving and pain has definitely subsided a lot so I’ve been lucky as bouts usually last around 5 days. I hope you manage to get sorted. It’s so hard when we are sometimes totally dependant on whoever answers the phone. It’s also so hard got medics to get cocktail of drugs right. I think worrying about my youngest son - waiting to find out if he’s got cancer for 2nd time - has brought on diverticulitis this time rather than drugs but I’m still going to talk it through with GP when I see him. Thanks for your concern

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am glad you are feeling better than you were and so very sorry to hear about your Son's results you are waiting for this must be really hard for you and yes this is a reason you could have had a flare up

I hope everything goes well and you can always come and talk with us as sometimes knowing someone is listening can help x

[Handel in reply to Hidden]

Hello again. You really are going through it with worry for your son and husband. I hope everything goes well with them. It's funny how worry and anxiety can affect our bodies and your worry about your family seems to be doing that.

You've had some brilliant support from a lovely lady called BeKind who seems to be going through the same. It's sometimes reassuring to know you're not the only one!

Lots of love and some virtual hugs heading your way. Jan xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Handel]

Thank you so much. Appreciate your comments and yes Bekind is very supportive

[Handel in reply to Hidden]

😊xxx

[Hidden in reply to Handel]

x

[nellie237 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Luisbrady,

It sounds like you have been having an awful time. Glad to hear that it is settling down, and hope that it continues to subside.😊

In case this happens again, you really need to speak to your GP about 'sick days' and meds, because you may be advised to stop some meds for a few days. Heart meds can be hard on the kidneys & vomiting on top of that does not help at all. GP's are not very good at advising patients about this. Please make sure that you stay well hydrated.

[Hidden in reply to nellie237]

Thank you. That’s a good idea about ‘sick days’ I will be seeing GP soon ( if I ever get through to make appointment he wants me to make!) and will definitely ask him. Thank you for this.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Feeling much better today and can eat 😜👍. So have had meds as normal. Really appreciate supportive responses as I think I panicked with it being first debilitating bout since HA. Still waiting to hear any news about my son, bless him, he’s had urgent referral back to his oncologist and awaiting some test results. So hard as it’s only 2 years since last cancer when he was 27. Must stay positive though.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am so pleased you are feeling a lot better today and taken your meds

I hope you hear very soon about your Son and I am keeping everything crossed he gets that referral and it is not what you are thinking it could be again x

[Handel in reply to Hidden]

We're all keeping everything crossed that your son has a quick referral and the worries you're all feeling now can disappear. Thinking of you all. Jan xxx

[Handel in reply to Hidden]

I hope you get some help soon. This must be so miserable for you. Thinking of you.Lots of love. Jan xx

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

Ring 111. It still takes ages to get through but it's better than no advice. Or try the GP after lunch when not so busy.

[Hidden in reply to Qualipop]

Hi. Thank you for response. It was yesterday that o posted and am on the mend now but will try that next time if I can’t get through to doctors. Thank you again

[Handel in reply to Hidden]

What a lovely reply xxx

[RufusScamp in reply to Hidden]

Does your surgery have an on-line message service? Mine does, and I usually get a reply within the hour.

[Hidden in reply to RufusScamp]

Sadly not. Although I can order my meds online and leave messages about those 🤔maybe I should have tried putting something on there ! Thank you

[Handel in reply to Hidden]

😊💕

[Hidden in reply to Handel]

x

[bridgeit]

What a cocktail of drugs you have to take. It's no wonder your digestive system is reacting badly. I'm not medically trained but have a little experience with meds and digestive troubles.

I think it unwise to miss critical medication on a regular basis.

I reacted very badly to aspirin and not well to lansoprazole. Regular aspirin is the chief cause of gut troubles in my opinion. I was switched from aspirin to apixaban, which meant I could drop the lansoprazole. I also take 5g (heaped teaspoon) of L-Glutamine powder daily first thing each morning in half a glass of cold water to line my stomach/intestines with mucus. The gut loves this highly supportive amino acid.

It might also help your system to take a 'good gut flora' supplement for a while, or regularly, to re-populate your GI tract with the right kind of bacteria to aid digestion.

L-Glutamine can be found at naturesbest.co.uk/your-goal...

Ignore the hype about fitness training; it's irrelevant when taking L-Glutamine for a leaky/unsettled gut.

I've used Probio 7 advanced and Bio Kult good gut bacteria supplements. I've found either are effective.

As always, speak with your GP or pharmacist to check that any supplement you're thinking about taking is safe alongside your current meds.

I hope this is useful info and that your system soon settles when you find a regime that works for you.

[Hidden in reply to bridgeit]

Thank you very much for helpful response. I will talk to my GP and see what he thinks. I used to have 3 more heart-related meds to take as well as these but had to stop because of severe side effects. I’m lucky as my heart has improved EF back to normal level ! Thanks again

[BongoBaggins]

I forget sometimes. But the goal is to reduce blood pressure/heart rate/etc over time. Worrying about missing the odd day here and there probably causes you more stress then the missing medication!Just take it when you can, and chill.

If you miss extended periods, talk to your GP or support about it.

[Hidden]

Thank you. Yes that makes sense and you’re right about causing more stress worrying 😉. As another poster suggested as well I will talk to GP about ‘sick days’ cheers

[jerry12953]

After a recent review appointment with a cardiologist ( a second opinion) I was told the following -

It was fine to stop my daily atorvastatin for a couple of months to see it was causing some possible side effects. He said that giving the statin a break for that long would not significantly increase my risk of having a heart attack. I am back on it now as my troublesome symptoms did not decline during the "two months off".

Similarly he said it was on balance fine to stop taking low-dose aspirin completely, because for those who hadn't already had a heart attack, as one gets older the risks of side effects from aspirin become greater than the benefits. So I no longer take aspirin.

This is the sort of information it is SO hard to get from the medical profession.......

[Hidden in reply to jerry12953]

That’s very interesting. I must admit I’d prefer not to take some of the meds but I know they keep my heart ok and reduce the angina attacks. Unfortunately I did have a major heart attack so I’m stuck with aspirin ! Thank you

[marigoldb in reply to Hidden]

I had a stent in 2013, the aspirin daily is most important for the stent, according to my cardiologist. Which he said on the angiogram prior to my OHsurgery in 2019 was looking pristine!Since surgery I take Apixaban 2.5 mg am and pm, and all is going well

I do take Omemeprazole am too.

I have other meds, but am lucky that don’t have any side affects. Every body is different in reaction to their meds, and some of you are really suffering! Best wishes x

[Hidden in reply to marigoldb]

Thank you. Yes as you say it’s difficult as people react so differently to the medications or even doses. I think I just panicked as it’s first debilitating bout I’ve had since HA 😟. But I feel better able to sort this in future and have been given good suggestions to act on. Lots of reassurance Thanks again

[pasigal]

If you miss a day or so it should be fine. I am just getting over a nasty gastroenteritis caught from my daughter and couldn't keep anything down. This morning I ground my a.m. pills and put in a spoonful of apple sauce.

[Hidden in reply to pasigal]

Thank you for response. I have managed tablets this morning so I’m less anxious about that now - provided they stay down 😳🤣. I might well try your suggestion if I have another bad bout. Thankfully much better today - not totally gone but big improvement 😊

[Hidden in reply to pasigal]

I hope everything has improved for you ?!🤞