Kyolic Aged Garlic 600 - natural blood pressure reducer / Vitamins C & D and Zinc
I just wondered if anything of the above should/could change? I realise it's a very subjective matter and want to take what is required for a good life outcome. Currently not suffering too many side effects except perhaps some dizziness as I try and step up my recovery (ie: from fast walking to actual running).
I'd certainly like to hear opinions on which of the two thinners could be removed, clopidrogrel or aspirin?
and Bisoprolol (beta-blocker) - do I need to continue to take?
Any advice gratefully received as I weigh up all the pros and cons, stay healthy everyone!
Many Thanks
Andrew
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Andrew_H
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Same here as Hidden I am on Aspirin and the other blood thinner was Ticagrelor then at a year they stopped the Ticagrelor so you may find they might stop Clopidogrel
I still have to take 75mg of Aspirin
We do seem to take a cocktail of meds it can be quite nice when even just one they say we do not need now but see how you get on and let us know
I think they may keep the Clopidogrel from my own experience. I was put on Clopidogrel after a stroke and bypass in 2017, last year in October I had 2 stents fitted and my Clopidogrel was stopped and like you was put on Aspirin and Ticagrelor and my prescription stated in October 2022 I was to revert to Clopidogrel.
I lasted until last month and was suffering with breathlessness which never got better then had stomach cramps so I did a little research and decided to stop the Aspirin and Ticagrelor and go back on the Clopidogrel. It took until yesterday to get a phone call from my GP who understood my reasons and has now put me back on just Clopidogrel and I can't see it stopping.
I had the same problem of breathlessness with ticagrelor. IT's a known reaction. YOu probably weren't short of oxygen but it sure feels like it. I felt as if I was having an asthma attack. It was changed to clopidogrel because I couldn't bear the ticag any more. Thankfully now just on aspirin but because I got peptic ulcers I asked to swap it back to clopidogrel but he GP refused.
Yes I had read that was a side effect and I would wake up at nights gasping for air and even when shopping. It never happened when I was doing the exercises in rehab class so my cardio nurse could see it!! I told the nurse and she kept saying to stick with them, but after 7 months it wasn't improving then I started having stomach cramps which were lasting longer and getting worse.I stopped the Ticagrelor and Aspirin and started taking Clopidogrel and the gasping and cramps stopped. I am just so glad my GP didn't seem to bothered, I had been taking Clopidogrel for over 4 years without problem.
Hi Andrew_H, as per other Hearties have said, your GP may stop the Clopidogrel, but it’s up to the GP and yourself agreeing really. Also as Heather1957 said sometimes I think Clopidogrel is maintained and aspirin stopped. The side effects are always good to consider. Congrats on your one year anniversary , I must admit I have my one year in September and will also be glad to see if I can stop any of the meds. Take care, Judi
I had peptic ulcers from the aspirin so I asked my GP if I could stay on clopidogrel. He refused saying they know far more about how to treat any side effects of aspirin. (I'm guessing also that it's cheaper.
I didn't even get a 12 month review. I was signed off by the hospital where I had my bypass after 3 months. I had to remind my GP that I was only supposed to be on Clopidogrel for a year, but the prescription wasn't cancelled for another 6 months after that. Each year I get a blood test, but I have to request it.
4 years post op I'm settled on 75mg Aspirin, 1.25mg Bisoprolol, 25mg Losartan, 10mg Rosuvastatin, Vitamin B (to lower Homocysteine) and Vitamin D when the sun doesn't shine. 😀 My annual review consists of a question: Do I understand what my medication is for and am I happy with this? I haven't seen or spoken to a GP since I was given the all clear to drive again, almost 4 years ago,
My apologies for the delay in responding, almost immediately after writing my post I fell ill (unrelated) and just coming out the other side!
Thank you for the note and sorry to hear you didn't get a review, it seems sadly you have to chase for pretty much everything these days, I'm actually the driver of this review as they also hadn't been in contact!
Interesting also to note your statin is only 10mg and I'm currently on 80mg, and my mother is on 40mg - I'll ask what the criteria is tomorrow!
Doses of different statins are not direct equivalents. Atorvastatin is prescribed in 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg and 80mg doses, whereas Rosuvastatin is 5mg, 10mg and 20mg. It might be concluded that 10mg Rosuvastatin is equivalent to 40mg Atorvastatin, but that would be rather simplistic.
Pleased to hear you are on the road to recovery.... the same here courtesy of the unmentionable caught by spending too much time in airports. Not my fault, honest guv. 😯
I have to be pro-active as far as my medication is concerned. My GP once told me that I was a nightmare to medicate and how true that is. I can't take PPIs. Loop and thiazide diuretics strip out my potassium and I just feel like curling up and dying. I have to be very careful and question any change to my medication. Fortunately with the help of my GP and the practice pharmacist, I have now got a very well balanced cocktail and hopefully this will be the case for many years to come.
To some extent my GP practice have put me on the back burner as according to one doctor (not my usual one) I am "sorted". Of course I still need to keep flying my flag so I don't drop off their radar, hence why I chase up my annual blood tests.
Over the years one thing that I have found is that it has been worthwhile doing a bit of research and to certainly not just accept what is prescribed if I have had side effects. Unfortunately I know quite a few people who suffer unnecessarily, being unwilling to advise their GP of the problems they are experiencing with their medication.
Thank you for sending such a lovely note. I do try and not ‘bother’ the GP but I think I am starting to believe that sometimes it is just necessary if only to stop me worrying and experiencing side effects. After all it is their job. Sending best regards to you and very best wishes for good health. Take care, Judi
Hi Andrew - (62 yr old female) I had a HA in January this year resulting in a triple bypass toward the end of February. My daily medication is currently Bisoprolol 2.5mg (originally 1.25mg leaving hospital but the dose was raised as my heartbeat was still a little too fast and has now settled), Lansoprazole 30mg, Clopidorgrel 75mg, Aspirin 75mg and Ezetimibe 10mg. My discharge prescription said that the Clopidorgrel and Lansoprazole would be for one year only, but talking to the surgeon, he said that the aspirin and Bisoprolol would be for life. I suppose they'll confirm that at my one year review next February. So far, all's well.
My apologies for the delay in responding, almost immediately after writing my post I fell ill (unrelated) and just coming out the other side!
Sorry to hear about your HA and hope you are recovering well,
Thanks for the comments, interesting to see your statin is only 10mg and I'm currently on 80mg, and my mother is on 40mg - I'll ask what the criteria is tomorrow!
It's good to hear that you're feeling better from your recent illness Andrew and good luck for as full recovery soon.
My GP prescribed Ezetimibe after I was discharged from hospital this year as I can't take statins at all, my liver just can't cope with them. He explained that, although Ezetimibe is used to lower cholesterol, it works in a different way and is termed a “cholesterol absorption inhibitor”. Immediately on admission to hospital in January this year I was put on 80mg Atorvastatin daily. Four weeks later they took some blood the day before my planned operation and apparently my liver readings had become "deranged" - their word! - and the op was cancelled (again). I was immediately taken off Atorvastatin, my liver returned to normal very quickly and I had the by-pass two weeks later. I was prescribed statins 32 years ago, after a one-off SVT episode, and was taken off them again after 4 weeks all those years ago due to horrendous side-effects.
I think Ezetimibe is generally used together with a statin as a complementary medicine which helps to further lower cholesterol. My cholesterol is slightly raised (4.5 / 5)and, I suppose, the medics think I'm better taking Ezetimibe than taking nothing and, so far, I've had absolutely no side effects from it. I'll know how it's working when I have a blood test in August - fingers crossed!
I've copied a link below which gives a little more information on it, it's quite interesting:
I'm recovering from my HA and bypass operation very well and thank you for your kind thoughts. Hopefully returning to work on the 18th July (five months to the day after my op). It'll be a phased return, mornings only, to start with and I'm really looking forward to some sort of return to normality!
I was on a similar regime but was told, on discharge from hospital, to stop the Clopidogrel after 12 months.
Then at my 1-year review my cardiologist additionally stopped my Bisoprolol and reduced my Atorvastatin. This was based on some bloods my doctor had done and my records of BP and heat rate I had been keeping.
Hi Andrew, sorry to hear you have been unwell and glad to hear you are out the other side of it.
I went from 80 mg down to 40 mg and my Serum cholesterol level has stayed pretty much the same. But that said I have continued to loose weight, improve diet and get fitter, so I believe that helps.
Can only relate my own experience. On discharge I was taking a frightening cocktail each day, but 13 months on I'm down to Aspirin and Lansoprazole (stomach protection for the Aspirin) in the morning, and 40mg Atorvastatin at night. I also take a magnesium supplement (unprescribed) on recommendation of cardiologist to stop/reduce ectopic beats.
Best thing to get rid of was the Bisoprolol, but cardiologists were split on it. One said if I want to be around for the next decade or two, I need to be on them, but another said better off without them if BP, pulse rate ok. It's done away with the lightheadedness at least. I was afraid that my pulse rate was to low when on them.
My apologies for the delay in responding, almost immediately after writing my post I fell ill (unrelated) and just coming out the other side!
Great to hear that you've managed to reduce your medications, and I will certainly raise bisoprolol on my call tomorrow. As I was a prior raised BP patient before my CABG, I wonder if some of the medications may stay.
My apologies for the delay in responding, almost immediately after writing my post I fell ill (unrelated) and just coming out the other side!
Thank you for the note, I will raise the clopidrogel v aspirin debate when I have my GP call tomorrow.
Re my light headedness, thanks - yes as you do more you probably experience more, BP appears stable between 125-135/80-90 so will also raise this when I speak tomorrow.
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