Stopping heart: Hi,just got text from... - British Heart Fou...

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Stopping heart

Radars profile image
31 Replies

Hi,just got text from gp regarding stopping my heart meds due to my negative result on echocardiogram, I thought you couldn't stop them cold turkey, isosorbide mononitrate 25mg, atorvastatin 10mgs clopidogrel 75mg, any help please.

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Radars profile image
Radars
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31 Replies

I was in 60mg of isosorbide mononitrate and my cardiologist took me off it last Autumn.....within 48 hours I felt dreadful and thought I was having another heart attack.I spoke to my GP who told me to take it every day for a week, then a week on 30mg a day and then 30mg every other day for a week, following that process I had no effects of withdrawal at all.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to

Thanks, I stopped the clopidogrel on the 8th feb straight away, I think I will take the other 2 every other day for a week does that seem ok.

in reply to Radars

I'm no expert on this but what you've said sounds like a sensible solution.

Palpman profile image
Palpman

Apart from the nitrate the others are not actually heart medication.I'm not qualified but personally I've been on the others and cannot see why they cannot be stopped without problems.

The nitrate can be taken as a PIP so it should not be a problem.

The statin is one that I have stopped and restarted many times without problems.

Ask your pharmacist if you are concerned.

It would be interesting to know why you suddenly have to stop all these pills.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to Palpman

Thanks Because I had a stress echocardiogram on the 7th of feb and the result was that I managed 6 minutes on treadmill and managed a good peak heart rate,I have been referred back to gp who sent me a text today to stop meds.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to Radars

Oh I should have said that I have got a hiatus hernia with the symptoms similar to anjina.

kkatz profile image
kkatz in reply to Radars

Know the feeling had hiatus hernia.Clopidogril can certainly agrievate the gullet.

Palpman profile image
Palpman in reply to Radars

That's great news. It's logical that if your heart and bloods are normal then it's no use carrying on with those pills.

in reply to Palpman

Would have thought that clopidegrel as a blood thinner was a heart medication! as was only prescribed it after a stent? Although now a year on have stopped taking it instantly? as only prescribed for a year and no problems so far!

Palpman profile image
Palpman in reply to

Blood clots can occur in many places. Not only in the heart so it is not a heart medication. I took it to prevent clots in the legs and lungs.

Had I had a stent in my femur would it have been a leg medication?

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Palpman

Clopidogrel and statins are medications that can be used to treat many cardiovascular disorders.

Heart and blood vessels.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to Milkfairy

So I might still get problems with stopping the heart meds.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Radars

I suggest you discuss how and when to stop your medications with your GP.

I am not sure a text message from your GP's surgery is enough.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to Milkfairy

I know its not good,he just said stop the heart meds due to my negative echocardiogram and if my heartburn still gets worse we will see about increasing or changing to something else, how can you reply to anyone who just sends you a message on your phone, to ask anything you have to go on klinik on there website and a reply can take ages and all I get is a reply message on my phone from gp disgusting.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Radars

I wouldn't be impressed either!

I am really sorry you are left in limbo without proper support from your GP.

in reply to Palpman

Silly me thought a blood thinner would be related to heart so would be classed as medication for such however I am not an expert in medical or pedantic issues so will bow to your knowledge

Nuttyshirlz profile image
Nuttyshirlz

I was admitted to hospital in October because I found out the hard way. I was allergic to some antibiotics I’d being put on. When I was admitted to hospital all my pills were completely stopped and after 3 days I was only giving my bisoprolol 1.5g my other heart pills I’ve still not being put back on. Heart specialist said to my GP only to start as I need. But I’m too take my BP twice a day and email my readings to my dr. I do understand how you feel I was in panic mode when stopped mine lol

Deserrol profile image
Deserrol

You can. I stopped my clopridogrel and isosor.... straight off.

Deserrol profile image
Deserrol

BTW I felt fine after stopping them.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

I stopped all of those immediately but not all at the same time. No problems

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to Qualipop

Thankyou everyone from what I have been reading it will be ok to stop them,I get more information on here than I get from my gp I say my gp i should say a gp because its a different gp every time and they all say different things, they don't all look at your medical notes properly as I have found out on a couple of occasions.

Hi Radars,

I went through the same thing 2 years ago and had a small issue with missing the Isosorbide. The other 2 meds actually made me less sick after they were removed. Eventually I needed to get back on the Isosorbide for chest pain. I was told by my Cardio assistant that there are certain heart meds you can't quit unless you're checking into a hospital. But these 3 meds can make you feel ill going off, but not life threatening so I've been told by a medical professional.

I wish you all the Best!

Stay Strong!

Dusty68.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to

Thanks, I had a echocardiogram last week and the technician said my heart was ok so I have stopped heart meds.i have prostate cancer which I have had treatment for and heart meds aren't good for my hiatus hernia.

Exie8 profile image
Exie8

Sounds as if you don't need the isosorbide but I wonder why your GP has told you to stop the blood thinner and statin on the basis of an echo? I would suggest that a chat with your GP would be more appropriate than a text. Just saying!

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to Exie8

If the results of the stress echocardiogram says my heart is ok why take statins and clopidogrel, which are not good for my hiatus hernia.

ChristineK profile image
ChristineK

Why were you out on heart meds in the first place? After my HA, I was told by my cardiologist that I would be on heart meds for the rest of my life.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to ChristineK

Hi,because I have a hiatus hernia and the symptoms are similar to anjina hard for gps to know.

ChristineK profile image
ChristineK in reply to Radars

Oh, I see. It's good that you don't have a heart condition. I also have a hiatus hernia, but fortunately it's very small.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to ChristineK

Thanks, my hiatus hernia has got worse lately I have been on ppis for years, now I am taking 20mg rabeprazole twice a day, and gaviscon after each meal for 4wks,because been having sharp chest pain and back pain every now and then,I think it's the heart meds that's made my hiatus hernia flare up just have to see how i get on.

ChristineK profile image
ChristineK in reply to Radars

Sorry to hear that. Heart meds can really play havoc with your stomach. I am permanently on 30 mg of Lansoprazole to protect my stomach from Clobidigrel. Trouble is, Lansoprazole thins the bones and I already have osteoporosis. A lot of drugs interact with each other unfortunately. I hope your problem is resolved soon.

Radars profile image
Radars in reply to ChristineK

Thanks, Yeah what can you do but just have to keep going the best we can.

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