hi all, surely I cant be on all this medication, I have had a stent fitted and got cad, no heart attack, I am on bisoprolol, lorsartan, isosorbide mononitrate, amlodipine, aspirin, clopidogrel, plus antidepressants, I still cant take in I may be on these for life. I'm rattling
thanks
Hello and welcome to the club nobody wanted to join. It’s a lot to take in (no pun intended) but you’ll come to terms with it like the rest of us. You may not be on all the meds for the rest of your life so don’t worry too much about that now. Just take it easy and do as the medics say. Take care
Hiya, yes I know the feeling. Having gone from taking one vitamin D tablet to multiple tablets is a bit overwhelming. As others have said hopefully the amount will be reduced overtime. I hope you’re tolerating them ok. Much easier if you are. Try to make them part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth. I’ve found this helps 🤞🏽👍🏽
Thanks for replying I'm tolerating them but I just feel I need longer to get going, where as before I could just get up and go, now I need to push myself
Yes I appreciate that feeling. I’ve been off work since March ‘22 and having sprung out of bed in the past I also now feel most mornings are a struggle. I also have to take a nap some afternoon’s as I’m absolutely exhausted. Lots of adjustments to life atm. Try to stay positive it can only get better. Keep a diary so you can read back … you’ll see how you’ve improved ❤️🩹
As above! Yes it’s hard to take in, you will get used to it, it’ll become a normal part of life. Some can be from a risk management perspective so it’s important to follow their recommendations. I felt the same why on earth so many but I resigned to it and not keen to risk not taking. I keep all my blister packs in an oversized mug! Near my armchair. We also have a kitchen drawer pretty much taken up with my meds. Also have a look at the nhs app so you can easily request repeats. Might need your gp practice to give you access. I find this easier to manage and get mine delivered (free). Also I could not afford all these meds (still working) so annual nhs prescription (pay £10 a month) is best. Technically my meds for rest of year are free. Apologies if saying what you already know. Good luck, it will become second nature.
Thanks I got them all on repeat my one draw is full also 😂😂😂😂thanks anyway ❤
On here I think we all rattle. If they put us in a room together the noise would be at a dangerous decibel level 😂😂. You’ll find a way to manage your medications that works for you. I’ve got those tablet daily organiser things. AM, PM and evening. Two weeks worth of pill containers. So I only have to blitze them all into their little boxed compartments once a fortnight. Initially I typed up a list of what they were, what they actually do, and when I take them. I admit I still keep the up to date list ( with a short summary on the back of my heart health) in my bags. As emergency medical information. If I’m ever in an accident I want people to know I’m on blood thinners, beta blockers and other stuff. As well as why my heart might be in an odd rhythm. But we will all have our own ways of managing it all. And you will too
The tablet organizer used to be called a dosset box, but our once English language has been marmalized. And auto correct is trying its hardest to forbid me to use the word.Actually, you have reminded me that fortnightly versions might be available. Mine is weekly. By filling weekly it does reduce the phycological impact.
Dear Shellac
Pills pills bloody pills everywhere, undo a box and the dreaded “ what can happen to you if you take these “ leaflet flutters out to join its mates in the bin.
You mention antidepressants which i believe is a battle in its self and I am glad that it could be the help you need.
So what have I done to try and control my life with drugs? I’ve turned into my late Mum and use a pill sorting box, twice a day, seven times a week , little pill boxes that if I go out for the day { pigs can fly } then I can take one with me and leave it somewhere along with my house and car keys/ phone and pacemaker ID card !
Filling it once a week seems to take the edge off opening each bloody box that just was a chore to do daily.
As you settle down ask your Dr/Cardiologist if some of your meds can be moved to your evening/night slot as many on here { me included } found that can help with our day side effects.
BUT ONLY ON YOUR DR/CARDIOLOGIST say so.
Take care you are in my thoughts.
We are all so different 😁
I say pill organisers and dossettes are the work of the devil👿
I tried one and accidentally took an overdose of my Diltiazem and Nicorandil ( don't ask🤷♀️🤦♀️)
On overnight stay in hospital was the result of that mistake.
I have to take my medication on time. If I am late, I'll get more chest pain.
I have an alarm on my phone. My family shout ' Pill time!' when it goes off.
8am, 6pm, 8pm and 11pm are the timings for me.
I get my pills ready late afternoon everyday.
If I am going out, they go in a pill box.
Can someone please explain why my statin pill is so small?
Wow thats an amazing system that { tell me if I’m wrong } only you understand !Take care
What’s wrong with having a small statin? It depends on the manufacturer. As pharmacists we love smaller tablets =smaller boxes=takes up less space on our crowded shelves.
no statins?thats usually the first one they put you on!
Yes I'm atorvastian 80 mg forget to put that on
Hi Shellac,
I feel you. I used to be one thyroxine a day... this is my morning now, with more at night.
I know I'm on a 3 month trial with some, so hopefully it'll be reduced soon!
Wow crazy thanks for replying ❤
Please make sure you take your levothyroxine at least 1/2 hour before all your other meds (and 1/2 before food, and caffeine drinks) as it will reduce its effectiveness - pharmacist here.
Thanks for the tip, I will do!
It should be on the label. I check with all my patients as absorption can be reduced by 25% and then the dose gets unnecessarily increased when a simple tweak can make a difference.
Here in Australia, I get mine made up by pharmacy,2 weeks at a time, no charge extra, it became difficult with so many plus some that needed to be halved were small. Changes all the time, but daily 24. My gp complains about how many, but constantly adds another, or cardiologist does. I do have to program the times on phone, old age l think. It's the price you pay for staying upright. You might be one of the lucky ones where you only have a couple after a year. All the best! Moni
Wow that's a lot x
Some of the medications may be dropped when your symptoms hopefully stabilise. This must have come as a nasty shock. Were your symptoms bad enough for you to expect this diagnosis?
Morning around xmas 2021 I was getting out of breath walking up the stairs and chest pain hospital did a CT scan and found a severely blocked artery and disease in other arteries
Yes, no doubt some of them are temporary medications. Were you taking anti depressants before the stents? Do you feel you need them now?
Been taking them for years I feel I need them thanks for replying
Good morning Shellac. I'm on a huge cocktail of drugs since used in double bypass in 2020. I feel good and think I would not be here if I didn't take them. In a also diabetic type 2 and take Phenergan to help me sleep. Good luck with your health. Have a good day x
Hi ShellacLike Milkfairy I have my phone alarm system 0700, 1900 and 2200 and a pill box for when I'm out.
I was diagnosed 2 years ago, it took me 6 months to accept it all and even now I have moments when I feel great as if nothings wrong. But I've learned to take it one tiny step at a time and build myself backup. I was a cyclist, swimmer, runner and hiker.
That all stopped 2 years ago and now getting back into it slowly, walking an hiking for me were the starters, slowly working out what's possible and my family have been supportive and helpful, also started swimming again. Not as fast as I use to, but leisurely. It's about finding your limits and whats comfortable for you. For me it's getting out and seeing the countryside and sharing time with family and friends. Perspectives change and attitudes to what you use to do, to what you can do change, but the biggest thing to remember is were all here and between all our experience we can help each other, and rattle together, don't be scared to ask questions, that's what the forums for. Take care.
I was given a sackful of meds after my stents were fitted with no explanation as to what they were for. After further consultation with GP after side affects, I was down to 3 - my original blood pressure tabs, aspirin and clopidogrel (the latter for 12 months only - hospital even got that wrong and put aspirin on repeat for 12 months only.)
I was able to give up any nitrates after stenting as wasn’t getting symptoms except when I had Covid. But let the stent bed in and then discuss with your GP. And the clopidogrel is only for 12 months. If you’re taking more than one anti hypertensive meds it’s advisable to take at least one of them at night. You’re currently on three, although amlodipine is also used for angina symptoms. (I’m a pharmacist)
Be patient… you will get there in due time…..
The general recommendation for Clopidogrel usage has now dropped to 6 months after a stent, not 12 months
After stemi heart attack (2018)and stent I too was on Clopidogrel. 6 months was stated on my prescriptions. Maybe just different circumstances of age, health or more likely health board 🥴
Hi, I would ask my cardiologist for a medication review. Sometimes they forget to do this and you get left on meds for no reason. You certainly are on a lot of meds. I am sure a review will decrease the number of meds you are taking. All the best
When you consider the alternative it's a small inconvenience.
Honestly, I felt just the same. From going into hospital with vertigo to being told that I had heart failure and was on a load of meds. Change your mind set…they are a friend and support, not an enemy.
As many have already said, I started an a substantial cocktail of meds after my heart attack with 2 stents in May 2021 and now I am just on 75mg asprin and 80mg Atovastatin after reviews with doc and pharmacist. So no longer rattling and doing 5 mile brisk walk daily with the hounds without any difficulty so make sure you have regular reviews with your cardiologist/doc/pharmacist to ensure you are having what you need and not taking things that you don't as you recover.
I was on 100mg of Losartan to control my blood pressure before I had my heart attack and stents. Afterwards the Losartan dose was reduced to 50mg and I was put on Prasugrel (similar to Clopidogrel), Aspirin, Atorvastatin and Bisoprolol. I was also prescribed a GTN spray, though I never had cause to use it. Over time the statin was changed (due to me experiencing side effects), the Bisoprolol dose was reduced, the Losartan is now down to 25mg and I no longer have the spray as it was deemed unnecessary as I had a triple bypass 11 months after my heart attack. I take Vitamin B to correct my homocysteine level.... an hereditary factor related to my heart attack.
The jump from a single medication to five was quite a shock. Somehow I felt as though the medication was there due to me having failed, but thankfully over time the feeling has gone away. Talking to others I soon realised how fortunate I am. A friend takes 17 different tablets each day, spread over 4 time slots. I just take my 5 with my breakfast and then I get on with my day. No pill boxes for me... I just pop them out every day. I think this helps me put it all at the back of my mind.
Medication
Medication
Medication 
To medicate or not to medicate, that is the question 🤔
Arthritis medication 
