Cardiac drugs - side effects

[Gigi70]

I am not happy about this new drug prescribed by the Heart Failure nurses. I am on this medication which was the first of 3 extra meds that this HF team believe I need. One of these 3 is a drug called Spironalactone which I was taken off in October as deemed unessesary by my cardiologis?

Since this new drug Entresto replaced my bp medication - my bp was better controlled for a few days then bouts of increased palpitations began and are getting worse. I also have developed the cough sensation as I had with Ramapril. The Palpitations were being addressed prior and were not fully resolved. I understand its missed beats.

What I cannot get my head around is that I was yet to develop symptoms of HF even though they estimated after a stress echo my heart function was 40%.

I also have a very loose stomach and loss of appetite. I thought these drugs were to improve ones health but ever since I began with Heart trouble 11 years ago when I developed Angina its been drugs drugs drugs. The first one was for Angina and made the symptoms worse - yes worse. I discovered Esselstyne plant based fat free diet which actually took the disabling Angina away in the most part.

Finally after a year they did an angio put in 4 stents for triple vessel disease which was the only improvement. Then drugs drugs drugs experiments on FH LDL reducing meds PCSK9 inhibitors all gave me terrible health problems for 10 years while I experienced 2 HA's.

I should have had a triple bypass 11 years ago - now the Cardio docs at Brampton admit an error.

It seems the cardiologists think drug therapy is the best but who are the people who can take them? I am unsure what to do next. I feel like going back to the ramapril at lease it worked well with controlling high bp?

Anyone else been here?

Any help advice gratefully received.

Michele

[JackmyCat]

my goodness me you’ve certainly been through a lot. I felt as if I was the only one with things/drugs not quite going to plan. Im quite new to this as I had my heart attack/ heart failure just over a year ago. Ive had a Pace Maker fitted but to be honest since its been fitted Im more breathless that I was before ? I had an echogram to check my heart and it came back heart greatly improved now at 40%. ? So just don’t know why Im so breathless all the time?

My heart medication actually dropped my BP too much so I’m now on half the amount of drugs and feeling better all be it still breathless.

If your not happy about these new drugs then tell your doctor you want to stop. You know your own body and how you feel and how it reacts to certain drugs. It took me 4 months of constantly telling my heart nurse and doctor that the heart drugs were making me ill. Finally after quite a few appts they admitted the drugs were bringing my BP down too low. Ramipril was one of the drugs that was stopped altogether but it is a good drug ( my doctor raved about Ramipril saying was best drug for heart) it just made my BP too low

Not everyone feels the same on drugs they affect people in different ways, its a case of trial and error and as this is a new drug its maybe just not working for you. If you and your mind/body was happier on Ramipril then asked to be changed back. Good Luck to you and I wish you all the best.

[Howdenhall in reply to JackmyCat]

My husband was on Ramipril for 14 years and very happy with all the heart medication he was on. However in July this year, he suddenly developed a slower heart rate with missed beats at. After 3 visits to A&E, his blood showed a raised potassium level, and was taken off it. He has been on different medications since them, and is getting quite severe indigestion and acid reflux. His heart drugs have been changed several times, but still feeling very depressed with constant indigestion. Sorry to not have positive news, but perhaps not being alone can be a little bit of help. We just have to find the best medication in the end. Good luck!

[onadiet in reply to Howdenhall]

Lots of BP meds relax the Sphyncter hence more Acid Reflux.Worse is Amlodipine.

[Howdenhall in reply to onadiet]

Yes, his Ramipril was stopped, and put on Amlodipine. They have since changed that for Indapamide which is a diuretic, and seems to be working better. Happy Christmas!

[TaffinSussex in reply to Howdenhall]

Hi, see if your hubby can take apple cider vinegar gummies. I take 2 at night and had been on them for previous 5 years prior to my AF diagnosis. Initially I took them because I was taking ACV in water but was found it a pain if I went to stay at my daughter's so my journey with gummies began. I found they helped my indigestion so much that I stayed on them. I had refused to take ppi's due to side effects so was 'coping' on Gaviscon tablets. I was going through box of 12 a week. It dropped to 0 in a matter of weeks and 5 years on has remained so. I take them 2 hours after my last dose of medications. Do research his meds though and ensure he can have them. I think B6 is in my current brand too. I've tried lots of different brands and trust me, the most expensive aren't necessarily the best. I buy them on Amazon now on subscription. To try and save money I went back on the ACV liquid but decided to stick with the gummies. Supplements aren't cheap unfortunately and I'm currently buying 4 types every 1- 2 months. ££...I try not to think about that lol...good health is priceless as we all find out the full ramifications of that when we develop these conditions! 😵‍💫

[Howdenhall in reply to TaffinSussex]

Thank you for your suggestions. I haven’t found any gummies, but bought some apple cider vinegar today, to have ready to try if necessary. Happy Christmas!

[TaffinSussex in reply to Howdenhall]

Only 2 tsps though diluted in a large glass of water. The gummies I buy are on Amazon....there are loads to choose from. Look for made with 'The Mother' Good luck. Merry Christmas to you too, thank you 😊

[DaphnesMum in reply to Howdenhall]

Here in Scotland if agreed by your GP overvthe counter supplements can be added to your prescription

[DWizza in reply to JackmyCat]

What dose ramipiril were you on , I’m only on half a 1.25mg tablet and 1.25mg bisoprolol (pantoprazole,aspirin and 10mg Rosuvastatin, post nstemi and quadruple bypass July 2023)

[Happyrosie]

My husband six years ago was in a rather similar position to you. He had an appointment with the pharmacist at the doctors surgery (groups of surgeries employ one or two pharmacists). She then recommended changes to the prescription.

[ChristianeL]

I had awful side effects from Entresto but the good news is, they disappeared after 2-3 weeks. Entresto is an amazing medication; it improves life expectancy for people with heart failure. It can take a while till the side effects vanish, but it's worth battleing through this time. I would recommend reading a bit about Entresto. It's a lifesaver, and if your doctors think you should take it, there must be a reason, it's not a cheap medication.

[MoretonCross]

Yes, it's a fact! Doctors want to prescribe, surgeons want to cut. It's what they do. Getting information from them can be difficult, questioning their decisions tricky. 🤔 But sometimes you need to ask why. It's a reasonable thing to do. A consultant once told me to take responsibility for my condition, so that's what I've always tried to do since then. Good luck 👍

[readyabout]

No drugs for me, I have consulted a very good Naturopath, and take her tonic, BP good, heart rate good, etc., etc.

[JackmyCat]

I will look into Entresto sounds interesting, I also get bad acid reflux Im going to try the Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies thanks your not the first person who’s suggested them.

So glad I found these posts you sometimes think your the only one with heart health problems and ongoing medication problems.