medication before and after stents fitted

[Sparkle58]

Evening all

It's about 4 weeks since my stents went in and they gave me some new medication to take before I went home the same day.

No-one at all in the hospital mentioned to keep taking the tablets I was indeed already on before the stents or to stop taking these and take the new set of medication instead. (I was however offered a (heart-healthy?) cheese or ham sandwich and later told to be aware of additives tinned tuna may contain-didnt know whether to laugh or cry)

I just assumed I was to take these new tablets instead so I stopped the previous tablets.

Today the nurse on my follow up telephone appointment tells me there is nothing in the hospital notes that mentions stopping the first set of medication I took before the stents were fitted.

I am checking with my GP surgery 1st thing tomorrow (theoretically) to have this situation clarified. My friend just cannot believe this mistake, oversight was allowed to happen.

So just interested if anyone else ever experienced a similar unacceptable breakdown in communication regarding their medicine, not best being properly managed?

I will hopefully find out tomorrow if I have missed 4 weeks of two. different tablets I was supposed to be carrying on taking. Is it not reasonable for us all to expect any changes to our medication to be properly and comprehensively explained to us and at the same time ensure we/a helper, clearly understand? (Unheard of 30+ years ago?)

Thanks for reading.

I

[MountainGoat52]

Communication is the key to good health care. Unfortunately it seems few in the NHS are trained to pass on the information patients need - it can be like getting blood out of a stone. I count myself to be very fortunate in that the sister in the cardiac unit I was in after my heart attack actually explained what each medication that I was put on was for. I went home fully briefed. The following year when I had my bypass op, again the few changes that were made were explained, even down to the codeine I was sent home with, but thankfully never needed.

I'm pleased that you are contacting your GP for clarity this issue. Hopefully you will have clarity on the matter very soon. 😀

[Sparkle58 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you for your reply. At least here we know we aren't alone. Enjoy your weekend

[Sparkle58]

Thanks for your kind reply. Enjoy your weekend.