Hello everyone, I hope you are all managing to enjoy the spring sunshine!
A question from me, it is now nearly 18 months since my bypass, for which I am grateful every day. I have changed meds more than a few times due to adverse side effects and find that even the lowest dose of the meds I am on can cause continued side effects all be it not too much. Do we all experience some side effects long term and therefore something ‘we just put up with’ or do we carry on trying to find yet more alternatives? Just interested in your views. I am fortunate not to be on too many meds, and I also know that due to being type 1 diabetic sometimes the meds can interact with that.
Thanks, as always for reading my post 😊
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Heyjude31
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A tickly cough from Ramipril. If I've been at a loud party or if I've been cheering on a sports team, then the next day I'll sound a bit hoarse and have a slight sore throat. No biggie.
A sudden feeling of tiredness from Bisoprolol. When it hits it can be overpowering, but what I've learnt is that it's actually pretty easy to deal with. A quick walk in the fresh air, or just getting up on my feet and doing something, is normally enough to bat it away.
Little scratches that won't stop bleeding due to aspirin. I've learnt to cope by keeping styptic pencils and "plastic skin" scattered around the house, in my car, and in my washbag.
Achey muscles from statins. Although maybe that's down to training, exercising, and generally behaving like a thirty year old even though I'm in my sixties!
The hard fact is that there are only two things that can keep us healthy and safe. That's life style changes and medication. Nothing else can grant us extra precious days of active life. So I intend to double down on both of them. A few side effects are a trivial price to pay for more time in this beautiful, wonderful, amazing world.
Thank you so much for your wise counsel and your perspective. I really appreciate it. I was in the garden today, enjoying the sunshine and doing some long overdue weeding as well as preparing some dahlias for the summer, before planting out. As you say sometimes it’s important to focus on our beautiful, wonderful and amazing world. Thank you again, Judi
I’ve found your post really helpful, thank you. My husband has the tiredness and coughs that last forever (going through the cough issue at the moment).He has been on medication 4 years now. He’s been to the doctor many times requesting medication reviews and gets nowhere but next time he tries he can arm himself with that information.
Hello, I am sorry your husband is experiencing ill effects from the meds. There are so many alternatives that he should be able to find one more suitable. The cough and tiredness can be so debilitating! I don’t know if it’s possible for you but could he change gp? I do hope he gets it sorted. Take good care, Judi
I think I've been pretty lucky with my meds (aside from statins as my liver is intolerant). Over the course of a year, after a triple by-pass last February, the bisoprolol dosage was raised twice as they felt my heart rate was a little too high. I was started on 1.25, raised to 2.5 and am now on 5mg per day since December and everything has settled in well. All in all, I've a few minor issues but nothing that I can't cope with. The bisoprolol does make me feel over-tired sometimes but usually in late evening so it's near bedtime anyway. There are so many variations of medications that do the same job, so I'd keep talking to your GP until you find one which suits. Carol
Thank you Cee-Cee1, I am glad you are doing well with your beds overall. I am going to leave it for a few more weeks and see how it goes and then speak with the gp if necessary. Thank you for replying and take care, Judi
Hi, I am just 4 months post HA and am wondering the same thing, so am interested in the replies. So far some side effects have gone, others I suppose I'm just getting used to and figure that's what I have to put up with, because the side effect is better than the risk of not taking a medication. But if other alternatives are available, it might be good to talk to dr about.One thing I notice all the time is bruises from blood thinners, always a surprise where they pop up. Currently 7 on my legs - no idea how they even got there! Oh well, I use arnica cream on them, and that helps.
Hello, thank you for responding. Are you on blood thinners for a long time or will you stop them after a year? , then the bruising will go. I was on Clopidogrel for 12 months and then it was stopped. I still take aspirin which is fine. I will see how I get on with my bp meds and then talk to the doctor if needed. I hope your recovery continues very well!!! Take care, Judi
Yes, I think that is the plan too, to stop clopidogrel after 12 mths but stay on aspirin and the other meds. (Beta blocker & ACE inhibitor)You take care too!
Hi heyjude31,I'm only 13 weeks post op from double cabg so still early days. I think it depends what meds you are taking? You jaunt mentioned them in your post
Also it depends on the time of day you take them and how close to other meds! I think im lucky as I havnt had any problems. I was taken off clopidogrel/ prasugrel after my op? Still don't know why. My bisoprolol was reduced right down to 1.5mg and perindopril reduced from 4mg to 2mg. Were all different aren't we! What suits one person may not suit another. Congratulations on your revovery!! I hope you feel well!? I've a wee way to go yet. Unfortunately no real aftercare/ information post op so had to find out alot myself.
Hello, thanks so much for your reply. I do hope your recovery continues very well. I am fine, I had a checkup in January with a Cardiologist who was brilliant. I will see how my meds go in the next month or so and then speak to the doctor if needed. Take care and onwards and upwards for you! 😊😊
Just following up on this topic – is there a right ie better time or a “wrong” time to take particular meds to negate some of the side effects that many experience? (I’m on Bisoprolol, Apixaban, and Atorvastatin).
Hello, I think it’s trial and error about what works individually for each of us, though I have heard it is good to take my bp tablet at night. I did take two medications probably too close together a couple of days and had problems with my digestion. Once I changed the timing I was much better. I am sure others will have a view too, I am not sure there is a ‘right and wrong’ take care, Judi
Hi, I remember being told to take the cholesterol one at night because that's when the cholesterol is stickier or something. I take clopidogrel & aspirin in morning and found it best after food, otherwise I got an upset stomach.
I'm glad you asked that question Guinness as I'd be interested in the answers as well (ps - I shared my home with two much loved Chinchillas called Guinness & Basil for many years!). Carol😀
Hello, I am very glad you have found a medication that works for you, it takes a while but we get there in the end! I am going to wait another few weeks and speak to the gp if necessary. I hope my name makes you sing 🥰 take care x
Yes - I had 4 stents fitted during a heart attack, I'm finding that after the first 6 months I started to settle in with the drugs, but now, 9 months later, I still get a little bit light headed for a couple of seconds when I stand up. After that though, I'm fine. As everyone else said here - I'm just so grateful to be alive every day. In my opinion, something like this is a real changer of your perspective for the better, appreciating all the things that you used to miss altogether when you go for a walk etc.
All the best to you... go with the flow, and stay young at heart.
Thanks ever so much Harry and good to hear your side effects are manageable. In the sunshine today doing some gardening, the side effects are less noticeable when you are busy doing things and being out in the fresh air is wonderful!
All the best to you too! As you say go with the flow, and you definitely sound young at heart! Take care, Judi
Hey Jude welcome to my world of side effects. I too have a body that feels it is it’s right to reject any foreign matter I pop in my mouth. Diagnosed at 23 years old with hypertension and advised it would be a lifetime medication regime. It took 2 years and numerous meds to find right ones. At 61 I had CABG and more meds. At 68 I had Out of hospital SCA yet more meds and another bit of hardware. My point is I only seem to be able to tolerate lowest doses of meds and measure the onslaught of side effects in 3 levels. Minor and can live with, Moderate and will give it a hell of a try before giving up and Absolutely intolerable and stop the meds no matter how good they are for me. Started as a child and found intolerant to penicillin. Antiviral meds when I had shingles. Statins seem to be really a no no, tried 5 different ones before giving up. Bisophrol next, 2.5mg floored me. 1.25 is max. Entresco is playing havoc with my bowels, currently being rated Moderate. Dapa seems to be OK but early days so we need to wait for another couple of months to assess level of tolerance!!! Can be quite annoying when partner never suffers any side effects of anything he is prescribed.
Hello, thank you for taking the time to reply. Gosh it sounds as though you have really been through it with the various medications. I must confess to being naive about meds and didn’t expect to react so severely to some of them. Like you I take the lowest dose I can. I ended up in hospital last year, I was in so much pain which fuelled anxiety all because of side effects . Thankfully I am okay at the moment but the longer I take them the worse the reaction! It does annoy me a little to that my other half seems to have no adverse reaction, but then I am glad for him! Statins have been really difficult for me too.
I hope that your side effects settle down or you find suitable alternatives, I really do as it’s horrible to have such bad reactions. Take care and be well x
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